Chapter IX

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

From this reading And so the musician and the dying boy were made friends--a quaint, brief intimacy which the former could never recall in after-years without a pang, half pitiful, half humorous, for its oddity.

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

From this reading And so the musician and the dying boy were made friends--a quaint, brief intimacy which the former could never recall in after-years without a pang, half pitiful, half humorous, for its oddity.

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

From this reading Its relation here is purely in the nature of an interlude, and may be wholly skipped, without hurt to the main narrative, by those who have an unconquerable repugnance of sentiment.

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

From this reading And so the musician and the dying boy were made friends--a quaint, brief intimacy which the former could never recall in after-years without a pang, half pitiful, half humorous, for its oddity.

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

From this reading But for those others--whether the majority or not I do not know--who like to warm their hearts now and then at the little fire of compassion, the episode, as constituting an odd chapter in the life of a famous executant, may possess a transitory charm.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading But for those others--whether the majority or not I do not know--who like to warm their hearts now and then at the little fire of compassion, the episode, as constituting an odd chapter in the life of a famous executant, may possess a transitory charm.

English runner who in 1954 became the first person to run a mile in less than four minutes (born in 1929)

From this reading From that poignant midnight, Bannister, both by day and evening, was often in the sick boy’s room.

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading Its relation here is purely in the nature of an interlude, and may be wholly skipped, without hurt to the main narrative, by those who have an unconquerable repugnance of sentiment.

the two together, not just one

From this reading From that poignant midnight, Bannister, both by day and evening, was often in the sick boy’s room.

a youthful male person

From this reading And so the musician and the dying boy were made friends--a quaint, brief intimacy which the former could never recall in after-years without a pang, half pitiful, half humorous, for its oddity.

possessive form of “boy” — a youthful male person

From this reading From that poignant midnight, Bannister, both by day and evening, was often in the sick boy’s room.

of short duration or distance

From this reading And so the musician and the dying boy were made friends--a quaint, brief intimacy which the former could never recall in after-years without a pang, half pitiful, half humorous, for its oddity.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But for those others--whether the majority or not I do not know--who like to warm their hearts now and then at the little fire of compassion, the episode, as constituting an odd chapter in the life of a famous executant, may possess a transitory charm.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Its relation here is purely in the nature of an interlude, and may be wholly skipped, without hurt to the main narrative, by those who have an unconquerable repugnance of sentiment.

a subdivision of a written work; usually numbered and titled

From this reading But for those others--whether the majority or not I do not know--who like to warm their hearts now and then at the little fire of compassion, the episode, as constituting an odd chapter in the life of a famous executant, may possess a transitory charm.

attractiveness that interests or pleases or stimulates

From this reading But for those others--whether the majority or not I do not know--who like to warm their hearts now and then at the little fire of compassion, the episode, as constituting an odd chapter in the life of a famous executant, may possess a transitory charm.

a deep awareness of and sympathy for another's suffering

From this reading But for those others--whether the majority or not I do not know--who like to warm their hearts now and then at the little fire of compassion, the episode, as constituting an odd chapter in the life of a famous executant, may possess a transitory charm.

-ing form of “constitute” — form or compose

From this reading But for those others--whether the majority or not I do not know--who like to warm their hearts now and then at the little fire of compassion, the episode, as constituting an odd chapter in the life of a famous executant, may possess a transitory charm.

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading And so the musician and the dying boy were made friends--a quaint, brief intimacy which the former could never recall in after-years without a pang, half pitiful, half humorous, for its oddity.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading From that poignant midnight, Bannister, both by day and evening, was often in the sick boy’s room.

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading But for those others--whether the majority or not I do not know--who like to warm their hearts now and then at the little fire of compassion, the episode, as constituting an odd chapter in the life of a famous executant, may possess a transitory charm.

in or associated with the process of passing from life or ceasing to be

From this reading And so the musician and the dying boy were made friends--a quaint, brief intimacy which the former could never recall in after-years without a pang, half pitiful, half humorous, for its oddity.

a happening that is distinctive in a series of related events

From this reading But for those others--whether the majority or not I do not know--who like to warm their hearts now and then at the little fire of compassion, the episode, as constituting an odd chapter in the life of a famous executant, may possess a transitory charm.

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

From this reading From that poignant midnight, Bannister, both by day and evening, was often in the sick boy’s room.

a performer (usually of musical works)

From this reading But for those others--whether the majority or not I do not know--who like to warm their hearts now and then at the little fire of compassion, the episode, as constituting an odd chapter in the life of a famous executant, may possess a transitory charm.

widely known and esteemed

From this reading But for those others--whether the majority or not I do not know--who like to warm their hearts now and then at the little fire of compassion, the episode, as constituting an odd chapter in the life of a famous executant, may possess a transitory charm.

start firing a weapon

From this reading But for those others--whether the majority or not I do not know--who like to warm their hearts now and then at the little fire of compassion, the episode, as constituting an odd chapter in the life of a famous executant, may possess a transitory charm.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading And so the musician and the dying boy were made friends--a quaint, brief intimacy which the former could never recall in after-years without a pang, half pitiful, half humorous, for its oddity.

referring to the first of two things or persons mentioned (or the earlier one or ones of several)

From this reading And so the musician and the dying boy were made friends--a quaint, brief intimacy which the former could never recall in after-years without a pang, half pitiful, half humorous, for its oddity.

plural of “friend” — a person you know well and regard with affection and trust

From this reading And so the musician and the dying boy were made friends--a quaint, brief intimacy which the former could never recall in after-years without a pang, half pitiful, half humorous, for its oddity.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading From that poignant midnight, Bannister, both by day and evening, was often in the sick boy’s room.

consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity

From this reading And so the musician and the dying boy were made friends--a quaint, brief intimacy which the former could never recall in after-years without a pang, half pitiful, half humorous, for its oddity.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading Its relation here is purely in the nature of an interlude, and may be wholly skipped, without hurt to the main narrative, by those who have an unconquerable repugnance of sentiment.

a form of whist in which players avoid winning tricks containing hearts or the queen of spades

From this reading But for those others--whether the majority or not I do not know--who like to warm their hearts now and then at the little fire of compassion, the episode, as constituting an odd chapter in the life of a famous executant, may possess a transitory charm.

in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is

From this reading Its relation here is purely in the nature of an interlude, and may be wholly skipped, without hurt to the main narrative, by those who have an unconquerable repugnance of sentiment.

full of or characterized by humor

From this reading And so the musician and the dying boy were made friends--a quaint, brief intimacy which the former could never recall in after-years without a pang, half pitiful, half humorous, for its oddity.

be the source of pain

From this reading Its relation here is purely in the nature of an interlude, and may be wholly skipped, without hurt to the main narrative, by those who have an unconquerable repugnance of sentiment.

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

From this reading But for those others--whether the majority or not I do not know--who like to warm their hearts now and then at the little fire of compassion, the episode, as constituting an odd chapter in the life of a famous executant, may possess a transitory charm.

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

From this reading And so the musician and the dying boy were made friends--a quaint, brief intimacy which the former could never recall in after-years without a pang, half pitiful, half humorous, for its oddity.

an intervening period or episode

From this reading Its relation here is purely in the nature of an interlude, and may be wholly skipped, without hurt to the main narrative, by those who have an unconquerable repugnance of sentiment.

close or warm friendship

From this reading And so the musician and the dying boy were made friends--a quaint, brief intimacy which the former could never recall in after-years without a pang, half pitiful, half humorous, for its oddity.

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

From this reading Its relation here is purely in the nature of an interlude, and may be wholly skipped, without hurt to the main narrative, by those who have an unconquerable repugnance of sentiment.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It is for them it is narrated.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading And so the musician and the dying boy were made friends--a quaint, brief intimacy which the former could never recall in after-years without a pang, half pitiful, half humorous, for its oddity.

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

From this reading But for those others--whether the majority or not I do not know--who like to warm their hearts now and then at the little fire of compassion, the episode, as constituting an odd chapter in the life of a famous executant, may possess a transitory charm.

a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading But for those others--whether the majority or not I do not know--who like to warm their hearts now and then at the little fire of compassion, the episode, as constituting an odd chapter in the life of a famous executant, may possess a transitory charm.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading But for those others--whether the majority or not I do not know--who like to warm their hearts now and then at the little fire of compassion, the episode, as constituting an odd chapter in the life of a famous executant, may possess a transitory charm.

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading But for those others--whether the majority or not I do not know--who like to warm their hearts now and then at the little fire of compassion, the episode, as constituting an odd chapter in the life of a famous executant, may possess a transitory charm.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading And so the musician and the dying boy were made friends--a quaint, brief intimacy which the former could never recall in after-years without a pang, half pitiful, half humorous, for its oddity.

most important element

From this reading Its relation here is purely in the nature of an interlude, and may be wholly skipped, without hurt to the main narrative, by those who have an unconquerable repugnance of sentiment.

the property resulting from being or relating to the greater in number of two parts; the main part

From this reading But for those others--whether the majority or not I do not know--who like to warm their hearts now and then at the little fire of compassion, the episode, as constituting an odd chapter in the life of a famous executant, may possess a transitory charm.

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading Its relation here is purely in the nature of an interlude, and may be wholly skipped, without hurt to the main narrative, by those who have an unconquerable repugnance of sentiment.

12 o'clock at night; the middle of the night

From this reading From that poignant midnight, Bannister, both by day and evening, was often in the sick boy’s room.

someone who plays a musical instrument (as a profession)

From this reading And so the musician and the dying boy were made friends--a quaint, brief intimacy which the former could never recall in after-years without a pang, half pitiful, half humorous, for its oddity.

past form of “narrate” — provide commentary for a film, for example

From this reading It is for them it is narrated.

a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program

From this reading Its relation here is purely in the nature of an interlude, and may be wholly skipped, without hurt to the main narrative, by those who have an unconquerable repugnance of sentiment.

the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized

From this reading Its relation here is purely in the nature of an interlude, and may be wholly skipped, without hurt to the main narrative, by those who have an unconquerable repugnance of sentiment.

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading And so the musician and the dying boy were made friends--a quaint, brief intimacy which the former could never recall in after-years without a pang, half pitiful, half humorous, for its oddity.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading But for those others--whether the majority or not I do not know--who like to warm their hearts now and then at the little fire of compassion, the episode, as constituting an odd chapter in the life of a famous executant, may possess a transitory charm.

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

From this reading But for those others--whether the majority or not I do not know--who like to warm their hearts now and then at the little fire of compassion, the episode, as constituting an odd chapter in the life of a famous executant, may possess a transitory charm.

not divisible by two

From this reading But for those others--whether the majority or not I do not know--who like to warm their hearts now and then at the little fire of compassion, the episode, as constituting an odd chapter in the life of a famous executant, may possess a transitory charm.

eccentricity that is not easily explained

From this reading And so the musician and the dying boy were made friends--a quaint, brief intimacy which the former could never recall in after-years without a pang, half pitiful, half humorous, for its oddity.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Its relation here is purely in the nature of an interlude, and may be wholly skipped, without hurt to the main narrative, by those who have an unconquerable repugnance of sentiment.

many times at short intervals

From this reading From that poignant midnight, Bannister, both by day and evening, was often in the sick boy’s room.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading But for those others--whether the majority or not I do not know--who like to warm their hearts now and then at the little fire of compassion, the episode, as constituting an odd chapter in the life of a famous executant, may possess a transitory charm.

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

From this reading But for those others--whether the majority or not I do not know--who like to warm their hearts now and then at the little fire of compassion, the episode, as constituting an odd chapter in the life of a famous executant, may possess a transitory charm.

a sudden sharp feeling

From this reading And so the musician and the dying boy were made friends--a quaint, brief intimacy which the former could never recall in after-years without a pang, half pitiful, half humorous, for its oddity.

inspiring mixed contempt and pity

From this reading And so the musician and the dying boy were made friends--a quaint, brief intimacy which the former could never recall in after-years without a pang, half pitiful, half humorous, for its oddity.

arousing affect

From this reading From that poignant midnight, Bannister, both by day and evening, was often in the sick boy’s room.

have as an attribute, knowledge, or skill

From this reading But for those others--whether the majority or not I do not know--who like to warm their hearts now and then at the little fire of compassion, the episode, as constituting an odd chapter in the life of a famous executant, may possess a transitory charm.

restricted to something

From this reading Its relation here is purely in the nature of an interlude, and may be wholly skipped, without hurt to the main narrative, by those who have an unconquerable repugnance of sentiment.

strange in an interesting or pleasing way

From this reading And so the musician and the dying boy were made friends--a quaint, brief intimacy which the former could never recall in after-years without a pang, half pitiful, half humorous, for its oddity.

recall knowledge from memory; have a recollection

From this reading And so the musician and the dying boy were made friends--a quaint, brief intimacy which the former could never recall in after-years without a pang, half pitiful, half humorous, for its oddity.

an abstraction belonging to or characteristic of two entities or parts together

From this reading Its relation here is purely in the nature of an interlude, and may be wholly skipped, without hurt to the main narrative, by those who have an unconquerable repugnance of sentiment.

intense aversion

From this reading Its relation here is purely in the nature of an interlude, and may be wholly skipped, without hurt to the main narrative, by those who have an unconquerable repugnance of sentiment.

an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling

From this reading From that poignant midnight, Bannister, both by day and evening, was often in the sick boy’s room.

tender, romantic, or nostalgic feeling or emotion

From this reading Its relation here is purely in the nature of an interlude, and may be wholly skipped, without hurt to the main narrative, by those who have an unconquerable repugnance of sentiment.

affected by an impairment of normal physical or mental function

From this reading From that poignant midnight, Bannister, both by day and evening, was often in the sick boy’s room.

inflected form of “skip” — bypass

From this reading Its relation here is purely in the nature of an interlude, and may be wholly skipped, without hurt to the main narrative, by those who have an unconquerable repugnance of sentiment.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading And so the musician and the dying boy were made friends--a quaint, brief intimacy which the former could never recall in after-years without a pang, half pitiful, half humorous, for its oddity.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading From that poignant midnight, Bannister, both by day and evening, was often in the sick boy’s room.

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

From this reading And so the musician and the dying boy were made friends--a quaint, brief intimacy which the former could never recall in after-years without a pang, half pitiful, half humorous, for its oddity.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading But for those others--whether the majority or not I do not know--who like to warm their hearts now and then at the little fire of compassion, the episode, as constituting an odd chapter in the life of a famous executant, may possess a transitory charm.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading It is for them it is narrated.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading But for those others--whether the majority or not I do not know--who like to warm their hearts now and then at the little fire of compassion, the episode, as constituting an odd chapter in the life of a famous executant, may possess a transitory charm.

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

From this reading Its relation here is purely in the nature of an interlude, and may be wholly skipped, without hurt to the main narrative, by those who have an unconquerable repugnance of sentiment.

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

From this reading Its relation here is purely in the nature of an interlude, and may be wholly skipped, without hurt to the main narrative, by those who have an unconquerable repugnance of sentiment.

lasting a very short time

From this reading But for those others--whether the majority or not I do not know--who like to warm their hearts now and then at the little fire of compassion, the episode, as constituting an odd chapter in the life of a famous executant, may possess a transitory charm.

not capable of being conquered or vanquished or overcome

From this reading Its relation here is purely in the nature of an interlude, and may be wholly skipped, without hurt to the main narrative, by those who have an unconquerable repugnance of sentiment.

having or producing a comfortable and agreeable degree of heat or imparting or maintaining heat

From this reading But for those others--whether the majority or not I do not know--who like to warm their hearts now and then at the little fire of compassion, the episode, as constituting an odd chapter in the life of a famous executant, may possess a transitory charm.

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

From this reading From that poignant midnight, Bannister, both by day and evening, was often in the sick boy’s room.

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

From this reading And so the musician and the dying boy were made friends--a quaint, brief intimacy which the former could never recall in after-years without a pang, half pitiful, half humorous, for its oddity.

used to introduce two or more possibilities

From this reading But for those others--whether the majority or not I do not know--who like to warm their hearts now and then at the little fire of compassion, the episode, as constituting an odd chapter in the life of a famous executant, may possess a transitory charm.

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

From this reading And so the musician and the dying boy were made friends--a quaint, brief intimacy which the former could never recall in after-years without a pang, half pitiful, half humorous, for its oddity.

which person or people

From this reading Its relation here is purely in the nature of an interlude, and may be wholly skipped, without hurt to the main narrative, by those who have an unconquerable repugnance of sentiment.

to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)

From this reading Its relation here is purely in the nature of an interlude, and may be wholly skipped, without hurt to the main narrative, by those who have an unconquerable repugnance of sentiment.

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading And so the musician and the dying boy were made friends--a quaint, brief intimacy which the former could never recall in after-years without a pang, half pitiful, half humorous, for its oddity.