Chapter II · Chapter 2

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

From this reading The maid picked it up, and after a glance at the first page said it was easy to her, and she asked if the queen would allow her to read it to her.

(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something

From this reading Elfrida, surprised, asked how it came about that her maid was able to read a difficult script with ease, or was able to read at all; and this was the first question she had condescended to put to the girl.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading Elfrida, surprised, asked how it came about that her maid was able to read a difficult script with ease, or was able to read at all; and this was the first question she had condescended to put to the girl.

later than; following

From this reading The maid picked it up, and after a glance at the first page said it was easy to her, and she asked if the queen would allow her to read it to her.

although

From this reading Then, having received permission, she read the first fable aloud, and Elfrida listening, albeit without interest in the tale itself, found that the voice increased the girl's attraction for her.

(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 Elfrida, surprised, asked how it came about that her maid was able to read a difficult script with ease, or was able to read at all; and this was the first question she had condescended to put to the girl.

make it possible through a specific action or lack of action for something to happen

From this reading The maid picked it up, and after a glance at the first page said it was easy to her, and she asked if the queen would allow her to read it to her.

using the voice; not silently

From this reading Then, having received permission, she read the first fable aloud, and Elfrida listening, albeit without interest in the tale itself, found that the voice increased the girl's attraction for her.

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

From this reading The maid picked it up, and after a glance at the first page said it was easy to her, and she asked if the queen would allow her to read it to her.

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

From this reading Editha replied that she had been taught as a child by a great-uncle, a learned man; that she had been made to read volumes in a great variety of scripts to him, until reading had come easy to her, both Saxon and Latin.

past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody

From this reading The maid picked it up, and after a glance at the first page said it was easy to her, and she asked if the queen would allow her to read it to her.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading The maid picked it up, and after a glance at the first page said it was easy to her, and she asked if the queen would allow her to read it to her.

the force by which one object attracts another

From this reading Then, having received permission, she read the first fable aloud, and Elfrida listening, albeit without interest in the tale itself, found that the voice increased the girl's attraction for her.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Editha replied that she had been taught as a child by a great-uncle, a learned man; that she had been made to read volumes in a great variety of scripts to him, until reading had come easy to her, both Saxon and Latin.

the two together, not just one

From this reading Editha replied that she had been taught as a child by a great-uncle, a learned man; that she had been made to read volumes in a great variety of scripts to him, until reading had come easy to her, both Saxon and Latin.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Editha replied that she had been taught as a child by a great-uncle, a learned man; that she had been made to read volumes in a great variety of scripts to him, until reading had come easy to her, both Saxon and Latin.

inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading Elfrida, surprised, asked how it came about that her maid was able to read a difficult script with ease, or was able to read at all; and this was the first question she had condescended to put to the girl.

a young person of either sex

From this reading Editha replied that she had been taught as a child by a great-uncle, a learned man; that she had been made to read volumes in a great variety of scripts to him, until reading had come easy to her, both Saxon and Latin.

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

From this reading Editha replied that she had been taught as a child by a great-uncle, a learned man; that she had been made to read volumes in a great variety of scripts to him, until reading had come easy to her, both Saxon and Latin.

past form of “condescend” — behave in a patronizing and condescending manner

From this reading Elfrida, surprised, asked how it came about that her maid was able to read a difficult script with ease, or was able to read at all; and this was the first question she had condescended to put to the girl.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading From that time the queen made her read to her every day.

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

From this reading Elfrida, surprised, asked how it came about that her maid was able to read a difficult script with ease, or was able to read at all; and this was the first question she had condescended to put to the girl.

move gently or carefully

From this reading Elfrida, surprised, asked how it came about that her maid was able to read a difficult script with ease, or was able to read at all; and this was the first question she had condescended to put to the girl.

posing no difficulty; requiring little effort

From this reading The maid picked it up, and after a glance at the first page said it was easy to her, and she asked if the queen would allow her to read it to her.

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

From this reading Editha replied that she had been taught as a child by a great-uncle, a learned man; that she had been made to read volumes in a great variety of scripts to him, until reading had come easy to her, both Saxon and Latin.

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

From this reading Elfrida, surprised, asked how it came about that her maid was able to read a difficult script with ease, or was able to read at all; and this was the first question she had condescended to put to the girl.

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading From that time the queen made her read to her every day.

a deliberately false or improbable account

From this reading Then, having received permission, she read the first fable aloud, and Elfrida listening, albeit without interest in the tale itself, found that the voice increased the girl's attraction for her.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading The maid picked it up, and after a glance at the first page said it was easy to her, and she asked if the queen would allow her to read it to her.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Then, having received permission, she read the first fable aloud, and Elfrida listening, albeit without interest in the tale itself, found that the voice increased the girl's attraction for her.

set up or found

From this reading Then, having received permission, she read the first fable aloud, and Elfrida listening, albeit without interest in the tale itself, found that the voice increased the girl's attraction for her.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading From that time the queen made her read to her every day.

a young female

From this reading Elfrida, surprised, asked how it came about that her maid was able to read a difficult script with ease, or was able to read at all; and this was the first question she had condescended to put to the girl.

possessive form of “girl” — a young female

From this reading Then, having received permission, she read the first fable aloud, and Elfrida listening, albeit without interest in the tale itself, found that the voice increased the girl's attraction for her.

throw a glance at; take a brief look at

From this reading The maid picked it up, and after a glance at the first page said it was easy to her, and she asked if the queen would allow her to read it to her.

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

From this reading Editha replied that she had been taught as a child by a great-uncle, a learned man; that she had been made to read volumes in a great variety of scripts to him, until reading had come easy to her, both Saxon and Latin.

an uncle of your father or mother

From this reading Editha replied that she had been taught as a child by a great-uncle, a learned man; that she had been made to read volumes in a great variety of scripts to him, until reading had come easy to her, both Saxon and Latin.

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

From this reading Elfrida, surprised, asked how it came about that her maid was able to read a difficult script with ease, or was able to read at all; and this was the first question she had condescended to put to the girl.

the -ing form of “have”

From this reading Then, having received permission, she read the first fable aloud, and Elfrida listening, albeit without interest in the tale itself, found that the voice increased the girl's attraction for her.

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

From this reading The maid picked it up, and after a glance at the first page said it was easy to her, and she asked if the queen would allow her to read it to her.

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

From this reading Editha replied that she had been taught as a child by a great-uncle, a learned man; that she had been made to read volumes in a great variety of scripts to him, until reading had come easy to her, both Saxon and Latin.

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

From this reading Elfrida, surprised, asked how it came about that her maid was able to read a difficult script with ease, or was able to read at all; and this was the first question she had condescended to put to the girl.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading The maid picked it up, and after a glance at the first page said it was easy to her, and she asked if the queen would allow her to read it to her.

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

From this reading Editha replied that she had been taught as a child by a great-uncle, a learned man; that she had been made to read volumes in a great variety of scripts to him, until reading had come easy to her, both Saxon and Latin.

made greater in size or amount or degree

From this reading Then, having received permission, she read the first fable aloud, and Elfrida listening, albeit without interest in the tale itself, found that the voice increased the girl's attraction for her.

a sense of concern with and curiosity about someone or something

From this reading Then, having received permission, she read the first fable aloud, and Elfrida listening, albeit without interest in the tale itself, found that the voice increased the girl's attraction for her.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading The maid picked it up, and after a glance at the first page said it was easy to her, and she asked if the queen would allow her to read it to her.

used when the thing doing the action is also its object

From this reading Then, having received permission, she read the first fable aloud, and Elfrida listening, albeit without interest in the tale itself, found that the voice increased the girl's attraction for her.

of or relating to the ancient Latins or the Latin language

From this reading Editha replied that she had been taught as a child by a great-uncle, a learned man; that she had been made to read volumes in a great variety of scripts to him, until reading had come easy to her, both Saxon and Latin.

having or showing profound knowledge

From this reading Editha replied that she had been taught as a child by a great-uncle, a learned man; that she had been made to read volumes in a great variety of scripts to him, until reading had come easy to her, both Saxon and Latin.

the act of hearing attentively

From this reading Then, having received permission, she read the first fable aloud, and Elfrida listening, albeit without interest in the tale itself, found that the voice increased the girl's attraction for her.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading Editha replied that she had been taught as a child by a great-uncle, a learned man; that she had been made to read volumes in a great variety of scripts to him, until reading had come easy to her, both Saxon and Latin.

a female domestic

From this reading The maid picked it up, and after a glance at the first page said it was easy to her, and she asked if the queen would allow her to read it to her.

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

From this reading Editha replied that she had been taught as a child by a great-uncle, a learned man; that she had been made to read volumes in a great variety of scripts to him, until reading had come easy to her, both Saxon and Latin.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Editha replied that she had been taught as a child by a great-uncle, a learned man; that she had been made to read volumes in a great variety of scripts to him, until reading had come easy to her, both Saxon and Latin.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Elfrida, surprised, asked how it came about that her maid was able to read a difficult script with ease, or was able to read at all; and this was the first question she had condescended to put to the girl.

one side of one leaf (of a book or magazine or newspaper or letter etc.) or the written or pictorial matter it contains

From this reading The maid picked it up, and after a glance at the first page said it was easy to her, and she asked if the queen would allow her to read it to her.

approval to do something

From this reading Then, having received permission, she read the first fable aloud, and Elfrida listening, albeit without interest in the tale itself, found that the voice increased the girl's attraction for her.

past form of “pick” — select carefully from a group

From this reading The maid picked it up, and after a glance at the first page said it was easy to her, and she asked if the queen would allow her to read it to her.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading Elfrida, surprised, asked how it came about that her maid was able to read a difficult script with ease, or was able to read at all; and this was the first question she had condescended to put to the girl.

the only fertile female in a colony of social insects such as bees and ants and termites; its function is to lay eggs

From this reading The maid picked it up, and after a glance at the first page said it was easy to her, and she asked if the queen would allow her to read it to her.

challenge the accuracy, probity, or propriety of

From this reading Elfrida, surprised, asked how it came about that her maid was able to read a difficult script with ease, or was able to read at all; and this was the first question she had condescended to put to the girl.

interpret something that is written or printed

From this reading The maid picked it up, and after a glance at the first page said it was easy to her, and she asked if the queen would allow her to read it to her.

the cognitive process of understanding a written linguistic message

From this reading Editha replied that she had been taught as a child by a great-uncle, a learned man; that she had been made to read volumes in a great variety of scripts to him, until reading had come easy to her, both Saxon and Latin.

conforming to the established language usage of educated native speakers

From this reading Then, having received permission, she read the first fable aloud, and Elfrida listening, albeit without interest in the tale itself, found that the voice increased the girl's attraction for her.

inflected form of “reply” — react verbally

From this reading Editha replied that she had been taught as a child by a great-uncle, a learned man; that she had been made to read volumes in a great variety of scripts to him, until reading had come easy to her, both Saxon and Latin.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading The maid picked it up, and after a glance at the first page said it was easy to her, and she asked if the queen would allow her to read it to her.

a member of a Germanic people who conquered England and merged with the Angles and Jutes to become Anglo-Saxons; dominant in England until the Norman Conquest

From this reading Editha replied that she had been taught as a child by a great-uncle, a learned man; that she had been made to read volumes in a great variety of scripts to him, until reading had come easy to her, both Saxon and Latin.

a written version of a play or other dramatic composition; used in preparing for a performance

From this reading Elfrida, surprised, asked how it came about that her maid was able to read a difficult script with ease, or was able to read at all; and this was the first question she had condescended to put to the girl.

plural of “script” — a written version of a play or other dramatic composition; used in preparing for a performance

From this reading Editha replied that she had been taught as a child by a great-uncle, a learned man; that she had been made to read volumes in a great variety of scripts to him, until reading had come easy to her, both Saxon and Latin.

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

From this reading The maid picked it up, and after a glance at the first page said it was easy to her, and she asked if the queen would allow her to read it to her.

taken unawares or suddenly and feeling wonder or astonishment

From this reading Elfrida, surprised, asked how it came about that her maid was able to read a difficult script with ease, or was able to read at all; and this was the first question she had condescended to put to the girl.

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

From this reading Then, having received permission, she read the first fable aloud, and Elfrida listening, albeit without interest in the tale itself, found that the voice increased the girl's attraction for her.

inflected form of “teach” — impart skills or knowledge to

From this reading Editha replied that she had been taught as a child by a great-uncle, a learned man; that she had been made to read volumes in a great variety of scripts to him, until reading had come easy to her, both Saxon and Latin.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Elfrida, surprised, asked how it came about that her maid was able to read a difficult script with ease, or was able to read at all; and this was the first question she had condescended to put to the girl.

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

From this reading The maid picked it up, and after a glance at the first page said it was easy to her, and she asked if the queen would allow her to read it to her.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading Then, having received permission, she read the first fable aloud, and Elfrida listening, albeit without interest in the tale itself, found that the voice increased the girl's attraction for her.

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading Elfrida, surprised, asked how it came about that her maid was able to read a difficult script with ease, or was able to read at all; and this was the first question she had condescended to put to the girl.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading From that time the queen made her read to her every day.

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

From this reading The maid picked it up, and after a glance at the first page said it was easy to her, and she asked if the queen would allow her to read it to her.

up to a particular time

From this reading Editha replied that she had been taught as a child by a great-uncle, a learned man; that she had been made to read volumes in a great variety of scripts to him, until reading had come easy to her, both Saxon and Latin.

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

From this reading The maid picked it up, and after a glance at the first page said it was easy to her, and she asked if the queen would allow her to read it to her.

a collection containing a variety of sorts of things

From this reading Editha replied that she had been taught as a child by a great-uncle, a learned man; that she had been made to read volumes in a great variety of scripts to him, until reading had come easy to her, both Saxon and Latin.

the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech

From this reading Then, having received permission, she read the first fable aloud, and Elfrida listening, albeit without interest in the tale itself, found that the voice increased the girl's attraction for her.

plural of “volume” — the amount of 3-dimensional space occupied by an object

From this reading Editha replied that she had been taught as a child by a great-uncle, a learned man; that she had been made to read volumes in a great variety of scripts to him, until reading had come easy to her, both Saxon and Latin.

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

From this reading The maid picked it up, and after a glance at the first page said it was easy to her, and she asked if the queen would allow her to read it to her.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Elfrida, surprised, asked how it came about that her maid was able to read a difficult script with ease, or was able to read at all; and this was the first question she had condescended to put to the girl.

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading Then, having received permission, she read the first fable aloud, and Elfrida listening, albeit without interest in the tale itself, found that the voice increased the girl's attraction for her.

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

From this reading The maid picked it up, and after a glance at the first page said it was easy to her, and she asked if the queen would allow her to read it to her.