Chapter VIII

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

From this reading “Of course he’s by way of being a scholar, a poet, an independent thinker, and all that sort of thing, but since he’s been knocked out I’m afraid he can never be the man he was.”

personal knowledge or information about someone or something

From this reading “I don’t know what he may have been,” he said, “before he went to Gallipoli; I can only say that when I made his acquaintance the other day, it seemed a great privilege to talk to him.”

filled with fear or apprehension

From this reading “Of course he’s by way of being a scholar, a poet, an independent thinker, and all that sort of thing, but since he’s been knocked out I’m afraid he can never be the man he was.”

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading “PLATO apart,” said Mr. Murdwell, as soon as Bud, Edith and Jooly had fled, “or whatever our neighbor’s secret vice may be, he’s got the strongest brain I’ve come up against lately.”

(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 “Of course he’s by way of being a scholar, a poet, an independent thinker, and all that sort of thing, but since he’s been knocked out I’m afraid he can never be the man he was.”

in addition

From this reading Mr. Murdwell confessed to surprise also.

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

From this reading “Of course he’s by way of being a scholar, a poet, an independent thinker, and all that sort of thing, but since he’s been knocked out I’m afraid he can never be the man he was.”

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

From this reading “PLATO apart,” said Mr. Murdwell, as soon as Bud, Edith and Jooly had fled, “or whatever our neighbor’s secret vice may be, he’s got the strongest brain I’ve come up against lately.”

separated or at a distance in place or position or time

From this reading “PLATO apart,” said Mr. Murdwell, as soon as Bud, Edith and Jooly had fled, “or whatever our neighbor’s secret vice may be, he’s got the strongest brain I’ve come up against lately.”

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

From this reading “PLATO apart,” said Mr. Murdwell, as soon as Bud, Edith and Jooly had fled, “or whatever our neighbor’s secret vice may be, he’s got the strongest brain I’ve come up against lately.”

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

From this reading “PLATO apart,” said Mr. Murdwell, as soon as Bud, Edith and Jooly had fled, “or whatever our neighbor’s secret vice may be, he’s got the strongest brain I’ve come up against lately.”

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “Of course he’s by way of being a scholar, a poet, an independent thinker, and all that sort of thing, but since he’s been knocked out I’m afraid he can never be the man he was.”

earlier than; in front of

From this reading “I don’t know what he may have been,” he said, “before he went to Gallipoli; I can only say that when I made his acquaintance the other day, it seemed a great privilege to talk to him.”

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading “Of course he’s by way of being a scholar, a poet, an independent thinker, and all that sort of thing, but since he’s been knocked out I’m afraid he can never be the man he was.”

that part of the central nervous system that includes all the higher nervous centers; enclosed within the skull; continuous with the spinal cord

From this reading “PLATO apart,” said Mr. Murdwell, as soon as Bud, Edith and Jooly had fled, “or whatever our neighbor’s secret vice may be, he’s got the strongest brain I’ve come up against lately.”

a partially opened flower

From this reading “PLATO apart,” said Mr. Murdwell, as soon as Bud, Edith and Jooly had fled, “or whatever our neighbor’s secret vice may be, he’s got the strongest brain I’ve come up against lately.”

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading “Of course he’s by way of being a scholar, a poet, an independent thinker, and all that sort of thing, but since he’s been knocked out I’m afraid he can never be the man he was.”

showing who or what does the action

From this reading “Of course he’s by way of being a scholar, a poet, an independent thinker, and all that sort of thing, but since he’s been knocked out I’m afraid he can never be the man he was.”

to be able to, or to be allowed to

From this reading “Of course he’s by way of being a scholar, a poet, an independent thinker, and all that sort of thing, but since he’s been knocked out I’m afraid he can never be the man he was.”

move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading “PLATO apart,” said Mr. Murdwell, as soon as Bud, Edith and Jooly had fled, “or whatever our neighbor’s secret vice may be, he’s got the strongest brain I’ve come up against lately.”

past form of “confess” — confess to a punishable or reprehensible deed, usually under pressure

From this reading Mr. Murdwell confessed to surprise also.

education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings

From this reading “Of course he’s by way of being a scholar, a poet, an independent thinker, and all that sort of thing, but since he’s been knocked out I’m afraid he can never be the man he was.”

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading “I don’t know what he may have been,” he said, “before he went to Gallipoli; I can only say that when I made his acquaintance the other day, it seemed a great privilege to talk to him.”

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

From this reading “I don’t know what he may have been,” he said, “before he went to Gallipoli; I can only say that when I made his acquaintance the other day, it seemed a great privilege to talk to him.”

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

From this reading “PLATO apart,” said Mr. Murdwell, as soon as Bud, Edith and Jooly had fled, “or whatever our neighbor’s secret vice may be, he’s got the strongest brain I’ve come up against lately.”

inflected form of “flee” — run away quickly

From this reading “PLATO apart,” said Mr. Murdwell, as soon as Bud, Edith and Jooly had fled, “or whatever our neighbor’s secret vice may be, he’s got the strongest brain I’ve come up against lately.”

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

From this reading “I don’t know what he may have been,” he said, “before he went to Gallipoli; I can only say that when I made his acquaintance the other day, it seemed a great privilege to talk to him.”

inflected form of “get” — come into the possession of something concrete or abstract

From this reading “PLATO apart,” said Mr. Murdwell, as soon as Bud, Edith and Jooly had fled, “or whatever our neighbor’s secret vice may be, he’s got the strongest brain I’ve come up against lately.”

relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind

From this reading “I don’t know what he may have been,” he said, “before he went to Gallipoli; I can only say that when I made his acquaintance the other day, it seemed a great privilege to talk to him.”

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

From this reading “PLATO apart,” said Mr. Murdwell, as soon as Bud, Edith and Jooly had fled, “or whatever our neighbor’s secret vice may be, he’s got the strongest brain I’ve come up against lately.”

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading “I don’t know what he may have been,” he said, “before he went to Gallipoli; I can only say that when I made his acquaintance the other day, it seemed a great privilege to talk to him.”

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

From this reading “Of course he’s by way of being a scholar, a poet, an independent thinker, and all that sort of thing, but since he’s been knocked out I’m afraid he can never be the man he was.”

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

From this reading “PLATO apart,” said Mr. Murdwell, as soon as Bud, Edith and Jooly had fled, “or whatever our neighbor’s secret vice may be, he’s got the strongest brain I’ve come up against lately.”

perceive (sound) via the auditory sense

From this reading “I’m surprised to hear you say that,” said the vicar.

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

From this reading “I don’t know what he may have been,” he said, “before he went to Gallipoli; I can only say that when I made his acquaintance the other day, it seemed a great privilege to talk to him.”

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

From this reading “I don’t know what he may have been,” he said, “before he went to Gallipoli; I can only say that when I made his acquaintance the other day, it seemed a great privilege to talk to him.”

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

From this reading “I don’t know what he may have been,” he said, “before he went to Gallipoli; I can only say that when I made his acquaintance the other day, it seemed a great privilege to talk to him.”

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

From this reading “I’m surprised to hear you say that,” said the vicar.

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

From this reading “PLATO apart,” said Mr. Murdwell, as soon as Bud, Edith and Jooly had fled, “or whatever our neighbor’s secret vice may be, he’s got the strongest brain I’ve come up against lately.”

free from external control and constraint

From this reading “Of course he’s by way of being a scholar, a poet, an independent thinker, and all that sort of thing, but since he’s been knocked out I’m afraid he can never be the man he was.”

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading “I don’t know what he may have been,” he said, “before he went to Gallipoli; I can only say that when I made his acquaintance the other day, it seemed a great privilege to talk to him.”

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

From this reading “PLATO apart,” said Mr. Murdwell, as soon as Bud, Edith and Jooly had fled, “or whatever our neighbor’s secret vice may be, he’s got the strongest brain I’ve come up against lately.”

past form of “knock” — deliver a sharp blow or push

From this reading “Of course he’s by way of being a scholar, a poet, an independent thinker, and all that sort of thing, but since he’s been knocked out I’m afraid he can never be the man he was.”

be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about

From this reading “I don’t know what he may have been,” he said, “before he went to Gallipoli; I can only say that when I made his acquaintance the other day, it seemed a great privilege to talk to him.”

in the recent past

From this reading “PLATO apart,” said Mr. Murdwell, as soon as Bud, Edith and Jooly had fled, “or whatever our neighbor’s secret vice may be, he’s got the strongest brain I’ve come up against lately.”

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading “I don’t know what he may have been,” he said, “before he went to Gallipoli; I can only say that when I made his acquaintance the other day, it seemed a great privilege to talk to him.”

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

From this reading “Of course he’s by way of being a scholar, a poet, an independent thinker, and all that sort of thing, but since he’s been knocked out I’m afraid he can never be the man he was.”

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading “PLATO apart,” said Mr. Murdwell, as soon as Bud, Edith and Jooly had fled, “or whatever our neighbor’s secret vice may be, he’s got the strongest brain I’ve come up against lately.”

a form of address for a man

From this reading “PLATO apart,” said Mr. Murdwell, as soon as Bud, Edith and Jooly had fled, “or whatever our neighbor’s secret vice may be, he’s got the strongest brain I’ve come up against lately.”

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

From this reading “PLATO apart,” said Mr. Murdwell, as soon as Bud, Edith and Jooly had fled, “or whatever our neighbor’s secret vice may be, he’s got the strongest brain I’ve come up against lately.”

possessive form of “neighbor” — a person who lives (or is located) near another

From this reading “PLATO apart,” said Mr. Murdwell, as soon as Bud, Edith and Jooly had fled, “or whatever our neighbor’s secret vice may be, he’s got the strongest brain I’ve come up against lately.”

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading “Of course he’s by way of being a scholar, a poet, an independent thinker, and all that sort of thing, but since he’s been knocked out I’m afraid he can never be the man he was.”

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading “Of course he’s by way of being a scholar, a poet, an independent thinker, and all that sort of thing, but since he’s been knocked out I’m afraid he can never be the man he was.”

and nothing more

From this reading “I don’t know what he may have been,” he said, “before he went to Gallipoli; I can only say that when I made his acquaintance the other day, it seemed a great privilege to talk to him.”

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading “PLATO apart,” said Mr. Murdwell, as soon as Bud, Edith and Jooly had fled, “or whatever our neighbor’s secret vice may be, he’s got the strongest brain I’ve come up against lately.”

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading “I don’t know what he may have been,” he said, “before he went to Gallipoli; I can only say that when I made his acquaintance the other day, it seemed a great privilege to talk to him.”

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading “PLATO apart,” said Mr. Murdwell, as soon as Bud, Edith and Jooly had fled, “or whatever our neighbor’s secret vice may be, he’s got the strongest brain I’ve come up against lately.”

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading “Of course he’s by way of being a scholar, a poet, an independent thinker, and all that sort of thing, but since he’s been knocked out I’m afraid he can never be the man he was.”

ancient Athenian philosopher; pupil of Socrates; teacher of Aristotle (428-347 BC)

From this reading “PLATO apart,” said Mr. Murdwell, as soon as Bud, Edith and Jooly had fled, “or whatever our neighbor’s secret vice may be, he’s got the strongest brain I’ve come up against lately.”

a writer of poems (the term is usually reserved for writers of good poetry)

From this reading “Of course he’s by way of being a scholar, a poet, an independent thinker, and all that sort of thing, but since he’s been knocked out I’m afraid he can never be the man he was.”

a special advantage or immunity or benefit not enjoyed by all

From this reading “I don’t know what he may have been,” he said, “before he went to Gallipoli; I can only say that when I made his acquaintance the other day, it seemed a great privilege to talk to him.”

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading “PLATO apart,” said Mr. Murdwell, as soon as Bud, Edith and Jooly had fled, “or whatever our neighbor’s secret vice may be, he’s got the strongest brain I’ve come up against lately.”

express in words

From this reading “I’m surprised to hear you say that,” said the vicar.

A specialist in a particular branch of study; a distinguished student.

From this reading “Of course he’s by way of being a scholar, a poet, an independent thinker, and all that sort of thing, but since he’s been knocked out I’m afraid he can never be the man he was.”

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

From this reading “PLATO apart,” said Mr. Murdwell, as soon as Bud, Edith and Jooly had fled, “or whatever our neighbor’s secret vice may be, he’s got the strongest brain I’ve come up against lately.”

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

From this reading “I don’t know what he may have been,” he said, “before he went to Gallipoli; I can only say that when I made his acquaintance the other day, it seemed a great privilege to talk to him.”

from a time in the past until now

From this reading “Of course he’s by way of being a scholar, a poet, an independent thinker, and all that sort of thing, but since he’s been knocked out I’m afraid he can never be the man he was.”

in the near future

From this reading “PLATO apart,” said Mr. Murdwell, as soon as Bud, Edith and Jooly had fled, “or whatever our neighbor’s secret vice may be, he’s got the strongest brain I’ve come up against lately.”

a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality

From this reading “Of course he’s by way of being a scholar, a poet, an independent thinker, and all that sort of thing, but since he’s been knocked out I’m afraid he can never be the man he was.”

superlative of “strong” — having strength or power greater than average or expected

From this reading “PLATO apart,” said Mr. Murdwell, as soon as Bud, Edith and Jooly had fled, “or whatever our neighbor’s secret vice may be, he’s got the strongest brain I’ve come up against lately.”

the astonishment you feel when something totally unexpected happens to you

From this reading Mr. Murdwell confessed to surprise also.

taken unawares or suddenly and feeling wonder or astonishment

From this reading “I’m surprised to hear you say that,” said the vicar.

exchange thoughts; talk with

From this reading “I don’t know what he may have been,” he said, “before he went to Gallipoli; I can only say that when I made his acquaintance the other day, it seemed a great privilege to talk to him.”

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading “I’m surprised to hear you say that,” said the vicar.

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

From this reading “PLATO apart,” said Mr. Murdwell, as soon as Bud, Edith and Jooly had fled, “or whatever our neighbor’s secret vice may be, he’s got the strongest brain I’ve come up against lately.”

a special situation

From this reading “Of course he’s by way of being a scholar, a poet, an independent thinker, and all that sort of thing, but since he’s been knocked out I’m afraid he can never be the man he was.”

an important intellectual

From this reading “Of course he’s by way of being a scholar, a poet, an independent thinker, and all that sort of thing, but since he’s been knocked out I’m afraid he can never be the man he was.”

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

From this reading “I’m surprised to hear you say that,” said the vicar.

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading “PLATO apart,” said Mr. Murdwell, as soon as Bud, Edith and Jooly had fled, “or whatever our neighbor’s secret vice may be, he’s got the strongest brain I’ve come up against lately.”

a Roman Catholic priest who acts for another higher-ranking clergyman

From this reading “I’m surprised to hear you say that,” said the vicar.

moral weakness

From this reading “PLATO apart,” said Mr. Murdwell, as soon as Bud, Edith and Jooly had fled, “or whatever our neighbor’s secret vice may be, he’s got the strongest brain I’ve come up against lately.”

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

From this reading “Of course he’s by way of being a scholar, a poet, an independent thinker, and all that sort of thing, but since he’s been knocked out I’m afraid he can never be the man he was.”

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading “Of course he’s by way of being a scholar, a poet, an independent thinker, and all that sort of thing, but since he’s been knocked out I’m afraid he can never be the man he was.”

inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading “I don’t know what he may have been,” he said, “before he went to Gallipoli; I can only say that when I made his acquaintance the other day, it seemed a great privilege to talk to him.”

used to ask for information about something

From this reading “I don’t know what he may have been,” he said, “before he went to Gallipoli; I can only say that when I made his acquaintance the other day, it seemed a great privilege to talk to him.”

any or all of a kind, it does not matter which

From this reading “PLATO apart,” said Mr. Murdwell, as soon as Bud, Edith and Jooly had fled, “or whatever our neighbor’s secret vice may be, he’s got the strongest brain I’ve come up against lately.”

at the time that

From this reading “I don’t know what he may have been,” he said, “before he went to Gallipoli; I can only say that when I made his acquaintance the other day, it seemed a great privilege to talk to him.”

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading “I’m surprised to hear you say that,” said the vicar.