Chapter XXVII

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

From this reading THE THOUSANDTH CHANCE Mr. Driscoll was the chairman of the building committee of a little independent church whose membership was inclined to regard him somewhat dubiously, notwithstanding the open liking of the pastor.

the part of the day between noon and evening

From this reading In the afternoon of this same Monday there had been a session of the committee; and on leaving the pastor's study Mr. Driscoll had hurried to his office, but Ruth, whom he had pressed into service as the committee's secretary, had stopped to perform a number of errands.

(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 When she reached the office she walked through the open hall door--the weather was warm, so it had been wide all day--over the noiseless rug to her desk, and began to remove her hat.

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

From this reading The church was planning a new home, and of late the committee had been holding frequent meetings.

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

From this reading In the afternoon of this same Monday there had been a session of the committee; and on leaving the pastor's study Mr. Driscoll had hurried to his office, but Ruth, whom he had pressed into service as the committee's secretary, had stopped to perform a number of errands.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading The church was planning a new home, and of late the committee had been holding frequent meetings.

inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

From this reading When she reached the office she walked through the open hall door--the weather was warm, so it had been wide all day--over the noiseless rug to her desk, and began to remove her hat.

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

From this reading Voices came to her from Mr. Driscoll's room, Mr. Driscoll's voice and Mr. Berman's; but their first few sentences, on business matters, passed her ears unheeded, like the thousand noises of the street.

a structure that has a roof and walls and stands more or less permanently in one place

From this reading THE THOUSANDTH CHANCE Mr. Driscoll was the chairman of the building committee of a little independent church whose membership was inclined to regard him somewhat dubiously, notwithstanding the open liking of the pastor.

a commercial or industrial enterprise and the people who constitute it

From this reading Voices came to her from Mr. Driscoll's room, Mr. Driscoll's voice and Mr. Berman's; but their first few sentences, on business matters, passed her ears unheeded, like the thousand noises of the street.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading In the afternoon of this same Monday there had been a session of the committee; and on leaving the pastor's study Mr. Driscoll had hurried to his office, but Ruth, whom he had pressed into service as the committee's secretary, had stopped to perform a number of errands.

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

From this reading Voices came to her from Mr. Driscoll's room, Mr. Driscoll's voice and Mr. Berman's; but their first few sentences, on business matters, passed her ears unheeded, like the thousand noises of the street.

the officer who presides at the meetings of an organization

From this reading THE THOUSANDTH CHANCE Mr. Driscoll was the chairman of the building committee of a little independent church whose membership was inclined to regard him somewhat dubiously, notwithstanding the open liking of the pastor.

a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances

From this reading THE THOUSANDTH CHANCE Mr. Driscoll was the chairman of the building committee of a little independent church whose membership was inclined to regard him somewhat dubiously, notwithstanding the open liking of the pastor.

one of the groups of Christians who have their own beliefs and forms of worship

From this reading THE THOUSANDTH CHANCE Mr. Driscoll was the chairman of the building committee of a little independent church whose membership was inclined to regard him somewhat dubiously, notwithstanding the open liking of the pastor.

a special group delegated to consider some matter

From this reading THE THOUSANDTH CHANCE Mr. Driscoll was the chairman of the building committee of a little independent church whose membership was inclined to regard him somewhat dubiously, notwithstanding the open liking of the pastor.

possessive form of “committee” — a special group delegated to consider some matter

From this reading In the afternoon of this same Monday there had been a session of the committee; and on leaving the pastor's study Mr. Driscoll had hurried to his office, but Ruth, whom he had pressed into service as the committee's secretary, had stopped to perform a number of errands.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading When she reached the office she walked through the open hall door--the weather was warm, so it had been wide all day--over the noiseless rug to her desk, and began to remove her hat.

a piece of furniture with a writing surface and usually drawers or other compartments

From this reading When she reached the office she walked through the open hall door--the weather was warm, so it had been wide all day--over the noiseless rug to her desk, and began to remove her hat.

a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle

From this reading When she reached the office she walked through the open hall door--the weather was warm, so it had been wide all day--over the noiseless rug to her desk, and began to remove her hat.

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

From this reading THE THOUSANDTH CHANCE Mr. Driscoll was the chairman of the building committee of a little independent church whose membership was inclined to regard him somewhat dubiously, notwithstanding the open liking of the pastor.

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

From this reading Voices came to her from Mr. Driscoll's room, Mr. Driscoll's voice and Mr. Berman's; but their first few sentences, on business matters, passed her ears unheeded, like the thousand noises of the street.

in a questionable and dubious manner

From this reading THE THOUSANDTH CHANCE Mr. Driscoll was the chairman of the building committee of a little independent church whose membership was inclined to regard him somewhat dubiously, notwithstanding the open liking of the pastor.

plural of “ear” — the sense organ for hearing and equilibrium

From this reading Voices came to her from Mr. Driscoll's room, Mr. Driscoll's voice and Mr. Berman's; but their first few sentences, on business matters, passed her ears unheeded, like the thousand noises of the street.

plural of “errand” — a short trip that is taken in the performance of a necessary task or mission

From this reading In the afternoon of this same Monday there had been a session of the committee; and on leaving the pastor's study Mr. Driscoll had hurried to his office, but Ruth, whom he had pressed into service as the committee's secretary, had stopped to perform a number of errands.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number

From this reading Voices came to her from Mr. Driscoll's room, Mr. Driscoll's voice and Mr. Berman's; but their first few sentences, on business matters, passed her ears unheeded, like the thousand noises of the street.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading Voices came to her from Mr. Driscoll's room, Mr. Driscoll's voice and Mr. Berman's; but their first few sentences, on business matters, passed her ears unheeded, like the thousand noises of the street.

do one's shopping at; do business with; be a customer or client of

From this reading The church was planning a new home, and of late the committee had been holding frequent meetings.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Voices came to her from Mr. Driscoll's room, Mr. Driscoll's voice and Mr. Berman's; but their first few sentences, on business matters, passed her ears unheeded, like the thousand noises of the street.

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

From this reading The church was planning a new home, and of late the committee had been holding frequent meetings.

an interior passage or corridor onto which rooms open

From this reading When she reached the office she walked through the open hall door--the weather was warm, so it had been wide all day--over the noiseless rug to her desk, and began to remove her hat.

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

From this reading When she reached the office she walked through the open hall door--the weather was warm, so it had been wide all day--over the noiseless rug to her desk, and began to remove her hat.

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

From this reading In the afternoon of this same Monday there had been a session of the committee; and on leaving the pastor's study Mr. Driscoll had hurried to his office, but Ruth, whom he had pressed into service as the committee's secretary, had stopped to perform a number of errands.

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

From this reading When she reached the office she walked through the open hall door--the weather was warm, so it had been wide all day--over the noiseless rug to her desk, and began to remove her hat.

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

From this reading THE THOUSANDTH CHANCE Mr. Driscoll was the chairman of the building committee of a little independent church whose membership was inclined to regard him somewhat dubiously, notwithstanding the open liking of the pastor.

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

From this reading In the afternoon of this same Monday there had been a session of the committee; and on leaving the pastor's study Mr. Driscoll had hurried to his office, but Ruth, whom he had pressed into service as the committee's secretary, had stopped to perform a number of errands.

the act of retaining something

From this reading The church was planning a new home, and of late the committee had been holding frequent meetings.

where you live at a particular time

From this reading The church was planning a new home, and of late the committee had been holding frequent meetings.

moving rapidly or performed quickly or in great haste

From this reading In the afternoon of this same Monday there had been a session of the committee; and on leaving the pastor's study Mr. Driscoll had hurried to his office, but Ruth, whom he had pressed into service as the committee's secretary, had stopped to perform a number of errands.

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

From this reading In the afternoon of this same Monday there had been a session of the committee; and on leaving the pastor's study Mr. Driscoll had hurried to his office, but Ruth, whom he had pressed into service as the committee's secretary, had stopped to perform a number of errands.

(often followed by “to”) having a preference, disposition, or tendency

From this reading THE THOUSANDTH CHANCE Mr. Driscoll was the chairman of the building committee of a little independent church whose membership was inclined to regard him somewhat dubiously, notwithstanding the open liking of the pastor.

free from external control and constraint

From this reading THE THOUSANDTH CHANCE Mr. Driscoll was the chairman of the building committee of a little independent church whose membership was inclined to regard him somewhat dubiously, notwithstanding the open liking of the pastor.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading In the afternoon of this same Monday there had been a session of the committee; and on leaving the pastor's study Mr. Driscoll had hurried to his office, but Ruth, whom he had pressed into service as the committee's secretary, had stopped to perform a number of errands.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading When she reached the office she walked through the open hall door--the weather was warm, so it had been wide all day--over the noiseless rug to her desk, and began to remove her hat.

being or occurring at an advanced period of time or after a usual or expected time

From this reading The church was planning a new home, and of late the committee had been holding frequent meetings.

the act of departing

From this reading In the afternoon of this same Monday there had been a session of the committee; and on leaving the pastor's study Mr. Driscoll had hurried to his office, but Ruth, whom he had pressed into service as the committee's secretary, had stopped to perform a number of errands.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading Voices came to her from Mr. Driscoll's room, Mr. Driscoll's voice and Mr. Berman's; but their first few sentences, on business matters, passed her ears unheeded, like the thousand noises of the street.

a feeling of pleasure and enjoyment

From this reading THE THOUSANDTH CHANCE Mr. Driscoll was the chairman of the building committee of a little independent church whose membership was inclined to regard him somewhat dubiously, notwithstanding the open liking of the pastor.

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

From this reading THE THOUSANDTH CHANCE Mr. Driscoll was the chairman of the building committee of a little independent church whose membership was inclined to regard him somewhat dubiously, notwithstanding the open liking of the pastor.

plural of “matter” — a vaguely specified concern

From this reading Voices came to her from Mr. Driscoll's room, Mr. Driscoll's voice and Mr. Berman's; but their first few sentences, on business matters, passed her ears unheeded, like the thousand noises of the street.

plural of “meeting” — a formally arranged gathering

From this reading The church was planning a new home, and of late the committee had been holding frequent meetings.

the body of members of an organization or group

From this reading THE THOUSANDTH CHANCE Mr. Driscoll was the chairman of the building committee of a little independent church whose membership was inclined to regard him somewhat dubiously, notwithstanding the open liking of the pastor.

the second day of the week; the first working day

From this reading In the afternoon of this same Monday there had been a session of the committee; and on leaving the pastor's study Mr. Driscoll had hurried to his office, but Ruth, whom he had pressed into service as the committee's secretary, had stopped to perform a number of errands.

a form of address for a man

From this reading THE THOUSANDTH CHANCE Mr. Driscoll was the chairman of the building committee of a little independent church whose membership was inclined to regard him somewhat dubiously, notwithstanding the open liking of the pastor.

not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered

From this reading The church was planning a new home, and of late the committee had been holding frequent meetings.

making no sound

From this reading When she reached the office she walked through the open hall door--the weather was warm, so it had been wide all day--over the noiseless rug to her desk, and began to remove her hat.

plural of “noise” — sound of any kind (especially unintelligible or dissonant sound)

From this reading Voices came to her from Mr. Driscoll's room, Mr. Driscoll's voice and Mr. Berman's; but their first few sentences, on business matters, passed her ears unheeded, like the thousand noises of the street.

despite anything to the contrary (usually preceding a concession)

From this reading THE THOUSANDTH CHANCE Mr. Driscoll was the chairman of the building committee of a little independent church whose membership was inclined to regard him somewhat dubiously, notwithstanding the open liking of the pastor.

the property possessed by a sum or total or indefinite quantity of units or individuals

From this reading In the afternoon of this same Monday there had been a session of the committee; and on leaving the pastor's study Mr. Driscoll had hurried to his office, but Ruth, whom he had pressed into service as the committee's secretary, had stopped to perform a number of errands.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading THE THOUSANDTH CHANCE Mr. Driscoll was the chairman of the building committee of a little independent church whose membership was inclined to regard him somewhat dubiously, notwithstanding the open liking of the pastor.

place of business where professional or clerical duties are performed

From this reading In the afternoon of this same Monday there had been a session of the committee; and on leaving the pastor's study Mr. Driscoll had hurried to his office, but Ruth, whom he had pressed into service as the committee's secretary, had stopped to perform a number of errands.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading In the afternoon of this same Monday there had been a session of the committee; and on leaving the pastor's study Mr. Driscoll had hurried to his office, but Ruth, whom he had pressed into service as the committee's secretary, had stopped to perform a number of errands.

To move from a closed position.

From this reading THE THOUSANDTH CHANCE Mr. Driscoll was the chairman of the building committee of a little independent church whose membership was inclined to regard him somewhat dubiously, notwithstanding the open liking of the pastor.

above and across; more than

From this reading When she reached the office she walked through the open hall door--the weather was warm, so it had been wide all day--over the noiseless rug to her desk, and began to remove her hat.

past form of “pass” — go across or through

From this reading Voices came to her from Mr. Driscoll's room, Mr. Driscoll's voice and Mr. Berman's; but their first few sentences, on business matters, passed her ears unheeded, like the thousand noises of the street.

a person authorized to conduct religious worship

From this reading THE THOUSANDTH CHANCE Mr. Driscoll was the chairman of the building committee of a little independent church whose membership was inclined to regard him somewhat dubiously, notwithstanding the open liking of the pastor.

possessive form of “pastor” — a person authorized to conduct religious worship

From this reading In the afternoon of this same Monday there had been a session of the committee; and on leaving the pastor's study Mr. Driscoll had hurried to his office, but Ruth, whom he had pressed into service as the committee's secretary, had stopped to perform a number of errands.

carry out or perform an action

From this reading In the afternoon of this same Monday there had been a session of the committee; and on leaving the pastor's study Mr. Driscoll had hurried to his office, but Ruth, whom he had pressed into service as the committee's secretary, had stopped to perform a number of errands.

an act of formulating a program for a definite course of action

From this reading The church was planning a new home, and of late the committee had been holding frequent meetings.

compacted by ironing

From this reading In the afternoon of this same Monday there had been a session of the committee; and on leaving the pastor's study Mr. Driscoll had hurried to his office, but Ruth, whom he had pressed into service as the committee's secretary, had stopped to perform a number of errands.

past form of “reach” — reach a destination, either real or abstract

From this reading When she reached the office she walked through the open hall door--the weather was warm, so it had been wide all day--over the noiseless rug to her desk, and began to remove her hat.

(usually preceded by “in”) a detail or point

From this reading THE THOUSANDTH CHANCE Mr. Driscoll was the chairman of the building committee of a little independent church whose membership was inclined to regard him somewhat dubiously, notwithstanding the open liking of the pastor.

remove something concrete, as by lifting, pushing, or taking off, or remove something abstract

From this reading When she reached the office she walked through the open hall door--the weather was warm, so it had been wide all day--over the noiseless rug to her desk, and began to remove her hat.

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

From this reading Voices came to her from Mr. Driscoll's room, Mr. Driscoll's voice and Mr. Berman's; but their first few sentences, on business matters, passed her ears unheeded, like the thousand noises of the street.

floor covering consisting of a piece of thick heavy fabric (usually with nap or pile)

From this reading When she reached the office she walked through the open hall door--the weather was warm, so it had been wide all day--over the noiseless rug to her desk, and began to remove her hat.

United States professional baseball player famous for hitting home runs (1895-1948)

From this reading In the afternoon of this same Monday there had been a session of the committee; and on leaving the pastor's study Mr. Driscoll had hurried to his office, but Ruth, whom he had pressed into service as the committee's secretary, had stopped to perform a number of errands.

Identical; not different.

From this reading In the afternoon of this same Monday there had been a session of the committee; and on leaving the pastor's study Mr. Driscoll had hurried to his office, but Ruth, whom he had pressed into service as the committee's secretary, had stopped to perform a number of errands.

a person who is head of an administrative department of government

From this reading In the afternoon of this same Monday there had been a session of the committee; and on leaving the pastor's study Mr. Driscoll had hurried to his office, but Ruth, whom he had pressed into service as the committee's secretary, had stopped to perform a number of errands.

plural of “sentence” — a string of words satisfying the grammatical rules of a language

From this reading Voices came to her from Mr. Driscoll's room, Mr. Driscoll's voice and Mr. Berman's; but their first few sentences, on business matters, passed her ears unheeded, like the thousand noises of the street.

work done by one person or group that benefits another

From this reading In the afternoon of this same Monday there had been a session of the committee; and on leaving the pastor's study Mr. Driscoll had hurried to his office, but Ruth, whom he had pressed into service as the committee's secretary, had stopped to perform a number of errands.

a meeting for execution of a group's functions

From this reading In the afternoon of this same Monday there had been a session of the committee; and on leaving the pastor's study Mr. Driscoll had hurried to his office, but Ruth, whom he had pressed into service as the committee's secretary, had stopped to perform a number of errands.

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading When she reached the office she walked through the open hall door--the weather was warm, so it had been wide all day--over the noiseless rug to her desk, and began to remove her hat.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading When she reached the office she walked through the open hall door--the weather was warm, so it had been wide all day--over the noiseless rug to her desk, and began to remove her hat.

to a small degree or extent

From this reading THE THOUSANDTH CHANCE Mr. Driscoll was the chairman of the building committee of a little independent church whose membership was inclined to regard him somewhat dubiously, notwithstanding the open liking of the pastor.

(of a nose) blocked

From this reading In the afternoon of this same Monday there had been a session of the committee; and on leaving the pastor's study Mr. Driscoll had hurried to his office, but Ruth, whom he had pressed into service as the committee's secretary, had stopped to perform a number of errands.

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

From this reading Voices came to her from Mr. Driscoll's room, Mr. Driscoll's voice and Mr. Berman's; but their first few sentences, on business matters, passed her ears unheeded, like the thousand noises of the street.

a detailed critical inspection

From this reading In the afternoon of this same Monday there had been a session of the committee; and on leaving the pastor's study Mr. Driscoll had hurried to his office, but Ruth, whom he had pressed into service as the committee's secretary, had stopped to perform a number of errands.

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

From this reading THE THOUSANDTH CHANCE Mr. Driscoll was the chairman of the building committee of a little independent church whose membership was inclined to regard him somewhat dubiously, notwithstanding the open liking of the pastor.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Voices came to her from Mr. Driscoll's room, Mr. Driscoll's voice and Mr. Berman's; but their first few sentences, on business matters, passed her ears unheeded, like the thousand noises of the street.

in or at that place or location

From this reading In the afternoon of this same Monday there had been a session of the committee; and on leaving the pastor's study Mr. Driscoll had hurried to his office, but Ruth, whom he had pressed into service as the committee's secretary, had stopped to perform a number of errands.

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading In the afternoon of this same Monday there had been a session of the committee; and on leaving the pastor's study Mr. Driscoll had hurried to his office, but Ruth, whom he had pressed into service as the committee's secretary, had stopped to perform a number of errands.

the cardinal number that is the product of 10 and 100

From this reading Voices came to her from Mr. Driscoll's room, Mr. Driscoll's voice and Mr. Berman's; but their first few sentences, on business matters, passed her ears unheeded, like the thousand noises of the street.

position 1,000 in a countable series of things

From this reading THE THOUSANDTH CHANCE Mr. Driscoll was the chairman of the building committee of a little independent church whose membership was inclined to regard him somewhat dubiously, notwithstanding the open liking of the pastor.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading When she reached the office she walked through the open hall door--the weather was warm, so it had been wide all day--over the noiseless rug to her desk, and began to remove her hat.

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

From this reading THE THOUSANDTH CHANCE Mr. Driscoll was the chairman of the building committee of a little independent church whose membership was inclined to regard him somewhat dubiously, notwithstanding the open liking of the pastor.

disregarded

From this reading Voices came to her from Mr. Driscoll's room, Mr. Driscoll's voice and Mr. Berman's; but their first few sentences, on business matters, passed her ears unheeded, like the thousand noises of the street.

the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech

From this reading Voices came to her from Mr. Driscoll's room, Mr. Driscoll's voice and Mr. Berman's; but their first few sentences, on business matters, passed her ears unheeded, like the thousand noises of the street.

plural of “voice” — the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech

From this reading Voices came to her from Mr. Driscoll's room, Mr. Driscoll's voice and Mr. Berman's; but their first few sentences, on business matters, passed her ears unheeded, like the thousand noises of the street.

past form of “walk” — use one's feet to advance; advance by steps

From this reading When she reached the office she walked through the open hall door--the weather was warm, so it had been wide all day--over the noiseless rug to her desk, and began to remove her hat.

having or producing a comfortable and agreeable degree of heat or imparting or maintaining heat

From this reading When she reached the office she walked through the open hall door--the weather was warm, so it had been wide all day--over the noiseless rug to her desk, and began to remove her hat.

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

From this reading THE THOUSANDTH CHANCE Mr. Driscoll was the chairman of the building committee of a little independent church whose membership was inclined to regard him somewhat dubiously, notwithstanding the open liking of the pastor.

the atmospheric conditions that comprise the state of the atmosphere in terms of temperature and wind and clouds and precipitation

From this reading When she reached the office she walked through the open hall door--the weather was warm, so it had been wide all day--over the noiseless rug to her desk, and began to remove her hat.

at the time that

From this reading When she reached the office she walked through the open hall door--the weather was warm, so it had been wide all day--over the noiseless rug to her desk, and began to remove her hat.

the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading In the afternoon of this same Monday there had been a session of the committee; and on leaving the pastor's study Mr. Driscoll had hurried to his office, but Ruth, whom he had pressed into service as the committee's secretary, had stopped to perform a number of errands.

belonging to which person

From this reading THE THOUSANDTH CHANCE Mr. Driscoll was the chairman of the building committee of a little independent church whose membership was inclined to regard him somewhat dubiously, notwithstanding the open liking of the pastor.

having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other

From this reading When she reached the office she walked through the open hall door--the weather was warm, so it had been wide all day--over the noiseless rug to her desk, and began to remove her hat.