Chapter IX · Chapter 9

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

From this reading Nayland Smith glanced across at me with a slight smile.

having companions or an escort

From this reading "What do you think, Lewison?" he added, glancing over his shoulder at the clerk who accompanied him.

from one side of something to the other

From this reading Nayland Smith glanced across at me with a slight smile.

past form of “add” — make an addition (to); join or combine or unite with others; increase the quality, quantity, size or scope of

From this reading "What do you think, Lewison?" he added, glancing over his shoulder at the clerk who accompanied him.

(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but

From this reading THE TÛLUN-NÛR CHEST "This box," said Mr. Meyerstein, bending attentively over the carven brass coffer upon the table, "is certainly of considerable value, and possibly almost unique."

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

From this reading THE TÛLUN-NÛR CHEST "This box," said Mr. Meyerstein, bending attentively over the carven brass coffer upon the table, "is certainly of considerable value, and possibly almost unique."

evaluate or estimate the nature, quality, ability, extent, or significance of

From this reading Mr. Meyerstein ran one fat finger tenderly across the heavily embossed figures, which, like barnacles, encrusted the sides and lid of the weird curio which we had summoned him to appraise.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Nayland Smith glanced across at me with a slight smile.

with attention; in an attentive manner

From this reading THE TÛLUN-NÛR CHEST "This box," said Mr. Meyerstein, bending attentively over the carven brass coffer upon the table, "is certainly of considerable value, and possibly almost unique."

plural of “barnacle” — marine crustaceans with feathery food-catching appendages; free-swimming as larvae; as adults form a hard shell and live attached to submerged surfaces

From this reading Mr. Meyerstein ran one fat finger tenderly across the heavily embossed figures, which, like barnacles, encrusted the sides and lid of the weird curio which we had summoned him to appraise.

movement that causes the formation of a curve

From this reading THE TÛLUN-NÛR CHEST "This box," said Mr. Meyerstein, bending attentively over the carven brass coffer upon the table, "is certainly of considerable value, and possibly almost unique."

of the color intermediate between green and violet; having a color similar to that of a clear unclouded sky

From this reading Lewison, whose flaxen hair and light blue eyes almost served to mask his Semitic origin, shrugged his shoulders in a fashion incongruous in one of his complexion, though characteristic in one of his name.

a (usually rectangular) container; may have a lid

From this reading THE TÛLUN-NÛR CHEST "This box," said Mr. Meyerstein, bending attentively over the carven brass coffer upon the table, "is certainly of considerable value, and possibly almost unique."

an alloy of copper and zinc

From this reading THE TÛLUN-NÛR CHEST "This box," said Mr. Meyerstein, bending attentively over the carven brass coffer upon the table, "is certainly of considerable value, and possibly almost unique."

made for or formed by carving (“carven” is archaic or literary)

From this reading THE TÛLUN-NÛR CHEST "This box," said Mr. Meyerstein, bending attentively over the carven brass coffer upon the table, "is certainly of considerable value, and possibly almost unique."

definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)

From this reading THE TÛLUN-NÛR CHEST "This box," said Mr. Meyerstein, bending attentively over the carven brass coffer upon the table, "is certainly of considerable value, and possibly almost unique."

a prominent attribute or aspect of something

From this reading Lewison, whose flaxen hair and light blue eyes almost served to mask his Semitic origin, shrugged his shoulders in a fashion incongruous in one of his complexion, though characteristic in one of his name.

the part of the human torso between the neck and the diaphragm or the corresponding part in other vertebrates

From this reading THE TÛLUN-NÛR CHEST "This box," said Mr. Meyerstein, bending attentively over the carven brass coffer upon the table, "is certainly of considerable value, and possibly almost unique."

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

From this reading "What do you think, Lewison?" he added, glancing over his shoulder at the clerk who accompanied him.

an ornamental sunken panel in a ceiling or dome

From this reading THE TÛLUN-NÛR CHEST "This box," said Mr. Meyerstein, bending attentively over the carven brass coffer upon the table, "is certainly of considerable value, and possibly almost unique."

the coloring of a person's face

From this reading Lewison, whose flaxen hair and light blue eyes almost served to mask his Semitic origin, shrugged his shoulders in a fashion incongruous in one of his complexion, though characteristic in one of his name.

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

From this reading THE TÛLUN-NÛR CHEST "This box," said Mr. Meyerstein, bending attentively over the carven brass coffer upon the table, "is certainly of considerable value, and possibly almost unique."

something unusual -- perhaps worthy of collecting

From this reading Mr. Meyerstein ran one fat finger tenderly across the heavily embossed figures, which, like barnacles, encrusted the sides and lid of the weird curio which we had summoned him to appraise.

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading "What do you think, Lewison?" he added, glancing over his shoulder at the clerk who accompanied him.

embellished with a raised pattern created by pressure or embroidery

From this reading Mr. Meyerstein ran one fat finger tenderly across the heavily embossed figures, which, like barnacles, encrusted the sides and lid of the weird curio which we had summoned him to appraise.

having a hardened crust as a covering

From this reading Mr. Meyerstein ran one fat finger tenderly across the heavily embossed figures, which, like barnacles, encrusted the sides and lid of the weird curio which we had summoned him to appraise.

opinion or judgment

From this reading Lewison, whose flaxen hair and light blue eyes almost served to mask his Semitic origin, shrugged his shoulders in a fashion incongruous in one of his complexion, though characteristic in one of his name.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading Lewison, whose flaxen hair and light blue eyes almost served to mask his Semitic origin, shrugged his shoulders in a fashion incongruous in one of his complexion, though characteristic in one of his name.

having an (over)abundance of flesh

From this reading Mr. Meyerstein ran one fat finger tenderly across the heavily embossed figures, which, like barnacles, encrusted the sides and lid of the weird curio which we had summoned him to appraise.

plural of “figure” — a diagram or picture illustrating textual material

From this reading Mr. Meyerstein ran one fat finger tenderly across the heavily embossed figures, which, like barnacles, encrusted the sides and lid of the weird curio which we had summoned him to appraise.

feel or handle with the fingers

From this reading Mr. Meyerstein ran one fat finger tenderly across the heavily embossed figures, which, like barnacles, encrusted the sides and lid of the weird curio which we had summoned him to appraise.

of hair color; pale yellowish to yellowish brown

From this reading Lewison, whose flaxen hair and light blue eyes almost served to mask his Semitic origin, shrugged his shoulders in a fashion incongruous in one of his complexion, though characteristic in one of his name.

past form of “glance” — throw a glance at; take a brief look at

From this reading Nayland Smith glanced across at me with a slight smile.

-ing form of “glance” — throw a glance at; take a brief look at

From this reading "What do you think, Lewison?" he added, glancing over his shoulder at the clerk who accompanied him.

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

From this reading Mr. Meyerstein ran one fat finger tenderly across the heavily embossed figures, which, like barnacles, encrusted the sides and lid of the weird curio which we had summoned him to appraise.

a covering for the body (or parts of it) consisting of a dense growth of threadlike structures (as on the human head); helps to prevent heat loss

From this reading Lewison, whose flaxen hair and light blue eyes almost served to mask his Semitic origin, shrugged his shoulders in a fashion incongruous in one of his complexion, though characteristic in one of his name.

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

From this reading "What do you think, Lewison?" he added, glancing over his shoulder at the clerk who accompanied him.

to a considerable degree

From this reading Mr. Meyerstein ran one fat finger tenderly across the heavily embossed figures, which, like barnacles, encrusted the sides and lid of the weird curio which we had summoned him to appraise.

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

From this reading Mr. Meyerstein ran one fat finger tenderly across the heavily embossed figures, which, like barnacles, encrusted the sides and lid of the weird curio which we had summoned him to appraise.

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

From this reading "What do you think, Lewison?" he added, glancing over his shoulder at the clerk who accompanied him.

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

From this reading Lewison, whose flaxen hair and light blue eyes almost served to mask his Semitic origin, shrugged his shoulders in a fashion incongruous in one of his complexion, though characteristic in one of his name.

lacking in harmony or compatibility or appropriateness

From this reading Lewison, whose flaxen hair and light blue eyes almost served to mask his Semitic origin, shrugged his shoulders in a fashion incongruous in one of his complexion, though characteristic in one of his name.

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

From this reading THE TÛLUN-NÛR CHEST "This box," said Mr. Meyerstein, bending attentively over the carven brass coffer upon the table, "is certainly of considerable value, and possibly almost unique."

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

From this reading "What do you think, Lewison?" he added, glancing over his shoulder at the clerk who accompanied him.

either of two folds of skin that can be moved to cover or open the eye

From this reading Mr. Meyerstein ran one fat finger tenderly across the heavily embossed figures, which, like barnacles, encrusted the sides and lid of the weird curio which we had summoned him to appraise.

of comparatively little physical weight or density

From this reading Lewison, whose flaxen hair and light blue eyes almost served to mask his Semitic origin, shrugged his shoulders in a fashion incongruous in one of his complexion, though characteristic in one of his name.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading Mr. Meyerstein ran one fat finger tenderly across the heavily embossed figures, which, like barnacles, encrusted the sides and lid of the weird curio which we had summoned him to appraise.

hide under a false appearance

From this reading Lewison, whose flaxen hair and light blue eyes almost served to mask his Semitic origin, shrugged his shoulders in a fashion incongruous in one of his complexion, though characteristic in one of his name.

the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading Nayland Smith glanced across at me with a slight smile.

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

From this reading THE TÛLUN-NÛR CHEST "This box," said Mr. Meyerstein, bending attentively over the carven brass coffer upon the table, "is certainly of considerable value, and possibly almost unique."

a form of address for a man

From this reading THE TÛLUN-NÛR CHEST "This box," said Mr. Meyerstein, bending attentively over the carven brass coffer upon the table, "is certainly of considerable value, and possibly almost unique."

assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading Lewison, whose flaxen hair and light blue eyes almost served to mask his Semitic origin, shrugged his shoulders in a fashion incongruous in one of his complexion, though characteristic in one of his name.

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

From this reading Nayland Smith glanced across at me with a slight smile.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading THE TÛLUN-NÛR CHEST "This box," said Mr. Meyerstein, bending attentively over the carven brass coffer upon the table, "is certainly of considerable value, and possibly almost unique."

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Mr. Meyerstein ran one fat finger tenderly across the heavily embossed figures, which, like barnacles, encrusted the sides and lid of the weird curio which we had summoned him to appraise.

the place where something begins, where it springs into being

From this reading Lewison, whose flaxen hair and light blue eyes almost served to mask his Semitic origin, shrugged his shoulders in a fashion incongruous in one of his complexion, though characteristic in one of his name.

above and across; more than

From this reading THE TÛLUN-NÛR CHEST "This box," said Mr. Meyerstein, bending attentively over the carven brass coffer upon the table, "is certainly of considerable value, and possibly almost unique."

by chance

From this reading THE TÛLUN-NÛR CHEST "This box," said Mr. Meyerstein, bending attentively over the carven brass coffer upon the table, "is certainly of considerable value, and possibly almost unique."

inflected form of “run” — move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time

From this reading Mr. Meyerstein ran one fat finger tenderly across the heavily embossed figures, which, like barnacles, encrusted the sides and lid of the weird curio which we had summoned him to appraise.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading THE TÛLUN-NÛR CHEST "This box," said Mr. Meyerstein, bending attentively over the carven brass coffer upon the table, "is certainly of considerable value, and possibly almost unique."

of or relating to the group of Semitic languages

From this reading Lewison, whose flaxen hair and light blue eyes almost served to mask his Semitic origin, shrugged his shoulders in a fashion incongruous in one of his complexion, though characteristic in one of his name.

past form of “serve” — serve a purpose, role, or function

From this reading Lewison, whose flaxen hair and light blue eyes almost served to mask his Semitic origin, shrugged his shoulders in a fashion incongruous in one of his complexion, though characteristic in one of his name.

lift onto one's shoulders

From this reading "What do you think, Lewison?" he added, glancing over his shoulder at the clerk who accompanied him.

plural of “shoulder” — the part of the body between the neck and the upper arm

From this reading Lewison, whose flaxen hair and light blue eyes almost served to mask his Semitic origin, shrugged his shoulders in a fashion incongruous in one of his complexion, though characteristic in one of his name.

inflected form of “shrug” — raise one's shoulders to indicate indifference or resignation

From this reading Lewison, whose flaxen hair and light blue eyes almost served to mask his Semitic origin, shrugged his shoulders in a fashion incongruous in one of his complexion, though characteristic in one of his name.

plural of “side” — a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location

From this reading Mr. Meyerstein ran one fat finger tenderly across the heavily embossed figures, which, like barnacles, encrusted the sides and lid of the weird curio which we had summoned him to appraise.

a deliberate discourteous act (usually as an expression of anger or disapproval)

From this reading Nayland Smith glanced across at me with a slight smile.

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

From this reading Nayland Smith glanced across at me with a slight smile.

Rhodesian statesman who declared independence of Zimbabwe from Great Britain (born in 1919)

From this reading Nayland Smith glanced across at me with a slight smile.

past form of “summon” — call in an official matter, such as to attend court

From this reading Mr. Meyerstein ran one fat finger tenderly across the heavily embossed figures, which, like barnacles, encrusted the sides and lid of the weird curio which we had summoned him to appraise.

a set of data arranged in rows and columns

From this reading THE TÛLUN-NÛR CHEST "This box," said Mr. Meyerstein, bending attentively over the carven brass coffer upon the table, "is certainly of considerable value, and possibly almost unique."

with tenderness; in a tender manner

From this reading Mr. Meyerstein ran one fat finger tenderly across the heavily embossed figures, which, like barnacles, encrusted the sides and lid of the weird curio which we had summoned him to appraise.

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

From this reading THE TÛLUN-NÛR CHEST "This box," said Mr. Meyerstein, bending attentively over the carven brass coffer upon the table, "is certainly of considerable value, and possibly almost unique."

judge or regard; look upon; judge

From this reading "What do you think, Lewison?" he added, glancing over his shoulder at the clerk who accompanied him.

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

From this reading THE TÛLUN-NÛR CHEST "This box," said Mr. Meyerstein, bending attentively over the carven brass coffer upon the table, "is certainly of considerable value, and possibly almost unique."

in spite of the fact that

From this reading Lewison, whose flaxen hair and light blue eyes almost served to mask his Semitic origin, shrugged his shoulders in a fashion incongruous in one of his complexion, though characteristic in one of his name.

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

From this reading Mr. Meyerstein ran one fat finger tenderly across the heavily embossed figures, which, like barnacles, encrusted the sides and lid of the weird curio which we had summoned him to appraise.

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

From this reading THE TÛLUN-NÛR CHEST "This box," said Mr. Meyerstein, bending attentively over the carven brass coffer upon the table, "is certainly of considerable value, and possibly almost unique."

radically distinctive and without equal

From this reading THE TÛLUN-NÛR CHEST "This box," said Mr. Meyerstein, bending attentively over the carven brass coffer upon the table, "is certainly of considerable value, and possibly almost unique."

a formal word for “on”

From this reading THE TÛLUN-NÛR CHEST "This box," said Mr. Meyerstein, bending attentively over the carven brass coffer upon the table, "is certainly of considerable value, and possibly almost unique."

a numerical quantity measured or assigned or computed

From this reading THE TÛLUN-NÛR CHEST "This box," said Mr. Meyerstein, bending attentively over the carven brass coffer upon the table, "is certainly of considerable value, and possibly almost unique."

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading Mr. Meyerstein ran one fat finger tenderly across the heavily embossed figures, which, like barnacles, encrusted the sides and lid of the weird curio which we had summoned him to appraise.

suggesting the operation of supernatural influences

From this reading Mr. Meyerstein ran one fat finger tenderly across the heavily embossed figures, which, like barnacles, encrusted the sides and lid of the weird curio which we had summoned him to appraise.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading "What do you think, Lewison?" he added, glancing over his shoulder at the clerk who accompanied him.

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

From this reading Mr. Meyerstein ran one fat finger tenderly across the heavily embossed figures, which, like barnacles, encrusted the sides and lid of the weird curio which we had summoned him to appraise.

which person or people

From this reading "What do you think, Lewison?" he added, glancing over his shoulder at the clerk who accompanied him.

belonging to which person

From this reading Lewison, whose flaxen hair and light blue eyes almost served to mask his Semitic origin, shrugged his shoulders in a fashion incongruous in one of his complexion, though characteristic in one of his name.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Nayland Smith glanced across at me with a slight smile.

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading "What do you think, Lewison?" he added, glancing over his shoulder at the clerk who accompanied him.