Chapter XX · The Blow Falls

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

From this reading The next morning found Mr. Sharp closeted with a brother practitioner equally unprincipled with himself.

commonly used or practiced; usual

From this reading Indeed, so accustomed was Mr. Sharp to its use, that he did not lay it aside even where he knew it to be useless.

a disposition to be friendly and approachable (easy to talk to)

From this reading There was this difference between them, however, that while Mr. Sharp concealed his real character beneath a specious show of affability and suavity, his companion, whom, by way of distinction, we will call Blunt, was rough in his manners, and had not art enough to compass the consummate duplicity of the other.

the form of “be” used with “I”

From this reading “My dear friend Blunt,” he exclaimed, with charming cordiality, “I am delighted to see you looking so well.”

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

From this reading There was this difference between them, however, that while Mr. Sharp concealed his real character beneath a specious show of affability and suavity, his companion, whom, by way of distinction, we will call Blunt, was rough in his manners, and had not art enough to compass the consummate duplicity of the other.

an old form of “are”, used with “thou”

From this reading There was this difference between them, however, that while Mr. Sharp concealed his real character beneath a specious show of affability and suavity, his companion, whom, by way of distinction, we will call Blunt, was rough in his manners, and had not art enough to compass the consummate duplicity of the other.

on or to one side

From this reading Indeed, so accustomed was Mr. Sharp to its use, that he did not lay it aside even where he knew it to be useless.

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

From this reading Indeed, so accustomed was Mr. Sharp to its use, that he did not lay it aside even where he knew it to be useless.

Directly under; in or to a lower position than.

From this reading There was this difference between them, however, that while Mr. Sharp concealed his real character beneath a specious show of affability and suavity, his companion, whom, by way of distinction, we will call Blunt, was rough in his manners, and had not art enough to compass the consummate duplicity of the other.

in the space, time, or range separating two things

From this reading There was this difference between them, however, that while Mr. Sharp concealed his real character beneath a specious show of affability and suavity, his companion, whom, by way of distinction, we will call Blunt, was rough in his manners, and had not art enough to compass the consummate duplicity of the other.

having a broad or rounded end

From this reading There was this difference between them, however, that while Mr. Sharp concealed his real character beneath a specious show of affability and suavity, his companion, whom, by way of distinction, we will call Blunt, was rough in his manners, and had not art enough to compass the consummate duplicity of the other.

a male with the same parents as someone else

From this reading The next morning found Mr. Sharp closeted with a brother practitioner equally unprincipled with himself.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading There was this difference between them, however, that while Mr. Sharp concealed his real character beneath a specious show of affability and suavity, his companion, whom, by way of distinction, we will call Blunt, was rough in his manners, and had not art enough to compass the consummate duplicity of the other.

assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading There was this difference between them, however, that while Mr. Sharp concealed his real character beneath a specious show of affability and suavity, his companion, whom, by way of distinction, we will call Blunt, was rough in his manners, and had not art enough to compass the consummate duplicity of the other.

an imaginary person represented in a work of fiction (play or film or story)

From this reading There was this difference between them, however, that while Mr. Sharp concealed his real character beneath a specious show of affability and suavity, his companion, whom, by way of distinction, we will call Blunt, was rough in his manners, and had not art enough to compass the consummate duplicity of the other.

pleasing or delighting

From this reading “My dear friend Blunt,” he exclaimed, with charming cordiality, “I am delighted to see you looking so well.”

past form of “closet” — confine to a small space, as for intensive work

From this reading The next morning found Mr. Sharp closeted with a brother practitioner equally unprincipled with himself.

a friend who is frequently in the company of another

From this reading There was this difference between them, however, that while Mr. Sharp concealed his real character beneath a specious show of affability and suavity, his companion, whom, by way of distinction, we will call Blunt, was rough in his manners, and had not art enough to compass the consummate duplicity of the other.

navigational instrument for finding directions

From this reading There was this difference between them, however, that while Mr. Sharp concealed his real character beneath a specious show of affability and suavity, his companion, whom, by way of distinction, we will call Blunt, was rough in his manners, and had not art enough to compass the consummate duplicity of the other.

not accessible to view

From this reading There was this difference between them, however, that while Mr. Sharp concealed his real character beneath a specious show of affability and suavity, his companion, whom, by way of distinction, we will call Blunt, was rough in his manners, and had not art enough to compass the consummate duplicity of the other.

fulfill sexually

From this reading There was this difference between them, however, that while Mr. Sharp concealed his real character beneath a specious show of affability and suavity, his companion, whom, by way of distinction, we will call Blunt, was rough in his manners, and had not art enough to compass the consummate duplicity of the other.

a cordial disposition

From this reading “My dear friend Blunt,” he exclaimed, with charming cordiality, “I am delighted to see you looking so well.”

dearly loved

From this reading “My dear friend Blunt,” he exclaimed, with charming cordiality, “I am delighted to see you looking so well.”

greatly pleased

From this reading “My dear friend Blunt,” he exclaimed, with charming cordiality, “I am delighted to see you looking so well.”

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

From this reading Indeed, so accustomed was Mr. Sharp to its use, that he did not lay it aside even where he knew it to be useless.

the quality of being unlike or dissimilar

From this reading There was this difference between them, however, that while Mr. Sharp concealed his real character beneath a specious show of affability and suavity, his companion, whom, by way of distinction, we will call Blunt, was rough in his manners, and had not art enough to compass the consummate duplicity of the other.

a discrimination between things as different and distinct on the basis of their characteristics or attributes

From this reading There was this difference between them, however, that while Mr. Sharp concealed his real character beneath a specious show of affability and suavity, his companion, whom, by way of distinction, we will call Blunt, was rough in his manners, and had not art enough to compass the consummate duplicity of the other.

fraught with uncertainty or doubt

From this reading “Humph?” was the somewhat dubious rejoinder.

a fraudulent or duplicitous representation

From this reading There was this difference between them, however, that while Mr. Sharp concealed his real character beneath a specious show of affability and suavity, his companion, whom, by way of distinction, we will call Blunt, was rough in his manners, and had not art enough to compass the consummate duplicity of the other.

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

From this reading There was this difference between them, however, that while Mr. Sharp concealed his real character beneath a specious show of affability and suavity, his companion, whom, by way of distinction, we will call Blunt, was rough in his manners, and had not art enough to compass the consummate duplicity of the other.

to the same degree (often followed by “as”)

From this reading The next morning found Mr. Sharp closeted with a brother practitioner equally unprincipled with himself.

divisible by two

From this reading Indeed, so accustomed was Mr. Sharp to its use, that he did not lay it aside even where he knew it to be useless.

past form of “exclaim” — utter aloud; often with surprise, horror, or joy

From this reading “My dear friend Blunt,” he exclaimed, with charming cordiality, “I am delighted to see you looking so well.”

set up or found

From this reading The next morning found Mr. Sharp closeted with a brother practitioner equally unprincipled with himself.

a person you know well and regard with affection and trust

From this reading “My dear friend Blunt,” he exclaimed, with charming cordiality, “I am delighted to see you looking so well.”

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

From this reading There was this difference between them, however, that while Mr. Sharp concealed his real character beneath a specious show of affability and suavity, his companion, whom, by way of distinction, we will call Blunt, was rough in his manners, and had not art enough to compass the consummate duplicity of the other.

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

From this reading Indeed, so accustomed was Mr. Sharp to its use, that he did not lay it aside even where he knew it to be useless.

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

From this reading The next morning found Mr. Sharp closeted with a brother practitioner equally unprincipled with himself.

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

From this reading There was this difference between them, however, that while Mr. Sharp concealed his real character beneath a specious show of affability and suavity, his companion, whom, by way of distinction, we will call Blunt, was rough in his manners, and had not art enough to compass the consummate duplicity of the other.

used to add a contrasting statement

From this reading There was this difference between them, however, that while Mr. Sharp concealed his real character beneath a specious show of affability and suavity, his companion, whom, by way of distinction, we will call Blunt, was rough in his manners, and had not art enough to compass the consummate duplicity of the other.

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

From this reading “Humph?” was the somewhat dubious rejoinder.

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

From this reading “My dear friend Blunt,” he exclaimed, with charming cordiality, “I am delighted to see you looking so well.”

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

From this reading There was this difference between them, however, that while Mr. Sharp concealed his real character beneath a specious show of affability and suavity, his companion, whom, by way of distinction, we will call Blunt, was rough in his manners, and had not art enough to compass the consummate duplicity of the other.

in truth (often tends to intensify)

From this reading Indeed, so accustomed was Mr. Sharp to its use, that he did not lay it aside even where he knew it to be useless.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Indeed, so accustomed was Mr. Sharp to its use, that he did not lay it aside even where he knew it to be useless.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading Indeed, so accustomed was Mr. Sharp to its use, that he did not lay it aside even where he knew it to be useless.

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 Indeed, so accustomed was Mr. Sharp to its use, that he did not lay it aside even where he knew it to be useless.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading Indeed, so accustomed was Mr. Sharp to its use, that he did not lay it aside even where he knew it to be useless.

the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually

From this reading “My dear friend Blunt,” he exclaimed, with charming cordiality, “I am delighted to see you looking so well.”

social deportment

From this reading There was this difference between them, however, that while Mr. Sharp concealed his real character beneath a specious show of affability and suavity, his companion, whom, by way of distinction, we will call Blunt, was rough in his manners, and had not art enough to compass the consummate duplicity of the other.

the time period between dawn and noon

From this reading The next morning found Mr. Sharp closeted with a brother practitioner equally unprincipled with himself.

a form of address for a man

From this reading The next morning found Mr. Sharp closeted with a brother practitioner equally unprincipled with himself.

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading “My dear friend Blunt,” he exclaimed, with charming cordiality, “I am delighted to see you looking so well.”

immediately following in time or order

From this reading The next morning found Mr. Sharp closeted with a brother practitioner equally unprincipled with himself.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading There was this difference between them, however, that while Mr. Sharp concealed his real character beneath a specious show of affability and suavity, his companion, whom, by way of distinction, we will call Blunt, was rough in his manners, and had not art enough to compass the consummate duplicity of the other.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading There was this difference between them, however, that while Mr. Sharp concealed his real character beneath a specious show of affability and suavity, his companion, whom, by way of distinction, we will call Blunt, was rough in his manners, and had not art enough to compass the consummate duplicity of the other.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading There was this difference between them, however, that while Mr. Sharp concealed his real character beneath a specious show of affability and suavity, his companion, whom, by way of distinction, we will call Blunt, was rough in his manners, and had not art enough to compass the consummate duplicity of the other.

someone who practices a learned profession

From this reading The next morning found Mr. Sharp closeted with a brother practitioner equally unprincipled with himself.

being or occurring in fact or actuality; having verified existence; not illusory

From this reading There was this difference between them, however, that while Mr. Sharp concealed his real character beneath a specious show of affability and suavity, his companion, whom, by way of distinction, we will call Blunt, was rough in his manners, and had not art enough to compass the consummate duplicity of the other.

a quick reply to a question or remark (especially a witty or critical one)

From this reading “Humph?” was the somewhat dubious rejoinder.

having or caused by an irregular surface

From this reading There was this difference between them, however, that while Mr. Sharp concealed his real character beneath a specious show of affability and suavity, his companion, whom, by way of distinction, we will call Blunt, was rough in his manners, and had not art enough to compass the consummate duplicity of the other.

perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading “My dear friend Blunt,” he exclaimed, with charming cordiality, “I am delighted to see you looking so well.”

(of something seen or heard) clearly defined

From this reading The next morning found Mr. Sharp closeted with a brother practitioner equally unprincipled with himself.

give an exhibition of to an interested audience

From this reading There was this difference between them, however, that while Mr. Sharp concealed his real character beneath a specious show of affability and suavity, his companion, whom, by way of distinction, we will call Blunt, was rough in his manners, and had not art enough to compass the consummate duplicity of the other.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Indeed, so accustomed was Mr. Sharp to its use, that he did not lay it aside even where he knew it to be useless.

to a small degree or extent

From this reading “Humph?” was the somewhat dubious rejoinder.

plausible but false

From this reading There was this difference between them, however, that while Mr. Sharp concealed his real character beneath a specious show of affability and suavity, his companion, whom, by way of distinction, we will call Blunt, was rough in his manners, and had not art enough to compass the consummate duplicity of the other.

the quality of being bland and gracious or ingratiating in manner

From this reading There was this difference between them, however, that while Mr. Sharp concealed his real character beneath a specious show of affability and suavity, his companion, whom, by way of distinction, we will call Blunt, was rough in his manners, and had not art enough to compass the consummate duplicity of the other.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading There was this difference between them, however, that while Mr. Sharp concealed his real character beneath a specious show of affability and suavity, his companion, whom, by way of distinction, we will call Blunt, was rough in his manners, and had not art enough to compass the consummate duplicity of the other.

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

From this reading The next morning found Mr. Sharp closeted with a brother practitioner equally unprincipled with himself.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading There was this difference between them, however, that while Mr. Sharp concealed his real character beneath a specious show of affability and suavity, his companion, whom, by way of distinction, we will call Blunt, was rough in his manners, and had not art enough to compass the consummate duplicity of the other.

in or at that place or location

From this reading There was this difference between them, however, that while Mr. Sharp concealed his real character beneath a specious show of affability and suavity, his companion, whom, by way of distinction, we will call Blunt, was rough in his manners, and had not art enough to compass the consummate duplicity of the other.

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

From this reading There was this difference between them, however, that while Mr. Sharp concealed his real character beneath a specious show of affability and suavity, his companion, whom, by way of distinction, we will call Blunt, was rough in his manners, and had not art enough to compass the consummate duplicity of the other.

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

From this reading There was this difference between them, however, that while Mr. Sharp concealed his real character beneath a specious show of affability and suavity, his companion, whom, by way of distinction, we will call Blunt, was rough in his manners, and had not art enough to compass the consummate duplicity of the other.

lacking principles or moral scruples

From this reading The next morning found Mr. Sharp closeted with a brother practitioner equally unprincipled with himself.

the act of using

From this reading Indeed, so accustomed was Mr. Sharp to its use, that he did not lay it aside even where he knew it to be useless.

having no beneficial use or incapable of functioning usefully

From this reading Indeed, so accustomed was Mr. Sharp to its use, that he did not lay it aside even where he knew it to be useless.

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

From this reading There was this difference between them, however, that while Mr. Sharp concealed his real character beneath a specious show of affability and suavity, his companion, whom, by way of distinction, we will call Blunt, was rough in his manners, and had not art enough to compass the consummate duplicity of the other.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading There was this difference between them, however, that while Mr. Sharp concealed his real character beneath a specious show of affability and suavity, his companion, whom, by way of distinction, we will call Blunt, was rough in his manners, and had not art enough to compass the consummate duplicity of the other.

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading There was this difference between them, however, that while Mr. Sharp concealed his real character beneath a specious show of affability and suavity, his companion, whom, by way of distinction, we will call Blunt, was rough in his manners, and had not art enough to compass the consummate duplicity of the other.

(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 “My dear friend Blunt,” he exclaimed, with charming cordiality, “I am delighted to see you looking so well.”

in or at the place that

From this reading Indeed, so accustomed was Mr. Sharp to its use, that he did not lay it aside even where he knew it to be useless.

during the time that

From this reading There was this difference between them, however, that while Mr. Sharp concealed his real character beneath a specious show of affability and suavity, his companion, whom, by way of distinction, we will call Blunt, was rough in his manners, and had not art enough to compass the consummate duplicity of the other.

the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading There was this difference between them, however, that while Mr. Sharp concealed his real character beneath a specious show of affability and suavity, his companion, whom, by way of distinction, we will call Blunt, was rough in his manners, and had not art enough to compass the consummate duplicity of the other.

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading There was this difference between them, however, that while Mr. Sharp concealed his real character beneath a specious show of affability and suavity, his companion, whom, by way of distinction, we will call Blunt, was rough in his manners, and had not art enough to compass the consummate duplicity of the other.

in the company of; together with

From this reading The next morning found Mr. Sharp closeted with a brother practitioner equally unprincipled with himself.

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading “My dear friend Blunt,” he exclaimed, with charming cordiality, “I am delighted to see you looking so well.”