Chapter XXXIII

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

From this reading And they wrote letters home—letters that would be long in going; for runners must take them to a distant, but the nearest, treaty-port, before they could make any positive postal start.

(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 It rained all the next day, and King-lo sat with his wife and read to her and talked with her of England and of Ruben.

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

From this reading Ruby scarcely expected to see her husband for hours; but almost at once, as she sat crocheting, he came back, eager of pace and of face—and a soberly dressed man followed him to her side and bowed, crossed his hands, and stolidly waited, not looking at Mrs. Sên but carefully eyeing the silk jumper she was making.

at all times; all the time and on every occasion

From this reading Deft-fingered always, Ruby practically had discarded needlework—even its pretty playtime offshoots—since her marriage, no longer in need of her own industry to be always well-dressed.

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

From this reading It rained all the next day, and King-lo sat with his wife and read to her and talked with her of England and of Ruben.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading And they wrote letters home—letters that would be long in going; for runners must take them to a distant, but the nearest, treaty-port, before they could make any positive postal start.

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

From this reading Ruby scarcely expected to see her husband for hours; but almost at once, as she sat crocheting, he came back, eager of pace and of face—and a soberly dressed man followed him to her side and bowed, crossed his hands, and stolidly waited, not looking at Mrs. Sên but carefully eyeing the silk jumper she was making.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Ruby scarcely expected to see her husband for hours; but almost at once, as she sat crocheting, he came back, eager of pace and of face—and a soberly dressed man followed him to her side and bowed, crossed his hands, and stolidly waited, not looking at Mrs. Sên but carefully eyeing the silk jumper she was making.

in or to or toward a former location

From this reading Ruby scarcely expected to see her husband for hours; but almost at once, as she sat crocheting, he came back, eager of pace and of face—and a soberly dressed man followed him to her side and bowed, crossed his hands, and stolidly waited, not looking at Mrs. Sên but carefully eyeing the silk jumper she was making.

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

From this reading And they wrote letters home—letters that would be long in going; for runners must take them to a distant, but the nearest, treaty-port, before they could make any positive postal start.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading And they wrote letters home—letters that would be long in going; for runners must take them to a distant, but the nearest, treaty-port, before they could make any positive postal start.

of a stringed instrument; sounded by stroking with a bow

From this reading Ruby scarcely expected to see her husband for hours; but almost at once, as she sat crocheting, he came back, eager of pace and of face—and a soberly dressed man followed him to her side and bowed, crossed his hands, and stolidly waited, not looking at Mrs. Sên but carefully eyeing the silk jumper she was making.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading And they wrote letters home—letters that would be long in going; for runners must take them to a distant, but the nearest, treaty-port, before they could make any positive postal start.

inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading Ruby scarcely expected to see her husband for hours; but almost at once, as she sat crocheting, he came back, eager of pace and of face—and a soberly dressed man followed him to her side and bowed, crossed his hands, and stolidly waited, not looking at Mrs. Sên but carefully eyeing the silk jumper she was making.

taking care or paying attention

From this reading Ruby scarcely expected to see her husband for hours; but almost at once, as she sat crocheting, he came back, eager of pace and of face—and a soberly dressed man followed him to her side and bowed, crossed his hands, and stolidly waited, not looking at Mrs. Sên but carefully eyeing the silk jumper she was making.

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

From this reading And they wrote letters home—letters that would be long in going; for runners must take them to a distant, but the nearest, treaty-port, before they could make any positive postal start.

needlework done by interlocking looped stitches with a hooked needle

From this reading Ruby scarcely expected to see her husband for hours; but almost at once, as she sat crocheting, he came back, eager of pace and of face—and a soberly dressed man followed him to her side and bowed, crossed his hands, and stolidly waited, not looking at Mrs. Sên but carefully eyeing the silk jumper she was making.

placed crosswise

From this reading Ruby scarcely expected to see her husband for hours; but almost at once, as she sat crocheting, he came back, eager of pace and of face—and a soberly dressed man followed him to her side and bowed, crossed his hands, and stolidly waited, not looking at Mrs. Sên but carefully eyeing the silk jumper she was making.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading It rained all the next day, and King-lo sat with his wife and read to her and talked with her of England and of Ruben.

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

From this reading Deft-fingered always, Ruby practically had discarded needlework—even its pretty playtime offshoots—since her marriage, no longer in need of her own industry to be always well-dressed.

thrown away

From this reading Deft-fingered always, Ruby practically had discarded needlework—even its pretty playtime offshoots—since her marriage, no longer in need of her own industry to be always well-dressed.

separated in space or coming from or going to a distance

From this reading And they wrote letters home—letters that would be long in going; for runners must take them to a distant, but the nearest, treaty-port, before they could make any positive postal start.

dressed or clothed especially in fine attire; often used in combination

From this reading Ruby scarcely expected to see her husband for hours; but almost at once, as she sat crocheting, he came back, eager of pace and of face—and a soberly dressed man followed him to her side and bowed, crossed his hands, and stolidly waited, not looking at Mrs. Sên but carefully eyeing the silk jumper she was making.

having or showing keen interest or intense desire or impatient expectancy

From this reading Ruby scarcely expected to see her husband for hours; but almost at once, as she sat crocheting, he came back, eager of pace and of face—and a soberly dressed man followed him to her side and bowed, crossed his hands, and stolidly waited, not looking at Mrs. Sên but carefully eyeing the silk jumper she was making.

a division of the United Kingdom

From this reading It rained all the next day, and King-lo sat with his wife and read to her and talked with her of England and of Ruben.

divisible by two

From this reading Deft-fingered always, Ruby practically had discarded needlework—even its pretty playtime offshoots—since her marriage, no longer in need of her own industry to be always well-dressed.

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

From this reading Towards evening Sên Ya Tin sent for her grandson.

considered likely or probable to happen or arrive

From this reading Ruby scarcely expected to see her husband for hours; but almost at once, as she sat crocheting, he came back, eager of pace and of face—and a soberly dressed man followed him to her side and bowed, crossed his hands, and stolidly waited, not looking at Mrs. Sên but carefully eyeing the silk jumper she was making.

-ing form of “eye” — look at

From this reading Ruby scarcely expected to see her husband for hours; but almost at once, as she sat crocheting, he came back, eager of pace and of face—and a soberly dressed man followed him to her side and bowed, crossed his hands, and stolidly waited, not looking at Mrs. Sên but carefully eyeing the silk jumper she was making.

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

From this reading Ruby scarcely expected to see her husband for hours; but almost at once, as she sat crocheting, he came back, eager of pace and of face—and a soberly dressed man followed him to her side and bowed, crossed his hands, and stolidly waited, not looking at Mrs. Sên but carefully eyeing the silk jumper she was making.

past form of “follow” — to travel behind, go after, come after

From this reading Ruby scarcely expected to see her husband for hours; but almost at once, as she sat crocheting, he came back, eager of pace and of face—and a soberly dressed man followed him to her side and bowed, crossed his hands, and stolidly waited, not looking at Mrs. Sên but carefully eyeing the silk jumper she was making.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading And they wrote letters home—letters that would be long in going; for runners must take them to a distant, but the nearest, treaty-port, before they could make any positive postal start.

the act of departing

From this reading And they wrote letters home—letters that would be long in going; for runners must take them to a distant, but the nearest, treaty-port, before they could make any positive postal start.

a male grandchild

From this reading Towards evening Sên Ya Tin sent for her grandson.

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

From this reading Deft-fingered always, Ruby practically had discarded needlework—even its pretty playtime offshoots—since her marriage, no longer in need of her own industry to be always well-dressed.

(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child

From this reading Ruby scarcely expected to see her husband for hours; but almost at once, as she sat crocheting, he came back, eager of pace and of face—and a soberly dressed man followed him to her side and bowed, crossed his hands, and stolidly waited, not looking at Mrs. Sên but carefully eyeing the silk jumper she was making.

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

From this reading Ruby scarcely expected to see her husband for hours; but almost at once, as she sat crocheting, he came back, eager of pace and of face—and a soberly dressed man followed him to her side and bowed, crossed his hands, and stolidly waited, not looking at Mrs. Sên but carefully eyeing the silk jumper she was making.

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

From this reading It rained all the next day, and King-lo sat with his wife and read to her and talked with her of England and of Ruben.

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

From this reading Ruby scarcely expected to see her husband for hours; but almost at once, as she sat crocheting, he came back, eager of pace and of face—and a soberly dressed man followed him to her side and bowed, crossed his hands, and stolidly waited, not looking at Mrs. Sên but carefully eyeing the silk jumper she was making.

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

From this reading It rained all the next day, and King-lo sat with his wife and read to her and talked with her of England and of Ruben.

where you live at a particular time

From this reading And they wrote letters home—letters that would be long in going; for runners must take them to a distant, but the nearest, treaty-port, before they could make any positive postal start.

a period of time assigned for work

From this reading Ruby scarcely expected to see her husband for hours; but almost at once, as she sat crocheting, he came back, eager of pace and of face—and a soberly dressed man followed him to her side and bowed, crossed his hands, and stolidly waited, not looking at Mrs. Sên but carefully eyeing the silk jumper she was making.

a married man; a woman's partner in marriage

From this reading Ruby scarcely expected to see her husband for hours; but almost at once, as she sat crocheting, he came back, eager of pace and of face—and a soberly dressed man followed him to her side and bowed, crossed his hands, and stolidly waited, not looking at Mrs. Sên but carefully eyeing the silk jumper she was making.

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

From this reading And they wrote letters home—letters that would be long in going; for runners must take them to a distant, but the nearest, treaty-port, before they could make any positive postal start.

the people or companies engaged in a particular kind of commercial enterprise

From this reading Deft-fingered always, Ruby practically had discarded needlework—even its pretty playtime offshoots—since her marriage, no longer in need of her own industry to be always well-dressed.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It rained all the next day, and King-lo sat with his wife and read to her and talked with her of England and of Ruben.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading Deft-fingered always, Ruby practically had discarded needlework—even its pretty playtime offshoots—since her marriage, no longer in need of her own industry to be always well-dressed.

a person who jumps

From this reading Ruby scarcely expected to see her husband for hours; but almost at once, as she sat crocheting, he came back, eager of pace and of face—and a soberly dressed man followed him to her side and bowed, crossed his hands, and stolidly waited, not looking at Mrs. Sên but carefully eyeing the silk jumper she was making.

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

From this reading It rained all the next day, and King-lo sat with his wife and read to her and talked with her of England and of Ruben.

the literary culture

From this reading And they wrote letters home—letters that would be long in going; for runners must take them to a distant, but the nearest, treaty-port, before they could make any positive postal start.

primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified

From this reading And they wrote letters home—letters that would be long in going; for runners must take them to a distant, but the nearest, treaty-port, before they could make any positive postal start.

for more time

From this reading Deft-fingered always, Ruby practically had discarded needlework—even its pretty playtime offshoots—since her marriage, no longer in need of her own industry to be always well-dressed.

the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually

From this reading Ruby scarcely expected to see her husband for hours; but almost at once, as she sat crocheting, he came back, eager of pace and of face—and a soberly dressed man followed him to her side and bowed, crossed his hands, and stolidly waited, not looking at Mrs. Sên but carefully eyeing the silk jumper she was making.

engage in

From this reading And they wrote letters home—letters that would be long in going; for runners must take them to a distant, but the nearest, treaty-port, before they could make any positive postal start.

the act that results in something coming to be

From this reading Ruby scarcely expected to see her husband for hours; but almost at once, as she sat crocheting, he came back, eager of pace and of face—and a soberly dressed man followed him to her side and bowed, crossed his hands, and stolidly waited, not looking at Mrs. Sên but carefully eyeing the silk jumper she was making.

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

From this reading Ruby scarcely expected to see her husband for hours; but almost at once, as she sat crocheting, he came back, eager of pace and of face—and a soberly dressed man followed him to her side and bowed, crossed his hands, and stolidly waited, not looking at Mrs. Sên but carefully eyeing the silk jumper she was making.

the state of being a married couple voluntarily joined for life (or until divorce)

From this reading Deft-fingered always, Ruby practically had discarded needlework—even its pretty playtime offshoots—since her marriage, no longer in need of her own industry to be always well-dressed.

a form of address for a married woman

From this reading Ruby scarcely expected to see her husband for hours; but almost at once, as she sat crocheting, he came back, eager of pace and of face—and a soberly dressed man followed him to her side and bowed, crossed his hands, and stolidly waited, not looking at Mrs. Sên but carefully eyeing the silk jumper she was making.

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading And they wrote letters home—letters that would be long in going; for runners must take them to a distant, but the nearest, treaty-port, before they could make any positive postal start.

(superlative of “near” or “close”) within the shortest distance

From this reading And they wrote letters home—letters that would be long in going; for runners must take them to a distant, but the nearest, treaty-port, before they could make any positive postal start.

a condition requiring relief

From this reading Deft-fingered always, Ruby practically had discarded needlework—even its pretty playtime offshoots—since her marriage, no longer in need of her own industry to be always well-dressed.

a creation created or assembled by needle and thread

From this reading Deft-fingered always, Ruby practically had discarded needlework—even its pretty playtime offshoots—since her marriage, no longer in need of her own industry to be always well-dressed.

immediately following in time or order

From this reading It rained all the next day, and King-lo sat with his wife and read to her and talked with her of England and of Ruben.

not any; not one

From this reading Deft-fingered always, Ruby practically had discarded needlework—even its pretty playtime offshoots—since her marriage, no longer in need of her own industry to be always well-dressed.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Ruby scarcely expected to see her husband for hours; but almost at once, as she sat crocheting, he came back, eager of pace and of face—and a soberly dressed man followed him to her side and bowed, crossed his hands, and stolidly waited, not looking at Mrs. Sên but carefully eyeing the silk jumper she was making.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading It rained all the next day, and King-lo sat with his wife and read to her and talked with her of England and of Ruben.

plural of “offshoot” — a natural consequence of development

From this reading Deft-fingered always, Ruby practically had discarded needlework—even its pretty playtime offshoots—since her marriage, no longer in need of her own industry to be always well-dressed.

on one occasion

From this reading Ruby scarcely expected to see her husband for hours; but almost at once, as she sat crocheting, he came back, eager of pace and of face—and a soberly dressed man followed him to her side and bowed, crossed his hands, and stolidly waited, not looking at Mrs. Sên but carefully eyeing the silk jumper she was making.

have ownership or possession of

From this reading Deft-fingered always, Ruby practically had discarded needlework—even its pretty playtime offshoots—since her marriage, no longer in need of her own industry to be always well-dressed.

the rate of moving (especially walking or running)

From this reading Ruby scarcely expected to see her husband for hours; but almost at once, as she sat crocheting, he came back, eager of pace and of face—and a soberly dressed man followed him to her side and bowed, crossed his hands, and stolidly waited, not looking at Mrs. Sên but carefully eyeing the silk jumper she was making.

time for play or diversion

From this reading Deft-fingered always, Ruby practically had discarded needlework—even its pretty playtime offshoots—since her marriage, no longer in need of her own industry to be always well-dressed.

characterized by or displaying affirmation or acceptance or certainty etc.

From this reading And they wrote letters home—letters that would be long in going; for runners must take them to a distant, but the nearest, treaty-port, before they could make any positive postal start.

of or relating to the system for delivering mail

From this reading And they wrote letters home—letters that would be long in going; for runners must take them to a distant, but the nearest, treaty-port, before they could make any positive postal start.

almost; nearly

From this reading Deft-fingered always, Ruby practically had discarded needlework—even its pretty playtime offshoots—since her marriage, no longer in need of her own industry to be always well-dressed.

pleasing by delicacy or grace; not imposing

From this reading Deft-fingered always, Ruby practically had discarded needlework—even its pretty playtime offshoots—since her marriage, no longer in need of her own industry to be always well-dressed.

past form of “rain” — precipitate as rain

From this reading It rained all the next day, and King-lo sat with his wife and read to her and talked with her of England and of Ruben.

interpret something that is written or printed

From this reading It rained all the next day, and King-lo sat with his wife and read to her and talked with her of England and of Ruben.

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

From this reading It rained all the next day, and King-lo sat with his wife and read to her and talked with her of England and of Ruben.

a transparent piece of ruby that has been cut and polished and is valued as a precious gem

From this reading Ruby scarcely expected to see her husband for hours; but almost at once, as she sat crocheting, he came back, eager of pace and of face—and a soberly dressed man followed him to her side and bowed, crossed his hands, and stolidly waited, not looking at Mrs. Sên but carefully eyeing the silk jumper she was making.

plural of “runner” — someone who imports or exports without paying duties

From this reading And they wrote letters home—letters that would be long in going; for runners must take them to a distant, but the nearest, treaty-port, before they could make any positive postal start.

the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians

From this reading It rained all the next day, and King-lo sat with his wife and read to her and talked with her of England and of Ruben.

only a very short time before

From this reading Ruby scarcely expected to see her husband for hours; but almost at once, as she sat crocheting, he came back, eager of pace and of face—and a soberly dressed man followed him to her side and bowed, crossed his hands, and stolidly waited, not looking at Mrs. Sên but carefully eyeing the silk jumper she was making.

perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading Ruby scarcely expected to see her husband for hours; but almost at once, as she sat crocheting, he came back, eager of pace and of face—and a soberly dressed man followed him to her side and bowed, crossed his hands, and stolidly waited, not looking at Mrs. Sên but carefully eyeing the silk jumper she was making.

100 senti equal 1 kroon in Estonia

From this reading Towards evening Sên Ya Tin sent for her grandson.

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

From this reading Ruby scarcely expected to see her husband for hours; but almost at once, as she sat crocheting, he came back, eager of pace and of face—and a soberly dressed man followed him to her side and bowed, crossed his hands, and stolidly waited, not looking at Mrs. Sên but carefully eyeing the silk jumper she was making.

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

From this reading Ruby scarcely expected to see her husband for hours; but almost at once, as she sat crocheting, he came back, eager of pace and of face—and a soberly dressed man followed him to her side and bowed, crossed his hands, and stolidly waited, not looking at Mrs. Sên but carefully eyeing the silk jumper she was making.

a fabric made from the fine threads produced by certain insect larvae

From this reading Ruby scarcely expected to see her husband for hours; but almost at once, as she sat crocheting, he came back, eager of pace and of face—and a soberly dressed man followed him to her side and bowed, crossed his hands, and stolidly waited, not looking at Mrs. Sên but carefully eyeing the silk jumper she was making.

from a time in the past until now

From this reading Deft-fingered always, Ruby practically had discarded needlework—even its pretty playtime offshoots—since her marriage, no longer in need of her own industry to be always well-dressed.

in a grave and sober manner

From this reading Ruby scarcely expected to see her husband for hours; but almost at once, as she sat crocheting, he came back, eager of pace and of face—and a soberly dressed man followed him to her side and bowed, crossed his hands, and stolidly waited, not looking at Mrs. Sên but carefully eyeing the silk jumper she was making.

take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

From this reading And they wrote letters home—letters that would be long in going; for runners must take them to a distant, but the nearest, treaty-port, before they could make any positive postal start.

in a stolid manner

From this reading Ruby scarcely expected to see her husband for hours; but almost at once, as she sat crocheting, he came back, eager of pace and of face—and a soberly dressed man followed him to her side and bowed, crossed his hands, and stolidly waited, not looking at Mrs. Sên but carefully eyeing the silk jumper she was making.

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

From this reading Towards evening Sên Ya Tin sent for her grandson.

carry out

From this reading And they wrote letters home—letters that would be long in going; for runners must take them to a distant, but the nearest, treaty-port, before they could make any positive postal start.

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

From this reading It rained all the next day, and King-lo sat with his wife and read to her and talked with her of England and of Ruben.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading And they wrote letters home—letters that would be long in going; for runners must take them to a distant, but the nearest, treaty-port, before they could make any positive postal start.

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

From this reading It rained all the next day, and King-lo sat with his wife and read to her and talked with her of England and of Ruben.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading And they wrote letters home—letters that would be long in going; for runners must take them to a distant, but the nearest, treaty-port, before they could make any positive postal start.

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

From this reading And they wrote letters home—letters that would be long in going; for runners must take them to a distant, but the nearest, treaty-port, before they could make any positive postal start.

a silvery malleable metallic element that resists corrosion; used in many alloys and to coat other metals to prevent corrosion; obtained chiefly from cassiterite where it occurs as tin oxide

From this reading Towards evening Sên Ya Tin sent for her grandson.

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

From this reading It rained all the next day, and King-lo sat with his wife and read to her and talked with her of England and of Ruben.

in the direction of

From this reading Towards evening Sên Ya Tin sent for her grandson.

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

From this reading And they wrote letters home—letters that would be long in going; for runners must take them to a distant, but the nearest, treaty-port, before they could make any positive postal start.

past form of “wait” — stay in one place and anticipate or expect something

From this reading Ruby scarcely expected to see her husband for hours; but almost at once, as she sat crocheting, he came back, eager of pace and of face—and a soberly dressed man followed him to her side and bowed, crossed his hands, and stolidly waited, not looking at Mrs. Sên but carefully eyeing the silk jumper she was making.

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

From this reading Ruby scarcely expected to see her husband for hours; but almost at once, as she sat crocheting, he came back, eager of pace and of face—and a soberly dressed man followed him to her side and bowed, crossed his hands, and stolidly waited, not looking at Mrs. Sên but carefully eyeing the silk jumper she was making.

having tasteful clothing and being scrupulously neat

From this reading Deft-fingered always, Ruby practically had discarded needlework—even its pretty playtime offshoots—since her marriage, no longer in need of her own industry to be always well-dressed.

a married woman; a man's partner in marriage

From this reading It rained all the next day, and King-lo sat with his wife and read to her and talked with her of England and of Ruben.

in the company of; together with

From this reading It rained all the next day, and King-lo sat with his wife and read to her and talked with her of England and of Ruben.

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading And they wrote letters home—letters that would be long in going; for runners must take them to a distant, but the nearest, treaty-port, before they could make any positive postal start.

inflected form of “write” — produce a literary work

From this reading And they wrote letters home—letters that would be long in going; for runners must take them to a distant, but the nearest, treaty-port, before they could make any positive postal start.

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

From this reading Towards evening Sên Ya Tin sent for her grandson.