Chapter XXV · Chapter 25

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

From this reading He had returned a week later to the day than he had arranged to return.

the state of being absent

From this reading But had his absence run into months instead of weeks the lapse of time had not sufficed to explain the change which he felt, but could not define, in his surroundings.

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

From this reading PEACE Uncle Ulick, with the mud of the road still undried on his boots, and the curls still stiff in the wig which the town barber at Mallow had dressed for him, rubbed his chin with his hand and, covertly looking round the room, owned himself puzzled.

disposed or placed in a particular kind of order

From this reading He had returned a week later to the day than he had arranged to return.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading PEACE Uncle Ulick, with the mud of the road still undried on his boots, and the curls still stiff in the wig which the town barber at Mallow had dressed for him, rubbed his chin with his hand and, covertly looking round the room, owned himself puzzled.

United States composer (1910-1981)

From this reading PEACE Uncle Ulick, with the mud of the road still undried on his boots, and the curls still stiff in the wig which the town barber at Mallow had dressed for him, rubbed his chin with his hand and, covertly looking round the room, owned himself puzzled.

take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

From this reading But he was sensible, though vaguely, that the change did not stop there--perhaps did not begin there.

(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another

From this reading Certainly old Darby looked a thought more trim, and the room a trifle better ordered than he had left them.

plural of “boot” — footwear that covers the whole foot and lower leg

From this reading PEACE Uncle Ulick, with the mud of the road still undried on his boots, and the curls still stiff in the wig which the town barber at Mallow had dressed for him, rubbed his chin with his hand and, covertly looking round the room, owned himself puzzled.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But had his absence run into months instead of weeks the lapse of time had not sufficed to explain the change which he felt, but could not define, in his surroundings.

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

From this reading Certainly old Darby looked a thought more trim, and the room a trifle better ordered than he had left them.

cause to change; make different; cause a transformation

From this reading But had his absence run into months instead of weeks the lapse of time had not sufficed to explain the change which he felt, but could not define, in his surroundings.

the protruding part of the lower jaw

From this reading PEACE Uncle Ulick, with the mud of the road still undried on his boots, and the curls still stiff in the wig which the town barber at Mallow had dressed for him, rubbed his chin with his hand and, covertly looking round the room, owned himself puzzled.

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading But had his absence run into months instead of weeks the lapse of time had not sufficed to explain the change which he felt, but could not define, in his surroundings.

in a covert manner

From this reading PEACE Uncle Ulick, with the mud of the road still undried on his boots, and the curls still stiff in the wig which the town barber at Mallow had dressed for him, rubbed his chin with his hand and, covertly looking round the room, owned himself puzzled.

plural of “curl” — a round shape formed by a series of concentric circles (as formed by leaves or flower petals)

From this reading PEACE Uncle Ulick, with the mud of the road still undried on his boots, and the curls still stiff in the wig which the town barber at Mallow had dressed for him, rubbed his chin with his hand and, covertly looking round the room, owned himself puzzled.

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

From this reading Certainly old Darby looked a thought more trim, and the room a trifle better ordered than he had left them.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading He had returned a week later to the day than he had arranged to return.

determine the essential quality of

From this reading But had his absence run into months instead of weeks the lapse of time had not sufficed to explain the change which he felt, but could not define, in his surroundings.

the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives

From this reading But he was sensible, though vaguely, that the change did not stop there--perhaps did not begin there.

dressed or clothed especially in fine attire; often used in combination

From this reading PEACE Uncle Ulick, with the mud of the road still undried on his boots, and the curls still stiff in the wig which the town barber at Mallow had dressed for him, rubbed his chin with his hand and, covertly looking round the room, owned himself puzzled.

make plain and comprehensible

From this reading But had his absence run into months instead of weeks the lapse of time had not sufficed to explain the change which he felt, but could not define, in his surroundings.

mat together and make felt-like

From this reading But had his absence run into months instead of weeks the lapse of time had not sufficed to explain the change which he felt, but could not define, in his surroundings.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading PEACE Uncle Ulick, with the mud of the road still undried on his boots, and the curls still stiff in the wig which the town barber at Mallow had dressed for him, rubbed his chin with his hand and, covertly looking round the room, owned himself puzzled.

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

From this reading PEACE Uncle Ulick, with the mud of the road still undried on his boots, and the curls still stiff in the wig which the town barber at Mallow had dressed for him, rubbed his chin with his hand and, covertly looking round the room, owned himself puzzled.

the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb

From this reading PEACE Uncle Ulick, with the mud of the road still undried on his boots, and the curls still stiff in the wig which the town barber at Mallow had dressed for him, rubbed his chin with his hand and, covertly looking round the room, owned himself puzzled.

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

From this reading He had returned a week later to the day than he had arranged to return.

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

From this reading PEACE Uncle Ulick, with the mud of the road still undried on his boots, and the curls still stiff in the wig which the town barber at Mallow had dressed for him, rubbed his chin with his hand and, covertly looking round the room, owned himself puzzled.

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

From this reading PEACE Uncle Ulick, with the mud of the road still undried on his boots, and the curls still stiff in the wig which the town barber at Mallow had dressed for him, rubbed his chin with his hand and, covertly looking round the room, owned himself puzzled.

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

From this reading PEACE Uncle Ulick, with the mud of the road still undried on his boots, and the curls still stiff in the wig which the town barber at Mallow had dressed for him, rubbed his chin with his hand and, covertly looking round the room, owned himself puzzled.

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

From this reading PEACE Uncle Ulick, with the mud of the road still undried on his boots, and the curls still stiff in the wig which the town barber at Mallow had dressed for him, rubbed his chin with his hand and, covertly looking round the room, owned himself puzzled.

in place of, or as an alternative to

From this reading But had his absence run into months instead of weeks the lapse of time had not sufficed to explain the change which he felt, but could not define, in his surroundings.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading But had his absence run into months instead of weeks the lapse of time had not sufficed to explain the change which he felt, but could not define, in his surroundings.

pass into a specified state or condition

From this reading But had his absence run into months instead of weeks the lapse of time had not sufficed to explain the change which he felt, but could not define, in his surroundings.

happening at a time subsequent to a reference time

From this reading He had returned a week later to the day than he had arranged to return.

location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east

From this reading Certainly old Darby looked a thought more trim, and the room a trifle better ordered than he had left them.

past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading Certainly old Darby looked a thought more trim, and the room a trifle better ordered than he had left them.

the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually

From this reading PEACE Uncle Ulick, with the mud of the road still undried on his boots, and the curls still stiff in the wig which the town barber at Mallow had dressed for him, rubbed his chin with his hand and, covertly looking round the room, owned himself puzzled.

any of various plants of the family Malvaceae

From this reading PEACE Uncle Ulick, with the mud of the road still undried on his boots, and the curls still stiff in the wig which the town barber at Mallow had dressed for him, rubbed his chin with his hand and, covertly looking round the room, owned himself puzzled.

plural of “month” — one of the twelve divisions of the calendar year

From this reading But had his absence run into months instead of weeks the lapse of time had not sufficed to explain the change which he felt, but could not define, in his surroundings.

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading Certainly old Darby looked a thought more trim, and the room a trifle better ordered than he had left them.

water soaked soil; soft wet earth

From this reading PEACE Uncle Ulick, with the mud of the road still undried on his boots, and the curls still stiff in the wig which the town barber at Mallow had dressed for him, rubbed his chin with his hand and, covertly looking round the room, owned himself puzzled.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading But had his absence run into months instead of weeks the lapse of time had not sufficed to explain the change which he felt, but could not define, in his surroundings.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading PEACE Uncle Ulick, with the mud of the road still undried on his boots, and the curls still stiff in the wig which the town barber at Mallow had dressed for him, rubbed his chin with his hand and, covertly looking round the room, owned himself puzzled.

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

From this reading Certainly old Darby looked a thought more trim, and the room a trifle better ordered than he had left them.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading PEACE Uncle Ulick, with the mud of the road still undried on his boots, and the curls still stiff in the wig which the town barber at Mallow had dressed for him, rubbed his chin with his hand and, covertly looking round the room, owned himself puzzled.

having a systematic arrangement; especially having elements succeeding in order according to rule

From this reading Certainly old Darby looked a thought more trim, and the room a trifle better ordered than he had left them.

having an owner; often used in combination

From this reading PEACE Uncle Ulick, with the mud of the road still undried on his boots, and the curls still stiff in the wig which the town barber at Mallow had dressed for him, rubbed his chin with his hand and, covertly looking round the room, owned himself puzzled.

the state prevailing during the absence of war

From this reading PEACE Uncle Ulick, with the mud of the road still undried on his boots, and the curls still stiff in the wig which the town barber at Mallow had dressed for him, rubbed his chin with his hand and, covertly looking round the room, owned himself puzzled.

by chance

From this reading But he was sensible, though vaguely, that the change did not stop there--perhaps did not begin there.

filled with bewilderment

From this reading PEACE Uncle Ulick, with the mud of the road still undried on his boots, and the curls still stiff in the wig which the town barber at Mallow had dressed for him, rubbed his chin with his hand and, covertly looking round the room, owned himself puzzled.

go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before

From this reading He had returned a week later to the day than he had arranged to return.

past form of “return” — go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before

From this reading He had returned a week later to the day than he had arranged to return.

an open way (generally public) for travel or transportation

From this reading PEACE Uncle Ulick, with the mud of the road still undried on his boots, and the curls still stiff in the wig which the town barber at Mallow had dressed for him, rubbed his chin with his hand and, covertly looking round the room, owned himself puzzled.

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

From this reading PEACE Uncle Ulick, with the mud of the road still undried on his boots, and the curls still stiff in the wig which the town barber at Mallow had dressed for him, rubbed his chin with his hand and, covertly looking round the room, owned himself puzzled.

a charge of ammunition for a single shot

From this reading PEACE Uncle Ulick, with the mud of the road still undried on his boots, and the curls still stiff in the wig which the town barber at Mallow had dressed for him, rubbed his chin with his hand and, covertly looking round the room, owned himself puzzled.

inflected form of “rub” — move over something with pressure

From this reading PEACE Uncle Ulick, with the mud of the road still undried on his boots, and the curls still stiff in the wig which the town barber at Mallow had dressed for him, rubbed his chin with his hand and, covertly looking round the room, owned himself puzzled.

move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time

From this reading But had his absence run into months instead of weeks the lapse of time had not sufficed to explain the change which he felt, but could not define, in his surroundings.

showing reason or sound judgment

From this reading But he was sensible, though vaguely, that the change did not stop there--perhaps did not begin there.

not moving or operating freely

From this reading PEACE Uncle Ulick, with the mud of the road still undried on his boots, and the curls still stiff in the wig which the town barber at Mallow had dressed for him, rubbed his chin with his hand and, covertly looking round the room, owned himself puzzled.

not in physical motion

From this reading PEACE Uncle Ulick, with the mud of the road still undried on his boots, and the curls still stiff in the wig which the town barber at Mallow had dressed for him, rubbed his chin with his hand and, covertly looking round the room, owned himself puzzled.

come to a halt, stop moving

From this reading But he was sensible, though vaguely, that the change did not stop there--perhaps did not begin there.

past form of “suffice” — be sufficient; be adequate, either in quality or quantity

From this reading But had his absence run into months instead of weeks the lapse of time had not sufficed to explain the change which he felt, but could not define, in his surroundings.

the environmental condition

From this reading But had his absence run into months instead of weeks the lapse of time had not sufficed to explain the change which he felt, but could not define, in his surroundings.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading He had returned a week later to the day than he had arranged to return.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading But he was sensible, though vaguely, that the change did not stop there--perhaps did not begin there.

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

From this reading PEACE Uncle Ulick, with the mud of the road still undried on his boots, and the curls still stiff in the wig which the town barber at Mallow had dressed for him, rubbed his chin with his hand and, covertly looking round the room, owned himself puzzled.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading Certainly old Darby looked a thought more trim, and the room a trifle better ordered than he had left them.

in or at that place or location

From this reading But he was sensible, though vaguely, that the change did not stop there--perhaps did not begin there.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading But he was sensible, though vaguely, that the change did not stop there--perhaps did not begin there.

the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about

From this reading Certainly old Darby looked a thought more trim, and the room a trifle better ordered than he had left them.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading But had his absence run into months instead of weeks the lapse of time had not sufficed to explain the change which he felt, but could not define, in his surroundings.

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

From this reading He had returned a week later to the day than he had arranged to return.

an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city

From this reading PEACE Uncle Ulick, with the mud of the road still undried on his boots, and the curls still stiff in the wig which the town barber at Mallow had dressed for him, rubbed his chin with his hand and, covertly looking round the room, owned himself puzzled.

a cold pudding made of layers of sponge cake spread with fruit or jelly; may be decorated with nuts, cream, or chocolate

From this reading Certainly old Darby looked a thought more trim, and the room a trifle better ordered than he had left them.

remove the edges from and cut down to the desired size

From this reading Certainly old Darby looked a thought more trim, and the room a trifle better ordered than he had left them.

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

From this reading PEACE Uncle Ulick, with the mud of the road still undried on his boots, and the curls still stiff in the wig which the town barber at Mallow had dressed for him, rubbed his chin with his hand and, covertly looking round the room, owned himself puzzled.

the brother of your father or mother; the husband of your aunt

From this reading PEACE Uncle Ulick, with the mud of the road still undried on his boots, and the curls still stiff in the wig which the town barber at Mallow had dressed for him, rubbed his chin with his hand and, covertly looking round the room, owned himself puzzled.

still wet or moist

From this reading PEACE Uncle Ulick, with the mud of the road still undried on his boots, and the curls still stiff in the wig which the town barber at Mallow had dressed for him, rubbed his chin with his hand and, covertly looking round the room, owned himself puzzled.

in a vague way

From this reading But he was sensible, though vaguely, that the change did not stop there--perhaps did not begin there.

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

From this reading But he was sensible, though vaguely, that the change did not stop there--perhaps did not begin there.

any period of seven consecutive days

From this reading He had returned a week later to the day than he had arranged to return.

plural of “week” — any period of seven consecutive days

From this reading But had his absence run into months instead of weeks the lapse of time had not sufficed to explain the change which he felt, but could not define, in his surroundings.

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

From this reading PEACE Uncle Ulick, with the mud of the road still undried on his boots, and the curls still stiff in the wig which the town barber at Mallow had dressed for him, rubbed his chin with his hand and, covertly looking round the room, owned himself puzzled.

hairpiece covering the head and made of real or synthetic hair

From this reading PEACE Uncle Ulick, with the mud of the road still undried on his boots, and the curls still stiff in the wig which the town barber at Mallow had dressed for him, rubbed his chin with his hand and, covertly looking round the room, owned himself puzzled.

in the company of; together with

From this reading PEACE Uncle Ulick, with the mud of the road still undried on his boots, and the curls still stiff in the wig which the town barber at Mallow had dressed for him, rubbed his chin with his hand and, covertly looking round the room, owned himself puzzled.