Chapter XVII

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

From this reading It was the Vernys' religion that one shouldn't make a fuss over anything larger than a broken boot-lace.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading He swung himself about on his crutches with an extraordinary ease, and he had taught himself to deal with his straitened powers so that he needed very little assistance; he had even controlled himself sufficiently to bear without apparent dislike the occasional help that he was forced to accept.

consider or hold as true

From this reading He swung himself about on his crutches with an extraordinary ease, and he had taught himself to deal with his straitened powers so that he needed very little assistance; he had even controlled himself sufficiently to bear without apparent dislike the occasional help that he was forced to accept.

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

From this reading He swung himself about on his crutches with an extraordinary ease, and he had taught himself to deal with his straitened powers so that he needed very little assistance; he had even controlled himself sufficiently to bear without apparent dislike the occasional help that he was forced to accept.

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

From this reading Lady Verny and Julian were sitting in the hall when Stella joined them.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading Temper could be let loose over the trivial, but it must be kept if there was any grave cause for it.

any thing at all

From this reading It was the Vernys' religion that one shouldn't make a fuss over anything larger than a broken boot-lace.

clearly revealed to the mind or the senses or judgment

From this reading He swung himself about on his crutches with an extraordinary ease, and he had taught himself to deal with his straitened powers so that he needed very little assistance; he had even controlled himself sufficiently to bear without apparent dislike the occasional help that he was forced to accept.

the activity of contributing to the fulfillment of a need or furtherance of an effort or purpose

From this reading He swung himself about on his crutches with an extraordinary ease, and he had taught himself to deal with his straitened powers so that he needed very little assistance; he had even controlled himself sufficiently to bear without apparent dislike the occasional help that he was forced to accept.

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

From this reading Temper could be let loose over the trivial, but it must be kept if there was any grave cause for it.

have

From this reading He swung himself about on his crutches with an extraordinary ease, and he had taught himself to deal with his straitened powers so that he needed very little assistance; he had even controlled himself sufficiently to bear without apparent dislike the occasional help that he was forced to accept.

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

From this reading It was the Vernys' religion that one shouldn't make a fuss over anything larger than a broken boot-lace.

physically and forcibly separated into pieces or cracked or split

From this reading It was the Vernys' religion that one shouldn't make a fuss over anything larger than a broken boot-lace.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Temper could be let loose over the trivial, but it must be kept if there was any grave cause for it.

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

From this reading Temper could be let loose over the trivial, but it must be kept if there was any grave cause for it.

restrained or managed or kept within certain bounds

From this reading He swung himself about on his crutches with an extraordinary ease, and he had taught himself to deal with his straitened powers so that he needed very little assistance; he had even controlled himself sufficiently to bear without apparent dislike the occasional help that he was forced to accept.

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

From this reading Temper could be let loose over the trivial, but it must be kept if there was any grave cause for it.

plural of “crutch” — a wooden or metal staff that fits under the armpit and reaches to the ground; used by disabled person while walking

From this reading He swung himself about on his crutches with an extraordinary ease, and he had taught himself to deal with his straitened powers so that he needed very little assistance; he had even controlled himself sufficiently to bear without apparent dislike the occasional help that he was forced to accept.

act on verbally or in some form of artistic expression

From this reading He swung himself about on his crutches with an extraordinary ease, and he had taught himself to deal with his straitened powers so that he needed very little assistance; he had even controlled himself sufficiently to bear without apparent dislike the occasional help that he was forced to accept.

plural of “disability” — the condition of being unable to perform as a consequence of physical or mental unfitness

From this reading It wasn't in the least terrible meeting Julian; he had reduced his physical disabilities to the minimum of trouble for other people.

an inclination to withhold approval from some person or group

From this reading He swung himself about on his crutches with an extraordinary ease, and he had taught himself to deal with his straitened powers so that he needed very little assistance; he had even controlled himself sufficiently to bear without apparent dislike the occasional help that he was forced to accept.

move gently or carefully

From this reading He swung himself about on his crutches with an extraordinary ease, and he had taught himself to deal with his straitened powers so that he needed very little assistance; he had even controlled himself sufficiently to bear without apparent dislike the occasional help that he was forced to accept.

divisible by two

From this reading He swung himself about on his crutches with an extraordinary ease, and he had taught himself to deal with his straitened powers so that he needed very little assistance; he had even controlled himself sufficiently to bear without apparent dislike the occasional help that he was forced to accept.

beyond what is ordinary or usual; highly unusual or exceptional or remarkable

From this reading He swung himself about on his crutches with an extraordinary ease, and he had taught himself to deal with his straitened powers so that he needed very little assistance; he had even controlled himself sufficiently to bear without apparent dislike the occasional help that he was forced to accept.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading It wasn't in the least terrible meeting Julian; he had reduced his physical disabilities to the minimum of trouble for other people.

produced by or subjected to forcing

From this reading He swung himself about on his crutches with an extraordinary ease, and he had taught himself to deal with his straitened powers so that he needed very little assistance; he had even controlled himself sufficiently to bear without apparent dislike the occasional help that he was forced to accept.

worry unnecessarily or excessively

From this reading It was the Vernys' religion that one shouldn't make a fuss over anything larger than a broken boot-lace.

death of a person

From this reading Temper could be let loose over the trivial, but it must be kept if there was any grave cause for it.

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

From this reading It wasn't in the least terrible meeting Julian; he had reduced his physical disabilities to the minimum of trouble for other people.

an interior passage or corridor onto which rooms open

From this reading Lady Verny and Julian were sitting in the hall when Stella joined them.

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

From this reading It wasn't in the least terrible meeting Julian; he had reduced his physical disabilities to the minimum of trouble for other people.

give help or assistance; be of service

From this reading He swung himself about on his crutches with an extraordinary ease, and he had taught himself to deal with his straitened powers so that he needed very little assistance; he had even controlled himself sufficiently to bear without apparent dislike the occasional help that he was forced to accept.

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

From this reading He swung himself about on his crutches with an extraordinary ease, and he had taught himself to deal with his straitened powers so that he needed very little assistance; he had even controlled himself sufficiently to bear without apparent dislike the occasional help that he was forced to accept.

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

From this reading It wasn't in the least terrible meeting Julian; he had reduced his physical disabilities to the minimum of trouble for other people.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading Temper could be let loose over the trivial, but it must be kept if there was any grave cause for it.

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

From this reading Lady Verny and Julian were sitting in the hall when Stella joined them.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It wasn't in the least terrible meeting Julian; he had reduced his physical disabilities to the minimum of trouble for other people.

of or relating to two people who are married to each other

From this reading Lady Verny and Julian were sitting in the hall when Stella joined them.

Roman Emperor and nephew of Constantine; he restored paganism as the official religion of the Roman Empire and destroyed Christian temples but his decision was reversed after his death (331?-363)

From this reading Lady Verny and Julian were sitting in the hall when Stella joined them.

(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded

From this reading Temper could be let loose over the trivial, but it must be kept if there was any grave cause for it.

a polite name for any woman

From this reading Lady Verny and Julian were sitting in the hall when Stella joined them.

large or big relative to something else

From this reading It was the Vernys' religion that one shouldn't make a fuss over anything larger than a broken boot-lace.

the superlative of “little” that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by “the”; a quantifier meaning smallest in amount or extent or degree

From this reading It wasn't in the least terrible meeting Julian; he had reduced his physical disabilities to the minimum of trouble for other people.

used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker

From this reading Temper could be let loose over the trivial, but it must be kept if there was any grave cause for it.

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

From this reading He swung himself about on his crutches with an extraordinary ease, and he had taught himself to deal with his straitened powers so that he needed very little assistance; he had even controlled himself sufficiently to bear without apparent dislike the occasional help that he was forced to accept.

not compact or dense in structure or arrangement

From this reading Temper could be let loose over the trivial, but it must be kept if there was any grave cause for it.

engage in

From this reading It was the Vernys' religion that one shouldn't make a fuss over anything larger than a broken boot-lace.

a formally arranged gathering

From this reading It wasn't in the least terrible meeting Julian; he had reduced his physical disabilities to the minimum of trouble for other people.

the smallest possible quantity

From this reading It wasn't in the least terrible meeting Julian; he had reduced his physical disabilities to the minimum of trouble for other people.

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading Temper could be let loose over the trivial, but it must be kept if there was any grave cause for it.

necessary for relief or supply

From this reading He swung himself about on his crutches with an extraordinary ease, and he had taught himself to deal with his straitened powers so that he needed very little assistance; he had even controlled himself sufficiently to bear without apparent dislike the occasional help that he was forced to accept.

occurring from time to time

From this reading He swung himself about on his crutches with an extraordinary ease, and he had taught himself to deal with his straitened powers so that he needed very little assistance; he had even controlled himself sufficiently to bear without apparent dislike the occasional help that he was forced to accept.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading It wasn't in the least terrible meeting Julian; he had reduced his physical disabilities to the minimum of trouble for other people.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading He swung himself about on his crutches with an extraordinary ease, and he had taught himself to deal with his straitened powers so that he needed very little assistance; he had even controlled himself sufficiently to bear without apparent dislike the occasional help that he was forced to accept.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading It was the Vernys' religion that one shouldn't make a fuss over anything larger than a broken boot-lace.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading It wasn't in the least terrible meeting Julian; he had reduced his physical disabilities to the minimum of trouble for other people.

above and across; more than

From this reading It was the Vernys' religion that one shouldn't make a fuss over anything larger than a broken boot-lace.

(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively

From this reading It wasn't in the least terrible meeting Julian; he had reduced his physical disabilities to the minimum of trouble for other people.

involving the body as distinguished from the mind or spirit

From this reading It wasn't in the least terrible meeting Julian; he had reduced his physical disabilities to the minimum of trouble for other people.

plural of “power” — possession of controlling influence

From this reading He swung himself about on his crutches with an extraordinary ease, and he had taught himself to deal with his straitened powers so that he needed very little assistance; he had even controlled himself sufficiently to bear without apparent dislike the occasional help that he was forced to accept.

made less in size or amount or degree

From this reading It wasn't in the least terrible meeting Julian; he had reduced his physical disabilities to the minimum of trouble for other people.

a strong belief in a supernatural power or powers that control human destiny

From this reading It was the Vernys' religion that one shouldn't make a fuss over anything larger than a broken boot-lace.

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

From this reading It was the Vernys' religion that one shouldn't make a fuss over anything larger than a broken boot-lace.

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

From this reading Lady Verny and Julian were sitting in the hall when Stella joined them.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading He swung himself about on his crutches with an extraordinary ease, and he had taught himself to deal with his straitened powers so that he needed very little assistance; he had even controlled himself sufficiently to bear without apparent dislike the occasional help that he was forced to accept.

United States minimalist painter (born in 1936)

From this reading Lady Verny and Julian were sitting in the hall when Stella joined them.

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

From this reading He swung himself about on his crutches with an extraordinary ease, and he had taught himself to deal with his straitened powers so that he needed very little assistance; he had even controlled himself sufficiently to bear without apparent dislike the occasional help that he was forced to accept.

to a sufficient degree

From this reading He swung himself about on his crutches with an extraordinary ease, and he had taught himself to deal with his straitened powers so that he needed very little assistance; he had even controlled himself sufficiently to bear without apparent dislike the occasional help that he was forced to accept.

inflected form of “swing” — move in a curve or arc, usually with the intent of hitting

From this reading He swung himself about on his crutches with an extraordinary ease, and he had taught himself to deal with his straitened powers so that he needed very little assistance; he had even controlled himself sufficiently to bear without apparent dislike the occasional help that he was forced to accept.

inflected form of “teach” — impart skills or knowledge to

From this reading He swung himself about on his crutches with an extraordinary ease, and he had taught himself to deal with his straitened powers so that he needed very little assistance; he had even controlled himself sufficiently to bear without apparent dislike the occasional help that he was forced to accept.

a sudden outburst of anger

From this reading Temper could be let loose over the trivial, but it must be kept if there was any grave cause for it.

causing fear or dread or terror

From this reading It wasn't in the least terrible meeting Julian; he had reduced his physical disabilities to the minimum of trouble for other people.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading It was the Vernys' religion that one shouldn't make a fuss over anything larger than a broken boot-lace.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading He swung himself about on his crutches with an extraordinary ease, and he had taught himself to deal with his straitened powers so that he needed very little assistance; he had even controlled himself sufficiently to bear without apparent dislike the occasional help that he was forced to accept.

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

From this reading Lady Verny and Julian were sitting in the hall when Stella joined them.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading Lady Verny and Julian were sitting in the hall when Stella joined them.

in or at that place or location

From this reading Temper could be let loose over the trivial, but it must be kept if there was any grave cause for it.

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

From this reading It wasn't in the least terrible meeting Julian; he had reduced his physical disabilities to the minimum of trouble for other people.

(informal) small and of little importance

From this reading Temper could be let loose over the trivial, but it must be kept if there was any grave cause for it.

a source of difficulty

From this reading It wasn't in the least terrible meeting Julian; he had reduced his physical disabilities to the minimum of trouble for other people.

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

From this reading Lady Verny and Julian were sitting in the hall when Stella joined them.

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

From this reading It was the Vernys' religion that one shouldn't make a fuss over anything larger than a broken boot-lace.

precisely as stated

From this reading He swung himself about on his crutches with an extraordinary ease, and he had taught himself to deal with his straitened powers so that he needed very little assistance; he had even controlled himself sufficiently to bear without apparent dislike the occasional help that he was forced to accept.

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

From this reading He swung himself about on his crutches with an extraordinary ease, and he had taught himself to deal with his straitened powers so that he needed very little assistance; he had even controlled himself sufficiently to bear without apparent dislike the occasional help that he was forced to accept.

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

From this reading It wasn't in the least terrible meeting Julian; he had reduced his physical disabilities to the minimum of trouble for other people.

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

From this reading Lady Verny and Julian were sitting in the hall when Stella joined them.

at the time that

From this reading Lady Verny and Julian were sitting in the hall when Stella joined them.

in the company of; together with

From this reading He swung himself about on his crutches with an extraordinary ease, and he had taught himself to deal with his straitened powers so that he needed very little assistance; he had even controlled himself sufficiently to bear without apparent dislike the occasional help that he was forced to accept.

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading He swung himself about on his crutches with an extraordinary ease, and he had taught himself to deal with his straitened powers so that he needed very little assistance; he had even controlled himself sufficiently to bear without apparent dislike the occasional help that he was forced to accept.