Chapter XVII · Chapter 17

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

From this reading It seemed at first a singular thing that she should have written to him, and he did not understand it.

anew

From this reading He knew her as an enthusiastic and capricious girl who had sometimes laughed at him, and sometimes treated him coldly; but who, again, had sometimes talked with him as though he were an old friend.

conforming to your own liking or feelings or nature

From this reading He thought of many a sympathetic glance she had given when he spoke of his aims and intentions, of many a gentle word spoken in praise of him, and which at the time he had taken merely as so much small, good-natured flattery, such as agreeable people deal out to each other in society without any thought of evil nor any especial meaning of good.

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

From this reading He thought of many a sympathetic glance she had given when he spoke of his aims and intentions, of many a gentle word spoken in praise of him, and which at the time he had taken merely as so much small, good-natured flattery, such as agreeable people deal out to each other in society without any thought of evil nor any especial meaning of good.

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

From this reading He knew her as an enthusiastic and capricious girl who had sometimes laughed at him, and sometimes treated him coldly; but who, again, had sometimes talked with him as though he were an old friend.

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

From this reading It seemed at first a singular thing that she should have written to him, and he did not understand it.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading He thought of many a sympathetic glance she had given when he spoke of his aims and intentions, of many a gentle word spoken in praise of him, and which at the time he had taken merely as so much small, good-natured flattery, such as agreeable people deal out to each other in society without any thought of evil nor any especial meaning of good.

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

From this reading He knew her as an enthusiastic and capricious girl who had sometimes laughed at him, and sometimes treated him coldly; but who, again, had sometimes talked with him as though he were an old friend.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading It seemed at first a singular thing that she should have written to him, and he did not understand it.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading John read Joe's note many times over before he quite realized what it contained.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading He knew her as an enthusiastic and capricious girl who had sometimes laughed at him, and sometimes treated him coldly; but who, again, had sometimes talked with him as though he were an old friend.

past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading He called to mind the interest she had taken in his doings of late, and how she had denounced Vancouver as his enemy, and he thought of the long conversation he had had with her on the ice under the cold moonlight.

changeable

From this reading He knew her as an enthusiastic and capricious girl who had sometimes laughed at him, and sometimes treated him coldly; but who, again, had sometimes talked with him as though he were an old friend.

having a low or inadequate temperature or feeling a sensation of coldness or having been made cold by e.g. ice or refrigeration

From this reading He called to mind the interest she had taken in his doings of late, and how she had denounced Vancouver as his enemy, and he thought of the long conversation he had had with her on the ice under the cold moonlight.

lacking warmth of feeling; in a cold, unemotional manner

From this reading He knew her as an enthusiastic and capricious girl who had sometimes laughed at him, and sometimes treated him coldly; but who, again, had sometimes talked with him as though he were an old friend.

gotten under control

From this reading John read Joe's note many times over before he quite realized what it contained.

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

From this reading He called to mind the interest she had taken in his doings of late, and how she had denounced Vancouver as his enemy, and he thought of the long conversation he had had with her on the ice under the cold moonlight.

act on verbally or in some form of artistic expression

From this reading He thought of many a sympathetic glance she had given when he spoke of his aims and intentions, of many a gentle word spoken in praise of him, and which at the time he had taken merely as so much small, good-natured flattery, such as agreeable people deal out to each other in society without any thought of evil nor any especial meaning of good.

past form of “denounce” — speak out against

From this reading He called to mind the interest she had taken in his doings of late, and how she had denounced Vancouver as his enemy, and he thought of the long conversation he had had with her on the ice under the cold moonlight.

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

From this reading It seemed at first a singular thing that she should have written to him, and he did not understand it.

manner of acting or controlling yourself

From this reading He called to mind the interest she had taken in his doings of late, and how she had denounced Vancouver as his enemy, and he thought of the long conversation he had had with her on the ice under the cold moonlight.

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

From this reading He thought of many a sympathetic glance she had given when he spoke of his aims and intentions, of many a gentle word spoken in praise of him, and which at the time he had taken merely as so much small, good-natured flattery, such as agreeable people deal out to each other in society without any thought of evil nor any especial meaning of good.

an opposing military force

From this reading He called to mind the interest she had taken in his doings of late, and how she had denounced Vancouver as his enemy, and he thought of the long conversation he had had with her on the ice under the cold moonlight.

having or showing great excitement and interest

From this reading He knew her as an enthusiastic and capricious girl who had sometimes laughed at him, and sometimes treated him coldly; but who, again, had sometimes talked with him as though he were an old friend.

surpassing what is common or usual or expected

From this reading He thought of many a sympathetic glance she had given when he spoke of his aims and intentions, of many a gentle word spoken in praise of him, and which at the time he had taken merely as so much small, good-natured flattery, such as agreeable people deal out to each other in society without any thought of evil nor any especial meaning of good.

morally objectionable behavior

From this reading He thought of many a sympathetic glance she had given when he spoke of his aims and intentions, of many a gentle word spoken in praise of him, and which at the time he had taken merely as so much small, good-natured flattery, such as agreeable people deal out to each other in society without any thought of evil nor any especial meaning of good.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading It seemed at first a singular thing that she should have written to him, and he did not understand it.

excessive or insincere praise

From this reading He thought of many a sympathetic glance she had given when he spoke of his aims and intentions, of many a gentle word spoken in praise of him, and which at the time he had taken merely as so much small, good-natured flattery, such as agreeable people deal out to each other in society without any thought of evil nor any especial meaning of good.

a person you know well and regard with affection and trust

From this reading He knew her as an enthusiastic and capricious girl who had sometimes laughed at him, and sometimes treated him coldly; but who, again, had sometimes talked with him as though he were an old friend.

soft and mild; not harsh or stern or severe

From this reading He thought of many a sympathetic glance she had given when he spoke of his aims and intentions, of many a gentle word spoken in praise of him, and which at the time he had taken merely as so much small, good-natured flattery, such as agreeable people deal out to each other in society without any thought of evil nor any especial meaning of good.

a young female

From this reading He knew her as an enthusiastic and capricious girl who had sometimes laughed at him, and sometimes treated him coldly; but who, again, had sometimes talked with him as though he were an old friend.

acknowledged as a supposition

From this reading He thought of many a sympathetic glance she had given when he spoke of his aims and intentions, of many a gentle word spoken in praise of him, and which at the time he had taken merely as so much small, good-natured flattery, such as agreeable people deal out to each other in society without any thought of evil nor any especial meaning of good.

throw a glance at; take a brief look at

From this reading He thought of many a sympathetic glance she had given when he spoke of his aims and intentions, of many a gentle word spoken in praise of him, and which at the time he had taken merely as so much small, good-natured flattery, such as agreeable people deal out to each other in society without any thought of evil nor any especial meaning of good.

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

From this reading He thought of many a sympathetic glance she had given when he spoke of his aims and intentions, of many a gentle word spoken in praise of him, and which at the time he had taken merely as so much small, good-natured flattery, such as agreeable people deal out to each other in society without any thought of evil nor any especial meaning of good.

having an easygoing and cheerful disposition

From this reading He thought of many a sympathetic glance she had given when he spoke of his aims and intentions, of many a gentle word spoken in praise of him, and which at the time he had taken merely as so much small, good-natured flattery, such as agreeable people deal out to each other in society without any thought of evil nor any especial meaning of good.

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

From this reading He knew her as an enthusiastic and capricious girl who had sometimes laughed at him, and sometimes treated him coldly; but who, again, had sometimes talked with him as though he were an old friend.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading It seemed at first a singular thing that she should have written to him, and he did not understand it.

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

From this reading John read Joe's note many times over before he quite realized what it contained.

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

From this reading He knew her as an enthusiastic and capricious girl who had sometimes laughed at him, and sometimes treated him coldly; but who, again, had sometimes talked with him as though he were an old friend.

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

From this reading It seemed at first a singular thing that she should have written to him, and he did not understand it.

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

From this reading He called to mind the interest she had taken in his doings of late, and how she had denounced Vancouver as his enemy, and he thought of the long conversation he had had with her on the ice under the cold moonlight.

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

From this reading He called to mind the interest she had taken in his doings of late, and how she had denounced Vancouver as his enemy, and he thought of the long conversation he had had with her on the ice under the cold moonlight.

water frozen in the solid state

From this reading He called to mind the interest she had taken in his doings of late, and how she had denounced Vancouver as his enemy, and he thought of the long conversation he had had with her on the ice under the cold moonlight.

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

From this reading He called to mind the interest she had taken in his doings of late, and how she had denounced Vancouver as his enemy, and he thought of the long conversation he had had with her on the ice under the cold moonlight.

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

From this reading He thought of many a sympathetic glance she had given when he spoke of his aims and intentions, of many a gentle word spoken in praise of him, and which at the time he had taken merely as so much small, good-natured flattery, such as agreeable people deal out to each other in society without any thought of evil nor any especial meaning of good.

a sense of concern with and curiosity about someone or something

From this reading He called to mind the interest she had taken in his doings of late, and how she had denounced Vancouver as his enemy, and he thought of the long conversation he had had with her on the ice under the cold moonlight.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading John read Joe's note many times over before he quite realized what it contained.

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

From this reading John read Joe's note many times over before he quite realized what it contained.

a room or building equipped with one or more toilets

From this reading John read Joe's note many times over before he quite realized what it contained.

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 He knew her as an enthusiastic and capricious girl who had sometimes laughed at him, and sometimes treated him coldly; but who, again, had sometimes talked with him as though he were an old friend.

being or occurring at an advanced period of time or after a usual or expected time

From this reading He called to mind the interest she had taken in his doings of late, and how she had denounced Vancouver as his enemy, and he thought of the long conversation he had had with her on the ice under the cold moonlight.

past form of “laugh” — produce laughter

From this reading He knew her as an enthusiastic and capricious girl who had sometimes laughed at him, and sometimes treated him coldly; but who, again, had sometimes talked with him as though he were an old friend.

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 He called to mind the interest she had taken in his doings of late, and how she had denounced Vancouver as his enemy, and he thought of the long conversation he had had with her on the ice under the cold moonlight.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number

From this reading John read Joe's note many times over before he quite realized what it contained.

the message that is intended or expressed or signified

From this reading He thought of many a sympathetic glance she had given when he spoke of his aims and intentions, of many a gentle word spoken in praise of him, and which at the time he had taken merely as so much small, good-natured flattery, such as agreeable people deal out to each other in society without any thought of evil nor any especial meaning of good.

and nothing more

From this reading He thought of many a sympathetic glance she had given when he spoke of his aims and intentions, of many a gentle word spoken in praise of him, and which at the time he had taken merely as so much small, good-natured flattery, such as agreeable people deal out to each other in society without any thought of evil nor any especial meaning of good.

The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.

From this reading He called to mind the interest she had taken in his doings of late, and how she had denounced Vancouver as his enemy, and he thought of the long conversation he had had with her on the ice under the cold moonlight.

the light of the Moon

From this reading He called to mind the interest she had taken in his doings of late, and how she had denounced Vancouver as his enemy, and he thought of the long conversation he had had with her on the ice under the cold moonlight.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading He thought of many a sympathetic glance she had given when he spoke of his aims and intentions, of many a gentle word spoken in praise of him, and which at the time he had taken merely as so much small, good-natured flattery, such as agreeable people deal out to each other in society without any thought of evil nor any especial meaning of good.

and not; used after a negative to add a second negative

From this reading He thought of many a sympathetic glance she had given when he spoke of his aims and intentions, of many a gentle word spoken in praise of him, and which at the time he had taken merely as so much small, good-natured flattery, such as agreeable people deal out to each other in society without any thought of evil nor any especial meaning of good.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading It seemed at first a singular thing that she should have written to him, and he did not understand it.

a brief written record

From this reading John read Joe's note many times over before he quite realized what it contained.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading He called to mind the interest she had taken in his doings of late, and how she had denounced Vancouver as his enemy, and he thought of the long conversation he had had with her on the ice under the cold moonlight.

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

From this reading He knew her as an enthusiastic and capricious girl who had sometimes laughed at him, and sometimes treated him coldly; but who, again, had sometimes talked with him as though he were an old friend.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading He called to mind the interest she had taken in his doings of late, and how she had denounced Vancouver as his enemy, and he thought of the long conversation he had had with her on the ice under the cold moonlight.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading He thought of many a sympathetic glance she had given when he spoke of his aims and intentions, of many a gentle word spoken in praise of him, and which at the time he had taken merely as so much small, good-natured flattery, such as agreeable people deal out to each other in society without any thought of evil nor any especial meaning of good.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading He thought of many a sympathetic glance she had given when he spoke of his aims and intentions, of many a gentle word spoken in praise of him, and which at the time he had taken merely as so much small, good-natured flattery, such as agreeable people deal out to each other in society without any thought of evil nor any especial meaning of good.

above and across; more than

From this reading John read Joe's note many times over before he quite realized what it contained.

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

From this reading He thought of many a sympathetic glance she had given when he spoke of his aims and intentions, of many a gentle word spoken in praise of him, and which at the time he had taken merely as so much small, good-natured flattery, such as agreeable people deal out to each other in society without any thought of evil nor any especial meaning of good.

an expression of approval and commendation

From this reading He thought of many a sympathetic glance she had given when he spoke of his aims and intentions, of many a gentle word spoken in praise of him, and which at the time he had taken merely as so much small, good-natured flattery, such as agreeable people deal out to each other in society without any thought of evil nor any especial meaning of good.

to a degree (not used with a negative)

From this reading John read Joe's note many times over before he quite realized what it contained.

interpret something that is written or printed

From this reading John read Joe's note many times over before he quite realized what it contained.

successfully completed or brought to an end

From this reading John read Joe's note many times over before he quite realized what it contained.

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

From this reading It seemed at first a singular thing that she should have written to him, and he did not understand it.

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

From this reading It seemed at first a singular thing that she should have written to him, and he did not understand it.

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading It seemed at first a singular thing that she should have written to him, and he did not understand it.

unusual or striking

From this reading It seemed at first a singular thing that she should have written to him, and he did not understand it.

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

From this reading He thought of many a sympathetic glance she had given when he spoke of his aims and intentions, of many a gentle word spoken in praise of him, and which at the time he had taken merely as so much small, good-natured flattery, such as agreeable people deal out to each other in society without any thought of evil nor any especial meaning of good.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading He thought of many a sympathetic glance she had given when he spoke of his aims and intentions, of many a gentle word spoken in praise of him, and which at the time he had taken merely as so much small, good-natured flattery, such as agreeable people deal out to each other in society without any thought of evil nor any especial meaning of good.

an extended social group having a distinctive cultural and economic organization

From this reading He thought of many a sympathetic glance she had given when he spoke of his aims and intentions, of many a gentle word spoken in praise of him, and which at the time he had taken merely as so much small, good-natured flattery, such as agreeable people deal out to each other in society without any thought of evil nor any especial meaning of good.

on certain occasions or in certain cases but not always

From this reading He knew her as an enthusiastic and capricious girl who had sometimes laughed at him, and sometimes treated him coldly; but who, again, had sometimes talked with him as though he were an old friend.

support consisting of a radial member of a wheel joining the hub to the rim

From this reading He thought of many a sympathetic glance she had given when he spoke of his aims and intentions, of many a gentle word spoken in praise of him, and which at the time he had taken merely as so much small, good-natured flattery, such as agreeable people deal out to each other in society without any thought of evil nor any especial meaning of good.

uttered through the medium of speech or characterized by speech; sometimes used in combination

From this reading He thought of many a sympathetic glance she had given when he spoke of his aims and intentions, of many a gentle word spoken in praise of him, and which at the time he had taken merely as so much small, good-natured flattery, such as agreeable people deal out to each other in society without any thought of evil nor any especial meaning of good.

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading He thought of many a sympathetic glance she had given when he spoke of his aims and intentions, of many a gentle word spoken in praise of him, and which at the time he had taken merely as so much small, good-natured flattery, such as agreeable people deal out to each other in society without any thought of evil nor any especial meaning of good.

of or relating to the sympathetic nervous system

From this reading He thought of many a sympathetic glance she had given when he spoke of his aims and intentions, of many a gentle word spoken in praise of him, and which at the time he had taken merely as so much small, good-natured flattery, such as agreeable people deal out to each other in society without any thought of evil nor any especial meaning of good.

understood in a certain way; made sense of

From this reading He called to mind the interest she had taken in his doings of late, and how she had denounced Vancouver as his enemy, and he thought of the long conversation he had had with her on the ice under the cold moonlight.

past form of “talk” — exchange thoughts; talk with

From this reading He knew her as an enthusiastic and capricious girl who had sometimes laughed at him, and sometimes treated him coldly; but who, again, had sometimes talked with him as though he were an old friend.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading It seemed at first a singular thing that she should have written to him, and he did not understand it.

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

From this reading He called to mind the interest she had taken in his doings of late, and how she had denounced Vancouver as his enemy, and he thought of the long conversation he had had with her on the ice under the cold moonlight.

a special situation

From this reading It seemed at first a singular thing that she should have written to him, and he did not understand it.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading He knew her as an enthusiastic and capricious girl who had sometimes laughed at him, and sometimes treated him coldly; but who, again, had sometimes talked with him as though he were an old friend.

the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about

From this reading He called to mind the interest she had taken in his doings of late, and how she had denounced Vancouver as his enemy, and he thought of the long conversation he had had with her on the ice under the cold moonlight.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading He thought of many a sympathetic glance she had given when he spoke of his aims and intentions, of many a gentle word spoken in praise of him, and which at the time he had taken merely as so much small, good-natured flattery, such as agreeable people deal out to each other in society without any thought of evil nor any especial meaning of good.

a more or less definite period of time now or previously present

From this reading John read Joe's note many times over before he quite realized what it contained.

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

From this reading It seemed at first a singular thing that she should have written to him, and he did not understand it.

subjected to a physical (or chemical) treatment or action or agent

From this reading He knew her as an enthusiastic and capricious girl who had sometimes laughed at him, and sometimes treated him coldly; but who, again, had sometimes talked with him as though he were an old friend.

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading He called to mind the interest she had taken in his doings of late, and how she had denounced Vancouver as his enemy, and he thought of the long conversation he had had with her on the ice under the cold moonlight.

know and comprehend the nature or meaning of

From this reading It seemed at first a singular thing that she should have written to him, and he did not understand it.

English navigator remembered for his exploration of the Pacific coast of North America (1757-1798)

From this reading He called to mind the interest she had taken in his doings of late, and how she had denounced Vancouver as his enemy, and he thought of the long conversation he had had with her on the ice under the cold moonlight.

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

From this reading He knew her as an enthusiastic and capricious girl who had sometimes laughed at him, and sometimes treated him coldly; but who, again, had sometimes talked with him as though he were an old friend.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading John read Joe's note many times over before he quite realized what it contained.

at the time that

From this reading He thought of many a sympathetic glance she had given when he spoke of his aims and intentions, of many a gentle word spoken in praise of him, and which at the time he had taken merely as so much small, good-natured flattery, such as agreeable people deal out to each other in society without any thought of evil nor any especial meaning of good.

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

From this reading He thought of many a sympathetic glance she had given when he spoke of his aims and intentions, of many a gentle word spoken in praise of him, and which at the time he had taken merely as so much small, good-natured flattery, such as agreeable people deal out to each other in society without any thought of evil nor any especial meaning of good.

which person or people

From this reading He knew her as an enthusiastic and capricious girl who had sometimes laughed at him, and sometimes treated him coldly; but who, again, had sometimes talked with him as though he were an old friend.

in the company of; together with

From this reading He knew her as an enthusiastic and capricious girl who had sometimes laughed at him, and sometimes treated him coldly; but who, again, had sometimes talked with him as though he were an old friend.

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading He thought of many a sympathetic glance she had given when he spoke of his aims and intentions, of many a gentle word spoken in praise of him, and which at the time he had taken merely as so much small, good-natured flattery, such as agreeable people deal out to each other in society without any thought of evil nor any especial meaning of good.

a unit of language that native speakers can identify

From this reading He thought of many a sympathetic glance she had given when he spoke of his aims and intentions, of many a gentle word spoken in praise of him, and which at the time he had taken merely as so much small, good-natured flattery, such as agreeable people deal out to each other in society without any thought of evil nor any especial meaning of good.

set down in writing in any of various ways

From this reading It seemed at first a singular thing that she should have written to him, and he did not understand it.