Chapter XXXI · Chapter 31

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

From this reading The Sinister Glance--Excellent Correspondent--Quite Original--My System--A Losing Trade--Merit--Starting a Review--What Have You Got?--Stop!--Dairyman's Daughter--Oxford Principles--More Conversation--How is This?

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading He was a tall stout man, about sixty, dressed in a loose morning gown.

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

From this reading The expression of his countenance would have been bluff but for a certain sinister glance, and his complexion might have been called rubicund but for a considerable tinge of bilious yellow.

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

From this reading Of these individuals he who appeared to be the principal stood with his back to the fireplace.

in or to or toward a former location

From this reading Of these individuals he who appeared to be the principal stood with his back to the fireplace.

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

From this reading Of these individuals he who appeared to be the principal stood with his back to the fireplace.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading The expression of his countenance would have been bluff but for a certain sinister glance, and his complexion might have been called rubicund but for a considerable tinge of bilious yellow.

relating to or containing bile

From this reading The expression of his countenance would have been bluff but for a certain sinister glance, and his complexion might have been called rubicund but for a considerable tinge of bilious yellow.

a high steep bank (usually formed by river erosion)

From this reading The expression of his countenance would have been bluff but for a certain sinister glance, and his complexion might have been called rubicund but for a considerable tinge of bilious yellow.

plural of “bookcase” — a piece of furniture with shelves for storing books

From this reading There were two individuals in the room in which I now found myself; it was a small study, surrounded with bookcases, the window looking out upon the square.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading The expression of his countenance would have been bluff but for a certain sinister glance, and his complexion might have been called rubicund but for a considerable tinge of bilious yellow.

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

From this reading The expression of his countenance would have been bluff but for a certain sinister glance, and his complexion might have been called rubicund but for a considerable tinge of bilious yellow.

definite but not specified or identified

From this reading The expression of his countenance would have been bluff but for a certain sinister glance, and his complexion might have been called rubicund but for a considerable tinge of bilious yellow.

the coloring of a person's face

From this reading The expression of his countenance would have been bluff but for a certain sinister glance, and his complexion might have been called rubicund but for a considerable tinge of bilious yellow.

large or relatively large in number or amount or extent or degree

From this reading The expression of his countenance would have been bluff but for a certain sinister glance, and his complexion might have been called rubicund but for a considerable tinge of bilious yellow.

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

From this reading The Sinister Glance--Excellent Correspondent--Quite Original--My System--A Losing Trade--Merit--Starting a Review--What Have You Got?--Stop!--Dairyman's Daughter--Oxford Principles--More Conversation--How is This?

someone who communicates by means of letters

From this reading The Sinister Glance--Excellent Correspondent--Quite Original--My System--A Losing Trade--Merit--Starting a Review--What Have You Got?--Stop!--Dairyman's Daughter--Oxford Principles--More Conversation--How is This?

the appearance conveyed by a person's face

From this reading The expression of his countenance would have been bluff but for a certain sinister glance, and his complexion might have been called rubicund but for a considerable tinge of bilious yellow.

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

From this reading The Sinister Glance--Excellent Correspondent--Quite Original--My System--A Losing Trade--Merit--Starting a Review--What Have You Got?--Stop!--Dairyman's Daughter--Oxford Principles--More Conversation--How is This?

a female human offspring

From this reading The Sinister Glance--Excellent Correspondent--Quite Original--My System--A Losing Trade--Merit--Starting a Review--What Have You Got?--Stop!--Dairyman's Daughter--Oxford Principles--More Conversation--How is This?

dressed or clothed especially in fine attire; often used in combination

From this reading He was a tall stout man, about sixty, dressed in a loose morning gown.

very good; of the highest quality

From this reading The Sinister Glance--Excellent Correspondent--Quite Original--My System--A Losing Trade--Merit--Starting a Review--What Have You Got?--Stop!--Dairyman's Daughter--Oxford Principles--More Conversation--How is This?

the feelings expressed on a person's face

From this reading The expression of his countenance would have been bluff but for a certain sinister glance, and his complexion might have been called rubicund but for a considerable tinge of bilious yellow.

an open recess in a wall at the base of a chimney where a fire can be built

From this reading Of these individuals he who appeared to be the principal stood with his back to the fireplace.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading The expression of his countenance would have been bluff but for a certain sinister glance, and his complexion might have been called rubicund but for a considerable tinge of bilious yellow.

set up or found

From this reading There were two individuals in the room in which I now found myself; it was a small study, surrounded with bookcases, the window looking out upon the square.

throw a glance at; take a brief look at

From this reading The Sinister Glance--Excellent Correspondent--Quite Original--My System--A Losing Trade--Merit--Starting a Review--What Have You Got?--Stop!--Dairyman's Daughter--Oxford Principles--More Conversation--How is This?

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

From this reading The Sinister Glance--Excellent Correspondent--Quite Original--My System--A Losing Trade--Merit--Starting a Review--What Have You Got?--Stop!--Dairyman's Daughter--Oxford Principles--More Conversation--How is This?

a woman's dress, usually with a close-fitting bodice and a long flared skirt, often worn on formal occasions

From this reading He was a tall stout man, about sixty, dressed in a loose morning gown.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading The Sinister Glance--Excellent Correspondent--Quite Original--My System--A Losing Trade--Merit--Starting a Review--What Have You Got?--Stop!--Dairyman's Daughter--Oxford Principles--More Conversation--How is This?

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

From this reading Of these individuals he who appeared to be the principal stood with his back to the fireplace.

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

From this reading Of these individuals he who appeared to be the principal stood with his back to the fireplace.

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

From this reading The Sinister Glance--Excellent Correspondent--Quite Original--My System--A Losing Trade--Merit--Starting a Review--What Have You Got?--Stop!--Dairyman's Daughter--Oxford Principles--More Conversation--How is This?

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

From this reading There were two individuals in the room in which I now found myself; it was a small study, surrounded with bookcases, the window looking out upon the square.

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

From this reading There were two individuals in the room in which I now found myself; it was a small study, surrounded with bookcases, the window looking out upon the square.

plural of “individual” — a human being

From this reading There were two individuals in the room in which I now found myself; it was a small study, surrounded with bookcases, the window looking out upon the square.

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

From this reading The Sinister Glance--Excellent Correspondent--Quite Original--My System--A Losing Trade--Merit--Starting a Review--What Have You Got?--Stop!--Dairyman's Daughter--Oxford Principles--More Conversation--How is This?

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading There were two individuals in the room in which I now found myself; it was a small study, surrounded with bookcases, the window looking out upon the square.

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

From this reading There were two individuals in the room in which I now found myself; it was a small study, surrounded with bookcases, the window looking out upon the square.

not compact or dense in structure or arrangement

From this reading He was a tall stout man, about sixty, dressed in a loose morning gown.

-ing form of “lose” — fail to keep or to maintain; cease to have, either physically or in an abstract sense

From this reading The Sinister Glance--Excellent Correspondent--Quite Original--My System--A Losing Trade--Merit--Starting a Review--What Have You Got?--Stop!--Dairyman's Daughter--Oxford Principles--More Conversation--How is This?

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

From this reading He was a tall stout man, about sixty, dressed in a loose morning gown.

any admirable quality or attribute

From this reading The Sinister Glance--Excellent Correspondent--Quite Original--My System--A Losing Trade--Merit--Starting a Review--What Have You Got?--Stop!--Dairyman's Daughter--Oxford Principles--More Conversation--How is This?

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading The expression of his countenance would have been bluff but for a certain sinister glance, and his complexion might have been called rubicund but for a considerable tinge of bilious yellow.

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading The Sinister Glance--Excellent Correspondent--Quite Original--My System--A Losing Trade--Merit--Starting a Review--What Have You Got?--Stop!--Dairyman's Daughter--Oxford Principles--More Conversation--How is This?

the time period between dawn and noon

From this reading He was a tall stout man, about sixty, dressed in a loose morning gown.

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading The Sinister Glance--Excellent Correspondent--Quite Original--My System--A Losing Trade--Merit--Starting a Review--What Have You Got?--Stop!--Dairyman's Daughter--Oxford Principles--More Conversation--How is This?

used when the speaker is also the object of the action

From this reading There were two individuals in the room in which I now found myself; it was a small study, surrounded with bookcases, the window looking out upon the square.

in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events

From this reading There were two individuals in the room in which I now found myself; it was a small study, surrounded with bookcases, the window looking out upon the square.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Of these individuals he who appeared to be the principal stood with his back to the fireplace.

preceding all others in time or being as first made or performed

From this reading The Sinister Glance--Excellent Correspondent--Quite Original--My System--A Losing Trade--Merit--Starting a Review--What Have You Got?--Stop!--Dairyman's Daughter--Oxford Principles--More Conversation--How is This?

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading There were two individuals in the room in which I now found myself; it was a small study, surrounded with bookcases, the window looking out upon the square.

a city in southern England to the northwest of London; site of Oxford University

From this reading The Sinister Glance--Excellent Correspondent--Quite Original--My System--A Losing Trade--Merit--Starting a Review--What Have You Got?--Stop!--Dairyman's Daughter--Oxford Principles--More Conversation--How is This?

the original amount of a debt on which interest is calculated

From this reading Of these individuals he who appeared to be the principal stood with his back to the fireplace.

plural of “principle” — a basic generalization that is accepted as true and that can be used as a basis for reasoning or conduct

From this reading The Sinister Glance--Excellent Correspondent--Quite Original--My System--A Losing Trade--Merit--Starting a Review--What Have You Got?--Stop!--Dairyman's Daughter--Oxford Principles--More Conversation--How is This?

to a degree (not used with a negative)

From this reading The Sinister Glance--Excellent Correspondent--Quite Original--My System--A Losing Trade--Merit--Starting a Review--What Have You Got?--Stop!--Dairyman's Daughter--Oxford Principles--More Conversation--How is This?

a new appraisal or evaluation

From this reading The Sinister Glance--Excellent Correspondent--Quite Original--My System--A Losing Trade--Merit--Starting a Review--What Have You Got?--Stop!--Dairyman's Daughter--Oxford Principles--More Conversation--How is This?

an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling

From this reading There were two individuals in the room in which I now found myself; it was a small study, surrounded with bookcases, the window looking out upon the square.

inclined to a healthy reddish color often associated with outdoor life

From this reading The expression of his countenance would have been bluff but for a certain sinister glance, and his complexion might have been called rubicund but for a considerable tinge of bilious yellow.

threatening or foreshadowing evil or tragic developments

From this reading The Sinister Glance--Excellent Correspondent--Quite Original--My System--A Losing Trade--Merit--Starting a Review--What Have You Got?--Stop!--Dairyman's Daughter--Oxford Principles--More Conversation--How is This?

being ten more than fifty

From this reading He was a tall stout man, about sixty, dressed in a loose morning gown.

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

From this reading There were two individuals in the room in which I now found myself; it was a small study, surrounded with bookcases, the window looking out upon the square.

make square

From this reading There were two individuals in the room in which I now found myself; it was a small study, surrounded with bookcases, the window looking out upon the square.

(especially of eyes) bulging or protruding as with fear

From this reading The Sinister Glance--Excellent Correspondent--Quite Original--My System--A Losing Trade--Merit--Starting a Review--What Have You Got?--Stop!--Dairyman's Daughter--Oxford Principles--More Conversation--How is This?

Maintained an upright posture.

From this reading Of these individuals he who appeared to be the principal stood with his back to the fireplace.

come to a halt, stop moving

From this reading The Sinister Glance--Excellent Correspondent--Quite Original--My System--A Losing Trade--Merit--Starting a Review--What Have You Got?--Stop!--Dairyman's Daughter--Oxford Principles--More Conversation--How is This?

dependable

From this reading He was a tall stout man, about sixty, dressed in a loose morning gown.

a detailed critical inspection

From this reading There were two individuals in the room in which I now found myself; it was a small study, surrounded with bookcases, the window looking out upon the square.

confined on all sides

From this reading There were two individuals in the room in which I now found myself; it was a small study, surrounded with bookcases, the window looking out upon the square.

instrumentality that combines interrelated interacting artifacts designed to work as a coherent entity

From this reading The Sinister Glance--Excellent Correspondent--Quite Original--My System--A Losing Trade--Merit--Starting a Review--What Have You Got?--Stop!--Dairyman's Daughter--Oxford Principles--More Conversation--How is This?

great in vertical dimension; high in stature

From this reading He was a tall stout man, about sixty, dressed in a loose morning gown.

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

From this reading The Sinister Glance--Excellent Correspondent--Quite Original--My System--A Losing Trade--Merit--Starting a Review--What Have You Got?--Stop!--Dairyman's Daughter--Oxford Principles--More Conversation--How is This?

in or at that place or location

From this reading There were two individuals in the room in which I now found myself; it was a small study, surrounded with bookcases, the window looking out upon the square.

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading Of these individuals he who appeared to be the principal stood with his back to the fireplace.

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

From this reading The Sinister Glance--Excellent Correspondent--Quite Original--My System--A Losing Trade--Merit--Starting a Review--What Have You Got?--Stop!--Dairyman's Daughter--Oxford Principles--More Conversation--How is This?

a slight but appreciable amount

From this reading The expression of his countenance would have been bluff but for a certain sinister glance, and his complexion might have been called rubicund but for a considerable tinge of bilious yellow.

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

From this reading Of these individuals he who appeared to be the principal stood with his back to the fireplace.

the commercial exchange (buying and selling on domestic or international markets) of goods and services

From this reading The Sinister Glance--Excellent Correspondent--Quite Original--My System--A Losing Trade--Merit--Starting a Review--What Have You Got?--Stop!--Dairyman's Daughter--Oxford Principles--More Conversation--How is This?

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

From this reading There were two individuals in the room in which I now found myself; it was a small study, surrounded with bookcases, the window looking out upon the square.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading There were two individuals in the room in which I now found myself; it was a small study, surrounded with bookcases, the window looking out upon the square.

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

From this reading There were two individuals in the room in which I now found myself; it was a small study, surrounded with bookcases, the window looking out upon the square.

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

From this reading There were two individuals in the room in which I now found myself; it was a small study, surrounded with bookcases, the window looking out upon the square.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading The Sinister Glance--Excellent Correspondent--Quite Original--My System--A Losing Trade--Merit--Starting a Review--What Have You Got?--Stop!--Dairyman's Daughter--Oxford Principles--More Conversation--How is This?

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

From this reading There were two individuals in the room in which I now found myself; it was a small study, surrounded with bookcases, the window looking out upon the square.

which person or people

From this reading Of these individuals he who appeared to be the principal stood with his back to the fireplace.

a framework of wood or metal that contains a glass windowpane and is built into a wall or roof to admit light or air

From this reading There were two individuals in the room in which I now found myself; it was a small study, surrounded with bookcases, the window looking out upon the square.

in the company of; together with

From this reading There were two individuals in the room in which I now found myself; it was a small study, surrounded with bookcases, the window looking out upon the square.

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

From this reading The expression of his countenance would have been bluff but for a certain sinister glance, and his complexion might have been called rubicund but for a considerable tinge of bilious yellow.

of the color intermediate between green and orange in the color spectrum; of something resembling the color of an egg yolk

From this reading The expression of his countenance would have been bluff but for a certain sinister glance, and his complexion might have been called rubicund but for a considerable tinge of bilious yellow.

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading The Sinister Glance--Excellent Correspondent--Quite Original--My System--A Losing Trade--Merit--Starting a Review--What Have You Got?--Stop!--Dairyman's Daughter--Oxford Principles--More Conversation--How is This?