Chapter VII

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

From this reading If she lacks the final touch of Frank Norris’s power, she has the compensating gift of a more controlled and concentrated observation.

-ing form of “achieve” — to gain with effort

From this reading She has the secret of closely adding detail to detail in a triumph of what another California author has called Littleism, but what seems to be nature’s way of achieving Largeism.”

something done (usually as opposed to something said)

From this reading KATHLEEN NORRIS “Mrs. Norris,” explains William Dean Howells, “puts the problem, or the fact, or the trait before you by quick, vivid touches of portraiture or action.

-ing form of “add” — make an addition (to); join or combine or unite with others; increase the quality, quantity, size or scope of

From this reading She has the secret of closely adding detail to detail in a triumph of what another California author has called Littleism, but what seems to be nature’s way of achieving Largeism.”

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

From this reading If she lacks the final touch of Frank Norris’s power, she has the compensating gift of a more controlled and concentrated observation.

one more of the same kind, or a different one

From this reading She has the secret of closely adding detail to detail in a triumph of what another California author has called Littleism, but what seems to be nature’s way of achieving Largeism.”

writes (books or stories or articles or the like) professionally (for pay)

From this reading She has the secret of closely adding detail to detail in a triumph of what another California author has called Littleism, but what seems to be nature’s way of achieving Largeism.”

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

From this reading She has the secret of closely adding detail to detail in a triumph of what another California author has called Littleism, but what seems to be nature’s way of achieving Largeism.”

earlier than; in front of

From this reading KATHLEEN NORRIS “Mrs. Norris,” explains William Dean Howells, “puts the problem, or the fact, or the trait before you by quick, vivid touches of portraiture or action.

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading Of course, this is the method of Kathleen Norris, the method in her madness, to use the word madness in its old sense of being possessed by something.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading She has the secret of closely adding detail to detail in a triumph of what another California author has called Littleism, but what seems to be nature’s way of achieving Largeism.”

showing who or what does the action

From this reading KATHLEEN NORRIS “Mrs. Norris,” explains William Dean Howells, “puts the problem, or the fact, or the trait before you by quick, vivid touches of portraiture or action.

a state in the western United States on the Pacific; the 3rd largest state; known for earthquakes

From this reading She has the secret of closely adding detail to detail in a triumph of what another California author has called Littleism, but what seems to be nature’s way of achieving Largeism.”

past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading She has the secret of closely adding detail to detail in a triumph of what another California author has called Littleism, but what seems to be nature’s way of achieving Largeism.”

in a close relation or position in time or space

From this reading She has the secret of closely adding detail to detail in a triumph of what another California author has called Littleism, but what seems to be nature’s way of achieving Largeism.”

-ing form of “compensate” — adjust for

From this reading If she lacks the final touch of Frank Norris’s power, she has the compensating gift of a more controlled and concentrated observation.

gathered together or made less diffuse

From this reading If she lacks the final touch of Frank Norris’s power, she has the compensating gift of a more controlled and concentrated observation.

restrained or managed or kept within certain bounds

From this reading If she lacks the final touch of Frank Norris’s power, she has the compensating gift of a more controlled and concentrated observation.

education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings

From this reading Of course, this is the method of Kathleen Norris, the method in her madness, to use the word madness in its old sense of being possessed by something.

an administrator in charge of a division of a university or college

From this reading KATHLEEN NORRIS “Mrs. Norris,” explains William Dean Howells, “puts the problem, or the fact, or the trait before you by quick, vivid touches of portraiture or action.

an isolated fact that is considered separately from the whole

From this reading She has the secret of closely adding detail to detail in a triumph of what another California author has called Littleism, but what seems to be nature’s way of achieving Largeism.”

third-person singular of “explain” — make plain and comprehensible

From this reading KATHLEEN NORRIS “Mrs. Norris,” explains William Dean Howells, “puts the problem, or the fact, or the trait before you by quick, vivid touches of portraiture or action.

a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred

From this reading KATHLEEN NORRIS “Mrs. Norris,” explains William Dean Howells, “puts the problem, or the fact, or the trait before you by quick, vivid touches of portraiture or action.

occurring at or forming an end or termination

From this reading If she lacks the final touch of Frank Norris’s power, she has the compensating gift of a more controlled and concentrated observation.

characterized by directness in manner or speech; without subtlety or evasion

From this reading If she lacks the final touch of Frank Norris’s power, she has the compensating gift of a more controlled and concentrated observation.

something acquired without compensation

From this reading If she lacks the final touch of Frank Norris’s power, she has the compensating gift of a more controlled and concentrated observation.

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

From this reading If she lacks the final touch of Frank Norris’s power, she has the compensating gift of a more controlled and concentrated observation.

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

From this reading Of course, this is the method of Kathleen Norris, the method in her madness, to use the word madness in its old sense of being possessed by something.

United States writer and editor (1837-1920)

From this reading KATHLEEN NORRIS “Mrs. Norris,” explains William Dean Howells, “puts the problem, or the fact, or the trait before you by quick, vivid touches of portraiture or action.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading If she lacks the final touch of Frank Norris’s power, she has the compensating gift of a more controlled and concentrated observation.

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

From this reading She has the secret of closely adding detail to detail in a triumph of what another California author has called Littleism, but what seems to be nature’s way of achieving Largeism.”

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

From this reading Of course, this is the method of Kathleen Norris, the method in her madness, to use the word madness in its old sense of being possessed by something.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading Of course, this is the method of Kathleen Norris, the method in her madness, to use the word madness in its old sense of being possessed by something.

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

From this reading KATHLEEN NORRIS “Mrs. Norris,” explains William Dean Howells, “puts the problem, or the fact, or the trait before you by quick, vivid touches of portraiture or action.

plural of “lack” — the state of needing something that is absent or unavailable

From this reading If she lacks the final touch of Frank Norris’s power, she has the compensating gift of a more controlled and concentrated observation.

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

From this reading She has the secret of closely adding detail to detail in a triumph of what another California author has called Littleism, but what seems to be nature’s way of achieving Largeism.”

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

From this reading She has the secret of closely adding detail to detail in a triumph of what another California author has called Littleism, but what seems to be nature’s way of achieving Largeism.”

obsolete terms for legal insanity

From this reading Of course, this is the method of Kathleen Norris, the method in her madness, to use the word madness in its old sense of being possessed by something.

a way of doing something, especially a systematic way; implies an orderly logical arrangement (usually in steps)

From this reading Of course, this is the method of Kathleen Norris, the method in her madness, to use the word madness in its old sense of being possessed by something.

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

From this reading If she lacks the final touch of Frank Norris’s power, she has the compensating gift of a more controlled and concentrated observation.

a form of address for a married woman

From this reading KATHLEEN NORRIS “Mrs. Norris,” explains William Dean Howells, “puts the problem, or the fact, or the trait before you by quick, vivid touches of portraiture or action.

possessive form of “nature” — the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized

From this reading She has the secret of closely adding detail to detail in a triumph of what another California author has called Littleism, but what seems to be nature’s way of achieving Largeism.”

United States writer (1870-1902)

From this reading KATHLEEN NORRIS “Mrs. Norris,” explains William Dean Howells, “puts the problem, or the fact, or the trait before you by quick, vivid touches of portraiture or action.

possessive form of “norris” — United States writer (1870-1902)

From this reading If she lacks the final touch of Frank Norris’s power, she has the compensating gift of a more controlled and concentrated observation.

the act of making and recording a measurement

From this reading If she lacks the final touch of Frank Norris’s power, she has the compensating gift of a more controlled and concentrated observation.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading KATHLEEN NORRIS “Mrs. Norris,” explains William Dean Howells, “puts the problem, or the fact, or the trait before you by quick, vivid touches of portraiture or action.

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

From this reading Of course, this is the method of Kathleen Norris, the method in her madness, to use the word madness in its old sense of being possessed by something.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading KATHLEEN NORRIS “Mrs. Norris,” explains William Dean Howells, “puts the problem, or the fact, or the trait before you by quick, vivid touches of portraiture or action.

a word picture of a person's appearance and character

From this reading KATHLEEN NORRIS “Mrs. Norris,” explains William Dean Howells, “puts the problem, or the fact, or the trait before you by quick, vivid touches of portraiture or action.

influenced or controlled by a powerful force such as a strong emotion

From this reading Of course, this is the method of Kathleen Norris, the method in her madness, to use the word madness in its old sense of being possessed by something.

possession of controlling influence

From this reading If she lacks the final touch of Frank Norris’s power, she has the compensating gift of a more controlled and concentrated observation.

a state of difficulty that needs to be resolved

From this reading KATHLEEN NORRIS “Mrs. Norris,” explains William Dean Howells, “puts the problem, or the fact, or the trait before you by quick, vivid touches of portraiture or action.

plural of “put” — the option to sell a given stock (or stock index or commodity future) at a given price before a given date

From this reading KATHLEEN NORRIS “Mrs. Norris,” explains William Dean Howells, “puts the problem, or the fact, or the trait before you by quick, vivid touches of portraiture or action.

accomplished rapidly and without delay

From this reading KATHLEEN NORRIS “Mrs. Norris,” explains William Dean Howells, “puts the problem, or the fact, or the trait before you by quick, vivid touches of portraiture or action.

Something that is kept or meant to be kept unknown or unseen by others.

From this reading She has the secret of closely adding detail to detail in a triumph of what another California author has called Littleism, but what seems to be nature’s way of achieving Largeism.”

third-person singular of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading She has the secret of closely adding detail to detail in a triumph of what another California author has called Littleism, but what seems to be nature’s way of achieving Largeism.”

a general conscious awareness

From this reading Of course, this is the method of Kathleen Norris, the method in her madness, to use the word madness in its old sense of being possessed by something.

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

From this reading If she lacks the final touch of Frank Norris’s power, she has the compensating gift of a more controlled and concentrated observation.

a thing, without saying which

From this reading Of course, this is the method of Kathleen Norris, the method in her madness, to use the word madness in its old sense of being possessed by something.

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

From this reading KATHLEEN NORRIS “Mrs. Norris,” explains William Dean Howells, “puts the problem, or the fact, or the trait before you by quick, vivid touches of portraiture or action.

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

From this reading Of course, this is the method of Kathleen Norris, the method in her madness, to use the word madness in its old sense of being possessed by something.

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

From this reading She has the secret of closely adding detail to detail in a triumph of what another California author has called Littleism, but what seems to be nature’s way of achieving Largeism.”

make physical contact with, come in contact with

From this reading If she lacks the final touch of Frank Norris’s power, she has the compensating gift of a more controlled and concentrated observation.

plural of “touch” — the event of something coming in contact with the body

From this reading KATHLEEN NORRIS “Mrs. Norris,” explains William Dean Howells, “puts the problem, or the fact, or the trait before you by quick, vivid touches of portraiture or action.

a distinguishing feature of your personal nature

From this reading KATHLEEN NORRIS “Mrs. Norris,” explains William Dean Howells, “puts the problem, or the fact, or the trait before you by quick, vivid touches of portraiture or action.

a successful ending of a struggle or contest

From this reading She has the secret of closely adding detail to detail in a triumph of what another California author has called Littleism, but what seems to be nature’s way of achieving Largeism.”

the act of using

From this reading Of course, this is the method of Kathleen Norris, the method in her madness, to use the word madness in its old sense of being possessed by something.

evoking lifelike images within the mind

From this reading KATHLEEN NORRIS “Mrs. Norris,” explains William Dean Howells, “puts the problem, or the fact, or the trait before you by quick, vivid touches of portraiture or action.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading She has the secret of closely adding detail to detail in a triumph of what another California author has called Littleism, but what seems to be nature’s way of achieving Largeism.”

used to ask for information about something

From this reading She has the secret of closely adding detail to detail in a triumph of what another California author has called Littleism, but what seems to be nature’s way of achieving Largeism.”

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

From this reading KATHLEEN NORRIS “Mrs. Norris,” explains William Dean Howells, “puts the problem, or the fact, or the trait before you by quick, vivid touches of portraiture or action.

a unit of language that native speakers can identify

From this reading Of course, this is the method of Kathleen Norris, the method in her madness, to use the word madness in its old sense of being possessed by something.

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading KATHLEEN NORRIS “Mrs. Norris,” explains William Dean Howells, “puts the problem, or the fact, or the trait before you by quick, vivid touches of portraiture or action.