Chapter XVI · Chapter 16

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

From this reading It was when the great French surgeon looked upon these--little tots whose minds were shattered by cruelties purposely conceived for them, and whose bodies were starved to skeleton thinness in order that thieves and degenerates might grow fat--that he swore a mighty oath and buried his face in his hands.

make an addition (to); join or combine or unite with others; increase the quality, quantity, size or scope of

From this reading "_Mon Dieu, mon Dieu_," he muttered fiercely, "how many more will they add to the thousands I have already seen!"

prior to a specified or implied time

From this reading "_Mon Dieu, mon Dieu_," he muttered fiercely, "how many more will they add to the thousands I have already seen!"

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

From this reading Scarcely were the children lifted down before Marian had kneeled and taken them in her arms.

weapons considered collectively

From this reading Scarcely were the children lifted down before Marian had kneeled and taken them in her arms.

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

From this reading Quicker than Bonsecours she had read the story of their destruction, and now sobbed over them as though her heart would break.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading Scarcely were the children lifted down before Marian had kneeled and taken them in her arms.

plural of “body” — the entire physical structure of an organism (an animal, plant, or human being)

From this reading It was when the great French surgeon looked upon these--little tots whose minds were shattered by cruelties purposely conceived for them, and whose bodies were starved to skeleton thinness in order that thieves and degenerates might grow fat--that he swore a mighty oath and buried his face in his hands.

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

From this reading Quicker than Bonsecours she had read the story of their destruction, and now sobbed over them as though her heart would break.

terminate

From this reading Quicker than Bonsecours she had read the story of their destruction, and now sobbed over them as though her heart would break.

placed in a grave

From this reading It was when the great French surgeon looked upon these--little tots whose minds were shattered by cruelties purposely conceived for them, and whose bodies were starved to skeleton thinness in order that thieves and degenerates might grow fat--that he swore a mighty oath and buried his face in his hands.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading One had clasped her neck, but the other two, unable to stand, merely stared with wide-open eyes devoid of the slightest understanding.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading It was when the great French surgeon looked upon these--little tots whose minds were shattered by cruelties purposely conceived for them, and whose bodies were starved to skeleton thinness in order that thieves and degenerates might grow fat--that he swore a mighty oath and buried his face in his hands.

plural of “child” — a young person of either sex

From this reading Scarcely were the children lifted down before Marian had kneeled and taken them in her arms.

past form of “clasp” — hold firmly and tightly

From this reading One had clasped her neck, but the other two, unable to stand, merely stared with wide-open eyes devoid of the slightest understanding.

past form of “conceive” — have the idea for

From this reading It was when the great French surgeon looked upon these--little tots whose minds were shattered by cruelties purposely conceived for them, and whose bodies were starved to skeleton thinness in order that thieves and degenerates might grow fat--that he swore a mighty oath and buried his face in his hands.

plural of “cruelty” — a cruel act; a deliberate infliction of pain and suffering

From this reading It was when the great French surgeon looked upon these--little tots whose minds were shattered by cruelties purposely conceived for them, and whose bodies were starved to skeleton thinness in order that thieves and degenerates might grow fat--that he swore a mighty oath and buried his face in his hands.

plural of “degenerate” — a person whose behavior deviates from what is acceptable especially in sexual behavior

From this reading It was when the great French surgeon looked upon these--little tots whose minds were shattered by cruelties purposely conceived for them, and whose bodies were starved to skeleton thinness in order that thieves and degenerates might grow fat--that he swore a mighty oath and buried his face in his hands.

the termination of something by causing so much damage to it that it cannot be repaired or no longer exists

From this reading Quicker than Bonsecours she had read the story of their destruction, and now sobbed over them as though her heart would break.

completely wanting or lacking

From this reading One had clasped her neck, but the other two, unable to stand, merely stared with wide-open eyes devoid of the slightest understanding.

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

From this reading "_Mon Dieu, mon Dieu_," he muttered fiercely, "how many more will they add to the thousands I have already seen!"

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading Scarcely were the children lifted down before Marian had kneeled and taken them in her arms.

opinion or judgment

From this reading One had clasped her neck, but the other two, unable to stand, merely stared with wide-open eyes devoid of the slightest understanding.

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

From this reading It was when the great French surgeon looked upon these--little tots whose minds were shattered by cruelties purposely conceived for them, and whose bodies were starved to skeleton thinness in order that thieves and degenerates might grow fat--that he swore a mighty oath and buried his face in his hands.

having an (over)abundance of flesh

From this reading It was when the great French surgeon looked upon these--little tots whose minds were shattered by cruelties purposely conceived for them, and whose bodies were starved to skeleton thinness in order that thieves and degenerates might grow fat--that he swore a mighty oath and buried his face in his hands.

in a physically fierce manner

From this reading "_Mon Dieu, mon Dieu_," he muttered fiercely, "how many more will they add to the thousands I have already seen!"

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading It was when the great French surgeon looked upon these--little tots whose minds were shattered by cruelties purposely conceived for them, and whose bodies were starved to skeleton thinness in order that thieves and degenerates might grow fat--that he swore a mighty oath and buried his face in his hands.

the Romance language spoken in France and in countries colonized by France

From this reading It was when the great French surgeon looked upon these--little tots whose minds were shattered by cruelties purposely conceived for them, and whose bodies were starved to skeleton thinness in order that thieves and degenerates might grow fat--that he swore a mighty oath and buried his face in his hands.

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

From this reading It was when the great French surgeon looked upon these--little tots whose minds were shattered by cruelties purposely conceived for them, and whose bodies were starved to skeleton thinness in order that thieves and degenerates might grow fat--that he swore a mighty oath and buried his face in his hands.

pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become

From this reading It was when the great French surgeon looked upon these--little tots whose minds were shattered by cruelties purposely conceived for them, and whose bodies were starved to skeleton thinness in order that thieves and degenerates might grow fat--that he swore a mighty oath and buried his face in his hands.

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

From this reading Scarcely were the children lifted down before Marian had kneeled and taken them in her arms.

(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child

From this reading It was when the great French surgeon looked upon these--little tots whose minds were shattered by cruelties purposely conceived for them, and whose bodies were starved to skeleton thinness in order that thieves and degenerates might grow fat--that he swore a mighty oath and buried his face in his hands.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading "_Mon Dieu, mon Dieu_," he muttered fiercely, "how many more will they add to the thousands I have already seen!"

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

From this reading It was when the great French surgeon looked upon these--little tots whose minds were shattered by cruelties purposely conceived for them, and whose bodies were starved to skeleton thinness in order that thieves and degenerates might grow fat--that he swore a mighty oath and buried his face in his hands.

the locus of feelings and intuitions

From this reading Quicker than Bonsecours she had read the story of their destruction, and now sobbed over them as though her heart would break.

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

From this reading Scarcely were the children lifted down before Marian had kneeled and taken them in her arms.

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

From this reading It was when the great French surgeon looked upon these--little tots whose minds were shattered by cruelties purposely conceived for them, and whose bodies were starved to skeleton thinness in order that thieves and degenerates might grow fat--that he swore a mighty oath and buried his face in his hands.

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

From this reading "_Mon Dieu, mon Dieu_," he muttered fiercely, "how many more will they add to the thousands I have already seen!"

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

From this reading "_Mon Dieu, mon Dieu_," he muttered fiercely, "how many more will they add to the thousands I have already seen!"

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

From this reading Scarcely were the children lifted down before Marian had kneeled and taken them in her arms.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was when the great French surgeon looked upon these--little tots whose minds were shattered by cruelties purposely conceived for them, and whose bodies were starved to skeleton thinness in order that thieves and degenerates might grow fat--that he swore a mighty oath and buried his face in his hands.

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

From this reading Scarcely were the children lifted down before Marian had kneeled and taken them in her arms.

held up in the air

From this reading Scarcely were the children lifted down before Marian had kneeled and taken them in her arms.

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

From this reading It was when the great French surgeon looked upon these--little tots whose minds were shattered by cruelties purposely conceived for them, and whose bodies were starved to skeleton thinness in order that thieves and degenerates might grow fat--that he swore a mighty oath and buried his face in his hands.

past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading It was when the great French surgeon looked upon these--little tots whose minds were shattered by cruelties purposely conceived for them, and whose bodies were starved to skeleton thinness in order that thieves and degenerates might grow fat--that he swore a mighty oath and buried his face in his hands.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number

From this reading "_Mon Dieu, mon Dieu_," he muttered fiercely, "how many more will they add to the thousands I have already seen!"

of or relating to or venerating the Virgin Mary

From this reading Scarcely were the children lifted down before Marian had kneeled and taken them in her arms.

and nothing more

From this reading One had clasped her neck, but the other two, unable to stand, merely stared with wide-open eyes devoid of the slightest understanding.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading It was when the great French surgeon looked upon these--little tots whose minds were shattered by cruelties purposely conceived for them, and whose bodies were starved to skeleton thinness in order that thieves and degenerates might grow fat--that he swore a mighty oath and buried his face in his hands.

having or showing great strength or force or intensity

From this reading It was when the great French surgeon looked upon these--little tots whose minds were shattered by cruelties purposely conceived for them, and whose bodies were starved to skeleton thinness in order that thieves and degenerates might grow fat--that he swore a mighty oath and buried his face in his hands.

plural of “mind” — that which is responsible for one's thoughts, feelings, and conscious brain functions; the seat of the faculty of reason

From this reading It was when the great French surgeon looked upon these--little tots whose minds were shattered by cruelties purposely conceived for them, and whose bodies were starved to skeleton thinness in order that thieves and degenerates might grow fat--that he swore a mighty oath and buried his face in his hands.

the second day of the week; the first working day

From this reading "_Mon Dieu, mon Dieu_," he muttered fiercely, "how many more will they add to the thousands I have already seen!"

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

From this reading "_Mon Dieu, mon Dieu_," he muttered fiercely, "how many more will they add to the thousands I have already seen!"

past form of “mutter” — talk indistinctly; usually in a low voice

From this reading "_Mon Dieu, mon Dieu_," he muttered fiercely, "how many more will they add to the thousands I have already seen!"

the part of an organism (human or animal) that connects the head to the rest of the body

From this reading One had clasped her neck, but the other two, unable to stand, merely stared with wide-open eyes devoid of the slightest understanding.

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

From this reading Quicker than Bonsecours she had read the story of their destruction, and now sobbed over them as though her heart would break.

profane or obscene expression usually of surprise or anger

From this reading It was when the great French surgeon looked upon these--little tots whose minds were shattered by cruelties purposely conceived for them, and whose bodies were starved to skeleton thinness in order that thieves and degenerates might grow fat--that he swore a mighty oath and buried his face in his hands.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Quicker than Bonsecours she had read the story of their destruction, and now sobbed over them as though her heart would break.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading One had clasped her neck, but the other two, unable to stand, merely stared with wide-open eyes devoid of the slightest understanding.

(often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed

From this reading It was when the great French surgeon looked upon these--little tots whose minds were shattered by cruelties purposely conceived for them, and whose bodies were starved to skeleton thinness in order that thieves and degenerates might grow fat--that he swore a mighty oath and buried his face in his hands.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading One had clasped her neck, but the other two, unable to stand, merely stared with wide-open eyes devoid of the slightest understanding.

above and across; more than

From this reading Quicker than Bonsecours she had read the story of their destruction, and now sobbed over them as though her heart would break.

with intention; in an intentional manner

From this reading It was when the great French surgeon looked upon these--little tots whose minds were shattered by cruelties purposely conceived for them, and whose bodies were starved to skeleton thinness in order that thieves and degenerates might grow fat--that he swore a mighty oath and buried his face in his hands.

more quickly

From this reading Quicker than Bonsecours she had read the story of their destruction, and now sobbed over them as though her heart would break.

interpret something that is written or printed

From this reading Quicker than Bonsecours she had read the story of their destruction, and now sobbed over them as though her heart would break.

only a very short time before

From this reading Scarcely were the children lifted down before Marian had kneeled and taken them in her arms.

inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading "_Mon Dieu, mon Dieu_," he muttered fiercely, "how many more will they add to the thousands I have already seen!"

ruined or disrupted

From this reading It was when the great French surgeon looked upon these--little tots whose minds were shattered by cruelties purposely conceived for them, and whose bodies were starved to skeleton thinness in order that thieves and degenerates might grow fat--that he swore a mighty oath and buried his face in his hands.

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading Quicker than Bonsecours she had read the story of their destruction, and now sobbed over them as though her heart would break.

something reduced to its minimal form

From this reading It was when the great French surgeon looked upon these--little tots whose minds were shattered by cruelties purposely conceived for them, and whose bodies were starved to skeleton thinness in order that thieves and degenerates might grow fat--that he swore a mighty oath and buried his face in his hands.

superlative of “slight” — (quantifier used with mass nouns) small in quantity or degree; not much or almost none or (with “a”) at least some

From this reading One had clasped her neck, but the other two, unable to stand, merely stared with wide-open eyes devoid of the slightest understanding.

inflected form of “sob” — weep convulsively

From this reading Quicker than Bonsecours she had read the story of their destruction, and now sobbed over them as though her heart would break.

be standing; be upright

From this reading One had clasped her neck, but the other two, unable to stand, merely stared with wide-open eyes devoid of the slightest understanding.

past form of “stare” — look at with fixed eyes

From this reading One had clasped her neck, but the other two, unable to stand, merely stared with wide-open eyes devoid of the slightest understanding.

suffering from lack of food

From this reading It was when the great French surgeon looked upon these--little tots whose minds were shattered by cruelties purposely conceived for them, and whose bodies were starved to skeleton thinness in order that thieves and degenerates might grow fat--that he swore a mighty oath and buried his face in his hands.

a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program

From this reading Quicker than Bonsecours she had read the story of their destruction, and now sobbed over them as though her heart would break.

a physician who specializes in surgery

From this reading It was when the great French surgeon looked upon these--little tots whose minds were shattered by cruelties purposely conceived for them, and whose bodies were starved to skeleton thinness in order that thieves and degenerates might grow fat--that he swore a mighty oath and buried his face in his hands.

inflected form of “swear” — utter obscenities or profanities

From this reading It was when the great French surgeon looked upon these--little tots whose minds were shattered by cruelties purposely conceived for them, and whose bodies were starved to skeleton thinness in order that thieves and degenerates might grow fat--that he swore a mighty oath and buried his face in his hands.

understood in a certain way; made sense of

From this reading Scarcely were the children lifted down before Marian had kneeled and taken them in her arms.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading Quicker than Bonsecours she had read the story of their destruction, and now sobbed over them as though her heart would break.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading It was when the great French surgeon looked upon these--little tots whose minds were shattered by cruelties purposely conceived for them, and whose bodies were starved to skeleton thinness in order that thieves and degenerates might grow fat--that he swore a mighty oath and buried his face in his hands.

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

From this reading Scarcely were the children lifted down before Marian had kneeled and taken them in her arms.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Quicker than Bonsecours she had read the story of their destruction, and now sobbed over them as though her heart would break.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading Scarcely were the children lifted down before Marian had kneeled and taken them in her arms.

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading It was when the great French surgeon looked upon these--little tots whose minds were shattered by cruelties purposely conceived for them, and whose bodies were starved to skeleton thinness in order that thieves and degenerates might grow fat--that he swore a mighty oath and buried his face in his hands.

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

From this reading "_Mon Dieu, mon Dieu_," he muttered fiercely, "how many more will they add to the thousands I have already seen!"

plural of “thief” — a criminal who takes property belonging to someone else with the intention of keeping it or selling it

From this reading It was when the great French surgeon looked upon these--little tots whose minds were shattered by cruelties purposely conceived for them, and whose bodies were starved to skeleton thinness in order that thieves and degenerates might grow fat--that he swore a mighty oath and buried his face in his hands.

relatively small dimension through an object as opposed to its length or width

From this reading It was when the great French surgeon looked upon these--little tots whose minds were shattered by cruelties purposely conceived for them, and whose bodies were starved to skeleton thinness in order that thieves and degenerates might grow fat--that he swore a mighty oath and buried his face in his hands.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading Quicker than Bonsecours she had read the story of their destruction, and now sobbed over them as though her heart would break.

plural of “thousand” — the cardinal number that is the product of 10 and 100

From this reading "_Mon Dieu, mon Dieu_," he muttered fiercely, "how many more will they add to the thousands I have already seen!"

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

From this reading One had clasped her neck, but the other two, unable to stand, merely stared with wide-open eyes devoid of the slightest understanding.

plural of “tot” — a small amount (especially of a drink)

From this reading It was when the great French surgeon looked upon these--little tots whose minds were shattered by cruelties purposely conceived for them, and whose bodies were starved to skeleton thinness in order that thieves and degenerates might grow fat--that he swore a mighty oath and buried his face in his hands.

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

From this reading One had clasped her neck, but the other two, unable to stand, merely stared with wide-open eyes devoid of the slightest understanding.

(usually followed by “to”) not having the necessary means or skill or know-how

From this reading One had clasped her neck, but the other two, unable to stand, merely stared with wide-open eyes devoid of the slightest understanding.

the cognitive condition of someone who understands

From this reading One had clasped her neck, but the other two, unable to stand, merely stared with wide-open eyes devoid of the slightest understanding.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading It was when the great French surgeon looked upon these--little tots whose minds were shattered by cruelties purposely conceived for them, and whose bodies were starved to skeleton thinness in order that thieves and degenerates might grow fat--that he swore a mighty oath and buried his face in his hands.

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

From this reading It was when the great French surgeon looked upon these--little tots whose minds were shattered by cruelties purposely conceived for them, and whose bodies were starved to skeleton thinness in order that thieves and degenerates might grow fat--that he swore a mighty oath and buried his face in his hands.

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading Scarcely were the children lifted down before Marian had kneeled and taken them in her arms.

at the time that

From this reading It was when the great French surgeon looked upon these--little tots whose minds were shattered by cruelties purposely conceived for them, and whose bodies were starved to skeleton thinness in order that thieves and degenerates might grow fat--that he swore a mighty oath and buried his face in his hands.

belonging to which person

From this reading It was when the great French surgeon looked upon these--little tots whose minds were shattered by cruelties purposely conceived for them, and whose bodies were starved to skeleton thinness in order that thieves and degenerates might grow fat--that he swore a mighty oath and buried his face in his hands.

open wide

From this reading One had clasped her neck, but the other two, unable to stand, merely stared with wide-open eyes devoid of the slightest understanding.

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading "_Mon Dieu, mon Dieu_," he muttered fiercely, "how many more will they add to the thousands I have already seen!"

in the company of; together with

From this reading One had clasped her neck, but the other two, unable to stand, merely stared with wide-open eyes devoid of the slightest understanding.

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

From this reading Quicker than Bonsecours she had read the story of their destruction, and now sobbed over them as though her heart would break.