Chapter XII · Chapter 12

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

From this reading IT was some two hours after this that a gentleman, plainly dressed, but whose clothes seemed a part of himself (whereas mine I have observed hang upon me; and the Rev. Josiah Splitall's stick to him)--glided into the painter's room, with an inquiry whether he had not a picture or two disposable.

consider a concept without thinking of a specific example; consider abstractly or theoretically

From this reading “That was _mesquin,”_ said his judges; “the poetry of painting required abstract trees, at metaphysical distance, not the various trees of nature, as they appear under positive accidents.”

plural of “accident” — an unfortunate mishap; especially one causing damage or injury

From this reading “That was _mesquin,”_ said his judges; “the poetry of painting required abstract trees, at metaphysical distance, not the various trees of nature, as they appear under positive accidents.”

later than; following

From this reading IT was some two hours after this that a gentleman, plainly dressed, but whose clothes seemed a part of himself (whereas mine I have observed hang upon me; and the Rev. Josiah Splitall's stick to him)--glided into the painter's room, with an inquiry whether he had not a picture or two disposable.

united by being of the same opinion

From this reading He brought it, in a faint-hearted way; for he had shown it to five picture-dealers, and all five agreed it was hard.

(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 He brought it, in a faint-hearted way; for he had shown it to five picture-dealers, and all five agreed it was hard.

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

From this reading IT was some two hours after this that a gentleman, plainly dressed, but whose clothes seemed a part of himself (whereas mine I have observed hang upon me; and the Rev. Josiah Splitall's stick to him)--glided into the painter's room, with an inquiry whether he had not a picture or two disposable.

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

From this reading IT was some two hours after this that a gentleman, plainly dressed, but whose clothes seemed a part of himself (whereas mine I have observed hang upon me; and the Rev. Josiah Splitall's stick to him)--glided into the painter's room, with an inquiry whether he had not a picture or two disposable.

give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading “That was _mesquin,”_ said his judges; “the poetry of painting required abstract trees, at metaphysical distance, not the various trees of nature, as they appear under positive accidents.”

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

From this reading “That was _mesquin,”_ said his judges; “the poetry of painting required abstract trees, at metaphysical distance, not the various trees of nature, as they appear under positive accidents.”

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading “That was _mesquin,”_ said his judges; “the poetry of painting required abstract trees, at metaphysical distance, not the various trees of nature, as they appear under positive accidents.”

a youthful male person

From this reading “I have one finished picture, sir,” said the poor boy; “but the price is high!”

inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere

From this reading He brought it, in a faint-hearted way; for he had shown it to five picture-dealers, and all five agreed it was hard.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading IT was some two hours after this that a gentleman, plainly dressed, but whose clothes seemed a part of himself (whereas mine I have observed hang upon me; and the Rev. Josiah Splitall's stick to him)--glided into the painter's room, with an inquiry whether he had not a picture or two disposable.

clothing in general

From this reading IT was some two hours after this that a gentleman, plainly dressed, but whose clothes seemed a part of himself (whereas mine I have observed hang upon me; and the Rev. Josiah Splitall's stick to him)--glided into the painter's room, with an inquiry whether he had not a picture or two disposable.

free or available for use or disposition

From this reading IT was some two hours after this that a gentleman, plainly dressed, but whose clothes seemed a part of himself (whereas mine I have observed hang upon me; and the Rev. Josiah Splitall's stick to him)--glided into the painter's room, with an inquiry whether he had not a picture or two disposable.

the property created by the space between two objects or points

From this reading “That was _mesquin,”_ said his judges; “the poetry of painting required abstract trees, at metaphysical distance, not the various trees of nature, as they appear under positive accidents.”

separated in space or coming from or going to a distance

From this reading He had painted a lime-tree, distant fifty yards, and so painted it that it looked something like a lime-tree fifty yards off.

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

From this reading IT was some two hours after this that a gentleman, plainly dressed, but whose clothes seemed a part of himself (whereas mine I have observed hang upon me; and the Rev. Josiah Splitall's stick to him)--glided into the painter's room, with an inquiry whether he had not a picture or two disposable.

lacking conviction or boldness or courage

From this reading He brought it, in a faint-hearted way; for he had shown it to five picture-dealers, and all five agreed it was hard.

the cardinal number that is the product of ten and five

From this reading He had painted a lime-tree, distant fifty yards, and so painted it that it looked something like a lime-tree fifty yards off.

(of materials or goods) brought to the desired final state

From this reading “I have one finished picture, sir,” said the poor boy; “but the price is high!”

the cardinal number that is the sum of four and one

From this reading He brought it, in a faint-hearted way; for he had shown it to five picture-dealers, and all five agreed it was hard.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading He brought it, in a faint-hearted way; for he had shown it to five picture-dealers, and all five agreed it was hard.

a man of refinement

From this reading IT was some two hours after this that a gentleman, plainly dressed, but whose clothes seemed a part of himself (whereas mine I have observed hang upon me; and the Rev. Josiah Splitall's stick to him)--glided into the painter's room, with an inquiry whether he had not a picture or two disposable.

past form of “glide” — move smoothly and effortlessly

From this reading IT was some two hours after this that a gentleman, plainly dressed, but whose clothes seemed a part of himself (whereas mine I have observed hang upon me; and the Rev. Josiah Splitall's stick to him)--glided into the painter's room, with an inquiry whether he had not a picture or two disposable.

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

From this reading IT was some two hours after this that a gentleman, plainly dressed, but whose clothes seemed a part of himself (whereas mine I have observed hang upon me; and the Rev. Josiah Splitall's stick to him)--glided into the painter's room, with an inquiry whether he had not a picture or two disposable.

be suspended or hanging

From this reading IT was some two hours after this that a gentleman, plainly dressed, but whose clothes seemed a part of himself (whereas mine I have observed hang upon me; and the Rev. Josiah Splitall's stick to him)--glided into the painter's room, with an inquiry whether he had not a picture or two disposable.

not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure

From this reading He brought it, in a faint-hearted way; for he had shown it to five picture-dealers, and all five agreed it was hard.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading IT was some two hours after this that a gentleman, plainly dressed, but whose clothes seemed a part of himself (whereas mine I have observed hang upon me; and the Rev. Josiah Splitall's stick to him)--glided into the painter's room, with an inquiry whether he had not a picture or two disposable.

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

From this reading IT was some two hours after this that a gentleman, plainly dressed, but whose clothes seemed a part of himself (whereas mine I have observed hang upon me; and the Rev. Josiah Splitall's stick to him)--glided into the painter's room, with an inquiry whether he had not a picture or two disposable.

greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading “I have one finished picture, sir,” said the poor boy; “but the price is high!”

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

From this reading IT was some two hours after this that a gentleman, plainly dressed, but whose clothes seemed a part of himself (whereas mine I have observed hang upon me; and the Rev. Josiah Splitall's stick to him)--glided into the painter's room, with an inquiry whether he had not a picture or two disposable.

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

From this reading IT was some two hours after this that a gentleman, plainly dressed, but whose clothes seemed a part of himself (whereas mine I have observed hang upon me; and the Rev. Josiah Splitall's stick to him)--glided into the painter's room, with an inquiry whether he had not a picture or two disposable.

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

From this reading “That was _mesquin,”_ said his judges; “the poetry of painting required abstract trees, at metaphysical distance, not the various trees of nature, as they appear under positive accidents.”

a period of time assigned for work

From this reading IT was some two hours after this that a gentleman, plainly dressed, but whose clothes seemed a part of himself (whereas mine I have observed hang upon me; and the Rev. Josiah Splitall's stick to him)--glided into the painter's room, with an inquiry whether he had not a picture or two disposable.

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

From this reading IT was some two hours after this that a gentleman, plainly dressed, but whose clothes seemed a part of himself (whereas mine I have observed hang upon me; and the Rev. Josiah Splitall's stick to him)--glided into the painter's room, with an inquiry whether he had not a picture or two disposable.

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

From this reading He brought it, in a faint-hearted way; for he had shown it to five picture-dealers, and all five agreed it was hard.

a search for knowledge

From this reading IT was some two hours after this that a gentleman, plainly dressed, but whose clothes seemed a part of himself (whereas mine I have observed hang upon me; and the Rev. Josiah Splitall's stick to him)--glided into the painter's room, with an inquiry whether he had not a picture or two disposable.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading IT was some two hours after this that a gentleman, plainly dressed, but whose clothes seemed a part of himself (whereas mine I have observed hang upon me; and the Rev. Josiah Splitall's stick to him)--glided into the painter's room, with an inquiry whether he had not a picture or two disposable.

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

From this reading “I have one finished picture, sir,” said the poor boy; “but the price is high!”

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading IT was some two hours after this that a gentleman, plainly dressed, but whose clothes seemed a part of himself (whereas mine I have observed hang upon me; and the Rev. Josiah Splitall's stick to him)--glided into the painter's room, with an inquiry whether he had not a picture or two disposable.

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

From this reading IT was some two hours after this that a gentleman, plainly dressed, but whose clothes seemed a part of himself (whereas mine I have observed hang upon me; and the Rev. Josiah Splitall's stick to him)--glided into the painter's room, with an inquiry whether he had not a picture or two disposable.

a book of the Old Testament that tells the history of Israel under the leaders known as judges

From this reading “That was _mesquin,”_ said his judges; “the poetry of painting required abstract trees, at metaphysical distance, not the various trees of nature, as they appear under positive accidents.”

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading He had painted a lime-tree, distant fifty yards, and so painted it that it looked something like a lime-tree fifty yards off.

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

From this reading He had painted a lime-tree, distant fifty yards, and so painted it that it looked something like a lime-tree fifty yards off.

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

From this reading He had painted a lime-tree, distant fifty yards, and so painted it that it looked something like a lime-tree fifty yards off.

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

From this reading IT was some two hours after this that a gentleman, plainly dressed, but whose clothes seemed a part of himself (whereas mine I have observed hang upon me; and the Rev. Josiah Splitall's stick to him)--glided into the painter's room, with an inquiry whether he had not a picture or two disposable.

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

From this reading “That was _mesquin,”_ said his judges; “the poetry of painting required abstract trees, at metaphysical distance, not the various trees of nature, as they appear under positive accidents.”

pertaining to or of the nature of metaphysics

From this reading “That was _mesquin,”_ said his judges; “the poetry of painting required abstract trees, at metaphysical distance, not the various trees of nature, as they appear under positive accidents.”

the one or ones belonging to the person speaking

From this reading IT was some two hours after this that a gentleman, plainly dressed, but whose clothes seemed a part of himself (whereas mine I have observed hang upon me; and the Rev. Josiah Splitall's stick to him)--glided into the painter's room, with an inquiry whether he had not a picture or two disposable.

the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized

From this reading “That was _mesquin,”_ said his judges; “the poetry of painting required abstract trees, at metaphysical distance, not the various trees of nature, as they appear under positive accidents.”

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading IT was some two hours after this that a gentleman, plainly dressed, but whose clothes seemed a part of himself (whereas mine I have observed hang upon me; and the Rev. Josiah Splitall's stick to him)--glided into the painter's room, with an inquiry whether he had not a picture or two disposable.

discovered or determined by scientific observation

From this reading IT was some two hours after this that a gentleman, plainly dressed, but whose clothes seemed a part of himself (whereas mine I have observed hang upon me; and the Rev. Josiah Splitall's stick to him)--glided into the painter's room, with an inquiry whether he had not a picture or two disposable.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading IT was some two hours after this that a gentleman, plainly dressed, but whose clothes seemed a part of himself (whereas mine I have observed hang upon me; and the Rev. Josiah Splitall's stick to him)--glided into the painter's room, with an inquiry whether he had not a picture or two disposable.

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading He had painted a lime-tree, distant fifty yards, and so painted it that it looked something like a lime-tree fifty yards off.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “I have one finished picture, sir,” said the poor boy; “but the price is high!”

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading IT was some two hours after this that a gentleman, plainly dressed, but whose clothes seemed a part of himself (whereas mine I have observed hang upon me; and the Rev. Josiah Splitall's stick to him)--glided into the painter's room, with an inquiry whether he had not a picture or two disposable.

coated with paint

From this reading He had painted a lime-tree, distant fifty yards, and so painted it that it looked something like a lime-tree fifty yards off.

possessive form of “painter” — an artist who paints

From this reading IT was some two hours after this that a gentleman, plainly dressed, but whose clothes seemed a part of himself (whereas mine I have observed hang upon me; and the Rev. Josiah Splitall's stick to him)--glided into the painter's room, with an inquiry whether he had not a picture or two disposable.

graphic art consisting of an artistic composition made by applying paints to a surface

From this reading “That was _mesquin,”_ said his judges; “the poetry of painting required abstract trees, at metaphysical distance, not the various trees of nature, as they appear under positive accidents.”

something determined in relation to something that includes it

From this reading IT was some two hours after this that a gentleman, plainly dressed, but whose clothes seemed a part of himself (whereas mine I have observed hang upon me; and the Rev. Josiah Splitall's stick to him)--glided into the painter's room, with an inquiry whether he had not a picture or two disposable.

a visual representation (of an object or scene or person or abstraction) produced on a surface

From this reading IT was some two hours after this that a gentleman, plainly dressed, but whose clothes seemed a part of himself (whereas mine I have observed hang upon me; and the Rev. Josiah Splitall's stick to him)--glided into the painter's room, with an inquiry whether he had not a picture or two disposable.

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

From this reading He brought it, in a faint-hearted way; for he had shown it to five picture-dealers, and all five agreed it was hard.

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

From this reading IT was some two hours after this that a gentleman, plainly dressed, but whose clothes seemed a part of himself (whereas mine I have observed hang upon me; and the Rev. Josiah Splitall's stick to him)--glided into the painter's room, with an inquiry whether he had not a picture or two disposable.

literature in metrical form

From this reading “That was _mesquin,”_ said his judges; “the poetry of painting required abstract trees, at metaphysical distance, not the various trees of nature, as they appear under positive accidents.”

deserving or inciting pity

From this reading “I have one finished picture, sir,” said the poor boy; “but the price is high!”

characterized by or displaying affirmation or acceptance or certainty etc.

From this reading “That was _mesquin,”_ said his judges; “the poetry of painting required abstract trees, at metaphysical distance, not the various trees of nature, as they appear under positive accidents.”

the property of having material worth (often indicated by the amount of money something would bring if sold)

From this reading “I have one finished picture, sir,” said the poor boy; “but the price is high!”

necessary for relief or supply

From this reading “That was _mesquin,”_ said his judges; “the poetry of painting required abstract trees, at metaphysical distance, not the various trees of nature, as they appear under positive accidents.”

increase the number of rotations per minute

From this reading IT was some two hours after this that a gentleman, plainly dressed, but whose clothes seemed a part of himself (whereas mine I have observed hang upon me; and the Rev. Josiah Splitall's stick to him)--glided into the painter's room, with an inquiry whether he had not a picture or two disposable.

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

From this reading IT was some two hours after this that a gentleman, plainly dressed, but whose clothes seemed a part of himself (whereas mine I have observed hang upon me; and the Rev. Josiah Splitall's stick to him)--glided into the painter's room, with an inquiry whether he had not a picture or two disposable.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading “I have one finished picture, sir,” said the poor boy; “but the price is high!”

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

From this reading IT was some two hours after this that a gentleman, plainly dressed, but whose clothes seemed a part of himself (whereas mine I have observed hang upon me; and the Rev. Josiah Splitall's stick to him)--glided into the painter's room, with an inquiry whether he had not a picture or two disposable.

inflected form of “show” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience

From this reading He brought it, in a faint-hearted way; for he had shown it to five picture-dealers, and all five agreed it was hard.

term of address for a man

From this reading “I have one finished picture, sir,” said the poor boy; “but the price is high!”

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading He had painted a lime-tree, distant fifty yards, and so painted it that it looked something like a lime-tree fifty yards off.

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

From this reading IT was some two hours after this that a gentleman, plainly dressed, but whose clothes seemed a part of himself (whereas mine I have observed hang upon me; and the Rev. Josiah Splitall's stick to him)--glided into the painter's room, with an inquiry whether he had not a picture or two disposable.

a thing, without saying which

From this reading He had painted a lime-tree, distant fifty yards, and so painted it that it looked something like a lime-tree fifty yards off.

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

From this reading IT was some two hours after this that a gentleman, plainly dressed, but whose clothes seemed a part of himself (whereas mine I have observed hang upon me; and the Rev. Josiah Splitall's stick to him)--glided into the painter's room, with an inquiry whether he had not a picture or two disposable.

put, fix, force, or implant

From this reading IT was some two hours after this that a gentleman, plainly dressed, but whose clothes seemed a part of himself (whereas mine I have observed hang upon me; and the Rev. Josiah Splitall's stick to him)--glided into the painter's room, with an inquiry whether he had not a picture or two disposable.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading IT was some two hours after this that a gentleman, plainly dressed, but whose clothes seemed a part of himself (whereas mine I have observed hang upon me; and the Rev. Josiah Splitall's stick to him)--glided into the painter's room, with an inquiry whether he had not a picture or two disposable.

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

From this reading IT was some two hours after this that a gentleman, plainly dressed, but whose clothes seemed a part of himself (whereas mine I have observed hang upon me; and the Rev. Josiah Splitall's stick to him)--glided into the painter's room, with an inquiry whether he had not a picture or two disposable.

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading “That was _mesquin,”_ said his judges; “the poetry of painting required abstract trees, at metaphysical distance, not the various trees of nature, as they appear under positive accidents.”

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

From this reading IT was some two hours after this that a gentleman, plainly dressed, but whose clothes seemed a part of himself (whereas mine I have observed hang upon me; and the Rev. Josiah Splitall's stick to him)--glided into the painter's room, with an inquiry whether he had not a picture or two disposable.

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

From this reading IT was some two hours after this that a gentleman, plainly dressed, but whose clothes seemed a part of himself (whereas mine I have observed hang upon me; and the Rev. Josiah Splitall's stick to him)--glided into the painter's room, with an inquiry whether he had not a picture or two disposable.

plural of “tree” — a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms

From this reading “That was _mesquin,”_ said his judges; “the poetry of painting required abstract trees, at metaphysical distance, not the various trees of nature, as they appear under positive accidents.”

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number

From this reading IT was some two hours after this that a gentleman, plainly dressed, but whose clothes seemed a part of himself (whereas mine I have observed hang upon me; and the Rev. Josiah Splitall's stick to him)--glided into the painter's room, with an inquiry whether he had not a picture or two disposable.

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading “That was _mesquin,”_ said his judges; “the poetry of painting required abstract trees, at metaphysical distance, not the various trees of nature, as they appear under positive accidents.”

a formal word for “on”

From this reading IT was some two hours after this that a gentleman, plainly dressed, but whose clothes seemed a part of himself (whereas mine I have observed hang upon me; and the Rev. Josiah Splitall's stick to him)--glided into the painter's room, with an inquiry whether he had not a picture or two disposable.

of many different kinds purposefully arranged but lacking any uniformity

From this reading “That was _mesquin,”_ said his judges; “the poetry of painting required abstract trees, at metaphysical distance, not the various trees of nature, as they appear under positive accidents.”

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

From this reading IT was some two hours after this that a gentleman, plainly dressed, but whose clothes seemed a part of himself (whereas mine I have observed hang upon me; and the Rev. Josiah Splitall's stick to him)--glided into the painter's room, with an inquiry whether he had not a picture or two disposable.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading He brought it, in a faint-hearted way; for he had shown it to five picture-dealers, and all five agreed it was hard.

in contrast with the fact that

From this reading IT was some two hours after this that a gentleman, plainly dressed, but whose clothes seemed a part of himself (whereas mine I have observed hang upon me; and the Rev. Josiah Splitall's stick to him)--glided into the painter's room, with an inquiry whether he had not a picture or two disposable.

used to introduce two or more possibilities

From this reading IT was some two hours after this that a gentleman, plainly dressed, but whose clothes seemed a part of himself (whereas mine I have observed hang upon me; and the Rev. Josiah Splitall's stick to him)--glided into the painter's room, with an inquiry whether he had not a picture or two disposable.

belonging to which person

From this reading IT was some two hours after this that a gentleman, plainly dressed, but whose clothes seemed a part of himself (whereas mine I have observed hang upon me; and the Rev. Josiah Splitall's stick to him)--glided into the painter's room, with an inquiry whether he had not a picture or two disposable.

in the company of; together with

From this reading IT was some two hours after this that a gentleman, plainly dressed, but whose clothes seemed a part of himself (whereas mine I have observed hang upon me; and the Rev. Josiah Splitall's stick to him)--glided into the painter's room, with an inquiry whether he had not a picture or two disposable.

plural of “yard” — a unit of length equal to 3 feet; defined as 91.44 centimeters; originally taken to be the average length of a stride

From this reading He had painted a lime-tree, distant fifty yards, and so painted it that it looked something like a lime-tree fifty yards off.