Chapter XII · Chapter 12

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

From this reading At evening came a downpour of rain, and at night a fitful wind was blowing--one moment of silence and then a throb of rain at the windows.

matters of personal concern

From this reading In his office the Major sat, looking over the affairs of his estate.

(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class

From this reading All day the clouds had been gathering, hanging low over the fields.

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

From this reading At evening came a downpour of rain, and at night a fitful wind was blowing--one moment of silence and then a throb of rain at the windows.

put into service; make work or employ for a particular purpose or for its inherent or natural purpose

From this reading It was noted that he preferred a stormy night thus to apply himself; the harshness of figures, the unbending stubbornness of a date, in his mind seemed to find a unity with the sharp whistle of the wind and the lashes of rain on the moss-covered roof.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading At evening came a downpour of rain, and at night a fitful wind was blowing--one moment of silence and then a throb of rain at the windows.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading All day the clouds had been gathering, hanging low over the fields.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading Before him, on yellowing paper, was old Gid's name, and at it he slowly shook his head, for fretfully he nursed the consciousness of having for years been the dupe of that man's humorous rascality.

processing that involves blowing a gas

From this reading At evening came a downpour of rain, and at night a fitful wind was blowing--one moment of silence and then a throb of rain at the windows.

inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading At evening came a downpour of rain, and at night a fitful wind was blowing--one moment of silence and then a throb of rain at the windows.

plural of “cloud” — any collection of particles (e.g., smoke or dust) or gases that is visible

From this reading All day the clouds had been gathering, hanging low over the fields.

an alert cognitive state in which you are aware of yourself and your situation

From this reading Before him, on yellowing paper, was old Gid's name, and at it he slowly shook his head, for fretfully he nursed the consciousness of having for years been the dupe of that man's humorous rascality.

the specified day of the month

From this reading It was noted that he preferred a stormy night thus to apply himself; the harshness of figures, the unbending stubbornness of a date, in his mind seemed to find a unity with the sharp whistle of the wind and the lashes of rain on the moss-covered roof.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading All day the clouds had been gathering, hanging low over the fields.

a heavy rain

From this reading At evening came a downpour of rain, and at night a fitful wind was blowing--one moment of silence and then a throb of rain at the windows.

fool or hoax

From this reading Before him, on yellowing paper, was old Gid's name, and at it he slowly shook his head, for fretfully he nursed the consciousness of having for years been the dupe of that man's humorous rascality.

everything you own; all of your assets (whether real property or personal property) and liabilities

From this reading In his office the Major sat, looking over the affairs of his estate.

the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)

From this reading At evening came a downpour of rain, and at night a fitful wind was blowing--one moment of silence and then a throb of rain at the windows.

United States comedian and film actor (1880-1946)

From this reading All day the clouds had been gathering, hanging low over the fields.

plural of “figure” — a diagram or picture illustrating textual material

From this reading It was noted that he preferred a stormy night thus to apply himself; the harshness of figures, the unbending stubbornness of a date, in his mind seemed to find a unity with the sharp whistle of the wind and the lashes of rain on the moss-covered roof.

come upon, as if by accident; meet with

From this reading It was noted that he preferred a stormy night thus to apply himself; the harshness of figures, the unbending stubbornness of a date, in his mind seemed to find a unity with the sharp whistle of the wind and the lashes of rain on the moss-covered roof.

occurring in spells and often abruptly

From this reading At evening came a downpour of rain, and at night a fitful wind was blowing--one moment of silence and then a throb of rain at the windows.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Before him, on yellowing paper, was old Gid's name, and at it he slowly shook his head, for fretfully he nursed the consciousness of having for years been the dupe of that man's humorous rascality.

in a fretful manner

From this reading Before him, on yellowing paper, was old Gid's name, and at it he slowly shook his head, for fretfully he nursed the consciousness of having for years been the dupe of that man's humorous rascality.

a group of persons together in one place

From this reading All day the clouds had been gathering, hanging low over the fields.

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

From this reading Before him, on yellowing paper, was old Gid's name, and at it he slowly shook his head, for fretfully he nursed the consciousness of having for years been the dupe of that man's humorous rascality.

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading All day the clouds had been gathering, hanging low over the fields.

decoration that is hung (as a tapestry) on a wall or over a window

From this reading All day the clouds had been gathering, hanging low over the fields.

the roughness of a substance that causes abrasions

From this reading It was noted that he preferred a stormy night thus to apply himself; the harshness of figures, the unbending stubbornness of a date, in his mind seemed to find a unity with the sharp whistle of the wind and the lashes of rain on the moss-covered roof.

the -ing form of “have”

From this reading Before him, on yellowing paper, was old Gid's name, and at it he slowly shook his head, for fretfully he nursed the consciousness of having for years been the dupe of that man's humorous rascality.

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading It was noted that he preferred a stormy night thus to apply himself; the harshness of figures, the unbending stubbornness of a date, in his mind seemed to find a unity with the sharp whistle of the wind and the lashes of rain on the moss-covered roof.

the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains

From this reading Before him, on yellowing paper, was old Gid's name, and at it he slowly shook his head, for fretfully he nursed the consciousness of having for years been the dupe of that man's humorous rascality.

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading Before him, on yellowing paper, was old Gid's name, and at it he slowly shook his head, for fretfully he nursed the consciousness of having for years been the dupe of that man's humorous rascality.

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading It was noted that he preferred a stormy night thus to apply himself; the harshness of figures, the unbending stubbornness of a date, in his mind seemed to find a unity with the sharp whistle of the wind and the lashes of rain on the moss-covered roof.

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading In his office the Major sat, looking over the affairs of his estate.

full of or characterized by humor

From this reading Before him, on yellowing paper, was old Gid's name, and at it he slowly shook his head, for fretfully he nursed the consciousness of having for years been the dupe of that man's humorous rascality.

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

From this reading In his office the Major sat, looking over the affairs of his estate.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was noted that he preferred a stormy night thus to apply himself; the harshness of figures, the unbending stubbornness of a date, in his mind seemed to find a unity with the sharp whistle of the wind and the lashes of rain on the moss-covered roof.

plural of “lash” — any of the short curved hairs that grow from the edges of the eyelids

From this reading It was noted that he preferred a stormy night thus to apply himself; the harshness of figures, the unbending stubbornness of a date, in his mind seemed to find a unity with the sharp whistle of the wind and the lashes of rain on the moss-covered roof.

the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually

From this reading In his office the Major sat, looking over the affairs of his estate.

less than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading All day the clouds had been gathering, hanging low over the fields.

of greater importance or stature or rank

From this reading In his office the Major sat, looking over the affairs of his estate.

possessive form of “man” — an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

From this reading Before him, on yellowing paper, was old Gid's name, and at it he slowly shook his head, for fretfully he nursed the consciousness of having for years been the dupe of that man's humorous rascality.

The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.

From this reading It was noted that he preferred a stormy night thus to apply himself; the harshness of figures, the unbending stubbornness of a date, in his mind seemed to find a unity with the sharp whistle of the wind and the lashes of rain on the moss-covered roof.

a particular point in time

From this reading At evening came a downpour of rain, and at night a fitful wind was blowing--one moment of silence and then a throb of rain at the windows.

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

From this reading It was noted that he preferred a stormy night thus to apply himself; the harshness of figures, the unbending stubbornness of a date, in his mind seemed to find a unity with the sharp whistle of the wind and the lashes of rain on the moss-covered roof.

assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading Before him, on yellowing paper, was old Gid's name, and at it he slowly shook his head, for fretfully he nursed the consciousness of having for years been the dupe of that man's humorous rascality.

the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside

From this reading At evening came a downpour of rain, and at night a fitful wind was blowing--one moment of silence and then a throb of rain at the windows.

widely known and esteemed

From this reading It was noted that he preferred a stormy night thus to apply himself; the harshness of figures, the unbending stubbornness of a date, in his mind seemed to find a unity with the sharp whistle of the wind and the lashes of rain on the moss-covered roof.

(of an infant) breast-fed

From this reading Before him, on yellowing paper, was old Gid's name, and at it he slowly shook his head, for fretfully he nursed the consciousness of having for years been the dupe of that man's humorous rascality.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading At evening came a downpour of rain, and at night a fitful wind was blowing--one moment of silence and then a throb of rain at the windows.

place of business where professional or clerical duties are performed

From this reading In his office the Major sat, looking over the affairs of his estate.

(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age

From this reading Before him, on yellowing paper, was old Gid's name, and at it he slowly shook his head, for fretfully he nursed the consciousness of having for years been the dupe of that man's humorous rascality.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading It was noted that he preferred a stormy night thus to apply himself; the harshness of figures, the unbending stubbornness of a date, in his mind seemed to find a unity with the sharp whistle of the wind and the lashes of rain on the moss-covered roof.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading At evening came a downpour of rain, and at night a fitful wind was blowing--one moment of silence and then a throb of rain at the windows.

above and across; more than

From this reading All day the clouds had been gathering, hanging low over the fields.

a material made of cellulose pulp derived mainly from wood or rags or certain grasses

From this reading Before him, on yellowing paper, was old Gid's name, and at it he slowly shook his head, for fretfully he nursed the consciousness of having for years been the dupe of that man's humorous rascality.

more desirable than another

From this reading It was noted that he preferred a stormy night thus to apply himself; the harshness of figures, the unbending stubbornness of a date, in his mind seemed to find a unity with the sharp whistle of the wind and the lashes of rain on the moss-covered roof.

water falling in drops from vapor condensed in the atmosphere

From this reading At evening came a downpour of rain, and at night a fitful wind was blowing--one moment of silence and then a throb of rain at the windows.

the trait of indulging in disreputable pranks

From this reading Before him, on yellowing paper, was old Gid's name, and at it he slowly shook his head, for fretfully he nursed the consciousness of having for years been the dupe of that man's humorous rascality.

a protective covering that covers or forms the top of a building

From this reading It was noted that he preferred a stormy night thus to apply himself; the harshness of figures, the unbending stubbornness of a date, in his mind seemed to find a unity with the sharp whistle of the wind and the lashes of rain on the moss-covered roof.

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

From this reading In his office the Major sat, looking over the affairs of his estate.

past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading It was noted that he preferred a stormy night thus to apply himself; the harshness of figures, the unbending stubbornness of a date, in his mind seemed to find a unity with the sharp whistle of the wind and the lashes of rain on the moss-covered roof.

(of something seen or heard) clearly defined

From this reading It was noted that he preferred a stormy night thus to apply himself; the harshness of figures, the unbending stubbornness of a date, in his mind seemed to find a unity with the sharp whistle of the wind and the lashes of rain on the moss-covered roof.

a disassembled barrel; the parts packed for storage or shipment

From this reading Before him, on yellowing paper, was old Gid's name, and at it he slowly shook his head, for fretfully he nursed the consciousness of having for years been the dupe of that man's humorous rascality.

Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.

From this reading At evening came a downpour of rain, and at night a fitful wind was blowing--one moment of silence and then a throb of rain at the windows.

without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)

From this reading Before him, on yellowing paper, was old Gid's name, and at it he slowly shook his head, for fretfully he nursed the consciousness of having for years been the dupe of that man's humorous rascality.

(especially of weather) affected or characterized by storms or commotion

From this reading It was noted that he preferred a stormy night thus to apply himself; the harshness of figures, the unbending stubbornness of a date, in his mind seemed to find a unity with the sharp whistle of the wind and the lashes of rain on the moss-covered roof.

the trait of being difficult to handle or overcome

From this reading It was noted that he preferred a stormy night thus to apply himself; the harshness of figures, the unbending stubbornness of a date, in his mind seemed to find a unity with the sharp whistle of the wind and the lashes of rain on the moss-covered roof.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading It was noted that he preferred a stormy night thus to apply himself; the harshness of figures, the unbending stubbornness of a date, in his mind seemed to find a unity with the sharp whistle of the wind and the lashes of rain on the moss-covered roof.

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

From this reading All day the clouds had been gathering, hanging low over the fields.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading At evening came a downpour of rain, and at night a fitful wind was blowing--one moment of silence and then a throb of rain at the windows.

pulsate or pound with abnormal force

From this reading At evening came a downpour of rain, and at night a fitful wind was blowing--one moment of silence and then a throb of rain at the windows.

(used to introduce a logical conclusion) from that fact or reason or as a result

From this reading It was noted that he preferred a stormy night thus to apply himself; the harshness of figures, the unbending stubbornness of a date, in his mind seemed to find a unity with the sharp whistle of the wind and the lashes of rain on the moss-covered roof.

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

From this reading It was noted that he preferred a stormy night thus to apply himself; the harshness of figures, the unbending stubbornness of a date, in his mind seemed to find a unity with the sharp whistle of the wind and the lashes of rain on the moss-covered roof.

incapable of adapting or changing to meet circumstances

From this reading It was noted that he preferred a stormy night thus to apply himself; the harshness of figures, the unbending stubbornness of a date, in his mind seemed to find a unity with the sharp whistle of the wind and the lashes of rain on the moss-covered roof.

an undivided or unbroken completeness or totality with nothing wanting

From this reading It was noted that he preferred a stormy night thus to apply himself; the harshness of figures, the unbending stubbornness of a date, in his mind seemed to find a unity with the sharp whistle of the wind and the lashes of rain on the moss-covered roof.

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

From this reading At evening came a downpour of rain, and at night a fitful wind was blowing--one moment of silence and then a throb of rain at the windows.

make whistling sounds

From this reading It was noted that he preferred a stormy night thus to apply himself; the harshness of figures, the unbending stubbornness of a date, in his mind seemed to find a unity with the sharp whistle of the wind and the lashes of rain on the moss-covered roof.

air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure

From this reading At evening came a downpour of rain, and at night a fitful wind was blowing--one moment of silence and then a throb of rain at the windows.

(trademark) an operating system with a graphical user interface

From this reading At evening came a downpour of rain, and at night a fitful wind was blowing--one moment of silence and then a throb of rain at the windows.

in the company of; together with

From this reading It was noted that he preferred a stormy night thus to apply himself; the harshness of figures, the unbending stubbornness of a date, in his mind seemed to find a unity with the sharp whistle of the wind and the lashes of rain on the moss-covered roof.

a late time of life

From this reading Before him, on yellowing paper, was old Gid's name, and at it he slowly shook his head, for fretfully he nursed the consciousness of having for years been the dupe of that man's humorous rascality.

-ing form of “yellow” — turn yellow

From this reading Before him, on yellowing paper, was old Gid's name, and at it he slowly shook his head, for fretfully he nursed the consciousness of having for years been the dupe of that man's humorous rascality.