Chapter XXIX

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

From this reading He had no ambition to be anything other than a servant, and a word of praise from his master now and then would atone for any amount of abuse.

treat badly

From this reading He had no ambition to be anything other than a servant, and a word of praise from his master now and then would atone for any amount of abuse.

a cherished desire

From this reading He had no ambition to be anything other than a servant, and a word of praise from his master now and then would atone for any amount of abuse.

a quantity of money

From this reading He had no ambition to be anything other than a servant, and a word of praise from his master now and then would atone for any amount of abuse.

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

From this reading GETTING AT THE TRUTH Perhaps the only two people in St. Gaved--outside the Tregony family--who could have thrown any ray of light on the situation were Micah Martin and Timothy Polgarrow, and they, as far as the general public was concerned, were both of them discreet enough to keep their own counsel.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading GETTING AT THE TRUTH Perhaps the only two people in St. Gaved--outside the Tregony family--who could have thrown any ray of light on the situation were Micah Martin and Timothy Polgarrow, and they, as far as the general public was concerned, were both of them discreet enough to keep their own counsel.

any thing at all

From this reading He had no ambition to be anything other than a servant, and a word of praise from his master now and then would atone for any amount of abuse.

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

From this reading GETTING AT THE TRUTH Perhaps the only two people in St. Gaved--outside the Tregony family--who could have thrown any ray of light on the situation were Micah Martin and Timothy Polgarrow, and they, as far as the general public was concerned, were both of them discreet enough to keep their own counsel.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading GETTING AT THE TRUTH Perhaps the only two people in St. Gaved--outside the Tregony family--who could have thrown any ray of light on the situation were Micah Martin and Timothy Polgarrow, and they, as far as the general public was concerned, were both of them discreet enough to keep their own counsel.

make amends for

From this reading He had no ambition to be anything other than a servant, and a word of praise from his master now and then would atone for any amount of abuse.

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

From this reading He had no ambition to be anything other than a servant, and a word of praise from his master now and then would atone for any amount of abuse.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading He had been on the estate as man and boy over fifty years.

The red fluid that circulates in the heart and blood vessels.

From this reading Comparative serfdom, continued through several generations, had eliminated from his blood every single corpuscle of independence.

the two together, not just one

From this reading GETTING AT THE TRUTH Perhaps the only two people in St. Gaved--outside the Tregony family--who could have thrown any ray of light on the situation were Micah Martin and Timothy Polgarrow, and they, as far as the general public was concerned, were both of them discreet enough to keep their own counsel.

a youthful male person

From this reading He had been on the estate as man and boy over fifty years.

a prominent attribute or aspect of something

From this reading Micah's chief characteristic was loyalty to the Tregony family.

a person who is in charge

From this reading Micah's chief characteristic was loyalty to the Tregony family.

relating to or based on or involving comparison

From this reading Comparative serfdom, continued through several generations, had eliminated from his blood every single corpuscle of independence.

feeling or showing worry or solicitude

From this reading GETTING AT THE TRUTH Perhaps the only two people in St. Gaved--outside the Tregony family--who could have thrown any ray of light on the situation were Micah Martin and Timothy Polgarrow, and they, as far as the general public was concerned, were both of them discreet enough to keep their own counsel.

without stop or interruption

From this reading Comparative serfdom, continued through several generations, had eliminated from his blood every single corpuscle of independence.

(nontechnical usage) a tiny piece of anything

From this reading Comparative serfdom, continued through several generations, had eliminated from his blood every single corpuscle of independence.

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

From this reading GETTING AT THE TRUTH Perhaps the only two people in St. Gaved--outside the Tregony family--who could have thrown any ray of light on the situation were Micah Martin and Timothy Polgarrow, and they, as far as the general public was concerned, were both of them discreet enough to keep their own counsel.

a lawyer who pleads cases in court

From this reading GETTING AT THE TRUTH Perhaps the only two people in St. Gaved--outside the Tregony family--who could have thrown any ray of light on the situation were Micah Martin and Timothy Polgarrow, and they, as far as the general public was concerned, were both of them discreet enough to keep their own counsel.

marked by prudence or modesty and wise self-restraint

From this reading GETTING AT THE TRUTH Perhaps the only two people in St. Gaved--outside the Tregony family--who could have thrown any ray of light on the situation were Micah Martin and Timothy Polgarrow, and they, as far as the general public was concerned, were both of them discreet enough to keep their own counsel.

past form of “eliminate” — terminate, end, or take out

From this reading Comparative serfdom, continued through several generations, had eliminated from his blood every single corpuscle of independence.

an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose

From this reading GETTING AT THE TRUTH Perhaps the only two people in St. Gaved--outside the Tregony family--who could have thrown any ray of light on the situation were Micah Martin and Timothy Polgarrow, and they, as far as the general public was concerned, were both of them discreet enough to keep their own counsel.

everything you own; all of your assets (whether real property or personal property) and liabilities

From this reading He had been on the estate as man and boy over fifty years.

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading Comparative serfdom, continued through several generations, had eliminated from his blood every single corpuscle of independence.

a social unit living together

From this reading GETTING AT THE TRUTH Perhaps the only two people in St. Gaved--outside the Tregony family--who could have thrown any ray of light on the situation were Micah Martin and Timothy Polgarrow, and they, as far as the general public was concerned, were both of them discreet enough to keep their own counsel.

to a considerable degree; very much

From this reading GETTING AT THE TRUTH Perhaps the only two people in St. Gaved--outside the Tregony family--who could have thrown any ray of light on the situation were Micah Martin and Timothy Polgarrow, and they, as far as the general public was concerned, were both of them discreet enough to keep their own counsel.

the cardinal number that is the product of ten and five

From this reading He had been on the estate as man and boy over fifty years.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading He had no ambition to be anything other than a servant, and a word of praise from his master now and then would atone for any amount of abuse.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading He had no ambition to be anything other than a servant, and a word of praise from his master now and then would atone for any amount of abuse.

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

From this reading GETTING AT THE TRUTH Perhaps the only two people in St. Gaved--outside the Tregony family--who could have thrown any ray of light on the situation were Micah Martin and Timothy Polgarrow, and they, as far as the general public was concerned, were both of them discreet enough to keep their own counsel.

applying to all or most members of a category or group

From this reading GETTING AT THE TRUTH Perhaps the only two people in St. Gaved--outside the Tregony family--who could have thrown any ray of light on the situation were Micah Martin and Timothy Polgarrow, and they, as far as the general public was concerned, were both of them discreet enough to keep their own counsel.

plural of “generation” — all the people living at the same time or of approximately the same age

From this reading Comparative serfdom, continued through several generations, had eliminated from his blood every single corpuscle of independence.

the act of acquiring something

From this reading GETTING AT THE TRUTH Perhaps the only two people in St. Gaved--outside the Tregony family--who could have thrown any ray of light on the situation were Micah Martin and Timothy Polgarrow, and they, as far as the general public was concerned, were both of them discreet enough to keep their own counsel.

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

From this reading He had been on the estate as man and boy over fifty years.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading GETTING AT THE TRUTH Perhaps the only two people in St. Gaved--outside the Tregony family--who could have thrown any ray of light on the situation were Micah Martin and Timothy Polgarrow, and they, as far as the general public was concerned, were both of them discreet enough to keep their own counsel.

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

From this reading He had been on the estate as man and boy over fifty years.

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

From this reading He had no ambition to be anything other than a servant, and a word of praise from his master now and then would atone for any amount of abuse.

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

From this reading GETTING AT THE TRUTH Perhaps the only two people in St. Gaved--outside the Tregony family--who could have thrown any ray of light on the situation were Micah Martin and Timothy Polgarrow, and they, as far as the general public was concerned, were both of them discreet enough to keep their own counsel.

freedom from control or influence of another or others

From this reading Comparative serfdom, continued through several generations, had eliminated from his blood every single corpuscle of independence.

cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”

From this reading GETTING AT THE TRUTH Perhaps the only two people in St. Gaved--outside the Tregony family--who could have thrown any ray of light on the situation were Micah Martin and Timothy Polgarrow, and they, as far as the general public was concerned, were both of them discreet enough to keep their own counsel.

of comparatively little physical weight or density

From this reading GETTING AT THE TRUTH Perhaps the only two people in St. Gaved--outside the Tregony family--who could have thrown any ray of light on the situation were Micah Martin and Timothy Polgarrow, and they, as far as the general public was concerned, were both of them discreet enough to keep their own counsel.

the quality of being loyal

From this reading Micah's chief characteristic was loyalty to the Tregony family.

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

From this reading He had been on the estate as man and boy over fifty years.

French bishop who is a patron saint of France (died in 397)

From this reading GETTING AT THE TRUTH Perhaps the only two people in St. Gaved--outside the Tregony family--who could have thrown any ray of light on the situation were Micah Martin and Timothy Polgarrow, and they, as far as the general public was concerned, were both of them discreet enough to keep their own counsel.

an artist of consummate skill

From this reading He had no ambition to be anything other than a servant, and a word of praise from his master now and then would atone for any amount of abuse.

a minor Hebrew prophet (8th century BC)

From this reading GETTING AT THE TRUTH Perhaps the only two people in St. Gaved--outside the Tregony family--who could have thrown any ray of light on the situation were Micah Martin and Timothy Polgarrow, and they, as far as the general public was concerned, were both of them discreet enough to keep their own counsel.

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

From this reading Micah's chief characteristic was loyalty to the Tregony family.

not any; not one

From this reading He had no ambition to be anything other than a servant, and a word of praise from his master now and then would atone for any amount of abuse.

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

From this reading He had no ambition to be anything other than a servant, and a word of praise from his master now and then would atone for any amount of abuse.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading GETTING AT THE TRUTH Perhaps the only two people in St. Gaved--outside the Tregony family--who could have thrown any ray of light on the situation were Micah Martin and Timothy Polgarrow, and they, as far as the general public was concerned, were both of them discreet enough to keep their own counsel.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading GETTING AT THE TRUTH Perhaps the only two people in St. Gaved--outside the Tregony family--who could have thrown any ray of light on the situation were Micah Martin and Timothy Polgarrow, and they, as far as the general public was concerned, were both of them discreet enough to keep their own counsel.

and nothing more

From this reading GETTING AT THE TRUTH Perhaps the only two people in St. Gaved--outside the Tregony family--who could have thrown any ray of light on the situation were Micah Martin and Timothy Polgarrow, and they, as far as the general public was concerned, were both of them discreet enough to keep their own counsel.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading He had no ambition to be anything other than a servant, and a word of praise from his master now and then would atone for any amount of abuse.

relating to or being on or near the outer side or limit

From this reading GETTING AT THE TRUTH Perhaps the only two people in St. Gaved--outside the Tregony family--who could have thrown any ray of light on the situation were Micah Martin and Timothy Polgarrow, and they, as far as the general public was concerned, were both of them discreet enough to keep their own counsel.

above and across; more than

From this reading He had been on the estate as man and boy over fifty years.

have ownership or possession of

From this reading GETTING AT THE TRUTH Perhaps the only two people in St. Gaved--outside the Tregony family--who could have thrown any ray of light on the situation were Micah Martin and Timothy Polgarrow, and they, as far as the general public was concerned, were both of them discreet enough to keep their own counsel.

(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively

From this reading GETTING AT THE TRUTH Perhaps the only two people in St. Gaved--outside the Tregony family--who could have thrown any ray of light on the situation were Micah Martin and Timothy Polgarrow, and they, as far as the general public was concerned, were both of them discreet enough to keep their own counsel.

by chance

From this reading GETTING AT THE TRUTH Perhaps the only two people in St. Gaved--outside the Tregony family--who could have thrown any ray of light on the situation were Micah Martin and Timothy Polgarrow, and they, as far as the general public was concerned, were both of them discreet enough to keep their own counsel.

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

From this reading GETTING AT THE TRUTH Perhaps the only two people in St. Gaved--outside the Tregony family--who could have thrown any ray of light on the situation were Micah Martin and Timothy Polgarrow, and they, as far as the general public was concerned, were both of them discreet enough to keep their own counsel.

an expression of approval and commendation

From this reading He had no ambition to be anything other than a servant, and a word of praise from his master now and then would atone for any amount of abuse.

people in general considered as a whole

From this reading GETTING AT THE TRUTH Perhaps the only two people in St. Gaved--outside the Tregony family--who could have thrown any ray of light on the situation were Micah Martin and Timothy Polgarrow, and they, as far as the general public was concerned, were both of them discreet enough to keep their own counsel.

a column of light (as from a beacon)

From this reading GETTING AT THE TRUTH Perhaps the only two people in St. Gaved--outside the Tregony family--who could have thrown any ray of light on the situation were Micah Martin and Timothy Polgarrow, and they, as far as the general public was concerned, were both of them discreet enough to keep their own counsel.

the state of a serf

From this reading Comparative serfdom, continued through several generations, had eliminated from his blood every single corpuscle of independence.

a person working in the service of another (especially in the household)

From this reading He had no ambition to be anything other than a servant, and a word of praise from his master now and then would atone for any amount of abuse.

(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many

From this reading Comparative serfdom, continued through several generations, had eliminated from his blood every single corpuscle of independence.

being or characteristic of a single thing or person

From this reading Comparative serfdom, continued through several generations, had eliminated from his blood every single corpuscle of independence.

the general state of things; the combination of circumstances at a given time

From this reading GETTING AT THE TRUTH Perhaps the only two people in St. Gaved--outside the Tregony family--who could have thrown any ray of light on the situation were Micah Martin and Timothy Polgarrow, and they, as far as the general public was concerned, were both of them discreet enough to keep their own counsel.

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

From this reading GETTING AT THE TRUTH Perhaps the only two people in St. Gaved--outside the Tregony family--who could have thrown any ray of light on the situation were Micah Martin and Timothy Polgarrow, and they, as far as the general public was concerned, were both of them discreet enough to keep their own counsel.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading He had no ambition to be anything other than a servant, and a word of praise from his master now and then would atone for any amount of abuse.

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

From this reading GETTING AT THE TRUTH Perhaps the only two people in St. Gaved--outside the Tregony family--who could have thrown any ray of light on the situation were Micah Martin and Timothy Polgarrow, and they, as far as the general public was concerned, were both of them discreet enough to keep their own counsel.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading GETTING AT THE TRUTH Perhaps the only two people in St. Gaved--outside the Tregony family--who could have thrown any ray of light on the situation were Micah Martin and Timothy Polgarrow, and they, as far as the general public was concerned, were both of them discreet enough to keep their own counsel.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading GETTING AT THE TRUTH Perhaps the only two people in St. Gaved--outside the Tregony family--who could have thrown any ray of light on the situation were Micah Martin and Timothy Polgarrow, and they, as far as the general public was concerned, were both of them discreet enough to keep their own counsel.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading He had no ambition to be anything other than a servant, and a word of praise from his master now and then would atone for any amount of abuse.

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

From this reading GETTING AT THE TRUTH Perhaps the only two people in St. Gaved--outside the Tregony family--who could have thrown any ray of light on the situation were Micah Martin and Timothy Polgarrow, and they, as far as the general public was concerned, were both of them discreet enough to keep their own counsel.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading Comparative serfdom, continued through several generations, had eliminated from his blood every single corpuscle of independence.

caused to fall to the ground

From this reading GETTING AT THE TRUTH Perhaps the only two people in St. Gaved--outside the Tregony family--who could have thrown any ray of light on the situation were Micah Martin and Timothy Polgarrow, and they, as far as the general public was concerned, were both of them discreet enough to keep their own counsel.

grass with long cylindrical spikes grown in northern United States and Europe for hay

From this reading GETTING AT THE TRUTH Perhaps the only two people in St. Gaved--outside the Tregony family--who could have thrown any ray of light on the situation were Micah Martin and Timothy Polgarrow, and they, as far as the general public was concerned, were both of them discreet enough to keep their own counsel.

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

From this reading GETTING AT THE TRUTH Perhaps the only two people in St. Gaved--outside the Tregony family--who could have thrown any ray of light on the situation were Micah Martin and Timothy Polgarrow, and they, as far as the general public was concerned, were both of them discreet enough to keep their own counsel.

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

From this reading GETTING AT THE TRUTH Perhaps the only two people in St. Gaved--outside the Tregony family--who could have thrown any ray of light on the situation were Micah Martin and Timothy Polgarrow, and they, as far as the general public was concerned, were both of them discreet enough to keep their own counsel.

a fact that has been verified

From this reading GETTING AT THE TRUTH Perhaps the only two people in St. Gaved--outside the Tregony family--who could have thrown any ray of light on the situation were Micah Martin and Timothy Polgarrow, and they, as far as the general public was concerned, were both of them discreet enough to keep their own counsel.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number

From this reading GETTING AT THE TRUTH Perhaps the only two people in St. Gaved--outside the Tregony family--who could have thrown any ray of light on the situation were Micah Martin and Timothy Polgarrow, and they, as far as the general public was concerned, were both of them discreet enough to keep their own counsel.

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

From this reading GETTING AT THE TRUTH Perhaps the only two people in St. Gaved--outside the Tregony family--who could have thrown any ray of light on the situation were Micah Martin and Timothy Polgarrow, and they, as far as the general public was concerned, were both of them discreet enough to keep their own counsel.

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

From this reading GETTING AT THE TRUTH Perhaps the only two people in St. Gaved--outside the Tregony family--who could have thrown any ray of light on the situation were Micah Martin and Timothy Polgarrow, and they, as far as the general public was concerned, were both of them discreet enough to keep their own counsel.

which person or people

From this reading GETTING AT THE TRUTH Perhaps the only two people in St. Gaved--outside the Tregony family--who could have thrown any ray of light on the situation were Micah Martin and Timothy Polgarrow, and they, as far as the general public was concerned, were both of them discreet enough to keep their own counsel.

a unit of language that native speakers can identify

From this reading He had no ambition to be anything other than a servant, and a word of praise from his master now and then would atone for any amount of abuse.

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

From this reading He had no ambition to be anything other than a servant, and a word of praise from his master now and then would atone for any amount of abuse.

a late time of life

From this reading He had been on the estate as man and boy over fifty years.