Chapter X

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

From this reading Alan Walcott knew perfectly well that he had done a mad, if not an unaccountable thing in writing his letter to Miss Campion.

a convincing explanation that reveals basic causes

From this reading He knew it, that is to say, after the letter was gone, for when he was writing it, and his heart was breaking through the bonds of common-sense which generally restrained him, he did not feel the difficulty of accounting either for his emotions or for his action.

something done (usually as opposed to something said)

From this reading He knew it, that is to say, after the letter was gone, for when he was writing it, and his heart was breaking through the bonds of common-sense which generally restrained him, he did not feel the difficulty of accounting either for his emotions or for his action.

later than; following

From this reading He knew it, that is to say, after the letter was gone, for when he was writing it, and his heart was breaking through the bonds of common-sense which generally restrained him, he did not feel the difficulty of accounting either for his emotions or for his action.

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

From this reading ALAN WALCOTT.

in addition

From this reading The wild words, as he wrote them, had for him not only the impress of paramount truth, but also the sanction of his convictions and impulse at the moment.

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

From this reading Alan Walcott knew perfectly well that he had done a mad, if not an unaccountable thing in writing his letter to Miss Campion.

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

From this reading He knew it, that is to say, after the letter was gone, for when he was writing it, and his heart was breaking through the bonds of common-sense which generally restrained him, he did not feel the difficulty of accounting either for his emotions or for his action.

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

From this reading The wild words, as he wrote them, had for him not only the impress of paramount truth, but also the sanction of his convictions and impulse at the moment.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading The wild words, as he wrote them, had for him not only the impress of paramount truth, but also the sanction of his convictions and impulse at the moment.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading No stronger excuse has been forthcoming for heroic deeds which have shaken the world and lived in history.

plural of “bond” — an electrical force linking atoms

From this reading He knew it, that is to say, after the letter was gone, for when he was writing it, and his heart was breaking through the bonds of common-sense which generally restrained him, he did not feel the difficulty of accounting either for his emotions or for his action.

the act of breaking something

From this reading He knew it, that is to say, after the letter was gone, for when he was writing it, and his heart was breaking through the bonds of common-sense which generally restrained him, he did not feel the difficulty of accounting either for his emotions or for his action.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading The wild words, as he wrote them, had for him not only the impress of paramount truth, but also the sanction of his convictions and impulse at the moment.

any plant of the genus Silene

From this reading Alan Walcott knew perfectly well that he had done a mad, if not an unaccountable thing in writing his letter to Miss Campion.

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

From this reading He knew it, that is to say, after the letter was gone, for when he was writing it, and his heart was breaking through the bonds of common-sense which generally restrained him, he did not feel the difficulty of accounting either for his emotions or for his action.

plural of “conviction” — an unshakable belief in something without need for proof or evidence

From this reading The wild words, as he wrote them, had for him not only the impress of paramount truth, but also the sanction of his convictions and impulse at the moment.

performance of moral or religious acts

From this reading No stronger excuse has been forthcoming for heroic deeds which have shaken the world and lived in history.

the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives

From this reading He knew it, that is to say, after the letter was gone, for when he was writing it, and his heart was breaking through the bonds of common-sense which generally restrained him, he did not feel the difficulty of accounting either for his emotions or for his action.

an effort that is inconvenient

From this reading He knew it, that is to say, after the letter was gone, for when he was writing it, and his heart was breaking through the bonds of common-sense which generally restrained him, he did not feel the difficulty of accounting either for his emotions or for his action.

having finished or arrived at completion

From this reading Alan Walcott knew perfectly well that he had done a mad, if not an unaccountable thing in writing his letter to Miss Campion.

one or the other of two

From this reading He knew it, that is to say, after the letter was gone, for when he was writing it, and his heart was breaking through the bonds of common-sense which generally restrained him, he did not feel the difficulty of accounting either for his emotions or for his action.

plural of “emotion” — any strong feeling

From this reading He knew it, that is to say, after the letter was gone, for when he was writing it, and his heart was breaking through the bonds of common-sense which generally restrained him, he did not feel the difficulty of accounting either for his emotions or for his action.

accept an excuse for

From this reading No stronger excuse has been forthcoming for heroic deeds which have shaken the world and lived in history.

undergo an emotional sensation or be in a particular state of mind

From this reading He knew it, that is to say, after the letter was gone, for when he was writing it, and his heart was breaking through the bonds of common-sense which generally restrained him, he did not feel the difficulty of accounting either for his emotions or for his action.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading He knew it, that is to say, after the letter was gone, for when he was writing it, and his heart was breaking through the bonds of common-sense which generally restrained him, he did not feel the difficulty of accounting either for his emotions or for his action.

at ease in talking to others

From this reading No stronger excuse has been forthcoming for heroic deeds which have shaken the world and lived in history.

usually; as a rule

From this reading He knew it, that is to say, after the letter was gone, for when he was writing it, and his heart was breaking through the bonds of common-sense which generally restrained him, he did not feel the difficulty of accounting either for his emotions or for his action.

destroyed or killed

From this reading He knew it, that is to say, after the letter was gone, for when he was writing it, and his heart was breaking through the bonds of common-sense which generally restrained him, he did not feel the difficulty of accounting either for his emotions or for his action.

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

From this reading Alan Walcott knew perfectly well that he had done a mad, if not an unaccountable thing in writing his letter to Miss Campion.

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

From this reading No stronger excuse has been forthcoming for heroic deeds which have shaken the world and lived in history.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading No stronger excuse has been forthcoming for heroic deeds which have shaken the world and lived in history.

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

From this reading Alan Walcott knew perfectly well that he had done a mad, if not an unaccountable thing in writing his letter to Miss Campion.

the locus of feelings and intuitions

From this reading He knew it, that is to say, after the letter was gone, for when he was writing it, and his heart was breaking through the bonds of common-sense which generally restrained him, he did not feel the difficulty of accounting either for his emotions or for his action.

very imposing or impressive; surpassing the ordinary (especially in size or scale)

From this reading No stronger excuse has been forthcoming for heroic deeds which have shaken the world and lived in history.

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

From this reading He knew it, that is to say, after the letter was gone, for when he was writing it, and his heart was breaking through the bonds of common-sense which generally restrained him, he did not feel the difficulty of accounting either for his emotions or for his action.

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

From this reading Alan Walcott knew perfectly well that he had done a mad, if not an unaccountable thing in writing his letter to Miss Campion.

the aggregate of past events

From this reading No stronger excuse has been forthcoming for heroic deeds which have shaken the world and lived in history.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading Alan Walcott knew perfectly well that he had done a mad, if not an unaccountable thing in writing his letter to Miss Campion.

have an emotional or cognitive impact upon

From this reading The wild words, as he wrote them, had for him not only the impress of paramount truth, but also the sanction of his convictions and impulse at the moment.

an instinctive motive

From this reading The wild words, as he wrote them, had for him not only the impress of paramount truth, but also the sanction of his convictions and impulse at the moment.

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

From this reading Alan Walcott knew perfectly well that he had done a mad, if not an unaccountable thing in writing his letter to Miss Campion.

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

From this reading He knew it, that is to say, after the letter was gone, for when he was writing it, and his heart was breaking through the bonds of common-sense which generally restrained him, he did not feel the difficulty of accounting either for his emotions or for his action.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading He knew it, that is to say, after the letter was gone, for when he was writing it, and his heart was breaking through the bonds of common-sense which generally restrained him, he did not feel the difficulty of accounting either for his emotions or for his action.

inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about

From this reading Alan Walcott knew perfectly well that he had done a mad, if not an unaccountable thing in writing his letter to Miss Campion.

a written message addressed to a person or organization

From this reading Alan Walcott knew perfectly well that he had done a mad, if not an unaccountable thing in writing his letter to Miss Campion.

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

From this reading No stronger excuse has been forthcoming for heroic deeds which have shaken the world and lived in history.

roused to anger

From this reading Alan Walcott knew perfectly well that he had done a mad, if not an unaccountable thing in writing his letter to Miss Campion.

fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind

From this reading Alan Walcott knew perfectly well that he had done a mad, if not an unaccountable thing in writing his letter to Miss Campion.

a particular point in time

From this reading The wild words, as he wrote them, had for him not only the impress of paramount truth, but also the sanction of his convictions and impulse at the moment.

not any; not one

From this reading No stronger excuse has been forthcoming for heroic deeds which have shaken the world and lived in history.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Alan Walcott knew perfectly well that he had done a mad, if not an unaccountable thing in writing his letter to Miss Campion.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading He knew it, that is to say, after the letter was gone, for when he was writing it, and his heart was breaking through the bonds of common-sense which generally restrained him, he did not feel the difficulty of accounting either for his emotions or for his action.

and nothing more

From this reading The wild words, as he wrote them, had for him not only the impress of paramount truth, but also the sanction of his convictions and impulse at the moment.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading He knew it, that is to say, after the letter was gone, for when he was writing it, and his heart was breaking through the bonds of common-sense which generally restrained him, he did not feel the difficulty of accounting either for his emotions or for his action.

having superior power and influence

From this reading The wild words, as he wrote them, had for him not only the impress of paramount truth, but also the sanction of his convictions and impulse at the moment.

completely and without qualification; used informally as intensifiers

From this reading Alan Walcott knew perfectly well that he had done a mad, if not an unaccountable thing in writing his letter to Miss Campion.

cool and formal in manner

From this reading He knew it, that is to say, after the letter was gone, for when he was writing it, and his heart was breaking through the bonds of common-sense which generally restrained him, he did not feel the difficulty of accounting either for his emotions or for his action.

formal and explicit approval

From this reading The wild words, as he wrote them, had for him not only the impress of paramount truth, but also the sanction of his convictions and impulse at the moment.

express in words

From this reading He knew it, that is to say, after the letter was gone, for when he was writing it, and his heart was breaking through the bonds of common-sense which generally restrained him, he did not feel the difficulty of accounting either for his emotions or for his action.

disturbed psychologically as if by a physical jolt or shock

From this reading No stronger excuse has been forthcoming for heroic deeds which have shaken the world and lived in history.

comparative of “strong” — having strength or power greater than average or expected

From this reading No stronger excuse has been forthcoming for heroic deeds which have shaken the world and lived in history.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Alan Walcott knew perfectly well that he had done a mad, if not an unaccountable thing in writing his letter to Miss Campion.

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

From this reading He knew it, that is to say, after the letter was gone, for when he was writing it, and his heart was breaking through the bonds of common-sense which generally restrained him, he did not feel the difficulty of accounting either for his emotions or for his action.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading The wild words, as he wrote them, had for him not only the impress of paramount truth, but also the sanction of his convictions and impulse at the moment.

a special situation

From this reading Alan Walcott knew perfectly well that he had done a mad, if not an unaccountable thing in writing his letter to Miss Campion.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading He knew it, that is to say, after the letter was gone, for when he was writing it, and his heart was breaking through the bonds of common-sense which generally restrained him, he did not feel the difficulty of accounting either for his emotions or for his action.

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

From this reading Alan Walcott knew perfectly well that he had done a mad, if not an unaccountable thing in writing his letter to Miss Campion.

a fact that has been verified

From this reading The wild words, as he wrote them, had for him not only the impress of paramount truth, but also the sanction of his convictions and impulse at the moment.

not to be accounted for or explained

From this reading Alan Walcott knew perfectly well that he had done a mad, if not an unaccountable thing in writing his letter to Miss Campion.

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

From this reading ALAN WALCOTT.

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

From this reading He knew it, that is to say, after the letter was gone, for when he was writing it, and his heart was breaking through the bonds of common-sense which generally restrained him, he did not feel the difficulty of accounting either for his emotions or for his action.

(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)

From this reading Alan Walcott knew perfectly well that he had done a mad, if not an unaccountable thing in writing his letter to Miss Campion.

at the time that

From this reading He knew it, that is to say, after the letter was gone, for when he was writing it, and his heart was breaking through the bonds of common-sense which generally restrained him, he did not feel the difficulty of accounting either for his emotions or for his action.

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

From this reading He knew it, that is to say, after the letter was gone, for when he was writing it, and his heart was breaking through the bonds of common-sense which generally restrained him, he did not feel the difficulty of accounting either for his emotions or for his action.

marked by extreme lack of restraint or control

From this reading The wild words, as he wrote them, had for him not only the impress of paramount truth, but also the sanction of his convictions and impulse at the moment.

the words that are spoken

From this reading The wild words, as he wrote them, had for him not only the impress of paramount truth, but also the sanction of his convictions and impulse at the moment.

everything that exists anywhere

From this reading No stronger excuse has been forthcoming for heroic deeds which have shaken the world and lived in history.

the act of creating written works

From this reading Alan Walcott knew perfectly well that he had done a mad, if not an unaccountable thing in writing his letter to Miss Campion.

inflected form of “write” — produce a literary work

From this reading The wild words, as he wrote them, had for him not only the impress of paramount truth, but also the sanction of his convictions and impulse at the moment.