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 A little commotion about the door--a little mob of young men and boys--and a little spreading buzz and whisper--some hand-shakings--two or three introductions--then another buzz--and Bart made his way forward, with an air of being annoyed and bored and pushed forward as if to escape.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading A little commotion about the door--a little mob of young men and boys--and a little spreading buzz and whisper--some hand-shakings--two or three introductions--then another buzz--and Bart made his way forward, with an air of being annoyed and bored and pushed forward as if to escape.

past form of “act” — perform an action, or work out or perform (an action)

From this reading He was under the inspiration of one of those sudden impulses upon which he acted, so sudden, often, as to seem not the result of mental process.

a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of

From this reading A little commotion about the door--a little mob of young men and boys--and a little spreading buzz and whisper--some hand-shakings--two or three introductions--then another buzz--and Bart made his way forward, with an air of being annoyed and bored and pushed forward as if to escape.

(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 A happy word to the two or three who made way for him, and he stood bowing and smiling, and turning and bowing to each with the nice discriminating tact that rendered to all their due.

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

From this reading A little commotion about the door--a little mob of young men and boys--and a little spreading buzz and whisper--some hand-shakings--two or three introductions--then another buzz--and Bart made his way forward, with an air of being annoyed and bored and pushed forward as if to escape.

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

From this reading A little commotion about the door--a little mob of young men and boys--and a little spreading buzz and whisper--some hand-shakings--two or three introductions--then another buzz--and Bart made his way forward, with an air of being annoyed and bored and pushed forward as if to escape.

aroused to impatience or anger

From this reading A little commotion about the door--a little mob of young men and boys--and a little spreading buzz and whisper--some hand-shakings--two or three introductions--then another buzz--and Bart made his way forward, with an air of being annoyed and bored and pushed forward as if to escape.

one more of the same kind, or a different one

From this reading A little commotion about the door--a little mob of young men and boys--and a little spreading buzz and whisper--some hand-shakings--two or three introductions--then another buzz--and Bart made his way forward, with an air of being annoyed and bored and pushed forward as if to escape.

past form of “approach” — move towards

From this reading He discovered Mrs. Ford and Mrs. Markham, with Julia, Miss Walters, and several others, about them, whom he at once approached with the modest assurance of a thorough-bred gentleman, safe in the certainty of a gracious reception, and conscious of power to please.

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

From this reading A little commotion about the door--a little mob of young men and boys--and a little spreading buzz and whisper--some hand-shakings--two or three introductions--then another buzz--and Bart made his way forward, with an air of being annoyed and bored and pushed forward as if to escape.

freedom from doubt; belief in yourself and your abilities

From this reading He discovered Mrs. Ford and Mrs. Markham, with Julia, Miss Walters, and several others, about them, whom he at once approached with the modest assurance of a thorough-bred gentleman, safe in the certainty of a gracious reception, and conscious of power to please.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading He discovered Mrs. Ford and Mrs. Markham, with Julia, Miss Walters, and several others, about them, whom he at once approached with the modest assurance of a thorough-bred gentleman, safe in the certainty of a gracious reception, and conscious of power to please.

a member of the British order of honor; ranks below a baron but above a knight

From this reading A little commotion about the door--a little mob of young men and boys--and a little spreading buzz and whisper--some hand-shakings--two or three introductions--then another buzz--and Bart made his way forward, with an air of being annoyed and bored and pushed forward as if to escape.

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading A little commotion about the door--a little mob of young men and boys--and a little spreading buzz and whisper--some hand-shakings--two or three introductions--then another buzz--and Bart made his way forward, with an air of being annoyed and bored and pushed forward as if to escape.

tired of the world

From this reading A little commotion about the door--a little mob of young men and boys--and a little spreading buzz and whisper--some hand-shakings--two or three introductions--then another buzz--and Bart made his way forward, with an air of being annoyed and bored and pushed forward as if to escape.

bending the head or body or knee as a sign of reverence or submission or shame or greeting

From this reading A happy word to the two or three who made way for him, and he stood bowing and smiling, and turning and bowing to each with the nice discriminating tact that rendered to all their due.

plural of “boy” — a youthful male person

From this reading A little commotion about the door--a little mob of young men and boys--and a little spreading buzz and whisper--some hand-shakings--two or three introductions--then another buzz--and Bart made his way forward, with an air of being annoyed and bored and pushed forward as if to escape.

make a buzzing sound

From this reading A little commotion about the door--a little mob of young men and boys--and a little spreading buzz and whisper--some hand-shakings--two or three introductions--then another buzz--and Bart made his way forward, with an air of being annoyed and bored and pushed forward as if to escape.

the state of being certain

From this reading He discovered Mrs. Ford and Mrs. Markham, with Julia, Miss Walters, and several others, about them, whom he at once approached with the modest assurance of a thorough-bred gentleman, safe in the certainty of a gracious reception, and conscious of power to please.

a disorderly outburst or tumult

From this reading A little commotion about the door--a little mob of young men and boys--and a little spreading buzz and whisper--some hand-shakings--two or three introductions--then another buzz--and Bart made his way forward, with an air of being annoyed and bored and pushed forward as if to escape.

intentionally conceived

From this reading He discovered Mrs. Ford and Mrs. Markham, with Julia, Miss Walters, and several others, about them, whom he at once approached with the modest assurance of a thorough-bred gentleman, safe in the certainty of a gracious reception, and conscious of power to please.

discovered or determined by scientific observation

From this reading He discovered Mrs. Ford and Mrs. Markham, with Julia, Miss Walters, and several others, about them, whom he at once approached with the modest assurance of a thorough-bred gentleman, safe in the certainty of a gracious reception, and conscious of power to please.

showing or indicating careful judgment and discernment especially in matters of taste

From this reading A happy word to the two or three who made way for him, and he stood bowing and smiling, and turning and bowing to each with the nice discriminating tact that rendered to all their due.

a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle

From this reading A little commotion about the door--a little mob of young men and boys--and a little spreading buzz and whisper--some hand-shakings--two or three introductions--then another buzz--and Bart made his way forward, with an air of being annoyed and bored and pushed forward as if to escape.

owed and payable immediately or on demand

From this reading A happy word to the two or three who made way for him, and he stood bowing and smiling, and turning and bowing to each with the nice discriminating tact that rendered to all their due.

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

From this reading A happy word to the two or three who made way for him, and he stood bowing and smiling, and turning and bowing to each with the nice discriminating tact that rendered to all their due.

the act of escaping physically

From this reading A little commotion about the door--a little mob of young men and boys--and a little spreading buzz and whisper--some hand-shakings--two or three introductions--then another buzz--and Bart made his way forward, with an air of being annoyed and bored and pushed forward as if to escape.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading A happy word to the two or three who made way for him, and he stood bowing and smiling, and turning and bowing to each with the nice discriminating tact that rendered to all their due.

United States film maker (1896-1973)

From this reading He discovered Mrs. Ford and Mrs. Markham, with Julia, Miss Walters, and several others, about them, whom he at once approached with the modest assurance of a thorough-bred gentleman, safe in the certainty of a gracious reception, and conscious of power to please.

at or to or toward the front

From this reading A little commotion about the door--a little mob of young men and boys--and a little spreading buzz and whisper--some hand-shakings--two or three introductions--then another buzz--and Bart made his way forward, with an air of being annoyed and bored and pushed forward as if to escape.

a man of refinement

From this reading He discovered Mrs. Ford and Mrs. Markham, with Julia, Miss Walters, and several others, about them, whom he at once approached with the modest assurance of a thorough-bred gentleman, safe in the certainty of a gracious reception, and conscious of power to please.

characterized by charm, good taste, and generosity of spirit

From this reading He discovered Mrs. Ford and Mrs. Markham, with Julia, Miss Walters, and several others, about them, whom he at once approached with the modest assurance of a thorough-bred gentleman, safe in the certainty of a gracious reception, and conscious of power to please.

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

From this reading A little commotion about the door--a little mob of young men and boys--and a little spreading buzz and whisper--some hand-shakings--two or three introductions--then another buzz--and Bart made his way forward, with an air of being annoyed and bored and pushed forward as if to escape.

enjoying or showing or marked by joy or pleasure

From this reading A happy word to the two or three who made way for him, and he stood bowing and smiling, and turning and bowing to each with the nice discriminating tact that rendered to all their due.

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

From this reading He was under the inspiration of one of those sudden impulses upon which he acted, so sudden, often, as to seem not the result of mental process.

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

From this reading A happy word to the two or three who made way for him, and he stood bowing and smiling, and turning and bowing to each with the nice discriminating tact that rendered to all their due.

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

From this reading A little commotion about the door--a little mob of young men and boys--and a little spreading buzz and whisper--some hand-shakings--two or three introductions--then another buzz--and Bart made his way forward, with an air of being annoyed and bored and pushed forward as if to escape.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading A little commotion about the door--a little mob of young men and boys--and a little spreading buzz and whisper--some hand-shakings--two or three introductions--then another buzz--and Bart made his way forward, with an air of being annoyed and bored and pushed forward as if to escape.

plural of “impulse” — an instinctive motive

From this reading He was under the inspiration of one of those sudden impulses upon which he acted, so sudden, often, as to seem not the result of mental process.

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

From this reading He discovered Mrs. Ford and Mrs. Markham, with Julia, Miss Walters, and several others, about them, whom he at once approached with the modest assurance of a thorough-bred gentleman, safe in the certainty of a gracious reception, and conscious of power to please.

arousal of the mind to special unusual activity or creativity

From this reading He was under the inspiration of one of those sudden impulses upon which he acted, so sudden, often, as to seem not the result of mental process.

plural of “introduction” — the act of beginning something new

From this reading A little commotion about the door--a little mob of young men and boys--and a little spreading buzz and whisper--some hand-shakings--two or three introductions--then another buzz--and Bart made his way forward, with an air of being annoyed and bored and pushed forward as if to escape.

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

From this reading He discovered Mrs. Ford and Mrs. Markham, with Julia, Miss Walters, and several others, about them, whom he at once approached with the modest assurance of a thorough-bred gentleman, safe in the certainty of a gracious reception, and conscious of power to please.

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading A little commotion about the door--a little mob of young men and boys--and a little spreading buzz and whisper--some hand-shakings--two or three introductions--then another buzz--and Bart made his way forward, with an air of being annoyed and bored and pushed forward as if to escape.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading A little commotion about the door--a little mob of young men and boys--and a little spreading buzz and whisper--some hand-shakings--two or three introductions--then another buzz--and Bart made his way forward, with an air of being annoyed and bored and pushed forward as if to escape.

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

From this reading He discovered Mrs. Ford and Mrs. Markham, with Julia, Miss Walters, and several others, about them, whom he at once approached with the modest assurance of a thorough-bred gentleman, safe in the certainty of a gracious reception, and conscious of power to please.

the force of workers available

From this reading A little commotion about the door--a little mob of young men and boys--and a little spreading buzz and whisper--some hand-shakings--two or three introductions--then another buzz--and Bart made his way forward, with an air of being annoyed and bored and pushed forward as if to escape.

involving the mind or an intellectual process

From this reading He was under the inspiration of one of those sudden impulses upon which he acted, so sudden, often, as to seem not the result of mental process.

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

From this reading He discovered Mrs. Ford and Mrs. Markham, with Julia, Miss Walters, and several others, about them, whom he at once approached with the modest assurance of a thorough-bred gentleman, safe in the certainty of a gracious reception, and conscious of power to please.

a disorderly crowd of people

From this reading A little commotion about the door--a little mob of young men and boys--and a little spreading buzz and whisper--some hand-shakings--two or three introductions--then another buzz--and Bart made his way forward, with an air of being annoyed and bored and pushed forward as if to escape.

marked by simplicity; having a humble opinion of yourself

From this reading He discovered Mrs. Ford and Mrs. Markham, with Julia, Miss Walters, and several others, about them, whom he at once approached with the modest assurance of a thorough-bred gentleman, safe in the certainty of a gracious reception, and conscious of power to please.

a form of address for a married woman

From this reading He discovered Mrs. Ford and Mrs. Markham, with Julia, Miss Walters, and several others, about them, whom he at once approached with the modest assurance of a thorough-bred gentleman, safe in the certainty of a gracious reception, and conscious of power to please.

pleasant or pleasing or agreeable in nature or appearance

From this reading A happy word to the two or three who made way for him, and he stood bowing and smiling, and turning and bowing to each with the nice discriminating tact that rendered to all their due.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading He was under the inspiration of one of those sudden impulses upon which he acted, so sudden, often, as to seem not the result of mental process.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading A little commotion about the door--a little mob of young men and boys--and a little spreading buzz and whisper--some hand-shakings--two or three introductions--then another buzz--and Bart made his way forward, with an air of being annoyed and bored and pushed forward as if to escape.

many times at short intervals

From this reading He was under the inspiration of one of those sudden impulses upon which he acted, so sudden, often, as to seem not the result of mental process.

on one occasion

From this reading He discovered Mrs. Ford and Mrs. Markham, with Julia, Miss Walters, and several others, about them, whom he at once approached with the modest assurance of a thorough-bred gentleman, safe in the certainty of a gracious reception, and conscious of power to please.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading He was under the inspiration of one of those sudden impulses upon which he acted, so sudden, often, as to seem not the result of mental process.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading A little commotion about the door--a little mob of young men and boys--and a little spreading buzz and whisper--some hand-shakings--two or three introductions--then another buzz--and Bart made his way forward, with an air of being annoyed and bored and pushed forward as if to escape.

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

From this reading He discovered Mrs. Ford and Mrs. Markham, with Julia, Miss Walters, and several others, about them, whom he at once approached with the modest assurance of a thorough-bred gentleman, safe in the certainty of a gracious reception, and conscious of power to please.

give pleasure to or be pleasing to

From this reading He discovered Mrs. Ford and Mrs. Markham, with Julia, Miss Walters, and several others, about them, whom he at once approached with the modest assurance of a thorough-bred gentleman, safe in the certainty of a gracious reception, and conscious of power to please.

possession of controlling influence

From this reading He discovered Mrs. Ford and Mrs. Markham, with Julia, Miss Walters, and several others, about them, whom he at once approached with the modest assurance of a thorough-bred gentleman, safe in the certainty of a gracious reception, and conscious of power to please.

subject to a process or treatment, with the aim of readying for some purpose, improving, or remedying a condition

From this reading He was under the inspiration of one of those sudden impulses upon which he acted, so sudden, often, as to seem not the result of mental process.

past form of “push” — move with force

From this reading A little commotion about the door--a little mob of young men and boys--and a little spreading buzz and whisper--some hand-shakings--two or three introductions--then another buzz--and Bart made his way forward, with an air of being annoyed and bored and pushed forward as if to escape.

the manner in which something is greeted

From this reading He discovered Mrs. Ford and Mrs. Markham, with Julia, Miss Walters, and several others, about them, whom he at once approached with the modest assurance of a thorough-bred gentleman, safe in the certainty of a gracious reception, and conscious of power to please.

past form of “render” — cause to become

From this reading A happy word to the two or three who made way for him, and he stood bowing and smiling, and turning and bowing to each with the nice discriminating tact that rendered to all their due.

a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon

From this reading He was under the inspiration of one of those sudden impulses upon which he acted, so sudden, often, as to seem not the result of mental process.

free from danger or the risk of harm

From this reading He discovered Mrs. Ford and Mrs. Markham, with Julia, Miss Walters, and several others, about them, whom he at once approached with the modest assurance of a thorough-bred gentleman, safe in the certainty of a gracious reception, and conscious of power to please.

give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading He was under the inspiration of one of those sudden impulses upon which he acted, so sudden, often, as to seem not the result of mental process.

(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many

From this reading He discovered Mrs. Ford and Mrs. Markham, with Julia, Miss Walters, and several others, about them, whom he at once approached with the modest assurance of a thorough-bred gentleman, safe in the certainty of a gracious reception, and conscious of power to please.

a facial expression characterized by turning up the corners of the mouth; usually shows pleasure or amusement

From this reading A happy word to the two or three who made way for him, and he stood bowing and smiling, and turning and bowing to each with the nice discriminating tact that rendered to all their due.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading He was under the inspiration of one of those sudden impulses upon which he acted, so sudden, often, as to seem not the result of mental process.

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

From this reading A little commotion about the door--a little mob of young men and boys--and a little spreading buzz and whisper--some hand-shakings--two or three introductions--then another buzz--and Bart made his way forward, with an air of being annoyed and bored and pushed forward as if to escape.

process or result of distributing or extending over a wide expanse of space

From this reading A little commotion about the door--a little mob of young men and boys--and a little spreading buzz and whisper--some hand-shakings--two or three introductions--then another buzz--and Bart made his way forward, with an air of being annoyed and bored and pushed forward as if to escape.

Maintained an upright posture.

From this reading A happy word to the two or three who made way for him, and he stood bowing and smiling, and turning and bowing to each with the nice discriminating tact that rendered to all their due.

happening without warning or in a short space of time

From this reading He was under the inspiration of one of those sudden impulses upon which he acted, so sudden, often, as to seem not the result of mental process.

consideration in dealing with others and avoiding giving offense

From this reading A happy word to the two or three who made way for him, and he stood bowing and smiling, and turning and bowing to each with the nice discriminating tact that rendered to all their due.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading A happy word to the two or three who made way for him, and he stood bowing and smiling, and turning and bowing to each with the nice discriminating tact that rendered to all their due.

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

From this reading A little commotion about the door--a little mob of young men and boys--and a little spreading buzz and whisper--some hand-shakings--two or three introductions--then another buzz--and Bart made his way forward, with an air of being annoyed and bored and pushed forward as if to escape.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading A happy word to the two or three who made way for him, and he stood bowing and smiling, and turning and bowing to each with the nice discriminating tact that rendered to all their due.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading He discovered Mrs. Ford and Mrs. Markham, with Julia, Miss Walters, and several others, about them, whom he at once approached with the modest assurance of a thorough-bred gentleman, safe in the certainty of a gracious reception, and conscious of power to please.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading A little commotion about the door--a little mob of young men and boys--and a little spreading buzz and whisper--some hand-shakings--two or three introductions--then another buzz--and Bart made his way forward, with an air of being annoyed and bored and pushed forward as if to escape.

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

From this reading He discovered Mrs. Ford and Mrs. Markham, with Julia, Miss Walters, and several others, about them, whom he at once approached with the modest assurance of a thorough-bred gentleman, safe in the certainty of a gracious reception, and conscious of power to please.

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading He was under the inspiration of one of those sudden impulses upon which he acted, so sudden, often, as to seem not the result of mental process.

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

From this reading A little commotion about the door--a little mob of young men and boys--and a little spreading buzz and whisper--some hand-shakings--two or three introductions--then another buzz--and Bart made his way forward, with an air of being annoyed and bored and pushed forward as if to escape.

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

From this reading A little commotion about the door--a little mob of young men and boys--and a little spreading buzz and whisper--some hand-shakings--two or three introductions--then another buzz--and Bart made his way forward, with an air of being annoyed and bored and pushed forward as if to escape.

the act of changing or reversing the direction of the course

From this reading A happy word to the two or three who made way for him, and he stood bowing and smiling, and turning and bowing to each with the nice discriminating tact that rendered to all their due.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number

From this reading A little commotion about the door--a little mob of young men and boys--and a little spreading buzz and whisper--some hand-shakings--two or three introductions--then another buzz--and Bart made his way forward, with an air of being annoyed and bored and pushed forward as if to escape.

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading He was under the inspiration of one of those sudden impulses upon which he acted, so sudden, often, as to seem not the result of mental process.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading He was under the inspiration of one of those sudden impulses upon which he acted, so sudden, often, as to seem not the result of mental process.

plural of “walter” — German conductor (1876-1962)

From this reading He discovered Mrs. Ford and Mrs. Markham, with Julia, Miss Walters, and several others, about them, whom he at once approached with the modest assurance of a thorough-bred gentleman, safe in the certainty of a gracious reception, and conscious of power to please.

an assured victory (especially in an election)

From this reading WALTZ.

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

From this reading He was under the inspiration of one of those sudden impulses upon which he acted, so sudden, often, as to seem not the result of mental process.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading A little commotion about the door--a little mob of young men and boys--and a little spreading buzz and whisper--some hand-shakings--two or three introductions--then another buzz--and Bart made his way forward, with an air of being annoyed and bored and pushed forward as if to escape.

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

From this reading He was under the inspiration of one of those sudden impulses upon which he acted, so sudden, often, as to seem not the result of mental process.

speaking softly without vibration of the vocal cords

From this reading A little commotion about the door--a little mob of young men and boys--and a little spreading buzz and whisper--some hand-shakings--two or three introductions--then another buzz--and Bart made his way forward, with an air of being annoyed and bored and pushed forward as if to escape.

which person or people

From this reading A happy word to the two or three who made way for him, and he stood bowing and smiling, and turning and bowing to each with the nice discriminating tact that rendered to all their due.

the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading He discovered Mrs. Ford and Mrs. Markham, with Julia, Miss Walters, and several others, about them, whom he at once approached with the modest assurance of a thorough-bred gentleman, safe in the certainty of a gracious reception, and conscious of power to please.

in the company of; together with

From this reading A little commotion about the door--a little mob of young men and boys--and a little spreading buzz and whisper--some hand-shakings--two or three introductions--then another buzz--and Bart made his way forward, with an air of being annoyed and bored and pushed forward as if to escape.

a unit of language that native speakers can identify

From this reading A happy word to the two or three who made way for him, and he stood bowing and smiling, and turning and bowing to each with the nice discriminating tact that rendered to all their due.

(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth

From this reading A little commotion about the door--a little mob of young men and boys--and a little spreading buzz and whisper--some hand-shakings--two or three introductions--then another buzz--and Bart made his way forward, with an air of being annoyed and bored and pushed forward as if to escape.