Chapter I · Chapter 1

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

From this reading With his hands clasped behind his head, he fell into a waking dream, that familiar pastime of the creative mind.

perform an action, or work out or perform (an action)

From this reading All this, of course, figuratively speaking; for no one ever knew what the plot of that particular play was, insomuch as Warrington never submitted the scenario to his manager, an act which caused almost a serious rupture between them.

later than; following

From this reading It was half after nine, and he had been writing steadily since seven.

(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 All this, of course, figuratively speaking; for no one ever knew what the plot of that particular play was, insomuch as Warrington never submitted the scenario to his manager, an act which caused almost a serious rupture between them.

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

From this reading All this, of course, figuratively speaking; for no one ever knew what the plot of that particular play was, insomuch as Warrington never submitted the scenario to his manager, an act which caused almost a serious rupture between them.

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

From this reading All this, of course, figuratively speaking; for no one ever knew what the plot of that particular play was, insomuch as Warrington never submitted the scenario to his manager, an act which caused almost a serious rupture between them.

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

From this reading Warrington laid down his pen, brushed his smarting eyes, lighted his pipe, and tilted back his chair.

weapons considered collectively

From this reading The scenario was done; the villain had lighted his last cigarette, the hero had put his arms protectingly around the heroine, and the irascible rich uncle had been brought to terms.

surrounding, or on every side of, something

From this reading The scenario was done; the villain had lighted his last cigarette, the hero had put his arms protectingly around the heroine, and the irascible rich uncle had been brought to terms.

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

From this reading All this, of course, figuratively speaking; for no one ever knew what the plot of that particular play was, insomuch as Warrington never submitted the scenario to his manager, an act which caused almost a serious rupture between them.

in or to or toward a former location

From this reading Warrington laid down his pen, brushed his smarting eyes, lighted his pipe, and tilted back his chair.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading It was half after nine, and he had been writing steadily since seven.

at or toward the back of something

From this reading With his hands clasped behind his head, he fell into a waking dream, that familiar pastime of the creative mind.

in the space, time, or range separating two things

From this reading All this, of course, figuratively speaking; for no one ever knew what the plot of that particular play was, insomuch as Warrington never submitted the scenario to his manager, an act which caused almost a serious rupture between them.

inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere

From this reading The scenario was done; the villain had lighted his last cigarette, the hero had put his arms protectingly around the heroine, and the irascible rich uncle had been brought to terms.

touched lightly in passing; grazed against

From this reading Warrington laid down his pen, brushed his smarting eyes, lighted his pipe, and tilted back his chair.

past form of “cause” — give rise to; cause to happen or occur, not always intentionally

From this reading All this, of course, figuratively speaking; for no one ever knew what the plot of that particular play was, insomuch as Warrington never submitted the scenario to his manager, an act which caused almost a serious rupture between them.

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

From this reading Warrington laid down his pen, brushed his smarting eyes, lighted his pipe, and tilted back his chair.

finely ground tobacco wrapped in paper; for smoking

From this reading The scenario was done; the villain had lighted his last cigarette, the hero had put his arms protectingly around the heroine, and the irascible rich uncle had been brought to terms.

past form of “clasp” — hold firmly and tightly

From this reading With his hands clasped behind his head, he fell into a waking dream, that familiar pastime of the creative mind.

education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings

From this reading All this, of course, figuratively speaking; for no one ever knew what the plot of that particular play was, insomuch as Warrington never submitted the scenario to his manager, an act which caused almost a serious rupture between them.

having the ability or power to create

From this reading With his hands clasped behind his head, he fell into a waking dream, that familiar pastime of the creative mind.

having finished or arrived at completion

From this reading The scenario was done; the villain had lighted his last cigarette, the hero had put his arms protectingly around the heroine, and the irascible rich uncle had been brought to terms.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading Warrington laid down his pen, brushed his smarting eyes, lighted his pipe, and tilted back his chair.

A series of thoughts, images, or emotions during sleep.

From this reading With his hands clasped behind his head, he fell into a waking dream, that familiar pastime of the creative mind.

at any time

From this reading All this, of course, figuratively speaking; for no one ever knew what the plot of that particular play was, insomuch as Warrington never submitted the scenario to his manager, an act which caused almost a serious rupture between them.

opinion or judgment

From this reading Warrington laid down his pen, brushed his smarting eyes, lighted his pipe, and tilted back his chair.

well known or easily recognized

From this reading With his hands clasped behind his head, he fell into a waking dream, that familiar pastime of the creative mind.

cause to fall by or as if by delivering a blow

From this reading With his hands clasped behind his head, he fell into a waking dream, that familiar pastime of the creative mind.

in a figurative sense

From this reading All this, of course, figuratively speaking; for no one ever knew what the plot of that particular play was, insomuch as Warrington never submitted the scenario to his manager, an act which caused almost a serious rupture between them.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading All this, of course, figuratively speaking; for no one ever knew what the plot of that particular play was, insomuch as Warrington never submitted the scenario to his manager, an act which caused almost a serious rupture between them.

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

From this reading It was half after nine, and he had been writing steadily since seven.

consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity

From this reading It was half after nine, and he had been writing steadily since seven.

(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child

From this reading With his hands clasped behind his head, he fell into a waking dream, that familiar pastime of the creative mind.

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

From this reading With his hands clasped behind his head, he fell into a waking dream, that familiar pastime of the creative mind.

the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains

From this reading With his hands clasped behind his head, he fell into a waking dream, that familiar pastime of the creative mind.

a man distinguished by exceptional courage and nobility and strength

From this reading The scenario was done; the villain had lighted his last cigarette, the hero had put his arms protectingly around the heroine, and the irascible rich uncle had been brought to terms.

the main good female character in a work of fiction

From this reading The scenario was done; the villain had lighted his last cigarette, the hero had put his arms protectingly around the heroine, and the irascible rich uncle had been brought to terms.

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

From this reading Warrington laid down his pen, brushed his smarting eyes, lighted his pipe, and tilted back his chair.

to such an extent or degree; so

From this reading All this, of course, figuratively speaking; for no one ever knew what the plot of that particular play was, insomuch as Warrington never submitted the scenario to his manager, an act which caused almost a serious rupture between them.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading With his hands clasped behind his head, he fell into a waking dream, that familiar pastime of the creative mind.

quickly aroused to anger

From this reading The scenario was done; the villain had lighted his last cigarette, the hero had put his arms protectingly around the heroine, and the irascible rich uncle had been brought to terms.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was half after nine, and he had been writing steadily since seven.

inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about

From this reading All this, of course, figuratively speaking; for no one ever knew what the plot of that particular play was, insomuch as Warrington never submitted the scenario to his manager, an act which caused almost a serious rupture between them.

set down according to a plan

From this reading Warrington laid down his pen, brushed his smarting eyes, lighted his pipe, and tilted back his chair.

immediately past

From this reading The scenario was done; the villain had lighted his last cigarette, the hero had put his arms protectingly around the heroine, and the irascible rich uncle had been brought to terms.

set afire or burning

From this reading Warrington laid down his pen, brushed his smarting eyes, lighted his pipe, and tilted back his chair.

someone who controls resources and expenditures

From this reading All this, of course, figuratively speaking; for no one ever knew what the plot of that particular play was, insomuch as Warrington never submitted the scenario to his manager, an act which caused almost a serious rupture between them.

The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.

From this reading With his hands clasped behind his head, he fell into a waking dream, that familiar pastime of the creative mind.

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading All this, of course, figuratively speaking; for no one ever knew what the plot of that particular play was, insomuch as Warrington never submitted the scenario to his manager, an act which caused almost a serious rupture between them.

the cardinal number that is the sum of eight and one

From this reading It was half after nine, and he had been writing steadily since seven.

not any; not one

From this reading All this, of course, figuratively speaking; for no one ever knew what the plot of that particular play was, insomuch as Warrington never submitted the scenario to his manager, an act which caused almost a serious rupture between them.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading With his hands clasped behind his head, he fell into a waking dream, that familiar pastime of the creative mind.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading All this, of course, figuratively speaking; for no one ever knew what the plot of that particular play was, insomuch as Warrington never submitted the scenario to his manager, an act which caused almost a serious rupture between them.

unique or specific to a person or thing or category

From this reading All this, of course, figuratively speaking; for no one ever knew what the plot of that particular play was, insomuch as Warrington never submitted the scenario to his manager, an act which caused almost a serious rupture between them.

a diversion that occupies one's time and thoughts (usually pleasantly)

From this reading With his hands clasped behind his head, he fell into a waking dream, that familiar pastime of the creative mind.

a writing implement with a point from which ink flows

From this reading Warrington laid down his pen, brushed his smarting eyes, lighted his pipe, and tilted back his chair.

a tube with a small bowl at one end; used for smoking tobacco

From this reading Warrington laid down his pen, brushed his smarting eyes, lighted his pipe, and tilted back his chair.

participate in games or sport

From this reading All this, of course, figuratively speaking; for no one ever knew what the plot of that particular play was, insomuch as Warrington never submitted the scenario to his manager, an act which caused almost a serious rupture between them.

a secret scheme to do something (especially something underhand or illegal)

From this reading All this, of course, figuratively speaking; for no one ever knew what the plot of that particular play was, insomuch as Warrington never submitted the scenario to his manager, an act which caused almost a serious rupture between them.

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

From this reading The scenario was done; the villain had lighted his last cigarette, the hero had put his arms protectingly around the heroine, and the irascible rich uncle had been brought to terms.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading The scenario was done; the villain had lighted his last cigarette, the hero had put his arms protectingly around the heroine, and the irascible rich uncle had been brought to terms.

possessing material wealth

From this reading The scenario was done; the villain had lighted his last cigarette, the hero had put his arms protectingly around the heroine, and the irascible rich uncle had been brought to terms.

separate or cause to separate abruptly

From this reading All this, of course, figuratively speaking; for no one ever knew what the plot of that particular play was, insomuch as Warrington never submitted the scenario to his manager, an act which caused almost a serious rupture between them.

an outline or synopsis of a play (or, by extension, of a literary work)

From this reading The scenario was done; the villain had lighted his last cigarette, the hero had put his arms protectingly around the heroine, and the irascible rich uncle had been brought to terms.

concerned with work or important matters rather than play or trivialities

From this reading All this, of course, figuratively speaking; for no one ever knew what the plot of that particular play was, insomuch as Warrington never submitted the scenario to his manager, an act which caused almost a serious rupture between them.

the cardinal number that is the sum of six and one

From this reading It was half after nine, and he had been writing steadily since seven.

from a time in the past until now

From this reading It was half after nine, and he had been writing steadily since seven.

a kind of pain such as that caused by a wound or a burn or a sore

From this reading Warrington laid down his pen, brushed his smarting eyes, lighted his pipe, and tilted back his chair.

the utterance of intelligible speech

From this reading All this, of course, figuratively speaking; for no one ever knew what the plot of that particular play was, insomuch as Warrington never submitted the scenario to his manager, an act which caused almost a serious rupture between them.

at a steady rate or pace

From this reading It was half after nine, and he had been writing steadily since seven.

inflected form of “submit” — refer for judgment or consideration

From this reading All this, of course, figuratively speaking; for no one ever knew what the plot of that particular play was, insomuch as Warrington never submitted the scenario to his manager, an act which caused almost a serious rupture between them.

status with respect to the relations between people or groups

From this reading The scenario was done; the villain had lighted his last cigarette, the hero had put his arms protectingly around the heroine, and the irascible rich uncle had been brought to terms.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading With his hands clasped behind his head, he fell into a waking dream, that familiar pastime of the creative mind.

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

From this reading With his hands clasped behind his head, he fell into a waking dream, that familiar pastime of the creative mind.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading All this, of course, figuratively speaking; for no one ever knew what the plot of that particular play was, insomuch as Warrington never submitted the scenario to his manager, an act which caused almost a serious rupture between them.

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

From this reading All this, of course, figuratively speaking; for no one ever knew what the plot of that particular play was, insomuch as Warrington never submitted the scenario to his manager, an act which caused almost a serious rupture between them.

departing or being caused to depart from the true vertical or horizontal

From this reading Warrington laid down his pen, brushed his smarting eyes, lighted his pipe, and tilted back his chair.

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

From this reading The scenario was done; the villain had lighted his last cigarette, the hero had put his arms protectingly around the heroine, and the irascible rich uncle had been brought to terms.

the brother of your father or mother; the husband of your aunt

From this reading The scenario was done; the villain had lighted his last cigarette, the hero had put his arms protectingly around the heroine, and the irascible rich uncle had been brought to terms.

a wicked or evil person; someone who does evil deliberately

From this reading The scenario was done; the villain had lighted his last cigarette, the hero had put his arms protectingly around the heroine, and the irascible rich uncle had been brought to terms.

Risen from sleep; conscious.

From this reading With his hands clasped behind his head, he fell into a waking dream, that familiar pastime of the creative mind.

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

From this reading Warrington laid down his pen, brushed his smarting eyes, lighted his pipe, and tilted back his chair.

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

From this reading It was half after nine, and he had been writing steadily since seven.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading All this, of course, figuratively speaking; for no one ever knew what the plot of that particular play was, insomuch as Warrington never submitted the scenario to his manager, an act which caused almost a serious rupture between them.

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

From this reading All this, of course, figuratively speaking; for no one ever knew what the plot of that particular play was, insomuch as Warrington never submitted the scenario to his manager, an act which caused almost a serious rupture between them.

in the company of; together with

From this reading With his hands clasped behind his head, he fell into a waking dream, that familiar pastime of the creative mind.

the act of creating written works

From this reading It was half after nine, and he had been writing steadily since seven.