Chapter XXI · Oysters at Jim's

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

From this reading |SUE and the Worm had no more than seated themselves at the Muscovy when Zanin came briskly in, hat in hand--still in the wrinkled old suit, still wearing the gray sweater for a waistcoat--but keen of face, buoyant even.

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

From this reading |SUE and the Worm had no more than seated themselves at the Muscovy when Zanin came briskly in, hat in hand--still in the wrinkled old suit, still wearing the gray sweater for a waistcoat--but keen of face, buoyant even.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading |SUE and the Worm had no more than seated themselves at the Muscovy when Zanin came briskly in, hat in hand--still in the wrinkled old suit, still wearing the gray sweater for a waistcoat--but keen of face, buoyant even.

a relatively permanent inclination to react in a particular way

From this reading He threaded his way between the tables, nodding here and there in response to the cries of “Hello, Jacob!”--came straight to Sue, and, with a casual greeting for the Worm, bent over and claimed her ear.

in the space, time, or range separating two things

From this reading He threaded his way between the tables, nodding here and there in response to the cries of “Hello, Jacob!”--came straight to Sue, and, with a casual greeting for the Worm, bent over and claimed her ear.

a statute in draft before it becomes law

From this reading I've sent the bill to Peter.

terminate

From this reading And I've told him of the break in our plans.

in a brisk manner

From this reading |SUE and the Worm had no more than seated themselves at the Muscovy when Zanin came briskly in, hat in hand--still in the wrinkled old suit, still wearing the gray sweater for a waistcoat--but keen of face, buoyant even.

tending to float on a liquid or rise in air or gas

From this reading |SUE and the Worm had no more than seated themselves at the Muscovy when Zanin came briskly in, hat in hand--still in the wrinkled old suit, still wearing the gray sweater for a waistcoat--but keen of face, buoyant even.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading |SUE and the Worm had no more than seated themselves at the Muscovy when Zanin came briskly in, hat in hand--still in the wrinkled old suit, still wearing the gray sweater for a waistcoat--but keen of face, buoyant even.

past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading “Sue,” he said low; “I called up, then took a chance on finding you here.

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

From this reading |SUE and the Worm had no more than seated themselves at the Muscovy when Zanin came briskly in, hat in hand--still in the wrinkled old suit, still wearing the gray sweater for a waistcoat--but keen of face, buoyant even.

marked by blithe unconcern

From this reading He threaded his way between the tables, nodding here and there in response to the cries of “Hello, Jacob!”--came straight to Sue, and, with a casual greeting for the Worm, bent over and claimed her ear.

a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances

From this reading “Sue,” he said low; “I called up, then took a chance on finding you here.

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

From this reading He threaded his way between the tables, nodding here and there in response to the cries of “Hello, Jacob!”--came straight to Sue, and, with a casual greeting for the Worm, bent over and claimed her ear.

plural of “cry” — a loud utterance; often in protest or opposition

From this reading He threaded his way between the tables, nodding here and there in response to the cries of “Hello, Jacob!”--came straight to Sue, and, with a casual greeting for the Worm, bent over and claimed her ear.

the sense organ for hearing and equilibrium

From this reading He threaded his way between the tables, nodding here and there in response to the cries of “Hello, Jacob!”--came straight to Sue, and, with a casual greeting for the Worm, bent over and claimed her ear.

divisible by two

From this reading |SUE and the Worm had no more than seated themselves at the Muscovy when Zanin came briskly in, hat in hand--still in the wrinkled old suit, still wearing the gray sweater for a waistcoat--but keen of face, buoyant even.

the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear

From this reading |SUE and the Worm had no more than seated themselves at the Muscovy when Zanin came briskly in, hat in hand--still in the wrinkled old suit, still wearing the gray sweater for a waistcoat--but keen of face, buoyant even.

the act of determining the properties of something, usually by research or calculation

From this reading “Sue,” he said low; “I called up, then took a chance on finding you here.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading |SUE and the Worm had no more than seated themselves at the Muscovy when Zanin came briskly in, hat in hand--still in the wrinkled old suit, still wearing the gray sweater for a waistcoat--but keen of face, buoyant even.

a neutral achromatic color midway between white and black

From this reading |SUE and the Worm had no more than seated themselves at the Muscovy when Zanin came briskly in, hat in hand--still in the wrinkled old suit, still wearing the gray sweater for a waistcoat--but keen of face, buoyant even.

(usually plural) an acknowledgment or expression of good will (especially on meeting)

From this reading He threaded his way between the tables, nodding here and there in response to the cries of “Hello, Jacob!”--came straight to Sue, and, with a casual greeting for the Worm, bent over and claimed her ear.

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

From this reading |SUE and the Worm had no more than seated themselves at the Muscovy when Zanin came briskly in, hat in hand--still in the wrinkled old suit, still wearing the gray sweater for a waistcoat--but keen of face, buoyant even.

the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb

From this reading |SUE and the Worm had no more than seated themselves at the Muscovy when Zanin came briskly in, hat in hand--still in the wrinkled old suit, still wearing the gray sweater for a waistcoat--but keen of face, buoyant even.

headdress that protects the head from bad weather; has shaped crown and usually a brim

From this reading |SUE and the Worm had no more than seated themselves at the Muscovy when Zanin came briskly in, hat in hand--still in the wrinkled old suit, still wearing the gray sweater for a waistcoat--but keen of face, buoyant even.

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

From this reading He threaded his way between the tables, nodding here and there in response to the cries of “Hello, Jacob!”--came straight to Sue, and, with a casual greeting for the Worm, bent over and claimed her ear.

an expression of greeting

From this reading He threaded his way between the tables, nodding here and there in response to the cries of “Hello, Jacob!”--came straight to Sue, and, with a casual greeting for the Worm, bent over and claimed her ear.

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

From this reading He threaded his way between the tables, nodding here and there in response to the cries of “Hello, Jacob!”--came straight to Sue, and, with a casual greeting for the Worm, bent over and claimed her ear.

in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is

From this reading He threaded his way between the tables, nodding here and there in response to the cries of “Hello, Jacob!”--came straight to Sue, and, with a casual greeting for the Worm, bent over and claimed her ear.

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

From this reading And I've told him of the break in our plans.

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

From this reading He threaded his way between the tables, nodding here and there in response to the cries of “Hello, Jacob!”--came straight to Sue, and, with a casual greeting for the Worm, bent over and claimed her ear.

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

From this reading “Sue,” he said low; “I called up, then took a chance on finding you here.

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

From this reading I've sent the bill to Peter.

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

From this reading |SUE and the Worm had no more than seated themselves at the Muscovy when Zanin came briskly in, hat in hand--still in the wrinkled old suit, still wearing the gray sweater for a waistcoat--but keen of face, buoyant even.

French biochemist who (with Jacques Monod) studied regulatory processes in cells (born in 1920)

From this reading He threaded his way between the tables, nodding here and there in response to the cries of “Hello, Jacob!”--came straight to Sue, and, with a casual greeting for the Worm, bent over and claimed her ear.

having or demonstrating ability to recognize or draw fine distinctions

From this reading |SUE and the Worm had no more than seated themselves at the Muscovy when Zanin came briskly in, hat in hand--still in the wrinkled old suit, still wearing the gray sweater for a waistcoat--but keen of face, buoyant even.

less than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading “Sue,” he said low; “I called up, then took a chance on finding you here.

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

From this reading |SUE and the Worm had no more than seated themselves at the Muscovy when Zanin came briskly in, hat in hand--still in the wrinkled old suit, still wearing the gray sweater for a waistcoat--but keen of face, buoyant even.

a Russian principality in the 13th to 16th centuries; Moscow was the capital

From this reading |SUE and the Worm had no more than seated themselves at the Muscovy when Zanin came briskly in, hat in hand--still in the wrinkled old suit, still wearing the gray sweater for a waistcoat--but keen of face, buoyant even.

not any; not one

From this reading |SUE and the Worm had no more than seated themselves at the Muscovy when Zanin came briskly in, hat in hand--still in the wrinkled old suit, still wearing the gray sweater for a waistcoat--but keen of face, buoyant even.

having branches or flower heads that bend downward

From this reading He threaded his way between the tables, nodding here and there in response to the cries of “Hello, Jacob!”--came straight to Sue, and, with a casual greeting for the Worm, bent over and claimed her ear.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading |SUE and the Worm had no more than seated themselves at the Muscovy when Zanin came briskly in, hat in hand--still in the wrinkled old suit, still wearing the gray sweater for a waistcoat--but keen of face, buoyant even.

(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age

From this reading |SUE and the Worm had no more than seated themselves at the Muscovy when Zanin came briskly in, hat in hand--still in the wrinkled old suit, still wearing the gray sweater for a waistcoat--but keen of face, buoyant even.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading “Sue,” he said low; “I called up, then took a chance on finding you here.

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading And I've told him of the break in our plans.

above and across; more than

From this reading He threaded his way between the tables, nodding here and there in response to the cries of “Hello, Jacob!”--came straight to Sue, and, with a casual greeting for the Worm, bent over and claimed her ear.

disciple of Jesus and leader of the Apostles; regarded by Catholics as the vicar of Christ on earth and first Pope

From this reading I've sent the bill to Peter.

plural of “plan” — a series of steps to be carried out or goals to be accomplished

From this reading And I've told him of the break in our plans.

a result

From this reading He threaded his way between the tables, nodding here and there in response to the cries of “Hello, Jacob!”--came straight to Sue, and, with a casual greeting for the Worm, bent over and claimed her ear.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading “Sue,” he said low; “I called up, then took a chance on finding you here.

(of persons) having the torso erect and legs bent with the body supported on the buttocks

From this reading |SUE and the Worm had no more than seated themselves at the Muscovy when Zanin came briskly in, hat in hand--still in the wrinkled old suit, still wearing the gray sweater for a waistcoat--but keen of face, buoyant even.

100 senti equal 1 kroon in Estonia

From this reading I've sent the bill to Peter.

not in physical motion

From this reading |SUE and the Worm had no more than seated themselves at the Muscovy when Zanin came briskly in, hat in hand--still in the wrinkled old suit, still wearing the gray sweater for a waistcoat--but keen of face, buoyant even.

successive (without a break)

From this reading He threaded his way between the tables, nodding here and there in response to the cries of “Hello, Jacob!”--came straight to Sue, and, with a casual greeting for the Worm, bent over and claimed her ear.

institute legal proceedings against; file a suit against

From this reading |SUE and the Worm had no more than seated themselves at the Muscovy when Zanin came briskly in, hat in hand--still in the wrinkled old suit, still wearing the gray sweater for a waistcoat--but keen of face, buoyant even.

be agreeable or acceptable to

From this reading |SUE and the Worm had no more than seated themselves at the Muscovy when Zanin came briskly in, hat in hand--still in the wrinkled old suit, still wearing the gray sweater for a waistcoat--but keen of face, buoyant even.

a crocheted or knitted garment covering the upper part of the body

From this reading |SUE and the Worm had no more than seated themselves at the Muscovy when Zanin came briskly in, hat in hand--still in the wrinkled old suit, still wearing the gray sweater for a waistcoat--but keen of face, buoyant even.

plural of “table” — a set of data arranged in rows and columns

From this reading He threaded his way between the tables, nodding here and there in response to the cries of “Hello, Jacob!”--came straight to Sue, and, with a casual greeting for the Worm, bent over and claimed her ear.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading |SUE and the Worm had no more than seated themselves at the Muscovy when Zanin came briskly in, hat in hand--still in the wrinkled old suit, still wearing the gray sweater for a waistcoat--but keen of face, buoyant even.

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

From this reading |SUE and the Worm had no more than seated themselves at the Muscovy when Zanin came briskly in, hat in hand--still in the wrinkled old suit, still wearing the gray sweater for a waistcoat--but keen of face, buoyant even.

used when the people doing the action are also its object

From this reading |SUE and the Worm had no more than seated themselves at the Muscovy when Zanin came briskly in, hat in hand--still in the wrinkled old suit, still wearing the gray sweater for a waistcoat--but keen of face, buoyant even.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading “Sue,” he said low; “I called up, then took a chance on finding you here.

in or at that place or location

From this reading He threaded his way between the tables, nodding here and there in response to the cries of “Hello, Jacob!”--came straight to Sue, and, with a casual greeting for the Worm, bent over and claimed her ear.

(of bolts or screws) having screw threads

From this reading He threaded his way between the tables, nodding here and there in response to the cries of “Hello, Jacob!”--came straight to Sue, and, with a casual greeting for the Worm, bent over and claimed her ear.

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

From this reading He threaded his way between the tables, nodding here and there in response to the cries of “Hello, Jacob!”--came straight to Sue, and, with a casual greeting for the Worm, bent over and claimed her ear.

inflected form of “tell” — express in words

From this reading And I've told him of the break in our plans.

inflected form of “take” — carry out

From this reading “Sue,” he said low; “I called up, then took a chance on finding you here.

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

From this reading “Sue,” he said low; “I called up, then took a chance on finding you here.

a man's sleeveless garment worn underneath a coat

From this reading |SUE and the Worm had no more than seated themselves at the Muscovy when Zanin came briskly in, hat in hand--still in the wrinkled old suit, still wearing the gray sweater for a waistcoat--but keen of face, buoyant even.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading He threaded his way between the tables, nodding here and there in response to the cries of “Hello, Jacob!”--came straight to Sue, and, with a casual greeting for the Worm, bent over and claimed her ear.

(geology) the mechanical process of wearing or grinding something down (as by particles washing over it)

From this reading |SUE and the Worm had no more than seated themselves at the Muscovy when Zanin came briskly in, hat in hand--still in the wrinkled old suit, still wearing the gray sweater for a waistcoat--but keen of face, buoyant even.

at the time that

From this reading |SUE and the Worm had no more than seated themselves at the Muscovy when Zanin came briskly in, hat in hand--still in the wrinkled old suit, still wearing the gray sweater for a waistcoat--but keen of face, buoyant even.

in the company of; together with

From this reading He threaded his way between the tables, nodding here and there in response to the cries of “Hello, Jacob!”--came straight to Sue, and, with a casual greeting for the Worm, bent over and claimed her ear.

any of numerous relatively small elongated soft-bodied animals especially of the phyla Annelida and Chaetognatha and Nematoda and Nemertea and Platyhelminthes; also many insect larvae

From this reading |SUE and the Worm had no more than seated themselves at the Muscovy when Zanin came briskly in, hat in hand--still in the wrinkled old suit, still wearing the gray sweater for a waistcoat--but keen of face, buoyant even.

marked by wrinkles

From this reading |SUE and the Worm had no more than seated themselves at the Muscovy when Zanin came briskly in, hat in hand--still in the wrinkled old suit, still wearing the gray sweater for a waistcoat--but keen of face, buoyant even.

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading “Sue,” he said low; “I called up, then took a chance on finding you here.

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

From this reading |SUE and the Worm had no more than seated themselves at the Muscovy when Zanin came briskly in, hat in hand--still in the wrinkled old suit, still wearing the gray sweater for a waistcoat--but keen of face, buoyant even.