Chapter X

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

From this reading IN WHICH I LEARN SOMETHING FROM AN ILL-PAINTED PICTURE I took my supper in the kitchen of the Palace Inn, with a strong reek of tobacco to season it, and a succession of gruesome stories to make it palatable.

distinctive manner of oral expression

From this reading But occasionally a different accent and a different anecdote of some other corner of the world would make a variation; and doing my best to pierce the haze of smoke, I recognised the speaker as Peter Tortue, the Frenchman, or the man with the patch on his eye.

(Old Testament) in Judeo-Christian mythology; the first man and the husband of Eve and the progenitor of the human race

From this reading I paid, therefore, but a scanty attention, until, the talk having slid, as it will, from dead men to their funerals, some native began to descant upon the magnificence of Adam Mayle's.

at all times; all the time and on every occasion

From this reading The company was made up for the most part of fishermen, who talked always of wrecks upon the western islands and of dead men drowned.

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

From this reading IN WHICH I LEARN SOMETHING FROM AN ILL-PAINTED PICTURE I took my supper in the kitchen of the Palace Inn, with a strong reek of tobacco to season it, and a succession of gruesome stories to make it palatable.

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

From this reading IN WHICH I LEARN SOMETHING FROM AN ILL-PAINTED PICTURE I took my supper in the kitchen of the Palace Inn, with a strong reek of tobacco to season it, and a succession of gruesome stories to make it palatable.

short account of an incident (especially a biographical one)

From this reading But occasionally a different accent and a different anecdote of some other corner of the world would make a variation; and doing my best to pierce the haze of smoke, I recognised the speaker as Peter Tortue, the Frenchman, or the man with the patch on his eye.

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

From this reading But occasionally a different accent and a different anecdote of some other corner of the world would make a variation; and doing my best to pierce the haze of smoke, I recognised the speaker as Peter Tortue, the Frenchman, or the man with the patch on his eye.

the process whereby a person concentrates on some features of the environment to the (relative) exclusion of others

From this reading I paid, therefore, but a scanty attention, until, the talk having slid, as it will, from dead men to their funerals, some native began to descant upon the magnificence of Adam Mayle's.

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading George Glen was there too, tucked away in a corner by the fireplace, but he said very little.

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

From this reading I paid, therefore, but a scanty attention, until, the talk having slid, as it will, from dead men to their funerals, some native began to descant upon the magnificence of Adam Mayle's.

the supreme effort one can make

From this reading But occasionally a different accent and a different anecdote of some other corner of the world would make a variation; and doing my best to pierce the haze of smoke, I recognised the speaker as Peter Tortue, the Frenchman, or the man with the patch on his eye.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But occasionally a different accent and a different anecdote of some other corner of the world would make a variation; and doing my best to pierce the haze of smoke, I recognised the speaker as Peter Tortue, the Frenchman, or the man with the patch on his eye.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading George Glen was there too, tucked away in a corner by the fireplace, but he said very little.

an institution created to conduct business

From this reading The company was made up for the most part of fishermen, who talked always of wrecks upon the western islands and of dead men drowned.

a place off to the side of an area

From this reading But occasionally a different accent and a different anecdote of some other corner of the world would make a variation; and doing my best to pierce the haze of smoke, I recognised the speaker as Peter Tortue, the Frenchman, or the man with the patch on his eye.

no longer having or seeming to have or expecting to have life

From this reading The company was made up for the most part of fishermen, who talked always of wrecks upon the western islands and of dead men drowned.

sing in descant

From this reading I paid, therefore, but a scanty attention, until, the talk having slid, as it will, from dead men to their funerals, some native began to descant upon the magnificence of Adam Mayle's.

unlike in nature or quality or form or degree

From this reading But occasionally a different accent and a different anecdote of some other corner of the world would make a variation; and doing my best to pierce the haze of smoke, I recognised the speaker as Peter Tortue, the Frenchman, or the man with the patch on his eye.

-ing form of “do” — engage in

From this reading But occasionally a different accent and a different anecdote of some other corner of the world would make a variation; and doing my best to pierce the haze of smoke, I recognised the speaker as Peter Tortue, the Frenchman, or the man with the patch on his eye.

past form of “drown” — cover completely or make imperceptible

From this reading The company was made up for the most part of fishermen, who talked always of wrecks upon the western islands and of dead men drowned.

the organ of sight

From this reading But occasionally a different accent and a different anecdote of some other corner of the world would make a variation; and doing my best to pierce the haze of smoke, I recognised the speaker as Peter Tortue, the Frenchman, or the man with the patch on his eye.

an open recess in a wall at the base of a chimney where a fire can be built

From this reading George Glen was there too, tucked away in a corner by the fireplace, but he said very little.

plural of “fisherman” — someone whose occupation is catching fish

From this reading The company was made up for the most part of fishermen, who talked always of wrecks upon the western islands and of dead men drowned.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading The company was made up for the most part of fishermen, who talked always of wrecks upon the western islands and of dead men drowned.

a person of French nationality

From this reading But occasionally a different accent and a different anecdote of some other corner of the world would make a variation; and doing my best to pierce the haze of smoke, I recognised the speaker as Peter Tortue, the Frenchman, or the man with the patch on his eye.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading IN WHICH I LEARN SOMETHING FROM AN ILL-PAINTED PICTURE I took my supper in the kitchen of the Palace Inn, with a strong reek of tobacco to season it, and a succession of gruesome stories to make it palatable.

plural of “funeral” — a ceremony at which a dead person is buried or cremated

From this reading I paid, therefore, but a scanty attention, until, the talk having slid, as it will, from dead men to their funerals, some native began to descant upon the magnificence of Adam Mayle's.

Christian martyr; patron saint of England; hero of the legend of Saint George and the Dragon in which he slew a dragon and saved a princess (?-303)

From this reading George Glen was there too, tucked away in a corner by the fireplace, but he said very little.

a narrow secluded valley (in the mountains)

From this reading George Glen was there too, tucked away in a corner by the fireplace, but he said very little.

shockingly repellent; inspiring horror

From this reading IN WHICH I LEARN SOMETHING FROM AN ILL-PAINTED PICTURE I took my supper in the kitchen of the Palace Inn, with a strong reek of tobacco to season it, and a succession of gruesome stories to make it palatable.

the -ing form of “have”

From this reading I paid, therefore, but a scanty attention, until, the talk having slid, as it will, from dead men to their funerals, some native began to descant upon the magnificence of Adam Mayle's.

atmospheric moisture or dust or smoke that causes reduced visibility

From this reading But occasionally a different accent and a different anecdote of some other corner of the world would make a variation; and doing my best to pierce the haze of smoke, I recognised the speaker as Peter Tortue, the Frenchman, or the man with the patch on his eye.

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

From this reading George Glen was there too, tucked away in a corner by the fireplace, but he said very little.

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

From this reading But occasionally a different accent and a different anecdote of some other corner of the world would make a variation; and doing my best to pierce the haze of smoke, I recognised the speaker as Peter Tortue, the Frenchman, or the man with the patch on his eye.

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

From this reading IN WHICH I LEARN SOMETHING FROM AN ILL-PAINTED PICTURE I took my supper in the kitchen of the Palace Inn, with a strong reek of tobacco to season it, and a succession of gruesome stories to make it palatable.

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

From this reading IN WHICH I LEARN SOMETHING FROM AN ILL-PAINTED PICTURE I took my supper in the kitchen of the Palace Inn, with a strong reek of tobacco to season it, and a succession of gruesome stories to make it palatable.

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

From this reading IN WHICH I LEARN SOMETHING FROM AN ILL-PAINTED PICTURE I took my supper in the kitchen of the Palace Inn, with a strong reek of tobacco to season it, and a succession of gruesome stories to make it palatable.

a hotel providing overnight lodging for travelers

From this reading IN WHICH I LEARN SOMETHING FROM AN ILL-PAINTED PICTURE I took my supper in the kitchen of the Palace Inn, with a strong reek of tobacco to season it, and a succession of gruesome stories to make it palatable.

plural of “island” — a land mass (smaller than a continent) that is surrounded by water

From this reading The company was made up for the most part of fishermen, who talked always of wrecks upon the western islands and of dead men drowned.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading IN WHICH I LEARN SOMETHING FROM AN ILL-PAINTED PICTURE I took my supper in the kitchen of the Palace Inn, with a strong reek of tobacco to season it, and a succession of gruesome stories to make it palatable.

a room equipped for preparing meals

From this reading IN WHICH I LEARN SOMETHING FROM AN ILL-PAINTED PICTURE I took my supper in the kitchen of the Palace Inn, with a strong reek of tobacco to season it, and a succession of gruesome stories to make it palatable.

gain knowledge or skills

From this reading IN WHICH I LEARN SOMETHING FROM AN ILL-PAINTED PICTURE I took my supper in the kitchen of the Palace Inn, with a strong reek of tobacco to season it, and a succession of gruesome stories to make it palatable.

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

From this reading George Glen was there too, tucked away in a corner by the fireplace, but he said very little.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading The company was made up for the most part of fishermen, who talked always of wrecks upon the western islands and of dead men drowned.

splendid or imposing in size or appearance

From this reading I paid, therefore, but a scanty attention, until, the talk having slid, as it will, from dead men to their funerals, some native began to descant upon the magnificence of Adam Mayle's.

engage in

From this reading IN WHICH I LEARN SOMETHING FROM AN ILL-PAINTED PICTURE I took my supper in the kitchen of the Palace Inn, with a strong reek of tobacco to season it, and a succession of gruesome stories to make it palatable.

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

From this reading But occasionally a different accent and a different anecdote of some other corner of the world would make a variation; and doing my best to pierce the haze of smoke, I recognised the speaker as Peter Tortue, the Frenchman, or the man with the patch on his eye.

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

From this reading I paid, therefore, but a scanty attention, until, the talk having slid, as it will, from dead men to their funerals, some native began to descant upon the magnificence of Adam Mayle's.

the force of workers available

From this reading The company was made up for the most part of fishermen, who talked always of wrecks upon the western islands and of dead men drowned.

used to form the superlative

From this reading The company was made up for the most part of fishermen, who talked always of wrecks upon the western islands and of dead men drowned.

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading IN WHICH I LEARN SOMETHING FROM AN ILL-PAINTED PICTURE I took my supper in the kitchen of the Palace Inn, with a strong reek of tobacco to season it, and a succession of gruesome stories to make it palatable.

characteristic of or existing by virtue of geographic origin

From this reading I paid, therefore, but a scanty attention, until, the talk having slid, as it will, from dead men to their funerals, some native began to descant upon the magnificence of Adam Mayle's.

sporadically and infrequently

From this reading But occasionally a different accent and a different anecdote of some other corner of the world would make a variation; and doing my best to pierce the haze of smoke, I recognised the speaker as Peter Tortue, the Frenchman, or the man with the patch on his eye.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading IN WHICH I LEARN SOMETHING FROM AN ILL-PAINTED PICTURE I took my supper in the kitchen of the Palace Inn, with a strong reek of tobacco to season it, and a succession of gruesome stories to make it palatable.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading But occasionally a different accent and a different anecdote of some other corner of the world would make a variation; and doing my best to pierce the haze of smoke, I recognised the speaker as Peter Tortue, the Frenchman, or the man with the patch on his eye.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading But occasionally a different accent and a different anecdote of some other corner of the world would make a variation; and doing my best to pierce the haze of smoke, I recognised the speaker as Peter Tortue, the Frenchman, or the man with the patch on his eye.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading But occasionally a different accent and a different anecdote of some other corner of the world would make a variation; and doing my best to pierce the haze of smoke, I recognised the speaker as Peter Tortue, the Frenchman, or the man with the patch on his eye.

marked by the reception of pay

From this reading I paid, therefore, but a scanty attention, until, the talk having slid, as it will, from dead men to their funerals, some native began to descant upon the magnificence of Adam Mayle's.

a large and stately mansion

From this reading IN WHICH I LEARN SOMETHING FROM AN ILL-PAINTED PICTURE I took my supper in the kitchen of the Palace Inn, with a strong reek of tobacco to season it, and a succession of gruesome stories to make it palatable.

acceptable to the taste or mind

From this reading IN WHICH I LEARN SOMETHING FROM AN ILL-PAINTED PICTURE I took my supper in the kitchen of the Palace Inn, with a strong reek of tobacco to season it, and a succession of gruesome stories to make it palatable.

something determined in relation to something that includes it

From this reading The company was made up for the most part of fishermen, who talked always of wrecks upon the western islands and of dead men drowned.

a small contrasting part of something

From this reading But occasionally a different accent and a different anecdote of some other corner of the world would make a variation; and doing my best to pierce the haze of smoke, I recognised the speaker as Peter Tortue, the Frenchman, or the man with the patch on his eye.

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

From this reading But occasionally a different accent and a different anecdote of some other corner of the world would make a variation; and doing my best to pierce the haze of smoke, I recognised the speaker as Peter Tortue, the Frenchman, or the man with the patch on his eye.

a visual representation (of an object or scene or person or abstraction) produced on a surface

From this reading IN WHICH I LEARN SOMETHING FROM AN ILL-PAINTED PICTURE I took my supper in the kitchen of the Palace Inn, with a strong reek of tobacco to season it, and a succession of gruesome stories to make it palatable.

cut or make a way through

From this reading But occasionally a different accent and a different anecdote of some other corner of the world would make a variation; and doing my best to pierce the haze of smoke, I recognised the speaker as Peter Tortue, the Frenchman, or the man with the patch on his eye.

provided with a secure reputation

From this reading But occasionally a different accent and a different anecdote of some other corner of the world would make a variation; and doing my best to pierce the haze of smoke, I recognised the speaker as Peter Tortue, the Frenchman, or the man with the patch on his eye.

have an element suggestive (of something)

From this reading IN WHICH I LEARN SOMETHING FROM AN ILL-PAINTED PICTURE I took my supper in the kitchen of the Palace Inn, with a strong reek of tobacco to season it, and a succession of gruesome stories to make it palatable.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading George Glen was there too, tucked away in a corner by the fireplace, but he said very little.

lacking in magnitude or quantity

From this reading I paid, therefore, but a scanty attention, until, the talk having slid, as it will, from dead men to their funerals, some native began to descant upon the magnificence of Adam Mayle's.

a period of the year marked by special events or activities in some field

From this reading IN WHICH I LEARN SOMETHING FROM AN ILL-PAINTED PICTURE I took my supper in the kitchen of the Palace Inn, with a strong reek of tobacco to season it, and a succession of gruesome stories to make it palatable.

inflected form of “slide” — move obliquely or sideways, usually in an uncontrolled manner

From this reading I paid, therefore, but a scanty attention, until, the talk having slid, as it will, from dead men to their funerals, some native began to descant upon the magnificence of Adam Mayle's.

a cloud of fine particles suspended in a gas

From this reading But occasionally a different accent and a different anecdote of some other corner of the world would make a variation; and doing my best to pierce the haze of smoke, I recognised the speaker as Peter Tortue, the Frenchman, or the man with the patch on his eye.

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading But occasionally a different accent and a different anecdote of some other corner of the world would make a variation; and doing my best to pierce the haze of smoke, I recognised the speaker as Peter Tortue, the Frenchman, or the man with the patch on his eye.

a thing, without saying which

From this reading IN WHICH I LEARN SOMETHING FROM AN ILL-PAINTED PICTURE I took my supper in the kitchen of the Palace Inn, with a strong reek of tobacco to season it, and a succession of gruesome stories to make it palatable.

someone who expresses in language; someone who talks (especially someone who delivers a public speech or someone especially garrulous)

From this reading But occasionally a different accent and a different anecdote of some other corner of the world would make a variation; and doing my best to pierce the haze of smoke, I recognised the speaker as Peter Tortue, the Frenchman, or the man with the patch on his eye.

plural of “story” — a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program

From this reading IN WHICH I LEARN SOMETHING FROM AN ILL-PAINTED PICTURE I took my supper in the kitchen of the Palace Inn, with a strong reek of tobacco to season it, and a succession of gruesome stories to make it palatable.

having strength or power greater than average or expected

From this reading IN WHICH I LEARN SOMETHING FROM AN ILL-PAINTED PICTURE I took my supper in the kitchen of the Palace Inn, with a strong reek of tobacco to season it, and a succession of gruesome stories to make it palatable.

a following of one thing after another in time

From this reading IN WHICH I LEARN SOMETHING FROM AN ILL-PAINTED PICTURE I took my supper in the kitchen of the Palace Inn, with a strong reek of tobacco to season it, and a succession of gruesome stories to make it palatable.

a light evening meal; served in early evening if dinner is at midday or served late in the evening at bedtime

From this reading IN WHICH I LEARN SOMETHING FROM AN ILL-PAINTED PICTURE I took my supper in the kitchen of the Palace Inn, with a strong reek of tobacco to season it, and a succession of gruesome stories to make it palatable.

exchange thoughts; talk with

From this reading I paid, therefore, but a scanty attention, until, the talk having slid, as it will, from dead men to their funerals, some native began to descant upon the magnificence of Adam Mayle's.

past form of “talk” — exchange thoughts; talk with

From this reading The company was made up for the most part of fishermen, who talked always of wrecks upon the western islands and of dead men drowned.

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

From this reading IN WHICH I LEARN SOMETHING FROM AN ILL-PAINTED PICTURE I took my supper in the kitchen of the Palace Inn, with a strong reek of tobacco to season it, and a succession of gruesome stories to make it palatable.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading I paid, therefore, but a scanty attention, until, the talk having slid, as it will, from dead men to their funerals, some native began to descant upon the magnificence of Adam Mayle's.

in or at that place or location

From this reading George Glen was there too, tucked away in a corner by the fireplace, but he said very little.

for that reason; as a result

From this reading I paid, therefore, but a scanty attention, until, the talk having slid, as it will, from dead men to their funerals, some native began to descant upon the magnificence of Adam Mayle's.

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

From this reading IN WHICH I LEARN SOMETHING FROM AN ILL-PAINTED PICTURE I took my supper in the kitchen of the Palace Inn, with a strong reek of tobacco to season it, and a succession of gruesome stories to make it palatable.

leaves of the tobacco plant dried and prepared for smoking or ingestion

From this reading IN WHICH I LEARN SOMETHING FROM AN ILL-PAINTED PICTURE I took my supper in the kitchen of the Palace Inn, with a strong reek of tobacco to season it, and a succession of gruesome stories to make it palatable.

to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits

From this reading George Glen was there too, tucked away in a corner by the fireplace, but he said very little.

inflected form of “take” — carry out

From this reading IN WHICH I LEARN SOMETHING FROM AN ILL-PAINTED PICTURE I took my supper in the kitchen of the Palace Inn, with a strong reek of tobacco to season it, and a succession of gruesome stories to make it palatable.

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

From this reading But occasionally a different accent and a different anecdote of some other corner of the world would make a variation; and doing my best to pierce the haze of smoke, I recognised the speaker as Peter Tortue, the Frenchman, or the man with the patch on his eye.

having tucked or being tucked

From this reading George Glen was there too, tucked away in a corner by the fireplace, but he said very little.

up to a particular time

From this reading I paid, therefore, but a scanty attention, until, the talk having slid, as it will, from dead men to their funerals, some native began to descant upon the magnificence of Adam Mayle's.

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

From this reading The company was made up for the most part of fishermen, who talked always of wrecks upon the western islands and of dead men drowned.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading The company was made up for the most part of fishermen, who talked always of wrecks upon the western islands and of dead men drowned.

an instance of change; the rate or magnitude of change

From this reading But occasionally a different accent and a different anecdote of some other corner of the world would make a variation; and doing my best to pierce the haze of smoke, I recognised the speaker as Peter Tortue, the Frenchman, or the man with the patch on his eye.

precisely as stated

From this reading George Glen was there too, tucked away in a corner by the fireplace, but he said very little.

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

From this reading The company was made up for the most part of fishermen, who talked always of wrecks upon the western islands and of dead men drowned.

relating to or characteristic of the western parts of the world or the West as opposed to the eastern or oriental parts

From this reading The company was made up for the most part of fishermen, who talked always of wrecks upon the western islands and of dead men drowned.

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

From this reading IN WHICH I LEARN SOMETHING FROM AN ILL-PAINTED PICTURE I took my supper in the kitchen of the Palace Inn, with a strong reek of tobacco to season it, and a succession of gruesome stories to make it palatable.

which person or people

From this reading The company was made up for the most part of fishermen, who talked always of wrecks upon the western islands and of dead men drowned.

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading I paid, therefore, but a scanty attention, until, the talk having slid, as it will, from dead men to their funerals, some native began to descant upon the magnificence of Adam Mayle's.

in the company of; together with

From this reading IN WHICH I LEARN SOMETHING FROM AN ILL-PAINTED PICTURE I took my supper in the kitchen of the Palace Inn, with a strong reek of tobacco to season it, and a succession of gruesome stories to make it palatable.

everything that exists anywhere

From this reading But occasionally a different accent and a different anecdote of some other corner of the world would make a variation; and doing my best to pierce the haze of smoke, I recognised the speaker as Peter Tortue, the Frenchman, or the man with the patch on his eye.

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

From this reading But occasionally a different accent and a different anecdote of some other corner of the world would make a variation; and doing my best to pierce the haze of smoke, I recognised the speaker as Peter Tortue, the Frenchman, or the man with the patch on his eye.

plural of “wreck” — something or someone that has suffered ruin or dilapidation

From this reading The company was made up for the most part of fishermen, who talked always of wrecks upon the western islands and of dead men drowned.