Chapter XVI · Chapter 16

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

From this reading Had it been possible, he would have avoided a rupture with so influential a personage--an event to be dreaded at any time, but especially so at a juncture like the present, when dangers menaced him on all sides, and the only question appeared to be, from what side the first blow would come.

(followed by “to”) in agreement with or accordant with

From this reading He was still left in the same state of uncertainty as to who would be the claimant of her hand; for the mysterious personage in the mask had not appeared again, according to his promise, after the jousts.

presently existing in fact and not merely potential or possible

From this reading This suspense was terrible, and Sir Jocelyn found it so difficult of endurance, that he would have preferred the actual presence of the calamity by which he was threatened.

later than; following

From this reading He was still left in the same state of uncertainty as to who would be the claimant of her hand; for the mysterious personage in the mask had not appeared again, according to his promise, after the jousts.

anew

From this reading He was still left in the same state of uncertainty as to who would be the claimant of her hand; for the mysterious personage in the mask had not appeared again, according to his promise, after the jousts.

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading His chief anxiety, however, was for Aveline, whose position was one of such strange and imminent peril, against which he knew not how to guard her.

(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 Had it been possible, he would have avoided a rupture with so influential a personage--an event to be dreaded at any time, but especially so at a juncture like the present, when dangers menaced him on all sides, and the only question appeared to be, from what side the first blow would come.

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

From this reading Had it been possible, he would have avoided a rupture with so influential a personage--an event to be dreaded at any time, but especially so at a juncture like the present, when dangers menaced him on all sides, and the only question appeared to be, from what side the first blow would come.

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

From this reading Had it been possible, he would have avoided a rupture with so influential a personage--an event to be dreaded at any time, but especially so at a juncture like the present, when dangers menaced him on all sides, and the only question appeared to be, from what side the first blow would come.

(psychiatry) a relatively permanent state of worry and nervousness occurring in a variety of mental disorders, usually accompanied by compulsive behavior or attacks of panic

From this reading His chief anxiety, however, was for Aveline, whose position was one of such strange and imminent peril, against which he knew not how to guard her.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading Had it been possible, he would have avoided a rupture with so influential a personage--an event to be dreaded at any time, but especially so at a juncture like the present, when dangers menaced him on all sides, and the only question appeared to be, from what side the first blow would come.

past form of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading Had it been possible, he would have avoided a rupture with so influential a personage--an event to be dreaded at any time, but especially so at a juncture like the present, when dangers menaced him on all sides, and the only question appeared to be, from what side the first blow would come.

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

From this reading He was still left in the same state of uncertainty as to who would be the claimant of her hand; for the mysterious personage in the mask had not appeared again, according to his promise, after the jousts.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Sir Jocelyn was not without great uneasiness at the result of his interview with De Gondomar.

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

From this reading His chief anxiety, however, was for Aveline, whose position was one of such strange and imminent peril, against which he knew not how to guard her.

past form of “avoid” — stay clear from; keep away from; keep out of the way of someone or something

From this reading Had it been possible, he would have avoided a rupture with so influential a personage--an event to be dreaded at any time, but especially so at a juncture like the present, when dangers menaced him on all sides, and the only question appeared to be, from what side the first blow would come.

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

From this reading Had it been possible, he would have avoided a rupture with so influential a personage--an event to be dreaded at any time, but especially so at a juncture like the present, when dangers menaced him on all sides, and the only question appeared to be, from what side the first blow would come.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Had it been possible, he would have avoided a rupture with so influential a personage--an event to be dreaded at any time, but especially so at a juncture like the present, when dangers menaced him on all sides, and the only question appeared to be, from what side the first blow would come.

exhale hard

From this reading Had it been possible, he would have avoided a rupture with so influential a personage--an event to be dreaded at any time, but especially so at a juncture like the present, when dangers menaced him on all sides, and the only question appeared to be, from what side the first blow would come.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Had it been possible, he would have avoided a rupture with so influential a personage--an event to be dreaded at any time, but especially so at a juncture like the present, when dangers menaced him on all sides, and the only question appeared to be, from what side the first blow would come.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading This suspense was terrible, and Sir Jocelyn found it so difficult of endurance, that he would have preferred the actual presence of the calamity by which he was threatened.

an event resulting in great loss and misfortune

From this reading This suspense was terrible, and Sir Jocelyn found it so difficult of endurance, that he would have preferred the actual presence of the calamity by which he was threatened.

a person who is in charge

From this reading His chief anxiety, however, was for Aveline, whose position was one of such strange and imminent peril, against which he knew not how to guard her.

someone who claims a benefit or right or title

From this reading He was still left in the same state of uncertainty as to who would be the claimant of her hand; for the mysterious personage in the mask had not appeared again, according to his promise, after the jousts.

move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading Had it been possible, he would have avoided a rupture with so influential a personage--an event to be dreaded at any time, but especially so at a juncture like the present, when dangers menaced him on all sides, and the only question appeared to be, from what side the first blow would come.

plural of “danger” — the condition of being susceptible to harm or injury

From this reading Had it been possible, he would have avoided a rupture with so influential a personage--an event to be dreaded at any time, but especially so at a juncture like the present, when dangers menaced him on all sides, and the only question appeared to be, from what side the first blow would come.

a Mid-Atlantic state; one of the original 13 colonies

From this reading Sir Jocelyn was not without great uneasiness at the result of his interview with De Gondomar.

not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure

From this reading This suspense was terrible, and Sir Jocelyn found it so difficult of endurance, that he would have preferred the actual presence of the calamity by which he was threatened.

causing fear or dread or terror

From this reading Had it been possible, he would have avoided a rupture with so influential a personage--an event to be dreaded at any time, but especially so at a juncture like the present, when dangers menaced him on all sides, and the only question appeared to be, from what side the first blow would come.

the power to withstand hardship or stress

From this reading This suspense was terrible, and Sir Jocelyn found it so difficult of endurance, that he would have preferred the actual presence of the calamity by which he was threatened.

to a distinctly greater extent or degree than is common

From this reading Had it been possible, he would have avoided a rupture with so influential a personage--an event to be dreaded at any time, but especially so at a juncture like the present, when dangers menaced him on all sides, and the only question appeared to be, from what side the first blow would come.

something that happens at a given place and time

From this reading Had it been possible, he would have avoided a rupture with so influential a personage--an event to be dreaded at any time, but especially so at a juncture like the present, when dangers menaced him on all sides, and the only question appeared to be, from what side the first blow would come.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading Had it been possible, he would have avoided a rupture with so influential a personage--an event to be dreaded at any time, but especially so at a juncture like the present, when dangers menaced him on all sides, and the only question appeared to be, from what side the first blow would come.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading His chief anxiety, however, was for Aveline, whose position was one of such strange and imminent peril, against which he knew not how to guard her.

set up or found

From this reading This suspense was terrible, and Sir Jocelyn found it so difficult of endurance, that he would have preferred the actual presence of the calamity by which he was threatened.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Had it been possible, he would have avoided a rupture with so influential a personage--an event to be dreaded at any time, but especially so at a juncture like the present, when dangers menaced him on all sides, and the only question appeared to be, from what side the first blow would come.

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

From this reading Sir Jocelyn was not without great uneasiness at the result of his interview with De Gondomar.

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

From this reading Sir Jocelyn was not without great uneasiness at the result of his interview with De Gondomar.

a person who keeps watch over something or someone

From this reading His chief anxiety, however, was for Aveline, whose position was one of such strange and imminent peril, against which he knew not how to guard her.

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

From this reading Had it been possible, he would have avoided a rupture with so influential a personage--an event to be dreaded at any time, but especially so at a juncture like the present, when dangers menaced him on all sides, and the only question appeared to be, from what side the first blow would come.

the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb

From this reading He was still left in the same state of uncertainty as to who would be the claimant of her hand; for the mysterious personage in the mask had not appeared again, according to his promise, after the jousts.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading Had it been possible, he would have avoided a rupture with so influential a personage--an event to be dreaded at any time, but especially so at a juncture like the present, when dangers menaced him on all sides, and the only question appeared to be, from what side the first blow would come.

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

From this reading Had it been possible, he would have avoided a rupture with so influential a personage--an event to be dreaded at any time, but especially so at a juncture like the present, when dangers menaced him on all sides, and the only question appeared to be, from what side the first blow would come.

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading His chief anxiety, however, was for Aveline, whose position was one of such strange and imminent peril, against which he knew not how to guard her.

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

From this reading Had it been possible, he would have avoided a rupture with so influential a personage--an event to be dreaded at any time, but especially so at a juncture like the present, when dangers menaced him on all sides, and the only question appeared to be, from what side the first blow would come.

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

From this reading Sir Jocelyn was not without great uneasiness at the result of his interview with De Gondomar.

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

From this reading His chief anxiety, however, was for Aveline, whose position was one of such strange and imminent peril, against which he knew not how to guard her.

used to add a contrasting statement

From this reading His chief anxiety, however, was for Aveline, whose position was one of such strange and imminent peril, against which he knew not how to guard her.

close in time; about to occur

From this reading His chief anxiety, however, was for Aveline, whose position was one of such strange and imminent peril, against which he knew not how to guard her.

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

From this reading He was still left in the same state of uncertainty as to who would be the claimant of her hand; for the mysterious personage in the mask had not appeared again, according to his promise, after the jousts.

having or exercising influence or power

From this reading Had it been possible, he would have avoided a rupture with so influential a personage--an event to be dreaded at any time, but especially so at a juncture like the present, when dangers menaced him on all sides, and the only question appeared to be, from what side the first blow would come.

conduct an interview in television, newspaper, and radio reporting

From this reading Sir Jocelyn was not without great uneasiness at the result of his interview with De Gondomar.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Had it been possible, he would have avoided a rupture with so influential a personage--an event to be dreaded at any time, but especially so at a juncture like the present, when dangers menaced him on all sides, and the only question appeared to be, from what side the first blow would come.

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

From this reading Sir Jocelyn was not without great uneasiness at the result of his interview with De Gondomar.

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

From this reading He was still left in the same state of uncertainty as to who would be the claimant of her hand; for the mysterious personage in the mask had not appeared again, according to his promise, after the jousts.

an event that occurs at a critical time

From this reading Had it been possible, he would have avoided a rupture with so influential a personage--an event to be dreaded at any time, but especially so at a juncture like the present, when dangers menaced him on all sides, and the only question appeared to be, from what side the first blow would come.

inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about

From this reading His chief anxiety, however, was for Aveline, whose position was one of such strange and imminent peril, against which he knew not how to guard her.

location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east

From this reading He was still left in the same state of uncertainty as to who would be the claimant of her hand; for the mysterious personage in the mask had not appeared again, according to his promise, after the jousts.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading Had it been possible, he would have avoided a rupture with so influential a personage--an event to be dreaded at any time, but especially so at a juncture like the present, when dangers menaced him on all sides, and the only question appeared to be, from what side the first blow would come.

hide under a false appearance

From this reading He was still left in the same state of uncertainty as to who would be the claimant of her hand; for the mysterious personage in the mask had not appeared again, according to his promise, after the jousts.

past form of “menace” — pose a threat to; present a danger to

From this reading Had it been possible, he would have avoided a rupture with so influential a personage--an event to be dreaded at any time, but especially so at a juncture like the present, when dangers menaced him on all sides, and the only question appeared to be, from what side the first blow would come.

of an obscure nature

From this reading He was still left in the same state of uncertainty as to who would be the claimant of her hand; for the mysterious personage in the mask had not appeared again, according to his promise, after the jousts.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Sir Jocelyn was not without great uneasiness at the result of his interview with De Gondomar.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Sir Jocelyn was not without great uneasiness at the result of his interview with De Gondomar.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Had it been possible, he would have avoided a rupture with so influential a personage--an event to be dreaded at any time, but especially so at a juncture like the present, when dangers menaced him on all sides, and the only question appeared to be, from what side the first blow would come.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading His chief anxiety, however, was for Aveline, whose position was one of such strange and imminent peril, against which he knew not how to guard her.

and nothing more

From this reading Had it been possible, he would have avoided a rupture with so influential a personage--an event to be dreaded at any time, but especially so at a juncture like the present, when dangers menaced him on all sides, and the only question appeared to be, from what side the first blow would come.

a source of danger; a possibility of incurring loss or misfortune

From this reading His chief anxiety, however, was for Aveline, whose position was one of such strange and imminent peril, against which he knew not how to guard her.

another word for person; a person not meriting identification

From this reading Had it been possible, he would have avoided a rupture with so influential a personage--an event to be dreaded at any time, but especially so at a juncture like the present, when dangers menaced him on all sides, and the only question appeared to be, from what side the first blow would come.

the particular portion of space occupied by something

From this reading His chief anxiety, however, was for Aveline, whose position was one of such strange and imminent peril, against which he knew not how to guard her.

capable of happening or existing

From this reading Had it been possible, he would have avoided a rupture with so influential a personage--an event to be dreaded at any time, but especially so at a juncture like the present, when dangers menaced him on all sides, and the only question appeared to be, from what side the first blow would come.

more desirable than another

From this reading This suspense was terrible, and Sir Jocelyn found it so difficult of endurance, that he would have preferred the actual presence of the calamity by which he was threatened.

the state of being present; current existence

From this reading This suspense was terrible, and Sir Jocelyn found it so difficult of endurance, that he would have preferred the actual presence of the calamity by which he was threatened.

give an exhibition of to an interested audience

From this reading Had it been possible, he would have avoided a rupture with so influential a personage--an event to be dreaded at any time, but especially so at a juncture like the present, when dangers menaced him on all sides, and the only question appeared to be, from what side the first blow would come.

make a promise or commitment

From this reading He was still left in the same state of uncertainty as to who would be the claimant of her hand; for the mysterious personage in the mask had not appeared again, according to his promise, after the jousts.

challenge the accuracy, probity, or propriety of

From this reading Had it been possible, he would have avoided a rupture with so influential a personage--an event to be dreaded at any time, but especially so at a juncture like the present, when dangers menaced him on all sides, and the only question appeared to be, from what side the first blow would come.

a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon

From this reading Sir Jocelyn was not without great uneasiness at the result of his interview with De Gondomar.

separate or cause to separate abruptly

From this reading Had it been possible, he would have avoided a rupture with so influential a personage--an event to be dreaded at any time, but especially so at a juncture like the present, when dangers menaced him on all sides, and the only question appeared to be, from what side the first blow would come.

Identical; not different.

From this reading He was still left in the same state of uncertainty as to who would be the claimant of her hand; for the mysterious personage in the mask had not appeared again, according to his promise, after the jousts.

a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location

From this reading Had it been possible, he would have avoided a rupture with so influential a personage--an event to be dreaded at any time, but especially so at a juncture like the present, when dangers menaced him on all sides, and the only question appeared to be, from what side the first blow would come.

plural of “side” — a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location

From this reading Had it been possible, he would have avoided a rupture with so influential a personage--an event to be dreaded at any time, but especially so at a juncture like the present, when dangers menaced him on all sides, and the only question appeared to be, from what side the first blow would come.

term of address for a man

From this reading Sir Jocelyn was not without great uneasiness at the result of his interview with De Gondomar.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Had it been possible, he would have avoided a rupture with so influential a personage--an event to be dreaded at any time, but especially so at a juncture like the present, when dangers menaced him on all sides, and the only question appeared to be, from what side the first blow would come.

the territory occupied by one of the constituent administrative districts of a nation

From this reading He was still left in the same state of uncertainty as to who would be the claimant of her hand; for the mysterious personage in the mask had not appeared again, according to his promise, after the jousts.

not in physical motion

From this reading He was still left in the same state of uncertainty as to who would be the claimant of her hand; for the mysterious personage in the mask had not appeared again, according to his promise, after the jousts.

being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird

From this reading His chief anxiety, however, was for Aveline, whose position was one of such strange and imminent peril, against which he knew not how to guard her.

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading His chief anxiety, however, was for Aveline, whose position was one of such strange and imminent peril, against which he knew not how to guard her.

apprehension about what is going to happen

From this reading This suspense was terrible, and Sir Jocelyn found it so difficult of endurance, that he would have preferred the actual presence of the calamity by which he was threatened.

causing fear or dread or terror

From this reading This suspense was terrible, and Sir Jocelyn found it so difficult of endurance, that he would have preferred the actual presence of the calamity by which he was threatened.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading This suspense was terrible, and Sir Jocelyn found it so difficult of endurance, that he would have preferred the actual presence of the calamity by which he was threatened.

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

From this reading Sir Jocelyn was not without great uneasiness at the result of his interview with De Gondomar.

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading This suspense was terrible, and Sir Jocelyn found it so difficult of endurance, that he would have preferred the actual presence of the calamity by which he was threatened.

(of flora or fauna) likely in the near future to become endangered

From this reading This suspense was terrible, and Sir Jocelyn found it so difficult of endurance, that he would have preferred the actual presence of the calamity by which he was threatened.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading Had it been possible, he would have avoided a rupture with so influential a personage--an event to be dreaded at any time, but especially so at a juncture like the present, when dangers menaced him on all sides, and the only question appeared to be, from what side the first blow would come.

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

From this reading Had it been possible, he would have avoided a rupture with so influential a personage--an event to be dreaded at any time, but especially so at a juncture like the present, when dangers menaced him on all sides, and the only question appeared to be, from what side the first blow would come.

being unsettled or in doubt or dependent on chance

From this reading He was still left in the same state of uncertainty as to who would be the claimant of her hand; for the mysterious personage in the mask had not appeared again, according to his promise, after the jousts.

feelings of anxiety that make you tense and irritable

From this reading Sir Jocelyn was not without great uneasiness at the result of his interview with De Gondomar.

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

From this reading Sir Jocelyn was not without great uneasiness at the result of his interview with De Gondomar.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading Had it been possible, he would have avoided a rupture with so influential a personage--an event to be dreaded at any time, but especially so at a juncture like the present, when dangers menaced him on all sides, and the only question appeared to be, from what side the first blow would come.

at the time that

From this reading Had it been possible, he would have avoided a rupture with so influential a personage--an event to be dreaded at any time, but especially so at a juncture like the present, when dangers menaced him on all sides, and the only question appeared to be, from what side the first blow would come.

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

From this reading His chief anxiety, however, was for Aveline, whose position was one of such strange and imminent peril, against which he knew not how to guard her.

which person or people

From this reading He was still left in the same state of uncertainty as to who would be the claimant of her hand; for the mysterious personage in the mask had not appeared again, according to his promise, after the jousts.

belonging to which person

From this reading His chief anxiety, however, was for Aveline, whose position was one of such strange and imminent peril, against which he knew not how to guard her.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Sir Jocelyn was not without great uneasiness at the result of his interview with De Gondomar.

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading Sir Jocelyn was not without great uneasiness at the result of his interview with De Gondomar.

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading Had it been possible, he would have avoided a rupture with so influential a personage--an event to be dreaded at any time, but especially so at a juncture like the present, when dangers menaced him on all sides, and the only question appeared to be, from what side the first blow would come.