Chapter XX

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

From this reading Afzul Khân was sitting in Shunker Dâs's house at Faizapore with a frown upon his face.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading He had come all the way in order to consult Mahomed Lateef, the old Syyed, about a certain blue envelope which was hidden away in his _posteen_, only to find that the old man had retreated before his enemies to his last foothold of land, while the usurer had enlarged his borders at the expense of the ruined old chief's ruined house.

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

From this reading Afzul Khân was sitting in Shunker Dâs's house at Faizapore with a frown upon his face.

(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 come all the way in order to consult Mahomed Lateef, the old Syyed, about a certain blue envelope which was hidden away in his _posteen_, only to find that the old man had retreated before his enemies to his last foothold of land, while the usurer had enlarged his borders at the expense of the ruined old chief's ruined house.

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

From this reading The latter was foster-brother to that dead son who had died gloriously in the regiment, and who had been born at an outpost on the frontier.

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

From this reading The latter was foster-brother to that dead son who had died gloriously in the regiment, and who had been born at an outpost on the frontier.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Afzul Khân was sitting in Shunker Dâs's house at Faizapore with a frown upon his face.

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading He had come all the way in order to consult Mahomed Lateef, the old Syyed, about a certain blue envelope which was hidden away in his _posteen_, only to find that the old man had retreated before his enemies to his last foothold of land, while the usurer had enlarged his borders at the expense of the ruined old chief's ruined house.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading The latter was foster-brother to that dead son who had died gloriously in the regiment, and who had been born at an outpost on the frontier.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading He had come all the way in order to consult Mahomed Lateef, the old Syyed, about a certain blue envelope which was hidden away in his _posteen_, only to find that the old man had retreated before his enemies to his last foothold of land, while the usurer had enlarged his borders at the expense of the ruined old chief's ruined house.

of the color intermediate between green and violet; having a color similar to that of a clear unclouded sky

From this reading He had come all the way in order to consult Mahomed Lateef, the old Syyed, about a certain blue envelope which was hidden away in his _posteen_, only to find that the old man had retreated before his enemies to his last foothold of land, while the usurer had enlarged his borders at the expense of the ruined old chief's ruined house.

plural of “border” — a line that indicates a boundary

From this reading He had come all the way in order to consult Mahomed Lateef, the old Syyed, about a certain blue envelope which was hidden away in his _posteen_, only to find that the old man had retreated before his enemies to his last foothold of land, while the usurer had enlarged his borders at the expense of the ruined old chief's ruined house.

brought into existence

From this reading The latter was foster-brother to that dead son who had died gloriously in the regiment, and who had been born at an outpost on the frontier.

definite but not specified or identified

From this reading He had come all the way in order to consult Mahomed Lateef, the old Syyed, about a certain blue envelope which was hidden away in his _posteen_, only to find that the old man had retreated before his enemies to his last foothold of land, while the usurer had enlarged his borders at the expense of the ruined old chief's ruined house.

possessive form of “chief” — a person who is in charge

From this reading He had come all the way in order to consult Mahomed Lateef, the old Syyed, about a certain blue envelope which was hidden away in his _posteen_, only to find that the old man had retreated before his enemies to his last foothold of land, while the usurer had enlarged his borders at the expense of the ruined old chief's ruined house.

move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading He had come all the way in order to consult Mahomed Lateef, the old Syyed, about a certain blue envelope which was hidden away in his _posteen_, only to find that the old man had retreated before his enemies to his last foothold of land, while the usurer had enlarged his borders at the expense of the ruined old chief's ruined house.

get or ask advice from

From this reading He had come all the way in order to consult Mahomed Lateef, the old Syyed, about a certain blue envelope which was hidden away in his _posteen_, only to find that the old man had retreated before his enemies to his last foothold of land, while the usurer had enlarged his borders at the expense of the ruined old chief's ruined house.

no longer having or seeming to have or expecting to have life

From this reading The latter was foster-brother to that dead son who had died gloriously in the regiment, and who had been born at an outpost on the frontier.

past form of “die” — pass from physical life and lose all bodily attributes and functions necessary to sustain life

From this reading The latter was foster-brother to that dead son who had died gloriously in the regiment, and who had been born at an outpost on the frontier.

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

From this reading Afzul Khân was sitting in Shunker Dâs's house at Faizapore with a frown upon his face.

plural of “enemy” — an opposing military force

From this reading He had come all the way in order to consult Mahomed Lateef, the old Syyed, about a certain blue envelope which was hidden away in his _posteen_, only to find that the old man had retreated before his enemies to his last foothold of land, while the usurer had enlarged his borders at the expense of the ruined old chief's ruined house.

(of an organ or body part) excessively enlarged as a result of increased size in the constituent cells

From this reading He had come all the way in order to consult Mahomed Lateef, the old Syyed, about a certain blue envelope which was hidden away in his _posteen_, only to find that the old man had retreated before his enemies to his last foothold of land, while the usurer had enlarged his borders at the expense of the ruined old chief's ruined house.

a flat (usually rectangular) container for a letter, thin package, etc.

From this reading He had come all the way in order to consult Mahomed Lateef, the old Syyed, about a certain blue envelope which was hidden away in his _posteen_, only to find that the old man had retreated before his enemies to his last foothold of land, while the usurer had enlarged his borders at the expense of the ruined old chief's ruined house.

amounts paid for goods and services that may be currently tax deductible (as opposed to capital expenditures)

From this reading He had come all the way in order to consult Mahomed Lateef, the old Syyed, about a certain blue envelope which was hidden away in his _posteen_, only to find that the old man had retreated before his enemies to his last foothold of land, while the usurer had enlarged his borders at the expense of the ruined old chief's ruined house.

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

From this reading Afzul Khân was sitting in Shunker Dâs's house at Faizapore with a frown upon his face.

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

From this reading Afzul Khân was sitting in Shunker Dâs's house at Faizapore with a frown upon his face.

come upon, as if by accident; meet with

From this reading He had come all the way in order to consult Mahomed Lateef, the old Syyed, about a certain blue envelope which was hidden away in his _posteen_, only to find that the old man had retreated before his enemies to his last foothold of land, while the usurer had enlarged his borders at the expense of the ruined old chief's ruined house.

an area in hostile territory that has been captured and is held awaiting further troops and supplies

From this reading He had come all the way in order to consult Mahomed Lateef, the old Syyed, about a certain blue envelope which was hidden away in his _posteen_, only to find that the old man had retreated before his enemies to his last foothold of land, while the usurer had enlarged his borders at the expense of the ruined old chief's ruined house.

your foster brother is a male who is not a son of your parents but who is raised by your parents

From this reading The latter was foster-brother to that dead son who had died gloriously in the regiment, and who had been born at an outpost on the frontier.

a wilderness at the edge of a settled area of a country

From this reading The latter was foster-brother to that dead son who had died gloriously in the regiment, and who had been born at an outpost on the frontier.

look angry or sullen, wrinkle one's forehead, as if to signal disapproval

From this reading Afzul Khân was sitting in Shunker Dâs's house at Faizapore with a frown upon his face.

with glory or in a glorious manner

From this reading The latter was foster-brother to that dead son who had died gloriously in the regiment, and who had been born at an outpost on the frontier.

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

From this reading He had come all the way in order to consult Mahomed Lateef, the old Syyed, about a certain blue envelope which was hidden away in his _posteen_, only to find that the old man had retreated before his enemies to his last foothold of land, while the usurer had enlarged his borders at the expense of the ruined old chief's ruined house.

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

From this reading He had come all the way in order to consult Mahomed Lateef, the old Syyed, about a certain blue envelope which was hidden away in his _posteen_, only to find that the old man had retreated before his enemies to his last foothold of land, while the usurer had enlarged his borders at the expense of the ruined old chief's ruined house.

not accessible to view

From this reading He had come all the way in order to consult Mahomed Lateef, the old Syyed, about a certain blue envelope which was hidden away in his _posteen_, only to find that the old man had retreated before his enemies to his last foothold of land, while the usurer had enlarged his borders at the expense of the ruined old chief's ruined house.

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

From this reading Afzul Khân was sitting in Shunker Dâs's house at Faizapore with a frown upon his face.

a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families

From this reading Afzul Khân was sitting in Shunker Dâs's house at Faizapore with a frown upon his face.

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

From this reading Afzul Khân was sitting in Shunker Dâs's house at Faizapore with a frown upon his face.

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

From this reading Afzul Khân was sitting in Shunker Dâs's house at Faizapore with a frown upon his face.

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

From this reading Now Mahomed Lateef was Afzul Khân's patron.

the land on which real estate is located

From this reading He had come all the way in order to consult Mahomed Lateef, the old Syyed, about a certain blue envelope which was hidden away in his _posteen_, only to find that the old man had retreated before his enemies to his last foothold of land, while the usurer had enlarged his borders at the expense of the ruined old chief's ruined house.

immediately past

From this reading He had come all the way in order to consult Mahomed Lateef, the old Syyed, about a certain blue envelope which was hidden away in his _posteen_, only to find that the old man had retreated before his enemies to his last foothold of land, while the usurer had enlarged his borders at the expense of the ruined old chief's ruined house.

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

From this reading He had come all the way in order to consult Mahomed Lateef, the old Syyed, about a certain blue envelope which was hidden away in his _posteen_, only to find that the old man had retreated before his enemies to his last foothold of land, while the usurer had enlarged his borders at the expense of the ruined old chief's ruined house.

referring to the second of two things or persons mentioned (or the last one or ones of several)

From this reading The latter was foster-brother to that dead son who had died gloriously in the regiment, and who had been born at an outpost on the frontier.

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

From this reading He had come all the way in order to consult Mahomed Lateef, the old Syyed, about a certain blue envelope which was hidden away in his _posteen_, only to find that the old man had retreated before his enemies to his last foothold of land, while the usurer had enlarged his borders at the expense of the ruined old chief's ruined house.

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

From this reading He had come all the way in order to consult Mahomed Lateef, the old Syyed, about a certain blue envelope which was hidden away in his _posteen_, only to find that the old man had retreated before his enemies to his last foothold of land, while the usurer had enlarged his borders at the expense of the ruined old chief's ruined house.

in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events

From this reading Now Mahomed Lateef was Afzul Khân's patron.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading He had come all the way in order to consult Mahomed Lateef, the old Syyed, about a certain blue envelope which was hidden away in his _posteen_, only to find that the old man had retreated before his enemies to his last foothold of land, while the usurer had enlarged his borders at the expense of the ruined old chief's ruined house.

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

From this reading He had come all the way in order to consult Mahomed Lateef, the old Syyed, about a certain blue envelope which was hidden away in his _posteen_, only to find that the old man had retreated before his enemies to his last foothold of land, while the usurer had enlarged his borders at the expense of the ruined old chief's ruined house.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading The latter was foster-brother to that dead son who had died gloriously in the regiment, and who had been born at an outpost on the frontier.

and nothing more

From this reading He had come all the way in order to consult Mahomed Lateef, the old Syyed, about a certain blue envelope which was hidden away in his _posteen_, only to find that the old man had retreated before his enemies to his last foothold of land, while the usurer had enlarged his borders at the expense of the ruined old chief's ruined house.

(often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed

From this reading He had come all the way in order to consult Mahomed Lateef, the old Syyed, about a certain blue envelope which was hidden away in his _posteen_, only to find that the old man had retreated before his enemies to his last foothold of land, while the usurer had enlarged his borders at the expense of the ruined old chief's ruined house.

a station in a remote or sparsely populated location

From this reading The latter was foster-brother to that dead son who had died gloriously in the regiment, and who had been born at an outpost on the frontier.

a regular customer

From this reading Now Mahomed Lateef was Afzul Khân's patron.

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

From this reading He had come all the way in order to consult Mahomed Lateef, the old Syyed, about a certain blue envelope which was hidden away in his _posteen_, only to find that the old man had retreated before his enemies to his last foothold of land, while the usurer had enlarged his borders at the expense of the ruined old chief's ruined house.

subject to rigid discipline, order, and systematization

From this reading The latter was foster-brother to that dead son who had died gloriously in the regiment, and who had been born at an outpost on the frontier.

people who have retreated

From this reading He had come all the way in order to consult Mahomed Lateef, the old Syyed, about a certain blue envelope which was hidden away in his _posteen_, only to find that the old man had retreated before his enemies to his last foothold of land, while the usurer had enlarged his borders at the expense of the ruined old chief's ruined house.

destroyed physically or morally

From this reading He had come all the way in order to consult Mahomed Lateef, the old Syyed, about a certain blue envelope which was hidden away in his _posteen_, only to find that the old man had retreated before his enemies to his last foothold of land, while the usurer had enlarged his borders at the expense of the ruined old chief's ruined house.

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

From this reading Afzul Khân was sitting in Shunker Dâs's house at Faizapore with a frown upon his face.

(photography) the act of assuming a certain position (as for a photograph or portrait)

From this reading Afzul Khân was sitting in Shunker Dâs's house at Faizapore with a frown upon his face.

a male human offspring

From this reading The latter was foster-brother to that dead son who had died gloriously in the regiment, and who had been born at an outpost on the frontier.

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

From this reading He had come all the way in order to consult Mahomed Lateef, the old Syyed, about a certain blue envelope which was hidden away in his _posteen_, only to find that the old man had retreated before his enemies to his last foothold of land, while the usurer had enlarged his borders at the expense of the ruined old chief's ruined house.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading He had come all the way in order to consult Mahomed Lateef, the old Syyed, about a certain blue envelope which was hidden away in his _posteen_, only to find that the old man had retreated before his enemies to his last foothold of land, while the usurer had enlarged his borders at the expense of the ruined old chief's ruined house.

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

From this reading He had come all the way in order to consult Mahomed Lateef, the old Syyed, about a certain blue envelope which was hidden away in his _posteen_, only to find that the old man had retreated before his enemies to his last foothold of land, while the usurer had enlarged his borders at the expense of the ruined old chief's ruined house.

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

From this reading In this way.

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

From this reading He had come all the way in order to consult Mahomed Lateef, the old Syyed, about a certain blue envelope which was hidden away in his _posteen_, only to find that the old man had retreated before his enemies to his last foothold of land, while the usurer had enlarged his borders at the expense of the ruined old chief's ruined house.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading Afzul Khân was sitting in Shunker Dâs's house at Faizapore with a frown upon his face.

someone who lends money at excessive rates of interest

From this reading He had come all the way in order to consult Mahomed Lateef, the old Syyed, about a certain blue envelope which was hidden away in his _posteen_, only to find that the old man had retreated before his enemies to his last foothold of land, while the usurer had enlarged his borders at the expense of the ruined old chief's ruined house.

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

From this reading Afzul Khân was sitting in Shunker Dâs's house at Faizapore with a frown upon his face.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading He had come all the way in order to consult Mahomed Lateef, the old Syyed, about a certain blue envelope which was hidden away in his _posteen_, only to find that the old man had retreated before his enemies to his last foothold of land, while the usurer had enlarged his borders at the expense of the ruined old chief's ruined house.

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

From this reading He had come all the way in order to consult Mahomed Lateef, the old Syyed, about a certain blue envelope which was hidden away in his _posteen_, only to find that the old man had retreated before his enemies to his last foothold of land, while the usurer had enlarged his borders at the expense of the ruined old chief's ruined house.

during the time that

From this reading He had come all the way in order to consult Mahomed Lateef, the old Syyed, about a certain blue envelope which was hidden away in his _posteen_, only to find that the old man had retreated before his enemies to his last foothold of land, while the usurer had enlarged his borders at the expense of the ruined old chief's ruined house.

which person or people

From this reading The latter was foster-brother to that dead son who had died gloriously in the regiment, and who had been born at an outpost on the frontier.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Afzul Khân was sitting in Shunker Dâs's house at Faizapore with a frown upon his face.