Chapter XVI · Chapter 16

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

From this reading I HEAR A STRANGE NOISE IN MY PRISON--THE SECRET PASSAGE WHICH I FOUND--A WILD STRUGGLE, AND A HAIRBREADTH ESCAPE I have said many times that I am not a man of quick understanding, neither was I ever clever at explaining puzzles.

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

From this reading Anyhow, the sudden shock seemed to have given me greater clearness of vision, so that I was able to comprehend things far more clearly than in the past.

tending to become more severe or wider in scope

From this reading At that time, however, my brain seemed more than ordinarily active, and I saw things with a clearness that I had never seen before.

(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 Hitherto, with the exception of occasional flashes of light, all had been dull, now I seemed to see the truth plainly.

the form of “be” used with “I”

From this reading I HEAR A STRANGE NOISE IN MY PRISON--THE SECRET PASSAGE WHICH I FOUND--A WILD STRUGGLE, AND A HAIRBREADTH ESCAPE I have said many times that I am not a man of quick understanding, neither was I ever clever at explaining puzzles.

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

From this reading I HEAR A STRANGE NOISE IN MY PRISON--THE SECRET PASSAGE WHICH I FOUND--A WILD STRUGGLE, AND A HAIRBREADTH ESCAPE I have said many times that I am not a man of quick understanding, neither was I ever clever at explaining puzzles.

used to indicate that a statement explains or supports a previous statement

From this reading Anyhow, the sudden shock seemed to have given me greater clearness of vision, so that I was able to comprehend things far more clearly than in the past.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading I HEAR A STRANGE NOISE IN MY PRISON--THE SECRET PASSAGE WHICH I FOUND--A WILD STRUGGLE, AND A HAIRBREADTH ESCAPE I have said many times that I am not a man of quick understanding, neither was I ever clever at explaining puzzles.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Besides, I was sure that in the past I had been rendered partially incapable by the drugs which had been given me.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading At that time, however, my brain seemed more than ordinarily active, and I saw things with a clearness that I had never seen before.

in addition to; as well as

From this reading Besides, I was sure that in the past I had been rendered partially incapable by the drugs which had been given me.

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 At that time, however, my brain seemed more than ordinarily active, and I saw things with a clearness that I had never seen before.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Besides, I was sure that in the past I had been rendered partially incapable by the drugs which had been given me.

without doubt or question

From this reading Anyhow, the sudden shock seemed to have given me greater clearness of vision, so that I was able to comprehend things far more clearly than in the past.

free from obscurity and easy to understand; the comprehensibility of clear expression

From this reading At that time, however, my brain seemed more than ordinarily active, and I saw things with a clearness that I had never seen before.

showing self-interest and shrewdness in dealing with others

From this reading I HEAR A STRANGE NOISE IN MY PRISON--THE SECRET PASSAGE WHICH I FOUND--A WILD STRUGGLE, AND A HAIRBREADTH ESCAPE I have said many times that I am not a man of quick understanding, neither was I ever clever at explaining puzzles.

get the meaning of something

From this reading Anyhow, the sudden shock seemed to have given me greater clearness of vision, so that I was able to comprehend things far more clearly than in the past.

plural of “drug” — a substance that is used as a medicine or narcotic

From this reading Besides, I was sure that in the past I had been rendered partially incapable by the drugs which had been given me.

lacking in liveliness or animation

From this reading Hitherto, with the exception of occasional flashes of light, all had been dull, now I seemed to see the truth plainly.

the act of escaping physically

From this reading I HEAR A STRANGE NOISE IN MY PRISON--THE SECRET PASSAGE WHICH I FOUND--A WILD STRUGGLE, AND A HAIRBREADTH ESCAPE I have said many times that I am not a man of quick understanding, neither was I ever clever at explaining puzzles.

at any time

From this reading I HEAR A STRANGE NOISE IN MY PRISON--THE SECRET PASSAGE WHICH I FOUND--A WILD STRUGGLE, AND A HAIRBREADTH ESCAPE I have said many times that I am not a man of quick understanding, neither was I ever clever at explaining puzzles.

a deliberate act of omission

From this reading Hitherto, with the exception of occasional flashes of light, all had been dull, now I seemed to see the truth plainly.

-ing form of “explain” — make plain and comprehensible

From this reading I HEAR A STRANGE NOISE IN MY PRISON--THE SECRET PASSAGE WHICH I FOUND--A WILD STRUGGLE, AND A HAIRBREADTH ESCAPE I have said many times that I am not a man of quick understanding, neither was I ever clever at explaining puzzles.

to a considerable degree; very much

From this reading Anyhow, the sudden shock seemed to have given me greater clearness of vision, so that I was able to comprehend things far more clearly than in the past.

plural of “flash” — a sudden intense burst of radiant energy

From this reading Hitherto, with the exception of occasional flashes of light, all had been dull, now I seemed to see the truth plainly.

set up or found

From this reading I HEAR A STRANGE NOISE IN MY PRISON--THE SECRET PASSAGE WHICH I FOUND--A WILD STRUGGLE, AND A HAIRBREADTH ESCAPE I have said many times that I am not a man of quick understanding, neither was I ever clever at explaining puzzles.

acknowledged as a supposition

From this reading Besides, I was sure that in the past I had been rendered partially incapable by the drugs which had been given me.

greater in size or importance or degree

From this reading Anyhow, the sudden shock seemed to have given me greater clearness of vision, so that I was able to comprehend things far more clearly than in the past.

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

From this reading At that time, however, my brain seemed more than ordinarily active, and I saw things with a clearness that I had never seen before.

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

From this reading I HEAR A STRANGE NOISE IN MY PRISON--THE SECRET PASSAGE WHICH I FOUND--A WILD STRUGGLE, AND A HAIRBREADTH ESCAPE I have said many times that I am not a man of quick understanding, neither was I ever clever at explaining puzzles.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading I HEAR A STRANGE NOISE IN MY PRISON--THE SECRET PASSAGE WHICH I FOUND--A WILD STRUGGLE, AND A HAIRBREADTH ESCAPE I have said many times that I am not a man of quick understanding, neither was I ever clever at explaining puzzles.

perceive (sound) via the auditory sense

From this reading I HEAR A STRANGE NOISE IN MY PRISON--THE SECRET PASSAGE WHICH I FOUND--A WILD STRUGGLE, AND A HAIRBREADTH ESCAPE I have said many times that I am not a man of quick understanding, neither was I ever clever at explaining puzzles.

used in negative statement to describe a situation that has existed up to this point or up to the present time

From this reading Hitherto, with the exception of occasional flashes of light, all had been dull, now I seemed to see the truth plainly.

used to add a contrasting statement

From this reading At that time, however, my brain seemed more than ordinarily active, and I saw things with a clearness that I had never seen before.

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

From this reading I HEAR A STRANGE NOISE IN MY PRISON--THE SECRET PASSAGE WHICH I FOUND--A WILD STRUGGLE, AND A HAIRBREADTH ESCAPE I have said many times that I am not a man of quick understanding, neither was I ever clever at explaining puzzles.

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

From this reading I HEAR A STRANGE NOISE IN MY PRISON--THE SECRET PASSAGE WHICH I FOUND--A WILD STRUGGLE, AND A HAIRBREADTH ESCAPE I have said many times that I am not a man of quick understanding, neither was I ever clever at explaining puzzles.

(followed by “of”) lacking capacity or ability

From this reading Besides, I was sure that in the past I had been rendered partially incapable by the drugs which had been given me.

of comparatively little physical weight or density

From this reading Hitherto, with the exception of occasional flashes of light, all had been dull, now I seemed to see the truth plainly.

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

From this reading I HEAR A STRANGE NOISE IN MY PRISON--THE SECRET PASSAGE WHICH I FOUND--A WILD STRUGGLE, AND A HAIRBREADTH ESCAPE I have said many times that I am not a man of quick understanding, neither was I ever clever at explaining puzzles.

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 I HEAR A STRANGE NOISE IN MY PRISON--THE SECRET PASSAGE WHICH I FOUND--A WILD STRUGGLE, AND A HAIRBREADTH ESCAPE I have said many times that I am not a man of quick understanding, neither was I ever clever at explaining puzzles.

the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading Besides, I was sure that in the past I had been rendered partially incapable by the drugs which had been given me.

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

From this reading At that time, however, my brain seemed more than ordinarily active, and I saw things with a clearness that I had never seen before.

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading I HEAR A STRANGE NOISE IN MY PRISON--THE SECRET PASSAGE WHICH I FOUND--A WILD STRUGGLE, AND A HAIRBREADTH ESCAPE I have said many times that I am not a man of quick understanding, neither was I ever clever at explaining puzzles.

not one and not the other of two

From this reading I HEAR A STRANGE NOISE IN MY PRISON--THE SECRET PASSAGE WHICH I FOUND--A WILD STRUGGLE, AND A HAIRBREADTH ESCAPE I have said many times that I am not a man of quick understanding, neither was I ever clever at explaining puzzles.

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading At that time, however, my brain seemed more than ordinarily active, and I saw things with a clearness that I had never seen before.

sound of any kind (especially unintelligible or dissonant sound)

From this reading I HEAR A STRANGE NOISE IN MY PRISON--THE SECRET PASSAGE WHICH I FOUND--A WILD STRUGGLE, AND A HAIRBREADTH ESCAPE I have said many times that I am not a man of quick understanding, neither was I ever clever at explaining puzzles.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading I HEAR A STRANGE NOISE IN MY PRISON--THE SECRET PASSAGE WHICH I FOUND--A WILD STRUGGLE, AND A HAIRBREADTH ESCAPE I have said many times that I am not a man of quick understanding, neither was I ever clever at explaining puzzles.

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

From this reading Hitherto, with the exception of occasional flashes of light, all had been dull, now I seemed to see the truth plainly.

occurring from time to time

From this reading Hitherto, with the exception of occasional flashes of light, all had been dull, now I seemed to see the truth plainly.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading I HEAR A STRANGE NOISE IN MY PRISON--THE SECRET PASSAGE WHICH I FOUND--A WILD STRUGGLE, AND A HAIRBREADTH ESCAPE I have said many times that I am not a man of quick understanding, neither was I ever clever at explaining puzzles.

under normal conditions

From this reading At that time, however, my brain seemed more than ordinarily active, and I saw things with a clearness that I had never seen before.

to some extent; in some degree; not wholly

From this reading Besides, I was sure that in the past I had been rendered partially incapable by the drugs which had been given me.

the act of passing from one state or place to the next

From this reading I HEAR A STRANGE NOISE IN MY PRISON--THE SECRET PASSAGE WHICH I FOUND--A WILD STRUGGLE, AND A HAIRBREADTH ESCAPE I have said many times that I am not a man of quick understanding, neither was I ever clever at explaining puzzles.

the time that has elapsed

From this reading Besides, I was sure that in the past I had been rendered partially incapable by the drugs which had been given me.

unmistakably (“plain” is often used informally for “plainly”)

From this reading Hitherto, with the exception of occasional flashes of light, all had been dull, now I seemed to see the truth plainly.

a correctional institution where persons are confined while on trial or for punishment

From this reading I HEAR A STRANGE NOISE IN MY PRISON--THE SECRET PASSAGE WHICH I FOUND--A WILD STRUGGLE, AND A HAIRBREADTH ESCAPE I have said many times that I am not a man of quick understanding, neither was I ever clever at explaining puzzles.

plural of “puzzle” — a particularly baffling problem that is said to have a correct solution

From this reading I HEAR A STRANGE NOISE IN MY PRISON--THE SECRET PASSAGE WHICH I FOUND--A WILD STRUGGLE, AND A HAIRBREADTH ESCAPE I have said many times that I am not a man of quick understanding, neither was I ever clever at explaining puzzles.

accomplished rapidly and without delay

From this reading I HEAR A STRANGE NOISE IN MY PRISON--THE SECRET PASSAGE WHICH I FOUND--A WILD STRUGGLE, AND A HAIRBREADTH ESCAPE I have said many times that I am not a man of quick understanding, neither was I ever clever at explaining puzzles.

past form of “render” — cause to become

From this reading Besides, I was sure that in the past I had been rendered partially incapable by the drugs which had been given me.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading I HEAR A STRANGE NOISE IN MY PRISON--THE SECRET PASSAGE WHICH I FOUND--A WILD STRUGGLE, AND A HAIRBREADTH ESCAPE I have said many times that I am not a man of quick understanding, neither was I ever clever at explaining puzzles.

cut with a saw

From this reading At that time, however, my brain seemed more than ordinarily active, and I saw things with a clearness that I had never seen before.

Something that is kept or meant to be kept unknown or unseen by others.

From this reading I HEAR A STRANGE NOISE IN MY PRISON--THE SECRET PASSAGE WHICH I FOUND--A WILD STRUGGLE, AND A HAIRBREADTH ESCAPE I have said many times that I am not a man of quick understanding, neither was I ever clever at explaining puzzles.

perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading Hitherto, with the exception of occasional flashes of light, all had been dull, now I seemed to see the truth plainly.

past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading At that time, however, my brain seemed more than ordinarily active, and I saw things with a clearness that I had never seen before.

inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading At that time, however, my brain seemed more than ordinarily active, and I saw things with a clearness that I had never seen before.

the feeling of distress and disbelief that you have when something bad happens accidentally

From this reading Anyhow, the sudden shock seemed to have given me greater clearness of vision, so that I was able to comprehend things far more clearly than in the past.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Anyhow, the sudden shock seemed to have given me greater clearness of vision, so that I was able to comprehend things far more clearly than in the past.

being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird

From this reading I HEAR A STRANGE NOISE IN MY PRISON--THE SECRET PASSAGE WHICH I FOUND--A WILD STRUGGLE, AND A HAIRBREADTH ESCAPE I have said many times that I am not a man of quick understanding, neither was I ever clever at explaining puzzles.

make a strenuous or labored effort

From this reading I HEAR A STRANGE NOISE IN MY PRISON--THE SECRET PASSAGE WHICH I FOUND--A WILD STRUGGLE, AND A HAIRBREADTH ESCAPE I have said many times that I am not a man of quick understanding, neither was I ever clever at explaining puzzles.

happening without warning or in a short space of time

From this reading Anyhow, the sudden shock seemed to have given me greater clearness of vision, so that I was able to comprehend things far more clearly than in the past.

having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured

From this reading Besides, I was sure that in the past I had been rendered partially incapable by the drugs which had been given me.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading At that time, however, my brain seemed more than ordinarily active, and I saw things with a clearness that I had never seen before.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading I HEAR A STRANGE NOISE IN MY PRISON--THE SECRET PASSAGE WHICH I FOUND--A WILD STRUGGLE, AND A HAIRBREADTH ESCAPE I have said many times that I am not a man of quick understanding, neither was I ever clever at explaining puzzles.

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

From this reading I HEAR A STRANGE NOISE IN MY PRISON--THE SECRET PASSAGE WHICH I FOUND--A WILD STRUGGLE, AND A HAIRBREADTH ESCAPE I have said many times that I am not a man of quick understanding, neither was I ever clever at explaining puzzles.

any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)

From this reading At that time, however, my brain seemed more than ordinarily active, and I saw things with a clearness that I had never seen before.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading At that time, however, my brain seemed more than ordinarily active, and I saw things with a clearness that I had never seen before.

a more or less definite period of time now or previously present

From this reading I HEAR A STRANGE NOISE IN MY PRISON--THE SECRET PASSAGE WHICH I FOUND--A WILD STRUGGLE, AND A HAIRBREADTH ESCAPE I have said many times that I am not a man of quick understanding, neither was I ever clever at explaining puzzles.

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

From this reading Anyhow, the sudden shock seemed to have given me greater clearness of vision, so that I was able to comprehend things far more clearly than in the past.

a fact that has been verified

From this reading Hitherto, with the exception of occasional flashes of light, all had been dull, now I seemed to see the truth plainly.

the cognitive condition of someone who understands

From this reading I HEAR A STRANGE NOISE IN MY PRISON--THE SECRET PASSAGE WHICH I FOUND--A WILD STRUGGLE, AND A HAIRBREADTH ESCAPE I have said many times that I am not a man of quick understanding, neither was I ever clever at explaining puzzles.

a vivid mental image

From this reading Anyhow, the sudden shock seemed to have given me greater clearness of vision, so that I was able to comprehend things far more clearly than in the past.

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

From this reading I HEAR A STRANGE NOISE IN MY PRISON--THE SECRET PASSAGE WHICH I FOUND--A WILD STRUGGLE, AND A HAIRBREADTH ESCAPE I have said many times that I am not a man of quick understanding, neither was I ever clever at explaining puzzles.

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

From this reading I HEAR A STRANGE NOISE IN MY PRISON--THE SECRET PASSAGE WHICH I FOUND--A WILD STRUGGLE, AND A HAIRBREADTH ESCAPE I have said many times that I am not a man of quick understanding, neither was I ever clever at explaining puzzles.

marked by extreme lack of restraint or control

From this reading I HEAR A STRANGE NOISE IN MY PRISON--THE SECRET PASSAGE WHICH I FOUND--A WILD STRUGGLE, AND A HAIRBREADTH ESCAPE I have said many times that I am not a man of quick understanding, neither was I ever clever at explaining puzzles.

in the company of; together with

From this reading At that time, however, my brain seemed more than ordinarily active, and I saw things with a clearness that I had never seen before.