Chapter X · Chapter 10

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

From this reading He appeared thinner than a month or two previous, and he was tanned as with much roughing it on the open trail; his eyes, too, were clear, but there was an odd, furtive droop to their lids which had not been noticeable before.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading Abstractedly he drank his coffee, and then, ignoring the tray piled high with its accumulation of mail which his valet had placed on the table, he drew his lounging-robe about him and picked up the telephone.

capable of arousing and holding the attention

From this reading His coming was unheralded, but Harrington Chase was on hand when the train crawled into the station at midnight and the two partners repaired to the room of the returned wanderer, where they held an absorbing conference until the small hours.

in an absentminded or preoccupied manner

From this reading Abstractedly he drank his coffee, and then, ignoring the tray piled high with its accumulation of mail which his valet had placed on the table, he drew his lounging-robe about him and picked up the telephone.

an increase by natural growth or addition

From this reading Abstractedly he drank his coffee, and then, ignoring the tray piled high with its accumulation of mail which his valet had placed on the table, he drew his lounging-robe about him and picked up the telephone.

the smallest whole number or a numeral representing this number

From this reading AN ACE IN THE HOLE November was well advanced, and the first snow of the season was falling when Starr Wiley reappeared in New York.

farther along in physical or mental development

From this reading AN ACE IN THE HOLE November was well advanced, and the first snow of the season was falling when Starr Wiley reappeared in New York.

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

From this reading AN ACE IN THE HOLE November was well advanced, and the first snow of the season was falling when Starr Wiley reappeared in New York.

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

From this reading AN ACE IN THE HOLE November was well advanced, and the first snow of the season was falling when Starr Wiley reappeared in New York.

past form of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading He appeared thinner than a month or two previous, and he was tanned as with much roughing it on the open trail; his eyes, too, were clear, but there was an odd, furtive droop to their lids which had not been noticeable before.

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

From this reading He appeared thinner than a month or two previous, and he was tanned as with much roughing it on the open trail; his eyes, too, were clear, but there was an odd, furtive droop to their lids which had not been noticeable before.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading His coming was unheralded, but Harrington Chase was on hand when the train crawled into the station at midnight and the two partners repaired to the room of the returned wanderer, where they held an absorbing conference until the small hours.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading He appeared thinner than a month or two previous, and he was tanned as with much roughing it on the open trail; his eyes, too, were clear, but there was an odd, furtive droop to their lids which had not been noticeable before.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading He appeared thinner than a month or two previous, and he was tanned as with much roughing it on the open trail; his eyes, too, were clear, but there was an odd, furtive droop to their lids which had not been noticeable before.

emitting or reflecting light readily or in large amounts

From this reading Nevertheless, Wiley was stirring bright and early.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading His coming was unheralded, but Harrington Chase was on hand when the train crawled into the station at midnight and the two partners repaired to the room of the returned wanderer, where they held an absorbing conference until the small hours.

go after with the intent to catch

From this reading His coming was unheralded, but Harrington Chase was on hand when the train crawled into the station at midnight and the two partners repaired to the room of the returned wanderer, where they held an absorbing conference until the small hours.

rid of obstructions

From this reading He appeared thinner than a month or two previous, and he was tanned as with much roughing it on the open trail; his eyes, too, were clear, but there was an odd, furtive droop to their lids which had not been noticeable before.

a beverage consisting of an infusion of ground coffee beans

From this reading Abstractedly he drank his coffee, and then, ignoring the tray piled high with its accumulation of mail which his valet had placed on the table, he drew his lounging-robe about him and picked up the telephone.

the act of drawing spatially closer to something

From this reading His coming was unheralded, but Harrington Chase was on hand when the train crawled into the station at midnight and the two partners repaired to the room of the returned wanderer, where they held an absorbing conference until the small hours.

a prearranged meeting for consultation or exchange of information or discussion (especially one with a formal agenda)

From this reading His coming was unheralded, but Harrington Chase was on hand when the train crawled into the station at midnight and the two partners repaired to the room of the returned wanderer, where they held an absorbing conference until the small hours.

past form of “crawl” — move slowly; in the case of people or animals with the body near the ground

From this reading His coming was unheralded, but Harrington Chase was on hand when the train crawled into the station at midnight and the two partners repaired to the room of the returned wanderer, where they held an absorbing conference until the small hours.

inflected form of “drink” — take in liquids

From this reading Abstractedly he drank his coffee, and then, ignoring the tray piled high with its accumulation of mail which his valet had placed on the table, he drew his lounging-robe about him and picked up the telephone.

United States actor (born in Ireland); father of Georgiana Emma Barrymore (1827-1862)

From this reading Abstractedly he drank his coffee, and then, ignoring the tray piled high with its accumulation of mail which his valet had placed on the table, he drew his lounging-robe about him and picked up the telephone.

droop, sink, or settle from or as if from pressure or loss of tautness

From this reading He appeared thinner than a month or two previous, and he was tanned as with much roughing it on the open trail; his eyes, too, were clear, but there was an odd, furtive droop to their lids which had not been noticeable before.

at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time

From this reading Nevertheless, Wiley was stirring bright and early.

opinion or judgment

From this reading He appeared thinner than a month or two previous, and he was tanned as with much roughing it on the open trail; his eyes, too, were clear, but there was an odd, furtive droop to their lids which had not been noticeable before.

decreasing in amount or degree

From this reading AN ACE IN THE HOLE November was well advanced, and the first snow of the season was falling when Starr Wiley reappeared in New York.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading AN ACE IN THE HOLE November was well advanced, and the first snow of the season was falling when Starr Wiley reappeared in New York.

marked by quiet and caution and secrecy; taking pains to avoid being observed

From this reading He appeared thinner than a month or two previous, and he was tanned as with much roughing it on the open trail; his eyes, too, were clear, but there was an odd, furtive droop to their lids which had not been noticeable before.

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

From this reading He appeared thinner than a month or two previous, and he was tanned as with much roughing it on the open trail; his eyes, too, were clear, but there was an odd, furtive droop to their lids which had not been noticeable before.

the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb

From this reading His coming was unheralded, but Harrington Chase was on hand when the train crawled into the station at midnight and the two partners repaired to the room of the returned wanderer, where they held an absorbing conference until the small hours.

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

From this reading His coming was unheralded, but Harrington Chase was on hand when the train crawled into the station at midnight and the two partners repaired to the room of the returned wanderer, where they held an absorbing conference until the small hours.

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

From this reading He appeared thinner than a month or two previous, and he was tanned as with much roughing it on the open trail; his eyes, too, were clear, but there was an odd, furtive droop to their lids which had not been noticeable before.

occupied or in the control of; often used in combination

From this reading His coming was unheralded, but Harrington Chase was on hand when the train crawled into the station at midnight and the two partners repaired to the room of the returned wanderer, where they held an absorbing conference until the small hours.

greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading Abstractedly he drank his coffee, and then, ignoring the tray piled high with its accumulation of mail which his valet had placed on the table, he drew his lounging-robe about him and picked up the telephone.

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

From this reading Abstractedly he drank his coffee, and then, ignoring the tray piled high with its accumulation of mail which his valet had placed on the table, he drew his lounging-robe about him and picked up the telephone.

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

From this reading His coming was unheralded, but Harrington Chase was on hand when the train crawled into the station at midnight and the two partners repaired to the room of the returned wanderer, where they held an absorbing conference until the small hours.

an opening into or through something

From this reading AN ACE IN THE HOLE November was well advanced, and the first snow of the season was falling when Starr Wiley reappeared in New York.

a period of time assigned for work

From this reading His coming was unheralded, but Harrington Chase was on hand when the train crawled into the station at midnight and the two partners repaired to the room of the returned wanderer, where they held an absorbing conference until the small hours.

-ing form of “ignore” — refuse to acknowledge

From this reading Abstractedly he drank his coffee, and then, ignoring the tray piled high with its accumulation of mail which his valet had placed on the table, he drew his lounging-robe about him and picked up the telephone.

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

From this reading AN ACE IN THE HOLE November was well advanced, and the first snow of the season was falling when Starr Wiley reappeared in New York.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading His coming was unheralded, but Harrington Chase was on hand when the train crawled into the station at midnight and the two partners repaired to the room of the returned wanderer, where they held an absorbing conference until the small hours.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading He appeared thinner than a month or two previous, and he was tanned as with much roughing it on the open trail; his eyes, too, were clear, but there was an odd, furtive droop to their lids which had not been noticeable before.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading Abstractedly he drank his coffee, and then, ignoring the tray piled high with its accumulation of mail which his valet had placed on the table, he drew his lounging-robe about him and picked up the telephone.

plural of “lid” — either of two folds of skin that can be moved to cover or open the eye

From this reading He appeared thinner than a month or two previous, and he was tanned as with much roughing it on the open trail; his eyes, too, were clear, but there was an odd, furtive droop to their lids which had not been noticeable before.

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

From this reading Abstractedly he drank his coffee, and then, ignoring the tray piled high with its accumulation of mail which his valet had placed on the table, he drew his lounging-robe about him and picked up the telephone.

the bags of letters and packages that are transported by the postal service

From this reading Abstractedly he drank his coffee, and then, ignoring the tray piled high with its accumulation of mail which his valet had placed on the table, he drew his lounging-robe about him and picked up the telephone.

12 o'clock at night; the middle of the night

From this reading His coming was unheralded, but Harrington Chase was on hand when the train crawled into the station at midnight and the two partners repaired to the room of the returned wanderer, where they held an absorbing conference until the small hours.

one of the twelve divisions of the calendar year

From this reading He appeared thinner than a month or two previous, and he was tanned as with much roughing it on the open trail; his eyes, too, were clear, but there was an odd, furtive droop to their lids which had not been noticeable before.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading He appeared thinner than a month or two previous, and he was tanned as with much roughing it on the open trail; his eyes, too, were clear, but there was an odd, furtive droop to their lids which had not been noticeable before.

in spite of what has just been said

From this reading Nevertheless, Wiley was stirring bright and early.

not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered

From this reading AN ACE IN THE HOLE November was well advanced, and the first snow of the season was falling when Starr Wiley reappeared in New York.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading He appeared thinner than a month or two previous, and he was tanned as with much roughing it on the open trail; his eyes, too, were clear, but there was an odd, furtive droop to their lids which had not been noticeable before.

capable or worthy of being noticed

From this reading He appeared thinner than a month or two previous, and he was tanned as with much roughing it on the open trail; his eyes, too, were clear, but there was an odd, furtive droop to their lids which had not been noticeable before.

the month following October and preceding December

From this reading AN ACE IN THE HOLE November was well advanced, and the first snow of the season was falling when Starr Wiley reappeared in New York.

not divisible by two

From this reading He appeared thinner than a month or two previous, and he was tanned as with much roughing it on the open trail; his eyes, too, were clear, but there was an odd, furtive droop to their lids which had not been noticeable before.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading AN ACE IN THE HOLE November was well advanced, and the first snow of the season was falling when Starr Wiley reappeared in New York.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading His coming was unheralded, but Harrington Chase was on hand when the train crawled into the station at midnight and the two partners repaired to the room of the returned wanderer, where they held an absorbing conference until the small hours.

To move from a closed position.

From this reading He appeared thinner than a month or two previous, and he was tanned as with much roughing it on the open trail; his eyes, too, were clear, but there was an odd, furtive droop to their lids which had not been noticeable before.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading He appeared thinner than a month or two previous, and he was tanned as with much roughing it on the open trail; his eyes, too, were clear, but there was an odd, furtive droop to their lids which had not been noticeable before.

plural of “partner” — a person's partner in marriage

From this reading His coming was unheralded, but Harrington Chase was on hand when the train crawled into the station at midnight and the two partners repaired to the room of the returned wanderer, where they held an absorbing conference until the small hours.

past form of “pick” — select carefully from a group

From this reading Abstractedly he drank his coffee, and then, ignoring the tray piled high with its accumulation of mail which his valet had placed on the table, he drew his lounging-robe about him and picked up the telephone.

past form of “pile” — arrange in stacks

From this reading Abstractedly he drank his coffee, and then, ignoring the tray piled high with its accumulation of mail which his valet had placed on the table, he drew his lounging-robe about him and picked up the telephone.

situated in a particular spot or position

From this reading Abstractedly he drank his coffee, and then, ignoring the tray piled high with its accumulation of mail which his valet had placed on the table, he drew his lounging-robe about him and picked up the telephone.

just preceding something else in time or order

From this reading He appeared thinner than a month or two previous, and he was tanned as with much roughing it on the open trail; his eyes, too, were clear, but there was an odd, furtive droop to their lids which had not been noticeable before.

past form of “reappear” — appear again

From this reading AN ACE IN THE HOLE November was well advanced, and the first snow of the season was falling when Starr Wiley reappeared in New York.

past form of “repair” — restore by replacing a part or putting together what is torn or broken

From this reading His coming was unheralded, but Harrington Chase was on hand when the train crawled into the station at midnight and the two partners repaired to the room of the returned wanderer, where they held an absorbing conference until the small hours.

past form of “return” — go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before

From this reading His coming was unheralded, but Harrington Chase was on hand when the train crawled into the station at midnight and the two partners repaired to the room of the returned wanderer, where they held an absorbing conference until the small hours.

an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling

From this reading His coming was unheralded, but Harrington Chase was on hand when the train crawled into the station at midnight and the two partners repaired to the room of the returned wanderer, where they held an absorbing conference until the small hours.

-ing form of “rough” — prepare in preliminary or sketchy form

From this reading He appeared thinner than a month or two previous, and he was tanned as with much roughing it on the open trail; his eyes, too, were clear, but there was an odd, furtive droop to their lids which had not been noticeable before.

a period of the year marked by special events or activities in some field

From this reading AN ACE IN THE HOLE November was well advanced, and the first snow of the season was falling when Starr Wiley reappeared in New York.

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

From this reading His coming was unheralded, but Harrington Chase was on hand when the train crawled into the station at midnight and the two partners repaired to the room of the returned wanderer, where they held an absorbing conference until the small hours.

precipitation falling from clouds in the form of ice crystals

From this reading AN ACE IN THE HOLE November was well advanced, and the first snow of the season was falling when Starr Wiley reappeared in New York.

rock star and drummer for the Beatles (born in 1940)

From this reading AN ACE IN THE HOLE November was well advanced, and the first snow of the season was falling when Starr Wiley reappeared in New York.

a facility equipped with special equipment and personnel for a particular purpose

From this reading His coming was unheralded, but Harrington Chase was on hand when the train crawled into the station at midnight and the two partners repaired to the room of the returned wanderer, where they held an absorbing conference until the small hours.

agitating a liquid with an implement

From this reading Nevertheless, Wiley was stirring bright and early.

a set of data arranged in rows and columns

From this reading Abstractedly he drank his coffee, and then, ignoring the tray piled high with its accumulation of mail which his valet had placed on the table, he drew his lounging-robe about him and picked up the telephone.

(of skin) having a tan color from exposure to the sun

From this reading He appeared thinner than a month or two previous, and he was tanned as with much roughing it on the open trail; his eyes, too, were clear, but there was an odd, furtive droop to their lids which had not been noticeable before.

electronic equipment that converts sound into electrical signals that can be transmitted over distances and then converts received signals back into sounds

From this reading Abstractedly he drank his coffee, and then, ignoring the tray piled high with its accumulation of mail which his valet had placed on the table, he drew his lounging-robe about him and picked up the telephone.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading He appeared thinner than a month or two previous, and he was tanned as with much roughing it on the open trail; his eyes, too, were clear, but there was an odd, furtive droop to their lids which had not been noticeable before.

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

From this reading AN ACE IN THE HOLE November was well advanced, and the first snow of the season was falling when Starr Wiley reappeared in New York.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading He appeared thinner than a month or two previous, and he was tanned as with much roughing it on the open trail; his eyes, too, were clear, but there was an odd, furtive droop to their lids which had not been noticeable before.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading Abstractedly he drank his coffee, and then, ignoring the tray piled high with its accumulation of mail which his valet had placed on the table, he drew his lounging-robe about him and picked up the telephone.

in or at that place or location

From this reading He appeared thinner than a month or two previous, and he was tanned as with much roughing it on the open trail; his eyes, too, were clear, but there was an odd, furtive droop to their lids which had not been noticeable before.

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

From this reading His coming was unheralded, but Harrington Chase was on hand when the train crawled into the station at midnight and the two partners repaired to the room of the returned wanderer, where they held an absorbing conference until the small hours.

a diluting agent

From this reading He appeared thinner than a month or two previous, and he was tanned as with much roughing it on the open trail; his eyes, too, were clear, but there was an odd, furtive droop to their lids which had not been noticeable before.

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

From this reading His coming was unheralded, but Harrington Chase was on hand when the train crawled into the station at midnight and the two partners repaired to the room of the returned wanderer, where they held an absorbing conference until the small hours.

to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits

From this reading He appeared thinner than a month or two previous, and he was tanned as with much roughing it on the open trail; his eyes, too, were clear, but there was an odd, furtive droop to their lids which had not been noticeable before.

a track or mark left by something that has passed

From this reading He appeared thinner than a month or two previous, and he was tanned as with much roughing it on the open trail; his eyes, too, were clear, but there was an odd, furtive droop to their lids which had not been noticeable before.

create by training and teaching

From this reading His coming was unheralded, but Harrington Chase was on hand when the train crawled into the station at midnight and the two partners repaired to the room of the returned wanderer, where they held an absorbing conference until the small hours.

an open receptacle for holding or displaying or serving articles or food

From this reading Abstractedly he drank his coffee, and then, ignoring the tray piled high with its accumulation of mail which his valet had placed on the table, he drew his lounging-robe about him and picked up the telephone.

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

From this reading His coming was unheralded, but Harrington Chase was on hand when the train crawled into the station at midnight and the two partners repaired to the room of the returned wanderer, where they held an absorbing conference until the small hours.

without warning or announcement

From this reading His coming was unheralded, but Harrington Chase was on hand when the train crawled into the station at midnight and the two partners repaired to the room of the returned wanderer, where they held an absorbing conference until the small hours.

up to a particular time

From this reading His coming was unheralded, but Harrington Chase was on hand when the train crawled into the station at midnight and the two partners repaired to the room of the returned wanderer, where they held an absorbing conference until the small hours.

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading Abstractedly he drank his coffee, and then, ignoring the tray piled high with its accumulation of mail which his valet had placed on the table, he drew his lounging-robe about him and picked up the telephone.

a manservant who acts as a personal attendant to his employer

From this reading Abstractedly he drank his coffee, and then, ignoring the tray piled high with its accumulation of mail which his valet had placed on the table, he drew his lounging-robe about him and picked up the telephone.

someone who leads a wandering unsettled life

From this reading His coming was unheralded, but Harrington Chase was on hand when the train crawled into the station at midnight and the two partners repaired to the room of the returned wanderer, where they held an absorbing conference until the small hours.

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

From this reading AN ACE IN THE HOLE November was well advanced, and the first snow of the season was falling when Starr Wiley reappeared in New York.

(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)

From this reading AN ACE IN THE HOLE November was well advanced, and the first snow of the season was falling when Starr Wiley reappeared in New York.

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

From this reading He appeared thinner than a month or two previous, and he was tanned as with much roughing it on the open trail; his eyes, too, were clear, but there was an odd, furtive droop to their lids which had not been noticeable before.

at the time that

From this reading AN ACE IN THE HOLE November was well advanced, and the first snow of the season was falling when Starr Wiley reappeared in New York.

in or at the place that

From this reading His coming was unheralded, but Harrington Chase was on hand when the train crawled into the station at midnight and the two partners repaired to the room of the returned wanderer, where they held an absorbing conference until the small hours.

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

From this reading He appeared thinner than a month or two previous, and he was tanned as with much roughing it on the open trail; his eyes, too, were clear, but there was an odd, furtive droop to their lids which had not been noticeable before.

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

From this reading AN ACE IN THE HOLE November was well advanced, and the first snow of the season was falling when Starr Wiley reappeared in New York.

in the company of; together with

From this reading He appeared thinner than a month or two previous, and he was tanned as with much roughing it on the open trail; his eyes, too, were clear, but there was an odd, furtive droop to their lids which had not been noticeable before.

the English royal house (a branch of the Plantagenet line) that reigned from 1461 to 1485; its emblem was a white rose

From this reading AN ACE IN THE HOLE November was well advanced, and the first snow of the season was falling when Starr Wiley reappeared in New York.