Chapter XVIII · Chapter 18

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

From this reading He tossed the stick of a match into the fireplace, where a pine-knot smoldered, drew his pipe into a glow and watched Oscar screw the top on a box of ointment which he had applied to Armitage’s arm.

the form of “be” used with “I”

From this reading “Who am I?” asked John Armitage soberly.

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

From this reading AN EXCHANGE OF MESSAGES When youth was lord of my unchallenged fate, And time seemed but the vassal of my will, I entertained certain guests of state— The great of older days, who, faithful still, Have kept with me the pact my youth had made.

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

From this reading AN EXCHANGE OF MESSAGES When youth was lord of my unchallenged fate, And time seemed but the vassal of my will, I entertained certain guests of state— The great of older days, who, faithful still, Have kept with me the pact my youth had made.

concerned with concrete problems or data rather than with fundamental principles

From this reading He tossed the stick of a match into the fireplace, where a pine-knot smoldered, drew his pipe into a glow and watched Oscar screw the top on a box of ointment which he had applied to Armitage’s arm.

a human limb; technically the part of the superior limb between the shoulder and the elbow but commonly used to refer to the whole superior limb

From this reading He tossed the stick of a match into the fireplace, where a pine-knot smoldered, drew his pipe into a glow and watched Oscar screw the top on a box of ointment which he had applied to Armitage’s arm.

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

From this reading “Who am I?” asked John Armitage soberly.

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

From this reading He tossed the stick of a match into the fireplace, where a pine-knot smoldered, drew his pipe into a glow and watched Oscar screw the top on a box of ointment which he had applied to Armitage’s arm.

past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody

From this reading “Who am I?” asked John Armitage soberly.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading The little soldier turned and stood sharply at attention.

the process whereby a person concentrates on some features of the environment to the (relative) exclusion of others

From this reading The little soldier turned and stood sharply at attention.

a (usually rectangular) container; may have a lid

From this reading He tossed the stick of a match into the fireplace, where a pine-knot smoldered, drew his pipe into a glow and watched Oscar screw the top on a box of ointment which he had applied to Armitage’s arm.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading AN EXCHANGE OF MESSAGES When youth was lord of my unchallenged fate, And time seemed but the vassal of my will, I entertained certain guests of state— The great of older days, who, faithful still, Have kept with me the pact my youth had made.

definite but not specified or identified

From this reading AN EXCHANGE OF MESSAGES When youth was lord of my unchallenged fate, And time seemed but the vassal of my will, I entertained certain guests of state— The great of older days, who, faithful still, Have kept with me the pact my youth had made.

the time during which someone's life continues

From this reading AN EXCHANGE OF MESSAGES When youth was lord of my unchallenged fate, And time seemed but the vassal of my will, I entertained certain guests of state— The great of older days, who, faithful still, Have kept with me the pact my youth had made.

United States actor (born in Ireland); father of Georgiana Emma Barrymore (1827-1862)

From this reading He tossed the stick of a match into the fireplace, where a pine-knot smoldered, drew his pipe into a glow and watched Oscar screw the top on a box of ointment which he had applied to Armitage’s arm.

pleasantly occupied

From this reading AN EXCHANGE OF MESSAGES When youth was lord of my unchallenged fate, And time seemed but the vassal of my will, I entertained certain guests of state— The great of older days, who, faithful still, Have kept with me the pact my youth had made.

chemical process in which one atom or ion or group changes places with another

From this reading AN EXCHANGE OF MESSAGES When youth was lord of my unchallenged fate, And time seemed but the vassal of my will, I entertained certain guests of state— The great of older days, who, faithful still, Have kept with me the pact my youth had made.

steadfast in affection or allegiance

From this reading AN EXCHANGE OF MESSAGES When youth was lord of my unchallenged fate, And time seemed but the vassal of my will, I entertained certain guests of state— The great of older days, who, faithful still, Have kept with me the pact my youth had made.

an event (or a course of events) that will inevitably happen in the future

From this reading AN EXCHANGE OF MESSAGES When youth was lord of my unchallenged fate, And time seemed but the vassal of my will, I entertained certain guests of state— The great of older days, who, faithful still, Have kept with me the pact my youth had made.

an open recess in a wall at the base of a chimney where a fire can be built

From this reading He tossed the stick of a match into the fireplace, where a pine-knot smoldered, drew his pipe into a glow and watched Oscar screw the top on a box of ointment which he had applied to Armitage’s arm.

an alert and refreshed state

From this reading He tossed the stick of a match into the fireplace, where a pine-knot smoldered, drew his pipe into a glow and watched Oscar screw the top on a box of ointment which he had applied to Armitage’s arm.

relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind

From this reading AN EXCHANGE OF MESSAGES When youth was lord of my unchallenged fate, And time seemed but the vassal of my will, I entertained certain guests of state— The great of older days, who, faithful still, Have kept with me the pact my youth had made.

plural of “guest” — a visitor to whom hospitality is extended

From this reading AN EXCHANGE OF MESSAGES When youth was lord of my unchallenged fate, And time seemed but the vassal of my will, I entertained certain guests of state— The great of older days, who, faithful still, Have kept with me the pact my youth had made.

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

From this reading AN EXCHANGE OF MESSAGES When youth was lord of my unchallenged fate, And time seemed but the vassal of my will, I entertained certain guests of state— The great of older days, who, faithful still, Have kept with me the pact my youth had made.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading AN EXCHANGE OF MESSAGES When youth was lord of my unchallenged fate, And time seemed but the vassal of my will, I entertained certain guests of state— The great of older days, who, faithful still, Have kept with me the pact my youth had made.

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

From this reading He tossed the stick of a match into the fireplace, where a pine-knot smoldered, drew his pipe into a glow and watched Oscar screw the top on a box of ointment which he had applied to Armitage’s arm.

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

From this reading He tossed the stick of a match into the fireplace, where a pine-knot smoldered, drew his pipe into a glow and watched Oscar screw the top on a box of ointment which he had applied to Armitage’s arm.

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

From this reading AN EXCHANGE OF MESSAGES When youth was lord of my unchallenged fate, And time seemed but the vassal of my will, I entertained certain guests of state— The great of older days, who, faithful still, Have kept with me the pact my youth had made.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading He tossed the stick of a match into the fireplace, where a pine-knot smoldered, drew his pipe into a glow and watched Oscar screw the top on a box of ointment which he had applied to Armitage’s arm.

a room or building equipped with one or more toilets

From this reading “Who am I?” asked John Armitage soberly.

(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded

From this reading AN EXCHANGE OF MESSAGES When youth was lord of my unchallenged fate, And time seemed but the vassal of my will, I entertained certain guests of state— The great of older days, who, faithful still, Have kept with me the pact my youth had made.

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

From this reading The little soldier turned and stood sharply at attention.

terms referring to the Judeo-Christian God

From this reading AN EXCHANGE OF MESSAGES When youth was lord of my unchallenged fate, And time seemed but the vassal of my will, I entertained certain guests of state— The great of older days, who, faithful still, Have kept with me the pact my youth had made.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading AN EXCHANGE OF MESSAGES When youth was lord of my unchallenged fate, And time seemed but the vassal of my will, I entertained certain guests of state— The great of older days, who, faithful still, Have kept with me the pact my youth had made.

be compatible, similar or consistent; coincide in their characteristics

From this reading He tossed the stick of a match into the fireplace, where a pine-knot smoldered, drew his pipe into a glow and watched Oscar screw the top on a box of ointment which he had applied to Armitage’s arm.

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

From this reading AN EXCHANGE OF MESSAGES When youth was lord of my unchallenged fate, And time seemed but the vassal of my will, I entertained certain guests of state— The great of older days, who, faithful still, Have kept with me the pact my youth had made.

plural of “message” — a communication (usually brief) that is written or spoken or signaled

From this reading AN EXCHANGE OF MESSAGES When youth was lord of my unchallenged fate, And time seemed but the vassal of my will, I entertained certain guests of state— The great of older days, who, faithful still, Have kept with me the pact my youth had made.

English aeronautical engineer (1895-1937)

From this reading —S. Weir Mitchell.

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading AN EXCHANGE OF MESSAGES When youth was lord of my unchallenged fate, And time seemed but the vassal of my will, I entertained certain guests of state— The great of older days, who, faithful still, Have kept with me the pact my youth had made.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading AN EXCHANGE OF MESSAGES When youth was lord of my unchallenged fate, And time seemed but the vassal of my will, I entertained certain guests of state— The great of older days, who, faithful still, Have kept with me the pact my youth had made.

semisolid preparation (usually containing a medicine) applied externally as a remedy or for soothing an irritation

From this reading He tossed the stick of a match into the fireplace, where a pine-knot smoldered, drew his pipe into a glow and watched Oscar screw the top on a box of ointment which he had applied to Armitage’s arm.

advanced in years; (“aged” is pronounced as two syllables)

From this reading AN EXCHANGE OF MESSAGES When youth was lord of my unchallenged fate, And time seemed but the vassal of my will, I entertained certain guests of state— The great of older days, who, faithful still, Have kept with me the pact my youth had made.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading He tossed the stick of a match into the fireplace, where a pine-knot smoldered, drew his pipe into a glow and watched Oscar screw the top on a box of ointment which he had applied to Armitage’s arm.

an annual award by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for achievements in motion picture production and performance

From this reading He tossed the stick of a match into the fireplace, where a pine-knot smoldered, drew his pipe into a glow and watched Oscar screw the top on a box of ointment which he had applied to Armitage’s arm.

a written agreement between two states or sovereigns

From this reading AN EXCHANGE OF MESSAGES When youth was lord of my unchallenged fate, And time seemed but the vassal of my will, I entertained certain guests of state— The great of older days, who, faithful still, Have kept with me the pact my youth had made.

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

From this reading He tossed the stick of a match into the fireplace, where a pine-knot smoldered, drew his pipe into a glow and watched Oscar screw the top on a box of ointment which he had applied to Armitage’s arm.

a tube with a small bowl at one end; used for smoking tobacco

From this reading He tossed the stick of a match into the fireplace, where a pine-knot smoldered, drew his pipe into a glow and watched Oscar screw the top on a box of ointment which he had applied to Armitage’s arm.

1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites

From this reading —S. Weir Mitchell.

someone who guards prisoners

From this reading He tossed the stick of a match into the fireplace, where a pine-knot smoldered, drew his pipe into a glow and watched Oscar screw the top on a box of ointment which he had applied to Armitage’s arm.

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

From this reading AN EXCHANGE OF MESSAGES When youth was lord of my unchallenged fate, And time seemed but the vassal of my will, I entertained certain guests of state— The great of older days, who, faithful still, Have kept with me the pact my youth had made.

in an aggressive manner

From this reading The little soldier turned and stood sharply at attention.

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

From this reading He tossed the stick of a match into the fireplace, where a pine-knot smoldered, drew his pipe into a glow and watched Oscar screw the top on a box of ointment which he had applied to Armitage’s arm.

in a grave and sober manner

From this reading “Who am I?” asked John Armitage soberly.

an enlisted man or woman who serves in an army

From this reading The little soldier turned and stood sharply at attention.

the territory occupied by one of the constituent administrative districts of a nation

From this reading AN EXCHANGE OF MESSAGES When youth was lord of my unchallenged fate, And time seemed but the vassal of my will, I entertained certain guests of state— The great of older days, who, faithful still, Have kept with me the pact my youth had made.

put, fix, force, or implant

From this reading He tossed the stick of a match into the fireplace, where a pine-knot smoldered, drew his pipe into a glow and watched Oscar screw the top on a box of ointment which he had applied to Armitage’s arm.

not in physical motion

From this reading AN EXCHANGE OF MESSAGES When youth was lord of my unchallenged fate, And time seemed but the vassal of my will, I entertained certain guests of state— The great of older days, who, faithful still, Have kept with me the pact my youth had made.

Maintained an upright posture.

From this reading The little soldier turned and stood sharply at attention.

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

From this reading AN EXCHANGE OF MESSAGES When youth was lord of my unchallenged fate, And time seemed but the vassal of my will, I entertained certain guests of state— The great of older days, who, faithful still, Have kept with me the pact my youth had made.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading AN EXCHANGE OF MESSAGES When youth was lord of my unchallenged fate, And time seemed but the vassal of my will, I entertained certain guests of state— The great of older days, who, faithful still, Have kept with me the pact my youth had made.

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

From this reading He tossed the stick of a match into the fireplace, where a pine-knot smoldered, drew his pipe into a glow and watched Oscar screw the top on a box of ointment which he had applied to Armitage’s arm.

the upper part of anything

From this reading He tossed the stick of a match into the fireplace, where a pine-knot smoldered, drew his pipe into a glow and watched Oscar screw the top on a box of ointment which he had applied to Armitage’s arm.

past form of “toss” — throw or toss with a light motion

From this reading He tossed the stick of a match into the fireplace, where a pine-knot smoldered, drew his pipe into a glow and watched Oscar screw the top on a box of ointment which he had applied to Armitage’s arm.

moved around an axis or center

From this reading The little soldier turned and stood sharply at attention.

generally agreed upon; not subject to dispute

From this reading AN EXCHANGE OF MESSAGES When youth was lord of my unchallenged fate, And time seemed but the vassal of my will, I entertained certain guests of state— The great of older days, who, faithful still, Have kept with me the pact my youth had made.

a person holding a fief; a person who owes allegiance and service to a feudal lord

From this reading AN EXCHANGE OF MESSAGES When youth was lord of my unchallenged fate, And time seemed but the vassal of my will, I entertained certain guests of state— The great of older days, who, faithful still, Have kept with me the pact my youth had made.

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

From this reading AN EXCHANGE OF MESSAGES When youth was lord of my unchallenged fate, And time seemed but the vassal of my will, I entertained certain guests of state— The great of older days, who, faithful still, Have kept with me the pact my youth had made.

past form of “watch” — look attentively

From this reading He tossed the stick of a match into the fireplace, where a pine-knot smoldered, drew his pipe into a glow and watched Oscar screw the top on a box of ointment which he had applied to Armitage’s arm.

a low dam built across a stream to raise its level or divert its flow

From this reading —S. Weir Mitchell.

at the time that

From this reading AN EXCHANGE OF MESSAGES When youth was lord of my unchallenged fate, And time seemed but the vassal of my will, I entertained certain guests of state— The great of older days, who, faithful still, Have kept with me the pact my youth had made.

in or at the place that

From this reading He tossed the stick of a match into the fireplace, where a pine-knot smoldered, drew his pipe into a glow and watched Oscar screw the top on a box of ointment which he had applied to Armitage’s arm.

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

From this reading He tossed the stick of a match into the fireplace, where a pine-knot smoldered, drew his pipe into a glow and watched Oscar screw the top on a box of ointment which he had applied to Armitage’s arm.

which person or people

From this reading AN EXCHANGE OF MESSAGES When youth was lord of my unchallenged fate, And time seemed but the vassal of my will, I entertained certain guests of state— The great of older days, who, faithful still, Have kept with me the pact my youth had made.

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading AN EXCHANGE OF MESSAGES When youth was lord of my unchallenged fate, And time seemed but the vassal of my will, I entertained certain guests of state— The great of older days, who, faithful still, Have kept with me the pact my youth had made.

in the company of; together with

From this reading AN EXCHANGE OF MESSAGES When youth was lord of my unchallenged fate, And time seemed but the vassal of my will, I entertained certain guests of state— The great of older days, who, faithful still, Have kept with me the pact my youth had made.

a young person (especially a young man or boy)

From this reading AN EXCHANGE OF MESSAGES When youth was lord of my unchallenged fate, And time seemed but the vassal of my will, I entertained certain guests of state— The great of older days, who, faithful still, Have kept with me the pact my youth had made.