Chapter II · Chapter 2

in an absentminded or preoccupied manner

From this reading Milton stood there, hesitating; he looked abstractedly at the apathetic little figure of Gargoyle sitting in the chair.

consider or hold as true

From this reading "I'll write to Mrs. Strang and tell her your conclusions; she won't accept them--her own husband humored her in the thing.

(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class

From this reading "We talk of inherent human nature," said the doctor, slowly, "as if we had all knowledge concerning the _possibilities_ of that nature's best and worst.

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

From this reading "I'll write to Mrs. Strang and tell her your conclusions; she won't accept them--her own husband humored her in the thing.

plural of “animal” — a living organism characterized by voluntary movement

From this reading Yet I have sometimes wondered if what we call mentally askew people are not those that possess attributes which society is not wise enough to help them use wisely--mightn't such people be like fine-blooded animals who sniff land and water where no one else suspects any?

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading Yet I have sometimes wondered if what we call mentally askew people are not those that possess attributes which society is not wise enough to help them use wisely--mightn't such people be like fine-blooded animals who sniff land and water where no one else suspects any?

showing little or no emotion or animation

From this reading Milton stood there, hesitating; he looked abstractedly at the apathetic little figure of Gargoyle sitting in the chair.

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

From this reading Yet I have sometimes wondered if what we call mentally askew people are not those that possess attributes which society is not wise enough to help them use wisely--mightn't such people be like fine-blooded animals who sniff land and water where no one else suspects any?

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

From this reading "We talk of inherent human nature," said the doctor, slowly, "as if we had all knowledge concerning the _possibilities_ of that nature's best and worst.

turned or twisted toward one side

From this reading Yet I have sometimes wondered if what we call mentally askew people are not those that possess attributes which society is not wise enough to help them use wisely--mightn't such people be like fine-blooded animals who sniff land and water where no one else suspects any?

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Milton stood there, hesitating; he looked abstractedly at the apathetic little figure of Gargoyle sitting in the chair.

plural of “attribute” — a construct whereby objects or individuals can be distinguished

From this reading Yet I have sometimes wondered if what we call mentally askew people are not those that possess attributes which society is not wise enough to help them use wisely--mightn't such people be like fine-blooded animals who sniff land and water where no one else suspects any?

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

From this reading Yet I have sometimes wondered if what we call mentally askew people are not those that possess attributes which society is not wise enough to help them use wisely--mightn't such people be like fine-blooded animals who sniff land and water where no one else suspects any?

past form of “believe” — accept as true; take to be true

From this reading What John Strang himself believed I never really knew, but I think he had wisdom in his generation."

the supreme effort one can make

From this reading "We talk of inherent human nature," said the doctor, slowly, "as if we had all knowledge concerning the _possibilities_ of that nature's best and worst.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading What John Strang himself believed I never really knew, but I think he had wisdom in his generation."

assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading Yet I have sometimes wondered if what we call mentally askew people are not those that possess attributes which society is not wise enough to help them use wisely--mightn't such people be like fine-blooded animals who sniff land and water where no one else suspects any?

a seat for one person, with a support for the back

From this reading Milton stood there, hesitating; he looked abstractedly at the apathetic little figure of Gargoyle sitting in the chair.

-ing form of “concern” — be relevant to

From this reading "We talk of inherent human nature," said the doctor, slowly, "as if we had all knowledge concerning the _possibilities_ of that nature's best and worst.

plural of “conclusion” — a position or opinion or judgment reached after consideration

From this reading "I'll write to Mrs. Strang and tell her your conclusions; she won't accept them--her own husband humored her in the thing.

a licensed medical practitioner

From this reading "We talk of inherent human nature," said the doctor, slowly, "as if we had all knowledge concerning the _possibilities_ of that nature's best and worst.

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

From this reading Yet I have sometimes wondered if what we call mentally askew people are not those that possess attributes which society is not wise enough to help them use wisely--mightn't such people be like fine-blooded animals who sniff land and water where no one else suspects any?

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

From this reading Yet I have sometimes wondered if what we call mentally askew people are not those that possess attributes which society is not wise enough to help them use wisely--mightn't such people be like fine-blooded animals who sniff land and water where no one else suspects any?

a diagram or picture illustrating textual material

From this reading Milton stood there, hesitating; he looked abstractedly at the apathetic little figure of Gargoyle sitting in the chair.

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

From this reading Yet I have sometimes wondered if what we call mentally askew people are not those that possess attributes which society is not wise enough to help them use wisely--mightn't such people be like fine-blooded animals who sniff land and water where no one else suspects any?

a spout that terminates in a grotesquely carved figure of a person or animal

From this reading Milton stood there, hesitating; he looked abstractedly at the apathetic little figure of Gargoyle sitting in the chair.

all the people living at the same time or of approximately the same age

From this reading What John Strang himself believed I never really knew, but I think he had wisdom in his generation."

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

From this reading What John Strang himself believed I never really knew, but I think he had wisdom in his generation."

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading Yet I have sometimes wondered if what we call mentally askew people are not those that possess attributes which society is not wise enough to help them use wisely--mightn't such people be like fine-blooded animals who sniff land and water where no one else suspects any?

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

From this reading What John Strang himself believed I never really knew, but I think he had wisdom in his generation."

give help or assistance; be of service

From this reading Yet I have sometimes wondered if what we call mentally askew people are not those that possess attributes which society is not wise enough to help them use wisely--mightn't such people be like fine-blooded animals who sniff land and water where no one else suspects any?

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

From this reading "I'll write to Mrs. Strang and tell her your conclusions; she won't accept them--her own husband humored her in the thing.

lacking decisiveness of character; unable to act or decide quickly or firmly

From this reading Milton stood there, hesitating; he looked abstractedly at the apathetic little figure of Gargoyle sitting in the chair.

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

From this reading What John Strang himself believed I never really knew, but I think he had wisdom in his generation."

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

From this reading What John Strang himself believed I never really knew, but I think he had wisdom in his generation."

characteristic of humanity

From this reading "We talk of inherent human nature," said the doctor, slowly, "as if we had all knowledge concerning the _possibilities_ of that nature's best and worst.

past form of “humor” — put into a good mood

From this reading "I'll write to Mrs. Strang and tell her your conclusions; she won't accept them--her own husband humored her in the thing.

a married man; a woman's partner in marriage

From this reading "I'll write to Mrs. Strang and tell her your conclusions; she won't accept them--her own husband humored her in the thing.

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

From this reading What John Strang himself believed I never really knew, but I think he had wisdom in his generation."

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

From this reading "I'll write to Mrs. Strang and tell her your conclusions; she won't accept them--her own husband humored her in the thing.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading "We talk of inherent human nature," said the doctor, slowly, "as if we had all knowledge concerning the _possibilities_ of that nature's best and worst.

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

From this reading "I'll write to Mrs. Strang and tell her your conclusions; she won't accept them--her own husband humored her in the thing.

existing as an essential constituent or characteristic

From this reading "We talk of inherent human nature," said the doctor, slowly, "as if we had all knowledge concerning the _possibilities_ of that nature's best and worst.

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

From this reading Yet I have sometimes wondered if what we call mentally askew people are not those that possess attributes which society is not wise enough to help them use wisely--mightn't such people be like fine-blooded animals who sniff land and water where no one else suspects any?

a room or building equipped with one or more toilets

From this reading What John Strang himself believed I never really knew, but I think he had wisdom in his generation."

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 What John Strang himself believed I never really knew, but I think he had wisdom in his generation."

the psychological result of perception and learning and reasoning

From this reading "We talk of inherent human nature," said the doctor, slowly, "as if we had all knowledge concerning the _possibilities_ of that nature's best and worst.

the land on which real estate is located

From this reading Yet I have sometimes wondered if what we call mentally askew people are not those that possess attributes which society is not wise enough to help them use wisely--mightn't such people be like fine-blooded animals who sniff land and water where no one else suspects any?

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading Yet I have sometimes wondered if what we call mentally askew people are not those that possess attributes which society is not wise enough to help them use wisely--mightn't such people be like fine-blooded animals who sniff land and water where no one else suspects any?

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

From this reading Milton stood there, hesitating; he looked abstractedly at the apathetic little figure of Gargoyle sitting in the chair.

past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading Milton stood there, hesitating; he looked abstractedly at the apathetic little figure of Gargoyle sitting in the chair.

in your mind

From this reading Yet I have sometimes wondered if what we call mentally askew people are not those that possess attributes which society is not wise enough to help them use wisely--mightn't such people be like fine-blooded animals who sniff land and water where no one else suspects any?

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

From this reading Yet I have sometimes wondered if what we call mentally askew people are not those that possess attributes which society is not wise enough to help them use wisely--mightn't such people be like fine-blooded animals who sniff land and water where no one else suspects any?

English poet; remembered primarily as the author of an epic poem describing humanity's fall from grace (1608-1674)

From this reading Milton stood there, hesitating; he looked abstractedly at the apathetic little figure of Gargoyle sitting in the chair.

a form of address for a married woman

From this reading "I'll write to Mrs. Strang and tell her your conclusions; she won't accept them--her own husband humored her in the thing.

the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized

From this reading "We talk of inherent human nature," said the doctor, slowly, "as if we had all knowledge concerning the _possibilities_ of that nature's best and worst.

possessive form of “nature” — the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized

From this reading "We talk of inherent human nature," said the doctor, slowly, "as if we had all knowledge concerning the _possibilities_ of that nature's best and worst.

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading What John Strang himself believed I never really knew, but I think he had wisdom in his generation."

not any; not one

From this reading Yet I have sometimes wondered if what we call mentally askew people are not those that possess attributes which society is not wise enough to help them use wisely--mightn't such people be like fine-blooded animals who sniff land and water where no one else suspects any?

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Yet I have sometimes wondered if what we call mentally askew people are not those that possess attributes which society is not wise enough to help them use wisely--mightn't such people be like fine-blooded animals who sniff land and water where no one else suspects any?

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Milton stood there, hesitating; he looked abstractedly at the apathetic little figure of Gargoyle sitting in the chair.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Yet I have sometimes wondered if what we call mentally askew people are not those that possess attributes which society is not wise enough to help them use wisely--mightn't such people be like fine-blooded animals who sniff land and water where no one else suspects any?

have ownership or possession of

From this reading "I'll write to Mrs. Strang and tell her your conclusions; she won't accept them--her own husband humored her in the thing.

(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively

From this reading Yet I have sometimes wondered if what we call mentally askew people are not those that possess attributes which society is not wise enough to help them use wisely--mightn't such people be like fine-blooded animals who sniff land and water where no one else suspects any?

have as an attribute, knowledge, or skill

From this reading Yet I have sometimes wondered if what we call mentally askew people are not those that possess attributes which society is not wise enough to help them use wisely--mightn't such people be like fine-blooded animals who sniff land and water where no one else suspects any?

plural of “possibility” — a future prospect or potential

From this reading "We talk of inherent human nature," said the doctor, slowly, "as if we had all knowledge concerning the _possibilities_ of that nature's best and worst.

in accordance with truth or fact or reality

From this reading What John Strang himself believed I never really knew, but I think he had wisdom in his generation."

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading "We talk of inherent human nature," said the doctor, slowly, "as if we had all knowledge concerning the _possibilities_ of that nature's best and worst.

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

From this reading "I'll write to Mrs. Strang and tell her your conclusions; she won't accept them--her own husband humored her in the thing.

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

From this reading Milton stood there, hesitating; he looked abstractedly at the apathetic little figure of Gargoyle sitting in the chair.

without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)

From this reading "We talk of inherent human nature," said the doctor, slowly, "as if we had all knowledge concerning the _possibilities_ of that nature's best and worst.

perceive by inhaling through the nose

From this reading Yet I have sometimes wondered if what we call mentally askew people are not those that possess attributes which society is not wise enough to help them use wisely--mightn't such people be like fine-blooded animals who sniff land and water where no one else suspects any?

an extended social group having a distinctive cultural and economic organization

From this reading Yet I have sometimes wondered if what we call mentally askew people are not those that possess attributes which society is not wise enough to help them use wisely--mightn't such people be like fine-blooded animals who sniff land and water where no one else suspects any?

on certain occasions or in certain cases but not always

From this reading Yet I have sometimes wondered if what we call mentally askew people are not those that possess attributes which society is not wise enough to help them use wisely--mightn't such people be like fine-blooded animals who sniff land and water where no one else suspects any?

Maintained an upright posture.

From this reading Milton stood there, hesitating; he looked abstractedly at the apathetic little figure of Gargoyle sitting in the chair.

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

From this reading "I'll write to Mrs. Strang and tell her your conclusions; she won't accept them--her own husband humored her in the thing.

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading Yet I have sometimes wondered if what we call mentally askew people are not those that possess attributes which society is not wise enough to help them use wisely--mightn't such people be like fine-blooded animals who sniff land and water where no one else suspects any?

plural of “suspect” — someone who is under suspicion

From this reading Yet I have sometimes wondered if what we call mentally askew people are not those that possess attributes which society is not wise enough to help them use wisely--mightn't such people be like fine-blooded animals who sniff land and water where no one else suspects any?

exchange thoughts; talk with

From this reading "We talk of inherent human nature," said the doctor, slowly, "as if we had all knowledge concerning the _possibilities_ of that nature's best and worst.

express in words

From this reading "I'll write to Mrs. Strang and tell her your conclusions; she won't accept them--her own husband humored her in the thing.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading "We talk of inherent human nature," said the doctor, slowly, "as if we had all knowledge concerning the _possibilities_ of that nature's best and worst.

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

From this reading "I'll write to Mrs. Strang and tell her your conclusions; she won't accept them--her own husband humored her in the thing.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading "I'll write to Mrs. Strang and tell her your conclusions; she won't accept them--her own husband humored her in the thing.

in or at that place or location

From this reading Milton stood there, hesitating; he looked abstractedly at the apathetic little figure of Gargoyle sitting in the chair.

a special situation

From this reading "I'll write to Mrs. Strang and tell her your conclusions; she won't accept them--her own husband humored her in the thing.

judge or regard; look upon; judge

From this reading What John Strang himself believed I never really knew, but I think he had wisdom in his generation."

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading Yet I have sometimes wondered if what we call mentally askew people are not those that possess attributes which society is not wise enough to help them use wisely--mightn't such people be like fine-blooded animals who sniff land and water where no one else suspects any?

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

From this reading "I'll write to Mrs. Strang and tell her your conclusions; she won't accept them--her own husband humored her in the thing.

the act of using

From this reading Yet I have sometimes wondered if what we call mentally askew people are not those that possess attributes which society is not wise enough to help them use wisely--mightn't such people be like fine-blooded animals who sniff land and water where no one else suspects any?

binary compound that occurs at room temperature as a clear colorless odorless tasteless liquid; freezes into ice below 0 degrees centigrade and boils above 100 degrees centigrade; widely used as a solvent

From this reading Yet I have sometimes wondered if what we call mentally askew people are not those that possess attributes which society is not wise enough to help them use wisely--mightn't such people be like fine-blooded animals who sniff land and water where no one else suspects any?

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading "We talk of inherent human nature," said the doctor, slowly, "as if we had all knowledge concerning the _possibilities_ of that nature's best and worst.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading What John Strang himself believed I never really knew, but I think he had wisdom in his generation."

in or at the place that

From this reading Yet I have sometimes wondered if what we call mentally askew people are not those that possess attributes which society is not wise enough to help them use wisely--mightn't such people be like fine-blooded animals who sniff land and water where no one else suspects any?

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

From this reading Yet I have sometimes wondered if what we call mentally askew people are not those that possess attributes which society is not wise enough to help them use wisely--mightn't such people be like fine-blooded animals who sniff land and water where no one else suspects any?

which person or people

From this reading Yet I have sometimes wondered if what we call mentally askew people are not those that possess attributes which society is not wise enough to help them use wisely--mightn't such people be like fine-blooded animals who sniff land and water where no one else suspects any?

accumulated knowledge or erudition or enlightenment

From this reading What John Strang himself believed I never really knew, but I think he had wisdom in his generation."

having or prompted by wisdom or discernment

From this reading Yet I have sometimes wondered if what we call mentally askew people are not those that possess attributes which society is not wise enough to help them use wisely--mightn't such people be like fine-blooded animals who sniff land and water where no one else suspects any?

in a wise manner

From this reading Yet I have sometimes wondered if what we call mentally askew people are not those that possess attributes which society is not wise enough to help them use wisely--mightn't such people be like fine-blooded animals who sniff land and water where no one else suspects any?

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

From this reading "I'll write to Mrs. Strang and tell her your conclusions; she won't accept them--her own husband humored her in the thing.

past form of “wonder” — have a wish or desire to know something

From this reading Yet I have sometimes wondered if what we call mentally askew people are not those that possess attributes which society is not wise enough to help them use wisely--mightn't such people be like fine-blooded animals who sniff land and water where no one else suspects any?

the least favorable outcome

From this reading "We talk of inherent human nature," said the doctor, slowly, "as if we had all knowledge concerning the _possibilities_ of that nature's best and worst.

produce a literary work

From this reading "I'll write to Mrs. Strang and tell her your conclusions; she won't accept them--her own husband humored her in the thing.

but in spite of that

From this reading Yet I have sometimes wondered if what we call mentally askew people are not those that possess attributes which society is not wise enough to help them use wisely--mightn't such people be like fine-blooded animals who sniff land and water where no one else suspects any?

belonging to the person or people being spoken to

From this reading "I'll write to Mrs. Strang and tell her your conclusions; she won't accept them--her own husband humored her in the thing.