Chapter I · Chapter 1

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

From this reading The Edgeworths were people of good means and position, and their rental, we are told, amounted to nearly £3000 a year.

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

From this reading The story of the Edgeworth Family, if it were properly told, should be as long as the ARABIAN NIGHTS themselves; the thousand and one cheerful intelligent members of the circle, the amusing friends and relations, the charming surroundings, the cheerful hospitable home, all go to make up an almost unique history of a county family of great parts and no little character.

(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class

From this reading The story of the Edgeworth Family, if it were properly told, should be as long as the ARABIAN NIGHTS themselves; the thousand and one cheerful intelligent members of the circle, the amusing friends and relations, the charming surroundings, the cheerful hospitable home, all go to make up an almost unique history of a county family of great parts and no little character.

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

From this reading The story of the Edgeworth Family, if it were properly told, should be as long as the ARABIAN NIGHTS themselves; the thousand and one cheerful intelligent members of the circle, the amusing friends and relations, the charming surroundings, the cheerful hospitable home, all go to make up an almost unique history of a county family of great parts and no little character.

at all times; all the time and on every occasion

From this reading The family tradition seems to have been unconventional and spirited always.

past form of “amount” — be tantamount or equivalent to

From this reading The Edgeworths were people of good means and position, and their rental, we are told, amounted to nearly £3000 a year.

providing enjoyment; pleasantly entertaining

From this reading The story of the Edgeworth Family, if it were properly told, should be as long as the ARABIAN NIGHTS themselves; the thousand and one cheerful intelligent members of the circle, the amusing friends and relations, the charming surroundings, the cheerful hospitable home, all go to make up an almost unique history of a county family of great parts and no little character.

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

From this reading With an Introduction by Anne Thackeray Ritchie Italics have been replaced by capitals.]

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

From this reading The story of the Edgeworth Family, if it were properly told, should be as long as the ARABIAN NIGHTS themselves; the thousand and one cheerful intelligent members of the circle, the amusing friends and relations, the charming surroundings, the cheerful hospitable home, all go to make up an almost unique history of a county family of great parts and no little character.

Queen of England and Scotland and Ireland; daughter if James II and the last of the Stuart monarchs; in 1707 she was the last English ruler to exercise the royal veto over parliament (1665-1714)

From this reading With an Introduction by Anne Thackeray Ritchie Italics have been replaced by capitals.]

a member of a Semitic people originally from the Arabian peninsula and surrounding territories who speaks Arabic and who inhabits much of the Middle East and northern Africa

From this reading The story of the Edgeworth Family, if it were properly told, should be as long as the ARABIAN NIGHTS themselves; the thousand and one cheerful intelligent members of the circle, the amusing friends and relations, the charming surroundings, the cheerful hospitable home, all go to make up an almost unique history of a county family of great parts and no little character.

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

From this reading The Edgeworths were people of good means and position, and their rental, we are told, amounted to nearly £3000 a year.

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

From this reading The story of the Edgeworth Family, if it were properly told, should be as long as the ARABIAN NIGHTS themselves; the thousand and one cheerful intelligent members of the circle, the amusing friends and relations, the charming surroundings, the cheerful hospitable home, all go to make up an almost unique history of a county family of great parts and no little character.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading At one time there was some talk of a peerage for Mr. Edgeworth, but he was considered too independent for a peerage.

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

From this reading The story of the Edgeworth Family, if it were properly told, should be as long as the ARABIAN NIGHTS themselves; the thousand and one cheerful intelligent members of the circle, the amusing friends and relations, the charming surroundings, the cheerful hospitable home, all go to make up an almost unique history of a county family of great parts and no little character.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading With an Introduction by Anne Thackeray Ritchie Italics have been replaced by capitals.]

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading At one time there was some talk of a peerage for Mr. Edgeworth, but he was considered too independent for a peerage.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading With an Introduction by Anne Thackeray Ritchie Italics have been replaced by capitals.]

plural of “capital” — assets available for use in the production of further assets

From this reading With an Introduction by Anne Thackeray Ritchie Italics have been replaced by capitals.]

an imaginary person represented in a work of fiction (play or film or story)

From this reading The story of the Edgeworth Family, if it were properly told, should be as long as the ARABIAN NIGHTS themselves; the thousand and one cheerful intelligent members of the circle, the amusing friends and relations, the charming surroundings, the cheerful hospitable home, all go to make up an almost unique history of a county family of great parts and no little character.

pleasing or delighting

From this reading The story of the Edgeworth Family, if it were properly told, should be as long as the ARABIAN NIGHTS themselves; the thousand and one cheerful intelligent members of the circle, the amusing friends and relations, the charming surroundings, the cheerful hospitable home, all go to make up an almost unique history of a county family of great parts and no little character.

being full of or promoting cheer; having or showing good spirits

From this reading The story of the Edgeworth Family, if it were properly told, should be as long as the ARABIAN NIGHTS themselves; the thousand and one cheerful intelligent members of the circle, the amusing friends and relations, the charming surroundings, the cheerful hospitable home, all go to make up an almost unique history of a county family of great parts and no little character.

ellipse in which the two axes are of equal length; a plane curve generated by one point moving at a constant distance from a fixed point

From this reading The story of the Edgeworth Family, if it were properly told, should be as long as the ARABIAN NIGHTS themselves; the thousand and one cheerful intelligent members of the circle, the amusing friends and relations, the charming surroundings, the cheerful hospitable home, all go to make up an almost unique history of a county family of great parts and no little character.

carefully weighed

From this reading At one time there was some talk of a peerage for Mr. Edgeworth, but he was considered too independent for a peerage.

(United Kingdom) a region created by territorial division for the purpose of local government

From this reading The story of the Edgeworth Family, if it were properly told, should be as long as the ARABIAN NIGHTS themselves; the thousand and one cheerful intelligent members of the circle, the amusing friends and relations, the charming surroundings, the cheerful hospitable home, all go to make up an almost unique history of a county family of great parts and no little character.

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

From this reading The story of the Edgeworth Family, if it were properly told, should be as long as the ARABIAN NIGHTS themselves; the thousand and one cheerful intelligent members of the circle, the amusing friends and relations, the charming surroundings, the cheerful hospitable home, all go to make up an almost unique history of a county family of great parts and no little character.

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

From this reading The Edgeworths were people of good means and position, and their rental, we are told, amounted to nearly £3000 a year.

a social unit living together

From this reading The story of the Edgeworth Family, if it were properly told, should be as long as the ARABIAN NIGHTS themselves; the thousand and one cheerful intelligent members of the circle, the amusing friends and relations, the charming surroundings, the cheerful hospitable home, all go to make up an almost unique history of a county family of great parts and no little character.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading At one time there was some talk of a peerage for Mr. Edgeworth, but he was considered too independent for a peerage.

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

From this reading The story of the Edgeworth Family, if it were properly told, should be as long as the ARABIAN NIGHTS themselves; the thousand and one cheerful intelligent members of the circle, the amusing friends and relations, the charming surroundings, the cheerful hospitable home, all go to make up an almost unique history of a county family of great parts and no little character.

change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading The story of the Edgeworth Family, if it were properly told, should be as long as the ARABIAN NIGHTS themselves; the thousand and one cheerful intelligent members of the circle, the amusing friends and relations, the charming surroundings, the cheerful hospitable home, all go to make up an almost unique history of a county family of great parts and no little character.

having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified

From this reading The Edgeworths were people of good means and position, and their rental, we are told, amounted to nearly £3000 a year.

relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind

From this reading The story of the Edgeworth Family, if it were properly told, should be as long as the ARABIAN NIGHTS themselves; the thousand and one cheerful intelligent members of the circle, the amusing friends and relations, the charming surroundings, the cheerful hospitable home, all go to make up an almost unique history of a county family of great parts and no little character.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading With an Introduction by Anne Thackeray Ritchie Italics have been replaced by capitals.]

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

From this reading At one time there was some talk of a peerage for Mr. Edgeworth, but he was considered too independent for a peerage.

the aggregate of past events

From this reading The story of the Edgeworth Family, if it were properly told, should be as long as the ARABIAN NIGHTS themselves; the thousand and one cheerful intelligent members of the circle, the amusing friends and relations, the charming surroundings, the cheerful hospitable home, all go to make up an almost unique history of a county family of great parts and no little character.

where you live at a particular time

From this reading The story of the Edgeworth Family, if it were properly told, should be as long as the ARABIAN NIGHTS themselves; the thousand and one cheerful intelligent members of the circle, the amusing friends and relations, the charming surroundings, the cheerful hospitable home, all go to make up an almost unique history of a county family of great parts and no little character.

favorable to life and growth

From this reading The story of the Edgeworth Family, if it were properly told, should be as long as the ARABIAN NIGHTS themselves; the thousand and one cheerful intelligent members of the circle, the amusing friends and relations, the charming surroundings, the cheerful hospitable home, all go to make up an almost unique history of a county family of great parts and no little character.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading The story of the Edgeworth Family, if it were properly told, should be as long as the ARABIAN NIGHTS themselves; the thousand and one cheerful intelligent members of the circle, the amusing friends and relations, the charming surroundings, the cheerful hospitable home, all go to make up an almost unique history of a county family of great parts and no little character.

free from external control and constraint

From this reading At one time there was some talk of a peerage for Mr. Edgeworth, but he was considered too independent for a peerage.

having the capacity for thought and reason especially to a high degree

From this reading The story of the Edgeworth Family, if it were properly told, should be as long as the ARABIAN NIGHTS themselves; the thousand and one cheerful intelligent members of the circle, the amusing friends and relations, the charming surroundings, the cheerful hospitable home, all go to make up an almost unique history of a county family of great parts and no little character.

the act of beginning something new

From this reading With an Introduction by Anne Thackeray Ritchie Italics have been replaced by capitals.]

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading The story of the Edgeworth Family, if it were properly told, should be as long as the ARABIAN NIGHTS themselves; the thousand and one cheerful intelligent members of the circle, the amusing friends and relations, the charming surroundings, the cheerful hospitable home, all go to make up an almost unique history of a county family of great parts and no little character.

plural of “italic” — a style of handwriting with the letters slanting to the right

From this reading With an Introduction by Anne Thackeray Ritchie Italics have been replaced by capitals.]

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

From this reading The story of the Edgeworth Family, if it were properly told, should be as long as the ARABIAN NIGHTS themselves; the thousand and one cheerful intelligent members of the circle, the amusing friends and relations, the charming surroundings, the cheerful hospitable home, all go to make up an almost unique history of a county family of great parts and no little character.

primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified

From this reading The story of the Edgeworth Family, if it were properly told, should be as long as the ARABIAN NIGHTS themselves; the thousand and one cheerful intelligent members of the circle, the amusing friends and relations, the charming surroundings, the cheerful hospitable home, all go to make up an almost unique history of a county family of great parts and no little character.

engage in

From this reading The story of the Edgeworth Family, if it were properly told, should be as long as the ARABIAN NIGHTS themselves; the thousand and one cheerful intelligent members of the circle, the amusing friends and relations, the charming surroundings, the cheerful hospitable home, all go to make up an almost unique history of a county family of great parts and no little character.

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

From this reading The Edgeworths were people of good means and position, and their rental, we are told, amounted to nearly £3000 a year.

plural of “member” — one of the persons who compose a social group (especially individuals who have joined and participate in a group organization)

From this reading The story of the Edgeworth Family, if it were properly told, should be as long as the ARABIAN NIGHTS themselves; the thousand and one cheerful intelligent members of the circle, the amusing friends and relations, the charming surroundings, the cheerful hospitable home, all go to make up an almost unique history of a county family of great parts and no little character.

a form of address for a man

From this reading At one time there was some talk of a peerage for Mr. Edgeworth, but he was considered too independent for a peerage.

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

From this reading The Edgeworths were people of good means and position, and their rental, we are told, amounted to nearly £3000 a year.

Periods of darkness between sunset and sunrise.

From this reading The story of the Edgeworth Family, if it were properly told, should be as long as the ARABIAN NIGHTS themselves; the thousand and one cheerful intelligent members of the circle, the amusing friends and relations, the charming surroundings, the cheerful hospitable home, all go to make up an almost unique history of a county family of great parts and no little character.

not any; not one

From this reading The story of the Edgeworth Family, if it were properly told, should be as long as the ARABIAN NIGHTS themselves; the thousand and one cheerful intelligent members of the circle, the amusing friends and relations, the charming surroundings, the cheerful hospitable home, all go to make up an almost unique history of a county family of great parts and no little character.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The story of the Edgeworth Family, if it were properly told, should be as long as the ARABIAN NIGHTS themselves; the thousand and one cheerful intelligent members of the circle, the amusing friends and relations, the charming surroundings, the cheerful hospitable home, all go to make up an almost unique history of a county family of great parts and no little character.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading The story of the Edgeworth Family, if it were properly told, should be as long as the ARABIAN NIGHTS themselves; the thousand and one cheerful intelligent members of the circle, the amusing friends and relations, the charming surroundings, the cheerful hospitable home, all go to make up an almost unique history of a county family of great parts and no little character.

the local environment

From this reading The story of the Edgeworth Family, if it were properly told, should be as long as the ARABIAN NIGHTS themselves; the thousand and one cheerful intelligent members of the circle, the amusing friends and relations, the charming surroundings, the cheerful hospitable home, all go to make up an almost unique history of a county family of great parts and no little character.

the peers of a kingdom considered as a group

From this reading At one time there was some talk of a peerage for Mr. Edgeworth, but he was considered too independent for a peerage.

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

From this reading The Edgeworths were people of good means and position, and their rental, we are told, amounted to nearly £3000 a year.

the particular portion of space occupied by something

From this reading The Edgeworths were people of good means and position, and their rental, we are told, amounted to nearly £3000 a year.

in the right manner; correctly; suitably

From this reading The story of the Edgeworth Family, if it were properly told, should be as long as the ARABIAN NIGHTS themselves; the thousand and one cheerful intelligent members of the circle, the amusing friends and relations, the charming surroundings, the cheerful hospitable home, all go to make up an almost unique history of a county family of great parts and no little character.

mutual dealings or connections or communications among persons or groups

From this reading The story of the Edgeworth Family, if it were properly told, should be as long as the ARABIAN NIGHTS themselves; the thousand and one cheerful intelligent members of the circle, the amusing friends and relations, the charming surroundings, the cheerful hospitable home, all go to make up an almost unique history of a county family of great parts and no little character.

property that is leased or rented out or let

From this reading The Edgeworths were people of good means and position, and their rental, we are told, amounted to nearly £3000 a year.

past form of “replace” — substitute a person or thing for (another that is broken or inefficient or lost or no longer working or yielding what is expected)

From this reading With an Introduction by Anne Thackeray Ritchie Italics have been replaced by capitals.]

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

From this reading With an Introduction by Anne Thackeray Ritchie Italics have been replaced by capitals.]

third-person singular of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading The family tradition seems to have been unconventional and spirited always.

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading The story of the Edgeworth Family, if it were properly told, should be as long as the ARABIAN NIGHTS themselves; the thousand and one cheerful intelligent members of the circle, the amusing friends and relations, the charming surroundings, the cheerful hospitable home, all go to make up an almost unique history of a county family of great parts and no little character.

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

From this reading At one time there was some talk of a peerage for Mr. Edgeworth, but he was considered too independent for a peerage.

displaying animation, vigor, or liveliness

From this reading The family tradition seems to have been unconventional and spirited always.

a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program

From this reading The story of the Edgeworth Family, if it were properly told, should be as long as the ARABIAN NIGHTS themselves; the thousand and one cheerful intelligent members of the circle, the amusing friends and relations, the charming surroundings, the cheerful hospitable home, all go to make up an almost unique history of a county family of great parts and no little character.

the environmental condition

From this reading The story of the Edgeworth Family, if it were properly told, should be as long as the ARABIAN NIGHTS themselves; the thousand and one cheerful intelligent members of the circle, the amusing friends and relations, the charming surroundings, the cheerful hospitable home, all go to make up an almost unique history of a county family of great parts and no little character.

exchange thoughts; talk with

From this reading At one time there was some talk of a peerage for Mr. Edgeworth, but he was considered too independent for a peerage.

English writer (born in India) (1811-1863)

From this reading With an Introduction by Anne Thackeray Ritchie Italics have been replaced by capitals.]

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

From this reading The story of the Edgeworth Family, if it were properly told, should be as long as the ARABIAN NIGHTS themselves; the thousand and one cheerful intelligent members of the circle, the amusing friends and relations, the charming surroundings, the cheerful hospitable home, all go to make up an almost unique history of a county family of great parts and no little character.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading The Edgeworths were people of good means and position, and their rental, we are told, amounted to nearly £3000 a year.

used when the people doing the action are also its object

From this reading The story of the Edgeworth Family, if it were properly told, should be as long as the ARABIAN NIGHTS themselves; the thousand and one cheerful intelligent members of the circle, the amusing friends and relations, the charming surroundings, the cheerful hospitable home, all go to make up an almost unique history of a county family of great parts and no little character.

in or at that place or location

From this reading At one time there was some talk of a peerage for Mr. Edgeworth, but he was considered too independent for a peerage.

the cardinal number that is the product of 10 and 100

From this reading The story of the Edgeworth Family, if it were properly told, should be as long as the ARABIAN NIGHTS themselves; the thousand and one cheerful intelligent members of the circle, the amusing friends and relations, the charming surroundings, the cheerful hospitable home, all go to make up an almost unique history of a county family of great parts and no little character.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading At one time there was some talk of a peerage for Mr. Edgeworth, but he was considered too independent for a peerage.

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

From this reading The story of the Edgeworth Family, if it were properly told, should be as long as the ARABIAN NIGHTS themselves; the thousand and one cheerful intelligent members of the circle, the amusing friends and relations, the charming surroundings, the cheerful hospitable home, all go to make up an almost unique history of a county family of great parts and no little character.

inflected form of “tell” — express in words

From this reading The story of the Edgeworth Family, if it were properly told, should be as long as the ARABIAN NIGHTS themselves; the thousand and one cheerful intelligent members of the circle, the amusing friends and relations, the charming surroundings, the cheerful hospitable home, all go to make up an almost unique history of a county family of great parts and no little character.

to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits

From this reading At one time there was some talk of a peerage for Mr. Edgeworth, but he was considered too independent for a peerage.

an inherited pattern of thought or action

From this reading The family tradition seems to have been unconventional and spirited always.

not conforming to accepted rules or standards

From this reading The family tradition seems to have been unconventional and spirited always.

radically distinctive and without equal

From this reading The story of the Edgeworth Family, if it were properly told, should be as long as the ARABIAN NIGHTS themselves; the thousand and one cheerful intelligent members of the circle, the amusing friends and relations, the charming surroundings, the cheerful hospitable home, all go to make up an almost unique history of a county family of great parts and no little character.

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading The story of the Edgeworth Family, if it were properly told, should be as long as the ARABIAN NIGHTS themselves; the thousand and one cheerful intelligent members of the circle, the amusing friends and relations, the charming surroundings, the cheerful hospitable home, all go to make up an almost unique history of a county family of great parts and no little character.

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

From this reading At one time there was some talk of a peerage for Mr. Edgeworth, but he was considered too independent for a peerage.

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading The Edgeworths were people of good means and position, and their rental, we are told, amounted to nearly £3000 a year.

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

From this reading The story of the Edgeworth Family, if it were properly told, should be as long as the ARABIAN NIGHTS themselves; the thousand and one cheerful intelligent members of the circle, the amusing friends and relations, the charming surroundings, the cheerful hospitable home, all go to make up an almost unique history of a county family of great parts and no little character.

in the company of; together with

From this reading With an Introduction by Anne Thackeray Ritchie Italics have been replaced by capitals.]

a period of time containing 365 (or 366) days

From this reading The Edgeworths were people of good means and position, and their rental, we are told, amounted to nearly £3000 a year.