Chapter XVII · An Upward Leap

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

From this reading WHAT man of achievement cannot recall some one short period of his life which seems to transcend in significance and value all the rest of his career--when great things for which he had only unconsciously waited came to him without the asking; when the high court of events rendered its sudden, unexpected verdict of success, without costs to him who had never made a plea; when the very stars in their courses seemed to have privily conspired to fight for him?

generally approved or compelling recognition

From this reading How easily, too, he sloughed off his own conviction that it was all pure luck, and accepted the world’s kind judgment of deserved success!

the action of accomplishing something

From this reading WHAT man of achievement cannot recall some one short period of his life which seems to transcend in significance and value all the rest of his career--when great things for which he had only unconsciously waited came to him without the asking; when the high court of events rendered its sudden, unexpected verdict of success, without costs to him who had never made a plea; when the very stars in their courses seemed to have privily conspired to fight for him?

changed in order to improve or made more fit for a particular purpose

From this reading And when the first flush of astonishment--half delight, half diffidence--had passed, how natural it all seemed; how mind and manners and methods all expanded to meet the new requirements; how calmly and as a matter of course the dignity was worn, the increment appropriated, the mental retina adapted to the widened focus!

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

From this reading WHAT man of achievement cannot recall some one short period of his life which seems to transcend in significance and value all the rest of his career--when great things for which he had only unconsciously waited came to him without the asking; when the high court of events rendered its sudden, unexpected verdict of success, without costs to him who had never made a plea; when the very stars in their courses seemed to have privily conspired to fight for him?

surprising greatly

From this reading How swift, inexplicable, even amazing it all was!

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

From this reading WHAT man of achievement cannot recall some one short period of his life which seems to transcend in significance and value all the rest of his career--when great things for which he had only unconsciously waited came to him without the asking; when the high court of events rendered its sudden, unexpected verdict of success, without costs to him who had never made a plea; when the very stars in their courses seemed to have privily conspired to fight for him?

past form of “appropriate” — give or assign a resource to a particular person or cause

From this reading And when the first flush of astonishment--half delight, half diffidence--had passed, how natural it all seemed; how mind and manners and methods all expanded to meet the new requirements; how calmly and as a matter of course the dignity was worn, the increment appropriated, the mental retina adapted to the widened focus!

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

From this reading And when the first flush of astonishment--half delight, half diffidence--had passed, how natural it all seemed; how mind and manners and methods all expanded to meet the new requirements; how calmly and as a matter of course the dignity was worn, the increment appropriated, the mental retina adapted to the widened focus!

the verbal act of requesting

From this reading WHAT man of achievement cannot recall some one short period of his life which seems to transcend in significance and value all the rest of his career--when great things for which he had only unconsciously waited came to him without the asking; when the high court of events rendered its sudden, unexpected verdict of success, without costs to him who had never made a plea; when the very stars in their courses seemed to have privily conspired to fight for him?

the feeling that accompanies something extremely surprising

From this reading And when the first flush of astonishment--half delight, half diffidence--had passed, how natural it all seemed; how mind and manners and methods all expanded to meet the new requirements; how calmly and as a matter of course the dignity was worn, the increment appropriated, the mental retina adapted to the widened focus!

with self-possession (especially in times of stress)

From this reading And when the first flush of astonishment--half delight, half diffidence--had passed, how natural it all seemed; how mind and manners and methods all expanded to meet the new requirements; how calmly and as a matter of course the dignity was worn, the increment appropriated, the mental retina adapted to the widened focus!

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

From this reading WHAT man of achievement cannot recall some one short period of his life which seems to transcend in significance and value all the rest of his career--when great things for which he had only unconsciously waited came to him without the asking; when the high court of events rendered its sudden, unexpected verdict of success, without costs to him who had never made a plea; when the very stars in their courses seemed to have privily conspired to fight for him?

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

From this reading WHAT man of achievement cannot recall some one short period of his life which seems to transcend in significance and value all the rest of his career--when great things for which he had only unconsciously waited came to him without the asking; when the high court of events rendered its sudden, unexpected verdict of success, without costs to him who had never made a plea; when the very stars in their courses seemed to have privily conspired to fight for him?

the particular occupation for which you are trained

From this reading WHAT man of achievement cannot recall some one short period of his life which seems to transcend in significance and value all the rest of his career--when great things for which he had only unconsciously waited came to him without the asking; when the high court of events rendered its sudden, unexpected verdict of success, without costs to him who had never made a plea; when the very stars in their courses seemed to have privily conspired to fight for him?

past form of “conspire” — engage in plotting or enter into a conspiracy, swear together

From this reading WHAT man of achievement cannot recall some one short period of his life which seems to transcend in significance and value all the rest of his career--when great things for which he had only unconsciously waited came to him without the asking; when the high court of events rendered its sudden, unexpected verdict of success, without costs to him who had never made a plea; when the very stars in their courses seemed to have privily conspired to fight for him?

an unshakable belief in something without need for proof or evidence

From this reading How easily, too, he sloughed off his own conviction that it was all pure luck, and accepted the world’s kind judgment of deserved success!

pecuniary reimbursement to the winning party for the expenses of litigation

From this reading WHAT man of achievement cannot recall some one short period of his life which seems to transcend in significance and value all the rest of his career--when great things for which he had only unconsciously waited came to him without the asking; when the high court of events rendered its sudden, unexpected verdict of success, without costs to him who had never made a plea; when the very stars in their courses seemed to have privily conspired to fight for him?

education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings

From this reading And when the first flush of astonishment--half delight, half diffidence--had passed, how natural it all seemed; how mind and manners and methods all expanded to meet the new requirements; how calmly and as a matter of course the dignity was worn, the increment appropriated, the mental retina adapted to the widened focus!

plural of “course” — education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings

From this reading WHAT man of achievement cannot recall some one short period of his life which seems to transcend in significance and value all the rest of his career--when great things for which he had only unconsciously waited came to him without the asking; when the high court of events rendered its sudden, unexpected verdict of success, without costs to him who had never made a plea; when the very stars in their courses seemed to have privily conspired to fight for him?

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

From this reading WHAT man of achievement cannot recall some one short period of his life which seems to transcend in significance and value all the rest of his career--when great things for which he had only unconsciously waited came to him without the asking; when the high court of events rendered its sudden, unexpected verdict of success, without costs to him who had never made a plea; when the very stars in their courses seemed to have privily conspired to fight for him?

give pleasure to or be pleasing to

From this reading And when the first flush of astonishment--half delight, half diffidence--had passed, how natural it all seemed; how mind and manners and methods all expanded to meet the new requirements; how calmly and as a matter of course the dignity was worn, the increment appropriated, the mental retina adapted to the widened focus!

properly deserved

From this reading How easily, too, he sloughed off his own conviction that it was all pure luck, and accepted the world’s kind judgment of deserved success!

lack of self-confidence

From this reading And when the first flush of astonishment--half delight, half diffidence--had passed, how natural it all seemed; how mind and manners and methods all expanded to meet the new requirements; how calmly and as a matter of course the dignity was worn, the increment appropriated, the mental retina adapted to the widened focus!

the quality of being worthy of esteem or respect

From this reading And when the first flush of astonishment--half delight, half diffidence--had passed, how natural it all seemed; how mind and manners and methods all expanded to meet the new requirements; how calmly and as a matter of course the dignity was worn, the increment appropriated, the mental retina adapted to the widened focus!

with ease (“easy” is sometimes used informally for “easily”)

From this reading How easily, too, he sloughed off his own conviction that it was all pure luck, and accepted the world’s kind judgment of deserved success!

divisible by two

From this reading How swift, inexplicable, even amazing it all was!

plural of “event” — something that happens at a given place and time

From this reading WHAT man of achievement cannot recall some one short period of his life which seems to transcend in significance and value all the rest of his career--when great things for which he had only unconsciously waited came to him without the asking; when the high court of events rendered its sudden, unexpected verdict of success, without costs to him who had never made a plea; when the very stars in their courses seemed to have privily conspired to fight for him?

increased in extent or size or bulk or scope

From this reading And when the first flush of astonishment--half delight, half diffidence--had passed, how natural it all seemed; how mind and manners and methods all expanded to meet the new requirements; how calmly and as a matter of course the dignity was worn, the increment appropriated, the mental retina adapted to the widened focus!

be engaged in a fight; carry on a fight

From this reading WHAT man of achievement cannot recall some one short period of his life which seems to transcend in significance and value all the rest of his career--when great things for which he had only unconsciously waited came to him without the asking; when the high court of events rendered its sudden, unexpected verdict of success, without costs to him who had never made a plea; when the very stars in their courses seemed to have privily conspired to fight for him?

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading And when the first flush of astonishment--half delight, half diffidence--had passed, how natural it all seemed; how mind and manners and methods all expanded to meet the new requirements; how calmly and as a matter of course the dignity was worn, the increment appropriated, the mental retina adapted to the widened focus!

the period of greatest prosperity or productivity

From this reading And when the first flush of astonishment--half delight, half diffidence--had passed, how natural it all seemed; how mind and manners and methods all expanded to meet the new requirements; how calmly and as a matter of course the dignity was worn, the increment appropriated, the mental retina adapted to the widened focus!

the concentration of attention or energy on something

From this reading And when the first flush of astonishment--half delight, half diffidence--had passed, how natural it all seemed; how mind and manners and methods all expanded to meet the new requirements; how calmly and as a matter of course the dignity was worn, the increment appropriated, the mental retina adapted to the widened focus!

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading WHAT man of achievement cannot recall some one short period of his life which seems to transcend in significance and value all the rest of his career--when great things for which he had only unconsciously waited came to him without the asking; when the high court of events rendered its sudden, unexpected verdict of success, without costs to him who had never made a plea; when the very stars in their courses seemed to have privily conspired to fight for him?

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

From this reading WHAT man of achievement cannot recall some one short period of his life which seems to transcend in significance and value all the rest of his career--when great things for which he had only unconsciously waited came to him without the asking; when the high court of events rendered its sudden, unexpected verdict of success, without costs to him who had never made a plea; when the very stars in their courses seemed to have privily conspired to fight for him?

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

From this reading WHAT man of achievement cannot recall some one short period of his life which seems to transcend in significance and value all the rest of his career--when great things for which he had only unconsciously waited came to him without the asking; when the high court of events rendered its sudden, unexpected verdict of success, without costs to him who had never made a plea; when the very stars in their courses seemed to have privily conspired to fight for him?

consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity

From this reading And when the first flush of astonishment--half delight, half diffidence--had passed, how natural it all seemed; how mind and manners and methods all expanded to meet the new requirements; how calmly and as a matter of course the dignity was worn, the increment appropriated, the mental retina adapted to the widened focus!

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading WHAT man of achievement cannot recall some one short period of his life which seems to transcend in significance and value all the rest of his career--when great things for which he had only unconsciously waited came to him without the asking; when the high court of events rendered its sudden, unexpected verdict of success, without costs to him who had never made a plea; when the very stars in their courses seemed to have privily conspired to fight for him?

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

From this reading WHAT man of achievement cannot recall some one short period of his life which seems to transcend in significance and value all the rest of his career--when great things for which he had only unconsciously waited came to him without the asking; when the high court of events rendered its sudden, unexpected verdict of success, without costs to him who had never made a plea; when the very stars in their courses seemed to have privily conspired to fight for him?

greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading WHAT man of achievement cannot recall some one short period of his life which seems to transcend in significance and value all the rest of his career--when great things for which he had only unconsciously waited came to him without the asking; when the high court of events rendered its sudden, unexpected verdict of success, without costs to him who had never made a plea; when the very stars in their courses seemed to have privily conspired to fight for him?

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

From this reading WHAT man of achievement cannot recall some one short period of his life which seems to transcend in significance and value all the rest of his career--when great things for which he had only unconsciously waited came to him without the asking; when the high court of events rendered its sudden, unexpected verdict of success, without costs to him who had never made a plea; when the very stars in their courses seemed to have privily conspired to fight for him?

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

From this reading WHAT man of achievement cannot recall some one short period of his life which seems to transcend in significance and value all the rest of his career--when great things for which he had only unconsciously waited came to him without the asking; when the high court of events rendered its sudden, unexpected verdict of success, without costs to him who had never made a plea; when the very stars in their courses seemed to have privily conspired to fight for him?

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

From this reading How swift, inexplicable, even amazing it all was!

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

From this reading WHAT man of achievement cannot recall some one short period of his life which seems to transcend in significance and value all the rest of his career--when great things for which he had only unconsciously waited came to him without the asking; when the high court of events rendered its sudden, unexpected verdict of success, without costs to him who had never made a plea; when the very stars in their courses seemed to have privily conspired to fight for him?

a process of becoming larger or longer or more numerous or more important

From this reading And when the first flush of astonishment--half delight, half diffidence--had passed, how natural it all seemed; how mind and manners and methods all expanded to meet the new requirements; how calmly and as a matter of course the dignity was worn, the increment appropriated, the mental retina adapted to the widened focus!

incapable of being explained or accounted for

From this reading How swift, inexplicable, even amazing it all was!

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading How swift, inexplicable, even amazing it all was!

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading WHAT man of achievement cannot recall some one short period of his life which seems to transcend in significance and value all the rest of his career--when great things for which he had only unconsciously waited came to him without the asking; when the high court of events rendered its sudden, unexpected verdict of success, without costs to him who had never made a plea; when the very stars in their courses seemed to have privily conspired to fight for him?

an opinion formed by judging something

From this reading How easily, too, he sloughed off his own conviction that it was all pure luck, and accepted the world’s kind judgment of deserved success!

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

From this reading How easily, too, he sloughed off his own conviction that it was all pure luck, and accepted the world’s kind judgment of deserved success!

a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading WHAT man of achievement cannot recall some one short period of his life which seems to transcend in significance and value all the rest of his career--when great things for which he had only unconsciously waited came to him without the asking; when the high court of events rendered its sudden, unexpected verdict of success, without costs to him who had never made a plea; when the very stars in their courses seemed to have privily conspired to fight for him?

your overall circumstances or condition in life (including everything that happens to you)

From this reading How easily, too, he sloughed off his own conviction that it was all pure luck, and accepted the world’s kind judgment of deserved success!

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading WHAT man of achievement cannot recall some one short period of his life which seems to transcend in significance and value all the rest of his career--when great things for which he had only unconsciously waited came to him without the asking; when the high court of events rendered its sudden, unexpected verdict of success, without costs to him who had never made a plea; when the very stars in their courses seemed to have privily conspired to fight for him?

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

From this reading WHAT man of achievement cannot recall some one short period of his life which seems to transcend in significance and value all the rest of his career--when great things for which he had only unconsciously waited came to him without the asking; when the high court of events rendered its sudden, unexpected verdict of success, without costs to him who had never made a plea; when the very stars in their courses seemed to have privily conspired to fight for him?

social deportment

From this reading And when the first flush of astonishment--half delight, half diffidence--had passed, how natural it all seemed; how mind and manners and methods all expanded to meet the new requirements; how calmly and as a matter of course the dignity was worn, the increment appropriated, the mental retina adapted to the widened focus!

a vaguely specified concern

From this reading And when the first flush of astonishment--half delight, half diffidence--had passed, how natural it all seemed; how mind and manners and methods all expanded to meet the new requirements; how calmly and as a matter of course the dignity was worn, the increment appropriated, the mental retina adapted to the widened focus!

come together

From this reading And when the first flush of astonishment--half delight, half diffidence--had passed, how natural it all seemed; how mind and manners and methods all expanded to meet the new requirements; how calmly and as a matter of course the dignity was worn, the increment appropriated, the mental retina adapted to the widened focus!

involving the mind or an intellectual process

From this reading And when the first flush of astonishment--half delight, half diffidence--had passed, how natural it all seemed; how mind and manners and methods all expanded to meet the new requirements; how calmly and as a matter of course the dignity was worn, the increment appropriated, the mental retina adapted to the widened focus!

plural of “method” — a way of doing something, especially a systematic way; implies an orderly logical arrangement (usually in steps)

From this reading And when the first flush of astonishment--half delight, half diffidence--had passed, how natural it all seemed; how mind and manners and methods all expanded to meet the new requirements; how calmly and as a matter of course the dignity was worn, the increment appropriated, the mental retina adapted to the widened focus!

The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.

From this reading And when the first flush of astonishment--half delight, half diffidence--had passed, how natural it all seemed; how mind and manners and methods all expanded to meet the new requirements; how calmly and as a matter of course the dignity was worn, the increment appropriated, the mental retina adapted to the widened focus!

in accordance with nature; relating to or concerning nature

From this reading And when the first flush of astonishment--half delight, half diffidence--had passed, how natural it all seemed; how mind and manners and methods all expanded to meet the new requirements; how calmly and as a matter of course the dignity was worn, the increment appropriated, the mental retina adapted to the widened focus!

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading WHAT man of achievement cannot recall some one short period of his life which seems to transcend in significance and value all the rest of his career--when great things for which he had only unconsciously waited came to him without the asking; when the high court of events rendered its sudden, unexpected verdict of success, without costs to him who had never made a plea; when the very stars in their courses seemed to have privily conspired to fight for him?

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

From this reading And when the first flush of astonishment--half delight, half diffidence--had passed, how natural it all seemed; how mind and manners and methods all expanded to meet the new requirements; how calmly and as a matter of course the dignity was worn, the increment appropriated, the mental retina adapted to the widened focus!

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading WHAT man of achievement cannot recall some one short period of his life which seems to transcend in significance and value all the rest of his career--when great things for which he had only unconsciously waited came to him without the asking; when the high court of events rendered its sudden, unexpected verdict of success, without costs to him who had never made a plea; when the very stars in their courses seemed to have privily conspired to fight for him?

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading How easily, too, he sloughed off his own conviction that it was all pure luck, and accepted the world’s kind judgment of deserved success!

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading WHAT man of achievement cannot recall some one short period of his life which seems to transcend in significance and value all the rest of his career--when great things for which he had only unconsciously waited came to him without the asking; when the high court of events rendered its sudden, unexpected verdict of success, without costs to him who had never made a plea; when the very stars in their courses seemed to have privily conspired to fight for him?

and nothing more

From this reading WHAT man of achievement cannot recall some one short period of his life which seems to transcend in significance and value all the rest of his career--when great things for which he had only unconsciously waited came to him without the asking; when the high court of events rendered its sudden, unexpected verdict of success, without costs to him who had never made a plea; when the very stars in their courses seemed to have privily conspired to fight for him?

have ownership or possession of

From this reading How easily, too, he sloughed off his own conviction that it was all pure luck, and accepted the world’s kind judgment of deserved success!

past form of “pass” — go across or through

From this reading And when the first flush of astonishment--half delight, half diffidence--had passed, how natural it all seemed; how mind and manners and methods all expanded to meet the new requirements; how calmly and as a matter of course the dignity was worn, the increment appropriated, the mental retina adapted to the widened focus!

an amount of time

From this reading WHAT man of achievement cannot recall some one short period of his life which seems to transcend in significance and value all the rest of his career--when great things for which he had only unconsciously waited came to him without the asking; when the high court of events rendered its sudden, unexpected verdict of success, without costs to him who had never made a plea; when the very stars in their courses seemed to have privily conspired to fight for him?

a humble request for help from someone in authority

From this reading WHAT man of achievement cannot recall some one short period of his life which seems to transcend in significance and value all the rest of his career--when great things for which he had only unconsciously waited came to him without the asking; when the high court of events rendered its sudden, unexpected verdict of success, without costs to him who had never made a plea; when the very stars in their courses seemed to have privily conspired to fight for him?

confidentially or in secret

From this reading WHAT man of achievement cannot recall some one short period of his life which seems to transcend in significance and value all the rest of his career--when great things for which he had only unconsciously waited came to him without the asking; when the high court of events rendered its sudden, unexpected verdict of success, without costs to him who had never made a plea; when the very stars in their courses seemed to have privily conspired to fight for him?

free of extraneous elements of any kind

From this reading How easily, too, he sloughed off his own conviction that it was all pure luck, and accepted the world’s kind judgment of deserved success!

recall knowledge from memory; have a recollection

From this reading WHAT man of achievement cannot recall some one short period of his life which seems to transcend in significance and value all the rest of his career--when great things for which he had only unconsciously waited came to him without the asking; when the high court of events rendered its sudden, unexpected verdict of success, without costs to him who had never made a plea; when the very stars in their courses seemed to have privily conspired to fight for him?

past form of “render” — cause to become

From this reading WHAT man of achievement cannot recall some one short period of his life which seems to transcend in significance and value all the rest of his career--when great things for which he had only unconsciously waited came to him without the asking; when the high court of events rendered its sudden, unexpected verdict of success, without costs to him who had never made a plea; when the very stars in their courses seemed to have privily conspired to fight for him?

plural of “requirement” — required activity

From this reading And when the first flush of astonishment--half delight, half diffidence--had passed, how natural it all seemed; how mind and manners and methods all expanded to meet the new requirements; how calmly and as a matter of course the dignity was worn, the increment appropriated, the mental retina adapted to the widened focus!

not move; be in a resting position

From this reading WHAT man of achievement cannot recall some one short period of his life which seems to transcend in significance and value all the rest of his career--when great things for which he had only unconsciously waited came to him without the asking; when the high court of events rendered its sudden, unexpected verdict of success, without costs to him who had never made a plea; when the very stars in their courses seemed to have privily conspired to fight for him?

the innermost light-sensitive membrane covering the back wall of the eyeball; it is continuous with the optic nerve

From this reading And when the first flush of astonishment--half delight, half diffidence--had passed, how natural it all seemed; how mind and manners and methods all expanded to meet the new requirements; how calmly and as a matter of course the dignity was worn, the increment appropriated, the mental retina adapted to the widened focus!

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

From this reading WHAT man of achievement cannot recall some one short period of his life which seems to transcend in significance and value all the rest of his career--when great things for which he had only unconsciously waited came to him without the asking; when the high court of events rendered its sudden, unexpected verdict of success, without costs to him who had never made a plea; when the very stars in their courses seemed to have privily conspired to fight for him?

third-person singular of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading WHAT man of achievement cannot recall some one short period of his life which seems to transcend in significance and value all the rest of his career--when great things for which he had only unconsciously waited came to him without the asking; when the high court of events rendered its sudden, unexpected verdict of success, without costs to him who had never made a plea; when the very stars in their courses seemed to have privily conspired to fight for him?

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

From this reading WHAT man of achievement cannot recall some one short period of his life which seems to transcend in significance and value all the rest of his career--when great things for which he had only unconsciously waited came to him without the asking; when the high court of events rendered its sudden, unexpected verdict of success, without costs to him who had never made a plea; when the very stars in their courses seemed to have privily conspired to fight for him?

the quality of being significant

From this reading WHAT man of achievement cannot recall some one short period of his life which seems to transcend in significance and value all the rest of his career--when great things for which he had only unconsciously waited came to him without the asking; when the high court of events rendered its sudden, unexpected verdict of success, without costs to him who had never made a plea; when the very stars in their courses seemed to have privily conspired to fight for him?

having few parts; not complex or complicated or involved

From this reading And yet how simple too!

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

From this reading How easily, too, he sloughed off his own conviction that it was all pure luck, and accepted the world’s kind judgment of deserved success!

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

From this reading WHAT man of achievement cannot recall some one short period of his life which seems to transcend in significance and value all the rest of his career--when great things for which he had only unconsciously waited came to him without the asking; when the high court of events rendered its sudden, unexpected verdict of success, without costs to him who had never made a plea; when the very stars in their courses seemed to have privily conspired to fight for him?

plural of “star” — (astronomy) a celestial body of hot gases that radiates energy derived from thermonuclear reactions in the interior

From this reading WHAT man of achievement cannot recall some one short period of his life which seems to transcend in significance and value all the rest of his career--when great things for which he had only unconsciously waited came to him without the asking; when the high court of events rendered its sudden, unexpected verdict of success, without costs to him who had never made a plea; when the very stars in their courses seemed to have privily conspired to fight for him?

an event that accomplishes its intended purpose

From this reading WHAT man of achievement cannot recall some one short period of his life which seems to transcend in significance and value all the rest of his career--when great things for which he had only unconsciously waited came to him without the asking; when the high court of events rendered its sudden, unexpected verdict of success, without costs to him who had never made a plea; when the very stars in their courses seemed to have privily conspired to fight for him?

happening without warning or in a short space of time

From this reading WHAT man of achievement cannot recall some one short period of his life which seems to transcend in significance and value all the rest of his career--when great things for which he had only unconsciously waited came to him without the asking; when the high court of events rendered its sudden, unexpected verdict of success, without costs to him who had never made a plea; when the very stars in their courses seemed to have privily conspired to fight for him?

moving very fast

From this reading How swift, inexplicable, even amazing it all was!

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading How easily, too, he sloughed off his own conviction that it was all pure luck, and accepted the world’s kind judgment of deserved success!

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

From this reading WHAT man of achievement cannot recall some one short period of his life which seems to transcend in significance and value all the rest of his career--when great things for which he had only unconsciously waited came to him without the asking; when the high court of events rendered its sudden, unexpected verdict of success, without costs to him who had never made a plea; when the very stars in their courses seemed to have privily conspired to fight for him?

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading WHAT man of achievement cannot recall some one short period of his life which seems to transcend in significance and value all the rest of his career--when great things for which he had only unconsciously waited came to him without the asking; when the high court of events rendered its sudden, unexpected verdict of success, without costs to him who had never made a plea; when the very stars in their courses seemed to have privily conspired to fight for him?

any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)

From this reading WHAT man of achievement cannot recall some one short period of his life which seems to transcend in significance and value all the rest of his career--when great things for which he had only unconsciously waited came to him without the asking; when the high court of events rendered its sudden, unexpected verdict of success, without costs to him who had never made a plea; when the very stars in their courses seemed to have privily conspired to fight for him?

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

From this reading WHAT man of achievement cannot recall some one short period of his life which seems to transcend in significance and value all the rest of his career--when great things for which he had only unconsciously waited came to him without the asking; when the high court of events rendered its sudden, unexpected verdict of success, without costs to him who had never made a plea; when the very stars in their courses seemed to have privily conspired to fight for him?

to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits

From this reading And yet how simple too!

be greater in scope or size than some standard

From this reading WHAT man of achievement cannot recall some one short period of his life which seems to transcend in significance and value all the rest of his career--when great things for which he had only unconsciously waited came to him without the asking; when the high court of events rendered its sudden, unexpected verdict of success, without costs to him who had never made a plea; when the very stars in their courses seemed to have privily conspired to fight for him?

without awareness

From this reading WHAT man of achievement cannot recall some one short period of his life which seems to transcend in significance and value all the rest of his career--when great things for which he had only unconsciously waited came to him without the asking; when the high court of events rendered its sudden, unexpected verdict of success, without costs to him who had never made a plea; when the very stars in their courses seemed to have privily conspired to fight for him?

not expected or anticipated

From this reading WHAT man of achievement cannot recall some one short period of his life which seems to transcend in significance and value all the rest of his career--when great things for which he had only unconsciously waited came to him without the asking; when the high court of events rendered its sudden, unexpected verdict of success, without costs to him who had never made a plea; when the very stars in their courses seemed to have privily conspired to fight for him?

a numerical quantity measured or assigned or computed

From this reading WHAT man of achievement cannot recall some one short period of his life which seems to transcend in significance and value all the rest of his career--when great things for which he had only unconsciously waited came to him without the asking; when the high court of events rendered its sudden, unexpected verdict of success, without costs to him who had never made a plea; when the very stars in their courses seemed to have privily conspired to fight for him?

(law) the findings of a jury on issues of fact submitted to it for decision; can be used in formulating a judgment

From this reading WHAT man of achievement cannot recall some one short period of his life which seems to transcend in significance and value all the rest of his career--when great things for which he had only unconsciously waited came to him without the asking; when the high court of events rendered its sudden, unexpected verdict of success, without costs to him who had never made a plea; when the very stars in their courses seemed to have privily conspired to fight for him?

precisely as stated

From this reading WHAT man of achievement cannot recall some one short period of his life which seems to transcend in significance and value all the rest of his career--when great things for which he had only unconsciously waited came to him without the asking; when the high court of events rendered its sudden, unexpected verdict of success, without costs to him who had never made a plea; when the very stars in their courses seemed to have privily conspired to fight for him?

past form of “wait” — stay in one place and anticipate or expect something

From this reading WHAT man of achievement cannot recall some one short period of his life which seems to transcend in significance and value all the rest of his career--when great things for which he had only unconsciously waited came to him without the asking; when the high court of events rendered its sudden, unexpected verdict of success, without costs to him who had never made a plea; when the very stars in their courses seemed to have privily conspired to fight for him?

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

From this reading How swift, inexplicable, even amazing it all was!

used to ask for information about something

From this reading WHAT man of achievement cannot recall some one short period of his life which seems to transcend in significance and value all the rest of his career--when great things for which he had only unconsciously waited came to him without the asking; when the high court of events rendered its sudden, unexpected verdict of success, without costs to him who had never made a plea; when the very stars in their courses seemed to have privily conspired to fight for him?

at the time that

From this reading WHAT man of achievement cannot recall some one short period of his life which seems to transcend in significance and value all the rest of his career--when great things for which he had only unconsciously waited came to him without the asking; when the high court of events rendered its sudden, unexpected verdict of success, without costs to him who had never made a plea; when the very stars in their courses seemed to have privily conspired to fight for him?

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

From this reading WHAT man of achievement cannot recall some one short period of his life which seems to transcend in significance and value all the rest of his career--when great things for which he had only unconsciously waited came to him without the asking; when the high court of events rendered its sudden, unexpected verdict of success, without costs to him who had never made a plea; when the very stars in their courses seemed to have privily conspired to fight for him?

which person or people

From this reading WHAT man of achievement cannot recall some one short period of his life which seems to transcend in significance and value all the rest of his career--when great things for which he had only unconsciously waited came to him without the asking; when the high court of events rendered its sudden, unexpected verdict of success, without costs to him who had never made a plea; when the very stars in their courses seemed to have privily conspired to fight for him?

past form of “widen” — become broader or wider or more extensive

From this reading And when the first flush of astonishment--half delight, half diffidence--had passed, how natural it all seemed; how mind and manners and methods all expanded to meet the new requirements; how calmly and as a matter of course the dignity was worn, the increment appropriated, the mental retina adapted to the widened focus!

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading WHAT man of achievement cannot recall some one short period of his life which seems to transcend in significance and value all the rest of his career--when great things for which he had only unconsciously waited came to him without the asking; when the high court of events rendered its sudden, unexpected verdict of success, without costs to him who had never made a plea; when the very stars in their courses seemed to have privily conspired to fight for him?

possessive form of “world” — everything that exists anywhere

From this reading How easily, too, he sloughed off his own conviction that it was all pure luck, and accepted the world’s kind judgment of deserved success!

Damaged or thinned by continuous use.

From this reading And when the first flush of astonishment--half delight, half diffidence--had passed, how natural it all seemed; how mind and manners and methods all expanded to meet the new requirements; how calmly and as a matter of course the dignity was worn, the increment appropriated, the mental retina adapted to the widened focus!

but in spite of that

From this reading And yet how simple too!