Chapter I

a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of

From this reading Like all creatures of the highest breeding, George looked handsomer the handsomer his dress; and although his costume was really simple enough, he had the splendid air that made him always appear to be in the highest fashion.

(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 Like all creatures of the highest breeding, George looked handsomer the handsomer his dress; and although his costume was really simple enough, he had the splendid air that made him always appear to be in the highest fashion.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading Like all creatures of the highest breeding, George looked handsomer the handsomer his dress; and although his costume was really simple enough, he had the splendid air that made him always appear to be in the highest fashion.

at all times; all the time and on every occasion

From this reading Like all creatures of the highest breeding, George looked handsomer the handsomer his dress; and although his costume was really simple enough, he had the splendid air that made him always appear to be in the highest fashion.

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

From this reading The room was beginning to darken, and the ruddy firelight, too, fell glowingly upon him.

give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading Like all creatures of the highest breeding, George looked handsomer the handsomer his dress; and although his costume was really simple enough, he had the splendid air that made him always appear to be in the highest fashion.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading His coat and knee-breeches were of dark blue cloth, spun, woven, and dyed at home.

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

From this reading Like all creatures of the highest breeding, George looked handsomer the handsomer his dress; and although his costume was really simple enough, he had the splendid air that made him always appear to be in the highest fashion.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading The Earl was instantly roused, and could scarcely persuade himself that the boy before him was only fifteen; seventeen, or even eighteen, would have seemed nearer the mark, so tall and well-developed was he.

the event consisting of the start of something

From this reading The room was beginning to darken, and the ruddy firelight, too, fell glowingly upon him.

of the color intermediate between green and violet; having a color similar to that of a clear unclouded sky

From this reading His coat and knee-breeches were of dark blue cloth, spun, woven, and dyed at home.

a youthful male person

From this reading The full flood of the sun, now low in the heavens, poured through the western windows upon the figure of the boy standing in the doorway.

elegance by virtue of fineness of manner and expression

From this reading Like all creatures of the highest breeding, George looked handsomer the handsomer his dress; and although his costume was really simple enough, he had the splendid air that made him always appear to be in the highest fashion.

artifact made by weaving or felting or knitting or crocheting natural or synthetic fibers

From this reading His coat and knee-breeches were of dark blue cloth, spun, woven, and dyed at home.

an outer garment that has sleeves and covers the body from shoulder down; worn outdoors

From this reading His coat and knee-breeches were of dark blue cloth, spun, woven, and dyed at home.

the attire worn in a play or at a fancy dress ball

From this reading Like all creatures of the highest breeding, George looked handsomer the handsomer his dress; and although his costume was really simple enough, he had the splendid air that made him always appear to be in the highest fashion.

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

From this reading The Earl was instantly roused, and could scarcely persuade himself that the boy before him was only fifteen; seventeen, or even eighteen, would have seemed nearer the mark, so tall and well-developed was he.

plural of “creature” — a living organism characterized by voluntary movement

From this reading Like all creatures of the highest breeding, George looked handsomer the handsomer his dress; and although his costume was really simple enough, he had the splendid air that made him always appear to be in the highest fashion.

absence of light or illumination

From this reading His coat and knee-breeches were of dark blue cloth, spun, woven, and dyed at home.

become dark or darker

From this reading The room was beginning to darken, and the ruddy firelight, too, fell glowingly upon him.

the entrance (the space in a wall) through which you enter or leave a room or building; the space that a door can close

From this reading The full flood of the sun, now low in the heavens, poured through the western windows upon the figure of the boy standing in the doorway.

put on clothes

From this reading Like all creatures of the highest breeding, George looked handsomer the handsomer his dress; and although his costume was really simple enough, he had the splendid air that made him always appear to be in the highest fashion.

(used of color) artificially produced; not natural

From this reading His coat and knee-breeches were of dark blue cloth, spun, woven, and dyed at home.

a British peer ranking below a marquess and above a viscount

From this reading The Earl was instantly roused, and could scarcely persuade himself that the boy before him was only fifteen; seventeen, or even eighteen, would have seemed nearer the mark, so tall and well-developed was he.

being one more than seventeen

From this reading The Earl was instantly roused, and could scarcely persuade himself that the boy before him was only fifteen; seventeen, or even eighteen, would have seemed nearer the mark, so tall and well-developed was he.

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

From this reading Like all creatures of the highest breeding, George looked handsomer the handsomer his dress; and although his costume was really simple enough, he had the splendid air that made him always appear to be in the highest fashion.

divisible by two

From this reading The Earl was instantly roused, and could scarcely persuade himself that the boy before him was only fifteen; seventeen, or even eighteen, would have seemed nearer the mark, so tall and well-developed was he.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading Like all creatures of the highest breeding, George looked handsomer the handsomer his dress; and although his costume was really simple enough, he had the splendid air that made him always appear to be in the highest fashion.

cause to fall by or as if by delivering a blow

From this reading The room was beginning to darken, and the ruddy firelight, too, fell glowingly upon him.

the cardinal number that is the sum of fourteen and one

From this reading The Earl was instantly roused, and could scarcely persuade himself that the boy before him was only fifteen; seventeen, or even eighteen, would have seemed nearer the mark, so tall and well-developed was he.

a diagram or picture illustrating textual material

From this reading The full flood of the sun, now low in the heavens, poured through the western windows upon the figure of the boy standing in the doorway.

the light of a fire (especially in a fireplace)

From this reading The room was beginning to darken, and the ruddy firelight, too, fell glowingly upon him.

the rising of a body of water and its overflowing onto normally dry land

From this reading The full flood of the sun, now low in the heavens, poured through the western windows upon the figure of the boy standing in the doorway.

containing as much or as many as is possible or normal

From this reading The full flood of the sun, now low in the heavens, poured through the western windows upon the figure of the boy standing in the doorway.

Christian martyr; patron saint of England; hero of the legend of Saint George and the Dragon in which he slew a dragon and saved a princess (?-303)

From this reading Like all creatures of the highest breeding, George looked handsomer the handsomer his dress; and although his costume was really simple enough, he had the splendid air that made him always appear to be in the highest fashion.

in an enthusiastically glowing manner

From this reading The room was beginning to darken, and the ruddy firelight, too, fell glowingly upon him.

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

From this reading Like all creatures of the highest breeding, George looked handsomer the handsomer his dress; and although his costume was really simple enough, he had the splendid air that made him always appear to be in the highest fashion.

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

From this reading Like all creatures of the highest breeding, George looked handsomer the handsomer his dress; and although his costume was really simple enough, he had the splendid air that made him always appear to be in the highest fashion.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading The Earl was instantly roused, and could scarcely persuade himself that the boy before him was only fifteen; seventeen, or even eighteen, would have seemed nearer the mark, so tall and well-developed was he.

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

From this reading The Earl was instantly roused, and could scarcely persuade himself that the boy before him was only fifteen; seventeen, or even eighteen, would have seemed nearer the mark, so tall and well-developed was he.

the apparent surface of the imaginary sphere on which celestial bodies appear to be projected

From this reading The full flood of the sun, now low in the heavens, poured through the western windows upon the figure of the boy standing in the doorway.

superlative of “high” — greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading Like all creatures of the highest breeding, George looked handsomer the handsomer his dress; and although his costume was really simple enough, he had the splendid air that made him always appear to be in the highest fashion.

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

From this reading The room was beginning to darken, and the ruddy firelight, too, fell glowingly upon him.

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

From this reading The Earl was instantly roused, and could scarcely persuade himself that the boy before him was only fifteen; seventeen, or even eighteen, would have seemed nearer the mark, so tall and well-developed was he.

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

From this reading Like all creatures of the highest breeding, George looked handsomer the handsomer his dress; and although his costume was really simple enough, he had the splendid air that made him always appear to be in the highest fashion.

where you live at a particular time

From this reading His coat and knee-breeches were of dark blue cloth, spun, woven, and dyed at home.

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

From this reading The full flood of the sun, now low in the heavens, poured through the western windows upon the figure of the boy standing in the doorway.

without delay or hesitation; with no time intervening

From this reading The Earl was instantly roused, and could scarcely persuade himself that the boy before him was only fifteen; seventeen, or even eighteen, would have seemed nearer the mark, so tall and well-developed was he.

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

From this reading His coat and knee-breeches were of dark blue cloth, spun, woven, and dyed at home.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading Like all creatures of the highest breeding, George looked handsomer the handsomer his dress; and although his costume was really simple enough, he had the splendid air that made him always appear to be in the highest fashion.

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

From this reading Like all creatures of the highest breeding, George looked handsomer the handsomer his dress; and although his costume was really simple enough, he had the splendid air that made him always appear to be in the highest fashion.

less than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading The full flood of the sun, now low in the heavens, poured through the western windows upon the figure of the boy standing in the doorway.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading Like all creatures of the highest breeding, George looked handsomer the handsomer his dress; and although his costume was really simple enough, he had the splendid air that made him always appear to be in the highest fashion.

attach a tag or label to

From this reading The Earl was instantly roused, and could scarcely persuade himself that the boy before him was only fifteen; seventeen, or even eighteen, would have seemed nearer the mark, so tall and well-developed was he.

(comparative of “near” or “close”) within a shorter distance

From this reading The Earl was instantly roused, and could scarcely persuade himself that the boy before him was only fifteen; seventeen, or even eighteen, would have seemed nearer the mark, so tall and well-developed was he.

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

From this reading The full flood of the sun, now low in the heavens, poured through the western windows upon the figure of the boy standing in the doorway.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The full flood of the sun, now low in the heavens, poured through the western windows upon the figure of the boy standing in the doorway.

and nothing more

From this reading The Earl was instantly roused, and could scarcely persuade himself that the boy before him was only fifteen; seventeen, or even eighteen, would have seemed nearer the mark, so tall and well-developed was he.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading The Earl was instantly roused, and could scarcely persuade himself that the boy before him was only fifteen; seventeen, or even eighteen, would have seemed nearer the mark, so tall and well-developed was he.

win approval or support for

From this reading The Earl was instantly roused, and could scarcely persuade himself that the boy before him was only fifteen; seventeen, or even eighteen, would have seemed nearer the mark, so tall and well-developed was he.

past form of “pour” — cause to run

From this reading The full flood of the sun, now low in the heavens, poured through the western windows upon the figure of the boy standing in the doorway.

in accordance with truth or fact or reality

From this reading Like all creatures of the highest breeding, George looked handsomer the handsomer his dress; and although his costume was really simple enough, he had the splendid air that made him always appear to be in the highest fashion.

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

From this reading The room was beginning to darken, and the ruddy firelight, too, fell glowingly upon him.

past form of “rouse” — become active

From this reading The Earl was instantly roused, and could scarcely persuade himself that the boy before him was only fifteen; seventeen, or even eighteen, would have seemed nearer the mark, so tall and well-developed was he.

inclined to a healthy reddish color often associated with outdoor life

From this reading The room was beginning to darken, and the ruddy firelight, too, fell glowingly upon him.

only a very short time before

From this reading The Earl was instantly roused, and could scarcely persuade himself that the boy before him was only fifteen; seventeen, or even eighteen, would have seemed nearer the mark, so tall and well-developed was he.

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

From this reading The Earl was instantly roused, and could scarcely persuade himself that the boy before him was only fifteen; seventeen, or even eighteen, would have seemed nearer the mark, so tall and well-developed was he.

being one more than sixteen

From this reading The Earl was instantly roused, and could scarcely persuade himself that the boy before him was only fifteen; seventeen, or even eighteen, would have seemed nearer the mark, so tall and well-developed was he.

having few parts; not complex or complicated or involved

From this reading Like all creatures of the highest breeding, George looked handsomer the handsomer his dress; and although his costume was really simple enough, he had the splendid air that made him always appear to be in the highest fashion.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading The Earl was instantly roused, and could scarcely persuade himself that the boy before him was only fifteen; seventeen, or even eighteen, would have seemed nearer the mark, so tall and well-developed was he.

having great beauty and splendor

From this reading Like all creatures of the highest breeding, George looked handsomer the handsomer his dress; and although his costume was really simple enough, he had the splendid air that made him always appear to be in the highest fashion.

inflected form of “spin” — revolve quickly and repeatedly around one's own axis

From this reading His coat and knee-breeches were of dark blue cloth, spun, woven, and dyed at home.

having a supporting base

From this reading The full flood of the sun, now low in the heavens, poured through the western windows upon the figure of the boy standing in the doorway.

the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system

From this reading The full flood of the sun, now low in the heavens, poured through the western windows upon the figure of the boy standing in the doorway.

great in vertical dimension; high in stature

From this reading The Earl was instantly roused, and could scarcely persuade himself that the boy before him was only fifteen; seventeen, or even eighteen, would have seemed nearer the mark, so tall and well-developed was he.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading The Earl was instantly roused, and could scarcely persuade himself that the boy before him was only fifteen; seventeen, or even eighteen, would have seemed nearer the mark, so tall and well-developed was he.

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

From this reading The full flood of the sun, now low in the heavens, poured through the western windows upon the figure of the boy standing in the doorway.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading The full flood of the sun, now low in the heavens, poured through the western windows upon the figure of the boy standing in the doorway.

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

From this reading The room was beginning to darken, and the ruddy firelight, too, fell glowingly upon him.

to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits

From this reading The room was beginning to darken, and the ruddy firelight, too, fell glowingly upon him.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading The full flood of the sun, now low in the heavens, poured through the western windows upon the figure of the boy standing in the doorway.

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

From this reading The room was beginning to darken, and the ruddy firelight, too, fell glowingly upon him.

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

From this reading The Earl was instantly roused, and could scarcely persuade himself that the boy before him was only fifteen; seventeen, or even eighteen, would have seemed nearer the mark, so tall and well-developed was he.

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

From this reading His coat and knee-breeches were of dark blue cloth, spun, woven, and dyed at home.

relating to or characteristic of the western parts of the world or the West as opposed to the eastern or oriental parts

From this reading The full flood of the sun, now low in the heavens, poured through the western windows upon the figure of the boy standing in the doorway.

(trademark) an operating system with a graphical user interface

From this reading The full flood of the sun, now low in the heavens, poured through the western windows upon the figure of the boy standing in the doorway.

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

From this reading The Earl was instantly roused, and could scarcely persuade himself that the boy before him was only fifteen; seventeen, or even eighteen, would have seemed nearer the mark, so tall and well-developed was he.

made or constructed by interlacing threads or strips of material or other elements into a whole

From this reading His coat and knee-breeches were of dark blue cloth, spun, woven, and dyed at home.