Chapter XIX · A Conversation in the Dark

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

From this reading Early one February morning a committee of ladies and gentlemen waited on Colonel Morrell.

plural of “activity” — any specific behavior

From this reading He saw them come up the drive, and was surprised to note that the group was made up of a clergyman, two well-known businessmen, and two ladies whom he knew to be leaders of women’s activities in Portville.

(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class

From this reading When they had all been seated in his office, the clergyman, a fine, straight-forward young man who was making good in the largest church in the town, broached the subject to him.

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

From this reading Early one February morning a committee of ladies and gentlemen waited on Colonel Morrell.

make certain of

From this reading “You may be a bit surprised to see such a formidable gathering bear down on you, but I assure you that we have good intentions.

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

From this reading He saw them come up the drive, and was surprised to note that the group was made up of a clergyman, two well-known businessmen, and two ladies whom he knew to be leaders of women’s activities in Portville.

have

From this reading “You may be a bit surprised to see such a formidable gathering bear down on you, but I assure you that we have good intentions.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading When they had all been seated in his office, the clergyman, a fine, straight-forward young man who was making good in the largest church in the town, broached the subject to him.

inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

From this reading “Colonel Morrell,” began Dr. Bicknell.

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

From this reading “Colonel Morrell,” began Dr. Bicknell.

a small piece or quantity of something

From this reading “You may be a bit surprised to see such a formidable gathering bear down on you, but I assure you that we have good intentions.

of a cask or barrel

From this reading When they had all been seated in his office, the clergyman, a fine, straight-forward young man who was making good in the largest church in the town, broached the subject to him.

the body of individuals who manage businesses

From this reading He saw them come up the drive, and was surprised to note that the group was made up of a clergyman, two well-known businessmen, and two ladies whom he knew to be leaders of women’s activities in Portville.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading “You may be a bit surprised to see such a formidable gathering bear down on you, but I assure you that we have good intentions.

one of the groups of Christians who have their own beliefs and forms of worship

From this reading When they had all been seated in his office, the clergyman, a fine, straight-forward young man who was making good in the largest church in the town, broached the subject to him.

a member of the clergy and a spiritual leader of the Christian Church

From this reading He saw them come up the drive, and was surprised to note that the group was made up of a clergyman, two well-known businessmen, and two ladies whom he knew to be leaders of women’s activities in Portville.

a commissioned military officer in the United States Army or Air Force or Marines who ranks above a lieutenant colonel and below a brigadier general

From this reading Early one February morning a committee of ladies and gentlemen waited on Colonel Morrell.

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

From this reading He saw them come up the drive, and was surprised to note that the group was made up of a clergyman, two well-known businessmen, and two ladies whom he knew to be leaders of women’s activities in Portville.

a special group delegated to consider some matter

From this reading Early one February morning a committee of ladies and gentlemen waited on Colonel Morrell.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading “You may be a bit surprised to see such a formidable gathering bear down on you, but I assure you that we have good intentions.

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

From this reading “Colonel Morrell,” began Dr. Bicknell.

operate or control a vehicle

From this reading He saw them come up the drive, and was surprised to note that the group was made up of a clergyman, two well-known businessmen, and two ladies whom he knew to be leaders of women’s activities in Portville.

at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time

From this reading Early one February morning a committee of ladies and gentlemen waited on Colonel Morrell.

the month following January and preceding March

From this reading Early one February morning a committee of ladies and gentlemen waited on Colonel Morrell.

being satisfactory or in satisfactory condition

From this reading When they had all been seated in his office, the clergyman, a fine, straight-forward young man who was making good in the largest church in the town, broached the subject to him.

extremely impressive in strength or excellence

From this reading “You may be a bit surprised to see such a formidable gathering bear down on you, but I assure you that we have good intentions.

a group of persons together in one place

From this reading “You may be a bit surprised to see such a formidable gathering bear down on you, but I assure you that we have good intentions.

plural of “gentleman” — a man of refinement

From this reading Early one February morning a committee of ladies and gentlemen waited on Colonel Morrell.

having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified

From this reading When they had all been seated in his office, the clergyman, a fine, straight-forward young man who was making good in the largest church in the town, broached the subject to him.

any number of entities (members) considered as a unit

From this reading He saw them come up the drive, and was surprised to note that the group was made up of a clergyman, two well-known businessmen, and two ladies whom he knew to be leaders of women’s activities in Portville.

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

From this reading When they had all been seated in his office, the clergyman, a fine, straight-forward young man who was making good in the largest church in the town, broached the subject to him.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading “You may be a bit surprised to see such a formidable gathering bear down on you, but I assure you that we have good intentions.

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

From this reading He saw them come up the drive, and was surprised to note that the group was made up of a clergyman, two well-known businessmen, and two ladies whom he knew to be leaders of women’s activities in Portville.

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

From this reading When they had all been seated in his office, the clergyman, a fine, straight-forward young man who was making good in the largest church in the town, broached the subject to him.

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

From this reading When they had all been seated in his office, the clergyman, a fine, straight-forward young man who was making good in the largest church in the town, broached the subject to him.

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

From this reading “You may be a bit surprised to see such a formidable gathering bear down on you, but I assure you that we have good intentions.

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

From this reading He saw them come up the drive, and was surprised to note that the group was made up of a clergyman, two well-known businessmen, and two ladies whom he knew to be leaders of women’s activities in Portville.

plural of “intention” — an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions

From this reading “You may be a bit surprised to see such a formidable gathering bear down on you, but I assure you that we have good intentions.

inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about

From this reading He saw them come up the drive, and was surprised to note that the group was made up of a clergyman, two well-known businessmen, and two ladies whom he knew to be leaders of women’s activities in Portville.

plural of “lady” — a polite name for any woman

From this reading Early one February morning a committee of ladies and gentlemen waited on Colonel Morrell.

superlative of “large” — above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading When they had all been seated in his office, the clergyman, a fine, straight-forward young man who was making good in the largest church in the town, broached the subject to him.

the body of people who lead a group

From this reading He saw them come up the drive, and was surprised to note that the group was made up of a clergyman, two well-known businessmen, and two ladies whom he knew to be leaders of women’s activities in Portville.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading He saw them come up the drive, and was surprised to note that the group was made up of a clergyman, two well-known businessmen, and two ladies whom he knew to be leaders of women’s activities in Portville.

the act that results in something coming to be

From this reading When they had all been seated in his office, the clergyman, a fine, straight-forward young man who was making good in the largest church in the town, broached the subject to him.

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

From this reading When they had all been seated in his office, the clergyman, a fine, straight-forward young man who was making good in the largest church in the town, broached the subject to him.

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading “You may be a bit surprised to see such a formidable gathering bear down on you, but I assure you that we have good intentions.

the time period between dawn and noon

From this reading Early one February morning a committee of ladies and gentlemen waited on Colonel Morrell.

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

From this reading Early one February morning a committee of ladies and gentlemen waited on Colonel Morrell.

a brief written record

From this reading He saw them come up the drive, and was surprised to note that the group was made up of a clergyman, two well-known businessmen, and two ladies whom he knew to be leaders of women’s activities in Portville.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Early one February morning a committee of ladies and gentlemen waited on Colonel Morrell.

place of business where professional or clerical duties are performed

From this reading When they had all been seated in his office, the clergyman, a fine, straight-forward young man who was making good in the largest church in the town, broached the subject to him.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Early one February morning a committee of ladies and gentlemen waited on Colonel Morrell.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Early one February morning a committee of ladies and gentlemen waited on Colonel Morrell.

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

From this reading He saw them come up the drive, and was surprised to note that the group was made up of a clergyman, two well-known businessmen, and two ladies whom he knew to be leaders of women’s activities in Portville.

cut with a saw

From this reading He saw them come up the drive, and was surprised to note that the group was made up of a clergyman, two well-known businessmen, and two ladies whom he knew to be leaders of women’s activities in Portville.

(of persons) having the torso erect and legs bent with the body supported on the buttocks

From this reading When they had all been seated in his office, the clergyman, a fine, straight-forward young man who was making good in the largest church in the town, broached the subject to him.

perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading “You may be a bit surprised to see such a formidable gathering bear down on you, but I assure you that we have good intentions.

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

From this reading When they had all been seated in his office, the clergyman, a fine, straight-forward young man who was making good in the largest church in the town, broached the subject to him.

the subject matter of a conversation or discussion

From this reading When they had all been seated in his office, the clergyman, a fine, straight-forward young man who was making good in the largest church in the town, broached the subject to him.

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading “You may be a bit surprised to see such a formidable gathering bear down on you, but I assure you that we have good intentions.

taken unawares or suddenly and feeling wonder or astonishment

From this reading He saw them come up the drive, and was surprised to note that the group was made up of a clergyman, two well-known businessmen, and two ladies whom he knew to be leaders of women’s activities in Portville.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading He saw them come up the drive, and was surprised to note that the group was made up of a clergyman, two well-known businessmen, and two ladies whom he knew to be leaders of women’s activities in Portville.

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

From this reading He saw them come up the drive, and was surprised to note that the group was made up of a clergyman, two well-known businessmen, and two ladies whom he knew to be leaders of women’s activities in Portville.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading He saw them come up the drive, and was surprised to note that the group was made up of a clergyman, two well-known businessmen, and two ladies whom he knew to be leaders of women’s activities in Portville.

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

From this reading When they had all been seated in his office, the clergyman, a fine, straight-forward young man who was making good in the largest church in the town, broached the subject to him.

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

From this reading He saw them come up the drive, and was surprised to note that the group was made up of a clergyman, two well-known businessmen, and two ladies whom he knew to be leaders of women’s activities in Portville.

an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city

From this reading When they had all been seated in his office, the clergyman, a fine, straight-forward young man who was making good in the largest church in the town, broached the subject to him.

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

From this reading He saw them come up the drive, and was surprised to note that the group was made up of a clergyman, two well-known businessmen, and two ladies whom he knew to be leaders of women’s activities in Portville.

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading He saw them come up the drive, and was surprised to note that the group was made up of a clergyman, two well-known businessmen, and two ladies whom he knew to be leaders of women’s activities in Portville.

past form of “wait” — stay in one place and anticipate or expect something

From this reading Early one February morning a committee of ladies and gentlemen waited on Colonel Morrell.

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

From this reading He saw them come up the drive, and was surprised to note that the group was made up of a clergyman, two well-known businessmen, and two ladies whom he knew to be leaders of women’s activities in Portville.

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading “You may be a bit surprised to see such a formidable gathering bear down on you, but I assure you that we have good intentions.

widely or fully known

From this reading He saw them come up the drive, and was surprised to note that the group was made up of a clergyman, two well-known businessmen, and two ladies whom he knew to be leaders of women’s activities in Portville.

at the time that

From this reading When they had all been seated in his office, the clergyman, a fine, straight-forward young man who was making good in the largest church in the town, broached the subject to him.

which person or people

From this reading When they had all been seated in his office, the clergyman, a fine, straight-forward young man who was making good in the largest church in the town, broached the subject to him.

the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading He saw them come up the drive, and was surprised to note that the group was made up of a clergyman, two well-known businessmen, and two ladies whom he knew to be leaders of women’s activities in Portville.

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

From this reading He saw them come up the drive, and was surprised to note that the group was made up of a clergyman, two well-known businessmen, and two ladies whom he knew to be leaders of women’s activities in Portville.

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading “You may be a bit surprised to see such a formidable gathering bear down on you, but I assure you that we have good intentions.

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

From this reading When they had all been seated in his office, the clergyman, a fine, straight-forward young man who was making good in the largest church in the town, broached the subject to him.