Chapter IV

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

From this reading For us, under Sir Paget’s lead, it was less a time of hope, fear, and suspense than of mere waiting.

presently existing in fact and not merely potential or possible

From this reading We other three took his word for what was going to happen; his certainty became ours—though, as I believe (it is a matter of belief only, for he never told me what he told Waldo on that walk of theirs on the afternoon of the wedding day—which was not the day of a wedding), his certainty was based not so much on actual information as on a sort of instinct which long and intimate familiarity with international affairs had given him.

matters of personal concern

From this reading We other three took his word for what was going to happen; his certainty became ours—though, as I believe (it is a matter of belief only, for he never told me what he told Waldo on that walk of theirs on the afternoon of the wedding day—which was not the day of a wedding), his certainty was based not so much on actual information as on a sort of instinct which long and intimate familiarity with international affairs had given him.

the part of the day between noon and evening

From this reading We other three took his word for what was going to happen; his certainty became ours—though, as I believe (it is a matter of belief only, for he never told me what he told Waldo on that walk of theirs on the afternoon of the wedding day—which was not the day of a wedding), his certainty was based not so much on actual information as on a sort of instinct which long and intimate familiarity with international affairs had given him.

(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 If we differed at all from the public at large in our feelings, it was in one point only.

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

From this reading THE FOURTH PARTY AS Sir Paget had suggested, we—we three Rillington men and Aunt Bertha—spent the Twelve Days, the ever-famous Twelve Days before the war, at Cragsfoot.

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

From this reading THE FOURTH PARTY AS Sir Paget had suggested, we—we three Rillington men and Aunt Bertha—spent the Twelve Days, the ever-famous Twelve Days before the war, at Cragsfoot.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading THE FOURTH PARTY AS Sir Paget had suggested, we—we three Rillington men and Aunt Bertha—spent the Twelve Days, the ever-famous Twelve Days before the war, at Cragsfoot.

the sister of your father or mother; the wife of your uncle

From this reading THE FOURTH PARTY AS Sir Paget had suggested, we—we three Rillington men and Aunt Bertha—spent the Twelve Days, the ever-famous Twelve Days before the war, at Cragsfoot.

having a base

From this reading We other three took his word for what was going to happen; his certainty became ours—though, as I believe (it is a matter of belief only, for he never told me what he told Waldo on that walk of theirs on the afternoon of the wedding day—which was not the day of a wedding), his certainty was based not so much on actual information as on a sort of instinct which long and intimate familiarity with international affairs had given him.

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

From this reading We other three took his word for what was going to happen; his certainty became ours—though, as I believe (it is a matter of belief only, for he never told me what he told Waldo on that walk of theirs on the afternoon of the wedding day—which was not the day of a wedding), his certainty was based not so much on actual information as on a sort of instinct which long and intimate familiarity with international affairs had given him.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading THE FOURTH PARTY AS Sir Paget had suggested, we—we three Rillington men and Aunt Bertha—spent the Twelve Days, the ever-famous Twelve Days before the war, at Cragsfoot.

any cognitive content held as true

From this reading We other three took his word for what was going to happen; his certainty became ours—though, as I believe (it is a matter of belief only, for he never told me what he told Waldo on that walk of theirs on the afternoon of the wedding day—which was not the day of a wedding), his certainty was based not so much on actual information as on a sort of instinct which long and intimate familiarity with international affairs had given him.

accept as true; take to be true

From this reading We other three took his word for what was going to happen; his certainty became ours—though, as I believe (it is a matter of belief only, for he never told me what he told Waldo on that walk of theirs on the afternoon of the wedding day—which was not the day of a wedding), his certainty was based not so much on actual information as on a sort of instinct which long and intimate familiarity with international affairs had given him.

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

From this reading THE FOURTH PARTY AS Sir Paget had suggested, we—we three Rillington men and Aunt Bertha—spent the Twelve Days, the ever-famous Twelve Days before the war, at Cragsfoot.

the state of being certain

From this reading We other three took his word for what was going to happen; his certainty became ours—though, as I believe (it is a matter of belief only, for he never told me what he told Waldo on that walk of theirs on the afternoon of the wedding day—which was not the day of a wedding), his certainty was based not so much on actual information as on a sort of instinct which long and intimate familiarity with international affairs had given him.

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

From this reading THE FOURTH PARTY AS Sir Paget had suggested, we—we three Rillington men and Aunt Bertha—spent the Twelve Days, the ever-famous Twelve Days before the war, at Cragsfoot.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading We other three took his word for what was going to happen; his certainty became ours—though, as I believe (it is a matter of belief only, for he never told me what he told Waldo on that walk of theirs on the afternoon of the wedding day—which was not the day of a wedding), his certainty was based not so much on actual information as on a sort of instinct which long and intimate familiarity with international affairs had given him.

the time during which someone's life continues

From this reading THE FOURTH PARTY AS Sir Paget had suggested, we—we three Rillington men and Aunt Bertha—spent the Twelve Days, the ever-famous Twelve Days before the war, at Cragsfoot.

past form of “differ” — be different

From this reading If we differed at all from the public at large in our feelings, it was in one point only.

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

From this reading THE FOURTH PARTY AS Sir Paget had suggested, we—we three Rillington men and Aunt Bertha—spent the Twelve Days, the ever-famous Twelve Days before the war, at Cragsfoot.

personal knowledge or information about someone or something

From this reading We other three took his word for what was going to happen; his certainty became ours—though, as I believe (it is a matter of belief only, for he never told me what he told Waldo on that walk of theirs on the afternoon of the wedding day—which was not the day of a wedding), his certainty was based not so much on actual information as on a sort of instinct which long and intimate familiarity with international affairs had given him.

be afraid or feel anxious or apprehensive about a possible or probable situation or event

From this reading For us, under Sir Paget’s lead, it was less a time of hope, fear, and suspense than of mere waiting.

emotional or moral sensitivity (especially in relation to personal principles or dignity)

From this reading If we differed at all from the public at large in our feelings, it was in one point only.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading For us, under Sir Paget’s lead, it was less a time of hope, fear, and suspense than of mere waiting.

following the third position; number four in a countable series

From this reading THE FOURTH PARTY AS Sir Paget had suggested, we—we three Rillington men and Aunt Bertha—spent the Twelve Days, the ever-famous Twelve Days before the war, at Cragsfoot.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading If we differed at all from the public at large in our feelings, it was in one point only.

acknowledged as a supposition

From this reading We other three took his word for what was going to happen; his certainty became ours—though, as I believe (it is a matter of belief only, for he never told me what he told Waldo on that walk of theirs on the afternoon of the wedding day—which was not the day of a wedding), his certainty was based not so much on actual information as on a sort of instinct which long and intimate familiarity with international affairs had given him.

the act of departing

From this reading We other three took his word for what was going to happen; his certainty became ours—though, as I believe (it is a matter of belief only, for he never told me what he told Waldo on that walk of theirs on the afternoon of the wedding day—which was not the day of a wedding), his certainty was based not so much on actual information as on a sort of instinct which long and intimate familiarity with international affairs had given him.

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

From this reading THE FOURTH PARTY AS Sir Paget had suggested, we—we three Rillington men and Aunt Bertha—spent the Twelve Days, the ever-famous Twelve Days before the war, at Cragsfoot.

come to pass

From this reading We other three took his word for what was going to happen; his certainty became ours—though, as I believe (it is a matter of belief only, for he never told me what he told Waldo on that walk of theirs on the afternoon of the wedding day—which was not the day of a wedding), his certainty was based not so much on actual information as on a sort of instinct which long and intimate familiarity with international affairs had given him.

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

From this reading We other three took his word for what was going to happen; his certainty became ours—though, as I believe (it is a matter of belief only, for he never told me what he told Waldo on that walk of theirs on the afternoon of the wedding day—which was not the day of a wedding), his certainty was based not so much on actual information as on a sort of instinct which long and intimate familiarity with international affairs had given him.

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading We other three took his word for what was going to happen; his certainty became ours—though, as I believe (it is a matter of belief only, for he never told me what he told Waldo on that walk of theirs on the afternoon of the wedding day—which was not the day of a wedding), his certainty was based not so much on actual information as on a sort of instinct which long and intimate familiarity with international affairs had given him.

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

From this reading We other three took his word for what was going to happen; his certainty became ours—though, as I believe (it is a matter of belief only, for he never told me what he told Waldo on that walk of theirs on the afternoon of the wedding day—which was not the day of a wedding), his certainty was based not so much on actual information as on a sort of instinct which long and intimate familiarity with international affairs had given him.

a specific instance of feeling hopeful

From this reading For us, under Sir Paget’s lead, it was less a time of hope, fear, and suspense than of mere waiting.

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

From this reading On the public side of that period I need say nothing—or only just one thing.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading If we differed at all from the public at large in our feelings, it was in one point only.

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

From this reading If we differed at all from the public at large in our feelings, it was in one point only.

a message received and understood

From this reading We other three took his word for what was going to happen; his certainty became ours—though, as I believe (it is a matter of belief only, for he never told me what he told Waldo on that walk of theirs on the afternoon of the wedding day—which was not the day of a wedding), his certainty was based not so much on actual information as on a sort of instinct which long and intimate familiarity with international affairs had given him.

inborn pattern of behavior often responsive to specific stimuli

From this reading We other three took his word for what was going to happen; his certainty became ours—though, as I believe (it is a matter of belief only, for he never told me what he told Waldo on that walk of theirs on the afternoon of the wedding day—which was not the day of a wedding), his certainty was based not so much on actual information as on a sort of instinct which long and intimate familiarity with international affairs had given him.

concerning or belonging to all or at least two or more nations

From this reading We other three took his word for what was going to happen; his certainty became ours—though, as I believe (it is a matter of belief only, for he never told me what he told Waldo on that walk of theirs on the afternoon of the wedding day—which was not the day of a wedding), his certainty was based not so much on actual information as on a sort of instinct which long and intimate familiarity with international affairs had given him.

marked by close acquaintance, association, or familiarity

From this reading We other three took his word for what was going to happen; his certainty became ours—though, as I believe (it is a matter of belief only, for he never told me what he told Waldo on that walk of theirs on the afternoon of the wedding day—which was not the day of a wedding), his certainty was based not so much on actual information as on a sort of instinct which long and intimate familiarity with international affairs had given him.

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

From this reading We other three took his word for what was going to happen; his certainty became ours—though, as I believe (it is a matter of belief only, for he never told me what he told Waldo on that walk of theirs on the afternoon of the wedding day—which was not the day of a wedding), his certainty was based not so much on actual information as on a sort of instinct which long and intimate familiarity with international affairs had given him.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading If we differed at all from the public at large in our feelings, it was in one point only.

and nothing more

From this reading On the public side of that period I need say nothing—or only just one thing.

above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading If we differed at all from the public at large in our feelings, it was in one point only.

take somebody somewhere

From this reading For us, under Sir Paget’s lead, it was less a time of hope, fear, and suspense than of mere waiting.

used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs

From this reading For us, under Sir Paget’s lead, it was less a time of hope, fear, and suspense than of mere waiting.

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 We other three took his word for what was going to happen; his certainty became ours—though, as I believe (it is a matter of belief only, for he never told me what he told Waldo on that walk of theirs on the afternoon of the wedding day—which was not the day of a wedding), his certainty was based not so much on actual information as on a sort of instinct which long and intimate familiarity with international affairs had given him.

a vaguely specified concern

From this reading We other three took his word for what was going to happen; his certainty became ours—though, as I believe (it is a matter of belief only, for he never told me what he told Waldo on that walk of theirs on the afternoon of the wedding day—which was not the day of a wedding), his certainty was based not so much on actual information as on a sort of instinct which long and intimate familiarity with international affairs had given him.

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

From this reading We other three took his word for what was going to happen; his certainty became ours—though, as I believe (it is a matter of belief only, for he never told me what he told Waldo on that walk of theirs on the afternoon of the wedding day—which was not the day of a wedding), his certainty was based not so much on actual information as on a sort of instinct which long and intimate familiarity with international affairs had given him.

the force of workers available

From this reading THE FOURTH PARTY AS Sir Paget had suggested, we—we three Rillington men and Aunt Bertha—spent the Twelve Days, the ever-famous Twelve Days before the war, at Cragsfoot.

being nothing more than specified

From this reading For us, under Sir Paget’s lead, it was less a time of hope, fear, and suspense than of mere waiting.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading We other three took his word for what was going to happen; his certainty became ours—though, as I believe (it is a matter of belief only, for he never told me what he told Waldo on that walk of theirs on the afternoon of the wedding day—which was not the day of a wedding), his certainty was based not so much on actual information as on a sort of instinct which long and intimate familiarity with international affairs had given him.

a condition requiring relief

From this reading On the public side of that period I need say nothing—or only just one thing.

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading We other three took his word for what was going to happen; his certainty became ours—though, as I believe (it is a matter of belief only, for he never told me what he told Waldo on that walk of theirs on the afternoon of the wedding day—which was not the day of a wedding), his certainty was based not so much on actual information as on a sort of instinct which long and intimate familiarity with international affairs had given him.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading We other three took his word for what was going to happen; his certainty became ours—though, as I believe (it is a matter of belief only, for he never told me what he told Waldo on that walk of theirs on the afternoon of the wedding day—which was not the day of a wedding), his certainty was based not so much on actual information as on a sort of instinct which long and intimate familiarity with international affairs had given him.

not one thing; not anything

From this reading On the public side of that period I need say nothing—or only just one thing.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading On the public side of that period I need say nothing—or only just one thing.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading On the public side of that period I need say nothing—or only just one thing.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading On the public side of that period I need say nothing—or only just one thing.

and nothing more

From this reading On the public side of that period I need say nothing—or only just one thing.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading On the public side of that period I need say nothing—or only just one thing.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading We other three took his word for what was going to happen; his certainty became ours—though, as I believe (it is a matter of belief only, for he never told me what he told Waldo on that walk of theirs on the afternoon of the wedding day—which was not the day of a wedding), his certainty was based not so much on actual information as on a sort of instinct which long and intimate familiarity with international affairs had given him.

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading If we differed at all from the public at large in our feelings, it was in one point only.

the one or ones belonging to us

From this reading We other three took his word for what was going to happen; his certainty became ours—though, as I believe (it is a matter of belief only, for he never told me what he told Waldo on that walk of theirs on the afternoon of the wedding day—which was not the day of a wedding), his certainty was based not so much on actual information as on a sort of instinct which long and intimate familiarity with international affairs had given him.

English pathologist who discovered the cause of trichinosis (1814-1899)

From this reading THE FOURTH PARTY AS Sir Paget had suggested, we—we three Rillington men and Aunt Bertha—spent the Twelve Days, the ever-famous Twelve Days before the war, at Cragsfoot.

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

From this reading For us, under Sir Paget’s lead, it was less a time of hope, fear, and suspense than of mere waiting.

an organization to gain political power

From this reading THE FOURTH PARTY AS Sir Paget had suggested, we—we three Rillington men and Aunt Bertha—spent the Twelve Days, the ever-famous Twelve Days before the war, at Cragsfoot.

an amount of time

From this reading On the public side of that period I need say nothing—or only just one thing.

a geometric element that has position but no extension

From this reading If we differed at all from the public at large in our feelings, it was in one point only.

people in general considered as a whole

From this reading On the public side of that period I need say nothing—or only just one thing.

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

From this reading THE FOURTH PARTY AS Sir Paget had suggested, we—we three Rillington men and Aunt Bertha—spent the Twelve Days, the ever-famous Twelve Days before the war, at Cragsfoot.

express in words

From this reading On the public side of that period I need say nothing—or only just one thing.

a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location

From this reading On the public side of that period I need say nothing—or only just one thing.

term of address for a man

From this reading THE FOURTH PARTY AS Sir Paget had suggested, we—we three Rillington men and Aunt Bertha—spent the Twelve Days, the ever-famous Twelve Days before the war, at Cragsfoot.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading We other three took his word for what was going to happen; his certainty became ours—though, as I believe (it is a matter of belief only, for he never told me what he told Waldo on that walk of theirs on the afternoon of the wedding day—which was not the day of a wedding), his certainty was based not so much on actual information as on a sort of instinct which long and intimate familiarity with international affairs had given him.

a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality

From this reading We other three took his word for what was going to happen; his certainty became ours—though, as I believe (it is a matter of belief only, for he never told me what he told Waldo on that walk of theirs on the afternoon of the wedding day—which was not the day of a wedding), his certainty was based not so much on actual information as on a sort of instinct which long and intimate familiarity with international affairs had given him.

depleted of energy, force, or strength

From this reading THE FOURTH PARTY AS Sir Paget had suggested, we—we three Rillington men and Aunt Bertha—spent the Twelve Days, the ever-famous Twelve Days before the war, at Cragsfoot.

past form of “suggest” — make a proposal, declare a plan for something

From this reading THE FOURTH PARTY AS Sir Paget had suggested, we—we three Rillington men and Aunt Bertha—spent the Twelve Days, the ever-famous Twelve Days before the war, at Cragsfoot.

apprehension about what is going to happen

From this reading For us, under Sir Paget’s lead, it was less a time of hope, fear, and suspense than of mere waiting.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading For us, under Sir Paget’s lead, it was less a time of hope, fear, and suspense than of mere waiting.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading On the public side of that period I need say nothing—or only just one thing.

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

From this reading THE FOURTH PARTY AS Sir Paget had suggested, we—we three Rillington men and Aunt Bertha—spent the Twelve Days, the ever-famous Twelve Days before the war, at Cragsfoot.

the one or ones belonging to them

From this reading We other three took his word for what was going to happen; his certainty became ours—though, as I believe (it is a matter of belief only, for he never told me what he told Waldo on that walk of theirs on the afternoon of the wedding day—which was not the day of a wedding), his certainty was based not so much on actual information as on a sort of instinct which long and intimate familiarity with international affairs had given him.

a special situation

From this reading On the public side of that period I need say nothing—or only just one thing.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading We other three took his word for what was going to happen; his certainty became ours—though, as I believe (it is a matter of belief only, for he never told me what he told Waldo on that walk of theirs on the afternoon of the wedding day—which was not the day of a wedding), his certainty was based not so much on actual information as on a sort of instinct which long and intimate familiarity with international affairs had given him.

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

From this reading THE FOURTH PARTY AS Sir Paget had suggested, we—we three Rillington men and Aunt Bertha—spent the Twelve Days, the ever-famous Twelve Days before the war, at Cragsfoot.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading For us, under Sir Paget’s lead, it was less a time of hope, fear, and suspense than of mere waiting.

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

From this reading We other three took his word for what was going to happen; his certainty became ours—though, as I believe (it is a matter of belief only, for he never told me what he told Waldo on that walk of theirs on the afternoon of the wedding day—which was not the day of a wedding), his certainty was based not so much on actual information as on a sort of instinct which long and intimate familiarity with international affairs had given him.

inflected form of “tell” — express in words

From this reading We other three took his word for what was going to happen; his certainty became ours—though, as I believe (it is a matter of belief only, for he never told me what he told Waldo on that walk of theirs on the afternoon of the wedding day—which was not the day of a wedding), his certainty was based not so much on actual information as on a sort of instinct which long and intimate familiarity with international affairs had given him.

inflected form of “take” — carry out

From this reading We other three took his word for what was going to happen; his certainty became ours—though, as I believe (it is a matter of belief only, for he never told me what he told Waldo on that walk of theirs on the afternoon of the wedding day—which was not the day of a wedding), his certainty was based not so much on actual information as on a sort of instinct which long and intimate familiarity with international affairs had given him.

the cardinal number that is the sum of eleven and one

From this reading THE FOURTH PARTY AS Sir Paget had suggested, we—we three Rillington men and Aunt Bertha—spent the Twelve Days, the ever-famous Twelve Days before the war, at Cragsfoot.

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading For us, under Sir Paget’s lead, it was less a time of hope, fear, and suspense than of mere waiting.

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

From this reading For us, under Sir Paget’s lead, it was less a time of hope, fear, and suspense than of mere waiting.

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

From this reading For us, under Sir Paget’s lead, it was less a time of hope, fear, and suspense than of mere waiting.

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

From this reading We other three took his word for what was going to happen; his certainty became ours—though, as I believe (it is a matter of belief only, for he never told me what he told Waldo on that walk of theirs on the afternoon of the wedding day—which was not the day of a wedding), his certainty was based not so much on actual information as on a sort of instinct which long and intimate familiarity with international affairs had given him.

the act of traveling by foot

From this reading We other three took his word for what was going to happen; his certainty became ours—though, as I believe (it is a matter of belief only, for he never told me what he told Waldo on that walk of theirs on the afternoon of the wedding day—which was not the day of a wedding), his certainty was based not so much on actual information as on a sort of instinct which long and intimate familiarity with international affairs had given him.

the waging of armed conflict against an enemy

From this reading THE FOURTH PARTY AS Sir Paget had suggested, we—we three Rillington men and Aunt Bertha—spent the Twelve Days, the ever-famous Twelve Days before the war, at Cragsfoot.

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

From this reading If we differed at all from the public at large in our feelings, it was in one point only.

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading THE FOURTH PARTY AS Sir Paget had suggested, we—we three Rillington men and Aunt Bertha—spent the Twelve Days, the ever-famous Twelve Days before the war, at Cragsfoot.

the social event at which the ceremony of marriage is performed

From this reading We other three took his word for what was going to happen; his certainty became ours—though, as I believe (it is a matter of belief only, for he never told me what he told Waldo on that walk of theirs on the afternoon of the wedding day—which was not the day of a wedding), his certainty was based not so much on actual information as on a sort of instinct which long and intimate familiarity with international affairs had given him.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading We other three took his word for what was going to happen; his certainty became ours—though, as I believe (it is a matter of belief only, for he never told me what he told Waldo on that walk of theirs on the afternoon of the wedding day—which was not the day of a wedding), his certainty was based not so much on actual information as on a sort of instinct which long and intimate familiarity with international affairs had given him.

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

From this reading We other three took his word for what was going to happen; his certainty became ours—though, as I believe (it is a matter of belief only, for he never told me what he told Waldo on that walk of theirs on the afternoon of the wedding day—which was not the day of a wedding), his certainty was based not so much on actual information as on a sort of instinct which long and intimate familiarity with international affairs had given him.

in the company of; together with

From this reading We other three took his word for what was going to happen; his certainty became ours—though, as I believe (it is a matter of belief only, for he never told me what he told Waldo on that walk of theirs on the afternoon of the wedding day—which was not the day of a wedding), his certainty was based not so much on actual information as on a sort of instinct which long and intimate familiarity with international affairs had given him.

a unit of language that native speakers can identify

From this reading We other three took his word for what was going to happen; his certainty became ours—though, as I believe (it is a matter of belief only, for he never told me what he told Waldo on that walk of theirs on the afternoon of the wedding day—which was not the day of a wedding), his certainty was based not so much on actual information as on a sort of instinct which long and intimate familiarity with international affairs had given him.