Chapter XVI

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

From this reading A PROPOSAL A sleety rain was falling, but, despite the cold, St. Quentin’s couch was drawn up close beneath the mullioned windows of the library, from which he could look out upon the green expanse of Park and the mighty trees, which had seen generations of his family reign their reign at the great old Castle, and die.

an active and efficient cause; capable of producing a certain effect

From this reading He had gone no further, though he had started that letter to his agent when Sir Algernon had left him an hour ago.

in the past

From this reading He had gone no further, though he had started that letter to his agent when Sir Algernon had left him an hour ago.

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

From this reading He had gone no further, though he had started that letter to his agent when Sir Algernon had left him an hour ago.

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

From this reading At his elbow lay an invalid writing-desk and a sheet of paper, on which the words were written: “Dear Fane—Cut the timber from....”

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

From this reading A PROPOSAL A sleety rain was falling, but, despite the cold, St. Quentin’s couch was drawn up close beneath the mullioned windows of the library, from which he could look out upon the green expanse of Park and the mighty trees, which had seen generations of his family reign their reign at the great old Castle, and die.

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

From this reading The present owner’s face was sad enough, as he gazed out on the splendid prospect, beautiful even in the bareness of winter and the dreariness of rain.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading A PROPOSAL A sleety rain was falling, but, despite the cold, St. Quentin’s couch was drawn up close beneath the mullioned windows of the library, from which he could look out upon the green expanse of Park and the mighty trees, which had seen generations of his family reign their reign at the great old Castle, and die.

a bleak and desolate atmosphere

From this reading The present owner’s face was sad enough, as he gazed out on the splendid prospect, beautiful even in the bareness of winter and the dreariness of rain.

delighting the senses or exciting intellectual or emotional admiration

From this reading The present owner’s face was sad enough, as he gazed out on the splendid prospect, beautiful even in the bareness of winter and the dreariness of rain.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading A sentence kept rising up before him whenever he took up his pen to write, a sentence which, though spoken more than five years ago, was fresh as though he heard it yesterday.

Directly under; in or to a lower position than.

From this reading A PROPOSAL A sleety rain was falling, but, despite the cold, St. Quentin’s couch was drawn up close beneath the mullioned windows of the library, from which he could look out upon the green expanse of Park and the mighty trees, which had seen generations of his family reign their reign at the great old Castle, and die.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading A PROPOSAL A sleety rain was falling, but, despite the cold, St. Quentin’s couch was drawn up close beneath the mullioned windows of the library, from which he could look out upon the green expanse of Park and the mighty trees, which had seen generations of his family reign their reign at the great old Castle, and die.

a large and stately mansion

From this reading A PROPOSAL A sleety rain was falling, but, despite the cold, St. Quentin’s couch was drawn up close beneath the mullioned windows of the library, from which he could look out upon the green expanse of Park and the mighty trees, which had seen generations of his family reign their reign at the great old Castle, and die.

at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other

From this reading A PROPOSAL A sleety rain was falling, but, despite the cold, St. Quentin’s couch was drawn up close beneath the mullioned windows of the library, from which he could look out upon the green expanse of Park and the mighty trees, which had seen generations of his family reign their reign at the great old Castle, and die.

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 A PROPOSAL A sleety rain was falling, but, despite the cold, St. Quentin’s couch was drawn up close beneath the mullioned windows of the library, from which he could look out upon the green expanse of Park and the mighty trees, which had seen generations of his family reign their reign at the great old Castle, and die.

an upholstered seat for more than one person

From this reading A PROPOSAL A sleety rain was falling, but, despite the cold, St. Quentin’s couch was drawn up close beneath the mullioned windows of the library, from which he could look out upon the green expanse of Park and the mighty trees, which had seen generations of his family reign their reign at the great old Castle, and die.

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

From this reading A PROPOSAL A sleety rain was falling, but, despite the cold, St. Quentin’s couch was drawn up close beneath the mullioned windows of the library, from which he could look out upon the green expanse of Park and the mighty trees, which had seen generations of his family reign their reign at the great old Castle, and die.

separate with or as if with an instrument

From this reading At his elbow lay an invalid writing-desk and a sheet of paper, on which the words were written: “Dear Fane—Cut the timber from....”

dearly loved

From this reading At his elbow lay an invalid writing-desk and a sheet of paper, on which the words were written: “Dear Fane—Cut the timber from....”

although something is true; in spite of

From this reading A PROPOSAL A sleety rain was falling, but, despite the cold, St. Quentin’s couch was drawn up close beneath the mullioned windows of the library, from which he could look out upon the green expanse of Park and the mighty trees, which had seen generations of his family reign their reign at the great old Castle, and die.

pass from physical life and lose all bodily attributes and functions necessary to sustain life

From this reading A PROPOSAL A sleety rain was falling, but, despite the cold, St. Quentin’s couch was drawn up close beneath the mullioned windows of the library, from which he could look out upon the green expanse of Park and the mighty trees, which had seen generations of his family reign their reign at the great old Castle, and die.

showing the wearing effects of overwork or care or suffering

From this reading A PROPOSAL A sleety rain was falling, but, despite the cold, St. Quentin’s couch was drawn up close beneath the mullioned windows of the library, from which he could look out upon the green expanse of Park and the mighty trees, which had seen generations of his family reign their reign at the great old Castle, and die.

extreme dullness; lacking spirit or interest

From this reading The present owner’s face was sad enough, as he gazed out on the splendid prospect, beautiful even in the bareness of winter and the dreariness of rain.

hinge joint between the forearm and upper arm and the corresponding joint in the forelimb of a quadruped

From this reading At his elbow lay an invalid writing-desk and a sheet of paper, on which the words were written: “Dear Fane—Cut the timber from....”

an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose

From this reading The present owner’s face was sad enough, as he gazed out on the splendid prospect, beautiful even in the bareness of winter and the dreariness of rain.

divisible by two

From this reading The present owner’s face was sad enough, as he gazed out on the splendid prospect, beautiful even in the bareness of winter and the dreariness of rain.

a wide scope

From this reading A PROPOSAL A sleety rain was falling, but, despite the cold, St. Quentin’s couch was drawn up close beneath the mullioned windows of the library, from which he could look out upon the green expanse of Park and the mighty trees, which had seen generations of his family reign their reign at the great old Castle, and die.

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

From this reading The present owner’s face was sad enough, as he gazed out on the splendid prospect, beautiful even in the bareness of winter and the dreariness of rain.

decreasing in amount or degree

From this reading A PROPOSAL A sleety rain was falling, but, despite the cold, St. Quentin’s couch was drawn up close beneath the mullioned windows of the library, from which he could look out upon the green expanse of Park and the mighty trees, which had seen generations of his family reign their reign at the great old Castle, and die.

a social unit living together

From this reading A PROPOSAL A sleety rain was falling, but, despite the cold, St. Quentin’s couch was drawn up close beneath the mullioned windows of the library, from which he could look out upon the green expanse of Park and the mighty trees, which had seen generations of his family reign their reign at the great old Castle, and die.

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

From this reading At his elbow lay an invalid writing-desk and a sheet of paper, on which the words were written: “Dear Fane—Cut the timber from....”

the cardinal number that is the sum of four and one

From this reading A sentence kept rising up before him whenever he took up his pen to write, a sentence which, though spoken more than five years ago, was fresh as though he heard it yesterday.

recently made, produced, or harvested

From this reading A sentence kept rising up before him whenever he took up his pen to write, a sentence which, though spoken more than five years ago, was fresh as though he heard it yesterday.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading A PROPOSAL A sleety rain was falling, but, despite the cold, St. Quentin’s couch was drawn up close beneath the mullioned windows of the library, from which he could look out upon the green expanse of Park and the mighty trees, which had seen generations of his family reign their reign at the great old Castle, and die.

to or at a greater extent or degree or a more advanced stage (“further” is used more often than “farther” in this abstract sense)

From this reading He had gone no further, though he had started that letter to his agent when Sir Algernon had left him an hour ago.

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

From this reading The present owner’s face was sad enough, as he gazed out on the splendid prospect, beautiful even in the bareness of winter and the dreariness of rain.

plural of “generation” — all the people living at the same time or of approximately the same age

From this reading A PROPOSAL A sleety rain was falling, but, despite the cold, St. Quentin’s couch was drawn up close beneath the mullioned windows of the library, from which he could look out upon the green expanse of Park and the mighty trees, which had seen generations of his family reign their reign at the great old Castle, and die.

destroyed or killed

From this reading He had gone no further, though he had started that letter to his agent when Sir Algernon had left him an hour ago.

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

From this reading A PROPOSAL A sleety rain was falling, but, despite the cold, St. Quentin’s couch was drawn up close beneath the mullioned windows of the library, from which he could look out upon the green expanse of Park and the mighty trees, which had seen generations of his family reign their reign at the great old Castle, and die.

green color or pigment; resembling the color of growing grass

From this reading A PROPOSAL A sleety rain was falling, but, despite the cold, St. Quentin’s couch was drawn up close beneath the mullioned windows of the library, from which he could look out upon the green expanse of Park and the mighty trees, which had seen generations of his family reign their reign at the great old Castle, and die.

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

From this reading A PROPOSAL A sleety rain was falling, but, despite the cold, St. Quentin’s couch was drawn up close beneath the mullioned windows of the library, from which he could look out upon the green expanse of Park and the mighty trees, which had seen generations of his family reign their reign at the great old Castle, and die.

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

From this reading A PROPOSAL A sleety rain was falling, but, despite the cold, St. Quentin’s couch was drawn up close beneath the mullioned windows of the library, from which he could look out upon the green expanse of Park and the mighty trees, which had seen generations of his family reign their reign at the great old Castle, and die.

detected or perceived by the sense of hearing

From this reading A sentence kept rising up before him whenever he took up his pen to write, a sentence which, though spoken more than five years ago, was fresh as though he heard it yesterday.

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

From this reading He had gone no further, though he had started that letter to his agent when Sir Algernon had left him an hour ago.

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

From this reading A PROPOSAL A sleety rain was falling, but, despite the cold, St. Quentin’s couch was drawn up close beneath the mullioned windows of the library, from which he could look out upon the green expanse of Park and the mighty trees, which had seen generations of his family reign their reign at the great old Castle, and die.

a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day

From this reading He had gone no further, though he had started that letter to his agent when Sir Algernon had left him an hour ago.

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

From this reading The present owner’s face was sad enough, as he gazed out on the splendid prospect, beautiful even in the bareness of winter and the dreariness of rain.

someone who is incapacitated by a chronic illness or injury

From this reading At his elbow lay an invalid writing-desk and a sheet of paper, on which the words were written: “Dear Fane—Cut the timber from....”

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading A sentence kept rising up before him whenever he took up his pen to write, a sentence which, though spoken more than five years ago, was fresh as though he heard it yesterday.

(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded

From this reading A sentence kept rising up before him whenever he took up his pen to write, a sentence which, though spoken more than five years ago, was fresh as though he heard it yesterday.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading At his elbow lay an invalid writing-desk and a sheet of paper, on which the words were written: “Dear Fane—Cut the timber from....”

location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east

From this reading He had gone no further, though he had started that letter to his agent when Sir Algernon had left him an hour ago.

a written message addressed to a person or organization

From this reading He had gone no further, though he had started that letter to his agent when Sir Algernon had left him an hour ago.

a room where books are kept

From this reading A PROPOSAL A sleety rain was falling, but, despite the cold, St. Quentin’s couch was drawn up close beneath the mullioned windows of the library, from which he could look out upon the green expanse of Park and the mighty trees, which had seen generations of his family reign their reign at the great old Castle, and die.

perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading A PROPOSAL A sleety rain was falling, but, despite the cold, St. Quentin’s couch was drawn up close beneath the mullioned windows of the library, from which he could look out upon the green expanse of Park and the mighty trees, which had seen generations of his family reign their reign at the great old Castle, and die.

having or showing great strength or force or intensity

From this reading A PROPOSAL A sleety rain was falling, but, despite the cold, St. Quentin’s couch was drawn up close beneath the mullioned windows of the library, from which he could look out upon the green expanse of Park and the mighty trees, which had seen generations of his family reign their reign at the great old Castle, and die.

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

From this reading A sentence kept rising up before him whenever he took up his pen to write, a sentence which, though spoken more than five years ago, was fresh as though he heard it yesterday.

of windows; divided by vertical bars or piers usually of stone

From this reading A PROPOSAL A sleety rain was falling, but, despite the cold, St. Quentin’s couch was drawn up close beneath the mullioned windows of the library, from which he could look out upon the green expanse of Park and the mighty trees, which had seen generations of his family reign their reign at the great old Castle, and die.

not any; not one

From this reading He had gone no further, though he had started that letter to his agent when Sir Algernon had left him an hour ago.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading A PROPOSAL A sleety rain was falling, but, despite the cold, St. Quentin’s couch was drawn up close beneath the mullioned windows of the library, from which he could look out upon the green expanse of Park and the mighty trees, which had seen generations of his family reign their reign at the great old Castle, and die.

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

From this reading A PROPOSAL A sleety rain was falling, but, despite the cold, St. Quentin’s couch was drawn up close beneath the mullioned windows of the library, from which he could look out upon the green expanse of Park and the mighty trees, which had seen generations of his family reign their reign at the great old Castle, and die.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading The present owner’s face was sad enough, as he gazed out on the splendid prospect, beautiful even in the bareness of winter and the dreariness of rain.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading A PROPOSAL A sleety rain was falling, but, despite the cold, St. Quentin’s couch was drawn up close beneath the mullioned windows of the library, from which he could look out upon the green expanse of Park and the mighty trees, which had seen generations of his family reign their reign at the great old Castle, and die.

possessive form of “owner” — (law) someone who owns (is legal possessor of) a business

From this reading The present owner’s face was sad enough, as he gazed out on the splendid prospect, beautiful even in the bareness of winter and the dreariness of rain.

a material made of cellulose pulp derived mainly from wood or rags or certain grasses

From this reading At his elbow lay an invalid writing-desk and a sheet of paper, on which the words were written: “Dear Fane—Cut the timber from....”

a large area of land preserved in its natural state as public property

From this reading A PROPOSAL A sleety rain was falling, but, despite the cold, St. Quentin’s couch was drawn up close beneath the mullioned windows of the library, from which he could look out upon the green expanse of Park and the mighty trees, which had seen generations of his family reign their reign at the great old Castle, and die.

a writing implement with a point from which ink flows

From this reading A sentence kept rising up before him whenever he took up his pen to write, a sentence which, though spoken more than five years ago, was fresh as though he heard it yesterday.

give an exhibition of to an interested audience

From this reading The present owner’s face was sad enough, as he gazed out on the splendid prospect, beautiful even in the bareness of winter and the dreariness of rain.

something proposed (such as a plan or assumption)

From this reading A PROPOSAL A sleety rain was falling, but, despite the cold, St. Quentin’s couch was drawn up close beneath the mullioned windows of the library, from which he could look out upon the green expanse of Park and the mighty trees, which had seen generations of his family reign their reign at the great old Castle, and die.

the possibility of future success

From this reading The present owner’s face was sad enough, as he gazed out on the splendid prospect, beautiful even in the bareness of winter and the dreariness of rain.

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

From this reading A PROPOSAL A sleety rain was falling, but, despite the cold, St. Quentin’s couch was drawn up close beneath the mullioned windows of the library, from which he could look out upon the green expanse of Park and the mighty trees, which had seen generations of his family reign their reign at the great old Castle, and die.

water falling in drops from vapor condensed in the atmosphere

From this reading A PROPOSAL A sleety rain was falling, but, despite the cold, St. Quentin’s couch was drawn up close beneath the mullioned windows of the library, from which he could look out upon the green expanse of Park and the mighty trees, which had seen generations of his family reign their reign at the great old Castle, and die.

have sovereign power

From this reading A PROPOSAL A sleety rain was falling, but, despite the cold, St. Quentin’s couch was drawn up close beneath the mullioned windows of the library, from which he could look out upon the green expanse of Park and the mighty trees, which had seen generations of his family reign their reign at the great old Castle, and die.

advancing or becoming higher or greater in degree or value or status

From this reading A sentence kept rising up before him whenever he took up his pen to write, a sentence which, though spoken more than five years ago, was fresh as though he heard it yesterday.

experiencing or showing sorrow or unhappiness

From this reading The present owner’s face was sad enough, as he gazed out on the splendid prospect, beautiful even in the bareness of winter and the dreariness of rain.

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

From this reading A PROPOSAL A sleety rain was falling, but, despite the cold, St. Quentin’s couch was drawn up close beneath the mullioned windows of the library, from which he could look out upon the green expanse of Park and the mighty trees, which had seen generations of his family reign their reign at the great old Castle, and die.

a string of words satisfying the grammatical rules of a language

From this reading A sentence kept rising up before him whenever he took up his pen to write, a sentence which, though spoken more than five years ago, was fresh as though he heard it yesterday.

any broad thin expanse or surface

From this reading At his elbow lay an invalid writing-desk and a sheet of paper, on which the words were written: “Dear Fane—Cut the timber from....”

term of address for a man

From this reading He had gone no further, though he had started that letter to his agent when Sir Algernon had left him an hour ago.

consisting of or of the nature of frozen or partially frozen rain

From this reading A PROPOSAL A sleety rain was falling, but, despite the cold, St. Quentin’s couch was drawn up close beneath the mullioned windows of the library, from which he could look out upon the green expanse of Park and the mighty trees, which had seen generations of his family reign their reign at the great old Castle, and die.

having great beauty and splendor

From this reading The present owner’s face was sad enough, as he gazed out on the splendid prospect, beautiful even in the bareness of winter and the dreariness of rain.

uttered through the medium of speech or characterized by speech; sometimes used in combination

From this reading A sentence kept rising up before him whenever he took up his pen to write, a sentence which, though spoken more than five years ago, was fresh as though he heard it yesterday.

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

From this reading A PROPOSAL A sleety rain was falling, but, despite the cold, St. Quentin’s couch was drawn up close beneath the mullioned windows of the library, from which he could look out upon the green expanse of Park and the mighty trees, which had seen generations of his family reign their reign at the great old Castle, and die.

past form of “start” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

From this reading He had gone no further, though he had started that letter to his agent when Sir Algernon had left him an hour ago.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading A sentence kept rising up before him whenever he took up his pen to write, a sentence which, though spoken more than five years ago, was fresh as though he heard it yesterday.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading He had gone no further, though he had started that letter to his agent when Sir Algernon had left him an hour ago.

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

From this reading A PROPOSAL A sleety rain was falling, but, despite the cold, St. Quentin’s couch was drawn up close beneath the mullioned windows of the library, from which he could look out upon the green expanse of Park and the mighty trees, which had seen generations of his family reign their reign at the great old Castle, and die.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading A PROPOSAL A sleety rain was falling, but, despite the cold, St. Quentin’s couch was drawn up close beneath the mullioned windows of the library, from which he could look out upon the green expanse of Park and the mighty trees, which had seen generations of his family reign their reign at the great old Castle, and die.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading He had gone no further, though he had started that letter to his agent when Sir Algernon had left him an hour ago.

the wood of trees cut and prepared for use as building material

From this reading At his elbow lay an invalid writing-desk and a sheet of paper, on which the words were written: “Dear Fane—Cut the timber from....”

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

From this reading He had gone no further, though he had started that letter to his agent when Sir Algernon had left him an hour ago.

inflected form of “take” — carry out

From this reading A sentence kept rising up before him whenever he took up his pen to write, a sentence which, though spoken more than five years ago, was fresh as though he heard it yesterday.

plural of “tree” — a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms

From this reading A PROPOSAL A sleety rain was falling, but, despite the cold, St. Quentin’s couch was drawn up close beneath the mullioned windows of the library, from which he could look out upon the green expanse of Park and the mighty trees, which had seen generations of his family reign their reign at the great old Castle, and die.

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading A PROPOSAL A sleety rain was falling, but, despite the cold, St. Quentin’s couch was drawn up close beneath the mullioned windows of the library, from which he could look out upon the green expanse of Park and the mighty trees, which had seen generations of his family reign their reign at the great old Castle, and die.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading A PROPOSAL A sleety rain was falling, but, despite the cold, St. Quentin’s couch was drawn up close beneath the mullioned windows of the library, from which he could look out upon the green expanse of Park and the mighty trees, which had seen generations of his family reign their reign at the great old Castle, and die.

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

From this reading A PROPOSAL A sleety rain was falling, but, despite the cold, St. Quentin’s couch was drawn up close beneath the mullioned windows of the library, from which he could look out upon the green expanse of Park and the mighty trees, which had seen generations of his family reign their reign at the great old Castle, and die.

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

From this reading At his elbow lay an invalid writing-desk and a sheet of paper, on which the words were written: “Dear Fane—Cut the timber from....”

at the time that

From this reading He had gone no further, though he had started that letter to his agent when Sir Algernon had left him an hour ago.

at any time that; every time that

From this reading A sentence kept rising up before him whenever he took up his pen to write, a sentence which, though spoken more than five years ago, was fresh as though he heard it yesterday.

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

From this reading A PROPOSAL A sleety rain was falling, but, despite the cold, St. Quentin’s couch was drawn up close beneath the mullioned windows of the library, from which he could look out upon the green expanse of Park and the mighty trees, which had seen generations of his family reign their reign at the great old Castle, and die.

(trademark) an operating system with a graphical user interface

From this reading A PROPOSAL A sleety rain was falling, but, despite the cold, St. Quentin’s couch was drawn up close beneath the mullioned windows of the library, from which he could look out upon the green expanse of Park and the mighty trees, which had seen generations of his family reign their reign at the great old Castle, and die.

the coldest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the winter solstice to the vernal equinox

From this reading The present owner’s face was sad enough, as he gazed out on the splendid prospect, beautiful even in the bareness of winter and the dreariness of rain.

the words that are spoken

From this reading At his elbow lay an invalid writing-desk and a sheet of paper, on which the words were written: “Dear Fane—Cut the timber from....”

produce a literary work

From this reading A sentence kept rising up before him whenever he took up his pen to write, a sentence which, though spoken more than five years ago, was fresh as though he heard it yesterday.

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

From this reading At his elbow lay an invalid writing-desk and a sheet of paper, on which the words were written: “Dear Fane—Cut the timber from....”

set down in writing in any of various ways

From this reading At his elbow lay an invalid writing-desk and a sheet of paper, on which the words were written: “Dear Fane—Cut the timber from....”

a late time of life

From this reading A sentence kept rising up before him whenever he took up his pen to write, a sentence which, though spoken more than five years ago, was fresh as though he heard it yesterday.

the day immediately before today

From this reading A sentence kept rising up before him whenever he took up his pen to write, a sentence which, though spoken more than five years ago, was fresh as though he heard it yesterday.