Chapter XXXVII

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

From this reading The first epistle which was casually unfolded, exhibited but a few lines, wide asunder, and in their purport so unimportant, that Mr. Jackson flung the letter, spread open as it happened to be, on the top of the fire, and proceeded to take up a second.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading He snatched up the paper just as the devouring flame was about to envelope it, and succeeded in saving all but a small part.

(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 Lord L⸺, chancing to rest his eyes on the first while the heat was causing it to roll itself up, perceived, with some surprise, that the spaces between the lines, as well as all else that had appeared blank, was rapidly becoming, as by magic, covered with bright green characters.

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

From this reading The first epistle which was casually unfolded, exhibited but a few lines, wide asunder, and in their purport so unimportant, that Mr. Jackson flung the letter, spread open as it happened to be, on the top of the fire, and proceeded to take up a second.

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

From this reading Lord L⸺, chancing to rest his eyes on the first while the heat was causing it to roll itself up, perceived, with some surprise, that the spaces between the lines, as well as all else that had appeared blank, was rapidly becoming, as by magic, covered with bright green characters.

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

From this reading The first epistle which was casually unfolded, exhibited but a few lines, wide asunder, and in their purport so unimportant, that Mr. Jackson flung the letter, spread open as it happened to be, on the top of the fire, and proceeded to take up a second.

widely separated especially in space

From this reading The first epistle which was casually unfolded, exhibited but a few lines, wide asunder, and in their purport so unimportant, that Mr. Jackson flung the letter, spread open as it happened to be, on the top of the fire, and proceeded to take up a second.

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

From this reading The first epistle which was casually unfolded, exhibited but a few lines, wide asunder, and in their purport so unimportant, that Mr. Jackson flung the letter, spread open as it happened to be, on the top of the fire, and proceeded to take up a second.

according with custom or propriety

From this reading Lord L⸺, chancing to rest his eyes on the first while the heat was causing it to roll itself up, perceived, with some surprise, that the spaces between the lines, as well as all else that had appeared blank, was rapidly becoming, as by magic, covered with bright green characters.

in the space, time, or range separating two things

From this reading Lord L⸺, chancing to rest his eyes on the first while the heat was causing it to roll itself up, perceived, with some surprise, that the spaces between the lines, as well as all else that had appeared blank, was rapidly becoming, as by magic, covered with bright green characters.

(of a surface) not written or printed on

From this reading Lord L⸺, chancing to rest his eyes on the first while the heat was causing it to roll itself up, perceived, with some surprise, that the spaces between the lines, as well as all else that had appeared blank, was rapidly becoming, as by magic, covered with bright green characters.

emitting or reflecting light readily or in large amounts

From this reading Lord L⸺, chancing to rest his eyes on the first while the heat was causing it to roll itself up, perceived, with some surprise, that the spaces between the lines, as well as all else that had appeared blank, was rapidly becoming, as by magic, covered with bright green characters.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading The first epistle which was casually unfolded, exhibited but a few lines, wide asunder, and in their purport so unimportant, that Mr. Jackson flung the letter, spread open as it happened to be, on the top of the fire, and proceeded to take up a second.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Lord L⸺, chancing to rest his eyes on the first while the heat was causing it to roll itself up, perceived, with some surprise, that the spaces between the lines, as well as all else that had appeared blank, was rapidly becoming, as by magic, covered with bright green characters.

not methodically or according to plan

From this reading The first epistle which was casually unfolded, exhibited but a few lines, wide asunder, and in their purport so unimportant, that Mr. Jackson flung the letter, spread open as it happened to be, on the top of the fire, and proceeded to take up a second.

the act of causing something to happen

From this reading Lord L⸺, chancing to rest his eyes on the first while the heat was causing it to roll itself up, perceived, with some surprise, that the spaces between the lines, as well as all else that had appeared blank, was rapidly becoming, as by magic, covered with bright green characters.

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

From this reading Lord L⸺, chancing to rest his eyes on the first while the heat was causing it to roll itself up, perceived, with some surprise, that the spaces between the lines, as well as all else that had appeared blank, was rapidly becoming, as by magic, covered with bright green characters.

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

From this reading Lord L⸺, chancing to rest his eyes on the first while the heat was causing it to roll itself up, perceived, with some surprise, that the spaces between the lines, as well as all else that had appeared blank, was rapidly becoming, as by magic, covered with bright green characters.

overlaid or spread or topped with or enclosed within something; sometimes used as a combining form

From this reading Lord L⸺, chancing to rest his eyes on the first while the heat was causing it to roll itself up, perceived, with some surprise, that the spaces between the lines, as well as all else that had appeared blank, was rapidly becoming, as by magic, covered with bright green characters.

(often followed by “for”) ardently or excessively desirous

From this reading He snatched up the paper just as the devouring flame was about to envelope it, and succeeded in saving all but a small part.

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

From this reading Lord L⸺, chancing to rest his eyes on the first while the heat was causing it to roll itself up, perceived, with some surprise, that the spaces between the lines, as well as all else that had appeared blank, was rapidly becoming, as by magic, covered with bright green characters.

a flat (usually rectangular) container for a letter, thin package, etc.

From this reading He snatched up the paper just as the devouring flame was about to envelope it, and succeeded in saving all but a small part.

a specially long, formal letter

From this reading The first epistle which was casually unfolded, exhibited but a few lines, wide asunder, and in their purport so unimportant, that Mr. Jackson flung the letter, spread open as it happened to be, on the top of the fire, and proceeded to take up a second.

past form of “exhibit” — show an attribute, property, knowledge, or skill

From this reading The first epistle which was casually unfolded, exhibited but a few lines, wide asunder, and in their purport so unimportant, that Mr. Jackson flung the letter, spread open as it happened to be, on the top of the fire, and proceeded to take up a second.

opinion or judgment

From this reading Lord L⸺, chancing to rest his eyes on the first while the heat was causing it to roll itself up, perceived, with some surprise, that the spaces between the lines, as well as all else that had appeared blank, was rapidly becoming, as by magic, covered with bright green characters.

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

From this reading The first epistle which was casually unfolded, exhibited but a few lines, wide asunder, and in their purport so unimportant, that Mr. Jackson flung the letter, spread open as it happened to be, on the top of the fire, and proceeded to take up a second.

start firing a weapon

From this reading The first epistle which was casually unfolded, exhibited but a few lines, wide asunder, and in their purport so unimportant, that Mr. Jackson flung the letter, spread open as it happened to be, on the top of the fire, and proceeded to take up a second.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading The first epistle which was casually unfolded, exhibited but a few lines, wide asunder, and in their purport so unimportant, that Mr. Jackson flung the letter, spread open as it happened to be, on the top of the fire, and proceeded to take up a second.

A hot glowing body of ignited gas produced by fire.

From this reading He snatched up the paper just as the devouring flame was about to envelope it, and succeeded in saving all but a small part.

inflected form of “fling” — throw with force or recklessness

From this reading The first epistle which was casually unfolded, exhibited but a few lines, wide asunder, and in their purport so unimportant, that Mr. Jackson flung the letter, spread open as it happened to be, on the top of the fire, and proceeded to take up a second.

plural of “gentleman” — a man of refinement

From this reading The trio of gentlemen proceeded to their task.

green color or pigment; resembling the color of growing grass

From this reading Lord L⸺, chancing to rest his eyes on the first while the heat was causing it to roll itself up, perceived, with some surprise, that the spaces between the lines, as well as all else that had appeared blank, was rapidly becoming, as by magic, covered with bright green characters.

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

From this reading Lord L⸺, chancing to rest his eyes on the first while the heat was causing it to roll itself up, perceived, with some surprise, that the spaces between the lines, as well as all else that had appeared blank, was rapidly becoming, as by magic, covered with bright green characters.

past form of “happen” — come to pass

From this reading The first epistle which was casually unfolded, exhibited but a few lines, wide asunder, and in their purport so unimportant, that Mr. Jackson flung the letter, spread open as it happened to be, on the top of the fire, and proceeded to take up a second.

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

From this reading He snatched up the paper just as the devouring flame was about to envelope it, and succeeded in saving all but a small part.

a form of energy that is transferred by a difference in temperature

From this reading Lord L⸺, chancing to rest his eyes on the first while the heat was causing it to roll itself up, perceived, with some surprise, that the spaces between the lines, as well as all else that had appeared blank, was rapidly becoming, as by magic, covered with bright green characters.

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

From this reading Lord L⸺, chancing to rest his eyes on the first while the heat was causing it to roll itself up, perceived, with some surprise, that the spaces between the lines, as well as all else that had appeared blank, was rapidly becoming, as by magic, covered with bright green characters.

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

From this reading The first epistle which was casually unfolded, exhibited but a few lines, wide asunder, and in their purport so unimportant, that Mr. Jackson flung the letter, spread open as it happened to be, on the top of the fire, and proceeded to take up a second.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading The first epistle which was casually unfolded, exhibited but a few lines, wide asunder, and in their purport so unimportant, that Mr. Jackson flung the letter, spread open as it happened to be, on the top of the fire, and proceeded to take up a second.

used when the thing doing the action is also its object

From this reading Lord L⸺, chancing to rest his eyes on the first while the heat was causing it to roll itself up, perceived, with some surprise, that the spaces between the lines, as well as all else that had appeared blank, was rapidly becoming, as by magic, covered with bright green characters.

English film actress who later became a member of British Parliament (born in 1936)

From this reading The first epistle which was casually unfolded, exhibited but a few lines, wide asunder, and in their purport so unimportant, that Mr. Jackson flung the letter, spread open as it happened to be, on the top of the fire, and proceeded to take up a second.

and nothing more

From this reading He snatched up the paper just as the devouring flame was about to envelope it, and succeeded in saving all but a small part.

a metric unit of capacity, formerly defined as the volume of one kilogram of pure water under standard conditions; now equal to 1,000 cubic centimeters (or approximately 1.75 pints)

From this reading Lord L⸺, chancing to rest his eyes on the first while the heat was causing it to roll itself up, perceived, with some surprise, that the spaces between the lines, as well as all else that had appeared blank, was rapidly becoming, as by magic, covered with bright green characters.

a written message addressed to a person or organization

From this reading The first epistle which was casually unfolded, exhibited but a few lines, wide asunder, and in their purport so unimportant, that Mr. Jackson flung the letter, spread open as it happened to be, on the top of the fire, and proceeded to take up a second.

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

From this reading The first epistle which was casually unfolded, exhibited but a few lines, wide asunder, and in their purport so unimportant, that Mr. Jackson flung the letter, spread open as it happened to be, on the top of the fire, and proceeded to take up a second.

terms referring to the Judeo-Christian God

From this reading Lord L⸺, chancing to rest his eyes on the first while the heat was causing it to roll itself up, perceived, with some surprise, that the spaces between the lines, as well as all else that had appeared blank, was rapidly becoming, as by magic, covered with bright green characters.

any art that invokes supernatural powers

From this reading Lord L⸺, chancing to rest his eyes on the first while the heat was causing it to roll itself up, perceived, with some surprise, that the spaces between the lines, as well as all else that had appeared blank, was rapidly becoming, as by magic, covered with bright green characters.

a form of address for a man

From this reading The first epistle which was casually unfolded, exhibited but a few lines, wide asunder, and in their purport so unimportant, that Mr. Jackson flung the letter, spread open as it happened to be, on the top of the fire, and proceeded to take up a second.

something that baffles understanding and cannot be explained

From this reading … “Now, unfold the mystery.”

in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events

From this reading … “Now, unfold the mystery.”

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The trio of gentlemen proceeded to their task.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading The first epistle which was casually unfolded, exhibited but a few lines, wide asunder, and in their purport so unimportant, that Mr. Jackson flung the letter, spread open as it happened to be, on the top of the fire, and proceeded to take up a second.

To move from a closed position.

From this reading The first epistle which was casually unfolded, exhibited but a few lines, wide asunder, and in their purport so unimportant, that Mr. Jackson flung the letter, spread open as it happened to be, on the top of the fire, and proceeded to take up a second.

a material made of cellulose pulp derived mainly from wood or rags or certain grasses

From this reading He snatched up the paper just as the devouring flame was about to envelope it, and succeeded in saving all but a small part.

something determined in relation to something that includes it

From this reading He snatched up the paper just as the devouring flame was about to envelope it, and succeeded in saving all but a small part.

detected by instinct or inference rather than by recognized perceptual cues

From this reading Lord L⸺, chancing to rest his eyes on the first while the heat was causing it to roll itself up, perceived, with some surprise, that the spaces between the lines, as well as all else that had appeared blank, was rapidly becoming, as by magic, covered with bright green characters.

past form of “proceed” — continue talking

From this reading The trio of gentlemen proceeded to their task.

have the often specious appearance of being, intending, or claiming

From this reading The first epistle which was casually unfolded, exhibited but a few lines, wide asunder, and in their purport so unimportant, that Mr. Jackson flung the letter, spread open as it happened to be, on the top of the fire, and proceeded to take up a second.

with speed

From this reading Lord L⸺, chancing to rest his eyes on the first while the heat was causing it to roll itself up, perceived, with some surprise, that the spaces between the lines, as well as all else that had appeared blank, was rapidly becoming, as by magic, covered with bright green characters.

not move; be in a resting position

From this reading Lord L⸺, chancing to rest his eyes on the first while the heat was causing it to roll itself up, perceived, with some surprise, that the spaces between the lines, as well as all else that had appeared blank, was rapidly becoming, as by magic, covered with bright green characters.

move by turning over or rotating

From this reading Lord L⸺, chancing to rest his eyes on the first while the heat was causing it to roll itself up, perceived, with some surprise, that the spaces between the lines, as well as all else that had appeared blank, was rapidly becoming, as by magic, covered with bright green characters.

an act of economizing; reduction in cost

From this reading He snatched up the paper just as the devouring flame was about to envelope it, and succeeded in saving all but a small part.

1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites

From this reading The first epistle which was casually unfolded, exhibited but a few lines, wide asunder, and in their purport so unimportant, that Mr. Jackson flung the letter, spread open as it happened to be, on the top of the fire, and proceeded to take up a second.

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

From this reading He snatched up the paper just as the devouring flame was about to envelope it, and succeeded in saving all but a small part.

past form of “snatch” — to grasp hastily or eagerly

From this reading He snatched up the paper just as the devouring flame was about to envelope it, and succeeded in saving all but a small part.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading The first epistle which was casually unfolded, exhibited but a few lines, wide asunder, and in their purport so unimportant, that Mr. Jackson flung the letter, spread open as it happened to be, on the top of the fire, and proceeded to take up a second.

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

From this reading Lord L⸺, chancing to rest his eyes on the first while the heat was causing it to roll itself up, perceived, with some surprise, that the spaces between the lines, as well as all else that had appeared blank, was rapidly becoming, as by magic, covered with bright green characters.

plural of “space” — the unlimited expanse in which everything is located

From this reading Lord L⸺, chancing to rest his eyes on the first while the heat was causing it to roll itself up, perceived, with some surprise, that the spaces between the lines, as well as all else that had appeared blank, was rapidly becoming, as by magic, covered with bright green characters.

distribute or disperse widely

From this reading The first epistle which was casually unfolded, exhibited but a few lines, wide asunder, and in their purport so unimportant, that Mr. Jackson flung the letter, spread open as it happened to be, on the top of the fire, and proceeded to take up a second.

past form of “succeed” — attain success or reach a desired goal

From this reading He snatched up the paper just as the devouring flame was about to envelope it, and succeeded in saving all but a small part.

the astonishment you feel when something totally unexpected happens to you

From this reading Lord L⸺, chancing to rest his eyes on the first while the heat was causing it to roll itself up, perceived, with some surprise, that the spaces between the lines, as well as all else that had appeared blank, was rapidly becoming, as by magic, covered with bright green characters.

carry out

From this reading The first epistle which was casually unfolded, exhibited but a few lines, wide asunder, and in their purport so unimportant, that Mr. Jackson flung the letter, spread open as it happened to be, on the top of the fire, and proceeded to take up a second.

any piece of work that is undertaken or attempted

From this reading The trio of gentlemen proceeded to their task.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading The first epistle which was casually unfolded, exhibited but a few lines, wide asunder, and in their purport so unimportant, that Mr. Jackson flung the letter, spread open as it happened to be, on the top of the fire, and proceeded to take up a second.

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

From this reading … “Now, unfold the mystery.”

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading The trio of gentlemen proceeded to their task.

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

From this reading The trio of gentlemen proceeded to their task.

the upper part of anything

From this reading The first epistle which was casually unfolded, exhibited but a few lines, wide asunder, and in their purport so unimportant, that Mr. Jackson flung the letter, spread open as it happened to be, on the top of the fire, and proceeded to take up a second.

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

From this reading The trio of gentlemen proceeded to their task.

develop or come to a promising stage

From this reading … “Now, unfold the mystery.”

past form of “unfold” — develop or come to a promising stage

From this reading The first epistle which was casually unfolded, exhibited but a few lines, wide asunder, and in their purport so unimportant, that Mr. Jackson flung the letter, spread open as it happened to be, on the top of the fire, and proceeded to take up a second.

not important

From this reading The first epistle which was casually unfolded, exhibited but a few lines, wide asunder, and in their purport so unimportant, that Mr. Jackson flung the letter, spread open as it happened to be, on the top of the fire, and proceeded to take up a second.

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading The first epistle which was casually unfolded, exhibited but a few lines, wide asunder, and in their purport so unimportant, that Mr. Jackson flung the letter, spread open as it happened to be, on the top of the fire, and proceeded to take up a second.

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

From this reading The first epistle which was casually unfolded, exhibited but a few lines, wide asunder, and in their purport so unimportant, that Mr. Jackson flung the letter, spread open as it happened to be, on the top of the fire, and proceeded to take up a second.

(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)

From this reading Lord L⸺, chancing to rest his eyes on the first while the heat was causing it to roll itself up, perceived, with some surprise, that the spaces between the lines, as well as all else that had appeared blank, was rapidly becoming, as by magic, covered with bright green characters.

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

From this reading The first epistle which was casually unfolded, exhibited but a few lines, wide asunder, and in their purport so unimportant, that Mr. Jackson flung the letter, spread open as it happened to be, on the top of the fire, and proceeded to take up a second.

during the time that

From this reading Lord L⸺, chancing to rest his eyes on the first while the heat was causing it to roll itself up, perceived, with some surprise, that the spaces between the lines, as well as all else that had appeared blank, was rapidly becoming, as by magic, covered with bright green characters.

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

From this reading The first epistle which was casually unfolded, exhibited but a few lines, wide asunder, and in their purport so unimportant, that Mr. Jackson flung the letter, spread open as it happened to be, on the top of the fire, and proceeded to take up a second.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Lord L⸺, chancing to rest his eyes on the first while the heat was causing it to roll itself up, perceived, with some surprise, that the spaces between the lines, as well as all else that had appeared blank, was rapidly becoming, as by magic, covered with bright green characters.