Chapter XII

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

From this reading The man who stood with such an air of ease in the dock of the North-West London Police Court bore himself with a certain insolent dignity.

abundant wealth

From this reading Though he wore no collar or tie, and his clothes and patent-leather shoes were daubed with last night’s mud, the clothes were new and well cut; the diamond ring which he wore, and which now sparkled offensively in the early morning light, hinted most certainly at an affluence which might be temporary or permanent.

a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of

From this reading The man who stood with such an air of ease in the dock of the North-West London Police Court bore himself with a certain insolent dignity.

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

From this reading The man who stood with such an air of ease in the dock of the North-West London Police Court bore himself with a certain insolent dignity.

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

From this reading If, from time to time, his long white fingers thrust through the mass of goldy-brown hair that was brushed back from his high and narrow forehead, the gesture revealed neither nervousness nor embarrassment.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Though he wore no collar or tie, and his clothes and patent-leather shoes were daubed with last night’s mud, the clothes were new and well cut; the diamond ring which he wore, and which now sparkled offensively in the early morning light, hinted most certainly at an affluence which might be temporary or permanent.

in or to or toward a former location

From this reading If, from time to time, his long white fingers thrust through the mass of goldy-brown hair that was brushed back from his high and narrow forehead, the gesture revealed neither nervousness nor embarrassment.

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

From this reading Though he wore no collar or tie, and his clothes and patent-leather shoes were daubed with last night’s mud, the clothes were new and well cut; the diamond ring which he wore, and which now sparkled offensively in the early morning light, hinted most certainly at an affluence which might be temporary or permanent.

having hair on the cheeks and chin

From this reading There was a smile which was half contemptuous, half-amused, on his bearded face.

cause to be bored

From this reading The man who stood with such an air of ease in the dock of the North-West London Police Court bore himself with a certain insolent dignity.

touched lightly in passing; grazed against

From this reading If, from time to time, his long white fingers thrust through the mass of goldy-brown hair that was brushed back from his high and narrow forehead, the gesture revealed neither nervousness nor embarrassment.

definite but not specified or identified

From this reading The man who stood with such an air of ease in the dock of the North-West London Police Court bore himself with a certain insolent dignity.

definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)

From this reading Though he wore no collar or tie, and his clothes and patent-leather shoes were daubed with last night’s mud, the clothes were new and well cut; the diamond ring which he wore, and which now sparkled offensively in the early morning light, hinted most certainly at an affluence which might be temporary or permanent.

clothing in general

From this reading Though he wore no collar or tie, and his clothes and patent-leather shoes were daubed with last night’s mud, the clothes were new and well cut; the diamond ring which he wore, and which now sparkled offensively in the early morning light, hinted most certainly at an affluence which might be temporary or permanent.

a band that fits around the neck and is usually folded over

From this reading Though he wore no collar or tie, and his clothes and patent-leather shoes were daubed with last night’s mud, the clothes were new and well cut; the diamond ring which he wore, and which now sparkled offensively in the early morning light, hinted most certainly at an affluence which might be temporary or permanent.

expressing extreme contempt

From this reading There was a smile which was half contemptuous, half-amused, on his bearded face.

an assembly (including one or more judges) to conduct judicial business

From this reading The man who stood with such an air of ease in the dock of the North-West London Police Court bore himself with a certain insolent dignity.

separate with or as if with an instrument

From this reading Though he wore no collar or tie, and his clothes and patent-leather shoes were daubed with last night’s mud, the clothes were new and well cut; the diamond ring which he wore, and which now sparkled offensively in the early morning light, hinted most certainly at an affluence which might be temporary or permanent.

past form of “daub” — coat with plaster

From this reading Though he wore no collar or tie, and his clothes and patent-leather shoes were daubed with last night’s mud, the clothes were new and well cut; the diamond ring which he wore, and which now sparkled offensively in the early morning light, hinted most certainly at an affluence which might be temporary or permanent.

a transparent piece of diamond that has been cut and polished and is valued as a precious gem

From this reading Though he wore no collar or tie, and his clothes and patent-leather shoes were daubed with last night’s mud, the clothes were new and well cut; the diamond ring which he wore, and which now sparkled offensively in the early morning light, hinted most certainly at an affluence which might be temporary or permanent.

the quality of being worthy of esteem or respect

From this reading The man who stood with such an air of ease in the dock of the North-West London Police Court bore himself with a certain insolent dignity.

an enclosure in a court of law where the defendant sits during the trial

From this reading The man who stood with such an air of ease in the dock of the North-West London Police Court bore himself with a certain insolent dignity.

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

From this reading Though he wore no collar or tie, and his clothes and patent-leather shoes were daubed with last night’s mud, the clothes were new and well cut; the diamond ring which he wore, and which now sparkled offensively in the early morning light, hinted most certainly at an affluence which might be temporary or permanent.

move gently or carefully

From this reading The man who stood with such an air of ease in the dock of the North-West London Police Court bore himself with a certain insolent dignity.

the shame you feel when your inadequacy or guilt is made public

From this reading If, from time to time, his long white fingers thrust through the mass of goldy-brown hair that was brushed back from his high and narrow forehead, the gesture revealed neither nervousness nor embarrassment.

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

From this reading There was a smile which was half contemptuous, half-amused, on his bearded face.

plural of “finger” — any of the terminal members of the hand (sometimes excepting the thumb)

From this reading If, from time to time, his long white fingers thrust through the mass of goldy-brown hair that was brushed back from his high and narrow forehead, the gesture revealed neither nervousness nor embarrassment.

the part of the face above the eyes

From this reading If, from time to time, his long white fingers thrust through the mass of goldy-brown hair that was brushed back from his high and narrow forehead, the gesture revealed neither nervousness nor embarrassment.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading If, from time to time, his long white fingers thrust through the mass of goldy-brown hair that was brushed back from his high and narrow forehead, the gesture revealed neither nervousness nor embarrassment.

motion of hands or body to emphasize or help to express a thought or feeling

From this reading If, from time to time, his long white fingers thrust through the mass of goldy-brown hair that was brushed back from his high and narrow forehead, the gesture revealed neither nervousness nor embarrassment.

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

From this reading If, from time to time, his long white fingers thrust through the mass of goldy-brown hair that was brushed back from his high and narrow forehead, the gesture revealed neither nervousness nor embarrassment.

an established custom

From this reading Rather was this a trick of habit.

a covering for the body (or parts of it) consisting of a dense growth of threadlike structures (as on the human head); helps to prevent heat loss

From this reading If, from time to time, his long white fingers thrust through the mass of goldy-brown hair that was brushed back from his high and narrow forehead, the gesture revealed neither nervousness nor embarrassment.

consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity

From this reading There was a smile which was half contemptuous, half-amused, on his bearded face.

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

From this reading There was a smile which was half contemptuous, half-amused, on his bearded face.

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

From this reading Though he wore no collar or tie, and his clothes and patent-leather shoes were daubed with last night’s mud, the clothes were new and well cut; the diamond ring which he wore, and which now sparkled offensively in the early morning light, hinted most certainly at an affluence which might be temporary or permanent.

greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading If, from time to time, his long white fingers thrust through the mass of goldy-brown hair that was brushed back from his high and narrow forehead, the gesture revealed neither nervousness nor embarrassment.

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

From this reading The man who stood with such an air of ease in the dock of the North-West London Police Court bore himself with a certain insolent dignity.

past form of “hint” — drop a hint; intimate by a hint

From this reading Though he wore no collar or tie, and his clothes and patent-leather shoes were daubed with last night’s mud, the clothes were new and well cut; the diamond ring which he wore, and which now sparkled offensively in the early morning light, hinted most certainly at an affluence which might be temporary or permanent.

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

From this reading There was a smile which was half contemptuous, half-amused, on his bearded face.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading If, from time to time, his long white fingers thrust through the mass of goldy-brown hair that was brushed back from his high and narrow forehead, the gesture revealed neither nervousness nor embarrassment.

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

From this reading The man who stood with such an air of ease in the dock of the North-West London Police Court bore himself with a certain insolent dignity.

marked by casual disrespect

From this reading The man who stood with such an air of ease in the dock of the North-West London Police Court bore himself with a certain insolent dignity.

immediately past

From this reading Though he wore no collar or tie, and his clothes and patent-leather shoes were daubed with last night’s mud, the clothes were new and well cut; the diamond ring which he wore, and which now sparkled offensively in the early morning light, hinted most certainly at an affluence which might be temporary or permanent.

of comparatively little physical weight or density

From this reading Though he wore no collar or tie, and his clothes and patent-leather shoes were daubed with last night’s mud, the clothes were new and well cut; the diamond ring which he wore, and which now sparkled offensively in the early morning light, hinted most certainly at an affluence which might be temporary or permanent.

the capital and largest city of England; located on the Thames in southeastern England; financial and industrial and cultural center

From this reading The man who stood with such an air of ease in the dock of the North-West London Police Court bore himself with a certain insolent dignity.

primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified

From this reading If, from time to time, his long white fingers thrust through the mass of goldy-brown hair that was brushed back from his high and narrow forehead, the gesture revealed neither nervousness nor embarrassment.

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

From this reading The man who stood with such an air of ease in the dock of the North-West London Police Court bore himself with a certain insolent dignity.

the property of a body that causes it to have weight in a gravitational field

From this reading If, from time to time, his long white fingers thrust through the mass of goldy-brown hair that was brushed back from his high and narrow forehead, the gesture revealed neither nervousness nor embarrassment.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading Though he wore no collar or tie, and his clothes and patent-leather shoes were daubed with last night’s mud, the clothes were new and well cut; the diamond ring which he wore, and which now sparkled offensively in the early morning light, hinted most certainly at an affluence which might be temporary or permanent.

the time period between dawn and noon

From this reading Though he wore no collar or tie, and his clothes and patent-leather shoes were daubed with last night’s mud, the clothes were new and well cut; the diamond ring which he wore, and which now sparkled offensively in the early morning light, hinted most certainly at an affluence which might be temporary or permanent.

used to form the superlative

From this reading Though he wore no collar or tie, and his clothes and patent-leather shoes were daubed with last night’s mud, the clothes were new and well cut; the diamond ring which he wore, and which now sparkled offensively in the early morning light, hinted most certainly at an affluence which might be temporary or permanent.

water soaked soil; soft wet earth

From this reading Though he wore no collar or tie, and his clothes and patent-leather shoes were daubed with last night’s mud, the clothes were new and well cut; the diamond ring which he wore, and which now sparkled offensively in the early morning light, hinted most certainly at an affluence which might be temporary or permanent.

make or become more narrow or restricted

From this reading If, from time to time, his long white fingers thrust through the mass of goldy-brown hair that was brushed back from his high and narrow forehead, the gesture revealed neither nervousness nor embarrassment.

not one and not the other of two

From this reading If, from time to time, his long white fingers thrust through the mass of goldy-brown hair that was brushed back from his high and narrow forehead, the gesture revealed neither nervousness nor embarrassment.

the anxious feeling you have when you have the jitters

From this reading If, from time to time, his long white fingers thrust through the mass of goldy-brown hair that was brushed back from his high and narrow forehead, the gesture revealed neither nervousness nor embarrassment.

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

From this reading Though he wore no collar or tie, and his clothes and patent-leather shoes were daubed with last night’s mud, the clothes were new and well cut; the diamond ring which he wore, and which now sparkled offensively in the early morning light, hinted most certainly at an affluence which might be temporary or permanent.

possessive form of “night” — the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside

From this reading Though he wore no collar or tie, and his clothes and patent-leather shoes were daubed with last night’s mud, the clothes were new and well cut; the diamond ring which he wore, and which now sparkled offensively in the early morning light, hinted most certainly at an affluence which might be temporary or permanent.

not any; not one

From this reading Though he wore no collar or tie, and his clothes and patent-leather shoes were daubed with last night’s mud, the clothes were new and well cut; the diamond ring which he wore, and which now sparkled offensively in the early morning light, hinted most certainly at an affluence which might be temporary or permanent.

and not; used after a negative to add a second negative

From this reading If, from time to time, his long white fingers thrust through the mass of goldy-brown hair that was brushed back from his high and narrow forehead, the gesture revealed neither nervousness nor embarrassment.

to, toward, or in the northwest

From this reading The man who stood with such an air of ease in the dock of the North-West London Police Court bore himself with a certain insolent dignity.

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

From this reading Though he wore no collar or tie, and his clothes and patent-leather shoes were daubed with last night’s mud, the clothes were new and well cut; the diamond ring which he wore, and which now sparkled offensively in the early morning light, hinted most certainly at an affluence which might be temporary or permanent.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The man who stood with such an air of ease in the dock of the North-West London Police Court bore himself with a certain insolent dignity.

in an unpleasantly offensive manner

From this reading Though he wore no collar or tie, and his clothes and patent-leather shoes were daubed with last night’s mud, the clothes were new and well cut; the diamond ring which he wore, and which now sparkled offensively in the early morning light, hinted most certainly at an affluence which might be temporary or permanent.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading There was a smile which was half contemptuous, half-amused, on his bearded face.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Though he wore no collar or tie, and his clothes and patent-leather shoes were daubed with last night’s mud, the clothes were new and well cut; the diamond ring which he wore, and which now sparkled offensively in the early morning light, hinted most certainly at an affluence which might be temporary or permanent.

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

From this reading Though he wore no collar or tie, and his clothes and patent-leather shoes were daubed with last night’s mud, the clothes were new and well cut; the diamond ring which he wore, and which now sparkled offensively in the early morning light, hinted most certainly at an affluence which might be temporary or permanent.

continuing or enduring without marked change in status or condition or place

From this reading Though he wore no collar or tie, and his clothes and patent-leather shoes were daubed with last night’s mud, the clothes were new and well cut; the diamond ring which he wore, and which now sparkled offensively in the early morning light, hinted most certainly at an affluence which might be temporary or permanent.

the force of policemen and officers

From this reading The man who stood with such an air of ease in the dock of the North-West London Police Court bore himself with a certain insolent dignity.

on the contrary

From this reading Rather was this a trick of habit.

past form of “reveal” — make visible

From this reading If, from time to time, his long white fingers thrust through the mass of goldy-brown hair that was brushed back from his high and narrow forehead, the gesture revealed neither nervousness nor embarrassment.

sound loudly and sonorously

From this reading Though he wore no collar or tie, and his clothes and patent-leather shoes were daubed with last night’s mud, the clothes were new and well cut; the diamond ring which he wore, and which now sparkled offensively in the early morning light, hinted most certainly at an affluence which might be temporary or permanent.

a particular situation

From this reading Though he wore no collar or tie, and his clothes and patent-leather shoes were daubed with last night’s mud, the clothes were new and well cut; the diamond ring which he wore, and which now sparkled offensively in the early morning light, hinted most certainly at an affluence which might be temporary or permanent.

change one's facial expression by spreading the lips, often to signal pleasure

From this reading There was a smile which was half contemptuous, half-amused, on his bearded face.

past form of “sparkle” — reflect brightly

From this reading Though he wore no collar or tie, and his clothes and patent-leather shoes were daubed with last night’s mud, the clothes were new and well cut; the diamond ring which he wore, and which now sparkled offensively in the early morning light, hinted most certainly at an affluence which might be temporary or permanent.

Maintained an upright posture.

From this reading The man who stood with such an air of ease in the dock of the North-West London Police Court bore himself with a certain insolent dignity.

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading The man who stood with such an air of ease in the dock of the North-West London Police Court bore himself with a certain insolent dignity.

not permanent; not lasting

From this reading Though he wore no collar or tie, and his clothes and patent-leather shoes were daubed with last night’s mud, the clothes were new and well cut; the diamond ring which he wore, and which now sparkled offensively in the early morning light, hinted most certainly at an affluence which might be temporary or permanent.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading If, from time to time, his long white fingers thrust through the mass of goldy-brown hair that was brushed back from his high and narrow forehead, the gesture revealed neither nervousness nor embarrassment.

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

From this reading The man who stood with such an air of ease in the dock of the North-West London Police Court bore himself with a certain insolent dignity.

in or at that place or location

From this reading There was a smile which was half contemptuous, half-amused, on his bearded face.

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

From this reading Rather was this a trick of habit.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading Though he wore no collar or tie, and his clothes and patent-leather shoes were daubed with last night’s mud, the clothes were new and well cut; the diamond ring which he wore, and which now sparkled offensively in the early morning light, hinted most certainly at an affluence which might be temporary or permanent.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading If, from time to time, his long white fingers thrust through the mass of goldy-brown hair that was brushed back from his high and narrow forehead, the gesture revealed neither nervousness nor embarrassment.

push forcefully

From this reading If, from time to time, his long white fingers thrust through the mass of goldy-brown hair that was brushed back from his high and narrow forehead, the gesture revealed neither nervousness nor embarrassment.

neckwear consisting of a long narrow piece of material worn (mostly by men) under a collar and tied in knot at the front

From this reading Though he wore no collar or tie, and his clothes and patent-leather shoes were daubed with last night’s mud, the clothes were new and well cut; the diamond ring which he wore, and which now sparkled offensively in the early morning light, hinted most certainly at an affluence which might be temporary or permanent.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading If, from time to time, his long white fingers thrust through the mass of goldy-brown hair that was brushed back from his high and narrow forehead, the gesture revealed neither nervousness nor embarrassment.

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

From this reading If, from time to time, his long white fingers thrust through the mass of goldy-brown hair that was brushed back from his high and narrow forehead, the gesture revealed neither nervousness nor embarrassment.

a cunning or deceitful action or device

From this reading Rather was this a trick of habit.

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

From this reading There was a smile which was half contemptuous, half-amused, on his bearded face.

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

From this reading Though he wore no collar or tie, and his clothes and patent-leather shoes were daubed with last night’s mud, the clothes were new and well cut; the diamond ring which he wore, and which now sparkled offensively in the early morning light, hinted most certainly at an affluence which might be temporary or permanent.

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

From this reading Though he wore no collar or tie, and his clothes and patent-leather shoes were daubed with last night’s mud, the clothes were new and well cut; the diamond ring which he wore, and which now sparkled offensively in the early morning light, hinted most certainly at an affluence which might be temporary or permanent.

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

From this reading There was a smile which was half contemptuous, half-amused, on his bearded face.

a Caucasian

From this reading If, from time to time, his long white fingers thrust through the mass of goldy-brown hair that was brushed back from his high and narrow forehead, the gesture revealed neither nervousness nor embarrassment.

which person or people

From this reading The man who stood with such an air of ease in the dock of the North-West London Police Court bore himself with a certain insolent dignity.

in the company of; together with

From this reading The man who stood with such an air of ease in the dock of the North-West London Police Court bore himself with a certain insolent dignity.

inflected form of “wear” — be dressed in

From this reading Though he wore no collar or tie, and his clothes and patent-leather shoes were daubed with last night’s mud, the clothes were new and well cut; the diamond ring which he wore, and which now sparkled offensively in the early morning light, hinted most certainly at an affluence which might be temporary or permanent.