Chapter XXX

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

From this reading In the outer office his bookkeeper stood at his tall desk pausing now and then to talk to those who came in, intent on some business errand, and once in a while referring some particular person to his master who sat in the inside room.

(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 It was just twelve o’clock and during the morning all sorts of people had been coming and going in and out of that dingy little place of business.

prior to a specified or implied time

From this reading In his private office in the poor, shabby building, in which for reasons best known to himself he had chosen to establish his place of business, the tall saturnine black bearded and altogether mysterious character known already to some of our readers sat busy with books and letters.

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

From this reading In his private office in the poor, shabby building, in which for reasons best known to himself he had chosen to establish his place of business, the tall saturnine black bearded and altogether mysterious character known already to some of our readers sat busy with books and letters.

surrounded by; in the middle of a group

From this reading Some were men and others women, and there were three or four children among the clients of the place.

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

From this reading In his private office in the poor, shabby building, in which for reasons best known to himself he had chosen to establish his place of business, the tall saturnine black bearded and altogether mysterious character known already to some of our readers sat busy with books and letters.

outward or visible aspect of a person or thing

From this reading Some of the visitors were well to do in appearance while others looked as if poverty and misfortune had long since claimed them as their own.

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

From this reading Some of the visitors were well to do in appearance while others looked as if poverty and misfortune had long since claimed them as their own.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading In the outer office his bookkeeper stood at his tall desk pausing now and then to talk to those who came in, intent on some business errand, and once in a while referring some particular person to his master who sat in the inside room.

having hair on the cheeks and chin

From this reading In his private office in the poor, shabby building, in which for reasons best known to himself he had chosen to establish his place of business, the tall saturnine black bearded and altogether mysterious character known already to some of our readers sat busy with books and letters.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading It was just twelve o’clock and during the morning all sorts of people had been coming and going in and out of that dingy little place of business.

the supreme effort one can make

From this reading In his private office in the poor, shabby building, in which for reasons best known to himself he had chosen to establish his place of business, the tall saturnine black bearded and altogether mysterious character known already to some of our readers sat busy with books and letters.

being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light

From this reading In his private office in the poor, shabby building, in which for reasons best known to himself he had chosen to establish his place of business, the tall saturnine black bearded and altogether mysterious character known already to some of our readers sat busy with books and letters.

someone who records the transactions of a business

From this reading In the outer office his bookkeeper stood at his tall desk pausing now and then to talk to those who came in, intent on some business errand, and once in a while referring some particular person to his master who sat in the inside room.

Bound written or printed works.

From this reading In his private office in the poor, shabby building, in which for reasons best known to himself he had chosen to establish his place of business, the tall saturnine black bearded and altogether mysterious character known already to some of our readers sat busy with books and letters.

a structure that has a roof and walls and stands more or less permanently in one place

From this reading In his private office in the poor, shabby building, in which for reasons best known to himself he had chosen to establish his place of business, the tall saturnine black bearded and altogether mysterious character known already to some of our readers sat busy with books and letters.

a commercial or industrial enterprise and the people who constitute it

From this reading In his private office in the poor, shabby building, in which for reasons best known to himself he had chosen to establish his place of business, the tall saturnine black bearded and altogether mysterious character known already to some of our readers sat busy with books and letters.

actively or fully engaged or occupied

From this reading In his private office in the poor, shabby building, in which for reasons best known to himself he had chosen to establish his place of business, the tall saturnine black bearded and altogether mysterious character known already to some of our readers sat busy with books and letters.

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

From this reading In the outer office his bookkeeper stood at his tall desk pausing now and then to talk to those who came in, intent on some business errand, and once in a while referring some particular person to his master who sat in the inside room.

an imaginary person represented in a work of fiction (play or film or story)

From this reading In his private office in the poor, shabby building, in which for reasons best known to himself he had chosen to establish his place of business, the tall saturnine black bearded and altogether mysterious character known already to some of our readers sat busy with books and letters.

plural of “child” — a young person of either sex

From this reading Some were men and others women, and there were three or four children among the clients of the place.

one who is the object of choice; who is given preference

From this reading In his private office in the poor, shabby building, in which for reasons best known to himself he had chosen to establish his place of business, the tall saturnine black bearded and altogether mysterious character known already to some of our readers sat busy with books and letters.

past form of “claim” — assert or affirm strongly; state to be true or existing

From this reading Some of the visitors were well to do in appearance while others looked as if poverty and misfortune had long since claimed them as their own.

plural of “client” — a person who seeks the advice of a lawyer

From this reading Some were men and others women, and there were three or four children among the clients of the place.

the act of drawing spatially closer to something

From this reading It was just twelve o’clock and during the morning all sorts of people had been coming and going in and out of that dingy little place of business.

a piece of furniture with a writing surface and usually drawers or other compartments

From this reading In the outer office his bookkeeper stood at his tall desk pausing now and then to talk to those who came in, intent on some business errand, and once in a while referring some particular person to his master who sat in the inside room.

thickly covered with ingrained dirt or soot

From this reading It was just twelve o’clock and during the morning all sorts of people had been coming and going in and out of that dingy little place of business.

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading Some of the visitors were well to do in appearance while others looked as if poverty and misfortune had long since claimed them as their own.

all through a period, or at some point within it

From this reading It was just twelve o’clock and during the morning all sorts of people had been coming and going in and out of that dingy little place of business.

a short trip that is taken in the performance of a necessary task or mission

From this reading In the outer office his bookkeeper stood at his tall desk pausing now and then to talk to those who came in, intent on some business errand, and once in a while referring some particular person to his master who sat in the inside room.

set up or found

From this reading In his private office in the poor, shabby building, in which for reasons best known to himself he had chosen to establish his place of business, the tall saturnine black bearded and altogether mysterious character known already to some of our readers sat busy with books and letters.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading In his private office in the poor, shabby building, in which for reasons best known to himself he had chosen to establish his place of business, the tall saturnine black bearded and altogether mysterious character known already to some of our readers sat busy with books and letters.

the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one

From this reading Some were men and others women, and there were three or four children among the clients of the place.

the act of departing

From this reading It was just twelve o’clock and during the morning all sorts of people had been coming and going in and out of that dingy little place of business.

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

From this reading In his private office in the poor, shabby building, in which for reasons best known to himself he had chosen to establish his place of business, the tall saturnine black bearded and altogether mysterious character known already to some of our readers sat busy with books and letters.

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

From this reading In his private office in the poor, shabby building, in which for reasons best known to himself he had chosen to establish his place of business, the tall saturnine black bearded and altogether mysterious character known already to some of our readers sat busy with books and letters.

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

From this reading In his private office in the poor, shabby building, in which for reasons best known to himself he had chosen to establish his place of business, the tall saturnine black bearded and altogether mysterious character known already to some of our readers sat busy with books and letters.

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

From this reading In his private office in the poor, shabby building, in which for reasons best known to himself he had chosen to establish his place of business, the tall saturnine black bearded and altogether mysterious character known already to some of our readers sat busy with books and letters.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading Some of the visitors were well to do in appearance while others looked as if poverty and misfortune had long since claimed them as their own.

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

From this reading In his private office in the poor, shabby building, in which for reasons best known to himself he had chosen to establish his place of business, the tall saturnine black bearded and altogether mysterious character known already to some of our readers sat busy with books and letters.

relating to or being on the side closer to the center or within a defined space

From this reading In the outer office his bookkeeper stood at his tall desk pausing now and then to talk to those who came in, intent on some business errand, and once in a while referring some particular person to his master who sat in the inside room.

an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions

From this reading In the outer office his bookkeeper stood at his tall desk pausing now and then to talk to those who came in, intent on some business errand, and once in a while referring some particular person to his master who sat in the inside room.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was just twelve o’clock and during the morning all sorts of people had been coming and going in and out of that dingy little place of business.

and nothing more

From this reading It was just twelve o’clock and during the morning all sorts of people had been coming and going in and out of that dingy little place of business.

apprehended with certainty

From this reading In his private office in the poor, shabby building, in which for reasons best known to himself he had chosen to establish his place of business, the tall saturnine black bearded and altogether mysterious character known already to some of our readers sat busy with books and letters.

the literary culture

From this reading In his private office in the poor, shabby building, in which for reasons best known to himself he had chosen to establish his place of business, the tall saturnine black bearded and altogether mysterious character known already to some of our readers sat busy with books and letters.

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading It was just twelve o’clock and during the morning all sorts of people had been coming and going in and out of that dingy little place of business.

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 Some of the visitors were well to do in appearance while others looked as if poverty and misfortune had long since claimed them as their own.

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

From this reading Some of the visitors were well to do in appearance while others looked as if poverty and misfortune had long since claimed them as their own.

an artist of consummate skill

From this reading In the outer office his bookkeeper stood at his tall desk pausing now and then to talk to those who came in, intent on some business errand, and once in a while referring some particular person to his master who sat in the inside room.

the force of workers available

From this reading Some were men and others women, and there were three or four children among the clients of the place.

unnecessary and unforeseen trouble resulting from an unfortunate event

From this reading Some of the visitors were well to do in appearance while others looked as if poverty and misfortune had long since claimed them as their own.

the time period between dawn and noon

From this reading It was just twelve o’clock and during the morning all sorts of people had been coming and going in and out of that dingy little place of business.

of an obscure nature

From this reading In his private office in the poor, shabby building, in which for reasons best known to himself he had chosen to establish his place of business, the tall saturnine black bearded and altogether mysterious character known already to some of our readers sat busy with books and letters.

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

From this reading In the outer office his bookkeeper stood at his tall desk pausing now and then to talk to those who came in, intent on some business errand, and once in a while referring some particular person to his master who sat in the inside room.

according to the clock

From this reading It was just twelve o’clock and during the morning all sorts of people had been coming and going in and out of that dingy little place of business.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading In his private office in the poor, shabby building, in which for reasons best known to himself he had chosen to establish his place of business, the tall saturnine black bearded and altogether mysterious character known already to some of our readers sat busy with books and letters.

place of business where professional or clerical duties are performed

From this reading In his private office in the poor, shabby building, in which for reasons best known to himself he had chosen to establish his place of business, the tall saturnine black bearded and altogether mysterious character known already to some of our readers sat busy with books and letters.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading In the outer office his bookkeeper stood at his tall desk pausing now and then to talk to those who came in, intent on some business errand, and once in a while referring some particular person to his master who sat in the inside room.

on one occasion

From this reading In the outer office his bookkeeper stood at his tall desk pausing now and then to talk to those who came in, intent on some business errand, and once in a while referring some particular person to his master who sat in the inside room.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Some were men and others women, and there were three or four children among the clients of the place.

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

From this reading Some of the visitors were well to do in appearance while others looked as if poverty and misfortune had long since claimed them as their own.

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading In his private office in the poor, shabby building, in which for reasons best known to himself he had chosen to establish his place of business, the tall saturnine black bearded and altogether mysterious character known already to some of our readers sat busy with books and letters.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading It was just twelve o’clock and during the morning all sorts of people had been coming and going in and out of that dingy little place of business.

being on the outside or further from a center

From this reading In the outer office his bookkeeper stood at his tall desk pausing now and then to talk to those who came in, intent on some business errand, and once in a while referring some particular person to his master who sat in the inside room.

have ownership or possession of

From this reading Some of the visitors were well to do in appearance while others looked as if poverty and misfortune had long since claimed them as their own.

unique or specific to a person or thing or category

From this reading In the outer office his bookkeeper stood at his tall desk pausing now and then to talk to those who came in, intent on some business errand, and once in a while referring some particular person to his master who sat in the inside room.

-ing form of “pause” — interrupt temporarily an activity before continuing

From this reading In the outer office his bookkeeper stood at his tall desk pausing now and then to talk to those who came in, intent on some business errand, and once in a while referring some particular person to his master who sat in the inside room.

(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively

From this reading It was just twelve o’clock and during the morning all sorts of people had been coming and going in and out of that dingy little place of business.

a human being

From this reading In the outer office his bookkeeper stood at his tall desk pausing now and then to talk to those who came in, intent on some business errand, and once in a while referring some particular person to his master who sat in the inside room.

a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading In his private office in the poor, shabby building, in which for reasons best known to himself he had chosen to establish his place of business, the tall saturnine black bearded and altogether mysterious character known already to some of our readers sat busy with books and letters.

deserving or inciting pity

From this reading In his private office in the poor, shabby building, in which for reasons best known to himself he had chosen to establish his place of business, the tall saturnine black bearded and altogether mysterious character known already to some of our readers sat busy with books and letters.

the state of having little or no money and few or no material possessions

From this reading Some of the visitors were well to do in appearance while others looked as if poverty and misfortune had long since claimed them as their own.

confined to particular persons or groups or providing privacy

From this reading In his private office in the poor, shabby building, in which for reasons best known to himself he had chosen to establish his place of business, the tall saturnine black bearded and altogether mysterious character known already to some of our readers sat busy with books and letters.

plural of “reader” — a person who enjoys reading

From this reading In his private office in the poor, shabby building, in which for reasons best known to himself he had chosen to establish his place of business, the tall saturnine black bearded and altogether mysterious character known already to some of our readers sat busy with books and letters.

plural of “reason” — a rational motive for a belief or action

From this reading In his private office in the poor, shabby building, in which for reasons best known to himself he had chosen to establish his place of business, the tall saturnine black bearded and altogether mysterious character known already to some of our readers sat busy with books and letters.

inflected form of “refer” — make reference to

From this reading In the outer office his bookkeeper stood at his tall desk pausing now and then to talk to those who came in, intent on some business errand, and once in a while referring some particular person to his master who sat in the inside room.

an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling

From this reading In the outer office his bookkeeper stood at his tall desk pausing now and then to talk to those who came in, intent on some business errand, and once in a while referring some particular person to his master who sat in the inside room.

the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians

From this reading In his private office in the poor, shabby building, in which for reasons best known to himself he had chosen to establish his place of business, the tall saturnine black bearded and altogether mysterious character known already to some of our readers sat busy with books and letters.

bitter or scornful

From this reading In his private office in the poor, shabby building, in which for reasons best known to himself he had chosen to establish his place of business, the tall saturnine black bearded and altogether mysterious character known already to some of our readers sat busy with books and letters.

showing signs of wear and tear

From this reading In his private office in the poor, shabby building, in which for reasons best known to himself he had chosen to establish his place of business, the tall saturnine black bearded and altogether mysterious character known already to some of our readers sat busy with books and letters.

from a time in the past until now

From this reading Some of the visitors were well to do in appearance while others looked as if poverty and misfortune had long since claimed them as their own.

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading In his private office in the poor, shabby building, in which for reasons best known to himself he had chosen to establish his place of business, the tall saturnine black bearded and altogether mysterious character known already to some of our readers sat busy with books and letters.

plural of “sort” — a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality

From this reading It was just twelve o’clock and during the morning all sorts of people had been coming and going in and out of that dingy little place of business.

Maintained an upright posture.

From this reading In the outer office his bookkeeper stood at his tall desk pausing now and then to talk to those who came in, intent on some business errand, and once in a while referring some particular person to his master who sat in the inside room.

exchange thoughts; talk with

From this reading In the outer office his bookkeeper stood at his tall desk pausing now and then to talk to those who came in, intent on some business errand, and once in a while referring some particular person to his master who sat in the inside room.

great in vertical dimension; high in stature

From this reading In his private office in the poor, shabby building, in which for reasons best known to himself he had chosen to establish his place of business, the tall saturnine black bearded and altogether mysterious character known already to some of our readers sat busy with books and letters.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading It was just twelve o’clock and during the morning all sorts of people had been coming and going in and out of that dingy little place of business.

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

From this reading In his private office in the poor, shabby building, in which for reasons best known to himself he had chosen to establish his place of business, the tall saturnine black bearded and altogether mysterious character known already to some of our readers sat busy with books and letters.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Some of the visitors were well to do in appearance while others looked as if poverty and misfortune had long since claimed them as their own.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading Some of the visitors were well to do in appearance while others looked as if poverty and misfortune had long since claimed them as their own.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading In the outer office his bookkeeper stood at his tall desk pausing now and then to talk to those who came in, intent on some business errand, and once in a while referring some particular person to his master who sat in the inside room.

in or at that place or location

From this reading Some were men and others women, and there were three or four children among the clients of the place.

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading In the outer office his bookkeeper stood at his tall desk pausing now and then to talk to those who came in, intent on some business errand, and once in a while referring some particular person to his master who sat in the inside room.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one

From this reading Some were men and others women, and there were three or four children among the clients of the place.

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

From this reading In his private office in the poor, shabby building, in which for reasons best known to himself he had chosen to establish his place of business, the tall saturnine black bearded and altogether mysterious character known already to some of our readers sat busy with books and letters.

the cardinal number that is the sum of eleven and one

From this reading It was just twelve o’clock and during the morning all sorts of people had been coming and going in and out of that dingy little place of business.

plural of “visitor” — someone who visits

From this reading Some of the visitors were well to do in appearance while others looked as if poverty and misfortune had long since claimed them as their own.

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

From this reading It was just twelve o’clock and during the morning all sorts of people had been coming and going in and out of that dingy little place of business.

(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)

From this reading Some of the visitors were well to do in appearance while others looked as if poverty and misfortune had long since claimed them as their own.

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading Some of the visitors were well to do in appearance while others looked as if poverty and misfortune had long since claimed them as their own.

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

From this reading In his private office in the poor, shabby building, in which for reasons best known to himself he had chosen to establish his place of business, the tall saturnine black bearded and altogether mysterious character known already to some of our readers sat busy with books and letters.

during the time that

From this reading In the outer office his bookkeeper stood at his tall desk pausing now and then to talk to those who came in, intent on some business errand, and once in a while referring some particular person to his master who sat in the inside room.

which person or people

From this reading In the outer office his bookkeeper stood at his tall desk pausing now and then to talk to those who came in, intent on some business errand, and once in a while referring some particular person to his master who sat in the inside room.

in the company of; together with

From this reading In his private office in the poor, shabby building, in which for reasons best known to himself he had chosen to establish his place of business, the tall saturnine black bearded and altogether mysterious character known already to some of our readers sat busy with books and letters.

plural of “woman” — an adult female person (as opposed to a man)

From this reading Some were men and others women, and there were three or four children among the clients of the place.