Chapter XXVIII

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

From this reading VINDICATION Joe fairly staggered back, so startled was he by the words of the Dean--and, not only the words, but the manner--for the Dean was solemn, and there was a vindictiveness about him that Joe had never seen before.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading VINDICATION Joe fairly staggered back, so startled was he by the words of the Dean--and, not only the words, but the manner--for the Dean was solemn, and there was a vindictiveness about him that Joe had never seen before.

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

From this reading VINDICATION Joe fairly staggered back, so startled was he by the words of the Dean--and, not only the words, but the manner--for the Dean was solemn, and there was a vindictiveness about him that Joe had never seen before.

in or to or toward a former location

From this reading VINDICATION Joe fairly staggered back, so startled was he by the words of the Dean--and, not only the words, but the manner--for the Dean was solemn, and there was a vindictiveness about him that Joe had never seen before.

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

From this reading "Then perhaps you can explain how this pot of red paint came to be hidden in your closet."

earlier than; in front of

From this reading VINDICATION Joe fairly staggered back, so startled was he by the words of the Dean--and, not only the words, but the manner--for the Dean was solemn, and there was a vindictiveness about him that Joe had never seen before.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading VINDICATION Joe fairly staggered back, so startled was he by the words of the Dean--and, not only the words, but the manner--for the Dean was solemn, and there was a vindictiveness about him that Joe had never seen before.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading VINDICATION Joe fairly staggered back, so startled was he by the words of the Dean--and, not only the words, but the manner--for the Dean was solemn, and there was a vindictiveness about him that Joe had never seen before.

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

From this reading "Then perhaps you can explain how this pot of red paint came to be hidden in your closet."

to be able to, or to be allowed to

From this reading "Then perhaps you can explain how this pot of red paint came to be hidden in your closet."

a small room (or recess) or cabinet used for storage space

From this reading "Then perhaps you can explain how this pot of red paint came to be hidden in your closet."

lacking warmth of feeling; in a cold, unemotional manner

From this reading "No?" queried the Dean coldly.

an administrator in charge of a division of a university or college

From this reading VINDICATION Joe fairly staggered back, so startled was he by the words of the Dean--and, not only the words, but the manner--for the Dean was solemn, and there was a vindictiveness about him that Joe had never seen before.

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading "Why--why, what do you mean?" gasped Joe.

make plain and comprehensible

From this reading "Then perhaps you can explain how this pot of red paint came to be hidden in your closet."

to certain extent or degree

From this reading VINDICATION Joe fairly staggered back, so startled was he by the words of the Dean--and, not only the words, but the manner--for the Dean was solemn, and there was a vindictiveness about him that Joe had never seen before.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading VINDICATION Joe fairly staggered back, so startled was he by the words of the Dean--and, not only the words, but the manner--for the Dean was solemn, and there was a vindictiveness about him that Joe had never seen before.

past form of “gasp” — breathe noisily, as when one is exhausted

From this reading "Why--why, what do you mean?" gasped Joe.

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

From this reading VINDICATION Joe fairly staggered back, so startled was he by the words of the Dean--and, not only the words, but the manner--for the Dean was solemn, and there was a vindictiveness about him that Joe had never seen before.

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

From this reading VINDICATION Joe fairly staggered back, so startled was he by the words of the Dean--and, not only the words, but the manner--for the Dean was solemn, and there was a vindictiveness about him that Joe had never seen before.

not accessible to view

From this reading "Then perhaps you can explain how this pot of red paint came to be hidden in your closet."

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

From this reading VINDICATION Joe fairly staggered back, so startled was he by the words of the Dean--and, not only the words, but the manner--for the Dean was solemn, and there was a vindictiveness about him that Joe had never seen before.

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

From this reading "Then perhaps you can explain how this pot of red paint came to be hidden in your closet."

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

From this reading "I never put the red paint on the steps!"

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

From this reading "Then perhaps you can explain how this pot of red paint came to be hidden in your closet."

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

From this reading VINDICATION Joe fairly staggered back, so startled was he by the words of the Dean--and, not only the words, but the manner--for the Dean was solemn, and there was a vindictiveness about him that Joe had never seen before.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading VINDICATION Joe fairly staggered back, so startled was he by the words of the Dean--and, not only the words, but the manner--for the Dean was solemn, and there was a vindictiveness about him that Joe had never seen before.

mean or intend to express or convey

From this reading "Why--why, what do you mean?" gasped Joe.

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading VINDICATION Joe fairly staggered back, so startled was he by the words of the Dean--and, not only the words, but the manner--for the Dean was solemn, and there was a vindictiveness about him that Joe had never seen before.

not any; not one

From this reading "No?" queried the Dean coldly.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading VINDICATION Joe fairly staggered back, so startled was he by the words of the Dean--and, not only the words, but the manner--for the Dean was solemn, and there was a vindictiveness about him that Joe had never seen before.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading VINDICATION Joe fairly staggered back, so startled was he by the words of the Dean--and, not only the words, but the manner--for the Dean was solemn, and there was a vindictiveness about him that Joe had never seen before.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading "I never put the red paint on the steps!"

and nothing more

From this reading VINDICATION Joe fairly staggered back, so startled was he by the words of the Dean--and, not only the words, but the manner--for the Dean was solemn, and there was a vindictiveness about him that Joe had never seen before.

make a painting

From this reading "I never put the red paint on the steps!"

by chance

From this reading "Then perhaps you can explain how this pot of red paint came to be hidden in your closet."

metal or earthenware cooking vessel that is usually round and deep; often has a handle and lid

From this reading "Then perhaps you can explain how this pot of red paint came to be hidden in your closet."

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading "I never put the red paint on the steps!"

inflected form of “query” — pose a question

From this reading "No?" queried the Dean coldly.

red color or pigment; the chromatic color resembling the hue of blood

From this reading "I never put the red paint on the steps!"

inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading VINDICATION Joe fairly staggered back, so startled was he by the words of the Dean--and, not only the words, but the manner--for the Dean was solemn, and there was a vindictiveness about him that Joe had never seen before.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading VINDICATION Joe fairly staggered back, so startled was he by the words of the Dean--and, not only the words, but the manner--for the Dean was solemn, and there was a vindictiveness about him that Joe had never seen before.

dignified and somber in manner or character and committed to keeping promises

From this reading VINDICATION Joe fairly staggered back, so startled was he by the words of the Dean--and, not only the words, but the manner--for the Dean was solemn, and there was a vindictiveness about him that Joe had never seen before.

past form of “stagger” — walk as if unable to control one's movements

From this reading VINDICATION Joe fairly staggered back, so startled was he by the words of the Dean--and, not only the words, but the manner--for the Dean was solemn, and there was a vindictiveness about him that Joe had never seen before.

excited by sudden surprise or alarm and making a quick involuntary movement

From this reading VINDICATION Joe fairly staggered back, so startled was he by the words of the Dean--and, not only the words, but the manner--for the Dean was solemn, and there was a vindictiveness about him that Joe had never seen before.

a flight of stairs or a flight of steps

From this reading "I never put the red paint on the steps!"

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading VINDICATION Joe fairly staggered back, so startled was he by the words of the Dean--and, not only the words, but the manner--for the Dean was solemn, and there was a vindictiveness about him that Joe had never seen before.

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

From this reading VINDICATION Joe fairly staggered back, so startled was he by the words of the Dean--and, not only the words, but the manner--for the Dean was solemn, and there was a vindictiveness about him that Joe had never seen before.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading "Then perhaps you can explain how this pot of red paint came to be hidden in your closet."

in or at that place or location

From this reading VINDICATION Joe fairly staggered back, so startled was he by the words of the Dean--and, not only the words, but the manner--for the Dean was solemn, and there was a vindictiveness about him that Joe had never seen before.

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

From this reading "Then perhaps you can explain how this pot of red paint came to be hidden in your closet."

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

From this reading "Then perhaps you can explain how this pot of red paint came to be hidden in your closet."

the act of vindicating or defending against criticism or censure etc.

From this reading VINDICATION Joe fairly staggered back, so startled was he by the words of the Dean--and, not only the words, but the manner--for the Dean was solemn, and there was a vindictiveness about him that Joe had never seen before.

a malevolent desire for revenge

From this reading VINDICATION Joe fairly staggered back, so startled was he by the words of the Dean--and, not only the words, but the manner--for the Dean was solemn, and there was a vindictiveness about him that Joe had never seen before.

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

From this reading VINDICATION Joe fairly staggered back, so startled was he by the words of the Dean--and, not only the words, but the manner--for the Dean was solemn, and there was a vindictiveness about him that Joe had never seen before.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading "Why--why, what do you mean?" gasped Joe.

the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”

From this reading "Why--why, what do you mean?" gasped Joe.

the words that are spoken

From this reading VINDICATION Joe fairly staggered back, so startled was he by the words of the Dean--and, not only the words, but the manner--for the Dean was solemn, and there was a vindictiveness about him that Joe had never seen before.

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading "Why--why, what do you mean?" gasped Joe.

belonging to the person or people being spoken to

From this reading "Then perhaps you can explain how this pot of red paint came to be hidden in your closet."