Chapter I · Chapter 1

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

From this reading ALFRED A. KNOPF, INC.

a record or narrative description of past events

From this reading At his rooms in Golden Square he settled his account with the landlady, a luxury that reduced his wealth by a matter of nineteen pounds.

king of Wessex; defeated the Vikings and encouraged writing in English (849-899)

From this reading ALFRED A. KNOPF, INC.

the table in Christian churches where communion is given

From this reading First and Second Printings before publication At a pawnshop in the Gray's Inn Road, Richard Frencham Altar disposed of the last of his worldly goods.

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

From this reading First and Second Printings before publication At a pawnshop in the Gray's Inn Road, Richard Frencham Altar disposed of the last of his worldly goods.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading First and Second Printings before publication At a pawnshop in the Gray's Inn Road, Richard Frencham Altar disposed of the last of his worldly goods.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading First and Second Printings before publication At a pawnshop in the Gray's Inn Road, Richard Frencham Altar disposed of the last of his worldly goods.

being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light

From this reading Four suits from a tailor in Saville Row, two pairs of shoes in brown and patent by a craftsman of Jermyn Street, some odds and ends of hosiery, a set of dressing table brushes with black monograms on ivory and the gold cigarette case Doreen had given him on the day of their engagement.

an orange of low brightness and saturation

From this reading Four suits from a tailor in Saville Row, two pairs of shoes in brown and patent by a craftsman of Jermyn Street, some odds and ends of hosiery, a set of dressing table brushes with black monograms on ivory and the gold cigarette case Doreen had given him on the day of their engagement.

plural of “brush” — a dense growth of bushes

From this reading Four suits from a tailor in Saville Row, two pairs of shoes in brown and patent by a craftsman of Jermyn Street, some odds and ends of hosiery, a set of dressing table brushes with black monograms on ivory and the gold cigarette case Doreen had given him on the day of their engagement.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Four suits from a tailor in Saville Row, two pairs of shoes in brown and patent by a craftsman of Jermyn Street, some odds and ends of hosiery, a set of dressing table brushes with black monograms on ivory and the gold cigarette case Doreen had given him on the day of their engagement.

an occurrence of something

From this reading Four suits from a tailor in Saville Row, two pairs of shoes in brown and patent by a craftsman of Jermyn Street, some odds and ends of hosiery, a set of dressing table brushes with black monograms on ivory and the gold cigarette case Doreen had given him on the day of their engagement.

finely ground tobacco wrapped in paper; for smoking

From this reading Four suits from a tailor in Saville Row, two pairs of shoes in brown and patent by a craftsman of Jermyn Street, some odds and ends of hosiery, a set of dressing table brushes with black monograms on ivory and the gold cigarette case Doreen had given him on the day of their engagement.

the process of giving careful thought to something

From this reading In consideration for which he departed with a sum of twenty-seven pounds sixteen shillings in his trousers pockets.

a professional whose work is consistently of high quality

From this reading Four suits from a tailor in Saville Row, two pairs of shoes in brown and patent by a craftsman of Jermyn Street, some odds and ends of hosiery, a set of dressing table brushes with black monograms on ivory and the gold cigarette case Doreen had given him on the day of their engagement.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading Four suits from a tailor in Saville Row, two pairs of shoes in brown and patent by a craftsman of Jermyn Street, some odds and ends of hosiery, a set of dressing table brushes with black monograms on ivory and the gold cigarette case Doreen had given him on the day of their engagement.

well in the past; former

From this reading In consideration for which he departed with a sum of twenty-seven pounds sixteen shillings in his trousers pockets.

having made preparations

From this reading First and Second Printings before publication At a pawnshop in the Gray's Inn Road, Richard Frencham Altar disposed of the last of his worldly goods.

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

From this reading Four suits from a tailor in Saville Row, two pairs of shoes in brown and patent by a craftsman of Jermyn Street, some odds and ends of hosiery, a set of dressing table brushes with black monograms on ivory and the gold cigarette case Doreen had given him on the day of their engagement.

savory dressings for salads; basically of two kinds: either the thin French or vinaigrette type or the creamy mayonnaise type

From this reading Four suits from a tailor in Saville Row, two pairs of shoes in brown and patent by a craftsman of Jermyn Street, some odds and ends of hosiery, a set of dressing table brushes with black monograms on ivory and the gold cigarette case Doreen had given him on the day of their engagement.

plural of “end” — either extremity of something that has length

From this reading Four suits from a tailor in Saville Row, two pairs of shoes in brown and patent by a craftsman of Jermyn Street, some odds and ends of hosiery, a set of dressing table brushes with black monograms on ivory and the gold cigarette case Doreen had given him on the day of their engagement.

a hostile meeting of opposing military forces in the course of a war

From this reading Four suits from a tailor in Saville Row, two pairs of shoes in brown and patent by a craftsman of Jermyn Street, some odds and ends of hosiery, a set of dressing table brushes with black monograms on ivory and the gold cigarette case Doreen had given him on the day of their engagement.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading First and Second Printings before publication At a pawnshop in the Gray's Inn Road, Richard Frencham Altar disposed of the last of his worldly goods.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading In consideration for which he departed with a sum of twenty-seven pounds sixteen shillings in his trousers pockets.

the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one

From this reading Four suits from a tailor in Saville Row, two pairs of shoes in brown and patent by a craftsman of Jermyn Street, some odds and ends of hosiery, a set of dressing table brushes with black monograms on ivory and the gold cigarette case Doreen had given him on the day of their engagement.

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

From this reading First and Second Printings before publication At a pawnshop in the Gray's Inn Road, Richard Frencham Altar disposed of the last of his worldly goods.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Four suits from a tailor in Saville Row, two pairs of shoes in brown and patent by a craftsman of Jermyn Street, some odds and ends of hosiery, a set of dressing table brushes with black monograms on ivory and the gold cigarette case Doreen had given him on the day of their engagement.

acknowledged as a supposition

From this reading Four suits from a tailor in Saville Row, two pairs of shoes in brown and patent by a craftsman of Jermyn Street, some odds and ends of hosiery, a set of dressing table brushes with black monograms on ivory and the gold cigarette case Doreen had given him on the day of their engagement.

coins made of gold

From this reading Four suits from a tailor in Saville Row, two pairs of shoes in brown and patent by a craftsman of Jermyn Street, some odds and ends of hosiery, a set of dressing table brushes with black monograms on ivory and the gold cigarette case Doreen had given him on the day of their engagement.

having the deep slightly brownish color of gold

From this reading At his rooms in Golden Square he settled his account with the landlady, a luxury that reduced his wealth by a matter of nineteen pounds.

plural of “good” — benefit

From this reading First and Second Printings before publication At a pawnshop in the Gray's Inn Road, Richard Frencham Altar disposed of the last of his worldly goods.

possessive form of “gray” — a neutral achromatic color midway between white and black

From this reading First and Second Printings before publication At a pawnshop in the Gray's Inn Road, Richard Frencham Altar disposed of the last of his worldly goods.

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

From this reading Four suits from a tailor in Saville Row, two pairs of shoes in brown and patent by a craftsman of Jermyn Street, some odds and ends of hosiery, a set of dressing table brushes with black monograms on ivory and the gold cigarette case Doreen had given him on the day of their engagement.

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

From this reading In consideration for which he departed with a sum of twenty-seven pounds sixteen shillings in his trousers pockets.

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

From this reading Four suits from a tailor in Saville Row, two pairs of shoes in brown and patent by a craftsman of Jermyn Street, some odds and ends of hosiery, a set of dressing table brushes with black monograms on ivory and the gold cigarette case Doreen had given him on the day of their engagement.

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

From this reading First and Second Printings before publication At a pawnshop in the Gray's Inn Road, Richard Frencham Altar disposed of the last of his worldly goods.

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

From this reading Four suits from a tailor in Saville Row, two pairs of shoes in brown and patent by a craftsman of Jermyn Street, some odds and ends of hosiery, a set of dressing table brushes with black monograms on ivory and the gold cigarette case Doreen had given him on the day of their engagement.

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

From this reading First and Second Printings before publication At a pawnshop in the Gray's Inn Road, Richard Frencham Altar disposed of the last of his worldly goods.

a heterogeneous collection of groups united in their opposition to Saddam Hussein's government of Iraq; formed in 1992 it is comprised of Sunni and Shiite Arabs and Kurds who hope to build a new government

From this reading ALFRED A. KNOPF, INC.

a hotel providing overnight lodging for travelers

From this reading First and Second Printings before publication At a pawnshop in the Gray's Inn Road, Richard Frencham Altar disposed of the last of his worldly goods.

a hard smooth ivory colored dentine that makes up most of the tusks of elephants and walruses

From this reading Four suits from a tailor in Saville Row, two pairs of shoes in brown and patent by a craftsman of Jermyn Street, some odds and ends of hosiery, a set of dressing table brushes with black monograms on ivory and the gold cigarette case Doreen had given him on the day of their engagement.

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

From this reading Four suits from a tailor in Saville Row, two pairs of shoes in brown and patent by a craftsman of Jermyn Street, some odds and ends of hosiery, a set of dressing table brushes with black monograms on ivory and the gold cigarette case Doreen had given him on the day of their engagement.

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

From this reading ALFRED A. KNOPF, INC.

a landlord who is a woman

From this reading At his rooms in Golden Square he settled his account with the landlady, a luxury that reduced his wealth by a matter of nineteen pounds.

immediately past

From this reading First and Second Printings before publication At a pawnshop in the Gray's Inn Road, Richard Frencham Altar disposed of the last of his worldly goods.

something that is an indulgence rather than a necessity

From this reading At his rooms in Golden Square he settled his account with the landlady, a luxury that reduced his wealth by a matter of nineteen pounds.

a vaguely specified concern

From this reading At his rooms in Golden Square he settled his account with the landlady, a luxury that reduced his wealth by a matter of nineteen pounds.

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

From this reading Four suits from a tailor in Saville Row, two pairs of shoes in brown and patent by a craftsman of Jermyn Street, some odds and ends of hosiery, a set of dressing table brushes with black monograms on ivory and the gold cigarette case Doreen had given him on the day of their engagement.

the cardinal number that is the sum of eighteen and one

From this reading At his rooms in Golden Square he settled his account with the landlady, a luxury that reduced his wealth by a matter of nineteen pounds.

the likelihood of a thing occurring rather than not occurring

From this reading Four suits from a tailor in Saville Row, two pairs of shoes in brown and patent by a craftsman of Jermyn Street, some odds and ends of hosiery, a set of dressing table brushes with black monograms on ivory and the gold cigarette case Doreen had given him on the day of their engagement.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading First and Second Printings before publication At a pawnshop in the Gray's Inn Road, Richard Frencham Altar disposed of the last of his worldly goods.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Four suits from a tailor in Saville Row, two pairs of shoes in brown and patent by a craftsman of Jermyn Street, some odds and ends of hosiery, a set of dressing table brushes with black monograms on ivory and the gold cigarette case Doreen had given him on the day of their engagement.

plural of “pair” — a set of two similar things considered as a unit

From this reading Four suits from a tailor in Saville Row, two pairs of shoes in brown and patent by a craftsman of Jermyn Street, some odds and ends of hosiery, a set of dressing table brushes with black monograms on ivory and the gold cigarette case Doreen had given him on the day of their engagement.

obtain a patent for

From this reading Four suits from a tailor in Saville Row, two pairs of shoes in brown and patent by a craftsman of Jermyn Street, some odds and ends of hosiery, a set of dressing table brushes with black monograms on ivory and the gold cigarette case Doreen had given him on the day of their engagement.

a shop where loans are made with personal property as security

From this reading First and Second Printings before publication At a pawnshop in the Gray's Inn Road, Richard Frencham Altar disposed of the last of his worldly goods.

plural of “pocket” — a small pouch inside a garment for carrying small articles

From this reading In consideration for which he departed with a sum of twenty-seven pounds sixteen shillings in his trousers pockets.

plural of “pound” — 16 ounces avoirdupois

From this reading In consideration for which he departed with a sum of twenty-seven pounds sixteen shillings in his trousers pockets.

plural of “printing” — text handwritten in the style of printed matter

From this reading First and Second Printings before publication At a pawnshop in the Gray's Inn Road, Richard Frencham Altar disposed of the last of his worldly goods.

a copy of a printed work offered for distribution

From this reading First and Second Printings before publication At a pawnshop in the Gray's Inn Road, Richard Frencham Altar disposed of the last of his worldly goods.

made less in size or amount or degree

From this reading At his rooms in Golden Square he settled his account with the landlady, a luxury that reduced his wealth by a matter of nineteen pounds.

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

From this reading First and Second Printings before publication At a pawnshop in the Gray's Inn Road, Richard Frencham Altar disposed of the last of his worldly goods.

an open way (generally public) for travel or transportation

From this reading First and Second Printings before publication At a pawnshop in the Gray's Inn Road, Richard Frencham Altar disposed of the last of his worldly goods.

apartment consisting of a series of connected rooms used as a living unit (as in a hotel)

From this reading At his rooms in Golden Square he settled his account with the landlady, a luxury that reduced his wealth by a matter of nineteen pounds.

an arrangement of objects or people side by side in a line

From this reading Four suits from a tailor in Saville Row, two pairs of shoes in brown and patent by a craftsman of Jermyn Street, some odds and ends of hosiery, a set of dressing table brushes with black monograms on ivory and the gold cigarette case Doreen had given him on the day of their engagement.

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

From this reading Four suits from a tailor in Saville Row, two pairs of shoes in brown and patent by a craftsman of Jermyn Street, some odds and ends of hosiery, a set of dressing table brushes with black monograms on ivory and the gold cigarette case Doreen had given him on the day of their engagement.

1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites

From this reading First and Second Printings before publication At a pawnshop in the Gray's Inn Road, Richard Frencham Altar disposed of the last of his worldly goods.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading Four suits from a tailor in Saville Row, two pairs of shoes in brown and patent by a craftsman of Jermyn Street, some odds and ends of hosiery, a set of dressing table brushes with black monograms on ivory and the gold cigarette case Doreen had given him on the day of their engagement.

established or decided beyond dispute or doubt

From this reading At his rooms in Golden Square he settled his account with the landlady, a luxury that reduced his wealth by a matter of nineteen pounds.

plural of “shilling” — the basic unit of money in Uganda; equal to 100 cents

From this reading In consideration for which he departed with a sum of twenty-seven pounds sixteen shillings in his trousers pockets.

a particular situation

From this reading Four suits from a tailor in Saville Row, two pairs of shoes in brown and patent by a craftsman of Jermyn Street, some odds and ends of hosiery, a set of dressing table brushes with black monograms on ivory and the gold cigarette case Doreen had given him on the day of their engagement.

being one more than fifteen

From this reading In consideration for which he departed with a sum of twenty-seven pounds sixteen shillings in his trousers pockets.

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

From this reading Four suits from a tailor in Saville Row, two pairs of shoes in brown and patent by a craftsman of Jermyn Street, some odds and ends of hosiery, a set of dressing table brushes with black monograms on ivory and the gold cigarette case Doreen had given him on the day of their engagement.

make square

From this reading At his rooms in Golden Square he settled his account with the landlady, a luxury that reduced his wealth by a matter of nineteen pounds.

a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings

From this reading Four suits from a tailor in Saville Row, two pairs of shoes in brown and patent by a craftsman of Jermyn Street, some odds and ends of hosiery, a set of dressing table brushes with black monograms on ivory and the gold cigarette case Doreen had given him on the day of their engagement.

plural of “suit” — a set of garments (usually including a jacket and trousers or skirt) for outerwear all of the same fabric and color

From this reading Four suits from a tailor in Saville Row, two pairs of shoes in brown and patent by a craftsman of Jermyn Street, some odds and ends of hosiery, a set of dressing table brushes with black monograms on ivory and the gold cigarette case Doreen had given him on the day of their engagement.

a quantity of money

From this reading In consideration for which he departed with a sum of twenty-seven pounds sixteen shillings in his trousers pockets.

a set of data arranged in rows and columns

From this reading Four suits from a tailor in Saville Row, two pairs of shoes in brown and patent by a craftsman of Jermyn Street, some odds and ends of hosiery, a set of dressing table brushes with black monograms on ivory and the gold cigarette case Doreen had given him on the day of their engagement.

adjust to a specific need or market

From this reading Four suits from a tailor in Saville Row, two pairs of shoes in brown and patent by a craftsman of Jermyn Street, some odds and ends of hosiery, a set of dressing table brushes with black monograms on ivory and the gold cigarette case Doreen had given him on the day of their engagement.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading At his rooms in Golden Square he settled his account with the landlady, a luxury that reduced his wealth by a matter of nineteen pounds.

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

From this reading First and Second Printings before publication At a pawnshop in the Gray's Inn Road, Richard Frencham Altar disposed of the last of his worldly goods.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Four suits from a tailor in Saville Row, two pairs of shoes in brown and patent by a craftsman of Jermyn Street, some odds and ends of hosiery, a set of dressing table brushes with black monograms on ivory and the gold cigarette case Doreen had given him on the day of their engagement.

(usually in the plural) a garment extending from the waist to the knee or ankle, covering each leg separately

From this reading In consideration for which he departed with a sum of twenty-seven pounds sixteen shillings in his trousers pockets.

the cardinal number that is the sum of twenty-six and one

From this reading In consideration for which he departed with a sum of twenty-seven pounds sixteen shillings in his trousers pockets.

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

From this reading Four suits from a tailor in Saville Row, two pairs of shoes in brown and patent by a craftsman of Jermyn Street, some odds and ends of hosiery, a set of dressing table brushes with black monograms on ivory and the gold cigarette case Doreen had given him on the day of their engagement.

the state of being rich and affluent; having a plentiful supply of material goods and money

From this reading At his rooms in Golden Square he settled his account with the landlady, a luxury that reduced his wealth by a matter of nineteen pounds.

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

From this reading In consideration for which he departed with a sum of twenty-seven pounds sixteen shillings in his trousers pockets.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Four suits from a tailor in Saville Row, two pairs of shoes in brown and patent by a craftsman of Jermyn Street, some odds and ends of hosiery, a set of dressing table brushes with black monograms on ivory and the gold cigarette case Doreen had given him on the day of their engagement.

characteristic of or devoted to the temporal world as opposed to the spiritual world

From this reading First and Second Printings before publication At a pawnshop in the Gray's Inn Road, Richard Frencham Altar disposed of the last of his worldly goods.