Chapter II · Chapter 2

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

From this reading "First take this point," he said with nervous restlessness, once more taking up his bit of string, and forming with each point raised a series of knots which would have shamed a navigating instructor, "obviously it was _impossible_ for Kershaw not to have been acquainted with Smethurst, since he was fully apprised of the latter's arrival in England by two letters.

having fair knowledge of

From this reading "First take this point," he said with nervous restlessness, once more taking up his bit of string, and forming with each point raised a series of knots which would have shamed a navigating instructor, "obviously it was _impossible_ for Kershaw not to have been acquainted with Smethurst, since he was fully apprised of the latter's arrival in England by two letters.

following the length of something from one end toward the other

From this reading "I will take you, if you like, point by point along the line of reasoning which I followed myself, and which will inevitably lead you, as it led me, to the only possible solution of the mystery.

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

From this reading HIS DEDUCTION The man in the corner cocked his funny thin head on one side and looked at Polly; then he took up his beloved bit of string and deliberately untied every knot he had made in it.

past form of “apprise” — inform (somebody) of something

From this reading "First take this point," he said with nervous restlessness, once more taking up his bit of string, and forming with each point raised a series of knots which would have shamed a navigating instructor, "obviously it was _impossible_ for Kershaw not to have been acquainted with Smethurst, since he was fully apprised of the latter's arrival in England by two letters.

accomplishment of an objective

From this reading "First take this point," he said with nervous restlessness, once more taking up his bit of string, and forming with each point raised a series of knots which would have shamed a navigating instructor, "obviously it was _impossible_ for Kershaw not to have been acquainted with Smethurst, since he was fully apprised of the latter's arrival in England by two letters.

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

From this reading "I will take you, if you like, point by point along the line of reasoning which I followed myself, and which will inevitably lead you, as it led me, to the only possible solution of the mystery.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading HIS DEDUCTION The man in the corner cocked his funny thin head on one side and looked at Polly; then he took up his beloved bit of string and deliberately untied every knot he had made in it.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading "First take this point," he said with nervous restlessness, once more taking up his bit of string, and forming with each point raised a series of knots which would have shamed a navigating instructor, "obviously it was _impossible_ for Kershaw not to have been acquainted with Smethurst, since he was fully apprised of the latter's arrival in England by two letters.

dearly loved

From this reading HIS DEDUCTION The man in the corner cocked his funny thin head on one side and looked at Polly; then he took up his beloved bit of string and deliberately untied every knot he had made in it.

a small piece or quantity of something

From this reading HIS DEDUCTION The man in the corner cocked his funny thin head on one side and looked at Polly; then he took up his beloved bit of string and deliberately untied every knot he had made in it.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading "I will take you, if you like, point by point along the line of reasoning which I followed myself, and which will inevitably lead you, as it led me, to the only possible solution of the mystery.

rid of obstructions

From this reading Now it was clear to me from the first that _no one_ could have written those two letters except Smethurst.

past form of “cock” — tilt or slant to one side

From this reading HIS DEDUCTION The man in the corner cocked his funny thin head on one side and looked at Polly; then he took up his beloved bit of string and deliberately untied every knot he had made in it.

a place off to the side of an area

From this reading HIS DEDUCTION The man in the corner cocked his funny thin head on one side and looked at Polly; then he took up his beloved bit of string and deliberately untied every knot he had made in it.

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading Now it was clear to me from the first that _no one_ could have written those two letters except Smethurst.

a reduction in the gross amount on which a tax is calculated; reduces taxes by the percentage fixed for the taxpayer's income bracket

From this reading HIS DEDUCTION The man in the corner cocked his funny thin head on one side and looked at Polly; then he took up his beloved bit of string and deliberately untied every knot he had made in it.

with intention; in an intentional manner

From this reading HIS DEDUCTION The man in the corner cocked his funny thin head on one side and looked at Polly; then he took up his beloved bit of string and deliberately untied every knot he had made in it.

every one of two or more people or things, taken separately

From this reading "First take this point," he said with nervous restlessness, once more taking up his bit of string, and forming with each point raised a series of knots which would have shamed a navigating instructor, "obviously it was _impossible_ for Kershaw not to have been acquainted with Smethurst, since he was fully apprised of the latter's arrival in England by two letters.

a division of the United Kingdom

From this reading "First take this point," he said with nervous restlessness, once more taking up his bit of string, and forming with each point raised a series of knots which would have shamed a navigating instructor, "obviously it was _impossible_ for Kershaw not to have been acquainted with Smethurst, since he was fully apprised of the latter's arrival in England by two letters.

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading HIS DEDUCTION The man in the corner cocked his funny thin head on one side and looked at Polly; then he took up his beloved bit of string and deliberately untied every knot he had made in it.

apart from; not including

From this reading Now it was clear to me from the first that _no one_ could have written those two letters except Smethurst.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading "First take this point," he said with nervous restlessness, once more taking up his bit of string, and forming with each point raised a series of knots which would have shamed a navigating instructor, "obviously it was _impossible_ for Kershaw not to have been acquainted with Smethurst, since he was fully apprised of the latter's arrival in England by two letters.

past form of “follow” — to travel behind, go after, come after

From this reading "I will take you, if you like, point by point along the line of reasoning which I followed myself, and which will inevitably lead you, as it led me, to the only possible solution of the mystery.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading "First take this point," he said with nervous restlessness, once more taking up his bit of string, and forming with each point raised a series of knots which would have shamed a navigating instructor, "obviously it was _impossible_ for Kershaw not to have been acquainted with Smethurst, since he was fully apprised of the latter's arrival in England by two letters.

-ing form of “form” — create (as an entity)

From this reading "First take this point," he said with nervous restlessness, once more taking up his bit of string, and forming with each point raised a series of knots which would have shamed a navigating instructor, "obviously it was _impossible_ for Kershaw not to have been acquainted with Smethurst, since he was fully apprised of the latter's arrival in England by two letters.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Now it was clear to me from the first that _no one_ could have written those two letters except Smethurst.

to the greatest degree or extent; completely or entirely; (“full” in this sense is used as a combining form)

From this reading "First take this point," he said with nervous restlessness, once more taking up his bit of string, and forming with each point raised a series of knots which would have shamed a navigating instructor, "obviously it was _impossible_ for Kershaw not to have been acquainted with Smethurst, since he was fully apprised of the latter's arrival in England by two letters.

arousing or provoking laughter

From this reading HIS DEDUCTION The man in the corner cocked his funny thin head on one side and looked at Polly; then he took up his beloved bit of string and deliberately untied every knot he had made in it.

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

From this reading HIS DEDUCTION The man in the corner cocked his funny thin head on one side and looked at Polly; then he took up his beloved bit of string and deliberately untied every knot he had made in it.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading "First take this point," he said with nervous restlessness, once more taking up his bit of string, and forming with each point raised a series of knots which would have shamed a navigating instructor, "obviously it was _impossible_ for Kershaw not to have been acquainted with Smethurst, since he was fully apprised of the latter's arrival in England by two letters.

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

From this reading HIS DEDUCTION The man in the corner cocked his funny thin head on one side and looked at Polly; then he took up his beloved bit of string and deliberately untied every knot he had made in it.

the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains

From this reading HIS DEDUCTION The man in the corner cocked his funny thin head on one side and looked at Polly; then he took up his beloved bit of string and deliberately untied every knot he had made in it.

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

From this reading HIS DEDUCTION The man in the corner cocked his funny thin head on one side and looked at Polly; then he took up his beloved bit of string and deliberately untied every knot he had made in it.

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

From this reading "I will take you, if you like, point by point along the line of reasoning which I followed myself, and which will inevitably lead you, as it led me, to the only possible solution of the mystery.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading "I will take you, if you like, point by point along the line of reasoning which I followed myself, and which will inevitably lead you, as it led me, to the only possible solution of the mystery.

not capable of occurring or being accomplished or dealt with

From this reading "First take this point," he said with nervous restlessness, once more taking up his bit of string, and forming with each point raised a series of knots which would have shamed a navigating instructor, "obviously it was _impossible_ for Kershaw not to have been acquainted with Smethurst, since he was fully apprised of the latter's arrival in England by two letters.

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

From this reading HIS DEDUCTION The man in the corner cocked his funny thin head on one side and looked at Polly; then he took up his beloved bit of string and deliberately untied every knot he had made in it.

in such a manner as could not be otherwise

From this reading "I will take you, if you like, point by point along the line of reasoning which I followed myself, and which will inevitably lead you, as it led me, to the only possible solution of the mystery.

a person whose occupation is teaching

From this reading "First take this point," he said with nervous restlessness, once more taking up his bit of string, and forming with each point raised a series of knots which would have shamed a navigating instructor, "obviously it was _impossible_ for Kershaw not to have been acquainted with Smethurst, since he was fully apprised of the latter's arrival in England by two letters.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading HIS DEDUCTION The man in the corner cocked his funny thin head on one side and looked at Polly; then he took up his beloved bit of string and deliberately untied every knot he had made in it.

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

From this reading "First take this point," he said with nervous restlessness, once more taking up his bit of string, and forming with each point raised a series of knots which would have shamed a navigating instructor, "obviously it was _impossible_ for Kershaw not to have been acquainted with Smethurst, since he was fully apprised of the latter's arrival in England by two letters.

a tight cluster of people or things

From this reading HIS DEDUCTION The man in the corner cocked his funny thin head on one side and looked at Polly; then he took up his beloved bit of string and deliberately untied every knot he had made in it.

plural of “knot” — a tight cluster of people or things

From this reading "First take this point," he said with nervous restlessness, once more taking up his bit of string, and forming with each point raised a series of knots which would have shamed a navigating instructor, "obviously it was _impossible_ for Kershaw not to have been acquainted with Smethurst, since he was fully apprised of the latter's arrival in England by two letters.

set down according to a plan

From this reading When it was quite smooth he laid it out upon the table.

possessive form of “latter” — the second of two or the second mentioned of two

From this reading "First take this point," he said with nervous restlessness, once more taking up his bit of string, and forming with each point raised a series of knots which would have shamed a navigating instructor, "obviously it was _impossible_ for Kershaw not to have been acquainted with Smethurst, since he was fully apprised of the latter's arrival in England by two letters.

take somebody somewhere

From this reading "I will take you, if you like, point by point along the line of reasoning which I followed myself, and which will inevitably lead you, as it led me, to the only possible solution of the mystery.

diode such that light emitted at a p-n junction is proportional to the bias current; color depends on the material used

From this reading "I will take you, if you like, point by point along the line of reasoning which I followed myself, and which will inevitably lead you, as it led me, to the only possible solution of the mystery.

the literary culture

From this reading "First take this point," he said with nervous restlessness, once more taking up his bit of string, and forming with each point raised a series of knots which would have shamed a navigating instructor, "obviously it was _impossible_ for Kershaw not to have been acquainted with Smethurst, since he was fully apprised of the latter's arrival in England by two letters.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading "I will take you, if you like, point by point along the line of reasoning which I followed myself, and which will inevitably lead you, as it led me, to the only possible solution of the mystery.

a formation of people or things one beside another

From this reading "I will take you, if you like, point by point along the line of reasoning which I followed myself, and which will inevitably lead you, as it led me, to the only possible solution of the mystery.

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

From this reading HIS DEDUCTION The man in the corner cocked his funny thin head on one side and looked at Polly; then he took up his beloved bit of string and deliberately untied every knot he had made in it.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading HIS DEDUCTION The man in the corner cocked his funny thin head on one side and looked at Polly; then he took up his beloved bit of string and deliberately untied every knot he had made in it.

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

From this reading HIS DEDUCTION The man in the corner cocked his funny thin head on one side and looked at Polly; then he took up his beloved bit of string and deliberately untied every knot he had made in it.

the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading "I will take you, if you like, point by point along the line of reasoning which I followed myself, and which will inevitably lead you, as it led me, to the only possible solution of the mystery.

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

From this reading "First take this point," he said with nervous restlessness, once more taking up his bit of string, and forming with each point raised a series of knots which would have shamed a navigating instructor, "obviously it was _impossible_ for Kershaw not to have been acquainted with Smethurst, since he was fully apprised of the latter's arrival in England by two letters.

used when the speaker is also the object of the action

From this reading "I will take you, if you like, point by point along the line of reasoning which I followed myself, and which will inevitably lead you, as it led me, to the only possible solution of the mystery.

something that baffles understanding and cannot be explained

From this reading "I will take you, if you like, point by point along the line of reasoning which I followed myself, and which will inevitably lead you, as it led me, to the only possible solution of the mystery.

-ing form of “navigate” — travel on water propelled by wind or by other means

From this reading "First take this point," he said with nervous restlessness, once more taking up his bit of string, and forming with each point raised a series of knots which would have shamed a navigating instructor, "obviously it was _impossible_ for Kershaw not to have been acquainted with Smethurst, since he was fully apprised of the latter's arrival in England by two letters.

easily agitated

From this reading "First take this point," he said with nervous restlessness, once more taking up his bit of string, and forming with each point raised a series of knots which would have shamed a navigating instructor, "obviously it was _impossible_ for Kershaw not to have been acquainted with Smethurst, since he was fully apprised of the latter's arrival in England by two letters.

not any; not one

From this reading Now it was clear to me from the first that _no one_ could have written those two letters except Smethurst.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading "First take this point," he said with nervous restlessness, once more taking up his bit of string, and forming with each point raised a series of knots which would have shamed a navigating instructor, "obviously it was _impossible_ for Kershaw not to have been acquainted with Smethurst, since he was fully apprised of the latter's arrival in England by two letters.

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

From this reading Now it was clear to me from the first that _no one_ could have written those two letters except Smethurst.

unmistakably (“plain” is often used informally for “plainly”)

From this reading "First take this point," he said with nervous restlessness, once more taking up his bit of string, and forming with each point raised a series of knots which would have shamed a navigating instructor, "obviously it was _impossible_ for Kershaw not to have been acquainted with Smethurst, since he was fully apprised of the latter's arrival in England by two letters.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading HIS DEDUCTION The man in the corner cocked his funny thin head on one side and looked at Polly; then he took up his beloved bit of string and deliberately untied every knot he had made in it.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading HIS DEDUCTION The man in the corner cocked his funny thin head on one side and looked at Polly; then he took up his beloved bit of string and deliberately untied every knot he had made in it.

on one occasion

From this reading "First take this point," he said with nervous restlessness, once more taking up his bit of string, and forming with each point raised a series of knots which would have shamed a navigating instructor, "obviously it was _impossible_ for Kershaw not to have been acquainted with Smethurst, since he was fully apprised of the latter's arrival in England by two letters.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading HIS DEDUCTION The man in the corner cocked his funny thin head on one side and looked at Polly; then he took up his beloved bit of string and deliberately untied every knot he had made in it.

and nothing more

From this reading "I will take you, if you like, point by point along the line of reasoning which I followed myself, and which will inevitably lead you, as it led me, to the only possible solution of the mystery.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading When it was quite smooth he laid it out upon the table.

a geometric element that has position but no extension

From this reading "I will take you, if you like, point by point along the line of reasoning which I followed myself, and which will inevitably lead you, as it led me, to the only possible solution of the mystery.

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

From this reading HIS DEDUCTION The man in the corner cocked his funny thin head on one side and looked at Polly; then he took up his beloved bit of string and deliberately untied every knot he had made in it.

capable of happening or existing

From this reading "I will take you, if you like, point by point along the line of reasoning which I followed myself, and which will inevitably lead you, as it led me, to the only possible solution of the mystery.

to a degree (not used with a negative)

From this reading When it was quite smooth he laid it out upon the table.

located or moved above the surround or above the normal position

From this reading "First take this point," he said with nervous restlessness, once more taking up his bit of string, and forming with each point raised a series of knots which would have shamed a navigating instructor, "obviously it was _impossible_ for Kershaw not to have been acquainted with Smethurst, since he was fully apprised of the latter's arrival in England by two letters.

thinking that is coherent and logical

From this reading "I will take you, if you like, point by point along the line of reasoning which I followed myself, and which will inevitably lead you, as it led me, to the only possible solution of the mystery.

the quality of being ceaselessly moving or active

From this reading "First take this point," he said with nervous restlessness, once more taking up his bit of string, and forming with each point raised a series of knots which would have shamed a navigating instructor, "obviously it was _impossible_ for Kershaw not to have been acquainted with Smethurst, since he was fully apprised of the latter's arrival in England by two letters.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading "First take this point," he said with nervous restlessness, once more taking up his bit of string, and forming with each point raised a series of knots which would have shamed a navigating instructor, "obviously it was _impossible_ for Kershaw not to have been acquainted with Smethurst, since he was fully apprised of the latter's arrival in England by two letters.

similar things placed in order or happening one after another

From this reading "First take this point," he said with nervous restlessness, once more taking up his bit of string, and forming with each point raised a series of knots which would have shamed a navigating instructor, "obviously it was _impossible_ for Kershaw not to have been acquainted with Smethurst, since he was fully apprised of the latter's arrival in England by two letters.

showing a sense of guilt

From this reading "First take this point," he said with nervous restlessness, once more taking up his bit of string, and forming with each point raised a series of knots which would have shamed a navigating instructor, "obviously it was _impossible_ for Kershaw not to have been acquainted with Smethurst, since he was fully apprised of the latter's arrival in England by two letters.

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

From this reading HIS DEDUCTION The man in the corner cocked his funny thin head on one side and looked at Polly; then he took up his beloved bit of string and deliberately untied every knot he had made in it.

from a time in the past until now

From this reading "First take this point," he said with nervous restlessness, once more taking up his bit of string, and forming with each point raised a series of knots which would have shamed a navigating instructor, "obviously it was _impossible_ for Kershaw not to have been acquainted with Smethurst, since he was fully apprised of the latter's arrival in England by two letters.

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

From this reading "First take this point," he said with nervous restlessness, once more taking up his bit of string, and forming with each point raised a series of knots which would have shamed a navigating instructor, "obviously it was _impossible_ for Kershaw not to have been acquainted with Smethurst, since he was fully apprised of the latter's arrival in England by two letters.

having a surface free from roughness or bumps or ridges or irregularities

From this reading When it was quite smooth he laid it out upon the table.

a homogeneous mixture of two or more substances; frequently (but not necessarily) a liquid solution

From this reading "I will take you, if you like, point by point along the line of reasoning which I followed myself, and which will inevitably lead you, as it led me, to the only possible solution of the mystery.

a lightweight cord

From this reading HIS DEDUCTION The man in the corner cocked his funny thin head on one side and looked at Polly; then he took up his beloved bit of string and deliberately untied every knot he had made in it.

a set of data arranged in rows and columns

From this reading When it was quite smooth he laid it out upon the table.

carry out

From this reading "I will take you, if you like, point by point along the line of reasoning which I followed myself, and which will inevitably lead you, as it led me, to the only possible solution of the mystery.

the act of someone who picks up or takes something

From this reading "First take this point," he said with nervous restlessness, once more taking up his bit of string, and forming with each point raised a series of knots which would have shamed a navigating instructor, "obviously it was _impossible_ for Kershaw not to have been acquainted with Smethurst, since he was fully apprised of the latter's arrival in England by two letters.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Now it was clear to me from the first that _no one_ could have written those two letters except Smethurst.

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

From this reading HIS DEDUCTION The man in the corner cocked his funny thin head on one side and looked at Polly; then he took up his beloved bit of string and deliberately untied every knot he had made in it.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading HIS DEDUCTION The man in the corner cocked his funny thin head on one side and looked at Polly; then he took up his beloved bit of string and deliberately untied every knot he had made in it.

Having little thickness or extent.

From this reading HIS DEDUCTION The man in the corner cocked his funny thin head on one side and looked at Polly; then he took up his beloved bit of string and deliberately untied every knot he had made in it.

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

From this reading "First take this point," he said with nervous restlessness, once more taking up his bit of string, and forming with each point raised a series of knots which would have shamed a navigating instructor, "obviously it was _impossible_ for Kershaw not to have been acquainted with Smethurst, since he was fully apprised of the latter's arrival in England by two letters.

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading Now it was clear to me from the first that _no one_ could have written those two letters except Smethurst.

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

From this reading "I will take you, if you like, point by point along the line of reasoning which I followed myself, and which will inevitably lead you, as it led me, to the only possible solution of the mystery.

inflected form of “take” — carry out

From this reading HIS DEDUCTION The man in the corner cocked his funny thin head on one side and looked at Polly; then he took up his beloved bit of string and deliberately untied every knot he had made in it.

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

From this reading "First take this point," he said with nervous restlessness, once more taking up his bit of string, and forming with each point raised a series of knots which would have shamed a navigating instructor, "obviously it was _impossible_ for Kershaw not to have been acquainted with Smethurst, since he was fully apprised of the latter's arrival in England by two letters.

not tied

From this reading HIS DEDUCTION The man in the corner cocked his funny thin head on one side and looked at Polly; then he took up his beloved bit of string and deliberately untied every knot he had made in it.

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

From this reading HIS DEDUCTION The man in the corner cocked his funny thin head on one side and looked at Polly; then he took up his beloved bit of string and deliberately untied every knot he had made in it.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading When it was quite smooth he laid it out upon the table.

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

From this reading When it was quite smooth he laid it out upon the table.

at the time that

From this reading When it was quite smooth he laid it out upon the table.

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

From this reading "I will take you, if you like, point by point along the line of reasoning which I followed myself, and which will inevitably lead you, as it led me, to the only possible solution of the mystery.

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading "I will take you, if you like, point by point along the line of reasoning which I followed myself, and which will inevitably lead you, as it led me, to the only possible solution of the mystery.

in the company of; together with

From this reading "First take this point," he said with nervous restlessness, once more taking up his bit of string, and forming with each point raised a series of knots which would have shamed a navigating instructor, "obviously it was _impossible_ for Kershaw not to have been acquainted with Smethurst, since he was fully apprised of the latter's arrival in England by two letters.

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

From this reading "First take this point," he said with nervous restlessness, once more taking up his bit of string, and forming with each point raised a series of knots which would have shamed a navigating instructor, "obviously it was _impossible_ for Kershaw not to have been acquainted with Smethurst, since he was fully apprised of the latter's arrival in England by two letters.

set down in writing in any of various ways

From this reading Now it was clear to me from the first that _no one_ could have written those two letters except Smethurst.

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading "I will take you, if you like, point by point along the line of reasoning which I followed myself, and which will inevitably lead you, as it led me, to the only possible solution of the mystery.