Chapter I · Chapter 1

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

From this reading He had a twisted sense of the dramatic, and twisted things were expected from him.

not normal; not typical or usual or regular or conforming to a norm

From this reading He delighted, and displayed remarkable ingenuity, in providing orgies of the abnormal.

past form of “achieve” — to gain with effort

From this reading On some occasions he perpetrated the wildest and most extravagant eccentricities, without the slightest regard for the moral or artistic sensibilities of those on whom he imposed them--on others he contented himself with less harrowing minor freaks--but the object of thoroughly upsetting and confounding the mental balances of his victims was invariably achieved.

plural of “acquaintance” — personal knowledge or information about someone or something

From this reading He reveled in producing an atmosphere of brain-storm, and in dealing sledge-hammer blows at the intellects of his better balanced acquaintances.

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

From this reading He reveled in producing an atmosphere of brain-storm, and in dealing sledge-hammer blows at the intellects of his better balanced acquaintances.

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

From this reading He had a twisted sense of the dramatic, and twisted things were expected from him.

relating to or characteristic of art or artists

From this reading On some occasions he perpetrated the wildest and most extravagant eccentricities, without the slightest regard for the moral or artistic sensibilities of those on whom he imposed them--on others he contented himself with less harrowing minor freaks--but the object of thoroughly upsetting and confounding the mental balances of his victims was invariably achieved.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading He reveled in producing an atmosphere of brain-storm, and in dealing sledge-hammer blows at the intellects of his better balanced acquaintances.

a particular environment or surrounding influence

From this reading He reveled in producing an atmosphere of brain-storm, and in dealing sledge-hammer blows at the intellects of his better balanced acquaintances.

being in a state of proper equilibrium

From this reading He reveled in producing an atmosphere of brain-storm, and in dealing sledge-hammer blows at the intellects of his better balanced acquaintances.

plural of “balance” — a state of equilibrium

From this reading On some occasions he perpetrated the wildest and most extravagant eccentricities, without the slightest regard for the moral or artistic sensibilities of those on whom he imposed them--on others he contented himself with less harrowing minor freaks--but the object of thoroughly upsetting and confounding the mental balances of his victims was invariably achieved.

(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another

From this reading He reveled in producing an atmosphere of brain-storm, and in dealing sledge-hammer blows at the intellects of his better balanced acquaintances.

plural of “blow” — a powerful stroke with the fist or a weapon

From this reading He reveled in producing an atmosphere of brain-storm, and in dealing sledge-hammer blows at the intellects of his better balanced acquaintances.

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

From this reading He reveled in producing an atmosphere of brain-storm, and in dealing sledge-hammer blows at the intellects of his better balanced acquaintances.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading On some occasions he perpetrated the wildest and most extravagant eccentricities, without the slightest regard for the moral or artistic sensibilities of those on whom he imposed them--on others he contented himself with less harrowing minor freaks--but the object of thoroughly upsetting and confounding the mental balances of his victims was invariably achieved.

that confounds or contradicts or confuses

From this reading On some occasions he perpetrated the wildest and most extravagant eccentricities, without the slightest regard for the moral or artistic sensibilities of those on whom he imposed them--on others he contented himself with less harrowing minor freaks--but the object of thoroughly upsetting and confounding the mental balances of his victims was invariably achieved.

satisfied or showing satisfaction with things as they are

From this reading On some occasions he perpetrated the wildest and most extravagant eccentricities, without the slightest regard for the moral or artistic sensibilities of those on whom he imposed them--on others he contented himself with less harrowing minor freaks--but the object of thoroughly upsetting and confounding the mental balances of his victims was invariably achieved.

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

From this reading It was no unusual thing for George Copplestone to spring surprises on his guests.

method or manner of conduct in relation to others

From this reading He reveled in producing an atmosphere of brain-storm, and in dealing sledge-hammer blows at the intellects of his better balanced acquaintances.

greatly pleased

From this reading He delighted, and displayed remarkable ingenuity, in providing orgies of the abnormal.

past form of “display” — to show, make visible or apparent

From this reading He delighted, and displayed remarkable ingenuity, in providing orgies of the abnormal.

suitable to or characteristic of drama

From this reading He had a twisted sense of the dramatic, and twisted things were expected from him.

plural of “eccentricity” — strange and unconventional behavior

From this reading On some occasions he perpetrated the wildest and most extravagant eccentricities, without the slightest regard for the moral or artistic sensibilities of those on whom he imposed them--on others he contented himself with less harrowing minor freaks--but the object of thoroughly upsetting and confounding the mental balances of his victims was invariably achieved.

considered likely or probable to happen or arrive

From this reading He had a twisted sense of the dramatic, and twisted things were expected from him.

unrestrained, especially with regard to feelings

From this reading On some occasions he perpetrated the wildest and most extravagant eccentricities, without the slightest regard for the moral or artistic sensibilities of those on whom he imposed them--on others he contented himself with less harrowing minor freaks--but the object of thoroughly upsetting and confounding the mental balances of his victims was invariably achieved.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading It was no unusual thing for George Copplestone to spring surprises on his guests.

plural of “freak” — a person or animal that is markedly unusual or deformed

From this reading On some occasions he perpetrated the wildest and most extravagant eccentricities, without the slightest regard for the moral or artistic sensibilities of those on whom he imposed them--on others he contented himself with less harrowing minor freaks--but the object of thoroughly upsetting and confounding the mental balances of his victims was invariably achieved.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading He had a twisted sense of the dramatic, and twisted things were expected from him.

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 It was no unusual thing for George Copplestone to spring surprises on his guests.

plural of “guest” — a visitor to whom hospitality is extended

From this reading It was no unusual thing for George Copplestone to spring surprises on his guests.

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

From this reading He had a twisted sense of the dramatic, and twisted things were expected from him.

extremely painful

From this reading On some occasions he perpetrated the wildest and most extravagant eccentricities, without the slightest regard for the moral or artistic sensibilities of those on whom he imposed them--on others he contented himself with less harrowing minor freaks--but the object of thoroughly upsetting and confounding the mental balances of his victims was invariably achieved.

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

From this reading He had a twisted sense of the dramatic, and twisted things were expected from him.

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

From this reading He had a twisted sense of the dramatic, and twisted things were expected from him.

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading On some occasions he perpetrated the wildest and most extravagant eccentricities, without the slightest regard for the moral or artistic sensibilities of those on whom he imposed them--on others he contented himself with less harrowing minor freaks--but the object of thoroughly upsetting and confounding the mental balances of his victims was invariably achieved.

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

From this reading It was no unusual thing for George Copplestone to spring surprises on his guests.

set forth authoritatively as obligatory

From this reading On some occasions he perpetrated the wildest and most extravagant eccentricities, without the slightest regard for the moral or artistic sensibilities of those on whom he imposed them--on others he contented himself with less harrowing minor freaks--but the object of thoroughly upsetting and confounding the mental balances of his victims was invariably achieved.

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

From this reading He delighted, and displayed remarkable ingenuity, in providing orgies of the abnormal.

the power of creative imagination

From this reading He delighted, and displayed remarkable ingenuity, in providing orgies of the abnormal.

plural of “intellect” — knowledge and intellectual ability

From this reading He reveled in producing an atmosphere of brain-storm, and in dealing sledge-hammer blows at the intellects of his better balanced acquaintances.

without variation or change, in every case

From this reading On some occasions he perpetrated the wildest and most extravagant eccentricities, without the slightest regard for the moral or artistic sensibilities of those on whom he imposed them--on others he contented himself with less harrowing minor freaks--but the object of thoroughly upsetting and confounding the mental balances of his victims was invariably achieved.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was no unusual thing for George Copplestone to spring surprises on his guests.

used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs

From this reading On some occasions he perpetrated the wildest and most extravagant eccentricities, without the slightest regard for the moral or artistic sensibilities of those on whom he imposed them--on others he contented himself with less harrowing minor freaks--but the object of thoroughly upsetting and confounding the mental balances of his victims was invariably achieved.

involving the mind or an intellectual process

From this reading On some occasions he perpetrated the wildest and most extravagant eccentricities, without the slightest regard for the moral or artistic sensibilities of those on whom he imposed them--on others he contented himself with less harrowing minor freaks--but the object of thoroughly upsetting and confounding the mental balances of his victims was invariably achieved.

of lesser importance or stature or rank

From this reading On some occasions he perpetrated the wildest and most extravagant eccentricities, without the slightest regard for the moral or artistic sensibilities of those on whom he imposed them--on others he contented himself with less harrowing minor freaks--but the object of thoroughly upsetting and confounding the mental balances of his victims was invariably achieved.

concerned with principles of right and wrong or conforming to standards of behavior and character based on those principles

From this reading On some occasions he perpetrated the wildest and most extravagant eccentricities, without the slightest regard for the moral or artistic sensibilities of those on whom he imposed them--on others he contented himself with less harrowing minor freaks--but the object of thoroughly upsetting and confounding the mental balances of his victims was invariably achieved.

used to form the superlative

From this reading On some occasions he perpetrated the wildest and most extravagant eccentricities, without the slightest regard for the moral or artistic sensibilities of those on whom he imposed them--on others he contented himself with less harrowing minor freaks--but the object of thoroughly upsetting and confounding the mental balances of his victims was invariably achieved.

not any; not one

From this reading It was no unusual thing for George Copplestone to spring surprises on his guests.

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

From this reading On some occasions he perpetrated the wildest and most extravagant eccentricities, without the slightest regard for the moral or artistic sensibilities of those on whom he imposed them--on others he contented himself with less harrowing minor freaks--but the object of thoroughly upsetting and confounding the mental balances of his victims was invariably achieved.

something you have to do

From this reading On some occasions he perpetrated the wildest and most extravagant eccentricities, without the slightest regard for the moral or artistic sensibilities of those on whom he imposed them--on others he contented himself with less harrowing minor freaks--but the object of thoroughly upsetting and confounding the mental balances of his victims was invariably achieved.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading He had a twisted sense of the dramatic, and twisted things were expected from him.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading It was no unusual thing for George Copplestone to spring surprises on his guests.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading On some occasions he perpetrated the wildest and most extravagant eccentricities, without the slightest regard for the moral or artistic sensibilities of those on whom he imposed them--on others he contented himself with less harrowing minor freaks--but the object of thoroughly upsetting and confounding the mental balances of his victims was invariably achieved.

plural of “orgy” — any act of immoderate indulgence

From this reading He delighted, and displayed remarkable ingenuity, in providing orgies of the abnormal.

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

From this reading On some occasions he perpetrated the wildest and most extravagant eccentricities, without the slightest regard for the moral or artistic sensibilities of those on whom he imposed them--on others he contented himself with less harrowing minor freaks--but the object of thoroughly upsetting and confounding the mental balances of his victims was invariably achieved.

past form of “perpetrate” — perform an act, usually with a negative connotation

From this reading On some occasions he perpetrated the wildest and most extravagant eccentricities, without the slightest regard for the moral or artistic sensibilities of those on whom he imposed them--on others he contented himself with less harrowing minor freaks--but the object of thoroughly upsetting and confounding the mental balances of his victims was invariably achieved.

-ing form of “produce” — bring forth or yield

From this reading He reveled in producing an atmosphere of brain-storm, and in dealing sledge-hammer blows at the intellects of his better balanced acquaintances.

-ing form of “provide” — give something useful or necessary to

From this reading He delighted, and displayed remarkable ingenuity, in providing orgies of the abnormal.

(usually preceded by “in”) a detail or point

From this reading On some occasions he perpetrated the wildest and most extravagant eccentricities, without the slightest regard for the moral or artistic sensibilities of those on whom he imposed them--on others he contented himself with less harrowing minor freaks--but the object of thoroughly upsetting and confounding the mental balances of his victims was invariably achieved.

unusual or striking

From this reading He delighted, and displayed remarkable ingenuity, in providing orgies of the abnormal.

past form of “revel” — take delight in

From this reading He reveled in producing an atmosphere of brain-storm, and in dealing sledge-hammer blows at the intellects of his better balanced acquaintances.

a general conscious awareness

From this reading He had a twisted sense of the dramatic, and twisted things were expected from him.

plural of “sensibility” — mental responsiveness and awareness

From this reading On some occasions he perpetrated the wildest and most extravagant eccentricities, without the slightest regard for the moral or artistic sensibilities of those on whom he imposed them--on others he contented himself with less harrowing minor freaks--but the object of thoroughly upsetting and confounding the mental balances of his victims was invariably achieved.

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

From this reading He reveled in producing an atmosphere of brain-storm, and in dealing sledge-hammer blows at the intellects of his better balanced acquaintances.

superlative of “slight” — (quantifier used with mass nouns) small in quantity or degree; not much or almost none or (with “a”) at least some

From this reading On some occasions he perpetrated the wildest and most extravagant eccentricities, without the slightest regard for the moral or artistic sensibilities of those on whom he imposed them--on others he contented himself with less harrowing minor freaks--but the object of thoroughly upsetting and confounding the mental balances of his victims was invariably achieved.

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading On some occasions he perpetrated the wildest and most extravagant eccentricities, without the slightest regard for the moral or artistic sensibilities of those on whom he imposed them--on others he contented himself with less harrowing minor freaks--but the object of thoroughly upsetting and confounding the mental balances of his victims was invariably achieved.

the season of growth

From this reading It was no unusual thing for George Copplestone to spring surprises on his guests.

plural of “surprise” — the astonishment you feel when something totally unexpected happens to you

From this reading It was no unusual thing for George Copplestone to spring surprises on his guests.

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

From this reading He had a twisted sense of the dramatic, and twisted things were expected from him.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading On some occasions he perpetrated the wildest and most extravagant eccentricities, without the slightest regard for the moral or artistic sensibilities of those on whom he imposed them--on others he contented himself with less harrowing minor freaks--but the object of thoroughly upsetting and confounding the mental balances of his victims was invariably achieved.

a special situation

From this reading It was no unusual thing for George Copplestone to spring surprises on his guests.

any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)

From this reading He had a twisted sense of the dramatic, and twisted things were expected from him.

in an exhaustive manner

From this reading On some occasions he perpetrated the wildest and most extravagant eccentricities, without the slightest regard for the moral or artistic sensibilities of those on whom he imposed them--on others he contented himself with less harrowing minor freaks--but the object of thoroughly upsetting and confounding the mental balances of his victims was invariably achieved.

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading On some occasions he perpetrated the wildest and most extravagant eccentricities, without the slightest regard for the moral or artistic sensibilities of those on whom he imposed them--on others he contented himself with less harrowing minor freaks--but the object of thoroughly upsetting and confounding the mental balances of his victims was invariably achieved.

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

From this reading It was no unusual thing for George Copplestone to spring surprises on his guests.

having an intended meaning altered or misrepresented

From this reading He had a twisted sense of the dramatic, and twisted things were expected from him.

not usual or common or ordinary

From this reading It was no unusual thing for George Copplestone to spring surprises on his guests.

causing an emotional disturbance

From this reading On some occasions he perpetrated the wildest and most extravagant eccentricities, without the slightest regard for the moral or artistic sensibilities of those on whom he imposed them--on others he contented himself with less harrowing minor freaks--but the object of thoroughly upsetting and confounding the mental balances of his victims was invariably achieved.

plural of “victim” — an unfortunate person who suffers from some adverse circumstance

From this reading On some occasions he perpetrated the wildest and most extravagant eccentricities, without the slightest regard for the moral or artistic sensibilities of those on whom he imposed them--on others he contented himself with less harrowing minor freaks--but the object of thoroughly upsetting and confounding the mental balances of his victims was invariably achieved.

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

From this reading It was no unusual thing for George Copplestone to spring surprises on his guests.

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

From this reading He had a twisted sense of the dramatic, and twisted things were expected from him.

the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading On some occasions he perpetrated the wildest and most extravagant eccentricities, without the slightest regard for the moral or artistic sensibilities of those on whom he imposed them--on others he contented himself with less harrowing minor freaks--but the object of thoroughly upsetting and confounding the mental balances of his victims was invariably achieved.

superlative of “wild” — marked by extreme lack of restraint or control

From this reading On some occasions he perpetrated the wildest and most extravagant eccentricities, without the slightest regard for the moral or artistic sensibilities of those on whom he imposed them--on others he contented himself with less harrowing minor freaks--but the object of thoroughly upsetting and confounding the mental balances of his victims was invariably achieved.

in the company of; together with

From this reading On some occasions he perpetrated the wildest and most extravagant eccentricities, without the slightest regard for the moral or artistic sensibilities of those on whom he imposed them--on others he contented himself with less harrowing minor freaks--but the object of thoroughly upsetting and confounding the mental balances of his victims was invariably achieved.

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading On some occasions he perpetrated the wildest and most extravagant eccentricities, without the slightest regard for the moral or artistic sensibilities of those on whom he imposed them--on others he contented himself with less harrowing minor freaks--but the object of thoroughly upsetting and confounding the mental balances of his victims was invariably achieved.