Chapter X

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

From this reading Laurence Pinckney was a hopeless sportsman.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading He knew something about it already, having given the subject some attention (in the reading room of the British Museum) before writing one of his rollicking articles.

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

From this reading Alice had made no use of the apparatus for weeks and weeks; it was sent down with other luggage without her knowledge, and she never thought of unpacking it until Mr. Pinckney pleaded for instruction; when--perhaps because Alice felt that without an occupation this visitor would be on her hands all day--he did not plead in vain.

(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 Alice had made no use of the apparatus for weeks and weeks; it was sent down with other luggage without her knowledge, and she never thought of unpacking it until Mr. Pinckney pleaded for instruction; when--perhaps because Alice felt that without an occupation this visitor would be on her hands all day--he did not plead in vain.

prior to a specified or implied time

From this reading He knew something about it already, having given the subject some attention (in the reading room of the British Museum) before writing one of his rollicking articles.

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading Alice had made no use of the apparatus for weeks and weeks; it was sent down with other luggage without her knowledge, and she never thought of unpacking it until Mr. Pinckney pleaded for instruction; when--perhaps because Alice felt that without an occupation this visitor would be on her hands all day--he did not plead in vain.

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

From this reading When he realised this for himself he laid down his gun, and presently took up with Miss Bristo's camera as a weapon better suited to him.

equipment designed to serve a specific function

From this reading Alice had made no use of the apparatus for weeks and weeks; it was sent down with other luggage without her knowledge, and she never thought of unpacking it until Mr. Pinckney pleaded for instruction; when--perhaps because Alice felt that without an occupation this visitor would be on her hands all day--he did not plead in vain.

plural of “article” — nonfictional prose forming an independent part of a publication

From this reading He knew something about it already, having given the subject some attention (in the reading room of the British Museum) before writing one of his rollicking articles.

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

From this reading When he realised this for himself he laid down his gun, and presently took up with Miss Bristo's camera as a weapon better suited to him.

the process whereby a person concentrates on some features of the environment to the (relative) exclusion of others

From this reading He knew something about it already, having given the subject some attention (in the reading room of the British Museum) before writing one of his rollicking articles.

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

From this reading Alice had made no use of the apparatus for weeks and weeks; it was sent down with other luggage without her knowledge, and she never thought of unpacking it until Mr. Pinckney pleaded for instruction; when--perhaps because Alice felt that without an occupation this visitor would be on her hands all day--he did not plead in vain.

for the reason that

From this reading Alice had made no use of the apparatus for weeks and weeks; it was sent down with other luggage without her knowledge, and she never thought of unpacking it until Mr. Pinckney pleaded for instruction; when--perhaps because Alice felt that without an occupation this visitor would be on her hands all day--he did not plead in vain.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading He knew something about it already, having given the subject some attention (in the reading room of the British Museum) before writing one of his rollicking articles.

(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another

From this reading When he realised this for himself he laid down his gun, and presently took up with Miss Bristo's camera as a weapon better suited to him.

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

From this reading When he realised this for himself he laid down his gun, and presently took up with Miss Bristo's camera as a weapon better suited to him.

the people of Great Britain

From this reading He knew something about it already, having given the subject some attention (in the reading room of the British Museum) before writing one of his rollicking articles.

equipment for taking photographs (usually consisting of a lightproof box with a lens at one end and light-sensitive film at the other)

From this reading When he realised this for himself he laid down his gun, and presently took up with Miss Bristo's camera as a weapon better suited to him.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading Alice had made no use of the apparatus for weeks and weeks; it was sent down with other luggage without her knowledge, and she never thought of unpacking it until Mr. Pinckney pleaded for instruction; when--perhaps because Alice felt that without an occupation this visitor would be on her hands all day--he did not plead in vain.

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

From this reading Alice had made no use of the apparatus for weeks and weeks; it was sent down with other luggage without her knowledge, and she never thought of unpacking it until Mr. Pinckney pleaded for instruction; when--perhaps because Alice felt that without an occupation this visitor would be on her hands all day--he did not plead in vain.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading When he realised this for himself he laid down his gun, and presently took up with Miss Bristo's camera as a weapon better suited to him.

mat together and make felt-like

From this reading Alice had made no use of the apparatus for weeks and weeks; it was sent down with other luggage without her knowledge, and she never thought of unpacking it until Mr. Pinckney pleaded for instruction; when--perhaps because Alice felt that without an occupation this visitor would be on her hands all day--he did not plead in vain.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading When he realised this for himself he laid down his gun, and presently took up with Miss Bristo's camera as a weapon better suited to him.

acknowledged as a supposition

From this reading He knew something about it already, having given the subject some attention (in the reading room of the British Museum) before writing one of his rollicking articles.

a weapon that discharges a missile at high velocity (especially from a metal tube or barrel)

From this reading When he realised this for himself he laid down his gun, and presently took up with Miss Bristo's camera as a weapon better suited to him.

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

From this reading Alice had made no use of the apparatus for weeks and weeks; it was sent down with other luggage without her knowledge, and she never thought of unpacking it until Mr. Pinckney pleaded for instruction; when--perhaps because Alice felt that without an occupation this visitor would be on her hands all day--he did not plead in vain.

(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child

From this reading Alice had made no use of the apparatus for weeks and weeks; it was sent down with other luggage without her knowledge, and she never thought of unpacking it until Mr. Pinckney pleaded for instruction; when--perhaps because Alice felt that without an occupation this visitor would be on her hands all day--he did not plead in vain.

the -ing form of “have”

From this reading He knew something about it already, having given the subject some attention (in the reading room of the British Museum) before writing one of his rollicking articles.

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

From this reading When he realised this for himself he laid down his gun, and presently took up with Miss Bristo's camera as a weapon better suited to him.

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading Alice had made no use of the apparatus for weeks and weeks; it was sent down with other luggage without her knowledge, and she never thought of unpacking it until Mr. Pinckney pleaded for instruction; when--perhaps because Alice felt that without an occupation this visitor would be on her hands all day--he did not plead in vain.

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

From this reading When he realised this for himself he laid down his gun, and presently took up with Miss Bristo's camera as a weapon better suited to him.

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

From this reading When he realised this for himself he laid down his gun, and presently took up with Miss Bristo's camera as a weapon better suited to him.

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

From this reading When he realised this for himself he laid down his gun, and presently took up with Miss Bristo's camera as a weapon better suited to him.

without hope because there seems to be no possibility of comfort or success

From this reading Laurence Pinckney was a hopeless sportsman.

used to add a contrasting statement

From this reading He did not, however, require many lessons.

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

From this reading Alice had made no use of the apparatus for weeks and weeks; it was sent down with other luggage without her knowledge, and she never thought of unpacking it until Mr. Pinckney pleaded for instruction; when--perhaps because Alice felt that without an occupation this visitor would be on her hands all day--he did not plead in vain.

a message describing how something is to be done

From this reading Alice had made no use of the apparatus for weeks and weeks; it was sent down with other luggage without her knowledge, and she never thought of unpacking it until Mr. Pinckney pleaded for instruction; when--perhaps because Alice felt that without an occupation this visitor would be on her hands all day--he did not plead in vain.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Alice had made no use of the apparatus for weeks and weeks; it was sent down with other luggage without her knowledge, and she never thought of unpacking it until Mr. Pinckney pleaded for instruction; when--perhaps because Alice felt that without an occupation this visitor would be on her hands all day--he did not plead in vain.

inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about

From this reading He knew something about it already, having given the subject some attention (in the reading room of the British Museum) before writing one of his rollicking articles.

the psychological result of perception and learning and reasoning

From this reading Alice had made no use of the apparatus for weeks and weeks; it was sent down with other luggage without her knowledge, and she never thought of unpacking it until Mr. Pinckney pleaded for instruction; when--perhaps because Alice felt that without an occupation this visitor would be on her hands all day--he did not plead in vain.

set down according to a plan

From this reading When he realised this for himself he laid down his gun, and presently took up with Miss Bristo's camera as a weapon better suited to him.

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

From this reading Laurence Pinckney was a hopeless sportsman.

plural of “lesson” — a unit of instruction

From this reading He did not, however, require many lessons.

cases used to carry belongings when traveling

From this reading Alice had made no use of the apparatus for weeks and weeks; it was sent down with other luggage without her knowledge, and she never thought of unpacking it until Mr. Pinckney pleaded for instruction; when--perhaps because Alice felt that without an occupation this visitor would be on her hands all day--he did not plead in vain.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading Alice had made no use of the apparatus for weeks and weeks; it was sent down with other luggage without her knowledge, and she never thought of unpacking it until Mr. Pinckney pleaded for instruction; when--perhaps because Alice felt that without an occupation this visitor would be on her hands all day--he did not plead in vain.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number

From this reading He did not, however, require many lessons.

fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind

From this reading When he realised this for himself he laid down his gun, and presently took up with Miss Bristo's camera as a weapon better suited to him.

a form of address for a man

From this reading Alice had made no use of the apparatus for weeks and weeks; it was sent down with other luggage without her knowledge, and she never thought of unpacking it until Mr. Pinckney pleaded for instruction; when--perhaps because Alice felt that without an occupation this visitor would be on her hands all day--he did not plead in vain.

a depository for collecting and displaying objects having scientific or historical or artistic value

From this reading He knew something about it already, having given the subject some attention (in the reading room of the British Museum) before writing one of his rollicking articles.

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading Alice had made no use of the apparatus for weeks and weeks; it was sent down with other luggage without her knowledge, and she never thought of unpacking it until Mr. Pinckney pleaded for instruction; when--perhaps because Alice felt that without an occupation this visitor would be on her hands all day--he did not plead in vain.

not any; not one

From this reading Alice had made no use of the apparatus for weeks and weeks; it was sent down with other luggage without her knowledge, and she never thought of unpacking it until Mr. Pinckney pleaded for instruction; when--perhaps because Alice felt that without an occupation this visitor would be on her hands all day--he did not plead in vain.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Alice had made no use of the apparatus for weeks and weeks; it was sent down with other luggage without her knowledge, and she never thought of unpacking it until Mr. Pinckney pleaded for instruction; when--perhaps because Alice felt that without an occupation this visitor would be on her hands all day--he did not plead in vain.

the principal activity in your life that you do to earn money

From this reading Alice had made no use of the apparatus for weeks and weeks; it was sent down with other luggage without her knowledge, and she never thought of unpacking it until Mr. Pinckney pleaded for instruction; when--perhaps because Alice felt that without an occupation this visitor would be on her hands all day--he did not plead in vain.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Alice had made no use of the apparatus for weeks and weeks; it was sent down with other luggage without her knowledge, and she never thought of unpacking it until Mr. Pinckney pleaded for instruction; when--perhaps because Alice felt that without an occupation this visitor would be on her hands all day--he did not plead in vain.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Alice had made no use of the apparatus for weeks and weeks; it was sent down with other luggage without her knowledge, and she never thought of unpacking it until Mr. Pinckney pleaded for instruction; when--perhaps because Alice felt that without an occupation this visitor would be on her hands all day--he did not plead in vain.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading He knew something about it already, having given the subject some attention (in the reading room of the British Museum) before writing one of his rollicking articles.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading Alice had made no use of the apparatus for weeks and weeks; it was sent down with other luggage without her knowledge, and she never thought of unpacking it until Mr. Pinckney pleaded for instruction; when--perhaps because Alice felt that without an occupation this visitor would be on her hands all day--he did not plead in vain.

by chance

From this reading Alice had made no use of the apparatus for weeks and weeks; it was sent down with other luggage without her knowledge, and she never thought of unpacking it until Mr. Pinckney pleaded for instruction; when--perhaps because Alice felt that without an occupation this visitor would be on her hands all day--he did not plead in vain.

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

From this reading Laurence Pinckney was a hopeless sportsman.

appeal or request earnestly

From this reading Alice had made no use of the apparatus for weeks and weeks; it was sent down with other luggage without her knowledge, and she never thought of unpacking it until Mr. Pinckney pleaded for instruction; when--perhaps because Alice felt that without an occupation this visitor would be on her hands all day--he did not plead in vain.

past form of “plead” — appeal or request earnestly

From this reading Alice had made no use of the apparatus for weeks and weeks; it was sent down with other luggage without her knowledge, and she never thought of unpacking it until Mr. Pinckney pleaded for instruction; when--perhaps because Alice felt that without an occupation this visitor would be on her hands all day--he did not plead in vain.

in the near future

From this reading When he realised this for himself he laid down his gun, and presently took up with Miss Bristo's camera as a weapon better suited to him.

the cognitive process of understanding a written linguistic message

From this reading He knew something about it already, having given the subject some attention (in the reading room of the British Museum) before writing one of his rollicking articles.

successfully completed or brought to an end

From this reading When he realised this for himself he laid down his gun, and presently took up with Miss Bristo's camera as a weapon better suited to him.

require as useful, just, or proper

From this reading He did not, however, require many lessons.

given to merry frolicking

From this reading He knew something about it already, having given the subject some attention (in the reading room of the British Museum) before writing one of his rollicking articles.

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

From this reading He knew something about it already, having given the subject some attention (in the reading room of the British Museum) before writing one of his rollicking articles.

100 senti equal 1 kroon in Estonia

From this reading Alice had made no use of the apparatus for weeks and weeks; it was sent down with other luggage without her knowledge, and she never thought of unpacking it until Mr. Pinckney pleaded for instruction; when--perhaps because Alice felt that without an occupation this visitor would be on her hands all day--he did not plead in vain.

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

From this reading Alice had made no use of the apparatus for weeks and weeks; it was sent down with other luggage without her knowledge, and she never thought of unpacking it until Mr. Pinckney pleaded for instruction; when--perhaps because Alice felt that without an occupation this visitor would be on her hands all day--he did not plead in vain.

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading He knew something about it already, having given the subject some attention (in the reading room of the British Museum) before writing one of his rollicking articles.

a thing, without saying which

From this reading He knew something about it already, having given the subject some attention (in the reading room of the British Museum) before writing one of his rollicking articles.

someone who engages in sports

From this reading Laurence Pinckney was a hopeless sportsman.

the subject matter of a conversation or discussion

From this reading He knew something about it already, having given the subject some attention (in the reading room of the British Museum) before writing one of his rollicking articles.

meant or adapted for an occasion or use

From this reading When he realised this for himself he laid down his gun, and presently took up with Miss Bristo's camera as a weapon better suited to him.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Alice had made no use of the apparatus for weeks and weeks; it was sent down with other luggage without her knowledge, and she never thought of unpacking it until Mr. Pinckney pleaded for instruction; when--perhaps because Alice felt that without an occupation this visitor would be on her hands all day--he did not plead in vain.

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

From this reading Alice had made no use of the apparatus for weeks and weeks; it was sent down with other luggage without her knowledge, and she never thought of unpacking it until Mr. Pinckney pleaded for instruction; when--perhaps because Alice felt that without an occupation this visitor would be on her hands all day--he did not plead in vain.

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading When he realised this for himself he laid down his gun, and presently took up with Miss Bristo's camera as a weapon better suited to him.

the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about

From this reading Alice had made no use of the apparatus for weeks and weeks; it was sent down with other luggage without her knowledge, and she never thought of unpacking it until Mr. Pinckney pleaded for instruction; when--perhaps because Alice felt that without an occupation this visitor would be on her hands all day--he did not plead in vain.

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

From this reading When he realised this for himself he laid down his gun, and presently took up with Miss Bristo's camera as a weapon better suited to him.

inflected form of “take” — carry out

From this reading When he realised this for himself he laid down his gun, and presently took up with Miss Bristo's camera as a weapon better suited to him.

-ing form of “unpack” — remove from its packing

From this reading Alice had made no use of the apparatus for weeks and weeks; it was sent down with other luggage without her knowledge, and she never thought of unpacking it until Mr. Pinckney pleaded for instruction; when--perhaps because Alice felt that without an occupation this visitor would be on her hands all day--he did not plead in vain.

up to a particular time

From this reading Alice had made no use of the apparatus for weeks and weeks; it was sent down with other luggage without her knowledge, and she never thought of unpacking it until Mr. Pinckney pleaded for instruction; when--perhaps because Alice felt that without an occupation this visitor would be on her hands all day--he did not plead in vain.

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading When he realised this for himself he laid down his gun, and presently took up with Miss Bristo's camera as a weapon better suited to him.

the act of using

From this reading Alice had made no use of the apparatus for weeks and weeks; it was sent down with other luggage without her knowledge, and she never thought of unpacking it until Mr. Pinckney pleaded for instruction; when--perhaps because Alice felt that without an occupation this visitor would be on her hands all day--he did not plead in vain.

characteristic of false pride; having an exaggerated sense of self-importance

From this reading Alice had made no use of the apparatus for weeks and weeks; it was sent down with other luggage without her knowledge, and she never thought of unpacking it until Mr. Pinckney pleaded for instruction; when--perhaps because Alice felt that without an occupation this visitor would be on her hands all day--he did not plead in vain.

someone who visits

From this reading Alice had made no use of the apparatus for weeks and weeks; it was sent down with other luggage without her knowledge, and she never thought of unpacking it until Mr. Pinckney pleaded for instruction; when--perhaps because Alice felt that without an occupation this visitor would be on her hands all day--he did not plead in vain.

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

From this reading Laurence Pinckney was a hopeless sportsman.

any instrument or instrumentality used in fighting or hunting

From this reading When he realised this for himself he laid down his gun, and presently took up with Miss Bristo's camera as a weapon better suited to him.

plural of “week” — any period of seven consecutive days

From this reading Alice had made no use of the apparatus for weeks and weeks; it was sent down with other luggage without her knowledge, and she never thought of unpacking it until Mr. Pinckney pleaded for instruction; when--perhaps because Alice felt that without an occupation this visitor would be on her hands all day--he did not plead in vain.

at the time that

From this reading When he realised this for himself he laid down his gun, and presently took up with Miss Bristo's camera as a weapon better suited to him.

in the company of; together with

From this reading When he realised this for himself he laid down his gun, and presently took up with Miss Bristo's camera as a weapon better suited to him.

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading Alice had made no use of the apparatus for weeks and weeks; it was sent down with other luggage without her knowledge, and she never thought of unpacking it until Mr. Pinckney pleaded for instruction; when--perhaps because Alice felt that without an occupation this visitor would be on her hands all day--he did not plead in vain.

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading Alice had made no use of the apparatus for weeks and weeks; it was sent down with other luggage without her knowledge, and she never thought of unpacking it until Mr. Pinckney pleaded for instruction; when--perhaps because Alice felt that without an occupation this visitor would be on her hands all day--he did not plead in vain.

the act of creating written works

From this reading He knew something about it already, having given the subject some attention (in the reading room of the British Museum) before writing one of his rollicking articles.