Chapter VIII · What Can This Mean?

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

From this reading And the wealthy binder looked toward the screens which hid fair Hattie Butler from general view--looked longingly in that direction, as if there was a wish in his heart he hardly dared to utter--perhaps a wish that she was not his employee, but a member of the circle in which his own pretty and fashionable sisters moved.

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

From this reading And the wealthy binder looked toward the screens which hid fair Hattie Butler from general view--looked longingly in that direction, as if there was a wish in his heart he hardly dared to utter--perhaps a wish that she was not his employee, but a member of the circle in which his own pretty and fashionable sisters moved.

past form of “approach” — move towards

From this reading Then he moved very quietly toward the little screened-off space where our heroine was at work, and approached her so silently that not until he spoke was she aware of his close vicinity.

surrounding, or on every side of, something

From this reading He looked around to note that every one was busy, even his foreman attending in person to a difficult job of gilding on Turkey morocco.

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

From this reading And the wealthy binder looked toward the screens which hid fair Hattie Butler from general view--looked longingly in that direction, as if there was a wish in his heart he hardly dared to utter--perhaps a wish that she was not his employee, but a member of the circle in which his own pretty and fashionable sisters moved.

past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody

From this reading “Is this work difficult, Miss Hattie?” he asked, in a low, kind tone.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Then he moved very quietly toward the little screened-off space where our heroine was at work, and approached her so silently that not until he spoke was she aware of his close vicinity.

the process whereby a person concentrates on some features of the environment to the (relative) exclusion of others

From this reading He looked around to note that every one was busy, even his foreman attending in person to a difficult job of gilding on Turkey morocco.

(sometimes followed by “of”) having or showing knowledge or understanding or realization or perception

From this reading Then he moved very quietly toward the little screened-off space where our heroine was at work, and approached her so silently that not until he spoke was she aware of his close vicinity.

a machine that cuts grain and binds it in sheaves

From this reading And the wealthy binder looked toward the screens which hid fair Hattie Butler from general view--looked longingly in that direction, as if there was a wish in his heart he hardly dared to utter--perhaps a wish that she was not his employee, but a member of the circle in which his own pretty and fashionable sisters moved.

actively or fully engaged or occupied

From this reading He looked around to note that every one was busy, even his foreman attending in person to a difficult job of gilding on Turkey morocco.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading And the wealthy binder looked toward the screens which hid fair Hattie Butler from general view--looked longingly in that direction, as if there was a wish in his heart he hardly dared to utter--perhaps a wish that she was not his employee, but a member of the circle in which his own pretty and fashionable sisters moved.

a manservant (usually the head servant of a household) who has charge of wines and the table

From this reading And the wealthy binder looked toward the screens which hid fair Hattie Butler from general view--looked longingly in that direction, as if there was a wish in his heart he hardly dared to utter--perhaps a wish that she was not his employee, but a member of the circle in which his own pretty and fashionable sisters moved.

ellipse in which the two axes are of equal length; a plane curve generated by one point moving at a constant distance from a fixed point

From this reading And the wealthy binder looked toward the screens which hid fair Hattie Butler from general view--looked longingly in that direction, as if there was a wish in his heart he hardly dared to utter--perhaps a wish that she was not his employee, but a member of the circle in which his own pretty and fashionable sisters moved.

at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other

From this reading Then he moved very quietly toward the little screened-off space where our heroine was at work, and approached her so silently that not until he spoke was she aware of his close vicinity.

past form of “dare” — take upon oneself; act presumptuously, without permission

From this reading And the wealthy binder looked toward the screens which hid fair Hattie Butler from general view--looked longingly in that direction, as if there was a wish in his heart he hardly dared to utter--perhaps a wish that she was not his employee, but a member of the circle in which his own pretty and fashionable sisters moved.

well in the past; former

From this reading Mr. W---- echoed the sigh which left his visitor’s lips when the latter departed.

not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure

From this reading He looked around to note that every one was busy, even his foreman attending in person to a difficult job of gilding on Turkey morocco.

a line leading to a place or point

From this reading And the wealthy binder looked toward the screens which hid fair Hattie Butler from general view--looked longingly in that direction, as if there was a wish in his heart he hardly dared to utter--perhaps a wish that she was not his employee, but a member of the circle in which his own pretty and fashionable sisters moved.

past form of “echo” — to say again or imitate

From this reading Mr. W---- echoed the sigh which left his visitor’s lips when the latter departed.

a worker who is hired to perform a job

From this reading And the wealthy binder looked toward the screens which hid fair Hattie Butler from general view--looked longingly in that direction, as if there was a wish in his heart he hardly dared to utter--perhaps a wish that she was not his employee, but a member of the circle in which his own pretty and fashionable sisters moved.

divisible by two

From this reading He looked around to note that every one was busy, even his foreman attending in person to a difficult job of gilding on Turkey morocco.

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading He looked around to note that every one was busy, even his foreman attending in person to a difficult job of gilding on Turkey morocco.

free from favoritism or self-interest or bias or deception; conforming with established standards or rules

From this reading And the wealthy binder looked toward the screens which hid fair Hattie Butler from general view--looked longingly in that direction, as if there was a wish in his heart he hardly dared to utter--perhaps a wish that she was not his employee, but a member of the circle in which his own pretty and fashionable sisters moved.

being or in accordance with current social fashions

From this reading And the wealthy binder looked toward the screens which hid fair Hattie Butler from general view--looked longingly in that direction, as if there was a wish in his heart he hardly dared to utter--perhaps a wish that she was not his employee, but a member of the circle in which his own pretty and fashionable sisters moved.

a person who exercises control over workers

From this reading He looked around to note that every one was busy, even his foreman attending in person to a difficult job of gilding on Turkey morocco.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading And the wealthy binder looked toward the screens which hid fair Hattie Butler from general view--looked longingly in that direction, as if there was a wish in his heart he hardly dared to utter--perhaps a wish that she was not his employee, but a member of the circle in which his own pretty and fashionable sisters moved.

applying to all or most members of a category or group

From this reading And the wealthy binder looked toward the screens which hid fair Hattie Butler from general view--looked longingly in that direction, as if there was a wish in his heart he hardly dared to utter--perhaps a wish that she was not his employee, but a member of the circle in which his own pretty and fashionable sisters moved.

a coating of gold or of something that looks like gold

From this reading He looked around to note that every one was busy, even his foreman attending in person to a difficult job of gilding on Turkey morocco.

only a very short time before

From this reading And the wealthy binder looked toward the screens which hid fair Hattie Butler from general view--looked longingly in that direction, as if there was a wish in his heart he hardly dared to utter--perhaps a wish that she was not his employee, but a member of the circle in which his own pretty and fashionable sisters moved.

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

From this reading And the wealthy binder looked toward the screens which hid fair Hattie Butler from general view--looked longingly in that direction, as if there was a wish in his heart he hardly dared to utter--perhaps a wish that she was not his employee, but a member of the circle in which his own pretty and fashionable sisters moved.

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

From this reading And the wealthy binder looked toward the screens which hid fair Hattie Butler from general view--looked longingly in that direction, as if there was a wish in his heart he hardly dared to utter--perhaps a wish that she was not his employee, but a member of the circle in which his own pretty and fashionable sisters moved.

the locus of feelings and intuitions

From this reading And the wealthy binder looked toward the screens which hid fair Hattie Butler from general view--looked longingly in that direction, as if there was a wish in his heart he hardly dared to utter--perhaps a wish that she was not his employee, but a member of the circle in which his own pretty and fashionable sisters moved.

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

From this reading Then he moved very quietly toward the little screened-off space where our heroine was at work, and approached her so silently that not until he spoke was she aware of his close vicinity.

the main good female character in a work of fiction

From this reading Then he moved very quietly toward the little screened-off space where our heroine was at work, and approached her so silently that not until he spoke was she aware of his close vicinity.

inflected form of “hide” — prevent from being seen or discovered

From this reading And the wealthy binder looked toward the screens which hid fair Hattie Butler from general view--looked longingly in that direction, as if there was a wish in his heart he hardly dared to utter--perhaps a wish that she was not his employee, but a member of the circle in which his own pretty and fashionable sisters moved.

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

From this reading Mr. W---- echoed the sigh which left his visitor’s lips when the latter departed.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading And the wealthy binder looked toward the screens which hid fair Hattie Butler from general view--looked longingly in that direction, as if there was a wish in his heart he hardly dared to utter--perhaps a wish that she was not his employee, but a member of the circle in which his own pretty and fashionable sisters moved.

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

From this reading And the wealthy binder looked toward the screens which hid fair Hattie Butler from general view--looked longingly in that direction, as if there was a wish in his heart he hardly dared to utter--perhaps a wish that she was not his employee, but a member of the circle in which his own pretty and fashionable sisters moved.

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

From this reading “Is this work difficult, Miss Hattie?” he asked, in a low, kind tone.

the principal activity in your life that you do to earn money

From this reading He looked around to note that every one was busy, even his foreman attending in person to a difficult job of gilding on Turkey morocco.

having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior

From this reading “Is this work difficult, Miss Hattie?” he asked, in a low, kind tone.

referring to the second of two things or persons mentioned (or the last one or ones of several)

From this reading Mr. W---- echoed the sigh which left his visitor’s lips when the latter departed.

location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east

From this reading Mr. W---- echoed the sigh which left his visitor’s lips when the latter departed.

plural of “lip” — either of two fleshy folds of tissue that surround the mouth and play a role in speaking

From this reading Mr. W---- echoed the sigh which left his visitor’s lips when the latter departed.

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

From this reading Then he moved very quietly toward the little screened-off space where our heroine was at work, and approached her so silently that not until he spoke was she aware of his close vicinity.

in a yearning manner

From this reading And the wealthy binder looked toward the screens which hid fair Hattie Butler from general view--looked longingly in that direction, as if there was a wish in his heart he hardly dared to utter--perhaps a wish that she was not his employee, but a member of the circle in which his own pretty and fashionable sisters moved.

past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading And the wealthy binder looked toward the screens which hid fair Hattie Butler from general view--looked longingly in that direction, as if there was a wish in his heart he hardly dared to utter--perhaps a wish that she was not his employee, but a member of the circle in which his own pretty and fashionable sisters moved.

less than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading “Is this work difficult, Miss Hattie?” he asked, in a low, kind tone.

one of the persons who compose a social group (especially individuals who have joined and participate in a group organization)

From this reading And the wealthy binder looked toward the screens which hid fair Hattie Butler from general view--looked longingly in that direction, as if there was a wish in his heart he hardly dared to utter--perhaps a wish that she was not his employee, but a member of the circle in which his own pretty and fashionable sisters moved.

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

From this reading “Is this work difficult, Miss Hattie?” he asked, in a low, kind tone.

a kingdom (constitutional monarchy) in northwestern Africa with a largely Muslim population; achieved independence from France in 1956

From this reading He looked around to note that every one was busy, even his foreman attending in person to a difficult job of gilding on Turkey morocco.

being excited or provoked to the expression of an emotion

From this reading And the wealthy binder looked toward the screens which hid fair Hattie Butler from general view--looked longingly in that direction, as if there was a wish in his heart he hardly dared to utter--perhaps a wish that she was not his employee, but a member of the circle in which his own pretty and fashionable sisters moved.

a form of address for a man

From this reading Mr. W---- echoed the sigh which left his visitor’s lips when the latter departed.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading And the wealthy binder looked toward the screens which hid fair Hattie Butler from general view--looked longingly in that direction, as if there was a wish in his heart he hardly dared to utter--perhaps a wish that she was not his employee, but a member of the circle in which his own pretty and fashionable sisters moved.

a brief written record

From this reading He looked around to note that every one was busy, even his foreman attending in person to a difficult job of gilding on Turkey morocco.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading And the wealthy binder looked toward the screens which hid fair Hattie Butler from general view--looked longingly in that direction, as if there was a wish in his heart he hardly dared to utter--perhaps a wish that she was not his employee, but a member of the circle in which his own pretty and fashionable sisters moved.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading He looked around to note that every one was busy, even his foreman attending in person to a difficult job of gilding on Turkey morocco.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading He looked around to note that every one was busy, even his foreman attending in person to a difficult job of gilding on Turkey morocco.

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading Then he moved very quietly toward the little screened-off space where our heroine was at work, and approached her so silently that not until he spoke was she aware of his close vicinity.

have ownership or possession of

From this reading And the wealthy binder looked toward the screens which hid fair Hattie Butler from general view--looked longingly in that direction, as if there was a wish in his heart he hardly dared to utter--perhaps a wish that she was not his employee, but a member of the circle in which his own pretty and fashionable sisters moved.

by chance

From this reading And the wealthy binder looked toward the screens which hid fair Hattie Butler from general view--looked longingly in that direction, as if there was a wish in his heart he hardly dared to utter--perhaps a wish that she was not his employee, but a member of the circle in which his own pretty and fashionable sisters moved.

a human being

From this reading He looked around to note that every one was busy, even his foreman attending in person to a difficult job of gilding on Turkey morocco.

pleasing by delicacy or grace; not imposing

From this reading And the wealthy binder looked toward the screens which hid fair Hattie Butler from general view--looked longingly in that direction, as if there was a wish in his heart he hardly dared to utter--perhaps a wish that she was not his employee, but a member of the circle in which his own pretty and fashionable sisters moved.

with low volume

From this reading Then he moved very quietly toward the little screened-off space where our heroine was at work, and approached her so silently that not until he spoke was she aware of his close vicinity.

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

From this reading Then he moved very quietly toward the little screened-off space where our heroine was at work, and approached her so silently that not until he spoke was she aware of his close vicinity.

plural of “screen” — a white or silvered surface where pictures can be projected for viewing

From this reading And the wealthy binder looked toward the screens which hid fair Hattie Butler from general view--looked longingly in that direction, as if there was a wish in his heart he hardly dared to utter--perhaps a wish that she was not his employee, but a member of the circle in which his own pretty and fashionable sisters moved.

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

From this reading And the wealthy binder looked toward the screens which hid fair Hattie Butler from general view--looked longingly in that direction, as if there was a wish in his heart he hardly dared to utter--perhaps a wish that she was not his employee, but a member of the circle in which his own pretty and fashionable sisters moved.

heave or utter a sigh; breathe deeply and heavily

From this reading Mr. W---- echoed the sigh which left his visitor’s lips when the latter departed.

without speaking

From this reading Then he moved very quietly toward the little screened-off space where our heroine was at work, and approached her so silently that not until he spoke was she aware of his close vicinity.

plural of “sister” — a female person who has the same parents as another person

From this reading And the wealthy binder looked toward the screens which hid fair Hattie Butler from general view--looked longingly in that direction, as if there was a wish in his heart he hardly dared to utter--perhaps a wish that she was not his employee, but a member of the circle in which his own pretty and fashionable sisters moved.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Then he moved very quietly toward the little screened-off space where our heroine was at work, and approached her so silently that not until he spoke was she aware of his close vicinity.

the unlimited expanse in which everything is located

From this reading Then he moved very quietly toward the little screened-off space where our heroine was at work, and approached her so silently that not until he spoke was she aware of his close vicinity.

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

From this reading Then he moved very quietly toward the little screened-off space where our heroine was at work, and approached her so silently that not until he spoke was she aware of his close vicinity.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading And the wealthy binder looked toward the screens which hid fair Hattie Butler from general view--looked longingly in that direction, as if there was a wish in his heart he hardly dared to utter--perhaps a wish that she was not his employee, but a member of the circle in which his own pretty and fashionable sisters moved.

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

From this reading Mr. W---- echoed the sigh which left his visitor’s lips when the latter departed.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading Then he moved very quietly toward the little screened-off space where our heroine was at work, and approached her so silently that not until he spoke was she aware of his close vicinity.

in or at that place or location

From this reading And the wealthy binder looked toward the screens which hid fair Hattie Butler from general view--looked longingly in that direction, as if there was a wish in his heart he hardly dared to utter--perhaps a wish that she was not his employee, but a member of the circle in which his own pretty and fashionable sisters moved.

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

From this reading “Is this work difficult, Miss Hattie?” he asked, in a low, kind tone.

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

From this reading And the wealthy binder looked toward the screens which hid fair Hattie Butler from general view--looked longingly in that direction, as if there was a wish in his heart he hardly dared to utter--perhaps a wish that she was not his employee, but a member of the circle in which his own pretty and fashionable sisters moved.

the quality of a person's voice

From this reading “Is this work difficult, Miss Hattie?” he asked, in a low, kind tone.

in the direction of

From this reading And the wealthy binder looked toward the screens which hid fair Hattie Butler from general view--looked longingly in that direction, as if there was a wish in his heart he hardly dared to utter--perhaps a wish that she was not his employee, but a member of the circle in which his own pretty and fashionable sisters moved.

large gallinaceous bird with fan-shaped tail; widely domesticated for food

From this reading He looked around to note that every one was busy, even his foreman attending in person to a difficult job of gilding on Turkey morocco.

up to a particular time

From this reading Then he moved very quietly toward the little screened-off space where our heroine was at work, and approached her so silently that not until he spoke was she aware of his close vicinity.

articulate; either verbally or with a cry, shout, or noise

From this reading And the wealthy binder looked toward the screens which hid fair Hattie Butler from general view--looked longingly in that direction, as if there was a wish in his heart he hardly dared to utter--perhaps a wish that she was not his employee, but a member of the circle in which his own pretty and fashionable sisters moved.

precisely as stated

From this reading Then he moved very quietly toward the little screened-off space where our heroine was at work, and approached her so silently that not until he spoke was she aware of his close vicinity.

a surrounding or nearby region

From this reading Then he moved very quietly toward the little screened-off space where our heroine was at work, and approached her so silently that not until he spoke was she aware of his close vicinity.

a way of regarding situations or topics etc.

From this reading And the wealthy binder looked toward the screens which hid fair Hattie Butler from general view--looked longingly in that direction, as if there was a wish in his heart he hardly dared to utter--perhaps a wish that she was not his employee, but a member of the circle in which his own pretty and fashionable sisters moved.

possessive form of “visitor” — someone who visits

From this reading Mr. W---- echoed the sigh which left his visitor’s lips when the latter departed.

a heavy grey-white metallic element; the pure form is used mainly in electrical applications; it is found in several ores including wolframite and scheelite

From this reading Mr. W---- echoed the sigh which left his visitor’s lips when the latter departed.

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

From this reading And the wealthy binder looked toward the screens which hid fair Hattie Butler from general view--looked longingly in that direction, as if there was a wish in his heart he hardly dared to utter--perhaps a wish that she was not his employee, but a member of the circle in which his own pretty and fashionable sisters moved.

having an abundant supply of money or possessions of value

From this reading And the wealthy binder looked toward the screens which hid fair Hattie Butler from general view--looked longingly in that direction, as if there was a wish in his heart he hardly dared to utter--perhaps a wish that she was not his employee, but a member of the circle in which his own pretty and fashionable sisters moved.

at the time that

From this reading Mr. W---- echoed the sigh which left his visitor’s lips when the latter departed.

in or at the place that

From this reading Then he moved very quietly toward the little screened-off space where our heroine was at work, and approached her so silently that not until he spoke was she aware of his close vicinity.

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

From this reading Mr. W---- echoed the sigh which left his visitor’s lips when the latter departed.

hope for; have a wish

From this reading And the wealthy binder looked toward the screens which hid fair Hattie Butler from general view--looked longingly in that direction, as if there was a wish in his heart he hardly dared to utter--perhaps a wish that she was not his employee, but a member of the circle in which his own pretty and fashionable sisters moved.

exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity

From this reading Then he moved very quietly toward the little screened-off space where our heroine was at work, and approached her so silently that not until he spoke was she aware of his close vicinity.