Chapter XI · Chapter 11

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

From this reading A picture is perfect, moderate, or indifferent, according to our tastes; an event fortunate or unfortunate according to our character.

(followed by “to”) in agreement with or accordant with

From this reading A picture is perfect, moderate, or indifferent, according to our tastes; an event fortunate or unfortunate according to our character.

providing enjoyment; pleasantly entertaining

From this reading Such was life for him--such at least it had become--a gay chaos in which the one important thing was himself; a game, partly instructive, partly amusing, with no rules save that the player is expected to win.

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

From this reading THE WHITE HAND It is an old truth that things have their true existence only in ourselves.

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

From this reading Thus life, though in reality no more than a pure stream of colorless water, changes its hue the moment it is poured into the waiting pitchers, and becomes turbid, or assumes some lovely color, or retains its first crystal clearness, in measure that the earthenware is of the best or poorest quality.

third-person singular of “assume” — take to be the case or to be true; accept without verification or proof

From this reading Thus life, though in reality no more than a pure stream of colorless water, changes its hue the moment it is poured into the waiting pitchers, and becomes turbid, or assumes some lovely color, or retains its first crystal clearness, in measure that the earthenware is of the best or poorest quality.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Such was life for him--such at least it had become--a gay chaos in which the one important thing was himself; a game, partly instructive, partly amusing, with no rules save that the player is expected to win.

enter or assume a certain state or condition

From this reading In Travers' pitcher it had become kaleidoscopic, only saved from dire confusion by one steady, consistent color, which tinged and killed by its brilliancy the hundred other rainbow fragments.

third-person singular of “become” — enter or assume a certain state or condition

From this reading Thus life, though in reality no more than a pure stream of colorless water, changes its hue the moment it is poured into the waiting pitchers, and becomes turbid, or assumes some lovely color, or retains its first crystal clearness, in measure that the earthenware is of the best or poorest quality.

the supreme effort one can make

From this reading Thus life, though in reality no more than a pure stream of colorless water, changes its hue the moment it is poured into the waiting pitchers, and becomes turbid, or assumes some lovely color, or retains its first crystal clearness, in measure that the earthenware is of the best or poorest quality.

a quality that outshines the usual

From this reading In Travers' pitcher it had become kaleidoscopic, only saved from dire confusion by one steady, consistent color, which tinged and killed by its brilliancy the hundred other rainbow fragments.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading In Travers' pitcher it had become kaleidoscopic, only saved from dire confusion by one steady, consistent color, which tinged and killed by its brilliancy the hundred other rainbow fragments.

plural of “change” — an event that occurs when something passes from one state or phase to another

From this reading Thus life, though in reality no more than a pure stream of colorless water, changes its hue the moment it is poured into the waiting pitchers, and becomes turbid, or assumes some lovely color, or retains its first crystal clearness, in measure that the earthenware is of the best or poorest quality.

a state of extreme confusion and disorder

From this reading Such was life for him--such at least it had become--a gay chaos in which the one important thing was himself; a game, partly instructive, partly amusing, with no rules save that the player is expected to win.

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

From this reading A picture is perfect, moderate, or indifferent, according to our tastes; an event fortunate or unfortunate according to our character.

free from obscurity and easy to understand; the comprehensibility of clear expression

From this reading Thus life, though in reality no more than a pure stream of colorless water, changes its hue the moment it is poured into the waiting pitchers, and becomes turbid, or assumes some lovely color, or retains its first crystal clearness, in measure that the earthenware is of the best or poorest quality.

a visual attribute of things that results from the light they emit or transmit or reflect

From this reading Thus life, though in reality no more than a pure stream of colorless water, changes its hue the moment it is poured into the waiting pitchers, and becomes turbid, or assumes some lovely color, or retains its first crystal clearness, in measure that the earthenware is of the best or poorest quality.

lacking in variety and interest

From this reading Thus life, though in reality no more than a pure stream of colorless water, changes its hue the moment it is poured into the waiting pitchers, and becomes turbid, or assumes some lovely color, or retains its first crystal clearness, in measure that the earthenware is of the best or poorest quality.

disorder resulting from a failure to behave predictably

From this reading In Travers' pitcher it had become kaleidoscopic, only saved from dire confusion by one steady, consistent color, which tinged and killed by its brilliancy the hundred other rainbow fragments.

(sometimes followed by “with”) in agreement or consistent or reliable

From this reading In Travers' pitcher it had become kaleidoscopic, only saved from dire confusion by one steady, consistent color, which tinged and killed by its brilliancy the hundred other rainbow fragments.

a solid formed by the solidification of a chemical and having a highly regular atomic structure

From this reading Thus life, though in reality no more than a pure stream of colorless water, changes its hue the moment it is poured into the waiting pitchers, and becomes turbid, or assumes some lovely color, or retains its first crystal clearness, in measure that the earthenware is of the best or poorest quality.

fraught with extreme danger; nearly hopeless

From this reading In Travers' pitcher it had become kaleidoscopic, only saved from dire confusion by one steady, consistent color, which tinged and killed by its brilliancy the hundred other rainbow fragments.

ceramic ware made of porous clay fired at low heat

From this reading Thus life, though in reality no more than a pure stream of colorless water, changes its hue the moment it is poured into the waiting pitchers, and becomes turbid, or assumes some lovely color, or retains its first crystal clearness, in measure that the earthenware is of the best or poorest quality.

something that happens at a given place and time

From this reading A picture is perfect, moderate, or indifferent, according to our tastes; an event fortunate or unfortunate according to our character.

the state or fact of existing

From this reading THE WHITE HAND It is an old truth that things have their true existence only in ourselves.

considered likely or probable to happen or arrive

From this reading Such was life for him--such at least it had become--a gay chaos in which the one important thing was himself; a game, partly instructive, partly amusing, with no rules save that the player is expected to win.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading Thus life, though in reality no more than a pure stream of colorless water, changes its hue the moment it is poured into the waiting pitchers, and becomes turbid, or assumes some lovely color, or retains its first crystal clearness, in measure that the earthenware is of the best or poorest quality.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Such was life for him--such at least it had become--a gay chaos in which the one important thing was himself; a game, partly instructive, partly amusing, with no rules save that the player is expected to win.

having unexpected good fortune

From this reading A picture is perfect, moderate, or indifferent, according to our tastes; an event fortunate or unfortunate according to our character.

plural of “fragment” — a piece broken off or cut off of something else

From this reading In Travers' pitcher it had become kaleidoscopic, only saved from dire confusion by one steady, consistent color, which tinged and killed by its brilliancy the hundred other rainbow fragments.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading In Travers' pitcher it had become kaleidoscopic, only saved from dire confusion by one steady, consistent color, which tinged and killed by its brilliancy the hundred other rainbow fragments.

a contest with rules to determine a winner

From this reading Such was life for him--such at least it had become--a gay chaos in which the one important thing was himself; a game, partly instructive, partly amusing, with no rules save that the player is expected to win.

bright and pleasant; promoting a feeling of cheer

From this reading Such was life for him--such at least it had become--a gay chaos in which the one important thing was himself; a game, partly instructive, partly amusing, with no rules save that the player is expected to win.

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

From this reading In Travers' pitcher it had become kaleidoscopic, only saved from dire confusion by one steady, consistent color, which tinged and killed by its brilliancy the hundred other rainbow fragments.

the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb

From this reading THE WHITE HAND It is an old truth that things have their true existence only in ourselves.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading THE WHITE HAND It is an old truth that things have their true existence only in ourselves.

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

From this reading Such was life for him--such at least it had become--a gay chaos in which the one important thing was himself; a game, partly instructive, partly amusing, with no rules save that the player is expected to win.

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

From this reading Such was life for him--such at least it had become--a gay chaos in which the one important thing was himself; a game, partly instructive, partly amusing, with no rules save that the player is expected to win.

the quality of a color as determined by its dominant wavelength

From this reading Thus life, though in reality no more than a pure stream of colorless water, changes its hue the moment it is poured into the waiting pitchers, and becomes turbid, or assumes some lovely color, or retains its first crystal clearness, in measure that the earthenware is of the best or poorest quality.

ten 10s

From this reading In Travers' pitcher it had become kaleidoscopic, only saved from dire confusion by one steady, consistent color, which tinged and killed by its brilliancy the hundred other rainbow fragments.

of great significance or value

From this reading Such was life for him--such at least it had become--a gay chaos in which the one important thing was himself; a game, partly instructive, partly amusing, with no rules save that the player is expected to win.

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

From this reading THE WHITE HAND It is an old truth that things have their true existence only in ourselves.

marked by a lack of interest

From this reading A picture is perfect, moderate, or indifferent, according to our tastes; an event fortunate or unfortunate according to our character.

serving to instruct or enlighten or inform

From this reading Such was life for him--such at least it had become--a gay chaos in which the one important thing was himself; a game, partly instructive, partly amusing, with no rules save that the player is expected to win.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading Thus life, though in reality no more than a pure stream of colorless water, changes its hue the moment it is poured into the waiting pitchers, and becomes turbid, or assumes some lovely color, or retains its first crystal clearness, in measure that the earthenware is of the best or poorest quality.

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

From this reading THE WHITE HAND It is an old truth that things have their true existence only in ourselves.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading THE WHITE HAND It is an old truth that things have their true existence only in ourselves.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading Thus life, though in reality no more than a pure stream of colorless water, changes its hue the moment it is poured into the waiting pitchers, and becomes turbid, or assumes some lovely color, or retains its first crystal clearness, in measure that the earthenware is of the best or poorest quality.

continually shifting or rapidly changing

From this reading In Travers' pitcher it had become kaleidoscopic, only saved from dire confusion by one steady, consistent color, which tinged and killed by its brilliancy the hundred other rainbow fragments.

past form of “kill” — cause to die; put to death, usually intentionally or knowingly

From this reading In Travers' pitcher it had become kaleidoscopic, only saved from dire confusion by one steady, consistent color, which tinged and killed by its brilliancy the hundred other rainbow fragments.

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 Such was life for him--such at least it had become--a gay chaos in which the one important thing was himself; a game, partly instructive, partly amusing, with no rules save that the player is expected to win.

a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading Thus life, though in reality no more than a pure stream of colorless water, changes its hue the moment it is poured into the waiting pitchers, and becomes turbid, or assumes some lovely color, or retains its first crystal clearness, in measure that the earthenware is of the best or poorest quality.

appealing to the emotions as well as the eye

From this reading Thus life, though in reality no more than a pure stream of colorless water, changes its hue the moment it is poured into the waiting pitchers, and becomes turbid, or assumes some lovely color, or retains its first crystal clearness, in measure that the earthenware is of the best or poorest quality.

any maneuver made as part of progress toward a goal

From this reading Thus life, though in reality no more than a pure stream of colorless water, changes its hue the moment it is poured into the waiting pitchers, and becomes turbid, or assumes some lovely color, or retains its first crystal clearness, in measure that the earthenware is of the best or poorest quality.

preside over

From this reading A picture is perfect, moderate, or indifferent, according to our tastes; an event fortunate or unfortunate according to our character.

a particular point in time

From this reading Thus life, though in reality no more than a pure stream of colorless water, changes its hue the moment it is poured into the waiting pitchers, and becomes turbid, or assumes some lovely color, or retains its first crystal clearness, in measure that the earthenware is of the best or poorest quality.

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

From this reading Thus life, though in reality no more than a pure stream of colorless water, changes its hue the moment it is poured into the waiting pitchers, and becomes turbid, or assumes some lovely color, or retains its first crystal clearness, in measure that the earthenware is of the best or poorest quality.

not any; not one

From this reading Thus life, though in reality no more than a pure stream of colorless water, changes its hue the moment it is poured into the waiting pitchers, and becomes turbid, or assumes some lovely color, or retains its first crystal clearness, in measure that the earthenware is of the best or poorest quality.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Thus life, though in reality no more than a pure stream of colorless water, changes its hue the moment it is poured into the waiting pitchers, and becomes turbid, or assumes some lovely color, or retains its first crystal clearness, in measure that the earthenware is of the best or poorest quality.

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

From this reading THE WHITE HAND It is an old truth that things have their true existence only in ourselves.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading In Travers' pitcher it had become kaleidoscopic, only saved from dire confusion by one steady, consistent color, which tinged and killed by its brilliancy the hundred other rainbow fragments.

and nothing more

From this reading THE WHITE HAND It is an old truth that things have their true existence only in ourselves.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading A picture is perfect, moderate, or indifferent, according to our tastes; an event fortunate or unfortunate according to our character.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading In Travers' pitcher it had become kaleidoscopic, only saved from dire confusion by one steady, consistent color, which tinged and killed by its brilliancy the hundred other rainbow fragments.

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading A picture is perfect, moderate, or indifferent, according to our tastes; an event fortunate or unfortunate according to our character.

used when we are both doing the action and receiving it

From this reading THE WHITE HAND It is an old truth that things have their true existence only in ourselves.

to some extent; in some degree; not wholly

From this reading Such was life for him--such at least it had become--a gay chaos in which the one important thing was himself; a game, partly instructive, partly amusing, with no rules save that the player is expected to win.

being complete of its kind and without defect or blemish

From this reading A picture is perfect, moderate, or indifferent, according to our tastes; an event fortunate or unfortunate according to our character.

a visual representation (of an object or scene or person or abstraction) produced on a surface

From this reading A picture is perfect, moderate, or indifferent, according to our tastes; an event fortunate or unfortunate according to our character.

(baseball) the person who does the pitching

From this reading In Travers' pitcher it had become kaleidoscopic, only saved from dire confusion by one steady, consistent color, which tinged and killed by its brilliancy the hundred other rainbow fragments.

plural of “pitcher” — (baseball) the person who does the pitching

From this reading Thus life, though in reality no more than a pure stream of colorless water, changes its hue the moment it is poured into the waiting pitchers, and becomes turbid, or assumes some lovely color, or retains its first crystal clearness, in measure that the earthenware is of the best or poorest quality.

a person who participates in or is skilled at some game

From this reading Such was life for him--such at least it had become--a gay chaos in which the one important thing was himself; a game, partly instructive, partly amusing, with no rules save that the player is expected to win.

superlative of “poor” — deserving or inciting pity

From this reading Thus life, though in reality no more than a pure stream of colorless water, changes its hue the moment it is poured into the waiting pitchers, and becomes turbid, or assumes some lovely color, or retains its first crystal clearness, in measure that the earthenware is of the best or poorest quality.

past form of “pour” — cause to run

From this reading Thus life, though in reality no more than a pure stream of colorless water, changes its hue the moment it is poured into the waiting pitchers, and becomes turbid, or assumes some lovely color, or retains its first crystal clearness, in measure that the earthenware is of the best or poorest quality.

free of extraneous elements of any kind

From this reading Thus life, though in reality no more than a pure stream of colorless water, changes its hue the moment it is poured into the waiting pitchers, and becomes turbid, or assumes some lovely color, or retains its first crystal clearness, in measure that the earthenware is of the best or poorest quality.

an essential and distinguishing attribute of something or someone

From this reading Thus life, though in reality no more than a pure stream of colorless water, changes its hue the moment it is poured into the waiting pitchers, and becomes turbid, or assumes some lovely color, or retains its first crystal clearness, in measure that the earthenware is of the best or poorest quality.

an arc of colored light in the sky caused by refraction of the sun's rays by rain

From this reading In Travers' pitcher it had become kaleidoscopic, only saved from dire confusion by one steady, consistent color, which tinged and killed by its brilliancy the hundred other rainbow fragments.

all of your experiences that determine how things appear to you

From this reading Thus life, though in reality no more than a pure stream of colorless water, changes its hue the moment it is poured into the waiting pitchers, and becomes turbid, or assumes some lovely color, or retains its first crystal clearness, in measure that the earthenware is of the best or poorest quality.

third-person singular of “retain” — hold back within

From this reading Thus life, though in reality no more than a pure stream of colorless water, changes its hue the moment it is poured into the waiting pitchers, and becomes turbid, or assumes some lovely color, or retains its first crystal clearness, in measure that the earthenware is of the best or poorest quality.

plural of “rule” — a principle or condition that customarily governs behavior

From this reading Such was life for him--such at least it had become--a gay chaos in which the one important thing was himself; a game, partly instructive, partly amusing, with no rules save that the player is expected to win.

except for; apart from

From this reading Such was life for him--such at least it had become--a gay chaos in which the one important thing was himself; a game, partly instructive, partly amusing, with no rules save that the player is expected to win.

rescued; especially from the power and consequences of sin

From this reading In Travers' pitcher it had become kaleidoscopic, only saved from dire confusion by one steady, consistent color, which tinged and killed by its brilliancy the hundred other rainbow fragments.

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

From this reading Thus life, though in reality no more than a pure stream of colorless water, changes its hue the moment it is poured into the waiting pitchers, and becomes turbid, or assumes some lovely color, or retains its first crystal clearness, in measure that the earthenware is of the best or poorest quality.

make steady

From this reading In Travers' pitcher it had become kaleidoscopic, only saved from dire confusion by one steady, consistent color, which tinged and killed by its brilliancy the hundred other rainbow fragments.

a natural body of running water flowing on or under the earth

From this reading Thus life, though in reality no more than a pure stream of colorless water, changes its hue the moment it is poured into the waiting pitchers, and becomes turbid, or assumes some lovely color, or retains its first crystal clearness, in measure that the earthenware is of the best or poorest quality.

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading Such was life for him--such at least it had become--a gay chaos in which the one important thing was himself; a game, partly instructive, partly amusing, with no rules save that the player is expected to win.

plural of “taste” — the sensation that results when taste buds in the tongue and throat convey information about the chemical composition of a soluble stimulus

From this reading A picture is perfect, moderate, or indifferent, according to our tastes; an event fortunate or unfortunate according to our character.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading Thus life, though in reality no more than a pure stream of colorless water, changes its hue the moment it is poured into the waiting pitchers, and becomes turbid, or assumes some lovely color, or retains its first crystal clearness, in measure that the earthenware is of the best or poorest quality.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading THE WHITE HAND It is an old truth that things have their true existence only in ourselves.

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

From this reading THE WHITE HAND It is an old truth that things have their true existence only in ourselves.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading THE WHITE HAND It is an old truth that things have their true existence only in ourselves.

a special situation

From this reading Such was life for him--such at least it had become--a gay chaos in which the one important thing was himself; a game, partly instructive, partly amusing, with no rules save that the player is expected to win.

any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)

From this reading THE WHITE HAND It is an old truth that things have their true existence only in ourselves.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading Thus life, though in reality no more than a pure stream of colorless water, changes its hue the moment it is poured into the waiting pitchers, and becomes turbid, or assumes some lovely color, or retains its first crystal clearness, in measure that the earthenware is of the best or poorest quality.

(used to introduce a logical conclusion) from that fact or reason or as a result

From this reading Thus life, though in reality no more than a pure stream of colorless water, changes its hue the moment it is poured into the waiting pitchers, and becomes turbid, or assumes some lovely color, or retains its first crystal clearness, in measure that the earthenware is of the best or poorest quality.

past form of “tinge” — affect as in thought or feeling

From this reading In Travers' pitcher it had become kaleidoscopic, only saved from dire confusion by one steady, consistent color, which tinged and killed by its brilliancy the hundred other rainbow fragments.

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

From this reading A picture is perfect, moderate, or indifferent, according to our tastes; an event fortunate or unfortunate according to our character.

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

From this reading In Travers' pitcher it had become kaleidoscopic, only saved from dire confusion by one steady, consistent color, which tinged and killed by its brilliancy the hundred other rainbow fragments.

consistent with fact or reality; not false

From this reading THE WHITE HAND It is an old truth that things have their true existence only in ourselves.

a fact that has been verified

From this reading THE WHITE HAND It is an old truth that things have their true existence only in ourselves.

(of liquids) clouded as with sediment

From this reading Thus life, though in reality no more than a pure stream of colorless water, changes its hue the moment it is poured into the waiting pitchers, and becomes turbid, or assumes some lovely color, or retains its first crystal clearness, in measure that the earthenware is of the best or poorest quality.

not favored by fortune; marked or accompanied by or resulting in ill fortune

From this reading A picture is perfect, moderate, or indifferent, according to our tastes; an event fortunate or unfortunate according to our character.

the act of waiting (remaining inactive in one place while expecting something)

From this reading Thus life, though in reality no more than a pure stream of colorless water, changes its hue the moment it is poured into the waiting pitchers, and becomes turbid, or assumes some lovely color, or retains its first crystal clearness, in measure that the earthenware is of the best or poorest quality.

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

From this reading Such was life for him--such at least it had become--a gay chaos in which the one important thing was himself; a game, partly instructive, partly amusing, with no rules save that the player is expected to win.

binary compound that occurs at room temperature as a clear colorless odorless tasteless liquid; freezes into ice below 0 degrees centigrade and boils above 100 degrees centigrade; widely used as a solvent

From this reading Thus life, though in reality no more than a pure stream of colorless water, changes its hue the moment it is poured into the waiting pitchers, and becomes turbid, or assumes some lovely color, or retains its first crystal clearness, in measure that the earthenware is of the best or poorest quality.

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

From this reading In Travers' pitcher it had become kaleidoscopic, only saved from dire confusion by one steady, consistent color, which tinged and killed by its brilliancy the hundred other rainbow fragments.

a Caucasian

From this reading THE WHITE HAND It is an old truth that things have their true existence only in ourselves.

be the winner in a contest or competition; be victorious

From this reading Such was life for him--such at least it had become--a gay chaos in which the one important thing was himself; a game, partly instructive, partly amusing, with no rules save that the player is expected to win.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Such was life for him--such at least it had become--a gay chaos in which the one important thing was himself; a game, partly instructive, partly amusing, with no rules save that the player is expected to win.