Chapter XII

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

From this reading John Winthrope was sitting by his inelegant little table, and was reading, by the dim gas light, a new text book on modern business methods, and feeling perfectly contented and extremely happy over his prospects for the future, when there came three distinct and quickly repeated knocks at his door.

further or added

From this reading A messenger of the telephone company, standing in the hallway, handed him a message, and with it the additional information that he (the messenger) was to await an answer.

the act of admitting someone to enter

From this reading The knocks were made apparently by a person impatient to gain admission.

fear resulting from the awareness of danger

From this reading John dropped his book; ran to the door to ascertain the cause of the alarm, so significantly given, and threw it wide open.

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

From this reading JOHN IS CALLED UPON AN EXTRAORDINARY MISSION.

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

From this reading John Winthrope was sitting by his inelegant little table, and was reading, by the dim gas light, a new text book on modern business methods, and feeling perfectly contented and extremely happy over his prospects for the future, when there came three distinct and quickly repeated knocks at his door.

react verbally

From this reading A messenger of the telephone company, standing in the hallway, handed him a message, and with it the additional information that he (the messenger) was to await an answer.

from appearances alone

From this reading The knocks were made apparently by a person impatient to gain admission.

establish after a calculation, investigation, experiment, survey, or study

From this reading John dropped his book; ran to the door to ascertain the cause of the alarm, so significantly given, and threw it wide open.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading John Winthrope was sitting by his inelegant little table, and was reading, by the dim gas light, a new text book on modern business methods, and feeling perfectly contented and extremely happy over his prospects for the future, when there came three distinct and quickly repeated knocks at his door.

look forward to the probable occurrence of

From this reading A messenger of the telephone company, standing in the hallway, handed him a message, and with it the additional information that he (the messenger) was to await an answer.

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

From this reading John Winthrope was sitting by his inelegant little table, and was reading, by the dim gas light, a new text book on modern business methods, and feeling perfectly contented and extremely happy over his prospects for the future, when there came three distinct and quickly repeated knocks at his door.

a commercial or industrial enterprise and the people who constitute it

From this reading John Winthrope was sitting by his inelegant little table, and was reading, by the dim gas light, a new text book on modern business methods, and feeling perfectly contented and extremely happy over his prospects for the future, when there came three distinct and quickly repeated knocks at his door.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading John Winthrope was sitting by his inelegant little table, and was reading, by the dim gas light, a new text book on modern business methods, and feeling perfectly contented and extremely happy over his prospects for the future, when there came three distinct and quickly repeated knocks at his door.

past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading JOHN IS CALLED UPON AN EXTRAORDINARY MISSION.

inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading John Winthrope was sitting by his inelegant little table, and was reading, by the dim gas light, a new text book on modern business methods, and feeling perfectly contented and extremely happy over his prospects for the future, when there came three distinct and quickly repeated knocks at his door.

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

From this reading John dropped his book; ran to the door to ascertain the cause of the alarm, so significantly given, and threw it wide open.

an institution created to conduct business

From this reading A messenger of the telephone company, standing in the hallway, handed him a message, and with it the additional information that he (the messenger) was to await an answer.

satisfied or showing satisfaction with things as they are

From this reading John Winthrope was sitting by his inelegant little table, and was reading, by the dim gas light, a new text book on modern business methods, and feeling perfectly contented and extremely happy over his prospects for the future, when there came three distinct and quickly repeated knocks at his door.

lacking in light; not bright or harsh

From this reading John Winthrope was sitting by his inelegant little table, and was reading, by the dim gas light, a new text book on modern business methods, and feeling perfectly contented and extremely happy over his prospects for the future, when there came three distinct and quickly repeated knocks at his door.

(often followed by “from”) not alike; different in nature or quality

From this reading John Winthrope was sitting by his inelegant little table, and was reading, by the dim gas light, a new text book on modern business methods, and feeling perfectly contented and extremely happy over his prospects for the future, when there came three distinct and quickly repeated knocks at his door.

a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle

From this reading John Winthrope was sitting by his inelegant little table, and was reading, by the dim gas light, a new text book on modern business methods, and feeling perfectly contented and extremely happy over his prospects for the future, when there came three distinct and quickly repeated knocks at his door.

inflected form of “drop” — let fall to the ground

From this reading John dropped his book; ran to the door to ascertain the cause of the alarm, so significantly given, and threw it wide open.

beyond what is ordinary or usual; highly unusual or exceptional or remarkable

From this reading JOHN IS CALLED UPON AN EXTRAORDINARY MISSION.

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

From this reading John Winthrope was sitting by his inelegant little table, and was reading, by the dim gas light, a new text book on modern business methods, and feeling perfectly contented and extremely happy over his prospects for the future, when there came three distinct and quickly repeated knocks at his door.

the experiencing of affective and emotional states

From this reading John Winthrope was sitting by his inelegant little table, and was reading, by the dim gas light, a new text book on modern business methods, and feeling perfectly contented and extremely happy over his prospects for the future, when there came three distinct and quickly repeated knocks at his door.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading John Winthrope was sitting by his inelegant little table, and was reading, by the dim gas light, a new text book on modern business methods, and feeling perfectly contented and extremely happy over his prospects for the future, when there came three distinct and quickly repeated knocks at his door.

yet to be or coming

From this reading John Winthrope was sitting by his inelegant little table, and was reading, by the dim gas light, a new text book on modern business methods, and feeling perfectly contented and extremely happy over his prospects for the future, when there came three distinct and quickly repeated knocks at his door.

obtain

From this reading The knocks were made apparently by a person impatient to gain admission.

the state of matter distinguished from the solid and liquid states by: relatively low density and viscosity

From this reading John Winthrope was sitting by his inelegant little table, and was reading, by the dim gas light, a new text book on modern business methods, and feeling perfectly contented and extremely happy over his prospects for the future, when there came three distinct and quickly repeated knocks at his door.

acknowledged as a supposition

From this reading John dropped his book; ran to the door to ascertain the cause of the alarm, so significantly given, and threw it wide open.

an interior passage or corridor onto which rooms open

From this reading A messenger of the telephone company, standing in the hallway, handed him a message, and with it the additional information that he (the messenger) was to await an answer.

having or involving the use of hands

From this reading A messenger of the telephone company, standing in the hallway, handed him a message, and with it the additional information that he (the messenger) was to await an answer.

enjoying or showing or marked by joy or pleasure

From this reading John Winthrope was sitting by his inelegant little table, and was reading, by the dim gas light, a new text book on modern business methods, and feeling perfectly contented and extremely happy over his prospects for the future, when there came three distinct and quickly repeated knocks at his door.

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

From this reading A messenger of the telephone company, standing in the hallway, handed him a message, and with it the additional information that he (the messenger) was to await an answer.

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

From this reading A messenger of the telephone company, standing in the hallway, handed him a message, and with it the additional information that he (the messenger) was to await an answer.

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

From this reading John Winthrope was sitting by his inelegant little table, and was reading, by the dim gas light, a new text book on modern business methods, and feeling perfectly contented and extremely happy over his prospects for the future, when there came three distinct and quickly repeated knocks at his door.

restless or short-tempered under delay or opposition

From this reading The knocks were made apparently by a person impatient to gain admission.

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

From this reading A messenger of the telephone company, standing in the hallway, handed him a message, and with it the additional information that he (the messenger) was to await an answer.

lacking in refinement or grace or good taste

From this reading John Winthrope was sitting by his inelegant little table, and was reading, by the dim gas light, a new text book on modern business methods, and feeling perfectly contented and extremely happy over his prospects for the future, when there came three distinct and quickly repeated knocks at his door.

a message received and understood

From this reading A messenger of the telephone company, standing in the hallway, handed him a message, and with it the additional information that he (the messenger) was to await an answer.

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

From this reading JOHN IS CALLED UPON AN EXTRAORDINARY MISSION.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading John dropped his book; ran to the door to ascertain the cause of the alarm, so significantly given, and threw it wide open.

a room or building equipped with one or more toilets

From this reading JOHN IS CALLED UPON AN EXTRAORDINARY MISSION.

plural of “knock” — the sound of knocking (as on a door or in an engine or bearing)

From this reading John Winthrope was sitting by his inelegant little table, and was reading, by the dim gas light, a new text book on modern business methods, and feeling perfectly contented and extremely happy over his prospects for the future, when there came three distinct and quickly repeated knocks at his door.

of comparatively little physical weight or density

From this reading John Winthrope was sitting by his inelegant little table, and was reading, by the dim gas light, a new text book on modern business methods, and feeling perfectly contented and extremely happy over his prospects for the future, when there came three distinct and quickly repeated knocks at his door.

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

From this reading John Winthrope was sitting by his inelegant little table, and was reading, by the dim gas light, a new text book on modern business methods, and feeling perfectly contented and extremely happy over his prospects for the future, when there came three distinct and quickly repeated knocks at his door.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading The knocks were made apparently by a person impatient to gain admission.

a communication (usually brief) that is written or spoken or signaled

From this reading A messenger of the telephone company, standing in the hallway, handed him a message, and with it the additional information that he (the messenger) was to await an answer.

a person who carries a message

From this reading A messenger of the telephone company, standing in the hallway, handed him a message, and with it the additional information that he (the messenger) was to await an answer.

plural of “method” — a way of doing something, especially a systematic way; implies an orderly logical arrangement (usually in steps)

From this reading John Winthrope was sitting by his inelegant little table, and was reading, by the dim gas light, a new text book on modern business methods, and feeling perfectly contented and extremely happy over his prospects for the future, when there came three distinct and quickly repeated knocks at his door.

an organization of missionaries in a foreign land sent to carry on religious work

From this reading JOHN IS CALLED UPON AN EXTRAORDINARY MISSION.

belonging to the modern era; since the Middle Ages

From this reading John Winthrope was sitting by his inelegant little table, and was reading, by the dim gas light, a new text book on modern business methods, and feeling perfectly contented and extremely happy over his prospects for the future, when there came three distinct and quickly repeated knocks at his door.

not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered

From this reading John Winthrope was sitting by his inelegant little table, and was reading, by the dim gas light, a new text book on modern business methods, and feeling perfectly contented and extremely happy over his prospects for the future, when there came three distinct and quickly repeated knocks at his door.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading John dropped his book; ran to the door to ascertain the cause of the alarm, so significantly given, and threw it wide open.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading John Winthrope was sitting by his inelegant little table, and was reading, by the dim gas light, a new text book on modern business methods, and feeling perfectly contented and extremely happy over his prospects for the future, when there came three distinct and quickly repeated knocks at his door.

To move from a closed position.

From this reading John dropped his book; ran to the door to ascertain the cause of the alarm, so significantly given, and threw it wide open.

above and across; more than

From this reading John Winthrope was sitting by his inelegant little table, and was reading, by the dim gas light, a new text book on modern business methods, and feeling perfectly contented and extremely happy over his prospects for the future, when there came three distinct and quickly repeated knocks at his door.

completely and without qualification; used informally as intensifiers

From this reading John Winthrope was sitting by his inelegant little table, and was reading, by the dim gas light, a new text book on modern business methods, and feeling perfectly contented and extremely happy over his prospects for the future, when there came three distinct and quickly repeated knocks at his door.

a human being

From this reading The knocks were made apparently by a person impatient to gain admission.

plural of “prospect” — the possibility of future success

From this reading John Winthrope was sitting by his inelegant little table, and was reading, by the dim gas light, a new text book on modern business methods, and feeling perfectly contented and extremely happy over his prospects for the future, when there came three distinct and quickly repeated knocks at his door.

with speed

From this reading John Winthrope was sitting by his inelegant little table, and was reading, by the dim gas light, a new text book on modern business methods, and feeling perfectly contented and extremely happy over his prospects for the future, when there came three distinct and quickly repeated knocks at his door.

inflected form of “run” — move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time

From this reading John dropped his book; ran to the door to ascertain the cause of the alarm, so significantly given, and threw it wide open.

the cognitive process of understanding a written linguistic message

From this reading John Winthrope was sitting by his inelegant little table, and was reading, by the dim gas light, a new text book on modern business methods, and feeling perfectly contented and extremely happy over his prospects for the future, when there came three distinct and quickly repeated knocks at his door.

recurring again and again

From this reading John Winthrope was sitting by his inelegant little table, and was reading, by the dim gas light, a new text book on modern business methods, and feeling perfectly contented and extremely happy over his prospects for the future, when there came three distinct and quickly repeated knocks at his door.

in a statistically significant way

From this reading John dropped his book; ran to the door to ascertain the cause of the alarm, so significantly given, and threw it wide open.

(photography) the act of assuming a certain position (as for a photograph or portrait)

From this reading John Winthrope was sitting by his inelegant little table, and was reading, by the dim gas light, a new text book on modern business methods, and feeling perfectly contented and extremely happy over his prospects for the future, when there came three distinct and quickly repeated knocks at his door.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading John dropped his book; ran to the door to ascertain the cause of the alarm, so significantly given, and threw it wide open.

having a supporting base

From this reading A messenger of the telephone company, standing in the hallway, handed him a message, and with it the additional information that he (the messenger) was to await an answer.

a set of data arranged in rows and columns

From this reading John Winthrope was sitting by his inelegant little table, and was reading, by the dim gas light, a new text book on modern business methods, and feeling perfectly contented and extremely happy over his prospects for the future, when there came three distinct and quickly repeated knocks at his door.

electronic equipment that converts sound into electrical signals that can be transmitted over distances and then converts received signals back into sounds

From this reading A messenger of the telephone company, standing in the hallway, handed him a message, and with it the additional information that he (the messenger) was to await an answer.

the words of something written

From this reading John Winthrope was sitting by his inelegant little table, and was reading, by the dim gas light, a new text book on modern business methods, and feeling perfectly contented and extremely happy over his prospects for the future, when there came three distinct and quickly repeated knocks at his door.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading A messenger of the telephone company, standing in the hallway, handed him a message, and with it the additional information that he (the messenger) was to await an answer.

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

From this reading John Winthrope was sitting by his inelegant little table, and was reading, by the dim gas light, a new text book on modern business methods, and feeling perfectly contented and extremely happy over his prospects for the future, when there came three distinct and quickly repeated knocks at his door.

in or at that place or location

From this reading John Winthrope was sitting by his inelegant little table, and was reading, by the dim gas light, a new text book on modern business methods, and feeling perfectly contented and extremely happy over his prospects for the future, when there came three distinct and quickly repeated knocks at his door.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one

From this reading John Winthrope was sitting by his inelegant little table, and was reading, by the dim gas light, a new text book on modern business methods, and feeling perfectly contented and extremely happy over his prospects for the future, when there came three distinct and quickly repeated knocks at his door.

inflected form of “throw” — propel through the air

From this reading John dropped his book; ran to the door to ascertain the cause of the alarm, so significantly given, and threw it wide open.

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

From this reading The knocks were made apparently by a person impatient to gain admission.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading JOHN IS CALLED UPON AN EXTRAORDINARY MISSION.

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

From this reading John Winthrope was sitting by his inelegant little table, and was reading, by the dim gas light, a new text book on modern business methods, and feeling perfectly contented and extremely happy over his prospects for the future, when there came three distinct and quickly repeated knocks at his door.

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

From this reading The knocks were made apparently by a person impatient to gain admission.

at the time that

From this reading John Winthrope was sitting by his inelegant little table, and was reading, by the dim gas light, a new text book on modern business methods, and feeling perfectly contented and extremely happy over his prospects for the future, when there came three distinct and quickly repeated knocks at his door.

having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other

From this reading John dropped his book; ran to the door to ascertain the cause of the alarm, so significantly given, and threw it wide open.

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

From this reading John Winthrope was sitting by his inelegant little table, and was reading, by the dim gas light, a new text book on modern business methods, and feeling perfectly contented and extremely happy over his prospects for the future, when there came three distinct and quickly repeated knocks at his door.

in the company of; together with

From this reading A messenger of the telephone company, standing in the hallway, handed him a message, and with it the additional information that he (the messenger) was to await an answer.