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Chapter XXIII
_January_ 1893. MY DEAR COLVIN,—You are properly paid at last, and it is like you will have but a shadow of a letter. I have been pretty thoroughly out of kilter; first a fever that would neither come on nor go off, then acute dyspepsia, in the weakening grasp of which I get wandering between the waking state and one of nightmare. Why the devil does no one send me _Atalanta_? And why are there no proofs of D. Balfour?
Oxford-style entry order: headword, part of speech, US IPA, concise definition, contextual example, audio, and collocations from this reading.
the past participle of “be”
From this reading “I have been pretty thoroughly out of kilter; first a fever that would neither come on nor go off, then acute dyspepsia, in the weakening grasp of which I get wandering between the waking state and one of nightmare.”
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading “I have been pretty thoroughly out of kilter; first a fever that would neither come on nor go off, then acute dyspepsia, in the weakening grasp of which I get wandering between the waking state and one of nightmare.”
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “I have been pretty thoroughly out of kilter; first a fever that would neither come on nor go off, then acute dyspepsia, in the weakening grasp of which I get wandering between the waking state and one of nightmare.”
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “I have been pretty thoroughly out of kilter; first a fever that would neither come on nor go off, then acute dyspepsia, in the weakening grasp of which I get wandering between the waking state and one of nightmare.”
a firm hold in a specific situation in this story
From this reading “I have been pretty thoroughly out of kilter; first a fever that would neither come on nor go off, then acute dyspepsia, in the weakening grasp of which I get wandering between the waking state and one of nightmare.”
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading “MY DEAR COLVIN,—You are properly paid at last, and it is like you will have but a shadow of a letter.”
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “MY DEAR COLVIN,—You are properly paid at last, and it is like you will have but a shadow of a letter.”
not one and not the other of two
From this reading “I have been pretty thoroughly out of kilter; first a fever that would neither come on nor go off, then acute dyspepsia, in the weakening grasp of which I get wandering between the waking state and one of nightmare.”
A terrifying or distressing dream.
From this reading “I have been pretty thoroughly out of kilter; first a fever that would neither come on nor go off, then acute dyspepsia, in the weakening grasp of which I get wandering between the waking state and one of nightmare.”
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading “I have been pretty thoroughly out of kilter; first a fever that would neither come on nor go off, then acute dyspepsia, in the weakening grasp of which I get wandering between the waking state and one of nightmare.”
A dark area or shape produced by a body coming between rays of light and a surface.
From this reading “MY DEAR COLVIN,—You are properly paid at last, and it is like you will have but a shadow of a letter.”
Risen from sleep; conscious.
From this reading “I have been pretty thoroughly out of kilter; first a fever that would neither come on nor go off, then acute dyspepsia, in the weakening grasp of which I get wandering between the waking state and one of nightmare.”
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading “I have been pretty thoroughly out of kilter; first a fever that would neither come on nor go off, then acute dyspepsia, in the weakening grasp of which I get wandering between the waking state and one of nightmare.”
Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _January_ 1893.
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading MY DEAR COLVIN,—You are properly paid at last, and it is like you will have but a shadow of a letter.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I have been pretty thoroughly out of kilter; first a fever that would neither come on nor go off, then acute dyspepsia, in the weakening grasp of which I get wandering between the waking state and one of nightmare.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading MY DEAR COLVIN,—You are properly paid at last, and it is like you will have but a shadow of a letter.
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading MY DEAR COLVIN,—You are properly paid at last, and it is like you will have but a shadow of a letter.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading MY DEAR COLVIN,—You are properly paid at last, and it is like you will have but a shadow of a letter.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Why the devil does no one send me _Atalanta_?
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And why are there no proofs of D. Balfour?
the past participle of “be”
From this reading I have been pretty thoroughly out of kilter; first a fever that would neither come on nor go off, then acute dyspepsia, in the weakening grasp of which I get wandering between the waking state and one of nightmare.
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading I have been pretty thoroughly out of kilter; first a fever that would neither come on nor go off, then acute dyspepsia, in the weakening grasp of which I get wandering between the waking state and one of nightmare.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading MY DEAR COLVIN,—You are properly paid at last, and it is like you will have but a shadow of a letter.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MY DEAR COLVIN,—You are properly paid at last, and it is like you will have but a shadow of a letter.
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I have been pretty thoroughly out of kilter; first a fever that would neither come on nor go off, then acute dyspepsia, in the weakening grasp of which I get wandering between the waking state and one of nightmare.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And why are there no proofs of D. Balfour?
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MY DEAR COLVIN,—You are properly paid at last, and it is like you will have but a shadow of a letter.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Why the devil does no one send me _Atalanta_?
the form of “do” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Why the devil does no one send me _Atalanta_?
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I have been pretty thoroughly out of kilter; first a fever that would neither come on nor go off, then acute dyspepsia, in the weakening grasp of which I get wandering between the waking state and one of nightmare.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I have been pretty thoroughly out of kilter; first a fever that would neither come on nor go off, then acute dyspepsia, in the weakening grasp of which I get wandering between the waking state and one of nightmare.
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I have been pretty thoroughly out of kilter; first a fever that would neither come on nor go off, then acute dyspepsia, in the weakening grasp of which I get wandering between the waking state and one of nightmare.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I have been pretty thoroughly out of kilter; first a fever that would neither come on nor go off, then acute dyspepsia, in the weakening grasp of which I get wandering between the waking state and one of nightmare.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I have been pretty thoroughly out of kilter; first a fever that would neither come on nor go off, then acute dyspepsia, in the weakening grasp of which I get wandering between the waking state and one of nightmare.
a firm hold in a specific situation in this story
From this reading I have been pretty thoroughly out of kilter; first a fever that would neither come on nor go off, then acute dyspepsia, in the weakening grasp of which I get wandering between the waking state and one of nightmare.
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading MY DEAR COLVIN,—You are properly paid at last, and it is like you will have but a shadow of a letter.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I have been pretty thoroughly out of kilter; first a fever that would neither come on nor go off, then acute dyspepsia, in the weakening grasp of which I get wandering between the waking state and one of nightmare.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading I have been pretty thoroughly out of kilter; first a fever that would neither come on nor go off, then acute dyspepsia, in the weakening grasp of which I get wandering between the waking state and one of nightmare.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading MY DEAR COLVIN,—You are properly paid at last, and it is like you will have but a shadow of a letter.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading MY DEAR COLVIN,—You are properly paid at last, and it is like you will have but a shadow of a letter.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _January_ 1893.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I have been pretty thoroughly out of kilter; first a fever that would neither come on nor go off, then acute dyspepsia, in the weakening grasp of which I get wandering between the waking state and one of nightmare.
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading MY DEAR COLVIN,—You are properly paid at last, and it is like you will have but a shadow of a letter.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MY DEAR COLVIN,—You are properly paid at last, and it is like you will have but a shadow of a letter.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MY DEAR COLVIN,—You are properly paid at last, and it is like you will have but a shadow of a letter.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Why the devil does no one send me _Atalanta_?
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading MY DEAR COLVIN,—You are properly paid at last, and it is like you will have but a shadow of a letter.
not one and not the other of two
From this reading I have been pretty thoroughly out of kilter; first a fever that would neither come on nor go off, then acute dyspepsia, in the weakening grasp of which I get wandering between the waking state and one of nightmare.
A terrifying or distressing dream.
From this reading I have been pretty thoroughly out of kilter; first a fever that would neither come on nor go off, then acute dyspepsia, in the weakening grasp of which I get wandering between the waking state and one of nightmare.
not any; not one
From this reading Why the devil does no one send me _Atalanta_?
and not; used after a negative to add a second negative
From this reading I have been pretty thoroughly out of kilter; first a fever that would neither come on nor go off, then acute dyspepsia, in the weakening grasp of which I get wandering between the waking state and one of nightmare.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading MY DEAR COLVIN,—You are properly paid at last, and it is like you will have but a shadow of a letter.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I have been pretty thoroughly out of kilter; first a fever that would neither come on nor go off, then acute dyspepsia, in the weakening grasp of which I get wandering between the waking state and one of nightmare.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading I have been pretty thoroughly out of kilter; first a fever that would neither come on nor go off, then acute dyspepsia, in the weakening grasp of which I get wandering between the waking state and one of nightmare.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading I have been pretty thoroughly out of kilter; first a fever that would neither come on nor go off, then acute dyspepsia, in the weakening grasp of which I get wandering between the waking state and one of nightmare.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I have been pretty thoroughly out of kilter; first a fever that would neither come on nor go off, then acute dyspepsia, in the weakening grasp of which I get wandering between the waking state and one of nightmare.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MY DEAR COLVIN,—You are properly paid at last, and it is like you will have but a shadow of a letter.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I have been pretty thoroughly out of kilter; first a fever that would neither come on nor go off, then acute dyspepsia, in the weakening grasp of which I get wandering between the waking state and one of nightmare.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And why are there no proofs of D. Balfour?
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MY DEAR COLVIN,—You are properly paid at last, and it is like you will have but a shadow of a letter.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Why the devil does no one send me _Atalanta_?
A dark area or shape produced by a body coming between rays of light and a surface.
From this reading MY DEAR COLVIN,—You are properly paid at last, and it is like you will have but a shadow of a letter.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I have been pretty thoroughly out of kilter; first a fever that would neither come on nor go off, then acute dyspepsia, in the weakening grasp of which I get wandering between the waking state and one of nightmare.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading I have been pretty thoroughly out of kilter; first a fever that would neither come on nor go off, then acute dyspepsia, in the weakening grasp of which I get wandering between the waking state and one of nightmare.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading I have been pretty thoroughly out of kilter; first a fever that would neither come on nor go off, then acute dyspepsia, in the weakening grasp of which I get wandering between the waking state and one of nightmare.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I have been pretty thoroughly out of kilter; first a fever that would neither come on nor go off, then acute dyspepsia, in the weakening grasp of which I get wandering between the waking state and one of nightmare.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And why are there no proofs of D. Balfour?
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I have been pretty thoroughly out of kilter; first a fever that would neither come on nor go off, then acute dyspepsia, in the weakening grasp of which I get wandering between the waking state and one of nightmare.
Risen from sleep; conscious.
From this reading I have been pretty thoroughly out of kilter; first a fever that would neither come on nor go off, then acute dyspepsia, in the weakening grasp of which I get wandering between the waking state and one of nightmare.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I have been pretty thoroughly out of kilter; first a fever that would neither come on nor go off, then acute dyspepsia, in the weakening grasp of which I get wandering between the waking state and one of nightmare.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I have been pretty thoroughly out of kilter; first a fever that would neither come on nor go off, then acute dyspepsia, in the weakening grasp of which I get wandering between the waking state and one of nightmare.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading I have been pretty thoroughly out of kilter; first a fever that would neither come on nor go off, then acute dyspepsia, in the weakening grasp of which I get wandering between the waking state and one of nightmare.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Why the devil does no one send me _Atalanta_?
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading MY DEAR COLVIN,—You are properly paid at last, and it is like you will have but a shadow of a letter.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading I have been pretty thoroughly out of kilter; first a fever that would neither come on nor go off, then acute dyspepsia, in the weakening grasp of which I get wandering between the waking state and one of nightmare.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading MY DEAR COLVIN,—You are properly paid at last, and it is like you will have but a shadow of a letter.
