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 He had a burning, almost feminine, longing to love and be loved: and, living alone, away from boys of his own age, he had invented two or three imaginary friends: one was called Jean, another Étienne, another François: he was always with them.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading As Antoinette grew up, she became prettier: people told her so, and she was well aware of it: it made her happy, and she wove romances about the future.

inconsistent with reason or logic or common sense

From this reading Olivier, in his sickly melancholy, was always rubbed up the wrong way by contact with the outer world: and he withdrew into the circle of his own absurd little brain: and he told himself stories.

how long something has existed

From this reading He had a burning, almost feminine, longing to love and be loved: and, living alone, away from boys of his own age, he had invented two or three imaginary friends: one was called Jean, another Étienne, another François: he was always with them.

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

From this reading He had a burning, almost feminine, longing to love and be loved: and, living alone, away from boys of his own age, he had invented two or three imaginary friends: one was called Jean, another Étienne, another François: he was always with them.

Having no one else present.

From this reading He had a burning, almost feminine, longing to love and be loved: and, living alone, away from boys of his own age, he had invented two or three imaginary friends: one was called Jean, another Étienne, another François: he was always with them.

at all times; all the time and on every occasion

From this reading Olivier, in his sickly melancholy, was always rubbed up the wrong way by contact with the outer world: and he withdrew into the circle of his own absurd little brain: and he told himself stories.

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

From this reading They went their own ways and lived in their own dreams.

one more of the same kind, or a different one

From this reading He had a burning, almost feminine, longing to love and be loved: and, living alone, away from boys of his own age, he had invented two or three imaginary friends: one was called Jean, another Étienne, another François: he was always with them.

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

From this reading As Antoinette grew up, she became prettier: people told her so, and she was well aware of it: it made her happy, and she wove romances about the future.

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

From this reading As Antoinette grew up, she became prettier: people told her so, and she was well aware of it: it made her happy, and she wove romances about the future.

(sometimes followed by “of”) having or showing knowledge or understanding or realization or perception

From this reading As Antoinette grew up, she became prettier: people told her so, and she was well aware of it: it made her happy, and she wove romances about the future.

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

From this reading He had a burning, almost feminine, longing to love and be loved: and, living alone, away from boys of his own age, he had invented two or three imaginary friends: one was called Jean, another Étienne, another François: he was always with them.

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

From this reading He had a burning, almost feminine, longing to love and be loved: and, living alone, away from boys of his own age, he had invented two or three imaginary friends: one was called Jean, another Étienne, another François: he was always with them.

inflected form of “become” — enter or assume a certain state or condition

From this reading As Antoinette grew up, she became prettier: people told her so, and she was well aware of it: it made her happy, and she wove romances about the future.

plural of “boy” — a youthful male person

From this reading He had a burning, almost feminine, longing to love and be loved: and, living alone, away from boys of his own age, he had invented two or three imaginary friends: one was called Jean, another Étienne, another François: he was always with them.

that part of the central nervous system that includes all the higher nervous centers; enclosed within the skull; continuous with the spinal cord

From this reading Olivier, in his sickly melancholy, was always rubbed up the wrong way by contact with the outer world: and he withdrew into the circle of his own absurd little brain: and he told himself stories.

the act of burning something

From this reading He had a burning, almost feminine, longing to love and be loved: and, living alone, away from boys of his own age, he had invented two or three imaginary friends: one was called Jean, another Étienne, another François: he was always with them.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading The two children were devoted to each other: but they were too different to live together.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Olivier, in his sickly melancholy, was always rubbed up the wrong way by contact with the outer world: and he withdrew into the circle of his own absurd little brain: and he told himself stories.

past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading He had a burning, almost feminine, longing to love and be loved: and, living alone, away from boys of his own age, he had invented two or three imaginary friends: one was called Jean, another Étienne, another François: he was always with them.

plural of “child” — a young person of either sex

From this reading The two children were devoted to each other: but they were too different to live together.

ellipse in which the two axes are of equal length; a plane curve generated by one point moving at a constant distance from a fixed point

From this reading Olivier, in his sickly melancholy, was always rubbed up the wrong way by contact with the outer world: and he withdrew into the circle of his own absurd little brain: and he told himself stories.

close interaction

From this reading Olivier, in his sickly melancholy, was always rubbed up the wrong way by contact with the outer world: and he withdrew into the circle of his own absurd little brain: and he told himself stories.

zealous in devotion or affection

From this reading The two children were devoted to each other: but they were too different to live together.

unlike in nature or quality or form or degree

From this reading The two children were devoted to each other: but they were too different to live together.

plural of “dream” — a series of mental images and emotions occurring during sleep

From this reading They went their own ways and lived in their own dreams.

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

From this reading The two children were devoted to each other: but they were too different to live together.

associated with women and not with men

From this reading He had a burning, almost feminine, longing to love and be loved: and, living alone, away from boys of his own age, he had invented two or three imaginary friends: one was called Jean, another Étienne, another François: he was always with them.

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

From this reading He had a burning, almost feminine, longing to love and be loved: and, living alone, away from boys of his own age, he had invented two or three imaginary friends: one was called Jean, another Étienne, another François: he was always with them.

plural of “friend” — a person you know well and regard with affection and trust

From this reading He had a burning, almost feminine, longing to love and be loved: and, living alone, away from boys of his own age, he had invented two or three imaginary friends: one was called Jean, another Étienne, another François: he was always with them.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading He had a burning, almost feminine, longing to love and be loved: and, living alone, away from boys of his own age, he had invented two or three imaginary friends: one was called Jean, another Étienne, another François: he was always with them.

yet to be or coming

From this reading As Antoinette grew up, she became prettier: people told her so, and she was well aware of it: it made her happy, and she wove romances about the future.

inflected form of “grow” — pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become

From this reading As Antoinette grew up, she became prettier: people told her so, and she was well aware of it: it made her happy, and she wove romances about the future.

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

From this reading He had a burning, almost feminine, longing to love and be loved: and, living alone, away from boys of his own age, he had invented two or three imaginary friends: one was called Jean, another Étienne, another François: he was always with them.

enjoying or showing or marked by joy or pleasure

From this reading As Antoinette grew up, she became prettier: people told her so, and she was well aware of it: it made her happy, and she wove romances about the future.

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

From this reading Olivier, in his sickly melancholy, was always rubbed up the wrong way by contact with the outer world: and he withdrew into the circle of his own absurd little brain: and he told himself stories.

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading As Antoinette grew up, she became prettier: people told her so, and she was well aware of it: it made her happy, and she wove romances about the future.

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

From this reading Olivier, in his sickly melancholy, was always rubbed up the wrong way by contact with the outer world: and he withdrew into the circle of his own absurd little brain: and he told himself stories.

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

From this reading Olivier, in his sickly melancholy, was always rubbed up the wrong way by contact with the outer world: and he withdrew into the circle of his own absurd little brain: and he told himself stories.

not based on fact; existing only in the imagination

From this reading He had a burning, almost feminine, longing to love and be loved: and, living alone, away from boys of his own age, he had invented two or three imaginary friends: one was called Jean, another Étienne, another François: he was always with them.

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

From this reading They went their own ways and lived in their own dreams.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading Olivier, in his sickly melancholy, was always rubbed up the wrong way by contact with the outer world: and he withdrew into the circle of his own absurd little brain: and he told himself stories.

past form of “invent” — come up with (an idea, plan, explanation, theory, or principle) after a mental effort

From this reading He had a burning, almost feminine, longing to love and be loved: and, living alone, away from boys of his own age, he had invented two or three imaginary friends: one was called Jean, another Étienne, another François: he was always with them.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading As Antoinette grew up, she became prettier: people told her so, and she was well aware of it: it made her happy, and she wove romances about the future.

a coarse durable twill-weave cotton fabric

From this reading He had a burning, almost feminine, longing to love and be loved: and, living alone, away from boys of his own age, he had invented two or three imaginary friends: one was called Jean, another Étienne, another François: he was always with them.

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

From this reading Olivier, in his sickly melancholy, was always rubbed up the wrong way by contact with the outer world: and he withdrew into the circle of his own absurd little brain: and he told himself stories.

be an inhabitant of or reside in

From this reading The two children were devoted to each other: but they were too different to live together.

past form of “live” — be an inhabitant of or reside in

From this reading They went their own ways and lived in their own dreams.

the experience of being alive; the course of human events and activities

From this reading He had a burning, almost feminine, longing to love and be loved: and, living alone, away from boys of his own age, he had invented two or three imaginary friends: one was called Jean, another Étienne, another François: he was always with them.

prolonged unfulfilled desire or need

From this reading He had a burning, almost feminine, longing to love and be loved: and, living alone, away from boys of his own age, he had invented two or three imaginary friends: one was called Jean, another Étienne, another François: he was always with them.

a strong positive emotion of regard and affection

From this reading He had a burning, almost feminine, longing to love and be loved: and, living alone, away from boys of his own age, he had invented two or three imaginary friends: one was called Jean, another Étienne, another François: he was always with them.

held dear

From this reading He had a burning, almost feminine, longing to love and be loved: and, living alone, away from boys of his own age, he had invented two or three imaginary friends: one was called Jean, another Étienne, another François: he was always with them.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading As Antoinette grew up, she became prettier: people told her so, and she was well aware of it: it made her happy, and she wove romances about the future.

a feeling of thoughtful sadness

From this reading Olivier, in his sickly melancholy, was always rubbed up the wrong way by contact with the outer world: and he withdrew into the circle of his own absurd little brain: and he told himself stories.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading As Antoinette grew up, she became prettier: people told her so, and she was well aware of it: it made her happy, and she wove romances about the future.

English actor best know for his Shakespearean roles (1907-1989)

From this reading Olivier, in his sickly melancholy, was always rubbed up the wrong way by contact with the outer world: and he withdrew into the circle of his own absurd little brain: and he told himself stories.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading He had a burning, almost feminine, longing to love and be loved: and, living alone, away from boys of his own age, he had invented two or three imaginary friends: one was called Jean, another Étienne, another François: he was always with them.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading He had a burning, almost feminine, longing to love and be loved: and, living alone, away from boys of his own age, he had invented two or three imaginary friends: one was called Jean, another Étienne, another François: he was always with them.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading The two children were devoted to each other: but they were too different to live together.

being on the outside or further from a center

From this reading Olivier, in his sickly melancholy, was always rubbed up the wrong way by contact with the outer world: and he withdrew into the circle of his own absurd little brain: and he told himself stories.

have ownership or possession of

From this reading They went their own ways and lived in their own dreams.

(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively

From this reading As Antoinette grew up, she became prettier: people told her so, and she was well aware of it: it made her happy, and she wove romances about the future.

comparative of “pretty” — pleasing by delicacy or grace; not imposing

From this reading As Antoinette grew up, she became prettier: people told her so, and she was well aware of it: it made her happy, and she wove romances about the future.

plural of “romance” — a relationship between two lovers

From this reading As Antoinette grew up, she became prettier: people told her so, and she was well aware of it: it made her happy, and she wove romances about the future.

inflected form of “rub” — move over something with pressure

From this reading Olivier, in his sickly melancholy, was always rubbed up the wrong way by contact with the outer world: and he withdrew into the circle of his own absurd little brain: and he told himself stories.

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading As Antoinette grew up, she became prettier: people told her so, and she was well aware of it: it made her happy, and she wove romances about the future.

unhealthy looking

From this reading Olivier, in his sickly melancholy, was always rubbed up the wrong way by contact with the outer world: and he withdrew into the circle of his own absurd little brain: and he told himself stories.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading As Antoinette grew up, she became prettier: people told her so, and she was well aware of it: it made her happy, and she wove romances about the future.

plural of “story” — a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program

From this reading Olivier, in his sickly melancholy, was always rubbed up the wrong way by contact with the outer world: and he withdrew into the circle of his own absurd little brain: and he told himself stories.

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

From this reading The two children were devoted to each other: but they were too different to live together.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading They went their own ways and lived in their own dreams.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading He had a burning, almost feminine, longing to love and be loved: and, living alone, away from boys of his own age, he had invented two or three imaginary friends: one was called Jean, another Étienne, another François: he was always with them.

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

From this reading The two children were devoted to each other: but they were too different to live together.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one

From this reading He had a burning, almost feminine, longing to love and be loved: and, living alone, away from boys of his own age, he had invented two or three imaginary friends: one was called Jean, another Étienne, another François: he was always with them.

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

From this reading The two children were devoted to each other: but they were too different to live together.

in contact with each other or in proximity

From this reading The two children were devoted to each other: but they were too different to live together.

inflected form of “tell” — express in words

From this reading As Antoinette grew up, she became prettier: people told her so, and she was well aware of it: it made her happy, and she wove romances about the future.

to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits

From this reading The two children were devoted to each other: but they were too different to live together.

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

From this reading The two children were devoted to each other: but they were too different to live together.

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading As Antoinette grew up, she became prettier: people told her so, and she was well aware of it: it made her happy, and she wove romances about the future.

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

From this reading As Antoinette grew up, she became prettier: people told her so, and she was well aware of it: it made her happy, and she wove romances about the future.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading Olivier, in his sickly melancholy, was always rubbed up the wrong way by contact with the outer world: and he withdrew into the circle of his own absurd little brain: and he told himself stories.

structure consisting of a sloping way down to the water from the place where ships are built or repaired

From this reading They went their own ways and lived in their own dreams.

(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)

From this reading As Antoinette grew up, she became prettier: people told her so, and she was well aware of it: it made her happy, and she wove romances about the future.

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

From this reading They went their own ways and lived in their own dreams.

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

From this reading The two children were devoted to each other: but they were too different to live together.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Olivier, in his sickly melancholy, was always rubbed up the wrong way by contact with the outer world: and he withdrew into the circle of his own absurd little brain: and he told himself stories.

inflected form of “withdraw” — pull back or move away or backward

From this reading Olivier, in his sickly melancholy, was always rubbed up the wrong way by contact with the outer world: and he withdrew into the circle of his own absurd little brain: and he told himself stories.

everything that exists anywhere

From this reading Olivier, in his sickly melancholy, was always rubbed up the wrong way by contact with the outer world: and he withdrew into the circle of his own absurd little brain: and he told himself stories.

inflected form of “weave” — interlace by or as if by weaving

From this reading As Antoinette grew up, she became prettier: people told her so, and she was well aware of it: it made her happy, and she wove romances about the future.

not correct; not in conformity with fact or truth

From this reading Olivier, in his sickly melancholy, was always rubbed up the wrong way by contact with the outer world: and he withdrew into the circle of his own absurd little brain: and he told himself stories.

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

From this reading He had a burning, almost feminine, longing to love and be loved: and, living alone, away from boys of his own age, he had invented two or three imaginary friends: one was called Jean, another Étienne, another François: he was always with them.