Chapter XVII · Chapter 17

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

From this reading A CHEQUE FOR L1,000 It was ten o'clock in the morning, and the usual routine of business had commenced in the office of Messrs. Levy & Son.

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

From this reading A CHEQUE FOR L1,000 It was ten o'clock in the morning, and the usual routine of business had commenced in the office of Messrs. Levy & Son.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading "Altogether, dad," he was saying, "it's about the prettiest piece of business we ever struck.

a record or narrative description of past events

From this reading He had just finished a long account of his adventures, and was by no means inclined to quit the subject.

plural of “adventure” — a wild and exciting undertaking (not necessarily lawful)

From this reading He had just finished a long account of his adventures, and was by no means inclined to quit the subject.

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading Mr. Levy, senior, was sitting at his desk opening his letters, and Mr. Benjamin, who had only just returned from a long journey on business of the firm, and did not feel inclined for office work, was leaning back in the client's chair, with his feet up against the mantelpiece, and a partly smoked cigar in his mouth.

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

From this reading "Altogether, dad," he was saying, "it's about the prettiest piece of business we ever struck.

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

From this reading A CHEQUE FOR L1,000 It was ten o'clock in the morning, and the usual routine of business had commenced in the office of Messrs. Levy & Son.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Mr. Levy, senior, was sitting at his desk opening his letters, and Mr. Benjamin, who had only just returned from a long journey on business of the firm, and did not feel inclined for office work, was leaning back in the client's chair, with his feet up against the mantelpiece, and a partly smoked cigar in his mouth.

in or to or toward a former location

From this reading Mr. Levy, senior, was sitting at his desk opening his letters, and Mr. Benjamin, who had only just returned from a long journey on business of the firm, and did not feel inclined for office work, was leaning back in the client's chair, with his feet up against the mantelpiece, and a partly smoked cigar in his mouth.

gum resin used especially in treating skin irritation

From this reading Mr. Levy, senior, was sitting at his desk opening his letters, and Mr. Benjamin, who had only just returned from a long journey on business of the firm, and did not feel inclined for office work, was leaning back in the client's chair, with his feet up against the mantelpiece, and a partly smoked cigar in his mouth.

a commercial or industrial enterprise and the people who constitute it

From this reading A CHEQUE FOR L1,000 It was ten o'clock in the morning, and the usual routine of business had commenced in the office of Messrs. Levy & Son.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But one thing is very certain.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading He had just finished a long account of his adventures, and was by no means inclined to quit the subject.

definite but not specified or identified

From this reading But one thing is very certain.

a seat for one person, with a support for the back

From this reading Mr. Levy, senior, was sitting at his desk opening his letters, and Mr. Benjamin, who had only just returned from a long journey on business of the firm, and did not feel inclined for office work, was leaning back in the client's chair, with his feet up against the mantelpiece, and a partly smoked cigar in his mouth.

a written order directing a bank to pay money

From this reading A CHEQUE FOR L1,000 It was ten o'clock in the morning, and the usual routine of business had commenced in the office of Messrs. Levy & Son.

a roll of tobacco for smoking

From this reading Mr. Levy, senior, was sitting at his desk opening his letters, and Mr. Benjamin, who had only just returned from a long journey on business of the firm, and did not feel inclined for office work, was leaning back in the client's chair, with his feet up against the mantelpiece, and a partly smoked cigar in his mouth.

possessive form of “client” — a person who seeks the advice of a lawyer

From this reading Mr. Levy, senior, was sitting at his desk opening his letters, and Mr. Benjamin, who had only just returned from a long journey on business of the firm, and did not feel inclined for office work, was leaning back in the client's chair, with his feet up against the mantelpiece, and a partly smoked cigar in his mouth.

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

From this reading A CHEQUE FOR L1,000 It was ten o'clock in the morning, and the usual routine of business had commenced in the office of Messrs. Levy & Son.

an informal term for a father; probably derived from baby talk

From this reading "Altogether, dad," he was saying, "it's about the prettiest piece of business we ever struck.

a piece of furniture with a writing surface and usually drawers or other compartments

From this reading Mr. Levy, senior, was sitting at his desk opening his letters, and Mr. Benjamin, who had only just returned from a long journey on business of the firm, and did not feel inclined for office work, was leaning back in the client's chair, with his feet up against the mantelpiece, and a partly smoked cigar in his mouth.

the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives

From this reading Mr. Levy, senior, was sitting at his desk opening his letters, and Mr. Benjamin, who had only just returned from a long journey on business of the firm, and did not feel inclined for office work, was leaning back in the client's chair, with his feet up against the mantelpiece, and a partly smoked cigar in his mouth.

at any time

From this reading "Altogether, dad," he was saying, "it's about the prettiest piece of business we ever struck.

undergo an emotional sensation or be in a particular state of mind

From this reading Mr. Levy, senior, was sitting at his desk opening his letters, and Mr. Benjamin, who had only just returned from a long journey on business of the firm, and did not feel inclined for office work, was leaning back in the client's chair, with his feet up against the mantelpiece, and a partly smoked cigar in his mouth.

plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint

From this reading Mr. Levy, senior, was sitting at his desk opening his letters, and Mr. Benjamin, who had only just returned from a long journey on business of the firm, and did not feel inclined for office work, was leaning back in the client's chair, with his feet up against the mantelpiece, and a partly smoked cigar in his mouth.

(of materials or goods) brought to the desired final state

From this reading He had just finished a long account of his adventures, and was by no means inclined to quit the subject.

marked by firm determination or resolution; not shakable

From this reading Mr. Levy, senior, was sitting at his desk opening his letters, and Mr. Benjamin, who had only just returned from a long journey on business of the firm, and did not feel inclined for office work, was leaning back in the client's chair, with his feet up against the mantelpiece, and a partly smoked cigar in his mouth.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading A CHEQUE FOR L1,000 It was ten o'clock in the morning, and the usual routine of business had commenced in the office of Messrs. Levy & Son.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Mr. Levy, senior, was sitting at his desk opening his letters, and Mr. Benjamin, who had only just returned from a long journey on business of the firm, and did not feel inclined for office work, was leaning back in the client's chair, with his feet up against the mantelpiece, and a partly smoked cigar in his mouth.

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

From this reading A CHEQUE FOR L1,000 It was ten o'clock in the morning, and the usual routine of business had commenced in the office of Messrs. Levy & Son.

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

From this reading He had just finished a long account of his adventures, and was by no means inclined to quit the subject.

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

From this reading Mr. Levy, senior, was sitting at his desk opening his letters, and Mr. Benjamin, who had only just returned from a long journey on business of the firm, and did not feel inclined for office work, was leaning back in the client's chair, with his feet up against the mantelpiece, and a partly smoked cigar in his mouth.

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

From this reading A CHEQUE FOR L1,000 It was ten o'clock in the morning, and the usual routine of business had commenced in the office of Messrs. Levy & Son.

(often followed by “to”) having a preference, disposition, or tendency

From this reading Mr. Levy, senior, was sitting at his desk opening his letters, and Mr. Benjamin, who had only just returned from a long journey on business of the firm, and did not feel inclined for office work, was leaning back in the client's chair, with his feet up against the mantelpiece, and a partly smoked cigar in his mouth.

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

From this reading But one thing is very certain.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading A CHEQUE FOR L1,000 It was ten o'clock in the morning, and the usual routine of business had commenced in the office of Messrs. Levy & Son.

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

From this reading "Altogether, dad," he was saying, "it's about the prettiest piece of business we ever struck.

undertake a journey or trip

From this reading Mr. Levy, senior, was sitting at his desk opening his letters, and Mr. Benjamin, who had only just returned from a long journey on business of the firm, and did not feel inclined for office work, was leaning back in the client's chair, with his feet up against the mantelpiece, and a partly smoked cigar in his mouth.

and nothing more

From this reading Mr. Levy, senior, was sitting at his desk opening his letters, and Mr. Benjamin, who had only just returned from a long journey on business of the firm, and did not feel inclined for office work, was leaning back in the client's chair, with his feet up against the mantelpiece, and a partly smoked cigar in his mouth.

a metric unit of capacity, formerly defined as the volume of one kilogram of pure water under standard conditions; now equal to 1,000 cubic centimeters (or approximately 1.75 pints)

From this reading A CHEQUE FOR L1,000 It was ten o'clock in the morning, and the usual routine of business had commenced in the office of Messrs. Levy & Son.

departing or being caused to depart from the true vertical or horizontal

From this reading Mr. Levy, senior, was sitting at his desk opening his letters, and Mr. Benjamin, who had only just returned from a long journey on business of the firm, and did not feel inclined for office work, was leaning back in the client's chair, with his feet up against the mantelpiece, and a partly smoked cigar in his mouth.

the literary culture

From this reading Mr. Levy, senior, was sitting at his desk opening his letters, and Mr. Benjamin, who had only just returned from a long journey on business of the firm, and did not feel inclined for office work, was leaning back in the client's chair, with his feet up against the mantelpiece, and a partly smoked cigar in his mouth.

impose and collect

From this reading A CHEQUE FOR L1,000 It was ten o'clock in the morning, and the usual routine of business had commenced in the office of Messrs. Levy & Son.

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 Mr. Levy, senior, was sitting at his desk opening his letters, and Mr. Benjamin, who had only just returned from a long journey on business of the firm, and did not feel inclined for office work, was leaning back in the client's chair, with his feet up against the mantelpiece, and a partly smoked cigar in his mouth.

shelf that projects from wall above fireplace

From this reading Mr. Levy, senior, was sitting at his desk opening his letters, and Mr. Benjamin, who had only just returned from a long journey on business of the firm, and did not feel inclined for office work, was leaning back in the client's chair, with his feet up against the mantelpiece, and a partly smoked cigar in his mouth.

thing or person that acts to produce a particular effect or achieve an end

From this reading He had just finished a long account of his adventures, and was by no means inclined to quit the subject.

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

From this reading A CHEQUE FOR L1,000 It was ten o'clock in the morning, and the usual routine of business had commenced in the office of Messrs. Levy & Son.

the time period between dawn and noon

From this reading A CHEQUE FOR L1,000 It was ten o'clock in the morning, and the usual routine of business had commenced in the office of Messrs. Levy & Son.

the opening through which food is taken in and vocalizations emerge

From this reading Mr. Levy, senior, was sitting at his desk opening his letters, and Mr. Benjamin, who had only just returned from a long journey on business of the firm, and did not feel inclined for office work, was leaning back in the client's chair, with his feet up against the mantelpiece, and a partly smoked cigar in his mouth.

a form of address for a man

From this reading Mr. Levy, senior, was sitting at his desk opening his letters, and Mr. Benjamin, who had only just returned from a long journey on business of the firm, and did not feel inclined for office work, was leaning back in the client's chair, with his feet up against the mantelpiece, and a partly smoked cigar in his mouth.

not any; not one

From this reading He had just finished a long account of his adventures, and was by no means inclined to quit the subject.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Mr. Levy, senior, was sitting at his desk opening his letters, and Mr. Benjamin, who had only just returned from a long journey on business of the firm, and did not feel inclined for office work, was leaning back in the client's chair, with his feet up against the mantelpiece, and a partly smoked cigar in his mouth.

according to the clock

From this reading A CHEQUE FOR L1,000 It was ten o'clock in the morning, and the usual routine of business had commenced in the office of Messrs. Levy & Son.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading A CHEQUE FOR L1,000 It was ten o'clock in the morning, and the usual routine of business had commenced in the office of Messrs. Levy & Son.

place of business where professional or clerical duties are performed

From this reading A CHEQUE FOR L1,000 It was ten o'clock in the morning, and the usual routine of business had commenced in the office of Messrs. Levy & Son.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Mr. Levy, senior, was sitting at his desk opening his letters, and Mr. Benjamin, who had only just returned from a long journey on business of the firm, and did not feel inclined for office work, was leaning back in the client's chair, with his feet up against the mantelpiece, and a partly smoked cigar in his mouth.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading But one thing is very certain.

and nothing more

From this reading Mr. Levy, senior, was sitting at his desk opening his letters, and Mr. Benjamin, who had only just returned from a long journey on business of the firm, and did not feel inclined for office work, was leaning back in the client's chair, with his feet up against the mantelpiece, and a partly smoked cigar in his mouth.

an open or empty space in or between things

From this reading Mr. Levy, senior, was sitting at his desk opening his letters, and Mr. Benjamin, who had only just returned from a long journey on business of the firm, and did not feel inclined for office work, was leaning back in the client's chair, with his feet up against the mantelpiece, and a partly smoked cigar in his mouth.

to some extent; in some degree; not wholly

From this reading Mr. Levy, senior, was sitting at his desk opening his letters, and Mr. Benjamin, who had only just returned from a long journey on business of the firm, and did not feel inclined for office work, was leaning back in the client's chair, with his feet up against the mantelpiece, and a partly smoked cigar in his mouth.

a separate part of a whole

From this reading "Altogether, dad," he was saying, "it's about the prettiest piece of business we ever struck.

superlative of “pretty” — pleasing by delicacy or grace; not imposing

From this reading "Altogether, dad," he was saying, "it's about the prettiest piece of business we ever struck.

put an end to a state or an activity

From this reading He had just finished a long account of his adventures, and was by no means inclined to quit the subject.

past form of “return” — go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before

From this reading Mr. Levy, senior, was sitting at his desk opening his letters, and Mr. Benjamin, who had only just returned from a long journey on business of the firm, and did not feel inclined for office work, was leaning back in the client's chair, with his feet up against the mantelpiece, and a partly smoked cigar in his mouth.

an unvarying or habitual method or procedure

From this reading A CHEQUE FOR L1,000 It was ten o'clock in the morning, and the usual routine of business had commenced in the office of Messrs. Levy & Son.

a word or phrase that particular people use in particular situations

From this reading "Altogether, dad," he was saying, "it's about the prettiest piece of business we ever struck.

older; higher in rank; longer in length of tenure or service

From this reading Mr. Levy, senior, was sitting at his desk opening his letters, and Mr. Benjamin, who had only just returned from a long journey on business of the firm, and did not feel inclined for office work, was leaning back in the client's chair, with his feet up against the mantelpiece, and a partly smoked cigar in his mouth.

(photography) the act of assuming a certain position (as for a photograph or portrait)

From this reading Mr. Levy, senior, was sitting at his desk opening his letters, and Mr. Benjamin, who had only just returned from a long journey on business of the firm, and did not feel inclined for office work, was leaning back in the client's chair, with his feet up against the mantelpiece, and a partly smoked cigar in his mouth.

(used especially of meats and fish) dried and cured by hanging in wood smoke

From this reading Mr. Levy, senior, was sitting at his desk opening his letters, and Mr. Benjamin, who had only just returned from a long journey on business of the firm, and did not feel inclined for office work, was leaning back in the client's chair, with his feet up against the mantelpiece, and a partly smoked cigar in his mouth.

a male human offspring

From this reading A CHEQUE FOR L1,000 It was ten o'clock in the morning, and the usual routine of business had commenced in the office of Messrs. Levy & Son.

(used in combination) affected by something overwhelming

From this reading "Altogether, dad," he was saying, "it's about the prettiest piece of business we ever struck.

the subject matter of a conversation or discussion

From this reading He had just finished a long account of his adventures, and was by no means inclined to quit the subject.

the cardinal number that is the sum of nine and one; the base of the decimal system

From this reading A CHEQUE FOR L1,000 It was ten o'clock in the morning, and the usual routine of business had commenced in the office of Messrs. Levy & Son.

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

From this reading A CHEQUE FOR L1,000 It was ten o'clock in the morning, and the usual routine of business had commenced in the office of Messrs. Levy & Son.

a special situation

From this reading But one thing is very certain.

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

From this reading He had just finished a long account of his adventures, and was by no means inclined to quit the subject.

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

From this reading Mr. Levy, senior, was sitting at his desk opening his letters, and Mr. Benjamin, who had only just returned from a long journey on business of the firm, and did not feel inclined for office work, was leaning back in the client's chair, with his feet up against the mantelpiece, and a partly smoked cigar in his mouth.

occurring or encountered or experienced or observed frequently or in accordance with regular practice or procedure

From this reading A CHEQUE FOR L1,000 It was ten o'clock in the morning, and the usual routine of business had commenced in the office of Messrs. Levy & Son.

precisely as stated

From this reading But one thing is very certain.

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

From this reading A CHEQUE FOR L1,000 It was ten o'clock in the morning, and the usual routine of business had commenced in the office of Messrs. Levy & Son.

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading "Altogether, dad," he was saying, "it's about the prettiest piece of business we ever struck.

which person or people

From this reading Mr. Levy, senior, was sitting at his desk opening his letters, and Mr. Benjamin, who had only just returned from a long journey on business of the firm, and did not feel inclined for office work, was leaning back in the client's chair, with his feet up against the mantelpiece, and a partly smoked cigar in his mouth.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Mr. Levy, senior, was sitting at his desk opening his letters, and Mr. Benjamin, who had only just returned from a long journey on business of the firm, and did not feel inclined for office work, was leaning back in the client's chair, with his feet up against the mantelpiece, and a partly smoked cigar in his mouth.

exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity

From this reading Mr. Levy, senior, was sitting at his desk opening his letters, and Mr. Benjamin, who had only just returned from a long journey on business of the firm, and did not feel inclined for office work, was leaning back in the client's chair, with his feet up against the mantelpiece, and a partly smoked cigar in his mouth.