Chapter V · Family Affairs

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

From this reading Lord Blair and young Helsingham were hardly possessed of ears in which to repeat the confidences of the desert; and as for Lady Muriel, he was not in a position to say whether she had received his words with real understanding or not.

possessive form of “afternoon” — the part of the day between noon and evening

From this reading Daniel Lane left the Residency with curiously mixed feelings; and as he made his way through the sun-scorched streets, he found some difficulty in bringing his thoughts to bear upon the afternoon’s business.

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

From this reading He felt that he had talked too much: it was almost as though he had faithlessly given away secrets that were sacred.

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

From this reading On the other hand, he had been conscious of an artificiality, a sort of pose in much that was said or done at the Residency.

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

From this reading Daniel Lane left the Residency with curiously mixed feelings; and as he made his way through the sun-scorched streets, he found some difficulty in bringing his thoughts to bear upon the afternoon’s business.

the quality of being produced by people and not occurring naturally

From this reading On the other hand, he had been conscious of an artificiality, a sort of pose in much that was said or done at the Residency.

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

From this reading Daniel Lane left the Residency with curiously mixed feelings; and as he made his way through the sun-scorched streets, he found some difficulty in bringing his thoughts to bear upon the afternoon’s business.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading On the other hand, he had been conscious of an artificiality, a sort of pose in much that was said or done at the Residency.

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading He felt that he had talked too much: it was almost as though he had faithlessly given away secrets that were sacred.

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

From this reading He had enjoyed his luncheon, and he was obliged to confess to himself that dainty dishes and a handsome table were by no means to be despised.

have

From this reading Daniel Lane left the Residency with curiously mixed feelings; and as he made his way through the sun-scorched streets, he found some difficulty in bringing his thoughts to bear upon the afternoon’s business.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading On the other hand, he had been conscious of an artificiality, a sort of pose in much that was said or done at the Residency.

British statesman who became prime minister in 1997 (born in 1953)

From this reading Lord Blair and young Helsingham were hardly possessed of ears in which to repeat the confidences of the desert; and as for Lady Muriel, he was not in a position to say whether she had received his words with real understanding or not.

the act of delivering or distributing something (as goods or mail)

From this reading Daniel Lane left the Residency with curiously mixed feelings; and as he made his way through the sun-scorched streets, he found some difficulty in bringing his thoughts to bear upon the afternoon’s business.

a commercial or industrial enterprise and the people who constitute it

From this reading Daniel Lane left the Residency with curiously mixed feelings; and as he made his way through the sun-scorched streets, he found some difficulty in bringing his thoughts to bear upon the afternoon’s business.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading He had enjoyed his luncheon, and he was obliged to confess to himself that dainty dishes and a handsome table were by no means to be despised.

confess to a punishable or reprehensible deed, usually under pressure

From this reading He had enjoyed his luncheon, and he was obliged to confess to himself that dainty dishes and a handsome table were by no means to be despised.

plural of “confidence” — freedom from doubt; belief in yourself and your abilities

From this reading Lord Blair and young Helsingham were hardly possessed of ears in which to repeat the confidences of the desert; and as for Lady Muriel, he was not in a position to say whether she had received his words with real understanding or not.

intentionally conceived

From this reading On the other hand, he had been conscious of an artificiality, a sort of pose in much that was said or done at the Residency.

in a manner differing from the usual or expected

From this reading Daniel Lane left the Residency with curiously mixed feelings; and as he made his way through the sun-scorched streets, he found some difficulty in bringing his thoughts to bear upon the afternoon’s business.

delicately beautiful

From this reading He had enjoyed his luncheon, and he was obliged to confess to himself that dainty dishes and a handsome table were by no means to be despised.

(Old Testament) a youth who was taken into the court of Nebuchadnezzar and given divine protection when thrown into a den of lions (6th century BC)

From this reading Daniel Lane left the Residency with curiously mixed feelings; and as he made his way through the sun-scorched streets, he found some difficulty in bringing his thoughts to bear upon the afternoon’s business.

leave someone who needs or counts on you; leave in the lurch

From this reading Lord Blair and young Helsingham were hardly possessed of ears in which to repeat the confidences of the desert; and as for Lady Muriel, he was not in a position to say whether she had received his words with real understanding or not.

treated with dislike or contempt

From this reading He had enjoyed his luncheon, and he was obliged to confess to himself that dainty dishes and a handsome table were by no means to be despised.

an effort that is inconvenient

From this reading Daniel Lane left the Residency with curiously mixed feelings; and as he made his way through the sun-scorched streets, he found some difficulty in bringing his thoughts to bear upon the afternoon’s business.

plural of “dish” — a piece of dishware normally used as a container for holding or serving food

From this reading He had enjoyed his luncheon, and he was obliged to confess to himself that dainty dishes and a handsome table were by no means to be despised.

having finished or arrived at completion

From this reading On the other hand, he had been conscious of an artificiality, a sort of pose in much that was said or done at the Residency.

plural of “ear” — the sense organ for hearing and equilibrium

From this reading Lord Blair and young Helsingham were hardly possessed of ears in which to repeat the confidences of the desert; and as for Lady Muriel, he was not in a position to say whether she had received his words with real understanding or not.

past form of “enjoy” — derive or receive pleasure from; get enjoyment from; take pleasure in

From this reading He had enjoyed his luncheon, and he was obliged to confess to himself that dainty dishes and a handsome table were by no means to be despised.

in a disloyal and faithless manner

From this reading He felt that he had talked too much: it was almost as though he had faithlessly given away secrets that were sacred.

emotional or moral sensitivity (especially in relation to personal principles or dignity)

From this reading Daniel Lane left the Residency with curiously mixed feelings; and as he made his way through the sun-scorched streets, he found some difficulty in bringing his thoughts to bear upon the afternoon’s business.

mat together and make felt-like

From this reading He felt that he had talked too much: it was almost as though he had faithlessly given away secrets that were sacred.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Lord Blair and young Helsingham were hardly possessed of ears in which to repeat the confidences of the desert; and as for Lady Muriel, he was not in a position to say whether she had received his words with real understanding or not.

set up or found

From this reading Daniel Lane left the Residency with curiously mixed feelings; and as he made his way through the sun-scorched streets, he found some difficulty in bringing his thoughts to bear upon the afternoon’s business.

acknowledged as a supposition

From this reading He felt that he had talked too much: it was almost as though he had faithlessly given away secrets that were sacred.

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

From this reading He felt that he had talked too much: it was almost as though he had faithlessly given away secrets that were sacred.

the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb

From this reading On the other hand, he had been conscious of an artificiality, a sort of pose in much that was said or done at the Residency.

pleasing in appearance especially by reason of conformity to ideals of form and proportion

From this reading He had enjoyed his luncheon, and he was obliged to confess to himself that dainty dishes and a handsome table were by no means to be despised.

only a very short time before

From this reading Lord Blair and young Helsingham were hardly possessed of ears in which to repeat the confidences of the desert; and as for Lady Muriel, he was not in a position to say whether she had received his words with real understanding or not.

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

From this reading Daniel Lane left the Residency with curiously mixed feelings; and as he made his way through the sun-scorched streets, he found some difficulty in bringing his thoughts to bear upon the afternoon’s business.

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

From this reading Lord Blair and young Helsingham were hardly possessed of ears in which to repeat the confidences of the desert; and as for Lady Muriel, he was not in a position to say whether she had received his words with real understanding or not.

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

From this reading He had enjoyed his luncheon, and he was obliged to confess to himself that dainty dishes and a handsome table were by no means to be despised.

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

From this reading Daniel Lane left the Residency with curiously mixed feelings; and as he made his way through the sun-scorched streets, he found some difficulty in bringing his thoughts to bear upon the afternoon’s business.

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

From this reading Daniel Lane left the Residency with curiously mixed feelings; and as he made his way through the sun-scorched streets, he found some difficulty in bringing his thoughts to bear upon the afternoon’s business.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading He felt that he had talked too much: it was almost as though he had faithlessly given away secrets that were sacred.

a polite name for any woman

From this reading Lord Blair and young Helsingham were hardly possessed of ears in which to repeat the confidences of the desert; and as for Lady Muriel, he was not in a position to say whether she had received his words with real understanding or not.

a narrow way or road

From this reading Daniel Lane left the Residency with curiously mixed feelings; and as he made his way through the sun-scorched streets, he found some difficulty in bringing his thoughts to bear upon the afternoon’s business.

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 Daniel Lane left the Residency with curiously mixed feelings; and as he made his way through the sun-scorched streets, he found some difficulty in bringing his thoughts to bear upon the afternoon’s business.

terms referring to the Judeo-Christian God

From this reading Lord Blair and young Helsingham were hardly possessed of ears in which to repeat the confidences of the desert; and as for Lady Muriel, he was not in a position to say whether she had received his words with real understanding or not.

a midday meal

From this reading He had enjoyed his luncheon, and he was obliged to confess to himself that dainty dishes and a handsome table were by no means to be despised.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading Daniel Lane left the Residency with curiously mixed feelings; and as he made his way through the sun-scorched streets, he found some difficulty in bringing his thoughts to bear upon the afternoon’s business.

thing or person that acts to produce a particular effect or achieve an end

From this reading He had enjoyed his luncheon, and he was obliged to confess to himself that dainty dishes and a handsome table were by no means to be despised.

consisting of a haphazard assortment of different kinds

From this reading Daniel Lane left the Residency with curiously mixed feelings; and as he made his way through the sun-scorched streets, he found some difficulty in bringing his thoughts to bear upon the afternoon’s business.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading He felt that he had talked too much: it was almost as though he had faithlessly given away secrets that were sacred.

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

From this reading Lord Blair and young Helsingham were hardly possessed of ears in which to repeat the confidences of the desert; and as for Lady Muriel, he was not in a position to say whether she had received his words with real understanding or not.

not any; not one

From this reading He had enjoyed his luncheon, and he was obliged to confess to himself that dainty dishes and a handsome table were by no means to be despised.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Lord Blair and young Helsingham were hardly possessed of ears in which to repeat the confidences of the desert; and as for Lady Muriel, he was not in a position to say whether she had received his words with real understanding or not.

under a moral obligation to do something

From this reading He had enjoyed his luncheon, and he was obliged to confess to himself that dainty dishes and a handsome table were by no means to be despised.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Lord Blair and young Helsingham were hardly possessed of ears in which to repeat the confidences of the desert; and as for Lady Muriel, he was not in a position to say whether she had received his words with real understanding or not.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading On the other hand, he had been conscious of an artificiality, a sort of pose in much that was said or done at the Residency.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Lord Blair and young Helsingham were hardly possessed of ears in which to repeat the confidences of the desert; and as for Lady Muriel, he was not in a position to say whether she had received his words with real understanding or not.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading On the other hand, he had been conscious of an artificiality, a sort of pose in much that was said or done at the Residency.

introduce

From this reading On the other hand, he had been conscious of an artificiality, a sort of pose in much that was said or done at the Residency.

the particular portion of space occupied by something

From this reading Lord Blair and young Helsingham were hardly possessed of ears in which to repeat the confidences of the desert; and as for Lady Muriel, he was not in a position to say whether she had received his words with real understanding or not.

influenced or controlled by a powerful force such as a strong emotion

From this reading Lord Blair and young Helsingham were hardly possessed of ears in which to repeat the confidences of the desert; and as for Lady Muriel, he was not in a position to say whether she had received his words with real understanding or not.

being or occurring in fact or actuality; having verified existence; not illusory

From this reading Lord Blair and young Helsingham were hardly possessed of ears in which to repeat the confidences of the desert; and as for Lady Muriel, he was not in a position to say whether she had received his words with real understanding or not.

conforming to the established language usage of educated native speakers

From this reading Lord Blair and young Helsingham were hardly possessed of ears in which to repeat the confidences of the desert; and as for Lady Muriel, he was not in a position to say whether she had received his words with real understanding or not.

to say, state, or perform again

From this reading Lord Blair and young Helsingham were hardly possessed of ears in which to repeat the confidences of the desert; and as for Lady Muriel, he was not in a position to say whether she had received his words with real understanding or not.

the act of dwelling in a place

From this reading Daniel Lane left the Residency with curiously mixed feelings; and as he made his way through the sun-scorched streets, he found some difficulty in bringing his thoughts to bear upon the afternoon’s business.

concerned with religion or religious purposes

From this reading He felt that he had talked too much: it was almost as though he had faithlessly given away secrets that were sacred.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading On the other hand, he had been conscious of an artificiality, a sort of pose in much that was said or done at the Residency.

express in words

From this reading Lord Blair and young Helsingham were hardly possessed of ears in which to repeat the confidences of the desert; and as for Lady Muriel, he was not in a position to say whether she had received his words with real understanding or not.

plural of “secret” — something that should remain hidden from others (especially information that is not to be passed on)

From this reading He felt that he had talked too much: it was almost as though he had faithlessly given away secrets that were sacred.

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

From this reading Lord Blair and young Helsingham were hardly possessed of ears in which to repeat the confidences of the desert; and as for Lady Muriel, he was not in a position to say whether she had received his words with real understanding or not.

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

From this reading Daniel Lane left the Residency with curiously mixed feelings; and as he made his way through the sun-scorched streets, he found some difficulty in bringing his thoughts to bear upon the afternoon’s business.

a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality

From this reading On the other hand, he had been conscious of an artificiality, a sort of pose in much that was said or done at the Residency.

plural of “street” — a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings

From this reading Daniel Lane left the Residency with curiously mixed feelings; and as he made his way through the sun-scorched streets, he found some difficulty in bringing his thoughts to bear upon the afternoon’s business.

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

From this reading Daniel Lane left the Residency with curiously mixed feelings; and as he made his way through the sun-scorched streets, he found some difficulty in bringing his thoughts to bear upon the afternoon’s business.

a set of data arranged in rows and columns

From this reading He had enjoyed his luncheon, and he was obliged to confess to himself that dainty dishes and a handsome table were by no means to be despised.

past form of “talk” — exchange thoughts; talk with

From this reading He felt that he had talked too much: it was almost as though he had faithlessly given away secrets that were sacred.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading He felt that he had talked too much: it was almost as though he had faithlessly given away secrets that were sacred.

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

From this reading Daniel Lane left the Residency with curiously mixed feelings; and as he made his way through the sun-scorched streets, he found some difficulty in bringing his thoughts to bear upon the afternoon’s business.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading He felt that he had talked too much: it was almost as though he had faithlessly given away secrets that were sacred.

plural of “thought” — the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about

From this reading Daniel Lane left the Residency with curiously mixed feelings; and as he made his way through the sun-scorched streets, he found some difficulty in bringing his thoughts to bear upon the afternoon’s business.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading Daniel Lane left the Residency with curiously mixed feelings; and as he made his way through the sun-scorched streets, he found some difficulty in bringing his thoughts to bear upon the afternoon’s business.

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

From this reading Daniel Lane left the Residency with curiously mixed feelings; and as he made his way through the sun-scorched streets, he found some difficulty in bringing his thoughts to bear upon the afternoon’s business.

to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits

From this reading He felt that he had talked too much: it was almost as though he had faithlessly given away secrets that were sacred.

the cognitive condition of someone who understands

From this reading Lord Blair and young Helsingham were hardly possessed of ears in which to repeat the confidences of the desert; and as for Lady Muriel, he was not in a position to say whether she had received his words with real understanding or not.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading Daniel Lane left the Residency with curiously mixed feelings; and as he made his way through the sun-scorched streets, he found some difficulty in bringing his thoughts to bear upon the afternoon’s business.

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

From this reading He felt that he had talked too much: it was almost as though he had faithlessly given away secrets that were sacred.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading Daniel Lane left the Residency with curiously mixed feelings; and as he made his way through the sun-scorched streets, he found some difficulty in bringing his thoughts to bear upon the afternoon’s business.

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

From this reading He felt that he had talked too much: it was almost as though he had faithlessly given away secrets that were sacred.

used to introduce two or more possibilities

From this reading Lord Blair and young Helsingham were hardly possessed of ears in which to repeat the confidences of the desert; and as for Lady Muriel, he was not in a position to say whether she had received his words with real understanding or not.

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

From this reading Lord Blair and young Helsingham were hardly possessed of ears in which to repeat the confidences of the desert; and as for Lady Muriel, he was not in a position to say whether she had received his words with real understanding or not.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Daniel Lane left the Residency with curiously mixed feelings; and as he made his way through the sun-scorched streets, he found some difficulty in bringing his thoughts to bear upon the afternoon’s business.

the words that are spoken

From this reading Lord Blair and young Helsingham were hardly possessed of ears in which to repeat the confidences of the desert; and as for Lady Muriel, he was not in a position to say whether she had received his words with real understanding or not.

(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth

From this reading Lord Blair and young Helsingham were hardly possessed of ears in which to repeat the confidences of the desert; and as for Lady Muriel, he was not in a position to say whether she had received his words with real understanding or not.