Chapter IV · Chapter 4

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

From this reading What had shaken him most was the revelation of an old enemy which, watching its chance, had beset him at the first opportunity; and at a time when the scheme of life, which he flattered himself to have solved forever, was threatening once more to resolve itself into fragments.

later than; following

From this reading And despite the desires thronging after him in his flight he had the feeling of once who, in the dark, has been very near to annihilation.

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

From this reading What had shaken him most was the revelation of an old enemy which, watching its chance, had beset him at the first opportunity; and at a time when the scheme of life, which he flattered himself to have solved forever, was threatening once more to resolve itself into fragments.

an investigation of the component parts of a whole and their relations in making up the whole

From this reading He shrank instinctively from an analysis of the woman in regard to whom his feelings were, so complicated, and yet by no means lacking in tenderness.

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

From this reading And despite the desires thronging after him in his flight he had the feeling of once who, in the dark, has been very near to annihilation.

destruction by annihilating something

From this reading And despite the desires thronging after him in his flight he had the feeling of once who, in the dark, has been very near to annihilation.

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

From this reading He had, as if by a miracle, escaped destruction in some insidious form.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading What had shaken him most was the revelation of an old enemy which, watching its chance, had beset him at the first opportunity; and at a time when the scheme of life, which he flattered himself to have solved forever, was threatening once more to resolve itself into fragments.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading And despite the desires thronging after him in his flight he had the feeling of once who, in the dark, has been very near to annihilation.

annoy continually or chronically

From this reading What had shaken him most was the revelation of an old enemy which, watching its chance, had beset him at the first opportunity; and at a time when the scheme of life, which he flattered himself to have solved forever, was threatening once more to resolve itself into fragments.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading He had, as if by a miracle, escaped destruction in some insidious form.

a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances

From this reading What had shaken him most was the revelation of an old enemy which, watching its chance, had beset him at the first opportunity; and at a time when the scheme of life, which he flattered himself to have solved forever, was threatening once more to resolve itself into fragments.

difficult to analyze or understand

From this reading He shrank instinctively from an analysis of the woman in regard to whom his feelings were, so complicated, and yet by no means lacking in tenderness.

absence of light or illumination

From this reading And despite the desires thronging after him in his flight he had the feeling of once who, in the dark, has been very near to annihilation.

plural of “desire” — the feeling that accompanies an unsatisfied state

From this reading And despite the desires thronging after him in his flight he had the feeling of once who, in the dark, has been very near to annihilation.

although something is true; in spite of

From this reading And despite the desires thronging after him in his flight he had the feeling of once who, in the dark, has been very near to annihilation.

the termination of something by causing so much damage to it that it cannot be repaired or no longer exists

From this reading He had, as if by a miracle, escaped destruction in some insidious form.

an opposing military force

From this reading What had shaken him most was the revelation of an old enemy which, watching its chance, had beset him at the first opportunity; and at a time when the scheme of life, which he flattered himself to have solved forever, was threatening once more to resolve itself into fragments.

having escaped, especially from confinement

From this reading He had, as if by a miracle, escaped destruction in some insidious form.

the experiencing of affective and emotional states

From this reading And despite the desires thronging after him in his flight he had the feeling of once who, in the dark, has been very near to annihilation.

emotional or moral sensitivity (especially in relation to personal principles or dignity)

From this reading He shrank instinctively from an analysis of the woman in regard to whom his feelings were, so complicated, and yet by no means lacking in tenderness.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading What had shaken him most was the revelation of an old enemy which, watching its chance, had beset him at the first opportunity; and at a time when the scheme of life, which he flattered himself to have solved forever, was threatening once more to resolve itself into fragments.

past form of “flatter” — praise somewhat dishonestly

From this reading What had shaken him most was the revelation of an old enemy which, watching its chance, had beset him at the first opportunity; and at a time when the scheme of life, which he flattered himself to have solved forever, was threatening once more to resolve itself into fragments.

a formation of aircraft in flight

From this reading And despite the desires thronging after him in his flight he had the feeling of once who, in the dark, has been very near to annihilation.

for a limitless time

From this reading What had shaken him most was the revelation of an old enemy which, watching its chance, had beset him at the first opportunity; and at a time when the scheme of life, which he flattered himself to have solved forever, was threatening once more to resolve itself into fragments.

the phonological or orthographic sound or appearance of a word that can be used to describe or identify something

From this reading He had, as if by a miracle, escaped destruction in some insidious form.

plural of “fragment” — a piece broken off or cut off of something else

From this reading What had shaken him most was the revelation of an old enemy which, watching its chance, had beset him at the first opportunity; and at a time when the scheme of life, which he flattered himself to have solved forever, was threatening once more to resolve itself into fragments.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading THE LINE OF LEAST RESISTANCE From the vantage point of his rooms in the parish house, Hodder reviewed the situation.

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

From this reading And despite the desires thronging after him in his flight he had the feeling of once who, in the dark, has been very near to annihilation.

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

From this reading And despite the desires thronging after him in his flight he had the feeling of once who, in the dark, has been very near to annihilation.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading What had shaken him most was the revelation of an old enemy which, watching its chance, had beset him at the first opportunity; and at a time when the scheme of life, which he flattered himself to have solved forever, was threatening once more to resolve itself into fragments.

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

From this reading And despite the desires thronging after him in his flight he had the feeling of once who, in the dark, has been very near to annihilation.

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

From this reading And despite the desires thronging after him in his flight he had the feeling of once who, in the dark, has been very near to annihilation.

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

From this reading What had shaken him most was the revelation of an old enemy which, watching its chance, had beset him at the first opportunity; and at a time when the scheme of life, which he flattered himself to have solved forever, was threatening once more to resolve itself into fragments.

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

From this reading THE LINE OF LEAST RESISTANCE From the vantage point of his rooms in the parish house, Hodder reviewed the situation.

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

From this reading THE LINE OF LEAST RESISTANCE From the vantage point of his rooms in the parish house, Hodder reviewed the situation.

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

From this reading THE LINE OF LEAST RESISTANCE From the vantage point of his rooms in the parish house, Hodder reviewed the situation.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading He had, as if by a miracle, escaped destruction in some insidious form.

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

From this reading THE LINE OF LEAST RESISTANCE From the vantage point of his rooms in the parish house, Hodder reviewed the situation.

beguiling but harmful

From this reading He had, as if by a miracle, escaped destruction in some insidious form.

as a matter of instinct

From this reading He shrank instinctively from an analysis of the woman in regard to whom his feelings were, so complicated, and yet by no means lacking in tenderness.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading What had shaken him most was the revelation of an old enemy which, watching its chance, had beset him at the first opportunity; and at a time when the scheme of life, which he flattered himself to have solved forever, was threatening once more to resolve itself into fragments.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading What had shaken him most was the revelation of an old enemy which, watching its chance, had beset him at the first opportunity; and at a time when the scheme of life, which he flattered himself to have solved forever, was threatening once more to resolve itself into fragments.

used when the thing doing the action is also its object

From this reading What had shaken him most was the revelation of an old enemy which, watching its chance, had beset him at the first opportunity; and at a time when the scheme of life, which he flattered himself to have solved forever, was threatening once more to resolve itself into fragments.

inadequate in amount or degree

From this reading He shrank instinctively from an analysis of the woman in regard to whom his feelings were, so complicated, and yet by no means lacking in tenderness.

the superlative of “little” that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by “the”; a quantifier meaning smallest in amount or extent or degree

From this reading THE LINE OF LEAST RESISTANCE From the vantage point of his rooms in the parish house, Hodder reviewed the situation.

a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading What had shaken him most was the revelation of an old enemy which, watching its chance, had beset him at the first opportunity; and at a time when the scheme of life, which he flattered himself to have solved forever, was threatening once more to resolve itself into fragments.

a formation of people or things one beside another

From this reading THE LINE OF LEAST RESISTANCE From the vantage point of his rooms in the parish house, Hodder reviewed the situation.

thing or person that acts to produce a particular effect or achieve an end

From this reading He shrank instinctively from an analysis of the woman in regard to whom his feelings were, so complicated, and yet by no means lacking in tenderness.

any amazing or wonderful occurrence

From this reading He had, as if by a miracle, escaped destruction in some insidious form.

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

From this reading What had shaken him most was the revelation of an old enemy which, watching its chance, had beset him at the first opportunity; and at a time when the scheme of life, which he flattered himself to have solved forever, was threatening once more to resolve itself into fragments.

used to form the superlative

From this reading What had shaken him most was the revelation of an old enemy which, watching its chance, had beset him at the first opportunity; and at a time when the scheme of life, which he flattered himself to have solved forever, was threatening once more to resolve itself into fragments.

near in time or place or relationship

From this reading And despite the desires thronging after him in his flight he had the feeling of once who, in the dark, has been very near to annihilation.

not any; not one

From this reading He shrank instinctively from an analysis of the woman in regard to whom his feelings were, so complicated, and yet by no means lacking in tenderness.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading THE LINE OF LEAST RESISTANCE From the vantage point of his rooms in the parish house, Hodder reviewed the situation.

(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age

From this reading What had shaken him most was the revelation of an old enemy which, watching its chance, had beset him at the first opportunity; and at a time when the scheme of life, which he flattered himself to have solved forever, was threatening once more to resolve itself into fragments.

on one occasion

From this reading And despite the desires thronging after him in his flight he had the feeling of once who, in the dark, has been very near to annihilation.

a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances

From this reading What had shaken him most was the revelation of an old enemy which, watching its chance, had beset him at the first opportunity; and at a time when the scheme of life, which he flattered himself to have solved forever, was threatening once more to resolve itself into fragments.

a local church community

From this reading THE LINE OF LEAST RESISTANCE From the vantage point of his rooms in the parish house, Hodder reviewed the situation.

a geometric element that has position but no extension

From this reading THE LINE OF LEAST RESISTANCE From the vantage point of his rooms in the parish house, Hodder reviewed the situation.

(usually preceded by “in”) a detail or point

From this reading He shrank instinctively from an analysis of the woman in regard to whom his feelings were, so complicated, and yet by no means lacking in tenderness.

the action of opposing something that you disapprove or disagree with

From this reading THE LINE OF LEAST RESISTANCE From the vantage point of his rooms in the parish house, Hodder reviewed the situation.

bring to an end; settle conclusively

From this reading What had shaken him most was the revelation of an old enemy which, watching its chance, had beset him at the first opportunity; and at a time when the scheme of life, which he flattered himself to have solved forever, was threatening once more to resolve itself into fragments.

the speech act of making something evident

From this reading What had shaken him most was the revelation of an old enemy which, watching its chance, had beset him at the first opportunity; and at a time when the scheme of life, which he flattered himself to have solved forever, was threatening once more to resolve itself into fragments.

past form of “review” — look at again; examine again

From this reading THE LINE OF LEAST RESISTANCE From the vantage point of his rooms in the parish house, Hodder reviewed the situation.

apartment consisting of a series of connected rooms used as a living unit (as in a hotel)

From this reading THE LINE OF LEAST RESISTANCE From the vantage point of his rooms in the parish house, Hodder reviewed the situation.

an elaborate and systematic plan of action

From this reading What had shaken him most was the revelation of an old enemy which, watching its chance, had beset him at the first opportunity; and at a time when the scheme of life, which he flattered himself to have solved forever, was threatening once more to resolve itself into fragments.

disturbed psychologically as if by a physical jolt or shock

From this reading What had shaken him most was the revelation of an old enemy which, watching its chance, had beset him at the first opportunity; and at a time when the scheme of life, which he flattered himself to have solved forever, was threatening once more to resolve itself into fragments.

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

From this reading He shrank instinctively from an analysis of the woman in regard to whom his feelings were, so complicated, and yet by no means lacking in tenderness.

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

From this reading THE LINE OF LEAST RESISTANCE From the vantage point of his rooms in the parish house, Hodder reviewed the situation.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading He shrank instinctively from an analysis of the woman in regard to whom his feelings were, so complicated, and yet by no means lacking in tenderness.

explained or answered

From this reading What had shaken him most was the revelation of an old enemy which, watching its chance, had beset him at the first opportunity; and at a time when the scheme of life, which he flattered himself to have solved forever, was threatening once more to resolve itself into fragments.

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading He had, as if by a miracle, escaped destruction in some insidious form.

a tendency to express warm and affectionate feeling

From this reading He shrank instinctively from an analysis of the woman in regard to whom his feelings were, so complicated, and yet by no means lacking in tenderness.

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

From this reading THE LINE OF LEAST RESISTANCE From the vantage point of his rooms in the parish house, Hodder reviewed the situation.

threatening or foreshadowing evil or tragic developments

From this reading What had shaken him most was the revelation of an old enemy which, watching its chance, had beset him at the first opportunity; and at a time when the scheme of life, which he flattered himself to have solved forever, was threatening once more to resolve itself into fragments.

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

From this reading And despite the desires thronging after him in his flight he had the feeling of once who, in the dark, has been very near to annihilation.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading What had shaken him most was the revelation of an old enemy which, watching its chance, had beset him at the first opportunity; and at a time when the scheme of life, which he flattered himself to have solved forever, was threatening once more to resolve itself into fragments.

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

From this reading And despite the desires thronging after him in his flight he had the feeling of once who, in the dark, has been very near to annihilation.

place or situation affording some advantage (especially a comprehensive view or commanding perspective)

From this reading THE LINE OF LEAST RESISTANCE From the vantage point of his rooms in the parish house, Hodder reviewed the situation.

precisely as stated

From this reading And despite the desires thronging after him in his flight he had the feeling of once who, in the dark, has been very near to annihilation.

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

From this reading What had shaken him most was the revelation of an old enemy which, watching its chance, had beset him at the first opportunity; and at a time when the scheme of life, which he flattered himself to have solved forever, was threatening once more to resolve itself into fragments.

the act of observing; taking a patient look

From this reading What had shaken him most was the revelation of an old enemy which, watching its chance, had beset him at the first opportunity; and at a time when the scheme of life, which he flattered himself to have solved forever, was threatening once more to resolve itself into fragments.

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

From this reading He shrank instinctively from an analysis of the woman in regard to whom his feelings were, so complicated, and yet by no means lacking in tenderness.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading What had shaken him most was the revelation of an old enemy which, watching its chance, had beset him at the first opportunity; and at a time when the scheme of life, which he flattered himself to have solved forever, was threatening once more to resolve itself into fragments.

at the time that

From this reading What had shaken him most was the revelation of an old enemy which, watching its chance, had beset him at the first opportunity; and at a time when the scheme of life, which he flattered himself to have solved forever, was threatening once more to resolve itself into fragments.

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

From this reading What had shaken him most was the revelation of an old enemy which, watching its chance, had beset him at the first opportunity; and at a time when the scheme of life, which he flattered himself to have solved forever, was threatening once more to resolve itself into fragments.

which person or people

From this reading And despite the desires thronging after him in his flight he had the feeling of once who, in the dark, has been very near to annihilation.

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

From this reading He shrank instinctively from an analysis of the woman in regard to whom his feelings were, so complicated, and yet by no means lacking in tenderness.

an adult female person (as opposed to a man)

From this reading He shrank instinctively from an analysis of the woman in regard to whom his feelings were, so complicated, and yet by no means lacking in tenderness.

but in spite of that

From this reading He shrank instinctively from an analysis of the woman in regard to whom his feelings were, so complicated, and yet by no means lacking in tenderness.