Chapter I

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

From this reading It was the 3rd of April, 1953.

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

From this reading It was the 3rd of April, 1953.

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

From this reading As the big rotor came up through the Sound at the end of her ten days’ passage from New York, a passenger standing alone forward upon her decks looked at the very shores of Devon close at hand on either side, and delighted in the Spring.

distinctive manner of oral expression

From this reading His clothes and his boots were American, and his hat; and what was more, when he spoke there was just that trace of American accent and that habitual use of American locutions which so often mark the man who has lived, though for no more than a few months, in wholly American surroundings.

anew

From this reading It was nearly two years since he had seen his own country, and he felt the eagerness of his return almost as though he were a boy again.

how long something has existed

From this reading He was a short, rather stout man in later middle age, with gray curling hair, clean shaven, and in his gesture and expression most unmistakably English.

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

From this reading It was nearly two years since he had seen his own country, and he felt the eagerness of his return almost as though he were a boy again.

Having no one else present.

From this reading As the big rotor came up through the Sound at the end of her ten days’ passage from New York, a passenger standing alone forward upon her decks looked at the very shores of Devon close at hand on either side, and delighted in the Spring.

a native or inhabitant of the United States

From this reading His clothes and his boots were American, and his hat; and what was more, when he spoke there was just that trace of American accent and that habitual use of American locutions which so often mark the man who has lived, though for no more than a few months, in wholly American surroundings.

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

From this reading As the big rotor came up through the Sound at the end of her ten days’ passage from New York, a passenger standing alone forward upon her decks looked at the very shores of Devon close at hand on either side, and delighted in the Spring.

the month following March and preceding May

From this reading It was the 3rd of April, 1953.

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

From this reading As the big rotor came up through the Sound at the end of her ten days’ passage from New York, a passenger standing alone forward upon her decks looked at the very shores of Devon close at hand on either side, and delighted in the Spring.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading As the big rotor came up through the Sound at the end of her ten days’ passage from New York, a passenger standing alone forward upon her decks looked at the very shores of Devon close at hand on either side, and delighted in the Spring.

above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading As the big rotor came up through the Sound at the end of her ten days’ passage from New York, a passenger standing alone forward upon her decks looked at the very shores of Devon close at hand on either side, and delighted in the Spring.

plural of “boot” — footwear that covers the whole foot and lower leg

From this reading His clothes and his boots were American, and his hat; and what was more, when he spoke there was just that trace of American accent and that habitual use of American locutions which so often mark the man who has lived, though for no more than a few months, in wholly American surroundings.

a youthful male person

From this reading It was nearly two years since he had seen his own country, and he felt the eagerness of his return almost as though he were a boy again.

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

From this reading As the big rotor came up through the Sound at the end of her ten days’ passage from New York, a passenger standing alone forward upon her decks looked at the very shores of Devon close at hand on either side, and delighted in the Spring.

free from dirt or impurities; or having clean habits

From this reading He was a short, rather stout man in later middle age, with gray curling hair, clean shaven, and in his gesture and expression most unmistakably English.

at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other

From this reading As the big rotor came up through the Sound at the end of her ten days’ passage from New York, a passenger standing alone forward upon her decks looked at the very shores of Devon close at hand on either side, and delighted in the Spring.

clothing in general

From this reading His clothes and his boots were American, and his hat; and what was more, when he spoke there was just that trace of American accent and that habitual use of American locutions which so often mark the man who has lived, though for no more than a few months, in wholly American surroundings.

a politically organized body of people under a single government

From this reading It was nearly two years since he had seen his own country, and he felt the eagerness of his return almost as though he were a boy again.

a game played on ice in which heavy stones with handles are slid toward a target

From this reading He was a short, rather stout man in later middle age, with gray curling hair, clean shaven, and in his gesture and expression most unmistakably English.

the time during which someone's life continues

From this reading As the big rotor came up through the Sound at the end of her ten days’ passage from New York, a passenger standing alone forward upon her decks looked at the very shores of Devon close at hand on either side, and delighted in the Spring.

plural of “deck” — any of various platforms built into a vessel

From this reading As the big rotor came up through the Sound at the end of her ten days’ passage from New York, a passenger standing alone forward upon her decks looked at the very shores of Devon close at hand on either side, and delighted in the Spring.

greatly pleased

From this reading As the big rotor came up through the Sound at the end of her ten days’ passage from New York, a passenger standing alone forward upon her decks looked at the very shores of Devon close at hand on either side, and delighted in the Spring.

a county in southwestern England

From this reading As the big rotor came up through the Sound at the end of her ten days’ passage from New York, a passenger standing alone forward upon her decks looked at the very shores of Devon close at hand on either side, and delighted in the Spring.

a positive feeling of wanting to push ahead with something

From this reading It was nearly two years since he had seen his own country, and he felt the eagerness of his return almost as though he were a boy again.

one or the other of two

From this reading As the big rotor came up through the Sound at the end of her ten days’ passage from New York, a passenger standing alone forward upon her decks looked at the very shores of Devon close at hand on either side, and delighted in the Spring.

either extremity of something that has length

From this reading As the big rotor came up through the Sound at the end of her ten days’ passage from New York, a passenger standing alone forward upon her decks looked at the very shores of Devon close at hand on either side, and delighted in the Spring.

an Indo-European language belonging to the West Germanic branch; the official language of Britain and the United States and most of the commonwealth countries

From this reading He was a short, rather stout man in later middle age, with gray curling hair, clean shaven, and in his gesture and expression most unmistakably English.

the feelings expressed on a person's face

From this reading He was a short, rather stout man in later middle age, with gray curling hair, clean shaven, and in his gesture and expression most unmistakably English.

mat together and make felt-like

From this reading It was nearly two years since he had seen his own country, and he felt the eagerness of his return almost as though he were a boy again.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number

From this reading His clothes and his boots were American, and his hat; and what was more, when he spoke there was just that trace of American accent and that habitual use of American locutions which so often mark the man who has lived, though for no more than a few months, in wholly American surroundings.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading His clothes and his boots were American, and his hat; and what was more, when he spoke there was just that trace of American accent and that habitual use of American locutions which so often mark the man who has lived, though for no more than a few months, in wholly American surroundings.

at or to or toward the front

From this reading As the big rotor came up through the Sound at the end of her ten days’ passage from New York, a passenger standing alone forward upon her decks looked at the very shores of Devon close at hand on either side, and delighted in the Spring.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading As the big rotor came up through the Sound at the end of her ten days’ passage from New York, a passenger standing alone forward upon her decks looked at the very shores of Devon close at hand on either side, and delighted in the Spring.

motion of hands or body to emphasize or help to express a thought or feeling

From this reading He was a short, rather stout man in later middle age, with gray curling hair, clean shaven, and in his gesture and expression most unmistakably English.

a neutral achromatic color midway between white and black

From this reading He was a short, rather stout man in later middle age, with gray curling hair, clean shaven, and in his gesture and expression most unmistakably English.

commonly used or practiced; usual

From this reading His clothes and his boots were American, and his hat; and what was more, when he spoke there was just that trace of American accent and that habitual use of American locutions which so often mark the man who has lived, though for no more than a few months, in wholly American surroundings.

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

From this reading It was nearly two years since he had seen his own country, and he felt the eagerness of his return almost as though he were a boy again.

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 He was a short, rather stout man in later middle age, with gray curling hair, clean shaven, and in his gesture and expression most unmistakably English.

the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb

From this reading As the big rotor came up through the Sound at the end of her ten days’ passage from New York, a passenger standing alone forward upon her decks looked at the very shores of Devon close at hand on either side, and delighted in the Spring.

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

From this reading His clothes and his boots were American, and his hat; and what was more, when he spoke there was just that trace of American accent and that habitual use of American locutions which so often mark the man who has lived, though for no more than a few months, in wholly American surroundings.

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

From this reading His clothes and his boots were American, and his hat; and what was more, when he spoke there was just that trace of American accent and that habitual use of American locutions which so often mark the man who has lived, though for no more than a few months, in wholly American surroundings.

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

From this reading It was nearly two years since he had seen his own country, and he felt the eagerness of his return almost as though he were a boy again.

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

From this reading As the big rotor came up through the Sound at the end of her ten days’ passage from New York, a passenger standing alone forward upon her decks looked at the very shores of Devon close at hand on either side, and delighted in the Spring.

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

From this reading It was nearly two years since he had seen his own country, and he felt the eagerness of his return almost as though he were a boy again.

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

From this reading As the big rotor came up through the Sound at the end of her ten days’ passage from New York, a passenger standing alone forward upon her decks looked at the very shores of Devon close at hand on either side, and delighted in the Spring.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was the 3rd of April, 1953.

and nothing more

From this reading His clothes and his boots were American, and his hat; and what was more, when he spoke there was just that trace of American accent and that habitual use of American locutions which so often mark the man who has lived, though for no more than a few months, in wholly American surroundings.

happening at a time subsequent to a reference time

From this reading He was a short, rather stout man in later middle age, with gray curling hair, clean shaven, and in his gesture and expression most unmistakably English.

past form of “live” — be an inhabitant of or reside in

From this reading His clothes and his boots were American, and his hat; and what was more, when he spoke there was just that trace of American accent and that habitual use of American locutions which so often mark the man who has lived, though for no more than a few months, in wholly American surroundings.

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

From this reading His clothes and his boots were American, and his hat; and what was more, when he spoke there was just that trace of American accent and that habitual use of American locutions which so often mark the man who has lived, though for no more than a few months, in wholly American surroundings.

past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading As the big rotor came up through the Sound at the end of her ten days’ passage from New York, a passenger standing alone forward upon her decks looked at the very shores of Devon close at hand on either side, and delighted in the Spring.

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

From this reading He was a short, rather stout man in later middle age, with gray curling hair, clean shaven, and in his gesture and expression most unmistakably English.

attach a tag or label to

From this reading His clothes and his boots were American, and his hat; and what was more, when he spoke there was just that trace of American accent and that habitual use of American locutions which so often mark the man who has lived, though for no more than a few months, in wholly American surroundings.

an area that is approximately central within some larger region

From this reading He was a short, rather stout man in later middle age, with gray curling hair, clean shaven, and in his gesture and expression most unmistakably English.

plural of “month” — one of the twelve divisions of the calendar year

From this reading His clothes and his boots were American, and his hat; and what was more, when he spoke there was just that trace of American accent and that habitual use of American locutions which so often mark the man who has lived, though for no more than a few months, in wholly American surroundings.

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading His clothes and his boots were American, and his hat; and what was more, when he spoke there was just that trace of American accent and that habitual use of American locutions which so often mark the man who has lived, though for no more than a few months, in wholly American surroundings.

used to form the superlative

From this reading He was a short, rather stout man in later middle age, with gray curling hair, clean shaven, and in his gesture and expression most unmistakably English.

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

From this reading It was nearly two years since he had seen his own country, and he felt the eagerness of his return almost as though he were a boy again.

not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered

From this reading As the big rotor came up through the Sound at the end of her ten days’ passage from New York, a passenger standing alone forward upon her decks looked at the very shores of Devon close at hand on either side, and delighted in the Spring.

not any; not one

From this reading His clothes and his boots were American, and his hat; and what was more, when he spoke there was just that trace of American accent and that habitual use of American locutions which so often mark the man who has lived, though for no more than a few months, in wholly American surroundings.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading It was the 3rd of April, 1953.

many times at short intervals

From this reading His clothes and his boots were American, and his hat; and what was more, when he spoke there was just that trace of American accent and that habitual use of American locutions which so often mark the man who has lived, though for no more than a few months, in wholly American surroundings.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading As the big rotor came up through the Sound at the end of her ten days’ passage from New York, a passenger standing alone forward upon her decks looked at the very shores of Devon close at hand on either side, and delighted in the Spring.

have ownership or possession of

From this reading It was nearly two years since he had seen his own country, and he felt the eagerness of his return almost as though he were a boy again.

the act of passing from one state or place to the next

From this reading As the big rotor came up through the Sound at the end of her ten days’ passage from New York, a passenger standing alone forward upon her decks looked at the very shores of Devon close at hand on either side, and delighted in the Spring.

a traveler riding in a vehicle (a boat or bus or car or plane or train etc) who is not operating it

From this reading As the big rotor came up through the Sound at the end of her ten days’ passage from New York, a passenger standing alone forward upon her decks looked at the very shores of Devon close at hand on either side, and delighted in the Spring.

on the contrary

From this reading He was a short, rather stout man in later middle age, with gray curling hair, clean shaven, and in his gesture and expression most unmistakably English.

go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before

From this reading It was nearly two years since he had seen his own country, and he felt the eagerness of his return almost as though he were a boy again.

the rotating armature of a motor or generator

From this reading As the big rotor came up through the Sound at the end of her ten days’ passage from New York, a passenger standing alone forward upon her decks looked at the very shores of Devon close at hand on either side, and delighted in the Spring.

inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading It was nearly two years since he had seen his own country, and he felt the eagerness of his return almost as though he were a boy again.

having the beard or hair cut off close to the skin

From this reading He was a short, rather stout man in later middle age, with gray curling hair, clean shaven, and in his gesture and expression most unmistakably English.

plural of “shore” — the land along the edge of a body of water

From this reading As the big rotor came up through the Sound at the end of her ten days’ passage from New York, a passenger standing alone forward upon her decks looked at the very shores of Devon close at hand on either side, and delighted in the Spring.

primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration

From this reading He was a short, rather stout man in later middle age, with gray curling hair, clean shaven, and in his gesture and expression most unmistakably English.

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

From this reading As the big rotor came up through the Sound at the end of her ten days’ passage from New York, a passenger standing alone forward upon her decks looked at the very shores of Devon close at hand on either side, and delighted in the Spring.

from a time in the past until now

From this reading It was nearly two years since he had seen his own country, and he felt the eagerness of his return almost as though he were a boy again.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading His clothes and his boots were American, and his hat; and what was more, when he spoke there was just that trace of American accent and that habitual use of American locutions which so often mark the man who has lived, though for no more than a few months, in wholly American surroundings.

the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause

From this reading As the big rotor came up through the Sound at the end of her ten days’ passage from New York, a passenger standing alone forward upon her decks looked at the very shores of Devon close at hand on either side, and delighted in the Spring.

support consisting of a radial member of a wheel joining the hub to the rim

From this reading His clothes and his boots were American, and his hat; and what was more, when he spoke there was just that trace of American accent and that habitual use of American locutions which so often mark the man who has lived, though for no more than a few months, in wholly American surroundings.

the season of growth

From this reading As the big rotor came up through the Sound at the end of her ten days’ passage from New York, a passenger standing alone forward upon her decks looked at the very shores of Devon close at hand on either side, and delighted in the Spring.

having a supporting base

From this reading As the big rotor came up through the Sound at the end of her ten days’ passage from New York, a passenger standing alone forward upon her decks looked at the very shores of Devon close at hand on either side, and delighted in the Spring.

dependable

From this reading He was a short, rather stout man in later middle age, with gray curling hair, clean shaven, and in his gesture and expression most unmistakably English.

the environmental condition

From this reading His clothes and his boots were American, and his hat; and what was more, when he spoke there was just that trace of American accent and that habitual use of American locutions which so often mark the man who has lived, though for no more than a few months, in wholly American surroundings.

the cardinal number that is the sum of nine and one; the base of the decimal system

From this reading As the big rotor came up through the Sound at the end of her ten days’ passage from New York, a passenger standing alone forward upon her decks looked at the very shores of Devon close at hand on either side, and delighted in the Spring.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading His clothes and his boots were American, and his hat; and what was more, when he spoke there was just that trace of American accent and that habitual use of American locutions which so often mark the man who has lived, though for no more than a few months, in wholly American surroundings.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading His clothes and his boots were American, and his hat; and what was more, when he spoke there was just that trace of American accent and that habitual use of American locutions which so often mark the man who has lived, though for no more than a few months, in wholly American surroundings.

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

From this reading It was the 3rd of April, 1953.

in or at that place or location

From this reading His clothes and his boots were American, and his hat; and what was more, when he spoke there was just that trace of American accent and that habitual use of American locutions which so often mark the man who has lived, though for no more than a few months, in wholly American surroundings.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading It was nearly two years since he had seen his own country, and he felt the eagerness of his return almost as though he were a boy again.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading As the big rotor came up through the Sound at the end of her ten days’ passage from New York, a passenger standing alone forward upon her decks looked at the very shores of Devon close at hand on either side, and delighted in the Spring.

a just detectable amount

From this reading His clothes and his boots were American, and his hat; and what was more, when he spoke there was just that trace of American accent and that habitual use of American locutions which so often mark the man who has lived, though for no more than a few months, in wholly American surroundings.

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

From this reading It was nearly two years since he had seen his own country, and he felt the eagerness of his return almost as though he were a boy again.

without possibility of mistake

From this reading He was a short, rather stout man in later middle age, with gray curling hair, clean shaven, and in his gesture and expression most unmistakably English.

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

From this reading As the big rotor came up through the Sound at the end of her ten days’ passage from New York, a passenger standing alone forward upon her decks looked at the very shores of Devon close at hand on either side, and delighted in the Spring.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading As the big rotor came up through the Sound at the end of her ten days’ passage from New York, a passenger standing alone forward upon her decks looked at the very shores of Devon close at hand on either side, and delighted in the Spring.

the act of using

From this reading His clothes and his boots were American, and his hat; and what was more, when he spoke there was just that trace of American accent and that habitual use of American locutions which so often mark the man who has lived, though for no more than a few months, in wholly American surroundings.

precisely as stated

From this reading As the big rotor came up through the Sound at the end of her ten days’ passage from New York, a passenger standing alone forward upon her decks looked at the very shores of Devon close at hand on either side, and delighted in the Spring.

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

From this reading It was the 3rd of April, 1953.

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

From this reading It was nearly two years since he had seen his own country, and he felt the eagerness of his return almost as though he were a boy again.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading His clothes and his boots were American, and his hat; and what was more, when he spoke there was just that trace of American accent and that habitual use of American locutions which so often mark the man who has lived, though for no more than a few months, in wholly American surroundings.

at the time that

From this reading His clothes and his boots were American, and his hat; and what was more, when he spoke there was just that trace of American accent and that habitual use of American locutions which so often mark the man who has lived, though for no more than a few months, in wholly American surroundings.

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

From this reading His clothes and his boots were American, and his hat; and what was more, when he spoke there was just that trace of American accent and that habitual use of American locutions which so often mark the man who has lived, though for no more than a few months, in wholly American surroundings.

which person or people

From this reading His clothes and his boots were American, and his hat; and what was more, when he spoke there was just that trace of American accent and that habitual use of American locutions which so often mark the man who has lived, though for no more than a few months, in wholly American surroundings.

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

From this reading His clothes and his boots were American, and his hat; and what was more, when he spoke there was just that trace of American accent and that habitual use of American locutions which so often mark the man who has lived, though for no more than a few months, in wholly American surroundings.

in the company of; together with

From this reading He was a short, rather stout man in later middle age, with gray curling hair, clean shaven, and in his gesture and expression most unmistakably English.

a late time of life

From this reading It was nearly two years since he had seen his own country, and he felt the eagerness of his return almost as though he were a boy again.

the English royal house (a branch of the Plantagenet line) that reigned from 1461 to 1485; its emblem was a white rose

From this reading As the big rotor came up through the Sound at the end of her ten days’ passage from New York, a passenger standing alone forward upon her decks looked at the very shores of Devon close at hand on either side, and delighted in the Spring.