Chapter XVII

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

From this reading Felix had changed sadly in these days, and it looked almost as if his last appearance as a star in Grenwitz, which had been such a lamentable failure, should also be his last performance in the salons where he had so often shone brilliantly.

farther along in physical or mental development

From this reading And when it began at last to look a little better, very grave symptoms of pulmonary disease in an advanced stage had suddenly shown themselves.

a proposal for an appropriate course of action

From this reading The ball had not injured any of the vital parts, and he had had the best of medical advice, and yet the wound would not heal.

acted upon; influenced

From this reading The wound which he had received in his duel with Oswald, though in itself not dangerous, had thoroughly undermined his whole system, already weakened by a wild, profligate life, just as a house in which the timber is affected with dry rot will be in danger of tumbling down at any time, if but one of the joists be removed.

a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of

From this reading The physicians who were called in shook their heads, spoke of the necessity of a change of air, and a longer residence in a southern climate.

(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but

From this reading Felix had changed sadly in these days, and it looked almost as if his last appearance as a star in Grenwitz, which had been such a lamentable failure, should also be his last performance in the salons where he had so often shone brilliantly.

prior to a specified or implied time

From this reading The wound which he had received in his duel with Oswald, though in itself not dangerous, had thoroughly undermined his whole system, already weakened by a wild, profligate life, just as a house in which the timber is affected with dry rot will be in danger of tumbling down at any time, if but one of the joists be removed.

in addition

From this reading Felix had changed sadly in these days, and it looked almost as if his last appearance as a star in Grenwitz, which had been such a lamentable failure, should also be his last performance in the salons where he had so often shone brilliantly.

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

From this reading And when it began at last to look a little better, very grave symptoms of pulmonary disease in an advanced stage had suddenly shown themselves.

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

From this reading Felix had changed sadly in these days, and it looked almost as if his last appearance as a star in Grenwitz, which had been such a lamentable failure, should also be his last performance in the salons where he had so often shone brilliantly.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading The wound which he had received in his duel with Oswald, though in itself not dangerous, had thoroughly undermined his whole system, already weakened by a wild, profligate life, just as a house in which the timber is affected with dry rot will be in danger of tumbling down at any time, if but one of the joists be removed.

outward or visible aspect of a person or thing

From this reading Felix had changed sadly in these days, and it looked almost as if his last appearance as a star in Grenwitz, which had been such a lamentable failure, should also be his last performance in the salons where he had so often shone brilliantly.

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

From this reading Felix had changed sadly in these days, and it looked almost as if his last appearance as a star in Grenwitz, which had been such a lamentable failure, should also be his last performance in the salons where he had so often shone brilliantly.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading The wound which he had received in his duel with Oswald, though in itself not dangerous, had thoroughly undermined his whole system, already weakened by a wild, profligate life, just as a house in which the timber is affected with dry rot will be in danger of tumbling down at any time, if but one of the joists be removed.

round object that is hit or thrown or kicked in games

From this reading The ball had not injured any of the vital parts, and he had had the best of medical advice, and yet the wound would not heal.

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

From this reading Felix had changed sadly in these days, and it looked almost as if his last appearance as a star in Grenwitz, which had been such a lamentable failure, should also be his last performance in the salons where he had so often shone brilliantly.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Felix had changed sadly in these days, and it looked almost as if his last appearance as a star in Grenwitz, which had been such a lamentable failure, should also be his last performance in the salons where he had so often shone brilliantly.

inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

From this reading And when it began at last to look a little better, very grave symptoms of pulmonary disease in an advanced stage had suddenly shown themselves.

the supreme effort one can make

From this reading The ball had not injured any of the vital parts, and he had had the best of medical advice, and yet the wound would not heal.

(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 And when it began at last to look a little better, very grave symptoms of pulmonary disease in an advanced stage had suddenly shown themselves.

with brightness

From this reading Felix had changed sadly in these days, and it looked almost as if his last appearance as a star in Grenwitz, which had been such a lamentable failure, should also be his last performance in the salons where he had so often shone brilliantly.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading The wound which he had received in his duel with Oswald, though in itself not dangerous, had thoroughly undermined his whole system, already weakened by a wild, profligate life, just as a house in which the timber is affected with dry rot will be in danger of tumbling down at any time, if but one of the joists be removed.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading The wound which he had received in his duel with Oswald, though in itself not dangerous, had thoroughly undermined his whole system, already weakened by a wild, profligate life, just as a house in which the timber is affected with dry rot will be in danger of tumbling down at any time, if but one of the joists be removed.

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

From this reading The physicians who were called in shook their heads, spoke of the necessity of a change of air, and a longer residence in a southern climate.

cause to change; make different; cause a transformation

From this reading The physicians who were called in shook their heads, spoke of the necessity of a change of air, and a longer residence in a southern climate.

made or become different in nature or form

From this reading Felix had changed sadly in these days, and it looked almost as if his last appearance as a star in Grenwitz, which had been such a lamentable failure, should also be his last performance in the salons where he had so often shone brilliantly.

the weather in some location averaged over some long period of time

From this reading The physicians who were called in shook their heads, spoke of the necessity of a change of air, and a longer residence in a southern climate.

the condition of being susceptible to harm or injury

From this reading The wound which he had received in his duel with Oswald, though in itself not dangerous, had thoroughly undermined his whole system, already weakened by a wild, profligate life, just as a house in which the timber is affected with dry rot will be in danger of tumbling down at any time, if but one of the joists be removed.

involving or causing danger or risk; liable to hurt or harm

From this reading The wound which he had received in his duel with Oswald, though in itself not dangerous, had thoroughly undermined his whole system, already weakened by a wild, profligate life, just as a house in which the timber is affected with dry rot will be in danger of tumbling down at any time, if but one of the joists be removed.

the time during which someone's life continues

From this reading Felix had changed sadly in these days, and it looked almost as if his last appearance as a star in Grenwitz, which had been such a lamentable failure, should also be his last performance in the salons where he had so often shone brilliantly.

an impairment of health or a condition of abnormal functioning

From this reading And when it began at last to look a little better, very grave symptoms of pulmonary disease in an advanced stage had suddenly shown themselves.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading The wound which he had received in his duel with Oswald, though in itself not dangerous, had thoroughly undermined his whole system, already weakened by a wild, profligate life, just as a house in which the timber is affected with dry rot will be in danger of tumbling down at any time, if but one of the joists be removed.

free from liquid or moisture; lacking natural or normal moisture or depleted of water; or no longer wet

From this reading The wound which he had received in his duel with Oswald, though in itself not dangerous, had thoroughly undermined his whole system, already weakened by a wild, profligate life, just as a house in which the timber is affected with dry rot will be in danger of tumbling down at any time, if but one of the joists be removed.

a prearranged fight with deadly weapons by two people (accompanied by seconds) in order to settle a quarrel over a point of honor

From this reading The wound which he had received in his duel with Oswald, though in itself not dangerous, had thoroughly undermined his whole system, already weakened by a wild, profligate life, just as a house in which the timber is affected with dry rot will be in danger of tumbling down at any time, if but one of the joists be removed.

an act that fails

From this reading Felix had changed sadly in these days, and it looked almost as if his last appearance as a star in Grenwitz, which had been such a lamentable failure, should also be his last performance in the salons where he had so often shone brilliantly.

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

From this reading Felix had changed sadly in these days, and it looked almost as if his last appearance as a star in Grenwitz, which had been such a lamentable failure, should also be his last performance in the salons where he had so often shone brilliantly.

death of a person

From this reading And when it began at last to look a little better, very grave symptoms of pulmonary disease in an advanced stage had suddenly shown themselves.

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

From this reading Felix had changed sadly in these days, and it looked almost as if his last appearance as a star in Grenwitz, which had been such a lamentable failure, should also be his last performance in the salons where he had so often shone brilliantly.

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

From this reading Felix had changed sadly in these days, and it looked almost as if his last appearance as a star in Grenwitz, which had been such a lamentable failure, should also be his last performance in the salons where he had so often shone brilliantly.

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

From this reading Felix had changed sadly in these days, and it looked almost as if his last appearance as a star in Grenwitz, which had been such a lamentable failure, should also be his last performance in the salons where he had so often shone brilliantly.

plural of “head” — the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains

From this reading The physicians who were called in shook their heads, spoke of the necessity of a change of air, and a longer residence in a southern climate.

heal or recover

From this reading The ball had not injured any of the vital parts, and he had had the best of medical advice, and yet the wound would not heal.

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

From this reading Felix had changed sadly in these days, and it looked almost as if his last appearance as a star in Grenwitz, which had been such a lamentable failure, should also be his last performance in the salons where he had so often shone brilliantly.

a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families

From this reading The wound which he had received in his duel with Oswald, though in itself not dangerous, had thoroughly undermined his whole system, already weakened by a wild, profligate life, just as a house in which the timber is affected with dry rot will be in danger of tumbling down at any time, if but one of the joists be removed.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading Felix had changed sadly in these days, and it looked almost as if his last appearance as a star in Grenwitz, which had been such a lamentable failure, should also be his last performance in the salons where he had so often shone brilliantly.

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

From this reading Felix had changed sadly in these days, and it looked almost as if his last appearance as a star in Grenwitz, which had been such a lamentable failure, should also be his last performance in the salons where he had so often shone brilliantly.

harmed

From this reading The ball had not injured any of the vital parts, and he had had the best of medical advice, and yet the wound would not heal.

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

From this reading The wound which he had received in his duel with Oswald, though in itself not dangerous, had thoroughly undermined his whole system, already weakened by a wild, profligate life, just as a house in which the timber is affected with dry rot will be in danger of tumbling down at any time, if but one of the joists be removed.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Felix had changed sadly in these days, and it looked almost as if his last appearance as a star in Grenwitz, which had been such a lamentable failure, should also be his last performance in the salons where he had so often shone brilliantly.

used when the thing doing the action is also its object

From this reading The wound which he had received in his duel with Oswald, though in itself not dangerous, had thoroughly undermined his whole system, already weakened by a wild, profligate life, just as a house in which the timber is affected with dry rot will be in danger of tumbling down at any time, if but one of the joists be removed.

plural of “joist” — beam used to support floors or roofs

From this reading The wound which he had received in his duel with Oswald, though in itself not dangerous, had thoroughly undermined his whole system, already weakened by a wild, profligate life, just as a house in which the timber is affected with dry rot will be in danger of tumbling down at any time, if but one of the joists be removed.

and nothing more

From this reading The wound which he had received in his duel with Oswald, though in itself not dangerous, had thoroughly undermined his whole system, already weakened by a wild, profligate life, just as a house in which the timber is affected with dry rot will be in danger of tumbling down at any time, if but one of the joists be removed.

bad; unfortunate

From this reading Felix had changed sadly in these days, and it looked almost as if his last appearance as a star in Grenwitz, which had been such a lamentable failure, should also be his last performance in the salons where he had so often shone brilliantly.

immediately past

From this reading Felix had changed sadly in these days, and it looked almost as if his last appearance as a star in Grenwitz, which had been such a lamentable failure, should also be his last performance in the salons where he had so often shone brilliantly.

a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading The wound which he had received in his duel with Oswald, though in itself not dangerous, had thoroughly undermined his whole system, already weakened by a wild, profligate life, just as a house in which the timber is affected with dry rot will be in danger of tumbling down at any time, if but one of the joists be removed.

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading And when it began at last to look a little better, very grave symptoms of pulmonary disease in an advanced stage had suddenly shown themselves.

for more time

From this reading The physicians who were called in shook their heads, spoke of the necessity of a change of air, and a longer residence in a southern climate.

perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading And when it began at last to look a little better, very grave symptoms of pulmonary disease in an advanced stage had suddenly shown themselves.

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

From this reading Felix had changed sadly in these days, and it looked almost as if his last appearance as a star in Grenwitz, which had been such a lamentable failure, should also be his last performance in the salons where he had so often shone brilliantly.

relating to the study or practice of medicine

From this reading The ball had not injured any of the vital parts, and he had had the best of medical advice, and yet the wound would not heal.

the condition of being essential or indispensable

From this reading The physicians who were called in shook their heads, spoke of the necessity of a change of air, and a longer residence in a southern climate.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading The wound which he had received in his duel with Oswald, though in itself not dangerous, had thoroughly undermined his whole system, already weakened by a wild, profligate life, just as a house in which the timber is affected with dry rot will be in danger of tumbling down at any time, if but one of the joists be removed.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The wound which he had received in his duel with Oswald, though in itself not dangerous, had thoroughly undermined his whole system, already weakened by a wild, profligate life, just as a house in which the timber is affected with dry rot will be in danger of tumbling down at any time, if but one of the joists be removed.

many times at short intervals

From this reading Felix had changed sadly in these days, and it looked almost as if his last appearance as a star in Grenwitz, which had been such a lamentable failure, should also be his last performance in the salons where he had so often shone brilliantly.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading The wound which he had received in his duel with Oswald, though in itself not dangerous, had thoroughly undermined his whole system, already weakened by a wild, profligate life, just as a house in which the timber is affected with dry rot will be in danger of tumbling down at any time, if but one of the joists be removed.

United States assassin of President John F. Kennedy (1939-1963)

From this reading The wound which he had received in his duel with Oswald, though in itself not dangerous, had thoroughly undermined his whole system, already weakened by a wild, profligate life, just as a house in which the timber is affected with dry rot will be in danger of tumbling down at any time, if but one of the joists be removed.

the local environment

From this reading The ball had not injured any of the vital parts, and he had had the best of medical advice, and yet the wound would not heal.

a dramatic or musical entertainment

From this reading Felix had changed sadly in these days, and it looked almost as if his last appearance as a star in Grenwitz, which had been such a lamentable failure, should also be his last performance in the salons where he had so often shone brilliantly.

plural of “physician” — a licensed medical practitioner

From this reading The physicians who were called in shook their heads, spoke of the necessity of a change of air, and a longer residence in a southern climate.

a dissolute man in fashionable society

From this reading The wound which he had received in his duel with Oswald, though in itself not dangerous, had thoroughly undermined his whole system, already weakened by a wild, profligate life, just as a house in which the timber is affected with dry rot will be in danger of tumbling down at any time, if but one of the joists be removed.

relating to or affecting the lungs

From this reading And when it began at last to look a little better, very grave symptoms of pulmonary disease in an advanced stage had suddenly shown themselves.

conforming to the established language usage of educated native speakers

From this reading The wound which he had received in his duel with Oswald, though in itself not dangerous, had thoroughly undermined his whole system, already weakened by a wild, profligate life, just as a house in which the timber is affected with dry rot will be in danger of tumbling down at any time, if but one of the joists be removed.

separated in relationship by a given degree of descent

From this reading The wound which he had received in his duel with Oswald, though in itself not dangerous, had thoroughly undermined his whole system, already weakened by a wild, profligate life, just as a house in which the timber is affected with dry rot will be in danger of tumbling down at any time, if but one of the joists be removed.

any address at which you dwell more than temporarily

From this reading The physicians who were called in shook their heads, spoke of the necessity of a change of air, and a longer residence in a southern climate.

a state of decay usually accompanied by an offensive odor

From this reading The wound which he had received in his duel with Oswald, though in itself not dangerous, had thoroughly undermined his whole system, already weakened by a wild, profligate life, just as a house in which the timber is affected with dry rot will be in danger of tumbling down at any time, if but one of the joists be removed.

in an unfortunate way

From this reading Felix had changed sadly in these days, and it looked almost as if his last appearance as a star in Grenwitz, which had been such a lamentable failure, should also be his last performance in the salons where he had so often shone brilliantly.

plural of “salon” — gallery where works of art can be displayed

From this reading Felix had changed sadly in these days, and it looked almost as if his last appearance as a star in Grenwitz, which had been such a lamentable failure, should also be his last performance in the salons where he had so often shone brilliantly.

inflected form of “shine” — be bright by reflecting or casting light

From this reading Felix had changed sadly in these days, and it looked almost as if his last appearance as a star in Grenwitz, which had been such a lamentable failure, should also be his last performance in the salons where he had so often shone brilliantly.

a disassembled barrel; the parts packed for storage or shipment

From this reading The physicians who were called in shook their heads, spoke of the necessity of a change of air, and a longer residence in a southern climate.

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading Felix had changed sadly in these days, and it looked almost as if his last appearance as a star in Grenwitz, which had been such a lamentable failure, should also be his last performance in the salons where he had so often shone brilliantly.

inflected form of “show” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience

From this reading And when it began at last to look a little better, very grave symptoms of pulmonary disease in an advanced stage had suddenly shown themselves.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Felix had changed sadly in these days, and it looked almost as if his last appearance as a star in Grenwitz, which had been such a lamentable failure, should also be his last performance in the salons where he had so often shone brilliantly.

in or characteristic of a region of the United States south of (approximately) the Mason-Dixon line

From this reading The physicians who were called in shook their heads, spoke of the necessity of a change of air, and a longer residence in a southern climate.

support consisting of a radial member of a wheel joining the hub to the rim

From this reading The physicians who were called in shook their heads, spoke of the necessity of a change of air, and a longer residence in a southern climate.

any distinct time period in a sequence of events

From this reading And when it began at last to look a little better, very grave symptoms of pulmonary disease in an advanced stage had suddenly shown themselves.

(astronomy) a celestial body of hot gases that radiates energy derived from thermonuclear reactions in the interior

From this reading Felix had changed sadly in these days, and it looked almost as if his last appearance as a star in Grenwitz, which had been such a lamentable failure, should also be his last performance in the salons where he had so often shone brilliantly.

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading Felix had changed sadly in these days, and it looked almost as if his last appearance as a star in Grenwitz, which had been such a lamentable failure, should also be his last performance in the salons where he had so often shone brilliantly.

happening unexpectedly

From this reading And when it began at last to look a little better, very grave symptoms of pulmonary disease in an advanced stage had suddenly shown themselves.

plural of “symptom” — (medicine) any sensation or change in bodily function that is experienced by a patient and is associated with a particular disease

From this reading And when it began at last to look a little better, very grave symptoms of pulmonary disease in an advanced stage had suddenly shown themselves.

instrumentality that combines interrelated interacting artifacts designed to work as a coherent entity

From this reading The wound which he had received in his duel with Oswald, though in itself not dangerous, had thoroughly undermined his whole system, already weakened by a wild, profligate life, just as a house in which the timber is affected with dry rot will be in danger of tumbling down at any time, if but one of the joists be removed.

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

From this reading Felix had changed sadly in these days, and it looked almost as if his last appearance as a star in Grenwitz, which had been such a lamentable failure, should also be his last performance in the salons where he had so often shone brilliantly.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading The physicians who were called in shook their heads, spoke of the necessity of a change of air, and a longer residence in a southern climate.

used when the people doing the action are also its object

From this reading And when it began at last to look a little better, very grave symptoms of pulmonary disease in an advanced stage had suddenly shown themselves.

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading Felix had changed sadly in these days, and it looked almost as if his last appearance as a star in Grenwitz, which had been such a lamentable failure, should also be his last performance in the salons where he had so often shone brilliantly.

in an exhaustive manner

From this reading The wound which he had received in his duel with Oswald, though in itself not dangerous, had thoroughly undermined his whole system, already weakened by a wild, profligate life, just as a house in which the timber is affected with dry rot will be in danger of tumbling down at any time, if but one of the joists be removed.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading The wound which he had received in his duel with Oswald, though in itself not dangerous, had thoroughly undermined his whole system, already weakened by a wild, profligate life, just as a house in which the timber is affected with dry rot will be in danger of tumbling down at any time, if but one of the joists be removed.

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

From this reading The wound which he had received in his duel with Oswald, though in itself not dangerous, had thoroughly undermined his whole system, already weakened by a wild, profligate life, just as a house in which the timber is affected with dry rot will be in danger of tumbling down at any time, if but one of the joists be removed.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading The wound which he had received in his duel with Oswald, though in itself not dangerous, had thoroughly undermined his whole system, already weakened by a wild, profligate life, just as a house in which the timber is affected with dry rot will be in danger of tumbling down at any time, if but one of the joists be removed.

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

From this reading And when it began at last to look a little better, very grave symptoms of pulmonary disease in an advanced stage had suddenly shown themselves.

the gymnastic moves of an acrobat

From this reading The wound which he had received in his duel with Oswald, though in itself not dangerous, had thoroughly undermined his whole system, already weakened by a wild, profligate life, just as a house in which the timber is affected with dry rot will be in danger of tumbling down at any time, if but one of the joists be removed.

past form of “undermine” — destroy property or hinder normal operations

From this reading The wound which he had received in his duel with Oswald, though in itself not dangerous, had thoroughly undermined his whole system, already weakened by a wild, profligate life, just as a house in which the timber is affected with dry rot will be in danger of tumbling down at any time, if but one of the joists be removed.

precisely as stated

From this reading And when it began at last to look a little better, very grave symptoms of pulmonary disease in an advanced stage had suddenly shown themselves.

urgently needed; absolutely necessary

From this reading The ball had not injured any of the vital parts, and he had had the best of medical advice, and yet the wound would not heal.

impaired by diminution

From this reading The wound which he had received in his duel with Oswald, though in itself not dangerous, had thoroughly undermined his whole system, already weakened by a wild, profligate life, just as a house in which the timber is affected with dry rot will be in danger of tumbling down at any time, if but one of the joists be removed.

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

From this reading The physicians who were called in shook their heads, spoke of the necessity of a change of air, and a longer residence in a southern climate.

at the time that

From this reading And when it began at last to look a little better, very grave symptoms of pulmonary disease in an advanced stage had suddenly shown themselves.

in or at the place that

From this reading Felix had changed sadly in these days, and it looked almost as if his last appearance as a star in Grenwitz, which had been such a lamentable failure, should also be his last performance in the salons where he had so often shone brilliantly.

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

From this reading Felix had changed sadly in these days, and it looked almost as if his last appearance as a star in Grenwitz, which had been such a lamentable failure, should also be his last performance in the salons where he had so often shone brilliantly.

which person or people

From this reading The physicians who were called in shook their heads, spoke of the necessity of a change of air, and a longer residence in a southern climate.

including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete

From this reading The wound which he had received in his duel with Oswald, though in itself not dangerous, had thoroughly undermined his whole system, already weakened by a wild, profligate life, just as a house in which the timber is affected with dry rot will be in danger of tumbling down at any time, if but one of the joists be removed.

marked by extreme lack of restraint or control

From this reading The wound which he had received in his duel with Oswald, though in itself not dangerous, had thoroughly undermined his whole system, already weakened by a wild, profligate life, just as a house in which the timber is affected with dry rot will be in danger of tumbling down at any time, if but one of the joists be removed.

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading The wound which he had received in his duel with Oswald, though in itself not dangerous, had thoroughly undermined his whole system, already weakened by a wild, profligate life, just as a house in which the timber is affected with dry rot will be in danger of tumbling down at any time, if but one of the joists be removed.

in the company of; together with

From this reading The wound which he had received in his duel with Oswald, though in itself not dangerous, had thoroughly undermined his whole system, already weakened by a wild, profligate life, just as a house in which the timber is affected with dry rot will be in danger of tumbling down at any time, if but one of the joists be removed.

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

From this reading The ball had not injured any of the vital parts, and he had had the best of medical advice, and yet the wound would not heal.

an injury to living tissue (especially an injury involving a cut or break in the skin)

From this reading The wound which he had received in his duel with Oswald, though in itself not dangerous, had thoroughly undermined his whole system, already weakened by a wild, profligate life, just as a house in which the timber is affected with dry rot will be in danger of tumbling down at any time, if but one of the joists be removed.

but in spite of that

From this reading The ball had not injured any of the vital parts, and he had had the best of medical advice, and yet the wound would not heal.