Chapter XXXI

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

From this reading A QUESTION OF IMPORTANCE It had been chance pure and simple which happened to take Doctor Hilary to Woodleigh on the day the Duchessa received Trix's telegram, but it cannot be equally said that it was chance which took him to Exeter on the following day, and which made him travel down again to Kingsleigh by the four o'clock train.

happening at a time subsequent to a reference time

From this reading At first she had allowed herself to be almost unreasonably depressed by it; afterwards she had been almost more unreasonably depressed because she had allowed herself to be depressed in the first instance.

anew

From this reading A QUESTION OF IMPORTANCE It had been chance pure and simple which happened to take Doctor Hilary to Woodleigh on the day the Duchessa received Trix's telegram, but it cannot be equally said that it was chance which took him to Exeter on the following day, and which made him travel down again to Kingsleigh by the four o'clock train.

(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class

From this reading Also it was certainly not chance which induced him to be on the platform at least a quarter of an hour before the train was due at the station, ready to keep a careful lookout on all the passengers in it.

past form of “allow” — make it possible through a specific action or lack of action for something to happen

From this reading At first she had allowed herself to be almost unreasonably depressed by it; afterwards she had been almost more unreasonably depressed because she had allowed herself to be depressed in the first instance.

(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but

From this reading At first she had allowed herself to be almost unreasonably depressed by it; afterwards she had been almost more unreasonably depressed because she had allowed herself to be depressed in the first instance.

in addition

From this reading Also it was certainly not chance which induced him to be on the platform at least a quarter of an hour before the train was due at the station, ready to keep a careful lookout on all the passengers in it.

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

From this reading Also it was certainly not chance which induced him to be on the platform at least a quarter of an hour before the train was due at the station, ready to keep a careful lookout on all the passengers in it.

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

From this reading A QUESTION OF IMPORTANCE It had been chance pure and simple which happened to take Doctor Hilary to Woodleigh on the day the Duchessa received Trix's telegram, but it cannot be equally said that it was chance which took him to Exeter on the following day, and which made him travel down again to Kingsleigh by the four o'clock train.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Also it was certainly not chance which induced him to be on the platform at least a quarter of an hour before the train was due at the station, ready to keep a careful lookout on all the passengers in it.

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

From this reading A QUESTION OF IMPORTANCE It had been chance pure and simple which happened to take Doctor Hilary to Woodleigh on the day the Duchessa received Trix's telegram, but it cannot be equally said that it was chance which took him to Exeter on the following day, and which made him travel down again to Kingsleigh by the four o'clock train.

for the reason that

From this reading At first she had allowed herself to be almost unreasonably depressed by it; afterwards she had been almost more unreasonably depressed because she had allowed herself to be depressed in the first instance.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading A QUESTION OF IMPORTANCE It had been chance pure and simple which happened to take Doctor Hilary to Woodleigh on the day the Duchessa received Trix's telegram, but it cannot be equally said that it was chance which took him to Exeter on the following day, and which made him travel down again to Kingsleigh by the four o'clock train.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading Also it was certainly not chance which induced him to be on the platform at least a quarter of an hour before the train was due at the station, ready to keep a careful lookout on all the passengers in it.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading A QUESTION OF IMPORTANCE It had been chance pure and simple which happened to take Doctor Hilary to Woodleigh on the day the Duchessa received Trix's telegram, but it cannot be equally said that it was chance which took him to Exeter on the following day, and which made him travel down again to Kingsleigh by the four o'clock train.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading A QUESTION OF IMPORTANCE It had been chance pure and simple which happened to take Doctor Hilary to Woodleigh on the day the Duchessa received Trix's telegram, but it cannot be equally said that it was chance which took him to Exeter on the following day, and which made him travel down again to Kingsleigh by the four o'clock train.

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

From this reading A QUESTION OF IMPORTANCE It had been chance pure and simple which happened to take Doctor Hilary to Woodleigh on the day the Duchessa received Trix's telegram, but it cannot be equally said that it was chance which took him to Exeter on the following day, and which made him travel down again to Kingsleigh by the four o'clock train.

exercising caution or showing care or attention

From this reading Also it was certainly not chance which induced him to be on the platform at least a quarter of an hour before the train was due at the station, ready to keep a careful lookout on all the passengers in it.

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

From this reading Also it was certainly not chance which induced him to be on the platform at least a quarter of an hour before the train was due at the station, ready to keep a careful lookout on all the passengers in it.

a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances

From this reading A QUESTION OF IMPORTANCE It had been chance pure and simple which happened to take Doctor Hilary to Woodleigh on the day the Duchessa received Trix's telegram, but it cannot be equally said that it was chance which took him to Exeter on the following day, and which made him travel down again to Kingsleigh by the four o'clock train.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading A QUESTION OF IMPORTANCE It had been chance pure and simple which happened to take Doctor Hilary to Woodleigh on the day the Duchessa received Trix's telegram, but it cannot be equally said that it was chance which took him to Exeter on the following day, and which made him travel down again to Kingsleigh by the four o'clock train.

lower than previously

From this reading At first she had allowed herself to be almost unreasonably depressed by it; afterwards she had been almost more unreasonably depressed because she had allowed herself to be depressed in the first instance.

a licensed medical practitioner

From this reading A QUESTION OF IMPORTANCE It had been chance pure and simple which happened to take Doctor Hilary to Woodleigh on the day the Duchessa received Trix's telegram, but it cannot be equally said that it was chance which took him to Exeter on the following day, and which made him travel down again to Kingsleigh by the four o'clock train.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading A QUESTION OF IMPORTANCE It had been chance pure and simple which happened to take Doctor Hilary to Woodleigh on the day the Duchessa received Trix's telegram, but it cannot be equally said that it was chance which took him to Exeter on the following day, and which made him travel down again to Kingsleigh by the four o'clock train.

the cardinal number that is the sum of eleven and one

From this reading She had re-read Miss Tibbutt's letter at least a dozen times.

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

From this reading A QUESTION OF IMPORTANCE It had been chance pure and simple which happened to take Doctor Hilary to Woodleigh on the day the Duchessa received Trix's telegram, but it cannot be equally said that it was chance which took him to Exeter on the following day, and which made him travel down again to Kingsleigh by the four o'clock train.

owed and payable immediately or on demand

From this reading Also it was certainly not chance which induced him to be on the platform at least a quarter of an hour before the train was due at the station, ready to keep a careful lookout on all the passengers in it.

to the same degree (often followed by “as”)

From this reading A QUESTION OF IMPORTANCE It had been chance pure and simple which happened to take Doctor Hilary to Woodleigh on the day the Duchessa received Trix's telegram, but it cannot be equally said that it was chance which took him to Exeter on the following day, and which made him travel down again to Kingsleigh by the four o'clock train.

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

From this reading A QUESTION OF IMPORTANCE It had been chance pure and simple which happened to take Doctor Hilary to Woodleigh on the day the Duchessa received Trix's telegram, but it cannot be equally said that it was chance which took him to Exeter on the following day, and which made him travel down again to Kingsleigh by the four o'clock train.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading At first she had allowed herself to be almost unreasonably depressed by it; afterwards she had been almost more unreasonably depressed because she had allowed herself to be depressed in the first instance.

about to be mentioned or specified

From this reading A QUESTION OF IMPORTANCE It had been chance pure and simple which happened to take Doctor Hilary to Woodleigh on the day the Duchessa received Trix's telegram, but it cannot be equally said that it was chance which took him to Exeter on the following day, and which made him travel down again to Kingsleigh by the four o'clock train.

the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one

From this reading A QUESTION OF IMPORTANCE It had been chance pure and simple which happened to take Doctor Hilary to Woodleigh on the day the Duchessa received Trix's telegram, but it cannot be equally said that it was chance which took him to Exeter on the following day, and which made him travel down again to Kingsleigh by the four o'clock train.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading * * * * * Trix had had an uneasy journey from London.

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

From this reading A QUESTION OF IMPORTANCE It had been chance pure and simple which happened to take Doctor Hilary to Woodleigh on the day the Duchessa received Trix's telegram, but it cannot be equally said that it was chance which took him to Exeter on the following day, and which made him travel down again to Kingsleigh by the four o'clock train.

past form of “happen” — come to pass

From this reading A QUESTION OF IMPORTANCE It had been chance pure and simple which happened to take Doctor Hilary to Woodleigh on the day the Duchessa received Trix's telegram, but it cannot be equally said that it was chance which took him to Exeter on the following day, and which made him travel down again to Kingsleigh by the four o'clock train.

used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object

From this reading At first she had allowed herself to be almost unreasonably depressed by it; afterwards she had been almost more unreasonably depressed because she had allowed herself to be depressed in the first instance.

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

From this reading A QUESTION OF IMPORTANCE It had been chance pure and simple which happened to take Doctor Hilary to Woodleigh on the day the Duchessa received Trix's telegram, but it cannot be equally said that it was chance which took him to Exeter on the following day, and which made him travel down again to Kingsleigh by the four o'clock train.

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

From this reading A QUESTION OF IMPORTANCE It had been chance pure and simple which happened to take Doctor Hilary to Woodleigh on the day the Duchessa received Trix's telegram, but it cannot be equally said that it was chance which took him to Exeter on the following day, and which made him travel down again to Kingsleigh by the four o'clock train.

a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day

From this reading Also it was certainly not chance which induced him to be on the platform at least a quarter of an hour before the train was due at the station, ready to keep a careful lookout on all the passengers in it.

the quality of being important and worthy of note

From this reading A QUESTION OF IMPORTANCE It had been chance pure and simple which happened to take Doctor Hilary to Woodleigh on the day the Duchessa received Trix's telegram, but it cannot be equally said that it was chance which took him to Exeter on the following day, and which made him travel down again to Kingsleigh by the four o'clock train.

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

From this reading Also it was certainly not chance which induced him to be on the platform at least a quarter of an hour before the train was due at the station, ready to keep a careful lookout on all the passengers in it.

brought about or caused; not spontaneous

From this reading Also it was certainly not chance which induced him to be on the platform at least a quarter of an hour before the train was due at the station, ready to keep a careful lookout on all the passengers in it.

an occurrence of something

From this reading At first she had allowed herself to be almost unreasonably depressed by it; afterwards she had been almost more unreasonably depressed because she had allowed herself to be depressed in the first instance.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading A QUESTION OF IMPORTANCE It had been chance pure and simple which happened to take Doctor Hilary to Woodleigh on the day the Duchessa received Trix's telegram, but it cannot be equally said that it was chance which took him to Exeter on the following day, and which made him travel down again to Kingsleigh by the four o'clock train.

undertake a journey or trip

From this reading * * * * * Trix had had an uneasy journey from London.

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

From this reading Also it was certainly not chance which induced him to be on the platform at least a quarter of an hour before the train was due at the station, ready to keep a careful lookout on all the passengers in it.

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

From this reading A QUESTION OF IMPORTANCE It had been chance pure and simple which happened to take Doctor Hilary to Woodleigh on the day the Duchessa received Trix's telegram, but it cannot be equally said that it was chance which took him to Exeter on the following day, and which made him travel down again to Kingsleigh by the four o'clock train.

the superlative of “little” that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by “the”; a quantifier meaning smallest in amount or extent or degree

From this reading Also it was certainly not chance which induced him to be on the platform at least a quarter of an hour before the train was due at the station, ready to keep a careful lookout on all the passengers in it.

a written message addressed to a person or organization

From this reading She had re-read Miss Tibbutt's letter at least a dozen times.

the capital and largest city of England; located on the Thames in southeastern England; financial and industrial and cultural center

From this reading * * * * * Trix had had an uneasy journey from London.

a person employed to keep watch for some anticipated event

From this reading Also it was certainly not chance which induced him to be on the platform at least a quarter of an hour before the train was due at the station, ready to keep a careful lookout on all the passengers in it.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading A QUESTION OF IMPORTANCE It had been chance pure and simple which happened to take Doctor Hilary to Woodleigh on the day the Duchessa received Trix's telegram, but it cannot be equally said that it was chance which took him to Exeter on the following day, and which made him travel down again to Kingsleigh by the four o'clock train.

fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind

From this reading She had re-read Miss Tibbutt's letter at least a dozen times.

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

From this reading At first she had allowed herself to be almost unreasonably depressed by it; afterwards she had been almost more unreasonably depressed because she had allowed herself to be depressed in the first instance.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Also it was certainly not chance which induced him to be on the platform at least a quarter of an hour before the train was due at the station, ready to keep a careful lookout on all the passengers in it.

according to the clock

From this reading A QUESTION OF IMPORTANCE It had been chance pure and simple which happened to take Doctor Hilary to Woodleigh on the day the Duchessa received Trix's telegram, but it cannot be equally said that it was chance which took him to Exeter on the following day, and which made him travel down again to Kingsleigh by the four o'clock train.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading A QUESTION OF IMPORTANCE It had been chance pure and simple which happened to take Doctor Hilary to Woodleigh on the day the Duchessa received Trix's telegram, but it cannot be equally said that it was chance which took him to Exeter on the following day, and which made him travel down again to Kingsleigh by the four o'clock train.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading A QUESTION OF IMPORTANCE It had been chance pure and simple which happened to take Doctor Hilary to Woodleigh on the day the Duchessa received Trix's telegram, but it cannot be equally said that it was chance which took him to Exeter on the following day, and which made him travel down again to Kingsleigh by the four o'clock train.

plural of “passenger” — a traveler riding in a vehicle (a boat or bus or car or plane or train etc) who is not operating it

From this reading Also it was certainly not chance which induced him to be on the platform at least a quarter of an hour before the train was due at the station, ready to keep a careful lookout on all the passengers in it.

a raised horizontal surface

From this reading Also it was certainly not chance which induced him to be on the platform at least a quarter of an hour before the train was due at the station, ready to keep a careful lookout on all the passengers in it.

free of extraneous elements of any kind

From this reading A QUESTION OF IMPORTANCE It had been chance pure and simple which happened to take Doctor Hilary to Woodleigh on the day the Duchessa received Trix's telegram, but it cannot be equally said that it was chance which took him to Exeter on the following day, and which made him travel down again to Kingsleigh by the four o'clock train.

one of four equal parts

From this reading Also it was certainly not chance which induced him to be on the platform at least a quarter of an hour before the train was due at the station, ready to keep a careful lookout on all the passengers in it.

challenge the accuracy, probity, or propriety of

From this reading A QUESTION OF IMPORTANCE It had been chance pure and simple which happened to take Doctor Hilary to Woodleigh on the day the Duchessa received Trix's telegram, but it cannot be equally said that it was chance which took him to Exeter on the following day, and which made him travel down again to Kingsleigh by the four o'clock train.

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

From this reading She had re-read Miss Tibbutt's letter at least a dozen times.

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

From this reading Also it was certainly not chance which induced him to be on the platform at least a quarter of an hour before the train was due at the station, ready to keep a careful lookout on all the passengers in it.

conforming to the established language usage of educated native speakers

From this reading A QUESTION OF IMPORTANCE It had been chance pure and simple which happened to take Doctor Hilary to Woodleigh on the day the Duchessa received Trix's telegram, but it cannot be equally said that it was chance which took him to Exeter on the following day, and which made him travel down again to Kingsleigh by the four o'clock train.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading A QUESTION OF IMPORTANCE It had been chance pure and simple which happened to take Doctor Hilary to Woodleigh on the day the Duchessa received Trix's telegram, but it cannot be equally said that it was chance which took him to Exeter on the following day, and which made him travel down again to Kingsleigh by the four o'clock train.

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

From this reading She had re-read Miss Tibbutt's letter at least a dozen times.

having few parts; not complex or complicated or involved

From this reading A QUESTION OF IMPORTANCE It had been chance pure and simple which happened to take Doctor Hilary to Woodleigh on the day the Duchessa received Trix's telegram, but it cannot be equally said that it was chance which took him to Exeter on the following day, and which made him travel down again to Kingsleigh by the four o'clock train.

a facility equipped with special equipment and personnel for a particular purpose

From this reading Also it was certainly not chance which induced him to be on the platform at least a quarter of an hour before the train was due at the station, ready to keep a careful lookout on all the passengers in it.

carry out

From this reading A QUESTION OF IMPORTANCE It had been chance pure and simple which happened to take Doctor Hilary to Woodleigh on the day the Duchessa received Trix's telegram, but it cannot be equally said that it was chance which took him to Exeter on the following day, and which made him travel down again to Kingsleigh by the four o'clock train.

a message transmitted by telegraph

From this reading A QUESTION OF IMPORTANCE It had been chance pure and simple which happened to take Doctor Hilary to Woodleigh on the day the Duchessa received Trix's telegram, but it cannot be equally said that it was chance which took him to Exeter on the following day, and which made him travel down again to Kingsleigh by the four o'clock train.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading A QUESTION OF IMPORTANCE It had been chance pure and simple which happened to take Doctor Hilary to Woodleigh on the day the Duchessa received Trix's telegram, but it cannot be equally said that it was chance which took him to Exeter on the following day, and which made him travel down again to Kingsleigh by the four o'clock train.

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

From this reading A QUESTION OF IMPORTANCE It had been chance pure and simple which happened to take Doctor Hilary to Woodleigh on the day the Duchessa received Trix's telegram, but it cannot be equally said that it was chance which took him to Exeter on the following day, and which made him travel down again to Kingsleigh by the four o'clock train.

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

From this reading She had re-read Miss Tibbutt's letter at least a dozen times.

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

From this reading She had re-read Miss Tibbutt's letter at least a dozen times.

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

From this reading A QUESTION OF IMPORTANCE It had been chance pure and simple which happened to take Doctor Hilary to Woodleigh on the day the Duchessa received Trix's telegram, but it cannot be equally said that it was chance which took him to Exeter on the following day, and which made him travel down again to Kingsleigh by the four o'clock train.

inflected form of “take” — carry out

From this reading A QUESTION OF IMPORTANCE It had been chance pure and simple which happened to take Doctor Hilary to Woodleigh on the day the Duchessa received Trix's telegram, but it cannot be equally said that it was chance which took him to Exeter on the following day, and which made him travel down again to Kingsleigh by the four o'clock train.

create by training and teaching

From this reading A QUESTION OF IMPORTANCE It had been chance pure and simple which happened to take Doctor Hilary to Woodleigh on the day the Duchessa received Trix's telegram, but it cannot be equally said that it was chance which took him to Exeter on the following day, and which made him travel down again to Kingsleigh by the four o'clock train.

change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading A QUESTION OF IMPORTANCE It had been chance pure and simple which happened to take Doctor Hilary to Woodleigh on the day the Duchessa received Trix's telegram, but it cannot be equally said that it was chance which took him to Exeter on the following day, and which made him travel down again to Kingsleigh by the four o'clock train.

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

From this reading * * * * * Trix had had an uneasy journey from London.

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

From this reading A QUESTION OF IMPORTANCE It had been chance pure and simple which happened to take Doctor Hilary to Woodleigh on the day the Duchessa received Trix's telegram, but it cannot be equally said that it was chance which took him to Exeter on the following day, and which made him travel down again to Kingsleigh by the four o'clock train.

lacking a sense of security or affording no ease or reassurance

From this reading * * * * * Trix had had an uneasy journey from London.

not in a reasonable or intelligent manner

From this reading At first she had allowed herself to be almost unreasonably depressed by it; afterwards she had been almost more unreasonably depressed because she had allowed herself to be depressed in the first instance.

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

From this reading A QUESTION OF IMPORTANCE It had been chance pure and simple which happened to take Doctor Hilary to Woodleigh on the day the Duchessa received Trix's telegram, but it cannot be equally said that it was chance which took him to Exeter on the following day, and which made him travel down again to Kingsleigh by the four o'clock train.

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

From this reading A QUESTION OF IMPORTANCE It had been chance pure and simple which happened to take Doctor Hilary to Woodleigh on the day the Duchessa received Trix's telegram, but it cannot be equally said that it was chance which took him to Exeter on the following day, and which made him travel down again to Kingsleigh by the four o'clock train.

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

From this reading A QUESTION OF IMPORTANCE It had been chance pure and simple which happened to take Doctor Hilary to Woodleigh on the day the Duchessa received Trix's telegram, but it cannot be equally said that it was chance which took him to Exeter on the following day, and which made him travel down again to Kingsleigh by the four o'clock train.