Chapter XII · Chapter 12

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

From this reading _After You_ was far too ambitious a flight for the Comedians at Railsford's; they had far better have stuck to _King Lear_.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading Sherriff, the funny, irascible old gentleman, skulked about in the back of the scene, and tapped his fingers lightly on the top of his hat, and stamped his foot gently, with the most amiable of smiles on his countenance.

further or added

From this reading His one idea of irascible humour seemed to be to start every few moments to leave the room, and then stop short half-way to the door, and utter a few additional remarks over his shoulder, and then to make again for the door with a noise which sounded half-way between a sneeze and the bleating of a goat.

later than; following

From this reading _After You_ was far too ambitious a flight for the Comedians at Railsford's; they had far better have stuck to _King Lear_.

anew

From this reading His one idea of irascible humour seemed to be to start every few moments to leave the room, and then stop short half-way to the door, and utter a few additional remarks over his shoulder, and then to make again for the door with a noise which sounded half-way between a sneeze and the bleating of a goat.

in addition

From this reading Maple also, who personated Miss Olive Omlett, the meek, elderly lady, appeared to have come with a totally erroneous conception of the _role_ of that inoffensive character.

having a strong desire for success or achievement

From this reading _After You_ was far too ambitious a flight for the Comedians at Railsford's; they had far better have stuck to _King Lear_.

disposed to please

From this reading Sherriff, the funny, irascible old gentleman, skulked about in the back of the scene, and tapped his fingers lightly on the top of his hat, and stamped his foot gently, with the most amiable of smiles on his countenance.

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

From this reading Sherriff, the funny, irascible old gentleman, skulked about in the back of the scene, and tapped his fingers lightly on the top of his hat, and stamped his foot gently, with the most amiable of smiles on his countenance.

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

From this reading Maple also, who personated Miss Olive Omlett, the meek, elderly lady, appeared to have come with a totally erroneous conception of the _role_ of that inoffensive character.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading _After You_ was far too ambitious a flight for the Comedians at Railsford's; they had far better have stuck to _King Lear_.

in or to or toward a former location

From this reading Sherriff, the funny, irascible old gentleman, skulked about in the back of the scene, and tapped his fingers lightly on the top of his hat, and stamped his foot gently, with the most amiable of smiles on his countenance.

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

From this reading His one idea of irascible humour seemed to be to start every few moments to leave the room, and then stop short half-way to the door, and utter a few additional remarks over his shoulder, and then to make again for the door with a noise which sounded half-way between a sneeze and the bleating of a goat.

(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 _After You_ was far too ambitious a flight for the Comedians at Railsford's; they had far better have stuck to _King Lear_.

in the space, time, or range separating two things

From this reading His one idea of irascible humour seemed to be to start every few moments to leave the room, and then stop short half-way to the door, and utter a few additional remarks over his shoulder, and then to make again for the door with a noise which sounded half-way between a sneeze and the bleating of a goat.

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

From this reading His one idea of irascible humour seemed to be to start every few moments to leave the room, and then stop short half-way to the door, and utter a few additional remarks over his shoulder, and then to make again for the door with a noise which sounded half-way between a sneeze and the bleating of a goat.

an imaginary person represented in a work of fiction (play or film or story)

From this reading Maple also, who personated Miss Olive Omlett, the meek, elderly lady, appeared to have come with a totally erroneous conception of the _role_ of that inoffensive character.

plural of “character” — an imaginary person represented in a work of fiction (play or film or story)

From this reading In the first place, none of the characters seemed to understand what was expected of them.

move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading Maple also, who personated Miss Olive Omlett, the meek, elderly lady, appeared to have come with a totally erroneous conception of the _role_ of that inoffensive character.

plural of “comedian” — a professional performer who tells jokes and performs comical acts

From this reading _After You_ was far too ambitious a flight for the Comedians at Railsford's; they had far better have stuck to _King Lear_.

an abstract or general idea inferred or derived from specific instances

From this reading Maple also, who personated Miss Olive Omlett, the meek, elderly lady, appeared to have come with a totally erroneous conception of the _role_ of that inoffensive character.

the appearance conveyed by a person's face

From this reading Sherriff, the funny, irascible old gentleman, skulked about in the back of the scene, and tapped his fingers lightly on the top of his hat, and stamped his foot gently, with the most amiable of smiles on his countenance.

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

From this reading His one idea of irascible humour seemed to be to start every few moments to leave the room, and then stop short half-way to the door, and utter a few additional remarks over his shoulder, and then to make again for the door with a noise which sounded half-way between a sneeze and the bleating of a goat.

advanced in years; (“aged” is pronounced as two syllables)

From this reading Maple also, who personated Miss Olive Omlett, the meek, elderly lady, appeared to have come with a totally erroneous conception of the _role_ of that inoffensive character.

containing or characterized by error

From this reading Maple also, who personated Miss Olive Omlett, the meek, elderly lady, appeared to have come with a totally erroneous conception of the _role_ of that inoffensive character.

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading His one idea of irascible humour seemed to be to start every few moments to leave the room, and then stop short half-way to the door, and utter a few additional remarks over his shoulder, and then to make again for the door with a noise which sounded half-way between a sneeze and the bleating of a goat.

considered likely or probable to happen or arrive

From this reading In the first place, none of the characters seemed to understand what was expected of them.

to a considerable degree; very much

From this reading _After You_ was far too ambitious a flight for the Comedians at Railsford's; they had far better have stuck to _King Lear_.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number

From this reading His one idea of irascible humour seemed to be to start every few moments to leave the room, and then stop short half-way to the door, and utter a few additional remarks over his shoulder, and then to make again for the door with a noise which sounded half-way between a sneeze and the bleating of a goat.

plural of “finger” — any of the terminal members of the hand (sometimes excepting the thumb)

From this reading Sherriff, the funny, irascible old gentleman, skulked about in the back of the scene, and tapped his fingers lightly on the top of his hat, and stamped his foot gently, with the most amiable of smiles on his countenance.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading In the first place, none of the characters seemed to understand what was expected of them.

a formation of aircraft in flight

From this reading _After You_ was far too ambitious a flight for the Comedians at Railsford's; they had far better have stuck to _King Lear_.

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

From this reading Sherriff, the funny, irascible old gentleman, skulked about in the back of the scene, and tapped his fingers lightly on the top of his hat, and stamped his foot gently, with the most amiable of smiles on his countenance.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading _After You_ was far too ambitious a flight for the Comedians at Railsford's; they had far better have stuck to _King Lear_.

arousing or provoking laughter

From this reading Sherriff, the funny, irascible old gentleman, skulked about in the back of the scene, and tapped his fingers lightly on the top of his hat, and stamped his foot gently, with the most amiable of smiles on his countenance.

a man of refinement

From this reading Sherriff, the funny, irascible old gentleman, skulked about in the back of the scene, and tapped his fingers lightly on the top of his hat, and stamped his foot gently, with the most amiable of smiles on his countenance.

in a gradual manner

From this reading Sherriff, the funny, irascible old gentleman, skulked about in the back of the scene, and tapped his fingers lightly on the top of his hat, and stamped his foot gently, with the most amiable of smiles on his countenance.

any of numerous agile ruminants related to sheep but having a beard and straight horns

From this reading His one idea of irascible humour seemed to be to start every few moments to leave the room, and then stop short half-way to the door, and utter a few additional remarks over his shoulder, and then to make again for the door with a noise which sounded half-way between a sneeze and the bleating of a goat.

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

From this reading _After You_ was far too ambitious a flight for the Comedians at Railsford's; they had far better have stuck to _King Lear_.

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

From this reading His one idea of irascible humour seemed to be to start every few moments to leave the room, and then stop short half-way to the door, and utter a few additional remarks over his shoulder, and then to make again for the door with a noise which sounded half-way between a sneeze and the bleating of a goat.

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

From this reading Sherriff, the funny, irascible old gentleman, skulked about in the back of the scene, and tapped his fingers lightly on the top of his hat, and stamped his foot gently, with the most amiable of smiles on his countenance.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading _After You_ was far too ambitious a flight for the Comedians at Railsford's; they had far better have stuck to _King Lear_.

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

From this reading Sherriff, the funny, irascible old gentleman, skulked about in the back of the scene, and tapped his fingers lightly on the top of his hat, and stamped his foot gently, with the most amiable of smiles on his countenance.

a characteristic (habitual or relatively temporary) state of feeling

From this reading His one idea of irascible humour seemed to be to start every few moments to leave the room, and then stop short half-way to the door, and utter a few additional remarks over his shoulder, and then to make again for the door with a noise which sounded half-way between a sneeze and the bleating of a goat.

the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about

From this reading His one idea of irascible humour seemed to be to start every few moments to leave the room, and then stop short half-way to the door, and utter a few additional remarks over his shoulder, and then to make again for the door with a noise which sounded half-way between a sneeze and the bleating of a goat.

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

From this reading In the first place, none of the characters seemed to understand what was expected of them.

not causing anger or annoyance

From this reading Maple also, who personated Miss Olive Omlett, the meek, elderly lady, appeared to have come with a totally erroneous conception of the _role_ of that inoffensive character.

quickly aroused to anger

From this reading Sherriff, the funny, irascible old gentleman, skulked about in the back of the scene, and tapped his fingers lightly on the top of his hat, and stamped his foot gently, with the most amiable of smiles on his countenance.

a male sovereign; ruler of a kingdom

From this reading _After You_ was far too ambitious a flight for the Comedians at Railsford's; they had far better have stuck to _King Lear_.

a polite name for any woman

From this reading Maple also, who personated Miss Olive Omlett, the meek, elderly lady, appeared to have come with a totally erroneous conception of the _role_ of that inoffensive character.

British artist and writer of nonsense verse (1812-1888)

From this reading _After You_ was far too ambitious a flight for the Comedians at Railsford's; they had far better have stuck to _King Lear_.

go away from a place

From this reading His one idea of irascible humour seemed to be to start every few moments to leave the room, and then stop short half-way to the door, and utter a few additional remarks over his shoulder, and then to make again for the door with a noise which sounded half-way between a sneeze and the bleating of a goat.

without good reason

From this reading Sherriff, the funny, irascible old gentleman, skulked about in the back of the scene, and tapped his fingers lightly on the top of his hat, and stamped his foot gently, with the most amiable of smiles on his countenance.

engage in

From this reading His one idea of irascible humour seemed to be to start every few moments to leave the room, and then stop short half-way to the door, and utter a few additional remarks over his shoulder, and then to make again for the door with a noise which sounded half-way between a sneeze and the bleating of a goat.

wood of any of various maple trees; especially the hard close-grained wood of the sugar maple; used especially for furniture and flooring

From this reading Maple also, who personated Miss Olive Omlett, the meek, elderly lady, appeared to have come with a totally erroneous conception of the _role_ of that inoffensive character.

humble in spirit or manner; suggesting retiring mildness or even cowed submissiveness

From this reading Maple also, who personated Miss Olive Omlett, the meek, elderly lady, appeared to have come with a totally erroneous conception of the _role_ of that inoffensive character.

fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind

From this reading Maple also, who personated Miss Olive Omlett, the meek, elderly lady, appeared to have come with a totally erroneous conception of the _role_ of that inoffensive character.

plural of “moment” — a particular point in time

From this reading His one idea of irascible humour seemed to be to start every few moments to leave the room, and then stop short half-way to the door, and utter a few additional remarks over his shoulder, and then to make again for the door with a noise which sounded half-way between a sneeze and the bleating of a goat.

used to form the superlative

From this reading Sherriff, the funny, irascible old gentleman, skulked about in the back of the scene, and tapped his fingers lightly on the top of his hat, and stamped his foot gently, with the most amiable of smiles on his countenance.

sound of any kind (especially unintelligible or dissonant sound)

From this reading His one idea of irascible humour seemed to be to start every few moments to leave the room, and then stop short half-way to the door, and utter a few additional remarks over his shoulder, and then to make again for the door with a noise which sounded half-way between a sneeze and the bleating of a goat.

not one, and not any

From this reading In the first place, none of the characters seemed to understand what was expected of them.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading In the first place, none of the characters seemed to understand what was expected of them.

(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age

From this reading Sherriff, the funny, irascible old gentleman, skulked about in the back of the scene, and tapped his fingers lightly on the top of his hat, and stamped his foot gently, with the most amiable of smiles on his countenance.

of a yellow-green color similar to that of an unripe olive

From this reading Maple also, who personated Miss Olive Omlett, the meek, elderly lady, appeared to have come with a totally erroneous conception of the _role_ of that inoffensive character.

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

From this reading Maple also, who personated Miss Olive Omlett, the meek, elderly lady, appeared to have come with a totally erroneous conception of the _role_ of that inoffensive character.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Sherriff, the funny, irascible old gentleman, skulked about in the back of the scene, and tapped his fingers lightly on the top of his hat, and stamped his foot gently, with the most amiable of smiles on his countenance.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading His one idea of irascible humour seemed to be to start every few moments to leave the room, and then stop short half-way to the door, and utter a few additional remarks over his shoulder, and then to make again for the door with a noise which sounded half-way between a sneeze and the bleating of a goat.

above and across; more than

From this reading His one idea of irascible humour seemed to be to start every few moments to leave the room, and then stop short half-way to the door, and utter a few additional remarks over his shoulder, and then to make again for the door with a noise which sounded half-way between a sneeze and the bleating of a goat.

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

From this reading Maple also, who personated Miss Olive Omlett, the meek, elderly lady, appeared to have come with a totally erroneous conception of the _role_ of that inoffensive character.

a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading In the first place, none of the characters seemed to understand what was expected of them.

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

From this reading _After You_ was far too ambitious a flight for the Comedians at Railsford's; they had far better have stuck to _King Lear_.

plural of “remark” — a statement that expresses a personal opinion or belief or adds information

From this reading His one idea of irascible humour seemed to be to start every few moments to leave the room, and then stop short half-way to the door, and utter a few additional remarks over his shoulder, and then to make again for the door with a noise which sounded half-way between a sneeze and the bleating of a goat.

the actions and activities assigned to or required or expected of a person or group

From this reading Maple also, who personated Miss Olive Omlett, the meek, elderly lady, appeared to have come with a totally erroneous conception of the _role_ of that inoffensive character.

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

From this reading His one idea of irascible humour seemed to be to start every few moments to leave the room, and then stop short half-way to the door, and utter a few additional remarks over his shoulder, and then to make again for the door with a noise which sounded half-way between a sneeze and the bleating of a goat.

the place where some action occurs

From this reading Sherriff, the funny, irascible old gentleman, skulked about in the back of the scene, and tapped his fingers lightly on the top of his hat, and stamped his foot gently, with the most amiable of smiles on his countenance.

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

From this reading In the first place, none of the characters seemed to understand what was expected of them.

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

From this reading Sherriff, the funny, irascible old gentleman, skulked about in the back of the scene, and tapped his fingers lightly on the top of his hat, and stamped his foot gently, with the most amiable of smiles on his countenance.

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

From this reading His one idea of irascible humour seemed to be to start every few moments to leave the room, and then stop short half-way to the door, and utter a few additional remarks over his shoulder, and then to make again for the door with a noise which sounded half-way between a sneeze and the bleating of a goat.

lift onto one's shoulders

From this reading His one idea of irascible humour seemed to be to start every few moments to leave the room, and then stop short half-way to the door, and utter a few additional remarks over his shoulder, and then to make again for the door with a noise which sounded half-way between a sneeze and the bleating of a goat.

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

From this reading Sherriff, the funny, irascible old gentleman, skulked about in the back of the scene, and tapped his fingers lightly on the top of his hat, and stamped his foot gently, with the most amiable of smiles on his countenance.

plural of “smile” — a facial expression characterized by turning up the corners of the mouth; usually shows pleasure or amusement

From this reading Sherriff, the funny, irascible old gentleman, skulked about in the back of the scene, and tapped his fingers lightly on the top of his hat, and stamped his foot gently, with the most amiable of smiles on his countenance.

a symptom consisting of the involuntary expulsion of air from the nose

From this reading His one idea of irascible humour seemed to be to start every few moments to leave the room, and then stop short half-way to the door, and utter a few additional remarks over his shoulder, and then to make again for the door with a noise which sounded half-way between a sneeze and the bleating of a goat.

past form of “sound” — appear in a certain way

From this reading His one idea of irascible humour seemed to be to start every few moments to leave the room, and then stop short half-way to the door, and utter a few additional remarks over his shoulder, and then to make again for the door with a noise which sounded half-way between a sneeze and the bleating of a goat.

past form of “stamp” — walk heavily

From this reading Sherriff, the funny, irascible old gentleman, skulked about in the back of the scene, and tapped his fingers lightly on the top of his hat, and stamped his foot gently, with the most amiable of smiles on his countenance.

take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

From this reading His one idea of irascible humour seemed to be to start every few moments to leave the room, and then stop short half-way to the door, and utter a few additional remarks over his shoulder, and then to make again for the door with a noise which sounded half-way between a sneeze and the bleating of a goat.

come to a halt, stop moving

From this reading His one idea of irascible humour seemed to be to start every few moments to leave the room, and then stop short half-way to the door, and utter a few additional remarks over his shoulder, and then to make again for the door with a noise which sounded half-way between a sneeze and the bleating of a goat.

caught or fixed

From this reading _After You_ was far too ambitious a flight for the Comedians at Railsford's; they had far better have stuck to _King Lear_.

in a condition for letting out liquid drawn out as by piercing or drawing a plug

From this reading Sherriff, the funny, irascible old gentleman, skulked about in the back of the scene, and tapped his fingers lightly on the top of his hat, and stamped his foot gently, with the most amiable of smiles on his countenance.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Maple also, who personated Miss Olive Omlett, the meek, elderly lady, appeared to have come with a totally erroneous conception of the _role_ of that inoffensive character.

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

From this reading _After You_ was far too ambitious a flight for the Comedians at Railsford's; they had far better have stuck to _King Lear_.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading In the first place, none of the characters seemed to understand what was expected of them.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading His one idea of irascible humour seemed to be to start every few moments to leave the room, and then stop short half-way to the door, and utter a few additional remarks over his shoulder, and then to make again for the door with a noise which sounded half-way between a sneeze and the bleating of a goat.

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

From this reading _After You_ was far too ambitious a flight for the Comedians at Railsford's; they had far better have stuck to _King Lear_.

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

From this reading _After You_ was far too ambitious a flight for the Comedians at Railsford's; they had far better have stuck to _King Lear_.

to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits

From this reading _After You_ was far too ambitious a flight for the Comedians at Railsford's; they had far better have stuck to _King Lear_.

the upper part of anything

From this reading Sherriff, the funny, irascible old gentleman, skulked about in the back of the scene, and tapped his fingers lightly on the top of his hat, and stamped his foot gently, with the most amiable of smiles on his countenance.

to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)

From this reading Maple also, who personated Miss Olive Omlett, the meek, elderly lady, appeared to have come with a totally erroneous conception of the _role_ of that inoffensive character.

know and comprehend the nature or meaning of

From this reading In the first place, none of the characters seemed to understand what was expected of them.

articulate; either verbally or with a cry, shout, or noise

From this reading His one idea of irascible humour seemed to be to start every few moments to leave the room, and then stop short half-way to the door, and utter a few additional remarks over his shoulder, and then to make again for the door with a noise which sounded half-way between a sneeze and the bleating of a goat.

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

From this reading _After You_ was far too ambitious a flight for the Comedians at Railsford's; they had far better have stuck to _King Lear_.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading In the first place, none of the characters seemed to understand what was expected of them.

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

From this reading His one idea of irascible humour seemed to be to start every few moments to leave the room, and then stop short half-way to the door, and utter a few additional remarks over his shoulder, and then to make again for the door with a noise which sounded half-way between a sneeze and the bleating of a goat.

which person or people

From this reading Maple also, who personated Miss Olive Omlett, the meek, elderly lady, appeared to have come with a totally erroneous conception of the _role_ of that inoffensive character.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Sherriff, the funny, irascible old gentleman, skulked about in the back of the scene, and tapped his fingers lightly on the top of his hat, and stamped his foot gently, with the most amiable of smiles on his countenance.

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading _After You_ was far too ambitious a flight for the Comedians at Railsford's; they had far better have stuck to _King Lear_.