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 So engrossed was he that at first he could not pay attention to the strange sounds in the air about him; for these cuffs, though black, were marked at their upper edges with a purpled line such as prelates wear.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading So engrossed was he that at first he could not pay attention to the strange sounds in the air about him; for these cuffs, though black, were marked at their upper edges with a purpled line such as prelates wear.

a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of

From this reading So engrossed was he that at first he could not pay attention to the strange sounds in the air about him; for these cuffs, though black, were marked at their upper edges with a purpled line such as prelates wear.

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

From this reading The first objects of which he became aware were his own hands clasped on his lap before him, and the cloth cuffs from which they emerged; and it was these latter that puzzled him.

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

From this reading So engrossed was he that at first he could not pay attention to the strange sounds in the air about him; for these cuffs, though black, were marked at their upper edges with a purpled line such as prelates wear.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading So engrossed was he that at first he could not pay attention to the strange sounds in the air about him; for these cuffs, though black, were marked at their upper edges with a purpled line such as prelates wear.

the process whereby a person concentrates on some features of the environment to the (relative) exclusion of others

From this reading So engrossed was he that at first he could not pay attention to the strange sounds in the air about him; for these cuffs, though black, were marked at their upper edges with a purpled line such as prelates wear.

(sometimes followed by “of”) having or showing knowledge or understanding or realization or perception

From this reading The first objects of which he became aware were his own hands clasped on his lap before him, and the cloth cuffs from which they emerged; and it was these latter that puzzled him.

plural of “back” — the posterior part of a human (or animal) body from the neck to the end of the spine

From this reading He mechanically turned the backs of his hands upwards; but there was no ring on his finger.

inflected form of “become” — enter or assume a certain state or condition

From this reading The first objects of which he became aware were his own hands clasped on his lap before him, and the cloth cuffs from which they emerged; and it was these latter that puzzled him.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading The first objects of which he became aware were his own hands clasped on his lap before him, and the cloth cuffs from which they emerged; and it was these latter that puzzled him.

Directly under; in or to a lower position than.

From this reading He was seated on some kind of raised chair beneath a canopy.

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

From this reading So engrossed was he that at first he could not pay attention to the strange sounds in the air about him; for these cuffs, though black, were marked at their upper edges with a purpled line such as prelates wear.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading He mechanically turned the backs of his hands upwards; but there was no ring on his finger.

An overhead roof or structure, such as the high vaulted ceiling of an ancient library.

From this reading He was seated on some kind of raised chair beneath a canopy.

a seat for one person, with a support for the back

From this reading He was seated on some kind of raised chair beneath a canopy.

past form of “clasp” — hold firmly and tightly

From this reading The first objects of which he became aware were his own hands clasped on his lap before him, and the cloth cuffs from which they emerged; and it was these latter that puzzled him.

artifact made by weaving or felting or knitting or crocheting natural or synthetic fibers

From this reading The first objects of which he became aware were his own hands clasped on his lap before him, and the cloth cuffs from which they emerged; and it was these latter that puzzled him.

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

From this reading So engrossed was he that at first he could not pay attention to the strange sounds in the air about him; for these cuffs, though black, were marked at their upper edges with a purpled line such as prelates wear.

plural of “cuff” — the lap consisting of a turned-back hem encircling the end of the sleeve or leg

From this reading The first objects of which he became aware were his own hands clasped on his lap before him, and the cloth cuffs from which they emerged; and it was these latter that puzzled him.

plural of “edge” — the boundary of a surface

From this reading So engrossed was he that at first he could not pay attention to the strange sounds in the air about him; for these cuffs, though black, were marked at their upper edges with a purpled line such as prelates wear.

past form of “emerge” — come out into view, as from concealment

From this reading The first objects of which he became aware were his own hands clasped on his lap before him, and the cloth cuffs from which they emerged; and it was these latter that puzzled him.

giving or marked by complete attention to

From this reading So engrossed was he that at first he could not pay attention to the strange sounds in the air about him; for these cuffs, though black, were marked at their upper edges with a purpled line such as prelates wear.

opinion or judgment

From this reading Then he lifted his eyes and looked.

feel or handle with the fingers

From this reading He mechanically turned the backs of his hands upwards; but there was no ring on his finger.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading The first objects of which he became aware were his own hands clasped on his lap before him, and the cloth cuffs from which they emerged; and it was these latter that puzzled him.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading So engrossed was he that at first he could not pay attention to the strange sounds in the air about him; for these cuffs, though black, were marked at their upper edges with a purpled line such as prelates wear.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading The first objects of which he became aware were his own hands clasped on his lap before him, and the cloth cuffs from which they emerged; and it was these latter that puzzled him.

(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child

From this reading The first objects of which he became aware were his own hands clasped on his lap before him, and the cloth cuffs from which they emerged; and it was these latter that puzzled him.

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

From this reading The first objects of which he became aware were his own hands clasped on his lap before him, and the cloth cuffs from which they emerged; and it was these latter that puzzled him.

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

From this reading The first objects of which he became aware were his own hands clasped on his lap before him, and the cloth cuffs from which they emerged; and it was these latter that puzzled him.

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

From this reading The first objects of which he became aware were his own hands clasped on his lap before him, and the cloth cuffs from which they emerged; and it was these latter that puzzled him.

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

From this reading So engrossed was he that at first he could not pay attention to the strange sounds in the air about him; for these cuffs, though black, were marked at their upper edges with a purpled line such as prelates wear.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading The first objects of which he became aware were his own hands clasped on his lap before him, and the cloth cuffs from which they emerged; and it was these latter that puzzled him.

having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior

From this reading He was seated on some kind of raised chair beneath a canopy.

lie partly over or alongside of something or of one another

From this reading The first objects of which he became aware were his own hands clasped on his lap before him, and the cloth cuffs from which they emerged; and it was these latter that puzzled him.

referring to the second of two things or persons mentioned (or the last one or ones of several)

From this reading The first objects of which he became aware were his own hands clasped on his lap before him, and the cloth cuffs from which they emerged; and it was these latter that puzzled him.

held up in the air

From this reading Then he lifted his eyes and looked.

a formation of people or things one beside another

From this reading So engrossed was he that at first he could not pay attention to the strange sounds in the air about him; for these cuffs, though black, were marked at their upper edges with a purpled line such as prelates wear.

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

From this reading Then he lifted his eyes and looked.

strongly marked; easily noticeable

From this reading So engrossed was he that at first he could not pay attention to the strange sounds in the air about him; for these cuffs, though black, were marked at their upper edges with a purpled line such as prelates wear.

in a mechanical manner; by a mechanism

From this reading He mechanically turned the backs of his hands upwards; but there was no ring on his finger.

not any; not one

From this reading He mechanically turned the backs of his hands upwards; but there was no ring on his finger.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading So engrossed was he that at first he could not pay attention to the strange sounds in the air about him; for these cuffs, though black, were marked at their upper edges with a purpled line such as prelates wear.

plural of “object” — a tangible and visible entity; an entity that can cast a shadow

From this reading The first objects of which he became aware were his own hands clasped on his lap before him, and the cloth cuffs from which they emerged; and it was these latter that puzzled him.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The first objects of which he became aware were his own hands clasped on his lap before him, and the cloth cuffs from which they emerged; and it was these latter that puzzled him.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading The first objects of which he became aware were his own hands clasped on his lap before him, and the cloth cuffs from which they emerged; and it was these latter that puzzled him.

have ownership or possession of

From this reading The first objects of which he became aware were his own hands clasped on his lap before him, and the cloth cuffs from which they emerged; and it was these latter that puzzled him.

give money, usually in exchange for goods or services

From this reading So engrossed was he that at first he could not pay attention to the strange sounds in the air about him; for these cuffs, though black, were marked at their upper edges with a purpled line such as prelates wear.

plural of “prelate” — a senior clergyman and dignitary

From this reading So engrossed was he that at first he could not pay attention to the strange sounds in the air about him; for these cuffs, though black, were marked at their upper edges with a purpled line such as prelates wear.

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

From this reading So engrossed was he that at first he could not pay attention to the strange sounds in the air about him; for these cuffs, though black, were marked at their upper edges with a purpled line such as prelates wear.

filled with bewilderment

From this reading The first objects of which he became aware were his own hands clasped on his lap before him, and the cloth cuffs from which they emerged; and it was these latter that puzzled him.

located or moved above the surround or above the normal position

From this reading He was seated on some kind of raised chair beneath a canopy.

sound loudly and sonorously

From this reading He mechanically turned the backs of his hands upwards; but there was no ring on his finger.

(of persons) having the torso erect and legs bent with the body supported on the buttocks

From this reading He was seated on some kind of raised chair beneath a canopy.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading So engrossed was he that at first he could not pay attention to the strange sounds in the air about him; for these cuffs, though black, were marked at their upper edges with a purpled line such as prelates wear.

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

From this reading He was seated on some kind of raised chair beneath a canopy.

plural of “sound” — the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause

From this reading So engrossed was he that at first he could not pay attention to the strange sounds in the air about him; for these cuffs, though black, were marked at their upper edges with a purpled line such as prelates wear.

being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird

From this reading So engrossed was he that at first he could not pay attention to the strange sounds in the air about him; for these cuffs, though black, were marked at their upper edges with a purpled line such as prelates wear.

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading So engrossed was he that at first he could not pay attention to the strange sounds in the air about him; for these cuffs, though black, were marked at their upper edges with a purpled line such as prelates wear.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading The first objects of which he became aware were his own hands clasped on his lap before him, and the cloth cuffs from which they emerged; and it was these latter that puzzled him.

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

From this reading The first objects of which he became aware were his own hands clasped on his lap before him, and the cloth cuffs from which they emerged; and it was these latter that puzzled him.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading So engrossed was he that at first he could not pay attention to the strange sounds in the air about him; for these cuffs, though black, were marked at their upper edges with a purpled line such as prelates wear.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading Then he lifted his eyes and looked.

in or at that place or location

From this reading He mechanically turned the backs of his hands upwards; but there was no ring on his finger.

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

From this reading The first objects of which he became aware were his own hands clasped on his lap before him, and the cloth cuffs from which they emerged; and it was these latter that puzzled him.

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

From this reading The first objects of which he became aware were his own hands clasped on his lap before him, and the cloth cuffs from which they emerged; and it was these latter that puzzled him.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading So engrossed was he that at first he could not pay attention to the strange sounds in the air about him; for these cuffs, though black, were marked at their upper edges with a purpled line such as prelates wear.

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

From this reading So engrossed was he that at first he could not pay attention to the strange sounds in the air about him; for these cuffs, though black, were marked at their upper edges with a purpled line such as prelates wear.

moved around an axis or center

From this reading He mechanically turned the backs of his hands upwards; but there was no ring on his finger.

the topmost one of two

From this reading So engrossed was he that at first he could not pay attention to the strange sounds in the air about him; for these cuffs, though black, were marked at their upper edges with a purpled line such as prelates wear.

spatially or metaphorically from a lower to a higher position

From this reading He mechanically turned the backs of his hands upwards; but there was no ring on his finger.

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

From this reading The first objects of which he became aware were his own hands clasped on his lap before him, and the cloth cuffs from which they emerged; and it was these latter that puzzled him.

be dressed in

From this reading So engrossed was he that at first he could not pay attention to the strange sounds in the air about him; for these cuffs, though black, were marked at their upper edges with a purpled line such as prelates wear.

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

From this reading The first objects of which he became aware were his own hands clasped on his lap before him, and the cloth cuffs from which they emerged; and it was these latter that puzzled him.

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

From this reading The first objects of which he became aware were his own hands clasped on his lap before him, and the cloth cuffs from which they emerged; and it was these latter that puzzled him.

in the company of; together with

From this reading So engrossed was he that at first he could not pay attention to the strange sounds in the air about him; for these cuffs, though black, were marked at their upper edges with a purpled line such as prelates wear.