Chapter XXVI · Chapter 26

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

From this reading PARADISE COTTAGE AGAIN When the train came slowly into the station and clanked to rest with a long, tired sigh of steam, Ishmael's first search was for Killigrew's red beard and pale face.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading Instead of the swelling curves which had been wont to encompass women, so that they seemed to float upon proud waves, skirts had become a species of swaddling clothes caught back below the knees, whence a series of frills clung tightly about the feet.

anew

From this reading PARADISE COTTAGE AGAIN When the train came slowly into the station and clanked to rest with a long, tired sigh of steam, Ishmael's first search was for Killigrew's red beard and pale face.

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

From this reading PARADISE COTTAGE AGAIN When the train came slowly into the station and clanked to rest with a long, tired sigh of steam, Ishmael's first search was for Killigrew's red beard and pale face.

the process whereby a person concentrates on some features of the environment to the (relative) exclusion of others

From this reading While his gaze roved up and down the line of carriages a couple of women, one of whom seemed to know him, swam into his range of vision and distracted his attention.

in or to or toward a former location

From this reading Instead of the swelling curves which had been wont to encompass women, so that they seemed to float upon proud waves, skirts had become a species of swaddling clothes caught back below the knees, whence a series of frills clung tightly about the feet.

pertaining to or constituting a base or basis

From this reading Fashion had undergone in those years one of its rare basic changes.

the hair growing on the lower part of a man's face

From this reading PARADISE COTTAGE AGAIN When the train came slowly into the station and clanked to rest with a long, tired sigh of steam, Ishmael's first search was for Killigrew's red beard and pale face.

enter or assume a certain state or condition

From this reading Instead of the swelling curves which had been wont to encompass women, so that they seemed to float upon proud waves, skirts had become a species of swaddling clothes caught back below the knees, whence a series of frills clung tightly about the feet.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Instead of the swelling curves which had been wont to encompass women, so that they seemed to float upon proud waves, skirts had become a species of swaddling clothes caught back below the knees, whence a series of frills clung tightly about the feet.

at or to a lower level than something

From this reading Instead of the swelling curves which had been wont to encompass women, so that they seemed to float upon proud waves, skirts had become a species of swaddling clothes caught back below the knees, whence a series of frills clung tightly about the feet.

confusion resulting from failure to understand

From this reading It was nearly ten years since he had seen Judith Parminter, and he stared for a moment in bewilderment.

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

From this reading PARADISE COTTAGE AGAIN When the train came slowly into the station and clanked to rest with a long, tired sigh of steam, Ishmael's first search was for Killigrew's red beard and pale face.

plural of “carriage” — a railcar where passengers ride

From this reading While his gaze roved up and down the line of carriages a couple of women, one of whom seemed to know him, swam into his range of vision and distracted his attention.

inflected form of “catch” — discover or come upon accidentally, suddenly, or unexpectedly; catch somebody doing something or in a certain state

From this reading Instead of the swelling curves which had been wont to encompass women, so that they seemed to float upon proud waves, skirts had become a species of swaddling clothes caught back below the knees, whence a series of frills clung tightly about the feet.

plural of “change” — an event that occurs when something passes from one state or phase to another

From this reading Fashion had undergone in those years one of its rare basic changes.

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

From this reading PARADISE COTTAGE AGAIN When the train came slowly into the station and clanked to rest with a long, tired sigh of steam, Ishmael's first search was for Killigrew's red beard and pale face.

clothing in general

From this reading Instead of the swelling curves which had been wont to encompass women, so that they seemed to float upon proud waves, skirts had become a species of swaddling clothes caught back below the knees, whence a series of frills clung tightly about the feet.

inflected form of “cling” — come or be in close contact with; stick or hold together and resist separation

From this reading Instead of the swelling curves which had been wont to encompass women, so that they seemed to float upon proud waves, skirts had become a species of swaddling clothes caught back below the knees, whence a series of frills clung tightly about the feet.

a small house with a single story

From this reading PARADISE COTTAGE AGAIN When the train came slowly into the station and clanked to rest with a long, tired sigh of steam, Ishmael's first search was for Killigrew's red beard and pale face.

a pair who associate with one another

From this reading While his gaze roved up and down the line of carriages a couple of women, one of whom seemed to know him, swam into his range of vision and distracted his attention.

plural of “curve” — the trace of a point whose direction of motion changes

From this reading Instead of the swelling curves which had been wont to encompass women, so that they seemed to float upon proud waves, skirts had become a species of swaddling clothes caught back below the knees, whence a series of frills clung tightly about the feet.

having the attention diverted especially because of anxiety

From this reading While his gaze roved up and down the line of carriages a couple of women, one of whom seemed to know him, swam into his range of vision and distracted his attention.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading While his gaze roved up and down the line of carriages a couple of women, one of whom seemed to know him, swam into his range of vision and distracted his attention.

include in scope; include as part of something broader; have as one's sphere or territory

From this reading Instead of the swelling curves which had been wont to encompass women, so that they seemed to float upon proud waves, skirts had become a species of swaddling clothes caught back below the knees, whence a series of frills clung tightly about the feet.

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

From this reading PARADISE COTTAGE AGAIN When the train came slowly into the station and clanked to rest with a long, tired sigh of steam, Ishmael's first search was for Killigrew's red beard and pale face.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading Fashion had undergone in those years one of its rare basic changes.

plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint

From this reading Instead of the swelling curves which had been wont to encompass women, so that they seemed to float upon proud waves, skirts had become a species of swaddling clothes caught back below the knees, whence a series of frills clung tightly about the feet.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading PARADISE COTTAGE AGAIN When the train came slowly into the station and clanked to rest with a long, tired sigh of steam, Ishmael's first search was for Killigrew's red beard and pale face.

be in motion due to some air or water current

From this reading Instead of the swelling curves which had been wont to encompass women, so that they seemed to float upon proud waves, skirts had become a species of swaddling clothes caught back below the knees, whence a series of frills clung tightly about the feet.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading PARADISE COTTAGE AGAIN When the train came slowly into the station and clanked to rest with a long, tired sigh of steam, Ishmael's first search was for Killigrew's red beard and pale face.

plural of “frill” — (paleontology) a bony plate that curves upward behind the skull of many ceratopsian dinosaurs

From this reading Instead of the swelling curves which had been wont to encompass women, so that they seemed to float upon proud waves, skirts had become a species of swaddling clothes caught back below the knees, whence a series of frills clung tightly about the feet.

a long fixed look

From this reading While his gaze roved up and down the line of carriages a couple of women, one of whom seemed to know him, swam into his range of vision and distracted his attention.

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

From this reading It was nearly ten years since he had seen Judith Parminter, and he stared for a moment in bewilderment.

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

From this reading It was nearly ten years since he had seen Judith Parminter, and he stared for a moment in bewilderment.

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

From this reading While his gaze roved up and down the line of carriages a couple of women, one of whom seemed to know him, swam into his range of vision and distracted his attention.

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

From this reading While his gaze roved up and down the line of carriages a couple of women, one of whom seemed to know him, swam into his range of vision and distracted his attention.

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

From this reading It was nearly ten years since he had seen Judith Parminter, and he stared for a moment in bewilderment.

in place of, or as an alternative to

From this reading Instead of the swelling curves which had been wont to encompass women, so that they seemed to float upon proud waves, skirts had become a species of swaddling clothes caught back below the knees, whence a series of frills clung tightly about the feet.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading PARADISE COTTAGE AGAIN When the train came slowly into the station and clanked to rest with a long, tired sigh of steam, Ishmael's first search was for Killigrew's red beard and pale face.

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

From this reading PARADISE COTTAGE AGAIN When the train came slowly into the station and clanked to rest with a long, tired sigh of steam, Ishmael's first search was for Killigrew's red beard and pale face.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was nearly ten years since he had seen Judith Parminter, and he stared for a moment in bewilderment.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading Fashion had undergone in those years one of its rare basic changes.

Jewish heroine in one of the books of the Apocrypha; she saved her people by decapitating the Assyrian general Holofernes

From this reading It was nearly ten years since he had seen Judith Parminter, and he stared for a moment in bewilderment.

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

From this reading PARADISE COTTAGE AGAIN When the train came slowly into the station and clanked to rest with a long, tired sigh of steam, Ishmael's first search was for Killigrew's red beard and pale face.

plural of “knee” — hinge joint in the human leg connecting the tibia and fibula with the femur and protected in front by the patella

From this reading Instead of the swelling curves which had been wont to encompass women, so that they seemed to float upon proud waves, skirts had become a species of swaddling clothes caught back below the knees, whence a series of frills clung tightly about the feet.

be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about

From this reading While his gaze roved up and down the line of carriages a couple of women, one of whom seemed to know him, swam into his range of vision and distracted his attention.

a formation of people or things one beside another

From this reading While his gaze roved up and down the line of carriages a couple of women, one of whom seemed to know him, swam into his range of vision and distracted his attention.

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 PARADISE COTTAGE AGAIN When the train came slowly into the station and clanked to rest with a long, tired sigh of steam, Ishmael's first search was for Killigrew's red beard and pale face.

a particular point in time

From this reading It was nearly ten years since he had seen Judith Parminter, and he stared for a moment in bewilderment.

(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but

From this reading It was nearly ten years since he had seen Judith Parminter, and he stared for a moment in bewilderment.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading PARADISE COTTAGE AGAIN When the train came slowly into the station and clanked to rest with a long, tired sigh of steam, Ishmael's first search was for Killigrew's red beard and pale face.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading While his gaze roved up and down the line of carriages a couple of women, one of whom seemed to know him, swam into his range of vision and distracted his attention.

very light colored; highly diluted with white

From this reading PARADISE COTTAGE AGAIN When the train came slowly into the station and clanked to rest with a long, tired sigh of steam, Ishmael's first search was for Killigrew's red beard and pale face.

any place of complete bliss and delight and peace

From this reading PARADISE COTTAGE AGAIN When the train came slowly into the station and clanked to rest with a long, tired sigh of steam, Ishmael's first search was for Killigrew's red beard and pale face.

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

From this reading It was nearly ten years since he had seen Judith Parminter, and he stared for a moment in bewilderment.

feeling self-respect or pleasure in something by which you measure your self-worth; or being a reason for pride

From this reading Instead of the swelling curves which had been wont to encompass women, so that they seemed to float upon proud waves, skirts had become a species of swaddling clothes caught back below the knees, whence a series of frills clung tightly about the feet.

an area in which something acts or operates or has power or control: "the range of a supersonic jet"

From this reading While his gaze roved up and down the line of carriages a couple of women, one of whom seemed to know him, swam into his range of vision and distracted his attention.

not widely known; especially valued for its uncommonness

From this reading Fashion had undergone in those years one of its rare basic changes.

red color or pigment; the chromatic color resembling the hue of blood

From this reading PARADISE COTTAGE AGAIN When the train came slowly into the station and clanked to rest with a long, tired sigh of steam, Ishmael's first search was for Killigrew's red beard and pale face.

not move; be in a resting position

From this reading PARADISE COTTAGE AGAIN When the train came slowly into the station and clanked to rest with a long, tired sigh of steam, Ishmael's first search was for Killigrew's red beard and pale face.

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

From this reading While his gaze roved up and down the line of carriages a couple of women, one of whom seemed to know him, swam into his range of vision and distracted his attention.

try to locate or discover, or try to establish the existence of

From this reading PARADISE COTTAGE AGAIN When the train came slowly into the station and clanked to rest with a long, tired sigh of steam, Ishmael's first search was for Killigrew's red beard and pale face.

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

From this reading While his gaze roved up and down the line of carriages a couple of women, one of whom seemed to know him, swam into his range of vision and distracted his attention.

inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading It was nearly ten years since he had seen Judith Parminter, and he stared for a moment in bewilderment.

similar things placed in order or happening one after another

From this reading Instead of the swelling curves which had been wont to encompass women, so that they seemed to float upon proud waves, skirts had become a species of swaddling clothes caught back below the knees, whence a series of frills clung tightly about the feet.

heave or utter a sigh; breathe deeply and heavily

From this reading PARADISE COTTAGE AGAIN When the train came slowly into the station and clanked to rest with a long, tired sigh of steam, Ishmael's first search was for Killigrew's red beard and pale face.

from a time in the past until now

From this reading It was nearly ten years since he had seen Judith Parminter, and he stared for a moment in bewilderment.

plural of “skirt” — cloth covering that forms the part of a garment below the waist

From this reading Instead of the swelling curves which had been wont to encompass women, so that they seemed to float upon proud waves, skirts had become a species of swaddling clothes caught back below the knees, whence a series of frills clung tightly about the feet.

without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)

From this reading PARADISE COTTAGE AGAIN When the train came slowly into the station and clanked to rest with a long, tired sigh of steam, Ishmael's first search was for Killigrew's red beard and pale face.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Instead of the swelling curves which had been wont to encompass women, so that they seemed to float upon proud waves, skirts had become a species of swaddling clothes caught back below the knees, whence a series of frills clung tightly about the feet.

(biology) taxonomic group whose members can interbreed

From this reading Instead of the swelling curves which had been wont to encompass women, so that they seemed to float upon proud waves, skirts had become a species of swaddling clothes caught back below the knees, whence a series of frills clung tightly about the feet.

past form of “stare” — look at with fixed eyes

From this reading It was nearly ten years since he had seen Judith Parminter, and he stared for a moment in bewilderment.

a facility equipped with special equipment and personnel for a particular purpose

From this reading PARADISE COTTAGE AGAIN When the train came slowly into the station and clanked to rest with a long, tired sigh of steam, Ishmael's first search was for Killigrew's red beard and pale face.

travel by means of steam power

From this reading PARADISE COTTAGE AGAIN When the train came slowly into the station and clanked to rest with a long, tired sigh of steam, Ishmael's first search was for Killigrew's red beard and pale face.

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

From this reading Instead of the swelling curves which had been wont to encompass women, so that they seemed to float upon proud waves, skirts had become a species of swaddling clothes caught back below the knees, whence a series of frills clung tightly about the feet.

inflected form of “swim” — travel through water

From this reading While his gaze roved up and down the line of carriages a couple of women, one of whom seemed to know him, swam into his range of vision and distracted his attention.

an abnormal protuberance or localized enlargement

From this reading Instead of the swelling curves which had been wont to encompass women, so that they seemed to float upon proud waves, skirts had become a species of swaddling clothes caught back below the knees, whence a series of frills clung tightly about the feet.

the cardinal number that is the sum of nine and one; the base of the decimal system

From this reading It was nearly ten years since he had seen Judith Parminter, and he stared for a moment in bewilderment.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Instead of the swelling curves which had been wont to encompass women, so that they seemed to float upon proud waves, skirts had become a species of swaddling clothes caught back below the knees, whence a series of frills clung tightly about the feet.

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

From this reading PARADISE COTTAGE AGAIN When the train came slowly into the station and clanked to rest with a long, tired sigh of steam, Ishmael's first search was for Killigrew's red beard and pale face.

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

From this reading Instead of the swelling curves which had been wont to encompass women, so that they seemed to float upon proud waves, skirts had become a species of swaddling clothes caught back below the knees, whence a series of frills clung tightly about the feet.

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

From this reading Fashion had undergone in those years one of its rare basic changes.

in a tight or constricted manner

From this reading Instead of the swelling curves which had been wont to encompass women, so that they seemed to float upon proud waves, skirts had become a species of swaddling clothes caught back below the knees, whence a series of frills clung tightly about the feet.

depleted of strength or energy

From this reading PARADISE COTTAGE AGAIN When the train came slowly into the station and clanked to rest with a long, tired sigh of steam, Ishmael's first search was for Killigrew's red beard and pale face.

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

From this reading PARADISE COTTAGE AGAIN When the train came slowly into the station and clanked to rest with a long, tired sigh of steam, Ishmael's first search was for Killigrew's red beard and pale face.

create by training and teaching

From this reading PARADISE COTTAGE AGAIN When the train came slowly into the station and clanked to rest with a long, tired sigh of steam, Ishmael's first search was for Killigrew's red beard and pale face.

inflected form of “undergo” — pass through

From this reading Fashion had undergone in those years one of its rare basic changes.

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading While his gaze roved up and down the line of carriages a couple of women, one of whom seemed to know him, swam into his range of vision and distracted his attention.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading Instead of the swelling curves which had been wont to encompass women, so that they seemed to float upon proud waves, skirts had become a species of swaddling clothes caught back below the knees, whence a series of frills clung tightly about the feet.

a vivid mental image

From this reading While his gaze roved up and down the line of carriages a couple of women, one of whom seemed to know him, swam into his range of vision and distracted his attention.

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

From this reading PARADISE COTTAGE AGAIN When the train came slowly into the station and clanked to rest with a long, tired sigh of steam, Ishmael's first search was for Killigrew's red beard and pale face.

plural of “wave” — one of a series of ridges that moves across the surface of a liquid (especially across a large body of water)

From this reading Instead of the swelling curves which had been wont to encompass women, so that they seemed to float upon proud waves, skirts had become a species of swaddling clothes caught back below the knees, whence a series of frills clung tightly about the feet.

at the time that

From this reading PARADISE COTTAGE AGAIN When the train came slowly into the station and clanked to rest with a long, tired sigh of steam, Ishmael's first search was for Killigrew's red beard and pale face.

an old word meaning “from where”

From this reading Instead of the swelling curves which had been wont to encompass women, so that they seemed to float upon proud waves, skirts had become a species of swaddling clothes caught back below the knees, whence a series of frills clung tightly about the feet.

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

From this reading Instead of the swelling curves which had been wont to encompass women, so that they seemed to float upon proud waves, skirts had become a species of swaddling clothes caught back below the knees, whence a series of frills clung tightly about the feet.

during the time that

From this reading While his gaze roved up and down the line of carriages a couple of women, one of whom seemed to know him, swam into his range of vision and distracted his attention.

the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading While his gaze roved up and down the line of carriages a couple of women, one of whom seemed to know him, swam into his range of vision and distracted his attention.

in the company of; together with

From this reading PARADISE COTTAGE AGAIN When the train came slowly into the station and clanked to rest with a long, tired sigh of steam, Ishmael's first search was for Killigrew's red beard and pale face.

plural of “woman” — an adult female person (as opposed to a man)

From this reading While his gaze roved up and down the line of carriages a couple of women, one of whom seemed to know him, swam into his range of vision and distracted his attention.

an established custom

From this reading Instead of the swelling curves which had been wont to encompass women, so that they seemed to float upon proud waves, skirts had become a species of swaddling clothes caught back below the knees, whence a series of frills clung tightly about the feet.

a late time of life

From this reading It was nearly ten years since he had seen Judith Parminter, and he stared for a moment in bewilderment.