Chapter XVIII

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

From this reading He stood for a moment turning his head to right and left, taking in the principal features of the apartment with quick, comprehensive glances.

completely and without qualification; used informally as intensifiers

From this reading He stood, as a pointer stands when it catches the wind of game, erect and stiff, in an attitude of interrupted movement, one knee still bent for the step he had been in the very act of making; his whole form absolutely still, save for a series of short, successive intakings of the breath, as, with head thrown back and his eyes shining with the keen, well-balanced excitement of the hunter, he sniffed the air.

perform an action, or work out or perform (an action)

From this reading He stood, as a pointer stands when it catches the wind of game, erect and stiff, in an attitude of interrupted movement, one knee still bent for the step he had been in the very act of making; his whole form absolutely still, save for a series of short, successive intakings of the breath, as, with head thrown back and his eyes shining with the keen, well-balanced excitement of the hunter, he sniffed the air.

a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of

From this reading He stood, as a pointer stands when it catches the wind of game, erect and stiff, in an attitude of interrupted movement, one knee still bent for the step he had been in the very act of making; his whole form absolutely still, save for a series of short, successive intakings of the breath, as, with head thrown back and his eyes shining with the keen, well-balanced excitement of the hunter, he sniffed the air.

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

From this reading He stood, as a pointer stands when it catches the wind of game, erect and stiff, in an attitude of interrupted movement, one knee still bent for the step he had been in the very act of making; his whole form absolutely still, save for a series of short, successive intakings of the breath, as, with head thrown back and his eyes shining with the keen, well-balanced excitement of the hunter, he sniffed the air.

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

From this reading He stood for a moment turning his head to right and left, taking in the principal features of the apartment with quick, comprehensive glances.

a suite of rooms usually on one floor of an apartment house

From this reading He stood for a moment turning his head to right and left, taking in the principal features of the apartment with quick, comprehensive glances.

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

From this reading He stood, as a pointer stands when it catches the wind of game, erect and stiff, in an attitude of interrupted movement, one knee still bent for the step he had been in the very act of making; his whole form absolutely still, save for a series of short, successive intakings of the breath, as, with head thrown back and his eyes shining with the keen, well-balanced excitement of the hunter, he sniffed the air.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Then, of a sudden, the whole figure of the man stiffened; and it was hard to recognise Mr. Gimblet, the dilettante, the frequenter of curiosity shops, the lounger in picture galleries, in the tense, motionless form of Gimblet, the detective, at this moment.

a complex mental state involving beliefs and feelings and values and dispositions to act in certain ways

From this reading He stood, as a pointer stands when it catches the wind of game, erect and stiff, in an attitude of interrupted movement, one knee still bent for the step he had been in the very act of making; his whole form absolutely still, save for a series of short, successive intakings of the breath, as, with head thrown back and his eyes shining with the keen, well-balanced excitement of the hunter, he sniffed the air.

in or to or toward a former location

From this reading He stood, as a pointer stands when it catches the wind of game, erect and stiff, in an attitude of interrupted movement, one knee still bent for the step he had been in the very act of making; his whole form absolutely still, save for a series of short, successive intakings of the breath, as, with head thrown back and his eyes shining with the keen, well-balanced excitement of the hunter, he sniffed the air.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading He stood, as a pointer stands when it catches the wind of game, erect and stiff, in an attitude of interrupted movement, one knee still bent for the step he had been in the very act of making; his whole form absolutely still, save for a series of short, successive intakings of the breath, as, with head thrown back and his eyes shining with the keen, well-balanced excitement of the hunter, he sniffed the air.

a relatively permanent inclination to react in a particular way

From this reading He stood, as a pointer stands when it catches the wind of game, erect and stiff, in an attitude of interrupted movement, one knee still bent for the step he had been in the very act of making; his whole form absolutely still, save for a series of short, successive intakings of the breath, as, with head thrown back and his eyes shining with the keen, well-balanced excitement of the hunter, he sniffed the air.

the process of taking in and expelling air during breathing

From this reading He stood, as a pointer stands when it catches the wind of game, erect and stiff, in an attitude of interrupted movement, one knee still bent for the step he had been in the very act of making; his whole form absolutely still, save for a series of short, successive intakings of the breath, as, with head thrown back and his eyes shining with the keen, well-balanced excitement of the hunter, he sniffed the air.

plural of “catch” — a drawback or difficulty that is not readily evident

From this reading He stood, as a pointer stands when it catches the wind of game, erect and stiff, in an attitude of interrupted movement, one knee still bent for the step he had been in the very act of making; his whole form absolutely still, save for a series of short, successive intakings of the breath, as, with head thrown back and his eyes shining with the keen, well-balanced excitement of the hunter, he sniffed the air.

including all or everything

From this reading He stood for a moment turning his head to right and left, taking in the principal features of the apartment with quick, comprehensive glances.

a state in which you want to learn more about something

From this reading Then, of a sudden, the whole figure of the man stiffened; and it was hard to recognise Mr. Gimblet, the dilettante, the frequenter of curiosity shops, the lounger in picture galleries, in the tense, motionless form of Gimblet, the detective, at this moment.

a police officer who investigates crimes

From this reading Then, of a sudden, the whole figure of the man stiffened; and it was hard to recognise Mr. Gimblet, the dilettante, the frequenter of curiosity shops, the lounger in picture galleries, in the tense, motionless form of Gimblet, the detective, at this moment.

an amateur who engages in an activity without serious intentions and who pretends to have knowledge

From this reading Then, of a sudden, the whole figure of the man stiffened; and it was hard to recognise Mr. Gimblet, the dilettante, the frequenter of curiosity shops, the lounger in picture galleries, in the tense, motionless form of Gimblet, the detective, at this moment.

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

From this reading Gimblet had left it to him to examine, while he himself hurried to the upper stories; so that he now entered the drawing-room for the first time.

earlier in time; previously

From this reading In the preliminary hasty search over the house, it had fallen to Higgs to reach the first floor earlier than his master.

past form of “enter” — to come or go into

From this reading Gimblet had left it to him to examine, while he himself hurried to the upper stories; so that he now entered the drawing-room for the first time.

construct, build, or erect

From this reading He stood, as a pointer stands when it catches the wind of game, erect and stiff, in an attitude of interrupted movement, one knee still bent for the step he had been in the very act of making; his whole form absolutely still, save for a series of short, successive intakings of the breath, as, with head thrown back and his eyes shining with the keen, well-balanced excitement of the hunter, he sniffed the air.

consider in detail and subject to an analysis in order to discover essential features or meaning

From this reading Gimblet had left it to him to examine, while he himself hurried to the upper stories; so that he now entered the drawing-room for the first time.

the feeling of lively and cheerful joy

From this reading He stood, as a pointer stands when it catches the wind of game, erect and stiff, in an attitude of interrupted movement, one knee still bent for the step he had been in the very act of making; his whole form absolutely still, save for a series of short, successive intakings of the breath, as, with head thrown back and his eyes shining with the keen, well-balanced excitement of the hunter, he sniffed the air.

opinion or judgment

From this reading He stood, as a pointer stands when it catches the wind of game, erect and stiff, in an attitude of interrupted movement, one knee still bent for the step he had been in the very act of making; his whole form absolutely still, save for a series of short, successive intakings of the breath, as, with head thrown back and his eyes shining with the keen, well-balanced excitement of the hunter, he sniffed the air.

having dropped by the force of gravity

From this reading In the preliminary hasty search over the house, it had fallen to Higgs to reach the first floor earlier than his master.

plural of “feature” — a prominent attribute or aspect of something

From this reading He stood for a moment turning his head to right and left, taking in the principal features of the apartment with quick, comprehensive glances.

a diagram or picture illustrating textual material

From this reading Then, of a sudden, the whole figure of the man stiffened; and it was hard to recognise Mr. Gimblet, the dilettante, the frequenter of curiosity shops, the lounger in picture galleries, in the tense, motionless form of Gimblet, the detective, at this moment.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading In the preliminary hasty search over the house, it had fallen to Higgs to reach the first floor earlier than his master.

the inside lower horizontal surface (as of a room, hallway, tent, or other structure)

From this reading In the preliminary hasty search over the house, it had fallen to Higgs to reach the first floor earlier than his master.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Gimblet had left it to him to examine, while he himself hurried to the upper stories; so that he now entered the drawing-room for the first time.

the phonological or orthographic sound or appearance of a word that can be used to describe or identify something

From this reading Then, of a sudden, the whole figure of the man stiffened; and it was hard to recognise Mr. Gimblet, the dilettante, the frequenter of curiosity shops, the lounger in picture galleries, in the tense, motionless form of Gimblet, the detective, at this moment.

a regular customer

From this reading Then, of a sudden, the whole figure of the man stiffened; and it was hard to recognise Mr. Gimblet, the dilettante, the frequenter of curiosity shops, the lounger in picture galleries, in the tense, motionless form of Gimblet, the detective, at this moment.

plural of “gallery” — spectators at a golf or tennis match

From this reading Then, of a sudden, the whole figure of the man stiffened; and it was hard to recognise Mr. Gimblet, the dilettante, the frequenter of curiosity shops, the lounger in picture galleries, in the tense, motionless form of Gimblet, the detective, at this moment.

a contest with rules to determine a winner

From this reading He stood, as a pointer stands when it catches the wind of game, erect and stiff, in an attitude of interrupted movement, one knee still bent for the step he had been in the very act of making; his whole form absolutely still, save for a series of short, successive intakings of the breath, as, with head thrown back and his eyes shining with the keen, well-balanced excitement of the hunter, he sniffed the air.

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

From this reading Gimblet had left it to him to examine, while he himself hurried to the upper stories; so that he now entered the drawing-room for the first time.

plural of “glance” — a quick look

From this reading He stood for a moment turning his head to right and left, taking in the principal features of the apartment with quick, comprehensive glances.

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

From this reading In the preliminary hasty search over the house, it had fallen to Higgs to reach the first floor earlier than his master.

not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure

From this reading Then, of a sudden, the whole figure of the man stiffened; and it was hard to recognise Mr. Gimblet, the dilettante, the frequenter of curiosity shops, the lounger in picture galleries, in the tense, motionless form of Gimblet, the detective, at this moment.

excessively quick

From this reading In the preliminary hasty search over the house, it had fallen to Higgs to reach the first floor earlier than his master.

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

From this reading Gimblet had left it to him to examine, while he himself hurried to the upper stories; so that he now entered the drawing-room for the first time.

the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains

From this reading He stood for a moment turning his head to right and left, taking in the principal features of the apartment with quick, comprehensive glances.

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

From this reading In the preliminary hasty search over the house, it had fallen to Higgs to reach the first floor earlier than his master.

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

From this reading Gimblet had left it to him to examine, while he himself hurried to the upper stories; so that he now entered the drawing-room for the first time.

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

From this reading Gimblet had left it to him to examine, while he himself hurried to the upper stories; so that he now entered the drawing-room for the first time.

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

From this reading In the preliminary hasty search over the house, it had fallen to Higgs to reach the first floor earlier than his master.

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

From this reading In the preliminary hasty search over the house, it had fallen to Higgs to reach the first floor earlier than his master.

someone who hunts game

From this reading He stood, as a pointer stands when it catches the wind of game, erect and stiff, in an attitude of interrupted movement, one knee still bent for the step he had been in the very act of making; his whole form absolutely still, save for a series of short, successive intakings of the breath, as, with head thrown back and his eyes shining with the keen, well-balanced excitement of the hunter, he sniffed the air.

moving rapidly or performed quickly or in great haste

From this reading Gimblet had left it to him to examine, while he himself hurried to the upper stories; so that he now entered the drawing-room for the first time.

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

From this reading In the preliminary hasty search over the house, it had fallen to Higgs to reach the first floor earlier than his master.

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

From this reading He stood, as a pointer stands when it catches the wind of game, erect and stiff, in an attitude of interrupted movement, one knee still bent for the step he had been in the very act of making; his whole form absolutely still, save for a series of short, successive intakings of the breath, as, with head thrown back and his eyes shining with the keen, well-balanced excitement of the hunter, he sniffed the air.

discontinued temporarily

From this reading He stood, as a pointer stands when it catches the wind of game, erect and stiff, in an attitude of interrupted movement, one knee still bent for the step he had been in the very act of making; his whole form absolutely still, save for a series of short, successive intakings of the breath, as, with head thrown back and his eyes shining with the keen, well-balanced excitement of the hunter, he sniffed the air.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading In the preliminary hasty search over the house, it had fallen to Higgs to reach the first floor earlier than his master.

having or demonstrating ability to recognize or draw fine distinctions

From this reading He stood, as a pointer stands when it catches the wind of game, erect and stiff, in an attitude of interrupted movement, one knee still bent for the step he had been in the very act of making; his whole form absolutely still, save for a series of short, successive intakings of the breath, as, with head thrown back and his eyes shining with the keen, well-balanced excitement of the hunter, he sniffed the air.

hinge joint in the human leg connecting the tibia and fibula with the femur and protected in front by the patella

From this reading He stood, as a pointer stands when it catches the wind of game, erect and stiff, in an attitude of interrupted movement, one knee still bent for the step he had been in the very act of making; his whole form absolutely still, save for a series of short, successive intakings of the breath, as, with head thrown back and his eyes shining with the keen, well-balanced excitement of the hunter, he sniffed the air.

location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east

From this reading Gimblet had left it to him to examine, while he himself hurried to the upper stories; so that he now entered the drawing-room for the first time.

someone who wastes time

From this reading Then, of a sudden, the whole figure of the man stiffened; and it was hard to recognise Mr. Gimblet, the dilettante, the frequenter of curiosity shops, the lounger in picture galleries, in the tense, motionless form of Gimblet, the detective, at this moment.

the act that results in something coming to be

From this reading He stood, as a pointer stands when it catches the wind of game, erect and stiff, in an attitude of interrupted movement, one knee still bent for the step he had been in the very act of making; his whole form absolutely still, save for a series of short, successive intakings of the breath, as, with head thrown back and his eyes shining with the keen, well-balanced excitement of the hunter, he sniffed the air.

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

From this reading Then, of a sudden, the whole figure of the man stiffened; and it was hard to recognise Mr. Gimblet, the dilettante, the frequenter of curiosity shops, the lounger in picture galleries, in the tense, motionless form of Gimblet, the detective, at this moment.

an artist of consummate skill

From this reading In the preliminary hasty search over the house, it had fallen to Higgs to reach the first floor earlier than his master.

a particular point in time

From this reading He stood for a moment turning his head to right and left, taking in the principal features of the apartment with quick, comprehensive glances.

not in physical motion

From this reading Then, of a sudden, the whole figure of the man stiffened; and it was hard to recognise Mr. Gimblet, the dilettante, the frequenter of curiosity shops, the lounger in picture galleries, in the tense, motionless form of Gimblet, the detective, at this moment.

a change of position that does not entail a change of location

From this reading He stood, as a pointer stands when it catches the wind of game, erect and stiff, in an attitude of interrupted movement, one knee still bent for the step he had been in the very act of making; his whole form absolutely still, save for a series of short, successive intakings of the breath, as, with head thrown back and his eyes shining with the keen, well-balanced excitement of the hunter, he sniffed the air.

a form of address for a man

From this reading Then, of a sudden, the whole figure of the man stiffened; and it was hard to recognise Mr. Gimblet, the dilettante, the frequenter of curiosity shops, the lounger in picture galleries, in the tense, motionless form of Gimblet, the detective, at this moment.

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

From this reading Gimblet had left it to him to examine, while he himself hurried to the upper stories; so that he now entered the drawing-room for the first time.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading He stood for a moment turning his head to right and left, taking in the principal features of the apartment with quick, comprehensive glances.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading He stood, as a pointer stands when it catches the wind of game, erect and stiff, in an attitude of interrupted movement, one knee still bent for the step he had been in the very act of making; his whole form absolutely still, save for a series of short, successive intakings of the breath, as, with head thrown back and his eyes shining with the keen, well-balanced excitement of the hunter, he sniffed the air.

above and across; more than

From this reading In the preliminary hasty search over the house, it had fallen to Higgs to reach the first floor earlier than his master.

a visual representation (of an object or scene or person or abstraction) produced on a surface

From this reading Then, of a sudden, the whole figure of the man stiffened; and it was hard to recognise Mr. Gimblet, the dilettante, the frequenter of curiosity shops, the lounger in picture galleries, in the tense, motionless form of Gimblet, the detective, at this moment.

a mark to indicate a direction or relation

From this reading He stood, as a pointer stands when it catches the wind of game, erect and stiff, in an attitude of interrupted movement, one knee still bent for the step he had been in the very act of making; his whole form absolutely still, save for a series of short, successive intakings of the breath, as, with head thrown back and his eyes shining with the keen, well-balanced excitement of the hunter, he sniffed the air.

denoting an action or event preceding or in preparation for something more important

From this reading In the preliminary hasty search over the house, it had fallen to Higgs to reach the first floor earlier than his master.

the original amount of a debt on which interest is calculated

From this reading He stood for a moment turning his head to right and left, taking in the principal features of the apartment with quick, comprehensive glances.

accomplished rapidly and without delay

From this reading He stood for a moment turning his head to right and left, taking in the principal features of the apartment with quick, comprehensive glances.

reach a destination, either real or abstract

From this reading In the preliminary hasty search over the house, it had fallen to Higgs to reach the first floor earlier than his master.

show approval or appreciation of

From this reading Then, of a sudden, the whole figure of the man stiffened; and it was hard to recognise Mr. Gimblet, the dilettante, the frequenter of curiosity shops, the lounger in picture galleries, in the tense, motionless form of Gimblet, the detective, at this moment.

precisely, exactly

From this reading He stood for a moment turning his head to right and left, taking in the principal features of the apartment with quick, comprehensive glances.

except for; apart from

From this reading He stood, as a pointer stands when it catches the wind of game, erect and stiff, in an attitude of interrupted movement, one knee still bent for the step he had been in the very act of making; his whole form absolutely still, save for a series of short, successive intakings of the breath, as, with head thrown back and his eyes shining with the keen, well-balanced excitement of the hunter, he sniffed the air.

try to locate or discover, or try to establish the existence of

From this reading In the preliminary hasty search over the house, it had fallen to Higgs to reach the first floor earlier than his master.

similar things placed in order or happening one after another

From this reading He stood, as a pointer stands when it catches the wind of game, erect and stiff, in an attitude of interrupted movement, one knee still bent for the step he had been in the very act of making; his whole form absolutely still, save for a series of short, successive intakings of the breath, as, with head thrown back and his eyes shining with the keen, well-balanced excitement of the hunter, he sniffed the air.

marked by exceptional merit

From this reading He stood, as a pointer stands when it catches the wind of game, erect and stiff, in an attitude of interrupted movement, one knee still bent for the step he had been in the very act of making; his whole form absolutely still, save for a series of short, successive intakings of the breath, as, with head thrown back and his eyes shining with the keen, well-balanced excitement of the hunter, he sniffed the air.

plural of “shop” — a mercantile establishment for the retail sale of goods or services

From this reading Then, of a sudden, the whole figure of the man stiffened; and it was hard to recognise Mr. Gimblet, the dilettante, the frequenter of curiosity shops, the lounger in picture galleries, in the tense, motionless form of Gimblet, the detective, at this moment.

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

From this reading He stood, as a pointer stands when it catches the wind of game, erect and stiff, in an attitude of interrupted movement, one knee still bent for the step he had been in the very act of making; his whole form absolutely still, save for a series of short, successive intakings of the breath, as, with head thrown back and his eyes shining with the keen, well-balanced excitement of the hunter, he sniffed the air.

past form of “sniff” — perceive by inhaling through the nose

From this reading He stood, as a pointer stands when it catches the wind of game, erect and stiff, in an attitude of interrupted movement, one knee still bent for the step he had been in the very act of making; his whole form absolutely still, save for a series of short, successive intakings of the breath, as, with head thrown back and his eyes shining with the keen, well-balanced excitement of the hunter, he sniffed the air.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Gimblet had left it to him to examine, while he himself hurried to the upper stories; so that he now entered the drawing-room for the first time.

plural of “stand” — a support or foundation

From this reading He stood, as a pointer stands when it catches the wind of game, erect and stiff, in an attitude of interrupted movement, one knee still bent for the step he had been in the very act of making; his whole form absolutely still, save for a series of short, successive intakings of the breath, as, with head thrown back and his eyes shining with the keen, well-balanced excitement of the hunter, he sniffed the air.

any maneuver made as part of progress toward a goal

From this reading He stood, as a pointer stands when it catches the wind of game, erect and stiff, in an attitude of interrupted movement, one knee still bent for the step he had been in the very act of making; his whole form absolutely still, save for a series of short, successive intakings of the breath, as, with head thrown back and his eyes shining with the keen, well-balanced excitement of the hunter, he sniffed the air.

not moving or operating freely

From this reading He stood, as a pointer stands when it catches the wind of game, erect and stiff, in an attitude of interrupted movement, one knee still bent for the step he had been in the very act of making; his whole form absolutely still, save for a series of short, successive intakings of the breath, as, with head thrown back and his eyes shining with the keen, well-balanced excitement of the hunter, he sniffed the air.

past form of “stiffen” — become stiff or stiffer

From this reading Then, of a sudden, the whole figure of the man stiffened; and it was hard to recognise Mr. Gimblet, the dilettante, the frequenter of curiosity shops, the lounger in picture galleries, in the tense, motionless form of Gimblet, the detective, at this moment.

not in physical motion

From this reading He stood, as a pointer stands when it catches the wind of game, erect and stiff, in an attitude of interrupted movement, one knee still bent for the step he had been in the very act of making; his whole form absolutely still, save for a series of short, successive intakings of the breath, as, with head thrown back and his eyes shining with the keen, well-balanced excitement of the hunter, he sniffed the air.

Maintained an upright posture.

From this reading He stood for a moment turning his head to right and left, taking in the principal features of the apartment with quick, comprehensive glances.

plural of “story” — 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 Gimblet had left it to him to examine, while he himself hurried to the upper stories; so that he now entered the drawing-room for the first time.

in regular succession without gaps

From this reading He stood, as a pointer stands when it catches the wind of game, erect and stiff, in an attitude of interrupted movement, one knee still bent for the step he had been in the very act of making; his whole form absolutely still, save for a series of short, successive intakings of the breath, as, with head thrown back and his eyes shining with the keen, well-balanced excitement of the hunter, he sniffed the air.

happening without warning or in a short space of time

From this reading Then, of a sudden, the whole figure of the man stiffened; and it was hard to recognise Mr. Gimblet, the dilettante, the frequenter of curiosity shops, the lounger in picture galleries, in the tense, motionless form of Gimblet, the detective, at this moment.

the act of someone who picks up or takes something

From this reading He stood for a moment turning his head to right and left, taking in the principal features of the apartment with quick, comprehensive glances.

a grammatical category of verbs used to express distinctions of time

From this reading Then, of a sudden, the whole figure of the man stiffened; and it was hard to recognise Mr. Gimblet, the dilettante, the frequenter of curiosity shops, the lounger in picture galleries, in the tense, motionless form of Gimblet, the detective, at this moment.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading In the preliminary hasty search over the house, it had fallen to Higgs to reach the first floor earlier than his master.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Gimblet had left it to him to examine, while he himself hurried to the upper stories; so that he now entered the drawing-room for the first time.

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

From this reading In the preliminary hasty search over the house, it had fallen to Higgs to reach the first floor earlier than his master.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading Then, of a sudden, the whole figure of the man stiffened; and it was hard to recognise Mr. Gimblet, the dilettante, the frequenter of curiosity shops, the lounger in picture galleries, in the tense, motionless form of Gimblet, the detective, at this moment.

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

From this reading Then, of a sudden, the whole figure of the man stiffened; and it was hard to recognise Mr. Gimblet, the dilettante, the frequenter of curiosity shops, the lounger in picture galleries, in the tense, motionless form of Gimblet, the detective, at this moment.

caused to fall to the ground

From this reading He stood, as a pointer stands when it catches the wind of game, erect and stiff, in an attitude of interrupted movement, one knee still bent for the step he had been in the very act of making; his whole form absolutely still, save for a series of short, successive intakings of the breath, as, with head thrown back and his eyes shining with the keen, well-balanced excitement of the hunter, he sniffed the air.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading Gimblet had left it to him to examine, while he himself hurried to the upper stories; so that he now entered the drawing-room for the first time.

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

From this reading In the preliminary hasty search over the house, it had fallen to Higgs to reach the first floor earlier than his master.

the act of changing or reversing the direction of the course

From this reading He stood for a moment turning his head to right and left, taking in the principal features of the apartment with quick, comprehensive glances.

the topmost one of two

From this reading Gimblet had left it to him to examine, while he himself hurried to the upper stories; so that he now entered the drawing-room for the first time.

precisely as stated

From this reading He stood, as a pointer stands when it catches the wind of game, erect and stiff, in an attitude of interrupted movement, one knee still bent for the step he had been in the very act of making; his whole form absolutely still, save for a series of short, successive intakings of the breath, as, with head thrown back and his eyes shining with the keen, well-balanced excitement of the hunter, he sniffed the air.

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

From this reading Then, of a sudden, the whole figure of the man stiffened; and it was hard to recognise Mr. Gimblet, the dilettante, the frequenter of curiosity shops, the lounger in picture galleries, in the tense, motionless form of Gimblet, the detective, at this moment.

in an optimal state of balance or equilibrium

From this reading He stood, as a pointer stands when it catches the wind of game, erect and stiff, in an attitude of interrupted movement, one knee still bent for the step he had been in the very act of making; his whole form absolutely still, save for a series of short, successive intakings of the breath, as, with head thrown back and his eyes shining with the keen, well-balanced excitement of the hunter, he sniffed the air.

at the time that

From this reading He stood, as a pointer stands when it catches the wind of game, erect and stiff, in an attitude of interrupted movement, one knee still bent for the step he had been in the very act of making; his whole form absolutely still, save for a series of short, successive intakings of the breath, as, with head thrown back and his eyes shining with the keen, well-balanced excitement of the hunter, he sniffed the air.

during the time that

From this reading Gimblet had left it to him to examine, while he himself hurried to the upper stories; so that he now entered the drawing-room for the first time.

including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete

From this reading Then, of a sudden, the whole figure of the man stiffened; and it was hard to recognise Mr. Gimblet, the dilettante, the frequenter of curiosity shops, the lounger in picture galleries, in the tense, motionless form of Gimblet, the detective, at this moment.

air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure

From this reading He stood, as a pointer stands when it catches the wind of game, erect and stiff, in an attitude of interrupted movement, one knee still bent for the step he had been in the very act of making; his whole form absolutely still, save for a series of short, successive intakings of the breath, as, with head thrown back and his eyes shining with the keen, well-balanced excitement of the hunter, he sniffed the air.

in the company of; together with

From this reading He stood for a moment turning his head to right and left, taking in the principal features of the apartment with quick, comprehensive glances.