Chapter XVII · Chapter 17

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

From this reading He would--even at this moment of complete ruin--have given the last shreds of his worldly possessions to be able to steady the febrile movements of his hand.

a bottomless gulf or pit; any unfathomable (or apparently unfathomable) cavity or chasm or void extending below (often used figuratively)

From this reading It was utter, dull and blank despair which assailed him, the ruin of his fondest hopes, an awful abyss of disgrace, of punishment, of death at best, which seemed to yawn before him from the other side of the baize-covered table.

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

From this reading It was utter, dull and blank despair which assailed him, the ruin of his fondest hopes, an awful abyss of disgrace, of punishment, of death at best, which seemed to yawn before him from the other side of the baize-covered table.

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

From this reading It was utter, dull and blank despair which assailed him, the ruin of his fondest hopes, an awful abyss of disgrace, of punishment, of death at best, which seemed to yawn before him from the other side of the baize-covered table.

past form of “assail” — attack someone physically or emotionally

From this reading It was utter, dull and blank despair which assailed him, the ruin of his fondest hopes, an awful abyss of disgrace, of punishment, of death at best, which seemed to yawn before him from the other side of the baize-covered table.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading It was utter, dull and blank despair which assailed him, the ruin of his fondest hopes, an awful abyss of disgrace, of punishment, of death at best, which seemed to yawn before him from the other side of the baize-covered table.

exceptionally bad or displeasing

From this reading It was utter, dull and blank despair which assailed him, the ruin of his fondest hopes, an awful abyss of disgrace, of punishment, of death at best, which seemed to yawn before him from the other side of the baize-covered table.

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

From this reading It was utter, dull and blank despair which assailed him, the ruin of his fondest hopes, an awful abyss of disgrace, of punishment, of death at best, which seemed to yawn before him from the other side of the baize-covered table.

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

From this reading He would--even at this moment of complete ruin--have given the last shreds of his worldly possessions to be able to steady the febrile movements of his hand.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading DISGRACE Segrave, too, had been silent, of course.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading It was utter, dull and blank despair which assailed him, the ruin of his fondest hopes, an awful abyss of disgrace, of punishment, of death at best, which seemed to yawn before him from the other side of the baize-covered table.

the supreme effort one can make

From this reading It was utter, dull and blank despair which assailed him, the ruin of his fondest hopes, an awful abyss of disgrace, of punishment, of death at best, which seemed to yawn before him from the other side of the baize-covered table.

(of a surface) not written or printed on

From this reading It was utter, dull and blank despair which assailed him, the ruin of his fondest hopes, an awful abyss of disgrace, of punishment, of death at best, which seemed to yawn before him from the other side of the baize-covered table.

make calm or still

From this reading In his mind there was neither suspense nor calm.

past form of “cause” — give rise to; cause to happen or occur, not always intentionally

From this reading Instinct--that ever-present instinct of self-control peculiar to the gently-bred race of mankind--caused him to make frantic efforts to keep himself and his nerves in check.

examine so as to determine accuracy, quality, or condition

From this reading Instinct--that ever-present instinct of self-control peculiar to the gently-bred race of mankind--caused him to make frantic efforts to keep himself and his nerves in check.

come or bring to a finish or an end

From this reading He would--even at this moment of complete ruin--have given the last shreds of his worldly possessions to be able to steady the febrile movements of his hand.

education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings

From this reading DISGRACE Segrave, too, had been silent, of course.

the event of dying or departure from life

From this reading It was utter, dull and blank despair which assailed him, the ruin of his fondest hopes, an awful abyss of disgrace, of punishment, of death at best, which seemed to yawn before him from the other side of the baize-covered table.

a state in which all hope is lost or absent

From this reading It was utter, dull and blank despair which assailed him, the ruin of his fondest hopes, an awful abyss of disgrace, of punishment, of death at best, which seemed to yawn before him from the other side of the baize-covered table.

bring shame or dishonor upon

From this reading DISGRACE Segrave, too, had been silent, of course.

lacking in liveliness or animation

From this reading It was utter, dull and blank despair which assailed him, the ruin of his fondest hopes, an awful abyss of disgrace, of punishment, of death at best, which seemed to yawn before him from the other side of the baize-covered table.

plural of “effort” — earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something

From this reading Instinct--that ever-present instinct of self-control peculiar to the gently-bred race of mankind--caused him to make frantic efforts to keep himself and his nerves in check.

divisible by two

From this reading He would--even at this moment of complete ruin--have given the last shreds of his worldly possessions to be able to steady the febrile movements of his hand.

being always present

From this reading Instinct--that ever-present instinct of self-control peculiar to the gently-bred race of mankind--caused him to make frantic efforts to keep himself and his nerves in check.

of or relating to or characterized by fever

From this reading He would--even at this moment of complete ruin--have given the last shreds of his worldly possessions to be able to steady the febrile movements of his hand.

superlative of “fond” — having or displaying warmth or affection

From this reading It was utter, dull and blank despair which assailed him, the ruin of his fondest hopes, an awful abyss of disgrace, of punishment, of death at best, which seemed to yawn before him from the other side of the baize-covered table.

excessively agitated; distraught with fear or other violent emotion

From this reading Instinct--that ever-present instinct of self-control peculiar to the gently-bred race of mankind--caused him to make frantic efforts to keep himself and his nerves in check.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading It was utter, dull and blank despair which assailed him, the ruin of his fondest hopes, an awful abyss of disgrace, of punishment, of death at best, which seemed to yawn before him from the other side of the baize-covered table.

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

From this reading Instinct--that ever-present instinct of self-control peculiar to the gently-bred race of mankind--caused him to make frantic efforts to keep himself and his nerves in check.

acknowledged as a supposition

From this reading He would--even at this moment of complete ruin--have given the last shreds of his worldly possessions to be able to steady the febrile movements of his hand.

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

From this reading DISGRACE Segrave, too, had been silent, of course.

the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb

From this reading He would--even at this moment of complete ruin--have given the last shreds of his worldly possessions to be able to steady the febrile movements of his hand.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading He would--even at this moment of complete ruin--have given the last shreds of his worldly possessions to be able to steady the febrile movements of his hand.

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

From this reading He would--even at this moment of complete ruin--have given the last shreds of his worldly possessions to be able to steady the febrile movements of his hand.

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

From this reading It was utter, dull and blank despair which assailed him, the ruin of his fondest hopes, an awful abyss of disgrace, of punishment, of death at best, which seemed to yawn before him from the other side of the baize-covered table.

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

From this reading Instinct--that ever-present instinct of self-control peculiar to the gently-bred race of mankind--caused him to make frantic efforts to keep himself and his nerves in check.

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

From this reading In his mind there was neither suspense nor calm.

plural of “hope” — a specific instance of feeling hopeful

From this reading It was utter, dull and blank despair which assailed him, the ruin of his fondest hopes, an awful abyss of disgrace, of punishment, of death at best, which seemed to yawn before him from the other side of the baize-covered table.

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

From this reading In his mind there was neither suspense nor calm.

inborn pattern of behavior often responsive to specific stimuli

From this reading Instinct--that ever-present instinct of self-control peculiar to the gently-bred race of mankind--caused him to make frantic efforts to keep himself and his nerves in check.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was utter, dull and blank despair which assailed him, the ruin of his fondest hopes, an awful abyss of disgrace, of punishment, of death at best, which seemed to yawn before him from the other side of the baize-covered table.

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

From this reading Instinct--that ever-present instinct of self-control peculiar to the gently-bred race of mankind--caused him to make frantic efforts to keep himself and his nerves in check.

immediately past

From this reading He would--even at this moment of complete ruin--have given the last shreds of his worldly possessions to be able to steady the febrile movements of his hand.

engage in

From this reading Instinct--that ever-present instinct of self-control peculiar to the gently-bred race of mankind--caused him to make frantic efforts to keep himself and his nerves in check.

all of the living human inhabitants of the earth

From this reading Instinct--that ever-present instinct of self-control peculiar to the gently-bred race of mankind--caused him to make frantic efforts to keep himself and his nerves in check.

The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.

From this reading In his mind there was neither suspense nor calm.

a particular point in time

From this reading He would--even at this moment of complete ruin--have given the last shreds of his worldly possessions to be able to steady the febrile movements of his hand.

plural of “movement” — a change of position that does not entail a change of location

From this reading He would--even at this moment of complete ruin--have given the last shreds of his worldly possessions to be able to steady the febrile movements of his hand.

not one and not the other of two

From this reading In his mind there was neither suspense nor calm.

an uneasy psychological state

From this reading Instinct--that ever-present instinct of self-control peculiar to the gently-bred race of mankind--caused him to make frantic efforts to keep himself and his nerves in check.

and not; used after a negative to add a second negative

From this reading In his mind there was neither suspense nor calm.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading DISGRACE Segrave, too, had been silent, of course.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading It was utter, dull and blank despair which assailed him, the ruin of his fondest hopes, an awful abyss of disgrace, of punishment, of death at best, which seemed to yawn before him from the other side of the baize-covered table.

beyond or deviating from the usual or expected

From this reading Instinct--that ever-present instinct of self-control peculiar to the gently-bred race of mankind--caused him to make frantic efforts to keep himself and his nerves in check.

plural of “possession” — the act of having and controlling property

From this reading He would--even at this moment of complete ruin--have given the last shreds of his worldly possessions to be able to steady the febrile movements of his hand.

the act of punishing

From this reading It was utter, dull and blank despair which assailed him, the ruin of his fondest hopes, an awful abyss of disgrace, of punishment, of death at best, which seemed to yawn before him from the other side of the baize-covered table.

any competition

From this reading Instinct--that ever-present instinct of self-control peculiar to the gently-bred race of mankind--caused him to make frantic efforts to keep himself and his nerves in check.

an irrecoverable state of devastation and destruction

From this reading It was utter, dull and blank despair which assailed him, the ruin of his fondest hopes, an awful abyss of disgrace, of punishment, of death at best, which seemed to yawn before him from the other side of the baize-covered table.

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

From this reading It was utter, dull and blank despair which assailed him, the ruin of his fondest hopes, an awful abyss of disgrace, of punishment, of death at best, which seemed to yawn before him from the other side of the baize-covered table.

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

From this reading DISGRACE Segrave, too, had been silent, of course.

the act of denying yourself; controlling your impulses

From this reading Instinct--that ever-present instinct of self-control peculiar to the gently-bred race of mankind--caused him to make frantic efforts to keep himself and his nerves in check.

plural of “shred” — a tiny or scarcely detectable amount

From this reading He would--even at this moment of complete ruin--have given the last shreds of his worldly possessions to be able to steady the febrile movements of his hand.

a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location

From this reading It was utter, dull and blank despair which assailed him, the ruin of his fondest hopes, an awful abyss of disgrace, of punishment, of death at best, which seemed to yawn before him from the other side of the baize-covered table.

marked by absence of sound

From this reading DISGRACE Segrave, too, had been silent, of course.

make steady

From this reading He would--even at this moment of complete ruin--have given the last shreds of his worldly possessions to be able to steady the febrile movements of his hand.

apprehension about what is going to happen

From this reading In his mind there was neither suspense nor calm.

a set of data arranged in rows and columns

From this reading It was utter, dull and blank despair which assailed him, the ruin of his fondest hopes, an awful abyss of disgrace, of punishment, of death at best, which seemed to yawn before him from the other side of the baize-covered table.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Instinct--that ever-present instinct of self-control peculiar to the gently-bred race of mankind--caused him to make frantic efforts to keep himself and his nerves in check.

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

From this reading It was utter, dull and blank despair which assailed him, the ruin of his fondest hopes, an awful abyss of disgrace, of punishment, of death at best, which seemed to yawn before him from the other side of the baize-covered table.

in or at that place or location

From this reading In his mind there was neither suspense nor calm.

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading He would--even at this moment of complete ruin--have given the last shreds of his worldly possessions to be able to steady the febrile movements of his hand.

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

From this reading It was utter, dull and blank despair which assailed him, the ruin of his fondest hopes, an awful abyss of disgrace, of punishment, of death at best, which seemed to yawn before him from the other side of the baize-covered table.

to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits

From this reading DISGRACE Segrave, too, had been silent, of course.

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

From this reading It was utter, dull and blank despair which assailed him, the ruin of his fondest hopes, an awful abyss of disgrace, of punishment, of death at best, which seemed to yawn before him from the other side of the baize-covered table.

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

From this reading In his mind there was neither suspense nor calm.

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

From this reading It was utter, dull and blank despair which assailed him, the ruin of his fondest hopes, an awful abyss of disgrace, of punishment, of death at best, which seemed to yawn before him from the other side of the baize-covered table.

characteristic of or devoted to the temporal world as opposed to the spiritual world

From this reading He would--even at this moment of complete ruin--have given the last shreds of his worldly possessions to be able to steady the febrile movements of his hand.

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading He would--even at this moment of complete ruin--have given the last shreds of his worldly possessions to be able to steady the febrile movements of his hand.

utter a yawn, as from lack of oxygen or when one is tired

From this reading It was utter, dull and blank despair which assailed him, the ruin of his fondest hopes, an awful abyss of disgrace, of punishment, of death at best, which seemed to yawn before him from the other side of the baize-covered table.