Chapter XXXIV · Chapter 34

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

From this reading The old merchant received Mr. King with marked politeness; for though he suspected him of anti-slavery proclivities, and despised him for that weakness, he had great respect for a man whose name was as good as gold, and who was the father of such an eligible match as Eulalia.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading "What the deuce do you suppose I care about his octoroon daughters?" interrupted Mr. Bell, impatiently.

(sentence connectors) because of the reason given

From this reading His visitor accordingly began by telling of Mr. Royal's having formed one of those quadroon alliances so common in New Orleans; of his having died insolvent; and of his two handsome octoroon daughters having been claimed as slaves by his creditors.

later than; following

From this reading After some discursive conversation, Mr. King said, "I am desirous to tell you a short story, if you will have patience to listen to it."

plural of “alliance” — the state of being allied or confederated

From this reading His visitor accordingly began by telling of Mr. Royal's having formed one of those quadroon alliances so common in New Orleans; of his having died insolvent; and of his two handsome octoroon daughters having been claimed as slaves by his creditors.

the form of “be” used with “I”

From this reading After some discursive conversation, Mr. King said, "I am desirous to tell you a short story, if you will have patience to listen to it."

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

From this reading The old merchant received Mr. King with marked politeness; for though he suspected him of anti-slavery proclivities, and despised him for that weakness, he had great respect for a man whose name was as good as gold, and who was the father of such an eligible match as Eulalia.

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

From this reading The old merchant received Mr. King with marked politeness; for though he suspected him of anti-slavery proclivities, and despised him for that weakness, he had great respect for a man whose name was as good as gold, and who was the father of such an eligible match as Eulalia.

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

From this reading The old merchant received Mr. King with marked politeness; for though he suspected him of anti-slavery proclivities, and despised him for that weakness, he had great respect for a man whose name was as good as gold, and who was the father of such an eligible match as Eulalia.

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

From this reading The old merchant received Mr. King with marked politeness; for though he suspected him of anti-slavery proclivities, and despised him for that weakness, he had great respect for a man whose name was as good as gold, and who was the father of such an eligible match as Eulalia.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading His visitor accordingly began by telling of Mr. Royal's having formed one of those quadroon alliances so common in New Orleans; of his having died insolvent; and of his two handsome octoroon daughters having been claimed as slaves by his creditors.

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

From this reading His visitor accordingly began by telling of Mr. Royal's having formed one of those quadroon alliances so common in New Orleans; of his having died insolvent; and of his two handsome octoroon daughters having been claimed as slaves by his creditors.

a hollow device made of metal that makes a ringing sound when struck

From this reading "What the deuce do you suppose I care about his octoroon daughters?" interrupted Mr. Bell, impatiently.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading His visitor accordingly began by telling of Mr. Royal's having formed one of those quadroon alliances so common in New Orleans; of his having died insolvent; and of his two handsome octoroon daughters having been claimed as slaves by his creditors.

the work of providing treatment for or attending to someone or something

From this reading "What the deuce do you suppose I care about his octoroon daughters?" interrupted Mr. Bell, impatiently.

definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)

From this reading "Certainly, sir," replied the old gentleman.

past form of “claim” — assert or affirm strongly; state to be true or existing

From this reading His visitor accordingly began by telling of Mr. Royal's having formed one of those quadroon alliances so common in New Orleans; of his having died insolvent; and of his two handsome octoroon daughters having been claimed as slaves by his creditors.

belonging to or participated in by a community as a whole; public

From this reading His visitor accordingly began by telling of Mr. Royal's having formed one of those quadroon alliances so common in New Orleans; of his having died insolvent; and of his two handsome octoroon daughters having been claimed as slaves by his creditors.

the use of speech for informal exchange of views or ideas or information etc.

From this reading After some discursive conversation, Mr. King said, "I am desirous to tell you a short story, if you will have patience to listen to it."

plural of “creditor” — a person to whom money is owed by a debtor; someone to whom an obligation exists

From this reading His visitor accordingly began by telling of Mr. Royal's having formed one of those quadroon alliances so common in New Orleans; of his having died insolvent; and of his two handsome octoroon daughters having been claimed as slaves by his creditors.

plural of “daughter” — a female human offspring

From this reading His visitor accordingly began by telling of Mr. Royal's having formed one of those quadroon alliances so common in New Orleans; of his having died insolvent; and of his two handsome octoroon daughters having been claimed as slaves by his creditors.

having or expressing desire for something

From this reading After some discursive conversation, Mr. King said, "I am desirous to tell you a short story, if you will have patience to listen to it."

treated with dislike or contempt

From this reading The old merchant received Mr. King with marked politeness; for though he suspected him of anti-slavery proclivities, and despised him for that weakness, he had great respect for a man whose name was as good as gold, and who was the father of such an eligible match as Eulalia.

a tie in tennis or table tennis that requires winning two successive points to win the game

From this reading "What the deuce do you suppose I care about his octoroon daughters?" interrupted Mr. Bell, impatiently.

past form of “die” — pass from physical life and lose all bodily attributes and functions necessary to sustain life

From this reading His visitor accordingly began by telling of Mr. Royal's having formed one of those quadroon alliances so common in New Orleans; of his having died insolvent; and of his two handsome octoroon daughters having been claimed as slaves by his creditors.

proceeding to a conclusion by reason or argument rather than intuition

From this reading After some discursive conversation, Mr. King said, "I am desirous to tell you a short story, if you will have patience to listen to it."

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading "What the deuce do you suppose I care about his octoroon daughters?" interrupted Mr. Bell, impatiently.

qualified for or allowed or worthy of being chosen

From this reading The old merchant received Mr. King with marked politeness; for though he suspected him of anti-slavery proclivities, and despised him for that weakness, he had great respect for a man whose name was as good as gold, and who was the father of such an eligible match as Eulalia.

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

From this reading The old merchant received Mr. King with marked politeness; for though he suspected him of anti-slavery proclivities, and despised him for that weakness, he had great respect for a man whose name was as good as gold, and who was the father of such an eligible match as Eulalia.

a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)

From this reading The old merchant received Mr. King with marked politeness; for though he suspected him of anti-slavery proclivities, and despised him for that weakness, he had great respect for a man whose name was as good as gold, and who was the father of such an eligible match as Eulalia.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading The old merchant received Mr. King with marked politeness; for though he suspected him of anti-slavery proclivities, and despised him for that weakness, he had great respect for a man whose name was as good as gold, and who was the father of such an eligible match as Eulalia.

having or given a form or shape

From this reading His visitor accordingly began by telling of Mr. Royal's having formed one of those quadroon alliances so common in New Orleans; of his having died insolvent; and of his two handsome octoroon daughters having been claimed as slaves by his creditors.

a man of refinement

From this reading "Certainly, sir," replied the old gentleman.

coins made of gold

From this reading The old merchant received Mr. King with marked politeness; for though he suspected him of anti-slavery proclivities, and despised him for that weakness, he had great respect for a man whose name was as good as gold, and who was the father of such an eligible match as Eulalia.

having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified

From this reading The old merchant received Mr. King with marked politeness; for though he suspected him of anti-slavery proclivities, and despised him for that weakness, he had great respect for a man whose name was as good as gold, and who was the father of such an eligible match as Eulalia.

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

From this reading The old merchant received Mr. King with marked politeness; for though he suspected him of anti-slavery proclivities, and despised him for that weakness, he had great respect for a man whose name was as good as gold, and who was the father of such an eligible match as Eulalia.

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

From this reading The old merchant received Mr. King with marked politeness; for though he suspected him of anti-slavery proclivities, and despised him for that weakness, he had great respect for a man whose name was as good as gold, and who was the father of such an eligible match as Eulalia.

pleasing in appearance especially by reason of conformity to ideals of form and proportion

From this reading His visitor accordingly began by telling of Mr. Royal's having formed one of those quadroon alliances so common in New Orleans; of his having died insolvent; and of his two handsome octoroon daughters having been claimed as slaves by his creditors.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading After some discursive conversation, Mr. King said, "I am desirous to tell you a short story, if you will have patience to listen to it."

the -ing form of “have”

From this reading His visitor accordingly began by telling of Mr. Royal's having formed one of those quadroon alliances so common in New Orleans; of his having died insolvent; and of his two handsome octoroon daughters having been claimed as slaves by his creditors.

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

From this reading The old merchant received Mr. King with marked politeness; for though he suspected him of anti-slavery proclivities, and despised him for that weakness, he had great respect for a man whose name was as good as gold, and who was the father of such an eligible match as Eulalia.

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

From this reading The old merchant received Mr. King with marked politeness; for though he suspected him of anti-slavery proclivities, and despised him for that weakness, he had great respect for a man whose name was as good as gold, and who was the father of such an eligible match as Eulalia.

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

From this reading His visitor accordingly began by telling of Mr. Royal's having formed one of those quadroon alliances so common in New Orleans; of his having died insolvent; and of his two handsome octoroon daughters having been claimed as slaves by his creditors.

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

From this reading After some discursive conversation, Mr. King said, "I am desirous to tell you a short story, if you will have patience to listen to it."

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading After some discursive conversation, Mr. King said, "I am desirous to tell you a short story, if you will have patience to listen to it."

with impatience; in an impatient manner

From this reading "What the deuce do you suppose I care about his octoroon daughters?" interrupted Mr. Bell, impatiently.

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

From this reading His visitor accordingly began by telling of Mr. Royal's having formed one of those quadroon alliances so common in New Orleans; of his having died insolvent; and of his two handsome octoroon daughters having been claimed as slaves by his creditors.

someone who has insufficient assets to cover their debts

From this reading His visitor accordingly began by telling of Mr. Royal's having formed one of those quadroon alliances so common in New Orleans; of his having died insolvent; and of his two handsome octoroon daughters having been claimed as slaves by his creditors.

discontinued temporarily

From this reading "What the deuce do you suppose I care about his octoroon daughters?" interrupted Mr. Bell, impatiently.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading After some discursive conversation, Mr. King said, "I am desirous to tell you a short story, if you will have patience to listen to it."

a male sovereign; ruler of a kingdom

From this reading The old merchant received Mr. King with marked politeness; for though he suspected him of anti-slavery proclivities, and despised him for that weakness, he had great respect for a man whose name was as good as gold, and who was the father of such an eligible match as Eulalia.

hear with intention

From this reading After some discursive conversation, Mr. King said, "I am desirous to tell you a short story, if you will have patience to listen to it."

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

From this reading The old merchant received Mr. King with marked politeness; for though he suspected him of anti-slavery proclivities, and despised him for that weakness, he had great respect for a man whose name was as good as gold, and who was the father of such an eligible match as Eulalia.

strongly marked; easily noticeable

From this reading The old merchant received Mr. King with marked politeness; for though he suspected him of anti-slavery proclivities, and despised him for that weakness, he had great respect for a man whose name was as good as gold, and who was the father of such an eligible match as Eulalia.

be compatible, similar or consistent; coincide in their characteristics

From this reading The old merchant received Mr. King with marked politeness; for though he suspected him of anti-slavery proclivities, and despised him for that weakness, he had great respect for a man whose name was as good as gold, and who was the father of such an eligible match as Eulalia.

A person or company involved in wholesale trade, especially with foreign countries.

From this reading The old merchant received Mr. King with marked politeness; for though he suspected him of anti-slavery proclivities, and despised him for that weakness, he had great respect for a man whose name was as good as gold, and who was the father of such an eligible match as Eulalia.

a form of address for a man

From this reading The old merchant received Mr. King with marked politeness; for though he suspected him of anti-slavery proclivities, and despised him for that weakness, he had great respect for a man whose name was as good as gold, and who was the father of such an eligible match as Eulalia.

assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading The old merchant received Mr. King with marked politeness; for though he suspected him of anti-slavery proclivities, and despised him for that weakness, he had great respect for a man whose name was as good as gold, and who was the father of such an eligible match as Eulalia.

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

From this reading His visitor accordingly began by telling of Mr. Royal's having formed one of those quadroon alliances so common in New Orleans; of his having died insolvent; and of his two handsome octoroon daughters having been claimed as slaves by his creditors.

an offspring of a quadroon and a white parent; a person who is one-eighth black

From this reading His visitor accordingly began by telling of Mr. Royal's having formed one of those quadroon alliances so common in New Orleans; of his having died insolvent; and of his two handsome octoroon daughters having been claimed as slaves by his creditors.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The old merchant received Mr. King with marked politeness; for though he suspected him of anti-slavery proclivities, and despised him for that weakness, he had great respect for a man whose name was as good as gold, and who was the father of such an eligible match as Eulalia.

(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age

From this reading The old merchant received Mr. King with marked politeness; for though he suspected him of anti-slavery proclivities, and despised him for that weakness, he had great respect for a man whose name was as good as gold, and who was the father of such an eligible match as Eulalia.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading His visitor accordingly began by telling of Mr. Royal's having formed one of those quadroon alliances so common in New Orleans; of his having died insolvent; and of his two handsome octoroon daughters having been claimed as slaves by his creditors.

a city on the Loire river in north central France; site of the siege of Orleans by the English (1428-1429)

From this reading His visitor accordingly began by telling of Mr. Royal's having formed one of those quadroon alliances so common in New Orleans; of his having died insolvent; and of his two handsome octoroon daughters having been claimed as slaves by his creditors.

good-natured tolerance of delay or incompetence

From this reading After some discursive conversation, Mr. King said, "I am desirous to tell you a short story, if you will have patience to listen to it."

a courteous manner that respects accepted social usage

From this reading The old merchant received Mr. King with marked politeness; for though he suspected him of anti-slavery proclivities, and despised him for that weakness, he had great respect for a man whose name was as good as gold, and who was the father of such an eligible match as Eulalia.

plural of “proclivity” — a natural inclination

From this reading The old merchant received Mr. King with marked politeness; for though he suspected him of anti-slavery proclivities, and despised him for that weakness, he had great respect for a man whose name was as good as gold, and who was the father of such an eligible match as Eulalia.

an offspring of a mulatto and a white parent; a person who is one-quarter black

From this reading His visitor accordingly began by telling of Mr. Royal's having formed one of those quadroon alliances so common in New Orleans; of his having died insolvent; and of his two handsome octoroon daughters having been claimed as slaves by his creditors.

conforming to the established language usage of educated native speakers

From this reading The old merchant received Mr. King with marked politeness; for though he suspected him of anti-slavery proclivities, and despised him for that weakness, he had great respect for a man whose name was as good as gold, and who was the father of such an eligible match as Eulalia.

inflected form of “reply” — react verbally

From this reading "Certainly, sir," replied the old gentleman.

(usually preceded by “in”) a detail or point

From this reading The old merchant received Mr. King with marked politeness; for though he suspected him of anti-slavery proclivities, and despised him for that weakness, he had great respect for a man whose name was as good as gold, and who was the father of such an eligible match as Eulalia.

possessive form of “royal” — a sail set next above the topgallant on a royal mast

From this reading His visitor accordingly began by telling of Mr. Royal's having formed one of those quadroon alliances so common in New Orleans; of his having died insolvent; and of his two handsome octoroon daughters having been claimed as slaves by his creditors.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading After some discursive conversation, Mr. King said, "I am desirous to tell you a short story, if you will have patience to listen to it."

primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration

From this reading After some discursive conversation, Mr. King said, "I am desirous to tell you a short story, if you will have patience to listen to it."

term of address for a man

From this reading "Certainly, sir," replied the old gentleman.

plural of “slave” — a person who is owned by someone

From this reading His visitor accordingly began by telling of Mr. Royal's having formed one of those quadroon alliances so common in New Orleans; of his having died insolvent; and of his two handsome octoroon daughters having been claimed as slaves by his creditors.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading His visitor accordingly began by telling of Mr. Royal's having formed one of those quadroon alliances so common in New Orleans; of his having died insolvent; and of his two handsome octoroon daughters having been claimed as slaves by his creditors.

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

From this reading After some discursive conversation, Mr. King said, "I am desirous to tell you a short story, if you will have patience to listen to it."

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 After some discursive conversation, Mr. King said, "I am desirous to tell you a short story, if you will have patience to listen to it."

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading The old merchant received Mr. King with marked politeness; for though he suspected him of anti-slavery proclivities, and despised him for that weakness, he had great respect for a man whose name was as good as gold, and who was the father of such an eligible match as Eulalia.

express a supposition

From this reading "What the deuce do you suppose I care about his octoroon daughters?" interrupted Mr. Bell, impatiently.

believed likely

From this reading The old merchant received Mr. King with marked politeness; for though he suspected him of anti-slavery proclivities, and despised him for that weakness, he had great respect for a man whose name was as good as gold, and who was the father of such an eligible match as Eulalia.

express in words

From this reading After some discursive conversation, Mr. King said, "I am desirous to tell you a short story, if you will have patience to listen to it."

disclosing unintentionally something concealed

From this reading His visitor accordingly began by telling of Mr. Royal's having formed one of those quadroon alliances so common in New Orleans; of his having died insolvent; and of his two handsome octoroon daughters having been claimed as slaves by his creditors.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading The old merchant received Mr. King with marked politeness; for though he suspected him of anti-slavery proclivities, and despised him for that weakness, he had great respect for a man whose name was as good as gold, and who was the father of such an eligible match as Eulalia.

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

From this reading The old merchant received Mr. King with marked politeness; for though he suspected him of anti-slavery proclivities, and despised him for that weakness, he had great respect for a man whose name was as good as gold, and who was the father of such an eligible match as Eulalia.

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

From this reading His visitor accordingly began by telling of Mr. Royal's having formed one of those quadroon alliances so common in New Orleans; of his having died insolvent; and of his two handsome octoroon daughters having been claimed as slaves by his creditors.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading The old merchant received Mr. King with marked politeness; for though he suspected him of anti-slavery proclivities, and despised him for that weakness, he had great respect for a man whose name was as good as gold, and who was the father of such an eligible match as Eulalia.

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

From this reading After some discursive conversation, Mr. King said, "I am desirous to tell you a short story, if you will have patience to listen to it."

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

From this reading His visitor accordingly began by telling of Mr. Royal's having formed one of those quadroon alliances so common in New Orleans; of his having died insolvent; and of his two handsome octoroon daughters having been claimed as slaves by his creditors.

someone who visits

From this reading His visitor accordingly began by telling of Mr. Royal's having formed one of those quadroon alliances so common in New Orleans; of his having died insolvent; and of his two handsome octoroon daughters having been claimed as slaves by his creditors.

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

From this reading The old merchant received Mr. King with marked politeness; for though he suspected him of anti-slavery proclivities, and despised him for that weakness, he had great respect for a man whose name was as good as gold, and who was the father of such an eligible match as Eulalia.

a flaw or weak point

From this reading The old merchant received Mr. King with marked politeness; for though he suspected him of anti-slavery proclivities, and despised him for that weakness, he had great respect for a man whose name was as good as gold, and who was the father of such an eligible match as Eulalia.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading "What the deuce do you suppose I care about his octoroon daughters?" interrupted Mr. Bell, impatiently.

which person or people

From this reading The old merchant received Mr. King with marked politeness; for though he suspected him of anti-slavery proclivities, and despised him for that weakness, he had great respect for a man whose name was as good as gold, and who was the father of such an eligible match as Eulalia.

belonging to which person

From this reading The old merchant received Mr. King with marked politeness; for though he suspected him of anti-slavery proclivities, and despised him for that weakness, he had great respect for a man whose name was as good as gold, and who was the father of such an eligible match as Eulalia.

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading After some discursive conversation, Mr. King said, "I am desirous to tell you a short story, if you will have patience to listen to it."

in the company of; together with

From this reading The old merchant received Mr. King with marked politeness; for though he suspected him of anti-slavery proclivities, and despised him for that weakness, he had great respect for a man whose name was as good as gold, and who was the father of such an eligible match as Eulalia.

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading After some discursive conversation, Mr. King said, "I am desirous to tell you a short story, if you will have patience to listen to it."