Chapter XXXI

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

From this reading ILLUSIONS AND DISILLUSIONS It was a pleasure to Marley to accept the homage the people paid him; they confounded his success in journalism with a success in literature, and under the impression that all writers are somehow witty, they laughed extravagantly at his lightest observation.

the state of being absent

From this reading He could no longer, by any effort of the imagination, realize it as the place he had carried affectionately in his heart during the long months of his absence; its interests were so few and so petty, and he found himself battling with a wish to get away.

consider or hold as true

From this reading ILLUSIONS AND DISILLUSIONS It was a pleasure to Marley to accept the homage the people paid him; they confounded his success in journalism with a success in literature, and under the impression that all writers are somehow witty, they laughed extravagantly at his lightest observation.

with affection

From this reading He could no longer, by any effort of the imagination, realize it as the place he had carried affectionately in his heart during the long months of his absence; its interests were so few and so petty, and he found himself battling with a wish to get away.

later than; following

From this reading But much as Marley relished all this, much as he enjoyed being at home again, with Lavinia and with his father and mother, he was disturbed by a certain restlessness that came over him after he had been in Macochee a few days and the novelty and excitement of his return had worn off.

anew

From this reading But much as Marley relished all this, much as he enjoyed being at home again, with Lavinia and with his father and mother, he was disturbed by a certain restlessness that came over him after he had been in Macochee a few days and the novelty and excitement of his return had worn off.

(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 ILLUSIONS AND DISILLUSIONS It was a pleasure to Marley to accept the homage the people paid him; they confounded his success in journalism with a success in literature, and under the impression that all writers are somehow witty, they laughed extravagantly at his lightest observation.

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

From this reading ILLUSIONS AND DISILLUSIONS It was a pleasure to Marley to accept the homage the people paid him; they confounded his success in journalism with a success in literature, and under the impression that all writers are somehow witty, they laughed extravagantly at his lightest observation.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading He could no longer, by any effort of the imagination, realize it as the place he had carried affectionately in his heart during the long months of his absence; its interests were so few and so petty, and he found himself battling with a wish to get away.

the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading ILLUSIONS AND DISILLUSIONS It was a pleasure to Marley to accept the homage the people paid him; they confounded his success in journalism with a success in literature, and under the impression that all writers are somehow witty, they laughed extravagantly at his lightest observation.

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

From this reading But much as Marley relished all this, much as he enjoyed being at home again, with Lavinia and with his father and mother, he was disturbed by a certain restlessness that came over him after he had been in Macochee a few days and the novelty and excitement of his return had worn off.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading ILLUSIONS AND DISILLUSIONS It was a pleasure to Marley to accept the homage the people paid him; they confounded his success in journalism with a success in literature, and under the impression that all writers are somehow witty, they laughed extravagantly at his lightest observation.

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading The glamour the town had worn for him had left it; it seemed to have withered and shrunk away.

-ing form of “battle” — battle or contend against in or as if in a battle

From this reading He could no longer, by any effort of the imagination, realize it as the place he had carried affectionately in his heart during the long months of his absence; its interests were so few and so petty, and he found himself battling with a wish to get away.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading But much as Marley relished all this, much as he enjoyed being at home again, with Lavinia and with his father and mother, he was disturbed by a certain restlessness that came over him after he had been in Macochee a few days and the novelty and excitement of his return had worn off.

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading But much as Marley relished all this, much as he enjoyed being at home again, with Lavinia and with his father and mother, he was disturbed by a certain restlessness that came over him after he had been in Macochee a few days and the novelty and excitement of his return had worn off.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But much as Marley relished all this, much as he enjoyed being at home again, with Lavinia and with his father and mother, he was disturbed by a certain restlessness that came over him after he had been in Macochee a few days and the novelty and excitement of his return had worn off.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading But much as Marley relished all this, much as he enjoyed being at home again, with Lavinia and with his father and mother, he was disturbed by a certain restlessness that came over him after he had been in Macochee a few days and the novelty and excitement of his return had worn off.

inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading But much as Marley relished all this, much as he enjoyed being at home again, with Lavinia and with his father and mother, he was disturbed by a certain restlessness that came over him after he had been in Macochee a few days and the novelty and excitement of his return had worn off.

inflected form of “carry” — move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body

From this reading He could no longer, by any effort of the imagination, realize it as the place he had carried affectionately in his heart during the long months of his absence; its interests were so few and so petty, and he found himself battling with a wish to get away.

definite but not specified or identified

From this reading But much as Marley relished all this, much as he enjoyed being at home again, with Lavinia and with his father and mother, he was disturbed by a certain restlessness that came over him after he had been in Macochee a few days and the novelty and excitement of his return had worn off.

perplexed by many conflicting situations or statements; filled with bewilderment

From this reading ILLUSIONS AND DISILLUSIONS It was a pleasure to Marley to accept the homage the people paid him; they confounded his success in journalism with a success in literature, and under the impression that all writers are somehow witty, they laughed extravagantly at his lightest observation.

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading He could no longer, by any effort of the imagination, realize it as the place he had carried affectionately in his heart during the long months of his absence; its interests were so few and so petty, and he found himself battling with a wish to get away.

take upon oneself; act presumptuously, without permission

From this reading He was fearful of this feeling; he did not dare to own it to himself, much less to his father and mother or to Lavinia.

the time during which someone's life continues

From this reading But much as Marley relished all this, much as he enjoyed being at home again, with Lavinia and with his father and mother, he was disturbed by a certain restlessness that came over him after he had been in Macochee a few days and the novelty and excitement of his return had worn off.

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

From this reading He was fearful of this feeling; he did not dare to own it to himself, much less to his father and mother or to Lavinia.

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

From this reading ILLUSIONS AND DISILLUSIONS It was a pleasure to Marley to accept the homage the people paid him; they confounded his success in journalism with a success in literature, and under the impression that all writers are somehow witty, they laughed extravagantly at his lightest observation.

having the place or position changed

From this reading But much as Marley relished all this, much as he enjoyed being at home again, with Lavinia and with his father and mother, he was disturbed by a certain restlessness that came over him after he had been in Macochee a few days and the novelty and excitement of his return had worn off.

all through a period, or at some point within it

From this reading He could no longer, by any effort of the imagination, realize it as the place he had carried affectionately in his heart during the long months of his absence; its interests were so few and so petty, and he found himself battling with a wish to get away.

earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something

From this reading He could no longer, by any effort of the imagination, realize it as the place he had carried affectionately in his heart during the long months of his absence; its interests were so few and so petty, and he found himself battling with a wish to get away.

past form of “enjoy” — derive or receive pleasure from; get enjoyment from; take pleasure in

From this reading But much as Marley relished all this, much as he enjoyed being at home again, with Lavinia and with his father and mother, he was disturbed by a certain restlessness that came over him after he had been in Macochee a few days and the novelty and excitement of his return had worn off.

the feeling of lively and cheerful joy

From this reading But much as Marley relished all this, much as he enjoyed being at home again, with Lavinia and with his father and mother, he was disturbed by a certain restlessness that came over him after he had been in Macochee a few days and the novelty and excitement of his return had worn off.

in an abundant manner

From this reading ILLUSIONS AND DISILLUSIONS It was a pleasure to Marley to accept the homage the people paid him; they confounded his success in journalism with a success in literature, and under the impression that all writers are somehow witty, they laughed extravagantly at his lightest observation.

a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)

From this reading But much as Marley relished all this, much as he enjoyed being at home again, with Lavinia and with his father and mother, he was disturbed by a certain restlessness that came over him after he had been in Macochee a few days and the novelty and excitement of his return had worn off.

experiencing or showing fear

From this reading He was fearful of this feeling; he did not dare to own it to himself, much less to his father and mother or to Lavinia.

the experiencing of affective and emotional states

From this reading He was fearful of this feeling; he did not dare to own it to himself, much less to his father and mother or to Lavinia.

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

From this reading But much as Marley relished all this, much as he enjoyed being at home again, with Lavinia and with his father and mother, he was disturbed by a certain restlessness that came over him after he had been in Macochee a few days and the novelty and excitement of his return had worn off.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading The glamour the town had worn for him had left it; it seemed to have withered and shrunk away.

set up or found

From this reading He could no longer, by any effort of the imagination, realize it as the place he had carried affectionately in his heart during the long months of his absence; its interests were so few and so petty, and he found himself battling with a wish to get away.

come into the possession of something concrete or abstract

From this reading He could no longer, by any effort of the imagination, realize it as the place he had carried affectionately in his heart during the long months of his absence; its interests were so few and so petty, and he found himself battling with a wish to get away.

alluring beauty or charm (often with sex-appeal)

From this reading The glamour the town had worn for him had left it; it seemed to have withered and shrunk away.

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

From this reading But much as Marley relished all this, much as he enjoyed being at home again, with Lavinia and with his father and mother, he was disturbed by a certain restlessness that came over him after he had been in Macochee a few days and the novelty and excitement of his return had worn off.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading The glamour the town had worn for him had left it; it seemed to have withered and shrunk away.

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

From this reading But much as Marley relished all this, much as he enjoyed being at home again, with Lavinia and with his father and mother, he was disturbed by a certain restlessness that came over him after he had been in Macochee a few days and the novelty and excitement of his return had worn off.

the locus of feelings and intuitions

From this reading He could no longer, by any effort of the imagination, realize it as the place he had carried affectionately in his heart during the long months of his absence; its interests were so few and so petty, and he found himself battling with a wish to get away.

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

From this reading ILLUSIONS AND DISILLUSIONS It was a pleasure to Marley to accept the homage the people paid him; they confounded his success in journalism with a success in literature, and under the impression that all writers are somehow witty, they laughed extravagantly at his lightest observation.

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

From this reading He could no longer, by any effort of the imagination, realize it as the place he had carried affectionately in his heart during the long months of his absence; its interests were so few and so petty, and he found himself battling with a wish to get away.

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

From this reading ILLUSIONS AND DISILLUSIONS It was a pleasure to Marley to accept the homage the people paid him; they confounded his success in journalism with a success in literature, and under the impression that all writers are somehow witty, they laughed extravagantly at his lightest observation.

respectful deference

From this reading ILLUSIONS AND DISILLUSIONS It was a pleasure to Marley to accept the homage the people paid him; they confounded his success in journalism with a success in literature, and under the impression that all writers are somehow witty, they laughed extravagantly at his lightest observation.

where you live at a particular time

From this reading But much as Marley relished all this, much as he enjoyed being at home again, with Lavinia and with his father and mother, he was disturbed by a certain restlessness that came over him after he had been in Macochee a few days and the novelty and excitement of his return had worn off.

plural of “illusion” — an erroneous mental representation

From this reading ILLUSIONS AND DISILLUSIONS It was a pleasure to Marley to accept the homage the people paid him; they confounded his success in journalism with a success in literature, and under the impression that all writers are somehow witty, they laughed extravagantly at his lightest observation.

the formation of a mental image of something that is not perceived as real and is not present to the senses

From this reading He could no longer, by any effort of the imagination, realize it as the place he had carried affectionately in his heart during the long months of his absence; its interests were so few and so petty, and he found himself battling with a wish to get away.

a vague idea in which some confidence is placed

From this reading ILLUSIONS AND DISILLUSIONS It was a pleasure to Marley to accept the homage the people paid him; they confounded his success in journalism with a success in literature, and under the impression that all writers are somehow witty, they laughed extravagantly at his lightest observation.

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

From this reading ILLUSIONS AND DISILLUSIONS It was a pleasure to Marley to accept the homage the people paid him; they confounded his success in journalism with a success in literature, and under the impression that all writers are somehow witty, they laughed extravagantly at his lightest observation.

plural of “interest” — a sense of concern with and curiosity about someone or something

From this reading He could no longer, by any effort of the imagination, realize it as the place he had carried affectionately in his heart during the long months of his absence; its interests were so few and so petty, and he found himself battling with a wish to get away.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading ILLUSIONS AND DISILLUSIONS It was a pleasure to Marley to accept the homage the people paid him; they confounded his success in journalism with a success in literature, and under the impression that all writers are somehow witty, they laughed extravagantly at his lightest observation.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading He could no longer, by any effort of the imagination, realize it as the place he had carried affectionately in his heart during the long months of his absence; its interests were so few and so petty, and he found himself battling with a wish to get away.

newspapers and magazines collectively

From this reading ILLUSIONS AND DISILLUSIONS It was a pleasure to Marley to accept the homage the people paid him; they confounded his success in journalism with a success in literature, and under the impression that all writers are somehow witty, they laughed extravagantly at his lightest observation.

past form of “laugh” — produce laughter

From this reading ILLUSIONS AND DISILLUSIONS It was a pleasure to Marley to accept the homage the people paid him; they confounded his success in journalism with a success in literature, and under the impression that all writers are somehow witty, they laughed extravagantly at his lightest observation.

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

From this reading But much as Marley relished all this, much as he enjoyed being at home again, with Lavinia and with his father and mother, he was disturbed by a certain restlessness that came over him after he had been in Macochee a few days and the novelty and excitement of his return had worn off.

location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east

From this reading The glamour the town had worn for him had left it; it seemed to have withered and shrunk away.

used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs

From this reading He was fearful of this feeling; he did not dare to own it to himself, much less to his father and mother or to Lavinia.

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

From this reading ILLUSIONS AND DISILLUSIONS It was a pleasure to Marley to accept the homage the people paid him; they confounded his success in journalism with a success in literature, and under the impression that all writers are somehow witty, they laughed extravagantly at his lightest observation.

creative writing of recognized artistic value

From this reading ILLUSIONS AND DISILLUSIONS It was a pleasure to Marley to accept the homage the people paid him; they confounded his success in journalism with a success in literature, and under the impression that all writers are somehow witty, they laughed extravagantly at his lightest observation.

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

From this reading He could no longer, by any effort of the imagination, realize it as the place he had carried affectionately in his heart during the long months of his absence; its interests were so few and so petty, and he found himself battling with a wish to get away.

for more time

From this reading He could no longer, by any effort of the imagination, realize it as the place he had carried affectionately in his heart during the long months of his absence; its interests were so few and so petty, and he found himself battling with a wish to get away.

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

From this reading But much as Marley relished all this, much as he enjoyed being at home again, with Lavinia and with his father and mother, he was disturbed by a certain restlessness that came over him after he had been in Macochee a few days and the novelty and excitement of his return had worn off.

Jamaican singer who popularized reggae (1945-1981)

From this reading ILLUSIONS AND DISILLUSIONS It was a pleasure to Marley to accept the homage the people paid him; they confounded his success in journalism with a success in literature, and under the impression that all writers are somehow witty, they laughed extravagantly at his lightest observation.

plural of “month” — one of the twelve divisions of the calendar year

From this reading He could no longer, by any effort of the imagination, realize it as the place he had carried affectionately in his heart during the long months of his absence; its interests were so few and so petty, and he found himself battling with a wish to get away.

a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)

From this reading But much as Marley relished all this, much as he enjoyed being at home again, with Lavinia and with his father and mother, he was disturbed by a certain restlessness that came over him after he had been in Macochee a few days and the novelty and excitement of his return had worn off.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading But much as Marley relished all this, much as he enjoyed being at home again, with Lavinia and with his father and mother, he was disturbed by a certain restlessness that came over him after he had been in Macochee a few days and the novelty and excitement of his return had worn off.

not any; not one

From this reading He could no longer, by any effort of the imagination, realize it as the place he had carried affectionately in his heart during the long months of his absence; its interests were so few and so petty, and he found himself battling with a wish to get away.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading He was fearful of this feeling; he did not dare to own it to himself, much less to his father and mother or to Lavinia.

originality by virtue of being refreshingly novel

From this reading But much as Marley relished all this, much as he enjoyed being at home again, with Lavinia and with his father and mother, he was disturbed by a certain restlessness that came over him after he had been in Macochee a few days and the novelty and excitement of his return had worn off.

the act of making and recording a measurement

From this reading ILLUSIONS AND DISILLUSIONS It was a pleasure to Marley to accept the homage the people paid him; they confounded his success in journalism with a success in literature, and under the impression that all writers are somehow witty, they laughed extravagantly at his lightest observation.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading But much as Marley relished all this, much as he enjoyed being at home again, with Lavinia and with his father and mother, he was disturbed by a certain restlessness that came over him after he had been in Macochee a few days and the novelty and excitement of his return had worn off.

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading But much as Marley relished all this, much as he enjoyed being at home again, with Lavinia and with his father and mother, he was disturbed by a certain restlessness that came over him after he had been in Macochee a few days and the novelty and excitement of his return had worn off.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading He was fearful of this feeling; he did not dare to own it to himself, much less to his father and mother or to Lavinia.

above and across; more than

From this reading But much as Marley relished all this, much as he enjoyed being at home again, with Lavinia and with his father and mother, he was disturbed by a certain restlessness that came over him after he had been in Macochee a few days and the novelty and excitement of his return had worn off.

have ownership or possession of

From this reading He was fearful of this feeling; he did not dare to own it to himself, much less to his father and mother or to Lavinia.

marked by the reception of pay

From this reading ILLUSIONS AND DISILLUSIONS It was a pleasure to Marley to accept the homage the people paid him; they confounded his success in journalism with a success in literature, and under the impression that all writers are somehow witty, they laughed extravagantly at his lightest observation.

(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively

From this reading ILLUSIONS AND DISILLUSIONS It was a pleasure to Marley to accept the homage the people paid him; they confounded his success in journalism with a success in literature, and under the impression that all writers are somehow witty, they laughed extravagantly at his lightest observation.

inferior in rank or status

From this reading He could no longer, by any effort of the imagination, realize it as the place he had carried affectionately in his heart during the long months of his absence; its interests were so few and so petty, and he found himself battling with a wish to get away.

a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading He could no longer, by any effort of the imagination, realize it as the place he had carried affectionately in his heart during the long months of his absence; its interests were so few and so petty, and he found himself battling with a wish to get away.

a fundamental feeling that is hard to define but that people desire to experience

From this reading ILLUSIONS AND DISILLUSIONS It was a pleasure to Marley to accept the homage the people paid him; they confounded his success in journalism with a success in literature, and under the impression that all writers are somehow witty, they laughed extravagantly at his lightest observation.

be fully aware or cognizant of

From this reading He could no longer, by any effort of the imagination, realize it as the place he had carried affectionately in his heart during the long months of his absence; its interests were so few and so petty, and he found himself battling with a wish to get away.

past form of “relish” — derive or receive pleasure from; get enjoyment from; take pleasure in

From this reading But much as Marley relished all this, much as he enjoyed being at home again, with Lavinia and with his father and mother, he was disturbed by a certain restlessness that came over him after he had been in Macochee a few days and the novelty and excitement of his return had worn off.

the quality of being ceaselessly moving or active

From this reading But much as Marley relished all this, much as he enjoyed being at home again, with Lavinia and with his father and mother, he was disturbed by a certain restlessness that came over him after he had been in Macochee a few days and the novelty and excitement of his return had worn off.

go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before

From this reading But much as Marley relished all this, much as he enjoyed being at home again, with Lavinia and with his father and mother, he was disturbed by a certain restlessness that came over him after he had been in Macochee a few days and the novelty and excitement of his return had worn off.

past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading The glamour the town had worn for him had left it; it seemed to have withered and shrunk away.

inflected form of “shrink” — wither, as with a loss of moisture

From this reading The glamour the town had worn for him had left it; it seemed to have withered and shrunk away.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading He could no longer, by any effort of the imagination, realize it as the place he had carried affectionately in his heart during the long months of his absence; its interests were so few and so petty, and he found himself battling with a wish to get away.

in some unspecified way or manner; or by some unspecified means

From this reading ILLUSIONS AND DISILLUSIONS It was a pleasure to Marley to accept the homage the people paid him; they confounded his success in journalism with a success in literature, and under the impression that all writers are somehow witty, they laughed extravagantly at his lightest observation.

an event that accomplishes its intended purpose

From this reading ILLUSIONS AND DISILLUSIONS It was a pleasure to Marley to accept the homage the people paid him; they confounded his success in journalism with a success in literature, and under the impression that all writers are somehow witty, they laughed extravagantly at his lightest observation.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading ILLUSIONS AND DISILLUSIONS It was a pleasure to Marley to accept the homage the people paid him; they confounded his success in journalism with a success in literature, and under the impression that all writers are somehow witty, they laughed extravagantly at his lightest observation.

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

From this reading ILLUSIONS AND DISILLUSIONS It was a pleasure to Marley to accept the homage the people paid him; they confounded his success in journalism with a success in literature, and under the impression that all writers are somehow witty, they laughed extravagantly at his lightest observation.

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading ILLUSIONS AND DISILLUSIONS It was a pleasure to Marley to accept the homage the people paid him; they confounded his success in journalism with a success in literature, and under the impression that all writers are somehow witty, they laughed extravagantly at his lightest observation.

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

From this reading But much as Marley relished all this, much as he enjoyed being at home again, with Lavinia and with his father and mother, he was disturbed by a certain restlessness that came over him after he had been in Macochee a few days and the novelty and excitement of his return had worn off.

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

From this reading ILLUSIONS AND DISILLUSIONS It was a pleasure to Marley to accept the homage the people paid him; they confounded his success in journalism with a success in literature, and under the impression that all writers are somehow witty, they laughed extravagantly at his lightest observation.

an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city

From this reading The glamour the town had worn for him had left it; it seemed to have withered and shrunk away.

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading ILLUSIONS AND DISILLUSIONS It was a pleasure to Marley to accept the homage the people paid him; they confounded his success in journalism with a success in literature, and under the impression that all writers are somehow witty, they laughed extravagantly at his lightest observation.

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

From this reading ILLUSIONS AND DISILLUSIONS It was a pleasure to Marley to accept the homage the people paid him; they confounded his success in journalism with a success in literature, and under the impression that all writers are somehow witty, they laughed extravagantly at his lightest observation.

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading He could no longer, by any effort of the imagination, realize it as the place he had carried affectionately in his heart during the long months of his absence; its interests were so few and so petty, and he found himself battling with a wish to get away.

hope for; have a wish

From this reading He could no longer, by any effort of the imagination, realize it as the place he had carried affectionately in his heart during the long months of his absence; its interests were so few and so petty, and he found himself battling with a wish to get away.

in the company of; together with

From this reading ILLUSIONS AND DISILLUSIONS It was a pleasure to Marley to accept the homage the people paid him; they confounded his success in journalism with a success in literature, and under the impression that all writers are somehow witty, they laughed extravagantly at his lightest observation.

lean and wrinkled by shrinkage as from age or illness

From this reading The glamour the town had worn for him had left it; it seemed to have withered and shrunk away.

combining clever conception and facetious expression

From this reading ILLUSIONS AND DISILLUSIONS It was a pleasure to Marley to accept the homage the people paid him; they confounded his success in journalism with a success in literature, and under the impression that all writers are somehow witty, they laughed extravagantly at his lightest observation.

Damaged or thinned by continuous use.

From this reading But much as Marley relished all this, much as he enjoyed being at home again, with Lavinia and with his father and mother, he was disturbed by a certain restlessness that came over him after he had been in Macochee a few days and the novelty and excitement of his return had worn off.

plural of “writer” — writes (books or stories or articles or the like) professionally (for pay)

From this reading ILLUSIONS AND DISILLUSIONS It was a pleasure to Marley to accept the homage the people paid him; they confounded his success in journalism with a success in literature, and under the impression that all writers are somehow witty, they laughed extravagantly at his lightest observation.