Chapter II

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

From this reading The family had returned to the drawing-room after supper, but as Mr. Linley and his son had begun to talk about music, the younger members had escaped to another apartment, the better to push on a nursery quarrel as to the respective value of their presents.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading The family had returned to the drawing-room after supper, but as Mr. Linley and his son had begun to talk about music, the younger members had escaped to another apartment, the better to push on a nursery quarrel as to the respective value of their presents.

with affection

From this reading Yes, that is what I heard," said Tom, patting Betsy's hand, which he held affectionately in his own.

later than; following

From this reading The family had returned to the drawing-room after supper, but as Mr. Linley and his son had begun to talk about music, the younger members had escaped to another apartment, the better to push on a nursery quarrel as to the respective value of their presents.

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

From this reading He had made quite an art of fondling hands, having been for four years in Italy.

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

From this reading The family had returned to the drawing-room after supper, but as Mr. Linley and his son had begun to talk about music, the younger members had escaped to another apartment, the better to push on a nursery quarrel as to the respective value of their presents.

one more of the same kind, or a different one

From this reading The family had returned to the drawing-room after supper, but as Mr. Linley and his son had begun to talk about music, the younger members had escaped to another apartment, the better to push on a nursery quarrel as to the respective value of their presents.

a suite of rooms usually on one floor of an apartment house

From this reading The family had returned to the drawing-room after supper, but as Mr. Linley and his son had begun to talk about music, the younger members had escaped to another apartment, the better to push on a nursery quarrel as to the respective value of their presents.

an old form of “are”, used with “thou”

From this reading He had made quite an art of fondling hands, having been for four years in Italy.

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

From this reading The family had returned to the drawing-room after supper, but as Mr. Linley and his son had begun to talk about music, the younger members had escaped to another apartment, the better to push on a nursery quarrel as to the respective value of their presents.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading He had made quite an art of fondling hands, having been for four years in Italy.

the event consisting of the start of something

From this reading The novelty of a newly returned elder brother was beginning to decline; he had eaten of the pie just as they had eaten of it, and now he was beginning to talk quite easily of music, when they had fully expected him to tell them some thrilling stories of Italian brigands full of bloodshed.

inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

From this reading The family had returned to the drawing-room after supper, but as Mr. Linley and his son had begun to talk about music, the younger members had escaped to another apartment, the better to push on a nursery quarrel as to the respective value of their presents.

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

From this reading Yes, that is what I heard," said Tom, patting Betsy's hand, which he held affectionately in his own.

(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another

From this reading The family had returned to the drawing-room after supper, but as Mr. Linley and his son had begun to talk about music, the younger members had escaped to another apartment, the better to push on a nursery quarrel as to the respective value of their presents.

the shedding of blood resulting in murder

From this reading The novelty of a newly returned elder brother was beginning to decline; he had eaten of the pie just as they had eaten of it, and now he was beginning to talk quite easily of music, when they had fully expected him to tell them some thrilling stories of Italian brigands full of bloodshed.

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

From this reading The novelty of a newly returned elder brother was beginning to decline; he had eaten of the pie just as they had eaten of it, and now he was beginning to talk quite easily of music, when they had fully expected him to tell them some thrilling stories of Italian brigands full of bloodshed.

a male with the same parents as someone else

From this reading The novelty of a newly returned elder brother was beginning to decline; he had eaten of the pie just as they had eaten of it, and now he was beginning to talk quite easily of music, when they had fully expected him to tell them some thrilling stories of Italian brigands full of bloodshed.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading The family had returned to the drawing-room after supper, but as Mr. Linley and his son had begun to talk about music, the younger members had escaped to another apartment, the better to push on a nursery quarrel as to the respective value of their presents.

grow worse

From this reading The novelty of a newly returned elder brother was beginning to decline; he had eaten of the pie just as they had eaten of it, and now he was beginning to talk quite easily of music, when they had fully expected him to tell them some thrilling stories of Italian brigands full of bloodshed.

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

From this reading The family had returned to the drawing-room after supper, but as Mr. Linley and his son had begun to talk about music, the younger members had escaped to another apartment, the better to push on a nursery quarrel as to the respective value of their presents.

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

From this reading The novelty of a newly returned elder brother was beginning to decline; he had eaten of the pie just as they had eaten of it, and now he was beginning to talk quite easily of music, when they had fully expected him to tell them some thrilling stories of Italian brigands full of bloodshed.

inflected form of “eat” — take in solid food

From this reading The novelty of a newly returned elder brother was beginning to decline; he had eaten of the pie just as they had eaten of it, and now he was beginning to talk quite easily of music, when they had fully expected him to tell them some thrilling stories of Italian brigands full of bloodshed.

a person who is older than you are

From this reading The novelty of a newly returned elder brother was beginning to decline; he had eaten of the pie just as they had eaten of it, and now he was beginning to talk quite easily of music, when they had fully expected him to tell them some thrilling stories of Italian brigands full of bloodshed.

a division of the United Kingdom

From this reading "'The greatest singer in England.'

having escaped, especially from confinement

From this reading The family had returned to the drawing-room after supper, but as Mr. Linley and his son had begun to talk about music, the younger members had escaped to another apartment, the better to push on a nursery quarrel as to the respective value of their presents.

considered likely or probable to happen or arrive

From this reading The novelty of a newly returned elder brother was beginning to decline; he had eaten of the pie just as they had eaten of it, and now he was beginning to talk quite easily of music, when they had fully expected him to tell them some thrilling stories of Italian brigands full of bloodshed.

a social unit living together

From this reading The family had returned to the drawing-room after supper, but as Mr. Linley and his son had begun to talk about music, the younger members had escaped to another apartment, the better to push on a nursery quarrel as to the respective value of their presents.

affectionate play (or foreplay without contact with the genital organs)

From this reading He had made quite an art of fondling hands, having been for four years in Italy.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading He had made quite an art of fondling hands, having been for four years in Italy.

the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one

From this reading He had made quite an art of fondling hands, having been for four years in Italy.

containing as much or as many as is possible or normal

From this reading The novelty of a newly returned elder brother was beginning to decline; he had eaten of the pie just as they had eaten of it, and now he was beginning to talk quite easily of music, when they had fully expected him to tell them some thrilling stories of Italian brigands full of bloodshed.

to the greatest degree or extent; completely or entirely; (“full” in this sense is used as a combining form)

From this reading The novelty of a newly returned elder brother was beginning to decline; he had eaten of the pie just as they had eaten of it, and now he was beginning to talk quite easily of music, when they had fully expected him to tell them some thrilling stories of Italian brigands full of bloodshed.

highest in quality

From this reading "'The greatest singer in England.'

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

From this reading He had made quite an art of fondling hands, having been for four years in Italy.

the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb

From this reading Yes, that is what I heard," said Tom, patting Betsy's hand, which he held affectionately in his own.

(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child

From this reading He had made quite an art of fondling hands, having been for four years in Italy.

the -ing form of “have”

From this reading He had made quite an art of fondling hands, having been for four years in Italy.

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

From this reading Yes, that is what I heard," said Tom, patting Betsy's hand, which he held affectionately in his own.

detected or perceived by the sense of hearing

From this reading Yes, that is what I heard," said Tom, patting Betsy's hand, which he held affectionately in his own.

occupied or in the control of; often used in combination

From this reading Yes, that is what I heard," said Tom, patting Betsy's hand, which he held affectionately in his own.

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading The novelty of a newly returned elder brother was beginning to decline; he had eaten of the pie just as they had eaten of it, and now he was beginning to talk quite easily of music, when they had fully expected him to tell them some thrilling stories of Italian brigands full of bloodshed.

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

From this reading Yes, that is what I heard," said Tom, patting Betsy's hand, which he held affectionately in his own.

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

From this reading Yes, that is what I heard," said Tom, patting Betsy's hand, which he held affectionately in his own.

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

From this reading "'The greatest singer in England.'

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

From this reading Yes, that is what I heard," said Tom, patting Betsy's hand, which he held affectionately in his own.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading The novelty of a newly returned elder brother was beginning to decline; he had eaten of the pie just as they had eaten of it, and now he was beginning to talk quite easily of music, when they had fully expected him to tell them some thrilling stories of Italian brigands full of bloodshed.

a native or inhabitant of Italy

From this reading The novelty of a newly returned elder brother was beginning to decline; he had eaten of the pie just as they had eaten of it, and now he was beginning to talk quite easily of music, when they had fully expected him to tell them some thrilling stories of Italian brigands full of bloodshed.

a republic in southern Europe on the Italian Peninsula; was the core of the Roman Republic and the Roman Empire between the 4th century BC and the 5th century AD

From this reading He had made quite an art of fondling hands, having been for four years in Italy.

and nothing more

From this reading The novelty of a newly returned elder brother was beginning to decline; he had eaten of the pie just as they had eaten of it, and now he was beginning to talk quite easily of music, when they had fully expected him to tell them some thrilling stories of Italian brigands full of bloodshed.

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

From this reading The family had returned to the drawing-room after supper, but as Mr. Linley and his son had begun to talk about music, the younger members had escaped to another apartment, the better to push on a nursery quarrel as to the respective value of their presents.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading He had made quite an art of fondling hands, having been for four years in Italy.

plural of “member” — one of the persons who compose a social group (especially individuals who have joined and participate in a group organization)

From this reading The family had returned to the drawing-room after supper, but as Mr. Linley and his son had begun to talk about music, the younger members had escaped to another apartment, the better to push on a nursery quarrel as to the respective value of their presents.

a form of address for a man

From this reading The family had returned to the drawing-room after supper, but as Mr. Linley and his son had begun to talk about music, the younger members had escaped to another apartment, the better to push on a nursery quarrel as to the respective value of their presents.

an artistic form of auditory communication incorporating instrumental or vocal tones in a structured and continuous manner

From this reading The family had returned to the drawing-room after supper, but as Mr. Linley and his son had begun to talk about music, the younger members had escaped to another apartment, the better to push on a nursery quarrel as to the respective value of their presents.

very recently

From this reading The novelty of a newly returned elder brother was beginning to decline; he had eaten of the pie just as they had eaten of it, and now he was beginning to talk quite easily of music, when they had fully expected him to tell them some thrilling stories of Italian brigands full of bloodshed.

originality by virtue of being refreshingly novel

From this reading The novelty of a newly returned elder brother was beginning to decline; he had eaten of the pie just as they had eaten of it, and now he was beginning to talk quite easily of music, when they had fully expected him to tell them some thrilling stories of Italian brigands full of bloodshed.

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

From this reading The novelty of a newly returned elder brother was beginning to decline; he had eaten of the pie just as they had eaten of it, and now he was beginning to talk quite easily of music, when they had fully expected him to tell them some thrilling stories of Italian brigands full of bloodshed.

a child's room for a baby

From this reading The family had returned to the drawing-room after supper, but as Mr. Linley and his son had begun to talk about music, the younger members had escaped to another apartment, the better to push on a nursery quarrel as to the respective value of their presents.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading He had made quite an art of fondling hands, having been for four years in Italy.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading The family had returned to the drawing-room after supper, but as Mr. Linley and his son had begun to talk about music, the younger members had escaped to another apartment, the better to push on a nursery quarrel as to the respective value of their presents.

have ownership or possession of

From this reading Yes, that is what I heard," said Tom, patting Betsy's hand, which he held affectionately in his own.

inflected form of “pat” — pat or squeeze fondly or playfully, especially under the chin

From this reading Yes, that is what I heard," said Tom, patting Betsy's hand, which he held affectionately in his own.

dish baked in pastry-lined pan often with a pastry top

From this reading The novelty of a newly returned elder brother was beginning to decline; he had eaten of the pie just as they had eaten of it, and now he was beginning to talk quite easily of music, when they had fully expected him to tell them some thrilling stories of Italian brigands full of bloodshed.

plural of “present” — the period of time that is happening now; any continuous stretch of time including the moment of speech

From this reading The family had returned to the drawing-room after supper, but as Mr. Linley and his son had begun to talk about music, the younger members had escaped to another apartment, the better to push on a nursery quarrel as to the respective value of their presents.

move with force

From this reading The family had returned to the drawing-room after supper, but as Mr. Linley and his son had begun to talk about music, the younger members had escaped to another apartment, the better to push on a nursery quarrel as to the respective value of their presents.

an angry dispute

From this reading The family had returned to the drawing-room after supper, but as Mr. Linley and his son had begun to talk about music, the younger members had escaped to another apartment, the better to push on a nursery quarrel as to the respective value of their presents.

to a degree (not used with a negative)

From this reading He had made quite an art of fondling hands, having been for four years in Italy.

considered individually

From this reading The family had returned to the drawing-room after supper, but as Mr. Linley and his son had begun to talk about music, the younger members had escaped to another apartment, the better to push on a nursery quarrel as to the respective value of their presents.

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

From this reading The family had returned to the drawing-room after supper, but as Mr. Linley and his son had begun to talk about music, the younger members had escaped to another apartment, the better to push on a nursery quarrel as to the respective value of their presents.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading Yes, that is what I heard," said Tom, patting Betsy's hand, which he held affectionately in his own.

a person who sings

From this reading "'The greatest singer in England.'

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

From this reading The novelty of a newly returned elder brother was beginning to decline; he had eaten of the pie just as they had eaten of it, and now he was beginning to talk quite easily of music, when they had fully expected him to tell them some thrilling stories of Italian brigands full of bloodshed.

a male human offspring

From this reading The family had returned to the drawing-room after supper, but as Mr. Linley and his son had begun to talk about music, the younger members had escaped to another apartment, the better to push on a nursery quarrel as to the respective value of their presents.

plural of “story” — a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program

From this reading The novelty of a newly returned elder brother was beginning to decline; he had eaten of the pie just as they had eaten of it, and now he was beginning to talk quite easily of music, when they had fully expected him to tell them some thrilling stories of Italian brigands full of bloodshed.

a light evening meal; served in early evening if dinner is at midday or served late in the evening at bedtime

From this reading The family had returned to the drawing-room after supper, but as Mr. Linley and his son had begun to talk about music, the younger members had escaped to another apartment, the better to push on a nursery quarrel as to the respective value of their presents.

exchange thoughts; talk with

From this reading The family had returned to the drawing-room after supper, but as Mr. Linley and his son had begun to talk about music, the younger members had escaped to another apartment, the better to push on a nursery quarrel as to the respective value of their presents.

express in words

From this reading The novelty of a newly returned elder brother was beginning to decline; he had eaten of the pie just as they had eaten of it, and now he was beginning to talk quite easily of music, when they had fully expected him to tell them some thrilling stories of Italian brigands full of bloodshed.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Yes, that is what I heard," said Tom, patting Betsy's hand, which he held affectionately in his own.

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

From this reading "'The greatest singer in England.'

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading The family had returned to the drawing-room after supper, but as Mr. Linley and his son had begun to talk about music, the younger members had escaped to another apartment, the better to push on a nursery quarrel as to the respective value of their presents.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading The novelty of a newly returned elder brother was beginning to decline; he had eaten of the pie just as they had eaten of it, and now he was beginning to talk quite easily of music, when they had fully expected him to tell them some thrilling stories of Italian brigands full of bloodshed.

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

From this reading The novelty of a newly returned elder brother was beginning to decline; he had eaten of the pie just as they had eaten of it, and now he was beginning to talk quite easily of music, when they had fully expected him to tell them some thrilling stories of Italian brigands full of bloodshed.

causing a surge of emotion or excitement

From this reading The novelty of a newly returned elder brother was beginning to decline; he had eaten of the pie just as they had eaten of it, and now he was beginning to talk quite easily of music, when they had fully expected him to tell them some thrilling stories of Italian brigands full of bloodshed.

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

From this reading The family had returned to the drawing-room after supper, but as Mr. Linley and his son had begun to talk about music, the younger members had escaped to another apartment, the better to push on a nursery quarrel as to the respective value of their presents.

male cat

From this reading Yes, that is what I heard," said Tom, patting Betsy's hand, which he held affectionately in his own.

a numerical quantity measured or assigned or computed

From this reading The family had returned to the drawing-room after supper, but as Mr. Linley and his son had begun to talk about music, the younger members had escaped to another apartment, the better to push on a nursery quarrel as to the respective value of their presents.

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

From this reading The novelty of a newly returned elder brother was beginning to decline; he had eaten of the pie just as they had eaten of it, and now he was beginning to talk quite easily of music, when they had fully expected him to tell them some thrilling stories of Italian brigands full of bloodshed.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading Yes, that is what I heard," said Tom, patting Betsy's hand, which he held affectionately in his own.

at the time that

From this reading The novelty of a newly returned elder brother was beginning to decline; he had eaten of the pie just as they had eaten of it, and now he was beginning to talk quite easily of music, when they had fully expected him to tell them some thrilling stories of Italian brigands full of bloodshed.

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

From this reading Yes, that is what I heard," said Tom, patting Betsy's hand, which he held affectionately in his own.

a late time of life

From this reading He had made quite an art of fondling hands, having been for four years in Italy.

an affirmative

From this reading Yes, that is what I heard," said Tom, patting Betsy's hand, which he held affectionately in his own.

used of the younger of two persons of the same name especially used to distinguish a son from his father

From this reading The family had returned to the drawing-room after supper, but as Mr. Linley and his son had begun to talk about music, the younger members had escaped to another apartment, the better to push on a nursery quarrel as to the respective value of their presents.