Chapter XXIX · Chapter 29

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

From this reading He might no doubt go on learning, and, after a time, might be able to exert himself in a perhaps useful, but altogether uninteresting kind of way, doing his work simply because it was there to be done,--as the carter or the tailor does his;--and from the same cause, knowing that a man must have bread to live.

(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something

From this reading Consolation On the day following Madame Goesler’s dinner party, Phineas, though he was early at his office, was not able to do much work, still feeling that as regarded the realities of the world, his back was broken.

later than; following

From this reading He might no doubt go on learning, and, after a time, might be able to exert himself in a perhaps useful, but altogether uninteresting kind of way, doing his work simply because it was there to be done,--as the carter or the tailor does his;--and from the same cause, knowing that a man must have bread to live.

(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class

From this reading But as for ambition, and the idea of doing good, and the love of work for work’s sake,--as for the elastic springs of delicious and beneficent labour,--all that was over for him.

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

From this reading He might no doubt go on learning, and, after a time, might be able to exert himself in a perhaps useful, but altogether uninteresting kind of way, doing his work simply because it was there to be done,--as the carter or the tailor does his;--and from the same cause, knowing that a man must have bread to live.

a cherished desire

From this reading But as for ambition, and the idea of doing good, and the love of work for work’s sake,--as for the elastic springs of delicious and beneficent labour,--all that was over for him.

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

From this reading He might no doubt go on learning, and, after a time, might be able to exert himself in a perhaps useful, but altogether uninteresting kind of way, doing his work simply because it was there to be done,--as the carter or the tailor does his;--and from the same cause, knowing that a man must have bread to live.

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

From this reading Consolation On the day following Madame Goesler’s dinner party, Phineas, though he was early at his office, was not able to do much work, still feeling that as regarded the realities of the world, his back was broken.

freedom from doubt; belief in yourself and your abilities

From this reading He would have worked from day till night, and from night till day, and from month till month throughout the year to have secured for Violet Effingham the assurance that her husband’s position was worthy of her own.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Consolation On the day following Madame Goesler’s dinner party, Phineas, though he was early at his office, was not able to do much work, still feeling that as regarded the realities of the world, his back was broken.

in or to or toward a former location

From this reading Consolation On the day following Madame Goesler’s dinner party, Phineas, though he was early at his office, was not able to do much work, still feeling that as regarded the realities of the world, his back was broken.

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading He might no doubt go on learning, and, after a time, might be able to exert himself in a perhaps useful, but altogether uninteresting kind of way, doing his work simply because it was there to be done,--as the carter or the tailor does his;--and from the same cause, knowing that a man must have bread to live.

for the reason that

From this reading He might no doubt go on learning, and, after a time, might be able to exert himself in a perhaps useful, but altogether uninteresting kind of way, doing his work simply because it was there to be done,--as the carter or the tailor does his;--and from the same cause, knowing that a man must have bread to live.

doing or producing good

From this reading But as for ambition, and the idea of doing good, and the love of work for work’s sake,--as for the elastic springs of delicious and beneficent labour,--all that was over for him.

food made from dough of flour or meal and usually raised with yeast or baking powder and then baked

From this reading He might no doubt go on learning, and, after a time, might be able to exert himself in a perhaps useful, but altogether uninteresting kind of way, doing his work simply because it was there to be done,--as the carter or the tailor does his;--and from the same cause, knowing that a man must have bread to live.

physically and forcibly separated into pieces or cracked or split

From this reading Consolation On the day following Madame Goesler’s dinner party, Phineas, though he was early at his office, was not able to do much work, still feeling that as regarded the realities of the world, his back was broken.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading He might no doubt go on learning, and, after a time, might be able to exert himself in a perhaps useful, but altogether uninteresting kind of way, doing his work simply because it was there to be done,--as the carter or the tailor does his;--and from the same cause, knowing that a man must have bread to live.

Englishman and Egyptologist who in 1922 discovered and excavated the tomb of Tutankhamen (1873-1939)

From this reading He might no doubt go on learning, and, after a time, might be able to exert himself in a perhaps useful, but altogether uninteresting kind of way, doing his work simply because it was there to be done,--as the carter or the tailor does his;--and from the same cause, knowing that a man must have bread to live.

events that provide the generative force that is the origin of something

From this reading He might no doubt go on learning, and, after a time, might be able to exert himself in a perhaps useful, but altogether uninteresting kind of way, doing his work simply because it was there to be done,--as the carter or the tailor does his;--and from the same cause, knowing that a man must have bread to live.

the comfort you feel when consoled in times of disappointment

From this reading Consolation On the day following Madame Goesler’s dinner party, Phineas, though he was early at his office, was not able to do much work, still feeling that as regarded the realities of the world, his back was broken.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading Consolation On the day following Madame Goesler’s dinner party, Phineas, though he was early at his office, was not able to do much work, still feeling that as regarded the realities of the world, his back was broken.

greatly pleasing or entertaining

From this reading But as for ambition, and the idea of doing good, and the love of work for work’s sake,--as for the elastic springs of delicious and beneficent labour,--all that was over for him.

the main meal of the day served in the evening or at midday

From this reading Consolation On the day following Madame Goesler’s dinner party, Phineas, though he was early at his office, was not able to do much work, still feeling that as regarded the realities of the world, his back was broken.

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading Consolation On the day following Madame Goesler’s dinner party, Phineas, though he was early at his office, was not able to do much work, still feeling that as regarded the realities of the world, his back was broken.

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

From this reading He might no doubt go on learning, and, after a time, might be able to exert himself in a perhaps useful, but altogether uninteresting kind of way, doing his work simply because it was there to be done,--as the carter or the tailor does his;--and from the same cause, knowing that a man must have bread to live.

-ing form of “do” — engage in

From this reading He might no doubt go on learning, and, after a time, might be able to exert himself in a perhaps useful, but altogether uninteresting kind of way, doing his work simply because it was there to be done,--as the carter or the tailor does his;--and from the same cause, knowing that a man must have bread to live.

having finished or arrived at completion

From this reading He might no doubt go on learning, and, after a time, might be able to exert himself in a perhaps useful, but altogether uninteresting kind of way, doing his work simply because it was there to be done,--as the carter or the tailor does his;--and from the same cause, knowing that a man must have bread to live.

the state of being unsure of something

From this reading He might no doubt go on learning, and, after a time, might be able to exert himself in a perhaps useful, but altogether uninteresting kind of way, doing his work simply because it was there to be done,--as the carter or the tailor does his;--and from the same cause, knowing that a man must have bread to live.

at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time

From this reading Consolation On the day following Madame Goesler’s dinner party, Phineas, though he was early at his office, was not able to do much work, still feeling that as regarded the realities of the world, his back was broken.

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

From this reading He would have worked from day till night, and from night till day, and from month till month throughout the year to have secured for Violet Effingham the assurance that her husband’s position was worthy of her own.

capable of resuming original shape after stretching or compression; springy

From this reading But as for ambition, and the idea of doing good, and the love of work for work’s sake,--as for the elastic springs of delicious and beneficent labour,--all that was over for him.

put to use

From this reading He might no doubt go on learning, and, after a time, might be able to exert himself in a perhaps useful, but altogether uninteresting kind of way, doing his work simply because it was there to be done,--as the carter or the tailor does his;--and from the same cause, knowing that a man must have bread to live.

the experiencing of affective and emotional states

From this reading Consolation On the day following Madame Goesler’s dinner party, Phineas, though he was early at his office, was not able to do much work, still feeling that as regarded the realities of the world, his back was broken.

about to be mentioned or specified

From this reading Consolation On the day following Madame Goesler’s dinner party, Phineas, though he was early at his office, was not able to do much work, still feeling that as regarded the realities of the world, his back was broken.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading But as for ambition, and the idea of doing good, and the love of work for work’s sake,--as for the elastic springs of delicious and beneficent labour,--all that was over for him.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading He might no doubt go on learning, and, after a time, might be able to exert himself in a perhaps useful, but altogether uninteresting kind of way, doing his work simply because it was there to be done,--as the carter or the tailor does his;--and from the same cause, knowing that a man must have bread to live.

change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading He might no doubt go on learning, and, after a time, might be able to exert himself in a perhaps useful, but altogether uninteresting kind of way, doing his work simply because it was there to be done,--as the carter or the tailor does his;--and from the same cause, knowing that a man must have bread to live.

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

From this reading Consolation On the day following Madame Goesler’s dinner party, Phineas, though he was early at his office, was not able to do much work, still feeling that as regarded the realities of the world, his back was broken.

having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified

From this reading But as for ambition, and the idea of doing good, and the love of work for work’s sake,--as for the elastic springs of delicious and beneficent labour,--all that was over for him.

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

From this reading But now he had no motive for such work as this.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading He might no doubt go on learning, and, after a time, might be able to exert himself in a perhaps useful, but altogether uninteresting kind of way, doing his work simply because it was there to be done,--as the carter or the tailor does his;--and from the same cause, knowing that a man must have bread to live.

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

From this reading Consolation On the day following Madame Goesler’s dinner party, Phineas, though he was early at his office, was not able to do much work, still feeling that as regarded the realities of the world, his back was broken.

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

From this reading He would have worked from day till night, and from night till day, and from month till month throughout the year to have secured for Violet Effingham the assurance that her husband’s position was worthy of her own.

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

From this reading But as for ambition, and the idea of doing good, and the love of work for work’s sake,--as for the elastic springs of delicious and beneficent labour,--all that was over for him.

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

From this reading He might no doubt go on learning, and, after a time, might be able to exert himself in a perhaps useful, but altogether uninteresting kind of way, doing his work simply because it was there to be done,--as the carter or the tailor does his;--and from the same cause, knowing that a man must have bread to live.

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

From this reading Consolation On the day following Madame Goesler’s dinner party, Phineas, though he was early at his office, was not able to do much work, still feeling that as regarded the realities of the world, his back was broken.

possessive form of “husband” — a married man; a woman's partner in marriage

From this reading He would have worked from day till night, and from night till day, and from month till month throughout the year to have secured for Violet Effingham the assurance that her husband’s position was worthy of her own.

the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about

From this reading But as for ambition, and the idea of doing good, and the love of work for work’s sake,--as for the elastic springs of delicious and beneficent labour,--all that was over for him.

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

From this reading He might no doubt go on learning, and, after a time, might be able to exert himself in a perhaps useful, but altogether uninteresting kind of way, doing his work simply because it was there to be done,--as the carter or the tailor does his;--and from the same cause, knowing that a man must have bread to live.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading He might no doubt go on learning, and, after a time, might be able to exert himself in a perhaps useful, but altogether uninteresting kind of way, doing his work simply because it was there to be done,--as the carter or the tailor does his;--and from the same cause, knowing that a man must have bread to live.

having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior

From this reading He might no doubt go on learning, and, after a time, might be able to exert himself in a perhaps useful, but altogether uninteresting kind of way, doing his work simply because it was there to be done,--as the carter or the tailor does his;--and from the same cause, knowing that a man must have bread to live.

evidencing the possession of inside information

From this reading He might no doubt go on learning, and, after a time, might be able to exert himself in a perhaps useful, but altogether uninteresting kind of way, doing his work simply because it was there to be done,--as the carter or the tailor does his;--and from the same cause, knowing that a man must have bread to live.

a social class comprising those who do manual labor or work for wages

From this reading But as for ambition, and the idea of doing good, and the love of work for work’s sake,--as for the elastic springs of delicious and beneficent labour,--all that was over for him.

the cognitive process of acquiring skill or knowledge

From this reading He might no doubt go on learning, and, after a time, might be able to exert himself in a perhaps useful, but altogether uninteresting kind of way, doing his work simply because it was there to be done,--as the carter or the tailor does his;--and from the same cause, knowing that a man must have bread to live.

be an inhabitant of or reside in

From this reading He might no doubt go on learning, and, after a time, might be able to exert himself in a perhaps useful, but altogether uninteresting kind of way, doing his work simply because it was there to be done,--as the carter or the tailor does his;--and from the same cause, knowing that a man must have bread to live.

a strong positive emotion of regard and affection

From this reading But as for ambition, and the idea of doing good, and the love of work for work’s sake,--as for the elastic springs of delicious and beneficent labour,--all that was over for him.

title used for a married Frenchwoman

From this reading Consolation On the day following Madame Goesler’s dinner party, Phineas, though he was early at his office, was not able to do much work, still feeling that as regarded the realities of the world, his back was broken.

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

From this reading He might no doubt go on learning, and, after a time, might be able to exert himself in a perhaps useful, but altogether uninteresting kind of way, doing his work simply because it was there to be done,--as the carter or the tailor does his;--and from the same cause, knowing that a man must have bread to live.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading He might no doubt go on learning, and, after a time, might be able to exert himself in a perhaps useful, but altogether uninteresting kind of way, doing his work simply because it was there to be done,--as the carter or the tailor does his;--and from the same cause, knowing that a man must have bread to live.

one of the twelve divisions of the calendar year

From this reading He would have worked from day till night, and from night till day, and from month till month throughout the year to have secured for Violet Effingham the assurance that her husband’s position was worthy of her own.

the psychological feature that arouses an organism to action toward a desired goal; the reason for the action; that which gives purpose and direction to behavior

From this reading But now he had no motive for such work as this.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading Consolation On the day following Madame Goesler’s dinner party, Phineas, though he was early at his office, was not able to do much work, still feeling that as regarded the realities of the world, his back was broken.

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading He might no doubt go on learning, and, after a time, might be able to exert himself in a perhaps useful, but altogether uninteresting kind of way, doing his work simply because it was there to be done,--as the carter or the tailor does his;--and from the same cause, knowing that a man must have bread to live.

the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside

From this reading He would have worked from day till night, and from night till day, and from month till month throughout the year to have secured for Violet Effingham the assurance that her husband’s position was worthy of her own.

not any; not one

From this reading He might no doubt go on learning, and, after a time, might be able to exert himself in a perhaps useful, but altogether uninteresting kind of way, doing his work simply because it was there to be done,--as the carter or the tailor does his;--and from the same cause, knowing that a man must have bread to live.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Consolation On the day following Madame Goesler’s dinner party, Phineas, though he was early at his office, was not able to do much work, still feeling that as regarded the realities of the world, his back was broken.

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

From this reading But now he had no motive for such work as this.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Consolation On the day following Madame Goesler’s dinner party, Phineas, though he was early at his office, was not able to do much work, still feeling that as regarded the realities of the world, his back was broken.

place of business where professional or clerical duties are performed

From this reading Consolation On the day following Madame Goesler’s dinner party, Phineas, though he was early at his office, was not able to do much work, still feeling that as regarded the realities of the world, his back was broken.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Consolation On the day following Madame Goesler’s dinner party, Phineas, though he was early at his office, was not able to do much work, still feeling that as regarded the realities of the world, his back was broken.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading He might no doubt go on learning, and, after a time, might be able to exert himself in a perhaps useful, but altogether uninteresting kind of way, doing his work simply because it was there to be done,--as the carter or the tailor does his;--and from the same cause, knowing that a man must have bread to live.

above and across; more than

From this reading But as for ambition, and the idea of doing good, and the love of work for work’s sake,--as for the elastic springs of delicious and beneficent labour,--all that was over for him.

have ownership or possession of

From this reading He would have worked from day till night, and from night till day, and from month till month throughout the year to have secured for Violet Effingham the assurance that her husband’s position was worthy of her own.

an organization to gain political power

From this reading Consolation On the day following Madame Goesler’s dinner party, Phineas, though he was early at his office, was not able to do much work, still feeling that as regarded the realities of the world, his back was broken.

by chance

From this reading He might no doubt go on learning, and, after a time, might be able to exert himself in a perhaps useful, but altogether uninteresting kind of way, doing his work simply because it was there to be done,--as the carter or the tailor does his;--and from the same cause, knowing that a man must have bread to live.

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

From this reading Consolation On the day following Madame Goesler’s dinner party, Phineas, though he was early at his office, was not able to do much work, still feeling that as regarded the realities of the world, his back was broken.

the particular portion of space occupied by something

From this reading He would have worked from day till night, and from night till day, and from month till month throughout the year to have secured for Violet Effingham the assurance that her husband’s position was worthy of her own.

plural of “reality” — all of your experiences that determine how things appear to you

From this reading Consolation On the day following Madame Goesler’s dinner party, Phineas, though he was early at his office, was not able to do much work, still feeling that as regarded the realities of the world, his back was broken.

past form of “regard” — deem to be

From this reading Consolation On the day following Madame Goesler’s dinner party, Phineas, though he was early at his office, was not able to do much work, still feeling that as regarded the realities of the world, his back was broken.

a reason for wanting something done

From this reading But as for ambition, and the idea of doing good, and the love of work for work’s sake,--as for the elastic springs of delicious and beneficent labour,--all that was over for him.

Identical; not different.

From this reading He might no doubt go on learning, and, after a time, might be able to exert himself in a perhaps useful, but altogether uninteresting kind of way, doing his work simply because it was there to be done,--as the carter or the tailor does his;--and from the same cause, knowing that a man must have bread to live.

past form of “secure” — get by special effort

From this reading He would have worked from day till night, and from night till day, and from month till month throughout the year to have secured for Violet Effingham the assurance that her husband’s position was worthy of her own.

and nothing more

From this reading He might no doubt go on learning, and, after a time, might be able to exert himself in a perhaps useful, but altogether uninteresting kind of way, doing his work simply because it was there to be done,--as the carter or the tailor does his;--and from the same cause, knowing that a man must have bread to live.

plural of “spring” — the season of growth

From this reading But as for ambition, and the idea of doing good, and the love of work for work’s sake,--as for the elastic springs of delicious and beneficent labour,--all that was over for him.

not in physical motion

From this reading Consolation On the day following Madame Goesler’s dinner party, Phineas, though he was early at his office, was not able to do much work, still feeling that as regarded the realities of the world, his back was broken.

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading But now he had no motive for such work as this.

adjust to a specific need or market

From this reading He might no doubt go on learning, and, after a time, might be able to exert himself in a perhaps useful, but altogether uninteresting kind of way, doing his work simply because it was there to be done,--as the carter or the tailor does his;--and from the same cause, knowing that a man must have bread to live.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Consolation On the day following Madame Goesler’s dinner party, Phineas, though he was early at his office, was not able to do much work, still feeling that as regarded the realities of the world, his back was broken.

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

From this reading Consolation On the day following Madame Goesler’s dinner party, Phineas, though he was early at his office, was not able to do much work, still feeling that as regarded the realities of the world, his back was broken.

in or at that place or location

From this reading He might no doubt go on learning, and, after a time, might be able to exert himself in a perhaps useful, but altogether uninteresting kind of way, doing his work simply because it was there to be done,--as the carter or the tailor does his;--and from the same cause, knowing that a man must have bread to live.

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

From this reading But now he had no motive for such work as this.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading Consolation On the day following Madame Goesler’s dinner party, Phineas, though he was early at his office, was not able to do much work, still feeling that as regarded the realities of the world, his back was broken.

in every part of a place, or for the whole of a period

From this reading He would have worked from day till night, and from night till day, and from month till month throughout the year to have secured for Violet Effingham the assurance that her husband’s position was worthy of her own.

up to a particular time

From this reading He would have worked from day till night, and from night till day, and from month till month throughout the year to have secured for Violet Effingham the assurance that her husband’s position was worthy of her own.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading He might no doubt go on learning, and, after a time, might be able to exert himself in a perhaps useful, but altogether uninteresting kind of way, doing his work simply because it was there to be done,--as the carter or the tailor does his;--and from the same cause, knowing that a man must have bread to live.

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

From this reading Consolation On the day following Madame Goesler’s dinner party, Phineas, though he was early at his office, was not able to do much work, still feeling that as regarded the realities of the world, his back was broken.

arousing no interest or attention or curiosity or excitement

From this reading He might no doubt go on learning, and, after a time, might be able to exert himself in a perhaps useful, but altogether uninteresting kind of way, doing his work simply because it was there to be done,--as the carter or the tailor does his;--and from the same cause, knowing that a man must have bread to live.

being of use or service

From this reading He might no doubt go on learning, and, after a time, might be able to exert himself in a perhaps useful, but altogether uninteresting kind of way, doing his work simply because it was there to be done,--as the carter or the tailor does his;--and from the same cause, knowing that a man must have bread to live.

any of numerous low-growing violas with small flowers

From this reading He would have worked from day till night, and from night till day, and from month till month throughout the year to have secured for Violet Effingham the assurance that her husband’s position was worthy of her own.

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

From this reading Consolation On the day following Madame Goesler’s dinner party, Phineas, though he was early at his office, was not able to do much work, still feeling that as regarded the realities of the world, his back was broken.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading He might no doubt go on learning, and, after a time, might be able to exert himself in a perhaps useful, but altogether uninteresting kind of way, doing his work simply because it was there to be done,--as the carter or the tailor does his;--and from the same cause, knowing that a man must have bread to live.

exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity

From this reading Consolation On the day following Madame Goesler’s dinner party, Phineas, though he was early at his office, was not able to do much work, still feeling that as regarded the realities of the world, his back was broken.

possessive form of “work” — activity directed toward making or doing something

From this reading But as for ambition, and the idea of doing good, and the love of work for work’s sake,--as for the elastic springs of delicious and beneficent labour,--all that was over for him.

past form of “work” — exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity

From this reading He would have worked from day till night, and from night till day, and from month till month throughout the year to have secured for Violet Effingham the assurance that her husband’s position was worthy of her own.

everything that exists anywhere

From this reading Consolation On the day following Madame Goesler’s dinner party, Phineas, though he was early at his office, was not able to do much work, still feeling that as regarded the realities of the world, his back was broken.

Having or showing the qualities or abilities that merit recognition in character or magic.

From this reading He would have worked from day till night, and from night till day, and from month till month throughout the year to have secured for Violet Effingham the assurance that her husband’s position was worthy of her own.

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading He would have worked from day till night, and from night till day, and from month till month throughout the year to have secured for Violet Effingham the assurance that her husband’s position was worthy of her own.

a period of time containing 365 (or 366) days

From this reading He would have worked from day till night, and from night till day, and from month till month throughout the year to have secured for Violet Effingham the assurance that her husband’s position was worthy of her own.