Chapter I

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

From this reading Illustrated _net_ 1.35 It was my father’s practise, in planning a novel, first to prepare a most complete synopsis from beginning to end--never proceeding with the actual writing of the book until he had laid out the characters and action of the story--chapter by chapter.

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

From this reading A novel planned and begun by F. Hopkinson Smith and completed by F. Berkeley Smith.

something done (usually as opposed to something said)

From this reading Illustrated _net_ 1.35 It was my father’s practise, in planning a novel, first to prepare a most complete synopsis from beginning to end--never proceeding with the actual writing of the book until he had laid out the characters and action of the story--chapter by chapter.

presently existing in fact and not merely potential or possible

From this reading Illustrated _net_ 1.35 It was my father’s practise, in planning a novel, first to prepare a most complete synopsis from beginning to end--never proceeding with the actual writing of the book until he had laid out the characters and action of the story--chapter by chapter.

later than; following

From this reading So spirited were these synopses, and so clearly did they reflect the process of his mind, that by the few who saw them in the course of publishing consultations, or friendly confidence, they were remembered often after the finished novel had obliterated its constructive lines.

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

From this reading A novel planned and begun by F. Hopkinson Smith and completed by F. Berkeley Smith.

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

From this reading This synopsis, which closely resembled the scenario of a play, he kept constantly enriching with little side-notes as they occurred to him--new ideas and points of detail.

the event consisting of the start of something

From this reading Illustrated _net_ 1.35 It was my father’s practise, in planning a novel, first to prepare a most complete synopsis from beginning to end--never proceeding with the actual writing of the book until he had laid out the characters and action of the story--chapter by chapter.

inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

From this reading A novel planned and begun by F. Hopkinson Smith and completed by F. Berkeley Smith.

Irish philosopher and Anglican bishop who opposed the materialism of Thomas Hobbes (1685-1753)

From this reading A novel planned and begun by F. Hopkinson Smith and completed by F. Berkeley Smith.

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

From this reading Illustrated _net_ 1.35 It was my father’s practise, in planning a novel, first to prepare a most complete synopsis from beginning to end--never proceeding with the actual writing of the book until he had laid out the characters and action of the story--chapter by chapter.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading A novel planned and begun by F. Hopkinson Smith and completed by F. Berkeley Smith.

a subdivision of a written work; usually numbered and titled

From this reading Illustrated _net_ 1.35 It was my father’s practise, in planning a novel, first to prepare a most complete synopsis from beginning to end--never proceeding with the actual writing of the book until he had laid out the characters and action of the story--chapter by chapter.

plural of “character” — an imaginary person represented in a work of fiction (play or film or story)

From this reading Illustrated _net_ 1.35 It was my father’s practise, in planning a novel, first to prepare a most complete synopsis from beginning to end--never proceeding with the actual writing of the book until he had laid out the characters and action of the story--chapter by chapter.

without doubt or question

From this reading So spirited were these synopses, and so clearly did they reflect the process of his mind, that by the few who saw them in the course of publishing consultations, or friendly confidence, they were remembered often after the finished novel had obliterated its constructive lines.

in a close relation or position in time or space

From this reading This synopsis, which closely resembled the scenario of a play, he kept constantly enriching with little side-notes as they occurred to him--new ideas and points of detail.

come or bring to a finish or an end

From this reading Illustrated _net_ 1.35 It was my father’s practise, in planning a novel, first to prepare a most complete synopsis from beginning to end--never proceeding with the actual writing of the book until he had laid out the characters and action of the story--chapter by chapter.

successfully completed or brought to an end

From this reading A novel planned and begun by F. Hopkinson Smith and completed by F. Berkeley Smith.

freedom from doubt; belief in yourself and your abilities

From this reading So spirited were these synopses, and so clearly did they reflect the process of his mind, that by the few who saw them in the course of publishing consultations, or friendly confidence, they were remembered often after the finished novel had obliterated its constructive lines.

without variation or change, in every case

From this reading This synopsis, which closely resembled the scenario of a play, he kept constantly enriching with little side-notes as they occurred to him--new ideas and points of detail.

constructing or tending to construct or improve or promote development

From this reading So spirited were these synopses, and so clearly did they reflect the process of his mind, that by the few who saw them in the course of publishing consultations, or friendly confidence, they were remembered often after the finished novel had obliterated its constructive lines.

plural of “consultation” — a conference (usually with someone important)

From this reading So spirited were these synopses, and so clearly did they reflect the process of his mind, that by the few who saw them in the course of publishing consultations, or friendly confidence, they were remembered often after the finished novel had obliterated its constructive lines.

education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings

From this reading So spirited were these synopses, and so clearly did they reflect the process of his mind, that by the few who saw them in the course of publishing consultations, or friendly confidence, they were remembered often after the finished novel had obliterated its constructive lines.

stretch (the neck) so as to see better

From this reading ENOCH CRANE.

an isolated fact that is considered separately from the whole

From this reading This synopsis, which closely resembled the scenario of a play, he kept constantly enriching with little side-notes as they occurred to him--new ideas and points of detail.

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

From this reading So spirited were these synopses, and so clearly did they reflect the process of his mind, that by the few who saw them in the course of publishing consultations, or friendly confidence, they were remembered often after the finished novel had obliterated its constructive lines.

either extremity of something that has length

From this reading Illustrated _net_ 1.35 It was my father’s practise, in planning a novel, first to prepare a most complete synopsis from beginning to end--never proceeding with the actual writing of the book until he had laid out the characters and action of the story--chapter by chapter.

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

From this reading ENOCH CRANE.

-ing form of “enrich” — make better or improve in quality

From this reading This synopsis, which closely resembled the scenario of a play, he kept constantly enriching with little side-notes as they occurred to him--new ideas and points of detail.

a degree on the Fahrenheit scale of temperature

From this reading A novel planned and begun by F. Hopkinson Smith and completed by F. Berkeley Smith.

possessive form of “father” — a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)

From this reading Illustrated _net_ 1.35 It was my father’s practise, in planning a novel, first to prepare a most complete synopsis from beginning to end--never proceeding with the actual writing of the book until he had laid out the characters and action of the story--chapter by chapter.

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

From this reading So spirited were these synopses, and so clearly did they reflect the process of his mind, that by the few who saw them in the course of publishing consultations, or friendly confidence, they were remembered often after the finished novel had obliterated its constructive lines.

(of materials or goods) brought to the desired final state

From this reading So spirited were these synopses, and so clearly did they reflect the process of his mind, that by the few who saw them in the course of publishing consultations, or friendly confidence, they were remembered often after the finished novel had obliterated its constructive lines.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading Illustrated _net_ 1.35 It was my father’s practise, in planning a novel, first to prepare a most complete synopsis from beginning to end--never proceeding with the actual writing of the book until he had laid out the characters and action of the story--chapter by chapter.

characteristic of or befitting a friend

From this reading So spirited were these synopses, and so clearly did they reflect the process of his mind, that by the few who saw them in the course of publishing consultations, or friendly confidence, they were remembered often after the finished novel had obliterated its constructive lines.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Illustrated _net_ 1.35 It was my father’s practise, in planning a novel, first to prepare a most complete synopsis from beginning to end--never proceeding with the actual writing of the book until he had laid out the characters and action of the story--chapter by chapter.

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

From this reading Illustrated _net_ 1.35 It was my father’s practise, in planning a novel, first to prepare a most complete synopsis from beginning to end--never proceeding with the actual writing of the book until he had laid out the characters and action of the story--chapter by chapter.

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

From this reading Illustrated _net_ 1.35 It was my father’s practise, in planning a novel, first to prepare a most complete synopsis from beginning to end--never proceeding with the actual writing of the book until he had laid out the characters and action of the story--chapter by chapter.

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

From this reading This synopsis, which closely resembled the scenario of a play, he kept constantly enriching with little side-notes as they occurred to him--new ideas and points of detail.

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

From this reading So spirited were these synopses, and so clearly did they reflect the process of his mind, that by the few who saw them in the course of publishing consultations, or friendly confidence, they were remembered often after the finished novel had obliterated its constructive lines.

American Revolutionary leader and patriot; a signer of the Declaration of Independence (1737-1791)

From this reading A novel planned and begun by F. Hopkinson Smith and completed by F. Berkeley Smith.

plural of “idea” — the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about

From this reading This synopsis, which closely resembled the scenario of a play, he kept constantly enriching with little side-notes as they occurred to him--new ideas and points of detail.

past form of “illustrate” — clarify by giving an example of

From this reading Illustrated _net_ 1.35 It was my father’s practise, in planning a novel, first to prepare a most complete synopsis from beginning to end--never proceeding with the actual writing of the book until he had laid out the characters and action of the story--chapter by chapter.

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

From this reading Illustrated _net_ 1.35 It was my father’s practise, in planning a novel, first to prepare a most complete synopsis from beginning to end--never proceeding with the actual writing of the book until he had laid out the characters and action of the story--chapter by chapter.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Illustrated _net_ 1.35 It was my father’s practise, in planning a novel, first to prepare a most complete synopsis from beginning to end--never proceeding with the actual writing of the book until he had laid out the characters and action of the story--chapter by chapter.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading So spirited were these synopses, and so clearly did they reflect the process of his mind, that by the few who saw them in the course of publishing consultations, or friendly confidence, they were remembered often after the finished novel had obliterated its constructive lines.

(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded

From this reading This synopsis, which closely resembled the scenario of a play, he kept constantly enriching with little side-notes as they occurred to him--new ideas and points of detail.

set down according to a plan

From this reading Illustrated _net_ 1.35 It was my father’s practise, in planning a novel, first to prepare a most complete synopsis from beginning to end--never proceeding with the actual writing of the book until he had laid out the characters and action of the story--chapter by chapter.

plural of “line” — a formation of people or things one beside another

From this reading So spirited were these synopses, and so clearly did they reflect the process of his mind, that by the few who saw them in the course of publishing consultations, or friendly confidence, they were remembered often after the finished novel had obliterated its constructive lines.

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

From this reading This synopsis, which closely resembled the scenario of a play, he kept constantly enriching with little side-notes as they occurred to him--new ideas and points of detail.

The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.

From this reading So spirited were these synopses, and so clearly did they reflect the process of his mind, that by the few who saw them in the course of publishing consultations, or friendly confidence, they were remembered often after the finished novel had obliterated its constructive lines.

used to form the superlative

From this reading Illustrated _net_ 1.35 It was my father’s practise, in planning a novel, first to prepare a most complete synopsis from beginning to end--never proceeding with the actual writing of the book until he had laid out the characters and action of the story--chapter by chapter.

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading Illustrated _net_ 1.35 It was my father’s practise, in planning a novel, first to prepare a most complete synopsis from beginning to end--never proceeding with the actual writing of the book until he had laid out the characters and action of the story--chapter by chapter.

a computer network consisting of a worldwide network of computer networks that use the TCP/IP network protocols to facilitate data transmission and exchange

From this reading Illustrated _net_ 1.35 It was my father’s practise, in planning a novel, first to prepare a most complete synopsis from beginning to end--never proceeding with the actual writing of the book until he had laid out the characters and action of the story--chapter by chapter.

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading Illustrated _net_ 1.35 It was my father’s practise, in planning a novel, first to prepare a most complete synopsis from beginning to end--never proceeding with the actual writing of the book until he had laid out the characters and action of the story--chapter by chapter.

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

From this reading This synopsis, which closely resembled the scenario of a play, he kept constantly enriching with little side-notes as they occurred to him--new ideas and points of detail.

an extended fictional work in prose; usually in the form of a story

From this reading A novel planned and begun by F. Hopkinson Smith and completed by F. Berkeley Smith.

reduced to nothingness

From this reading So spirited were these synopses, and so clearly did they reflect the process of his mind, that by the few who saw them in the course of publishing consultations, or friendly confidence, they were remembered often after the finished novel had obliterated its constructive lines.

inflected form of “occur” — come to pass

From this reading This synopsis, which closely resembled the scenario of a play, he kept constantly enriching with little side-notes as they occurred to him--new ideas and points of detail.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Illustrated _net_ 1.35 It was my father’s practise, in planning a novel, first to prepare a most complete synopsis from beginning to end--never proceeding with the actual writing of the book until he had laid out the characters and action of the story--chapter by chapter.

many times at short intervals

From this reading So spirited were these synopses, and so clearly did they reflect the process of his mind, that by the few who saw them in the course of publishing consultations, or friendly confidence, they were remembered often after the finished novel had obliterated its constructive lines.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading So spirited were these synopses, and so clearly did they reflect the process of his mind, that by the few who saw them in the course of publishing consultations, or friendly confidence, they were remembered often after the finished novel had obliterated its constructive lines.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading Illustrated _net_ 1.35 It was my father’s practise, in planning a novel, first to prepare a most complete synopsis from beginning to end--never proceeding with the actual writing of the book until he had laid out the characters and action of the story--chapter by chapter.

designed or carried out according to a plan

From this reading A novel planned and begun by F. Hopkinson Smith and completed by F. Berkeley Smith.

an act of formulating a program for a definite course of action

From this reading Illustrated _net_ 1.35 It was my father’s practise, in planning a novel, first to prepare a most complete synopsis from beginning to end--never proceeding with the actual writing of the book until he had laid out the characters and action of the story--chapter by chapter.

participate in games or sport

From this reading This synopsis, which closely resembled the scenario of a play, he kept constantly enriching with little side-notes as they occurred to him--new ideas and points of detail.

plural of “point” — a geometric element that has position but no extension

From this reading This synopsis, which closely resembled the scenario of a play, he kept constantly enriching with little side-notes as they occurred to him--new ideas and points of detail.

engage in a rehearsal

From this reading Illustrated _net_ 1.35 It was my father’s practise, in planning a novel, first to prepare a most complete synopsis from beginning to end--never proceeding with the actual writing of the book until he had laid out the characters and action of the story--chapter by chapter.

make ready or suitable or equip in advance for a particular purpose or for some use, event, etc

From this reading Illustrated _net_ 1.35 It was my father’s practise, in planning a novel, first to prepare a most complete synopsis from beginning to end--never proceeding with the actual writing of the book until he had laid out the characters and action of the story--chapter by chapter.

(law) the institution of a sequence of steps by which legal judgments are invoked

From this reading Illustrated _net_ 1.35 It was my father’s practise, in planning a novel, first to prepare a most complete synopsis from beginning to end--never proceeding with the actual writing of the book until he had laid out the characters and action of the story--chapter by chapter.

subject to a process or treatment, with the aim of readying for some purpose, improving, or remedying a condition

From this reading So spirited were these synopses, and so clearly did they reflect the process of his mind, that by the few who saw them in the course of publishing consultations, or friendly confidence, they were remembered often after the finished novel had obliterated its constructive lines.

the business of issuing printed matter for sale or distribution

From this reading So spirited were these synopses, and so clearly did they reflect the process of his mind, that by the few who saw them in the course of publishing consultations, or friendly confidence, they were remembered often after the finished novel had obliterated its constructive lines.

manifest or bring back

From this reading So spirited were these synopses, and so clearly did they reflect the process of his mind, that by the few who saw them in the course of publishing consultations, or friendly confidence, they were remembered often after the finished novel had obliterated its constructive lines.

past form of “remember” — recall knowledge from memory; have a recollection

From this reading So spirited were these synopses, and so clearly did they reflect the process of his mind, that by the few who saw them in the course of publishing consultations, or friendly confidence, they were remembered often after the finished novel had obliterated its constructive lines.

past form of “resemble” — appear like; be similar or bear a likeness to

From this reading This synopsis, which closely resembled the scenario of a play, he kept constantly enriching with little side-notes as they occurred to him--new ideas and points of detail.

cut with a saw

From this reading So spirited were these synopses, and so clearly did they reflect the process of his mind, that by the few who saw them in the course of publishing consultations, or friendly confidence, they were remembered often after the finished novel had obliterated its constructive lines.

an outline or synopsis of a play (or, by extension, of a literary work)

From this reading This synopsis, which closely resembled the scenario of a play, he kept constantly enriching with little side-notes as they occurred to him--new ideas and points of detail.

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

From this reading This synopsis, which closely resembled the scenario of a play, he kept constantly enriching with little side-notes as they occurred to him--new ideas and points of detail.

Rhodesian statesman who declared independence of Zimbabwe from Great Britain (born in 1919)

From this reading A novel planned and begun by F. Hopkinson Smith and completed by F. Berkeley Smith.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading So spirited were these synopses, and so clearly did they reflect the process of his mind, that by the few who saw them in the course of publishing consultations, or friendly confidence, they were remembered often after the finished novel had obliterated its constructive lines.

displaying animation, vigor, or liveliness

From this reading So spirited were these synopses, and so clearly did they reflect the process of his mind, that by the few who saw them in the course of publishing consultations, or friendly confidence, they were remembered often after the finished novel had obliterated its constructive lines.

a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program

From this reading Illustrated _net_ 1.35 It was my father’s practise, in planning a novel, first to prepare a most complete synopsis from beginning to end--never proceeding with the actual writing of the book until he had laid out the characters and action of the story--chapter by chapter.

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

From this reading So spirited were these synopses, and so clearly did they reflect the process of his mind, that by the few who saw them in the course of publishing consultations, or friendly confidence, they were remembered often after the finished novel had obliterated its constructive lines.

a sketchy summary of the main points of an argument or theory

From this reading Illustrated _net_ 1.35 It was my father’s practise, in planning a novel, first to prepare a most complete synopsis from beginning to end--never proceeding with the actual writing of the book until he had laid out the characters and action of the story--chapter by chapter.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading So spirited were these synopses, and so clearly did they reflect the process of his mind, that by the few who saw them in the course of publishing consultations, or friendly confidence, they were remembered often after the finished novel had obliterated its constructive lines.

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

From this reading Illustrated _net_ 1.35 It was my father’s practise, in planning a novel, first to prepare a most complete synopsis from beginning to end--never proceeding with the actual writing of the book until he had laid out the characters and action of the story--chapter by chapter.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading So spirited were these synopses, and so clearly did they reflect the process of his mind, that by the few who saw them in the course of publishing consultations, or friendly confidence, they were remembered often after the finished novel had obliterated its constructive lines.

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading So spirited were these synopses, and so clearly did they reflect the process of his mind, that by the few who saw them in the course of publishing consultations, or friendly confidence, they were remembered often after the finished novel had obliterated its constructive lines.

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

From this reading This synopsis, which closely resembled the scenario of a play, he kept constantly enriching with little side-notes as they occurred to him--new ideas and points of detail.

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading This synopsis, which closely resembled the scenario of a play, he kept constantly enriching with little side-notes as they occurred to him--new ideas and points of detail.

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

From this reading Illustrated _net_ 1.35 It was my father’s practise, in planning a novel, first to prepare a most complete synopsis from beginning to end--never proceeding with the actual writing of the book until he had laid out the characters and action of the story--chapter by chapter.

up to a particular time

From this reading Illustrated _net_ 1.35 It was my father’s practise, in planning a novel, first to prepare a most complete synopsis from beginning to end--never proceeding with the actual writing of the book until he had laid out the characters and action of the story--chapter by chapter.

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

From this reading Illustrated _net_ 1.35 It was my father’s practise, in planning a novel, first to prepare a most complete synopsis from beginning to end--never proceeding with the actual writing of the book until he had laid out the characters and action of the story--chapter by chapter.

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

From this reading So spirited were these synopses, and so clearly did they reflect the process of his mind, that by the few who saw them in the course of publishing consultations, or friendly confidence, they were remembered often after the finished novel had obliterated its constructive lines.

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

From this reading This synopsis, which closely resembled the scenario of a play, he kept constantly enriching with little side-notes as they occurred to him--new ideas and points of detail.

which person or people

From this reading So spirited were these synopses, and so clearly did they reflect the process of his mind, that by the few who saw them in the course of publishing consultations, or friendly confidence, they were remembered often after the finished novel had obliterated its constructive lines.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Illustrated _net_ 1.35 It was my father’s practise, in planning a novel, first to prepare a most complete synopsis from beginning to end--never proceeding with the actual writing of the book until he had laid out the characters and action of the story--chapter by chapter.

the act of creating written works

From this reading Illustrated _net_ 1.35 It was my father’s practise, in planning a novel, first to prepare a most complete synopsis from beginning to end--never proceeding with the actual writing of the book until he had laid out the characters and action of the story--chapter by chapter.