Chapter XXXIV · Chapter 34

(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something

From this reading Not until Charley’s absence was, as it were, so far established and accepted that hope had begun to assert itself against memory; that is, not until the form of Charley ceased to wander with despairful visage behind me and began to rise amongst the silvery mists before me, was I able to invent once more, or even to guide the pen with certainty over the paper.

the state of being absent

From this reading Not until Charley’s absence was, as it were, so far established and accepted that hope had begun to assert itself against memory; that is, not until the form of Charley ceased to wander with despairful visage behind me and began to rise amongst the silvery mists before me, was I able to invent once more, or even to guide the pen with certainty over the paper.

generally approved or compelling recognition

From this reading Not until Charley’s absence was, as it were, so far established and accepted that hope had begun to assert itself against memory; that is, not until the form of Charley ceased to wander with despairful visage behind me and began to rise amongst the silvery mists before me, was I able to invent once more, or even to guide the pen with certainty over the paper.

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading Not until Charley’s absence was, as it were, so far established and accepted that hope had begun to assert itself against memory; that is, not until the form of Charley ceased to wander with despairful visage behind me and began to rise amongst the silvery mists before me, was I able to invent once more, or even to guide the pen with certainty over the paper.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading Although Mary had hardly been out of my thoughts, I had heard no word of her since her brother’s death.

surrounded by; in the company of

From this reading Not until Charley’s absence was, as it were, so far established and accepted that hope had begun to assert itself against memory; that is, not until the form of Charley ceased to wander with despairful visage behind me and began to rise amongst the silvery mists before me, was I able to invent once more, or even to guide the pen with certainty over the paper.

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

From this reading ATTEMPTS AND COINCIDENCES.

one more of the same kind, or a different one

From this reading The moment, however, that I took the pen in my hand another necessity seized me.

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

From this reading Not until Charley’s absence was, as it were, so far established and accepted that hope had begun to assert itself against memory; that is, not until the form of Charley ceased to wander with despairful visage behind me and began to rise amongst the silvery mists before me, was I able to invent once more, or even to guide the pen with certainty over the paper.

state categorically

From this reading Not until Charley’s absence was, as it were, so far established and accepted that hope had begun to assert itself against memory; that is, not until the form of Charley ceased to wander with despairful visage behind me and began to rise amongst the silvery mists before me, was I able to invent once more, or even to guide the pen with certainty over the paper.

plural of “attempt” — earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something

From this reading ATTEMPTS AND COINCIDENCES.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Although Mary had hardly been out of my thoughts, I had heard no word of her since her brother’s death.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading It was months before I could resume my work.

inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

From this reading Not until Charley’s absence was, as it were, so far established and accepted that hope had begun to assert itself against memory; that is, not until the form of Charley ceased to wander with despairful visage behind me and began to rise amongst the silvery mists before me, was I able to invent once more, or even to guide the pen with certainty over the paper.

inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

From this reading Not until Charley’s absence was, as it were, so far established and accepted that hope had begun to assert itself against memory; that is, not until the form of Charley ceased to wander with despairful visage behind me and began to rise amongst the silvery mists before me, was I able to invent once more, or even to guide the pen with certainty over the paper.

at or toward the back of something

From this reading Not until Charley’s absence was, as it were, so far established and accepted that hope had begun to assert itself against memory; that is, not until the form of Charley ceased to wander with despairful visage behind me and began to rise amongst the silvery mists before me, was I able to invent once more, or even to guide the pen with certainty over the paper.

possessive form of “brother” — a male with the same parents as someone else

From this reading Although Mary had hardly been out of my thoughts, I had heard no word of her since her brother’s death.

past form of “cease” — put an end to a state or an activity

From this reading Not until Charley’s absence was, as it were, so far established and accepted that hope had begun to assert itself against memory; that is, not until the form of Charley ceased to wander with despairful visage behind me and began to rise amongst the silvery mists before me, was I able to invent once more, or even to guide the pen with certainty over the paper.

the state of being certain

From this reading Not until Charley’s absence was, as it were, so far established and accepted that hope had begun to assert itself against memory; that is, not until the form of Charley ceased to wander with despairful visage behind me and began to rise amongst the silvery mists before me, was I able to invent once more, or even to guide the pen with certainty over the paper.

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

From this reading Not until Charley’s absence was, as it were, so far established and accepted that hope had begun to assert itself against memory; that is, not until the form of Charley ceased to wander with despairful visage behind me and began to rise amongst the silvery mists before me, was I able to invent once more, or even to guide the pen with certainty over the paper.

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

From this reading Not until Charley’s absence was, as it were, so far established and accepted that hope had begun to assert itself against memory; that is, not until the form of Charley ceased to wander with despairful visage behind me and began to rise amongst the silvery mists before me, was I able to invent once more, or even to guide the pen with certainty over the paper.

plural of “coincidence” — an event that might have been arranged although it was really accidental

From this reading ATTEMPTS AND COINCIDENCES.

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

From this reading It was months before I could resume my work.

the event of dying or departure from life

From this reading Although Mary had hardly been out of my thoughts, I had heard no word of her since her brother’s death.

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

From this reading Not until Charley’s absence was, as it were, so far established and accepted that hope had begun to assert itself against memory; that is, not until the form of Charley ceased to wander with despairful visage behind me and began to rise amongst the silvery mists before me, was I able to invent once more, or even to guide the pen with certainty over the paper.

brought about or set up or accepted; especially long established

From this reading Not until Charley’s absence was, as it were, so far established and accepted that hope had begun to assert itself against memory; that is, not until the form of Charley ceased to wander with despairful visage behind me and began to rise amongst the silvery mists before me, was I able to invent once more, or even to guide the pen with certainty over the paper.

divisible by two

From this reading Not until Charley’s absence was, as it were, so far established and accepted that hope had begun to assert itself against memory; that is, not until the form of Charley ceased to wander with despairful visage behind me and began to rise amongst the silvery mists before me, was I able to invent once more, or even to guide the pen with certainty over the paper.

to a considerable degree; very much

From this reading Not until Charley’s absence was, as it were, so far established and accepted that hope had begun to assert itself against memory; that is, not until the form of Charley ceased to wander with despairful visage behind me and began to rise amongst the silvery mists before me, was I able to invent once more, or even to guide the pen with certainty over the paper.

the phonological or orthographic sound or appearance of a word that can be used to describe or identify something

From this reading Not until Charley’s absence was, as it were, so far established and accepted that hope had begun to assert itself against memory; that is, not until the form of Charley ceased to wander with despairful visage behind me and began to rise amongst the silvery mists before me, was I able to invent once more, or even to guide the pen with certainty over the paper.

someone employed to conduct others

From this reading Not until Charley’s absence was, as it were, so far established and accepted that hope had begun to assert itself against memory; that is, not until the form of Charley ceased to wander with despairful visage behind me and began to rise amongst the silvery mists before me, was I able to invent once more, or even to guide the pen with certainty over the paper.

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

From this reading Not until Charley’s absence was, as it were, so far established and accepted that hope had begun to assert itself against memory; that is, not until the form of Charley ceased to wander with despairful visage behind me and began to rise amongst the silvery mists before me, was I able to invent once more, or even to guide the pen with certainty over the paper.

the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb

From this reading The moment, however, that I took the pen in my hand another necessity seized me.

only a very short time before

From this reading Although Mary had hardly been out of my thoughts, I had heard no word of her since her brother’s death.

detected or perceived by the sense of hearing

From this reading Although Mary had hardly been out of my thoughts, I had heard no word of her since her brother’s death.

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

From this reading Although Mary had hardly been out of my thoughts, I had heard no word of her since her brother’s death.

a specific instance of feeling hopeful

From this reading Not until Charley’s absence was, as it were, so far established and accepted that hope had begun to assert itself against memory; that is, not until the form of Charley ceased to wander with despairful visage behind me and began to rise amongst the silvery mists before me, was I able to invent once more, or even to guide the pen with certainty over the paper.

used to add a contrasting statement

From this reading The moment, however, that I took the pen in my hand another necessity seized me.

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

From this reading It was months before I could resume my work.

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

From this reading The moment, however, that I took the pen in my hand another necessity seized me.

come up with (an idea, plan, explanation, theory, or principle) after a mental effort

From this reading Not until Charley’s absence was, as it were, so far established and accepted that hope had begun to assert itself against memory; that is, not until the form of Charley ceased to wander with despairful visage behind me and began to rise amongst the silvery mists before me, was I able to invent once more, or even to guide the pen with certainty over the paper.

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

From this reading Not until Charley’s absence was, as it were, so far established and accepted that hope had begun to assert itself against memory; that is, not until the form of Charley ceased to wander with despairful visage behind me and began to rise amongst the silvery mists before me, was I able to invent once more, or even to guide the pen with certainty over the paper.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was months before I could resume my work.

used when the thing doing the action is also its object

From this reading Not until Charley’s absence was, as it were, so far established and accepted that hope had begun to assert itself against memory; that is, not until the form of Charley ceased to wander with despairful visage behind me and began to rise amongst the silvery mists before me, was I able to invent once more, or even to guide the pen with certainty over the paper.

the mother of Jesus; Christians refer to her as the Virgin Mary; she is especially honored by Roman Catholics

From this reading Although Mary had hardly been out of my thoughts, I had heard no word of her since her brother’s death.

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

From this reading Not until Charley’s absence was, as it were, so far established and accepted that hope had begun to assert itself against memory; that is, not until the form of Charley ceased to wander with despairful visage behind me and began to rise amongst the silvery mists before me, was I able to invent once more, or even to guide the pen with certainty over the paper.

The faculty by which the mind stores and remembers information and knowledge.

From this reading Not until Charley’s absence was, as it were, so far established and accepted that hope had begun to assert itself against memory; that is, not until the form of Charley ceased to wander with despairful visage behind me and began to rise amongst the silvery mists before me, was I able to invent once more, or even to guide the pen with certainty over the paper.

plural of “mist” — a thin fog with condensation near the ground

From this reading Not until Charley’s absence was, as it were, so far established and accepted that hope had begun to assert itself against memory; that is, not until the form of Charley ceased to wander with despairful visage behind me and began to rise amongst the silvery mists before me, was I able to invent once more, or even to guide the pen with certainty over the paper.

a particular point in time

From this reading The moment, however, that I took the pen in my hand another necessity seized me.

plural of “month” — one of the twelve divisions of the calendar year

From this reading It was months before I could resume my work.

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

From this reading Not until Charley’s absence was, as it were, so far established and accepted that hope had begun to assert itself against memory; that is, not until the form of Charley ceased to wander with despairful visage behind me and began to rise amongst the silvery mists before me, was I able to invent once more, or even to guide the pen with certainty over the paper.

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading It was months before I could resume my work.

the condition of being essential or indispensable

From this reading The moment, however, that I took the pen in my hand another necessity seized me.

not any; not one

From this reading Although Mary had hardly been out of my thoughts, I had heard no word of her since her brother’s death.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Not until Charley’s absence was, as it were, so far established and accepted that hope had begun to assert itself against memory; that is, not until the form of Charley ceased to wander with despairful visage behind me and began to rise amongst the silvery mists before me, was I able to invent once more, or even to guide the pen with certainty over the paper.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Not until Charley’s absence was, as it were, so far established and accepted that hope had begun to assert itself against memory; that is, not until the form of Charley ceased to wander with despairful visage behind me and began to rise amongst the silvery mists before me, was I able to invent once more, or even to guide the pen with certainty over the paper.

on one occasion

From this reading Not until Charley’s absence was, as it were, so far established and accepted that hope had begun to assert itself against memory; that is, not until the form of Charley ceased to wander with despairful visage behind me and began to rise amongst the silvery mists before me, was I able to invent once more, or even to guide the pen with certainty over the paper.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Not until Charley’s absence was, as it were, so far established and accepted that hope had begun to assert itself against memory; that is, not until the form of Charley ceased to wander with despairful visage behind me and began to rise amongst the silvery mists before me, was I able to invent once more, or even to guide the pen with certainty over the paper.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading Although Mary had hardly been out of my thoughts, I had heard no word of her since her brother’s death.

above and across; more than

From this reading Not until Charley’s absence was, as it were, so far established and accepted that hope had begun to assert itself against memory; that is, not until the form of Charley ceased to wander with despairful visage behind me and began to rise amongst the silvery mists before me, was I able to invent once more, or even to guide the pen with certainty over the paper.

a material made of cellulose pulp derived mainly from wood or rags or certain grasses

From this reading Not until Charley’s absence was, as it were, so far established and accepted that hope had begun to assert itself against memory; that is, not until the form of Charley ceased to wander with despairful visage behind me and began to rise amongst the silvery mists before me, was I able to invent once more, or even to guide the pen with certainty over the paper.

a writing implement with a point from which ink flows

From this reading Not until Charley’s absence was, as it were, so far established and accepted that hope had begun to assert itself against memory; that is, not until the form of Charley ceased to wander with despairful visage behind me and began to rise amongst the silvery mists before me, was I able to invent once more, or even to guide the pen with certainty over the paper.

take up or begin anew

From this reading It was months before I could resume my work.

move upward

From this reading Not until Charley’s absence was, as it were, so far established and accepted that hope had begun to assert itself against memory; that is, not until the form of Charley ceased to wander with despairful visage behind me and began to rise amongst the silvery mists before me, was I able to invent once more, or even to guide the pen with certainty over the paper.

past form of “seize” — take hold of; grab

From this reading The moment, however, that I took the pen in my hand another necessity seized me.

resembling or reminiscent of silver

From this reading Not until Charley’s absence was, as it were, so far established and accepted that hope had begun to assert itself against memory; that is, not until the form of Charley ceased to wander with despairful visage behind me and began to rise amongst the silvery mists before me, was I able to invent once more, or even to guide the pen with certainty over the paper.

from a time in the past until now

From this reading Although Mary had hardly been out of my thoughts, I had heard no word of her since her brother’s death.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Not until Charley’s absence was, as it were, so far established and accepted that hope had begun to assert itself against memory; that is, not until the form of Charley ceased to wander with despairful visage behind me and began to rise amongst the silvery mists before me, was I able to invent once more, or even to guide the pen with certainty over the paper.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Not until Charley’s absence was, as it were, so far established and accepted that hope had begun to assert itself against memory; that is, not until the form of Charley ceased to wander with despairful visage behind me and began to rise amongst the silvery mists before me, was I able to invent once more, or even to guide the pen with certainty over the paper.

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

From this reading Not until Charley’s absence was, as it were, so far established and accepted that hope had begun to assert itself against memory; that is, not until the form of Charley ceased to wander with despairful visage behind me and began to rise amongst the silvery mists before me, was I able to invent once more, or even to guide the pen with certainty over the paper.

plural of “thought” — the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about

From this reading Although Mary had hardly been out of my thoughts, I had heard no word of her since her brother’s death.

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

From this reading Not until Charley’s absence was, as it were, so far established and accepted that hope had begun to assert itself against memory; that is, not until the form of Charley ceased to wander with despairful visage behind me and began to rise amongst the silvery mists before me, was I able to invent once more, or even to guide the pen with certainty over the paper.

inflected form of “take” — carry out

From this reading The moment, however, that I took the pen in my hand another necessity seized me.

up to a particular time

From this reading Not until Charley’s absence was, as it were, so far established and accepted that hope had begun to assert itself against memory; that is, not until the form of Charley ceased to wander with despairful visage behind me and began to rise amongst the silvery mists before me, was I able to invent once more, or even to guide the pen with certainty over the paper.

the human face (“kisser” and “smiler” and “mug” are informal terms for “face” and “phiz” is British)

From this reading Not until Charley’s absence was, as it were, so far established and accepted that hope had begun to assert itself against memory; that is, not until the form of Charley ceased to wander with despairful visage behind me and began to rise amongst the silvery mists before me, was I able to invent once more, or even to guide the pen with certainty over the paper.

move about aimlessly or without any destination, often in search of food or employment

From this reading Not until Charley’s absence was, as it were, so far established and accepted that hope had begun to assert itself against memory; that is, not until the form of Charley ceased to wander with despairful visage behind me and began to rise amongst the silvery mists before me, was I able to invent once more, or even to guide the pen with certainty over the paper.

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

From this reading It was months before I could resume my work.

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

From this reading Not until Charley’s absence was, as it were, so far established and accepted that hope had begun to assert itself against memory; that is, not until the form of Charley ceased to wander with despairful visage behind me and began to rise amongst the silvery mists before me, was I able to invent once more, or even to guide the pen with certainty over the paper.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Not until Charley’s absence was, as it were, so far established and accepted that hope had begun to assert itself against memory; that is, not until the form of Charley ceased to wander with despairful visage behind me and began to rise amongst the silvery mists before me, was I able to invent once more, or even to guide the pen with certainty over the paper.

a unit of language that native speakers can identify

From this reading Although Mary had hardly been out of my thoughts, I had heard no word of her since her brother’s death.

exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity

From this reading It was months before I could resume my work.