Chapter XIII · Chapter 13

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

From this reading About this time a bolt came from the blue or a bomb fell at our feet--the metaphor doesn't matter so long as it conveys a sense of an unlooked-for phenomenon.

past form of “abduct” — take away to an undisclosed location against their will and usually in order to extract a ransom

From this reading A retired warrior, a recent widower, but a celibate of twenty years standing owing to the fact that his late wife and himself had occupied separate continents (_on avait fait continent à part_, as the French might say) during that period, a Major-General fresh from India, an old flame and constant correspondent, had suddenly swooped down upon the boarding-house in Queen's Gate and, in swashbuckling fashion, had abducted the admirable and unresisting lady.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading About this time a bolt came from the blue or a bomb fell at our feet--the metaphor doesn't matter so long as it conveys a sense of an unlooked-for phenomenon.

deserving of the highest esteem or admiration

From this reading The admirable Mrs. Considine got married.

(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 True, in relation to cosmic forces, it was but a trumpery bolt or a squib-like bomb; but it startled us all the same.

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

From this reading About this time a bolt came from the blue or a bomb fell at our feet--the metaphor doesn't matter so long as it conveys a sense of an unlooked-for phenomenon.

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

From this reading A retired warrior, a recent widower, but a celibate of twenty years standing owing to the fact that his late wife and himself had occupied separate continents (_on avait fait continent à part_, as the French might say) during that period, a Major-General fresh from India, an old flame and constant correspondent, had suddenly swooped down upon the boarding-house in Queen's Gate and, in swashbuckling fashion, had abducted the admirable and unresisting lady.

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

From this reading About this time a bolt came from the blue or a bomb fell at our feet--the metaphor doesn't matter so long as it conveys a sense of an unlooked-for phenomenon.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading About this time a bolt came from the blue or a bomb fell at our feet--the metaphor doesn't matter so long as it conveys a sense of an unlooked-for phenomenon.

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

From this reading A retired warrior, a recent widower, but a celibate of twenty years standing owing to the fact that his late wife and himself had occupied separate continents (_on avait fait continent à part_, as the French might say) during that period, a Major-General fresh from India, an old flame and constant correspondent, had suddenly swooped down upon the boarding-house in Queen's Gate and, in swashbuckling fashion, had abducted the admirable and unresisting lady.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading It was a matter of special license, and off went the tardily happy pair to Margate, before we had finished rubbing our eyes.

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

From this reading About this time a bolt came from the blue or a bomb fell at our feet--the metaphor doesn't matter so long as it conveys a sense of an unlooked-for phenomenon.

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

From this reading A retired warrior, a recent widower, but a celibate of twenty years standing owing to the fact that his late wife and himself had occupied separate continents (_on avait fait continent à part_, as the French might say) during that period, a Major-General fresh from India, an old flame and constant correspondent, had suddenly swooped down upon the boarding-house in Queen's Gate and, in swashbuckling fashion, had abducted the admirable and unresisting lady.

a discharge of lightning accompanied by thunder

From this reading About this time a bolt came from the blue or a bomb fell at our feet--the metaphor doesn't matter so long as it conveys a sense of an unlooked-for phenomenon.

an explosive device fused to explode under specific conditions

From this reading About this time a bolt came from the blue or a bomb fell at our feet--the metaphor doesn't matter so long as it conveys a sense of an unlooked-for phenomenon.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading True, in relation to cosmic forces, it was but a trumpery bolt or a squib-like bomb; but it startled us all the same.

inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading About this time a bolt came from the blue or a bomb fell at our feet--the metaphor doesn't matter so long as it conveys a sense of an unlooked-for phenomenon.

an unmarried person who has taken a religious vow of chastity

From this reading A retired warrior, a recent widower, but a celibate of twenty years standing owing to the fact that his late wife and himself had occupied separate continents (_on avait fait continent à part_, as the French might say) during that period, a Major-General fresh from India, an old flame and constant correspondent, had suddenly swooped down upon the boarding-house in Queen's Gate and, in swashbuckling fashion, had abducted the admirable and unresisting lady.

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

From this reading The admirable Mrs. Considine got married.

unvarying in nature

From this reading A retired warrior, a recent widower, but a celibate of twenty years standing owing to the fact that his late wife and himself had occupied separate continents (_on avait fait continent à part_, as the French might say) during that period, a Major-General fresh from India, an old flame and constant correspondent, had suddenly swooped down upon the boarding-house in Queen's Gate and, in swashbuckling fashion, had abducted the admirable and unresisting lady.

one of the large landmasses of the earth

From this reading A retired warrior, a recent widower, but a celibate of twenty years standing owing to the fact that his late wife and himself had occupied separate continents (_on avait fait continent à part_, as the French might say) during that period, a Major-General fresh from India, an old flame and constant correspondent, had suddenly swooped down upon the boarding-house in Queen's Gate and, in swashbuckling fashion, had abducted the admirable and unresisting lady.

plural of “continent” — one of the large landmasses of the earth

From this reading A retired warrior, a recent widower, but a celibate of twenty years standing owing to the fact that his late wife and himself had occupied separate continents (_on avait fait continent à part_, as the French might say) during that period, a Major-General fresh from India, an old flame and constant correspondent, had suddenly swooped down upon the boarding-house in Queen's Gate and, in swashbuckling fashion, had abducted the admirable and unresisting lady.

third-person singular of “convey” — (of information) make known; pass on

From this reading About this time a bolt came from the blue or a bomb fell at our feet--the metaphor doesn't matter so long as it conveys a sense of an unlooked-for phenomenon.

someone who communicates by means of letters

From this reading A retired warrior, a recent widower, but a celibate of twenty years standing owing to the fact that his late wife and himself had occupied separate continents (_on avait fait continent à part_, as the French might say) during that period, a Major-General fresh from India, an old flame and constant correspondent, had suddenly swooped down upon the boarding-house in Queen's Gate and, in swashbuckling fashion, had abducted the admirable and unresisting lady.

of or from or pertaining to or characteristic of the cosmos or universe

From this reading True, in relation to cosmic forces, it was but a trumpery bolt or a squib-like bomb; but it startled us all the same.

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

From this reading About this time a bolt came from the blue or a bomb fell at our feet--the metaphor doesn't matter so long as it conveys a sense of an unlooked-for phenomenon.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading A retired warrior, a recent widower, but a celibate of twenty years standing owing to the fact that his late wife and himself had occupied separate continents (_on avait fait continent à part_, as the French might say) during that period, a Major-General fresh from India, an old flame and constant correspondent, had suddenly swooped down upon the boarding-house in Queen's Gate and, in swashbuckling fashion, had abducted the admirable and unresisting lady.

all through a period, or at some point within it

From this reading A retired warrior, a recent widower, but a celibate of twenty years standing owing to the fact that his late wife and himself had occupied separate continents (_on avait fait continent à part_, as the French might say) during that period, a Major-General fresh from India, an old flame and constant correspondent, had suddenly swooped down upon the boarding-house in Queen's Gate and, in swashbuckling fashion, had abducted the admirable and unresisting lady.

opinion or judgment

From this reading It was a matter of special license, and off went the tardily happy pair to Margate, before we had finished rubbing our eyes.

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

From this reading A retired warrior, a recent widower, but a celibate of twenty years standing owing to the fact that his late wife and himself had occupied separate continents (_on avait fait continent à part_, as the French might say) during that period, a Major-General fresh from India, an old flame and constant correspondent, had suddenly swooped down upon the boarding-house in Queen's Gate and, in swashbuckling fashion, had abducted the admirable and unresisting lady.

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

From this reading A retired warrior, a recent widower, but a celibate of twenty years standing owing to the fact that his late wife and himself had occupied separate continents (_on avait fait continent à part_, as the French might say) during that period, a Major-General fresh from India, an old flame and constant correspondent, had suddenly swooped down upon the boarding-house in Queen's Gate and, in swashbuckling fashion, had abducted the admirable and unresisting lady.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading A retired warrior, a recent widower, but a celibate of twenty years standing owing to the fact that his late wife and himself had occupied separate continents (_on avait fait continent à part_, as the French might say) during that period, a Major-General fresh from India, an old flame and constant correspondent, had suddenly swooped down upon the boarding-house in Queen's Gate and, in swashbuckling fashion, had abducted the admirable and unresisting lady.

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

From this reading About this time a bolt came from the blue or a bomb fell at our feet--the metaphor doesn't matter so long as it conveys a sense of an unlooked-for phenomenon.

cause to fall by or as if by delivering a blow

From this reading About this time a bolt came from the blue or a bomb fell at our feet--the metaphor doesn't matter so long as it conveys a sense of an unlooked-for phenomenon.

(of materials or goods) brought to the desired final state

From this reading It was a matter of special license, and off went the tardily happy pair to Margate, before we had finished rubbing our eyes.

A hot glowing body of ignited gas produced by fire.

From this reading A retired warrior, a recent widower, but a celibate of twenty years standing owing to the fact that his late wife and himself had occupied separate continents (_on avait fait continent à part_, as the French might say) during that period, a Major-General fresh from India, an old flame and constant correspondent, had suddenly swooped down upon the boarding-house in Queen's Gate and, in swashbuckling fashion, had abducted the admirable and unresisting lady.

plural of “force” — a powerful effect or influence

From this reading True, in relation to cosmic forces, it was but a trumpery bolt or a squib-like bomb; but it startled us all the same.

the Romance language spoken in France and in countries colonized by France

From this reading A retired warrior, a recent widower, but a celibate of twenty years standing owing to the fact that his late wife and himself had occupied separate continents (_on avait fait continent à part_, as the French might say) during that period, a Major-General fresh from India, an old flame and constant correspondent, had suddenly swooped down upon the boarding-house in Queen's Gate and, in swashbuckling fashion, had abducted the admirable and unresisting lady.

recently made, produced, or harvested

From this reading A retired warrior, a recent widower, but a celibate of twenty years standing owing to the fact that his late wife and himself had occupied separate continents (_on avait fait continent à part_, as the French might say) during that period, a Major-General fresh from India, an old flame and constant correspondent, had suddenly swooped down upon the boarding-house in Queen's Gate and, in swashbuckling fashion, had abducted the admirable and unresisting lady.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading About this time a bolt came from the blue or a bomb fell at our feet--the metaphor doesn't matter so long as it conveys a sense of an unlooked-for phenomenon.

a movable barrier in a fence or wall

From this reading A retired warrior, a recent widower, but a celibate of twenty years standing owing to the fact that his late wife and himself had occupied separate continents (_on avait fait continent à part_, as the French might say) during that period, a Major-General fresh from India, an old flame and constant correspondent, had suddenly swooped down upon the boarding-house in Queen's Gate and, in swashbuckling fashion, had abducted the admirable and unresisting lady.

inflected form of “get” — come into the possession of something concrete or abstract

From this reading The admirable Mrs. Considine got married.

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

From this reading A retired warrior, a recent widower, but a celibate of twenty years standing owing to the fact that his late wife and himself had occupied separate continents (_on avait fait continent à part_, as the French might say) during that period, a Major-General fresh from India, an old flame and constant correspondent, had suddenly swooped down upon the boarding-house in Queen's Gate and, in swashbuckling fashion, had abducted the admirable and unresisting lady.

enjoying or showing or marked by joy or pleasure

From this reading It was a matter of special license, and off went the tardily happy pair to Margate, before we had finished rubbing our eyes.

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

From this reading A retired warrior, a recent widower, but a celibate of twenty years standing owing to the fact that his late wife and himself had occupied separate continents (_on avait fait continent à part_, as the French might say) during that period, a Major-General fresh from India, an old flame and constant correspondent, had suddenly swooped down upon the boarding-house in Queen's Gate and, in swashbuckling fashion, had abducted the admirable and unresisting lady.

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

From this reading A retired warrior, a recent widower, but a celibate of twenty years standing owing to the fact that his late wife and himself had occupied separate continents (_on avait fait continent à part_, as the French might say) during that period, a Major-General fresh from India, an old flame and constant correspondent, had suddenly swooped down upon the boarding-house in Queen's Gate and, in swashbuckling fashion, had abducted the admirable and unresisting lady.

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

From this reading True, in relation to cosmic forces, it was but a trumpery bolt or a squib-like bomb; but it startled us all the same.

a republic in the Asian subcontinent in southern Asia; second most populous country in the world; achieved independence from the United Kingdom in 1947

From this reading A retired warrior, a recent widower, but a celibate of twenty years standing owing to the fact that his late wife and himself had occupied separate continents (_on avait fait continent à part_, as the French might say) during that period, a Major-General fresh from India, an old flame and constant correspondent, had suddenly swooped down upon the boarding-house in Queen's Gate and, in swashbuckling fashion, had abducted the admirable and unresisting lady.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading About this time a bolt came from the blue or a bomb fell at our feet--the metaphor doesn't matter so long as it conveys a sense of an unlooked-for phenomenon.

a polite name for any woman

From this reading A retired warrior, a recent widower, but a celibate of twenty years standing owing to the fact that his late wife and himself had occupied separate continents (_on avait fait continent à part_, as the French might say) during that period, a Major-General fresh from India, an old flame and constant correspondent, had suddenly swooped down upon the boarding-house in Queen's Gate and, in swashbuckling fashion, had abducted the admirable and unresisting lady.

being or occurring at an advanced period of time or after a usual or expected time

From this reading A retired warrior, a recent widower, but a celibate of twenty years standing owing to the fact that his late wife and himself had occupied separate continents (_on avait fait continent à part_, as the French might say) during that period, a Major-General fresh from India, an old flame and constant correspondent, had suddenly swooped down upon the boarding-house in Queen's Gate and, in swashbuckling fashion, had abducted the admirable and unresisting lady.

a legal document giving official permission to do something

From this reading It was a matter of special license, and off went the tardily happy pair to Margate, before we had finished rubbing our eyes.

primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified

From this reading About this time a bolt came from the blue or a bomb fell at our feet--the metaphor doesn't matter so long as it conveys a sense of an unlooked-for phenomenon.

a general officer ranking above a brigadier general and below a lieutenant general

From this reading A retired warrior, a recent widower, but a celibate of twenty years standing owing to the fact that his late wife and himself had occupied separate continents (_on avait fait continent à part_, as the French might say) during that period, a Major-General fresh from India, an old flame and constant correspondent, had suddenly swooped down upon the boarding-house in Queen's Gate and, in swashbuckling fashion, had abducted the admirable and unresisting lady.

a grunt with a red mouth that is found from Florida to Brazil

From this reading It was a matter of special license, and off went the tardily happy pair to Margate, before we had finished rubbing our eyes.

joined in matrimony

From this reading The admirable Mrs. Considine got married.

a vaguely specified concern

From this reading About this time a bolt came from the blue or a bomb fell at our feet--the metaphor doesn't matter so long as it conveys a sense of an unlooked-for phenomenon.

a figure of speech in which an expression is used to refer to something that it does not literally denote in order to suggest a similarity

From this reading About this time a bolt came from the blue or a bomb fell at our feet--the metaphor doesn't matter so long as it conveys a sense of an unlooked-for phenomenon.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading A retired warrior, a recent widower, but a celibate of twenty years standing owing to the fact that his late wife and himself had occupied separate continents (_on avait fait continent à part_, as the French might say) during that period, a Major-General fresh from India, an old flame and constant correspondent, had suddenly swooped down upon the boarding-house in Queen's Gate and, in swashbuckling fashion, had abducted the admirable and unresisting lady.

a form of address for a married woman

From this reading The admirable Mrs. Considine got married.

held or filled or in use

From this reading A retired warrior, a recent widower, but a celibate of twenty years standing owing to the fact that his late wife and himself had occupied separate continents (_on avait fait continent à part_, as the French might say) during that period, a Major-General fresh from India, an old flame and constant correspondent, had suddenly swooped down upon the boarding-house in Queen's Gate and, in swashbuckling fashion, had abducted the admirable and unresisting lady.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading About this time a bolt came from the blue or a bomb fell at our feet--the metaphor doesn't matter so long as it conveys a sense of an unlooked-for phenomenon.

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading It was a matter of special license, and off went the tardily happy pair to Margate, before we had finished rubbing our eyes.

(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age

From this reading A retired warrior, a recent widower, but a celibate of twenty years standing owing to the fact that his late wife and himself had occupied separate continents (_on avait fait continent à part_, as the French might say) during that period, a Major-General fresh from India, an old flame and constant correspondent, had suddenly swooped down upon the boarding-house in Queen's Gate and, in swashbuckling fashion, had abducted the admirable and unresisting lady.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading A retired warrior, a recent widower, but a celibate of twenty years standing owing to the fact that his late wife and himself had occupied separate continents (_on avait fait continent à part_, as the French might say) during that period, a Major-General fresh from India, an old flame and constant correspondent, had suddenly swooped down upon the boarding-house in Queen's Gate and, in swashbuckling fashion, had abducted the admirable and unresisting lady.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading About this time a bolt came from the blue or a bomb fell at our feet--the metaphor doesn't matter so long as it conveys a sense of an unlooked-for phenomenon.

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading About this time a bolt came from the blue or a bomb fell at our feet--the metaphor doesn't matter so long as it conveys a sense of an unlooked-for phenomenon.

owed as a debt

From this reading A retired warrior, a recent widower, but a celibate of twenty years standing owing to the fact that his late wife and himself had occupied separate continents (_on avait fait continent à part_, as the French might say) during that period, a Major-General fresh from India, an old flame and constant correspondent, had suddenly swooped down upon the boarding-house in Queen's Gate and, in swashbuckling fashion, had abducted the admirable and unresisting lady.

a set of two similar things considered as a unit

From this reading It was a matter of special license, and off went the tardily happy pair to Margate, before we had finished rubbing our eyes.

something determined in relation to something that includes it

From this reading A retired warrior, a recent widower, but a celibate of twenty years standing owing to the fact that his late wife and himself had occupied separate continents (_on avait fait continent à part_, as the French might say) during that period, a Major-General fresh from India, an old flame and constant correspondent, had suddenly swooped down upon the boarding-house in Queen's Gate and, in swashbuckling fashion, had abducted the admirable and unresisting lady.

an amount of time

From this reading A retired warrior, a recent widower, but a celibate of twenty years standing owing to the fact that his late wife and himself had occupied separate continents (_on avait fait continent à part_, as the French might say) during that period, a Major-General fresh from India, an old flame and constant correspondent, had suddenly swooped down upon the boarding-house in Queen's Gate and, in swashbuckling fashion, had abducted the admirable and unresisting lady.

any state or process known through the senses rather than by intuition or reasoning

From this reading About this time a bolt came from the blue or a bomb fell at our feet--the metaphor doesn't matter so long as it conveys a sense of an unlooked-for phenomenon.

possessive form of “queen” — the only fertile female in a colony of social insects such as bees and ants and termites; its function is to lay eggs

From this reading A retired warrior, a recent widower, but a celibate of twenty years standing owing to the fact that his late wife and himself had occupied separate continents (_on avait fait continent à part_, as the French might say) during that period, a Major-General fresh from India, an old flame and constant correspondent, had suddenly swooped down upon the boarding-house in Queen's Gate and, in swashbuckling fashion, had abducted the admirable and unresisting lady.

new

From this reading A retired warrior, a recent widower, but a celibate of twenty years standing owing to the fact that his late wife and himself had occupied separate continents (_on avait fait continent à part_, as the French might say) during that period, a Major-General fresh from India, an old flame and constant correspondent, had suddenly swooped down upon the boarding-house in Queen's Gate and, in swashbuckling fashion, had abducted the admirable and unresisting lady.

an abstraction belonging to or characteristic of two entities or parts together

From this reading True, in relation to cosmic forces, it was but a trumpery bolt or a squib-like bomb; but it startled us all the same.

no longer active in your work or profession

From this reading A retired warrior, a recent widower, but a celibate of twenty years standing owing to the fact that his late wife and himself had occupied separate continents (_on avait fait continent à part_, as the French might say) during that period, a Major-General fresh from India, an old flame and constant correspondent, had suddenly swooped down upon the boarding-house in Queen's Gate and, in swashbuckling fashion, had abducted the admirable and unresisting lady.

the resistance encountered when one body is moved in contact with another

From this reading It was a matter of special license, and off went the tardily happy pair to Margate, before we had finished rubbing our eyes.

Identical; not different.

From this reading True, in relation to cosmic forces, it was but a trumpery bolt or a squib-like bomb; but it startled us all the same.

express in words

From this reading A retired warrior, a recent widower, but a celibate of twenty years standing owing to the fact that his late wife and himself had occupied separate continents (_on avait fait continent à part_, as the French might say) during that period, a Major-General fresh from India, an old flame and constant correspondent, had suddenly swooped down upon the boarding-house in Queen's Gate and, in swashbuckling fashion, had abducted the admirable and unresisting lady.

a general conscious awareness

From this reading About this time a bolt came from the blue or a bomb fell at our feet--the metaphor doesn't matter so long as it conveys a sense of an unlooked-for phenomenon.

act as a barrier between; stand between

From this reading A retired warrior, a recent widower, but a celibate of twenty years standing owing to the fact that his late wife and himself had occupied separate continents (_on avait fait continent à part_, as the French might say) during that period, a Major-General fresh from India, an old flame and constant correspondent, had suddenly swooped down upon the boarding-house in Queen's Gate and, in swashbuckling fashion, had abducted the admirable and unresisting lady.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading About this time a bolt came from the blue or a bomb fell at our feet--the metaphor doesn't matter so long as it conveys a sense of an unlooked-for phenomenon.

unique or specific to a person or thing or category

From this reading It was a matter of special license, and off went the tardily happy pair to Margate, before we had finished rubbing our eyes.

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

From this reading True, in relation to cosmic forces, it was but a trumpery bolt or a squib-like bomb; but it startled us all the same.

having a supporting base

From this reading A retired warrior, a recent widower, but a celibate of twenty years standing owing to the fact that his late wife and himself had occupied separate continents (_on avait fait continent à part_, as the French might say) during that period, a Major-General fresh from India, an old flame and constant correspondent, had suddenly swooped down upon the boarding-house in Queen's Gate and, in swashbuckling fashion, had abducted the admirable and unresisting lady.

excited by sudden surprise or alarm and making a quick involuntary movement

From this reading True, in relation to cosmic forces, it was but a trumpery bolt or a squib-like bomb; but it startled us all the same.

happening unexpectedly

From this reading A retired warrior, a recent widower, but a celibate of twenty years standing owing to the fact that his late wife and himself had occupied separate continents (_on avait fait continent à part_, as the French might say) during that period, a Major-General fresh from India, an old flame and constant correspondent, had suddenly swooped down upon the boarding-house in Queen's Gate and, in swashbuckling fashion, had abducted the admirable and unresisting lady.

flamboyantly reckless and boastful behavior

From this reading A retired warrior, a recent widower, but a celibate of twenty years standing owing to the fact that his late wife and himself had occupied separate continents (_on avait fait continent à part_, as the French might say) during that period, a Major-General fresh from India, an old flame and constant correspondent, had suddenly swooped down upon the boarding-house in Queen's Gate and, in swashbuckling fashion, had abducted the admirable and unresisting lady.

past form of “swoop” — move down on as if in an attack

From this reading A retired warrior, a recent widower, but a celibate of twenty years standing owing to the fact that his late wife and himself had occupied separate continents (_on avait fait continent à part_, as the French might say) during that period, a Major-General fresh from India, an old flame and constant correspondent, had suddenly swooped down upon the boarding-house in Queen's Gate and, in swashbuckling fashion, had abducted the admirable and unresisting lady.

without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)

From this reading It was a matter of special license, and off went the tardily happy pair to Margate, before we had finished rubbing our eyes.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading A retired warrior, a recent widower, but a celibate of twenty years standing owing to the fact that his late wife and himself had occupied separate continents (_on avait fait continent à part_, as the French might say) during that period, a Major-General fresh from India, an old flame and constant correspondent, had suddenly swooped down upon the boarding-house in Queen's Gate and, in swashbuckling fashion, had abducted the admirable and unresisting lady.

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

From this reading About this time a bolt came from the blue or a bomb fell at our feet--the metaphor doesn't matter so long as it conveys a sense of an unlooked-for phenomenon.

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

From this reading About this time a bolt came from the blue or a bomb fell at our feet--the metaphor doesn't matter so long as it conveys a sense of an unlooked-for phenomenon.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading About this time a bolt came from the blue or a bomb fell at our feet--the metaphor doesn't matter so long as it conveys a sense of an unlooked-for phenomenon.

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

From this reading True, in relation to cosmic forces, it was but a trumpery bolt or a squib-like bomb; but it startled us all the same.

consistent with fact or reality; not false

From this reading True, in relation to cosmic forces, it was but a trumpery bolt or a squib-like bomb; but it startled us all the same.

nonsensical talk or writing

From this reading True, in relation to cosmic forces, it was but a trumpery bolt or a squib-like bomb; but it startled us all the same.

the cardinal number that is the sum of nineteen and one

From this reading A retired warrior, a recent widower, but a celibate of twenty years standing owing to the fact that his late wife and himself had occupied separate continents (_on avait fait continent à part_, as the French might say) during that period, a Major-General fresh from India, an old flame and constant correspondent, had suddenly swooped down upon the boarding-house in Queen's Gate and, in swashbuckling fashion, had abducted the admirable and unresisting lady.

not anticipated

From this reading About this time a bolt came from the blue or a bomb fell at our feet--the metaphor doesn't matter so long as it conveys a sense of an unlooked-for phenomenon.

offering no resistance

From this reading A retired warrior, a recent widower, but a celibate of twenty years standing owing to the fact that his late wife and himself had occupied separate continents (_on avait fait continent à part_, as the French might say) during that period, a Major-General fresh from India, an old flame and constant correspondent, had suddenly swooped down upon the boarding-house in Queen's Gate and, in swashbuckling fashion, had abducted the admirable and unresisting lady.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading A retired warrior, a recent widower, but a celibate of twenty years standing owing to the fact that his late wife and himself had occupied separate continents (_on avait fait continent à part_, as the French might say) during that period, a Major-General fresh from India, an old flame and constant correspondent, had suddenly swooped down upon the boarding-house in Queen's Gate and, in swashbuckling fashion, had abducted the admirable and unresisting lady.

the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading True, in relation to cosmic forces, it was but a trumpery bolt or a squib-like bomb; but it startled us all the same.

someone engaged in or experienced in warfare

From this reading A retired warrior, a recent widower, but a celibate of twenty years standing owing to the fact that his late wife and himself had occupied separate continents (_on avait fait continent à part_, as the French might say) during that period, a Major-General fresh from India, an old flame and constant correspondent, had suddenly swooped down upon the boarding-house in Queen's Gate and, in swashbuckling fashion, had abducted the admirable and unresisting lady.

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

From this reading True, in relation to cosmic forces, it was but a trumpery bolt or a squib-like bomb; but it startled us all the same.

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading It was a matter of special license, and off went the tardily happy pair to Margate, before we had finished rubbing our eyes.

inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading It was a matter of special license, and off went the tardily happy pair to Margate, before we had finished rubbing our eyes.

a man whose wife is dead especially one who has not remarried

From this reading A retired warrior, a recent widower, but a celibate of twenty years standing owing to the fact that his late wife and himself had occupied separate continents (_on avait fait continent à part_, as the French might say) during that period, a Major-General fresh from India, an old flame and constant correspondent, had suddenly swooped down upon the boarding-house in Queen's Gate and, in swashbuckling fashion, had abducted the admirable and unresisting lady.

a married woman; a man's partner in marriage

From this reading A retired warrior, a recent widower, but a celibate of twenty years standing owing to the fact that his late wife and himself had occupied separate continents (_on avait fait continent à part_, as the French might say) during that period, a Major-General fresh from India, an old flame and constant correspondent, had suddenly swooped down upon the boarding-house in Queen's Gate and, in swashbuckling fashion, had abducted the admirable and unresisting lady.

a late time of life

From this reading A retired warrior, a recent widower, but a celibate of twenty years standing owing to the fact that his late wife and himself had occupied separate continents (_on avait fait continent à part_, as the French might say) during that period, a Major-General fresh from India, an old flame and constant correspondent, had suddenly swooped down upon the boarding-house in Queen's Gate and, in swashbuckling fashion, had abducted the admirable and unresisting lady.

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

From this reading A retired warrior, a recent widower, but a celibate of twenty years standing owing to the fact that his late wife and himself had occupied separate continents (_on avait fait continent à part_, as the French might say) during that period, a Major-General fresh from India, an old flame and constant correspondent, had suddenly swooped down upon the boarding-house in Queen's Gate and, in swashbuckling fashion, had abducted the admirable and unresisting lady.