Chapter XV · Chapter 15

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

From this reading The hour was tolled off by a grim old clock standing high in a corner, a rare old time piece with a history, or at least a past, of interest to McElwin, for it had been bought at the forced sale of fixtures belonging to a defunct bank.

at all times; all the time and on every occasion

From this reading It struck with solemn self-importance, as if proclaiming the hour to foreclose a mortgage; and though not given to this sort of reflective speculation, McElwin must have been vaguely influenced by its knell-like stroke, for he nearly always glanced up as if a tribute were due to its promptness.

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

From this reading It struck with solemn self-importance, as if proclaiming the hour to foreclose a mortgage; and though not given to this sort of reflective speculation, McElwin must have been vaguely influenced by its knell-like stroke, for he nearly always glanced up as if a tribute were due to its promptness.

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

From this reading It struck with solemn self-importance, as if proclaiming the hour to foreclose a mortgage; and though not given to this sort of reflective speculation, McElwin must have been vaguely influenced by its knell-like stroke, for he nearly always glanced up as if a tribute were due to its promptness.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading At eleven o'clock the next day, Zeb Sawyer was to meet McElwin at the bank.

sloping land (especially the slope beside a body of water)

From this reading At eleven o'clock the next day, Zeb Sawyer was to meet McElwin at the bank.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading The hour was tolled off by a grim old clock standing high in a corner, a rare old time piece with a history, or at least a past, of interest to McElwin, for it had been bought at the forced sale of fixtures belonging to a defunct bank.

happiness felt in a secure relationship

From this reading The hour was tolled off by a grim old clock standing high in a corner, a rare old time piece with a history, or at least a past, of interest to McElwin, for it had been bought at the forced sale of fixtures belonging to a defunct bank.

inflected form of “buy” — obtain by purchase; acquire by means of a financial transaction

From this reading The hour was tolled off by a grim old clock standing high in a corner, a rare old time piece with a history, or at least a past, of interest to McElwin, for it had been bought at the forced sale of fixtures belonging to a defunct bank.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading The hour was tolled off by a grim old clock standing high in a corner, a rare old time piece with a history, or at least a past, of interest to McElwin, for it had been bought at the forced sale of fixtures belonging to a defunct bank.

a timepiece that shows the time of day

From this reading The hour was tolled off by a grim old clock standing high in a corner, a rare old time piece with a history, or at least a past, of interest to McElwin, for it had been bought at the forced sale of fixtures belonging to a defunct bank.

a place off to the side of an area

From this reading The hour was tolled off by a grim old clock standing high in a corner, a rare old time piece with a history, or at least a past, of interest to McElwin, for it had been bought at the forced sale of fixtures belonging to a defunct bank.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading At eleven o'clock the next day, Zeb Sawyer was to meet McElwin at the bank.

no longer in force or use; inactive

From this reading The hour was tolled off by a grim old clock standing high in a corner, a rare old time piece with a history, or at least a past, of interest to McElwin, for it had been bought at the forced sale of fixtures belonging to a defunct bank.

owed and payable immediately or on demand

From this reading It struck with solemn self-importance, as if proclaiming the hour to foreclose a mortgage; and though not given to this sort of reflective speculation, McElwin must have been vaguely influenced by its knell-like stroke, for he nearly always glanced up as if a tribute were due to its promptness.

being one more than ten

From this reading At eleven o'clock the next day, Zeb Sawyer was to meet McElwin at the bank.

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

From this reading A few minutes later Zeb Sawyer was shown into the room.

plural of “fixture” — an object firmly fixed in place (especially in a household)

From this reading The hour was tolled off by a grim old clock standing high in a corner, a rare old time piece with a history, or at least a past, of interest to McElwin, for it had been bought at the forced sale of fixtures belonging to a defunct bank.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading The hour was tolled off by a grim old clock standing high in a corner, a rare old time piece with a history, or at least a past, of interest to McElwin, for it had been bought at the forced sale of fixtures belonging to a defunct bank.

produced by or subjected to forcing

From this reading The hour was tolled off by a grim old clock standing high in a corner, a rare old time piece with a history, or at least a past, of interest to McElwin, for it had been bought at the forced sale of fixtures belonging to a defunct bank.

keep from happening or arising; make impossible

From this reading It struck with solemn self-importance, as if proclaiming the hour to foreclose a mortgage; and though not given to this sort of reflective speculation, McElwin must have been vaguely influenced by its knell-like stroke, for he nearly always glanced up as if a tribute were due to its promptness.

acknowledged as a supposition

From this reading It struck with solemn self-importance, as if proclaiming the hour to foreclose a mortgage; and though not given to this sort of reflective speculation, McElwin must have been vaguely influenced by its knell-like stroke, for he nearly always glanced up as if a tribute were due to its promptness.

past form of “glance” — throw a glance at; take a brief look at

From this reading It struck with solemn self-importance, as if proclaiming the hour to foreclose a mortgage; and though not given to this sort of reflective speculation, McElwin must have been vaguely influenced by its knell-like stroke, for he nearly always glanced up as if a tribute were due to its promptness.

not to be placated or appeased or moved by entreaty

From this reading The hour was tolled off by a grim old clock standing high in a corner, a rare old time piece with a history, or at least a past, of interest to McElwin, for it had been bought at the forced sale of fixtures belonging to a defunct bank.

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

From this reading The hour was tolled off by a grim old clock standing high in a corner, a rare old time piece with a history, or at least a past, of interest to McElwin, for it had been bought at the forced sale of fixtures belonging to a defunct bank.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading It struck with solemn self-importance, as if proclaiming the hour to foreclose a mortgage; and though not given to this sort of reflective speculation, McElwin must have been vaguely influenced by its knell-like stroke, for he nearly always glanced up as if a tribute were due to its promptness.

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

From this reading It struck with solemn self-importance, as if proclaiming the hour to foreclose a mortgage; and though not given to this sort of reflective speculation, McElwin must have been vaguely influenced by its knell-like stroke, for he nearly always glanced up as if a tribute were due to its promptness.

greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading The hour was tolled off by a grim old clock standing high in a corner, a rare old time piece with a history, or at least a past, of interest to McElwin, for it had been bought at the forced sale of fixtures belonging to a defunct bank.

the aggregate of past events

From this reading The hour was tolled off by a grim old clock standing high in a corner, a rare old time piece with a history, or at least a past, of interest to McElwin, for it had been bought at the forced sale of fixtures belonging to a defunct bank.

a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day

From this reading The hour was tolled off by a grim old clock standing high in a corner, a rare old time piece with a history, or at least a past, of interest to McElwin, for it had been bought at the forced sale of fixtures belonging to a defunct bank.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading It struck with solemn self-importance, as if proclaiming the hour to foreclose a mortgage; and though not given to this sort of reflective speculation, McElwin must have been vaguely influenced by its knell-like stroke, for he nearly always glanced up as if a tribute were due to its promptness.

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

From this reading The hour was tolled off by a grim old clock standing high in a corner, a rare old time piece with a history, or at least a past, of interest to McElwin, for it had been bought at the forced sale of fixtures belonging to a defunct bank.

past form of “influence” — have and exert influence or effect

From this reading It struck with solemn self-importance, as if proclaiming the hour to foreclose a mortgage; and though not given to this sort of reflective speculation, McElwin must have been vaguely influenced by its knell-like stroke, for he nearly always glanced up as if a tribute were due to its promptness.

a sense of concern with and curiosity about someone or something

From this reading The hour was tolled off by a grim old clock standing high in a corner, a rare old time piece with a history, or at least a past, of interest to McElwin, for it had been bought at the forced sale of fixtures belonging to a defunct bank.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading A few minutes later Zeb Sawyer was shown into the room.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading The hour was tolled off by a grim old clock standing high in a corner, a rare old time piece with a history, or at least a past, of interest to McElwin, for it had been bought at the forced sale of fixtures belonging to a defunct bank.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading It struck with solemn self-importance, as if proclaiming the hour to foreclose a mortgage; and though not given to this sort of reflective speculation, McElwin must have been vaguely influenced by its knell-like stroke, for he nearly always glanced up as if a tribute were due to its promptness.

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

From this reading It struck with solemn self-importance, as if proclaiming the hour to foreclose a mortgage; and though not given to this sort of reflective speculation, McElwin must have been vaguely influenced by its knell-like stroke, for he nearly always glanced up as if a tribute were due to its promptness.

happening at a time subsequent to a reference time

From this reading A few minutes later Zeb Sawyer was shown into the room.

the superlative of “little” that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by “the”; a quantifier meaning smallest in amount or extent or degree

From this reading The hour was tolled off by a grim old clock standing high in a corner, a rare old time piece with a history, or at least a past, of interest to McElwin, for it had been bought at the forced sale of fixtures belonging to a defunct bank.

go away from a place

From this reading MUST LEAVE THE TOWN.

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

From this reading At eleven o'clock the next day, Zeb Sawyer was to meet McElwin at the bank.

come together

From this reading At eleven o'clock the next day, Zeb Sawyer was to meet McElwin at the bank.

a written account of what transpired at a meeting

From this reading A few minutes later Zeb Sawyer was shown into the room.

a conditional conveyance of property as security for the repayment of a loan

From this reading It struck with solemn self-importance, as if proclaiming the hour to foreclose a mortgage; and though not given to this sort of reflective speculation, McElwin must have been vaguely influenced by its knell-like stroke, for he nearly always glanced up as if a tribute were due to its promptness.

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading MUST LEAVE THE TOWN.

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

From this reading It struck with solemn self-importance, as if proclaiming the hour to foreclose a mortgage; and though not given to this sort of reflective speculation, McElwin must have been vaguely influenced by its knell-like stroke, for he nearly always glanced up as if a tribute were due to its promptness.

immediately following in time or order

From this reading At eleven o'clock the next day, Zeb Sawyer was to meet McElwin at the bank.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading It struck with solemn self-importance, as if proclaiming the hour to foreclose a mortgage; and though not given to this sort of reflective speculation, McElwin must have been vaguely influenced by its knell-like stroke, for he nearly always glanced up as if a tribute were due to its promptness.

according to the clock

From this reading At eleven o'clock the next day, Zeb Sawyer was to meet McElwin at the bank.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The hour was tolled off by a grim old clock standing high in a corner, a rare old time piece with a history, or at least a past, of interest to McElwin, for it had been bought at the forced sale of fixtures belonging to a defunct bank.

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading The hour was tolled off by a grim old clock standing high in a corner, a rare old time piece with a history, or at least a past, of interest to McElwin, for it had been bought at the forced sale of fixtures belonging to a defunct bank.

(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age

From this reading The hour was tolled off by a grim old clock standing high in a corner, a rare old time piece with a history, or at least a past, of interest to McElwin, for it had been bought at the forced sale of fixtures belonging to a defunct bank.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading The hour was tolled off by a grim old clock standing high in a corner, a rare old time piece with a history, or at least a past, of interest to McElwin, for it had been bought at the forced sale of fixtures belonging to a defunct bank.

the time that has elapsed

From this reading The hour was tolled off by a grim old clock standing high in a corner, a rare old time piece with a history, or at least a past, of interest to McElwin, for it had been bought at the forced sale of fixtures belonging to a defunct bank.

a separate part of a whole

From this reading The hour was tolled off by a grim old clock standing high in a corner, a rare old time piece with a history, or at least a past, of interest to McElwin, for it had been bought at the forced sale of fixtures belonging to a defunct bank.

-ing form of “proclaim” — declare formally; declare someone to be something; of titles

From this reading It struck with solemn self-importance, as if proclaiming the hour to foreclose a mortgage; and though not given to this sort of reflective speculation, McElwin must have been vaguely influenced by its knell-like stroke, for he nearly always glanced up as if a tribute were due to its promptness.

the characteristic of doing things without delay

From this reading It struck with solemn self-importance, as if proclaiming the hour to foreclose a mortgage; and though not given to this sort of reflective speculation, McElwin must have been vaguely influenced by its knell-like stroke, for he nearly always glanced up as if a tribute were due to its promptness.

not widely known; especially valued for its uncommonness

From this reading The hour was tolled off by a grim old clock standing high in a corner, a rare old time piece with a history, or at least a past, of interest to McElwin, for it had been bought at the forced sale of fixtures belonging to a defunct bank.

deeply or seriously thoughtful

From this reading It struck with solemn self-importance, as if proclaiming the hour to foreclose a mortgage; and though not given to this sort of reflective speculation, McElwin must have been vaguely influenced by its knell-like stroke, for he nearly always glanced up as if a tribute were due to its promptness.

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

From this reading A few minutes later Zeb Sawyer was shown into the room.

a particular instance of selling

From this reading The hour was tolled off by a grim old clock standing high in a corner, a rare old time piece with a history, or at least a past, of interest to McElwin, for it had been bought at the forced sale of fixtures belonging to a defunct bank.

one who is employed to saw wood

From this reading At eleven o'clock the next day, Zeb Sawyer was to meet McElwin at the bank.

an inflated feeling of pride in your superiority to others

From this reading It struck with solemn self-importance, as if proclaiming the hour to foreclose a mortgage; and though not given to this sort of reflective speculation, McElwin must have been vaguely influenced by its knell-like stroke, for he nearly always glanced up as if a tribute were due to its promptness.

inflected form of “show” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience

From this reading A few minutes later Zeb Sawyer was shown into the room.

dignified and somber in manner or character and committed to keeping promises

From this reading It struck with solemn self-importance, as if proclaiming the hour to foreclose a mortgage; and though not given to this sort of reflective speculation, McElwin must have been vaguely influenced by its knell-like stroke, for he nearly always glanced up as if a tribute were due to its promptness.

a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality

From this reading It struck with solemn self-importance, as if proclaiming the hour to foreclose a mortgage; and though not given to this sort of reflective speculation, McElwin must have been vaguely influenced by its knell-like stroke, for he nearly always glanced up as if a tribute were due to its promptness.

a message expressing an opinion based on incomplete evidence

From this reading It struck with solemn self-importance, as if proclaiming the hour to foreclose a mortgage; and though not given to this sort of reflective speculation, McElwin must have been vaguely influenced by its knell-like stroke, for he nearly always glanced up as if a tribute were due to its promptness.

having a supporting base

From this reading The hour was tolled off by a grim old clock standing high in a corner, a rare old time piece with a history, or at least a past, of interest to McElwin, for it had been bought at the forced sale of fixtures belonging to a defunct bank.

(sports) the act of swinging or striking at a ball with a club or racket or bat or cue or hand

From this reading It struck with solemn self-importance, as if proclaiming the hour to foreclose a mortgage; and though not given to this sort of reflective speculation, McElwin must have been vaguely influenced by its knell-like stroke, for he nearly always glanced up as if a tribute were due to its promptness.

(used in combination) affected by something overwhelming

From this reading It struck with solemn self-importance, as if proclaiming the hour to foreclose a mortgage; and though not given to this sort of reflective speculation, McElwin must have been vaguely influenced by its knell-like stroke, for he nearly always glanced up as if a tribute were due to its promptness.

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

From this reading MUST LEAVE THE TOWN.

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

From this reading It struck with solemn self-importance, as if proclaiming the hour to foreclose a mortgage; and though not given to this sort of reflective speculation, McElwin must have been vaguely influenced by its knell-like stroke, for he nearly always glanced up as if a tribute were due to its promptness.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading It struck with solemn self-importance, as if proclaiming the hour to foreclose a mortgage; and though not given to this sort of reflective speculation, McElwin must have been vaguely influenced by its knell-like stroke, for he nearly always glanced up as if a tribute were due to its promptness.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading The hour was tolled off by a grim old clock standing high in a corner, a rare old time piece with a history, or at least a past, of interest to McElwin, for it had been bought at the forced sale of fixtures belonging to a defunct bank.

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

From this reading At eleven o'clock the next day, Zeb Sawyer was to meet McElwin at the bank.

past form of “toll” — ring slowly

From this reading The hour was tolled off by a grim old clock standing high in a corner, a rare old time piece with a history, or at least a past, of interest to McElwin, for it had been bought at the forced sale of fixtures belonging to a defunct bank.

an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city

From this reading MUST LEAVE THE TOWN.

something given or done as an expression of esteem

From this reading It struck with solemn self-importance, as if proclaiming the hour to foreclose a mortgage; and though not given to this sort of reflective speculation, McElwin must have been vaguely influenced by its knell-like stroke, for he nearly always glanced up as if a tribute were due to its promptness.

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

From this reading It struck with solemn self-importance, as if proclaiming the hour to foreclose a mortgage; and though not given to this sort of reflective speculation, McElwin must have been vaguely influenced by its knell-like stroke, for he nearly always glanced up as if a tribute were due to its promptness.

in a vague way

From this reading It struck with solemn self-importance, as if proclaiming the hour to foreclose a mortgage; and though not given to this sort of reflective speculation, McElwin must have been vaguely influenced by its knell-like stroke, for he nearly always glanced up as if a tribute were due to its promptness.

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

From this reading At eleven o'clock the next day, Zeb Sawyer was to meet McElwin at the bank.

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

From this reading It struck with solemn self-importance, as if proclaiming the hour to foreclose a mortgage; and though not given to this sort of reflective speculation, McElwin must have been vaguely influenced by its knell-like stroke, for he nearly always glanced up as if a tribute were due to its promptness.

in the company of; together with

From this reading The hour was tolled off by a grim old clock standing high in a corner, a rare old time piece with a history, or at least a past, of interest to McElwin, for it had been bought at the forced sale of fixtures belonging to a defunct bank.

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

From this reading At eleven o'clock the next day, Zeb Sawyer was to meet McElwin at the bank.