Chapter XXI · Chapter 21

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

From this reading THE SKYLARK’S SONG Master Nathaniel Gyles, Precentor of St. Paul’s, had pipe-stem legs, and a face like an old parchment put in a box to keep.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading His sandy hair was thin and straggling, and his fine cloth hose wrinkled around his shrunken shanks; but his eye was sharp, and he wore about his neck a broad gold chain that marked him as no common man.

the performance of a part or role in a drama

From this reading For Master Nathaniel Gyles was head of the Cathedral schools of acting and of music, and he stood upon his dignity.

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading THE SKYLARK’S SONG Master Nathaniel Gyles, Precentor of St. Paul’s, had pipe-stem legs, and a face like an old parchment put in a box to keep.

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

From this reading THE SKYLARK’S SONG Master Nathaniel Gyles, Precentor of St. Paul’s, had pipe-stem legs, and a face like an old parchment put in a box to keep.

surrounding, or on every side of, something

From this reading His sandy hair was thin and straggling, and his fine cloth hose wrinkled around his shrunken shanks; but his eye was sharp, and he wore about his neck a broad gold chain that marked him as no common man.

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

From this reading His sandy hair was thin and straggling, and his fine cloth hose wrinkled around his shrunken shanks; but his eye was sharp, and he wore about his neck a broad gold chain that marked him as no common man.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “My duty is laid down,” said he, “in most specific terms, sir,—_lex cathedralis_,—that is to say, by the laws of the cathedral; and has been, sir, since the reign of Richard the Third.

a (usually rectangular) container; may have a lid

From this reading THE SKYLARK’S SONG Master Nathaniel Gyles, Precentor of St. Paul’s, had pipe-stem legs, and a face like an old parchment put in a box to keep.

having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other

From this reading His sandy hair was thin and straggling, and his fine cloth hose wrinkled around his shrunken shanks; but his eye was sharp, and he wore about his neck a broad gold chain that marked him as no common man.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading His sandy hair was thin and straggling, and his fine cloth hose wrinkled around his shrunken shanks; but his eye was sharp, and he wore about his neck a broad gold chain that marked him as no common man.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading “My duty is laid down,” said he, “in most specific terms, sir,—_lex cathedralis_,—that is to say, by the laws of the cathedral; and has been, sir, since the reign of Richard the Third.

any large and important church

From this reading For Master Nathaniel Gyles was head of the Cathedral schools of acting and of music, and he stood upon his dignity.

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

From this reading “My duty is laid down,” said he, “in most specific terms, sir,—_lex cathedralis_,—that is to say, by the laws of the cathedral; and has been, sir, since the reign of Richard the Third.

a series of things depending on each other as if linked together

From this reading His sandy hair was thin and straggling, and his fine cloth hose wrinkled around his shrunken shanks; but his eye was sharp, and he wore about his neck a broad gold chain that marked him as no common man.

artifact made by weaving or felting or knitting or crocheting natural or synthetic fibers

From this reading His sandy hair was thin and straggling, and his fine cloth hose wrinkled around his shrunken shanks; but his eye was sharp, and he wore about his neck a broad gold chain that marked him as no common man.

belonging to or participated in by a community as a whole; public

From this reading His sandy hair was thin and straggling, and his fine cloth hose wrinkled around his shrunken shanks; but his eye was sharp, and he wore about his neck a broad gold chain that marked him as no common man.

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

From this reading _Primus Magister Scholarum, Custos Morum, Quartus Custos Rotulorum_,—so the title stands, sir; and I know my place.”

the quality of being worthy of esteem or respect

From this reading For Master Nathaniel Gyles was head of the Cathedral schools of acting and of music, and he stood upon his dignity.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading “My duty is laid down,” said he, “in most specific terms, sir,—_lex cathedralis_,—that is to say, by the laws of the cathedral; and has been, sir, since the reign of Richard the Third.

the social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force

From this reading “My duty is laid down,” said he, “in most specific terms, sir,—_lex cathedralis_,—that is to say, by the laws of the cathedral; and has been, sir, since the reign of Richard the Third.

the organ of sight

From this reading His sandy hair was thin and straggling, and his fine cloth hose wrinkled around his shrunken shanks; but his eye was sharp, and he wore about his neck a broad gold chain that marked him as no common man.

the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear

From this reading THE SKYLARK’S SONG Master Nathaniel Gyles, Precentor of St. Paul’s, had pipe-stem legs, and a face like an old parchment put in a box to keep.

being satisfactory or in satisfactory condition

From this reading His sandy hair was thin and straggling, and his fine cloth hose wrinkled around his shrunken shanks; but his eye was sharp, and he wore about his neck a broad gold chain that marked him as no common man.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading For Master Nathaniel Gyles was head of the Cathedral schools of acting and of music, and he stood upon his dignity.

coins made of gold

From this reading His sandy hair was thin and straggling, and his fine cloth hose wrinkled around his shrunken shanks; but his eye was sharp, and he wore about his neck a broad gold chain that marked him as no common man.

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

From this reading THE SKYLARK’S SONG Master Nathaniel Gyles, Precentor of St. Paul’s, had pipe-stem legs, and a face like an old parchment put in a box to keep.

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

From this reading THE SKYLARK’S SONG Master Nathaniel Gyles, Precentor of St. Paul’s, had pipe-stem legs, and a face like an old parchment put in a box to keep.

a covering for the body (or parts of it) consisting of a dense growth of threadlike structures (as on the human head); helps to prevent heat loss

From this reading His sandy hair was thin and straggling, and his fine cloth hose wrinkled around his shrunken shanks; but his eye was sharp, and he wore about his neck a broad gold chain that marked him as no common man.

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

From this reading “My duty is laid down,” said he, “in most specific terms, sir,—_lex cathedralis_,—that is to say, by the laws of the cathedral; and has been, sir, since the reign of Richard the Third.

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

From this reading His sandy hair was thin and straggling, and his fine cloth hose wrinkled around his shrunken shanks; but his eye was sharp, and he wore about his neck a broad gold chain that marked him as no common man.

the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains

From this reading For Master Nathaniel Gyles was head of the Cathedral schools of acting and of music, and he stood upon his dignity.

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

From this reading His sandy hair was thin and straggling, and his fine cloth hose wrinkled around his shrunken shanks; but his eye was sharp, and he wore about his neck a broad gold chain that marked him as no common man.

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

From this reading His sandy hair was thin and straggling, and his fine cloth hose wrinkled around his shrunken shanks; but his eye was sharp, and he wore about his neck a broad gold chain that marked him as no common man.

socks and stockings and tights collectively (the British include underwear)

From this reading His sandy hair was thin and straggling, and his fine cloth hose wrinkled around his shrunken shanks; but his eye was sharp, and he wore about his neck a broad gold chain that marked him as no common man.

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

From this reading _Primus Magister Scholarum, Custos Morum, Quartus Custos Rotulorum_,—so the title stands, sir; and I know my place.”

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

From this reading THE SKYLARK’S SONG Master Nathaniel Gyles, Precentor of St. Paul’s, had pipe-stem legs, and a face like an old parchment put in a box to keep.

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

From this reading “My duty is laid down,” said he, “in most specific terms, sir,—_lex cathedralis_,—that is to say, by the laws of the cathedral; and has been, sir, since the reign of Richard the Third.

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

From this reading THE SKYLARK’S SONG Master Nathaniel Gyles, Precentor of St. Paul’s, had pipe-stem legs, and a face like an old parchment put in a box to keep.

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

From this reading _Primus Magister Scholarum, Custos Morum, Quartus Custos Rotulorum_,—so the title stands, sir; and I know my place.”

set down according to a plan

From this reading “My duty is laid down,” said he, “in most specific terms, sir,—_lex cathedralis_,—that is to say, by the laws of the cathedral; and has been, sir, since the reign of Richard the Third.

the first of three divisions of the Hebrew Scriptures comprising the first five books of the Hebrew Bible considered as a unit

From this reading “My duty is laid down,” said he, “in most specific terms, sir,—_lex cathedralis_,—that is to say, by the laws of the cathedral; and has been, sir, since the reign of Richard the Third.

staying power

From this reading THE SKYLARK’S SONG Master Nathaniel Gyles, Precentor of St. Paul’s, had pipe-stem legs, and a face like an old parchment put in a box to keep.

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

From this reading “My duty is laid down,” said he, “in most specific terms, sir,—_lex cathedralis_,—that is to say, by the laws of the cathedral; and has been, sir, since the reign of Richard the Third.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading THE SKYLARK’S SONG Master Nathaniel Gyles, Precentor of St. Paul’s, had pipe-stem legs, and a face like an old parchment put in a box to keep.

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

From this reading _Primus Magister Scholarum, Custos Morum, Quartus Custos Rotulorum_,—so the title stands, sir; and I know my place.”

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

From this reading His sandy hair was thin and straggling, and his fine cloth hose wrinkled around his shrunken shanks; but his eye was sharp, and he wore about his neck a broad gold chain that marked him as no common man.

strongly marked; easily noticeable

From this reading His sandy hair was thin and straggling, and his fine cloth hose wrinkled around his shrunken shanks; but his eye was sharp, and he wore about his neck a broad gold chain that marked him as no common man.

an artist of consummate skill

From this reading THE SKYLARK’S SONG Master Nathaniel Gyles, Precentor of St. Paul’s, had pipe-stem legs, and a face like an old parchment put in a box to keep.

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

From this reading _Primus Magister Scholarum, Custos Morum, Quartus Custos Rotulorum_,—so the title stands, sir; and I know my place.”

used to form the superlative

From this reading “My duty is laid down,” said he, “in most specific terms, sir,—_lex cathedralis_,—that is to say, by the laws of the cathedral; and has been, sir, since the reign of Richard the Third.

an artistic form of auditory communication incorporating instrumental or vocal tones in a structured and continuous manner

From this reading For Master Nathaniel Gyles was head of the Cathedral schools of acting and of music, and he stood upon his dignity.

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading “My duty is laid down,” said he, “in most specific terms, sir,—_lex cathedralis_,—that is to say, by the laws of the cathedral; and has been, sir, since the reign of Richard the Third.

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

From this reading THE SKYLARK’S SONG Master Nathaniel Gyles, Precentor of St. Paul’s, had pipe-stem legs, and a face like an old parchment put in a box to keep.

the part of an organism (human or animal) that connects the head to the rest of the body

From this reading His sandy hair was thin and straggling, and his fine cloth hose wrinkled around his shrunken shanks; but his eye was sharp, and he wore about his neck a broad gold chain that marked him as no common man.

not any; not one

From this reading His sandy hair was thin and straggling, and his fine cloth hose wrinkled around his shrunken shanks; but his eye was sharp, and he wore about his neck a broad gold chain that marked him as no common man.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading THE SKYLARK’S SONG Master Nathaniel Gyles, Precentor of St. Paul’s, had pipe-stem legs, and a face like an old parchment put in a box to keep.

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

From this reading THE SKYLARK’S SONG Master Nathaniel Gyles, Precentor of St. Paul’s, had pipe-stem legs, and a face like an old parchment put in a box to keep.

A stiff, flat, thin material made from the prepared skin of an animal, used for writing.

From this reading THE SKYLARK’S SONG Master Nathaniel Gyles, Precentor of St. Paul’s, had pipe-stem legs, and a face like an old parchment put in a box to keep.

possessive form of “paul” — United States feminist (1885-1977)

From this reading THE SKYLARK’S SONG Master Nathaniel Gyles, Precentor of St. Paul’s, had pipe-stem legs, and a face like an old parchment put in a box to keep.

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

From this reading THE SKYLARK’S SONG Master Nathaniel Gyles, Precentor of St. Paul’s, had pipe-stem legs, and a face like an old parchment put in a box to keep.

a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading _Primus Magister Scholarum, Custos Morum, Quartus Custos Rotulorum_,—so the title stands, sir; and I know my place.”

the musical director of a choir

From this reading THE SKYLARK’S SONG Master Nathaniel Gyles, Precentor of St. Paul’s, had pipe-stem legs, and a face like an old parchment put in a box to keep.

the presiding bishop of the Episcopal Church of Scotland

From this reading _Primus Magister Scholarum, Custos Morum, Quartus Custos Rotulorum_,—so the title stands, sir; and I know my place.”

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading THE SKYLARK’S SONG Master Nathaniel Gyles, Precentor of St. Paul’s, had pipe-stem legs, and a face like an old parchment put in a box to keep.

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

From this reading _Primus Magister Scholarum, Custos Morum, Quartus Custos Rotulorum_,—so the title stands, sir; and I know my place.”

have sovereign power

From this reading “My duty is laid down,” said he, “in most specific terms, sir,—_lex cathedralis_,—that is to say, by the laws of the cathedral; and has been, sir, since the reign of Richard the Third.

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

From this reading “My duty is laid down,” said he, “in most specific terms, sir,—_lex cathedralis_,—that is to say, by the laws of the cathedral; and has been, sir, since the reign of Richard the Third.

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

From this reading _Primus Magister Scholarum, Custos Morum, Quartus Custos Rotulorum_,—so the title stands, sir; and I know my place.”

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading “My duty is laid down,” said he, “in most specific terms, sir,—_lex cathedralis_,—that is to say, by the laws of the cathedral; and has been, sir, since the reign of Richard the Third.

of hair color; pale yellowish to yellowish brown

From this reading His sandy hair was thin and straggling, and his fine cloth hose wrinkled around his shrunken shanks; but his eye was sharp, and he wore about his neck a broad gold chain that marked him as no common man.

express in words

From this reading “My duty is laid down,” said he, “in most specific terms, sir,—_lex cathedralis_,—that is to say, by the laws of the cathedral; and has been, sir, since the reign of Richard the Third.

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

From this reading _Primus Magister Scholarum, Custos Morum, Quartus Custos Rotulorum_,—so the title stands, sir; and I know my place.”

plural of “school” — an educational institution

From this reading For Master Nathaniel Gyles was head of the Cathedral schools of acting and of music, and he stood upon his dignity.

plural of “shank” — a cut of meat (beef or veal or mutton or lamb) from the upper part of the leg

From this reading His sandy hair was thin and straggling, and his fine cloth hose wrinkled around his shrunken shanks; but his eye was sharp, and he wore about his neck a broad gold chain that marked him as no common man.

(of something seen or heard) clearly defined

From this reading His sandy hair was thin and straggling, and his fine cloth hose wrinkled around his shrunken shanks; but his eye was sharp, and he wore about his neck a broad gold chain that marked him as no common man.

lean and wrinkled by shrinkage as from age or illness

From this reading His sandy hair was thin and straggling, and his fine cloth hose wrinkled around his shrunken shanks; but his eye was sharp, and he wore about his neck a broad gold chain that marked him as no common man.

from a time in the past until now

From this reading “My duty is laid down,” said he, “in most specific terms, sir,—_lex cathedralis_,—that is to say, by the laws of the cathedral; and has been, sir, since the reign of Richard the Third.

term of address for a man

From this reading “My duty is laid down,” said he, “in most specific terms, sir,—_lex cathedralis_,—that is to say, by the laws of the cathedral; and has been, sir, since the reign of Richard the Third.

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

From this reading THE SKYLARK’S SONG Master Nathaniel Gyles, Precentor of St. Paul’s, had pipe-stem legs, and a face like an old parchment put in a box to keep.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading _Primus Magister Scholarum, Custos Morum, Quartus Custos Rotulorum_,—so the title stands, sir; and I know my place.”

a short musical composition with words

From this reading THE SKYLARK’S SONG Master Nathaniel Gyles, Precentor of St. Paul’s, had pipe-stem legs, and a face like an old parchment put in a box to keep.

(sometimes followed by “to”) applying to or characterized by or distinguishing something particular or special or unique

From this reading “My duty is laid down,” said he, “in most specific terms, sir,—_lex cathedralis_,—that is to say, by the laws of the cathedral; and has been, sir, since the reign of Richard the Third.

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

From this reading THE SKYLARK’S SONG Master Nathaniel Gyles, Precentor of St. Paul’s, had pipe-stem legs, and a face like an old parchment put in a box to keep.

plural of “stand” — a support or foundation

From this reading _Primus Magister Scholarum, Custos Morum, Quartus Custos Rotulorum_,—so the title stands, sir; and I know my place.”

Maintained an upright posture.

From this reading For Master Nathaniel Gyles was head of the Cathedral schools of acting and of music, and he stood upon his dignity.

spreading out in different directions or distributed irregularly

From this reading His sandy hair was thin and straggling, and his fine cloth hose wrinkled around his shrunken shanks; but his eye was sharp, and he wore about his neck a broad gold chain that marked him as no common man.

status with respect to the relations between people or groups

From this reading “My duty is laid down,” said he, “in most specific terms, sir,—_lex cathedralis_,—that is to say, by the laws of the cathedral; and has been, sir, since the reign of Richard the Third.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading His sandy hair was thin and straggling, and his fine cloth hose wrinkled around his shrunken shanks; but his eye was sharp, and he wore about his neck a broad gold chain that marked him as no common man.

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

From this reading THE SKYLARK’S SONG Master Nathaniel Gyles, Precentor of St. Paul’s, had pipe-stem legs, and a face like an old parchment put in a box to keep.

Having little thickness or extent.

From this reading His sandy hair was thin and straggling, and his fine cloth hose wrinkled around his shrunken shanks; but his eye was sharp, and he wore about his neck a broad gold chain that marked him as no common man.

one of three equal parts of a divisible whole

From this reading “My duty is laid down,” said he, “in most specific terms, sir,—_lex cathedralis_,—that is to say, by the laws of the cathedral; and has been, sir, since the reign of Richard the Third.

a heading that names a statute or legislative bill; may give a brief summary of the matters it deals with

From this reading _Primus Magister Scholarum, Custos Morum, Quartus Custos Rotulorum_,—so the title stands, sir; and I know my place.”

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

From this reading THE SKYLARK’S SONG Master Nathaniel Gyles, Precentor of St. Paul’s, had pipe-stem legs, and a face like an old parchment put in a box to keep.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading For Master Nathaniel Gyles was head of the Cathedral schools of acting and of music, and he stood upon his dignity.

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

From this reading His sandy hair was thin and straggling, and his fine cloth hose wrinkled around his shrunken shanks; but his eye was sharp, and he wore about his neck a broad gold chain that marked him as no common man.

inflected form of “wear” — be dressed in

From this reading His sandy hair was thin and straggling, and his fine cloth hose wrinkled around his shrunken shanks; but his eye was sharp, and he wore about his neck a broad gold chain that marked him as no common man.

marked by wrinkles

From this reading His sandy hair was thin and straggling, and his fine cloth hose wrinkled around his shrunken shanks; but his eye was sharp, and he wore about his neck a broad gold chain that marked him as no common man.