Chapter VIII

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

From this reading OLD GEORGE A stranger making a call in that portion of North Kensington which lies in the vicinity of Ladbroke Grove by some mischance lost his way.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading He walked about twenty paces, and found himself in the heart of slum-land.

aimlessly drifting

From this reading It may be that he was in no particular hurry to arrive at his destination, this stranger--who has nothing to do with the story--but certainly he did not avail himself of opportunity in the shape of a passing policeman, and continued his aimless wanderings.

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

From this reading He wandered through many prosperous crescents and quiet squares redolent of the opulence of the upper middle classes, through broad avenues where neat broughams stood waiting in small carriage-drives, and once he blundered into a tidy mews, where horsy men with great hissings made ready the chariots of the Notting Hill plutocracy.

reach a destination; arrive by movement or progress

From this reading It may be that he was in no particular hurry to arrive at his destination, this stranger--who has nothing to do with the story--but certainly he did not avail himself of opportunity in the shape of a passing policeman, and continued his aimless wanderings.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading It may be that he was in no particular hurry to arrive at his destination, this stranger--who has nothing to do with the story--but certainly he did not avail himself of opportunity in the shape of a passing policeman, and continued his aimless wanderings.

use to one's advantage

From this reading It may be that he was in no particular hurry to arrive at his destination, this stranger--who has nothing to do with the story--but certainly he did not avail himself of opportunity in the shape of a passing policeman, and continued his aimless wanderings.

plural of “avenue” — a line of approach

From this reading He wandered through many prosperous crescents and quiet squares redolent of the opulence of the upper middle classes, through broad avenues where neat broughams stood waiting in small carriage-drives, and once he blundered into a tidy mews, where horsy men with great hissings made ready the chariots of the Notting Hill plutocracy.

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

From this reading It may be that he was in no particular hurry to arrive at his destination, this stranger--who has nothing to do with the story--but certainly he did not avail himself of opportunity in the shape of a passing policeman, and continued his aimless wanderings.

past form of “blunder” — commit a faux pas or a fault or make a serious mistake

From this reading He wandered through many prosperous crescents and quiet squares redolent of the opulence of the upper middle classes, through broad avenues where neat broughams stood waiting in small carriage-drives, and once he blundered into a tidy mews, where horsy men with great hissings made ready the chariots of the Notting Hill plutocracy.

having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other

From this reading He wandered through many prosperous crescents and quiet squares redolent of the opulence of the upper middle classes, through broad avenues where neat broughams stood waiting in small carriage-drives, and once he blundered into a tidy mews, where horsy men with great hissings made ready the chariots of the Notting Hill plutocracy.

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

From this reading He wandered through many prosperous crescents and quiet squares redolent of the opulence of the upper middle classes, through broad avenues where neat broughams stood waiting in small carriage-drives, and once he blundered into a tidy mews, where horsy men with great hissings made ready the chariots of the Notting Hill plutocracy.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading It may be that he was in no particular hurry to arrive at his destination, this stranger--who has nothing to do with the story--but certainly he did not avail himself of opportunity in the shape of a passing policeman, and continued his aimless wanderings.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading OLD GEORGE A stranger making a call in that portion of North Kensington which lies in the vicinity of Ladbroke Grove by some mischance lost his way.

assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading OLD GEORGE A stranger making a call in that portion of North Kensington which lies in the vicinity of Ladbroke Grove by some mischance lost his way.

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

From this reading He wandered through many prosperous crescents and quiet squares redolent of the opulence of the upper middle classes, through broad avenues where neat broughams stood waiting in small carriage-drives, and once he blundered into a tidy mews, where horsy men with great hissings made ready the chariots of the Notting Hill plutocracy.

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

From this reading It may be that he was in no particular hurry to arrive at his destination, this stranger--who has nothing to do with the story--but certainly he did not avail himself of opportunity in the shape of a passing policeman, and continued his aimless wanderings.

plural of “chariot” — a light four-wheel horse-drawn ceremonial carriage

From this reading He wandered through many prosperous crescents and quiet squares redolent of the opulence of the upper middle classes, through broad avenues where neat broughams stood waiting in small carriage-drives, and once he blundered into a tidy mews, where horsy men with great hissings made ready the chariots of the Notting Hill plutocracy.

plural of “class” — a collection of things sharing a common attribute

From this reading He wandered through many prosperous crescents and quiet squares redolent of the opulence of the upper middle classes, through broad avenues where neat broughams stood waiting in small carriage-drives, and once he blundered into a tidy mews, where horsy men with great hissings made ready the chariots of the Notting Hill plutocracy.

without stop or interruption

From this reading It may be that he was in no particular hurry to arrive at his destination, this stranger--who has nothing to do with the story--but certainly he did not avail himself of opportunity in the shape of a passing policeman, and continued his aimless wanderings.

plural of “crescent” — any shape resembling the curved shape of the moon in its first or last quarters

From this reading He wandered through many prosperous crescents and quiet squares redolent of the opulence of the upper middle classes, through broad avenues where neat broughams stood waiting in small carriage-drives, and once he blundered into a tidy mews, where horsy men with great hissings made ready the chariots of the Notting Hill plutocracy.

the place designated as the end (as of a race or journey)

From this reading It may be that he was in no particular hurry to arrive at his destination, this stranger--who has nothing to do with the story--but certainly he did not avail himself of opportunity in the shape of a passing policeman, and continued his aimless wanderings.

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

From this reading It may be that he was in no particular hurry to arrive at his destination, this stranger--who has nothing to do with the story--but certainly he did not avail himself of opportunity in the shape of a passing policeman, and continued his aimless wanderings.

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading It may be that he was in no particular hurry to arrive at his destination, this stranger--who has nothing to do with the story--but certainly he did not avail himself of opportunity in the shape of a passing policeman, and continued his aimless wanderings.

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

From this reading He found Kensington Park Road, a broad thoroughfare of huge gardens and walled forecourts, then turned into a side street.

set up or found

From this reading He found Kensington Park Road, a broad thoroughfare of huge gardens and walled forecourts, then turned into a side street.

plural of “garden” — a plot of ground where plants are cultivated

From this reading He found Kensington Park Road, a broad thoroughfare of huge gardens and walled forecourts, then turned into a side street.

Christian martyr; patron saint of England; hero of the legend of Saint George and the Dragon in which he slew a dragon and saved a princess (?-303)

From this reading OLD GEORGE A stranger making a call in that portion of North Kensington which lies in the vicinity of Ladbroke Grove by some mischance lost his way.

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

From this reading He wandered through many prosperous crescents and quiet squares redolent of the opulence of the upper middle classes, through broad avenues where neat broughams stood waiting in small carriage-drives, and once he blundered into a tidy mews, where horsy men with great hissings made ready the chariots of the Notting Hill plutocracy.

a small growth of trees without underbrush

From this reading OLD GEORGE A stranger making a call in that portion of North Kensington which lies in the vicinity of Ladbroke Grove by some mischance lost his way.

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

From this reading It may be that he was in no particular hurry to arrive at his destination, this stranger--who has nothing to do with the story--but certainly he did not avail himself of opportunity in the shape of a passing policeman, and continued his aimless wanderings.

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

From this reading He wandered through many prosperous crescents and quiet squares redolent of the opulence of the upper middle classes, through broad avenues where neat broughams stood waiting in small carriage-drives, and once he blundered into a tidy mews, where horsy men with great hissings made ready the chariots of the Notting Hill plutocracy.

the locus of feelings and intuitions

From this reading He walked about twenty paces, and found himself in the heart of slum-land.

a local and well-defined elevation of the land

From this reading He wandered through many prosperous crescents and quiet squares redolent of the opulence of the upper middle classes, through broad avenues where neat broughams stood waiting in small carriage-drives, and once he blundered into a tidy mews, where horsy men with great hissings made ready the chariots of the Notting Hill plutocracy.

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading It may be that he was in no particular hurry to arrive at his destination, this stranger--who has nothing to do with the story--but certainly he did not avail himself of opportunity in the shape of a passing policeman, and continued his aimless wanderings.

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

From this reading OLD GEORGE A stranger making a call in that portion of North Kensington which lies in the vicinity of Ladbroke Grove by some mischance lost his way.

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

From this reading He wandered through many prosperous crescents and quiet squares redolent of the opulence of the upper middle classes, through broad avenues where neat broughams stood waiting in small carriage-drives, and once he blundered into a tidy mews, where horsy men with great hissings made ready the chariots of the Notting Hill plutocracy.

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

From this reading He wandered through many prosperous crescents and quiet squares redolent of the opulence of the upper middle classes, through broad avenues where neat broughams stood waiting in small carriage-drives, and once he blundered into a tidy mews, where horsy men with great hissings made ready the chariots of the Notting Hill plutocracy.

unusually great in size or amount or degree or especially extent or scope

From this reading He found Kensington Park Road, a broad thoroughfare of huge gardens and walled forecourts, then turned into a side street.

a condition of urgency making it necessary to hurry

From this reading It may be that he was in no particular hurry to arrive at his destination, this stranger--who has nothing to do with the story--but certainly he did not avail himself of opportunity in the shape of a passing policeman, and continued his aimless wanderings.

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

From this reading OLD GEORGE A stranger making a call in that portion of North Kensington which lies in the vicinity of Ladbroke Grove by some mischance lost his way.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading He wandered through many prosperous crescents and quiet squares redolent of the opulence of the upper middle classes, through broad avenues where neat broughams stood waiting in small carriage-drives, and once he blundered into a tidy mews, where horsy men with great hissings made ready the chariots of the Notting Hill plutocracy.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It may be that he was in no particular hurry to arrive at his destination, this stranger--who has nothing to do with the story--but certainly he did not avail himself of opportunity in the shape of a passing policeman, and continued his aimless wanderings.

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

From this reading OLD GEORGE A stranger making a call in that portion of North Kensington which lies in the vicinity of Ladbroke Grove by some mischance lost his way.

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

From this reading OLD GEORGE A stranger making a call in that portion of North Kensington which lies in the vicinity of Ladbroke Grove by some mischance lost his way.

plural of “lie” — a statement that deviates from or perverts the truth

From this reading OLD GEORGE A stranger making a call in that portion of North Kensington which lies in the vicinity of Ladbroke Grove by some mischance lost his way.

no longer in your possession or control; unable to be found or recovered

From this reading OLD GEORGE A stranger making a call in that portion of North Kensington which lies in the vicinity of Ladbroke Grove by some mischance lost his way.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading He wandered through many prosperous crescents and quiet squares redolent of the opulence of the upper middle classes, through broad avenues where neat broughams stood waiting in small carriage-drives, and once he blundered into a tidy mews, where horsy men with great hissings made ready the chariots of the Notting Hill plutocracy.

the act that results in something coming to be

From this reading OLD GEORGE A stranger making a call in that portion of North Kensington which lies in the vicinity of Ladbroke Grove by some mischance lost his way.

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 He wandered through many prosperous crescents and quiet squares redolent of the opulence of the upper middle classes, through broad avenues where neat broughams stood waiting in small carriage-drives, and once he blundered into a tidy mews, where horsy men with great hissings made ready the chariots of the Notting Hill plutocracy.

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading It may be that he was in no particular hurry to arrive at his destination, this stranger--who has nothing to do with the story--but certainly he did not avail himself of opportunity in the shape of a passing policeman, and continued his aimless wanderings.

the force of workers available

From this reading He wandered through many prosperous crescents and quiet squares redolent of the opulence of the upper middle classes, through broad avenues where neat broughams stood waiting in small carriage-drives, and once he blundered into a tidy mews, where horsy men with great hissings made ready the chariots of the Notting Hill plutocracy.

street lined with buildings that were originally private stables but have been remodeled as dwellings

From this reading He wandered through many prosperous crescents and quiet squares redolent of the opulence of the upper middle classes, through broad avenues where neat broughams stood waiting in small carriage-drives, and once he blundered into a tidy mews, where horsy men with great hissings made ready the chariots of the Notting Hill plutocracy.

an area that is approximately central within some larger region

From this reading He wandered through many prosperous crescents and quiet squares redolent of the opulence of the upper middle classes, through broad avenues where neat broughams stood waiting in small carriage-drives, and once he blundered into a tidy mews, where horsy men with great hissings made ready the chariots of the Notting Hill plutocracy.

an unpredictable outcome that is unfortunate

From this reading OLD GEORGE A stranger making a call in that portion of North Kensington which lies in the vicinity of Ladbroke Grove by some mischance lost his way.

clean or organized

From this reading He wandered through many prosperous crescents and quiet squares redolent of the opulence of the upper middle classes, through broad avenues where neat broughams stood waiting in small carriage-drives, and once he blundered into a tidy mews, where horsy men with great hissings made ready the chariots of the Notting Hill plutocracy.

not any; not one

From this reading It may be that he was in no particular hurry to arrive at his destination, this stranger--who has nothing to do with the story--but certainly he did not avail himself of opportunity in the shape of a passing policeman, and continued his aimless wanderings.

the region of the United States lying to the north of the Mason-Dixon line

From this reading OLD GEORGE A stranger making a call in that portion of North Kensington which lies in the vicinity of Ladbroke Grove by some mischance lost his way.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading It may be that he was in no particular hurry to arrive at his destination, this stranger--who has nothing to do with the story--but certainly he did not avail himself of opportunity in the shape of a passing policeman, and continued his aimless wanderings.

not one thing; not anything

From this reading It may be that he was in no particular hurry to arrive at his destination, this stranger--who has nothing to do with the story--but certainly he did not avail himself of opportunity in the shape of a passing policeman, and continued his aimless wanderings.

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

From this reading He wandered through many prosperous crescents and quiet squares redolent of the opulence of the upper middle classes, through broad avenues where neat broughams stood waiting in small carriage-drives, and once he blundered into a tidy mews, where horsy men with great hissings made ready the chariots of the Notting Hill plutocracy.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading OLD GEORGE A stranger making a call in that portion of North Kensington which lies in the vicinity of Ladbroke Grove by some mischance lost his way.

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

From this reading OLD GEORGE A stranger making a call in that portion of North Kensington which lies in the vicinity of Ladbroke Grove by some mischance lost his way.

on one occasion

From this reading He wandered through many prosperous crescents and quiet squares redolent of the opulence of the upper middle classes, through broad avenues where neat broughams stood waiting in small carriage-drives, and once he blundered into a tidy mews, where horsy men with great hissings made ready the chariots of the Notting Hill plutocracy.

a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances

From this reading It may be that he was in no particular hurry to arrive at his destination, this stranger--who has nothing to do with the story--but certainly he did not avail himself of opportunity in the shape of a passing policeman, and continued his aimless wanderings.

wealth as evidenced by sumptuous living

From this reading He wandered through many prosperous crescents and quiet squares redolent of the opulence of the upper middle classes, through broad avenues where neat broughams stood waiting in small carriage-drives, and once he blundered into a tidy mews, where horsy men with great hissings made ready the chariots of the Notting Hill plutocracy.

plural of “pace” — the rate of moving (especially walking or running)

From this reading He walked about twenty paces, and found himself in the heart of slum-land.

a large area of land preserved in its natural state as public property

From this reading He found Kensington Park Road, a broad thoroughfare of huge gardens and walled forecourts, then turned into a side street.

unique or specific to a person or thing or category

From this reading It may be that he was in no particular hurry to arrive at his destination, this stranger--who has nothing to do with the story--but certainly he did not avail himself of opportunity in the shape of a passing policeman, and continued his aimless wanderings.

(American football) a play that involves one player throwing the ball to a teammate

From this reading It may be that he was in no particular hurry to arrive at his destination, this stranger--who has nothing to do with the story--but certainly he did not avail himself of opportunity in the shape of a passing policeman, and continued his aimless wanderings.

a political system governed by the wealthy people

From this reading He wandered through many prosperous crescents and quiet squares redolent of the opulence of the upper middle classes, through broad avenues where neat broughams stood waiting in small carriage-drives, and once he blundered into a tidy mews, where horsy men with great hissings made ready the chariots of the Notting Hill plutocracy.

a member of a police force

From this reading It may be that he was in no particular hurry to arrive at his destination, this stranger--who has nothing to do with the story--but certainly he did not avail himself of opportunity in the shape of a passing policeman, and continued his aimless wanderings.

something determined in relation to something that includes it

From this reading OLD GEORGE A stranger making a call in that portion of North Kensington which lies in the vicinity of Ladbroke Grove by some mischance lost his way.

in fortunate circumstances financially; moderately rich

From this reading He wandered through many prosperous crescents and quiet squares redolent of the opulence of the upper middle classes, through broad avenues where neat broughams stood waiting in small carriage-drives, and once he blundered into a tidy mews, where horsy men with great hissings made ready the chariots of the Notting Hill plutocracy.

characterized by an absence or near absence of agitation or activity

From this reading He wandered through many prosperous crescents and quiet squares redolent of the opulence of the upper middle classes, through broad avenues where neat broughams stood waiting in small carriage-drives, and once he blundered into a tidy mews, where horsy men with great hissings made ready the chariots of the Notting Hill plutocracy.

completely prepared or in condition for immediate action or use or progress

From this reading He wandered through many prosperous crescents and quiet squares redolent of the opulence of the upper middle classes, through broad avenues where neat broughams stood waiting in small carriage-drives, and once he blundered into a tidy mews, where horsy men with great hissings made ready the chariots of the Notting Hill plutocracy.

serving to bring to mind

From this reading He wandered through many prosperous crescents and quiet squares redolent of the opulence of the upper middle classes, through broad avenues where neat broughams stood waiting in small carriage-drives, and once he blundered into a tidy mews, where horsy men with great hissings made ready the chariots of the Notting Hill plutocracy.

an open way (generally public) for travel or transportation

From this reading He found Kensington Park Road, a broad thoroughfare of huge gardens and walled forecourts, then turned into a side street.

any spatial attributes (especially as defined by outline)

From this reading It may be that he was in no particular hurry to arrive at his destination, this stranger--who has nothing to do with the story--but certainly he did not avail himself of opportunity in the shape of a passing policeman, and continued his aimless wanderings.

a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location

From this reading He found Kensington Park Road, a broad thoroughfare of huge gardens and walled forecourts, then turned into a side street.

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

From this reading He walked about twenty paces, and found himself in the heart of slum-land.

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

From this reading He wandered through many prosperous crescents and quiet squares redolent of the opulence of the upper middle classes, through broad avenues where neat broughams stood waiting in small carriage-drives, and once he blundered into a tidy mews, where horsy men with great hissings made ready the chariots of the Notting Hill plutocracy.

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

From this reading OLD GEORGE A stranger making a call in that portion of North Kensington which lies in the vicinity of Ladbroke Grove by some mischance lost his way.

plural of “square” — (geometry) a plane rectangle with four equal sides and four right angles; a four-sided regular polygon

From this reading He wandered through many prosperous crescents and quiet squares redolent of the opulence of the upper middle classes, through broad avenues where neat broughams stood waiting in small carriage-drives, and once he blundered into a tidy mews, where horsy men with great hissings made ready the chariots of the Notting Hill plutocracy.

Maintained an upright posture.

From this reading He wandered through many prosperous crescents and quiet squares redolent of the opulence of the upper middle classes, through broad avenues where neat broughams stood waiting in small carriage-drives, and once he blundered into a tidy mews, where horsy men with great hissings made ready the chariots of the Notting Hill plutocracy.

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 It may be that he was in no particular hurry to arrive at his destination, this stranger--who has nothing to do with the story--but certainly he did not avail himself of opportunity in the shape of a passing policeman, and continued his aimless wanderings.

anyone who does not belong in the environment in which they are found

From this reading OLD GEORGE A stranger making a call in that portion of North Kensington which lies in the vicinity of Ladbroke Grove by some mischance lost his way.

a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings

From this reading He found Kensington Park Road, a broad thoroughfare of huge gardens and walled forecourts, then turned into a side street.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading OLD GEORGE A stranger making a call in that portion of North Kensington which lies in the vicinity of Ladbroke Grove by some mischance lost his way.

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

From this reading OLD GEORGE A stranger making a call in that portion of North Kensington which lies in the vicinity of Ladbroke Grove by some mischance lost his way.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading He found Kensington Park Road, a broad thoroughfare of huge gardens and walled forecourts, then turned into a side street.

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading It may be that he was in no particular hurry to arrive at his destination, this stranger--who has nothing to do with the story--but certainly he did not avail himself of opportunity in the shape of a passing policeman, and continued his aimless wanderings.

a public road from one place to another

From this reading He found Kensington Park Road, a broad thoroughfare of huge gardens and walled forecourts, then turned into a side street.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading He wandered through many prosperous crescents and quiet squares redolent of the opulence of the upper middle classes, through broad avenues where neat broughams stood waiting in small carriage-drives, and once he blundered into a tidy mews, where horsy men with great hissings made ready the chariots of the Notting Hill plutocracy.

marked by order and cleanliness in appearance or habits

From this reading He wandered through many prosperous crescents and quiet squares redolent of the opulence of the upper middle classes, through broad avenues where neat broughams stood waiting in small carriage-drives, and once he blundered into a tidy mews, where horsy men with great hissings made ready the chariots of the Notting Hill plutocracy.

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

From this reading It may be that he was in no particular hurry to arrive at his destination, this stranger--who has nothing to do with the story--but certainly he did not avail himself of opportunity in the shape of a passing policeman, and continued his aimless wanderings.

moved around an axis or center

From this reading He found Kensington Park Road, a broad thoroughfare of huge gardens and walled forecourts, then turned into a side street.

the cardinal number that is the sum of nineteen and one

From this reading He walked about twenty paces, and found himself in the heart of slum-land.

the topmost one of two

From this reading He wandered through many prosperous crescents and quiet squares redolent of the opulence of the upper middle classes, through broad avenues where neat broughams stood waiting in small carriage-drives, and once he blundered into a tidy mews, where horsy men with great hissings made ready the chariots of the Notting Hill plutocracy.

a surrounding or nearby region

From this reading OLD GEORGE A stranger making a call in that portion of North Kensington which lies in the vicinity of Ladbroke Grove by some mischance lost his way.

the act of waiting (remaining inactive in one place while expecting something)

From this reading He wandered through many prosperous crescents and quiet squares redolent of the opulence of the upper middle classes, through broad avenues where neat broughams stood waiting in small carriage-drives, and once he blundered into a tidy mews, where horsy men with great hissings made ready the chariots of the Notting Hill plutocracy.

past form of “walk” — use one's feet to advance; advance by steps

From this reading He walked about twenty paces, and found himself in the heart of slum-land.

past form of “wall” — surround with a wall in order to fortify

From this reading He found Kensington Park Road, a broad thoroughfare of huge gardens and walled forecourts, then turned into a side street.

past form of “wander” — move about aimlessly or without any destination, often in search of food or employment

From this reading He wandered through many prosperous crescents and quiet squares redolent of the opulence of the upper middle classes, through broad avenues where neat broughams stood waiting in small carriage-drives, and once he blundered into a tidy mews, where horsy men with great hissings made ready the chariots of the Notting Hill plutocracy.

plural of “wandering” — travelling about without any clear destination

From this reading It may be that he was in no particular hurry to arrive at his destination, this stranger--who has nothing to do with the story--but certainly he did not avail himself of opportunity in the shape of a passing policeman, and continued his aimless wanderings.

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

From this reading It may be that he was in no particular hurry to arrive at his destination, this stranger--who has nothing to do with the story--but certainly he did not avail himself of opportunity in the shape of a passing policeman, and continued his aimless wanderings.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading OLD GEORGE A stranger making a call in that portion of North Kensington which lies in the vicinity of Ladbroke Grove by some mischance lost his way.

in or at the place that

From this reading He wandered through many prosperous crescents and quiet squares redolent of the opulence of the upper middle classes, through broad avenues where neat broughams stood waiting in small carriage-drives, and once he blundered into a tidy mews, where horsy men with great hissings made ready the chariots of the Notting Hill plutocracy.

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

From this reading OLD GEORGE A stranger making a call in that portion of North Kensington which lies in the vicinity of Ladbroke Grove by some mischance lost his way.

which person or people

From this reading It may be that he was in no particular hurry to arrive at his destination, this stranger--who has nothing to do with the story--but certainly he did not avail himself of opportunity in the shape of a passing policeman, and continued his aimless wanderings.

in the company of; together with

From this reading He wandered through many prosperous crescents and quiet squares redolent of the opulence of the upper middle classes, through broad avenues where neat broughams stood waiting in small carriage-drives, and once he blundered into a tidy mews, where horsy men with great hissings made ready the chariots of the Notting Hill plutocracy.