Chapter XI · Two’s Company

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

From this reading It was a still misty morning, with a blurr of sun in the East, like a lamp burning behind a ground glass window, and for every reason he felt it more reassuring to address his face doggedly in that direction than towards the glooms which lay behind his back.

speak to

From this reading It was a still misty morning, with a blurr of sun in the East, like a lamp burning behind a ground glass window, and for every reason he felt it more reassuring to address his face doggedly in that direction than towards the glooms which lay behind his back.

have an effect upon

From this reading But, as the hour struck and passed, some nervous irritation would affect him.

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading Motionless as the trunk against which he leaned, Brion stood waiting in the ilex grove.

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

From this reading It was a still misty morning, with a blurr of sun in the East, like a lamp burning behind a ground glass window, and for every reason he felt it more reassuring to address his face doggedly in that direction than towards the glooms which lay behind his back.

the act of putting a person into a non-elective position

From this reading He preferred to wait, facing the light, near the fringe of the wood for the appointment which had brought him there.

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

From this reading Motionless as the trunk against which he leaned, Brion stood waiting in the ilex grove.

in or to or toward a former location

From this reading It was a still misty morning, with a blurr of sun in the East, like a lamp burning behind a ground glass window, and for every reason he felt it more reassuring to address his face doggedly in that direction than towards the glooms which lay behind his back.

at or toward the back of something

From this reading It was a still misty morning, with a blurr of sun in the East, like a lamp burning behind a ground glass window, and for every reason he felt it more reassuring to address his face doggedly in that direction than towards the glooms which lay behind his back.

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

From this reading It was a still misty morning, with a blurr of sun in the East, like a lamp burning behind a ground glass window, and for every reason he felt it more reassuring to address his face doggedly in that direction than towards the glooms which lay behind his back.

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

From this reading Motionless as the trunk against which he leaned, Brion stood waiting in the ilex grove.

inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere

From this reading He preferred to wait, facing the light, near the fringe of the wood for the appointment which had brought him there.

the act of burning something

From this reading It was a still misty morning, with a blurr of sun in the East, like a lamp burning behind a ground glass window, and for every reason he felt it more reassuring to address his face doggedly in that direction than towards the glooms which lay behind his back.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But, as the hour struck and passed, some nervous irritation would affect him.

past form of “conquer” — bring under control by force or authority

From this reading It was gratifying to know that his resolution, a puissant force impelling it, had conquered those glooms, and to practical effect; still, the point gained, there seemed no present reason for presuming on the providence which had so far favoured him.

a line leading to a place or point

From this reading It was a still misty morning, with a blurr of sun in the East, like a lamp burning behind a ground glass window, and for every reason he felt it more reassuring to address his face doggedly in that direction than towards the glooms which lay behind his back.

with obstinate determination

From this reading It was a still misty morning, with a blurr of sun in the East, like a lamp burning behind a ground glass window, and for every reason he felt it more reassuring to address his face doggedly in that direction than towards the glooms which lay behind his back.

the cardinal compass point that is at 90 degrees

From this reading It was a still misty morning, with a blurr of sun in the East, like a lamp burning behind a ground glass window, and for every reason he felt it more reassuring to address his face doggedly in that direction than towards the glooms which lay behind his back.

a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon

From this reading It was gratifying to know that his resolution, a puissant force impelling it, had conquered those glooms, and to practical effect; still, the point gained, there seemed no present reason for presuming on the providence which had so far favoured him.

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading It was a still misty morning, with a blurr of sun in the East, like a lamp burning behind a ground glass window, and for every reason he felt it more reassuring to address his face doggedly in that direction than towards the glooms which lay behind his back.

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

From this reading It was a still misty morning, with a blurr of sun in the East, like a lamp burning behind a ground glass window, and for every reason he felt it more reassuring to address his face doggedly in that direction than towards the glooms which lay behind his back.

a lining applied to the edge of a garment for ornamentation or strengthening

From this reading He preferred to wait, facing the light, near the fringe of the wood for the appointment which had brought him there.

to a considerable degree; very much

From this reading It was gratifying to know that his resolution, a puissant force impelling it, had conquered those glooms, and to practical effect; still, the point gained, there seemed no present reason for presuming on the providence which had so far favoured him.

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

From this reading It was gratifying to know that his resolution, a puissant force impelling it, had conquered those glooms, and to practical effect; still, the point gained, there seemed no present reason for presuming on the providence which had so far favoured him.

mat together and make felt-like

From this reading It was a still misty morning, with a blurr of sun in the East, like a lamp burning behind a ground glass window, and for every reason he felt it more reassuring to address his face doggedly in that direction than towards the glooms which lay behind his back.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading It was a still misty morning, with a blurr of sun in the East, like a lamp burning behind a ground glass window, and for every reason he felt it more reassuring to address his face doggedly in that direction than towards the glooms which lay behind his back.

a powerful effect or influence

From this reading It was gratifying to know that his resolution, a puissant force impelling it, had conquered those glooms, and to practical effect; still, the point gained, there seemed no present reason for presuming on the providence which had so far favoured him.

the outside boundary or surface of something

From this reading He preferred to wait, facing the light, near the fringe of the wood for the appointment which had brought him there.

past form of “gain” — obtain

From this reading It was gratifying to know that his resolution, a puissant force impelling it, had conquered those glooms, and to practical effect; still, the point gained, there seemed no present reason for presuming on the providence which had so far favoured him.

a brittle transparent solid with irregular atomic structure

From this reading It was a still misty morning, with a blurr of sun in the East, like a lamp burning behind a ground glass window, and for every reason he felt it more reassuring to address his face doggedly in that direction than towards the glooms which lay behind his back.

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

From this reading It was a still misty morning, with a blurr of sun in the East, like a lamp burning behind a ground glass window, and for every reason he felt it more reassuring to address his face doggedly in that direction than towards the glooms which lay behind his back.

pleasing to the mind or feeling

From this reading It was gratifying to know that his resolution, a puissant force impelling it, had conquered those glooms, and to practical effect; still, the point gained, there seemed no present reason for presuming on the providence which had so far favoured him.

the solid part of the earth's surface

From this reading It was a still misty morning, with a blurr of sun in the East, like a lamp burning behind a ground glass window, and for every reason he felt it more reassuring to address his face doggedly in that direction than towards the glooms which lay behind his back.

a small growth of trees without underbrush

From this reading Motionless as the trunk against which he leaned, Brion stood waiting in the ilex grove.

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

From this reading It was gratifying to know that his resolution, a puissant force impelling it, had conquered those glooms, and to practical effect; still, the point gained, there seemed no present reason for presuming on the providence which had so far favoured him.

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

From this reading Motionless as the trunk against which he leaned, Brion stood waiting in the ilex grove.

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

From this reading It was gratifying to know that his resolution, a puissant force impelling it, had conquered those glooms, and to practical effect; still, the point gained, there seemed no present reason for presuming on the providence which had so far favoured him.

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

From this reading It was a still misty morning, with a blurr of sun in the East, like a lamp burning behind a ground glass window, and for every reason he felt it more reassuring to address his face doggedly in that direction than towards the glooms which lay behind his back.

a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day

From this reading But, as the hour struck and passed, some nervous irritation would affect him.

a large genus of dicotyledonous trees and shrubs of the family Aquifoliaceae that have small flowers and berries (including hollies)

From this reading Motionless as the trunk against which he leaned, Brion stood waiting in the ilex grove.

markedly effective as if by emotional pressure

From this reading It was gratifying to know that his resolution, a puissant force impelling it, had conquered those glooms, and to practical effect; still, the point gained, there seemed no present reason for presuming on the providence which had so far favoured him.

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

From this reading Motionless as the trunk against which he leaned, Brion stood waiting in the ilex grove.

the psychological state of being irritated or annoyed

From this reading But, as the hour struck and passed, some nervous irritation would affect him.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was a still misty morning, with a blurr of sun in the East, like a lamp burning behind a ground glass window, and for every reason he felt it more reassuring to address his face doggedly in that direction than towards the glooms which lay behind his back.

be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about

From this reading It was gratifying to know that his resolution, a puissant force impelling it, had conquered those glooms, and to practical effect; still, the point gained, there seemed no present reason for presuming on the providence which had so far favoured him.

an artificial source of visible illumination

From this reading It was a still misty morning, with a blurr of sun in the East, like a lamp burning behind a ground glass window, and for every reason he felt it more reassuring to address his face doggedly in that direction than towards the glooms which lay behind his back.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading It was a still misty morning, with a blurr of sun in the East, like a lamp burning behind a ground glass window, and for every reason he felt it more reassuring to address his face doggedly in that direction than towards the glooms which lay behind his back.

past form of “lean” — to incline or bend from a vertical position

From this reading Motionless as the trunk against which he leaned, Brion stood waiting in the ilex grove.

of comparatively little physical weight or density

From this reading He preferred to wait, facing the light, near the fringe of the wood for the appointment which had brought him there.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading It was a still misty morning, with a blurr of sun in the East, like a lamp burning behind a ground glass window, and for every reason he felt it more reassuring to address his face doggedly in that direction than towards the glooms which lay behind his back.

filled or abounding with fog or mist

From this reading It was a still misty morning, with a blurr of sun in the East, like a lamp burning behind a ground glass window, and for every reason he felt it more reassuring to address his face doggedly in that direction than towards the glooms which lay behind his back.

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

From this reading It was a still misty morning, with a blurr of sun in the East, like a lamp burning behind a ground glass window, and for every reason he felt it more reassuring to address his face doggedly in that direction than towards the glooms which lay behind his back.

the time period between dawn and noon

From this reading It was a still misty morning, with a blurr of sun in the East, like a lamp burning behind a ground glass window, and for every reason he felt it more reassuring to address his face doggedly in that direction than towards the glooms which lay behind his back.

not in physical motion

From this reading Motionless as the trunk against which he leaned, Brion stood waiting in the ilex grove.

near in time or place or relationship

From this reading He preferred to wait, facing the light, near the fringe of the wood for the appointment which had brought him there.

easily agitated

From this reading But, as the hour struck and passed, some nervous irritation would affect him.

not any; not one

From this reading It was gratifying to know that his resolution, a puissant force impelling it, had conquered those glooms, and to practical effect; still, the point gained, there seemed no present reason for presuming on the providence which had so far favoured him.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading It was a still misty morning, with a blurr of sun in the East, like a lamp burning behind a ground glass window, and for every reason he felt it more reassuring to address his face doggedly in that direction than towards the glooms which lay behind his back.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading It was gratifying to know that his resolution, a puissant force impelling it, had conquered those glooms, and to practical effect; still, the point gained, there seemed no present reason for presuming on the providence which had so far favoured him.

past form of “pass” — go across or through

From this reading But, as the hour struck and passed, some nervous irritation would affect him.

a geometric element that has position but no extension

From this reading It was gratifying to know that his resolution, a puissant force impelling it, had conquered those glooms, and to practical effect; still, the point gained, there seemed no present reason for presuming on the providence which had so far favoured him.

concerned with actual use or practice

From this reading It was gratifying to know that his resolution, a puissant force impelling it, had conquered those glooms, and to practical effect; still, the point gained, there seemed no present reason for presuming on the providence which had so far favoured him.

more desirable than another

From this reading He preferred to wait, facing the light, near the fringe of the wood for the appointment which had brought him there.

give an exhibition of to an interested audience

From this reading It was gratifying to know that his resolution, a puissant force impelling it, had conquered those glooms, and to practical effect; still, the point gained, there seemed no present reason for presuming on the providence which had so far favoured him.

-ing form of “presume” — take to be the case or to be true; accept without verification or proof

From this reading It was gratifying to know that his resolution, a puissant force impelling it, had conquered those glooms, and to practical effect; still, the point gained, there seemed no present reason for presuming on the providence which had so far favoured him.

The protective care of God or nature as a spiritual power. (Sự quan phòng, thiên ý phù hộ.)

From this reading It was gratifying to know that his resolution, a puissant force impelling it, had conquered those glooms, and to practical effect; still, the point gained, there seemed no present reason for presuming on the providence which had so far favoured him.

powerful

From this reading It was gratifying to know that his resolution, a puissant force impelling it, had conquered those glooms, and to practical effect; still, the point gained, there seemed no present reason for presuming on the providence which had so far favoured him.

a rational motive for a belief or action

From this reading It was a still misty morning, with a blurr of sun in the East, like a lamp burning behind a ground glass window, and for every reason he felt it more reassuring to address his face doggedly in that direction than towards the glooms which lay behind his back.

restoring confidence and relieving anxiety

From this reading It was a still misty morning, with a blurr of sun in the East, like a lamp burning behind a ground glass window, and for every reason he felt it more reassuring to address his face doggedly in that direction than towards the glooms which lay behind his back.

a formal expression by a meeting; agreed to by a vote

From this reading It was gratifying to know that his resolution, a puissant force impelling it, had conquered those glooms, and to practical effect; still, the point gained, there seemed no present reason for presuming on the providence which had so far favoured him.

past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading It was gratifying to know that his resolution, a puissant force impelling it, had conquered those glooms, and to practical effect; still, the point gained, there seemed no present reason for presuming on the providence which had so far favoured him.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading It was gratifying to know that his resolution, a puissant force impelling it, had conquered those glooms, and to practical effect; still, the point gained, there seemed no present reason for presuming on the providence which had so far favoured him.

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

From this reading But, as the hour struck and passed, some nervous irritation would affect him.

not in physical motion

From this reading It was a still misty morning, with a blurr of sun in the East, like a lamp burning behind a ground glass window, and for every reason he felt it more reassuring to address his face doggedly in that direction than towards the glooms which lay behind his back.

Maintained an upright posture.

From this reading Motionless as the trunk against which he leaned, Brion stood waiting in the ilex grove.

(used in combination) affected by something overwhelming

From this reading But, as the hour struck and passed, some nervous irritation would affect him.

the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system

From this reading It was a still misty morning, with a blurr of sun in the East, like a lamp burning behind a ground glass window, and for every reason he felt it more reassuring to address his face doggedly in that direction than towards the glooms which lay behind his back.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading It was a still misty morning, with a blurr of sun in the East, like a lamp burning behind a ground glass window, and for every reason he felt it more reassuring to address his face doggedly in that direction than towards the glooms which lay behind his back.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading It was a still misty morning, with a blurr of sun in the East, like a lamp burning behind a ground glass window, and for every reason he felt it more reassuring to address his face doggedly in that direction than towards the glooms which lay behind his back.

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

From this reading Motionless as the trunk against which he leaned, Brion stood waiting in the ilex grove.

in or at that place or location

From this reading It was gratifying to know that his resolution, a puissant force impelling it, had conquered those glooms, and to practical effect; still, the point gained, there seemed no present reason for presuming on the providence which had so far favoured him.

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading It was gratifying to know that his resolution, a puissant force impelling it, had conquered those glooms, and to practical effect; still, the point gained, there seemed no present reason for presuming on the providence which had so far favoured him.

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

From this reading It was a still misty morning, with a blurr of sun in the East, like a lamp burning behind a ground glass window, and for every reason he felt it more reassuring to address his face doggedly in that direction than towards the glooms which lay behind his back.

in the direction of

From this reading It was a still misty morning, with a blurr of sun in the East, like a lamp burning behind a ground glass window, and for every reason he felt it more reassuring to address his face doggedly in that direction than towards the glooms which lay behind his back.

the main stem of a tree; usually covered with bark; the bole is usually the part that is commercially useful for lumber

From this reading Motionless as the trunk against which he leaned, Brion stood waiting in the ilex grove.

stay in one place and anticipate or expect something

From this reading He preferred to wait, facing the light, near the fringe of the wood for the appointment which had brought him there.

the act of waiting (remaining inactive in one place while expecting something)

From this reading Motionless as the trunk against which he leaned, Brion stood waiting in the ilex grove.

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

From this reading It was a still misty morning, with a blurr of sun in the East, like a lamp burning behind a ground glass window, and for every reason he felt it more reassuring to address his face doggedly in that direction than towards the glooms which lay behind his back.

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

From this reading Motionless as the trunk against which he leaned, Brion stood waiting in the ilex grove.

a framework of wood or metal that contains a glass windowpane and is built into a wall or roof to admit light or air

From this reading It was a still misty morning, with a blurr of sun in the East, like a lamp burning behind a ground glass window, and for every reason he felt it more reassuring to address his face doggedly in that direction than towards the glooms which lay behind his back.

in the company of; together with

From this reading It was a still misty morning, with a blurr of sun in the East, like a lamp burning behind a ground glass window, and for every reason he felt it more reassuring to address his face doggedly in that direction than towards the glooms which lay behind his back.

the hard fibrous lignified substance under the bark of trees

From this reading He preferred to wait, facing the light, near the fringe of the wood for the appointment which had brought him there.

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

From this reading But, as the hour struck and passed, some nervous irritation would affect him.