Chapter XIV · Chapter 14

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

From this reading "He seems to be a pleasant fellow," Fergus said, "and disposed to do his best to make us comfortable; so if we don't see any chance of getting away, we shall be able to get through the winter very fairly."

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

From this reading "He seems to be a pleasant fellow," Fergus said, "and disposed to do his best to make us comfortable; so if we don't see any chance of getting away, we shall be able to get through the winter very fairly."

deserving of the highest esteem or admiration

From this reading The discipline of the Prussian army is admirable, and must, as a rule, be most stringently maintained by all sorts of forms and observances; but here by our three selves, confined in this casemate for no one can say how long, it is ridiculous that we should be always stiff and ceremonious.

(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 The discipline of the Prussian army is admirable, and must, as a rule, be most stringently maintained by all sorts of forms and observances; but here by our three selves, confined in this casemate for no one can say how long, it is ridiculous that we should be always stiff and ceremonious.

at all times; all the time and on every occasion

From this reading The discipline of the Prussian army is admirable, and must, as a rule, be most stringently maintained by all sorts of forms and observances; but here by our three selves, confined in this casemate for no one can say how long, it is ridiculous that we should be always stiff and ceremonious.

the form of “be” used with “I”

From this reading You are both some years older than I am.

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

From this reading "He seems to be a pleasant fellow," Fergus said, "and disposed to do his best to make us comfortable; so if we don't see any chance of getting away, we shall be able to get through the winter very fairly."

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading "He seems to be a pleasant fellow," Fergus said, "and disposed to do his best to make us comfortable; so if we don't see any chance of getting away, we shall be able to get through the winter very fairly."

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

From this reading "Pray, drop the major, Captain Stauffen, and let us call each other by our names, while we are here.

a permanent organization of the military land forces of a nation or state

From this reading The discipline of the Prussian army is admirable, and must, as a rule, be most stringently maintained by all sorts of forms and observances; but here by our three selves, confined in this casemate for no one can say how long, it is ridiculous that we should be always stiff and ceremonious.

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

From this reading The discipline of the Prussian army is admirable, and must, as a rule, be most stringently maintained by all sorts of forms and observances; but here by our three selves, confined in this casemate for no one can say how long, it is ridiculous that we should be always stiff and ceremonious.

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading "He seems to be a pleasant fellow," Fergus said, "and disposed to do his best to make us comfortable; so if we don't see any chance of getting away, we shall be able to get through the winter very fairly."

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

From this reading "He seems to be a pleasant fellow," Fergus said, "and disposed to do his best to make us comfortable; so if we don't see any chance of getting away, we shall be able to get through the winter very fairly."

the supreme effort one can make

From this reading "He seems to be a pleasant fellow," Fergus said, "and disposed to do his best to make us comfortable; so if we don't see any chance of getting away, we shall be able to get through the winter very fairly."

the two together, not just one

From this reading You are both some years older than I am.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading The discipline of the Prussian army is admirable, and must, as a rule, be most stringently maintained by all sorts of forms and observances; but here by our three selves, confined in this casemate for no one can say how long, it is ridiculous that we should be always stiff and ceremonious.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading "Pray, drop the major, Captain Stauffen, and let us call each other by our names, while we are here.

assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading "Pray, drop the major, Captain Stauffen, and let us call each other by our names, while we are here.

to be able to, or to be allowed to

From this reading The discipline of the Prussian army is admirable, and must, as a rule, be most stringently maintained by all sorts of forms and observances; but here by our three selves, confined in this casemate for no one can say how long, it is ridiculous that we should be always stiff and ceremonious.

an officer holding a rank below a major but above a lieutenant

From this reading "Pray, drop the major, Captain Stauffen, and let us call each other by our names, while we are here.

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

From this reading The discipline of the Prussian army is admirable, and must, as a rule, be most stringently maintained by all sorts of forms and observances; but here by our three selves, confined in this casemate for no one can say how long, it is ridiculous that we should be always stiff and ceremonious.

characterized by pomp and ceremony and stately display

From this reading The discipline of the Prussian army is admirable, and must, as a rule, be most stringently maintained by all sorts of forms and observances; but here by our three selves, confined in this casemate for no one can say how long, it is ridiculous that we should be always stiff and ceremonious.

a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances

From this reading "He seems to be a pleasant fellow," Fergus said, "and disposed to do his best to make us comfortable; so if we don't see any chance of getting away, we shall be able to get through the winter very fairly."

providing or experiencing physical well-being or relief (“comfy” is informal)

From this reading "He seems to be a pleasant fellow," Fergus said, "and disposed to do his best to make us comfortable; so if we don't see any chance of getting away, we shall be able to get through the winter very fairly."

not invading healthy tissue

From this reading The discipline of the Prussian army is admirable, and must, as a rule, be most stringently maintained by all sorts of forms and observances; but here by our three selves, confined in this casemate for no one can say how long, it is ridiculous that we should be always stiff and ceremonious.

a branch of knowledge

From this reading The discipline of the Prussian army is admirable, and must, as a rule, be most stringently maintained by all sorts of forms and observances; but here by our three selves, confined in this casemate for no one can say how long, it is ridiculous that we should be always stiff and ceremonious.

having made preparations

From this reading "He seems to be a pleasant fellow," Fergus said, "and disposed to do his best to make us comfortable; so if we don't see any chance of getting away, we shall be able to get through the winter very fairly."

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading "He seems to be a pleasant fellow," Fergus said, "and disposed to do his best to make us comfortable; so if we don't see any chance of getting away, we shall be able to get through the winter very fairly."

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

From this reading "He seems to be a pleasant fellow," Fergus said, "and disposed to do his best to make us comfortable; so if we don't see any chance of getting away, we shall be able to get through the winter very fairly."

let fall to the ground

From this reading "Pray, drop the major, Captain Stauffen, and let us call each other by our names, while we are here.

every one of two or more people or things, taken separately

From this reading "Pray, drop the major, Captain Stauffen, and let us call each other by our names, while we are here.

the act of escaping physically

From this reading "You don't think there is any chance of escape, surely, major?"

to certain extent or degree

From this reading "He seems to be a pleasant fellow," Fergus said, "and disposed to do his best to make us comfortable; so if we don't see any chance of getting away, we shall be able to get through the winter very fairly."

a boy or man

From this reading "He seems to be a pleasant fellow," Fergus said, "and disposed to do his best to make us comfortable; so if we don't see any chance of getting away, we shall be able to get through the winter very fairly."

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

From this reading "He seems to be a pleasant fellow," Fergus said, "and disposed to do his best to make us comfortable; so if we don't see any chance of getting away, we shall be able to get through the winter very fairly."

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading The discipline of the Prussian army is admirable, and must, as a rule, be most stringently maintained by all sorts of forms and observances; but here by our three selves, confined in this casemate for no one can say how long, it is ridiculous that we should be always stiff and ceremonious.

plural of “form” — the phonological or orthographic sound or appearance of a word that can be used to describe or identify something

From this reading The discipline of the Prussian army is admirable, and must, as a rule, be most stringently maintained by all sorts of forms and observances; but here by our three selves, confined in this casemate for no one can say how long, it is ridiculous that we should be always stiff and ceremonious.

come into the possession of something concrete or abstract

From this reading "He seems to be a pleasant fellow," Fergus said, "and disposed to do his best to make us comfortable; so if we don't see any chance of getting away, we shall be able to get through the winter very fairly."

the act of acquiring something

From this reading "He seems to be a pleasant fellow," Fergus said, "and disposed to do his best to make us comfortable; so if we don't see any chance of getting away, we shall be able to get through the winter very fairly."

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

From this reading "He seems to be a pleasant fellow," Fergus said, "and disposed to do his best to make us comfortable; so if we don't see any chance of getting away, we shall be able to get through the winter very fairly."

in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is

From this reading "Pray, drop the major, Captain Stauffen, and let us call each other by our names, while we are here.

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

From this reading "He seems to be a pleasant fellow," Fergus said, "and disposed to do his best to make us comfortable; so if we don't see any chance of getting away, we shall be able to get through the winter very fairly."

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

From this reading The discipline of the Prussian army is admirable, and must, as a rule, be most stringently maintained by all sorts of forms and observances; but here by our three selves, confined in this casemate for no one can say how long, it is ridiculous that we should be always stiff and ceremonious.

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

From this reading You are both some years older than I am.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading "He seems to be a pleasant fellow," Fergus said, "and disposed to do his best to make us comfortable; so if we don't see any chance of getting away, we shall be able to get through the winter very fairly."

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

From this reading The discipline of the Prussian army is admirable, and must, as a rule, be most stringently maintained by all sorts of forms and observances; but here by our three selves, confined in this casemate for no one can say how long, it is ridiculous that we should be always stiff and ceremonious.

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

From this reading "You don't think there is any chance of escape, surely, major?"

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading The discipline of the Prussian army is admirable, and must, as a rule, be most stringently maintained by all sorts of forms and observances; but here by our three selves, confined in this casemate for no one can say how long, it is ridiculous that we should be always stiff and ceremonious.

used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker

From this reading "Pray, drop the major, Captain Stauffen, and let us call each other by our names, while we are here.

primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified

From this reading The discipline of the Prussian army is admirable, and must, as a rule, be most stringently maintained by all sorts of forms and observances; but here by our three selves, confined in this casemate for no one can say how long, it is ridiculous that we should be always stiff and ceremonious.

kept in good condition

From this reading The discipline of the Prussian army is admirable, and must, as a rule, be most stringently maintained by all sorts of forms and observances; but here by our three selves, confined in this casemate for no one can say how long, it is ridiculous that we should be always stiff and ceremonious.

of greater importance or stature or rank

From this reading "You don't think there is any chance of escape, surely, major?"

engage in

From this reading "He seems to be a pleasant fellow," Fergus said, "and disposed to do his best to make us comfortable; so if we don't see any chance of getting away, we shall be able to get through the winter very fairly."

used to form the superlative

From this reading The discipline of the Prussian army is admirable, and must, as a rule, be most stringently maintained by all sorts of forms and observances; but here by our three selves, confined in this casemate for no one can say how long, it is ridiculous that we should be always stiff and ceremonious.

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading The discipline of the Prussian army is admirable, and must, as a rule, be most stringently maintained by all sorts of forms and observances; but here by our three selves, confined in this casemate for no one can say how long, it is ridiculous that we should be always stiff and ceremonious.

verbal abuse; a crude substitute for argument

From this reading "Pray, drop the major, Captain Stauffen, and let us call each other by our names, while we are here.

not any; not one

From this reading The discipline of the Prussian army is admirable, and must, as a rule, be most stringently maintained by all sorts of forms and observances; but here by our three selves, confined in this casemate for no one can say how long, it is ridiculous that we should be always stiff and ceremonious.

plural of “observance” — the act of observing; taking a patient look

From this reading The discipline of the Prussian army is admirable, and must, as a rule, be most stringently maintained by all sorts of forms and observances; but here by our three selves, confined in this casemate for no one can say how long, it is ridiculous that we should be always stiff and ceremonious.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading "He seems to be a pleasant fellow," Fergus said, "and disposed to do his best to make us comfortable; so if we don't see any chance of getting away, we shall be able to get through the winter very fairly."

advanced in years; (“aged” is pronounced as two syllables)

From this reading You are both some years older than I am.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading The discipline of the Prussian army is admirable, and must, as a rule, be most stringently maintained by all sorts of forms and observances; but here by our three selves, confined in this casemate for no one can say how long, it is ridiculous that we should be always stiff and ceremonious.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading "Pray, drop the major, Captain Stauffen, and let us call each other by our names, while we are here.

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading "Pray, drop the major, Captain Stauffen, and let us call each other by our names, while we are here.

affording pleasure; being in harmony with your taste or likings

From this reading "He seems to be a pleasant fellow," Fergus said, "and disposed to do his best to make us comfortable; so if we don't see any chance of getting away, we shall be able to get through the winter very fairly."

address a deity, a prophet, a saint or an object of worship; say a prayer

From this reading "Pray, drop the major, Captain Stauffen, and let us call each other by our names, while we are here.

a German inhabitant of Prussia

From this reading The discipline of the Prussian army is admirable, and must, as a rule, be most stringently maintained by all sorts of forms and observances; but here by our three selves, confined in this casemate for no one can say how long, it is ridiculous that we should be always stiff and ceremonious.

inspiring scornful pity

From this reading The discipline of the Prussian army is admirable, and must, as a rule, be most stringently maintained by all sorts of forms and observances; but here by our three selves, confined in this casemate for no one can say how long, it is ridiculous that we should be always stiff and ceremonious.

a principle or condition that customarily governs behavior

From this reading The discipline of the Prussian army is admirable, and must, as a rule, be most stringently maintained by all sorts of forms and observances; but here by our three selves, confined in this casemate for no one can say how long, it is ridiculous that we should be always stiff and ceremonious.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading "He seems to be a pleasant fellow," Fergus said, "and disposed to do his best to make us comfortable; so if we don't see any chance of getting away, we shall be able to get through the winter very fairly."

express in words

From this reading The discipline of the Prussian army is admirable, and must, as a rule, be most stringently maintained by all sorts of forms and observances; but here by our three selves, confined in this casemate for no one can say how long, it is ridiculous that we should be always stiff and ceremonious.

perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading "He seems to be a pleasant fellow," Fergus said, "and disposed to do his best to make us comfortable; so if we don't see any chance of getting away, we shall be able to get through the winter very fairly."

third-person singular of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading "He seems to be a pleasant fellow," Fergus said, "and disposed to do his best to make us comfortable; so if we don't see any chance of getting away, we shall be able to get through the winter very fairly."

plural of “self” — your consciousness of your own identity

From this reading The discipline of the Prussian army is admirable, and must, as a rule, be most stringently maintained by all sorts of forms and observances; but here by our three selves, confined in this casemate for no one can say how long, it is ridiculous that we should be always stiff and ceremonious.

used with I and we for the future, or to offer and suggest

From this reading "He seems to be a pleasant fellow," Fergus said, "and disposed to do his best to make us comfortable; so if we don't see any chance of getting away, we shall be able to get through the winter very fairly."

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading The discipline of the Prussian army is admirable, and must, as a rule, be most stringently maintained by all sorts of forms and observances; but here by our three selves, confined in this casemate for no one can say how long, it is ridiculous that we should be always stiff and ceremonious.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading "He seems to be a pleasant fellow," Fergus said, "and disposed to do his best to make us comfortable; so if we don't see any chance of getting away, we shall be able to get through the winter very fairly."

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

From this reading You are both some years older than I am.

plural of “sort” — a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality

From this reading The discipline of the Prussian army is admirable, and must, as a rule, be most stringently maintained by all sorts of forms and observances; but here by our three selves, confined in this casemate for no one can say how long, it is ridiculous that we should be always stiff and ceremonious.

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

From this reading "Pray, drop the major, Captain Stauffen, and let us call each other by our names, while we are here.

not moving or operating freely

From this reading The discipline of the Prussian army is admirable, and must, as a rule, be most stringently maintained by all sorts of forms and observances; but here by our three selves, confined in this casemate for no one can say how long, it is ridiculous that we should be always stiff and ceremonious.

in a stringent manner

From this reading The discipline of the Prussian army is admirable, and must, as a rule, be most stringently maintained by all sorts of forms and observances; but here by our three selves, confined in this casemate for no one can say how long, it is ridiculous that we should be always stiff and ceremonious.

definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)

From this reading "You don't think there is any chance of escape, surely, major?"

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading You are both some years older than I am.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading The discipline of the Prussian army is admirable, and must, as a rule, be most stringently maintained by all sorts of forms and observances; but here by our three selves, confined in this casemate for no one can say how long, it is ridiculous that we should be always stiff and ceremonious.

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

From this reading "He seems to be a pleasant fellow," Fergus said, "and disposed to do his best to make us comfortable; so if we don't see any chance of getting away, we shall be able to get through the winter very fairly."

in or at that place or location

From this reading "You don't think there is any chance of escape, surely, major?"

judge or regard; look upon; judge

From this reading "You don't think there is any chance of escape, surely, major?"

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading The discipline of the Prussian army is admirable, and must, as a rule, be most stringently maintained by all sorts of forms and observances; but here by our three selves, confined in this casemate for no one can say how long, it is ridiculous that we should be always stiff and ceremonious.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one

From this reading The discipline of the Prussian army is admirable, and must, as a rule, be most stringently maintained by all sorts of forms and observances; but here by our three selves, confined in this casemate for no one can say how long, it is ridiculous that we should be always stiff and ceremonious.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading "He seems to be a pleasant fellow," Fergus said, "and disposed to do his best to make us comfortable; so if we don't see any chance of getting away, we shall be able to get through the winter very fairly."

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

From this reading "He seems to be a pleasant fellow," Fergus said, "and disposed to do his best to make us comfortable; so if we don't see any chance of getting away, we shall be able to get through the winter very fairly."

the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading "He seems to be a pleasant fellow," Fergus said, "and disposed to do his best to make us comfortable; so if we don't see any chance of getting away, we shall be able to get through the winter very fairly."

precisely as stated

From this reading "He seems to be a pleasant fellow," Fergus said, "and disposed to do his best to make us comfortable; so if we don't see any chance of getting away, we shall be able to get through the winter very fairly."

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading "He seems to be a pleasant fellow," Fergus said, "and disposed to do his best to make us comfortable; so if we don't see any chance of getting away, we shall be able to get through the winter very fairly."

during the time that

From this reading "Pray, drop the major, Captain Stauffen, and let us call each other by our names, while we are here.

the coldest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the winter solstice to the vernal equinox

From this reading "He seems to be a pleasant fellow," Fergus said, "and disposed to do his best to make us comfortable; so if we don't see any chance of getting away, we shall be able to get through the winter very fairly."

a late time of life

From this reading You are both some years older than I am.

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading "You don't think there is any chance of escape, surely, major?"