Chapter XII · Chapter 12

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

From this reading Scarcely had my father laid himself down on the bed, when he fell off into a heavy sleep.

(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 Fatigue, exhaustion, and loss of blood all combined to overcome him, and he lay motionless in the same attitude he at first assumed.

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

From this reading One might have supposed that the almost deathlike calm of the sleeper's face would have defied every thought or effort of speculation; but there he sat, watching it as though, by dint of patience and study, he might at length attain to reading what was passing within that brain.

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

From this reading Fatigue, exhaustion, and loss of blood all combined to overcome him, and he lay motionless in the same attitude he at first assumed.

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

From this reading One might have supposed that the almost deathlike calm of the sleeper's face would have defied every thought or effort of speculation; but there he sat, watching it as though, by dint of patience and study, he might at length attain to reading what was passing within that brain.

adopted in order to deceive

From this reading Fatigue, exhaustion, and loss of blood all combined to overcome him, and he lay motionless in the same attitude he at first assumed.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Fatigue, exhaustion, and loss of blood all combined to overcome him, and he lay motionless in the same attitude he at first assumed.

to gain with effort

From this reading One might have supposed that the almost deathlike calm of the sleeper's face would have defied every thought or effort of speculation; but there he sat, watching it as though, by dint of patience and study, he might at length attain to reading what was passing within that brain.

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

From this reading Fatigue, exhaustion, and loss of blood all combined to overcome him, and he lay motionless in the same attitude he at first assumed.

a piece of furniture that provides a place to sleep

From this reading Scarcely had my father laid himself down on the bed, when he fell off into a heavy sleep.

space by the side of a bed (especially the bed of a sick or dying person)

From this reading Fagan came repeatedly to the bedside, and, opening the curtains slightly, gazed on the cold, impassive features with a strange intensity.

form a curve

From this reading At the slightest sound that issued from the lips, too, he would bend down to try and catch its meaning.

The red fluid that circulates in the heart and blood vessels.

From this reading Fatigue, exhaustion, and loss of blood all combined to overcome him, and he lay motionless in the same attitude he at first assumed.

that part of the central nervous system that includes all the higher nervous centers; enclosed within the skull; continuous with the spinal cord

From this reading One might have supposed that the almost deathlike calm of the sleeper's face would have defied every thought or effort of speculation; but there he sat, watching it as though, by dint of patience and study, he might at length attain to reading what was passing within that brain.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading One might have supposed that the almost deathlike calm of the sleeper's face would have defied every thought or effort of speculation; but there he sat, watching it as though, by dint of patience and study, he might at length attain to reading what was passing within that brain.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading One might have supposed that the almost deathlike calm of the sleeper's face would have defied every thought or effort of speculation; but there he sat, watching it as though, by dint of patience and study, he might at length attain to reading what was passing within that brain.

make calm or still

From this reading One might have supposed that the almost deathlike calm of the sleeper's face would have defied every thought or effort of speculation; but there he sat, watching it as though, by dint of patience and study, he might at length attain to reading what was passing within that brain.

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

From this reading Fagan came repeatedly to the bedside, and, opening the curtains slightly, gazed on the cold, impassive features with a strange intensity.

discover or come upon accidentally, suddenly, or unexpectedly; catch somebody doing something or in a certain state

From this reading At the slightest sound that issued from the lips, too, he would bend down to try and catch its meaning.

having a low or inadequate temperature or feeling a sensation of coldness or having been made cold by e.g. ice or refrigeration

From this reading Fagan came repeatedly to the bedside, and, opening the curtains slightly, gazed on the cold, impassive features with a strange intensity.

made or joined or united into one

From this reading Fatigue, exhaustion, and loss of blood all combined to overcome him, and he lay motionless in the same attitude he at first assumed.

plural of “curtain” — hanging cloth used as a blind (especially for a window)

From this reading Fagan came repeatedly to the bedside, and, opening the curtains slightly, gazed on the cold, impassive features with a strange intensity.

having the physical appearance of death

From this reading One might have supposed that the almost deathlike calm of the sleeper's face would have defied every thought or effort of speculation; but there he sat, watching it as though, by dint of patience and study, he might at length attain to reading what was passing within that brain.

inflected form of “defy” — resist or confront with resistance

From this reading One might have supposed that the almost deathlike calm of the sleeper's face would have defied every thought or effort of speculation; but there he sat, watching it as though, by dint of patience and study, he might at length attain to reading what was passing within that brain.

interchangeable with “means” in the expression “by means of”

From this reading One might have supposed that the almost deathlike calm of the sleeper's face would have defied every thought or effort of speculation; but there he sat, watching it as though, by dint of patience and study, he might at length attain to reading what was passing within that brain.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading Scarcely had my father laid himself down on the bed, when he fell off into a heavy sleep.

earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something

From this reading One might have supposed that the almost deathlike calm of the sleeper's face would have defied every thought or effort of speculation; but there he sat, watching it as though, by dint of patience and study, he might at length attain to reading what was passing within that brain.

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading One might have supposed that the almost deathlike calm of the sleeper's face would have defied every thought or effort of speculation; but there he sat, watching it as though, by dint of patience and study, he might at length attain to reading what was passing within that brain.

extreme fatigue

From this reading Fatigue, exhaustion, and loss of blood all combined to overcome him, and he lay motionless in the same attitude he at first assumed.

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

From this reading One might have supposed that the almost deathlike calm of the sleeper's face would have defied every thought or effort of speculation; but there he sat, watching it as though, by dint of patience and study, he might at length attain to reading what was passing within that brain.

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

From this reading Fagan came repeatedly to the bedside, and, opening the curtains slightly, gazed on the cold, impassive features with a strange intensity.

a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)

From this reading Scarcely had my father laid himself down on the bed, when he fell off into a heavy sleep.

temporary loss of strength and energy resulting from hard physical or mental work

From this reading Fatigue, exhaustion, and loss of blood all combined to overcome him, and he lay motionless in the same attitude he at first assumed.

plural of “feature” — a prominent attribute or aspect of something

From this reading Fagan came repeatedly to the bedside, and, opening the curtains slightly, gazed on the cold, impassive features with a strange intensity.

cause to fall by or as if by delivering a blow

From this reading Scarcely had my father laid himself down on the bed, when he fell off into a heavy sleep.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading Fatigue, exhaustion, and loss of blood all combined to overcome him, and he lay motionless in the same attitude he at first assumed.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading At the slightest sound that issued from the lips, too, he would bend down to try and catch its meaning.

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

From this reading Fagan came repeatedly to the bedside, and, opening the curtains slightly, gazed on the cold, impassive features with a strange intensity.

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

From this reading Scarcely had my father laid himself down on the bed, when he fell off into a heavy sleep.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading One might have supposed that the almost deathlike calm of the sleeper's face would have defied every thought or effort of speculation; but there he sat, watching it as though, by dint of patience and study, he might at length attain to reading what was passing within that brain.

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

From this reading Scarcely had my father laid himself down on the bed, when he fell off into a heavy sleep.

of comparatively great physical weight or density

From this reading Scarcely had my father laid himself down on the bed, when he fell off into a heavy sleep.

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

From this reading Fatigue, exhaustion, and loss of blood all combined to overcome him, and he lay motionless in the same attitude he at first assumed.

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

From this reading Scarcely had my father laid himself down on the bed, when he fell off into a heavy sleep.

having or revealing little emotion or sensibility; not easily aroused or excited

From this reading Fagan came repeatedly to the bedside, and, opening the curtains slightly, gazed on the cold, impassive features with a strange intensity.

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

From this reading Fatigue, exhaustion, and loss of blood all combined to overcome him, and he lay motionless in the same attitude he at first assumed.

the amount of energy transmitted (as by acoustic or electromagnetic radiation)

From this reading Fagan came repeatedly to the bedside, and, opening the curtains slightly, gazed on the cold, impassive features with a strange intensity.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading Scarcely had my father laid himself down on the bed, when he fell off into a heavy sleep.

past form of “issue” — prepare and issue for public distribution or sale

From this reading At the slightest sound that issued from the lips, too, he would bend down to try and catch its meaning.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading One might have supposed that the almost deathlike calm of the sleeper's face would have defied every thought or effort of speculation; but there he sat, watching it as though, by dint of patience and study, he might at length attain to reading what was passing within that brain.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading At the slightest sound that issued from the lips, too, he would bend down to try and catch its meaning.

set down according to a plan

From this reading Scarcely had my father laid himself down on the bed, when he fell off into a heavy sleep.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading Fatigue, exhaustion, and loss of blood all combined to overcome him, and he lay motionless in the same attitude he at first assumed.

the linear extent in space from one end to the other; the longest dimension of something that is fixed in place

From this reading One might have supposed that the almost deathlike calm of the sleeper's face would have defied every thought or effort of speculation; but there he sat, watching it as though, by dint of patience and study, he might at length attain to reading what was passing within that brain.

plural of “lip” — either of two fleshy folds of tissue that surround the mouth and play a role in speaking

From this reading At the slightest sound that issued from the lips, too, he would bend down to try and catch its meaning.

something that is lost

From this reading Fatigue, exhaustion, and loss of blood all combined to overcome him, and he lay motionless in the same attitude he at first assumed.

the message that is intended or expressed or signified

From this reading At the slightest sound that issued from the lips, too, he would bend down to try and catch its meaning.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading One might have supposed that the almost deathlike calm of the sleeper's face would have defied every thought or effort of speculation; but there he sat, watching it as though, by dint of patience and study, he might at length attain to reading what was passing within that brain.

not in physical motion

From this reading Fatigue, exhaustion, and loss of blood all combined to overcome him, and he lay motionless in the same attitude he at first assumed.

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading Scarcely had my father laid himself down on the bed, when he fell off into a heavy sleep.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Fatigue, exhaustion, and loss of blood all combined to overcome him, and he lay motionless in the same attitude he at first assumed.

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

From this reading Scarcely had my father laid himself down on the bed, when he fell off into a heavy sleep.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Scarcely had my father laid himself down on the bed, when he fell off into a heavy sleep.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading One might have supposed that the almost deathlike calm of the sleeper's face would have defied every thought or effort of speculation; but there he sat, watching it as though, by dint of patience and study, he might at length attain to reading what was passing within that brain.

an open or empty space in or between things

From this reading Fagan came repeatedly to the bedside, and, opening the curtains slightly, gazed on the cold, impassive features with a strange intensity.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading One might have supposed that the almost deathlike calm of the sleeper's face would have defied every thought or effort of speculation; but there he sat, watching it as though, by dint of patience and study, he might at length attain to reading what was passing within that brain.

win a victory over

From this reading Fatigue, exhaustion, and loss of blood all combined to overcome him, and he lay motionless in the same attitude he at first assumed.

(American football) a play that involves one player throwing the ball to a teammate

From this reading One might have supposed that the almost deathlike calm of the sleeper's face would have defied every thought or effort of speculation; but there he sat, watching it as though, by dint of patience and study, he might at length attain to reading what was passing within that brain.

good-natured tolerance of delay or incompetence

From this reading One might have supposed that the almost deathlike calm of the sleeper's face would have defied every thought or effort of speculation; but there he sat, watching it as though, by dint of patience and study, he might at length attain to reading what was passing within that brain.

the cognitive process of understanding a written linguistic message

From this reading One might have supposed that the almost deathlike calm of the sleeper's face would have defied every thought or effort of speculation; but there he sat, watching it as though, by dint of patience and study, he might at length attain to reading what was passing within that brain.

several time

From this reading Fagan came repeatedly to the bedside, and, opening the curtains slightly, gazed on the cold, impassive features with a strange intensity.

Identical; not different.

From this reading Fatigue, exhaustion, and loss of blood all combined to overcome him, and he lay motionless in the same attitude he at first assumed.

the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians

From this reading One might have supposed that the almost deathlike calm of the sleeper's face would have defied every thought or effort of speculation; but there he sat, watching it as though, by dint of patience and study, he might at length attain to reading what was passing within that brain.

only a very short time before

From this reading Scarcely had my father laid himself down on the bed, when he fell off into a heavy sleep.

a natural and periodic state of rest during which consciousness of the world is suspended

From this reading Scarcely had my father laid himself down on the bed, when he fell off into a heavy sleep.

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

From this reading One might have supposed that the almost deathlike calm of the sleeper's face would have defied every thought or effort of speculation; but there he sat, watching it as though, by dint of patience and study, he might at length attain to reading what was passing within that brain.

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

From this reading At the slightest sound that issued from the lips, too, he would bend down to try and catch its meaning.

to a small degree or extent

From this reading Fagan came repeatedly to the bedside, and, opening the curtains slightly, gazed on the cold, impassive features with a strange intensity.

the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause

From this reading At the slightest sound that issued from the lips, too, he would bend down to try and catch its meaning.

a message expressing an opinion based on incomplete evidence

From this reading One might have supposed that the almost deathlike calm of the sleeper's face would have defied every thought or effort of speculation; but there he sat, watching it as though, by dint of patience and study, he might at length attain to reading what was passing within that brain.

being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird

From this reading Fagan came repeatedly to the bedside, and, opening the curtains slightly, gazed on the cold, impassive features with a strange intensity.

a detailed critical inspection

From this reading One might have supposed that the almost deathlike calm of the sleeper's face would have defied every thought or effort of speculation; but there he sat, watching it as though, by dint of patience and study, he might at length attain to reading what was passing within that brain.

required or under orders

From this reading One might have supposed that the almost deathlike calm of the sleeper's face would have defied every thought or effort of speculation; but there he sat, watching it as though, by dint of patience and study, he might at length attain to reading what was passing within that brain.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading One might have supposed that the almost deathlike calm of the sleeper's face would have defied every thought or effort of speculation; but there he sat, watching it as though, by dint of patience and study, he might at length attain to reading what was passing within that brain.

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

From this reading Scarcely had my father laid himself down on the bed, when he fell off into a heavy sleep.

in or at that place or location

From this reading One might have supposed that the almost deathlike calm of the sleeper's face would have defied every thought or effort of speculation; but there he sat, watching it as though, by dint of patience and study, he might at length attain to reading what was passing within that brain.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading One might have supposed that the almost deathlike calm of the sleeper's face would have defied every thought or effort of speculation; but there he sat, watching it as though, by dint of patience and study, he might at length attain to reading what was passing within that brain.

the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about

From this reading One might have supposed that the almost deathlike calm of the sleeper's face would have defied every thought or effort of speculation; but there he sat, watching it as though, by dint of patience and study, he might at length attain to reading what was passing within that brain.

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

From this reading Fatigue, exhaustion, and loss of blood all combined to overcome him, and he lay motionless in the same attitude he at first assumed.

to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits

From this reading At the slightest sound that issued from the lips, too, he would bend down to try and catch its meaning.

make an effort or attempt

From this reading At the slightest sound that issued from the lips, too, he would bend down to try and catch its meaning.

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

From this reading One might have supposed that the almost deathlike calm of the sleeper's face would have defied every thought or effort of speculation; but there he sat, watching it as though, by dint of patience and study, he might at length attain to reading what was passing within that brain.

the act of observing; taking a patient look

From this reading One might have supposed that the almost deathlike calm of the sleeper's face would have defied every thought or effort of speculation; but there he sat, watching it as though, by dint of patience and study, he might at length attain to reading what was passing within that brain.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading One might have supposed that the almost deathlike calm of the sleeper's face would have defied every thought or effort of speculation; but there he sat, watching it as though, by dint of patience and study, he might at length attain to reading what was passing within that brain.

at the time that

From this reading Scarcely had my father laid himself down on the bed, when he fell off into a heavy sleep.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Fagan came repeatedly to the bedside, and, opening the curtains slightly, gazed on the cold, impassive features with a strange intensity.

inside; before a period of time has passed

From this reading One might have supposed that the almost deathlike calm of the sleeper's face would have defied every thought or effort of speculation; but there he sat, watching it as though, by dint of patience and study, he might at length attain to reading what was passing within that brain.

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

From this reading One might have supposed that the almost deathlike calm of the sleeper's face would have defied every thought or effort of speculation; but there he sat, watching it as though, by dint of patience and study, he might at length attain to reading what was passing within that brain.