Chapter IV · Chapter 4

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

From this reading “Would you not be pleased to hear first,” said Wildrake, “how this honest gentleman saw the devil to-night look through a pane of yonder window, and how he thinks he had a mighty strong resemblance to your worship’s humble slave and varlet scribbler?

prior to a specified or implied time

From this reading “I will drink none, sir,” said Colonel Everard sternly; “and I have to tell _you_, that you have drunken a glass too much already.—Mr. Tomkins, sir, I wish you good night.”

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading “A word in season at parting,” said Tomkins, standing up behind the long leathern back of a chair, hemming and snuffling as if preparing for an exhortation.

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

From this reading “Would you not be pleased to hear first,” said Wildrake, “how this honest gentleman saw the devil to-night look through a pane of yonder window, and how he thinks he had a mighty strong resemblance to your worship’s humble slave and varlet scribbler?

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

From this reading “Excuse me, sir,” replied Markham Everard sternly; “you are not now sufficiently yourself to guide the devotion of others.”

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

From this reading “A word in season at parting,” said Tomkins, standing up behind the long leathern back of a chair, hemming and snuffling as if preparing for an exhortation.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading “A word in season at parting,” said Tomkins, standing up behind the long leathern back of a chair, hemming and snuffling as if preparing for an exhortation.

in or to or toward a former location

From this reading “A word in season at parting,” said Tomkins, standing up behind the long leathern back of a chair, hemming and snuffling as if preparing for an exhortation.

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

From this reading “Would you not be pleased to hear first,” said Wildrake, “how this honest gentleman saw the devil to-night look through a pane of yonder window, and how he thinks he had a mighty strong resemblance to your worship’s humble slave and varlet scribbler?

at or toward the back of something

From this reading “A word in season at parting,” said Tomkins, standing up behind the long leathern back of a chair, hemming and snuffling as if preparing for an exhortation.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Would you but hear this, sir, and just sip a glass of this very recommendable strong waters?”

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

From this reading “A word in season at parting,” said Tomkins, standing up behind the long leathern back of a chair, hemming and snuffling as if preparing for an exhortation.

a commissioned military officer in the United States Army or Air Force or Marines who ranks above a lieutenant colonel and below a brigadier general

From this reading “I will drink none, sir,” said Colonel Everard sternly; “and I have to tell _you_, that you have drunken a glass too much already.—Mr. Tomkins, sir, I wish you good night.”

(Judeo-Christian and Islamic religions) chief spirit of evil and adversary of God; tempter of mankind; master of Hell

From this reading “Would you not be pleased to hear first,” said Wildrake, “how this honest gentleman saw the devil to-night look through a pane of yonder window, and how he thinks he had a mighty strong resemblance to your worship’s humble slave and varlet scribbler?

feelings of ardent love

From this reading “Excuse me, sir,” replied Markham Everard sternly; “you are not now sufficiently yourself to guide the devotion of others.”

take in liquids

From this reading “I will drink none, sir,” said Colonel Everard sternly; “and I have to tell _you_, that you have drunken a glass too much already.—Mr. Tomkins, sir, I wish you good night.”

given to or marked by the consumption of alcohol

From this reading “I will drink none, sir,” said Colonel Everard sternly; “and I have to tell _you_, that you have drunken a glass too much already.—Mr. Tomkins, sir, I wish you good night.”

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

From this reading “I will drink none, sir,” said Colonel Everard sternly; “and I have to tell _you_, that you have drunken a glass too much already.—Mr. Tomkins, sir, I wish you good night.”

accept an excuse for

From this reading “Excuse me, sir,” replied Markham Everard sternly; “you are not now sufficiently yourself to guide the devotion of others.”

a communication intended to urge or persuade the recipients to take some action

From this reading “A word in season at parting,” said Tomkins, standing up behind the long leathern back of a chair, hemming and snuffling as if preparing for an exhortation.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading “Would you not be pleased to hear first,” said Wildrake, “how this honest gentleman saw the devil to-night look through a pane of yonder window, and how he thinks he had a mighty strong resemblance to your worship’s humble slave and varlet scribbler?

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading “A word in season at parting,” said Tomkins, standing up behind the long leathern back of a chair, hemming and snuffling as if preparing for an exhortation.

a man of refinement

From this reading “Would you not be pleased to hear first,” said Wildrake, “how this honest gentleman saw the devil to-night look through a pane of yonder window, and how he thinks he had a mighty strong resemblance to your worship’s humble slave and varlet scribbler?

a brittle transparent solid with irregular atomic structure

From this reading Would you but hear this, sir, and just sip a glass of this very recommendable strong waters?”

having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified

From this reading “I will drink none, sir,” said Colonel Everard sternly; “and I have to tell _you_, that you have drunken a glass too much already.—Mr. Tomkins, sir, I wish you good night.”

someone employed to conduct others

From this reading “Excuse me, sir,” replied Markham Everard sternly; “you are not now sufficiently yourself to guide the devotion of others.”

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

From this reading “Would you not be pleased to hear first,” said Wildrake, “how this honest gentleman saw the devil to-night look through a pane of yonder window, and how he thinks he had a mighty strong resemblance to your worship’s humble slave and varlet scribbler?

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading “I will drink none, sir,” said Colonel Everard sternly; “and I have to tell _you_, that you have drunken a glass too much already.—Mr. Tomkins, sir, I wish you good night.”

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

From this reading “Would you not be pleased to hear first,” said Wildrake, “how this honest gentleman saw the devil to-night look through a pane of yonder window, and how he thinks he had a mighty strong resemblance to your worship’s humble slave and varlet scribbler?

perceive (sound) via the auditory sense

From this reading “Would you not be pleased to hear first,” said Wildrake, “how this honest gentleman saw the devil to-night look through a pane of yonder window, and how he thinks he had a mighty strong resemblance to your worship’s humble slave and varlet scribbler?

inflected form of “hem” — fold over and sew together to provide with a hem

From this reading “A word in season at parting,” said Tomkins, standing up behind the long leathern back of a chair, hemming and snuffling as if preparing for an exhortation.

not disposed to cheat or defraud; not deceptive or fraudulent

From this reading “Would you not be pleased to hear first,” said Wildrake, “how this honest gentleman saw the devil to-night look through a pane of yonder window, and how he thinks he had a mighty strong resemblance to your worship’s humble slave and varlet scribbler?

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

From this reading “Would you not be pleased to hear first,” said Wildrake, “how this honest gentleman saw the devil to-night look through a pane of yonder window, and how he thinks he had a mighty strong resemblance to your worship’s humble slave and varlet scribbler?

low or inferior in station or quality

From this reading “Would you not be pleased to hear first,” said Wildrake, “how this honest gentleman saw the devil to-night look through a pane of yonder window, and how he thinks he had a mighty strong resemblance to your worship’s humble slave and varlet scribbler?

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

From this reading “I will drink none, sir,” said Colonel Everard sternly; “and I have to tell _you_, that you have drunken a glass too much already.—Mr. Tomkins, sir, I wish you good night.”

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading “A word in season at parting,” said Tomkins, standing up behind the long leathern back of a chair, hemming and snuffling as if preparing for an exhortation.

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

From this reading “A word in season at parting,” said Tomkins, standing up behind the long leathern back of a chair, hemming and snuffling as if preparing for an exhortation.

and nothing more

From this reading Would you but hear this, sir, and just sip a glass of this very recommendable strong waters?”

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

From this reading “A word in season at parting,” said Tomkins, standing up behind the long leathern back of a chair, hemming and snuffling as if preparing for an exhortation.

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 “A word in season at parting,” said Tomkins, standing up behind the long leathern back of a chair, hemming and snuffling as if preparing for an exhortation.

perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading “Would you not be pleased to hear first,” said Wildrake, “how this honest gentleman saw the devil to-night look through a pane of yonder window, and how he thinks he had a mighty strong resemblance to your worship’s humble slave and varlet scribbler?

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

From this reading “Excuse me, sir,” replied Markham Everard sternly; “you are not now sufficiently yourself to guide the devotion of others.”

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

From this reading “Excuse me, sir,” replied Markham Everard sternly; “you are not now sufficiently yourself to guide the devotion of others.”

having or showing great strength or force or intensity

From this reading “Would you not be pleased to hear first,” said Wildrake, “how this honest gentleman saw the devil to-night look through a pane of yonder window, and how he thinks he had a mighty strong resemblance to your worship’s humble slave and varlet scribbler?

a form of address for a man

From this reading “I will drink none, sir,” said Colonel Everard sternly; “and I have to tell _you_, that you have drunken a glass too much already.—Mr. Tomkins, sir, I wish you good night.”

to a great degree or extent

From this reading “I will drink none, sir,” said Colonel Everard sternly; “and I have to tell _you_, that you have drunken a glass too much already.—Mr. Tomkins, sir, I wish you good night.”

the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside

From this reading “I will drink none, sir,” said Colonel Everard sternly; “and I have to tell _you_, that you have drunken a glass too much already.—Mr. Tomkins, sir, I wish you good night.”

not one, and not any

From this reading “I will drink none, sir,” said Colonel Everard sternly; “and I have to tell _you_, that you have drunken a glass too much already.—Mr. Tomkins, sir, I wish you good night.”

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading “Would you not be pleased to hear first,” said Wildrake, “how this honest gentleman saw the devil to-night look through a pane of yonder window, and how he thinks he had a mighty strong resemblance to your worship’s humble slave and varlet scribbler?

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

From this reading “Excuse me, sir,” replied Markham Everard sternly; “you are not now sufficiently yourself to guide the devotion of others.”

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading “Would you not be pleased to hear first,” said Wildrake, “how this honest gentleman saw the devil to-night look through a pane of yonder window, and how he thinks he had a mighty strong resemblance to your worship’s humble slave and varlet scribbler?

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

From this reading “Excuse me, sir,” replied Markham Everard sternly; “you are not now sufficiently yourself to guide the devotion of others.”

sheet glass cut in shapes for windows or doors

From this reading “Would you not be pleased to hear first,” said Wildrake, “how this honest gentleman saw the devil to-night look through a pane of yonder window, and how he thinks he had a mighty strong resemblance to your worship’s humble slave and varlet scribbler?

the act of departing politely

From this reading “A word in season at parting,” said Tomkins, standing up behind the long leathern back of a chair, hemming and snuffling as if preparing for an exhortation.

experiencing or manifesting pleasure

From this reading “Would you not be pleased to hear first,” said Wildrake, “how this honest gentleman saw the devil to-night look through a pane of yonder window, and how he thinks he had a mighty strong resemblance to your worship’s humble slave and varlet scribbler?

-ing form of “prepare” — make ready or suitable or equip in advance for a particular purpose or for some use, event, etc

From this reading “A word in season at parting,” said Tomkins, standing up behind the long leathern back of a chair, hemming and snuffling as if preparing for an exhortation.

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

From this reading Would you but hear this, sir, and just sip a glass of this very recommendable strong waters?”

inflected form of “reply” — react verbally

From this reading “Excuse me, sir,” replied Markham Everard sternly; “you are not now sufficiently yourself to guide the devotion of others.”

similarity in appearance or external or superficial details

From this reading “Would you not be pleased to hear first,” said Wildrake, “how this honest gentleman saw the devil to-night look through a pane of yonder window, and how he thinks he had a mighty strong resemblance to your worship’s humble slave and varlet scribbler?

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading “Would you not be pleased to hear first,” said Wildrake, “how this honest gentleman saw the devil to-night look through a pane of yonder window, and how he thinks he had a mighty strong resemblance to your worship’s humble slave and varlet scribbler?

cut with a saw

From this reading “Would you not be pleased to hear first,” said Wildrake, “how this honest gentleman saw the devil to-night look through a pane of yonder window, and how he thinks he had a mighty strong resemblance to your worship’s humble slave and varlet scribbler?

informal terms for journalists

From this reading “Would you not be pleased to hear first,” said Wildrake, “how this honest gentleman saw the devil to-night look through a pane of yonder window, and how he thinks he had a mighty strong resemblance to your worship’s humble slave and varlet scribbler?

a period of the year marked by special events or activities in some field

From this reading “A word in season at parting,” said Tomkins, standing up behind the long leathern back of a chair, hemming and snuffling as if preparing for an exhortation.

a small drink

From this reading Would you but hear this, sir, and just sip a glass of this very recommendable strong waters?”

term of address for a man

From this reading Would you but hear this, sir, and just sip a glass of this very recommendable strong waters?”

a person who is owned by someone

From this reading “Would you not be pleased to hear first,” said Wildrake, “how this honest gentleman saw the devil to-night look through a pane of yonder window, and how he thinks he had a mighty strong resemblance to your worship’s humble slave and varlet scribbler?

liable to sniffle

From this reading “A word in season at parting,” said Tomkins, standing up behind the long leathern back of a chair, hemming and snuffling as if preparing for an exhortation.

having a supporting base

From this reading “A word in season at parting,” said Tomkins, standing up behind the long leathern back of a chair, hemming and snuffling as if preparing for an exhortation.

with sternness; in a severe manner

From this reading “I will drink none, sir,” said Colonel Everard sternly; “and I have to tell _you_, that you have drunken a glass too much already.—Mr. Tomkins, sir, I wish you good night.”

having strength or power greater than average or expected

From this reading “Would you not be pleased to hear first,” said Wildrake, “how this honest gentleman saw the devil to-night look through a pane of yonder window, and how he thinks he had a mighty strong resemblance to your worship’s humble slave and varlet scribbler?

to a sufficient degree

From this reading “Excuse me, sir,” replied Markham Everard sternly; “you are not now sufficiently yourself to guide the devotion of others.”

express in words

From this reading “I will drink none, sir,” said Colonel Everard sternly; “and I have to tell _you_, that you have drunken a glass too much already.—Mr. Tomkins, sir, I wish you good night.”

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading “I will drink none, sir,” said Colonel Everard sternly; “and I have to tell _you_, that you have drunken a glass too much already.—Mr. Tomkins, sir, I wish you good night.”

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

From this reading “Would you not be pleased to hear first,” said Wildrake, “how this honest gentleman saw the devil to-night look through a pane of yonder window, and how he thinks he had a mighty strong resemblance to your worship’s humble slave and varlet scribbler?

plural of “think” — an instance of deliberate thinking

From this reading “Would you not be pleased to hear first,” said Wildrake, “how this honest gentleman saw the devil to-night look through a pane of yonder window, and how he thinks he had a mighty strong resemblance to your worship’s humble slave and varlet scribbler?

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

From this reading “Would you not be pleased to hear first,” said Wildrake, “how this honest gentleman saw the devil to-night look through a pane of yonder window, and how he thinks he had a mighty strong resemblance to your worship’s humble slave and varlet scribbler?

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading “Would you not be pleased to hear first,” said Wildrake, “how this honest gentleman saw the devil to-night look through a pane of yonder window, and how he thinks he had a mighty strong resemblance to your worship’s humble slave and varlet scribbler?

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

From this reading “Would you not be pleased to hear first,” said Wildrake, “how this honest gentleman saw the devil to-night look through a pane of yonder window, and how he thinks he had a mighty strong resemblance to your worship’s humble slave and varlet scribbler?

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

From this reading “Would you not be pleased to hear first,” said Wildrake, “how this honest gentleman saw the devil to-night look through a pane of yonder window, and how he thinks he had a mighty strong resemblance to your worship’s humble slave and varlet scribbler?

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

From this reading “I will drink none, sir,” said Colonel Everard sternly; “and I have to tell _you_, that you have drunken a glass too much already.—Mr. Tomkins, sir, I wish you good night.”

to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits

From this reading “I will drink none, sir,” said Colonel Everard sternly; “and I have to tell _you_, that you have drunken a glass too much already.—Mr. Tomkins, sir, I wish you good night.”

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

From this reading “A word in season at parting,” said Tomkins, standing up behind the long leathern back of a chair, hemming and snuffling as if preparing for an exhortation.

a deceitful and unreliable scoundrel

From this reading “Would you not be pleased to hear first,” said Wildrake, “how this honest gentleman saw the devil to-night look through a pane of yonder window, and how he thinks he had a mighty strong resemblance to your worship’s humble slave and varlet scribbler?

precisely as stated

From this reading Would you but hear this, sir, and just sip a glass of this very recommendable strong waters?”

United States actress and singer (1896-1977)

From this reading Would you but hear this, sir, and just sip a glass of this very recommendable strong waters?”

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

From this reading “Would you not be pleased to hear first,” said Wildrake, “how this honest gentleman saw the devil to-night look through a pane of yonder window, and how he thinks he had a mighty strong resemblance to your worship’s humble slave and varlet scribbler?

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading “I will drink none, sir,” said Colonel Everard sternly; “and I have to tell _you_, that you have drunken a glass too much already.—Mr. Tomkins, sir, I wish you good night.”

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

From this reading “Would you not be pleased to hear first,” said Wildrake, “how this honest gentleman saw the devil to-night look through a pane of yonder window, and how he thinks he had a mighty strong resemblance to your worship’s humble slave and varlet scribbler?

hope for; have a wish

From this reading “I will drink none, sir,” said Colonel Everard sternly; “and I have to tell _you_, that you have drunken a glass too much already.—Mr. Tomkins, sir, I wish you good night.”

a unit of language that native speakers can identify

From this reading “A word in season at parting,” said Tomkins, standing up behind the long leathern back of a chair, hemming and snuffling as if preparing for an exhortation.

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

From this reading “Would you not be pleased to hear first,” said Wildrake, “how this honest gentleman saw the devil to-night look through a pane of yonder window, and how he thinks he had a mighty strong resemblance to your worship’s humble slave and varlet scribbler?

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

From this reading “Would you not be pleased to hear first,” said Wildrake, “how this honest gentleman saw the devil to-night look through a pane of yonder window, and how he thinks he had a mighty strong resemblance to your worship’s humble slave and varlet scribbler?

distant but within sight (“yon” is dialectal)

From this reading “Would you not be pleased to hear first,” said Wildrake, “how this honest gentleman saw the devil to-night look through a pane of yonder window, and how he thinks he had a mighty strong resemblance to your worship’s humble slave and varlet scribbler?

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading “Would you not be pleased to hear first,” said Wildrake, “how this honest gentleman saw the devil to-night look through a pane of yonder window, and how he thinks he had a mighty strong resemblance to your worship’s humble slave and varlet scribbler?

belonging to the person or people being spoken to

From this reading “Would you not be pleased to hear first,” said Wildrake, “how this honest gentleman saw the devil to-night look through a pane of yonder window, and how he thinks he had a mighty strong resemblance to your worship’s humble slave and varlet scribbler?

used when the person spoken to is also the object of the action

From this reading “Excuse me, sir,” replied Markham Everard sternly; “you are not now sufficiently yourself to guide the devotion of others.”