Chapter VII · Chapter 7

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

From this reading There was probably no power on the face of the earth which could have driven Henry Devereux to the operation of a picture theatre, strictly as a business venture; but when he once got it into his head that the Orpheum wasn't so much a business as a sporting proposition, he couldn't have been stopped by anything short of an injunction.

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

From this reading There was probably no power on the face of the earth which could have driven Henry Devereux to the operation of a picture theatre, strictly as a business venture; but when he once got it into his head that the Orpheum wasn't so much a business as a sporting proposition, he couldn't have been stopped by anything short of an injunction.

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

From this reading Immediately, his attitude was normal, and from the moment that he resolved to take possession of his property, and operate it, he was indifferent to the public estimate of him.

any thing at all

From this reading There was probably no power on the face of the earth which could have driven Henry Devereux to the operation of a picture theatre, strictly as a business venture; but when he once got it into his head that the Orpheum wasn't so much a business as a sporting proposition, he couldn't have been stopped by anything short of an injunction.

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

From this reading There was probably no power on the face of the earth which could have driven Henry Devereux to the operation of a picture theatre, strictly as a business venture; but when he once got it into his head that the Orpheum wasn't so much a business as a sporting proposition, he couldn't have been stopped by anything short of an injunction.

a complex mental state involving beliefs and feelings and values and dispositions to act in certain ways

From this reading Immediately, his attitude was normal, and from the moment that he resolved to take possession of his property, and operate it, he was indifferent to the public estimate of him.

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

From this reading To be sure, they laughed, but in their laughter there was no trace of the ridicule he had feared.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading There was probably no power on the face of the earth which could have driven Henry Devereux to the operation of a picture theatre, strictly as a business venture; but when he once got it into his head that the Orpheum wasn't so much a business as a sporting proposition, he couldn't have been stopped by anything short of an injunction.

any of several games played on rectangular cloth-covered table (with cushioned edges) in which long tapering cue sticks are used to propel ivory (or composition) balls

From this reading The thing was a game, a game with a great stake, and set rules, and Henry took it as he once had taken his golf and his billiards and his polo--joyously, resiliently, determinedly, and without the slightest self-consciousness, and with never an eye for the gallery.

a commercial or industrial enterprise and the people who constitute it

From this reading There was probably no power on the face of the earth which could have driven Henry Devereux to the operation of a picture theatre, strictly as a business venture; but when he once got it into his head that the Orpheum wasn't so much a business as a sporting proposition, he couldn't have been stopped by anything short of an injunction.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading There was probably no power on the face of the earth which could have driven Henry Devereux to the operation of a picture theatre, strictly as a business venture; but when he once got it into his head that the Orpheum wasn't so much a business as a sporting proposition, he couldn't have been stopped by anything short of an injunction.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading There was probably no power on the face of the earth which could have driven Henry Devereux to the operation of a picture theatre, strictly as a business venture; but when he once got it into his head that the Orpheum wasn't so much a business as a sporting proposition, he couldn't have been stopped by anything short of an injunction.

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

From this reading There was probably no power on the face of the earth which could have driven Henry Devereux to the operation of a picture theatre, strictly as a business venture; but when he once got it into his head that the Orpheum wasn't so much a business as a sporting proposition, he couldn't have been stopped by anything short of an injunction.

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

From this reading There was probably no power on the face of the earth which could have driven Henry Devereux to the operation of a picture theatre, strictly as a business venture; but when he once got it into his head that the Orpheum wasn't so much a business as a sporting proposition, he couldn't have been stopped by anything short of an injunction.

with determination; in a determined manner

From this reading The thing was a game, a game with a great stake, and set rules, and Henry took it as he once had taken his golf and his billiards and his polo--joyously, resiliently, determinedly, and without the slightest self-consciousness, and with never an eye for the gallery.

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

From this reading There was probably no power on the face of the earth which could have driven Henry Devereux to the operation of a picture theatre, strictly as a business venture; but when he once got it into his head that the Orpheum wasn't so much a business as a sporting proposition, he couldn't have been stopped by anything short of an injunction.

compelled forcibly by an outside agency

From this reading There was probably no power on the face of the earth which could have driven Henry Devereux to the operation of a picture theatre, strictly as a business venture; but when he once got it into his head that the Orpheum wasn't so much a business as a sporting proposition, he couldn't have been stopped by anything short of an injunction.

the 3rd planet from the sun; the planet we live on

From this reading There was probably no power on the face of the earth which could have driven Henry Devereux to the operation of a picture theatre, strictly as a business venture; but when he once got it into his head that the Orpheum wasn't so much a business as a sporting proposition, he couldn't have been stopped by anything short of an injunction.

an approximate calculation of quantity or degree or worth

From this reading Immediately, his attitude was normal, and from the moment that he resolved to take possession of his property, and operate it, he was indifferent to the public estimate of him.

the organ of sight

From this reading The thing was a game, a game with a great stake, and set rules, and Henry took it as he once had taken his golf and his billiards and his polo--joyously, resiliently, determinedly, and without the slightest self-consciousness, and with never an eye for the gallery.

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

From this reading There was probably no power on the face of the earth which could have driven Henry Devereux to the operation of a picture theatre, strictly as a business venture; but when he once got it into his head that the Orpheum wasn't so much a business as a sporting proposition, he couldn't have been stopped by anything short of an injunction.

past form of “fear” — be afraid or feel anxious or apprehensive about a possible or probable situation or event

From this reading To be sure, they laughed, but in their laughter there was no trace of the ridicule he had feared.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading The thing was a game, a game with a great stake, and set rules, and Henry took it as he once had taken his golf and his billiards and his polo--joyously, resiliently, determinedly, and without the slightest self-consciousness, and with never an eye for the gallery.

plural of “friend” — a person you know well and regard with affection and trust

From this reading He was inspirited, moreover, by the attitude of his friends.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Immediately, his attitude was normal, and from the moment that he resolved to take possession of his property, and operate it, he was indifferent to the public estimate of him.

spectators at a golf or tennis match

From this reading The thing was a game, a game with a great stake, and set rules, and Henry took it as he once had taken his golf and his billiards and his polo--joyously, resiliently, determinedly, and without the slightest self-consciousness, and with never an eye for the gallery.

a contest with rules to determine a winner

From this reading The thing was a game, a game with a great stake, and set rules, and Henry took it as he once had taken his golf and his billiards and his polo--joyously, resiliently, determinedly, and without the slightest self-consciousness, and with never an eye for the gallery.

a game played on a large open course with 9 or 18 holes; the object is use as few strokes as possible in playing all the holes

From this reading The thing was a game, a game with a great stake, and set rules, and Henry took it as he once had taken his golf and his billiards and his polo--joyously, resiliently, determinedly, and without the slightest self-consciousness, and with never an eye for the gallery.

inflected form of “get” — come into the possession of something concrete or abstract

From this reading There was probably no power on the face of the earth which could have driven Henry Devereux to the operation of a picture theatre, strictly as a business venture; but when he once got it into his head that the Orpheum wasn't so much a business as a sporting proposition, he couldn't have been stopped by anything short of an injunction.

relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind

From this reading The thing was a game, a game with a great stake, and set rules, and Henry took it as he once had taken his golf and his billiards and his polo--joyously, resiliently, determinedly, and without the slightest self-consciousness, and with never an eye for the gallery.

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

From this reading The thing was a game, a game with a great stake, and set rules, and Henry took it as he once had taken his golf and his billiards and his polo--joyously, resiliently, determinedly, and without the slightest self-consciousness, and with never an eye for the gallery.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading There was probably no power on the face of the earth which could have driven Henry Devereux to the operation of a picture theatre, strictly as a business venture; but when he once got it into his head that the Orpheum wasn't so much a business as a sporting proposition, he couldn't have been stopped by anything short of an injunction.

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

From this reading There was probably no power on the face of the earth which could have driven Henry Devereux to the operation of a picture theatre, strictly as a business venture; but when he once got it into his head that the Orpheum wasn't so much a business as a sporting proposition, he couldn't have been stopped by anything short of an injunction.

the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains

From this reading There was probably no power on the face of the earth which could have driven Henry Devereux to the operation of a picture theatre, strictly as a business venture; but when he once got it into his head that the Orpheum wasn't so much a business as a sporting proposition, he couldn't have been stopped by anything short of an injunction.

a unit of inductance in which an induced electromotive force of one volt is produced when the current is varied at the rate of one ampere per second

From this reading There was probably no power on the face of the earth which could have driven Henry Devereux to the operation of a picture theatre, strictly as a business venture; but when he once got it into his head that the Orpheum wasn't so much a business as a sporting proposition, he couldn't have been stopped by anything short of an injunction.

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

From this reading Immediately, his attitude was normal, and from the moment that he resolved to take possession of his property, and operate it, he was indifferent to the public estimate of him.

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

From this reading There was probably no power on the face of the earth which could have driven Henry Devereux to the operation of a picture theatre, strictly as a business venture; but when he once got it into his head that the Orpheum wasn't so much a business as a sporting proposition, he couldn't have been stopped by anything short of an injunction.

without delay or hesitation; with no time intervening

From this reading Immediately, his attitude was normal, and from the moment that he resolved to take possession of his property, and operate it, he was indifferent to the public estimate of him.

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

From this reading To be sure, they laughed, but in their laughter there was no trace of the ridicule he had feared.

marked by a lack of interest

From this reading Immediately, his attitude was normal, and from the moment that he resolved to take possession of his property, and operate it, he was indifferent to the public estimate of him.

a formal command or admonition

From this reading There was probably no power on the face of the earth which could have driven Henry Devereux to the operation of a picture theatre, strictly as a business venture; but when he once got it into his head that the Orpheum wasn't so much a business as a sporting proposition, he couldn't have been stopped by anything short of an injunction.

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

From this reading He was inspirited, moreover, by the attitude of his friends.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading There was probably no power on the face of the earth which could have driven Henry Devereux to the operation of a picture theatre, strictly as a business venture; but when he once got it into his head that the Orpheum wasn't so much a business as a sporting proposition, he couldn't have been stopped by anything short of an injunction.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading There was probably no power on the face of the earth which could have driven Henry Devereux to the operation of a picture theatre, strictly as a business venture; but when he once got it into his head that the Orpheum wasn't so much a business as a sporting proposition, he couldn't have been stopped by anything short of an injunction.

in a joyous and gleeful manner

From this reading The thing was a game, a game with a great stake, and set rules, and Henry took it as he once had taken his golf and his billiards and his polo--joyously, resiliently, determinedly, and without the slightest self-consciousness, and with never an eye for the gallery.

past form of “laugh” — produce laughter

From this reading To be sure, they laughed, but in their laughter there was no trace of the ridicule he had feared.

the sound of laughing

From this reading To be sure, they laughed, but in their laughter there was no trace of the ridicule he had feared.

a particular point in time

From this reading Immediately, his attitude was normal, and from the moment that he resolved to take possession of his property, and operate it, he was indifferent to the public estimate of him.

in addition to what has just been said

From this reading He was inspirited, moreover, by the attitude of his friends.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading There was probably no power on the face of the earth which could have driven Henry Devereux to the operation of a picture theatre, strictly as a business venture; but when he once got it into his head that the Orpheum wasn't so much a business as a sporting proposition, he couldn't have been stopped by anything short of an injunction.

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading The thing was a game, a game with a great stake, and set rules, and Henry took it as he once had taken his golf and his billiards and his polo--joyously, resiliently, determinedly, and without the slightest self-consciousness, and with never an eye for the gallery.

not any; not one

From this reading There was probably no power on the face of the earth which could have driven Henry Devereux to the operation of a picture theatre, strictly as a business venture; but when he once got it into his head that the Orpheum wasn't so much a business as a sporting proposition, he couldn't have been stopped by anything short of an injunction.

conforming with or constituting a norm or standard or level or type or social norm; not abnormal

From this reading Immediately, his attitude was normal, and from the moment that he resolved to take possession of his property, and operate it, he was indifferent to the public estimate of him.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading There was probably no power on the face of the earth which could have driven Henry Devereux to the operation of a picture theatre, strictly as a business venture; but when he once got it into his head that the Orpheum wasn't so much a business as a sporting proposition, he couldn't have been stopped by anything short of an injunction.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading There was probably no power on the face of the earth which could have driven Henry Devereux to the operation of a picture theatre, strictly as a business venture; but when he once got it into his head that the Orpheum wasn't so much a business as a sporting proposition, he couldn't have been stopped by anything short of an injunction.

on one occasion

From this reading There was probably no power on the face of the earth which could have driven Henry Devereux to the operation of a picture theatre, strictly as a business venture; but when he once got it into his head that the Orpheum wasn't so much a business as a sporting proposition, he couldn't have been stopped by anything short of an injunction.

direct or control; projects, businesses, etc.

From this reading Immediately, his attitude was normal, and from the moment that he resolved to take possession of his property, and operate it, he was indifferent to the public estimate of him.

the state of being in effect or being operative

From this reading There was probably no power on the face of the earth which could have driven Henry Devereux to the operation of a picture theatre, strictly as a business venture; but when he once got it into his head that the Orpheum wasn't so much a business as a sporting proposition, he couldn't have been stopped by anything short of an injunction.

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

From this reading There was probably no power on the face of the earth which could have driven Henry Devereux to the operation of a picture theatre, strictly as a business venture; but when he once got it into his head that the Orpheum wasn't so much a business as a sporting proposition, he couldn't have been stopped by anything short of an injunction.

a visual representation (of an object or scene or person or abstraction) produced on a surface

From this reading There was probably no power on the face of the earth which could have driven Henry Devereux to the operation of a picture theatre, strictly as a business venture; but when he once got it into his head that the Orpheum wasn't so much a business as a sporting proposition, he couldn't have been stopped by anything short of an injunction.

Venetian traveler who explored Asia in the 13th century and served Kublai Khan (1254-1324)

From this reading The thing was a game, a game with a great stake, and set rules, and Henry took it as he once had taken his golf and his billiards and his polo--joyously, resiliently, determinedly, and without the slightest self-consciousness, and with never an eye for the gallery.

the act of having and controlling property

From this reading Immediately, his attitude was normal, and from the moment that he resolved to take possession of his property, and operate it, he was indifferent to the public estimate of him.

possession of controlling influence

From this reading There was probably no power on the face of the earth which could have driven Henry Devereux to the operation of a picture theatre, strictly as a business venture; but when he once got it into his head that the Orpheum wasn't so much a business as a sporting proposition, he couldn't have been stopped by anything short of an injunction.

with considerable certainty; without much doubt

From this reading There was probably no power on the face of the earth which could have driven Henry Devereux to the operation of a picture theatre, strictly as a business venture; but when he once got it into his head that the Orpheum wasn't so much a business as a sporting proposition, he couldn't have been stopped by anything short of an injunction.

something owned; any tangible or intangible possession that is owned by someone

From this reading Immediately, his attitude was normal, and from the moment that he resolved to take possession of his property, and operate it, he was indifferent to the public estimate of him.

(logic) a statement that affirms or denies something and is either true or false

From this reading There was probably no power on the face of the earth which could have driven Henry Devereux to the operation of a picture theatre, strictly as a business venture; but when he once got it into his head that the Orpheum wasn't so much a business as a sporting proposition, he couldn't have been stopped by anything short of an injunction.

people in general considered as a whole

From this reading Immediately, his attitude was normal, and from the moment that he resolved to take possession of his property, and operate it, he was indifferent to the public estimate of him.

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

From this reading The thing was a game, a game with a great stake, and set rules, and Henry took it as he once had taken his golf and his billiards and his polo--joyously, resiliently, determinedly, and without the slightest self-consciousness, and with never an eye for the gallery.

determined

From this reading Immediately, his attitude was normal, and from the moment that he resolved to take possession of his property, and operate it, he was indifferent to the public estimate of him.

language or behavior intended to mock or humiliate

From this reading To be sure, they laughed, but in their laughter there was no trace of the ridicule he had feared.

plural of “rule” — a principle or condition that customarily governs behavior

From this reading The thing was a game, a game with a great stake, and set rules, and Henry took it as he once had taken his golf and his billiards and his polo--joyously, resiliently, determinedly, and without the slightest self-consciousness, and with never an eye for the gallery.

embarrassment deriving from the feeling that others are critically aware of you

From this reading The thing was a game, a game with a great stake, and set rules, and Henry took it as he once had taken his golf and his billiards and his polo--joyously, resiliently, determinedly, and without the slightest self-consciousness, and with never an eye for the gallery.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading The thing was a game, a game with a great stake, and set rules, and Henry took it as he once had taken his golf and his billiards and his polo--joyously, resiliently, determinedly, and without the slightest self-consciousness, and with never an eye for the gallery.

primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration

From this reading There was probably no power on the face of the earth which could have driven Henry Devereux to the operation of a picture theatre, strictly as a business venture; but when he once got it into his head that the Orpheum wasn't so much a business as a sporting proposition, he couldn't have been stopped by anything short of an injunction.

superlative of “slight” — (quantifier used with mass nouns) small in quantity or degree; not much or almost none or (with “a”) at least some

From this reading The thing was a game, a game with a great stake, and set rules, and Henry took it as he once had taken his golf and his billiards and his polo--joyously, resiliently, determinedly, and without the slightest self-consciousness, and with never an eye for the gallery.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading There was probably no power on the face of the earth which could have driven Henry Devereux to the operation of a picture theatre, strictly as a business venture; but when he once got it into his head that the Orpheum wasn't so much a business as a sporting proposition, he couldn't have been stopped by anything short of an injunction.

exhibiting or calling for sportsmanship or fair play

From this reading There was probably no power on the face of the earth which could have driven Henry Devereux to the operation of a picture theatre, strictly as a business venture; but when he once got it into his head that the Orpheum wasn't so much a business as a sporting proposition, he couldn't have been stopped by anything short of an injunction.

(law) a right or legal share of something; a financial involvement with something

From this reading The thing was a game, a game with a great stake, and set rules, and Henry took it as he once had taken his golf and his billiards and his polo--joyously, resiliently, determinedly, and without the slightest self-consciousness, and with never an eye for the gallery.

(of a nose) blocked

From this reading There was probably no power on the face of the earth which could have driven Henry Devereux to the operation of a picture theatre, strictly as a business venture; but when he once got it into his head that the Orpheum wasn't so much a business as a sporting proposition, he couldn't have been stopped by anything short of an injunction.

restricted to something

From this reading There was probably no power on the face of the earth which could have driven Henry Devereux to the operation of a picture theatre, strictly as a business venture; but when he once got it into his head that the Orpheum wasn't so much a business as a sporting proposition, he couldn't have been stopped by anything short of an injunction.

having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured

From this reading To be sure, they laughed, but in their laughter there was no trace of the ridicule he had feared.

carry out

From this reading Immediately, his attitude was normal, and from the moment that he resolved to take possession of his property, and operate it, he was indifferent to the public estimate of him.

understood in a certain way; made sense of

From this reading The thing was a game, a game with a great stake, and set rules, and Henry took it as he once had taken his golf and his billiards and his polo--joyously, resiliently, determinedly, and without the slightest self-consciousness, and with never an eye for the gallery.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading There was probably no power on the face of the earth which could have driven Henry Devereux to the operation of a picture theatre, strictly as a business venture; but when he once got it into his head that the Orpheum wasn't so much a business as a sporting proposition, he couldn't have been stopped by anything short of an injunction.

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

From this reading There was probably no power on the face of the earth which could have driven Henry Devereux to the operation of a picture theatre, strictly as a business venture; but when he once got it into his head that the Orpheum wasn't so much a business as a sporting proposition, he couldn't have been stopped by anything short of an injunction.

a building where theatrical performances or motion-picture shows can be presented

From this reading There was probably no power on the face of the earth which could have driven Henry Devereux to the operation of a picture theatre, strictly as a business venture; but when he once got it into his head that the Orpheum wasn't so much a business as a sporting proposition, he couldn't have been stopped by anything short of an injunction.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading To be sure, they laughed, but in their laughter there was no trace of the ridicule he had feared.

in or at that place or location

From this reading There was probably no power on the face of the earth which could have driven Henry Devereux to the operation of a picture theatre, strictly as a business venture; but when he once got it into his head that the Orpheum wasn't so much a business as a sporting proposition, he couldn't have been stopped by anything short of an injunction.

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading To be sure, they laughed, but in their laughter there was no trace of the ridicule he had feared.

a special situation

From this reading The thing was a game, a game with a great stake, and set rules, and Henry took it as he once had taken his golf and his billiards and his polo--joyously, resiliently, determinedly, and without the slightest self-consciousness, and with never an eye for the gallery.

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

From this reading There was probably no power on the face of the earth which could have driven Henry Devereux to the operation of a picture theatre, strictly as a business venture; but when he once got it into his head that the Orpheum wasn't so much a business as a sporting proposition, he couldn't have been stopped by anything short of an injunction.

inflected form of “take” — carry out

From this reading The thing was a game, a game with a great stake, and set rules, and Henry took it as he once had taken his golf and his billiards and his polo--joyously, resiliently, determinedly, and without the slightest self-consciousness, and with never an eye for the gallery.

a just detectable amount

From this reading To be sure, they laughed, but in their laughter there was no trace of the ridicule he had feared.

any venturesome undertaking especially one with an uncertain outcome

From this reading There was probably no power on the face of the earth which could have driven Henry Devereux to the operation of a picture theatre, strictly as a business venture; but when he once got it into his head that the Orpheum wasn't so much a business as a sporting proposition, he couldn't have been stopped by anything short of an injunction.

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

From this reading There was probably no power on the face of the earth which could have driven Henry Devereux to the operation of a picture theatre, strictly as a business venture; but when he once got it into his head that the Orpheum wasn't so much a business as a sporting proposition, he couldn't have been stopped by anything short of an injunction.

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

From this reading There was probably no power on the face of the earth which could have driven Henry Devereux to the operation of a picture theatre, strictly as a business venture; but when he once got it into his head that the Orpheum wasn't so much a business as a sporting proposition, he couldn't have been stopped by anything short of an injunction.

at the time that

From this reading There was probably no power on the face of the earth which could have driven Henry Devereux to the operation of a picture theatre, strictly as a business venture; but when he once got it into his head that the Orpheum wasn't so much a business as a sporting proposition, he couldn't have been stopped by anything short of an injunction.

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

From this reading There was probably no power on the face of the earth which could have driven Henry Devereux to the operation of a picture theatre, strictly as a business venture; but when he once got it into his head that the Orpheum wasn't so much a business as a sporting proposition, he couldn't have been stopped by anything short of an injunction.

in the company of; together with

From this reading The thing was a game, a game with a great stake, and set rules, and Henry took it as he once had taken his golf and his billiards and his polo--joyously, resiliently, determinedly, and without the slightest self-consciousness, and with never an eye for the gallery.

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading The thing was a game, a game with a great stake, and set rules, and Henry took it as he once had taken his golf and his billiards and his polo--joyously, resiliently, determinedly, and without the slightest self-consciousness, and with never an eye for the gallery.