Chapter I

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

From this reading A riotous evening—during which he had dined not wisely but too well with a number of men who had been at Oxford with him—is not perhaps the best preparation for work on the following day, and Peter heartily cursed the relentless and inexorable fate that had made him junior partner of “Merryweather, Linnell and Daventry—Solicitors.”

(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 “And it might be anywhere else for all it means to me, or for all I care.

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

From this reading The Case of the Black Twenty-Two The fact that it was an unusually sunny morning for an English summer day had not put Peter Daventry in the mood that it undoubtedly should have done.

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

From this reading A riotous evening—during which he had dined not wisely but too well with a number of men who had been at Oxford with him—is not perhaps the best preparation for work on the following day, and Peter heartily cursed the relentless and inexorable fate that had made him junior partner of “Merryweather, Linnell and Daventry—Solicitors.”

at or in or to any place

From this reading “And it might be anywhere else for all it means to me, or for all I care.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading A riotous evening—during which he had dined not wisely but too well with a number of men who had been at Oxford with him—is not perhaps the best preparation for work on the following day, and Peter heartily cursed the relentless and inexorable fate that had made him junior partner of “Merryweather, Linnell and Daventry—Solicitors.”

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

From this reading “And it might be anywhere else for all it means to me, or for all I care.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading A riotous evening—during which he had dined not wisely but too well with a number of men who had been at Oxford with him—is not perhaps the best preparation for work on the following day, and Peter heartily cursed the relentless and inexorable fate that had made him junior partner of “Merryweather, Linnell and Daventry—Solicitors.”

at or to a lower level than something

From this reading He thrust his hands into his pockets and walked to the window of his room, gazing disconsolately at the street below.

the supreme effort one can make

From this reading A riotous evening—during which he had dined not wisely but too well with a number of men who had been at Oxford with him—is not perhaps the best preparation for work on the following day, and Peter heartily cursed the relentless and inexorable fate that had made him junior partner of “Merryweather, Linnell and Daventry—Solicitors.”

being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light

From this reading The Case of the Black Twenty-Two The fact that it was an unusually sunny morning for an English summer day had not put Peter Daventry in the mood that it undoubtedly should have done.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading A riotous evening—during which he had dined not wisely but too well with a number of men who had been at Oxford with him—is not perhaps the best preparation for work on the following day, and Peter heartily cursed the relentless and inexorable fate that had made him junior partner of “Merryweather, Linnell and Daventry—Solicitors.”

the work of providing treatment for or attending to someone or something

From this reading “And it might be anywhere else for all it means to me, or for all I care.

an occurrence of something

From this reading The Case of the Black Twenty-Two The fact that it was an unusually sunny morning for an English summer day had not put Peter Daventry in the mood that it undoubtedly should have done.

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

From this reading “Cornhill!” he muttered.

deserving a curse; sometimes used as an intensifier

From this reading A riotous evening—during which he had dined not wisely but too well with a number of men who had been at Oxford with him—is not perhaps the best preparation for work on the following day, and Peter heartily cursed the relentless and inexorable fate that had made him junior partner of “Merryweather, Linnell and Daventry—Solicitors.”

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

From this reading The Case of the Black Twenty-Two The fact that it was an unusually sunny morning for an English summer day had not put Peter Daventry in the mood that it undoubtedly should have done.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading The Case of the Black Twenty-Two The fact that it was an unusually sunny morning for an English summer day had not put Peter Daventry in the mood that it undoubtedly should have done.

past form of “dine” — have supper; eat dinner

From this reading A riotous evening—during which he had dined not wisely but too well with a number of men who had been at Oxford with him—is not perhaps the best preparation for work on the following day, and Peter heartily cursed the relentless and inexorable fate that had made him junior partner of “Merryweather, Linnell and Daventry—Solicitors.”

in grief-stricken loneliness; without comforting circumstances or prospects

From this reading He thrust his hands into his pockets and walked to the window of his room, gazing disconsolately at the street below.

having finished or arrived at completion

From this reading The Case of the Black Twenty-Two The fact that it was an unusually sunny morning for an English summer day had not put Peter Daventry in the mood that it undoubtedly should have done.

all through a period, or at some point within it

From this reading A riotous evening—during which he had dined not wisely but too well with a number of men who had been at Oxford with him—is not perhaps the best preparation for work on the following day, and Peter heartily cursed the relentless and inexorable fate that had made him junior partner of “Merryweather, Linnell and Daventry—Solicitors.”

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

From this reading “And it might be anywhere else for all it means to me, or for all I care.

an Indo-European language belonging to the West Germanic branch; the official language of Britain and the United States and most of the commonwealth countries

From this reading The Case of the Black Twenty-Two The fact that it was an unusually sunny morning for an English summer day had not put Peter Daventry in the mood that it undoubtedly should have done.

the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)

From this reading A riotous evening—during which he had dined not wisely but too well with a number of men who had been at Oxford with him—is not perhaps the best preparation for work on the following day, and Peter heartily cursed the relentless and inexorable fate that had made him junior partner of “Merryweather, Linnell and Daventry—Solicitors.”

a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred

From this reading The Case of the Black Twenty-Two The fact that it was an unusually sunny morning for an English summer day had not put Peter Daventry in the mood that it undoubtedly should have done.

an event (or a course of events) that will inevitably happen in the future

From this reading A riotous evening—during which he had dined not wisely but too well with a number of men who had been at Oxford with him—is not perhaps the best preparation for work on the following day, and Peter heartily cursed the relentless and inexorable fate that had made him junior partner of “Merryweather, Linnell and Daventry—Solicitors.”

about to be mentioned or specified

From this reading A riotous evening—during which he had dined not wisely but too well with a number of men who had been at Oxford with him—is not perhaps the best preparation for work on the following day, and Peter heartily cursed the relentless and inexorable fate that had made him junior partner of “Merryweather, Linnell and Daventry—Solicitors.”

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading The Case of the Black Twenty-Two The fact that it was an unusually sunny morning for an English summer day had not put Peter Daventry in the mood that it undoubtedly should have done.

-ing form of “gaze” — look at with fixed eyes

From this reading He thrust his hands into his pockets and walked to the window of his room, gazing disconsolately at the street below.

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

From this reading The Case of the Black Twenty-Two The fact that it was an unusually sunny morning for an English summer day had not put Peter Daventry in the mood that it undoubtedly should have done.

(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child

From this reading He thrust his hands into his pockets and walked to the window of his room, gazing disconsolately at the street below.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading The Case of the Black Twenty-Two The fact that it was an unusually sunny morning for an English summer day had not put Peter Daventry in the mood that it undoubtedly should have done.

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

From this reading A riotous evening—during which he had dined not wisely but too well with a number of men who had been at Oxford with him—is not perhaps the best preparation for work on the following day, and Peter heartily cursed the relentless and inexorable fate that had made him junior partner of “Merryweather, Linnell and Daventry—Solicitors.”

with gusto and without reservation

From this reading A riotous evening—during which he had dined not wisely but too well with a number of men who had been at Oxford with him—is not perhaps the best preparation for work on the following day, and Peter heartily cursed the relentless and inexorable fate that had made him junior partner of “Merryweather, Linnell and Daventry—Solicitors.”

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

From this reading A riotous evening—during which he had dined not wisely but too well with a number of men who had been at Oxford with him—is not perhaps the best preparation for work on the following day, and Peter heartily cursed the relentless and inexorable fate that had made him junior partner of “Merryweather, Linnell and Daventry—Solicitors.”

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

From this reading He thrust his hands into his pockets and walked to the window of his room, gazing disconsolately at the street below.

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

From this reading “And it might be anywhere else for all it means to me, or for all I care.

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

From this reading The Case of the Black Twenty-Two The fact that it was an unusually sunny morning for an English summer day had not put Peter Daventry in the mood that it undoubtedly should have done.

not to be placated or appeased or moved by entreaty

From this reading A riotous evening—during which he had dined not wisely but too well with a number of men who had been at Oxford with him—is not perhaps the best preparation for work on the following day, and Peter heartily cursed the relentless and inexorable fate that had made him junior partner of “Merryweather, Linnell and Daventry—Solicitors.”

moving to the inside of something

From this reading He thrust his hands into his pockets and walked to the window of his room, gazing disconsolately at the street below.

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

From this reading A riotous evening—during which he had dined not wisely but too well with a number of men who had been at Oxford with him—is not perhaps the best preparation for work on the following day, and Peter heartily cursed the relentless and inexorable fate that had made him junior partner of “Merryweather, Linnell and Daventry—Solicitors.”

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading The Case of the Black Twenty-Two The fact that it was an unusually sunny morning for an English summer day had not put Peter Daventry in the mood that it undoubtedly should have done.

term of address for a disrespectful and annoying male

From this reading A riotous evening—during which he had dined not wisely but too well with a number of men who had been at Oxford with him—is not perhaps the best preparation for work on the following day, and Peter heartily cursed the relentless and inexorable fate that had made him junior partner of “Merryweather, Linnell and Daventry—Solicitors.”

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

From this reading A riotous evening—during which he had dined not wisely but too well with a number of men who had been at Oxford with him—is not perhaps the best preparation for work on the following day, and Peter heartily cursed the relentless and inexorable fate that had made him junior partner of “Merryweather, Linnell and Daventry—Solicitors.”

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading A riotous evening—during which he had dined not wisely but too well with a number of men who had been at Oxford with him—is not perhaps the best preparation for work on the following day, and Peter heartily cursed the relentless and inexorable fate that had made him junior partner of “Merryweather, Linnell and Daventry—Solicitors.”

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

From this reading “And it might be anywhere else for all it means to me, or for all I care.

thing or person that acts to produce a particular effect or achieve an end

From this reading “And it might be anywhere else for all it means to me, or for all I care.

the force of workers available

From this reading A riotous evening—during which he had dined not wisely but too well with a number of men who had been at Oxford with him—is not perhaps the best preparation for work on the following day, and Peter heartily cursed the relentless and inexorable fate that had made him junior partner of “Merryweather, Linnell and Daventry—Solicitors.”

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

From this reading A riotous evening—during which he had dined not wisely but too well with a number of men who had been at Oxford with him—is not perhaps the best preparation for work on the following day, and Peter heartily cursed the relentless and inexorable fate that had made him junior partner of “Merryweather, Linnell and Daventry—Solicitors.”

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading “And it might be anywhere else for all it means to me, or for all I care.

a characteristic (habitual or relatively temporary) state of feeling

From this reading The Case of the Black Twenty-Two The fact that it was an unusually sunny morning for an English summer day had not put Peter Daventry in the mood that it undoubtedly should have done.

the time period between dawn and noon

From this reading The Case of the Black Twenty-Two The fact that it was an unusually sunny morning for an English summer day had not put Peter Daventry in the mood that it undoubtedly should have done.

past form of “mutter” — talk indistinctly; usually in a low voice

From this reading “Cornhill!” he muttered.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading The Case of the Black Twenty-Two The fact that it was an unusually sunny morning for an English summer day had not put Peter Daventry in the mood that it undoubtedly should have done.

the property possessed by a sum or total or indefinite quantity of units or individuals

From this reading A riotous evening—during which he had dined not wisely but too well with a number of men who had been at Oxford with him—is not perhaps the best preparation for work on the following day, and Peter heartily cursed the relentless and inexorable fate that had made him junior partner of “Merryweather, Linnell and Daventry—Solicitors.”

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The Case of the Black Twenty-Two The fact that it was an unusually sunny morning for an English summer day had not put Peter Daventry in the mood that it undoubtedly should have done.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading A riotous evening—during which he had dined not wisely but too well with a number of men who had been at Oxford with him—is not perhaps the best preparation for work on the following day, and Peter heartily cursed the relentless and inexorable fate that had made him junior partner of “Merryweather, Linnell and Daventry—Solicitors.”

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading “And it might be anywhere else for all it means to me, or for all I care.

a city in southern England to the northwest of London; site of Oxford University

From this reading A riotous evening—during which he had dined not wisely but too well with a number of men who had been at Oxford with him—is not perhaps the best preparation for work on the following day, and Peter heartily cursed the relentless and inexorable fate that had made him junior partner of “Merryweather, Linnell and Daventry—Solicitors.”

a person's partner in marriage

From this reading A riotous evening—during which he had dined not wisely but too well with a number of men who had been at Oxford with him—is not perhaps the best preparation for work on the following day, and Peter heartily cursed the relentless and inexorable fate that had made him junior partner of “Merryweather, Linnell and Daventry—Solicitors.”

by chance

From this reading A riotous evening—during which he had dined not wisely but too well with a number of men who had been at Oxford with him—is not perhaps the best preparation for work on the following day, and Peter heartily cursed the relentless and inexorable fate that had made him junior partner of “Merryweather, Linnell and Daventry—Solicitors.”

disciple of Jesus and leader of the Apostles; regarded by Catholics as the vicar of Christ on earth and first Pope

From this reading The Case of the Black Twenty-Two The fact that it was an unusually sunny morning for an English summer day had not put Peter Daventry in the mood that it undoubtedly should have done.

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

From this reading He thrust his hands into his pockets and walked to the window of his room, gazing disconsolately at the street below.

the activity of putting or setting in order in advance of some act or purpose

From this reading A riotous evening—during which he had dined not wisely but too well with a number of men who had been at Oxford with him—is not perhaps the best preparation for work on the following day, and Peter heartily cursed the relentless and inexorable fate that had made him junior partner of “Merryweather, Linnell and Daventry—Solicitors.”

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading The Case of the Black Twenty-Two The fact that it was an unusually sunny morning for an English summer day had not put Peter Daventry in the mood that it undoubtedly should have done.

not to be placated or appeased or moved by entreaty

From this reading A riotous evening—during which he had dined not wisely but too well with a number of men who had been at Oxford with him—is not perhaps the best preparation for work on the following day, and Peter heartily cursed the relentless and inexorable fate that had made him junior partner of “Merryweather, Linnell and Daventry—Solicitors.”

produced or growing in extreme abundance

From this reading A riotous evening—during which he had dined not wisely but too well with a number of men who had been at Oxford with him—is not perhaps the best preparation for work on the following day, and Peter heartily cursed the relentless and inexorable fate that had made him junior partner of “Merryweather, Linnell and Daventry—Solicitors.”

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

From this reading He thrust his hands into his pockets and walked to the window of his room, gazing disconsolately at the street below.

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading The Case of the Black Twenty-Two The fact that it was an unusually sunny morning for an English summer day had not put Peter Daventry in the mood that it undoubtedly should have done.

plural of “solicitor” — a petitioner who solicits contributions or trade or votes

From this reading A riotous evening—during which he had dined not wisely but too well with a number of men who had been at Oxford with him—is not perhaps the best preparation for work on the following day, and Peter heartily cursed the relentless and inexorable fate that had made him junior partner of “Merryweather, Linnell and Daventry—Solicitors.”

a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings

From this reading He thrust his hands into his pockets and walked to the window of his room, gazing disconsolately at the street below.

the warmest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the summer solstice to the autumnal equinox

From this reading The Case of the Black Twenty-Two The fact that it was an unusually sunny morning for an English summer day had not put Peter Daventry in the mood that it undoubtedly should have done.

bright and pleasant; promoting a feeling of cheer

From this reading The Case of the Black Twenty-Two The fact that it was an unusually sunny morning for an English summer day had not put Peter Daventry in the mood that it undoubtedly should have done.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading The Case of the Black Twenty-Two The fact that it was an unusually sunny morning for an English summer day had not put Peter Daventry in the mood that it undoubtedly should have done.

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

From this reading The Case of the Black Twenty-Two The fact that it was an unusually sunny morning for an English summer day had not put Peter Daventry in the mood that it undoubtedly should have done.

push forcefully

From this reading He thrust his hands into his pockets and walked to the window of his room, gazing disconsolately at the street below.

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

From this reading He thrust his hands into his pockets and walked to the window of his room, gazing disconsolately at the street below.

to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits

From this reading A riotous evening—during which he had dined not wisely but too well with a number of men who had been at Oxford with him—is not perhaps the best preparation for work on the following day, and Peter heartily cursed the relentless and inexorable fate that had made him junior partner of “Merryweather, Linnell and Daventry—Solicitors.”

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

From this reading The Case of the Black Twenty-Two The fact that it was an unusually sunny morning for an English summer day had not put Peter Daventry in the mood that it undoubtedly should have done.

without doubt; certainly

From this reading The Case of the Black Twenty-Two The fact that it was an unusually sunny morning for an English summer day had not put Peter Daventry in the mood that it undoubtedly should have done.

to a remarkable degree or extent

From this reading The Case of the Black Twenty-Two The fact that it was an unusually sunny morning for an English summer day had not put Peter Daventry in the mood that it undoubtedly should have done.

past form of “walk” — use one's feet to advance; advance by steps

From this reading He thrust his hands into his pockets and walked to the window of his room, gazing disconsolately at the street below.

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

From this reading The Case of the Black Twenty-Two The fact that it was an unusually sunny morning for an English summer day had not put Peter Daventry in the mood that it undoubtedly should have done.

(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)

From this reading A riotous evening—during which he had dined not wisely but too well with a number of men who had been at Oxford with him—is not perhaps the best preparation for work on the following day, and Peter heartily cursed the relentless and inexorable fate that had made him junior partner of “Merryweather, Linnell and Daventry—Solicitors.”

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

From this reading A riotous evening—during which he had dined not wisely but too well with a number of men who had been at Oxford with him—is not perhaps the best preparation for work on the following day, and Peter heartily cursed the relentless and inexorable fate that had made him junior partner of “Merryweather, Linnell and Daventry—Solicitors.”

which person or people

From this reading A riotous evening—during which he had dined not wisely but too well with a number of men who had been at Oxford with him—is not perhaps the best preparation for work on the following day, and Peter heartily cursed the relentless and inexorable fate that had made him junior partner of “Merryweather, Linnell and Daventry—Solicitors.”

a framework of wood or metal that contains a glass windowpane and is built into a wall or roof to admit light or air

From this reading He thrust his hands into his pockets and walked to the window of his room, gazing disconsolately at the street below.

in a wise manner

From this reading A riotous evening—during which he had dined not wisely but too well with a number of men who had been at Oxford with him—is not perhaps the best preparation for work on the following day, and Peter heartily cursed the relentless and inexorable fate that had made him junior partner of “Merryweather, Linnell and Daventry—Solicitors.”

in the company of; together with

From this reading A riotous evening—during which he had dined not wisely but too well with a number of men who had been at Oxford with him—is not perhaps the best preparation for work on the following day, and Peter heartily cursed the relentless and inexorable fate that had made him junior partner of “Merryweather, Linnell and Daventry—Solicitors.”

exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity

From this reading A riotous evening—during which he had dined not wisely but too well with a number of men who had been at Oxford with him—is not perhaps the best preparation for work on the following day, and Peter heartily cursed the relentless and inexorable fate that had made him junior partner of “Merryweather, Linnell and Daventry—Solicitors.”