Chapter IV · Chapter 4

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

From this reading DESTINY KNOCKS AT THE DOOR There are two things at least that modern warfare teaches you, one is to keep cool in an emergency, the other is not to be afraid of a corpse.

(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something

From this reading Brief as the sounds without had been, I was able on reflection to identify that gasping gurgle, that rapid patter of the hands.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading That's the curious thing about shell-shock: after it a motor back-firing or a tyre bursting will reduce a man to tears, but in face of danger he will probably find himself in full possession of his wits as long as there is no sudden and violent noise connected with it.

filled with fear or apprehension

From this reading DESTINY KNOCKS AT THE DOOR There are two things at least that modern warfare teaches you, one is to keep cool in an emergency, the other is not to be afraid of a corpse.

later than; following

From this reading That's the curious thing about shell-shock: after it a motor back-firing or a tyre bursting will reduce a man to tears, but in face of danger he will probably find himself in full possession of his wits as long as there is no sudden and violent noise connected with it.

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

From this reading DESTINY KNOCKS AT THE DOOR There are two things at least that modern warfare teaches you, one is to keep cool in an emergency, the other is not to be afraid of a corpse.

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

From this reading That's the curious thing about shell-shock: after it a motor back-firing or a tyre bursting will reduce a man to tears, but in face of danger he will probably find himself in full possession of his wits as long as there is no sudden and violent noise connected with it.

any person at all

From this reading Anyone who has seen a man die quickly knows them.

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

From this reading DESTINY KNOCKS AT THE DOOR There are two things at least that modern warfare teaches you, one is to keep cool in an emergency, the other is not to be afraid of a corpse.

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

From this reading That's the curious thing about shell-shock: after it a motor back-firing or a tyre bursting will reduce a man to tears, but in face of danger he will probably find himself in full possession of his wits as long as there is no sudden and violent noise connected with it.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading DESTINY KNOCKS AT THE DOOR There are two things at least that modern warfare teaches you, one is to keep cool in an emergency, the other is not to be afraid of a corpse.

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

From this reading That's the curious thing about shell-shock: after it a motor back-firing or a tyre bursting will reduce a man to tears, but in face of danger he will probably find himself in full possession of his wits as long as there is no sudden and violent noise connected with it.

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

From this reading DESTINY KNOCKS AT THE DOOR There are two things at least that modern warfare teaches you, one is to keep cool in an emergency, the other is not to be afraid of a corpse.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Brief as the sounds without had been, I was able on reflection to identify that gasping gurgle, that rapid patter of the hands.

of short duration or distance

From this reading Brief as the sounds without had been, I was able on reflection to identify that gasping gurgle, that rapid patter of the hands.

-ing form of “burst” — come open suddenly and violently, as if from internal pressure

From this reading That's the curious thing about shell-shock: after it a motor back-firing or a tyre bursting will reduce a man to tears, but in face of danger he will probably find himself in full possession of his wits as long as there is no sudden and violent noise connected with it.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading That's the curious thing about shell-shock: after it a motor back-firing or a tyre bursting will reduce a man to tears, but in face of danger he will probably find himself in full possession of his wits as long as there is no sudden and violent noise connected with it.

with self-possession (especially in times of stress)

From this reading Therefore I was scarcely surprised to find myself standing there in the dark calmly reviewing the extraordinary situation in which I now found myself.

being joined in close association

From this reading That's the curious thing about shell-shock: after it a motor back-firing or a tyre bursting will reduce a man to tears, but in face of danger he will probably find himself in full possession of his wits as long as there is no sudden and violent noise connected with it.

neither warm nor very cold; giving relief from heat

From this reading DESTINY KNOCKS AT THE DOOR There are two things at least that modern warfare teaches you, one is to keep cool in an emergency, the other is not to be afraid of a corpse.

the dead body of a human being

From this reading DESTINY KNOCKS AT THE DOOR There are two things at least that modern warfare teaches you, one is to keep cool in an emergency, the other is not to be afraid of a corpse.

beyond or deviating from the usual or expected

From this reading That's the curious thing about shell-shock: after it a motor back-firing or a tyre bursting will reduce a man to tears, but in face of danger he will probably find himself in full possession of his wits as long as there is no sudden and violent noise connected with it.

the condition of being susceptible to harm or injury

From this reading That's the curious thing about shell-shock: after it a motor back-firing or a tyre bursting will reduce a man to tears, but in face of danger he will probably find himself in full possession of his wits as long as there is no sudden and violent noise connected with it.

absence of light or illumination

From this reading Therefore I was scarcely surprised to find myself standing there in the dark calmly reviewing the extraordinary situation in which I now found myself.

an event (or a course of events) that will inevitably happen in the future

From this reading DESTINY KNOCKS AT THE DOOR There are two things at least that modern warfare teaches you, one is to keep cool in an emergency, the other is not to be afraid of a corpse.

pass from physical life and lose all bodily attributes and functions necessary to sustain life

From this reading Anyone who has seen a man die quickly knows them.

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

From this reading DESTINY KNOCKS AT THE DOOR There are two things at least that modern warfare teaches you, one is to keep cool in an emergency, the other is not to be afraid of a corpse.

a sudden unforeseen crisis (usually involving danger) that requires immediate action

From this reading DESTINY KNOCKS AT THE DOOR There are two things at least that modern warfare teaches you, one is to keep cool in an emergency, the other is not to be afraid of a corpse.

beyond what is ordinary or usual; highly unusual or exceptional or remarkable

From this reading Therefore I was scarcely surprised to find myself standing there in the dark calmly reviewing the extraordinary situation in which I now found myself.

the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear

From this reading That's the curious thing about shell-shock: after it a motor back-firing or a tyre bursting will reduce a man to tears, but in face of danger he will probably find himself in full possession of his wits as long as there is no sudden and violent noise connected with it.

come upon, as if by accident; meet with

From this reading Therefore I was scarcely surprised to find myself standing there in the dark calmly reviewing the extraordinary situation in which I now found myself.

set up or found

From this reading Therefore I was scarcely surprised to find myself standing there in the dark calmly reviewing the extraordinary situation in which I now found myself.

containing as much or as many as is possible or normal

From this reading That's the curious thing about shell-shock: after it a motor back-firing or a tyre bursting will reduce a man to tears, but in face of danger he will probably find himself in full possession of his wits as long as there is no sudden and violent noise connected with it.

-ing form of “gasp” — breathe noisily, as when one is exhausted

From this reading Brief as the sounds without had been, I was able on reflection to identify that gasping gurgle, that rapid patter of the hands.

flow in an irregular current with a bubbling noise

From this reading Brief as the sounds without had been, I was able on reflection to identify that gasping gurgle, that rapid patter of the hands.

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

From this reading Brief as the sounds without had been, I was able on reflection to identify that gasping gurgle, that rapid patter of the hands.

(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child

From this reading Brief as the sounds without had been, I was able on reflection to identify that gasping gurgle, that rapid patter of the hands.

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

From this reading Anyone who has seen a man die quickly knows them.

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

From this reading That's the curious thing about shell-shock: after it a motor back-firing or a tyre bursting will reduce a man to tears, but in face of danger he will probably find himself in full possession of his wits as long as there is no sudden and violent noise connected with it.

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

From this reading That's the curious thing about shell-shock: after it a motor back-firing or a tyre bursting will reduce a man to tears, but in face of danger he will probably find himself in full possession of his wits as long as there is no sudden and violent noise connected with it.

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

From this reading That's the curious thing about shell-shock: after it a motor back-firing or a tyre bursting will reduce a man to tears, but in face of danger he will probably find himself in full possession of his wits as long as there is no sudden and violent noise connected with it.

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading Therefore I was scarcely surprised to find myself standing there in the dark calmly reviewing the extraordinary situation in which I now found myself.

recognize as being; establish the identity of someone or something

From this reading Brief as the sounds without had been, I was able on reflection to identify that gasping gurgle, that rapid patter of the hands.

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

From this reading DESTINY KNOCKS AT THE DOOR There are two things at least that modern warfare teaches you, one is to keep cool in an emergency, the other is not to be afraid of a corpse.

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

From this reading DESTINY KNOCKS AT THE DOOR There are two things at least that modern warfare teaches you, one is to keep cool in an emergency, the other is not to be afraid of a corpse.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading That's the curious thing about shell-shock: after it a motor back-firing or a tyre bursting will reduce a man to tears, but in face of danger he will probably find himself in full possession of his wits as long as there is no sudden and violent noise connected with it.

cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”

From this reading DESTINY KNOCKS AT THE DOOR There are two things at least that modern warfare teaches you, one is to keep cool in an emergency, the other is not to be afraid of a corpse.

plural of “knock” — the sound of knocking (as on a door or in an engine or bearing)

From this reading DESTINY KNOCKS AT THE DOOR There are two things at least that modern warfare teaches you, one is to keep cool in an emergency, the other is not to be afraid of a corpse.

plural of “know” — the fact of being aware of information that is known to few people

From this reading Anyone who has seen a man die quickly knows them.

the superlative of “little” that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by “the”; a quantifier meaning smallest in amount or extent or degree

From this reading DESTINY KNOCKS AT THE DOOR There are two things at least that modern warfare teaches you, one is to keep cool in an emergency, the other is not to be afraid of a corpse.

primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified

From this reading That's the curious thing about shell-shock: after it a motor back-firing or a tyre bursting will reduce a man to tears, but in face of danger he will probably find himself in full possession of his wits as long as there is no sudden and violent noise connected with it.

an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

From this reading That's the curious thing about shell-shock: after it a motor back-firing or a tyre bursting will reduce a man to tears, but in face of danger he will probably find himself in full possession of his wits as long as there is no sudden and violent noise connected with it.

belonging to the modern era; since the Middle Ages

From this reading DESTINY KNOCKS AT THE DOOR There are two things at least that modern warfare teaches you, one is to keep cool in an emergency, the other is not to be afraid of a corpse.

machine that converts other forms of energy into mechanical energy and so imparts motion

From this reading That's the curious thing about shell-shock: after it a motor back-firing or a tyre bursting will reduce a man to tears, but in face of danger he will probably find himself in full possession of his wits as long as there is no sudden and violent noise connected with it.

used when the speaker is also the object of the action

From this reading Therefore I was scarcely surprised to find myself standing there in the dark calmly reviewing the extraordinary situation in which I now found myself.

not any; not one

From this reading That's the curious thing about shell-shock: after it a motor back-firing or a tyre bursting will reduce a man to tears, but in face of danger he will probably find himself in full possession of his wits as long as there is no sudden and violent noise connected with it.

sound of any kind (especially unintelligible or dissonant sound)

From this reading That's the curious thing about shell-shock: after it a motor back-firing or a tyre bursting will reduce a man to tears, but in face of danger he will probably find himself in full possession of his wits as long as there is no sudden and violent noise connected with it.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading DESTINY KNOCKS AT THE DOOR There are two things at least that modern warfare teaches you, one is to keep cool in an emergency, the other is not to be afraid of a corpse.

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

From this reading Therefore I was scarcely surprised to find myself standing there in the dark calmly reviewing the extraordinary situation in which I now found myself.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading DESTINY KNOCKS AT THE DOOR There are two things at least that modern warfare teaches you, one is to keep cool in an emergency, the other is not to be afraid of a corpse.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Brief as the sounds without had been, I was able on reflection to identify that gasping gurgle, that rapid patter of the hands.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading DESTINY KNOCKS AT THE DOOR There are two things at least that modern warfare teaches you, one is to keep cool in an emergency, the other is not to be afraid of a corpse.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading That's the curious thing about shell-shock: after it a motor back-firing or a tyre bursting will reduce a man to tears, but in face of danger he will probably find himself in full possession of his wits as long as there is no sudden and violent noise connected with it.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading DESTINY KNOCKS AT THE DOOR There are two things at least that modern warfare teaches you, one is to keep cool in an emergency, the other is not to be afraid of a corpse.

plausible glib talk (especially useful to a salesperson)

From this reading Brief as the sounds without had been, I was able on reflection to identify that gasping gurgle, that rapid patter of the hands.

the act of having and controlling property

From this reading That's the curious thing about shell-shock: after it a motor back-firing or a tyre bursting will reduce a man to tears, but in face of danger he will probably find himself in full possession of his wits as long as there is no sudden and violent noise connected with it.

with considerable certainty; without much doubt

From this reading That's the curious thing about shell-shock: after it a motor back-firing or a tyre bursting will reduce a man to tears, but in face of danger he will probably find himself in full possession of his wits as long as there is no sudden and violent noise connected with it.

with speed

From this reading Anyone who has seen a man die quickly knows them.

done or occurring in a brief period of time

From this reading Brief as the sounds without had been, I was able on reflection to identify that gasping gurgle, that rapid patter of the hands.

cut down on; make a reduction in

From this reading That's the curious thing about shell-shock: after it a motor back-firing or a tyre bursting will reduce a man to tears, but in face of danger he will probably find himself in full possession of his wits as long as there is no sudden and violent noise connected with it.

a calm, lengthy, intent consideration

From this reading Brief as the sounds without had been, I was able on reflection to identify that gasping gurgle, that rapid patter of the hands.

-ing form of “review” — look at again; examine again

From this reading Therefore I was scarcely surprised to find myself standing there in the dark calmly reviewing the extraordinary situation in which I now found myself.

only a very short time before

From this reading Therefore I was scarcely surprised to find myself standing there in the dark calmly reviewing the extraordinary situation in which I now found myself.

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

From this reading Anyone who has seen a man die quickly knows them.

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

From this reading That's the curious thing about shell-shock: after it a motor back-firing or a tyre bursting will reduce a man to tears, but in face of danger he will probably find himself in full possession of his wits as long as there is no sudden and violent noise connected with it.

the general state of things; the combination of circumstances at a given time

From this reading Therefore I was scarcely surprised to find myself standing there in the dark calmly reviewing the extraordinary situation in which I now found myself.

plural of “sound” — the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause

From this reading Brief as the sounds without had been, I was able on reflection to identify that gasping gurgle, that rapid patter of the hands.

having a supporting base

From this reading Therefore I was scarcely surprised to find myself standing there in the dark calmly reviewing the extraordinary situation in which I now found myself.

happening without warning or in a short space of time

From this reading That's the curious thing about shell-shock: after it a motor back-firing or a tyre bursting will reduce a man to tears, but in face of danger he will probably find himself in full possession of his wits as long as there is no sudden and violent noise connected with it.

taken unawares or suddenly and feeling wonder or astonishment

From this reading Therefore I was scarcely surprised to find myself standing there in the dark calmly reviewing the extraordinary situation in which I now found myself.

plural of “teach” — an English pirate who operated in the Caribbean and off the Atlantic coast of North America (died in 1718)

From this reading DESTINY KNOCKS AT THE DOOR There are two things at least that modern warfare teaches you, one is to keep cool in an emergency, the other is not to be afraid of a corpse.

the process of shedding tears (usually accompanied by sobs or other inarticulate sounds)

From this reading That's the curious thing about shell-shock: after it a motor back-firing or a tyre bursting will reduce a man to tears, but in face of danger he will probably find himself in full possession of his wits as long as there is no sudden and violent noise connected with it.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading DESTINY KNOCKS AT THE DOOR There are two things at least that modern warfare teaches you, one is to keep cool in an emergency, the other is not to be afraid of a corpse.

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

From this reading That's the curious thing about shell-shock: after it a motor back-firing or a tyre bursting will reduce a man to tears, but in face of danger he will probably find himself in full possession of his wits as long as there is no sudden and violent noise connected with it.

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

From this reading DESTINY KNOCKS AT THE DOOR There are two things at least that modern warfare teaches you, one is to keep cool in an emergency, the other is not to be afraid of a corpse.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading Anyone who has seen a man die quickly knows them.

in or at that place or location

From this reading DESTINY KNOCKS AT THE DOOR There are two things at least that modern warfare teaches you, one is to keep cool in an emergency, the other is not to be afraid of a corpse.

for that reason; as a result

From this reading Therefore I was scarcely surprised to find myself standing there in the dark calmly reviewing the extraordinary situation in which I now found myself.

a special situation

From this reading That's the curious thing about shell-shock: after it a motor back-firing or a tyre bursting will reduce a man to tears, but in face of danger he will probably find himself in full possession of his wits as long as there is no sudden and violent noise connected with it.

any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)

From this reading DESTINY KNOCKS AT THE DOOR There are two things at least that modern warfare teaches you, one is to keep cool in an emergency, the other is not to be afraid of a corpse.

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

From this reading DESTINY KNOCKS AT THE DOOR There are two things at least that modern warfare teaches you, one is to keep cool in an emergency, the other is not to be afraid of a corpse.

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

From this reading DESTINY KNOCKS AT THE DOOR There are two things at least that modern warfare teaches you, one is to keep cool in an emergency, the other is not to be afraid of a corpse.

a port in southern Lebanon on the Mediterranean Sea; formerly a major Phoenician seaport famous for silks

From this reading That's the curious thing about shell-shock: after it a motor back-firing or a tyre bursting will reduce a man to tears, but in face of danger he will probably find himself in full possession of his wits as long as there is no sudden and violent noise connected with it.

acting with or marked by or resulting from great force or energy or emotional intensity

From this reading That's the curious thing about shell-shock: after it a motor back-firing or a tyre bursting will reduce a man to tears, but in face of danger he will probably find himself in full possession of his wits as long as there is no sudden and violent noise connected with it.

the waging of armed conflict against an enemy

From this reading DESTINY KNOCKS AT THE DOOR There are two things at least that modern warfare teaches you, one is to keep cool in an emergency, the other is not to be afraid of a corpse.

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

From this reading Therefore I was scarcely surprised to find myself standing there in the dark calmly reviewing the extraordinary situation in which I now found myself.

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

From this reading Therefore I was scarcely surprised to find myself standing there in the dark calmly reviewing the extraordinary situation in which I now found myself.

which person or people

From this reading Anyone who has seen a man die quickly knows them.

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading That's the curious thing about shell-shock: after it a motor back-firing or a tyre bursting will reduce a man to tears, but in face of danger he will probably find himself in full possession of his wits as long as there is no sudden and violent noise connected with it.

in the company of; together with

From this reading That's the curious thing about shell-shock: after it a motor back-firing or a tyre bursting will reduce a man to tears, but in face of danger he will probably find himself in full possession of his wits as long as there is no sudden and violent noise connected with it.

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading Brief as the sounds without had been, I was able on reflection to identify that gasping gurgle, that rapid patter of the hands.

the basic human power of intelligent thought and perception

From this reading That's the curious thing about shell-shock: after it a motor back-firing or a tyre bursting will reduce a man to tears, but in face of danger he will probably find himself in full possession of his wits as long as there is no sudden and violent noise connected with it.

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading DESTINY KNOCKS AT THE DOOR There are two things at least that modern warfare teaches you, one is to keep cool in an emergency, the other is not to be afraid of a corpse.