Chapter XVII · Chapter 17

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

From this reading With a generous and perhaps weak falsehood the Major sought to assure his wife that Gid had paid a part of his debt, and that a complete settlement was not far off, but with a cool smile she looked at him and replied: "John, please don't tax your conscience any further.

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

From this reading With a generous and perhaps weak falsehood the Major sought to assure his wife that Gid had paid a part of his debt, and that a complete settlement was not far off, but with a cool smile she looked at him and replied: "John, please don't tax your conscience any further.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading With a generous and perhaps weak falsehood the Major sought to assure his wife that Gid had paid a part of his debt, and that a complete settlement was not far off, but with a cool smile she looked at him and replied: "John, please don't tax your conscience any further.

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

From this reading "And as much as you might want the subject to be dropped you can't let it fall without reminding me--but we will let it drop; we'll throw it down.

make certain of

From this reading With a generous and perhaps weak falsehood the Major sought to assure his wife that Gid had paid a part of his debt, and that a complete settlement was not far off, but with a cool smile she looked at him and replied: "John, please don't tax your conscience any further.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading With a generous and perhaps weak falsehood the Major sought to assure his wife that Gid had paid a part of his debt, and that a complete settlement was not far off, but with a cool smile she looked at him and replied: "John, please don't tax your conscience any further.

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

From this reading "And as much as you might want the subject to be dropped you can't let it fall without reminding me--but we will let it drop; we'll throw it down.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading With a generous and perhaps weak falsehood the Major sought to assure his wife that Gid had paid a part of his debt, and that a complete settlement was not far off, but with a cool smile she looked at him and replied: "John, please don't tax your conscience any further.

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

From this reading "And as much as you might want the subject to be dropped you can't let it fall without reminding me--but we will let it drop; we'll throw it down.

come or bring to a finish or an end

From this reading With a generous and perhaps weak falsehood the Major sought to assure his wife that Gid had paid a part of his debt, and that a complete settlement was not far off, but with a cool smile she looked at him and replied: "John, please don't tax your conscience any further.

motivation deriving logically from ethical or moral principles that govern a person's thoughts and actions

From this reading With a generous and perhaps weak falsehood the Major sought to assure his wife that Gid had paid a part of his debt, and that a complete settlement was not far off, but with a cool smile she looked at him and replied: "John, please don't tax your conscience any further.

neither warm nor very cold; giving relief from heat

From this reading With a generous and perhaps weak falsehood the Major sought to assure his wife that Gid had paid a part of his debt, and that a complete settlement was not far off, but with a cool smile she looked at him and replied: "John, please don't tax your conscience any further.

the state of owing something (especially money)

From this reading With a generous and perhaps weak falsehood the Major sought to assure his wife that Gid had paid a part of his debt, and that a complete settlement was not far off, but with a cool smile she looked at him and replied: "John, please don't tax your conscience any further.

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

From this reading With a generous and perhaps weak falsehood the Major sought to assure his wife that Gid had paid a part of his debt, and that a complete settlement was not far off, but with a cool smile she looked at him and replied: "John, please don't tax your conscience any further.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading "And as much as you might want the subject to be dropped you can't let it fall without reminding me--but we will let it drop; we'll throw it down.

let fall to the ground

From this reading Let the matter drop.

inflected form of “drop” — let fall to the ground

From this reading "And as much as you might want the subject to be dropped you can't let it fall without reminding me--but we will let it drop; we'll throw it down.

divisible by two

From this reading I won't even say I told you so."

descend in free fall under the influence of gravity

From this reading "And as much as you might want the subject to be dropped you can't let it fall without reminding me--but we will let it drop; we'll throw it down.

a false statement

From this reading With a generous and perhaps weak falsehood the Major sought to assure his wife that Gid had paid a part of his debt, and that a complete settlement was not far off, but with a cool smile she looked at him and replied: "John, please don't tax your conscience any further.

to a considerable degree; very much

From this reading With a generous and perhaps weak falsehood the Major sought to assure his wife that Gid had paid a part of his debt, and that a complete settlement was not far off, but with a cool smile she looked at him and replied: "John, please don't tax your conscience any further.

to or at a greater extent or degree or a more advanced stage (“further” is used more often than “farther” in this abstract sense)

From this reading With a generous and perhaps weak falsehood the Major sought to assure his wife that Gid had paid a part of his debt, and that a complete settlement was not far off, but with a cool smile she looked at him and replied: "John, please don't tax your conscience any further.

willing to give and share unstintingly

From this reading With a generous and perhaps weak falsehood the Major sought to assure his wife that Gid had paid a part of his debt, and that a complete settlement was not far off, but with a cool smile she looked at him and replied: "John, please don't tax your conscience any further.

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

From this reading With a generous and perhaps weak falsehood the Major sought to assure his wife that Gid had paid a part of his debt, and that a complete settlement was not far off, but with a cool smile she looked at him and replied: "John, please don't tax your conscience any further.

relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind

From this reading It's too great a strain on you.

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

From this reading With a generous and perhaps weak falsehood the Major sought to assure his wife that Gid had paid a part of his debt, and that a complete settlement was not far off, but with a cool smile she looked at him and replied: "John, please don't tax your conscience any further.

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

From this reading With a generous and perhaps weak falsehood the Major sought to assure his wife that Gid had paid a part of his debt, and that a complete settlement was not far off, but with a cool smile she looked at him and replied: "John, please don't tax your conscience any further.

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

From this reading With a generous and perhaps weak falsehood the Major sought to assure his wife that Gid had paid a part of his debt, and that a complete settlement was not far off, but with a cool smile she looked at him and replied: "John, please don't tax your conscience any further.

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading I won't even say I told you so."

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading "And as much as you might want the subject to be dropped you can't let it fall without reminding me--but we will let it drop; we'll throw it down.

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

From this reading It's too great a strain on you.

a room or building equipped with one or more toilets

From this reading With a generous and perhaps weak falsehood the Major sought to assure his wife that Gid had paid a part of his debt, and that a complete settlement was not far off, but with a cool smile she looked at him and replied: "John, please don't tax your conscience any further.

used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker

From this reading Let the matter drop.

past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading With a generous and perhaps weak falsehood the Major sought to assure his wife that Gid had paid a part of his debt, and that a complete settlement was not far off, but with a cool smile she looked at him and replied: "John, please don't tax your conscience any further.

of greater importance or stature or rank

From this reading With a generous and perhaps weak falsehood the Major sought to assure his wife that Gid had paid a part of his debt, and that a complete settlement was not far off, but with a cool smile she looked at him and replied: "John, please don't tax your conscience any further.

a vaguely specified concern

From this reading Let the matter drop.

the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading "And as much as you might want the subject to be dropped you can't let it fall without reminding me--but we will let it drop; we'll throw it down.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading "And as much as you might want the subject to be dropped you can't let it fall without reminding me--but we will let it drop; we'll throw it down.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading "And as much as you might want the subject to be dropped you can't let it fall without reminding me--but we will let it drop; we'll throw it down.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading With a generous and perhaps weak falsehood the Major sought to assure his wife that Gid had paid a part of his debt, and that a complete settlement was not far off, but with a cool smile she looked at him and replied: "John, please don't tax your conscience any further.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading With a generous and perhaps weak falsehood the Major sought to assure his wife that Gid had paid a part of his debt, and that a complete settlement was not far off, but with a cool smile she looked at him and replied: "John, please don't tax your conscience any further.

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading With a generous and perhaps weak falsehood the Major sought to assure his wife that Gid had paid a part of his debt, and that a complete settlement was not far off, but with a cool smile she looked at him and replied: "John, please don't tax your conscience any further.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading It's too great a strain on you.

marked by the reception of pay

From this reading With a generous and perhaps weak falsehood the Major sought to assure his wife that Gid had paid a part of his debt, and that a complete settlement was not far off, but with a cool smile she looked at him and replied: "John, please don't tax your conscience any further.

something determined in relation to something that includes it

From this reading With a generous and perhaps weak falsehood the Major sought to assure his wife that Gid had paid a part of his debt, and that a complete settlement was not far off, but with a cool smile she looked at him and replied: "John, please don't tax your conscience any further.

by chance

From this reading With a generous and perhaps weak falsehood the Major sought to assure his wife that Gid had paid a part of his debt, and that a complete settlement was not far off, but with a cool smile she looked at him and replied: "John, please don't tax your conscience any further.

give pleasure to or be pleasing to

From this reading With a generous and perhaps weak falsehood the Major sought to assure his wife that Gid had paid a part of his debt, and that a complete settlement was not far off, but with a cool smile she looked at him and replied: "John, please don't tax your conscience any further.

-ing form of “remind” — put in the mind of someone

From this reading "And as much as you might want the subject to be dropped you can't let it fall without reminding me--but we will let it drop; we'll throw it down.

inflected form of “reply” — react verbally

From this reading With a generous and perhaps weak falsehood the Major sought to assure his wife that Gid had paid a part of his debt, and that a complete settlement was not far off, but with a cool smile she looked at him and replied: "John, please don't tax your conscience any further.

express in words

From this reading I won't even say I told you so."

a body of people who settle far from home but maintain ties with their homeland; inhabitants remain nationals of their home state but are not literally under the home state's system of government

From this reading With a generous and perhaps weak falsehood the Major sought to assure his wife that Gid had paid a part of his debt, and that a complete settlement was not far off, but with a cool smile she looked at him and replied: "John, please don't tax your conscience any further.

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading With a generous and perhaps weak falsehood the Major sought to assure his wife that Gid had paid a part of his debt, and that a complete settlement was not far off, but with a cool smile she looked at him and replied: "John, please don't tax your conscience any further.

change one's facial expression by spreading the lips, often to signal pleasure

From this reading With a generous and perhaps weak falsehood the Major sought to assure his wife that Gid had paid a part of his debt, and that a complete settlement was not far off, but with a cool smile she looked at him and replied: "John, please don't tax your conscience any further.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading I won't even say I told you so."

that is looked for

From this reading With a generous and perhaps weak falsehood the Major sought to assure his wife that Gid had paid a part of his debt, and that a complete settlement was not far off, but with a cool smile she looked at him and replied: "John, please don't tax your conscience any further.

(physics) deformation of a physical body under the action of applied forces

From this reading It's too great a strain on you.

the subject matter of a conversation or discussion

From this reading "And as much as you might want the subject to be dropped you can't let it fall without reminding me--but we will let it drop; we'll throw it down.

levy a tax on

From this reading With a generous and perhaps weak falsehood the Major sought to assure his wife that Gid had paid a part of his debt, and that a complete settlement was not far off, but with a cool smile she looked at him and replied: "John, please don't tax your conscience any further.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading With a generous and perhaps weak falsehood the Major sought to assure his wife that Gid had paid a part of his debt, and that a complete settlement was not far off, but with a cool smile she looked at him and replied: "John, please don't tax your conscience any further.

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

From this reading With a generous and perhaps weak falsehood the Major sought to assure his wife that Gid had paid a part of his debt, and that a complete settlement was not far off, but with a cool smile she looked at him and replied: "John, please don't tax your conscience any further.

propel through the air

From this reading "And as much as you might want the subject to be dropped you can't let it fall without reminding me--but we will let it drop; we'll throw it down.

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

From this reading With a generous and perhaps weak falsehood the Major sought to assure his wife that Gid had paid a part of his debt, and that a complete settlement was not far off, but with a cool smile she looked at him and replied: "John, please don't tax your conscience any further.

inflected form of “tell” — express in words

From this reading I won't even say I told you so."

to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits

From this reading It's too great a strain on you.

feel or have a desire for; want strongly

From this reading "And as much as you might want the subject to be dropped you can't let it fall without reminding me--but we will let it drop; we'll throw it down.

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

From this reading With a generous and perhaps weak falsehood the Major sought to assure his wife that Gid had paid a part of his debt, and that a complete settlement was not far off, but with a cool smile she looked at him and replied: "John, please don't tax your conscience any further.

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading "And as much as you might want the subject to be dropped you can't let it fall without reminding me--but we will let it drop; we'll throw it down.

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

From this reading "And as much as you might want the subject to be dropped you can't let it fall without reminding me--but we will let it drop; we'll throw it down.

wanting in physical strength

From this reading With a generous and perhaps weak falsehood the Major sought to assure his wife that Gid had paid a part of his debt, and that a complete settlement was not far off, but with a cool smile she looked at him and replied: "John, please don't tax your conscience any further.

a married woman; a man's partner in marriage

From this reading With a generous and perhaps weak falsehood the Major sought to assure his wife that Gid had paid a part of his debt, and that a complete settlement was not far off, but with a cool smile she looked at him and replied: "John, please don't tax your conscience any further.

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading "And as much as you might want the subject to be dropped you can't let it fall without reminding me--but we will let it drop; we'll throw it down.

in the company of; together with

From this reading With a generous and perhaps weak falsehood the Major sought to assure his wife that Gid had paid a part of his debt, and that a complete settlement was not far off, but with a cool smile she looked at him and replied: "John, please don't tax your conscience any further.

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading "And as much as you might want the subject to be dropped you can't let it fall without reminding me--but we will let it drop; we'll throw it down.

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

From this reading I won't even say I told you so."

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading It's too great a strain on you.

belonging to the person or people being spoken to

From this reading With a generous and perhaps weak falsehood the Major sought to assure his wife that Gid had paid a part of his debt, and that a complete settlement was not far off, but with a cool smile she looked at him and replied: "John, please don't tax your conscience any further.