Chapter XII · Chapter 12

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

From this reading Whatever might have been John's repugnance to making a confidant of the man whom he had known but for half an hour, he acknowledged to himself that the other's curiosity was not only natural but proper.

recognized or made known or admitted

From this reading Whatever might have been John's repugnance to making a confidant of the man whom he had known but for half an hour, he acknowledged to himself that the other's curiosity was not only natural but proper.

a sensitivity that is keen and highly developed

From this reading He had an instinctive feeling that Harum combined acuteness and suspiciousness to a very large degree, and he had also a feeling that the old man's confidence, once gained, would not be easily shaken.

the quality of having a superior or more favorable position

From this reading He divined the fact that his coming from a great city to settle down in a village town would furnish matter for surprise and conjecture, and felt that it would be to his advantage with the man who was to be his employer that he should be perfectly and obviously frank upon all matters of his own which might be properly mentioned.

(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class

From this reading He divined the fact that his coming from a great city to settle down in a village town would furnish matter for surprise and conjecture, and felt that it would be to his advantage with the man who was to be his employer that he should be perfectly and obviously frank upon all matters of his own which might be properly mentioned.

in addition

From this reading He had an instinctive feeling that Harum combined acuteness and suspiciousness to a very large degree, and he had also a feeling that the old man's confidence, once gained, would not be easily shaken.

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

From this reading Whatever might have been John's repugnance to making a confidant of the man whom he had known but for half an hour, he acknowledged to himself that the other's curiosity was not only natural but proper.

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

From this reading He could not but know that in appearance and manner he was in marked contrast with those whom the man had so far seen.

outward or visible aspect of a person or thing

From this reading He could not but know that in appearance and manner he was in marked contrast with those whom the man had so far seen.

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

From this reading So he told his hearer so much of his history as he thought pertinent, and David listened without interruption or comment, save an occasional "E-um'm."

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

From this reading He divined the fact that his coming from a great city to settle down in a village town would furnish matter for surprise and conjecture, and felt that it would be to his advantage with the man who was to be his employer that he should be perfectly and obviously frank upon all matters of his own which might be properly mentioned.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Whatever might have been John's repugnance to making a confidant of the man whom he had known but for half an hour, he acknowledged to himself that the other's curiosity was not only natural but proper.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Whatever might have been John's repugnance to making a confidant of the man whom he had known but for half an hour, he acknowledged to himself that the other's curiosity was not only natural but proper.

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

From this reading He divined the fact that his coming from a great city to settle down in a village town would furnish matter for surprise and conjecture, and felt that it would be to his advantage with the man who was to be his employer that he should be perfectly and obviously frank upon all matters of his own which might be properly mentioned.

made or joined or united into one

From this reading He had an instinctive feeling that Harum combined acuteness and suspiciousness to a very large degree, and he had also a feeling that the old man's confidence, once gained, would not be easily shaken.

the act of drawing spatially closer to something

From this reading He divined the fact that his coming from a great city to settle down in a village town would furnish matter for surprise and conjecture, and felt that it would be to his advantage with the man who was to be his employer that he should be perfectly and obviously frank upon all matters of his own which might be properly mentioned.

a statement that expresses a personal opinion or belief or adds information

From this reading So he told his hearer so much of his history as he thought pertinent, and David listened without interruption or comment, save an occasional "E-um'm."

someone to whom private matters are confided

From this reading Whatever might have been John's repugnance to making a confidant of the man whom he had known but for half an hour, he acknowledged to himself that the other's curiosity was not only natural but proper.

freedom from doubt; belief in yourself and your abilities

From this reading He had an instinctive feeling that Harum combined acuteness and suspiciousness to a very large degree, and he had also a feeling that the old man's confidence, once gained, would not be easily shaken.

a hypothesis that has been formed by speculating or conjecturing (usually with little hard evidence)

From this reading He divined the fact that his coming from a great city to settle down in a village town would furnish matter for surprise and conjecture, and felt that it would be to his advantage with the man who was to be his employer that he should be perfectly and obviously frank upon all matters of his own which might be properly mentioned.

the opposition or dissimilarity of things that are compared

From this reading He could not but know that in appearance and manner he was in marked contrast with those whom the man had so far seen.

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

From this reading He could not but know that in appearance and manner he was in marked contrast with those whom the man had so far seen.

a state in which you want to learn more about something

From this reading Whatever might have been John's repugnance to making a confidant of the man whom he had known but for half an hour, he acknowledged to himself that the other's curiosity was not only natural but proper.

patron saint of Wales (circa 520-600)

From this reading So he told his hearer so much of his history as he thought pertinent, and David listened without interruption or comment, save an occasional "E-um'm."

a position on a scale of intensity or amount or quality

From this reading He had an instinctive feeling that Harum combined acuteness and suspiciousness to a very large degree, and he had also a feeling that the old man's confidence, once gained, would not be easily shaken.

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

From this reading He divined the fact that his coming from a great city to settle down in a village town would furnish matter for surprise and conjecture, and felt that it would be to his advantage with the man who was to be his employer that he should be perfectly and obviously frank upon all matters of his own which might be properly mentioned.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading He divined the fact that his coming from a great city to settle down in a village town would furnish matter for surprise and conjecture, and felt that it would be to his advantage with the man who was to be his employer that he should be perfectly and obviously frank upon all matters of his own which might be properly mentioned.

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

From this reading So he told his hearer so much of his history as he thought pertinent, and David listened without interruption or comment, save an occasional "E-um'm."

with ease (“easy” is sometimes used informally for “easily”)

From this reading He had an instinctive feeling that Harum combined acuteness and suspiciousness to a very large degree, and he had also a feeling that the old man's confidence, once gained, would not be easily shaken.

a person or firm that employs workers

From this reading He divined the fact that his coming from a great city to settle down in a village town would furnish matter for surprise and conjecture, and felt that it would be to his advantage with the man who was to be his employer that he should be perfectly and obviously frank upon all matters of his own which might be properly mentioned.

a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred

From this reading He divined the fact that his coming from a great city to settle down in a village town would furnish matter for surprise and conjecture, and felt that it would be to his advantage with the man who was to be his employer that he should be perfectly and obviously frank upon all matters of his own which might be properly mentioned.

to a considerable degree; very much

From this reading He could not but know that in appearance and manner he was in marked contrast with those whom the man had so far seen.

the experiencing of affective and emotional states

From this reading He had an instinctive feeling that Harum combined acuteness and suspiciousness to a very large degree, and he had also a feeling that the old man's confidence, once gained, would not be easily shaken.

mat together and make felt-like

From this reading He divined the fact that his coming from a great city to settle down in a village town would furnish matter for surprise and conjecture, and felt that it would be to his advantage with the man who was to be his employer that he should be perfectly and obviously frank upon all matters of his own which might be properly mentioned.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Whatever might have been John's repugnance to making a confidant of the man whom he had known but for half an hour, he acknowledged to himself that the other's curiosity was not only natural but proper.

characterized by directness in manner or speech; without subtlety or evasion

From this reading He divined the fact that his coming from a great city to settle down in a village town would furnish matter for surprise and conjecture, and felt that it would be to his advantage with the man who was to be his employer that he should be perfectly and obviously frank upon all matters of his own which might be properly mentioned.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading He divined the fact that his coming from a great city to settle down in a village town would furnish matter for surprise and conjecture, and felt that it would be to his advantage with the man who was to be his employer that he should be perfectly and obviously frank upon all matters of his own which might be properly mentioned.

give something useful or necessary to

From this reading He divined the fact that his coming from a great city to settle down in a village town would furnish matter for surprise and conjecture, and felt that it would be to his advantage with the man who was to be his employer that he should be perfectly and obviously frank upon all matters of his own which might be properly mentioned.

past form of “gain” — obtain

From this reading He had an instinctive feeling that Harum combined acuteness and suspiciousness to a very large degree, and he had also a feeling that the old man's confidence, once gained, would not be easily shaken.

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

From this reading He divined the fact that his coming from a great city to settle down in a village town would furnish matter for surprise and conjecture, and felt that it would be to his advantage with the man who was to be his employer that he should be perfectly and obviously frank upon all matters of his own which might be properly mentioned.

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

From this reading Whatever might have been John's repugnance to making a confidant of the man whom he had known but for half an hour, he acknowledged to himself that the other's curiosity was not only natural but proper.

consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity

From this reading Whatever might have been John's repugnance to making a confidant of the man whom he had known but for half an hour, he acknowledged to himself that the other's curiosity was not only natural but proper.

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

From this reading He had an instinctive feeling that Harum combined acuteness and suspiciousness to a very large degree, and he had also a feeling that the old man's confidence, once gained, would not be easily shaken.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading Whatever might have been John's repugnance to making a confidant of the man whom he had known but for half an hour, he acknowledged to himself that the other's curiosity was not only natural but proper.

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

From this reading Whatever might have been John's repugnance to making a confidant of the man whom he had known but for half an hour, he acknowledged to himself that the other's curiosity was not only natural but proper.

someone who listens attentively

From this reading So he told his hearer so much of his history as he thought pertinent, and David listened without interruption or comment, save an occasional "E-um'm."

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

From this reading Whatever might have been John's repugnance to making a confidant of the man whom he had known but for half an hour, he acknowledged to himself that the other's curiosity was not only natural but proper.

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

From this reading He divined the fact that his coming from a great city to settle down in a village town would furnish matter for surprise and conjecture, and felt that it would be to his advantage with the man who was to be his employer that he should be perfectly and obviously frank upon all matters of his own which might be properly mentioned.

the aggregate of past events

From this reading So he told his hearer so much of his history as he thought pertinent, and David listened without interruption or comment, save an occasional "E-um'm."

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

From this reading Whatever might have been John's repugnance to making a confidant of the man whom he had known but for half an hour, he acknowledged to himself that the other's curiosity was not only natural but proper.

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

From this reading He could not but know that in appearance and manner he was in marked contrast with those whom the man had so far seen.

unthinking; prompted by (or as if by) instinct

From this reading He had an instinctive feeling that Harum combined acuteness and suspiciousness to a very large degree, and he had also a feeling that the old man's confidence, once gained, would not be easily shaken.

an act of delaying or interrupting the continuity

From this reading So he told his hearer so much of his history as he thought pertinent, and David listened without interruption or comment, save an occasional "E-um'm."

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading He divined the fact that his coming from a great city to settle down in a village town would furnish matter for surprise and conjecture, and felt that it would be to his advantage with the man who was to be his employer that he should be perfectly and obviously frank upon all matters of his own which might be properly mentioned.

possessive form of “john” — a room or building equipped with one or more toilets

From this reading Whatever might have been John's repugnance to making a confidant of the man whom he had known but for half an hour, he acknowledged to himself that the other's curiosity was not only natural but proper.

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

From this reading He could not but know that in appearance and manner he was in marked contrast with those whom the man had so far seen.

apprehended with certainty

From this reading Whatever might have been John's repugnance to making a confidant of the man whom he had known but for half an hour, he acknowledged to himself that the other's curiosity was not only natural but proper.

above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading He had an instinctive feeling that Harum combined acuteness and suspiciousness to a very large degree, and he had also a feeling that the old man's confidence, once gained, would not be easily shaken.

past form of “listen” — hear with intention

From this reading So he told his hearer so much of his history as he thought pertinent, and David listened without interruption or comment, save an occasional "E-um'm."

the act that results in something coming to be

From this reading Whatever might have been John's repugnance to making a confidant of the man whom he had known but for half an hour, he acknowledged to himself that the other's curiosity was not only natural but proper.

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

From this reading Whatever might have been John's repugnance to making a confidant of the man whom he had known but for half an hour, he acknowledged to himself that the other's curiosity was not only natural but proper.

possessive form of “man” — an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

From this reading He had an instinctive feeling that Harum combined acuteness and suspiciousness to a very large degree, and he had also a feeling that the old man's confidence, once gained, would not be easily shaken.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading He could not but know that in appearance and manner he was in marked contrast with those whom the man had so far seen.

strongly marked; easily noticeable

From this reading He could not but know that in appearance and manner he was in marked contrast with those whom the man had so far seen.

a vaguely specified concern

From this reading He divined the fact that his coming from a great city to settle down in a village town would furnish matter for surprise and conjecture, and felt that it would be to his advantage with the man who was to be his employer that he should be perfectly and obviously frank upon all matters of his own which might be properly mentioned.

plural of “matter” — a vaguely specified concern

From this reading He divined the fact that his coming from a great city to settle down in a village town would furnish matter for surprise and conjecture, and felt that it would be to his advantage with the man who was to be his employer that he should be perfectly and obviously frank upon all matters of his own which might be properly mentioned.

past form of “mention” — make reference to

From this reading He divined the fact that his coming from a great city to settle down in a village town would furnish matter for surprise and conjecture, and felt that it would be to his advantage with the man who was to be his employer that he should be perfectly and obviously frank upon all matters of his own which might be properly mentioned.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading Whatever might have been John's repugnance to making a confidant of the man whom he had known but for half an hour, he acknowledged to himself that the other's curiosity was not only natural but proper.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading So he told his hearer so much of his history as he thought pertinent, and David listened without interruption or comment, save an occasional "E-um'm."

in accordance with nature; relating to or concerning nature

From this reading Whatever might have been John's repugnance to making a confidant of the man whom he had known but for half an hour, he acknowledged to himself that the other's curiosity was not only natural but proper.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Whatever might have been John's repugnance to making a confidant of the man whom he had known but for half an hour, he acknowledged to himself that the other's curiosity was not only natural but proper.

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

From this reading He divined the fact that his coming from a great city to settle down in a village town would furnish matter for surprise and conjecture, and felt that it would be to his advantage with the man who was to be his employer that he should be perfectly and obviously frank upon all matters of his own which might be properly mentioned.

occurring from time to time

From this reading So he told his hearer so much of his history as he thought pertinent, and David listened without interruption or comment, save an occasional "E-um'm."

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Whatever might have been John's repugnance to making a confidant of the man whom he had known but for half an hour, he acknowledged to himself that the other's curiosity was not only natural but proper.

(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age

From this reading He had an instinctive feeling that Harum combined acuteness and suspiciousness to a very large degree, and he had also a feeling that the old man's confidence, once gained, would not be easily shaken.

on one occasion

From this reading He had an instinctive feeling that Harum combined acuteness and suspiciousness to a very large degree, and he had also a feeling that the old man's confidence, once gained, would not be easily shaken.

and nothing more

From this reading Whatever might have been John's repugnance to making a confidant of the man whom he had known but for half an hour, he acknowledged to himself that the other's curiosity was not only natural but proper.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading So he told his hearer so much of his history as he thought pertinent, and David listened without interruption or comment, save an occasional "E-um'm."

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

From this reading Whatever might have been John's repugnance to making a confidant of the man whom he had known but for half an hour, he acknowledged to himself that the other's curiosity was not only natural but proper.

have ownership or possession of

From this reading He divined the fact that his coming from a great city to settle down in a village town would furnish matter for surprise and conjecture, and felt that it would be to his advantage with the man who was to be his employer that he should be perfectly and obviously frank upon all matters of his own which might be properly mentioned.

completely and without qualification; used informally as intensifiers

From this reading He divined the fact that his coming from a great city to settle down in a village town would furnish matter for surprise and conjecture, and felt that it would be to his advantage with the man who was to be his employer that he should be perfectly and obviously frank upon all matters of his own which might be properly mentioned.

having precise or logical relevance to the matter at hand

From this reading So he told his hearer so much of his history as he thought pertinent, and David listened without interruption or comment, save an occasional "E-um'm."

marked by suitability or rightness or appropriateness

From this reading Whatever might have been John's repugnance to making a confidant of the man whom he had known but for half an hour, he acknowledged to himself that the other's curiosity was not only natural but proper.

in the right manner; correctly; suitably

From this reading He divined the fact that his coming from a great city to settle down in a village town would furnish matter for surprise and conjecture, and felt that it would be to his advantage with the man who was to be his employer that he should be perfectly and obviously frank upon all matters of his own which might be properly mentioned.

intense aversion

From this reading Whatever might have been John's repugnance to making a confidant of the man whom he had known but for half an hour, he acknowledged to himself that the other's curiosity was not only natural but proper.

except for; apart from

From this reading So he told his hearer so much of his history as he thought pertinent, and David listened without interruption or comment, save an occasional "E-um'm."

inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading He could not but know that in appearance and manner he was in marked contrast with those whom the man had so far seen.

settle into a position, usually on a surface or ground

From this reading He divined the fact that his coming from a great city to settle down in a village town would furnish matter for surprise and conjecture, and felt that it would be to his advantage with the man who was to be his employer that he should be perfectly and obviously frank upon all matters of his own which might be properly mentioned.

disturbed psychologically as if by a physical jolt or shock

From this reading He had an instinctive feeling that Harum combined acuteness and suspiciousness to a very large degree, and he had also a feeling that the old man's confidence, once gained, would not be easily shaken.

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading He divined the fact that his coming from a great city to settle down in a village town would furnish matter for surprise and conjecture, and felt that it would be to his advantage with the man who was to be his employer that he should be perfectly and obviously frank upon all matters of his own which might be properly mentioned.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading He could not but know that in appearance and manner he was in marked contrast with those whom the man had so far seen.

the astonishment you feel when something totally unexpected happens to you

From this reading He divined the fact that his coming from a great city to settle down in a village town would furnish matter for surprise and conjecture, and felt that it would be to his advantage with the man who was to be his employer that he should be perfectly and obviously frank upon all matters of his own which might be properly mentioned.

being of a suspicious nature

From this reading He had an instinctive feeling that Harum combined acuteness and suspiciousness to a very large degree, and he had also a feeling that the old man's confidence, once gained, would not be easily shaken.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Whatever might have been John's repugnance to making a confidant of the man whom he had known but for half an hour, he acknowledged to himself that the other's curiosity was not only natural but proper.

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

From this reading Whatever might have been John's repugnance to making a confidant of the man whom he had known but for half an hour, he acknowledged to himself that the other's curiosity was not only natural but proper.

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

From this reading He could not but know that in appearance and manner he was in marked contrast with those whom the man had so far seen.

the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about

From this reading So he told his hearer so much of his history as he thought pertinent, and David listened without interruption or comment, save an occasional "E-um'm."

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

From this reading Whatever might have been John's repugnance to making a confidant of the man whom he had known but for half an hour, he acknowledged to himself that the other's curiosity was not only natural but proper.

inflected form of “tell” — express in words

From this reading So he told his hearer so much of his history as he thought pertinent, and David listened without interruption or comment, save an occasional "E-um'm."

an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city

From this reading He divined the fact that his coming from a great city to settle down in a village town would furnish matter for surprise and conjecture, and felt that it would be to his advantage with the man who was to be his employer that he should be perfectly and obviously frank upon all matters of his own which might be properly mentioned.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading He divined the fact that his coming from a great city to settle down in a village town would furnish matter for surprise and conjecture, and felt that it would be to his advantage with the man who was to be his employer that he should be perfectly and obviously frank upon all matters of his own which might be properly mentioned.

precisely as stated

From this reading He had an instinctive feeling that Harum combined acuteness and suspiciousness to a very large degree, and he had also a feeling that the old man's confidence, once gained, would not be easily shaken.

a community of people smaller than a town

From this reading He divined the fact that his coming from a great city to settle down in a village town would furnish matter for surprise and conjecture, and felt that it would be to his advantage with the man who was to be his employer that he should be perfectly and obviously frank upon all matters of his own which might be properly mentioned.

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

From this reading Whatever might have been John's repugnance to making a confidant of the man whom he had known but for half an hour, he acknowledged to himself that the other's curiosity was not only natural but proper.

any or all of a kind, it does not matter which

From this reading Whatever might have been John's repugnance to making a confidant of the man whom he had known but for half an hour, he acknowledged to himself that the other's curiosity was not only natural but proper.

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

From this reading He divined the fact that his coming from a great city to settle down in a village town would furnish matter for surprise and conjecture, and felt that it would be to his advantage with the man who was to be his employer that he should be perfectly and obviously frank upon all matters of his own which might be properly mentioned.

which person or people

From this reading He divined the fact that his coming from a great city to settle down in a village town would furnish matter for surprise and conjecture, and felt that it would be to his advantage with the man who was to be his employer that he should be perfectly and obviously frank upon all matters of his own which might be properly mentioned.

the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading Whatever might have been John's repugnance to making a confidant of the man whom he had known but for half an hour, he acknowledged to himself that the other's curiosity was not only natural but proper.

in the company of; together with

From this reading He could not but know that in appearance and manner he was in marked contrast with those whom the man had so far seen.

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading So he told his hearer so much of his history as he thought pertinent, and David listened without interruption or comment, save an occasional "E-um'm."

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

From this reading He divined the fact that his coming from a great city to settle down in a village town would furnish matter for surprise and conjecture, and felt that it would be to his advantage with the man who was to be his employer that he should be perfectly and obviously frank upon all matters of his own which might be properly mentioned.