Chapter X

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

From this reading It was Mrs. Meredith who lived next door--an old friend, who was the only person Mrs. Beresford had permitted to come and see her when she returned ill, and of whom Miss Cherry had felt with confidence that Cara would find a friend in her.

(followed by “to”) in agreement with or accordant with

From this reading She had lived there almost ever since Cara was born, with her two sons, boys a little older than Cara; a pretty gentle woman, ‘not clever,’ her friends said--‘silly,’ according to some critics, of whom poor Annie Beresford had been one--but very popular everywhere and pleasant; a woman whom most people were glad to know.

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

From this reading She had lived there almost ever since Cara was born, with her two sons, boys a little older than Cara; a pretty gentle woman, ‘not clever,’ her friends said--‘silly,’ according to some critics, of whom poor Annie Beresford had been one--but very popular everywhere and pleasant; a woman whom most people were glad to know.

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

From this reading It was Mrs. Meredith who lived next door--an old friend, who was the only person Mrs. Beresford had permitted to come and see her when she returned ill, and of whom Miss Cherry had felt with confidence that Cara would find a friend in her.

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

From this reading It was Mrs. Meredith who lived next door--an old friend, who was the only person Mrs. Beresford had permitted to come and see her when she returned ill, and of whom Miss Cherry had felt with confidence that Cara would find a friend in her.

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

From this reading She had lived there almost ever since Cara was born, with her two sons, boys a little older than Cara; a pretty gentle woman, ‘not clever,’ her friends said--‘silly,’ according to some critics, of whom poor Annie Beresford had been one--but very popular everywhere and pleasant; a woman whom most people were glad to know.

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

From this reading It would be hard to say exactly in what her charm lay.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading She had lived there almost ever since Cara was born, with her two sons, boys a little older than Cara; a pretty gentle woman, ‘not clever,’ her friends said--‘silly,’ according to some critics, of whom poor Annie Beresford had been one--but very popular everywhere and pleasant; a woman whom most people were glad to know.

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

From this reading It was Mrs. Meredith who lived next door--an old friend, who was the only person Mrs. Beresford had permitted to come and see her when she returned ill, and of whom Miss Cherry had felt with confidence that Cara would find a friend in her.

brought into existence

From this reading She had lived there almost ever since Cara was born, with her two sons, boys a little older than Cara; a pretty gentle woman, ‘not clever,’ her friends said--‘silly,’ according to some critics, of whom poor Annie Beresford had been one--but very popular everywhere and pleasant; a woman whom most people were glad to know.

plural of “boy” — a youthful male person

From this reading She had lived there almost ever since Cara was born, with her two sons, boys a little older than Cara; a pretty gentle woman, ‘not clever,’ her friends said--‘silly,’ according to some critics, of whom poor Annie Beresford had been one--but very popular everywhere and pleasant; a woman whom most people were glad to know.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading She had lived there almost ever since Cara was born, with her two sons, boys a little older than Cara; a pretty gentle woman, ‘not clever,’ her friends said--‘silly,’ according to some critics, of whom poor Annie Beresford had been one--but very popular everywhere and pleasant; a woman whom most people were glad to know.

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

From this reading It was Mrs. Meredith who lived next door--an old friend, who was the only person Mrs. Beresford had permitted to come and see her when she returned ill, and of whom Miss Cherry had felt with confidence that Cara would find a friend in her.

attractiveness that interests or pleases or stimulates

From this reading It would be hard to say exactly in what her charm lay.

wood of any of various cherry trees especially the black cherry

From this reading It was Mrs. Meredith who lived next door--an old friend, who was the only person Mrs. Beresford had permitted to come and see her when she returned ill, and of whom Miss Cherry had felt with confidence that Cara would find a friend in her.

showing self-interest and shrewdness in dealing with others

From this reading She had lived there almost ever since Cara was born, with her two sons, boys a little older than Cara; a pretty gentle woman, ‘not clever,’ her friends said--‘silly,’ according to some critics, of whom poor Annie Beresford had been one--but very popular everywhere and pleasant; a woman whom most people were glad to know.

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

From this reading It was Mrs. Meredith who lived next door--an old friend, who was the only person Mrs. Beresford had permitted to come and see her when she returned ill, and of whom Miss Cherry had felt with confidence that Cara would find a friend in her.

freedom from doubt; belief in yourself and your abilities

From this reading It was Mrs. Meredith who lived next door--an old friend, who was the only person Mrs. Beresford had permitted to come and see her when she returned ill, and of whom Miss Cherry had felt with confidence that Cara would find a friend in her.

plural of “critic” — a person who is professionally engaged in the analysis and interpretation of works of art

From this reading She had lived there almost ever since Cara was born, with her two sons, boys a little older than Cara; a pretty gentle woman, ‘not clever,’ her friends said--‘silly,’ according to some critics, of whom poor Annie Beresford had been one--but very popular everywhere and pleasant; a woman whom most people were glad to know.

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

From this reading It was Mrs. Meredith who lived next door--an old friend, who was the only person Mrs. Beresford had permitted to come and see her when she returned ill, and of whom Miss Cherry had felt with confidence that Cara would find a friend in her.

at any time

From this reading She had lived there almost ever since Cara was born, with her two sons, boys a little older than Cara; a pretty gentle woman, ‘not clever,’ her friends said--‘silly,’ according to some critics, of whom poor Annie Beresford had been one--but very popular everywhere and pleasant; a woman whom most people were glad to know.

to or in any or all places

From this reading She had lived there almost ever since Cara was born, with her two sons, boys a little older than Cara; a pretty gentle woman, ‘not clever,’ her friends said--‘silly,’ according to some critics, of whom poor Annie Beresford had been one--but very popular everywhere and pleasant; a woman whom most people were glad to know.

indicating exactness or preciseness

From this reading It would be hard to say exactly in what her charm lay.

mat together and make felt-like

From this reading It was Mrs. Meredith who lived next door--an old friend, who was the only person Mrs. Beresford had permitted to come and see her when she returned ill, and of whom Miss Cherry had felt with confidence that Cara would find a friend in her.

come upon, as if by accident; meet with

From this reading It was Mrs. Meredith who lived next door--an old friend, who was the only person Mrs. Beresford had permitted to come and see her when she returned ill, and of whom Miss Cherry had felt with confidence that Cara would find a friend in her.

a person you know well and regard with affection and trust

From this reading It was Mrs. Meredith who lived next door--an old friend, who was the only person Mrs. Beresford had permitted to come and see her when she returned ill, and of whom Miss Cherry had felt with confidence that Cara would find a friend in her.

plural of “friend” — a person you know well and regard with affection and trust

From this reading She had lived there almost ever since Cara was born, with her two sons, boys a little older than Cara; a pretty gentle woman, ‘not clever,’ her friends said--‘silly,’ according to some critics, of whom poor Annie Beresford had been one--but very popular everywhere and pleasant; a woman whom most people were glad to know.

soft and mild; not harsh or stern or severe

From this reading She had lived there almost ever since Cara was born, with her two sons, boys a little older than Cara; a pretty gentle woman, ‘not clever,’ her friends said--‘silly,’ according to some critics, of whom poor Annie Beresford had been one--but very popular everywhere and pleasant; a woman whom most people were glad to know.

showing or causing joy and pleasure; especially made happy

From this reading She had lived there almost ever since Cara was born, with her two sons, boys a little older than Cara; a pretty gentle woman, ‘not clever,’ her friends said--‘silly,’ according to some critics, of whom poor Annie Beresford had been one--but very popular everywhere and pleasant; a woman whom most people were glad to know.

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

From this reading It was Mrs. Meredith who lived next door--an old friend, who was the only person Mrs. Beresford had permitted to come and see her when she returned ill, and of whom Miss Cherry had felt with confidence that Cara would find a friend in her.

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

From this reading It would be hard to say exactly in what her charm lay.

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

From this reading It was Mrs. Meredith who lived next door--an old friend, who was the only person Mrs. Beresford had permitted to come and see her when she returned ill, and of whom Miss Cherry had felt with confidence that Cara would find a friend in her.

affected by an impairment of normal physical or mental function

From this reading It was Mrs. Meredith who lived next door--an old friend, who was the only person Mrs. Beresford had permitted to come and see her when she returned ill, and of whom Miss Cherry had felt with confidence that Cara would find a friend in her.

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

From this reading It was Mrs. Meredith who lived next door--an old friend, who was the only person Mrs. Beresford had permitted to come and see her when she returned ill, and of whom Miss Cherry had felt with confidence that Cara would find a friend in her.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was Mrs. Meredith who lived next door--an old friend, who was the only person Mrs. Beresford had permitted to come and see her when she returned ill, and of whom Miss Cherry had felt with confidence that Cara would find a friend in her.

be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about

From this reading She had lived there almost ever since Cara was born, with her two sons, boys a little older than Cara; a pretty gentle woman, ‘not clever,’ her friends said--‘silly,’ according to some critics, of whom poor Annie Beresford had been one--but very popular everywhere and pleasant; a woman whom most people were glad to know.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading It would be hard to say exactly in what her charm lay.

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

From this reading She had lived there almost ever since Cara was born, with her two sons, boys a little older than Cara; a pretty gentle woman, ‘not clever,’ her friends said--‘silly,’ according to some critics, of whom poor Annie Beresford had been one--but very popular everywhere and pleasant; a woman whom most people were glad to know.

past form of “live” — be an inhabitant of or reside in

From this reading It was Mrs. Meredith who lived next door--an old friend, who was the only person Mrs. Beresford had permitted to come and see her when she returned ill, and of whom Miss Cherry had felt with confidence that Cara would find a friend in her.

United States civil rights leader whose college registration caused riots in traditionally segregated Mississippi (born in 1933)

From this reading MEREDITH.

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

From this reading It was Mrs. Meredith who lived next door--an old friend, who was the only person Mrs. Beresford had permitted to come and see her when she returned ill, and of whom Miss Cherry had felt with confidence that Cara would find a friend in her.

used to form the superlative

From this reading She had lived there almost ever since Cara was born, with her two sons, boys a little older than Cara; a pretty gentle woman, ‘not clever,’ her friends said--‘silly,’ according to some critics, of whom poor Annie Beresford had been one--but very popular everywhere and pleasant; a woman whom most people were glad to know.

a form of address for a married woman

From this reading MRS.

immediately following in time or order

From this reading It was Mrs. Meredith who lived next door--an old friend, who was the only person Mrs. Beresford had permitted to come and see her when she returned ill, and of whom Miss Cherry had felt with confidence that Cara would find a friend in her.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading She had lived there almost ever since Cara was born, with her two sons, boys a little older than Cara; a pretty gentle woman, ‘not clever,’ her friends said--‘silly,’ according to some critics, of whom poor Annie Beresford had been one--but very popular everywhere and pleasant; a woman whom most people were glad to know.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading It was Mrs. Meredith who lived next door--an old friend, who was the only person Mrs. Beresford had permitted to come and see her when she returned ill, and of whom Miss Cherry had felt with confidence that Cara would find a friend in her.

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

From this reading It was Mrs. Meredith who lived next door--an old friend, who was the only person Mrs. Beresford had permitted to come and see her when she returned ill, and of whom Miss Cherry had felt with confidence that Cara would find a friend in her.

advanced in years; (“aged” is pronounced as two syllables)

From this reading She had lived there almost ever since Cara was born, with her two sons, boys a little older than Cara; a pretty gentle woman, ‘not clever,’ her friends said--‘silly,’ according to some critics, of whom poor Annie Beresford had been one--but very popular everywhere and pleasant; a woman whom most people were glad to know.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading She had lived there almost ever since Cara was born, with her two sons, boys a little older than Cara; a pretty gentle woman, ‘not clever,’ her friends said--‘silly,’ according to some critics, of whom poor Annie Beresford had been one--but very popular everywhere and pleasant; a woman whom most people were glad to know.

and nothing more

From this reading It was Mrs. Meredith who lived next door--an old friend, who was the only person Mrs. Beresford had permitted to come and see her when she returned ill, and of whom Miss Cherry had felt with confidence that Cara would find a friend in her.

(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively

From this reading She had lived there almost ever since Cara was born, with her two sons, boys a little older than Cara; a pretty gentle woman, ‘not clever,’ her friends said--‘silly,’ according to some critics, of whom poor Annie Beresford had been one--but very popular everywhere and pleasant; a woman whom most people were glad to know.

inflected form of “permit” — consent to, give permission

From this reading It was Mrs. Meredith who lived next door--an old friend, who was the only person Mrs. Beresford had permitted to come and see her when she returned ill, and of whom Miss Cherry had felt with confidence that Cara would find a friend in her.

a human being

From this reading It was Mrs. Meredith who lived next door--an old friend, who was the only person Mrs. Beresford had permitted to come and see her when she returned ill, and of whom Miss Cherry had felt with confidence that Cara would find a friend in her.

affording pleasure; being in harmony with your taste or likings

From this reading She had lived there almost ever since Cara was born, with her two sons, boys a little older than Cara; a pretty gentle woman, ‘not clever,’ her friends said--‘silly,’ according to some critics, of whom poor Annie Beresford had been one--but very popular everywhere and pleasant; a woman whom most people were glad to know.

deserving or inciting pity

From this reading She had lived there almost ever since Cara was born, with her two sons, boys a little older than Cara; a pretty gentle woman, ‘not clever,’ her friends said--‘silly,’ according to some critics, of whom poor Annie Beresford had been one--but very popular everywhere and pleasant; a woman whom most people were glad to know.

regarded with great favor, approval, or affection especially by the general public

From this reading She had lived there almost ever since Cara was born, with her two sons, boys a little older than Cara; a pretty gentle woman, ‘not clever,’ her friends said--‘silly,’ according to some critics, of whom poor Annie Beresford had been one--but very popular everywhere and pleasant; a woman whom most people were glad to know.

pleasing by delicacy or grace; not imposing

From this reading She had lived there almost ever since Cara was born, with her two sons, boys a little older than Cara; a pretty gentle woman, ‘not clever,’ her friends said--‘silly,’ according to some critics, of whom poor Annie Beresford had been one--but very popular everywhere and pleasant; a woman whom most people were glad to know.

past form of “return” — go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before

From this reading It was Mrs. Meredith who lived next door--an old friend, who was the only person Mrs. Beresford had permitted to come and see her when she returned ill, and of whom Miss Cherry had felt with confidence that Cara would find a friend in her.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading She had lived there almost ever since Cara was born, with her two sons, boys a little older than Cara; a pretty gentle woman, ‘not clever,’ her friends said--‘silly,’ according to some critics, of whom poor Annie Beresford had been one--but very popular everywhere and pleasant; a woman whom most people were glad to know.

express in words

From this reading It would be hard to say exactly in what her charm lay.

perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading It was Mrs. Meredith who lived next door--an old friend, who was the only person Mrs. Beresford had permitted to come and see her when she returned ill, and of whom Miss Cherry had felt with confidence that Cara would find a friend in her.

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

From this reading It was Mrs. Meredith who lived next door--an old friend, who was the only person Mrs. Beresford had permitted to come and see her when she returned ill, and of whom Miss Cherry had felt with confidence that Cara would find a friend in her.

ludicrous, foolish

From this reading She had lived there almost ever since Cara was born, with her two sons, boys a little older than Cara; a pretty gentle woman, ‘not clever,’ her friends said--‘silly,’ according to some critics, of whom poor Annie Beresford had been one--but very popular everywhere and pleasant; a woman whom most people were glad to know.

from a time in the past until now

From this reading She had lived there almost ever since Cara was born, with her two sons, boys a little older than Cara; a pretty gentle woman, ‘not clever,’ her friends said--‘silly,’ according to some critics, of whom poor Annie Beresford had been one--but very popular everywhere and pleasant; a woman whom most people were glad to know.

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

From this reading She had lived there almost ever since Cara was born, with her two sons, boys a little older than Cara; a pretty gentle woman, ‘not clever,’ her friends said--‘silly,’ according to some critics, of whom poor Annie Beresford had been one--but very popular everywhere and pleasant; a woman whom most people were glad to know.

plural of “son” — a male human offspring

From this reading She had lived there almost ever since Cara was born, with her two sons, boys a little older than Cara; a pretty gentle woman, ‘not clever,’ her friends said--‘silly,’ according to some critics, of whom poor Annie Beresford had been one--but very popular everywhere and pleasant; a woman whom most people were glad to know.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading She had lived there almost ever since Cara was born, with her two sons, boys a little older than Cara; a pretty gentle woman, ‘not clever,’ her friends said--‘silly,’ according to some critics, of whom poor Annie Beresford had been one--but very popular everywhere and pleasant; a woman whom most people were glad to know.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading It was Mrs. Meredith who lived next door--an old friend, who was the only person Mrs. Beresford had permitted to come and see her when she returned ill, and of whom Miss Cherry had felt with confidence that Cara would find a friend in her.

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

From this reading It was Mrs. Meredith who lived next door--an old friend, who was the only person Mrs. Beresford had permitted to come and see her when she returned ill, and of whom Miss Cherry had felt with confidence that Cara would find a friend in her.

in or at that place or location

From this reading She had lived there almost ever since Cara was born, with her two sons, boys a little older than Cara; a pretty gentle woman, ‘not clever,’ her friends said--‘silly,’ according to some critics, of whom poor Annie Beresford had been one--but very popular everywhere and pleasant; a woman whom most people were glad to know.

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

From this reading It was Mrs. Meredith who lived next door--an old friend, who was the only person Mrs. Beresford had permitted to come and see her when she returned ill, and of whom Miss Cherry had felt with confidence that Cara would find a friend in her.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number

From this reading She had lived there almost ever since Cara was born, with her two sons, boys a little older than Cara; a pretty gentle woman, ‘not clever,’ her friends said--‘silly,’ according to some critics, of whom poor Annie Beresford had been one--but very popular everywhere and pleasant; a woman whom most people were glad to know.

precisely as stated

From this reading She had lived there almost ever since Cara was born, with her two sons, boys a little older than Cara; a pretty gentle woman, ‘not clever,’ her friends said--‘silly,’ according to some critics, of whom poor Annie Beresford had been one--but very popular everywhere and pleasant; a woman whom most people were glad to know.

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

From this reading It was Mrs. Meredith who lived next door--an old friend, who was the only person Mrs. Beresford had permitted to come and see her when she returned ill, and of whom Miss Cherry had felt with confidence that Cara would find a friend in her.

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

From this reading She had lived there almost ever since Cara was born, with her two sons, boys a little older than Cara; a pretty gentle woman, ‘not clever,’ her friends said--‘silly,’ according to some critics, of whom poor Annie Beresford had been one--but very popular everywhere and pleasant; a woman whom most people were glad to know.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading It would be hard to say exactly in what her charm lay.

at the time that

From this reading It was Mrs. Meredith who lived next door--an old friend, who was the only person Mrs. Beresford had permitted to come and see her when she returned ill, and of whom Miss Cherry had felt with confidence that Cara would find a friend in her.

which person or people

From this reading It was Mrs. Meredith who lived next door--an old friend, who was the only person Mrs. Beresford had permitted to come and see her when she returned ill, and of whom Miss Cherry had felt with confidence that Cara would find a friend in her.

the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading It was Mrs. Meredith who lived next door--an old friend, who was the only person Mrs. Beresford had permitted to come and see her when she returned ill, and of whom Miss Cherry had felt with confidence that Cara would find a friend in her.

in the company of; together with

From this reading It was Mrs. Meredith who lived next door--an old friend, who was the only person Mrs. Beresford had permitted to come and see her when she returned ill, and of whom Miss Cherry had felt with confidence that Cara would find a friend in her.

an adult female person (as opposed to a man)

From this reading She had lived there almost ever since Cara was born, with her two sons, boys a little older than Cara; a pretty gentle woman, ‘not clever,’ her friends said--‘silly,’ according to some critics, of whom poor Annie Beresford had been one--but very popular everywhere and pleasant; a woman whom most people were glad to know.

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

From this reading It was Mrs. Meredith who lived next door--an old friend, who was the only person Mrs. Beresford had permitted to come and see her when she returned ill, and of whom Miss Cherry had felt with confidence that Cara would find a friend in her.