Chapter VI · Chapter 6

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

From this reading He did not hear the front-door bell ring while he was splashing in his bath; and as he rushed downstairs a quarter of an hour or so after Elsa had left him, he was considerably taken aback to be met at the foot of the first flight by the now familiar figure of Mr. Byrne.

having the wind against the forward side of the sails

From this reading He did not hear the front-door bell ring while he was splashing in his bath; and as he rushed downstairs a quarter of an hour or so after Elsa had left him, he was considerably taken aback to be met at the foot of the first flight by the now familiar figure of Mr. Byrne.

later than; following

From this reading He did not hear the front-door bell ring while he was splashing in his bath; and as he rushed downstairs a quarter of an hour or so after Elsa had left him, he was considerably taken aback to be met at the foot of the first flight by the now familiar figure of Mr. Byrne.

(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 He was wretchedly unhappy--all the more so because he was furiously angry with Elsa, and perhaps, at the bottom of his heart, with himself.

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

From this reading He did not hear the front-door bell ring while he was splashing in his bath; and as he rushed downstairs a quarter of an hour or so after Elsa had left him, he was considerably taken aback to be met at the foot of the first flight by the now familiar figure of Mr. Byrne.

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

From this reading He was wretchedly unhappy--all the more so because he was furiously angry with Elsa, and perhaps, at the bottom of his heart, with himself.

feeling or showing anger

From this reading He was wretchedly unhappy--all the more so because he was furiously angry with Elsa, and perhaps, at the bottom of his heart, with himself.

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

From this reading His room was, as I have said, at the top of the house.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading He was wretchedly unhappy--all the more so because he was furiously angry with Elsa, and perhaps, at the bottom of his heart, with himself.

a vessel containing liquid in which something is immersed (as to process it or to maintain it at a constant temperature or to lubricate it)

From this reading He did not hear the front-door bell ring while he was splashing in his bath; and as he rushed downstairs a quarter of an hour or so after Elsa had left him, he was considerably taken aback to be met at the foot of the first flight by the now familiar figure of Mr. Byrne.

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

From this reading He did not hear the front-door bell ring while he was splashing in his bath; and as he rushed downstairs a quarter of an hour or so after Elsa had left him, he was considerably taken aback to be met at the foot of the first flight by the now familiar figure of Mr. Byrne.

for the reason that

From this reading He was wretchedly unhappy--all the more so because he was furiously angry with Elsa, and perhaps, at the bottom of his heart, with himself.

a hollow device made of metal that makes a ringing sound when struck

From this reading He did not hear the front-door bell ring while he was splashing in his bath; and as he rushed downstairs a quarter of an hour or so after Elsa had left him, he was considerably taken aback to be met at the foot of the first flight by the now familiar figure of Mr. Byrne.

the lower side of anything

From this reading He was wretchedly unhappy--all the more so because he was furiously angry with Elsa, and perhaps, at the bottom of his heart, with himself.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading He did not hear the front-door bell ring while he was splashing in his bath; and as he rushed downstairs a quarter of an hour or so after Elsa had left him, he was considerably taken aback to be met at the foot of the first flight by the now familiar figure of Mr. Byrne.

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

From this reading He did not hear the front-door bell ring while he was splashing in his bath; and as he rushed downstairs a quarter of an hour or so after Elsa had left him, he was considerably taken aback to be met at the foot of the first flight by the now familiar figure of Mr. Byrne.

to a great extent or degree

From this reading He did not hear the front-door bell ring while he was splashing in his bath; and as he rushed downstairs a quarter of an hour or so after Elsa had left him, he was considerably taken aback to be met at the foot of the first flight by the now familiar figure of Mr. Byrne.

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

From this reading He did not hear the front-door bell ring while he was splashing in his bath; and as he rushed downstairs a quarter of an hour or so after Elsa had left him, he was considerably taken aback to be met at the foot of the first flight by the now familiar figure of Mr. Byrne.

on a floor below

From this reading He did not hear the front-door bell ring while he was splashing in his bath; and as he rushed downstairs a quarter of an hour or so after Elsa had left him, he was considerably taken aback to be met at the foot of the first flight by the now familiar figure of Mr. Byrne.

savory dressings for salads; basically of two kinds: either the thin French or vinaigrette type or the creamy mayonnaise type

From this reading Geoff hurried on with his dressing.

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

From this reading He was wretchedly unhappy--all the more so because he was furiously angry with Elsa, and perhaps, at the bottom of his heart, with himself.

well known or easily recognized

From this reading He did not hear the front-door bell ring while he was splashing in his bath; and as he rushed downstairs a quarter of an hour or so after Elsa had left him, he was considerably taken aback to be met at the foot of the first flight by the now familiar figure of Mr. Byrne.

a diagram or picture illustrating textual material

From this reading He did not hear the front-door bell ring while he was splashing in his bath; and as he rushed downstairs a quarter of an hour or so after Elsa had left him, he was considerably taken aback to be met at the foot of the first flight by the now familiar figure of Mr. Byrne.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading He did not hear the front-door bell ring while he was splashing in his bath; and as he rushed downstairs a quarter of an hour or so after Elsa had left him, he was considerably taken aback to be met at the foot of the first flight by the now familiar figure of Mr. Byrne.

a formation of aircraft in flight

From this reading He did not hear the front-door bell ring while he was splashing in his bath; and as he rushed downstairs a quarter of an hour or so after Elsa had left him, he was considerably taken aback to be met at the foot of the first flight by the now familiar figure of Mr. Byrne.

the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint

From this reading He did not hear the front-door bell ring while he was splashing in his bath; and as he rushed downstairs a quarter of an hour or so after Elsa had left him, he was considerably taken aback to be met at the foot of the first flight by the now familiar figure of Mr. Byrne.

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

From this reading He did not hear the front-door bell ring while he was splashing in his bath; and as he rushed downstairs a quarter of an hour or so after Elsa had left him, he was considerably taken aback to be met at the foot of the first flight by the now familiar figure of Mr. Byrne.

(of the elements) in a wild and stormy manner

From this reading He was wretchedly unhappy--all the more so because he was furiously angry with Elsa, and perhaps, at the bottom of his heart, with himself.

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

From this reading GEOFF "WON'T STAND IT."

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

From this reading He did not hear the front-door bell ring while he was splashing in his bath; and as he rushed downstairs a quarter of an hour or so after Elsa had left him, he was considerably taken aback to be met at the foot of the first flight by the now familiar figure of Mr. Byrne.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading His room was, as I have said, at the top of the house.

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

From this reading He was wretchedly unhappy--all the more so because he was furiously angry with Elsa, and perhaps, at the bottom of his heart, with himself.

perceive (sound) via the auditory sense

From this reading He did not hear the front-door bell ring while he was splashing in his bath; and as he rushed downstairs a quarter of an hour or so after Elsa had left him, he was considerably taken aback to be met at the foot of the first flight by the now familiar figure of Mr. Byrne.

the locus of feelings and intuitions

From this reading He was wretchedly unhappy--all the more so because he was furiously angry with Elsa, and perhaps, at the bottom of his heart, with himself.

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

From this reading He did not hear the front-door bell ring while he was splashing in his bath; and as he rushed downstairs a quarter of an hour or so after Elsa had left him, he was considerably taken aback to be met at the foot of the first flight by the now familiar figure of Mr. Byrne.

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

From this reading He was wretchedly unhappy--all the more so because he was furiously angry with Elsa, and perhaps, at the bottom of his heart, with himself.

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

From this reading Geoff hurried on with his dressing.

a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day

From this reading He did not hear the front-door bell ring while he was splashing in his bath; and as he rushed downstairs a quarter of an hour or so after Elsa had left him, he was considerably taken aback to be met at the foot of the first flight by the now familiar figure of Mr. Byrne.

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

From this reading His room was, as I have said, at the top of the house.

moving rapidly or performed quickly or in great haste

From this reading Geoff hurried on with his dressing.

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

From this reading His room was, as I have said, at the top of the house.

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

From this reading He did not hear the front-door bell ring while he was splashing in his bath; and as he rushed downstairs a quarter of an hour or so after Elsa had left him, he was considerably taken aback to be met at the foot of the first flight by the now familiar figure of Mr. Byrne.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading GEOFF "WON'T STAND IT."

location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east

From this reading He did not hear the front-door bell ring while he was splashing in his bath; and as he rushed downstairs a quarter of an hour or so after Elsa had left him, he was considerably taken aback to be met at the foot of the first flight by the now familiar figure of Mr. Byrne.

inflected form of “meet” — come together

From this reading He did not hear the front-door bell ring while he was splashing in his bath; and as he rushed downstairs a quarter of an hour or so after Elsa had left him, he was considerably taken aback to be met at the foot of the first flight by the now familiar figure of Mr. Byrne.

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

From this reading He was wretchedly unhappy--all the more so because he was furiously angry with Elsa, and perhaps, at the bottom of his heart, with himself.

a form of address for a man

From this reading He did not hear the front-door bell ring while he was splashing in his bath; and as he rushed downstairs a quarter of an hour or so after Elsa had left him, he was considerably taken aback to be met at the foot of the first flight by the now familiar figure of Mr. Byrne.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading He did not hear the front-door bell ring while he was splashing in his bath; and as he rushed downstairs a quarter of an hour or so after Elsa had left him, he was considerably taken aback to be met at the foot of the first flight by the now familiar figure of Mr. Byrne.

in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events

From this reading He did not hear the front-door bell ring while he was splashing in his bath; and as he rushed downstairs a quarter of an hour or so after Elsa had left him, he was considerably taken aback to be met at the foot of the first flight by the now familiar figure of Mr. Byrne.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading He was wretchedly unhappy--all the more so because he was furiously angry with Elsa, and perhaps, at the bottom of his heart, with himself.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Geoff hurried on with his dressing.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading He did not hear the front-door bell ring while he was splashing in his bath; and as he rushed downstairs a quarter of an hour or so after Elsa had left him, he was considerably taken aback to be met at the foot of the first flight by the now familiar figure of Mr. Byrne.

by chance

From this reading He was wretchedly unhappy--all the more so because he was furiously angry with Elsa, and perhaps, at the bottom of his heart, with himself.

one of four equal parts

From this reading He did not hear the front-door bell ring while he was splashing in his bath; and as he rushed downstairs a quarter of an hour or so after Elsa had left him, he was considerably taken aback to be met at the foot of the first flight by the now familiar figure of Mr. Byrne.

sound loudly and sonorously

From this reading He did not hear the front-door bell ring while he was splashing in his bath; and as he rushed downstairs a quarter of an hour or so after Elsa had left him, he was considerably taken aback to be met at the foot of the first flight by the now familiar figure of Mr. Byrne.

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

From this reading His room was, as I have said, at the top of the house.

done under pressure

From this reading He did not hear the front-door bell ring while he was splashing in his bath; and as he rushed downstairs a quarter of an hour or so after Elsa had left him, he was considerably taken aback to be met at the foot of the first flight by the now familiar figure of Mr. Byrne.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading His room was, as I have said, at the top of the house.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading He was wretchedly unhappy--all the more so because he was furiously angry with Elsa, and perhaps, at the bottom of his heart, with himself.

the act of splashing a (liquid) substance on a surface

From this reading He did not hear the front-door bell ring while he was splashing in his bath; and as he rushed downstairs a quarter of an hour or so after Elsa had left him, he was considerably taken aback to be met at the foot of the first flight by the now familiar figure of Mr. Byrne.

be standing; be upright

From this reading GEOFF "WON'T STAND IT."

understood in a certain way; made sense of

From this reading He did not hear the front-door bell ring while he was splashing in his bath; and as he rushed downstairs a quarter of an hour or so after Elsa had left him, he was considerably taken aback to be met at the foot of the first flight by the now familiar figure of Mr. Byrne.

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

From this reading He was wretchedly unhappy--all the more so because he was furiously angry with Elsa, and perhaps, at the bottom of his heart, with himself.

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

From this reading He did not hear the front-door bell ring while he was splashing in his bath; and as he rushed downstairs a quarter of an hour or so after Elsa had left him, he was considerably taken aback to be met at the foot of the first flight by the now familiar figure of Mr. Byrne.

the upper part of anything

From this reading His room was, as I have said, at the top of the house.

experiencing or marked by or causing sadness or sorrow or discontent

From this reading He was wretchedly unhappy--all the more so because he was furiously angry with Elsa, and perhaps, at the bottom of his heart, with himself.

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

From this reading He was wretchedly unhappy--all the more so because he was furiously angry with Elsa, and perhaps, at the bottom of his heart, with himself.

during the time that

From this reading He did not hear the front-door bell ring while he was splashing in his bath; and as he rushed downstairs a quarter of an hour or so after Elsa had left him, he was considerably taken aback to be met at the foot of the first flight by the now familiar figure of Mr. Byrne.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Geoff hurried on with his dressing.

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

From this reading GEOFF "WON'T STAND IT."

in a wretched manner

From this reading He was wretchedly unhappy--all the more so because he was furiously angry with Elsa, and perhaps, at the bottom of his heart, with himself.