Chapter XX · Chapter 20

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

From this reading It was chiefly this fact that dazzled him, and almost choked him with a sensation of all too abundant ecstasy.

present in great quantity

From this reading It was chiefly this fact that dazzled him, and almost choked him with a sensation of all too abundant ecstasy.

an unfortunate mishap; especially one causing damage or injury

From this reading Lord Henry could have flown amid the foliage of the trees, he could have leaped from branch to branch,--aye, he could have pranced from the tip of each leaf of bracken on his way,--so elated did he feel that now, at least, the worst was over, the worst was known, and what remained to be done was within the compass of his own powers, and free from any treacherous element of luck or accident.

something done (usually as opposed to something said)

From this reading But his joy at the comparatively harmless outcome of Cleopatra's action was nothing compared to his delight at that action itself, and even the knowledge that he had read her character aright did not gratify him as completely as the positive realisation that such characters as hers still existed.

(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 It was chiefly this fact that dazzled him, and almost choked him with a sensation of all too abundant ecstasy.

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

From this reading It was chiefly this fact that dazzled him, and almost choked him with a sensation of all too abundant ecstasy.

in the middle of; surrounded by

From this reading Lord Henry could have flown amid the foliage of the trees, he could have leaped from branch to branch,--aye, he could have pranced from the tip of each leaf of bracken on his way,--so elated did he feel that now, at least, the worst was over, the worst was known, and what remained to be done was within the compass of his own powers, and free from any treacherous element of luck or accident.

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

From this reading Lord Henry could have flown amid the foliage of the trees, he could have leaped from branch to branch,--aye, he could have pranced from the tip of each leaf of bracken on his way,--so elated did he feel that now, at least, the worst was over, the worst was known, and what remained to be done was within the compass of his own powers, and free from any treacherous element of luck or accident.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading Lord Henry could have flown amid the foliage of the trees, he could have leaped from branch to branch,--aye, he could have pranced from the tip of each leaf of bracken on his way,--so elated did he feel that now, at least, the worst was over, the worst was known, and what remained to be done was within the compass of his own powers, and free from any treacherous element of luck or accident.

in an accurate manner

From this reading But his joy at the comparatively harmless outcome of Cleopatra's action was nothing compared to his delight at that action itself, and even the knowledge that he had read her character aright did not gratify him as completely as the positive realisation that such characters as hers still existed.

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

From this reading But his joy at the comparatively harmless outcome of Cleopatra's action was nothing compared to his delight at that action itself, and even the knowledge that he had read her character aright did not gratify him as completely as the positive realisation that such characters as hers still existed.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Lord Henry could have flown amid the foliage of the trees, he could have leaped from branch to branch,--aye, he could have pranced from the tip of each leaf of bracken on his way,--so elated did he feel that now, at least, the worst was over, the worst was known, and what remained to be done was within the compass of his own powers, and free from any treacherous element of luck or accident.

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

From this reading Lord Henry could have flown amid the foliage of the trees, he could have leaped from branch to branch,--aye, he could have pranced from the tip of each leaf of bracken on his way,--so elated did he feel that now, at least, the worst was over, the worst was known, and what remained to be done was within the compass of his own powers, and free from any treacherous element of luck or accident.

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

From this reading Lord Henry could have flown amid the foliage of the trees, he could have leaped from branch to branch,--aye, he could have pranced from the tip of each leaf of bracken on his way,--so elated did he feel that now, at least, the worst was over, the worst was known, and what remained to be done was within the compass of his own powers, and free from any treacherous element of luck or accident.

fern of southeastern Asia; not hardy in cold temperate regions

From this reading Lord Henry could have flown amid the foliage of the trees, he could have leaped from branch to branch,--aye, he could have pranced from the tip of each leaf of bracken on his way,--so elated did he feel that now, at least, the worst was over, the worst was known, and what remained to be done was within the compass of his own powers, and free from any treacherous element of luck or accident.

a division of some larger or more complex organization

From this reading Lord Henry could have flown amid the foliage of the trees, he could have leaped from branch to branch,--aye, he could have pranced from the tip of each leaf of bracken on his way,--so elated did he feel that now, at least, the worst was over, the worst was known, and what remained to be done was within the compass of his own powers, and free from any treacherous element of luck or accident.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But his joy at the comparatively harmless outcome of Cleopatra's action was nothing compared to his delight at that action itself, and even the knowledge that he had read her character aright did not gratify him as completely as the positive realisation that such characters as hers still existed.

a period of 100 years

From this reading Yes, indeed; and in England of the twentieth century it was terrifying in its intensity.

an imaginary person represented in a work of fiction (play or film or story)

From this reading But his joy at the comparatively harmless outcome of Cleopatra's action was nothing compared to his delight at that action itself, and even the knowledge that he had read her character aright did not gratify him as completely as the positive realisation that such characters as hers still existed.

plural of “character” — an imaginary person represented in a work of fiction (play or film or story)

From this reading But his joy at the comparatively harmless outcome of Cleopatra's action was nothing compared to his delight at that action itself, and even the knowledge that he had read her character aright did not gratify him as completely as the positive realisation that such characters as hers still existed.

for the most part

From this reading It was chiefly this fact that dazzled him, and almost choked him with a sensation of all too abundant ecstasy.

stopped up; clogged up

From this reading It was chiefly this fact that dazzled him, and almost choked him with a sensation of all too abundant ecstasy.

possessive form of “cleopatra” — beautiful and charismatic queen of Egypt; mistress of Julius Caesar and later of Mark Antony; killed herself to avoid capture by Octavian (69-30 BC)

From this reading But his joy at the comparatively harmless outcome of Cleopatra's action was nothing compared to his delight at that action itself, and even the knowledge that he had read her character aright did not gratify him as completely as the positive realisation that such characters as hers still existed.

in a relative manner; by comparison to something else

From this reading But his joy at the comparatively harmless outcome of Cleopatra's action was nothing compared to his delight at that action itself, and even the knowledge that he had read her character aright did not gratify him as completely as the positive realisation that such characters as hers still existed.

past form of “compare” — examine and note the similarities or differences of

From this reading But his joy at the comparatively harmless outcome of Cleopatra's action was nothing compared to his delight at that action itself, and even the knowledge that he had read her character aright did not gratify him as completely as the positive realisation that such characters as hers still existed.

navigational instrument for finding directions

From this reading Lord Henry could have flown amid the foliage of the trees, he could have leaped from branch to branch,--aye, he could have pranced from the tip of each leaf of bracken on his way,--so elated did he feel that now, at least, the worst was over, the worst was known, and what remained to be done was within the compass of his own powers, and free from any treacherous element of luck or accident.

to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)

From this reading But his joy at the comparatively harmless outcome of Cleopatra's action was nothing compared to his delight at that action itself, and even the knowledge that he had read her character aright did not gratify him as completely as the positive realisation that such characters as hers still existed.

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

From this reading Lord Henry could have flown amid the foliage of the trees, he could have leaped from branch to branch,--aye, he could have pranced from the tip of each leaf of bracken on his way,--so elated did he feel that now, at least, the worst was over, the worst was known, and what remained to be done was within the compass of his own powers, and free from any treacherous element of luck or accident.

having vision overcome temporarily by or as if by intense light

From this reading It was chiefly this fact that dazzled him, and almost choked him with a sensation of all too abundant ecstasy.

give pleasure to or be pleasing to

From this reading But his joy at the comparatively harmless outcome of Cleopatra's action was nothing compared to his delight at that action itself, and even the knowledge that he had read her character aright did not gratify him as completely as the positive realisation that such characters as hers still existed.

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

From this reading Lord Henry could have flown amid the foliage of the trees, he could have leaped from branch to branch,--aye, he could have pranced from the tip of each leaf of bracken on his way,--so elated did he feel that now, at least, the worst was over, the worst was known, and what remained to be done was within the compass of his own powers, and free from any treacherous element of luck or accident.

having finished or arrived at completion

From this reading Lord Henry could have flown amid the foliage of the trees, he could have leaped from branch to branch,--aye, he could have pranced from the tip of each leaf of bracken on his way,--so elated did he feel that now, at least, the worst was over, the worst was known, and what remained to be done was within the compass of his own powers, and free from any treacherous element of luck or accident.

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

From this reading Lord Henry could have flown amid the foliage of the trees, he could have leaped from branch to branch,--aye, he could have pranced from the tip of each leaf of bracken on his way,--so elated did he feel that now, at least, the worst was over, the worst was known, and what remained to be done was within the compass of his own powers, and free from any treacherous element of luck or accident.

a state of being carried away by overwhelming emotion

From this reading It was chiefly this fact that dazzled him, and almost choked him with a sensation of all too abundant ecstasy.

exultantly proud and joyful; in high spirits

From this reading Lord Henry could have flown amid the foliage of the trees, he could have leaped from branch to branch,--aye, he could have pranced from the tip of each leaf of bracken on his way,--so elated did he feel that now, at least, the worst was over, the worst was known, and what remained to be done was within the compass of his own powers, and free from any treacherous element of luck or accident.

an abstract part of something

From this reading Lord Henry could have flown amid the foliage of the trees, he could have leaped from branch to branch,--aye, he could have pranced from the tip of each leaf of bracken on his way,--so elated did he feel that now, at least, the worst was over, the worst was known, and what remained to be done was within the compass of his own powers, and free from any treacherous element of luck or accident.

a division of the United Kingdom

From this reading Yes, indeed; and in England of the twentieth century it was terrifying in its intensity.

divisible by two

From this reading But his joy at the comparatively harmless outcome of Cleopatra's action was nothing compared to his delight at that action itself, and even the knowledge that he had read her character aright did not gratify him as completely as the positive realisation that such characters as hers still existed.

past form of “exist” — have an existence, be extant

From this reading But his joy at the comparatively harmless outcome of Cleopatra's action was nothing compared to his delight at that action itself, and even the knowledge that he had read her character aright did not gratify him as completely as the positive realisation that such characters as hers still existed.

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

From this reading It was chiefly this fact that dazzled him, and almost choked him with a sensation of all too abundant ecstasy.

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

From this reading Lord Henry could have flown amid the foliage of the trees, he could have leaped from branch to branch,--aye, he could have pranced from the tip of each leaf of bracken on his way,--so elated did he feel that now, at least, the worst was over, the worst was known, and what remained to be done was within the compass of his own powers, and free from any treacherous element of luck or accident.

inflected form of “fly” — travel through the air; be airborne

From this reading Lord Henry could have flown amid the foliage of the trees, he could have leaped from branch to branch,--aye, he could have pranced from the tip of each leaf of bracken on his way,--so elated did he feel that now, at least, the worst was over, the worst was known, and what remained to be done was within the compass of his own powers, and free from any treacherous element of luck or accident.

the main organ of photosynthesis and transpiration in higher plants

From this reading Lord Henry could have flown amid the foliage of the trees, he could have leaped from branch to branch,--aye, he could have pranced from the tip of each leaf of bracken on his way,--so elated did he feel that now, at least, the worst was over, the worst was known, and what remained to be done was within the compass of his own powers, and free from any treacherous element of luck or accident.

grant freedom to; free from confinement

From this reading Lord Henry could have flown amid the foliage of the trees, he could have leaped from branch to branch,--aye, he could have pranced from the tip of each leaf of bracken on his way,--so elated did he feel that now, at least, the worst was over, the worst was known, and what remained to be done was within the compass of his own powers, and free from any treacherous element of luck or accident.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Lord Henry could have flown amid the foliage of the trees, he could have leaped from branch to branch,--aye, he could have pranced from the tip of each leaf of bracken on his way,--so elated did he feel that now, at least, the worst was over, the worst was known, and what remained to be done was within the compass of his own powers, and free from any treacherous element of luck or accident.

make happy or satisfied

From this reading But his joy at the comparatively harmless outcome of Cleopatra's action was nothing compared to his delight at that action itself, and even the knowledge that he had read her character aright did not gratify him as completely as the positive realisation that such characters as hers still existed.

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

From this reading But his joy at the comparatively harmless outcome of Cleopatra's action was nothing compared to his delight at that action itself, and even the knowledge that he had read her character aright did not gratify him as completely as the positive realisation that such characters as hers still existed.

not causing or capable of causing harm

From this reading But his joy at the comparatively harmless outcome of Cleopatra's action was nothing compared to his delight at that action itself, and even the knowledge that he had read her character aright did not gratify him as completely as the positive realisation that such characters as hers still existed.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading Lord Henry could have flown amid the foliage of the trees, he could have leaped from branch to branch,--aye, he could have pranced from the tip of each leaf of bracken on his way,--so elated did he feel that now, at least, the worst was over, the worst was known, and what remained to be done was within the compass of his own powers, and free from any treacherous element of luck or accident.

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

From this reading Lord Henry could have flown amid the foliage of the trees, he could have leaped from branch to branch,--aye, he could have pranced from the tip of each leaf of bracken on his way,--so elated did he feel that now, at least, the worst was over, the worst was known, and what remained to be done was within the compass of his own powers, and free from any treacherous element of luck or accident.

a unit of inductance in which an induced electromotive force of one volt is produced when the current is varied at the rate of one ampere per second

From this reading Lord Henry could have flown amid the foliage of the trees, he could have leaped from branch to branch,--aye, he could have pranced from the tip of each leaf of bracken on his way,--so elated did he feel that now, at least, the worst was over, the worst was known, and what remained to be done was within the compass of his own powers, and free from any treacherous element of luck or accident.

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

From this reading But his joy at the comparatively harmless outcome of Cleopatra's action was nothing compared to his delight at that action itself, and even the knowledge that he had read her character aright did not gratify him as completely as the positive realisation that such characters as hers still existed.

the one or ones belonging to her

From this reading But his joy at the comparatively harmless outcome of Cleopatra's action was nothing compared to his delight at that action itself, and even the knowledge that he had read her character aright did not gratify him as completely as the positive realisation that such characters as hers still existed.

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

From this reading But his joy at the comparatively harmless outcome of Cleopatra's action was nothing compared to his delight at that action itself, and even the knowledge that he had read her character aright did not gratify him as completely as the positive realisation that such characters as hers still existed.

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

From this reading Lord Henry could have flown amid the foliage of the trees, he could have leaped from branch to branch,--aye, he could have pranced from the tip of each leaf of bracken on his way,--so elated did he feel that now, at least, the worst was over, the worst was known, and what remained to be done was within the compass of his own powers, and free from any treacherous element of luck or accident.

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

From this reading Yes, indeed; and in England of the twentieth century it was terrifying in its intensity.

in truth (often tends to intensify)

From this reading Yes, indeed; and in England of the twentieth century it was terrifying in its intensity.

the amount of energy transmitted (as by acoustic or electromagnetic radiation)

From this reading Yes, indeed; and in England of the twentieth century it was terrifying in its intensity.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was chiefly this fact that dazzled him, and almost choked him with a sensation of all too abundant ecstasy.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading Yes, indeed; and in England of the twentieth century it was terrifying in its intensity.

used when the thing doing the action is also its object

From this reading But his joy at the comparatively harmless outcome of Cleopatra's action was nothing compared to his delight at that action itself, and even the knowledge that he had read her character aright did not gratify him as completely as the positive realisation that such characters as hers still existed.

the emotion of great happiness

From this reading But his joy at the comparatively harmless outcome of Cleopatra's action was nothing compared to his delight at that action itself, and even the knowledge that he had read her character aright did not gratify him as completely as the positive realisation that such characters as hers still existed.

the psychological result of perception and learning and reasoning

From this reading But his joy at the comparatively harmless outcome of Cleopatra's action was nothing compared to his delight at that action itself, and even the knowledge that he had read her character aright did not gratify him as completely as the positive realisation that such characters as hers still existed.

apprehended with certainty

From this reading Lord Henry could have flown amid the foliage of the trees, he could have leaped from branch to branch,--aye, he could have pranced from the tip of each leaf of bracken on his way,--so elated did he feel that now, at least, the worst was over, the worst was known, and what remained to be done was within the compass of his own powers, and free from any treacherous element of luck or accident.

the main organ of photosynthesis and transpiration in higher plants

From this reading Lord Henry could have flown amid the foliage of the trees, he could have leaped from branch to branch,--aye, he could have pranced from the tip of each leaf of bracken on his way,--so elated did he feel that now, at least, the worst was over, the worst was known, and what remained to be done was within the compass of his own powers, and free from any treacherous element of luck or accident.

past form of “leap” — move forward by leaps and bounds

From this reading Lord Henry could have flown amid the foliage of the trees, he could have leaped from branch to branch,--aye, he could have pranced from the tip of each leaf of bracken on his way,--so elated did he feel that now, at least, the worst was over, the worst was known, and what remained to be done was within the compass of his own powers, and free from any treacherous element of luck or accident.

the superlative of “little” that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by “the”; a quantifier meaning smallest in amount or extent or degree

From this reading Lord Henry could have flown amid the foliage of the trees, he could have leaped from branch to branch,--aye, he could have pranced from the tip of each leaf of bracken on his way,--so elated did he feel that now, at least, the worst was over, the worst was known, and what remained to be done was within the compass of his own powers, and free from any treacherous element of luck or accident.

terms referring to the Judeo-Christian God

From this reading Lord Henry could have flown amid the foliage of the trees, he could have leaped from branch to branch,--aye, he could have pranced from the tip of each leaf of bracken on his way,--so elated did he feel that now, at least, the worst was over, the worst was known, and what remained to be done was within the compass of his own powers, and free from any treacherous element of luck or accident.

your overall circumstances or condition in life (including everything that happens to you)

From this reading Lord Henry could have flown amid the foliage of the trees, he could have leaped from branch to branch,--aye, he could have pranced from the tip of each leaf of bracken on his way,--so elated did he feel that now, at least, the worst was over, the worst was known, and what remained to be done was within the compass of his own powers, and free from any treacherous element of luck or accident.

the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized

From this reading "One touch of Nature!"

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading But his joy at the comparatively harmless outcome of Cleopatra's action was nothing compared to his delight at that action itself, and even the knowledge that he had read her character aright did not gratify him as completely as the positive realisation that such characters as hers still existed.

not one thing; not anything

From this reading But his joy at the comparatively harmless outcome of Cleopatra's action was nothing compared to his delight at that action itself, and even the knowledge that he had read her character aright did not gratify him as completely as the positive realisation that such characters as hers still existed.

in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events

From this reading Lord Henry could have flown amid the foliage of the trees, he could have leaped from branch to branch,--aye, he could have pranced from the tip of each leaf of bracken on his way,--so elated did he feel that now, at least, the worst was over, the worst was known, and what remained to be done was within the compass of his own powers, and free from any treacherous element of luck or accident.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Lord Henry could have flown amid the foliage of the trees, he could have leaped from branch to branch,--aye, he could have pranced from the tip of each leaf of bracken on his way,--so elated did he feel that now, at least, the worst was over, the worst was known, and what remained to be done was within the compass of his own powers, and free from any treacherous element of luck or accident.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Lord Henry could have flown amid the foliage of the trees, he could have leaped from branch to branch,--aye, he could have pranced from the tip of each leaf of bracken on his way,--so elated did he feel that now, at least, the worst was over, the worst was known, and what remained to be done was within the compass of his own powers, and free from any treacherous element of luck or accident.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading "One touch of Nature!"

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Lord Henry could have flown amid the foliage of the trees, he could have leaped from branch to branch,--aye, he could have pranced from the tip of each leaf of bracken on his way,--so elated did he feel that now, at least, the worst was over, the worst was known, and what remained to be done was within the compass of his own powers, and free from any treacherous element of luck or accident.

something that results

From this reading But his joy at the comparatively harmless outcome of Cleopatra's action was nothing compared to his delight at that action itself, and even the knowledge that he had read her character aright did not gratify him as completely as the positive realisation that such characters as hers still existed.

above and across; more than

From this reading Lord Henry could have flown amid the foliage of the trees, he could have leaped from branch to branch,--aye, he could have pranced from the tip of each leaf of bracken on his way,--so elated did he feel that now, at least, the worst was over, the worst was known, and what remained to be done was within the compass of his own powers, and free from any treacherous element of luck or accident.

have ownership or possession of

From this reading Lord Henry could have flown amid the foliage of the trees, he could have leaped from branch to branch,--aye, he could have pranced from the tip of each leaf of bracken on his way,--so elated did he feel that now, at least, the worst was over, the worst was known, and what remained to be done was within the compass of his own powers, and free from any treacherous element of luck or accident.

characterized by or displaying affirmation or acceptance or certainty etc.

From this reading But his joy at the comparatively harmless outcome of Cleopatra's action was nothing compared to his delight at that action itself, and even the knowledge that he had read her character aright did not gratify him as completely as the positive realisation that such characters as hers still existed.

plural of “power” — possession of controlling influence

From this reading Lord Henry could have flown amid the foliage of the trees, he could have leaped from branch to branch,--aye, he could have pranced from the tip of each leaf of bracken on his way,--so elated did he feel that now, at least, the worst was over, the worst was known, and what remained to be done was within the compass of his own powers, and free from any treacherous element of luck or accident.

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

From this reading Lord Henry could have flown amid the foliage of the trees, he could have leaped from branch to branch,--aye, he could have pranced from the tip of each leaf of bracken on his way,--so elated did he feel that now, at least, the worst was over, the worst was known, and what remained to be done was within the compass of his own powers, and free from any treacherous element of luck or accident.

interpret something that is written or printed

From this reading But his joy at the comparatively harmless outcome of Cleopatra's action was nothing compared to his delight at that action itself, and even the knowledge that he had read her character aright did not gratify him as completely as the positive realisation that such characters as hers still existed.

a musical composition that has been completed or enriched by someone other than the composer

From this reading But his joy at the comparatively harmless outcome of Cleopatra's action was nothing compared to his delight at that action itself, and even the knowledge that he had read her character aright did not gratify him as completely as the positive realisation that such characters as hers still existed.

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

From this reading Lord Henry could have flown amid the foliage of the trees, he could have leaped from branch to branch,--aye, he could have pranced from the tip of each leaf of bracken on his way,--so elated did he feel that now, at least, the worst was over, the worst was known, and what remained to be done was within the compass of his own powers, and free from any treacherous element of luck or accident.

an unelaborated elementary awareness of stimulation

From this reading It was chiefly this fact that dazzled him, and almost choked him with a sensation of all too abundant ecstasy.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Lord Henry could have flown amid the foliage of the trees, he could have leaped from branch to branch,--aye, he could have pranced from the tip of each leaf of bracken on his way,--so elated did he feel that now, at least, the worst was over, the worst was known, and what remained to be done was within the compass of his own powers, and free from any treacherous element of luck or accident.

not in physical motion

From this reading But his joy at the comparatively harmless outcome of Cleopatra's action was nothing compared to his delight at that action itself, and even the knowledge that he had read her character aright did not gratify him as completely as the positive realisation that such characters as hers still existed.

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading But his joy at the comparatively harmless outcome of Cleopatra's action was nothing compared to his delight at that action itself, and even the knowledge that he had read her character aright did not gratify him as completely as the positive realisation that such characters as hers still existed.

causing extreme terror

From this reading Yes, indeed; and in England of the twentieth century it was terrifying in its intensity.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Lord Henry could have flown amid the foliage of the trees, he could have leaped from branch to branch,--aye, he could have pranced from the tip of each leaf of bracken on his way,--so elated did he feel that now, at least, the worst was over, the worst was known, and what remained to be done was within the compass of his own powers, and free from any treacherous element of luck or accident.

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

From this reading Lord Henry could have flown amid the foliage of the trees, he could have leaped from branch to branch,--aye, he could have pranced from the tip of each leaf of bracken on his way,--so elated did he feel that now, at least, the worst was over, the worst was known, and what remained to be done was within the compass of his own powers, and free from any treacherous element of luck or accident.

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

From this reading It was chiefly this fact that dazzled him, and almost choked him with a sensation of all too abundant ecstasy.

the extreme end of something; especially something pointed

From this reading Lord Henry could have flown amid the foliage of the trees, he could have leaped from branch to branch,--aye, he could have pranced from the tip of each leaf of bracken on his way,--so elated did he feel that now, at least, the worst was over, the worst was known, and what remained to be done was within the compass of his own powers, and free from any treacherous element of luck or accident.

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

From this reading Lord Henry could have flown amid the foliage of the trees, he could have leaped from branch to branch,--aye, he could have pranced from the tip of each leaf of bracken on his way,--so elated did he feel that now, at least, the worst was over, the worst was known, and what remained to be done was within the compass of his own powers, and free from any treacherous element of luck or accident.

to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits

From this reading It was chiefly this fact that dazzled him, and almost choked him with a sensation of all too abundant ecstasy.

make physical contact with, come in contact with

From this reading "One touch of Nature!"

dangerously unstable and unpredictable

From this reading Lord Henry could have flown amid the foliage of the trees, he could have leaped from branch to branch,--aye, he could have pranced from the tip of each leaf of bracken on his way,--so elated did he feel that now, at least, the worst was over, the worst was known, and what remained to be done was within the compass of his own powers, and free from any treacherous element of luck or accident.

plural of “tree” — a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms

From this reading Lord Henry could have flown amid the foliage of the trees, he could have leaped from branch to branch,--aye, he could have pranced from the tip of each leaf of bracken on his way,--so elated did he feel that now, at least, the worst was over, the worst was known, and what remained to be done was within the compass of his own powers, and free from any treacherous element of luck or accident.

position 20 in a countable series of things

From this reading Yes, indeed; and in England of the twentieth century it was terrifying in its intensity.

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

From this reading Lord Henry could have flown amid the foliage of the trees, he could have leaped from branch to branch,--aye, he could have pranced from the tip of each leaf of bracken on his way,--so elated did he feel that now, at least, the worst was over, the worst was known, and what remained to be done was within the compass of his own powers, and free from any treacherous element of luck or accident.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading Lord Henry could have flown amid the foliage of the trees, he could have leaped from branch to branch,--aye, he could have pranced from the tip of each leaf of bracken on his way,--so elated did he feel that now, at least, the worst was over, the worst was known, and what remained to be done was within the compass of his own powers, and free from any treacherous element of luck or accident.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading Lord Henry could have flown amid the foliage of the trees, he could have leaped from branch to branch,--aye, he could have pranced from the tip of each leaf of bracken on his way,--so elated did he feel that now, at least, the worst was over, the worst was known, and what remained to be done was within the compass of his own powers, and free from any treacherous element of luck or accident.

in the company of; together with

From this reading It was chiefly this fact that dazzled him, and almost choked him with a sensation of all too abundant ecstasy.

inside; before a period of time has passed

From this reading Lord Henry could have flown amid the foliage of the trees, he could have leaped from branch to branch,--aye, he could have pranced from the tip of each leaf of bracken on his way,--so elated did he feel that now, at least, the worst was over, the worst was known, and what remained to be done was within the compass of his own powers, and free from any treacherous element of luck or accident.

the least favorable outcome

From this reading Lord Henry could have flown amid the foliage of the trees, he could have leaped from branch to branch,--aye, he could have pranced from the tip of each leaf of bracken on his way,--so elated did he feel that now, at least, the worst was over, the worst was known, and what remained to be done was within the compass of his own powers, and free from any treacherous element of luck or accident.

an affirmative

From this reading Yes, indeed; and in England of the twentieth century it was terrifying in its intensity.