Chapter XXIV

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

From this reading The pretty comedy to which Brian had referred had been running with something of regularity for over six months; the staging of it had been a more costly matter than Comethup had believed possible.

presently existing in fact and not merely potential or possible

From this reading To do Brian justice, he had no knowledge of what the actual sum was on which his cousin had to depend, nor, indeed, did he care.

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading He held the younger man strictly to his bargain--even threatened desertion, at the slightest remonstrance on Comethup's part against reckless expenditure.

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

From this reading UNCLE ROBERT HAS AN INSPIRATION.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading His own expenses were small enough--indeed, he cut them down to the lowest figure; but Brian had seen in him an inexhaustible mine, from which he could demand whatever he wanted at any moment, light-heartedly enough.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading His own expenses were small enough--indeed, he cut them down to the lowest figure; but Brian had seen in him an inexhaustible mine, from which he could demand whatever he wanted at any moment, light-heartedly enough.

an agreement between parties (usually arrived at after discussion) fixing obligations of each

From this reading He held the younger man strictly to his bargain--even threatened desertion, at the slightest remonstrance on Comethup's part against reckless expenditure.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading The pretty comedy to which Brian had referred had been running with something of regularity for over six months; the staging of it had been a more costly matter than Comethup had believed possible.

past form of “believe” — accept as true; take to be true

From this reading The pretty comedy to which Brian had referred had been running with something of regularity for over six months; the staging of it had been a more costly matter than Comethup had believed possible.

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

From this reading The pretty comedy to which Brian had referred had been running with something of regularity for over six months; the staging of it had been a more costly matter than Comethup had believed possible.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading His own expenses were small enough--indeed, he cut them down to the lowest figure; but Brian had seen in him an inexhaustible mine, from which he could demand whatever he wanted at any moment, light-heartedly enough.

the work of providing treatment for or attending to someone or something

From this reading To do Brian justice, he had no knowledge of what the actual sum was on which his cousin had to depend, nor, indeed, did he care.

light and humorous drama with a happy ending

From this reading The pretty comedy to which Brian had referred had been running with something of regularity for over six months; the staging of it had been a more costly matter than Comethup had believed possible.

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

From this reading The pretty comedy to which Brian had referred had been running with something of regularity for over six months; the staging of it had been a more costly matter than Comethup had believed possible.

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

From this reading He held the younger man strictly to his bargain--even threatened desertion, at the slightest remonstrance on Comethup's part against reckless expenditure.

entailing great loss or sacrifice

From this reading The pretty comedy to which Brian had referred had been running with something of regularity for over six months; the staging of it had been a more costly matter than Comethup had believed possible.

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

From this reading His own expenses were small enough--indeed, he cut them down to the lowest figure; but Brian had seen in him an inexhaustible mine, from which he could demand whatever he wanted at any moment, light-heartedly enough.

the child of your aunt or uncle

From this reading To do Brian justice, he had no knowledge of what the actual sum was on which his cousin had to depend, nor, indeed, did he care.

separate with or as if with an instrument

From this reading His own expenses were small enough--indeed, he cut them down to the lowest figure; but Brian had seen in him an inexhaustible mine, from which he could demand whatever he wanted at any moment, light-heartedly enough.

an urgent or peremptory request

From this reading His own expenses were small enough--indeed, he cut them down to the lowest figure; but Brian had seen in him an inexhaustible mine, from which he could demand whatever he wanted at any moment, light-heartedly enough.

be contingent upon (something that is elided)

From this reading To do Brian justice, he had no knowledge of what the actual sum was on which his cousin had to depend, nor, indeed, did he care.

withdrawing support or help despite allegiance or responsibility

From this reading He held the younger man strictly to his bargain--even threatened desertion, at the slightest remonstrance on Comethup's part against reckless expenditure.

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

From this reading To do Brian justice, he had no knowledge of what the actual sum was on which his cousin had to depend, nor, indeed, did he care.

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading To do Brian justice, he had no knowledge of what the actual sum was on which his cousin had to depend, nor, indeed, did he care.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading His own expenses were small enough--indeed, he cut them down to the lowest figure; but Brian had seen in him an inexhaustible mine, from which he could demand whatever he wanted at any moment, light-heartedly enough.

an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose

From this reading His own expenses were small enough--indeed, he cut them down to the lowest figure; but Brian had seen in him an inexhaustible mine, from which he could demand whatever he wanted at any moment, light-heartedly enough.

divisible by two

From this reading He held the younger man strictly to his bargain--even threatened desertion, at the slightest remonstrance on Comethup's part against reckless expenditure.

money paid out; an amount spent

From this reading He held the younger man strictly to his bargain--even threatened desertion, at the slightest remonstrance on Comethup's part against reckless expenditure.

plural of “expense” — amounts paid for goods and services that may be currently tax deductible (as opposed to capital expenditures)

From this reading His own expenses were small enough--indeed, he cut them down to the lowest figure; but Brian had seen in him an inexhaustible mine, from which he could demand whatever he wanted at any moment, light-heartedly enough.

a diagram or picture illustrating textual material

From this reading His own expenses were small enough--indeed, he cut them down to the lowest figure; but Brian had seen in him an inexhaustible mine, from which he could demand whatever he wanted at any moment, light-heartedly enough.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading The pretty comedy to which Brian had referred had been running with something of regularity for over six months; the staging of it had been a more costly matter than Comethup had believed possible.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading His own expenses were small enough--indeed, he cut them down to the lowest figure; but Brian had seen in him an inexhaustible mine, from which he could demand whatever he wanted at any moment, light-heartedly enough.

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

From this reading The pretty comedy to which Brian had referred had been running with something of regularity for over six months; the staging of it had been a more costly matter than Comethup had believed possible.

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

From this reading UNCLE ROBERT HAS AN INSPIRATION.

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

From this reading His own expenses were small enough--indeed, he cut them down to the lowest figure; but Brian had seen in him an inexhaustible mine, from which he could demand whatever he wanted at any moment, light-heartedly enough.

occupied or in the control of; often used in combination

From this reading He held the younger man strictly to his bargain--even threatened desertion, at the slightest remonstrance on Comethup's part against reckless expenditure.

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

From this reading His own expenses were small enough--indeed, he cut them down to the lowest figure; but Brian had seen in him an inexhaustible mine, from which he could demand whatever he wanted at any moment, light-heartedly enough.

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

From this reading His own expenses were small enough--indeed, he cut them down to the lowest figure; but Brian had seen in him an inexhaustible mine, from which he could demand whatever he wanted at any moment, light-heartedly enough.

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

From this reading His own expenses were small enough--indeed, he cut them down to the lowest figure; but Brian had seen in him an inexhaustible mine, from which he could demand whatever he wanted at any moment, light-heartedly enough.

in truth (often tends to intensify)

From this reading His own expenses were small enough--indeed, he cut them down to the lowest figure; but Brian had seen in him an inexhaustible mine, from which he could demand whatever he wanted at any moment, light-heartedly enough.

that cannot be entirely consumed or used up

From this reading His own expenses were small enough--indeed, he cut them down to the lowest figure; but Brian had seen in him an inexhaustible mine, from which he could demand whatever he wanted at any moment, light-heartedly enough.

arousal of the mind to special unusual activity or creativity

From this reading UNCLE ROBERT HAS AN INSPIRATION.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading The pretty comedy to which Brian had referred had been running with something of regularity for over six months; the staging of it had been a more costly matter than Comethup had believed possible.

the quality of being just or fair

From this reading To do Brian justice, he had no knowledge of what the actual sum was on which his cousin had to depend, nor, indeed, did he care.

the psychological result of perception and learning and reasoning

From this reading To do Brian justice, he had no knowledge of what the actual sum was on which his cousin had to depend, nor, indeed, did he care.

in a light-hearted manner

From this reading His own expenses were small enough--indeed, he cut them down to the lowest figure; but Brian had seen in him an inexhaustible mine, from which he could demand whatever he wanted at any moment, light-heartedly enough.

lowest in rank or importance

From this reading His own expenses were small enough--indeed, he cut them down to the lowest figure; but Brian had seen in him an inexhaustible mine, from which he could demand whatever he wanted at any moment, light-heartedly enough.

an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

From this reading He held the younger man strictly to his bargain--even threatened desertion, at the slightest remonstrance on Comethup's part against reckless expenditure.

a vaguely specified concern

From this reading The pretty comedy to which Brian had referred had been running with something of regularity for over six months; the staging of it had been a more costly matter than Comethup had believed possible.

the one or ones belonging to the person speaking

From this reading His own expenses were small enough--indeed, he cut them down to the lowest figure; but Brian had seen in him an inexhaustible mine, from which he could demand whatever he wanted at any moment, light-heartedly enough.

a particular point in time

From this reading His own expenses were small enough--indeed, he cut them down to the lowest figure; but Brian had seen in him an inexhaustible mine, from which he could demand whatever he wanted at any moment, light-heartedly enough.

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

From this reading The pretty comedy to which Brian had referred had been running with something of regularity for over six months; the staging of it had been a more costly matter than Comethup had believed possible.

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

From this reading The pretty comedy to which Brian had referred had been running with something of regularity for over six months; the staging of it had been a more costly matter than Comethup had believed possible.

not any; not one

From this reading To do Brian justice, he had no knowledge of what the actual sum was on which his cousin had to depend, nor, indeed, did he care.

and not; used after a negative to add a second negative

From this reading To do Brian justice, he had no knowledge of what the actual sum was on which his cousin had to depend, nor, indeed, did he care.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The pretty comedy to which Brian had referred had been running with something of regularity for over six months; the staging of it had been a more costly matter than Comethup had believed possible.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading To do Brian justice, he had no knowledge of what the actual sum was on which his cousin had to depend, nor, indeed, did he care.

above and across; more than

From this reading The pretty comedy to which Brian had referred had been running with something of regularity for over six months; the staging of it had been a more costly matter than Comethup had believed possible.

have ownership or possession of

From this reading His own expenses were small enough--indeed, he cut them down to the lowest figure; but Brian had seen in him an inexhaustible mine, from which he could demand whatever he wanted at any moment, light-heartedly enough.

something determined in relation to something that includes it

From this reading He held the younger man strictly to his bargain--even threatened desertion, at the slightest remonstrance on Comethup's part against reckless expenditure.

capable of happening or existing

From this reading The pretty comedy to which Brian had referred had been running with something of regularity for over six months; the staging of it had been a more costly matter than Comethup had believed possible.

pleasing by delicacy or grace; not imposing

From this reading The pretty comedy to which Brian had referred had been running with something of regularity for over six months; the staging of it had been a more costly matter than Comethup had believed possible.

marked by defiant disregard for danger or consequences

From this reading He held the younger man strictly to his bargain--even threatened desertion, at the slightest remonstrance on Comethup's part against reckless expenditure.

inflected form of “refer” — make reference to

From this reading The pretty comedy to which Brian had referred had been running with something of regularity for over six months; the staging of it had been a more costly matter than Comethup had believed possible.

a property of polygons: the property of having equal sides and equal angles

From this reading The pretty comedy to which Brian had referred had been running with something of regularity for over six months; the staging of it had been a more costly matter than Comethup had believed possible.

the act of expressing earnest opposition or protest

From this reading He held the younger man strictly to his bargain--even threatened desertion, at the slightest remonstrance on Comethup's part against reckless expenditure.

United States parliamentary authority and author (in 1876) of Robert's Rules of Order (1837-1923)

From this reading UNCLE ROBERT HAS AN INSPIRATION.

(of fluids) moving or issuing in a stream

From this reading The pretty comedy to which Brian had referred had been running with something of regularity for over six months; the staging of it had been a more costly matter than Comethup had believed possible.

inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading His own expenses were small enough--indeed, he cut them down to the lowest figure; but Brian had seen in him an inexhaustible mine, from which he could demand whatever he wanted at any moment, light-heartedly enough.

the cardinal number that is the sum of five and one

From this reading The pretty comedy to which Brian had referred had been running with something of regularity for over six months; the staging of it had been a more costly matter than Comethup had believed possible.

superlative of “slight” — (quantifier used with mass nouns) small in quantity or degree; not much or almost none or (with “a”) at least some

From this reading He held the younger man strictly to his bargain--even threatened desertion, at the slightest remonstrance on Comethup's part against reckless expenditure.

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading His own expenses were small enough--indeed, he cut them down to the lowest figure; but Brian had seen in him an inexhaustible mine, from which he could demand whatever he wanted at any moment, light-heartedly enough.

a thing, without saying which

From this reading The pretty comedy to which Brian had referred had been running with something of regularity for over six months; the staging of it had been a more costly matter than Comethup had believed possible.

the production of a drama on the stage

From this reading The pretty comedy to which Brian had referred had been running with something of regularity for over six months; the staging of it had been a more costly matter than Comethup had believed possible.

restricted to something

From this reading He held the younger man strictly to his bargain--even threatened desertion, at the slightest remonstrance on Comethup's part against reckless expenditure.

a quantity of money

From this reading To do Brian justice, he had no knowledge of what the actual sum was on which his cousin had to depend, nor, indeed, did he care.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading The pretty comedy to which Brian had referred had been running with something of regularity for over six months; the staging of it had been a more costly matter than Comethup had believed possible.

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

From this reading The pretty comedy to which Brian had referred had been running with something of regularity for over six months; the staging of it had been a more costly matter than Comethup had believed possible.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading His own expenses were small enough--indeed, he cut them down to the lowest figure; but Brian had seen in him an inexhaustible mine, from which he could demand whatever he wanted at any moment, light-heartedly enough.

(of flora or fauna) likely in the near future to become endangered

From this reading He held the younger man strictly to his bargain--even threatened desertion, at the slightest remonstrance on Comethup's part against reckless expenditure.

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

From this reading The pretty comedy to which Brian had referred had been running with something of regularity for over six months; the staging of it had been a more costly matter than Comethup had believed possible.

the brother of your father or mother; the husband of your aunt

From this reading UNCLE ROBERT HAS AN INSPIRATION.

desired or wished for or sought

From this reading His own expenses were small enough--indeed, he cut them down to the lowest figure; but Brian had seen in him an inexhaustible mine, from which he could demand whatever he wanted at any moment, light-heartedly enough.

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

From this reading To do Brian justice, he had no knowledge of what the actual sum was on which his cousin had to depend, nor, indeed, did he care.

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

From this reading His own expenses were small enough--indeed, he cut them down to the lowest figure; but Brian had seen in him an inexhaustible mine, from which he could demand whatever he wanted at any moment, light-heartedly enough.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading To do Brian justice, he had no knowledge of what the actual sum was on which his cousin had to depend, nor, indeed, did he care.

any or all of a kind, it does not matter which

From this reading His own expenses were small enough--indeed, he cut them down to the lowest figure; but Brian had seen in him an inexhaustible mine, from which he could demand whatever he wanted at any moment, light-heartedly enough.

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

From this reading The pretty comedy to which Brian had referred had been running with something of regularity for over six months; the staging of it had been a more costly matter than Comethup had believed possible.

in the company of; together with

From this reading The pretty comedy to which Brian had referred had been running with something of regularity for over six months; the staging of it had been a more costly matter than Comethup had believed possible.

used of the younger of two persons of the same name especially used to distinguish a son from his father

From this reading He held the younger man strictly to his bargain--even threatened desertion, at the slightest remonstrance on Comethup's part against reckless expenditure.