Chapter II · Chapter 2

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

From this reading It had been a habit at Okehurst, as at one or two other English manor-houses, to keep a certain amount of the clothes of each generation, more particularly wedding dresses.

having fair knowledge of

From this reading Still he seemed well acquainted with the contents of that press.

a quantity of money

From this reading It had been a habit at Okehurst, as at one or two other English manor-houses, to keep a certain amount of the clothes of each generation, more particularly wedding dresses.

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

From this reading A certain carved oaken press, of which Mr. Oke once displayed the contents to me, was a perfect museum of costumes, male and female, from the early years of the seventeenth to the end of the eighteenth century--a thing to take away the breath of a _bric-a-brac_ collector, an antiquary, or a _genre_ painter.

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

From this reading A certain carved oaken press, of which Mr. Oke once displayed the contents to me, was a perfect museum of costumes, male and female, from the early years of the seventeenth to the end of the eighteenth century--a thing to take away the breath of a _bric-a-brac_ collector, an antiquary, or a _genre_ painter.

an expert or collector of antiquities

From this reading A certain carved oaken press, of which Mr. Oke once displayed the contents to me, was a perfect museum of costumes, male and female, from the early years of the seventeenth to the end of the eighteenth century--a thing to take away the breath of a _bric-a-brac_ collector, an antiquary, or a _genre_ painter.

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

From this reading It had been a habit at Okehurst, as at one or two other English manor-houses, to keep a certain amount of the clothes of each generation, more particularly wedding dresses.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading It had been a habit at Okehurst, as at one or two other English manor-houses, to keep a certain amount of the clothes of each generation, more particularly wedding dresses.

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading A certain carved oaken press, of which Mr. Oke once displayed the contents to me, was a perfect museum of costumes, male and female, from the early years of the seventeenth to the end of the eighteenth century--a thing to take away the breath of a _bric-a-brac_ collector, an antiquary, or a _genre_ painter.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading It had been a habit at Okehurst, as at one or two other English manor-houses, to keep a certain amount of the clothes of each generation, more particularly wedding dresses.

financial assistance in time of need

From this reading He was turning over the clothes for my benefit, when suddenly I noticed that he frowned.

the process of taking in and expelling air during breathing

From this reading A certain carved oaken press, of which Mr. Oke once displayed the contents to me, was a perfect museum of costumes, male and female, from the early years of the seventeenth to the end of the eighteenth century--a thing to take away the breath of a _bric-a-brac_ collector, an antiquary, or a _genre_ painter.

miscellaneous curios

From this reading A certain carved oaken press, of which Mr. Oke once displayed the contents to me, was a perfect museum of costumes, male and female, from the early years of the seventeenth to the end of the eighteenth century--a thing to take away the breath of a _bric-a-brac_ collector, an antiquary, or a _genre_ painter.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Mr. Oke was none of these, and therefore took but little interest in the collection, save in so far as it interested his family feeling.

made for or formed by carving (“carven” is archaic or literary)

From this reading A certain carved oaken press, of which Mr. Oke once displayed the contents to me, was a perfect museum of costumes, male and female, from the early years of the seventeenth to the end of the eighteenth century--a thing to take away the breath of a _bric-a-brac_ collector, an antiquary, or a _genre_ painter.

a period of 100 years

From this reading A certain carved oaken press, of which Mr. Oke once displayed the contents to me, was a perfect museum of costumes, male and female, from the early years of the seventeenth to the end of the eighteenth century--a thing to take away the breath of a _bric-a-brac_ collector, an antiquary, or a _genre_ painter.

definite but not specified or identified

From this reading It had been a habit at Okehurst, as at one or two other English manor-houses, to keep a certain amount of the clothes of each generation, more particularly wedding dresses.

clothing in general

From this reading It had been a habit at Okehurst, as at one or two other English manor-houses, to keep a certain amount of the clothes of each generation, more particularly wedding dresses.

several things grouped together or considered as a whole

From this reading Mr. Oke was none of these, and therefore took but little interest in the collection, save in so far as it interested his family feeling.

a person who collects things

From this reading A certain carved oaken press, of which Mr. Oke once displayed the contents to me, was a perfect museum of costumes, male and female, from the early years of the seventeenth to the end of the eighteenth century--a thing to take away the breath of a _bric-a-brac_ collector, an antiquary, or a _genre_ painter.

(usually plural) everything that is included in a collection and that is held or included in something

From this reading A certain carved oaken press, of which Mr. Oke once displayed the contents to me, was a perfect museum of costumes, male and female, from the early years of the seventeenth to the end of the eighteenth century--a thing to take away the breath of a _bric-a-brac_ collector, an antiquary, or a _genre_ painter.

plural of “costume” — the attire worn in a play or at a fancy dress ball

From this reading A certain carved oaken press, of which Mr. Oke once displayed the contents to me, was a perfect museum of costumes, male and female, from the early years of the seventeenth to the end of the eighteenth century--a thing to take away the breath of a _bric-a-brac_ collector, an antiquary, or a _genre_ painter.

past form of “display” — to show, make visible or apparent

From this reading A certain carved oaken press, of which Mr. Oke once displayed the contents to me, was a perfect museum of costumes, male and female, from the early years of the seventeenth to the end of the eighteenth century--a thing to take away the breath of a _bric-a-brac_ collector, an antiquary, or a _genre_ painter.

plural of “dress” — a one-piece garment for a woman; has skirt and bodice

From this reading It had been a habit at Okehurst, as at one or two other English manor-houses, to keep a certain amount of the clothes of each generation, more particularly wedding dresses.

every one of two or more people or things, taken separately

From this reading It had been a habit at Okehurst, as at one or two other English manor-houses, to keep a certain amount of the clothes of each generation, more particularly wedding dresses.

at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time

From this reading A certain carved oaken press, of which Mr. Oke once displayed the contents to me, was a perfect museum of costumes, male and female, from the early years of the seventeenth to the end of the eighteenth century--a thing to take away the breath of a _bric-a-brac_ collector, an antiquary, or a _genre_ painter.

coming next after the seventeenth in position

From this reading A certain carved oaken press, of which Mr. Oke once displayed the contents to me, was a perfect museum of costumes, male and female, from the early years of the seventeenth to the end of the eighteenth century--a thing to take away the breath of a _bric-a-brac_ collector, an antiquary, or a _genre_ painter.

either extremity of something that has length

From this reading A certain carved oaken press, of which Mr. Oke once displayed the contents to me, was a perfect museum of costumes, male and female, from the early years of the seventeenth to the end of the eighteenth century--a thing to take away the breath of a _bric-a-brac_ collector, an antiquary, or a _genre_ painter.

an Indo-European language belonging to the West Germanic branch; the official language of Britain and the United States and most of the commonwealth countries

From this reading It had been a habit at Okehurst, as at one or two other English manor-houses, to keep a certain amount of the clothes of each generation, more particularly wedding dresses.

a social unit living together

From this reading Mr. Oke was none of these, and therefore took but little interest in the collection, save in so far as it interested his family feeling.

to a considerable degree; very much

From this reading Mr. Oke was none of these, and therefore took but little interest in the collection, save in so far as it interested his family feeling.

the experiencing of affective and emotional states

From this reading Mr. Oke was none of these, and therefore took but little interest in the collection, save in so far as it interested his family feeling.

being the sex (of plant or animal) that produces fertilizable gametes (ova) from which offspring develop

From this reading A certain carved oaken press, of which Mr. Oke once displayed the contents to me, was a perfect museum of costumes, male and female, from the early years of the seventeenth to the end of the eighteenth century--a thing to take away the breath of a _bric-a-brac_ collector, an antiquary, or a _genre_ painter.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading He was turning over the clothes for my benefit, when suddenly I noticed that he frowned.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading A certain carved oaken press, of which Mr. Oke once displayed the contents to me, was a perfect museum of costumes, male and female, from the early years of the seventeenth to the end of the eighteenth century--a thing to take away the breath of a _bric-a-brac_ collector, an antiquary, or a _genre_ painter.

past form of “frown” — look angry or sullen, wrinkle one's forehead, as if to signal disapproval

From this reading He was turning over the clothes for my benefit, when suddenly I noticed that he frowned.

all the people living at the same time or of approximately the same age

From this reading It had been a habit at Okehurst, as at one or two other English manor-houses, to keep a certain amount of the clothes of each generation, more particularly wedding dresses.

a kind of literary or artistic work

From this reading A certain carved oaken press, of which Mr. Oke once displayed the contents to me, was a perfect museum of costumes, male and female, from the early years of the seventeenth to the end of the eighteenth century--a thing to take away the breath of a _bric-a-brac_ collector, an antiquary, or a _genre_ painter.

an established custom

From this reading It had been a habit at Okehurst, as at one or two other English manor-houses, to keep a certain amount of the clothes of each generation, more particularly wedding dresses.

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

From this reading It had been a habit at Okehurst, as at one or two other English manor-houses, to keep a certain amount of the clothes of each generation, more particularly wedding dresses.

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

From this reading Still he seemed well acquainted with the contents of that press.

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

From this reading Mr. Oke was none of these, and therefore took but little interest in the collection, save in so far as it interested his family feeling.

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

From this reading He was turning over the clothes for my benefit, when suddenly I noticed that he frowned.

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

From this reading Mr. Oke was none of these, and therefore took but little interest in the collection, save in so far as it interested his family feeling.

a sense of concern with and curiosity about someone or something

From this reading Mr. Oke was none of these, and therefore took but little interest in the collection, save in so far as it interested his family feeling.

having or showing interest; especially curiosity or fascination or concern

From this reading Mr. Oke was none of these, and therefore took but little interest in the collection, save in so far as it interested his family feeling.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It had been a habit at Okehurst, as at one or two other English manor-houses, to keep a certain amount of the clothes of each generation, more particularly wedding dresses.

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

From this reading It had been a habit at Okehurst, as at one or two other English manor-houses, to keep a certain amount of the clothes of each generation, more particularly wedding dresses.

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

From this reading Mr. Oke was none of these, and therefore took but little interest in the collection, save in so far as it interested his family feeling.

an animal that produces gametes (spermatozoa) that can fertilize female gametes

From this reading A certain carved oaken press, of which Mr. Oke once displayed the contents to me, was a perfect museum of costumes, male and female, from the early years of the seventeenth to the end of the eighteenth century--a thing to take away the breath of a _bric-a-brac_ collector, an antiquary, or a _genre_ painter.

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

From this reading It had been a habit at Okehurst, as at one or two other English manor-houses, to keep a certain amount of the clothes of each generation, more particularly wedding dresses.

the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading A certain carved oaken press, of which Mr. Oke once displayed the contents to me, was a perfect museum of costumes, male and female, from the early years of the seventeenth to the end of the eighteenth century--a thing to take away the breath of a _bric-a-brac_ collector, an antiquary, or a _genre_ painter.

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

From this reading It had been a habit at Okehurst, as at one or two other English manor-houses, to keep a certain amount of the clothes of each generation, more particularly wedding dresses.

a form of address for a man

From this reading A certain carved oaken press, of which Mr. Oke once displayed the contents to me, was a perfect museum of costumes, male and female, from the early years of the seventeenth to the end of the eighteenth century--a thing to take away the breath of a _bric-a-brac_ collector, an antiquary, or a _genre_ painter.

a depository for collecting and displaying objects having scientific or historical or artistic value

From this reading A certain carved oaken press, of which Mr. Oke once displayed the contents to me, was a perfect museum of costumes, male and female, from the early years of the seventeenth to the end of the eighteenth century--a thing to take away the breath of a _bric-a-brac_ collector, an antiquary, or a _genre_ painter.

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading He was turning over the clothes for my benefit, when suddenly I noticed that he frowned.

not one, and not any

From this reading Mr. Oke was none of these, and therefore took but little interest in the collection, save in so far as it interested his family feeling.

being perceived or observed

From this reading He was turning over the clothes for my benefit, when suddenly I noticed that he frowned.

consisting of or made of wood of the oak tree

From this reading A certain carved oaken press, of which Mr. Oke once displayed the contents to me, was a perfect museum of costumes, male and female, from the early years of the seventeenth to the end of the eighteenth century--a thing to take away the breath of a _bric-a-brac_ collector, an antiquary, or a _genre_ painter.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading It had been a habit at Okehurst, as at one or two other English manor-houses, to keep a certain amount of the clothes of each generation, more particularly wedding dresses.

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

From this reading A certain carved oaken press, of which Mr. Oke once displayed the contents to me, was a perfect museum of costumes, male and female, from the early years of the seventeenth to the end of the eighteenth century--a thing to take away the breath of a _bric-a-brac_ collector, an antiquary, or a _genre_ painter.

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

From this reading It had been a habit at Okehurst, as at one or two other English manor-houses, to keep a certain amount of the clothes of each generation, more particularly wedding dresses.

on one occasion

From this reading A certain carved oaken press, of which Mr. Oke once displayed the contents to me, was a perfect museum of costumes, male and female, from the early years of the seventeenth to the end of the eighteenth century--a thing to take away the breath of a _bric-a-brac_ collector, an antiquary, or a _genre_ painter.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading It had been a habit at Okehurst, as at one or two other English manor-houses, to keep a certain amount of the clothes of each generation, more particularly wedding dresses.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading It had been a habit at Okehurst, as at one or two other English manor-houses, to keep a certain amount of the clothes of each generation, more particularly wedding dresses.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading It had been a habit at Okehurst, as at one or two other English manor-houses, to keep a certain amount of the clothes of each generation, more particularly wedding dresses.

above and across; more than

From this reading He was turning over the clothes for my benefit, when suddenly I noticed that he frowned.

an artist who paints

From this reading A certain carved oaken press, of which Mr. Oke once displayed the contents to me, was a perfect museum of costumes, male and female, from the early years of the seventeenth to the end of the eighteenth century--a thing to take away the breath of a _bric-a-brac_ collector, an antiquary, or a _genre_ painter.

to a distinctly greater extent or degree than is common

From this reading It had been a habit at Okehurst, as at one or two other English manor-houses, to keep a certain amount of the clothes of each generation, more particularly wedding dresses.

being complete of its kind and without defect or blemish

From this reading A certain carved oaken press, of which Mr. Oke once displayed the contents to me, was a perfect museum of costumes, male and female, from the early years of the seventeenth to the end of the eighteenth century--a thing to take away the breath of a _bric-a-brac_ collector, an antiquary, or a _genre_ painter.

exert pressure or force to or upon

From this reading A certain carved oaken press, of which Mr. Oke once displayed the contents to me, was a perfect museum of costumes, male and female, from the early years of the seventeenth to the end of the eighteenth century--a thing to take away the breath of a _bric-a-brac_ collector, an antiquary, or a _genre_ painter.

except for; apart from

From this reading Mr. Oke was none of these, and therefore took but little interest in the collection, save in so far as it interested his family feeling.

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

From this reading Still he seemed well acquainted with the contents of that press.

coming next after the sixteenth in position

From this reading A certain carved oaken press, of which Mr. Oke once displayed the contents to me, was a perfect museum of costumes, male and female, from the early years of the seventeenth to the end of the eighteenth century--a thing to take away the breath of a _bric-a-brac_ collector, an antiquary, or a _genre_ painter.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Mr. Oke was none of these, and therefore took but little interest in the collection, save in so far as it interested his family feeling.

not in physical motion

From this reading Still he seemed well acquainted with the contents of that press.

happening unexpectedly

From this reading He was turning over the clothes for my benefit, when suddenly I noticed that he frowned.

carry out

From this reading A certain carved oaken press, of which Mr. Oke once displayed the contents to me, was a perfect museum of costumes, male and female, from the early years of the seventeenth to the end of the eighteenth century--a thing to take away the breath of a _bric-a-brac_ collector, an antiquary, or a _genre_ painter.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Still he seemed well acquainted with the contents of that press.

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

From this reading It had been a habit at Okehurst, as at one or two other English manor-houses, to keep a certain amount of the clothes of each generation, more particularly wedding dresses.

for that reason; as a result

From this reading Mr. Oke was none of these, and therefore took but little interest in the collection, save in so far as it interested his family feeling.

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading Mr. Oke was none of these, and therefore took but little interest in the collection, save in so far as it interested his family feeling.

a special situation

From this reading A certain carved oaken press, of which Mr. Oke once displayed the contents to me, was a perfect museum of costumes, male and female, from the early years of the seventeenth to the end of the eighteenth century--a thing to take away the breath of a _bric-a-brac_ collector, an antiquary, or a _genre_ painter.

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

From this reading It had been a habit at Okehurst, as at one or two other English manor-houses, to keep a certain amount of the clothes of each generation, more particularly wedding dresses.

inflected form of “take” — carry out

From this reading Mr. Oke was none of these, and therefore took but little interest in the collection, save in so far as it interested his family feeling.

the act of changing or reversing the direction of the course

From this reading He was turning over the clothes for my benefit, when suddenly I noticed that he frowned.

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

From this reading It had been a habit at Okehurst, as at one or two other English manor-houses, to keep a certain amount of the clothes of each generation, more particularly wedding dresses.

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

From this reading A certain carved oaken press, of which Mr. Oke once displayed the contents to me, was a perfect museum of costumes, male and female, from the early years of the seventeenth to the end of the eighteenth century--a thing to take away the breath of a _bric-a-brac_ collector, an antiquary, or a _genre_ painter.

the social event at which the ceremony of marriage is performed

From this reading It had been a habit at Okehurst, as at one or two other English manor-houses, to keep a certain amount of the clothes of each generation, more particularly wedding dresses.

(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)

From this reading Still he seemed well acquainted with the contents of that press.

at the time that

From this reading He was turning over the clothes for my benefit, when suddenly I noticed that he frowned.

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

From this reading A certain carved oaken press, of which Mr. Oke once displayed the contents to me, was a perfect museum of costumes, male and female, from the early years of the seventeenth to the end of the eighteenth century--a thing to take away the breath of a _bric-a-brac_ collector, an antiquary, or a _genre_ painter.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Still he seemed well acquainted with the contents of that press.

a late time of life

From this reading A certain carved oaken press, of which Mr. Oke once displayed the contents to me, was a perfect museum of costumes, male and female, from the early years of the seventeenth to the end of the eighteenth century--a thing to take away the breath of a _bric-a-brac_ collector, an antiquary, or a _genre_ painter.