Chapter X

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

From this reading At about the hour at which I was taking leave of the Don my grandfather was sitting alone in his dining-room, reading; his snow-white hair and beard, as they glistened in the lamp-light, affording a strong contrast to the vivacity of his dark eyes and the ruddy glow of his complexion.

(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something

From this reading But the book before him was hardly able to fix his attention.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading At about the hour at which I was taking leave of the Don my grandfather was sitting alone in his dining-room, reading; his snow-white hair and beard, as they glistened in the lamp-light, affording a strong contrast to the vivacity of his dark eyes and the ruddy glow of his complexion.

-ing form of “afford” — be able to spare or give up

From this reading At about the hour at which I was taking leave of the Don my grandfather was sitting alone in his dining-room, reading; his snow-white hair and beard, as they glistened in the lamp-light, affording a strong contrast to the vivacity of his dark eyes and the ruddy glow of his complexion.

Having no one else present.

From this reading At about the hour at which I was taking leave of the Don my grandfather was sitting alone in his dining-room, reading; his snow-white hair and beard, as they glistened in the lamp-light, affording a strong contrast to the vivacity of his dark eyes and the ruddy glow of his complexion.

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

From this reading Every now and then he would raise his eyes from its pages, with the look of one who fancied that he heard an expected sound.

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

From this reading At about the hour at which I was taking leave of the Don my grandfather was sitting alone in his dining-room, reading; his snow-white hair and beard, as they glistened in the lamp-light, affording a strong contrast to the vivacity of his dark eyes and the ruddy glow of his complexion.

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

From this reading At about the hour at which I was taking leave of the Don my grandfather was sitting alone in his dining-room, reading; his snow-white hair and beard, as they glistened in the lamp-light, affording a strong contrast to the vivacity of his dark eyes and the ruddy glow of his complexion.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading At about the hour at which I was taking leave of the Don my grandfather was sitting alone in his dining-room, reading; his snow-white hair and beard, as they glistened in the lamp-light, affording a strong contrast to the vivacity of his dark eyes and the ruddy glow of his complexion.

the process whereby a person concentrates on some features of the environment to the (relative) exclusion of others

From this reading But the book before him was hardly able to fix his attention.

the hair growing on the lower part of a man's face

From this reading At about the hour at which I was taking leave of the Don my grandfather was sitting alone in his dining-room, reading; his snow-white hair and beard, as they glistened in the lamp-light, affording a strong contrast to the vivacity of his dark eyes and the ruddy glow of his complexion.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Something like this he had been doing now for nearly a week.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading But the book before him was hardly able to fix his attention.

a written work or composition that has been published (printed on pages bound together)

From this reading But the book before him was hardly able to fix his attention.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But the book before him was hardly able to fix his attention.

the coloring of a person's face

From this reading At about the hour at which I was taking leave of the Don my grandfather was sitting alone in his dining-room, reading; his snow-white hair and beard, as they glistened in the lamp-light, affording a strong contrast to the vivacity of his dark eyes and the ruddy glow of his complexion.

the opposition or dissimilarity of things that are compared

From this reading At about the hour at which I was taking leave of the Don my grandfather was sitting alone in his dining-room, reading; his snow-white hair and beard, as they glistened in the lamp-light, affording a strong contrast to the vivacity of his dark eyes and the ruddy glow of his complexion.

absence of light or illumination

From this reading At about the hour at which I was taking leave of the Don my grandfather was sitting alone in his dining-room, reading; his snow-white hair and beard, as they glistened in the lamp-light, affording a strong contrast to the vivacity of his dark eyes and the ruddy glow of his complexion.

a room used for dining

From this reading At about the hour at which I was taking leave of the Don my grandfather was sitting alone in his dining-room, reading; his snow-white hair and beard, as they glistened in the lamp-light, affording a strong contrast to the vivacity of his dark eyes and the ruddy glow of his complexion.

-ing form of “do” — engage in

From this reading Something like this he had been doing now for nearly a week.

a Spanish gentleman or nobleman

From this reading At about the hour at which I was taking leave of the Don my grandfather was sitting alone in his dining-room, reading; his snow-white hair and beard, as they glistened in the lamp-light, affording a strong contrast to the vivacity of his dark eyes and the ruddy glow of his complexion.

a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle

From this reading Several times he had risen from his seat, gone to the door, opened it, and listened.

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading Every now and then he would raise his eyes from its pages, with the look of one who fancied that he heard an expected sound.

considered likely or probable to happen or arrive

From this reading Every now and then he would raise his eyes from its pages, with the look of one who fancied that he heard an expected sound.

opinion or judgment

From this reading At about the hour at which I was taking leave of the Don my grandfather was sitting alone in his dining-room, reading; his snow-white hair and beard, as they glistened in the lamp-light, affording a strong contrast to the vivacity of his dark eyes and the ruddy glow of his complexion.

formed or conceived by the imagination

From this reading Every now and then he would raise his eyes from its pages, with the look of one who fancied that he heard an expected sound.

restore by replacing a part or putting together what is torn or broken

From this reading But the book before him was hardly able to fix his attention.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Something like this he had been doing now for nearly a week.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Every now and then he would raise his eyes from its pages, with the look of one who fancied that he heard an expected sound.

past form of “glisten” — be shiny, as if wet

From this reading At about the hour at which I was taking leave of the Don my grandfather was sitting alone in his dining-room, reading; his snow-white hair and beard, as they glistened in the lamp-light, affording a strong contrast to the vivacity of his dark eyes and the ruddy glow of his complexion.

an alert and refreshed state

From this reading At about the hour at which I was taking leave of the Don my grandfather was sitting alone in his dining-room, reading; his snow-white hair and beard, as they glistened in the lamp-light, affording a strong contrast to the vivacity of his dark eyes and the ruddy glow of his complexion.

destroyed or killed

From this reading Several times he had risen from his seat, gone to the door, opened it, and listened.

the father of your father or mother

From this reading At about the hour at which I was taking leave of the Don my grandfather was sitting alone in his dining-room, reading; his snow-white hair and beard, as they glistened in the lamp-light, affording a strong contrast to the vivacity of his dark eyes and the ruddy glow of his complexion.

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

From this reading Several times he had risen from his seat, gone to the door, opened it, and listened.

a covering for the body (or parts of it) consisting of a dense growth of threadlike structures (as on the human head); helps to prevent heat loss

From this reading At about the hour at which I was taking leave of the Don my grandfather was sitting alone in his dining-room, reading; his snow-white hair and beard, as they glistened in the lamp-light, affording a strong contrast to the vivacity of his dark eyes and the ruddy glow of his complexion.

only a very short time before

From this reading But the book before him was hardly able to fix his attention.

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

From this reading Every now and then he would raise his eyes from its pages, with the look of one who fancied that he heard an expected sound.

detected or perceived by the sense of hearing

From this reading Every now and then he would raise his eyes from its pages, with the look of one who fancied that he heard an expected sound.

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

From this reading But the book before him was hardly able to fix his attention.

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

From this reading At about the hour at which I was taking leave of the Don my grandfather was sitting alone in his dining-room, reading; his snow-white hair and beard, as they glistened in the lamp-light, affording a strong contrast to the vivacity of his dark eyes and the ruddy glow of his complexion.

a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day

From this reading At about the hour at which I was taking leave of the Don my grandfather was sitting alone in his dining-room, reading; his snow-white hair and beard, as they glistened in the lamp-light, affording a strong contrast to the vivacity of his dark eyes and the ruddy glow of his complexion.

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

From this reading At about the hour at which I was taking leave of the Don my grandfather was sitting alone in his dining-room, reading; his snow-white hair and beard, as they glistened in the lamp-light, affording a strong contrast to the vivacity of his dark eyes and the ruddy glow of his complexion.

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

From this reading At about the hour at which I was taking leave of the Don my grandfather was sitting alone in his dining-room, reading; his snow-white hair and beard, as they glistened in the lamp-light, affording a strong contrast to the vivacity of his dark eyes and the ruddy glow of his complexion.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Several times he had risen from his seat, gone to the door, opened it, and listened.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading Every now and then he would raise his eyes from its pages, with the look of one who fancied that he heard an expected sound.

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

From this reading At about the hour at which I was taking leave of the Don my grandfather was sitting alone in his dining-room, reading; his snow-white hair and beard, as they glistened in the lamp-light, affording a strong contrast to the vivacity of his dark eyes and the ruddy glow of his complexion.

go away from a place

From this reading At about the hour at which I was taking leave of the Don my grandfather was sitting alone in his dining-room, reading; his snow-white hair and beard, as they glistened in the lamp-light, affording a strong contrast to the vivacity of his dark eyes and the ruddy glow of his complexion.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading Something like this he had been doing now for nearly a week.

past form of “listen” — hear with intention

From this reading Several times he had risen from his seat, gone to the door, opened it, and listened.

perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading Every now and then he would raise his eyes from its pages, with the look of one who fancied that he heard an expected sound.

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading At about the hour at which I was taking leave of the Don my grandfather was sitting alone in his dining-room, reading; his snow-white hair and beard, as they glistened in the lamp-light, affording a strong contrast to the vivacity of his dark eyes and the ruddy glow of his complexion.

(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but

From this reading Something like this he had been doing now for nearly a week.

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

From this reading Every now and then he would raise his eyes from its pages, with the look of one who fancied that he heard an expected sound.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading At about the hour at which I was taking leave of the Don my grandfather was sitting alone in his dining-room, reading; his snow-white hair and beard, as they glistened in the lamp-light, affording a strong contrast to the vivacity of his dark eyes and the ruddy glow of his complexion.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Every now and then he would raise his eyes from its pages, with the look of one who fancied that he heard an expected sound.

used of mouth or eyes

From this reading Several times he had risen from his seat, gone to the door, opened it, and listened.

plural of “page” — one side of one leaf (of a book or magazine or newspaper or letter etc.) or the written or pictorial matter it contains

From this reading Every now and then he would raise his eyes from its pages, with the look of one who fancied that he heard an expected sound.

raise the level or amount of something

From this reading Every now and then he would raise his eyes from its pages, with the look of one who fancied that he heard an expected sound.

the cognitive process of understanding a written linguistic message

From this reading At about the hour at which I was taking leave of the Don my grandfather was sitting alone in his dining-room, reading; his snow-white hair and beard, as they glistened in the lamp-light, affording a strong contrast to the vivacity of his dark eyes and the ruddy glow of his complexion.

(of e.g. celestial bodies) above the horizon

From this reading Several times he had risen from his seat, gone to the door, opened it, and listened.

inclined to a healthy reddish color often associated with outdoor life

From this reading At about the hour at which I was taking leave of the Don my grandfather was sitting alone in his dining-room, reading; his snow-white hair and beard, as they glistened in the lamp-light, affording a strong contrast to the vivacity of his dark eyes and the ruddy glow of his complexion.

a space reserved for sitting (as in a theater or on a train or airplane)

From this reading Several times he had risen from his seat, gone to the door, opened it, and listened.

(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many

From this reading Several times he had risen from his seat, gone to the door, opened it, and listened.

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

From this reading At about the hour at which I was taking leave of the Don my grandfather was sitting alone in his dining-room, reading; his snow-white hair and beard, as they glistened in the lamp-light, affording a strong contrast to the vivacity of his dark eyes and the ruddy glow of his complexion.

of the white color of snow

From this reading At about the hour at which I was taking leave of the Don my grandfather was sitting alone in his dining-room, reading; his snow-white hair and beard, as they glistened in the lamp-light, affording a strong contrast to the vivacity of his dark eyes and the ruddy glow of his complexion.

a thing, without saying which

From this reading Something like this he had been doing now for nearly a week.

the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause

From this reading Every now and then he would raise his eyes from its pages, with the look of one who fancied that he heard an expected sound.

having strength or power greater than average or expected

From this reading At about the hour at which I was taking leave of the Don my grandfather was sitting alone in his dining-room, reading; his snow-white hair and beard, as they glistened in the lamp-light, affording a strong contrast to the vivacity of his dark eyes and the ruddy glow of his complexion.

the act of someone who picks up or takes something

From this reading At about the hour at which I was taking leave of the Don my grandfather was sitting alone in his dining-room, reading; his snow-white hair and beard, as they glistened in the lamp-light, affording a strong contrast to the vivacity of his dark eyes and the ruddy glow of his complexion.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Every now and then he would raise his eyes from its pages, with the look of one who fancied that he heard an expected sound.

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

From this reading At about the hour at which I was taking leave of the Don my grandfather was sitting alone in his dining-room, reading; his snow-white hair and beard, as they glistened in the lamp-light, affording a strong contrast to the vivacity of his dark eyes and the ruddy glow of his complexion.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading Every now and then he would raise his eyes from its pages, with the look of one who fancied that he heard an expected sound.

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading At about the hour at which I was taking leave of the Don my grandfather was sitting alone in his dining-room, reading; his snow-white hair and beard, as they glistened in the lamp-light, affording a strong contrast to the vivacity of his dark eyes and the ruddy glow of his complexion.

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

From this reading Something like this he had been doing now for nearly a week.

a more or less definite period of time now or previously present

From this reading Several times he had risen from his seat, gone to the door, opened it, and listened.

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

From this reading At about the hour at which I was taking leave of the Don my grandfather was sitting alone in his dining-room, reading; his snow-white hair and beard, as they glistened in the lamp-light, affording a strong contrast to the vivacity of his dark eyes and the ruddy glow of his complexion.

characterized by high spirits and animation

From this reading At about the hour at which I was taking leave of the Don my grandfather was sitting alone in his dining-room, reading; his snow-white hair and beard, as they glistened in the lamp-light, affording a strong contrast to the vivacity of his dark eyes and the ruddy glow of his complexion.

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

From this reading At about the hour at which I was taking leave of the Don my grandfather was sitting alone in his dining-room, reading; his snow-white hair and beard, as they glistened in the lamp-light, affording a strong contrast to the vivacity of his dark eyes and the ruddy glow of his complexion.

any period of seven consecutive days

From this reading Something like this he had been doing now for nearly a week.

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

From this reading At about the hour at which I was taking leave of the Don my grandfather was sitting alone in his dining-room, reading; his snow-white hair and beard, as they glistened in the lamp-light, affording a strong contrast to the vivacity of his dark eyes and the ruddy glow of his complexion.

which person or people

From this reading Every now and then he would raise his eyes from its pages, with the look of one who fancied that he heard an expected sound.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Every now and then he would raise his eyes from its pages, with the look of one who fancied that he heard an expected sound.

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

From this reading Every now and then he would raise his eyes from its pages, with the look of one who fancied that he heard an expected sound.