Chapter XXVII

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

From this reading The fact was, the gallant Truscott began to suspect that it might be advisable for him to take himself out of the way for a time, and he had no desire to meet his rival in person.

worthy of being recommended or suggested; prudent or wise

From this reading The fact was, the gallant Truscott began to suspect that it might be advisable for him to take himself out of the way for a time, and he had no desire to meet his rival in person.

(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 There were times when she would almost make up her mind to throw off the hateful thrall, to defy him to do his worst, whatever that worst might be; but then would rise up the frightful facts, as he had laid them before her in all their nakedness, and she would fall asleep, only to be haunted by a series of terrible dreams; visions of a crowded court hushened to a deathly silence in expectation of the dread sentence; of a small group in a grim gaol-yard, in the chill morning--one face among them lit up with fiendish exaltation--a noose, a gallows, and a black, hideous beam.

(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but

From this reading There were times when she would almost make up her mind to throw off the hateful thrall, to defy him to do his worst, whatever that worst might be; but then would rise up the frightful facts, as he had laid them before her in all their nakedness, and she would fall asleep, only to be haunted by a series of terrible dreams; visions of a crowded court hushened to a deathly silence in expectation of the dread sentence; of a small group in a grim gaol-yard, in the chill morning--one face among them lit up with fiendish exaltation--a noose, a gallows, and a black, hideous beam.

surrounded by; in the middle of a group

From this reading There were times when she would almost make up her mind to throw off the hateful thrall, to defy him to do his worst, whatever that worst might be; but then would rise up the frightful facts, as he had laid them before her in all their nakedness, and she would fall asleep, only to be haunted by a series of terrible dreams; visions of a crowded court hushened to a deathly silence in expectation of the dread sentence; of a small group in a grim gaol-yard, in the chill morning--one face among them lit up with fiendish exaltation--a noose, a gallows, and a black, hideous beam.

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

From this reading The fact was, the gallant Truscott began to suspect that it might be advisable for him to take himself out of the way for a time, and he had no desire to meet his rival in person.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading He had played a bold game and had won, and, now that he had won, it would never do to spoil it by any chance blundering.

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

From this reading Let the two settle it as best they might, was his cynical reflection; settle it they must, and to his, Truscott's, satisfaction--on that point he felt perfectly safe.

in a state of sleep

From this reading There were times when she would almost make up her mind to throw off the hateful thrall, to defy him to do his worst, whatever that worst might be; but then would rise up the frightful facts, as he had laid them before her in all their nakedness, and she would fall asleep, only to be haunted by a series of terrible dreams; visions of a crowded court hushened to a deathly silence in expectation of the dread sentence; of a small group in a grim gaol-yard, in the chill morning--one face among them lit up with fiendish exaltation--a noose, a gallows, and a black, hideous beam.

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

From this reading The fact was, the gallant Truscott began to suspect that it might be advisable for him to take himself out of the way for a time, and he had no desire to meet his rival in person.

a signal transmitted along a narrow path; guides airplane pilots in darkness or bad weather

From this reading There were times when she would almost make up her mind to throw off the hateful thrall, to defy him to do his worst, whatever that worst might be; but then would rise up the frightful facts, as he had laid them before her in all their nakedness, and she would fall asleep, only to be haunted by a series of terrible dreams; visions of a crowded court hushened to a deathly silence in expectation of the dread sentence; of a small group in a grim gaol-yard, in the chill morning--one face among them lit up with fiendish exaltation--a noose, a gallows, and a black, hideous beam.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading There were times when she would almost make up her mind to throw off the hateful thrall, to defy him to do his worst, whatever that worst might be; but then would rise up the frightful facts, as he had laid them before her in all their nakedness, and she would fall asleep, only to be haunted by a series of terrible dreams; visions of a crowded court hushened to a deathly silence in expectation of the dread sentence; of a small group in a grim gaol-yard, in the chill morning--one face among them lit up with fiendish exaltation--a noose, a gallows, and a black, hideous beam.

inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

From this reading The fact was, the gallant Truscott began to suspect that it might be advisable for him to take himself out of the way for a time, and he had no desire to meet his rival in person.

the supreme effort one can make

From this reading Let the two settle it as best they might, was his cynical reflection; settle it they must, and to his, Truscott's, satisfaction--on that point he felt perfectly safe.

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 with a few lines of renewed warning, merciless, pithy, and to the point, posted to Lilian--the wily scoundrel departed for the seat of war, and unless a well-aimed bullet should pierce the black, scheming heart, and of that there was but small chance, there would be no more happiness for her on earth.

-ing form of “blunder” — commit a faux pas or a fault or make a serious mistake

From this reading He had played a bold game and had won, and, now that he had won, it would never do to spoil it by any chance blundering.

fearless and daring

From this reading He had played a bold game and had won, and, now that he had won, it would never do to spoil it by any chance blundering.

a projectile that is fired from a gun

From this reading So with a few lines of renewed warning, merciless, pithy, and to the point, posted to Lilian--the wily scoundrel departed for the seat of war, and unless a well-aimed bullet should pierce the black, scheming heart, and of that there was but small chance, there would be no more happiness for her on earth.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading So with a few lines of renewed warning, merciless, pithy, and to the point, posted to Lilian--the wily scoundrel departed for the seat of war, and unless a well-aimed bullet should pierce the black, scheming heart, and of that there was but small chance, there would be no more happiness for her on earth.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading He had played a bold game and had won, and, now that he had won, it would never do to spoil it by any chance blundering.

a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances

From this reading He had played a bold game and had won, and, now that he had won, it would never do to spoil it by any chance blundering.

coldness due to a cold environment

From this reading There were times when she would almost make up her mind to throw off the hateful thrall, to defy him to do his worst, whatever that worst might be; but then would rise up the frightful facts, as he had laid them before her in all their nakedness, and she would fall asleep, only to be haunted by a series of terrible dreams; visions of a crowded court hushened to a deathly silence in expectation of the dread sentence; of a small group in a grim gaol-yard, in the chill morning--one face among them lit up with fiendish exaltation--a noose, a gallows, and a black, hideous beam.

an assembly (including one or more judges) to conduct judicial business

From this reading There were times when she would almost make up her mind to throw off the hateful thrall, to defy him to do his worst, whatever that worst might be; but then would rise up the frightful facts, as he had laid them before her in all their nakedness, and she would fall asleep, only to be haunted by a series of terrible dreams; visions of a crowded court hushened to a deathly silence in expectation of the dread sentence; of a small group in a grim gaol-yard, in the chill morning--one face among them lit up with fiendish exaltation--a noose, a gallows, and a black, hideous beam.

overfilled or compacted or concentrated

From this reading There were times when she would almost make up her mind to throw off the hateful thrall, to defy him to do his worst, whatever that worst might be; but then would rise up the frightful facts, as he had laid them before her in all their nakedness, and she would fall asleep, only to be haunted by a series of terrible dreams; visions of a crowded court hushened to a deathly silence in expectation of the dread sentence; of a small group in a grim gaol-yard, in the chill morning--one face among them lit up with fiendish exaltation--a noose, a gallows, and a black, hideous beam.

believing the worst of human nature and motives; having a sneering disbelief in e.g. selflessness of others

From this reading Let the two settle it as best they might, was his cynical reflection; settle it they must, and to his, Truscott's, satisfaction--on that point he felt perfectly safe.

having the physical appearance of death

From this reading There were times when she would almost make up her mind to throw off the hateful thrall, to defy him to do his worst, whatever that worst might be; but then would rise up the frightful facts, as he had laid them before her in all their nakedness, and she would fall asleep, only to be haunted by a series of terrible dreams; visions of a crowded court hushened to a deathly silence in expectation of the dread sentence; of a small group in a grim gaol-yard, in the chill morning--one face among them lit up with fiendish exaltation--a noose, a gallows, and a black, hideous beam.

resist or confront with resistance

From this reading There were times when she would almost make up her mind to throw off the hateful thrall, to defy him to do his worst, whatever that worst might be; but then would rise up the frightful facts, as he had laid them before her in all their nakedness, and she would fall asleep, only to be haunted by a series of terrible dreams; visions of a crowded court hushened to a deathly silence in expectation of the dread sentence; of a small group in a grim gaol-yard, in the chill morning--one face among them lit up with fiendish exaltation--a noose, a gallows, and a black, hideous beam.

well in the past; former

From this reading So with a few lines of renewed warning, merciless, pithy, and to the point, posted to Lilian--the wily scoundrel departed for the seat of war, and unless a well-aimed bullet should pierce the black, scheming heart, and of that there was but small chance, there would be no more happiness for her on earth.

the feeling that accompanies an unsatisfied state

From this reading The fact was, the gallant Truscott began to suspect that it might be advisable for him to take himself out of the way for a time, and he had no desire to meet his rival in person.

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading He had played a bold game and had won, and, now that he had won, it would never do to spoil it by any chance blundering.

fearful expectation or anticipation

From this reading There were times when she would almost make up her mind to throw off the hateful thrall, to defy him to do his worst, whatever that worst might be; but then would rise up the frightful facts, as he had laid them before her in all their nakedness, and she would fall asleep, only to be haunted by a series of terrible dreams; visions of a crowded court hushened to a deathly silence in expectation of the dread sentence; of a small group in a grim gaol-yard, in the chill morning--one face among them lit up with fiendish exaltation--a noose, a gallows, and a black, hideous beam.

plural of “dream” — a series of mental images and emotions occurring during sleep

From this reading There were times when she would almost make up her mind to throw off the hateful thrall, to defy him to do his worst, whatever that worst might be; but then would rise up the frightful facts, as he had laid them before her in all their nakedness, and she would fall asleep, only to be haunted by a series of terrible dreams; visions of a crowded court hushened to a deathly silence in expectation of the dread sentence; of a small group in a grim gaol-yard, in the chill morning--one face among them lit up with fiendish exaltation--a noose, a gallows, and a black, hideous beam.

the 3rd planet from the sun; the planet we live on

From this reading So with a few lines of renewed warning, merciless, pithy, and to the point, posted to Lilian--the wily scoundrel departed for the seat of war, and unless a well-aimed bullet should pierce the black, scheming heart, and of that there was but small chance, there would be no more happiness for her on earth.

a state of being carried away by overwhelming emotion

From this reading There were times when she would almost make up her mind to throw off the hateful thrall, to defy him to do his worst, whatever that worst might be; but then would rise up the frightful facts, as he had laid them before her in all their nakedness, and she would fall asleep, only to be haunted by a series of terrible dreams; visions of a crowded court hushened to a deathly silence in expectation of the dread sentence; of a small group in a grim gaol-yard, in the chill morning--one face among them lit up with fiendish exaltation--a noose, a gallows, and a black, hideous beam.

belief about (or mental picture of) the future

From this reading There were times when she would almost make up her mind to throw off the hateful thrall, to defy him to do his worst, whatever that worst might be; but then would rise up the frightful facts, as he had laid them before her in all their nakedness, and she would fall asleep, only to be haunted by a series of terrible dreams; visions of a crowded court hushened to a deathly silence in expectation of the dread sentence; of a small group in a grim gaol-yard, in the chill morning--one face among them lit up with fiendish exaltation--a noose, a gallows, and a black, hideous beam.

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

From this reading There were times when she would almost make up her mind to throw off the hateful thrall, to defy him to do his worst, whatever that worst might be; but then would rise up the frightful facts, as he had laid them before her in all their nakedness, and she would fall asleep, only to be haunted by a series of terrible dreams; visions of a crowded court hushened to a deathly silence in expectation of the dread sentence; of a small group in a grim gaol-yard, in the chill morning--one face among them lit up with fiendish exaltation--a noose, a gallows, and a black, hideous beam.

a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred

From this reading The fact was, the gallant Truscott began to suspect that it might be advisable for him to take himself out of the way for a time, and he had no desire to meet his rival in person.

plural of “fact” — a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred

From this reading There were times when she would almost make up her mind to throw off the hateful thrall, to defy him to do his worst, whatever that worst might be; but then would rise up the frightful facts, as he had laid them before her in all their nakedness, and she would fall asleep, only to be haunted by a series of terrible dreams; visions of a crowded court hushened to a deathly silence in expectation of the dread sentence; of a small group in a grim gaol-yard, in the chill morning--one face among them lit up with fiendish exaltation--a noose, a gallows, and a black, hideous beam.

descend in free fall under the influence of gravity

From this reading There were times when she would almost make up her mind to throw off the hateful thrall, to defy him to do his worst, whatever that worst might be; but then would rise up the frightful facts, as he had laid them before her in all their nakedness, and she would fall asleep, only to be haunted by a series of terrible dreams; visions of a crowded court hushened to a deathly silence in expectation of the dread sentence; of a small group in a grim gaol-yard, in the chill morning--one face among them lit up with fiendish exaltation--a noose, a gallows, and a black, hideous beam.

mat together and make felt-like

From this reading Let the two settle it as best they might, was his cynical reflection; settle it they must, and to his, Truscott's, satisfaction--on that point he felt perfectly safe.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number

From this reading So with a few lines of renewed warning, merciless, pithy, and to the point, posted to Lilian--the wily scoundrel departed for the seat of war, and unless a well-aimed bullet should pierce the black, scheming heart, and of that there was but small chance, there would be no more happiness for her on earth.

extremely evil or cruel; expressive of cruelty or befitting hell

From this reading There were times when she would almost make up her mind to throw off the hateful thrall, to defy him to do his worst, whatever that worst might be; but then would rise up the frightful facts, as he had laid them before her in all their nakedness, and she would fall asleep, only to be haunted by a series of terrible dreams; visions of a crowded court hushened to a deathly silence in expectation of the dread sentence; of a small group in a grim gaol-yard, in the chill morning--one face among them lit up with fiendish exaltation--a noose, a gallows, and a black, hideous beam.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading The fact was, the gallant Truscott began to suspect that it might be advisable for him to take himself out of the way for a time, and he had no desire to meet his rival in person.

provoking horror

From this reading There were times when she would almost make up her mind to throw off the hateful thrall, to defy him to do his worst, whatever that worst might be; but then would rise up the frightful facts, as he had laid them before her in all their nakedness, and she would fall asleep, only to be haunted by a series of terrible dreams; visions of a crowded court hushened to a deathly silence in expectation of the dread sentence; of a small group in a grim gaol-yard, in the chill morning--one face among them lit up with fiendish exaltation--a noose, a gallows, and a black, hideous beam.

unflinching in battle or action

From this reading The fact was, the gallant Truscott began to suspect that it might be advisable for him to take himself out of the way for a time, and he had no desire to meet his rival in person.

an instrument of execution consisting of a wooden frame from which a condemned person is executed by hanging

From this reading There were times when she would almost make up her mind to throw off the hateful thrall, to defy him to do his worst, whatever that worst might be; but then would rise up the frightful facts, as he had laid them before her in all their nakedness, and she would fall asleep, only to be haunted by a series of terrible dreams; visions of a crowded court hushened to a deathly silence in expectation of the dread sentence; of a small group in a grim gaol-yard, in the chill morning--one face among them lit up with fiendish exaltation--a noose, a gallows, and a black, hideous beam.

a contest with rules to determine a winner

From this reading He had played a bold game and had won, and, now that he had won, it would never do to spoil it by any chance blundering.

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

From this reading There were times when she would almost make up her mind to throw off the hateful thrall, to defy him to do his worst, whatever that worst might be; but then would rise up the frightful facts, as he had laid them before her in all their nakedness, and she would fall asleep, only to be haunted by a series of terrible dreams; visions of a crowded court hushened to a deathly silence in expectation of the dread sentence; of a small group in a grim gaol-yard, in the chill morning--one face among them lit up with fiendish exaltation--a noose, a gallows, and a black, hideous beam.

not to be placated or appeased or moved by entreaty

From this reading There were times when she would almost make up her mind to throw off the hateful thrall, to defy him to do his worst, whatever that worst might be; but then would rise up the frightful facts, as he had laid them before her in all their nakedness, and she would fall asleep, only to be haunted by a series of terrible dreams; visions of a crowded court hushened to a deathly silence in expectation of the dread sentence; of a small group in a grim gaol-yard, in the chill morning--one face among them lit up with fiendish exaltation--a noose, a gallows, and a black, hideous beam.

any number of entities (members) considered as a unit

From this reading There were times when she would almost make up her mind to throw off the hateful thrall, to defy him to do his worst, whatever that worst might be; but then would rise up the frightful facts, as he had laid them before her in all their nakedness, and she would fall asleep, only to be haunted by a series of terrible dreams; visions of a crowded court hushened to a deathly silence in expectation of the dread sentence; of a small group in a grim gaol-yard, in the chill morning--one face among them lit up with fiendish exaltation--a noose, a gallows, and a black, hideous beam.

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

From this reading The fact was, the gallant Truscott began to suspect that it might be advisable for him to take himself out of the way for a time, and he had no desire to meet his rival in person.

state of well-being characterized by emotions ranging from contentment to intense joy

From this reading So with a few lines of renewed warning, merciless, pithy, and to the point, posted to Lilian--the wily scoundrel departed for the seat of war, and unless a well-aimed bullet should pierce the black, scheming heart, and of that there was but small chance, there would be no more happiness for her on earth.

evoking or deserving hatred

From this reading There were times when she would almost make up her mind to throw off the hateful thrall, to defy him to do his worst, whatever that worst might be; but then would rise up the frightful facts, as he had laid them before her in all their nakedness, and she would fall asleep, only to be haunted by a series of terrible dreams; visions of a crowded court hushened to a deathly silence in expectation of the dread sentence; of a small group in a grim gaol-yard, in the chill morning--one face among them lit up with fiendish exaltation--a noose, a gallows, and a black, hideous beam.

having or showing excessive or compulsive concern with something

From this reading There were times when she would almost make up her mind to throw off the hateful thrall, to defy him to do his worst, whatever that worst might be; but then would rise up the frightful facts, as he had laid them before her in all their nakedness, and she would fall asleep, only to be haunted by a series of terrible dreams; visions of a crowded court hushened to a deathly silence in expectation of the dread sentence; of a small group in a grim gaol-yard, in the chill morning--one face among them lit up with fiendish exaltation--a noose, a gallows, and a black, hideous beam.

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

From this reading The fact was, the gallant Truscott began to suspect that it might be advisable for him to take himself out of the way for a time, and he had no desire to meet his rival in person.

the locus of feelings and intuitions

From this reading So with a few lines of renewed warning, merciless, pithy, and to the point, posted to Lilian--the wily scoundrel departed for the seat of war, and unless a well-aimed bullet should pierce the black, scheming heart, and of that there was but small chance, there would be no more happiness for her on earth.

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading So with a few lines of renewed warning, merciless, pithy, and to the point, posted to Lilian--the wily scoundrel departed for the seat of war, and unless a well-aimed bullet should pierce the black, scheming heart, and of that there was but small chance, there would be no more happiness for her on earth.

grossly offensive to decency or morality; causing horror

From this reading There were times when she would almost make up her mind to throw off the hateful thrall, to defy him to do his worst, whatever that worst might be; but then would rise up the frightful facts, as he had laid them before her in all their nakedness, and she would fall asleep, only to be haunted by a series of terrible dreams; visions of a crowded court hushened to a deathly silence in expectation of the dread sentence; of a small group in a grim gaol-yard, in the chill morning--one face among them lit up with fiendish exaltation--a noose, a gallows, and a black, hideous beam.

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

From this reading The fact was, the gallant Truscott began to suspect that it might be advisable for him to take himself out of the way for a time, and he had no desire to meet his rival in person.

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

From this reading The fact was, the gallant Truscott began to suspect that it might be advisable for him to take himself out of the way for a time, and he had no desire to meet his rival in person.

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

From this reading The fact was, the gallant Truscott began to suspect that it might be advisable for him to take himself out of the way for a time, and he had no desire to meet his rival in person.

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

From this reading There were times when she would almost make up her mind to throw off the hateful thrall, to defy him to do his worst, whatever that worst might be; but then would rise up the frightful facts, as he had laid them before her in all their nakedness, and she would fall asleep, only to be haunted by a series of terrible dreams; visions of a crowded court hushened to a deathly silence in expectation of the dread sentence; of a small group in a grim gaol-yard, in the chill morning--one face among them lit up with fiendish exaltation--a noose, a gallows, and a black, hideous beam.

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

From this reading The fact was, the gallant Truscott began to suspect that it might be advisable for him to take himself out of the way for a time, and he had no desire to meet his rival in person.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading The fact was, the gallant Truscott began to suspect that it might be advisable for him to take himself out of the way for a time, and he had no desire to meet his rival in person.

set down according to a plan

From this reading There were times when she would almost make up her mind to throw off the hateful thrall, to defy him to do his worst, whatever that worst might be; but then would rise up the frightful facts, as he had laid them before her in all their nakedness, and she would fall asleep, only to be haunted by a series of terrible dreams; visions of a crowded court hushened to a deathly silence in expectation of the dread sentence; of a small group in a grim gaol-yard, in the chill morning--one face among them lit up with fiendish exaltation--a noose, a gallows, and a black, hideous beam.

used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker

From this reading Let the two settle it as best they might, was his cynical reflection; settle it they must, and to his, Truscott's, satisfaction--on that point he felt perfectly safe.

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

From this reading So with a few lines of renewed warning, merciless, pithy, and to the point, posted to Lilian--the wily scoundrel departed for the seat of war, and unless a well-aimed bullet should pierce the black, scheming heart, and of that there was but small chance, there would be no more happiness for her on earth.

plural of “line” — a formation of people or things one beside another

From this reading So with a few lines of renewed warning, merciless, pithy, and to the point, posted to Lilian--the wily scoundrel departed for the seat of war, and unless a well-aimed bullet should pierce the black, scheming heart, and of that there was but small chance, there would be no more happiness for her on earth.

provided with artificial light

From this reading There were times when she would almost make up her mind to throw off the hateful thrall, to defy him to do his worst, whatever that worst might be; but then would rise up the frightful facts, as he had laid them before her in all their nakedness, and she would fall asleep, only to be haunted by a series of terrible dreams; visions of a crowded court hushened to a deathly silence in expectation of the dread sentence; of a small group in a grim gaol-yard, in the chill morning--one face among them lit up with fiendish exaltation--a noose, a gallows, and a black, hideous beam.

engage in

From this reading There were times when she would almost make up her mind to throw off the hateful thrall, to defy him to do his worst, whatever that worst might be; but then would rise up the frightful facts, as he had laid them before her in all their nakedness, and she would fall asleep, only to be haunted by a series of terrible dreams; visions of a crowded court hushened to a deathly silence in expectation of the dread sentence; of a small group in a grim gaol-yard, in the chill morning--one face among them lit up with fiendish exaltation--a noose, a gallows, and a black, hideous beam.

come together

From this reading The fact was, the gallant Truscott began to suspect that it might be advisable for him to take himself out of the way for a time, and he had no desire to meet his rival in person.

having or showing no mercy

From this reading So with a few lines of renewed warning, merciless, pithy, and to the point, posted to Lilian--the wily scoundrel departed for the seat of war, and unless a well-aimed bullet should pierce the black, scheming heart, and of that there was but small chance, there would be no more happiness for her on earth.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading The fact was, the gallant Truscott began to suspect that it might be advisable for him to take himself out of the way for a time, and he had no desire to meet his rival in person.

The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.

From this reading There were times when she would almost make up her mind to throw off the hateful thrall, to defy him to do his worst, whatever that worst might be; but then would rise up the frightful facts, as he had laid them before her in all their nakedness, and she would fall asleep, only to be haunted by a series of terrible dreams; visions of a crowded court hushened to a deathly silence in expectation of the dread sentence; of a small group in a grim gaol-yard, in the chill morning--one face among them lit up with fiendish exaltation--a noose, a gallows, and a black, hideous beam.

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

From this reading So with a few lines of renewed warning, merciless, pithy, and to the point, posted to Lilian--the wily scoundrel departed for the seat of war, and unless a well-aimed bullet should pierce the black, scheming heart, and of that there was but small chance, there would be no more happiness for her on earth.

the time period between dawn and noon

From this reading There were times when she would almost make up her mind to throw off the hateful thrall, to defy him to do his worst, whatever that worst might be; but then would rise up the frightful facts, as he had laid them before her in all their nakedness, and she would fall asleep, only to be haunted by a series of terrible dreams; visions of a crowded court hushened to a deathly silence in expectation of the dread sentence; of a small group in a grim gaol-yard, in the chill morning--one face among them lit up with fiendish exaltation--a noose, a gallows, and a black, hideous beam.

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading Let the two settle it as best they might, was his cynical reflection; settle it they must, and to his, Truscott's, satisfaction--on that point he felt perfectly safe.

the state of being without clothing or covering of any kind

From this reading There were times when she would almost make up her mind to throw off the hateful thrall, to defy him to do his worst, whatever that worst might be; but then would rise up the frightful facts, as he had laid them before her in all their nakedness, and she would fall asleep, only to be haunted by a series of terrible dreams; visions of a crowded court hushened to a deathly silence in expectation of the dread sentence; of a small group in a grim gaol-yard, in the chill morning--one face among them lit up with fiendish exaltation--a noose, a gallows, and a black, hideous beam.

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading He had played a bold game and had won, and, now that he had won, it would never do to spoil it by any chance blundering.

not any; not one

From this reading The fact was, the gallant Truscott began to suspect that it might be advisable for him to take himself out of the way for a time, and he had no desire to meet his rival in person.

a trap for birds or small mammals; often has a slip noose

From this reading There were times when she would almost make up her mind to throw off the hateful thrall, to defy him to do his worst, whatever that worst might be; but then would rise up the frightful facts, as he had laid them before her in all their nakedness, and she would fall asleep, only to be haunted by a series of terrible dreams; visions of a crowded court hushened to a deathly silence in expectation of the dread sentence; of a small group in a grim gaol-yard, in the chill morning--one face among them lit up with fiendish exaltation--a noose, a gallows, and a black, hideous beam.

in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events

From this reading He had played a bold game and had won, and, now that he had won, it would never do to spoil it by any chance blundering.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The fact was, the gallant Truscott began to suspect that it might be advisable for him to take himself out of the way for a time, and he had no desire to meet his rival in person.

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading There were times when she would almost make up her mind to throw off the hateful thrall, to defy him to do his worst, whatever that worst might be; but then would rise up the frightful facts, as he had laid them before her in all their nakedness, and she would fall asleep, only to be haunted by a series of terrible dreams; visions of a crowded court hushened to a deathly silence in expectation of the dread sentence; of a small group in a grim gaol-yard, in the chill morning--one face among them lit up with fiendish exaltation--a noose, a gallows, and a black, hideous beam.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Let the two settle it as best they might, was his cynical reflection; settle it they must, and to his, Truscott's, satisfaction--on that point he felt perfectly safe.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading There were times when she would almost make up her mind to throw off the hateful thrall, to defy him to do his worst, whatever that worst might be; but then would rise up the frightful facts, as he had laid them before her in all their nakedness, and she would fall asleep, only to be haunted by a series of terrible dreams; visions of a crowded court hushened to a deathly silence in expectation of the dread sentence; of a small group in a grim gaol-yard, in the chill morning--one face among them lit up with fiendish exaltation--a noose, a gallows, and a black, hideous beam.

and nothing more

From this reading There were times when she would almost make up her mind to throw off the hateful thrall, to defy him to do his worst, whatever that worst might be; but then would rise up the frightful facts, as he had laid them before her in all their nakedness, and she would fall asleep, only to be haunted by a series of terrible dreams; visions of a crowded court hushened to a deathly silence in expectation of the dread sentence; of a small group in a grim gaol-yard, in the chill morning--one face among them lit up with fiendish exaltation--a noose, a gallows, and a black, hideous beam.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading The fact was, the gallant Truscott began to suspect that it might be advisable for him to take himself out of the way for a time, and he had no desire to meet his rival in person.

completely and without qualification; used informally as intensifiers

From this reading Let the two settle it as best they might, was his cynical reflection; settle it they must, and to his, Truscott's, satisfaction--on that point he felt perfectly safe.

a human being

From this reading The fact was, the gallant Truscott began to suspect that it might be advisable for him to take himself out of the way for a time, and he had no desire to meet his rival in person.

cut or make a way through

From this reading So with a few lines of renewed warning, merciless, pithy, and to the point, posted to Lilian--the wily scoundrel departed for the seat of war, and unless a well-aimed bullet should pierce the black, scheming heart, and of that there was but small chance, there would be no more happiness for her on earth.

concise and full of meaning

From this reading So with a few lines of renewed warning, merciless, pithy, and to the point, posted to Lilian--the wily scoundrel departed for the seat of war, and unless a well-aimed bullet should pierce the black, scheming heart, and of that there was but small chance, there would be no more happiness for her on earth.

(of games) engaged in

From this reading He had played a bold game and had won, and, now that he had won, it would never do to spoil it by any chance blundering.

a geometric element that has position but no extension

From this reading Let the two settle it as best they might, was his cynical reflection; settle it they must, and to his, Truscott's, satisfaction--on that point he felt perfectly safe.

publicly displayed

From this reading So with a few lines of renewed warning, merciless, pithy, and to the point, posted to Lilian--the wily scoundrel departed for the seat of war, and unless a well-aimed bullet should pierce the black, scheming heart, and of that there was but small chance, there would be no more happiness for her on earth.

a calm, lengthy, intent consideration

From this reading Let the two settle it as best they might, was his cynical reflection; settle it they must, and to his, Truscott's, satisfaction--on that point he felt perfectly safe.

restored to a new condition

From this reading So with a few lines of renewed warning, merciless, pithy, and to the point, posted to Lilian--the wily scoundrel departed for the seat of war, and unless a well-aimed bullet should pierce the black, scheming heart, and of that there was but small chance, there would be no more happiness for her on earth.

move upward

From this reading There were times when she would almost make up her mind to throw off the hateful thrall, to defy him to do his worst, whatever that worst might be; but then would rise up the frightful facts, as he had laid them before her in all their nakedness, and she would fall asleep, only to be haunted by a series of terrible dreams; visions of a crowded court hushened to a deathly silence in expectation of the dread sentence; of a small group in a grim gaol-yard, in the chill morning--one face among them lit up with fiendish exaltation--a noose, a gallows, and a black, hideous beam.

be equal to in quality or ability

From this reading The fact was, the gallant Truscott began to suspect that it might be advisable for him to take himself out of the way for a time, and he had no desire to meet his rival in person.

free from danger or the risk of harm

From this reading Let the two settle it as best they might, was his cynical reflection; settle it they must, and to his, Truscott's, satisfaction--on that point he felt perfectly safe.

the contentment one feels when one has fulfilled a desire, need, or expectation

From this reading Let the two settle it as best they might, was his cynical reflection; settle it they must, and to his, Truscott's, satisfaction--on that point he felt perfectly safe.

acting with a specific goal

From this reading So with a few lines of renewed warning, merciless, pithy, and to the point, posted to Lilian--the wily scoundrel departed for the seat of war, and unless a well-aimed bullet should pierce the black, scheming heart, and of that there was but small chance, there would be no more happiness for her on earth.

a wicked or evil person; someone who does evil deliberately

From this reading So with a few lines of renewed warning, merciless, pithy, and to the point, posted to Lilian--the wily scoundrel departed for the seat of war, and unless a well-aimed bullet should pierce the black, scheming heart, and of that there was but small chance, there would be no more happiness for her on earth.

a space reserved for sitting (as in a theater or on a train or airplane)

From this reading So with a few lines of renewed warning, merciless, pithy, and to the point, posted to Lilian--the wily scoundrel departed for the seat of war, and unless a well-aimed bullet should pierce the black, scheming heart, and of that there was but small chance, there would be no more happiness for her on earth.

a string of words satisfying the grammatical rules of a language

From this reading There were times when she would almost make up her mind to throw off the hateful thrall, to defy him to do his worst, whatever that worst might be; but then would rise up the frightful facts, as he had laid them before her in all their nakedness, and she would fall asleep, only to be haunted by a series of terrible dreams; visions of a crowded court hushened to a deathly silence in expectation of the dread sentence; of a small group in a grim gaol-yard, in the chill morning--one face among them lit up with fiendish exaltation--a noose, a gallows, and a black, hideous beam.

similar things placed in order or happening one after another

From this reading There were times when she would almost make up her mind to throw off the hateful thrall, to defy him to do his worst, whatever that worst might be; but then would rise up the frightful facts, as he had laid them before her in all their nakedness, and she would fall asleep, only to be haunted by a series of terrible dreams; visions of a crowded court hushened to a deathly silence in expectation of the dread sentence; of a small group in a grim gaol-yard, in the chill morning--one face among them lit up with fiendish exaltation--a noose, a gallows, and a black, hideous beam.

settle into a position, usually on a surface or ground

From this reading Let the two settle it as best they might, was his cynical reflection; settle it they must, and to his, Truscott's, satisfaction--on that point he felt perfectly safe.

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading There were times when she would almost make up her mind to throw off the hateful thrall, to defy him to do his worst, whatever that worst might be; but then would rise up the frightful facts, as he had laid them before her in all their nakedness, and she would fall asleep, only to be haunted by a series of terrible dreams; visions of a crowded court hushened to a deathly silence in expectation of the dread sentence; of a small group in a grim gaol-yard, in the chill morning--one face among them lit up with fiendish exaltation--a noose, a gallows, and a black, hideous beam.

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading So with a few lines of renewed warning, merciless, pithy, and to the point, posted to Lilian--the wily scoundrel departed for the seat of war, and unless a well-aimed bullet should pierce the black, scheming heart, and of that there was but small chance, there would be no more happiness for her on earth.

Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.

From this reading There were times when she would almost make up her mind to throw off the hateful thrall, to defy him to do his worst, whatever that worst might be; but then would rise up the frightful facts, as he had laid them before her in all their nakedness, and she would fall asleep, only to be haunted by a series of terrible dreams; visions of a crowded court hushened to a deathly silence in expectation of the dread sentence; of a small group in a grim gaol-yard, in the chill morning--one face among them lit up with fiendish exaltation--a noose, a gallows, and a black, hideous beam.

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

From this reading So with a few lines of renewed warning, merciless, pithy, and to the point, posted to Lilian--the wily scoundrel departed for the seat of war, and unless a well-aimed bullet should pierce the black, scheming heart, and of that there was but small chance, there would be no more happiness for her on earth.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading So with a few lines of renewed warning, merciless, pithy, and to the point, posted to Lilian--the wily scoundrel departed for the seat of war, and unless a well-aimed bullet should pierce the black, scheming heart, and of that there was but small chance, there would be no more happiness for her on earth.

make a mess of, destroy or ruin

From this reading He had played a bold game and had won, and, now that he had won, it would never do to spoil it by any chance blundering.

imagine to be the case or true or probable

From this reading The fact was, the gallant Truscott began to suspect that it might be advisable for him to take himself out of the way for a time, and he had no desire to meet his rival in person.

carry out

From this reading The fact was, the gallant Truscott began to suspect that it might be advisable for him to take himself out of the way for a time, and he had no desire to meet his rival in person.

causing fear or dread or terror

From this reading There were times when she would almost make up her mind to throw off the hateful thrall, to defy him to do his worst, whatever that worst might be; but then would rise up the frightful facts, as he had laid them before her in all their nakedness, and she would fall asleep, only to be haunted by a series of terrible dreams; visions of a crowded court hushened to a deathly silence in expectation of the dread sentence; of a small group in a grim gaol-yard, in the chill morning--one face among them lit up with fiendish exaltation--a noose, a gallows, and a black, hideous beam.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading The fact was, the gallant Truscott began to suspect that it might be advisable for him to take himself out of the way for a time, and he had no desire to meet his rival in person.

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

From this reading The fact was, the gallant Truscott began to suspect that it might be advisable for him to take himself out of the way for a time, and he had no desire to meet his rival in person.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading There were times when she would almost make up her mind to throw off the hateful thrall, to defy him to do his worst, whatever that worst might be; but then would rise up the frightful facts, as he had laid them before her in all their nakedness, and she would fall asleep, only to be haunted by a series of terrible dreams; visions of a crowded court hushened to a deathly silence in expectation of the dread sentence; of a small group in a grim gaol-yard, in the chill morning--one face among them lit up with fiendish exaltation--a noose, a gallows, and a black, hideous beam.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading There were times when she would almost make up her mind to throw off the hateful thrall, to defy him to do his worst, whatever that worst might be; but then would rise up the frightful facts, as he had laid them before her in all their nakedness, and she would fall asleep, only to be haunted by a series of terrible dreams; visions of a crowded court hushened to a deathly silence in expectation of the dread sentence; of a small group in a grim gaol-yard, in the chill morning--one face among them lit up with fiendish exaltation--a noose, a gallows, and a black, hideous beam.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading There were times when she would almost make up her mind to throw off the hateful thrall, to defy him to do his worst, whatever that worst might be; but then would rise up the frightful facts, as he had laid them before her in all their nakedness, and she would fall asleep, only to be haunted by a series of terrible dreams; visions of a crowded court hushened to a deathly silence in expectation of the dread sentence; of a small group in a grim gaol-yard, in the chill morning--one face among them lit up with fiendish exaltation--a noose, a gallows, and a black, hideous beam.

in or at that place or location

From this reading So with a few lines of renewed warning, merciless, pithy, and to the point, posted to Lilian--the wily scoundrel departed for the seat of war, and unless a well-aimed bullet should pierce the black, scheming heart, and of that there was but small chance, there would be no more happiness for her on earth.

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

From this reading Let the two settle it as best they might, was his cynical reflection; settle it they must, and to his, Truscott's, satisfaction--on that point he felt perfectly safe.

the state of being under the control of another person

From this reading There were times when she would almost make up her mind to throw off the hateful thrall, to defy him to do his worst, whatever that worst might be; but then would rise up the frightful facts, as he had laid them before her in all their nakedness, and she would fall asleep, only to be haunted by a series of terrible dreams; visions of a crowded court hushened to a deathly silence in expectation of the dread sentence; of a small group in a grim gaol-yard, in the chill morning--one face among them lit up with fiendish exaltation--a noose, a gallows, and a black, hideous beam.

propel through the air

From this reading There were times when she would almost make up her mind to throw off the hateful thrall, to defy him to do his worst, whatever that worst might be; but then would rise up the frightful facts, as he had laid them before her in all their nakedness, and she would fall asleep, only to be haunted by a series of terrible dreams; visions of a crowded court hushened to a deathly silence in expectation of the dread sentence; of a small group in a grim gaol-yard, in the chill morning--one face among them lit up with fiendish exaltation--a noose, a gallows, and a black, hideous beam.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading The fact was, the gallant Truscott began to suspect that it might be advisable for him to take himself out of the way for a time, and he had no desire to meet his rival in person.

a more or less definite period of time now or previously present

From this reading There were times when she would almost make up her mind to throw off the hateful thrall, to defy him to do his worst, whatever that worst might be; but then would rise up the frightful facts, as he had laid them before her in all their nakedness, and she would fall asleep, only to be haunted by a series of terrible dreams; visions of a crowded court hushened to a deathly silence in expectation of the dread sentence; of a small group in a grim gaol-yard, in the chill morning--one face among them lit up with fiendish exaltation--a noose, a gallows, and a black, hideous beam.

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

From this reading The fact was, the gallant Truscott began to suspect that it might be advisable for him to take himself out of the way for a time, and he had no desire to meet his rival in person.

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

From this reading The fact was, the gallant Truscott began to suspect that it might be advisable for him to take himself out of the way for a time, and he had no desire to meet his rival in person.

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

From this reading Let the two settle it as best they might, was his cynical reflection; settle it they must, and to his, Truscott's, satisfaction--on that point he felt perfectly safe.

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

From this reading Let the two settle it as best they might, was his cynical reflection; settle it they must, and to his, Truscott's, satisfaction--on that point he felt perfectly safe.

except if; if not

From this reading So with a few lines of renewed warning, merciless, pithy, and to the point, posted to Lilian--the wily scoundrel departed for the seat of war, and unless a well-aimed bullet should pierce the black, scheming heart, and of that there was but small chance, there would be no more happiness for her on earth.

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

From this reading There were times when she would almost make up her mind to throw off the hateful thrall, to defy him to do his worst, whatever that worst might be; but then would rise up the frightful facts, as he had laid them before her in all their nakedness, and she would fall asleep, only to be haunted by a series of terrible dreams; visions of a crowded court hushened to a deathly silence in expectation of the dread sentence; of a small group in a grim gaol-yard, in the chill morning--one face among them lit up with fiendish exaltation--a noose, a gallows, and a black, hideous beam.

plural of “vision” — a vivid mental image

From this reading There were times when she would almost make up her mind to throw off the hateful thrall, to defy him to do his worst, whatever that worst might be; but then would rise up the frightful facts, as he had laid them before her in all their nakedness, and she would fall asleep, only to be haunted by a series of terrible dreams; visions of a crowded court hushened to a deathly silence in expectation of the dread sentence; of a small group in a grim gaol-yard, in the chill morning--one face among them lit up with fiendish exaltation--a noose, a gallows, and a black, hideous beam.

the waging of armed conflict against an enemy

From this reading So with a few lines of renewed warning, merciless, pithy, and to the point, posted to Lilian--the wily scoundrel departed for the seat of war, and unless a well-aimed bullet should pierce the black, scheming heart, and of that there was but small chance, there would be no more happiness for her on earth.

a message informing of danger

From this reading So with a few lines of renewed warning, merciless, pithy, and to the point, posted to Lilian--the wily scoundrel departed for the seat of war, and unless a well-aimed bullet should pierce the black, scheming heart, and of that there was but small chance, there would be no more happiness for her on earth.

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

From this reading The fact was, the gallant Truscott began to suspect that it might be advisable for him to take himself out of the way for a time, and he had no desire to meet his rival in person.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading The fact was, the gallant Truscott began to suspect that it might be advisable for him to take himself out of the way for a time, and he had no desire to meet his rival in person.

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

From this reading So with a few lines of renewed warning, merciless, pithy, and to the point, posted to Lilian--the wily scoundrel departed for the seat of war, and unless a well-aimed bullet should pierce the black, scheming heart, and of that there was but small chance, there would be no more happiness for her on earth.

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

From this reading There were times when she would almost make up her mind to throw off the hateful thrall, to defy him to do his worst, whatever that worst might be; but then would rise up the frightful facts, as he had laid them before her in all their nakedness, and she would fall asleep, only to be haunted by a series of terrible dreams; visions of a crowded court hushened to a deathly silence in expectation of the dread sentence; of a small group in a grim gaol-yard, in the chill morning--one face among them lit up with fiendish exaltation--a noose, a gallows, and a black, hideous beam.

any or all of a kind, it does not matter which

From this reading There were times when she would almost make up her mind to throw off the hateful thrall, to defy him to do his worst, whatever that worst might be; but then would rise up the frightful facts, as he had laid them before her in all their nakedness, and she would fall asleep, only to be haunted by a series of terrible dreams; visions of a crowded court hushened to a deathly silence in expectation of the dread sentence; of a small group in a grim gaol-yard, in the chill morning--one face among them lit up with fiendish exaltation--a noose, a gallows, and a black, hideous beam.

at the time that

From this reading There were times when she would almost make up her mind to throw off the hateful thrall, to defy him to do his worst, whatever that worst might be; but then would rise up the frightful facts, as he had laid them before her in all their nakedness, and she would fall asleep, only to be haunted by a series of terrible dreams; visions of a crowded court hushened to a deathly silence in expectation of the dread sentence; of a small group in a grim gaol-yard, in the chill morning--one face among them lit up with fiendish exaltation--a noose, a gallows, and a black, hideous beam.

marked by skill in deception

From this reading So with a few lines of renewed warning, merciless, pithy, and to the point, posted to Lilian--the wily scoundrel departed for the seat of war, and unless a well-aimed bullet should pierce the black, scheming heart, and of that there was but small chance, there would be no more happiness for her on earth.

in the company of; together with

From this reading So with a few lines of renewed warning, merciless, pithy, and to the point, posted to Lilian--the wily scoundrel departed for the seat of war, and unless a well-aimed bullet should pierce the black, scheming heart, and of that there was but small chance, there would be no more happiness for her on earth.

the basic unit of money in South Korea

From this reading He had played a bold game and had won, and, now that he had won, it would never do to spoil it by any chance blundering.

the least favorable outcome

From this reading There were times when she would almost make up her mind to throw off the hateful thrall, to defy him to do his worst, whatever that worst might be; but then would rise up the frightful facts, as he had laid them before her in all their nakedness, and she would fall asleep, only to be haunted by a series of terrible dreams; visions of a crowded court hushened to a deathly silence in expectation of the dread sentence; of a small group in a grim gaol-yard, in the chill morning--one face among them lit up with fiendish exaltation--a noose, a gallows, and a black, hideous beam.

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

From this reading He had played a bold game and had won, and, now that he had won, it would never do to spoil it by any chance blundering.