Chapter XXII · A Dreamer of Dreams

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

From this reading That so habitual a recluse should break through his customary rules, and visit a comparative stranger showed that he must be influenced by a powerful motive.

a record or narrative description of past events

From this reading What that motive might be Dan was unable to conjecture, but hurriedly fixed on the only reason likely to account for the unexpected presence of his guest.

past form of “afford” — be able to spare or give up

From this reading This Dan was quite prepared to give, and, indeed, rather congratulated himself on the opportunity thus afforded of placing matters on a proper footing.

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

From this reading It might be, Dan thought, that Merle had heard rumours of his attentions to Meg; and, therefore, had come to demand an explanation.

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

From this reading That so habitual a recluse should break through his customary rules, and visit a comparative stranger showed that he must be influenced by a powerful motive.

the event of one object coming closer to another

From this reading It was with considerable astonishment that Dan saw Dr. Merle approaching the dell.

the feeling that accompanies something extremely surprising

From this reading It was with considerable astonishment that Dan saw Dr. Merle approaching the dell.

plural of “attention” — the process whereby a person concentrates on some features of the environment to the (relative) exclusion of others

From this reading It might be, Dan thought, that Merle had heard rumours of his attentions to Meg; and, therefore, had come to demand an explanation.

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

From this reading That so habitual a recluse should break through his customary rules, and visit a comparative stranger showed that he must be influenced by a powerful motive.

terminate

From this reading That so habitual a recluse should break through his customary rules, and visit a comparative stranger showed that he must be influenced by a powerful motive.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading What that motive might be Dan was unable to conjecture, but hurriedly fixed on the only reason likely to account for the unexpected presence of his guest.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading That so habitual a recluse should break through his customary rules, and visit a comparative stranger showed that he must be influenced by a powerful motive.

move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading It might be, Dan thought, that Merle had heard rumours of his attentions to Meg; and, therefore, had come to demand an explanation.

relating to or based on or involving comparison

From this reading That so habitual a recluse should break through his customary rules, and visit a comparative stranger showed that he must be influenced by a powerful motive.

past form of “congratulate” — say something to someone that expresses praise

From this reading This Dan was quite prepared to give, and, indeed, rather congratulated himself on the opportunity thus afforded of placing matters on a proper footing.

a hypothesis that has been formed by speculating or conjecturing (usually with little hard evidence)

From this reading What that motive might be Dan was unable to conjecture, but hurriedly fixed on the only reason likely to account for the unexpected presence of his guest.

large or relatively large in number or amount or extent or degree

From this reading It was with considerable astonishment that Dan saw Dr. Merle approaching the dell.

in accordance with convention or custom

From this reading That so habitual a recluse should break through his customary rules, and visit a comparative stranger showed that he must be influenced by a powerful motive.

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

From this reading It was with considerable astonishment that Dan saw Dr. Merle approaching the dell.

a small wooded hollow

From this reading It was with considerable astonishment that Dan saw Dr. Merle approaching the dell.

an urgent or peremptory request

From this reading It might be, Dan thought, that Merle had heard rumours of his attentions to Meg; and, therefore, had come to demand an explanation.

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

From this reading It was with considerable astonishment that Dan saw Dr. Merle approaching the dell.

a statement that makes something comprehensible by describing the relevant structure or operation or circumstances etc.

From this reading It might be, Dan thought, that Merle had heard rumours of his attentions to Meg; and, therefore, had come to demand an explanation.

(of a number) having a fixed and unchanging value

From this reading What that motive might be Dan was unable to conjecture, but hurriedly fixed on the only reason likely to account for the unexpected presence of his guest.

status with respect to the relations between people or groups

From this reading This Dan was quite prepared to give, and, indeed, rather congratulated himself on the opportunity thus afforded of placing matters on a proper footing.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading What that motive might be Dan was unable to conjecture, but hurriedly fixed on the only reason likely to account for the unexpected presence of his guest.

cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense

From this reading This Dan was quite prepared to give, and, indeed, rather congratulated himself on the opportunity thus afforded of placing matters on a proper footing.

a visitor to whom hospitality is extended

From this reading What that motive might be Dan was unable to conjecture, but hurriedly fixed on the only reason likely to account for the unexpected presence of his guest.

commonly used or practiced; usual

From this reading That so habitual a recluse should break through his customary rules, and visit a comparative stranger showed that he must be influenced by a powerful motive.

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

From this reading It might be, Dan thought, that Merle had heard rumours of his attentions to Meg; and, therefore, had come to demand an explanation.

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

From this reading That so habitual a recluse should break through his customary rules, and visit a comparative stranger showed that he must be influenced by a powerful motive.

detected or perceived by the sense of hearing

From this reading It might be, Dan thought, that Merle had heard rumours of his attentions to Meg; and, therefore, had come to demand an explanation.

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

From this reading This Dan was quite prepared to give, and, indeed, rather congratulated himself on the opportunity thus afforded of placing matters on a proper footing.

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

From this reading That so habitual a recluse should break through his customary rules, and visit a comparative stranger showed that he must be influenced by a powerful motive.

in a hurried or hasty manner

From this reading What that motive might be Dan was unable to conjecture, but hurriedly fixed on the only reason likely to account for the unexpected presence of his guest.

in truth (often tends to intensify)

From this reading This Dan was quite prepared to give, and, indeed, rather congratulated himself on the opportunity thus afforded of placing matters on a proper footing.

past form of “influence” — have and exert influence or effect

From this reading That so habitual a recluse should break through his customary rules, and visit a comparative stranger showed that he must be influenced by a powerful motive.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was with considerable astonishment that Dan saw Dr. Merle approaching the dell.

has a good chance of being the case or of coming about

From this reading What that motive might be Dan was unable to conjecture, but hurriedly fixed on the only reason likely to account for the unexpected presence of his guest.

plural of “matter” — a vaguely specified concern

From this reading This Dan was quite prepared to give, and, indeed, rather congratulated himself on the opportunity thus afforded of placing matters on a proper footing.

the number that is represented as a one followed by 6 zeros

From this reading It might be, Dan thought, that Merle had heard rumours of his attentions to Meg; and, therefore, had come to demand an explanation.

common black European thrush

From this reading It was with considerable astonishment that Dan saw Dr. Merle approaching the dell.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading What that motive might be Dan was unable to conjecture, but hurriedly fixed on the only reason likely to account for the unexpected presence of his guest.

the psychological feature that arouses an organism to action toward a desired goal; the reason for the action; that which gives purpose and direction to behavior

From this reading That so habitual a recluse should break through his customary rules, and visit a comparative stranger showed that he must be influenced by a powerful motive.

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading That so habitual a recluse should break through his customary rules, and visit a comparative stranger showed that he must be influenced by a powerful motive.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading What that motive might be Dan was unable to conjecture, but hurriedly fixed on the only reason likely to account for the unexpected presence of his guest.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading What that motive might be Dan was unable to conjecture, but hurriedly fixed on the only reason likely to account for the unexpected presence of his guest.

and nothing more

From this reading What that motive might be Dan was unable to conjecture, but hurriedly fixed on the only reason likely to account for the unexpected presence of his guest.

a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances

From this reading This Dan was quite prepared to give, and, indeed, rather congratulated himself on the opportunity thus afforded of placing matters on a proper footing.

-ing form of “place” — put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading This Dan was quite prepared to give, and, indeed, rather congratulated himself on the opportunity thus afforded of placing matters on a proper footing.

having great power or force or potency or effect

From this reading That so habitual a recluse should break through his customary rules, and visit a comparative stranger showed that he must be influenced by a powerful motive.

made ready or fit or suitable beforehand

From this reading This Dan was quite prepared to give, and, indeed, rather congratulated himself on the opportunity thus afforded of placing matters on a proper footing.

the state of being present; current existence

From this reading What that motive might be Dan was unable to conjecture, but hurriedly fixed on the only reason likely to account for the unexpected presence of his guest.

marked by suitability or rightness or appropriateness

From this reading This Dan was quite prepared to give, and, indeed, rather congratulated himself on the opportunity thus afforded of placing matters on a proper footing.

to a degree (not used with a negative)

From this reading This Dan was quite prepared to give, and, indeed, rather congratulated himself on the opportunity thus afforded of placing matters on a proper footing.

on the contrary

From this reading This Dan was quite prepared to give, and, indeed, rather congratulated himself on the opportunity thus afforded of placing matters on a proper footing.

a rational motive for a belief or action

From this reading What that motive might be Dan was unable to conjecture, but hurriedly fixed on the only reason likely to account for the unexpected presence of his guest.

one who lives in solitude

From this reading That so habitual a recluse should break through his customary rules, and visit a comparative stranger showed that he must be influenced by a powerful motive.

plural of “rule” — a principle or condition that customarily governs behavior

From this reading That so habitual a recluse should break through his customary rules, and visit a comparative stranger showed that he must be influenced by a powerful motive.

plural of “rumour” — gossip (usually a mixture of truth and untruth) passed around by word of mouth

From this reading It might be, Dan thought, that Merle had heard rumours of his attentions to Meg; and, therefore, had come to demand an explanation.

cut with a saw

From this reading It was with considerable astonishment that Dan saw Dr. Merle approaching the dell.

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading That so habitual a recluse should break through his customary rules, and visit a comparative stranger showed that he must be influenced by a powerful motive.

past form of “show” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience

From this reading That so habitual a recluse should break through his customary rules, and visit a comparative stranger showed that he must be influenced by a powerful motive.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading That so habitual a recluse should break through his customary rules, and visit a comparative stranger showed that he must be influenced by a powerful motive.

anyone who does not belong in the environment in which they are found

From this reading That so habitual a recluse should break through his customary rules, and visit a comparative stranger showed that he must be influenced by a powerful motive.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading It was with considerable astonishment that Dan saw Dr. Merle approaching the dell.

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

From this reading It was with considerable astonishment that Dan saw Dr. Merle approaching the dell.

for that reason; as a result

From this reading It might be, Dan thought, that Merle had heard rumours of his attentions to Meg; and, therefore, had come to demand an explanation.

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

From this reading This Dan was quite prepared to give, and, indeed, rather congratulated himself on the opportunity thus afforded of placing matters on a proper footing.

the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about

From this reading It might be, Dan thought, that Merle had heard rumours of his attentions to Meg; and, therefore, had come to demand an explanation.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading That so habitual a recluse should break through his customary rules, and visit a comparative stranger showed that he must be influenced by a powerful motive.

(used to introduce a logical conclusion) from that fact or reason or as a result

From this reading This Dan was quite prepared to give, and, indeed, rather congratulated himself on the opportunity thus afforded of placing matters on a proper footing.

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

From this reading What that motive might be Dan was unable to conjecture, but hurriedly fixed on the only reason likely to account for the unexpected presence of his guest.

(usually followed by “to”) not having the necessary means or skill or know-how

From this reading What that motive might be Dan was unable to conjecture, but hurriedly fixed on the only reason likely to account for the unexpected presence of his guest.

not expected or anticipated

From this reading What that motive might be Dan was unable to conjecture, but hurriedly fixed on the only reason likely to account for the unexpected presence of his guest.

go to see a place, as for entertainment

From this reading That so habitual a recluse should break through his customary rules, and visit a comparative stranger showed that he must be influenced by a powerful motive.

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

From this reading It was with considerable astonishment that Dan saw Dr. Merle approaching the dell.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading What that motive might be Dan was unable to conjecture, but hurriedly fixed on the only reason likely to account for the unexpected presence of his guest.

in the company of; together with

From this reading It was with considerable astonishment that Dan saw Dr. Merle approaching the dell.