Chapter XXVII · Chapter 27

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

From this reading This, then, was the condition of affairs when the office boy carried to Mr. Skinner a piece of disquieting information--to wit, that Captain Matt Peasley was without and desired to hold speech with Mr. Ricks.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading The pick-handle still reposed behind Skinner's desk, but that was merely because he had forgotten all about it, and nobody ever touched any of his property without his permission.

matters of personal concern

From this reading This, then, was the condition of affairs when the office boy carried to Mr. Skinner a piece of disquieting information--to wit, that Captain Matt Peasley was without and desired to hold speech with Mr. Ricks.

(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 The pick-handle still reposed behind Skinner's desk, but that was merely because he had forgotten all about it, and nobody ever touched any of his property without his permission.

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

From this reading Four more months passed, and peace reigned in the offices of the Blue Star Navigation Company.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading The pick-handle still reposed behind Skinner's desk, but that was merely because he had forgotten all about it, and nobody ever touched any of his property without his permission.

for the reason that

From this reading The pick-handle still reposed behind Skinner's desk, but that was merely because he had forgotten all about it, and nobody ever touched any of his property without his permission.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Matt Peasley's name had never been mentioned in Mr. Skinner's presence since that dark day when he had ventured, for the first time in his career, to lay down the law to Cappy Ricks.

at or toward the back of something

From this reading The pick-handle still reposed behind Skinner's desk, but that was merely because he had forgotten all about it, and nobody ever touched any of his property without his permission.

of the color intermediate between green and violet; having a color similar to that of a clear unclouded sky

From this reading Four more months passed, and peace reigned in the offices of the Blue Star Navigation Company.

a youthful male person

From this reading This, then, was the condition of affairs when the office boy carried to Mr. Skinner a piece of disquieting information--to wit, that Captain Matt Peasley was without and desired to hold speech with Mr. Ricks.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading The pick-handle still reposed behind Skinner's desk, but that was merely because he had forgotten all about it, and nobody ever touched any of his property without his permission.

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

From this reading Matt Peasley's name had never been mentioned in Mr. Skinner's presence since that dark day when he had ventured, for the first time in his career, to lay down the law to Cappy Ricks.

an officer holding a rank below a major but above a lieutenant

From this reading This, then, was the condition of affairs when the office boy carried to Mr. Skinner a piece of disquieting information--to wit, that Captain Matt Peasley was without and desired to hold speech with Mr. Ricks.

the particular occupation for which you are trained

From this reading Matt Peasley's name had never been mentioned in Mr. Skinner's presence since that dark day when he had ventured, for the first time in his career, to lay down the law to Cappy Ricks.

inflected form of “carry” — move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body

From this reading This, then, was the condition of affairs when the office boy carried to Mr. Skinner a piece of disquieting information--to wit, that Captain Matt Peasley was without and desired to hold speech with Mr. Ricks.

being full of or promoting cheer; having or showing good spirits

From this reading Not once had Matt Peasley's cheerful countenance darkened the Skinner horizon.

an institution created to conduct business

From this reading Four more months passed, and peace reigned in the offices of the Blue Star Navigation Company.

a state at a particular time

From this reading This, then, was the condition of affairs when the office boy carried to Mr. Skinner a piece of disquieting information--to wit, that Captain Matt Peasley was without and desired to hold speech with Mr. Ricks.

the appearance conveyed by a person's face

From this reading Not once had Matt Peasley's cheerful countenance darkened the Skinner horizon.

absence of light or illumination

From this reading Matt Peasley's name had never been mentioned in Mr. Skinner's presence since that dark day when he had ventured, for the first time in his career, to lay down the law to Cappy Ricks.

(of fabrics and paper) grown dark in color over time

From this reading Not once had Matt Peasley's cheerful countenance darkened the Skinner horizon.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading Matt Peasley's name had never been mentioned in Mr. Skinner's presence since that dark day when he had ventured, for the first time in his career, to lay down the law to Cappy Ricks.

wanted intensely

From this reading This, then, was the condition of affairs when the office boy carried to Mr. Skinner a piece of disquieting information--to wit, that Captain Matt Peasley was without and desired to hold speech with Mr. Ricks.

a piece of furniture with a writing surface and usually drawers or other compartments

From this reading The pick-handle still reposed behind Skinner's desk, but that was merely because he had forgotten all about it, and nobody ever touched any of his property without his permission.

causing mental discomfort

From this reading This, then, was the condition of affairs when the office boy carried to Mr. Skinner a piece of disquieting information--to wit, that Captain Matt Peasley was without and desired to hold speech with Mr. Ricks.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading Matt Peasley's name had never been mentioned in Mr. Skinner's presence since that dark day when he had ventured, for the first time in his career, to lay down the law to Cappy Ricks.

at any time

From this reading The pick-handle still reposed behind Skinner's desk, but that was merely because he had forgotten all about it, and nobody ever touched any of his property without his permission.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading Matt Peasley's name had never been mentioned in Mr. Skinner's presence since that dark day when he had ventured, for the first time in his career, to lay down the law to Cappy Ricks.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Matt Peasley's name had never been mentioned in Mr. Skinner's presence since that dark day when he had ventured, for the first time in his career, to lay down the law to Cappy Ricks.

Not remembered; lapsed from memory.

From this reading The pick-handle still reposed behind Skinner's desk, but that was merely because he had forgotten all about it, and nobody ever touched any of his property without his permission.

the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one

From this reading Four more months passed, and peace reigned in the offices of the Blue Star Navigation Company.

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

From this reading Matt Peasley's name had never been mentioned in Mr. Skinner's presence since that dark day when he had ventured, for the first time in his career, to lay down the law to Cappy Ricks.

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

From this reading Matt Peasley's name had never been mentioned in Mr. Skinner's presence since that dark day when he had ventured, for the first time in his career, to lay down the law to Cappy Ricks.

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

From this reading Matt Peasley's name had never been mentioned in Mr. Skinner's presence since that dark day when he had ventured, for the first time in his career, to lay down the law to Cappy Ricks.

cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”

From this reading This, then, was the condition of affairs when the office boy carried to Mr. Skinner a piece of disquieting information--to wit, that Captain Matt Peasley was without and desired to hold speech with Mr. Ricks.

the line at which the sky and Earth appear to meet

From this reading Not once had Matt Peasley's cheerful countenance darkened the Skinner horizon.

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

From this reading Four more months passed, and peace reigned in the offices of the Blue Star Navigation Company.

a message received and understood

From this reading This, then, was the condition of affairs when the office boy carried to Mr. Skinner a piece of disquieting information--to wit, that Captain Matt Peasley was without and desired to hold speech with Mr. Ricks.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading The pick-handle still reposed behind Skinner's desk, but that was merely because he had forgotten all about it, and nobody ever touched any of his property without his permission.

the collection of rules imposed by authority

From this reading Matt Peasley's name had never been mentioned in Mr. Skinner's presence since that dark day when he had ventured, for the first time in his career, to lay down the law to Cappy Ricks.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading Matt Peasley's name had never been mentioned in Mr. Skinner's presence since that dark day when he had ventured, for the first time in his career, to lay down the law to Cappy Ricks.

the property of having little or no contrast; lacking highlights or gloss

From this reading Matt Peasley's name had never been mentioned in Mr. Skinner's presence since that dark day when he had ventured, for the first time in his career, to lay down the law to Cappy Ricks.

past form of “mention” — make reference to

From this reading Matt Peasley's name had never been mentioned in Mr. Skinner's presence since that dark day when he had ventured, for the first time in his career, to lay down the law to Cappy Ricks.

and nothing more

From this reading The pick-handle still reposed behind Skinner's desk, but that was merely because he had forgotten all about it, and nobody ever touched any of his property without his permission.

plural of “month” — one of the twelve divisions of the calendar year

From this reading Four more months passed, and peace reigned in the offices of the Blue Star Navigation Company.

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

From this reading Four more months passed, and peace reigned in the offices of the Blue Star Navigation Company.

a form of address for a man

From this reading Matt Peasley's name had never been mentioned in Mr. Skinner's presence since that dark day when he had ventured, for the first time in his career, to lay down the law to Cappy Ricks.

assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading Matt Peasley's name had never been mentioned in Mr. Skinner's presence since that dark day when he had ventured, for the first time in his career, to lay down the law to Cappy Ricks.

the guidance of ships or airplanes from place to place

From this reading Four more months passed, and peace reigned in the offices of the Blue Star Navigation Company.

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading Matt Peasley's name had never been mentioned in Mr. Skinner's presence since that dark day when he had ventured, for the first time in his career, to lay down the law to Cappy Ricks.

no person; not anyone

From this reading The pick-handle still reposed behind Skinner's desk, but that was merely because he had forgotten all about it, and nobody ever touched any of his property without his permission.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Not once had Matt Peasley's cheerful countenance darkened the Skinner horizon.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Four more months passed, and peace reigned in the offices of the Blue Star Navigation Company.

place of business where professional or clerical duties are performed

From this reading This, then, was the condition of affairs when the office boy carried to Mr. Skinner a piece of disquieting information--to wit, that Captain Matt Peasley was without and desired to hold speech with Mr. Ricks.

plural of “office” — place of business where professional or clerical duties are performed

From this reading Four more months passed, and peace reigned in the offices of the Blue Star Navigation Company.

on one occasion

From this reading Not once had Matt Peasley's cheerful countenance darkened the Skinner horizon.

past form of “pass” — go across or through

From this reading Four more months passed, and peace reigned in the offices of the Blue Star Navigation Company.

the state prevailing during the absence of war

From this reading Four more months passed, and peace reigned in the offices of the Blue Star Navigation Company.

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

From this reading This, then, was the condition of affairs when the office boy carried to Mr. Skinner a piece of disquieting information--to wit, that Captain Matt Peasley was without and desired to hold speech with Mr. Ricks.

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

From this reading Matt Peasley's name had never been mentioned in Mr. Skinner's presence since that dark day when he had ventured, for the first time in his career, to lay down the law to Cappy Ricks.

approval to do something

From this reading The pick-handle still reposed behind Skinner's desk, but that was merely because he had forgotten all about it, and nobody ever touched any of his property without his permission.

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

From this reading The pick-handle still reposed behind Skinner's desk, but that was merely because he had forgotten all about it, and nobody ever touched any of his property without his permission.

a separate part of a whole

From this reading This, then, was the condition of affairs when the office boy carried to Mr. Skinner a piece of disquieting information--to wit, that Captain Matt Peasley was without and desired to hold speech with Mr. Ricks.

the state of being present; current existence

From this reading Matt Peasley's name had never been mentioned in Mr. Skinner's presence since that dark day when he had ventured, for the first time in his career, to lay down the law to Cappy Ricks.

something owned; any tangible or intangible possession that is owned by someone

From this reading The pick-handle still reposed behind Skinner's desk, but that was merely because he had forgotten all about it, and nobody ever touched any of his property without his permission.

past form of “reign” — have sovereign power

From this reading Four more months passed, and peace reigned in the offices of the Blue Star Navigation Company.

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

From this reading The pick-handle still reposed behind Skinner's desk, but that was merely because he had forgotten all about it, and nobody ever touched any of his property without his permission.

plural of “rick” — a painful muscle spasm especially in the neck or back (“rick” and “wrick” are British)

From this reading Matt Peasley's name had never been mentioned in Mr. Skinner's presence since that dark day when he had ventured, for the first time in his career, to lay down the law to Cappy Ricks.

from a time in the past until now

From this reading Matt Peasley's name had never been mentioned in Mr. Skinner's presence since that dark day when he had ventured, for the first time in his career, to lay down the law to Cappy Ricks.

United States actor (1858-1942)

From this reading Not once had Matt Peasley's cheerful countenance darkened the Skinner horizon.

possessive form of “skinner” — United States actor (1858-1942)

From this reading Matt Peasley's name had never been mentioned in Mr. Skinner's presence since that dark day when he had ventured, for the first time in his career, to lay down the law to Cappy Ricks.

the act of delivering a formal spoken communication to an audience

From this reading This, then, was the condition of affairs when the office boy carried to Mr. Skinner a piece of disquieting information--to wit, that Captain Matt Peasley was without and desired to hold speech with Mr. Ricks.

(astronomy) a celestial body of hot gases that radiates energy derived from thermonuclear reactions in the interior

From this reading Four more months passed, and peace reigned in the offices of the Blue Star Navigation Company.

not in physical motion

From this reading The pick-handle still reposed behind Skinner's desk, but that was merely because he had forgotten all about it, and nobody ever touched any of his property without his permission.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Matt Peasley's name had never been mentioned in Mr. Skinner's presence since that dark day when he had ventured, for the first time in his career, to lay down the law to Cappy Ricks.

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

From this reading Four more months passed, and peace reigned in the offices of the Blue Star Navigation Company.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading This, then, was the condition of affairs when the office boy carried to Mr. Skinner a piece of disquieting information--to wit, that Captain Matt Peasley was without and desired to hold speech with Mr. Ricks.

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

From this reading This, then, was the condition of affairs when the office boy carried to Mr. Skinner a piece of disquieting information--to wit, that Captain Matt Peasley was without and desired to hold speech with Mr. Ricks.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading Matt Peasley's name had never been mentioned in Mr. Skinner's presence since that dark day when he had ventured, for the first time in his career, to lay down the law to Cappy Ricks.

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

From this reading Matt Peasley's name had never been mentioned in Mr. Skinner's presence since that dark day when he had ventured, for the first time in his career, to lay down the law to Cappy Ricks.

having come into contact

From this reading The pick-handle still reposed behind Skinner's desk, but that was merely because he had forgotten all about it, and nobody ever touched any of his property without his permission.

past form of “venture” — proceed somewhere despite the risk of possible dangers

From this reading Matt Peasley's name had never been mentioned in Mr. Skinner's presence since that dark day when he had ventured, for the first time in his career, to lay down the law to Cappy Ricks.

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

From this reading The pick-handle still reposed behind Skinner's desk, but that was merely because he had forgotten all about it, and nobody ever touched any of his property without his permission.

at the time that

From this reading Matt Peasley's name had never been mentioned in Mr. Skinner's presence since that dark day when he had ventured, for the first time in his career, to lay down the law to Cappy Ricks.

a message whose ingenuity or verbal skill or incongruity has the power to evoke laughter

From this reading This, then, was the condition of affairs when the office boy carried to Mr. Skinner a piece of disquieting information--to wit, that Captain Matt Peasley was without and desired to hold speech with Mr. Ricks.

in the company of; together with

From this reading This, then, was the condition of affairs when the office boy carried to Mr. Skinner a piece of disquieting information--to wit, that Captain Matt Peasley was without and desired to hold speech with Mr. Ricks.

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading The pick-handle still reposed behind Skinner's desk, but that was merely because he had forgotten all about it, and nobody ever touched any of his property without his permission.