Chapter XIII · Chapter 13

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading A council of three men sat in certain rooms, in Conduit Street, London.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading There was nothing whatever about the bachelor's front room overlooking the thoroughfare to suggest secrecy, nor did any one of the three gentlemen who sat in easy-chairs, with cigars in their mouths, in any way resemble a conspirator.

how long something has existed

From this reading X was a man sixty years of age, clean-shaved, with smooth iron-gray hair and bushy eyebrows, from beneath which shone a pair of preternaturally bright blue eyes.

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading For the sake of clearness and convenience, they can be designated as X, Y, and Z. X was the president on the present occasion, but the office was not held permanently, devolving upon each of the three in succession at each successive meeting.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading There was nothing whatever about the bachelor's front room overlooking the thoroughfare to suggest secrecy, nor did any one of the three gentlemen who sat in easy-chairs, with cigars in their mouths, in any way resemble a conspirator.

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading For the sake of clearness and convenience, they can be designated as X, Y, and Z. X was the president on the present occasion, but the office was not held permanently, devolving upon each of the three in succession at each successive meeting.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading For the sake of clearness and convenience, they can be designated as X, Y, and Z. X was the president on the present occasion, but the office was not held permanently, devolving upon each of the three in succession at each successive meeting.

possessive form of “bachelor” — a man who has never been married

From this reading There was nothing whatever about the bachelor's front room overlooking the thoroughfare to suggest secrecy, nor did any one of the three gentlemen who sat in easy-chairs, with cigars in their mouths, in any way resemble a conspirator.

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading For the sake of clearness and convenience, they can be designated as X, Y, and Z. X was the president on the present occasion, but the office was not held permanently, devolving upon each of the three in succession at each successive meeting.

Directly under; in or to a lower position than.

From this reading X was a man sixty years of age, clean-shaved, with smooth iron-gray hair and bushy eyebrows, from beneath which shone a pair of preternaturally bright blue eyes.

of the color intermediate between green and violet; having a color similar to that of a clear unclouded sky

From this reading X was a man sixty years of age, clean-shaved, with smooth iron-gray hair and bushy eyebrows, from beneath which shone a pair of preternaturally bright blue eyes.

emitting or reflecting light readily or in large amounts

From this reading X was a man sixty years of age, clean-shaved, with smooth iron-gray hair and bushy eyebrows, from beneath which shone a pair of preternaturally bright blue eyes.

used of hair; thick and poorly groomed

From this reading X was a man sixty years of age, clean-shaved, with smooth iron-gray hair and bushy eyebrows, from beneath which shone a pair of preternaturally bright blue eyes.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading They were neither masked nor wrapped in cloaks, but wore the ordinary garb of fashionably civilized life.

to be able to, or to be allowed to

From this reading For the sake of clearness and convenience, they can be designated as X, Y, and Z. X was the president on the present occasion, but the office was not held permanently, devolving upon each of the three in succession at each successive meeting.

definite but not specified or identified

From this reading A council of three men sat in certain rooms, in Conduit Street, London.

plural of “cigar” — a roll of tobacco for smoking

From this reading There was nothing whatever about the bachelor's front room overlooking the thoroughfare to suggest secrecy, nor did any one of the three gentlemen who sat in easy-chairs, with cigars in their mouths, in any way resemble a conspirator.

having a high state of culture and development both social and technological

From this reading They were neither masked nor wrapped in cloaks, but wore the ordinary garb of fashionably civilized life.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading X was a man sixty years of age, clean-shaved, with smooth iron-gray hair and bushy eyebrows, from beneath which shone a pair of preternaturally bright blue eyes.

free from obscurity and easy to understand; the comprehensibility of clear expression

From this reading For the sake of clearness and convenience, they can be designated as X, Y, and Z. X was the president on the present occasion, but the office was not held permanently, devolving upon each of the three in succession at each successive meeting.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading They were neither masked nor wrapped in cloaks, but wore the ordinary garb of fashionably civilized life.

a passage (a pipe or tunnel) through which water or electric wires can pass

From this reading A council of three men sat in certain rooms, in Conduit Street, London.

a member of a conspiracy

From this reading There was nothing whatever about the bachelor's front room overlooking the thoroughfare to suggest secrecy, nor did any one of the three gentlemen who sat in easy-chairs, with cigars in their mouths, in any way resemble a conspirator.

the state of being suitable or opportune

From this reading For the sake of clearness and convenience, they can be designated as X, Y, and Z. X was the president on the present occasion, but the office was not held permanently, devolving upon each of the three in succession at each successive meeting.

a body serving in an administrative capacity

From this reading A council of three men sat in certain rooms, in Conduit Street, London.

past form of “designate” — assign a name or title to

From this reading For the sake of clearness and convenience, they can be designated as X, Y, and Z. X was the president on the present occasion, but the office was not held permanently, devolving upon each of the three in succession at each successive meeting.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading For the sake of clearness and convenience, they can be designated as X, Y, and Z. X was the president on the present occasion, but the office was not held permanently, devolving upon each of the three in succession at each successive meeting.

the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives

From this reading There was nothing whatever about the bachelor's front room overlooking the thoroughfare to suggest secrecy, nor did any one of the three gentlemen who sat in easy-chairs, with cigars in their mouths, in any way resemble a conspirator.

every one of two or more people or things, taken separately

From this reading For the sake of clearness and convenience, they can be designated as X, Y, and Z. X was the president on the present occasion, but the office was not held permanently, devolving upon each of the three in succession at each successive meeting.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading There was nothing whatever about the bachelor's front room overlooking the thoroughfare to suggest secrecy, nor did any one of the three gentlemen who sat in easy-chairs, with cigars in their mouths, in any way resemble a conspirator.

plural of “eyebrow” — the arch of hair above each eye

From this reading X was a man sixty years of age, clean-shaved, with smooth iron-gray hair and bushy eyebrows, from beneath which shone a pair of preternaturally bright blue eyes.

opinion or judgment

From this reading X was a man sixty years of age, clean-shaved, with smooth iron-gray hair and bushy eyebrows, from beneath which shone a pair of preternaturally bright blue eyes.

in a fashionable manner

From this reading They were neither masked nor wrapped in cloaks, but wore the ordinary garb of fashionably civilized life.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading For the sake of clearness and convenience, they can be designated as X, Y, and Z. X was the president on the present occasion, but the office was not held permanently, devolving upon each of the three in succession at each successive meeting.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading X was a man sixty years of age, clean-shaved, with smooth iron-gray hair and bushy eyebrows, from beneath which shone a pair of preternaturally bright blue eyes.

the side that is forward or prominent

From this reading There was nothing whatever about the bachelor's front room overlooking the thoroughfare to suggest secrecy, nor did any one of the three gentlemen who sat in easy-chairs, with cigars in their mouths, in any way resemble a conspirator.

clothing of a distinctive style or for a particular occasion

From this reading They were neither masked nor wrapped in cloaks, but wore the ordinary garb of fashionably civilized life.

plural of “gentleman” — a man of refinement

From this reading There was nothing whatever about the bachelor's front room overlooking the thoroughfare to suggest secrecy, nor did any one of the three gentlemen who sat in easy-chairs, with cigars in their mouths, in any way resemble a conspirator.

a covering for the body (or parts of it) consisting of a dense growth of threadlike structures (as on the human head); helps to prevent heat loss

From this reading X was a man sixty years of age, clean-shaved, with smooth iron-gray hair and bushy eyebrows, from beneath which shone a pair of preternaturally bright blue eyes.

occupied or in the control of; often used in combination

From this reading For the sake of clearness and convenience, they can be designated as X, Y, and Z. X was the president on the present occasion, but the office was not held permanently, devolving upon each of the three in succession at each successive meeting.

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading A council of three men sat in certain rooms, in Conduit Street, London.

the color of freshly broken cast iron

From this reading X was a man sixty years of age, clean-shaved, with smooth iron-gray hair and bushy eyebrows, from beneath which shone a pair of preternaturally bright blue eyes.

a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading They were neither masked nor wrapped in cloaks, but wore the ordinary garb of fashionably civilized life.

the capital and largest city of England; located on the Thames in southeastern England; financial and industrial and cultural center

From this reading A council of three men sat in certain rooms, in Conduit Street, London.

an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

From this reading X was a man sixty years of age, clean-shaved, with smooth iron-gray hair and bushy eyebrows, from beneath which shone a pair of preternaturally bright blue eyes.

having its true character concealed with the intent of misleading

From this reading They were neither masked nor wrapped in cloaks, but wore the ordinary garb of fashionably civilized life.

a formally arranged gathering

From this reading For the sake of clearness and convenience, they can be designated as X, Y, and Z. X was the president on the present occasion, but the office was not held permanently, devolving upon each of the three in succession at each successive meeting.

the force of workers available

From this reading A council of three men sat in certain rooms, in Conduit Street, London.

plural of “mouth” — the opening through which food is taken in and vocalizations emerge

From this reading There was nothing whatever about the bachelor's front room overlooking the thoroughfare to suggest secrecy, nor did any one of the three gentlemen who sat in easy-chairs, with cigars in their mouths, in any way resemble a conspirator.

not one and not the other of two

From this reading They were neither masked nor wrapped in cloaks, but wore the ordinary garb of fashionably civilized life.

and not; used after a negative to add a second negative

From this reading There was nothing whatever about the bachelor's front room overlooking the thoroughfare to suggest secrecy, nor did any one of the three gentlemen who sat in easy-chairs, with cigars in their mouths, in any way resemble a conspirator.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading For the sake of clearness and convenience, they can be designated as X, Y, and Z. X was the president on the present occasion, but the office was not held permanently, devolving upon each of the three in succession at each successive meeting.

not one thing; not anything

From this reading There was nothing whatever about the bachelor's front room overlooking the thoroughfare to suggest secrecy, nor did any one of the three gentlemen who sat in easy-chairs, with cigars in their mouths, in any way resemble a conspirator.

an event that occurs at a critical time

From this reading For the sake of clearness and convenience, they can be designated as X, Y, and Z. X was the president on the present occasion, but the office was not held permanently, devolving upon each of the three in succession at each successive meeting.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading A council of three men sat in certain rooms, in Conduit Street, London.

place of business where professional or clerical duties are performed

From this reading For the sake of clearness and convenience, they can be designated as X, Y, and Z. X was the president on the present occasion, but the office was not held permanently, devolving upon each of the three in succession at each successive meeting.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading For the sake of clearness and convenience, they can be designated as X, Y, and Z. X was the president on the present occasion, but the office was not held permanently, devolving upon each of the three in succession at each successive meeting.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading There was nothing whatever about the bachelor's front room overlooking the thoroughfare to suggest secrecy, nor did any one of the three gentlemen who sat in easy-chairs, with cigars in their mouths, in any way resemble a conspirator.

a judge of a probate court

From this reading They were neither masked nor wrapped in cloaks, but wore the ordinary garb of fashionably civilized life.

used of a height or viewpoint

From this reading There was nothing whatever about the bachelor's front room overlooking the thoroughfare to suggest secrecy, nor did any one of the three gentlemen who sat in easy-chairs, with cigars in their mouths, in any way resemble a conspirator.

a set of two similar things considered as a unit

From this reading X was a man sixty years of age, clean-shaved, with smooth iron-gray hair and bushy eyebrows, from beneath which shone a pair of preternaturally bright blue eyes.

for a long time without essential change

From this reading For the sake of clearness and convenience, they can be designated as X, Y, and Z. X was the president on the present occasion, but the office was not held permanently, devolving upon each of the three in succession at each successive meeting.

give an exhibition of to an interested audience

From this reading For the sake of clearness and convenience, they can be designated as X, Y, and Z. X was the president on the present occasion, but the office was not held permanently, devolving upon each of the three in succession at each successive meeting.

an executive officer of a firm or corporation

From this reading For the sake of clearness and convenience, they can be designated as X, Y, and Z. X was the president on the present occasion, but the office was not held permanently, devolving upon each of the three in succession at each successive meeting.

in a supernatural manner

From this reading X was a man sixty years of age, clean-shaved, with smooth iron-gray hair and bushy eyebrows, from beneath which shone a pair of preternaturally bright blue eyes.

appear like; be similar or bear a likeness to

From this reading There was nothing whatever about the bachelor's front room overlooking the thoroughfare to suggest secrecy, nor did any one of the three gentlemen who sat in easy-chairs, with cigars in their mouths, in any way resemble a conspirator.

an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling

From this reading There was nothing whatever about the bachelor's front room overlooking the thoroughfare to suggest secrecy, nor did any one of the three gentlemen who sat in easy-chairs, with cigars in their mouths, in any way resemble a conspirator.

apartment consisting of a series of connected rooms used as a living unit (as in a hotel)

From this reading A council of three men sat in certain rooms, in Conduit Street, London.

a reason for wanting something done

From this reading For the sake of clearness and convenience, they can be designated as X, Y, and Z. X was the president on the present occasion, but the office was not held permanently, devolving upon each of the three in succession at each successive meeting.

the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians

From this reading A council of three men sat in certain rooms, in Conduit Street, London.

the trait of keeping things secret

From this reading There was nothing whatever about the bachelor's front room overlooking the thoroughfare to suggest secrecy, nor did any one of the three gentlemen who sat in easy-chairs, with cigars in their mouths, in any way resemble a conspirator.

inflected form of “shine” — be bright by reflecting or casting light

From this reading X was a man sixty years of age, clean-shaved, with smooth iron-gray hair and bushy eyebrows, from beneath which shone a pair of preternaturally bright blue eyes.

being ten more than fifty

From this reading X was a man sixty years of age, clean-shaved, with smooth iron-gray hair and bushy eyebrows, from beneath which shone a pair of preternaturally bright blue eyes.

having a surface free from roughness or bumps or ridges or irregularities

From this reading X was a man sixty years of age, clean-shaved, with smooth iron-gray hair and bushy eyebrows, from beneath which shone a pair of preternaturally bright blue eyes.

a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings

From this reading A council of three men sat in certain rooms, in Conduit Street, London.

a following of one thing after another in time

From this reading For the sake of clearness and convenience, they can be designated as X, Y, and Z. X was the president on the present occasion, but the office was not held permanently, devolving upon each of the three in succession at each successive meeting.

in regular succession without gaps

From this reading For the sake of clearness and convenience, they can be designated as X, Y, and Z. X was the president on the present occasion, but the office was not held permanently, devolving upon each of the three in succession at each successive meeting.

make a proposal, declare a plan for something

From this reading There was nothing whatever about the bachelor's front room overlooking the thoroughfare to suggest secrecy, nor did any one of the three gentlemen who sat in easy-chairs, with cigars in their mouths, in any way resemble a conspirator.

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading There was nothing whatever about the bachelor's front room overlooking the thoroughfare to suggest secrecy, nor did any one of the three gentlemen who sat in easy-chairs, with cigars in their mouths, in any way resemble a conspirator.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading There was nothing whatever about the bachelor's front room overlooking the thoroughfare to suggest secrecy, nor did any one of the three gentlemen who sat in easy-chairs, with cigars in their mouths, in any way resemble a conspirator.

in or at that place or location

From this reading There was nothing whatever about the bachelor's front room overlooking the thoroughfare to suggest secrecy, nor did any one of the three gentlemen who sat in easy-chairs, with cigars in their mouths, in any way resemble a conspirator.

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading They were neither masked nor wrapped in cloaks, but wore the ordinary garb of fashionably civilized life.

a public road from one place to another

From this reading There was nothing whatever about the bachelor's front room overlooking the thoroughfare to suggest secrecy, nor did any one of the three gentlemen who sat in easy-chairs, with cigars in their mouths, in any way resemble a conspirator.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one

From this reading A council of three men sat in certain rooms, in Conduit Street, London.

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading There was nothing whatever about the bachelor's front room overlooking the thoroughfare to suggest secrecy, nor did any one of the three gentlemen who sat in easy-chairs, with cigars in their mouths, in any way resemble a conspirator.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading For the sake of clearness and convenience, they can be designated as X, Y, and Z. X was the president on the present occasion, but the office was not held permanently, devolving upon each of the three in succession at each successive meeting.

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading There was nothing whatever about the bachelor's front room overlooking the thoroughfare to suggest secrecy, nor did any one of the three gentlemen who sat in easy-chairs, with cigars in their mouths, in any way resemble a conspirator.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading There was nothing whatever about the bachelor's front room overlooking the thoroughfare to suggest secrecy, nor did any one of the three gentlemen who sat in easy-chairs, with cigars in their mouths, in any way resemble a conspirator.

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading They were neither masked nor wrapped in cloaks, but wore the ordinary garb of fashionably civilized life.

any or all of a kind, it does not matter which

From this reading There was nothing whatever about the bachelor's front room overlooking the thoroughfare to suggest secrecy, nor did any one of the three gentlemen who sat in easy-chairs, with cigars in their mouths, in any way resemble a conspirator.

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading X was a man sixty years of age, clean-shaved, with smooth iron-gray hair and bushy eyebrows, from beneath which shone a pair of preternaturally bright blue eyes.

which person or people

From this reading There was nothing whatever about the bachelor's front room overlooking the thoroughfare to suggest secrecy, nor did any one of the three gentlemen who sat in easy-chairs, with cigars in their mouths, in any way resemble a conspirator.

in the company of; together with

From this reading There was nothing whatever about the bachelor's front room overlooking the thoroughfare to suggest secrecy, nor did any one of the three gentlemen who sat in easy-chairs, with cigars in their mouths, in any way resemble a conspirator.

inflected form of “wear” — be dressed in

From this reading They were neither masked nor wrapped in cloaks, but wore the ordinary garb of fashionably civilized life.

covered with or as if with clothes or a wrap or cloak

From this reading They were neither masked nor wrapped in cloaks, but wore the ordinary garb of fashionably civilized life.

the cardinal number that is the sum of nine and one; the base of the decimal system

From this reading For the sake of clearness and convenience, they can be designated as X, Y, and Z. X was the president on the present occasion, but the office was not held permanently, devolving upon each of the three in succession at each successive meeting.

a silvery metallic element that is common in rare-earth minerals; used in magnesium and aluminum alloys

From this reading For the sake of clearness and convenience, they can be designated as X, Y, and Z. X was the president on the present occasion, but the office was not held permanently, devolving upon each of the three in succession at each successive meeting.

a late time of life

From this reading X was a man sixty years of age, clean-shaved, with smooth iron-gray hair and bushy eyebrows, from beneath which shone a pair of preternaturally bright blue eyes.

the ending of a series or sequence

From this reading For the sake of clearness and convenience, they can be designated as X, Y, and Z. X was the president on the present occasion, but the office was not held permanently, devolving upon each of the three in succession at each successive meeting.