Chapter VIII · The Quest of the Wax Hand

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

From this reading A latitude was permitted him in the matter of technical infringements of the law, and he was made secure against official and officious interference.

inflected form of “abet” — assist or encourage, usually in some wrongdoing

From this reading On more than one occasion, indeed, Scotland Yard flagrantly abetted him in acts which, strictly speaking, were illegal.

past form of “account” — be the sole or primary factor in the existence, acquisition, supply, or disposal of something

From this reading In his clean and fearless spirit of Knight-errantry, he probably realized little of the indulgence granted him, and, in cases where his way was made inexplicably smooth, accounted the fact to nothing more than the inherent rightness of things.

a New Testament book describing the development of the early church from Christ's Ascension to Paul's sojourn at Rome

From this reading On more than one occasion, indeed, Scotland Yard flagrantly abetted him in acts which, strictly speaking, were illegal.

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading A latitude was permitted him in the matter of technical infringements of the law, and he was made secure against official and officious interference.

an administrative unit of government

From this reading It was not to be supposed that the Agency, so catholic, so philanthropic, so disinterested in its labours, and withal so boundlessly endowed, would long escape the notice of those social powers, which, through all changes of creed and government, work steadily on in the cause of the human decencies.

(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 It was not to be supposed that the Agency, so catholic, so philanthropic, so disinterested in its labours, and withal so boundlessly endowed, would long escape the notice of those social powers, which, through all changes of creed and government, work steadily on in the cause of the human decencies.

the alliance of nations that fought the Axis in World War II and which (with subsequent additions) signed the charter of the United Nations in 1945

From this reading With these Gilead’s name was soon to become an almost apostolic one, and gradually, as he proceeded on his way, the executive, the police, the Home Office itself became his informal allies.

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

From this reading With these Gilead’s name was soon to become an almost apostolic one, and gradually, as he proceeded on his way, the executive, the police, the Home Office itself became his informal allies.

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

From this reading With these Gilead’s name was soon to become an almost apostolic one, and gradually, as he proceeded on his way, the executive, the police, the Home Office itself became his informal allies.

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

From this reading It was not to be supposed that the Agency, so catholic, so philanthropic, so disinterested in its labours, and withal so boundlessly endowed, would long escape the notice of those social powers, which, through all changes of creed and government, work steadily on in the cause of the human decencies.

of or relating to or deriving from the Apostles or their teachings

From this reading With these Gilead’s name was soon to become an almost apostolic one, and gradually, as he proceeded on his way, the executive, the police, the Home Office itself became his informal allies.

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

From this reading With these Gilead’s name was soon to become an almost apostolic one, and gradually, as he proceeded on his way, the executive, the police, the Home Office itself became his informal allies.

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

From this reading It was not to be supposed that the Agency, so catholic, so philanthropic, so disinterested in its labours, and withal so boundlessly endowed, would long escape the notice of those social powers, which, through all changes of creed and government, work steadily on in the cause of the human decencies.

inflected form of “become” — enter or assume a certain state or condition

From this reading With these Gilead’s name was soon to become an almost apostolic one, and gradually, as he proceeded on his way, the executive, the police, the Home Office itself became his informal allies.

enter or assume a certain state or condition

From this reading With these Gilead’s name was soon to become an almost apostolic one, and gradually, as he proceeded on his way, the executive, the police, the Home Office itself became his informal allies.

without bounds

From this reading It was not to be supposed that the Agency, so catholic, so philanthropic, so disinterested in its labours, and withal so boundlessly endowed, would long escape the notice of those social powers, which, through all changes of creed and government, work steadily on in the cause of the human decencies.

plural of “case” — an occurrence of something

From this reading In his clean and fearless spirit of Knight-errantry, he probably realized little of the indulgence granted him, and, in cases where his way was made inexplicably smooth, accounted the fact to nothing more than the inherent rightness of things.

of or relating to or supporting Catholicism

From this reading It was not to be supposed that the Agency, so catholic, so philanthropic, so disinterested in its labours, and withal so boundlessly endowed, would long escape the notice of those social powers, which, through all changes of creed and government, work steadily on in the cause of the human decencies.

events that provide the generative force that is the origin of something

From this reading It was not to be supposed that the Agency, so catholic, so philanthropic, so disinterested in its labours, and withal so boundlessly endowed, would long escape the notice of those social powers, which, through all changes of creed and government, work steadily on in the cause of the human decencies.

plural of “change” — an event that occurs when something passes from one state or phase to another

From this reading It was not to be supposed that the Agency, so catholic, so philanthropic, so disinterested in its labours, and withal so boundlessly endowed, would long escape the notice of those social powers, which, through all changes of creed and government, work steadily on in the cause of the human decencies.

free from dirt or impurities; or having clean habits

From this reading In his clean and fearless spirit of Knight-errantry, he probably realized little of the indulgence granted him, and, in cases where his way was made inexplicably smooth, accounted the fact to nothing more than the inherent rightness of things.

any system of principles or beliefs

From this reading It was not to be supposed that the Agency, so catholic, so philanthropic, so disinterested in its labours, and withal so boundlessly endowed, would long escape the notice of those social powers, which, through all changes of creed and government, work steadily on in the cause of the human decencies.

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

From this reading It was not to be supposed that the Agency, so catholic, so philanthropic, so disinterested in its labours, and withal so boundlessly endowed, would long escape the notice of those social powers, which, through all changes of creed and government, work steadily on in the cause of the human decencies.

unaffected by self-interest

From this reading It was not to be supposed that the Agency, so catholic, so philanthropic, so disinterested in its labours, and withal so boundlessly endowed, would long escape the notice of those social powers, which, through all changes of creed and government, work steadily on in the cause of the human decencies.

provided or supplied or equipped with (especially as by inheritance or nature)

From this reading It was not to be supposed that the Agency, so catholic, so philanthropic, so disinterested in its labours, and withal so boundlessly endowed, would long escape the notice of those social powers, which, through all changes of creed and government, work steadily on in the cause of the human decencies.

the act of escaping physically

From this reading It was not to be supposed that the Agency, so catholic, so philanthropic, so disinterested in its labours, and withal so boundlessly endowed, would long escape the notice of those social powers, which, through all changes of creed and government, work steadily on in the cause of the human decencies.

a person responsible for the administration of a business

From this reading With these Gilead’s name was soon to become an almost apostolic one, and gradually, as he proceeded on his way, the executive, the police, the Home Office itself became his informal allies.

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

From this reading In his clean and fearless spirit of Knight-errantry, he probably realized little of the indulgence granted him, and, in cases where his way was made inexplicably smooth, accounted the fact to nothing more than the inherent rightness of things.

oblivious of dangers or perils or calmly resolute in facing them

From this reading In his clean and fearless spirit of Knight-errantry, he probably realized little of the indulgence granted him, and, in cases where his way was made inexplicably smooth, accounted the fact to nothing more than the inherent rightness of things.

in a flagrant manner

From this reading On more than one occasion, indeed, Scotland Yard flagrantly abetted him in acts which, strictly speaking, were illegal.

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

From this reading With these Gilead’s name was soon to become an almost apostolic one, and gradually, as he proceeded on his way, the executive, the police, the Home Office itself became his informal allies.

the organization that is the governing authority of a political unit

From this reading It was not to be supposed that the Agency, so catholic, so philanthropic, so disinterested in its labours, and withal so boundlessly endowed, would long escape the notice of those social powers, which, through all changes of creed and government, work steadily on in the cause of the human decencies.

in a gradual manner

From this reading With these Gilead’s name was soon to become an almost apostolic one, and gradually, as he proceeded on his way, the executive, the police, the Home Office itself became his informal allies.

acknowledged as a supposition

From this reading In his clean and fearless spirit of Knight-errantry, he probably realized little of the indulgence granted him, and, in cases where his way was made inexplicably smooth, accounted the fact to nothing more than the inherent rightness of things.

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

From this reading With these Gilead’s name was soon to become an almost apostolic one, and gradually, as he proceeded on his way, the executive, the police, the Home Office itself became his informal allies.

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

From this reading A latitude was permitted him in the matter of technical infringements of the law, and he was made secure against official and officious interference.

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

From this reading With these Gilead’s name was soon to become an almost apostolic one, and gradually, as he proceeded on his way, the executive, the police, the Home Office itself became his informal allies.

where you live at a particular time

From this reading With these Gilead’s name was soon to become an almost apostolic one, and gradually, as he proceeded on his way, the executive, the police, the Home Office itself became his informal allies.

characteristic of humanity

From this reading It was not to be supposed that the Agency, so catholic, so philanthropic, so disinterested in its labours, and withal so boundlessly endowed, would long escape the notice of those social powers, which, through all changes of creed and government, work steadily on in the cause of the human decencies.

prohibited by law or by official or accepted rules

From this reading On more than one occasion, indeed, Scotland Yard flagrantly abetted him in acts which, strictly speaking, were illegal.

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

From this reading It was not to be supposed that the Agency, so catholic, so philanthropic, so disinterested in its labours, and withal so boundlessly endowed, would long escape the notice of those social powers, which, through all changes of creed and government, work steadily on in the cause of the human decencies.

in truth (often tends to intensify)

From this reading On more than one occasion, indeed, Scotland Yard flagrantly abetted him in acts which, strictly speaking, were illegal.

an inability to resist the gratification of whims and desires

From this reading In his clean and fearless spirit of Knight-errantry, he probably realized little of the indulgence granted him, and, in cases where his way was made inexplicably smooth, accounted the fact to nothing more than the inherent rightness of things.

in a manner differing from the usual or expected

From this reading In his clean and fearless spirit of Knight-errantry, he probably realized little of the indulgence granted him, and, in cases where his way was made inexplicably smooth, accounted the fact to nothing more than the inherent rightness of things.

not formal

From this reading With these Gilead’s name was soon to become an almost apostolic one, and gradually, as he proceeded on his way, the executive, the police, the Home Office itself became his informal allies.

plural of “infringement” — an act that disregards an agreement or a right

From this reading A latitude was permitted him in the matter of technical infringements of the law, and he was made secure against official and officious interference.

existing as an essential constituent or characteristic

From this reading In his clean and fearless spirit of Knight-errantry, he probably realized little of the indulgence granted him, and, in cases where his way was made inexplicably smooth, accounted the fact to nothing more than the inherent rightness of things.

a policy of intervening in the affairs of other countries

From this reading A latitude was permitted him in the matter of technical infringements of the law, and he was made secure against official and officious interference.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was not to be supposed that the Agency, so catholic, so philanthropic, so disinterested in its labours, and withal so boundlessly endowed, would long escape the notice of those social powers, which, through all changes of creed and government, work steadily on in the cause of the human decencies.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading It was not to be supposed that the Agency, so catholic, so philanthropic, so disinterested in its labours, and withal so boundlessly endowed, would long escape the notice of those social powers, which, through all changes of creed and government, work steadily on in the cause of the human decencies.

used when the thing doing the action is also its object

From this reading With these Gilead’s name was soon to become an almost apostolic one, and gradually, as he proceeded on his way, the executive, the police, the Home Office itself became his informal allies.

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

From this reading In his clean and fearless spirit of Knight-errantry, he probably realized little of the indulgence granted him, and, in cases where his way was made inexplicably smooth, accounted the fact to nothing more than the inherent rightness of things.

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

From this reading It was not to be supposed that the Agency, so catholic, so philanthropic, so disinterested in its labours, and withal so boundlessly endowed, would long escape the notice of those social powers, which, through all changes of creed and government, work steadily on in the cause of the human decencies.

the angular distance between an imaginary line around a heavenly body parallel to its equator and the equator itself

From this reading A latitude was permitted him in the matter of technical infringements of the law, and he was made secure against official and officious interference.

the collection of rules imposed by authority

From this reading A latitude was permitted him in the matter of technical infringements of the law, and he was made secure against official and officious interference.

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

From this reading In his clean and fearless spirit of Knight-errantry, he probably realized little of the indulgence granted him, and, in cases where his way was made inexplicably smooth, accounted the fact to nothing more than the inherent rightness of things.

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 It was not to be supposed that the Agency, so catholic, so philanthropic, so disinterested in its labours, and withal so boundlessly endowed, would long escape the notice of those social powers, which, through all changes of creed and government, work steadily on in the cause of the human decencies.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading A latitude was permitted him in the matter of technical infringements of the law, and he was made secure against official and officious interference.

a vaguely specified concern

From this reading A latitude was permitted him in the matter of technical infringements of the law, and he was made secure against official and officious interference.

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

From this reading In his clean and fearless spirit of Knight-errantry, he probably realized little of the indulgence granted him, and, in cases where his way was made inexplicably smooth, accounted the fact to nothing more than the inherent rightness of things.

assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading With these Gilead’s name was soon to become an almost apostolic one, and gradually, as he proceeded on his way, the executive, the police, the Home Office itself became his informal allies.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading It was not to be supposed that the Agency, so catholic, so philanthropic, so disinterested in its labours, and withal so boundlessly endowed, would long escape the notice of those social powers, which, through all changes of creed and government, work steadily on in the cause of the human decencies.

not one thing; not anything

From this reading In his clean and fearless spirit of Knight-errantry, he probably realized little of the indulgence granted him, and, in cases where his way was made inexplicably smooth, accounted the fact to nothing more than the inherent rightness of things.

an announcement containing information about an event

From this reading It was not to be supposed that the Agency, so catholic, so philanthropic, so disinterested in its labours, and withal so boundlessly endowed, would long escape the notice of those social powers, which, through all changes of creed and government, work steadily on in the cause of the human decencies.

an event that occurs at a critical time

From this reading On more than one occasion, indeed, Scotland Yard flagrantly abetted him in acts which, strictly speaking, were illegal.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading It was not to be supposed that the Agency, so catholic, so philanthropic, so disinterested in its labours, and withal so boundlessly endowed, would long escape the notice of those social powers, which, through all changes of creed and government, work steadily on in the cause of the human decencies.

place of business where professional or clerical duties are performed

From this reading With these Gilead’s name was soon to become an almost apostolic one, and gradually, as he proceeded on his way, the executive, the police, the Home Office itself became his informal allies.

having official authority or sanction

From this reading A latitude was permitted him in the matter of technical infringements of the law, and he was made secure against official and officious interference.

intrusive in a meddling or offensive manner

From this reading A latitude was permitted him in the matter of technical infringements of the law, and he was made secure against official and officious interference.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading It was not to be supposed that the Agency, so catholic, so philanthropic, so disinterested in its labours, and withal so boundlessly endowed, would long escape the notice of those social powers, which, through all changes of creed and government, work steadily on in the cause of the human decencies.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading With these Gilead’s name was soon to become an almost apostolic one, and gradually, as he proceeded on his way, the executive, the police, the Home Office itself became his informal allies.

inflected form of “permit” — consent to, give permission

From this reading A latitude was permitted him in the matter of technical infringements of the law, and he was made secure against official and officious interference.

generous in assistance to the poor

From this reading It was not to be supposed that the Agency, so catholic, so philanthropic, so disinterested in its labours, and withal so boundlessly endowed, would long escape the notice of those social powers, which, through all changes of creed and government, work steadily on in the cause of the human decencies.

the force of policemen and officers

From this reading With these Gilead’s name was soon to become an almost apostolic one, and gradually, as he proceeded on his way, the executive, the police, the Home Office itself became his informal allies.

plural of “power” — possession of controlling influence

From this reading It was not to be supposed that the Agency, so catholic, so philanthropic, so disinterested in its labours, and withal so boundlessly endowed, would long escape the notice of those social powers, which, through all changes of creed and government, work steadily on in the cause of the human decencies.

with considerable certainty; without much doubt

From this reading In his clean and fearless spirit of Knight-errantry, he probably realized little of the indulgence granted him, and, in cases where his way was made inexplicably smooth, accounted the fact to nothing more than the inherent rightness of things.

past form of “proceed” — continue talking

From this reading With these Gilead’s name was soon to become an almost apostolic one, and gradually, as he proceeded on his way, the executive, the police, the Home Office itself became his informal allies.

successfully completed or brought to an end

From this reading In his clean and fearless spirit of Knight-errantry, he probably realized little of the indulgence granted him, and, in cases where his way was made inexplicably smooth, accounted the fact to nothing more than the inherent rightness of things.

according with conscience or morality

From this reading In his clean and fearless spirit of Knight-errantry, he probably realized little of the indulgence granted him, and, in cases where his way was made inexplicably smooth, accounted the fact to nothing more than the inherent rightness of things.

one of the four countries that make up the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland; located on the northern part of the island of Great Britain; famous for bagpipes and plaids and kilts

From this reading On more than one occasion, indeed, Scotland Yard flagrantly abetted him in acts which, strictly speaking, were illegal.

get by special effort

From this reading A latitude was permitted him in the matter of technical infringements of the law, and he was made secure against official and officious interference.

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

From this reading In his clean and fearless spirit of Knight-errantry, he probably realized little of the indulgence granted him, and, in cases where his way was made inexplicably smooth, accounted the fact to nothing more than the inherent rightness of things.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading It was not to be supposed that the Agency, so catholic, so philanthropic, so disinterested in its labours, and withal so boundlessly endowed, would long escape the notice of those social powers, which, through all changes of creed and government, work steadily on in the cause of the human decencies.

relating to human society and its members

From this reading It was not to be supposed that the Agency, so catholic, so philanthropic, so disinterested in its labours, and withal so boundlessly endowed, would long escape the notice of those social powers, which, through all changes of creed and government, work steadily on in the cause of the human decencies.

in the near future

From this reading With these Gilead’s name was soon to become an almost apostolic one, and gradually, as he proceeded on his way, the executive, the police, the Home Office itself became his informal allies.

the utterance of intelligible speech

From this reading On more than one occasion, indeed, Scotland Yard flagrantly abetted him in acts which, strictly speaking, were illegal.

the vital principle or animating force within living things

From this reading In his clean and fearless spirit of Knight-errantry, he probably realized little of the indulgence granted him, and, in cases where his way was made inexplicably smooth, accounted the fact to nothing more than the inherent rightness of things.

at a steady rate or pace

From this reading It was not to be supposed that the Agency, so catholic, so philanthropic, so disinterested in its labours, and withal so boundlessly endowed, would long escape the notice of those social powers, which, through all changes of creed and government, work steadily on in the cause of the human decencies.

restricted to something

From this reading On more than one occasion, indeed, Scotland Yard flagrantly abetted him in acts which, strictly speaking, were illegal.

required or under orders

From this reading It was not to be supposed that the Agency, so catholic, so philanthropic, so disinterested in its labours, and withal so boundlessly endowed, would long escape the notice of those social powers, which, through all changes of creed and government, work steadily on in the cause of the human decencies.

of or relating to technique or proficiency in a practical skill

From this reading A latitude was permitted him in the matter of technical infringements of the law, and he was made secure against official and officious interference.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading In his clean and fearless spirit of Knight-errantry, he probably realized little of the indulgence granted him, and, in cases where his way was made inexplicably smooth, accounted the fact to nothing more than the inherent rightness of things.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading It was not to be supposed that the Agency, so catholic, so philanthropic, so disinterested in its labours, and withal so boundlessly endowed, would long escape the notice of those social powers, which, through all changes of creed and government, work steadily on in the cause of the human decencies.

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

From this reading It was not to be supposed that the Agency, so catholic, so philanthropic, so disinterested in its labours, and withal so boundlessly endowed, would long escape the notice of those social powers, which, through all changes of creed and government, work steadily on in the cause of the human decencies.

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

From this reading With these Gilead’s name was soon to become an almost apostolic one, and gradually, as he proceeded on his way, the executive, the police, the Home Office itself became his informal allies.

any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)

From this reading In his clean and fearless spirit of Knight-errantry, he probably realized little of the indulgence granted him, and, in cases where his way was made inexplicably smooth, accounted the fact to nothing more than the inherent rightness of things.

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

From this reading It was not to be supposed that the Agency, so catholic, so philanthropic, so disinterested in its labours, and withal so boundlessly endowed, would long escape the notice of those social powers, which, through all changes of creed and government, work steadily on in the cause of the human decencies.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading It was not to be supposed that the Agency, so catholic, so philanthropic, so disinterested in its labours, and withal so boundlessly endowed, would long escape the notice of those social powers, which, through all changes of creed and government, work steadily on in the cause of the human decencies.

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

From this reading It was not to be supposed that the Agency, so catholic, so philanthropic, so disinterested in its labours, and withal so boundlessly endowed, would long escape the notice of those social powers, which, through all changes of creed and government, work steadily on in the cause of the human decencies.

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

From this reading It was not to be supposed that the Agency, so catholic, so philanthropic, so disinterested in its labours, and withal so boundlessly endowed, would long escape the notice of those social powers, which, through all changes of creed and government, work steadily on in the cause of the human decencies.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading With these Gilead’s name was soon to become an almost apostolic one, and gradually, as he proceeded on his way, the executive, the police, the Home Office itself became his informal allies.

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

From this reading On more than one occasion, indeed, Scotland Yard flagrantly abetted him in acts which, strictly speaking, were illegal.

in or at the place that

From this reading In his clean and fearless spirit of Knight-errantry, he probably realized little of the indulgence granted him, and, in cases where his way was made inexplicably smooth, accounted the fact to nothing more than the inherent rightness of things.

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

From this reading It was not to be supposed that the Agency, so catholic, so philanthropic, so disinterested in its labours, and withal so boundlessly endowed, would long escape the notice of those social powers, which, through all changes of creed and government, work steadily on in the cause of the human decencies.

in the company of; together with

From this reading With these Gilead’s name was soon to become an almost apostolic one, and gradually, as he proceeded on his way, the executive, the police, the Home Office itself became his informal allies.

despite anything to the contrary (usually preceding a concession)

From this reading It was not to be supposed that the Agency, so catholic, so philanthropic, so disinterested in its labours, and withal so boundlessly endowed, would long escape the notice of those social powers, which, through all changes of creed and government, work steadily on in the cause of the human decencies.

exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity

From this reading It was not to be supposed that the Agency, so catholic, so philanthropic, so disinterested in its labours, and withal so boundlessly endowed, would long escape the notice of those social powers, which, through all changes of creed and government, work steadily on in the cause of the human decencies.

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading It was not to be supposed that the Agency, so catholic, so philanthropic, so disinterested in its labours, and withal so boundlessly endowed, would long escape the notice of those social powers, which, through all changes of creed and government, work steadily on in the cause of the human decencies.

a unit of length equal to 3 feet; defined as 91.44 centimeters; originally taken to be the average length of a stride

From this reading On more than one occasion, indeed, Scotland Yard flagrantly abetted him in acts which, strictly speaking, were illegal.