Chapter XXX · Chapter 30

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

From this reading He realised that Dr. Cairn proposed to fight Antony Ferrara with his own weapons, and now, when something in the very air of the house seemed to warn them of a tremendous attack impending, that the doctor, much against his will, was entering the arena in the character of a practical magician--a character new to him, and obviously abhorrent.

offensive to the mind

From this reading He realised that Dr. Cairn proposed to fight Antony Ferrara with his own weapons, and now, when something in the very air of the house seemed to warn them of a tremendous attack impending, that the doctor, much against his will, was entering the arena in the character of a practical magician--a character new to him, and obviously abhorrent.

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading He realised that Dr. Cairn proposed to fight Antony Ferrara with his own weapons, and now, when something in the very air of the house seemed to warn them of a tremendous attack impending, that the doctor, much against his will, was entering the arena in the character of a practical magician--a character new to him, and obviously abhorrent.

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

From this reading He realised that Dr. Cairn proposed to fight Antony Ferrara with his own weapons, and now, when something in the very air of the house seemed to warn them of a tremendous attack impending, that the doctor, much against his will, was entering the arena in the character of a practical magician--a character new to him, and obviously abhorrent.

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

From this reading An odour of incense pervaded the house, coming from the doctor's study, wherein he had locked himself early in the evening, issuing instructions that he was not to be disturbed.

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

From this reading THE ELEMENTAL At dusk that evening, Dr. Cairn, his son, and Myra Duquesne met together in the library.

Roman general under Julius Caesar in the Gallic wars; repudiated his wife for the Egyptian queen Cleopatra; they were defeated by Octavian at Actium (83-30 BC)

From this reading He realised that Dr. Cairn proposed to fight Antony Ferrara with his own weapons, and now, when something in the very air of the house seemed to warn them of a tremendous attack impending, that the doctor, much against his will, was entering the arena in the character of a practical magician--a character new to him, and obviously abhorrent.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading The exact nature of the preparations which he had been making, Robert Cairn was unable to conjecture; and some instinct warned him that his father would not welcome any inquiry upon the matter.

a particular environment or walk of life

From this reading He realised that Dr. Cairn proposed to fight Antony Ferrara with his own weapons, and now, when something in the very air of the house seemed to warn them of a tremendous attack impending, that the doctor, much against his will, was entering the arena in the character of a practical magician--a character new to him, and obviously abhorrent.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading THE ELEMENTAL At dusk that evening, Dr. Cairn, his son, and Myra Duquesne met together in the library.

(military) an offensive against an enemy (using weapons)

From this reading He realised that Dr. Cairn proposed to fight Antony Ferrara with his own weapons, and now, when something in the very air of the house seemed to warn them of a tremendous attack impending, that the doctor, much against his will, was entering the arena in the character of a practical magician--a character new to him, and obviously abhorrent.

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

From this reading An odour of incense pervaded the house, coming from the doctor's study, wherein he had locked himself early in the evening, issuing instructions that he was not to be disturbed.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading The exact nature of the preparations which he had been making, Robert Cairn was unable to conjecture; and some instinct warned him that his father would not welcome any inquiry upon the matter.

a mound of stones piled up as a memorial or to mark a boundary or path

From this reading THE ELEMENTAL At dusk that evening, Dr. Cairn, his son, and Myra Duquesne met together in the library.

an imaginary person represented in a work of fiction (play or film or story)

From this reading He realised that Dr. Cairn proposed to fight Antony Ferrara with his own weapons, and now, when something in the very air of the house seemed to warn them of a tremendous attack impending, that the doctor, much against his will, was entering the arena in the character of a practical magician--a character new to him, and obviously abhorrent.

the act of drawing spatially closer to something

From this reading An odour of incense pervaded the house, coming from the doctor's study, wherein he had locked himself early in the evening, issuing instructions that he was not to be disturbed.

a hypothesis that has been formed by speculating or conjecturing (usually with little hard evidence)

From this reading The exact nature of the preparations which he had been making, Robert Cairn was unable to conjecture; and some instinct warned him that his father would not welcome any inquiry upon the matter.

having the place or position changed

From this reading An odour of incense pervaded the house, coming from the doctor's study, wherein he had locked himself early in the evening, issuing instructions that he was not to be disturbed.

a licensed medical practitioner

From this reading He realised that Dr. Cairn proposed to fight Antony Ferrara with his own weapons, and now, when something in the very air of the house seemed to warn them of a tremendous attack impending, that the doctor, much against his will, was entering the arena in the character of a practical magician--a character new to him, and obviously abhorrent.

possessive form of “doctor” — a licensed medical practitioner

From this reading An odour of incense pervaded the house, coming from the doctor's study, wherein he had locked himself early in the evening, issuing instructions that he was not to be disturbed.

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

From this reading THE ELEMENTAL At dusk that evening, Dr. Cairn, his son, and Myra Duquesne met together in the library.

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

From this reading THE ELEMENTAL At dusk that evening, Dr. Cairn, his son, and Myra Duquesne met together in the library.

the time of day immediately following sunset

From this reading THE ELEMENTAL At dusk that evening, Dr. Cairn, his son, and Myra Duquesne met together in the library.

at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time

From this reading An odour of incense pervaded the house, coming from the doctor's study, wherein he had locked himself early in the evening, issuing instructions that he was not to be disturbed.

relating to or being an element

From this reading THE ELEMENTAL At dusk that evening, Dr. Cairn, his son, and Myra Duquesne met together in the library.

a movement into or inward

From this reading He realised that Dr. Cairn proposed to fight Antony Ferrara with his own weapons, and now, when something in the very air of the house seemed to warn them of a tremendous attack impending, that the doctor, much against his will, was entering the arena in the character of a practical magician--a character new to him, and obviously abhorrent.

the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)

From this reading THE ELEMENTAL At dusk that evening, Dr. Cairn, his son, and Myra Duquesne met together in the library.

Strictly particular and correct.

From this reading The exact nature of the preparations which he had been making, Robert Cairn was unable to conjecture; and some instinct warned him that his father would not welcome any inquiry upon the matter.

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

From this reading The exact nature of the preparations which he had been making, Robert Cairn was unable to conjecture; and some instinct warned him that his father would not welcome any inquiry upon the matter.

a city in northern Italy

From this reading He realised that Dr. Cairn proposed to fight Antony Ferrara with his own weapons, and now, when something in the very air of the house seemed to warn them of a tremendous attack impending, that the doctor, much against his will, was entering the arena in the character of a practical magician--a character new to him, and obviously abhorrent.

be engaged in a fight; carry on a fight

From this reading He realised that Dr. Cairn proposed to fight Antony Ferrara with his own weapons, and now, when something in the very air of the house seemed to warn them of a tremendous attack impending, that the doctor, much against his will, was entering the arena in the character of a practical magician--a character new to him, and obviously abhorrent.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading An odour of incense pervaded the house, coming from the doctor's study, wherein he had locked himself early in the evening, issuing instructions that he was not to be disturbed.

a young female

From this reading The girl looked rather pale.

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

From this reading An odour of incense pervaded the house, coming from the doctor's study, wherein he had locked himself early in the evening, issuing instructions that he was not to be disturbed.

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

From this reading An odour of incense pervaded the house, coming from the doctor's study, wherein he had locked himself early in the evening, issuing instructions that he was not to be disturbed.

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

From this reading The exact nature of the preparations which he had been making, Robert Cairn was unable to conjecture; and some instinct warned him that his father would not welcome any inquiry upon the matter.

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

From this reading An odour of incense pervaded the house, coming from the doctor's study, wherein he had locked himself early in the evening, issuing instructions that he was not to be disturbed.

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

From this reading THE ELEMENTAL At dusk that evening, Dr. Cairn, his son, and Myra Duquesne met together in the library.

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

From this reading An odour of incense pervaded the house, coming from the doctor's study, wherein he had locked himself early in the evening, issuing instructions that he was not to be disturbed.

close in time; about to occur

From this reading He realised that Dr. Cairn proposed to fight Antony Ferrara with his own weapons, and now, when something in the very air of the house seemed to warn them of a tremendous attack impending, that the doctor, much against his will, was entering the arena in the character of a practical magician--a character new to him, and obviously abhorrent.

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

From this reading THE ELEMENTAL At dusk that evening, Dr. Cairn, his son, and Myra Duquesne met together in the library.

a substance that produces a fragrant odor when burned

From this reading An odour of incense pervaded the house, coming from the doctor's study, wherein he had locked himself early in the evening, issuing instructions that he was not to be disturbed.

a search for knowledge

From this reading The exact nature of the preparations which he had been making, Robert Cairn was unable to conjecture; and some instinct warned him that his father would not welcome any inquiry upon the matter.

inborn pattern of behavior often responsive to specific stimuli

From this reading The exact nature of the preparations which he had been making, Robert Cairn was unable to conjecture; and some instinct warned him that his father would not welcome any inquiry upon the matter.

a manual usually accompanying a technical device and explaining how to install or operate it

From this reading An odour of incense pervaded the house, coming from the doctor's study, wherein he had locked himself early in the evening, issuing instructions that he was not to be disturbed.

the act of providing an item for general use or for official purposes (usually in quantity)

From this reading An odour of incense pervaded the house, coming from the doctor's study, wherein he had locked himself early in the evening, issuing instructions that he was not to be disturbed.

a room where books are kept

From this reading THE ELEMENTAL At dusk that evening, Dr. Cairn, his son, and Myra Duquesne met together in the library.

past form of “lock” — fasten with a lock

From this reading An odour of incense pervaded the house, coming from the doctor's study, wherein he had locked himself early in the evening, issuing instructions that he was not to be disturbed.

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

From this reading The girl looked rather pale.

A practitioner of magic and ancient arcane arts, often wielding deception and powerful spells.

From this reading He realised that Dr. Cairn proposed to fight Antony Ferrara with his own weapons, and now, when something in the very air of the house seemed to warn them of a tremendous attack impending, that the doctor, much against his will, was entering the arena in the character of a practical magician--a character new to him, and obviously abhorrent.

the act that results in something coming to be

From this reading The exact nature of the preparations which he had been making, Robert Cairn was unable to conjecture; and some instinct warned him that his father would not welcome any inquiry upon the matter.

a vaguely specified concern

From this reading The exact nature of the preparations which he had been making, Robert Cairn was unable to conjecture; and some instinct warned him that his father would not welcome any inquiry upon the matter.

inflected form of “meet” — come together

From this reading THE ELEMENTAL At dusk that evening, Dr. Cairn, his son, and Myra Duquesne met together in the library.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading He realised that Dr. Cairn proposed to fight Antony Ferrara with his own weapons, and now, when something in the very air of the house seemed to warn them of a tremendous attack impending, that the doctor, much against his will, was entering the arena in the character of a practical magician--a character new to him, and obviously abhorrent.

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

From this reading THE ELEMENTAL At dusk that evening, Dr. Cairn, his son, and Myra Duquesne met together in the library.

the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized

From this reading The exact nature of the preparations which he had been making, Robert Cairn was unable to conjecture; and some instinct warned him that his father would not welcome any inquiry upon the matter.

not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered

From this reading He realised that Dr. Cairn proposed to fight Antony Ferrara with his own weapons, and now, when something in the very air of the house seemed to warn them of a tremendous attack impending, that the doctor, much against his will, was entering the arena in the character of a practical magician--a character new to him, and obviously abhorrent.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading An odour of incense pervaded the house, coming from the doctor's study, wherein he had locked himself early in the evening, issuing instructions that he was not to be disturbed.

in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events

From this reading He realised that Dr. Cairn proposed to fight Antony Ferrara with his own weapons, and now, when something in the very air of the house seemed to warn them of a tremendous attack impending, that the doctor, much against his will, was entering the arena in the character of a practical magician--a character new to him, and obviously abhorrent.

unmistakably (“plain” is often used informally for “plainly”)

From this reading He realised that Dr. Cairn proposed to fight Antony Ferrara with his own weapons, and now, when something in the very air of the house seemed to warn them of a tremendous attack impending, that the doctor, much against his will, was entering the arena in the character of a practical magician--a character new to him, and obviously abhorrent.

the sensation that results when olfactory receptors in the nose are stimulated by particular chemicals in gaseous form

From this reading An odour of incense pervaded the house, coming from the doctor's study, wherein he had locked himself early in the evening, issuing instructions that he was not to be disturbed.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading An odour of incense pervaded the house, coming from the doctor's study, wherein he had locked himself early in the evening, issuing instructions that he was not to be disturbed.

have ownership or possession of

From this reading He realised that Dr. Cairn proposed to fight Antony Ferrara with his own weapons, and now, when something in the very air of the house seemed to warn them of a tremendous attack impending, that the doctor, much against his will, was entering the arena in the character of a practical magician--a character new to him, and obviously abhorrent.

very light colored; highly diluted with white

From this reading The girl looked rather pale.

past form of “pervade” — spread or diffuse through

From this reading An odour of incense pervaded the house, coming from the doctor's study, wherein he had locked himself early in the evening, issuing instructions that he was not to be disturbed.

concerned with actual use or practice

From this reading He realised that Dr. Cairn proposed to fight Antony Ferrara with his own weapons, and now, when something in the very air of the house seemed to warn them of a tremendous attack impending, that the doctor, much against his will, was entering the arena in the character of a practical magician--a character new to him, and obviously abhorrent.

plural of “preparation” — the activity of putting or setting in order in advance of some act or purpose

From this reading The exact nature of the preparations which he had been making, Robert Cairn was unable to conjecture; and some instinct warned him that his father would not welcome any inquiry upon the matter.

past form of “propose” — make a proposal, declare a plan for something

From this reading He realised that Dr. Cairn proposed to fight Antony Ferrara with his own weapons, and now, when something in the very air of the house seemed to warn them of a tremendous attack impending, that the doctor, much against his will, was entering the arena in the character of a practical magician--a character new to him, and obviously abhorrent.

on the contrary

From this reading The girl looked rather pale.

successfully completed or brought to an end

From this reading He realised that Dr. Cairn proposed to fight Antony Ferrara with his own weapons, and now, when something in the very air of the house seemed to warn them of a tremendous attack impending, that the doctor, much against his will, was entering the arena in the character of a practical magician--a character new to him, and obviously abhorrent.

United States parliamentary authority and author (in 1876) of Robert's Rules of Order (1837-1923)

From this reading The exact nature of the preparations which he had been making, Robert Cairn was unable to conjecture; and some instinct warned him that his father would not welcome any inquiry upon the matter.

past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading He realised that Dr. Cairn proposed to fight Antony Ferrara with his own weapons, and now, when something in the very air of the house seemed to warn them of a tremendous attack impending, that the doctor, much against his will, was entering the arena in the character of a practical magician--a character new to him, and obviously abhorrent.

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

From this reading The exact nature of the preparations which he had been making, Robert Cairn was unable to conjecture; and some instinct warned him that his father would not welcome any inquiry upon the matter.

a thing, without saying which

From this reading He realised that Dr. Cairn proposed to fight Antony Ferrara with his own weapons, and now, when something in the very air of the house seemed to warn them of a tremendous attack impending, that the doctor, much against his will, was entering the arena in the character of a practical magician--a character new to him, and obviously abhorrent.

a male human offspring

From this reading THE ELEMENTAL At dusk that evening, Dr. Cairn, his son, and Myra Duquesne met together in the library.

a detailed critical inspection

From this reading An odour of incense pervaded the house, coming from the doctor's study, wherein he had locked himself early in the evening, issuing instructions that he was not to be disturbed.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading THE ELEMENTAL At dusk that evening, Dr. Cairn, his son, and Myra Duquesne met together in the library.

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

From this reading THE ELEMENTAL At dusk that evening, Dr. Cairn, his son, and Myra Duquesne met together in the library.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading He realised that Dr. Cairn proposed to fight Antony Ferrara with his own weapons, and now, when something in the very air of the house seemed to warn them of a tremendous attack impending, that the doctor, much against his will, was entering the arena in the character of a practical magician--a character new to him, and obviously abhorrent.

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

From this reading An odour of incense pervaded the house, coming from the doctor's study, wherein he had locked himself early in the evening, issuing instructions that he was not to be disturbed.

in contact with each other or in proximity

From this reading THE ELEMENTAL At dusk that evening, Dr. Cairn, his son, and Myra Duquesne met together in the library.

extraordinarily large in size or extent or amount or power or degree

From this reading He realised that Dr. Cairn proposed to fight Antony Ferrara with his own weapons, and now, when something in the very air of the house seemed to warn them of a tremendous attack impending, that the doctor, much against his will, was entering the arena in the character of a practical magician--a character new to him, and obviously abhorrent.

(usually followed by “to”) not having the necessary means or skill or know-how

From this reading The exact nature of the preparations which he had been making, Robert Cairn was unable to conjecture; and some instinct warned him that his father would not welcome any inquiry upon the matter.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading The exact nature of the preparations which he had been making, Robert Cairn was unable to conjecture; and some instinct warned him that his father would not welcome any inquiry upon the matter.

precisely as stated

From this reading He realised that Dr. Cairn proposed to fight Antony Ferrara with his own weapons, and now, when something in the very air of the house seemed to warn them of a tremendous attack impending, that the doctor, much against his will, was entering the arena in the character of a practical magician--a character new to him, and obviously abhorrent.

notify of danger, potential harm, or risk

From this reading He realised that Dr. Cairn proposed to fight Antony Ferrara with his own weapons, and now, when something in the very air of the house seemed to warn them of a tremendous attack impending, that the doctor, much against his will, was entering the arena in the character of a practical magician--a character new to him, and obviously abhorrent.

past form of “warn” — notify of danger, potential harm, or risk

From this reading The exact nature of the preparations which he had been making, Robert Cairn was unable to conjecture; and some instinct warned him that his father would not welcome any inquiry upon the matter.

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

From this reading An odour of incense pervaded the house, coming from the doctor's study, wherein he had locked himself early in the evening, issuing instructions that he was not to be disturbed.

plural of “weapon” — any instrument or instrumentality used in fighting or hunting

From this reading He realised that Dr. Cairn proposed to fight Antony Ferrara with his own weapons, and now, when something in the very air of the house seemed to warn them of a tremendous attack impending, that the doctor, much against his will, was entering the arena in the character of a practical magician--a character new to him, and obviously abhorrent.

accept gladly

From this reading The exact nature of the preparations which he had been making, Robert Cairn was unable to conjecture; and some instinct warned him that his father would not welcome any inquiry upon the matter.

at the time that

From this reading He realised that Dr. Cairn proposed to fight Antony Ferrara with his own weapons, and now, when something in the very air of the house seemed to warn them of a tremendous attack impending, that the doctor, much against his will, was entering the arena in the character of a practical magician--a character new to him, and obviously abhorrent.

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

From this reading An odour of incense pervaded the house, coming from the doctor's study, wherein he had locked himself early in the evening, issuing instructions that he was not to be disturbed.

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

From this reading The exact nature of the preparations which he had been making, Robert Cairn was unable to conjecture; and some instinct warned him that his father would not welcome any inquiry upon the matter.

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading He realised that Dr. Cairn proposed to fight Antony Ferrara with his own weapons, and now, when something in the very air of the house seemed to warn them of a tremendous attack impending, that the doctor, much against his will, was entering the arena in the character of a practical magician--a character new to him, and obviously abhorrent.

in the company of; together with

From this reading He realised that Dr. Cairn proposed to fight Antony Ferrara with his own weapons, and now, when something in the very air of the house seemed to warn them of a tremendous attack impending, that the doctor, much against his will, was entering the arena in the character of a practical magician--a character new to him, and obviously abhorrent.

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

From this reading The exact nature of the preparations which he had been making, Robert Cairn was unable to conjecture; and some instinct warned him that his father would not welcome any inquiry upon the matter.