Chapter X · Chapter 10

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

From this reading The man in black and myself stood opposite to each other for a minute or two in silence; I will not say that we confronted each other that time, for the man in black, after a furtive glance, did not look me in the face, but kept his eyes fixed, apparently on the leaves of a bunch of ground nuts which were growing at my feet.

move forward, also in the metaphorical sense

From this reading "I was not listening," said the man: "I was hesitating whether to advance or retire; and if I heard some of your conversation the fault was not mine."

later than; following

From this reading The man in black and myself stood opposite to each other for a minute or two in silence; I will not say that we confronted each other that time, for the man in black, after a furtive glance, did not look me in the face, but kept his eyes fixed, apparently on the leaves of a bunch of ground nuts which were growing at my feet.

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

From this reading The man in black and myself stood opposite to each other for a minute or two in silence; I will not say that we confronted each other that time, for the man in black, after a furtive glance, did not look me in the face, but kept his eyes fixed, apparently on the leaves of a bunch of ground nuts which were growing at my feet.

from appearances alone

From this reading The man in black and myself stood opposite to each other for a minute or two in silence; I will not say that we confronted each other that time, for the man in black, after a furtive glance, did not look me in the face, but kept his eyes fixed, apparently on the leaves of a bunch of ground nuts which were growing at my feet.

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

From this reading "You have as much right here," said I, "as I or my companion; but you had no right to stand listening to our conversation."

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading The man in black and myself stood opposite to each other for a minute or two in silence; I will not say that we confronted each other that time, for the man in black, after a furtive glance, did not look me in the face, but kept his eyes fixed, apparently on the leaves of a bunch of ground nuts which were growing at my feet.

being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light

From this reading The man in black and myself stood opposite to each other for a minute or two in silence; I will not say that we confronted each other that time, for the man in black, after a furtive glance, did not look me in the face, but kept his eyes fixed, apparently on the leaves of a bunch of ground nuts which were growing at my feet.

a grouping of a number of similar things

From this reading The man in black and myself stood opposite to each other for a minute or two in silence; I will not say that we confronted each other that time, for the man in black, after a furtive glance, did not look me in the face, but kept his eyes fixed, apparently on the leaves of a bunch of ground nuts which were growing at my feet.

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

From this reading At length, looking round the dingle, he exclaimed, "Buona Sera, I hope I don't intrude."

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading The man in black and myself stood opposite to each other for a minute or two in silence; I will not say that we confronted each other that time, for the man in black, after a furtive glance, did not look me in the face, but kept his eyes fixed, apparently on the leaves of a bunch of ground nuts which were growing at my feet.

a friend who is frequently in the company of another

From this reading "You have as much right here," said I, "as I or my companion; but you had no right to stand listening to our conversation."

past form of “confront” — oppose, as in hostility or a competition

From this reading The man in black and myself stood opposite to each other for a minute or two in silence; I will not say that we confronted each other that time, for the man in black, after a furtive glance, did not look me in the face, but kept his eyes fixed, apparently on the leaves of a bunch of ground nuts which were growing at my feet.

the use of speech for informal exchange of views or ideas or information etc.

From this reading "You have as much right here," said I, "as I or my companion; but you had no right to stand listening to our conversation."

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

From this reading The man in black and myself stood opposite to each other for a minute or two in silence; I will not say that we confronted each other that time, for the man in black, after a furtive glance, did not look me in the face, but kept his eyes fixed, apparently on the leaves of a bunch of ground nuts which were growing at my feet.

a small wooded hollow

From this reading At length, looking round the dingle, he exclaimed, "Buona Sera, I hope I don't intrude."

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading "I do not see why you should have hesitated if your intentions were good," said I.

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

From this reading At length, looking round the dingle, he exclaimed, "Buona Sera, I hope I don't intrude."

every one of two or more people or things, taken separately

From this reading The man in black and myself stood opposite to each other for a minute or two in silence; I will not say that we confronted each other that time, for the man in black, after a furtive glance, did not look me in the face, but kept his eyes fixed, apparently on the leaves of a bunch of ground nuts which were growing at my feet.

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

From this reading At length, looking round the dingle, he exclaimed, "Buona Sera, I hope I don't intrude."

opinion or judgment

From this reading The man in black and myself stood opposite to each other for a minute or two in silence; I will not say that we confronted each other that time, for the man in black, after a furtive glance, did not look me in the face, but kept his eyes fixed, apparently on the leaves of a bunch of ground nuts which were growing at my feet.

the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear

From this reading The man in black and myself stood opposite to each other for a minute or two in silence; I will not say that we confronted each other that time, for the man in black, after a furtive glance, did not look me in the face, but kept his eyes fixed, apparently on the leaves of a bunch of ground nuts which were growing at my feet.

a wrong action attributable to bad judgment or ignorance or inattention

From this reading "I was not listening," said the man: "I was hesitating whether to advance or retire; and if I heard some of your conversation the fault was not mine."

plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint

From this reading The man in black and myself stood opposite to each other for a minute or two in silence; I will not say that we confronted each other that time, for the man in black, after a furtive glance, did not look me in the face, but kept his eyes fixed, apparently on the leaves of a bunch of ground nuts which were growing at my feet.

(of a number) having a fixed and unchanging value

From this reading The man in black and myself stood opposite to each other for a minute or two in silence; I will not say that we confronted each other that time, for the man in black, after a furtive glance, did not look me in the face, but kept his eyes fixed, apparently on the leaves of a bunch of ground nuts which were growing at my feet.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading The man in black and myself stood opposite to each other for a minute or two in silence; I will not say that we confronted each other that time, for the man in black, after a furtive glance, did not look me in the face, but kept his eyes fixed, apparently on the leaves of a bunch of ground nuts which were growing at my feet.

marked by quiet and caution and secrecy; taking pains to avoid being observed

From this reading The man in black and myself stood opposite to each other for a minute or two in silence; I will not say that we confronted each other that time, for the man in black, after a furtive glance, did not look me in the face, but kept his eyes fixed, apparently on the leaves of a bunch of ground nuts which were growing at my feet.

throw a glance at; take a brief look at

From this reading The man in black and myself stood opposite to each other for a minute or two in silence; I will not say that we confronted each other that time, for the man in black, after a furtive glance, did not look me in the face, but kept his eyes fixed, apparently on the leaves of a bunch of ground nuts which were growing at my feet.

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

From this reading "I do not see why you should have hesitated if your intentions were good," said I.

the solid part of the earth's surface

From this reading The man in black and myself stood opposite to each other for a minute or two in silence; I will not say that we confronted each other that time, for the man in black, after a furtive glance, did not look me in the face, but kept his eyes fixed, apparently on the leaves of a bunch of ground nuts which were growing at my feet.

(biology) the process of an individual organism growing organically; a purely biological unfolding of events involved in an organism changing gradually from a simple to a more complex level

From this reading The man in black and myself stood opposite to each other for a minute or two in silence; I will not say that we confronted each other that time, for the man in black, after a furtive glance, did not look me in the face, but kept his eyes fixed, apparently on the leaves of a bunch of ground nuts which were growing at my feet.

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

From this reading "You have as much right here," said I, "as I or my companion; but you had no right to stand listening to our conversation."

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading "You have as much right here," said I, "as I or my companion; but you had no right to stand listening to our conversation."

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

From this reading At length, looking round the dingle, he exclaimed, "Buona Sera, I hope I don't intrude."

detected or perceived by the sense of hearing

From this reading "I was not listening," said the man: "I was hesitating whether to advance or retire; and if I heard some of your conversation the fault was not mine."

in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is

From this reading "You have as much right here," said I, "as I or my companion; but you had no right to stand listening to our conversation."

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

From this reading "I do not see why you should have hesitated if your intentions were good," said I.

lacking decisiveness of character; unable to act or decide quickly or firmly

From this reading "I was not listening," said the man: "I was hesitating whether to advance or retire; and if I heard some of your conversation the fault was not mine."

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

From this reading The man in black and myself stood opposite to each other for a minute or two in silence; I will not say that we confronted each other that time, for the man in black, after a furtive glance, did not look me in the face, but kept his eyes fixed, apparently on the leaves of a bunch of ground nuts which were growing at my feet.

a specific instance of feeling hopeful

From this reading At length, looking round the dingle, he exclaimed, "Buona Sera, I hope I don't intrude."

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

From this reading The man in black and myself stood opposite to each other for a minute or two in silence; I will not say that we confronted each other that time, for the man in black, after a furtive glance, did not look me in the face, but kept his eyes fixed, apparently on the leaves of a bunch of ground nuts which were growing at my feet.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading "I was not listening," said the man: "I was hesitating whether to advance or retire; and if I heard some of your conversation the fault was not mine."

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

From this reading The man in black and myself stood opposite to each other for a minute or two in silence; I will not say that we confronted each other that time, for the man in black, after a furtive glance, did not look me in the face, but kept his eyes fixed, apparently on the leaves of a bunch of ground nuts which were growing at my feet.

plural of “intention” — an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions

From this reading "I do not see why you should have hesitated if your intentions were good," said I.

enter uninvited

From this reading At length, looking round the dingle, he exclaimed, "Buona Sera, I hope I don't intrude."

(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded

From this reading The man in black and myself stood opposite to each other for a minute or two in silence; I will not say that we confronted each other that time, for the man in black, after a furtive glance, did not look me in the face, but kept his eyes fixed, apparently on the leaves of a bunch of ground nuts which were growing at my feet.

plural of “leaf” — the main organ of photosynthesis and transpiration in higher plants

From this reading The man in black and myself stood opposite to each other for a minute or two in silence; I will not say that we confronted each other that time, for the man in black, after a furtive glance, did not look me in the face, but kept his eyes fixed, apparently on the leaves of a bunch of ground nuts which were growing at my feet.

the linear extent in space from one end to the other; the longest dimension of something that is fixed in place

From this reading At length, looking round the dingle, he exclaimed, "Buona Sera, I hope I don't intrude."

the act of hearing attentively

From this reading "You have as much right here," said I, "as I or my companion; but you had no right to stand listening to our conversation."

perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading The man in black and myself stood opposite to each other for a minute or two in silence; I will not say that we confronted each other that time, for the man in black, after a furtive glance, did not look me in the face, but kept his eyes fixed, apparently on the leaves of a bunch of ground nuts which were growing at my feet.

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

From this reading At length, looking round the dingle, he exclaimed, "Buona Sera, I hope I don't intrude."

an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

From this reading The man in black and myself stood opposite to each other for a minute or two in silence; I will not say that we confronted each other that time, for the man in black, after a furtive glance, did not look me in the face, but kept his eyes fixed, apparently on the leaves of a bunch of ground nuts which were growing at my feet.

the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading The man in black and myself stood opposite to each other for a minute or two in silence; I will not say that we confronted each other that time, for the man in black, after a furtive glance, did not look me in the face, but kept his eyes fixed, apparently on the leaves of a bunch of ground nuts which were growing at my feet.

the one or ones belonging to the person speaking

From this reading "I was not listening," said the man: "I was hesitating whether to advance or retire; and if I heard some of your conversation the fault was not mine."

a unit of time equal to 60 seconds or 1/60th of an hour

From this reading The man in black and myself stood opposite to each other for a minute or two in silence; I will not say that we confronted each other that time, for the man in black, after a furtive glance, did not look me in the face, but kept his eyes fixed, apparently on the leaves of a bunch of ground nuts which were growing at my feet.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading "You have as much right here," said I, "as I or my companion; but you had no right to stand listening to our conversation."

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading The man in black and myself stood opposite to each other for a minute or two in silence; I will not say that we confronted each other that time, for the man in black, after a furtive glance, did not look me in the face, but kept his eyes fixed, apparently on the leaves of a bunch of ground nuts which were growing at my feet.

used when the speaker is also the object of the action

From this reading The man in black and myself stood opposite to each other for a minute or two in silence; I will not say that we confronted each other that time, for the man in black, after a furtive glance, did not look me in the face, but kept his eyes fixed, apparently on the leaves of a bunch of ground nuts which were growing at my feet.

not any; not one

From this reading "You have as much right here," said I, "as I or my companion; but you had no right to stand listening to our conversation."

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading The man in black and myself stood opposite to each other for a minute or two in silence; I will not say that we confronted each other that time, for the man in black, after a furtive glance, did not look me in the face, but kept his eyes fixed, apparently on the leaves of a bunch of ground nuts which were growing at my feet.

informal or slang terms for mentally irregular

From this reading The man in black and myself stood opposite to each other for a minute or two in silence; I will not say that we confronted each other that time, for the man in black, after a furtive glance, did not look me in the face, but kept his eyes fixed, apparently on the leaves of a bunch of ground nuts which were growing at my feet.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The man in black and myself stood opposite to each other for a minute or two in silence; I will not say that we confronted each other that time, for the man in black, after a furtive glance, did not look me in the face, but kept his eyes fixed, apparently on the leaves of a bunch of ground nuts which were growing at my feet.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading The man in black and myself stood opposite to each other for a minute or two in silence; I will not say that we confronted each other that time, for the man in black, after a furtive glance, did not look me in the face, but kept his eyes fixed, apparently on the leaves of a bunch of ground nuts which were growing at my feet.

being directly across from each other; facing

From this reading The man in black and myself stood opposite to each other for a minute or two in silence; I will not say that we confronted each other that time, for the man in black, after a furtive glance, did not look me in the face, but kept his eyes fixed, apparently on the leaves of a bunch of ground nuts which were growing at my feet.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading The man in black and myself stood opposite to each other for a minute or two in silence; I will not say that we confronted each other that time, for the man in black, after a furtive glance, did not look me in the face, but kept his eyes fixed, apparently on the leaves of a bunch of ground nuts which were growing at my feet.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading The man in black and myself stood opposite to each other for a minute or two in silence; I will not say that we confronted each other that time, for the man in black, after a furtive glance, did not look me in the face, but kept his eyes fixed, apparently on the leaves of a bunch of ground nuts which were growing at my feet.

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading "You have as much right here," said I, "as I or my companion; but you had no right to stand listening to our conversation."

go into retirement; stop performing one's work or withdraw from one's position

From this reading "I was not listening," said the man: "I was hesitating whether to advance or retire; and if I heard some of your conversation the fault was not mine."

precisely, exactly

From this reading "You have as much right here," said I, "as I or my companion; but you had no right to stand listening to our conversation."

a charge of ammunition for a single shot

From this reading At length, looking round the dingle, he exclaimed, "Buona Sera, I hope I don't intrude."

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading "You have as much right here," said I, "as I or my companion; but you had no right to stand listening to our conversation."

express in words

From this reading The man in black and myself stood opposite to each other for a minute or two in silence; I will not say that we confronted each other that time, for the man in black, after a furtive glance, did not look me in the face, but kept his eyes fixed, apparently on the leaves of a bunch of ground nuts which were growing at my feet.

perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading "I do not see why you should have hesitated if your intentions were good," said I.

plural of “serum” — an amber, watery fluid, rich in proteins, that separates out when blood coagulates

From this reading At length, looking round the dingle, he exclaimed, "Buona Sera, I hope I don't intrude."

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading "I do not see why you should have hesitated if your intentions were good," said I.

Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.

From this reading The man in black and myself stood opposite to each other for a minute or two in silence; I will not say that we confronted each other that time, for the man in black, after a furtive glance, did not look me in the face, but kept his eyes fixed, apparently on the leaves of a bunch of ground nuts which were growing at my feet.

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading "I was not listening," said the man: "I was hesitating whether to advance or retire; and if I heard some of your conversation the fault was not mine."

be standing; be upright

From this reading "You have as much right here," said I, "as I or my companion; but you had no right to stand listening to our conversation."

Maintained an upright posture.

From this reading The man in black and myself stood opposite to each other for a minute or two in silence; I will not say that we confronted each other that time, for the man in black, after a furtive glance, did not look me in the face, but kept his eyes fixed, apparently on the leaves of a bunch of ground nuts which were growing at my feet.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading The man in black and myself stood opposite to each other for a minute or two in silence; I will not say that we confronted each other that time, for the man in black, after a furtive glance, did not look me in the face, but kept his eyes fixed, apparently on the leaves of a bunch of ground nuts which were growing at my feet.

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

From this reading The man in black and myself stood opposite to each other for a minute or two in silence; I will not say that we confronted each other that time, for the man in black, after a furtive glance, did not look me in the face, but kept his eyes fixed, apparently on the leaves of a bunch of ground nuts which were growing at my feet.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading The man in black and myself stood opposite to each other for a minute or two in silence; I will not say that we confronted each other that time, for the man in black, after a furtive glance, did not look me in the face, but kept his eyes fixed, apparently on the leaves of a bunch of ground nuts which were growing at my feet.

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

From this reading The man in black and myself stood opposite to each other for a minute or two in silence; I will not say that we confronted each other that time, for the man in black, after a furtive glance, did not look me in the face, but kept his eyes fixed, apparently on the leaves of a bunch of ground nuts which were growing at my feet.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number

From this reading The man in black and myself stood opposite to each other for a minute or two in silence; I will not say that we confronted each other that time, for the man in black, after a furtive glance, did not look me in the face, but kept his eyes fixed, apparently on the leaves of a bunch of ground nuts which were growing at my feet.

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

From this reading "I was not listening," said the man: "I was hesitating whether to advance or retire; and if I heard some of your conversation the fault was not mine."

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading The man in black and myself stood opposite to each other for a minute or two in silence; I will not say that we confronted each other that time, for the man in black, after a furtive glance, did not look me in the face, but kept his eyes fixed, apparently on the leaves of a bunch of ground nuts which were growing at my feet.

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

From this reading The man in black and myself stood opposite to each other for a minute or two in silence; I will not say that we confronted each other that time, for the man in black, after a furtive glance, did not look me in the face, but kept his eyes fixed, apparently on the leaves of a bunch of ground nuts which were growing at my feet.

used to introduce two or more possibilities

From this reading "I was not listening," said the man: "I was hesitating whether to advance or retire; and if I heard some of your conversation the fault was not mine."

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

From this reading The man in black and myself stood opposite to each other for a minute or two in silence; I will not say that we confronted each other that time, for the man in black, after a furtive glance, did not look me in the face, but kept his eyes fixed, apparently on the leaves of a bunch of ground nuts which were growing at my feet.

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

From this reading "I do not see why you should have hesitated if your intentions were good," said I.

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading The man in black and myself stood opposite to each other for a minute or two in silence; I will not say that we confronted each other that time, for the man in black, after a furtive glance, did not look me in the face, but kept his eyes fixed, apparently on the leaves of a bunch of ground nuts which were growing at my feet.

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading "You have as much right here," said I, "as I or my companion; but you had no right to stand listening to our conversation."

belonging to the person or people being spoken to

From this reading "I was not listening," said the man: "I was hesitating whether to advance or retire; and if I heard some of your conversation the fault was not mine."