Chapter IV · A Royal Pourparler

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

From this reading He saw at once from Mr. Wells's tone that his father must have bragged: he must have spoken of the projected trip at the White Horse last night, not as a mere speculative journey in search of a problematical and uncertain Scholarship, but as a _fait accompli_--a domestic arrangement dependent on the mere will of the house of Plantagenet.

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

From this reading He saw at once from Mr. Wells's tone that his father must have bragged: he must have spoken of the projected trip at the White Horse last night, not as a mere speculative journey in search of a problematical and uncertain Scholarship, but as a _fait accompli_--a domestic arrangement dependent on the mere will of the house of Plantagenet.

past form of “accost” — speak to someone

From this reading |Next morning, when Richard went down to his work in town, Mr. Wells, his employer, accosted him at once with the unwelcome greeting:

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

From this reading He saw at once from Mr. Wells's tone that his father must have bragged: he must have spoken of the projected trip at the White Horse last night, not as a mere speculative journey in search of a problematical and uncertain Scholarship, but as a _fait accompli_--a domestic arrangement dependent on the mere will of the house of Plantagenet.

the thing arranged or agreed to

From this reading He saw at once from Mr. Wells's tone that his father must have bragged: he must have spoken of the projected trip at the White Horse last night, not as a mere speculative journey in search of a problematical and uncertain Scholarship, but as a _fait accompli_--a domestic arrangement dependent on the mere will of the house of Plantagenet.

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

From this reading He saw at once from Mr. Wells's tone that his father must have bragged: he must have spoken of the projected trip at the White Horse last night, not as a mere speculative journey in search of a problematical and uncertain Scholarship, but as a _fait accompli_--a domestic arrangement dependent on the mere will of the house of Plantagenet.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading |Next morning, when Richard went down to his work in town, Mr. Wells, his employer, accosted him at once with the unwelcome greeting:

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Nothing on earth could well have been more unpleasant for poor Dick.

inflected form of “brag” — show off

From this reading He saw at once from Mr. Wells's tone that his father must have bragged: he must have spoken of the projected trip at the White Horse last night, not as a mere speculative journey in search of a problematical and uncertain Scholarship, but as a _fait accompli_--a domestic arrangement dependent on the mere will of the house of Plantagenet.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading He saw at once from Mr. Wells's tone that his father must have bragged: he must have spoken of the projected trip at the White Horse last night, not as a mere speculative journey in search of a problematical and uncertain Scholarship, but as a _fait accompli_--a domestic arrangement dependent on the mere will of the house of Plantagenet.

a teacher and prophet born in Bethlehem and active in Nazareth; his life and sermons form the basis for Christianity (circa 4 BC - AD 29)

From this reading He must have treated his decision as when a Duke decides that he shall send his son and heir to Christ Church or Trinity.

one of the groups of Christians who have their own beliefs and forms of worship

From this reading He must have treated his decision as when a Duke decides that he shall send his son and heir to Christ Church or Trinity.

the body of faculty and students of a college

From this reading 'Hullo, Plantagenet, so I hear you're going up to college at Oxford!'

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading Nothing on earth could well have been more unpleasant for poor Dick.

third-person singular of “decide” — reach, make, or come to a decision about something

From this reading He must have treated his decision as when a Duke decides that he shall send his son and heir to Christ Church or Trinity.

the act of making up your mind about something

From this reading He must have treated his decision as when a Duke decides that he shall send his son and heir to Christ Church or Trinity.

relying on or requiring a person or thing for support, supply, or what is needed

From this reading He saw at once from Mr. Wells's tone that his father must have bragged: he must have spoken of the projected trip at the White Horse last night, not as a mere speculative journey in search of a problematical and uncertain Scholarship, but as a _fait accompli_--a domestic arrangement dependent on the mere will of the house of Plantagenet.

someone who is a detective

From this reading Nothing on earth could well have been more unpleasant for poor Dick.

of concern to or concerning the internal affairs of a nation

From this reading He saw at once from Mr. Wells's tone that his father must have bragged: he must have spoken of the projected trip at the White Horse last night, not as a mere speculative journey in search of a problematical and uncertain Scholarship, but as a _fait accompli_--a domestic arrangement dependent on the mere will of the house of Plantagenet.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading |Next morning, when Richard went down to his work in town, Mr. Wells, his employer, accosted him at once with the unwelcome greeting:

a British peer of the highest rank

From this reading He must have treated his decision as when a Duke decides that he shall send his son and heir to Christ Church or Trinity.

the 3rd planet from the sun; the planet we live on

From this reading Nothing on earth could well have been more unpleasant for poor Dick.

a person or firm that employs workers

From this reading |Next morning, when Richard went down to his work in town, Mr. Wells, his employer, accosted him at once with the unwelcome greeting:

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

From this reading He saw at once from Mr. Wells's tone that his father must have bragged: he must have spoken of the projected trip at the White Horse last night, not as a mere speculative journey in search of a problematical and uncertain Scholarship, but as a _fait accompli_--a domestic arrangement dependent on the mere will of the house of Plantagenet.

a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)

From this reading He saw at once from Mr. Wells's tone that his father must have bragged: he must have spoken of the projected trip at the White Horse last night, not as a mere speculative journey in search of a problematical and uncertain Scholarship, but as a _fait accompli_--a domestic arrangement dependent on the mere will of the house of Plantagenet.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Nothing on earth could well have been more unpleasant for poor Dick.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading He saw at once from Mr. Wells's tone that his father must have bragged: he must have spoken of the projected trip at the White Horse last night, not as a mere speculative journey in search of a problematical and uncertain Scholarship, but as a _fait accompli_--a domestic arrangement dependent on the mere will of the house of Plantagenet.

the act of departing

From this reading 'Hullo, Plantagenet, so I hear you're going up to college at Oxford!'

(usually plural) an acknowledgment or expression of good will (especially on meeting)

From this reading |Next morning, when Richard went down to his work in town, Mr. Wells, his employer, accosted him at once with the unwelcome greeting:

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading Nothing on earth could well have been more unpleasant for poor Dick.

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

From this reading He saw at once from Mr. Wells's tone that his father must have bragged: he must have spoken of the projected trip at the White Horse last night, not as a mere speculative journey in search of a problematical and uncertain Scholarship, but as a _fait accompli_--a domestic arrangement dependent on the mere will of the house of Plantagenet.

perceive (sound) via the auditory sense

From this reading 'Hullo, Plantagenet, so I hear you're going up to college at Oxford!'

A person legally or magically entitled to the property or rank of another on that person's death.

From this reading He must have treated his decision as when a Duke decides that he shall send his son and heir to Christ Church or Trinity.

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

From this reading |Next morning, when Richard went down to his work in town, Mr. Wells, his employer, accosted him at once with the unwelcome greeting:

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

From this reading |Next morning, when Richard went down to his work in town, Mr. Wells, his employer, accosted him at once with the unwelcome greeting:

solid-hoofed herbivorous quadruped domesticated since prehistoric times

From this reading He saw at once from Mr. Wells's tone that his father must have bragged: he must have spoken of the projected trip at the White Horse last night, not as a mere speculative journey in search of a problematical and uncertain Scholarship, but as a _fait accompli_--a domestic arrangement dependent on the mere will of the house of Plantagenet.

a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families

From this reading He saw at once from Mr. Wells's tone that his father must have bragged: he must have spoken of the projected trip at the White Horse last night, not as a mere speculative journey in search of a problematical and uncertain Scholarship, but as a _fait accompli_--a domestic arrangement dependent on the mere will of the house of Plantagenet.

an expression of greeting

From this reading 'Hullo, Plantagenet, so I hear you're going up to college at Oxford!'

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

From this reading 'Hullo, Plantagenet, so I hear you're going up to college at Oxford!'

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

From this reading |Next morning, when Richard went down to his work in town, Mr. Wells, his employer, accosted him at once with the unwelcome greeting:

undertake a journey or trip

From this reading He saw at once from Mr. Wells's tone that his father must have bragged: he must have spoken of the projected trip at the White Horse last night, not as a mere speculative journey in search of a problematical and uncertain Scholarship, but as a _fait accompli_--a domestic arrangement dependent on the mere will of the house of Plantagenet.

immediately past

From this reading He saw at once from Mr. Wells's tone that his father must have bragged: he must have spoken of the projected trip at the White Horse last night, not as a mere speculative journey in search of a problematical and uncertain Scholarship, but as a _fait accompli_--a domestic arrangement dependent on the mere will of the house of Plantagenet.

being nothing more than specified

From this reading He saw at once from Mr. Wells's tone that his father must have bragged: he must have spoken of the projected trip at the White Horse last night, not as a mere speculative journey in search of a problematical and uncertain Scholarship, but as a _fait accompli_--a domestic arrangement dependent on the mere will of the house of Plantagenet.

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading Nothing on earth could well have been more unpleasant for poor Dick.

the time period between dawn and noon

From this reading |Next morning, when Richard went down to his work in town, Mr. Wells, his employer, accosted him at once with the unwelcome greeting:

a form of address for a man

From this reading |Next morning, when Richard went down to his work in town, Mr. Wells, his employer, accosted him at once with the unwelcome greeting:

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading He saw at once from Mr. Wells's tone that his father must have bragged: he must have spoken of the projected trip at the White Horse last night, not as a mere speculative journey in search of a problematical and uncertain Scholarship, but as a _fait accompli_--a domestic arrangement dependent on the mere will of the house of Plantagenet.

immediately following in time or order

From this reading |Next morning, when Richard went down to his work in town, Mr. Wells, his employer, accosted him at once with the unwelcome greeting:

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

From this reading He saw at once from Mr. Wells's tone that his father must have bragged: he must have spoken of the projected trip at the White Horse last night, not as a mere speculative journey in search of a problematical and uncertain Scholarship, but as a _fait accompli_--a domestic arrangement dependent on the mere will of the house of Plantagenet.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading He saw at once from Mr. Wells's tone that his father must have bragged: he must have spoken of the projected trip at the White Horse last night, not as a mere speculative journey in search of a problematical and uncertain Scholarship, but as a _fait accompli_--a domestic arrangement dependent on the mere will of the house of Plantagenet.

not one thing; not anything

From this reading Nothing on earth could well have been more unpleasant for poor Dick.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading He saw at once from Mr. Wells's tone that his father must have bragged: he must have spoken of the projected trip at the White Horse last night, not as a mere speculative journey in search of a problematical and uncertain Scholarship, but as a _fait accompli_--a domestic arrangement dependent on the mere will of the house of Plantagenet.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Nothing on earth could well have been more unpleasant for poor Dick.

on one occasion

From this reading |Next morning, when Richard went down to his work in town, Mr. Wells, his employer, accosted him at once with the unwelcome greeting:

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading He must have treated his decision as when a Duke decides that he shall send his son and heir to Christ Church or Trinity.

a city in southern England to the northwest of London; site of Oxford University

From this reading 'Hullo, Plantagenet, so I hear you're going up to college at Oxford!'

the family name of a line of English kings that reigned from 1154 to 1485

From this reading 'Hullo, Plantagenet, so I hear you're going up to college at Oxford!'

deserving or inciting pity

From this reading Nothing on earth could well have been more unpleasant for poor Dick.

open to doubt or debate

From this reading He saw at once from Mr. Wells's tone that his father must have bragged: he must have spoken of the projected trip at the White Horse last night, not as a mere speculative journey in search of a problematical and uncertain Scholarship, but as a _fait accompli_--a domestic arrangement dependent on the mere will of the house of Plantagenet.

extending out above or beyond a surface or boundary

From this reading He saw at once from Mr. Wells's tone that his father must have bragged: he must have spoken of the projected trip at the White Horse last night, not as a mere speculative journey in search of a problematical and uncertain Scholarship, but as a _fait accompli_--a domestic arrangement dependent on the mere will of the house of Plantagenet.

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

From this reading |Next morning, when Richard went down to his work in town, Mr. Wells, his employer, accosted him at once with the unwelcome greeting:

cut with a saw

From this reading He saw at once from Mr. Wells's tone that his father must have bragged: he must have spoken of the projected trip at the White Horse last night, not as a mere speculative journey in search of a problematical and uncertain Scholarship, but as a _fait accompli_--a domestic arrangement dependent on the mere will of the house of Plantagenet.

financial aid provided to a student on the basis of academic merit

From this reading He saw at once from Mr. Wells's tone that his father must have bragged: he must have spoken of the projected trip at the White Horse last night, not as a mere speculative journey in search of a problematical and uncertain Scholarship, but as a _fait accompli_--a domestic arrangement dependent on the mere will of the house of Plantagenet.

try to locate or discover, or try to establish the existence of

From this reading He saw at once from Mr. Wells's tone that his father must have bragged: he must have spoken of the projected trip at the White Horse last night, not as a mere speculative journey in search of a problematical and uncertain Scholarship, but as a _fait accompli_--a domestic arrangement dependent on the mere will of the house of Plantagenet.

cause to go somewhere

From this reading He must have treated his decision as when a Duke decides that he shall send his son and heir to Christ Church or Trinity.

used with I and we for the future, or to offer and suggest

From this reading He must have treated his decision as when a Duke decides that he shall send his son and heir to Christ Church or Trinity.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading 'Hullo, Plantagenet, so I hear you're going up to college at Oxford!'

a male human offspring

From this reading He must have treated his decision as when a Duke decides that he shall send his son and heir to Christ Church or Trinity.

not financially safe or secure

From this reading He saw at once from Mr. Wells's tone that his father must have bragged: he must have spoken of the projected trip at the White Horse last night, not as a mere speculative journey in search of a problematical and uncertain Scholarship, but as a _fait accompli_--a domestic arrangement dependent on the mere will of the house of Plantagenet.

uttered through the medium of speech or characterized by speech; sometimes used in combination

From this reading He saw at once from Mr. Wells's tone that his father must have bragged: he must have spoken of the projected trip at the White Horse last night, not as a mere speculative journey in search of a problematical and uncertain Scholarship, but as a _fait accompli_--a domestic arrangement dependent on the mere will of the house of Plantagenet.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading He saw at once from Mr. Wells's tone that his father must have bragged: he must have spoken of the projected trip at the White Horse last night, not as a mere speculative journey in search of a problematical and uncertain Scholarship, but as a _fait accompli_--a domestic arrangement dependent on the mere will of the house of Plantagenet.

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

From this reading |Next morning, when Richard went down to his work in town, Mr. Wells, his employer, accosted him at once with the unwelcome greeting:

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

From this reading |Next morning, when Richard went down to his work in town, Mr. Wells, his employer, accosted him at once with the unwelcome greeting:

the quality of a person's voice

From this reading He saw at once from Mr. Wells's tone that his father must have bragged: he must have spoken of the projected trip at the White Horse last night, not as a mere speculative journey in search of a problematical and uncertain Scholarship, but as a _fait accompli_--a domestic arrangement dependent on the mere will of the house of Plantagenet.

an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city

From this reading |Next morning, when Richard went down to his work in town, Mr. Wells, his employer, accosted him at once with the unwelcome greeting:

subjected to a physical (or chemical) treatment or action or agent

From this reading He must have treated his decision as when a Duke decides that he shall send his son and heir to Christ Church or Trinity.

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

From this reading He must have treated his decision as when a Duke decides that he shall send his son and heir to Christ Church or Trinity.

a journey for some purpose (usually including the return)

From this reading He saw at once from Mr. Wells's tone that his father must have bragged: he must have spoken of the projected trip at the White Horse last night, not as a mere speculative journey in search of a problematical and uncertain Scholarship, but as a _fait accompli_--a domestic arrangement dependent on the mere will of the house of Plantagenet.

lacking or indicating lack of confidence or assurance

From this reading He saw at once from Mr. Wells's tone that his father must have bragged: he must have spoken of the projected trip at the White Horse last night, not as a mere speculative journey in search of a problematical and uncertain Scholarship, but as a _fait accompli_--a domestic arrangement dependent on the mere will of the house of Plantagenet.

offensive or disagreeable; causing discomfort or unhappiness

From this reading Nothing on earth could well have been more unpleasant for poor Dick.

not welcome; not giving pleasure or received with pleasure

From this reading |Next morning, when Richard went down to his work in town, Mr. Wells, his employer, accosted him at once with the unwelcome greeting:

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

From this reading 'Hullo, Plantagenet, so I hear you're going up to college at Oxford!'

(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)

From this reading Nothing on earth could well have been more unpleasant for poor Dick.

prolific English writer best known for his science-fiction novels; he also wrote on contemporary social problems and wrote popular accounts of history and science (1866-1946)

From this reading |Next morning, when Richard went down to his work in town, Mr. Wells, his employer, accosted him at once with the unwelcome greeting:

possessive form of “wells” — prolific English writer best known for his science-fiction novels; he also wrote on contemporary social problems and wrote popular accounts of history and science (1866-1946)

From this reading He saw at once from Mr. Wells's tone that his father must have bragged: he must have spoken of the projected trip at the White Horse last night, not as a mere speculative journey in search of a problematical and uncertain Scholarship, but as a _fait accompli_--a domestic arrangement dependent on the mere will of the house of Plantagenet.

inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading |Next morning, when Richard went down to his work in town, Mr. Wells, his employer, accosted him at once with the unwelcome greeting:

at the time that

From this reading |Next morning, when Richard went down to his work in town, Mr. Wells, his employer, accosted him at once with the unwelcome greeting:

a Caucasian

From this reading He saw at once from Mr. Wells's tone that his father must have bragged: he must have spoken of the projected trip at the White Horse last night, not as a mere speculative journey in search of a problematical and uncertain Scholarship, but as a _fait accompli_--a domestic arrangement dependent on the mere will of the house of Plantagenet.

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading He saw at once from Mr. Wells's tone that his father must have bragged: he must have spoken of the projected trip at the White Horse last night, not as a mere speculative journey in search of a problematical and uncertain Scholarship, but as a _fait accompli_--a domestic arrangement dependent on the mere will of the house of Plantagenet.

in the company of; together with

From this reading |Next morning, when Richard went down to his work in town, Mr. Wells, his employer, accosted him at once with the unwelcome greeting:

exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity

From this reading |Next morning, when Richard went down to his work in town, Mr. Wells, his employer, accosted him at once with the unwelcome greeting:

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

From this reading 'Hullo, Plantagenet, so I hear you're going up to college at Oxford!'