Chapter X · Chapter 10

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

From this reading There was a certain princely building in Birmingham where all the business connected with the name of Peter Masters was transacted.

higher than, or over, something

From this reading The heads of each separate floor were picked men--great men away from the golden glamour of the master mind--each involved in the success or failure of his own concern, all partners in their respective firms, but partners who accepted the share allotted to them without question, who served faithfully or disappeared from the ken of their fellow-workers, who were nominally accountable to their respective "company," but actually dependent on the word and will of the great man up above them.

generally approved or compelling recognition

From this reading The heads of each separate floor were picked men--great men away from the golden glamour of the master mind--each involved in the success or failure of his own concern, all partners in their respective firms, but partners who accepted the share allotted to them without question, who served faithfully or disappeared from the ken of their fellow-workers, who were nominally accountable to their respective "company," but actually dependent on the word and will of the great man up above them.

liable to account for one's actions

From this reading The heads of each separate floor were picked men--great men away from the golden glamour of the master mind--each involved in the success or failure of his own concern, all partners in their respective firms, but partners who accepted the share allotted to them without question, who served faithfully or disappeared from the ken of their fellow-workers, who were nominally accountable to their respective "company," but actually dependent on the word and will of the great man up above them.

in actual fact

From this reading The heads of each separate floor were picked men--great men away from the golden glamour of the master mind--each involved in the success or failure of his own concern, all partners in their respective firms, but partners who accepted the share allotted to them without question, who served faithfully or disappeared from the ken of their fellow-workers, who were nominally accountable to their respective "company," but actually dependent on the word and will of the great man up above them.

matters of personal concern

From this reading On each floor were long rooms full of clerks bending over rows of desks, carrying on with automatic regularity the affairs of each separate concern.

(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 There was a certain princely building in Birmingham where all the business connected with the name of Peter Masters was transacted.

given as a task

From this reading The heads of each separate floor were picked men--great men away from the golden glamour of the master mind--each involved in the success or failure of his own concern, all partners in their respective firms, but partners who accepted the share allotted to them without question, who served faithfully or disappeared from the ken of their fellow-workers, who were nominally accountable to their respective "company," but actually dependent on the word and will of the great man up above them.

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

From this reading Thus on the ground floor the Lack Vale Coal Company worked out its grimy history, on the second floor the Brunt Rubber Company had command, on the fifth the great Steel Axle Company, the richest and most important of all, lodged royally.

operating with minimal human intervention; independent of external control

From this reading On each floor were long rooms full of clerks bending over rows of desks, carrying on with automatic regularity the affairs of each separate concern.

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

From this reading The heads of each separate floor were picked men--great men away from the golden glamour of the master mind--each involved in the success or failure of his own concern, all partners in their respective firms, but partners who accepted the share allotted to them without question, who served faithfully or disappeared from the ken of their fellow-workers, who were nominally accountable to their respective "company," but actually dependent on the word and will of the great man up above them.

a shaft on which a wheel rotates

From this reading Thus on the ground floor the Lack Vale Coal Company worked out its grimy history, on the second floor the Brunt Rubber Company had command, on the fifth the great Steel Axle Company, the richest and most important of all, lodged royally.

movement that causes the formation of a curve

From this reading On each floor were long rooms full of clerks bending over rows of desks, carrying on with automatic regularity the affairs of each separate concern.

the largest city in Alabama; located in northeastern Alabama

From this reading There was a certain princely building in Birmingham where all the business connected with the name of Peter Masters was transacted.

main force of a blow etc

From this reading Thus on the ground floor the Lack Vale Coal Company worked out its grimy history, on the second floor the Brunt Rubber Company had command, on the fifth the great Steel Axle Company, the richest and most important of all, lodged royally.

a structure that has a roof and walls and stands more or less permanently in one place

From this reading There was a certain princely building in Birmingham where all the business connected with the name of Peter Masters was transacted.

a commercial or industrial enterprise and the people who constitute it

From this reading There was a certain princely building in Birmingham where all the business connected with the name of Peter Masters was transacted.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But on the very topmost floor of all were the offices devoted to the personal affairs of Peter Masters, and through them, shut in by a watchful guard of head clerks, was the innermost sanctum, the nest of the great spider whose intricate web stretched over so great a circumference, the central point from which radiated the vast circle of concerns, and to which they ultimately returned materialised into precious metal--the private office, in short, of Peter Masters.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading But on the very topmost floor of all were the offices devoted to the personal affairs of Peter Masters, and through them, shut in by a watchful guard of head clerks, was the innermost sanctum, the nest of the great spider whose intricate web stretched over so great a circumference, the central point from which radiated the vast circle of concerns, and to which they ultimately returned materialised into precious metal--the private office, in short, of Peter Masters.

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

From this reading On each floor were long rooms full of clerks bending over rows of desks, carrying on with automatic regularity the affairs of each separate concern.

serving as an essential component

From this reading But on the very topmost floor of all were the offices devoted to the personal affairs of Peter Masters, and through them, shut in by a watchful guard of head clerks, was the innermost sanctum, the nest of the great spider whose intricate web stretched over so great a circumference, the central point from which radiated the vast circle of concerns, and to which they ultimately returned materialised into precious metal--the private office, in short, of Peter Masters.

definite but not specified or identified

From this reading There was a certain princely building in Birmingham where all the business connected with the name of Peter Masters was transacted.

ellipse in which the two axes are of equal length; a plane curve generated by one point moving at a constant distance from a fixed point

From this reading But on the very topmost floor of all were the offices devoted to the personal affairs of Peter Masters, and through them, shut in by a watchful guard of head clerks, was the innermost sanctum, the nest of the great spider whose intricate web stretched over so great a circumference, the central point from which radiated the vast circle of concerns, and to which they ultimately returned materialised into precious metal--the private office, in short, of Peter Masters.

the size of something as given by the distance around it

From this reading But on the very topmost floor of all were the offices devoted to the personal affairs of Peter Masters, and through them, shut in by a watchful guard of head clerks, was the innermost sanctum, the nest of the great spider whose intricate web stretched over so great a circumference, the central point from which radiated the vast circle of concerns, and to which they ultimately returned materialised into precious metal--the private office, in short, of Peter Masters.

plural of “clerk” — an employee who performs clerical work (e.g., keeps records or accounts)

From this reading On each floor were long rooms full of clerks bending over rows of desks, carrying on with automatic regularity the affairs of each separate concern.

fossil fuel consisting of carbonized vegetable matter deposited in the Carboniferous period

From this reading Thus on the ground floor the Lack Vale Coal Company worked out its grimy history, on the second floor the Brunt Rubber Company had command, on the fifth the great Steel Axle Company, the richest and most important of all, lodged royally.

an authoritative direction or instruction to do something

From this reading Thus on the ground floor the Lack Vale Coal Company worked out its grimy history, on the second floor the Brunt Rubber Company had command, on the fifth the great Steel Axle Company, the richest and most important of all, lodged royally.

an institution created to conduct business

From this reading Thus on the ground floor the Lack Vale Coal Company worked out its grimy history, on the second floor the Brunt Rubber Company had command, on the fifth the great Steel Axle Company, the richest and most important of all, lodged royally.

something that interests you because it is important or affects you

From this reading On each floor were long rooms full of clerks bending over rows of desks, carrying on with automatic regularity the affairs of each separate concern.

plural of “concern” — something that interests you because it is important or affects you

From this reading But on the very topmost floor of all were the offices devoted to the personal affairs of Peter Masters, and through them, shut in by a watchful guard of head clerks, was the innermost sanctum, the nest of the great spider whose intricate web stretched over so great a circumference, the central point from which radiated the vast circle of concerns, and to which they ultimately returned materialised into precious metal--the private office, in short, of Peter Masters.

being joined in close association

From this reading There was a certain princely building in Birmingham where all the business connected with the name of Peter Masters was transacted.

relying on or requiring a person or thing for support, supply, or what is needed

From this reading The heads of each separate floor were picked men--great men away from the golden glamour of the master mind--each involved in the success or failure of his own concern, all partners in their respective firms, but partners who accepted the share allotted to them without question, who served faithfully or disappeared from the ken of their fellow-workers, who were nominally accountable to their respective "company," but actually dependent on the word and will of the great man up above them.

plural of “desk” — a piece of furniture with a writing surface and usually drawers or other compartments

From this reading On each floor were long rooms full of clerks bending over rows of desks, carrying on with automatic regularity the affairs of each separate concern.

zealous in devotion or affection

From this reading But on the very topmost floor of all were the offices devoted to the personal affairs of Peter Masters, and through them, shut in by a watchful guard of head clerks, was the innermost sanctum, the nest of the great spider whose intricate web stretched over so great a circumference, the central point from which radiated the vast circle of concerns, and to which they ultimately returned materialised into precious metal--the private office, in short, of Peter Masters.

past form of “disappear” — get lost, as without warning or explanation

From this reading The heads of each separate floor were picked men--great men away from the golden glamour of the master mind--each involved in the success or failure of his own concern, all partners in their respective firms, but partners who accepted the share allotted to them without question, who served faithfully or disappeared from the ken of their fellow-workers, who were nominally accountable to their respective "company," but actually dependent on the word and will of the great man up above them.

every one of two or more people or things, taken separately

From this reading On each floor were long rooms full of clerks bending over rows of desks, carrying on with automatic regularity the affairs of each separate concern.

an act that fails

From this reading The heads of each separate floor were picked men--great men away from the golden glamour of the master mind--each involved in the success or failure of his own concern, all partners in their respective firms, but partners who accepted the share allotted to them without question, who served faithfully or disappeared from the ken of their fellow-workers, who were nominally accountable to their respective "company," but actually dependent on the word and will of the great man up above them.

in a faithful manner

From this reading The heads of each separate floor were picked men--great men away from the golden glamour of the master mind--each involved in the success or failure of his own concern, all partners in their respective firms, but partners who accepted the share allotted to them without question, who served faithfully or disappeared from the ken of their fellow-workers, who were nominally accountable to their respective "company," but actually dependent on the word and will of the great man up above them.

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

From this reading The heads of each separate floor were picked men--great men away from the golden glamour of the master mind--each involved in the success or failure of his own concern, all partners in their respective firms, but partners who accepted the share allotted to them without question, who served faithfully or disappeared from the ken of their fellow-workers, who were nominally accountable to their respective "company," but actually dependent on the word and will of the great man up above them.

a quantity of liquor equal to one fifth of a United States gallon

From this reading Thus on the ground floor the Lack Vale Coal Company worked out its grimy history, on the second floor the Brunt Rubber Company had command, on the fifth the great Steel Axle Company, the richest and most important of all, lodged royally.

plural of “firm” — the members of a business organization that owns or operates one or more establishments

From this reading The heads of each separate floor were picked men--great men away from the golden glamour of the master mind--each involved in the success or failure of his own concern, all partners in their respective firms, but partners who accepted the share allotted to them without question, who served faithfully or disappeared from the ken of their fellow-workers, who were nominally accountable to their respective "company," but actually dependent on the word and will of the great man up above them.

the inside lower horizontal surface (as of a room, hallway, tent, or other structure)

From this reading On each floor were long rooms full of clerks bending over rows of desks, carrying on with automatic regularity the affairs of each separate concern.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading But on the very topmost floor of all were the offices devoted to the personal affairs of Peter Masters, and through them, shut in by a watchful guard of head clerks, was the innermost sanctum, the nest of the great spider whose intricate web stretched over so great a circumference, the central point from which radiated the vast circle of concerns, and to which they ultimately returned materialised into precious metal--the private office, in short, of Peter Masters.

containing as much or as many as is possible or normal

From this reading On each floor were long rooms full of clerks bending over rows of desks, carrying on with automatic regularity the affairs of each separate concern.

alluring beauty or charm (often with sex-appeal)

From this reading The heads of each separate floor were picked men--great men away from the golden glamour of the master mind--each involved in the success or failure of his own concern, all partners in their respective firms, but partners who accepted the share allotted to them without question, who served faithfully or disappeared from the ken of their fellow-workers, who were nominally accountable to their respective "company," but actually dependent on the word and will of the great man up above them.

having the deep slightly brownish color of gold

From this reading The heads of each separate floor were picked men--great men away from the golden glamour of the master mind--each involved in the success or failure of his own concern, all partners in their respective firms, but partners who accepted the share allotted to them without question, who served faithfully or disappeared from the ken of their fellow-workers, who were nominally accountable to their respective "company," but actually dependent on the word and will of the great man up above them.

relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind

From this reading Thus on the ground floor the Lack Vale Coal Company worked out its grimy history, on the second floor the Brunt Rubber Company had command, on the fifth the great Steel Axle Company, the richest and most important of all, lodged royally.

thickly covered with ingrained dirt or soot

From this reading Thus on the ground floor the Lack Vale Coal Company worked out its grimy history, on the second floor the Brunt Rubber Company had command, on the fifth the great Steel Axle Company, the richest and most important of all, lodged royally.

the solid part of the earth's surface

From this reading Thus on the ground floor the Lack Vale Coal Company worked out its grimy history, on the second floor the Brunt Rubber Company had command, on the fifth the great Steel Axle Company, the richest and most important of all, lodged royally.

a person who keeps watch over something or someone

From this reading But on the very topmost floor of all were the offices devoted to the personal affairs of Peter Masters, and through them, shut in by a watchful guard of head clerks, was the innermost sanctum, the nest of the great spider whose intricate web stretched over so great a circumference, the central point from which radiated the vast circle of concerns, and to which they ultimately returned materialised into precious metal--the private office, in short, of Peter Masters.

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

From this reading Thus on the ground floor the Lack Vale Coal Company worked out its grimy history, on the second floor the Brunt Rubber Company had command, on the fifth the great Steel Axle Company, the richest and most important of all, lodged royally.

the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains

From this reading But on the very topmost floor of all were the offices devoted to the personal affairs of Peter Masters, and through them, shut in by a watchful guard of head clerks, was the innermost sanctum, the nest of the great spider whose intricate web stretched over so great a circumference, the central point from which radiated the vast circle of concerns, and to which they ultimately returned materialised into precious metal--the private office, in short, of Peter Masters.

plural of “head” — the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains

From this reading The heads of each separate floor were picked men--great men away from the golden glamour of the master mind--each involved in the success or failure of his own concern, all partners in their respective firms, but partners who accepted the share allotted to them without question, who served faithfully or disappeared from the ken of their fellow-workers, who were nominally accountable to their respective "company," but actually dependent on the word and will of the great man up above them.

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

From this reading The heads of each separate floor were picked men--great men away from the golden glamour of the master mind--each involved in the success or failure of his own concern, all partners in their respective firms, but partners who accepted the share allotted to them without question, who served faithfully or disappeared from the ken of their fellow-workers, who were nominally accountable to their respective "company," but actually dependent on the word and will of the great man up above them.

the aggregate of past events

From this reading Thus on the ground floor the Lack Vale Coal Company worked out its grimy history, on the second floor the Brunt Rubber Company had command, on the fifth the great Steel Axle Company, the richest and most important of all, lodged royally.

of great significance or value

From this reading Thus on the ground floor the Lack Vale Coal Company worked out its grimy history, on the second floor the Brunt Rubber Company had command, on the fifth the great Steel Axle Company, the richest and most important of all, lodged royally.

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

From this reading There was a certain princely building in Birmingham where all the business connected with the name of Peter Masters was transacted.

being deepest within the self

From this reading But on the very topmost floor of all were the offices devoted to the personal affairs of Peter Masters, and through them, shut in by a watchful guard of head clerks, was the innermost sanctum, the nest of the great spider whose intricate web stretched over so great a circumference, the central point from which radiated the vast circle of concerns, and to which they ultimately returned materialised into precious metal--the private office, in short, of Peter Masters.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading But on the very topmost floor of all were the offices devoted to the personal affairs of Peter Masters, and through them, shut in by a watchful guard of head clerks, was the innermost sanctum, the nest of the great spider whose intricate web stretched over so great a circumference, the central point from which radiated the vast circle of concerns, and to which they ultimately returned materialised into precious metal--the private office, in short, of Peter Masters.

having many complexly arranged elements; elaborate

From this reading But on the very topmost floor of all were the offices devoted to the personal affairs of Peter Masters, and through them, shut in by a watchful guard of head clerks, was the innermost sanctum, the nest of the great spider whose intricate web stretched over so great a circumference, the central point from which radiated the vast circle of concerns, and to which they ultimately returned materialised into precious metal--the private office, in short, of Peter Masters.

connected by participation or association or use

From this reading The heads of each separate floor were picked men--great men away from the golden glamour of the master mind--each involved in the success or failure of his own concern, all partners in their respective firms, but partners who accepted the share allotted to them without question, who served faithfully or disappeared from the ken of their fellow-workers, who were nominally accountable to their respective "company," but actually dependent on the word and will of the great man up above them.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading Thus on the ground floor the Lack Vale Coal Company worked out its grimy history, on the second floor the Brunt Rubber Company had command, on the fifth the great Steel Axle Company, the richest and most important of all, lodged royally.

range of what one can know or understand

From this reading The heads of each separate floor were picked men--great men away from the golden glamour of the master mind--each involved in the success or failure of his own concern, all partners in their respective firms, but partners who accepted the share allotted to them without question, who served faithfully or disappeared from the ken of their fellow-workers, who were nominally accountable to their respective "company," but actually dependent on the word and will of the great man up above them.

the state of needing something that is absent or unavailable

From this reading Thus on the ground floor the Lack Vale Coal Company worked out its grimy history, on the second floor the Brunt Rubber Company had command, on the fifth the great Steel Axle Company, the richest and most important of all, lodged royally.

past form of “lodge” — be a lodger; stay temporarily

From this reading Thus on the ground floor the Lack Vale Coal Company worked out its grimy history, on the second floor the Brunt Rubber Company had command, on the fifth the great Steel Axle Company, the richest and most important of all, lodged royally.

primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified

From this reading On each floor were long rooms full of clerks bending over rows of desks, carrying on with automatic regularity the affairs of each separate concern.

an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

From this reading The heads of each separate floor were picked men--great men away from the golden glamour of the master mind--each involved in the success or failure of his own concern, all partners in their respective firms, but partners who accepted the share allotted to them without question, who served faithfully or disappeared from the ken of their fellow-workers, who were nominally accountable to their respective "company," but actually dependent on the word and will of the great man up above them.

an artist of consummate skill

From this reading The heads of each separate floor were picked men--great men away from the golden glamour of the master mind--each involved in the success or failure of his own concern, all partners in their respective firms, but partners who accepted the share allotted to them without question, who served faithfully or disappeared from the ken of their fellow-workers, who were nominally accountable to their respective "company," but actually dependent on the word and will of the great man up above them.

United States poet (1869-1950)

From this reading There was a certain princely building in Birmingham where all the business connected with the name of Peter Masters was transacted.

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

From this reading But on the very topmost floor of all were the offices devoted to the personal affairs of Peter Masters, and through them, shut in by a watchful guard of head clerks, was the innermost sanctum, the nest of the great spider whose intricate web stretched over so great a circumference, the central point from which radiated the vast circle of concerns, and to which they ultimately returned materialised into precious metal--the private office, in short, of Peter Masters.

the force of workers available

From this reading The heads of each separate floor were picked men--great men away from the golden glamour of the master mind--each involved in the success or failure of his own concern, all partners in their respective firms, but partners who accepted the share allotted to them without question, who served faithfully or disappeared from the ken of their fellow-workers, who were nominally accountable to their respective "company," but actually dependent on the word and will of the great man up above them.

any of several chemical elements that are usually shiny solids that conduct heat or electricity and can be formed into sheets etc.

From this reading But on the very topmost floor of all were the offices devoted to the personal affairs of Peter Masters, and through them, shut in by a watchful guard of head clerks, was the innermost sanctum, the nest of the great spider whose intricate web stretched over so great a circumference, the central point from which radiated the vast circle of concerns, and to which they ultimately returned materialised into precious metal--the private office, in short, of Peter Masters.

The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.

From this reading The heads of each separate floor were picked men--great men away from the golden glamour of the master mind--each involved in the success or failure of his own concern, all partners in their respective firms, but partners who accepted the share allotted to them without question, who served faithfully or disappeared from the ken of their fellow-workers, who were nominally accountable to their respective "company," but actually dependent on the word and will of the great man up above them.

used to form the superlative

From this reading Thus on the ground floor the Lack Vale Coal Company worked out its grimy history, on the second floor the Brunt Rubber Company had command, on the fifth the great Steel Axle Company, the richest and most important of all, lodged royally.

assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading There was a certain princely building in Birmingham where all the business connected with the name of Peter Masters was transacted.

a structure in which animals lay eggs or give birth to their young

From this reading But on the very topmost floor of all were the offices devoted to the personal affairs of Peter Masters, and through them, shut in by a watchful guard of head clerks, was the innermost sanctum, the nest of the great spider whose intricate web stretched over so great a circumference, the central point from which radiated the vast circle of concerns, and to which they ultimately returned materialised into precious metal--the private office, in short, of Peter Masters.

in name only

From this reading The heads of each separate floor were picked men--great men away from the golden glamour of the master mind--each involved in the success or failure of his own concern, all partners in their respective firms, but partners who accepted the share allotted to them without question, who served faithfully or disappeared from the ken of their fellow-workers, who were nominally accountable to their respective "company," but actually dependent on the word and will of the great man up above them.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading There was a certain princely building in Birmingham where all the business connected with the name of Peter Masters was transacted.

place of business where professional or clerical duties are performed

From this reading But on the very topmost floor of all were the offices devoted to the personal affairs of Peter Masters, and through them, shut in by a watchful guard of head clerks, was the innermost sanctum, the nest of the great spider whose intricate web stretched over so great a circumference, the central point from which radiated the vast circle of concerns, and to which they ultimately returned materialised into precious metal--the private office, in short, of Peter Masters.

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

From this reading But on the very topmost floor of all were the offices devoted to the personal affairs of Peter Masters, and through them, shut in by a watchful guard of head clerks, was the innermost sanctum, the nest of the great spider whose intricate web stretched over so great a circumference, the central point from which radiated the vast circle of concerns, and to which they ultimately returned materialised into precious metal--the private office, in short, of Peter Masters.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading On each floor were long rooms full of clerks bending over rows of desks, carrying on with automatic regularity the affairs of each separate concern.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading The heads of each separate floor were picked men--great men away from the golden glamour of the master mind--each involved in the success or failure of his own concern, all partners in their respective firms, but partners who accepted the share allotted to them without question, who served faithfully or disappeared from the ken of their fellow-workers, who were nominally accountable to their respective "company," but actually dependent on the word and will of the great man up above them.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading Thus on the ground floor the Lack Vale Coal Company worked out its grimy history, on the second floor the Brunt Rubber Company had command, on the fifth the great Steel Axle Company, the richest and most important of all, lodged royally.

above and across; more than

From this reading On each floor were long rooms full of clerks bending over rows of desks, carrying on with automatic regularity the affairs of each separate concern.

have ownership or possession of

From this reading The heads of each separate floor were picked men--great men away from the golden glamour of the master mind--each involved in the success or failure of his own concern, all partners in their respective firms, but partners who accepted the share allotted to them without question, who served faithfully or disappeared from the ken of their fellow-workers, who were nominally accountable to their respective "company," but actually dependent on the word and will of the great man up above them.

plural of “partner” — a person's partner in marriage

From this reading The heads of each separate floor were picked men--great men away from the golden glamour of the master mind--each involved in the success or failure of his own concern, all partners in their respective firms, but partners who accepted the share allotted to them without question, who served faithfully or disappeared from the ken of their fellow-workers, who were nominally accountable to their respective "company," but actually dependent on the word and will of the great man up above them.

concerning or affecting a particular person or his or her private life and personality

From this reading But on the very topmost floor of all were the offices devoted to the personal affairs of Peter Masters, and through them, shut in by a watchful guard of head clerks, was the innermost sanctum, the nest of the great spider whose intricate web stretched over so great a circumference, the central point from which radiated the vast circle of concerns, and to which they ultimately returned materialised into precious metal--the private office, in short, of Peter Masters.

disciple of Jesus and leader of the Apostles; regarded by Catholics as the vicar of Christ on earth and first Pope

From this reading There was a certain princely building in Birmingham where all the business connected with the name of Peter Masters was transacted.

past form of “pick” — select carefully from a group

From this reading The heads of each separate floor were picked men--great men away from the golden glamour of the master mind--each involved in the success or failure of his own concern, all partners in their respective firms, but partners who accepted the share allotted to them without question, who served faithfully or disappeared from the ken of their fellow-workers, who were nominally accountable to their respective "company," but actually dependent on the word and will of the great man up above them.

a geometric element that has position but no extension

From this reading But on the very topmost floor of all were the offices devoted to the personal affairs of Peter Masters, and through them, shut in by a watchful guard of head clerks, was the innermost sanctum, the nest of the great spider whose intricate web stretched over so great a circumference, the central point from which radiated the vast circle of concerns, and to which they ultimately returned materialised into precious metal--the private office, in short, of Peter Masters.

characterized by feeling or showing fond affection for

From this reading But on the very topmost floor of all were the offices devoted to the personal affairs of Peter Masters, and through them, shut in by a watchful guard of head clerks, was the innermost sanctum, the nest of the great spider whose intricate web stretched over so great a circumference, the central point from which radiated the vast circle of concerns, and to which they ultimately returned materialised into precious metal--the private office, in short, of Peter Masters.

ostentatiously rich and superior in quality

From this reading There was a certain princely building in Birmingham where all the business connected with the name of Peter Masters was transacted.

confined to particular persons or groups or providing privacy

From this reading But on the very topmost floor of all were the offices devoted to the personal affairs of Peter Masters, and through them, shut in by a watchful guard of head clerks, was the innermost sanctum, the nest of the great spider whose intricate web stretched over so great a circumference, the central point from which radiated the vast circle of concerns, and to which they ultimately returned materialised into precious metal--the private office, in short, of Peter Masters.

challenge the accuracy, probity, or propriety of

From this reading The heads of each separate floor were picked men--great men away from the golden glamour of the master mind--each involved in the success or failure of his own concern, all partners in their respective firms, but partners who accepted the share allotted to them without question, who served faithfully or disappeared from the ken of their fellow-workers, who were nominally accountable to their respective "company," but actually dependent on the word and will of the great man up above them.

past form of “radiate” — send out rays or waves

From this reading But on the very topmost floor of all were the offices devoted to the personal affairs of Peter Masters, and through them, shut in by a watchful guard of head clerks, was the innermost sanctum, the nest of the great spider whose intricate web stretched over so great a circumference, the central point from which radiated the vast circle of concerns, and to which they ultimately returned materialised into precious metal--the private office, in short, of Peter Masters.

a property of polygons: the property of having equal sides and equal angles

From this reading On each floor were long rooms full of clerks bending over rows of desks, carrying on with automatic regularity the affairs of each separate concern.

considered individually

From this reading The heads of each separate floor were picked men--great men away from the golden glamour of the master mind--each involved in the success or failure of his own concern, all partners in their respective firms, but partners who accepted the share allotted to them without question, who served faithfully or disappeared from the ken of their fellow-workers, who were nominally accountable to their respective "company," but actually dependent on the word and will of the great man up above them.

past form of “return” — go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before

From this reading But on the very topmost floor of all were the offices devoted to the personal affairs of Peter Masters, and through them, shut in by a watchful guard of head clerks, was the innermost sanctum, the nest of the great spider whose intricate web stretched over so great a circumference, the central point from which radiated the vast circle of concerns, and to which they ultimately returned materialised into precious metal--the private office, in short, of Peter Masters.

superlative of “rich” — possessing material wealth

From this reading Thus on the ground floor the Lack Vale Coal Company worked out its grimy history, on the second floor the Brunt Rubber Company had command, on the fifth the great Steel Axle Company, the richest and most important of all, lodged royally.

apartment consisting of a series of connected rooms used as a living unit (as in a hotel)

From this reading On each floor were long rooms full of clerks bending over rows of desks, carrying on with automatic regularity the affairs of each separate concern.

plural of “row” — an arrangement of objects or people side by side in a line

From this reading On each floor were long rooms full of clerks bending over rows of desks, carrying on with automatic regularity the affairs of each separate concern.

in a royal manner

From this reading Thus on the ground floor the Lack Vale Coal Company worked out its grimy history, on the second floor the Brunt Rubber Company had command, on the fifth the great Steel Axle Company, the richest and most important of all, lodged royally.

an elastic material obtained from the latex sap of trees (especially trees of the genera Hevea and Ficus) that can be vulcanized and finished into a variety of products

From this reading Thus on the ground floor the Lack Vale Coal Company worked out its grimy history, on the second floor the Brunt Rubber Company had command, on the fifth the great Steel Axle Company, the richest and most important of all, lodged royally.

a place of inviolable privacy

From this reading But on the very topmost floor of all were the offices devoted to the personal affairs of Peter Masters, and through them, shut in by a watchful guard of head clerks, was the innermost sanctum, the nest of the great spider whose intricate web stretched over so great a circumference, the central point from which radiated the vast circle of concerns, and to which they ultimately returned materialised into precious metal--the private office, in short, of Peter Masters.

1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites

From this reading Thus on the ground floor the Lack Vale Coal Company worked out its grimy history, on the second floor the Brunt Rubber Company had command, on the fifth the great Steel Axle Company, the richest and most important of all, lodged royally.

act as a barrier between; stand between

From this reading On each floor were long rooms full of clerks bending over rows of desks, carrying on with automatic regularity the affairs of each separate concern.

past form of “serve” — serve a purpose, role, or function

From this reading The heads of each separate floor were picked men--great men away from the golden glamour of the master mind--each involved in the success or failure of his own concern, all partners in their respective firms, but partners who accepted the share allotted to them without question, who served faithfully or disappeared from the ken of their fellow-workers, who were nominally accountable to their respective "company," but actually dependent on the word and will of the great man up above them.

have in common

From this reading The heads of each separate floor were picked men--great men away from the golden glamour of the master mind--each involved in the success or failure of his own concern, all partners in their respective firms, but partners who accepted the share allotted to them without question, who served faithfully or disappeared from the ken of their fellow-workers, who were nominally accountable to their respective "company," but actually dependent on the word and will of the great man up above them.

primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration

From this reading But on the very topmost floor of all were the offices devoted to the personal affairs of Peter Masters, and through them, shut in by a watchful guard of head clerks, was the innermost sanctum, the nest of the great spider whose intricate web stretched over so great a circumference, the central point from which radiated the vast circle of concerns, and to which they ultimately returned materialised into precious metal--the private office, in short, of Peter Masters.

move so that an opening or passage is obstructed; make shut

From this reading But on the very topmost floor of all were the offices devoted to the personal affairs of Peter Masters, and through them, shut in by a watchful guard of head clerks, was the innermost sanctum, the nest of the great spider whose intricate web stretched over so great a circumference, the central point from which radiated the vast circle of concerns, and to which they ultimately returned materialised into precious metal--the private office, in short, of Peter Masters.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading But on the very topmost floor of all were the offices devoted to the personal affairs of Peter Masters, and through them, shut in by a watchful guard of head clerks, was the innermost sanctum, the nest of the great spider whose intricate web stretched over so great a circumference, the central point from which radiated the vast circle of concerns, and to which they ultimately returned materialised into precious metal--the private office, in short, of Peter Masters.

predatory arachnid with eight legs, two poison fangs, two feelers, and usually two silk-spinning organs at the back end of the body; they spin silk to make cocoons for eggs or traps for prey

From this reading But on the very topmost floor of all were the offices devoted to the personal affairs of Peter Masters, and through them, shut in by a watchful guard of head clerks, was the innermost sanctum, the nest of the great spider whose intricate web stretched over so great a circumference, the central point from which radiated the vast circle of concerns, and to which they ultimately returned materialised into precious metal--the private office, in short, of Peter Masters.

an alloy of iron with small amounts of carbon; widely used in construction; mechanical properties can be varied over a wide range

From this reading Thus on the ground floor the Lack Vale Coal Company worked out its grimy history, on the second floor the Brunt Rubber Company had command, on the fifth the great Steel Axle Company, the richest and most important of all, lodged royally.

(of muscles) relieved of stiffness by stretching

From this reading But on the very topmost floor of all were the offices devoted to the personal affairs of Peter Masters, and through them, shut in by a watchful guard of head clerks, was the innermost sanctum, the nest of the great spider whose intricate web stretched over so great a circumference, the central point from which radiated the vast circle of concerns, and to which they ultimately returned materialised into precious metal--the private office, in short, of Peter Masters.

an event that accomplishes its intended purpose

From this reading The heads of each separate floor were picked men--great men away from the golden glamour of the master mind--each involved in the success or failure of his own concern, all partners in their respective firms, but partners who accepted the share allotted to them without question, who served faithfully or disappeared from the ken of their fellow-workers, who were nominally accountable to their respective "company," but actually dependent on the word and will of the great man up above them.

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

From this reading There was a certain princely building in Birmingham where all the business connected with the name of Peter Masters was transacted.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading The heads of each separate floor were picked men--great men away from the golden glamour of the master mind--each involved in the success or failure of his own concern, all partners in their respective firms, but partners who accepted the share allotted to them without question, who served faithfully or disappeared from the ken of their fellow-workers, who were nominally accountable to their respective "company," but actually dependent on the word and will of the great man up above them.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading But on the very topmost floor of all were the offices devoted to the personal affairs of Peter Masters, and through them, shut in by a watchful guard of head clerks, was the innermost sanctum, the nest of the great spider whose intricate web stretched over so great a circumference, the central point from which radiated the vast circle of concerns, and to which they ultimately returned materialised into precious metal--the private office, in short, of Peter Masters.

in or at that place or location

From this reading There was a certain princely building in Birmingham where all the business connected with the name of Peter Masters was transacted.

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

From this reading But on the very topmost floor of all were the offices devoted to the personal affairs of Peter Masters, and through them, shut in by a watchful guard of head clerks, was the innermost sanctum, the nest of the great spider whose intricate web stretched over so great a circumference, the central point from which radiated the vast circle of concerns, and to which they ultimately returned materialised into precious metal--the private office, in short, of Peter Masters.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading But on the very topmost floor of all were the offices devoted to the personal affairs of Peter Masters, and through them, shut in by a watchful guard of head clerks, was the innermost sanctum, the nest of the great spider whose intricate web stretched over so great a circumference, the central point from which radiated the vast circle of concerns, and to which they ultimately returned materialised into precious metal--the private office, in short, of Peter Masters.

(used to introduce a logical conclusion) from that fact or reason or as a result

From this reading Thus on the ground floor the Lack Vale Coal Company worked out its grimy history, on the second floor the Brunt Rubber Company had command, on the fifth the great Steel Axle Company, the richest and most important of all, lodged royally.

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

From this reading But on the very topmost floor of all were the offices devoted to the personal affairs of Peter Masters, and through them, shut in by a watchful guard of head clerks, was the innermost sanctum, the nest of the great spider whose intricate web stretched over so great a circumference, the central point from which radiated the vast circle of concerns, and to which they ultimately returned materialised into precious metal--the private office, in short, of Peter Masters.

at or nearest to the top

From this reading But on the very topmost floor of all were the offices devoted to the personal affairs of Peter Masters, and through them, shut in by a watchful guard of head clerks, was the innermost sanctum, the nest of the great spider whose intricate web stretched over so great a circumference, the central point from which radiated the vast circle of concerns, and to which they ultimately returned materialised into precious metal--the private office, in short, of Peter Masters.

past form of “transact” — conduct business

From this reading There was a certain princely building in Birmingham where all the business connected with the name of Peter Masters was transacted.

as the end result of a succession or process

From this reading But on the very topmost floor of all were the offices devoted to the personal affairs of Peter Masters, and through them, shut in by a watchful guard of head clerks, was the innermost sanctum, the nest of the great spider whose intricate web stretched over so great a circumference, the central point from which radiated the vast circle of concerns, and to which they ultimately returned materialised into precious metal--the private office, in short, of Peter Masters.

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

From this reading The heads of each separate floor were picked men--great men away from the golden glamour of the master mind--each involved in the success or failure of his own concern, all partners in their respective firms, but partners who accepted the share allotted to them without question, who served faithfully or disappeared from the ken of their fellow-workers, who were nominally accountable to their respective "company," but actually dependent on the word and will of the great man up above them.

a long depression in the surface of the land that usually contains a river

From this reading Thus on the ground floor the Lack Vale Coal Company worked out its grimy history, on the second floor the Brunt Rubber Company had command, on the fifth the great Steel Axle Company, the richest and most important of all, lodged royally.

unusually great in size or amount or degree or especially extent or scope

From this reading But on the very topmost floor of all were the offices devoted to the personal affairs of Peter Masters, and through them, shut in by a watchful guard of head clerks, was the innermost sanctum, the nest of the great spider whose intricate web stretched over so great a circumference, the central point from which radiated the vast circle of concerns, and to which they ultimately returned materialised into precious metal--the private office, in short, of Peter Masters.

precisely as stated

From this reading But on the very topmost floor of all were the offices devoted to the personal affairs of Peter Masters, and through them, shut in by a watchful guard of head clerks, was the innermost sanctum, the nest of the great spider whose intricate web stretched over so great a circumference, the central point from which radiated the vast circle of concerns, and to which they ultimately returned materialised into precious metal--the private office, in short, of Peter Masters.

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

From this reading There was a certain princely building in Birmingham where all the business connected with the name of Peter Masters was transacted.

engaged in or accustomed to close observation

From this reading But on the very topmost floor of all were the offices devoted to the personal affairs of Peter Masters, and through them, shut in by a watchful guard of head clerks, was the innermost sanctum, the nest of the great spider whose intricate web stretched over so great a circumference, the central point from which radiated the vast circle of concerns, and to which they ultimately returned materialised into precious metal--the private office, in short, of Peter Masters.

an intricate network suggesting something that was formed by weaving or interweaving

From this reading But on the very topmost floor of all were the offices devoted to the personal affairs of Peter Masters, and through them, shut in by a watchful guard of head clerks, was the innermost sanctum, the nest of the great spider whose intricate web stretched over so great a circumference, the central point from which radiated the vast circle of concerns, and to which they ultimately returned materialised into precious metal--the private office, in short, of Peter Masters.

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

From this reading On each floor were long rooms full of clerks bending over rows of desks, carrying on with automatic regularity the affairs of each separate concern.

in or at the place that

From this reading There was a certain princely building in Birmingham where all the business connected with the name of Peter Masters was transacted.

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

From this reading But on the very topmost floor of all were the offices devoted to the personal affairs of Peter Masters, and through them, shut in by a watchful guard of head clerks, was the innermost sanctum, the nest of the great spider whose intricate web stretched over so great a circumference, the central point from which radiated the vast circle of concerns, and to which they ultimately returned materialised into precious metal--the private office, in short, of Peter Masters.

which person or people

From this reading The heads of each separate floor were picked men--great men away from the golden glamour of the master mind--each involved in the success or failure of his own concern, all partners in their respective firms, but partners who accepted the share allotted to them without question, who served faithfully or disappeared from the ken of their fellow-workers, who were nominally accountable to their respective "company," but actually dependent on the word and will of the great man up above them.

belonging to which person

From this reading But on the very topmost floor of all were the offices devoted to the personal affairs of Peter Masters, and through them, shut in by a watchful guard of head clerks, was the innermost sanctum, the nest of the great spider whose intricate web stretched over so great a circumference, the central point from which radiated the vast circle of concerns, and to which they ultimately returned materialised into precious metal--the private office, in short, of Peter Masters.

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading The heads of each separate floor were picked men--great men away from the golden glamour of the master mind--each involved in the success or failure of his own concern, all partners in their respective firms, but partners who accepted the share allotted to them without question, who served faithfully or disappeared from the ken of their fellow-workers, who were nominally accountable to their respective "company," but actually dependent on the word and will of the great man up above them.

in the company of; together with

From this reading There was a certain princely building in Birmingham where all the business connected with the name of Peter Masters was transacted.

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading The heads of each separate floor were picked men--great men away from the golden glamour of the master mind--each involved in the success or failure of his own concern, all partners in their respective firms, but partners who accepted the share allotted to them without question, who served faithfully or disappeared from the ken of their fellow-workers, who were nominally accountable to their respective "company," but actually dependent on the word and will of the great man up above them.

a unit of language that native speakers can identify

From this reading The heads of each separate floor were picked men--great men away from the golden glamour of the master mind--each involved in the success or failure of his own concern, all partners in their respective firms, but partners who accepted the share allotted to them without question, who served faithfully or disappeared from the ken of their fellow-workers, who were nominally accountable to their respective "company," but actually dependent on the word and will of the great man up above them.

past form of “work” — exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity

From this reading Thus on the ground floor the Lack Vale Coal Company worked out its grimy history, on the second floor the Brunt Rubber Company had command, on the fifth the great Steel Axle Company, the richest and most important of all, lodged royally.