Chapter XXV · Chapter 25

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

From this reading While Mr. Hawkehurst arranged his affairs with the clerk of St. Matthias-in-the-fields, in the parish of Marylebone, George Sheldon sat in his brother's office writing a letter to that distinguished stockbroker.

matters of personal concern

From this reading While Mr. Hawkehurst arranged his affairs with the clerk of St. Matthias-in-the-fields, in the parish of Marylebone, George Sheldon sat in his brother's office writing a letter to that distinguished stockbroker.

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading A Spanish mahogany desk with a cylinder cover, and innumerable drawers fitted with invisible Bramah locks, occupied the centre of the room; and four ponderous Spanish mahogany chairs, with padded backs, and seats covered with crimson morocco, were primly ranged against the wall.

Having no one else present.

From this reading The pretext of writing a letter was the simplest pretext for being alone in his brother's room; and to be alone in Philip Sheldon's room was the first step in the business which George had to do.

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

From this reading The room was distractingly neat, and as handsomely furnished as it is possible for an office to be within the closest official limits.

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

From this reading The pretext of writing a letter was the simplest pretext for being alone in his brother's room; and to be alone in Philip Sheldon's room was the first step in the business which George had to do.

the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading PHOENICIANS ARE RISING.

disposed or placed in a particular kind of order

From this reading While Mr. Hawkehurst arranged his affairs with the clerk of St. Matthias-in-the-fields, in the parish of Marylebone, George Sheldon sat in his brother's office writing a letter to that distinguished stockbroker.

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

From this reading The room was distractingly neat, and as handsomely furnished as it is possible for an office to be within the closest official limits.

plural of “back” — the posterior part of a human (or animal) body from the neck to the end of the spine

From this reading A Spanish mahogany desk with a cylinder cover, and innumerable drawers fitted with invisible Bramah locks, occupied the centre of the room; and four ponderous Spanish mahogany chairs, with padded backs, and seats covered with crimson morocco, were primly ranged against the wall.

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

From this reading The pretext of writing a letter was the simplest pretext for being alone in his brother's room; and to be alone in Philip Sheldon's room was the first step in the business which George had to do.

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading The pretext of writing a letter was the simplest pretext for being alone in his brother's room; and to be alone in Philip Sheldon's room was the first step in the business which George had to do.

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

From this reading A Spanish mahogany desk with a cylinder cover, and innumerable drawers fitted with invisible Bramah locks, occupied the centre of the room; and four ponderous Spanish mahogany chairs, with padded backs, and seats covered with crimson morocco, were primly ranged against the wall.

possessive form of “brother” — a male with the same parents as someone else

From this reading While Mr. Hawkehurst arranged his affairs with the clerk of St. Matthias-in-the-fields, in the parish of Marylebone, George Sheldon sat in his brother's office writing a letter to that distinguished stockbroker.

a commercial or industrial enterprise and the people who constitute it

From this reading The pretext of writing a letter was the simplest pretext for being alone in his brother's room; and to be alone in Philip Sheldon's room was the first step in the business which George had to do.

a low-lying region in central France

From this reading A Spanish mahogany desk with a cylinder cover, and innumerable drawers fitted with invisible Bramah locks, occupied the centre of the room; and four ponderous Spanish mahogany chairs, with padded backs, and seats covered with crimson morocco, were primly ranged against the wall.

plural of “chair” — a seat for one person, with a support for the back

From this reading A Spanish mahogany desk with a cylinder cover, and innumerable drawers fitted with invisible Bramah locks, occupied the centre of the room; and four ponderous Spanish mahogany chairs, with padded backs, and seats covered with crimson morocco, were primly ranged against the wall.

an employee who performs clerical work (e.g., keeps records or accounts)

From this reading While Mr. Hawkehurst arranged his affairs with the clerk of St. Matthias-in-the-fields, in the parish of Marylebone, George Sheldon sat in his brother's office writing a letter to that distinguished stockbroker.

(superlative of “near” or “close”) within the shortest distance

From this reading The room was distractingly neat, and as handsomely furnished as it is possible for an office to be within the closest official limits.

provide with a covering or cause to be covered

From this reading A Spanish mahogany desk with a cylinder cover, and innumerable drawers fitted with invisible Bramah locks, occupied the centre of the room; and four ponderous Spanish mahogany chairs, with padded backs, and seats covered with crimson morocco, were primly ranged against the wall.

overlaid or spread or topped with or enclosed within something; sometimes used as a combining form

From this reading A Spanish mahogany desk with a cylinder cover, and innumerable drawers fitted with invisible Bramah locks, occupied the centre of the room; and four ponderous Spanish mahogany chairs, with padded backs, and seats covered with crimson morocco, were primly ranged against the wall.

of a color at the end of the color spectrum (next to orange); resembling the color of blood or cherries or tomatoes or rubies

From this reading A Spanish mahogany desk with a cylinder cover, and innumerable drawers fitted with invisible Bramah locks, occupied the centre of the room; and four ponderous Spanish mahogany chairs, with padded backs, and seats covered with crimson morocco, were primly ranged against the wall.

a solid bounded by a cylindrical surface and two parallel planes (the bases)

From this reading A Spanish mahogany desk with a cylinder cover, and innumerable drawers fitted with invisible Bramah locks, occupied the centre of the room; and four ponderous Spanish mahogany chairs, with padded backs, and seats covered with crimson morocco, were primly ranged against the wall.

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

From this reading A Spanish mahogany desk with a cylinder cover, and innumerable drawers fitted with invisible Bramah locks, occupied the centre of the room; and four ponderous Spanish mahogany chairs, with padded backs, and seats covered with crimson morocco, were primly ranged against the wall.

(used of persons) standing above others in character or attainment or reputation

From this reading While Mr. Hawkehurst arranged his affairs with the clerk of St. Matthias-in-the-fields, in the parish of Marylebone, George Sheldon sat in his brother's office writing a letter to that distinguished stockbroker.

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

From this reading The room was distractingly neat, and as handsomely furnished as it is possible for an office to be within the closest official limits.

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading The pretext of writing a letter was the simplest pretext for being alone in his brother's room; and to be alone in Philip Sheldon's room was the first step in the business which George had to do.

underpants worn by men

From this reading A Spanish mahogany desk with a cylinder cover, and innumerable drawers fitted with invisible Bramah locks, occupied the centre of the room; and four ponderous Spanish mahogany chairs, with padded backs, and seats covered with crimson morocco, were primly ranged against the wall.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading The pretext of writing a letter was the simplest pretext for being alone in his brother's room; and to be alone in Philip Sheldon's room was the first step in the business which George had to do.

being the right size and shape to fit as desired

From this reading A Spanish mahogany desk with a cylinder cover, and innumerable drawers fitted with invisible Bramah locks, occupied the centre of the room; and four ponderous Spanish mahogany chairs, with padded backs, and seats covered with crimson morocco, were primly ranged against the wall.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading The pretext of writing a letter was the simplest pretext for being alone in his brother's room; and to be alone in Philip Sheldon's room was the first step in the business which George had to do.

the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one

From this reading A Spanish mahogany desk with a cylinder cover, and innumerable drawers fitted with invisible Bramah locks, occupied the centre of the room; and four ponderous Spanish mahogany chairs, with padded backs, and seats covered with crimson morocco, were primly ranged against the wall.

provided with whatever is necessary for a purpose (as furniture or equipment or authority)

From this reading The room was distractingly neat, and as handsomely furnished as it is possible for an office to be within the closest official limits.

Christian martyr; patron saint of England; hero of the legend of Saint George and the Dragon in which he slew a dragon and saved a princess (?-303)

From this reading While Mr. Hawkehurst arranged his affairs with the clerk of St. Matthias-in-the-fields, in the parish of Marylebone, George Sheldon sat in his brother's office writing a letter to that distinguished stockbroker.

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

From this reading The pretext of writing a letter was the simplest pretext for being alone in his brother's room; and to be alone in Philip Sheldon's room was the first step in the business which George had to do.

in an attractively handsome manner

From this reading The room was distractingly neat, and as handsomely furnished as it is possible for an office to be within the closest official limits.

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

From this reading While Mr. Hawkehurst arranged his affairs with the clerk of St. Matthias-in-the-fields, in the parish of Marylebone, George Sheldon sat in his brother's office writing a letter to that distinguished stockbroker.

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

From this reading While Mr. Hawkehurst arranged his affairs with the clerk of St. Matthias-in-the-fields, in the parish of Marylebone, George Sheldon sat in his brother's office writing a letter to that distinguished stockbroker.

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

From this reading While Mr. Hawkehurst arranged his affairs with the clerk of St. Matthias-in-the-fields, in the parish of Marylebone, George Sheldon sat in his brother's office writing a letter to that distinguished stockbroker.

too numerous to be counted

From this reading A Spanish mahogany desk with a cylinder cover, and innumerable drawers fitted with invisible Bramah locks, occupied the centre of the room; and four ponderous Spanish mahogany chairs, with padded backs, and seats covered with crimson morocco, were primly ranged against the wall.

impossible or nearly impossible to see; imperceptible by the eye

From this reading A Spanish mahogany desk with a cylinder cover, and innumerable drawers fitted with invisible Bramah locks, occupied the centre of the room; and four ponderous Spanish mahogany chairs, with padded backs, and seats covered with crimson morocco, were primly ranged against the wall.

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

From this reading The room was distractingly neat, and as handsomely furnished as it is possible for an office to be within the closest official limits.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading The room was distractingly neat, and as handsomely furnished as it is possible for an office to be within the closest official limits.

a written message addressed to a person or organization

From this reading While Mr. Hawkehurst arranged his affairs with the clerk of St. Matthias-in-the-fields, in the parish of Marylebone, George Sheldon sat in his brother's office writing a letter to that distinguished stockbroker.

plural of “limit” — the greatest possible degree of something

From this reading The room was distractingly neat, and as handsomely furnished as it is possible for an office to be within the closest official limits.

plural of “lock” — a fastener fitted to a door or drawer to keep it firmly closed

From this reading A Spanish mahogany desk with a cylinder cover, and innumerable drawers fitted with invisible Bramah locks, occupied the centre of the room; and four ponderous Spanish mahogany chairs, with padded backs, and seats covered with crimson morocco, were primly ranged against the wall.

wood of any of various mahogany trees; much used for cabinetwork and furniture

From this reading A Spanish mahogany desk with a cylinder cover, and innumerable drawers fitted with invisible Bramah locks, occupied the centre of the room; and four ponderous Spanish mahogany chairs, with padded backs, and seats covered with crimson morocco, were primly ranged against the wall.

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

From this reading While Mr. Hawkehurst arranged his affairs with the clerk of St. Matthias-in-the-fields, in the parish of Marylebone, George Sheldon sat in his brother's office writing a letter to that distinguished stockbroker.

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

From this reading While Mr. Hawkehurst arranged his affairs with the clerk of St. Matthias-in-the-fields, in the parish of Marylebone, George Sheldon sat in his brother's office writing a letter to that distinguished stockbroker.

a kingdom (constitutional monarchy) in northwestern Africa with a largely Muslim population; achieved independence from France in 1956

From this reading A Spanish mahogany desk with a cylinder cover, and innumerable drawers fitted with invisible Bramah locks, occupied the centre of the room; and four ponderous Spanish mahogany chairs, with padded backs, and seats covered with crimson morocco, were primly ranged against the wall.

a form of address for a man

From this reading While Mr. Hawkehurst arranged his affairs with the clerk of St. Matthias-in-the-fields, in the parish of Marylebone, George Sheldon sat in his brother's office writing a letter to that distinguished stockbroker.

clean or organized

From this reading The room was distractingly neat, and as handsomely furnished as it is possible for an office to be within the closest official limits.

held or filled or in use

From this reading A Spanish mahogany desk with a cylinder cover, and innumerable drawers fitted with invisible Bramah locks, occupied the centre of the room; and four ponderous Spanish mahogany chairs, with padded backs, and seats covered with crimson morocco, were primly ranged against the wall.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading While Mr. Hawkehurst arranged his affairs with the clerk of St. Matthias-in-the-fields, in the parish of Marylebone, George Sheldon sat in his brother's office writing a letter to that distinguished stockbroker.

place of business where professional or clerical duties are performed

From this reading While Mr. Hawkehurst arranged his affairs with the clerk of St. Matthias-in-the-fields, in the parish of Marylebone, George Sheldon sat in his brother's office writing a letter to that distinguished stockbroker.

having official authority or sanction

From this reading The room was distractingly neat, and as handsomely furnished as it is possible for an office to be within the closest official limits.

softened by the addition of cushions or padding

From this reading A Spanish mahogany desk with a cylinder cover, and innumerable drawers fitted with invisible Bramah locks, occupied the centre of the room; and four ponderous Spanish mahogany chairs, with padded backs, and seats covered with crimson morocco, were primly ranged against the wall.

a local church community

From this reading While Mr. Hawkehurst arranged his affairs with the clerk of St. Matthias-in-the-fields, in the parish of Marylebone, George Sheldon sat in his brother's office writing a letter to that distinguished stockbroker.

Englishman and husband of Elizabeth II (born 1921)

From this reading The pretext of writing a letter was the simplest pretext for being alone in his brother's room; and to be alone in Philip Sheldon's room was the first step in the business which George had to do.

plural of “phoenician” — a member of an ancient Semitic people who dominated trade in the first millennium B.C.

From this reading PHOENICIANS ARE RISING.

slow and laborious because of weight

From this reading A Spanish mahogany desk with a cylinder cover, and innumerable drawers fitted with invisible Bramah locks, occupied the centre of the room; and four ponderous Spanish mahogany chairs, with padded backs, and seats covered with crimson morocco, were primly ranged against the wall.

capable of happening or existing

From this reading The room was distractingly neat, and as handsomely furnished as it is possible for an office to be within the closest official limits.

something serving to conceal plans; a fictitious reason that is concocted in order to conceal the real reason

From this reading The pretext of writing a letter was the simplest pretext for being alone in his brother's room; and to be alone in Philip Sheldon's room was the first step in the business which George had to do.

in a prissy manner

From this reading A Spanish mahogany desk with a cylinder cover, and innumerable drawers fitted with invisible Bramah locks, occupied the centre of the room; and four ponderous Spanish mahogany chairs, with padded backs, and seats covered with crimson morocco, were primly ranged against the wall.

past form of “range” — change or be different within limits

From this reading A Spanish mahogany desk with a cylinder cover, and innumerable drawers fitted with invisible Bramah locks, occupied the centre of the room; and four ponderous Spanish mahogany chairs, with padded backs, and seats covered with crimson morocco, were primly ranged against the wall.

advancing or becoming higher or greater in degree or value or status

From this reading PHOENICIANS ARE RISING.

an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling

From this reading The pretext of writing a letter was the simplest pretext for being alone in his brother's room; and to be alone in Philip Sheldon's room was the first step in the business which George had to do.

the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians

From this reading While Mr. Hawkehurst arranged his affairs with the clerk of St. Matthias-in-the-fields, in the parish of Marylebone, George Sheldon sat in his brother's office writing a letter to that distinguished stockbroker.

an area that includes places where several people can sit

From this reading A Spanish mahogany desk with a cylinder cover, and innumerable drawers fitted with invisible Bramah locks, occupied the centre of the room; and four ponderous Spanish mahogany chairs, with padded backs, and seats covered with crimson morocco, were primly ranged against the wall.

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

From this reading While Mr. Hawkehurst arranged his affairs with the clerk of St. Matthias-in-the-fields, in the parish of Marylebone, George Sheldon sat in his brother's office writing a letter to that distinguished stockbroker.

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

From this reading The pretext of writing a letter was the simplest pretext for being alone in his brother's room; and to be alone in Philip Sheldon's room was the first step in the business which George had to do.

superlative of “simple” — having few parts; not complex or complicated or involved

From this reading The pretext of writing a letter was the simplest pretext for being alone in his brother's room; and to be alone in Philip Sheldon's room was the first step in the business which George had to do.

the Romance language spoken in most of Spain and the countries colonized by Spain

From this reading A Spanish mahogany desk with a cylinder cover, and innumerable drawers fitted with invisible Bramah locks, occupied the centre of the room; and four ponderous Spanish mahogany chairs, with padded backs, and seats covered with crimson morocco, were primly ranged against the wall.

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

From this reading While Mr. Hawkehurst arranged his affairs with the clerk of St. Matthias-in-the-fields, in the parish of Marylebone, George Sheldon sat in his brother's office writing a letter to that distinguished stockbroker.

any maneuver made as part of progress toward a goal

From this reading The pretext of writing a letter was the simplest pretext for being alone in his brother's room; and to be alone in Philip Sheldon's room was the first step in the business which George had to do.

an agent in the buying and selling of stocks and bonds

From this reading While Mr. Hawkehurst arranged his affairs with the clerk of St. Matthias-in-the-fields, in the parish of Marylebone, George Sheldon sat in his brother's office writing a letter to that distinguished stockbroker.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading While Mr. Hawkehurst arranged his affairs with the clerk of St. Matthias-in-the-fields, in the parish of Marylebone, George Sheldon sat in his brother's office writing a letter to that distinguished stockbroker.

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

From this reading While Mr. Hawkehurst arranged his affairs with the clerk of St. Matthias-in-the-fields, in the parish of Marylebone, George Sheldon sat in his brother's office writing a letter to that distinguished stockbroker.

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

From this reading While Mr. Hawkehurst arranged his affairs with the clerk of St. Matthias-in-the-fields, in the parish of Marylebone, George Sheldon sat in his brother's office writing a letter to that distinguished stockbroker.

an architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area or to support another structure

From this reading A Spanish mahogany desk with a cylinder cover, and innumerable drawers fitted with invisible Bramah locks, occupied the centre of the room; and four ponderous Spanish mahogany chairs, with padded backs, and seats covered with crimson morocco, were primly ranged against the wall.

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

From this reading The pretext of writing a letter was the simplest pretext for being alone in his brother's room; and to be alone in Philip Sheldon's room was the first step in the business which George had to do.

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading A Spanish mahogany desk with a cylinder cover, and innumerable drawers fitted with invisible Bramah locks, occupied the centre of the room; and four ponderous Spanish mahogany chairs, with padded backs, and seats covered with crimson morocco, were primly ranged against the wall.

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

From this reading The pretext of writing a letter was the simplest pretext for being alone in his brother's room; and to be alone in Philip Sheldon's room was the first step in the business which George had to do.

during the time that

From this reading While Mr. Hawkehurst arranged his affairs with the clerk of St. Matthias-in-the-fields, in the parish of Marylebone, George Sheldon sat in his brother's office writing a letter to that distinguished stockbroker.

in the company of; together with

From this reading While Mr. Hawkehurst arranged his affairs with the clerk of St. Matthias-in-the-fields, in the parish of Marylebone, George Sheldon sat in his brother's office writing a letter to that distinguished stockbroker.

inside; before a period of time has passed

From this reading The room was distractingly neat, and as handsomely furnished as it is possible for an office to be within the closest official limits.

the act of creating written works

From this reading While Mr. Hawkehurst arranged his affairs with the clerk of St. Matthias-in-the-fields, in the parish of Marylebone, George Sheldon sat in his brother's office writing a letter to that distinguished stockbroker.