Chapter XXII

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

From this reading In the dining room, innumerable dishes were already smoking upon the supper table as Megret and Arwed entered; yet the governor was sitting at the sideboard, in accordance with an old Norman custom, amusing himself with the favorite Swedish preliminary to a good meal, knakebrod and whiskey.

(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something

From this reading 'The countess is ill,' he answered, 'and begs you will receive her apology for not being able to appear at the table.'

concurrence of opinion

From this reading In the dining room, innumerable dishes were already smoking upon the supper table as Megret and Arwed entered; yet the governor was sitting at the sideboard, in accordance with an old Norman custom, amusing himself with the favorite Swedish preliminary to a good meal, knakebrod and whiskey.

prior to a specified or implied time

From this reading In the dining room, innumerable dishes were already smoking upon the supper table as Megret and Arwed entered; yet the governor was sitting at the sideboard, in accordance with an old Norman custom, amusing himself with the favorite Swedish preliminary to a good meal, knakebrod and whiskey.

providing enjoyment; pleasantly entertaining

From this reading In the dining room, innumerable dishes were already smoking upon the supper table as Megret and Arwed entered; yet the governor was sitting at the sideboard, in accordance with an old Norman custom, amusing himself with the favorite Swedish preliminary to a good meal, knakebrod and whiskey.

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

From this reading In the dining room, innumerable dishes were already smoking upon the supper table as Megret and Arwed entered; yet the governor was sitting at the sideboard, in accordance with an old Norman custom, amusing himself with the favorite Swedish preliminary to a good meal, knakebrod and whiskey.

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

From this reading In the dining room, innumerable dishes were already smoking upon the supper table as Megret and Arwed entered; yet the governor was sitting at the sideboard, in accordance with an old Norman custom, amusing himself with the favorite Swedish preliminary to a good meal, knakebrod and whiskey.

with anger

From this reading 'This is another of her whims,' said the old man angrily, 'of which she has more than my Polish charger.

one more of the same kind, or a different one

From this reading 'This is another of her whims,' said the old man angrily, 'of which she has more than my Polish charger.

past form of “answer” — react verbally

From this reading 'The countess is ill,' he answered, 'and begs you will receive her apology for not being able to appear at the table.'

an expression of regret at having caused trouble for someone

From this reading 'The countess is ill,' he answered, 'and begs you will receive her apology for not being able to appear at the table.'

give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading 'The countess is ill,' he answered, 'and begs you will receive her apology for not being able to appear at the table.'

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

From this reading In the dining room, innumerable dishes were already smoking upon the supper table as Megret and Arwed entered; yet the governor was sitting at the sideboard, in accordance with an old Norman custom, amusing himself with the favorite Swedish preliminary to a good meal, knakebrod and whiskey.

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

From this reading In the dining room, innumerable dishes were already smoking upon the supper table as Megret and Arwed entered; yet the governor was sitting at the sideboard, in accordance with an old Norman custom, amusing himself with the favorite Swedish preliminary to a good meal, knakebrod and whiskey.

past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody

From this reading 'Where is my daughter?' asked he of a servant, who had just entered.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading In the dining room, innumerable dishes were already smoking upon the supper table as Megret and Arwed entered; yet the governor was sitting at the sideboard, in accordance with an old Norman custom, amusing himself with the favorite Swedish preliminary to a good meal, knakebrod and whiskey.

third-person singular of “beg” — call upon in supplication; entreat

From this reading 'The countess is ill,' he answered, 'and begs you will receive her apology for not being able to appear at the table.'

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading 'The countess is ill,' he answered, 'and begs you will receive her apology for not being able to appear at the table.'

put or send forth

From this reading Occasionally he cast an impatient glance towards the door.

formerly a strong swift horse ridden into battle

From this reading 'This is another of her whims,' said the old man angrily, 'of which she has more than my Polish charger.

female equivalent of a count or earl

From this reading 'The countess is ill,' he answered, 'and begs you will receive her apology for not being able to appear at the table.'

accepted or habitual practice

From this reading In the dining room, innumerable dishes were already smoking upon the supper table as Megret and Arwed entered; yet the governor was sitting at the sideboard, in accordance with an old Norman custom, amusing himself with the favorite Swedish preliminary to a good meal, knakebrod and whiskey.

a female human offspring

From this reading 'Where is my daughter?' asked he of a servant, who had just entered.

the act of eating dinner

From this reading In the dining room, innumerable dishes were already smoking upon the supper table as Megret and Arwed entered; yet the governor was sitting at the sideboard, in accordance with an old Norman custom, amusing himself with the favorite Swedish preliminary to a good meal, knakebrod and whiskey.

plural of “dish” — a piece of dishware normally used as a container for holding or serving food

From this reading In the dining room, innumerable dishes were already smoking upon the supper table as Megret and Arwed entered; yet the governor was sitting at the sideboard, in accordance with an old Norman custom, amusing himself with the favorite Swedish preliminary to a good meal, knakebrod and whiskey.

a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle

From this reading Occasionally he cast an impatient glance towards the door.

past form of “enter” — to come or go into

From this reading In the dining room, innumerable dishes were already smoking upon the supper table as Megret and Arwed entered; yet the governor was sitting at the sideboard, in accordance with an old Norman custom, amusing himself with the favorite Swedish preliminary to a good meal, knakebrod and whiskey.

something regarded with special favor or liking

From this reading In the dining room, innumerable dishes were already smoking upon the supper table as Megret and Arwed entered; yet the governor was sitting at the sideboard, in accordance with an old Norman custom, amusing himself with the favorite Swedish preliminary to a good meal, knakebrod and whiskey.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading 'The countess is ill,' he answered, 'and begs you will receive her apology for not being able to appear at the table.'

throw a glance at; take a brief look at

From this reading Occasionally he cast an impatient glance towards the door.

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

From this reading In the dining room, innumerable dishes were already smoking upon the supper table as Megret and Arwed entered; yet the governor was sitting at the sideboard, in accordance with an old Norman custom, amusing himself with the favorite Swedish preliminary to a good meal, knakebrod and whiskey.

the head of a state government

From this reading In the dining room, innumerable dishes were already smoking upon the supper table as Megret and Arwed entered; yet the governor was sitting at the sideboard, in accordance with an old Norman custom, amusing himself with the favorite Swedish preliminary to a good meal, knakebrod and whiskey.

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

From this reading 'Where is my daughter?' asked he of a servant, who had just entered.

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

From this reading 'This is another of her whims,' said the old man angrily, 'of which she has more than my Polish charger.

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

From this reading Occasionally he cast an impatient glance towards the door.

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading 'The countess is ill,' he answered, 'and begs you will receive her apology for not being able to appear at the table.'

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

From this reading In the dining room, innumerable dishes were already smoking upon the supper table as Megret and Arwed entered; yet the governor was sitting at the sideboard, in accordance with an old Norman custom, amusing himself with the favorite Swedish preliminary to a good meal, knakebrod and whiskey.

affected by an impairment of normal physical or mental function

From this reading 'The countess is ill,' he answered, 'and begs you will receive her apology for not being able to appear at the table.'

restless or short-tempered under delay or opposition

From this reading Occasionally he cast an impatient glance towards the door.

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

From this reading In the dining room, innumerable dishes were already smoking upon the supper table as Megret and Arwed entered; yet the governor was sitting at the sideboard, in accordance with an old Norman custom, amusing himself with the favorite Swedish preliminary to a good meal, knakebrod and whiskey.

too numerous to be counted

From this reading In the dining room, innumerable dishes were already smoking upon the supper table as Megret and Arwed entered; yet the governor was sitting at the sideboard, in accordance with an old Norman custom, amusing himself with the favorite Swedish preliminary to a good meal, knakebrod and whiskey.

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

From this reading 'Where is my daughter?' asked he of a servant, who had just entered.

and nothing more

From this reading 'Where is my daughter?' asked he of a servant, who had just entered.

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

From this reading In the dining room, innumerable dishes were already smoking upon the supper table as Megret and Arwed entered; yet the governor was sitting at the sideboard, in accordance with an old Norman custom, amusing himself with the favorite Swedish preliminary to a good meal, knakebrod and whiskey.

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

From this reading 'This is another of her whims,' said the old man angrily, 'of which she has more than my Polish charger.

the food served and eaten at one time

From this reading In the dining room, innumerable dishes were already smoking upon the supper table as Megret and Arwed entered; yet the governor was sitting at the sideboard, in accordance with an old Norman custom, amusing himself with the favorite Swedish preliminary to a good meal, knakebrod and whiskey.

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

From this reading In the dining room, innumerable dishes were already smoking upon the supper table as Megret and Arwed entered; yet the governor was sitting at the sideboard, in accordance with an old Norman custom, amusing himself with the favorite Swedish preliminary to a good meal, knakebrod and whiskey.

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

From this reading 'This is another of her whims,' said the old man angrily, 'of which she has more than my Polish charger.

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading 'Where is my daughter?' asked he of a servant, who had just entered.

United States operatic soprano (born in 1945)

From this reading In the dining room, innumerable dishes were already smoking upon the supper table as Megret and Arwed entered; yet the governor was sitting at the sideboard, in accordance with an old Norman custom, amusing himself with the favorite Swedish preliminary to a good meal, knakebrod and whiskey.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading 'The countess is ill,' he answered, 'and begs you will receive her apology for not being able to appear at the table.'

sporadically and infrequently

From this reading Occasionally he cast an impatient glance towards the door.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading 'Where is my daughter?' asked he of a servant, who had just entered.

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

From this reading In the dining room, innumerable dishes were already smoking upon the supper table as Megret and Arwed entered; yet the governor was sitting at the sideboard, in accordance with an old Norman custom, amusing himself with the favorite Swedish preliminary to a good meal, knakebrod and whiskey.

the property of being smooth and shiny

From this reading 'This is another of her whims,' said the old man angrily, 'of which she has more than my Polish charger.

denoting an action or event preceding or in preparation for something more important

From this reading In the dining room, innumerable dishes were already smoking upon the supper table as Megret and Arwed entered; yet the governor was sitting at the sideboard, in accordance with an old Norman custom, amusing himself with the favorite Swedish preliminary to a good meal, knakebrod and whiskey.

get something; come into possession of

From this reading 'The countess is ill,' he answered, 'and begs you will receive her apology for not being able to appear at the table.'

an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling

From this reading In the dining room, innumerable dishes were already smoking upon the supper table as Megret and Arwed entered; yet the governor was sitting at the sideboard, in accordance with an old Norman custom, amusing himself with the favorite Swedish preliminary to a good meal, knakebrod and whiskey.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading 'This is another of her whims,' said the old man angrily, 'of which she has more than my Polish charger.

a person working in the service of another (especially in the household)

From this reading 'Where is my daughter?' asked he of a servant, who had just entered.

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading 'This is another of her whims,' said the old man angrily, 'of which she has more than my Polish charger.

a removable board fitted on the side of a wagon to increase its capacity

From this reading In the dining room, innumerable dishes were already smoking upon the supper table as Megret and Arwed entered; yet the governor was sitting at the sideboard, in accordance with an old Norman custom, amusing himself with the favorite Swedish preliminary to a good meal, knakebrod and whiskey.

(photography) the act of assuming a certain position (as for a photograph or portrait)

From this reading In the dining room, innumerable dishes were already smoking upon the supper table as Megret and Arwed entered; yet the governor was sitting at the sideboard, in accordance with an old Norman custom, amusing himself with the favorite Swedish preliminary to a good meal, knakebrod and whiskey.

the act of smoking tobacco or other substances

From this reading In the dining room, innumerable dishes were already smoking upon the supper table as Megret and Arwed entered; yet the governor was sitting at the sideboard, in accordance with an old Norman custom, amusing himself with the favorite Swedish preliminary to a good meal, knakebrod and whiskey.

a light evening meal; served in early evening if dinner is at midday or served late in the evening at bedtime

From this reading In the dining room, innumerable dishes were already smoking upon the supper table as Megret and Arwed entered; yet the governor was sitting at the sideboard, in accordance with an old Norman custom, amusing himself with the favorite Swedish preliminary to a good meal, knakebrod and whiskey.

of or relating to or characteristic of Sweden or its people or culture or language

From this reading In the dining room, innumerable dishes were already smoking upon the supper table as Megret and Arwed entered; yet the governor was sitting at the sideboard, in accordance with an old Norman custom, amusing himself with the favorite Swedish preliminary to a good meal, knakebrod and whiskey.

a set of data arranged in rows and columns

From this reading In the dining room, innumerable dishes were already smoking upon the supper table as Megret and Arwed entered; yet the governor was sitting at the sideboard, in accordance with an old Norman custom, amusing himself with the favorite Swedish preliminary to a good meal, knakebrod and whiskey.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading 'This is another of her whims,' said the old man angrily, 'of which she has more than my Polish charger.

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

From this reading In the dining room, innumerable dishes were already smoking upon the supper table as Megret and Arwed entered; yet the governor was sitting at the sideboard, in accordance with an old Norman custom, amusing himself with the favorite Swedish preliminary to a good meal, knakebrod and whiskey.

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

From this reading 'This is another of her whims,' said the old man angrily, 'of which she has more than my Polish charger.

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

From this reading In the dining room, innumerable dishes were already smoking upon the supper table as Megret and Arwed entered; yet the governor was sitting at the sideboard, in accordance with an old Norman custom, amusing himself with the favorite Swedish preliminary to a good meal, knakebrod and whiskey.

in the direction of

From this reading Occasionally he cast an impatient glance towards the door.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading In the dining room, innumerable dishes were already smoking upon the supper table as Megret and Arwed entered; yet the governor was sitting at the sideboard, in accordance with an old Norman custom, amusing himself with the favorite Swedish preliminary to a good meal, knakebrod and whiskey.

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

From this reading In the dining room, innumerable dishes were already smoking upon the supper table as Megret and Arwed entered; yet the governor was sitting at the sideboard, in accordance with an old Norman custom, amusing himself with the favorite Swedish preliminary to a good meal, knakebrod and whiskey.

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

From this reading In the dining room, innumerable dishes were already smoking upon the supper table as Megret and Arwed entered; yet the governor was sitting at the sideboard, in accordance with an old Norman custom, amusing himself with the favorite Swedish preliminary to a good meal, knakebrod and whiskey.

in or at the place that

From this reading 'Where is my daughter?' asked he of a servant, who had just entered.

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

From this reading 'This is another of her whims,' said the old man angrily, 'of which she has more than my Polish charger.

plural of “whim” — a sudden desire

From this reading 'This is another of her whims,' said the old man angrily, 'of which she has more than my Polish charger.

a liquor made from fermented mash of grain

From this reading In the dining room, innumerable dishes were already smoking upon the supper table as Megret and Arwed entered; yet the governor was sitting at the sideboard, in accordance with an old Norman custom, amusing himself with the favorite Swedish preliminary to a good meal, knakebrod and whiskey.

which person or people

From this reading 'Where is my daughter?' asked he of a servant, who had just entered.

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading 'The countess is ill,' he answered, 'and begs you will receive her apology for not being able to appear at the table.'

in the company of; together with

From this reading In the dining room, innumerable dishes were already smoking upon the supper table as Megret and Arwed entered; yet the governor was sitting at the sideboard, in accordance with an old Norman custom, amusing himself with the favorite Swedish preliminary to a good meal, knakebrod and whiskey.

but in spite of that

From this reading In the dining room, innumerable dishes were already smoking upon the supper table as Megret and Arwed entered; yet the governor was sitting at the sideboard, in accordance with an old Norman custom, amusing himself with the favorite Swedish preliminary to a good meal, knakebrod and whiskey.

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading 'The countess is ill,' he answered, 'and begs you will receive her apology for not being able to appear at the table.'