Chapter XI

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

From this reading "Reverend Father," he said, "I am ignorant of the way in which you have possessed yourself of my secret, but, before a word more is spoken, let me tell you at once that it is a secret which must be kept strictly and sacredly between ourselves, unless great trouble is to ensue.

completely and without qualification; used informally as intensifiers

From this reading It is absolutely necessary now that Brian Luttrell should be--dead."

(of mail) marked with a destination

From this reading He was evidently prepared to be questioned, and was somewhat surprised when Brian turned to him gravely and addressed him in cold and serious tones.

the form of “be” used with “I”

From this reading "Reverend Father," he said, "I am ignorant of the way in which you have possessed yourself of my secret, but, before a word more is spoken, let me tell you at once that it is a secret which must be kept strictly and sacredly between ourselves, unless great trouble is to ensue.

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

From this reading The Prior's face wore an expression of mild triumph.

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

From this reading He was evidently prepared to be questioned, and was somewhat surprised when Brian turned to him gravely and addressed him in cold and serious tones.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading "Reverend Father," he said, "I am ignorant of the way in which you have possessed yourself of my secret, but, before a word more is spoken, let me tell you at once that it is a secret which must be kept strictly and sacredly between ourselves, unless great trouble is to ensue.

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

From this reading He was evidently prepared to be questioned, and was somewhat surprised when Brian turned to him gravely and addressed him in cold and serious tones.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading "Reverend Father," he said, "I am ignorant of the way in which you have possessed yourself of my secret, but, before a word more is spoken, let me tell you at once that it is a secret which must be kept strictly and sacredly between ourselves, unless great trouble is to ensue.

in the space, time, or range separating two things

From this reading "Reverend Father," he said, "I am ignorant of the way in which you have possessed yourself of my secret, but, before a word more is spoken, let me tell you at once that it is a secret which must be kept strictly and sacredly between ourselves, unless great trouble is to ensue.

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

From this reading He was evidently prepared to be questioned, and was somewhat surprised when Brian turned to him gravely and addressed him in cold and serious tones.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading "Reverend Father," he said, "I am ignorant of the way in which you have possessed yourself of my secret, but, before a word more is spoken, let me tell you at once that it is a secret which must be kept strictly and sacredly between ourselves, unless great trouble is to ensue.

having a low or inadequate temperature or feeling a sensation of coldness or having been made cold by e.g. ice or refrigeration

From this reading He was evidently prepared to be questioned, and was somewhat surprised when Brian turned to him gravely and addressed him in cold and serious tones.

no longer having or seeming to have or expecting to have life

From this reading It is absolutely necessary now that Brian Luttrell should be--dead."

issue or terminate (in a specified way, state, etc.); end

From this reading "Reverend Father," he said, "I am ignorant of the way in which you have possessed yourself of my secret, but, before a word more is spoken, let me tell you at once that it is a secret which must be kept strictly and sacredly between ourselves, unless great trouble is to ensue.

unmistakably (“plain” is often used informally for “plainly”)

From this reading He was evidently prepared to be questioned, and was somewhat surprised when Brian turned to him gravely and addressed him in cold and serious tones.

the feelings expressed on a person's face

From this reading The Prior's face wore an expression of mild triumph.

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

From this reading The Prior's face wore an expression of mild triumph.

a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)

From this reading "Reverend Father," he said, "I am ignorant of the way in which you have possessed yourself of my secret, but, before a word more is spoken, let me tell you at once that it is a secret which must be kept strictly and sacredly between ourselves, unless great trouble is to ensue.

in a grave and sober manner

From this reading He was evidently prepared to be questioned, and was somewhat surprised when Brian turned to him gravely and addressed him in cold and serious tones.

relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind

From this reading "Reverend Father," he said, "I am ignorant of the way in which you have possessed yourself of my secret, but, before a word more is spoken, let me tell you at once that it is a secret which must be kept strictly and sacredly between ourselves, unless great trouble is to ensue.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading "Reverend Father," he said, "I am ignorant of the way in which you have possessed yourself of my secret, but, before a word more is spoken, let me tell you at once that it is a secret which must be kept strictly and sacredly between ourselves, unless great trouble is to ensue.

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

From this reading He was evidently prepared to be questioned, and was somewhat surprised when Brian turned to him gravely and addressed him in cold and serious tones.

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

From this reading He was evidently prepared to be questioned, and was somewhat surprised when Brian turned to him gravely and addressed him in cold and serious tones.

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading "Reverend Father," he said, "I am ignorant of the way in which you have possessed yourself of my secret, but, before a word more is spoken, let me tell you at once that it is a secret which must be kept strictly and sacredly between ourselves, unless great trouble is to ensue.

uneducated in general; lacking knowledge or sophistication

From this reading "Reverend Father," he said, "I am ignorant of the way in which you have possessed yourself of my secret, but, before a word more is spoken, let me tell you at once that it is a secret which must be kept strictly and sacredly between ourselves, unless great trouble is to ensue.

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

From this reading He was evidently prepared to be questioned, and was somewhat surprised when Brian turned to him gravely and addressed him in cold and serious tones.

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

From this reading "Reverend Father," he said, "I am ignorant of the way in which you have possessed yourself of my secret, but, before a word more is spoken, let me tell you at once that it is a secret which must be kept strictly and sacredly between ourselves, unless great trouble is to ensue.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading "Reverend Father," he said, "I am ignorant of the way in which you have possessed yourself of my secret, but, before a word more is spoken, let me tell you at once that it is a secret which must be kept strictly and sacredly between ourselves, unless great trouble is to ensue.

(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded

From this reading "Reverend Father," he said, "I am ignorant of the way in which you have possessed yourself of my secret, but, before a word more is spoken, let me tell you at once that it is a secret which must be kept strictly and sacredly between ourselves, unless great trouble is to ensue.

used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker

From this reading "Reverend Father," he said, "I am ignorant of the way in which you have possessed yourself of my secret, but, before a word more is spoken, let me tell you at once that it is a secret which must be kept strictly and sacredly between ourselves, unless great trouble is to ensue.

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

From this reading It is absolutely necessary now that Brian Luttrell should be--dead."

the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading "Reverend Father," he said, "I am ignorant of the way in which you have possessed yourself of my secret, but, before a word more is spoken, let me tell you at once that it is a secret which must be kept strictly and sacredly between ourselves, unless great trouble is to ensue.

moderate in type or degree or effect or force; far from extreme

From this reading The Prior's face wore an expression of mild triumph.

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

From this reading "Reverend Father," he said, "I am ignorant of the way in which you have possessed yourself of my secret, but, before a word more is spoken, let me tell you at once that it is a secret which must be kept strictly and sacredly between ourselves, unless great trouble is to ensue.

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading "Reverend Father," he said, "I am ignorant of the way in which you have possessed yourself of my secret, but, before a word more is spoken, let me tell you at once that it is a secret which must be kept strictly and sacredly between ourselves, unless great trouble is to ensue.

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading "Reverend Father," he said, "I am ignorant of the way in which you have possessed yourself of my secret, but, before a word more is spoken, let me tell you at once that it is a secret which must be kept strictly and sacredly between ourselves, unless great trouble is to ensue.

absolutely essential

From this reading It is absolutely necessary now that Brian Luttrell should be--dead."

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

From this reading It is absolutely necessary now that Brian Luttrell should be--dead."

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The Prior's face wore an expression of mild triumph.

on one occasion

From this reading "Reverend Father," he said, "I am ignorant of the way in which you have possessed yourself of my secret, but, before a word more is spoken, let me tell you at once that it is a secret which must be kept strictly and sacredly between ourselves, unless great trouble is to ensue.

a personal belief or judgment that is not founded on proof or certainty

From this reading THE PRIOR'S OPINION.

used when we are both doing the action and receiving it

From this reading "Reverend Father," he said, "I am ignorant of the way in which you have possessed yourself of my secret, but, before a word more is spoken, let me tell you at once that it is a secret which must be kept strictly and sacredly between ourselves, unless great trouble is to ensue.

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

From this reading "Reverend Father," he said, "I am ignorant of the way in which you have possessed yourself of my secret, but, before a word more is spoken, let me tell you at once that it is a secret which must be kept strictly and sacredly between ourselves, unless great trouble is to ensue.

made ready or fit or suitable beforehand

From this reading He was evidently prepared to be questioned, and was somewhat surprised when Brian turned to him gravely and addressed him in cold and serious tones.

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

From this reading THE PRIOR'S OPINION.

past form of “question” — challenge the accuracy, probity, or propriety of

From this reading He was evidently prepared to be questioned, and was somewhat surprised when Brian turned to him gravely and addressed him in cold and serious tones.

a member of the clergy and a spiritual leader of the Christian Church

From this reading "Reverend Father," he said, "I am ignorant of the way in which you have possessed yourself of my secret, but, before a word more is spoken, let me tell you at once that it is a secret which must be kept strictly and sacredly between ourselves, unless great trouble is to ensue.

by religion

From this reading "Reverend Father," he said, "I am ignorant of the way in which you have possessed yourself of my secret, but, before a word more is spoken, let me tell you at once that it is a secret which must be kept strictly and sacredly between ourselves, unless great trouble is to ensue.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading "Reverend Father," he said, "I am ignorant of the way in which you have possessed yourself of my secret, but, before a word more is spoken, let me tell you at once that it is a secret which must be kept strictly and sacredly between ourselves, unless great trouble is to ensue.

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

From this reading "Reverend Father," he said, "I am ignorant of the way in which you have possessed yourself of my secret, but, before a word more is spoken, let me tell you at once that it is a secret which must be kept strictly and sacredly between ourselves, unless great trouble is to ensue.

concerned with work or important matters rather than play or trivialities

From this reading He was evidently prepared to be questioned, and was somewhat surprised when Brian turned to him gravely and addressed him in cold and serious tones.

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading It is absolutely necessary now that Brian Luttrell should be--dead."

to a small degree or extent

From this reading He was evidently prepared to be questioned, and was somewhat surprised when Brian turned to him gravely and addressed him in cold and serious tones.

uttered through the medium of speech or characterized by speech; sometimes used in combination

From this reading "Reverend Father," he said, "I am ignorant of the way in which you have possessed yourself of my secret, but, before a word more is spoken, let me tell you at once that it is a secret which must be kept strictly and sacredly between ourselves, unless great trouble is to ensue.

restricted to something

From this reading "Reverend Father," he said, "I am ignorant of the way in which you have possessed yourself of my secret, but, before a word more is spoken, let me tell you at once that it is a secret which must be kept strictly and sacredly between ourselves, unless great trouble is to ensue.

taken unawares or suddenly and feeling wonder or astonishment

From this reading He was evidently prepared to be questioned, and was somewhat surprised when Brian turned to him gravely and addressed him in cold and serious tones.

express in words

From this reading "Reverend Father," he said, "I am ignorant of the way in which you have possessed yourself of my secret, but, before a word more is spoken, let me tell you at once that it is a secret which must be kept strictly and sacredly between ourselves, unless great trouble is to ensue.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading "Reverend Father," he said, "I am ignorant of the way in which you have possessed yourself of my secret, but, before a word more is spoken, let me tell you at once that it is a secret which must be kept strictly and sacredly between ourselves, unless great trouble is to ensue.

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

From this reading THE PRIOR'S OPINION.

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

From this reading He was evidently prepared to be questioned, and was somewhat surprised when Brian turned to him gravely and addressed him in cold and serious tones.

plural of “tone” — the quality of a person's voice

From this reading He was evidently prepared to be questioned, and was somewhat surprised when Brian turned to him gravely and addressed him in cold and serious tones.

a successful ending of a struggle or contest

From this reading The Prior's face wore an expression of mild triumph.

a source of difficulty

From this reading "Reverend Father," he said, "I am ignorant of the way in which you have possessed yourself of my secret, but, before a word more is spoken, let me tell you at once that it is a secret which must be kept strictly and sacredly between ourselves, unless great trouble is to ensue.

moved around an axis or center

From this reading He was evidently prepared to be questioned, and was somewhat surprised when Brian turned to him gravely and addressed him in cold and serious tones.

except if; if not

From this reading "Reverend Father," he said, "I am ignorant of the way in which you have possessed yourself of my secret, but, before a word more is spoken, let me tell you at once that it is a secret which must be kept strictly and sacredly between ourselves, unless great trouble is to ensue.

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

From this reading He was evidently prepared to be questioned, and was somewhat surprised when Brian turned to him gravely and addressed him in cold and serious tones.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading "Reverend Father," he said, "I am ignorant of the way in which you have possessed yourself of my secret, but, before a word more is spoken, let me tell you at once that it is a secret which must be kept strictly and sacredly between ourselves, unless great trouble is to ensue.

at the time that

From this reading He was evidently prepared to be questioned, and was somewhat surprised when Brian turned to him gravely and addressed him in cold and serious tones.

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

From this reading "Reverend Father," he said, "I am ignorant of the way in which you have possessed yourself of my secret, but, before a word more is spoken, let me tell you at once that it is a secret which must be kept strictly and sacredly between ourselves, unless great trouble is to ensue.

a unit of language that native speakers can identify

From this reading "Reverend Father," he said, "I am ignorant of the way in which you have possessed yourself of my secret, but, before a word more is spoken, let me tell you at once that it is a secret which must be kept strictly and sacredly between ourselves, unless great trouble is to ensue.

inflected form of “wear” — be dressed in

From this reading The Prior's face wore an expression of mild triumph.

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading "Reverend Father," he said, "I am ignorant of the way in which you have possessed yourself of my secret, but, before a word more is spoken, let me tell you at once that it is a secret which must be kept strictly and sacredly between ourselves, unless great trouble is to ensue.

used when the person spoken to is also the object of the action

From this reading "Reverend Father," he said, "I am ignorant of the way in which you have possessed yourself of my secret, but, before a word more is spoken, let me tell you at once that it is a secret which must be kept strictly and sacredly between ourselves, unless great trouble is to ensue.