Chapter VIII

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

From this reading CORVET'S PARTNER The instant of meeting, when Alan recognized in Sherrill's partner the man with whom he had fought in Corvet's house, was one of swift readjustment of all his thought--adjustment to a situation of which he could not even have dreamed, and which left him breathless.

the state or quality of being recognized or acknowledged

From this reading Following his noncommittal nod of acknowledgment of Sherrill's introduction and his first steady scrutiny of Alan, the big, handsome man swung himself off from the desk on which he sat and leaned against it, facing them more directly.

making or becoming suitable; adjusting to circumstances

From this reading CORVET'S PARTNER The instant of meeting, when Alan recognized in Sherrill's partner the man with whom he had fought in Corvet's house, was one of swift readjustment of all his thought--adjustment to a situation of which he could not even have dreamed, and which left him breathless.

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading Following his noncommittal nod of acknowledgment of Sherrill's introduction and his first steady scrutiny of Alan, the big, handsome man swung himself off from the desk on which he sat and leaned against it, facing them more directly.

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

From this reading CORVET'S PARTNER The instant of meeting, when Alan recognized in Sherrill's partner the man with whom he had fought in Corvet's house, was one of swift readjustment of all his thought--adjustment to a situation of which he could not even have dreamed, and which left him breathless.

(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 CORVET'S PARTNER The instant of meeting, when Alan recognized in Sherrill's partner the man with whom he had fought in Corvet's house, was one of swift readjustment of all his thought--adjustment to a situation of which he could not even have dreamed, and which left him breathless.

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

From this reading CORVET'S PARTNER The instant of meeting, when Alan recognized in Sherrill's partner the man with whom he had fought in Corvet's house, was one of swift readjustment of all his thought--adjustment to a situation of which he could not even have dreamed, and which left him breathless.

above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading Following his noncommittal nod of acknowledgment of Sherrill's introduction and his first steady scrutiny of Alan, the big, handsome man swung himself off from the desk on which he sat and leaned against it, facing them more directly.

not breathing or able to breathe except with difficulty

From this reading CORVET'S PARTNER The instant of meeting, when Alan recognized in Sherrill's partner the man with whom he had fought in Corvet's house, was one of swift readjustment of all his thought--adjustment to a situation of which he could not even have dreamed, and which left him breathless.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But for Spearman, obviously, it was not that.

English novelist (born in Poland) noted for sea stories and for his narrative technique (1857-1924)

From this reading "Oh, yes--Conrad," he said.

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

From this reading CORVET'S PARTNER The instant of meeting, when Alan recognized in Sherrill's partner the man with whom he had fought in Corvet's house, was one of swift readjustment of all his thought--adjustment to a situation of which he could not even have dreamed, and which left him breathless.

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

From this reading CORVET'S PARTNER The instant of meeting, when Alan recognized in Sherrill's partner the man with whom he had fought in Corvet's house, was one of swift readjustment of all his thought--adjustment to a situation of which he could not even have dreamed, and which left him breathless.

a piece of furniture with a writing surface and usually drawers or other compartments

From this reading Following his noncommittal nod of acknowledgment of Sherrill's introduction and his first steady scrutiny of Alan, the big, handsome man swung himself off from the desk on which he sat and leaned against it, facing them more directly.

without deviation

From this reading Following his noncommittal nod of acknowledgment of Sherrill's introduction and his first steady scrutiny of Alan, the big, handsome man swung himself off from the desk on which he sat and leaned against it, facing them more directly.

conceived of or imagined or hoped for

From this reading CORVET'S PARTNER The instant of meeting, when Alan recognized in Sherrill's partner the man with whom he had fought in Corvet's house, was one of swift readjustment of all his thought--adjustment to a situation of which he could not even have dreamed, and which left him breathless.

divisible by two

From this reading CORVET'S PARTNER The instant of meeting, when Alan recognized in Sherrill's partner the man with whom he had fought in Corvet's house, was one of swift readjustment of all his thought--adjustment to a situation of which he could not even have dreamed, and which left him breathless.

a lining applied to the edge of a garment for ornamentation or strengthening

From this reading Following his noncommittal nod of acknowledgment of Sherrill's introduction and his first steady scrutiny of Alan, the big, handsome man swung himself off from the desk on which he sat and leaned against it, facing them more directly.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading Following his noncommittal nod of acknowledgment of Sherrill's introduction and his first steady scrutiny of Alan, the big, handsome man swung himself off from the desk on which he sat and leaned against it, facing them more directly.

about to be mentioned or specified

From this reading Following his noncommittal nod of acknowledgment of Sherrill's introduction and his first steady scrutiny of Alan, the big, handsome man swung himself off from the desk on which he sat and leaned against it, facing them more directly.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading But for Spearman, obviously, it was not that.

inflected form of “fight” — be engaged in a fight; carry on a fight

From this reading CORVET'S PARTNER The instant of meeting, when Alan recognized in Sherrill's partner the man with whom he had fought in Corvet's house, was one of swift readjustment of all his thought--adjustment to a situation of which he could not even have dreamed, and which left him breathless.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Following his noncommittal nod of acknowledgment of Sherrill's introduction and his first steady scrutiny of Alan, the big, handsome man swung himself off from the desk on which he sat and leaned against it, facing them more directly.

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

From this reading CORVET'S PARTNER The instant of meeting, when Alan recognized in Sherrill's partner the man with whom he had fought in Corvet's house, was one of swift readjustment of all his thought--adjustment to a situation of which he could not even have dreamed, and which left him breathless.

pleasing in appearance especially by reason of conformity to ideals of form and proportion

From this reading Following his noncommittal nod of acknowledgment of Sherrill's introduction and his first steady scrutiny of Alan, the big, handsome man swung himself off from the desk on which he sat and leaned against it, facing them more directly.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading CORVET'S PARTNER The instant of meeting, when Alan recognized in Sherrill's partner the man with whom he had fought in Corvet's house, was one of swift readjustment of all his thought--adjustment to a situation of which he could not even have dreamed, and which left him breathless.

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

From this reading CORVET'S PARTNER The instant of meeting, when Alan recognized in Sherrill's partner the man with whom he had fought in Corvet's house, was one of swift readjustment of all his thought--adjustment to a situation of which he could not even have dreamed, and which left him breathless.

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

From this reading CORVET'S PARTNER The instant of meeting, when Alan recognized in Sherrill's partner the man with whom he had fought in Corvet's house, was one of swift readjustment of all his thought--adjustment to a situation of which he could not even have dreamed, and which left him breathless.

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

From this reading Following his noncommittal nod of acknowledgment of Sherrill's introduction and his first steady scrutiny of Alan, the big, handsome man swung himself off from the desk on which he sat and leaned against it, facing them more directly.

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

From this reading CORVET'S PARTNER The instant of meeting, when Alan recognized in Sherrill's partner the man with whom he had fought in Corvet's house, was one of swift readjustment of all his thought--adjustment to a situation of which he could not even have dreamed, and which left him breathless.

a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families

From this reading CORVET'S PARTNER The instant of meeting, when Alan recognized in Sherrill's partner the man with whom he had fought in Corvet's house, was one of swift readjustment of all his thought--adjustment to a situation of which he could not even have dreamed, and which left him breathless.

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

From this reading CORVET'S PARTNER The instant of meeting, when Alan recognized in Sherrill's partner the man with whom he had fought in Corvet's house, was one of swift readjustment of all his thought--adjustment to a situation of which he could not even have dreamed, and which left him breathless.

a very short time (as the time it takes the eye to blink or the heart to beat)

From this reading CORVET'S PARTNER The instant of meeting, when Alan recognized in Sherrill's partner the man with whom he had fought in Corvet's house, was one of swift readjustment of all his thought--adjustment to a situation of which he could not even have dreamed, and which left him breathless.

the act of beginning something new

From this reading Following his noncommittal nod of acknowledgment of Sherrill's introduction and his first steady scrutiny of Alan, the big, handsome man swung himself off from the desk on which he sat and leaned against it, facing them more directly.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading But for Spearman, obviously, it was not that.

past form of “lean” — to incline or bend from a vertical position

From this reading Following his noncommittal nod of acknowledgment of Sherrill's introduction and his first steady scrutiny of Alan, the big, handsome man swung himself off from the desk on which he sat and leaned against it, facing them more directly.

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 CORVET'S PARTNER The instant of meeting, when Alan recognized in Sherrill's partner the man with whom he had fought in Corvet's house, was one of swift readjustment of all his thought--adjustment to a situation of which he could not even have dreamed, and which left him breathless.

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

From this reading CORVET'S PARTNER The instant of meeting, when Alan recognized in Sherrill's partner the man with whom he had fought in Corvet's house, was one of swift readjustment of all his thought--adjustment to a situation of which he could not even have dreamed, and which left him breathless.

a formally arranged gathering

From this reading CORVET'S PARTNER The instant of meeting, when Alan recognized in Sherrill's partner the man with whom he had fought in Corvet's house, was one of swift readjustment of all his thought--adjustment to a situation of which he could not even have dreamed, and which left him breathless.

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

From this reading Following his noncommittal nod of acknowledgment of Sherrill's introduction and his first steady scrutiny of Alan, the big, handsome man swung himself off from the desk on which he sat and leaned against it, facing them more directly.

a form of address for a man

From this reading MR.

express or signify by nodding

From this reading Following his noncommittal nod of acknowledgment of Sherrill's introduction and his first steady scrutiny of Alan, the big, handsome man swung himself off from the desk on which he sat and leaned against it, facing them more directly.

refusing to bind oneself to a particular course of action or view or the like

From this reading Following his noncommittal nod of acknowledgment of Sherrill's introduction and his first steady scrutiny of Alan, the big, handsome man swung himself off from the desk on which he sat and leaned against it, facing them more directly.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading CORVET'S PARTNER The instant of meeting, when Alan recognized in Sherrill's partner the man with whom he had fought in Corvet's house, was one of swift readjustment of all his thought--adjustment to a situation of which he could not even have dreamed, and which left him breathless.

unmistakably (“plain” is often used informally for “plainly”)

From this reading But for Spearman, obviously, it was not that.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading CORVET'S PARTNER The instant of meeting, when Alan recognized in Sherrill's partner the man with whom he had fought in Corvet's house, was one of swift readjustment of all his thought--adjustment to a situation of which he could not even have dreamed, and which left him breathless.

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

From this reading Following his noncommittal nod of acknowledgment of Sherrill's introduction and his first steady scrutiny of Alan, the big, handsome man swung himself off from the desk on which he sat and leaned against it, facing them more directly.

a midwestern state in north central United States in the Great Lakes region

From this reading "Oh, yes--Conrad," he said.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Following his noncommittal nod of acknowledgment of Sherrill's introduction and his first steady scrutiny of Alan, the big, handsome man swung himself off from the desk on which he sat and leaned against it, facing them more directly.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading CORVET'S PARTNER The instant of meeting, when Alan recognized in Sherrill's partner the man with whom he had fought in Corvet's house, was one of swift readjustment of all his thought--adjustment to a situation of which he could not even have dreamed, and which left him breathless.

a person's partner in marriage

From this reading CORVET'S PARTNER The instant of meeting, when Alan recognized in Sherrill's partner the man with whom he had fought in Corvet's house, was one of swift readjustment of all his thought--adjustment to a situation of which he could not even have dreamed, and which left him breathless.

the act of adjusting again (to changed circumstances)

From this reading CORVET'S PARTNER The instant of meeting, when Alan recognized in Sherrill's partner the man with whom he had fought in Corvet's house, was one of swift readjustment of all his thought--adjustment to a situation of which he could not even have dreamed, and which left him breathless.

generally approved or compelling recognition

From this reading CORVET'S PARTNER The instant of meeting, when Alan recognized in Sherrill's partner the man with whom he had fought in Corvet's house, was one of swift readjustment of all his thought--adjustment to a situation of which he could not even have dreamed, and which left him breathless.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading "Oh, yes--Conrad," he said.

the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians

From this reading Following his noncommittal nod of acknowledgment of Sherrill's introduction and his first steady scrutiny of Alan, the big, handsome man swung himself off from the desk on which he sat and leaned against it, facing them more directly.

the act of examining something closely (as for mistakes)

From this reading Following his noncommittal nod of acknowledgment of Sherrill's introduction and his first steady scrutiny of Alan, the big, handsome man swung himself off from the desk on which he sat and leaned against it, facing them more directly.

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

From this reading CORVET'S PARTNER The instant of meeting, when Alan recognized in Sherrill's partner the man with whom he had fought in Corvet's house, was one of swift readjustment of all his thought--adjustment to a situation of which he could not even have dreamed, and which left him breathless.

the general state of things; the combination of circumstances at a given time

From this reading CORVET'S PARTNER The instant of meeting, when Alan recognized in Sherrill's partner the man with whom he had fought in Corvet's house, was one of swift readjustment of all his thought--adjustment to a situation of which he could not even have dreamed, and which left him breathless.

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

From this reading But for Spearman, obviously, it was not that.

make steady

From this reading Following his noncommittal nod of acknowledgment of Sherrill's introduction and his first steady scrutiny of Alan, the big, handsome man swung himself off from the desk on which he sat and leaned against it, facing them more directly.

moving very fast

From this reading CORVET'S PARTNER The instant of meeting, when Alan recognized in Sherrill's partner the man with whom he had fought in Corvet's house, was one of swift readjustment of all his thought--adjustment to a situation of which he could not even have dreamed, and which left him breathless.

inflected form of “swing” — move in a curve or arc, usually with the intent of hitting

From this reading Following his noncommittal nod of acknowledgment of Sherrill's introduction and his first steady scrutiny of Alan, the big, handsome man swung himself off from the desk on which he sat and leaned against it, facing them more directly.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading But for Spearman, obviously, it was not that.

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

From this reading CORVET'S PARTNER The instant of meeting, when Alan recognized in Sherrill's partner the man with whom he had fought in Corvet's house, was one of swift readjustment of all his thought--adjustment to a situation of which he could not even have dreamed, and which left him breathless.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading Following his noncommittal nod of acknowledgment of Sherrill's introduction and his first steady scrutiny of Alan, the big, handsome man swung himself off from the desk on which he sat and leaned against it, facing them more directly.

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

From this reading CORVET'S PARTNER The instant of meeting, when Alan recognized in Sherrill's partner the man with whom he had fought in Corvet's house, was one of swift readjustment of all his thought--adjustment to a situation of which he could not even have dreamed, and which left him breathless.

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

From this reading CORVET'S PARTNER The instant of meeting, when Alan recognized in Sherrill's partner the man with whom he had fought in Corvet's house, was one of swift readjustment of all his thought--adjustment to a situation of which he could not even have dreamed, and which left him breathless.

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

From this reading CORVET'S PARTNER The instant of meeting, when Alan recognized in Sherrill's partner the man with whom he had fought in Corvet's house, was one of swift readjustment of all his thought--adjustment to a situation of which he could not even have dreamed, and which left him breathless.

at the time that

From this reading CORVET'S PARTNER The instant of meeting, when Alan recognized in Sherrill's partner the man with whom he had fought in Corvet's house, was one of swift readjustment of all his thought--adjustment to a situation of which he could not even have dreamed, and which left him breathless.

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

From this reading CORVET'S PARTNER The instant of meeting, when Alan recognized in Sherrill's partner the man with whom he had fought in Corvet's house, was one of swift readjustment of all his thought--adjustment to a situation of which he could not even have dreamed, and which left him breathless.

the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading CORVET'S PARTNER The instant of meeting, when Alan recognized in Sherrill's partner the man with whom he had fought in Corvet's house, was one of swift readjustment of all his thought--adjustment to a situation of which he could not even have dreamed, and which left him breathless.

in the company of; together with

From this reading CORVET'S PARTNER The instant of meeting, when Alan recognized in Sherrill's partner the man with whom he had fought in Corvet's house, was one of swift readjustment of all his thought--adjustment to a situation of which he could not even have dreamed, and which left him breathless.

an affirmative

From this reading "Oh, yes--Conrad," he said.