Chapter VI · Chapter 6

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

From this reading TWO CURIOUS HOUSES I. GUESTS “Your old men shall dream dreams.”+ A nature like that of Marius, composed, in about equal parts, of instincts almost physical, and of slowly accumulated intellectual judgments, was perhaps even less susceptible than other men’s characters of essential change.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading TWO CURIOUS HOUSES I. GUESTS “Your old men shall dream dreams.”+ A nature like that of Marius, composed, in about equal parts, of instincts almost physical, and of slowly accumulated intellectual judgments, was perhaps even less susceptible than other men’s characters of essential change.

plural of “accomplishment” — the action of accomplishing something

From this reading And the permanency of this change he could note, some years later, when it happened that he was a guest at a feast, in which the various exciting elements of Roman life, its physical and intellectual accomplishments, its frivolity and far-fetched elegances, its strange, mystic essays after the unseen, were elaborately combined.

periodically accumulated over time

From this reading TWO CURIOUS HOUSES I. GUESTS “Your old men shall dream dreams.”+ A nature like that of Marius, composed, in about equal parts, of instincts almost physical, and of slowly accumulated intellectual judgments, was perhaps even less susceptible than other men’s characters of essential change.

perform an action, or work out or perform (an action)

From this reading And yet the experience of that fortunate hour, seeming to gather into one central act of vision all the deeper impressions his mind had ever received, did not leave him quite as he had been.

later than; following

From this reading And the permanency of this change he could note, some years later, when it happened that he was a guest at a feast, in which the various exciting elements of Roman life, its physical and intellectual accomplishments, its frivolity and far-fetched elegances, its strange, mystic essays after the unseen, were elaborately combined.

(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 And yet the experience of that fortunate hour, seeming to gather into one central act of vision all the deeper impressions his mind had ever received, did not leave him quite as he had been.

(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but

From this reading TWO CURIOUS HOUSES I. GUESTS “Your old men shall dream dreams.”+ A nature like that of Marius, composed, in about equal parts, of instincts almost physical, and of slowly accumulated intellectual judgments, was perhaps even less susceptible than other men’s characters of essential change.

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

From this reading TWO CURIOUS HOUSES I. GUESTS “Your old men shall dream dreams.”+ A nature like that of Marius, composed, in about equal parts, of instincts almost physical, and of slowly accumulated intellectual judgments, was perhaps even less susceptible than other men’s characters of essential change.

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

From this reading And yet the experience of that fortunate hour, seeming to gather into one central act of vision all the deeper impressions his mind had ever received, did not leave him quite as he had been.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading For his mental view, at least, it changed measurably the world about him, of which he was still indeed a curious spectator, but which looked further off, was weaker in its hold, and, in a sense, less real to him than ever.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading And yet the experience of that fortunate hour, seeming to gather into one central act of vision all the deeper impressions his mind had ever received, did not leave him quite as he had been.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading For his mental view, at least, it changed measurably the world about him, of which he was still indeed a curious spectator, but which looked further off, was weaker in its hold, and, in a sense, less real to him than ever.

serving as an essential component

From this reading And yet the experience of that fortunate hour, seeming to gather into one central act of vision all the deeper impressions his mind had ever received, did not leave him quite as he had been.

cause to change; make different; cause a transformation

From this reading TWO CURIOUS HOUSES I. GUESTS “Your old men shall dream dreams.”+ A nature like that of Marius, composed, in about equal parts, of instincts almost physical, and of slowly accumulated intellectual judgments, was perhaps even less susceptible than other men’s characters of essential change.

made or become different in nature or form

From this reading For his mental view, at least, it changed measurably the world about him, of which he was still indeed a curious spectator, but which looked further off, was weaker in its hold, and, in a sense, less real to him than ever.

plural of “character” — an imaginary person represented in a work of fiction (play or film or story)

From this reading TWO CURIOUS HOUSES I. GUESTS “Your old men shall dream dreams.”+ A nature like that of Marius, composed, in about equal parts, of instincts almost physical, and of slowly accumulated intellectual judgments, was perhaps even less susceptible than other men’s characters of essential change.

made or joined or united into one

From this reading And the permanency of this change he could note, some years later, when it happened that he was a guest at a feast, in which the various exciting elements of Roman life, its physical and intellectual accomplishments, its frivolity and far-fetched elegances, its strange, mystic essays after the unseen, were elaborately combined.

serenely self-possessed and free from agitation especially in times of stress

From this reading TWO CURIOUS HOUSES I. GUESTS “Your old men shall dream dreams.”+ A nature like that of Marius, composed, in about equal parts, of instincts almost physical, and of slowly accumulated intellectual judgments, was perhaps even less susceptible than other men’s characters of essential change.

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

From this reading And the permanency of this change he could note, some years later, when it happened that he was a guest at a feast, in which the various exciting elements of Roman life, its physical and intellectual accomplishments, its frivolity and far-fetched elegances, its strange, mystic essays after the unseen, were elaborately combined.

beyond or deviating from the usual or expected

From this reading TWO CURIOUS HOUSES I. GUESTS “Your old men shall dream dreams.”+ A nature like that of Marius, composed, in about equal parts, of instincts almost physical, and of slowly accumulated intellectual judgments, was perhaps even less susceptible than other men’s characters of essential change.

comparative of “deeply” — to a great depth psychologically or emotionally

From this reading And yet the experience of that fortunate hour, seeming to gather into one central act of vision all the deeper impressions his mind had ever received, did not leave him quite as he had been.

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

From this reading And yet the experience of that fortunate hour, seeming to gather into one central act of vision all the deeper impressions his mind had ever received, did not leave him quite as he had been.

becoming smaller or less or appearing to do so

From this reading It was as if he viewed it through a diminishing glass.

A series of thoughts, images, or emotions during sleep.

From this reading TWO CURIOUS HOUSES I. GUESTS “Your old men shall dream dreams.”+ A nature like that of Marius, composed, in about equal parts, of instincts almost physical, and of slowly accumulated intellectual judgments, was perhaps even less susceptible than other men’s characters of essential change.

plural of “dream” — a series of mental images and emotions occurring during sleep

From this reading TWO CURIOUS HOUSES I. GUESTS “Your old men shall dream dreams.”+ A nature like that of Marius, composed, in about equal parts, of instincts almost physical, and of slowly accumulated intellectual judgments, was perhaps even less susceptible than other men’s characters of essential change.

with elaboration

From this reading And the permanency of this change he could note, some years later, when it happened that he was a guest at a feast, in which the various exciting elements of Roman life, its physical and intellectual accomplishments, its frivolity and far-fetched elegances, its strange, mystic essays after the unseen, were elaborately combined.

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

From this reading And the permanency of this change he could note, some years later, when it happened that he was a guest at a feast, in which the various exciting elements of Roman life, its physical and intellectual accomplishments, its frivolity and far-fetched elegances, its strange, mystic essays after the unseen, were elaborately combined.

violent or severe weather (viewed as caused by the action of the four elements)

From this reading And the permanency of this change he could note, some years later, when it happened that he was a guest at a feast, in which the various exciting elements of Roman life, its physical and intellectual accomplishments, its frivolity and far-fetched elegances, its strange, mystic essays after the unseen, were elaborately combined.

be identical or equivalent to

From this reading TWO CURIOUS HOUSES I. GUESTS “Your old men shall dream dreams.”+ A nature like that of Marius, composed, in about equal parts, of instincts almost physical, and of slowly accumulated intellectual judgments, was perhaps even less susceptible than other men’s characters of essential change.

plural of “essay” — an analytic or interpretive literary composition

From this reading And the permanency of this change he could note, some years later, when it happened that he was a guest at a feast, in which the various exciting elements of Roman life, its physical and intellectual accomplishments, its frivolity and far-fetched elegances, its strange, mystic essays after the unseen, were elaborately combined.

absolutely necessary; vitally necessary

From this reading TWO CURIOUS HOUSES I. GUESTS “Your old men shall dream dreams.”+ A nature like that of Marius, composed, in about equal parts, of instincts almost physical, and of slowly accumulated intellectual judgments, was perhaps even less susceptible than other men’s characters of essential change.

divisible by two

From this reading TWO CURIOUS HOUSES I. GUESTS “Your old men shall dream dreams.”+ A nature like that of Marius, composed, in about equal parts, of instincts almost physical, and of slowly accumulated intellectual judgments, was perhaps even less susceptible than other men’s characters of essential change.

at any time

From this reading And yet the experience of that fortunate hour, seeming to gather into one central act of vision all the deeper impressions his mind had ever received, did not leave him quite as he had been.

creating or arousing excitement

From this reading And the permanency of this change he could note, some years later, when it happened that he was a guest at a feast, in which the various exciting elements of Roman life, its physical and intellectual accomplishments, its frivolity and far-fetched elegances, its strange, mystic essays after the unseen, were elaborately combined.

undergo or live through a difficult experience

From this reading And yet the experience of that fortunate hour, seeming to gather into one central act of vision all the deeper impressions his mind had ever received, did not leave him quite as he had been.

(of an idea or story) so exaggerated or ludicrous as to be improbable

From this reading And the permanency of this change he could note, some years later, when it happened that he was a guest at a feast, in which the various exciting elements of Roman life, its physical and intellectual accomplishments, its frivolity and far-fetched elegances, its strange, mystic essays after the unseen, were elaborately combined.

a ceremonial dinner party for many people

From this reading And the permanency of this change he could note, some years later, when it happened that he was a guest at a feast, in which the various exciting elements of Roman life, its physical and intellectual accomplishments, its frivolity and far-fetched elegances, its strange, mystic essays after the unseen, were elaborately combined.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading For his mental view, at least, it changed measurably the world about him, of which he was still indeed a curious spectator, but which looked further off, was weaker in its hold, and, in a sense, less real to him than ever.

having unexpected good fortune

From this reading And yet the experience of that fortunate hour, seeming to gather into one central act of vision all the deeper impressions his mind had ever received, did not leave him quite as he had been.

the trait of being frivolous; not serious or sensible

From this reading And the permanency of this change he could note, some years later, when it happened that he was a guest at a feast, in which the various exciting elements of Roman life, its physical and intellectual accomplishments, its frivolity and far-fetched elegances, its strange, mystic essays after the unseen, were elaborately combined.

to or at a greater extent or degree or a more advanced stage (“further” is used more often than “farther” in this abstract sense)

From this reading For his mental view, at least, it changed measurably the world about him, of which he was still indeed a curious spectator, but which looked further off, was weaker in its hold, and, in a sense, less real to him than ever.

assemble or get together

From this reading And yet the experience of that fortunate hour, seeming to gather into one central act of vision all the deeper impressions his mind had ever received, did not leave him quite as he had been.

a brittle transparent solid with irregular atomic structure

From this reading It was as if he viewed it through a diminishing glass.

a visitor to whom hospitality is extended

From this reading And the permanency of this change he could note, some years later, when it happened that he was a guest at a feast, in which the various exciting elements of Roman life, its physical and intellectual accomplishments, its frivolity and far-fetched elegances, its strange, mystic essays after the unseen, were elaborately combined.

plural of “guest” — a visitor to whom hospitality is extended

From this reading TWO CURIOUS HOUSES I. GUESTS “Your old men shall dream dreams.”+ A nature like that of Marius, composed, in about equal parts, of instincts almost physical, and of slowly accumulated intellectual judgments, was perhaps even less susceptible than other men’s characters of essential change.

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

From this reading And yet the experience of that fortunate hour, seeming to gather into one central act of vision all the deeper impressions his mind had ever received, did not leave him quite as he had been.

past form of “happen” — come to pass

From this reading And the permanency of this change he could note, some years later, when it happened that he was a guest at a feast, in which the various exciting elements of Roman life, its physical and intellectual accomplishments, its frivolity and far-fetched elegances, its strange, mystic essays after the unseen, were elaborately combined.

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

From this reading And yet the experience of that fortunate hour, seeming to gather into one central act of vision all the deeper impressions his mind had ever received, did not leave him quite as he had been.

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

From this reading And yet the experience of that fortunate hour, seeming to gather into one central act of vision all the deeper impressions his mind had ever received, did not leave him quite as he had been.

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

From this reading And yet the experience of that fortunate hour, seeming to gather into one central act of vision all the deeper impressions his mind had ever received, did not leave him quite as he had been.

cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”

From this reading For his mental view, at least, it changed measurably the world about him, of which he was still indeed a curious spectator, but which looked further off, was weaker in its hold, and, in a sense, less real to him than ever.

a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day

From this reading And yet the experience of that fortunate hour, seeming to gather into one central act of vision all the deeper impressions his mind had ever received, did not leave him quite as he had been.

plural of “house” — a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families

From this reading TWO CURIOUS HOUSES I. GUESTS “Your old men shall dream dreams.”+ A nature like that of Marius, composed, in about equal parts, of instincts almost physical, and of slowly accumulated intellectual judgments, was perhaps even less susceptible than other men’s characters of essential change.

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

From this reading TWO CURIOUS HOUSES I. GUESTS “Your old men shall dream dreams.”+ A nature like that of Marius, composed, in about equal parts, of instincts almost physical, and of slowly accumulated intellectual judgments, was perhaps even less susceptible than other men’s characters of essential change.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading It was as if he viewed it through a diminishing glass.

plural of “impression” — a vague idea in which some confidence is placed

From this reading And yet the experience of that fortunate hour, seeming to gather into one central act of vision all the deeper impressions his mind had ever received, did not leave him quite as he had been.

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

From this reading TWO CURIOUS HOUSES I. GUESTS “Your old men shall dream dreams.”+ A nature like that of Marius, composed, in about equal parts, of instincts almost physical, and of slowly accumulated intellectual judgments, was perhaps even less susceptible than other men’s characters of essential change.

in truth (often tends to intensify)

From this reading For his mental view, at least, it changed measurably the world about him, of which he was still indeed a curious spectator, but which looked further off, was weaker in its hold, and, in a sense, less real to him than ever.

plural of “instinct” — inborn pattern of behavior often responsive to specific stimuli

From this reading TWO CURIOUS HOUSES I. GUESTS “Your old men shall dream dreams.”+ A nature like that of Marius, composed, in about equal parts, of instincts almost physical, and of slowly accumulated intellectual judgments, was perhaps even less susceptible than other men’s characters of essential change.

of or associated with or requiring the use of the mind

From this reading TWO CURIOUS HOUSES I. GUESTS “Your old men shall dream dreams.”+ A nature like that of Marius, composed, in about equal parts, of instincts almost physical, and of slowly accumulated intellectual judgments, was perhaps even less susceptible than other men’s characters of essential change.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading And yet the experience of that fortunate hour, seeming to gather into one central act of vision all the deeper impressions his mind had ever received, did not leave him quite as he had been.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading For his mental view, at least, it changed measurably the world about him, of which he was still indeed a curious spectator, but which looked further off, was weaker in its hold, and, in a sense, less real to him than ever.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading For his mental view, at least, it changed measurably the world about him, of which he was still indeed a curious spectator, but which looked further off, was weaker in its hold, and, in a sense, less real to him than ever.

plural of “judgment” — an opinion formed by judging something

From this reading TWO CURIOUS HOUSES I. GUESTS “Your old men shall dream dreams.”+ A nature like that of Marius, composed, in about equal parts, of instincts almost physical, and of slowly accumulated intellectual judgments, was perhaps even less susceptible than other men’s characters of essential change.

happening at a time subsequent to a reference time

From this reading And the permanency of this change he could note, some years later, when it happened that he was a guest at a feast, in which the various exciting elements of Roman life, its physical and intellectual accomplishments, its frivolity and far-fetched elegances, its strange, mystic essays after the unseen, were elaborately combined.

the superlative of “little” that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by “the”; a quantifier meaning smallest in amount or extent or degree

From this reading For his mental view, at least, it changed measurably the world about him, of which he was still indeed a curious spectator, but which looked further off, was weaker in its hold, and, in a sense, less real to him than ever.

go away from a place

From this reading And yet the experience of that fortunate hour, seeming to gather into one central act of vision all the deeper impressions his mind had ever received, did not leave him quite as he had been.

used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs

From this reading TWO CURIOUS HOUSES I. GUESTS “Your old men shall dream dreams.”+ A nature like that of Marius, composed, in about equal parts, of instincts almost physical, and of slowly accumulated intellectual judgments, was perhaps even less susceptible than other men’s characters of essential change.

a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading And the permanency of this change he could note, some years later, when it happened that he was a guest at a feast, in which the various exciting elements of Roman life, its physical and intellectual accomplishments, its frivolity and far-fetched elegances, its strange, mystic essays after the unseen, were elaborately combined.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading TWO CURIOUS HOUSES I. GUESTS “Your old men shall dream dreams.”+ A nature like that of Marius, composed, in about equal parts, of instincts almost physical, and of slowly accumulated intellectual judgments, was perhaps even less susceptible than other men’s characters of essential change.

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

From this reading For his mental view, at least, it changed measurably the world about him, of which he was still indeed a curious spectator, but which looked further off, was weaker in its hold, and, in a sense, less real to him than ever.

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

From this reading TWO CURIOUS HOUSES I. GUESTS “Your old men shall dream dreams.”+ A nature like that of Marius, composed, in about equal parts, of instincts almost physical, and of slowly accumulated intellectual judgments, was perhaps even less susceptible than other men’s characters of essential change.

to a measurable degree

From this reading For his mental view, at least, it changed measurably the world about him, of which he was still indeed a curious spectator, but which looked further off, was weaker in its hold, and, in a sense, less real to him than ever.

the force of workers available

From this reading TWO CURIOUS HOUSES I. GUESTS “Your old men shall dream dreams.”+ A nature like that of Marius, composed, in about equal parts, of instincts almost physical, and of slowly accumulated intellectual judgments, was perhaps even less susceptible than other men’s characters of essential change.

a public toilet for men

From this reading TWO CURIOUS HOUSES I. GUESTS “Your old men shall dream dreams.”+ A nature like that of Marius, composed, in about equal parts, of instincts almost physical, and of slowly accumulated intellectual judgments, was perhaps even less susceptible than other men’s characters of essential change.

involving the mind or an intellectual process

From this reading For his mental view, at least, it changed measurably the world about him, of which he was still indeed a curious spectator, but which looked further off, was weaker in its hold, and, in a sense, less real to him than ever.

The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.

From this reading And yet the experience of that fortunate hour, seeming to gather into one central act of vision all the deeper impressions his mind had ever received, did not leave him quite as he had been.

having an import not apparent to the senses nor obvious to the intelligence; beyond ordinary understanding

From this reading And the permanency of this change he could note, some years later, when it happened that he was a guest at a feast, in which the various exciting elements of Roman life, its physical and intellectual accomplishments, its frivolity and far-fetched elegances, its strange, mystic essays after the unseen, were elaborately combined.

the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized

From this reading TWO CURIOUS HOUSES I. GUESTS “Your old men shall dream dreams.”+ A nature like that of Marius, composed, in about equal parts, of instincts almost physical, and of slowly accumulated intellectual judgments, was perhaps even less susceptible than other men’s characters of essential change.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading And yet the experience of that fortunate hour, seeming to gather into one central act of vision all the deeper impressions his mind had ever received, did not leave him quite as he had been.

a brief written record

From this reading And the permanency of this change he could note, some years later, when it happened that he was a guest at a feast, in which the various exciting elements of Roman life, its physical and intellectual accomplishments, its frivolity and far-fetched elegances, its strange, mystic essays after the unseen, were elaborately combined.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading TWO CURIOUS HOUSES I. GUESTS “Your old men shall dream dreams.”+ A nature like that of Marius, composed, in about equal parts, of instincts almost physical, and of slowly accumulated intellectual judgments, was perhaps even less susceptible than other men’s characters of essential change.

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading For his mental view, at least, it changed measurably the world about him, of which he was still indeed a curious spectator, but which looked further off, was weaker in its hold, and, in a sense, less real to him than ever.

(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age

From this reading TWO CURIOUS HOUSES I. GUESTS “Your old men shall dream dreams.”+ A nature like that of Marius, composed, in about equal parts, of instincts almost physical, and of slowly accumulated intellectual judgments, was perhaps even less susceptible than other men’s characters of essential change.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading And yet the experience of that fortunate hour, seeming to gather into one central act of vision all the deeper impressions his mind had ever received, did not leave him quite as he had been.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading TWO CURIOUS HOUSES I. GUESTS “Your old men shall dream dreams.”+ A nature like that of Marius, composed, in about equal parts, of instincts almost physical, and of slowly accumulated intellectual judgments, was perhaps even less susceptible than other men’s characters of essential change.

the local environment

From this reading TWO CURIOUS HOUSES I. GUESTS “Your old men shall dream dreams.”+ A nature like that of Marius, composed, in about equal parts, of instincts almost physical, and of slowly accumulated intellectual judgments, was perhaps even less susceptible than other men’s characters of essential change.

by chance

From this reading TWO CURIOUS HOUSES I. GUESTS “Your old men shall dream dreams.”+ A nature like that of Marius, composed, in about equal parts, of instincts almost physical, and of slowly accumulated intellectual judgments, was perhaps even less susceptible than other men’s characters of essential change.

the property of being able to exist for an indefinite duration

From this reading And the permanency of this change he could note, some years later, when it happened that he was a guest at a feast, in which the various exciting elements of Roman life, its physical and intellectual accomplishments, its frivolity and far-fetched elegances, its strange, mystic essays after the unseen, were elaborately combined.

involving the body as distinguished from the mind or spirit

From this reading TWO CURIOUS HOUSES I. GUESTS “Your old men shall dream dreams.”+ A nature like that of Marius, composed, in about equal parts, of instincts almost physical, and of slowly accumulated intellectual judgments, was perhaps even less susceptible than other men’s characters of essential change.

to a degree (not used with a negative)

From this reading And yet the experience of that fortunate hour, seeming to gather into one central act of vision all the deeper impressions his mind had ever received, did not leave him quite as he had been.

being or occurring in fact or actuality; having verified existence; not illusory

From this reading For his mental view, at least, it changed measurably the world about him, of which he was still indeed a curious spectator, but which looked further off, was weaker in its hold, and, in a sense, less real to him than ever.

conforming to the established language usage of educated native speakers

From this reading And yet the experience of that fortunate hour, seeming to gather into one central act of vision all the deeper impressions his mind had ever received, did not leave him quite as he had been.

relating to or characteristic of people of Rome

From this reading And the permanency of this change he could note, some years later, when it happened that he was a guest at a feast, in which the various exciting elements of Roman life, its physical and intellectual accomplishments, its frivolity and far-fetched elegances, its strange, mystic essays after the unseen, were elaborately combined.

appearing as such but not necessarily so

From this reading And yet the experience of that fortunate hour, seeming to gather into one central act of vision all the deeper impressions his mind had ever received, did not leave him quite as he had been.

a general conscious awareness

From this reading For his mental view, at least, it changed measurably the world about him, of which he was still indeed a curious spectator, but which looked further off, was weaker in its hold, and, in a sense, less real to him than ever.

used with I and we for the future, or to offer and suggest

From this reading TWO CURIOUS HOUSES I. GUESTS “Your old men shall dream dreams.”+ A nature like that of Marius, composed, in about equal parts, of instincts almost physical, and of slowly accumulated intellectual judgments, was perhaps even less susceptible than other men’s characters of essential change.

without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)

From this reading TWO CURIOUS HOUSES I. GUESTS “Your old men shall dream dreams.”+ A nature like that of Marius, composed, in about equal parts, of instincts almost physical, and of slowly accumulated intellectual judgments, was perhaps even less susceptible than other men’s characters of essential change.

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

From this reading And the permanency of this change he could note, some years later, when it happened that he was a guest at a feast, in which the various exciting elements of Roman life, its physical and intellectual accomplishments, its frivolity and far-fetched elegances, its strange, mystic essays after the unseen, were elaborately combined.

a close observer; someone who looks at something (such as an exhibition of some kind)

From this reading For his mental view, at least, it changed measurably the world about him, of which he was still indeed a curious spectator, but which looked further off, was weaker in its hold, and, in a sense, less real to him than ever.

not in physical motion

From this reading For his mental view, at least, it changed measurably the world about him, of which he was still indeed a curious spectator, but which looked further off, was weaker in its hold, and, in a sense, less real to him than ever.

being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird

From this reading And the permanency of this change he could note, some years later, when it happened that he was a guest at a feast, in which the various exciting elements of Roman life, its physical and intellectual accomplishments, its frivolity and far-fetched elegances, its strange, mystic essays after the unseen, were elaborately combined.

(often followed by “of” or “to”) yielding readily to or capable of

From this reading TWO CURIOUS HOUSES I. GUESTS “Your old men shall dream dreams.”+ A nature like that of Marius, composed, in about equal parts, of instincts almost physical, and of slowly accumulated intellectual judgments, was perhaps even less susceptible than other men’s characters of essential change.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading TWO CURIOUS HOUSES I. GUESTS “Your old men shall dream dreams.”+ A nature like that of Marius, composed, in about equal parts, of instincts almost physical, and of slowly accumulated intellectual judgments, was perhaps even less susceptible than other men’s characters of essential change.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading TWO CURIOUS HOUSES I. GUESTS “Your old men shall dream dreams.”+ A nature like that of Marius, composed, in about equal parts, of instincts almost physical, and of slowly accumulated intellectual judgments, was perhaps even less susceptible than other men’s characters of essential change.

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

From this reading And yet the experience of that fortunate hour, seeming to gather into one central act of vision all the deeper impressions his mind had ever received, did not leave him quite as he had been.

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

From this reading And the permanency of this change he could note, some years later, when it happened that he was a guest at a feast, in which the various exciting elements of Roman life, its physical and intellectual accomplishments, its frivolity and far-fetched elegances, its strange, mystic essays after the unseen, were elaborately combined.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading It was as if he viewed it through a diminishing glass.

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

From this reading And yet the experience of that fortunate hour, seeming to gather into one central act of vision all the deeper impressions his mind had ever received, did not leave him quite as he had been.

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

From this reading TWO CURIOUS HOUSES I. GUESTS “Your old men shall dream dreams.”+ A nature like that of Marius, composed, in about equal parts, of instincts almost physical, and of slowly accumulated intellectual judgments, was perhaps even less susceptible than other men’s characters of essential change.

not seen or perceived

From this reading And the permanency of this change he could note, some years later, when it happened that he was a guest at a feast, in which the various exciting elements of Roman life, its physical and intellectual accomplishments, its frivolity and far-fetched elegances, its strange, mystic essays after the unseen, were elaborately combined.

of many different kinds purposefully arranged but lacking any uniformity

From this reading And the permanency of this change he could note, some years later, when it happened that he was a guest at a feast, in which the various exciting elements of Roman life, its physical and intellectual accomplishments, its frivolity and far-fetched elegances, its strange, mystic essays after the unseen, were elaborately combined.

a way of regarding situations or topics etc.

From this reading For his mental view, at least, it changed measurably the world about him, of which he was still indeed a curious spectator, but which looked further off, was weaker in its hold, and, in a sense, less real to him than ever.

past form of “view” — deem to be

From this reading It was as if he viewed it through a diminishing glass.

a vivid mental image

From this reading And yet the experience of that fortunate hour, seeming to gather into one central act of vision all the deeper impressions his mind had ever received, did not leave him quite as he had been.

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

From this reading TWO CURIOUS HOUSES I. GUESTS “Your old men shall dream dreams.”+ A nature like that of Marius, composed, in about equal parts, of instincts almost physical, and of slowly accumulated intellectual judgments, was perhaps even less susceptible than other men’s characters of essential change.

comparative of “weak” — wanting in physical strength

From this reading For his mental view, at least, it changed measurably the world about him, of which he was still indeed a curious spectator, but which looked further off, was weaker in its hold, and, in a sense, less real to him than ever.

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

From this reading And the permanency of this change he could note, some years later, when it happened that he was a guest at a feast, in which the various exciting elements of Roman life, its physical and intellectual accomplishments, its frivolity and far-fetched elegances, its strange, mystic essays after the unseen, were elaborately combined.

at the time that

From this reading And the permanency of this change he could note, some years later, when it happened that he was a guest at a feast, in which the various exciting elements of Roman life, its physical and intellectual accomplishments, its frivolity and far-fetched elegances, its strange, mystic essays after the unseen, were elaborately combined.

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

From this reading For his mental view, at least, it changed measurably the world about him, of which he was still indeed a curious spectator, but which looked further off, was weaker in its hold, and, in a sense, less real to him than ever.

everything that exists anywhere

From this reading For his mental view, at least, it changed measurably the world about him, of which he was still indeed a curious spectator, but which looked further off, was weaker in its hold, and, in a sense, less real to him than ever.

a late time of life

From this reading And the permanency of this change he could note, some years later, when it happened that he was a guest at a feast, in which the various exciting elements of Roman life, its physical and intellectual accomplishments, its frivolity and far-fetched elegances, its strange, mystic essays after the unseen, were elaborately combined.

but in spite of that

From this reading And yet the experience of that fortunate hour, seeming to gather into one central act of vision all the deeper impressions his mind had ever received, did not leave him quite as he had been.

belonging to the person or people being spoken to

From this reading TWO CURIOUS HOUSES I. GUESTS “Your old men shall dream dreams.”+ A nature like that of Marius, composed, in about equal parts, of instincts almost physical, and of slowly accumulated intellectual judgments, was perhaps even less susceptible than other men’s characters of essential change.