Chapter XXI

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

From this reading THE UNLIT LAMP It was a decidedly nervous and shaken Selden who dressed for dinner that evening.

a vaguely specified concern

From this reading For the first time in his life he had committed what is for a journalist the unpardonable sin--he had permitted his feelings to become involved in an affair which he had set himself to watch from the outside.

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading He had been drawn in against his will.

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

From this reading For the first time in his life he had committed what is for a journalist the unpardonable sin--he had permitted his feelings to become involved in an affair which he had set himself to watch from the outside.

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

From this reading THE UNLIT LAMP It was a decidedly nervous and shaken Selden who dressed for dinner that evening.

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

From this reading He had ceased to be an observer and had become a participant.

enter or assume a certain state or condition

From this reading For the first time in his life he had committed what is for a journalist the unpardonable sin--he had permitted his feelings to become involved in an affair which he had set himself to watch from the outside.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading He had been drawn in against his will.

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

From this reading He had ceased to be an observer and had become a participant.

bound or obligated, as under a pledge to a particular cause, action, or attitude

From this reading For the first time in his life he had committed what is for a journalist the unpardonable sin--he had permitted his feelings to become involved in an affair which he had set himself to watch from the outside.

without question and beyond doubt

From this reading THE UNLIT LAMP It was a decidedly nervous and shaken Selden who dressed for dinner that evening.

the main meal of the day served in the evening or at midday

From this reading THE UNLIT LAMP It was a decidedly nervous and shaken Selden who dressed for dinner that evening.

showing the wearing effects of overwork or care or suffering

From this reading He had been drawn in against his will.

dressed or clothed especially in fine attire; often used in combination

From this reading THE UNLIT LAMP It was a decidedly nervous and shaken Selden who dressed for dinner that evening.

the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)

From this reading THE UNLIT LAMP It was a decidedly nervous and shaken Selden who dressed for dinner that evening.

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

From this reading For the first time in his life he had committed what is for a journalist the unpardonable sin--he had permitted his feelings to become involved in an affair which he had set himself to watch from the outside.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading For the first time in his life he had committed what is for a journalist the unpardonable sin--he had permitted his feelings to become involved in an affair which he had set himself to watch from the outside.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading THE UNLIT LAMP It was a decidedly nervous and shaken Selden who dressed for dinner that evening.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading For the first time in his life he had committed what is for a journalist the unpardonable sin--he had permitted his feelings to become involved in an affair which he had set himself to watch from the outside.

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

From this reading For the first time in his life he had committed what is for a journalist the unpardonable sin--he had permitted his feelings to become involved in an affair which he had set himself to watch from the outside.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading Yet permitted was scarcely the word, for he seemed to have had no volition in the matter.

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

From this reading For the first time in his life he had committed what is for a journalist the unpardonable sin--he had permitted his feelings to become involved in an affair which he had set himself to watch from the outside.

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

From this reading For the first time in his life he had committed what is for a journalist the unpardonable sin--he had permitted his feelings to become involved in an affair which he had set himself to watch from the outside.

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

From this reading For the first time in his life he had committed what is for a journalist the unpardonable sin--he had permitted his feelings to become involved in an affair which he had set himself to watch from the outside.

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

From this reading For the first time in his life he had committed what is for a journalist the unpardonable sin--he had permitted his feelings to become involved in an affair which he had set himself to watch from the outside.

connected by participation or association or use

From this reading For the first time in his life he had committed what is for a journalist the unpardonable sin--he had permitted his feelings to become involved in an affair which he had set himself to watch from the outside.

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

From this reading For the first time in his life he had committed what is for a journalist the unpardonable sin--he had permitted his feelings to become involved in an affair which he had set himself to watch from the outside.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading THE UNLIT LAMP It was a decidedly nervous and shaken Selden who dressed for dinner that evening.

a writer for newspapers and magazines

From this reading For the first time in his life he had committed what is for a journalist the unpardonable sin--he had permitted his feelings to become involved in an affair which he had set himself to watch from the outside.

an artificial source of visible illumination

From this reading THE UNLIT LAMP It was a decidedly nervous and shaken Selden who dressed for dinner that evening.

a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading For the first time in his life he had committed what is for a journalist the unpardonable sin--he had permitted his feelings to become involved in an affair which he had set himself to watch from the outside.

a vaguely specified concern

From this reading Yet permitted was scarcely the word, for he seemed to have had no volition in the matter.

easily agitated

From this reading THE UNLIT LAMP It was a decidedly nervous and shaken Selden who dressed for dinner that evening.

not any; not one

From this reading Yet permitted was scarcely the word, for he seemed to have had no volition in the matter.

a person who becomes aware (of things or events) through the senses

From this reading He had ceased to be an observer and had become a participant.

relating to or being on or near the outer side or limit

From this reading For the first time in his life he had committed what is for a journalist the unpardonable sin--he had permitted his feelings to become involved in an affair which he had set himself to watch from the outside.

someone who takes part in an activity

From this reading He had ceased to be an observer and had become a participant.

inflected form of “permit” — consent to, give permission

From this reading For the first time in his life he had committed what is for a journalist the unpardonable sin--he had permitted his feelings to become involved in an affair which he had set himself to watch from the outside.

only a very short time before

From this reading Yet permitted was scarcely the word, for he seemed to have had no volition in the matter.

past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading Yet permitted was scarcely the word, for he seemed to have had no volition in the matter.

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

From this reading THE UNLIT LAMP It was a decidedly nervous and shaken Selden who dressed for dinner that evening.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading For the first time in his life he had committed what is for a journalist the unpardonable sin--he had permitted his feelings to become involved in an affair which he had set himself to watch from the outside.

disturbed psychologically as if by a physical jolt or shock

From this reading THE UNLIT LAMP It was a decidedly nervous and shaken Selden who dressed for dinner that evening.

estrangement from god

From this reading For the first time in his life he had committed what is for a journalist the unpardonable sin--he had permitted his feelings to become involved in an affair which he had set himself to watch from the outside.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading THE UNLIT LAMP It was a decidedly nervous and shaken Selden who dressed for dinner that evening.

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

From this reading THE UNLIT LAMP It was a decidedly nervous and shaken Selden who dressed for dinner that evening.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading For the first time in his life he had committed what is for a journalist the unpardonable sin--he had permitted his feelings to become involved in an affair which he had set himself to watch from the outside.

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

From this reading For the first time in his life he had committed what is for a journalist the unpardonable sin--he had permitted his feelings to become involved in an affair which he had set himself to watch from the outside.

not set afire or burning

From this reading THE UNLIT LAMP It was a decidedly nervous and shaken Selden who dressed for dinner that evening.

not admitting of pardon

From this reading For the first time in his life he had committed what is for a journalist the unpardonable sin--he had permitted his feelings to become involved in an affair which he had set himself to watch from the outside.

the capability of conscious choice and decision and intention

From this reading Yet permitted was scarcely the word, for he seemed to have had no volition in the matter.

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

From this reading THE UNLIT LAMP It was a decidedly nervous and shaken Selden who dressed for dinner that evening.

look attentively

From this reading For the first time in his life he had committed what is for a journalist the unpardonable sin--he had permitted his feelings to become involved in an affair which he had set himself to watch from the outside.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading For the first time in his life he had committed what is for a journalist the unpardonable sin--he had permitted his feelings to become involved in an affair which he had set himself to watch from the outside.

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

From this reading For the first time in his life he had committed what is for a journalist the unpardonable sin--he had permitted his feelings to become involved in an affair which he had set himself to watch from the outside.

which person or people

From this reading THE UNLIT LAMP It was a decidedly nervous and shaken Selden who dressed for dinner that evening.

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading He had been drawn in against his will.

a unit of language that native speakers can identify

From this reading Yet permitted was scarcely the word, for he seemed to have had no volition in the matter.

but in spite of that

From this reading Yet permitted was scarcely the word, for he seemed to have had no volition in the matter.