Chapter XXV

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

From this reading The result of one furtive attempt at flight was to find himself in the midst of a group of county people, who fell back courteously at his approach and, as if by design, let him become involved in a quite meaningless conversation with a purple-faced, bull-necked old gentleman whose name he could not remember.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading He did not as yet know the house well enough to be sure about its exits.

(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 Christian, professing to himself momentarily that the chance to get away from his guests was at hand, discovered that his escape, all the same, was no easy matter.

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

From this reading Kathleen had disappeared somewhere, and without her he seemed curiously helpless.

move towards

From this reading The result of one furtive attempt at flight was to find himself in the midst of a group of county people, who fell back courteously at his approach and, as if by design, let him become involved in a quite meaningless conversation with a purple-faced, bull-necked old gentleman whose name he could not remember.

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

From this reading He did not as yet know the house well enough to be sure about its exits.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Christian, professing to himself momentarily that the chance to get away from his guests was at hand, discovered that his escape, all the same, was no easy matter.

earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something

From this reading The result of one furtive attempt at flight was to find himself in the midst of a group of county people, who fell back courteously at his approach and, as if by design, let him become involved in a quite meaningless conversation with a purple-faced, bull-necked old gentleman whose name he could not remember.

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading Christian, professing to himself momentarily that the chance to get away from his guests was at hand, discovered that his escape, all the same, was no easy matter.

in or to or toward a former location

From this reading The result of one furtive attempt at flight was to find himself in the midst of a group of county people, who fell back courteously at his approach and, as if by design, let him become involved in a quite meaningless conversation with a purple-faced, bull-necked old gentleman whose name he could not remember.

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

From this reading He did not as yet know the house well enough to be sure about its exits.

enter or assume a certain state or condition

From this reading The result of one furtive attempt at flight was to find himself in the midst of a group of county people, who fell back courteously at his approach and, as if by design, let him become involved in a quite meaningless conversation with a purple-faced, bull-necked old gentleman whose name he could not remember.

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

From this reading The result of one furtive attempt at flight was to find himself in the midst of a group of county people, who fell back courteously at his approach and, as if by design, let him become involved in a quite meaningless conversation with a purple-faced, bull-necked old gentleman whose name he could not remember.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading The result of one furtive attempt at flight was to find himself in the midst of a group of county people, who fell back courteously at his approach and, as if by design, let him become involved in a quite meaningless conversation with a purple-faced, bull-necked old gentleman whose name he could not remember.

a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances

From this reading Christian, professing to himself momentarily that the chance to get away from his guests was at hand, discovered that his escape, all the same, was no easy matter.

relating to or characteristic of Christianity

From this reading Christian, professing to himself momentarily that the chance to get away from his guests was at hand, discovered that his escape, all the same, was no easy matter.

the use of speech for informal exchange of views or ideas or information etc.

From this reading The result of one furtive attempt at flight was to find himself in the midst of a group of county people, who fell back courteously at his approach and, as if by design, let him become involved in a quite meaningless conversation with a purple-faced, bull-necked old gentleman whose name he could not remember.

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading The result of one furtive attempt at flight was to find himself in the midst of a group of county people, who fell back courteously at his approach and, as if by design, let him become involved in a quite meaningless conversation with a purple-faced, bull-necked old gentleman whose name he could not remember.

(United Kingdom) a region created by territorial division for the purpose of local government

From this reading The result of one furtive attempt at flight was to find himself in the midst of a group of county people, who fell back courteously at his approach and, as if by design, let him become involved in a quite meaningless conversation with a purple-faced, bull-necked old gentleman whose name he could not remember.

in a polite manner

From this reading The result of one furtive attempt at flight was to find himself in the midst of a group of county people, who fell back courteously at his approach and, as if by design, let him become involved in a quite meaningless conversation with a purple-faced, bull-necked old gentleman whose name he could not remember.

in a manner differing from the usual or expected

From this reading Kathleen had disappeared somewhere, and without her he seemed curiously helpless.

the act of working out the form of something (as by making a sketch or outline or plan)

From this reading The result of one furtive attempt at flight was to find himself in the midst of a group of county people, who fell back courteously at his approach and, as if by design, let him become involved in a quite meaningless conversation with a purple-faced, bull-necked old gentleman whose name he could not remember.

the usage or vocabulary that is characteristic of a specific group of people

From this reading This person talked at tremendous length, producing his words in gurgling spasms; his voice was so husky and his manner so disconcerting--not to mention the peculiarities of the local dialect in which he spoke--that Christian could make literally nothing of his remarks.

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

From this reading He did not as yet know the house well enough to be sure about its exits.

past form of “disappear” — get lost, as without warning or explanation

From this reading Kathleen had disappeared somewhere, and without her he seemed curiously helpless.

causing an emotional disturbance

From this reading This person talked at tremendous length, producing his words in gurgling spasms; his voice was so husky and his manner so disconcerting--not to mention the peculiarities of the local dialect in which he spoke--that Christian could make literally nothing of his remarks.

discovered or determined by scientific observation

From this reading Christian, professing to himself momentarily that the chance to get away from his guests was at hand, discovered that his escape, all the same, was no easy matter.

posing no difficulty; requiring little effort

From this reading Christian, professing to himself momentarily that the chance to get away from his guests was at hand, discovered that his escape, all the same, was no easy matter.

an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose

From this reading He did not as yet know the house well enough to be sure about its exits.

the act of escaping physically

From this reading Christian, professing to himself momentarily that the chance to get away from his guests was at hand, discovered that his escape, all the same, was no easy matter.

plural of “exit” — an opening that permits escape or release

From this reading He did not as yet know the house well enough to be sure about its exits.

cause to fall by or as if by delivering a blow

From this reading The result of one furtive attempt at flight was to find himself in the midst of a group of county people, who fell back courteously at his approach and, as if by design, let him become involved in a quite meaningless conversation with a purple-faced, bull-necked old gentleman whose name he could not remember.

come upon, as if by accident; meet with

From this reading The result of one furtive attempt at flight was to find himself in the midst of a group of county people, who fell back courteously at his approach and, as if by design, let him become involved in a quite meaningless conversation with a purple-faced, bull-necked old gentleman whose name he could not remember.

a formation of aircraft in flight

From this reading The result of one furtive attempt at flight was to find himself in the midst of a group of county people, who fell back courteously at his approach and, as if by design, let him become involved in a quite meaningless conversation with a purple-faced, bull-necked old gentleman whose name he could not remember.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Christian, professing to himself momentarily that the chance to get away from his guests was at hand, discovered that his escape, all the same, was no easy matter.

marked by quiet and caution and secrecy; taking pains to avoid being observed

From this reading The result of one furtive attempt at flight was to find himself in the midst of a group of county people, who fell back courteously at his approach and, as if by design, let him become involved in a quite meaningless conversation with a purple-faced, bull-necked old gentleman whose name he could not remember.

a man of refinement

From this reading The result of one furtive attempt at flight was to find himself in the midst of a group of county people, who fell back courteously at his approach and, as if by design, let him become involved in a quite meaningless conversation with a purple-faced, bull-necked old gentleman whose name he could not remember.

come into the possession of something concrete or abstract

From this reading Christian, professing to himself momentarily that the chance to get away from his guests was at hand, discovered that his escape, all the same, was no easy matter.

any number of entities (members) considered as a unit

From this reading The result of one furtive attempt at flight was to find himself in the midst of a group of county people, who fell back courteously at his approach and, as if by design, let him become involved in a quite meaningless conversation with a purple-faced, bull-necked old gentleman whose name he could not remember.

plural of “guest” — a visitor to whom hospitality is extended

From this reading Christian, professing to himself momentarily that the chance to get away from his guests was at hand, discovered that his escape, all the same, was no easy matter.

-ing form of “gurgle” — flow in an irregular current with a bubbling noise

From this reading This person talked at tremendous length, producing his words in gurgling spasms; his voice was so husky and his manner so disconcerting--not to mention the peculiarities of the local dialect in which he spoke--that Christian could make literally nothing of his remarks.

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

From this reading Kathleen had disappeared somewhere, and without her he seemed curiously helpless.

the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb

From this reading Christian, professing to himself momentarily that the chance to get away from his guests was at hand, discovered that his escape, all the same, was no easy matter.

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

From this reading Kathleen had disappeared somewhere, and without her he seemed curiously helpless.

lacking in or deprived of strength or power

From this reading Kathleen had disappeared somewhere, and without her he seemed curiously helpless.

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

From this reading Kathleen had disappeared somewhere, and without her he seemed curiously helpless.

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

From this reading The result of one furtive attempt at flight was to find himself in the midst of a group of county people, who fell back courteously at his approach and, as if by design, let him become involved in a quite meaningless conversation with a purple-faced, bull-necked old gentleman whose name he could not remember.

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

From this reading Christian, professing to himself momentarily that the chance to get away from his guests was at hand, discovered that his escape, all the same, was no easy matter.

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

From this reading Christian, professing to himself momentarily that the chance to get away from his guests was at hand, discovered that his escape, all the same, was no easy matter.

a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families

From this reading He did not as yet know the house well enough to be sure about its exits.

muscular and heavily built

From this reading This person talked at tremendous length, producing his words in gurgling spasms; his voice was so husky and his manner so disconcerting--not to mention the peculiarities of the local dialect in which he spoke--that Christian could make literally nothing of his remarks.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading The result of one furtive attempt at flight was to find himself in the midst of a group of county people, who fell back courteously at his approach and, as if by design, let him become involved in a quite meaningless conversation with a purple-faced, bull-necked old gentleman whose name he could not remember.

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

From this reading The result of one furtive attempt at flight was to find himself in the midst of a group of county people, who fell back courteously at his approach and, as if by design, let him become involved in a quite meaningless conversation with a purple-faced, bull-necked old gentleman whose name he could not remember.

connected by participation or association or use

From this reading The result of one furtive attempt at flight was to find himself in the midst of a group of county people, who fell back courteously at his approach and, as if by design, let him become involved in a quite meaningless conversation with a purple-faced, bull-necked old gentleman whose name he could not remember.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading He did not as yet know the house well enough to be sure about its exits.

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

From this reading Kathleen had disappeared somewhere, and without her he seemed curiously helpless.

be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about

From this reading He did not as yet know the house well enough to be sure about its exits.

the linear extent in space from one end to the other; the longest dimension of something that is fixed in place

From this reading This person talked at tremendous length, producing his words in gurgling spasms; his voice was so husky and his manner so disconcerting--not to mention the peculiarities of the local dialect in which he spoke--that Christian could make literally nothing of his remarks.

used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker

From this reading The result of one furtive attempt at flight was to find himself in the midst of a group of county people, who fell back courteously at his approach and, as if by design, let him become involved in a quite meaningless conversation with a purple-faced, bull-necked old gentleman whose name he could not remember.

in a literal sense

From this reading This person talked at tremendous length, producing his words in gurgling spasms; his voice was so husky and his manner so disconcerting--not to mention the peculiarities of the local dialect in which he spoke--that Christian could make literally nothing of his remarks.

relating to or applicable to or concerned with the administration of a city or town or district rather than a larger area

From this reading This person talked at tremendous length, producing his words in gurgling spasms; his voice was so husky and his manner so disconcerting--not to mention the peculiarities of the local dialect in which he spoke--that Christian could make literally nothing of his remarks.

engage in

From this reading This person talked at tremendous length, producing his words in gurgling spasms; his voice was so husky and his manner so disconcerting--not to mention the peculiarities of the local dialect in which he spoke--that Christian could make literally nothing of his remarks.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading This person talked at tremendous length, producing his words in gurgling spasms; his voice was so husky and his manner so disconcerting--not to mention the peculiarities of the local dialect in which he spoke--that Christian could make literally nothing of his remarks.

a vaguely specified concern

From this reading Christian, professing to himself momentarily that the chance to get away from his guests was at hand, discovered that his escape, all the same, was no easy matter.

having no meaning or direction or purpose

From this reading The result of one furtive attempt at flight was to find himself in the midst of a group of county people, who fell back courteously at his approach and, as if by design, let him become involved in a quite meaningless conversation with a purple-faced, bull-necked old gentleman whose name he could not remember.

make reference to

From this reading This person talked at tremendous length, producing his words in gurgling spasms; his voice was so husky and his manner so disconcerting--not to mention the peculiarities of the local dialect in which he spoke--that Christian could make literally nothing of his remarks.

the location of something surrounded by other things

From this reading The result of one furtive attempt at flight was to find himself in the midst of a group of county people, who fell back courteously at his approach and, as if by design, let him become involved in a quite meaningless conversation with a purple-faced, bull-necked old gentleman whose name he could not remember.

for an instant or moment

From this reading Christian, professing to himself momentarily that the chance to get away from his guests was at hand, discovered that his escape, all the same, was no easy matter.

assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading The result of one furtive attempt at flight was to find himself in the midst of a group of county people, who fell back courteously at his approach and, as if by design, let him become involved in a quite meaningless conversation with a purple-faced, bull-necked old gentleman whose name he could not remember.

not any; not one

From this reading Christian, professing to himself momentarily that the chance to get away from his guests was at hand, discovered that his escape, all the same, was no easy matter.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading He did not as yet know the house well enough to be sure about its exits.

not one thing; not anything

From this reading This person talked at tremendous length, producing his words in gurgling spasms; his voice was so husky and his manner so disconcerting--not to mention the peculiarities of the local dialect in which he spoke--that Christian could make literally nothing of his remarks.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The result of one furtive attempt at flight was to find himself in the midst of a group of county people, who fell back courteously at his approach and, as if by design, let him become involved in a quite meaningless conversation with a purple-faced, bull-necked old gentleman whose name he could not remember.

(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age

From this reading The result of one furtive attempt at flight was to find himself in the midst of a group of county people, who fell back courteously at his approach and, as if by design, let him become involved in a quite meaningless conversation with a purple-faced, bull-necked old gentleman whose name he could not remember.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading The result of one furtive attempt at flight was to find himself in the midst of a group of county people, who fell back courteously at his approach and, as if by design, let him become involved in a quite meaningless conversation with a purple-faced, bull-necked old gentleman whose name he could not remember.

plural of “peculiarity” — an odd or unusual characteristic

From this reading This person talked at tremendous length, producing his words in gurgling spasms; his voice was so husky and his manner so disconcerting--not to mention the peculiarities of the local dialect in which he spoke--that Christian could make literally nothing of his remarks.

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

From this reading The result of one furtive attempt at flight was to find himself in the midst of a group of county people, who fell back courteously at his approach and, as if by design, let him become involved in a quite meaningless conversation with a purple-faced, bull-necked old gentleman whose name he could not remember.

a human being

From this reading This person talked at tremendous length, producing his words in gurgling spasms; his voice was so husky and his manner so disconcerting--not to mention the peculiarities of the local dialect in which he spoke--that Christian could make literally nothing of his remarks.

-ing form of “produce” — bring forth or yield

From this reading This person talked at tremendous length, producing his words in gurgling spasms; his voice was so husky and his manner so disconcerting--not to mention the peculiarities of the local dialect in which he spoke--that Christian could make literally nothing of his remarks.

an open avowal (true or false) of some belief or opinion

From this reading Christian, professing to himself momentarily that the chance to get away from his guests was at hand, discovered that his escape, all the same, was no easy matter.

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

From this reading The result of one furtive attempt at flight was to find himself in the midst of a group of county people, who fell back courteously at his approach and, as if by design, let him become involved in a quite meaningless conversation with a purple-faced, bull-necked old gentleman whose name he could not remember.

to a degree (not used with a negative)

From this reading The result of one furtive attempt at flight was to find himself in the midst of a group of county people, who fell back courteously at his approach and, as if by design, let him become involved in a quite meaningless conversation with a purple-faced, bull-necked old gentleman whose name he could not remember.

plural of “remark” — a statement that expresses a personal opinion or belief or adds information

From this reading This person talked at tremendous length, producing his words in gurgling spasms; his voice was so husky and his manner so disconcerting--not to mention the peculiarities of the local dialect in which he spoke--that Christian could make literally nothing of his remarks.

To recall to mind.

From this reading The result of one furtive attempt at flight was to find himself in the midst of a group of county people, who fell back courteously at his approach and, as if by design, let him become involved in a quite meaningless conversation with a purple-faced, bull-necked old gentleman whose name he could not remember.

a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon

From this reading The result of one furtive attempt at flight was to find himself in the midst of a group of county people, who fell back courteously at his approach and, as if by design, let him become involved in a quite meaningless conversation with a purple-faced, bull-necked old gentleman whose name he could not remember.

Identical; not different.

From this reading Christian, professing to himself momentarily that the chance to get away from his guests was at hand, discovered that his escape, all the same, was no easy matter.

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

From this reading Kathleen had disappeared somewhere, and without her he seemed curiously helpless.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading This person talked at tremendous length, producing his words in gurgling spasms; his voice was so husky and his manner so disconcerting--not to mention the peculiarities of the local dialect in which he spoke--that Christian could make literally nothing of his remarks.

in or at or to some place

From this reading Kathleen had disappeared somewhere, and without her he seemed curiously helpless.

plural of “spasm” — a painful and involuntary muscular contraction

From this reading This person talked at tremendous length, producing his words in gurgling spasms; his voice was so husky and his manner so disconcerting--not to mention the peculiarities of the local dialect in which he spoke--that Christian could make literally nothing of his remarks.

support consisting of a radial member of a wheel joining the hub to the rim

From this reading This person talked at tremendous length, producing his words in gurgling spasms; his voice was so husky and his manner so disconcerting--not to mention the peculiarities of the local dialect in which he spoke--that Christian could make literally nothing of his remarks.

having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured

From this reading He did not as yet know the house well enough to be sure about its exits.

past form of “talk” — exchange thoughts; talk with

From this reading This person talked at tremendous length, producing his words in gurgling spasms; his voice was so husky and his manner so disconcerting--not to mention the peculiarities of the local dialect in which he spoke--that Christian could make literally nothing of his remarks.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Christian, professing to himself momentarily that the chance to get away from his guests was at hand, discovered that his escape, all the same, was no easy matter.

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

From this reading Christian, professing to himself momentarily that the chance to get away from his guests was at hand, discovered that his escape, all the same, was no easy matter.

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

From this reading This person talked at tremendous length, producing his words in gurgling spasms; his voice was so husky and his manner so disconcerting--not to mention the peculiarities of the local dialect in which he spoke--that Christian could make literally nothing of his remarks.

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

From this reading Christian, professing to himself momentarily that the chance to get away from his guests was at hand, discovered that his escape, all the same, was no easy matter.

extraordinarily large in size or extent or amount or power or degree

From this reading This person talked at tremendous length, producing his words in gurgling spasms; his voice was so husky and his manner so disconcerting--not to mention the peculiarities of the local dialect in which he spoke--that Christian could make literally nothing of his remarks.

the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech

From this reading This person talked at tremendous length, producing his words in gurgling spasms; his voice was so husky and his manner so disconcerting--not to mention the peculiarities of the local dialect in which he spoke--that Christian could make literally nothing of his remarks.

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

From this reading Christian, professing to himself momentarily that the chance to get away from his guests was at hand, discovered that his escape, all the same, was no easy matter.

(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)

From this reading He did not as yet know the house well enough to be sure about its exits.

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

From this reading This person talked at tremendous length, producing his words in gurgling spasms; his voice was so husky and his manner so disconcerting--not to mention the peculiarities of the local dialect in which he spoke--that Christian could make literally nothing of his remarks.

which person or people

From this reading The result of one furtive attempt at flight was to find himself in the midst of a group of county people, who fell back courteously at his approach and, as if by design, let him become involved in a quite meaningless conversation with a purple-faced, bull-necked old gentleman whose name he could not remember.

belonging to which person

From this reading The result of one furtive attempt at flight was to find himself in the midst of a group of county people, who fell back courteously at his approach and, as if by design, let him become involved in a quite meaningless conversation with a purple-faced, bull-necked old gentleman whose name he could not remember.

in the company of; together with

From this reading The result of one furtive attempt at flight was to find himself in the midst of a group of county people, who fell back courteously at his approach and, as if by design, let him become involved in a quite meaningless conversation with a purple-faced, bull-necked old gentleman whose name he could not remember.

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading Kathleen had disappeared somewhere, and without her he seemed curiously helpless.

the words that are spoken

From this reading This person talked at tremendous length, producing his words in gurgling spasms; his voice was so husky and his manner so disconcerting--not to mention the peculiarities of the local dialect in which he spoke--that Christian could make literally nothing of his remarks.

but in spite of that

From this reading He did not as yet know the house well enough to be sure about its exits.