Chapter IV · Chapter 4

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

From this reading He looked at me for the first time, twisting the cord of his eyeglass with his finger and thumb in a fastidious way, and I thought his glance was to dissipate some doubt he had that he ought to be speaking to me at all.

(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 He looked at me for the first time, twisting the cord of his eyeglass with his finger and thumb in a fastidious way, and I thought his glance was to dissipate some doubt he had that he ought to be speaking to me at all.

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

From this reading He looked at me for the first time, twisting the cord of his eyeglass with his finger and thumb in a fastidious way, and I thought his glance was to dissipate some doubt he had that he ought to be speaking to me at all.

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

From this reading He dropped the cord suddenly as if letting go his reserve, and said slyly, with a grave smile: "Perhaps the romantic think the unknown is worth looking into because it may be better than what they know.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading He looked at me for the first time, twisting the cord of his eyeglass with his finger and thumb in a fastidious way, and I thought his glance was to dissipate some doubt he had that he ought to be speaking to me at all.

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

From this reading It was evident he thought I could be one of the romantic.

for the reason that

From this reading He dropped the cord suddenly as if letting go his reserve, and said slyly, with a grave smile: "Perhaps the romantic think the unknown is worth looking into because it may be better than what they know.

(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another

From this reading He dropped the cord suddenly as if letting go his reserve, and said slyly, with a grave smile: "Perhaps the romantic think the unknown is worth looking into because it may be better than what they know.

on the far side of; further than

From this reading At Tabacol I used to think the unknown country beyond it looked even duller than usual.

a line made of twisted fibers or threads

From this reading He looked at me for the first time, twisting the cord of his eyeglass with his finger and thumb in a fastidious way, and I thought his glance was to dissipate some doubt he had that he ought to be speaking to me at all.

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading It was evident he thought I could be one of the romantic.

a politically organized body of people under a single government

From this reading At Tabacol I used to think the unknown country beyond it looked even duller than usual.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading There was a forest, a river, a silence, and it was either day or night.

to cause to separate and go in different directions

From this reading He looked at me for the first time, twisting the cord of his eyeglass with his finger and thumb in a fastidious way, and I thought his glance was to dissipate some doubt he had that he ought to be speaking to me at all.

the state of being unsure of something

From this reading He looked at me for the first time, twisting the cord of his eyeglass with his finger and thumb in a fastidious way, and I thought his glance was to dissipate some doubt he had that he ought to be speaking to me at all.

inflected form of “drop” — let fall to the ground

From this reading He dropped the cord suddenly as if letting go his reserve, and said slyly, with a grave smile: "Perhaps the romantic think the unknown is worth looking into because it may be better than what they know.

comparative of “dull” — lacking in liveliness or animation

From this reading At Tabacol I used to think the unknown country beyond it looked even duller than usual.

one or the other of two

From this reading There was a forest, a river, a silence, and it was either day or night.

divisible by two

From this reading At Tabacol I used to think the unknown country beyond it looked even duller than usual.

clearly revealed to the mind or the senses or judgment

From this reading It was evident he thought I could be one of the romantic.

lens for correcting defective vision in one eye; held in place by facial muscles

From this reading He looked at me for the first time, twisting the cord of his eyeglass with his finger and thumb in a fastidious way, and I thought his glance was to dissipate some doubt he had that he ought to be speaking to me at all.

giving careful attention to detail; hard to please; excessively concerned with cleanliness

From this reading He looked at me for the first time, twisting the cord of his eyeglass with his finger and thumb in a fastidious way, and I thought his glance was to dissipate some doubt he had that he ought to be speaking to me at all.

feel or handle with the fingers

From this reading He looked at me for the first time, twisting the cord of his eyeglass with his finger and thumb in a fastidious way, and I thought his glance was to dissipate some doubt he had that he ought to be speaking to me at all.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading He looked at me for the first time, twisting the cord of his eyeglass with his finger and thumb in a fastidious way, and I thought his glance was to dissipate some doubt he had that he ought to be speaking to me at all.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading He looked at me for the first time, twisting the cord of his eyeglass with his finger and thumb in a fastidious way, and I thought his glance was to dissipate some doubt he had that he ought to be speaking to me at all.

the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area

From this reading There was a forest, a river, a silence, and it was either day or night.

throw a glance at; take a brief look at

From this reading He looked at me for the first time, twisting the cord of his eyeglass with his finger and thumb in a fastidious way, and I thought his glance was to dissipate some doubt he had that he ought to be speaking to me at all.

change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading He dropped the cord suddenly as if letting go his reserve, and said slyly, with a grave smile: "Perhaps the romantic think the unknown is worth looking into because it may be better than what they know.

death of a person

From this reading He dropped the cord suddenly as if letting go his reserve, and said slyly, with a grave smile: "Perhaps the romantic think the unknown is worth looking into because it may be better than what they know.

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

From this reading He looked at me for the first time, twisting the cord of his eyeglass with his finger and thumb in a fastidious way, and I thought his glance was to dissipate some doubt he had that he ought to be speaking to me at all.

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

From this reading It was evident he thought I could be one of the romantic.

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

From this reading He looked at me for the first time, twisting the cord of his eyeglass with his finger and thumb in a fastidious way, and I thought his glance was to dissipate some doubt he had that he ought to be speaking to me at all.

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

From this reading It was evident he thought I could be one of the romantic.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading He dropped the cord suddenly as if letting go his reserve, and said slyly, with a grave smile: "Perhaps the romantic think the unknown is worth looking into because it may be better than what they know.

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

From this reading He looked at me for the first time, twisting the cord of his eyeglass with his finger and thumb in a fastidious way, and I thought his glance was to dissipate some doubt he had that he ought to be speaking to me at all.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading He dropped the cord suddenly as if letting go his reserve, and said slyly, with a grave smile: "Perhaps the romantic think the unknown is worth looking into because it may be better than what they know.

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

From this reading He dropped the cord suddenly as if letting go his reserve, and said slyly, with a grave smile: "Perhaps the romantic think the unknown is worth looking into because it may be better than what they know.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was evident he thought I could be one of the romantic.

be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about

From this reading He dropped the cord suddenly as if letting go his reserve, and said slyly, with a grave smile: "Perhaps the romantic think the unknown is worth looking into because it may be better than what they know.

property that is leased or rented out or let

From this reading He dropped the cord suddenly as if letting go his reserve, and said slyly, with a grave smile: "Perhaps the romantic think the unknown is worth looking into because it may be better than what they know.

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

From this reading He looked at me for the first time, twisting the cord of his eyeglass with his finger and thumb in a fastidious way, and I thought his glance was to dissipate some doubt he had that he ought to be speaking to me at all.

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

From this reading He dropped the cord suddenly as if letting go his reserve, and said slyly, with a grave smile: "Perhaps the romantic think the unknown is worth looking into because it may be better than what they know.

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading He dropped the cord suddenly as if letting go his reserve, and said slyly, with a grave smile: "Perhaps the romantic think the unknown is worth looking into because it may be better than what they know.

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

From this reading He looked at me for the first time, twisting the cord of his eyeglass with his finger and thumb in a fastidious way, and I thought his glance was to dissipate some doubt he had that he ought to be speaking to me at all.

the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside

From this reading There was a forest, a river, a silence, and it was either day or night.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading It was evident he thought I could be one of the romantic.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading It was evident he thought I could be one of the romantic.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading There was a forest, a river, a silence, and it was either day or night.

used with “to” to say what is right or advisable

From this reading He looked at me for the first time, twisting the cord of his eyeglass with his finger and thumb in a fastidious way, and I thought his glance was to dissipate some doubt he had that he ought to be speaking to me at all.

by chance

From this reading He dropped the cord suddenly as if letting go his reserve, and said slyly, with a grave smile: "Perhaps the romantic think the unknown is worth looking into because it may be better than what they know.

formality and propriety of manner

From this reading He dropped the cord suddenly as if letting go his reserve, and said slyly, with a grave smile: "Perhaps the romantic think the unknown is worth looking into because it may be better than what they know.

a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)

From this reading There was a forest, a river, a silence, and it was either day or night.

belonging to or characteristic of Romanticism or the Romantic Movement in the arts

From this reading It was evident he thought I could be one of the romantic.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading He dropped the cord suddenly as if letting go his reserve, and said slyly, with a grave smile: "Perhaps the romantic think the unknown is worth looking into because it may be better than what they know.

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

From this reading There was a forest, a river, a silence, and it was either day or night.

in an artful manner

From this reading He dropped the cord suddenly as if letting go his reserve, and said slyly, with a grave smile: "Perhaps the romantic think the unknown is worth looking into because it may be better than what they know.

change one's facial expression by spreading the lips, often to signal pleasure

From this reading He dropped the cord suddenly as if letting go his reserve, and said slyly, with a grave smile: "Perhaps the romantic think the unknown is worth looking into because it may be better than what they know.

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

From this reading He looked at me for the first time, twisting the cord of his eyeglass with his finger and thumb in a fastidious way, and I thought his glance was to dissipate some doubt he had that he ought to be speaking to me at all.

the utterance of intelligible speech

From this reading He looked at me for the first time, twisting the cord of his eyeglass with his finger and thumb in a fastidious way, and I thought his glance was to dissipate some doubt he had that he ought to be speaking to me at all.

happening unexpectedly

From this reading He dropped the cord suddenly as if letting go his reserve, and said slyly, with a grave smile: "Perhaps the romantic think the unknown is worth looking into because it may be better than what they know.

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

From this reading At Tabacol I used to think the unknown country beyond it looked even duller than usual.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading He dropped the cord suddenly as if letting go his reserve, and said slyly, with a grave smile: "Perhaps the romantic think the unknown is worth looking into because it may be better than what they know.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading He looked at me for the first time, twisting the cord of his eyeglass with his finger and thumb in a fastidious way, and I thought his glance was to dissipate some doubt he had that he ought to be speaking to me at all.

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

From this reading It was evident he thought I could be one of the romantic.

in or at that place or location

From this reading There was a forest, a river, a silence, and it was either day or night.

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

From this reading He dropped the cord suddenly as if letting go his reserve, and said slyly, with a grave smile: "Perhaps the romantic think the unknown is worth looking into because it may be better than what they know.

judge or regard; look upon; judge

From this reading He dropped the cord suddenly as if letting go his reserve, and said slyly, with a grave smile: "Perhaps the romantic think the unknown is worth looking into because it may be better than what they know.

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

From this reading It was evident he thought I could be one of the romantic.

the thick short innermost digit of the forelimb

From this reading He looked at me for the first time, twisting the cord of his eyeglass with his finger and thumb in a fastidious way, and I thought his glance was to dissipate some doubt he had that he ought to be speaking to me at all.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading He looked at me for the first time, twisting the cord of his eyeglass with his finger and thumb in a fastidious way, and I thought his glance was to dissipate some doubt he had that he ought to be speaking to me at all.

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

From this reading He looked at me for the first time, twisting the cord of his eyeglass with his finger and thumb in a fastidious way, and I thought his glance was to dissipate some doubt he had that he ought to be speaking to me at all.

the act of distorting something so it seems to mean something it was not intended to mean

From this reading He looked at me for the first time, twisting the cord of his eyeglass with his finger and thumb in a fastidious way, and I thought his glance was to dissipate some doubt he had that he ought to be speaking to me at all.

not known

From this reading He dropped the cord suddenly as if letting go his reserve, and said slyly, with a grave smile: "Perhaps the romantic think the unknown is worth looking into because it may be better than what they know.

employed in accomplishing something

From this reading At Tabacol I used to think the unknown country beyond it looked even duller than usual.

occurring or encountered or experienced or observed frequently or in accordance with regular practice or procedure

From this reading At Tabacol I used to think the unknown country beyond it looked even duller than usual.

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

From this reading It was evident he thought I could be one of the romantic.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading He looked at me for the first time, twisting the cord of his eyeglass with his finger and thumb in a fastidious way, and I thought his glance was to dissipate some doubt he had that he ought to be speaking to me at all.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading He dropped the cord suddenly as if letting go his reserve, and said slyly, with a grave smile: "Perhaps the romantic think the unknown is worth looking into because it may be better than what they know.

in the company of; together with

From this reading He looked at me for the first time, twisting the cord of his eyeglass with his finger and thumb in a fastidious way, and I thought his glance was to dissipate some doubt he had that he ought to be speaking to me at all.

an indefinite quantity of something having a specified value

From this reading He dropped the cord suddenly as if letting go his reserve, and said slyly, with a grave smile: "Perhaps the romantic think the unknown is worth looking into because it may be better than what they know.