Chapter II · Chapter 2

filled with fear or apprehension

From this reading He seemed to have conceived the idea of making Marcella strong; perhaps he was afraid that she would be frail as her mother had been; perhaps he tried to persuade himself that her mother's illness and death were constitutional frailty rather than traumatic, and in pursuance of this self-deception he tried to suggest that Marcella had inherited her delicacy and must be hardened.

later than; following

From this reading After his wife's death Andrew Lashcairn was harder, colder.

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

From this reading And he undertook Marcella as an interest in life.

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

From this reading Fits of glowering depression took the place of rage, and he never went behind the green baize door, though the barrel stayed there.

(New Testament) disciple of Jesus; brother of Peter; patron saint of Scotland

From this reading After his wife's death Andrew Lashcairn was harder, colder.

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

From this reading He seemed to have conceived the idea of making Marcella strong; perhaps he was afraid that she would be frail as her mother had been; perhaps he tried to persuade himself that her mother's illness and death were constitutional frailty rather than traumatic, and in pursuance of this self-deception he tried to suggest that Marcella had inherited her delicacy and must be hardened.

a bright green fabric napped to resemble felt; used to cover gaming tables

From this reading Fits of glowering depression took the place of rage, and he never went behind the green baize door, though the barrel stayed there.

a tube through which a bullet travels when a gun is fired

From this reading Fits of glowering depression took the place of rage, and he never went behind the green baize door, though the barrel stayed there.

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

From this reading He seemed to have conceived the idea of making Marcella strong; perhaps he was afraid that she would be frail as her mother had been; perhaps he tried to persuade himself that her mother's illness and death were constitutional frailty rather than traumatic, and in pursuance of this self-deception he tried to suggest that Marcella had inherited her delicacy and must be hardened.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading He seemed to have conceived the idea of making Marcella strong; perhaps he was afraid that she would be frail as her mother had been; perhaps he tried to persuade himself that her mother's illness and death were constitutional frailty rather than traumatic, and in pursuance of this self-deception he tried to suggest that Marcella had inherited her delicacy and must be hardened.

at or toward the back of something

From this reading Fits of glowering depression took the place of rage, and he never went behind the green baize door, though the barrel stayed there.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Divorced from his den and his barrel by his own will-power he had to find something to do.

comparative of “cold” — having a low or inadequate temperature or feeling a sensation of coldness or having been made cold by e.g. ice or refrigeration

From this reading After his wife's death Andrew Lashcairn was harder, colder.

past form of “conceive” — have the idea for

From this reading He seemed to have conceived the idea of making Marcella strong; perhaps he was afraid that she would be frail as her mother had been; perhaps he tried to persuade himself that her mother's illness and death were constitutional frailty rather than traumatic, and in pursuance of this self-deception he tried to suggest that Marcella had inherited her delicacy and must be hardened.

of benefit to or intended to benefit your physical makeup

From this reading He seemed to have conceived the idea of making Marcella strong; perhaps he was afraid that she would be frail as her mother had been; perhaps he tried to persuade himself that her mother's illness and death were constitutional frailty rather than traumatic, and in pursuance of this self-deception he tried to suggest that Marcella had inherited her delicacy and must be hardened.

the event of dying or departure from life

From this reading After his wife's death Andrew Lashcairn was harder, colder.

the quality of being beautiful and delicate in appearance

From this reading He seemed to have conceived the idea of making Marcella strong; perhaps he was afraid that she would be frail as her mother had been; perhaps he tried to persuade himself that her mother's illness and death were constitutional frailty rather than traumatic, and in pursuance of this self-deception he tried to suggest that Marcella had inherited her delicacy and must be hardened.

the habitation of wild animals

From this reading Divorced from his den and his barrel by his own will-power he had to find something to do.

a mental state characterized by a pessimistic sense of inadequacy and a despondent lack of activity

From this reading Fits of glowering depression took the place of rage, and he never went behind the green baize door, though the barrel stayed there.

of someone whose marriage has been legally dissolved

From this reading Divorced from his den and his barrel by his own will-power he had to find something to do.

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading Divorced from his den and his barrel by his own will-power he had to find something to do.

a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle

From this reading Fits of glowering depression took the place of rage, and he never went behind the green baize door, though the barrel stayed there.

come upon, as if by accident; meet with

From this reading Divorced from his den and his barrel by his own will-power he had to find something to do.

plural of “fit” — a display of bad temper

From this reading Fits of glowering depression took the place of rage, and he never went behind the green baize door, though the barrel stayed there.

physically weak

From this reading He seemed to have conceived the idea of making Marcella strong; perhaps he was afraid that she would be frail as her mother had been; perhaps he tried to persuade himself that her mother's illness and death were constitutional frailty rather than traumatic, and in pursuance of this self-deception he tried to suggest that Marcella had inherited her delicacy and must be hardened.

the state of being weak in health or body (especially from old age)

From this reading He seemed to have conceived the idea of making Marcella strong; perhaps he was afraid that she would be frail as her mother had been; perhaps he tried to persuade himself that her mother's illness and death were constitutional frailty rather than traumatic, and in pursuance of this self-deception he tried to suggest that Marcella had inherited her delicacy and must be hardened.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Divorced from his den and his barrel by his own will-power he had to find something to do.

showing a brooding ill humor

From this reading Fits of glowering depression took the place of rage, and he never went behind the green baize door, though the barrel stayed there.

green color or pigment; resembling the color of growing grass

From this reading Fits of glowering depression took the place of rage, and he never went behind the green baize door, though the barrel stayed there.

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

From this reading He seemed to have conceived the idea of making Marcella strong; perhaps he was afraid that she would be frail as her mother had been; perhaps he tried to persuade himself that her mother's illness and death were constitutional frailty rather than traumatic, and in pursuance of this self-deception he tried to suggest that Marcella had inherited her delicacy and must be hardened.

used of persons; emotionally hardened

From this reading He seemed to have conceived the idea of making Marcella strong; perhaps he was afraid that she would be frail as her mother had been; perhaps he tried to persuade himself that her mother's illness and death were constitutional frailty rather than traumatic, and in pursuance of this self-deception he tried to suggest that Marcella had inherited her delicacy and must be hardened.

comparative of “hard” — with effort or force or vigor

From this reading After his wife's death Andrew Lashcairn was harder, colder.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading He seemed to have conceived the idea of making Marcella strong; perhaps he was afraid that she would be frail as her mother had been; perhaps he tried to persuade himself that her mother's illness and death were constitutional frailty rather than traumatic, and in pursuance of this self-deception he tried to suggest that Marcella had inherited her delicacy and must be hardened.

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

From this reading Fits of glowering depression took the place of rage, and he never went behind the green baize door, though the barrel stayed there.

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

From this reading He seemed to have conceived the idea of making Marcella strong; perhaps he was afraid that she would be frail as her mother had been; perhaps he tried to persuade himself that her mother's illness and death were constitutional frailty rather than traumatic, and in pursuance of this self-deception he tried to suggest that Marcella had inherited her delicacy and must be hardened.

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

From this reading He seemed to have conceived the idea of making Marcella strong; perhaps he was afraid that she would be frail as her mother had been; perhaps he tried to persuade himself that her mother's illness and death were constitutional frailty rather than traumatic, and in pursuance of this self-deception he tried to suggest that Marcella had inherited her delicacy and must be hardened.

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

From this reading After his wife's death Andrew Lashcairn was harder, colder.

the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about

From this reading He seemed to have conceived the idea of making Marcella strong; perhaps he was afraid that she would be frail as her mother had been; perhaps he tried to persuade himself that her mother's illness and death were constitutional frailty rather than traumatic, and in pursuance of this self-deception he tried to suggest that Marcella had inherited her delicacy and must be hardened.

impairment of normal physiological function affecting part or all of an organism

From this reading He seemed to have conceived the idea of making Marcella strong; perhaps he was afraid that she would be frail as her mother had been; perhaps he tried to persuade himself that her mother's illness and death were constitutional frailty rather than traumatic, and in pursuance of this self-deception he tried to suggest that Marcella had inherited her delicacy and must be hardened.

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

From this reading He seemed to have conceived the idea of making Marcella strong; perhaps he was afraid that she would be frail as her mother had been; perhaps he tried to persuade himself that her mother's illness and death were constitutional frailty rather than traumatic, and in pursuance of this self-deception he tried to suggest that Marcella had inherited her delicacy and must be hardened.

occurring among members of a family usually by heredity

From this reading He seemed to have conceived the idea of making Marcella strong; perhaps he was afraid that she would be frail as her mother had been; perhaps he tried to persuade himself that her mother's illness and death were constitutional frailty rather than traumatic, and in pursuance of this self-deception he tried to suggest that Marcella had inherited her delicacy and must be hardened.

a sense of concern with and curiosity about someone or something

From this reading And he undertook Marcella as an interest in life.

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

From this reading After his wife's death Andrew Lashcairn was harder, colder.

a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading And he undertook Marcella as an interest in life.

the act that results in something coming to be

From this reading He seemed to have conceived the idea of making Marcella strong; perhaps he was afraid that she would be frail as her mother had been; perhaps he tried to persuade himself that her mother's illness and death were constitutional frailty rather than traumatic, and in pursuance of this self-deception he tried to suggest that Marcella had inherited her delicacy and must be hardened.

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

From this reading He seemed to have conceived the idea of making Marcella strong; perhaps he was afraid that she would be frail as her mother had been; perhaps he tried to persuade himself that her mother's illness and death were constitutional frailty rather than traumatic, and in pursuance of this self-deception he tried to suggest that Marcella had inherited her delicacy and must be hardened.

a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)

From this reading He seemed to have conceived the idea of making Marcella strong; perhaps he was afraid that she would be frail as her mother had been; perhaps he tried to persuade himself that her mother's illness and death were constitutional frailty rather than traumatic, and in pursuance of this self-deception he tried to suggest that Marcella had inherited her delicacy and must be hardened.

possessive form of “mother” — a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)

From this reading He seemed to have conceived the idea of making Marcella strong; perhaps he was afraid that she would be frail as her mother had been; perhaps he tried to persuade himself that her mother's illness and death were constitutional frailty rather than traumatic, and in pursuance of this self-deception he tried to suggest that Marcella had inherited her delicacy and must be hardened.

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading He seemed to have conceived the idea of making Marcella strong; perhaps he was afraid that she would be frail as her mother had been; perhaps he tried to persuade himself that her mother's illness and death were constitutional frailty rather than traumatic, and in pursuance of this self-deception he tried to suggest that Marcella had inherited her delicacy and must be hardened.

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading Fits of glowering depression took the place of rage, and he never went behind the green baize door, though the barrel stayed there.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Fits of glowering depression took the place of rage, and he never went behind the green baize door, though the barrel stayed there.

have ownership or possession of

From this reading Divorced from his den and his barrel by his own will-power he had to find something to do.

by chance

From this reading He seemed to have conceived the idea of making Marcella strong; perhaps he was afraid that she would be frail as her mother had been; perhaps he tried to persuade himself that her mother's illness and death were constitutional frailty rather than traumatic, and in pursuance of this self-deception he tried to suggest that Marcella had inherited her delicacy and must be hardened.

win approval or support for

From this reading He seemed to have conceived the idea of making Marcella strong; perhaps he was afraid that she would be frail as her mother had been; perhaps he tried to persuade himself that her mother's illness and death were constitutional frailty rather than traumatic, and in pursuance of this self-deception he tried to suggest that Marcella had inherited her delicacy and must be hardened.

a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading Fits of glowering depression took the place of rage, and he never went behind the green baize door, though the barrel stayed there.

a search for an alternative that meets cognitive criteria

From this reading He seemed to have conceived the idea of making Marcella strong; perhaps he was afraid that she would be frail as her mother had been; perhaps he tried to persuade himself that her mother's illness and death were constitutional frailty rather than traumatic, and in pursuance of this self-deception he tried to suggest that Marcella had inherited her delicacy and must be hardened.

a feeling of intense anger

From this reading Fits of glowering depression took the place of rage, and he never went behind the green baize door, though the barrel stayed there.

on the contrary

From this reading He seemed to have conceived the idea of making Marcella strong; perhaps he was afraid that she would be frail as her mother had been; perhaps he tried to persuade himself that her mother's illness and death were constitutional frailty rather than traumatic, and in pursuance of this self-deception he tried to suggest that Marcella had inherited her delicacy and must be hardened.

past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading He seemed to have conceived the idea of making Marcella strong; perhaps he was afraid that she would be frail as her mother had been; perhaps he tried to persuade himself that her mother's illness and death were constitutional frailty rather than traumatic, and in pursuance of this self-deception he tried to suggest that Marcella had inherited her delicacy and must be hardened.

a misconception that is favorable to the person who holds it

From this reading He seemed to have conceived the idea of making Marcella strong; perhaps he was afraid that she would be frail as her mother had been; perhaps he tried to persuade himself that her mother's illness and death were constitutional frailty rather than traumatic, and in pursuance of this self-deception he tried to suggest that Marcella had inherited her delicacy and must be hardened.

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

From this reading He seemed to have conceived the idea of making Marcella strong; perhaps he was afraid that she would be frail as her mother had been; perhaps he tried to persuade himself that her mother's illness and death were constitutional frailty rather than traumatic, and in pursuance of this self-deception he tried to suggest that Marcella had inherited her delicacy and must be hardened.

a thing, without saying which

From this reading Divorced from his den and his barrel by his own will-power he had to find something to do.

past form of “stay” — stay the same; remain in a certain state

From this reading Fits of glowering depression took the place of rage, and he never went behind the green baize door, though the barrel stayed there.

having strength or power greater than average or expected

From this reading He seemed to have conceived the idea of making Marcella strong; perhaps he was afraid that she would be frail as her mother had been; perhaps he tried to persuade himself that her mother's illness and death were constitutional frailty rather than traumatic, and in pursuance of this self-deception he tried to suggest that Marcella had inherited her delicacy and must be hardened.

make a proposal, declare a plan for something

From this reading He seemed to have conceived the idea of making Marcella strong; perhaps he was afraid that she would be frail as her mother had been; perhaps he tried to persuade himself that her mother's illness and death were constitutional frailty rather than traumatic, and in pursuance of this self-deception he tried to suggest that Marcella had inherited her delicacy and must be hardened.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading He seemed to have conceived the idea of making Marcella strong; perhaps he was afraid that she would be frail as her mother had been; perhaps he tried to persuade himself that her mother's illness and death were constitutional frailty rather than traumatic, and in pursuance of this self-deception he tried to suggest that Marcella had inherited her delicacy and must be hardened.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading He seemed to have conceived the idea of making Marcella strong; perhaps he was afraid that she would be frail as her mother had been; perhaps he tried to persuade himself that her mother's illness and death were constitutional frailty rather than traumatic, and in pursuance of this self-deception he tried to suggest that Marcella had inherited her delicacy and must be hardened.

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

From this reading Fits of glowering depression took the place of rage, and he never went behind the green baize door, though the barrel stayed there.

in or at that place or location

From this reading Fits of glowering depression took the place of rage, and he never went behind the green baize door, though the barrel stayed there.

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

From this reading He seemed to have conceived the idea of making Marcella strong; perhaps he was afraid that she would be frail as her mother had been; perhaps he tried to persuade himself that her mother's illness and death were constitutional frailty rather than traumatic, and in pursuance of this self-deception he tried to suggest that Marcella had inherited her delicacy and must be hardened.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading Fits of glowering depression took the place of rage, and he never went behind the green baize door, though the barrel stayed there.

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

From this reading He seemed to have conceived the idea of making Marcella strong; perhaps he was afraid that she would be frail as her mother had been; perhaps he tried to persuade himself that her mother's illness and death were constitutional frailty rather than traumatic, and in pursuance of this self-deception he tried to suggest that Marcella had inherited her delicacy and must be hardened.

inflected form of “take” — carry out

From this reading Fits of glowering depression took the place of rage, and he never went behind the green baize door, though the barrel stayed there.

of or relating to a physical injury or wound to the body

From this reading He seemed to have conceived the idea of making Marcella strong; perhaps he was afraid that she would be frail as her mother had been; perhaps he tried to persuade himself that her mother's illness and death were constitutional frailty rather than traumatic, and in pursuance of this self-deception he tried to suggest that Marcella had inherited her delicacy and must be hardened.

tested and proved useful or correct

From this reading He seemed to have conceived the idea of making Marcella strong; perhaps he was afraid that she would be frail as her mother had been; perhaps he tried to persuade himself that her mother's illness and death were constitutional frailty rather than traumatic, and in pursuance of this self-deception he tried to suggest that Marcella had inherited her delicacy and must be hardened.

inflected form of “undertake” — enter upon an activity or enterprise

From this reading And he undertook Marcella as an interest in life.

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

From this reading After his wife's death Andrew Lashcairn was harder, colder.

inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading Fits of glowering depression took the place of rage, and he never went behind the green baize door, though the barrel stayed there.

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

From this reading He seemed to have conceived the idea of making Marcella strong; perhaps he was afraid that she would be frail as her mother had been; perhaps he tried to persuade himself that her mother's illness and death were constitutional frailty rather than traumatic, and in pursuance of this self-deception he tried to suggest that Marcella had inherited her delicacy and must be hardened.

possessive form of “wife” — a married woman; a man's partner in marriage

From this reading After his wife's death Andrew Lashcairn was harder, colder.

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

From this reading Divorced from his den and his barrel by his own will-power he had to find something to do.

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

From this reading He seemed to have conceived the idea of making Marcella strong; perhaps he was afraid that she would be frail as her mother had been; perhaps he tried to persuade himself that her mother's illness and death were constitutional frailty rather than traumatic, and in pursuance of this self-deception he tried to suggest that Marcella had inherited her delicacy and must be hardened.