Chapter XXI

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

From this reading Rod followed his father along a strip of thick carpet laid over a floor tiled in precise geometric patterns, looking about him at the dukes and duchesses of the counting room administering their high estate of correspondence and ledgers.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading Rod followed his father along a strip of thick carpet laid over a floor tiled in precise geometric patterns, looking about him at the dukes and duchesses of the counting room administering their high estate of correspondence and ledgers.

any specific behavior

From this reading There was a decorous stir, an air of activity, persons moving about from desk to desk, discreet consultation.

-ing form of “administer” — work in an administrative capacity; supervise or be in charge of

From this reading Rod followed his father along a strip of thick carpet laid over a floor tiled in precise geometric patterns, looking about him at the dukes and duchesses of the counting room administering their high estate of correspondence and ledgers.

a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of

From this reading There was a decorous stir, an air of activity, persons moving about from desk to desk, discreet consultation.

following the length of something from one end toward the other

From this reading Rod followed his father along a strip of thick carpet laid over a floor tiled in precise geometric patterns, looking about him at the dukes and duchesses of the counting room administering their high estate of correspondence and ledgers.

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

From this reading There was a decorous stir, an air of activity, persons moving about from desk to desk, discreet consultation.

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

From this reading Rod followed his father along a strip of thick carpet laid over a floor tiled in precise geometric patterns, looking about him at the dukes and duchesses of the counting room administering their high estate of correspondence and ledgers.

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

From this reading If, as an institution, it was moribund, coma had not set in.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Rod followed his father along a strip of thick carpet laid over a floor tiled in precise geometric patterns, looking about him at the dukes and duchesses of the counting room administering their high estate of correspondence and ledgers.

floor covering consisting of a piece of thick heavy fabric (usually with nap or pile)

From this reading Rod followed his father along a strip of thick carpet laid over a floor tiled in precise geometric patterns, looking about him at the dukes and duchesses of the counting room administering their high estate of correspondence and ledgers.

a state of deep and often prolonged unconsciousness; usually the result of disease or injury

From this reading If, as an institution, it was moribund, coma had not set in.

the branch of engineering science that studies (with the aid of computers) computable processes and structures

From this reading Delicately fingered typewriters and computing machines woke faint, staccato tappings in that lofty room.

a conference (usually with someone important)

From this reading There was a decorous stir, an air of activity, persons moving about from desk to desk, discreet consultation.

communication by the exchange of letters

From this reading Rod followed his father along a strip of thick carpet laid over a floor tiled in precise geometric patterns, looking about him at the dukes and duchesses of the counting room administering their high estate of correspondence and ledgers.

the act of counting; reciting numbers in ascending order

From this reading Rod followed his father along a strip of thick carpet laid over a floor tiled in precise geometric patterns, looking about him at the dukes and duchesses of the counting room administering their high estate of correspondence and ledgers.

plural of “cubicle” — small room in which a monk or nun lives

From this reading He passed a row of ground-glass partitioned cubicles, each gilt-lettered with the name of some petty satrap of higher degree than those without such privacy.

characterized by propriety and dignity and good taste in manners and conduct

From this reading There was a decorous stir, an air of activity, persons moving about from desk to desk, discreet consultation.

a position on a scale of intensity or amount or quality

From this reading He passed a row of ground-glass partitioned cubicles, each gilt-lettered with the name of some petty satrap of higher degree than those without such privacy.

in a delicate manner

From this reading Delicately fingered typewriters and computing machines woke faint, staccato tappings in that lofty room.

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

From this reading There was a decorous stir, an air of activity, persons moving about from desk to desk, discreet consultation.

marked by prudence or modesty and wise self-restraint

From this reading There was a decorous stir, an air of activity, persons moving about from desk to desk, discreet consultation.

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

From this reading Rod followed his father along a strip of thick carpet laid over a floor tiled in precise geometric patterns, looking about him at the dukes and duchesses of the counting room administering their high estate of correspondence and ledgers.

plural of “duke” — a British peer of the highest rank

From this reading Rod followed his father along a strip of thick carpet laid over a floor tiled in precise geometric patterns, looking about him at the dukes and duchesses of the counting room administering their high estate of correspondence and ledgers.

every one of two or more people or things, taken separately

From this reading He passed a row of ground-glass partitioned cubicles, each gilt-lettered with the name of some petty satrap of higher degree than those without such privacy.

everything you own; all of your assets (whether real property or personal property) and liabilities

From this reading Rod followed his father along a strip of thick carpet laid over a floor tiled in precise geometric patterns, looking about him at the dukes and duchesses of the counting room administering their high estate of correspondence and ledgers.

deficient in magnitude; barely perceptible; lacking clarity or brightness or loudness etc

From this reading Delicately fingered typewriters and computing machines woke faint, staccato tappings in that lofty room.

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

From this reading Rod followed his father along a strip of thick carpet laid over a floor tiled in precise geometric patterns, looking about him at the dukes and duchesses of the counting room administering their high estate of correspondence and ledgers.

having or resembling a finger or fingers; often used in combination

From this reading Delicately fingered typewriters and computing machines woke faint, staccato tappings in that lofty room.

the inside lower horizontal surface (as of a room, hallway, tent, or other structure)

From this reading Rod followed his father along a strip of thick carpet laid over a floor tiled in precise geometric patterns, looking about him at the dukes and duchesses of the counting room administering their high estate of correspondence and ledgers.

past form of “follow” — to travel behind, go after, come after

From this reading Rod followed his father along a strip of thick carpet laid over a floor tiled in precise geometric patterns, looking about him at the dukes and duchesses of the counting room administering their high estate of correspondence and ledgers.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading There was a decorous stir, an air of activity, persons moving about from desk to desk, discreet consultation.

characterized by simple geometric forms in design and decoration

From this reading Rod followed his father along a strip of thick carpet laid over a floor tiled in precise geometric patterns, looking about him at the dukes and duchesses of the counting room administering their high estate of correspondence and ledgers.

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

From this reading He passed a row of ground-glass partitioned cubicles, each gilt-lettered with the name of some petty satrap of higher degree than those without such privacy.

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

From this reading He passed a row of ground-glass partitioned cubicles, each gilt-lettered with the name of some petty satrap of higher degree than those without such privacy.

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

From this reading If, as an institution, it was moribund, coma had not set in.

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

From this reading He passed a row of ground-glass partitioned cubicles, each gilt-lettered with the name of some petty satrap of higher degree than those without such privacy.

greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading Rod followed his father along a strip of thick carpet laid over a floor tiled in precise geometric patterns, looking about him at the dukes and duchesses of the counting room administering their high estate of correspondence and ledgers.

advanced in complexity or elaboration

From this reading He passed a row of ground-glass partitioned cubicles, each gilt-lettered with the name of some petty satrap of higher degree than those without such privacy.

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

From this reading Rod followed his father along a strip of thick carpet laid over a floor tiled in precise geometric patterns, looking about him at the dukes and duchesses of the counting room administering their high estate of correspondence and ledgers.

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

From this reading Rod followed his father along a strip of thick carpet laid over a floor tiled in precise geometric patterns, looking about him at the dukes and duchesses of the counting room administering their high estate of correspondence and ledgers.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading If, as an institution, it was moribund, coma had not set in.

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

From this reading Rod followed his father along a strip of thick carpet laid over a floor tiled in precise geometric patterns, looking about him at the dukes and duchesses of the counting room administering their high estate of correspondence and ledgers.

an organization founded and united for a specific purpose

From this reading If, as an institution, it was moribund, coma had not set in.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading If, as an institution, it was moribund, coma had not set in.

set down according to a plan

From this reading Rod followed his father along a strip of thick carpet laid over a floor tiled in precise geometric patterns, looking about him at the dukes and duchesses of the counting room administering their high estate of correspondence and ledgers.

plural of “ledger” — a record in which commercial accounts are recorded

From this reading Rod followed his father along a strip of thick carpet laid over a floor tiled in precise geometric patterns, looking about him at the dukes and duchesses of the counting room administering their high estate of correspondence and ledgers.

of high moral or intellectual value; elevated in nature or style

From this reading Delicately fingered typewriters and computing machines woke faint, staccato tappings in that lofty room.

the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually

From this reading Rod followed his father along a strip of thick carpet laid over a floor tiled in precise geometric patterns, looking about him at the dukes and duchesses of the counting room administering their high estate of correspondence and ledgers.

plural of “machine” — any mechanical or electrical device that transmits or modifies energy to perform or assist in the performance of human tasks

From this reading Delicately fingered typewriters and computing machines woke faint, staccato tappings in that lofty room.

not growing or changing; without force or vitality

From this reading If, as an institution, it was moribund, coma had not set in.

in motion

From this reading There was a decorous stir, an air of activity, persons moving about from desk to desk, discreet consultation.

assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading He passed a row of ground-glass partitioned cubicles, each gilt-lettered with the name of some petty satrap of higher degree than those without such privacy.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading If, as an institution, it was moribund, coma had not set in.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Rod followed his father along a strip of thick carpet laid over a floor tiled in precise geometric patterns, looking about him at the dukes and duchesses of the counting room administering their high estate of correspondence and ledgers.

above and across; more than

From this reading Rod followed his father along a strip of thick carpet laid over a floor tiled in precise geometric patterns, looking about him at the dukes and duchesses of the counting room administering their high estate of correspondence and ledgers.

past form of “partition” — divide into parts, pieces, or sections

From this reading He passed a row of ground-glass partitioned cubicles, each gilt-lettered with the name of some petty satrap of higher degree than those without such privacy.

past form of “pass” — go across or through

From this reading He passed a row of ground-glass partitioned cubicles, each gilt-lettered with the name of some petty satrap of higher degree than those without such privacy.

plural of “pattern” — a perceptual structure

From this reading Rod followed his father along a strip of thick carpet laid over a floor tiled in precise geometric patterns, looking about him at the dukes and duchesses of the counting room administering their high estate of correspondence and ledgers.

plural of “person” — a human being

From this reading There was a decorous stir, an air of activity, persons moving about from desk to desk, discreet consultation.

inferior in rank or status

From this reading He passed a row of ground-glass partitioned cubicles, each gilt-lettered with the name of some petty satrap of higher degree than those without such privacy.

sharply exact or accurate or delimited

From this reading Rod followed his father along a strip of thick carpet laid over a floor tiled in precise geometric patterns, looking about him at the dukes and duchesses of the counting room administering their high estate of correspondence and ledgers.

the quality of being secluded from the presence or view of others

From this reading He passed a row of ground-glass partitioned cubicles, each gilt-lettered with the name of some petty satrap of higher degree than those without such privacy.

a long thin implement made of metal or wood

From this reading Rod followed his father along a strip of thick carpet laid over a floor tiled in precise geometric patterns, looking about him at the dukes and duchesses of the counting room administering their high estate of correspondence and ledgers.

an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling

From this reading Rod followed his father along a strip of thick carpet laid over a floor tiled in precise geometric patterns, looking about him at the dukes and duchesses of the counting room administering their high estate of correspondence and ledgers.

an arrangement of objects or people side by side in a line

From this reading He passed a row of ground-glass partitioned cubicles, each gilt-lettered with the name of some petty satrap of higher degree than those without such privacy.

a governor of a province in ancient Persia

From this reading He passed a row of ground-glass partitioned cubicles, each gilt-lettered with the name of some petty satrap of higher degree than those without such privacy.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading If, as an institution, it was moribund, coma had not set in.

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

From this reading He passed a row of ground-glass partitioned cubicles, each gilt-lettered with the name of some petty satrap of higher degree than those without such privacy.

(music) marked by or composed of disconnected parts or sounds; cut short crisply

From this reading Delicately fingered typewriters and computing machines woke faint, staccato tappings in that lofty room.

move an implement through

From this reading There was a decorous stir, an air of activity, persons moving about from desk to desk, discreet consultation.

take away possessions from someone

From this reading Rod followed his father along a strip of thick carpet laid over a floor tiled in precise geometric patterns, looking about him at the dukes and duchesses of the counting room administering their high estate of correspondence and ledgers.

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading He passed a row of ground-glass partitioned cubicles, each gilt-lettered with the name of some petty satrap of higher degree than those without such privacy.

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

From this reading Delicately fingered typewriters and computing machines woke faint, staccato tappings in that lofty room.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading He passed a row of ground-glass partitioned cubicles, each gilt-lettered with the name of some petty satrap of higher degree than those without such privacy.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Delicately fingered typewriters and computing machines woke faint, staccato tappings in that lofty room.

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

From this reading Rod followed his father along a strip of thick carpet laid over a floor tiled in precise geometric patterns, looking about him at the dukes and duchesses of the counting room administering their high estate of correspondence and ledgers.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Rod followed his father along a strip of thick carpet laid over a floor tiled in precise geometric patterns, looking about him at the dukes and duchesses of the counting room administering their high estate of correspondence and ledgers.

in or at that place or location

From this reading There was a decorous stir, an air of activity, persons moving about from desk to desk, discreet consultation.

not thin; of a specific thickness or of relatively great extent from one surface to the opposite usually in the smallest of the three solid dimensions

From this reading Rod followed his father along a strip of thick carpet laid over a floor tiled in precise geometric patterns, looking about him at the dukes and duchesses of the counting room administering their high estate of correspondence and ledgers.

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading He passed a row of ground-glass partitioned cubicles, each gilt-lettered with the name of some petty satrap of higher degree than those without such privacy.

covered or furnished with tiles

From this reading Rod followed his father along a strip of thick carpet laid over a floor tiled in precise geometric patterns, looking about him at the dukes and duchesses of the counting room administering their high estate of correspondence and ledgers.

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

From this reading There was a decorous stir, an air of activity, persons moving about from desk to desk, discreet consultation.

plural of “typewriter” — hand-operated character printer for printing written messages one character at a time

From this reading Delicately fingered typewriters and computing machines woke faint, staccato tappings in that lofty room.

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

From this reading There was a decorous stir, an air of activity, persons moving about from desk to desk, discreet consultation.

in the company of; together with

From this reading He passed a row of ground-glass partitioned cubicles, each gilt-lettered with the name of some petty satrap of higher degree than those without such privacy.

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading He passed a row of ground-glass partitioned cubicles, each gilt-lettered with the name of some petty satrap of higher degree than those without such privacy.

inflected form of “wake” — be awake, be alert, be there

From this reading Delicately fingered typewriters and computing machines woke faint, staccato tappings in that lofty room.