Chapter VI · Chapter 6

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

From this reading AN AGREEABLE RATTLE A moment later there entered the room a slim, good-looking young man of about twenty-five years old, whose eyes were very bright and whose clothes were very smart, and who gave the impression of being at once in the highest spirits and at least a year in advance of the very latest expression of the mode.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading AN AGREEABLE RATTLE A moment later there entered the room a slim, good-looking young man of about twenty-five years old, whose eyes were very bright and whose clothes were very smart, and who gave the impression of being at once in the highest spirits and at least a year in advance of the very latest expression of the mode.

move forward, also in the metaphorical sense

From this reading AN AGREEABLE RATTLE A moment later there entered the room a slim, good-looking young man of about twenty-five years old, whose eyes were very bright and whose clothes were very smart, and who gave the impression of being at once in the highest spirits and at least a year in advance of the very latest expression of the mode.

the part of the day between noon and evening

From this reading Bertie Wilton had the reputation of being the wittiest of all the dandies, but his one great weakness was a mania for being _dans le mouvement_, and a certain contempt for any ideas, however valuable, that had been suggested earlier than, say, yesterday afternoon.

conforming to your own liking or feelings or nature

From this reading AN AGREEABLE RATTLE A moment later there entered the room a slim, good-looking young man of about twenty-five years old, whose eyes were very bright and whose clothes were very smart, and who gave the impression of being at once in the highest spirits and at least a year in advance of the very latest expression of the mode.

(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 Bertie Wilton had the reputation of being the wittiest of all the dandies, but his one great weakness was a mania for being _dans le mouvement_, and a certain contempt for any ideas, however valuable, that had been suggested earlier than, say, yesterday afternoon.

at all times; all the time and on every occasion

From this reading He might be frivolous, but he was always interesting.

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

From this reading AN AGREEABLE RATTLE A moment later there entered the room a slim, good-looking young man of about twenty-five years old, whose eyes were very bright and whose clothes were very smart, and who gave the impression of being at once in the highest spirits and at least a year in advance of the very latest expression of the mode.

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

From this reading AN AGREEABLE RATTLE A moment later there entered the room a slim, good-looking young man of about twenty-five years old, whose eyes were very bright and whose clothes were very smart, and who gave the impression of being at once in the highest spirits and at least a year in advance of the very latest expression of the mode.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading Bertie Wilton had the reputation of being the wittiest of all the dandies, but his one great weakness was a mania for being _dans le mouvement_, and a certain contempt for any ideas, however valuable, that had been suggested earlier than, say, yesterday afternoon.

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

From this reading Extremely good-natured, lively, and voluble, he was immensely popular, being considered, as indeed he was, one of the last of the conversationalists.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading AN AGREEABLE RATTLE A moment later there entered the room a slim, good-looking young man of about twenty-five years old, whose eyes were very bright and whose clothes were very smart, and who gave the impression of being at once in the highest spirits and at least a year in advance of the very latest expression of the mode.

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading He might be frivolous, but he was always interesting.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Bertie Wilton had the reputation of being the wittiest of all the dandies, but his one great weakness was a mania for being _dans le mouvement_, and a certain contempt for any ideas, however valuable, that had been suggested earlier than, say, yesterday afternoon.

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading AN AGREEABLE RATTLE A moment later there entered the room a slim, good-looking young man of about twenty-five years old, whose eyes were very bright and whose clothes were very smart, and who gave the impression of being at once in the highest spirits and at least a year in advance of the very latest expression of the mode.

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

From this reading Bertie Wilton had the reputation of being the wittiest of all the dandies, but his one great weakness was a mania for being _dans le mouvement_, and a certain contempt for any ideas, however valuable, that had been suggested earlier than, say, yesterday afternoon.

being or having light colored skin and hair and usually blue or grey eyes

From this reading He was very fair, clean shaven, with smooth blond hair, white teeth, and the most mischievous smile in London.

emitting or reflecting light readily or in large amounts

From this reading AN AGREEABLE RATTLE A moment later there entered the room a slim, good-looking young man of about twenty-five years old, whose eyes were very bright and whose clothes were very smart, and who gave the impression of being at once in the highest spirits and at least a year in advance of the very latest expression of the mode.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Bertie Wilton had the reputation of being the wittiest of all the dandies, but his one great weakness was a mania for being _dans le mouvement_, and a certain contempt for any ideas, however valuable, that had been suggested earlier than, say, yesterday afternoon.

definite but not specified or identified

From this reading Bertie Wilton had the reputation of being the wittiest of all the dandies, but his one great weakness was a mania for being _dans le mouvement_, and a certain contempt for any ideas, however valuable, that had been suggested earlier than, say, yesterday afternoon.

free from dirt or impurities; or having clean habits

From this reading He was very fair, clean shaven, with smooth blond hair, white teeth, and the most mischievous smile in London.

clothing in general

From this reading AN AGREEABLE RATTLE A moment later there entered the room a slim, good-looking young man of about twenty-five years old, whose eyes were very bright and whose clothes were very smart, and who gave the impression of being at once in the highest spirits and at least a year in advance of the very latest expression of the mode.

carefully weighed

From this reading Extremely good-natured, lively, and voluble, he was immensely popular, being considered, as indeed he was, one of the last of the conversationalists.

lack of respect accompanied by a feeling of intense dislike

From this reading Bertie Wilton had the reputation of being the wittiest of all the dandies, but his one great weakness was a mania for being _dans le mouvement_, and a certain contempt for any ideas, however valuable, that had been suggested earlier than, say, yesterday afternoon.

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

From this reading Extremely good-natured, lively, and voluble, he was immensely popular, being considered, as indeed he was, one of the last of the conversationalists.

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

From this reading Bertie Wilton had the reputation of being the wittiest of all the dandies, but his one great weakness was a mania for being _dans le mouvement_, and a certain contempt for any ideas, however valuable, that had been suggested earlier than, say, yesterday afternoon.

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

From this reading Bertie Wilton had the reputation of being the wittiest of all the dandies, but his one great weakness was a mania for being _dans le mouvement_, and a certain contempt for any ideas, however valuable, that had been suggested earlier than, say, yesterday afternoon.

earlier in time; previously

From this reading Bertie Wilton had the reputation of being the wittiest of all the dandies, but his one great weakness was a mania for being _dans le mouvement_, and a certain contempt for any ideas, however valuable, that had been suggested earlier than, say, yesterday afternoon.

past form of “enter” — to come or go into

From this reading AN AGREEABLE RATTLE A moment later there entered the room a slim, good-looking young man of about twenty-five years old, whose eyes were very bright and whose clothes were very smart, and who gave the impression of being at once in the highest spirits and at least a year in advance of the very latest expression of the mode.

the feelings expressed on a person's face

From this reading AN AGREEABLE RATTLE A moment later there entered the room a slim, good-looking young man of about twenty-five years old, whose eyes were very bright and whose clothes were very smart, and who gave the impression of being at once in the highest spirits and at least a year in advance of the very latest expression of the mode.

to a high degree or extent; favorably or with much respect

From this reading Extremely good-natured, lively, and voluble, he was immensely popular, being considered, as indeed he was, one of the last of the conversationalists.

opinion or judgment

From this reading AN AGREEABLE RATTLE A moment later there entered the room a slim, good-looking young man of about twenty-five years old, whose eyes were very bright and whose clothes were very smart, and who gave the impression of being at once in the highest spirits and at least a year in advance of the very latest expression of the mode.

free from favoritism or self-interest or bias or deception; conforming with established standards or rules

From this reading He was very fair, clean shaven, with smooth blond hair, white teeth, and the most mischievous smile in London.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Bertie Wilton had the reputation of being the wittiest of all the dandies, but his one great weakness was a mania for being _dans le mouvement_, and a certain contempt for any ideas, however valuable, that had been suggested earlier than, say, yesterday afternoon.

not serious in content or attitude or behavior

From this reading He might be frivolous, but he was always interesting.

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

From this reading AN AGREEABLE RATTLE A moment later there entered the room a slim, good-looking young man of about twenty-five years old, whose eyes were very bright and whose clothes were very smart, and who gave the impression of being at once in the highest spirits and at least a year in advance of the very latest expression of the mode.

pleasing in appearance especially by reason of conformity to ideals of form and proportion

From this reading AN AGREEABLE RATTLE A moment later there entered the room a slim, good-looking young man of about twenty-five years old, whose eyes were very bright and whose clothes were very smart, and who gave the impression of being at once in the highest spirits and at least a year in advance of the very latest expression of the mode.

having an easygoing and cheerful disposition

From this reading Extremely good-natured, lively, and voluble, he was immensely popular, being considered, as indeed he was, one of the last of the conversationalists.

relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind

From this reading Bertie Wilton had the reputation of being the wittiest of all the dandies, but his one great weakness was a mania for being _dans le mouvement_, and a certain contempt for any ideas, however valuable, that had been suggested earlier than, say, yesterday afternoon.

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

From this reading Bertie Wilton had the reputation of being the wittiest of all the dandies, but his one great weakness was a mania for being _dans le mouvement_, and a certain contempt for any ideas, however valuable, that had been suggested earlier than, say, yesterday afternoon.

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 He was very fair, clean shaven, with smooth blond hair, white teeth, and the most mischievous smile in London.

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

From this reading He was very fair, clean shaven, with smooth blond hair, white teeth, and the most mischievous smile in London.

superlative of “high” — greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading AN AGREEABLE RATTLE A moment later there entered the room a slim, good-looking young man of about twenty-five years old, whose eyes were very bright and whose clothes were very smart, and who gave the impression of being at once in the highest spirits and at least a year in advance of the very latest expression of the mode.

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

From this reading Bertie Wilton had the reputation of being the wittiest of all the dandies, but his one great weakness was a mania for being _dans le mouvement_, and a certain contempt for any ideas, however valuable, that had been suggested earlier than, say, yesterday afternoon.

used to add a contrasting statement

From this reading Bertie Wilton had the reputation of being the wittiest of all the dandies, but his one great weakness was a mania for being _dans le mouvement_, and a certain contempt for any ideas, however valuable, that had been suggested earlier than, say, yesterday afternoon.

plural of “idea” — the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about

From this reading Bertie Wilton had the reputation of being the wittiest of all the dandies, but his one great weakness was a mania for being _dans le mouvement_, and a certain contempt for any ideas, however valuable, that had been suggested earlier than, say, yesterday afternoon.

to an exceedingly great extent or degree

From this reading Extremely good-natured, lively, and voluble, he was immensely popular, being considered, as indeed he was, one of the last of the conversationalists.

a vague idea in which some confidence is placed

From this reading AN AGREEABLE RATTLE A moment later there entered the room a slim, good-looking young man of about twenty-five years old, whose eyes were very bright and whose clothes were very smart, and who gave the impression of being at once in the highest spirits and at least a year in advance of the very latest expression of the mode.

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

From this reading AN AGREEABLE RATTLE A moment later there entered the room a slim, good-looking young man of about twenty-five years old, whose eyes were very bright and whose clothes were very smart, and who gave the impression of being at once in the highest spirits and at least a year in advance of the very latest expression of the mode.

in truth (often tends to intensify)

From this reading Extremely good-natured, lively, and voluble, he was immensely popular, being considered, as indeed he was, one of the last of the conversationalists.

arousing or holding the attention

From this reading He might be frivolous, but he was always interesting.

immediately past

From this reading Extremely good-natured, lively, and voluble, he was immensely popular, being considered, as indeed he was, one of the last of the conversationalists.

happening at a time subsequent to a reference time

From this reading AN AGREEABLE RATTLE A moment later there entered the room a slim, good-looking young man of about twenty-five years old, whose eyes were very bright and whose clothes were very smart, and who gave the impression of being at once in the highest spirits and at least a year in advance of the very latest expression of the mode.

up to the immediate present; most recent or most up-to-date

From this reading AN AGREEABLE RATTLE A moment later there entered the room a slim, good-looking young man of about twenty-five years old, whose eyes were very bright and whose clothes were very smart, and who gave the impression of being at once in the highest spirits and at least a year in advance of the very latest expression of the mode.

a chronic inflammatory collagen disease affecting connective tissue (skin or joints)

From this reading Bertie Wilton had the reputation of being the wittiest of all the dandies, but his one great weakness was a mania for being _dans le mouvement_, and a certain contempt for any ideas, however valuable, that had been suggested earlier than, say, yesterday afternoon.

the superlative of “little” that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by “the”; a quantifier meaning smallest in amount or extent or degree

From this reading AN AGREEABLE RATTLE A moment later there entered the room a slim, good-looking young man of about twenty-five years old, whose eyes were very bright and whose clothes were very smart, and who gave the impression of being at once in the highest spirits and at least a year in advance of the very latest expression of the mode.

full of life and energy

From this reading Extremely good-natured, lively, and voluble, he was immensely popular, being considered, as indeed he was, one of the last of the conversationalists.

the capital and largest city of England; located on the Thames in southeastern England; financial and industrial and cultural center

From this reading He was very fair, clean shaven, with smooth blond hair, white teeth, and the most mischievous smile in London.

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

From this reading AN AGREEABLE RATTLE A moment later there entered the room a slim, good-looking young man of about twenty-five years old, whose eyes were very bright and whose clothes were very smart, and who gave the impression of being at once in the highest spirits and at least a year in advance of the very latest expression of the mode.

an irrational but irresistible motive for a belief or action

From this reading Bertie Wilton had the reputation of being the wittiest of all the dandies, but his one great weakness was a mania for being _dans le mouvement_, and a certain contempt for any ideas, however valuable, that had been suggested earlier than, say, yesterday afternoon.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading He might be frivolous, but he was always interesting.

naughtily or annoyingly playful

From this reading He was very fair, clean shaven, with smooth blond hair, white teeth, and the most mischievous smile in London.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading AN AGREEABLE RATTLE A moment later there entered the room a slim, good-looking young man of about twenty-five years old, whose eyes were very bright and whose clothes were very smart, and who gave the impression of being at once in the highest spirits and at least a year in advance of the very latest expression of the mode.

a particular point in time

From this reading AN AGREEABLE RATTLE A moment later there entered the room a slim, good-looking young man of about twenty-five years old, whose eyes were very bright and whose clothes were very smart, and who gave the impression of being at once in the highest spirits and at least a year in advance of the very latest expression of the mode.

used to form the superlative

From this reading He was very fair, clean shaven, with smooth blond hair, white teeth, and the most mischievous smile in London.

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

From this reading Bertie Wilton had the reputation of being the wittiest of all the dandies, but his one great weakness was a mania for being _dans le mouvement_, and a certain contempt for any ideas, however valuable, that had been suggested earlier than, say, yesterday afternoon.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading AN AGREEABLE RATTLE A moment later there entered the room a slim, good-looking young man of about twenty-five years old, whose eyes were very bright and whose clothes were very smart, and who gave the impression of being at once in the highest spirits and at least a year in advance of the very latest expression of the mode.

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

From this reading AN AGREEABLE RATTLE A moment later there entered the room a slim, good-looking young man of about twenty-five years old, whose eyes were very bright and whose clothes were very smart, and who gave the impression of being at once in the highest spirits and at least a year in advance of the very latest expression of the mode.

on one occasion

From this reading AN AGREEABLE RATTLE A moment later there entered the room a slim, good-looking young man of about twenty-five years old, whose eyes were very bright and whose clothes were very smart, and who gave the impression of being at once in the highest spirits and at least a year in advance of the very latest expression of the mode.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Bertie Wilton had the reputation of being the wittiest of all the dandies, but his one great weakness was a mania for being _dans le mouvement_, and a certain contempt for any ideas, however valuable, that had been suggested earlier than, say, yesterday afternoon.

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

From this reading Extremely good-natured, lively, and voluble, he was immensely popular, being considered, as indeed he was, one of the last of the conversationalists.

make short successive sounds

From this reading AN AGREEABLE RATTLE A moment later there entered the room a slim, good-looking young man of about twenty-five years old, whose eyes were very bright and whose clothes were very smart, and who gave the impression of being at once in the highest spirits and at least a year in advance of the very latest expression of the mode.

the state of being held in high esteem and honor

From this reading Bertie Wilton had the reputation of being the wittiest of all the dandies, but his one great weakness was a mania for being _dans le mouvement_, and a certain contempt for any ideas, however valuable, that had been suggested earlier than, say, yesterday afternoon.

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

From this reading AN AGREEABLE RATTLE A moment later there entered the room a slim, good-looking young man of about twenty-five years old, whose eyes were very bright and whose clothes were very smart, and who gave the impression of being at once in the highest spirits and at least a year in advance of the very latest expression of the mode.

express in words

From this reading Bertie Wilton had the reputation of being the wittiest of all the dandies, but his one great weakness was a mania for being _dans le mouvement_, and a certain contempt for any ideas, however valuable, that had been suggested earlier than, say, yesterday afternoon.

having the beard or hair cut off close to the skin

From this reading He was very fair, clean shaven, with smooth blond hair, white teeth, and the most mischievous smile in London.

being of delicate or slender build

From this reading AN AGREEABLE RATTLE A moment later there entered the room a slim, good-looking young man of about twenty-five years old, whose eyes were very bright and whose clothes were very smart, and who gave the impression of being at once in the highest spirits and at least a year in advance of the very latest expression of the mode.

showing mental alertness and calculation and resourcefulness

From this reading AN AGREEABLE RATTLE A moment later there entered the room a slim, good-looking young man of about twenty-five years old, whose eyes were very bright and whose clothes were very smart, and who gave the impression of being at once in the highest spirits and at least a year in advance of the very latest expression of the mode.

change one's facial expression by spreading the lips, often to signal pleasure

From this reading He was very fair, clean shaven, with smooth blond hair, white teeth, and the most mischievous smile in London.

having a surface free from roughness or bumps or ridges or irregularities

From this reading He was very fair, clean shaven, with smooth blond hair, white teeth, and the most mischievous smile in London.

an alcoholic beverage that is distilled rather than fermented

From this reading AN AGREEABLE RATTLE A moment later there entered the room a slim, good-looking young man of about twenty-five years old, whose eyes were very bright and whose clothes were very smart, and who gave the impression of being at once in the highest spirits and at least a year in advance of the very latest expression of the mode.

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

From this reading Bertie Wilton had the reputation of being the wittiest of all the dandies, but his one great weakness was a mania for being _dans le mouvement_, and a certain contempt for any ideas, however valuable, that had been suggested earlier than, say, yesterday afternoon.

the kind and number and arrangement of teeth (collectively) in a person or animal

From this reading He was very fair, clean shaven, with smooth blond hair, white teeth, and the most mischievous smile in London.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading Bertie Wilton had the reputation of being the wittiest of all the dandies, but his one great weakness was a mania for being _dans le mouvement_, and a certain contempt for any ideas, however valuable, that had been suggested earlier than, say, yesterday afternoon.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Bertie Wilton had the reputation of being the wittiest of all the dandies, but his one great weakness was a mania for being _dans le mouvement_, and a certain contempt for any ideas, however valuable, that had been suggested earlier than, say, yesterday afternoon.

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

From this reading AN AGREEABLE RATTLE A moment later there entered the room a slim, good-looking young man of about twenty-five years old, whose eyes were very bright and whose clothes were very smart, and who gave the impression of being at once in the highest spirits and at least a year in advance of the very latest expression of the mode.

in or at that place or location

From this reading AN AGREEABLE RATTLE A moment later there entered the room a slim, good-looking young man of about twenty-five years old, whose eyes were very bright and whose clothes were very smart, and who gave the impression of being at once in the highest spirits and at least a year in advance of the very latest expression of the mode.

being five more than twenty

From this reading AN AGREEABLE RATTLE A moment later there entered the room a slim, good-looking young man of about twenty-five years old, whose eyes were very bright and whose clothes were very smart, and who gave the impression of being at once in the highest spirits and at least a year in advance of the very latest expression of the mode.

having great material or monetary value especially for use or exchange

From this reading Bertie Wilton had the reputation of being the wittiest of all the dandies, but his one great weakness was a mania for being _dans le mouvement_, and a certain contempt for any ideas, however valuable, that had been suggested earlier than, say, yesterday afternoon.

precisely as stated

From this reading AN AGREEABLE RATTLE A moment later there entered the room a slim, good-looking young man of about twenty-five years old, whose eyes were very bright and whose clothes were very smart, and who gave the impression of being at once in the highest spirits and at least a year in advance of the very latest expression of the mode.

marked by a ready flow of speech

From this reading Extremely good-natured, lively, and voluble, he was immensely popular, being considered, as indeed he was, one of the last of the conversationalists.

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

From this reading He was very fair, clean shaven, with smooth blond hair, white teeth, and the most mischievous smile in London.

a flaw or weak point

From this reading Bertie Wilton had the reputation of being the wittiest of all the dandies, but his one great weakness was a mania for being _dans le mouvement_, and a certain contempt for any ideas, however valuable, that had been suggested earlier than, say, yesterday afternoon.

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

From this reading AN AGREEABLE RATTLE A moment later there entered the room a slim, good-looking young man of about twenty-five years old, whose eyes were very bright and whose clothes were very smart, and who gave the impression of being at once in the highest spirits and at least a year in advance of the very latest expression of the mode.

a Caucasian

From this reading He was very fair, clean shaven, with smooth blond hair, white teeth, and the most mischievous smile in London.

which person or people

From this reading AN AGREEABLE RATTLE A moment later there entered the room a slim, good-looking young man of about twenty-five years old, whose eyes were very bright and whose clothes were very smart, and who gave the impression of being at once in the highest spirits and at least a year in advance of the very latest expression of the mode.

belonging to which person

From this reading AN AGREEABLE RATTLE A moment later there entered the room a slim, good-looking young man of about twenty-five years old, whose eyes were very bright and whose clothes were very smart, and who gave the impression of being at once in the highest spirits and at least a year in advance of the very latest expression of the mode.

a carpet woven on a Jacquard loom with loops like a Brussels carpet but having the loops cut to form a close velvety pile

From this reading Bertie Wilton had the reputation of being the wittiest of all the dandies, but his one great weakness was a mania for being _dans le mouvement_, and a certain contempt for any ideas, however valuable, that had been suggested earlier than, say, yesterday afternoon.

in the company of; together with

From this reading He was very fair, clean shaven, with smooth blond hair, white teeth, and the most mischievous smile in London.

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

From this reading Bertie Wilton had the reputation of being the wittiest of all the dandies, but his one great weakness was a mania for being _dans le mouvement_, and a certain contempt for any ideas, however valuable, that had been suggested earlier than, say, yesterday afternoon.

a period of time containing 365 (or 366) days

From this reading AN AGREEABLE RATTLE A moment later there entered the room a slim, good-looking young man of about twenty-five years old, whose eyes were very bright and whose clothes were very smart, and who gave the impression of being at once in the highest spirits and at least a year in advance of the very latest expression of the mode.

a late time of life

From this reading AN AGREEABLE RATTLE A moment later there entered the room a slim, good-looking young man of about twenty-five years old, whose eyes were very bright and whose clothes were very smart, and who gave the impression of being at once in the highest spirits and at least a year in advance of the very latest expression of the mode.

the day immediately before today

From this reading Bertie Wilton had the reputation of being the wittiest of all the dandies, but his one great weakness was a mania for being _dans le mouvement_, and a certain contempt for any ideas, however valuable, that had been suggested earlier than, say, yesterday afternoon.

(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth

From this reading AN AGREEABLE RATTLE A moment later there entered the room a slim, good-looking young man of about twenty-five years old, whose eyes were very bright and whose clothes were very smart, and who gave the impression of being at once in the highest spirits and at least a year in advance of the very latest expression of the mode.