Chapter XXXVI

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

From this reading If Mr. Sharp could only have believed that his son was now a man, or at least should be treated as though he were; and if after that the too active lawyer could only have conceived it possible that some things might go on all the better without him; it is likely enough that his righteous and gallant devices would have sped more easily.

tending to become more severe or wider in scope

From this reading If Mr. Sharp could only have believed that his son was now a man, or at least should be treated as though he were; and if after that the too active lawyer could only have conceived it possible that some things might go on all the better without him; it is likely enough that his righteous and gallant devices would have sped more easily.

later than; following

From this reading If Mr. Sharp could only have believed that his son was now a man, or at least should be treated as though he were; and if after that the too active lawyer could only have conceived it possible that some things might go on all the better without him; it is likely enough that his righteous and gallant devices would have sped more easily.

(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 If Mr. Sharp could only have believed that his son was now a man, or at least should be treated as though he were; and if after that the too active lawyer could only have conceived it possible that some things might go on all the better without him; it is likely enough that his righteous and gallant devices would have sped more easily.

at all times; all the time and on every occasion

From this reading And he cared not to hide his large contempt for the intellect of Christopher, or the grievance which he had always felt--at being the father of a donkey.

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

From this reading Meanwhile, at Cross Duck House, ever since that interview of the morning, things were becoming, from hour to hour, more critical and threatening.

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

From this reading If Mr. Sharp could only have believed that his son was now a man, or at least should be treated as though he were; and if after that the too active lawyer could only have conceived it possible that some things might go on all the better without him; it is likely enough that his righteous and gallant devices would have sped more easily.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Meanwhile, at Cross Duck House, ever since that interview of the morning, things were becoming, from hour to hour, more critical and threatening.

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

From this reading If Mr. Sharp could only have believed that his son was now a man, or at least should be treated as though he were; and if after that the too active lawyer could only have conceived it possible that some things might go on all the better without him; it is likely enough that his righteous and gallant devices would have sped more easily.

according with custom or propriety

From this reading Meanwhile, at Cross Duck House, ever since that interview of the morning, things were becoming, from hour to hour, more critical and threatening.

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading And he cared not to hide his large contempt for the intellect of Christopher, or the grievance which he had always felt--at being the father of a donkey.

past form of “believe” — accept as true; take to be true

From this reading If Mr. Sharp could only have believed that his son was now a man, or at least should be treated as though he were; and if after that the too active lawyer could only have conceived it possible that some things might go on all the better without him; it is likely enough that his righteous and gallant devices would have sped more easily.

(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another

From this reading If Mr. Sharp could only have believed that his son was now a man, or at least should be treated as though he were; and if after that the too active lawyer could only have conceived it possible that some things might go on all the better without him; it is likely enough that his righteous and gallant devices would have sped more easily.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But Luke Sharp had governed his own little world so long that he scarcely could imagine serious rebellion.

past form of “care” — feel concern or interest

From this reading And he cared not to hide his large contempt for the intellect of Christopher, or the grievance which he had always felt--at being the father of a donkey.

Christian martyr and patron saint of travellers (3rd century)

From this reading And he cared not to hide his large contempt for the intellect of Christopher, or the grievance which he had always felt--at being the father of a donkey.

past form of “conceive” — have the idea for

From this reading If Mr. Sharp could only have believed that his son was now a man, or at least should be treated as though he were; and if after that the too active lawyer could only have conceived it possible that some things might go on all the better without him; it is likely enough that his righteous and gallant devices would have sped more easily.

lack of respect accompanied by a feeling of intense dislike

From this reading And he cared not to hide his large contempt for the intellect of Christopher, or the grievance which he had always felt--at being the father of a donkey.

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading If Mr. Sharp could only have believed that his son was now a man, or at least should be treated as though he were; and if after that the too active lawyer could only have conceived it possible that some things might go on all the better without him; it is likely enough that his righteous and gallant devices would have sped more easily.

marked by a tendency to find and call attention to errors and flaws

From this reading Meanwhile, at Cross Duck House, ever since that interview of the morning, things were becoming, from hour to hour, more critical and threatening.

travel across or pass over

From this reading Meanwhile, at Cross Duck House, ever since that interview of the morning, things were becoming, from hour to hour, more critical and threatening.

an inclination or desire; used in the plural in the phrase “left to your own devices”

From this reading If Mr. Sharp could only have believed that his son was now a man, or at least should be treated as though he were; and if after that the too active lawyer could only have conceived it possible that some things might go on all the better without him; it is likely enough that his righteous and gallant devices would have sped more easily.

the symbol of the Democratic Party; introduced in cartoons by Thomas Nast in 1874

From this reading And he cared not to hide his large contempt for the intellect of Christopher, or the grievance which he had always felt--at being the father of a donkey.

to move (the head or body) quickly downwards or away

From this reading Meanwhile, at Cross Duck House, ever since that interview of the morning, things were becoming, from hour to hour, more critical and threatening.

with ease (“easy” is sometimes used informally for “easily”)

From this reading If Mr. Sharp could only have believed that his son was now a man, or at least should be treated as though he were; and if after that the too active lawyer could only have conceived it possible that some things might go on all the better without him; it is likely enough that his righteous and gallant devices would have sped more easily.

an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose

From this reading If Mr. Sharp could only have believed that his son was now a man, or at least should be treated as though he were; and if after that the too active lawyer could only have conceived it possible that some things might go on all the better without him; it is likely enough that his righteous and gallant devices would have sped more easily.

a wrong action attributable to bad judgment or ignorance or inattention

From this reading FEMININE ERROR.

at any time

From this reading Meanwhile, at Cross Duck House, ever since that interview of the morning, things were becoming, from hour to hour, more critical and threatening.

a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)

From this reading And he cared not to hide his large contempt for the intellect of Christopher, or the grievance which he had always felt--at being the father of a donkey.

mat together and make felt-like

From this reading And he cared not to hide his large contempt for the intellect of Christopher, or the grievance which he had always felt--at being the father of a donkey.

associated with women and not with men

From this reading FEMININE ERROR.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading And he cared not to hide his large contempt for the intellect of Christopher, or the grievance which he had always felt--at being the father of a donkey.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Meanwhile, at Cross Duck House, ever since that interview of the morning, things were becoming, from hour to hour, more critical and threatening.

unflinching in battle or action

From this reading If Mr. Sharp could only have believed that his son was now a man, or at least should be treated as though he were; and if after that the too active lawyer could only have conceived it possible that some things might go on all the better without him; it is likely enough that his righteous and gallant devices would have sped more easily.

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

From this reading If Mr. Sharp could only have believed that his son was now a man, or at least should be treated as though he were; and if after that the too active lawyer could only have conceived it possible that some things might go on all the better without him; it is likely enough that his righteous and gallant devices would have sped more easily.

the body of people who are citizens of a particular government

From this reading But Luke Sharp had governed his own little world so long that he scarcely could imagine serious rebellion.

a resentment strong enough to justify retaliation

From this reading And he cared not to hide his large contempt for the intellect of Christopher, or the grievance which he had always felt--at being the father of a donkey.

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

From this reading But Luke Sharp had governed his own little world so long that he scarcely could imagine serious rebellion.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading If Mr. Sharp could only have believed that his son was now a man, or at least should be treated as though he were; and if after that the too active lawyer could only have conceived it possible that some things might go on all the better without him; it is likely enough that his righteous and gallant devices would have sped more easily.

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

From this reading If Mr. Sharp could only have believed that his son was now a man, or at least should be treated as though he were; and if after that the too active lawyer could only have conceived it possible that some things might go on all the better without him; it is likely enough that his righteous and gallant devices would have sped more easily.

prevent from being seen or discovered

From this reading And he cared not to hide his large contempt for the intellect of Christopher, or the grievance which he had always felt--at being the father of a donkey.

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading If Mr. Sharp could only have believed that his son was now a man, or at least should be treated as though he were; and if after that the too active lawyer could only have conceived it possible that some things might go on all the better without him; it is likely enough that his righteous and gallant devices would have sped more easily.

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

From this reading If Mr. Sharp could only have believed that his son was now a man, or at least should be treated as though he were; and if after that the too active lawyer could only have conceived it possible that some things might go on all the better without him; it is likely enough that his righteous and gallant devices would have sped more easily.

a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day

From this reading Meanwhile, at Cross Duck House, ever since that interview of the morning, things were becoming, from hour to hour, more critical and threatening.

a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families

From this reading Meanwhile, at Cross Duck House, ever since that interview of the morning, things were becoming, from hour to hour, more critical and threatening.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading If Mr. Sharp could only have believed that his son was now a man, or at least should be treated as though he were; and if after that the too active lawyer could only have conceived it possible that some things might go on all the better without him; it is likely enough that his righteous and gallant devices would have sped more easily.

form a mental image of something that is not present or that is not the case

From this reading But Luke Sharp had governed his own little world so long that he scarcely could imagine serious rebellion.

knowledge and intellectual ability

From this reading And he cared not to hide his large contempt for the intellect of Christopher, or the grievance which he had always felt--at being the father of a donkey.

conduct an interview in television, newspaper, and radio reporting

From this reading Meanwhile, at Cross Duck House, ever since that interview of the morning, things were becoming, from hour to hour, more critical and threatening.

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

From this reading If Mr. Sharp could only have believed that his son was now a man, or at least should be treated as though he were; and if after that the too active lawyer could only have conceived it possible that some things might go on all the better without him; it is likely enough that his righteous and gallant devices would have sped more easily.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading If Mr. Sharp could only have believed that his son was now a man, or at least should be treated as though he were; and if after that the too active lawyer could only have conceived it possible that some things might go on all the better without him; it is likely enough that his righteous and gallant devices would have sped more easily.

above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading And he cared not to hide his large contempt for the intellect of Christopher, or the grievance which he had always felt--at being the father of a donkey.

a professional person authorized to practice law; conducts lawsuits or gives legal advice

From this reading If Mr. Sharp could only have believed that his son was now a man, or at least should be treated as though he were; and if after that the too active lawyer could only have conceived it possible that some things might go on all the better without him; it is likely enough that his righteous and gallant devices would have sped more easily.

the superlative of “little” that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by “the”; a quantifier meaning smallest in amount or extent or degree

From this reading If Mr. Sharp could only have believed that his son was now a man, or at least should be treated as though he were; and if after that the too active lawyer could only have conceived it possible that some things might go on all the better without him; it is likely enough that his righteous and gallant devices would have sped more easily.

has a good chance of being the case or of coming about

From this reading If Mr. Sharp could only have believed that his son was now a man, or at least should be treated as though he were; and if after that the too active lawyer could only have conceived it possible that some things might go on all the better without him; it is likely enough that his righteous and gallant devices would have sped more easily.

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

From this reading But Luke Sharp had governed his own little world so long that he scarcely could imagine serious rebellion.

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 But Luke Sharp had governed his own little world so long that he scarcely could imagine serious rebellion.

(New Testament) the Apostle closely associated with St. Paul and traditionally assumed to be the author of the third Gospel

From this reading But Luke Sharp had governed his own little world so long that he scarcely could imagine serious rebellion.

an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

From this reading If Mr. Sharp could only have believed that his son was now a man, or at least should be treated as though he were; and if after that the too active lawyer could only have conceived it possible that some things might go on all the better without him; it is likely enough that his righteous and gallant devices would have sped more easily.

at the same time but in another place

From this reading Meanwhile, at Cross Duck House, ever since that interview of the morning, things were becoming, from hour to hour, more critical and threatening.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading If Mr. Sharp could only have believed that his son was now a man, or at least should be treated as though he were; and if after that the too active lawyer could only have conceived it possible that some things might go on all the better without him; it is likely enough that his righteous and gallant devices would have sped more easily.

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

From this reading Meanwhile, at Cross Duck House, ever since that interview of the morning, things were becoming, from hour to hour, more critical and threatening.

the time period between dawn and noon

From this reading Meanwhile, at Cross Duck House, ever since that interview of the morning, things were becoming, from hour to hour, more critical and threatening.

a form of address for a man

From this reading If Mr. Sharp could only have believed that his son was now a man, or at least should be treated as though he were; and if after that the too active lawyer could only have conceived it possible that some things might go on all the better without him; it is likely enough that his righteous and gallant devices would have sped more easily.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading And he cared not to hide his large contempt for the intellect of Christopher, or the grievance which he had always felt--at being the father of a donkey.

in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events

From this reading If Mr. Sharp could only have believed that his son was now a man, or at least should be treated as though he were; and if after that the too active lawyer could only have conceived it possible that some things might go on all the better without him; it is likely enough that his righteous and gallant devices would have sped more easily.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Meanwhile, at Cross Duck House, ever since that interview of the morning, things were becoming, from hour to hour, more critical and threatening.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading If Mr. Sharp could only have believed that his son was now a man, or at least should be treated as though he were; and if after that the too active lawyer could only have conceived it possible that some things might go on all the better without him; it is likely enough that his righteous and gallant devices would have sped more easily.

and nothing more

From this reading If Mr. Sharp could only have believed that his son was now a man, or at least should be treated as though he were; and if after that the too active lawyer could only have conceived it possible that some things might go on all the better without him; it is likely enough that his righteous and gallant devices would have sped more easily.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading If Mr. Sharp could only have believed that his son was now a man, or at least should be treated as though he were; and if after that the too active lawyer could only have conceived it possible that some things might go on all the better without him; it is likely enough that his righteous and gallant devices would have sped more easily.

have ownership or possession of

From this reading But Luke Sharp had governed his own little world so long that he scarcely could imagine serious rebellion.

capable of happening or existing

From this reading If Mr. Sharp could only have believed that his son was now a man, or at least should be treated as though he were; and if after that the too active lawyer could only have conceived it possible that some things might go on all the better without him; it is likely enough that his righteous and gallant devices would have sped more easily.

refusal to accept some authority or code or convention

From this reading But Luke Sharp had governed his own little world so long that he scarcely could imagine serious rebellion.

characterized by or proceeding from accepted standards of morality or justice

From this reading If Mr. Sharp could only have believed that his son was now a man, or at least should be treated as though he were; and if after that the too active lawyer could only have conceived it possible that some things might go on all the better without him; it is likely enough that his righteous and gallant devices would have sped more easily.

only a very short time before

From this reading But Luke Sharp had governed his own little world so long that he scarcely could imagine serious rebellion.

concerned with work or important matters rather than play or trivialities

From this reading But Luke Sharp had governed his own little world so long that he scarcely could imagine serious rebellion.

(of something seen or heard) clearly defined

From this reading If Mr. Sharp could only have believed that his son was now a man, or at least should be treated as though he were; and if after that the too active lawyer could only have conceived it possible that some things might go on all the better without him; it is likely enough that his righteous and gallant devices would have sped more easily.

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading If Mr. Sharp could only have believed that his son was now a man, or at least should be treated as though he were; and if after that the too active lawyer could only have conceived it possible that some things might go on all the better without him; it is likely enough that his righteous and gallant devices would have sped more easily.

from a time in the past until now

From this reading Meanwhile, at Cross Duck House, ever since that interview of the morning, things were becoming, from hour to hour, more critical and threatening.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading But Luke Sharp had governed his own little world so long that he scarcely could imagine serious rebellion.

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

From this reading If Mr. Sharp could only have believed that his son was now a man, or at least should be treated as though he were; and if after that the too active lawyer could only have conceived it possible that some things might go on all the better without him; it is likely enough that his righteous and gallant devices would have sped more easily.

a male human offspring

From this reading If Mr. Sharp could only have believed that his son was now a man, or at least should be treated as though he were; and if after that the too active lawyer could only have conceived it possible that some things might go on all the better without him; it is likely enough that his righteous and gallant devices would have sped more easily.

inflected form of “speed” — move hurridly

From this reading If Mr. Sharp could only have believed that his son was now a man, or at least should be treated as though he were; and if after that the too active lawyer could only have conceived it possible that some things might go on all the better without him; it is likely enough that his righteous and gallant devices would have sped more easily.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Meanwhile, at Cross Duck House, ever since that interview of the morning, things were becoming, from hour to hour, more critical and threatening.

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

From this reading Meanwhile, at Cross Duck House, ever since that interview of the morning, things were becoming, from hour to hour, more critical and threatening.

any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)

From this reading Meanwhile, at Cross Duck House, ever since that interview of the morning, things were becoming, from hour to hour, more critical and threatening.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading If Mr. Sharp could only have believed that his son was now a man, or at least should be treated as though he were; and if after that the too active lawyer could only have conceived it possible that some things might go on all the better without him; it is likely enough that his righteous and gallant devices would have sped more easily.

threatening or foreshadowing evil or tragic developments

From this reading Meanwhile, at Cross Duck House, ever since that interview of the morning, things were becoming, from hour to hour, more critical and threatening.

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

From this reading Meanwhile, at Cross Duck House, ever since that interview of the morning, things were becoming, from hour to hour, more critical and threatening.

to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits

From this reading If Mr. Sharp could only have believed that his son was now a man, or at least should be treated as though he were; and if after that the too active lawyer could only have conceived it possible that some things might go on all the better without him; it is likely enough that his righteous and gallant devices would have sped more easily.

subjected to a physical (or chemical) treatment or action or agent

From this reading If Mr. Sharp could only have believed that his son was now a man, or at least should be treated as though he were; and if after that the too active lawyer could only have conceived it possible that some things might go on all the better without him; it is likely enough that his righteous and gallant devices would have sped more easily.

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

From this reading If Mr. Sharp could only have believed that his son was now a man, or at least should be treated as though he were; and if after that the too active lawyer could only have conceived it possible that some things might go on all the better without him; it is likely enough that his righteous and gallant devices would have sped more easily.

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

From this reading Meanwhile, at Cross Duck House, ever since that interview of the morning, things were becoming, from hour to hour, more critical and threatening.

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

From this reading And he cared not to hide his large contempt for the intellect of Christopher, or the grievance which he had always felt--at being the father of a donkey.

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading If Mr. Sharp could only have believed that his son was now a man, or at least should be treated as though he were; and if after that the too active lawyer could only have conceived it possible that some things might go on all the better without him; it is likely enough that his righteous and gallant devices would have sped more easily.

everything that exists anywhere

From this reading But Luke Sharp had governed his own little world so long that he scarcely could imagine serious rebellion.

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

From this reading If Mr. Sharp could only have believed that his son was now a man, or at least should be treated as though he were; and if after that the too active lawyer could only have conceived it possible that some things might go on all the better without him; it is likely enough that his righteous and gallant devices would have sped more easily.