Chapter IV · Chapter 4

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

From this reading "The doctor was a short, thick-set, heavily whiskered gentleman, and looked more like a retired man of affairs than the prosy recluse that he was; but he had long since ceased to take any active interest in life, and gave himself up entirely to scientific study and research of a more or less abstruse nature.

difficult to penetrate; incomprehensible to one of ordinary understanding or knowledge

From this reading "The doctor was a short, thick-set, heavily whiskered gentleman, and looked more like a retired man of affairs than the prosy recluse that he was; but he had long since ceased to take any active interest in life, and gave himself up entirely to scientific study and research of a more or less abstruse nature.

tending to become more severe or wider in scope

From this reading "The doctor was a short, thick-set, heavily whiskered gentleman, and looked more like a retired man of affairs than the prosy recluse that he was; but he had long since ceased to take any active interest in life, and gave himself up entirely to scientific study and research of a more or less abstruse nature.

matters of personal concern

From this reading "The doctor was a short, thick-set, heavily whiskered gentleman, and looked more like a retired man of affairs than the prosy recluse that he was; but he had long since ceased to take any active interest in life, and gave himself up entirely to scientific study and research of a more or less abstruse nature.

(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 His sister kept house for him, and had full charge of all his business matters.

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

From this reading "The doctor was a short, thick-set, heavily whiskered gentleman, and looked more like a retired man of affairs than the prosy recluse that he was; but he had long since ceased to take any active interest in life, and gave himself up entirely to scientific study and research of a more or less abstruse nature.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading "The doctor was a short, thick-set, heavily whiskered gentleman, and looked more like a retired man of affairs than the prosy recluse that he was; but he had long since ceased to take any active interest in life, and gave himself up entirely to scientific study and research of a more or less abstruse nature.

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

From this reading A useless sort of existence, it seemed to me, as mankind was never destined, nor intended, to reap the benefits of his labor.

plural of “benefit” — financial assistance in time of need

From this reading A useless sort of existence, it seemed to me, as mankind was never destined, nor intended, to reap the benefits of his labor.

a male with the same parents as someone else

From this reading She was not popular in A----, nor was her eccentric brother.

a commercial or industrial enterprise and the people who constitute it

From this reading His sister kept house for him, and had full charge of all his business matters.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading "The doctor was a short, thick-set, heavily whiskered gentleman, and looked more like a retired man of affairs than the prosy recluse that he was; but he had long since ceased to take any active interest in life, and gave himself up entirely to scientific study and research of a more or less abstruse nature.

to be able to, or to be allowed to

From this reading The doctor owned considerable property, and Miss Regina proved a capable manager; as a collector of rents she certainly had no equal--to that I can cheerfully testify.

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

From this reading The doctor owned considerable property, and Miss Regina proved a capable manager; as a collector of rents she certainly had no equal--to that I can cheerfully testify.

past form of “cease” — put an end to a state or an activity

From this reading "The doctor was a short, thick-set, heavily whiskered gentleman, and looked more like a retired man of affairs than the prosy recluse that he was; but he had long since ceased to take any active interest in life, and gave himself up entirely to scientific study and research of a more or less abstruse nature.

definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)

From this reading The doctor owned considerable property, and Miss Regina proved a capable manager; as a collector of rents she certainly had no equal--to that I can cheerfully testify.

to make a rush at or sudden attack upon, as in battle

From this reading His sister kept house for him, and had full charge of all his business matters.

in a cheerful manner

From this reading The doctor owned considerable property, and Miss Regina proved a capable manager; as a collector of rents she certainly had no equal--to that I can cheerfully testify.

a person who collects things

From this reading The doctor owned considerable property, and Miss Regina proved a capable manager; as a collector of rents she certainly had no equal--to that I can cheerfully testify.

large or relatively large in number or amount or extent or degree

From this reading The doctor owned considerable property, and Miss Regina proved a capable manager; as a collector of rents she certainly had no equal--to that I can cheerfully testify.

headed or intending to head in a certain direction; often used as a combining form as in “college-bound students”

From this reading A useless sort of existence, it seemed to me, as mankind was never destined, nor intended, to reap the benefits of his labor.

a licensed medical practitioner

From this reading "The doctor was a short, thick-set, heavily whiskered gentleman, and looked more like a retired man of affairs than the prosy recluse that he was; but he had long since ceased to take any active interest in life, and gave himself up entirely to scientific study and research of a more or less abstruse nature.

conspicuously or grossly unconventional or unusual

From this reading She was not popular in A----, nor was her eccentric brother.

to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)

From this reading "The doctor was a short, thick-set, heavily whiskered gentleman, and looked more like a retired man of affairs than the prosy recluse that he was; but he had long since ceased to take any active interest in life, and gave himself up entirely to scientific study and research of a more or less abstruse nature.

be identical or equivalent to

From this reading The doctor owned considerable property, and Miss Regina proved a capable manager; as a collector of rents she certainly had no equal--to that I can cheerfully testify.

the state or fact of existing

From this reading A useless sort of existence, it seemed to me, as mankind was never destined, nor intended, to reap the benefits of his labor.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading His sister kept house for him, and had full charge of all his business matters.

containing as much or as many as is possible or normal

From this reading His sister kept house for him, and had full charge of all his business matters.

inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense

From this reading "The doctor was a short, thick-set, heavily whiskered gentleman, and looked more like a retired man of affairs than the prosy recluse that he was; but he had long since ceased to take any active interest in life, and gave himself up entirely to scientific study and research of a more or less abstruse nature.

a man of refinement

From this reading "The doctor was a short, thick-set, heavily whiskered gentleman, and looked more like a retired man of affairs than the prosy recluse that he was; but he had long since ceased to take any active interest in life, and gave himself up entirely to scientific study and research of a more or less abstruse nature.

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

From this reading "The doctor was a short, thick-set, heavily whiskered gentleman, and looked more like a retired man of affairs than the prosy recluse that he was; but he had long since ceased to take any active interest in life, and gave himself up entirely to scientific study and research of a more or less abstruse nature.

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

From this reading "The doctor was a short, thick-set, heavily whiskered gentleman, and looked more like a retired man of affairs than the prosy recluse that he was; but he had long since ceased to take any active interest in life, and gave himself up entirely to scientific study and research of a more or less abstruse nature.

to a considerable degree

From this reading "The doctor was a short, thick-set, heavily whiskered gentleman, and looked more like a retired man of affairs than the prosy recluse that he was; but he had long since ceased to take any active interest in life, and gave himself up entirely to scientific study and research of a more or less abstruse nature.

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

From this reading She was not popular in A----, nor was her eccentric brother.

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

From this reading His sister kept house for him, and had full charge of all his business matters.

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

From this reading "The doctor was a short, thick-set, heavily whiskered gentleman, and looked more like a retired man of affairs than the prosy recluse that he was; but he had long since ceased to take any active interest in life, and gave himself up entirely to scientific study and research of a more or less abstruse nature.

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

From this reading A useless sort of existence, it seemed to me, as mankind was never destined, nor intended, to reap the benefits of his labor.

a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families

From this reading His sister kept house for him, and had full charge of all his business matters.

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

From this reading The doctor owned considerable property, and Miss Regina proved a capable manager; as a collector of rents she certainly had no equal--to that I can cheerfully testify.

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

From this reading "The doctor was a short, thick-set, heavily whiskered gentleman, and looked more like a retired man of affairs than the prosy recluse that he was; but he had long since ceased to take any active interest in life, and gave himself up entirely to scientific study and research of a more or less abstruse nature.

resulting from one's intentions

From this reading A useless sort of existence, it seemed to me, as mankind was never destined, nor intended, to reap the benefits of his labor.

a sense of concern with and curiosity about someone or something

From this reading "The doctor was a short, thick-set, heavily whiskered gentleman, and looked more like a retired man of affairs than the prosy recluse that he was; but he had long since ceased to take any active interest in life, and gave himself up entirely to scientific study and research of a more or less abstruse nature.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading A useless sort of existence, it seemed to me, as mankind was never destined, nor intended, to reap the benefits of his labor.

(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded

From this reading His sister kept house for him, and had full charge of all his business matters.

a social class comprising those who do manual labor or work for wages

From this reading A useless sort of existence, it seemed to me, as mankind was never destined, nor intended, to reap the benefits of his labor.

used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs

From this reading "The doctor was a short, thick-set, heavily whiskered gentleman, and looked more like a retired man of affairs than the prosy recluse that he was; but he had long since ceased to take any active interest in life, and gave himself up entirely to scientific study and research of a more or less abstruse nature.

a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading "The doctor was a short, thick-set, heavily whiskered gentleman, and looked more like a retired man of affairs than the prosy recluse that he was; but he had long since ceased to take any active interest in life, and gave himself up entirely to scientific study and research of a more or less abstruse nature.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading "The doctor was a short, thick-set, heavily whiskered gentleman, and looked more like a retired man of affairs than the prosy recluse that he was; but he had long since ceased to take any active interest in life, and gave himself up entirely to scientific study and research of a more or less abstruse nature.

primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified

From this reading "The doctor was a short, thick-set, heavily whiskered gentleman, and looked more like a retired man of affairs than the prosy recluse that he was; but he had long since ceased to take any active interest in life, and gave himself up entirely to scientific study and research of a more or less abstruse nature.

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

From this reading "The doctor was a short, thick-set, heavily whiskered gentleman, and looked more like a retired man of affairs than the prosy recluse that he was; but he had long since ceased to take any active interest in life, and gave himself up entirely to scientific study and research of a more or less abstruse nature.

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

From this reading "The doctor was a short, thick-set, heavily whiskered gentleman, and looked more like a retired man of affairs than the prosy recluse that he was; but he had long since ceased to take any active interest in life, and gave himself up entirely to scientific study and research of a more or less abstruse nature.

someone who controls resources and expenditures

From this reading The doctor owned considerable property, and Miss Regina proved a capable manager; as a collector of rents she certainly had no equal--to that I can cheerfully testify.

all of the living human inhabitants of the earth

From this reading A useless sort of existence, it seemed to me, as mankind was never destined, nor intended, to reap the benefits of his labor.

plural of “matter” — a vaguely specified concern

From this reading His sister kept house for him, and had full charge of all his business matters.

the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading A useless sort of existence, it seemed to me, as mankind was never destined, nor intended, to reap the benefits of his labor.

fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind

From this reading The doctor owned considerable property, and Miss Regina proved a capable manager; as a collector of rents she certainly had no equal--to that I can cheerfully testify.

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading "The doctor was a short, thick-set, heavily whiskered gentleman, and looked more like a retired man of affairs than the prosy recluse that he was; but he had long since ceased to take any active interest in life, and gave himself up entirely to scientific study and research of a more or less abstruse nature.

the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized

From this reading "The doctor was a short, thick-set, heavily whiskered gentleman, and looked more like a retired man of affairs than the prosy recluse that he was; but he had long since ceased to take any active interest in life, and gave himself up entirely to scientific study and research of a more or less abstruse nature.

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading A useless sort of existence, it seemed to me, as mankind was never destined, nor intended, to reap the benefits of his labor.

not any; not one

From this reading The doctor owned considerable property, and Miss Regina proved a capable manager; as a collector of rents she certainly had no equal--to that I can cheerfully testify.

and not; used after a negative to add a second negative

From this reading A useless sort of existence, it seemed to me, as mankind was never destined, nor intended, to reap the benefits of his labor.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading She was not popular in A----, nor was her eccentric brother.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading "The doctor was a short, thick-set, heavily whiskered gentleman, and looked more like a retired man of affairs than the prosy recluse that he was; but he had long since ceased to take any active interest in life, and gave himself up entirely to scientific study and research of a more or less abstruse nature.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading "The doctor was a short, thick-set, heavily whiskered gentleman, and looked more like a retired man of affairs than the prosy recluse that he was; but he had long since ceased to take any active interest in life, and gave himself up entirely to scientific study and research of a more or less abstruse nature.

having an owner; often used in combination

From this reading The doctor owned considerable property, and Miss Regina proved a capable manager; as a collector of rents she certainly had no equal--to that I can cheerfully testify.

regarded with great favor, approval, or affection especially by the general public

From this reading She was not popular in A----, nor was her eccentric brother.

something owned; any tangible or intangible possession that is owned by someone

From this reading The doctor owned considerable property, and Miss Regina proved a capable manager; as a collector of rents she certainly had no equal--to that I can cheerfully testify.

lacking wit or imagination

From this reading "The doctor was a short, thick-set, heavily whiskered gentleman, and looked more like a retired man of affairs than the prosy recluse that he was; but he had long since ceased to take any active interest in life, and gave himself up entirely to scientific study and research of a more or less abstruse nature.

established beyond doubt

From this reading The doctor owned considerable property, and Miss Regina proved a capable manager; as a collector of rents she certainly had no equal--to that I can cheerfully testify.

gather, as of natural products

From this reading A useless sort of existence, it seemed to me, as mankind was never destined, nor intended, to reap the benefits of his labor.

one who lives in solitude

From this reading "The doctor was a short, thick-set, heavily whiskered gentleman, and looked more like a retired man of affairs than the prosy recluse that he was; but he had long since ceased to take any active interest in life, and gave himself up entirely to scientific study and research of a more or less abstruse nature.

the provincial capital of Saskatchewan

From this reading The doctor owned considerable property, and Miss Regina proved a capable manager; as a collector of rents she certainly had no equal--to that I can cheerfully testify.

plural of “rent” — a payment or series of payments made by the lessee to an owner for use of some property, facility, equipment, or service

From this reading The doctor owned considerable property, and Miss Regina proved a capable manager; as a collector of rents she certainly had no equal--to that I can cheerfully testify.

systematic investigation to establish facts

From this reading "The doctor was a short, thick-set, heavily whiskered gentleman, and looked more like a retired man of affairs than the prosy recluse that he was; but he had long since ceased to take any active interest in life, and gave himself up entirely to scientific study and research of a more or less abstruse nature.

no longer active in your work or profession

From this reading "The doctor was a short, thick-set, heavily whiskered gentleman, and looked more like a retired man of affairs than the prosy recluse that he was; but he had long since ceased to take any active interest in life, and gave himself up entirely to scientific study and research of a more or less abstruse nature.

of or relating to the practice of science

From this reading "The doctor was a short, thick-set, heavily whiskered gentleman, and looked more like a retired man of affairs than the prosy recluse that he was; but he had long since ceased to take any active interest in life, and gave himself up entirely to scientific study and research of a more or less abstruse nature.

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

From this reading A useless sort of existence, it seemed to me, as mankind was never destined, nor intended, to reap the benefits of his labor.

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

From this reading The doctor owned considerable property, and Miss Regina proved a capable manager; as a collector of rents she certainly had no equal--to that I can cheerfully testify.

primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration

From this reading "The doctor was a short, thick-set, heavily whiskered gentleman, and looked more like a retired man of affairs than the prosy recluse that he was; but he had long since ceased to take any active interest in life, and gave himself up entirely to scientific study and research of a more or less abstruse nature.

from a time in the past until now

From this reading "The doctor was a short, thick-set, heavily whiskered gentleman, and looked more like a retired man of affairs than the prosy recluse that he was; but he had long since ceased to take any active interest in life, and gave himself up entirely to scientific study and research of a more or less abstruse nature.

a female person who has the same parents as another person

From this reading His sister kept house for him, and had full charge of all his business matters.

a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality

From this reading A useless sort of existence, it seemed to me, as mankind was never destined, nor intended, to reap the benefits of his labor.

a detailed critical inspection

From this reading "The doctor was a short, thick-set, heavily whiskered gentleman, and looked more like a retired man of affairs than the prosy recluse that he was; but he had long since ceased to take any active interest in life, and gave himself up entirely to scientific study and research of a more or less abstruse nature.

carry out

From this reading "The doctor was a short, thick-set, heavily whiskered gentleman, and looked more like a retired man of affairs than the prosy recluse that he was; but he had long since ceased to take any active interest in life, and gave himself up entirely to scientific study and research of a more or less abstruse nature.

give testimony in a court of law

From this reading The doctor owned considerable property, and Miss Regina proved a capable manager; as a collector of rents she certainly had no equal--to that I can cheerfully testify.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading "The doctor was a short, thick-set, heavily whiskered gentleman, and looked more like a retired man of affairs than the prosy recluse that he was; but he had long since ceased to take any active interest in life, and gave himself up entirely to scientific study and research of a more or less abstruse nature.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading "The doctor was a short, thick-set, heavily whiskered gentleman, and looked more like a retired man of affairs than the prosy recluse that he was; but he had long since ceased to take any active interest in life, and gave himself up entirely to scientific study and research of a more or less abstruse nature.

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

From this reading "The doctor was a short, thick-set, heavily whiskered gentleman, and looked more like a retired man of affairs than the prosy recluse that he was; but he had long since ceased to take any active interest in life, and gave himself up entirely to scientific study and research of a more or less abstruse nature.

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

From this reading "The doctor was a short, thick-set, heavily whiskered gentleman, and looked more like a retired man of affairs than the prosy recluse that he was; but he had long since ceased to take any active interest in life, and gave himself up entirely to scientific study and research of a more or less abstruse nature.

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

From this reading "The doctor was a short, thick-set, heavily whiskered gentleman, and looked more like a retired man of affairs than the prosy recluse that he was; but he had long since ceased to take any active interest in life, and gave himself up entirely to scientific study and research of a more or less abstruse nature.

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

From this reading "The doctor was a short, thick-set, heavily whiskered gentleman, and looked more like a retired man of affairs than the prosy recluse that he was; but he had long since ceased to take any active interest in life, and gave himself up entirely to scientific study and research of a more or less abstruse nature.

having no beneficial use or incapable of functioning usefully

From this reading A useless sort of existence, it seemed to me, as mankind was never destined, nor intended, to reap the benefits of his labor.

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

From this reading "The doctor was a short, thick-set, heavily whiskered gentleman, and looked more like a retired man of affairs than the prosy recluse that he was; but he had long since ceased to take any active interest in life, and gave himself up entirely to scientific study and research of a more or less abstruse nature.

having hair on the cheeks and chin

From this reading "The doctor was a short, thick-set, heavily whiskered gentleman, and looked more like a retired man of affairs than the prosy recluse that he was; but he had long since ceased to take any active interest in life, and gave himself up entirely to scientific study and research of a more or less abstruse nature.