Chapter II

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

From this reading While Richard Duvall was thus flying toward Boulogne, racking his brains in a futile attempt to discover the reasons for his sudden and unexpected dispatch to London, Grace, his wife, equally mystified, was proceeding in the direction of Brussels.

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

From this reading While Richard Duvall was thus flying toward Boulogne, racking his brains in a futile attempt to discover the reasons for his sudden and unexpected dispatch to London, Grace, his wife, equally mystified, was proceeding in the direction of Brussels.

accomplishment of an objective

From this reading Her patient waiting had been finally terminated by the arrival of the Prefect himself, who had explained with polite brevity that a matter of the gravest importance had made it necessary for him to send Richard at once to London.

marked by assurance; exhibiting confidence

From this reading She had not then understood the mysterious message which had summoned him to the Prefect's office, nor, for that matter, had he, but he had assured her that he would return in a short while, and that had been enough for her.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading At the conclusion of the wedding breakfast which had followed her simple marriage to Duvall, she had gone to the _pension_ at which she had been living, to await her husband's return.

earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something

From this reading While Richard Duvall was thus flying toward Boulogne, racking his brains in a futile attempt to discover the reasons for his sudden and unexpected dispatch to London, Grace, his wife, equally mystified, was proceeding in the direction of Brussels.

look forward to the probable occurrence of

From this reading At the conclusion of the wedding breakfast which had followed her simple marriage to Duvall, she had gone to the _pension_ at which she had been living, to await her husband's return.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading At the conclusion of the wedding breakfast which had followed her simple marriage to Duvall, she had gone to the _pension_ at which she had been living, to await her husband's return.

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

From this reading While Richard Duvall was thus flying toward Boulogne, racking his brains in a futile attempt to discover the reasons for his sudden and unexpected dispatch to London, Grace, his wife, equally mystified, was proceeding in the direction of Brussels.

plural of “brain” — that part of the central nervous system that includes all the higher nervous centers; enclosed within the skull; continuous with the spinal cord

From this reading While Richard Duvall was thus flying toward Boulogne, racking his brains in a futile attempt to discover the reasons for his sudden and unexpected dispatch to London, Grace, his wife, equally mystified, was proceeding in the direction of Brussels.

eat an early morning meal

From this reading At the conclusion of the wedding breakfast which had followed her simple marriage to Duvall, she had gone to the _pension_ at which she had been living, to await her husband's return.

the use of brief expressions

From this reading Her patient waiting had been finally terminated by the arrival of the Prefect himself, who had explained with polite brevity that a matter of the gravest importance had made it necessary for him to send Richard at once to London.

the capital and largest city of Belgium; seat of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization

From this reading While Richard Duvall was thus flying toward Boulogne, racking his brains in a futile attempt to discover the reasons for his sudden and unexpected dispatch to London, Grace, his wife, equally mystified, was proceeding in the direction of Brussels.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading She had not then understood the mysterious message which had summoned him to the Prefect's office, nor, for that matter, had he, but he had assured her that he would return in a short while, and that had been enough for her.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Her patient waiting had been finally terminated by the arrival of the Prefect himself, who had explained with polite brevity that a matter of the gravest importance had made it necessary for him to send Richard at once to London.

rid of obstructions

From this reading The reasons for her going to Brussels were no more clear to her than were Richard's, to him.

a position or opinion or judgment reached after consideration

From this reading At the conclusion of the wedding breakfast which had followed her simple marriage to Duvall, she had gone to the _pension_ at which she had been living, to await her husband's return.

a line leading to a place or point

From this reading While Richard Duvall was thus flying toward Boulogne, racking his brains in a futile attempt to discover the reasons for his sudden and unexpected dispatch to London, Grace, his wife, equally mystified, was proceeding in the direction of Brussels.

discover or determine the existence, presence, or fact of

From this reading While Richard Duvall was thus flying toward Boulogne, racking his brains in a futile attempt to discover the reasons for his sudden and unexpected dispatch to London, Grace, his wife, equally mystified, was proceeding in the direction of Brussels.

send away towards a designated goal

From this reading While Richard Duvall was thus flying toward Boulogne, racking his brains in a futile attempt to discover the reasons for his sudden and unexpected dispatch to London, Grace, his wife, equally mystified, was proceeding in the direction of Brussels.

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

From this reading While Richard Duvall was thus flying toward Boulogne, racking his brains in a futile attempt to discover the reasons for his sudden and unexpected dispatch to London, Grace, his wife, equally mystified, was proceeding in the direction of Brussels.

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

From this reading She had not then understood the mysterious message which had summoned him to the Prefect's office, nor, for that matter, had he, but he had assured her that he would return in a short while, and that had been enough for her.

to the same degree (often followed by “as”)

From this reading While Richard Duvall was thus flying toward Boulogne, racking his brains in a futile attempt to discover the reasons for his sudden and unexpected dispatch to London, Grace, his wife, equally mystified, was proceeding in the direction of Brussels.

past form of “explain” — make plain and comprehensible

From this reading Her patient waiting had been finally terminated by the arrival of the Prefect himself, who had explained with polite brevity that a matter of the gravest importance had made it necessary for him to send Richard at once to London.

after an unspecified period of time or an especially long delay

From this reading Her patient waiting had been finally terminated by the arrival of the Prefect himself, who had explained with polite brevity that a matter of the gravest importance had made it necessary for him to send Richard at once to London.

moving swiftly

From this reading While Richard Duvall was thus flying toward Boulogne, racking his brains in a futile attempt to discover the reasons for his sudden and unexpected dispatch to London, Grace, his wife, equally mystified, was proceeding in the direction of Brussels.

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

From this reading At the conclusion of the wedding breakfast which had followed her simple marriage to Duvall, she had gone to the _pension_ at which she had been living, to await her husband's return.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading While Richard Duvall was thus flying toward Boulogne, racking his brains in a futile attempt to discover the reasons for his sudden and unexpected dispatch to London, Grace, his wife, equally mystified, was proceeding in the direction of Brussels.

producing no result or effect

From this reading While Richard Duvall was thus flying toward Boulogne, racking his brains in a futile attempt to discover the reasons for his sudden and unexpected dispatch to London, Grace, his wife, equally mystified, was proceeding in the direction of Brussels.

the act of departing

From this reading The reasons for her going to Brussels were no more clear to her than were Richard's, to him.

destroyed or killed

From this reading At the conclusion of the wedding breakfast which had followed her simple marriage to Duvall, she had gone to the _pension_ at which she had been living, to await her husband's return.

(Christian theology) a state of sanctification by God; the state of one who is under such divine influence

From this reading While Richard Duvall was thus flying toward Boulogne, racking his brains in a futile attempt to discover the reasons for his sudden and unexpected dispatch to London, Grace, his wife, equally mystified, was proceeding in the direction of Brussels.

superlative of “grave” — dignified and somber in manner or character and committed to keeping promises

From this reading Her patient waiting had been finally terminated by the arrival of the Prefect himself, who had explained with polite brevity that a matter of the gravest importance had made it necessary for him to send Richard at once to London.

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

From this reading At the conclusion of the wedding breakfast which had followed her simple marriage to Duvall, she had gone to the _pension_ at which she had been living, to await her husband's return.

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

From this reading She had not then understood the mysterious message which had summoned him to the Prefect's office, nor, for that matter, had he, but he had assured her that he would return in a short while, and that had been enough for her.

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading The reasons for her going to Brussels were no more clear to her than were Richard's, to him.

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

From this reading The reasons for her going to Brussels were no more clear to her than were Richard's, to him.

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

From this reading Her patient waiting had been finally terminated by the arrival of the Prefect himself, who had explained with polite brevity that a matter of the gravest importance had made it necessary for him to send Richard at once to London.

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

From this reading While Richard Duvall was thus flying toward Boulogne, racking his brains in a futile attempt to discover the reasons for his sudden and unexpected dispatch to London, Grace, his wife, equally mystified, was proceeding in the direction of Brussels.

possessive form of “husband” — a married man; a woman's partner in marriage

From this reading At the conclusion of the wedding breakfast which had followed her simple marriage to Duvall, she had gone to the _pension_ at which she had been living, to await her husband's return.

the quality of being important and worthy of note

From this reading Her patient waiting had been finally terminated by the arrival of the Prefect himself, who had explained with polite brevity that a matter of the gravest importance had made it necessary for him to send Richard at once to London.

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

From this reading While Richard Duvall was thus flying toward Boulogne, racking his brains in a futile attempt to discover the reasons for his sudden and unexpected dispatch to London, Grace, his wife, equally mystified, was proceeding in the direction of Brussels.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Her patient waiting had been finally terminated by the arrival of the Prefect himself, who had explained with polite brevity that a matter of the gravest importance had made it necessary for him to send Richard at once to London.

the experience of being alive; the course of human events and activities

From this reading At the conclusion of the wedding breakfast which had followed her simple marriage to Duvall, she had gone to the _pension_ at which she had been living, to await her husband's return.

the capital and largest city of England; located on the Thames in southeastern England; financial and industrial and cultural center

From this reading While Richard Duvall was thus flying toward Boulogne, racking his brains in a futile attempt to discover the reasons for his sudden and unexpected dispatch to London, Grace, his wife, equally mystified, was proceeding in the direction of Brussels.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading Her patient waiting had been finally terminated by the arrival of the Prefect himself, who had explained with polite brevity that a matter of the gravest importance had made it necessary for him to send Richard at once to London.

the state of being a married couple voluntarily joined for life (or until divorce)

From this reading At the conclusion of the wedding breakfast which had followed her simple marriage to Duvall, she had gone to the _pension_ at which she had been living, to await her husband's return.

a vaguely specified concern

From this reading She had not then understood the mysterious message which had summoned him to the Prefect's office, nor, for that matter, had he, but he had assured her that he would return in a short while, and that had been enough for her.

a communication (usually brief) that is written or spoken or signaled

From this reading She had not then understood the mysterious message which had summoned him to the Prefect's office, nor, for that matter, had he, but he had assured her that he would return in a short while, and that had been enough for her.

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

From this reading The reasons for her going to Brussels were no more clear to her than were Richard's, to him.

of an obscure nature

From this reading She had not then understood the mysterious message which had summoned him to the Prefect's office, nor, for that matter, had he, but he had assured her that he would return in a short while, and that had been enough for her.

totally perplexed and mixed up

From this reading While Richard Duvall was thus flying toward Boulogne, racking his brains in a futile attempt to discover the reasons for his sudden and unexpected dispatch to London, Grace, his wife, equally mystified, was proceeding in the direction of Brussels.

absolutely essential

From this reading Her patient waiting had been finally terminated by the arrival of the Prefect himself, who had explained with polite brevity that a matter of the gravest importance had made it necessary for him to send Richard at once to London.

not any; not one

From this reading The reasons for her going to Brussels were no more clear to her than were Richard's, to him.

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

From this reading She had not then understood the mysterious message which had summoned him to the Prefect's office, nor, for that matter, had he, but he had assured her that he would return in a short while, and that had been enough for her.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading She had not then understood the mysterious message which had summoned him to the Prefect's office, nor, for that matter, had he, but he had assured her that he would return in a short while, and that had been enough for her.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading While Richard Duvall was thus flying toward Boulogne, racking his brains in a futile attempt to discover the reasons for his sudden and unexpected dispatch to London, Grace, his wife, equally mystified, was proceeding in the direction of Brussels.

place of business where professional or clerical duties are performed

From this reading She had not then understood the mysterious message which had summoned him to the Prefect's office, nor, for that matter, had he, but he had assured her that he would return in a short while, and that had been enough for her.

on one occasion

From this reading Her patient waiting had been finally terminated by the arrival of the Prefect himself, who had explained with polite brevity that a matter of the gravest importance had made it necessary for him to send Richard at once to London.

a person who requires medical care

From this reading Her patient waiting had been finally terminated by the arrival of the Prefect himself, who had explained with polite brevity that a matter of the gravest importance had made it necessary for him to send Richard at once to London.

a regular payment to a person that is intended to allow them to subsist without working

From this reading At the conclusion of the wedding breakfast which had followed her simple marriage to Duvall, she had gone to the _pension_ at which she had been living, to await her husband's return.

showing regard for others in manners, speech, behavior, etc.

From this reading Her patient waiting had been finally terminated by the arrival of the Prefect himself, who had explained with polite brevity that a matter of the gravest importance had made it necessary for him to send Richard at once to London.

a chief officer or chief magistrate

From this reading Her patient waiting had been finally terminated by the arrival of the Prefect himself, who had explained with polite brevity that a matter of the gravest importance had made it necessary for him to send Richard at once to London.

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

From this reading She had not then understood the mysterious message which had summoned him to the Prefect's office, nor, for that matter, had he, but he had assured her that he would return in a short while, and that had been enough for her.

(law) the institution of a sequence of steps by which legal judgments are invoked

From this reading While Richard Duvall was thus flying toward Boulogne, racking his brains in a futile attempt to discover the reasons for his sudden and unexpected dispatch to London, Grace, his wife, equally mystified, was proceeding in the direction of Brussels.

causing great physical or mental suffering

From this reading While Richard Duvall was thus flying toward Boulogne, racking his brains in a futile attempt to discover the reasons for his sudden and unexpected dispatch to London, Grace, his wife, equally mystified, was proceeding in the direction of Brussels.

plural of “reason” — a rational motive for a belief or action

From this reading While Richard Duvall was thus flying toward Boulogne, racking his brains in a futile attempt to discover the reasons for his sudden and unexpected dispatch to London, Grace, his wife, equally mystified, was proceeding in the direction of Brussels.

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

From this reading At the conclusion of the wedding breakfast which had followed her simple marriage to Duvall, she had gone to the _pension_ at which she had been living, to await her husband's return.

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

From this reading While Richard Duvall was thus flying toward Boulogne, racking his brains in a futile attempt to discover the reasons for his sudden and unexpected dispatch to London, Grace, his wife, equally mystified, was proceeding in the direction of Brussels.

possessive form of “richards” — English literary critic who collaborated with C. K. Ogden and contributed to the development of Basic English (1893-1979)

From this reading The reasons for her going to Brussels were no more clear to her than were Richard's, to him.

cause to go somewhere

From this reading Her patient waiting had been finally terminated by the arrival of the Prefect himself, who had explained with polite brevity that a matter of the gravest importance had made it necessary for him to send Richard at once to London.

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading At the conclusion of the wedding breakfast which had followed her simple marriage to Duvall, she had gone to the _pension_ at which she had been living, to await her husband's return.

primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration

From this reading She had not then understood the mysterious message which had summoned him to the Prefect's office, nor, for that matter, had he, but he had assured her that he would return in a short while, and that had been enough for her.

having few parts; not complex or complicated or involved

From this reading At the conclusion of the wedding breakfast which had followed her simple marriage to Duvall, she had gone to the _pension_ at which she had been living, to await her husband's return.

happening without warning or in a short space of time

From this reading While Richard Duvall was thus flying toward Boulogne, racking his brains in a futile attempt to discover the reasons for his sudden and unexpected dispatch to London, Grace, his wife, equally mystified, was proceeding in the direction of Brussels.

past form of “summon” — call in an official matter, such as to attend court

From this reading She had not then understood the mysterious message which had summoned him to the Prefect's office, nor, for that matter, had he, but he had assured her that he would return in a short while, and that had been enough for her.

having come or been brought to a conclusion

From this reading Her patient waiting had been finally terminated by the arrival of the Prefect himself, who had explained with polite brevity that a matter of the gravest importance had made it necessary for him to send Richard at once to London.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading The reasons for her going to Brussels were no more clear to her than were Richard's, to him.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading She had not then understood the mysterious message which had summoned him to the Prefect's office, nor, for that matter, had he, but he had assured her that he would return in a short while, and that had been enough for her.

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

From this reading While Richard Duvall was thus flying toward Boulogne, racking his brains in a futile attempt to discover the reasons for his sudden and unexpected dispatch to London, Grace, his wife, equally mystified, was proceeding in the direction of Brussels.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading She had not then understood the mysterious message which had summoned him to the Prefect's office, nor, for that matter, had he, but he had assured her that he would return in a short while, and that had been enough for her.

(used to introduce a logical conclusion) from that fact or reason or as a result

From this reading While Richard Duvall was thus flying toward Boulogne, racking his brains in a futile attempt to discover the reasons for his sudden and unexpected dispatch to London, Grace, his wife, equally mystified, was proceeding in the direction of Brussels.

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

From this reading While Richard Duvall was thus flying toward Boulogne, racking his brains in a futile attempt to discover the reasons for his sudden and unexpected dispatch to London, Grace, his wife, equally mystified, was proceeding in the direction of Brussels.

in the direction of

From this reading While Richard Duvall was thus flying toward Boulogne, racking his brains in a futile attempt to discover the reasons for his sudden and unexpected dispatch to London, Grace, his wife, equally mystified, was proceeding in the direction of Brussels.

fully apprehended as to purport or meaning or explanation

From this reading She had not then understood the mysterious message which had summoned him to the Prefect's office, nor, for that matter, had he, but he had assured her that he would return in a short while, and that had been enough for her.

not expected or anticipated

From this reading While Richard Duvall was thus flying toward Boulogne, racking his brains in a futile attempt to discover the reasons for his sudden and unexpected dispatch to London, Grace, his wife, equally mystified, was proceeding in the direction of Brussels.

the act of waiting (remaining inactive in one place while expecting something)

From this reading Her patient waiting had been finally terminated by the arrival of the Prefect himself, who had explained with polite brevity that a matter of the gravest importance had made it necessary for him to send Richard at once to London.

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

From this reading While Richard Duvall was thus flying toward Boulogne, racking his brains in a futile attempt to discover the reasons for his sudden and unexpected dispatch to London, Grace, his wife, equally mystified, was proceeding in the direction of Brussels.

the social event at which the ceremony of marriage is performed

From this reading At the conclusion of the wedding breakfast which had followed her simple marriage to Duvall, she had gone to the _pension_ at which she had been living, to await her husband's return.

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

From this reading The reasons for her going to Brussels were no more clear to her than were Richard's, to him.

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

From this reading At the conclusion of the wedding breakfast which had followed her simple marriage to Duvall, she had gone to the _pension_ at which she had been living, to await her husband's return.

during the time that

From this reading While Richard Duvall was thus flying toward Boulogne, racking his brains in a futile attempt to discover the reasons for his sudden and unexpected dispatch to London, Grace, his wife, equally mystified, was proceeding in the direction of Brussels.

which person or people

From this reading Her patient waiting had been finally terminated by the arrival of the Prefect himself, who had explained with polite brevity that a matter of the gravest importance had made it necessary for him to send Richard at once to London.

a married woman; a man's partner in marriage

From this reading While Richard Duvall was thus flying toward Boulogne, racking his brains in a futile attempt to discover the reasons for his sudden and unexpected dispatch to London, Grace, his wife, equally mystified, was proceeding in the direction of Brussels.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Her patient waiting had been finally terminated by the arrival of the Prefect himself, who had explained with polite brevity that a matter of the gravest importance had made it necessary for him to send Richard at once to London.

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading She had not then understood the mysterious message which had summoned him to the Prefect's office, nor, for that matter, had he, but he had assured her that he would return in a short while, and that had been enough for her.