Chapter XI · Chapter 11

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

From this reading He never concealed it; but he had now to confess that Manvers had given him a task worthy of his powers.

past form of “add” — make an addition (to); join or combine or unite with others; increase the quality, quantity, size or scope of

From this reading Don Luis added that there could be few young men who could be capable of commanding it; but Sebastian had now conceived an admiration for his client.

a feeling of delighted approval and liking

From this reading Don Luis added that there could be few young men who could be capable of commanding it; but Sebastian had now conceived an admiration for his client.

(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class

From this reading To cut out and rivet the links of the chain, which was to sheathe a piece of string and leave it all its pliancy--"I tell you, Don Luis of my soul," he said, peering up from his board, "there is no man in our mystery who could cope with it--and very few frail ladies who could be worthy of it."

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

From this reading Don Luis added that there could be few young men who could be capable of commanding it; but Sebastian had now conceived an admiration for his client.

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

From this reading FURTHER EPISODES IN THE LIFE OF DON LUIS RAMONEZ Goldsmithing is the art of Valladolid, and Sebastian was its master.

an old form of “are”, used with “thou”

From this reading FURTHER EPISODES IN THE LIFE OF DON LUIS RAMONEZ Goldsmithing is the art of Valladolid, and Sebastian was its master.

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

From this reading To cut out and rivet the links of the chain, which was to sheathe a piece of string and leave it all its pliancy--"I tell you, Don Luis of my soul," he said, peering up from his board, "there is no man in our mystery who could cope with it--and very few frail ladies who could be worthy of it."

a committee having supervisory powers

From this reading To cut out and rivet the links of the chain, which was to sheathe a piece of string and leave it all its pliancy--"I tell you, Don Luis of my soul," he said, peering up from his board, "there is no man in our mystery who could cope with it--and very few frail ladies who could be worthy of it."

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading He never concealed it; but he had now to confess that Manvers had given him a task worthy of his powers.

(usually followed by “of”) having capacity or ability

From this reading Don Luis added that there could be few young men who could be capable of commanding it; but Sebastian had now conceived an admiration for his client.

a series of things depending on each other as if linked together

From this reading To cut out and rivet the links of the chain, which was to sheathe a piece of string and leave it all its pliancy--"I tell you, Don Luis of my soul," he said, peering up from his board, "there is no man in our mystery who could cope with it--and very few frail ladies who could be worthy of it."

a person who seeks the advice of a lawyer

From this reading Don Luis added that there could be few young men who could be capable of commanding it; but Sebastian had now conceived an admiration for his client.

used of a height or viewpoint

From this reading Don Luis added that there could be few young men who could be capable of commanding it; but Sebastian had now conceived an admiration for his client.

not accessible to view

From this reading He never concealed it; but he had now to confess that Manvers had given him a task worthy of his powers.

past form of “conceive” — have the idea for

From this reading Don Luis added that there could be few young men who could be capable of commanding it; but Sebastian had now conceived an admiration for his client.

confess to a punishable or reprehensible deed, usually under pressure

From this reading He never concealed it; but he had now to confess that Manvers had given him a task worthy of his powers.

succeed in doing, achieving, or producing (something) with the limited or inadequate means available

From this reading To cut out and rivet the links of the chain, which was to sheathe a piece of string and leave it all its pliancy--"I tell you, Don Luis of my soul," he said, peering up from his board, "there is no man in our mystery who could cope with it--and very few frail ladies who could be worthy of it."

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

From this reading To cut out and rivet the links of the chain, which was to sheathe a piece of string and leave it all its pliancy--"I tell you, Don Luis of my soul," he said, peering up from his board, "there is no man in our mystery who could cope with it--and very few frail ladies who could be worthy of it."

separate with or as if with an instrument

From this reading To cut out and rivet the links of the chain, which was to sheathe a piece of string and leave it all its pliancy--"I tell you, Don Luis of my soul," he said, peering up from his board, "there is no man in our mystery who could cope with it--and very few frail ladies who could be worthy of it."

a Spanish gentleman or nobleman

From this reading FURTHER EPISODES IN THE LIFE OF DON LUIS RAMONEZ Goldsmithing is the art of Valladolid, and Sebastian was its master.

plural of “episode” — a happening that is distinctive in a series of related events

From this reading FURTHER EPISODES IN THE LIFE OF DON LUIS RAMONEZ Goldsmithing is the art of Valladolid, and Sebastian was its master.

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

From this reading To cut out and rivet the links of the chain, which was to sheathe a piece of string and leave it all its pliancy--"I tell you, Don Luis of my soul," he said, peering up from his board, "there is no man in our mystery who could cope with it--and very few frail ladies who could be worthy of it."

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Don Luis added that there could be few young men who could be capable of commanding it; but Sebastian had now conceived an admiration for his client.

physically weak

From this reading To cut out and rivet the links of the chain, which was to sheathe a piece of string and leave it all its pliancy--"I tell you, Don Luis of my soul," he said, peering up from his board, "there is no man in our mystery who could cope with it--and very few frail ladies who could be worthy of it."

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading To cut out and rivet the links of the chain, which was to sheathe a piece of string and leave it all its pliancy--"I tell you, Don Luis of my soul," he said, peering up from his board, "there is no man in our mystery who could cope with it--and very few frail ladies who could be worthy of it."

to or at a greater extent or degree or a more advanced stage (“further” is used more often than “farther” in this abstract sense)

From this reading FURTHER EPISODES IN THE LIFE OF DON LUIS RAMONEZ Goldsmithing is the art of Valladolid, and Sebastian was its master.

acknowledged as a supposition

From this reading He never concealed it; but he had now to confess that Manvers had given him a task worthy of his powers.

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

From this reading FURTHER EPISODES IN THE LIFE OF DON LUIS RAMONEZ Goldsmithing is the art of Valladolid, and Sebastian was its master.

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

From this reading He never concealed it; but he had now to confess that Manvers had given him a task worthy of his powers.

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

From this reading He never concealed it; but he had now to confess that Manvers had given him a task worthy of his powers.

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

From this reading He never concealed it; but he had now to confess that Manvers had given him a task worthy of his powers.

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

From this reading That was the opinion of the mystery, and his own opinion.

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

From this reading To cut out and rivet the links of the chain, which was to sheathe a piece of string and leave it all its pliancy--"I tell you, Don Luis of my soul," he said, peering up from his board, "there is no man in our mystery who could cope with it--and very few frail ladies who could be worthy of it."

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

From this reading FURTHER EPISODES IN THE LIFE OF DON LUIS RAMONEZ Goldsmithing is the art of Valladolid, and Sebastian was its master.

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

From this reading FURTHER EPISODES IN THE LIFE OF DON LUIS RAMONEZ Goldsmithing is the art of Valladolid, and Sebastian was its master.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading He never concealed it; but he had now to confess that Manvers had given him a task worthy of his powers.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading FURTHER EPISODES IN THE LIFE OF DON LUIS RAMONEZ Goldsmithing is the art of Valladolid, and Sebastian was its master.

plural of “lady” — a polite name for any woman

From this reading To cut out and rivet the links of the chain, which was to sheathe a piece of string and leave it all its pliancy--"I tell you, Don Luis of my soul," he said, peering up from his board, "there is no man in our mystery who could cope with it--and very few frail ladies who could be worthy of it."

go away from a place

From this reading To cut out and rivet the links of the chain, which was to sheathe a piece of string and leave it all its pliancy--"I tell you, Don Luis of my soul," he said, peering up from his board, "there is no man in our mystery who could cope with it--and very few frail ladies who could be worthy of it."

a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading FURTHER EPISODES IN THE LIFE OF DON LUIS RAMONEZ Goldsmithing is the art of Valladolid, and Sebastian was its master.

a golf course that is built on sandy ground near a shore

From this reading To cut out and rivet the links of the chain, which was to sheathe a piece of string and leave it all its pliancy--"I tell you, Don Luis of my soul," he said, peering up from his board, "there is no man in our mystery who could cope with it--and very few frail ladies who could be worthy of it."

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

From this reading FURTHER EPISODES IN THE LIFE OF DON LUIS RAMONEZ Goldsmithing is the art of Valladolid, and Sebastian was its master.

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

From this reading To cut out and rivet the links of the chain, which was to sheathe a piece of string and leave it all its pliancy--"I tell you, Don Luis of my soul," he said, peering up from his board, "there is no man in our mystery who could cope with it--and very few frail ladies who could be worthy of it."

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

From this reading He never concealed it; but he had now to confess that Manvers had given him a task worthy of his powers.

an artist of consummate skill

From this reading FURTHER EPISODES IN THE LIFE OF DON LUIS RAMONEZ Goldsmithing is the art of Valladolid, and Sebastian was its master.

the force of workers available

From this reading Don Luis added that there could be few young men who could be capable of commanding it; but Sebastian had now conceived an admiration for his client.

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading To cut out and rivet the links of the chain, which was to sheathe a piece of string and leave it all its pliancy--"I tell you, Don Luis of my soul," he said, peering up from his board, "there is no man in our mystery who could cope with it--and very few frail ladies who could be worthy of it."

something that baffles understanding and cannot be explained

From this reading That was the opinion of the mystery, and his own opinion.

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading He never concealed it; but he had now to confess that Manvers had given him a task worthy of his powers.

not any; not one

From this reading To cut out and rivet the links of the chain, which was to sheathe a piece of string and leave it all its pliancy--"I tell you, Don Luis of my soul," he said, peering up from his board, "there is no man in our mystery who could cope with it--and very few frail ladies who could be worthy of it."

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

From this reading He never concealed it; but he had now to confess that Manvers had given him a task worthy of his powers.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading FURTHER EPISODES IN THE LIFE OF DON LUIS RAMONEZ Goldsmithing is the art of Valladolid, and Sebastian was its master.

a personal belief or judgment that is not founded on proof or certainty

From this reading That was the opinion of the mystery, and his own opinion.

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading To cut out and rivet the links of the chain, which was to sheathe a piece of string and leave it all its pliancy--"I tell you, Don Luis of my soul," he said, peering up from his board, "there is no man in our mystery who could cope with it--and very few frail ladies who could be worthy of it."

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading To cut out and rivet the links of the chain, which was to sheathe a piece of string and leave it all its pliancy--"I tell you, Don Luis of my soul," he said, peering up from his board, "there is no man in our mystery who could cope with it--and very few frail ladies who could be worthy of it."

have ownership or possession of

From this reading That was the opinion of the mystery, and his own opinion.

-ing form of “peer” — look searchingly

From this reading To cut out and rivet the links of the chain, which was to sheathe a piece of string and leave it all its pliancy--"I tell you, Don Luis of my soul," he said, peering up from his board, "there is no man in our mystery who could cope with it--and very few frail ladies who could be worthy of it."

a separate part of a whole

From this reading To cut out and rivet the links of the chain, which was to sheathe a piece of string and leave it all its pliancy--"I tell you, Don Luis of my soul," he said, peering up from his board, "there is no man in our mystery who could cope with it--and very few frail ladies who could be worthy of it."

the property of being pliant and flexible

From this reading To cut out and rivet the links of the chain, which was to sheathe a piece of string and leave it all its pliancy--"I tell you, Don Luis of my soul," he said, peering up from his board, "there is no man in our mystery who could cope with it--and very few frail ladies who could be worthy of it."

plural of “power” — possession of controlling influence

From this reading He never concealed it; but he had now to confess that Manvers had given him a task worthy of his powers.

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

From this reading FURTHER EPISODES IN THE LIFE OF DON LUIS RAMONEZ Goldsmithing is the art of Valladolid, and Sebastian was its master.

direct one's attention on something

From this reading To cut out and rivet the links of the chain, which was to sheathe a piece of string and leave it all its pliancy--"I tell you, Don Luis of my soul," he said, peering up from his board, "there is no man in our mystery who could cope with it--and very few frail ladies who could be worthy of it."

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading To cut out and rivet the links of the chain, which was to sheathe a piece of string and leave it all its pliancy--"I tell you, Don Luis of my soul," he said, peering up from his board, "there is no man in our mystery who could cope with it--and very few frail ladies who could be worthy of it."

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

From this reading FURTHER EPISODES IN THE LIFE OF DON LUIS RAMONEZ Goldsmithing is the art of Valladolid, and Sebastian was its master.

cover with a protective sheathing

From this reading To cut out and rivet the links of the chain, which was to sheathe a piece of string and leave it all its pliancy--"I tell you, Don Luis of my soul," he said, peering up from his board, "there is no man in our mystery who could cope with it--and very few frail ladies who could be worthy of it."

the immaterial part of a person; the actuating cause of an individual life

From this reading To cut out and rivet the links of the chain, which was to sheathe a piece of string and leave it all its pliancy--"I tell you, Don Luis of my soul," he said, peering up from his board, "there is no man in our mystery who could cope with it--and very few frail ladies who could be worthy of it."

a lightweight cord

From this reading To cut out and rivet the links of the chain, which was to sheathe a piece of string and leave it all its pliancy--"I tell you, Don Luis of my soul," he said, peering up from his board, "there is no man in our mystery who could cope with it--and very few frail ladies who could be worthy of it."

any piece of work that is undertaken or attempted

From this reading He never concealed it; but he had now to confess that Manvers had given him a task worthy of his powers.

express in words

From this reading To cut out and rivet the links of the chain, which was to sheathe a piece of string and leave it all its pliancy--"I tell you, Don Luis of my soul," he said, peering up from his board, "there is no man in our mystery who could cope with it--and very few frail ladies who could be worthy of it."

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading That was the opinion of the mystery, and his own opinion.

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

From this reading FURTHER EPISODES IN THE LIFE OF DON LUIS RAMONEZ Goldsmithing is the art of Valladolid, and Sebastian was its master.

in or at that place or location

From this reading To cut out and rivet the links of the chain, which was to sheathe a piece of string and leave it all its pliancy--"I tell you, Don Luis of my soul," he said, peering up from his board, "there is no man in our mystery who could cope with it--and very few frail ladies who could be worthy of it."

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

From this reading He never concealed it; but he had now to confess that Manvers had given him a task worthy of his powers.

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

From this reading To cut out and rivet the links of the chain, which was to sheathe a piece of string and leave it all its pliancy--"I tell you, Don Luis of my soul," he said, peering up from his board, "there is no man in our mystery who could cope with it--and very few frail ladies who could be worthy of it."

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

From this reading FURTHER EPISODES IN THE LIFE OF DON LUIS RAMONEZ Goldsmithing is the art of Valladolid, and Sebastian was its master.

precisely as stated

From this reading To cut out and rivet the links of the chain, which was to sheathe a piece of string and leave it all its pliancy--"I tell you, Don Luis of my soul," he said, peering up from his board, "there is no man in our mystery who could cope with it--and very few frail ladies who could be worthy of it."

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

From this reading FURTHER EPISODES IN THE LIFE OF DON LUIS RAMONEZ Goldsmithing is the art of Valladolid, and Sebastian was its master.

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

From this reading To cut out and rivet the links of the chain, which was to sheathe a piece of string and leave it all its pliancy--"I tell you, Don Luis of my soul," he said, peering up from his board, "there is no man in our mystery who could cope with it--and very few frail ladies who could be worthy of it."

which person or people

From this reading To cut out and rivet the links of the chain, which was to sheathe a piece of string and leave it all its pliancy--"I tell you, Don Luis of my soul," he said, peering up from his board, "there is no man in our mystery who could cope with it--and very few frail ladies who could be worthy of it."

in the company of; together with

From this reading To cut out and rivet the links of the chain, which was to sheathe a piece of string and leave it all its pliancy--"I tell you, Don Luis of my soul," he said, peering up from his board, "there is no man in our mystery who could cope with it--and very few frail ladies who could be worthy of it."

Having or showing the qualities or abilities that merit recognition in character or magic.

From this reading He never concealed it; but he had now to confess that Manvers had given him a task worthy of his powers.

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading To cut out and rivet the links of the chain, which was to sheathe a piece of string and leave it all its pliancy--"I tell you, Don Luis of my soul," he said, peering up from his board, "there is no man in our mystery who could cope with it--and very few frail ladies who could be worthy of it."

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

From this reading Don Luis added that there could be few young men who could be capable of commanding it; but Sebastian had now conceived an admiration for his client.