Chapter XI

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

From this reading A CLOSE OBSERVER.

the state of being absent

From this reading The only plaster for their grazed self-love was absence from the witnesses; and accordingly each turned on his heel, going off in quest of some new interest, and diverging as widely from the other two as was possible.

(sentence connectors) because of the reason given

From this reading The only plaster for their grazed self-love was absence from the witnesses; and accordingly each turned on his heel, going off in quest of some new interest, and diverging as widely from the other two as was possible.

later than; following

From this reading They stood an instant looking after the retreating fair, then turned to face one another; but there was no satisfaction in view of the witnesses of their discomfiture--each felt small, rather, and perhaps a little ridiculous.

prior to a specified or implied time

From this reading Joseph strolled despondently back toward the stunted grove, to which twice already he had bent his steps, but had not reached.

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

From this reading They stood an instant looking after the retreating fair, then turned to face one another; but there was no satisfaction in view of the witnesses of their discomfiture--each felt small, rather, and perhaps a little ridiculous.

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

From this reading When Rose and Lettice went their way, the three cavaliers found their occupation gone.

one more of the same kind, or a different one

From this reading They stood an instant looking after the retreating fair, then turned to face one another; but there was no satisfaction in view of the witnesses of their discomfiture--each felt small, rather, and perhaps a little ridiculous.

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

From this reading The only plaster for their grazed self-love was absence from the witnesses; and accordingly each turned on his heel, going off in quest of some new interest, and diverging as widely from the other two as was possible.

in or to or toward a former location

From this reading Joseph strolled despondently back toward the stunted grove, to which twice already he had bent his steps, but had not reached.

a relatively permanent inclination to react in a particular way

From this reading Joseph strolled despondently back toward the stunted grove, to which twice already he had bent his steps, but had not reached.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading They stood an instant looking after the retreating fair, then turned to face one another; but there was no satisfaction in view of the witnesses of their discomfiture--each felt small, rather, and perhaps a little ridiculous.

plural of “cavalier” — a gallant or courtly gentleman

From this reading When Rose and Lettice went their way, the three cavaliers found their occupation gone.

at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other

From this reading A CLOSE OBSERVER.

with desperation

From this reading Joseph strolled despondently back toward the stunted grove, to which twice already he had bent his steps, but had not reached.

anxious embarrassment

From this reading They stood an instant looking after the retreating fair, then turned to face one another; but there was no satisfaction in view of the witnesses of their discomfiture--each felt small, rather, and perhaps a little ridiculous.

tending to move apart in different directions

From this reading The only plaster for their grazed self-love was absence from the witnesses; and accordingly each turned on his heel, going off in quest of some new interest, and diverging as widely from the other two as was possible.

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

From this reading They stood an instant looking after the retreating fair, then turned to face one another; but there was no satisfaction in view of the witnesses of their discomfiture--each felt small, rather, and perhaps a little ridiculous.

the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear

From this reading They stood an instant looking after the retreating fair, then turned to face one another; but there was no satisfaction in view of the witnesses of their discomfiture--each felt small, rather, and perhaps a little ridiculous.

free from favoritism or self-interest or bias or deception; conforming with established standards or rules

From this reading They stood an instant looking after the retreating fair, then turned to face one another; but there was no satisfaction in view of the witnesses of their discomfiture--each felt small, rather, and perhaps a little ridiculous.

mat together and make felt-like

From this reading They stood an instant looking after the retreating fair, then turned to face one another; but there was no satisfaction in view of the witnesses of their discomfiture--each felt small, rather, and perhaps a little ridiculous.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading The only plaster for their grazed self-love was absence from the witnesses; and accordingly each turned on his heel, going off in quest of some new interest, and diverging as widely from the other two as was possible.

set up or found

From this reading When Rose and Lettice went their way, the three cavaliers found their occupation gone.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading The only plaster for their grazed self-love was absence from the witnesses; and accordingly each turned on his heel, going off in quest of some new interest, and diverging as widely from the other two as was possible.

the act of departing

From this reading The only plaster for their grazed self-love was absence from the witnesses; and accordingly each turned on his heel, going off in quest of some new interest, and diverging as widely from the other two as was possible.

destroyed or killed

From this reading When Rose and Lettice went their way, the three cavaliers found their occupation gone.

scraped or touched lightly in passing

From this reading The only plaster for their grazed self-love was absence from the witnesses; and accordingly each turned on his heel, going off in quest of some new interest, and diverging as widely from the other two as was possible.

a small growth of trees without underbrush

From this reading Joseph strolled despondently back toward the stunted grove, to which twice already he had bent his steps, but had not reached.

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

From this reading Joseph strolled despondently back toward the stunted grove, to which twice already he had bent his steps, but had not reached.

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

From this reading Joseph strolled despondently back toward the stunted grove, to which twice already he had bent his steps, but had not reached.

the bottom of a shoe or boot; the back part of a shoe or boot that touches the ground and provides elevation

From this reading The only plaster for their grazed self-love was absence from the witnesses; and accordingly each turned on his heel, going off in quest of some new interest, and diverging as widely from the other two as was possible.

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

From this reading The only plaster for their grazed self-love was absence from the witnesses; and accordingly each turned on his heel, going off in quest of some new interest, and diverging as widely from the other two as was possible.

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

From this reading They stood an instant looking after the retreating fair, then turned to face one another; but there was no satisfaction in view of the witnesses of their discomfiture--each felt small, rather, and perhaps a little ridiculous.

a very short time (as the time it takes the eye to blink or the heart to beat)

From this reading They stood an instant looking after the retreating fair, then turned to face one another; but there was no satisfaction in view of the witnesses of their discomfiture--each felt small, rather, and perhaps a little ridiculous.

a sense of concern with and curiosity about someone or something

From this reading The only plaster for their grazed self-love was absence from the witnesses; and accordingly each turned on his heel, going off in quest of some new interest, and diverging as widely from the other two as was possible.

leader of the Nez Perce in their retreat from United States troops (1840-1904)

From this reading Joseph strolled despondently back toward the stunted grove, to which twice already he had bent his steps, but had not reached.

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

From this reading When Rose and Lettice went their way, the three cavaliers found their occupation gone.

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

From this reading They stood an instant looking after the retreating fair, then turned to face one another; but there was no satisfaction in view of the witnesses of their discomfiture--each felt small, rather, and perhaps a little ridiculous.

the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually

From this reading They stood an instant looking after the retreating fair, then turned to face one another; but there was no satisfaction in view of the witnesses of their discomfiture--each felt small, rather, and perhaps a little ridiculous.

not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered

From this reading The only plaster for their grazed self-love was absence from the witnesses; and accordingly each turned on his heel, going off in quest of some new interest, and diverging as widely from the other two as was possible.

not any; not one

From this reading They stood an instant looking after the retreating fair, then turned to face one another; but there was no satisfaction in view of the witnesses of their discomfiture--each felt small, rather, and perhaps a little ridiculous.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Joseph strolled despondently back toward the stunted grove, to which twice already he had bent his steps, but had not reached.

a person who becomes aware (of things or events) through the senses

From this reading A CLOSE OBSERVER.

the principal activity in your life that you do to earn money

From this reading When Rose and Lettice went their way, the three cavaliers found their occupation gone.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading They stood an instant looking after the retreating fair, then turned to face one another; but there was no satisfaction in view of the witnesses of their discomfiture--each felt small, rather, and perhaps a little ridiculous.

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading The only plaster for their grazed self-love was absence from the witnesses; and accordingly each turned on his heel, going off in quest of some new interest, and diverging as widely from the other two as was possible.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading The only plaster for their grazed self-love was absence from the witnesses; and accordingly each turned on his heel, going off in quest of some new interest, and diverging as widely from the other two as was possible.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading They stood an instant looking after the retreating fair, then turned to face one another; but there was no satisfaction in view of the witnesses of their discomfiture--each felt small, rather, and perhaps a little ridiculous.

and nothing more

From this reading The only plaster for their grazed self-love was absence from the witnesses; and accordingly each turned on his heel, going off in quest of some new interest, and diverging as widely from the other two as was possible.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading The only plaster for their grazed self-love was absence from the witnesses; and accordingly each turned on his heel, going off in quest of some new interest, and diverging as widely from the other two as was possible.

by chance

From this reading They stood an instant looking after the retreating fair, then turned to face one another; but there was no satisfaction in view of the witnesses of their discomfiture--each felt small, rather, and perhaps a little ridiculous.

apply a heavy coat to

From this reading The only plaster for their grazed self-love was absence from the witnesses; and accordingly each turned on his heel, going off in quest of some new interest, and diverging as widely from the other two as was possible.

capable of happening or existing

From this reading The only plaster for their grazed self-love was absence from the witnesses; and accordingly each turned on his heel, going off in quest of some new interest, and diverging as widely from the other two as was possible.

a search for an alternative that meets cognitive criteria

From this reading The only plaster for their grazed self-love was absence from the witnesses; and accordingly each turned on his heel, going off in quest of some new interest, and diverging as widely from the other two as was possible.

on the contrary

From this reading They stood an instant looking after the retreating fair, then turned to face one another; but there was no satisfaction in view of the witnesses of their discomfiture--each felt small, rather, and perhaps a little ridiculous.

past form of “reach” — reach a destination, either real or abstract

From this reading Joseph strolled despondently back toward the stunted grove, to which twice already he had bent his steps, but had not reached.

-ing form of “retreat” — pull back or move away or backward

From this reading They stood an instant looking after the retreating fair, then turned to face one another; but there was no satisfaction in view of the witnesses of their discomfiture--each felt small, rather, and perhaps a little ridiculous.

inspiring scornful pity

From this reading They stood an instant looking after the retreating fair, then turned to face one another; but there was no satisfaction in view of the witnesses of their discomfiture--each felt small, rather, and perhaps a little ridiculous.

any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses

From this reading When Rose and Lettice went their way, the three cavaliers found their occupation gone.

the contentment one feels when one has fulfilled a desire, need, or expectation

From this reading They stood an instant looking after the retreating fair, then turned to face one another; but there was no satisfaction in view of the witnesses of their discomfiture--each felt small, rather, and perhaps a little ridiculous.

feelings of excessive pride

From this reading The only plaster for their grazed self-love was absence from the witnesses; and accordingly each turned on his heel, going off in quest of some new interest, and diverging as widely from the other two as was possible.

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

From this reading They stood an instant looking after the retreating fair, then turned to face one another; but there was no satisfaction in view of the witnesses of their discomfiture--each felt small, rather, and perhaps a little ridiculous.

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

From this reading The only plaster for their grazed self-love was absence from the witnesses; and accordingly each turned on his heel, going off in quest of some new interest, and diverging as widely from the other two as was possible.

a flight of stairs or a flight of steps

From this reading Joseph strolled despondently back toward the stunted grove, to which twice already he had bent his steps, but had not reached.

Maintained an upright posture.

From this reading They stood an instant looking after the retreating fair, then turned to face one another; but there was no satisfaction in view of the witnesses of their discomfiture--each felt small, rather, and perhaps a little ridiculous.

past form of “stroll” — walk leisurely and with no apparent aim

From this reading Joseph strolled despondently back toward the stunted grove, to which twice already he had bent his steps, but had not reached.

inferior in size or quality

From this reading Joseph strolled despondently back toward the stunted grove, to which twice already he had bent his steps, but had not reached.

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

From this reading When Rose and Lettice went their way, the three cavaliers found their occupation gone.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading When Rose and Lettice went their way, the three cavaliers found their occupation gone.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading They stood an instant looking after the retreating fair, then turned to face one another; but there was no satisfaction in view of the witnesses of their discomfiture--each felt small, rather, and perhaps a little ridiculous.

in or at that place or location

From this reading They stood an instant looking after the retreating fair, then turned to face one another; but there was no satisfaction in view of the witnesses of their discomfiture--each felt small, rather, and perhaps a little ridiculous.

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

From this reading They stood an instant looking after the retreating fair, then turned to face one another; but there was no satisfaction in view of the witnesses of their discomfiture--each felt small, rather, and perhaps a little ridiculous.

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

From this reading When Rose and Lettice went their way, the three cavaliers found their occupation gone.

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

From this reading They stood an instant looking after the retreating fair, then turned to face one another; but there was no satisfaction in view of the witnesses of their discomfiture--each felt small, rather, and perhaps a little ridiculous.

in the direction of

From this reading Joseph strolled despondently back toward the stunted grove, to which twice already he had bent his steps, but had not reached.

moved around an axis or center

From this reading They stood an instant looking after the retreating fair, then turned to face one another; but there was no satisfaction in view of the witnesses of their discomfiture--each felt small, rather, and perhaps a little ridiculous.

two times

From this reading Joseph strolled despondently back toward the stunted grove, to which twice already he had bent his steps, but had not reached.

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

From this reading The only plaster for their grazed self-love was absence from the witnesses; and accordingly each turned on his heel, going off in quest of some new interest, and diverging as widely from the other two as was possible.

a way of regarding situations or topics etc.

From this reading They stood an instant looking after the retreating fair, then turned to face one another; but there was no satisfaction in view of the witnesses of their discomfiture--each felt small, rather, and perhaps a little ridiculous.

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

From this reading They stood an instant looking after the retreating fair, then turned to face one another; but there was no satisfaction in view of the witnesses of their discomfiture--each felt small, rather, and perhaps a little ridiculous.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading When Rose and Lettice went their way, the three cavaliers found their occupation gone.

inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading When Rose and Lettice went their way, the three cavaliers found their occupation gone.

at the time that

From this reading When Rose and Lettice went their way, the three cavaliers found their occupation gone.

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

From this reading Joseph strolled despondently back toward the stunted grove, to which twice already he had bent his steps, but had not reached.

to a great degree

From this reading The only plaster for their grazed self-love was absence from the witnesses; and accordingly each turned on his heel, going off in quest of some new interest, and diverging as widely from the other two as was possible.

plural of “witness” — someone who sees an event and reports what happened

From this reading They stood an instant looking after the retreating fair, then turned to face one another; but there was no satisfaction in view of the witnesses of their discomfiture--each felt small, rather, and perhaps a little ridiculous.