Chapter IV

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

From this reading He had not occupied himself on the journey, yet it had seemed short; from when he waved his hand at Winstoke to Mr. Vissian and Percy, who saw him depart, to his first glimpse of the grimy south-west end of London--including twenty minutes’ pacing of a platform when he had to change--a dull absentmindedness had possessed him, a sense of unreality in his progress, an indifference to the objects about him.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading He had not occupied himself on the journey, yet it had seemed short; from when he waved his hand at Winstoke to Mr. Vissian and Percy, who saw him depart, to his first glimpse of the grimy south-west end of London--including twenty minutes’ pacing of a platform when he had to change--a dull absentmindedness had possessed him, a sense of unreality in his progress, an indifference to the objects about him.

preoccupation so great that the ordinary demands on attention are ignored

From this reading He had not occupied himself on the journey, yet it had seemed short; from when he waved his hand at Winstoke to Mr. Vissian and Percy, who saw him depart, to his first glimpse of the grimy south-west end of London--including twenty minutes’ pacing of a platform when he had to change--a dull absentmindedness had possessed him, a sense of unreality in his progress, an indifference to the objects about him.

(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 At Waterloo he let the other occupants of the carriage all descend before he moved; when at last obliged to stir, it cost him an effort to overcome his inertia.

changed in form or character without becoming something else

From this reading He had not altered his position since seating himself; there was a printed notice opposite him, and he had been reading this mechanically for nearly an hour.

in the middle of; surrounded by

From this reading His luggage necessitated the hire of a cab; he found himself crossing the river, then struggling amid dense traffic in the Strand.

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

From this reading He had not occupied himself on the journey, yet it had seemed short; from when he waved his hand at Winstoke to Mr. Vissian and Percy, who saw him depart, to his first glimpse of the grimy south-west end of London--including twenty minutes’ pacing of a platform when he had to change--a dull absentmindedness had possessed him, a sense of unreality in his progress, an indifference to the objects about him.

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

From this reading He had not occupied himself on the journey, yet it had seemed short; from when he waved his hand at Winstoke to Mr. Vissian and Percy, who saw him depart, to his first glimpse of the grimy south-west end of London--including twenty minutes’ pacing of a platform when he had to change--a dull absentmindedness had possessed him, a sense of unreality in his progress, an indifference to the objects about him.

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

From this reading Kingcote reached Waterloo Station as dusk was gathering.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading He had not occupied himself on the journey, yet it had seemed short; from when he waved his hand at Winstoke to Mr. Vissian and Percy, who saw him depart, to his first glimpse of the grimy south-west end of London--including twenty minutes’ pacing of a platform when he had to change--a dull absentmindedness had possessed him, a sense of unreality in his progress, an indifference to the objects about him.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading He had not altered his position since seating himself; there was a printed notice opposite him, and he had been reading this mechanically for nearly an hour.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading At Waterloo he let the other occupants of the carriage all descend before he moved; when at last obliged to stir, it cost him an effort to overcome his inertia.

a compartment at the front of a motor vehicle or locomotive where driver sits

From this reading His luggage necessitated the hire of a cab; he found himself crossing the river, then struggling amid dense traffic in the Strand.

a railcar where passengers ride

From this reading At Waterloo he let the other occupants of the carriage all descend before he moved; when at last obliged to stir, it cost him an effort to overcome his inertia.

cause to change; make different; cause a transformation

From this reading He had not occupied himself on the journey, yet it had seemed short; from when he waved his hand at Winstoke to Mr. Vissian and Percy, who saw him depart, to his first glimpse of the grimy south-west end of London--including twenty minutes’ pacing of a platform when he had to change--a dull absentmindedness had possessed him, a sense of unreality in his progress, an indifference to the objects about him.

the total spent for goods or services including money and time and labor

From this reading At Waterloo he let the other occupants of the carriage all descend before he moved; when at last obliged to stir, it cost him an effort to overcome his inertia.

traveling across

From this reading His luggage necessitated the hire of a cab; he found himself crossing the river, then struggling amid dense traffic in the Strand.

permitting little if any light to pass through because of denseness of matter

From this reading His luggage necessitated the hire of a cab; he found himself crossing the river, then struggling amid dense traffic in the Strand.

move away from a place into another direction

From this reading He had not occupied himself on the journey, yet it had seemed short; from when he waved his hand at Winstoke to Mr. Vissian and Percy, who saw him depart, to his first glimpse of the grimy south-west end of London--including twenty minutes’ pacing of a platform when he had to change--a dull absentmindedness had possessed him, a sense of unreality in his progress, an indifference to the objects about him.

move downward and lower, but not necessarily all the way

From this reading At Waterloo he let the other occupants of the carriage all descend before he moved; when at last obliged to stir, it cost him an effort to overcome his inertia.

lacking in liveliness or animation

From this reading He had not occupied himself on the journey, yet it had seemed short; from when he waved his hand at Winstoke to Mr. Vissian and Percy, who saw him depart, to his first glimpse of the grimy south-west end of London--including twenty minutes’ pacing of a platform when he had to change--a dull absentmindedness had possessed him, a sense of unreality in his progress, an indifference to the objects about him.

the time of day immediately following sunset

From this reading Kingcote reached Waterloo Station as dusk was gathering.

earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something

From this reading At Waterloo he let the other occupants of the carriage all descend before he moved; when at last obliged to stir, it cost him an effort to overcome his inertia.

either extremity of something that has length

From this reading He had not occupied himself on the journey, yet it had seemed short; from when he waved his hand at Winstoke to Mr. Vissian and Percy, who saw him depart, to his first glimpse of the grimy south-west end of London--including twenty minutes’ pacing of a platform when he had to change--a dull absentmindedness had possessed him, a sense of unreality in his progress, an indifference to the objects about him.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading He had not occupied himself on the journey, yet it had seemed short; from when he waved his hand at Winstoke to Mr. Vissian and Percy, who saw him depart, to his first glimpse of the grimy south-west end of London--including twenty minutes’ pacing of a platform when he had to change--a dull absentmindedness had possessed him, a sense of unreality in his progress, an indifference to the objects about him.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading He had not altered his position since seating himself; there was a printed notice opposite him, and he had been reading this mechanically for nearly an hour.

set up or found

From this reading His luggage necessitated the hire of a cab; he found himself crossing the river, then struggling amid dense traffic in the Strand.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading He had not occupied himself on the journey, yet it had seemed short; from when he waved his hand at Winstoke to Mr. Vissian and Percy, who saw him depart, to his first glimpse of the grimy south-west end of London--including twenty minutes’ pacing of a platform when he had to change--a dull absentmindedness had possessed him, a sense of unreality in his progress, an indifference to the objects about him.

a group of persons together in one place

From this reading Kingcote reached Waterloo Station as dusk was gathering.

a quick look

From this reading He had not occupied himself on the journey, yet it had seemed short; from when he waved his hand at Winstoke to Mr. Vissian and Percy, who saw him depart, to his first glimpse of the grimy south-west end of London--including twenty minutes’ pacing of a platform when he had to change--a dull absentmindedness had possessed him, a sense of unreality in his progress, an indifference to the objects about him.

thickly covered with ingrained dirt or soot

From this reading He had not occupied himself on the journey, yet it had seemed short; from when he waved his hand at Winstoke to Mr. Vissian and Percy, who saw him depart, to his first glimpse of the grimy south-west end of London--including twenty minutes’ pacing of a platform when he had to change--a dull absentmindedness had possessed him, a sense of unreality in his progress, an indifference to the objects about him.

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

From this reading He had not occupied himself on the journey, yet it had seemed short; from when he waved his hand at Winstoke to Mr. Vissian and Percy, who saw him depart, to his first glimpse of the grimy south-west end of London--including twenty minutes’ pacing of a platform when he had to change--a dull absentmindedness had possessed him, a sense of unreality in his progress, an indifference to the objects about him.

the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb

From this reading He had not occupied himself on the journey, yet it had seemed short; from when he waved his hand at Winstoke to Mr. Vissian and Percy, who saw him depart, to his first glimpse of the grimy south-west end of London--including twenty minutes’ pacing of a platform when he had to change--a dull absentmindedness had possessed him, a sense of unreality in his progress, an indifference to the objects about him.

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

From this reading He had not occupied himself on the journey, yet it had seemed short; from when he waved his hand at Winstoke to Mr. Vissian and Percy, who saw him depart, to his first glimpse of the grimy south-west end of London--including twenty minutes’ pacing of a platform when he had to change--a dull absentmindedness had possessed him, a sense of unreality in his progress, an indifference to the objects about him.

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

From this reading He had not occupied himself on the journey, yet it had seemed short; from when he waved his hand at Winstoke to Mr. Vissian and Percy, who saw him depart, to his first glimpse of the grimy south-west end of London--including twenty minutes’ pacing of a platform when he had to change--a dull absentmindedness had possessed him, a sense of unreality in his progress, an indifference to the objects about him.

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

From this reading He had not occupied himself on the journey, yet it had seemed short; from when he waved his hand at Winstoke to Mr. Vissian and Percy, who saw him depart, to his first glimpse of the grimy south-west end of London--including twenty minutes’ pacing of a platform when he had to change--a dull absentmindedness had possessed him, a sense of unreality in his progress, an indifference to the objects about him.

engage or hire for work

From this reading His luggage necessitated the hire of a cab; he found himself crossing the river, then struggling amid dense traffic in the Strand.

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

From this reading He had not occupied himself on the journey, yet it had seemed short; from when he waved his hand at Winstoke to Mr. Vissian and Percy, who saw him depart, to his first glimpse of the grimy south-west end of London--including twenty minutes’ pacing of a platform when he had to change--a dull absentmindedness had possessed him, a sense of unreality in his progress, an indifference to the objects about him.

a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day

From this reading He had not altered his position since seating himself; there was a printed notice opposite him, and he had been reading this mechanically for nearly an hour.

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

From this reading He had not occupied himself on the journey, yet it had seemed short; from when he waved his hand at Winstoke to Mr. Vissian and Percy, who saw him depart, to his first glimpse of the grimy south-west end of London--including twenty minutes’ pacing of a platform when he had to change--a dull absentmindedness had possessed him, a sense of unreality in his progress, an indifference to the objects about him.

-ing form of “include” — have as a part, be made up out of

From this reading He had not occupied himself on the journey, yet it had seemed short; from when he waved his hand at Winstoke to Mr. Vissian and Percy, who saw him depart, to his first glimpse of the grimy south-west end of London--including twenty minutes’ pacing of a platform when he had to change--a dull absentmindedness had possessed him, a sense of unreality in his progress, an indifference to the objects about him.

unbiased impartial unconcern

From this reading He had not occupied himself on the journey, yet it had seemed short; from when he waved his hand at Winstoke to Mr. Vissian and Percy, who saw him depart, to his first glimpse of the grimy south-west end of London--including twenty minutes’ pacing of a platform when he had to change--a dull absentmindedness had possessed him, a sense of unreality in his progress, an indifference to the objects about him.

a disposition to remain inactive or inert

From this reading At Waterloo he let the other occupants of the carriage all descend before he moved; when at last obliged to stir, it cost him an effort to overcome his inertia.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading He had not occupied himself on the journey, yet it had seemed short; from when he waved his hand at Winstoke to Mr. Vissian and Percy, who saw him depart, to his first glimpse of the grimy south-west end of London--including twenty minutes’ pacing of a platform when he had to change--a dull absentmindedness had possessed him, a sense of unreality in his progress, an indifference to the objects about him.

undertake a journey or trip

From this reading He had not occupied himself on the journey, yet it had seemed short; from when he waved his hand at Winstoke to Mr. Vissian and Percy, who saw him depart, to his first glimpse of the grimy south-west end of London--including twenty minutes’ pacing of a platform when he had to change--a dull absentmindedness had possessed him, a sense of unreality in his progress, an indifference to the objects about him.

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

From this reading Kingcote reached Waterloo Station as dusk was gathering.

immediately past

From this reading At Waterloo he let the other occupants of the carriage all descend before he moved; when at last obliged to stir, it cost him an effort to overcome his inertia.

used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker

From this reading At Waterloo he let the other occupants of the carriage all descend before he moved; when at last obliged to stir, it cost him an effort to overcome his inertia.

the capital and largest city of England; located on the Thames in southeastern England; financial and industrial and cultural center

From this reading He had not occupied himself on the journey, yet it had seemed short; from when he waved his hand at Winstoke to Mr. Vissian and Percy, who saw him depart, to his first glimpse of the grimy south-west end of London--including twenty minutes’ pacing of a platform when he had to change--a dull absentmindedness had possessed him, a sense of unreality in his progress, an indifference to the objects about him.

cases used to carry belongings when traveling

From this reading His luggage necessitated the hire of a cab; he found himself crossing the river, then struggling amid dense traffic in the Strand.

in a mechanical manner; by a mechanism

From this reading He had not altered his position since seating himself; there was a printed notice opposite him, and he had been reading this mechanically for nearly an hour.

a written account of what transpired at a meeting

From this reading He had not occupied himself on the journey, yet it had seemed short; from when he waved his hand at Winstoke to Mr. Vissian and Percy, who saw him depart, to his first glimpse of the grimy south-west end of London--including twenty minutes’ pacing of a platform when he had to change--a dull absentmindedness had possessed him, a sense of unreality in his progress, an indifference to the objects about him.

being excited or provoked to the expression of an emotion

From this reading At Waterloo he let the other occupants of the carriage all descend before he moved; when at last obliged to stir, it cost him an effort to overcome his inertia.

a form of address for a man

From this reading He had not occupied himself on the journey, yet it had seemed short; from when he waved his hand at Winstoke to Mr. Vissian and Percy, who saw him depart, to his first glimpse of the grimy south-west end of London--including twenty minutes’ pacing of a platform when he had to change--a dull absentmindedness had possessed him, a sense of unreality in his progress, an indifference to the objects about him.

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

From this reading He had not altered his position since seating himself; there was a printed notice opposite him, and he had been reading this mechanically for nearly an hour.

past form of “necessitate” — require as useful, just, or proper

From this reading His luggage necessitated the hire of a cab; he found himself crossing the river, then struggling amid dense traffic in the Strand.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading He had not occupied himself on the journey, yet it had seemed short; from when he waved his hand at Winstoke to Mr. Vissian and Percy, who saw him depart, to his first glimpse of the grimy south-west end of London--including twenty minutes’ pacing of a platform when he had to change--a dull absentmindedness had possessed him, a sense of unreality in his progress, an indifference to the objects about him.

an announcement containing information about an event

From this reading He had not altered his position since seating himself; there was a printed notice opposite him, and he had been reading this mechanically for nearly an hour.

plural of “object” — a tangible and visible entity; an entity that can cast a shadow

From this reading He had not occupied himself on the journey, yet it had seemed short; from when he waved his hand at Winstoke to Mr. Vissian and Percy, who saw him depart, to his first glimpse of the grimy south-west end of London--including twenty minutes’ pacing of a platform when he had to change--a dull absentmindedness had possessed him, a sense of unreality in his progress, an indifference to the objects about him.

under a moral obligation to do something

From this reading At Waterloo he let the other occupants of the carriage all descend before he moved; when at last obliged to stir, it cost him an effort to overcome his inertia.

plural of “occupant” — someone who lives at a particular place for a prolonged period or who was born there

From this reading At Waterloo he let the other occupants of the carriage all descend before he moved; when at last obliged to stir, it cost him an effort to overcome his inertia.

held or filled or in use

From this reading He had not occupied himself on the journey, yet it had seemed short; from when he waved his hand at Winstoke to Mr. Vissian and Percy, who saw him depart, to his first glimpse of the grimy south-west end of London--including twenty minutes’ pacing of a platform when he had to change--a dull absentmindedness had possessed him, a sense of unreality in his progress, an indifference to the objects about him.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading He had not occupied himself on the journey, yet it had seemed short; from when he waved his hand at Winstoke to Mr. Vissian and Percy, who saw him depart, to his first glimpse of the grimy south-west end of London--including twenty minutes’ pacing of a platform when he had to change--a dull absentmindedness had possessed him, a sense of unreality in his progress, an indifference to the objects about him.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading He had not occupied himself on the journey, yet it had seemed short; from when he waved his hand at Winstoke to Mr. Vissian and Percy, who saw him depart, to his first glimpse of the grimy south-west end of London--including twenty minutes’ pacing of a platform when he had to change--a dull absentmindedness had possessed him, a sense of unreality in his progress, an indifference to the objects about him.

being directly across from each other; facing

From this reading He had not altered his position since seating himself; there was a printed notice opposite him, and he had been reading this mechanically for nearly an hour.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading At Waterloo he let the other occupants of the carriage all descend before he moved; when at last obliged to stir, it cost him an effort to overcome his inertia.

win a victory over

From this reading At Waterloo he let the other occupants of the carriage all descend before he moved; when at last obliged to stir, it cost him an effort to overcome his inertia.

(music) the speed at which a composition is to be played

From this reading He had not occupied himself on the journey, yet it had seemed short; from when he waved his hand at Winstoke to Mr. Vissian and Percy, who saw him depart, to his first glimpse of the grimy south-west end of London--including twenty minutes’ pacing of a platform when he had to change--a dull absentmindedness had possessed him, a sense of unreality in his progress, an indifference to the objects about him.

United States writer whose novels explored human alienation (1916-1990)

From this reading He had not occupied himself on the journey, yet it had seemed short; from when he waved his hand at Winstoke to Mr. Vissian and Percy, who saw him depart, to his first glimpse of the grimy south-west end of London--including twenty minutes’ pacing of a platform when he had to change--a dull absentmindedness had possessed him, a sense of unreality in his progress, an indifference to the objects about him.

a raised horizontal surface

From this reading He had not occupied himself on the journey, yet it had seemed short; from when he waved his hand at Winstoke to Mr. Vissian and Percy, who saw him depart, to his first glimpse of the grimy south-west end of London--including twenty minutes’ pacing of a platform when he had to change--a dull absentmindedness had possessed him, a sense of unreality in his progress, an indifference to the objects about him.

the particular portion of space occupied by something

From this reading He had not altered his position since seating himself; there was a printed notice opposite him, and he had been reading this mechanically for nearly an hour.

influenced or controlled by a powerful force such as a strong emotion

From this reading He had not occupied himself on the journey, yet it had seemed short; from when he waved his hand at Winstoke to Mr. Vissian and Percy, who saw him depart, to his first glimpse of the grimy south-west end of London--including twenty minutes’ pacing of a platform when he had to change--a dull absentmindedness had possessed him, a sense of unreality in his progress, an indifference to the objects about him.

past form of “print” — put into print

From this reading He had not altered his position since seating himself; there was a printed notice opposite him, and he had been reading this mechanically for nearly an hour.

gradual improvement or growth or development

From this reading He had not occupied himself on the journey, yet it had seemed short; from when he waved his hand at Winstoke to Mr. Vissian and Percy, who saw him depart, to his first glimpse of the grimy south-west end of London--including twenty minutes’ pacing of a platform when he had to change--a dull absentmindedness had possessed him, a sense of unreality in his progress, an indifference to the objects about him.

past form of “reach” — reach a destination, either real or abstract

From this reading Kingcote reached Waterloo Station as dusk was gathering.

the cognitive process of understanding a written linguistic message

From this reading He had not altered his position since seating himself; there was a printed notice opposite him, and he had been reading this mechanically for nearly an hour.

a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)

From this reading His luggage necessitated the hire of a cab; he found himself crossing the river, then struggling amid dense traffic in the Strand.

cut with a saw

From this reading He had not occupied himself on the journey, yet it had seemed short; from when he waved his hand at Winstoke to Mr. Vissian and Percy, who saw him depart, to his first glimpse of the grimy south-west end of London--including twenty minutes’ pacing of a platform when he had to change--a dull absentmindedness had possessed him, a sense of unreality in his progress, an indifference to the objects about him.

an area that includes places where several people can sit

From this reading He had not altered his position since seating himself; there was a printed notice opposite him, and he had been reading this mechanically for nearly an hour.

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

From this reading He had not occupied himself on the journey, yet it had seemed short; from when he waved his hand at Winstoke to Mr. Vissian and Percy, who saw him depart, to his first glimpse of the grimy south-west end of London--including twenty minutes’ pacing of a platform when he had to change--a dull absentmindedness had possessed him, a sense of unreality in his progress, an indifference to the objects about him.

a general conscious awareness

From this reading He had not occupied himself on the journey, yet it had seemed short; from when he waved his hand at Winstoke to Mr. Vissian and Percy, who saw him depart, to his first glimpse of the grimy south-west end of London--including twenty minutes’ pacing of a platform when he had to change--a dull absentmindedness had possessed him, a sense of unreality in his progress, an indifference to the objects about him.

primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration

From this reading He had not occupied himself on the journey, yet it had seemed short; from when he waved his hand at Winstoke to Mr. Vissian and Percy, who saw him depart, to his first glimpse of the grimy south-west end of London--including twenty minutes’ pacing of a platform when he had to change--a dull absentmindedness had possessed him, a sense of unreality in his progress, an indifference to the objects about him.

from a time in the past until now

From this reading He had not altered his position since seating himself; there was a printed notice opposite him, and he had been reading this mechanically for nearly an hour.

to, toward, or in the southwest

From this reading He had not occupied himself on the journey, yet it had seemed short; from when he waved his hand at Winstoke to Mr. Vissian and Percy, who saw him depart, to his first glimpse of the grimy south-west end of London--including twenty minutes’ pacing of a platform when he had to change--a dull absentmindedness had possessed him, a sense of unreality in his progress, an indifference to the objects about him.

a facility equipped with special equipment and personnel for a particular purpose

From this reading Kingcote reached Waterloo Station as dusk was gathering.

move an implement through

From this reading At Waterloo he let the other occupants of the carriage all descend before he moved; when at last obliged to stir, it cost him an effort to overcome his inertia.

a pattern forming a unity within a larger structural whole

From this reading His luggage necessitated the hire of a cab; he found himself crossing the river, then struggling amid dense traffic in the Strand.

engaged in a struggle to overcome especially poverty or obscurity

From this reading His luggage necessitated the hire of a cab; he found himself crossing the river, then struggling amid dense traffic in the Strand.

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

From this reading He had not occupied himself on the journey, yet it had seemed short; from when he waved his hand at Winstoke to Mr. Vissian and Percy, who saw him depart, to his first glimpse of the grimy south-west end of London--including twenty minutes’ pacing of a platform when he had to change--a dull absentmindedness had possessed him, a sense of unreality in his progress, an indifference to the objects about him.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading His luggage necessitated the hire of a cab; he found himself crossing the river, then struggling amid dense traffic in the Strand.

in or at that place or location

From this reading He had not altered his position since seating himself; there was a printed notice opposite him, and he had been reading this mechanically for nearly an hour.

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

From this reading He had not altered his position since seating himself; there was a printed notice opposite him, and he had been reading this mechanically for nearly an hour.

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

From this reading He had not occupied himself on the journey, yet it had seemed short; from when he waved his hand at Winstoke to Mr. Vissian and Percy, who saw him depart, to his first glimpse of the grimy south-west end of London--including twenty minutes’ pacing of a platform when he had to change--a dull absentmindedness had possessed him, a sense of unreality in his progress, an indifference to the objects about him.

the aggregation of things (pedestrians or vehicles) coming and going in a particular locality during a specified period of time

From this reading His luggage necessitated the hire of a cab; he found himself crossing the river, then struggling amid dense traffic in the Strand.

the cardinal number that is the sum of nineteen and one

From this reading He had not occupied himself on the journey, yet it had seemed short; from when he waved his hand at Winstoke to Mr. Vissian and Percy, who saw him depart, to his first glimpse of the grimy south-west end of London--including twenty minutes’ pacing of a platform when he had to change--a dull absentmindedness had possessed him, a sense of unreality in his progress, an indifference to the objects about him.

the quality possessed by something that is unreal

From this reading He had not occupied himself on the journey, yet it had seemed short; from when he waved his hand at Winstoke to Mr. Vissian and Percy, who saw him depart, to his first glimpse of the grimy south-west end of London--including twenty minutes’ pacing of a platform when he had to change--a dull absentmindedness had possessed him, a sense of unreality in his progress, an indifference to the objects about him.

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

From this reading He had not occupied himself on the journey, yet it had seemed short; from when he waved his hand at Winstoke to Mr. Vissian and Percy, who saw him depart, to his first glimpse of the grimy south-west end of London--including twenty minutes’ pacing of a platform when he had to change--a dull absentmindedness had possessed him, a sense of unreality in his progress, an indifference to the objects about him.

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

From this reading Kingcote reached Waterloo Station as dusk was gathering.

a town in central Belgium where in 1815 Napoleon met his final defeat

From this reading Kingcote reached Waterloo Station as dusk was gathering.

past form of “wave” — signal with the hands or nod

From this reading He had not occupied himself on the journey, yet it had seemed short; from when he waved his hand at Winstoke to Mr. Vissian and Percy, who saw him depart, to his first glimpse of the grimy south-west end of London--including twenty minutes’ pacing of a platform when he had to change--a dull absentmindedness had possessed him, a sense of unreality in his progress, an indifference to the objects about him.

at the time that

From this reading He had not occupied himself on the journey, yet it had seemed short; from when he waved his hand at Winstoke to Mr. Vissian and Percy, who saw him depart, to his first glimpse of the grimy south-west end of London--including twenty minutes’ pacing of a platform when he had to change--a dull absentmindedness had possessed him, a sense of unreality in his progress, an indifference to the objects about him.

which person or people

From this reading He had not occupied himself on the journey, yet it had seemed short; from when he waved his hand at Winstoke to Mr. Vissian and Percy, who saw him depart, to his first glimpse of the grimy south-west end of London--including twenty minutes’ pacing of a platform when he had to change--a dull absentmindedness had possessed him, a sense of unreality in his progress, an indifference to the objects about him.

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

From this reading He had not occupied himself on the journey, yet it had seemed short; from when he waved his hand at Winstoke to Mr. Vissian and Percy, who saw him depart, to his first glimpse of the grimy south-west end of London--including twenty minutes’ pacing of a platform when he had to change--a dull absentmindedness had possessed him, a sense of unreality in his progress, an indifference to the objects about him.

but in spite of that

From this reading He had not occupied himself on the journey, yet it had seemed short; from when he waved his hand at Winstoke to Mr. Vissian and Percy, who saw him depart, to his first glimpse of the grimy south-west end of London--including twenty minutes’ pacing of a platform when he had to change--a dull absentmindedness had possessed him, a sense of unreality in his progress, an indifference to the objects about him.