Chapter X

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

From this reading SHE LISTENS TO A CONVERSATION All the time I was in the cuddy that day, whilst the captain and officers lunched, I kept my ears open, supposing that the talk would wholly concern the dreadful, tragic incident of the morning.

(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 SHE LISTENS TO A CONVERSATION All the time I was in the cuddy that day, whilst the captain and officers lunched, I kept my ears open, supposing that the talk would wholly concern the dreadful, tragic incident of the morning.

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

From this reading SHE LISTENS TO A CONVERSATION All the time I was in the cuddy that day, whilst the captain and officers lunched, I kept my ears open, supposing that the talk would wholly concern the dreadful, tragic incident of the morning.

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

From this reading I wanted to hear that the sentry had exceeded his instructions and was to be severely punished.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading Perhaps they had talked it out before they came to the table, or perhaps they would not speak of it before me and the other stewards.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But no man said a word on the subject.

inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading Perhaps they had talked it out before they came to the table, or perhaps they would not speak of it before me and the other stewards.

an officer holding a rank below a major but above a lieutenant

From this reading SHE LISTENS TO A CONVERSATION All the time I was in the cuddy that day, whilst the captain and officers lunched, I kept my ears open, supposing that the talk would wholly concern the dreadful, tragic incident of the morning.

something that interests you because it is important or affects you

From this reading SHE LISTENS TO A CONVERSATION All the time I was in the cuddy that day, whilst the captain and officers lunched, I kept my ears open, supposing that the talk would wholly concern the dreadful, tragic incident of the morning.

the use of speech for informal exchange of views or ideas or information etc.

From this reading SHE LISTENS TO A CONVERSATION All the time I was in the cuddy that day, whilst the captain and officers lunched, I kept my ears open, supposing that the talk would wholly concern the dreadful, tragic incident of the morning.

the galley or pantry of a small ship

From this reading SHE LISTENS TO A CONVERSATION All the time I was in the cuddy that day, whilst the captain and officers lunched, I kept my ears open, supposing that the talk would wholly concern the dreadful, tragic incident of the morning.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading SHE LISTENS TO A CONVERSATION All the time I was in the cuddy that day, whilst the captain and officers lunched, I kept my ears open, supposing that the talk would wholly concern the dreadful, tragic incident of the morning.

disappointingly unsuccessful

From this reading I was greatly disappointed.

causing fear or dread or terror

From this reading SHE LISTENS TO A CONVERSATION All the time I was in the cuddy that day, whilst the captain and officers lunched, I kept my ears open, supposing that the talk would wholly concern the dreadful, tragic incident of the morning.

plural of “ear” — the sense organ for hearing and equilibrium

From this reading SHE LISTENS TO A CONVERSATION All the time I was in the cuddy that day, whilst the captain and officers lunched, I kept my ears open, supposing that the talk would wholly concern the dreadful, tragic incident of the morning.

past form of “exceed” — be greater in scope or size than some standard

From this reading I wanted to hear that the sentry had exceeded his instructions and was to be severely punished.

to an extraordinary extent or degree

From this reading I was greatly disappointed.

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

From this reading Perhaps they had talked it out before they came to the table, or perhaps they would not speak of it before me and the other stewards.

perceive (sound) via the auditory sense

From this reading I wanted to hear that the sentry had exceeded his instructions and was to be severely punished.

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

From this reading I wanted to hear that the sentry had exceeded his instructions and was to be severely punished.

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

From this reading SHE LISTENS TO A CONVERSATION All the time I was in the cuddy that day, whilst the captain and officers lunched, I kept my ears open, supposing that the talk would wholly concern the dreadful, tragic incident of the morning.

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

From this reading SHE LISTENS TO A CONVERSATION All the time I was in the cuddy that day, whilst the captain and officers lunched, I kept my ears open, supposing that the talk would wholly concern the dreadful, tragic incident of the morning.

a single distinct event

From this reading SHE LISTENS TO A CONVERSATION All the time I was in the cuddy that day, whilst the captain and officers lunched, I kept my ears open, supposing that the talk would wholly concern the dreadful, tragic incident of the morning.

a manual usually accompanying a technical device and explaining how to install or operate it

From this reading I wanted to hear that the sentry had exceeded his instructions and was to be severely punished.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Perhaps they had talked it out before they came to the table, or perhaps they would not speak of it before me and the other stewards.

(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded

From this reading SHE LISTENS TO A CONVERSATION All the time I was in the cuddy that day, whilst the captain and officers lunched, I kept my ears open, supposing that the talk would wholly concern the dreadful, tragic incident of the morning.

third-person singular of “listen” — hear with intention

From this reading SHE LISTENS TO A CONVERSATION All the time I was in the cuddy that day, whilst the captain and officers lunched, I kept my ears open, supposing that the talk would wholly concern the dreadful, tragic incident of the morning.

past form of “lunch” — take the midday meal

From this reading SHE LISTENS TO A CONVERSATION All the time I was in the cuddy that day, whilst the captain and officers lunched, I kept my ears open, supposing that the talk would wholly concern the dreadful, tragic incident of the morning.

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

From this reading But no man said a word on the subject.

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

From this reading Perhaps they had talked it out before they came to the table, or perhaps they would not speak of it before me and the other stewards.

the time period between dawn and noon

From this reading SHE LISTENS TO A CONVERSATION All the time I was in the cuddy that day, whilst the captain and officers lunched, I kept my ears open, supposing that the talk would wholly concern the dreadful, tragic incident of the morning.

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading SHE LISTENS TO A CONVERSATION All the time I was in the cuddy that day, whilst the captain and officers lunched, I kept my ears open, supposing that the talk would wholly concern the dreadful, tragic incident of the morning.

not any; not one

From this reading But no man said a word on the subject.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Perhaps they had talked it out before they came to the table, or perhaps they would not speak of it before me and the other stewards.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading SHE LISTENS TO A CONVERSATION All the time I was in the cuddy that day, whilst the captain and officers lunched, I kept my ears open, supposing that the talk would wholly concern the dreadful, tragic incident of the morning.

plural of “officer” — any person in the armed services who holds a position of authority or command

From this reading SHE LISTENS TO A CONVERSATION All the time I was in the cuddy that day, whilst the captain and officers lunched, I kept my ears open, supposing that the talk would wholly concern the dreadful, tragic incident of the morning.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading But no man said a word on the subject.

To move from a closed position.

From this reading SHE LISTENS TO A CONVERSATION All the time I was in the cuddy that day, whilst the captain and officers lunched, I kept my ears open, supposing that the talk would wholly concern the dreadful, tragic incident of the morning.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Perhaps they had talked it out before they came to the table, or perhaps they would not speak of it before me and the other stewards.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading Perhaps they had talked it out before they came to the table, or perhaps they would not speak of it before me and the other stewards.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading Perhaps they had talked it out before they came to the table, or perhaps they would not speak of it before me and the other stewards.

by chance

From this reading Perhaps they had talked it out before they came to the table, or perhaps they would not speak of it before me and the other stewards.

subjected to a penalty (as pain or shame or restraint or loss) for an offense or fault or in order to coerce some behavior (as a confession or obedience)

From this reading I wanted to hear that the sentry had exceeded his instructions and was to be severely punished.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading But no man said a word on the subject.

a person employed to keep watch for some anticipated event

From this reading I wanted to hear that the sentry had exceeded his instructions and was to be severely punished.

to a severe or serious degree

From this reading I wanted to hear that the sentry had exceeded his instructions and was to be severely punished.

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading SHE LISTENS TO A CONVERSATION All the time I was in the cuddy that day, whilst the captain and officers lunched, I kept my ears open, supposing that the talk would wholly concern the dreadful, tragic incident of the morning.

express in speech

From this reading Perhaps they had talked it out before they came to the table, or perhaps they would not speak of it before me and the other stewards.

plural of “steward” — someone who manages property or other affairs for someone else

From this reading Perhaps they had talked it out before they came to the table, or perhaps they would not speak of it before me and the other stewards.

the subject matter of a conversation or discussion

From this reading But no man said a word on the subject.

-ing form of “suppose” — express a supposition

From this reading SHE LISTENS TO A CONVERSATION All the time I was in the cuddy that day, whilst the captain and officers lunched, I kept my ears open, supposing that the talk would wholly concern the dreadful, tragic incident of the morning.

a set of data arranged in rows and columns

From this reading Perhaps they had talked it out before they came to the table, or perhaps they would not speak of it before me and the other stewards.

exchange thoughts; talk with

From this reading SHE LISTENS TO A CONVERSATION All the time I was in the cuddy that day, whilst the captain and officers lunched, I kept my ears open, supposing that the talk would wholly concern the dreadful, tragic incident of the morning.

past form of “talk” — exchange thoughts; talk with

From this reading Perhaps they had talked it out before they came to the table, or perhaps they would not speak of it before me and the other stewards.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading SHE LISTENS TO A CONVERSATION All the time I was in the cuddy that day, whilst the captain and officers lunched, I kept my ears open, supposing that the talk would wholly concern the dreadful, tragic incident of the morning.

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

From this reading SHE LISTENS TO A CONVERSATION All the time I was in the cuddy that day, whilst the captain and officers lunched, I kept my ears open, supposing that the talk would wholly concern the dreadful, tragic incident of the morning.

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

From this reading Perhaps they had talked it out before they came to the table, or perhaps they would not speak of it before me and the other stewards.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading SHE LISTENS TO A CONVERSATION All the time I was in the cuddy that day, whilst the captain and officers lunched, I kept my ears open, supposing that the talk would wholly concern the dreadful, tragic incident of the morning.

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

From this reading SHE LISTENS TO A CONVERSATION All the time I was in the cuddy that day, whilst the captain and officers lunched, I kept my ears open, supposing that the talk would wholly concern the dreadful, tragic incident of the morning.

very sad; especially involving grief or death or destruction

From this reading SHE LISTENS TO A CONVERSATION All the time I was in the cuddy that day, whilst the captain and officers lunched, I kept my ears open, supposing that the talk would wholly concern the dreadful, tragic incident of the morning.

desired or wished for or sought

From this reading I wanted to hear that the sentry had exceeded his instructions and was to be severely punished.

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

From this reading SHE LISTENS TO A CONVERSATION All the time I was in the cuddy that day, whilst the captain and officers lunched, I kept my ears open, supposing that the talk would wholly concern the dreadful, tragic incident of the morning.

an old and formal word for “while”

From this reading SHE LISTENS TO A CONVERSATION All the time I was in the cuddy that day, whilst the captain and officers lunched, I kept my ears open, supposing that the talk would wholly concern the dreadful, tragic incident of the morning.

to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)

From this reading SHE LISTENS TO A CONVERSATION All the time I was in the cuddy that day, whilst the captain and officers lunched, I kept my ears open, supposing that the talk would wholly concern the dreadful, tragic incident of the morning.

a unit of language that native speakers can identify

From this reading But no man said a word on the subject.

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

From this reading SHE LISTENS TO A CONVERSATION All the time I was in the cuddy that day, whilst the captain and officers lunched, I kept my ears open, supposing that the talk would wholly concern the dreadful, tragic incident of the morning.