Chapter II · Chapter 2

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

From this reading The shambling little clerk was still standing at the door watching the retreating figure of the millionaire, and mentally splicing together his fragmentary remarks into a symmetrical piece of advice which might be carried home and digested at leisure, when his attention was attracted to a pale-faced woman, with a child in her arms, who was hanging about the entrance.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading The shambling little clerk was still standing at the door watching the retreating figure of the millionaire, and mentally splicing together his fragmentary remarks into a symmetrical piece of advice which might be carried home and digested at leisure, when his attention was attracted to a pale-faced woman, with a child in her arms, who was hanging about the entrance.

from one side of something to the other

From this reading Then noting, perhaps, some gleam of kindness in his yellow wrinkled face, she came across to him.

speak to

From this reading She looked up at the clerk in a wistful way, as if anxious to address him and yet afraid to do so.

a proposal for an appropriate course of action

From this reading The shambling little clerk was still standing at the door watching the retreating figure of the millionaire, and mentally splicing together his fragmentary remarks into a symmetrical piece of advice which might be carried home and digested at leisure, when his attention was attracted to a pale-faced woman, with a child in her arms, who was hanging about the entrance.

filled with fear or apprehension

From this reading She looked up at the clerk in a wistful way, as if anxious to address him and yet afraid to do so.

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

From this reading THOMAS GILRAY MAKES AN INVESTMENT.

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

From this reading The shambling little clerk was still standing at the door watching the retreating figure of the millionaire, and mentally splicing together his fragmentary remarks into a symmetrical piece of advice which might be carried home and digested at leisure, when his attention was attracted to a pale-faced woman, with a child in her arms, who was hanging about the entrance.

eagerly desirous

From this reading She looked up at the clerk in a wistful way, as if anxious to address him and yet afraid to do so.

weapons considered collectively

From this reading The shambling little clerk was still standing at the door watching the retreating figure of the millionaire, and mentally splicing together his fragmentary remarks into a symmetrical piece of advice which might be carried home and digested at leisure, when his attention was attracted to a pale-faced woman, with a child in her arms, who was hanging about the entrance.

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

From this reading She looked up at the clerk in a wistful way, as if anxious to address him and yet afraid to do so.

past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody

From this reading "D'ye think I could see Muster Girdlestone, sir," she asked, with a curtsey; "or, maybe, you're Mr. Girdlestone yourself?"

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading The shambling little clerk was still standing at the door watching the retreating figure of the millionaire, and mentally splicing together his fragmentary remarks into a symmetrical piece of advice which might be carried home and digested at leisure, when his attention was attracted to a pale-faced woman, with a child in her arms, who was hanging about the entrance.

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

From this reading The shambling little clerk was still standing at the door watching the retreating figure of the millionaire, and mentally splicing together his fragmentary remarks into a symmetrical piece of advice which might be carried home and digested at leisure, when his attention was attracted to a pale-faced woman, with a child in her arms, who was hanging about the entrance.

past form of “attract” — direct toward itself or oneself by means of some psychological power or physical attributes

From this reading The shambling little clerk was still standing at the door watching the retreating figure of the millionaire, and mentally splicing together his fragmentary remarks into a symmetrical piece of advice which might be carried home and digested at leisure, when his attention was attracted to a pale-faced woman, with a child in her arms, who was hanging about the entrance.

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

From this reading The shambling little clerk was still standing at the door watching the retreating figure of the millionaire, and mentally splicing together his fragmentary remarks into a symmetrical piece of advice which might be carried home and digested at leisure, when his attention was attracted to a pale-faced woman, with a child in her arms, who was hanging about the entrance.

inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading Then noting, perhaps, some gleam of kindness in his yellow wrinkled face, she came across to him.

inflected form of “carry” — move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body

From this reading The shambling little clerk was still standing at the door watching the retreating figure of the millionaire, and mentally splicing together his fragmentary remarks into a symmetrical piece of advice which might be carried home and digested at leisure, when his attention was attracted to a pale-faced woman, with a child in her arms, who was hanging about the entrance.

a young person of either sex

From this reading The shambling little clerk was still standing at the door watching the retreating figure of the millionaire, and mentally splicing together his fragmentary remarks into a symmetrical piece of advice which might be carried home and digested at leisure, when his attention was attracted to a pale-faced woman, with a child in her arms, who was hanging about the entrance.

an employee who performs clerical work (e.g., keeps records or accounts)

From this reading The shambling little clerk was still standing at the door watching the retreating figure of the millionaire, and mentally splicing together his fragmentary remarks into a symmetrical piece of advice which might be carried home and digested at leisure, when his attention was attracted to a pale-faced woman, with a child in her arms, who was hanging about the entrance.

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

From this reading "D'ye think I could see Muster Girdlestone, sir," she asked, with a curtsey; "or, maybe, you're Mr. Girdlestone yourself?"

bending the knees; a gesture of respect made by women

From this reading "D'ye think I could see Muster Girdlestone, sir," she asked, with a curtsey; "or, maybe, you're Mr. Girdlestone yourself?"

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

From this reading "D'ye think I could see Muster Girdlestone, sir," she asked, with a curtsey; "or, maybe, you're Mr. Girdlestone yourself?"

past form of “digest” — convert food into absorbable substances

From this reading The shambling little clerk was still standing at the door watching the retreating figure of the millionaire, and mentally splicing together his fragmentary remarks into a symmetrical piece of advice which might be carried home and digested at leisure, when his attention was attracted to a pale-faced woman, with a child in her arms, who was hanging about the entrance.

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading She looked up at the clerk in a wistful way, as if anxious to address him and yet afraid to do so.

a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle

From this reading The shambling little clerk was still standing at the door watching the retreating figure of the millionaire, and mentally splicing together his fragmentary remarks into a symmetrical piece of advice which might be carried home and digested at leisure, when his attention was attracted to a pale-faced woman, with a child in her arms, who was hanging about the entrance.

something that provides access (to get in or get out)

From this reading The shambling little clerk was still standing at the door watching the retreating figure of the millionaire, and mentally splicing together his fragmentary remarks into a symmetrical piece of advice which might be carried home and digested at leisure, when his attention was attracted to a pale-faced woman, with a child in her arms, who was hanging about the entrance.

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

From this reading Then noting, perhaps, some gleam of kindness in his yellow wrinkled face, she came across to him.

a diagram or picture illustrating textual material

From this reading The shambling little clerk was still standing at the door watching the retreating figure of the millionaire, and mentally splicing together his fragmentary remarks into a symmetrical piece of advice which might be carried home and digested at leisure, when his attention was attracted to a pale-faced woman, with a child in her arms, who was hanging about the entrance.

consisting of small disconnected parts

From this reading The shambling little clerk was still standing at the door watching the retreating figure of the millionaire, and mentally splicing together his fragmentary remarks into a symmetrical piece of advice which might be carried home and digested at leisure, when his attention was attracted to a pale-faced woman, with a child in her arms, who was hanging about the entrance.

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

From this reading THOMAS GILRAY MAKES AN INVESTMENT.

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

From this reading "D'ye think I could see Muster Girdlestone, sir," she asked, with a curtsey; "or, maybe, you're Mr. Girdlestone yourself?"

be shiny, as if wet

From this reading Then noting, perhaps, some gleam of kindness in his yellow wrinkled face, she came across to him.

decoration that is hung (as a tapestry) on a wall or over a window

From this reading The shambling little clerk was still standing at the door watching the retreating figure of the millionaire, and mentally splicing together his fragmentary remarks into a symmetrical piece of advice which might be carried home and digested at leisure, when his attention was attracted to a pale-faced woman, with a child in her arms, who was hanging about the entrance.

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

From this reading The shambling little clerk was still standing at the door watching the retreating figure of the millionaire, and mentally splicing together his fragmentary remarks into a symmetrical piece of advice which might be carried home and digested at leisure, when his attention was attracted to a pale-faced woman, with a child in her arms, who was hanging about the entrance.

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

From this reading She looked up at the clerk in a wistful way, as if anxious to address him and yet afraid to do so.

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

From this reading The shambling little clerk was still standing at the door watching the retreating figure of the millionaire, and mentally splicing together his fragmentary remarks into a symmetrical piece of advice which might be carried home and digested at leisure, when his attention was attracted to a pale-faced woman, with a child in her arms, who was hanging about the entrance.

where you live at a particular time

From this reading The shambling little clerk was still standing at the door watching the retreating figure of the millionaire, and mentally splicing together his fragmentary remarks into a symmetrical piece of advice which might be carried home and digested at leisure, when his attention was attracted to a pale-faced woman, with a child in her arms, who was hanging about the entrance.

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

From this reading "D'ye think I could see Muster Girdlestone, sir," she asked, with a curtsey; "or, maybe, you're Mr. Girdlestone yourself?"

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading She looked up at the clerk in a wistful way, as if anxious to address him and yet afraid to do so.

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

From this reading The shambling little clerk was still standing at the door watching the retreating figure of the millionaire, and mentally splicing together his fragmentary remarks into a symmetrical piece of advice which might be carried home and digested at leisure, when his attention was attracted to a pale-faced woman, with a child in her arms, who was hanging about the entrance.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading The shambling little clerk was still standing at the door watching the retreating figure of the millionaire, and mentally splicing together his fragmentary remarks into a symmetrical piece of advice which might be carried home and digested at leisure, when his attention was attracted to a pale-faced woman, with a child in her arms, who was hanging about the entrance.

the act of investing; laying out money or capital in an enterprise with the expectation of profit

From this reading THOMAS GILRAY MAKES AN INVESTMENT.

the quality of being warmhearted and considerate and humane and sympathetic

From this reading Then noting, perhaps, some gleam of kindness in his yellow wrinkled face, she came across to him.

time available for ease and relaxation

From this reading The shambling little clerk was still standing at the door watching the retreating figure of the millionaire, and mentally splicing together his fragmentary remarks into a symmetrical piece of advice which might be carried home and digested at leisure, when his attention was attracted to a pale-faced woman, with a child in her arms, who was hanging about the entrance.

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

From this reading The shambling little clerk was still standing at the door watching the retreating figure of the millionaire, and mentally splicing together his fragmentary remarks into a symmetrical piece of advice which might be carried home and digested at leisure, when his attention was attracted to a pale-faced woman, with a child in her arms, who was hanging about the entrance.

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

From this reading She looked up at the clerk in a wistful way, as if anxious to address him and yet afraid to do so.

plural of “make” — a recognizable kind

From this reading THOMAS GILRAY MAKES AN INVESTMENT.

by chance

From this reading "D'ye think I could see Muster Girdlestone, sir," she asked, with a curtsey; "or, maybe, you're Mr. Girdlestone yourself?"

in your mind

From this reading The shambling little clerk was still standing at the door watching the retreating figure of the millionaire, and mentally splicing together his fragmentary remarks into a symmetrical piece of advice which might be carried home and digested at leisure, when his attention was attracted to a pale-faced woman, with a child in her arms, who was hanging about the entrance.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading The shambling little clerk was still standing at the door watching the retreating figure of the millionaire, and mentally splicing together his fragmentary remarks into a symmetrical piece of advice which might be carried home and digested at leisure, when his attention was attracted to a pale-faced woman, with a child in her arms, who was hanging about the entrance.

a person whose material wealth is valued at more than a million dollars

From this reading The shambling little clerk was still standing at the door watching the retreating figure of the millionaire, and mentally splicing together his fragmentary remarks into a symmetrical piece of advice which might be carried home and digested at leisure, when his attention was attracted to a pale-faced woman, with a child in her arms, who was hanging about the entrance.

a form of address for a man

From this reading "D'ye think I could see Muster Girdlestone, sir," she asked, with a curtsey; "or, maybe, you're Mr. Girdlestone yourself?"

gather or bring together

From this reading "D'ye think I could see Muster Girdlestone, sir," she asked, with a curtsey; "or, maybe, you're Mr. Girdlestone yourself?"

-ing form of “note” — make mention of

From this reading Then noting, perhaps, some gleam of kindness in his yellow wrinkled face, she came across to him.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The shambling little clerk was still standing at the door watching the retreating figure of the millionaire, and mentally splicing together his fragmentary remarks into a symmetrical piece of advice which might be carried home and digested at leisure, when his attention was attracted to a pale-faced woman, with a child in her arms, who was hanging about the entrance.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading "D'ye think I could see Muster Girdlestone, sir," she asked, with a curtsey; "or, maybe, you're Mr. Girdlestone yourself?"

having a pale face

From this reading The shambling little clerk was still standing at the door watching the retreating figure of the millionaire, and mentally splicing together his fragmentary remarks into a symmetrical piece of advice which might be carried home and digested at leisure, when his attention was attracted to a pale-faced woman, with a child in her arms, who was hanging about the entrance.

by chance

From this reading Then noting, perhaps, some gleam of kindness in his yellow wrinkled face, she came across to him.

a separate part of a whole

From this reading The shambling little clerk was still standing at the door watching the retreating figure of the millionaire, and mentally splicing together his fragmentary remarks into a symmetrical piece of advice which might be carried home and digested at leisure, when his attention was attracted to a pale-faced woman, with a child in her arms, who was hanging about the entrance.

plural of “remark” — a statement that expresses a personal opinion or belief or adds information

From this reading The shambling little clerk was still standing at the door watching the retreating figure of the millionaire, and mentally splicing together his fragmentary remarks into a symmetrical piece of advice which might be carried home and digested at leisure, when his attention was attracted to a pale-faced woman, with a child in her arms, who was hanging about the entrance.

-ing form of “retreat” — pull back or move away or backward

From this reading The shambling little clerk was still standing at the door watching the retreating figure of the millionaire, and mentally splicing together his fragmentary remarks into a symmetrical piece of advice which might be carried home and digested at leisure, when his attention was attracted to a pale-faced woman, with a child in her arms, who was hanging about the entrance.

perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading "D'ye think I could see Muster Girdlestone, sir," she asked, with a curtsey; "or, maybe, you're Mr. Girdlestone yourself?"

walking with a slow dragging motion without lifting your feet

From this reading The shambling little clerk was still standing at the door watching the retreating figure of the millionaire, and mentally splicing together his fragmentary remarks into a symmetrical piece of advice which might be carried home and digested at leisure, when his attention was attracted to a pale-faced woman, with a child in her arms, who was hanging about the entrance.

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

From this reading She looked up at the clerk in a wistful way, as if anxious to address him and yet afraid to do so.

term of address for a man

From this reading "D'ye think I could see Muster Girdlestone, sir," she asked, with a curtsey; "or, maybe, you're Mr. Girdlestone yourself?"

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading She looked up at the clerk in a wistful way, as if anxious to address him and yet afraid to do so.

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

From this reading Then noting, perhaps, some gleam of kindness in his yellow wrinkled face, she came across to him.

a junction where two things (as paper or film or magnetic tape) have been joined together

From this reading The shambling little clerk was still standing at the door watching the retreating figure of the millionaire, and mentally splicing together his fragmentary remarks into a symmetrical piece of advice which might be carried home and digested at leisure, when his attention was attracted to a pale-faced woman, with a child in her arms, who was hanging about the entrance.

having a supporting base

From this reading The shambling little clerk was still standing at the door watching the retreating figure of the millionaire, and mentally splicing together his fragmentary remarks into a symmetrical piece of advice which might be carried home and digested at leisure, when his attention was attracted to a pale-faced woman, with a child in her arms, who was hanging about the entrance.

not in physical motion

From this reading The shambling little clerk was still standing at the door watching the retreating figure of the millionaire, and mentally splicing together his fragmentary remarks into a symmetrical piece of advice which might be carried home and digested at leisure, when his attention was attracted to a pale-faced woman, with a child in her arms, who was hanging about the entrance.

having similarity in size, shape, and relative position of corresponding parts

From this reading The shambling little clerk was still standing at the door watching the retreating figure of the millionaire, and mentally splicing together his fragmentary remarks into a symmetrical piece of advice which might be carried home and digested at leisure, when his attention was attracted to a pale-faced woman, with a child in her arms, who was hanging about the entrance.

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

From this reading The shambling little clerk was still standing at the door watching the retreating figure of the millionaire, and mentally splicing together his fragmentary remarks into a symmetrical piece of advice which might be carried home and digested at leisure, when his attention was attracted to a pale-faced woman, with a child in her arms, who was hanging about the entrance.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading Then noting, perhaps, some gleam of kindness in his yellow wrinkled face, she came across to him.

judge or regard; look upon; judge

From this reading "D'ye think I could see Muster Girdlestone, sir," she asked, with a curtsey; "or, maybe, you're Mr. Girdlestone yourself?"

United States clockmaker who introduced mass production (1785-1859)

From this reading THOMAS GILRAY MAKES AN INVESTMENT.

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

From this reading The shambling little clerk was still standing at the door watching the retreating figure of the millionaire, and mentally splicing together his fragmentary remarks into a symmetrical piece of advice which might be carried home and digested at leisure, when his attention was attracted to a pale-faced woman, with a child in her arms, who was hanging about the entrance.

in contact with each other or in proximity

From this reading The shambling little clerk was still standing at the door watching the retreating figure of the millionaire, and mentally splicing together his fragmentary remarks into a symmetrical piece of advice which might be carried home and digested at leisure, when his attention was attracted to a pale-faced woman, with a child in her arms, who was hanging about the entrance.

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

From this reading She looked up at the clerk in a wistful way, as if anxious to address him and yet afraid to do so.

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

From this reading The shambling little clerk was still standing at the door watching the retreating figure of the millionaire, and mentally splicing together his fragmentary remarks into a symmetrical piece of advice which might be carried home and digested at leisure, when his attention was attracted to a pale-faced woman, with a child in her arms, who was hanging about the entrance.

the act of observing; taking a patient look

From this reading The shambling little clerk was still standing at the door watching the retreating figure of the millionaire, and mentally splicing together his fragmentary remarks into a symmetrical piece of advice which might be carried home and digested at leisure, when his attention was attracted to a pale-faced woman, with a child in her arms, who was hanging about the entrance.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading She looked up at the clerk in a wistful way, as if anxious to address him and yet afraid to do so.

at the time that

From this reading The shambling little clerk was still standing at the door watching the retreating figure of the millionaire, and mentally splicing together his fragmentary remarks into a symmetrical piece of advice which might be carried home and digested at leisure, when his attention was attracted to a pale-faced woman, with a child in her arms, who was hanging about the entrance.

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

From this reading The shambling little clerk was still standing at the door watching the retreating figure of the millionaire, and mentally splicing together his fragmentary remarks into a symmetrical piece of advice which might be carried home and digested at leisure, when his attention was attracted to a pale-faced woman, with a child in her arms, who was hanging about the entrance.

which person or people

From this reading The shambling little clerk was still standing at the door watching the retreating figure of the millionaire, and mentally splicing together his fragmentary remarks into a symmetrical piece of advice which might be carried home and digested at leisure, when his attention was attracted to a pale-faced woman, with a child in her arms, who was hanging about the entrance.

showing pensive sadness

From this reading She looked up at the clerk in a wistful way, as if anxious to address him and yet afraid to do so.

in the company of; together with

From this reading The shambling little clerk was still standing at the door watching the retreating figure of the millionaire, and mentally splicing together his fragmentary remarks into a symmetrical piece of advice which might be carried home and digested at leisure, when his attention was attracted to a pale-faced woman, with a child in her arms, who was hanging about the entrance.

an adult female person (as opposed to a man)

From this reading The shambling little clerk was still standing at the door watching the retreating figure of the millionaire, and mentally splicing together his fragmentary remarks into a symmetrical piece of advice which might be carried home and digested at leisure, when his attention was attracted to a pale-faced woman, with a child in her arms, who was hanging about the entrance.

marked by wrinkles

From this reading Then noting, perhaps, some gleam of kindness in his yellow wrinkled face, she came across to him.

of the color intermediate between green and orange in the color spectrum; of something resembling the color of an egg yolk

From this reading Then noting, perhaps, some gleam of kindness in his yellow wrinkled face, she came across to him.

but in spite of that

From this reading She looked up at the clerk in a wistful way, as if anxious to address him and yet afraid to do so.

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

From this reading "D'ye think I could see Muster Girdlestone, sir," she asked, with a curtsey; "or, maybe, you're Mr. Girdlestone yourself?"

used when the person spoken to is also the object of the action

From this reading "D'ye think I could see Muster Girdlestone, sir," she asked, with a curtsey; "or, maybe, you're Mr. Girdlestone yourself?"