Chapter XIV · A Questionable Doctrine

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

From this reading He spent it reading a book which had been presented to him by its author a few months ago, and which he had then shelved at the top of his bookcases among works not likely to be required.

occurring with or following as a consequence

From this reading Hugh had seen him once since at a learned conversazione, and they had had some discussion, the result of which was that Mr. Helven sent him a copy of his book, “The result,” he wrote in the accompanying note, “of the research of a lifetime.”

tending to become more severe or wider in scope

From this reading The author was an old man, a Mr. Helven, who had been a celebrated analytical chemist, but who had retired from active practice to pursue certain fantastic theories which had taken possession of his mind.

in the past

From this reading He spent it reading a book which had been presented to him by its author a few months ago, and which he had then shelved at the top of his bookcases among works not likely to be required.

surrounded by; in the middle of a group

From this reading He spent it reading a book which had been presented to him by its author a few months ago, and which he had then shelved at the top of his bookcases among works not likely to be required.

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

From this reading The author was an old man, a Mr. Helven, who had been a celebrated analytical chemist, but who had retired from active practice to pursue certain fantastic theories which had taken possession of his mind.

using or skilled in using analysis (i.e., separating a whole--intellectual or substantial--into its elemental parts or basic principles)

From this reading The author was an old man, a Mr. Helven, who had been a celebrated analytical chemist, but who had retired from active practice to pursue certain fantastic theories which had taken possession of his mind.

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

From this reading He spent it reading a book which had been presented to him by its author a few months ago, and which he had then shelved at the top of his bookcases among works not likely to be required.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading He spent it reading a book which had been presented to him by its author a few months ago, and which he had then shelved at the top of his bookcases among works not likely to be required.

writes (books or stories or articles or the like) professionally (for pay)

From this reading He spent it reading a book which had been presented to him by its author a few months ago, and which he had then shelved at the top of his bookcases among works not likely to be required.

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

From this reading He spent it reading a book which had been presented to him by its author a few months ago, and which he had then shelved at the top of his bookcases among works not likely to be required.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading He spent it reading a book which had been presented to him by its author a few months ago, and which he had then shelved at the top of his bookcases among works not likely to be required.

a written work or composition that has been published (printed on pages bound together)

From this reading He spent it reading a book which had been presented to him by its author a few months ago, and which he had then shelved at the top of his bookcases among works not likely to be required.

plural of “bookcase” — a piece of furniture with shelves for storing books

From this reading He spent it reading a book which had been presented to him by its author a few months ago, and which he had then shelved at the top of his bookcases among works not likely to be required.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Dr. Paull had but little sleep that night.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading He spent it reading a book which had been presented to him by its author a few months ago, and which he had then shelved at the top of his bookcases among works not likely to be required.

widely known and esteemed

From this reading The author was an old man, a Mr. Helven, who had been a celebrated analytical chemist, but who had retired from active practice to pursue certain fantastic theories which had taken possession of his mind.

definite but not specified or identified

From this reading The author was an old man, a Mr. Helven, who had been a celebrated analytical chemist, but who had retired from active practice to pursue certain fantastic theories which had taken possession of his mind.

a scientist who specializes in chemistry

From this reading The author was an old man, a Mr. Helven, who had been a celebrated analytical chemist, but who had retired from active practice to pursue certain fantastic theories which had taken possession of his mind.

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

From this reading Hugh had seen him once since at a learned conversazione, and they had had some discussion, the result of which was that Mr. Helven sent him a copy of his book, “The result,” he wrote in the accompanying note, “of the research of a lifetime.”

a reproduction of a written record (e.g. of a legal or school record)

From this reading Hugh had seen him once since at a learned conversazione, and they had had some discussion, the result of which was that Mr. Helven sent him a copy of his book, “The result,” he wrote in the accompanying note, “of the research of a lifetime.”

an extended communication (often interactive) dealing with some particular topic

From this reading Hugh had seen him once since at a learned conversazione, and they had had some discussion, the result of which was that Mr. Helven sent him a copy of his book, “The result,” he wrote in the accompanying note, “of the research of a lifetime.”

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

From this reading Dr. Paull had but little sleep that night.

all through a period, or at some point within it

From this reading He had been a frequent visitor at the Pinewood during Sir Roderick’s lifetime.

ludicrously odd

From this reading The author was an old man, a Mr. Helven, who had been a celebrated analytical chemist, but who had retired from active practice to pursue certain fantastic theories which had taken possession of his mind.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number

From this reading He spent it reading a book which had been presented to him by its author a few months ago, and which he had then shelved at the top of his bookcases among works not likely to be required.

do one's shopping at; do business with; be a customer or client of

From this reading He had been a frequent visitor at the Pinewood during Sir Roderick’s lifetime.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading The author was an old man, a Mr. Helven, who had been a celebrated analytical chemist, but who had retired from active practice to pursue certain fantastic theories which had taken possession of his mind.

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

From this reading Dr. Paull had but little sleep that night.

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

From this reading He spent it reading a book which had been presented to him by its author a few months ago, and which he had then shelved at the top of his bookcases among works not likely to be required.

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

From this reading The author was an old man, a Mr. Helven, who had been a celebrated analytical chemist, but who had retired from active practice to pursue certain fantastic theories which had taken possession of his mind.

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

From this reading He spent it reading a book which had been presented to him by its author a few months ago, and which he had then shelved at the top of his bookcases among works not likely to be required.

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

From this reading He spent it reading a book which had been presented to him by its author a few months ago, and which he had then shelved at the top of his bookcases among works not likely to be required.

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

From this reading Hugh had seen him once since at a learned conversazione, and they had had some discussion, the result of which was that Mr. Helven sent him a copy of his book, “The result,” he wrote in the accompanying note, “of the research of a lifetime.”

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

From this reading Hugh had seen him once since at a learned conversazione, and they had had some discussion, the result of which was that Mr. Helven sent him a copy of his book, “The result,” he wrote in the accompanying note, “of the research of a lifetime.”

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading He spent it reading a book which had been presented to him by its author a few months ago, and which he had then shelved at the top of his bookcases among works not likely to be required.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading He spent it reading a book which had been presented to him by its author a few months ago, and which he had then shelved at the top of his bookcases among works not likely to be required.

having or showing profound knowledge

From this reading Hugh had seen him once since at a learned conversazione, and they had had some discussion, the result of which was that Mr. Helven sent him a copy of his book, “The result,” he wrote in the accompanying note, “of the research of a lifetime.”

the period during which something is functional (as between birth and death)

From this reading He had been a frequent visitor at the Pinewood during Sir Roderick’s lifetime.

has a good chance of being the case or of coming about

From this reading He spent it reading a book which had been presented to him by its author a few months ago, and which he had then shelved at the top of his bookcases among works not likely to be required.

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

From this reading Dr. Paull had but little sleep that night.

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

From this reading The author was an old man, a Mr. Helven, who had been a celebrated analytical chemist, but who had retired from active practice to pursue certain fantastic theories which had taken possession of his mind.

The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.

From this reading The author was an old man, a Mr. Helven, who had been a celebrated analytical chemist, but who had retired from active practice to pursue certain fantastic theories which had taken possession of his mind.

plural of “month” — one of the twelve divisions of the calendar year

From this reading He spent it reading a book which had been presented to him by its author a few months ago, and which he had then shelved at the top of his bookcases among works not likely to be required.

a form of address for a man

From this reading The author was an old man, a Mr. Helven, who had been a celebrated analytical chemist, but who had retired from active practice to pursue certain fantastic theories which had taken possession of his mind.

the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside

From this reading Dr. Paull had but little sleep that night.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading He spent it reading a book which had been presented to him by its author a few months ago, and which he had then shelved at the top of his bookcases among works not likely to be required.

a brief written record

From this reading Hugh had seen him once since at a learned conversazione, and they had had some discussion, the result of which was that Mr. Helven sent him a copy of his book, “The result,” he wrote in the accompanying note, “of the research of a lifetime.”

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading He spent it reading a book which had been presented to him by its author a few months ago, and which he had then shelved at the top of his bookcases among works not likely to be required.

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

From this reading The author was an old man, a Mr. Helven, who had been a celebrated analytical chemist, but who had retired from active practice to pursue certain fantastic theories which had taken possession of his mind.

on one occasion

From this reading Hugh had seen him once since at a learned conversazione, and they had had some discussion, the result of which was that Mr. Helven sent him a copy of his book, “The result,” he wrote in the accompanying note, “of the research of a lifetime.”

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

From this reading Dr. Paull had but little sleep that night.

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

From this reading He had been a frequent visitor at the Pinewood during Sir Roderick’s lifetime.

the act of having and controlling property

From this reading The author was an old man, a Mr. Helven, who had been a celebrated analytical chemist, but who had retired from active practice to pursue certain fantastic theories which had taken possession of his mind.

a customary way of operation or behavior

From this reading The author was an old man, a Mr. Helven, who had been a celebrated analytical chemist, but who had retired from active practice to pursue certain fantastic theories which had taken possession of his mind.

past form of “present” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience

From this reading He spent it reading a book which had been presented to him by its author a few months ago, and which he had then shelved at the top of his bookcases among works not likely to be required.

carry out or participate in an activity; be involved in

From this reading The author was an old man, a Mr. Helven, who had been a celebrated analytical chemist, but who had retired from active practice to pursue certain fantastic theories which had taken possession of his mind.

the cognitive process of understanding a written linguistic message

From this reading He spent it reading a book which had been presented to him by its author a few months ago, and which he had then shelved at the top of his bookcases among works not likely to be required.

necessary for relief or supply

From this reading He spent it reading a book which had been presented to him by its author a few months ago, and which he had then shelved at the top of his bookcases among works not likely to be required.

systematic investigation to establish facts

From this reading Hugh had seen him once since at a learned conversazione, and they had had some discussion, the result of which was that Mr. Helven sent him a copy of his book, “The result,” he wrote in the accompanying note, “of the research of a lifetime.”

a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon

From this reading Hugh had seen him once since at a learned conversazione, and they had had some discussion, the result of which was that Mr. Helven sent him a copy of his book, “The result,” he wrote in the accompanying note, “of the research of a lifetime.”

no longer active in your work or profession

From this reading The author was an old man, a Mr. Helven, who had been a celebrated analytical chemist, but who had retired from active practice to pursue certain fantastic theories which had taken possession of his mind.

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

From this reading He had been a frequent visitor at the Pinewood during Sir Roderick’s lifetime.

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

From this reading Hugh had seen him once since at a learned conversazione, and they had had some discussion, the result of which was that Mr. Helven sent him a copy of his book, “The result,” he wrote in the accompanying note, “of the research of a lifetime.”

100 senti equal 1 kroon in Estonia

From this reading Hugh had seen him once since at a learned conversazione, and they had had some discussion, the result of which was that Mr. Helven sent him a copy of his book, “The result,” he wrote in the accompanying note, “of the research of a lifetime.”

past form of “shelve” — hold back to a later time

From this reading He spent it reading a book which had been presented to him by its author a few months ago, and which he had then shelved at the top of his bookcases among works not likely to be required.

from a time in the past until now

From this reading Hugh had seen him once since at a learned conversazione, and they had had some discussion, the result of which was that Mr. Helven sent him a copy of his book, “The result,” he wrote in the accompanying note, “of the research of a lifetime.”

term of address for a man

From this reading He had been a frequent visitor at the Pinewood during Sir Roderick’s lifetime.

a natural and periodic state of rest during which consciousness of the world is suspended

From this reading Dr. Paull had but little sleep that night.

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

From this reading Hugh had seen him once since at a learned conversazione, and they had had some discussion, the result of which was that Mr. Helven sent him a copy of his book, “The result,” he wrote in the accompanying note, “of the research of a lifetime.”

depleted of energy, force, or strength

From this reading He spent it reading a book which had been presented to him by its author a few months ago, and which he had then shelved at the top of his bookcases among works not likely to be required.

understood in a certain way; made sense of

From this reading The author was an old man, a Mr. Helven, who had been a celebrated analytical chemist, but who had retired from active practice to pursue certain fantastic theories which had taken possession of his mind.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Dr. Paull had but little sleep that night.

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

From this reading He spent it reading a book which had been presented to him by its author a few months ago, and which he had then shelved at the top of his bookcases among works not likely to be required.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading He spent it reading a book which had been presented to him by its author a few months ago, and which he had then shelved at the top of his bookcases among works not likely to be required.

plural of “theory” — a well-substantiated explanation of some aspect of the natural world; an organized system of accepted knowledge that applies in a variety of circumstances to explain a specific set of phenomena

From this reading The author was an old man, a Mr. Helven, who had been a celebrated analytical chemist, but who had retired from active practice to pursue certain fantastic theories which had taken possession of his mind.

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

From this reading Hugh had seen him once since at a learned conversazione, and they had had some discussion, the result of which was that Mr. Helven sent him a copy of his book, “The result,” he wrote in the accompanying note, “of the research of a lifetime.”

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

From this reading He spent it reading a book which had been presented to him by its author a few months ago, and which he had then shelved at the top of his bookcases among works not likely to be required.

the upper part of anything

From this reading He spent it reading a book which had been presented to him by its author a few months ago, and which he had then shelved at the top of his bookcases among works not likely to be required.

someone who visits

From this reading He had been a frequent visitor at the Pinewood during Sir Roderick’s lifetime.

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

From this reading The author was an old man, a Mr. Helven, who had been a celebrated analytical chemist, but who had retired from active practice to pursue certain fantastic theories which had taken possession of his mind.

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

From this reading He spent it reading a book which had been presented to him by its author a few months ago, and which he had then shelved at the top of his bookcases among works not likely to be required.

which person or people

From this reading The author was an old man, a Mr. Helven, who had been a celebrated analytical chemist, but who had retired from active practice to pursue certain fantastic theories which had taken possession of his mind.

buildings for carrying on industrial labor

From this reading He spent it reading a book which had been presented to him by its author a few months ago, and which he had then shelved at the top of his bookcases among works not likely to be required.

inflected form of “write” — produce a literary work

From this reading Hugh had seen him once since at a learned conversazione, and they had had some discussion, the result of which was that Mr. Helven sent him a copy of his book, “The result,” he wrote in the accompanying note, “of the research of a lifetime.”