Chapter III

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

From this reading He had received by the early post a confidential letter from the company describing Mr. Mottram’s curious offer, and suggesting (naturally) that the state of his health made suicide a plausible conjecture.

deserving of the highest esteem or admiration

From this reading The morning was fine, the car running well, the road they had selected in admirable condition.

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

From this reading He had received by the early post a confidential letter from the company describing Mr. Mottram’s curious offer, and suggesting (naturally) that the state of his health made suicide a plausible conjecture.

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

From this reading The signposts, as is the wont of English signposts, now blazoned “Chilthorpe,” “Chilthorpe,” “Chilthorpe,” as if it were the lodestone of the neighbourhood, now passed it over in severe silence, preferring to call attention to the fact that you were within five furlongs of Little Stubley.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading At the _Load of Mischief_ By next morning Bredon’s spirits had risen.

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

From this reading The signposts, as is the wont of English signposts, now blazoned “Chilthorpe,” “Chilthorpe,” “Chilthorpe,” as if it were the lodestone of the neighbourhood, now passed it over in severe silence, preferring to call attention to the fact that you were within five furlongs of Little Stubley.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading It was still before tea time when they turned off from its excellent surface onto indifferent by-roads, through which they had to thread their way with difficulty.

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

From this reading The signposts, as is the wont of English signposts, now blazoned “Chilthorpe,” “Chilthorpe,” “Chilthorpe,” as if it were the lodestone of the neighbourhood, now passed it over in severe silence, preferring to call attention to the fact that you were within five furlongs of Little Stubley.

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

From this reading At the _Load of Mischief_ By next morning Bredon’s spirits had risen.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading At the _Load of Mischief_ By next morning Bredon’s spirits had risen.

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

From this reading It was still before tea time when they turned off from its excellent surface onto indifferent by-roads, through which they had to thread their way with difficulty.

assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading The signposts, as is the wont of English signposts, now blazoned “Chilthorpe,” “Chilthorpe,” “Chilthorpe,” as if it were the lodestone of the neighbourhood, now passed it over in severe silence, preferring to call attention to the fact that you were within five furlongs of Little Stubley.

a motor vehicle with four wheels; usually propelled by an internal combustion engine

From this reading The morning was fine, the car running well, the road they had selected in admirable condition.

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

From this reading The signposts, as is the wont of English signposts, now blazoned “Chilthorpe,” “Chilthorpe,” “Chilthorpe,” as if it were the lodestone of the neighbourhood, now passed it over in severe silence, preferring to call attention to the fact that you were within five furlongs of Little Stubley.

an institution created to conduct business

From this reading He had received by the early post a confidential letter from the company describing Mr. Mottram’s curious offer, and suggesting (naturally) that the state of his health made suicide a plausible conjecture.

a state at a particular time

From this reading The morning was fine, the car running well, the road they had selected in admirable condition.

entrusted with private information and the confidence of another

From this reading He had received by the early post a confidential letter from the company describing Mr. Mottram’s curious offer, and suggesting (naturally) that the state of his health made suicide a plausible conjecture.

a hypothesis that has been formed by speculating or conjecturing (usually with little hard evidence)

From this reading He had received by the early post a confidential letter from the company describing Mr. Mottram’s curious offer, and suggesting (naturally) that the state of his health made suicide a plausible conjecture.

beyond or deviating from the usual or expected

From this reading He had received by the early post a confidential letter from the company describing Mr. Mottram’s curious offer, and suggesting (naturally) that the state of his health made suicide a plausible conjecture.

-ing form of “describe” — give a description of

From this reading He had received by the early post a confidential letter from the company describing Mr. Mottram’s curious offer, and suggesting (naturally) that the state of his health made suicide a plausible conjecture.

an effort that is inconvenient

From this reading It was still before tea time when they turned off from its excellent surface onto indifferent by-roads, through which they had to thread their way with difficulty.

at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time

From this reading He had received by the early post a confidential letter from the company describing Mr. Mottram’s curious offer, and suggesting (naturally) that the state of his health made suicide a plausible conjecture.

an Indo-European language belonging to the West Germanic branch; the official language of Britain and the United States and most of the commonwealth countries

From this reading The signposts, as is the wont of English signposts, now blazoned “Chilthorpe,” “Chilthorpe,” “Chilthorpe,” as if it were the lodestone of the neighbourhood, now passed it over in severe silence, preferring to call attention to the fact that you were within five furlongs of Little Stubley.

very good; of the highest quality

From this reading It was still before tea time when they turned off from its excellent surface onto indifferent by-roads, through which they had to thread their way with difficulty.

a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred

From this reading The signposts, as is the wont of English signposts, now blazoned “Chilthorpe,” “Chilthorpe,” “Chilthorpe,” as if it were the lodestone of the neighbourhood, now passed it over in severe silence, preferring to call attention to the fact that you were within five furlongs of Little Stubley.

being satisfactory or in satisfactory condition

From this reading The morning was fine, the car running well, the road they had selected in admirable condition.

the cardinal number that is the sum of four and one

From this reading The signposts, as is the wont of English signposts, now blazoned “Chilthorpe,” “Chilthorpe,” “Chilthorpe,” as if it were the lodestone of the neighbourhood, now passed it over in severe silence, preferring to call attention to the fact that you were within five furlongs of Little Stubley.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading He had received by the early post a confidential letter from the company describing Mr. Mottram’s curious offer, and suggesting (naturally) that the state of his health made suicide a plausible conjecture.

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

From this reading The signposts, as is the wont of English signposts, now blazoned “Chilthorpe,” “Chilthorpe,” “Chilthorpe,” as if it were the lodestone of the neighbourhood, now passed it over in severe silence, preferring to call attention to the fact that you were within five furlongs of Little Stubley.

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

From this reading At the _Load of Mischief_ By next morning Bredon’s spirits had risen.

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

From this reading He had received by the early post a confidential letter from the company describing Mr. Mottram’s curious offer, and suggesting (naturally) that the state of his health made suicide a plausible conjecture.

a healthy state of wellbeing free from disease

From this reading He had received by the early post a confidential letter from the company describing Mr. Mottram’s curious offer, and suggesting (naturally) that the state of his health made suicide a plausible conjecture.

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

From this reading He had received by the early post a confidential letter from the company describing Mr. Mottram’s curious offer, and suggesting (naturally) that the state of his health made suicide a plausible conjecture.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading The signposts, as is the wont of English signposts, now blazoned “Chilthorpe,” “Chilthorpe,” “Chilthorpe,” as if it were the lodestone of the neighbourhood, now passed it over in severe silence, preferring to call attention to the fact that you were within five furlongs of Little Stubley.

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

From this reading The morning was fine, the car running well, the road they had selected in admirable condition.

marked by a lack of interest

From this reading It was still before tea time when they turned off from its excellent surface onto indifferent by-roads, through which they had to thread their way with difficulty.

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

From this reading The signposts, as is the wont of English signposts, now blazoned “Chilthorpe,” “Chilthorpe,” “Chilthorpe,” as if it were the lodestone of the neighbourhood, now passed it over in severe silence, preferring to call attention to the fact that you were within five furlongs of Little Stubley.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was still before tea time when they turned off from its excellent surface onto indifferent by-roads, through which they had to thread their way with difficulty.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading It was still before tea time when they turned off from its excellent surface onto indifferent by-roads, through which they had to thread their way with difficulty.

a written message addressed to a person or organization

From this reading He had received by the early post a confidential letter from the company describing Mr. Mottram’s curious offer, and suggesting (naturally) that the state of his health made suicide a plausible conjecture.

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

From this reading The signposts, as is the wont of English signposts, now blazoned “Chilthorpe,” “Chilthorpe,” “Chilthorpe,” as if it were the lodestone of the neighbourhood, now passed it over in severe silence, preferring to call attention to the fact that you were within five furlongs of Little Stubley.

weight to be borne or conveyed

From this reading At the _Load of Mischief_ By next morning Bredon’s spirits had risen.

a permanent magnet consisting of magnetite that possess polarity and has the power to attract as well as to be attracted magnetically

From this reading The signposts, as is the wont of English signposts, now blazoned “Chilthorpe,” “Chilthorpe,” “Chilthorpe,” as if it were the lodestone of the neighbourhood, now passed it over in severe silence, preferring to call attention to the fact that you were within five furlongs of Little Stubley.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading He had received by the early post a confidential letter from the company describing Mr. Mottram’s curious offer, and suggesting (naturally) that the state of his health made suicide a plausible conjecture.

reckless or malicious behavior that causes discomfort or annoyance in others

From this reading At the _Load of Mischief_ By next morning Bredon’s spirits had risen.

the time period between dawn and noon

From this reading At the _Load of Mischief_ By next morning Bredon’s spirits had risen.

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

From this reading He had received by the early post a confidential letter from the company describing Mr. Mottram’s curious offer, and suggesting (naturally) that the state of his health made suicide a plausible conjecture.

a form of address for a man

From this reading He had received by the early post a confidential letter from the company describing Mr. Mottram’s curious offer, and suggesting (naturally) that the state of his health made suicide a plausible conjecture.

as might be expected

From this reading He had received by the early post a confidential letter from the company describing Mr. Mottram’s curious offer, and suggesting (naturally) that the state of his health made suicide a plausible conjecture.

a surrounding or nearby region

From this reading The signposts, as is the wont of English signposts, now blazoned “Chilthorpe,” “Chilthorpe,” “Chilthorpe,” as if it were the lodestone of the neighbourhood, now passed it over in severe silence, preferring to call attention to the fact that you were within five furlongs of Little Stubley.

immediately following in time or order

From this reading At the _Load of Mischief_ By next morning Bredon’s spirits had risen.

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

From this reading The signposts, as is the wont of English signposts, now blazoned “Chilthorpe,” “Chilthorpe,” “Chilthorpe,” as if it were the lodestone of the neighbourhood, now passed it over in severe silence, preferring to call attention to the fact that you were within five furlongs of Little Stubley.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading At the _Load of Mischief_ By next morning Bredon’s spirits had risen.

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

From this reading It was still before tea time when they turned off from its excellent surface onto indifferent by-roads, through which they had to thread their way with difficulty.

make available or accessible, provide or furnish

From this reading He had received by the early post a confidential letter from the company describing Mr. Mottram’s curious offer, and suggesting (naturally) that the state of his health made suicide a plausible conjecture.

moving to a position on a surface

From this reading It was still before tea time when they turned off from its excellent surface onto indifferent by-roads, through which they had to thread their way with difficulty.

above and across; more than

From this reading The signposts, as is the wont of English signposts, now blazoned “Chilthorpe,” “Chilthorpe,” “Chilthorpe,” as if it were the lodestone of the neighbourhood, now passed it over in severe silence, preferring to call attention to the fact that you were within five furlongs of Little Stubley.

past form of “pass” — go across or through

From this reading The signposts, as is the wont of English signposts, now blazoned “Chilthorpe,” “Chilthorpe,” “Chilthorpe,” as if it were the lodestone of the neighbourhood, now passed it over in severe silence, preferring to call attention to the fact that you were within five furlongs of Little Stubley.

apparently reasonable and credible, and therefore convincing

From this reading He had received by the early post a confidential letter from the company describing Mr. Mottram’s curious offer, and suggesting (naturally) that the state of his health made suicide a plausible conjecture.

affix in a public place or for public notice

From this reading He had received by the early post a confidential letter from the company describing Mr. Mottram’s curious offer, and suggesting (naturally) that the state of his health made suicide a plausible conjecture.

inflected form of “prefer” — like better; value more highly

From this reading The signposts, as is the wont of English signposts, now blazoned “Chilthorpe,” “Chilthorpe,” “Chilthorpe,” as if it were the lodestone of the neighbourhood, now passed it over in severe silence, preferring to call attention to the fact that you were within five furlongs of Little Stubley.

conforming to the established language usage of educated native speakers

From this reading He had received by the early post a confidential letter from the company describing Mr. Mottram’s curious offer, and suggesting (naturally) that the state of his health made suicide a plausible conjecture.

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

From this reading At the _Load of Mischief_ By next morning Bredon’s spirits had risen.

an open way (generally public) for travel or transportation

From this reading The morning was fine, the car running well, the road they had selected in admirable condition.

(of fluids) moving or issuing in a stream

From this reading The morning was fine, the car running well, the road they had selected in admirable condition.

chosen in preference to another

From this reading The morning was fine, the car running well, the road they had selected in admirable condition.

intensely or extremely bad or unpleasant in degree or quality

From this reading The signposts, as is the wont of English signposts, now blazoned “Chilthorpe,” “Chilthorpe,” “Chilthorpe,” as if it were the lodestone of the neighbourhood, now passed it over in severe silence, preferring to call attention to the fact that you were within five furlongs of Little Stubley.

plural of “signpost” — a post bearing a sign that gives directions or shows the way

From this reading The signposts, as is the wont of English signposts, now blazoned “Chilthorpe,” “Chilthorpe,” “Chilthorpe,” as if it were the lodestone of the neighbourhood, now passed it over in severe silence, preferring to call attention to the fact that you were within five furlongs of Little Stubley.

Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.

From this reading The signposts, as is the wont of English signposts, now blazoned “Chilthorpe,” “Chilthorpe,” “Chilthorpe,” as if it were the lodestone of the neighbourhood, now passed it over in severe silence, preferring to call attention to the fact that you were within five furlongs of Little Stubley.

an alcoholic beverage that is distilled rather than fermented

From this reading At the _Load of Mischief_ By next morning Bredon’s spirits had risen.

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

From this reading He had received by the early post a confidential letter from the company describing Mr. Mottram’s curious offer, and suggesting (naturally) that the state of his health made suicide a plausible conjecture.

not in physical motion

From this reading It was still before tea time when they turned off from its excellent surface onto indifferent by-roads, through which they had to thread their way with difficulty.

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

From this reading The signposts, as is the wont of English signposts, now blazoned “Chilthorpe,” “Chilthorpe,” “Chilthorpe,” as if it were the lodestone of the neighbourhood, now passed it over in severe silence, preferring to call attention to the fact that you were within five furlongs of Little Stubley.

-ing form of “suggest” — make a proposal, declare a plan for something

From this reading He had received by the early post a confidential letter from the company describing Mr. Mottram’s curious offer, and suggesting (naturally) that the state of his health made suicide a plausible conjecture.

the act of killing yourself

From this reading He had received by the early post a confidential letter from the company describing Mr. Mottram’s curious offer, and suggesting (naturally) that the state of his health made suicide a plausible conjecture.

the outer boundary of an artifact or a material layer constituting or resembling such a boundary

From this reading It was still before tea time when they turned off from its excellent surface onto indifferent by-roads, through which they had to thread their way with difficulty.

a beverage made by steeping tea leaves in water

From this reading It was still before tea time when they turned off from its excellent surface onto indifferent by-roads, through which they had to thread their way with difficulty.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading He had received by the early post a confidential letter from the company describing Mr. Mottram’s curious offer, and suggesting (naturally) that the state of his health made suicide a plausible conjecture.

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

From this reading At the _Load of Mischief_ By next morning Bredon’s spirits had risen.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading It was still before tea time when they turned off from its excellent surface onto indifferent by-roads, through which they had to thread their way with difficulty.

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

From this reading The morning was fine, the car running well, the road they had selected in admirable condition.

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

From this reading It was still before tea time when they turned off from its excellent surface onto indifferent by-roads, through which they had to thread their way with difficulty.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading It was still before tea time when they turned off from its excellent surface onto indifferent by-roads, through which they had to thread their way with difficulty.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading It was still before tea time when they turned off from its excellent surface onto indifferent by-roads, through which they had to thread their way with difficulty.

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

From this reading It was still before tea time when they turned off from its excellent surface onto indifferent by-roads, through which they had to thread their way with difficulty.

moved around an axis or center

From this reading It was still before tea time when they turned off from its excellent surface onto indifferent by-roads, through which they had to thread their way with difficulty.

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

From this reading The morning was fine, the car running well, the road they had selected in admirable condition.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading It was still before tea time when they turned off from its excellent surface onto indifferent by-roads, through which they had to thread their way with difficulty.

(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 The morning was fine, the car running well, the road they had selected in admirable condition.

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

From this reading The signposts, as is the wont of English signposts, now blazoned “Chilthorpe,” “Chilthorpe,” “Chilthorpe,” as if it were the lodestone of the neighbourhood, now passed it over in severe silence, preferring to call attention to the fact that you were within five furlongs of Little Stubley.

at the time that

From this reading It was still before tea time when they turned off from its excellent surface onto indifferent by-roads, through which they had to thread their way with difficulty.

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

From this reading It was still before tea time when they turned off from its excellent surface onto indifferent by-roads, through which they had to thread their way with difficulty.

in the company of; together with

From this reading It was still before tea time when they turned off from its excellent surface onto indifferent by-roads, through which they had to thread their way with difficulty.

inside; before a period of time has passed

From this reading The signposts, as is the wont of English signposts, now blazoned “Chilthorpe,” “Chilthorpe,” “Chilthorpe,” as if it were the lodestone of the neighbourhood, now passed it over in severe silence, preferring to call attention to the fact that you were within five furlongs of Little Stubley.

an established custom

From this reading The signposts, as is the wont of English signposts, now blazoned “Chilthorpe,” “Chilthorpe,” “Chilthorpe,” as if it were the lodestone of the neighbourhood, now passed it over in severe silence, preferring to call attention to the fact that you were within five furlongs of Little Stubley.

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading The signposts, as is the wont of English signposts, now blazoned “Chilthorpe,” “Chilthorpe,” “Chilthorpe,” as if it were the lodestone of the neighbourhood, now passed it over in severe silence, preferring to call attention to the fact that you were within five furlongs of Little Stubley.