Chapter II · Chapter 2

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

From this reading The colonel of Outram's Own dropped into a club where he was only one, and not the greatest, of many men entitled to respect.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading He chose, however, a solitary chair, for, though subalterns do not believe it, a colonel has exactly that diffidence about approaching senior civilians which a subaltern ought to feel.

(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 In a moment all that was visible of him from the door was a pair of brown riding-boots, very much fore-shortened, resting on the long arm of a cane chair, and two sets of wonderfully modeled fingers that held up a newspaper.

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

From this reading The colonel of Outram's Own dropped into a club where he was only one, and not the greatest, of many men entitled to respect.

the event of one object coming closer to another

From this reading He chose, however, a solitary chair, for, though subalterns do not believe it, a colonel has exactly that diffidence about approaching senior civilians which a subaltern ought to feel.

a human limb; technically the part of the superior limb between the shoulder and the elbow but commonly used to refer to the whole superior limb

From this reading In a moment all that was visible of him from the door was a pair of brown riding-boots, very much fore-shortened, resting on the long arm of a cane chair, and two sets of wonderfully modeled fingers that held up a newspaper.

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

From this reading From the window where the three men talked he could be seen in profile.

accept as true; take to be true

From this reading He chose, however, a solitary chair, for, though subalterns do not believe it, a colonel has exactly that diffidence about approaching senior civilians which a subaltern ought to feel.

an orange of low brightness and saturation

From this reading In a moment all that was visible of him from the door was a pair of brown riding-boots, very much fore-shortened, resting on the long arm of a cane chair, and two sets of wonderfully modeled fingers that held up a newspaper.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading There were three men talking by a window, their voices drowned by the din of rain on the veranda roof, each of whom nodded to him.

a stick that people can lean on to help them walk

From this reading In a moment all that was visible of him from the door was a pair of brown riding-boots, very much fore-shortened, resting on the long arm of a cane chair, and two sets of wonderfully modeled fingers that held up a newspaper.

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

From this reading He chose, however, a solitary chair, for, though subalterns do not believe it, a colonel has exactly that diffidence about approaching senior civilians which a subaltern ought to feel.

inflected form of “choose” — pick out, select, or choose from a number of alternatives

From this reading He chose, however, a solitary chair, for, though subalterns do not believe it, a colonel has exactly that diffidence about approaching senior civilians which a subaltern ought to feel.

plural of “civilian” — a nonmilitary citizen

From this reading He chose, however, a solitary chair, for, though subalterns do not believe it, a colonel has exactly that diffidence about approaching senior civilians which a subaltern ought to feel.

a team of professional baseball players who play and travel together

From this reading The colonel of Outram's Own dropped into a club where he was only one, and not the greatest, of many men entitled to respect.

a commissioned military officer in the United States Army or Air Force or Marines who ranks above a lieutenant colonel and below a brigadier general

From this reading The colonel of Outram's Own dropped into a club where he was only one, and not the greatest, of many men entitled to respect.

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

From this reading From the window where the three men talked he could be seen in profile.

lack of self-confidence

From this reading He chose, however, a solitary chair, for, though subalterns do not believe it, a colonel has exactly that diffidence about approaching senior civilians which a subaltern ought to feel.

a loud harsh or strident noise

From this reading There were three men talking by a window, their voices drowned by the din of rain on the veranda roof, each of whom nodded to him.

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading He chose, however, a solitary chair, for, though subalterns do not believe it, a colonel has exactly that diffidence about approaching senior civilians which a subaltern ought to feel.

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

From this reading In a moment all that was visible of him from the door was a pair of brown riding-boots, very much fore-shortened, resting on the long arm of a cane chair, and two sets of wonderfully modeled fingers that held up a newspaper.

inflected form of “drop” — let fall to the ground

From this reading The colonel of Outram's Own dropped into a club where he was only one, and not the greatest, of many men entitled to respect.

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

From this reading There were three men talking by a window, their voices drowned by the din of rain on the veranda roof, each of whom nodded to him.

every one of two or more people or things, taken separately

From this reading There were three men talking by a window, their voices drowned by the din of rain on the veranda roof, each of whom nodded to him.

qualified for by right according to law

From this reading The colonel of Outram's Own dropped into a club where he was only one, and not the greatest, of many men entitled to respect.

indicating exactness or preciseness

From this reading He chose, however, a solitary chair, for, though subalterns do not believe it, a colonel has exactly that diffidence about approaching senior civilians which a subaltern ought to feel.

undergo an emotional sensation or be in a particular state of mind

From this reading He chose, however, a solitary chair, for, though subalterns do not believe it, a colonel has exactly that diffidence about approaching senior civilians which a subaltern ought to feel.

plural of “finger” — any of the terminal members of the hand (sometimes excepting the thumb)

From this reading In a moment all that was visible of him from the door was a pair of brown riding-boots, very much fore-shortened, resting on the long arm of a cane chair, and two sets of wonderfully modeled fingers that held up a newspaper.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading He chose, however, a solitary chair, for, though subalterns do not believe it, a colonel has exactly that diffidence about approaching senior civilians which a subaltern ought to feel.

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

From this reading In a moment all that was visible of him from the door was a pair of brown riding-boots, very much fore-shortened, resting on the long arm of a cane chair, and two sets of wonderfully modeled fingers that held up a newspaper.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading In a moment all that was visible of him from the door was a pair of brown riding-boots, very much fore-shortened, resting on the long arm of a cane chair, and two sets of wonderfully modeled fingers that held up a newspaper.

highest in quality

From this reading The colonel of Outram's Own dropped into a club where he was only one, and not the greatest, of many men entitled to respect.

the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading He chose, however, a solitary chair, for, though subalterns do not believe it, a colonel has exactly that diffidence about approaching senior civilians which a subaltern ought to feel.

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

From this reading The colonel of Outram's Own dropped into a club where he was only one, and not the greatest, of many men entitled to respect.

occupied or in the control of; often used in combination

From this reading In a moment all that was visible of him from the door was a pair of brown riding-boots, very much fore-shortened, resting on the long arm of a cane chair, and two sets of wonderfully modeled fingers that held up a newspaper.

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

From this reading There were three men talking by a window, their voices drowned by the din of rain on the veranda roof, each of whom nodded to him.

used to add a contrasting statement

From this reading He chose, however, a solitary chair, for, though subalterns do not believe it, a colonel has exactly that diffidence about approaching senior civilians which a subaltern ought to feel.

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

From this reading In a moment all that was visible of him from the door was a pair of brown riding-boots, very much fore-shortened, resting on the long arm of a cane chair, and two sets of wonderfully modeled fingers that held up a newspaper.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading The colonel of Outram's Own dropped into a club where he was only one, and not the greatest, of many men entitled to respect.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading He chose, however, a solitary chair, for, though subalterns do not believe it, a colonel has exactly that diffidence about approaching senior civilians which a subaltern ought to feel.

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 In a moment all that was visible of him from the door was a pair of brown riding-boots, very much fore-shortened, resting on the long arm of a cane chair, and two sets of wonderfully modeled fingers that held up a newspaper.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number

From this reading The colonel of Outram's Own dropped into a club where he was only one, and not the greatest, of many men entitled to respect.

the force of workers available

From this reading The colonel of Outram's Own dropped into a club where he was only one, and not the greatest, of many men entitled to respect.

resembling sculpture

From this reading In a moment all that was visible of him from the door was a pair of brown riding-boots, very much fore-shortened, resting on the long arm of a cane chair, and two sets of wonderfully modeled fingers that held up a newspaper.

a particular point in time

From this reading In a moment all that was visible of him from the door was a pair of brown riding-boots, very much fore-shortened, resting on the long arm of a cane chair, and two sets of wonderfully modeled fingers that held up a newspaper.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading In a moment all that was visible of him from the door was a pair of brown riding-boots, very much fore-shortened, resting on the long arm of a cane chair, and two sets of wonderfully modeled fingers that held up a newspaper.

a daily or weekly publication on folded sheets; contains news and articles and advertisements

From this reading In a moment all that was visible of him from the door was a pair of brown riding-boots, very much fore-shortened, resting on the long arm of a cane chair, and two sets of wonderfully modeled fingers that held up a newspaper.

inflected form of “nod” — express or signify by nodding

From this reading There were three men talking by a window, their voices drowned by the din of rain on the veranda roof, each of whom nodded to him.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading The colonel of Outram's Own dropped into a club where he was only one, and not the greatest, of many men entitled to respect.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The colonel of Outram's Own dropped into a club where he was only one, and not the greatest, of many men entitled to respect.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading There were three men talking by a window, their voices drowned by the din of rain on the veranda roof, each of whom nodded to him.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading The colonel of Outram's Own dropped into a club where he was only one, and not the greatest, of many men entitled to respect.

and nothing more

From this reading The colonel of Outram's Own dropped into a club where he was only one, and not the greatest, of many men entitled to respect.

used with “to” to say what is right or advisable

From this reading He chose, however, a solitary chair, for, though subalterns do not believe it, a colonel has exactly that diffidence about approaching senior civilians which a subaltern ought to feel.

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

From this reading The colonel of Outram's Own dropped into a club where he was only one, and not the greatest, of many men entitled to respect.

have ownership or possession of

From this reading The colonel of Outram's Own dropped into a club where he was only one, and not the greatest, of many men entitled to respect.

a set of two similar things considered as a unit

From this reading In a moment all that was visible of him from the door was a pair of brown riding-boots, very much fore-shortened, resting on the long arm of a cane chair, and two sets of wonderfully modeled fingers that held up a newspaper.

an analysis (often in graphical form) representing the extent to which something exhibits various characteristics

From this reading From the window where the three men talked he could be seen in profile.

water falling in drops from vapor condensed in the atmosphere

From this reading There were three men talking by a window, their voices drowned by the din of rain on the veranda roof, each of whom nodded to him.

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

From this reading The colonel of Outram's Own dropped into a club where he was only one, and not the greatest, of many men entitled to respect.

-ing form of “rest” — not move; be in a resting position

From this reading In a moment all that was visible of him from the door was a pair of brown riding-boots, very much fore-shortened, resting on the long arm of a cane chair, and two sets of wonderfully modeled fingers that held up a newspaper.

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

From this reading In a moment all that was visible of him from the door was a pair of brown riding-boots, very much fore-shortened, resting on the long arm of a cane chair, and two sets of wonderfully modeled fingers that held up a newspaper.

a protective covering that covers or forms the top of a building

From this reading There were three men talking by a window, their voices drowned by the din of rain on the veranda roof, each of whom nodded to him.

inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading From the window where the three men talked he could be seen in profile.

older; higher in rank; longer in length of tenure or service

From this reading He chose, however, a solitary chair, for, though subalterns do not believe it, a colonel has exactly that diffidence about approaching senior civilians which a subaltern ought to feel.

plural of “set” — a group of things of the same kind that belong together and are so used

From this reading In a moment all that was visible of him from the door was a pair of brown riding-boots, very much fore-shortened, resting on the long arm of a cane chair, and two sets of wonderfully modeled fingers that held up a newspaper.

characterized by or preferring solitude

From this reading He chose, however, a solitary chair, for, though subalterns do not believe it, a colonel has exactly that diffidence about approaching senior civilians which a subaltern ought to feel.

a British commissioned army officer below the rank of captain

From this reading He chose, however, a solitary chair, for, though subalterns do not believe it, a colonel has exactly that diffidence about approaching senior civilians which a subaltern ought to feel.

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

From this reading He chose, however, a solitary chair, for, though subalterns do not believe it, a colonel has exactly that diffidence about approaching senior civilians which a subaltern ought to feel.

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

From this reading From the window where the three men talked he could be seen in profile.

an exchange of ideas via conversation

From this reading There were three men talking by a window, their voices drowned by the din of rain on the veranda roof, each of whom nodded to him.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading He chose, however, a solitary chair, for, though subalterns do not believe it, a colonel has exactly that diffidence about approaching senior civilians which a subaltern ought to feel.

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

From this reading The colonel of Outram's Own dropped into a club where he was only one, and not the greatest, of many men entitled to respect.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading There were three men talking by a window, their voices drowned by the din of rain on the veranda roof, each of whom nodded to him.

in or at that place or location

From this reading There were three men talking by a window, their voices drowned by the din of rain on the veranda roof, each of whom nodded to him.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading He chose, however, a solitary chair, for, though subalterns do not believe it, a colonel has exactly that diffidence about approaching senior civilians which a subaltern ought to feel.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one

From this reading There were three men talking by a window, their voices drowned by the din of rain on the veranda roof, each of whom nodded to him.

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

From this reading The colonel of Outram's Own dropped into a club where he was only one, and not the greatest, of many men entitled to respect.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number

From this reading In a moment all that was visible of him from the door was a pair of brown riding-boots, very much fore-shortened, resting on the long arm of a cane chair, and two sets of wonderfully modeled fingers that held up a newspaper.

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

From this reading In a moment all that was visible of him from the door was a pair of brown riding-boots, very much fore-shortened, resting on the long arm of a cane chair, and two sets of wonderfully modeled fingers that held up a newspaper.

a porch along the outside of a building (sometimes partly enclosed)

From this reading There were three men talking by a window, their voices drowned by the din of rain on the veranda roof, each of whom nodded to him.

precisely as stated

From this reading In a moment all that was visible of him from the door was a pair of brown riding-boots, very much fore-shortened, resting on the long arm of a cane chair, and two sets of wonderfully modeled fingers that held up a newspaper.

capable of being seen; or open to easy view

From this reading In a moment all that was visible of him from the door was a pair of brown riding-boots, very much fore-shortened, resting on the long arm of a cane chair, and two sets of wonderfully modeled fingers that held up a newspaper.

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

From this reading There were three men talking by a window, their voices drowned by the din of rain on the veranda roof, each of whom nodded to him.

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

From this reading The colonel of Outram's Own dropped into a club where he was only one, and not the greatest, of many men entitled to respect.

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

From this reading There were three men talking by a window, their voices drowned by the din of rain on the veranda roof, each of whom nodded to him.

in or at the place that

From this reading The colonel of Outram's Own dropped into a club where he was only one, and not the greatest, of many men entitled to respect.

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

From this reading He chose, however, a solitary chair, for, though subalterns do not believe it, a colonel has exactly that diffidence about approaching senior civilians which a subaltern ought to feel.

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

From this reading There were three men talking by a window, their voices drowned by the din of rain on the veranda roof, each of whom nodded to him.

a framework of wood or metal that contains a glass windowpane and is built into a wall or roof to admit light or air

From this reading There were three men talking by a window, their voices drowned by the din of rain on the veranda roof, each of whom nodded to him.

(used as an intensifier) extremely well

From this reading In a moment all that was visible of him from the door was a pair of brown riding-boots, very much fore-shortened, resting on the long arm of a cane chair, and two sets of wonderfully modeled fingers that held up a newspaper.