Chapter XXI

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

From this reading Seated at his desk, the Minister was hardly visible behind the heaps of paper piled upon it; he was a little spectacled old man, with a grey moustache, watery eyes, and a sniff--a cynical, cantankerous old fellow, but an honest man who, in spite of the power and honour that had fallen to his lot, still had the appearance and manner of a professor of the law.

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

From this reading He took off his spectacles and wiped them, for he was curious to see the Abbé, the candidate to the episcopal dignity, who had been backed by so many brilliant society women.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading She had told him, without beating about the bush, that he must appoint the Abbé Guitrel to the see of Tourcoing.

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

From this reading Seated at his desk, the Minister was hardly visible behind the heaps of paper piled upon it; he was a little spectacled old man, with a grey moustache, watery eyes, and a sniff--a cynical, cantankerous old fellow, but an honest man who, in spite of the power and honour that had fallen to his lot, still had the appearance and manner of a professor of the law.

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

From this reading Seated at his desk, the Minister was hardly visible behind the heaps of paper piled upon it; he was a little spectacled old man, with a grey moustache, watery eyes, and a sniff--a cynical, cantankerous old fellow, but an honest man who, in spite of the power and honour that had fallen to his lot, still had the appearance and manner of a professor of the law.

outward or visible aspect of a person or thing

From this reading Seated at his desk, the Minister was hardly visible behind the heaps of paper piled upon it; he was a little spectacled old man, with a grey moustache, watery eyes, and a sniff--a cynical, cantankerous old fellow, but an honest man who, in spite of the power and honour that had fallen to his lot, still had the appearance and manner of a professor of the law.

create and charge with a task or function

From this reading She had told him, without beating about the bush, that he must appoint the Abbé Guitrel to the see of Tourcoing.

make a request or demand for something to somebody

From this reading “Ask M. Guitrel to come in,” said Loyer.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Seated at his desk, the Minister was hardly visible behind the heaps of paper piled upon it; he was a little spectacled old man, with a grey moustache, watery eyes, and a sniff--a cynical, cantankerous old fellow, but an honest man who, in spite of the power and honour that had fallen to his lot, still had the appearance and manner of a professor of the law.

having a back or backing, usually of a specified type

From this reading He took off his spectacles and wiped them, for he was curious to see the Abbé, the candidate to the episcopal dignity, who had been backed by so many brilliant society women.

the act of overcoming or outdoing

From this reading She had told him, without beating about the bush, that he must appoint the Abbé Guitrel to the see of Tourcoing.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading He took off his spectacles and wiped them, for he was curious to see the Abbé, the candidate to the episcopal dignity, who had been backed by so many brilliant society women.

at or toward the back of something

From this reading Seated at his desk, the Minister was hardly visible behind the heaps of paper piled upon it; he was a little spectacled old man, with a grey moustache, watery eyes, and a sniff--a cynical, cantankerous old fellow, but an honest man who, in spite of the power and honour that had fallen to his lot, still had the appearance and manner of a professor of the law.

of surpassing excellence

From this reading He took off his spectacles and wiped them, for he was curious to see the Abbé, the candidate to the episcopal dignity, who had been backed by so many brilliant society women.

a low woody perennial plant usually having several major stems

From this reading She had told him, without beating about the bush, that he must appoint the Abbé Guitrel to the see of Tourcoing.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Seated at his desk, the Minister was hardly visible behind the heaps of paper piled upon it; he was a little spectacled old man, with a grey moustache, watery eyes, and a sniff--a cynical, cantankerous old fellow, but an honest man who, in spite of the power and honour that had fallen to his lot, still had the appearance and manner of a professor of the law.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading He took off his spectacles and wiped them, for he was curious to see the Abbé, the candidate to the episcopal dignity, who had been backed by so many brilliant society women.

assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading Madame de Gromance, the pretty provincial, had been the first to call upon him at the end of December.

a politician who is running for public office

From this reading He took off his spectacles and wiped them, for he was curious to see the Abbé, the candidate to the episcopal dignity, who had been backed by so many brilliant society women.

stubbornly obstructive and unwilling to cooperate

From this reading Seated at his desk, the Minister was hardly visible behind the heaps of paper piled upon it; he was a little spectacled old man, with a grey moustache, watery eyes, and a sniff--a cynical, cantankerous old fellow, but an honest man who, in spite of the power and honour that had fallen to his lot, still had the appearance and manner of a professor of the law.

move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading “Ask M. Guitrel to come in,” said Loyer.

beyond or deviating from the usual or expected

From this reading He took off his spectacles and wiped them, for he was curious to see the Abbé, the candidate to the episcopal dignity, who had been backed by so many brilliant society women.

believing the worst of human nature and motives; having a sneering disbelief in e.g. selflessness of others

From this reading Seated at his desk, the Minister was hardly visible behind the heaps of paper piled upon it; he was a little spectacled old man, with a grey moustache, watery eyes, and a sniff--a cynical, cantankerous old fellow, but an honest man who, in spite of the power and honour that had fallen to his lot, still had the appearance and manner of a professor of the law.

a Mid-Atlantic state; one of the original 13 colonies

From this reading Madame de Gromance, the pretty provincial, had been the first to call upon him at the end of December.

the last (12th) month of the year

From this reading Madame de Gromance, the pretty provincial, had been the first to call upon him at the end of December.

a piece of furniture with a writing surface and usually drawers or other compartments

From this reading Seated at his desk, the Minister was hardly visible behind the heaps of paper piled upon it; he was a little spectacled old man, with a grey moustache, watery eyes, and a sniff--a cynical, cantankerous old fellow, but an honest man who, in spite of the power and honour that had fallen to his lot, still had the appearance and manner of a professor of the law.

the quality of being worthy of esteem or respect

From this reading He took off his spectacles and wiped them, for he was curious to see the Abbé, the candidate to the episcopal dignity, who had been backed by so many brilliant society women.

either extremity of something that has length

From this reading Madame de Gromance, the pretty provincial, had been the first to call upon him at the end of December.

of or pertaining to or characteristic of the Episcopal church

From this reading He took off his spectacles and wiped them, for he was curious to see the Abbé, the candidate to the episcopal dignity, who had been backed by so many brilliant society women.

opinion or judgment

From this reading Seated at his desk, the Minister was hardly visible behind the heaps of paper piled upon it; he was a little spectacled old man, with a grey moustache, watery eyes, and a sniff--a cynical, cantankerous old fellow, but an honest man who, in spite of the power and honour that had fallen to his lot, still had the appearance and manner of a professor of the law.

having dropped by the force of gravity

From this reading Seated at his desk, the Minister was hardly visible behind the heaps of paper piled upon it; he was a little spectacled old man, with a grey moustache, watery eyes, and a sniff--a cynical, cantankerous old fellow, but an honest man who, in spite of the power and honour that had fallen to his lot, still had the appearance and manner of a professor of the law.

a boy or man

From this reading Seated at his desk, the Minister was hardly visible behind the heaps of paper piled upon it; he was a little spectacled old man, with a grey moustache, watery eyes, and a sniff--a cynical, cantankerous old fellow, but an honest man who, in spite of the power and honour that had fallen to his lot, still had the appearance and manner of a professor of the law.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading Madame de Gromance, the pretty provincial, had been the first to call upon him at the end of December.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading He took off his spectacles and wiped them, for he was curious to see the Abbé, the candidate to the episcopal dignity, who had been backed by so many brilliant society women.

of an achromatic color of any lightness intermediate between the extremes of white and black

From this reading Seated at his desk, the Minister was hardly visible behind the heaps of paper piled upon it; he was a little spectacled old man, with a grey moustache, watery eyes, and a sniff--a cynical, cantankerous old fellow, but an honest man who, in spite of the power and honour that had fallen to his lot, still had the appearance and manner of a professor of the law.

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

From this reading Madame de Gromance, the pretty provincial, had been the first to call upon him at the end of December.

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

From this reading “Ask M. Guitrel to come in,” said Loyer.

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

From this reading Seated at his desk, the Minister was hardly visible behind the heaps of paper piled upon it; he was a little spectacled old man, with a grey moustache, watery eyes, and a sniff--a cynical, cantankerous old fellow, but an honest man who, in spite of the power and honour that had fallen to his lot, still had the appearance and manner of a professor of the law.

only a very short time before

From this reading Seated at his desk, the Minister was hardly visible behind the heaps of paper piled upon it; he was a little spectacled old man, with a grey moustache, watery eyes, and a sniff--a cynical, cantankerous old fellow, but an honest man who, in spite of the power and honour that had fallen to his lot, still had the appearance and manner of a professor of the law.

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

From this reading Seated at his desk, the Minister was hardly visible behind the heaps of paper piled upon it; he was a little spectacled old man, with a grey moustache, watery eyes, and a sniff--a cynical, cantankerous old fellow, but an honest man who, in spite of the power and honour that had fallen to his lot, still had the appearance and manner of a professor of the law.

a large number or amount

From this reading Seated at his desk, the Minister was hardly visible behind the heaps of paper piled upon it; he was a little spectacled old man, with a grey moustache, watery eyes, and a sniff--a cynical, cantankerous old fellow, but an honest man who, in spite of the power and honour that had fallen to his lot, still had the appearance and manner of a professor of the law.

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

From this reading Madame de Gromance, the pretty provincial, had been the first to call upon him at the end of December.

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

From this reading Seated at his desk, the Minister was hardly visible behind the heaps of paper piled upon it; he was a little spectacled old man, with a grey moustache, watery eyes, and a sniff--a cynical, cantankerous old fellow, but an honest man who, in spite of the power and honour that had fallen to his lot, still had the appearance and manner of a professor of the law.

not disposed to cheat or defraud; not deceptive or fraudulent

From this reading Seated at his desk, the Minister was hardly visible behind the heaps of paper piled upon it; he was a little spectacled old man, with a grey moustache, watery eyes, and a sniff--a cynical, cantankerous old fellow, but an honest man who, in spite of the power and honour that had fallen to his lot, still had the appearance and manner of a professor of the law.

the state of being honored

From this reading Seated at his desk, the Minister was hardly visible behind the heaps of paper piled upon it; he was a little spectacled old man, with a grey moustache, watery eyes, and a sniff--a cynical, cantankerous old fellow, but an honest man who, in spite of the power and honour that had fallen to his lot, still had the appearance and manner of a professor of the law.

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

From this reading “Ask M. Guitrel to come in,” said Loyer.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Seated at his desk, the Minister was hardly visible behind the heaps of paper piled upon it; he was a little spectacled old man, with a grey moustache, watery eyes, and a sniff--a cynical, cantankerous old fellow, but an honest man who, in spite of the power and honour that had fallen to his lot, still had the appearance and manner of a professor of the law.

the collection of rules imposed by authority

From this reading Seated at his desk, the Minister was hardly visible behind the heaps of paper piled upon it; he was a little spectacled old man, with a grey moustache, watery eyes, and a sniff--a cynical, cantankerous old fellow, but an honest man who, in spite of the power and honour that had fallen to his lot, still had the appearance and manner of a professor of the law.

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

From this reading Seated at his desk, the Minister was hardly visible behind the heaps of paper piled upon it; he was a little spectacled old man, with a grey moustache, watery eyes, and a sniff--a cynical, cantankerous old fellow, but an honest man who, in spite of the power and honour that had fallen to his lot, still had the appearance and manner of a professor of the law.

(often followed by “of”) a large number or amount or extent

From this reading Seated at his desk, the Minister was hardly visible behind the heaps of paper piled upon it; he was a little spectacled old man, with a grey moustache, watery eyes, and a sniff--a cynical, cantankerous old fellow, but an honest man who, in spite of the power and honour that had fallen to his lot, still had the appearance and manner of a professor of the law.

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

From this reading “Ask M. Guitrel to come in,” said Loyer.

the basic unit of length adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites (approximately 1.094 yards)

From this reading “Ask M. Guitrel to come in,” said Loyer.

title used for a married Frenchwoman

From this reading Madame de Gromance, the pretty provincial, had been the first to call upon him at the end of December.

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

From this reading Seated at his desk, the Minister was hardly visible behind the heaps of paper piled upon it; he was a little spectacled old man, with a grey moustache, watery eyes, and a sniff--a cynical, cantankerous old fellow, but an honest man who, in spite of the power and honour that had fallen to his lot, still had the appearance and manner of a professor of the law.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading Seated at his desk, the Minister was hardly visible behind the heaps of paper piled upon it; he was a little spectacled old man, with a grey moustache, watery eyes, and a sniff--a cynical, cantankerous old fellow, but an honest man who, in spite of the power and honour that had fallen to his lot, still had the appearance and manner of a professor of the law.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number

From this reading He took off his spectacles and wiped them, for he was curious to see the Abbé, the candidate to the episcopal dignity, who had been backed by so many brilliant society women.

a person authorized to conduct religious worship

From this reading Seated at his desk, the Minister was hardly visible behind the heaps of paper piled upon it; he was a little spectacled old man, with a grey moustache, watery eyes, and a sniff--a cynical, cantankerous old fellow, but an honest man who, in spite of the power and honour that had fallen to his lot, still had the appearance and manner of a professor of the law.

an unshaved growth of hair on the upper lip

From this reading Seated at his desk, the Minister was hardly visible behind the heaps of paper piled upon it; he was a little spectacled old man, with a grey moustache, watery eyes, and a sniff--a cynical, cantankerous old fellow, but an honest man who, in spite of the power and honour that had fallen to his lot, still had the appearance and manner of a professor of the law.

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading She had told him, without beating about the bush, that he must appoint the Abbé Guitrel to the see of Tourcoing.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Seated at his desk, the Minister was hardly visible behind the heaps of paper piled upon it; he was a little spectacled old man, with a grey moustache, watery eyes, and a sniff--a cynical, cantankerous old fellow, but an honest man who, in spite of the power and honour that had fallen to his lot, still had the appearance and manner of a professor of the law.

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading He took off his spectacles and wiped them, for he was curious to see the Abbé, the candidate to the episcopal dignity, who had been backed by so many brilliant society women.

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

From this reading Seated at his desk, the Minister was hardly visible behind the heaps of paper piled upon it; he was a little spectacled old man, with a grey moustache, watery eyes, and a sniff--a cynical, cantankerous old fellow, but an honest man who, in spite of the power and honour that had fallen to his lot, still had the appearance and manner of a professor of the law.

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

From this reading Seated at his desk, the Minister was hardly visible behind the heaps of paper piled upon it; he was a little spectacled old man, with a grey moustache, watery eyes, and a sniff--a cynical, cantankerous old fellow, but an honest man who, in spite of the power and honour that had fallen to his lot, still had the appearance and manner of a professor of the law.

past form of “pile” — arrange in stacks

From this reading Seated at his desk, the Minister was hardly visible behind the heaps of paper piled upon it; he was a little spectacled old man, with a grey moustache, watery eyes, and a sniff--a cynical, cantankerous old fellow, but an honest man who, in spite of the power and honour that had fallen to his lot, still had the appearance and manner of a professor of the law.

possession of controlling influence

From this reading Seated at his desk, the Minister was hardly visible behind the heaps of paper piled upon it; he was a little spectacled old man, with a grey moustache, watery eyes, and a sniff--a cynical, cantankerous old fellow, but an honest man who, in spite of the power and honour that had fallen to his lot, still had the appearance and manner of a professor of the law.

pleasing by delicacy or grace; not imposing

From this reading Madame de Gromance, the pretty provincial, had been the first to call upon him at the end of December.

someone who is a member of the faculty at a college or university

From this reading Seated at his desk, the Minister was hardly visible behind the heaps of paper piled upon it; he was a little spectacled old man, with a grey moustache, watery eyes, and a sniff--a cynical, cantankerous old fellow, but an honest man who, in spite of the power and honour that had fallen to his lot, still had the appearance and manner of a professor of the law.

of or associated with a province

From this reading Madame de Gromance, the pretty provincial, had been the first to call upon him at the end of December.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading “Ask M. Guitrel to come in,” said Loyer.

(of persons) having the torso erect and legs bent with the body supported on the buttocks

From this reading Seated at his desk, the Minister was hardly visible behind the heaps of paper piled upon it; he was a little spectacled old man, with a grey moustache, watery eyes, and a sniff--a cynical, cantankerous old fellow, but an honest man who, in spite of the power and honour that had fallen to his lot, still had the appearance and manner of a professor of the law.

perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading He took off his spectacles and wiped them, for he was curious to see the Abbé, the candidate to the episcopal dignity, who had been backed by so many brilliant society women.

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

From this reading She had told him, without beating about the bush, that he must appoint the Abbé Guitrel to the see of Tourcoing.

perceive by inhaling through the nose

From this reading Seated at his desk, the Minister was hardly visible behind the heaps of paper piled upon it; he was a little spectacled old man, with a grey moustache, watery eyes, and a sniff--a cynical, cantankerous old fellow, but an honest man who, in spite of the power and honour that had fallen to his lot, still had the appearance and manner of a professor of the law.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading He took off his spectacles and wiped them, for he was curious to see the Abbé, the candidate to the episcopal dignity, who had been backed by so many brilliant society women.

an extended social group having a distinctive cultural and economic organization

From this reading He took off his spectacles and wiped them, for he was curious to see the Abbé, the candidate to the episcopal dignity, who had been backed by so many brilliant society women.

wearing, or having the face adorned with, eyeglasses or an eyeglass

From this reading Seated at his desk, the Minister was hardly visible behind the heaps of paper piled upon it; he was a little spectacled old man, with a grey moustache, watery eyes, and a sniff--a cynical, cantankerous old fellow, but an honest man who, in spite of the power and honour that had fallen to his lot, still had the appearance and manner of a professor of the law.

(plural) optical instrument consisting of a frame that holds a pair of lenses for correcting defective vision

From this reading He took off his spectacles and wiped them, for he was curious to see the Abbé, the candidate to the episcopal dignity, who had been backed by so many brilliant society women.

feeling a need to see others suffer

From this reading Seated at his desk, the Minister was hardly visible behind the heaps of paper piled upon it; he was a little spectacled old man, with a grey moustache, watery eyes, and a sniff--a cynical, cantankerous old fellow, but an honest man who, in spite of the power and honour that had fallen to his lot, still had the appearance and manner of a professor of the law.

not in physical motion

From this reading Seated at his desk, the Minister was hardly visible behind the heaps of paper piled upon it; he was a little spectacled old man, with a grey moustache, watery eyes, and a sniff--a cynical, cantankerous old fellow, but an honest man who, in spite of the power and honour that had fallen to his lot, still had the appearance and manner of a professor of the law.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Seated at his desk, the Minister was hardly visible behind the heaps of paper piled upon it; he was a little spectacled old man, with a grey moustache, watery eyes, and a sniff--a cynical, cantankerous old fellow, but an honest man who, in spite of the power and honour that had fallen to his lot, still had the appearance and manner of a professor of the law.

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

From this reading Seated at his desk, the Minister was hardly visible behind the heaps of paper piled upon it; he was a little spectacled old man, with a grey moustache, watery eyes, and a sniff--a cynical, cantankerous old fellow, but an honest man who, in spite of the power and honour that had fallen to his lot, still had the appearance and manner of a professor of the law.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading He took off his spectacles and wiped them, for he was curious to see the Abbé, the candidate to the episcopal dignity, who had been backed by so many brilliant society women.

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

From this reading “Ask M. Guitrel to come in,” said Loyer.

inflected form of “tell” — express in words

From this reading She had told him, without beating about the bush, that he must appoint the Abbé Guitrel to the see of Tourcoing.

inflected form of “take” — carry out

From this reading He took off his spectacles and wiped them, for he was curious to see the Abbé, the candidate to the episcopal dignity, who had been backed by so many brilliant society women.

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

From this reading She had told him, without beating about the bush, that he must appoint the Abbé Guitrel to the see of Tourcoing.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading Seated at his desk, the Minister was hardly visible behind the heaps of paper piled upon it; he was a little spectacled old man, with a grey moustache, watery eyes, and a sniff--a cynical, cantankerous old fellow, but an honest man who, in spite of the power and honour that had fallen to his lot, still had the appearance and manner of a professor of the law.

capable of being seen; or open to easy view

From this reading Seated at his desk, the Minister was hardly visible behind the heaps of paper piled upon it; he was a little spectacled old man, with a grey moustache, watery eyes, and a sniff--a cynical, cantankerous old fellow, but an honest man who, in spite of the power and honour that had fallen to his lot, still had the appearance and manner of a professor of the law.

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

From this reading Seated at his desk, the Minister was hardly visible behind the heaps of paper piled upon it; he was a little spectacled old man, with a grey moustache, watery eyes, and a sniff--a cynical, cantankerous old fellow, but an honest man who, in spite of the power and honour that had fallen to his lot, still had the appearance and manner of a professor of the law.

filled with water

From this reading Seated at his desk, the Minister was hardly visible behind the heaps of paper piled upon it; he was a little spectacled old man, with a grey moustache, watery eyes, and a sniff--a cynical, cantankerous old fellow, but an honest man who, in spite of the power and honour that had fallen to his lot, still had the appearance and manner of a professor of the law.

which person or people

From this reading Seated at his desk, the Minister was hardly visible behind the heaps of paper piled upon it; he was a little spectacled old man, with a grey moustache, watery eyes, and a sniff--a cynical, cantankerous old fellow, but an honest man who, in spite of the power and honour that had fallen to his lot, still had the appearance and manner of a professor of the law.

past form of “wipe” — rub with a circular motion

From this reading He took off his spectacles and wiped them, for he was curious to see the Abbé, the candidate to the episcopal dignity, who had been backed by so many brilliant society women.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Seated at his desk, the Minister was hardly visible behind the heaps of paper piled upon it; he was a little spectacled old man, with a grey moustache, watery eyes, and a sniff--a cynical, cantankerous old fellow, but an honest man who, in spite of the power and honour that had fallen to his lot, still had the appearance and manner of a professor of the law.

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading She had told him, without beating about the bush, that he must appoint the Abbé Guitrel to the see of Tourcoing.

plural of “woman” — an adult female person (as opposed to a man)

From this reading He took off his spectacles and wiped them, for he was curious to see the Abbé, the candidate to the episcopal dignity, who had been backed by so many brilliant society women.