adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading However, I deduced from the scene one conclusion which seemed to me reliable—namely, that in the flow of fortuitous chances there is, if not a system, at all events a sort of order.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading For instance, after a dozen middle figures there would always occur a dozen or so outer ones.
againadverbUS /əˈɡen/
anew
From this reading Suppose the ball stopped twice at a dozen outer figures; it would then pass to a dozen of the first ones, and then, again, to a dozen of the middle ciphers, and fall upon them three or four times, and then revert to a dozen outers; whence, after another couple of rounds, the ball would again pass to the first figures, strike upon them once, and then return thrice to the middle series—continuing thus for an hour and a half, or two hours.
alladjectiveUS /ɔːl/
(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 However, I deduced from the scene one conclusion which seemed to me reliable—namely, that in the flow of fortuitous chances there is, if not a system, at all events a sort of order.
alwaysadverbUS /ˈɔːlweɪz/
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading For instance, after a dozen middle figures there would always occur a dozen or so outer ones.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Suppose the ball stopped twice at a dozen outer figures; it would then pass to a dozen of the first ones, and then, again, to a dozen of the middle ciphers, and fall upon them three or four times, and then revert to a dozen outers; whence, after another couple of rounds, the ball would again pass to the first figures, strike upon them once, and then return thrice to the middle series—continuing thus for an hour and a half, or two hours.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Suppose the ball stopped twice at a dozen outer figures; it would then pass to a dozen of the first ones, and then, again, to a dozen of the middle ciphers, and fall upon them three or four times, and then revert to a dozen outers; whence, after another couple of rounds, the ball would again pass to the first figures, strike upon them once, and then return thrice to the middle series—continuing thus for an hour and a half, or two hours.
anotherdeterminerUS /əˈnʌðər/
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading Suppose the ball stopped twice at a dozen outer figures; it would then pass to a dozen of the first ones, and then, again, to a dozen of the middle ciphers, and fall upon them three or four times, and then revert to a dozen outers; whence, after another couple of rounds, the ball would again pass to the first figures, strike upon them once, and then return thrice to the middle series—continuing thus for an hour and a half, or two hours.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading However, I deduced from the scene one conclusion which seemed to me reliable—namely, that in the flow of fortuitous chances there is, if not a system, at all events a sort of order.
ballnounUS /bɔːl/
round object that is hit or thrown or kicked in games
From this reading Suppose the ball stopped twice at a dozen outer figures; it would then pass to a dozen of the first ones, and then, again, to a dozen of the middle ciphers, and fall upon them three or four times, and then revert to a dozen outers; whence, after another couple of rounds, the ball would again pass to the first figures, strike upon them once, and then return thrice to the middle series—continuing thus for an hour and a half, or two hours.
chancesnounUS /ˈtʃænsəz/
plural of “chance” — a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances
From this reading However, I deduced from the scene one conclusion which seemed to me reliable—namely, that in the flow of fortuitous chances there is, if not a system, at all events a sort of order.
ciphers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Suppose the ball stopped twice at a dozen outer figures; it would then pass to a dozen of the first ones, and then, again, to a dozen of the middle ciphers, and fall upon them three or four times, and then revert to a dozen outers; whence, after another couple of rounds, the ball would again pass to the first figures, strike upon them once, and then return thrice to the middle series—continuing thus for an hour and a half, or two hours.
conclusionnounUS /kənˈkluːʒən/
a position or opinion or judgment reached after consideration
From this reading However, I deduced from the scene one conclusion which seemed to me reliable—namely, that in the flow of fortuitous chances there is, if not a system, at all events a sort of order.
continuingadjectiveUS /kənˈtɪnjuːɪŋ/
remaining in force or being carried on without letup
From this reading Suppose the ball stopped twice at a dozen outer figures; it would then pass to a dozen of the first ones, and then, again, to a dozen of the middle ciphers, and fall upon them three or four times, and then revert to a dozen outers; whence, after another couple of rounds, the ball would again pass to the first figures, strike upon them once, and then return thrice to the middle series—continuing thus for an hour and a half, or two hours.
couplenounUS /ˈkʌpəl/
a pair who associate with one another
From this reading Suppose the ball stopped twice at a dozen outer figures; it would then pass to a dozen of the first ones, and then, again, to a dozen of the middle ciphers, and fall upon them three or four times, and then revert to a dozen outers; whence, after another couple of rounds, the ball would again pass to the first figures, strike upon them once, and then return thrice to the middle series—continuing thus for an hour and a half, or two hours.
coursenounUS /kɔːrs/
education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings
From this reading This, of course, is a very strange thing.
deducedverbUS /dɪˈduːst/
past form of “deduce” — reason by deduction; establish by deduction
From this reading However, I deduced from the scene one conclusion which seemed to me reliable—namely, that in the flow of fortuitous chances there is, if not a system, at all events a sort of order.
dozennounUS /ˈdʌzən/
the cardinal number that is the sum of eleven and one
From this reading For instance, after a dozen middle figures there would always occur a dozen or so outer ones.
eventsnounUS /ɪˈvents/
plural of “event” — something that happens at a given place and time
From this reading However, I deduced from the scene one conclusion which seemed to me reliable—namely, that in the flow of fortuitous chances there is, if not a system, at all events a sort of order.
fallverbUS /fɔːl/
descend in free fall under the influence of gravity
From this reading Suppose the ball stopped twice at a dozen outer figures; it would then pass to a dozen of the first ones, and then, again, to a dozen of the middle ciphers, and fall upon them three or four times, and then revert to a dozen outers; whence, after another couple of rounds, the ball would again pass to the first figures, strike upon them once, and then return thrice to the middle series—continuing thus for an hour and a half, or two hours.
figuresnounUS /ˈfɪɡjərz/
plural of “figure” — a diagram or picture illustrating textual material
From this reading For instance, after a dozen middle figures there would always occur a dozen or so outer ones.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading Suppose the ball stopped twice at a dozen outer figures; it would then pass to a dozen of the first ones, and then, again, to a dozen of the middle ciphers, and fall upon them three or four times, and then revert to a dozen outers; whence, after another couple of rounds, the ball would again pass to the first figures, strike upon them once, and then return thrice to the middle series—continuing thus for an hour and a half, or two hours.
flownounUS /floʊ/
the motion characteristic of fluids (liquids or gases)
From this reading However, I deduced from the scene one conclusion which seemed to me reliable—namely, that in the flow of fortuitous chances there is, if not a system, at all events a sort of order.
ForprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading For instance, after a dozen middle figures there would always occur a dozen or so outer ones.
fortuitousadjectiveUS /fɔːrˈtuːɪtəs/
having no cause or apparent cause
From this reading However, I deduced from the scene one conclusion which seemed to me reliable—namely, that in the flow of fortuitous chances there is, if not a system, at all events a sort of order.
fournounUS /fɔːr/
the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one
From this reading Suppose the ball stopped twice at a dozen outer figures; it would then pass to a dozen of the first ones, and then, again, to a dozen of the middle ciphers, and fall upon them three or four times, and then revert to a dozen outers; whence, after another couple of rounds, the ball would again pass to the first figures, strike upon them once, and then return thrice to the middle series—continuing thus for an hour and a half, or two hours.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading However, I deduced from the scene one conclusion which seemed to me reliable—namely, that in the flow of fortuitous chances there is, if not a system, at all events a sort of order.
halfadjectiveUS /hæf/
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading Suppose the ball stopped twice at a dozen outer figures; it would then pass to a dozen of the first ones, and then, again, to a dozen of the middle ciphers, and fall upon them three or four times, and then revert to a dozen outers; whence, after another couple of rounds, the ball would again pass to the first figures, strike upon them once, and then return thrice to the middle series—continuing thus for an hour and a half, or two hours.
hournounUS /ˈaʊər/
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading Suppose the ball stopped twice at a dozen outer figures; it would then pass to a dozen of the first ones, and then, again, to a dozen of the middle ciphers, and fall upon them three or four times, and then revert to a dozen outers; whence, after another couple of rounds, the ball would again pass to the first figures, strike upon them once, and then return thrice to the middle series—continuing thus for an hour and a half, or two hours.
hoursnounUS /ˈaʊərz/
a period of time assigned for work
From this reading Suppose the ball stopped twice at a dozen outer figures; it would then pass to a dozen of the first ones, and then, again, to a dozen of the middle ciphers, and fall upon them three or four times, and then revert to a dozen outers; whence, after another couple of rounds, the ball would again pass to the first figures, strike upon them once, and then return thrice to the middle series—continuing thus for an hour and a half, or two hours.
HoweveradverbUS /ˌhaʊˈevər/
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading However, I deduced from the scene one conclusion which seemed to me reliable—namely, that in the flow of fortuitous chances there is, if not a system, at all events a sort of order.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading However, I deduced from the scene one conclusion which seemed to me reliable—namely, that in the flow of fortuitous chances there is, if not a system, at all events a sort of order.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading However, I deduced from the scene one conclusion which seemed to me reliable—namely, that in the flow of fortuitous chances there is, if not a system, at all events a sort of order.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading However, I deduced from the scene one conclusion which seemed to me reliable—namely, that in the flow of fortuitous chances there is, if not a system, at all events a sort of order.
instancenounUS /ˈɪnstəns/
an occurrence of something
From this reading For instance, after a dozen middle figures there would always occur a dozen or so outer ones.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading However, I deduced from the scene one conclusion which seemed to me reliable—namely, that in the flow of fortuitous chances there is, if not a system, at all events a sort of order.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Suppose the ball stopped twice at a dozen outer figures; it would then pass to a dozen of the first ones, and then, again, to a dozen of the middle ciphers, and fall upon them three or four times, and then revert to a dozen outers; whence, after another couple of rounds, the ball would again pass to the first figures, strike upon them once, and then return thrice to the middle series—continuing thus for an hour and a half, or two hours.
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading However, I deduced from the scene one conclusion which seemed to me reliable—namely, that in the flow of fortuitous chances there is, if not a system, at all events a sort of order.
middlenounUS /ˈmɪdəl/
an area that is approximately central within some larger region
From this reading For instance, after a dozen middle figures there would always occur a dozen or so outer ones.
namelyadverbUS /ˈneɪmli/
as follows
From this reading However, I deduced from the scene one conclusion which seemed to me reliable—namely, that in the flow of fortuitous chances there is, if not a system, at all events a sort of order.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading However, I deduced from the scene one conclusion which seemed to me reliable—namely, that in the flow of fortuitous chances there is, if not a system, at all events a sort of order.
occurverbUS /əˈkɜːr/
come to pass
From this reading For instance, after a dozen middle figures there would always occur a dozen or so outer ones.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading However, I deduced from the scene one conclusion which seemed to me reliable—namely, that in the flow of fortuitous chances there is, if not a system, at all events a sort of order.
onceadverbUS /wʌns/
on one occasion
From this reading Suppose the ball stopped twice at a dozen outer figures; it would then pass to a dozen of the first ones, and then, again, to a dozen of the middle ciphers, and fall upon them three or four times, and then revert to a dozen outers; whence, after another couple of rounds, the ball would again pass to the first figures, strike upon them once, and then return thrice to the middle series—continuing thus for an hour and a half, or two hours.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading However, I deduced from the scene one conclusion which seemed to me reliable—namely, that in the flow of fortuitous chances there is, if not a system, at all events a sort of order.
onesnounUS /wʌnz/
plural of “one” — the smallest whole number or a numeral representing this number
From this reading For instance, after a dozen middle figures there would always occur a dozen or so outer ones.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading For instance, after a dozen middle figures there would always occur a dozen or so outer ones.
ordernounUS /ˈɔːrdər/
(often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed
From this reading However, I deduced from the scene one conclusion which seemed to me reliable—namely, that in the flow of fortuitous chances there is, if not a system, at all events a sort of order.
outeradjectiveUS /ˈaʊtər/
being on the outside or further from a center
From this reading For instance, after a dozen middle figures there would always occur a dozen or so outer ones.
outers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Suppose the ball stopped twice at a dozen outer figures; it would then pass to a dozen of the first ones, and then, again, to a dozen of the middle ciphers, and fall upon them three or four times, and then revert to a dozen outers; whence, after another couple of rounds, the ball would again pass to the first figures, strike upon them once, and then return thrice to the middle series—continuing thus for an hour and a half, or two hours.
passverbUS /pæs/
go across or through
From this reading Suppose the ball stopped twice at a dozen outer figures; it would then pass to a dozen of the first ones, and then, again, to a dozen of the middle ciphers, and fall upon them three or four times, and then revert to a dozen outers; whence, after another couple of rounds, the ball would again pass to the first figures, strike upon them once, and then return thrice to the middle series—continuing thus for an hour and a half, or two hours.
reliableadjectiveUS /rɪˈlaɪəbəl/
worthy of reliance or trust
From this reading However, I deduced from the scene one conclusion which seemed to me reliable—namely, that in the flow of fortuitous chances there is, if not a system, at all events a sort of order.
returnverbUS /rɪˈtɜːrn/
go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading Suppose the ball stopped twice at a dozen outer figures; it would then pass to a dozen of the first ones, and then, again, to a dozen of the middle ciphers, and fall upon them three or four times, and then revert to a dozen outers; whence, after another couple of rounds, the ball would again pass to the first figures, strike upon them once, and then return thrice to the middle series—continuing thus for an hour and a half, or two hours.
revertverbUS /rɪˈvɜːrt/
go back to a previous state
From this reading Suppose the ball stopped twice at a dozen outer figures; it would then pass to a dozen of the first ones, and then, again, to a dozen of the middle ciphers, and fall upon them three or four times, and then revert to a dozen outers; whence, after another couple of rounds, the ball would again pass to the first figures, strike upon them once, and then return thrice to the middle series—continuing thus for an hour and a half, or two hours.
roundsnounUS /raʊndz/
plural of “round” — a charge of ammunition for a single shot
From this reading Suppose the ball stopped twice at a dozen outer figures; it would then pass to a dozen of the first ones, and then, again, to a dozen of the middle ciphers, and fall upon them three or four times, and then revert to a dozen outers; whence, after another couple of rounds, the ball would again pass to the first figures, strike upon them once, and then return thrice to the middle series—continuing thus for an hour and a half, or two hours.
scenenounUS /siːn/
the place where some action occurs
From this reading However, I deduced from the scene one conclusion which seemed to me reliable—namely, that in the flow of fortuitous chances there is, if not a system, at all events a sort of order.
seemedverbUS /siːmd/
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading However, I deduced from the scene one conclusion which seemed to me reliable—namely, that in the flow of fortuitous chances there is, if not a system, at all events a sort of order.
seriesnounUS /ˈsɪriz/
similar things placed in order or happening one after another
From this reading Suppose the ball stopped twice at a dozen outer figures; it would then pass to a dozen of the first ones, and then, again, to a dozen of the middle ciphers, and fall upon them three or four times, and then revert to a dozen outers; whence, after another couple of rounds, the ball would again pass to the first figures, strike upon them once, and then return thrice to the middle series—continuing thus for an hour and a half, or two hours.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading For instance, after a dozen middle figures there would always occur a dozen or so outer ones.
sortnounUS /sɔːrt/
a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality
From this reading However, I deduced from the scene one conclusion which seemed to me reliable—namely, that in the flow of fortuitous chances there is, if not a system, at all events a sort of order.
stoppedadjectiveUS /stɑːpt/
(of a nose) blocked
From this reading Suppose the ball stopped twice at a dozen outer figures; it would then pass to a dozen of the first ones, and then, again, to a dozen of the middle ciphers, and fall upon them three or four times, and then revert to a dozen outers; whence, after another couple of rounds, the ball would again pass to the first figures, strike upon them once, and then return thrice to the middle series—continuing thus for an hour and a half, or two hours.
strangeadjectiveUS /streɪndʒ/
being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird
From this reading This, of course, is a very strange thing.
strikeverbUS /straɪk/
deliver a sharp blow, as with the hand, fist, or weapon
From this reading Suppose the ball stopped twice at a dozen outer figures; it would then pass to a dozen of the first ones, and then, again, to a dozen of the middle ciphers, and fall upon them three or four times, and then revert to a dozen outers; whence, after another couple of rounds, the ball would again pass to the first figures, strike upon them once, and then return thrice to the middle series—continuing thus for an hour and a half, or two hours.
SupposeverbUS /səˈpoʊz/
express a supposition
From this reading Suppose the ball stopped twice at a dozen outer figures; it would then pass to a dozen of the first ones, and then, again, to a dozen of the middle ciphers, and fall upon them three or four times, and then revert to a dozen outers; whence, after another couple of rounds, the ball would again pass to the first figures, strike upon them once, and then return thrice to the middle series—continuing thus for an hour and a half, or two hours.
systemnounUS /ˈsɪstəm/
instrumentality that combines interrelated interacting artifacts designed to work as a coherent entity
From this reading However, I deduced from the scene one conclusion which seemed to me reliable—namely, that in the flow of fortuitous chances there is, if not a system, at all events a sort of order.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading However, I deduced from the scene one conclusion which seemed to me reliable—namely, that in the flow of fortuitous chances there is, if not a system, at all events a sort of order.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading However, I deduced from the scene one conclusion which seemed to me reliable—namely, that in the flow of fortuitous chances there is, if not a system, at all events a sort of order.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Suppose the ball stopped twice at a dozen outer figures; it would then pass to a dozen of the first ones, and then, again, to a dozen of the middle ciphers, and fall upon them three or four times, and then revert to a dozen outers; whence, after another couple of rounds, the ball would again pass to the first figures, strike upon them once, and then return thrice to the middle series—continuing thus for an hour and a half, or two hours.
thenadverbUS /ðen/
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Suppose the ball stopped twice at a dozen outer figures; it would then pass to a dozen of the first ones, and then, again, to a dozen of the middle ciphers, and fall upon them three or four times, and then revert to a dozen outers; whence, after another couple of rounds, the ball would again pass to the first figures, strike upon them once, and then return thrice to the middle series—continuing thus for an hour and a half, or two hours.
thereadverbUS /ðer/
in or at that place or location
From this reading However, I deduced from the scene one conclusion which seemed to me reliable—namely, that in the flow of fortuitous chances there is, if not a system, at all events a sort of order.
thingnounUS /θɪŋ/
a special situation
From this reading This, of course, is a very strange thing.
ThisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading This, of course, is a very strange thing.
threenounUS /θriː/
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading Suppose the ball stopped twice at a dozen outer figures; it would then pass to a dozen of the first ones, and then, again, to a dozen of the middle ciphers, and fall upon them three or four times, and then revert to a dozen outers; whence, after another couple of rounds, the ball would again pass to the first figures, strike upon them once, and then return thrice to the middle series—continuing thus for an hour and a half, or two hours.
thriceadverbUS /θraɪs/
three times
From this reading Suppose the ball stopped twice at a dozen outer figures; it would then pass to a dozen of the first ones, and then, again, to a dozen of the middle ciphers, and fall upon them three or four times, and then revert to a dozen outers; whence, after another couple of rounds, the ball would again pass to the first figures, strike upon them once, and then return thrice to the middle series—continuing thus for an hour and a half, or two hours.
thusadverbUS /ðʌs/
(used to introduce a logical conclusion) from that fact or reason or as a result
From this reading Suppose the ball stopped twice at a dozen outer figures; it would then pass to a dozen of the first ones, and then, again, to a dozen of the middle ciphers, and fall upon them three or four times, and then revert to a dozen outers; whence, after another couple of rounds, the ball would again pass to the first figures, strike upon them once, and then return thrice to the middle series—continuing thus for an hour and a half, or two hours.
timesnounUS /taɪmz/
a more or less definite period of time now or previously present
From this reading Suppose the ball stopped twice at a dozen outer figures; it would then pass to a dozen of the first ones, and then, again, to a dozen of the middle ciphers, and fall upon them three or four times, and then revert to a dozen outers; whence, after another couple of rounds, the ball would again pass to the first figures, strike upon them once, and then return thrice to the middle series—continuing thus for an hour and a half, or two hours.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading However, I deduced from the scene one conclusion which seemed to me reliable—namely, that in the flow of fortuitous chances there is, if not a system, at all events a sort of order.
twiceadverbUS /twaɪs/
two times
From this reading Suppose the ball stopped twice at a dozen outer figures; it would then pass to a dozen of the first ones, and then, again, to a dozen of the middle ciphers, and fall upon them three or four times, and then revert to a dozen outers; whence, after another couple of rounds, the ball would again pass to the first figures, strike upon them once, and then return thrice to the middle series—continuing thus for an hour and a half, or two hours.
twonounUS /tuː/
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading Suppose the ball stopped twice at a dozen outer figures; it would then pass to a dozen of the first ones, and then, again, to a dozen of the middle ciphers, and fall upon them three or four times, and then revert to a dozen outers; whence, after another couple of rounds, the ball would again pass to the first figures, strike upon them once, and then return thrice to the middle series—continuing thus for an hour and a half, or two hours.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Suppose the ball stopped twice at a dozen outer figures; it would then pass to a dozen of the first ones, and then, again, to a dozen of the middle ciphers, and fall upon them three or four times, and then revert to a dozen outers; whence, after another couple of rounds, the ball would again pass to the first figures, strike upon them once, and then return thrice to the middle series—continuing thus for an hour and a half, or two hours.
veryadjectiveUS /ˈveri/
precisely as stated
From this reading This, of course, is a very strange thing.
whenceadverbUS /wens/
an old word meaning “from where”
From this reading Suppose the ball stopped twice at a dozen outer figures; it would then pass to a dozen of the first ones, and then, again, to a dozen of the middle ciphers, and fall upon them three or four times, and then revert to a dozen outers; whence, after another couple of rounds, the ball would again pass to the first figures, strike upon them once, and then return thrice to the middle series—continuing thus for an hour and a half, or two hours.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading However, I deduced from the scene one conclusion which seemed to me reliable—namely, that in the flow of fortuitous chances there is, if not a system, at all events a sort of order.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading For instance, after a dozen middle figures there would always occur a dozen or so outer ones.
