Chapter III · Chapter 3

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

From this reading Before, there had been only suspicions, one flimsy clue leading to another, a building-block process, which, in its culmination, had determined Barry to take a trip into the West to see for himself.

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading He had not, however, hoped to have from the lips of the man himself a confession that conditions were not right at the lumber mill of which Barry Houston now formed the executive head; to receive the certain statement that somewhere, somehow, something was wrong, something which was working against the best interests of himself and the stern necessities of the future.

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

From this reading It was with an effort that Houston gave no indication that he had heard.

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

From this reading He had believed that it would be a long process, the finding of a certain telegram and the possibilities which might ensue if this bit of evidence should turn out to be the thing he had suspected.

one more of the same kind, or a different one

From this reading Before, there had been only suspicions, one flimsy clue leading to another, a building-block process, which, in its culmination, had determined Barry to take a trip into the West to see for himself.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading He had not, however, hoped to have from the lips of the man himself a confession that conditions were not right at the lumber mill of which Barry Houston now formed the executive head; to receive the certain statement that somewhere, somehow, something was wrong, something which was working against the best interests of himself and the stern necessities of the future.

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading But now-- Thayer had turned away and evidently sought a chair at the other side of the room.

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

From this reading Before, there had been only suspicions, one flimsy clue leading to another, a building-block process, which, in its culmination, had determined Barry to take a trip into the West to see for himself.

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

From this reading He had believed that it would be a long process, the finding of a certain telegram and the possibilities which might ensue if this bit of evidence should turn out to be the thing he had suspected.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Before, there had been only suspicions, one flimsy clue leading to another, a building-block process, which, in its culmination, had determined Barry to take a trip into the West to see for himself.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading Before, there had been only suspicions, one flimsy clue leading to another, a building-block process, which, in its culmination, had determined Barry to take a trip into the West to see for himself.

past form of “believe” — accept as true; take to be true

From this reading He had believed that it would be a long process, the finding of a certain telegram and the possibilities which might ensue if this bit of evidence should turn out to be the thing he had suspected.

the supreme effort one can make

From this reading He had not, however, hoped to have from the lips of the man himself a confession that conditions were not right at the lumber mill of which Barry Houston now formed the executive head; to receive the certain statement that somewhere, somehow, something was wrong, something which was working against the best interests of himself and the stern necessities of the future.

a small piece or quantity of something

From this reading He had believed that it would be a long process, the finding of a certain telegram and the possibilities which might ensue if this bit of evidence should turn out to be the thing he had suspected.

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

From this reading Before, there had been only suspicions, one flimsy clue leading to another, a building-block process, which, in its culmination, had determined Barry to take a trip into the West to see for himself.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But now-- Thayer had turned away and evidently sought a chair at the other side of the room.

definite but not specified or identified

From this reading He had believed that it would be a long process, the finding of a certain telegram and the possibilities which might ensue if this bit of evidence should turn out to be the thing he had suspected.

a seat for one person, with a support for the back

From this reading But now-- Thayer had turned away and evidently sought a chair at the other side of the room.

a slight indication

From this reading Before, there had been only suspicions, one flimsy clue leading to another, a building-block process, which, in its culmination, had determined Barry to take a trip into the West to see for himself.

the prevailing context that influences the performance or the outcome of a process

From this reading He had not, however, hoped to have from the lips of the man himself a confession that conditions were not right at the lumber mill of which Barry Houston now formed the executive head; to receive the certain statement that somewhere, somehow, something was wrong, something which was working against the best interests of himself and the stern necessities of the future.

an admission of misdeeds or faults

From this reading He had not, however, hoped to have from the lips of the man himself a confession that conditions were not right at the lumber mill of which Barry Houston now formed the executive head; to receive the certain statement that somewhere, somehow, something was wrong, something which was working against the best interests of himself and the stern necessities of the future.

a final climactic stage

From this reading Before, there had been only suspicions, one flimsy clue leading to another, a building-block process, which, in its culmination, had determined Barry to take a trip into the West to see for himself.

characterized by great determination

From this reading Before, there had been only suspicions, one flimsy clue leading to another, a building-block process, which, in its culmination, had determined Barry to take a trip into the West to see for himself.

earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something

From this reading It was with an effort that Houston gave no indication that he had heard.

issue or terminate (in a specified way, state, etc.); end

From this reading He had believed that it would be a long process, the finding of a certain telegram and the possibilities which might ensue if this bit of evidence should turn out to be the thing he had suspected.

your basis for belief or disbelief; knowledge on which to base belief

From this reading He had believed that it would be a long process, the finding of a certain telegram and the possibilities which might ensue if this bit of evidence should turn out to be the thing he had suspected.

unmistakably (“plain” is often used informally for “plainly”)

From this reading But now-- Thayer had turned away and evidently sought a chair at the other side of the room.

a person responsible for the administration of a business

From this reading He had not, however, hoped to have from the lips of the man himself a confession that conditions were not right at the lumber mill of which Barry Houston now formed the executive head; to receive the certain statement that somewhere, somehow, something was wrong, something which was working against the best interests of himself and the stern necessities of the future.

the act of determining the properties of something, usually by research or calculation

From this reading He had believed that it would be a long process, the finding of a certain telegram and the possibilities which might ensue if this bit of evidence should turn out to be the thing he had suspected.

lacking solidity or strength

From this reading Before, there had been only suspicions, one flimsy clue leading to another, a building-block process, which, in its culmination, had determined Barry to take a trip into the West to see for himself.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Before, there had been only suspicions, one flimsy clue leading to another, a building-block process, which, in its culmination, had determined Barry to take a trip into the West to see for himself.

having or given a form or shape

From this reading He had not, however, hoped to have from the lips of the man himself a confession that conditions were not right at the lumber mill of which Barry Houston now formed the executive head; to receive the certain statement that somewhere, somehow, something was wrong, something which was working against the best interests of himself and the stern necessities of the future.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading He had not, however, hoped to have from the lips of the man himself a confession that conditions were not right at the lumber mill of which Barry Houston now formed the executive head; to receive the certain statement that somewhere, somehow, something was wrong, something which was working against the best interests of himself and the stern necessities of the future.

yet to be or coming

From this reading He had not, however, hoped to have from the lips of the man himself a confession that conditions were not right at the lumber mill of which Barry Houston now formed the executive head; to receive the certain statement that somewhere, somehow, something was wrong, something which was working against the best interests of himself and the stern necessities of the future.

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

From this reading It was with an effort that Houston gave no indication that he had heard.

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

From this reading It was with an effort that Houston gave no indication that he had heard.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading He had not, however, hoped to have from the lips of the man himself a confession that conditions were not right at the lumber mill of which Barry Houston now formed the executive head; to receive the certain statement that somewhere, somehow, something was wrong, something which was working against the best interests of himself and the stern necessities of the future.

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

From this reading It was with an effort that Houston gave no indication that he had heard.

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

From this reading He had not, however, hoped to have from the lips of the man himself a confession that conditions were not right at the lumber mill of which Barry Houston now formed the executive head; to receive the certain statement that somewhere, somehow, something was wrong, something which was working against the best interests of himself and the stern necessities of the future.

detected or perceived by the sense of hearing

From this reading It was with an effort that Houston gave no indication that he had heard.

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading Before, there had been only suspicions, one flimsy clue leading to another, a building-block process, which, in its culmination, had determined Barry to take a trip into the West to see for himself.

past form of “hope” — expect and wish

From this reading He had not, however, hoped to have from the lips of the man himself a confession that conditions were not right at the lumber mill of which Barry Houston now formed the executive head; to receive the certain statement that somewhere, somehow, something was wrong, something which was working against the best interests of himself and the stern necessities of the future.

the largest city in Texas; located in southeastern Texas near the Gulf of Mexico; site of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration

From this reading It was with an effort that Houston gave no indication that he had heard.

used to add a contrasting statement

From this reading He had not, however, hoped to have from the lips of the man himself a confession that conditions were not right at the lumber mill of which Barry Houston now formed the executive head; to receive the certain statement that somewhere, somehow, something was wrong, something which was working against the best interests of himself and the stern necessities of the future.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading He had believed that it would be a long process, the finding of a certain telegram and the possibilities which might ensue if this bit of evidence should turn out to be the thing he had suspected.

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

From this reading Before, there had been only suspicions, one flimsy clue leading to another, a building-block process, which, in its culmination, had determined Barry to take a trip into the West to see for himself.

something that serves to indicate or suggest

From this reading It was with an effort that Houston gave no indication that he had heard.

plural of “interest” — a sense of concern with and curiosity about someone or something

From this reading He had not, however, hoped to have from the lips of the man himself a confession that conditions were not right at the lumber mill of which Barry Houston now formed the executive head; to receive the certain statement that somewhere, somehow, something was wrong, something which was working against the best interests of himself and the stern necessities of the future.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading Before, there had been only suspicions, one flimsy clue leading to another, a building-block process, which, in its culmination, had determined Barry to take a trip into the West to see for himself.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was with an effort that Houston gave no indication that he had heard.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading Before, there had been only suspicions, one flimsy clue leading to another, a building-block process, which, in its culmination, had determined Barry to take a trip into the West to see for himself.

indicating the most important performer or role

From this reading Before, there had been only suspicions, one flimsy clue leading to another, a building-block process, which, in its culmination, had determined Barry to take a trip into the West to see for himself.

plural of “lip” — either of two fleshy folds of tissue that surround the mouth and play a role in speaking

From this reading He had not, however, hoped to have from the lips of the man himself a confession that conditions were not right at the lumber mill of which Barry Houston now formed the executive head; to receive the certain statement that somewhere, somehow, something was wrong, something which was working against the best interests of himself and the stern necessities of the future.

primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified

From this reading He had believed that it would be a long process, the finding of a certain telegram and the possibilities which might ensue if this bit of evidence should turn out to be the thing he had suspected.

the wood of trees cut and prepared for use as building material

From this reading He had not, however, hoped to have from the lips of the man himself a confession that conditions were not right at the lumber mill of which Barry Houston now formed the executive head; to receive the certain statement that somewhere, somehow, something was wrong, something which was working against the best interests of himself and the stern necessities of the future.

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

From this reading He had not, however, hoped to have from the lips of the man himself a confession that conditions were not right at the lumber mill of which Barry Houston now formed the executive head; to receive the certain statement that somewhere, somehow, something was wrong, something which was working against the best interests of himself and the stern necessities of the future.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading He had believed that it would be a long process, the finding of a certain telegram and the possibilities which might ensue if this bit of evidence should turn out to be the thing he had suspected.

move about in a confused manner

From this reading He had not, however, hoped to have from the lips of the man himself a confession that conditions were not right at the lumber mill of which Barry Houston now formed the executive head; to receive the certain statement that somewhere, somehow, something was wrong, something which was working against the best interests of himself and the stern necessities of the future.

plural of “necessity” — the condition of being essential or indispensable

From this reading He had not, however, hoped to have from the lips of the man himself a confession that conditions were not right at the lumber mill of which Barry Houston now formed the executive head; to receive the certain statement that somewhere, somehow, something was wrong, something which was working against the best interests of himself and the stern necessities of the future.

not any; not one

From this reading It was with an effort that Houston gave no indication that he had heard.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading He had not, however, hoped to have from the lips of the man himself a confession that conditions were not right at the lumber mill of which Barry Houston now formed the executive head; to receive the certain statement that somewhere, somehow, something was wrong, something which was working against the best interests of himself and the stern necessities of the future.

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

From this reading He had not, however, hoped to have from the lips of the man himself a confession that conditions were not right at the lumber mill of which Barry Houston now formed the executive head; to receive the certain statement that somewhere, somehow, something was wrong, something which was working against the best interests of himself and the stern necessities of the future.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading He had believed that it would be a long process, the finding of a certain telegram and the possibilities which might ensue if this bit of evidence should turn out to be the thing he had suspected.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Before, there had been only suspicions, one flimsy clue leading to another, a building-block process, which, in its culmination, had determined Barry to take a trip into the West to see for himself.

and nothing more

From this reading Before, there had been only suspicions, one flimsy clue leading to another, a building-block process, which, in its culmination, had determined Barry to take a trip into the West to see for himself.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading But now-- Thayer had turned away and evidently sought a chair at the other side of the room.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading He had believed that it would be a long process, the finding of a certain telegram and the possibilities which might ensue if this bit of evidence should turn out to be the thing he had suspected.

plural of “possibility” — a future prospect or potential

From this reading He had believed that it would be a long process, the finding of a certain telegram and the possibilities which might ensue if this bit of evidence should turn out to be the thing he had suspected.

subject to a process or treatment, with the aim of readying for some purpose, improving, or remedying a condition

From this reading Before, there had been only suspicions, one flimsy clue leading to another, a building-block process, which, in its culmination, had determined Barry to take a trip into the West to see for himself.

get something; come into possession of

From this reading He had not, however, hoped to have from the lips of the man himself a confession that conditions were not right at the lumber mill of which Barry Houston now formed the executive head; to receive the certain statement that somewhere, somehow, something was wrong, something which was working against the best interests of himself and the stern necessities of the future.

precisely, exactly

From this reading He had not, however, hoped to have from the lips of the man himself a confession that conditions were not right at the lumber mill of which Barry Houston now formed the executive head; to receive the certain statement that somewhere, somehow, something was wrong, something which was working against the best interests of himself and the stern necessities of the future.

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

From this reading But now-- Thayer had turned away and evidently sought a chair at the other side of the room.

perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading Before, there had been only suspicions, one flimsy clue leading to another, a building-block process, which, in its culmination, had determined Barry to take a trip into the West to see for himself.

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading He had believed that it would be a long process, the finding of a certain telegram and the possibilities which might ensue if this bit of evidence should turn out to be the thing he had suspected.

a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location

From this reading But now-- Thayer had turned away and evidently sought a chair at the other side of the room.

in some unspecified way or manner; or by some unspecified means

From this reading He had not, however, hoped to have from the lips of the man himself a confession that conditions were not right at the lumber mill of which Barry Houston now formed the executive head; to receive the certain statement that somewhere, somehow, something was wrong, something which was working against the best interests of himself and the stern necessities of the future.

a thing, without saying which

From this reading He had not, however, hoped to have from the lips of the man himself a confession that conditions were not right at the lumber mill of which Barry Houston now formed the executive head; to receive the certain statement that somewhere, somehow, something was wrong, something which was working against the best interests of himself and the stern necessities of the future.

in or at or to some place

From this reading He had not, however, hoped to have from the lips of the man himself a confession that conditions were not right at the lumber mill of which Barry Houston now formed the executive head; to receive the certain statement that somewhere, somehow, something was wrong, something which was working against the best interests of himself and the stern necessities of the future.

that is looked for

From this reading But now-- Thayer had turned away and evidently sought a chair at the other side of the room.

a message that is stated or declared; a communication (oral or written) setting forth particulars or facts etc

From this reading He had not, however, hoped to have from the lips of the man himself a confession that conditions were not right at the lumber mill of which Barry Houston now formed the executive head; to receive the certain statement that somewhere, somehow, something was wrong, something which was working against the best interests of himself and the stern necessities of the future.

of a stern or strict bearing or demeanor; forbidding in aspect

From this reading He had not, however, hoped to have from the lips of the man himself a confession that conditions were not right at the lumber mill of which Barry Houston now formed the executive head; to receive the certain statement that somewhere, somehow, something was wrong, something which was working against the best interests of himself and the stern necessities of the future.

believed likely

From this reading He had believed that it would be a long process, the finding of a certain telegram and the possibilities which might ensue if this bit of evidence should turn out to be the thing he had suspected.

plural of “suspicion” — an impression that something might be the case

From this reading Before, there had been only suspicions, one flimsy clue leading to another, a building-block process, which, in its culmination, had determined Barry to take a trip into the West to see for himself.

carry out

From this reading Before, there had been only suspicions, one flimsy clue leading to another, a building-block process, which, in its culmination, had determined Barry to take a trip into the West to see for himself.

a message transmitted by telegraph

From this reading He had believed that it would be a long process, the finding of a certain telegram and the possibilities which might ensue if this bit of evidence should turn out to be the thing he had suspected.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading It was with an effort that Houston gave no indication that he had heard.

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

From this reading But now-- Thayer had turned away and evidently sought a chair at the other side of the room.

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

From this reading Before, there had been only suspicions, one flimsy clue leading to another, a building-block process, which, in its culmination, had determined Barry to take a trip into the West to see for himself.

in or at that place or location

From this reading Before, there had been only suspicions, one flimsy clue leading to another, a building-block process, which, in its culmination, had determined Barry to take a trip into the West to see for himself.

a special situation

From this reading He had believed that it would be a long process, the finding of a certain telegram and the possibilities which might ensue if this bit of evidence should turn out to be the thing he had suspected.

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

From this reading He had believed that it would be a long process, the finding of a certain telegram and the possibilities which might ensue if this bit of evidence should turn out to be the thing he had suspected.

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

From this reading Before, there had been only suspicions, one flimsy clue leading to another, a building-block process, which, in its culmination, had determined Barry to take a trip into the West to see for himself.

a journey for some purpose (usually including the return)

From this reading Before, there had been only suspicions, one flimsy clue leading to another, a building-block process, which, in its culmination, had determined Barry to take a trip into the West to see for himself.

change orientation or direction, also in the abstract sense

From this reading He had believed that it would be a long process, the finding of a certain telegram and the possibilities which might ensue if this bit of evidence should turn out to be the thing he had suspected.

moved around an axis or center

From this reading But now-- Thayer had turned away and evidently sought a chair at the other side of the room.

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

From this reading It was with an effort that Houston gave no indication that he had heard.

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

From this reading He had not, however, hoped to have from the lips of the man himself a confession that conditions were not right at the lumber mill of which Barry Houston now formed the executive head; to receive the certain statement that somewhere, somehow, something was wrong, something which was working against the best interests of himself and the stern necessities of the future.

the countries of (originally) Europe and (now including) North America and South America

From this reading Before, there had been only suspicions, one flimsy clue leading to another, a building-block process, which, in its culmination, had determined Barry to take a trip into the West to see for himself.

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

From this reading Before, there had been only suspicions, one flimsy clue leading to another, a building-block process, which, in its culmination, had determined Barry to take a trip into the West to see for himself.

in the company of; together with

From this reading It was with an effort that Houston gave no indication that he had heard.

actively engaged in paid work

From this reading He had not, however, hoped to have from the lips of the man himself a confession that conditions were not right at the lumber mill of which Barry Houston now formed the executive head; to receive the certain statement that somewhere, somehow, something was wrong, something which was working against the best interests of himself and the stern necessities of the future.

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

From this reading He had believed that it would be a long process, the finding of a certain telegram and the possibilities which might ensue if this bit of evidence should turn out to be the thing he had suspected.

not correct; not in conformity with fact or truth

From this reading He had not, however, hoped to have from the lips of the man himself a confession that conditions were not right at the lumber mill of which Barry Houston now formed the executive head; to receive the certain statement that somewhere, somehow, something was wrong, something which was working against the best interests of himself and the stern necessities of the future.