Chapter XXI

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

From this reading THE CHINESE GENTLEMAN I could not repress an unconscious, involuntary start on hearing this remarkable declaration; it seemed to open, as widely as suddenly, an entirely new field of vision; it was as if some hand had abruptly torn aside a veil and shown me something that I had never dreamed of.

quickly and without warning

From this reading THE CHINESE GENTLEMAN I could not repress an unconscious, involuntary start on hearing this remarkable declaration; it seemed to open, as widely as suddenly, an entirely new field of vision; it was as if some hand had abruptly torn aside a veil and shown me something that I had never dreamed of.

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

From this reading THE CHINESE GENTLEMAN I could not repress an unconscious, involuntary start on hearing this remarkable declaration; it seemed to open, as widely as suddenly, an entirely new field of vision; it was as if some hand had abruptly torn aside a veil and shown me something that I had never dreamed of.

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

From this reading THE CHINESE GENTLEMAN I could not repress an unconscious, involuntary start on hearing this remarkable declaration; it seemed to open, as widely as suddenly, an entirely new field of vision; it was as if some hand had abruptly torn aside a veil and shown me something that I had never dreamed of.

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

From this reading THE CHINESE GENTLEMAN I could not repress an unconscious, involuntary start on hearing this remarkable declaration; it seemed to open, as widely as suddenly, an entirely new field of vision; it was as if some hand had abruptly torn aside a veil and shown me something that I had never dreamed of.

on or to one side

From this reading THE CHINESE GENTLEMAN I could not repress an unconscious, involuntary start on hearing this remarkable declaration; it seemed to open, as widely as suddenly, an entirely new field of vision; it was as if some hand had abruptly torn aside a veil and shown me something that I had never dreamed of.

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

From this reading And Baxter laughed, significantly.

the two together, not just one

From this reading "If what you say is true--I mean, if one of those two men had such valuables on him, then there's a reason for the murder of both that none of us knew of.

any of the Sino-Tibetan languages spoken in China; regarded as dialects of a single language (even though they are mutually unintelligible) because they share an ideographic writing system

From this reading THE CHINESE GENTLEMAN I could not repress an unconscious, involuntary start on hearing this remarkable declaration; it seemed to open, as widely as suddenly, an entirely new field of vision; it was as if some hand had abruptly torn aside a veil and shown me something that I had never dreamed of.

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading THE CHINESE GENTLEMAN I could not repress an unconscious, involuntary start on hearing this remarkable declaration; it seemed to open, as widely as suddenly, an entirely new field of vision; it was as if some hand had abruptly torn aside a veil and shown me something that I had never dreamed of.

a statement that is emphatic and explicit (spoken or written)

From this reading THE CHINESE GENTLEMAN I could not repress an unconscious, involuntary start on hearing this remarkable declaration; it seemed to open, as widely as suddenly, an entirely new field of vision; it was as if some hand had abruptly torn aside a veil and shown me something that I had never dreamed of.

conceived of or imagined or hoped for

From this reading THE CHINESE GENTLEMAN I could not repress an unconscious, involuntary start on hearing this remarkable declaration; it seemed to open, as widely as suddenly, an entirely new field of vision; it was as if some hand had abruptly torn aside a veil and shown me something that I had never dreamed of.

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

From this reading THE CHINESE GENTLEMAN I could not repress an unconscious, involuntary start on hearing this remarkable declaration; it seemed to open, as widely as suddenly, an entirely new field of vision; it was as if some hand had abruptly torn aside a veil and shown me something that I had never dreamed of.

a piece of land cleared of trees and usually enclosed

From this reading THE CHINESE GENTLEMAN I could not repress an unconscious, involuntary start on hearing this remarkable declaration; it seemed to open, as widely as suddenly, an entirely new field of vision; it was as if some hand had abruptly torn aside a veil and shown me something that I had never dreamed of.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading "If what you say is true--I mean, if one of those two men had such valuables on him, then there's a reason for the murder of both that none of us knew of.

in a forcible manner

From this reading "Very forcibly, indeed!" said I.

a man of refinement

From this reading THE CHINESE GENTLEMAN I could not repress an unconscious, involuntary start on hearing this remarkable declaration; it seemed to open, as widely as suddenly, an entirely new field of vision; it was as if some hand had abruptly torn aside a veil and shown me something that I had never dreamed of.

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

From this reading THE CHINESE GENTLEMAN I could not repress an unconscious, involuntary start on hearing this remarkable declaration; it seemed to open, as widely as suddenly, an entirely new field of vision; it was as if some hand had abruptly torn aside a veil and shown me something that I had never dreamed of.

the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb

From this reading THE CHINESE GENTLEMAN I could not repress an unconscious, involuntary start on hearing this remarkable declaration; it seemed to open, as widely as suddenly, an entirely new field of vision; it was as if some hand had abruptly torn aside a veil and shown me something that I had never dreamed of.

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

From this reading "That strikes you, Middlebrook?" he said.

(law) a proceeding (usually by a court) where evidence is taken for the purpose of determining an issue of fact and reaching a decision based on that evidence

From this reading THE CHINESE GENTLEMAN I could not repress an unconscious, involuntary start on hearing this remarkable declaration; it seemed to open, as widely as suddenly, an entirely new field of vision; it was as if some hand had abruptly torn aside a veil and shown me something that I had never dreamed of.

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

From this reading "If what you say is true--I mean, if one of those two men had such valuables on him, then there's a reason for the murder of both that none of us knew of.

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

From this reading THE CHINESE GENTLEMAN I could not repress an unconscious, involuntary start on hearing this remarkable declaration; it seemed to open, as widely as suddenly, an entirely new field of vision; it was as if some hand had abruptly torn aside a veil and shown me something that I had never dreamed of.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading THE CHINESE GENTLEMAN I could not repress an unconscious, involuntary start on hearing this remarkable declaration; it seemed to open, as widely as suddenly, an entirely new field of vision; it was as if some hand had abruptly torn aside a veil and shown me something that I had never dreamed of.

in truth (often tends to intensify)

From this reading "Very forcibly, indeed!" said I.

not subject to the control of the will

From this reading THE CHINESE GENTLEMAN I could not repress an unconscious, involuntary start on hearing this remarkable declaration; it seemed to open, as widely as suddenly, an entirely new field of vision; it was as if some hand had abruptly torn aside a veil and shown me something that I had never dreamed of.

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

From this reading "If what you say is true--I mean, if one of those two men had such valuables on him, then there's a reason for the murder of both that none of us knew of.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading THE CHINESE GENTLEMAN I could not repress an unconscious, involuntary start on hearing this remarkable declaration; it seemed to open, as widely as suddenly, an entirely new field of vision; it was as if some hand had abruptly torn aside a veil and shown me something that I had never dreamed of.

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 "If what you say is true--I mean, if one of those two men had such valuables on him, then there's a reason for the murder of both that none of us knew of.

past form of “laugh” — produce laughter

From this reading And Baxter laughed, significantly.

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

From this reading THE CHINESE GENTLEMAN I could not repress an unconscious, involuntary start on hearing this remarkable declaration; it seemed to open, as widely as suddenly, an entirely new field of vision; it was as if some hand had abruptly torn aside a veil and shown me something that I had never dreamed of.

mean or intend to express or convey

From this reading "If what you say is true--I mean, if one of those two men had such valuables on him, then there's a reason for the murder of both that none of us knew of.

the force of workers available

From this reading "If what you say is true--I mean, if one of those two men had such valuables on him, then there's a reason for the murder of both that none of us knew of.

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

From this reading "That strikes you, Middlebrook?" he said.

kill intentionally and with premeditation

From this reading "If what you say is true--I mean, if one of those two men had such valuables on him, then there's a reason for the murder of both that none of us knew of.

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading THE CHINESE GENTLEMAN I could not repress an unconscious, involuntary start on hearing this remarkable declaration; it seemed to open, as widely as suddenly, an entirely new field of vision; it was as if some hand had abruptly torn aside a veil and shown me something that I had never dreamed of.

not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered

From this reading THE CHINESE GENTLEMAN I could not repress an unconscious, involuntary start on hearing this remarkable declaration; it seemed to open, as widely as suddenly, an entirely new field of vision; it was as if some hand had abruptly torn aside a veil and shown me something that I had never dreamed of.

not one, and not any

From this reading "If what you say is true--I mean, if one of those two men had such valuables on him, then there's a reason for the murder of both that none of us knew of.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading THE CHINESE GENTLEMAN I could not repress an unconscious, involuntary start on hearing this remarkable declaration; it seemed to open, as widely as suddenly, an entirely new field of vision; it was as if some hand had abruptly torn aside a veil and shown me something that I had never dreamed of.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading THE CHINESE GENTLEMAN I could not repress an unconscious, involuntary start on hearing this remarkable declaration; it seemed to open, as widely as suddenly, an entirely new field of vision; it was as if some hand had abruptly torn aside a veil and shown me something that I had never dreamed of.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading THE CHINESE GENTLEMAN I could not repress an unconscious, involuntary start on hearing this remarkable declaration; it seemed to open, as widely as suddenly, an entirely new field of vision; it was as if some hand had abruptly torn aside a veil and shown me something that I had never dreamed of.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading "If what you say is true--I mean, if one of those two men had such valuables on him, then there's a reason for the murder of both that none of us knew of.

To move from a closed position.

From this reading THE CHINESE GENTLEMAN I could not repress an unconscious, involuntary start on hearing this remarkable declaration; it seemed to open, as widely as suddenly, an entirely new field of vision; it was as if some hand had abruptly torn aside a veil and shown me something that I had never dreamed of.

a rational motive for a belief or action

From this reading "If what you say is true--I mean, if one of those two men had such valuables on him, then there's a reason for the murder of both that none of us knew of.

unusual or striking

From this reading THE CHINESE GENTLEMAN I could not repress an unconscious, involuntary start on hearing this remarkable declaration; it seemed to open, as widely as suddenly, an entirely new field of vision; it was as if some hand had abruptly torn aside a veil and shown me something that I had never dreamed of.

put down by force or intimidation

From this reading THE CHINESE GENTLEMAN I could not repress an unconscious, involuntary start on hearing this remarkable declaration; it seemed to open, as widely as suddenly, an entirely new field of vision; it was as if some hand had abruptly torn aside a veil and shown me something that I had never dreamed of.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading "That strikes you, Middlebrook?" he said.

express in words

From this reading "If what you say is true--I mean, if one of those two men had such valuables on him, then there's a reason for the murder of both that none of us knew of.

past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading THE CHINESE GENTLEMAN I could not repress an unconscious, involuntary start on hearing this remarkable declaration; it seemed to open, as widely as suddenly, an entirely new field of vision; it was as if some hand had abruptly torn aside a veil and shown me something that I had never dreamed of.

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

From this reading THE CHINESE GENTLEMAN I could not repress an unconscious, involuntary start on hearing this remarkable declaration; it seemed to open, as widely as suddenly, an entirely new field of vision; it was as if some hand had abruptly torn aside a veil and shown me something that I had never dreamed of.

in a statistically significant way

From this reading And Baxter laughed, significantly.

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading THE CHINESE GENTLEMAN I could not repress an unconscious, involuntary start on hearing this remarkable declaration; it seemed to open, as widely as suddenly, an entirely new field of vision; it was as if some hand had abruptly torn aside a veil and shown me something that I had never dreamed of.

a thing, without saying which

From this reading THE CHINESE GENTLEMAN I could not repress an unconscious, involuntary start on hearing this remarkable declaration; it seemed to open, as widely as suddenly, an entirely new field of vision; it was as if some hand had abruptly torn aside a veil and shown me something that I had never dreamed of.

take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

From this reading THE CHINESE GENTLEMAN I could not repress an unconscious, involuntary start on hearing this remarkable declaration; it seemed to open, as widely as suddenly, an entirely new field of vision; it was as if some hand had abruptly torn aside a veil and shown me something that I had never dreamed of.

plural of “strike” — a group's refusal to work in protest against low pay or bad work conditions

From this reading "That strikes you, Middlebrook?" he said.

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading "If what you say is true--I mean, if one of those two men had such valuables on him, then there's a reason for the murder of both that none of us knew of.

happening unexpectedly

From this reading THE CHINESE GENTLEMAN I could not repress an unconscious, involuntary start on hearing this remarkable declaration; it seemed to open, as widely as suddenly, an entirely new field of vision; it was as if some hand had abruptly torn aside a veil and shown me something that I had never dreamed of.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading THE CHINESE GENTLEMAN I could not repress an unconscious, involuntary start on hearing this remarkable declaration; it seemed to open, as widely as suddenly, an entirely new field of vision; it was as if some hand had abruptly torn aside a veil and shown me something that I had never dreamed of.

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

From this reading THE CHINESE GENTLEMAN I could not repress an unconscious, involuntary start on hearing this remarkable declaration; it seemed to open, as widely as suddenly, an entirely new field of vision; it was as if some hand had abruptly torn aside a veil and shown me something that I had never dreamed of.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading "If what you say is true--I mean, if one of those two men had such valuables on him, then there's a reason for the murder of both that none of us knew of.

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

From this reading "If what you say is true--I mean, if one of those two men had such valuables on him, then there's a reason for the murder of both that none of us knew of.

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

From this reading THE CHINESE GENTLEMAN I could not repress an unconscious, involuntary start on hearing this remarkable declaration; it seemed to open, as widely as suddenly, an entirely new field of vision; it was as if some hand had abruptly torn aside a veil and shown me something that I had never dreamed of.

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading "If what you say is true--I mean, if one of those two men had such valuables on him, then there's a reason for the murder of both that none of us knew of.

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

From this reading THE CHINESE GENTLEMAN I could not repress an unconscious, involuntary start on hearing this remarkable declaration; it seemed to open, as widely as suddenly, an entirely new field of vision; it was as if some hand had abruptly torn aside a veil and shown me something that I had never dreamed of.

having edges that are jagged from injury

From this reading THE CHINESE GENTLEMAN I could not repress an unconscious, involuntary start on hearing this remarkable declaration; it seemed to open, as widely as suddenly, an entirely new field of vision; it was as if some hand had abruptly torn aside a veil and shown me something that I had never dreamed of.

consistent with fact or reality; not false

From this reading "If what you say is true--I mean, if one of those two men had such valuables on him, then there's a reason for the murder of both that none of us knew of.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number

From this reading "If what you say is true--I mean, if one of those two men had such valuables on him, then there's a reason for the murder of both that none of us knew of.

not conscious; lacking awareness and the capacity for sensory perception as if asleep or dead

From this reading THE CHINESE GENTLEMAN I could not repress an unconscious, involuntary start on hearing this remarkable declaration; it seemed to open, as widely as suddenly, an entirely new field of vision; it was as if some hand had abruptly torn aside a veil and shown me something that I had never dreamed of.

the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading "If what you say is true--I mean, if one of those two men had such valuables on him, then there's a reason for the murder of both that none of us knew of.

plural of “valuable” — something of value

From this reading "If what you say is true--I mean, if one of those two men had such valuables on him, then there's a reason for the murder of both that none of us knew of.

a garment that covers the head and face

From this reading THE CHINESE GENTLEMAN I could not repress an unconscious, involuntary start on hearing this remarkable declaration; it seemed to open, as widely as suddenly, an entirely new field of vision; it was as if some hand had abruptly torn aside a veil and shown me something that I had never dreamed of.

precisely as stated

From this reading "Very forcibly, indeed!" said I.

a vivid mental image

From this reading THE CHINESE GENTLEMAN I could not repress an unconscious, involuntary start on hearing this remarkable declaration; it seemed to open, as widely as suddenly, an entirely new field of vision; it was as if some hand had abruptly torn aside a veil and shown me something that I had never dreamed of.

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

From this reading THE CHINESE GENTLEMAN I could not repress an unconscious, involuntary start on hearing this remarkable declaration; it seemed to open, as widely as suddenly, an entirely new field of vision; it was as if some hand had abruptly torn aside a veil and shown me something that I had never dreamed of.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading "If what you say is true--I mean, if one of those two men had such valuables on him, then there's a reason for the murder of both that none of us knew of.

to a great degree

From this reading THE CHINESE GENTLEMAN I could not repress an unconscious, involuntary start on hearing this remarkable declaration; it seemed to open, as widely as suddenly, an entirely new field of vision; it was as if some hand had abruptly torn aside a veil and shown me something that I had never dreamed of.

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading "That strikes you, Middlebrook?" he said.