Chapter I · Chapter 1

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

From this reading To mere wealth, only his astute and incomparably modern brain yielded respect; his ego raised its goose-flesh at the sight of rooms furnished with a single check, conciliatory as the taste might be.

(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but

From this reading The dumping of the old interiors of Europe into the glistening shells of the United States not only roused him almost to passionate protest, but offended his patriotism--which he classified among his unworked ideals.

indifference by personal withdrawal

From this reading It was not so much the good American's reverence for ancestors that inspired the longing to consort with the ghosts of an ancient line, as artistic appreciation of the mellowness, the dignity, the aristocratic aloofness of walls that have sheltered, and furniture that has embraced, generations and generations of the dead.

having a strong desire for success or achievement

From this reading The great author had realized one of the dreams of his ambitious youth, the possession of an ancestral hall in England.

possessive form of “american” — a native or inhabitant of the United States

From this reading It was not so much the good American's reverence for ancestors that inspired the longing to consort with the ghosts of an ancient line, as artistic appreciation of the mellowness, the dignity, the aristocratic aloofness of walls that have sheltered, and furniture that has embraced, generations and generations of the dead.

surrounded by; in the middle of a group

From this reading The dumping of the old interiors of Europe into the glistening shells of the United States not only roused him almost to passionate protest, but offended his patriotism--which he classified among his unworked ideals.

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

From this reading The great author had realized one of the dreams of his ambitious youth, the possession of an ancestral hall in England.

plural of “ancestor” — someone from whom you are descended (but usually more remote than a grandparent)

From this reading It was not so much the good American's reverence for ancestors that inspired the longing to consort with the ghosts of an ancient line, as artistic appreciation of the mellowness, the dignity, the aristocratic aloofness of walls that have sheltered, and furniture that has embraced, generations and generations of the dead.

inherited or inheritable by established rules (usually legal rules) of descent

From this reading The great author had realized one of the dreams of his ambitious youth, the possession of an ancestral hall in England.

Belonging to the very distant past and no longer in existence or deeply revered.

From this reading It was not so much the good American's reverence for ancestors that inspired the longing to consort with the ghosts of an ancient line, as artistic appreciation of the mellowness, the dignity, the aristocratic aloofness of walls that have sheltered, and furniture that has embraced, generations and generations of the dead.

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

From this reading It was not so much the good American's reverence for ancestors that inspired the longing to consort with the ghosts of an ancient line, as artistic appreciation of the mellowness, the dignity, the aristocratic aloofness of walls that have sheltered, and furniture that has embraced, generations and generations of the dead.

understanding of the nature or meaning or quality or magnitude of something

From this reading It was not so much the good American's reverence for ancestors that inspired the longing to consort with the ghosts of an ancient line, as artistic appreciation of the mellowness, the dignity, the aristocratic aloofness of walls that have sheltered, and furniture that has embraced, generations and generations of the dead.

belonging to or characteristic of the nobility or aristocracy

From this reading It was not so much the good American's reverence for ancestors that inspired the longing to consort with the ghosts of an ancient line, as artistic appreciation of the mellowness, the dignity, the aristocratic aloofness of walls that have sheltered, and furniture that has embraced, generations and generations of the dead.

relating to or characteristic of art or artists

From this reading It was not so much the good American's reverence for ancestors that inspired the longing to consort with the ghosts of an ancient line, as artistic appreciation of the mellowness, the dignity, the aristocratic aloofness of walls that have sheltered, and furniture that has embraced, generations and generations of the dead.

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

From this reading It was not so much the good American's reverence for ancestors that inspired the longing to consort with the ghosts of an ancient line, as artistic appreciation of the mellowness, the dignity, the aristocratic aloofness of walls that have sheltered, and furniture that has embraced, generations and generations of the dead.

marked by practical hardheaded intelligence

From this reading To mere wealth, only his astute and incomparably modern brain yielded respect; his ego raised its goose-flesh at the sight of rooms furnished with a single check, conciliatory as the taste might be.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading To mere wealth, only his astute and incomparably modern brain yielded respect; his ego raised its goose-flesh at the sight of rooms furnished with a single check, conciliatory as the taste might be.

writes (books or stories or articles or the like) professionally (for pay)

From this reading Author of "Rulers of Kings" "The Conqueror" etc.

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

From this reading To mere wealth, only his astute and incomparably modern brain yielded respect; his ego raised its goose-flesh at the sight of rooms furnished with a single check, conciliatory as the taste might be.

that part of the central nervous system that includes all the higher nervous centers; enclosed within the skull; continuous with the spinal cord

From this reading To mere wealth, only his astute and incomparably modern brain yielded respect; his ego raised its goose-flesh at the sight of rooms furnished with a single check, conciliatory as the taste might be.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading The dumping of the old interiors of Europe into the glistening shells of the United States not only roused him almost to passionate protest, but offended his patriotism--which he classified among his unworked ideals.

examine so as to determine accuracy, quality, or condition

From this reading To mere wealth, only his astute and incomparably modern brain yielded respect; his ego raised its goose-flesh at the sight of rooms furnished with a single check, conciliatory as the taste might be.

arranged into classes

From this reading The dumping of the old interiors of Europe into the glistening shells of the United States not only roused him almost to passionate protest, but offended his patriotism--which he classified among his unworked ideals.

making or willing to make concessions

From this reading To mere wealth, only his astute and incomparably modern brain yielded respect; his ego raised its goose-flesh at the sight of rooms furnished with a single check, conciliatory as the taste might be.

someone who is victorious by force of arms

From this reading Author of "Rulers of Kings" "The Conqueror" etc.

keep company with; hang out with

From this reading It was not so much the good American's reverence for ancestors that inspired the longing to consort with the ghosts of an ancient line, as artistic appreciation of the mellowness, the dignity, the aristocratic aloofness of walls that have sheltered, and furniture that has embraced, generations and generations of the dead.

no longer having or seeming to have or expecting to have life

From this reading It was not so much the good American's reverence for ancestors that inspired the longing to consort with the ghosts of an ancient line, as artistic appreciation of the mellowness, the dignity, the aristocratic aloofness of walls that have sheltered, and furniture that has embraced, generations and generations of the dead.

the quality of being worthy of esteem or respect

From this reading It was not so much the good American's reverence for ancestors that inspired the longing to consort with the ghosts of an ancient line, as artistic appreciation of the mellowness, the dignity, the aristocratic aloofness of walls that have sheltered, and furniture that has embraced, generations and generations of the dead.

plural of “dream” — a series of mental images and emotions occurring during sleep

From this reading The great author had realized one of the dreams of his ambitious youth, the possession of an ancestral hall in England.

selling goods abroad at a price below that charged in the domestic market

From this reading The dumping of the old interiors of Europe into the glistening shells of the United States not only roused him almost to passionate protest, but offended his patriotism--which he classified among his unworked ideals.

an inflated feeling of pride in your superiority to others

From this reading To mere wealth, only his astute and incomparably modern brain yielded respect; his ego raised its goose-flesh at the sight of rooms furnished with a single check, conciliatory as the taste might be.

past form of “embrace” — include in scope; include as part of something broader; have as one's sphere or territory

From this reading It was not so much the good American's reverence for ancestors that inspired the longing to consort with the ghosts of an ancient line, as artistic appreciation of the mellowness, the dignity, the aristocratic aloofness of walls that have sheltered, and furniture that has embraced, generations and generations of the dead.

a division of the United Kingdom

From this reading The great author had realized one of the dreams of his ambitious youth, the possession of an ancestral hall in England.

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

From this reading Author of "Rulers of Kings" "The Conqueror" etc.

the 2nd smallest continent (actually a vast peninsula of Eurasia); the British use “Europe” to refer to all of the continent except the British Isles

From this reading The dumping of the old interiors of Europe into the glistening shells of the United States not only roused him almost to passionate protest, but offended his patriotism--which he classified among his unworked ideals.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading It was not so much the good American's reverence for ancestors that inspired the longing to consort with the ghosts of an ancient line, as artistic appreciation of the mellowness, the dignity, the aristocratic aloofness of walls that have sheltered, and furniture that has embraced, generations and generations of the dead.

provided with whatever is necessary for a purpose (as furniture or equipment or authority)

From this reading To mere wealth, only his astute and incomparably modern brain yielded respect; his ego raised its goose-flesh at the sight of rooms furnished with a single check, conciliatory as the taste might be.

furnishings that make a room or other area ready for occupancy

From this reading It was not so much the good American's reverence for ancestors that inspired the longing to consort with the ghosts of an ancient line, as artistic appreciation of the mellowness, the dignity, the aristocratic aloofness of walls that have sheltered, and furniture that has embraced, generations and generations of the dead.

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

From this reading It was not so much the good American's reverence for ancestors that inspired the longing to consort with the ghosts of an ancient line, as artistic appreciation of the mellowness, the dignity, the aristocratic aloofness of walls that have sheltered, and furniture that has embraced, generations and generations of the dead.

plural of “ghost” — a mental representation of some haunting experience

From this reading It was not so much the good American's reverence for ancestors that inspired the longing to consort with the ghosts of an ancient line, as artistic appreciation of the mellowness, the dignity, the aristocratic aloofness of walls that have sheltered, and furniture that has embraced, generations and generations of the dead.

reflecting light

From this reading The dumping of the old interiors of Europe into the glistening shells of the United States not only roused him almost to passionate protest, but offended his patriotism--which he classified among his unworked ideals.

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

From this reading It was not so much the good American's reverence for ancestors that inspired the longing to consort with the ghosts of an ancient line, as artistic appreciation of the mellowness, the dignity, the aristocratic aloofness of walls that have sheltered, and furniture that has embraced, generations and generations of the dead.

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

From this reading To mere wealth, only his astute and incomparably modern brain yielded respect; his ego raised its goose-flesh at the sight of rooms furnished with a single check, conciliatory as the taste might be.

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

From this reading The great author had realized one of the dreams of his ambitious youth, the possession of an ancestral hall in England.

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

From this reading The great author had realized one of the dreams of his ambitious youth, the possession of an ancestral hall in England.

an interior passage or corridor onto which rooms open

From this reading The great author had realized one of the dreams of his ambitious youth, the possession of an ancestral hall in England.

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

From this reading It was not so much the good American's reverence for ancestors that inspired the longing to consort with the ghosts of an ancient line, as artistic appreciation of the mellowness, the dignity, the aristocratic aloofness of walls that have sheltered, and furniture that has embraced, generations and generations of the dead.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading It was not so much the good American's reverence for ancestors that inspired the longing to consort with the ghosts of an ancient line, as artistic appreciation of the mellowness, the dignity, the aristocratic aloofness of walls that have sheltered, and furniture that has embraced, generations and generations of the dead.

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

From this reading The dumping of the old interiors of Europe into the glistening shells of the United States not only roused him almost to passionate protest, but offended his patriotism--which he classified among his unworked ideals.

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

From this reading The dumping of the old interiors of Europe into the glistening shells of the United States not only roused him almost to passionate protest, but offended his patriotism--which he classified among his unworked ideals.

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

From this reading The great author had realized one of the dreams of his ambitious youth, the possession of an ancestral hall in England.

plural of “ideal” — the idea of something that is perfect; something that one hopes to attain

From this reading The dumping of the old interiors of Europe into the glistening shells of the United States not only roused him almost to passionate protest, but offended his patriotism--which he classified among his unworked ideals.

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

From this reading The great author had realized one of the dreams of his ambitious youth, the possession of an ancestral hall in England.

in an incomparable manner or to an incomparable degree

From this reading To mere wealth, only his astute and incomparably modern brain yielded respect; his ego raised its goose-flesh at the sight of rooms furnished with a single check, conciliatory as the taste might be.

being of such surpassing excellence as to suggest inspiration by the gods

From this reading It was not so much the good American's reverence for ancestors that inspired the longing to consort with the ghosts of an ancient line, as artistic appreciation of the mellowness, the dignity, the aristocratic aloofness of walls that have sheltered, and furniture that has embraced, generations and generations of the dead.

plural of “interior” — the region that is inside of something

From this reading The dumping of the old interiors of Europe into the glistening shells of the United States not only roused him almost to passionate protest, but offended his patriotism--which he classified among his unworked ideals.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading The dumping of the old interiors of Europe into the glistening shells of the United States not only roused him almost to passionate protest, but offended his patriotism--which he classified among his unworked ideals.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was not so much the good American's reverence for ancestors that inspired the longing to consort with the ghosts of an ancient line, as artistic appreciation of the mellowness, the dignity, the aristocratic aloofness of walls that have sheltered, and furniture that has embraced, generations and generations of the dead.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading To mere wealth, only his astute and incomparably modern brain yielded respect; his ego raised its goose-flesh at the sight of rooms furnished with a single check, conciliatory as the taste might be.

plural of “king” — a male sovereign; ruler of a kingdom

From this reading Author of "Rulers of Kings" "The Conqueror" etc.

a formation of people or things one beside another

From this reading It was not so much the good American's reverence for ancestors that inspired the longing to consort with the ghosts of an ancient line, as artistic appreciation of the mellowness, the dignity, the aristocratic aloofness of walls that have sheltered, and furniture that has embraced, generations and generations of the dead.

prolonged unfulfilled desire or need

From this reading It was not so much the good American's reverence for ancestors that inspired the longing to consort with the ghosts of an ancient line, as artistic appreciation of the mellowness, the dignity, the aristocratic aloofness of walls that have sheltered, and furniture that has embraced, generations and generations of the dead.

a feeling of good humor and sympathy through maturity or intoxication or a relaxed state

From this reading It was not so much the good American's reverence for ancestors that inspired the longing to consort with the ghosts of an ancient line, as artistic appreciation of the mellowness, the dignity, the aristocratic aloofness of walls that have sheltered, and furniture that has embraced, generations and generations of the dead.

being nothing more than specified

From this reading To mere wealth, only his astute and incomparably modern brain yielded respect; his ego raised its goose-flesh at the sight of rooms furnished with a single check, conciliatory as the taste might be.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading To mere wealth, only his astute and incomparably modern brain yielded respect; his ego raised its goose-flesh at the sight of rooms furnished with a single check, conciliatory as the taste might be.

belonging to the modern era; since the Middle Ages

From this reading To mere wealth, only his astute and incomparably modern brain yielded respect; his ego raised its goose-flesh at the sight of rooms furnished with a single check, conciliatory as the taste might be.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading It was not so much the good American's reverence for ancestors that inspired the longing to consort with the ghosts of an ancient line, as artistic appreciation of the mellowness, the dignity, the aristocratic aloofness of walls that have sheltered, and furniture that has embraced, generations and generations of the dead.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading It was not so much the good American's reverence for ancestors that inspired the longing to consort with the ghosts of an ancient line, as artistic appreciation of the mellowness, the dignity, the aristocratic aloofness of walls that have sheltered, and furniture that has embraced, generations and generations of the dead.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Author of "Rulers of Kings" "The Conqueror" etc.

emotionally hurt or upset or annoyed

From this reading The dumping of the old interiors of Europe into the glistening shells of the United States not only roused him almost to passionate protest, but offended his patriotism--which he classified among his unworked ideals.

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

From this reading The dumping of the old interiors of Europe into the glistening shells of the United States not only roused him almost to passionate protest, but offended his patriotism--which he classified among his unworked ideals.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading The great author had realized one of the dreams of his ambitious youth, the possession of an ancestral hall in England.

and nothing more

From this reading To mere wealth, only his astute and incomparably modern brain yielded respect; his ego raised its goose-flesh at the sight of rooms furnished with a single check, conciliatory as the taste might be.

having or expressing strong emotions

From this reading The dumping of the old interiors of Europe into the glistening shells of the United States not only roused him almost to passionate protest, but offended his patriotism--which he classified among his unworked ideals.

love of country and willingness to sacrifice for it

From this reading The dumping of the old interiors of Europe into the glistening shells of the United States not only roused him almost to passionate protest, but offended his patriotism--which he classified among his unworked ideals.

the act of having and controlling property

From this reading The great author had realized one of the dreams of his ambitious youth, the possession of an ancestral hall in England.

a formal and solemn declaration of objection

From this reading The dumping of the old interiors of Europe into the glistening shells of the United States not only roused him almost to passionate protest, but offended his patriotism--which he classified among his unworked ideals.

located or moved above the surround or above the normal position

From this reading To mere wealth, only his astute and incomparably modern brain yielded respect; his ego raised its goose-flesh at the sight of rooms furnished with a single check, conciliatory as the taste might be.

successfully completed or brought to an end

From this reading The great author had realized one of the dreams of his ambitious youth, the possession of an ancestral hall in England.

(usually preceded by “in”) a detail or point

From this reading To mere wealth, only his astute and incomparably modern brain yielded respect; his ego raised its goose-flesh at the sight of rooms furnished with a single check, conciliatory as the taste might be.

regard with feelings of respect and reverence; consider hallowed or exalted or be in awe of

From this reading It was not so much the good American's reverence for ancestors that inspired the longing to consort with the ghosts of an ancient line, as artistic appreciation of the mellowness, the dignity, the aristocratic aloofness of walls that have sheltered, and furniture that has embraced, generations and generations of the dead.

apartment consisting of a series of connected rooms used as a living unit (as in a hotel)

From this reading To mere wealth, only his astute and incomparably modern brain yielded respect; his ego raised its goose-flesh at the sight of rooms furnished with a single check, conciliatory as the taste might be.

past form of “rouse” — become active

From this reading The dumping of the old interiors of Europe into the glistening shells of the United States not only roused him almost to passionate protest, but offended his patriotism--which he classified among his unworked ideals.

plural of “ruler” — a person who rules or commands

From this reading Author of "Rulers of Kings" "The Conqueror" etc.

plural of “shell” — ammunition consisting of a cylindrical metal casing containing an explosive charge and a projectile; fired from a large gun

From this reading The dumping of the old interiors of Europe into the glistening shells of the United States not only roused him almost to passionate protest, but offended his patriotism--which he classified among his unworked ideals.

protected from danger or bad weather

From this reading It was not so much the good American's reverence for ancestors that inspired the longing to consort with the ghosts of an ancient line, as artistic appreciation of the mellowness, the dignity, the aristocratic aloofness of walls that have sheltered, and furniture that has embraced, generations and generations of the dead.

an instance of visual perception

From this reading To mere wealth, only his astute and incomparably modern brain yielded respect; his ego raised its goose-flesh at the sight of rooms furnished with a single check, conciliatory as the taste might be.

being or characteristic of a single thing or person

From this reading To mere wealth, only his astute and incomparably modern brain yielded respect; his ego raised its goose-flesh at the sight of rooms furnished with a single check, conciliatory as the taste might be.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading It was not so much the good American's reverence for ancestors that inspired the longing to consort with the ghosts of an ancient line, as artistic appreciation of the mellowness, the dignity, the aristocratic aloofness of walls that have sheltered, and furniture that has embraced, generations and generations of the dead.

plural of “state” — the territory occupied by one of the constituent administrative districts of a nation

From this reading The dumping of the old interiors of Europe into the glistening shells of the United States not only roused him almost to passionate protest, but offended his patriotism--which he classified among his unworked ideals.

To perceive flavor through the mouth.

From this reading To mere wealth, only his astute and incomparably modern brain yielded respect; his ego raised its goose-flesh at the sight of rooms furnished with a single check, conciliatory as the taste might be.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading It was not so much the good American's reverence for ancestors that inspired the longing to consort with the ghosts of an ancient line, as artistic appreciation of the mellowness, the dignity, the aristocratic aloofness of walls that have sheltered, and furniture that has embraced, generations and generations of the dead.

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

From this reading Author of "Rulers of Kings" "The Conqueror" etc.

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

From this reading It was not so much the good American's reverence for ancestors that inspired the longing to consort with the ghosts of an ancient line, as artistic appreciation of the mellowness, the dignity, the aristocratic aloofness of walls that have sheltered, and furniture that has embraced, generations and generations of the dead.

characterized by unity; being or joined into a single entity

From this reading The dumping of the old interiors of Europe into the glistening shells of the United States not only roused him almost to passionate protest, but offended his patriotism--which he classified among his unworked ideals.

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

From this reading The dumping of the old interiors of Europe into the glistening shells of the United States not only roused him almost to passionate protest, but offended his patriotism--which he classified among his unworked ideals.

plural of “wall” — an architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area or to support another structure

From this reading It was not so much the good American's reverence for ancestors that inspired the longing to consort with the ghosts of an ancient line, as artistic appreciation of the mellowness, the dignity, the aristocratic aloofness of walls that have sheltered, and furniture that has embraced, generations and generations of the dead.

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

From this reading It was not so much the good American's reverence for ancestors that inspired the longing to consort with the ghosts of an ancient line, as artistic appreciation of the mellowness, the dignity, the aristocratic aloofness of walls that have sheltered, and furniture that has embraced, generations and generations of the dead.

the state of being rich and affluent; having a plentiful supply of material goods and money

From this reading To mere wealth, only his astute and incomparably modern brain yielded respect; his ego raised its goose-flesh at the sight of rooms furnished with a single check, conciliatory as the taste might be.

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

From this reading The dumping of the old interiors of Europe into the glistening shells of the United States not only roused him almost to passionate protest, but offended his patriotism--which he classified among his unworked ideals.

in the company of; together with

From this reading It was not so much the good American's reverence for ancestors that inspired the longing to consort with the ghosts of an ancient line, as artistic appreciation of the mellowness, the dignity, the aristocratic aloofness of walls that have sheltered, and furniture that has embraced, generations and generations of the dead.

past form of “yield” — be the cause or source of

From this reading To mere wealth, only his astute and incomparably modern brain yielded respect; his ego raised its goose-flesh at the sight of rooms furnished with a single check, conciliatory as the taste might be.

a young person (especially a young man or boy)

From this reading The great author had realized one of the dreams of his ambitious youth, the possession of an ancestral hall in England.