Chapter III

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

From this reading For a time we swam contentedly, not speaking, not thinking, our various urgencies (or their lack) no longer imposed upon the moment.

(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something

From this reading At such times, in those days, I was able through the body’s strenuous use to reduce the miserable demands of the yearning self to a complacent harmony, with all things in proper proportion: a part of the whole and not the whole itself, though, metaphorically speaking, perhaps that which conceives reality is reality itself.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading And yet, for all this, no closer to one another, no wiser about one another in any precise sense, we drove that evening in silence to a restaurant of her choosing on the beach to the north: a ramshackle place filled with candlelight, the smell of tar, old nets: “atmosphere” which was nearly authentic.

later than; following

From this reading After wine and fish and coffee, we talked.

the part of the day between noon and evening

From this reading But such nice divisions and distinctions were of no concern to me that afternoon in the sun, swimming with Iris, the mechanism which spoils time with questioning switched off by the body’s euphoria.

(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 At such times, in those days, I was able through the body’s strenuous use to reduce the miserable demands of the yearning self to a complacent harmony, with all things in proper proportion: a part of the whole and not the whole itself, though, metaphorically speaking, perhaps that which conceives reality is reality itself.

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

From this reading At such times, in those days, I was able through the body’s strenuous use to reduce the miserable demands of the yearning self to a complacent harmony, with all things in proper proportion: a part of the whole and not the whole itself, though, metaphorically speaking, perhaps that which conceives reality is reality itself.

one more of the same kind, or a different one

From this reading And yet, for all this, no closer to one another, no wiser about one another in any precise sense, we drove that evening in silence to a restaurant of her choosing on the beach to the north: a ramshackle place filled with candlelight, the smell of tar, old nets: “atmosphere” which was nearly authentic.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading And yet, for all this, no closer to one another, no wiser about one another in any precise sense, we drove that evening in silence to a restaurant of her choosing on the beach to the north: a ramshackle place filled with candlelight, the smell of tar, old nets: “atmosphere” which was nearly authentic.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading At such times, in those days, I was able through the body’s strenuous use to reduce the miserable demands of the yearning self to a complacent harmony, with all things in proper proportion: a part of the whole and not the whole itself, though, metaphorically speaking, perhaps that which conceives reality is reality itself.

a particular environment or surrounding influence

From this reading And yet, for all this, no closer to one another, no wiser about one another in any precise sense, we drove that evening in silence to a restaurant of her choosing on the beach to the north: a ramshackle place filled with candlelight, the smell of tar, old nets: “atmosphere” which was nearly authentic.

conforming to fact and therefore worthy of belief

From this reading And yet, for all this, no closer to one another, no wiser about one another in any precise sense, we drove that evening in silence to a restaurant of her choosing on the beach to the north: a ramshackle place filled with candlelight, the smell of tar, old nets: “atmosphere” which was nearly authentic.

an area of sand sloping down to the water of a sea or lake

From this reading And yet, for all this, no closer to one another, no wiser about one another in any precise sense, we drove that evening in silence to a restaurant of her choosing on the beach to the north: a ramshackle place filled with candlelight, the smell of tar, old nets: “atmosphere” which was nearly authentic.

possessive form of “body” — the entire physical structure of an organism (an animal, plant, or human being)

From this reading At such times, in those days, I was able through the body’s strenuous use to reduce the miserable demands of the yearning self to a complacent harmony, with all things in proper proportion: a part of the whole and not the whole itself, though, metaphorically speaking, perhaps that which conceives reality is reality itself.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But such nice divisions and distinctions were of no concern to me that afternoon in the sun, swimming with Iris, the mechanism which spoils time with questioning switched off by the body’s euphoria.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading But such nice divisions and distinctions were of no concern to me that afternoon in the sun, swimming with Iris, the mechanism which spoils time with questioning switched off by the body’s euphoria.

the light provided by a burning candle

From this reading And yet, for all this, no closer to one another, no wiser about one another in any precise sense, we drove that evening in silence to a restaurant of her choosing on the beach to the north: a ramshackle place filled with candlelight, the smell of tar, old nets: “atmosphere” which was nearly authentic.

-ing form of “choose” — pick out, select, or choose from a number of alternatives

From this reading And yet, for all this, no closer to one another, no wiser about one another in any precise sense, we drove that evening in silence to a restaurant of her choosing on the beach to the north: a ramshackle place filled with candlelight, the smell of tar, old nets: “atmosphere” which was nearly authentic.

(comparative of “near” or “close”) within a shorter distance

From this reading And yet, for all this, no closer to one another, no wiser about one another in any precise sense, we drove that evening in silence to a restaurant of her choosing on the beach to the north: a ramshackle place filled with candlelight, the smell of tar, old nets: “atmosphere” which was nearly authentic.

a beverage consisting of an infusion of ground coffee beans

From this reading After wine and fish and coffee, we talked.

contented to a fault with oneself or one's actions

From this reading At such times, in those days, I was able through the body’s strenuous use to reduce the miserable demands of the yearning self to a complacent harmony, with all things in proper proportion: a part of the whole and not the whole itself, though, metaphorically speaking, perhaps that which conceives reality is reality itself.

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

From this reading At such times, in those days, I was able through the body’s strenuous use to reduce the miserable demands of the yearning self to a complacent harmony, with all things in proper proportion: a part of the whole and not the whole itself, though, metaphorically speaking, perhaps that which conceives reality is reality itself.

something that interests you because it is important or affects you

From this reading But such nice divisions and distinctions were of no concern to me that afternoon in the sun, swimming with Iris, the mechanism which spoils time with questioning switched off by the body’s euphoria.

with equanimity

From this reading For a time we swam contentedly, not speaking, not thinking, our various urgencies (or their lack) no longer imposed upon the moment.

the time during which someone's life continues

From this reading At such times, in those days, I was able through the body’s strenuous use to reduce the miserable demands of the yearning self to a complacent harmony, with all things in proper proportion: a part of the whole and not the whole itself, though, metaphorically speaking, perhaps that which conceives reality is reality itself.

plural of “demand” — an urgent or peremptory request

From this reading At such times, in those days, I was able through the body’s strenuous use to reduce the miserable demands of the yearning self to a complacent harmony, with all things in proper proportion: a part of the whole and not the whole itself, though, metaphorically speaking, perhaps that which conceives reality is reality itself.

plural of “distinction” — a discrimination between things as different and distinct on the basis of their characteristics or attributes

From this reading But such nice divisions and distinctions were of no concern to me that afternoon in the sun, swimming with Iris, the mechanism which spoils time with questioning switched off by the body’s euphoria.

plural of “division” — an army unit large enough to sustain combat

From this reading But such nice divisions and distinctions were of no concern to me that afternoon in the sun, swimming with Iris, the mechanism which spoils time with questioning switched off by the body’s euphoria.

a group of animals (a herd or flock) moving together

From this reading And yet, for all this, no closer to one another, no wiser about one another in any precise sense, we drove that evening in silence to a restaurant of her choosing on the beach to the north: a ramshackle place filled with candlelight, the smell of tar, old nets: “atmosphere” which was nearly authentic.

a feeling of great (usually exaggerated) elation

From this reading But such nice divisions and distinctions were of no concern to me that afternoon in the sun, swimming with Iris, the mechanism which spoils time with questioning switched off by the body’s euphoria.

the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)

From this reading And yet, for all this, no closer to one another, no wiser about one another in any precise sense, we drove that evening in silence to a restaurant of her choosing on the beach to the north: a ramshackle place filled with candlelight, the smell of tar, old nets: “atmosphere” which was nearly authentic.

(usually followed by “with” or used as a combining form) generously supplied with

From this reading And yet, for all this, no closer to one another, no wiser about one another in any precise sense, we drove that evening in silence to a restaurant of her choosing on the beach to the north: a ramshackle place filled with candlelight, the smell of tar, old nets: “atmosphere” which was nearly authentic.

any of various mostly cold-blooded aquatic vertebrates usually having scales and breathing through gills

From this reading After wine and fish and coffee, we talked.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading For a time we swam contentedly, not speaking, not thinking, our various urgencies (or their lack) no longer imposed upon the moment.

compatibility in opinion and action

From this reading At such times, in those days, I was able through the body’s strenuous use to reduce the miserable demands of the yearning self to a complacent harmony, with all things in proper proportion: a part of the whole and not the whole itself, though, metaphorically speaking, perhaps that which conceives reality is reality itself.

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading And yet, for all this, no closer to one another, no wiser about one another in any precise sense, we drove that evening in silence to a restaurant of her choosing on the beach to the north: a ramshackle place filled with candlelight, the smell of tar, old nets: “atmosphere” which was nearly authentic.

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

From this reading At such times, in those days, I was able through the body’s strenuous use to reduce the miserable demands of the yearning self to a complacent harmony, with all things in proper proportion: a part of the whole and not the whole itself, though, metaphorically speaking, perhaps that which conceives reality is reality itself.

set forth authoritatively as obligatory

From this reading For a time we swam contentedly, not speaking, not thinking, our various urgencies (or their lack) no longer imposed upon the moment.

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

From this reading At such times, in those days, I was able through the body’s strenuous use to reduce the miserable demands of the yearning self to a complacent harmony, with all things in proper proportion: a part of the whole and not the whole itself, though, metaphorically speaking, perhaps that which conceives reality is reality itself.

plants with sword-shaped leaves and erect stalks bearing bright-colored flowers composed of three petals and three drooping sepals

From this reading But such nice divisions and distinctions were of no concern to me that afternoon in the sun, swimming with Iris, the mechanism which spoils time with questioning switched off by the body’s euphoria.

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

From this reading At such times, in those days, I was able through the body’s strenuous use to reduce the miserable demands of the yearning self to a complacent harmony, with all things in proper proportion: a part of the whole and not the whole itself, though, metaphorically speaking, perhaps that which conceives reality is reality itself.

used when the thing doing the action is also its object

From this reading At such times, in those days, I was able through the body’s strenuous use to reduce the miserable demands of the yearning self to a complacent harmony, with all things in proper proportion: a part of the whole and not the whole itself, though, metaphorically speaking, perhaps that which conceives reality is reality itself.

the state of needing something that is absent or unavailable

From this reading For a time we swam contentedly, not speaking, not thinking, our various urgencies (or their lack) no longer imposed upon the moment.

for more time

From this reading For a time we swam contentedly, not speaking, not thinking, our various urgencies (or their lack) no longer imposed upon the moment.

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

From this reading But such nice divisions and distinctions were of no concern to me that afternoon in the sun, swimming with Iris, the mechanism which spoils time with questioning switched off by the body’s euphoria.

the atomic process that occurs during a chemical reaction

From this reading But such nice divisions and distinctions were of no concern to me that afternoon in the sun, swimming with Iris, the mechanism which spoils time with questioning switched off by the body’s euphoria.

in a metaphorical manner

From this reading At such times, in those days, I was able through the body’s strenuous use to reduce the miserable demands of the yearning self to a complacent harmony, with all things in proper proportion: a part of the whole and not the whole itself, though, metaphorically speaking, perhaps that which conceives reality is reality itself.

very unhappy; full of misery

From this reading At such times, in those days, I was able through the body’s strenuous use to reduce the miserable demands of the yearning self to a complacent harmony, with all things in proper proportion: a part of the whole and not the whole itself, though, metaphorically speaking, perhaps that which conceives reality is reality itself.

a particular point in time

From this reading For a time we swam contentedly, not speaking, not thinking, our various urgencies (or their lack) no longer imposed upon the moment.

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

From this reading And yet, for all this, no closer to one another, no wiser about one another in any precise sense, we drove that evening in silence to a restaurant of her choosing on the beach to the north: a ramshackle place filled with candlelight, the smell of tar, old nets: “atmosphere” which was nearly authentic.

plural of “net” — a computer network consisting of a worldwide network of computer networks that use the TCP/IP network protocols to facilitate data transmission and exchange

From this reading And yet, for all this, no closer to one another, no wiser about one another in any precise sense, we drove that evening in silence to a restaurant of her choosing on the beach to the north: a ramshackle place filled with candlelight, the smell of tar, old nets: “atmosphere” which was nearly authentic.

pleasant or pleasing or agreeable in nature or appearance

From this reading But such nice divisions and distinctions were of no concern to me that afternoon in the sun, swimming with Iris, the mechanism which spoils time with questioning switched off by the body’s euphoria.

not any; not one

From this reading For a time we swam contentedly, not speaking, not thinking, our various urgencies (or their lack) no longer imposed upon the moment.

the region of the United States lying to the north of the Mason-Dixon line

From this reading And yet, for all this, no closer to one another, no wiser about one another in any precise sense, we drove that evening in silence to a restaurant of her choosing on the beach to the north: a ramshackle place filled with candlelight, the smell of tar, old nets: “atmosphere” which was nearly authentic.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading For a time we swam contentedly, not speaking, not thinking, our various urgencies (or their lack) no longer imposed upon the moment.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading At such times, in those days, I was able through the body’s strenuous use to reduce the miserable demands of the yearning self to a complacent harmony, with all things in proper proportion: a part of the whole and not the whole itself, though, metaphorically speaking, perhaps that which conceives reality is reality itself.

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

From this reading But such nice divisions and distinctions were of no concern to me that afternoon in the sun, swimming with Iris, the mechanism which spoils time with questioning switched off by the body’s euphoria.

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

From this reading And yet, for all this, no closer to one another, no wiser about one another in any precise sense, we drove that evening in silence to a restaurant of her choosing on the beach to the north: a ramshackle place filled with candlelight, the smell of tar, old nets: “atmosphere” which was nearly authentic.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading And yet, for all this, no closer to one another, no wiser about one another in any precise sense, we drove that evening in silence to a restaurant of her choosing on the beach to the north: a ramshackle place filled with candlelight, the smell of tar, old nets: “atmosphere” which was nearly authentic.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading And yet, for all this, no closer to one another, no wiser about one another in any precise sense, we drove that evening in silence to a restaurant of her choosing on the beach to the north: a ramshackle place filled with candlelight, the smell of tar, old nets: “atmosphere” which was nearly authentic.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading For a time we swam contentedly, not speaking, not thinking, our various urgencies (or their lack) no longer imposed upon the moment.

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading For a time we swam contentedly, not speaking, not thinking, our various urgencies (or their lack) no longer imposed upon the moment.

something determined in relation to something that includes it

From this reading At such times, in those days, I was able through the body’s strenuous use to reduce the miserable demands of the yearning self to a complacent harmony, with all things in proper proportion: a part of the whole and not the whole itself, though, metaphorically speaking, perhaps that which conceives reality is reality itself.

by chance

From this reading At such times, in those days, I was able through the body’s strenuous use to reduce the miserable demands of the yearning self to a complacent harmony, with all things in proper proportion: a part of the whole and not the whole itself, though, metaphorically speaking, perhaps that which conceives reality is reality itself.

a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading And yet, for all this, no closer to one another, no wiser about one another in any precise sense, we drove that evening in silence to a restaurant of her choosing on the beach to the north: a ramshackle place filled with candlelight, the smell of tar, old nets: “atmosphere” which was nearly authentic.

sharply exact or accurate or delimited

From this reading And yet, for all this, no closer to one another, no wiser about one another in any precise sense, we drove that evening in silence to a restaurant of her choosing on the beach to the north: a ramshackle place filled with candlelight, the smell of tar, old nets: “atmosphere” which was nearly authentic.

marked by suitability or rightness or appropriateness

From this reading At such times, in those days, I was able through the body’s strenuous use to reduce the miserable demands of the yearning self to a complacent harmony, with all things in proper proportion: a part of the whole and not the whole itself, though, metaphorically speaking, perhaps that which conceives reality is reality itself.

the quotient obtained when the magnitude of a part is divided by the magnitude of the whole

From this reading At such times, in those days, I was able through the body’s strenuous use to reduce the miserable demands of the yearning self to a complacent harmony, with all things in proper proportion: a part of the whole and not the whole itself, though, metaphorically speaking, perhaps that which conceives reality is reality itself.

perplexed (as if being expected to know something that you do not know)

From this reading But such nice divisions and distinctions were of no concern to me that afternoon in the sun, swimming with Iris, the mechanism which spoils time with questioning switched off by the body’s euphoria.

in deplorable condition

From this reading And yet, for all this, no closer to one another, no wiser about one another in any precise sense, we drove that evening in silence to a restaurant of her choosing on the beach to the north: a ramshackle place filled with candlelight, the smell of tar, old nets: “atmosphere” which was nearly authentic.

all of your experiences that determine how things appear to you

From this reading At such times, in those days, I was able through the body’s strenuous use to reduce the miserable demands of the yearning self to a complacent harmony, with all things in proper proportion: a part of the whole and not the whole itself, though, metaphorically speaking, perhaps that which conceives reality is reality itself.

cut down on; make a reduction in

From this reading At such times, in those days, I was able through the body’s strenuous use to reduce the miserable demands of the yearning self to a complacent harmony, with all things in proper proportion: a part of the whole and not the whole itself, though, metaphorically speaking, perhaps that which conceives reality is reality itself.

a building where people go to eat

From this reading And yet, for all this, no closer to one another, no wiser about one another in any precise sense, we drove that evening in silence to a restaurant of her choosing on the beach to the north: a ramshackle place filled with candlelight, the smell of tar, old nets: “atmosphere” which was nearly authentic.

your consciousness of your own identity

From this reading At such times, in those days, I was able through the body’s strenuous use to reduce the miserable demands of the yearning self to a complacent harmony, with all things in proper proportion: a part of the whole and not the whole itself, though, metaphorically speaking, perhaps that which conceives reality is reality itself.

a general conscious awareness

From this reading And yet, for all this, no closer to one another, no wiser about one another in any precise sense, we drove that evening in silence to a restaurant of her choosing on the beach to the north: a ramshackle place filled with candlelight, the smell of tar, old nets: “atmosphere” which was nearly authentic.

Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.

From this reading And yet, for all this, no closer to one another, no wiser about one another in any precise sense, we drove that evening in silence to a restaurant of her choosing on the beach to the north: a ramshackle place filled with candlelight, the smell of tar, old nets: “atmosphere” which was nearly authentic.

the sensation that results when olfactory receptors in the nose are stimulated by particular chemicals in gaseous form

From this reading And yet, for all this, no closer to one another, no wiser about one another in any precise sense, we drove that evening in silence to a restaurant of her choosing on the beach to the north: a ramshackle place filled with candlelight, the smell of tar, old nets: “atmosphere” which was nearly authentic.

the utterance of intelligible speech

From this reading For a time we swam contentedly, not speaking, not thinking, our various urgencies (or their lack) no longer imposed upon the moment.

plural of “spoil” — (usually plural) valuables taken by violence (especially in war)

From this reading But such nice divisions and distinctions were of no concern to me that afternoon in the sun, swimming with Iris, the mechanism which spoils time with questioning switched off by the body’s euphoria.

characterized by or performed with much energy or force

From this reading At such times, in those days, I was able through the body’s strenuous use to reduce the miserable demands of the yearning self to a complacent harmony, with all things in proper proportion: a part of the whole and not the whole itself, though, metaphorically speaking, perhaps that which conceives reality is reality itself.

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading At such times, in those days, I was able through the body’s strenuous use to reduce the miserable demands of the yearning self to a complacent harmony, with all things in proper proportion: a part of the whole and not the whole itself, though, metaphorically speaking, perhaps that which conceives reality is reality itself.

the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system

From this reading But such nice divisions and distinctions were of no concern to me that afternoon in the sun, swimming with Iris, the mechanism which spoils time with questioning switched off by the body’s euphoria.

inflected form of “swim” — travel through water

From this reading For a time we swam contentedly, not speaking, not thinking, our various urgencies (or their lack) no longer imposed upon the moment.

the act of swimming

From this reading But such nice divisions and distinctions were of no concern to me that afternoon in the sun, swimming with Iris, the mechanism which spoils time with questioning switched off by the body’s euphoria.

past form of “switch” — change over, change around, as to a new order or sequence

From this reading But such nice divisions and distinctions were of no concern to me that afternoon in the sun, swimming with Iris, the mechanism which spoils time with questioning switched off by the body’s euphoria.

past form of “talk” — exchange thoughts; talk with

From this reading After wine and fish and coffee, we talked.

any of various dark heavy viscid substances obtained as a residue

From this reading And yet, for all this, no closer to one another, no wiser about one another in any precise sense, we drove that evening in silence to a restaurant of her choosing on the beach to the north: a ramshackle place filled with candlelight, the smell of tar, old nets: “atmosphere” which was nearly authentic.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading At such times, in those days, I was able through the body’s strenuous use to reduce the miserable demands of the yearning self to a complacent harmony, with all things in proper proportion: a part of the whole and not the whole itself, though, metaphorically speaking, perhaps that which conceives reality is reality itself.

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

From this reading For a time we swam contentedly, not speaking, not thinking, our various urgencies (or their lack) no longer imposed upon the moment.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading For a time we swam contentedly, not speaking, not thinking, our various urgencies (or their lack) no longer imposed upon the moment.

any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)

From this reading At such times, in those days, I was able through the body’s strenuous use to reduce the miserable demands of the yearning self to a complacent harmony, with all things in proper proportion: a part of the whole and not the whole itself, though, metaphorically speaking, perhaps that which conceives reality is reality itself.

the process of using your mind to consider something carefully

From this reading For a time we swam contentedly, not speaking, not thinking, our various urgencies (or their lack) no longer imposed upon the moment.

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

From this reading And yet, for all this, no closer to one another, no wiser about one another in any precise sense, we drove that evening in silence to a restaurant of her choosing on the beach to the north: a ramshackle place filled with candlelight, the smell of tar, old nets: “atmosphere” which was nearly authentic.

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading At such times, in those days, I was able through the body’s strenuous use to reduce the miserable demands of the yearning self to a complacent harmony, with all things in proper proportion: a part of the whole and not the whole itself, though, metaphorically speaking, perhaps that which conceives reality is reality itself.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading At such times, in those days, I was able through the body’s strenuous use to reduce the miserable demands of the yearning self to a complacent harmony, with all things in proper proportion: a part of the whole and not the whole itself, though, metaphorically speaking, perhaps that which conceives reality is reality itself.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading At such times, in those days, I was able through the body’s strenuous use to reduce the miserable demands of the yearning self to a complacent harmony, with all things in proper proportion: a part of the whole and not the whole itself, though, metaphorically speaking, perhaps that which conceives reality is reality itself.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading For a time we swam contentedly, not speaking, not thinking, our various urgencies (or their lack) no longer imposed upon the moment.

a more or less definite period of time now or previously present

From this reading At such times, in those days, I was able through the body’s strenuous use to reduce the miserable demands of the yearning self to a complacent harmony, with all things in proper proportion: a part of the whole and not the whole itself, though, metaphorically speaking, perhaps that which conceives reality is reality itself.

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

From this reading At such times, in those days, I was able through the body’s strenuous use to reduce the miserable demands of the yearning self to a complacent harmony, with all things in proper proportion: a part of the whole and not the whole itself, though, metaphorically speaking, perhaps that which conceives reality is reality itself.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading For a time we swam contentedly, not speaking, not thinking, our various urgencies (or their lack) no longer imposed upon the moment.

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

From this reading For a time we swam contentedly, not speaking, not thinking, our various urgencies (or their lack) no longer imposed upon the moment.

the act of using

From this reading At such times, in those days, I was able through the body’s strenuous use to reduce the miserable demands of the yearning self to a complacent harmony, with all things in proper proportion: a part of the whole and not the whole itself, though, metaphorically speaking, perhaps that which conceives reality is reality itself.

of many different kinds purposefully arranged but lacking any uniformity

From this reading For a time we swam contentedly, not speaking, not thinking, our various urgencies (or their lack) no longer imposed upon the moment.

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

From this reading At such times, in those days, I was able through the body’s strenuous use to reduce the miserable demands of the yearning self to a complacent harmony, with all things in proper proportion: a part of the whole and not the whole itself, though, metaphorically speaking, perhaps that which conceives reality is reality itself.

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading For a time we swam contentedly, not speaking, not thinking, our various urgencies (or their lack) no longer imposed upon the moment.

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

From this reading But such nice divisions and distinctions were of no concern to me that afternoon in the sun, swimming with Iris, the mechanism which spoils time with questioning switched off by the body’s euphoria.

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

From this reading At such times, in those days, I was able through the body’s strenuous use to reduce the miserable demands of the yearning self to a complacent harmony, with all things in proper proportion: a part of the whole and not the whole itself, though, metaphorically speaking, perhaps that which conceives reality is reality itself.

including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete

From this reading At such times, in those days, I was able through the body’s strenuous use to reduce the miserable demands of the yearning self to a complacent harmony, with all things in proper proportion: a part of the whole and not the whole itself, though, metaphorically speaking, perhaps that which conceives reality is reality itself.

fermented juice (of grapes especially)

From this reading After wine and fish and coffee, we talked.

comparative of “wise” — having or prompted by wisdom or discernment

From this reading And yet, for all this, no closer to one another, no wiser about one another in any precise sense, we drove that evening in silence to a restaurant of her choosing on the beach to the north: a ramshackle place filled with candlelight, the smell of tar, old nets: “atmosphere” which was nearly authentic.

in the company of; together with

From this reading At such times, in those days, I was able through the body’s strenuous use to reduce the miserable demands of the yearning self to a complacent harmony, with all things in proper proportion: a part of the whole and not the whole itself, though, metaphorically speaking, perhaps that which conceives reality is reality itself.

prolonged unfulfilled desire or need

From this reading At such times, in those days, I was able through the body’s strenuous use to reduce the miserable demands of the yearning self to a complacent harmony, with all things in proper proportion: a part of the whole and not the whole itself, though, metaphorically speaking, perhaps that which conceives reality is reality itself.

but in spite of that

From this reading And yet, for all this, no closer to one another, no wiser about one another in any precise sense, we drove that evening in silence to a restaurant of her choosing on the beach to the north: a ramshackle place filled with candlelight, the smell of tar, old nets: “atmosphere” which was nearly authentic.