Chapter IV · Reuben Tracy

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

From this reading It was a desultory enough conversation, for each had been absorbed in his own mind by thoughts a thousand leagues away from snowfalls and partisan strife, and the transition back to amiable commonplaces was not easy.

giving or marked by complete attention to

From this reading It was a desultory enough conversation, for each had been absorbed in his own mind by thoughts a thousand leagues away from snowfalls and partisan strife, and the transition back to amiable commonplaces was not easy.

plural of “acquaintance” — personal knowledge or information about someone or something

From this reading They had never been more than friendly acquaintances, and they talked now of indifferent topics--of the grim climatic freak which had turned late November into mid-winter, of the results of the recent elections, and then of English weather and politics as contrasted with ours.

following the length of something from one end toward the other

From this reading The two young men walked along together, separated by the ridge of snow between the tracks.

disposed to please

From this reading It was a desultory enough conversation, for each had been absorbed in his own mind by thoughts a thousand leagues away from snowfalls and partisan strife, and the transition back to amiable commonplaces was not easy.

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

From this reading They had never been more than friendly acquaintances, and they talked now of indifferent topics--of the grim climatic freak which had turned late November into mid-winter, of the results of the recent elections, and then of English weather and politics as contrasted with ours.

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

From this reading They had never been more than friendly acquaintances, and they talked now of indifferent topics--of the grim climatic freak which had turned late November into mid-winter, of the results of the recent elections, and then of English weather and politics as contrasted with ours.

on or to one side

From this reading The music of a sleigh-bell, which for some time had been increasing in volume behind them, swelled suddenly into a shrill-voiced warning close at their backs, and they stepped aside into the snow to let the conveyance pass.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading The music of a sleigh-bell, which for some time had been increasing in volume behind them, swelled suddenly into a shrill-voiced warning close at their backs, and they stepped aside into the snow to let the conveyance pass.

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

From this reading It was a desultory enough conversation, for each had been absorbed in his own mind by thoughts a thousand leagues away from snowfalls and partisan strife, and the transition back to amiable commonplaces was not easy.

in or to or toward a former location

From this reading It was a desultory enough conversation, for each had been absorbed in his own mind by thoughts a thousand leagues away from snowfalls and partisan strife, and the transition back to amiable commonplaces was not easy.

plural of “back” — the posterior part of a human (or animal) body from the neck to the end of the spine

From this reading The music of a sleigh-bell, which for some time had been increasing in volume behind them, swelled suddenly into a shrill-voiced warning close at their backs, and they stepped aside into the snow to let the conveyance pass.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading They had never been more than friendly acquaintances, and they talked now of indifferent topics--of the grim climatic freak which had turned late November into mid-winter, of the results of the recent elections, and then of English weather and politics as contrasted with ours.

at or toward the back of something

From this reading The music of a sleigh-bell, which for some time had been increasing in volume behind them, swelled suddenly into a shrill-voiced warning close at their backs, and they stepped aside into the snow to let the conveyance pass.

in the space, time, or range separating two things

From this reading The two young men walked along together, separated by the ridge of snow between the tracks.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading The two young men walked along together, separated by the ridge of snow between the tracks.

past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading It was then that the express-man called out his cheery greeting, and that Reuben lifted his hat.

bright and pleasant; promoting a feeling of cheer

From this reading It was then that the express-man called out his cheery greeting, and that Reuben lifted his hat.

of or relating to a climate

From this reading They had never been more than friendly acquaintances, and they talked now of indifferent topics--of the grim climatic freak which had turned late November into mid-winter, of the results of the recent elections, and then of English weather and politics as contrasted with ours.

at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other

From this reading The music of a sleigh-bell, which for some time had been increasing in volume behind them, swelled suddenly into a shrill-voiced warning close at their backs, and they stepped aside into the snow to let the conveyance pass.

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

From this reading It was a desultory enough conversation, for each had been absorbed in his own mind by thoughts a thousand leagues away from snowfalls and partisan strife, and the transition back to amiable commonplaces was not easy.

past form of “contrast” — put in opposition to show or emphasize differences

From this reading They had never been more than friendly acquaintances, and they talked now of indifferent topics--of the grim climatic freak which had turned late November into mid-winter, of the results of the recent elections, and then of English weather and politics as contrasted with ours.

the use of speech for informal exchange of views or ideas or information etc.

From this reading It was a desultory enough conversation, for each had been absorbed in his own mind by thoughts a thousand leagues away from snowfalls and partisan strife, and the transition back to amiable commonplaces was not easy.

document effecting a property transfer

From this reading The music of a sleigh-bell, which for some time had been increasing in volume behind them, swelled suddenly into a shrill-voiced warning close at their backs, and they stepped aside into the snow to let the conveyance pass.

marked by lack of definite plan or regularity or purpose; jumping from one thing to another

From this reading It was a desultory enough conversation, for each had been absorbed in his own mind by thoughts a thousand leagues away from snowfalls and partisan strife, and the transition back to amiable commonplaces was not easy.

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

From this reading It was a desultory enough conversation, for each had been absorbed in his own mind by thoughts a thousand leagues away from snowfalls and partisan strife, and the transition back to amiable commonplaces was not easy.

posing no difficulty; requiring little effort

From this reading It was a desultory enough conversation, for each had been absorbed in his own mind by thoughts a thousand leagues away from snowfalls and partisan strife, and the transition back to amiable commonplaces was not easy.

plural of “election” — a vote to select the winner of a position or political office

From this reading They had never been more than friendly acquaintances, and they talked now of indifferent topics--of the grim climatic freak which had turned late November into mid-winter, of the results of the recent elections, and then of English weather and politics as contrasted with ours.

an Indo-European language belonging to the West Germanic branch; the official language of Britain and the United States and most of the commonwealth countries

From this reading They had never been more than friendly acquaintances, and they talked now of indifferent topics--of the grim climatic freak which had turned late November into mid-winter, of the results of the recent elections, and then of English weather and politics as contrasted with ours.

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

From this reading It was a desultory enough conversation, for each had been absorbed in his own mind by thoughts a thousand leagues away from snowfalls and partisan strife, and the transition back to amiable commonplaces was not easy.

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

From this reading It was then that the express-man called out his cheery greeting, and that Reuben lifted his hat.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading It was a desultory enough conversation, for each had been absorbed in his own mind by thoughts a thousand leagues away from snowfalls and partisan strife, and the transition back to amiable commonplaces was not easy.

a person or animal that is markedly unusual or deformed

From this reading They had never been more than friendly acquaintances, and they talked now of indifferent topics--of the grim climatic freak which had turned late November into mid-winter, of the results of the recent elections, and then of English weather and politics as contrasted with ours.

characteristic of or befitting a friend

From this reading They had never been more than friendly acquaintances, and they talked now of indifferent topics--of the grim climatic freak which had turned late November into mid-winter, of the results of the recent elections, and then of English weather and politics as contrasted with ours.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading It was a desultory enough conversation, for each had been absorbed in his own mind by thoughts a thousand leagues away from snowfalls and partisan strife, and the transition back to amiable commonplaces was not easy.

(usually plural) an acknowledgment or expression of good will (especially on meeting)

From this reading It was then that the express-man called out his cheery greeting, and that Reuben lifted his hat.

not to be placated or appeased or moved by entreaty

From this reading They had never been more than friendly acquaintances, and they talked now of indifferent topics--of the grim climatic freak which had turned late November into mid-winter, of the results of the recent elections, and then of English weather and politics as contrasted with ours.

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

From this reading They had never been more than friendly acquaintances, and they talked now of indifferent topics--of the grim climatic freak which had turned late November into mid-winter, of the results of the recent elections, and then of English weather and politics as contrasted with ours.

headdress that protects the head from bad weather; has shaped crown and usually a brim

From this reading It was then that the express-man called out his cheery greeting, and that Reuben lifted his hat.

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

From this reading It was a desultory enough conversation, for each had been absorbed in his own mind by thoughts a thousand leagues away from snowfalls and partisan strife, and the transition back to amiable commonplaces was not easy.

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

From this reading It was a desultory enough conversation, for each had been absorbed in his own mind by thoughts a thousand leagues away from snowfalls and partisan strife, and the transition back to amiable commonplaces was not easy.

becoming greater or larger

From this reading The music of a sleigh-bell, which for some time had been increasing in volume behind them, swelled suddenly into a shrill-voiced warning close at their backs, and they stepped aside into the snow to let the conveyance pass.

marked by a lack of interest

From this reading They had never been more than friendly acquaintances, and they talked now of indifferent topics--of the grim climatic freak which had turned late November into mid-winter, of the results of the recent elections, and then of English weather and politics as contrasted with ours.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading They had never been more than friendly acquaintances, and they talked now of indifferent topics--of the grim climatic freak which had turned late November into mid-winter, of the results of the recent elections, and then of English weather and politics as contrasted with ours.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was a desultory enough conversation, for each had been absorbed in his own mind by thoughts a thousand leagues away from snowfalls and partisan strife, and the transition back to amiable commonplaces was not easy.

being or occurring at an advanced period of time or after a usual or expected time

From this reading They had never been more than friendly acquaintances, and they talked now of indifferent topics--of the grim climatic freak which had turned late November into mid-winter, of the results of the recent elections, and then of English weather and politics as contrasted with ours.

plural of “league” — an association of sports teams that organizes matches for its members

From this reading It was a desultory enough conversation, for each had been absorbed in his own mind by thoughts a thousand leagues away from snowfalls and partisan strife, and the transition back to amiable commonplaces was not easy.

used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker

From this reading The music of a sleigh-bell, which for some time had been increasing in volume behind them, swelled suddenly into a shrill-voiced warning close at their backs, and they stepped aside into the snow to let the conveyance pass.

held up in the air

From this reading It was then that the express-man called out his cheery greeting, and that Reuben lifted his hat.

the force of workers available

From this reading The two young men walked along together, separated by the ridge of snow between the tracks.

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

From this reading They had never been more than friendly acquaintances, and they talked now of indifferent topics--of the grim climatic freak which had turned late November into mid-winter, of the results of the recent elections, and then of English weather and politics as contrasted with ours.

The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.

From this reading It was a desultory enough conversation, for each had been absorbed in his own mind by thoughts a thousand leagues away from snowfalls and partisan strife, and the transition back to amiable commonplaces was not easy.

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

From this reading They had never been more than friendly acquaintances, and they talked now of indifferent topics--of the grim climatic freak which had turned late November into mid-winter, of the results of the recent elections, and then of English weather and politics as contrasted with ours.

an artistic form of auditory communication incorporating instrumental or vocal tones in a structured and continuous manner

From this reading The music of a sleigh-bell, which for some time had been increasing in volume behind them, swelled suddenly into a shrill-voiced warning close at their backs, and they stepped aside into the snow to let the conveyance pass.

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading They had never been more than friendly acquaintances, and they talked now of indifferent topics--of the grim climatic freak which had turned late November into mid-winter, of the results of the recent elections, and then of English weather and politics as contrasted with ours.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading It was a desultory enough conversation, for each had been absorbed in his own mind by thoughts a thousand leagues away from snowfalls and partisan strife, and the transition back to amiable commonplaces was not easy.

the month following October and preceding December

From this reading They had never been more than friendly acquaintances, and they talked now of indifferent topics--of the grim climatic freak which had turned late November into mid-winter, of the results of the recent elections, and then of English weather and politics as contrasted with ours.

in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events

From this reading They had never been more than friendly acquaintances, and they talked now of indifferent topics--of the grim climatic freak which had turned late November into mid-winter, of the results of the recent elections, and then of English weather and politics as contrasted with ours.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The two young men walked along together, separated by the ridge of snow between the tracks.

the one or ones belonging to us

From this reading They had never been more than friendly acquaintances, and they talked now of indifferent topics--of the grim climatic freak which had turned late November into mid-winter, of the results of the recent elections, and then of English weather and politics as contrasted with ours.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading It was then that the express-man called out his cheery greeting, and that Reuben lifted his hat.

have ownership or possession of

From this reading It was a desultory enough conversation, for each had been absorbed in his own mind by thoughts a thousand leagues away from snowfalls and partisan strife, and the transition back to amiable commonplaces was not easy.

a fervent and even militant proponent of something

From this reading It was a desultory enough conversation, for each had been absorbed in his own mind by thoughts a thousand leagues away from snowfalls and partisan strife, and the transition back to amiable commonplaces was not easy.

go across or through

From this reading The music of a sleigh-bell, which for some time had been increasing in volume behind them, swelled suddenly into a shrill-voiced warning close at their backs, and they stepped aside into the snow to let the conveyance pass.

social relations involving intrigue to gain authority or power

From this reading They had never been more than friendly acquaintances, and they talked now of indifferent topics--of the grim climatic freak which had turned late November into mid-winter, of the results of the recent elections, and then of English weather and politics as contrasted with ours.

new

From this reading They had never been more than friendly acquaintances, and they talked now of indifferent topics--of the grim climatic freak which had turned late November into mid-winter, of the results of the recent elections, and then of English weather and politics as contrasted with ours.

plural of “result” — a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon

From this reading They had never been more than friendly acquaintances, and they talked now of indifferent topics--of the grim climatic freak which had turned late November into mid-winter, of the results of the recent elections, and then of English weather and politics as contrasted with ours.

(Old Testment) a son of Jacob and forefather of one of the tribes of Israel

From this reading It was then that the express-man called out his cheery greeting, and that Reuben lifted his hat.

a long narrow natural elevation or striation

From this reading The two young men walked along together, separated by the ridge of snow between the tracks.

being or feeling set or kept apart from others

From this reading The two young men walked along together, separated by the ridge of snow between the tracks.

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

From this reading The music of a sleigh-bell, which for some time had been increasing in volume behind them, swelled suddenly into a shrill-voiced warning close at their backs, and they stepped aside into the snow to let the conveyance pass.

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

From this reading The music of a sleigh-bell, which for some time had been increasing in volume behind them, swelled suddenly into a shrill-voiced warning close at their backs, and they stepped aside into the snow to let the conveyance pass.

precipitation falling from clouds in the form of ice crystals

From this reading The two young men walked along together, separated by the ridge of snow between the tracks.

plural of “snowfall” — precipitation falling from clouds in the form of ice crystals

From this reading It was a desultory enough conversation, for each had been absorbed in his own mind by thoughts a thousand leagues away from snowfalls and partisan strife, and the transition back to amiable commonplaces was not easy.

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

From this reading The music of a sleigh-bell, which for some time had been increasing in volume behind them, swelled suddenly into a shrill-voiced warning close at their backs, and they stepped aside into the snow to let the conveyance pass.

inflected form of “step” — shift or move by taking a step

From this reading The music of a sleigh-bell, which for some time had been increasing in volume behind them, swelled suddenly into a shrill-voiced warning close at their backs, and they stepped aside into the snow to let the conveyance pass.

lack of agreement or harmony

From this reading It was a desultory enough conversation, for each had been absorbed in his own mind by thoughts a thousand leagues away from snowfalls and partisan strife, and the transition back to amiable commonplaces was not easy.

happening unexpectedly

From this reading The music of a sleigh-bell, which for some time had been increasing in volume behind them, swelled suddenly into a shrill-voiced warning close at their backs, and they stepped aside into the snow to let the conveyance pass.

feeling self-importance

From this reading The music of a sleigh-bell, which for some time had been increasing in volume behind them, swelled suddenly into a shrill-voiced warning close at their backs, and they stepped aside into the snow to let the conveyance pass.

past form of “talk” — exchange thoughts; talk with

From this reading They had never been more than friendly acquaintances, and they talked now of indifferent topics--of the grim climatic freak which had turned late November into mid-winter, of the results of the recent elections, and then of English weather and politics as contrasted with ours.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading They had never been more than friendly acquaintances, and they talked now of indifferent topics--of the grim climatic freak which had turned late November into mid-winter, of the results of the recent elections, and then of English weather and politics as contrasted with ours.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading It was then that the express-man called out his cheery greeting, and that Reuben lifted his hat.

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

From this reading The two young men walked along together, separated by the ridge of snow between the tracks.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading The music of a sleigh-bell, which for some time had been increasing in volume behind them, swelled suddenly into a shrill-voiced warning close at their backs, and they stepped aside into the snow to let the conveyance pass.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading The music of a sleigh-bell, which for some time had been increasing in volume behind them, swelled suddenly into a shrill-voiced warning close at their backs, and they stepped aside into the snow to let the conveyance pass.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading They had never been more than friendly acquaintances, and they talked now of indifferent topics--of the grim climatic freak which had turned late November into mid-winter, of the results of the recent elections, and then of English weather and politics as contrasted with ours.

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

From this reading They had never been more than friendly acquaintances, and they talked now of indifferent topics--of the grim climatic freak which had turned late November into mid-winter, of the results of the recent elections, and then of English weather and politics as contrasted with ours.

plural of “thought” — the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about

From this reading It was a desultory enough conversation, for each had been absorbed in his own mind by thoughts a thousand leagues away from snowfalls and partisan strife, and the transition back to amiable commonplaces was not easy.

the cardinal number that is the product of 10 and 100

From this reading It was a desultory enough conversation, for each had been absorbed in his own mind by thoughts a thousand leagues away from snowfalls and partisan strife, and the transition back to amiable commonplaces was not easy.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading The music of a sleigh-bell, which for some time had been increasing in volume behind them, swelled suddenly into a shrill-voiced warning close at their backs, and they stepped aside into the snow to let the conveyance pass.

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

From this reading It was a desultory enough conversation, for each had been absorbed in his own mind by thoughts a thousand leagues away from snowfalls and partisan strife, and the transition back to amiable commonplaces was not easy.

in contact with each other or in proximity

From this reading The two young men walked along together, separated by the ridge of snow between the tracks.

plural of “topic” — the subject matter of a conversation or discussion

From this reading They had never been more than friendly acquaintances, and they talked now of indifferent topics--of the grim climatic freak which had turned late November into mid-winter, of the results of the recent elections, and then of English weather and politics as contrasted with ours.

plural of “track” — a line or route along which something travels or moves

From this reading The two young men walked along together, separated by the ridge of snow between the tracks.

the act of passing from one state or place to the next

From this reading It was a desultory enough conversation, for each had been absorbed in his own mind by thoughts a thousand leagues away from snowfalls and partisan strife, and the transition back to amiable commonplaces was not easy.

moved around an axis or center

From this reading They had never been more than friendly acquaintances, and they talked now of indifferent topics--of the grim climatic freak which had turned late November into mid-winter, of the results of the recent elections, and then of English weather and politics as contrasted with ours.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number

From this reading The two young men walked along together, separated by the ridge of snow between the tracks.

the amount of 3-dimensional space occupied by an object

From this reading The music of a sleigh-bell, which for some time had been increasing in volume behind them, swelled suddenly into a shrill-voiced warning close at their backs, and they stepped aside into the snow to let the conveyance pass.

past form of “walk” — use one's feet to advance; advance by steps

From this reading The two young men walked along together, separated by the ridge of snow between the tracks.

a message informing of danger

From this reading The music of a sleigh-bell, which for some time had been increasing in volume behind them, swelled suddenly into a shrill-voiced warning close at their backs, and they stepped aside into the snow to let the conveyance pass.

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

From this reading It was a desultory enough conversation, for each had been absorbed in his own mind by thoughts a thousand leagues away from snowfalls and partisan strife, and the transition back to amiable commonplaces was not easy.

the atmospheric conditions that comprise the state of the atmosphere in terms of temperature and wind and clouds and precipitation

From this reading They had never been more than friendly acquaintances, and they talked now of indifferent topics--of the grim climatic freak which had turned late November into mid-winter, of the results of the recent elections, and then of English weather and politics as contrasted with ours.

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

From this reading They had never been more than friendly acquaintances, and they talked now of indifferent topics--of the grim climatic freak which had turned late November into mid-winter, of the results of the recent elections, and then of English weather and politics as contrasted with ours.

in the company of; together with

From this reading They had never been more than friendly acquaintances, and they talked now of indifferent topics--of the grim climatic freak which had turned late November into mid-winter, of the results of the recent elections, and then of English weather and politics as contrasted with ours.

(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth

From this reading The two young men walked along together, separated by the ridge of snow between the tracks.