Chapter XV

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

From this reading There was a faint odor of benzine to be detected, but there was always that, and no amount of airing seemed to entirely banish it.

giving or marked by complete attention to

From this reading After he finally did become absorbed in study it seemed only a few minutes before nine o’clock struck.

later than; following

From this reading Toby sat down to study at a little after eight, but for the first half-hour he was continually peering around in dubious appraisal of his efforts or pushing back his chair and arising to turn the arm-chair a little more to the left, at which angle its dilapidated seat was more in shadow, or wedge the sagging door of the wardrobe more firmly shut or work some similar improvement.

the opening of a subject to widespread discussion and debate

From this reading There was a faint odor of benzine to be detected, but there was always that, and no amount of airing seemed to entirely banish it.

at all times; all the time and on every occasion

From this reading There was a faint odor of benzine to be detected, but there was always that, and no amount of airing seemed to entirely banish it.

a quantity of money

From this reading There was a faint odor of benzine to be detected, but there was always that, and no amount of airing seemed to entirely banish it.

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

From this reading There was a faint odor of benzine to be detected, but there was always that, and no amount of airing seemed to entirely banish it.

the space between two lines or planes that intersect; the inclination of one line to another; measured in degrees or radians

From this reading Toby sat down to study at a little after eight, but for the first half-hour he was continually peering around in dubious appraisal of his efforts or pushing back his chair and arising to turn the arm-chair a little more to the left, at which angle its dilapidated seat was more in shadow, or wedge the sagging door of the wardrobe more firmly shut or work some similar improvement.

the classification of someone or something with respect to its worth

From this reading Toby sat down to study at a little after eight, but for the first half-hour he was continually peering around in dubious appraisal of his efforts or pushing back his chair and arising to turn the arm-chair a little more to the left, at which angle its dilapidated seat was more in shadow, or wedge the sagging door of the wardrobe more firmly shut or work some similar improvement.

-ing form of “arise” — come into existence; take on form or shape

From this reading Toby sat down to study at a little after eight, but for the first half-hour he was continually peering around in dubious appraisal of his efforts or pushing back his chair and arising to turn the arm-chair a little more to the left, at which angle its dilapidated seat was more in shadow, or wedge the sagging door of the wardrobe more firmly shut or work some similar improvement.

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

From this reading Toby sat down to study at a little after eight, but for the first half-hour he was continually peering around in dubious appraisal of his efforts or pushing back his chair and arising to turn the arm-chair a little more to the left, at which angle its dilapidated seat was more in shadow, or wedge the sagging door of the wardrobe more firmly shut or work some similar improvement.

surrounding, or on every side of, something

From this reading Toby sat down to study at a little after eight, but for the first half-hour he was continually peering around in dubious appraisal of his efforts or pushing back his chair and arising to turn the arm-chair a little more to the left, at which angle its dilapidated seat was more in shadow, or wedge the sagging door of the wardrobe more firmly shut or work some similar improvement.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading It still looked far from luxurious, but at least it was clean.

in or to or toward a former location

From this reading Toby sat down to study at a little after eight, but for the first half-hour he was continually peering around in dubious appraisal of his efforts or pushing back his chair and arising to turn the arm-chair a little more to the left, at which angle its dilapidated seat was more in shadow, or wedge the sagging door of the wardrobe more firmly shut or work some similar improvement.

expel from a community or group

From this reading There was a faint odor of benzine to be detected, but there was always that, and no amount of airing seemed to entirely banish it.

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

From this reading There was a faint odor of benzine to be detected, but there was always that, and no amount of airing seemed to entirely banish it.

enter or assume a certain state or condition

From this reading After he finally did become absorbed in study it seemed only a few minutes before nine o’clock struck.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading After he finally did become absorbed in study it seemed only a few minutes before nine o’clock struck.

a colorless liquid hydrocarbon; highly flammable; carcinogenic; the simplest of the aromatic compounds

From this reading There was a faint odor of benzine to be detected, but there was always that, and no amount of airing seemed to entirely banish it.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading It still looked far from luxurious, but at least it was clean.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading TOBY ENTERTAINS Toby had the little room under the roof of Whitson well tidied up by eight o’clock.

a seat for one person, with a support for the back

From this reading Toby sat down to study at a little after eight, but for the first half-hour he was continually peering around in dubious appraisal of his efforts or pushing back his chair and arising to turn the arm-chair a little more to the left, at which angle its dilapidated seat was more in shadow, or wedge the sagging door of the wardrobe more firmly shut or work some similar improvement.

free from dirt or impurities; or having clean habits

From this reading It still looked far from luxurious, but at least it was clean.

seemingly without interruption

From this reading Toby sat down to study at a little after eight, but for the first half-hour he was continually peering around in dubious appraisal of his efforts or pushing back his chair and arising to turn the arm-chair a little more to the left, at which angle its dilapidated seat was more in shadow, or wedge the sagging door of the wardrobe more firmly shut or work some similar improvement.

perceived or discerned

From this reading There was a faint odor of benzine to be detected, but there was always that, and no amount of airing seemed to entirely banish it.

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

From this reading After he finally did become absorbed in study it seemed only a few minutes before nine o’clock struck.

in deplorable condition

From this reading Toby sat down to study at a little after eight, but for the first half-hour he was continually peering around in dubious appraisal of his efforts or pushing back his chair and arising to turn the arm-chair a little more to the left, at which angle its dilapidated seat was more in shadow, or wedge the sagging door of the wardrobe more firmly shut or work some similar improvement.

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

From this reading Toby sat down to study at a little after eight, but for the first half-hour he was continually peering around in dubious appraisal of his efforts or pushing back his chair and arising to turn the arm-chair a little more to the left, at which angle its dilapidated seat was more in shadow, or wedge the sagging door of the wardrobe more firmly shut or work some similar improvement.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading Toby sat down to study at a little after eight, but for the first half-hour he was continually peering around in dubious appraisal of his efforts or pushing back his chair and arising to turn the arm-chair a little more to the left, at which angle its dilapidated seat was more in shadow, or wedge the sagging door of the wardrobe more firmly shut or work some similar improvement.

fraught with uncertainty or doubt

From this reading Toby sat down to study at a little after eight, but for the first half-hour he was continually peering around in dubious appraisal of his efforts or pushing back his chair and arising to turn the arm-chair a little more to the left, at which angle its dilapidated seat was more in shadow, or wedge the sagging door of the wardrobe more firmly shut or work some similar improvement.

plural of “effort” — earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something

From this reading Toby sat down to study at a little after eight, but for the first half-hour he was continually peering around in dubious appraisal of his efforts or pushing back his chair and arising to turn the arm-chair a little more to the left, at which angle its dilapidated seat was more in shadow, or wedge the sagging door of the wardrobe more firmly shut or work some similar improvement.

being one more than seven

From this reading TOBY ENTERTAINS Toby had the little room under the roof of Whitson well tidied up by eight o’clock.

third-person singular of “entertain” — provide entertainment for

From this reading TOBY ENTERTAINS Toby had the little room under the roof of Whitson well tidied up by eight o’clock.

to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)

From this reading There was a faint odor of benzine to be detected, but there was always that, and no amount of airing seemed to entirely banish it.

deficient in magnitude; barely perceptible; lacking clarity or brightness or loudness etc

From this reading There was a faint odor of benzine to be detected, but there was always that, and no amount of airing seemed to entirely banish it.

to a considerable degree; very much

From this reading It still looked far from luxurious, but at least it was clean.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number

From this reading After he finally did become absorbed in study it seemed only a few minutes before nine o’clock struck.

after an unspecified period of time or an especially long delay

From this reading After he finally did become absorbed in study it seemed only a few minutes before nine o’clock struck.

with resolute determination

From this reading Toby sat down to study at a little after eight, but for the first half-hour he was continually peering around in dubious appraisal of his efforts or pushing back his chair and arising to turn the arm-chair a little more to the left, at which angle its dilapidated seat was more in shadow, or wedge the sagging door of the wardrobe more firmly shut or work some similar improvement.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading Toby sat down to study at a little after eight, but for the first half-hour he was continually peering around in dubious appraisal of his efforts or pushing back his chair and arising to turn the arm-chair a little more to the left, at which angle its dilapidated seat was more in shadow, or wedge the sagging door of the wardrobe more firmly shut or work some similar improvement.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Toby sat down to study at a little after eight, but for the first half-hour he was continually peering around in dubious appraisal of his efforts or pushing back his chair and arising to turn the arm-chair a little more to the left, at which angle its dilapidated seat was more in shadow, or wedge the sagging door of the wardrobe more firmly shut or work some similar improvement.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading It still looked far from luxurious, but at least it was clean.

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

From this reading TOBY ENTERTAINS Toby had the little room under the roof of Whitson well tidied up by eight o’clock.

a half of an hour

From this reading Toby sat down to study at a little after eight, but for the first half-hour he was continually peering around in dubious appraisal of his efforts or pushing back his chair and arising to turn the arm-chair a little more to the left, at which angle its dilapidated seat was more in shadow, or wedge the sagging door of the wardrobe more firmly shut or work some similar improvement.

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

From this reading Toby sat down to study at a little after eight, but for the first half-hour he was continually peering around in dubious appraisal of his efforts or pushing back his chair and arising to turn the arm-chair a little more to the left, at which angle its dilapidated seat was more in shadow, or wedge the sagging door of the wardrobe more firmly shut or work some similar improvement.

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

From this reading Toby sat down to study at a little after eight, but for the first half-hour he was continually peering around in dubious appraisal of his efforts or pushing back his chair and arising to turn the arm-chair a little more to the left, at which angle its dilapidated seat was more in shadow, or wedge the sagging door of the wardrobe more firmly shut or work some similar improvement.

a change for the better; progress in development

From this reading Toby sat down to study at a little after eight, but for the first half-hour he was continually peering around in dubious appraisal of his efforts or pushing back his chair and arising to turn the arm-chair a little more to the left, at which angle its dilapidated seat was more in shadow, or wedge the sagging door of the wardrobe more firmly shut or work some similar improvement.

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

From this reading Toby sat down to study at a little after eight, but for the first half-hour he was continually peering around in dubious appraisal of his efforts or pushing back his chair and arising to turn the arm-chair a little more to the left, at which angle its dilapidated seat was more in shadow, or wedge the sagging door of the wardrobe more firmly shut or work some similar improvement.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It still looked far from luxurious, but at least it was clean.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading Toby sat down to study at a little after eight, but for the first half-hour he was continually peering around in dubious appraisal of his efforts or pushing back his chair and arising to turn the arm-chair a little more to the left, at which angle its dilapidated seat was more in shadow, or wedge the sagging door of the wardrobe more firmly shut or work some similar improvement.

the superlative of “little” that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by “the”; a quantifier meaning smallest in amount or extent or degree

From this reading It still looked far from luxurious, but at least it was clean.

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 Toby sat down to study at a little after eight, but for the first half-hour he was continually peering around in dubious appraisal of his efforts or pushing back his chair and arising to turn the arm-chair a little more to the left, at which angle its dilapidated seat was more in shadow, or wedge the sagging door of the wardrobe more firmly shut or work some similar improvement.

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

From this reading TOBY ENTERTAINS Toby had the little room under the roof of Whitson well tidied up by eight o’clock.

past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading It still looked far from luxurious, but at least it was clean.

displaying luxury and furnishing gratification to the senses

From this reading It still looked far from luxurious, but at least it was clean.

a written account of what transpired at a meeting

From this reading After he finally did become absorbed in study it seemed only a few minutes before nine o’clock struck.

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

From this reading Toby sat down to study at a little after eight, but for the first half-hour he was continually peering around in dubious appraisal of his efforts or pushing back his chair and arising to turn the arm-chair a little more to the left, at which angle its dilapidated seat was more in shadow, or wedge the sagging door of the wardrobe more firmly shut or work some similar improvement.

the cardinal number that is the sum of eight and one

From this reading After he finally did become absorbed in study it seemed only a few minutes before nine o’clock struck.

not any; not one

From this reading There was a faint odor of benzine to be detected, but there was always that, and no amount of airing seemed to entirely banish it.

according to the clock

From this reading TOBY ENTERTAINS Toby had the little room under the roof of Whitson well tidied up by eight o’clock.

any property detected by the olfactory system

From this reading There was a faint odor of benzine to be detected, but there was always that, and no amount of airing seemed to entirely banish it.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading TOBY ENTERTAINS Toby had the little room under the roof of Whitson well tidied up by eight o’clock.

and nothing more

From this reading After he finally did become absorbed in study it seemed only a few minutes before nine o’clock struck.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Toby sat down to study at a little after eight, but for the first half-hour he was continually peering around in dubious appraisal of his efforts or pushing back his chair and arising to turn the arm-chair a little more to the left, at which angle its dilapidated seat was more in shadow, or wedge the sagging door of the wardrobe more firmly shut or work some similar improvement.

-ing form of “peer” — look searchingly

From this reading Toby sat down to study at a little after eight, but for the first half-hour he was continually peering around in dubious appraisal of his efforts or pushing back his chair and arising to turn the arm-chair a little more to the left, at which angle its dilapidated seat was more in shadow, or wedge the sagging door of the wardrobe more firmly shut or work some similar improvement.

the act of applying force in order to move something away

From this reading Toby sat down to study at a little after eight, but for the first half-hour he was continually peering around in dubious appraisal of his efforts or pushing back his chair and arising to turn the arm-chair a little more to the left, at which angle its dilapidated seat was more in shadow, or wedge the sagging door of the wardrobe more firmly shut or work some similar improvement.

a protective covering that covers or forms the top of a building

From this reading TOBY ENTERTAINS Toby had the little room under the roof of Whitson well tidied up by eight o’clock.

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

From this reading TOBY ENTERTAINS Toby had the little room under the roof of Whitson well tidied up by eight o’clock.

hanging down (as from exhaustion or weakness)

From this reading Toby sat down to study at a little after eight, but for the first half-hour he was continually peering around in dubious appraisal of his efforts or pushing back his chair and arising to turn the arm-chair a little more to the left, at which angle its dilapidated seat was more in shadow, or wedge the sagging door of the wardrobe more firmly shut or work some similar improvement.

the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians

From this reading Toby sat down to study at a little after eight, but for the first half-hour he was continually peering around in dubious appraisal of his efforts or pushing back his chair and arising to turn the arm-chair a little more to the left, at which angle its dilapidated seat was more in shadow, or wedge the sagging door of the wardrobe more firmly shut or work some similar improvement.

a space reserved for sitting (as in a theater or on a train or airplane)

From this reading Toby sat down to study at a little after eight, but for the first half-hour he was continually peering around in dubious appraisal of his efforts or pushing back his chair and arising to turn the arm-chair a little more to the left, at which angle its dilapidated seat was more in shadow, or wedge the sagging door of the wardrobe more firmly shut or work some similar improvement.

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

From this reading There was a faint odor of benzine to be detected, but there was always that, and no amount of airing seemed to entirely banish it.

A dark area or shape produced by a body coming between rays of light and a surface.

From this reading Toby sat down to study at a little after eight, but for the first half-hour he was continually peering around in dubious appraisal of his efforts or pushing back his chair and arising to turn the arm-chair a little more to the left, at which angle its dilapidated seat was more in shadow, or wedge the sagging door of the wardrobe more firmly shut or work some similar improvement.

move so that an opening or passage is obstructed; make shut

From this reading Toby sat down to study at a little after eight, but for the first half-hour he was continually peering around in dubious appraisal of his efforts or pushing back his chair and arising to turn the arm-chair a little more to the left, at which angle its dilapidated seat was more in shadow, or wedge the sagging door of the wardrobe more firmly shut or work some similar improvement.

marked by correspondence or resemblance

From this reading Toby sat down to study at a little after eight, but for the first half-hour he was continually peering around in dubious appraisal of his efforts or pushing back his chair and arising to turn the arm-chair a little more to the left, at which angle its dilapidated seat was more in shadow, or wedge the sagging door of the wardrobe more firmly shut or work some similar improvement.

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading Toby sat down to study at a little after eight, but for the first half-hour he was continually peering around in dubious appraisal of his efforts or pushing back his chair and arising to turn the arm-chair a little more to the left, at which angle its dilapidated seat was more in shadow, or wedge the sagging door of the wardrobe more firmly shut or work some similar improvement.

not in physical motion

From this reading It still looked far from luxurious, but at least it was clean.

(used in combination) affected by something overwhelming

From this reading After he finally did become absorbed in study it seemed only a few minutes before nine o’clock struck.

a detailed critical inspection

From this reading Toby sat down to study at a little after eight, but for the first half-hour he was continually peering around in dubious appraisal of his efforts or pushing back his chair and arising to turn the arm-chair a little more to the left, at which angle its dilapidated seat was more in shadow, or wedge the sagging door of the wardrobe more firmly shut or work some similar improvement.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading There was a faint odor of benzine to be detected, but there was always that, and no amount of airing seemed to entirely banish it.

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

From this reading TOBY ENTERTAINS Toby had the little room under the roof of Whitson well tidied up by eight o’clock.

in or at that place or location

From this reading There was a faint odor of benzine to be detected, but there was always that, and no amount of airing seemed to entirely banish it.

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

From this reading TOBY ENTERTAINS Toby had the little room under the roof of Whitson well tidied up by eight o’clock.

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

From this reading There was a faint odor of benzine to be detected, but there was always that, and no amount of airing seemed to entirely banish it.

a drinking mug in the shape of a stout man wearing a three-cornered hat

From this reading TOBY ENTERTAINS Toby had the little room under the roof of Whitson well tidied up by eight o’clock.

change orientation or direction, also in the abstract sense

From this reading Toby sat down to study at a little after eight, but for the first half-hour he was continually peering around in dubious appraisal of his efforts or pushing back his chair and arising to turn the arm-chair a little more to the left, at which angle its dilapidated seat was more in shadow, or wedge the sagging door of the wardrobe more firmly shut or work some similar improvement.

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading TOBY ENTERTAINS Toby had the little room under the roof of Whitson well tidied up by eight o’clock.

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading TOBY ENTERTAINS Toby had the little room under the roof of Whitson well tidied up by eight o’clock.

a tall piece of furniture that provides storage space for clothes; has a door and rails or hooks for hanging clothes

From this reading Toby sat down to study at a little after eight, but for the first half-hour he was continually peering around in dubious appraisal of his efforts or pushing back his chair and arising to turn the arm-chair a little more to the left, at which angle its dilapidated seat was more in shadow, or wedge the sagging door of the wardrobe more firmly shut or work some similar improvement.

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

From this reading It still looked far from luxurious, but at least it was clean.

any shape that is triangular in cross section

From this reading Toby sat down to study at a little after eight, but for the first half-hour he was continually peering around in dubious appraisal of his efforts or pushing back his chair and arising to turn the arm-chair a little more to the left, at which angle its dilapidated seat was more in shadow, or wedge the sagging door of the wardrobe more firmly shut or work some similar improvement.

(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 TOBY ENTERTAINS Toby had the little room under the roof of Whitson well tidied up by eight o’clock.

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

From this reading Toby sat down to study at a little after eight, but for the first half-hour he was continually peering around in dubious appraisal of his efforts or pushing back his chair and arising to turn the arm-chair a little more to the left, at which angle its dilapidated seat was more in shadow, or wedge the sagging door of the wardrobe more firmly shut or work some similar improvement.

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

From this reading TOBY ENTERTAINS Toby had the little room under the roof of Whitson well tidied up by eight o’clock.

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

From this reading Toby sat down to study at a little after eight, but for the first half-hour he was continually peering around in dubious appraisal of his efforts or pushing back his chair and arising to turn the arm-chair a little more to the left, at which angle its dilapidated seat was more in shadow, or wedge the sagging door of the wardrobe more firmly shut or work some similar improvement.