Chapter X · The Thinning of the Ice

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

From this reading In the verandah, indeed, the thermometer had made the shade heat upwards of 1000 since nine o'clock in the morning, touching 1100 in the early afternoon.

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

From this reading In the verandah, indeed, the thermometer had made the shade heat upwards of 1000 since nine o'clock in the morning, touching 1100 in the early afternoon.

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

From this reading He was writing a letter in which he had already remarked that it was the hottest Christmas Eve within even his experience of that colony.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading It was now about six (Mr. Teesdale being still without his watch was never positive of the time), and because of Mrs. T.'. theory that to open a window was to let in the heat, to say nothing of the flies, the atmosphere of the parlour with its reminiscences of the day's meals was sufficiently unendurable.

the part of the day between noon and evening

From this reading In the verandah, indeed, the thermometer had made the shade heat upwards of 1000 since nine o'clock in the morning, touching 1100 in the early afternoon.

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading A little smoke from Mr. Teesdale's pipe would surely have improved it if anything; but that was against the rules of the house, and the poor gentleman, who was not master of it, wrote on and on with the perspiration standing on his bald head, and the reek of the recent tea in his nose.

prior to a specified or implied time

From this reading He was writing a letter in which he had already remarked that it was the hottest Christmas Eve within even his experience of that colony.

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

From this reading Old Teesdale sat with his arm-chair drawn close to the table, and his shirt-sleeves rolled up to the elbow.

any thing at all

From this reading A little smoke from Mr. Teesdale's pipe would surely have improved it if anything; but that was against the rules of the house, and the poor gentleman, who was not master of it, wrote on and on with the perspiration standing on his bald head, and the reek of the recent tea in his nose.

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

From this reading Old Teesdale sat with his arm-chair drawn close to the table, and his shirt-sleeves rolled up to the elbow.

a particular environment or surrounding influence

From this reading It was now about six (Mr. Teesdale being still without his watch was never positive of the time), and because of Mrs. T.'. theory that to open a window was to let in the heat, to say nothing of the flies, the atmosphere of the parlour with its reminiscences of the day's meals was sufficiently unendurable.

with no effort to conceal

From this reading A little smoke from Mr. Teesdale's pipe would surely have improved it if anything; but that was against the rules of the house, and the poor gentleman, who was not master of it, wrote on and on with the perspiration standing on his bald head, and the reek of the recent tea in his nose.

for the reason that

From this reading It was now about six (Mr. Teesdale being still without his watch was never positive of the time), and because of Mrs. T.'. theory that to open a window was to let in the heat, to say nothing of the flies, the atmosphere of the parlour with its reminiscences of the day's meals was sufficiently unendurable.

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading It was now about six (Mr. Teesdale being still without his watch was never positive of the time), and because of Mrs. T.'. theory that to open a window was to let in the heat, to say nothing of the flies, the atmosphere of the parlour with its reminiscences of the day's meals was sufficiently unendurable.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading A little smoke from Mr. Teesdale's pipe would surely have improved it if anything; but that was against the rules of the house, and the poor gentleman, who was not master of it, wrote on and on with the perspiration standing on his bald head, and the reek of the recent tea in his nose.

period extending from Dec. 24 to Jan. 6

From this reading He was writing a letter in which he had already remarked that it was the hottest Christmas Eve within even his experience of that colony.

at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other

From this reading Old Teesdale sat with his arm-chair drawn close to the table, and his shirt-sleeves rolled up to the elbow.

a body of people who settle far from home but maintain ties with their homeland; inhabitants remain nationals of their home state but are not literally under the home state's system of government

From this reading He was writing a letter in which he had already remarked that it was the hottest Christmas Eve within even his experience of that colony.

possessive form of “day” — time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading It was now about six (Mr. Teesdale being still without his watch was never positive of the time), and because of Mrs. T.'. theory that to open a window was to let in the heat, to say nothing of the flies, the atmosphere of the parlour with its reminiscences of the day's meals was sufficiently unendurable.

showing the wearing effects of overwork or care or suffering

From this reading Old Teesdale sat with his arm-chair drawn close to the table, and his shirt-sleeves rolled up to the elbow.

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

From this reading In the verandah, indeed, the thermometer had made the shade heat upwards of 1000 since nine o'clock in the morning, touching 1100 in the early afternoon.

hinge joint between the forearm and upper arm and the corresponding joint in the forelimb of a quadruped

From this reading Old Teesdale sat with his arm-chair drawn close to the table, and his shirt-sleeves rolled up to the elbow.

(Old Testament) Adam's wife in Judeo-Christian mythology: the first woman and mother of the human race; God created Eve from Adam's rib and placed Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden

From this reading He was writing a letter in which he had already remarked that it was the hottest Christmas Eve within even his experience of that colony.

divisible by two

From this reading He was writing a letter in which he had already remarked that it was the hottest Christmas Eve within even his experience of that colony.

undergo or live through a difficult experience

From this reading He was writing a letter in which he had already remarked that it was the hottest Christmas Eve within even his experience of that colony.

(theater) the space over the stage (out of view of the audience) used to store scenery (drop curtains)

From this reading It was now about six (Mr. Teesdale being still without his watch was never positive of the time), and because of Mrs. T.'. theory that to open a window was to let in the heat, to say nothing of the flies, the atmosphere of the parlour with its reminiscences of the day's meals was sufficiently unendurable.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading A little smoke from Mr. Teesdale's pipe would surely have improved it if anything; but that was against the rules of the house, and the poor gentleman, who was not master of it, wrote on and on with the perspiration standing on his bald head, and the reek of the recent tea in his nose.

a man of refinement

From this reading A little smoke from Mr. Teesdale's pipe would surely have improved it if anything; but that was against the rules of the house, and the poor gentleman, who was not master of it, wrote on and on with the perspiration standing on his bald head, and the reek of the recent tea in his nose.

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

From this reading He was writing a letter in which he had already remarked that it was the hottest Christmas Eve within even his experience of that colony.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading A little smoke from Mr. Teesdale's pipe would surely have improved it if anything; but that was against the rules of the house, and the poor gentleman, who was not master of it, wrote on and on with the perspiration standing on his bald head, and the reek of the recent tea in his nose.

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

From this reading He was writing a letter in which he had already remarked that it was the hottest Christmas Eve within even his experience of that colony.

the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains

From this reading A little smoke from Mr. Teesdale's pipe would surely have improved it if anything; but that was against the rules of the house, and the poor gentleman, who was not master of it, wrote on and on with the perspiration standing on his bald head, and the reek of the recent tea in his nose.

a form of energy that is transferred by a difference in temperature

From this reading In the verandah, indeed, the thermometer had made the shade heat upwards of 1000 since nine o'clock in the morning, touching 1100 in the early afternoon.

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

From this reading Old Teesdale sat with his arm-chair drawn close to the table, and his shirt-sleeves rolled up to the elbow.

superlative of “hot” — used of physical heat; having a high or higher than desirable temperature or giving off heat or feeling or causing a sensation of heat or burning

From this reading He was writing a letter in which he had already remarked that it was the hottest Christmas Eve within even his experience of that colony.

a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families

From this reading A little smoke from Mr. Teesdale's pipe would surely have improved it if anything; but that was against the rules of the house, and the poor gentleman, who was not master of it, wrote on and on with the perspiration standing on his bald head, and the reek of the recent tea in his nose.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading A little smoke from Mr. Teesdale's pipe would surely have improved it if anything; but that was against the rules of the house, and the poor gentleman, who was not master of it, wrote on and on with the perspiration standing on his bald head, and the reek of the recent tea in his nose.

made more desirable or valuable or profitable; especially made ready for use or marketing

From this reading A little smoke from Mr. Teesdale's pipe would surely have improved it if anything; but that was against the rules of the house, and the poor gentleman, who was not master of it, wrote on and on with the perspiration standing on his bald head, and the reek of the recent tea in his nose.

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

From this reading He was writing a letter in which he had already remarked that it was the hottest Christmas Eve within even his experience of that colony.

in truth (often tends to intensify)

From this reading In the verandah, indeed, the thermometer had made the shade heat upwards of 1000 since nine o'clock in the morning, touching 1100 in the early afternoon.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading He was writing a letter in which he had already remarked that it was the hottest Christmas Eve within even his experience of that colony.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading It was now about six (Mr. Teesdale being still without his watch was never positive of the time), and because of Mrs. T.'. theory that to open a window was to let in the heat, to say nothing of the flies, the atmosphere of the parlour with its reminiscences of the day's meals was sufficiently unendurable.

used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker

From this reading It was now about six (Mr. Teesdale being still without his watch was never positive of the time), and because of Mrs. T.'. theory that to open a window was to let in the heat, to say nothing of the flies, the atmosphere of the parlour with its reminiscences of the day's meals was sufficiently unendurable.

a written message addressed to a person or organization

From this reading He was writing a letter in which he had already remarked that it was the hottest Christmas Eve within even his experience of that colony.

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

From this reading A little smoke from Mr. Teesdale's pipe would surely have improved it if anything; but that was against the rules of the house, and the poor gentleman, who was not master of it, wrote on and on with the perspiration standing on his bald head, and the reek of the recent tea in his nose.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading In the verandah, indeed, the thermometer had made the shade heat upwards of 1000 since nine o'clock in the morning, touching 1100 in the early afternoon.

an artist of consummate skill

From this reading A little smoke from Mr. Teesdale's pipe would surely have improved it if anything; but that was against the rules of the house, and the poor gentleman, who was not master of it, wrote on and on with the perspiration standing on his bald head, and the reek of the recent tea in his nose.

plural of “meal” — the food served and eaten at one time

From this reading It was now about six (Mr. Teesdale being still without his watch was never positive of the time), and because of Mrs. T.'. theory that to open a window was to let in the heat, to say nothing of the flies, the atmosphere of the parlour with its reminiscences of the day's meals was sufficiently unendurable.

the time period between dawn and noon

From this reading In the verandah, indeed, the thermometer had made the shade heat upwards of 1000 since nine o'clock in the morning, touching 1100 in the early afternoon.

a form of address for a man

From this reading It was now about six (Mr. Teesdale being still without his watch was never positive of the time), and because of Mrs. T.'. theory that to open a window was to let in the heat, to say nothing of the flies, the atmosphere of the parlour with its reminiscences of the day's meals was sufficiently unendurable.

a form of address for a married woman

From this reading It was now about six (Mr. Teesdale being still without his watch was never positive of the time), and because of Mrs. T.'. theory that to open a window was to let in the heat, to say nothing of the flies, the atmosphere of the parlour with its reminiscences of the day's meals was sufficiently unendurable.

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading It was now about six (Mr. Teesdale being still without his watch was never positive of the time), and because of Mrs. T.'. theory that to open a window was to let in the heat, to say nothing of the flies, the atmosphere of the parlour with its reminiscences of the day's meals was sufficiently unendurable.

the cardinal number that is the sum of eight and one

From this reading In the verandah, indeed, the thermometer had made the shade heat upwards of 1000 since nine o'clock in the morning, touching 1100 in the early afternoon.

the organ of smell and entrance to the respiratory tract; the prominent part of the face of man or other mammals

From this reading A little smoke from Mr. Teesdale's pipe would surely have improved it if anything; but that was against the rules of the house, and the poor gentleman, who was not master of it, wrote on and on with the perspiration standing on his bald head, and the reek of the recent tea in his nose.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading A little smoke from Mr. Teesdale's pipe would surely have improved it if anything; but that was against the rules of the house, and the poor gentleman, who was not master of it, wrote on and on with the perspiration standing on his bald head, and the reek of the recent tea in his nose.

not one thing; not anything

From this reading It was now about six (Mr. Teesdale being still without his watch was never positive of the time), and because of Mrs. T.'. theory that to open a window was to let in the heat, to say nothing of the flies, the atmosphere of the parlour with its reminiscences of the day's meals was sufficiently unendurable.

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

From this reading It was now about six (Mr. Teesdale being still without his watch was never positive of the time), and because of Mrs. T.'. theory that to open a window was to let in the heat, to say nothing of the flies, the atmosphere of the parlour with its reminiscences of the day's meals was sufficiently unendurable.

according to the clock

From this reading In the verandah, indeed, the thermometer had made the shade heat upwards of 1000 since nine o'clock in the morning, touching 1100 in the early afternoon.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading He was writing a letter in which he had already remarked that it was the hottest Christmas Eve within even his experience of that colony.

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

From this reading Old Teesdale sat with his arm-chair drawn close to the table, and his shirt-sleeves rolled up to the elbow.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading A little smoke from Mr. Teesdale's pipe would surely have improved it if anything; but that was against the rules of the house, and the poor gentleman, who was not master of it, wrote on and on with the perspiration standing on his bald head, and the reek of the recent tea in his nose.

To move from a closed position.

From this reading It was now about six (Mr. Teesdale being still without his watch was never positive of the time), and because of Mrs. T.'. theory that to open a window was to let in the heat, to say nothing of the flies, the atmosphere of the parlour with its reminiscences of the day's meals was sufficiently unendurable.

reception room in an inn or club where visitors can be received

From this reading It was now about six (Mr. Teesdale being still without his watch was never positive of the time), and because of Mrs. T.'. theory that to open a window was to let in the heat, to say nothing of the flies, the atmosphere of the parlour with its reminiscences of the day's meals was sufficiently unendurable.

salty fluid secreted by sweat glands

From this reading A little smoke from Mr. Teesdale's pipe would surely have improved it if anything; but that was against the rules of the house, and the poor gentleman, who was not master of it, wrote on and on with the perspiration standing on his bald head, and the reek of the recent tea in his nose.

a tube with a small bowl at one end; used for smoking tobacco

From this reading A little smoke from Mr. Teesdale's pipe would surely have improved it if anything; but that was against the rules of the house, and the poor gentleman, who was not master of it, wrote on and on with the perspiration standing on his bald head, and the reek of the recent tea in his nose.

deserving or inciting pity

From this reading A little smoke from Mr. Teesdale's pipe would surely have improved it if anything; but that was against the rules of the house, and the poor gentleman, who was not master of it, wrote on and on with the perspiration standing on his bald head, and the reek of the recent tea in his nose.

characterized by or displaying affirmation or acceptance or certainty etc.

From this reading It was now about six (Mr. Teesdale being still without his watch was never positive of the time), and because of Mrs. T.'. theory that to open a window was to let in the heat, to say nothing of the flies, the atmosphere of the parlour with its reminiscences of the day's meals was sufficiently unendurable.

new

From this reading A little smoke from Mr. Teesdale's pipe would surely have improved it if anything; but that was against the rules of the house, and the poor gentleman, who was not master of it, wrote on and on with the perspiration standing on his bald head, and the reek of the recent tea in his nose.

have an element suggestive (of something)

From this reading A little smoke from Mr. Teesdale's pipe would surely have improved it if anything; but that was against the rules of the house, and the poor gentleman, who was not master of it, wrote on and on with the perspiration standing on his bald head, and the reek of the recent tea in his nose.

past form of “remark” — make mention of

From this reading He was writing a letter in which he had already remarked that it was the hottest Christmas Eve within even his experience of that colony.

plural of “reminiscence” — a mental impression retained and recalled from the past

From this reading It was now about six (Mr. Teesdale being still without his watch was never positive of the time), and because of Mrs. T.'. theory that to open a window was to let in the heat, to say nothing of the flies, the atmosphere of the parlour with its reminiscences of the day's meals was sufficiently unendurable.

especially of petals or leaves in bud; having margins rolled inward

From this reading Old Teesdale sat with his arm-chair drawn close to the table, and his shirt-sleeves rolled up to the elbow.

plural of “rule” — a principle or condition that customarily governs behavior

From this reading A little smoke from Mr. Teesdale's pipe would surely have improved it if anything; but that was against the rules of the house, and the poor gentleman, who was not master of it, wrote on and on with the perspiration standing on his bald head, and the reek of the recent tea in his nose.

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

From this reading Old Teesdale sat with his arm-chair drawn close to the table, and his shirt-sleeves rolled up to the elbow.

express in words

From this reading It was now about six (Mr. Teesdale being still without his watch was never positive of the time), and because of Mrs. T.'. theory that to open a window was to let in the heat, to say nothing of the flies, the atmosphere of the parlour with its reminiscences of the day's meals was sufficiently unendurable.

relative darkness caused by light rays being intercepted by an opaque body

From this reading In the verandah, indeed, the thermometer had made the shade heat upwards of 1000 since nine o'clock in the morning, touching 1100 in the early afternoon.

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

From this reading Old Teesdale sat with his arm-chair drawn close to the table, and his shirt-sleeves rolled up to the elbow.

from a time in the past until now

From this reading In the verandah, indeed, the thermometer had made the shade heat upwards of 1000 since nine o'clock in the morning, touching 1100 in the early afternoon.

the cardinal number that is the sum of five and one

From this reading It was now about six (Mr. Teesdale being still without his watch was never positive of the time), and because of Mrs. T.'. theory that to open a window was to let in the heat, to say nothing of the flies, the atmosphere of the parlour with its reminiscences of the day's meals was sufficiently unendurable.

a cloud of fine particles suspended in a gas

From this reading A little smoke from Mr. Teesdale's pipe would surely have improved it if anything; but that was against the rules of the house, and the poor gentleman, who was not master of it, wrote on and on with the perspiration standing on his bald head, and the reek of the recent tea in his nose.

having a supporting base

From this reading A little smoke from Mr. Teesdale's pipe would surely have improved it if anything; but that was against the rules of the house, and the poor gentleman, who was not master of it, wrote on and on with the perspiration standing on his bald head, and the reek of the recent tea in his nose.

not in physical motion

From this reading It was now about six (Mr. Teesdale being still without his watch was never positive of the time), and because of Mrs. T.'. theory that to open a window was to let in the heat, to say nothing of the flies, the atmosphere of the parlour with its reminiscences of the day's meals was sufficiently unendurable.

to a sufficient degree

From this reading It was now about six (Mr. Teesdale being still without his watch was never positive of the time), and because of Mrs. T.'. theory that to open a window was to let in the heat, to say nothing of the flies, the atmosphere of the parlour with its reminiscences of the day's meals was sufficiently unendurable.

definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)

From this reading A little smoke from Mr. Teesdale's pipe would surely have improved it if anything; but that was against the rules of the house, and the poor gentleman, who was not master of it, wrote on and on with the perspiration standing on his bald head, and the reek of the recent tea in his nose.

a base found in DNA (but not in RNA) and derived from pyrimidine; pairs with adenine

From this reading It was now about six (Mr. Teesdale being still without his watch was never positive of the time), and because of Mrs. T.'. theory that to open a window was to let in the heat, to say nothing of the flies, the atmosphere of the parlour with its reminiscences of the day's meals was sufficiently unendurable.

a set of data arranged in rows and columns

From this reading Old Teesdale sat with his arm-chair drawn close to the table, and his shirt-sleeves rolled up to the elbow.

a beverage made by steeping tea leaves in water

From this reading A little smoke from Mr. Teesdale's pipe would surely have improved it if anything; but that was against the rules of the house, and the poor gentleman, who was not master of it, wrote on and on with the perspiration standing on his bald head, and the reek of the recent tea in his nose.

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

From this reading Old Teesdale sat with his arm-chair drawn close to the table, and his shirt-sleeves rolled up to the elbow.

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

From this reading A little smoke from Mr. Teesdale's pipe would surely have improved it if anything; but that was against the rules of the house, and the poor gentleman, who was not master of it, wrote on and on with the perspiration standing on his bald head, and the reek of the recent tea in his nose.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading He was writing a letter in which he had already remarked that it was the hottest Christmas Eve within even his experience of that colony.

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

From this reading Old Teesdale sat with his arm-chair drawn close to the table, and his shirt-sleeves rolled up to the elbow.

a well-substantiated explanation of some aspect of the natural world; an organized system of accepted knowledge that applies in a variety of circumstances to explain a specific set of phenomena

From this reading It was now about six (Mr. Teesdale being still without his watch was never positive of the time), and because of Mrs. T.'. theory that to open a window was to let in the heat, to say nothing of the flies, the atmosphere of the parlour with its reminiscences of the day's meals was sufficiently unendurable.

measuring instrument for measuring temperature

From this reading In the verandah, indeed, the thermometer had made the shade heat upwards of 1000 since nine o'clock in the morning, touching 1100 in the early afternoon.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading It was now about six (Mr. Teesdale being still without his watch was never positive of the time), and because of Mrs. T.'. theory that to open a window was to let in the heat, to say nothing of the flies, the atmosphere of the parlour with its reminiscences of the day's meals was sufficiently unendurable.

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

From this reading Old Teesdale sat with his arm-chair drawn close to the table, and his shirt-sleeves rolled up to the elbow.

arousing affect

From this reading In the verandah, indeed, the thermometer had made the shade heat upwards of 1000 since nine o'clock in the morning, touching 1100 in the early afternoon.

incapable of being tolerated or endured

From this reading It was now about six (Mr. Teesdale being still without his watch was never positive of the time), and because of Mrs. T.'. theory that to open a window was to let in the heat, to say nothing of the flies, the atmosphere of the parlour with its reminiscences of the day's meals was sufficiently unendurable.

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

From this reading Old Teesdale sat with his arm-chair drawn close to the table, and his shirt-sleeves rolled up to the elbow.

spatially or metaphorically from a lower to a higher position

From this reading In the verandah, indeed, the thermometer had made the shade heat upwards of 1000 since nine o'clock in the morning, touching 1100 in the early afternoon.

a porch along the outside of a building (sometimes partly enclosed)

From this reading In the verandah, indeed, the thermometer had made the shade heat upwards of 1000 since nine o'clock in the morning, touching 1100 in the early afternoon.

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

From this reading He was writing a letter in which he had already remarked that it was the hottest Christmas Eve within even his experience of that colony.

look attentively

From this reading It was now about six (Mr. Teesdale being still without his watch was never positive of the time), and because of Mrs. T.'. theory that to open a window was to let in the heat, to say nothing of the flies, the atmosphere of the parlour with its reminiscences of the day's meals was sufficiently unendurable.

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

From this reading He was writing a letter in which he had already remarked that it was the hottest Christmas Eve within even his experience of that colony.

which person or people

From this reading A little smoke from Mr. Teesdale's pipe would surely have improved it if anything; but that was against the rules of the house, and the poor gentleman, who was not master of it, wrote on and on with the perspiration standing on his bald head, and the reek of the recent tea in his nose.

a framework of wood or metal that contains a glass windowpane and is built into a wall or roof to admit light or air

From this reading It was now about six (Mr. Teesdale being still without his watch was never positive of the time), and because of Mrs. T.'. theory that to open a window was to let in the heat, to say nothing of the flies, the atmosphere of the parlour with its reminiscences of the day's meals was sufficiently unendurable.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Old Teesdale sat with his arm-chair drawn close to the table, and his shirt-sleeves rolled up to the elbow.

inside; before a period of time has passed

From this reading He was writing a letter in which he had already remarked that it was the hottest Christmas Eve within even his experience of that colony.

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading It was now about six (Mr. Teesdale being still without his watch was never positive of the time), and because of Mrs. T.'. theory that to open a window was to let in the heat, to say nothing of the flies, the atmosphere of the parlour with its reminiscences of the day's meals was sufficiently unendurable.

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

From this reading A little smoke from Mr. Teesdale's pipe would surely have improved it if anything; but that was against the rules of the house, and the poor gentleman, who was not master of it, wrote on and on with the perspiration standing on his bald head, and the reek of the recent tea in his nose.

the act of creating written works

From this reading He was writing a letter in which he had already remarked that it was the hottest Christmas Eve within even his experience of that colony.

inflected form of “write” — produce a literary work

From this reading A little smoke from Mr. Teesdale's pipe would surely have improved it if anything; but that was against the rules of the house, and the poor gentleman, who was not master of it, wrote on and on with the perspiration standing on his bald head, and the reek of the recent tea in his nose.