Chapter XXIII · Chapter 23

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

From this reading Much was required of him in a world where a high fantastical acrobatic mountebankery was almost a matter of ceremony, where riders stand on their heads in passing their rivals and cooks punt a casserole over their heads to the wall behind by way of giving notice: much was required of him and he proved worthy.

vigorously active

From this reading Much was required of him in a world where a high fantastical acrobatic mountebankery was almost a matter of ceremony, where riders stand on their heads in passing their rivals and cooks punt a casserole over their heads to the wall behind by way of giving notice: much was required of him and he proved worthy.

(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but

From this reading Much was required of him in a world where a high fantastical acrobatic mountebankery was almost a matter of ceremony, where riders stand on their heads in passing their rivals and cooks punt a casserole over their heads to the wall behind by way of giving notice: much was required of him and he proved worthy.

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

From this reading Much was required of him in a world where a high fantastical acrobatic mountebankery was almost a matter of ceremony, where riders stand on their heads in passing their rivals and cooks punt a casserole over their heads to the wall behind by way of giving notice: much was required of him and he proved worthy.

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

From this reading He saw himself, I suppose, as a great imaginative master of fiction sees a hero.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading He puts his own name into the speeches of other men in a manner that is very rare: he does not start at the sound of _Don Jorge_.

a complex mental state involving beliefs and feelings and values and dispositions to act in certain ways

From this reading His attitude cannot be called vanity: it is too consistent and continuous and its effect by far too powerful.

a person's social heritage: previous experience or training

From this reading Borrow's Spanish portrait of himself was worthy of its background.

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

From this reading His attitude cannot be called vanity: it is too consistent and continuous and its effect by far too powerful.

at or toward the back of something

From this reading Much was required of him in a world where a high fantastical acrobatic mountebankery was almost a matter of ceremony, where riders stand on their heads in passing their rivals and cooks punt a casserole over their heads to the wall behind by way of giving notice: much was required of him and he proved worthy.

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

From this reading Borrow's Spanish portrait of himself was worthy of its background.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Much was required of him in a world where a high fantastical acrobatic mountebankery was almost a matter of ceremony, where riders stand on their heads in passing their rivals and cooks punt a casserole over their heads to the wall behind by way of giving notice: much was required of him and he proved worthy.

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

From this reading His attitude cannot be called vanity: it is too consistent and continuous and its effect by far too powerful.

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

From this reading His attitude cannot be called vanity: it is too consistent and continuous and its effect by far too powerful.

food cooked and served in a casserole

From this reading Much was required of him in a world where a high fantastical acrobatic mountebankery was almost a matter of ceremony, where riders stand on their heads in passing their rivals and cooks punt a casserole over their heads to the wall behind by way of giving notice: much was required of him and he proved worthy.

a formal event performed on a special occasion

From this reading Much was required of him in a world where a high fantastical acrobatic mountebankery was almost a matter of ceremony, where riders stand on their heads in passing their rivals and cooks punt a casserole over their heads to the wall behind by way of giving notice: much was required of him and he proved worthy.

(sometimes followed by “with”) in agreement or consistent or reliable

From this reading His attitude cannot be called vanity: it is too consistent and continuous and its effect by far too powerful.

continuing in time or space without interruption

From this reading His attitude cannot be called vanity: it is too consistent and continuous and its effect by far too powerful.

plural of “cook” — someone who cooks food

From this reading Much was required of him in a world where a high fantastical acrobatic mountebankery was almost a matter of ceremony, where riders stand on their heads in passing their rivals and cooks punt a casserole over their heads to the wall behind by way of giving notice: much was required of him and he proved worthy.

the form of “do” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading He puts his own name into the speeches of other men in a manner that is very rare: he does not start at the sound of _Don Jorge_.

a Spanish gentleman or nobleman

From this reading He puts his own name into the speeches of other men in a manner that is very rare: he does not start at the sound of _Don Jorge_.

a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon

From this reading His attitude cannot be called vanity: it is too consistent and continuous and its effect by far too powerful.

existing in fancy only

From this reading Much was required of him in a world where a high fantastical acrobatic mountebankery was almost a matter of ceremony, where riders stand on their heads in passing their rivals and cooks punt a casserole over their heads to the wall behind by way of giving notice: much was required of him and he proved worthy.

to a considerable degree; very much

From this reading His attitude cannot be called vanity: it is too consistent and continuous and its effect by far too powerful.

a literary work based on the imagination and not necessarily on fact

From this reading He saw himself, I suppose, as a great imaginative master of fiction sees a hero.

the act of giving

From this reading Much was required of him in a world where a high fantastical acrobatic mountebankery was almost a matter of ceremony, where riders stand on their heads in passing their rivals and cooks punt a casserole over their heads to the wall behind by way of giving notice: much was required of him and he proved worthy.

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

From this reading He saw himself, I suppose, as a great imaginative master of fiction sees a hero.

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

From this reading Much was required of him in a world where a high fantastical acrobatic mountebankery was almost a matter of ceremony, where riders stand on their heads in passing their rivals and cooks punt a casserole over their heads to the wall behind by way of giving notice: much was required of him and he proved worthy.

plural of “head” — the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains

From this reading Much was required of him in a world where a high fantastical acrobatic mountebankery was almost a matter of ceremony, where riders stand on their heads in passing their rivals and cooks punt a casserole over their heads to the wall behind by way of giving notice: much was required of him and he proved worthy.

a man distinguished by exceptional courage and nobility and strength

From this reading He saw himself, I suppose, as a great imaginative master of fiction sees a hero.

greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading Much was required of him in a world where a high fantastical acrobatic mountebankery was almost a matter of ceremony, where riders stand on their heads in passing their rivals and cooks punt a casserole over their heads to the wall behind by way of giving notice: much was required of him and he proved worthy.

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

From this reading Much was required of him in a world where a high fantastical acrobatic mountebankery was almost a matter of ceremony, where riders stand on their heads in passing their rivals and cooks punt a casserole over their heads to the wall behind by way of giving notice: much was required of him and he proved worthy.

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

From this reading Borrow's Spanish portrait of himself was worthy of its background.

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

From this reading His attitude cannot be called vanity: it is too consistent and continuous and its effect by far too powerful.

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

From this reading He saw himself, I suppose, as a great imaginative master of fiction sees a hero.

(used of persons or artifacts) marked by independence and creativity in thought or action

From this reading He saw himself, I suppose, as a great imaginative master of fiction sees a hero.

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

From this reading Much was required of him in a world where a high fantastical acrobatic mountebankery was almost a matter of ceremony, where riders stand on their heads in passing their rivals and cooks punt a casserole over their heads to the wall behind by way of giving notice: much was required of him and he proved worthy.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading He puts his own name into the speeches of other men in a manner that is very rare: he does not start at the sound of _Don Jorge_.

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

From this reading His attitude cannot be called vanity: it is too consistent and continuous and its effect by far too powerful.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading His attitude cannot be called vanity: it is too consistent and continuous and its effect by far too powerful.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading Borrow's Spanish portrait of himself was worthy of its background.

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

From this reading He puts his own name into the speeches of other men in a manner that is very rare: he does not start at the sound of _Don Jorge_.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading He puts his own name into the speeches of other men in a manner that is very rare: he does not start at the sound of _Don Jorge_.

an artist of consummate skill

From this reading He saw himself, I suppose, as a great imaginative master of fiction sees a hero.

a vaguely specified concern

From this reading Much was required of him in a world where a high fantastical acrobatic mountebankery was almost a matter of ceremony, where riders stand on their heads in passing their rivals and cooks punt a casserole over their heads to the wall behind by way of giving notice: much was required of him and he proved worthy.

the force of workers available

From this reading He puts his own name into the speeches of other men in a manner that is very rare: he does not start at the sound of _Don Jorge_.

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

From this reading Much was required of him in a world where a high fantastical acrobatic mountebankery was almost a matter of ceremony, where riders stand on their heads in passing their rivals and cooks punt a casserole over their heads to the wall behind by way of giving notice: much was required of him and he proved worthy.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading Much was required of him in a world where a high fantastical acrobatic mountebankery was almost a matter of ceremony, where riders stand on their heads in passing their rivals and cooks punt a casserole over their heads to the wall behind by way of giving notice: much was required of him and he proved worthy.

assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading He puts his own name into the speeches of other men in a manner that is very rare: he does not start at the sound of _Don Jorge_.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading He puts his own name into the speeches of other men in a manner that is very rare: he does not start at the sound of _Don Jorge_.

an announcement containing information about an event

From this reading Much was required of him in a world where a high fantastical acrobatic mountebankery was almost a matter of ceremony, where riders stand on their heads in passing their rivals and cooks punt a casserole over their heads to the wall behind by way of giving notice: much was required of him and he proved worthy.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Borrow's Spanish portrait of himself was worthy of its background.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Much was required of him in a world where a high fantastical acrobatic mountebankery was almost a matter of ceremony, where riders stand on their heads in passing their rivals and cooks punt a casserole over their heads to the wall behind by way of giving notice: much was required of him and he proved worthy.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading He puts his own name into the speeches of other men in a manner that is very rare: he does not start at the sound of _Don Jorge_.

above and across; more than

From this reading Much was required of him in a world where a high fantastical acrobatic mountebankery was almost a matter of ceremony, where riders stand on their heads in passing their rivals and cooks punt a casserole over their heads to the wall behind by way of giving notice: much was required of him and he proved worthy.

have ownership or possession of

From this reading He puts his own name into the speeches of other men in a manner that is very rare: he does not start at the sound of _Don Jorge_.

(American football) a play that involves one player throwing the ball to a teammate

From this reading Much was required of him in a world where a high fantastical acrobatic mountebankery was almost a matter of ceremony, where riders stand on their heads in passing their rivals and cooks punt a casserole over their heads to the wall behind by way of giving notice: much was required of him and he proved worthy.

a word picture of a person's appearance and character

From this reading Borrow's Spanish portrait of himself was worthy of its background.

having great power or force or potency or effect

From this reading His attitude cannot be called vanity: it is too consistent and continuous and its effect by far too powerful.

established beyond doubt

From this reading Much was required of him in a world where a high fantastical acrobatic mountebankery was almost a matter of ceremony, where riders stand on their heads in passing their rivals and cooks punt a casserole over their heads to the wall behind by way of giving notice: much was required of him and he proved worthy.

kick the ball

From this reading Much was required of him in a world where a high fantastical acrobatic mountebankery was almost a matter of ceremony, where riders stand on their heads in passing their rivals and cooks punt a casserole over their heads to the wall behind by way of giving notice: much was required of him and he proved worthy.

plural of “put” — the option to sell a given stock (or stock index or commodity future) at a given price before a given date

From this reading He puts his own name into the speeches of other men in a manner that is very rare: he does not start at the sound of _Don Jorge_.

not widely known; especially valued for its uncommonness

From this reading He puts his own name into the speeches of other men in a manner that is very rare: he does not start at the sound of _Don Jorge_.

necessary for relief or supply

From this reading Much was required of him in a world where a high fantastical acrobatic mountebankery was almost a matter of ceremony, where riders stand on their heads in passing their rivals and cooks punt a casserole over their heads to the wall behind by way of giving notice: much was required of him and he proved worthy.

plural of “rider” — a traveler who actively rides an animal (as a horse or camel)

From this reading Much was required of him in a world where a high fantastical acrobatic mountebankery was almost a matter of ceremony, where riders stand on their heads in passing their rivals and cooks punt a casserole over their heads to the wall behind by way of giving notice: much was required of him and he proved worthy.

plural of “rival” — the contestant you hope to defeat

From this reading Much was required of him in a world where a high fantastical acrobatic mountebankery was almost a matter of ceremony, where riders stand on their heads in passing their rivals and cooks punt a casserole over their heads to the wall behind by way of giving notice: much was required of him and he proved worthy.

cut with a saw

From this reading He saw himself, I suppose, as a great imaginative master of fiction sees a hero.

plural of “see” — the seat within a bishop's diocese where his cathedral is located

From this reading He saw himself, I suppose, as a great imaginative master of fiction sees a hero.

the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause

From this reading He puts his own name into the speeches of other men in a manner that is very rare: he does not start at the sound of _Don Jorge_.

the Romance language spoken in most of Spain and the countries colonized by Spain

From this reading Borrow's Spanish portrait of himself was worthy of its background.

plural of “speech” — the act of delivering a formal spoken communication to an audience

From this reading He puts his own name into the speeches of other men in a manner that is very rare: he does not start at the sound of _Don Jorge_.

be standing; be upright

From this reading Much was required of him in a world where a high fantastical acrobatic mountebankery was almost a matter of ceremony, where riders stand on their heads in passing their rivals and cooks punt a casserole over their heads to the wall behind by way of giving notice: much was required of him and he proved worthy.

take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

From this reading He puts his own name into the speeches of other men in a manner that is very rare: he does not start at the sound of _Don Jorge_.

express a supposition

From this reading He saw himself, I suppose, as a great imaginative master of fiction sees a hero.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading He puts his own name into the speeches of other men in a manner that is very rare: he does not start at the sound of _Don Jorge_.

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

From this reading Much was required of him in a world where a high fantastical acrobatic mountebankery was almost a matter of ceremony, where riders stand on their heads in passing their rivals and cooks punt a casserole over their heads to the wall behind by way of giving notice: much was required of him and he proved worthy.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Much was required of him in a world where a high fantastical acrobatic mountebankery was almost a matter of ceremony, where riders stand on their heads in passing their rivals and cooks punt a casserole over their heads to the wall behind by way of giving notice: much was required of him and he proved worthy.

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

From this reading Much was required of him in a world where a high fantastical acrobatic mountebankery was almost a matter of ceremony, where riders stand on their heads in passing their rivals and cooks punt a casserole over their heads to the wall behind by way of giving notice: much was required of him and he proved worthy.

to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits

From this reading His attitude cannot be called vanity: it is too consistent and continuous and its effect by far too powerful.

feelings of excessive pride

From this reading His attitude cannot be called vanity: it is too consistent and continuous and its effect by far too powerful.

precisely as stated

From this reading He puts his own name into the speeches of other men in a manner that is very rare: he does not start at the sound of _Don Jorge_.

an architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area or to support another structure

From this reading Much was required of him in a world where a high fantastical acrobatic mountebankery was almost a matter of ceremony, where riders stand on their heads in passing their rivals and cooks punt a casserole over their heads to the wall behind by way of giving notice: much was required of him and he proved worthy.

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

From this reading Borrow's Spanish portrait of himself was worthy of its background.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading Much was required of him in a world where a high fantastical acrobatic mountebankery was almost a matter of ceremony, where riders stand on their heads in passing their rivals and cooks punt a casserole over their heads to the wall behind by way of giving notice: much was required of him and he proved worthy.

in or at the place that

From this reading Much was required of him in a world where a high fantastical acrobatic mountebankery was almost a matter of ceremony, where riders stand on their heads in passing their rivals and cooks punt a casserole over their heads to the wall behind by way of giving notice: much was required of him and he proved worthy.

everything that exists anywhere

From this reading Much was required of him in a world where a high fantastical acrobatic mountebankery was almost a matter of ceremony, where riders stand on their heads in passing their rivals and cooks punt a casserole over their heads to the wall behind by way of giving notice: much was required of him and he proved worthy.

Having or showing the qualities or abilities that merit recognition in character or magic.

From this reading Borrow's Spanish portrait of himself was worthy of its background.