Chapter XXXIII · Chapter 33

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

From this reading Meantime, things were going, as they should, in rather a dull fashion with Duncan Dempster.

personal knowledge or information about someone or something

From this reading He was not, indeed, a man an acquaintance would ever have thought of calling cheerful; but in grays there are gradations; and however differently a man's barometer may be set from those of other people, it has its ups and downs, its fair weather and foul.

(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 The weather was good; he seldom failed of the box-seat on the omnibus; a ray of light, the first he had ever seen there, visited his table, reflected from a new window on the opposite side of a court into the heart of his dismal back office; and best of all, business was better than usual.

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading He was not, indeed, a man an acquaintance would ever have thought of calling cheerful; but in grays there are gradations; and however differently a man's barometer may be set from those of other people, it has its ups and downs, its fair weather and foul.

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

From this reading His chariot wheels were gone, and he drove heavily.

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

From this reading He was not, indeed, a man an acquaintance would ever have thought of calling cheerful; but in grays there are gradations; and however differently a man's barometer may be set from those of other people, it has its ups and downs, its fair weather and foul.

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

From this reading Meantime, things were going, as they should, in rather a dull fashion with Duncan Dempster.

in or to or toward a former location

From this reading The weather was good; he seldom failed of the box-seat on the omnibus; a ray of light, the first he had ever seen there, visited his table, reflected from a new window on the opposite side of a court into the heart of his dismal back office; and best of all, business was better than usual.

an instrument that measures atmospheric pressure

From this reading He was not, indeed, a man an acquaintance would ever have thought of calling cheerful; but in grays there are gradations; and however differently a man's barometer may be set from those of other people, it has its ups and downs, its fair weather and foul.

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading He was not, indeed, a man an acquaintance would ever have thought of calling cheerful; but in grays there are gradations; and however differently a man's barometer may be set from those of other people, it has its ups and downs, its fair weather and foul.

the supreme effort one can make

From this reading The weather was good; he seldom failed of the box-seat on the omnibus; a ray of light, the first he had ever seen there, visited his table, reflected from a new window on the opposite side of a court into the heart of his dismal back office; and best of all, business was better than usual.

(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another

From this reading The weather was good; he seldom failed of the box-seat on the omnibus; a ray of light, the first he had ever seen there, visited his table, reflected from a new window on the opposite side of a court into the heart of his dismal back office; and best of all, business was better than usual.

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

From this reading The weather was good; he seldom failed of the box-seat on the omnibus; a ray of light, the first he had ever seen there, visited his table, reflected from a new window on the opposite side of a court into the heart of his dismal back office; and best of all, business was better than usual.

a commercial or industrial enterprise and the people who constitute it

From this reading The weather was good; he seldom failed of the box-seat on the omnibus; a ray of light, the first he had ever seen there, visited his table, reflected from a new window on the opposite side of a court into the heart of his dismal back office; and best of all, business was better than usual.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading He was not, indeed, a man an acquaintance would ever have thought of calling cheerful; but in grays there are gradations; and however differently a man's barometer may be set from those of other people, it has its ups and downs, its fair weather and foul.

the particular occupation for which you are trained

From this reading He was not, indeed, a man an acquaintance would ever have thought of calling cheerful; but in grays there are gradations; and however differently a man's barometer may be set from those of other people, it has its ups and downs, its fair weather and foul.

a light four-wheel horse-drawn ceremonial carriage

From this reading His chariot wheels were gone, and he drove heavily.

being full of or promoting cheer; having or showing good spirits

From this reading Yet was Dempster not cheerful.

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

From this reading The weather was good; he seldom failed of the box-seat on the omnibus; a ray of light, the first he had ever seen there, visited his table, reflected from a new window on the opposite side of a court into the heart of his dismal back office; and best of all, business was better than usual.

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

From this reading Meantime, things were going, as they should, in rather a dull fashion with Duncan Dempster.

in another and different manner

From this reading He was not, indeed, a man an acquaintance would ever have thought of calling cheerful; but in grays there are gradations; and however differently a man's barometer may be set from those of other people, it has its ups and downs, its fair weather and foul.

causing dejection

From this reading The weather was good; he seldom failed of the box-seat on the omnibus; a ray of light, the first he had ever seen there, visited his table, reflected from a new window on the opposite side of a court into the heart of his dismal back office; and best of all, business was better than usual.

plural of “down” — soft fine feathers

From this reading He was not, indeed, a man an acquaintance would ever have thought of calling cheerful; but in grays there are gradations; and however differently a man's barometer may be set from those of other people, it has its ups and downs, its fair weather and foul.

a group of animals (a herd or flock) moving together

From this reading His chariot wheels were gone, and he drove heavily.

lacking in liveliness or animation

From this reading Meantime, things were going, as they should, in rather a dull fashion with Duncan Dempster.

United States dancer and pioneer of modern dance (1878-1927)

From this reading Meantime, things were going, as they should, in rather a dull fashion with Duncan Dempster.

at any time

From this reading The weather was good; he seldom failed of the box-seat on the omnibus; a ray of light, the first he had ever seen there, visited his table, reflected from a new window on the opposite side of a court into the heart of his dismal back office; and best of all, business was better than usual.

past form of “fail” — fail to do something; leave something undone

From this reading The weather was good; he seldom failed of the box-seat on the omnibus; a ray of light, the first he had ever seen there, visited his table, reflected from a new window on the opposite side of a court into the heart of his dismal back office; and best of all, business was better than usual.

free from favoritism or self-interest or bias or deception; conforming with established standards or rules

From this reading He was not, indeed, a man an acquaintance would ever have thought of calling cheerful; but in grays there are gradations; and however differently a man's barometer may be set from those of other people, it has its ups and downs, its fair weather and foul.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading Meantime, things were going, as they should, in rather a dull fashion with Duncan Dempster.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading The weather was good; he seldom failed of the box-seat on the omnibus; a ray of light, the first he had ever seen there, visited his table, reflected from a new window on the opposite side of a court into the heart of his dismal back office; and best of all, business was better than usual.

highly offensive; arousing aversion or disgust

From this reading He was not, indeed, a man an acquaintance would ever have thought of calling cheerful; but in grays there are gradations; and however differently a man's barometer may be set from those of other people, it has its ups and downs, its fair weather and foul.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading The weather was good; he seldom failed of the box-seat on the omnibus; a ray of light, the first he had ever seen there, visited his table, reflected from a new window on the opposite side of a court into the heart of his dismal back office; and best of all, business was better than usual.

the act of departing

From this reading Meantime, things were going, as they should, in rather a dull fashion with Duncan Dempster.

destroyed or killed

From this reading His chariot wheels were gone, and he drove heavily.

having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified

From this reading The weather was good; he seldom failed of the box-seat on the omnibus; a ray of light, the first he had ever seen there, visited his table, reflected from a new window on the opposite side of a court into the heart of his dismal back office; and best of all, business was better than usual.

plural of “gradation” — relative position in a graded series

From this reading He was not, indeed, a man an acquaintance would ever have thought of calling cheerful; but in grays there are gradations; and however differently a man's barometer may be set from those of other people, it has its ups and downs, its fair weather and foul.

plural of “gray” — a neutral achromatic color midway between white and black

From this reading He was not, indeed, a man an acquaintance would ever have thought of calling cheerful; but in grays there are gradations; and however differently a man's barometer may be set from those of other people, it has its ups and downs, its fair weather and foul.

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

From this reading The weather was good; he seldom failed of the box-seat on the omnibus; a ray of light, the first he had ever seen there, visited his table, reflected from a new window on the opposite side of a court into the heart of his dismal back office; and best of all, business was better than usual.

the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading He was not, indeed, a man an acquaintance would ever have thought of calling cheerful; but in grays there are gradations; and however differently a man's barometer may be set from those of other people, it has its ups and downs, its fair weather and foul.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading He was not, indeed, a man an acquaintance would ever have thought of calling cheerful; but in grays there are gradations; and however differently a man's barometer may be set from those of other people, it has its ups and downs, its fair weather and foul.

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

From this reading His chariot wheels were gone, and he drove heavily.

the locus of feelings and intuitions

From this reading The weather was good; he seldom failed of the box-seat on the omnibus; a ray of light, the first he had ever seen there, visited his table, reflected from a new window on the opposite side of a court into the heart of his dismal back office; and best of all, business was better than usual.

to a considerable degree

From this reading His chariot wheels were gone, and he drove heavily.

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

From this reading His chariot wheels were gone, and he drove heavily.

used to add a contrasting statement

From this reading He was not, indeed, a man an acquaintance would ever have thought of calling cheerful; but in grays there are gradations; and however differently a man's barometer may be set from those of other people, it has its ups and downs, its fair weather and foul.

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

From this reading Meantime, things were going, as they should, in rather a dull fashion with Duncan Dempster.

in truth (often tends to intensify)

From this reading He was not, indeed, a man an acquaintance would ever have thought of calling cheerful; but in grays there are gradations; and however differently a man's barometer may be set from those of other people, it has its ups and downs, its fair weather and foul.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading The weather was good; he seldom failed of the box-seat on the omnibus; a ray of light, the first he had ever seen there, visited his table, reflected from a new window on the opposite side of a court into the heart of his dismal back office; and best of all, business was better than usual.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading He was not, indeed, a man an acquaintance would ever have thought of calling cheerful; but in grays there are gradations; and however differently a man's barometer may be set from those of other people, it has its ups and downs, its fair weather and foul.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading He was not, indeed, a man an acquaintance would ever have thought of calling cheerful; but in grays there are gradations; and however differently a man's barometer may be set from those of other people, it has its ups and downs, its fair weather and foul.

of comparatively little physical weight or density

From this reading The weather was good; he seldom failed of the box-seat on the omnibus; a ray of light, the first he had ever seen there, visited his table, reflected from a new window on the opposite side of a court into the heart of his dismal back office; and best of all, business was better than usual.

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

From this reading He was not, indeed, a man an acquaintance would ever have thought of calling cheerful; but in grays there are gradations; and however differently a man's barometer may be set from those of other people, it has its ups and downs, its fair weather and foul.

possessive form of “man” — an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

From this reading He was not, indeed, a man an acquaintance would ever have thought of calling cheerful; but in grays there are gradations; and however differently a man's barometer may be set from those of other people, it has its ups and downs, its fair weather and foul.

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading He was not, indeed, a man an acquaintance would ever have thought of calling cheerful; but in grays there are gradations; and however differently a man's barometer may be set from those of other people, it has its ups and downs, its fair weather and foul.

the time between one event, process, or period and another

From this reading Meantime, things were going, as they should, in rather a dull fashion with Duncan Dempster.

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

From this reading The weather was good; he seldom failed of the box-seat on the omnibus; a ray of light, the first he had ever seen there, visited his table, reflected from a new window on the opposite side of a court into the heart of his dismal back office; and best of all, business was better than usual.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Yet was Dempster not cheerful.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The weather was good; he seldom failed of the box-seat on the omnibus; a ray of light, the first he had ever seen there, visited his table, reflected from a new window on the opposite side of a court into the heart of his dismal back office; and best of all, business was better than usual.

place of business where professional or clerical duties are performed

From this reading The weather was good; he seldom failed of the box-seat on the omnibus; a ray of light, the first he had ever seen there, visited his table, reflected from a new window on the opposite side of a court into the heart of his dismal back office; and best of all, business was better than usual.

an anthology of articles on a related subject or an anthology of the works of a single author

From this reading The weather was good; he seldom failed of the box-seat on the omnibus; a ray of light, the first he had ever seen there, visited his table, reflected from a new window on the opposite side of a court into the heart of his dismal back office; and best of all, business was better than usual.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading The weather was good; he seldom failed of the box-seat on the omnibus; a ray of light, the first he had ever seen there, visited his table, reflected from a new window on the opposite side of a court into the heart of his dismal back office; and best of all, business was better than usual.

being directly across from each other; facing

From this reading The weather was good; he seldom failed of the box-seat on the omnibus; a ray of light, the first he had ever seen there, visited his table, reflected from a new window on the opposite side of a court into the heart of his dismal back office; and best of all, business was better than usual.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading He was not, indeed, a man an acquaintance would ever have thought of calling cheerful; but in grays there are gradations; and however differently a man's barometer may be set from those of other people, it has its ups and downs, its fair weather and foul.

(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively

From this reading He was not, indeed, a man an acquaintance would ever have thought of calling cheerful; but in grays there are gradations; and however differently a man's barometer may be set from those of other people, it has its ups and downs, its fair weather and foul.

on the contrary

From this reading Meantime, things were going, as they should, in rather a dull fashion with Duncan Dempster.

a column of light (as from a beacon)

From this reading The weather was good; he seldom failed of the box-seat on the omnibus; a ray of light, the first he had ever seen there, visited his table, reflected from a new window on the opposite side of a court into the heart of his dismal back office; and best of all, business was better than usual.

(especially of incident sound or light) bent or sent back

From this reading The weather was good; he seldom failed of the box-seat on the omnibus; a ray of light, the first he had ever seen there, visited his table, reflected from a new window on the opposite side of a court into the heart of his dismal back office; and best of all, business was better than usual.

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

From this reading The weather was good; he seldom failed of the box-seat on the omnibus; a ray of light, the first he had ever seen there, visited his table, reflected from a new window on the opposite side of a court into the heart of his dismal back office; and best of all, business was better than usual.

not often

From this reading The weather was good; he seldom failed of the box-seat on the omnibus; a ray of light, the first he had ever seen there, visited his table, reflected from a new window on the opposite side of a court into the heart of his dismal back office; and best of all, business was better than usual.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading He was not, indeed, a man an acquaintance would ever have thought of calling cheerful; but in grays there are gradations; and however differently a man's barometer may be set from those of other people, it has its ups and downs, its fair weather and foul.

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading Meantime, things were going, as they should, in rather a dull fashion with Duncan Dempster.

a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location

From this reading The weather was good; he seldom failed of the box-seat on the omnibus; a ray of light, the first he had ever seen there, visited his table, reflected from a new window on the opposite side of a court into the heart of his dismal back office; and best of all, business was better than usual.

a set of data arranged in rows and columns

From this reading The weather was good; he seldom failed of the box-seat on the omnibus; a ray of light, the first he had ever seen there, visited his table, reflected from a new window on the opposite side of a court into the heart of his dismal back office; and best of all, business was better than usual.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading The weather was good; he seldom failed of the box-seat on the omnibus; a ray of light, the first he had ever seen there, visited his table, reflected from a new window on the opposite side of a court into the heart of his dismal back office; and best of all, business was better than usual.

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

From this reading The weather was good; he seldom failed of the box-seat on the omnibus; a ray of light, the first he had ever seen there, visited his table, reflected from a new window on the opposite side of a court into the heart of his dismal back office; and best of all, business was better than usual.

in or at that place or location

From this reading The weather was good; he seldom failed of the box-seat on the omnibus; a ray of light, the first he had ever seen there, visited his table, reflected from a new window on the opposite side of a court into the heart of his dismal back office; and best of all, business was better than usual.

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

From this reading Meantime, things were going, as they should, in rather a dull fashion with Duncan Dempster.

any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)

From this reading Meantime, things were going, as they should, in rather a dull fashion with Duncan Dempster.

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

From this reading He was not, indeed, a man an acquaintance would ever have thought of calling cheerful; but in grays there are gradations; and however differently a man's barometer may be set from those of other people, it has its ups and downs, its fair weather and foul.

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

From this reading He was not, indeed, a man an acquaintance would ever have thought of calling cheerful; but in grays there are gradations; and however differently a man's barometer may be set from those of other people, it has its ups and downs, its fair weather and foul.

third-person singular of “up” — raise

From this reading He was not, indeed, a man an acquaintance would ever have thought of calling cheerful; but in grays there are gradations; and however differently a man's barometer may be set from those of other people, it has its ups and downs, its fair weather and foul.

occurring or encountered or experienced or observed frequently or in accordance with regular practice or procedure

From this reading The weather was good; he seldom failed of the box-seat on the omnibus; a ray of light, the first he had ever seen there, visited his table, reflected from a new window on the opposite side of a court into the heart of his dismal back office; and best of all, business was better than usual.

past form of “visit” — go to see a place, as for entertainment

From this reading The weather was good; he seldom failed of the box-seat on the omnibus; a ray of light, the first he had ever seen there, visited his table, reflected from a new window on the opposite side of a court into the heart of his dismal back office; and best of all, business was better than usual.

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

From this reading The weather was good; he seldom failed of the box-seat on the omnibus; a ray of light, the first he had ever seen there, visited his table, reflected from a new window on the opposite side of a court into the heart of his dismal back office; and best of all, business was better than usual.

the atmospheric conditions that comprise the state of the atmosphere in terms of temperature and wind and clouds and precipitation

From this reading The weather was good; he seldom failed of the box-seat on the omnibus; a ray of light, the first he had ever seen there, visited his table, reflected from a new window on the opposite side of a court into the heart of his dismal back office; and best of all, business was better than usual.

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

From this reading Meantime, things were going, as they should, in rather a dull fashion with Duncan Dempster.

plural of “wheel” — a simple machine consisting of a circular frame with spokes (or a solid disc) that can rotate on a shaft or axle (as in vehicles or other machines)

From this reading His chariot wheels were gone, and he drove heavily.

a framework of wood or metal that contains a glass windowpane and is built into a wall or roof to admit light or air

From this reading The weather was good; he seldom failed of the box-seat on the omnibus; a ray of light, the first he had ever seen there, visited his table, reflected from a new window on the opposite side of a court into the heart of his dismal back office; and best of all, business was better than usual.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Meantime, things were going, as they should, in rather a dull fashion with Duncan Dempster.

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

From this reading He was not, indeed, a man an acquaintance would ever have thought of calling cheerful; but in grays there are gradations; and however differently a man's barometer may be set from those of other people, it has its ups and downs, its fair weather and foul.

but in spite of that

From this reading Yet was Dempster not cheerful.