Chapter XIV

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

From this reading Sub-Inspector Van Zyl had had the use of a clothes-brush before expressing his desire to see Margaret; it was a tribute he paid to his high official mission.

clothing that is worn or carried, but not part of your main clothing

From this reading He had cleared himself and his accoutrement of dust and the stain of his journey; and it was with the enhanced impressiveness of spick-and-span cleanliness that he presented himself in the drawing-room, pausing in the doorway with his spurred heels together to lift his hand in a precise and machine-like salute.

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading He wondered but obeyed slowly, leaning back against the end of the couch with one long leg lying up on the cushions.

a mental state of extreme emotional disturbance

From this reading At his back, Mrs. Jakes’ unpretentious black made a relief for his rigid correctitude of attire and pose, and the pallid agitation of her countenance, peering in fearful curiosity to one side of him, heightened his military stolidity.

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

From this reading He had cleared himself and his accoutrement of dust and the stain of his journey; and it was with the enhanced impressiveness of spick-and-span cleanliness that he presented himself in the drawing-room, pausing in the doorway with his spurred heels together to lift his hand in a precise and machine-like salute.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading At his back, Mrs. Jakes’ unpretentious black made a relief for his rigid correctitude of attire and pose, and the pallid agitation of her countenance, peering in fearful curiosity to one side of him, heightened his military stolidity.

clothing of a distinctive style or for a particular occasion

From this reading At his back, Mrs. Jakes’ unpretentious black made a relief for his rigid correctitude of attire and pose, and the pallid agitation of her countenance, peering in fearful curiosity to one side of him, heightened his military stolidity.

in or to or toward a former location

From this reading He wondered but obeyed slowly, leaning back against the end of the couch with one long leg lying up on the cushions.

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

From this reading "If he talks in the tone of his message to you," he said meditatively, "I shall be for punching his head."

earlier than; in front of

From this reading Sub-Inspector Van Zyl had had the use of a clothes-brush before expressing his desire to see Margaret; it was a tribute he paid to his high official mission.

being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light

From this reading At his back, Mrs. Jakes’ unpretentious black made a relief for his rigid correctitude of attire and pose, and the pallid agitation of her countenance, peering in fearful curiosity to one side of him, heightened his military stolidity.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading He wondered but obeyed slowly, leaning back against the end of the couch with one long leg lying up on the cushions.

the habit of keeping free of superficial imperfections

From this reading He had cleared himself and his accoutrement of dust and the stain of his journey; and it was with the enhanced impressiveness of spick-and-span cleanliness that he presented himself in the drawing-room, pausing in the doorway with his spurred heels together to lift his hand in a precise and machine-like salute.

rid of objects or obstructions such as e.g. trees and brush

From this reading He had cleared himself and his accoutrement of dust and the stain of his journey; and it was with the enhanced impressiveness of spick-and-span cleanliness that he presented himself in the drawing-room, pausing in the doorway with his spurred heels together to lift his hand in a precise and machine-like salute.

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

From this reading Sub-Inspector Van Zyl had had the use of a clothes-brush before expressing his desire to see Margaret; it was a tribute he paid to his high official mission.

correct or appropriate behavior

From this reading At his back, Mrs. Jakes’ unpretentious black made a relief for his rigid correctitude of attire and pose, and the pallid agitation of her countenance, peering in fearful curiosity to one side of him, heightened his military stolidity.

an upholstered seat for more than one person

From this reading He wondered but obeyed slowly, leaning back against the end of the couch with one long leg lying up on the cushions.

the appearance conveyed by a person's face

From this reading At his back, Mrs. Jakes’ unpretentious black made a relief for his rigid correctitude of attire and pose, and the pallid agitation of her countenance, peering in fearful curiosity to one side of him, heightened his military stolidity.

a state in which you want to learn more about something

From this reading At his back, Mrs. Jakes’ unpretentious black made a relief for his rigid correctitude of attire and pose, and the pallid agitation of her countenance, peering in fearful curiosity to one side of him, heightened his military stolidity.

plural of “cushion” — a mechanical damper; absorbs energy of sudden impulses

From this reading He wondered but obeyed slowly, leaning back against the end of the couch with one long leg lying up on the cushions.

the feeling that accompanies an unsatisfied state

From this reading Sub-Inspector Van Zyl had had the use of a clothes-brush before expressing his desire to see Margaret; it was a tribute he paid to his high official mission.

the entrance (the space in a wall) through which you enter or leave a room or building; the space that a door can close

From this reading He had cleared himself and his accoutrement of dust and the stain of his journey; and it was with the enhanced impressiveness of spick-and-span cleanliness that he presented himself in the drawing-room, pausing in the doorway with his spurred heels together to lift his hand in a precise and machine-like salute.

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

From this reading He had cleared himself and his accoutrement of dust and the stain of his journey; and it was with the enhanced impressiveness of spick-and-span cleanliness that he presented himself in the drawing-room, pausing in the doorway with his spurred heels together to lift his hand in a precise and machine-like salute.

remove the dust from

From this reading He had cleared himself and his accoutrement of dust and the stain of his journey; and it was with the enhanced impressiveness of spick-and-span cleanliness that he presented himself in the drawing-room, pausing in the doorway with his spurred heels together to lift his hand in a precise and machine-like salute.

either extremity of something that has length

From this reading He wondered but obeyed slowly, leaning back against the end of the couch with one long leg lying up on the cushions.

increased or intensified in value or beauty or quality

From this reading He had cleared himself and his accoutrement of dust and the stain of his journey; and it was with the enhanced impressiveness of spick-and-span cleanliness that he presented himself in the drawing-room, pausing in the doorway with his spurred heels together to lift his hand in a precise and machine-like salute.

-ing form of “express” — give expression to

From this reading Sub-Inspector Van Zyl had had the use of a clothes-brush before expressing his desire to see Margaret; it was a tribute he paid to his high official mission.

experiencing or showing fear

From this reading At his back, Mrs. Jakes’ unpretentious black made a relief for his rigid correctitude of attire and pose, and the pallid agitation of her countenance, peering in fearful curiosity to one side of him, heightened his military stolidity.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading "If he talks in the tone of his message to you," he said meditatively, "I shall be for punching his head."

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

From this reading Sub-Inspector Van Zyl had had the use of a clothes-brush before expressing his desire to see Margaret; it was a tribute he paid to his high official mission.

the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb

From this reading He had cleared himself and his accoutrement of dust and the stain of his journey; and it was with the enhanced impressiveness of spick-and-span cleanliness that he presented himself in the drawing-room, pausing in the doorway with his spurred heels together to lift his hand in a precise and machine-like salute.

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

From this reading He wondered but obeyed slowly, leaning back against the end of the couch with one long leg lying up on the cushions.

the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains

From this reading "If he talks in the tone of his message to you," he said meditatively, "I shall be for punching his head."

plural of “heel” — the bottom of a shoe or boot; the back part of a shoe or boot that touches the ground and provides elevation

From this reading He had cleared himself and his accoutrement of dust and the stain of his journey; and it was with the enhanced impressiveness of spick-and-span cleanliness that he presented himself in the drawing-room, pausing in the doorway with his spurred heels together to lift his hand in a precise and machine-like salute.

past form of “heighten” — become more extreme

From this reading At his back, Mrs. Jakes’ unpretentious black made a relief for his rigid correctitude of attire and pose, and the pallid agitation of her countenance, peering in fearful curiosity to one side of him, heightened his military stolidity.

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading At his back, Mrs. Jakes’ unpretentious black made a relief for his rigid correctitude of attire and pose, and the pallid agitation of her countenance, peering in fearful curiosity to one side of him, heightened his military stolidity.

greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading Sub-Inspector Van Zyl had had the use of a clothes-brush before expressing his desire to see Margaret; it was a tribute he paid to his high official mission.

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

From this reading At his back, Mrs. Jakes’ unpretentious black made a relief for his rigid correctitude of attire and pose, and the pallid agitation of her countenance, peering in fearful curiosity to one side of him, heightened his military stolidity.

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

From this reading He had cleared himself and his accoutrement of dust and the stain of his journey; and it was with the enhanced impressiveness of spick-and-span cleanliness that he presented himself in the drawing-room, pausing in the doorway with his spurred heels together to lift his hand in a precise and machine-like salute.

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

From this reading "If he talks in the tone of his message to you," he said meditatively, "I shall be for punching his head."

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading "If he talks in the tone of his message to you," he said meditatively, "I shall be for punching his head."

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading "If he talks in the tone of his message to you," he said meditatively, "I shall be for punching his head."

splendid or imposing in size or appearance

From this reading He had cleared himself and his accoutrement of dust and the stain of his journey; and it was with the enhanced impressiveness of spick-and-span cleanliness that he presented himself in the drawing-room, pausing in the doorway with his spurred heels together to lift his hand in a precise and machine-like salute.

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

From this reading "If he talks in the tone of his message to you," he said meditatively, "I shall be for punching his head."

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Sub-Inspector Van Zyl had had the use of a clothes-brush before expressing his desire to see Margaret; it was a tribute he paid to his high official mission.

a small outbuilding with a bench having holes through which a user can defecate

From this reading At his back, Mrs. Jakes’ unpretentious black made a relief for his rigid correctitude of attire and pose, and the pallid agitation of her countenance, peering in fearful curiosity to one side of him, heightened his military stolidity.

undertake a journey or trip

From this reading He had cleared himself and his accoutrement of dust and the stain of his journey; and it was with the enhanced impressiveness of spick-and-span cleanliness that he presented himself in the drawing-room, pausing in the doorway with his spurred heels together to lift his hand in a precise and machine-like salute.

departing or being caused to depart from the true vertical or horizontal

From this reading He wondered but obeyed slowly, leaning back against the end of the couch with one long leg lying up on the cushions.

a human limb; commonly used to refer to a whole limb but technically only the part of the limb between the knee and ankle

From this reading He wondered but obeyed slowly, leaning back against the end of the couch with one long leg lying up on the cushions.

raise from a lower to a higher position

From this reading He had cleared himself and his accoutrement of dust and the stain of his journey; and it was with the enhanced impressiveness of spick-and-span cleanliness that he presented himself in the drawing-room, pausing in the doorway with his spurred heels together to lift his hand in a precise and machine-like salute.

primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified

From this reading He wondered but obeyed slowly, leaning back against the end of the couch with one long leg lying up on the cushions.

the deliberate act of deviating from the truth

From this reading He wondered but obeyed slowly, leaning back against the end of the couch with one long leg lying up on the cushions.

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

From this reading He had cleared himself and his accoutrement of dust and the stain of his journey; and it was with the enhanced impressiveness of spick-and-span cleanliness that he presented himself in the drawing-room, pausing in the doorway with his spurred heels together to lift his hand in a precise and machine-like salute.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading At his back, Mrs. Jakes’ unpretentious black made a relief for his rigid correctitude of attire and pose, and the pallid agitation of her countenance, peering in fearful curiosity to one side of him, heightened his military stolidity.

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

From this reading Sub-Inspector Van Zyl had had the use of a clothes-brush before expressing his desire to see Margaret; it was a tribute he paid to his high official mission.

in a meditative manner

From this reading "If he talks in the tone of his message to you," he said meditatively, "I shall be for punching his head."

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

From this reading "If he talks in the tone of his message to you," he said meditatively, "I shall be for punching his head."

of or relating to the study of the principles of warfare

From this reading At his back, Mrs. Jakes’ unpretentious black made a relief for his rigid correctitude of attire and pose, and the pallid agitation of her countenance, peering in fearful curiosity to one side of him, heightened his military stolidity.

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

From this reading Sub-Inspector Van Zyl had had the use of a clothes-brush before expressing his desire to see Margaret; it was a tribute he paid to his high official mission.

a form of address for a married woman

From this reading At his back, Mrs. Jakes’ unpretentious black made a relief for his rigid correctitude of attire and pose, and the pallid agitation of her countenance, peering in fearful curiosity to one side of him, heightened his military stolidity.

past form of “obey” — be obedient to

From this reading He wondered but obeyed slowly, leaning back against the end of the couch with one long leg lying up on the cushions.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading He wondered but obeyed slowly, leaning back against the end of the couch with one long leg lying up on the cushions.

having official authority or sanction

From this reading Sub-Inspector Van Zyl had had the use of a clothes-brush before expressing his desire to see Margaret; it was a tribute he paid to his high official mission.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading He wondered but obeyed slowly, leaning back against the end of the couch with one long leg lying up on the cushions.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading He wondered but obeyed slowly, leaning back against the end of the couch with one long leg lying up on the cushions.

marked by the reception of pay

From this reading Sub-Inspector Van Zyl had had the use of a clothes-brush before expressing his desire to see Margaret; it was a tribute he paid to his high official mission.

abnormally deficient in color as suggesting physical or emotional distress

From this reading At his back, Mrs. Jakes’ unpretentious black made a relief for his rigid correctitude of attire and pose, and the pallid agitation of her countenance, peering in fearful curiosity to one side of him, heightened his military stolidity.

-ing form of “pause” — interrupt temporarily an activity before continuing

From this reading He had cleared himself and his accoutrement of dust and the stain of his journey; and it was with the enhanced impressiveness of spick-and-span cleanliness that he presented himself in the drawing-room, pausing in the doorway with his spurred heels together to lift his hand in a precise and machine-like salute.

-ing form of “peer” — look searchingly

From this reading At his back, Mrs. Jakes’ unpretentious black made a relief for his rigid correctitude of attire and pose, and the pallid agitation of her countenance, peering in fearful curiosity to one side of him, heightened his military stolidity.

introduce

From this reading At his back, Mrs. Jakes’ unpretentious black made a relief for his rigid correctitude of attire and pose, and the pallid agitation of her countenance, peering in fearful curiosity to one side of him, heightened his military stolidity.

sharply exact or accurate or delimited

From this reading He had cleared himself and his accoutrement of dust and the stain of his journey; and it was with the enhanced impressiveness of spick-and-span cleanliness that he presented himself in the drawing-room, pausing in the doorway with his spurred heels together to lift his hand in a precise and machine-like salute.

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

From this reading He had cleared himself and his accoutrement of dust and the stain of his journey; and it was with the enhanced impressiveness of spick-and-span cleanliness that he presented himself in the drawing-room, pausing in the doorway with his spurred heels together to lift his hand in a precise and machine-like salute.

-ing form of “punch” — deliver a quick blow to

From this reading "If he talks in the tone of his message to you," he said meditatively, "I shall be for punching his head."

the feeling that comes when something burdensome is removed or reduced

From this reading At his back, Mrs. Jakes’ unpretentious black made a relief for his rigid correctitude of attire and pose, and the pallid agitation of her countenance, peering in fearful curiosity to one side of him, heightened his military stolidity.

incapable of or resistant to bending

From this reading At his back, Mrs. Jakes’ unpretentious black made a relief for his rigid correctitude of attire and pose, and the pallid agitation of her countenance, peering in fearful curiosity to one side of him, heightened his military stolidity.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading "If he talks in the tone of his message to you," he said meditatively, "I shall be for punching his head."

propose a toast to

From this reading He had cleared himself and his accoutrement of dust and the stain of his journey; and it was with the enhanced impressiveness of spick-and-span cleanliness that he presented himself in the drawing-room, pausing in the doorway with his spurred heels together to lift his hand in a precise and machine-like salute.

perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading Sub-Inspector Van Zyl had had the use of a clothes-brush before expressing his desire to see Margaret; it was a tribute he paid to his high official mission.

used with I and we for the future, or to offer and suggest

From this reading "If he talks in the tone of his message to you," he said meditatively, "I shall be for punching his head."

a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location

From this reading At his back, Mrs. Jakes’ unpretentious black made a relief for his rigid correctitude of attire and pose, and the pallid agitation of her countenance, peering in fearful curiosity to one side of him, heightened his military stolidity.

without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)

From this reading He wondered but obeyed slowly, leaning back against the end of the couch with one long leg lying up on the cushions.

conspicuously new

From this reading He had cleared himself and his accoutrement of dust and the stain of his journey; and it was with the enhanced impressiveness of spick-and-span cleanliness that he presented himself in the drawing-room, pausing in the doorway with his spurred heels together to lift his hand in a precise and machine-like salute.

inflected form of “spur” — incite or stimulate

From this reading He had cleared himself and his accoutrement of dust and the stain of his journey; and it was with the enhanced impressiveness of spick-and-span cleanliness that he presented himself in the drawing-room, pausing in the doorway with his spurred heels together to lift his hand in a precise and machine-like salute.

a soiled or discolored appearance

From this reading He had cleared himself and his accoutrement of dust and the stain of his journey; and it was with the enhanced impressiveness of spick-and-span cleanliness that he presented himself in the drawing-room, pausing in the doorway with his spurred heels together to lift his hand in a precise and machine-like salute.

apathy demonstrated by an absence of emotional reactions

From this reading At his back, Mrs. Jakes’ unpretentious black made a relief for his rigid correctitude of attire and pose, and the pallid agitation of her countenance, peering in fearful curiosity to one side of him, heightened his military stolidity.

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

From this reading Sub-Inspector Van Zyl had had the use of a clothes-brush before expressing his desire to see Margaret; it was a tribute he paid to his high official mission.

a discussion intended to produce an agreement

From this reading "If he talks in the tone of his message to you," he said meditatively, "I shall be for punching his head."

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading He had cleared himself and his accoutrement of dust and the stain of his journey; and it was with the enhanced impressiveness of spick-and-span cleanliness that he presented himself in the drawing-room, pausing in the doorway with his spurred heels together to lift his hand in a precise and machine-like salute.

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

From this reading He wondered but obeyed slowly, leaning back against the end of the couch with one long leg lying up on the cushions.

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

From this reading "If he talks in the tone of his message to you," he said meditatively, "I shall be for punching his head."

in contact with each other or in proximity

From this reading He had cleared himself and his accoutrement of dust and the stain of his journey; and it was with the enhanced impressiveness of spick-and-span cleanliness that he presented himself in the drawing-room, pausing in the doorway with his spurred heels together to lift his hand in a precise and machine-like salute.

the quality of a person's voice

From this reading "If he talks in the tone of his message to you," he said meditatively, "I shall be for punching his head."

something given or done as an expression of esteem

From this reading Sub-Inspector Van Zyl had had the use of a clothes-brush before expressing his desire to see Margaret; it was a tribute he paid to his high official mission.

lacking pretension or affectation

From this reading At his back, Mrs. Jakes’ unpretentious black made a relief for his rigid correctitude of attire and pose, and the pallid agitation of her countenance, peering in fearful curiosity to one side of him, heightened his military stolidity.

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

From this reading He wondered but obeyed slowly, leaning back against the end of the couch with one long leg lying up on the cushions.

the act of using

From this reading Sub-Inspector Van Zyl had had the use of a clothes-brush before expressing his desire to see Margaret; it was a tribute he paid to his high official mission.

any creative group active in the innovation and application of new concepts and techniques in a given field (especially in the arts)

From this reading Sub-Inspector Van Zyl had had the use of a clothes-brush before expressing his desire to see Margaret; it was a tribute he paid to his high official mission.

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

From this reading Sub-Inspector Van Zyl had had the use of a clothes-brush before expressing his desire to see Margaret; it was a tribute he paid to his high official mission.

in the company of; together with

From this reading He wondered but obeyed slowly, leaning back against the end of the couch with one long leg lying up on the cushions.

past form of “wonder” — have a wish or desire to know something

From this reading He wondered but obeyed slowly, leaning back against the end of the couch with one long leg lying up on the cushions.

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading "If he talks in the tone of his message to you," he said meditatively, "I shall be for punching his head."

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

From this reading Sub-Inspector Van Zyl had had the use of a clothes-brush before expressing his desire to see Margaret; it was a tribute he paid to his high official mission.