Chapter VII

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

From this reading It was a fine illustration of the best method of _dolce far niente_.

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

From this reading The ensuing days were bland and soft, and the Faurie family life gravitated insensibly to the wide verandas of the Great Oaks mansion, where much time was spent in futile chat, and where one could take the air without the exertion of exercise and be out-of-doors without the trouble of quitting the house.

(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 The favorite rendezvous was beneath the canopy of live-oak boughs on the extension of the veranda just outside the library windows, and here Desmond often joined the group, saying to himself that it had an air of churlish avoidance to hold himself aloof when they were all so near.

remote in manner

From this reading The favorite rendezvous was beneath the canopy of live-oak boughs on the extension of the veranda just outside the library windows, and here Desmond often joined the group, saying to himself that it had an air of churlish avoidance to hold himself aloof when they were all so near.

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

From this reading The favorite rendezvous was beneath the canopy of live-oak boughs on the extension of the veranda just outside the library windows, and here Desmond often joined the group, saying to himself that it had an air of churlish avoidance to hold himself aloof when they were all so near.

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

From this reading The ensuing days were bland and soft, and the Faurie family life gravitated insensibly to the wide verandas of the Great Oaks mansion, where much time was spent in futile chat, and where one could take the air without the exertion of exercise and be out-of-doors without the trouble of quitting the house.

deliberately avoiding; keeping away from or preventing from happening

From this reading The favorite rendezvous was beneath the canopy of live-oak boughs on the extension of the veranda just outside the library windows, and here Desmond often joined the group, saying to himself that it had an air of churlish avoidance to hold himself aloof when they were all so near.

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

From this reading The ensuing days were bland and soft, and the Faurie family life gravitated insensibly to the wide verandas of the Great Oaks mansion, where much time was spent in futile chat, and where one could take the air without the exertion of exercise and be out-of-doors without the trouble of quitting the house.

Directly under; in or to a lower position than.

From this reading The favorite rendezvous was beneath the canopy of live-oak boughs on the extension of the veranda just outside the library windows, and here Desmond often joined the group, saying to himself that it had an air of churlish avoidance to hold himself aloof when they were all so near.

the supreme effort one can make

From this reading It was a fine illustration of the best method of _dolce far niente_.

lacking taste or flavor or tang

From this reading The ensuing days were bland and soft, and the Faurie family life gravitated insensibly to the wide verandas of the Great Oaks mansion, where much time was spent in futile chat, and where one could take the air without the exertion of exercise and be out-of-doors without the trouble of quitting the house.

plural of “bough” — any of the larger branches of a tree

From this reading The favorite rendezvous was beneath the canopy of live-oak boughs on the extension of the veranda just outside the library windows, and here Desmond often joined the group, saying to himself that it had an air of churlish avoidance to hold himself aloof when they were all so near.

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

From this reading The favorite rendezvous was beneath the canopy of live-oak boughs on the extension of the veranda just outside the library windows, and here Desmond often joined the group, saying to himself that it had an air of churlish avoidance to hold himself aloof when they were all so near.

plural of “capacity” — capability to perform or produce

From this reading In these days he heard no little of Mrs. Faurie’s plaints of the limited capacities of Great Oaks for rational entertainment.

talk socially without exchanging too much information

From this reading The ensuing days were bland and soft, and the Faurie family life gravitated insensibly to the wide verandas of the Great Oaks mansion, where much time was spent in futile chat, and where one could take the air without the exertion of exercise and be out-of-doors without the trouble of quitting the house.

rude and boorish

From this reading The favorite rendezvous was beneath the canopy of live-oak boughs on the extension of the veranda just outside the library windows, and here Desmond often joined the group, saying to himself that it had an air of churlish avoidance to hold himself aloof when they were all so near.

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

From this reading The ensuing days were bland and soft, and the Faurie family life gravitated insensibly to the wide verandas of the Great Oaks mansion, where much time was spent in futile chat, and where one could take the air without the exertion of exercise and be out-of-doors without the trouble of quitting the house.

the time during which someone's life continues

From this reading The ensuing days were bland and soft, and the Faurie family life gravitated insensibly to the wide verandas of the Great Oaks mansion, where much time was spent in futile chat, and where one could take the air without the exertion of exercise and be out-of-doors without the trouble of quitting the house.

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

From this reading The favorite rendezvous was beneath the canopy of live-oak boughs on the extension of the veranda just outside the library windows, and here Desmond often joined the group, saying to himself that it had an air of churlish avoidance to hold himself aloof when they were all so near.

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading “Nothing to do,—nothing to say,—nothing to see.

gently and sweetly

From this reading It was a fine illustration of the best method of _dolce far niente_.

following immediately and as a result of what went before

From this reading The ensuing days were bland and soft, and the Faurie family life gravitated insensibly to the wide verandas of the Great Oaks mansion, where much time was spent in futile chat, and where one could take the air without the exertion of exercise and be out-of-doors without the trouble of quitting the house.

an activity that is diverting and that holds the attention

From this reading In these days he heard no little of Mrs. Faurie’s plaints of the limited capacities of Great Oaks for rational entertainment.

the activity of exerting your muscles in various ways to keep fit

From this reading The ensuing days were bland and soft, and the Faurie family life gravitated insensibly to the wide verandas of the Great Oaks mansion, where much time was spent in futile chat, and where one could take the air without the exertion of exercise and be out-of-doors without the trouble of quitting the house.

use of physical or mental energy; hard work

From this reading The ensuing days were bland and soft, and the Faurie family life gravitated insensibly to the wide verandas of the Great Oaks mansion, where much time was spent in futile chat, and where one could take the air without the exertion of exercise and be out-of-doors without the trouble of quitting the house.

a mutually agreed delay in the date set for the completion of a job or payment of a debt

From this reading The favorite rendezvous was beneath the canopy of live-oak boughs on the extension of the veranda just outside the library windows, and here Desmond often joined the group, saying to himself that it had an air of churlish avoidance to hold himself aloof when they were all so near.

a social unit living together

From this reading The ensuing days were bland and soft, and the Faurie family life gravitated insensibly to the wide verandas of the Great Oaks mansion, where much time was spent in futile chat, and where one could take the air without the exertion of exercise and be out-of-doors without the trouble of quitting the house.

to a considerable degree; very much

From this reading It was a fine illustration of the best method of _dolce far niente_.

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

From this reading The ensuing days were bland and soft, and the Faurie family life gravitated insensibly to the wide verandas of the Great Oaks mansion, where much time was spent in futile chat, and where one could take the air without the exertion of exercise and be out-of-doors without the trouble of quitting the house.

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

From this reading In these days he heard no little of Mrs. Faurie’s plaints of the limited capacities of Great Oaks for rational entertainment.

something regarded with special favor or liking

From this reading The favorite rendezvous was beneath the canopy of live-oak boughs on the extension of the veranda just outside the library windows, and here Desmond often joined the group, saying to himself that it had an air of churlish avoidance to hold himself aloof when they were all so near.

being satisfactory or in satisfactory condition

From this reading It was a fine illustration of the best method of _dolce far niente_.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading In these days he heard no little of Mrs. Faurie’s plaints of the limited capacities of Great Oaks for rational entertainment.

producing no result or effect

From this reading The ensuing days were bland and soft, and the Faurie family life gravitated insensibly to the wide verandas of the Great Oaks mansion, where much time was spent in futile chat, and where one could take the air without the exertion of exercise and be out-of-doors without the trouble of quitting the house.

past form of “gravitate” — move toward

From this reading The ensuing days were bland and soft, and the Faurie family life gravitated insensibly to the wide verandas of the Great Oaks mansion, where much time was spent in futile chat, and where one could take the air without the exertion of exercise and be out-of-doors without the trouble of quitting the house.

relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind

From this reading The ensuing days were bland and soft, and the Faurie family life gravitated insensibly to the wide verandas of the Great Oaks mansion, where much time was spent in futile chat, and where one could take the air without the exertion of exercise and be out-of-doors without the trouble of quitting the house.

any number of entities (members) considered as a unit

From this reading The favorite rendezvous was beneath the canopy of live-oak boughs on the extension of the veranda just outside the library windows, and here Desmond often joined the group, saying to himself that it had an air of churlish avoidance to hold himself aloof when they were all so near.

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

From this reading The favorite rendezvous was beneath the canopy of live-oak boughs on the extension of the veranda just outside the library windows, and here Desmond often joined the group, saying to himself that it had an air of churlish avoidance to hold himself aloof when they were all so near.

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

From this reading In these days he heard no little of Mrs. Faurie’s plaints of the limited capacities of Great Oaks for rational entertainment.

detected or perceived by the sense of hearing

From this reading In these days he heard no little of Mrs. Faurie’s plaints of the limited capacities of Great Oaks for rational entertainment.

in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is

From this reading The favorite rendezvous was beneath the canopy of live-oak boughs on the extension of the veranda just outside the library windows, and here Desmond often joined the group, saying to himself that it had an air of churlish avoidance to hold himself aloof when they were all so near.

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

From this reading The favorite rendezvous was beneath the canopy of live-oak boughs on the extension of the veranda just outside the library windows, and here Desmond often joined the group, saying to himself that it had an air of churlish avoidance to hold himself aloof when they were all so near.

cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”

From this reading The favorite rendezvous was beneath the canopy of live-oak boughs on the extension of the veranda just outside the library windows, and here Desmond often joined the group, saying to himself that it had an air of churlish avoidance to hold himself aloof when they were all so near.

a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families

From this reading The ensuing days were bland and soft, and the Faurie family life gravitated insensibly to the wide verandas of the Great Oaks mansion, where much time was spent in futile chat, and where one could take the air without the exertion of exercise and be out-of-doors without the trouble of quitting the house.

artwork that helps make something clear or attractive

From this reading It was a fine illustration of the best method of _dolce far niente_.

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

From this reading The ensuing days were bland and soft, and the Faurie family life gravitated insensibly to the wide verandas of the Great Oaks mansion, where much time was spent in futile chat, and where one could take the air without the exertion of exercise and be out-of-doors without the trouble of quitting the house.

in a numb manner; without feeling

From this reading The ensuing days were bland and soft, and the Faurie family life gravitated insensibly to the wide verandas of the Great Oaks mansion, where much time was spent in futile chat, and where one could take the air without the exertion of exercise and be out-of-doors without the trouble of quitting the house.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was a fine illustration of the best method of _dolce far niente_.

of or relating to two people who are married to each other

From this reading The favorite rendezvous was beneath the canopy of live-oak boughs on the extension of the veranda just outside the library windows, and here Desmond often joined the group, saying to himself that it had an air of churlish avoidance to hold himself aloof when they were all so near.

and nothing more

From this reading The favorite rendezvous was beneath the canopy of live-oak boughs on the extension of the veranda just outside the library windows, and here Desmond often joined the group, saying to himself that it had an air of churlish avoidance to hold himself aloof when they were all so near.

a room where books are kept

From this reading The favorite rendezvous was beneath the canopy of live-oak boughs on the extension of the veranda just outside the library windows, and here Desmond often joined the group, saying to himself that it had an air of churlish avoidance to hold himself aloof when they were all so near.

a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading The ensuing days were bland and soft, and the Faurie family life gravitated insensibly to the wide verandas of the Great Oaks mansion, where much time was spent in futile chat, and where one could take the air without the exertion of exercise and be out-of-doors without the trouble of quitting the house.

small in range or scope

From this reading In these days he heard no little of Mrs. Faurie’s plaints of the limited capacities of Great Oaks for rational entertainment.

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

From this reading In these days he heard no little of Mrs. Faurie’s plaints of the limited capacities of Great Oaks for rational entertainment.

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

From this reading The favorite rendezvous was beneath the canopy of live-oak boughs on the extension of the veranda just outside the library windows, and here Desmond often joined the group, saying to himself that it had an air of churlish avoidance to hold himself aloof when they were all so near.

(astrology) one of 12 equal areas into which the zodiac is divided

From this reading The ensuing days were bland and soft, and the Faurie family life gravitated insensibly to the wide verandas of the Great Oaks mansion, where much time was spent in futile chat, and where one could take the air without the exertion of exercise and be out-of-doors without the trouble of quitting the house.

a way of doing something, especially a systematic way; implies an orderly logical arrangement (usually in steps)

From this reading It was a fine illustration of the best method of _dolce far niente_.

a form of address for a married woman

From this reading In these days he heard no little of Mrs. Faurie’s plaints of the limited capacities of Great Oaks for rational entertainment.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading The ensuing days were bland and soft, and the Faurie family life gravitated insensibly to the wide verandas of the Great Oaks mansion, where much time was spent in futile chat, and where one could take the air without the exertion of exercise and be out-of-doors without the trouble of quitting the house.

near in time or place or relationship

From this reading The favorite rendezvous was beneath the canopy of live-oak boughs on the extension of the veranda just outside the library windows, and here Desmond often joined the group, saying to himself that it had an air of churlish avoidance to hold himself aloof when they were all so near.

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

From this reading It was a fine illustration of the best method of _dolce far niente_.

not any; not one

From this reading In these days he heard no little of Mrs. Faurie’s plaints of the limited capacities of Great Oaks for rational entertainment.

not one thing; not anything

From this reading “Nothing to do,—nothing to say,—nothing to see.

plural of “oak” — the hard durable wood of any oak; used especially for furniture and flooring

From this reading The ensuing days were bland and soft, and the Faurie family life gravitated insensibly to the wide verandas of the Great Oaks mansion, where much time was spent in futile chat, and where one could take the air without the exertion of exercise and be out-of-doors without the trouble of quitting the house.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The ensuing days were bland and soft, and the Faurie family life gravitated insensibly to the wide verandas of the Great Oaks mansion, where much time was spent in futile chat, and where one could take the air without the exertion of exercise and be out-of-doors without the trouble of quitting the house.

many times at short intervals

From this reading The favorite rendezvous was beneath the canopy of live-oak boughs on the extension of the veranda just outside the library windows, and here Desmond often joined the group, saying to himself that it had an air of churlish avoidance to hold himself aloof when they were all so near.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading The favorite rendezvous was beneath the canopy of live-oak boughs on the extension of the veranda just outside the library windows, and here Desmond often joined the group, saying to himself that it had an air of churlish avoidance to hold himself aloof when they were all so near.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading The ensuing days were bland and soft, and the Faurie family life gravitated insensibly to the wide verandas of the Great Oaks mansion, where much time was spent in futile chat, and where one could take the air without the exertion of exercise and be out-of-doors without the trouble of quitting the house.

where the air is unconfined

From this reading The ensuing days were bland and soft, and the Faurie family life gravitated insensibly to the wide verandas of the Great Oaks mansion, where much time was spent in futile chat, and where one could take the air without the exertion of exercise and be out-of-doors without the trouble of quitting the house.

relating to or being on or near the outer side or limit

From this reading The favorite rendezvous was beneath the canopy of live-oak boughs on the extension of the veranda just outside the library windows, and here Desmond often joined the group, saying to himself that it had an air of churlish avoidance to hold himself aloof when they were all so near.

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

From this reading In these days he heard no little of Mrs. Faurie’s plaints of the limited capacities of Great Oaks for rational entertainment.

inflected form of “quit” — put an end to a state or an activity

From this reading The ensuing days were bland and soft, and the Faurie family life gravitated insensibly to the wide verandas of the Great Oaks mansion, where much time was spent in futile chat, and where one could take the air without the exertion of exercise and be out-of-doors without the trouble of quitting the house.

Based on or in accordance with reason or logic rather than turbulent emotions.

From this reading In these days he heard no little of Mrs. Faurie’s plaints of the limited capacities of Great Oaks for rational entertainment.

a meeting planned at a certain time and place

From this reading The favorite rendezvous was beneath the canopy of live-oak boughs on the extension of the veranda just outside the library windows, and here Desmond often joined the group, saying to himself that it had an air of churlish avoidance to hold himself aloof when they were all so near.

express in words

From this reading “Nothing to do,—nothing to say,—nothing to see.

a word or phrase that particular people use in particular situations

From this reading The favorite rendezvous was beneath the canopy of live-oak boughs on the extension of the veranda just outside the library windows, and here Desmond often joined the group, saying to himself that it had an air of churlish avoidance to hold himself aloof when they were all so near.

perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading “Nothing to do,—nothing to say,—nothing to see.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading The favorite rendezvous was beneath the canopy of live-oak boughs on the extension of the veranda just outside the library windows, and here Desmond often joined the group, saying to himself that it had an air of churlish avoidance to hold himself aloof when they were all so near.

yielding readily to pressure or weight

From this reading The ensuing days were bland and soft, and the Faurie family life gravitated insensibly to the wide verandas of the Great Oaks mansion, where much time was spent in futile chat, and where one could take the air without the exertion of exercise and be out-of-doors without the trouble of quitting the house.

depleted of energy, force, or strength

From this reading The ensuing days were bland and soft, and the Faurie family life gravitated insensibly to the wide verandas of the Great Oaks mansion, where much time was spent in futile chat, and where one could take the air without the exertion of exercise and be out-of-doors without the trouble of quitting the house.

carry out

From this reading The ensuing days were bland and soft, and the Faurie family life gravitated insensibly to the wide verandas of the Great Oaks mansion, where much time was spent in futile chat, and where one could take the air without the exertion of exercise and be out-of-doors without the trouble of quitting the house.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading The favorite rendezvous was beneath the canopy of live-oak boughs on the extension of the veranda just outside the library windows, and here Desmond often joined the group, saying to himself that it had an air of churlish avoidance to hold himself aloof when they were all so near.

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

From this reading The ensuing days were bland and soft, and the Faurie family life gravitated insensibly to the wide verandas of the Great Oaks mansion, where much time was spent in futile chat, and where one could take the air without the exertion of exercise and be out-of-doors without the trouble of quitting the house.

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

From this reading In these days he heard no little of Mrs. Faurie’s plaints of the limited capacities of Great Oaks for rational entertainment.

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

From this reading The favorite rendezvous was beneath the canopy of live-oak boughs on the extension of the veranda just outside the library windows, and here Desmond often joined the group, saying to himself that it had an air of churlish avoidance to hold himself aloof when they were all so near.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading The ensuing days were bland and soft, and the Faurie family life gravitated insensibly to the wide verandas of the Great Oaks mansion, where much time was spent in futile chat, and where one could take the air without the exertion of exercise and be out-of-doors without the trouble of quitting the house.

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

From this reading The ensuing days were bland and soft, and the Faurie family life gravitated insensibly to the wide verandas of the Great Oaks mansion, where much time was spent in futile chat, and where one could take the air without the exertion of exercise and be out-of-doors without the trouble of quitting the house.

a source of difficulty

From this reading The ensuing days were bland and soft, and the Faurie family life gravitated insensibly to the wide verandas of the Great Oaks mansion, where much time was spent in futile chat, and where one could take the air without the exertion of exercise and be out-of-doors without the trouble of quitting the house.

a porch along the outside of a building (sometimes partly enclosed)

From this reading The favorite rendezvous was beneath the canopy of live-oak boughs on the extension of the veranda just outside the library windows, and here Desmond often joined the group, saying to himself that it had an air of churlish avoidance to hold himself aloof when they were all so near.

plural of “veranda” — a porch along the outside of a building (sometimes partly enclosed)

From this reading The ensuing days were bland and soft, and the Faurie family life gravitated insensibly to the wide verandas of the Great Oaks mansion, where much time was spent in futile chat, and where one could take the air without the exertion of exercise and be out-of-doors without the trouble of quitting the house.

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

From this reading The ensuing days were bland and soft, and the Faurie family life gravitated insensibly to the wide verandas of the Great Oaks mansion, where much time was spent in futile chat, and where one could take the air without the exertion of exercise and be out-of-doors without the trouble of quitting the house.

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

From this reading The ensuing days were bland and soft, and the Faurie family life gravitated insensibly to the wide verandas of the Great Oaks mansion, where much time was spent in futile chat, and where one could take the air without the exertion of exercise and be out-of-doors without the trouble of quitting the house.

at the time that

From this reading The favorite rendezvous was beneath the canopy of live-oak boughs on the extension of the veranda just outside the library windows, and here Desmond often joined the group, saying to himself that it had an air of churlish avoidance to hold himself aloof when they were all so near.

in or at the place that

From this reading The ensuing days were bland and soft, and the Faurie family life gravitated insensibly to the wide verandas of the Great Oaks mansion, where much time was spent in futile chat, and where one could take the air without the exertion of exercise and be out-of-doors without the trouble of quitting the house.

having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other

From this reading The ensuing days were bland and soft, and the Faurie family life gravitated insensibly to the wide verandas of the Great Oaks mansion, where much time was spent in futile chat, and where one could take the air without the exertion of exercise and be out-of-doors without the trouble of quitting the house.

(trademark) an operating system with a graphical user interface

From this reading The favorite rendezvous was beneath the canopy of live-oak boughs on the extension of the veranda just outside the library windows, and here Desmond often joined the group, saying to himself that it had an air of churlish avoidance to hold himself aloof when they were all so near.

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading The ensuing days were bland and soft, and the Faurie family life gravitated insensibly to the wide verandas of the Great Oaks mansion, where much time was spent in futile chat, and where one could take the air without the exertion of exercise and be out-of-doors without the trouble of quitting the house.