Chapter I · Chapter 1

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

From this reading Wilkie Collins (completed by Walter Besant) IN the month of August 1889, and in the middle of the seaside holiday, a message came to me from Wilkie Collins, then, though we hoped otherwise, on his death-bed.

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

From this reading Wilkie Collins (completed by Walter Besant) IN the month of August 1889, and in the middle of the seaside holiday, a message came to me from Wilkie Collins, then, though we hoped otherwise, on his death-bed.

past form of “add” — make an addition (to); join or combine or unite with others; increase the quality, quantity, size or scope of

From this reading Wilkie Collins added these words: "If he has the time I think he will do it: we are both old hands at this work, and understand it, and he knows that I would do the same for him if he were in my place."

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

From this reading Wilkie Collins (completed by Walter Besant) IN the month of August 1889, and in the middle of the seaside holiday, a message came to me from Wilkie Collins, then, though we hoped otherwise, on his death-bed.

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

From this reading Wilkie Collins added these words: "If he has the time I think he will do it: we are both old hands at this work, and understand it, and he knows that I would do the same for him if he were in my place."

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Wilkie Collins added these words: "If he has the time I think he will do it: we are both old hands at this work, and understand it, and he knows that I would do the same for him if he were in my place."

the month following July and preceding September

From this reading Wilkie Collins (completed by Walter Besant) IN the month of August 1889, and in the middle of the seaside holiday, a message came to me from Wilkie Collins, then, though we hoped otherwise, on his death-bed.

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

From this reading He told me that his son had just come from Wilkie Collins: that they had been speaking of his novel, "Blind Love," then running in the _Illustrated London News_: that the novel was, unfortunately, unfinished: that he himself could not possibly finish it: and that he would be very glad, if I would finish it if I could find the time.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading He told me that his son had just come from Wilkie Collins: that they had been speaking of his novel, "Blind Love," then running in the _Illustrated London News_: that the novel was, unfortunately, unfinished: that he himself could not possibly finish it: and that he would be very glad, if I would finish it if I could find the time.

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

From this reading Wilkie Collins (completed by Walter Besant) IN the month of August 1889, and in the middle of the seaside holiday, a message came to me from Wilkie Collins, then, though we hoped otherwise, on his death-bed.

people who have severe visual impairments, considered as a group

From this reading He told me that his son had just come from Wilkie Collins: that they had been speaking of his novel, "Blind Love," then running in the _Illustrated London News_: that the novel was, unfortunately, unfinished: that he himself could not possibly finish it: and that he would be very glad, if I would finish it if I could find the time.

the two together, not just one

From this reading Wilkie Collins added these words: "If he has the time I think he will do it: we are both old hands at this work, and understand it, and he knows that I would do the same for him if he were in my place."

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Wilkie Collins (completed by Walter Besant) IN the month of August 1889, and in the middle of the seaside holiday, a message came to me from Wilkie Collins, then, though we hoped otherwise, on his death-bed.

inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading Wilkie Collins (completed by Walter Besant) IN the month of August 1889, and in the middle of the seaside holiday, a message came to me from Wilkie Collins, then, though we hoped otherwise, on his death-bed.

English writer noted for early detective novels (1824-1889)

From this reading Wilkie Collins (completed by Walter Besant) IN the month of August 1889, and in the middle of the seaside holiday, a message came to me from Wilkie Collins, then, though we hoped otherwise, on his death-bed.

move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading He told me that his son had just come from Wilkie Collins: that they had been speaking of his novel, "Blind Love," then running in the _Illustrated London News_: that the novel was, unfortunately, unfinished: that he himself could not possibly finish it: and that he would be very glad, if I would finish it if I could find the time.

successfully completed or brought to an end

From this reading Wilkie Collins (completed by Walter Besant) IN the month of August 1889, and in the middle of the seaside holiday, a message came to me from Wilkie Collins, then, though we hoped otherwise, on his death-bed.

past form of “convey” — (of information) make known; pass on

From this reading It was conveyed to me by Mr. A. P. Watt.

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading He told me that his son had just come from Wilkie Collins: that they had been speaking of his novel, "Blind Love," then running in the _Illustrated London News_: that the novel was, unfortunately, unfinished: that he himself could not possibly finish it: and that he would be very glad, if I would finish it if I could find the time.

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

From this reading Wilkie Collins (completed by Walter Besant) IN the month of August 1889, and in the middle of the seaside holiday, a message came to me from Wilkie Collins, then, though we hoped otherwise, on his death-bed.

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading Wilkie Collins added these words: "If he has the time I think he will do it: we are both old hands at this work, and understand it, and he knows that I would do the same for him if he were in my place."

come upon, as if by accident; meet with

From this reading He told me that his son had just come from Wilkie Collins: that they had been speaking of his novel, "Blind Love," then running in the _Illustrated London News_: that the novel was, unfortunately, unfinished: that he himself could not possibly finish it: and that he would be very glad, if I would finish it if I could find the time.

come or bring to a finish or an end

From this reading He told me that his son had just come from Wilkie Collins: that they had been speaking of his novel, "Blind Love," then running in the _Illustrated London News_: that the novel was, unfortunately, unfinished: that he himself could not possibly finish it: and that he would be very glad, if I would finish it if I could find the time.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Wilkie Collins added these words: "If he has the time I think he will do it: we are both old hands at this work, and understand it, and he knows that I would do the same for him if he were in my place."

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Wilkie Collins (completed by Walter Besant) IN the month of August 1889, and in the middle of the seaside holiday, a message came to me from Wilkie Collins, then, though we hoped otherwise, on his death-bed.

showing or causing joy and pleasure; especially made happy

From this reading He told me that his son had just come from Wilkie Collins: that they had been speaking of his novel, "Blind Love," then running in the _Illustrated London News_: that the novel was, unfortunately, unfinished: that he himself could not possibly finish it: and that he would be very glad, if I would finish it if I could find the time.

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

From this reading He told me that his son had just come from Wilkie Collins: that they had been speaking of his novel, "Blind Love," then running in the _Illustrated London News_: that the novel was, unfortunately, unfinished: that he himself could not possibly finish it: and that he would be very glad, if I would finish it if I could find the time.

(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child

From this reading Wilkie Collins added these words: "If he has the time I think he will do it: we are both old hands at this work, and understand it, and he knows that I would do the same for him if he were in my place."

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

From this reading Wilkie Collins added these words: "If he has the time I think he will do it: we are both old hands at this work, and understand it, and he knows that I would do the same for him if he were in my place."

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

From this reading He told me that his son had just come from Wilkie Collins: that they had been speaking of his novel, "Blind Love," then running in the _Illustrated London News_: that the novel was, unfortunately, unfinished: that he himself could not possibly finish it: and that he would be very glad, if I would finish it if I could find the time.

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

From this reading Wilkie Collins added these words: "If he has the time I think he will do it: we are both old hands at this work, and understand it, and he knows that I would do the same for him if he were in my place."

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

From this reading He told me that his son had just come from Wilkie Collins: that they had been speaking of his novel, "Blind Love," then running in the _Illustrated London News_: that the novel was, unfortunately, unfinished: that he himself could not possibly finish it: and that he would be very glad, if I would finish it if I could find the time.

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

From this reading Wilkie Collins (completed by Walter Besant) IN the month of August 1889, and in the middle of the seaside holiday, a message came to me from Wilkie Collins, then, though we hoped otherwise, on his death-bed.

leisure time away from work devoted to rest or pleasure

From this reading Wilkie Collins (completed by Walter Besant) IN the month of August 1889, and in the middle of the seaside holiday, a message came to me from Wilkie Collins, then, though we hoped otherwise, on his death-bed.

past form of “hope” — expect and wish

From this reading Wilkie Collins (completed by Walter Besant) IN the month of August 1889, and in the middle of the seaside holiday, a message came to me from Wilkie Collins, then, though we hoped otherwise, on his death-bed.

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

From this reading He told me that his son had just come from Wilkie Collins: that they had been speaking of his novel, "Blind Love," then running in the _Illustrated London News_: that the novel was, unfortunately, unfinished: that he himself could not possibly finish it: and that he would be very glad, if I would finish it if I could find the time.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading He told me that his son had just come from Wilkie Collins: that they had been speaking of his novel, "Blind Love," then running in the _Illustrated London News_: that the novel was, unfortunately, unfinished: that he himself could not possibly finish it: and that he would be very glad, if I would finish it if I could find the time.

past form of “illustrate” — clarify by giving an example of

From this reading He told me that his son had just come from Wilkie Collins: that they had been speaking of his novel, "Blind Love," then running in the _Illustrated London News_: that the novel was, unfortunately, unfinished: that he himself could not possibly finish it: and that he would be very glad, if I would finish it if I could find the time.

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

From this reading Wilkie Collins (completed by Walter Besant) IN the month of August 1889, and in the middle of the seaside holiday, a message came to me from Wilkie Collins, then, though we hoped otherwise, on his death-bed.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was conveyed to me by Mr. A. P. Watt.

and nothing more

From this reading He told me that his son had just come from Wilkie Collins: that they had been speaking of his novel, "Blind Love," then running in the _Illustrated London News_: that the novel was, unfortunately, unfinished: that he himself could not possibly finish it: and that he would be very glad, if I would finish it if I could find the time.

plural of “know” — the fact of being aware of information that is known to few people

From this reading Wilkie Collins added these words: "If he has the time I think he will do it: we are both old hands at this work, and understand it, and he knows that I would do the same for him if he were in my place."

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

From this reading He told me that his son had just come from Wilkie Collins: that they had been speaking of his novel, "Blind Love," then running in the _Illustrated London News_: that the novel was, unfortunately, unfinished: that he himself could not possibly finish it: and that he would be very glad, if I would finish it if I could find the time.

a strong positive emotion of regard and affection

From this reading He told me that his son had just come from Wilkie Collins: that they had been speaking of his novel, "Blind Love," then running in the _Illustrated London News_: that the novel was, unfortunately, unfinished: that he himself could not possibly finish it: and that he would be very glad, if I would finish it if I could find the time.

the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading Wilkie Collins (completed by Walter Besant) IN the month of August 1889, and in the middle of the seaside holiday, a message came to me from Wilkie Collins, then, though we hoped otherwise, on his death-bed.

a communication (usually brief) that is written or spoken or signaled

From this reading Wilkie Collins (completed by Walter Besant) IN the month of August 1889, and in the middle of the seaside holiday, a message came to me from Wilkie Collins, then, though we hoped otherwise, on his death-bed.

an area that is approximately central within some larger region

From this reading Wilkie Collins (completed by Walter Besant) IN the month of August 1889, and in the middle of the seaside holiday, a message came to me from Wilkie Collins, then, though we hoped otherwise, on his death-bed.

one of the twelve divisions of the calendar year

From this reading Wilkie Collins (completed by Walter Besant) IN the month of August 1889, and in the middle of the seaside holiday, a message came to me from Wilkie Collins, then, though we hoped otherwise, on his death-bed.

a form of address for a man

From this reading It was conveyed to me by Mr. A. P. Watt.

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading Wilkie Collins added these words: "If he has the time I think he will do it: we are both old hands at this work, and understand it, and he knows that I would do the same for him if he were in my place."

information about recent and important events

From this reading He told me that his son had just come from Wilkie Collins: that they had been speaking of his novel, "Blind Love," then running in the _Illustrated London News_: that the novel was, unfortunately, unfinished: that he himself could not possibly finish it: and that he would be very glad, if I would finish it if I could find the time.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading He told me that his son had just come from Wilkie Collins: that they had been speaking of his novel, "Blind Love," then running in the _Illustrated London News_: that the novel was, unfortunately, unfinished: that he himself could not possibly finish it: and that he would be very glad, if I would finish it if I could find the time.

plural of “note” — a brief written record

From this reading And that if I could undertake this work he would send me his notes of the remainder.

an extended fictional work in prose; usually in the form of a story

From this reading He told me that his son had just come from Wilkie Collins: that they had been speaking of his novel, "Blind Love," then running in the _Illustrated London News_: that the novel was, unfortunately, unfinished: that he himself could not possibly finish it: and that he would be very glad, if I would finish it if I could find the time.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Wilkie Collins (completed by Walter Besant) IN the month of August 1889, and in the middle of the seaside holiday, a message came to me from Wilkie Collins, then, though we hoped otherwise, on his death-bed.

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

From this reading Wilkie Collins added these words: "If he has the time I think he will do it: we are both old hands at this work, and understand it, and he knows that I would do the same for him if he were in my place."

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Wilkie Collins (completed by Walter Besant) IN the month of August 1889, and in the middle of the seaside holiday, a message came to me from Wilkie Collins, then, though we hoped otherwise, on his death-bed.

in other respects or ways

From this reading Wilkie Collins (completed by Walter Besant) IN the month of August 1889, and in the middle of the seaside holiday, a message came to me from Wilkie Collins, then, though we hoped otherwise, on his death-bed.

a multivalent nonmetallic element of the nitrogen family that occurs commonly in inorganic phosphate rocks and as organic phosphates in all living cells; is highly reactive and occurs in several allotropic forms

From this reading It was conveyed to me by Mr. A. P. Watt.

a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading Wilkie Collins added these words: "If he has the time I think he will do it: we are both old hands at this work, and understand it, and he knows that I would do the same for him if he were in my place."

by chance

From this reading He told me that his son had just come from Wilkie Collins: that they had been speaking of his novel, "Blind Love," then running in the _Illustrated London News_: that the novel was, unfortunately, unfinished: that he himself could not possibly finish it: and that he would be very glad, if I would finish it if I could find the time.

something left after other parts have been taken away

From this reading And that if I could undertake this work he would send me his notes of the remainder.

(of fluids) moving or issuing in a stream

From this reading He told me that his son had just come from Wilkie Collins: that they had been speaking of his novel, "Blind Love," then running in the _Illustrated London News_: that the novel was, unfortunately, unfinished: that he himself could not possibly finish it: and that he would be very glad, if I would finish it if I could find the time.

Identical; not different.

From this reading Wilkie Collins added these words: "If he has the time I think he will do it: we are both old hands at this work, and understand it, and he knows that I would do the same for him if he were in my place."

the shore of a sea or ocean regarded as a resort

From this reading Wilkie Collins (completed by Walter Besant) IN the month of August 1889, and in the middle of the seaside holiday, a message came to me from Wilkie Collins, then, though we hoped otherwise, on his death-bed.

cause to go somewhere

From this reading And that if I could undertake this work he would send me his notes of the remainder.

a male human offspring

From this reading He told me that his son had just come from Wilkie Collins: that they had been speaking of his novel, "Blind Love," then running in the _Illustrated London News_: that the novel was, unfortunately, unfinished: that he himself could not possibly finish it: and that he would be very glad, if I would finish it if I could find the time.

the utterance of intelligible speech

From this reading He told me that his son had just come from Wilkie Collins: that they had been speaking of his novel, "Blind Love," then running in the _Illustrated London News_: that the novel was, unfortunately, unfinished: that he himself could not possibly finish it: and that he would be very glad, if I would finish it if I could find the time.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading He told me that his son had just come from Wilkie Collins: that they had been speaking of his novel, "Blind Love," then running in the _Illustrated London News_: that the novel was, unfortunately, unfinished: that he himself could not possibly finish it: and that he would be very glad, if I would finish it if I could find the time.

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

From this reading Wilkie Collins (completed by Walter Besant) IN the month of August 1889, and in the middle of the seaside holiday, a message came to me from Wilkie Collins, then, though we hoped otherwise, on his death-bed.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading Wilkie Collins (completed by Walter Besant) IN the month of August 1889, and in the middle of the seaside holiday, a message came to me from Wilkie Collins, then, though we hoped otherwise, on his death-bed.

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading Wilkie Collins added these words: "If he has the time I think he will do it: we are both old hands at this work, and understand it, and he knows that I would do the same for him if he were in my place."

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading He told me that his son had just come from Wilkie Collins: that they had been speaking of his novel, "Blind Love," then running in the _Illustrated London News_: that the novel was, unfortunately, unfinished: that he himself could not possibly finish it: and that he would be very glad, if I would finish it if I could find the time.

judge or regard; look upon; judge

From this reading Wilkie Collins added these words: "If he has the time I think he will do it: we are both old hands at this work, and understand it, and he knows that I would do the same for him if he were in my place."

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

From this reading And that if I could undertake this work he would send me his notes of the remainder.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading Wilkie Collins (completed by Walter Besant) IN the month of August 1889, and in the middle of the seaside holiday, a message came to me from Wilkie Collins, then, though we hoped otherwise, on his death-bed.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading He told me that his son had just come from Wilkie Collins: that they had been speaking of his novel, "Blind Love," then running in the _Illustrated London News_: that the novel was, unfortunately, unfinished: that he himself could not possibly finish it: and that he would be very glad, if I would finish it if I could find the time.

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

From this reading Wilkie Collins (completed by Walter Besant) IN the month of August 1889, and in the middle of the seaside holiday, a message came to me from Wilkie Collins, then, though we hoped otherwise, on his death-bed.

inflected form of “tell” — express in words

From this reading He told me that his son had just come from Wilkie Collins: that they had been speaking of his novel, "Blind Love," then running in the _Illustrated London News_: that the novel was, unfortunately, unfinished: that he himself could not possibly finish it: and that he would be very glad, if I would finish it if I could find the time.

know and comprehend the nature or meaning of

From this reading Wilkie Collins added these words: "If he has the time I think he will do it: we are both old hands at this work, and understand it, and he knows that I would do the same for him if he were in my place."

enter upon an activity or enterprise

From this reading And that if I could undertake this work he would send me his notes of the remainder.

not brought to the desired final state

From this reading He told me that his son had just come from Wilkie Collins: that they had been speaking of his novel, "Blind Love," then running in the _Illustrated London News_: that the novel was, unfortunately, unfinished: that he himself could not possibly finish it: and that he would be very glad, if I would finish it if I could find the time.

by bad luck

From this reading He told me that his son had just come from Wilkie Collins: that they had been speaking of his novel, "Blind Love," then running in the _Illustrated London News_: that the novel was, unfortunately, unfinished: that he himself could not possibly finish it: and that he would be very glad, if I would finish it if I could find the time.

precisely as stated

From this reading He told me that his son had just come from Wilkie Collins: that they had been speaking of his novel, "Blind Love," then running in the _Illustrated London News_: that the novel was, unfortunately, unfinished: that he himself could not possibly finish it: and that he would be very glad, if I would finish it if I could find the time.

German conductor (1876-1962)

From this reading Wilkie Collins (completed by Walter Besant) IN the month of August 1889, and in the middle of the seaside holiday, a message came to me from Wilkie Collins, then, though we hoped otherwise, on his death-bed.

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

From this reading It was conveyed to me by Mr. A. P. Watt.

a unit of power equal to 1 joule per second; the power dissipated by a current of 1 ampere flowing across a resistance of 1 ohm

From this reading It was conveyed to me by Mr. A. P. Watt.

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading Wilkie Collins (completed by Walter Besant) IN the month of August 1889, and in the middle of the seaside holiday, a message came to me from Wilkie Collins, then, though we hoped otherwise, on his death-bed.

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

From this reading Wilkie Collins added these words: "If he has the time I think he will do it: we are both old hands at this work, and understand it, and he knows that I would do the same for him if he were in my place."

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

From this reading Wilkie Collins (completed by Walter Besant) IN the month of August 1889, and in the middle of the seaside holiday, a message came to me from Wilkie Collins, then, though we hoped otherwise, on his death-bed.

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading Wilkie Collins added these words: "If he has the time I think he will do it: we are both old hands at this work, and understand it, and he knows that I would do the same for him if he were in my place."

the words that are spoken

From this reading Wilkie Collins added these words: "If he has the time I think he will do it: we are both old hands at this work, and understand it, and he knows that I would do the same for him if he were in my place."

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

From this reading And that if I could undertake this work he would send me his notes of the remainder.

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading He told me that his son had just come from Wilkie Collins: that they had been speaking of his novel, "Blind Love," then running in the _Illustrated London News_: that the novel was, unfortunately, unfinished: that he himself could not possibly finish it: and that he would be very glad, if I would finish it if I could find the time.