Chapter X · Chapter 10

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

From this reading But the slowly moving figures were approaching, the black figure with bent shoulders and a slouched hat, the tall slight figure at his side in light gray with a shawl of white wool across her shoulders and drawn up over her hair, the fleecy whiteness softening the lines of a face that were already softened.

from one side of something to the other

From this reading But the slowly moving figures were approaching, the black figure with bent shoulders and a slouched hat, the tall slight figure at his side in light gray with a shawl of white wool across her shoulders and drawn up over her hair, the fleecy whiteness softening the lines of a face that were already softened.

at or in the front

From this reading "O, Prudence, how far ahead we are of those two," exclaimed the school-master, "and they are wiser than we, perhaps, because they do not know so much."

(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 He had been arguing within himself all day whether or not to destroy that letter in his pocket or to show it to her.

prior to a specified or implied time

From this reading But the slowly moving figures were approaching, the black figure with bent shoulders and a slouched hat, the tall slight figure at his side in light gray with a shawl of white wool across her shoulders and drawn up over her hair, the fleecy whiteness softening the lines of a face that were already softened.

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

From this reading But the slowly moving figures were approaching, the black figure with bent shoulders and a slouched hat, the tall slight figure at his side in light gray with a shawl of white wool across her shoulders and drawn up over her hair, the fleecy whiteness softening the lines of a face that were already softened.

the act of bringing something to bear; using it for a particular purpose

From this reading That very day Mr. Holmes had quoted to her, giving it a personal application: "What she suffered she shook off in the sunshine."

the event of one object coming closer to another

From this reading But the slowly moving figures were approaching, the black figure with bent shoulders and a slouched hat, the tall slight figure at his side in light gray with a shawl of white wool across her shoulders and drawn up over her hair, the fleecy whiteness softening the lines of a face that were already softened.

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

From this reading "O, Prudence, how far ahead we are of those two," exclaimed the school-master, "and they are wiser than we, perhaps, because they do not know so much."

a contentious speech act; a dispute where there is strong disagreement

From this reading He had been arguing within himself all day whether or not to destroy that letter in his pocket or to show it to her.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading But the slowly moving figures were approaching, the black figure with bent shoulders and a slouched hat, the tall slight figure at his side in light gray with a shawl of white wool across her shoulders and drawn up over her hair, the fleecy whiteness softening the lines of a face that were already softened.

for the reason that

From this reading "O, Prudence, how far ahead we are of those two," exclaimed the school-master, "and they are wiser than we, perhaps, because they do not know so much."

the past participle of “be”

From this reading He had been arguing within himself all day whether or not to destroy that letter in his pocket or to show it to her.

a relatively permanent inclination to react in a particular way

From this reading But the slowly moving figures were approaching, the black figure with bent shoulders and a slouched hat, the tall slight figure at his side in light gray with a shawl of white wool across her shoulders and drawn up over her hair, the fleecy whiteness softening the lines of a face that were already softened.

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

From this reading But the slowly moving figures were approaching, the black figure with bent shoulders and a slouched hat, the tall slight figure at his side in light gray with a shawl of white wool across her shoulders and drawn up over her hair, the fleecy whiteness softening the lines of a face that were already softened.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But the slowly moving figures were approaching, the black figure with bent shoulders and a slouched hat, the tall slight figure at his side in light gray with a shawl of white wool across her shoulders and drawn up over her hair, the fleecy whiteness softening the lines of a face that were already softened.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading That very day Mr. Holmes had quoted to her, giving it a personal application: "What she suffered she shook off in the sunshine."

do away with, cause the destruction or undoing of

From this reading He had been arguing within himself all day whether or not to destroy that letter in his pocket or to show it to her.

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading "O, Prudence, how far ahead we are of those two," exclaimed the school-master, "and they are wiser than we, perhaps, because they do not know so much."

showing the wearing effects of overwork or care or suffering

From this reading But the slowly moving figures were approaching, the black figure with bent shoulders and a slouched hat, the tall slight figure at his side in light gray with a shawl of white wool across her shoulders and drawn up over her hair, the fleecy whiteness softening the lines of a face that were already softened.

every one of two or more people or things, taken separately

From this reading "They do not know so much of each other, surely," she replied with a low laugh.

past form of “exclaim” — utter aloud; often with surprise, horror, or joy

From this reading "O, Prudence, how far ahead we are of those two," exclaimed the school-master, "and they are wiser than we, perhaps, because they do not know so much."

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

From this reading But the slowly moving figures were approaching, the black figure with bent shoulders and a slouched hat, the tall slight figure at his side in light gray with a shawl of white wool across her shoulders and drawn up over her hair, the fleecy whiteness softening the lines of a face that were already softened.

to a considerable degree; very much

From this reading "O, Prudence, how far ahead we are of those two," exclaimed the school-master, "and they are wiser than we, perhaps, because they do not know so much."

a diagram or picture illustrating textual material

From this reading But the slowly moving figures were approaching, the black figure with bent shoulders and a slouched hat, the tall slight figure at his side in light gray with a shawl of white wool across her shoulders and drawn up over her hair, the fleecy whiteness softening the lines of a face that were already softened.

plural of “figure” — a diagram or picture illustrating textual material

From this reading But the slowly moving figures were approaching, the black figure with bent shoulders and a slouched hat, the tall slight figure at his side in light gray with a shawl of white wool across her shoulders and drawn up over her hair, the fleecy whiteness softening the lines of a face that were already softened.

(of fabrics) having soft nap produced by brushing

From this reading But the slowly moving figures were approaching, the black figure with bent shoulders and a slouched hat, the tall slight figure at his side in light gray with a shawl of white wool across her shoulders and drawn up over her hair, the fleecy whiteness softening the lines of a face that were already softened.

the act of giving

From this reading That very day Mr. Holmes had quoted to her, giving it a personal application: "What she suffered she shook off in the sunshine."

a neutral achromatic color midway between white and black

From this reading But the slowly moving figures were approaching, the black figure with bent shoulders and a slouched hat, the tall slight figure at his side in light gray with a shawl of white wool across her shoulders and drawn up over her hair, the fleecy whiteness softening the lines of a face that were already softened.

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

From this reading That very day Mr. Holmes had quoted to her, giving it a personal application: "What she suffered she shook off in the sunshine."

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 But the slowly moving figures were approaching, the black figure with bent shoulders and a slouched hat, the tall slight figure at his side in light gray with a shawl of white wool across her shoulders and drawn up over her hair, the fleecy whiteness softening the lines of a face that were already softened.

headdress that protects the head from bad weather; has shaped crown and usually a brim

From this reading But the slowly moving figures were approaching, the black figure with bent shoulders and a slouched hat, the tall slight figure at his side in light gray with a shawl of white wool across her shoulders and drawn up over her hair, the fleecy whiteness softening the lines of a face that were already softened.

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

From this reading He had been arguing within himself all day whether or not to destroy that letter in his pocket or to show it to her.

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

From this reading But the slowly moving figures were approaching, the black figure with bent shoulders and a slouched hat, the tall slight figure at his side in light gray with a shawl of white wool across her shoulders and drawn up over her hair, the fleecy whiteness softening the lines of a face that were already softened.

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

From this reading He had been arguing within himself all day whether or not to destroy that letter in his pocket or to show it to her.

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

From this reading But the slowly moving figures were approaching, the black figure with bent shoulders and a slouched hat, the tall slight figure at his side in light gray with a shawl of white wool across her shoulders and drawn up over her hair, the fleecy whiteness softening the lines of a face that were already softened.

a fictitious detective in stories by A. Conan Doyle

From this reading That very day Mr. Holmes had quoted to her, giving it a personal application: "What she suffered she shook off in the sunshine."

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

From this reading "O, Prudence, how far ahead we are of those two," exclaimed the school-master, "and they are wiser than we, perhaps, because they do not know so much."

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

From this reading But the slowly moving figures were approaching, the black figure with bent shoulders and a slouched hat, the tall slight figure at his side in light gray with a shawl of white wool across her shoulders and drawn up over her hair, the fleecy whiteness softening the lines of a face that were already softened.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading That very day Mr. Holmes had quoted to her, giving it a personal application: "What she suffered she shook off in the sunshine."

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

From this reading "O, Prudence, how far ahead we are of those two," exclaimed the school-master, "and they are wiser than we, perhaps, because they do not know so much."

the sound of laughing

From this reading "They do not know so much of each other, surely," she replied with a low laugh.

a written message addressed to a person or organization

From this reading He had been arguing within himself all day whether or not to destroy that letter in his pocket or to show it to her.

of comparatively little physical weight or density

From this reading But the slowly moving figures were approaching, the black figure with bent shoulders and a slouched hat, the tall slight figure at his side in light gray with a shawl of white wool across her shoulders and drawn up over her hair, the fleecy whiteness softening the lines of a face that were already softened.

plural of “line” — a formation of people or things one beside another

From this reading But the slowly moving figures were approaching, the black figure with bent shoulders and a slouched hat, the tall slight figure at his side in light gray with a shawl of white wool across her shoulders and drawn up over her hair, the fleecy whiteness softening the lines of a face that were already softened.

less than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading "They do not know so much of each other, surely," she replied with a low laugh.

in motion

From this reading But the slowly moving figures were approaching, the black figure with bent shoulders and a slouched hat, the tall slight figure at his side in light gray with a shawl of white wool across her shoulders and drawn up over her hair, the fleecy whiteness softening the lines of a face that were already softened.

a form of address for a man

From this reading That very day Mr. Holmes had quoted to her, giving it a personal application: "What she suffered she shook off in the sunshine."

to a great degree or extent

From this reading "O, Prudence, how far ahead we are of those two," exclaimed the school-master, "and they are wiser than we, perhaps, because they do not know so much."

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading "O, Prudence, how far ahead we are of those two," exclaimed the school-master, "and they are wiser than we, perhaps, because they do not know so much."

a nonmetallic bivalent element that is normally a colorless odorless tasteless nonflammable diatomic gas; constitutes 21 percent of the atmosphere by volume; the most abundant element in the earth's crust

From this reading "O, Prudence, how far ahead we are of those two," exclaimed the school-master, "and they are wiser than we, perhaps, because they do not know so much."

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading But the slowly moving figures were approaching, the black figure with bent shoulders and a slouched hat, the tall slight figure at his side in light gray with a shawl of white wool across her shoulders and drawn up over her hair, the fleecy whiteness softening the lines of a face that were already softened.

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

From this reading That very day Mr. Holmes had quoted to her, giving it a personal application: "What she suffered she shook off in the sunshine."

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading He had been arguing within himself all day whether or not to destroy that letter in his pocket or to show it to her.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading "They do not know so much of each other, surely," she replied with a low laugh.

above and across; more than

From this reading But the slowly moving figures were approaching, the black figure with bent shoulders and a slouched hat, the tall slight figure at his side in light gray with a shawl of white wool across her shoulders and drawn up over her hair, the fleecy whiteness softening the lines of a face that were already softened.

by chance

From this reading "O, Prudence, how far ahead we are of those two," exclaimed the school-master, "and they are wiser than we, perhaps, because they do not know so much."

concerning or affecting a particular person or his or her private life and personality

From this reading That very day Mr. Holmes had quoted to her, giving it a personal application: "What she suffered she shook off in the sunshine."

a small pouch inside a garment for carrying small articles

From this reading He had been arguing within himself all day whether or not to destroy that letter in his pocket or to show it to her.

discretion in practical affairs

From this reading "O, Prudence, how far ahead we are of those two," exclaimed the school-master, "and they are wiser than we, perhaps, because they do not know so much."

past form of “quote” — repeat a passage from

From this reading That very day Mr. Holmes had quoted to her, giving it a personal application: "What she suffered she shook off in the sunshine."

inflected form of “reply” — react verbally

From this reading "They do not know so much of each other, surely," she replied with a low laugh.

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

From this reading "O, Prudence, how far ahead we are of those two," exclaimed the school-master, "and they are wiser than we, perhaps, because they do not know so much."

cloak consisting of an oblong piece of cloth used to cover the head and shoulders

From this reading But the slowly moving figures were approaching, the black figure with bent shoulders and a slouched hat, the tall slight figure at his side in light gray with a shawl of white wool across her shoulders and drawn up over her hair, the fleecy whiteness softening the lines of a face that were already softened.

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading "They do not know so much of each other, surely," she replied with a low laugh.

a disassembled barrel; the parts packed for storage or shipment

From this reading That very day Mr. Holmes had quoted to her, giving it a personal application: "What she suffered she shook off in the sunshine."

plural of “shoulder” — the part of the body between the neck and the upper arm

From this reading But the slowly moving figures were approaching, the black figure with bent shoulders and a slouched hat, the tall slight figure at his side in light gray with a shawl of white wool across her shoulders and drawn up over her hair, the fleecy whiteness softening the lines of a face that were already softened.

give an exhibition of to an interested audience

From this reading He had been arguing within himself all day whether or not to destroy that letter in his pocket or to show it to her.

a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location

From this reading But the slowly moving figures were approaching, the black figure with bent shoulders and a slouched hat, the tall slight figure at his side in light gray with a shawl of white wool across her shoulders and drawn up over her hair, the fleecy whiteness softening the lines of a face that were already softened.

a deliberate discourteous act (usually as an expression of anger or disapproval)

From this reading But the slowly moving figures were approaching, the black figure with bent shoulders and a slouched hat, the tall slight figure at his side in light gray with a shawl of white wool across her shoulders and drawn up over her hair, the fleecy whiteness softening the lines of a face that were already softened.

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

From this reading But the slowly moving figures were approaching, the black figure with bent shoulders and a slouched hat, the tall slight figure at his side in light gray with a shawl of white wool across her shoulders and drawn up over her hair, the fleecy whiteness softening the lines of a face that were already softened.

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

From this reading But the slowly moving figures were approaching, the black figure with bent shoulders and a slouched hat, the tall slight figure at his side in light gray with a shawl of white wool across her shoulders and drawn up over her hair, the fleecy whiteness softening the lines of a face that were already softened.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading "O, Prudence, how far ahead we are of those two," exclaimed the school-master, "and they are wiser than we, perhaps, because they do not know so much."

toned down

From this reading But the slowly moving figures were approaching, the black figure with bent shoulders and a slouched hat, the tall slight figure at his side in light gray with a shawl of white wool across her shoulders and drawn up over her hair, the fleecy whiteness softening the lines of a face that were already softened.

the process of becoming softer

From this reading But the slowly moving figures were approaching, the black figure with bent shoulders and a slouched hat, the tall slight figure at his side in light gray with a shawl of white wool across her shoulders and drawn up over her hair, the fleecy whiteness softening the lines of a face that were already softened.

past form of “suffer” — undergo or be subjected to

From this reading That very day Mr. Holmes had quoted to her, giving it a personal application: "What she suffered she shook off in the sunshine."

the rays of the sun

From this reading That very day Mr. Holmes had quoted to her, giving it a personal application: "What she suffered she shook off in the sunshine."

definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)

From this reading "They do not know so much of each other, surely," she replied with a low laugh.

great in vertical dimension; high in stature

From this reading But the slowly moving figures were approaching, the black figure with bent shoulders and a slouched hat, the tall slight figure at his side in light gray with a shawl of white wool across her shoulders and drawn up over her hair, the fleecy whiteness softening the lines of a face that were already softened.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading "O, Prudence, how far ahead we are of those two," exclaimed the school-master, "and they are wiser than we, perhaps, because they do not know so much."

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading But the slowly moving figures were approaching, the black figure with bent shoulders and a slouched hat, the tall slight figure at his side in light gray with a shawl of white wool across her shoulders and drawn up over her hair, the fleecy whiteness softening the lines of a face that were already softened.

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

From this reading But the slowly moving figures were approaching, the black figure with bent shoulders and a slouched hat, the tall slight figure at his side in light gray with a shawl of white wool across her shoulders and drawn up over her hair, the fleecy whiteness softening the lines of a face that were already softened.

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading "O, Prudence, how far ahead we are of those two," exclaimed the school-master, "and they are wiser than we, perhaps, because they do not know so much."

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

From this reading "O, Prudence, how far ahead we are of those two," exclaimed the school-master, "and they are wiser than we, perhaps, because they do not know so much."

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

From this reading That very day Mr. Holmes had quoted to her, giving it a personal application: "What she suffered she shook off in the sunshine."

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

From this reading "O, Prudence, how far ahead we are of those two," exclaimed the school-master, "and they are wiser than we, perhaps, because they do not know so much."

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading But the slowly moving figures were approaching, the black figure with bent shoulders and a slouched hat, the tall slight figure at his side in light gray with a shawl of white wool across her shoulders and drawn up over her hair, the fleecy whiteness softening the lines of a face that were already softened.

precisely as stated

From this reading That very day Mr. Holmes had quoted to her, giving it a personal application: "What she suffered she shook off in the sunshine."

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading "O, Prudence, how far ahead we are of those two," exclaimed the school-master, "and they are wiser than we, perhaps, because they do not know so much."

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

From this reading But the slowly moving figures were approaching, the black figure with bent shoulders and a slouched hat, the tall slight figure at his side in light gray with a shawl of white wool across her shoulders and drawn up over her hair, the fleecy whiteness softening the lines of a face that were already softened.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading That very day Mr. Holmes had quoted to her, giving it a personal application: "What she suffered she shook off in the sunshine."

used to introduce two or more possibilities

From this reading He had been arguing within himself all day whether or not to destroy that letter in his pocket or to show it to her.

a Caucasian

From this reading But the slowly moving figures were approaching, the black figure with bent shoulders and a slouched hat, the tall slight figure at his side in light gray with a shawl of white wool across her shoulders and drawn up over her hair, the fleecy whiteness softening the lines of a face that were already softened.

the quality or state of the achromatic color of greatest lightness (bearing the least resemblance to black)

From this reading But the slowly moving figures were approaching, the black figure with bent shoulders and a slouched hat, the tall slight figure at his side in light gray with a shawl of white wool across her shoulders and drawn up over her hair, the fleecy whiteness softening the lines of a face that were already softened.

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

From this reading "O, Prudence, how far ahead we are of those two," exclaimed the school-master, "and they are wiser than we, perhaps, because they do not know so much."

in the company of; together with

From this reading But the slowly moving figures were approaching, the black figure with bent shoulders and a slouched hat, the tall slight figure at his side in light gray with a shawl of white wool across her shoulders and drawn up over her hair, the fleecy whiteness softening the lines of a face that were already softened.

inside; before a period of time has passed

From this reading He had been arguing within himself all day whether or not to destroy that letter in his pocket or to show it to her.

a fabric made from the hair of sheep

From this reading But the slowly moving figures were approaching, the black figure with bent shoulders and a slouched hat, the tall slight figure at his side in light gray with a shawl of white wool across her shoulders and drawn up over her hair, the fleecy whiteness softening the lines of a face that were already softened.