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 Whilst Louis had been affording his court that which he had openly stated to be the highest of human pleasures--the sight of the royal face--the young officer of the guard outside had been very busy passing on the titles of the numerous applicants for admission, and exchanging usually a smile or a few words of greeting with them, for his frank, handsome face was a well-known one at the court.

the act of admitting someone to enter

From this reading Whilst Louis had been affording his court that which he had openly stated to be the highest of human pleasures--the sight of the royal face--the young officer of the guard outside had been very busy passing on the titles of the numerous applicants for admission, and exchanging usually a smile or a few words of greeting with them, for his frank, handsome face was a well-known one at the court.

-ing form of “afford” — be able to spare or give up

From this reading Whilst Louis had been affording his court that which he had openly stated to be the highest of human pleasures--the sight of the royal face--the young officer of the guard outside had been very busy passing on the titles of the numerous applicants for admission, and exchanging usually a smile or a few words of greeting with them, for his frank, handsome face was a well-known one at the court.

in the past

From this reading Three years ago he had been an unknown subaltern bush-fighting with Algonquins and Iroquois in the wilds of Canada.

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

From this reading Three years ago he had been an unknown subaltern bush-fighting with Algonquins and Iroquois in the wilds of Canada.

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

From this reading Three years ago he had been an unknown subaltern bush-fighting with Algonquins and Iroquois in the wilds of Canada.

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

From this reading Whilst Louis had been affording his court that which he had openly stated to be the highest of human pleasures--the sight of the royal face--the young officer of the guard outside had been very busy passing on the titles of the numerous applicants for admission, and exchanging usually a smile or a few words of greeting with them, for his frank, handsome face was a well-known one at the court.

plural of “applicant” — a person who requests or seeks something such as assistance or employment or admission

From this reading Whilst Louis had been affording his court that which he had openly stated to be the highest of human pleasures--the sight of the royal face--the young officer of the guard outside had been very busy passing on the titles of the numerous applicants for admission, and exchanging usually a smile or a few words of greeting with them, for his frank, handsome face was a well-known one at the court.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Whilst Louis had been affording his court that which he had openly stated to be the highest of human pleasures--the sight of the royal face--the young officer of the guard outside had been very busy passing on the titles of the numerous applicants for admission, and exchanging usually a smile or a few words of greeting with them, for his frank, handsome face was a well-known one at the court.

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

From this reading Whilst Louis had been affording his court that which he had openly stated to be the highest of human pleasures--the sight of the royal face--the young officer of the guard outside had been very busy passing on the titles of the numerous applicants for admission, and exchanging usually a smile or a few words of greeting with them, for his frank, handsome face was a well-known one at the court.

relevant relation or interconnection

From this reading With his merry eyes and his brisk bearing, he looked like a man who was on good terms with Fortune.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Whilst Louis had been affording his court that which he had openly stated to be the highest of human pleasures--the sight of the royal face--the young officer of the guard outside had been very busy passing on the titles of the numerous applicants for admission, and exchanging usually a smile or a few words of greeting with them, for his frank, handsome face was a well-known one at the court.

quick and energetic

From this reading With his merry eyes and his brisk bearing, he looked like a man who was on good terms with Fortune.

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

From this reading Three years ago he had been an unknown subaltern bush-fighting with Algonquins and Iroquois in the wilds of Canada.

actively or fully engaged or occupied

From this reading Whilst Louis had been affording his court that which he had openly stated to be the highest of human pleasures--the sight of the royal face--the young officer of the guard outside had been very busy passing on the titles of the numerous applicants for admission, and exchanging usually a smile or a few words of greeting with them, for his frank, handsome face was a well-known one at the court.

a nation in northern North America; the French were the first Europeans to settle in mainland Canada

From this reading Three years ago he had been an unknown subaltern bush-fighting with Algonquins and Iroquois in the wilds of Canada.

events that provide the generative force that is the origin of something

From this reading Indeed, he had good cause to be so, for she had used him well.

an assembly (including one or more judges) to conduct judicial business

From this reading Whilst Louis had been affording his court that which he had openly stated to be the highest of human pleasures--the sight of the royal face--the young officer of the guard outside had been very busy passing on the titles of the numerous applicants for admission, and exchanging usually a smile or a few words of greeting with them, for his frank, handsome face was a well-known one at the court.

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

From this reading THE HOLDING OF THE DOOR.

-ing form of “exchange” — give to, and receive from, one another

From this reading Whilst Louis had been affording his court that which he had openly stated to be the highest of human pleasures--the sight of the royal face--the young officer of the guard outside had been very busy passing on the titles of the numerous applicants for admission, and exchanging usually a smile or a few words of greeting with them, for his frank, handsome face was a well-known one at the court.

opinion or judgment

From this reading With his merry eyes and his brisk bearing, he looked like a man who was on good terms with Fortune.

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

From this reading Whilst Louis had been affording his court that which he had openly stated to be the highest of human pleasures--the sight of the royal face--the young officer of the guard outside had been very busy passing on the titles of the numerous applicants for admission, and exchanging usually a smile or a few words of greeting with them, for his frank, handsome face was a well-known one at the court.

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

From this reading Whilst Louis had been affording his court that which he had openly stated to be the highest of human pleasures--the sight of the royal face--the young officer of the guard outside had been very busy passing on the titles of the numerous applicants for admission, and exchanging usually a smile or a few words of greeting with them, for his frank, handsome face was a well-known one at the court.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Whilst Louis had been affording his court that which he had openly stated to be the highest of human pleasures--the sight of the royal face--the young officer of the guard outside had been very busy passing on the titles of the numerous applicants for admission, and exchanging usually a smile or a few words of greeting with them, for his frank, handsome face was a well-known one at the court.

an unknown and unpredictable phenomenon that causes an event to result one way rather than another

From this reading With his merry eyes and his brisk bearing, he looked like a man who was on good terms with Fortune.

characterized by directness in manner or speech; without subtlety or evasion

From this reading Whilst Louis had been affording his court that which he had openly stated to be the highest of human pleasures--the sight of the royal face--the young officer of the guard outside had been very busy passing on the titles of the numerous applicants for admission, and exchanging usually a smile or a few words of greeting with them, for his frank, handsome face was a well-known one at the court.

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

From this reading With his merry eyes and his brisk bearing, he looked like a man who was on good terms with Fortune.

(usually plural) an acknowledgment or expression of good will (especially on meeting)

From this reading Whilst Louis had been affording his court that which he had openly stated to be the highest of human pleasures--the sight of the royal face--the young officer of the guard outside had been very busy passing on the titles of the numerous applicants for admission, and exchanging usually a smile or a few words of greeting with them, for his frank, handsome face was a well-known one at the court.

a person who keeps watch over something or someone

From this reading Whilst Louis had been affording his court that which he had openly stated to be the highest of human pleasures--the sight of the royal face--the young officer of the guard outside had been very busy passing on the titles of the numerous applicants for admission, and exchanging usually a smile or a few words of greeting with them, for his frank, handsome face was a well-known one at the court.

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

From this reading Whilst Louis had been affording his court that which he had openly stated to be the highest of human pleasures--the sight of the royal face--the young officer of the guard outside had been very busy passing on the titles of the numerous applicants for admission, and exchanging usually a smile or a few words of greeting with them, for his frank, handsome face was a well-known one at the court.

pleasing in appearance especially by reason of conformity to ideals of form and proportion

From this reading Whilst Louis had been affording his court that which he had openly stated to be the highest of human pleasures--the sight of the royal face--the young officer of the guard outside had been very busy passing on the titles of the numerous applicants for admission, and exchanging usually a smile or a few words of greeting with them, for his frank, handsome face was a well-known one at the court.

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

From this reading Whilst Louis had been affording his court that which he had openly stated to be the highest of human pleasures--the sight of the royal face--the young officer of the guard outside had been very busy passing on the titles of the numerous applicants for admission, and exchanging usually a smile or a few words of greeting with them, for his frank, handsome face was a well-known one at the court.

superlative of “high” — greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading Whilst Louis had been affording his court that which he had openly stated to be the highest of human pleasures--the sight of the royal face--the young officer of the guard outside had been very busy passing on the titles of the numerous applicants for admission, and exchanging usually a smile or a few words of greeting with them, for his frank, handsome face was a well-known one at the court.

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

From this reading Indeed, he had good cause to be so, for she had used him well.

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

From this reading Whilst Louis had been affording his court that which he had openly stated to be the highest of human pleasures--the sight of the royal face--the young officer of the guard outside had been very busy passing on the titles of the numerous applicants for admission, and exchanging usually a smile or a few words of greeting with them, for his frank, handsome face was a well-known one at the court.

the act of retaining something

From this reading THE HOLDING OF THE DOOR.

characteristic of humanity

From this reading Whilst Louis had been affording his court that which he had openly stated to be the highest of human pleasures--the sight of the royal face--the young officer of the guard outside had been very busy passing on the titles of the numerous applicants for admission, and exchanging usually a smile or a few words of greeting with them, for his frank, handsome face was a well-known one at the court.

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

From this reading Three years ago he had been an unknown subaltern bush-fighting with Algonquins and Iroquois in the wilds of Canada.

in truth (often tends to intensify)

From this reading Indeed, he had good cause to be so, for she had used him well.

any member of the warlike North American Indian peoples formerly living in New York State; the Iroquois League were allies of the British during the American Revolution

From this reading Three years ago he had been an unknown subaltern bush-fighting with Algonquins and Iroquois in the wilds of Canada.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading With his merry eyes and his brisk bearing, he looked like a man who was on good terms with Fortune.

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

From this reading With his merry eyes and his brisk bearing, he looked like a man who was on good terms with Fortune.

United States prizefighter who was world heavyweight champion for 12 years (1914-1981)

From this reading Whilst Louis had been affording his court that which he had openly stated to be the highest of human pleasures--the sight of the royal face--the young officer of the guard outside had been very busy passing on the titles of the numerous applicants for admission, and exchanging usually a smile or a few words of greeting with them, for his frank, handsome face was a well-known one at the court.

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

From this reading With his merry eyes and his brisk bearing, he looked like a man who was on good terms with Fortune.

full of or showing high-spirited merriment

From this reading With his merry eyes and his brisk bearing, he looked like a man who was on good terms with Fortune.

amounting to a large indefinite number

From this reading Whilst Louis had been affording his court that which he had openly stated to be the highest of human pleasures--the sight of the royal face--the young officer of the guard outside had been very busy passing on the titles of the numerous applicants for admission, and exchanging usually a smile or a few words of greeting with them, for his frank, handsome face was a well-known one at the court.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading THE HOLDING OF THE DOOR.

any person in the armed services who holds a position of authority or command

From this reading Whilst Louis had been affording his court that which he had openly stated to be the highest of human pleasures--the sight of the royal face--the young officer of the guard outside had been very busy passing on the titles of the numerous applicants for admission, and exchanging usually a smile or a few words of greeting with them, for his frank, handsome face was a well-known one at the court.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Whilst Louis had been affording his court that which he had openly stated to be the highest of human pleasures--the sight of the royal face--the young officer of the guard outside had been very busy passing on the titles of the numerous applicants for admission, and exchanging usually a smile or a few words of greeting with them, for his frank, handsome face was a well-known one at the court.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Whilst Louis had been affording his court that which he had openly stated to be the highest of human pleasures--the sight of the royal face--the young officer of the guard outside had been very busy passing on the titles of the numerous applicants for admission, and exchanging usually a smile or a few words of greeting with them, for his frank, handsome face was a well-known one at the court.

in an open way

From this reading Whilst Louis had been affording his court that which he had openly stated to be the highest of human pleasures--the sight of the royal face--the young officer of the guard outside had been very busy passing on the titles of the numerous applicants for admission, and exchanging usually a smile or a few words of greeting with them, for his frank, handsome face was a well-known one at the court.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Whilst Louis had been affording his court that which he had openly stated to be the highest of human pleasures--the sight of the royal face--the young officer of the guard outside had been very busy passing on the titles of the numerous applicants for admission, and exchanging usually a smile or a few words of greeting with them, for his frank, handsome face was a well-known one at the court.

relating to or being on or near the outer side or limit

From this reading Whilst Louis had been affording his court that which he had openly stated to be the highest of human pleasures--the sight of the royal face--the young officer of the guard outside had been very busy passing on the titles of the numerous applicants for admission, and exchanging usually a smile or a few words of greeting with them, for his frank, handsome face was a well-known one at the court.

(American football) a play that involves one player throwing the ball to a teammate

From this reading Whilst Louis had been affording his court that which he had openly stated to be the highest of human pleasures--the sight of the royal face--the young officer of the guard outside had been very busy passing on the titles of the numerous applicants for admission, and exchanging usually a smile or a few words of greeting with them, for his frank, handsome face was a well-known one at the court.

plural of “pleasure” — a fundamental feeling that is hard to define but that people desire to experience

From this reading Whilst Louis had been affording his court that which he had openly stated to be the highest of human pleasures--the sight of the royal face--the young officer of the guard outside had been very busy passing on the titles of the numerous applicants for admission, and exchanging usually a smile or a few words of greeting with them, for his frank, handsome face was a well-known one at the court.

of or relating to or indicative of or issued or performed by a king or queen or other monarch

From this reading Whilst Louis had been affording his court that which he had openly stated to be the highest of human pleasures--the sight of the royal face--the young officer of the guard outside had been very busy passing on the titles of the numerous applicants for admission, and exchanging usually a smile or a few words of greeting with them, for his frank, handsome face was a well-known one at the court.

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

From this reading Indeed, he had good cause to be so, for she had used him well.

an instance of visual perception

From this reading Whilst Louis had been affording his court that which he had openly stated to be the highest of human pleasures--the sight of the royal face--the young officer of the guard outside had been very busy passing on the titles of the numerous applicants for admission, and exchanging usually a smile or a few words of greeting with them, for his frank, handsome face was a well-known one at the court.

change one's facial expression by spreading the lips, often to signal pleasure

From this reading Whilst Louis had been affording his court that which he had openly stated to be the highest of human pleasures--the sight of the royal face--the young officer of the guard outside had been very busy passing on the titles of the numerous applicants for admission, and exchanging usually a smile or a few words of greeting with them, for his frank, handsome face was a well-known one at the court.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Indeed, he had good cause to be so, for she had used him well.

declared as fact; explicitly stated

From this reading Whilst Louis had been affording his court that which he had openly stated to be the highest of human pleasures--the sight of the royal face--the young officer of the guard outside had been very busy passing on the titles of the numerous applicants for admission, and exchanging usually a smile or a few words of greeting with them, for his frank, handsome face was a well-known one at the court.

a British commissioned army officer below the rank of captain

From this reading Three years ago he had been an unknown subaltern bush-fighting with Algonquins and Iroquois in the wilds of Canada.

status with respect to the relations between people or groups

From this reading With his merry eyes and his brisk bearing, he looked like a man who was on good terms with Fortune.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Whilst Louis had been affording his court that which he had openly stated to be the highest of human pleasures--the sight of the royal face--the young officer of the guard outside had been very busy passing on the titles of the numerous applicants for admission, and exchanging usually a smile or a few words of greeting with them, for his frank, handsome face was a well-known one at the court.

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

From this reading THE HOLDING OF THE DOOR.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading Whilst Louis had been affording his court that which he had openly stated to be the highest of human pleasures--the sight of the royal face--the young officer of the guard outside had been very busy passing on the titles of the numerous applicants for admission, and exchanging usually a smile or a few words of greeting with them, for his frank, handsome face was a well-known one at the court.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one

From this reading Three years ago he had been an unknown subaltern bush-fighting with Algonquins and Iroquois in the wilds of Canada.

plural of “title” — a heading that names a statute or legislative bill; may give a brief summary of the matters it deals with

From this reading Whilst Louis had been affording his court that which he had openly stated to be the highest of human pleasures--the sight of the royal face--the young officer of the guard outside had been very busy passing on the titles of the numerous applicants for admission, and exchanging usually a smile or a few words of greeting with them, for his frank, handsome face was a well-known one at the court.

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

From this reading Whilst Louis had been affording his court that which he had openly stated to be the highest of human pleasures--the sight of the royal face--the young officer of the guard outside had been very busy passing on the titles of the numerous applicants for admission, and exchanging usually a smile or a few words of greeting with them, for his frank, handsome face was a well-known one at the court.

not known

From this reading Three years ago he had been an unknown subaltern bush-fighting with Algonquins and Iroquois in the wilds of Canada.

employed in accomplishing something

From this reading Indeed, he had good cause to be so, for she had used him well.

under normal conditions

From this reading Whilst Louis had been affording his court that which he had openly stated to be the highest of human pleasures--the sight of the royal face--the young officer of the guard outside had been very busy passing on the titles of the numerous applicants for admission, and exchanging usually a smile or a few words of greeting with them, for his frank, handsome face was a well-known one at the court.

precisely as stated

From this reading Whilst Louis had been affording his court that which he had openly stated to be the highest of human pleasures--the sight of the royal face--the young officer of the guard outside had been very busy passing on the titles of the numerous applicants for admission, and exchanging usually a smile or a few words of greeting with them, for his frank, handsome face was a well-known one at the court.

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

From this reading Whilst Louis had been affording his court that which he had openly stated to be the highest of human pleasures--the sight of the royal face--the young officer of the guard outside had been very busy passing on the titles of the numerous applicants for admission, and exchanging usually a smile or a few words of greeting with them, for his frank, handsome face was a well-known one at the court.

(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)

From this reading Indeed, he had good cause to be so, for she had used him well.

widely or fully known

From this reading Whilst Louis had been affording his court that which he had openly stated to be the highest of human pleasures--the sight of the royal face--the young officer of the guard outside had been very busy passing on the titles of the numerous applicants for admission, and exchanging usually a smile or a few words of greeting with them, for his frank, handsome face was a well-known one at the court.

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

From this reading Whilst Louis had been affording his court that which he had openly stated to be the highest of human pleasures--the sight of the royal face--the young officer of the guard outside had been very busy passing on the titles of the numerous applicants for admission, and exchanging usually a smile or a few words of greeting with them, for his frank, handsome face was a well-known one at the court.

an old and formal word for “while”

From this reading Whilst Louis had been affording his court that which he had openly stated to be the highest of human pleasures--the sight of the royal face--the young officer of the guard outside had been very busy passing on the titles of the numerous applicants for admission, and exchanging usually a smile or a few words of greeting with them, for his frank, handsome face was a well-known one at the court.

which person or people

From this reading With his merry eyes and his brisk bearing, he looked like a man who was on good terms with Fortune.

plural of “wild” — a wild primitive state untouched by civilization

From this reading Three years ago he had been an unknown subaltern bush-fighting with Algonquins and Iroquois in the wilds of Canada.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Whilst Louis had been affording his court that which he had openly stated to be the highest of human pleasures--the sight of the royal face--the young officer of the guard outside had been very busy passing on the titles of the numerous applicants for admission, and exchanging usually a smile or a few words of greeting with them, for his frank, handsome face was a well-known one at the court.

the words that are spoken

From this reading Whilst Louis had been affording his court that which he had openly stated to be the highest of human pleasures--the sight of the royal face--the young officer of the guard outside had been very busy passing on the titles of the numerous applicants for admission, and exchanging usually a smile or a few words of greeting with them, for his frank, handsome face was a well-known one at the court.

a late time of life

From this reading Three years ago he had been an unknown subaltern bush-fighting with Algonquins and Iroquois in the wilds of Canada.

(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth

From this reading Whilst Louis had been affording his court that which he had openly stated to be the highest of human pleasures--the sight of the royal face--the young officer of the guard outside had been very busy passing on the titles of the numerous applicants for admission, and exchanging usually a smile or a few words of greeting with them, for his frank, handsome face was a well-known one at the court.