Chapter XII

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

From this reading _OBSERVATIONS ADDRESSED TO EUGÈNE BY PAUL, AND THE REPLIES MADE TO THEM._ Paul, with his head bent over the paper covered with sketches, and his hands between his knees, could not help thinking, for his part, that his cousin was covering a good deal of paper in making ceilings, whereas they had always seemed to him the simplest thing in the world, and the least susceptible of complication.

-ing form of “add” — make an addition (to); join or combine or unite with others; increase the quality, quantity, size or scope of

From this reading Paul hesitated a little, and said, “I think so,” adding, after a pause— “But, cousin, why not make floors and ceilings as they do everywhere else?”

(of mail) marked with a destination

From this reading _OBSERVATIONS ADDRESSED TO EUGÈNE BY PAUL, AND THE REPLIES MADE TO THEM._ Paul, with his head bent over the paper covered with sketches, and his hands between his knees, could not help thinking, for his part, that his cousin was covering a good deal of paper in making ceilings, whereas they had always seemed to him the simplest thing in the world, and the least susceptible of complication.

a vaguely specified concern

From this reading “It seems to you a complicated affair, my dear fellow,” replied Eugène, “and you would like to simplify the matter.”

later than; following

From this reading Paul hesitated a little, and said, “I think so,” adding, after a pause— “But, cousin, why not make floors and ceilings as they do everywhere else?”

at all times; all the time and on every occasion

From this reading _OBSERVATIONS ADDRESSED TO EUGÈNE BY PAUL, AND THE REPLIES MADE TO THEM._ Paul, with his head bent over the paper covered with sketches, and his hands between his knees, could not help thinking, for his part, that his cousin was covering a good deal of paper in making ceilings, whereas they had always seemed to him the simplest thing in the world, and the least susceptible of complication.

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

From this reading _OBSERVATIONS ADDRESSED TO EUGÈNE BY PAUL, AND THE REPLIES MADE TO THEM._ Paul, with his head bent over the paper covered with sketches, and his hands between his knees, could not help thinking, for his part, that his cousin was covering a good deal of paper in making ceilings, whereas they had always seemed to him the simplest thing in the world, and the least susceptible of complication.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading In his own mind, in fact, Paul made scarcely any distinction between a sheet of paper stretched on a board, and a ceiling.

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

From this reading Paul hesitated a little, and said, “I think so,” adding, after a pause— “But, cousin, why not make floors and ceilings as they do everywhere else?”

a relatively permanent inclination to react in a particular way

From this reading _OBSERVATIONS ADDRESSED TO EUGÈNE BY PAUL, AND THE REPLIES MADE TO THEM._ Paul, with his head bent over the paper covered with sketches, and his hands between his knees, could not help thinking, for his part, that his cousin was covering a good deal of paper in making ceilings, whereas they had always seemed to him the simplest thing in the world, and the least susceptible of complication.

in the space, time, or range separating two things

From this reading _OBSERVATIONS ADDRESSED TO EUGÈNE BY PAUL, AND THE REPLIES MADE TO THEM._ Paul, with his head bent over the paper covered with sketches, and his hands between his knees, could not help thinking, for his part, that his cousin was covering a good deal of paper in making ceilings, whereas they had always seemed to him the simplest thing in the world, and the least susceptible of complication.

a committee having supervisory powers

From this reading In his own mind, in fact, Paul made scarcely any distinction between a sheet of paper stretched on a board, and a ceiling.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Paul hesitated a little, and said, “I think so,” adding, after a pause— “But, cousin, why not make floors and ceilings as they do everywhere else?”

showing who or what does the action

From this reading _OBSERVATIONS ADDRESSED TO EUGÈNE BY PAUL, AND THE REPLIES MADE TO THEM._ Paul, with his head bent over the paper covered with sketches, and his hands between his knees, could not help thinking, for his part, that his cousin was covering a good deal of paper in making ceilings, whereas they had always seemed to him the simplest thing in the world, and the least susceptible of complication.

the overhead upper surface of a covered space

From this reading In his own mind, in fact, Paul made scarcely any distinction between a sheet of paper stretched on a board, and a ceiling.

plural of “ceiling” — the overhead upper surface of a covered space

From this reading _OBSERVATIONS ADDRESSED TO EUGÈNE BY PAUL, AND THE REPLIES MADE TO THEM._ Paul, with his head bent over the paper covered with sketches, and his hands between his knees, could not help thinking, for his part, that his cousin was covering a good deal of paper in making ceilings, whereas they had always seemed to him the simplest thing in the world, and the least susceptible of complication.

rid of obstructions

From this reading So when Eugène had repeated the phrase, “Is it quite clear to you?”

difficult to analyze or understand

From this reading “It seems to you a complicated affair, my dear fellow,” replied Eugène, “and you would like to simplify the matter.”

the act or process of complicating

From this reading _OBSERVATIONS ADDRESSED TO EUGÈNE BY PAUL, AND THE REPLIES MADE TO THEM._ Paul, with his head bent over the paper covered with sketches, and his hands between his knees, could not help thinking, for his part, that his cousin was covering a good deal of paper in making ceilings, whereas they had always seemed to him the simplest thing in the world, and the least susceptible of complication.

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

From this reading _OBSERVATIONS ADDRESSED TO EUGÈNE BY PAUL, AND THE REPLIES MADE TO THEM._ Paul, with his head bent over the paper covered with sketches, and his hands between his knees, could not help thinking, for his part, that his cousin was covering a good deal of paper in making ceilings, whereas they had always seemed to him the simplest thing in the world, and the least susceptible of complication.

the child of your aunt or uncle

From this reading _OBSERVATIONS ADDRESSED TO EUGÈNE BY PAUL, AND THE REPLIES MADE TO THEM._ Paul, with his head bent over the paper covered with sketches, and his hands between his knees, could not help thinking, for his part, that his cousin was covering a good deal of paper in making ceilings, whereas they had always seemed to him the simplest thing in the world, and the least susceptible of complication.

overlaid or spread or topped with or enclosed within something; sometimes used as a combining form

From this reading _OBSERVATIONS ADDRESSED TO EUGÈNE BY PAUL, AND THE REPLIES MADE TO THEM._ Paul, with his head bent over the paper covered with sketches, and his hands between his knees, could not help thinking, for his part, that his cousin was covering a good deal of paper in making ceilings, whereas they had always seemed to him the simplest thing in the world, and the least susceptible of complication.

a natural object that covers or envelops

From this reading _OBSERVATIONS ADDRESSED TO EUGÈNE BY PAUL, AND THE REPLIES MADE TO THEM._ Paul, with his head bent over the paper covered with sketches, and his hands between his knees, could not help thinking, for his part, that his cousin was covering a good deal of paper in making ceilings, whereas they had always seemed to him the simplest thing in the world, and the least susceptible of complication.

act on verbally or in some form of artistic expression

From this reading _OBSERVATIONS ADDRESSED TO EUGÈNE BY PAUL, AND THE REPLIES MADE TO THEM._ Paul, with his head bent over the paper covered with sketches, and his hands between his knees, could not help thinking, for his part, that his cousin was covering a good deal of paper in making ceilings, whereas they had always seemed to him the simplest thing in the world, and the least susceptible of complication.

dearly loved

From this reading “It seems to you a complicated affair, my dear fellow,” replied Eugène, “and you would like to simplify the matter.”

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

From this reading In his own mind, in fact, Paul made scarcely any distinction between a sheet of paper stretched on a board, and a ceiling.

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading Paul hesitated a little, and said, “I think so,” adding, after a pause— “But, cousin, why not make floors and ceilings as they do everywhere else?”

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

From this reading Paul hesitated a little, and said, “I think so,” adding, after a pause— “But, cousin, why not make floors and ceilings as they do everywhere else?”

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

From this reading _OBSERVATIONS ADDRESSED TO EUGÈNE BY PAUL, AND THE REPLIES MADE TO THEM._ Paul, with his head bent over the paper covered with sketches, and his hands between his knees, could not help thinking, for his part, that his cousin was covering a good deal of paper in making ceilings, whereas they had always seemed to him the simplest thing in the world, and the least susceptible of complication.

to or in any or all places

From this reading Paul hesitated a little, and said, “I think so,” adding, after a pause— “But, cousin, why not make floors and ceilings as they do everywhere else?”

a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred

From this reading In his own mind, in fact, Paul made scarcely any distinction between a sheet of paper stretched on a board, and a ceiling.

a boy or man

From this reading “It seems to you a complicated affair, my dear fellow,” replied Eugène, “and you would like to simplify the matter.”

plural of “floor” — the inside lower horizontal surface (as of a room, hallway, tent, or other structure)

From this reading Paul hesitated a little, and said, “I think so,” adding, after a pause— “But, cousin, why not make floors and ceilings as they do everywhere else?”

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading _OBSERVATIONS ADDRESSED TO EUGÈNE BY PAUL, AND THE REPLIES MADE TO THEM._ Paul, with his head bent over the paper covered with sketches, and his hands between his knees, could not help thinking, for his part, that his cousin was covering a good deal of paper in making ceilings, whereas they had always seemed to him the simplest thing in the world, and the least susceptible of complication.

having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified

From this reading _OBSERVATIONS ADDRESSED TO EUGÈNE BY PAUL, AND THE REPLIES MADE TO THEM._ Paul, with his head bent over the paper covered with sketches, and his hands between his knees, could not help thinking, for his part, that his cousin was covering a good deal of paper in making ceilings, whereas they had always seemed to him the simplest thing in the world, and the least susceptible of complication.

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

From this reading _OBSERVATIONS ADDRESSED TO EUGÈNE BY PAUL, AND THE REPLIES MADE TO THEM._ Paul, with his head bent over the paper covered with sketches, and his hands between his knees, could not help thinking, for his part, that his cousin was covering a good deal of paper in making ceilings, whereas they had always seemed to him the simplest thing in the world, and the least susceptible of complication.

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

From this reading _OBSERVATIONS ADDRESSED TO EUGÈNE BY PAUL, AND THE REPLIES MADE TO THEM._ Paul, with his head bent over the paper covered with sketches, and his hands between his knees, could not help thinking, for his part, that his cousin was covering a good deal of paper in making ceilings, whereas they had always seemed to him the simplest thing in the world, and the least susceptible of complication.

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

From this reading _OBSERVATIONS ADDRESSED TO EUGÈNE BY PAUL, AND THE REPLIES MADE TO THEM._ Paul, with his head bent over the paper covered with sketches, and his hands between his knees, could not help thinking, for his part, that his cousin was covering a good deal of paper in making ceilings, whereas they had always seemed to him the simplest thing in the world, and the least susceptible of complication.

give help or assistance; be of service

From this reading _OBSERVATIONS ADDRESSED TO EUGÈNE BY PAUL, AND THE REPLIES MADE TO THEM._ Paul, with his head bent over the paper covered with sketches, and his hands between his knees, could not help thinking, for his part, that his cousin was covering a good deal of paper in making ceilings, whereas they had always seemed to him the simplest thing in the world, and the least susceptible of complication.

past form of “hesitate” — pause or hold back in uncertainty or unwillingness

From this reading Paul hesitated a little, and said, “I think so,” adding, after a pause— “But, cousin, why not make floors and ceilings as they do everywhere else?”

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

From this reading _OBSERVATIONS ADDRESSED TO EUGÈNE BY PAUL, AND THE REPLIES MADE TO THEM._ Paul, with his head bent over the paper covered with sketches, and his hands between his knees, could not help thinking, for his part, that his cousin was covering a good deal of paper in making ceilings, whereas they had always seemed to him the simplest thing in the world, and the least susceptible of complication.

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

From this reading _OBSERVATIONS ADDRESSED TO EUGÈNE BY PAUL, AND THE REPLIES MADE TO THEM._ Paul, with his head bent over the paper covered with sketches, and his hands between his knees, could not help thinking, for his part, that his cousin was covering a good deal of paper in making ceilings, whereas they had always seemed to him the simplest thing in the world, and the least susceptible of complication.

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

From this reading Paul hesitated a little, and said, “I think so,” adding, after a pause— “But, cousin, why not make floors and ceilings as they do everywhere else?”

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

From this reading _OBSERVATIONS ADDRESSED TO EUGÈNE BY PAUL, AND THE REPLIES MADE TO THEM._ Paul, with his head bent over the paper covered with sketches, and his hands between his knees, could not help thinking, for his part, that his cousin was covering a good deal of paper in making ceilings, whereas they had always seemed to him the simplest thing in the world, and the least susceptible of complication.

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

From this reading So when Eugène had repeated the phrase, “Is it quite clear to you?”

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading So when Eugène had repeated the phrase, “Is it quite clear to you?”

plural of “knee” — hinge joint in the human leg connecting the tibia and fibula with the femur and protected in front by the patella

From this reading _OBSERVATIONS ADDRESSED TO EUGÈNE BY PAUL, AND THE REPLIES MADE TO THEM._ Paul, with his head bent over the paper covered with sketches, and his hands between his knees, could not help thinking, for his part, that his cousin was covering a good deal of paper in making ceilings, whereas they had always seemed to him the simplest thing in the world, and the least susceptible of complication.

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 _OBSERVATIONS ADDRESSED TO EUGÈNE BY PAUL, AND THE REPLIES MADE TO THEM._ Paul, with his head bent over the paper covered with sketches, and his hands between his knees, could not help thinking, for his part, that his cousin was covering a good deal of paper in making ceilings, whereas they had always seemed to him the simplest thing in the world, and the least susceptible of complication.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading “It seems to you a complicated affair, my dear fellow,” replied Eugène, “and you would like to simplify the matter.”

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

From this reading Paul hesitated a little, and said, “I think so,” adding, after a pause— “But, cousin, why not make floors and ceilings as they do everywhere else?”

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading _OBSERVATIONS ADDRESSED TO EUGÈNE BY PAUL, AND THE REPLIES MADE TO THEM._ Paul, with his head bent over the paper covered with sketches, and his hands between his knees, could not help thinking, for his part, that his cousin was covering a good deal of paper in making ceilings, whereas they had always seemed to him the simplest thing in the world, and the least susceptible of complication.

engage in

From this reading Paul hesitated a little, and said, “I think so,” adding, after a pause— “But, cousin, why not make floors and ceilings as they do everywhere else?”

the act that results in something coming to be

From this reading _OBSERVATIONS ADDRESSED TO EUGÈNE BY PAUL, AND THE REPLIES MADE TO THEM._ Paul, with his head bent over the paper covered with sketches, and his hands between his knees, could not help thinking, for his part, that his cousin was covering a good deal of paper in making ceilings, whereas they had always seemed to him the simplest thing in the world, and the least susceptible of complication.

a vaguely specified concern

From this reading “It seems to you a complicated affair, my dear fellow,” replied Eugène, “and you would like to simplify the matter.”

The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.

From this reading In his own mind, in fact, Paul made scarcely any distinction between a sheet of paper stretched on a board, and a ceiling.

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading “It seems to you a complicated affair, my dear fellow,” replied Eugène, “and you would like to simplify the matter.”

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading _OBSERVATIONS ADDRESSED TO EUGÈNE BY PAUL, AND THE REPLIES MADE TO THEM._ Paul, with his head bent over the paper covered with sketches, and his hands between his knees, could not help thinking, for his part, that his cousin was covering a good deal of paper in making ceilings, whereas they had always seemed to him the simplest thing in the world, and the least susceptible of complication.

plural of “observation” — the act of making and recording a measurement

From this reading _OBSERVATIONS ADDRESSED TO EUGÈNE BY PAUL, AND THE REPLIES MADE TO THEM._ Paul, with his head bent over the paper covered with sketches, and his hands between his knees, could not help thinking, for his part, that his cousin was covering a good deal of paper in making ceilings, whereas they had always seemed to him the simplest thing in the world, and the least susceptible of complication.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading _OBSERVATIONS ADDRESSED TO EUGÈNE BY PAUL, AND THE REPLIES MADE TO THEM._ Paul, with his head bent over the paper covered with sketches, and his hands between his knees, could not help thinking, for his part, that his cousin was covering a good deal of paper in making ceilings, whereas they had always seemed to him the simplest thing in the world, and the least susceptible of complication.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading In his own mind, in fact, Paul made scarcely any distinction between a sheet of paper stretched on a board, and a ceiling.

above and across; more than

From this reading _OBSERVATIONS ADDRESSED TO EUGÈNE BY PAUL, AND THE REPLIES MADE TO THEM._ Paul, with his head bent over the paper covered with sketches, and his hands between his knees, could not help thinking, for his part, that his cousin was covering a good deal of paper in making ceilings, whereas they had always seemed to him the simplest thing in the world, and the least susceptible of complication.

have ownership or possession of

From this reading In his own mind, in fact, Paul made scarcely any distinction between a sheet of paper stretched on a board, and a ceiling.

a material made of cellulose pulp derived mainly from wood or rags or certain grasses

From this reading _OBSERVATIONS ADDRESSED TO EUGÈNE BY PAUL, AND THE REPLIES MADE TO THEM._ Paul, with his head bent over the paper covered with sketches, and his hands between his knees, could not help thinking, for his part, that his cousin was covering a good deal of paper in making ceilings, whereas they had always seemed to him the simplest thing in the world, and the least susceptible of complication.

something determined in relation to something that includes it

From this reading _OBSERVATIONS ADDRESSED TO EUGÈNE BY PAUL, AND THE REPLIES MADE TO THEM._ Paul, with his head bent over the paper covered with sketches, and his hands between his knees, could not help thinking, for his part, that his cousin was covering a good deal of paper in making ceilings, whereas they had always seemed to him the simplest thing in the world, and the least susceptible of complication.

United States feminist (1885-1977)

From this reading _OBSERVATIONS ADDRESSED TO EUGÈNE BY PAUL, AND THE REPLIES MADE TO THEM._ Paul, with his head bent over the paper covered with sketches, and his hands between his knees, could not help thinking, for his part, that his cousin was covering a good deal of paper in making ceilings, whereas they had always seemed to him the simplest thing in the world, and the least susceptible of complication.

a time interval during which there is a temporary cessation of something

From this reading Paul hesitated a little, and said, “I think so,” adding, after a pause— “But, cousin, why not make floors and ceilings as they do everywhere else?”

an expression consisting of one or more words forming a grammatical constituent of a sentence

From this reading So when Eugène had repeated the phrase, “Is it quite clear to you?”

to a degree (not used with a negative)

From this reading So when Eugène had repeated the phrase, “Is it quite clear to you?”

recurring again and again

From this reading So when Eugène had repeated the phrase, “Is it quite clear to you?”

inflected form of “reply” — react verbally

From this reading “It seems to you a complicated affair, my dear fellow,” replied Eugène, “and you would like to simplify the matter.”

plural of “reply” — a statement (either spoken or written) that is made to reply to a question or request or criticism or accusation

From this reading _OBSERVATIONS ADDRESSED TO EUGÈNE BY PAUL, AND THE REPLIES MADE TO THEM._ Paul, with his head bent over the paper covered with sketches, and his hands between his knees, could not help thinking, for his part, that his cousin was covering a good deal of paper in making ceilings, whereas they had always seemed to him the simplest thing in the world, and the least susceptible of complication.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading Paul hesitated a little, and said, “I think so,” adding, after a pause— “But, cousin, why not make floors and ceilings as they do everywhere else?”

only a very short time before

From this reading In his own mind, in fact, Paul made scarcely any distinction between a sheet of paper stretched on a board, and a ceiling.

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

From this reading _OBSERVATIONS ADDRESSED TO EUGÈNE BY PAUL, AND THE REPLIES MADE TO THEM._ Paul, with his head bent over the paper covered with sketches, and his hands between his knees, could not help thinking, for his part, that his cousin was covering a good deal of paper in making ceilings, whereas they had always seemed to him the simplest thing in the world, and the least susceptible of complication.

third-person singular of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading “It seems to you a complicated affair, my dear fellow,” replied Eugène, “and you would like to simplify the matter.”

any broad thin expanse or surface

From this reading In his own mind, in fact, Paul made scarcely any distinction between a sheet of paper stretched on a board, and a ceiling.

superlative of “simple” — having few parts; not complex or complicated or involved

From this reading _OBSERVATIONS ADDRESSED TO EUGÈNE BY PAUL, AND THE REPLIES MADE TO THEM._ Paul, with his head bent over the paper covered with sketches, and his hands between his knees, could not help thinking, for his part, that his cousin was covering a good deal of paper in making ceilings, whereas they had always seemed to him the simplest thing in the world, and the least susceptible of complication.

make simpler or easier or reduce in complexity or extent

From this reading “It seems to you a complicated affair, my dear fellow,” replied Eugène, “and you would like to simplify the matter.”

plural of “sketch” — preliminary drawing for later elaboration

From this reading _OBSERVATIONS ADDRESSED TO EUGÈNE BY PAUL, AND THE REPLIES MADE TO THEM._ Paul, with his head bent over the paper covered with sketches, and his hands between his knees, could not help thinking, for his part, that his cousin was covering a good deal of paper in making ceilings, whereas they had always seemed to him the simplest thing in the world, and the least susceptible of complication.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading So when Eugène had repeated the phrase, “Is it quite clear to you?”

(of muscles) relieved of stiffness by stretching

From this reading In his own mind, in fact, Paul made scarcely any distinction between a sheet of paper stretched on a board, and a ceiling.

(often followed by “of” or “to”) yielding readily to or capable of

From this reading _OBSERVATIONS ADDRESSED TO EUGÈNE BY PAUL, AND THE REPLIES MADE TO THEM._ Paul, with his head bent over the paper covered with sketches, and his hands between his knees, could not help thinking, for his part, that his cousin was covering a good deal of paper in making ceilings, whereas they had always seemed to him the simplest thing in the world, and the least susceptible of complication.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading _OBSERVATIONS ADDRESSED TO EUGÈNE BY PAUL, AND THE REPLIES MADE TO THEM._ Paul, with his head bent over the paper covered with sketches, and his hands between his knees, could not help thinking, for his part, that his cousin was covering a good deal of paper in making ceilings, whereas they had always seemed to him the simplest thing in the world, and the least susceptible of complication.

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

From this reading _OBSERVATIONS ADDRESSED TO EUGÈNE BY PAUL, AND THE REPLIES MADE TO THEM._ Paul, with his head bent over the paper covered with sketches, and his hands between his knees, could not help thinking, for his part, that his cousin was covering a good deal of paper in making ceilings, whereas they had always seemed to him the simplest thing in the world, and the least susceptible of complication.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading _OBSERVATIONS ADDRESSED TO EUGÈNE BY PAUL, AND THE REPLIES MADE TO THEM._ Paul, with his head bent over the paper covered with sketches, and his hands between his knees, could not help thinking, for his part, that his cousin was covering a good deal of paper in making ceilings, whereas they had always seemed to him the simplest thing in the world, and the least susceptible of complication.

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading _OBSERVATIONS ADDRESSED TO EUGÈNE BY PAUL, AND THE REPLIES MADE TO THEM._ Paul, with his head bent over the paper covered with sketches, and his hands between his knees, could not help thinking, for his part, that his cousin was covering a good deal of paper in making ceilings, whereas they had always seemed to him the simplest thing in the world, and the least susceptible of complication.

a special situation

From this reading _OBSERVATIONS ADDRESSED TO EUGÈNE BY PAUL, AND THE REPLIES MADE TO THEM._ Paul, with his head bent over the paper covered with sketches, and his hands between his knees, could not help thinking, for his part, that his cousin was covering a good deal of paper in making ceilings, whereas they had always seemed to him the simplest thing in the world, and the least susceptible of complication.

judge or regard; look upon; judge

From this reading Paul hesitated a little, and said, “I think so,” adding, after a pause— “But, cousin, why not make floors and ceilings as they do everywhere else?”

the process of using your mind to consider something carefully

From this reading _OBSERVATIONS ADDRESSED TO EUGÈNE BY PAUL, AND THE REPLIES MADE TO THEM._ Paul, with his head bent over the paper covered with sketches, and his hands between his knees, could not help thinking, for his part, that his cousin was covering a good deal of paper in making ceilings, whereas they had always seemed to him the simplest thing in the world, and the least susceptible of complication.

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

From this reading _OBSERVATIONS ADDRESSED TO EUGÈNE BY PAUL, AND THE REPLIES MADE TO THEM._ Paul, with his head bent over the paper covered with sketches, and his hands between his knees, could not help thinking, for his part, that his cousin was covering a good deal of paper in making ceilings, whereas they had always seemed to him the simplest thing in the world, and the least susceptible of complication.

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

From this reading _OBSERVATIONS ADDRESSED TO EUGÈNE BY PAUL, AND THE REPLIES MADE TO THEM._ Paul, with his head bent over the paper covered with sketches, and his hands between his knees, could not help thinking, for his part, that his cousin was covering a good deal of paper in making ceilings, whereas they had always seemed to him the simplest thing in the world, and the least susceptible of complication.

at the time that

From this reading So when Eugène had repeated the phrase, “Is it quite clear to you?”

in contrast with the fact that

From this reading _OBSERVATIONS ADDRESSED TO EUGÈNE BY PAUL, AND THE REPLIES MADE TO THEM._ Paul, with his head bent over the paper covered with sketches, and his hands between his knees, could not help thinking, for his part, that his cousin was covering a good deal of paper in making ceilings, whereas they had always seemed to him the simplest thing in the world, and the least susceptible of complication.

the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”

From this reading Paul hesitated a little, and said, “I think so,” adding, after a pause— “But, cousin, why not make floors and ceilings as they do everywhere else?”

in the company of; together with

From this reading _OBSERVATIONS ADDRESSED TO EUGÈNE BY PAUL, AND THE REPLIES MADE TO THEM._ Paul, with his head bent over the paper covered with sketches, and his hands between his knees, could not help thinking, for his part, that his cousin was covering a good deal of paper in making ceilings, whereas they had always seemed to him the simplest thing in the world, and the least susceptible of complication.

everything that exists anywhere

From this reading _OBSERVATIONS ADDRESSED TO EUGÈNE BY PAUL, AND THE REPLIES MADE TO THEM._ Paul, with his head bent over the paper covered with sketches, and his hands between his knees, could not help thinking, for his part, that his cousin was covering a good deal of paper in making ceilings, whereas they had always seemed to him the simplest thing in the world, and the least susceptible of complication.

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

From this reading “It seems to you a complicated affair, my dear fellow,” replied Eugène, “and you would like to simplify the matter.”

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading So when Eugène had repeated the phrase, “Is it quite clear to you?”