Chapter XXXIX · Chapter 39

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

From this reading A FINAL VICTORY.

the state of being absent

From this reading It was an afternoon in January, soon after the courts had begun to sit again, and Mark was mounting the staircase to his new chambers with a light heart--he had made his _debut_ that day; the burden of the work had fallen on him in the absence of his leader, and he felt that he had acquitted himself with fair success.

declared not guilty of a specific offense or crime; legally blameless

From this reading It was an afternoon in January, soon after the courts had begun to sit again, and Mark was mounting the staircase to his new chambers with a light heart--he had made his _debut_ that day; the burden of the work had fallen on him in the absence of his leader, and he felt that he had acquitted himself with fair success.

later than; following

From this reading It was an afternoon in January, soon after the courts had begun to sit again, and Mark was mounting the staircase to his new chambers with a light heart--he had made his _debut_ that day; the burden of the work had fallen on him in the absence of his leader, and he felt that he had acquitted himself with fair success.

the part of the day between noon and evening

From this reading It was an afternoon in January, soon after the courts had begun to sit again, and Mark was mounting the staircase to his new chambers with a light heart--he had made his _debut_ that day; the burden of the work had fallen on him in the absence of his leader, and he felt that he had acquitted himself with fair success.

happening at a time subsequent to a reference time

From this reading His father-in-law, too, had happened to be at Westminster, and in a Common Law court that day; and the altered tone of his greeting afterwards showed Mark that he had been favourably impressed by what he had heard while standing for a few minutes in the gangway.

anew

From this reading It was an afternoon in January, soon after the courts had begun to sit again, and Mark was mounting the staircase to his new chambers with a light heart--he had made his _debut_ that day; the burden of the work had fallen on him in the absence of his leader, and he felt that he had acquitted himself with fair success.

changed in form or character without becoming something else

From this reading His father-in-law, too, had happened to be at Westminster, and in a Common Law court that day; and the altered tone of his greeting afterwards showed Mark that he had been favourably impressed by what he had heard while standing for a few minutes in the gangway.

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

From this reading It was an afternoon in January, soon after the courts had begun to sit again, and Mark was mounting the staircase to his new chambers with a light heart--he had made his _debut_ that day; the burden of the work had fallen on him in the absence of his leader, and he felt that he had acquitted himself with fair success.

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

From this reading It was an afternoon in January, soon after the courts had begun to sit again, and Mark was mounting the staircase to his new chambers with a light heart--he had made his _debut_ that day; the burden of the work had fallen on him in the absence of his leader, and he felt that he had acquitted himself with fair success.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading His father-in-law, too, had happened to be at Westminster, and in a Common Law court that day; and the altered tone of his greeting afterwards showed Mark that he had been favourably impressed by what he had heard while standing for a few minutes in the gangway.

in or to or toward a former location

From this reading And now, Mark thought, he would go back to Mabel at once and tell her how Fortune had begun to smile once more upon him.

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

From this reading His father-in-law, too, had happened to be at Westminster, and in a Common Law court that day; and the altered tone of his greeting afterwards showed Mark that he had been favourably impressed by what he had heard while standing for a few minutes in the gangway.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading His father-in-law, too, had happened to be at Westminster, and in a Common Law court that day; and the altered tone of his greeting afterwards showed Mark that he had been favourably impressed by what he had heard while standing for a few minutes in the gangway.

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

From this reading It was an afternoon in January, soon after the courts had begun to sit again, and Mark was mounting the staircase to his new chambers with a light heart--he had made his _debut_ that day; the burden of the work had fallen on him in the absence of his leader, and he felt that he had acquitted himself with fair success.

an onerous or difficult concern

From this reading It was an afternoon in January, soon after the courts had begun to sit again, and Mark was mounting the staircase to his new chambers with a light heart--he had made his _debut_ that day; the burden of the work had fallen on him in the absence of his leader, and he felt that he had acquitted himself with fair success.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But when he entered his chambers he found a visitor waiting for him with impatience--it was Colin.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading His father-in-law, too, had happened to be at Westminster, and in a Common Law court that day; and the altered tone of his greeting afterwards showed Mark that he had been favourably impressed by what he had heard while standing for a few minutes in the gangway.

English architect (1723-1796)

From this reading It was an afternoon in January, soon after the courts had begun to sit again, and Mark was mounting the staircase to his new chambers with a light heart--he had made his _debut_ that day; the burden of the work had fallen on him in the absence of his leader, and he felt that he had acquitted himself with fair success.

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

From this reading But when he entered his chambers he found a visitor waiting for him with impatience--it was Colin.

belonging to or participated in by a community as a whole; public

From this reading His father-in-law, too, had happened to be at Westminster, and in a Common Law court that day; and the altered tone of his greeting afterwards showed Mark that he had been favourably impressed by what he had heard while standing for a few minutes in the gangway.

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

From this reading His father-in-law, too, had happened to be at Westminster, and in a Common Law court that day; and the altered tone of his greeting afterwards showed Mark that he had been favourably impressed by what he had heard while standing for a few minutes in the gangway.

plural of “court” — an assembly (including one or more judges) to conduct judicial business

From this reading It was an afternoon in January, soon after the courts had begun to sit again, and Mark was mounting the staircase to his new chambers with a light heart--he had made his _debut_ that day; the burden of the work had fallen on him in the absence of his leader, and he felt that he had acquitted himself with fair success.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading It was an afternoon in January, soon after the courts had begun to sit again, and Mark was mounting the staircase to his new chambers with a light heart--he had made his _debut_ that day; the burden of the work had fallen on him in the absence of his leader, and he felt that he had acquitted himself with fair success.

present for the first time to the public

From this reading It was an afternoon in January, soon after the courts had begun to sit again, and Mark was mounting the staircase to his new chambers with a light heart--he had made his _debut_ that day; the burden of the work had fallen on him in the absence of his leader, and he felt that he had acquitted himself with fair success.

past form of “enter” — to come or go into

From this reading But when he entered his chambers he found a visitor waiting for him with impatience--it was Colin.

free from favoritism or self-interest or bias or deception; conforming with established standards or rules

From this reading It was an afternoon in January, soon after the courts had begun to sit again, and Mark was mounting the staircase to his new chambers with a light heart--he had made his _debut_ that day; the burden of the work had fallen on him in the absence of his leader, and he felt that he had acquitted himself with fair success.

having dropped by the force of gravity

From this reading It was an afternoon in January, soon after the courts had begun to sit again, and Mark was mounting the staircase to his new chambers with a light heart--he had made his _debut_ that day; the burden of the work had fallen on him in the absence of his leader, and he felt that he had acquitted himself with fair success.

the father of your spouse

From this reading His father-in-law, too, had happened to be at Westminster, and in a Common Law court that day; and the altered tone of his greeting afterwards showed Mark that he had been favourably impressed by what he had heard while standing for a few minutes in the gangway.

showing approval

From this reading His father-in-law, too, had happened to be at Westminster, and in a Common Law court that day; and the altered tone of his greeting afterwards showed Mark that he had been favourably impressed by what he had heard while standing for a few minutes in the gangway.

mat together and make felt-like

From this reading It was an afternoon in January, soon after the courts had begun to sit again, and Mark was mounting the staircase to his new chambers with a light heart--he had made his _debut_ that day; the burden of the work had fallen on him in the absence of his leader, and he felt that he had acquitted himself with fair success.

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

From this reading His father-in-law, too, had happened to be at Westminster, and in a Common Law court that day; and the altered tone of his greeting afterwards showed Mark that he had been favourably impressed by what he had heard while standing for a few minutes in the gangway.

occurring at or forming an end or termination

From this reading A FINAL VICTORY.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading His father-in-law, too, had happened to be at Westminster, and in a Common Law court that day; and the altered tone of his greeting afterwards showed Mark that he had been favourably impressed by what he had heard while standing for a few minutes in the gangway.

an unknown and unpredictable phenomenon that causes an event to result one way rather than another

From this reading And now, Mark thought, he would go back to Mabel at once and tell her how Fortune had begun to smile once more upon him.

set up or found

From this reading But when he entered his chambers he found a visitor waiting for him with impatience--it was Colin.

a temporary passageway of planks (as over mud on a building site)

From this reading His father-in-law, too, had happened to be at Westminster, and in a Common Law court that day; and the altered tone of his greeting afterwards showed Mark that he had been favourably impressed by what he had heard while standing for a few minutes in the gangway.

change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading And now, Mark thought, he would go back to Mabel at once and tell her how Fortune had begun to smile once more upon him.

(usually plural) an acknowledgment or expression of good will (especially on meeting)

From this reading His father-in-law, too, had happened to be at Westminster, and in a Common Law court that day; and the altered tone of his greeting afterwards showed Mark that he had been favourably impressed by what he had heard while standing for a few minutes in the gangway.

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

From this reading It was an afternoon in January, soon after the courts had begun to sit again, and Mark was mounting the staircase to his new chambers with a light heart--he had made his _debut_ that day; the burden of the work had fallen on him in the absence of his leader, and he felt that he had acquitted himself with fair success.

past form of “happen” — come to pass

From this reading His father-in-law, too, had happened to be at Westminster, and in a Common Law court that day; and the altered tone of his greeting afterwards showed Mark that he had been favourably impressed by what he had heard while standing for a few minutes in the gangway.

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

From this reading It was an afternoon in January, soon after the courts had begun to sit again, and Mark was mounting the staircase to his new chambers with a light heart--he had made his _debut_ that day; the burden of the work had fallen on him in the absence of his leader, and he felt that he had acquitted himself with fair success.

detected or perceived by the sense of hearing

From this reading His father-in-law, too, had happened to be at Westminster, and in a Common Law court that day; and the altered tone of his greeting afterwards showed Mark that he had been favourably impressed by what he had heard while standing for a few minutes in the gangway.

the locus of feelings and intuitions

From this reading It was an afternoon in January, soon after the courts had begun to sit again, and Mark was mounting the staircase to his new chambers with a light heart--he had made his _debut_ that day; the burden of the work had fallen on him in the absence of his leader, and he felt that he had acquitted himself with fair success.

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

From this reading And now, Mark thought, he would go back to Mabel at once and tell her how Fortune had begun to smile once more upon him.

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

From this reading It was an afternoon in January, soon after the courts had begun to sit again, and Mark was mounting the staircase to his new chambers with a light heart--he had made his _debut_ that day; the burden of the work had fallen on him in the absence of his leader, and he felt that he had acquitted himself with fair success.

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

From this reading It was an afternoon in January, soon after the courts had begun to sit again, and Mark was mounting the staircase to his new chambers with a light heart--he had made his _debut_ that day; the burden of the work had fallen on him in the absence of his leader, and he felt that he had acquitted himself with fair success.

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

From this reading It was an afternoon in January, soon after the courts had begun to sit again, and Mark was mounting the staircase to his new chambers with a light heart--he had made his _debut_ that day; the burden of the work had fallen on him in the absence of his leader, and he felt that he had acquitted himself with fair success.

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

From this reading And now, Mark thought, he would go back to Mabel at once and tell her how Fortune had begun to smile once more upon him.

a lack of patience; irritation with anything that causes delay

From this reading But when he entered his chambers he found a visitor waiting for him with impatience--it was Colin.

deeply or markedly affected or influenced

From this reading His father-in-law, too, had happened to be at Westminster, and in a Common Law court that day; and the altered tone of his greeting afterwards showed Mark that he had been favourably impressed by what he had heard while standing for a few minutes in the gangway.

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

From this reading It was an afternoon in January, soon after the courts had begun to sit again, and Mark was mounting the staircase to his new chambers with a light heart--he had made his _debut_ that day; the burden of the work had fallen on him in the absence of his leader, and he felt that he had acquitted himself with fair success.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was an afternoon in January, soon after the courts had begun to sit again, and Mark was mounting the staircase to his new chambers with a light heart--he had made his _debut_ that day; the burden of the work had fallen on him in the absence of his leader, and he felt that he had acquitted himself with fair success.

the first month of the year; begins 10 days after the winter solstice

From this reading It was an afternoon in January, soon after the courts had begun to sit again, and Mark was mounting the staircase to his new chambers with a light heart--he had made his _debut_ that day; the burden of the work had fallen on him in the absence of his leader, and he felt that he had acquitted himself with fair success.

the collection of rules imposed by authority

From this reading His father-in-law, too, had happened to be at Westminster, and in a Common Law court that day; and the altered tone of his greeting afterwards showed Mark that he had been favourably impressed by what he had heard while standing for a few minutes in the gangway.

a person who rules or guides or inspires others

From this reading It was an afternoon in January, soon after the courts had begun to sit again, and Mark was mounting the staircase to his new chambers with a light heart--he had made his _debut_ that day; the burden of the work had fallen on him in the absence of his leader, and he felt that he had acquitted himself with fair success.

of comparatively little physical weight or density

From this reading It was an afternoon in January, soon after the courts had begun to sit again, and Mark was mounting the staircase to his new chambers with a light heart--he had made his _debut_ that day; the burden of the work had fallen on him in the absence of his leader, and he felt that he had acquitted himself with fair success.

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

From this reading And now, Mark thought, he would go back to Mabel at once and tell her how Fortune had begun to smile once more upon him.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading It was an afternoon in January, soon after the courts had begun to sit again, and Mark was mounting the staircase to his new chambers with a light heart--he had made his _debut_ that day; the burden of the work had fallen on him in the absence of his leader, and he felt that he had acquitted himself with fair success.

attach a tag or label to

From this reading It was an afternoon in January, soon after the courts had begun to sit again, and Mark was mounting the staircase to his new chambers with a light heart--he had made his _debut_ that day; the burden of the work had fallen on him in the absence of his leader, and he felt that he had acquitted himself with fair success.

a written account of what transpired at a meeting

From this reading His father-in-law, too, had happened to be at Westminster, and in a Common Law court that day; and the altered tone of his greeting afterwards showed Mark that he had been favourably impressed by what he had heard while standing for a few minutes in the gangway.

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

From this reading And now, Mark thought, he would go back to Mabel at once and tell her how Fortune had begun to smile once more upon him.

an event that involves rising to a higher point (as in altitude or temperature or intensity etc.)

From this reading It was an afternoon in January, soon after the courts had begun to sit again, and Mark was mounting the staircase to his new chambers with a light heart--he had made his _debut_ that day; the burden of the work had fallen on him in the absence of his leader, and he felt that he had acquitted himself with fair success.

not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered

From this reading It was an afternoon in January, soon after the courts had begun to sit again, and Mark was mounting the staircase to his new chambers with a light heart--he had made his _debut_ that day; the burden of the work had fallen on him in the absence of his leader, and he felt that he had acquitted himself with fair success.

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

From this reading And now, Mark thought, he would go back to Mabel at once and tell her how Fortune had begun to smile once more upon him.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading It was an afternoon in January, soon after the courts had begun to sit again, and Mark was mounting the staircase to his new chambers with a light heart--he had made his _debut_ that day; the burden of the work had fallen on him in the absence of his leader, and he felt that he had acquitted himself with fair success.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading It was an afternoon in January, soon after the courts had begun to sit again, and Mark was mounting the staircase to his new chambers with a light heart--he had made his _debut_ that day; the burden of the work had fallen on him in the absence of his leader, and he felt that he had acquitted himself with fair success.

on one occasion

From this reading And now, Mark thought, he would go back to Mabel at once and tell her how Fortune had begun to smile once more upon him.

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

From this reading His father-in-law, too, had happened to be at Westminster, and in a Common Law court that day; and the altered tone of his greeting afterwards showed Mark that he had been favourably impressed by what he had heard while standing for a few minutes in the gangway.

be seated

From this reading It was an afternoon in January, soon after the courts had begun to sit again, and Mark was mounting the staircase to his new chambers with a light heart--he had made his _debut_ that day; the burden of the work had fallen on him in the absence of his leader, and he felt that he had acquitted himself with fair success.

change one's facial expression by spreading the lips, often to signal pleasure

From this reading And now, Mark thought, he would go back to Mabel at once and tell her how Fortune had begun to smile once more upon him.

in the near future

From this reading It was an afternoon in January, soon after the courts had begun to sit again, and Mark was mounting the staircase to his new chambers with a light heart--he had made his _debut_ that day; the burden of the work had fallen on him in the absence of his leader, and he felt that he had acquitted himself with fair success.

a way of access (upward and downward) consisting of a set of steps

From this reading It was an afternoon in January, soon after the courts had begun to sit again, and Mark was mounting the staircase to his new chambers with a light heart--he had made his _debut_ that day; the burden of the work had fallen on him in the absence of his leader, and he felt that he had acquitted himself with fair success.

having a supporting base

From this reading His father-in-law, too, had happened to be at Westminster, and in a Common Law court that day; and the altered tone of his greeting afterwards showed Mark that he had been favourably impressed by what he had heard while standing for a few minutes in the gangway.

an event that accomplishes its intended purpose

From this reading It was an afternoon in January, soon after the courts had begun to sit again, and Mark was mounting the staircase to his new chambers with a light heart--he had made his _debut_ that day; the burden of the work had fallen on him in the absence of his leader, and he felt that he had acquitted himself with fair success.

express in words

From this reading And now, Mark thought, he would go back to Mabel at once and tell her how Fortune had begun to smile once more upon him.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading It was an afternoon in January, soon after the courts had begun to sit again, and Mark was mounting the staircase to his new chambers with a light heart--he had made his _debut_ that day; the burden of the work had fallen on him in the absence of his leader, and he felt that he had acquitted himself with fair success.

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

From this reading It was an afternoon in January, soon after the courts had begun to sit again, and Mark was mounting the staircase to his new chambers with a light heart--he had made his _debut_ that day; the burden of the work had fallen on him in the absence of his leader, and he felt that he had acquitted himself with fair success.

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

From this reading And now, Mark thought, he would go back to Mabel at once and tell her how Fortune had begun to smile once more upon him.

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

From this reading It was an afternoon in January, soon after the courts had begun to sit again, and Mark was mounting the staircase to his new chambers with a light heart--he had made his _debut_ that day; the burden of the work had fallen on him in the absence of his leader, and he felt that he had acquitted himself with fair success.

the quality of a person's voice

From this reading His father-in-law, too, had happened to be at Westminster, and in a Common Law court that day; and the altered tone of his greeting afterwards showed Mark that he had been favourably impressed by what he had heard while standing for a few minutes in the gangway.

to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits

From this reading His father-in-law, too, had happened to be at Westminster, and in a Common Law court that day; and the altered tone of his greeting afterwards showed Mark that he had been favourably impressed by what he had heard while standing for a few minutes in the gangway.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading And now, Mark thought, he would go back to Mabel at once and tell her how Fortune had begun to smile once more upon him.

a successful ending of a struggle or contest

From this reading A FINAL VICTORY.

someone who visits

From this reading But when he entered his chambers he found a visitor waiting for him with impatience--it was Colin.

the act of waiting (remaining inactive in one place while expecting something)

From this reading But when he entered his chambers he found a visitor waiting for him with impatience--it was Colin.

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

From this reading It was an afternoon in January, soon after the courts had begun to sit again, and Mark was mounting the staircase to his new chambers with a light heart--he had made his _debut_ that day; the burden of the work had fallen on him in the absence of his leader, and he felt that he had acquitted himself with fair success.

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

From this reading His father-in-law, too, had happened to be at Westminster, and in a Common Law court that day; and the altered tone of his greeting afterwards showed Mark that he had been favourably impressed by what he had heard while standing for a few minutes in the gangway.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading His father-in-law, too, had happened to be at Westminster, and in a Common Law court that day; and the altered tone of his greeting afterwards showed Mark that he had been favourably impressed by what he had heard while standing for a few minutes in the gangway.

at the time that

From this reading But when he entered his chambers he found a visitor waiting for him with impatience--it was Colin.

during the time that

From this reading His father-in-law, too, had happened to be at Westminster, and in a Common Law court that day; and the altered tone of his greeting afterwards showed Mark that he had been favourably impressed by what he had heard while standing for a few minutes in the gangway.

in the company of; together with

From this reading It was an afternoon in January, soon after the courts had begun to sit again, and Mark was mounting the staircase to his new chambers with a light heart--he had made his _debut_ that day; the burden of the work had fallen on him in the absence of his leader, and he felt that he had acquitted himself with fair success.

exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity

From this reading It was an afternoon in January, soon after the courts had begun to sit again, and Mark was mounting the staircase to his new chambers with a light heart--he had made his _debut_ that day; the burden of the work had fallen on him in the absence of his leader, and he felt that he had acquitted himself with fair success.

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

From this reading And now, Mark thought, he would go back to Mabel at once and tell her how Fortune had begun to smile once more upon him.