Chapter XV · Chapter 15

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

From this reading He had drawn one of the few easy chairs the room possessed to the fire, and with his feet on the fender, and one of Mr. Boyce's French novels on his knee, he was intensely enjoying a moment of physical ease.

later than; following

From this reading Wharton was sitting alone in the big Mellor drawing-room, after dinner.

anew

From this reading "What did I do it for?" he asked himself; "what am I going to do it for again to-morrow?"

Having no one else present.

From this reading Wharton was sitting alone in the big Mellor drawing-room, after dinner.

the form of “be” used with “I”

From this reading "What did I do it for?" he asked himself; "what am I going to do it for again to-morrow?"

filled with the emotional impact of overwhelming surprise or shock

From this reading Now, beside this fire and at a distance, it amazed him that any motive whatever, public or private, should ever have been strong enough to take him out through the mire on these winter nights to spout himself hoarse to a parcel of rustics.

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

From this reading He had drawn one of the few easy chairs the room possessed to the fire, and with his feet on the fender, and one of Mr. Boyce's French novels on his knee, he was intensely enjoying a moment of physical ease.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading Now, beside this fire and at a distance, it amazed him that any motive whatever, public or private, should ever have been strong enough to take him out through the mire on these winter nights to spout himself hoarse to a parcel of rustics.

characterized by effort to the point of exhaustion; especially physical effort

From this reading The work of these weeks of canvassing and speaking had been arduous, and he was naturally indolent.

past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody

From this reading "What did I do it for?" he asked himself; "what am I going to do it for again to-morrow?"

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Now, beside this fire and at a distance, it amazed him that any motive whatever, public or private, should ever have been strong enough to take him out through the mire on these winter nights to spout himself hoarse to a parcel of rustics.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading The work of these weeks of canvassing and speaking had been arduous, and he was naturally indolent.

next to; at the side of

From this reading Now, beside this fire and at a distance, it amazed him that any motive whatever, public or private, should ever have been strong enough to take him out through the mire on these winter nights to spout himself hoarse to a parcel of rustics.

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

From this reading Wharton was sitting alone in the big Mellor drawing-room, after dinner.

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

From this reading He had drawn one of the few easy chairs the room possessed to the fire, and with his feet on the fender, and one of Mr. Boyce's French novels on his knee, he was intensely enjoying a moment of physical ease.

persuasion of voters in a political campaign

From this reading The work of these weeks of canvassing and speaking had been arduous, and he was naturally indolent.

plural of “chair” — a seat for one person, with a support for the back

From this reading He had drawn one of the few easy chairs the room possessed to the fire, and with his feet on the fender, and one of Mr. Boyce's French novels on his knee, he was intensely enjoying a moment of physical ease.

the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives

From this reading "What did I do it for?" he asked himself; "what am I going to do it for again to-morrow?"

the main meal of the day served in the evening or at midday

From this reading Wharton was sitting alone in the big Mellor drawing-room, after dinner.

the property created by the space between two objects or points

From this reading Now, beside this fire and at a distance, it amazed him that any motive whatever, public or private, should ever have been strong enough to take him out through the mire on these winter nights to spout himself hoarse to a parcel of rustics.

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading "What did I do it for?" he asked himself; "what am I going to do it for again to-morrow?"

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

From this reading Wharton was sitting alone in the big Mellor drawing-room, after dinner.

showing the wearing effects of overwork or care or suffering

From this reading He had drawn one of the few easy chairs the room possessed to the fire, and with his feet on the fender, and one of Mr. Boyce's French novels on his knee, he was intensely enjoying a moment of physical ease.

move gently or carefully

From this reading He had drawn one of the few easy chairs the room possessed to the fire, and with his feet on the fender, and one of Mr. Boyce's French novels on his knee, he was intensely enjoying a moment of physical ease.

posing no difficulty; requiring little effort

From this reading He had drawn one of the few easy chairs the room possessed to the fire, and with his feet on the fender, and one of Mr. Boyce's French novels on his knee, he was intensely enjoying a moment of physical ease.

-ing form of “enjoy” — derive or receive pleasure from; get enjoyment from; take pleasure in

From this reading He had drawn one of the few easy chairs the room possessed to the fire, and with his feet on the fender, and one of Mr. Boyce's French novels on his knee, he was intensely enjoying a moment of physical ease.

an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose

From this reading Now, beside this fire and at a distance, it amazed him that any motive whatever, public or private, should ever have been strong enough to take him out through the mire on these winter nights to spout himself hoarse to a parcel of rustics.

at any time

From this reading Now, beside this fire and at a distance, it amazed him that any motive whatever, public or private, should ever have been strong enough to take him out through the mire on these winter nights to spout himself hoarse to a parcel of rustics.

plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint

From this reading He had drawn one of the few easy chairs the room possessed to the fire, and with his feet on the fender, and one of Mr. Boyce's French novels on his knee, he was intensely enjoying a moment of physical ease.

a barrier that surrounds the wheels of a vehicle to block splashing water or mud

From this reading He had drawn one of the few easy chairs the room possessed to the fire, and with his feet on the fender, and one of Mr. Boyce's French novels on his knee, he was intensely enjoying a moment of physical ease.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number

From this reading He had drawn one of the few easy chairs the room possessed to the fire, and with his feet on the fender, and one of Mr. Boyce's French novels on his knee, he was intensely enjoying a moment of physical ease.

start firing a weapon

From this reading He had drawn one of the few easy chairs the room possessed to the fire, and with his feet on the fender, and one of Mr. Boyce's French novels on his knee, he was intensely enjoying a moment of physical ease.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading "What did I do it for?" he asked himself; "what am I going to do it for again to-morrow?"

the Romance language spoken in France and in countries colonized by France

From this reading He had drawn one of the few easy chairs the room possessed to the fire, and with his feet on the fender, and one of Mr. Boyce's French novels on his knee, he was intensely enjoying a moment of physical ease.

the act of departing

From this reading "What did I do it for?" he asked himself; "what am I going to do it for again to-morrow?"

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

From this reading He had drawn one of the few easy chairs the room possessed to the fire, and with his feet on the fender, and one of Mr. Boyce's French novels on his knee, he was intensely enjoying a moment of physical ease.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading Now, beside this fire and at a distance, it amazed him that any motive whatever, public or private, should ever have been strong enough to take him out through the mire on these winter nights to spout himself hoarse to a parcel of rustics.

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

From this reading He had drawn one of the few easy chairs the room possessed to the fire, and with his feet on the fender, and one of Mr. Boyce's French novels on his knee, he was intensely enjoying a moment of physical ease.

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

From this reading Now, beside this fire and at a distance, it amazed him that any motive whatever, public or private, should ever have been strong enough to take him out through the mire on these winter nights to spout himself hoarse to a parcel of rustics.

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

From this reading Now, beside this fire and at a distance, it amazed him that any motive whatever, public or private, should ever have been strong enough to take him out through the mire on these winter nights to spout himself hoarse to a parcel of rustics.

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

From this reading He had drawn one of the few easy chairs the room possessed to the fire, and with his feet on the fender, and one of Mr. Boyce's French novels on his knee, he was intensely enjoying a moment of physical ease.

deep and harsh sounding as if from shouting or illness or emotion

From this reading Now, beside this fire and at a distance, it amazed him that any motive whatever, public or private, should ever have been strong enough to take him out through the mire on these winter nights to spout himself hoarse to a parcel of rustics.

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

From this reading "What did I do it for?" he asked himself; "what am I going to do it for again to-morrow?"

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

From this reading Wharton was sitting alone in the big Mellor drawing-room, after dinner.

disinclined to work or exertion

From this reading The work of these weeks of canvassing and speaking had been arduous, and he was naturally indolent.

to a high degree; extremely; in high concentration or density

From this reading He had drawn one of the few easy chairs the room possessed to the fire, and with his feet on the fender, and one of Mr. Boyce's French novels on his knee, he was intensely enjoying a moment of physical ease.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Now, beside this fire and at a distance, it amazed him that any motive whatever, public or private, should ever have been strong enough to take him out through the mire on these winter nights to spout himself hoarse to a parcel of rustics.

hinge joint in the human leg connecting the tibia and fibula with the femur and protected in front by the patella

From this reading He had drawn one of the few easy chairs the room possessed to the fire, and with his feet on the fender, and one of Mr. Boyce's French novels on his knee, he was intensely enjoying a moment of physical ease.

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

From this reading Wharton was sitting alone in the big Mellor drawing-room, after dinner.

a soft wet area of low-lying land that sinks underfoot

From this reading Now, beside this fire and at a distance, it amazed him that any motive whatever, public or private, should ever have been strong enough to take him out through the mire on these winter nights to spout himself hoarse to a parcel of rustics.

a particular point in time

From this reading He had drawn one of the few easy chairs the room possessed to the fire, and with his feet on the fender, and one of Mr. Boyce's French novels on his knee, he was intensely enjoying a moment of physical ease.

the psychological feature that arouses an organism to action toward a desired goal; the reason for the action; that which gives purpose and direction to behavior

From this reading Now, beside this fire and at a distance, it amazed him that any motive whatever, public or private, should ever have been strong enough to take him out through the mire on these winter nights to spout himself hoarse to a parcel of rustics.

a form of address for a man

From this reading He had drawn one of the few easy chairs the room possessed to the fire, and with his feet on the fender, and one of Mr. Boyce's French novels on his knee, he was intensely enjoying a moment of physical ease.

as might be expected

From this reading The work of these weeks of canvassing and speaking had been arduous, and he was naturally indolent.

Periods of darkness between sunset and sunrise.

From this reading Now, beside this fire and at a distance, it amazed him that any motive whatever, public or private, should ever have been strong enough to take him out through the mire on these winter nights to spout himself hoarse to a parcel of rustics.

plural of “novel” — an extended fictional work in prose; usually in the form of a story

From this reading He had drawn one of the few easy chairs the room possessed to the fire, and with his feet on the fender, and one of Mr. Boyce's French novels on his knee, he was intensely enjoying a moment of physical ease.

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

From this reading Now, beside this fire and at a distance, it amazed him that any motive whatever, public or private, should ever have been strong enough to take him out through the mire on these winter nights to spout himself hoarse to a parcel of rustics.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading He had drawn one of the few easy chairs the room possessed to the fire, and with his feet on the fender, and one of Mr. Boyce's French novels on his knee, he was intensely enjoying a moment of physical ease.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading He had drawn one of the few easy chairs the room possessed to the fire, and with his feet on the fender, and one of Mr. Boyce's French novels on his knee, he was intensely enjoying a moment of physical ease.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading He had drawn one of the few easy chairs the room possessed to the fire, and with his feet on the fender, and one of Mr. Boyce's French novels on his knee, he was intensely enjoying a moment of physical ease.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Now, beside this fire and at a distance, it amazed him that any motive whatever, public or private, should ever have been strong enough to take him out through the mire on these winter nights to spout himself hoarse to a parcel of rustics.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading Now, beside this fire and at a distance, it amazed him that any motive whatever, public or private, should ever have been strong enough to take him out through the mire on these winter nights to spout himself hoarse to a parcel of rustics.

a wrapped container

From this reading Now, beside this fire and at a distance, it amazed him that any motive whatever, public or private, should ever have been strong enough to take him out through the mire on these winter nights to spout himself hoarse to a parcel of rustics.

involving the body as distinguished from the mind or spirit

From this reading He had drawn one of the few easy chairs the room possessed to the fire, and with his feet on the fender, and one of Mr. Boyce's French novels on his knee, he was intensely enjoying a moment of physical ease.

influenced or controlled by a powerful force such as a strong emotion

From this reading He had drawn one of the few easy chairs the room possessed to the fire, and with his feet on the fender, and one of Mr. Boyce's French novels on his knee, he was intensely enjoying a moment of physical ease.

confined to particular persons or groups or providing privacy

From this reading Now, beside this fire and at a distance, it amazed him that any motive whatever, public or private, should ever have been strong enough to take him out through the mire on these winter nights to spout himself hoarse to a parcel of rustics.

people in general considered as a whole

From this reading Now, beside this fire and at a distance, it amazed him that any motive whatever, public or private, should ever have been strong enough to take him out through the mire on these winter nights to spout himself hoarse to a parcel of rustics.

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

From this reading He had drawn one of the few easy chairs the room possessed to the fire, and with his feet on the fender, and one of Mr. Boyce's French novels on his knee, he was intensely enjoying a moment of physical ease.

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

From this reading Now, beside this fire and at a distance, it amazed him that any motive whatever, public or private, should ever have been strong enough to take him out through the mire on these winter nights to spout himself hoarse to a parcel of rustics.

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading Now, beside this fire and at a distance, it amazed him that any motive whatever, public or private, should ever have been strong enough to take him out through the mire on these winter nights to spout himself hoarse to a parcel of rustics.

(photography) the act of assuming a certain position (as for a photograph or portrait)

From this reading Wharton was sitting alone in the big Mellor drawing-room, after dinner.

the utterance of intelligible speech

From this reading The work of these weeks of canvassing and speaking had been arduous, and he was naturally indolent.

gush forth in a sudden stream or jet

From this reading Now, beside this fire and at a distance, it amazed him that any motive whatever, public or private, should ever have been strong enough to take him out through the mire on these winter nights to spout himself hoarse to a parcel of rustics.

having strength or power greater than average or expected

From this reading Now, beside this fire and at a distance, it amazed him that any motive whatever, public or private, should ever have been strong enough to take him out through the mire on these winter nights to spout himself hoarse to a parcel of rustics.

carry out

From this reading Now, beside this fire and at a distance, it amazed him that any motive whatever, public or private, should ever have been strong enough to take him out through the mire on these winter nights to spout himself hoarse to a parcel of rustics.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Now, beside this fire and at a distance, it amazed him that any motive whatever, public or private, should ever have been strong enough to take him out through the mire on these winter nights to spout himself hoarse to a parcel of rustics.

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

From this reading Wharton was sitting alone in the big Mellor drawing-room, after dinner.

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

From this reading The work of these weeks of canvassing and speaking had been arduous, and he was naturally indolent.

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

From this reading Now, beside this fire and at a distance, it amazed him that any motive whatever, public or private, should ever have been strong enough to take him out through the mire on these winter nights to spout himself hoarse to a parcel of rustics.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading Now, beside this fire and at a distance, it amazed him that any motive whatever, public or private, should ever have been strong enough to take him out through the mire on these winter nights to spout himself hoarse to a parcel of rustics.

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

From this reading He had drawn one of the few easy chairs the room possessed to the fire, and with his feet on the fender, and one of Mr. Boyce's French novels on his knee, he was intensely enjoying a moment of physical ease.

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

From this reading "What did I do it for?" he asked himself; "what am I going to do it for again to-morrow?"

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

From this reading Wharton was sitting alone in the big Mellor drawing-room, after dinner.

plural of “week” — any period of seven consecutive days

From this reading The work of these weeks of canvassing and speaking had been arduous, and he was naturally indolent.

United States novelist (1862-1937)

From this reading Wharton was sitting alone in the big Mellor drawing-room, after dinner.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading "What did I do it for?" he asked himself; "what am I going to do it for again to-morrow?"

any or all of a kind, it does not matter which

From this reading Now, beside this fire and at a distance, it amazed him that any motive whatever, public or private, should ever have been strong enough to take him out through the mire on these winter nights to spout himself hoarse to a parcel of rustics.

the coldest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the winter solstice to the vernal equinox

From this reading Now, beside this fire and at a distance, it amazed him that any motive whatever, public or private, should ever have been strong enough to take him out through the mire on these winter nights to spout himself hoarse to a parcel of rustics.

in the company of; together with

From this reading He had drawn one of the few easy chairs the room possessed to the fire, and with his feet on the fender, and one of Mr. Boyce's French novels on his knee, he was intensely enjoying a moment of physical ease.

exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity

From this reading The work of these weeks of canvassing and speaking had been arduous, and he was naturally indolent.