Chapter II · Chapter 2

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

From this reading Lee knew a man who, because of his light strength and mastery of horses, had spent a prolonged youth riding in gentlemen's steeplechases for the great Virginia stables; a career of racing silk and odds and danger, of highly ornamental women and champagne, of paddocks and formal halls and surreptitious little ante-rooms.

higher than, or over, something

From this reading That he envied; and, recalling his safe ignominious usefulness during the war, he envied the young half-drunk aviators sweeping in reckless arcs above the fortified German cities.

anew

From this reading Or was it, again, only youth that he lamented, conscious of its slipping supinely from his grasp?

(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 What became clearest was that, of all the things which had happened to him, he would not, at the beginning, have deliberately chosen any.

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

From this reading Lee knew a man who, because of his light strength and mastery of horses, had spent a prolonged youth riding in gentlemen's steeplechases for the great Virginia stables; a career of racing silk and odds and danger, of highly ornamental women and champagne, of paddocks and formal halls and surreptitious little ante-rooms.

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

From this reading Lee knew a man who, because of his light strength and mastery of horses, had spent a prolonged youth riding in gentlemen's steeplechases for the great Virginia stables; a career of racing silk and odds and danger, of highly ornamental women and champagne, of paddocks and formal halls and surreptitious little ante-rooms.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading What became clearest was that, of all the things which had happened to him, he would not, at the beginning, have deliberately chosen any.

plural of “arc” — electrical conduction through a gas in an applied electric field

From this reading That he envied; and, recalling his safe ignominious usefulness during the war, he envied the young half-drunk aviators sweeping in reckless arcs above the fortified German cities.

in a state of sleep

From this reading One, it seemed, bred by the other, had overtaken him, fastened upon him, while he was asleep.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading What became clearest was that, of all the things which had happened to him, he would not, at the beginning, have deliberately chosen any.

plural of “aviator” — someone who operates an aircraft

From this reading That he envied; and, recalling his safe ignominious usefulness during the war, he envied the young half-drunk aviators sweeping in reckless arcs above the fortified German cities.

inflected form of “become” — enter or assume a certain state or condition

From this reading What became clearest was that, of all the things which had happened to him, he would not, at the beginning, have deliberately chosen any.

for the reason that

From this reading Lee knew a man who, because of his light strength and mastery of horses, had spent a prolonged youth riding in gentlemen's steeplechases for the great Virginia stables; a career of racing silk and odds and danger, of highly ornamental women and champagne, of paddocks and formal halls and surreptitious little ante-rooms.

the event consisting of the start of something

From this reading What became clearest was that, of all the things which had happened to him, he would not, at the beginning, have deliberately chosen any.

inflected form of “breed” — call forth

From this reading One, it seemed, bred by the other, had overtaken him, fastened upon him, while he was asleep.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading One, it seemed, bred by the other, had overtaken him, fastened upon him, while he was asleep.

the particular occupation for which you are trained

From this reading Lee knew a man who, because of his light strength and mastery of horses, had spent a prolonged youth riding in gentlemen's steeplechases for the great Virginia stables; a career of racing silk and odds and danger, of highly ornamental women and champagne, of paddocks and formal halls and surreptitious little ante-rooms.

a white sparkling wine either produced in Champagne or resembling that produced there

From this reading Lee knew a man who, because of his light strength and mastery of horses, had spent a prolonged youth riding in gentlemen's steeplechases for the great Virginia stables; a career of racing silk and odds and danger, of highly ornamental women and champagne, of paddocks and formal halls and surreptitious little ante-rooms.

one who is the object of choice; who is given preference

From this reading What became clearest was that, of all the things which had happened to him, he would not, at the beginning, have deliberately chosen any.

plural of “city” — a large and densely populated urban area; may include several independent administrative districts

From this reading That he envied; and, recalling his safe ignominious usefulness during the war, he envied the young half-drunk aviators sweeping in reckless arcs above the fortified German cities.

superlative of “clear” — readily apparent to the mind

From this reading What became clearest was that, of all the things which had happened to him, he would not, at the beginning, have deliberately chosen any.

intentionally conceived

From this reading Or was it, again, only youth that he lamented, conscious of its slipping supinely from his grasp?

the condition of being susceptible to harm or injury

From this reading Lee knew a man who, because of his light strength and mastery of horses, had spent a prolonged youth riding in gentlemen's steeplechases for the great Virginia stables; a career of racing silk and odds and danger, of highly ornamental women and champagne, of paddocks and formal halls and surreptitious little ante-rooms.

with intention; in an intentional manner

From this reading What became clearest was that, of all the things which had happened to him, he would not, at the beginning, have deliberately chosen any.

all through a period, or at some point within it

From this reading That he envied; and, recalling his safe ignominious usefulness during the war, he envied the young half-drunk aviators sweeping in reckless arcs above the fortified German cities.

inflected form of “envy” — feel envious towards; admire enviously

From this reading That he envied; and, recalling his safe ignominious usefulness during the war, he envied the young half-drunk aviators sweeping in reckless arcs above the fortified German cities.

firmly closed or secured

From this reading One, it seemed, bred by the other, had overtaken him, fastened upon him, while he was asleep.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Lee knew a man who, because of his light strength and mastery of horses, had spent a prolonged youth riding in gentlemen's steeplechases for the great Virginia stables; a career of racing silk and odds and danger, of highly ornamental women and champagne, of paddocks and formal halls and surreptitious little ante-rooms.

being in accord with established forms and conventions and requirements (as e.g. of formal dress)

From this reading Lee knew a man who, because of his light strength and mastery of horses, had spent a prolonged youth riding in gentlemen's steeplechases for the great Virginia stables; a career of racing silk and odds and danger, of highly ornamental women and champagne, of paddocks and formal halls and surreptitious little ante-rooms.

secured with bastions or fortifications

From this reading That he envied; and, recalling his safe ignominious usefulness during the war, he envied the young half-drunk aviators sweeping in reckless arcs above the fortified German cities.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Or was it, again, only youth that he lamented, conscious of its slipping supinely from his grasp?

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

From this reading Lee knew a man who, because of his light strength and mastery of horses, had spent a prolonged youth riding in gentlemen's steeplechases for the great Virginia stables; a career of racing silk and odds and danger, of highly ornamental women and champagne, of paddocks and formal halls and surreptitious little ante-rooms.

a person of German nationality

From this reading That he envied; and, recalling his safe ignominious usefulness during the war, he envied the young half-drunk aviators sweeping in reckless arcs above the fortified German cities.

hold firmly

From this reading Or was it, again, only youth that he lamented, conscious of its slipping supinely from his grasp?

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

From this reading Lee knew a man who, because of his light strength and mastery of horses, had spent a prolonged youth riding in gentlemen's steeplechases for the great Virginia stables; a career of racing silk and odds and danger, of highly ornamental women and champagne, of paddocks and formal halls and surreptitious little ante-rooms.

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

From this reading What became clearest was that, of all the things which had happened to him, he would not, at the beginning, have deliberately chosen any.

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

From this reading That he envied; and, recalling his safe ignominious usefulness during the war, he envied the young half-drunk aviators sweeping in reckless arcs above the fortified German cities.

plural of “hall” — an interior passage or corridor onto which rooms open

From this reading Lee knew a man who, because of his light strength and mastery of horses, had spent a prolonged youth riding in gentlemen's steeplechases for the great Virginia stables; a career of racing silk and odds and danger, of highly ornamental women and champagne, of paddocks and formal halls and surreptitious little ante-rooms.

past form of “happen” — come to pass

From this reading What became clearest was that, of all the things which had happened to him, he would not, at the beginning, have deliberately chosen any.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading What became clearest was that, of all the things which had happened to him, he would not, at the beginning, have deliberately chosen any.

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

From this reading What became clearest was that, of all the things which had happened to him, he would not, at the beginning, have deliberately chosen any.

to a high degree or extent; favorably or with much respect

From this reading Lee knew a man who, because of his light strength and mastery of horses, had spent a prolonged youth riding in gentlemen's steeplechases for the great Virginia stables; a career of racing silk and odds and danger, of highly ornamental women and champagne, of paddocks and formal halls and surreptitious little ante-rooms.

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

From this reading What became clearest was that, of all the things which had happened to him, he would not, at the beginning, have deliberately chosen any.

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

From this reading Lee knew a man who, because of his light strength and mastery of horses, had spent a prolonged youth riding in gentlemen's steeplechases for the great Virginia stables; a career of racing silk and odds and danger, of highly ornamental women and champagne, of paddocks and formal halls and surreptitious little ante-rooms.

plural of “horse” — solid-hoofed herbivorous quadruped domesticated since prehistoric times

From this reading Lee knew a man who, because of his light strength and mastery of horses, had spent a prolonged youth riding in gentlemen's steeplechases for the great Virginia stables; a career of racing silk and odds and danger, of highly ornamental women and champagne, of paddocks and formal halls and surreptitious little ante-rooms.

(used of conduct or character) deserving or bringing disgrace or shame

From this reading That he envied; and, recalling his safe ignominious usefulness during the war, he envied the young half-drunk aviators sweeping in reckless arcs above the fortified German cities.

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

From this reading Lee knew a man who, because of his light strength and mastery of horses, had spent a prolonged youth riding in gentlemen's steeplechases for the great Virginia stables; a career of racing silk and odds and danger, of highly ornamental women and champagne, of paddocks and formal halls and surreptitious little ante-rooms.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading One, it seemed, bred by the other, had overtaken him, fastened upon him, while he was asleep.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading Or was it, again, only youth that he lamented, conscious of its slipping supinely from his grasp?

inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about

From this reading Lee knew a man who, because of his light strength and mastery of horses, had spent a prolonged youth riding in gentlemen's steeplechases for the great Virginia stables; a career of racing silk and odds and danger, of highly ornamental women and champagne, of paddocks and formal halls and surreptitious little ante-rooms.

mourned or grieved for

From this reading Or was it, again, only youth that he lamented, conscious of its slipping supinely from his grasp?

United States filmmaker whose works explore the richness of black culture in America (born in 1957)

From this reading Lee knew a man who, because of his light strength and mastery of horses, had spent a prolonged youth riding in gentlemen's steeplechases for the great Virginia stables; a career of racing silk and odds and danger, of highly ornamental women and champagne, of paddocks and formal halls and surreptitious little ante-rooms.

of comparatively little physical weight or density

From this reading Lee knew a man who, because of his light strength and mastery of horses, had spent a prolonged youth riding in gentlemen's steeplechases for the great Virginia stables; a career of racing silk and odds and danger, of highly ornamental women and champagne, of paddocks and formal halls and surreptitious little ante-rooms.

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading Lee knew a man who, because of his light strength and mastery of horses, had spent a prolonged youth riding in gentlemen's steeplechases for the great Virginia stables; a career of racing silk and odds and danger, of highly ornamental women and champagne, of paddocks and formal halls and surreptitious little ante-rooms.

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

From this reading Lee knew a man who, because of his light strength and mastery of horses, had spent a prolonged youth riding in gentlemen's steeplechases for the great Virginia stables; a career of racing silk and odds and danger, of highly ornamental women and champagne, of paddocks and formal halls and surreptitious little ante-rooms.

great skillfulness and knowledge of some subject or activity

From this reading Lee knew a man who, because of his light strength and mastery of horses, had spent a prolonged youth riding in gentlemen's steeplechases for the great Virginia stables; a career of racing silk and odds and danger, of highly ornamental women and champagne, of paddocks and formal halls and surreptitious little ante-rooms.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading What became clearest was that, of all the things which had happened to him, he would not, at the beginning, have deliberately chosen any.

the likelihood of a thing occurring rather than not occurring

From this reading Lee knew a man who, because of his light strength and mastery of horses, had spent a prolonged youth riding in gentlemen's steeplechases for the great Virginia stables; a career of racing silk and odds and danger, of highly ornamental women and champagne, of paddocks and formal halls and surreptitious little ante-rooms.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading What became clearest was that, of all the things which had happened to him, he would not, at the beginning, have deliberately chosen any.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading One, it seemed, bred by the other, had overtaken him, fastened upon him, while he was asleep.

and nothing more

From this reading Or was it, again, only youth that he lamented, conscious of its slipping supinely from his grasp?

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Or was it, again, only youth that he lamented, conscious of its slipping supinely from his grasp?

any plant grown for its beauty or ornamental value

From this reading Lee knew a man who, because of his light strength and mastery of horses, had spent a prolonged youth riding in gentlemen's steeplechases for the great Virginia stables; a career of racing silk and odds and danger, of highly ornamental women and champagne, of paddocks and formal halls and surreptitious little ante-rooms.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading One, it seemed, bred by the other, had overtaken him, fastened upon him, while he was asleep.

inflected form of “overtake” — catch up with and possibly overtake

From this reading One, it seemed, bred by the other, had overtaken him, fastened upon him, while he was asleep.

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

From this reading Lee knew a man who, because of his light strength and mastery of horses, had spent a prolonged youth riding in gentlemen's steeplechases for the great Virginia stables; a career of racing silk and odds and danger, of highly ornamental women and champagne, of paddocks and formal halls and surreptitious little ante-rooms.

relatively long in duration; tediously protracted

From this reading Lee knew a man who, because of his light strength and mastery of horses, had spent a prolonged youth riding in gentlemen's steeplechases for the great Virginia stables; a career of racing silk and odds and danger, of highly ornamental women and champagne, of paddocks and formal halls and surreptitious little ante-rooms.

the sport of engaging in contests of speed

From this reading Lee knew a man who, because of his light strength and mastery of horses, had spent a prolonged youth riding in gentlemen's steeplechases for the great Virginia stables; a career of racing silk and odds and danger, of highly ornamental women and champagne, of paddocks and formal halls and surreptitious little ante-rooms.

-ing form of “recall” — recall knowledge from memory; have a recollection

From this reading That he envied; and, recalling his safe ignominious usefulness during the war, he envied the young half-drunk aviators sweeping in reckless arcs above the fortified German cities.

marked by defiant disregard for danger or consequences

From this reading That he envied; and, recalling his safe ignominious usefulness during the war, he envied the young half-drunk aviators sweeping in reckless arcs above the fortified German cities.

the sport of sitting on the back of a horse while controlling its movements

From this reading Lee knew a man who, because of his light strength and mastery of horses, had spent a prolonged youth riding in gentlemen's steeplechases for the great Virginia stables; a career of racing silk and odds and danger, of highly ornamental women and champagne, of paddocks and formal halls and surreptitious little ante-rooms.

free from danger or the risk of harm

From this reading That he envied; and, recalling his safe ignominious usefulness during the war, he envied the young half-drunk aviators sweeping in reckless arcs above the fortified German cities.

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

From this reading One, it seemed, bred by the other, had overtaken him, fastened upon him, while he was asleep.

a fabric made from the fine threads produced by certain insect larvae

From this reading Lee knew a man who, because of his light strength and mastery of horses, had spent a prolonged youth riding in gentlemen's steeplechases for the great Virginia stables; a career of racing silk and odds and danger, of highly ornamental women and champagne, of paddocks and formal halls and surreptitious little ante-rooms.

moving as on a slippery surface

From this reading Or was it, again, only youth that he lamented, conscious of its slipping supinely from his grasp?

depleted of energy, force, or strength

From this reading Lee knew a man who, because of his light strength and mastery of horses, had spent a prolonged youth riding in gentlemen's steeplechases for the great Virginia stables; a career of racing silk and odds and danger, of highly ornamental women and champagne, of paddocks and formal halls and surreptitious little ante-rooms.

plural of “stable” — a farm building for housing horses or other livestock

From this reading Lee knew a man who, because of his light strength and mastery of horses, had spent a prolonged youth riding in gentlemen's steeplechases for the great Virginia stables; a career of racing silk and odds and danger, of highly ornamental women and champagne, of paddocks and formal halls and surreptitious little ante-rooms.

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

From this reading Lee knew a man who, because of his light strength and mastery of horses, had spent a prolonged youth riding in gentlemen's steeplechases for the great Virginia stables; a career of racing silk and odds and danger, of highly ornamental women and champagne, of paddocks and formal halls and surreptitious little ante-rooms.

the property of being physically or mentally strong

From this reading Lee knew a man who, because of his light strength and mastery of horses, had spent a prolonged youth riding in gentlemen's steeplechases for the great Virginia stables; a career of racing silk and odds and danger, of highly ornamental women and champagne, of paddocks and formal halls and surreptitious little ante-rooms.

with the face upward

From this reading Or was it, again, only youth that he lamented, conscious of its slipping supinely from his grasp?

marked by quiet and caution and secrecy; taking pains to avoid being observed

From this reading Lee knew a man who, because of his light strength and mastery of horses, had spent a prolonged youth riding in gentlemen's steeplechases for the great Virginia stables; a career of racing silk and odds and danger, of highly ornamental women and champagne, of paddocks and formal halls and surreptitious little ante-rooms.

taking in or moving over (or as if over) a wide area; often used in combination

From this reading That he envied; and, recalling his safe ignominious usefulness during the war, he envied the young half-drunk aviators sweeping in reckless arcs above the fortified German cities.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading What became clearest was that, of all the things which had happened to him, he would not, at the beginning, have deliberately chosen any.

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

From this reading What became clearest was that, of all the things which had happened to him, he would not, at the beginning, have deliberately chosen any.

any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)

From this reading What became clearest was that, of all the things which had happened to him, he would not, at the beginning, have deliberately chosen any.

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

From this reading What became clearest was that, of all the things which had happened to him, he would not, at the beginning, have deliberately chosen any.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading One, it seemed, bred by the other, had overtaken him, fastened upon him, while he was asleep.

the quality of being of practical use

From this reading That he envied; and, recalling his safe ignominious usefulness during the war, he envied the young half-drunk aviators sweeping in reckless arcs above the fortified German cities.

a state in the eastern United States; one of the original 13 colonies; one of the Confederate States in the American Civil War

From this reading Lee knew a man who, because of his light strength and mastery of horses, had spent a prolonged youth riding in gentlemen's steeplechases for the great Virginia stables; a career of racing silk and odds and danger, of highly ornamental women and champagne, of paddocks and formal halls and surreptitious little ante-rooms.

the waging of armed conflict against an enemy

From this reading That he envied; and, recalling his safe ignominious usefulness during the war, he envied the young half-drunk aviators sweeping in reckless arcs above the fortified German cities.

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

From this reading What became clearest was that, of all the things which had happened to him, he would not, at the beginning, have deliberately chosen any.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading What became clearest was that, of all the things which had happened to him, he would not, at the beginning, have deliberately chosen any.

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

From this reading What became clearest was that, of all the things which had happened to him, he would not, at the beginning, have deliberately chosen any.

during the time that

From this reading One, it seemed, bred by the other, had overtaken him, fastened upon him, while he was asleep.

which person or people

From this reading Lee knew a man who, because of his light strength and mastery of horses, had spent a prolonged youth riding in gentlemen's steeplechases for the great Virginia stables; a career of racing silk and odds and danger, of highly ornamental women and champagne, of paddocks and formal halls and surreptitious little ante-rooms.

plural of “woman” — an adult female person (as opposed to a man)

From this reading Lee knew a man who, because of his light strength and mastery of horses, had spent a prolonged youth riding in gentlemen's steeplechases for the great Virginia stables; a career of racing silk and odds and danger, of highly ornamental women and champagne, of paddocks and formal halls and surreptitious little ante-rooms.

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

From this reading What became clearest was that, of all the things which had happened to him, he would not, at the beginning, have deliberately chosen any.

(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth

From this reading That he envied; and, recalling his safe ignominious usefulness during the war, he envied the young half-drunk aviators sweeping in reckless arcs above the fortified German cities.

a young person (especially a young man or boy)

From this reading Lee knew a man who, because of his light strength and mastery of horses, had spent a prolonged youth riding in gentlemen's steeplechases for the great Virginia stables; a career of racing silk and odds and danger, of highly ornamental women and champagne, of paddocks and formal halls and surreptitious little ante-rooms.