Chapter I

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

From this reading The old gentleman smiled genially upon them, but his amazement was comical when they addressed him—he looked politely embarrassed as though regretting he was not the party they were looking for, then shrugged his graceful old shoulders and quietly departed; and the two young men stared at each other, astounded that it was possible they had been trapped into a case of mistaken identity.

(of mail) marked with a destination

From this reading The old gentleman smiled genially upon them, but his amazement was comical when they addressed him—he looked politely embarrassed as though regretting he was not the party they were looking for, then shrugged his graceful old shoulders and quietly departed; and the two young men stared at each other, astounded that it was possible they had been trapped into a case of mistaken identity.

(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but

From this reading I watched him hurrying away and almost fall into the arms of two dapper young men who were waiting for him.

the feeling that accompanies something extremely surprising

From this reading The old gentleman smiled genially upon them, but his amazement was comical when they addressed him—he looked politely embarrassed as though regretting he was not the party they were looking for, then shrugged his graceful old shoulders and quietly departed; and the two young men stared at each other, astounded that it was possible they had been trapped into a case of mistaken identity.

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

From this reading I was glad we met, however, for he made an otherwise dull voyage extremely interesting.

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

From this reading I watched him hurrying away and almost fall into the arms of two dapper young men who were waiting for him.

weapons considered collectively

From this reading I watched him hurrying away and almost fall into the arms of two dapper young men who were waiting for him.

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

From this reading They had recognized him as I did and their object and interview.

filled with the emotional impact of overwhelming surprise or shock

From this reading The old gentleman smiled genially upon them, but his amazement was comical when they addressed him—he looked politely embarrassed as though regretting he was not the party they were looking for, then shrugged his graceful old shoulders and quietly departed; and the two young men stared at each other, astounded that it was possible they had been trapped into a case of mistaken identity.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading The old gentleman smiled genially upon them, but his amazement was comical when they addressed him—he looked politely embarrassed as though regretting he was not the party they were looking for, then shrugged his graceful old shoulders and quietly departed; and the two young men stared at each other, astounded that it was possible they had been trapped into a case of mistaken identity.

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading I watched him hurrying away and almost fall into the arms of two dapper young men who were waiting for him.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading The old gentleman smiled genially upon them, but his amazement was comical when they addressed him—he looked politely embarrassed as though regretting he was not the party they were looking for, then shrugged his graceful old shoulders and quietly departed; and the two young men stared at each other, astounded that it was possible they had been trapped into a case of mistaken identity.

past form of “board” — get on board of (trains, buses, ships, aircraft, etc.)

From this reading It was a cold, misty morning when the pompous custom-house officials boarded the steamer.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading The old gentleman smiled genially upon them, but his amazement was comical when they addressed him—he looked politely embarrassed as though regretting he was not the party they were looking for, then shrugged his graceful old shoulders and quietly departed; and the two young men stared at each other, astounded that it was possible they had been trapped into a case of mistaken identity.

an occurrence of something

From this reading The old gentleman smiled genially upon them, but his amazement was comical when they addressed him—he looked politely embarrassed as though regretting he was not the party they were looking for, then shrugged his graceful old shoulders and quietly departed; and the two young men stared at each other, astounded that it was possible they had been trapped into a case of mistaken identity.

having a low or inadequate temperature or feeling a sensation of coldness or having been made cold by e.g. ice or refrigeration

From this reading It was a cold, misty morning when the pompous custom-house officials boarded the steamer.

arousing or provoking laughter

From this reading The old gentleman smiled genially upon them, but his amazement was comical when they addressed him—he looked politely embarrassed as though regretting he was not the party they were looking for, then shrugged his graceful old shoulders and quietly departed; and the two young men stared at each other, astounded that it was possible they had been trapped into a case of mistaken identity.

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

From this reading It was a cold, misty morning when the pompous custom-house officials boarded the steamer.

marked by up-to-dateness in dress and manners

From this reading I watched him hurrying away and almost fall into the arms of two dapper young men who were waiting for him.

well in the past; former

From this reading The old gentleman smiled genially upon them, but his amazement was comical when they addressed him—he looked politely embarrassed as though regretting he was not the party they were looking for, then shrugged his graceful old shoulders and quietly departed; and the two young men stared at each other, astounded that it was possible they had been trapped into a case of mistaken identity.

the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives

From this reading They had recognized him as I did and their object and interview.

lacking in liveliness or animation

From this reading I was glad we met, however, for he made an otherwise dull voyage extremely interesting.

every one of two or more people or things, taken separately

From this reading The old gentleman smiled genially upon them, but his amazement was comical when they addressed him—he looked politely embarrassed as though regretting he was not the party they were looking for, then shrugged his graceful old shoulders and quietly departed; and the two young men stared at each other, astounded that it was possible they had been trapped into a case of mistaken identity.

feeling or caused to feel ill at ease or self-conscious or ashamed

From this reading The old gentleman smiled genially upon them, but his amazement was comical when they addressed him—he looked politely embarrassed as though regretting he was not the party they were looking for, then shrugged his graceful old shoulders and quietly departed; and the two young men stared at each other, astounded that it was possible they had been trapped into a case of mistaken identity.

to a high degree or extent; favorably or with much respect

From this reading I was glad we met, however, for he made an otherwise dull voyage extremely interesting.

descend in free fall under the influence of gravity

From this reading I watched him hurrying away and almost fall into the arms of two dapper young men who were waiting for him.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading I watched him hurrying away and almost fall into the arms of two dapper young men who were waiting for him.

in an affable manner

From this reading The old gentleman smiled genially upon them, but his amazement was comical when they addressed him—he looked politely embarrassed as though regretting he was not the party they were looking for, then shrugged his graceful old shoulders and quietly departed; and the two young men stared at each other, astounded that it was possible they had been trapped into a case of mistaken identity.

a man of refinement

From this reading The old gentleman smiled genially upon them, but his amazement was comical when they addressed him—he looked politely embarrassed as though regretting he was not the party they were looking for, then shrugged his graceful old shoulders and quietly departed; and the two young men stared at each other, astounded that it was possible they had been trapped into a case of mistaken identity.

showing or causing joy and pleasure; especially made happy

From this reading I was glad we met, however, for he made an otherwise dull voyage extremely interesting.

characterized by beauty of movement, style, form, or execution

From this reading The old gentleman smiled genially upon them, but his amazement was comical when they addressed him—he looked politely embarrassed as though regretting he was not the party they were looking for, then shrugged his graceful old shoulders and quietly departed; and the two young men stared at each other, astounded that it was possible they had been trapped into a case of mistaken identity.

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

From this reading They had recognized him as I did and their object and interview.

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

From this reading The old gentleman smiled genially upon them, but his amazement was comical when they addressed him—he looked politely embarrassed as though regretting he was not the party they were looking for, then shrugged his graceful old shoulders and quietly departed; and the two young men stared at each other, astounded that it was possible they had been trapped into a case of mistaken identity.

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

From this reading I watched him hurrying away and almost fall into the arms of two dapper young men who were waiting for him.

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

From this reading The old gentleman smiled genially upon them, but his amazement was comical when they addressed him—he looked politely embarrassed as though regretting he was not the party they were looking for, then shrugged his graceful old shoulders and quietly departed; and the two young men stared at each other, astounded that it was possible they had been trapped into a case of mistaken identity.

used to add a contrasting statement

From this reading I was glad we met, however, for he made an otherwise dull voyage extremely interesting.

moving with great haste

From this reading I watched him hurrying away and almost fall into the arms of two dapper young men who were waiting for him.

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

From this reading I watched him hurrying away and almost fall into the arms of two dapper young men who were waiting for him.

the distinct personality of an individual regarded as a persisting entity

From this reading The old gentleman smiled genially upon them, but his amazement was comical when they addressed him—he looked politely embarrassed as though regretting he was not the party they were looking for, then shrugged his graceful old shoulders and quietly departed; and the two young men stared at each other, astounded that it was possible they had been trapped into a case of mistaken identity.

arousing or holding the attention

From this reading I was glad we met, however, for he made an otherwise dull voyage extremely interesting.

conduct an interview in television, newspaper, and radio reporting

From this reading They had recognized him as I did and their object and interview.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading I watched him hurrying away and almost fall into the arms of two dapper young men who were waiting for him.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading The old gentleman smiled genially upon them, but his amazement was comical when they addressed him—he looked politely embarrassed as though regretting he was not the party they were looking for, then shrugged his graceful old shoulders and quietly departed; and the two young men stared at each other, astounded that it was possible they had been trapped into a case of mistaken identity.

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

From this reading The old gentleman smiled genially upon them, but his amazement was comical when they addressed him—he looked politely embarrassed as though regretting he was not the party they were looking for, then shrugged his graceful old shoulders and quietly departed; and the two young men stared at each other, astounded that it was possible they had been trapped into a case of mistaken identity.

the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually

From this reading The old gentleman smiled genially upon them, but his amazement was comical when they addressed him—he looked politely embarrassed as though regretting he was not the party they were looking for, then shrugged his graceful old shoulders and quietly departed; and the two young men stared at each other, astounded that it was possible they had been trapped into a case of mistaken identity.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading I was glad we met, however, for he made an otherwise dull voyage extremely interesting.

the force of workers available

From this reading I watched him hurrying away and almost fall into the arms of two dapper young men who were waiting for him.

inflected form of “meet” — come together

From this reading I was glad we met, however, for he made an otherwise dull voyage extremely interesting.

wrong in e.g. opinion or judgment

From this reading The old gentleman smiled genially upon them, but his amazement was comical when they addressed him—he looked politely embarrassed as though regretting he was not the party they were looking for, then shrugged his graceful old shoulders and quietly departed; and the two young men stared at each other, astounded that it was possible they had been trapped into a case of mistaken identity.

filled or abounding with fog or mist

From this reading It was a cold, misty morning when the pompous custom-house officials boarded the steamer.

the time period between dawn and noon

From this reading It was a cold, misty morning when the pompous custom-house officials boarded the steamer.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading The old gentleman smiled genially upon them, but his amazement was comical when they addressed him—he looked politely embarrassed as though regretting he was not the party they were looking for, then shrugged his graceful old shoulders and quietly departed; and the two young men stared at each other, astounded that it was possible they had been trapped into a case of mistaken identity.

a tangible and visible entity; an entity that can cast a shadow

From this reading They had recognized him as I did and their object and interview.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading I watched him hurrying away and almost fall into the arms of two dapper young men who were waiting for him.

plural of “official” — a worker who holds or is invested with an office

From this reading It was a cold, misty morning when the pompous custom-house officials boarded the steamer.

(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age

From this reading The old gentleman smiled genially upon them, but his amazement was comical when they addressed him—he looked politely embarrassed as though regretting he was not the party they were looking for, then shrugged his graceful old shoulders and quietly departed; and the two young men stared at each other, astounded that it was possible they had been trapped into a case of mistaken identity.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading The old gentleman smiled genially upon them, but his amazement was comical when they addressed him—he looked politely embarrassed as though regretting he was not the party they were looking for, then shrugged his graceful old shoulders and quietly departed; and the two young men stared at each other, astounded that it was possible they had been trapped into a case of mistaken identity.

in other respects or ways

From this reading I was glad we met, however, for he made an otherwise dull voyage extremely interesting.

an organization to gain political power

From this reading The old gentleman smiled genially upon them, but his amazement was comical when they addressed him—he looked politely embarrassed as though regretting he was not the party they were looking for, then shrugged his graceful old shoulders and quietly departed; and the two young men stared at each other, astounded that it was possible they had been trapped into a case of mistaken identity.

in a polite manner

From this reading The old gentleman smiled genially upon them, but his amazement was comical when they addressed him—he looked politely embarrassed as though regretting he was not the party they were looking for, then shrugged his graceful old shoulders and quietly departed; and the two young men stared at each other, astounded that it was possible they had been trapped into a case of mistaken identity.

puffed up with vanity

From this reading It was a cold, misty morning when the pompous custom-house officials boarded the steamer.

capable of happening or existing

From this reading The old gentleman smiled genially upon them, but his amazement was comical when they addressed him—he looked politely embarrassed as though regretting he was not the party they were looking for, then shrugged his graceful old shoulders and quietly departed; and the two young men stared at each other, astounded that it was possible they had been trapped into a case of mistaken identity.

with low volume

From this reading The old gentleman smiled genially upon them, but his amazement was comical when they addressed him—he looked politely embarrassed as though regretting he was not the party they were looking for, then shrugged his graceful old shoulders and quietly departed; and the two young men stared at each other, astounded that it was possible they had been trapped into a case of mistaken identity.

generally approved or compelling recognition

From this reading They had recognized him as I did and their object and interview.

inflected form of “regret” — feel remorse for; feel sorry for; be contrite about

From this reading The old gentleman smiled genially upon them, but his amazement was comical when they addressed him—he looked politely embarrassed as though regretting he was not the party they were looking for, then shrugged his graceful old shoulders and quietly departed; and the two young men stared at each other, astounded that it was possible they had been trapped into a case of mistaken identity.

plural of “shoulder” — the part of the body between the neck and the upper arm

From this reading The old gentleman smiled genially upon them, but his amazement was comical when they addressed him—he looked politely embarrassed as though regretting he was not the party they were looking for, then shrugged his graceful old shoulders and quietly departed; and the two young men stared at each other, astounded that it was possible they had been trapped into a case of mistaken identity.

inflected form of “shrug” — raise one's shoulders to indicate indifference or resignation

From this reading The old gentleman smiled genially upon them, but his amazement was comical when they addressed him—he looked politely embarrassed as though regretting he was not the party they were looking for, then shrugged his graceful old shoulders and quietly departed; and the two young men stared at each other, astounded that it was possible they had been trapped into a case of mistaken identity.

past form of “smile” — change one's facial expression by spreading the lips, often to signal pleasure

From this reading The old gentleman smiled genially upon them, but his amazement was comical when they addressed him—he looked politely embarrassed as though regretting he was not the party they were looking for, then shrugged his graceful old shoulders and quietly departed; and the two young men stared at each other, astounded that it was possible they had been trapped into a case of mistaken identity.

past form of “stare” — look at with fixed eyes

From this reading The old gentleman smiled genially upon them, but his amazement was comical when they addressed him—he looked politely embarrassed as though regretting he was not the party they were looking for, then shrugged his graceful old shoulders and quietly departed; and the two young men stared at each other, astounded that it was possible they had been trapped into a case of mistaken identity.

a clam that is usually steamed in the shell

From this reading It was a cold, misty morning when the pompous custom-house officials boarded the steamer.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading The old gentleman smiled genially upon them, but his amazement was comical when they addressed him—he looked politely embarrassed as though regretting he was not the party they were looking for, then shrugged his graceful old shoulders and quietly departed; and the two young men stared at each other, astounded that it was possible they had been trapped into a case of mistaken identity.

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

From this reading I watched him hurrying away and almost fall into the arms of two dapper young men who were waiting for him.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading They had recognized him as I did and their object and interview.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading The old gentleman smiled genially upon them, but his amazement was comical when they addressed him—he looked politely embarrassed as though regretting he was not the party they were looking for, then shrugged his graceful old shoulders and quietly departed; and the two young men stared at each other, astounded that it was possible they had been trapped into a case of mistaken identity.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading The old gentleman smiled genially upon them, but his amazement was comical when they addressed him—he looked politely embarrassed as though regretting he was not the party they were looking for, then shrugged his graceful old shoulders and quietly departed; and the two young men stared at each other, astounded that it was possible they had been trapped into a case of mistaken identity.

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

From this reading They had recognized him as I did and their object and interview.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading The old gentleman smiled genially upon them, but his amazement was comical when they addressed him—he looked politely embarrassed as though regretting he was not the party they were looking for, then shrugged his graceful old shoulders and quietly departed; and the two young men stared at each other, astounded that it was possible they had been trapped into a case of mistaken identity.

forced to turn and face attackers

From this reading The old gentleman smiled genially upon them, but his amazement was comical when they addressed him—he looked politely embarrassed as though regretting he was not the party they were looking for, then shrugged his graceful old shoulders and quietly departed; and the two young men stared at each other, astounded that it was possible they had been trapped into a case of mistaken identity.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number

From this reading I watched him hurrying away and almost fall into the arms of two dapper young men who were waiting for him.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading The old gentleman smiled genially upon them, but his amazement was comical when they addressed him—he looked politely embarrassed as though regretting he was not the party they were looking for, then shrugged his graceful old shoulders and quietly departed; and the two young men stared at each other, astounded that it was possible they had been trapped into a case of mistaken identity.

an act of traveling by water

From this reading I was glad we met, however, for he made an otherwise dull voyage extremely interesting.

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

From this reading I watched him hurrying away and almost fall into the arms of two dapper young men who were waiting for him.

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

From this reading The old gentleman smiled genially upon them, but his amazement was comical when they addressed him—he looked politely embarrassed as though regretting he was not the party they were looking for, then shrugged his graceful old shoulders and quietly departed; and the two young men stared at each other, astounded that it was possible they had been trapped into a case of mistaken identity.

past form of “watch” — look attentively

From this reading I watched him hurrying away and almost fall into the arms of two dapper young men who were waiting for him.

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading I was glad we met, however, for he made an otherwise dull voyage extremely interesting.

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

From this reading I watched him hurrying away and almost fall into the arms of two dapper young men who were waiting for him.

at the time that

From this reading The old gentleman smiled genially upon them, but his amazement was comical when they addressed him—he looked politely embarrassed as though regretting he was not the party they were looking for, then shrugged his graceful old shoulders and quietly departed; and the two young men stared at each other, astounded that it was possible they had been trapped into a case of mistaken identity.

which person or people

From this reading I watched him hurrying away and almost fall into the arms of two dapper young men who were waiting for him.

(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth

From this reading I watched him hurrying away and almost fall into the arms of two dapper young men who were waiting for him.