Chapter VIII

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

From this reading He took one swallow himself for courtesy, and sat down, shifting his chair until the delicate flame of a silver wall lamp was behind Ben's head and created around him a golden nimbus that no one but Reuben would see, or seeing, remember.

(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class

From this reading But once settled in the chair at Ben's right, Mr. Shawn appeared to be in no haste at all.

third-person singular of “allow” — make it possible through a specific action or lack of action for something to happen

From this reading "I'm happy we spoke at once of the bright lady, Mr. Kenny, for that allows me to state my business and so have done, and not be outstaying a welcome that's more than kind."

a primeval Egyptian personification of air and breath; worshipped especially at Thebes

From this reading "Amen!"

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

From this reading Shawn jumped up to drink that toast standing, in one draft, and Ben, Reuben saw, could do no less.

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

From this reading But once settled in the chair at Ben's right, Mr. Shawn appeared to be in no haste at all.

surrounding, or on every side of, something

From this reading He took one swallow himself for courtesy, and sat down, shifting his chair until the delicate flame of a silver wall lamp was behind Ben's head and created around him a golden nimbus that no one but Reuben would see, or seeing, remember.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading "I'm happy we spoke at once of the bright lady, Mr. Kenny, for that allows me to state my business and so have done, and not be outstaying a welcome that's more than kind."

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

From this reading "I'm happy we spoke at once of the bright lady, Mr. Kenny, for that allows me to state my business and so have done, and not be outstaying a welcome that's more than kind."

at or toward the back of something

From this reading He took one swallow himself for courtesy, and sat down, shifting his chair until the delicate flame of a silver wall lamp was behind Ben's head and created around him a golden nimbus that no one but Reuben would see, or seeing, remember.

a mountain or tall hill

From this reading Shawn jumped up to drink that toast standing, in one draft, and Ben, Reuben saw, could do no less.

possessive form of “ben” — a mountain or tall hill

From this reading He took one swallow himself for courtesy, and sat down, shifting his chair until the delicate flame of a silver wall lamp was behind Ben's head and created around him a golden nimbus that no one but Reuben would see, or seeing, remember.

emitting or reflecting light readily or in large amounts

From this reading "I'm happy we spoke at once of the bright lady, Mr. Kenny, for that allows me to state my business and so have done, and not be outstaying a welcome that's more than kind."

a commercial or industrial enterprise and the people who constitute it

From this reading "I'm happy we spoke at once of the bright lady, Mr. Kenny, for that allows me to state my business and so have done, and not be outstaying a welcome that's more than kind."

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading He took one swallow himself for courtesy, and sat down, shifting his chair until the delicate flame of a silver wall lamp was behind Ben's head and created around him a golden nimbus that no one but Reuben would see, or seeing, remember.

a seat for one person, with a support for the back

From this reading He took one swallow himself for courtesy, and sat down, shifting his chair until the delicate flame of a silver wall lamp was behind Ben's head and created around him a golden nimbus that no one but Reuben would see, or seeing, remember.

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading Shawn jumped up to drink that toast standing, in one draft, and Ben, Reuben saw, could do no less.

a courteous or respectful or considerate act

From this reading He took one swallow himself for courtesy, and sat down, shifting his chair until the delicate flame of a silver wall lamp was behind Ben's head and created around him a golden nimbus that no one but Reuben would see, or seeing, remember.

past form of “create” — make or cause to be or to become

From this reading He took one swallow himself for courtesy, and sat down, shifting his chair until the delicate flame of a silver wall lamp was behind Ben's head and created around him a golden nimbus that no one but Reuben would see, or seeing, remember.

exquisitely fine and subtle and pleasing; susceptible to injury

From this reading He took one swallow himself for courtesy, and sat down, shifting his chair until the delicate flame of a silver wall lamp was behind Ben's head and created around him a golden nimbus that no one but Reuben would see, or seeing, remember.

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading Shawn jumped up to drink that toast standing, in one draft, and Ben, Reuben saw, could do no less.

having finished or arrived at completion

From this reading "I'm happy we spoke at once of the bright lady, Mr. Kenny, for that allows me to state my business and so have done, and not be outstaying a welcome that's more than kind."

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading He took one swallow himself for courtesy, and sat down, shifting his chair until the delicate flame of a silver wall lamp was behind Ben's head and created around him a golden nimbus that no one but Reuben would see, or seeing, remember.

a document ordering the payment of money; drawn by one person or bank on another

From this reading Shawn jumped up to drink that toast standing, in one draft, and Ben, Reuben saw, could do no less.

take in liquids

From this reading Shawn jumped up to drink that toast standing, in one draft, and Ben, Reuben saw, could do no less.

A hot glowing body of ignited gas produced by fire.

From this reading He took one swallow himself for courtesy, and sat down, shifting his chair until the delicate flame of a silver wall lamp was behind Ben's head and created around him a golden nimbus that no one but Reuben would see, or seeing, remember.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading He took one swallow himself for courtesy, and sat down, shifting his chair until the delicate flame of a silver wall lamp was behind Ben's head and created around him a golden nimbus that no one but Reuben would see, or seeing, remember.

having the deep slightly brownish color of gold

From this reading He took one swallow himself for courtesy, and sat down, shifting his chair until the delicate flame of a silver wall lamp was behind Ben's head and created around him a golden nimbus that no one but Reuben would see, or seeing, remember.

enjoying or showing or marked by joy or pleasure

From this reading "I'm happy we spoke at once of the bright lady, Mr. Kenny, for that allows me to state my business and so have done, and not be outstaying a welcome that's more than kind."

overly eager speed (and possible carelessness)

From this reading But once settled in the chair at Ben's right, Mr. Shawn appeared to be in no haste at all.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading "I'm happy we spoke at once of the bright lady, Mr. Kenny, for that allows me to state my business and so have done, and not be outstaying a welcome that's more than kind."

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

From this reading He took one swallow himself for courtesy, and sat down, shifting his chair until the delicate flame of a silver wall lamp was behind Ben's head and created around him a golden nimbus that no one but Reuben would see, or seeing, remember.

the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains

From this reading He took one swallow himself for courtesy, and sat down, shifting his chair until the delicate flame of a silver wall lamp was behind Ben's head and created around him a golden nimbus that no one but Reuben would see, or seeing, remember.

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

From this reading He took one swallow himself for courtesy, and sat down, shifting his chair until the delicate flame of a silver wall lamp was behind Ben's head and created around him a golden nimbus that no one but Reuben would see, or seeing, remember.

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading He took one swallow himself for courtesy, and sat down, shifting his chair until the delicate flame of a silver wall lamp was behind Ben's head and created around him a golden nimbus that no one but Reuben would see, or seeing, remember.

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

From this reading He took one swallow himself for courtesy, and sat down, shifting his chair until the delicate flame of a silver wall lamp was behind Ben's head and created around him a golden nimbus that no one but Reuben would see, or seeing, remember.

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

From this reading "I'm happy we spoke at once of the bright lady, Mr. Kenny, for that allows me to state my business and so have done, and not be outstaying a welcome that's more than kind."

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

From this reading Shawn jumped up to drink that toast standing, in one draft, and Ben, Reuben saw, could do no less.

past form of “jump” — move forward by leaps and bounds

From this reading Shawn jumped up to drink that toast standing, in one draft, and Ben, Reuben saw, could do no less.

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

From this reading "I'm happy we spoke at once of the bright lady, Mr. Kenny, for that allows me to state my business and so have done, and not be outstaying a welcome that's more than kind."

having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior

From this reading "I'm happy we spoke at once of the bright lady, Mr. Kenny, for that allows me to state my business and so have done, and not be outstaying a welcome that's more than kind."

a polite name for any woman

From this reading "I'm happy we spoke at once of the bright lady, Mr. Kenny, for that allows me to state my business and so have done, and not be outstaying a welcome that's more than kind."

an artificial source of visible illumination

From this reading He took one swallow himself for courtesy, and sat down, shifting his chair until the delicate flame of a silver wall lamp was behind Ben's head and created around him a golden nimbus that no one but Reuben would see, or seeing, remember.

used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs

From this reading Shawn jumped up to drink that toast standing, in one draft, and Ben, Reuben saw, could do no less.

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

From this reading "I'm happy we spoke at once of the bright lady, Mr. Kenny, for that allows me to state my business and so have done, and not be outstaying a welcome that's more than kind."

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

From this reading "I'm happy we spoke at once of the bright lady, Mr. Kenny, for that allows me to state my business and so have done, and not be outstaying a welcome that's more than kind."

a form of address for a man

From this reading "I'm happy we spoke at once of the bright lady, Mr. Kenny, for that allows me to state my business and so have done, and not be outstaying a welcome that's more than kind."

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading "I'm happy we spoke at once of the bright lady, Mr. Kenny, for that allows me to state my business and so have done, and not be outstaying a welcome that's more than kind."

a dark grey cloud bearing rain

From this reading He took one swallow himself for courtesy, and sat down, shifting his chair until the delicate flame of a silver wall lamp was behind Ben's head and created around him a golden nimbus that no one but Reuben would see, or seeing, remember.

not any; not one

From this reading Shawn jumped up to drink that toast standing, in one draft, and Ben, Reuben saw, could do no less.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading "I'm happy we spoke at once of the bright lady, Mr. Kenny, for that allows me to state my business and so have done, and not be outstaying a welcome that's more than kind."

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading He took one swallow himself for courtesy, and sat down, shifting his chair until the delicate flame of a silver wall lamp was behind Ben's head and created around him a golden nimbus that no one but Reuben would see, or seeing, remember.

on one occasion

From this reading "I'm happy we spoke at once of the bright lady, Mr. Kenny, for that allows me to state my business and so have done, and not be outstaying a welcome that's more than kind."

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Shawn jumped up to drink that toast standing, in one draft, and Ben, Reuben saw, could do no less.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading He took one swallow himself for courtesy, and sat down, shifting his chair until the delicate flame of a silver wall lamp was behind Ben's head and created around him a golden nimbus that no one but Reuben would see, or seeing, remember.

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

From this reading "I'm happy we spoke at once of the bright lady, Mr. Kenny, for that allows me to state my business and so have done, and not be outstaying a welcome that's more than kind."

To recall to mind.

From this reading He took one swallow himself for courtesy, and sat down, shifting his chair until the delicate flame of a silver wall lamp was behind Ben's head and created around him a golden nimbus that no one but Reuben would see, or seeing, remember.

(Old Testment) a son of Jacob and forefather of one of the tribes of Israel

From this reading Shawn jumped up to drink that toast standing, in one draft, and Ben, Reuben saw, could do no less.

precisely, exactly

From this reading But once settled in the chair at Ben's right, Mr. Shawn appeared to be in no haste at all.

the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians

From this reading He took one swallow himself for courtesy, and sat down, shifting his chair until the delicate flame of a silver wall lamp was behind Ben's head and created around him a golden nimbus that no one but Reuben would see, or seeing, remember.

cut with a saw

From this reading Shawn jumped up to drink that toast standing, in one draft, and Ben, Reuben saw, could do no less.

perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading He took one swallow himself for courtesy, and sat down, shifting his chair until the delicate flame of a silver wall lamp was behind Ben's head and created around him a golden nimbus that no one but Reuben would see, or seeing, remember.

perception by means of the eyes

From this reading He took one swallow himself for courtesy, and sat down, shifting his chair until the delicate flame of a silver wall lamp was behind Ben's head and created around him a golden nimbus that no one but Reuben would see, or seeing, remember.

established or decided beyond dispute or doubt

From this reading But once settled in the chair at Ben's right, Mr. Shawn appeared to be in no haste at all.

United States dancer and choreographer who collaborated with Ruth Saint Denis (1891-1972)

From this reading Shawn jumped up to drink that toast standing, in one draft, and Ben, Reuben saw, could do no less.

continuously varying

From this reading He took one swallow himself for courtesy, and sat down, shifting his chair until the delicate flame of a silver wall lamp was behind Ben's head and created around him a golden nimbus that no one but Reuben would see, or seeing, remember.

a soft white precious univalent metallic element having the highest electrical and thermal conductivity of any metal; occurs in argentite and in free form; used in coins and jewelry and tableware and photography

From this reading He took one swallow himself for courtesy, and sat down, shifting his chair until the delicate flame of a silver wall lamp was behind Ben's head and created around him a golden nimbus that no one but Reuben would see, or seeing, remember.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading "I'm happy we spoke at once of the bright lady, Mr. Kenny, for that allows me to state my business and so have done, and not be outstaying a welcome that's more than kind."

support consisting of a radial member of a wheel joining the hub to the rim

From this reading "I'm happy we spoke at once of the bright lady, Mr. Kenny, for that allows me to state my business and so have done, and not be outstaying a welcome that's more than kind."

having a supporting base

From this reading Shawn jumped up to drink that toast standing, in one draft, and Ben, Reuben saw, could do no less.

the territory occupied by one of the constituent administrative districts of a nation

From this reading "I'm happy we spoke at once of the bright lady, Mr. Kenny, for that allows me to state my business and so have done, and not be outstaying a welcome that's more than kind."

pass through the esophagus as part of eating or drinking

From this reading He took one swallow himself for courtesy, and sat down, shifting his chair until the delicate flame of a silver wall lamp was behind Ben's head and created around him a golden nimbus that no one but Reuben would see, or seeing, remember.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading "I'm happy we spoke at once of the bright lady, Mr. Kenny, for that allows me to state my business and so have done, and not be outstaying a welcome that's more than kind."

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Shawn jumped up to drink that toast standing, in one draft, and Ben, Reuben saw, could do no less.

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

From this reading "I'm happy we spoke at once of the bright lady, Mr. Kenny, for that allows me to state my business and so have done, and not be outstaying a welcome that's more than kind."

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

From this reading He took one swallow himself for courtesy, and sat down, shifting his chair until the delicate flame of a silver wall lamp was behind Ben's head and created around him a golden nimbus that no one but Reuben would see, or seeing, remember.

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

From this reading Shawn jumped up to drink that toast standing, in one draft, and Ben, Reuben saw, could do no less.

make brown and crisp by heating

From this reading Shawn jumped up to drink that toast standing, in one draft, and Ben, Reuben saw, could do no less.

inflected form of “take” — carry out

From this reading He took one swallow himself for courtesy, and sat down, shifting his chair until the delicate flame of a silver wall lamp was behind Ben's head and created around him a golden nimbus that no one but Reuben would see, or seeing, remember.

up to a particular time

From this reading He took one swallow himself for courtesy, and sat down, shifting his chair until the delicate flame of a silver wall lamp was behind Ben's head and created around him a golden nimbus that no one but Reuben would see, or seeing, remember.

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading Shawn jumped up to drink that toast standing, in one draft, and Ben, Reuben saw, could do no less.

an architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area or to support another structure

From this reading He took one swallow himself for courtesy, and sat down, shifting his chair until the delicate flame of a silver wall lamp was behind Ben's head and created around him a golden nimbus that no one but Reuben would see, or seeing, remember.

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

From this reading He took one swallow himself for courtesy, and sat down, shifting his chair until the delicate flame of a silver wall lamp was behind Ben's head and created around him a golden nimbus that no one but Reuben would see, or seeing, remember.

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading "I'm happy we spoke at once of the bright lady, Mr. Kenny, for that allows me to state my business and so have done, and not be outstaying a welcome that's more than kind."

accept gladly

From this reading "I'm happy we spoke at once of the bright lady, Mr. Kenny, for that allows me to state my business and so have done, and not be outstaying a welcome that's more than kind."

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

From this reading He took one swallow himself for courtesy, and sat down, shifting his chair until the delicate flame of a silver wall lamp was behind Ben's head and created around him a golden nimbus that no one but Reuben would see, or seeing, remember.