Chapter X · Chapter 10

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

From this reading A gray man, pedantic in his speech, his features were strong: his nose, short and straight, somehow, expressed his intense intolerance of opposition.

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

From this reading _Plot and Counter-Plot_ As these four men faced one another in the slanting rays of the setting Sun far out on the desert, the planetary president, Wilcox, sat in his office in the executive palace in South Tarog, situated, as were so many of the public buildings, on the banks of the canal.

one more of the same kind, or a different one

From this reading _Plot and Counter-Plot_ As these four men faced one another in the slanting rays of the setting Sun far out on the desert, the planetary president, Wilcox, sat in his office in the executive palace in South Tarog, situated, as were so many of the public buildings, on the banks of the canal.

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

From this reading _Plot and Counter-Plot_ As these four men faced one another in the slanting rays of the setting Sun far out on the desert, the planetary president, Wilcox, sat in his office in the executive palace in South Tarog, situated, as were so many of the public buildings, on the banks of the canal.

English botanist who accompanied Captain Cook on his first voyage to the Pacific Ocean (1743-1820)

From this reading _Plot and Counter-Plot_ As these four men faced one another in the slanting rays of the setting Sun far out on the desert, the planetary president, Wilcox, sat in his office in the executive palace in South Tarog, situated, as were so many of the public buildings, on the banks of the canal.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading His eyes, large, gray, intolerant, looked before him coldly.

plural of “building” — a structure that has a roof and walls and stands more or less permanently in one place

From this reading _Plot and Counter-Plot_ As these four men faced one another in the slanting rays of the setting Sun far out on the desert, the planetary president, Wilcox, sat in his office in the executive palace in South Tarog, situated, as were so many of the public buildings, on the banks of the canal.

(astronomy) an indistinct surface feature of Mars once thought to be a system of channels; they are now believed to be an optical illusion

From this reading _Plot and Counter-Plot_ As these four men faced one another in the slanting rays of the setting Sun far out on the desert, the planetary president, Wilcox, sat in his office in the executive palace in South Tarog, situated, as were so many of the public buildings, on the banks of the canal.

lacking warmth of feeling; in a cold, unemotional manner

From this reading His eyes, large, gray, intolerant, looked before him coldly.

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

From this reading _Plot and Counter-Plot_ As these four men faced one another in the slanting rays of the setting Sun far out on the desert, the planetary president, Wilcox, sat in his office in the executive palace in South Tarog, situated, as were so many of the public buildings, on the banks of the canal.

leave someone who needs or counts on you; leave in the lurch

From this reading _Plot and Counter-Plot_ As these four men faced one another in the slanting rays of the setting Sun far out on the desert, the planetary president, Wilcox, sat in his office in the executive palace in South Tarog, situated, as were so many of the public buildings, on the banks of the canal.

a person responsible for the administration of a business

From this reading _Plot and Counter-Plot_ As these four men faced one another in the slanting rays of the setting Sun far out on the desert, the planetary president, Wilcox, sat in his office in the executive palace in South Tarog, situated, as were so many of the public buildings, on the banks of the canal.

communicated in words

From this reading A gray man, pedantic in his speech, his features were strong: his nose, short and straight, somehow, expressed his intense intolerance of opposition.

opinion or judgment

From this reading His eyes, large, gray, intolerant, looked before him coldly.

having a face or facing especially of a specified kind or number; often used in combination

From this reading _Plot and Counter-Plot_ As these four men faced one another in the slanting rays of the setting Sun far out on the desert, the planetary president, Wilcox, sat in his office in the executive palace in South Tarog, situated, as were so many of the public buildings, on the banks of the canal.

to a considerable degree; very much

From this reading _Plot and Counter-Plot_ As these four men faced one another in the slanting rays of the setting Sun far out on the desert, the planetary president, Wilcox, sat in his office in the executive palace in South Tarog, situated, as were so many of the public buildings, on the banks of the canal.

plural of “feature” — a prominent attribute or aspect of something

From this reading A gray man, pedantic in his speech, his features were strong: his nose, short and straight, somehow, expressed his intense intolerance of opposition.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading His long, straight lower jaw protruded slightly, symbolizing his tenacity, his lust for power.

the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one

From this reading _Plot and Counter-Plot_ As these four men faced one another in the slanting rays of the setting Sun far out on the desert, the planetary president, Wilcox, sat in his office in the executive palace in South Tarog, situated, as were so many of the public buildings, on the banks of the canal.

a neutral achromatic color midway between white and black

From this reading A gray man, pedantic in his speech, his features were strong: his nose, short and straight, somehow, expressed his intense intolerance of opposition.

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

From this reading His eyes, large, gray, intolerant, looked before him coldly.

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

From this reading _Plot and Counter-Plot_ As these four men faced one another in the slanting rays of the setting Sun far out on the desert, the planetary president, Wilcox, sat in his office in the executive palace in South Tarog, situated, as were so many of the public buildings, on the banks of the canal.

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

From this reading _Plot and Counter-Plot_ As these four men faced one another in the slanting rays of the setting Sun far out on the desert, the planetary president, Wilcox, sat in his office in the executive palace in South Tarog, situated, as were so many of the public buildings, on the banks of the canal.

possessing or displaying a distinctive feature to a heightened degree

From this reading A gray man, pedantic in his speech, his features were strong: his nose, short and straight, somehow, expressed his intense intolerance of opposition.

impatience with annoyances

From this reading A gray man, pedantic in his speech, his features were strong: his nose, short and straight, somehow, expressed his intense intolerance of opposition.

unwilling to tolerate difference of opinion

From this reading His eyes, large, gray, intolerant, looked before him coldly.

talk socially without exchanging too much information

From this reading His long, straight lower jaw protruded slightly, symbolizing his tenacity, his lust for power.

above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading His eyes, large, gray, intolerant, looked before him coldly.

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 His long, straight lower jaw protruded slightly, symbolizing his tenacity, his lust for power.

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

From this reading His eyes, large, gray, intolerant, looked before him coldly.

move something or somebody to a lower position

From this reading His long, straight lower jaw protruded slightly, symbolizing his tenacity, his lust for power.

a strong sexual desire

From this reading His long, straight lower jaw protruded slightly, symbolizing his tenacity, his lust for power.

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

From this reading A gray man, pedantic in his speech, his features were strong: his nose, short and straight, somehow, expressed his intense intolerance of opposition.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number

From this reading _Plot and Counter-Plot_ As these four men faced one another in the slanting rays of the setting Sun far out on the desert, the planetary president, Wilcox, sat in his office in the executive palace in South Tarog, situated, as were so many of the public buildings, on the banks of the canal.

the force of workers available

From this reading _Plot and Counter-Plot_ As these four men faced one another in the slanting rays of the setting Sun far out on the desert, the planetary president, Wilcox, sat in his office in the executive palace in South Tarog, situated, as were so many of the public buildings, on the banks of the canal.

the organ of smell and entrance to the respiratory tract; the prominent part of the face of man or other mammals

From this reading A gray man, pedantic in his speech, his features were strong: his nose, short and straight, somehow, expressed his intense intolerance of opposition.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading _Plot and Counter-Plot_ As these four men faced one another in the slanting rays of the setting Sun far out on the desert, the planetary president, Wilcox, sat in his office in the executive palace in South Tarog, situated, as were so many of the public buildings, on the banks of the canal.

place of business where professional or clerical duties are performed

From this reading _Plot and Counter-Plot_ As these four men faced one another in the slanting rays of the setting Sun far out on the desert, the planetary president, Wilcox, sat in his office in the executive palace in South Tarog, situated, as were so many of the public buildings, on the banks of the canal.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading _Plot and Counter-Plot_ As these four men faced one another in the slanting rays of the setting Sun far out on the desert, the planetary president, Wilcox, sat in his office in the executive palace in South Tarog, situated, as were so many of the public buildings, on the banks of the canal.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading _Plot and Counter-Plot_ As these four men faced one another in the slanting rays of the setting Sun far out on the desert, the planetary president, Wilcox, sat in his office in the executive palace in South Tarog, situated, as were so many of the public buildings, on the banks of the canal.

the action of opposing something that you disapprove or disagree with

From this reading A gray man, pedantic in his speech, his features were strong: his nose, short and straight, somehow, expressed his intense intolerance of opposition.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading _Plot and Counter-Plot_ As these four men faced one another in the slanting rays of the setting Sun far out on the desert, the planetary president, Wilcox, sat in his office in the executive palace in South Tarog, situated, as were so many of the public buildings, on the banks of the canal.

a large and stately mansion

From this reading _Plot and Counter-Plot_ As these four men faced one another in the slanting rays of the setting Sun far out on the desert, the planetary president, Wilcox, sat in his office in the executive palace in South Tarog, situated, as were so many of the public buildings, on the banks of the canal.

marked by a narrow focus on or display of learning especially its trivial aspects

From this reading A gray man, pedantic in his speech, his features were strong: his nose, short and straight, somehow, expressed his intense intolerance of opposition.

of or relating to or resembling the physical or orbital characteristics of a planet or the planets

From this reading _Plot and Counter-Plot_ As these four men faced one another in the slanting rays of the setting Sun far out on the desert, the planetary president, Wilcox, sat in his office in the executive palace in South Tarog, situated, as were so many of the public buildings, on the banks of the canal.

a secret scheme to do something (especially something underhand or illegal)

From this reading _Plot and Counter-Plot_ As these four men faced one another in the slanting rays of the setting Sun far out on the desert, the planetary president, Wilcox, sat in his office in the executive palace in South Tarog, situated, as were so many of the public buildings, on the banks of the canal.

possession of controlling influence

From this reading His long, straight lower jaw protruded slightly, symbolizing his tenacity, his lust for power.

an executive officer of a firm or corporation

From this reading _Plot and Counter-Plot_ As these four men faced one another in the slanting rays of the setting Sun far out on the desert, the planetary president, Wilcox, sat in his office in the executive palace in South Tarog, situated, as were so many of the public buildings, on the banks of the canal.

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

From this reading His long, straight lower jaw protruded slightly, symbolizing his tenacity, his lust for power.

people in general considered as a whole

From this reading _Plot and Counter-Plot_ As these four men faced one another in the slanting rays of the setting Sun far out on the desert, the planetary president, Wilcox, sat in his office in the executive palace in South Tarog, situated, as were so many of the public buildings, on the banks of the canal.

plural of “ray” — a column of light (as from a beacon)

From this reading _Plot and Counter-Plot_ As these four men faced one another in the slanting rays of the setting Sun far out on the desert, the planetary president, Wilcox, sat in his office in the executive palace in South Tarog, situated, as were so many of the public buildings, on the banks of the canal.

the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians

From this reading _Plot and Counter-Plot_ As these four men faced one another in the slanting rays of the setting Sun far out on the desert, the planetary president, Wilcox, sat in his office in the executive palace in South Tarog, situated, as were so many of the public buildings, on the banks of the canal.

the context and environment in which something is set

From this reading _Plot and Counter-Plot_ As these four men faced one another in the slanting rays of the setting Sun far out on the desert, the planetary president, Wilcox, sat in his office in the executive palace in South Tarog, situated, as were so many of the public buildings, on the banks of the canal.

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

From this reading A gray man, pedantic in his speech, his features were strong: his nose, short and straight, somehow, expressed his intense intolerance of opposition.

situated in a particular spot or position

From this reading _Plot and Counter-Plot_ As these four men faced one another in the slanting rays of the setting Sun far out on the desert, the planetary president, Wilcox, sat in his office in the executive palace in South Tarog, situated, as were so many of the public buildings, on the banks of the canal.

the decade from 1960 to 1969

From this reading Wilcox was in his sixties.

having an oblique or slanted direction

From this reading _Plot and Counter-Plot_ As these four men faced one another in the slanting rays of the setting Sun far out on the desert, the planetary president, Wilcox, sat in his office in the executive palace in South Tarog, situated, as were so many of the public buildings, on the banks of the canal.

to a small degree or extent

From this reading His long, straight lower jaw protruded slightly, symbolizing his tenacity, his lust for power.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading _Plot and Counter-Plot_ As these four men faced one another in the slanting rays of the setting Sun far out on the desert, the planetary president, Wilcox, sat in his office in the executive palace in South Tarog, situated, as were so many of the public buildings, on the banks of the canal.

in some unspecified way or manner; or by some unspecified means

From this reading A gray man, pedantic in his speech, his features were strong: his nose, short and straight, somehow, expressed his intense intolerance of opposition.

the region of the United States lying to the south of the Mason-Dixon line

From this reading _Plot and Counter-Plot_ As these four men faced one another in the slanting rays of the setting Sun far out on the desert, the planetary president, Wilcox, sat in his office in the executive palace in South Tarog, situated, as were so many of the public buildings, on the banks of the canal.

the act of delivering a formal spoken communication to an audience

From this reading A gray man, pedantic in his speech, his features were strong: his nose, short and straight, somehow, expressed his intense intolerance of opposition.

successive (without a break)

From this reading A gray man, pedantic in his speech, his features were strong: his nose, short and straight, somehow, expressed his intense intolerance of opposition.

having strength or power greater than average or expected

From this reading A gray man, pedantic in his speech, his features were strong: his nose, short and straight, somehow, expressed his intense intolerance of opposition.

the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system

From this reading _Plot and Counter-Plot_ As these four men faced one another in the slanting rays of the setting Sun far out on the desert, the planetary president, Wilcox, sat in his office in the executive palace in South Tarog, situated, as were so many of the public buildings, on the banks of the canal.

the act of representing something with a symbol

From this reading His long, straight lower jaw protruded slightly, symbolizing his tenacity, his lust for power.

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

From this reading _Plot and Counter-Plot_ As these four men faced one another in the slanting rays of the setting Sun far out on the desert, the planetary president, Wilcox, sat in his office in the executive palace in South Tarog, situated, as were so many of the public buildings, on the banks of the canal.

persistent determination

From this reading His long, straight lower jaw protruded slightly, symbolizing his tenacity, his lust for power.

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

From this reading _Plot and Counter-Plot_ As these four men faced one another in the slanting rays of the setting Sun far out on the desert, the planetary president, Wilcox, sat in his office in the executive palace in South Tarog, situated, as were so many of the public buildings, on the banks of the canal.

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading _Plot and Counter-Plot_ As these four men faced one another in the slanting rays of the setting Sun far out on the desert, the planetary president, Wilcox, sat in his office in the executive palace in South Tarog, situated, as were so many of the public buildings, on the banks of the canal.

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

From this reading Wilcox was in his sixties.

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

From this reading _Plot and Counter-Plot_ As these four men faced one another in the slanting rays of the setting Sun far out on the desert, the planetary president, Wilcox, sat in his office in the executive palace in South Tarog, situated, as were so many of the public buildings, on the banks of the canal.

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

From this reading _Plot and Counter-Plot_ As these four men faced one another in the slanting rays of the setting Sun far out on the desert, the planetary president, Wilcox, sat in his office in the executive palace in South Tarog, situated, as were so many of the public buildings, on the banks of the canal.