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 A DREAM ENDS To pick up once more and tighten and knot together the loosened threads which represented the unfinished record that his race had woven into the social fabric of the metropolis was merely an automatic matter for Selwyn.

-ing form of “accomplish” — put in effect

From this reading Some public service of modest nature they had performed, not seeking it, not shirking; accomplishing it cleanly when it was intrusted to them.

at all times; all the time and on every occasion

From this reading His own people had always been among the makers of that fabric.

surrounded by; in the middle of a group

From this reading His own people had always been among the makers of that fabric.

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

From this reading A DREAM ENDS To pick up once more and tighten and knot together the loosened threads which represented the unfinished record that his race had woven into the social fabric of the metropolis was merely an automatic matter for Selwyn.

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

From this reading A DREAM ENDS To pick up once more and tighten and knot together the loosened threads which represented the unfinished record that his race had woven into the social fabric of the metropolis was merely an automatic matter for Selwyn.

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

From this reading His forefathers had been, as a rule, professional men--physicians and lawyers; his grandfather died under the walls of Chapultepec Castle while twisting a tourniquet for a cursing dragoon; an uncle remained indefinitely at Malvern Hill; an only brother at Montauk Point having sickened in the trenches before Santiago.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading His forefathers had been, as a rule, professional men--physicians and lawyers; his grandfather died under the walls of Chapultepec Castle while twisting a tourniquet for a cursing dragoon; an uncle remained indefinitely at Malvern Hill; an only brother at Montauk Point having sickened in the trenches before Santiago.

operating with minimal human intervention; independent of external control

From this reading A DREAM ENDS To pick up once more and tighten and knot together the loosened threads which represented the unfinished record that his race had woven into the social fabric of the metropolis was merely an automatic matter for Selwyn.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading His own people had always been among the makers of that fabric.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading His forefathers had been, as a rule, professional men--physicians and lawyers; his grandfather died under the walls of Chapultepec Castle while twisting a tourniquet for a cursing dragoon; an uncle remained indefinitely at Malvern Hill; an only brother at Montauk Point having sickened in the trenches before Santiago.

plural of “birth” — the time when something begins (especially life)

From this reading Into part of its vast and intricate pattern they had woven an inconspicuously honourable record--chronicles of births and deaths and marriages, a plain memorandum of plain living, and upright dealing with their fellow men.

a male with the same parents as someone else

From this reading His forefathers had been, as a rule, professional men--physicians and lawyers; his grandfather died under the walls of Chapultepec Castle while twisting a tourniquet for a cursing dragoon; an uncle remained indefinitely at Malvern Hill; an only brother at Montauk Point having sickened in the trenches before Santiago.

a large and stately mansion

From this reading His forefathers had been, as a rule, professional men--physicians and lawyers; his grandfather died under the walls of Chapultepec Castle while twisting a tourniquet for a cursing dragoon; an uncle remained indefinitely at Malvern Hill; an only brother at Montauk Point having sickened in the trenches before Santiago.

a pitched battle in the Mexican War that resulted in a major victory for American forces over Mexican forces at a locality south of Mexico City

From this reading His forefathers had been, as a rule, professional men--physicians and lawyers; his grandfather died under the walls of Chapultepec Castle while twisting a tourniquet for a cursing dragoon; an uncle remained indefinitely at Malvern Hill; an only brother at Montauk Point having sickened in the trenches before Santiago.

plural of “chronicle” — a record or narrative description of past events

From this reading Into part of its vast and intricate pattern they had woven an inconspicuously honourable record--chronicles of births and deaths and marriages, a plain memorandum of plain living, and upright dealing with their fellow men.

smoothly and without difficulty; precisely and deftly

From this reading Some public service of modest nature they had performed, not seeking it, not shirking; accomplishing it cleanly when it was intrusted to them.

-ing form of “curse” — utter obscenities or profanities

From this reading His forefathers had been, as a rule, professional men--physicians and lawyers; his grandfather died under the walls of Chapultepec Castle while twisting a tourniquet for a cursing dragoon; an uncle remained indefinitely at Malvern Hill; an only brother at Montauk Point having sickened in the trenches before Santiago.

method or manner of conduct in relation to others

From this reading Into part of its vast and intricate pattern they had woven an inconspicuously honourable record--chronicles of births and deaths and marriages, a plain memorandum of plain living, and upright dealing with their fellow men.

plural of “death” — the event of dying or departure from life

From this reading Into part of its vast and intricate pattern they had woven an inconspicuously honourable record--chronicles of births and deaths and marriages, a plain memorandum of plain living, and upright dealing with their fellow men.

past form of “die” — pass from physical life and lose all bodily attributes and functions necessary to sustain life

From this reading His forefathers had been, as a rule, professional men--physicians and lawyers; his grandfather died under the walls of Chapultepec Castle while twisting a tourniquet for a cursing dragoon; an uncle remained indefinitely at Malvern Hill; an only brother at Montauk Point having sickened in the trenches before Santiago.

compel by coercion, threats, or crude means

From this reading His forefathers had been, as a rule, professional men--physicians and lawyers; his grandfather died under the walls of Chapultepec Castle while twisting a tourniquet for a cursing dragoon; an uncle remained indefinitely at Malvern Hill; an only brother at Montauk Point having sickened in the trenches before Santiago.

A series of thoughts, images, or emotions during sleep.

From this reading A DREAM ENDS To pick up once more and tighten and knot together the loosened threads which represented the unfinished record that his race had woven into the social fabric of the metropolis was merely an automatic matter for Selwyn.

plural of “end” — either extremity of something that has length

From this reading A DREAM ENDS To pick up once more and tighten and knot together the loosened threads which represented the unfinished record that his race had woven into the social fabric of the metropolis was merely an automatic matter for Selwyn.

artifact made by weaving or felting or knitting or crocheting natural or synthetic fibers

From this reading A DREAM ENDS To pick up once more and tighten and knot together the loosened threads which represented the unfinished record that his race had woven into the social fabric of the metropolis was merely an automatic matter for Selwyn.

a boy or man

From this reading Into part of its vast and intricate pattern they had woven an inconspicuously honourable record--chronicles of births and deaths and marriages, a plain memorandum of plain living, and upright dealing with their fellow men.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading A DREAM ENDS To pick up once more and tighten and knot together the loosened threads which represented the unfinished record that his race had woven into the social fabric of the metropolis was merely an automatic matter for Selwyn.

plural of “forefather” — the founder of a family

From this reading His forefathers had been, as a rule, professional men--physicians and lawyers; his grandfather died under the walls of Chapultepec Castle while twisting a tourniquet for a cursing dragoon; an uncle remained indefinitely at Malvern Hill; an only brother at Montauk Point having sickened in the trenches before Santiago.

the father of your father or mother

From this reading His forefathers had been, as a rule, professional men--physicians and lawyers; his grandfather died under the walls of Chapultepec Castle while twisting a tourniquet for a cursing dragoon; an uncle remained indefinitely at Malvern Hill; an only brother at Montauk Point having sickened in the trenches before Santiago.

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

From this reading A DREAM ENDS To pick up once more and tighten and knot together the loosened threads which represented the unfinished record that his race had woven into the social fabric of the metropolis was merely an automatic matter for Selwyn.

the -ing form of “have”

From this reading His forefathers had been, as a rule, professional men--physicians and lawyers; his grandfather died under the walls of Chapultepec Castle while twisting a tourniquet for a cursing dragoon; an uncle remained indefinitely at Malvern Hill; an only brother at Montauk Point having sickened in the trenches before Santiago.

a local and well-defined elevation of the land

From this reading His forefathers had been, as a rule, professional men--physicians and lawyers; his grandfather died under the walls of Chapultepec Castle while twisting a tourniquet for a cursing dragoon; an uncle remained indefinitely at Malvern Hill; an only brother at Montauk Point having sickened in the trenches before Santiago.

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

From this reading A DREAM ENDS To pick up once more and tighten and knot together the loosened threads which represented the unfinished record that his race had woven into the social fabric of the metropolis was merely an automatic matter for Selwyn.

worthy of being honored; entitled to honor and respect

From this reading Into part of its vast and intricate pattern they had woven an inconspicuously honourable record--chronicles of births and deaths and marriages, a plain memorandum of plain living, and upright dealing with their fellow men.

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

From this reading His forefathers had been, as a rule, professional men--physicians and lawyers; his grandfather died under the walls of Chapultepec Castle while twisting a tourniquet for a cursing dragoon; an uncle remained indefinitely at Malvern Hill; an only brother at Montauk Point having sickened in the trenches before Santiago.

in a manner intended to avoid attracting attention

From this reading Into part of its vast and intricate pattern they had woven an inconspicuously honourable record--chronicles of births and deaths and marriages, a plain memorandum of plain living, and upright dealing with their fellow men.

to an indefinite extent; for an indefinite time

From this reading His forefathers had been, as a rule, professional men--physicians and lawyers; his grandfather died under the walls of Chapultepec Castle while twisting a tourniquet for a cursing dragoon; an uncle remained indefinitely at Malvern Hill; an only brother at Montauk Point having sickened in the trenches before Santiago.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading A DREAM ENDS To pick up once more and tighten and knot together the loosened threads which represented the unfinished record that his race had woven into the social fabric of the metropolis was merely an automatic matter for Selwyn.

having many complexly arranged elements; elaborate

From this reading Into part of its vast and intricate pattern they had woven an inconspicuously honourable record--chronicles of births and deaths and marriages, a plain memorandum of plain living, and upright dealing with their fellow men.

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

From this reading Some public service of modest nature they had performed, not seeking it, not shirking; accomplishing it cleanly when it was intrusted to them.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Some public service of modest nature they had performed, not seeking it, not shirking; accomplishing it cleanly when it was intrusted to them.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading Into part of its vast and intricate pattern they had woven an inconspicuously honourable record--chronicles of births and deaths and marriages, a plain memorandum of plain living, and upright dealing with their fellow men.

a tight cluster of people or things

From this reading A DREAM ENDS To pick up once more and tighten and knot together the loosened threads which represented the unfinished record that his race had woven into the social fabric of the metropolis was merely an automatic matter for Selwyn.

plural of “lawyer” — a professional person authorized to practice law; conducts lawsuits or gives legal advice

From this reading His forefathers had been, as a rule, professional men--physicians and lawyers; his grandfather died under the walls of Chapultepec Castle while twisting a tourniquet for a cursing dragoon; an uncle remained indefinitely at Malvern Hill; an only brother at Montauk Point having sickened in the trenches before Santiago.

the experience of being alive; the course of human events and activities

From this reading Into part of its vast and intricate pattern they had woven an inconspicuously honourable record--chronicles of births and deaths and marriages, a plain memorandum of plain living, and upright dealing with their fellow men.

straightened out

From this reading A DREAM ENDS To pick up once more and tighten and knot together the loosened threads which represented the unfinished record that his race had woven into the social fabric of the metropolis was merely an automatic matter for Selwyn.

plural of “maker” — a person who makes things

From this reading His own people had always been among the makers of that fabric.

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

From this reading His forefathers had been, as a rule, professional men--physicians and lawyers; his grandfather died under the walls of Chapultepec Castle while twisting a tourniquet for a cursing dragoon; an uncle remained indefinitely at Malvern Hill; an only brother at Montauk Point having sickened in the trenches before Santiago.

plural of “marriage” — the state of being a married couple voluntarily joined for life (or until divorce)

From this reading Into part of its vast and intricate pattern they had woven an inconspicuously honourable record--chronicles of births and deaths and marriages, a plain memorandum of plain living, and upright dealing with their fellow men.

a vaguely specified concern

From this reading A DREAM ENDS To pick up once more and tighten and knot together the loosened threads which represented the unfinished record that his race had woven into the social fabric of the metropolis was merely an automatic matter for Selwyn.

a written proposal or reminder

From this reading Into part of its vast and intricate pattern they had woven an inconspicuously honourable record--chronicles of births and deaths and marriages, a plain memorandum of plain living, and upright dealing with their fellow men.

the force of workers available

From this reading Into part of its vast and intricate pattern they had woven an inconspicuously honourable record--chronicles of births and deaths and marriages, a plain memorandum of plain living, and upright dealing with their fellow men.

and nothing more

From this reading A DREAM ENDS To pick up once more and tighten and knot together the loosened threads which represented the unfinished record that his race had woven into the social fabric of the metropolis was merely an automatic matter for Selwyn.

a large and densely populated urban area; may include several independent administrative districts

From this reading A DREAM ENDS To pick up once more and tighten and knot together the loosened threads which represented the unfinished record that his race had woven into the social fabric of the metropolis was merely an automatic matter for Selwyn.

marked by simplicity; having a humble opinion of yourself

From this reading Some public service of modest nature they had performed, not seeking it, not shirking; accomplishing it cleanly when it was intrusted to them.

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

From this reading His forefathers had been, as a rule, professional men--physicians and lawyers; his grandfather died under the walls of Chapultepec Castle while twisting a tourniquet for a cursing dragoon; an uncle remained indefinitely at Malvern Hill; an only brother at Montauk Point having sickened in the trenches before Santiago.

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

From this reading A DREAM ENDS To pick up once more and tighten and knot together the loosened threads which represented the unfinished record that his race had woven into the social fabric of the metropolis was merely an automatic matter for Selwyn.

the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized

From this reading Some public service of modest nature they had performed, not seeking it, not shirking; accomplishing it cleanly when it was intrusted to them.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Some public service of modest nature they had performed, not seeking it, not shirking; accomplishing it cleanly when it was intrusted to them.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading A DREAM ENDS To pick up once more and tighten and knot together the loosened threads which represented the unfinished record that his race had woven into the social fabric of the metropolis was merely an automatic matter for Selwyn.

on one occasion

From this reading A DREAM ENDS To pick up once more and tighten and knot together the loosened threads which represented the unfinished record that his race had woven into the social fabric of the metropolis was merely an automatic matter for Selwyn.

and nothing more

From this reading His forefathers had been, as a rule, professional men--physicians and lawyers; his grandfather died under the walls of Chapultepec Castle while twisting a tourniquet for a cursing dragoon; an uncle remained indefinitely at Malvern Hill; an only brother at Montauk Point having sickened in the trenches before Santiago.

have ownership or possession of

From this reading His own people had always been among the makers of that fabric.

something determined in relation to something that includes it

From this reading Into part of its vast and intricate pattern they had woven an inconspicuously honourable record--chronicles of births and deaths and marriages, a plain memorandum of plain living, and upright dealing with their fellow men.

a perceptual structure

From this reading Into part of its vast and intricate pattern they had woven an inconspicuously honourable record--chronicles of births and deaths and marriages, a plain memorandum of plain living, and upright dealing with their fellow men.

(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively

From this reading His own people had always been among the makers of that fabric.

past form of “perform” — carry out or perform an action

From this reading Some public service of modest nature they had performed, not seeking it, not shirking; accomplishing it cleanly when it was intrusted to them.

plural of “physician” — a licensed medical practitioner

From this reading His forefathers had been, as a rule, professional men--physicians and lawyers; his grandfather died under the walls of Chapultepec Castle while twisting a tourniquet for a cursing dragoon; an uncle remained indefinitely at Malvern Hill; an only brother at Montauk Point having sickened in the trenches before Santiago.

select carefully from a group

From this reading A DREAM ENDS To pick up once more and tighten and knot together the loosened threads which represented the unfinished record that his race had woven into the social fabric of the metropolis was merely an automatic matter for Selwyn.

clearly revealed to the mind or the senses or judgment

From this reading Into part of its vast and intricate pattern they had woven an inconspicuously honourable record--chronicles of births and deaths and marriages, a plain memorandum of plain living, and upright dealing with their fellow men.

a geometric element that has position but no extension

From this reading His forefathers had been, as a rule, professional men--physicians and lawyers; his grandfather died under the walls of Chapultepec Castle while twisting a tourniquet for a cursing dragoon; an uncle remained indefinitely at Malvern Hill; an only brother at Montauk Point having sickened in the trenches before Santiago.

engaged in a profession or engaging in as a profession or means of livelihood

From this reading His forefathers had been, as a rule, professional men--physicians and lawyers; his grandfather died under the walls of Chapultepec Castle while twisting a tourniquet for a cursing dragoon; an uncle remained indefinitely at Malvern Hill; an only brother at Montauk Point having sickened in the trenches before Santiago.

people in general considered as a whole

From this reading Some public service of modest nature they had performed, not seeking it, not shirking; accomplishing it cleanly when it was intrusted to them.

any competition

From this reading A DREAM ENDS To pick up once more and tighten and knot together the loosened threads which represented the unfinished record that his race had woven into the social fabric of the metropolis was merely an automatic matter for Selwyn.

anything (such as a document or a phonograph record or a photograph) providing permanent evidence of or information about past events

From this reading A DREAM ENDS To pick up once more and tighten and knot together the loosened threads which represented the unfinished record that his race had woven into the social fabric of the metropolis was merely an automatic matter for Selwyn.

past form of “remain” — stay the same; remain in a certain state

From this reading His forefathers had been, as a rule, professional men--physicians and lawyers; his grandfather died under the walls of Chapultepec Castle while twisting a tourniquet for a cursing dragoon; an uncle remained indefinitely at Malvern Hill; an only brother at Montauk Point having sickened in the trenches before Santiago.

represented accurately or precisely

From this reading A DREAM ENDS To pick up once more and tighten and knot together the loosened threads which represented the unfinished record that his race had woven into the social fabric of the metropolis was merely an automatic matter for Selwyn.

a principle or condition that customarily governs behavior

From this reading His forefathers had been, as a rule, professional men--physicians and lawyers; his grandfather died under the walls of Chapultepec Castle while twisting a tourniquet for a cursing dragoon; an uncle remained indefinitely at Malvern Hill; an only brother at Montauk Point having sickened in the trenches before Santiago.

city in the northern Dominican Republic

From this reading His forefathers had been, as a rule, professional men--physicians and lawyers; his grandfather died under the walls of Chapultepec Castle while twisting a tourniquet for a cursing dragoon; an uncle remained indefinitely at Malvern Hill; an only brother at Montauk Point having sickened in the trenches before Santiago.

the act of searching for something

From this reading Some public service of modest nature they had performed, not seeking it, not shirking; accomplishing it cleanly when it was intrusted to them.

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

From this reading A DREAM ENDS To pick up once more and tighten and knot together the loosened threads which represented the unfinished record that his race had woven into the social fabric of the metropolis was merely an automatic matter for Selwyn.

work done by one person or group that benefits another

From this reading Some public service of modest nature they had performed, not seeking it, not shirking; accomplishing it cleanly when it was intrusted to them.

the evasion of work or duty

From this reading Some public service of modest nature they had performed, not seeking it, not shirking; accomplishing it cleanly when it was intrusted to them.

past form of “sicken” — cause aversion in; offend the moral sense of

From this reading His forefathers had been, as a rule, professional men--physicians and lawyers; his grandfather died under the walls of Chapultepec Castle while twisting a tourniquet for a cursing dragoon; an uncle remained indefinitely at Malvern Hill; an only brother at Montauk Point having sickened in the trenches before Santiago.

relating to human society and its members

From this reading A DREAM ENDS To pick up once more and tighten and knot together the loosened threads which represented the unfinished record that his race had woven into the social fabric of the metropolis was merely an automatic matter for Selwyn.

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

From this reading Some public service of modest nature they had performed, not seeking it, not shirking; accomplishing it cleanly when it was intrusted to them.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading A DREAM ENDS To pick up once more and tighten and knot together the loosened threads which represented the unfinished record that his race had woven into the social fabric of the metropolis was merely an automatic matter for Selwyn.

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

From this reading A DREAM ENDS To pick up once more and tighten and knot together the loosened threads which represented the unfinished record that his race had woven into the social fabric of the metropolis was merely an automatic matter for Selwyn.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Into part of its vast and intricate pattern they had woven an inconspicuously honourable record--chronicles of births and deaths and marriages, a plain memorandum of plain living, and upright dealing with their fellow men.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading Some public service of modest nature they had performed, not seeking it, not shirking; accomplishing it cleanly when it was intrusted to them.

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading Into part of its vast and intricate pattern they had woven an inconspicuously honourable record--chronicles of births and deaths and marriages, a plain memorandum of plain living, and upright dealing with their fellow men.

informal terms for clothing

From this reading A DREAM ENDS To pick up once more and tighten and knot together the loosened threads which represented the unfinished record that his race had woven into the social fabric of the metropolis was merely an automatic matter for Selwyn.

make tight or tighter

From this reading A DREAM ENDS To pick up once more and tighten and knot together the loosened threads which represented the unfinished record that his race had woven into the social fabric of the metropolis was merely an automatic matter for Selwyn.

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

From this reading A DREAM ENDS To pick up once more and tighten and knot together the loosened threads which represented the unfinished record that his race had woven into the social fabric of the metropolis was merely an automatic matter for Selwyn.

in contact with each other or in proximity

From this reading A DREAM ENDS To pick up once more and tighten and knot together the loosened threads which represented the unfinished record that his race had woven into the social fabric of the metropolis was merely an automatic matter for Selwyn.

bandage that stops the flow of blood from an artery by applying pressure

From this reading His forefathers had been, as a rule, professional men--physicians and lawyers; his grandfather died under the walls of Chapultepec Castle while twisting a tourniquet for a cursing dragoon; an uncle remained indefinitely at Malvern Hill; an only brother at Montauk Point having sickened in the trenches before Santiago.

plural of “trench” — a ditch dug as a fortification having a parapet of the excavated earth

From this reading His forefathers had been, as a rule, professional men--physicians and lawyers; his grandfather died under the walls of Chapultepec Castle while twisting a tourniquet for a cursing dragoon; an uncle remained indefinitely at Malvern Hill; an only brother at Montauk Point having sickened in the trenches before Santiago.

the act of distorting something so it seems to mean something it was not intended to mean

From this reading His forefathers had been, as a rule, professional men--physicians and lawyers; his grandfather died under the walls of Chapultepec Castle while twisting a tourniquet for a cursing dragoon; an uncle remained indefinitely at Malvern Hill; an only brother at Montauk Point having sickened in the trenches before Santiago.

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

From this reading His forefathers had been, as a rule, professional men--physicians and lawyers; his grandfather died under the walls of Chapultepec Castle while twisting a tourniquet for a cursing dragoon; an uncle remained indefinitely at Malvern Hill; an only brother at Montauk Point having sickened in the trenches before Santiago.

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading His forefathers had been, as a rule, professional men--physicians and lawyers; his grandfather died under the walls of Chapultepec Castle while twisting a tourniquet for a cursing dragoon; an uncle remained indefinitely at Malvern Hill; an only brother at Montauk Point having sickened in the trenches before Santiago.

not brought to the desired final state

From this reading A DREAM ENDS To pick up once more and tighten and knot together the loosened threads which represented the unfinished record that his race had woven into the social fabric of the metropolis was merely an automatic matter for Selwyn.

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

From this reading A DREAM ENDS To pick up once more and tighten and knot together the loosened threads which represented the unfinished record that his race had woven into the social fabric of the metropolis was merely an automatic matter for Selwyn.

in a vertical position; not sloping

From this reading Into part of its vast and intricate pattern they had woven an inconspicuously honourable record--chronicles of births and deaths and marriages, a plain memorandum of plain living, and upright dealing with their fellow men.

unusually great in size or amount or degree or especially extent or scope

From this reading Into part of its vast and intricate pattern they had woven an inconspicuously honourable record--chronicles of births and deaths and marriages, a plain memorandum of plain living, and upright dealing with their fellow men.

plural of “wall” — an architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area or to support another structure

From this reading His forefathers had been, as a rule, professional men--physicians and lawyers; his grandfather died under the walls of Chapultepec Castle while twisting a tourniquet for a cursing dragoon; an uncle remained indefinitely at Malvern Hill; an only brother at Montauk Point having sickened in the trenches before Santiago.

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

From this reading A DREAM ENDS To pick up once more and tighten and knot together the loosened threads which represented the unfinished record that his race had woven into the social fabric of the metropolis was merely an automatic matter for Selwyn.

at the time that

From this reading Some public service of modest nature they had performed, not seeking it, not shirking; accomplishing it cleanly when it was intrusted to them.

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

From this reading A DREAM ENDS To pick up once more and tighten and knot together the loosened threads which represented the unfinished record that his race had woven into the social fabric of the metropolis was merely an automatic matter for Selwyn.

during the time that

From this reading His forefathers had been, as a rule, professional men--physicians and lawyers; his grandfather died under the walls of Chapultepec Castle while twisting a tourniquet for a cursing dragoon; an uncle remained indefinitely at Malvern Hill; an only brother at Montauk Point having sickened in the trenches before Santiago.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Into part of its vast and intricate pattern they had woven an inconspicuously honourable record--chronicles of births and deaths and marriages, a plain memorandum of plain living, and upright dealing with their fellow men.

made or constructed by interlacing threads or strips of material or other elements into a whole

From this reading A DREAM ENDS To pick up once more and tighten and knot together the loosened threads which represented the unfinished record that his race had woven into the social fabric of the metropolis was merely an automatic matter for Selwyn.