Chapter XII · Chapter 12

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

From this reading A shopgirl perhaps, and he was, probably--not a clerk in a shop--he looked more like a mechanic--but hardly a gentleman.

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

From this reading DISCOVERIES "Who is Alice?" she wondered on her way home, "and for whom was she waiting?"

at all times; all the time and on every occasion

From this reading He was doubtless devoid of those noble traditions by and through which, her mother had always told her, a gentleman was made out of a man--the traditions which had created Arthur and Cousin Jimmy as surely as they had created George and Charley.

plural of “amount” — a quantity of money

From this reading "I wonder what tradition really amounts to?" she thought, while she stood on the rear platform of a Harlem train, grasping the handle of the door as the car swung round a curve.

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

From this reading DISCOVERIES "Who is Alice?" she wondered on her way home, "and for whom was she waiting?"

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading Not, at any rate, what her mother or Jane would call a gentleman--not the kind of gentleman that George was, or Charley Gracey, for instance.

elected vice president and became 21st President of the United States when Garfield was assassinated (1830-1886)

From this reading He was doubtless devoid of those noble traditions by and through which, her mother had always told her, a gentleman was made out of a man--the traditions which had created Arthur and Cousin Jimmy as surely as they had created George and Charley.

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

From this reading He was doubtless devoid of those noble traditions by and through which, her mother had always told her, a gentleman was made out of a man--the traditions which had created Arthur and Cousin Jimmy as surely as they had created George and Charley.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Not, at any rate, what her mother or Jane would call a gentleman--not the kind of gentleman that George was, or Charley Gracey, for instance.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading A shopgirl perhaps, and he was, probably--not a clerk in a shop--he looked more like a mechanic--but hardly a gentleman.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading He was doubtless devoid of those noble traditions by and through which, her mother had always told her, a gentleman was made out of a man--the traditions which had created Arthur and Cousin Jimmy as surely as they had created George and Charley.

assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading Not, at any rate, what her mother or Jane would call a gentleman--not the kind of gentleman that George was, or Charley Gracey, for instance.

a motor vehicle with four wheels; usually propelled by an internal combustion engine

From this reading "I wonder what tradition really amounts to?" she thought, while she stood on the rear platform of a Harlem train, grasping the handle of the door as the car swung round a curve.

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

From this reading Not, at any rate, what her mother or Jane would call a gentleman--not the kind of gentleman that George was, or Charley Gracey, for instance.

an employee who performs clerical work (e.g., keeps records or accounts)

From this reading A shopgirl perhaps, and he was, probably--not a clerk in a shop--he looked more like a mechanic--but hardly a gentleman.

the child of your aunt or uncle

From this reading He was doubtless devoid of those noble traditions by and through which, her mother had always told her, a gentleman was made out of a man--the traditions which had created Arthur and Cousin Jimmy as surely as they had created George and Charley.

past form of “create” — make or cause to be or to become

From this reading He was doubtless devoid of those noble traditions by and through which, her mother had always told her, a gentleman was made out of a man--the traditions which had created Arthur and Cousin Jimmy as surely as they had created George and Charley.

the trace of a point whose direction of motion changes

From this reading "I wonder what tradition really amounts to?" she thought, while she stood on the rear platform of a Harlem train, grasping the handle of the door as the car swung round a curve.

completely wanting or lacking

From this reading He was doubtless devoid of those noble traditions by and through which, her mother had always told her, a gentleman was made out of a man--the traditions which had created Arthur and Cousin Jimmy as surely as they had created George and Charley.

plural of “discovery” — the act of discovering something

From this reading DISCOVERIES "Who is Alice?" she wondered on her way home, "and for whom was she waiting?"

a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle

From this reading "I wonder what tradition really amounts to?" she thought, while she stood on the rear platform of a Harlem train, grasping the handle of the door as the car swung round a curve.

without doubt; certainly

From this reading He was doubtless devoid of those noble traditions by and through which, her mother had always told her, a gentleman was made out of a man--the traditions which had created Arthur and Cousin Jimmy as surely as they had created George and Charley.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading DISCOVERIES "Who is Alice?" she wondered on her way home, "and for whom was she waiting?"

a man of refinement

From this reading A shopgirl perhaps, and he was, probably--not a clerk in a shop--he looked more like a mechanic--but hardly a gentleman.

Christian martyr; patron saint of England; hero of the legend of Saint George and the Dragon in which he slew a dragon and saved a princess (?-303)

From this reading Not, at any rate, what her mother or Jane would call a gentleman--not the kind of gentleman that George was, or Charley Gracey, for instance.

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

From this reading Not, at any rate, what her mother or Jane would call a gentleman--not the kind of gentleman that George was, or Charley Gracey, for instance.

understanding with difficulty

From this reading "I wonder what tradition really amounts to?" she thought, while she stood on the rear platform of a Harlem train, grasping the handle of the door as the car swung round a curve.

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

From this reading He was doubtless devoid of those noble traditions by and through which, her mother had always told her, a gentleman was made out of a man--the traditions which had created Arthur and Cousin Jimmy as surely as they had created George and Charley.

be in charge of, act on, or dispose of

From this reading "I wonder what tradition really amounts to?" she thought, while she stood on the rear platform of a Harlem train, grasping the handle of the door as the car swung round a curve.

only a very short time before

From this reading A shopgirl perhaps, and he was, probably--not a clerk in a shop--he looked more like a mechanic--but hardly a gentleman.

a district of Manhattan; now largely a Black ghetto

From this reading "I wonder what tradition really amounts to?" she thought, while she stood on the rear platform of a Harlem train, grasping the handle of the door as the car swung round a curve.

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

From this reading A shopgirl perhaps, and he was, probably--not a clerk in a shop--he looked more like a mechanic--but hardly a gentleman.

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

From this reading DISCOVERIES "Who is Alice?" she wondered on her way home, "and for whom was she waiting?"

where you live at a particular time

From this reading DISCOVERIES "Who is Alice?" she wondered on her way home, "and for whom was she waiting?"

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

From this reading "I wonder what tradition really amounts to?" she thought, while she stood on the rear platform of a Harlem train, grasping the handle of the door as the car swung round a curve.

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

From this reading A shopgirl perhaps, and he was, probably--not a clerk in a shop--he looked more like a mechanic--but hardly a gentleman.

an occurrence of something

From this reading Not, at any rate, what her mother or Jane would call a gentleman--not the kind of gentleman that George was, or Charley Gracey, for instance.

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

From this reading DISCOVERIES "Who is Alice?" she wondered on her way home, "and for whom was she waiting?"

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

From this reading Not, at any rate, what her mother or Jane would call a gentleman--not the kind of gentleman that George was, or Charley Gracey, for instance.

to move or force, especially in an effort to get something open

From this reading He was doubtless devoid of those noble traditions by and through which, her mother had always told her, a gentleman was made out of a man--the traditions which had created Arthur and Cousin Jimmy as surely as they had created George and Charley.

having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior

From this reading Not, at any rate, what her mother or Jane would call a gentleman--not the kind of gentleman that George was, or Charley Gracey, for instance.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading A shopgirl perhaps, and he was, probably--not a clerk in a shop--he looked more like a mechanic--but hardly a gentleman.

past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading A shopgirl perhaps, and he was, probably--not a clerk in a shop--he looked more like a mechanic--but hardly a gentleman.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading He was doubtless devoid of those noble traditions by and through which, her mother had always told her, a gentleman was made out of a man--the traditions which had created Arthur and Cousin Jimmy as surely as they had created George and Charley.

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

From this reading He was doubtless devoid of those noble traditions by and through which, her mother had always told her, a gentleman was made out of a man--the traditions which had created Arthur and Cousin Jimmy as surely as they had created George and Charley.

a craftsman skilled in operating machine tools

From this reading A shopgirl perhaps, and he was, probably--not a clerk in a shop--he looked more like a mechanic--but hardly a gentleman.

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

From this reading A shopgirl perhaps, and he was, probably--not a clerk in a shop--he looked more like a mechanic--but hardly a gentleman.

a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)

From this reading Not, at any rate, what her mother or Jane would call a gentleman--not the kind of gentleman that George was, or Charley Gracey, for instance.

impressive in appearance

From this reading He was doubtless devoid of those noble traditions by and through which, her mother had always told her, a gentleman was made out of a man--the traditions which had created Arthur and Cousin Jimmy as surely as they had created George and Charley.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading A shopgirl perhaps, and he was, probably--not a clerk in a shop--he looked more like a mechanic--but hardly a gentleman.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Not, at any rate, what her mother or Jane would call a gentleman--not the kind of gentleman that George was, or Charley Gracey, for instance.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading DISCOVERIES "Who is Alice?" she wondered on her way home, "and for whom was she waiting?"

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Not, at any rate, what her mother or Jane would call a gentleman--not the kind of gentleman that George was, or Charley Gracey, for instance.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading He was doubtless devoid of those noble traditions by and through which, her mother had always told her, a gentleman was made out of a man--the traditions which had created Arthur and Cousin Jimmy as surely as they had created George and Charley.

by chance

From this reading A shopgirl perhaps, and he was, probably--not a clerk in a shop--he looked more like a mechanic--but hardly a gentleman.

a raised horizontal surface

From this reading "I wonder what tradition really amounts to?" she thought, while she stood on the rear platform of a Harlem train, grasping the handle of the door as the car swung round a curve.

with considerable certainty; without much doubt

From this reading A shopgirl perhaps, and he was, probably--not a clerk in a shop--he looked more like a mechanic--but hardly a gentleman.

a magnitude or frequency relative to a time unit

From this reading Not, at any rate, what her mother or Jane would call a gentleman--not the kind of gentleman that George was, or Charley Gracey, for instance.

in accordance with truth or fact or reality

From this reading "I wonder what tradition really amounts to?" she thought, while she stood on the rear platform of a Harlem train, grasping the handle of the door as the car swung round a curve.

the back of a military formation or procession

From this reading "I wonder what tradition really amounts to?" she thought, while she stood on the rear platform of a Harlem train, grasping the handle of the door as the car swung round a curve.

a charge of ammunition for a single shot

From this reading "I wonder what tradition really amounts to?" she thought, while she stood on the rear platform of a Harlem train, grasping the handle of the door as the car swung round a curve.

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

From this reading DISCOVERIES "Who is Alice?" she wondered on her way home, "and for whom was she waiting?"

do one's shopping

From this reading A shopgirl perhaps, and he was, probably--not a clerk in a shop--he looked more like a mechanic--but hardly a gentleman.

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

From this reading A shopgirl perhaps, and he was, probably--not a clerk in a shop--he looked more like a mechanic--but hardly a gentleman.

Maintained an upright posture.

From this reading "I wonder what tradition really amounts to?" she thought, while she stood on the rear platform of a Harlem train, grasping the handle of the door as the car swung round a curve.

definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)

From this reading He was doubtless devoid of those noble traditions by and through which, her mother had always told her, a gentleman was made out of a man--the traditions which had created Arthur and Cousin Jimmy as surely as they had created George and Charley.

inflected form of “swing” — move in a curve or arc, usually with the intent of hitting

From this reading "I wonder what tradition really amounts to?" she thought, while she stood on the rear platform of a Harlem train, grasping the handle of the door as the car swung round a curve.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Not, at any rate, what her mother or Jane would call a gentleman--not the kind of gentleman that George was, or Charley Gracey, for instance.

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

From this reading Not, at any rate, what her mother or Jane would call a gentleman--not the kind of gentleman that George was, or Charley Gracey, for instance.

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

From this reading He was doubtless devoid of those noble traditions by and through which, her mother had always told her, a gentleman was made out of a man--the traditions which had created Arthur and Cousin Jimmy as surely as they had created George and Charley.

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading He was doubtless devoid of those noble traditions by and through which, her mother had always told her, a gentleman was made out of a man--the traditions which had created Arthur and Cousin Jimmy as surely as they had created George and Charley.

the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about

From this reading "I wonder what tradition really amounts to?" she thought, while she stood on the rear platform of a Harlem train, grasping the handle of the door as the car swung round a curve.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading He was doubtless devoid of those noble traditions by and through which, her mother had always told her, a gentleman was made out of a man--the traditions which had created Arthur and Cousin Jimmy as surely as they had created George and Charley.

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

From this reading "I wonder what tradition really amounts to?" she thought, while she stood on the rear platform of a Harlem train, grasping the handle of the door as the car swung round a curve.

inflected form of “tell” — express in words

From this reading He was doubtless devoid of those noble traditions by and through which, her mother had always told her, a gentleman was made out of a man--the traditions which had created Arthur and Cousin Jimmy as surely as they had created George and Charley.

an inherited pattern of thought or action

From this reading "I wonder what tradition really amounts to?" she thought, while she stood on the rear platform of a Harlem train, grasping the handle of the door as the car swung round a curve.

plural of “tradition” — an inherited pattern of thought or action

From this reading He was doubtless devoid of those noble traditions by and through which, her mother had always told her, a gentleman was made out of a man--the traditions which had created Arthur and Cousin Jimmy as surely as they had created George and Charley.

create by training and teaching

From this reading "I wonder what tradition really amounts to?" she thought, while she stood on the rear platform of a Harlem train, grasping the handle of the door as the car swung round a curve.

the act of waiting (remaining inactive in one place while expecting something)

From this reading DISCOVERIES "Who is Alice?" she wondered on her way home, "and for whom was she waiting?"

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

From this reading DISCOVERIES "Who is Alice?" she wondered on her way home, "and for whom was she waiting?"

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading DISCOVERIES "Who is Alice?" she wondered on her way home, "and for whom was she waiting?"

used to ask for information about something

From this reading Not, at any rate, what her mother or Jane would call a gentleman--not the kind of gentleman that George was, or Charley Gracey, for instance.

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

From this reading He was doubtless devoid of those noble traditions by and through which, her mother had always told her, a gentleman was made out of a man--the traditions which had created Arthur and Cousin Jimmy as surely as they had created George and Charley.

during the time that

From this reading "I wonder what tradition really amounts to?" she thought, while she stood on the rear platform of a Harlem train, grasping the handle of the door as the car swung round a curve.

which person or people

From this reading DISCOVERIES "Who is Alice?" she wondered on her way home, "and for whom was she waiting?"

the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading DISCOVERIES "Who is Alice?" she wondered on her way home, "and for whom was she waiting?"

the feeling aroused by something strange and surprising

From this reading "I wonder what tradition really amounts to?" she thought, while she stood on the rear platform of a Harlem train, grasping the handle of the door as the car swung round a curve.

past form of “wonder” — have a wish or desire to know something

From this reading DISCOVERIES "Who is Alice?" she wondered on her way home, "and for whom was she waiting?"

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

From this reading Not, at any rate, what her mother or Jane would call a gentleman--not the kind of gentleman that George was, or Charley Gracey, for instance.