Chapter I · Chapter 1

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

From this reading "The Insanity of Jones" "The Man Who Found Out" "The Glamour of the Snow" and "Sand" These stories first appeared in Blackwood's story collections: "The Insanity of Jones" in _The Listener and Other Stories_ (1907); "The Man Who Found Out" in _The Wolves of God and Other Fey Stories_ (1921); "The Glamour of the Snow," and "Sand" in _Pan's Garden_ (1912).

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

From this reading "The Insanity of Jones" "The Man Who Found Out" "The Glamour of the Snow" and "Sand" These stories first appeared in Blackwood's story collections: "The Insanity of Jones" in _The Listener and Other Stories_ (1907); "The Man Who Found Out" in _The Wolves of God and Other Fey Stories_ (1921); "The Glamour of the Snow," and "Sand" in _Pan's Garden_ (1912).

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

From this reading "The Insanity of Jones" "The Man Who Found Out" "The Glamour of the Snow" and "Sand" These stories first appeared in Blackwood's story collections: "The Insanity of Jones" in _The Listener and Other Stories_ (1907); "The Man Who Found Out" in _The Wolves of God and Other Fey Stories_ (1921); "The Glamour of the Snow," and "Sand" in _Pan's Garden_ (1912).

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

From this reading For only to the few whose inner senses have been quickened, perchance by some strange suffering in the depths, or by a natural temperament bequeathed from a remote past, comes the knowledge, not too welcome, that this greater world lies ever at their elbow, and that any moment a chance combination of moods and forces may invite them to cross the shifting frontier.

in actual fact

From this reading All his life he had realised that his senses brought to him merely a more or less interesting set of sham appearances; that space, as men measure it, was utterly misleading; that time, as the clock ticked it in a succession of minutes, was arbitrary nonsense; and, in fact, that all his sensory perceptions were but a clumsy representation of _real_ things behind the curtain--things he was for ever trying to get at, and that sometimes he actually did get at.

plural of “adventure” — a wild and exciting undertaking (not necessarily lawful)

From this reading Adventures come to the adventurous, and mysterious things fall in the way of those who, with wonder and imagination, are on the watch for them; but the majority of people go past the doors that are half ajar, thinking them closed, and fail to notice the faint stirrings of the great curtain that hangs ever in the form of appearances between them and the world of causes behind.

willing to undertake or seeking out new and daring enterprises

From this reading Adventures come to the adventurous, and mysterious things fall in the way of those who, with wonder and imagination, are on the watch for them; but the majority of people go past the doors that are half ajar, thinking them closed, and fail to notice the faint stirrings of the great curtain that hangs ever in the form of appearances between them and the world of causes behind.

slightly open

From this reading Adventures come to the adventurous, and mysterious things fall in the way of those who, with wonder and imagination, are on the watch for them; but the majority of people go past the doors that are half ajar, thinking them closed, and fail to notice the faint stirrings of the great curtain that hangs ever in the form of appearances between them and the world of causes behind.

(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 All his life he had realised that his senses brought to him merely a more or less interesting set of sham appearances; that space, as men measure it, was utterly misleading; that time, as the clock ticked it in a succession of minutes, was arbitrary nonsense; and, in fact, that all his sensory perceptions were but a clumsy representation of _real_ things behind the curtain--things he was for ever trying to get at, and that sometimes he actually did get at.

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

From this reading "The Insanity of Jones" "The Man Who Found Out" "The Glamour of the Snow" and "Sand" These stories first appeared in Blackwood's story collections: "The Insanity of Jones" in _The Listener and Other Stories_ (1907); "The Man Who Found Out" in _The Wolves of God and Other Fey Stories_ (1921); "The Glamour of the Snow," and "Sand" in _Pan's Garden_ (1912).

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading For only to the few whose inner senses have been quickened, perchance by some strange suffering in the depths, or by a natural temperament bequeathed from a remote past, comes the knowledge, not too welcome, that this greater world lies ever at their elbow, and that any moment a chance combination of moods and forces may invite them to cross the shifting frontier.

plural of “appearance” — outward or visible aspect of a person or thing

From this reading Adventures come to the adventurous, and mysterious things fall in the way of those who, with wonder and imagination, are on the watch for them; but the majority of people go past the doors that are half ajar, thinking them closed, and fail to notice the faint stirrings of the great curtain that hangs ever in the form of appearances between them and the world of causes behind.

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

From this reading "The Insanity of Jones" "The Man Who Found Out" "The Glamour of the Snow" and "Sand" These stories first appeared in Blackwood's story collections: "The Insanity of Jones" in _The Listener and Other Stories_ (1907); "The Man Who Found Out" in _The Wolves of God and Other Fey Stories_ (1921); "The Glamour of the Snow," and "Sand" in _Pan's Garden_ (1912).

the position of apprentice

From this reading Some, however, are born with this awful certainty in their hearts, and are called to no apprenticeship, and to this select company Jones undoubtedly belonged.

based on or subject to individual discretion or preference or sometimes impulse or caprice

From this reading All his life he had realised that his senses brought to him merely a more or less interesting set of sham appearances; that space, as men measure it, was utterly misleading; that time, as the clock ticked it in a succession of minutes, was arbitrary nonsense; and, in fact, that all his sensory perceptions were but a clumsy representation of _real_ things behind the curtain--things he was for ever trying to get at, and that sometimes he actually did get at.

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

From this reading Adventures come to the adventurous, and mysterious things fall in the way of those who, with wonder and imagination, are on the watch for them; but the majority of people go past the doors that are half ajar, thinking them closed, and fail to notice the faint stirrings of the great curtain that hangs ever in the form of appearances between them and the world of causes behind.

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

From this reading All his life he had realised that his senses brought to him merely a more or less interesting set of sham appearances; that space, as men measure it, was utterly misleading; that time, as the clock ticked it in a succession of minutes, was arbitrary nonsense; and, in fact, that all his sensory perceptions were but a clumsy representation of _real_ things behind the curtain--things he was for ever trying to get at, and that sometimes he actually did get at.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading For only to the few whose inner senses have been quickened, perchance by some strange suffering in the depths, or by a natural temperament bequeathed from a remote past, comes the knowledge, not too welcome, that this greater world lies ever at their elbow, and that any moment a chance combination of moods and forces may invite them to cross the shifting frontier.

exceptionally bad or displeasing

From this reading Some, however, are born with this awful certainty in their hearts, and are called to no apprenticeship, and to this select company Jones undoubtedly belonged.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading For only to the few whose inner senses have been quickened, perchance by some strange suffering in the depths, or by a natural temperament bequeathed from a remote past, comes the knowledge, not too welcome, that this greater world lies ever at their elbow, and that any moment a chance combination of moods and forces may invite them to cross the shifting frontier.

at or toward the back of something

From this reading Adventures come to the adventurous, and mysterious things fall in the way of those who, with wonder and imagination, are on the watch for them; but the majority of people go past the doors that are half ajar, thinking them closed, and fail to notice the faint stirrings of the great curtain that hangs ever in the form of appearances between them and the world of causes behind.

past form of “belong” — be owned by; be in the possession of

From this reading Some, however, are born with this awful certainty in their hearts, and are called to no apprenticeship, and to this select company Jones undoubtedly belonged.

past form of “bequeath” — leave or give by will after one's death

From this reading For only to the few whose inner senses have been quickened, perchance by some strange suffering in the depths, or by a natural temperament bequeathed from a remote past, comes the knowledge, not too welcome, that this greater world lies ever at their elbow, and that any moment a chance combination of moods and forces may invite them to cross the shifting frontier.

in the space, time, or range separating two things

From this reading Adventures come to the adventurous, and mysterious things fall in the way of those who, with wonder and imagination, are on the watch for them; but the majority of people go past the doors that are half ajar, thinking them closed, and fail to notice the faint stirrings of the great curtain that hangs ever in the form of appearances between them and the world of causes behind.

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

From this reading "The Insanity of Jones" "The Man Who Found Out" "The Glamour of the Snow" and "Sand" These stories first appeared in Blackwood's story collections: "The Insanity of Jones" in _The Listener and Other Stories_ (1907); "The Man Who Found Out" in _The Wolves of God and Other Fey Stories_ (1921); "The Glamour of the Snow," and "Sand" in _Pan's Garden_ (1912).

brought into existence

From this reading Some, however, are born with this awful certainty in their hearts, and are called to no apprenticeship, and to this select company Jones undoubtedly belonged.

inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere

From this reading All his life he had realised that his senses brought to him merely a more or less interesting set of sham appearances; that space, as men measure it, was utterly misleading; that time, as the clock ticked it in a succession of minutes, was arbitrary nonsense; and, in fact, that all his sensory perceptions were but a clumsy representation of _real_ things behind the curtain--things he was for ever trying to get at, and that sometimes he actually did get at.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Adventures come to the adventurous, and mysterious things fall in the way of those who, with wonder and imagination, are on the watch for them; but the majority of people go past the doors that are half ajar, thinking them closed, and fail to notice the faint stirrings of the great curtain that hangs ever in the form of appearances between them and the world of causes behind.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading For only to the few whose inner senses have been quickened, perchance by some strange suffering in the depths, or by a natural temperament bequeathed from a remote past, comes the knowledge, not too welcome, that this greater world lies ever at their elbow, and that any moment a chance combination of moods and forces may invite them to cross the shifting frontier.

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

From this reading Some, however, are born with this awful certainty in their hearts, and are called to no apprenticeship, and to this select company Jones undoubtedly belonged.

plural of “cause” — events that provide the generative force that is the origin of something

From this reading Adventures come to the adventurous, and mysterious things fall in the way of those who, with wonder and imagination, are on the watch for them; but the majority of people go past the doors that are half ajar, thinking them closed, and fail to notice the faint stirrings of the great curtain that hangs ever in the form of appearances between them and the world of causes behind.

the state of being certain

From this reading Some, however, are born with this awful certainty in their hearts, and are called to no apprenticeship, and to this select company Jones undoubtedly belonged.

a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances

From this reading For only to the few whose inner senses have been quickened, perchance by some strange suffering in the depths, or by a natural temperament bequeathed from a remote past, comes the knowledge, not too welcome, that this greater world lies ever at their elbow, and that any moment a chance combination of moods and forces may invite them to cross the shifting frontier.

a timepiece that shows the time of day

From this reading All his life he had realised that his senses brought to him merely a more or less interesting set of sham appearances; that space, as men measure it, was utterly misleading; that time, as the clock ticked it in a succession of minutes, was arbitrary nonsense; and, in fact, that all his sensory perceptions were but a clumsy representation of _real_ things behind the curtain--things he was for ever trying to get at, and that sometimes he actually did get at.

not open or affording passage or access

From this reading Adventures come to the adventurous, and mysterious things fall in the way of those who, with wonder and imagination, are on the watch for them; but the majority of people go past the doors that are half ajar, thinking them closed, and fail to notice the faint stirrings of the great curtain that hangs ever in the form of appearances between them and the world of causes behind.

lacking grace in movement or posture

From this reading All his life he had realised that his senses brought to him merely a more or less interesting set of sham appearances; that space, as men measure it, was utterly misleading; that time, as the clock ticked it in a succession of minutes, was arbitrary nonsense; and, in fact, that all his sensory perceptions were but a clumsy representation of _real_ things behind the curtain--things he was for ever trying to get at, and that sometimes he actually did get at.

plural of “collection” — several things grouped together or considered as a whole

From this reading "The Insanity of Jones" "The Man Who Found Out" "The Glamour of the Snow" and "Sand" These stories first appeared in Blackwood's story collections: "The Insanity of Jones" in _The Listener and Other Stories_ (1907); "The Man Who Found Out" in _The Wolves of God and Other Fey Stories_ (1921); "The Glamour of the Snow," and "Sand" in _Pan's Garden_ (1912).

a collection of things that have been combined; an assemblage of separate parts or qualities

From this reading For only to the few whose inner senses have been quickened, perchance by some strange suffering in the depths, or by a natural temperament bequeathed from a remote past, comes the knowledge, not too welcome, that this greater world lies ever at their elbow, and that any moment a chance combination of moods and forces may invite them to cross the shifting frontier.

move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading Adventures come to the adventurous, and mysterious things fall in the way of those who, with wonder and imagination, are on the watch for them; but the majority of people go past the doors that are half ajar, thinking them closed, and fail to notice the faint stirrings of the great curtain that hangs ever in the form of appearances between them and the world of causes behind.

plural of “come” — the thick white fluid containing spermatozoa that is ejaculated by the male genital tract

From this reading For only to the few whose inner senses have been quickened, perchance by some strange suffering in the depths, or by a natural temperament bequeathed from a remote past, comes the knowledge, not too welcome, that this greater world lies ever at their elbow, and that any moment a chance combination of moods and forces may invite them to cross the shifting frontier.

an institution created to conduct business

From this reading Some, however, are born with this awful certainty in their hearts, and are called to no apprenticeship, and to this select company Jones undoubtedly belonged.

travel across or pass over

From this reading For only to the few whose inner senses have been quickened, perchance by some strange suffering in the depths, or by a natural temperament bequeathed from a remote past, comes the knowledge, not too welcome, that this greater world lies ever at their elbow, and that any moment a chance combination of moods and forces may invite them to cross the shifting frontier.

hanging cloth used as a blind (especially for a window)

From this reading Adventures come to the adventurous, and mysterious things fall in the way of those who, with wonder and imagination, are on the watch for them; but the majority of people go past the doors that are half ajar, thinking them closed, and fail to notice the faint stirrings of the great curtain that hangs ever in the form of appearances between them and the world of causes behind.

(plural) the deepest and most remote part

From this reading For only to the few whose inner senses have been quickened, perchance by some strange suffering in the depths, or by a natural temperament bequeathed from a remote past, comes the knowledge, not too welcome, that this greater world lies ever at their elbow, and that any moment a chance combination of moods and forces may invite them to cross the shifting frontier.

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

From this reading All his life he had realised that his senses brought to him merely a more or less interesting set of sham appearances; that space, as men measure it, was utterly misleading; that time, as the clock ticked it in a succession of minutes, was arbitrary nonsense; and, in fact, that all his sensory perceptions were but a clumsy representation of _real_ things behind the curtain--things he was for ever trying to get at, and that sometimes he actually did get at.

plural of “door” — a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle

From this reading Adventures come to the adventurous, and mysterious things fall in the way of those who, with wonder and imagination, are on the watch for them; but the majority of people go past the doors that are half ajar, thinking them closed, and fail to notice the faint stirrings of the great curtain that hangs ever in the form of appearances between them and the world of causes behind.

hinge joint between the forearm and upper arm and the corresponding joint in the forelimb of a quadruped

From this reading For only to the few whose inner senses have been quickened, perchance by some strange suffering in the depths, or by a natural temperament bequeathed from a remote past, comes the knowledge, not too welcome, that this greater world lies ever at their elbow, and that any moment a chance combination of moods and forces may invite them to cross the shifting frontier.

at any time

From this reading Adventures come to the adventurous, and mysterious things fall in the way of those who, with wonder and imagination, are on the watch for them; but the majority of people go past the doors that are half ajar, thinking them closed, and fail to notice the faint stirrings of the great curtain that hangs ever in the form of appearances between them and the world of causes behind.

a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred

From this reading All his life he had realised that his senses brought to him merely a more or less interesting set of sham appearances; that space, as men measure it, was utterly misleading; that time, as the clock ticked it in a succession of minutes, was arbitrary nonsense; and, in fact, that all his sensory perceptions were but a clumsy representation of _real_ things behind the curtain--things he was for ever trying to get at, and that sometimes he actually did get at.

fail to do something; leave something undone

From this reading Adventures come to the adventurous, and mysterious things fall in the way of those who, with wonder and imagination, are on the watch for them; but the majority of people go past the doors that are half ajar, thinking them closed, and fail to notice the faint stirrings of the great curtain that hangs ever in the form of appearances between them and the world of causes behind.

deficient in magnitude; barely perceptible; lacking clarity or brightness or loudness etc

From this reading Adventures come to the adventurous, and mysterious things fall in the way of those who, with wonder and imagination, are on the watch for them; but the majority of people go past the doors that are half ajar, thinking them closed, and fail to notice the faint stirrings of the great curtain that hangs ever in the form of appearances between them and the world of causes behind.

descend in free fall under the influence of gravity

From this reading Adventures come to the adventurous, and mysterious things fall in the way of those who, with wonder and imagination, are on the watch for them; but the majority of people go past the doors that are half ajar, thinking them closed, and fail to notice the faint stirrings of the great curtain that hangs ever in the form of appearances between them and the world of causes behind.

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

From this reading For only to the few whose inner senses have been quickened, perchance by some strange suffering in the depths, or by a natural temperament bequeathed from a remote past, comes the knowledge, not too welcome, that this greater world lies ever at their elbow, and that any moment a chance combination of moods and forces may invite them to cross the shifting frontier.

slightly insane

From this reading "The Insanity of Jones" "The Man Who Found Out" "The Glamour of the Snow" and "Sand" These stories first appeared in Blackwood's story collections: "The Insanity of Jones" in _The Listener and Other Stories_ (1907); "The Man Who Found Out" in _The Wolves of God and Other Fey Stories_ (1921); "The Glamour of the Snow," and "Sand" in _Pan's Garden_ (1912).

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading "The Insanity of Jones" "The Man Who Found Out" "The Glamour of the Snow" and "Sand" These stories first appeared in Blackwood's story collections: "The Insanity of Jones" in _The Listener and Other Stories_ (1907); "The Man Who Found Out" in _The Wolves of God and Other Fey Stories_ (1921); "The Glamour of the Snow," and "Sand" in _Pan's Garden_ (1912).

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Adventures come to the adventurous, and mysterious things fall in the way of those who, with wonder and imagination, are on the watch for them; but the majority of people go past the doors that are half ajar, thinking them closed, and fail to notice the faint stirrings of the great curtain that hangs ever in the form of appearances between them and the world of causes behind.

plural of “force” — a powerful effect or influence

From this reading For only to the few whose inner senses have been quickened, perchance by some strange suffering in the depths, or by a natural temperament bequeathed from a remote past, comes the knowledge, not too welcome, that this greater world lies ever at their elbow, and that any moment a chance combination of moods and forces may invite them to cross the shifting frontier.

the phonological or orthographic sound or appearance of a word that can be used to describe or identify something

From this reading Adventures come to the adventurous, and mysterious things fall in the way of those who, with wonder and imagination, are on the watch for them; but the majority of people go past the doors that are half ajar, thinking them closed, and fail to notice the faint stirrings of the great curtain that hangs ever in the form of appearances between them and the world of causes behind.

set up or found

From this reading "The Insanity of Jones" "The Man Who Found Out" "The Glamour of the Snow" and "Sand" These stories first appeared in Blackwood's story collections: "The Insanity of Jones" in _The Listener and Other Stories_ (1907); "The Man Who Found Out" in _The Wolves of God and Other Fey Stories_ (1921); "The Glamour of the Snow," and "Sand" in _Pan's Garden_ (1912).

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading For only to the few whose inner senses have been quickened, perchance by some strange suffering in the depths, or by a natural temperament bequeathed from a remote past, comes the knowledge, not too welcome, that this greater world lies ever at their elbow, and that any moment a chance combination of moods and forces may invite them to cross the shifting frontier.

a wilderness at the edge of a settled area of a country

From this reading For only to the few whose inner senses have been quickened, perchance by some strange suffering in the depths, or by a natural temperament bequeathed from a remote past, comes the knowledge, not too welcome, that this greater world lies ever at their elbow, and that any moment a chance combination of moods and forces may invite them to cross the shifting frontier.

a plot of ground where plants are cultivated

From this reading "The Insanity of Jones" "The Man Who Found Out" "The Glamour of the Snow" and "Sand" These stories first appeared in Blackwood's story collections: "The Insanity of Jones" in _The Listener and Other Stories_ (1907); "The Man Who Found Out" in _The Wolves of God and Other Fey Stories_ (1921); "The Glamour of the Snow," and "Sand" in _Pan's Garden_ (1912).

come into the possession of something concrete or abstract

From this reading All his life he had realised that his senses brought to him merely a more or less interesting set of sham appearances; that space, as men measure it, was utterly misleading; that time, as the clock ticked it in a succession of minutes, was arbitrary nonsense; and, in fact, that all his sensory perceptions were but a clumsy representation of _real_ things behind the curtain--things he was for ever trying to get at, and that sometimes he actually did get at.

alluring beauty or charm (often with sex-appeal)

From this reading "The Insanity of Jones" "The Man Who Found Out" "The Glamour of the Snow" and "Sand" These stories first appeared in Blackwood's story collections: "The Insanity of Jones" in _The Listener and Other Stories_ (1907); "The Man Who Found Out" in _The Wolves of God and Other Fey Stories_ (1921); "The Glamour of the Snow," and "Sand" in _Pan's Garden_ (1912).

change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading Adventures come to the adventurous, and mysterious things fall in the way of those who, with wonder and imagination, are on the watch for them; but the majority of people go past the doors that are half ajar, thinking them closed, and fail to notice the faint stirrings of the great curtain that hangs ever in the form of appearances between them and the world of causes behind.

the supernatural being conceived as the perfect and omnipotent and omniscient originator and ruler of the universe; the object of worship in monotheistic religions

From this reading "The Insanity of Jones" "The Man Who Found Out" "The Glamour of the Snow" and "Sand" These stories first appeared in Blackwood's story collections: "The Insanity of Jones" in _The Listener and Other Stories_ (1907); "The Man Who Found Out" in _The Wolves of God and Other Fey Stories_ (1921); "The Glamour of the Snow," and "Sand" in _Pan's Garden_ (1912).

relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind

From this reading Adventures come to the adventurous, and mysterious things fall in the way of those who, with wonder and imagination, are on the watch for them; but the majority of people go past the doors that are half ajar, thinking them closed, and fail to notice the faint stirrings of the great curtain that hangs ever in the form of appearances between them and the world of causes behind.

greater in size or importance or degree

From this reading For only to the few whose inner senses have been quickened, perchance by some strange suffering in the depths, or by a natural temperament bequeathed from a remote past, comes the knowledge, not too welcome, that this greater world lies ever at their elbow, and that any moment a chance combination of moods and forces may invite them to cross the shifting frontier.

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

From this reading All his life he had realised that his senses brought to him merely a more or less interesting set of sham appearances; that space, as men measure it, was utterly misleading; that time, as the clock ticked it in a succession of minutes, was arbitrary nonsense; and, in fact, that all his sensory perceptions were but a clumsy representation of _real_ things behind the curtain--things he was for ever trying to get at, and that sometimes he actually did get at.

consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity

From this reading Adventures come to the adventurous, and mysterious things fall in the way of those who, with wonder and imagination, are on the watch for them; but the majority of people go past the doors that are half ajar, thinking them closed, and fail to notice the faint stirrings of the great curtain that hangs ever in the form of appearances between them and the world of causes behind.

plural of “hang” — a special way of doing something

From this reading Adventures come to the adventurous, and mysterious things fall in the way of those who, with wonder and imagination, are on the watch for them; but the majority of people go past the doors that are half ajar, thinking them closed, and fail to notice the faint stirrings of the great curtain that hangs ever in the form of appearances between them and the world of causes behind.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading For only to the few whose inner senses have been quickened, perchance by some strange suffering in the depths, or by a natural temperament bequeathed from a remote past, comes the knowledge, not too welcome, that this greater world lies ever at their elbow, and that any moment a chance combination of moods and forces may invite them to cross the shifting frontier.

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

From this reading All his life he had realised that his senses brought to him merely a more or less interesting set of sham appearances; that space, as men measure it, was utterly misleading; that time, as the clock ticked it in a succession of minutes, was arbitrary nonsense; and, in fact, that all his sensory perceptions were but a clumsy representation of _real_ things behind the curtain--things he was for ever trying to get at, and that sometimes he actually did get at.

a form of whist in which players avoid winning tricks containing hearts or the queen of spades

From this reading Some, however, are born with this awful certainty in their hearts, and are called to no apprenticeship, and to this select company Jones undoubtedly belonged.

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

From this reading All his life he had realised that his senses brought to him merely a more or less interesting set of sham appearances; that space, as men measure it, was utterly misleading; that time, as the clock ticked it in a succession of minutes, was arbitrary nonsense; and, in fact, that all his sensory perceptions were but a clumsy representation of _real_ things behind the curtain--things he was for ever trying to get at, and that sometimes he actually did get at.

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

From this reading All his life he had realised that his senses brought to him merely a more or less interesting set of sham appearances; that space, as men measure it, was utterly misleading; that time, as the clock ticked it in a succession of minutes, was arbitrary nonsense; and, in fact, that all his sensory perceptions were but a clumsy representation of _real_ things behind the curtain--things he was for ever trying to get at, and that sometimes he actually did get at.

used to add a contrasting statement

From this reading Some, however, are born with this awful certainty in their hearts, and are called to no apprenticeship, and to this select company Jones undoubtedly belonged.

the formation of a mental image of something that is not perceived as real and is not present to the senses

From this reading Adventures come to the adventurous, and mysterious things fall in the way of those who, with wonder and imagination, are on the watch for them; but the majority of people go past the doors that are half ajar, thinking them closed, and fail to notice the faint stirrings of the great curtain that hangs ever in the form of appearances between them and the world of causes behind.

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

From this reading "The Insanity of Jones" "The Man Who Found Out" "The Glamour of the Snow" and "Sand" These stories first appeared in Blackwood's story collections: "The Insanity of Jones" in _The Listener and Other Stories_ (1907); "The Man Who Found Out" in _The Wolves of God and Other Fey Stories_ (1921); "The Glamour of the Snow," and "Sand" in _Pan's Garden_ (1912).

located inward

From this reading For only to the few whose inner senses have been quickened, perchance by some strange suffering in the depths, or by a natural temperament bequeathed from a remote past, comes the knowledge, not too welcome, that this greater world lies ever at their elbow, and that any moment a chance combination of moods and forces may invite them to cross the shifting frontier.

relatively permanent disorder of the mind

From this reading "The Insanity of Jones" "The Man Who Found Out" "The Glamour of the Snow" and "Sand" These stories first appeared in Blackwood's story collections: "The Insanity of Jones" in _The Listener and Other Stories_ (1907); "The Man Who Found Out" in _The Wolves of God and Other Fey Stories_ (1921); "The Glamour of the Snow," and "Sand" in _Pan's Garden_ (1912).

arousing or holding the attention

From this reading All his life he had realised that his senses brought to him merely a more or less interesting set of sham appearances; that space, as men measure it, was utterly misleading; that time, as the clock ticked it in a succession of minutes, was arbitrary nonsense; and, in fact, that all his sensory perceptions were but a clumsy representation of _real_ things behind the curtain--things he was for ever trying to get at, and that sometimes he actually did get at.

increase the likelihood of

From this reading For only to the few whose inner senses have been quickened, perchance by some strange suffering in the depths, or by a natural temperament bequeathed from a remote past, comes the knowledge, not too welcome, that this greater world lies ever at their elbow, and that any moment a chance combination of moods and forces may invite them to cross the shifting frontier.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading All his life he had realised that his senses brought to him merely a more or less interesting set of sham appearances; that space, as men measure it, was utterly misleading; that time, as the clock ticked it in a succession of minutes, was arbitrary nonsense; and, in fact, that all his sensory perceptions were but a clumsy representation of _real_ things behind the curtain--things he was for ever trying to get at, and that sometimes he actually did get at.

United States labor leader (born in Ireland) who helped to found the Industrial Workers of the World (1830-1930)

From this reading "The Insanity of Jones" "The Man Who Found Out" "The Glamour of the Snow" and "Sand" These stories first appeared in Blackwood's story collections: "The Insanity of Jones" in _The Listener and Other Stories_ (1907); "The Man Who Found Out" in _The Wolves of God and Other Fey Stories_ (1921); "The Glamour of the Snow," and "Sand" in _Pan's Garden_ (1912).

the psychological result of perception and learning and reasoning

From this reading For only to the few whose inner senses have been quickened, perchance by some strange suffering in the depths, or by a natural temperament bequeathed from a remote past, comes the knowledge, not too welcome, that this greater world lies ever at their elbow, and that any moment a chance combination of moods and forces may invite them to cross the shifting frontier.

used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs

From this reading All his life he had realised that his senses brought to him merely a more or less interesting set of sham appearances; that space, as men measure it, was utterly misleading; that time, as the clock ticked it in a succession of minutes, was arbitrary nonsense; and, in fact, that all his sensory perceptions were but a clumsy representation of _real_ things behind the curtain--things he was for ever trying to get at, and that sometimes he actually did get at.

plural of “lie” — a statement that deviates from or perverts the truth

From this reading For only to the few whose inner senses have been quickened, perchance by some strange suffering in the depths, or by a natural temperament bequeathed from a remote past, comes the knowledge, not too welcome, that this greater world lies ever at their elbow, and that any moment a chance combination of moods and forces may invite them to cross the shifting frontier.

a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading All his life he had realised that his senses brought to him merely a more or less interesting set of sham appearances; that space, as men measure it, was utterly misleading; that time, as the clock ticked it in a succession of minutes, was arbitrary nonsense; and, in fact, that all his sensory perceptions were but a clumsy representation of _real_ things behind the curtain--things he was for ever trying to get at, and that sometimes he actually did get at.

someone who listens attentively

From this reading "The Insanity of Jones" "The Man Who Found Out" "The Glamour of the Snow" and "Sand" These stories first appeared in Blackwood's story collections: "The Insanity of Jones" in _The Listener and Other Stories_ (1907); "The Man Who Found Out" in _The Wolves of God and Other Fey Stories_ (1921); "The Glamour of the Snow," and "Sand" in _Pan's Garden_ (1912).

the property resulting from being or relating to the greater in number of two parts; the main part

From this reading Adventures come to the adventurous, and mysterious things fall in the way of those who, with wonder and imagination, are on the watch for them; but the majority of people go past the doors that are half ajar, thinking them closed, and fail to notice the faint stirrings of the great curtain that hangs ever in the form of appearances between them and the world of causes behind.

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

From this reading "The Insanity of Jones" "The Man Who Found Out" "The Glamour of the Snow" and "Sand" These stories first appeared in Blackwood's story collections: "The Insanity of Jones" in _The Listener and Other Stories_ (1907); "The Man Who Found Out" in _The Wolves of God and Other Fey Stories_ (1921); "The Glamour of the Snow," and "Sand" in _Pan's Garden_ (1912).

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading For only to the few whose inner senses have been quickened, perchance by some strange suffering in the depths, or by a natural temperament bequeathed from a remote past, comes the knowledge, not too welcome, that this greater world lies ever at their elbow, and that any moment a chance combination of moods and forces may invite them to cross the shifting frontier.

any maneuver made as part of progress toward a goal

From this reading All his life he had realised that his senses brought to him merely a more or less interesting set of sham appearances; that space, as men measure it, was utterly misleading; that time, as the clock ticked it in a succession of minutes, was arbitrary nonsense; and, in fact, that all his sensory perceptions were but a clumsy representation of _real_ things behind the curtain--things he was for ever trying to get at, and that sometimes he actually did get at.

the force of workers available

From this reading All his life he had realised that his senses brought to him merely a more or less interesting set of sham appearances; that space, as men measure it, was utterly misleading; that time, as the clock ticked it in a succession of minutes, was arbitrary nonsense; and, in fact, that all his sensory perceptions were but a clumsy representation of _real_ things behind the curtain--things he was for ever trying to get at, and that sometimes he actually did get at.

and nothing more

From this reading All his life he had realised that his senses brought to him merely a more or less interesting set of sham appearances; that space, as men measure it, was utterly misleading; that time, as the clock ticked it in a succession of minutes, was arbitrary nonsense; and, in fact, that all his sensory perceptions were but a clumsy representation of _real_ things behind the curtain--things he was for ever trying to get at, and that sometimes he actually did get at.

a written account of what transpired at a meeting

From this reading All his life he had realised that his senses brought to him merely a more or less interesting set of sham appearances; that space, as men measure it, was utterly misleading; that time, as the clock ticked it in a succession of minutes, was arbitrary nonsense; and, in fact, that all his sensory perceptions were but a clumsy representation of _real_ things behind the curtain--things he was for ever trying to get at, and that sometimes he actually did get at.

designed to deceive or mislead either deliberately or inadvertently

From this reading All his life he had realised that his senses brought to him merely a more or less interesting set of sham appearances; that space, as men measure it, was utterly misleading; that time, as the clock ticked it in a succession of minutes, was arbitrary nonsense; and, in fact, that all his sensory perceptions were but a clumsy representation of _real_ things behind the curtain--things he was for ever trying to get at, and that sometimes he actually did get at.

a particular point in time

From this reading For only to the few whose inner senses have been quickened, perchance by some strange suffering in the depths, or by a natural temperament bequeathed from a remote past, comes the knowledge, not too welcome, that this greater world lies ever at their elbow, and that any moment a chance combination of moods and forces may invite them to cross the shifting frontier.

plural of “mood” — a characteristic (habitual or relatively temporary) state of feeling

From this reading For only to the few whose inner senses have been quickened, perchance by some strange suffering in the depths, or by a natural temperament bequeathed from a remote past, comes the knowledge, not too welcome, that this greater world lies ever at their elbow, and that any moment a chance combination of moods and forces may invite them to cross the shifting frontier.

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading All his life he had realised that his senses brought to him merely a more or less interesting set of sham appearances; that space, as men measure it, was utterly misleading; that time, as the clock ticked it in a succession of minutes, was arbitrary nonsense; and, in fact, that all his sensory perceptions were but a clumsy representation of _real_ things behind the curtain--things he was for ever trying to get at, and that sometimes he actually did get at.

of an obscure nature

From this reading Adventures come to the adventurous, and mysterious things fall in the way of those who, with wonder and imagination, are on the watch for them; but the majority of people go past the doors that are half ajar, thinking them closed, and fail to notice the faint stirrings of the great curtain that hangs ever in the form of appearances between them and the world of causes behind.

in accordance with nature; relating to or concerning nature

From this reading For only to the few whose inner senses have been quickened, perchance by some strange suffering in the depths, or by a natural temperament bequeathed from a remote past, comes the knowledge, not too welcome, that this greater world lies ever at their elbow, and that any moment a chance combination of moods and forces may invite them to cross the shifting frontier.

not any; not one

From this reading Some, however, are born with this awful certainty in their hearts, and are called to no apprenticeship, and to this select company Jones undoubtedly belonged.

a message that seems to convey no meaning

From this reading All his life he had realised that his senses brought to him merely a more or less interesting set of sham appearances; that space, as men measure it, was utterly misleading; that time, as the clock ticked it in a succession of minutes, was arbitrary nonsense; and, in fact, that all his sensory perceptions were but a clumsy representation of _real_ things behind the curtain--things he was for ever trying to get at, and that sometimes he actually did get at.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading For only to the few whose inner senses have been quickened, perchance by some strange suffering in the depths, or by a natural temperament bequeathed from a remote past, comes the knowledge, not too welcome, that this greater world lies ever at their elbow, and that any moment a chance combination of moods and forces may invite them to cross the shifting frontier.

an announcement containing information about an event

From this reading Adventures come to the adventurous, and mysterious things fall in the way of those who, with wonder and imagination, are on the watch for them; but the majority of people go past the doors that are half ajar, thinking them closed, and fail to notice the faint stirrings of the great curtain that hangs ever in the form of appearances between them and the world of causes behind.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading "The Insanity of Jones" "The Man Who Found Out" "The Glamour of the Snow" and "Sand" These stories first appeared in Blackwood's story collections: "The Insanity of Jones" in _The Listener and Other Stories_ (1907); "The Man Who Found Out" in _The Wolves of God and Other Fey Stories_ (1921); "The Glamour of the Snow," and "Sand" in _Pan's Garden_ (1912).

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Adventures come to the adventurous, and mysterious things fall in the way of those who, with wonder and imagination, are on the watch for them; but the majority of people go past the doors that are half ajar, thinking them closed, and fail to notice the faint stirrings of the great curtain that hangs ever in the form of appearances between them and the world of causes behind.

and nothing more

From this reading For only to the few whose inner senses have been quickened, perchance by some strange suffering in the depths, or by a natural temperament bequeathed from a remote past, comes the knowledge, not too welcome, that this greater world lies ever at their elbow, and that any moment a chance combination of moods and forces may invite them to cross the shifting frontier.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading For only to the few whose inner senses have been quickened, perchance by some strange suffering in the depths, or by a natural temperament bequeathed from a remote past, comes the knowledge, not too welcome, that this greater world lies ever at their elbow, and that any moment a chance combination of moods and forces may invite them to cross the shifting frontier.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading "The Insanity of Jones" "The Man Who Found Out" "The Glamour of the Snow" and "Sand" These stories first appeared in Blackwood's story collections: "The Insanity of Jones" in _The Listener and Other Stories_ (1907); "The Man Who Found Out" in _The Wolves of God and Other Fey Stories_ (1921); "The Glamour of the Snow," and "Sand" in _Pan's Garden_ (1912).

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading "The Insanity of Jones" "The Man Who Found Out" "The Glamour of the Snow" and "Sand" These stories first appeared in Blackwood's story collections: "The Insanity of Jones" in _The Listener and Other Stories_ (1907); "The Man Who Found Out" in _The Wolves of God and Other Fey Stories_ (1921); "The Glamour of the Snow," and "Sand" in _Pan's Garden_ (1912).

possessive form of “pan” — cooking utensil consisting of a wide metal vessel

From this reading "The Insanity of Jones" "The Man Who Found Out" "The Glamour of the Snow" and "Sand" These stories first appeared in Blackwood's story collections: "The Insanity of Jones" in _The Listener and Other Stories_ (1907); "The Man Who Found Out" in _The Wolves of God and Other Fey Stories_ (1921); "The Glamour of the Snow," and "Sand" in _Pan's Garden_ (1912).

the time that has elapsed

From this reading Adventures come to the adventurous, and mysterious things fall in the way of those who, with wonder and imagination, are on the watch for them; but the majority of people go past the doors that are half ajar, thinking them closed, and fail to notice the faint stirrings of the great curtain that hangs ever in the form of appearances between them and the world of causes behind.

(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively

From this reading Adventures come to the adventurous, and mysterious things fall in the way of those who, with wonder and imagination, are on the watch for them; but the majority of people go past the doors that are half ajar, thinking them closed, and fail to notice the faint stirrings of the great curtain that hangs ever in the form of appearances between them and the world of causes behind.

plural of “perception” — the representation of what is perceived; basic component in the formation of a concept

From this reading All his life he had realised that his senses brought to him merely a more or less interesting set of sham appearances; that space, as men measure it, was utterly misleading; that time, as the clock ticked it in a succession of minutes, was arbitrary nonsense; and, in fact, that all his sensory perceptions were but a clumsy representation of _real_ things behind the curtain--things he was for ever trying to get at, and that sometimes he actually did get at.

through chance

From this reading For only to the few whose inner senses have been quickened, perchance by some strange suffering in the depths, or by a natural temperament bequeathed from a remote past, comes the knowledge, not too welcome, that this greater world lies ever at their elbow, and that any moment a chance combination of moods and forces may invite them to cross the shifting frontier.

past form of “quicken” — move faster

From this reading For only to the few whose inner senses have been quickened, perchance by some strange suffering in the depths, or by a natural temperament bequeathed from a remote past, comes the knowledge, not too welcome, that this greater world lies ever at their elbow, and that any moment a chance combination of moods and forces may invite them to cross the shifting frontier.

being or occurring in fact or actuality; having verified existence; not illusory

From this reading All his life he had realised that his senses brought to him merely a more or less interesting set of sham appearances; that space, as men measure it, was utterly misleading; that time, as the clock ticked it in a succession of minutes, was arbitrary nonsense; and, in fact, that all his sensory perceptions were but a clumsy representation of _real_ things behind the curtain--things he was for ever trying to get at, and that sometimes he actually did get at.

successfully completed or brought to an end

From this reading All his life he had realised that his senses brought to him merely a more or less interesting set of sham appearances; that space, as men measure it, was utterly misleading; that time, as the clock ticked it in a succession of minutes, was arbitrary nonsense; and, in fact, that all his sensory perceptions were but a clumsy representation of _real_ things behind the curtain--things he was for ever trying to get at, and that sometimes he actually did get at.

located far away spatially

From this reading For only to the few whose inner senses have been quickened, perchance by some strange suffering in the depths, or by a natural temperament bequeathed from a remote past, comes the knowledge, not too welcome, that this greater world lies ever at their elbow, and that any moment a chance combination of moods and forces may invite them to cross the shifting frontier.

a presentation to the mind in the form of an idea or image

From this reading All his life he had realised that his senses brought to him merely a more or less interesting set of sham appearances; that space, as men measure it, was utterly misleading; that time, as the clock ticked it in a succession of minutes, was arbitrary nonsense; and, in fact, that all his sensory perceptions were but a clumsy representation of _real_ things behind the curtain--things he was for ever trying to get at, and that sometimes he actually did get at.

a loose material consisting of grains of rock or coral

From this reading "The Insanity of Jones" "The Man Who Found Out" "The Glamour of the Snow" and "Sand" These stories first appeared in Blackwood's story collections: "The Insanity of Jones" in _The Listener and Other Stories_ (1907); "The Man Who Found Out" in _The Wolves of God and Other Fey Stories_ (1921); "The Glamour of the Snow," and "Sand" in _Pan's Garden_ (1912).

of superior grade

From this reading Some, however, are born with this awful certainty in their hearts, and are called to no apprenticeship, and to this select company Jones undoubtedly belonged.

plural of “sens” — street names for marijuana

From this reading For only to the few whose inner senses have been quickened, perchance by some strange suffering in the depths, or by a natural temperament bequeathed from a remote past, comes the knowledge, not too welcome, that this greater world lies ever at their elbow, and that any moment a chance combination of moods and forces may invite them to cross the shifting frontier.

of a nerve fiber or impulse originating outside and passing toward the central nervous system

From this reading All his life he had realised that his senses brought to him merely a more or less interesting set of sham appearances; that space, as men measure it, was utterly misleading; that time, as the clock ticked it in a succession of minutes, was arbitrary nonsense; and, in fact, that all his sensory perceptions were but a clumsy representation of _real_ things behind the curtain--things he was for ever trying to get at, and that sometimes he actually did get at.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading All his life he had realised that his senses brought to him merely a more or less interesting set of sham appearances; that space, as men measure it, was utterly misleading; that time, as the clock ticked it in a succession of minutes, was arbitrary nonsense; and, in fact, that all his sensory perceptions were but a clumsy representation of _real_ things behind the curtain--things he was for ever trying to get at, and that sometimes he actually did get at.

something that is a counterfeit; not what it seems to be

From this reading All his life he had realised that his senses brought to him merely a more or less interesting set of sham appearances; that space, as men measure it, was utterly misleading; that time, as the clock ticked it in a succession of minutes, was arbitrary nonsense; and, in fact, that all his sensory perceptions were but a clumsy representation of _real_ things behind the curtain--things he was for ever trying to get at, and that sometimes he actually did get at.

continuously varying

From this reading For only to the few whose inner senses have been quickened, perchance by some strange suffering in the depths, or by a natural temperament bequeathed from a remote past, comes the knowledge, not too welcome, that this greater world lies ever at their elbow, and that any moment a chance combination of moods and forces may invite them to cross the shifting frontier.

precipitation falling from clouds in the form of ice crystals

From this reading "The Insanity of Jones" "The Man Who Found Out" "The Glamour of the Snow" and "Sand" These stories first appeared in Blackwood's story collections: "The Insanity of Jones" in _The Listener and Other Stories_ (1907); "The Man Who Found Out" in _The Wolves of God and Other Fey Stories_ (1921); "The Glamour of the Snow," and "Sand" in _Pan's Garden_ (1912).

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

From this reading For only to the few whose inner senses have been quickened, perchance by some strange suffering in the depths, or by a natural temperament bequeathed from a remote past, comes the knowledge, not too welcome, that this greater world lies ever at their elbow, and that any moment a chance combination of moods and forces may invite them to cross the shifting frontier.

on certain occasions or in certain cases but not always

From this reading All his life he had realised that his senses brought to him merely a more or less interesting set of sham appearances; that space, as men measure it, was utterly misleading; that time, as the clock ticked it in a succession of minutes, was arbitrary nonsense; and, in fact, that all his sensory perceptions were but a clumsy representation of _real_ things behind the curtain--things he was for ever trying to get at, and that sometimes he actually did get at.

the unlimited expanse in which everything is located

From this reading All his life he had realised that his senses brought to him merely a more or less interesting set of sham appearances; that space, as men measure it, was utterly misleading; that time, as the clock ticked it in a succession of minutes, was arbitrary nonsense; and, in fact, that all his sensory perceptions were but a clumsy representation of _real_ things behind the curtain--things he was for ever trying to get at, and that sometimes he actually did get at.

plural of “stirring” — agitating a liquid with an implement

From this reading Adventures come to the adventurous, and mysterious things fall in the way of those who, with wonder and imagination, are on the watch for them; but the majority of people go past the doors that are half ajar, thinking them closed, and fail to notice the faint stirrings of the great curtain that hangs ever in the form of appearances between them and the world of causes behind.

plural of “story” — 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 "The Insanity of Jones" "The Man Who Found Out" "The Glamour of the Snow" and "Sand" These stories first appeared in Blackwood's story collections: "The Insanity of Jones" in _The Listener and Other Stories_ (1907); "The Man Who Found Out" in _The Wolves of God and Other Fey Stories_ (1921); "The Glamour of the Snow," and "Sand" in _Pan's Garden_ (1912).

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 "The Insanity of Jones" "The Man Who Found Out" "The Glamour of the Snow" and "Sand" These stories first appeared in Blackwood's story collections: "The Insanity of Jones" in _The Listener and Other Stories_ (1907); "The Man Who Found Out" in _The Wolves of God and Other Fey Stories_ (1921); "The Glamour of the Snow," and "Sand" in _Pan's Garden_ (1912).

being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird

From this reading For only to the few whose inner senses have been quickened, perchance by some strange suffering in the depths, or by a natural temperament bequeathed from a remote past, comes the knowledge, not too welcome, that this greater world lies ever at their elbow, and that any moment a chance combination of moods and forces may invite them to cross the shifting frontier.

a following of one thing after another in time

From this reading All his life he had realised that his senses brought to him merely a more or less interesting set of sham appearances; that space, as men measure it, was utterly misleading; that time, as the clock ticked it in a succession of minutes, was arbitrary nonsense; and, in fact, that all his sensory perceptions were but a clumsy representation of _real_ things behind the curtain--things he was for ever trying to get at, and that sometimes he actually did get at.

a state of acute pain

From this reading For only to the few whose inner senses have been quickened, perchance by some strange suffering in the depths, or by a natural temperament bequeathed from a remote past, comes the knowledge, not too welcome, that this greater world lies ever at their elbow, and that any moment a chance combination of moods and forces may invite them to cross the shifting frontier.

your usual mood

From this reading For only to the few whose inner senses have been quickened, perchance by some strange suffering in the depths, or by a natural temperament bequeathed from a remote past, comes the knowledge, not too welcome, that this greater world lies ever at their elbow, and that any moment a chance combination of moods and forces may invite them to cross the shifting frontier.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Adventures come to the adventurous, and mysterious things fall in the way of those who, with wonder and imagination, are on the watch for them; but the majority of people go past the doors that are half ajar, thinking them closed, and fail to notice the faint stirrings of the great curtain that hangs ever in the form of appearances between them and the world of causes behind.

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

From this reading "The Insanity of Jones" "The Man Who Found Out" "The Glamour of the Snow" and "Sand" These stories first appeared in Blackwood's story collections: "The Insanity of Jones" in _The Listener and Other Stories_ (1907); "The Man Who Found Out" in _The Wolves of God and Other Fey Stories_ (1921); "The Glamour of the Snow," and "Sand" in _Pan's Garden_ (1912).

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading For only to the few whose inner senses have been quickened, perchance by some strange suffering in the depths, or by a natural temperament bequeathed from a remote past, comes the knowledge, not too welcome, that this greater world lies ever at their elbow, and that any moment a chance combination of moods and forces may invite them to cross the shifting frontier.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading Adventures come to the adventurous, and mysterious things fall in the way of those who, with wonder and imagination, are on the watch for them; but the majority of people go past the doors that are half ajar, thinking them closed, and fail to notice the faint stirrings of the great curtain that hangs ever in the form of appearances between them and the world of causes behind.

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

From this reading "The Insanity of Jones" "The Man Who Found Out" "The Glamour of the Snow" and "Sand" These stories first appeared in Blackwood's story collections: "The Insanity of Jones" in _The Listener and Other Stories_ (1907); "The Man Who Found Out" in _The Wolves of God and Other Fey Stories_ (1921); "The Glamour of the Snow," and "Sand" in _Pan's Garden_ (1912).

any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)

From this reading Adventures come to the adventurous, and mysterious things fall in the way of those who, with wonder and imagination, are on the watch for them; but the majority of people go past the doors that are half ajar, thinking them closed, and fail to notice the faint stirrings of the great curtain that hangs ever in the form of appearances between them and the world of causes behind.

the process of using your mind to consider something carefully

From this reading Adventures come to the adventurous, and mysterious things fall in the way of those who, with wonder and imagination, are on the watch for them; but the majority of people go past the doors that are half ajar, thinking them closed, and fail to notice the faint stirrings of the great curtain that hangs ever in the form of appearances between them and the world of causes behind.

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

From this reading For only to the few whose inner senses have been quickened, perchance by some strange suffering in the depths, or by a natural temperament bequeathed from a remote past, comes the knowledge, not too welcome, that this greater world lies ever at their elbow, and that any moment a chance combination of moods and forces may invite them to cross the shifting frontier.

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading Adventures come to the adventurous, and mysterious things fall in the way of those who, with wonder and imagination, are on the watch for them; but the majority of people go past the doors that are half ajar, thinking them closed, and fail to notice the faint stirrings of the great curtain that hangs ever in the form of appearances between them and the world of causes behind.

past form of “tick” — make a clicking or ticking sound

From this reading All his life he had realised that his senses brought to him merely a more or less interesting set of sham appearances; that space, as men measure it, was utterly misleading; that time, as the clock ticked it in a succession of minutes, was arbitrary nonsense; and, in fact, that all his sensory perceptions were but a clumsy representation of _real_ things behind the curtain--things he was for ever trying to get at, and that sometimes he actually did get at.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading All his life he had realised that his senses brought to him merely a more or less interesting set of sham appearances; that space, as men measure it, was utterly misleading; that time, as the clock ticked it in a succession of minutes, was arbitrary nonsense; and, in fact, that all his sensory perceptions were but a clumsy representation of _real_ things behind the curtain--things he was for ever trying to get at, and that sometimes he actually did get at.

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

From this reading Adventures come to the adventurous, and mysterious things fall in the way of those who, with wonder and imagination, are on the watch for them; but the majority of people go past the doors that are half ajar, thinking them closed, and fail to notice the faint stirrings of the great curtain that hangs ever in the form of appearances between them and the world of causes behind.

to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits

From this reading For only to the few whose inner senses have been quickened, perchance by some strange suffering in the depths, or by a natural temperament bequeathed from a remote past, comes the knowledge, not too welcome, that this greater world lies ever at their elbow, and that any moment a chance combination of moods and forces may invite them to cross the shifting frontier.

hard to endure

From this reading All his life he had realised that his senses brought to him merely a more or less interesting set of sham appearances; that space, as men measure it, was utterly misleading; that time, as the clock ticked it in a succession of minutes, was arbitrary nonsense; and, in fact, that all his sensory perceptions were but a clumsy representation of _real_ things behind the curtain--things he was for ever trying to get at, and that sometimes he actually did get at.

without doubt; certainly

From this reading Some, however, are born with this awful certainty in their hearts, and are called to no apprenticeship, and to this select company Jones undoubtedly belonged.

completely and without qualification; used informally as intensifiers

From this reading All his life he had realised that his senses brought to him merely a more or less interesting set of sham appearances; that space, as men measure it, was utterly misleading; that time, as the clock ticked it in a succession of minutes, was arbitrary nonsense; and, in fact, that all his sensory perceptions were but a clumsy representation of _real_ things behind the curtain--things he was for ever trying to get at, and that sometimes he actually did get at.

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

From this reading All his life he had realised that his senses brought to him merely a more or less interesting set of sham appearances; that space, as men measure it, was utterly misleading; that time, as the clock ticked it in a succession of minutes, was arbitrary nonsense; and, in fact, that all his sensory perceptions were but a clumsy representation of _real_ things behind the curtain--things he was for ever trying to get at, and that sometimes he actually did get at.

look attentively

From this reading Adventures come to the adventurous, and mysterious things fall in the way of those who, with wonder and imagination, are on the watch for them; but the majority of people go past the doors that are half ajar, thinking them closed, and fail to notice the faint stirrings of the great curtain that hangs ever in the form of appearances between them and the world of causes behind.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading Adventures come to the adventurous, and mysterious things fall in the way of those who, with wonder and imagination, are on the watch for them; but the majority of people go past the doors that are half ajar, thinking them closed, and fail to notice the faint stirrings of the great curtain that hangs ever in the form of appearances between them and the world of causes behind.

accept gladly

From this reading For only to the few whose inner senses have been quickened, perchance by some strange suffering in the depths, or by a natural temperament bequeathed from a remote past, comes the knowledge, not too welcome, that this greater world lies ever at their elbow, and that any moment a chance combination of moods and forces may invite them to cross the shifting frontier.

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

From this reading All his life he had realised that his senses brought to him merely a more or less interesting set of sham appearances; that space, as men measure it, was utterly misleading; that time, as the clock ticked it in a succession of minutes, was arbitrary nonsense; and, in fact, that all his sensory perceptions were but a clumsy representation of _real_ things behind the curtain--things he was for ever trying to get at, and that sometimes he actually did get at.

which person or people

From this reading "The Insanity of Jones" "The Man Who Found Out" "The Glamour of the Snow" and "Sand" These stories first appeared in Blackwood's story collections: "The Insanity of Jones" in _The Listener and Other Stories_ (1907); "The Man Who Found Out" in _The Wolves of God and Other Fey Stories_ (1921); "The Glamour of the Snow," and "Sand" in _Pan's Garden_ (1912).

belonging to which person

From this reading For only to the few whose inner senses have been quickened, perchance by some strange suffering in the depths, or by a natural temperament bequeathed from a remote past, comes the knowledge, not too welcome, that this greater world lies ever at their elbow, and that any moment a chance combination of moods and forces may invite them to cross the shifting frontier.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Adventures come to the adventurous, and mysterious things fall in the way of those who, with wonder and imagination, are on the watch for them; but the majority of people go past the doors that are half ajar, thinking them closed, and fail to notice the faint stirrings of the great curtain that hangs ever in the form of appearances between them and the world of causes behind.

plural of “wolf” — any of various predatory carnivorous canine mammals of North America and Eurasia that usually hunt in packs

From this reading "The Insanity of Jones" "The Man Who Found Out" "The Glamour of the Snow" and "Sand" These stories first appeared in Blackwood's story collections: "The Insanity of Jones" in _The Listener and Other Stories_ (1907); "The Man Who Found Out" in _The Wolves of God and Other Fey Stories_ (1921); "The Glamour of the Snow," and "Sand" in _Pan's Garden_ (1912).

the feeling aroused by something strange and surprising

From this reading Adventures come to the adventurous, and mysterious things fall in the way of those who, with wonder and imagination, are on the watch for them; but the majority of people go past the doors that are half ajar, thinking them closed, and fail to notice the faint stirrings of the great curtain that hangs ever in the form of appearances between them and the world of causes behind.

everything that exists anywhere

From this reading Adventures come to the adventurous, and mysterious things fall in the way of those who, with wonder and imagination, are on the watch for them; but the majority of people go past the doors that are half ajar, thinking them closed, and fail to notice the faint stirrings of the great curtain that hangs ever in the form of appearances between them and the world of causes behind.