Chapter XIX · Chapter 19

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

From this reading OF HUMAN NATURE Nicholas Roberts drove his lathes in a lofty chamber separated by wooden walls from the great central activities of the spinning mill.

higher than, or over, something

From this reading Despite the flying sparks from his emery wheels, he always kept a portrait of Sarah Northover before him; and certain pictures of notable sportsmen also hung with Sarah above the benches whereon Nicholas pursued his task.

plural of “activity” — any specific behavior

From this reading OF HUMAN NATURE Nicholas Roberts drove his lathes in a lofty chamber separated by wooden walls from the great central activities of the spinning mill.

in addition

From this reading Despite the flying sparks from his emery wheels, he always kept a portrait of Sarah Northover before him; and certain pictures of notable sportsmen also hung with Sarah above the benches whereon Nicholas pursued his task.

at all times; all the time and on every occasion

From this reading Despite the flying sparks from his emery wheels, he always kept a portrait of Sarah Northover before him; and certain pictures of notable sportsmen also hung with Sarah above the benches whereon Nicholas pursued his task.

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

From this reading Despite the flying sparks from his emery wheels, he always kept a portrait of Sarah Northover before him; and certain pictures of notable sportsmen also hung with Sarah above the benches whereon Nicholas pursued his task.

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading The wood curled away like paper before the teeth of the lathes, and the chisels of these, in their turn, had often to be set upon spinning stones.

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

From this reading The wood curled away like paper before the teeth of the lathes, and the chisels of these, in their turn, had often to be set upon spinning stones.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading Despite the flying sparks from his emery wheels, he always kept a portrait of Sarah Northover before him; and certain pictures of notable sportsmen also hung with Sarah above the benches whereon Nicholas pursued his task.

plural of “bench” — a long seat for more than one person

From this reading Despite the flying sparks from his emery wheels, he always kept a portrait of Sarah Northover before him; and certain pictures of notable sportsmen also hung with Sarah above the benches whereon Nicholas pursued his task.

the supreme effort one can make

From this reading It was noisy work, and Nicholas now stopped his grindstone that he might hear his own voice and that of Mr. Best, who came suddenly into the shop.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading OF HUMAN NATURE Nicholas Roberts drove his lathes in a lofty chamber separated by wooden walls from the great central activities of the spinning mill.

inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading It was noisy work, and Nicholas now stopped his grindstone that he might hear his own voice and that of Mr. Best, who came suddenly into the shop.

serving as an essential component

From this reading OF HUMAN NATURE Nicholas Roberts drove his lathes in a lofty chamber separated by wooden walls from the great central activities of the spinning mill.

definite but not specified or identified

From this reading Despite the flying sparks from his emery wheels, he always kept a portrait of Sarah Northover before him; and certain pictures of notable sportsmen also hung with Sarah above the benches whereon Nicholas pursued his task.

a natural or artificial enclosed space

From this reading OF HUMAN NATURE Nicholas Roberts drove his lathes in a lofty chamber separated by wooden walls from the great central activities of the spinning mill.

plural of “chisel” — an edge tool with a flat steel blade with a cutting edge

From this reading The wood curled away like paper before the teeth of the lathes, and the chisels of these, in their turn, had often to be set upon spinning stones.

power to direct or determine

From this reading His work was to put a fresh face on the wooden reels and rollers that formed a part of the machines; for running hemp or flax will groove the toughest wood in time, and so ruin the control of the rollers and spoil the thread.

(of hair) making curls or having been made to curl

From this reading The wood curled away like paper before the teeth of the lathes, and the chisels of these, in their turn, had often to be set upon spinning stones.

although something is true; in spite of

From this reading Despite the flying sparks from his emery wheels, he always kept a portrait of Sarah Northover before him; and certain pictures of notable sportsmen also hung with Sarah above the benches whereon Nicholas pursued his task.

a group of animals (a herd or flock) moving together

From this reading OF HUMAN NATURE Nicholas Roberts drove his lathes in a lofty chamber separated by wooden walls from the great central activities of the spinning mill.

a hard grey-black mineral consisting of corundum and either hematite or magnetite; used as an abrasive (especially as a coating on paper)

From this reading Despite the flying sparks from his emery wheels, he always kept a portrait of Sarah Northover before him; and certain pictures of notable sportsmen also hung with Sarah above the benches whereon Nicholas pursued his task.

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

From this reading His work was to put a fresh face on the wooden reels and rollers that formed a part of the machines; for running hemp or flax will groove the toughest wood in time, and so ruin the control of the rollers and spoil the thread.

fiber of the flax plant that is made into thread and woven into linen fabric

From this reading His work was to put a fresh face on the wooden reels and rollers that formed a part of the machines; for running hemp or flax will groove the toughest wood in time, and so ruin the control of the rollers and spoil the thread.

moving swiftly

From this reading Despite the flying sparks from his emery wheels, he always kept a portrait of Sarah Northover before him; and certain pictures of notable sportsmen also hung with Sarah above the benches whereon Nicholas pursued his task.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading His work was to put a fresh face on the wooden reels and rollers that formed a part of the machines; for running hemp or flax will groove the toughest wood in time, and so ruin the control of the rollers and spoil the thread.

having or given a form or shape

From this reading His work was to put a fresh face on the wooden reels and rollers that formed a part of the machines; for running hemp or flax will groove the toughest wood in time, and so ruin the control of the rollers and spoil the thread.

recently made, produced, or harvested

From this reading His work was to put a fresh face on the wooden reels and rollers that formed a part of the machines; for running hemp or flax will groove the toughest wood in time, and so ruin the control of the rollers and spoil the thread.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading OF HUMAN NATURE Nicholas Roberts drove his lathes in a lofty chamber separated by wooden walls from the great central activities of the spinning mill.

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

From this reading OF HUMAN NATURE Nicholas Roberts drove his lathes in a lofty chamber separated by wooden walls from the great central activities of the spinning mill.

a revolving stone shaped like a disk; used to grind or sharpen or polish edge tools

From this reading It was noisy work, and Nicholas now stopped his grindstone that he might hear his own voice and that of Mr. Best, who came suddenly into the shop.

a long narrow furrow cut either by a natural process (such as erosion) or by a tool (as e.g. a groove in a phonograph record)

From this reading His work was to put a fresh face on the wooden reels and rollers that formed a part of the machines; for running hemp or flax will groove the toughest wood in time, and so ruin the control of the rollers and spoil the thread.

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

From this reading The wood curled away like paper before the teeth of the lathes, and the chisels of these, in their turn, had often to be set upon spinning stones.

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

From this reading Despite the flying sparks from his emery wheels, he always kept a portrait of Sarah Northover before him; and certain pictures of notable sportsmen also hung with Sarah above the benches whereon Nicholas pursued his task.

perceive (sound) via the auditory sense

From this reading It was noisy work, and Nicholas now stopped his grindstone that he might hear his own voice and that of Mr. Best, who came suddenly into the shop.

a plant fiber

From this reading His work was to put a fresh face on the wooden reels and rollers that formed a part of the machines; for running hemp or flax will groove the toughest wood in time, and so ruin the control of the rollers and spoil the thread.

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

From this reading Despite the flying sparks from his emery wheels, he always kept a portrait of Sarah Northover before him; and certain pictures of notable sportsmen also hung with Sarah above the benches whereon Nicholas pursued his task.

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

From this reading OF HUMAN NATURE Nicholas Roberts drove his lathes in a lofty chamber separated by wooden walls from the great central activities of the spinning mill.

characteristic of humanity

From this reading OF HUMAN NATURE Nicholas Roberts drove his lathes in a lofty chamber separated by wooden walls from the great central activities of the spinning mill.

inflected form of “hang” — be suspended or hanging

From this reading Despite the flying sparks from his emery wheels, he always kept a portrait of Sarah Northover before him; and certain pictures of notable sportsmen also hung with Sarah above the benches whereon Nicholas pursued his task.

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

From this reading OF HUMAN NATURE Nicholas Roberts drove his lathes in a lofty chamber separated by wooden walls from the great central activities of the spinning mill.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading It was noisy work, and Nicholas now stopped his grindstone that he might hear his own voice and that of Mr. Best, who came suddenly into the shop.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was noisy work, and Nicholas now stopped his grindstone that he might hear his own voice and that of Mr. Best, who came suddenly into the shop.

(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded

From this reading Despite the flying sparks from his emery wheels, he always kept a portrait of Sarah Northover before him; and certain pictures of notable sportsmen also hung with Sarah above the benches whereon Nicholas pursued his task.

plural of “lathe” — machine tool for shaping metal or wood; the workpiece turns about a horizontal axis against a fixed tool

From this reading OF HUMAN NATURE Nicholas Roberts drove his lathes in a lofty chamber separated by wooden walls from the great central activities of the spinning mill.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading The wood curled away like paper before the teeth of the lathes, and the chisels of these, in their turn, had often to be set upon spinning stones.

of high moral or intellectual value; elevated in nature or style

From this reading OF HUMAN NATURE Nicholas Roberts drove his lathes in a lofty chamber separated by wooden walls from the great central activities of the spinning mill.

plural of “machine” — any mechanical or electrical device that transmits or modifies energy to perform or assist in the performance of human tasks

From this reading His work was to put a fresh face on the wooden reels and rollers that formed a part of the machines; for running hemp or flax will groove the toughest wood in time, and so ruin the control of the rollers and spoil the thread.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading It was noisy work, and Nicholas now stopped his grindstone that he might hear his own voice and that of Mr. Best, who came suddenly into the shop.

move about in a confused manner

From this reading OF HUMAN NATURE Nicholas Roberts drove his lathes in a lofty chamber separated by wooden walls from the great central activities of the spinning mill.

a form of address for a man

From this reading It was noisy work, and Nicholas now stopped his grindstone that he might hear his own voice and that of Mr. Best, who came suddenly into the shop.

the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized

From this reading OF HUMAN NATURE Nicholas Roberts drove his lathes in a lofty chamber separated by wooden walls from the great central activities of the spinning mill.

a bishop in Asia Minor who is associated with Santa Claus (4th century)

From this reading OF HUMAN NATURE Nicholas Roberts drove his lathes in a lofty chamber separated by wooden walls from the great central activities of the spinning mill.

full of or characterized by loud and nonmusical sounds

From this reading It was noisy work, and Nicholas now stopped his grindstone that he might hear his own voice and that of Mr. Best, who came suddenly into the shop.

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

From this reading Despite the flying sparks from his emery wheels, he always kept a portrait of Sarah Northover before him; and certain pictures of notable sportsmen also hung with Sarah above the benches whereon Nicholas pursued his task.

widely known and esteemed

From this reading Despite the flying sparks from his emery wheels, he always kept a portrait of Sarah Northover before him; and certain pictures of notable sportsmen also hung with Sarah above the benches whereon Nicholas pursued his task.

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

From this reading It was noisy work, and Nicholas now stopped his grindstone that he might hear his own voice and that of Mr. Best, who came suddenly into the shop.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading OF HUMAN NATURE Nicholas Roberts drove his lathes in a lofty chamber separated by wooden walls from the great central activities of the spinning mill.

many times at short intervals

From this reading The wood curled away like paper before the teeth of the lathes, and the chisels of these, in their turn, had often to be set upon spinning stones.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading His work was to put a fresh face on the wooden reels and rollers that formed a part of the machines; for running hemp or flax will groove the toughest wood in time, and so ruin the control of the rollers and spoil the thread.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading His work was to put a fresh face on the wooden reels and rollers that formed a part of the machines; for running hemp or flax will groove the toughest wood in time, and so ruin the control of the rollers and spoil the thread.

have ownership or possession of

From this reading It was noisy work, and Nicholas now stopped his grindstone that he might hear his own voice and that of Mr. Best, who came suddenly into the shop.

a material made of cellulose pulp derived mainly from wood or rags or certain grasses

From this reading The wood curled away like paper before the teeth of the lathes, and the chisels of these, in their turn, had often to be set upon spinning stones.

something determined in relation to something that includes it

From this reading His work was to put a fresh face on the wooden reels and rollers that formed a part of the machines; for running hemp or flax will groove the toughest wood in time, and so ruin the control of the rollers and spoil the thread.

plural of “picture” — a visual representation (of an object or scene or person or abstraction) produced on a surface

From this reading Despite the flying sparks from his emery wheels, he always kept a portrait of Sarah Northover before him; and certain pictures of notable sportsmen also hung with Sarah above the benches whereon Nicholas pursued his task.

a word picture of a person's appearance and character

From this reading Despite the flying sparks from his emery wheels, he always kept a portrait of Sarah Northover before him; and certain pictures of notable sportsmen also hung with Sarah above the benches whereon Nicholas pursued his task.

a person who is being chased

From this reading Despite the flying sparks from his emery wheels, he always kept a portrait of Sarah Northover before him; and certain pictures of notable sportsmen also hung with Sarah above the benches whereon Nicholas pursued his task.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading His work was to put a fresh face on the wooden reels and rollers that formed a part of the machines; for running hemp or flax will groove the toughest wood in time, and so ruin the control of the rollers and spoil the thread.

plural of “reel” — a roll of photographic film holding a series of frames to be projected by a movie projector

From this reading His work was to put a fresh face on the wooden reels and rollers that formed a part of the machines; for running hemp or flax will groove the toughest wood in time, and so ruin the control of the rollers and spoil the thread.

United States biochemist (born in England) honored for his discovery that some genes contain introns (born in 1943)

From this reading OF HUMAN NATURE Nicholas Roberts drove his lathes in a lofty chamber separated by wooden walls from the great central activities of the spinning mill.

plural of “roller” — a grounder that rolls along the infield

From this reading His work was to put a fresh face on the wooden reels and rollers that formed a part of the machines; for running hemp or flax will groove the toughest wood in time, and so ruin the control of the rollers and spoil the thread.

an irrecoverable state of devastation and destruction

From this reading His work was to put a fresh face on the wooden reels and rollers that formed a part of the machines; for running hemp or flax will groove the toughest wood in time, and so ruin the control of the rollers and spoil the thread.

(of fluids) moving or issuing in a stream

From this reading His work was to put a fresh face on the wooden reels and rollers that formed a part of the machines; for running hemp or flax will groove the toughest wood in time, and so ruin the control of the rollers and spoil the thread.

(Old Testament) the wife of Abraham and mother of Isaac

From this reading Despite the flying sparks from his emery wheels, he always kept a portrait of Sarah Northover before him; and certain pictures of notable sportsmen also hung with Sarah above the benches whereon Nicholas pursued his task.

being or feeling set or kept apart from others

From this reading OF HUMAN NATURE Nicholas Roberts drove his lathes in a lofty chamber separated by wooden walls from the great central activities of the spinning mill.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading The wood curled away like paper before the teeth of the lathes, and the chisels of these, in their turn, had often to be set upon spinning stones.

do one's shopping

From this reading It was noisy work, and Nicholas now stopped his grindstone that he might hear his own voice and that of Mr. Best, who came suddenly into the shop.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading His work was to put a fresh face on the wooden reels and rollers that formed a part of the machines; for running hemp or flax will groove the toughest wood in time, and so ruin the control of the rollers and spoil the thread.

plural of “spark” — a momentary flash of light

From this reading Despite the flying sparks from his emery wheels, he always kept a portrait of Sarah Northover before him; and certain pictures of notable sportsmen also hung with Sarah above the benches whereon Nicholas pursued his task.

creating thread

From this reading OF HUMAN NATURE Nicholas Roberts drove his lathes in a lofty chamber separated by wooden walls from the great central activities of the spinning mill.

make a mess of, destroy or ruin

From this reading His work was to put a fresh face on the wooden reels and rollers that formed a part of the machines; for running hemp or flax will groove the toughest wood in time, and so ruin the control of the rollers and spoil the thread.

plural of “sportsman” — someone who engages in sports

From this reading Despite the flying sparks from his emery wheels, he always kept a portrait of Sarah Northover before him; and certain pictures of notable sportsmen also hung with Sarah above the benches whereon Nicholas pursued his task.

plural of “stone” — a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter

From this reading The wood curled away like paper before the teeth of the lathes, and the chisels of these, in their turn, had often to be set upon spinning stones.

(of a nose) blocked

From this reading It was noisy work, and Nicholas now stopped his grindstone that he might hear his own voice and that of Mr. Best, who came suddenly into the shop.

happening unexpectedly

From this reading It was noisy work, and Nicholas now stopped his grindstone that he might hear his own voice and that of Mr. Best, who came suddenly into the shop.

any piece of work that is undertaken or attempted

From this reading Despite the flying sparks from his emery wheels, he always kept a portrait of Sarah Northover before him; and certain pictures of notable sportsmen also hung with Sarah above the benches whereon Nicholas pursued his task.

the kind and number and arrangement of teeth (collectively) in a person or animal

From this reading The wood curled away like paper before the teeth of the lathes, and the chisels of these, in their turn, had often to be set upon spinning stones.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading His work was to put a fresh face on the wooden reels and rollers that formed a part of the machines; for running hemp or flax will groove the toughest wood in time, and so ruin the control of the rollers and spoil the thread.

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

From this reading OF HUMAN NATURE Nicholas Roberts drove his lathes in a lofty chamber separated by wooden walls from the great central activities of the spinning mill.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading The wood curled away like paper before the teeth of the lathes, and the chisels of these, in their turn, had often to be set upon spinning stones.

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading The wood curled away like paper before the teeth of the lathes, and the chisels of these, in their turn, had often to be set upon spinning stones.

to move or cause to move in a sinuous, spiral, or circular course

From this reading His work was to put a fresh face on the wooden reels and rollers that formed a part of the machines; for running hemp or flax will groove the toughest wood in time, and so ruin the control of the rollers and spoil the thread.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading His work was to put a fresh face on the wooden reels and rollers that formed a part of the machines; for running hemp or flax will groove the toughest wood in time, and so ruin the control of the rollers and spoil the thread.

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

From this reading His work was to put a fresh face on the wooden reels and rollers that formed a part of the machines; for running hemp or flax will groove the toughest wood in time, and so ruin the control of the rollers and spoil the thread.

superlative of “tough” — not given to gentleness or sentimentality

From this reading His work was to put a fresh face on the wooden reels and rollers that formed a part of the machines; for running hemp or flax will groove the toughest wood in time, and so ruin the control of the rollers and spoil the thread.

change orientation or direction, also in the abstract sense

From this reading The wood curled away like paper before the teeth of the lathes, and the chisels of these, in their turn, had often to be set upon spinning stones.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading The wood curled away like paper before the teeth of the lathes, and the chisels of these, in their turn, had often to be set upon spinning stones.

the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech

From this reading It was noisy work, and Nicholas now stopped his grindstone that he might hear his own voice and that of Mr. Best, who came suddenly into the shop.

plural of “wall” — an architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area or to support another structure

From this reading OF HUMAN NATURE Nicholas Roberts drove his lathes in a lofty chamber separated by wooden walls from the great central activities of the spinning mill.

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

From this reading His work was to put a fresh face on the wooden reels and rollers that formed a part of the machines; for running hemp or flax will groove the toughest wood in time, and so ruin the control of the rollers and spoil the thread.

plural of “wheel” — a simple machine consisting of a circular frame with spokes (or a solid disc) that can rotate on a shaft or axle (as in vehicles or other machines)

From this reading Despite the flying sparks from his emery wheels, he always kept a portrait of Sarah Northover before him; and certain pictures of notable sportsmen also hung with Sarah above the benches whereon Nicholas pursued his task.

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

From this reading Despite the flying sparks from his emery wheels, he always kept a portrait of Sarah Northover before him; and certain pictures of notable sportsmen also hung with Sarah above the benches whereon Nicholas pursued his task.

which person or people

From this reading It was noisy work, and Nicholas now stopped his grindstone that he might hear his own voice and that of Mr. Best, who came suddenly into the shop.

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading His work was to put a fresh face on the wooden reels and rollers that formed a part of the machines; for running hemp or flax will groove the toughest wood in time, and so ruin the control of the rollers and spoil the thread.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Despite the flying sparks from his emery wheels, he always kept a portrait of Sarah Northover before him; and certain pictures of notable sportsmen also hung with Sarah above the benches whereon Nicholas pursued his task.

the hard fibrous lignified substance under the bark of trees

From this reading His work was to put a fresh face on the wooden reels and rollers that formed a part of the machines; for running hemp or flax will groove the toughest wood in time, and so ruin the control of the rollers and spoil the thread.

made or consisting of (entirely or in part) or employing wood

From this reading OF HUMAN NATURE Nicholas Roberts drove his lathes in a lofty chamber separated by wooden walls from the great central activities of the spinning mill.

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

From this reading His work was to put a fresh face on the wooden reels and rollers that formed a part of the machines; for running hemp or flax will groove the toughest wood in time, and so ruin the control of the rollers and spoil the thread.