Chapter XVI · Chapter 16

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

From this reading There is always a difference between a companion who is only an acquaintance at school and one who shares the many little home associations and interests that make a bond of union apart from the other girls, and give innumerable subjects for those confidential talks which are the chief joy of friendship.

personal knowledge or information about someone or something

From this reading There is always a difference between a companion who is only an acquaintance at school and one who shares the many little home associations and interests that make a bond of union apart from the other girls, and give innumerable subjects for those confidential talks which are the chief joy of friendship.

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

From this reading An Opportunity Mabel and Aldred returned to Birkwood on terms of even closer intimacy than before.

at all times; all the time and on every occasion

From this reading There is always a difference between a companion who is only an acquaintance at school and one who shares the many little home associations and interests that make a bond of union apart from the other girls, and give innumerable subjects for those confidential talks which are the chief joy of friendship.

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

From this reading An Opportunity Mabel and Aldred returned to Birkwood on terms of even closer intimacy than before.

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

From this reading An Opportunity Mabel and Aldred returned to Birkwood on terms of even closer intimacy than before.

separated or at a distance in place or position or time

From this reading There is always a difference between a companion who is only an acquaintance at school and one who shares the many little home associations and interests that make a bond of union apart from the other girls, and give innumerable subjects for those confidential talks which are the chief joy of friendship.

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

From this reading There is always a difference between a companion who is only an acquaintance at school and one who shares the many little home associations and interests that make a bond of union apart from the other girls, and give innumerable subjects for those confidential talks which are the chief joy of friendship.

plural of “association” — a formal organization of people or groups of people

From this reading There is always a difference between a companion who is only an acquaintance at school and one who shares the many little home associations and interests that make a bond of union apart from the other girls, and give innumerable subjects for those confidential talks which are the chief joy of friendship.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading There is always a difference between a companion who is only an acquaintance at school and one who shares the many little home associations and interests that make a bond of union apart from the other girls, and give innumerable subjects for those confidential talks which are the chief joy of friendship.

in or to or toward a former location

From this reading The cushion for the wicker chair was a present from Lady Muriel to both the girls; and the knick-knacks that they had brought back with them were so entirely mixed that it was difficult to tell which belonged to either.

a room used primarily for sleeping

From this reading The bedroom that had once seemed entirely Mabel's was now taken up with joint possessions.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading An Opportunity Mabel and Aldred returned to Birkwood on terms of even closer intimacy than before.

past form of “belong” — be owned by; be in the possession of

From this reading The cushion for the wicker chair was a present from Lady Muriel to both the girls; and the knick-knacks that they had brought back with them were so entirely mixed that it was difficult to tell which belonged to either.

in the space, time, or range separating two things

From this reading There is always a difference between a companion who is only an acquaintance at school and one who shares the many little home associations and interests that make a bond of union apart from the other girls, and give innumerable subjects for those confidential talks which are the chief joy of friendship.

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

From this reading An Opportunity Mabel and Aldred returned to Birkwood on terms of even closer intimacy than before.

an electrical force linking atoms

From this reading There is always a difference between a companion who is only an acquaintance at school and one who shares the many little home associations and interests that make a bond of union apart from the other girls, and give innumerable subjects for those confidential talks which are the chief joy of friendship.

the two together, not just one

From this reading The cushion for the wicker chair was a present from Lady Muriel to both the girls; and the knick-knacks that they had brought back with them were so entirely mixed that it was difficult to tell which belonged to either.

inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere

From this reading The cushion for the wicker chair was a present from Lady Muriel to both the girls; and the knick-knacks that they had brought back with them were so entirely mixed that it was difficult to tell which belonged to either.

obtain by purchase; acquire by means of a financial transaction

From this reading Aldred had helped to buy the new gipsy table that stood in the window, and had embroidered half of the table-cloth that covered it.

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

From this reading The cushion for the wicker chair was a present from Lady Muriel to both the girls; and the knick-knacks that they had brought back with them were so entirely mixed that it was difficult to tell which belonged to either.

a person who is in charge

From this reading There is always a difference between a companion who is only an acquaintance at school and one who shares the many little home associations and interests that make a bond of union apart from the other girls, and give innumerable subjects for those confidential talks which are the chief joy of friendship.

(comparative of “near” or “close”) within a shorter distance

From this reading An Opportunity Mabel and Aldred returned to Birkwood on terms of even closer intimacy than before.

a friend who is frequently in the company of another

From this reading There is always a difference between a companion who is only an acquaintance at school and one who shares the many little home associations and interests that make a bond of union apart from the other girls, and give innumerable subjects for those confidential talks which are the chief joy of friendship.

entrusted with private information and the confidence of another

From this reading There is always a difference between a companion who is only an acquaintance at school and one who shares the many little home associations and interests that make a bond of union apart from the other girls, and give innumerable subjects for those confidential talks which are the chief joy of friendship.

overlaid or spread or topped with or enclosed within something; sometimes used as a combining form

From this reading Aldred had helped to buy the new gipsy table that stood in the window, and had embroidered half of the table-cloth that covered it.

a mechanical damper; absorbs energy of sudden impulses

From this reading The cushion for the wicker chair was a present from Lady Muriel to both the girls; and the knick-knacks that they had brought back with them were so entirely mixed that it was difficult to tell which belonged to either.

the quality of being unlike or dissimilar

From this reading There is always a difference between a companion who is only an acquaintance at school and one who shares the many little home associations and interests that make a bond of union apart from the other girls, and give innumerable subjects for those confidential talks which are the chief joy of friendship.

not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure

From this reading The cushion for the wicker chair was a present from Lady Muriel to both the girls; and the knick-knacks that they had brought back with them were so entirely mixed that it was difficult to tell which belonged to either.

one or the other of two

From this reading The cushion for the wicker chair was a present from Lady Muriel to both the girls; and the knick-knacks that they had brought back with them were so entirely mixed that it was difficult to tell which belonged to either.

past form of “embroider” — decorate with needlework

From this reading Aldred had helped to buy the new gipsy table that stood in the window, and had embroidered half of the table-cloth that covered it.

to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)

From this reading The bedroom that had once seemed entirely Mabel's was now taken up with joint possessions.

divisible by two

From this reading An Opportunity Mabel and Aldred returned to Birkwood on terms of even closer intimacy than before.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading There is always a difference between a companion who is only an acquaintance at school and one who shares the many little home associations and interests that make a bond of union apart from the other girls, and give innumerable subjects for those confidential talks which are the chief joy of friendship.

the state of being friends (or friendly)

From this reading There is always a difference between a companion who is only an acquaintance at school and one who shares the many little home associations and interests that make a bond of union apart from the other girls, and give innumerable subjects for those confidential talks which are the chief joy of friendship.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading There is always a difference between a companion who is only an acquaintance at school and one who shares the many little home associations and interests that make a bond of union apart from the other girls, and give innumerable subjects for those confidential talks which are the chief joy of friendship.

a laborer who moves from place to place as demanded by employment

From this reading Aldred had helped to buy the new gipsy table that stood in the window, and had embroidered half of the table-cloth that covered it.

plural of “girl” — a young female

From this reading There is always a difference between a companion who is only an acquaintance at school and one who shares the many little home associations and interests that make a bond of union apart from the other girls, and give innumerable subjects for those confidential talks which are the chief joy of friendship.

cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense

From this reading There is always a difference between a companion who is only an acquaintance at school and one who shares the many little home associations and interests that make a bond of union apart from the other girls, and give innumerable subjects for those confidential talks which are the chief joy of friendship.

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

From this reading The bedroom that had once seemed entirely Mabel's was now taken up with joint possessions.

consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity

From this reading Aldred had helped to buy the new gipsy table that stood in the window, and had embroidered half of the table-cloth that covered it.

past form of “help” — give help or assistance; be of service

From this reading Aldred had helped to buy the new gipsy table that stood in the window, and had embroidered half of the table-cloth that covered it.

where you live at a particular time

From this reading There is always a difference between a companion who is only an acquaintance at school and one who shares the many little home associations and interests that make a bond of union apart from the other girls, and give innumerable subjects for those confidential talks which are the chief joy of friendship.

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

From this reading Aldred had helped to buy the new gipsy table that stood in the window, and had embroidered half of the table-cloth that covered it.

too numerous to be counted

From this reading There is always a difference between a companion who is only an acquaintance at school and one who shares the many little home associations and interests that make a bond of union apart from the other girls, and give innumerable subjects for those confidential talks which are the chief joy of friendship.

plural of “interest” — a sense of concern with and curiosity about someone or something

From this reading There is always a difference between a companion who is only an acquaintance at school and one who shares the many little home associations and interests that make a bond of union apart from the other girls, and give innumerable subjects for those confidential talks which are the chief joy of friendship.

close or warm friendship

From this reading An Opportunity Mabel and Aldred returned to Birkwood on terms of even closer intimacy than before.

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

From this reading There is always a difference between a companion who is only an acquaintance at school and one who shares the many little home associations and interests that make a bond of union apart from the other girls, and give innumerable subjects for those confidential talks which are the chief joy of friendship.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Aldred had helped to buy the new gipsy table that stood in the window, and had embroidered half of the table-cloth that covered it.

(anatomy) the point of connection between two bones or elements of a skeleton (especially if it allows motion)

From this reading The bedroom that had once seemed entirely Mabel's was now taken up with joint possessions.

the emotion of great happiness

From this reading There is always a difference between a companion who is only an acquaintance at school and one who shares the many little home associations and interests that make a bond of union apart from the other girls, and give innumerable subjects for those confidential talks which are the chief joy of friendship.

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

From this reading The cushion for the wicker chair was a present from Lady Muriel to both the girls; and the knick-knacks that they had brought back with them were so entirely mixed that it was difficult to tell which belonged to either.

a polite name for any woman

From this reading The cushion for the wicker chair was a present from Lady Muriel to both the girls; and the knick-knacks that they had brought back with them were so entirely mixed that it was difficult to tell which belonged to either.

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

From this reading There is always a difference between a companion who is only an acquaintance at school and one who shares the many little home associations and interests that make a bond of union apart from the other girls, and give innumerable subjects for those confidential talks which are the chief joy of friendship.

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

From this reading An Opportunity Mabel and Aldred returned to Birkwood on terms of even closer intimacy than before.

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

From this reading The bedroom that had once seemed entirely Mabel's was now taken up with joint possessions.

engage in

From this reading There is always a difference between a companion who is only an acquaintance at school and one who shares the many little home associations and interests that make a bond of union apart from the other girls, and give innumerable subjects for those confidential talks which are the chief joy of friendship.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number

From this reading There is always a difference between a companion who is only an acquaintance at school and one who shares the many little home associations and interests that make a bond of union apart from the other girls, and give innumerable subjects for those confidential talks which are the chief joy of friendship.

consisting of a haphazard assortment of different kinds

From this reading The cushion for the wicker chair was a present from Lady Muriel to both the girls; and the knick-knacks that they had brought back with them were so entirely mixed that it was difficult to tell which belonged to either.

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

From this reading The cushion for the wicker chair was a present from Lady Muriel to both the girls; and the knick-knacks that they had brought back with them were so entirely mixed that it was difficult to tell which belonged to either.

not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered

From this reading Aldred had helped to buy the new gipsy table that stood in the window, and had embroidered half of the table-cloth that covered it.

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

From this reading The bedroom that had once seemed entirely Mabel's was now taken up with joint possessions.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading An Opportunity Mabel and Aldred returned to Birkwood on terms of even closer intimacy than before.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading An Opportunity Mabel and Aldred returned to Birkwood on terms of even closer intimacy than before.

on one occasion

From this reading The bedroom that had once seemed entirely Mabel's was now taken up with joint possessions.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading There is always a difference between a companion who is only an acquaintance at school and one who shares the many little home associations and interests that make a bond of union apart from the other girls, and give innumerable subjects for those confidential talks which are the chief joy of friendship.

and nothing more

From this reading There is always a difference between a companion who is only an acquaintance at school and one who shares the many little home associations and interests that make a bond of union apart from the other girls, and give innumerable subjects for those confidential talks which are the chief joy of friendship.

a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances

From this reading An Opportunity Mabel and Aldred returned to Birkwood on terms of even closer intimacy than before.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading There is always a difference between a companion who is only an acquaintance at school and one who shares the many little home associations and interests that make a bond of union apart from the other girls, and give innumerable subjects for those confidential talks which are the chief joy of friendship.

plural of “possession” — the act of having and controlling property

From this reading The bedroom that had once seemed entirely Mabel's was now taken up with joint possessions.

give an exhibition of to an interested audience

From this reading The cushion for the wicker chair was a present from Lady Muriel to both the girls; and the knick-knacks that they had brought back with them were so entirely mixed that it was difficult to tell which belonged to either.

past form of “return” — go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before

From this reading An Opportunity Mabel and Aldred returned to Birkwood on terms of even closer intimacy than before.

an educational institution

From this reading There is always a difference between a companion who is only an acquaintance at school and one who shares the many little home associations and interests that make a bond of union apart from the other girls, and give innumerable subjects for those confidential talks which are the chief joy of friendship.

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

From this reading The bedroom that had once seemed entirely Mabel's was now taken up with joint possessions.

plural of “share” — assets belonging to or due to or contributed by an individual person or group

From this reading There is always a difference between a companion who is only an acquaintance at school and one who shares the many little home associations and interests that make a bond of union apart from the other girls, and give innumerable subjects for those confidential talks which are the chief joy of friendship.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading The cushion for the wicker chair was a present from Lady Muriel to both the girls; and the knick-knacks that they had brought back with them were so entirely mixed that it was difficult to tell which belonged to either.

Maintained an upright posture.

From this reading Aldred had helped to buy the new gipsy table that stood in the window, and had embroidered half of the table-cloth that covered it.

plural of “subject” — the subject matter of a conversation or discussion

From this reading There is always a difference between a companion who is only an acquaintance at school and one who shares the many little home associations and interests that make a bond of union apart from the other girls, and give innumerable subjects for those confidential talks which are the chief joy of friendship.

a set of data arranged in rows and columns

From this reading Aldred had helped to buy the new gipsy table that stood in the window, and had embroidered half of the table-cloth that covered it.

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

From this reading Aldred had helped to buy the new gipsy table that stood in the window, and had embroidered half of the table-cloth that covered it.

understood in a certain way; made sense of

From this reading The bedroom that had once seemed entirely Mabel's was now taken up with joint possessions.

a discussion intended to produce an agreement

From this reading There is always a difference between a companion who is only an acquaintance at school and one who shares the many little home associations and interests that make a bond of union apart from the other girls, and give innumerable subjects for those confidential talks which are the chief joy of friendship.

express in words

From this reading The cushion for the wicker chair was a present from Lady Muriel to both the girls; and the knick-knacks that they had brought back with them were so entirely mixed that it was difficult to tell which belonged to either.

status with respect to the relations between people or groups

From this reading An Opportunity Mabel and Aldred returned to Birkwood on terms of even closer intimacy than before.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading An Opportunity Mabel and Aldred returned to Birkwood on terms of even closer intimacy than before.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading There is always a difference between a companion who is only an acquaintance at school and one who shares the many little home associations and interests that make a bond of union apart from the other girls, and give innumerable subjects for those confidential talks which are the chief joy of friendship.

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

From this reading There is always a difference between a companion who is only an acquaintance at school and one who shares the many little home associations and interests that make a bond of union apart from the other girls, and give innumerable subjects for those confidential talks which are the chief joy of friendship.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading The cushion for the wicker chair was a present from Lady Muriel to both the girls; and the knick-knacks that they had brought back with them were so entirely mixed that it was difficult to tell which belonged to either.

in or at that place or location

From this reading There is always a difference between a companion who is only an acquaintance at school and one who shares the many little home associations and interests that make a bond of union apart from the other girls, and give innumerable subjects for those confidential talks which are the chief joy of friendship.

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading The cushion for the wicker chair was a present from Lady Muriel to both the girls; and the knick-knacks that they had brought back with them were so entirely mixed that it was difficult to tell which belonged to either.

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

From this reading There is always a difference between a companion who is only an acquaintance at school and one who shares the many little home associations and interests that make a bond of union apart from the other girls, and give innumerable subjects for those confidential talks which are the chief joy of friendship.

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

From this reading An Opportunity Mabel and Aldred returned to Birkwood on terms of even closer intimacy than before.

an organization of employees formed to bargain with the employer

From this reading There is always a difference between a companion who is only an acquaintance at school and one who shares the many little home associations and interests that make a bond of union apart from the other girls, and give innumerable subjects for those confidential talks which are the chief joy of friendship.

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

From this reading The bedroom that had once seemed entirely Mabel's was now taken up with joint possessions.

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

From this reading The bedroom that had once seemed entirely Mabel's was now taken up with joint possessions.

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

From this reading The cushion for the wicker chair was a present from Lady Muriel to both the girls; and the knick-knacks that they had brought back with them were so entirely mixed that it was difficult to tell which belonged to either.

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

From this reading There is always a difference between a companion who is only an acquaintance at school and one who shares the many little home associations and interests that make a bond of union apart from the other girls, and give innumerable subjects for those confidential talks which are the chief joy of friendship.

which person or people

From this reading There is always a difference between a companion who is only an acquaintance at school and one who shares the many little home associations and interests that make a bond of union apart from the other girls, and give innumerable subjects for those confidential talks which are the chief joy of friendship.

slender flexible branches or twigs (especially of willow or some canes); used for wickerwork

From this reading The cushion for the wicker chair was a present from Lady Muriel to both the girls; and the knick-knacks that they had brought back with them were so entirely mixed that it was difficult to tell which belonged to either.

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 Aldred had helped to buy the new gipsy table that stood in the window, and had embroidered half of the table-cloth that covered it.

in the company of; together with

From this reading The bedroom that had once seemed entirely Mabel's was now taken up with joint possessions.