Chapter XIII · Chapter 13

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

From this reading The door opened with a quick, jerky movement immediately after the knock, and, without waiting to be invited to enter, a tall, angular, thin-legged, knock-kneed man walked into the room with a peculiar movement that seemed to indicate that his legs were in danger of breaking at every step.

later than; following

From this reading The door opened with a quick, jerky movement immediately after the knock, and, without waiting to be invited to enter, a tall, angular, thin-legged, knock-kneed man walked into the room with a peculiar movement that seemed to indicate that his legs were in danger of breaking at every step.

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

From this reading This man had a very long, thin neck, on which was set a long, narrow head, crowned with an out-of-date silk hat.

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

From this reading The door opened with a quick, jerky movement immediately after the knock, and, without waiting to be invited to enter, a tall, angular, thin-legged, knock-kneed man walked into the room with a peculiar movement that seemed to indicate that his legs were in danger of breaking at every step.

measured by an angle or by the rate of change of an angle

From this reading The door opened with a quick, jerky movement immediately after the knock, and, without waiting to be invited to enter, a tall, angular, thin-legged, knock-kneed man walked into the room with a peculiar movement that seemed to indicate that his legs were in danger of breaking at every step.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading The door opened with a quick, jerky movement immediately after the knock, and, without waiting to be invited to enter, a tall, angular, thin-legged, knock-kneed man walked into the room with a peculiar movement that seemed to indicate that his legs were in danger of breaking at every step.

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

From this reading The door opened with a quick, jerky movement immediately after the knock, and, without waiting to be invited to enter, a tall, angular, thin-legged, knock-kneed man walked into the room with a peculiar movement that seemed to indicate that his legs were in danger of breaking at every step.

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

From this reading He wore a suit of rusty black, a flaring high collar, that was sadly wilted and lay out over the collar of his coat, and a black string necktie, which was tied in a careless knot.

the act of breaking something

From this reading The door opened with a quick, jerky movement immediately after the knock, and, without waiting to be invited to enter, a tall, angular, thin-legged, knock-kneed man walked into the room with a peculiar movement that seemed to indicate that his legs were in danger of breaking at every step.

marked by lack of attention or consideration or forethought or thoroughness; not careful

From this reading He wore a suit of rusty black, a flaring high collar, that was sadly wilted and lay out over the collar of his coat, and a black string necktie, which was tied in a careless knot.

inflected form of “cling” — come or be in close contact with; stick or hold together and resist separation

From this reading His face was shaven smooth, and a pair of gold-bowed spectacles clung convulsively to the end of a long, thin nose.

an outer garment that has sleeves and covers the body from shoulder down; worn outdoors

From this reading He wore a suit of rusty black, a flaring high collar, that was sadly wilted and lay out over the collar of his coat, and a black string necktie, which was tied in a careless knot.

a band that fits around the neck and is usually folded over

From this reading He wore a suit of rusty black, a flaring high collar, that was sadly wilted and lay out over the collar of his coat, and a black string necktie, which was tied in a careless knot.

with convulsions, in a convulsive way

From this reading His face was shaven smooth, and a pair of gold-bowed spectacles clung convulsively to the end of a long, thin nose.

having an (artificial) crown on a tooth

From this reading This man had a very long, thin neck, on which was set a long, narrow head, crowned with an out-of-date silk hat.

the condition of being susceptible to harm or injury

From this reading The door opened with a quick, jerky movement immediately after the knock, and, without waiting to be invited to enter, a tall, angular, thin-legged, knock-kneed man walked into the room with a peculiar movement that seemed to indicate that his legs were in danger of breaking at every step.

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

From this reading The door opened with a quick, jerky movement immediately after the knock, and, without waiting to be invited to enter, a tall, angular, thin-legged, knock-kneed man walked into the room with a peculiar movement that seemed to indicate that his legs were in danger of breaking at every step.

either extremity of something that has length

From this reading His face was shaven smooth, and a pair of gold-bowed spectacles clung convulsively to the end of a long, thin nose.

to come or go into

From this reading The door opened with a quick, jerky movement immediately after the knock, and, without waiting to be invited to enter, a tall, angular, thin-legged, knock-kneed man walked into the room with a peculiar movement that seemed to indicate that his legs were in danger of breaking at every step.

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading The door opened with a quick, jerky movement immediately after the knock, and, without waiting to be invited to enter, a tall, angular, thin-legged, knock-kneed man walked into the room with a peculiar movement that seemed to indicate that his legs were in danger of breaking at every step.

the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear

From this reading His face was shaven smooth, and a pair of gold-bowed spectacles clung convulsively to the end of a long, thin nose.

streaming or flapping or spreading wide as if in a current of air

From this reading He wore a suit of rusty black, a flaring high collar, that was sadly wilted and lay out over the collar of his coat, and a black string necktie, which was tied in a careless knot.

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

From this reading His face was shaven smooth, and a pair of gold-bowed spectacles clung convulsively to the end of a long, thin nose.

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

From this reading This man had a very long, thin neck, on which was set a long, narrow head, crowned with an out-of-date silk hat.

headdress that protects the head from bad weather; has shaped crown and usually a brim

From this reading This man had a very long, thin neck, on which was set a long, narrow head, crowned with an out-of-date silk hat.

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

From this reading He wore a suit of rusty black, a flaring high collar, that was sadly wilted and lay out over the collar of his coat, and a black string necktie, which was tied in a careless knot.

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

From this reading This man had a very long, thin neck, on which was set a long, narrow head, crowned with an out-of-date silk hat.

greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading He wore a suit of rusty black, a flaring high collar, that was sadly wilted and lay out over the collar of his coat, and a black string necktie, which was tied in a careless knot.

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

From this reading The door opened with a quick, jerky movement immediately after the knock, and, without waiting to be invited to enter, a tall, angular, thin-legged, knock-kneed man walked into the room with a peculiar movement that seemed to indicate that his legs were in danger of breaking at every step.

without delay or hesitation; with no time intervening

From this reading The door opened with a quick, jerky movement immediately after the knock, and, without waiting to be invited to enter, a tall, angular, thin-legged, knock-kneed man walked into the room with a peculiar movement that seemed to indicate that his legs were in danger of breaking at every step.

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

From this reading The door opened with a quick, jerky movement immediately after the knock, and, without waiting to be invited to enter, a tall, angular, thin-legged, knock-kneed man walked into the room with a peculiar movement that seemed to indicate that his legs were in danger of breaking at every step.

be a signal for or a symptom of

From this reading The door opened with a quick, jerky movement immediately after the knock, and, without waiting to be invited to enter, a tall, angular, thin-legged, knock-kneed man walked into the room with a peculiar movement that seemed to indicate that his legs were in danger of breaking at every step.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading The door opened with a quick, jerky movement immediately after the knock, and, without waiting to be invited to enter, a tall, angular, thin-legged, knock-kneed man walked into the room with a peculiar movement that seemed to indicate that his legs were in danger of breaking at every step.

past form of “invite” — increase the likelihood of

From this reading The door opened with a quick, jerky movement immediately after the knock, and, without waiting to be invited to enter, a tall, angular, thin-legged, knock-kneed man walked into the room with a peculiar movement that seemed to indicate that his legs were in danger of breaking at every step.

lacking a steady rhythm

From this reading The door opened with a quick, jerky movement immediately after the knock, and, without waiting to be invited to enter, a tall, angular, thin-legged, knock-kneed man walked into the room with a peculiar movement that seemed to indicate that his legs were in danger of breaking at every step.

deliver a sharp blow or push

From this reading The door opened with a quick, jerky movement immediately after the knock, and, without waiting to be invited to enter, a tall, angular, thin-legged, knock-kneed man walked into the room with a peculiar movement that seemed to indicate that his legs were in danger of breaking at every step.

having the knees abnormally close together and the ankles wide apart

From this reading The door opened with a quick, jerky movement immediately after the knock, and, without waiting to be invited to enter, a tall, angular, thin-legged, knock-kneed man walked into the room with a peculiar movement that seemed to indicate that his legs were in danger of breaking at every step.

a tight cluster of people or things

From this reading He wore a suit of rusty black, a flaring high collar, that was sadly wilted and lay out over the collar of his coat, and a black string necktie, which was tied in a careless knot.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading He wore a suit of rusty black, a flaring high collar, that was sadly wilted and lay out over the collar of his coat, and a black string necktie, which was tied in a careless knot.

staying power

From this reading The door opened with a quick, jerky movement immediately after the knock, and, without waiting to be invited to enter, a tall, angular, thin-legged, knock-kneed man walked into the room with a peculiar movement that seemed to indicate that his legs were in danger of breaking at every step.

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 This man had a very long, thin neck, on which was set a long, narrow head, crowned with an out-of-date silk hat.

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

From this reading The door opened with a quick, jerky movement immediately after the knock, and, without waiting to be invited to enter, a tall, angular, thin-legged, knock-kneed man walked into the room with a peculiar movement that seemed to indicate that his legs were in danger of breaking at every step.

a change of position that does not entail a change of location

From this reading The door opened with a quick, jerky movement immediately after the knock, and, without waiting to be invited to enter, a tall, angular, thin-legged, knock-kneed man walked into the room with a peculiar movement that seemed to indicate that his legs were in danger of breaking at every step.

make or become more narrow or restricted

From this reading This man had a very long, thin neck, on which was set a long, narrow head, crowned with an out-of-date silk hat.

the part of an organism (human or animal) that connects the head to the rest of the body

From this reading This man had a very long, thin neck, on which was set a long, narrow head, crowned with an out-of-date silk hat.

neckwear consisting of a long narrow piece of material worn (mostly by men) under a collar and tied in knot at the front

From this reading He wore a suit of rusty black, a flaring high collar, that was sadly wilted and lay out over the collar of his coat, and a black string necktie, which was tied in a careless knot.

the organ of smell and entrance to the respiratory tract; the prominent part of the face of man or other mammals

From this reading His face was shaven smooth, and a pair of gold-bowed spectacles clung convulsively to the end of a long, thin nose.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The door opened with a quick, jerky movement immediately after the knock, and, without waiting to be invited to enter, a tall, angular, thin-legged, knock-kneed man walked into the room with a peculiar movement that seemed to indicate that his legs were in danger of breaking at every step.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading This man had a very long, thin neck, on which was set a long, narrow head, crowned with an out-of-date silk hat.

used of mouth or eyes

From this reading The door opened with a quick, jerky movement immediately after the knock, and, without waiting to be invited to enter, a tall, angular, thin-legged, knock-kneed man walked into the room with a peculiar movement that seemed to indicate that his legs were in danger of breaking at every step.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading He wore a suit of rusty black, a flaring high collar, that was sadly wilted and lay out over the collar of his coat, and a black string necktie, which was tied in a careless knot.

old; no longer valid or fashionable

From this reading This man had a very long, thin neck, on which was set a long, narrow head, crowned with an out-of-date silk hat.

above and across; more than

From this reading He wore a suit of rusty black, a flaring high collar, that was sadly wilted and lay out over the collar of his coat, and a black string necktie, which was tied in a careless knot.

a set of two similar things considered as a unit

From this reading His face was shaven smooth, and a pair of gold-bowed spectacles clung convulsively to the end of a long, thin nose.

beyond or deviating from the usual or expected

From this reading The door opened with a quick, jerky movement immediately after the knock, and, without waiting to be invited to enter, a tall, angular, thin-legged, knock-kneed man walked into the room with a peculiar movement that seemed to indicate that his legs were in danger of breaking at every step.

someone who is a member of the faculty at a college or university

From this reading PROFESSOR SEPTEMAS SCUDMORE.

accomplished rapidly and without delay

From this reading The door opened with a quick, jerky movement immediately after the knock, and, without waiting to be invited to enter, a tall, angular, thin-legged, knock-kneed man walked into the room with a peculiar movement that seemed to indicate that his legs were in danger of breaking at every step.

an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling

From this reading The door opened with a quick, jerky movement immediately after the knock, and, without waiting to be invited to enter, a tall, angular, thin-legged, knock-kneed man walked into the room with a peculiar movement that seemed to indicate that his legs were in danger of breaking at every step.

covered with or consisting of rust

From this reading He wore a suit of rusty black, a flaring high collar, that was sadly wilted and lay out over the collar of his coat, and a black string necktie, which was tied in a careless knot.

in an unfortunate way

From this reading He wore a suit of rusty black, a flaring high collar, that was sadly wilted and lay out over the collar of his coat, and a black string necktie, which was tied in a careless knot.

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

From this reading PROFESSOR SEPTEMAS SCUDMORE.

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

From this reading The door opened with a quick, jerky movement immediately after the knock, and, without waiting to be invited to enter, a tall, angular, thin-legged, knock-kneed man walked into the room with a peculiar movement that seemed to indicate that his legs were in danger of breaking at every step.

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

From this reading PROFESSOR SEPTEMAS SCUDMORE.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading This man had a very long, thin neck, on which was set a long, narrow head, crowned with an out-of-date silk hat.

having the beard or hair cut off close to the skin

From this reading His face was shaven smooth, and a pair of gold-bowed spectacles clung convulsively to the end of a long, thin nose.

a fabric made from the fine threads produced by certain insect larvae

From this reading This man had a very long, thin neck, on which was set a long, narrow head, crowned with an out-of-date silk hat.

having a surface free from roughness or bumps or ridges or irregularities

From this reading His face was shaven smooth, and a pair of gold-bowed spectacles clung convulsively to the end of a long, thin nose.

(plural) optical instrument consisting of a frame that holds a pair of lenses for correcting defective vision

From this reading His face was shaven smooth, and a pair of gold-bowed spectacles clung convulsively to the end of a long, thin nose.

any maneuver made as part of progress toward a goal

From this reading The door opened with a quick, jerky movement immediately after the knock, and, without waiting to be invited to enter, a tall, angular, thin-legged, knock-kneed man walked into the room with a peculiar movement that seemed to indicate that his legs were in danger of breaking at every step.

a lightweight cord

From this reading He wore a suit of rusty black, a flaring high collar, that was sadly wilted and lay out over the collar of his coat, and a black string necktie, which was tied in a careless knot.

be agreeable or acceptable to

From this reading He wore a suit of rusty black, a flaring high collar, that was sadly wilted and lay out over the collar of his coat, and a black string necktie, which was tied in a careless knot.

great in vertical dimension; high in stature

From this reading The door opened with a quick, jerky movement immediately after the knock, and, without waiting to be invited to enter, a tall, angular, thin-legged, knock-kneed man walked into the room with a peculiar movement that seemed to indicate that his legs were in danger of breaking at every step.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading The door opened with a quick, jerky movement immediately after the knock, and, without waiting to be invited to enter, a tall, angular, thin-legged, knock-kneed man walked into the room with a peculiar movement that seemed to indicate that his legs were in danger of breaking at every step.

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

From this reading The door opened with a quick, jerky movement immediately after the knock, and, without waiting to be invited to enter, a tall, angular, thin-legged, knock-kneed man walked into the room with a peculiar movement that seemed to indicate that his legs were in danger of breaking at every step.

Having little thickness or extent.

From this reading This man had a very long, thin neck, on which was set a long, narrow head, crowned with an out-of-date silk hat.

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

From this reading The door opened with a quick, jerky movement immediately after the knock, and, without waiting to be invited to enter, a tall, angular, thin-legged, knock-kneed man walked into the room with a peculiar movement that seemed to indicate that his legs were in danger of breaking at every step.

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

From this reading This man had a very long, thin neck, on which was set a long, narrow head, crowned with an out-of-date silk hat.

bound or secured closely

From this reading He wore a suit of rusty black, a flaring high collar, that was sadly wilted and lay out over the collar of his coat, and a black string necktie, which was tied in a careless knot.

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

From this reading The door opened with a quick, jerky movement immediately after the knock, and, without waiting to be invited to enter, a tall, angular, thin-legged, knock-kneed man walked into the room with a peculiar movement that seemed to indicate that his legs were in danger of breaking at every step.

precisely as stated

From this reading This man had a very long, thin neck, on which was set a long, narrow head, crowned with an out-of-date silk hat.

the act of waiting (remaining inactive in one place while expecting something)

From this reading The door opened with a quick, jerky movement immediately after the knock, and, without waiting to be invited to enter, a tall, angular, thin-legged, knock-kneed man walked into the room with a peculiar movement that seemed to indicate that his legs were in danger of breaking at every step.

past form of “walk” — use one's feet to advance; advance by steps

From this reading The door opened with a quick, jerky movement immediately after the knock, and, without waiting to be invited to enter, a tall, angular, thin-legged, knock-kneed man walked into the room with a peculiar movement that seemed to indicate that his legs were in danger of breaking at every step.

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

From this reading This man had a very long, thin neck, on which was set a long, narrow head, crowned with an out-of-date silk hat.

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

From this reading The door opened with a quick, jerky movement immediately after the knock, and, without waiting to be invited to enter, a tall, angular, thin-legged, knock-kneed man walked into the room with a peculiar movement that seemed to indicate that his legs were in danger of breaking at every step.

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

From this reading This man had a very long, thin neck, on which was set a long, narrow head, crowned with an out-of-date silk hat.

(of plants) limp due to heat, loss of water, or disease

From this reading He wore a suit of rusty black, a flaring high collar, that was sadly wilted and lay out over the collar of his coat, and a black string necktie, which was tied in a careless knot.

in the company of; together with

From this reading The door opened with a quick, jerky movement immediately after the knock, and, without waiting to be invited to enter, a tall, angular, thin-legged, knock-kneed man walked into the room with a peculiar movement that seemed to indicate that his legs were in danger of breaking at every step.

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading The door opened with a quick, jerky movement immediately after the knock, and, without waiting to be invited to enter, a tall, angular, thin-legged, knock-kneed man walked into the room with a peculiar movement that seemed to indicate that his legs were in danger of breaking at every step.

inflected form of “wear” — be dressed in

From this reading He wore a suit of rusty black, a flaring high collar, that was sadly wilted and lay out over the collar of his coat, and a black string necktie, which was tied in a careless knot.