Chapter IV · Chapter 4

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

From this reading AN EVIL END TO AN EVIL LIFE They say that, as a rule, the most grotesquely unimportant trifles flash into the mind and engage the last thoughts of a drowning man.

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

From this reading With her mind steeped in the horror of the last few hours, she yet found that she was able afterwards to recall every slight particular with regard to this man's appearance, and even his dress.

happening at a time subsequent to a reference time

From this reading With her mind steeped in the horror of the last few hours, she yet found that she was able afterwards to recall every slight particular with regard to this man's appearance, and even his dress.

(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 She remembered the firm evenness of his movements, swift, yet free from all ungraceful haste; the extreme shabbiness of his coat, his ill-arranged neck-tie, escaped from all restraint of collar and waistcoat, and flying loosely behind him; his trousers very much turned up, and very much frayed, and the almost singular height of his loose angular figure.

(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but

From this reading She remembered the firm evenness of his movements, swift, yet free from all ungraceful haste; the extreme shabbiness of his coat, his ill-arranged neck-tie, escaped from all restraint of collar and waistcoat, and flying loosely behind him; his trousers very much turned up, and very much frayed, and the almost singular height of his loose angular figure.

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

From this reading AN EVIL END TO AN EVIL LIFE They say that, as a rule, the most grotesquely unimportant trifles flash into the mind and engage the last thoughts of a drowning man.

an inference that if things agree in some respects they probably agree in others

From this reading Regarding this in the light of an analogy, something of the same sort was now happening to Helen Thurwell.

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

From this reading AN EVIL END TO AN EVIL LIFE They say that, as a rule, the most grotesquely unimportant trifles flash into the mind and engage the last thoughts of a drowning man.

measured by an angle or by the rate of change of an angle

From this reading She remembered the firm evenness of his movements, swift, yet free from all ungraceful haste; the extreme shabbiness of his coat, his ill-arranged neck-tie, escaped from all restraint of collar and waistcoat, and flying loosely behind him; his trousers very much turned up, and very much frayed, and the almost singular height of his loose angular figure.

any thing at all

From this reading His face, too--she remembered that better than anything--with its pale hollow cheeks and delicate outline, deep-set dark blue eyes, black eyebrows, and long, unkempt hair, which would have looked very much the better for a little trimming.

outward or visible aspect of a person or thing

From this reading With her mind steeped in the horror of the last few hours, she yet found that she was able afterwards to recall every slight particular with regard to this man's appearance, and even his dress.

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

From this reading AN EVIL END TO AN EVIL LIFE They say that, as a rule, the most grotesquely unimportant trifles flash into the mind and engage the last thoughts of a drowning man.

at or toward the back of something

From this reading She remembered the firm evenness of his movements, swift, yet free from all ungraceful haste; the extreme shabbiness of his coat, his ill-arranged neck-tie, escaped from all restraint of collar and waistcoat, and flying loosely behind him; his trousers very much turned up, and very much frayed, and the almost singular height of his loose angular figure.

(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 His face, too--she remembered that better than anything--with its pale hollow cheeks and delicate outline, deep-set dark blue eyes, black eyebrows, and long, unkempt hair, which would have looked very much the better for a little trimming.

being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light

From this reading His face, too--she remembered that better than anything--with its pale hollow cheeks and delicate outline, deep-set dark blue eyes, black eyebrows, and long, unkempt hair, which would have looked very much the better for a little trimming.

of the color intermediate between green and violet; having a color similar to that of a clear unclouded sky

From this reading His face, too--she remembered that better than anything--with its pale hollow cheeks and delicate outline, deep-set dark blue eyes, black eyebrows, and long, unkempt hair, which would have looked very much the better for a little trimming.

plural of “cheek” — either side of the face below the eyes

From this reading His face, too--she remembered that better than anything--with its pale hollow cheeks and delicate outline, deep-set dark blue eyes, black eyebrows, and long, unkempt hair, which would have looked very much the better for a little trimming.

an outer garment that has sleeves and covers the body from shoulder down; worn outdoors

From this reading She remembered the firm evenness of his movements, swift, yet free from all ungraceful haste; the extreme shabbiness of his coat, his ill-arranged neck-tie, escaped from all restraint of collar and waistcoat, and flying loosely behind him; his trousers very much turned up, and very much frayed, and the almost singular height of his loose angular figure.

a band that fits around the neck and is usually folded over

From this reading She remembered the firm evenness of his movements, swift, yet free from all ungraceful haste; the extreme shabbiness of his coat, his ill-arranged neck-tie, escaped from all restraint of collar and waistcoat, and flying loosely behind him; his trousers very much turned up, and very much frayed, and the almost singular height of his loose angular figure.

absence of light or illumination

From this reading His face, too--she remembered that better than anything--with its pale hollow cheeks and delicate outline, deep-set dark blue eyes, black eyebrows, and long, unkempt hair, which would have looked very much the better for a little trimming.

having a sunken area

From this reading His face, too--she remembered that better than anything--with its pale hollow cheeks and delicate outline, deep-set dark blue eyes, black eyebrows, and long, unkempt hair, which would have looked very much the better for a little trimming.

exquisitely fine and subtle and pleasing; susceptible to injury

From this reading His face, too--she remembered that better than anything--with its pale hollow cheeks and delicate outline, deep-set dark blue eyes, black eyebrows, and long, unkempt hair, which would have looked very much the better for a little trimming.

put on clothes

From this reading With her mind steeped in the horror of the last few hours, she yet found that she was able afterwards to recall every slight particular with regard to this man's appearance, and even his dress.

-ing form of “drown” — cover completely or make imperceptible

From this reading AN EVIL END TO AN EVIL LIFE They say that, as a rule, the most grotesquely unimportant trifles flash into the mind and engage the last thoughts of a drowning man.

either extremity of something that has length

From this reading AN EVIL END TO AN EVIL LIFE They say that, as a rule, the most grotesquely unimportant trifles flash into the mind and engage the last thoughts of a drowning man.

carry out or participate in an activity; be involved in

From this reading AN EVIL END TO AN EVIL LIFE They say that, as a rule, the most grotesquely unimportant trifles flash into the mind and engage the last thoughts of a drowning man.

having escaped, especially from confinement

From this reading She remembered the firm evenness of his movements, swift, yet free from all ungraceful haste; the extreme shabbiness of his coat, his ill-arranged neck-tie, escaped from all restraint of collar and waistcoat, and flying loosely behind him; his trousers very much turned up, and very much frayed, and the almost singular height of his loose angular figure.

divisible by two

From this reading With her mind steeped in the horror of the last few hours, she yet found that she was able afterwards to recall every slight particular with regard to this man's appearance, and even his dress.

the parity of even numbers (divisible by two)

From this reading She remembered the firm evenness of his movements, swift, yet free from all ungraceful haste; the extreme shabbiness of his coat, his ill-arranged neck-tie, escaped from all restraint of collar and waistcoat, and flying loosely behind him; his trousers very much turned up, and very much frayed, and the almost singular height of his loose angular figure.

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading With her mind steeped in the horror of the last few hours, she yet found that she was able afterwards to recall every slight particular with regard to this man's appearance, and even his dress.

morally objectionable behavior

From this reading AN EVIL END TO AN EVIL LIFE They say that, as a rule, the most grotesquely unimportant trifles flash into the mind and engage the last thoughts of a drowning man.

of the greatest possible degree or extent or intensity

From this reading She remembered the firm evenness of his movements, swift, yet free from all ungraceful haste; the extreme shabbiness of his coat, his ill-arranged neck-tie, escaped from all restraint of collar and waistcoat, and flying loosely behind him; his trousers very much turned up, and very much frayed, and the almost singular height of his loose angular figure.

plural of “eyebrow” — the arch of hair above each eye

From this reading His face, too--she remembered that better than anything--with its pale hollow cheeks and delicate outline, deep-set dark blue eyes, black eyebrows, and long, unkempt hair, which would have looked very much the better for a little trimming.

opinion or judgment

From this reading His face, too--she remembered that better than anything--with its pale hollow cheeks and delicate outline, deep-set dark blue eyes, black eyebrows, and long, unkempt hair, which would have looked very much the better for a little trimming.

the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear

From this reading His face, too--she remembered that better than anything--with its pale hollow cheeks and delicate outline, deep-set dark blue eyes, black eyebrows, and long, unkempt hair, which would have looked very much the better for a little trimming.

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

From this reading With her mind steeped in the horror of the last few hours, she yet found that she was able afterwards to recall every slight particular with regard to this man's appearance, and even his dress.

a diagram or picture illustrating textual material

From this reading She remembered the firm evenness of his movements, swift, yet free from all ungraceful haste; the extreme shabbiness of his coat, his ill-arranged neck-tie, escaped from all restraint of collar and waistcoat, and flying loosely behind him; his trousers very much turned up, and very much frayed, and the almost singular height of his loose angular figure.

marked by firm determination or resolution; not shakable

From this reading She remembered the firm evenness of his movements, swift, yet free from all ungraceful haste; the extreme shabbiness of his coat, his ill-arranged neck-tie, escaped from all restraint of collar and waistcoat, and flying loosely behind him; his trousers very much turned up, and very much frayed, and the almost singular height of his loose angular figure.

gleam or glow intermittently

From this reading AN EVIL END TO AN EVIL LIFE They say that, as a rule, the most grotesquely unimportant trifles flash into the mind and engage the last thoughts of a drowning man.

moving swiftly

From this reading She remembered the firm evenness of his movements, swift, yet free from all ungraceful haste; the extreme shabbiness of his coat, his ill-arranged neck-tie, escaped from all restraint of collar and waistcoat, and flying loosely behind him; his trousers very much turned up, and very much frayed, and the almost singular height of his loose angular figure.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading His face, too--she remembered that better than anything--with its pale hollow cheeks and delicate outline, deep-set dark blue eyes, black eyebrows, and long, unkempt hair, which would have looked very much the better for a little trimming.

set up or found

From this reading With her mind steeped in the horror of the last few hours, she yet found that she was able afterwards to recall every slight particular with regard to this man's appearance, and even his dress.

worn away or tattered along the edges

From this reading She remembered the firm evenness of his movements, swift, yet free from all ungraceful haste; the extreme shabbiness of his coat, his ill-arranged neck-tie, escaped from all restraint of collar and waistcoat, and flying loosely behind him; his trousers very much turned up, and very much frayed, and the almost singular height of his loose angular figure.

grant freedom to; free from confinement

From this reading She remembered the firm evenness of his movements, swift, yet free from all ungraceful haste; the extreme shabbiness of his coat, his ill-arranged neck-tie, escaped from all restraint of collar and waistcoat, and flying loosely behind him; his trousers very much turned up, and very much frayed, and the almost singular height of his loose angular figure.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading She remembered the firm evenness of his movements, swift, yet free from all ungraceful haste; the extreme shabbiness of his coat, his ill-arranged neck-tie, escaped from all restraint of collar and waistcoat, and flying loosely behind him; his trousers very much turned up, and very much frayed, and the almost singular height of his loose angular figure.

in a grotesque manner

From this reading AN EVIL END TO AN EVIL LIFE They say that, as a rule, the most grotesquely unimportant trifles flash into the mind and engage the last thoughts of a drowning man.

a covering for the body (or parts of it) consisting of a dense growth of threadlike structures (as on the human head); helps to prevent heat loss

From this reading His face, too--she remembered that better than anything--with its pale hollow cheeks and delicate outline, deep-set dark blue eyes, black eyebrows, and long, unkempt hair, which would have looked very much the better for a little trimming.

an event that happens

From this reading Regarding this in the light of an analogy, something of the same sort was now happening to Helen Thurwell.

overly eager speed (and possible carelessness)

From this reading She remembered the firm evenness of his movements, swift, yet free from all ungraceful haste; the extreme shabbiness of his coat, his ill-arranged neck-tie, escaped from all restraint of collar and waistcoat, and flying loosely behind him; his trousers very much turned up, and very much frayed, and the almost singular height of his loose angular figure.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading His face, too--she remembered that better than anything--with its pale hollow cheeks and delicate outline, deep-set dark blue eyes, black eyebrows, and long, unkempt hair, which would have looked very much the better for a little trimming.

the vertical dimension of extension; distance from the base of something to the top

From this reading She remembered the firm evenness of his movements, swift, yet free from all ungraceful haste; the extreme shabbiness of his coat, his ill-arranged neck-tie, escaped from all restraint of collar and waistcoat, and flying loosely behind him; his trousers very much turned up, and very much frayed, and the almost singular height of his loose angular figure.

(Greek mythology) the beautiful daughter of Zeus and Leda who was abducted by Paris; the Greek army sailed to Troy to get her back which resulted in the Trojan War

From this reading Regarding this in the light of an analogy, something of the same sort was now happening to Helen Thurwell.

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading With her mind steeped in the horror of the last few hours, she yet found that she was able afterwards to recall every slight particular with regard to this man's appearance, and even his dress.

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

From this reading She remembered the firm evenness of his movements, swift, yet free from all ungraceful haste; the extreme shabbiness of his coat, his ill-arranged neck-tie, escaped from all restraint of collar and waistcoat, and flying loosely behind him; his trousers very much turned up, and very much frayed, and the almost singular height of his loose angular figure.

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

From this reading With her mind steeped in the horror of the last few hours, she yet found that she was able afterwards to recall every slight particular with regard to this man's appearance, and even his dress.

not solid; having a space or gap or cavity

From this reading His face, too--she remembered that better than anything--with its pale hollow cheeks and delicate outline, deep-set dark blue eyes, black eyebrows, and long, unkempt hair, which would have looked very much the better for a little trimming.

intense and profound fear

From this reading With her mind steeped in the horror of the last few hours, she yet found that she was able afterwards to recall every slight particular with regard to this man's appearance, and even his dress.

a period of time assigned for work

From this reading With her mind steeped in the horror of the last few hours, she yet found that she was able afterwards to recall every slight particular with regard to this man's appearance, and even his dress.

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

From this reading She remembered the firm evenness of his movements, swift, yet free from all ungraceful haste; the extreme shabbiness of his coat, his ill-arranged neck-tie, escaped from all restraint of collar and waistcoat, and flying loosely behind him; his trousers very much turned up, and very much frayed, and the almost singular height of his loose angular figure.

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

From this reading Regarding this in the light of an analogy, something of the same sort was now happening to Helen Thurwell.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading AN EVIL END TO AN EVIL LIFE They say that, as a rule, the most grotesquely unimportant trifles flash into the mind and engage the last thoughts of a drowning man.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading His face, too--she remembered that better than anything--with its pale hollow cheeks and delicate outline, deep-set dark blue eyes, black eyebrows, and long, unkempt hair, which would have looked very much the better for a little trimming.

immediately past

From this reading AN EVIL END TO AN EVIL LIFE They say that, as a rule, the most grotesquely unimportant trifles flash into the mind and engage the last thoughts of a drowning man.

a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading AN EVIL END TO AN EVIL LIFE They say that, as a rule, the most grotesquely unimportant trifles flash into the mind and engage the last thoughts of a drowning man.

of comparatively little physical weight or density

From this reading Regarding this in the light of an analogy, something of the same sort was now happening to Helen Thurwell.

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading His face, too--she remembered that better than anything--with its pale hollow cheeks and delicate outline, deep-set dark blue eyes, black eyebrows, and long, unkempt hair, which would have looked very much the better for a little trimming.

primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified

From this reading His face, too--she remembered that better than anything--with its pale hollow cheeks and delicate outline, deep-set dark blue eyes, black eyebrows, and long, unkempt hair, which would have looked very much the better for a little trimming.

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

From this reading His face, too--she remembered that better than anything--with its pale hollow cheeks and delicate outline, deep-set dark blue eyes, black eyebrows, and long, unkempt hair, which would have looked very much the better for a little trimming.

not compact or dense in structure or arrangement

From this reading She remembered the firm evenness of his movements, swift, yet free from all ungraceful haste; the extreme shabbiness of his coat, his ill-arranged neck-tie, escaped from all restraint of collar and waistcoat, and flying loosely behind him; his trousers very much turned up, and very much frayed, and the almost singular height of his loose angular figure.

in a relaxed manner; not rigid

From this reading She remembered the firm evenness of his movements, swift, yet free from all ungraceful haste; the extreme shabbiness of his coat, his ill-arranged neck-tie, escaped from all restraint of collar and waistcoat, and flying loosely behind him; his trousers very much turned up, and very much frayed, and the almost singular height of his loose angular figure.

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

From this reading AN EVIL END TO AN EVIL LIFE They say that, as a rule, the most grotesquely unimportant trifles flash into the mind and engage the last thoughts of a drowning man.

possessive form of “man” — an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

From this reading With her mind steeped in the horror of the last few hours, she yet found that she was able afterwards to recall every slight particular with regard to this man's appearance, and even his dress.

The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.

From this reading AN EVIL END TO AN EVIL LIFE They say that, as a rule, the most grotesquely unimportant trifles flash into the mind and engage the last thoughts of a drowning man.

used to form the superlative

From this reading AN EVIL END TO AN EVIL LIFE They say that, as a rule, the most grotesquely unimportant trifles flash into the mind and engage the last thoughts of a drowning man.

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

From this reading She remembered the firm evenness of his movements, swift, yet free from all ungraceful haste; the extreme shabbiness of his coat, his ill-arranged neck-tie, escaped from all restraint of collar and waistcoat, and flying loosely behind him; his trousers very much turned up, and very much frayed, and the almost singular height of his loose angular figure.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading She remembered the firm evenness of his movements, swift, yet free from all ungraceful haste; the extreme shabbiness of his coat, his ill-arranged neck-tie, escaped from all restraint of collar and waistcoat, and flying loosely behind him; his trousers very much turned up, and very much frayed, and the almost singular height of his loose angular figure.

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

From this reading She remembered the firm evenness of his movements, swift, yet free from all ungraceful haste; the extreme shabbiness of his coat, his ill-arranged neck-tie, escaped from all restraint of collar and waistcoat, and flying loosely behind him; his trousers very much turned up, and very much frayed, and the almost singular height of his loose angular figure.

in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events

From this reading Regarding this in the light of an analogy, something of the same sort was now happening to Helen Thurwell.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading AN EVIL END TO AN EVIL LIFE They say that, as a rule, the most grotesquely unimportant trifles flash into the mind and engage the last thoughts of a drowning man.

the line that appears to bound an object

From this reading His face, too--she remembered that better than anything--with its pale hollow cheeks and delicate outline, deep-set dark blue eyes, black eyebrows, and long, unkempt hair, which would have looked very much the better for a little trimming.

very light colored; highly diluted with white

From this reading His face, too--she remembered that better than anything--with its pale hollow cheeks and delicate outline, deep-set dark blue eyes, black eyebrows, and long, unkempt hair, which would have looked very much the better for a little trimming.

unique or specific to a person or thing or category

From this reading With her mind steeped in the horror of the last few hours, she yet found that she was able afterwards to recall every slight particular with regard to this man's appearance, and even his dress.

recall knowledge from memory; have a recollection

From this reading With her mind steeped in the horror of the last few hours, she yet found that she was able afterwards to recall every slight particular with regard to this man's appearance, and even his dress.

(usually preceded by “in”) a detail or point

From this reading With her mind steeped in the horror of the last few hours, she yet found that she was able afterwards to recall every slight particular with regard to this man's appearance, and even his dress.

-ing form of “regard” — deem to be

From this reading Regarding this in the light of an analogy, something of the same sort was now happening to Helen Thurwell.

past form of “remember” — recall knowledge from memory; have a recollection

From this reading She remembered the firm evenness of his movements, swift, yet free from all ungraceful haste; the extreme shabbiness of his coat, his ill-arranged neck-tie, escaped from all restraint of collar and waistcoat, and flying loosely behind him; his trousers very much turned up, and very much frayed, and the almost singular height of his loose angular figure.

the act of controlling by restraining someone or something

From this reading She remembered the firm evenness of his movements, swift, yet free from all ungraceful haste; the extreme shabbiness of his coat, his ill-arranged neck-tie, escaped from all restraint of collar and waistcoat, and flying loosely behind him; his trousers very much turned up, and very much frayed, and the almost singular height of his loose angular figure.

a principle or condition that customarily governs behavior

From this reading AN EVIL END TO AN EVIL LIFE They say that, as a rule, the most grotesquely unimportant trifles flash into the mind and engage the last thoughts of a drowning man.

Identical; not different.

From this reading Regarding this in the light of an analogy, something of the same sort was now happening to Helen Thurwell.

express in words

From this reading AN EVIL END TO AN EVIL LIFE They say that, as a rule, the most grotesquely unimportant trifles flash into the mind and engage the last thoughts of a drowning man.

a lack of elegance as a consequence of wearing threadbare or dirty clothing

From this reading She remembered the firm evenness of his movements, swift, yet free from all ungraceful haste; the extreme shabbiness of his coat, his ill-arranged neck-tie, escaped from all restraint of collar and waistcoat, and flying loosely behind him; his trousers very much turned up, and very much frayed, and the almost singular height of his loose angular figure.

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading With her mind steeped in the horror of the last few hours, she yet found that she was able afterwards to recall every slight particular with regard to this man's appearance, and even his dress.

unusual or striking

From this reading She remembered the firm evenness of his movements, swift, yet free from all ungraceful haste; the extreme shabbiness of his coat, his ill-arranged neck-tie, escaped from all restraint of collar and waistcoat, and flying loosely behind him; his trousers very much turned up, and very much frayed, and the almost singular height of his loose angular figure.

a deliberate discourteous act (usually as an expression of anger or disapproval)

From this reading With her mind steeped in the horror of the last few hours, she yet found that she was able afterwards to recall every slight particular with regard to this man's appearance, and even his dress.

a thing, without saying which

From this reading Regarding this in the light of an analogy, something of the same sort was now happening to Helen Thurwell.

a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality

From this reading Regarding this in the light of an analogy, something of the same sort was now happening to Helen Thurwell.

past form of “steep” — devote (oneself) fully to

From this reading With her mind steeped in the horror of the last few hours, she yet found that she was able afterwards to recall every slight particular with regard to this man's appearance, and even his dress.

moving very fast

From this reading She remembered the firm evenness of his movements, swift, yet free from all ungraceful haste; the extreme shabbiness of his coat, his ill-arranged neck-tie, escaped from all restraint of collar and waistcoat, and flying loosely behind him; his trousers very much turned up, and very much frayed, and the almost singular height of his loose angular figure.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading His face, too--she remembered that better than anything--with its pale hollow cheeks and delicate outline, deep-set dark blue eyes, black eyebrows, and long, unkempt hair, which would have looked very much the better for a little trimming.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading AN EVIL END TO AN EVIL LIFE They say that, as a rule, the most grotesquely unimportant trifles flash into the mind and engage the last thoughts of a drowning man.

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

From this reading AN EVIL END TO AN EVIL LIFE They say that, as a rule, the most grotesquely unimportant trifles flash into the mind and engage the last thoughts of a drowning man.

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

From this reading AN EVIL END TO AN EVIL LIFE They say that, as a rule, the most grotesquely unimportant trifles flash into the mind and engage the last thoughts of a drowning man.

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

From this reading Regarding this in the light of an analogy, something of the same sort was now happening to Helen Thurwell.

plural of “thought” — the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about

From this reading AN EVIL END TO AN EVIL LIFE They say that, as a rule, the most grotesquely unimportant trifles flash into the mind and engage the last thoughts of a drowning man.

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

From this reading Regarding this in the light of an analogy, something of the same sort was now happening to Helen Thurwell.

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

From this reading AN EVIL END TO AN EVIL LIFE They say that, as a rule, the most grotesquely unimportant trifles flash into the mind and engage the last thoughts of a drowning man.

to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits

From this reading His face, too--she remembered that better than anything--with its pale hollow cheeks and delicate outline, deep-set dark blue eyes, black eyebrows, and long, unkempt hair, which would have looked very much the better for a little trimming.

plural of “trifle” — a cold pudding made of layers of sponge cake spread with fruit or jelly; may be decorated with nuts, cream, or chocolate

From this reading AN EVIL END TO AN EVIL LIFE They say that, as a rule, the most grotesquely unimportant trifles flash into the mind and engage the last thoughts of a drowning man.

the act of adding decoration

From this reading His face, too--she remembered that better than anything--with its pale hollow cheeks and delicate outline, deep-set dark blue eyes, black eyebrows, and long, unkempt hair, which would have looked very much the better for a little trimming.

(usually in the plural) a garment extending from the waist to the knee or ankle, covering each leg separately

From this reading She remembered the firm evenness of his movements, swift, yet free from all ungraceful haste; the extreme shabbiness of his coat, his ill-arranged neck-tie, escaped from all restraint of collar and waistcoat, and flying loosely behind him; his trousers very much turned up, and very much frayed, and the almost singular height of his loose angular figure.

moved around an axis or center

From this reading She remembered the firm evenness of his movements, swift, yet free from all ungraceful haste; the extreme shabbiness of his coat, his ill-arranged neck-tie, escaped from all restraint of collar and waistcoat, and flying loosely behind him; his trousers very much turned up, and very much frayed, and the almost singular height of his loose angular figure.

lacking grace; clumsy

From this reading She remembered the firm evenness of his movements, swift, yet free from all ungraceful haste; the extreme shabbiness of his coat, his ill-arranged neck-tie, escaped from all restraint of collar and waistcoat, and flying loosely behind him; his trousers very much turned up, and very much frayed, and the almost singular height of his loose angular figure.

not important

From this reading AN EVIL END TO AN EVIL LIFE They say that, as a rule, the most grotesquely unimportant trifles flash into the mind and engage the last thoughts of a drowning man.

not neatly combed

From this reading His face, too--she remembered that better than anything--with its pale hollow cheeks and delicate outline, deep-set dark blue eyes, black eyebrows, and long, unkempt hair, which would have looked very much the better for a little trimming.

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

From this reading She remembered the firm evenness of his movements, swift, yet free from all ungraceful haste; the extreme shabbiness of his coat, his ill-arranged neck-tie, escaped from all restraint of collar and waistcoat, and flying loosely behind him; his trousers very much turned up, and very much frayed, and the almost singular height of his loose angular figure.

precisely as stated

From this reading She remembered the firm evenness of his movements, swift, yet free from all ungraceful haste; the extreme shabbiness of his coat, his ill-arranged neck-tie, escaped from all restraint of collar and waistcoat, and flying loosely behind him; his trousers very much turned up, and very much frayed, and the almost singular height of his loose angular figure.

a man's sleeveless garment worn underneath a coat

From this reading She remembered the firm evenness of his movements, swift, yet free from all ungraceful haste; the extreme shabbiness of his coat, his ill-arranged neck-tie, escaped from all restraint of collar and waistcoat, and flying loosely behind him; his trousers very much turned up, and very much frayed, and the almost singular height of his loose angular figure.

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

From this reading Regarding this in the light of an analogy, something of the same sort was now happening to Helen Thurwell.

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

From this reading His face, too--she remembered that better than anything--with its pale hollow cheeks and delicate outline, deep-set dark blue eyes, black eyebrows, and long, unkempt hair, which would have looked very much the better for a little trimming.

in the company of; together with

From this reading With her mind steeped in the horror of the last few hours, she yet found that she was able afterwards to recall every slight particular with regard to this man's appearance, and even his dress.

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

From this reading His face, too--she remembered that better than anything--with its pale hollow cheeks and delicate outline, deep-set dark blue eyes, black eyebrows, and long, unkempt hair, which would have looked very much the better for a little trimming.

but in spite of that

From this reading With her mind steeped in the horror of the last few hours, she yet found that she was able afterwards to recall every slight particular with regard to this man's appearance, and even his dress.