Chapter XVII · Chapter 17

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

From this reading A CATASTROPHE AT THE POOL Mr. Vansittart Merceron was not quite sure that Victor Sutton had any business to call him "Merceron."

speak to

From this reading He was nearly twenty years older than Victor, and a man of considerable position; nor was he, as some middle-aged men are, flattered by the implication of contemporaneousness carried by the mode of address.

(of mail) marked with a destination

From this reading But it is hard to give a hint to a man who has no inkling that there is room for one; and when Mr. Vansittart addressed Victor as 'Mr. Sutton' the latter graciously told him to "hang the Mister."

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

From this reading He was nearly twenty years older than Victor, and a man of considerable position; nor was he, as some middle-aged men are, flattered by the implication of contemporaneousness carried by the mode of address.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading A CATASTROPHE AT THE POOL Mr. Vansittart Merceron was not quite sure that Victor Sutton had any business to call him "Merceron."

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

From this reading He was nearly twenty years older than Victor, and a man of considerable position; nor was he, as some middle-aged men are, flattered by the implication of contemporaneousness carried by the mode of address.

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

From this reading He was nearly twenty years older than Victor, and a man of considerable position; nor was he, as some middle-aged men are, flattered by the implication of contemporaneousness carried by the mode of address.

past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody

From this reading Reciprocity was inevitable, and the elder man asked himself, with a sardonic grin, how soon he would be "Van."

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading A CATASTROPHE AT THE POOL Mr. Vansittart Merceron was not quite sure that Victor Sutton had any business to call him "Merceron."

cleanse the entire body

From this reading "Coming to bathe, Merceron?" he heard under his window at eight o'clock the next morning.

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

From this reading Reciprocity was inevitable, and the elder man asked himself, with a sardonic grin, how soon he would be "Van."

a commercial or industrial enterprise and the people who constitute it

From this reading A CATASTROPHE AT THE POOL Mr. Vansittart Merceron was not quite sure that Victor Sutton had any business to call him "Merceron."

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But it is hard to give a hint to a man who has no inkling that there is room for one; and when Mr. Vansittart addressed Victor as 'Mr. Sutton' the latter graciously told him to "hang the Mister."

showing who or what does the action

From this reading He was nearly twenty years older than Victor, and a man of considerable position; nor was he, as some middle-aged men are, flattered by the implication of contemporaneousness carried by the mode of address.

assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading A CATASTROPHE AT THE POOL Mr. Vansittart Merceron was not quite sure that Victor Sutton had any business to call him "Merceron."

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

From this reading He was nearly twenty years older than Victor, and a man of considerable position; nor was he, as some middle-aged men are, flattered by the implication of contemporaneousness carried by the mode of address.

an event resulting in great loss and misfortune

From this reading A CATASTROPHE AT THE POOL Mr. Vansittart Merceron was not quite sure that Victor Sutton had any business to call him "Merceron."

the act of drawing spatially closer to something

From this reading "Coming to bathe, Merceron?" he heard under his window at eight o'clock the next morning.

large or relatively large in number or amount or extent or degree

From this reading He was nearly twenty years older than Victor, and a man of considerable position; nor was he, as some middle-aged men are, flattered by the implication of contemporaneousness carried by the mode of address.

the quality of being current or of the present

From this reading He was nearly twenty years older than Victor, and a man of considerable position; nor was he, as some middle-aged men are, flattered by the implication of contemporaneousness carried by the mode of address.

being one more than seven

From this reading "Coming to bathe, Merceron?" he heard under his window at eight o'clock the next morning.

a person who is older than you are

From this reading Reciprocity was inevitable, and the elder man asked himself, with a sardonic grin, how soon he would be "Van."

past form of “flatter” — praise somewhat dishonestly

From this reading He was nearly twenty years older than Victor, and a man of considerable position; nor was he, as some middle-aged men are, flattered by the implication of contemporaneousness carried by the mode of address.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading But it is hard to give a hint to a man who has no inkling that there is room for one; and when Mr. Vansittart addressed Victor as 'Mr. Sutton' the latter graciously told him to "hang the Mister."

cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense

From this reading But it is hard to give a hint to a man who has no inkling that there is room for one; and when Mr. Vansittart addressed Victor as 'Mr. Sutton' the latter graciously told him to "hang the Mister."

in a gracious or graceful manner

From this reading But it is hard to give a hint to a man who has no inkling that there is room for one; and when Mr. Vansittart addressed Victor as 'Mr. Sutton' the latter graciously told him to "hang the Mister."

a facial expression characterized by turning up the corners of the mouth; usually shows pleasure or amusement

From this reading Reciprocity was inevitable, and the elder man asked himself, with a sardonic grin, how soon he would be "Van."

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

From this reading A CATASTROPHE AT THE POOL Mr. Vansittart Merceron was not quite sure that Victor Sutton had any business to call him "Merceron."

be suspended or hanging

From this reading But it is hard to give a hint to a man who has no inkling that there is room for one; and when Mr. Vansittart addressed Victor as 'Mr. Sutton' the latter graciously told him to "hang the Mister."

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

From this reading But it is hard to give a hint to a man who has no inkling that there is room for one; and when Mr. Vansittart addressed Victor as 'Mr. Sutton' the latter graciously told him to "hang the Mister."

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

From this reading But it is hard to give a hint to a man who has no inkling that there is room for one; and when Mr. Vansittart addressed Victor as 'Mr. Sutton' the latter graciously told him to "hang the Mister."

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

From this reading He was nearly twenty years older than Victor, and a man of considerable position; nor was he, as some middle-aged men are, flattered by the implication of contemporaneousness carried by the mode of address.

detected or perceived by the sense of hearing

From this reading "Coming to bathe, Merceron?" he heard under his window at eight o'clock the next morning.

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

From this reading A CATASTROPHE AT THE POOL Mr. Vansittart Merceron was not quite sure that Victor Sutton had any business to call him "Merceron."

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

From this reading Reciprocity was inevitable, and the elder man asked himself, with a sardonic grin, how soon he would be "Van."

an indirect suggestion

From this reading But it is hard to give a hint to a man who has no inkling that there is room for one; and when Mr. Vansittart addressed Victor as 'Mr. Sutton' the latter graciously told him to "hang the Mister."

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

From this reading "Coming to bathe, Merceron?" he heard under his window at eight o'clock the next morning.

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

From this reading Reciprocity was inevitable, and the elder man asked himself, with a sardonic grin, how soon he would be "Van."

something that is inferred (deduced or entailed or implied)

From this reading He was nearly twenty years older than Victor, and a man of considerable position; nor was he, as some middle-aged men are, flattered by the implication of contemporaneousness carried by the mode of address.

incapable of being avoided or prevented

From this reading Reciprocity was inevitable, and the elder man asked himself, with a sardonic grin, how soon he would be "Van."

a slight suggestion or vague understanding

From this reading But it is hard to give a hint to a man who has no inkling that there is room for one; and when Mr. Vansittart addressed Victor as 'Mr. Sutton' the latter graciously told him to "hang the Mister."

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

From this reading But it is hard to give a hint to a man who has no inkling that there is room for one; and when Mr. Vansittart addressed Victor as 'Mr. Sutton' the latter graciously told him to "hang the Mister."

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading But it is hard to give a hint to a man who has no inkling that there is room for one; and when Mr. Vansittart addressed Victor as 'Mr. Sutton' the latter graciously told him to "hang the Mister."

referring to the second of two things or persons mentioned (or the last one or ones of several)

From this reading But it is hard to give a hint to a man who has no inkling that there is room for one; and when Mr. Vansittart addressed Victor as 'Mr. Sutton' the latter graciously told him to "hang the Mister."

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

From this reading He was nearly twenty years older than Victor, and a man of considerable position; nor was he, as some middle-aged men are, flattered by the implication of contemporaneousness carried by the mode of address.

the force of workers available

From this reading He was nearly twenty years older than Victor, and a man of considerable position; nor was he, as some middle-aged men are, flattered by the implication of contemporaneousness carried by the mode of address.

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

From this reading A CATASTROPHE AT THE POOL Mr. Vansittart Merceron was not quite sure that Victor Sutton had any business to call him "Merceron."

being roughly between 45 and 65 years old

From this reading He was nearly twenty years older than Victor, and a man of considerable position; nor was he, as some middle-aged men are, flattered by the implication of contemporaneousness carried by the mode of address.

a form of address for a man

From this reading But it is hard to give a hint to a man who has no inkling that there is room for one; and when Mr. Vansittart addressed Victor as 'Mr. Sutton' the latter graciously told him to "hang the Mister."

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading He was nearly twenty years older than Victor, and a man of considerable position; nor was he, as some middle-aged men are, flattered by the implication of contemporaneousness carried by the mode of address.

the time period between dawn and noon

From this reading "Coming to bathe, Merceron?" he heard under his window at eight o'clock the next morning.

a form of address for a man

From this reading A CATASTROPHE AT THE POOL Mr. Vansittart Merceron was not quite sure that Victor Sutton had any business to call him "Merceron."

(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but

From this reading He was nearly twenty years older than Victor, and a man of considerable position; nor was he, as some middle-aged men are, flattered by the implication of contemporaneousness carried by the mode of address.

immediately following in time or order

From this reading "Coming to bathe, Merceron?" he heard under his window at eight o'clock the next morning.

not any; not one

From this reading But it is hard to give a hint to a man who has no inkling that there is room for one; and when Mr. Vansittart addressed Victor as 'Mr. Sutton' the latter graciously told him to "hang the Mister."

and not; used after a negative to add a second negative

From this reading He was nearly twenty years older than Victor, and a man of considerable position; nor was he, as some middle-aged men are, flattered by the implication of contemporaneousness carried by the mode of address.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading A CATASTROPHE AT THE POOL Mr. Vansittart Merceron was not quite sure that Victor Sutton had any business to call him "Merceron."

according to the clock

From this reading "Coming to bathe, Merceron?" he heard under his window at eight o'clock the next morning.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading He was nearly twenty years older than Victor, and a man of considerable position; nor was he, as some middle-aged men are, flattered by the implication of contemporaneousness carried by the mode of address.

advanced in years; (“aged” is pronounced as two syllables)

From this reading He was nearly twenty years older than Victor, and a man of considerable position; nor was he, as some middle-aged men are, flattered by the implication of contemporaneousness carried by the mode of address.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading But it is hard to give a hint to a man who has no inkling that there is room for one; and when Mr. Vansittart addressed Victor as 'Mr. Sutton' the latter graciously told him to "hang the Mister."

an excavation that is (usually) filled with water

From this reading A CATASTROPHE AT THE POOL Mr. Vansittart Merceron was not quite sure that Victor Sutton had any business to call him "Merceron."

the particular portion of space occupied by something

From this reading He was nearly twenty years older than Victor, and a man of considerable position; nor was he, as some middle-aged men are, flattered by the implication of contemporaneousness carried by the mode of address.

to a degree (not used with a negative)

From this reading A CATASTROPHE AT THE POOL Mr. Vansittart Merceron was not quite sure that Victor Sutton had any business to call him "Merceron."

a relation of mutual dependence or action or influence

From this reading Reciprocity was inevitable, and the elder man asked himself, with a sardonic grin, how soon he would be "Van."

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

From this reading But it is hard to give a hint to a man who has no inkling that there is room for one; and when Mr. Vansittart addressed Victor as 'Mr. Sutton' the latter graciously told him to "hang the Mister."

disdainfully or ironically humorous; scornful and mocking

From this reading Reciprocity was inevitable, and the elder man asked himself, with a sardonic grin, how soon he would be "Van."

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

From this reading He was nearly twenty years older than Victor, and a man of considerable position; nor was he, as some middle-aged men are, flattered by the implication of contemporaneousness carried by the mode of address.

in the near future

From this reading Reciprocity was inevitable, and the elder man asked himself, with a sardonic grin, how soon he would be "Van."

having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured

From this reading A CATASTROPHE AT THE POOL Mr. Vansittart Merceron was not quite sure that Victor Sutton had any business to call him "Merceron."

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

From this reading A CATASTROPHE AT THE POOL Mr. Vansittart Merceron was not quite sure that Victor Sutton had any business to call him "Merceron."

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading He was nearly twenty years older than Victor, and a man of considerable position; nor was he, as some middle-aged men are, flattered by the implication of contemporaneousness carried by the mode of address.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading A CATASTROPHE AT THE POOL Mr. Vansittart Merceron was not quite sure that Victor Sutton had any business to call him "Merceron."

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

From this reading A CATASTROPHE AT THE POOL Mr. Vansittart Merceron was not quite sure that Victor Sutton had any business to call him "Merceron."

in or at that place or location

From this reading But it is hard to give a hint to a man who has no inkling that there is room for one; and when Mr. Vansittart addressed Victor as 'Mr. Sutton' the latter graciously told him to "hang the Mister."

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

From this reading A CATASTROPHE AT THE POOL Mr. Vansittart Merceron was not quite sure that Victor Sutton had any business to call him "Merceron."

inflected form of “tell” — express in words

From this reading But it is hard to give a hint to a man who has no inkling that there is room for one; and when Mr. Vansittart addressed Victor as 'Mr. Sutton' the latter graciously told him to "hang the Mister."

the cardinal number that is the sum of nineteen and one

From this reading He was nearly twenty years older than Victor, and a man of considerable position; nor was he, as some middle-aged men are, flattered by the implication of contemporaneousness carried by the mode of address.

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading "Coming to bathe, Merceron?" he heard under his window at eight o'clock the next morning.

any creative group active in the innovation and application of new concepts and techniques in a given field (especially in the arts)

From this reading Reciprocity was inevitable, and the elder man asked himself, with a sardonic grin, how soon he would be "Van."

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

From this reading A CATASTROPHE AT THE POOL Mr. Vansittart Merceron was not quite sure that Victor Sutton had any business to call him "Merceron."

a combatant who is able to defeat rivals

From this reading A CATASTROPHE AT THE POOL Mr. Vansittart Merceron was not quite sure that Victor Sutton had any business to call him "Merceron."

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

From this reading A CATASTROPHE AT THE POOL Mr. Vansittart Merceron was not quite sure that Victor Sutton had any business to call him "Merceron."

at the time that

From this reading But it is hard to give a hint to a man who has no inkling that there is room for one; and when Mr. Vansittart addressed Victor as 'Mr. Sutton' the latter graciously told him to "hang the Mister."

which person or people

From this reading But it is hard to give a hint to a man who has no inkling that there is room for one; and when Mr. Vansittart addressed Victor as 'Mr. Sutton' the latter graciously told him to "hang the Mister."

a framework of wood or metal that contains a glass windowpane and is built into a wall or roof to admit light or air

From this reading "Coming to bathe, Merceron?" he heard under his window at eight o'clock the next morning.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Reciprocity was inevitable, and the elder man asked himself, with a sardonic grin, how soon he would be "Van."

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading Reciprocity was inevitable, and the elder man asked himself, with a sardonic grin, how soon he would be "Van."

a late time of life

From this reading He was nearly twenty years older than Victor, and a man of considerable position; nor was he, as some middle-aged men are, flattered by the implication of contemporaneousness carried by the mode of address.