Chapter XVII · Chapter 17

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

From this reading While waiting for that answer, it had become Mr. Pendyce's habit to promenade between these beds, his hand to his back, for he was still a little stiff, followed at a distance of seven paces by the spaniel John, very black, and moving his rubbery nostrils uneasily from side to side.

(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 They grew in masses and of all shades, from deep purple to pale grey, and their scent, very penetrating, very delicate, floated on the wind.

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

From this reading They grew in masses and of all shades, from deep purple to pale grey, and their scent, very penetrating, very delicate, floated on the wind.

react verbally

From this reading DOUBTFUL POSITION AT WORSTED SKEYNES When George's answer came at last, the flags were in full bloom round the Scotch garden at Worsted Skeynes.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading DOUBTFUL POSITION AT WORSTED SKEYNES When George's answer came at last, the flags were in full bloom round the Scotch garden at Worsted Skeynes.

in or to or toward a former location

From this reading While waiting for that answer, it had become Mr. Pendyce's habit to promenade between these beds, his hand to his back, for he was still a little stiff, followed at a distance of seven paces by the spaniel John, very black, and moving his rubbery nostrils uneasily from side to side.

enter or assume a certain state or condition

From this reading While waiting for that answer, it had become Mr. Pendyce's habit to promenade between these beds, his hand to his back, for he was still a little stiff, followed at a distance of seven paces by the spaniel John, very black, and moving his rubbery nostrils uneasily from side to side.

plural of “bed” — a piece of furniture that provides a place to sleep

From this reading While waiting for that answer, it had become Mr. Pendyce's habit to promenade between these beds, his hand to his back, for he was still a little stiff, followed at a distance of seven paces by the spaniel John, very black, and moving his rubbery nostrils uneasily from side to side.

in the space, time, or range separating two things

From this reading While waiting for that answer, it had become Mr. Pendyce's habit to promenade between these beds, his hand to his back, for he was still a little stiff, followed at a distance of seven paces by the spaniel John, very black, and moving his rubbery nostrils uneasily from side to side.

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

From this reading While waiting for that answer, it had become Mr. Pendyce's habit to promenade between these beds, his hand to his back, for he was still a little stiff, followed at a distance of seven paces by the spaniel John, very black, and moving his rubbery nostrils uneasily from side to side.

the organic process of bearing flowers

From this reading DOUBTFUL POSITION AT WORSTED SKEYNES When George's answer came at last, the flags were in full bloom round the Scotch garden at Worsted Skeynes.

the two together, not just one

From this reading Neither could have said why they walked thus, for Mr. Pendyce had a horror of idleness, and the spaniel John disliked the scent of irises; both, in fact, obeyed that part of themselves which is superior to reason.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading While waiting for that answer, it had become Mr. Pendyce's habit to promenade between these beds, his hand to his back, for he was still a little stiff, followed at a distance of seven paces by the spaniel John, very black, and moving his rubbery nostrils uneasily from side to side.

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

From this reading DOUBTFUL POSITION AT WORSTED SKEYNES When George's answer came at last, the flags were in full bloom round the Scotch garden at Worsted Skeynes.

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading Neither could have said why they walked thus, for Mr. Pendyce had a horror of idleness, and the spaniel John disliked the scent of irises; both, in fact, obeyed that part of themselves which is superior to reason.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading In this way the two passed every day the hour from twelve to one.

relatively deep or strong; affecting one deeply

From this reading They grew in masses and of all shades, from deep purple to pale grey, and their scent, very penetrating, very delicate, floated on the wind.

exquisitely fine and subtle and pleasing; susceptible to injury

From this reading They grew in masses and of all shades, from deep purple to pale grey, and their scent, very penetrating, very delicate, floated on the wind.

regarded with aversion

From this reading Neither could have said why they walked thus, for Mr. Pendyce had a horror of idleness, and the spaniel John disliked the scent of irises; both, in fact, obeyed that part of themselves which is superior to reason.

the property created by the space between two objects or points

From this reading While waiting for that answer, it had become Mr. Pendyce's habit to promenade between these beds, his hand to his back, for he was still a little stiff, followed at a distance of seven paces by the spaniel John, very black, and moving his rubbery nostrils uneasily from side to side.

open to doubt or suspicion

From this reading DOUBTFUL POSITION AT WORSTED SKEYNES When George's answer came at last, the flags were in full bloom round the Scotch garden at Worsted Skeynes.

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading In this way the two passed every day the hour from twelve to one.

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

From this reading Neither could have said why they walked thus, for Mr. Pendyce had a horror of idleness, and the spaniel John disliked the scent of irises; both, in fact, obeyed that part of themselves which is superior to reason.

plural of “flag” — emblem usually consisting of a rectangular piece of cloth of distinctive design

From this reading DOUBTFUL POSITION AT WORSTED SKEYNES When George's answer came at last, the flags were in full bloom round the Scotch garden at Worsted Skeynes.

past form of “float” — be in motion due to some air or water current

From this reading They grew in masses and of all shades, from deep purple to pale grey, and their scent, very penetrating, very delicate, floated on the wind.

past form of “follow” — to travel behind, go after, come after

From this reading While waiting for that answer, it had become Mr. Pendyce's habit to promenade between these beds, his hand to his back, for he was still a little stiff, followed at a distance of seven paces by the spaniel John, very black, and moving his rubbery nostrils uneasily from side to side.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading While waiting for that answer, it had become Mr. Pendyce's habit to promenade between these beds, his hand to his back, for he was still a little stiff, followed at a distance of seven paces by the spaniel John, very black, and moving his rubbery nostrils uneasily from side to side.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading They grew in masses and of all shades, from deep purple to pale grey, and their scent, very penetrating, very delicate, floated on the wind.

containing as much or as many as is possible or normal

From this reading DOUBTFUL POSITION AT WORSTED SKEYNES When George's answer came at last, the flags were in full bloom round the Scotch garden at Worsted Skeynes.

a plot of ground where plants are cultivated

From this reading DOUBTFUL POSITION AT WORSTED SKEYNES When George's answer came at last, the flags were in full bloom round the Scotch garden at Worsted Skeynes.

possessive form of “george” — Christian martyr; patron saint of England; hero of the legend of Saint George and the Dragon in which he slew a dragon and saved a princess (?-303)

From this reading DOUBTFUL POSITION AT WORSTED SKEYNES When George's answer came at last, the flags were in full bloom round the Scotch garden at Worsted Skeynes.

inflected form of “grow” — pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become

From this reading They grew in masses and of all shades, from deep purple to pale grey, and their scent, very penetrating, very delicate, floated on the wind.

of an achromatic color of any lightness intermediate between the extremes of white and black

From this reading They grew in masses and of all shades, from deep purple to pale grey, and their scent, very penetrating, very delicate, floated on the wind.

an established custom

From this reading While waiting for that answer, it had become Mr. Pendyce's habit to promenade between these beds, his hand to his back, for he was still a little stiff, followed at a distance of seven paces by the spaniel John, very black, and moving his rubbery nostrils uneasily from side to side.

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

From this reading While waiting for that answer, it had become Mr. Pendyce's habit to promenade between these beds, his hand to his back, for he was still a little stiff, followed at a distance of seven paces by the spaniel John, very black, and moving his rubbery nostrils uneasily from side to side.

the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb

From this reading While waiting for that answer, it had become Mr. Pendyce's habit to promenade between these beds, his hand to his back, for he was still a little stiff, followed at a distance of seven paces by the spaniel John, very black, and moving his rubbery nostrils uneasily from side to side.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading Neither could have said why they walked thus, for Mr. Pendyce had a horror of idleness, and the spaniel John disliked the scent of irises; both, in fact, obeyed that part of themselves which is superior to reason.

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

From this reading While waiting for that answer, it had become Mr. Pendyce's habit to promenade between these beds, his hand to his back, for he was still a little stiff, followed at a distance of seven paces by the spaniel John, very black, and moving his rubbery nostrils uneasily from side to side.

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

From this reading While waiting for that answer, it had become Mr. Pendyce's habit to promenade between these beds, his hand to his back, for he was still a little stiff, followed at a distance of seven paces by the spaniel John, very black, and moving his rubbery nostrils uneasily from side to side.

intense and profound fear

From this reading Neither could have said why they walked thus, for Mr. Pendyce had a horror of idleness, and the spaniel John disliked the scent of irises; both, in fact, obeyed that part of themselves which is superior to reason.

a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day

From this reading In this way the two passed every day the hour from twelve to one.

having no employment

From this reading Neither could have said why they walked thus, for Mr. Pendyce had a horror of idleness, and the spaniel John disliked the scent of irises; both, in fact, obeyed that part of themselves which is superior to reason.

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

From this reading DOUBTFUL POSITION AT WORSTED SKEYNES When George's answer came at last, the flags were in full bloom round the Scotch garden at Worsted Skeynes.

plural of “iris” — plants with sword-shaped leaves and erect stalks bearing bright-colored flowers composed of three petals and three drooping sepals

From this reading Neither could have said why they walked thus, for Mr. Pendyce had a horror of idleness, and the spaniel John disliked the scent of irises; both, in fact, obeyed that part of themselves which is superior to reason.

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

From this reading Neither could have said why they walked thus, for Mr. Pendyce had a horror of idleness, and the spaniel John disliked the scent of irises; both, in fact, obeyed that part of themselves which is superior to reason.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading While waiting for that answer, it had become Mr. Pendyce's habit to promenade between these beds, his hand to his back, for he was still a little stiff, followed at a distance of seven paces by the spaniel John, very black, and moving his rubbery nostrils uneasily from side to side.

a room or building equipped with one or more toilets

From this reading While waiting for that answer, it had become Mr. Pendyce's habit to promenade between these beds, his hand to his back, for he was still a little stiff, followed at a distance of seven paces by the spaniel John, very black, and moving his rubbery nostrils uneasily from side to side.

immediately past

From this reading DOUBTFUL POSITION AT WORSTED SKEYNES When George's answer came at last, the flags were in full bloom round the Scotch garden at Worsted Skeynes.

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading While waiting for that answer, it had become Mr. Pendyce's habit to promenade between these beds, his hand to his back, for he was still a little stiff, followed at a distance of seven paces by the spaniel John, very black, and moving his rubbery nostrils uneasily from side to side.

the common people generally

From this reading They grew in masses and of all shades, from deep purple to pale grey, and their scent, very penetrating, very delicate, floated on the wind.

in motion

From this reading While waiting for that answer, it had become Mr. Pendyce's habit to promenade between these beds, his hand to his back, for he was still a little stiff, followed at a distance of seven paces by the spaniel John, very black, and moving his rubbery nostrils uneasily from side to side.

a form of address for a man

From this reading While waiting for that answer, it had become Mr. Pendyce's habit to promenade between these beds, his hand to his back, for he was still a little stiff, followed at a distance of seven paces by the spaniel John, very black, and moving his rubbery nostrils uneasily from side to side.

not one and not the other of two

From this reading Neither could have said why they walked thus, for Mr. Pendyce had a horror of idleness, and the spaniel John disliked the scent of irises; both, in fact, obeyed that part of themselves which is superior to reason.

plural of “nostril” — either one of the two external openings to the nasal cavity in the nose

From this reading While waiting for that answer, it had become Mr. Pendyce's habit to promenade between these beds, his hand to his back, for he was still a little stiff, followed at a distance of seven paces by the spaniel John, very black, and moving his rubbery nostrils uneasily from side to side.

past form of “obey” — be obedient to

From this reading Neither could have said why they walked thus, for Mr. Pendyce had a horror of idleness, and the spaniel John disliked the scent of irises; both, in fact, obeyed that part of themselves which is superior to reason.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading They grew in masses and of all shades, from deep purple to pale grey, and their scent, very penetrating, very delicate, floated on the wind.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading They grew in masses and of all shades, from deep purple to pale grey, and their scent, very penetrating, very delicate, floated on the wind.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading In this way the two passed every day the hour from twelve to one.

plural of “pace” — the rate of moving (especially walking or running)

From this reading While waiting for that answer, it had become Mr. Pendyce's habit to promenade between these beds, his hand to his back, for he was still a little stiff, followed at a distance of seven paces by the spaniel John, very black, and moving his rubbery nostrils uneasily from side to side.

very light colored; highly diluted with white

From this reading They grew in masses and of all shades, from deep purple to pale grey, and their scent, very penetrating, very delicate, floated on the wind.

something determined in relation to something that includes it

From this reading Neither could have said why they walked thus, for Mr. Pendyce had a horror of idleness, and the spaniel John disliked the scent of irises; both, in fact, obeyed that part of themselves which is superior to reason.

past form of “pass” — go across or through

From this reading In this way the two passed every day the hour from twelve to one.

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

From this reading Neither could have said why they walked thus, for Mr. Pendyce had a horror of idleness, and the spaniel John disliked the scent of irises; both, in fact, obeyed that part of themselves which is superior to reason.

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

From this reading While waiting for that answer, it had become Mr. Pendyce's habit to promenade between these beds, his hand to his back, for he was still a little stiff, followed at a distance of seven paces by the spaniel John, very black, and moving his rubbery nostrils uneasily from side to side.

having or demonstrating ability to recognize or draw fine distinctions

From this reading They grew in masses and of all shades, from deep purple to pale grey, and their scent, very penetrating, very delicate, floated on the wind.

the particular portion of space occupied by something

From this reading DOUBTFUL POSITION AT WORSTED SKEYNES When George's answer came at last, the flags were in full bloom round the Scotch garden at Worsted Skeynes.

a formal ball held for a school class toward the end of the academic year

From this reading While waiting for that answer, it had become Mr. Pendyce's habit to promenade between these beds, his hand to his back, for he was still a little stiff, followed at a distance of seven paces by the spaniel John, very black, and moving his rubbery nostrils uneasily from side to side.

a purple color or pigment

From this reading They grew in masses and of all shades, from deep purple to pale grey, and their scent, very penetrating, very delicate, floated on the wind.

a rational motive for a belief or action

From this reading Neither could have said why they walked thus, for Mr. Pendyce had a horror of idleness, and the spaniel John disliked the scent of irises; both, in fact, obeyed that part of themselves which is superior to reason.

a charge of ammunition for a single shot

From this reading DOUBTFUL POSITION AT WORSTED SKEYNES When George's answer came at last, the flags were in full bloom round the Scotch garden at Worsted Skeynes.

having an elastic texture resembling rubber in flexibility or toughness

From this reading While waiting for that answer, it had become Mr. Pendyce's habit to promenade between these beds, his hand to his back, for he was still a little stiff, followed at a distance of seven paces by the spaniel John, very black, and moving his rubbery nostrils uneasily from side to side.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading Neither could have said why they walked thus, for Mr. Pendyce had a horror of idleness, and the spaniel John disliked the scent of irises; both, in fact, obeyed that part of themselves which is superior to reason.

A distinctive smell or aroma.

From this reading They grew in masses and of all shades, from deep purple to pale grey, and their scent, very penetrating, very delicate, floated on the wind.

a slight surface cut (especially a notch that is made to keep a tally)

From this reading DOUBTFUL POSITION AT WORSTED SKEYNES When George's answer came at last, the flags were in full bloom round the Scotch garden at Worsted Skeynes.

the cardinal number that is the sum of six and one

From this reading While waiting for that answer, it had become Mr. Pendyce's habit to promenade between these beds, his hand to his back, for he was still a little stiff, followed at a distance of seven paces by the spaniel John, very black, and moving his rubbery nostrils uneasily from side to side.

(plural) something that reminds you of someone or something

From this reading They grew in masses and of all shades, from deep purple to pale grey, and their scent, very penetrating, very delicate, floated on the wind.

a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location

From this reading While waiting for that answer, it had become Mr. Pendyce's habit to promenade between these beds, his hand to his back, for he was still a little stiff, followed at a distance of seven paces by the spaniel John, very black, and moving his rubbery nostrils uneasily from side to side.

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

From this reading DOUBTFUL POSITION AT WORSTED SKEYNES When George's answer came at last, the flags were in full bloom round the Scotch garden at Worsted Skeynes.

any of several breeds of small to medium-sized gun dogs with a long silky coat and long frilled ears

From this reading While waiting for that answer, it had become Mr. Pendyce's habit to promenade between these beds, his hand to his back, for he was still a little stiff, followed at a distance of seven paces by the spaniel John, very black, and moving his rubbery nostrils uneasily from side to side.

not moving or operating freely

From this reading While waiting for that answer, it had become Mr. Pendyce's habit to promenade between these beds, his hand to his back, for he was still a little stiff, followed at a distance of seven paces by the spaniel John, very black, and moving his rubbery nostrils uneasily from side to side.

not in physical motion

From this reading While waiting for that answer, it had become Mr. Pendyce's habit to promenade between these beds, his hand to his back, for he was still a little stiff, followed at a distance of seven paces by the spaniel John, very black, and moving his rubbery nostrils uneasily from side to side.

of high or superior quality or performance

From this reading Neither could have said why they walked thus, for Mr. Pendyce had a horror of idleness, and the spaniel John disliked the scent of irises; both, in fact, obeyed that part of themselves which is superior to reason.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading While waiting for that answer, it had become Mr. Pendyce's habit to promenade between these beds, his hand to his back, for he was still a little stiff, followed at a distance of seven paces by the spaniel John, very black, and moving his rubbery nostrils uneasily from side to side.

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

From this reading DOUBTFUL POSITION AT WORSTED SKEYNES When George's answer came at last, the flags were in full bloom round the Scotch garden at Worsted Skeynes.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading They grew in masses and of all shades, from deep purple to pale grey, and their scent, very penetrating, very delicate, floated on the wind.

used when the people doing the action are also its object

From this reading Neither could have said why they walked thus, for Mr. Pendyce had a horror of idleness, and the spaniel John disliked the scent of irises; both, in fact, obeyed that part of themselves which is superior to reason.

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading While waiting for that answer, it had become Mr. Pendyce's habit to promenade between these beds, his hand to his back, for he was still a little stiff, followed at a distance of seven paces by the spaniel John, very black, and moving his rubbery nostrils uneasily from side to side.

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

From this reading They grew in masses and of all shades, from deep purple to pale grey, and their scent, very penetrating, very delicate, floated on the wind.

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading In this way the two passed every day the hour from twelve to one.

(used to introduce a logical conclusion) from that fact or reason or as a result

From this reading Neither could have said why they walked thus, for Mr. Pendyce had a horror of idleness, and the spaniel John disliked the scent of irises; both, in fact, obeyed that part of themselves which is superior to reason.

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

From this reading They grew in masses and of all shades, from deep purple to pale grey, and their scent, very penetrating, very delicate, floated on the wind.

the cardinal number that is the sum of eleven and one

From this reading In this way the two passed every day the hour from twelve to one.

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

From this reading In this way the two passed every day the hour from twelve to one.

with anxiety or apprehension

From this reading While waiting for that answer, it had become Mr. Pendyce's habit to promenade between these beds, his hand to his back, for he was still a little stiff, followed at a distance of seven paces by the spaniel John, very black, and moving his rubbery nostrils uneasily from side to side.

precisely as stated

From this reading They grew in masses and of all shades, from deep purple to pale grey, and their scent, very penetrating, very delicate, floated on the wind.

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

From this reading While waiting for that answer, it had become Mr. Pendyce's habit to promenade between these beds, his hand to his back, for he was still a little stiff, followed at a distance of seven paces by the spaniel John, very black, and moving his rubbery nostrils uneasily from side to side.

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

From this reading Neither could have said why they walked thus, for Mr. Pendyce had a horror of idleness, and the spaniel John disliked the scent of irises; both, in fact, obeyed that part of themselves which is superior to reason.

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

From this reading While waiting for that answer, it had become Mr. Pendyce's habit to promenade between these beds, his hand to his back, for he was still a little stiff, followed at a distance of seven paces by the spaniel John, very black, and moving his rubbery nostrils uneasily from side to side.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading In this way the two passed every day the hour from twelve to one.

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

From this reading DOUBTFUL POSITION AT WORSTED SKEYNES When George's answer came at last, the flags were in full bloom round the Scotch garden at Worsted Skeynes.

at the time that

From this reading DOUBTFUL POSITION AT WORSTED SKEYNES When George's answer came at last, the flags were in full bloom round the Scotch garden at Worsted Skeynes.

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

From this reading Neither could have said why they walked thus, for Mr. Pendyce had a horror of idleness, and the spaniel John disliked the scent of irises; both, in fact, obeyed that part of themselves which is superior to reason.

during the time that

From this reading While waiting for that answer, it had become Mr. Pendyce's habit to promenade between these beds, his hand to his back, for he was still a little stiff, followed at a distance of seven paces by the spaniel John, very black, and moving his rubbery nostrils uneasily from side to side.

the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”

From this reading Neither could have said why they walked thus, for Mr. Pendyce had a horror of idleness, and the spaniel John disliked the scent of irises; both, in fact, obeyed that part of themselves which is superior to reason.

air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure

From this reading They grew in masses and of all shades, from deep purple to pale grey, and their scent, very penetrating, very delicate, floated on the wind.

a woolen fabric with a hard textured surface and no nap; woven of worsted yarns "he wore a worsted suit"

From this reading DOUBTFUL POSITION AT WORSTED SKEYNES When George's answer came at last, the flags were in full bloom round the Scotch garden at Worsted Skeynes.