Chapter XVIII

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

From this reading That my knowledge of his identity would come to him as a surprise, I was tolerably sure; and, in springing it thus suddenly upon him, I hoped to gather by his face, which I was watching narrowly meanwhile, whether he were moved by anger or by dismay.

of the most contemptible kind

From this reading The result was a fiasco, a fizzle, an abject failure.

plural of “actor” — a theatrical performer

From this reading Either he was the most consummate of actors, or, as is more likely, I the most consummate of fools; for he looked at me at first with bewilderment, and then with amusement, and finally burst into a hearty laugh.

the form of “be” used with “I”

From this reading "So _that's_ who you think I am, is it?" he chuckled.

a feeling of delight at being entertained

From this reading Either he was the most consummate of actors, or, as is more likely, I the most consummate of fools; for he looked at me at first with bewilderment, and then with amusement, and finally burst into a hearty laugh.

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

From this reading The result was a fiasco, a fizzle, an abject failure.

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

From this reading That my knowledge of his identity would come to him as a surprise, I was tolerably sure; and, in springing it thus suddenly upon him, I hoped to gather by his face, which I was watching narrowly meanwhile, whether he were moved by anger or by dismay.

a strong emotion; a feeling that is oriented toward some real or supposed grievance

From this reading That my knowledge of his identity would come to him as a surprise, I was tolerably sure; and, in springing it thus suddenly upon him, I hoped to gather by his face, which I was watching narrowly meanwhile, whether he were moved by anger or by dismay.

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

From this reading That my knowledge of his identity would come to him as a surprise, I was tolerably sure; and, in springing it thus suddenly upon him, I hoped to gather by his face, which I was watching narrowly meanwhile, whether he were moved by anger or by dismay.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Either he was the most consummate of actors, or, as is more likely, I the most consummate of fools; for he looked at me at first with bewilderment, and then with amusement, and finally burst into a hearty laugh.

confusion resulting from failure to understand

From this reading Either he was the most consummate of actors, or, as is more likely, I the most consummate of fools; for he looked at me at first with bewilderment, and then with amusement, and finally burst into a hearty laugh.

come open suddenly and violently, as if from internal pressure

From this reading Either he was the most consummate of actors, or, as is more likely, I the most consummate of fools; for he looked at me at first with bewilderment, and then with amusement, and finally burst into a hearty laugh.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading That my knowledge of his identity would come to him as a surprise, I was tolerably sure; and, in springing it thus suddenly upon him, I hoped to gather by his face, which I was watching narrowly meanwhile, whether he were moved by anger or by dismay.

past form of “chuckle” — laugh quietly or with restraint

From this reading "So _that's_ who you think I am, is it?" he chuckled.

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

From this reading That my knowledge of his identity would come to him as a surprise, I was tolerably sure; and, in springing it thus suddenly upon him, I hoped to gather by his face, which I was watching narrowly meanwhile, whether he were moved by anger or by dismay.

fulfill sexually

From this reading Either he was the most consummate of actors, or, as is more likely, I the most consummate of fools; for he looked at me at first with bewilderment, and then with amusement, and finally burst into a hearty laugh.

the feeling of despair in the face of obstacles

From this reading That my knowledge of his identity would come to him as a surprise, I was tolerably sure; and, in springing it thus suddenly upon him, I hoped to gather by his face, which I was watching narrowly meanwhile, whether he were moved by anger or by dismay.

one or the other of two

From this reading Either he was the most consummate of actors, or, as is more likely, I the most consummate of fools; for he looked at me at first with bewilderment, and then with amusement, and finally burst into a hearty laugh.

the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear

From this reading That my knowledge of his identity would come to him as a surprise, I was tolerably sure; and, in springing it thus suddenly upon him, I hoped to gather by his face, which I was watching narrowly meanwhile, whether he were moved by anger or by dismay.

an act that fails

From this reading The result was a fiasco, a fizzle, an abject failure.

a sudden and violent collapse

From this reading The result was a fiasco, a fizzle, an abject failure.

after an unspecified period of time or an especially long delay

From this reading Either he was the most consummate of actors, or, as is more likely, I the most consummate of fools; for he looked at me at first with bewilderment, and then with amusement, and finally burst into a hearty laugh.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading Either he was the most consummate of actors, or, as is more likely, I the most consummate of fools; for he looked at me at first with bewilderment, and then with amusement, and finally burst into a hearty laugh.

end weakly

From this reading The result was a fiasco, a fizzle, an abject failure.

plural of “fool” — a person who lacks good judgment

From this reading Either he was the most consummate of actors, or, as is more likely, I the most consummate of fools; for he looked at me at first with bewilderment, and then with amusement, and finally burst into a hearty laugh.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Either he was the most consummate of actors, or, as is more likely, I the most consummate of fools; for he looked at me at first with bewilderment, and then with amusement, and finally burst into a hearty laugh.

assemble or get together

From this reading That my knowledge of his identity would come to him as a surprise, I was tolerably sure; and, in springing it thus suddenly upon him, I hoped to gather by his face, which I was watching narrowly meanwhile, whether he were moved by anger or by dismay.

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

From this reading That my knowledge of his identity would come to him as a surprise, I was tolerably sure; and, in springing it thus suddenly upon him, I hoped to gather by his face, which I was watching narrowly meanwhile, whether he were moved by anger or by dismay.

showing warm and heartfelt friendliness

From this reading Either he was the most consummate of actors, or, as is more likely, I the most consummate of fools; for he looked at me at first with bewilderment, and then with amusement, and finally burst into a hearty laugh.

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

From this reading That my knowledge of his identity would come to him as a surprise, I was tolerably sure; and, in springing it thus suddenly upon him, I hoped to gather by his face, which I was watching narrowly meanwhile, whether he were moved by anger or by dismay.

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

From this reading That my knowledge of his identity would come to him as a surprise, I was tolerably sure; and, in springing it thus suddenly upon him, I hoped to gather by his face, which I was watching narrowly meanwhile, whether he were moved by anger or by dismay.

past form of “hope” — expect and wish

From this reading That my knowledge of his identity would come to him as a surprise, I was tolerably sure; and, in springing it thus suddenly upon him, I hoped to gather by his face, which I was watching narrowly meanwhile, whether he were moved by anger or by dismay.

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

From this reading That my knowledge of his identity would come to him as a surprise, I was tolerably sure; and, in springing it thus suddenly upon him, I hoped to gather by his face, which I was watching narrowly meanwhile, whether he were moved by anger or by dismay.

the distinct personality of an individual regarded as a persisting entity

From this reading That my knowledge of his identity would come to him as a surprise, I was tolerably sure; and, in springing it thus suddenly upon him, I hoped to gather by his face, which I was watching narrowly meanwhile, whether he were moved by anger or by dismay.

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

From this reading That my knowledge of his identity would come to him as a surprise, I was tolerably sure; and, in springing it thus suddenly upon him, I hoped to gather by his face, which I was watching narrowly meanwhile, whether he were moved by anger or by dismay.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading Either he was the most consummate of actors, or, as is more likely, I the most consummate of fools; for he looked at me at first with bewilderment, and then with amusement, and finally burst into a hearty laugh.

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

From this reading Either he was the most consummate of actors, or, as is more likely, I the most consummate of fools; for he looked at me at first with bewilderment, and then with amusement, and finally burst into a hearty laugh.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading That my knowledge of his identity would come to him as a surprise, I was tolerably sure; and, in springing it thus suddenly upon him, I hoped to gather by his face, which I was watching narrowly meanwhile, whether he were moved by anger or by dismay.

the psychological result of perception and learning and reasoning

From this reading That my knowledge of his identity would come to him as a surprise, I was tolerably sure; and, in springing it thus suddenly upon him, I hoped to gather by his face, which I was watching narrowly meanwhile, whether he were moved by anger or by dismay.

the sound of laughing

From this reading Either he was the most consummate of actors, or, as is more likely, I the most consummate of fools; for he looked at me at first with bewilderment, and then with amusement, and finally burst into a hearty laugh.

has a good chance of being the case or of coming about

From this reading Either he was the most consummate of actors, or, as is more likely, I the most consummate of fools; for he looked at me at first with bewilderment, and then with amusement, and finally burst into a hearty laugh.

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

From this reading Either he was the most consummate of actors, or, as is more likely, I the most consummate of fools; for he looked at me at first with bewilderment, and then with amusement, and finally burst into a hearty laugh.

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

From this reading THE MYSTERY OF THE THIRD MAN.

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

From this reading Either he was the most consummate of actors, or, as is more likely, I the most consummate of fools; for he looked at me at first with bewilderment, and then with amusement, and finally burst into a hearty laugh.

at the same time but in another place

From this reading That my knowledge of his identity would come to him as a surprise, I was tolerably sure; and, in springing it thus suddenly upon him, I hoped to gather by his face, which I was watching narrowly meanwhile, whether he were moved by anger or by dismay.

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading Either he was the most consummate of actors, or, as is more likely, I the most consummate of fools; for he looked at me at first with bewilderment, and then with amusement, and finally burst into a hearty laugh.

used to form the superlative

From this reading Either he was the most consummate of actors, or, as is more likely, I the most consummate of fools; for he looked at me at first with bewilderment, and then with amusement, and finally burst into a hearty laugh.

being excited or provoked to the expression of an emotion

From this reading That my knowledge of his identity would come to him as a surprise, I was tolerably sure; and, in springing it thus suddenly upon him, I hoped to gather by his face, which I was watching narrowly meanwhile, whether he were moved by anger or by dismay.

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading That my knowledge of his identity would come to him as a surprise, I was tolerably sure; and, in springing it thus suddenly upon him, I hoped to gather by his face, which I was watching narrowly meanwhile, whether he were moved by anger or by dismay.

something that baffles understanding and cannot be explained

From this reading THE MYSTERY OF THE THIRD MAN.

in a narrow manner; not allowing for exceptions

From this reading That my knowledge of his identity would come to him as a surprise, I was tolerably sure; and, in springing it thus suddenly upon him, I hoped to gather by his face, which I was watching narrowly meanwhile, whether he were moved by anger or by dismay.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading THE MYSTERY OF THE THIRD MAN.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading That my knowledge of his identity would come to him as a surprise, I was tolerably sure; and, in springing it thus suddenly upon him, I hoped to gather by his face, which I was watching narrowly meanwhile, whether he were moved by anger or by dismay.

a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon

From this reading The result was a fiasco, a fizzle, an abject failure.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading "So _that's_ who you think I am, is it?" he chuckled.

-ing form of “spring” — move forward by leaps and bounds

From this reading That my knowledge of his identity would come to him as a surprise, I was tolerably sure; and, in springing it thus suddenly upon him, I hoped to gather by his face, which I was watching narrowly meanwhile, whether he were moved by anger or by dismay.

happening unexpectedly

From this reading That my knowledge of his identity would come to him as a surprise, I was tolerably sure; and, in springing it thus suddenly upon him, I hoped to gather by his face, which I was watching narrowly meanwhile, whether he were moved by anger or by dismay.

having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured

From this reading That my knowledge of his identity would come to him as a surprise, I was tolerably sure; and, in springing it thus suddenly upon him, I hoped to gather by his face, which I was watching narrowly meanwhile, whether he were moved by anger or by dismay.

the astonishment you feel when something totally unexpected happens to you

From this reading That my knowledge of his identity would come to him as a surprise, I was tolerably sure; and, in springing it thus suddenly upon him, I hoped to gather by his face, which I was watching narrowly meanwhile, whether he were moved by anger or by dismay.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading That my knowledge of his identity would come to him as a surprise, I was tolerably sure; and, in springing it thus suddenly upon him, I hoped to gather by his face, which I was watching narrowly meanwhile, whether he were moved by anger or by dismay.

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

From this reading "So _that's_ who you think I am, is it?" he chuckled.

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

From this reading THE MYSTERY OF THE THIRD MAN.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading Either he was the most consummate of actors, or, as is more likely, I the most consummate of fools; for he looked at me at first with bewilderment, and then with amusement, and finally burst into a hearty laugh.

judge or regard; look upon; judge

From this reading "So _that's_ who you think I am, is it?" he chuckled.

one of three equal parts of a divisible whole

From this reading THE MYSTERY OF THE THIRD MAN.

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

From this reading That my knowledge of his identity would come to him as a surprise, I was tolerably sure; and, in springing it thus suddenly upon him, I hoped to gather by his face, which I was watching narrowly meanwhile, whether he were moved by anger or by dismay.

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

From this reading That my knowledge of his identity would come to him as a surprise, I was tolerably sure; and, in springing it thus suddenly upon him, I hoped to gather by his face, which I was watching narrowly meanwhile, whether he were moved by anger or by dismay.

in an acceptable (but not outstanding) manner

From this reading That my knowledge of his identity would come to him as a surprise, I was tolerably sure; and, in springing it thus suddenly upon him, I hoped to gather by his face, which I was watching narrowly meanwhile, whether he were moved by anger or by dismay.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading That my knowledge of his identity would come to him as a surprise, I was tolerably sure; and, in springing it thus suddenly upon him, I hoped to gather by his face, which I was watching narrowly meanwhile, whether he were moved by anger or by dismay.

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

From this reading That my knowledge of his identity would come to him as a surprise, I was tolerably sure; and, in springing it thus suddenly upon him, I hoped to gather by his face, which I was watching narrowly meanwhile, whether he were moved by anger or by dismay.

the act of observing; taking a patient look

From this reading That my knowledge of his identity would come to him as a surprise, I was tolerably sure; and, in springing it thus suddenly upon him, I hoped to gather by his face, which I was watching narrowly meanwhile, whether he were moved by anger or by dismay.

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

From this reading That my knowledge of his identity would come to him as a surprise, I was tolerably sure; and, in springing it thus suddenly upon him, I hoped to gather by his face, which I was watching narrowly meanwhile, whether he were moved by anger or by dismay.

used to introduce two or more possibilities

From this reading That my knowledge of his identity would come to him as a surprise, I was tolerably sure; and, in springing it thus suddenly upon him, I hoped to gather by his face, which I was watching narrowly meanwhile, whether he were moved by anger or by dismay.

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

From this reading That my knowledge of his identity would come to him as a surprise, I was tolerably sure; and, in springing it thus suddenly upon him, I hoped to gather by his face, which I was watching narrowly meanwhile, whether he were moved by anger or by dismay.

which person or people

From this reading "So _that's_ who you think I am, is it?" he chuckled.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Either he was the most consummate of actors, or, as is more likely, I the most consummate of fools; for he looked at me at first with bewilderment, and then with amusement, and finally burst into a hearty laugh.

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

From this reading That my knowledge of his identity would come to him as a surprise, I was tolerably sure; and, in springing it thus suddenly upon him, I hoped to gather by his face, which I was watching narrowly meanwhile, whether he were moved by anger or by dismay.

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading "So _that's_ who you think I am, is it?" he chuckled.