Chapter III

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

From this reading Dr. Somers came in, with a pair of eagle eyes going before him, as it seemed, like pioneers, to warn him of what was in his way.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading He was a tall, straight, slim, but powerful old man, with nothing superfluous about him except his beard, which in those days was certainly a superfluity.

how long something has existed

From this reading He had been the handsomest man in the county in his youth, and he was not less so now--perhaps more, with all the imposing glory of his white hair, and the suavity of age that had softened the lines in his face--lines which might have been a little hard in the fulness of his strength.

(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 been the handsomest man in the county in his youth, and he was not less so now--perhaps more, with all the imposing glory of his white hair, and the suavity of age that had softened the lines in his face--lines which might have been a little hard in the fulness of his strength.

in the middle of; surrounded by

From this reading The Rector peered and groped with the short-sighted feeble orbs which lurked amid a nest of wrinkles, but the Doctor’s brilliant black eyes went on before him and inspected everything.

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

From this reading The Rector peered and groped with the short-sighted feeble orbs which lurked amid a nest of wrinkles, but the Doctor’s brilliant black eyes went on before him and inspected everything.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading It was white, and so was his hair; but his eyes were so much darker than any human eyes that were ever seen, that to call them black was not in the least inappropriate.

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

From this reading Dr. Somers came in, with a pair of eagle eyes going before him, as it seemed, like pioneers, to warn him of what was in his way.

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

From this reading He was a tall, straight, slim, but powerful old man, with nothing superfluous about him except his beard, which in those days was certainly a superfluity.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading He had been the handsomest man in the county in his youth, and he was not less so now--perhaps more, with all the imposing glory of his white hair, and the suavity of age that had softened the lines in his face--lines which might have been a little hard in the fulness of his strength.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading Dr. Somers came in, with a pair of eagle eyes going before him, as it seemed, like pioneers, to warn him of what was in his way.

being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light

From this reading The Rector peered and groped with the short-sighted feeble orbs which lurked amid a nest of wrinkles, but the Doctor’s brilliant black eyes went on before him and inspected everything.

of surpassing excellence

From this reading The Rector peered and groped with the short-sighted feeble orbs which lurked amid a nest of wrinkles, but the Doctor’s brilliant black eyes went on before him and inspected everything.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading The Rector peered and groped with the short-sighted feeble orbs which lurked amid a nest of wrinkles, but the Doctor’s brilliant black eyes went on before him and inspected everything.

assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading It was white, and so was his hair; but his eyes were so much darker than any human eyes that were ever seen, that to call them black was not in the least inappropriate.

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

From this reading Dr. Somers came in, with a pair of eagle eyes going before him, as it seemed, like pioneers, to warn him of what was in his way.

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

From this reading He was a tall, straight, slim, but powerful old man, with nothing superfluous about him except his beard, which in those days was certainly a superfluity.

(United Kingdom) a region created by territorial division for the purpose of local government

From this reading He had been the handsomest man in the county in his youth, and he was not less so now--perhaps more, with all the imposing glory of his white hair, and the suavity of age that had softened the lines in his face--lines which might have been a little hard in the fulness of his strength.

comparative of “dark” — devoid of or deficient in light or brightness; shadowed or black

From this reading It was white, and so was his hair; but his eyes were so much darker than any human eyes that were ever seen, that to call them black was not in the least inappropriate.

the time during which someone's life continues

From this reading He was a tall, straight, slim, but powerful old man, with nothing superfluous about him except his beard, which in those days was certainly a superfluity.

possessive form of “doctor” — a licensed medical practitioner

From this reading The Rector peered and groped with the short-sighted feeble orbs which lurked amid a nest of wrinkles, but the Doctor’s brilliant black eyes went on before him and inspected everything.

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

From this reading Dr. Somers came in, with a pair of eagle eyes going before him, as it seemed, like pioneers, to warn him of what was in his way.

any of various large keen-sighted diurnal birds of prey noted for their broad wings and strong soaring flight

From this reading Dr. Somers came in, with a pair of eagle eyes going before him, as it seemed, like pioneers, to warn him of what was in his way.

at any time

From this reading It was white, and so was his hair; but his eyes were so much darker than any human eyes that were ever seen, that to call them black was not in the least inappropriate.

all things; all of a situation

From this reading The Rector peered and groped with the short-sighted feeble orbs which lurked amid a nest of wrinkles, but the Doctor’s brilliant black eyes went on before him and inspected everything.

apart from; not including

From this reading He was a tall, straight, slim, but powerful old man, with nothing superfluous about him except his beard, which in those days was certainly a superfluity.

opinion or judgment

From this reading Dr. Somers came in, with a pair of eagle eyes going before him, as it seemed, like pioneers, to warn him of what was in his way.

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

From this reading He had been the handsomest man in the county in his youth, and he was not less so now--perhaps more, with all the imposing glory of his white hair, and the suavity of age that had softened the lines in his face--lines which might have been a little hard in the fulness of his strength.

pathetically lacking in force or effectiveness

From this reading The Rector peered and groped with the short-sighted feeble orbs which lurked amid a nest of wrinkles, but the Doctor’s brilliant black eyes went on before him and inspected everything.

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

From this reading He had been the handsomest man in the county in his youth, and he was not less so now--perhaps more, with all the imposing glory of his white hair, and the suavity of age that had softened the lines in his face--lines which might have been a little hard in the fulness of his strength.

a state of high honor

From this reading He had been the handsomest man in the county in his youth, and he was not less so now--perhaps more, with all the imposing glory of his white hair, and the suavity of age that had softened the lines in his face--lines which might have been a little hard in the fulness of his strength.

the act of departing

From this reading Dr. Somers came in, with a pair of eagle eyes going before him, as it seemed, like pioneers, to warn him of what was in his way.

past form of “grope” — feel about uncertainly or blindly

From this reading The Rector peered and groped with the short-sighted feeble orbs which lurked amid a nest of wrinkles, but the Doctor’s brilliant black eyes went on before him and inspected everything.

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

From this reading He had been the handsomest man in the county in his youth, and he was not less so now--perhaps more, with all the imposing glory of his white hair, and the suavity of age that had softened the lines in his face--lines which might have been a little hard in the fulness of his strength.

a covering for the body (or parts of it) consisting of a dense growth of threadlike structures (as on the human head); helps to prevent heat loss

From this reading It was white, and so was his hair; but his eyes were so much darker than any human eyes that were ever seen, that to call them black was not in the least inappropriate.

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

From this reading He had been the handsomest man in the county in his youth, and he was not less so now--perhaps more, with all the imposing glory of his white hair, and the suavity of age that had softened the lines in his face--lines which might have been a little hard in the fulness of his strength.

not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure

From this reading He had been the handsomest man in the county in his youth, and he was not less so now--perhaps more, with all the imposing glory of his white hair, and the suavity of age that had softened the lines in his face--lines which might have been a little hard in the fulness of his strength.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading He had been the handsomest man in the county in his youth, and he was not less so now--perhaps more, with all the imposing glory of his white hair, and the suavity of age that had softened the lines in his face--lines which might have been a little hard in the fulness of his strength.

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

From this reading He was a tall, straight, slim, but powerful old man, with nothing superfluous about him except his beard, which in those days was certainly a superfluity.

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

From this reading Dr. Somers came in, with a pair of eagle eyes going before him, as it seemed, like pioneers, to warn him of what was in his way.

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

From this reading Dr. Somers came in, with a pair of eagle eyes going before him, as it seemed, like pioneers, to warn him of what was in his way.

characteristic of humanity

From this reading It was white, and so was his hair; but his eyes were so much darker than any human eyes that were ever seen, that to call them black was not in the least inappropriate.

impressive in appearance

From this reading He had been the handsomest man in the county in his youth, and he was not less so now--perhaps more, with all the imposing glory of his white hair, and the suavity of age that had softened the lines in his face--lines which might have been a little hard in the fulness of his strength.

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

From this reading Dr. Somers came in, with a pair of eagle eyes going before him, as it seemed, like pioneers, to warn him of what was in his way.

not suitable for a particular occasion etc

From this reading It was white, and so was his hair; but his eyes were so much darker than any human eyes that were ever seen, that to call them black was not in the least inappropriate.

past form of “inspect” — look over carefully

From this reading The Rector peered and groped with the short-sighted feeble orbs which lurked amid a nest of wrinkles, but the Doctor’s brilliant black eyes went on before him and inspected everything.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Dr. Somers came in, with a pair of eagle eyes going before him, as it seemed, like pioneers, to warn him of what was in his way.

the superlative of “little” that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by “the”; a quantifier meaning smallest in amount or extent or degree

From this reading It was white, and so was his hair; but his eyes were so much darker than any human eyes that were ever seen, that to call them black was not in the least inappropriate.

used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs

From this reading He had been the handsomest man in the county in his youth, and he was not less so now--perhaps more, with all the imposing glory of his white hair, and the suavity of age that had softened the lines in his face--lines which might have been a little hard in the fulness of his strength.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading Dr. Somers came in, with a pair of eagle eyes going before him, as it seemed, like pioneers, to warn him of what was in his way.

plural of “line” — a formation of people or things one beside another

From this reading He had been the handsomest man in the county in his youth, and he was not less so now--perhaps more, with all the imposing glory of his white hair, and the suavity of age that had softened the lines in his face--lines which might have been a little hard in the fulness of his strength.

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading He had been the handsomest man in the county in his youth, and he was not less so now--perhaps more, with all the imposing glory of his white hair, and the suavity of age that had softened the lines in his face--lines which might have been a little hard in the fulness of his strength.

past form of “lurk” — lie in wait, lie in ambush, behave in a sneaky and secretive manner

From this reading The Rector peered and groped with the short-sighted feeble orbs which lurked amid a nest of wrinkles, but the Doctor’s brilliant black eyes went on before him and inspected everything.

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

From this reading He was a tall, straight, slim, but powerful old man, with nothing superfluous about him except his beard, which in those days was certainly a superfluity.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading He had been the handsomest man in the county in his youth, and he was not less so now--perhaps more, with all the imposing glory of his white hair, and the suavity of age that had softened the lines in his face--lines which might have been a little hard in the fulness of his strength.

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

From this reading He had been the handsomest man in the county in his youth, and he was not less so now--perhaps more, with all the imposing glory of his white hair, and the suavity of age that had softened the lines in his face--lines which might have been a little hard in the fulness of his strength.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading It was white, and so was his hair; but his eyes were so much darker than any human eyes that were ever seen, that to call them black was not in the least inappropriate.

a structure in which animals lay eggs or give birth to their young

From this reading The Rector peered and groped with the short-sighted feeble orbs which lurked amid a nest of wrinkles, but the Doctor’s brilliant black eyes went on before him and inspected everything.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading It was white, and so was his hair; but his eyes were so much darker than any human eyes that were ever seen, that to call them black was not in the least inappropriate.

not one thing; not anything

From this reading He was a tall, straight, slim, but powerful old man, with nothing superfluous about him except his beard, which in those days was certainly a superfluity.

in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events

From this reading He had been the handsomest man in the county in his youth, and he was not less so now--perhaps more, with all the imposing glory of his white hair, and the suavity of age that had softened the lines in his face--lines which might have been a little hard in the fulness of his strength.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Dr. Somers came in, with a pair of eagle eyes going before him, as it seemed, like pioneers, to warn him of what was in his way.

(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age

From this reading He was a tall, straight, slim, but powerful old man, with nothing superfluous about him except his beard, which in those days was certainly a superfluity.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading The Rector peered and groped with the short-sighted feeble orbs which lurked amid a nest of wrinkles, but the Doctor’s brilliant black eyes went on before him and inspected everything.

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

From this reading The Rector peered and groped with the short-sighted feeble orbs which lurked amid a nest of wrinkles, but the Doctor’s brilliant black eyes went on before him and inspected everything.

a set of two similar things considered as a unit

From this reading Dr. Somers came in, with a pair of eagle eyes going before him, as it seemed, like pioneers, to warn him of what was in his way.

past form of “peer” — look searchingly

From this reading The Rector peered and groped with the short-sighted feeble orbs which lurked amid a nest of wrinkles, but the Doctor’s brilliant black eyes went on before him and inspected everything.

by chance

From this reading He had been the handsomest man in the county in his youth, and he was not less so now--perhaps more, with all the imposing glory of his white hair, and the suavity of age that had softened the lines in his face--lines which might have been a little hard in the fulness of his strength.

plural of “pioneer” — someone who helps to open up a new line of research or technology or art

From this reading Dr. Somers came in, with a pair of eagle eyes going before him, as it seemed, like pioneers, to warn him of what was in his way.

having great power or force or potency or effect

From this reading He was a tall, straight, slim, but powerful old man, with nothing superfluous about him except his beard, which in those days was certainly a superfluity.

a person authorized to conduct religious worship

From this reading The Rector peered and groped with the short-sighted feeble orbs which lurked amid a nest of wrinkles, but the Doctor’s brilliant black eyes went on before him and inspected everything.

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

From this reading Dr. Somers came in, with a pair of eagle eyes going before him, as it seemed, like pioneers, to warn him of what was in his way.

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

From this reading It was white, and so was his hair; but his eyes were so much darker than any human eyes that were ever seen, that to call them black was not in the least inappropriate.

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

From this reading The Rector peered and groped with the short-sighted feeble orbs which lurked amid a nest of wrinkles, but the Doctor’s brilliant black eyes went on before him and inspected everything.

being of delicate or slender build

From this reading He was a tall, straight, slim, but powerful old man, with nothing superfluous about him except his beard, which in those days was certainly a superfluity.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading It was white, and so was his hair; but his eyes were so much darker than any human eyes that were ever seen, that to call them black was not in the least inappropriate.

toned down

From this reading He had been the handsomest man in the county in his youth, and he was not less so now--perhaps more, with all the imposing glory of his white hair, and the suavity of age that had softened the lines in his face--lines which might have been a little hard in the fulness of his strength.

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

From this reading Dr. Somers came in, with a pair of eagle eyes going before him, as it seemed, like pioneers, to warn him of what was in his way.

successive (without a break)

From this reading He was a tall, straight, slim, but powerful old man, with nothing superfluous about him except his beard, which in those days was certainly a superfluity.

the property of being physically or mentally strong

From this reading He had been the handsomest man in the county in his youth, and he was not less so now--perhaps more, with all the imposing glory of his white hair, and the suavity of age that had softened the lines in his face--lines which might have been a little hard in the fulness of his strength.

the quality of being bland and gracious or ingratiating in manner

From this reading He had been the handsomest man in the county in his youth, and he was not less so now--perhaps more, with all the imposing glory of his white hair, and the suavity of age that had softened the lines in his face--lines which might have been a little hard in the fulness of his strength.

extreme excess

From this reading He was a tall, straight, slim, but powerful old man, with nothing superfluous about him except his beard, which in those days was certainly a superfluity.

serving no useful purpose; having no excuse for being

From this reading He was a tall, straight, slim, but powerful old man, with nothing superfluous about him except his beard, which in those days was certainly a superfluity.

great in vertical dimension; high in stature

From this reading He was a tall, straight, slim, but powerful old man, with nothing superfluous about him except his beard, which in those days was certainly a superfluity.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading It was white, and so was his hair; but his eyes were so much darker than any human eyes that were ever seen, that to call them black was not in the least inappropriate.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading It was white, and so was his hair; but his eyes were so much darker than any human eyes that were ever seen, that to call them black was not in the least inappropriate.

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

From this reading The Rector peered and groped with the short-sighted feeble orbs which lurked amid a nest of wrinkles, but the Doctor’s brilliant black eyes went on before him and inspected everything.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading It was white, and so was his hair; but his eyes were so much darker than any human eyes that were ever seen, that to call them black was not in the least inappropriate.

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

From this reading He was a tall, straight, slim, but powerful old man, with nothing superfluous about him except his beard, which in those days was certainly a superfluity.

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

From this reading Dr. Somers came in, with a pair of eagle eyes going before him, as it seemed, like pioneers, to warn him of what was in his way.

notify of danger, potential harm, or risk

From this reading Dr. Somers came in, with a pair of eagle eyes going before him, as it seemed, like pioneers, to warn him of what was in his way.

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

From this reading Dr. Somers came in, with a pair of eagle eyes going before him, as it seemed, like pioneers, to warn him of what was in his way.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading Dr. Somers came in, with a pair of eagle eyes going before him, as it seemed, like pioneers, to warn him of what was in his way.

inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading The Rector peered and groped with the short-sighted feeble orbs which lurked amid a nest of wrinkles, but the Doctor’s brilliant black eyes went on before him and inspected everything.

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

From this reading It was white, and so was his hair; but his eyes were so much darker than any human eyes that were ever seen, that to call them black was not in the least inappropriate.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading Dr. Somers came in, with a pair of eagle eyes going before him, as it seemed, like pioneers, to warn him of what was in his way.

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

From this reading The Rector peered and groped with the short-sighted feeble orbs which lurked amid a nest of wrinkles, but the Doctor’s brilliant black eyes went on before him and inspected everything.

a Caucasian

From this reading It was white, and so was his hair; but his eyes were so much darker than any human eyes that were ever seen, that to call them black was not in the least inappropriate.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Dr. Somers came in, with a pair of eagle eyes going before him, as it seemed, like pioneers, to warn him of what was in his way.

plural of “wrinkle” — a slight depression or fold in the smoothness of a surface

From this reading The Rector peered and groped with the short-sighted feeble orbs which lurked amid a nest of wrinkles, but the Doctor’s brilliant black eyes went on before him and inspected everything.

a young person (especially a young man or boy)

From this reading He had been the handsomest man in the county in his youth, and he was not less so now--perhaps more, with all the imposing glory of his white hair, and the suavity of age that had softened the lines in his face--lines which might have been a little hard in the fulness of his strength.