Chapter XVII · Chapter 17

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

From this reading Pamela, who seemed lightly, and as it were casually, to swing a key to the door against which Neville, among many others, beat; Pamela, going about her work, keen, debonair and detached, ironic, cool and quiet, responsive to life and yet a thought disdainful of it, lightly holding and easily renouncing; the world's lover, yet not its servant, her foot at times carelessly on its neck to prove her power over it--Pamela said blandly to Grandmama, when the old lady commented one day on her admirable composure, "Life's so short, you see.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading Pamela, who seemed lightly, and as it were casually, to swing a key to the door against which Neville, among many others, beat; Pamela, going about her work, keen, debonair and detached, ironic, cool and quiet, responsive to life and yet a thought disdainful of it, lightly holding and easily renouncing; the world's lover, yet not its servant, her foot at times carelessly on its neck to prove her power over it--Pamela said blandly to Grandmama, when the old lady commented one day on her admirable composure, "Life's so short, you see.

deserving of the highest esteem or admiration

From this reading Pamela, who seemed lightly, and as it were casually, to swing a key to the door against which Neville, among many others, beat; Pamela, going about her work, keen, debonair and detached, ironic, cool and quiet, responsive to life and yet a thought disdainful of it, lightly holding and easily renouncing; the world's lover, yet not its servant, her foot at times carelessly on its neck to prove her power over it--Pamela said blandly to Grandmama, when the old lady commented one day on her admirable composure, "Life's so short, you see.

later than; following

From this reading THE KEY Not Grandmama's and not Neville's should be, after all, the last word, but Pamela's.

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading Pamela, who seemed lightly, and as it were casually, to swing a key to the door against which Neville, among many others, beat; Pamela, going about her work, keen, debonair and detached, ironic, cool and quiet, responsive to life and yet a thought disdainful of it, lightly holding and easily renouncing; the world's lover, yet not its servant, her foot at times carelessly on its neck to prove her power over it--Pamela said blandly to Grandmama, when the old lady commented one day on her admirable composure, "Life's so short, you see.

how long something has existed

From this reading You've no business with it at your age, child."

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

From this reading "Ah," said Grandmama, "that's been my philosophy for ten years ... only ten years.

(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 KEY Not Grandmama's and not Neville's should be, after all, the last word, but Pamela's.

surrounded by; in the middle of a group

From this reading Pamela, who seemed lightly, and as it were casually, to swing a key to the door against which Neville, among many others, beat; Pamela, going about her work, keen, debonair and detached, ironic, cool and quiet, responsive to life and yet a thought disdainful of it, lightly holding and easily renouncing; the world's lover, yet not its servant, her foot at times carelessly on its neck to prove her power over it--Pamela said blandly to Grandmama, when the old lady commented one day on her admirable composure, "Life's so short, you see.

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

From this reading THE KEY Not Grandmama's and not Neville's should be, after all, the last word, but Pamela's.

any thing at all

From this reading Can anything which lasts such a little while be worth making a fuss about?"

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

From this reading Pamela, who seemed lightly, and as it were casually, to swing a key to the door against which Neville, among many others, beat; Pamela, going about her work, keen, debonair and detached, ironic, cool and quiet, responsive to life and yet a thought disdainful of it, lightly holding and easily renouncing; the world's lover, yet not its servant, her foot at times carelessly on its neck to prove her power over it--Pamela said blandly to Grandmama, when the old lady commented one day on her admirable composure, "Life's so short, you see.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Pamela, who seemed lightly, and as it were casually, to swing a key to the door against which Neville, among many others, beat; Pamela, going about her work, keen, debonair and detached, ironic, cool and quiet, responsive to life and yet a thought disdainful of it, lightly holding and easily renouncing; the world's lover, yet not its servant, her foot at times carelessly on its neck to prove her power over it--Pamela said blandly to Grandmama, when the old lady commented one day on her admirable composure, "Life's so short, you see.

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

From this reading THE KEY Not Grandmama's and not Neville's should be, after all, the last word, but Pamela's.

come out better in a competition, race, or conflict

From this reading Pamela, who seemed lightly, and as it were casually, to swing a key to the door against which Neville, among many others, beat; Pamela, going about her work, keen, debonair and detached, ironic, cool and quiet, responsive to life and yet a thought disdainful of it, lightly holding and easily renouncing; the world's lover, yet not its servant, her foot at times carelessly on its neck to prove her power over it--Pamela said blandly to Grandmama, when the old lady commented one day on her admirable composure, "Life's so short, you see.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading "Ah," said Grandmama, "that's been my philosophy for ten years ... only ten years.

in a bland manner

From this reading Pamela, who seemed lightly, and as it were casually, to swing a key to the door against which Neville, among many others, beat; Pamela, going about her work, keen, debonair and detached, ironic, cool and quiet, responsive to life and yet a thought disdainful of it, lightly holding and easily renouncing; the world's lover, yet not its servant, her foot at times carelessly on its neck to prove her power over it--Pamela said blandly to Grandmama, when the old lady commented one day on her admirable composure, "Life's so short, you see.

a commercial or industrial enterprise and the people who constitute it

From this reading You've no business with it at your age, child."

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading THE KEY Not Grandmama's and not Neville's should be, after all, the last word, but Pamela's.

to be able to, or to be allowed to

From this reading Can anything which lasts such a little while be worth making a fuss about?"

without care or concern

From this reading Pamela, who seemed lightly, and as it were casually, to swing a key to the door against which Neville, among many others, beat; Pamela, going about her work, keen, debonair and detached, ironic, cool and quiet, responsive to life and yet a thought disdainful of it, lightly holding and easily renouncing; the world's lover, yet not its servant, her foot at times carelessly on its neck to prove her power over it--Pamela said blandly to Grandmama, when the old lady commented one day on her admirable composure, "Life's so short, you see.

not methodically or according to plan

From this reading Pamela, who seemed lightly, and as it were casually, to swing a key to the door against which Neville, among many others, beat; Pamela, going about her work, keen, debonair and detached, ironic, cool and quiet, responsive to life and yet a thought disdainful of it, lightly holding and easily renouncing; the world's lover, yet not its servant, her foot at times carelessly on its neck to prove her power over it--Pamela said blandly to Grandmama, when the old lady commented one day on her admirable composure, "Life's so short, you see.

a young person of either sex

From this reading You've no business with it at your age, child."

past form of “comment” — make or write a comment on

From this reading Pamela, who seemed lightly, and as it were casually, to swing a key to the door against which Neville, among many others, beat; Pamela, going about her work, keen, debonair and detached, ironic, cool and quiet, responsive to life and yet a thought disdainful of it, lightly holding and easily renouncing; the world's lover, yet not its servant, her foot at times carelessly on its neck to prove her power over it--Pamela said blandly to Grandmama, when the old lady commented one day on her admirable composure, "Life's so short, you see.

steadiness of mind under stress

From this reading Pamela, who seemed lightly, and as it were casually, to swing a key to the door against which Neville, among many others, beat; Pamela, going about her work, keen, debonair and detached, ironic, cool and quiet, responsive to life and yet a thought disdainful of it, lightly holding and easily renouncing; the world's lover, yet not its servant, her foot at times carelessly on its neck to prove her power over it--Pamela said blandly to Grandmama, when the old lady commented one day on her admirable composure, "Life's so short, you see.

neither warm nor very cold; giving relief from heat

From this reading Pamela, who seemed lightly, and as it were casually, to swing a key to the door against which Neville, among many others, beat; Pamela, going about her work, keen, debonair and detached, ironic, cool and quiet, responsive to life and yet a thought disdainful of it, lightly holding and easily renouncing; the world's lover, yet not its servant, her foot at times carelessly on its neck to prove her power over it--Pamela said blandly to Grandmama, when the old lady commented one day on her admirable composure, "Life's so short, you see.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading Pamela, who seemed lightly, and as it were casually, to swing a key to the door against which Neville, among many others, beat; Pamela, going about her work, keen, debonair and detached, ironic, cool and quiet, responsive to life and yet a thought disdainful of it, lightly holding and easily renouncing; the world's lover, yet not its servant, her foot at times carelessly on its neck to prove her power over it--Pamela said blandly to Grandmama, when the old lady commented one day on her admirable composure, "Life's so short, you see.

having a sophisticated charm

From this reading Pamela, who seemed lightly, and as it were casually, to swing a key to the door against which Neville, among many others, beat; Pamela, going about her work, keen, debonair and detached, ironic, cool and quiet, responsive to life and yet a thought disdainful of it, lightly holding and easily renouncing; the world's lover, yet not its servant, her foot at times carelessly on its neck to prove her power over it--Pamela said blandly to Grandmama, when the old lady commented one day on her admirable composure, "Life's so short, you see.

showing lack of emotional involvement

From this reading Pamela, who seemed lightly, and as it were casually, to swing a key to the door against which Neville, among many others, beat; Pamela, going about her work, keen, debonair and detached, ironic, cool and quiet, responsive to life and yet a thought disdainful of it, lightly holding and easily renouncing; the world's lover, yet not its servant, her foot at times carelessly on its neck to prove her power over it--Pamela said blandly to Grandmama, when the old lady commented one day on her admirable composure, "Life's so short, you see.

expressing extreme contempt

From this reading Pamela, who seemed lightly, and as it were casually, to swing a key to the door against which Neville, among many others, beat; Pamela, going about her work, keen, debonair and detached, ironic, cool and quiet, responsive to life and yet a thought disdainful of it, lightly holding and easily renouncing; the world's lover, yet not its servant, her foot at times carelessly on its neck to prove her power over it--Pamela said blandly to Grandmama, when the old lady commented one day on her admirable composure, "Life's so short, you see.

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

From this reading Pamela, who seemed lightly, and as it were casually, to swing a key to the door against which Neville, among many others, beat; Pamela, going about her work, keen, debonair and detached, ironic, cool and quiet, responsive to life and yet a thought disdainful of it, lightly holding and easily renouncing; the world's lover, yet not its servant, her foot at times carelessly on its neck to prove her power over it--Pamela said blandly to Grandmama, when the old lady commented one day on her admirable composure, "Life's so short, you see.

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

From this reading Pamela, who seemed lightly, and as it were casually, to swing a key to the door against which Neville, among many others, beat; Pamela, going about her work, keen, debonair and detached, ironic, cool and quiet, responsive to life and yet a thought disdainful of it, lightly holding and easily renouncing; the world's lover, yet not its servant, her foot at times carelessly on its neck to prove her power over it--Pamela said blandly to Grandmama, when the old lady commented one day on her admirable composure, "Life's so short, you see.

the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint

From this reading Pamela, who seemed lightly, and as it were casually, to swing a key to the door against which Neville, among many others, beat; Pamela, going about her work, keen, debonair and detached, ironic, cool and quiet, responsive to life and yet a thought disdainful of it, lightly holding and easily renouncing; the world's lover, yet not its servant, her foot at times carelessly on its neck to prove her power over it--Pamela said blandly to Grandmama, when the old lady commented one day on her admirable composure, "Life's so short, you see.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading "Ah," said Grandmama, "that's been my philosophy for ten years ... only ten years.

worry unnecessarily or excessively

From this reading Can anything which lasts such a little while be worth making a fuss about?"

the act of departing

From this reading Pamela, who seemed lightly, and as it were casually, to swing a key to the door against which Neville, among many others, beat; Pamela, going about her work, keen, debonair and detached, ironic, cool and quiet, responsive to life and yet a thought disdainful of it, lightly holding and easily renouncing; the world's lover, yet not its servant, her foot at times carelessly on its neck to prove her power over it--Pamela said blandly to Grandmama, when the old lady commented one day on her admirable composure, "Life's so short, you see.

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

From this reading Pamela, who seemed lightly, and as it were casually, to swing a key to the door against which Neville, among many others, beat; Pamela, going about her work, keen, debonair and detached, ironic, cool and quiet, responsive to life and yet a thought disdainful of it, lightly holding and easily renouncing; the world's lover, yet not its servant, her foot at times carelessly on its neck to prove her power over it--Pamela said blandly to Grandmama, when the old lady commented one day on her admirable composure, "Life's so short, you see.

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

From this reading THE KEY Not Grandmama's and not Neville's should be, after all, the last word, but Pamela's.

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

From this reading Pamela, who seemed lightly, and as it were casually, to swing a key to the door against which Neville, among many others, beat; Pamela, going about her work, keen, debonair and detached, ironic, cool and quiet, responsive to life and yet a thought disdainful of it, lightly holding and easily renouncing; the world's lover, yet not its servant, her foot at times carelessly on its neck to prove her power over it--Pamela said blandly to Grandmama, when the old lady commented one day on her admirable composure, "Life's so short, you see.

the act of retaining something

From this reading Pamela, who seemed lightly, and as it were casually, to swing a key to the door against which Neville, among many others, beat; Pamela, going about her work, keen, debonair and detached, ironic, cool and quiet, responsive to life and yet a thought disdainful of it, lightly holding and easily renouncing; the world's lover, yet not its servant, her foot at times carelessly on its neck to prove her power over it--Pamela said blandly to Grandmama, when the old lady commented one day on her admirable composure, "Life's so short, you see.

humorously sarcastic or mocking

From this reading Pamela, who seemed lightly, and as it were casually, to swing a key to the door against which Neville, among many others, beat; Pamela, going about her work, keen, debonair and detached, ironic, cool and quiet, responsive to life and yet a thought disdainful of it, lightly holding and easily renouncing; the world's lover, yet not its servant, her foot at times carelessly on its neck to prove her power over it--Pamela said blandly to Grandmama, when the old lady commented one day on her admirable composure, "Life's so short, you see.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Pamela, who seemed lightly, and as it were casually, to swing a key to the door against which Neville, among many others, beat; Pamela, going about her work, keen, debonair and detached, ironic, cool and quiet, responsive to life and yet a thought disdainful of it, lightly holding and easily renouncing; the world's lover, yet not its servant, her foot at times carelessly on its neck to prove her power over it--Pamela said blandly to Grandmama, when the old lady commented one day on her admirable composure, "Life's so short, you see.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading Pamela, who seemed lightly, and as it were casually, to swing a key to the door against which Neville, among many others, beat; Pamela, going about her work, keen, debonair and detached, ironic, cool and quiet, responsive to life and yet a thought disdainful of it, lightly holding and easily renouncing; the world's lover, yet not its servant, her foot at times carelessly on its neck to prove her power over it--Pamela said blandly to Grandmama, when the old lady commented one day on her admirable composure, "Life's so short, you see.

having or demonstrating ability to recognize or draw fine distinctions

From this reading Pamela, who seemed lightly, and as it were casually, to swing a key to the door against which Neville, among many others, beat; Pamela, going about her work, keen, debonair and detached, ironic, cool and quiet, responsive to life and yet a thought disdainful of it, lightly holding and easily renouncing; the world's lover, yet not its servant, her foot at times carelessly on its neck to prove her power over it--Pamela said blandly to Grandmama, when the old lady commented one day on her admirable composure, "Life's so short, you see.

metal device shaped in such a way that when it is inserted into the appropriate lock the lock's mechanism can be rotated

From this reading THE KEY Not Grandmama's and not Neville's should be, after all, the last word, but Pamela's.

a polite name for any woman

From this reading Pamela, who seemed lightly, and as it were casually, to swing a key to the door against which Neville, among many others, beat; Pamela, going about her work, keen, debonair and detached, ironic, cool and quiet, responsive to life and yet a thought disdainful of it, lightly holding and easily renouncing; the world's lover, yet not its servant, her foot at times carelessly on its neck to prove her power over it--Pamela said blandly to Grandmama, when the old lady commented one day on her admirable composure, "Life's so short, you see.

immediately past

From this reading THE KEY Not Grandmama's and not Neville's should be, after all, the last word, but Pamela's.

plural of “last” — the temporal end; the concluding time

From this reading Can anything which lasts such a little while be worth making a fuss about?"

a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading Pamela, who seemed lightly, and as it were casually, to swing a key to the door against which Neville, among many others, beat; Pamela, going about her work, keen, debonair and detached, ironic, cool and quiet, responsive to life and yet a thought disdainful of it, lightly holding and easily renouncing; the world's lover, yet not its servant, her foot at times carelessly on its neck to prove her power over it--Pamela said blandly to Grandmama, when the old lady commented one day on her admirable composure, "Life's so short, you see.

possessive form of “life” — a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading Pamela, who seemed lightly, and as it were casually, to swing a key to the door against which Neville, among many others, beat; Pamela, going about her work, keen, debonair and detached, ironic, cool and quiet, responsive to life and yet a thought disdainful of it, lightly holding and easily renouncing; the world's lover, yet not its servant, her foot at times carelessly on its neck to prove her power over it--Pamela said blandly to Grandmama, when the old lady commented one day on her admirable composure, "Life's so short, you see.

without good reason

From this reading Pamela, who seemed lightly, and as it were casually, to swing a key to the door against which Neville, among many others, beat; Pamela, going about her work, keen, debonair and detached, ironic, cool and quiet, responsive to life and yet a thought disdainful of it, lightly holding and easily renouncing; the world's lover, yet not its servant, her foot at times carelessly on its neck to prove her power over it--Pamela said blandly to Grandmama, when the old lady commented one day on her admirable composure, "Life's so short, you see.

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

From this reading Can anything which lasts such a little while be worth making a fuss about?"

a person who loves someone or is loved by someone

From this reading Pamela, who seemed lightly, and as it were casually, to swing a key to the door against which Neville, among many others, beat; Pamela, going about her work, keen, debonair and detached, ironic, cool and quiet, responsive to life and yet a thought disdainful of it, lightly holding and easily renouncing; the world's lover, yet not its servant, her foot at times carelessly on its neck to prove her power over it--Pamela said blandly to Grandmama, when the old lady commented one day on her admirable composure, "Life's so short, you see.

the act that results in something coming to be

From this reading Can anything which lasts such a little while be worth making a fuss about?"

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number

From this reading Pamela, who seemed lightly, and as it were casually, to swing a key to the door against which Neville, among many others, beat; Pamela, going about her work, keen, debonair and detached, ironic, cool and quiet, responsive to life and yet a thought disdainful of it, lightly holding and easily renouncing; the world's lover, yet not its servant, her foot at times carelessly on its neck to prove her power over it--Pamela said blandly to Grandmama, when the old lady commented one day on her admirable composure, "Life's so short, you see.

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading "Ah," said Grandmama, "that's been my philosophy for ten years ... only ten years.

the part of an organism (human or animal) that connects the head to the rest of the body

From this reading Pamela, who seemed lightly, and as it were casually, to swing a key to the door against which Neville, among many others, beat; Pamela, going about her work, keen, debonair and detached, ironic, cool and quiet, responsive to life and yet a thought disdainful of it, lightly holding and easily renouncing; the world's lover, yet not its servant, her foot at times carelessly on its neck to prove her power over it--Pamela said blandly to Grandmama, when the old lady commented one day on her admirable composure, "Life's so short, you see.

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

From this reading Pamela, who seemed lightly, and as it were casually, to swing a key to the door against which Neville, among many others, beat; Pamela, going about her work, keen, debonair and detached, ironic, cool and quiet, responsive to life and yet a thought disdainful of it, lightly holding and easily renouncing; the world's lover, yet not its servant, her foot at times carelessly on its neck to prove her power over it--Pamela said blandly to Grandmama, when the old lady commented one day on her admirable composure, "Life's so short, you see.

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

From this reading THE KEY Not Grandmama's and not Neville's should be, after all, the last word, but Pamela's.

not any; not one

From this reading You've no business with it at your age, child."

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading THE KEY Not Grandmama's and not Neville's should be, after all, the last word, but Pamela's.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Pamela, who seemed lightly, and as it were casually, to swing a key to the door against which Neville, among many others, beat; Pamela, going about her work, keen, debonair and detached, ironic, cool and quiet, responsive to life and yet a thought disdainful of it, lightly holding and easily renouncing; the world's lover, yet not its servant, her foot at times carelessly on its neck to prove her power over it--Pamela said blandly to Grandmama, when the old lady commented one day on her admirable composure, "Life's so short, you see.

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

From this reading Pamela, who seemed lightly, and as it were casually, to swing a key to the door against which Neville, among many others, beat; Pamela, going about her work, keen, debonair and detached, ironic, cool and quiet, responsive to life and yet a thought disdainful of it, lightly holding and easily renouncing; the world's lover, yet not its servant, her foot at times carelessly on its neck to prove her power over it--Pamela said blandly to Grandmama, when the old lady commented one day on her admirable composure, "Life's so short, you see.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Pamela, who seemed lightly, and as it were casually, to swing a key to the door against which Neville, among many others, beat; Pamela, going about her work, keen, debonair and detached, ironic, cool and quiet, responsive to life and yet a thought disdainful of it, lightly holding and easily renouncing; the world's lover, yet not its servant, her foot at times carelessly on its neck to prove her power over it--Pamela said blandly to Grandmama, when the old lady commented one day on her admirable composure, "Life's so short, you see.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Pamela, who seemed lightly, and as it were casually, to swing a key to the door against which Neville, among many others, beat; Pamela, going about her work, keen, debonair and detached, ironic, cool and quiet, responsive to life and yet a thought disdainful of it, lightly holding and easily renouncing; the world's lover, yet not its servant, her foot at times carelessly on its neck to prove her power over it--Pamela said blandly to Grandmama, when the old lady commented one day on her admirable composure, "Life's so short, you see.

and nothing more

From this reading "Ah," said Grandmama, "that's been my philosophy for ten years ... only ten years.

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

From this reading Pamela, who seemed lightly, and as it were casually, to swing a key to the door against which Neville, among many others, beat; Pamela, going about her work, keen, debonair and detached, ironic, cool and quiet, responsive to life and yet a thought disdainful of it, lightly holding and easily renouncing; the world's lover, yet not its servant, her foot at times carelessly on its neck to prove her power over it--Pamela said blandly to Grandmama, when the old lady commented one day on her admirable composure, "Life's so short, you see.

above and across; more than

From this reading Pamela, who seemed lightly, and as it were casually, to swing a key to the door against which Neville, among many others, beat; Pamela, going about her work, keen, debonair and detached, ironic, cool and quiet, responsive to life and yet a thought disdainful of it, lightly holding and easily renouncing; the world's lover, yet not its servant, her foot at times carelessly on its neck to prove her power over it--Pamela said blandly to Grandmama, when the old lady commented one day on her admirable composure, "Life's so short, you see.

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

From this reading Pamela, who seemed lightly, and as it were casually, to swing a key to the door against which Neville, among many others, beat; Pamela, going about her work, keen, debonair and detached, ironic, cool and quiet, responsive to life and yet a thought disdainful of it, lightly holding and easily renouncing; the world's lover, yet not its servant, her foot at times carelessly on its neck to prove her power over it--Pamela said blandly to Grandmama, when the old lady commented one day on her admirable composure, "Life's so short, you see.

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

From this reading THE KEY Not Grandmama's and not Neville's should be, after all, the last word, but Pamela's.

The study of the fundamental nature of knowledge, reality, and existence. (Triết học, đạo lý nhân sinh.)

From this reading "Ah," said Grandmama, "that's been my philosophy for ten years ... only ten years.

possession of controlling influence

From this reading Pamela, who seemed lightly, and as it were casually, to swing a key to the door against which Neville, among many others, beat; Pamela, going about her work, keen, debonair and detached, ironic, cool and quiet, responsive to life and yet a thought disdainful of it, lightly holding and easily renouncing; the world's lover, yet not its servant, her foot at times carelessly on its neck to prove her power over it--Pamela said blandly to Grandmama, when the old lady commented one day on her admirable composure, "Life's so short, you see.

be shown or be found to be

From this reading Pamela, who seemed lightly, and as it were casually, to swing a key to the door against which Neville, among many others, beat; Pamela, going about her work, keen, debonair and detached, ironic, cool and quiet, responsive to life and yet a thought disdainful of it, lightly holding and easily renouncing; the world's lover, yet not its servant, her foot at times carelessly on its neck to prove her power over it--Pamela said blandly to Grandmama, when the old lady commented one day on her admirable composure, "Life's so short, you see.

characterized by an absence or near absence of agitation or activity

From this reading Pamela, who seemed lightly, and as it were casually, to swing a key to the door against which Neville, among many others, beat; Pamela, going about her work, keen, debonair and detached, ironic, cool and quiet, responsive to life and yet a thought disdainful of it, lightly holding and easily renouncing; the world's lover, yet not its servant, her foot at times carelessly on its neck to prove her power over it--Pamela said blandly to Grandmama, when the old lady commented one day on her admirable composure, "Life's so short, you see.

-ing form of “renounce” — give up, such as power, as of monarchs and emperors, or duties and obligations

From this reading Pamela, who seemed lightly, and as it were casually, to swing a key to the door against which Neville, among many others, beat; Pamela, going about her work, keen, debonair and detached, ironic, cool and quiet, responsive to life and yet a thought disdainful of it, lightly holding and easily renouncing; the world's lover, yet not its servant, her foot at times carelessly on its neck to prove her power over it--Pamela said blandly to Grandmama, when the old lady commented one day on her admirable composure, "Life's so short, you see.

containing or using responses; alternating

From this reading Pamela, who seemed lightly, and as it were casually, to swing a key to the door against which Neville, among many others, beat; Pamela, going about her work, keen, debonair and detached, ironic, cool and quiet, responsive to life and yet a thought disdainful of it, lightly holding and easily renouncing; the world's lover, yet not its servant, her foot at times carelessly on its neck to prove her power over it--Pamela said blandly to Grandmama, when the old lady commented one day on her admirable composure, "Life's so short, you see.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading Pamela, who seemed lightly, and as it were casually, to swing a key to the door against which Neville, among many others, beat; Pamela, going about her work, keen, debonair and detached, ironic, cool and quiet, responsive to life and yet a thought disdainful of it, lightly holding and easily renouncing; the world's lover, yet not its servant, her foot at times carelessly on its neck to prove her power over it--Pamela said blandly to Grandmama, when the old lady commented one day on her admirable composure, "Life's so short, you see.

perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading Pamela, who seemed lightly, and as it were casually, to swing a key to the door against which Neville, among many others, beat; Pamela, going about her work, keen, debonair and detached, ironic, cool and quiet, responsive to life and yet a thought disdainful of it, lightly holding and easily renouncing; the world's lover, yet not its servant, her foot at times carelessly on its neck to prove her power over it--Pamela said blandly to Grandmama, when the old lady commented one day on her admirable composure, "Life's so short, you see.

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

From this reading Pamela, who seemed lightly, and as it were casually, to swing a key to the door against which Neville, among many others, beat; Pamela, going about her work, keen, debonair and detached, ironic, cool and quiet, responsive to life and yet a thought disdainful of it, lightly holding and easily renouncing; the world's lover, yet not its servant, her foot at times carelessly on its neck to prove her power over it--Pamela said blandly to Grandmama, when the old lady commented one day on her admirable composure, "Life's so short, you see.

a person working in the service of another (especially in the household)

From this reading Pamela, who seemed lightly, and as it were casually, to swing a key to the door against which Neville, among many others, beat; Pamela, going about her work, keen, debonair and detached, ironic, cool and quiet, responsive to life and yet a thought disdainful of it, lightly holding and easily renouncing; the world's lover, yet not its servant, her foot at times carelessly on its neck to prove her power over it--Pamela said blandly to Grandmama, when the old lady commented one day on her admirable composure, "Life's so short, you see.

primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration

From this reading Pamela, who seemed lightly, and as it were casually, to swing a key to the door against which Neville, among many others, beat; Pamela, going about her work, keen, debonair and detached, ironic, cool and quiet, responsive to life and yet a thought disdainful of it, lightly holding and easily renouncing; the world's lover, yet not its servant, her foot at times carelessly on its neck to prove her power over it--Pamela said blandly to Grandmama, when the old lady commented one day on her admirable composure, "Life's so short, you see.

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading THE KEY Not Grandmama's and not Neville's should be, after all, the last word, but Pamela's.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Pamela, who seemed lightly, and as it were casually, to swing a key to the door against which Neville, among many others, beat; Pamela, going about her work, keen, debonair and detached, ironic, cool and quiet, responsive to life and yet a thought disdainful of it, lightly holding and easily renouncing; the world's lover, yet not its servant, her foot at times carelessly on its neck to prove her power over it--Pamela said blandly to Grandmama, when the old lady commented one day on her admirable composure, "Life's so short, you see.

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading Can anything which lasts such a little while be worth making a fuss about?"

move in a curve or arc, usually with the intent of hitting

From this reading Pamela, who seemed lightly, and as it were casually, to swing a key to the door against which Neville, among many others, beat; Pamela, going about her work, keen, debonair and detached, ironic, cool and quiet, responsive to life and yet a thought disdainful of it, lightly holding and easily renouncing; the world's lover, yet not its servant, her foot at times carelessly on its neck to prove her power over it--Pamela said blandly to Grandmama, when the old lady commented one day on her admirable composure, "Life's so short, you see.

the cardinal number that is the sum of nine and one; the base of the decimal system

From this reading "Ah," said Grandmama, "that's been my philosophy for ten years ... only ten years.

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

From this reading "Ah," said Grandmama, "that's been my philosophy for ten years ... only ten years.

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

From this reading THE KEY Not Grandmama's and not Neville's should be, after all, the last word, but Pamela's.

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

From this reading Pamela, who seemed lightly, and as it were casually, to swing a key to the door against which Neville, among many others, beat; Pamela, going about her work, keen, debonair and detached, ironic, cool and quiet, responsive to life and yet a thought disdainful of it, lightly holding and easily renouncing; the world's lover, yet not its servant, her foot at times carelessly on its neck to prove her power over it--Pamela said blandly to Grandmama, when the old lady commented one day on her admirable composure, "Life's so short, you see.

a more or less definite period of time now or previously present

From this reading Pamela, who seemed lightly, and as it were casually, to swing a key to the door against which Neville, among many others, beat; Pamela, going about her work, keen, debonair and detached, ironic, cool and quiet, responsive to life and yet a thought disdainful of it, lightly holding and easily renouncing; the world's lover, yet not its servant, her foot at times carelessly on its neck to prove her power over it--Pamela said blandly to Grandmama, when the old lady commented one day on her admirable composure, "Life's so short, you see.

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

From this reading Pamela, who seemed lightly, and as it were casually, to swing a key to the door against which Neville, among many others, beat; Pamela, going about her work, keen, debonair and detached, ironic, cool and quiet, responsive to life and yet a thought disdainful of it, lightly holding and easily renouncing; the world's lover, yet not its servant, her foot at times carelessly on its neck to prove her power over it--Pamela said blandly to Grandmama, when the old lady commented one day on her admirable composure, "Life's so short, you see.

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

From this reading Pamela, who seemed lightly, and as it were casually, to swing a key to the door against which Neville, among many others, beat; Pamela, going about her work, keen, debonair and detached, ironic, cool and quiet, responsive to life and yet a thought disdainful of it, lightly holding and easily renouncing; the world's lover, yet not its servant, her foot at times carelessly on its neck to prove her power over it--Pamela said blandly to Grandmama, when the old lady commented one day on her admirable composure, "Life's so short, you see.

at the time that

From this reading Pamela, who seemed lightly, and as it were casually, to swing a key to the door against which Neville, among many others, beat; Pamela, going about her work, keen, debonair and detached, ironic, cool and quiet, responsive to life and yet a thought disdainful of it, lightly holding and easily renouncing; the world's lover, yet not its servant, her foot at times carelessly on its neck to prove her power over it--Pamela said blandly to Grandmama, when the old lady commented one day on her admirable composure, "Life's so short, you see.

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

From this reading Pamela, who seemed lightly, and as it were casually, to swing a key to the door against which Neville, among many others, beat; Pamela, going about her work, keen, debonair and detached, ironic, cool and quiet, responsive to life and yet a thought disdainful of it, lightly holding and easily renouncing; the world's lover, yet not its servant, her foot at times carelessly on its neck to prove her power over it--Pamela said blandly to Grandmama, when the old lady commented one day on her admirable composure, "Life's so short, you see.

during the time that

From this reading Can anything which lasts such a little while be worth making a fuss about?"

which person or people

From this reading Pamela, who seemed lightly, and as it were casually, to swing a key to the door against which Neville, among many others, beat; Pamela, going about her work, keen, debonair and detached, ironic, cool and quiet, responsive to life and yet a thought disdainful of it, lightly holding and easily renouncing; the world's lover, yet not its servant, her foot at times carelessly on its neck to prove her power over it--Pamela said blandly to Grandmama, when the old lady commented one day on her admirable composure, "Life's so short, you see.

in the company of; together with

From this reading You've no business with it at your age, child."

a unit of language that native speakers can identify

From this reading THE KEY Not Grandmama's and not Neville's should be, after all, the last word, but Pamela's.

exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity

From this reading Pamela, who seemed lightly, and as it were casually, to swing a key to the door against which Neville, among many others, beat; Pamela, going about her work, keen, debonair and detached, ironic, cool and quiet, responsive to life and yet a thought disdainful of it, lightly holding and easily renouncing; the world's lover, yet not its servant, her foot at times carelessly on its neck to prove her power over it--Pamela said blandly to Grandmama, when the old lady commented one day on her admirable composure, "Life's so short, you see.

possessive form of “world” — everything that exists anywhere

From this reading Pamela, who seemed lightly, and as it were casually, to swing a key to the door against which Neville, among many others, beat; Pamela, going about her work, keen, debonair and detached, ironic, cool and quiet, responsive to life and yet a thought disdainful of it, lightly holding and easily renouncing; the world's lover, yet not its servant, her foot at times carelessly on its neck to prove her power over it--Pamela said blandly to Grandmama, when the old lady commented one day on her admirable composure, "Life's so short, you see.

an indefinite quantity of something having a specified value

From this reading Can anything which lasts such a little while be worth making a fuss about?"

a late time of life

From this reading "Ah," said Grandmama, "that's been my philosophy for ten years ... only ten years.

but in spite of that

From this reading Pamela, who seemed lightly, and as it were casually, to swing a key to the door against which Neville, among many others, beat; Pamela, going about her work, keen, debonair and detached, ironic, cool and quiet, responsive to life and yet a thought disdainful of it, lightly holding and easily renouncing; the world's lover, yet not its servant, her foot at times carelessly on its neck to prove her power over it--Pamela said blandly to Grandmama, when the old lady commented one day on her admirable composure, "Life's so short, you see.

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading Pamela, who seemed lightly, and as it were casually, to swing a key to the door against which Neville, among many others, beat; Pamela, going about her work, keen, debonair and detached, ironic, cool and quiet, responsive to life and yet a thought disdainful of it, lightly holding and easily renouncing; the world's lover, yet not its servant, her foot at times carelessly on its neck to prove her power over it--Pamela said blandly to Grandmama, when the old lady commented one day on her admirable composure, "Life's so short, you see.

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

From this reading You've no business with it at your age, child."

belonging to the person or people being spoken to

From this reading You've no business with it at your age, child."