Chapter III

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

From this reading THE FIRST TERM His first term at Oxford was for Michael less obviously a period of discovery than from his pre-figurative dreams he had expected.

with few mistakes

From this reading But this sensitiveness when it had registered finely and accurately a few hazardous impressions was often sharp as a nettle in its action, so sharp indeed sometimes that he felt inclined to withdraw from social encounters into a solitude of books.

something done (usually as opposed to something said)

From this reading But this sensitiveness when it had registered finely and accurately a few hazardous impressions was often sharp as a nettle in its action, so sharp indeed sometimes that he felt inclined to withdraw from social encounters into a solitude of books.

plural of “adjustment” — making or becoming suitable; adjusting to circumstances

From this reading He had certainly pictured himself in the midst of a society more intellectually varied than that in which he found himself; and all that first term became in retrospect merely a barren noisy time from which somehow after numberless tentative adjustments and developments emerged a clear view of his own relation to the college, and more particularly to his own “year.”

later than; following

From this reading He had certainly pictured himself in the midst of a society more intellectually varied than that in which he found himself; and all that first term became in retrospect merely a barren noisy time from which somehow after numberless tentative adjustments and developments emerged a clear view of his own relation to the college, and more particularly to his own “year.”

(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 He had certainly pictured himself in the midst of a society more intellectually varied than that in which he found himself; and all that first term became in retrospect merely a barren noisy time from which somehow after numberless tentative adjustments and developments emerged a clear view of his own relation to the college, and more particularly to his own “year.”

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

From this reading He had certainly pictured himself in the midst of a society more intellectually varied than that in which he found himself; and all that first term became in retrospect merely a barren noisy time from which somehow after numberless tentative adjustments and developments emerged a clear view of his own relation to the college, and more particularly to his own “year.”

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

From this reading But this sensitiveness when it had registered finely and accurately a few hazardous impressions was often sharp as a nettle in its action, so sharp indeed sometimes that he felt inclined to withdraw from social encounters into a solitude of books.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading THE FIRST TERM His first term at Oxford was for Michael less obviously a period of discovery than from his pre-figurative dreams he had expected.

providing no shelter or sustenance

From this reading He had certainly pictured himself in the midst of a society more intellectually varied than that in which he found himself; and all that first term became in retrospect merely a barren noisy time from which somehow after numberless tentative adjustments and developments emerged a clear view of his own relation to the college, and more particularly to his own “year.”

inflected form of “become” — enter or assume a certain state or condition

From this reading He had certainly pictured himself in the midst of a society more intellectually varied than that in which he found himself; and all that first term became in retrospect merely a barren noisy time from which somehow after numberless tentative adjustments and developments emerged a clear view of his own relation to the college, and more particularly to his own “year.”

enter or assume a certain state or condition

From this reading Probably Michael would have become a recluse, if he had not decided on the impulse of the moment to put down his name for Rugby football.

Bound written or printed works.

From this reading But this sensitiveness when it had registered finely and accurately a few hazardous impressions was often sharp as a nettle in its action, so sharp indeed sometimes that he felt inclined to withdraw from social encounters into a solitude of books.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But this sensitiveness when it had registered finely and accurately a few hazardous impressions was often sharp as a nettle in its action, so sharp indeed sometimes that he felt inclined to withdraw from social encounters into a solitude of books.

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

From this reading He had certainly pictured himself in the midst of a society more intellectually varied than that in which he found himself; and all that first term became in retrospect merely a barren noisy time from which somehow after numberless tentative adjustments and developments emerged a clear view of his own relation to the college, and more particularly to his own “year.”

rid of obstructions

From this reading He had certainly pictured himself in the midst of a society more intellectually varied than that in which he found himself; and all that first term became in retrospect merely a barren noisy time from which somehow after numberless tentative adjustments and developments emerged a clear view of his own relation to the college, and more particularly to his own “year.”

the body of faculty and students of a college

From this reading He had certainly pictured himself in the midst of a society more intellectually varied than that in which he found himself; and all that first term became in retrospect merely a barren noisy time from which somehow after numberless tentative adjustments and developments emerged a clear view of his own relation to the college, and more particularly to his own “year.”

past form of “conduct” — direct the course of; manage or control

From this reading These trials of personality were conducted with all the help that sensitiveness could render him.

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

From this reading These trials of personality were conducted with all the help that sensitiveness could render him.

recognizable; marked

From this reading Probably Michael would have become a recluse, if he had not decided on the impulse of the moment to put down his name for Rugby football.

plural of “development” — act of improving by expanding or enlarging or refining

From this reading He had certainly pictured himself in the midst of a society more intellectually varied than that in which he found himself; and all that first term became in retrospect merely a barren noisy time from which somehow after numberless tentative adjustments and developments emerged a clear view of his own relation to the college, and more particularly to his own “year.”

the act of discovering something

From this reading THE FIRST TERM His first term at Oxford was for Michael less obviously a period of discovery than from his pre-figurative dreams he had expected.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading Probably Michael would have become a recluse, if he had not decided on the impulse of the moment to put down his name for Rugby football.

plural of “dream” — a series of mental images and emotions occurring during sleep

From this reading THE FIRST TERM His first term at Oxford was for Michael less obviously a period of discovery than from his pre-figurative dreams he had expected.

past form of “emerge” — come out into view, as from concealment

From this reading He had certainly pictured himself in the midst of a society more intellectually varied than that in which he found himself; and all that first term became in retrospect merely a barren noisy time from which somehow after numberless tentative adjustments and developments emerged a clear view of his own relation to the college, and more particularly to his own “year.”

plural of “encounter” — a minor short-term fight

From this reading But this sensitiveness when it had registered finely and accurately a few hazardous impressions was often sharp as a nettle in its action, so sharp indeed sometimes that he felt inclined to withdraw from social encounters into a solitude of books.

considered likely or probable to happen or arrive

From this reading THE FIRST TERM His first term at Oxford was for Michael less obviously a period of discovery than from his pre-figurative dreams he had expected.

mat together and make felt-like

From this reading But this sensitiveness when it had registered finely and accurately a few hazardous impressions was often sharp as a nettle in its action, so sharp indeed sometimes that he felt inclined to withdraw from social encounters into a solitude of books.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number

From this reading But this sensitiveness when it had registered finely and accurately a few hazardous impressions was often sharp as a nettle in its action, so sharp indeed sometimes that he felt inclined to withdraw from social encounters into a solitude of books.

in tiny pieces

From this reading But this sensitiveness when it had registered finely and accurately a few hazardous impressions was often sharp as a nettle in its action, so sharp indeed sometimes that he felt inclined to withdraw from social encounters into a solitude of books.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading THE FIRST TERM His first term at Oxford was for Michael less obviously a period of discovery than from his pre-figurative dreams he had expected.

any of various games played with a ball (round or oval) in which two teams try to kick or carry or propel the ball into each other's goal

From this reading Probably Michael would have become a recluse, if he had not decided on the impulse of the moment to put down his name for Rugby football.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading THE FIRST TERM His first term at Oxford was for Michael less obviously a period of discovery than from his pre-figurative dreams he had expected.

set up or found

From this reading He had certainly pictured himself in the midst of a society more intellectually varied than that in which he found himself; and all that first term became in retrospect merely a barren noisy time from which somehow after numberless tentative adjustments and developments emerged a clear view of his own relation to the college, and more particularly to his own “year.”

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading THE FIRST TERM His first term at Oxford was for Michael less obviously a period of discovery than from his pre-figurative dreams he had expected.

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

From this reading THE FIRST TERM His first term at Oxford was for Michael less obviously a period of discovery than from his pre-figurative dreams he had expected.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading Probably Michael would have become a recluse, if he had not decided on the impulse of the moment to put down his name for Rugby football.

involving risk or danger

From this reading But this sensitiveness when it had registered finely and accurately a few hazardous impressions was often sharp as a nettle in its action, so sharp indeed sometimes that he felt inclined to withdraw from social encounters into a solitude of books.

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

From this reading THE FIRST TERM His first term at Oxford was for Michael less obviously a period of discovery than from his pre-figurative dreams he had expected.

give help or assistance; be of service

From this reading These trials of personality were conducted with all the help that sensitiveness could render him.

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

From this reading These trials of personality were conducted with all the help that sensitiveness could render him.

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

From this reading He had certainly pictured himself in the midst of a society more intellectually varied than that in which he found himself; and all that first term became in retrospect merely a barren noisy time from which somehow after numberless tentative adjustments and developments emerged a clear view of his own relation to the college, and more particularly to his own “year.”

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

From this reading THE FIRST TERM His first term at Oxford was for Michael less obviously a period of discovery than from his pre-figurative dreams he had expected.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading Probably Michael would have become a recluse, if he had not decided on the impulse of the moment to put down his name for Rugby football.

plural of “impression” — a vague idea in which some confidence is placed

From this reading But this sensitiveness when it had registered finely and accurately a few hazardous impressions was often sharp as a nettle in its action, so sharp indeed sometimes that he felt inclined to withdraw from social encounters into a solitude of books.

an instinctive motive

From this reading Probably Michael would have become a recluse, if he had not decided on the impulse of the moment to put down his name for Rugby football.

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

From this reading He had certainly pictured himself in the midst of a society more intellectually varied than that in which he found himself; and all that first term became in retrospect merely a barren noisy time from which somehow after numberless tentative adjustments and developments emerged a clear view of his own relation to the college, and more particularly to his own “year.”

(often followed by “to”) having a preference, disposition, or tendency

From this reading But this sensitiveness when it had registered finely and accurately a few hazardous impressions was often sharp as a nettle in its action, so sharp indeed sometimes that he felt inclined to withdraw from social encounters into a solitude of books.

in truth (often tends to intensify)

From this reading But this sensitiveness when it had registered finely and accurately a few hazardous impressions was often sharp as a nettle in its action, so sharp indeed sometimes that he felt inclined to withdraw from social encounters into a solitude of books.

in an intellectual manner

From this reading He had certainly pictured himself in the midst of a society more intellectually varied than that in which he found himself; and all that first term became in retrospect merely a barren noisy time from which somehow after numberless tentative adjustments and developments emerged a clear view of his own relation to the college, and more particularly to his own “year.”

moving to the inside of something

From this reading But this sensitiveness when it had registered finely and accurately a few hazardous impressions was often sharp as a nettle in its action, so sharp indeed sometimes that he felt inclined to withdraw from social encounters into a solitude of books.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading But this sensitiveness when it had registered finely and accurately a few hazardous impressions was often sharp as a nettle in its action, so sharp indeed sometimes that he felt inclined to withdraw from social encounters into a solitude of books.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading But this sensitiveness when it had registered finely and accurately a few hazardous impressions was often sharp as a nettle in its action, so sharp indeed sometimes that he felt inclined to withdraw from social encounters into a solitude of books.

used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs

From this reading THE FIRST TERM His first term at Oxford was for Michael less obviously a period of discovery than from his pre-figurative dreams he had expected.

and nothing more

From this reading He had certainly pictured himself in the midst of a society more intellectually varied than that in which he found himself; and all that first term became in retrospect merely a barren noisy time from which somehow after numberless tentative adjustments and developments emerged a clear view of his own relation to the college, and more particularly to his own “year.”

(Old Testament) the guardian archangel of the Jews

From this reading THE FIRST TERM His first term at Oxford was for Michael less obviously a period of discovery than from his pre-figurative dreams he had expected.

the location of something surrounded by other things

From this reading He had certainly pictured himself in the midst of a society more intellectually varied than that in which he found himself; and all that first term became in retrospect merely a barren noisy time from which somehow after numberless tentative adjustments and developments emerged a clear view of his own relation to the college, and more particularly to his own “year.”

a particular point in time

From this reading Probably Michael would have become a recluse, if he had not decided on the impulse of the moment to put down his name for Rugby football.

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading He had certainly pictured himself in the midst of a society more intellectually varied than that in which he found himself; and all that first term became in retrospect merely a barren noisy time from which somehow after numberless tentative adjustments and developments emerged a clear view of his own relation to the college, and more particularly to his own “year.”

assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading Probably Michael would have become a recluse, if he had not decided on the impulse of the moment to put down his name for Rugby football.

sting with or as with nettles and cause a stinging pain or sensation

From this reading But this sensitiveness when it had registered finely and accurately a few hazardous impressions was often sharp as a nettle in its action, so sharp indeed sometimes that he felt inclined to withdraw from social encounters into a solitude of books.

full of or characterized by loud and nonmusical sounds

From this reading He had certainly pictured himself in the midst of a society more intellectually varied than that in which he found himself; and all that first term became in retrospect merely a barren noisy time from which somehow after numberless tentative adjustments and developments emerged a clear view of his own relation to the college, and more particularly to his own “year.”

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Probably Michael would have become a recluse, if he had not decided on the impulse of the moment to put down his name for Rugby football.

too numerous to be counted

From this reading He had certainly pictured himself in the midst of a society more intellectually varied than that in which he found himself; and all that first term became in retrospect merely a barren noisy time from which somehow after numberless tentative adjustments and developments emerged a clear view of his own relation to the college, and more particularly to his own “year.”

unmistakably (“plain” is often used informally for “plainly”)

From this reading THE FIRST TERM His first term at Oxford was for Michael less obviously a period of discovery than from his pre-figurative dreams he had expected.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading THE FIRST TERM His first term at Oxford was for Michael less obviously a period of discovery than from his pre-figurative dreams he had expected.

many times at short intervals

From this reading But this sensitiveness when it had registered finely and accurately a few hazardous impressions was often sharp as a nettle in its action, so sharp indeed sometimes that he felt inclined to withdraw from social encounters into a solitude of books.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Probably Michael would have become a recluse, if he had not decided on the impulse of the moment to put down his name for Rugby football.

have ownership or possession of

From this reading He had certainly pictured himself in the midst of a society more intellectually varied than that in which he found himself; and all that first term became in retrospect merely a barren noisy time from which somehow after numberless tentative adjustments and developments emerged a clear view of his own relation to the college, and more particularly to his own “year.”

a city in southern England to the northwest of London; site of Oxford University

From this reading THE FIRST TERM His first term at Oxford was for Michael less obviously a period of discovery than from his pre-figurative dreams he had expected.

to a distinctly greater extent or degree than is common

From this reading He had certainly pictured himself in the midst of a society more intellectually varied than that in which he found himself; and all that first term became in retrospect merely a barren noisy time from which somehow after numberless tentative adjustments and developments emerged a clear view of his own relation to the college, and more particularly to his own “year.”

an amount of time

From this reading THE FIRST TERM His first term at Oxford was for Michael less obviously a period of discovery than from his pre-figurative dreams he had expected.

the complex of all the attributes--behavioral, temperamental, emotional and mental--that characterize a unique individual

From this reading These trials of personality were conducted with all the help that sensitiveness could render him.

seen in the mind as a mental image

From this reading He had certainly pictured himself in the midst of a society more intellectually varied than that in which he found himself; and all that first term became in retrospect merely a barren noisy time from which somehow after numberless tentative adjustments and developments emerged a clear view of his own relation to the college, and more particularly to his own “year.”

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

From this reading THE FIRST TERM His first term at Oxford was for Michael less obviously a period of discovery than from his pre-figurative dreams he had expected.

with considerable certainty; without much doubt

From this reading Probably Michael would have become a recluse, if he had not decided on the impulse of the moment to put down his name for Rugby football.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading Probably Michael would have become a recluse, if he had not decided on the impulse of the moment to put down his name for Rugby football.

one who lives in solitude

From this reading Probably Michael would have become a recluse, if he had not decided on the impulse of the moment to put down his name for Rugby football.

(of animals) officially recorded with or certified by a recognized breed association; especially in a stud book

From this reading But this sensitiveness when it had registered finely and accurately a few hazardous impressions was often sharp as a nettle in its action, so sharp indeed sometimes that he felt inclined to withdraw from social encounters into a solitude of books.

an abstraction belonging to or characteristic of two entities or parts together

From this reading He had certainly pictured himself in the midst of a society more intellectually varied than that in which he found himself; and all that first term became in retrospect merely a barren noisy time from which somehow after numberless tentative adjustments and developments emerged a clear view of his own relation to the college, and more particularly to his own “year.”

cause to become

From this reading These trials of personality were conducted with all the help that sensitiveness could render him.

contemplation of things past

From this reading He had certainly pictured himself in the midst of a society more intellectually varied than that in which he found himself; and all that first term became in retrospect merely a barren noisy time from which somehow after numberless tentative adjustments and developments emerged a clear view of his own relation to the college, and more particularly to his own “year.”

a form of football played with an oval ball

From this reading Probably Michael would have become a recluse, if he had not decided on the impulse of the moment to put down his name for Rugby football.

sensitivity to emotional feelings (of self and others)

From this reading These trials of personality were conducted with all the help that sensitiveness could render him.

(of something seen or heard) clearly defined

From this reading But this sensitiveness when it had registered finely and accurately a few hazardous impressions was often sharp as a nettle in its action, so sharp indeed sometimes that he felt inclined to withdraw from social encounters into a solitude of books.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading But this sensitiveness when it had registered finely and accurately a few hazardous impressions was often sharp as a nettle in its action, so sharp indeed sometimes that he felt inclined to withdraw from social encounters into a solitude of books.

relating to human society and its members

From this reading But this sensitiveness when it had registered finely and accurately a few hazardous impressions was often sharp as a nettle in its action, so sharp indeed sometimes that he felt inclined to withdraw from social encounters into a solitude of books.

an extended social group having a distinctive cultural and economic organization

From this reading He had certainly pictured himself in the midst of a society more intellectually varied than that in which he found himself; and all that first term became in retrospect merely a barren noisy time from which somehow after numberless tentative adjustments and developments emerged a clear view of his own relation to the college, and more particularly to his own “year.”

a state of social isolation

From this reading But this sensitiveness when it had registered finely and accurately a few hazardous impressions was often sharp as a nettle in its action, so sharp indeed sometimes that he felt inclined to withdraw from social encounters into a solitude of books.

in some unspecified way or manner; or by some unspecified means

From this reading He had certainly pictured himself in the midst of a society more intellectually varied than that in which he found himself; and all that first term became in retrospect merely a barren noisy time from which somehow after numberless tentative adjustments and developments emerged a clear view of his own relation to the college, and more particularly to his own “year.”

on certain occasions or in certain cases but not always

From this reading But this sensitiveness when it had registered finely and accurately a few hazardous impressions was often sharp as a nettle in its action, so sharp indeed sometimes that he felt inclined to withdraw from social encounters into a solitude of books.

under terms not final or fully worked out or agreed upon

From this reading He had certainly pictured himself in the midst of a society more intellectually varied than that in which he found himself; and all that first term became in retrospect merely a barren noisy time from which somehow after numberless tentative adjustments and developments emerged a clear view of his own relation to the college, and more particularly to his own “year.”

a word or expression used for some particular thing

From this reading THE FIRST TERM His first term at Oxford was for Michael less obviously a period of discovery than from his pre-figurative dreams he had expected.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading THE FIRST TERM His first term at Oxford was for Michael less obviously a period of discovery than from his pre-figurative dreams he had expected.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading He had certainly pictured himself in the midst of a society more intellectually varied than that in which he found himself; and all that first term became in retrospect merely a barren noisy time from which somehow after numberless tentative adjustments and developments emerged a clear view of his own relation to the college, and more particularly to his own “year.”

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

From this reading THE FIRST TERM His first term at Oxford was for Michael less obviously a period of discovery than from his pre-figurative dreams he had expected.

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading These trials of personality were conducted with all the help that sensitiveness could render him.

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

From this reading But this sensitiveness when it had registered finely and accurately a few hazardous impressions was often sharp as a nettle in its action, so sharp indeed sometimes that he felt inclined to withdraw from social encounters into a solitude of books.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading He had certainly pictured himself in the midst of a society more intellectually varied than that in which he found himself; and all that first term became in retrospect merely a barren noisy time from which somehow after numberless tentative adjustments and developments emerged a clear view of his own relation to the college, and more particularly to his own “year.”

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

From this reading He had certainly pictured himself in the midst of a society more intellectually varied than that in which he found himself; and all that first term became in retrospect merely a barren noisy time from which somehow after numberless tentative adjustments and developments emerged a clear view of his own relation to the college, and more particularly to his own “year.”

plural of “trial” — the act of testing something

From this reading These trials of personality were conducted with all the help that sensitiveness could render him.

characterized by variety

From this reading He had certainly pictured himself in the midst of a society more intellectually varied than that in which he found himself; and all that first term became in retrospect merely a barren noisy time from which somehow after numberless tentative adjustments and developments emerged a clear view of his own relation to the college, and more particularly to his own “year.”

a way of regarding situations or topics etc.

From this reading He had certainly pictured himself in the midst of a society more intellectually varied than that in which he found himself; and all that first term became in retrospect merely a barren noisy time from which somehow after numberless tentative adjustments and developments emerged a clear view of his own relation to the college, and more particularly to his own “year.”

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

From this reading THE FIRST TERM His first term at Oxford was for Michael less obviously a period of discovery than from his pre-figurative dreams he had expected.

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

From this reading These trials of personality were conducted with all the help that sensitiveness could render him.

at the time that

From this reading But this sensitiveness when it had registered finely and accurately a few hazardous impressions was often sharp as a nettle in its action, so sharp indeed sometimes that he felt inclined to withdraw from social encounters into a solitude of books.

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

From this reading He had certainly pictured himself in the midst of a society more intellectually varied than that in which he found himself; and all that first term became in retrospect merely a barren noisy time from which somehow after numberless tentative adjustments and developments emerged a clear view of his own relation to the college, and more particularly to his own “year.”

in the company of; together with

From this reading These trials of personality were conducted with all the help that sensitiveness could render him.

pull back or move away or backward

From this reading But this sensitiveness when it had registered finely and accurately a few hazardous impressions was often sharp as a nettle in its action, so sharp indeed sometimes that he felt inclined to withdraw from social encounters into a solitude of books.

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading Probably Michael would have become a recluse, if he had not decided on the impulse of the moment to put down his name for Rugby football.

a period of time containing 365 (or 366) days

From this reading He had certainly pictured himself in the midst of a society more intellectually varied than that in which he found himself; and all that first term became in retrospect merely a barren noisy time from which somehow after numberless tentative adjustments and developments emerged a clear view of his own relation to the college, and more particularly to his own “year.”