Chapter XIV

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

From this reading A CHANCE ACQUAINTANCE Well, then, the way that Ellis and Jones met each other--and several other things--was this.

quickly and without warning

From this reading Then the wind changed abruptly, blowing now from the south; and with the change of wind Ellis fancied that he smelled green wood burning.

personal knowledge or information about someone or something

From this reading A CHANCE ACQUAINTANCE Well, then, the way that Ellis and Jones met each other--and several other things--was this.

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

From this reading Ah!

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

From this reading A CHANCE ACQUAINTANCE Well, then, the way that Ellis and Jones met each other--and several other things--was this.

(sometimes followed by “of”) having or showing knowledge or understanding or realization or perception

From this reading It chanced to be in the northern forests, I believe--both were fishing, neither knew the other nor was even aware of their mutual proximity.

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

From this reading It chanced to be in the northern forests, I believe--both were fishing, neither knew the other nor was even aware of their mutual proximity.

accept as true; take to be true

From this reading It chanced to be in the northern forests, I believe--both were fishing, neither knew the other nor was even aware of their mutual proximity.

processing that involves blowing a gas

From this reading Then the wind changed abruptly, blowing now from the south; and with the change of wind Ellis fancied that he smelled green wood burning.

the two together, not just one

From this reading It chanced to be in the northern forests, I believe--both were fishing, neither knew the other nor was even aware of their mutual proximity.

the act of burning something

From this reading Then the wind changed abruptly, blowing now from the south; and with the change of wind Ellis fancied that he smelled green wood burning.

a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances

From this reading A CHANCE ACQUAINTANCE Well, then, the way that Ellis and Jones met each other--and several other things--was this.

past form of “chance” — be the case by chance

From this reading It chanced to be in the northern forests, I believe--both were fishing, neither knew the other nor was even aware of their mutual proximity.

cause to change; make different; cause a transformation

From this reading Then the wind changed abruptly, blowing now from the south; and with the change of wind Ellis fancied that he smelled green wood burning.

made or become different in nature or form

From this reading Then the wind changed abruptly, blowing now from the south; and with the change of wind Ellis fancied that he smelled green wood burning.

every one of two or more people or things, taken separately

From this reading A CHANCE ACQUAINTANCE Well, then, the way that Ellis and Jones met each other--and several other things--was this.

plural of “elli” — (Norse mythology) goddess of old age who defeated Thor in a wrestling match

From this reading A CHANCE ACQUAINTANCE Well, then, the way that Ellis and Jones met each other--and several other things--was this.

divisible by two

From this reading It chanced to be in the northern forests, I believe--both were fishing, neither knew the other nor was even aware of their mutual proximity.

formed or conceived by the imagination

From this reading Then the wind changed abruptly, blowing now from the south; and with the change of wind Ellis fancied that he smelled green wood burning.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number

From this reading A few minutes later he was sure of it; he stood knee-deep in the stream sniffing uneasily, then he lifted his trout-rod, reeled in his line, and waded silently shoreward, his keen nose twitching.

the act of someone who fishes as a diversion

From this reading It chanced to be in the northern forests, I believe--both were fishing, neither knew the other nor was even aware of their mutual proximity.

plural of “forest” — the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area

From this reading It chanced to be in the northern forests, I believe--both were fishing, neither knew the other nor was even aware of their mutual proximity.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Then the wind changed abruptly, blowing now from the south; and with the change of wind Ellis fancied that he smelled green wood burning.

green color or pigment; resembling the color of growing grass

From this reading Then the wind changed abruptly, blowing now from the south; and with the change of wind Ellis fancied that he smelled green wood burning.

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

From this reading Then the wind changed abruptly, blowing now from the south; and with the change of wind Ellis fancied that he smelled green wood burning.

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

From this reading A few minutes later he was sure of it; he stood knee-deep in the stream sniffing uneasily, then he lifted his trout-rod, reeled in his line, and waded silently shoreward, his keen nose twitching.

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading It chanced to be in the northern forests, I believe--both were fishing, neither knew the other nor was even aware of their mutual proximity.

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

From this reading It chanced to be in the northern forests, I believe--both were fishing, neither knew the other nor was even aware of their mutual proximity.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It chanced to be in the northern forests, I believe--both were fishing, neither knew the other nor was even aware of their mutual proximity.

United States labor leader (born in Ireland) who helped to found the Industrial Workers of the World (1830-1930)

From this reading A CHANCE ACQUAINTANCE Well, then, the way that Ellis and Jones met each other--and several other things--was this.

having or demonstrating ability to recognize or draw fine distinctions

From this reading A few minutes later he was sure of it; he stood knee-deep in the stream sniffing uneasily, then he lifted his trout-rod, reeled in his line, and waded silently shoreward, his keen nose twitching.

coming only to the ankle or knee

From this reading A few minutes later he was sure of it; he stood knee-deep in the stream sniffing uneasily, then he lifted his trout-rod, reeled in his line, and waded silently shoreward, his keen nose twitching.

inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about

From this reading It chanced to be in the northern forests, I believe--both were fishing, neither knew the other nor was even aware of their mutual proximity.

happening at a time subsequent to a reference time

From this reading A few minutes later he was sure of it; he stood knee-deep in the stream sniffing uneasily, then he lifted his trout-rod, reeled in his line, and waded silently shoreward, his keen nose twitching.

held up in the air

From this reading A few minutes later he was sure of it; he stood knee-deep in the stream sniffing uneasily, then he lifted his trout-rod, reeled in his line, and waded silently shoreward, his keen nose twitching.

a formation of people or things one beside another

From this reading A few minutes later he was sure of it; he stood knee-deep in the stream sniffing uneasily, then he lifted his trout-rod, reeled in his line, and waded silently shoreward, his keen nose twitching.

inflected form of “meet” — come together

From this reading A CHANCE ACQUAINTANCE Well, then, the way that Ellis and Jones met each other--and several other things--was this.

a written account of what transpired at a meeting

From this reading A few minutes later he was sure of it; he stood knee-deep in the stream sniffing uneasily, then he lifted his trout-rod, reeled in his line, and waded silently shoreward, his keen nose twitching.

common to or shared by two or more parties

From this reading It chanced to be in the northern forests, I believe--both were fishing, neither knew the other nor was even aware of their mutual proximity.

not one and not the other of two

From this reading It chanced to be in the northern forests, I believe--both were fishing, neither knew the other nor was even aware of their mutual proximity.

and not; used after a negative to add a second negative

From this reading It chanced to be in the northern forests, I believe--both were fishing, neither knew the other nor was even aware of their mutual proximity.

in or characteristic of a region of the United States north of (approximately) the Mason-Dixon line

From this reading It chanced to be in the northern forests, I believe--both were fishing, neither knew the other nor was even aware of their mutual proximity.

the organ of smell and entrance to the respiratory tract; the prominent part of the face of man or other mammals

From this reading A few minutes later he was sure of it; he stood knee-deep in the stream sniffing uneasily, then he lifted his trout-rod, reeled in his line, and waded silently shoreward, his keen nose twitching.

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

From this reading Then the wind changed abruptly, blowing now from the south; and with the change of wind Ellis fancied that he smelled green wood burning.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading It chanced to be in the northern forests, I believe--both were fishing, neither knew the other nor was even aware of their mutual proximity.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading A CHANCE ACQUAINTANCE Well, then, the way that Ellis and Jones met each other--and several other things--was this.

the property of being close together

From this reading It chanced to be in the northern forests, I believe--both were fishing, neither knew the other nor was even aware of their mutual proximity.

past form of “reel” — walk as if unable to control one's movements

From this reading A few minutes later he was sure of it; he stood knee-deep in the stream sniffing uneasily, then he lifted his trout-rod, reeled in his line, and waded silently shoreward, his keen nose twitching.

(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many

From this reading A CHANCE ACQUAINTANCE Well, then, the way that Ellis and Jones met each other--and several other things--was this.

(of winds) coming from the sea toward the land

From this reading A few minutes later he was sure of it; he stood knee-deep in the stream sniffing uneasily, then he lifted his trout-rod, reeled in his line, and waded silently shoreward, his keen nose twitching.

without speaking

From this reading A few minutes later he was sure of it; he stood knee-deep in the stream sniffing uneasily, then he lifted his trout-rod, reeled in his line, and waded silently shoreward, his keen nose twitching.

past form of “smell” — inhale the odor of; perceive by the olfactory sense

From this reading Then the wind changed abruptly, blowing now from the south; and with the change of wind Ellis fancied that he smelled green wood burning.

-ing form of “sniff” — perceive by inhaling through the nose

From this reading A few minutes later he was sure of it; he stood knee-deep in the stream sniffing uneasily, then he lifted his trout-rod, reeled in his line, and waded silently shoreward, his keen nose twitching.

the region of the United States lying to the south of the Mason-Dixon line

From this reading Then the wind changed abruptly, blowing now from the south; and with the change of wind Ellis fancied that he smelled green wood burning.

Maintained an upright posture.

From this reading A few minutes later he was sure of it; he stood knee-deep in the stream sniffing uneasily, then he lifted his trout-rod, reeled in his line, and waded silently shoreward, his keen nose twitching.

a natural body of running water flowing on or under the earth

From this reading A few minutes later he was sure of it; he stood knee-deep in the stream sniffing uneasily, then he lifted his trout-rod, reeled in his line, and waded silently shoreward, his keen nose twitching.

having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured

From this reading A few minutes later he was sure of it; he stood knee-deep in the stream sniffing uneasily, then he lifted his trout-rod, reeled in his line, and waded silently shoreward, his keen nose twitching.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading A CHANCE ACQUAINTANCE Well, then, the way that Ellis and Jones met each other--and several other things--was this.

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

From this reading A CHANCE ACQUAINTANCE Well, then, the way that Ellis and Jones met each other--and several other things--was this.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading It chanced to be in the northern forests, I believe--both were fishing, neither knew the other nor was even aware of their mutual proximity.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading A CHANCE ACQUAINTANCE Well, then, the way that Ellis and Jones met each other--and several other things--was this.

any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)

From this reading A CHANCE ACQUAINTANCE Well, then, the way that Ellis and Jones met each other--and several other things--was this.

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

From this reading A CHANCE ACQUAINTANCE Well, then, the way that Ellis and Jones met each other--and several other things--was this.

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

From this reading It chanced to be in the northern forests, I believe--both were fishing, neither knew the other nor was even aware of their mutual proximity.

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

From this reading A few minutes later he was sure of it; he stood knee-deep in the stream sniffing uneasily, then he lifted his trout-rod, reeled in his line, and waded silently shoreward, his keen nose twitching.

a sudden muscle spasm; especially one caused by a nervous condition

From this reading A few minutes later he was sure of it; he stood knee-deep in the stream sniffing uneasily, then he lifted his trout-rod, reeled in his line, and waded silently shoreward, his keen nose twitching.

with anxiety or apprehension

From this reading A few minutes later he was sure of it; he stood knee-deep in the stream sniffing uneasily, then he lifted his trout-rod, reeled in his line, and waded silently shoreward, his keen nose twitching.

past form of “wade” — walk (through relatively shallow water)

From this reading A few minutes later he was sure of it; he stood knee-deep in the stream sniffing uneasily, then he lifted his trout-rod, reeled in his line, and waded silently shoreward, his keen nose twitching.

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

From this reading A CHANCE ACQUAINTANCE Well, then, the way that Ellis and Jones met each other--and several other things--was this.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading A CHANCE ACQUAINTANCE Well, then, the way that Ellis and Jones met each other--and several other things--was this.

(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)

From this reading A CHANCE ACQUAINTANCE Well, then, the way that Ellis and Jones met each other--and several other things--was this.

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

From this reading It chanced to be in the northern forests, I believe--both were fishing, neither knew the other nor was even aware of their mutual proximity.

air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure

From this reading Then the wind changed abruptly, blowing now from the south; and with the change of wind Ellis fancied that he smelled green wood burning.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Then the wind changed abruptly, blowing now from the south; and with the change of wind Ellis fancied that he smelled green wood burning.

the hard fibrous lignified substance under the bark of trees

From this reading Then the wind changed abruptly, blowing now from the south; and with the change of wind Ellis fancied that he smelled green wood burning.