Chapter XXIII · Chapter 23

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

From this reading He was as restless and nervous as a hungry dog shivering before a meat-shop.

(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something

From this reading As for myself, I never yielded a point in my dignity, but tried hard to add to my supply of superiority, assuring him the hour would soon be at hand when I could report a complete victory in his cause, and my own vindication as a middleman in the sort of business that had run me through the tortures specially prepared for those who flatter themselves they are better able to manage other people's business than their own.

make an addition (to); join or combine or unite with others; increase the quality, quantity, size or scope of

From this reading As for myself, I never yielded a point in my dignity, but tried hard to add to my supply of superiority, assuring him the hour would soon be at hand when I could report a complete victory in his cause, and my own vindication as a middleman in the sort of business that had run me through the tortures specially prepared for those who flatter themselves they are better able to manage other people's business than their own.

matters of personal concern

From this reading Did I think I could manage his affairs with so much lost time?

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

From this reading On the way home in the hack and the trolley, Jim wanted to know why I had gone so far out of my way.

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

From this reading As for myself, I never yielded a point in my dignity, but tried hard to add to my supply of superiority, assuring him the hour would soon be at hand when I could report a complete victory in his cause, and my own vindication as a middleman in the sort of business that had run me through the tortures specially prepared for those who flatter themselves they are better able to manage other people's business than their own.

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

From this reading He was as restless and nervous as a hungry dog shivering before a meat-shop.

giving confidence

From this reading As for myself, I never yielded a point in my dignity, but tried hard to add to my supply of superiority, assuring him the hour would soon be at hand when I could report a complete victory in his cause, and my own vindication as a middleman in the sort of business that had run me through the tortures specially prepared for those who flatter themselves they are better able to manage other people's business than their own.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading As for myself, I never yielded a point in my dignity, but tried hard to add to my supply of superiority, assuring him the hour would soon be at hand when I could report a complete victory in his cause, and my own vindication as a middleman in the sort of business that had run me through the tortures specially prepared for those who flatter themselves they are better able to manage other people's business than their own.

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

From this reading As for myself, I never yielded a point in my dignity, but tried hard to add to my supply of superiority, assuring him the hour would soon be at hand when I could report a complete victory in his cause, and my own vindication as a middleman in the sort of business that had run me through the tortures specially prepared for those who flatter themselves they are better able to manage other people's business than their own.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading He was as restless and nervous as a hungry dog shivering before a meat-shop.

(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another

From this reading As for myself, I never yielded a point in my dignity, but tried hard to add to my supply of superiority, assuring him the hour would soon be at hand when I could report a complete victory in his cause, and my own vindication as a middleman in the sort of business that had run me through the tortures specially prepared for those who flatter themselves they are better able to manage other people's business than their own.

a commercial or industrial enterprise and the people who constitute it

From this reading As for myself, I never yielded a point in my dignity, but tried hard to add to my supply of superiority, assuring him the hour would soon be at hand when I could report a complete victory in his cause, and my own vindication as a middleman in the sort of business that had run me through the tortures specially prepared for those who flatter themselves they are better able to manage other people's business than their own.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading As for myself, I never yielded a point in my dignity, but tried hard to add to my supply of superiority, assuring him the hour would soon be at hand when I could report a complete victory in his cause, and my own vindication as a middleman in the sort of business that had run me through the tortures specially prepared for those who flatter themselves they are better able to manage other people's business than their own.

events that provide the generative force that is the origin of something

From this reading As for myself, I never yielded a point in my dignity, but tried hard to add to my supply of superiority, assuring him the hour would soon be at hand when I could report a complete victory in his cause, and my own vindication as a middleman in the sort of business that had run me through the tortures specially prepared for those who flatter themselves they are better able to manage other people's business than their own.

a large and densely populated urban area; may include several independent administrative districts

From this reading Was it part of my work for the city?

come or bring to a finish or an end

From this reading As for myself, I never yielded a point in my dignity, but tried hard to add to my supply of superiority, assuring him the hour would soon be at hand when I could report a complete victory in his cause, and my own vindication as a middleman in the sort of business that had run me through the tortures specially prepared for those who flatter themselves they are better able to manage other people's business than their own.

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading Did I think I could manage his affairs with so much lost time?

the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives

From this reading Did I think I could manage his affairs with so much lost time?

the quality of being worthy of esteem or respect

From this reading As for myself, I never yielded a point in my dignity, but tried hard to add to my supply of superiority, assuring him the hour would soon be at hand when I could report a complete victory in his cause, and my own vindication as a middleman in the sort of business that had run me through the tortures specially prepared for those who flatter themselves they are better able to manage other people's business than their own.

a member of the genus Canis (probably descended from the common wolf) that has been domesticated by man since prehistoric times; occurs in many breeds

From this reading He was as restless and nervous as a hungry dog shivering before a meat-shop.

to a considerable degree; very much

From this reading On the way home in the hack and the trolley, Jim wanted to know why I had gone so far out of my way.

praise somewhat dishonestly

From this reading As for myself, I never yielded a point in my dignity, but tried hard to add to my supply of superiority, assuring him the hour would soon be at hand when I could report a complete victory in his cause, and my own vindication as a middleman in the sort of business that had run me through the tortures specially prepared for those who flatter themselves they are better able to manage other people's business than their own.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Was it part of my work for the city?

destroyed or killed

From this reading On the way home in the hack and the trolley, Jim wanted to know why I had gone so far out of my way.

one who works hard at boring tasks

From this reading On the way home in the hack and the trolley, Jim wanted to know why I had gone so far out of my way.

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

From this reading On the way home in the hack and the trolley, Jim wanted to know why I had gone so far out of my way.

the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb

From this reading As for myself, I never yielded a point in my dignity, but tried hard to add to my supply of superiority, assuring him the hour would soon be at hand when I could report a complete victory in his cause, and my own vindication as a middleman in the sort of business that had run me through the tortures specially prepared for those who flatter themselves they are better able to manage other people's business than their own.

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

From this reading As for myself, I never yielded a point in my dignity, but tried hard to add to my supply of superiority, assuring him the hour would soon be at hand when I could report a complete victory in his cause, and my own vindication as a middleman in the sort of business that had run me through the tortures specially prepared for those who flatter themselves they are better able to manage other people's business than their own.

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

From this reading He was as restless and nervous as a hungry dog shivering before a meat-shop.

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

From this reading As for myself, I never yielded a point in my dignity, but tried hard to add to my supply of superiority, assuring him the hour would soon be at hand when I could report a complete victory in his cause, and my own vindication as a middleman in the sort of business that had run me through the tortures specially prepared for those who flatter themselves they are better able to manage other people's business than their own.

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

From this reading Did I think I could manage his affairs with so much lost time?

where you live at a particular time

From this reading On the way home in the hack and the trolley, Jim wanted to know why I had gone so far out of my way.

a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day

From this reading As for myself, I never yielded a point in my dignity, but tried hard to add to my supply of superiority, assuring him the hour would soon be at hand when I could report a complete victory in his cause, and my own vindication as a middleman in the sort of business that had run me through the tortures specially prepared for those who flatter themselves they are better able to manage other people's business than their own.

feeling hunger; feeling a need or desire to eat food

From this reading He was as restless and nervous as a hungry dog shivering before a meat-shop.

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

From this reading On the way home in the hack and the trolley, Jim wanted to know why I had gone so far out of my way.

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

From this reading On the way home in the hack and the trolley, Jim wanted to know why I had gone so far out of my way.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Was it part of my work for the city?

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

From this reading On the way home in the hack and the trolley, Jim wanted to know why I had gone so far out of my way.

be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about

From this reading On the way home in the hack and the trolley, Jim wanted to know why I had gone so far out of my way.

no longer in your possession or control; unable to be found or recovered

From this reading Did I think I could manage his affairs with so much lost time?

be successful; achieve a goal

From this reading Did I think I could manage his affairs with so much lost time?

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

From this reading As for myself, I never yielded a point in my dignity, but tried hard to add to my supply of superiority, assuring him the hour would soon be at hand when I could report a complete victory in his cause, and my own vindication as a middleman in the sort of business that had run me through the tortures specially prepared for those who flatter themselves they are better able to manage other people's business than their own.

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

From this reading He was as restless and nervous as a hungry dog shivering before a meat-shop.

someone who buys large quantities of goods and resells to merchants rather than to the ultimate customers

From this reading As for myself, I never yielded a point in my dignity, but tried hard to add to my supply of superiority, assuring him the hour would soon be at hand when I could report a complete victory in his cause, and my own vindication as a middleman in the sort of business that had run me through the tortures specially prepared for those who flatter themselves they are better able to manage other people's business than their own.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading Did I think I could manage his affairs with so much lost time?

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading On the way home in the hack and the trolley, Jim wanted to know why I had gone so far out of my way.

used when the speaker is also the object of the action

From this reading As for myself, I never yielded a point in my dignity, but tried hard to add to my supply of superiority, assuring him the hour would soon be at hand when I could report a complete victory in his cause, and my own vindication as a middleman in the sort of business that had run me through the tortures specially prepared for those who flatter themselves they are better able to manage other people's business than their own.

easily agitated

From this reading He was as restless and nervous as a hungry dog shivering before a meat-shop.

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading As for myself, I never yielded a point in my dignity, but tried hard to add to my supply of superiority, assuring him the hour would soon be at hand when I could report a complete victory in his cause, and my own vindication as a middleman in the sort of business that had run me through the tortures specially prepared for those who flatter themselves they are better able to manage other people's business than their own.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading On the way home in the hack and the trolley, Jim wanted to know why I had gone so far out of my way.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading On the way home in the hack and the trolley, Jim wanted to know why I had gone so far out of my way.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading As for myself, I never yielded a point in my dignity, but tried hard to add to my supply of superiority, assuring him the hour would soon be at hand when I could report a complete victory in his cause, and my own vindication as a middleman in the sort of business that had run me through the tortures specially prepared for those who flatter themselves they are better able to manage other people's business than their own.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading On the way home in the hack and the trolley, Jim wanted to know why I had gone so far out of my way.

have ownership or possession of

From this reading As for myself, I never yielded a point in my dignity, but tried hard to add to my supply of superiority, assuring him the hour would soon be at hand when I could report a complete victory in his cause, and my own vindication as a middleman in the sort of business that had run me through the tortures specially prepared for those who flatter themselves they are better able to manage other people's business than their own.

something determined in relation to something that includes it

From this reading Was it part of my work for the city?

possessive form of “people” — (plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively

From this reading As for myself, I never yielded a point in my dignity, but tried hard to add to my supply of superiority, assuring him the hour would soon be at hand when I could report a complete victory in his cause, and my own vindication as a middleman in the sort of business that had run me through the tortures specially prepared for those who flatter themselves they are better able to manage other people's business than their own.

a geometric element that has position but no extension

From this reading As for myself, I never yielded a point in my dignity, but tried hard to add to my supply of superiority, assuring him the hour would soon be at hand when I could report a complete victory in his cause, and my own vindication as a middleman in the sort of business that had run me through the tortures specially prepared for those who flatter themselves they are better able to manage other people's business than their own.

made ready or fit or suitable beforehand

From this reading As for myself, I never yielded a point in my dignity, but tried hard to add to my supply of superiority, assuring him the hour would soon be at hand when I could report a complete victory in his cause, and my own vindication as a middleman in the sort of business that had run me through the tortures specially prepared for those who flatter themselves they are better able to manage other people's business than their own.

to give an account or representation of in words

From this reading As for myself, I never yielded a point in my dignity, but tried hard to add to my supply of superiority, assuring him the hour would soon be at hand when I could report a complete victory in his cause, and my own vindication as a middleman in the sort of business that had run me through the tortures specially prepared for those who flatter themselves they are better able to manage other people's business than their own.

worried and uneasy

From this reading He was as restless and nervous as a hungry dog shivering before a meat-shop.

move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time

From this reading As for myself, I never yielded a point in my dignity, but tried hard to add to my supply of superiority, assuring him the hour would soon be at hand when I could report a complete victory in his cause, and my own vindication as a middleman in the sort of business that had run me through the tortures specially prepared for those who flatter themselves they are better able to manage other people's business than their own.

a sensation of cold that often marks the start of an infection and the development of a fever

From this reading He was as restless and nervous as a hungry dog shivering before a meat-shop.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading On the way home in the hack and the trolley, Jim wanted to know why I had gone so far out of my way.

in the near future

From this reading As for myself, I never yielded a point in my dignity, but tried hard to add to my supply of superiority, assuring him the hour would soon be at hand when I could report a complete victory in his cause, and my own vindication as a middleman in the sort of business that had run me through the tortures specially prepared for those who flatter themselves they are better able to manage other people's business than their own.

a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality

From this reading As for myself, I never yielded a point in my dignity, but tried hard to add to my supply of superiority, assuring him the hour would soon be at hand when I could report a complete victory in his cause, and my own vindication as a middleman in the sort of business that had run me through the tortures specially prepared for those who flatter themselves they are better able to manage other people's business than their own.

in a special manner

From this reading As for myself, I never yielded a point in my dignity, but tried hard to add to my supply of superiority, assuring him the hour would soon be at hand when I could report a complete victory in his cause, and my own vindication as a middleman in the sort of business that had run me through the tortures specially prepared for those who flatter themselves they are better able to manage other people's business than their own.

the quality of being superior

From this reading As for myself, I never yielded a point in my dignity, but tried hard to add to my supply of superiority, assuring him the hour would soon be at hand when I could report a complete victory in his cause, and my own vindication as a middleman in the sort of business that had run me through the tortures specially prepared for those who flatter themselves they are better able to manage other people's business than their own.

give something useful or necessary to

From this reading As for myself, I never yielded a point in my dignity, but tried hard to add to my supply of superiority, assuring him the hour would soon be at hand when I could report a complete victory in his cause, and my own vindication as a middleman in the sort of business that had run me through the tortures specially prepared for those who flatter themselves they are better able to manage other people's business than their own.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading As for myself, I never yielded a point in my dignity, but tried hard to add to my supply of superiority, assuring him the hour would soon be at hand when I could report a complete victory in his cause, and my own vindication as a middleman in the sort of business that had run me through the tortures specially prepared for those who flatter themselves they are better able to manage other people's business than their own.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading As for myself, I never yielded a point in my dignity, but tried hard to add to my supply of superiority, assuring him the hour would soon be at hand when I could report a complete victory in his cause, and my own vindication as a middleman in the sort of business that had run me through the tortures specially prepared for those who flatter themselves they are better able to manage other people's business than their own.

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

From this reading On the way home in the hack and the trolley, Jim wanted to know why I had gone so far out of my way.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading As for myself, I never yielded a point in my dignity, but tried hard to add to my supply of superiority, assuring him the hour would soon be at hand when I could report a complete victory in his cause, and my own vindication as a middleman in the sort of business that had run me through the tortures specially prepared for those who flatter themselves they are better able to manage other people's business than their own.

used when the people doing the action are also its object

From this reading As for myself, I never yielded a point in my dignity, but tried hard to add to my supply of superiority, assuring him the hour would soon be at hand when I could report a complete victory in his cause, and my own vindication as a middleman in the sort of business that had run me through the tortures specially prepared for those who flatter themselves they are better able to manage other people's business than their own.

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

From this reading As for myself, I never yielded a point in my dignity, but tried hard to add to my supply of superiority, assuring him the hour would soon be at hand when I could report a complete victory in his cause, and my own vindication as a middleman in the sort of business that had run me through the tortures specially prepared for those who flatter themselves they are better able to manage other people's business than their own.

judge or regard; look upon; judge

From this reading Did I think I could manage his affairs with so much lost time?

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading As for myself, I never yielded a point in my dignity, but tried hard to add to my supply of superiority, assuring him the hour would soon be at hand when I could report a complete victory in his cause, and my own vindication as a middleman in the sort of business that had run me through the tortures specially prepared for those who flatter themselves they are better able to manage other people's business than their own.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading As for myself, I never yielded a point in my dignity, but tried hard to add to my supply of superiority, assuring him the hour would soon be at hand when I could report a complete victory in his cause, and my own vindication as a middleman in the sort of business that had run me through the tortures specially prepared for those who flatter themselves they are better able to manage other people's business than their own.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading Did I think I could manage his affairs with so much lost time?

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

From this reading On the way home in the hack and the trolley, Jim wanted to know why I had gone so far out of my way.

plural of “torture” — extreme mental distress

From this reading As for myself, I never yielded a point in my dignity, but tried hard to add to my supply of superiority, assuring him the hour would soon be at hand when I could report a complete victory in his cause, and my own vindication as a middleman in the sort of business that had run me through the tortures specially prepared for those who flatter themselves they are better able to manage other people's business than their own.

tested and proved useful or correct

From this reading As for myself, I never yielded a point in my dignity, but tried hard to add to my supply of superiority, assuring him the hour would soon be at hand when I could report a complete victory in his cause, and my own vindication as a middleman in the sort of business that had run me through the tortures specially prepared for those who flatter themselves they are better able to manage other people's business than their own.

a wheeled vehicle that runs on rails and is propelled by electricity

From this reading On the way home in the hack and the trolley, Jim wanted to know why I had gone so far out of my way.

a successful ending of a struggle or contest

From this reading As for myself, I never yielded a point in my dignity, but tried hard to add to my supply of superiority, assuring him the hour would soon be at hand when I could report a complete victory in his cause, and my own vindication as a middleman in the sort of business that had run me through the tortures specially prepared for those who flatter themselves they are better able to manage other people's business than their own.

the act of vindicating or defending against criticism or censure etc.

From this reading As for myself, I never yielded a point in my dignity, but tried hard to add to my supply of superiority, assuring him the hour would soon be at hand when I could report a complete victory in his cause, and my own vindication as a middleman in the sort of business that had run me through the tortures specially prepared for those who flatter themselves they are better able to manage other people's business than their own.

desired or wished for or sought

From this reading On the way home in the hack and the trolley, Jim wanted to know why I had gone so far out of my way.

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

From this reading Was it part of my work for the city?

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading On the way home in the hack and the trolley, Jim wanted to know why I had gone so far out of my way.

at the time that

From this reading As for myself, I never yielded a point in my dignity, but tried hard to add to my supply of superiority, assuring him the hour would soon be at hand when I could report a complete victory in his cause, and my own vindication as a middleman in the sort of business that had run me through the tortures specially prepared for those who flatter themselves they are better able to manage other people's business than their own.

which person or people

From this reading As for myself, I never yielded a point in my dignity, but tried hard to add to my supply of superiority, assuring him the hour would soon be at hand when I could report a complete victory in his cause, and my own vindication as a middleman in the sort of business that had run me through the tortures specially prepared for those who flatter themselves they are better able to manage other people's business than their own.

the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”

From this reading On the way home in the hack and the trolley, Jim wanted to know why I had gone so far out of my way.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Did I think I could manage his affairs with so much lost time?

exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity

From this reading Was it part of my work for the city?

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

From this reading As for myself, I never yielded a point in my dignity, but tried hard to add to my supply of superiority, assuring him the hour would soon be at hand when I could report a complete victory in his cause, and my own vindication as a middleman in the sort of business that had run me through the tortures specially prepared for those who flatter themselves they are better able to manage other people's business than their own.

past form of “yield” — be the cause or source of

From this reading As for myself, I never yielded a point in my dignity, but tried hard to add to my supply of superiority, assuring him the hour would soon be at hand when I could report a complete victory in his cause, and my own vindication as a middleman in the sort of business that had run me through the tortures specially prepared for those who flatter themselves they are better able to manage other people's business than their own.