Chapter XIV

personal knowledge or information about someone or something

From this reading IN THE WORLD'S MOST MARVELLOUS CITY Stunned by the terrible news he had just heard, Rob sat silent, trying to think of all that it meant to him, while his new acquaintance, shocked at the unexpected result of his chance remark, tried in vain to console him.

(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 IN THE WORLD'S MOST MARVELLOUS CITY Stunned by the terrible news he had just heard, Rob sat silent, trying to think of all that it meant to him, while his new acquaintance, shocked at the unexpected result of his chance remark, tried in vain to console him.

at all times; all the time and on every occasion

From this reading It might not be so bad as reported, he said, for such things always were exaggerated.

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

From this reading Probably, Rob would find that his parents had escaped and were safe in Canton.

past form of “answer” — react verbally

From this reading "They couldn't leave," answered Rob, "for my father was too ill to travel."

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

From this reading It might not be so bad as reported, he said, for such things always were exaggerated.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading IN THE WORLD'S MOST MARVELLOUS CITY Stunned by the terrible news he had just heard, Rob sat silent, trying to think of all that it meant to him, while his new acquaintance, shocked at the unexpected result of his chance remark, tried in vain to console him.

having undesirable or negative qualities

From this reading It might not be so bad as reported, he said, for such things always were exaggerated.

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

From this reading It might not be so bad as reported, he said, for such things always were exaggerated.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Perhaps the massacre had extended only to native Christians, as often was the case; or, it was more than likely that the Hinckleys had been warned of the outbreak in time to leave Wu Hsing before it took place.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading Perhaps the massacre had extended only to native Christians, as often was the case; or, it was more than likely that the Hinckleys had been warned of the outbreak in time to leave Wu Hsing before it took place.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading IN THE WORLD'S MOST MARVELLOUS CITY Stunned by the terrible news he had just heard, Rob sat silent, trying to think of all that it meant to him, while his new acquaintance, shocked at the unexpected result of his chance remark, tried in vain to console him.

a city on the Zhu Jiang delta in southern China; the capital of Guangdong province and a major deep-water port

From this reading Probably, Rob would find that his parents had escaped and were safe in Canton.

an occurrence of something

From this reading Perhaps the massacre had extended only to native Christians, as often was the case; or, it was more than likely that the Hinckleys had been warned of the outbreak in time to leave Wu Hsing before it took place.

a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances

From this reading IN THE WORLD'S MOST MARVELLOUS CITY Stunned by the terrible news he had just heard, Rob sat silent, trying to think of all that it meant to him, while his new acquaintance, shocked at the unexpected result of his chance remark, tried in vain to console him.

plural of “christian” — a religious person who believes Jesus is the Christ and who is a member of a Christian denomination

From this reading Perhaps the massacre had extended only to native Christians, as often was the case; or, it was more than likely that the Hinckleys had been warned of the outbreak in time to leave Wu Hsing before it took place.

a large and densely populated urban area; may include several independent administrative districts

From this reading IN THE WORLD'S MOST MARVELLOUS CITY Stunned by the terrible news he had just heard, Rob sat silent, trying to think of all that it meant to him, while his new acquaintance, shocked at the unexpected result of his chance remark, tried in vain to console him.

give moral or emotional strength to

From this reading IN THE WORLD'S MOST MARVELLOUS CITY Stunned by the terrible news he had just heard, Rob sat silent, trying to think of all that it meant to him, while his new acquaintance, shocked at the unexpected result of his chance remark, tried in vain to console him.

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

From this reading "They couldn't leave," answered Rob, "for my father was too ill to travel."

having escaped, especially from confinement

From this reading Probably, Rob would find that his parents had escaped and were safe in Canton.

represented as greater than is true or reasonable

From this reading It might not be so bad as reported, he said, for such things always were exaggerated.

relatively long in duration; tediously protracted

From this reading Perhaps the massacre had extended only to native Christians, as often was the case; or, it was more than likely that the Hinckleys had been warned of the outbreak in time to leave Wu Hsing before it took place.

a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)

From this reading "They couldn't leave," answered Rob, "for my father was too ill to travel."

come upon, as if by accident; meet with

From this reading Probably, Rob would find that his parents had escaped and were safe in Canton.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading It might not be so bad as reported, he said, for such things always were exaggerated.

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

From this reading IN THE WORLD'S MOST MARVELLOUS CITY Stunned by the terrible news he had just heard, Rob sat silent, trying to think of all that it meant to him, while his new acquaintance, shocked at the unexpected result of his chance remark, tried in vain to console him.

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

From this reading IN THE WORLD'S MOST MARVELLOUS CITY Stunned by the terrible news he had just heard, Rob sat silent, trying to think of all that it meant to him, while his new acquaintance, shocked at the unexpected result of his chance remark, tried in vain to console him.

detected or perceived by the sense of hearing

From this reading IN THE WORLD'S MOST MARVELLOUS CITY Stunned by the terrible news he had just heard, Rob sat silent, trying to think of all that it meant to him, while his new acquaintance, shocked at the unexpected result of his chance remark, tried in vain to console him.

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

From this reading IN THE WORLD'S MOST MARVELLOUS CITY Stunned by the terrible news he had just heard, Rob sat silent, trying to think of all that it meant to him, while his new acquaintance, shocked at the unexpected result of his chance remark, tried in vain to console him.

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

From this reading Perhaps the massacre had extended only to native Christians, as often was the case; or, it was more than likely that the Hinckleys had been warned of the outbreak in time to leave Wu Hsing before it took place.

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

From this reading IN THE WORLD'S MOST MARVELLOUS CITY Stunned by the terrible news he had just heard, Rob sat silent, trying to think of all that it meant to him, while his new acquaintance, shocked at the unexpected result of his chance remark, tried in vain to console him.

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

From this reading Perhaps the massacre had extended only to native Christians, as often was the case; or, it was more than likely that the Hinckleys had been warned of the outbreak in time to leave Wu Hsing before it took place.

affected by an impairment of normal physical or mental function

From this reading "They couldn't leave," answered Rob, "for my father was too ill to travel."

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

From this reading IN THE WORLD'S MOST MARVELLOUS CITY Stunned by the terrible news he had just heard, Rob sat silent, trying to think of all that it meant to him, while his new acquaintance, shocked at the unexpected result of his chance remark, tried in vain to console him.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading IN THE WORLD'S MOST MARVELLOUS CITY Stunned by the terrible news he had just heard, Rob sat silent, trying to think of all that it meant to him, while his new acquaintance, shocked at the unexpected result of his chance remark, tried in vain to console him.

and nothing more

From this reading IN THE WORLD'S MOST MARVELLOUS CITY Stunned by the terrible news he had just heard, Rob sat silent, trying to think of all that it meant to him, while his new acquaintance, shocked at the unexpected result of his chance remark, tried in vain to console him.

go away from a place

From this reading Perhaps the massacre had extended only to native Christians, as often was the case; or, it was more than likely that the Hinckleys had been warned of the outbreak in time to leave Wu Hsing before it took place.

has a good chance of being the case or of coming about

From this reading Perhaps the massacre had extended only to native Christians, as often was the case; or, it was more than likely that the Hinckleys had been warned of the outbreak in time to leave Wu Hsing before it took place.

extraordinarily good or great; used especially as intensifiers

From this reading IN THE WORLD'S MOST MARVELLOUS CITY Stunned by the terrible news he had just heard, Rob sat silent, trying to think of all that it meant to him, while his new acquaintance, shocked at the unexpected result of his chance remark, tried in vain to console him.

kill a large number of people indiscriminately

From this reading Perhaps the massacre had extended only to native Christians, as often was the case; or, it was more than likely that the Hinckleys had been warned of the outbreak in time to leave Wu Hsing before it took place.

inflected form of “mean” — mean or intend to express or convey

From this reading IN THE WORLD'S MOST MARVELLOUS CITY Stunned by the terrible news he had just heard, Rob sat silent, trying to think of all that it meant to him, while his new acquaintance, shocked at the unexpected result of his chance remark, tried in vain to console him.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading It might not be so bad as reported, he said, for such things always were exaggerated.

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

From this reading Perhaps the massacre had extended only to native Christians, as often was the case; or, it was more than likely that the Hinckleys had been warned of the outbreak in time to leave Wu Hsing before it took place.

used to form the superlative

From this reading IN THE WORLD'S MOST MARVELLOUS CITY Stunned by the terrible news he had just heard, Rob sat silent, trying to think of all that it meant to him, while his new acquaintance, shocked at the unexpected result of his chance remark, tried in vain to console him.

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading "They couldn't leave," answered Rob, "for my father was too ill to travel."

characteristic of or existing by virtue of geographic origin

From this reading Perhaps the massacre had extended only to native Christians, as often was the case; or, it was more than likely that the Hinckleys had been warned of the outbreak in time to leave Wu Hsing before it took place.

not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered

From this reading IN THE WORLD'S MOST MARVELLOUS CITY Stunned by the terrible news he had just heard, Rob sat silent, trying to think of all that it meant to him, while his new acquaintance, shocked at the unexpected result of his chance remark, tried in vain to console him.

information about recent and important events

From this reading IN THE WORLD'S MOST MARVELLOUS CITY Stunned by the terrible news he had just heard, Rob sat silent, trying to think of all that it meant to him, while his new acquaintance, shocked at the unexpected result of his chance remark, tried in vain to console him.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading It might not be so bad as reported, he said, for such things always were exaggerated.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading IN THE WORLD'S MOST MARVELLOUS CITY Stunned by the terrible news he had just heard, Rob sat silent, trying to think of all that it meant to him, while his new acquaintance, shocked at the unexpected result of his chance remark, tried in vain to console him.

many times at short intervals

From this reading Perhaps the massacre had extended only to native Christians, as often was the case; or, it was more than likely that the Hinckleys had been warned of the outbreak in time to leave Wu Hsing before it took place.

and nothing more

From this reading Perhaps the massacre had extended only to native Christians, as often was the case; or, it was more than likely that the Hinckleys had been warned of the outbreak in time to leave Wu Hsing before it took place.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Perhaps the massacre had extended only to native Christians, as often was the case; or, it was more than likely that the Hinckleys had been warned of the outbreak in time to leave Wu Hsing before it took place.

a sudden violent spontaneous occurrence (usually of some undesirable condition)

From this reading Perhaps the massacre had extended only to native Christians, as often was the case; or, it was more than likely that the Hinckleys had been warned of the outbreak in time to leave Wu Hsing before it took place.

plural of “parent” — a father or mother; one who begets or one who gives birth to or nurtures and raises a child; a relative who plays the role of guardian

From this reading Probably, Rob would find that his parents had escaped and were safe in Canton.

by chance

From this reading Perhaps the massacre had extended only to native Christians, as often was the case; or, it was more than likely that the Hinckleys had been warned of the outbreak in time to leave Wu Hsing before it took place.

a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading Perhaps the massacre had extended only to native Christians, as often was the case; or, it was more than likely that the Hinckleys had been warned of the outbreak in time to leave Wu Hsing before it took place.

with considerable certainty; without much doubt

From this reading Probably, Rob would find that his parents had escaped and were safe in Canton.

a statement that expresses a personal opinion or belief or adds information

From this reading IN THE WORLD'S MOST MARVELLOUS CITY Stunned by the terrible news he had just heard, Rob sat silent, trying to think of all that it meant to him, while his new acquaintance, shocked at the unexpected result of his chance remark, tried in vain to console him.

made known or told about; especially presented in a formal account

From this reading It might not be so bad as reported, he said, for such things always were exaggerated.

a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon

From this reading IN THE WORLD'S MOST MARVELLOUS CITY Stunned by the terrible news he had just heard, Rob sat silent, trying to think of all that it meant to him, while his new acquaintance, shocked at the unexpected result of his chance remark, tried in vain to console him.

take something away by force or without the consent of the owner

From this reading IN THE WORLD'S MOST MARVELLOUS CITY Stunned by the terrible news he had just heard, Rob sat silent, trying to think of all that it meant to him, while his new acquaintance, shocked at the unexpected result of his chance remark, tried in vain to console him.

free from danger or the risk of harm

From this reading Probably, Rob would find that his parents had escaped and were safe in Canton.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading It might not be so bad as reported, he said, for such things always were exaggerated.

the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians

From this reading IN THE WORLD'S MOST MARVELLOUS CITY Stunned by the terrible news he had just heard, Rob sat silent, trying to think of all that it meant to him, while his new acquaintance, shocked at the unexpected result of his chance remark, tried in vain to console him.

struck with fear, dread, or consternation

From this reading IN THE WORLD'S MOST MARVELLOUS CITY Stunned by the terrible news he had just heard, Rob sat silent, trying to think of all that it meant to him, while his new acquaintance, shocked at the unexpected result of his chance remark, tried in vain to console him.

marked by absence of sound

From this reading IN THE WORLD'S MOST MARVELLOUS CITY Stunned by the terrible news he had just heard, Rob sat silent, trying to think of all that it meant to him, while his new acquaintance, shocked at the unexpected result of his chance remark, tried in vain to console him.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading It might not be so bad as reported, he said, for such things always were exaggerated.

filled with the emotional impact of overwhelming surprise or shock

From this reading IN THE WORLD'S MOST MARVELLOUS CITY Stunned by the terrible news he had just heard, Rob sat silent, trying to think of all that it meant to him, while his new acquaintance, shocked at the unexpected result of his chance remark, tried in vain to console him.

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading It might not be so bad as reported, he said, for such things always were exaggerated.

causing fear or dread or terror

From this reading IN THE WORLD'S MOST MARVELLOUS CITY Stunned by the terrible news he had just heard, Rob sat silent, trying to think of all that it meant to him, while his new acquaintance, shocked at the unexpected result of his chance remark, tried in vain to console him.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading Perhaps the massacre had extended only to native Christians, as often was the case; or, it was more than likely that the Hinckleys had been warned of the outbreak in time to leave Wu Hsing before it took place.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading IN THE WORLD'S MOST MARVELLOUS CITY Stunned by the terrible news he had just heard, Rob sat silent, trying to think of all that it meant to him, while his new acquaintance, shocked at the unexpected result of his chance remark, tried in vain to console him.

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

From this reading IN THE WORLD'S MOST MARVELLOUS CITY Stunned by the terrible news he had just heard, Rob sat silent, trying to think of all that it meant to him, while his new acquaintance, shocked at the unexpected result of his chance remark, tried in vain to console him.

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading "They couldn't leave," answered Rob, "for my father was too ill to travel."

any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)

From this reading It might not be so bad as reported, he said, for such things always were exaggerated.

judge or regard; look upon; judge

From this reading IN THE WORLD'S MOST MARVELLOUS CITY Stunned by the terrible news he had just heard, Rob sat silent, trying to think of all that it meant to him, while his new acquaintance, shocked at the unexpected result of his chance remark, tried in vain to console him.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading Perhaps the massacre had extended only to native Christians, as often was the case; or, it was more than likely that the Hinckleys had been warned of the outbreak in time to leave Wu Hsing before it took place.

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

From this reading IN THE WORLD'S MOST MARVELLOUS CITY Stunned by the terrible news he had just heard, Rob sat silent, trying to think of all that it meant to him, while his new acquaintance, shocked at the unexpected result of his chance remark, tried in vain to console him.

to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits

From this reading "They couldn't leave," answered Rob, "for my father was too ill to travel."

inflected form of “take” — carry out

From this reading Perhaps the massacre had extended only to native Christians, as often was the case; or, it was more than likely that the Hinckleys had been warned of the outbreak in time to leave Wu Hsing before it took place.

change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading "They couldn't leave," answered Rob, "for my father was too ill to travel."

tested and proved useful or correct

From this reading IN THE WORLD'S MOST MARVELLOUS CITY Stunned by the terrible news he had just heard, Rob sat silent, trying to think of all that it meant to him, while his new acquaintance, shocked at the unexpected result of his chance remark, tried in vain to console him.

hard to endure

From this reading IN THE WORLD'S MOST MARVELLOUS CITY Stunned by the terrible news he had just heard, Rob sat silent, trying to think of all that it meant to him, while his new acquaintance, shocked at the unexpected result of his chance remark, tried in vain to console him.

not expected or anticipated

From this reading IN THE WORLD'S MOST MARVELLOUS CITY Stunned by the terrible news he had just heard, Rob sat silent, trying to think of all that it meant to him, while his new acquaintance, shocked at the unexpected result of his chance remark, tried in vain to console him.

characteristic of false pride; having an exaggerated sense of self-importance

From this reading IN THE WORLD'S MOST MARVELLOUS CITY Stunned by the terrible news he had just heard, Rob sat silent, trying to think of all that it meant to him, while his new acquaintance, shocked at the unexpected result of his chance remark, tried in vain to console him.

past form of “warn” — notify of danger, potential harm, or risk

From this reading Perhaps the massacre had extended only to native Christians, as often was the case; or, it was more than likely that the Hinckleys had been warned of the outbreak in time to leave Wu Hsing before it took place.

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

From this reading Perhaps the massacre had extended only to native Christians, as often was the case; or, it was more than likely that the Hinckleys had been warned of the outbreak in time to leave Wu Hsing before it took place.

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

From this reading It might not be so bad as reported, he said, for such things always were exaggerated.

during the time that

From this reading IN THE WORLD'S MOST MARVELLOUS CITY Stunned by the terrible news he had just heard, Rob sat silent, trying to think of all that it meant to him, while his new acquaintance, shocked at the unexpected result of his chance remark, tried in vain to console him.

possessive form of “world” — everything that exists anywhere

From this reading IN THE WORLD'S MOST MARVELLOUS CITY Stunned by the terrible news he had just heard, Rob sat silent, trying to think of all that it meant to him, while his new acquaintance, shocked at the unexpected result of his chance remark, tried in vain to console him.

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading Probably, Rob would find that his parents had escaped and were safe in Canton.

a dialect of Chinese spoken in the Yangtze delta

From this reading Perhaps the massacre had extended only to native Christians, as often was the case; or, it was more than likely that the Hinckleys had been warned of the outbreak in time to leave Wu Hsing before it took place.