Chapter XXIX · Brownie’s Strange Visitor

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

From this reading “You make such a _mésalliance_ as that!”

higher than, or over, something

From this reading Surely a nobler specimen of manhood never braved the world’s scorn than Adrian Dredmond at that moment; and poor Brownie, although in “durance vile” above them, might well look hopefully into the future, which should be passed by the side of such a noble defender as this.

Roman Emperor who was the adoptive son of Trajan; travelled throughout his empire to strengthen its frontiers and encourage learning and architecture; on a visit to Britain in 122 he ordered the construction of Hadrian's Wall (76-138)

From this reading “Adrian, surely you are crazy!” almost shrieked Lady Randal, at last.

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

From this reading “Adrian, surely you are crazy!” almost shrieked Lady Randal, at last.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading Surely a nobler specimen of manhood never braved the world’s scorn than Adrian Dredmond at that moment; and poor Brownie, although in “durance vile” above them, might well look hopefully into the future, which should be passed by the side of such a noble defender as this.

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

From this reading Had an earthquake shaken the house at that moment greater consternation could not have prevailed than at this announcement.

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

From this reading Surely a nobler specimen of manhood never braved the world’s scorn than Adrian Dredmond at that moment; and poor Brownie, although in “durance vile” above them, might well look hopefully into the future, which should be passed by the side of such a noble defender as this.

a formal public statement

From this reading Had an earthquake shaken the house at that moment greater consternation could not have prevailed than at this announcement.

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

From this reading “Adrian, surely you are crazy!” almost shrieked Lady Randal, at last.

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

From this reading “You make such a _mésalliance_ as that!”

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Had an earthquake shaken the house at that moment greater consternation could not have prevailed than at this announcement.

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

From this reading Surely a nobler specimen of manhood never braved the world’s scorn than Adrian Dredmond at that moment; and poor Brownie, although in “durance vile” above them, might well look hopefully into the future, which should be passed by the side of such a noble defender as this.

past form of “brave” — face and withstand with courage

From this reading Surely a nobler specimen of manhood never braved the world’s scorn than Adrian Dredmond at that moment; and poor Brownie, although in “durance vile” above them, might well look hopefully into the future, which should be passed by the side of such a noble defender as this.

a junior Girl Scout

From this reading Surely a nobler specimen of manhood never braved the world’s scorn than Adrian Dredmond at that moment; and poor Brownie, although in “durance vile” above them, might well look hopefully into the future, which should be passed by the side of such a noble defender as this.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading “Call it whatever you choose, madam, but please remember when you speak of Miss Douglas in the future, that you are speaking of the future Lady of Dunforth,” he said, coldly, but proudly.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Surely a nobler specimen of manhood never braved the world’s scorn than Adrian Dredmond at that moment; and poor Brownie, although in “durance vile” above them, might well look hopefully into the future, which should be passed by the side of such a noble defender as this.

assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading “Call it whatever you choose, madam, but please remember when you speak of Miss Douglas in the future, that you are speaking of the future Lady of Dunforth,” he said, coldly, but proudly.

pick out, select, or choose from a number of alternatives

From this reading “Call it whatever you choose, madam, but please remember when you speak of Miss Douglas in the future, that you are speaking of the future Lady of Dunforth,” he said, coldly, but proudly.

lacking warmth of feeling; in a cold, unemotional manner

From this reading “Call it whatever you choose, madam, but please remember when you speak of Miss Douglas in the future, that you are speaking of the future Lady of Dunforth,” he said, coldly, but proudly.

fear resulting from the awareness of danger

From this reading Had an earthquake shaken the house at that moment greater consternation could not have prevailed than at this announcement.

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

From this reading Had an earthquake shaken the house at that moment greater consternation could not have prevailed than at this announcement.

affected with madness or insanity

From this reading “Adrian, surely you are crazy!” almost shrieked Lady Randal, at last.

a person who cares for persons or property

From this reading Surely a nobler specimen of manhood never braved the world’s scorn than Adrian Dredmond at that moment; and poor Brownie, although in “durance vile” above them, might well look hopefully into the future, which should be passed by the side of such a noble defender as this.

United States politician who proposed that individual territories be allowed to decide whether they would have slavery; he engaged in a famous series of debates with Abraham Lincoln (1813-1861)

From this reading “Call it whatever you choose, madam, but please remember when you speak of Miss Douglas in the future, that you are speaking of the future Lady of Dunforth,” he said, coldly, but proudly.

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

From this reading Surely a nobler specimen of manhood never braved the world’s scorn than Adrian Dredmond at that moment; and poor Brownie, although in “durance vile” above them, might well look hopefully into the future, which should be passed by the side of such a noble defender as this.

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

From this reading “Call it whatever you choose, madam, but please remember when you speak of Miss Douglas in the future, that you are speaking of the future Lady of Dunforth,” he said, coldly, but proudly.

imprisonment (especially for a long time)

From this reading Surely a nobler specimen of manhood never braved the world’s scorn than Adrian Dredmond at that moment; and poor Brownie, although in “durance vile” above them, might well look hopefully into the future, which should be passed by the side of such a noble defender as this.

shaking and vibration at the surface of the earth resulting from underground movement along a fault plane or from volcanic activity

From this reading Had an earthquake shaken the house at that moment greater consternation could not have prevailed than at this announcement.

yet to be or coming

From this reading “Call it whatever you choose, madam, but please remember when you speak of Miss Douglas in the future, that you are speaking of the future Lady of Dunforth,” he said, coldly, but proudly.

greater in size or importance or degree

From this reading Had an earthquake shaken the house at that moment greater consternation could not have prevailed than at this announcement.

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

From this reading Had an earthquake shaken the house at that moment greater consternation could not have prevailed than at this announcement.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading Had an earthquake shaken the house at that moment greater consternation could not have prevailed than at this announcement.

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

From this reading “Call it whatever you choose, madam, but please remember when you speak of Miss Douglas in the future, that you are speaking of the future Lady of Dunforth,” he said, coldly, but proudly.

with hope; in a hopeful manner

From this reading Surely a nobler specimen of manhood never braved the world’s scorn than Adrian Dredmond at that moment; and poor Brownie, although in “durance vile” above them, might well look hopefully into the future, which should be passed by the side of such a noble defender as this.

a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families

From this reading Had an earthquake shaken the house at that moment greater consternation could not have prevailed than at this announcement.

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

From this reading “Call it whatever you choose, madam, but please remember when you speak of Miss Douglas in the future, that you are speaking of the future Lady of Dunforth,” he said, coldly, but proudly.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading Surely a nobler specimen of manhood never braved the world’s scorn than Adrian Dredmond at that moment; and poor Brownie, although in “durance vile” above them, might well look hopefully into the future, which should be passed by the side of such a noble defender as this.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading “Call it whatever you choose, madam, but please remember when you speak of Miss Douglas in the future, that you are speaking of the future Lady of Dunforth,” he said, coldly, but proudly.

a polite name for any woman

From this reading “Adrian, surely you are crazy!” almost shrieked Lady Randal, at last.

immediately past

From this reading “Adrian, surely you are crazy!” almost shrieked Lady Randal, at last.

perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading Surely a nobler specimen of manhood never braved the world’s scorn than Adrian Dredmond at that moment; and poor Brownie, although in “durance vile” above them, might well look hopefully into the future, which should be passed by the side of such a noble defender as this.

a woman of refinement

From this reading “Call it whatever you choose, madam, but please remember when you speak of Miss Douglas in the future, that you are speaking of the future Lady of Dunforth,” he said, coldly, but proudly.

engage in

From this reading “You make such a _mésalliance_ as that!”

the state of being a man; manly qualities

From this reading Surely a nobler specimen of manhood never braved the world’s scorn than Adrian Dredmond at that moment; and poor Brownie, although in “durance vile” above them, might well look hopefully into the future, which should be passed by the side of such a noble defender as this.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading Surely a nobler specimen of manhood never braved the world’s scorn than Adrian Dredmond at that moment; and poor Brownie, although in “durance vile” above them, might well look hopefully into the future, which should be passed by the side of such a noble defender as this.

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

From this reading “Call it whatever you choose, madam, but please remember when you speak of Miss Douglas in the future, that you are speaking of the future Lady of Dunforth,” he said, coldly, but proudly.

a particular point in time

From this reading Had an earthquake shaken the house at that moment greater consternation could not have prevailed than at this announcement.

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

From this reading “You make such a _mésalliance_ as that!”

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading Surely a nobler specimen of manhood never braved the world’s scorn than Adrian Dredmond at that moment; and poor Brownie, although in “durance vile” above them, might well look hopefully into the future, which should be passed by the side of such a noble defender as this.

impressive in appearance

From this reading Surely a nobler specimen of manhood never braved the world’s scorn than Adrian Dredmond at that moment; and poor Brownie, although in “durance vile” above them, might well look hopefully into the future, which should be passed by the side of such a noble defender as this.

comparative of “noble” — impressive in appearance

From this reading Surely a nobler specimen of manhood never braved the world’s scorn than Adrian Dredmond at that moment; and poor Brownie, although in “durance vile” above them, might well look hopefully into the future, which should be passed by the side of such a noble defender as this.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Had an earthquake shaken the house at that moment greater consternation could not have prevailed than at this announcement.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading “Call it whatever you choose, madam, but please remember when you speak of Miss Douglas in the future, that you are speaking of the future Lady of Dunforth,” he said, coldly, but proudly.

past form of “pass” — go across or through

From this reading Surely a nobler specimen of manhood never braved the world’s scorn than Adrian Dredmond at that moment; and poor Brownie, although in “durance vile” above them, might well look hopefully into the future, which should be passed by the side of such a noble defender as this.

give pleasure to or be pleasing to

From this reading “Call it whatever you choose, madam, but please remember when you speak of Miss Douglas in the future, that you are speaking of the future Lady of Dunforth,” he said, coldly, but proudly.

deserving or inciting pity

From this reading Surely a nobler specimen of manhood never braved the world’s scorn than Adrian Dredmond at that moment; and poor Brownie, although in “durance vile” above them, might well look hopefully into the future, which should be passed by the side of such a noble defender as this.

past form of “prevail” — be larger in number, quantity, power, status or importance

From this reading Had an earthquake shaken the house at that moment greater consternation could not have prevailed than at this announcement.

with pride; in a proud manner

From this reading “Call it whatever you choose, madam, but please remember when you speak of Miss Douglas in the future, that you are speaking of the future Lady of Dunforth,” he said, coldly, but proudly.

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

From this reading “Adrian, surely you are crazy!” almost shrieked Lady Randal, at last.

To recall to mind.

From this reading “Call it whatever you choose, madam, but please remember when you speak of Miss Douglas in the future, that you are speaking of the future Lady of Dunforth,” he said, coldly, but proudly.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading “Call it whatever you choose, madam, but please remember when you speak of Miss Douglas in the future, that you are speaking of the future Lady of Dunforth,” he said, coldly, but proudly.

lack of respect accompanied by a feeling of intense dislike

From this reading Surely a nobler specimen of manhood never braved the world’s scorn than Adrian Dredmond at that moment; and poor Brownie, although in “durance vile” above them, might well look hopefully into the future, which should be passed by the side of such a noble defender as this.

disturbed psychologically as if by a physical jolt or shock

From this reading Had an earthquake shaken the house at that moment greater consternation could not have prevailed than at this announcement.

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading Surely a nobler specimen of manhood never braved the world’s scorn than Adrian Dredmond at that moment; and poor Brownie, although in “durance vile” above them, might well look hopefully into the future, which should be passed by the side of such a noble defender as this.

uttered in a shrill scream as of pain or terror

From this reading “Adrian, surely you are crazy!” almost shrieked Lady Randal, at last.

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

From this reading Surely a nobler specimen of manhood never braved the world’s scorn than Adrian Dredmond at that moment; and poor Brownie, although in “durance vile” above them, might well look hopefully into the future, which should be passed by the side of such a noble defender as this.

express in speech

From this reading “Call it whatever you choose, madam, but please remember when you speak of Miss Douglas in the future, that you are speaking of the future Lady of Dunforth,” he said, coldly, but proudly.

the utterance of intelligible speech

From this reading “Call it whatever you choose, madam, but please remember when you speak of Miss Douglas in the future, that you are speaking of the future Lady of Dunforth,” he said, coldly, but proudly.

an example regarded as typical of its class

From this reading Surely a nobler specimen of manhood never braved the world’s scorn than Adrian Dredmond at that moment; and poor Brownie, although in “durance vile” above them, might well look hopefully into the future, which should be passed by the side of such a noble defender as this.

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading “You make such a _mésalliance_ as that!”

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

From this reading “Adrian, surely you are crazy!” almost shrieked Lady Randal, at last.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading Had an earthquake shaken the house at that moment greater consternation could not have prevailed than at this announcement.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Had an earthquake shaken the house at that moment greater consternation could not have prevailed than at this announcement.

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

From this reading Had an earthquake shaken the house at that moment greater consternation could not have prevailed than at this announcement.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading Surely a nobler specimen of manhood never braved the world’s scorn than Adrian Dredmond at that moment; and poor Brownie, although in “durance vile” above them, might well look hopefully into the future, which should be passed by the side of such a noble defender as this.

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

From this reading Had an earthquake shaken the house at that moment greater consternation could not have prevailed than at this announcement.

morally reprehensible

From this reading Surely a nobler specimen of manhood never braved the world’s scorn than Adrian Dredmond at that moment; and poor Brownie, although in “durance vile” above them, might well look hopefully into the future, which should be passed by the side of such a noble defender as this.

(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)

From this reading Surely a nobler specimen of manhood never braved the world’s scorn than Adrian Dredmond at that moment; and poor Brownie, although in “durance vile” above them, might well look hopefully into the future, which should be passed by the side of such a noble defender as this.

any or all of a kind, it does not matter which

From this reading “Call it whatever you choose, madam, but please remember when you speak of Miss Douglas in the future, that you are speaking of the future Lady of Dunforth,” he said, coldly, but proudly.

at the time that

From this reading “Call it whatever you choose, madam, but please remember when you speak of Miss Douglas in the future, that you are speaking of the future Lady of Dunforth,” he said, coldly, but proudly.

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

From this reading Surely a nobler specimen of manhood never braved the world’s scorn than Adrian Dredmond at that moment; and poor Brownie, although in “durance vile” above them, might well look hopefully into the future, which should be passed by the side of such a noble defender as this.

possessive form of “world” — everything that exists anywhere

From this reading Surely a nobler specimen of manhood never braved the world’s scorn than Adrian Dredmond at that moment; and poor Brownie, although in “durance vile” above them, might well look hopefully into the future, which should be passed by the side of such a noble defender as this.

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading “Adrian, surely you are crazy!” almost shrieked Lady Randal, at last.