Chapter VIII

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

From this reading He listened, his face wearing a very serious expression, until their cheery voices were stilled by distance, then drawing a voluminous collection of papers from his inside pocket he spread them out carefully on the center table and set to work.

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

From this reading “Now I’ll be able to finish it up in great shape,” he said softly to himself.

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

From this reading The lines on his forehead deepened; occasionally he uttered a half sigh, as some particularly knotty point was encountered; then, losing patience, he rose to his feet and walked toward an armchair near the window.

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

From this reading He listened, his face wearing a very serious expression, until their cheery voices were stilled by distance, then drawing a voluminous collection of papers from his inside pocket he spread them out carefully on the center table and set to work.

chair with a support on each side for arms

From this reading The lines on his forehead deepened; occasionally he uttered a half sigh, as some particularly knotty point was encountered; then, losing patience, he rose to his feet and walked toward an armchair near the window.

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

From this reading The lines on his forehead deepened; occasionally he uttered a half sigh, as some particularly knotty point was encountered; then, losing patience, he rose to his feet and walked toward an armchair near the window.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading TOM AT THE WHEEL The moment the door had closed behind his friends Tom Clifton prepared to make good use of the time.

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

From this reading “Now I’ll be able to finish it up in great shape,” he said softly to himself.

at or toward the back of something

From this reading TOM AT THE WHEEL The moment the door had closed behind his friends Tom Clifton prepared to make good use of the time.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading He listened, his face wearing a very serious expression, until their cheery voices were stilled by distance, then drawing a voluminous collection of papers from his inside pocket he spread them out carefully on the center table and set to work.

taking care or paying attention

From this reading He listened, his face wearing a very serious expression, until their cheery voices were stilled by distance, then drawing a voluminous collection of papers from his inside pocket he spread them out carefully on the center table and set to work.

The middle point or core of an area.

From this reading He listened, his face wearing a very serious expression, until their cheery voices were stilled by distance, then drawing a voluminous collection of papers from his inside pocket he spread them out carefully on the center table and set to work.

bright and pleasant; promoting a feeling of cheer

From this reading He listened, his face wearing a very serious expression, until their cheery voices were stilled by distance, then drawing a voluminous collection of papers from his inside pocket he spread them out carefully on the center table and set to work.

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

From this reading TOM AT THE WHEEL The moment the door had closed behind his friends Tom Clifton prepared to make good use of the time.

not open or affording passage or access

From this reading TOM AT THE WHEEL The moment the door had closed behind his friends Tom Clifton prepared to make good use of the time.

several things grouped together or considered as a whole

From this reading He listened, his face wearing a very serious expression, until their cheery voices were stilled by distance, then drawing a voluminous collection of papers from his inside pocket he spread them out carefully on the center table and set to work.

a conceptual whole made up of complicated and related parts

From this reading Evidently the problems which confronted him were of a very profound and complex nature.

past form of “confront” — oppose, as in hostility or a competition

From this reading Evidently the problems which confronted him were of a very profound and complex nature.

past form of “deepen” — make more intense, stronger, or more marked

From this reading The lines on his forehead deepened; occasionally he uttered a half sigh, as some particularly knotty point was encountered; then, losing patience, he rose to his feet and walked toward an armchair near the window.

the property created by the space between two objects or points

From this reading He listened, his face wearing a very serious expression, until their cheery voices were stilled by distance, then drawing a voluminous collection of papers from his inside pocket he spread them out carefully on the center table and set to work.

a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle

From this reading TOM AT THE WHEEL The moment the door had closed behind his friends Tom Clifton prepared to make good use of the time.

an illustration that is drawn by hand and published in a book, magazine, or newspaper

From this reading He listened, his face wearing a very serious expression, until their cheery voices were stilled by distance, then drawing a voluminous collection of papers from his inside pocket he spread them out carefully on the center table and set to work.

past form of “encounter” — come together

From this reading The lines on his forehead deepened; occasionally he uttered a half sigh, as some particularly knotty point was encountered; then, losing patience, he rose to his feet and walked toward an armchair near the window.

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

From this reading Evidently the problems which confronted him were of a very profound and complex nature.

the feelings expressed on a person's face

From this reading He listened, his face wearing a very serious expression, until their cheery voices were stilled by distance, then drawing a voluminous collection of papers from his inside pocket he spread them out carefully on the center table and set to work.

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

From this reading He listened, his face wearing a very serious expression, until their cheery voices were stilled by distance, then drawing a voluminous collection of papers from his inside pocket he spread them out carefully on the center table and set to work.

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

From this reading The lines on his forehead deepened; occasionally he uttered a half sigh, as some particularly knotty point was encountered; then, losing patience, he rose to his feet and walked toward an armchair near the window.

come or bring to a finish or an end

From this reading “Now I’ll be able to finish it up in great shape,” he said softly to himself.

the part of the face above the eyes

From this reading The lines on his forehead deepened; occasionally he uttered a half sigh, as some particularly knotty point was encountered; then, losing patience, he rose to his feet and walked toward an armchair near the window.

plural of “friend” — a person you know well and regard with affection and trust

From this reading TOM AT THE WHEEL The moment the door had closed behind his friends Tom Clifton prepared to make good use of the time.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading He listened, his face wearing a very serious expression, until their cheery voices were stilled by distance, then drawing a voluminous collection of papers from his inside pocket he spread them out carefully on the center table and set to work.

having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified

From this reading TOM AT THE WHEEL The moment the door had closed behind his friends Tom Clifton prepared to make good use of the time.

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

From this reading “Now I’ll be able to finish it up in great shape,” he said softly to himself.

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

From this reading TOM AT THE WHEEL The moment the door had closed behind his friends Tom Clifton prepared to make good use of the time.

consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity

From this reading The lines on his forehead deepened; occasionally he uttered a half sigh, as some particularly knotty point was encountered; then, losing patience, he rose to his feet and walked toward an armchair near the window.

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

From this reading “Now I’ll be able to finish it up in great shape,” he said softly to himself.

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

From this reading Evidently the problems which confronted him were of a very profound and complex nature.

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

From this reading “Now I’ll be able to finish it up in great shape,” he said softly to himself.

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

From this reading TOM AT THE WHEEL The moment the door had closed behind his friends Tom Clifton prepared to make good use of the time.

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

From this reading “Now I’ll be able to finish it up in great shape,” he said softly to himself.

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

From this reading “Now I’ll be able to finish it up in great shape,” he said softly to himself.

relating to or being on the side closer to the center or within a defined space

From this reading He listened, his face wearing a very serious expression, until their cheery voices were stilled by distance, then drawing a voluminous collection of papers from his inside pocket he spread them out carefully on the center table and set to work.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading “Now I’ll be able to finish it up in great shape,” he said softly to himself.

making great mental demands; hard to comprehend or solve or believe

From this reading The lines on his forehead deepened; occasionally he uttered a half sigh, as some particularly knotty point was encountered; then, losing patience, he rose to his feet and walked toward an armchair near the window.

plural of “line” — a formation of people or things one beside another

From this reading The lines on his forehead deepened; occasionally he uttered a half sigh, as some particularly knotty point was encountered; then, losing patience, he rose to his feet and walked toward an armchair near the window.

past form of “listen” — hear with intention

From this reading He listened, his face wearing a very serious expression, until their cheery voices were stilled by distance, then drawing a voluminous collection of papers from his inside pocket he spread them out carefully on the center table and set to work.

-ing form of “lose” — fail to keep or to maintain; cease to have, either physically or in an abstract sense

From this reading The lines on his forehead deepened; occasionally he uttered a half sigh, as some particularly knotty point was encountered; then, losing patience, he rose to his feet and walked toward an armchair near the window.

engage in

From this reading TOM AT THE WHEEL The moment the door had closed behind his friends Tom Clifton prepared to make good use of the time.

a particular point in time

From this reading TOM AT THE WHEEL The moment the door had closed behind his friends Tom Clifton prepared to make good use of the time.

the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized

From this reading Evidently the problems which confronted him were of a very profound and complex nature.

near in time or place or relationship

From this reading The lines on his forehead deepened; occasionally he uttered a half sigh, as some particularly knotty point was encountered; then, losing patience, he rose to his feet and walked toward an armchair near the window.

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

From this reading “Now I’ll be able to finish it up in great shape,” he said softly to himself.

sporadically and infrequently

From this reading The lines on his forehead deepened; occasionally he uttered a half sigh, as some particularly knotty point was encountered; then, losing patience, he rose to his feet and walked toward an armchair near the window.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading TOM AT THE WHEEL The moment the door had closed behind his friends Tom Clifton prepared to make good use of the time.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading He listened, his face wearing a very serious expression, until their cheery voices were stilled by distance, then drawing a voluminous collection of papers from his inside pocket he spread them out carefully on the center table and set to work.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading He listened, his face wearing a very serious expression, until their cheery voices were stilled by distance, then drawing a voluminous collection of papers from his inside pocket he spread them out carefully on the center table and set to work.

writing that provides information (especially information of an official nature)

From this reading He listened, his face wearing a very serious expression, until their cheery voices were stilled by distance, then drawing a voluminous collection of papers from his inside pocket he spread them out carefully on the center table and set to work.

to a distinctly greater extent or degree than is common

From this reading The lines on his forehead deepened; occasionally he uttered a half sigh, as some particularly knotty point was encountered; then, losing patience, he rose to his feet and walked toward an armchair near the window.

good-natured tolerance of delay or incompetence

From this reading The lines on his forehead deepened; occasionally he uttered a half sigh, as some particularly knotty point was encountered; then, losing patience, he rose to his feet and walked toward an armchair near the window.

a small pouch inside a garment for carrying small articles

From this reading He listened, his face wearing a very serious expression, until their cheery voices were stilled by distance, then drawing a voluminous collection of papers from his inside pocket he spread them out carefully on the center table and set to work.

a geometric element that has position but no extension

From this reading The lines on his forehead deepened; occasionally he uttered a half sigh, as some particularly knotty point was encountered; then, losing patience, he rose to his feet and walked toward an armchair near the window.

made ready or fit or suitable beforehand

From this reading TOM AT THE WHEEL The moment the door had closed behind his friends Tom Clifton prepared to make good use of the time.

plural of “problem” — a state of difficulty that needs to be resolved

From this reading Evidently the problems which confronted him were of a very profound and complex nature.

showing intellectual penetration or emotional depth

From this reading Evidently the problems which confronted him were of a very profound and complex nature.

any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses

From this reading The lines on his forehead deepened; occasionally he uttered a half sigh, as some particularly knotty point was encountered; then, losing patience, he rose to his feet and walked toward an armchair near the window.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading “Now I’ll be able to finish it up in great shape,” he said softly to himself.

concerned with work or important matters rather than play or trivialities

From this reading He listened, his face wearing a very serious expression, until their cheery voices were stilled by distance, then drawing a voluminous collection of papers from his inside pocket he spread them out carefully on the center table and set to work.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading He listened, his face wearing a very serious expression, until their cheery voices were stilled by distance, then drawing a voluminous collection of papers from his inside pocket he spread them out carefully on the center table and set to work.

any spatial attributes (especially as defined by outline)

From this reading “Now I’ll be able to finish it up in great shape,” he said softly to himself.

heave or utter a sigh; breathe deeply and heavily

From this reading The lines on his forehead deepened; occasionally he uttered a half sigh, as some particularly knotty point was encountered; then, losing patience, he rose to his feet and walked toward an armchair near the window.

with low volume

From this reading “Now I’ll be able to finish it up in great shape,” he said softly to himself.

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading The lines on his forehead deepened; occasionally he uttered a half sigh, as some particularly knotty point was encountered; then, losing patience, he rose to his feet and walked toward an armchair near the window.

distribute or disperse widely

From this reading He listened, his face wearing a very serious expression, until their cheery voices were stilled by distance, then drawing a voluminous collection of papers from his inside pocket he spread them out carefully on the center table and set to work.

past form of “still” — make calm or still

From this reading He listened, his face wearing a very serious expression, until their cheery voices were stilled by distance, then drawing a voluminous collection of papers from his inside pocket he spread them out carefully on the center table and set to work.

a set of data arranged in rows and columns

From this reading He listened, his face wearing a very serious expression, until their cheery voices were stilled by distance, then drawing a voluminous collection of papers from his inside pocket he spread them out carefully on the center table and set to work.

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

From this reading TOM AT THE WHEEL The moment the door had closed behind his friends Tom Clifton prepared to make good use of the time.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading He listened, his face wearing a very serious expression, until their cheery voices were stilled by distance, then drawing a voluminous collection of papers from his inside pocket he spread them out carefully on the center table and set to work.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading He listened, his face wearing a very serious expression, until their cheery voices were stilled by distance, then drawing a voluminous collection of papers from his inside pocket he spread them out carefully on the center table and set to work.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading He listened, his face wearing a very serious expression, until their cheery voices were stilled by distance, then drawing a voluminous collection of papers from his inside pocket he spread them out carefully on the center table and set to work.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading TOM AT THE WHEEL The moment the door had closed behind his friends Tom Clifton prepared to make good use of the time.

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

From this reading TOM AT THE WHEEL The moment the door had closed behind his friends Tom Clifton prepared to make good use of the time.

male cat

From this reading TOM AT THE WHEEL The moment the door had closed behind his friends Tom Clifton prepared to make good use of the time.

in the direction of

From this reading The lines on his forehead deepened; occasionally he uttered a half sigh, as some particularly knotty point was encountered; then, losing patience, he rose to his feet and walked toward an armchair near the window.

up to a particular time

From this reading He listened, his face wearing a very serious expression, until their cheery voices were stilled by distance, then drawing a voluminous collection of papers from his inside pocket he spread them out carefully on the center table and set to work.

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

From this reading “Now I’ll be able to finish it up in great shape,” he said softly to himself.

the act of using

From this reading TOM AT THE WHEEL The moment the door had closed behind his friends Tom Clifton prepared to make good use of the time.

communicated in words

From this reading The lines on his forehead deepened; occasionally he uttered a half sigh, as some particularly knotty point was encountered; then, losing patience, he rose to his feet and walked toward an armchair near the window.

precisely as stated

From this reading He listened, his face wearing a very serious expression, until their cheery voices were stilled by distance, then drawing a voluminous collection of papers from his inside pocket he spread them out carefully on the center table and set to work.

plural of “voice” — the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech

From this reading He listened, his face wearing a very serious expression, until their cheery voices were stilled by distance, then drawing a voluminous collection of papers from his inside pocket he spread them out carefully on the center table and set to work.

large in volume or bulk

From this reading He listened, his face wearing a very serious expression, until their cheery voices were stilled by distance, then drawing a voluminous collection of papers from his inside pocket he spread them out carefully on the center table and set to work.

past form of “walk” — use one's feet to advance; advance by steps

From this reading The lines on his forehead deepened; occasionally he uttered a half sigh, as some particularly knotty point was encountered; then, losing patience, he rose to his feet and walked toward an armchair near the window.

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

From this reading The lines on his forehead deepened; occasionally he uttered a half sigh, as some particularly knotty point was encountered; then, losing patience, he rose to his feet and walked toward an armchair near the window.

(geology) the mechanical process of wearing or grinding something down (as by particles washing over it)

From this reading He listened, his face wearing a very serious expression, until their cheery voices were stilled by distance, then drawing a voluminous collection of papers from his inside pocket he spread them out carefully on the center table and set to work.

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading He listened, his face wearing a very serious expression, until their cheery voices were stilled by distance, then drawing a voluminous collection of papers from his inside pocket he spread them out carefully on the center table and set to work.

change directions as if revolving on a pivot

From this reading TOM AT THE WHEEL The moment the door had closed behind his friends Tom Clifton prepared to make good use of the time.

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

From this reading Evidently the problems which confronted him were of a very profound and complex nature.

a framework of wood or metal that contains a glass windowpane and is built into a wall or roof to admit light or air

From this reading The lines on his forehead deepened; occasionally he uttered a half sigh, as some particularly knotty point was encountered; then, losing patience, he rose to his feet and walked toward an armchair near the window.

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

From this reading He listened, his face wearing a very serious expression, until their cheery voices were stilled by distance, then drawing a voluminous collection of papers from his inside pocket he spread them out carefully on the center table and set to work.