Chapter XXIX

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

From this reading I TRY A FALL WITH JAMES MULLEN Some one dressed like a woman was standing by the stove whistling softly to himself while paring his nails with a pearl-handled knife.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading For about a quarter of a minute I stood there feeling, and perhaps looking, rather foolish.

anew

From this reading Then Hughes said again, and this time rather louder, “My brother, sir.”

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

From this reading “My brother Bill, sir,” said Hughes gruffly, and I thought rather nervously, indicating me with the peaked cloth cap which he carried, rolled scrollwise, in his hand.

a statute in draft before it becomes law

From this reading “My brother Bill, sir,” said Hughes gruffly, and I thought rather nervously, indicating me with the peaked cloth cap which he carried, rolled scrollwise, in his hand.

a knot with two loops and loose ends; used to tie shoelaces

From this reading I followed suit with a bow, or rather a duck, and a polite “Good-evening, sir,” but Mullen continued his nail-pairing and whistling without deigning to look up.

a male with the same parents as someone else

From this reading “My brother Bill, sir,” said Hughes gruffly, and I thought rather nervously, indicating me with the peaked cloth cap which he carried, rolled scrollwise, in his hand.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading I followed suit with a bow, or rather a duck, and a polite “Good-evening, sir,” but Mullen continued his nail-pairing and whistling without deigning to look up.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading I TRY A FALL WITH JAMES MULLEN Some one dressed like a woman was standing by the stove whistling softly to himself while paring his nails with a pearl-handled knife.

a tight-fitting headdress

From this reading “My brother Bill, sir,” said Hughes gruffly, and I thought rather nervously, indicating me with the peaked cloth cap which he carried, rolled scrollwise, in his hand.

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

From this reading “My brother Bill, sir,” said Hughes gruffly, and I thought rather nervously, indicating me with the peaked cloth cap which he carried, rolled scrollwise, in his hand.

artifact made by weaving or felting or knitting or crocheting natural or synthetic fibers

From this reading “My brother Bill, sir,” said Hughes gruffly, and I thought rather nervously, indicating me with the peaked cloth cap which he carried, rolled scrollwise, in his hand.

without stop or interruption

From this reading I followed suit with a bow, or rather a duck, and a polite “Good-evening, sir,” but Mullen continued his nail-pairing and whistling without deigning to look up.

-ing form of “deign” — do something that one considers to be below one's dignity

From this reading I followed suit with a bow, or rather a duck, and a polite “Good-evening, sir,” but Mullen continued his nail-pairing and whistling without deigning to look up.

dressed or clothed especially in fine attire; often used in combination

From this reading I TRY A FALL WITH JAMES MULLEN Some one dressed like a woman was standing by the stove whistling softly to himself while paring his nails with a pearl-handled knife.

to move (the head or body) quickly downwards or away

From this reading I followed suit with a bow, or rather a duck, and a polite “Good-evening, sir,” but Mullen continued his nail-pairing and whistling without deigning to look up.

descend in free fall under the influence of gravity

From this reading I TRY A FALL WITH JAMES MULLEN Some one dressed like a woman was standing by the stove whistling softly to himself while paring his nails with a pearl-handled knife.

the experiencing of affective and emotional states

From this reading For about a quarter of a minute I stood there feeling, and perhaps looking, rather foolish.

past form of “follow” — to travel behind, go after, come after

From this reading I followed suit with a bow, or rather a duck, and a polite “Good-evening, sir,” but Mullen continued his nail-pairing and whistling without deigning to look up.

devoid of good sense or judgment

From this reading For about a quarter of a minute I stood there feeling, and perhaps looking, rather foolish.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading For about a quarter of a minute I stood there feeling, and perhaps looking, rather foolish.

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

From this reading I followed suit with a bow, or rather a duck, and a polite “Good-evening, sir,” but Mullen continued his nail-pairing and whistling without deigning to look up.

in a gruff manner

From this reading “My brother Bill, sir,” said Hughes gruffly, and I thought rather nervously, indicating me with the peaked cloth cap which he carried, rolled scrollwise, in his hand.

the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb

From this reading “My brother Bill, sir,” said Hughes gruffly, and I thought rather nervously, indicating me with the peaked cloth cap which he carried, rolled scrollwise, in his hand.

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

From this reading “My brother Bill, sir,” said Hughes gruffly, and I thought rather nervously, indicating me with the peaked cloth cap which he carried, rolled scrollwise, in his hand.

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

From this reading I TRY A FALL WITH JAMES MULLEN Some one dressed like a woman was standing by the stove whistling softly to himself while paring his nails with a pearl-handled knife.

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

From this reading I TRY A FALL WITH JAMES MULLEN Some one dressed like a woman was standing by the stove whistling softly to himself while paring his nails with a pearl-handled knife.

English poet (born in 1930)

From this reading “My brother Bill, sir,” said Hughes gruffly, and I thought rather nervously, indicating me with the peaked cloth cap which he carried, rolled scrollwise, in his hand.

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

From this reading I TRY A FALL WITH JAMES MULLEN Some one dressed like a woman was standing by the stove whistling softly to himself while paring his nails with a pearl-handled knife.

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

From this reading “My brother Bill, sir,” said Hughes gruffly, and I thought rather nervously, indicating me with the peaked cloth cap which he carried, rolled scrollwise, in his hand.

-ing form of “indicate” — be a signal for or a symptom of

From this reading “My brother Bill, sir,” said Hughes gruffly, and I thought rather nervously, indicating me with the peaked cloth cap which he carried, rolled scrollwise, in his hand.

a Stuart king of Scotland who married a daughter of Henry VII; when England and France went to war in 1513 he invaded England and died in defeat at Flodden (1473-1513)

From this reading I TRY A FALL WITH JAMES MULLEN Some one dressed like a woman was standing by the stove whistling softly to himself while paring his nails with a pearl-handled knife.

edge tool used as a cutting instrument; has a pointed blade with a sharp edge and a handle

From this reading I TRY A FALL WITH JAMES MULLEN Some one dressed like a woman was standing by the stove whistling softly to himself while paring his nails with a pearl-handled knife.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading I TRY A FALL WITH JAMES MULLEN Some one dressed like a woman was standing by the stove whistling softly to himself while paring his nails with a pearl-handled knife.

perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading I followed suit with a bow, or rather a duck, and a polite “Good-evening, sir,” but Mullen continued his nail-pairing and whistling without deigning to look up.

the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually

From this reading For about a quarter of a minute I stood there feeling, and perhaps looking, rather foolish.

comparative of “loud” — characterized by or producing sound of great volume or intensity

From this reading Then Hughes said again, and this time rather louder, “My brother, sir.”

the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading “My brother Bill, sir,” said Hughes gruffly, and I thought rather nervously, indicating me with the peaked cloth cap which he carried, rolled scrollwise, in his hand.

a unit of time equal to 60 seconds or 1/60th of an hour

From this reading For about a quarter of a minute I stood there feeling, and perhaps looking, rather foolish.

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

From this reading I TRY A FALL WITH JAMES MULLEN Some one dressed like a woman was standing by the stove whistling softly to himself while paring his nails with a pearl-handled knife.

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading “My brother Bill, sir,” said Hughes gruffly, and I thought rather nervously, indicating me with the peaked cloth cap which he carried, rolled scrollwise, in his hand.

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

From this reading I followed suit with a bow, or rather a duck, and a polite “Good-evening, sir,” but Mullen continued his nail-pairing and whistling without deigning to look up.

plural of “nail” — horny plate covering and protecting part of the dorsal surface of the digits

From this reading I TRY A FALL WITH JAMES MULLEN Some one dressed like a woman was standing by the stove whistling softly to himself while paring his nails with a pearl-handled knife.

in an anxiously nervous manner

From this reading “My brother Bill, sir,” said Hughes gruffly, and I thought rather nervously, indicating me with the peaked cloth cap which he carried, rolled scrollwise, in his hand.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading For about a quarter of a minute I stood there feeling, and perhaps looking, rather foolish.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading I TRY A FALL WITH JAMES MULLEN Some one dressed like a woman was standing by the stove whistling softly to himself while paring his nails with a pearl-handled knife.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading I followed suit with a bow, or rather a duck, and a polite “Good-evening, sir,” but Mullen continued his nail-pairing and whistling without deigning to look up.

a thin fragment or slice (especially of wood) that has been shaved from something

From this reading I TRY A FALL WITH JAMES MULLEN Some one dressed like a woman was standing by the stove whistling softly to himself while paring his nails with a pearl-handled knife.

somewhat ill or prone to illness

From this reading “My brother Bill, sir,” said Hughes gruffly, and I thought rather nervously, indicating me with the peaked cloth cap which he carried, rolled scrollwise, in his hand.

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

From this reading I TRY A FALL WITH JAMES MULLEN Some one dressed like a woman was standing by the stove whistling softly to himself while paring his nails with a pearl-handled knife.

by chance

From this reading For about a quarter of a minute I stood there feeling, and perhaps looking, rather foolish.

showing regard for others in manners, speech, behavior, etc.

From this reading I followed suit with a bow, or rather a duck, and a polite “Good-evening, sir,” but Mullen continued his nail-pairing and whistling without deigning to look up.

one of four equal parts

From this reading For about a quarter of a minute I stood there feeling, and perhaps looking, rather foolish.

on the contrary

From this reading “My brother Bill, sir,” said Hughes gruffly, and I thought rather nervously, indicating me with the peaked cloth cap which he carried, rolled scrollwise, in his hand.

especially of petals or leaves in bud; having margins rolled inward

From this reading “My brother Bill, sir,” said Hughes gruffly, and I thought rather nervously, indicating me with the peaked cloth cap which he carried, rolled scrollwise, in his hand.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading “My brother Bill, sir,” said Hughes gruffly, and I thought rather nervously, indicating me with the peaked cloth cap which he carried, rolled scrollwise, in his hand.

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

From this reading “My brother Bill, sir,” said Hughes gruffly, and I thought rather nervously, indicating me with the peaked cloth cap which he carried, rolled scrollwise, in his hand.

term of address for a man

From this reading “My brother Bill, sir,” said Hughes gruffly, and I thought rather nervously, indicating me with the peaked cloth cap which he carried, rolled scrollwise, in his hand.

with low volume

From this reading I TRY A FALL WITH JAMES MULLEN Some one dressed like a woman was standing by the stove whistling softly to himself while paring his nails with a pearl-handled knife.

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

From this reading I TRY A FALL WITH JAMES MULLEN Some one dressed like a woman was standing by the stove whistling softly to himself while paring his nails with a pearl-handled knife.

having a supporting base

From this reading I TRY A FALL WITH JAMES MULLEN Some one dressed like a woman was standing by the stove whistling softly to himself while paring his nails with a pearl-handled knife.

Maintained an upright posture.

From this reading For about a quarter of a minute I stood there feeling, and perhaps looking, rather foolish.

a kitchen appliance used for cooking food

From this reading I TRY A FALL WITH JAMES MULLEN Some one dressed like a woman was standing by the stove whistling softly to himself while paring his nails with a pearl-handled knife.

be agreeable or acceptable to

From this reading I followed suit with a bow, or rather a duck, and a polite “Good-evening, sir,” but Mullen continued his nail-pairing and whistling without deigning to look up.

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

From this reading I TRY A FALL WITH JAMES MULLEN Some one dressed like a woman was standing by the stove whistling softly to himself while paring his nails with a pearl-handled knife.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading Then Hughes said again, and this time rather louder, “My brother, sir.”

in or at that place or location

From this reading For about a quarter of a minute I stood there feeling, and perhaps looking, rather foolish.

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

From this reading Then Hughes said again, and this time rather louder, “My brother, sir.”

the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about

From this reading “My brother Bill, sir,” said Hughes gruffly, and I thought rather nervously, indicating me with the peaked cloth cap which he carried, rolled scrollwise, in his hand.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading Then Hughes said again, and this time rather louder, “My brother, sir.”

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

From this reading I TRY A FALL WITH JAMES MULLEN Some one dressed like a woman was standing by the stove whistling softly to himself while paring his nails with a pearl-handled knife.

make an effort or attempt

From this reading I TRY A FALL WITH JAMES MULLEN Some one dressed like a woman was standing by the stove whistling softly to himself while paring his nails with a pearl-handled knife.

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

From this reading I followed suit with a bow, or rather a duck, and a polite “Good-evening, sir,” but Mullen continued his nail-pairing and whistling without deigning to look up.

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

From this reading I TRY A FALL WITH JAMES MULLEN Some one dressed like a woman was standing by the stove whistling softly to himself while paring his nails with a pearl-handled knife.

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

From this reading “My brother Bill, sir,” said Hughes gruffly, and I thought rather nervously, indicating me with the peaked cloth cap which he carried, rolled scrollwise, in his hand.

during the time that

From this reading I TRY A FALL WITH JAMES MULLEN Some one dressed like a woman was standing by the stove whistling softly to himself while paring his nails with a pearl-handled knife.

the sound made by something moving rapidly or by steam coming out of a small aperture

From this reading I TRY A FALL WITH JAMES MULLEN Some one dressed like a woman was standing by the stove whistling softly to himself while paring his nails with a pearl-handled knife.

in the company of; together with

From this reading I TRY A FALL WITH JAMES MULLEN Some one dressed like a woman was standing by the stove whistling softly to himself while paring his nails with a pearl-handled knife.

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading I followed suit with a bow, or rather a duck, and a polite “Good-evening, sir,” but Mullen continued his nail-pairing and whistling without deigning to look up.

an adult female person (as opposed to a man)

From this reading I TRY A FALL WITH JAMES MULLEN Some one dressed like a woman was standing by the stove whistling softly to himself while paring his nails with a pearl-handled knife.