Chapter XVII · Chapter 17

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

From this reading Then he put his overcoat, folded as he had been carrying it under his arm, on the writing table in the center of the room, and from its folds and pockets took a "breast-drill" such as iron workers use in drilling steel, an automatic pistol with three clips of cartridges, an electric flashlight and a little bottle of nitroglycerine.

(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 THE FIGHT IN THE STUDY Eaton dismissed the man who had been waiting in his rooms for him; he locked the door and carefully drew down all the window-shades.

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

From this reading Then he put his overcoat, folded as he had been carrying it under his arm, on the writing table in the center of the room, and from its folds and pockets took a "breast-drill" such as iron workers use in drilling steel, an automatic pistol with three clips of cartridges, an electric flashlight and a little bottle of nitroglycerine.

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

From this reading THE FIGHT IN THE STUDY Eaton dismissed the man who had been waiting in his rooms for him; he locked the door and carefully drew down all the window-shades.

a human limb; technically the part of the superior limb between the shoulder and the elbow but commonly used to refer to the whole superior limb

From this reading Then he put his overcoat, folded as he had been carrying it under his arm, on the writing table in the center of the room, and from its folds and pockets took a "breast-drill" such as iron workers use in drilling steel, an automatic pistol with three clips of cartridges, an electric flashlight and a little bottle of nitroglycerine.

the thing arranged or agreed to

From this reading The room he was in, the largest of his suite, resembled Santoine's study on the floor below in the arrangement of its windows, though it was smaller than the study.

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

From this reading Then he put his overcoat, folded as he had been carrying it under his arm, on the writing table in the center of the room, and from its folds and pockets took a "breast-drill" such as iron workers use in drilling steel, an automatic pistol with three clips of cartridges, an electric flashlight and a little bottle of nitroglycerine.

operating with minimal human intervention; independent of external control

From this reading Then he put his overcoat, folded as he had been carrying it under his arm, on the writing table in the center of the room, and from its folds and pockets took a "breast-drill" such as iron workers use in drilling steel, an automatic pistol with three clips of cartridges, an electric flashlight and a little bottle of nitroglycerine.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading THE FIGHT IN THE STUDY Eaton dismissed the man who had been waiting in his rooms for him; he locked the door and carefully drew down all the window-shades.

at or to a lower level than something

From this reading The room he was in, the largest of his suite, resembled Santoine's study on the floor below in the arrangement of its windows, though it was smaller than the study.

a glass or plastic vessel used for storing drinks or other liquids; typically cylindrical without handles and with a narrow neck that can be plugged or capped

From this reading Then he put his overcoat, folded as he had been carrying it under his arm, on the writing table in the center of the room, and from its folds and pockets took a "breast-drill" such as iron workers use in drilling steel, an automatic pistol with three clips of cartridges, an electric flashlight and a little bottle of nitroglycerine.

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

From this reading Then he put his overcoat, folded as he had been carrying it under his arm, on the writing table in the center of the room, and from its folds and pockets took a "breast-drill" such as iron workers use in drilling steel, an automatic pistol with three clips of cartridges, an electric flashlight and a little bottle of nitroglycerine.

taking care or paying attention

From this reading THE FIGHT IN THE STUDY Eaton dismissed the man who had been waiting in his rooms for him; he locked the door and carefully drew down all the window-shades.

-ing form of “carry” — move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body

From this reading Then he put his overcoat, folded as he had been carrying it under his arm, on the writing table in the center of the room, and from its folds and pockets took a "breast-drill" such as iron workers use in drilling steel, an automatic pistol with three clips of cartridges, an electric flashlight and a little bottle of nitroglycerine.

plural of “cartridge” — ammunition consisting of a cylindrical casing containing an explosive charge and a bullet; fired from a rifle or handgun

From this reading Then he put his overcoat, folded as he had been carrying it under his arm, on the writing table in the center of the room, and from its folds and pockets took a "breast-drill" such as iron workers use in drilling steel, an automatic pistol with three clips of cartridges, an electric flashlight and a little bottle of nitroglycerine.

The middle point or core of an area.

From this reading Then he put his overcoat, folded as he had been carrying it under his arm, on the writing table in the center of the room, and from its folds and pockets took a "breast-drill" such as iron workers use in drilling steel, an automatic pistol with three clips of cartridges, an electric flashlight and a little bottle of nitroglycerine.

plural of “clip” — a metal frame or container holding cartridges; can be inserted into an automatic gun

From this reading Then he put his overcoat, folded as he had been carrying it under his arm, on the writing table in the center of the room, and from its folds and pockets took a "breast-drill" such as iron workers use in drilling steel, an automatic pistol with three clips of cartridges, an electric flashlight and a little bottle of nitroglycerine.

go with, fall together

From this reading The writing-desk in its center occupied much the position of Santoine's large desk; he moved it slightly to make the relative positions coincide.

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

From this reading The writing-desk in its center occupied much the position of Santoine's large desk; he moved it slightly to make the relative positions coincide.

having lost your job

From this reading THE FIGHT IN THE STUDY Eaton dismissed the man who had been waiting in his rooms for him; he locked the door and carefully drew down all the window-shades.

a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle

From this reading THE FIGHT IN THE STUDY Eaton dismissed the man who had been waiting in his rooms for him; he locked the door and carefully drew down all the window-shades.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading THE FIGHT IN THE STUDY Eaton dismissed the man who had been waiting in his rooms for him; he locked the door and carefully drew down all the window-shades.

United States actor (born in Ireland); father of Georgiana Emma Barrymore (1827-1862)

From this reading THE FIGHT IN THE STUDY Eaton dismissed the man who had been waiting in his rooms for him; he locked the door and carefully drew down all the window-shades.

the act of drilling

From this reading Then he put his overcoat, folded as he had been carrying it under his arm, on the writing table in the center of the room, and from its folds and pockets took a "breast-drill" such as iron workers use in drilling steel, an automatic pistol with three clips of cartridges, an electric flashlight and a little bottle of nitroglycerine.

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

From this reading THE FIGHT IN THE STUDY Eaton dismissed the man who had been waiting in his rooms for him; he locked the door and carefully drew down all the window-shades.

using or providing or producing or transmitting or operated by electricity

From this reading Then he put his overcoat, folded as he had been carrying it under his arm, on the writing table in the center of the room, and from its folds and pockets took a "breast-drill" such as iron workers use in drilling steel, an automatic pistol with three clips of cartridges, an electric flashlight and a little bottle of nitroglycerine.

be engaged in a fight; carry on a fight

From this reading THE FIGHT IN THE STUDY Eaton dismissed the man who had been waiting in his rooms for him; he locked the door and carefully drew down all the window-shades.

a small portable battery-powered electric lamp

From this reading Then he put his overcoat, folded as he had been carrying it under his arm, on the writing table in the center of the room, and from its folds and pockets took a "breast-drill" such as iron workers use in drilling steel, an automatic pistol with three clips of cartridges, an electric flashlight and a little bottle of nitroglycerine.

the inside lower horizontal surface (as of a room, hallway, tent, or other structure)

From this reading The room he was in, the largest of his suite, resembled Santoine's study on the floor below in the arrangement of its windows, though it was smaller than the study.

past form of “fold” — bend or lay so that one part covers the other

From this reading Then he put his overcoat, folded as he had been carrying it under his arm, on the writing table in the center of the room, and from its folds and pockets took a "breast-drill" such as iron workers use in drilling steel, an automatic pistol with three clips of cartridges, an electric flashlight and a little bottle of nitroglycerine.

plural of “fold” — an angular or rounded shape made by folding

From this reading Then he put his overcoat, folded as he had been carrying it under his arm, on the writing table in the center of the room, and from its folds and pockets took a "breast-drill" such as iron workers use in drilling steel, an automatic pistol with three clips of cartridges, an electric flashlight and a little bottle of nitroglycerine.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading THE FIGHT IN THE STUDY Eaton dismissed the man who had been waiting in his rooms for him; he locked the door and carefully drew down all the window-shades.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Then he put his overcoat, folded as he had been carrying it under his arm, on the writing table in the center of the room, and from its folds and pockets took a "breast-drill" such as iron workers use in drilling steel, an automatic pistol with three clips of cartridges, an electric flashlight and a little bottle of nitroglycerine.

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

From this reading THE FIGHT IN THE STUDY Eaton dismissed the man who had been waiting in his rooms for him; he locked the door and carefully drew down all the window-shades.

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

From this reading THE FIGHT IN THE STUDY Eaton dismissed the man who had been waiting in his rooms for him; he locked the door and carefully drew down all the window-shades.

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

From this reading THE FIGHT IN THE STUDY Eaton dismissed the man who had been waiting in his rooms for him; he locked the door and carefully drew down all the window-shades.

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

From this reading THE FIGHT IN THE STUDY Eaton dismissed the man who had been waiting in his rooms for him; he locked the door and carefully drew down all the window-shades.

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

From this reading THE FIGHT IN THE STUDY Eaton dismissed the man who had been waiting in his rooms for him; he locked the door and carefully drew down all the window-shades.

past form of “inspect” — look over carefully

From this reading He loaded the pistol and put it in his pocket; then he carefully inspected the other things.

a heavy ductile magnetic metallic element; is silver-white in pure form but readily rusts; used in construction and tools and armament; plays a role in the transport of oxygen by the blood

From this reading Then he put his overcoat, folded as he had been carrying it under his arm, on the writing table in the center of the room, and from its folds and pockets took a "breast-drill" such as iron workers use in drilling steel, an automatic pistol with three clips of cartridges, an electric flashlight and a little bottle of nitroglycerine.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Then he put his overcoat, folded as he had been carrying it under his arm, on the writing table in the center of the room, and from its folds and pockets took a "breast-drill" such as iron workers use in drilling steel, an automatic pistol with three clips of cartridges, an electric flashlight and a little bottle of nitroglycerine.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading Then he put his overcoat, folded as he had been carrying it under his arm, on the writing table in the center of the room, and from its folds and pockets took a "breast-drill" such as iron workers use in drilling steel, an automatic pistol with three clips of cartridges, an electric flashlight and a little bottle of nitroglycerine.

above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading The writing-desk in its center occupied much the position of Santoine's large desk; he moved it slightly to make the relative positions coincide.

superlative of “large” — above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading The room he was in, the largest of his suite, resembled Santoine's study on the floor below in the arrangement of its windows, though it was smaller than the study.

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

From this reading Then he put his overcoat, folded as he had been carrying it under his arm, on the writing table in the center of the room, and from its folds and pockets took a "breast-drill" such as iron workers use in drilling steel, an automatic pistol with three clips of cartridges, an electric flashlight and a little bottle of nitroglycerine.

filled with a great quantity

From this reading He loaded the pistol and put it in his pocket; then he carefully inspected the other things.

past form of “lock” — fasten with a lock

From this reading THE FIGHT IN THE STUDY Eaton dismissed the man who had been waiting in his rooms for him; he locked the door and carefully drew down all the window-shades.

engage in

From this reading The writing-desk in its center occupied much the position of Santoine's large desk; he moved it slightly to make the relative positions coincide.

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

From this reading THE FIGHT IN THE STUDY Eaton dismissed the man who had been waiting in his rooms for him; he locked the door and carefully drew down all the window-shades.

being excited or provoked to the expression of an emotion

From this reading The writing-desk in its center occupied much the position of Santoine's large desk; he moved it slightly to make the relative positions coincide.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading The writing-desk in its center occupied much the position of Santoine's large desk; he moved it slightly to make the relative positions coincide.

a heavy yellow poisonous oily explosive liquid obtained by nitrating glycerol; used in making explosives and medically as a vasodilator (trade names Nitrospan and Nitrostat)

From this reading Then he put his overcoat, folded as he had been carrying it under his arm, on the writing table in the center of the room, and from its folds and pockets took a "breast-drill" such as iron workers use in drilling steel, an automatic pistol with three clips of cartridges, an electric flashlight and a little bottle of nitroglycerine.

held or filled or in use

From this reading The writing-desk in its center occupied much the position of Santoine's large desk; he moved it slightly to make the relative positions coincide.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Then he put his overcoat, folded as he had been carrying it under his arm, on the writing table in the center of the room, and from its folds and pockets took a "breast-drill" such as iron workers use in drilling steel, an automatic pistol with three clips of cartridges, an electric flashlight and a little bottle of nitroglycerine.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Then he put his overcoat, folded as he had been carrying it under his arm, on the writing table in the center of the room, and from its folds and pockets took a "breast-drill" such as iron workers use in drilling steel, an automatic pistol with three clips of cartridges, an electric flashlight and a little bottle of nitroglycerine.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading He loaded the pistol and put it in his pocket; then he carefully inspected the other things.

a heavy coat worn over clothes in winter

From this reading Then he put his overcoat, folded as he had been carrying it under his arm, on the writing table in the center of the room, and from its folds and pockets took a "breast-drill" such as iron workers use in drilling steel, an automatic pistol with three clips of cartridges, an electric flashlight and a little bottle of nitroglycerine.

a firearm that is held and fired with one hand

From this reading Then he put his overcoat, folded as he had been carrying it under his arm, on the writing table in the center of the room, and from its folds and pockets took a "breast-drill" such as iron workers use in drilling steel, an automatic pistol with three clips of cartridges, an electric flashlight and a little bottle of nitroglycerine.

a small pouch inside a garment for carrying small articles

From this reading He loaded the pistol and put it in his pocket; then he carefully inspected the other things.

plural of “pocket” — a small pouch inside a garment for carrying small articles

From this reading Then he put his overcoat, folded as he had been carrying it under his arm, on the writing table in the center of the room, and from its folds and pockets took a "breast-drill" such as iron workers use in drilling steel, an automatic pistol with three clips of cartridges, an electric flashlight and a little bottle of nitroglycerine.

the particular portion of space occupied by something

From this reading The writing-desk in its center occupied much the position of Santoine's large desk; he moved it slightly to make the relative positions coincide.

plural of “position” — the particular portion of space occupied by something

From this reading The writing-desk in its center occupied much the position of Santoine's large desk; he moved it slightly to make the relative positions coincide.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading Then he put his overcoat, folded as he had been carrying it under his arm, on the writing table in the center of the room, and from its folds and pockets took a "breast-drill" such as iron workers use in drilling steel, an automatic pistol with three clips of cartridges, an electric flashlight and a little bottle of nitroglycerine.

a person related by blood or marriage

From this reading The writing-desk in its center occupied much the position of Santoine's large desk; he moved it slightly to make the relative positions coincide.

past form of “resemble” — appear like; be similar or bear a likeness to

From this reading The room he was in, the largest of his suite, resembled Santoine's study on the floor below in the arrangement of its windows, though it was smaller than the study.

an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling

From this reading Then he put his overcoat, folded as he had been carrying it under his arm, on the writing table in the center of the room, and from its folds and pockets took a "breast-drill" such as iron workers use in drilling steel, an automatic pistol with three clips of cartridges, an electric flashlight and a little bottle of nitroglycerine.

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

From this reading THE FIGHT IN THE STUDY Eaton dismissed the man who had been waiting in his rooms for him; he locked the door and carefully drew down all the window-shades.

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

From this reading The room he was in, the largest of his suite, resembled Santoine's study on the floor below in the arrangement of its windows, though it was smaller than the study.

to a small degree or extent

From this reading The writing-desk in its center occupied much the position of Santoine's large desk; he moved it slightly to make the relative positions coincide.

small or little relative to something else

From this reading The room he was in, the largest of his suite, resembled Santoine's study on the floor below in the arrangement of its windows, though it was smaller than the study.

an alloy of iron with small amounts of carbon; widely used in construction; mechanical properties can be varied over a wide range

From this reading Then he put his overcoat, folded as he had been carrying it under his arm, on the writing table in the center of the room, and from its folds and pockets took a "breast-drill" such as iron workers use in drilling steel, an automatic pistol with three clips of cartridges, an electric flashlight and a little bottle of nitroglycerine.

a detailed critical inspection

From this reading THE FIGHT IN THE STUDY Eaton dismissed the man who had been waiting in his rooms for him; he locked the door and carefully drew down all the window-shades.

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading Then he put his overcoat, folded as he had been carrying it under his arm, on the writing table in the center of the room, and from its folds and pockets took a "breast-drill" such as iron workers use in drilling steel, an automatic pistol with three clips of cartridges, an electric flashlight and a little bottle of nitroglycerine.

a musical composition of several movements only loosely connected

From this reading The room he was in, the largest of his suite, resembled Santoine's study on the floor below in the arrangement of its windows, though it was smaller than the study.

a set of data arranged in rows and columns

From this reading Then he put his overcoat, folded as he had been carrying it under his arm, on the writing table in the center of the room, and from its folds and pockets took a "breast-drill" such as iron workers use in drilling steel, an automatic pistol with three clips of cartridges, an electric flashlight and a little bottle of nitroglycerine.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading The room he was in, the largest of his suite, resembled Santoine's study on the floor below in the arrangement of its windows, though it was smaller than the study.

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

From this reading THE FIGHT IN THE STUDY Eaton dismissed the man who had been waiting in his rooms for him; he locked the door and carefully drew down all the window-shades.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading Then he put his overcoat, folded as he had been carrying it under his arm, on the writing table in the center of the room, and from its folds and pockets took a "breast-drill" such as iron workers use in drilling steel, an automatic pistol with three clips of cartridges, an electric flashlight and a little bottle of nitroglycerine.

any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)

From this reading He loaded the pistol and put it in his pocket; then he carefully inspected the other things.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading The room he was in, the largest of his suite, resembled Santoine's study on the floor below in the arrangement of its windows, though it was smaller than the study.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one

From this reading Then he put his overcoat, folded as he had been carrying it under his arm, on the writing table in the center of the room, and from its folds and pockets took a "breast-drill" such as iron workers use in drilling steel, an automatic pistol with three clips of cartridges, an electric flashlight and a little bottle of nitroglycerine.

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

From this reading The writing-desk in its center occupied much the position of Santoine's large desk; he moved it slightly to make the relative positions coincide.

inflected form of “take” — carry out

From this reading Then he put his overcoat, folded as he had been carrying it under his arm, on the writing table in the center of the room, and from its folds and pockets took a "breast-drill" such as iron workers use in drilling steel, an automatic pistol with three clips of cartridges, an electric flashlight and a little bottle of nitroglycerine.

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading Then he put his overcoat, folded as he had been carrying it under his arm, on the writing table in the center of the room, and from its folds and pockets took a "breast-drill" such as iron workers use in drilling steel, an automatic pistol with three clips of cartridges, an electric flashlight and a little bottle of nitroglycerine.

the act of using

From this reading Then he put his overcoat, folded as he had been carrying it under his arm, on the writing table in the center of the room, and from its folds and pockets took a "breast-drill" such as iron workers use in drilling steel, an automatic pistol with three clips of cartridges, an electric flashlight and a little bottle of nitroglycerine.

the act of waiting (remaining inactive in one place while expecting something)

From this reading THE FIGHT IN THE STUDY Eaton dismissed the man who had been waiting in his rooms for him; he locked the door and carefully drew down all the window-shades.

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

From this reading The room he was in, the largest of his suite, resembled Santoine's study on the floor below in the arrangement of its windows, though it was smaller than the study.

which person or people

From this reading THE FIGHT IN THE STUDY Eaton dismissed the man who had been waiting in his rooms for him; he locked the door and carefully drew down all the window-shades.

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

From this reading THE FIGHT IN THE STUDY Eaton dismissed the man who had been waiting in his rooms for him; he locked the door and carefully drew down all the window-shades.

(trademark) an operating system with a graphical user interface

From this reading The room he was in, the largest of his suite, resembled Santoine's study on the floor below in the arrangement of its windows, though it was smaller than the study.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Then he put his overcoat, folded as he had been carrying it under his arm, on the writing table in the center of the room, and from its folds and pockets took a "breast-drill" such as iron workers use in drilling steel, an automatic pistol with three clips of cartridges, an electric flashlight and a little bottle of nitroglycerine.

plural of “worker” — a person who works at a specific occupation

From this reading Then he put his overcoat, folded as he had been carrying it under his arm, on the writing table in the center of the room, and from its folds and pockets took a "breast-drill" such as iron workers use in drilling steel, an automatic pistol with three clips of cartridges, an electric flashlight and a little bottle of nitroglycerine.

the act of creating written works

From this reading Then he put his overcoat, folded as he had been carrying it under his arm, on the writing table in the center of the room, and from its folds and pockets took a "breast-drill" such as iron workers use in drilling steel, an automatic pistol with three clips of cartridges, an electric flashlight and a little bottle of nitroglycerine.

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

From this reading The writing-desk in its center occupied much the position of Santoine's large desk; he moved it slightly to make the relative positions coincide.