Chapter II

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

From this reading Both voices came reluctantly into the persistent cooing of doves which filled the room, for the birds were perched among a coral begonia overhanging the veranda.

surrounded by; in the middle of a group

From this reading Both voices came reluctantly into the persistent cooing of doves which filled the room, for the birds were perched among a coral begonia overhanging the veranda.

in or to or toward a former location

From this reading But the man had so far the best of it in the difficult interview which was evidently beginning, in that he stood with his back to the French window through which he had just entered; his face, therefore, was in shadow.

the event consisting of the start of something

From this reading But the man had so far the best of it in the difficult interview which was evidently beginning, in that he stood with his back to the French window through which he had just entered; his face, therefore, was in shadow.

any of numerous plants of the genus Begonia grown for their attractive glossy asymmetrical leaves and colorful flowers in usually terminal cymes or racemes

From this reading Both voices came reluctantly into the persistent cooing of doves which filled the room, for the birds were perched among a coral begonia overhanging the veranda.

accept as true; take to be true

From this reading "You sent for me, I believe, Mrs. Erlton."

the supreme effort one can make

From this reading But the man had so far the best of it in the difficult interview which was evidently beginning, in that he stood with his back to the French window through which he had just entered; his face, therefore, was in shadow.

plural of “bird” — warm-blooded egg-laying vertebrates characterized by feathers and forelimbs modified as wings

From this reading Both voices came reluctantly into the persistent cooing of doves which filled the room, for the birds were perched among a coral begonia overhanging the veranda.

the two together, not just one

From this reading Both voices came reluctantly into the persistent cooing of doves which filled the room, for the birds were perched among a coral begonia overhanging the veranda.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But the man had so far the best of it in the difficult interview which was evidently beginning, in that he stood with his back to the French window through which he had just entered; his face, therefore, was in shadow.

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

From this reading Both voices came reluctantly into the persistent cooing of doves which filled the room, for the birds were perched among a coral begonia overhanging the veranda.

-ing form of “coo” — speak softly or lovingly

From this reading Both voices came reluctantly into the persistent cooing of doves which filled the room, for the birds were perched among a coral begonia overhanging the veranda.

a variable color averaging a deep pink

From this reading Both voices came reluctantly into the persistent cooing of doves which filled the room, for the birds were perched among a coral begonia overhanging the veranda.

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

From this reading But the man had so far the best of it in the difficult interview which was evidently beginning, in that he stood with his back to the French window through which he had just entered; his face, therefore, was in shadow.

plural of “dove” — any of numerous small pigeons

From this reading Both voices came reluctantly into the persistent cooing of doves which filled the room, for the birds were perched among a coral begonia overhanging the veranda.

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

From this reading But the man had so far the best of it in the difficult interview which was evidently beginning, in that he stood with his back to the French window through which he had just entered; his face, therefore, was in shadow.

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

From this reading "You sent for me, I believe, Mrs. Erlton."

unmistakably (“plain” is often used informally for “plainly”)

From this reading But the man had so far the best of it in the difficult interview which was evidently beginning, in that he stood with his back to the French window through which he had just entered; his face, therefore, was in shadow.

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

From this reading But the man had so far the best of it in the difficult interview which was evidently beginning, in that he stood with his back to the French window through which he had just entered; his face, therefore, was in shadow.

to a considerable degree; very much

From this reading But the man had so far the best of it in the difficult interview which was evidently beginning, in that he stood with his back to the French window through which he had just entered; his face, therefore, was in shadow.

(usually followed by “with” or used as a combining form) generously supplied with

From this reading Both voices came reluctantly into the persistent cooing of doves which filled the room, for the birds were perched among a coral begonia overhanging the veranda.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading "You sent for me, I believe, Mrs. Erlton."

the Romance language spoken in France and in countries colonized by France

From this reading But the man had so far the best of it in the difficult interview which was evidently beginning, in that he stood with his back to the French window through which he had just entered; his face, therefore, was in shadow.

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

From this reading "Yes, Mr. Greyman, I sent for you."

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

From this reading But the man had so far the best of it in the difficult interview which was evidently beginning, in that he stood with his back to the French window through which he had just entered; his face, therefore, was in shadow.

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

From this reading But the man had so far the best of it in the difficult interview which was evidently beginning, in that he stood with his back to the French window through which he had just entered; his face, therefore, was in shadow.

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

From this reading But the man had so far the best of it in the difficult interview which was evidently beginning, in that he stood with his back to the French window through which he had just entered; his face, therefore, was in shadow.

where you live at a particular time

From this reading HOME, SWEET HOME?

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading "You sent for me, I believe, Mrs. Erlton."

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

From this reading But the man had so far the best of it in the difficult interview which was evidently beginning, in that he stood with his back to the French window through which he had just entered; his face, therefore, was in shadow.

conduct an interview in television, newspaper, and radio reporting

From this reading But the man had so far the best of it in the difficult interview which was evidently beginning, in that he stood with his back to the French window through which he had just entered; his face, therefore, was in shadow.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading Both voices came reluctantly into the persistent cooing of doves which filled the room, for the birds were perched among a coral begonia overhanging the veranda.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading But the man had so far the best of it in the difficult interview which was evidently beginning, in that he stood with his back to the French window through which he had just entered; his face, therefore, was in shadow.

and nothing more

From this reading But the man had so far the best of it in the difficult interview which was evidently beginning, in that he stood with his back to the French window through which he had just entered; his face, therefore, was in shadow.

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

From this reading But the man had so far the best of it in the difficult interview which was evidently beginning, in that he stood with his back to the French window through which he had just entered; his face, therefore, was in shadow.

the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading "You sent for me, I believe, Mrs. Erlton."

a form of address for a man

From this reading "Yes, Mr. Greyman, I sent for you."

a form of address for a married woman

From this reading "You sent for me, I believe, Mrs. Erlton."

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Both voices came reluctantly into the persistent cooing of doves which filled the room, for the birds were perched among a coral begonia overhanging the veranda.

-ing form of “overhang” — project over

From this reading Both voices came reluctantly into the persistent cooing of doves which filled the room, for the birds were perched among a coral begonia overhanging the veranda.

past form of “perch” — sit, as on a branch

From this reading Both voices came reluctantly into the persistent cooing of doves which filled the room, for the birds were perched among a coral begonia overhanging the veranda.

never-ceasing

From this reading Both voices came reluctantly into the persistent cooing of doves which filled the room, for the birds were perched among a coral begonia overhanging the veranda.

with reluctance

From this reading Both voices came reluctantly into the persistent cooing of doves which filled the room, for the birds were perched among a coral begonia overhanging the veranda.

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

From this reading Both voices came reluctantly into the persistent cooing of doves which filled the room, for the birds were perched among a coral begonia overhanging the veranda.

100 senti equal 1 kroon in Estonia

From this reading "You sent for me, I believe, Mrs. Erlton."

A dark area or shape produced by a body coming between rays of light and a surface.

From this reading But the man had so far the best of it in the difficult interview which was evidently beginning, in that he stood with his back to the French window through which he had just entered; his face, therefore, was in shadow.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading But the man had so far the best of it in the difficult interview which was evidently beginning, in that he stood with his back to the French window through which he had just entered; his face, therefore, was in shadow.

Maintained an upright posture.

From this reading But the man had so far the best of it in the difficult interview which was evidently beginning, in that he stood with his back to the French window through which he had just entered; his face, therefore, was in shadow.

having or denoting the characteristic taste of sugar

From this reading HOME, SWEET HOME?

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading But the man had so far the best of it in the difficult interview which was evidently beginning, in that he stood with his back to the French window through which he had just entered; his face, therefore, was in shadow.

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

From this reading Both voices came reluctantly into the persistent cooing of doves which filled the room, for the birds were perched among a coral begonia overhanging the veranda.

for that reason; as a result

From this reading But the man had so far the best of it in the difficult interview which was evidently beginning, in that he stood with his back to the French window through which he had just entered; his face, therefore, was in shadow.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading But the man had so far the best of it in the difficult interview which was evidently beginning, in that he stood with his back to the French window through which he had just entered; his face, therefore, was in shadow.

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

From this reading But the man had so far the best of it in the difficult interview which was evidently beginning, in that he stood with his back to the French window through which he had just entered; his face, therefore, was in shadow.

a porch along the outside of a building (sometimes partly enclosed)

From this reading Both voices came reluctantly into the persistent cooing of doves which filled the room, for the birds were perched among a coral begonia overhanging the veranda.

plural of “voice” — the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech

From this reading Both voices came reluctantly into the persistent cooing of doves which filled the room, for the birds were perched among a coral begonia overhanging the veranda.

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

From this reading But the man had so far the best of it in the difficult interview which was evidently beginning, in that he stood with his back to the French window through which he had just entered; his face, therefore, was in shadow.

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

From this reading Both voices came reluctantly into the persistent cooing of doves which filled the room, for the birds were perched among a coral begonia overhanging the veranda.

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

From this reading Both voices came reluctantly into the persistent cooing of doves which filled the room, for the birds were perched among a coral begonia overhanging the veranda.

a framework of wood or metal that contains a glass windowpane and is built into a wall or roof to admit light or air

From this reading But the man had so far the best of it in the difficult interview which was evidently beginning, in that he stood with his back to the French window through which he had just entered; his face, therefore, was in shadow.

in the company of; together with

From this reading But the man had so far the best of it in the difficult interview which was evidently beginning, in that he stood with his back to the French window through which he had just entered; his face, therefore, was in shadow.

an affirmative

From this reading "Yes, Mr. Greyman, I sent for you."

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading "You sent for me, I believe, Mrs. Erlton."