Chapter II

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

From this reading WHY AUNT JANIE CALLED Mrs. Marsh was a tall, handsome woman, several years the senior of her sister-in-law, whom she greeted in a manner which, though intended to be kindly, was more than a little patronising.

regarded with admiration

From this reading He was looking at his aunt's carriage a trifle enviously, and thinking he would like the situation of coachman so as to drive the beautiful horses he so greatly admired.

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

From this reading She kissed her niece and nephew, and then seated herself in an easy chair near the fire, whilst the children withdrew to the window to watch for their father's arrival.

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

From this reading She kissed her niece and nephew, and then seated herself in an easy chair near the fire, whilst the children withdrew to the window to watch for their father's arrival.

accomplishment of an objective

From this reading She kissed her niece and nephew, and then seated herself in an easy chair near the fire, whilst the children withdrew to the window to watch for their father's arrival.

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

From this reading He was looking at his aunt's carriage a trifle enviously, and thinking he would like the situation of coachman so as to drive the beautiful horses he so greatly admired.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading He was looking at his aunt's carriage a trifle enviously, and thinking he would like the situation of coachman so as to drive the beautiful horses he so greatly admired.

the sister of your father or mother; the wife of your uncle

From this reading WHY AUNT JANIE CALLED Mrs. Marsh was a tall, handsome woman, several years the senior of her sister-in-law, whom she greeted in a manner which, though intended to be kindly, was more than a little patronising.

possessive form of “aunt” — the sister of your father or mother; the wife of your uncle

From this reading He was looking at his aunt's carriage a trifle enviously, and thinking he would like the situation of coachman so as to drive the beautiful horses he so greatly admired.

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

From this reading WHY AUNT JANIE CALLED Mrs. Marsh was a tall, handsome woman, several years the senior of her sister-in-law, whom she greeted in a manner which, though intended to be kindly, was more than a little patronising.

delighting the senses or exciting intellectual or emotional admiration

From this reading He was looking at his aunt's carriage a trifle enviously, and thinking he would like the situation of coachman so as to drive the beautiful horses he so greatly admired.

accept as true; take to be true

From this reading "I don't believe she has come to complain of you, Roger," whispered Polly, "for she called you 'my dear.'"

past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading WHY AUNT JANIE CALLED Mrs. Marsh was a tall, handsome woman, several years the senior of her sister-in-law, whom she greeted in a manner which, though intended to be kindly, was more than a little patronising.

a railcar where passengers ride

From this reading He was looking at his aunt's carriage a trifle enviously, and thinking he would like the situation of coachman so as to drive the beautiful horses he so greatly admired.

a seat for one person, with a support for the back

From this reading She kissed her niece and nephew, and then seated herself in an easy chair near the fire, whilst the children withdrew to the window to watch for their father's arrival.

plural of “child” — a young person of either sex

From this reading She kissed her niece and nephew, and then seated herself in an easy chair near the fire, whilst the children withdrew to the window to watch for their father's arrival.

a man who drives a coach (or carriage)

From this reading He was looking at his aunt's carriage a trifle enviously, and thinking he would like the situation of coachman so as to drive the beautiful horses he so greatly admired.

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

From this reading "I don't believe she has come to complain of you, Roger," whispered Polly, "for she called you 'my dear.'"

express complaints, discontent, displeasure, or unhappiness

From this reading "I don't believe she has come to complain of you, Roger," whispered Polly, "for she called you 'my dear.'"

dearly loved

From this reading "I don't believe she has come to complain of you, Roger," whispered Polly, "for she called you 'my dear.'"

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

From this reading "I don't believe she has come to complain of you, Roger," whispered Polly, "for she called you 'my dear.'"

operate or control a vehicle

From this reading He was looking at his aunt's carriage a trifle enviously, and thinking he would like the situation of coachman so as to drive the beautiful horses he so greatly admired.

posing no difficulty; requiring little effort

From this reading She kissed her niece and nephew, and then seated herself in an easy chair near the fire, whilst the children withdrew to the window to watch for their father's arrival.

with jealousy; in an envious manner

From this reading He was looking at his aunt's carriage a trifle enviously, and thinking he would like the situation of coachman so as to drive the beautiful horses he so greatly admired.

possessive form of “father” — a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)

From this reading She kissed her niece and nephew, and then seated herself in an easy chair near the fire, whilst the children withdrew to the window to watch for their father's arrival.

start firing a weapon

From this reading She kissed her niece and nephew, and then seated herself in an easy chair near the fire, whilst the children withdrew to the window to watch for their father's arrival.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading She kissed her niece and nephew, and then seated herself in an easy chair near the fire, whilst the children withdrew to the window to watch for their father's arrival.

to an extraordinary extent or degree

From this reading He was looking at his aunt's carriage a trifle enviously, and thinking he would like the situation of coachman so as to drive the beautiful horses he so greatly admired.

past form of “greet” — express greetings upon meeting someone

From this reading WHY AUNT JANIE CALLED Mrs. Marsh was a tall, handsome woman, several years the senior of her sister-in-law, whom she greeted in a manner which, though intended to be kindly, was more than a little patronising.

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

From this reading WHY AUNT JANIE CALLED Mrs. Marsh was a tall, handsome woman, several years the senior of her sister-in-law, whom she greeted in a manner which, though intended to be kindly, was more than a little patronising.

the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading "I don't believe she has come to complain of you, Roger," whispered Polly, "for she called you 'my dear.'"

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

From this reading He was looking at his aunt's carriage a trifle enviously, and thinking he would like the situation of coachman so as to drive the beautiful horses he so greatly admired.

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

From this reading WHY AUNT JANIE CALLED Mrs. Marsh was a tall, handsome woman, several years the senior of her sister-in-law, whom she greeted in a manner which, though intended to be kindly, was more than a little patronising.

used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object

From this reading She kissed her niece and nephew, and then seated herself in an easy chair near the fire, whilst the children withdrew to the window to watch for their father's arrival.

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

From this reading He was looking at his aunt's carriage a trifle enviously, and thinking he would like the situation of coachman so as to drive the beautiful horses he so greatly admired.

plural of “horse” — solid-hoofed herbivorous quadruped domesticated since prehistoric times

From this reading He was looking at his aunt's carriage a trifle enviously, and thinking he would like the situation of coachman so as to drive the beautiful horses he so greatly admired.

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading "I don't believe she has come to complain of you, Roger," whispered Polly, "for she called you 'my dear.'"

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

From this reading WHY AUNT JANIE CALLED Mrs. Marsh was a tall, handsome woman, several years the senior of her sister-in-law, whom she greeted in a manner which, though intended to be kindly, was more than a little patronising.

resulting from one's intentions

From this reading WHY AUNT JANIE CALLED Mrs. Marsh was a tall, handsome woman, several years the senior of her sister-in-law, whom she greeted in a manner which, though intended to be kindly, was more than a little patronising.

to a high degree; extremely; in high concentration or density

From this reading Roger nodded, intensely relieved in mind.

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

From this reading WHY AUNT JANIE CALLED Mrs. Marsh was a tall, handsome woman, several years the senior of her sister-in-law, whom she greeted in a manner which, though intended to be kindly, was more than a little patronising.

showing or motivated by sympathy and understanding and generosity

From this reading WHY AUNT JANIE CALLED Mrs. Marsh was a tall, handsome woman, several years the senior of her sister-in-law, whom she greeted in a manner which, though intended to be kindly, was more than a little patronising.

past form of “kiss” — touch with the lips or press the lips (against someone's mouth or other body part) as an expression of love, greeting, etc.

From this reading She kissed her niece and nephew, and then seated herself in an easy chair near the fire, whilst the children withdrew to the window to watch for their father's arrival.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading He was looking at his aunt's carriage a trifle enviously, and thinking he would like the situation of coachman so as to drive the beautiful horses he so greatly admired.

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

From this reading WHY AUNT JANIE CALLED Mrs. Marsh was a tall, handsome woman, several years the senior of her sister-in-law, whom she greeted in a manner which, though intended to be kindly, was more than a little patronising.

the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually

From this reading He was looking at his aunt's carriage a trifle enviously, and thinking he would like the situation of coachman so as to drive the beautiful horses he so greatly admired.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading WHY AUNT JANIE CALLED Mrs. Marsh was a tall, handsome woman, several years the senior of her sister-in-law, whom she greeted in a manner which, though intended to be kindly, was more than a little patronising.

low-lying wet land with grassy vegetation; usually is a transition zone between land and water

From this reading WHY AUNT JANIE CALLED Mrs. Marsh was a tall, handsome woman, several years the senior of her sister-in-law, whom she greeted in a manner which, though intended to be kindly, was more than a little patronising.

The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.

From this reading Roger nodded, intensely relieved in mind.

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading WHY AUNT JANIE CALLED Mrs. Marsh was a tall, handsome woman, several years the senior of her sister-in-law, whom she greeted in a manner which, though intended to be kindly, was more than a little patronising.

a form of address for a married woman

From this reading WHY AUNT JANIE CALLED Mrs. Marsh was a tall, handsome woman, several years the senior of her sister-in-law, whom she greeted in a manner which, though intended to be kindly, was more than a little patronising.

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading "I don't believe she has come to complain of you, Roger," whispered Polly, "for she called you 'my dear.'"

near in time or place or relationship

From this reading She kissed her niece and nephew, and then seated herself in an easy chair near the fire, whilst the children withdrew to the window to watch for their father's arrival.

a son of your brother or sister

From this reading She kissed her niece and nephew, and then seated herself in an easy chair near the fire, whilst the children withdrew to the window to watch for their father's arrival.

a daughter of your brother or sister

From this reading She kissed her niece and nephew, and then seated herself in an easy chair near the fire, whilst the children withdrew to the window to watch for their father's arrival.

inflected form of “nod” — express or signify by nodding

From this reading Roger nodded, intensely relieved in mind.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading WHY AUNT JANIE CALLED Mrs. Marsh was a tall, handsome woman, several years the senior of her sister-in-law, whom she greeted in a manner which, though intended to be kindly, was more than a little patronising.

(used of behavior or attitude) characteristic of those who treat others with condescension

From this reading WHY AUNT JANIE CALLED Mrs. Marsh was a tall, handsome woman, several years the senior of her sister-in-law, whom she greeted in a manner which, though intended to be kindly, was more than a little patronising.

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

From this reading "I don't believe she has come to complain of you, Roger," whispered Polly, "for she called you 'my dear.'"

(of pain or sorrow) made easier to bear

From this reading Roger nodded, intensely relieved in mind.

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

From this reading "I don't believe she has come to complain of you, Roger," whispered Polly, "for she called you 'my dear.'"

(of persons) having the torso erect and legs bent with the body supported on the buttocks

From this reading She kissed her niece and nephew, and then seated herself in an easy chair near the fire, whilst the children withdrew to the window to watch for their father's arrival.

older; higher in rank; longer in length of tenure or service

From this reading WHY AUNT JANIE CALLED Mrs. Marsh was a tall, handsome woman, several years the senior of her sister-in-law, whom she greeted in a manner which, though intended to be kindly, was more than a little patronising.

(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many

From this reading WHY AUNT JANIE CALLED Mrs. Marsh was a tall, handsome woman, several years the senior of her sister-in-law, whom she greeted in a manner which, though intended to be kindly, was more than a little patronising.

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

From this reading WHY AUNT JANIE CALLED Mrs. Marsh was a tall, handsome woman, several years the senior of her sister-in-law, whom she greeted in a manner which, though intended to be kindly, was more than a little patronising.

the sister of your spouse

From this reading WHY AUNT JANIE CALLED Mrs. Marsh was a tall, handsome woman, several years the senior of her sister-in-law, whom she greeted in a manner which, though intended to be kindly, was more than a little patronising.

the general state of things; the combination of circumstances at a given time

From this reading He was looking at his aunt's carriage a trifle enviously, and thinking he would like the situation of coachman so as to drive the beautiful horses he so greatly admired.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading He was looking at his aunt's carriage a trifle enviously, and thinking he would like the situation of coachman so as to drive the beautiful horses he so greatly admired.

great in vertical dimension; high in stature

From this reading WHY AUNT JANIE CALLED Mrs. Marsh was a tall, handsome woman, several years the senior of her sister-in-law, whom she greeted in a manner which, though intended to be kindly, was more than a little patronising.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading WHY AUNT JANIE CALLED Mrs. Marsh was a tall, handsome woman, several years the senior of her sister-in-law, whom she greeted in a manner which, though intended to be kindly, was more than a little patronising.

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

From this reading WHY AUNT JANIE CALLED Mrs. Marsh was a tall, handsome woman, several years the senior of her sister-in-law, whom she greeted in a manner which, though intended to be kindly, was more than a little patronising.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading She kissed her niece and nephew, and then seated herself in an easy chair near the fire, whilst the children withdrew to the window to watch for their father's arrival.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading She kissed her niece and nephew, and then seated herself in an easy chair near the fire, whilst the children withdrew to the window to watch for their father's arrival.

the process of using your mind to consider something carefully

From this reading He was looking at his aunt's carriage a trifle enviously, and thinking he would like the situation of coachman so as to drive the beautiful horses he so greatly admired.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading WHY AUNT JANIE CALLED Mrs. Marsh was a tall, handsome woman, several years the senior of her sister-in-law, whom she greeted in a manner which, though intended to be kindly, was more than a little patronising.

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

From this reading WHY AUNT JANIE CALLED Mrs. Marsh was a tall, handsome woman, several years the senior of her sister-in-law, whom she greeted in a manner which, though intended to be kindly, was more than a little patronising.

a cold pudding made of layers of sponge cake spread with fruit or jelly; may be decorated with nuts, cream, or chocolate

From this reading He was looking at his aunt's carriage a trifle enviously, and thinking he would like the situation of coachman so as to drive the beautiful horses he so greatly admired.

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

From this reading WHY AUNT JANIE CALLED Mrs. Marsh was a tall, handsome woman, several years the senior of her sister-in-law, whom she greeted in a manner which, though intended to be kindly, was more than a little patronising.

look attentively

From this reading She kissed her niece and nephew, and then seated herself in an easy chair near the fire, whilst the children withdrew to the window to watch for their father's arrival.

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

From this reading WHY AUNT JANIE CALLED Mrs. Marsh was a tall, handsome woman, several years the senior of her sister-in-law, whom she greeted in a manner which, though intended to be kindly, was more than a little patronising.

an old and formal word for “while”

From this reading She kissed her niece and nephew, and then seated herself in an easy chair near the fire, whilst the children withdrew to the window to watch for their father's arrival.

spoken in soft hushed tones without vibrations of the vocal cords

From this reading "I don't believe she has come to complain of you, Roger," whispered Polly, "for she called you 'my dear.'"

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

From this reading WHY AUNT JANIE CALLED Mrs. Marsh was a tall, handsome woman, several years the senior of her sister-in-law, whom she greeted in a manner which, though intended to be kindly, was more than a little patronising.

the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”

From this reading WHY AUNT JANIE CALLED Mrs. Marsh was a tall, handsome woman, several years the senior of her sister-in-law, whom she greeted in a manner which, though intended to be kindly, was more than a little patronising.

a framework of wood or metal that contains a glass windowpane and is built into a wall or roof to admit light or air

From this reading She kissed her niece and nephew, and then seated herself in an easy chair near the fire, whilst the children withdrew to the window to watch for their father's arrival.

inflected form of “withdraw” — pull back or move away or backward

From this reading She kissed her niece and nephew, and then seated herself in an easy chair near the fire, whilst the children withdrew to the window to watch for their father's arrival.

an adult female person (as opposed to a man)

From this reading WHY AUNT JANIE CALLED Mrs. Marsh was a tall, handsome woman, several years the senior of her sister-in-law, whom she greeted in a manner which, though intended to be kindly, was more than a little patronising.

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

From this reading He was looking at his aunt's carriage a trifle enviously, and thinking he would like the situation of coachman so as to drive the beautiful horses he so greatly admired.

a late time of life

From this reading WHY AUNT JANIE CALLED Mrs. Marsh was a tall, handsome woman, several years the senior of her sister-in-law, whom she greeted in a manner which, though intended to be kindly, was more than a little patronising.

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading "I don't believe she has come to complain of you, Roger," whispered Polly, "for she called you 'my dear.'"