Chapter II · Chapter 2

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

From this reading HE ACHIEVES A NAME FOR HIMSELF At the foot of the staircase Irving hesitated until the sound of the voices and footsteps had ceased.

third-person singular of “achieve” — to gain with effort

From this reading HE ACHIEVES A NAME FOR HIMSELF At the foot of the staircase Irving hesitated until the sound of the voices and footsteps had ceased.

later than; following

From this reading The three boys had not seen him when he had entered; he was wondering whether he had better be courageous, go right up after them, and introduce himself,—just as if they had not caught him off his guard and put him into a ridiculous position,—or delay a little while in the hope that their memory of it would be less keen.

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

From this reading HE ACHIEVES A NAME FOR HIMSELF At the foot of the staircase Irving hesitated until the sound of the voices and footsteps had ceased.

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

From this reading The three boys had not seen him when he had entered; he was wondering whether he had better be courageous, go right up after them, and introduce himself,—just as if they had not caught him off his guard and put him into a ridiculous position,—or delay a little while in the hope that their memory of it would be less keen.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading HE ACHIEVES A NAME FOR HIMSELF At the foot of the staircase Irving hesitated until the sound of the voices and footsteps had ceased.

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading The three boys had not seen him when he had entered; he was wondering whether he had better be courageous, go right up after them, and introduce himself,—just as if they had not caught him off his guard and put him into a ridiculous position,—or delay a little while in the hope that their memory of it would be less keen.

(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another

From this reading The three boys had not seen him when he had entered; he was wondering whether he had better be courageous, go right up after them, and introduce himself,—just as if they had not caught him off his guard and put him into a ridiculous position,—or delay a little while in the hope that their memory of it would be less keen.

a youthful male person

From this reading While he was examining himself in the mirror, he heard a door open on the corridor and a boy call, “Lou!

plural of “boy” — a youthful male person

From this reading The three boys had not seen him when he had entered; he was wondering whether he had better be courageous, go right up after them, and introduce himself,—just as if they had not caught him off his guard and put him into a ridiculous position,—or delay a little while in the hope that their memory of it would be less keen.

assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading While he was examining himself in the mirror, he heard a door open on the corridor and a boy call, “Lou!

inflected form of “catch” — discover or come upon accidentally, suddenly, or unexpectedly; catch somebody doing something or in a certain state

From this reading The three boys had not seen him when he had entered; he was wondering whether he had better be courageous, go right up after them, and introduce himself,—just as if they had not caught him off his guard and put him into a ridiculous position,—or delay a little while in the hope that their memory of it would be less keen.

past form of “cease” — put an end to a state or an activity

From this reading HE ACHIEVES A NAME FOR HIMSELF At the foot of the staircase Irving hesitated until the sound of the voices and footsteps had ceased.

plural of “charge” — an impetuous rush toward someone or something

From this reading When he reached the top floor, he went into his room; he was feeling nervous over the prospect of confronting his charges, and he wished to be sure that his hair and his necktie looked right.

-ing form of “confront” — oppose, as in hostility or a competition

From this reading When he reached the top floor, he went into his room; he was feeling nervous over the prospect of confronting his charges, and he wished to be sure that his hair and his necktie looked right.

an enclosed passageway; rooms usually open onto it

From this reading While he was examining himself in the mirror, he heard a door open on the corridor and a boy call, “Lou!

possessing or displaying courage; able to face and deal with danger or fear without flinching

From this reading The three boys had not seen him when he had entered; he was wondering whether he had better be courageous, go right up after them, and introduce himself,—just as if they had not caught him off his guard and put him into a ridiculous position,—or delay a little while in the hope that their memory of it would be less keen.

recognizable; marked

From this reading He decided that he had better be courageous.

cause to be slowed down or delayed

From this reading The three boys had not seen him when he had entered; he was wondering whether he had better be courageous, go right up after them, and introduce himself,—just as if they had not caught him off his guard and put him into a ridiculous position,—or delay a little while in the hope that their memory of it would be less keen.

a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle

From this reading While he was examining himself in the mirror, he heard a door open on the corridor and a boy call, “Lou!

past form of “enter” — to come or go into

From this reading The three boys had not seen him when he had entered; he was wondering whether he had better be courageous, go right up after them, and introduce himself,—just as if they had not caught him off his guard and put him into a ridiculous position,—or delay a little while in the hope that their memory of it would be less keen.

-ing form of “examine” — consider in detail and subject to an analysis in order to discover essential features or meaning

From this reading While he was examining himself in the mirror, he heard a door open on the corridor and a boy call, “Lou!

the experiencing of affective and emotional states

From this reading When he reached the top floor, he went into his room; he was feeling nervous over the prospect of confronting his charges, and he wished to be sure that his hair and his necktie looked right.

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

From this reading When he reached the top floor, he went into his room; he was feeling nervous over the prospect of confronting his charges, and he wished to be sure that his hair and his necktie looked right.

the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint

From this reading HE ACHIEVES A NAME FOR HIMSELF At the foot of the staircase Irving hesitated until the sound of the voices and footsteps had ceased.

plural of “footstep” — the sound of a step of someone walking

From this reading HE ACHIEVES A NAME FOR HIMSELF At the foot of the staircase Irving hesitated until the sound of the voices and footsteps had ceased.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading HE ACHIEVES A NAME FOR HIMSELF At the foot of the staircase Irving hesitated until the sound of the voices and footsteps had ceased.

change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading The three boys had not seen him when he had entered; he was wondering whether he had better be courageous, go right up after them, and introduce himself,—just as if they had not caught him off his guard and put him into a ridiculous position,—or delay a little while in the hope that their memory of it would be less keen.

a person who keeps watch over something or someone

From this reading The three boys had not seen him when he had entered; he was wondering whether he had better be courageous, go right up after them, and introduce himself,—just as if they had not caught him off his guard and put him into a ridiculous position,—or delay a little while in the hope that their memory of it would be less keen.

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

From this reading HE ACHIEVES A NAME FOR HIMSELF At the foot of the staircase Irving hesitated until the sound of the voices and footsteps had ceased.

a covering for the body (or parts of it) consisting of a dense growth of threadlike structures (as on the human head); helps to prevent heat loss

From this reading When he reached the top floor, he went into his room; he was feeling nervous over the prospect of confronting his charges, and he wished to be sure that his hair and his necktie looked right.

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

From this reading HE ACHIEVES A NAME FOR HIMSELF At the foot of the staircase Irving hesitated until the sound of the voices and footsteps had ceased.

detected or perceived by the sense of hearing

From this reading While he was examining himself in the mirror, he heard a door open on the corridor and a boy call, “Lou!

past form of “hesitate” — pause or hold back in uncertainty or unwillingness

From this reading HE ACHIEVES A NAME FOR HIMSELF At the foot of the staircase Irving hesitated until the sound of the voices and footsteps had ceased.

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

From this reading The three boys had not seen him when he had entered; he was wondering whether he had better be courageous, go right up after them, and introduce himself,—just as if they had not caught him off his guard and put him into a ridiculous position,—or delay a little while in the hope that their memory of it would be less keen.

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

From this reading HE ACHIEVES A NAME FOR HIMSELF At the foot of the staircase Irving hesitated until the sound of the voices and footsteps had ceased.

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

From this reading The three boys had not seen him when he had entered; he was wondering whether he had better be courageous, go right up after them, and introduce himself,—just as if they had not caught him off his guard and put him into a ridiculous position,—or delay a little while in the hope that their memory of it would be less keen.

a specific instance of feeling hopeful

From this reading The three boys had not seen him when he had entered; he was wondering whether he had better be courageous, go right up after them, and introduce himself,—just as if they had not caught him off his guard and put him into a ridiculous position,—or delay a little while in the hope that their memory of it would be less keen.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading The three boys had not seen him when he had entered; he was wondering whether he had better be courageous, go right up after them, and introduce himself,—just as if they had not caught him off his guard and put him into a ridiculous position,—or delay a little while in the hope that their memory of it would be less keen.

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

From this reading The three boys had not seen him when he had entered; he was wondering whether he had better be courageous, go right up after them, and introduce himself,—just as if they had not caught him off his guard and put him into a ridiculous position,—or delay a little while in the hope that their memory of it would be less keen.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading The three boys had not seen him when he had entered; he was wondering whether he had better be courageous, go right up after them, and introduce himself,—just as if they had not caught him off his guard and put him into a ridiculous position,—or delay a little while in the hope that their memory of it would be less keen.

cause to come to know personally

From this reading The three boys had not seen him when he had entered; he was wondering whether he had better be courageous, go right up after them, and introduce himself,—just as if they had not caught him off his guard and put him into a ridiculous position,—or delay a little while in the hope that their memory of it would be less keen.

United States writer remembered for his stories (1783-1859)

From this reading HE ACHIEVES A NAME FOR HIMSELF At the foot of the staircase Irving hesitated until the sound of the voices and footsteps had ceased.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading The three boys had not seen him when he had entered; he was wondering whether he had better be courageous, go right up after them, and introduce himself,—just as if they had not caught him off his guard and put him into a ridiculous position,—or delay a little while in the hope that their memory of it would be less keen.

and nothing more

From this reading The three boys had not seen him when he had entered; he was wondering whether he had better be courageous, go right up after them, and introduce himself,—just as if they had not caught him off his guard and put him into a ridiculous position,—or delay a little while in the hope that their memory of it would be less keen.

having or demonstrating ability to recognize or draw fine distinctions

From this reading The three boys had not seen him when he had entered; he was wondering whether he had better be courageous, go right up after them, and introduce himself,—just as if they had not caught him off his guard and put him into a ridiculous position,—or delay a little while in the hope that their memory of it would be less keen.

used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs

From this reading The three boys had not seen him when he had entered; he was wondering whether he had better be courageous, go right up after them, and introduce himself,—just as if they had not caught him off his guard and put him into a ridiculous position,—or delay a little while in the hope that their memory of it would be less keen.

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

From this reading The three boys had not seen him when he had entered; he was wondering whether he had better be courageous, go right up after them, and introduce himself,—just as if they had not caught him off his guard and put him into a ridiculous position,—or delay a little while in the hope that their memory of it would be less keen.

past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading When he reached the top floor, he went into his room; he was feeling nervous over the prospect of confronting his charges, and he wished to be sure that his hair and his necktie looked right.

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

From this reading While he was examining himself in the mirror, he heard a door open on the corridor and a boy call, “Lou!

The faculty by which the mind stores and remembers information and knowledge.

From this reading The three boys had not seen him when he had entered; he was wondering whether he had better be courageous, go right up after them, and introduce himself,—just as if they had not caught him off his guard and put him into a ridiculous position,—or delay a little while in the hope that their memory of it would be less keen.

polished surface that forms images by reflecting light

From this reading While he was examining himself in the mirror, he heard a door open on the corridor and a boy call, “Lou!

assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading HE ACHIEVES A NAME FOR HIMSELF At the foot of the staircase Irving hesitated until the sound of the voices and footsteps had ceased.

neckwear consisting of a long narrow piece of material worn (mostly by men) under a collar and tied in knot at the front

From this reading When he reached the top floor, he went into his room; he was feeling nervous over the prospect of confronting his charges, and he wished to be sure that his hair and his necktie looked right.

easily agitated

From this reading When he reached the top floor, he went into his room; he was feeling nervous over the prospect of confronting his charges, and he wished to be sure that his hair and his necktie looked right.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading The three boys had not seen him when he had entered; he was wondering whether he had better be courageous, go right up after them, and introduce himself,—just as if they had not caught him off his guard and put him into a ridiculous position,—or delay a little while in the hope that their memory of it would be less keen.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading HE ACHIEVES A NAME FOR HIMSELF At the foot of the staircase Irving hesitated until the sound of the voices and footsteps had ceased.

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

From this reading The three boys had not seen him when he had entered; he was wondering whether he had better be courageous, go right up after them, and introduce himself,—just as if they had not caught him off his guard and put him into a ridiculous position,—or delay a little while in the hope that their memory of it would be less keen.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading While he was examining himself in the mirror, he heard a door open on the corridor and a boy call, “Lou!

To move from a closed position.

From this reading While he was examining himself in the mirror, he heard a door open on the corridor and a boy call, “Lou!

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading The three boys had not seen him when he had entered; he was wondering whether he had better be courageous, go right up after them, and introduce himself,—just as if they had not caught him off his guard and put him into a ridiculous position,—or delay a little while in the hope that their memory of it would be less keen.

above and across; more than

From this reading When he reached the top floor, he went into his room; he was feeling nervous over the prospect of confronting his charges, and he wished to be sure that his hair and his necktie looked right.

the particular portion of space occupied by something

From this reading The three boys had not seen him when he had entered; he was wondering whether he had better be courageous, go right up after them, and introduce himself,—just as if they had not caught him off his guard and put him into a ridiculous position,—or delay a little while in the hope that their memory of it would be less keen.

the possibility of future success

From this reading When he reached the top floor, he went into his room; he was feeling nervous over the prospect of confronting his charges, and he wished to be sure that his hair and his necktie looked right.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading The three boys had not seen him when he had entered; he was wondering whether he had better be courageous, go right up after them, and introduce himself,—just as if they had not caught him off his guard and put him into a ridiculous position,—or delay a little while in the hope that their memory of it would be less keen.

past form of “reach” — reach a destination, either real or abstract

From this reading When he reached the top floor, he went into his room; he was feeling nervous over the prospect of confronting his charges, and he wished to be sure that his hair and his necktie looked right.

inspiring scornful pity

From this reading The three boys had not seen him when he had entered; he was wondering whether he had better be courageous, go right up after them, and introduce himself,—just as if they had not caught him off his guard and put him into a ridiculous position,—or delay a little while in the hope that their memory of it would be less keen.

precisely, exactly

From this reading The three boys had not seen him when he had entered; he was wondering whether he had better be courageous, go right up after them, and introduce himself,—just as if they had not caught him off his guard and put him into a ridiculous position,—or delay a little while in the hope that their memory of it would be less keen.

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

From this reading When he reached the top floor, he went into his room; he was feeling nervous over the prospect of confronting his charges, and he wished to be sure that his hair and his necktie looked right.

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

From this reading The three boys had not seen him when he had entered; he was wondering whether he had better be courageous, go right up after them, and introduce himself,—just as if they had not caught him off his guard and put him into a ridiculous position,—or delay a little while in the hope that their memory of it would be less keen.

the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause

From this reading HE ACHIEVES A NAME FOR HIMSELF At the foot of the staircase Irving hesitated until the sound of the voices and footsteps had ceased.

a way of access (upward and downward) consisting of a set of steps

From this reading HE ACHIEVES A NAME FOR HIMSELF At the foot of the staircase Irving hesitated until the sound of the voices and footsteps had ceased.

having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured

From this reading When he reached the top floor, he went into his room; he was feeling nervous over the prospect of confronting his charges, and he wished to be sure that his hair and his necktie looked right.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading The three boys had not seen him when he had entered; he was wondering whether he had better be courageous, go right up after them, and introduce himself,—just as if they had not caught him off his guard and put him into a ridiculous position,—or delay a little while in the hope that their memory of it would be less keen.

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

From this reading HE ACHIEVES A NAME FOR HIMSELF At the foot of the staircase Irving hesitated until the sound of the voices and footsteps had ceased.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading The three boys had not seen him when he had entered; he was wondering whether he had better be courageous, go right up after them, and introduce himself,—just as if they had not caught him off his guard and put him into a ridiculous position,—or delay a little while in the hope that their memory of it would be less keen.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading The three boys had not seen him when he had entered; he was wondering whether he had better be courageous, go right up after them, and introduce himself,—just as if they had not caught him off his guard and put him into a ridiculous position,—or delay a little while in the hope that their memory of it would be less keen.

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading The three boys had not seen him when he had entered; he was wondering whether he had better be courageous, go right up after them, and introduce himself,—just as if they had not caught him off his guard and put him into a ridiculous position,—or delay a little while in the hope that their memory of it would be less keen.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one

From this reading The three boys had not seen him when he had entered; he was wondering whether he had better be courageous, go right up after them, and introduce himself,—just as if they had not caught him off his guard and put him into a ridiculous position,—or delay a little while in the hope that their memory of it would be less keen.

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

From this reading When he reached the top floor, he went into his room; he was feeling nervous over the prospect of confronting his charges, and he wished to be sure that his hair and his necktie looked right.

the upper part of anything

From this reading When he reached the top floor, he went into his room; he was feeling nervous over the prospect of confronting his charges, and he wished to be sure that his hair and his necktie looked right.

up to a particular time

From this reading HE ACHIEVES A NAME FOR HIMSELF At the foot of the staircase Irving hesitated until the sound of the voices and footsteps had ceased.

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading The three boys had not seen him when he had entered; he was wondering whether he had better be courageous, go right up after them, and introduce himself,—just as if they had not caught him off his guard and put him into a ridiculous position,—or delay a little while in the hope that their memory of it would be less keen.

plural of “voice” — the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech

From this reading HE ACHIEVES A NAME FOR HIMSELF At the foot of the staircase Irving hesitated until the sound of the voices and footsteps had ceased.

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

From this reading The three boys had not seen him when he had entered; he was wondering whether he had better be courageous, go right up after them, and introduce himself,—just as if they had not caught him off his guard and put him into a ridiculous position,—or delay a little while in the hope that their memory of it would be less keen.

inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading When he reached the top floor, he went into his room; he was feeling nervous over the prospect of confronting his charges, and he wished to be sure that his hair and his necktie looked right.

at the time that

From this reading The three boys had not seen him when he had entered; he was wondering whether he had better be courageous, go right up after them, and introduce himself,—just as if they had not caught him off his guard and put him into a ridiculous position,—or delay a little while in the hope that their memory of it would be less keen.

used to introduce two or more possibilities

From this reading The three boys had not seen him when he had entered; he was wondering whether he had better be courageous, go right up after them, and introduce himself,—just as if they had not caught him off his guard and put him into a ridiculous position,—or delay a little while in the hope that their memory of it would be less keen.

during the time that

From this reading The three boys had not seen him when he had entered; he was wondering whether he had better be courageous, go right up after them, and introduce himself,—just as if they had not caught him off his guard and put him into a ridiculous position,—or delay a little while in the hope that their memory of it would be less keen.

past form of “wish” — hope for; have a wish

From this reading When he reached the top floor, he went into his room; he was feeling nervous over the prospect of confronting his charges, and he wished to be sure that his hair and his necktie looked right.

showing curiosity

From this reading The three boys had not seen him when he had entered; he was wondering whether he had better be courageous, go right up after them, and introduce himself,—just as if they had not caught him off his guard and put him into a ridiculous position,—or delay a little while in the hope that their memory of it would be less keen.

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

From this reading The three boys had not seen him when he had entered; he was wondering whether he had better be courageous, go right up after them, and introduce himself,—just as if they had not caught him off his guard and put him into a ridiculous position,—or delay a little while in the hope that their memory of it would be less keen.