Chapter III

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

From this reading WHAT HE WANTED In the lightest and sunniest rooms of an unpretending flat forming part of the Bendor Mansions, Westminster, sat a young man of six-and-twenty.

prior to a specified or implied time

From this reading You have already seen him when he called upon his irresponsive ancestor at the family seat in the shire of Buckingham.

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

From this reading WHAT HE WANTED In the lightest and sunniest rooms of an unpretending flat forming part of the Bendor Mansions, Westminster, sat a young man of six-and-twenty.

someone from whom you are descended (but usually more remote than a grandparent)

From this reading You have already seen him when he called upon his irresponsive ancestor at the family seat in the shire of Buckingham.

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

From this reading WHAT HE WANTED In the lightest and sunniest rooms of an unpretending flat forming part of the Bendor Mansions, Westminster, sat a young man of six-and-twenty.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading It did not seem to be any too large for the object of its construction, because it was completely covered with books, papers, Blue-books, French and German journals, as well as Transactions of English learned and scientific societies.

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

From this reading This simple piece of the scholar’s furniture has long since given way to a table as big as the dimensions of the room permit--in this case one of eight feet long and five broad.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading You have already seen him when he called upon his irresponsive ancestor at the family seat in the shire of Buckingham.

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

From this reading He was now in his study and seated at what used to be called his desk.

for the reason that

From this reading It did not seem to be any too large for the object of its construction, because it was completely covered with books, papers, Blue-books, French and German journals, as well as Transactions of English learned and scientific societies.

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

From this reading WHAT HE WANTED In the lightest and sunniest rooms of an unpretending flat forming part of the Bendor Mansions, Westminster, sat a young man of six-and-twenty.

above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading This simple piece of the scholar’s furniture has long since given way to a table as big as the dimensions of the room permit--in this case one of eight feet long and five broad.

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

From this reading It did not seem to be any too large for the object of its construction, because it was completely covered with books, papers, Blue-books, French and German journals, as well as Transactions of English learned and scientific societies.

Bound written or printed works.

From this reading It did not seem to be any too large for the object of its construction, because it was completely covered with books, papers, Blue-books, French and German journals, as well as Transactions of English learned and scientific societies.

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

From this reading This simple piece of the scholar’s furniture has long since given way to a table as big as the dimensions of the room permit--in this case one of eight feet long and five broad.

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

From this reading You have already seen him when he called upon his irresponsive ancestor at the family seat in the shire of Buckingham.

past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading You have already seen him when he called upon his irresponsive ancestor at the family seat in the shire of Buckingham.

an occurrence of something

From this reading This simple piece of the scholar’s furniture has long since given way to a table as big as the dimensions of the room permit--in this case one of eight feet long and five broad.

to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)

From this reading It did not seem to be any too large for the object of its construction, because it was completely covered with books, papers, Blue-books, French and German journals, as well as Transactions of English learned and scientific societies.

the act of constructing something

From this reading It did not seem to be any too large for the object of its construction, because it was completely covered with books, papers, Blue-books, French and German journals, as well as Transactions of English learned and scientific societies.

overlaid or spread or topped with or enclosed within something; sometimes used as a combining form

From this reading It did not seem to be any too large for the object of its construction, because it was completely covered with books, papers, Blue-books, French and German journals, as well as Transactions of English learned and scientific societies.

a piece of furniture with a writing surface and usually drawers or other compartments

From this reading He was now in his study and seated at what used to be called his desk.

the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives

From this reading It did not seem to be any too large for the object of its construction, because it was completely covered with books, papers, Blue-books, French and German journals, as well as Transactions of English learned and scientific societies.

plural of “dimension” — the magnitude of something in a particular direction (especially length or width or height)

From this reading This simple piece of the scholar’s furniture has long since given way to a table as big as the dimensions of the room permit--in this case one of eight feet long and five broad.

being one more than seven

From this reading This simple piece of the scholar’s furniture has long since given way to a table as big as the dimensions of the room permit--in this case one of eight feet long and five broad.

an Indo-European language belonging to the West Germanic branch; the official language of Britain and the United States and most of the commonwealth countries

From this reading It did not seem to be any too large for the object of its construction, because it was completely covered with books, papers, Blue-books, French and German journals, as well as Transactions of English learned and scientific societies.

a social unit living together

From this reading You have already seen him when he called upon his irresponsive ancestor at the family seat in the shire of Buckingham.

plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint

From this reading This simple piece of the scholar’s furniture has long since given way to a table as big as the dimensions of the room permit--in this case one of eight feet long and five broad.

the cardinal number that is the sum of four and one

From this reading This simple piece of the scholar’s furniture has long since given way to a table as big as the dimensions of the room permit--in this case one of eight feet long and five broad.

having a surface without slope, tilt in which no part is higher or lower than another

From this reading WHAT HE WANTED In the lightest and sunniest rooms of an unpretending flat forming part of the Bendor Mansions, Westminster, sat a young man of six-and-twenty.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading It did not seem to be any too large for the object of its construction, because it was completely covered with books, papers, Blue-books, French and German journals, as well as Transactions of English learned and scientific societies.

-ing form of “form” — create (as an entity)

From this reading WHAT HE WANTED In the lightest and sunniest rooms of an unpretending flat forming part of the Bendor Mansions, Westminster, sat a young man of six-and-twenty.

the Romance language spoken in France and in countries colonized by France

From this reading It did not seem to be any too large for the object of its construction, because it was completely covered with books, papers, Blue-books, French and German journals, as well as Transactions of English learned and scientific societies.

furnishings that make a room or other area ready for occupancy

From this reading This simple piece of the scholar’s furniture has long since given way to a table as big as the dimensions of the room permit--in this case one of eight feet long and five broad.

a person of German nationality

From this reading It did not seem to be any too large for the object of its construction, because it was completely covered with books, papers, Blue-books, French and German journals, as well as Transactions of English learned and scientific societies.

acknowledged as a supposition

From this reading This simple piece of the scholar’s furniture has long since given way to a table as big as the dimensions of the room permit--in this case one of eight feet long and five broad.

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

From this reading This simple piece of the scholar’s furniture has long since given way to a table as big as the dimensions of the room permit--in this case one of eight feet long and five broad.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading You have already seen him when he called upon his irresponsive ancestor at the family seat in the shire of Buckingham.

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

From this reading WHAT HE WANTED In the lightest and sunniest rooms of an unpretending flat forming part of the Bendor Mansions, Westminster, sat a young man of six-and-twenty.

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

From this reading You have already seen him when he called upon his irresponsive ancestor at the family seat in the shire of Buckingham.

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

From this reading You have already seen him when he called upon his irresponsive ancestor at the family seat in the shire of Buckingham.

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

From this reading WHAT HE WANTED In the lightest and sunniest rooms of an unpretending flat forming part of the Bendor Mansions, Westminster, sat a young man of six-and-twenty.

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

From this reading You have already seen him when he called upon his irresponsive ancestor at the family seat in the shire of Buckingham.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It did not seem to be any too large for the object of its construction, because it was completely covered with books, papers, Blue-books, French and German journals, as well as Transactions of English learned and scientific societies.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading It did not seem to be any too large for the object of its construction, because it was completely covered with books, papers, Blue-books, French and German journals, as well as Transactions of English learned and scientific societies.

plural of “journal” — a daily written record of (usually personal) experiences and observations

From this reading It did not seem to be any too large for the object of its construction, because it was completely covered with books, papers, Blue-books, French and German journals, as well as Transactions of English learned and scientific societies.

above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading It did not seem to be any too large for the object of its construction, because it was completely covered with books, papers, Blue-books, French and German journals, as well as Transactions of English learned and scientific societies.

having or showing profound knowledge

From this reading It did not seem to be any too large for the object of its construction, because it was completely covered with books, papers, Blue-books, French and German journals, as well as Transactions of English learned and scientific societies.

superlative of “light” — of comparatively little physical weight or density

From this reading WHAT HE WANTED In the lightest and sunniest rooms of an unpretending flat forming part of the Bendor Mansions, Westminster, sat a young man of six-and-twenty.

primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified

From this reading This simple piece of the scholar’s furniture has long since given way to a table as big as the dimensions of the room permit--in this case one of eight feet long and five broad.

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

From this reading WHAT HE WANTED In the lightest and sunniest rooms of an unpretending flat forming part of the Bendor Mansions, Westminster, sat a young man of six-and-twenty.

plural of “mansion” — (astrology) one of 12 equal areas into which the zodiac is divided

From this reading WHAT HE WANTED In the lightest and sunniest rooms of an unpretending flat forming part of the Bendor Mansions, Westminster, sat a young man of six-and-twenty.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading It did not seem to be any too large for the object of its construction, because it was completely covered with books, papers, Blue-books, French and German journals, as well as Transactions of English learned and scientific societies.

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

From this reading He was now in his study and seated at what used to be called his desk.

a tangible and visible entity; an entity that can cast a shadow

From this reading It did not seem to be any too large for the object of its construction, because it was completely covered with books, papers, Blue-books, French and German journals, as well as Transactions of English learned and scientific societies.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading WHAT HE WANTED In the lightest and sunniest rooms of an unpretending flat forming part of the Bendor Mansions, Westminster, sat a young man of six-and-twenty.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading This simple piece of the scholar’s furniture has long since given way to a table as big as the dimensions of the room permit--in this case one of eight feet long and five broad.

writing that provides information (especially information of an official nature)

From this reading It did not seem to be any too large for the object of its construction, because it was completely covered with books, papers, Blue-books, French and German journals, as well as Transactions of English learned and scientific societies.

something determined in relation to something that includes it

From this reading WHAT HE WANTED In the lightest and sunniest rooms of an unpretending flat forming part of the Bendor Mansions, Westminster, sat a young man of six-and-twenty.

a legal document giving official permission to do something

From this reading This simple piece of the scholar’s furniture has long since given way to a table as big as the dimensions of the room permit--in this case one of eight feet long and five broad.

a separate part of a whole

From this reading This simple piece of the scholar’s furniture has long since given way to a table as big as the dimensions of the room permit--in this case one of eight feet long and five broad.

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

From this reading This simple piece of the scholar’s furniture has long since given way to a table as big as the dimensions of the room permit--in this case one of eight feet long and five broad.

apartment consisting of a series of connected rooms used as a living unit (as in a hotel)

From this reading WHAT HE WANTED In the lightest and sunniest rooms of an unpretending flat forming part of the Bendor Mansions, Westminster, sat a young man of six-and-twenty.

the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians

From this reading WHAT HE WANTED In the lightest and sunniest rooms of an unpretending flat forming part of the Bendor Mansions, Westminster, sat a young man of six-and-twenty.

possessive form of “scholar” — a learned person (especially in the humanities); someone who by long study has gained mastery in one or more disciplines

From this reading This simple piece of the scholar’s furniture has long since given way to a table as big as the dimensions of the room permit--in this case one of eight feet long and five broad.

of or relating to the practice of science

From this reading It did not seem to be any too large for the object of its construction, because it was completely covered with books, papers, Blue-books, French and German journals, as well as Transactions of English learned and scientific societies.

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

From this reading You have already seen him when he called upon his irresponsive ancestor at the family seat in the shire of Buckingham.

(of persons) having the torso erect and legs bent with the body supported on the buttocks

From this reading He was now in his study and seated at what used to be called his desk.

give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading It did not seem to be any too large for the object of its construction, because it was completely covered with books, papers, Blue-books, French and German journals, as well as Transactions of English learned and scientific societies.

inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading You have already seen him when he called upon his irresponsive ancestor at the family seat in the shire of Buckingham.

a former administrative district of England; equivalent to a county

From this reading You have already seen him when he called upon his irresponsive ancestor at the family seat in the shire of Buckingham.

having few parts; not complex or complicated or involved

From this reading This simple piece of the scholar’s furniture has long since given way to a table as big as the dimensions of the room permit--in this case one of eight feet long and five broad.

from a time in the past until now

From this reading This simple piece of the scholar’s furniture has long since given way to a table as big as the dimensions of the room permit--in this case one of eight feet long and five broad.

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

From this reading WHAT HE WANTED In the lightest and sunniest rooms of an unpretending flat forming part of the Bendor Mansions, Westminster, sat a young man of six-and-twenty.

plural of “society” — an extended social group having a distinctive cultural and economic organization

From this reading It did not seem to be any too large for the object of its construction, because it was completely covered with books, papers, Blue-books, French and German journals, as well as Transactions of English learned and scientific societies.

a detailed critical inspection

From this reading He was now in his study and seated at what used to be called his desk.

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

From this reading WHAT HE WANTED In the lightest and sunniest rooms of an unpretending flat forming part of the Bendor Mansions, Westminster, sat a young man of six-and-twenty.

a set of data arranged in rows and columns

From this reading This simple piece of the scholar’s furniture has long since given way to a table as big as the dimensions of the room permit--in this case one of eight feet long and five broad.

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

From this reading WHAT HE WANTED In the lightest and sunniest rooms of an unpretending flat forming part of the Bendor Mansions, Westminster, sat a young man of six-and-twenty.

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading This simple piece of the scholar’s furniture has long since given way to a table as big as the dimensions of the room permit--in this case one of eight feet long and five broad.

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

From this reading He was now in his study and seated at what used to be called his desk.

to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits

From this reading It did not seem to be any too large for the object of its construction, because it was completely covered with books, papers, Blue-books, French and German journals, as well as Transactions of English learned and scientific societies.

a written account of what transpired at a meeting

From this reading It did not seem to be any too large for the object of its construction, because it was completely covered with books, papers, Blue-books, French and German journals, as well as Transactions of English learned and scientific societies.

not ostentatious

From this reading WHAT HE WANTED In the lightest and sunniest rooms of an unpretending flat forming part of the Bendor Mansions, Westminster, sat a young man of six-and-twenty.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading You have already seen him when he called upon his irresponsive ancestor at the family seat in the shire of Buckingham.

employed in accomplishing something

From this reading He was now in his study and seated at what used to be called his desk.

desired or wished for or sought

From this reading WHAT HE WANTED In the lightest and sunniest rooms of an unpretending flat forming part of the Bendor Mansions, Westminster, sat a young man of six-and-twenty.

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

From this reading He was now in his study and seated at what used to be called his desk.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading This simple piece of the scholar’s furniture has long since given way to a table as big as the dimensions of the room permit--in this case one of eight feet long and five broad.

(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 It did not seem to be any too large for the object of its construction, because it was completely covered with books, papers, Blue-books, French and German journals, as well as Transactions of English learned and scientific societies.

a borough of Greater London on the Thames; contains Buckingham Palace and the Houses of Parliament and Westminster Abbey

From this reading WHAT HE WANTED In the lightest and sunniest rooms of an unpretending flat forming part of the Bendor Mansions, Westminster, sat a young man of six-and-twenty.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading WHAT HE WANTED In the lightest and sunniest rooms of an unpretending flat forming part of the Bendor Mansions, Westminster, sat a young man of six-and-twenty.

at the time that

From this reading You have already seen him when he called upon his irresponsive ancestor at the family seat in the shire of Buckingham.

in the company of; together with

From this reading It did not seem to be any too large for the object of its construction, because it was completely covered with books, papers, Blue-books, French and German journals, as well as Transactions of English learned and scientific societies.

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading You have already seen him when he called upon his irresponsive ancestor at the family seat in the shire of Buckingham.

(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth

From this reading WHAT HE WANTED In the lightest and sunniest rooms of an unpretending flat forming part of the Bendor Mansions, Westminster, sat a young man of six-and-twenty.