Chapter III

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

From this reading There was to be a great high tea at six, for which no dressing was required, in place of the ordinary dinner; and as she did not feel inclined to meet the crowd of company that was assembling in the drawing-room sooner than was necessary--to tell the truth, she had been crying, and her eyes were red--she returned by a back way to the ball-room, which she knew would be to all intents and purposes, empty.

(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 There was to be a great high tea at six, for which no dressing was required, in place of the ordinary dinner; and as she did not feel inclined to meet the crowd of company that was assembling in the drawing-room sooner than was necessary--to tell the truth, she had been crying, and her eyes were red--she returned by a back way to the ball-room, which she knew would be to all intents and purposes, empty.

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

From this reading As an excuse for doing so she carried in her arms some long wreaths of spiraea which she had discovered on a bush at the bottom of the garden, with which she intended to relieve the masses of box and laurestinus that made the groundwork of her decorations.

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

From this reading There was to be a great high tea at six, for which no dressing was required, in place of the ordinary dinner; and as she did not feel inclined to meet the crowd of company that was assembling in the drawing-room sooner than was necessary--to tell the truth, she had been crying, and her eyes were red--she returned by a back way to the ball-room, which she knew would be to all intents and purposes, empty.

weapons considered collectively

From this reading As an excuse for doing so she carried in her arms some long wreaths of spiraea which she had discovered on a bush at the bottom of the garden, with which she intended to relieve the masses of box and laurestinus that made the groundwork of her decorations.

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

From this reading There was to be a great high tea at six, for which no dressing was required, in place of the ordinary dinner; and as she did not feel inclined to meet the crowd of company that was assembling in the drawing-room sooner than was necessary--to tell the truth, she had been crying, and her eyes were red--she returned by a back way to the ball-room, which she knew would be to all intents and purposes, empty.

the act of gathering something together

From this reading There was to be a great high tea at six, for which no dressing was required, in place of the ordinary dinner; and as she did not feel inclined to meet the crowd of company that was assembling in the drawing-room sooner than was necessary--to tell the truth, she had been crying, and her eyes were red--she returned by a back way to the ball-room, which she knew would be to all intents and purposes, empty.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading There was to be a great high tea at six, for which no dressing was required, in place of the ordinary dinner; and as she did not feel inclined to meet the crowd of company that was assembling in the drawing-room sooner than was necessary--to tell the truth, she had been crying, and her eyes were red--she returned by a back way to the ball-room, which she knew would be to all intents and purposes, empty.

in or to or toward a former location

From this reading When Rachel came back to the house it was nearly five o'clock.

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

From this reading There was to be a great high tea at six, for which no dressing was required, in place of the ordinary dinner; and as she did not feel inclined to meet the crowd of company that was assembling in the drawing-room sooner than was necessary--to tell the truth, she had been crying, and her eyes were red--she returned by a back way to the ball-room, which she knew would be to all intents and purposes, empty.

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

From this reading There was to be a great high tea at six, for which no dressing was required, in place of the ordinary dinner; and as she did not feel inclined to meet the crowd of company that was assembling in the drawing-room sooner than was necessary--to tell the truth, she had been crying, and her eyes were red--she returned by a back way to the ball-room, which she knew would be to all intents and purposes, empty.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading There was to be a great high tea at six, for which no dressing was required, in place of the ordinary dinner; and as she did not feel inclined to meet the crowd of company that was assembling in the drawing-room sooner than was necessary--to tell the truth, she had been crying, and her eyes were red--she returned by a back way to the ball-room, which she knew would be to all intents and purposes, empty.

the lower side of anything

From this reading As an excuse for doing so she carried in her arms some long wreaths of spiraea which she had discovered on a bush at the bottom of the garden, with which she intended to relieve the masses of box and laurestinus that made the groundwork of her decorations.

a (usually rectangular) container; may have a lid

From this reading As an excuse for doing so she carried in her arms some long wreaths of spiraea which she had discovered on a bush at the bottom of the garden, with which she intended to relieve the masses of box and laurestinus that made the groundwork of her decorations.

a low woody perennial plant usually having several major stems

From this reading As an excuse for doing so she carried in her arms some long wreaths of spiraea which she had discovered on a bush at the bottom of the garden, with which she intended to relieve the masses of box and laurestinus that made the groundwork of her decorations.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading There was to be a great high tea at six, for which no dressing was required, in place of the ordinary dinner; and as she did not feel inclined to meet the crowd of company that was assembling in the drawing-room sooner than was necessary--to tell the truth, she had been crying, and her eyes were red--she returned by a back way to the ball-room, which she knew would be to all intents and purposes, empty.

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

From this reading When Rachel came back to the house it was nearly five o'clock.

inflected form of “carry” — move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body

From this reading As an excuse for doing so she carried in her arms some long wreaths of spiraea which she had discovered on a bush at the bottom of the garden, with which she intended to relieve the masses of box and laurestinus that made the groundwork of her decorations.

an institution created to conduct business

From this reading There was to be a great high tea at six, for which no dressing was required, in place of the ordinary dinner; and as she did not feel inclined to meet the crowd of company that was assembling in the drawing-room sooner than was necessary--to tell the truth, she had been crying, and her eyes were red--she returned by a back way to the ball-room, which she knew would be to all intents and purposes, empty.

cause to herd, drive, or crowd together

From this reading There was to be a great high tea at six, for which no dressing was required, in place of the ordinary dinner; and as she did not feel inclined to meet the crowd of company that was assembling in the drawing-room sooner than was necessary--to tell the truth, she had been crying, and her eyes were red--she returned by a back way to the ball-room, which she knew would be to all intents and purposes, empty.

demanding attention

From this reading There was to be a great high tea at six, for which no dressing was required, in place of the ordinary dinner; and as she did not feel inclined to meet the crowd of company that was assembling in the drawing-room sooner than was necessary--to tell the truth, she had been crying, and her eyes were red--she returned by a back way to the ball-room, which she knew would be to all intents and purposes, empty.

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

From this reading Lightly flitting up a stone-flagged passage at the rear of the house, she suddenly came upon Mr. Dalrymple.

plural of “decoration” — something used to beautify

From this reading As an excuse for doing so she carried in her arms some long wreaths of spiraea which she had discovered on a bush at the bottom of the garden, with which she intended to relieve the masses of box and laurestinus that made the groundwork of her decorations.

the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives

From this reading There was to be a great high tea at six, for which no dressing was required, in place of the ordinary dinner; and as she did not feel inclined to meet the crowd of company that was assembling in the drawing-room sooner than was necessary--to tell the truth, she had been crying, and her eyes were red--she returned by a back way to the ball-room, which she knew would be to all intents and purposes, empty.

the main meal of the day served in the evening or at midday

From this reading There was to be a great high tea at six, for which no dressing was required, in place of the ordinary dinner; and as she did not feel inclined to meet the crowd of company that was assembling in the drawing-room sooner than was necessary--to tell the truth, she had been crying, and her eyes were red--she returned by a back way to the ball-room, which she knew would be to all intents and purposes, empty.

discovered or determined by scientific observation

From this reading As an excuse for doing so she carried in her arms some long wreaths of spiraea which she had discovered on a bush at the bottom of the garden, with which she intended to relieve the masses of box and laurestinus that made the groundwork of her decorations.

-ing form of “do” — engage in

From this reading As an excuse for doing so she carried in her arms some long wreaths of spiraea which she had discovered on a bush at the bottom of the garden, with which she intended to relieve the masses of box and laurestinus that made the groundwork of her decorations.

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

From this reading There was to be a great high tea at six, for which no dressing was required, in place of the ordinary dinner; and as she did not feel inclined to meet the crowd of company that was assembling in the drawing-room sooner than was necessary--to tell the truth, she had been crying, and her eyes were red--she returned by a back way to the ball-room, which she knew would be to all intents and purposes, empty.

savory dressings for salads; basically of two kinds: either the thin French or vinaigrette type or the creamy mayonnaise type

From this reading There was to be a great high tea at six, for which no dressing was required, in place of the ordinary dinner; and as she did not feel inclined to meet the crowd of company that was assembling in the drawing-room sooner than was necessary--to tell the truth, she had been crying, and her eyes were red--she returned by a back way to the ball-room, which she knew would be to all intents and purposes, empty.

make void or empty of contents

From this reading There was to be a great high tea at six, for which no dressing was required, in place of the ordinary dinner; and as she did not feel inclined to meet the crowd of company that was assembling in the drawing-room sooner than was necessary--to tell the truth, she had been crying, and her eyes were red--she returned by a back way to the ball-room, which she knew would be to all intents and purposes, empty.

accept an excuse for

From this reading As an excuse for doing so she carried in her arms some long wreaths of spiraea which she had discovered on a bush at the bottom of the garden, with which she intended to relieve the masses of box and laurestinus that made the groundwork of her decorations.

opinion or judgment

From this reading There was to be a great high tea at six, for which no dressing was required, in place of the ordinary dinner; and as she did not feel inclined to meet the crowd of company that was assembling in the drawing-room sooner than was necessary--to tell the truth, she had been crying, and her eyes were red--she returned by a back way to the ball-room, which she knew would be to all intents and purposes, empty.

undergo an emotional sensation or be in a particular state of mind

From this reading There was to be a great high tea at six, for which no dressing was required, in place of the ordinary dinner; and as she did not feel inclined to meet the crowd of company that was assembling in the drawing-room sooner than was necessary--to tell the truth, she had been crying, and her eyes were red--she returned by a back way to the ball-room, which she knew would be to all intents and purposes, empty.

the cardinal number that is the sum of four and one

From this reading When Rachel came back to the house it was nearly five o'clock.

inflected form of “flit” — move along rapidly and lightly; skim or dart

From this reading Lightly flitting up a stone-flagged passage at the rear of the house, she suddenly came upon Mr. Dalrymple.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading There was to be a great high tea at six, for which no dressing was required, in place of the ordinary dinner; and as she did not feel inclined to meet the crowd of company that was assembling in the drawing-room sooner than was necessary--to tell the truth, she had been crying, and her eyes were red--she returned by a back way to the ball-room, which she knew would be to all intents and purposes, empty.

a plot of ground where plants are cultivated

From this reading As an excuse for doing so she carried in her arms some long wreaths of spiraea which she had discovered on a bush at the bottom of the garden, with which she intended to relieve the masses of box and laurestinus that made the groundwork of her decorations.

relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind

From this reading There was to be a great high tea at six, for which no dressing was required, in place of the ordinary dinner; and as she did not feel inclined to meet the crowd of company that was assembling in the drawing-room sooner than was necessary--to tell the truth, she had been crying, and her eyes were red--she returned by a back way to the ball-room, which she knew would be to all intents and purposes, empty.

the fundamental assumptions from which something is begun or developed or calculated or explained

From this reading As an excuse for doing so she carried in her arms some long wreaths of spiraea which she had discovered on a bush at the bottom of the garden, with which she intended to relieve the masses of box and laurestinus that made the groundwork of her decorations.

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

From this reading There was to be a great high tea at six, for which no dressing was required, in place of the ordinary dinner; and as she did not feel inclined to meet the crowd of company that was assembling in the drawing-room sooner than was necessary--to tell the truth, she had been crying, and her eyes were red--she returned by a back way to the ball-room, which she knew would be to all intents and purposes, empty.

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading There was to be a great high tea at six, for which no dressing was required, in place of the ordinary dinner; and as she did not feel inclined to meet the crowd of company that was assembling in the drawing-room sooner than was necessary--to tell the truth, she had been crying, and her eyes were red--she returned by a back way to the ball-room, which she knew would be to all intents and purposes, empty.

greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading There was to be a great high tea at six, for which no dressing was required, in place of the ordinary dinner; and as she did not feel inclined to meet the crowd of company that was assembling in the drawing-room sooner than was necessary--to tell the truth, she had been crying, and her eyes were red--she returned by a back way to the ball-room, which she knew would be to all intents and purposes, empty.

a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families

From this reading When Rachel came back to the house it was nearly five o'clock.

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

From this reading There was to be a great high tea at six, for which no dressing was required, in place of the ordinary dinner; and as she did not feel inclined to meet the crowd of company that was assembling in the drawing-room sooner than was necessary--to tell the truth, she had been crying, and her eyes were red--she returned by a back way to the ball-room, which she knew would be to all intents and purposes, empty.

(often followed by “to”) having a preference, disposition, or tendency

From this reading There was to be a great high tea at six, for which no dressing was required, in place of the ordinary dinner; and as she did not feel inclined to meet the crowd of company that was assembling in the drawing-room sooner than was necessary--to tell the truth, she had been crying, and her eyes were red--she returned by a back way to the ball-room, which she knew would be to all intents and purposes, empty.

resulting from one's intentions

From this reading As an excuse for doing so she carried in her arms some long wreaths of spiraea which she had discovered on a bush at the bottom of the garden, with which she intended to relieve the masses of box and laurestinus that made the groundwork of her decorations.

plural of “intent” — an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions

From this reading There was to be a great high tea at six, for which no dressing was required, in place of the ordinary dinner; and as she did not feel inclined to meet the crowd of company that was assembling in the drawing-room sooner than was necessary--to tell the truth, she had been crying, and her eyes were red--she returned by a back way to the ball-room, which she knew would be to all intents and purposes, empty.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading When Rachel came back to the house it was nearly five o'clock.

inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about

From this reading There was to be a great high tea at six, for which no dressing was required, in place of the ordinary dinner; and as she did not feel inclined to meet the crowd of company that was assembling in the drawing-room sooner than was necessary--to tell the truth, she had been crying, and her eyes were red--she returned by a back way to the ball-room, which she knew would be to all intents and purposes, empty.

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

From this reading As an excuse for doing so she carried in her arms some long wreaths of spiraea which she had discovered on a bush at the bottom of the garden, with which she intended to relieve the masses of box and laurestinus that made the groundwork of her decorations.

without good reason

From this reading Lightly flitting up a stone-flagged passage at the rear of the house, she suddenly came upon Mr. Dalrymple.

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 As an excuse for doing so she carried in her arms some long wreaths of spiraea which she had discovered on a bush at the bottom of the garden, with which she intended to relieve the masses of box and laurestinus that made the groundwork of her decorations.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading As an excuse for doing so she carried in her arms some long wreaths of spiraea which she had discovered on a bush at the bottom of the garden, with which she intended to relieve the masses of box and laurestinus that made the groundwork of her decorations.

the common people generally

From this reading As an excuse for doing so she carried in her arms some long wreaths of spiraea which she had discovered on a bush at the bottom of the garden, with which she intended to relieve the masses of box and laurestinus that made the groundwork of her decorations.

come together

From this reading There was to be a great high tea at six, for which no dressing was required, in place of the ordinary dinner; and as she did not feel inclined to meet the crowd of company that was assembling in the drawing-room sooner than was necessary--to tell the truth, she had been crying, and her eyes were red--she returned by a back way to the ball-room, which she knew would be to all intents and purposes, empty.

a form of address for a man

From this reading Lightly flitting up a stone-flagged passage at the rear of the house, she suddenly came upon Mr. Dalrymple.

(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but

From this reading When Rachel came back to the house it was nearly five o'clock.

absolutely essential

From this reading There was to be a great high tea at six, for which no dressing was required, in place of the ordinary dinner; and as she did not feel inclined to meet the crowd of company that was assembling in the drawing-room sooner than was necessary--to tell the truth, she had been crying, and her eyes were red--she returned by a back way to the ball-room, which she knew would be to all intents and purposes, empty.

a condition requiring relief

From this reading "WHERE THERE WAS NEVER NEED OF VOWS."

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading "WHERE THERE WAS NEVER NEED OF VOWS."

not any; not one

From this reading There was to be a great high tea at six, for which no dressing was required, in place of the ordinary dinner; and as she did not feel inclined to meet the crowd of company that was assembling in the drawing-room sooner than was necessary--to tell the truth, she had been crying, and her eyes were red--she returned by a back way to the ball-room, which she knew would be to all intents and purposes, empty.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading There was to be a great high tea at six, for which no dressing was required, in place of the ordinary dinner; and as she did not feel inclined to meet the crowd of company that was assembling in the drawing-room sooner than was necessary--to tell the truth, she had been crying, and her eyes were red--she returned by a back way to the ball-room, which she knew would be to all intents and purposes, empty.

according to the clock

From this reading When Rachel came back to the house it was nearly five o'clock.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading "WHERE THERE WAS NEVER NEED OF VOWS."

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading As an excuse for doing so she carried in her arms some long wreaths of spiraea which she had discovered on a bush at the bottom of the garden, with which she intended to relieve the masses of box and laurestinus that made the groundwork of her decorations.

a judge of a probate court

From this reading There was to be a great high tea at six, for which no dressing was required, in place of the ordinary dinner; and as she did not feel inclined to meet the crowd of company that was assembling in the drawing-room sooner than was necessary--to tell the truth, she had been crying, and her eyes were red--she returned by a back way to the ball-room, which she knew would be to all intents and purposes, empty.

the act of passing from one state or place to the next

From this reading Lightly flitting up a stone-flagged passage at the rear of the house, she suddenly came upon Mr. Dalrymple.

a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading There was to be a great high tea at six, for which no dressing was required, in place of the ordinary dinner; and as she did not feel inclined to meet the crowd of company that was assembling in the drawing-room sooner than was necessary--to tell the truth, she had been crying, and her eyes were red--she returned by a back way to the ball-room, which she knew would be to all intents and purposes, empty.

plural of “purpose” — an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions

From this reading There was to be a great high tea at six, for which no dressing was required, in place of the ordinary dinner; and as she did not feel inclined to meet the crowd of company that was assembling in the drawing-room sooner than was necessary--to tell the truth, she had been crying, and her eyes were red--she returned by a back way to the ball-room, which she knew would be to all intents and purposes, empty.

(Old Testament) the second wife of Jacob and mother of Joseph and Benjamin

From this reading When Rachel came back to the house it was nearly five o'clock.

the back of a military formation or procession

From this reading Lightly flitting up a stone-flagged passage at the rear of the house, she suddenly came upon Mr. Dalrymple.

red color or pigment; the chromatic color resembling the hue of blood

From this reading There was to be a great high tea at six, for which no dressing was required, in place of the ordinary dinner; and as she did not feel inclined to meet the crowd of company that was assembling in the drawing-room sooner than was necessary--to tell the truth, she had been crying, and her eyes were red--she returned by a back way to the ball-room, which she knew would be to all intents and purposes, empty.

provide physical relief, as from pain

From this reading As an excuse for doing so she carried in her arms some long wreaths of spiraea which she had discovered on a bush at the bottom of the garden, with which she intended to relieve the masses of box and laurestinus that made the groundwork of her decorations.

necessary for relief or supply

From this reading There was to be a great high tea at six, for which no dressing was required, in place of the ordinary dinner; and as she did not feel inclined to meet the crowd of company that was assembling in the drawing-room sooner than was necessary--to tell the truth, she had been crying, and her eyes were red--she returned by a back way to the ball-room, which she knew would be to all intents and purposes, empty.

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

From this reading There was to be a great high tea at six, for which no dressing was required, in place of the ordinary dinner; and as she did not feel inclined to meet the crowd of company that was assembling in the drawing-room sooner than was necessary--to tell the truth, she had been crying, and her eyes were red--she returned by a back way to the ball-room, which she knew would be to all intents and purposes, empty.

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

From this reading There was to be a great high tea at six, for which no dressing was required, in place of the ordinary dinner; and as she did not feel inclined to meet the crowd of company that was assembling in the drawing-room sooner than was necessary--to tell the truth, she had been crying, and her eyes were red--she returned by a back way to the ball-room, which she knew would be to all intents and purposes, empty.

the cardinal number that is the sum of five and one

From this reading There was to be a great high tea at six, for which no dressing was required, in place of the ordinary dinner; and as she did not feel inclined to meet the crowd of company that was assembling in the drawing-room sooner than was necessary--to tell the truth, she had been crying, and her eyes were red--she returned by a back way to the ball-room, which she knew would be to all intents and purposes, empty.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading As an excuse for doing so she carried in her arms some long wreaths of spiraea which she had discovered on a bush at the bottom of the garden, with which she intended to relieve the masses of box and laurestinus that made the groundwork of her decorations.

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

From this reading As an excuse for doing so she carried in her arms some long wreaths of spiraea which she had discovered on a bush at the bottom of the garden, with which she intended to relieve the masses of box and laurestinus that made the groundwork of her decorations.

comparatives of “soon” or “early”

From this reading There was to be a great high tea at six, for which no dressing was required, in place of the ordinary dinner; and as she did not feel inclined to meet the crowd of company that was assembling in the drawing-room sooner than was necessary--to tell the truth, she had been crying, and her eyes were red--she returned by a back way to the ball-room, which she knew would be to all intents and purposes, empty.

a Japanese shrub that resembles members of the genus Spiraea; widely cultivated in many varieties for its dense panicles of flowers in many colors; often forced by florists for Easter blooming

From this reading As an excuse for doing so she carried in her arms some long wreaths of spiraea which she had discovered on a bush at the bottom of the garden, with which she intended to relieve the masses of box and laurestinus that made the groundwork of her decorations.

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

From this reading Lightly flitting up a stone-flagged passage at the rear of the house, she suddenly came upon Mr. Dalrymple.

happening unexpectedly

From this reading Lightly flitting up a stone-flagged passage at the rear of the house, she suddenly came upon Mr. Dalrymple.

a beverage made by steeping tea leaves in water

From this reading There was to be a great high tea at six, for which no dressing was required, in place of the ordinary dinner; and as she did not feel inclined to meet the crowd of company that was assembling in the drawing-room sooner than was necessary--to tell the truth, she had been crying, and her eyes were red--she returned by a back way to the ball-room, which she knew would be to all intents and purposes, empty.

express in words

From this reading There was to be a great high tea at six, for which no dressing was required, in place of the ordinary dinner; and as she did not feel inclined to meet the crowd of company that was assembling in the drawing-room sooner than was necessary--to tell the truth, she had been crying, and her eyes were red--she returned by a back way to the ball-room, which she knew would be to all intents and purposes, empty.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading There was to be a great high tea at six, for which no dressing was required, in place of the ordinary dinner; and as she did not feel inclined to meet the crowd of company that was assembling in the drawing-room sooner than was necessary--to tell the truth, she had been crying, and her eyes were red--she returned by a back way to the ball-room, which she knew would be to all intents and purposes, empty.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading There was to be a great high tea at six, for which no dressing was required, in place of the ordinary dinner; and as she did not feel inclined to meet the crowd of company that was assembling in the drawing-room sooner than was necessary--to tell the truth, she had been crying, and her eyes were red--she returned by a back way to the ball-room, which she knew would be to all intents and purposes, empty.

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

From this reading When Rachel came back to the house it was nearly five o'clock.

in or at that place or location

From this reading "WHERE THERE WAS NEVER NEED OF VOWS."

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

From this reading When Rachel came back to the house it was nearly five o'clock.

a fact that has been verified

From this reading There was to be a great high tea at six, for which no dressing was required, in place of the ordinary dinner; and as she did not feel inclined to meet the crowd of company that was assembling in the drawing-room sooner than was necessary--to tell the truth, she had been crying, and her eyes were red--she returned by a back way to the ball-room, which she knew would be to all intents and purposes, empty.

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

From this reading Lightly flitting up a stone-flagged passage at the rear of the house, she suddenly came upon Mr. Dalrymple.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading Lightly flitting up a stone-flagged passage at the rear of the house, she suddenly came upon Mr. Dalrymple.

plural of “vow” — a solemn pledge (to oneself or to another or to a deity) to do something or to behave in a certain manner

From this reading "WHERE THERE WAS NEVER NEED OF VOWS."

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

From this reading "WHERE THERE WAS NEVER NEED OF VOWS."

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading There was to be a great high tea at six, for which no dressing was required, in place of the ordinary dinner; and as she did not feel inclined to meet the crowd of company that was assembling in the drawing-room sooner than was necessary--to tell the truth, she had been crying, and her eyes were red--she returned by a back way to the ball-room, which she knew would be to all intents and purposes, empty.

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

From this reading There was to be a great high tea at six, for which no dressing was required, in place of the ordinary dinner; and as she did not feel inclined to meet the crowd of company that was assembling in the drawing-room sooner than was necessary--to tell the truth, she had been crying, and her eyes were red--she returned by a back way to the ball-room, which she knew would be to all intents and purposes, empty.

at the time that

From this reading When Rachel came back to the house it was nearly five o'clock.

in or at the place that

From this reading "WHERE THERE WAS NEVER NEED OF VOWS."

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

From this reading There was to be a great high tea at six, for which no dressing was required, in place of the ordinary dinner; and as she did not feel inclined to meet the crowd of company that was assembling in the drawing-room sooner than was necessary--to tell the truth, she had been crying, and her eyes were red--she returned by a back way to the ball-room, which she knew would be to all intents and purposes, empty.

in the company of; together with

From this reading As an excuse for doing so she carried in her arms some long wreaths of spiraea which she had discovered on a bush at the bottom of the garden, with which she intended to relieve the masses of box and laurestinus that made the groundwork of her decorations.

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

From this reading There was to be a great high tea at six, for which no dressing was required, in place of the ordinary dinner; and as she did not feel inclined to meet the crowd of company that was assembling in the drawing-room sooner than was necessary--to tell the truth, she had been crying, and her eyes were red--she returned by a back way to the ball-room, which she knew would be to all intents and purposes, empty.

plural of “wreath” — flower arrangement consisting of a circular band of foliage or flowers for ornamental purposes

From this reading As an excuse for doing so she carried in her arms some long wreaths of spiraea which she had discovered on a bush at the bottom of the garden, with which she intended to relieve the masses of box and laurestinus that made the groundwork of her decorations.