Chapter XX · Chapter 20

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

From this reading POLITICS UNDER COVER To a woman, the romances she makes are more amusing than those she reads.--_Théophile Gautier_.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading It all came easily about, precisely as he had planned.

tolerating without protest

From this reading Matters went so smoothly that I felt justified in suggesting a little drive, and Señora Yturrio had no hesitation in accepting.

(of mail) marked with a destination

From this reading It was curious how cleverly this austere old man, unskilled in the arts of gallantry, now handled the problem to which he had addressed himself, even though that meant forecasting the whim of yet another woman.

(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 It all came easily about, precisely as he had planned.

providing enjoyment; pleasantly entertaining

From this reading POLITICS UNDER COVER To a woman, the romances she makes are more amusing than those she reads.--_Théophile Gautier_.

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

From this reading It seemed quite correct for the daughter of our secretary of state to call to inquire for the health of the fair Señora Yturrio, and to present the compliments of Madam Calhoun, at that time not in the city of Washington.

one more of the same kind, or a different one

From this reading It was curious how cleverly this austere old man, unskilled in the arts of gallantry, now handled the problem to which he had addressed himself, even though that meant forecasting the whim of yet another woman.

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

From this reading POLITICS UNDER COVER To a woman, the romances she makes are more amusing than those she reads.--_Théophile Gautier_.

studies intended to provide general knowledge and intellectual skills (rather than occupational or professional skills)

From this reading It was curious how cleverly this austere old man, unskilled in the arts of gallantry, now handled the problem to which he had addressed himself, even though that meant forecasting the whim of yet another woman.

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

From this reading It all came easily about, precisely as he had planned.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading It seemed quite correct for the daughter of our secretary of state to call to inquire for the health of the fair Señora Yturrio, and to present the compliments of Madam Calhoun, at that time not in the city of Washington.

severely simple

From this reading It was curious how cleverly this austere old man, unskilled in the arts of gallantry, now handled the problem to which he had addressed himself, even though that meant forecasting the whim of yet another woman.

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

From this reading It seemed quite correct for the daughter of our secretary of state to call to inquire for the health of the fair Señora Yturrio, and to present the compliments of Madam Calhoun, at that time not in the city of Washington.

assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading It seemed quite correct for the daughter of our secretary of state to call to inquire for the health of the fair Señora Yturrio, and to present the compliments of Madam Calhoun, at that time not in the city of Washington.

inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading It all came easily about, precisely as he had planned.

a large and densely populated urban area; may include several independent administrative districts

From this reading It seemed quite correct for the daughter of our secretary of state to call to inquire for the health of the fair Señora Yturrio, and to present the compliments of Madam Calhoun, at that time not in the city of Washington.

in a clever manner

From this reading It was curious how cleverly this austere old man, unskilled in the arts of gallantry, now handled the problem to which he had addressed himself, even though that meant forecasting the whim of yet another woman.

(usually plural) a polite expression of desire for someone's welfare

From this reading It seemed quite correct for the daughter of our secretary of state to call to inquire for the health of the fair Señora Yturrio, and to present the compliments of Madam Calhoun, at that time not in the city of Washington.

make right or correct

From this reading It seemed quite correct for the daughter of our secretary of state to call to inquire for the health of the fair Señora Yturrio, and to present the compliments of Madam Calhoun, at that time not in the city of Washington.

provide with a covering or cause to be covered

From this reading POLITICS UNDER COVER To a woman, the romances she makes are more amusing than those she reads.--_Théophile Gautier_.

beyond or deviating from the usual or expected

From this reading It was curious how cleverly this austere old man, unskilled in the arts of gallantry, now handled the problem to which he had addressed himself, even though that meant forecasting the whim of yet another woman.

a female human offspring

From this reading It seemed quite correct for the daughter of our secretary of state to call to inquire for the health of the fair Señora Yturrio, and to present the compliments of Madam Calhoun, at that time not in the city of Washington.

operate or control a vehicle

From this reading Matters went so smoothly that I felt justified in suggesting a little drive, and Señora Yturrio had no hesitation in accepting.

with ease (“easy” is sometimes used informally for “easily”)

From this reading It all came easily about, precisely as he had planned.

divisible by two

From this reading It was curious how cleverly this austere old man, unskilled in the arts of gallantry, now handled the problem to which he had addressed himself, even though that meant forecasting the whim of yet another woman.

free from favoritism or self-interest or bias or deception; conforming with established standards or rules

From this reading It seemed quite correct for the daughter of our secretary of state to call to inquire for the health of the fair Señora Yturrio, and to present the compliments of Madam Calhoun, at that time not in the city of Washington.

mat together and make felt-like

From this reading Matters went so smoothly that I felt justified in suggesting a little drive, and Señora Yturrio had no hesitation in accepting.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading It seemed quite correct for the daughter of our secretary of state to call to inquire for the health of the fair Señora Yturrio, and to present the compliments of Madam Calhoun, at that time not in the city of Washington.

a statement made about the future

From this reading It was curious how cleverly this austere old man, unskilled in the arts of gallantry, now handled the problem to which he had addressed himself, even though that meant forecasting the whim of yet another woman.

the qualities of a hero or heroine; exceptional or heroic courage when facing danger (especially in battle)

From this reading It was curious how cleverly this austere old man, unskilled in the arts of gallantry, now handled the problem to which he had addressed himself, even though that meant forecasting the whim of yet another woman.

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

From this reading POLITICS UNDER COVER To a woman, the romances she makes are more amusing than those she reads.--_Théophile Gautier_.

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

From this reading It was curious how cleverly this austere old man, unskilled in the arts of gallantry, now handled the problem to which he had addressed himself, even though that meant forecasting the whim of yet another woman.

having a usually specified type of handle

From this reading It was curious how cleverly this austere old man, unskilled in the arts of gallantry, now handled the problem to which he had addressed himself, even though that meant forecasting the whim of yet another woman.

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

From this reading It was curious how cleverly this austere old man, unskilled in the arts of gallantry, now handled the problem to which he had addressed himself, even though that meant forecasting the whim of yet another woman.

a healthy state of wellbeing free from disease

From this reading It seemed quite correct for the daughter of our secretary of state to call to inquire for the health of the fair Señora Yturrio, and to present the compliments of Madam Calhoun, at that time not in the city of Washington.

indecision in speech or action

From this reading Matters went so smoothly that I felt justified in suggesting a little drive, and Señora Yturrio had no hesitation in accepting.

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

From this reading It was curious how cleverly this austere old man, unskilled in the arts of gallantry, now handled the problem to which he had addressed himself, even though that meant forecasting the whim of yet another woman.

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

From this reading It was curious how cleverly this austere old man, unskilled in the arts of gallantry, now handled the problem to which he had addressed himself, even though that meant forecasting the whim of yet another woman.

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

From this reading Matters went so smoothly that I felt justified in suggesting a little drive, and Señora Yturrio had no hesitation in accepting.

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

From this reading It was curious how cleverly this austere old man, unskilled in the arts of gallantry, now handled the problem to which he had addressed himself, even though that meant forecasting the whim of yet another woman.

address a question to and expect an answer from

From this reading It seemed quite correct for the daughter of our secretary of state to call to inquire for the health of the fair Señora Yturrio, and to present the compliments of Madam Calhoun, at that time not in the city of Washington.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was curious how cleverly this austere old man, unskilled in the arts of gallantry, now handled the problem to which he had addressed himself, even though that meant forecasting the whim of yet another woman.

having words so spaced that lines have straight even margins

From this reading Matters went so smoothly that I felt justified in suggesting a little drive, and Señora Yturrio had no hesitation in accepting.

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

From this reading Matters went so smoothly that I felt justified in suggesting a little drive, and Señora Yturrio had no hesitation in accepting.

a woman of refinement

From this reading It seemed quite correct for the daughter of our secretary of state to call to inquire for the health of the fair Señora Yturrio, and to present the compliments of Madam Calhoun, at that time not in the city of Washington.

plural of “make” — a recognizable kind

From this reading POLITICS UNDER COVER To a woman, the romances she makes are more amusing than those she reads.--_Théophile Gautier_.

an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

From this reading It was curious how cleverly this austere old man, unskilled in the arts of gallantry, now handled the problem to which he had addressed himself, even though that meant forecasting the whim of yet another woman.

plural of “matter” — a vaguely specified concern

From this reading Matters went so smoothly that I felt justified in suggesting a little drive, and Señora Yturrio had no hesitation in accepting.

inflected form of “mean” — mean or intend to express or convey

From this reading It was curious how cleverly this austere old man, unskilled in the arts of gallantry, now handled the problem to which he had addressed himself, even though that meant forecasting the whim of yet another woman.

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

From this reading POLITICS UNDER COVER To a woman, the romances she makes are more amusing than those she reads.--_Théophile Gautier_.

not any; not one

From this reading Matters went so smoothly that I felt justified in suggesting a little drive, and Señora Yturrio had no hesitation in accepting.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading It seemed quite correct for the daughter of our secretary of state to call to inquire for the health of the fair Señora Yturrio, and to present the compliments of Madam Calhoun, at that time not in the city of Washington.

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

From this reading It was curious how cleverly this austere old man, unskilled in the arts of gallantry, now handled the problem to which he had addressed himself, even though that meant forecasting the whim of yet another woman.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading It was curious how cleverly this austere old man, unskilled in the arts of gallantry, now handled the problem to which he had addressed himself, even though that meant forecasting the whim of yet another woman.

(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age

From this reading It was curious how cleverly this austere old man, unskilled in the arts of gallantry, now handled the problem to which he had addressed himself, even though that meant forecasting the whim of yet another woman.

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading It seemed quite correct for the daughter of our secretary of state to call to inquire for the health of the fair Señora Yturrio, and to present the compliments of Madam Calhoun, at that time not in the city of Washington.

designed or carried out according to a plan

From this reading It all came easily about, precisely as he had planned.

social relations involving intrigue to gain authority or power

From this reading POLITICS UNDER COVER To a woman, the romances she makes are more amusing than those she reads.--_Théophile Gautier_.

indicating exactness or preciseness

From this reading It all came easily about, precisely as he had planned.

give an exhibition of to an interested audience

From this reading It seemed quite correct for the daughter of our secretary of state to call to inquire for the health of the fair Señora Yturrio, and to present the compliments of Madam Calhoun, at that time not in the city of Washington.

a state of difficulty that needs to be resolved

From this reading It was curious how cleverly this austere old man, unskilled in the arts of gallantry, now handled the problem to which he had addressed himself, even though that meant forecasting the whim of yet another woman.

to a degree (not used with a negative)

From this reading It seemed quite correct for the daughter of our secretary of state to call to inquire for the health of the fair Señora Yturrio, and to present the compliments of Madam Calhoun, at that time not in the city of Washington.

plural of “read” — something that is read

From this reading POLITICS UNDER COVER To a woman, the romances she makes are more amusing than those she reads.--_Théophile Gautier_.

plural of “romance” — a relationship between two lovers

From this reading POLITICS UNDER COVER To a woman, the romances she makes are more amusing than those she reads.--_Théophile Gautier_.

a person who is head of an administrative department of government

From this reading It seemed quite correct for the daughter of our secretary of state to call to inquire for the health of the fair Señora Yturrio, and to present the compliments of Madam Calhoun, at that time not in the city of Washington.

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

From this reading It seemed quite correct for the daughter of our secretary of state to call to inquire for the health of the fair Señora Yturrio, and to present the compliments of Madam Calhoun, at that time not in the city of Washington.

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

From this reading It seemed quite correct for the daughter of our secretary of state to call to inquire for the health of the fair Señora Yturrio, and to present the compliments of Madam Calhoun, at that time not in the city of Washington.

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

From this reading POLITICS UNDER COVER To a woman, the romances she makes are more amusing than those she reads.--_Théophile Gautier_.

with no problems or difficulties

From this reading Matters went so smoothly that I felt justified in suggesting a little drive, and Señora Yturrio had no hesitation in accepting.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Matters went so smoothly that I felt justified in suggesting a little drive, and Señora Yturrio had no hesitation in accepting.

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

From this reading It seemed quite correct for the daughter of our secretary of state to call to inquire for the health of the fair Señora Yturrio, and to present the compliments of Madam Calhoun, at that time not in the city of Washington.

-ing form of “suggest” — make a proposal, declare a plan for something

From this reading Matters went so smoothly that I felt justified in suggesting a little drive, and Señora Yturrio had no hesitation in accepting.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading POLITICS UNDER COVER To a woman, the romances she makes are more amusing than those she reads.--_Théophile Gautier_.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading It was curious how cleverly this austere old man, unskilled in the arts of gallantry, now handled the problem to which he had addressed himself, even though that meant forecasting the whim of yet another woman.

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

From this reading POLITICS UNDER COVER To a woman, the romances she makes are more amusing than those she reads.--_Théophile Gautier_.

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

From this reading It was curious how cleverly this austere old man, unskilled in the arts of gallantry, now handled the problem to which he had addressed himself, even though that meant forecasting the whim of yet another woman.

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading POLITICS UNDER COVER To a woman, the romances she makes are more amusing than those she reads.--_Théophile Gautier_.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading It was curious how cleverly this austere old man, unskilled in the arts of gallantry, now handled the problem to which he had addressed himself, even though that meant forecasting the whim of yet another woman.

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

From this reading POLITICS UNDER COVER To a woman, the romances she makes are more amusing than those she reads.--_Théophile Gautier_.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading It seemed quite correct for the daughter of our secretary of state to call to inquire for the health of the fair Señora Yturrio, and to present the compliments of Madam Calhoun, at that time not in the city of Washington.

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

From this reading POLITICS UNDER COVER To a woman, the romances she makes are more amusing than those she reads.--_Théophile Gautier_.

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading POLITICS UNDER COVER To a woman, the romances she makes are more amusing than those she reads.--_Théophile Gautier_.

not having or showing or requiring special skill or proficiency

From this reading It was curious how cleverly this austere old man, unskilled in the arts of gallantry, now handled the problem to which he had addressed himself, even though that meant forecasting the whim of yet another woman.

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

From this reading It was curious how cleverly this austere old man, unskilled in the arts of gallantry, now handled the problem to which he had addressed himself, even though that meant forecasting the whim of yet another woman.

the capital of the United States in the District of Columbia and a tourist mecca; George Washington commissioned Charles L'Enfant to lay out the city in 1791

From this reading It seemed quite correct for the daughter of our secretary of state to call to inquire for the health of the fair Señora Yturrio, and to present the compliments of Madam Calhoun, at that time not in the city of Washington.

inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading Matters went so smoothly that I felt justified in suggesting a little drive, and Señora Yturrio had no hesitation in accepting.

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading It was curious how cleverly this austere old man, unskilled in the arts of gallantry, now handled the problem to which he had addressed himself, even though that meant forecasting the whim of yet another woman.

a sudden desire

From this reading It was curious how cleverly this austere old man, unskilled in the arts of gallantry, now handled the problem to which he had addressed himself, even though that meant forecasting the whim of yet another woman.

an adult female person (as opposed to a man)

From this reading POLITICS UNDER COVER To a woman, the romances she makes are more amusing than those she reads.--_Théophile Gautier_.

but in spite of that

From this reading It was curious how cleverly this austere old man, unskilled in the arts of gallantry, now handled the problem to which he had addressed himself, even though that meant forecasting the whim of yet another woman.

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

From this reading It seemed quite correct for the daughter of our secretary of state to call to inquire for the health of the fair Señora Yturrio, and to present the compliments of Madam Calhoun, at that time not in the city of Washington.