Chapter XII

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

From this reading In classifying Howard Benton as a ne’er-do-well his father had not been altogether right.

commonly used or practiced; usual

From this reading So much of the young man’s training was responsible for the recklessness which was making his name a by-word even among his own sort, accustomed as they were themselves to _outré_ performances.

inflected form of “admit” — declare to be true or admit the existence or reality or truth of

From this reading But in spite of Howard’s wild life, there was something underlying it all that would, if he had admitted it, proclaimed him the son of his mother also, and there was not a little of Marjorie’s Puritanism lying dormant in the subconsciousness of her son.

(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 But in spite of Howard’s wild life, there was something underlying it all that would, if he had admitted it, proclaimed him the son of his mother also, and there was not a little of Marjorie’s Puritanism lying dormant in the subconsciousness of her son.

in addition

From this reading But in spite of Howard’s wild life, there was something underlying it all that would, if he had admitted it, proclaimed him the son of his mother also, and there was not a little of Marjorie’s Puritanism lying dormant in the subconsciousness of her son.

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

From this reading In classifying Howard Benton as a ne’er-do-well his father had not been altogether right.

surrounded by; in the middle of a group

From this reading So much of the young man’s training was responsible for the recklessness which was making his name a by-word even among his own sort, accustomed as they were themselves to _outré_ performances.

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

From this reading Nor was his unwillingness to work congenital, but only that he had been led to believe that the son of his father—the son of Hugh Benton, Wall Street magnate—was expected to lead an idle life.

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

From this reading But in spite of Howard’s wild life, there was something underlying it all that would, if he had admitted it, proclaimed him the son of his mother also, and there was not a little of Marjorie’s Puritanism lying dormant in the subconsciousness of her son.

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

From this reading In classifying Howard Benton as a ne’er-do-well his father had not been altogether right.

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

From this reading What was the good of so much money if it was not to be spent?

the past participle of “be”

From this reading In classifying Howard Benton as a ne’er-do-well his father had not been altogether right.

accept as true; take to be true

From this reading Nor was his unwillingness to work congenital, but only that he had been led to believe that the son of his father—the son of Hugh Benton, Wall Street magnate—was expected to lead an idle life.

United States artist whose paintings portrayed life in the Midwest and South (1889-1975)

From this reading In classifying Howard Benton as a ne’er-do-well his father had not been altogether right.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Nor was his unwillingness to work congenital, but only that he had been led to believe that the son of his father—the son of Hugh Benton, Wall Street magnate—was expected to lead an idle life.

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

From this reading So much of the young man’s training was responsible for the recklessness which was making his name a by-word even among his own sort, accustomed as they were themselves to _outré_ performances.

-ing form of “classify” — arrange or order by classes or categories

From this reading In classifying Howard Benton as a ne’er-do-well his father had not been altogether right.

present at birth but not necessarily hereditary; acquired during fetal development

From this reading Nor was his unwillingness to work congenital, but only that he had been led to believe that the son of his father—the son of Hugh Benton, Wall Street magnate—was expected to lead an idle life.

in a condition of biological rest or suspended animation

From this reading But in spite of Howard’s wild life, there was something underlying it all that would, if he had admitted it, proclaimed him the son of his mother also, and there was not a little of Marjorie’s Puritanism lying dormant in the subconsciousness of her son.

divisible by two

From this reading So much of the young man’s training was responsible for the recklessness which was making his name a by-word even among his own sort, accustomed as they were themselves to _outré_ performances.

considered likely or probable to happen or arrive

From this reading Nor was his unwillingness to work congenital, but only that he had been led to believe that the son of his father—the son of Hugh Benton, Wall Street magnate—was expected to lead an idle life.

a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)

From this reading In classifying Howard Benton as a ne’er-do-well his father had not been altogether right.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading So much of the young man’s training was responsible for the recklessness which was making his name a by-word even among his own sort, accustomed as they were themselves to _outré_ performances.

having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified

From this reading What was the good of so much money if it was not to be spent?

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

From this reading In classifying Howard Benton as a ne’er-do-well his father had not been altogether right.

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

From this reading Nor was his unwillingness to work congenital, but only that he had been led to believe that the son of his father—the son of Hugh Benton, Wall Street magnate—was expected to lead an idle life.

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

From this reading But in spite of Howard’s wild life, there was something underlying it all that would, if he had admitted it, proclaimed him the son of his mother also, and there was not a little of Marjorie’s Puritanism lying dormant in the subconsciousness of her son.

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

From this reading But in spite of Howard’s wild life, there was something underlying it all that would, if he had admitted it, proclaimed him the son of his mother also, and there was not a little of Marjorie’s Puritanism lying dormant in the subconsciousness of her son.

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

From this reading In classifying Howard Benton as a ne’er-do-well his father had not been altogether right.

English actor of stage and screen (1893-1943)

From this reading In classifying Howard Benton as a ne’er-do-well his father had not been altogether right.

possessive form of “howard” — English actor of stage and screen (1893-1943)

From this reading But in spite of Howard’s wild life, there was something underlying it all that would, if he had admitted it, proclaimed him the son of his mother also, and there was not a little of Marjorie’s Puritanism lying dormant in the subconsciousness of her son.

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

From this reading Nor was his unwillingness to work congenital, but only that he had been led to believe that the son of his father—the son of Hugh Benton, Wall Street magnate—was expected to lead an idle life.

not in action or at work

From this reading Nor was his unwillingness to work congenital, but only that he had been led to believe that the son of his father—the son of Hugh Benton, Wall Street magnate—was expected to lead an idle life.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading What was the good of so much money if it was not to be spent?

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

From this reading In classifying Howard Benton as a ne’er-do-well his father had not been altogether right.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading What was the good of so much money if it was not to be spent?

take somebody somewhere

From this reading Nor was his unwillingness to work congenital, but only that he had been led to believe that the son of his father—the son of Hugh Benton, Wall Street magnate—was expected to lead an idle life.

diode such that light emitted at a p-n junction is proportional to the bias current; color depends on the material used

From this reading Nor was his unwillingness to work congenital, but only that he had been led to believe that the son of his father—the son of Hugh Benton, Wall Street magnate—was expected to lead an idle life.

a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading Nor was his unwillingness to work congenital, but only that he had been led to believe that the son of his father—the son of Hugh Benton, Wall Street magnate—was expected to lead an idle life.

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

From this reading But in spite of Howard’s wild life, there was something underlying it all that would, if he had admitted it, proclaimed him the son of his mother also, and there was not a little of Marjorie’s Puritanism lying dormant in the subconsciousness of her son.

the deliberate act of deviating from the truth

From this reading But in spite of Howard’s wild life, there was something underlying it all that would, if he had admitted it, proclaimed him the son of his mother also, and there was not a little of Marjorie’s Puritanism lying dormant in the subconsciousness of her son.

a very wealthy or powerful businessman

From this reading Nor was his unwillingness to work congenital, but only that he had been led to believe that the son of his father—the son of Hugh Benton, Wall Street magnate—was expected to lead an idle life.

the act that results in something coming to be

From this reading So much of the young man’s training was responsible for the recklessness which was making his name a by-word even among his own sort, accustomed as they were themselves to _outré_ performances.

possessive form of “man” — an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

From this reading So much of the young man’s training was responsible for the recklessness which was making his name a by-word even among his own sort, accustomed as they were themselves to _outré_ performances.

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

From this reading But in spite of Howard’s wild life, there was something underlying it all that would, if he had admitted it, proclaimed him the son of his mother also, and there was not a little of Marjorie’s Puritanism lying dormant in the subconsciousness of her son.

the most common medium of exchange; functions as legal tender

From this reading What was the good of so much money if it was not to be spent?

a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)

From this reading But in spite of Howard’s wild life, there was something underlying it all that would, if he had admitted it, proclaimed him the son of his mother also, and there was not a little of Marjorie’s Puritanism lying dormant in the subconsciousness of her son.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading So much of the young man’s training was responsible for the recklessness which was making his name a by-word even among his own sort, accustomed as they were themselves to _outré_ performances.

assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading So much of the young man’s training was responsible for the recklessness which was making his name a by-word even among his own sort, accustomed as they were themselves to _outré_ performances.

an idle worthless person

From this reading In classifying Howard Benton as a ne’er-do-well his father had not been altogether right.

and not; used after a negative to add a second negative

From this reading Nor was his unwillingness to work congenital, but only that he had been led to believe that the son of his father—the son of Hugh Benton, Wall Street magnate—was expected to lead an idle life.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading In classifying Howard Benton as a ne’er-do-well his father had not been altogether right.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading So much of the young man’s training was responsible for the recklessness which was making his name a by-word even among his own sort, accustomed as they were themselves to _outré_ performances.

and nothing more

From this reading Nor was his unwillingness to work congenital, but only that he had been led to believe that the son of his father—the son of Hugh Benton, Wall Street magnate—was expected to lead an idle life.

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

From this reading So much of the young man’s training was responsible for the recklessness which was making his name a by-word even among his own sort, accustomed as they were themselves to _outré_ performances.

have ownership or possession of

From this reading So much of the young man’s training was responsible for the recklessness which was making his name a by-word even among his own sort, accustomed as they were themselves to _outré_ performances.

plural of “performance” — a dramatic or musical entertainment

From this reading So much of the young man’s training was responsible for the recklessness which was making his name a by-word even among his own sort, accustomed as they were themselves to _outré_ performances.

declared publicly; made widely known

From this reading But in spite of Howard’s wild life, there was something underlying it all that would, if he had admitted it, proclaimed him the son of his mother also, and there was not a little of Marjorie’s Puritanism lying dormant in the subconsciousness of her son.

the beliefs and practices characteristic of Puritans (most of whom were Calvinists who wished to purify the Church of England of its Catholic aspects)

From this reading But in spite of Howard’s wild life, there was something underlying it all that would, if he had admitted it, proclaimed him the son of his mother also, and there was not a little of Marjorie’s Puritanism lying dormant in the subconsciousness of her son.

the trait of giving little thought to danger

From this reading So much of the young man’s training was responsible for the recklessness which was making his name a by-word even among his own sort, accustomed as they were themselves to _outré_ performances.

worthy of or requiring responsibility or trust; or held accountable

From this reading So much of the young man’s training was responsible for the recklessness which was making his name a by-word even among his own sort, accustomed as they were themselves to _outré_ performances.

precisely, exactly

From this reading In classifying Howard Benton as a ne’er-do-well his father had not been altogether right.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading So much of the young man’s training was responsible for the recklessness which was making his name a by-word even among his own sort, accustomed as they were themselves to _outré_ performances.

a thing, without saying which

From this reading But in spite of Howard’s wild life, there was something underlying it all that would, if he had admitted it, proclaimed him the son of his mother also, and there was not a little of Marjorie’s Puritanism lying dormant in the subconsciousness of her son.

a male human offspring

From this reading Nor was his unwillingness to work congenital, but only that he had been led to believe that the son of his father—the son of Hugh Benton, Wall Street magnate—was expected to lead an idle life.

a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality

From this reading So much of the young man’s training was responsible for the recklessness which was making his name a by-word even among his own sort, accustomed as they were themselves to _outré_ performances.

depleted of energy, force, or strength

From this reading What was the good of so much money if it was not to be spent?

feeling a need to see others suffer

From this reading But in spite of Howard’s wild life, there was something underlying it all that would, if he had admitted it, proclaimed him the son of his mother also, and there was not a little of Marjorie’s Puritanism lying dormant in the subconsciousness of her son.

a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings

From this reading Nor was his unwillingness to work congenital, but only that he had been led to believe that the son of his father—the son of Hugh Benton, Wall Street magnate—was expected to lead an idle life.

a state of mind not immediately available to consciousness

From this reading But in spite of Howard’s wild life, there was something underlying it all that would, if he had admitted it, proclaimed him the son of his mother also, and there was not a little of Marjorie’s Puritanism lying dormant in the subconsciousness of her son.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Nor was his unwillingness to work congenital, but only that he had been led to believe that the son of his father—the son of Hugh Benton, Wall Street magnate—was expected to lead an idle life.

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

From this reading So much of the young man’s training was responsible for the recklessness which was making his name a by-word even among his own sort, accustomed as they were themselves to _outré_ performances.

used when the people doing the action are also its object

From this reading So much of the young man’s training was responsible for the recklessness which was making his name a by-word even among his own sort, accustomed as they were themselves to _outré_ performances.

in or at that place or location

From this reading But in spite of Howard’s wild life, there was something underlying it all that would, if he had admitted it, proclaimed him the son of his mother also, and there was not a little of Marjorie’s Puritanism lying dormant in the subconsciousness of her son.

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

From this reading So much of the young man’s training was responsible for the recklessness which was making his name a by-word even among his own sort, accustomed as they were themselves to _outré_ performances.

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

From this reading So much of the young man’s training was responsible for the recklessness which was making his name a by-word even among his own sort, accustomed as they were themselves to _outré_ performances.

activity leading to skilled behavior

From this reading So much of the young man’s training was responsible for the recklessness which was making his name a by-word even among his own sort, accustomed as they were themselves to _outré_ performances.

in the nature of something though not readily apparent

From this reading But in spite of Howard’s wild life, there was something underlying it all that would, if he had admitted it, proclaimed him the son of his mother also, and there was not a little of Marjorie’s Puritanism lying dormant in the subconsciousness of her son.

the trait of being unwilling

From this reading Nor was his unwillingness to work congenital, but only that he had been led to believe that the son of his father—the son of Hugh Benton, Wall Street magnate—was expected to lead an idle life.

an architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area or to support another structure

From this reading Nor was his unwillingness to work congenital, but only that he had been led to believe that the son of his father—the son of Hugh Benton, Wall Street magnate—was expected to lead an idle life.

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

From this reading So much of the young man’s training was responsible for the recklessness which was making his name a by-word even among his own sort, accustomed as they were themselves to _outré_ performances.

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

From this reading So much of the young man’s training was responsible for the recklessness which was making his name a by-word even among his own sort, accustomed as they were themselves to _outré_ performances.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading What was the good of so much money if it was not to be spent?

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

From this reading So much of the young man’s training was responsible for the recklessness which was making his name a by-word even among his own sort, accustomed as they were themselves to _outré_ performances.

marked by extreme lack of restraint or control

From this reading But in spite of Howard’s wild life, there was something underlying it all that would, if he had admitted it, proclaimed him the son of his mother also, and there was not a little of Marjorie’s Puritanism lying dormant in the subconsciousness of her son.

exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity

From this reading Nor was his unwillingness to work congenital, but only that he had been led to believe that the son of his father—the son of Hugh Benton, Wall Street magnate—was expected to lead an idle life.

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

From this reading But in spite of Howard’s wild life, there was something underlying it all that would, if he had admitted it, proclaimed him the son of his mother also, and there was not a little of Marjorie’s Puritanism lying dormant in the subconsciousness of her son.

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

From this reading So much of the young man’s training was responsible for the recklessness which was making his name a by-word even among his own sort, accustomed as they were themselves to _outré_ performances.