Chapter XX

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

From this reading Two or three weeks passed without her hearing anything of the book, and it seemed as if it had fallen, as she had at some moments hoped it would fall, like a dull stone into the depths of the sea.

later than; following

From this reading What they expected of it they might have had some trouble explaining; but as it was, they could not conceal their disappointment from Fanny; and they showed it after a short time in a very delicate way: they never alluded to the book in her presence.

past form of “allude” — make a more or less disguised reference to

From this reading What they expected of it they might have had some trouble explaining; but as it was, they could not conceal their disappointment from Fanny; and they showed it after a short time in a very delicate way: they never alluded to the book in her presence.

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

From this reading Even a dull stone, if dropped into the deep, creates a little fuss on the surface before it sinks out of sight; but Fanny’s book did not, so far as they could see, produce even so superficial an impression.

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

From this reading Two or three weeks passed without her hearing anything of the book, and it seemed as if it had fallen, as she had at some moments hoped it would fall, like a dull stone into the depths of the sea.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading She heard nothing of it, and soon she perceived that her sisters felt grievously disappointed at its failure to produce any impression upon the town.

any thing at all

From this reading Two or three weeks passed without her hearing anything of the book, and it seemed as if it had fallen, as she had at some moments hoped it would fall, like a dull stone into the depths of the sea.

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

From this reading Two or three weeks passed without her hearing anything of the book, and it seemed as if it had fallen, as she had at some moments hoped it would fall, like a dull stone into the depths of the sea.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Two or three weeks passed without her hearing anything of the book, and it seemed as if it had fallen, as she had at some moments hoped it would fall, like a dull stone into the depths of the sea.

having undesirable or negative qualities

From this reading She perceived that what was in their minds was that it would show very bad taste on their part to refer to it in any way.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading Even a dull stone, if dropped into the deep, creates a little fuss on the surface before it sinks out of sight; but Fanny’s book did not, so far as they could see, produce even so superficial an impression.

a written work or composition that has been published (printed on pages bound together)

From this reading Two or three weeks passed without her hearing anything of the book, and it seemed as if it had fallen, as she had at some moments hoped it would fall, like a dull stone into the depths of the sea.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Even a dull stone, if dropped into the deep, creates a little fuss on the surface before it sinks out of sight; but Fanny’s book did not, so far as they could see, produce even so superficial an impression.

prevent from being seen or discovered

From this reading What they expected of it they might have had some trouble explaining; but as it was, they could not conceal their disappointment from Fanny; and they showed it after a short time in a very delicate way: they never alluded to the book in her presence.

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

From this reading Even a dull stone, if dropped into the deep, creates a little fuss on the surface before it sinks out of sight; but Fanny’s book did not, so far as they could see, produce even so superficial an impression.

third-person singular of “create” — make or cause to be or to become

From this reading Even a dull stone, if dropped into the deep, creates a little fuss on the surface before it sinks out of sight; but Fanny’s book did not, so far as they could see, produce even so superficial an impression.

relatively deep or strong; affecting one deeply

From this reading Even a dull stone, if dropped into the deep, creates a little fuss on the surface before it sinks out of sight; but Fanny’s book did not, so far as they could see, produce even so superficial an impression.

exquisitely fine and subtle and pleasing; susceptible to injury

From this reading What they expected of it they might have had some trouble explaining; but as it was, they could not conceal their disappointment from Fanny; and they showed it after a short time in a very delicate way: they never alluded to the book in her presence.

(plural) the deepest and most remote part

From this reading Two or three weeks passed without her hearing anything of the book, and it seemed as if it had fallen, as she had at some moments hoped it would fall, like a dull stone into the depths of the sea.

the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives

From this reading Even a dull stone, if dropped into the deep, creates a little fuss on the surface before it sinks out of sight; but Fanny’s book did not, so far as they could see, produce even so superficial an impression.

disappointingly unsuccessful

From this reading She heard nothing of it, and soon she perceived that her sisters felt grievously disappointed at its failure to produce any impression upon the town.

a feeling of dissatisfaction that results when your expectations are not realized

From this reading What they expected of it they might have had some trouble explaining; but as it was, they could not conceal their disappointment from Fanny; and they showed it after a short time in a very delicate way: they never alluded to the book in her presence.

inflected form of “drop” — let fall to the ground

From this reading Even a dull stone, if dropped into the deep, creates a little fuss on the surface before it sinks out of sight; but Fanny’s book did not, so far as they could see, produce even so superficial an impression.

lacking in liveliness or animation

From this reading Two or three weeks passed without her hearing anything of the book, and it seemed as if it had fallen, as she had at some moments hoped it would fall, like a dull stone into the depths of the sea.

divisible by two

From this reading Even a dull stone, if dropped into the deep, creates a little fuss on the surface before it sinks out of sight; but Fanny’s book did not, so far as they could see, produce even so superficial an impression.

considered likely or probable to happen or arrive

From this reading What they expected of it they might have had some trouble explaining; but as it was, they could not conceal their disappointment from Fanny; and they showed it after a short time in a very delicate way: they never alluded to the book in her presence.

-ing form of “explain” — make plain and comprehensible

From this reading What they expected of it they might have had some trouble explaining; but as it was, they could not conceal their disappointment from Fanny; and they showed it after a short time in a very delicate way: they never alluded to the book in her presence.

an act that fails

From this reading She heard nothing of it, and soon she perceived that her sisters felt grievously disappointed at its failure to produce any impression upon the town.

descend in free fall under the influence of gravity

From this reading Two or three weeks passed without her hearing anything of the book, and it seemed as if it had fallen, as she had at some moments hoped it would fall, like a dull stone into the depths of the sea.

having dropped by the force of gravity

From this reading Two or three weeks passed without her hearing anything of the book, and it seemed as if it had fallen, as she had at some moments hoped it would fall, like a dull stone into the depths of the sea.

the fleshy part of the human body that you sit on

From this reading What they expected of it they might have had some trouble explaining; but as it was, they could not conceal their disappointment from Fanny; and they showed it after a short time in a very delicate way: they never alluded to the book in her presence.

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

From this reading Even a dull stone, if dropped into the deep, creates a little fuss on the surface before it sinks out of sight; but Fanny’s book did not, so far as they could see, produce even so superficial an impression.

to a considerable degree; very much

From this reading Even a dull stone, if dropped into the deep, creates a little fuss on the surface before it sinks out of sight; but Fanny’s book did not, so far as they could see, produce even so superficial an impression.

mat together and make felt-like

From this reading She heard nothing of it, and soon she perceived that her sisters felt grievously disappointed at its failure to produce any impression upon the town.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading What they expected of it they might have had some trouble explaining; but as it was, they could not conceal their disappointment from Fanny; and they showed it after a short time in a very delicate way: they never alluded to the book in her presence.

worry unnecessarily or excessively

From this reading Even a dull stone, if dropped into the deep, creates a little fuss on the surface before it sinks out of sight; but Fanny’s book did not, so far as they could see, produce even so superficial an impression.

in a grievous manner

From this reading She heard nothing of it, and soon she perceived that her sisters felt grievously disappointed at its failure to produce any impression upon the town.

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

From this reading Two or three weeks passed without her hearing anything of the book, and it seemed as if it had fallen, as she had at some moments hoped it would fall, like a dull stone into the depths of the sea.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading What they expected of it they might have had some trouble explaining; but as it was, they could not conceal their disappointment from Fanny; and they showed it after a short time in a very delicate way: they never alluded to the book in her presence.

detected or perceived by the sense of hearing

From this reading She heard nothing of it, and soon she perceived that her sisters felt grievously disappointed at its failure to produce any impression upon the town.

(law) a proceeding (usually by a court) where evidence is taken for the purpose of determining an issue of fact and reaching a decision based on that evidence

From this reading Two or three weeks passed without her hearing anything of the book, and it seemed as if it had fallen, as she had at some moments hoped it would fall, like a dull stone into the depths of the sea.

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

From this reading Two or three weeks passed without her hearing anything of the book, and it seemed as if it had fallen, as she had at some moments hoped it would fall, like a dull stone into the depths of the sea.

past form of “hope” — expect and wish

From this reading Two or three weeks passed without her hearing anything of the book, and it seemed as if it had fallen, as she had at some moments hoped it would fall, like a dull stone into the depths of the sea.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading Two or three weeks passed without her hearing anything of the book, and it seemed as if it had fallen, as she had at some moments hoped it would fall, like a dull stone into the depths of the sea.

a vague idea in which some confidence is placed

From this reading She heard nothing of it, and soon she perceived that her sisters felt grievously disappointed at its failure to produce any impression upon the town.

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

From this reading What they expected of it they might have had some trouble explaining; but as it was, they could not conceal their disappointment from Fanny; and they showed it after a short time in a very delicate way: they never alluded to the book in her presence.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading Two or three weeks passed without her hearing anything of the book, and it seemed as if it had fallen, as she had at some moments hoped it would fall, like a dull stone into the depths of the sea.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Two or three weeks passed without her hearing anything of the book, and it seemed as if it had fallen, as she had at some moments hoped it would fall, like a dull stone into the depths of the sea.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading She heard nothing of it, and soon she perceived that her sisters felt grievously disappointed at its failure to produce any impression upon the town.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading Two or three weeks passed without her hearing anything of the book, and it seemed as if it had fallen, as she had at some moments hoped it would fall, like a dull stone into the depths of the sea.

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

From this reading Even a dull stone, if dropped into the deep, creates a little fuss on the surface before it sinks out of sight; but Fanny’s book did not, so far as they could see, produce even so superficial an impression.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading What they expected of it they might have had some trouble explaining; but as it was, they could not conceal their disappointment from Fanny; and they showed it after a short time in a very delicate way: they never alluded to the book in her presence.

plural of “mind” — that which is responsible for one's thoughts, feelings, and conscious brain functions; the seat of the faculty of reason

From this reading She perceived that what was in their minds was that it would show very bad taste on their part to refer to it in any way.

plural of “moment” — a particular point in time

From this reading Two or three weeks passed without her hearing anything of the book, and it seemed as if it had fallen, as she had at some moments hoped it would fall, like a dull stone into the depths of the sea.

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading What they expected of it they might have had some trouble explaining; but as it was, they could not conceal their disappointment from Fanny; and they showed it after a short time in a very delicate way: they never alluded to the book in her presence.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Even a dull stone, if dropped into the deep, creates a little fuss on the surface before it sinks out of sight; but Fanny’s book did not, so far as they could see, produce even so superficial an impression.

not one thing; not anything

From this reading She heard nothing of it, and soon she perceived that her sisters felt grievously disappointed at its failure to produce any impression upon the town.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Two or three weeks passed without her hearing anything of the book, and it seemed as if it had fallen, as she had at some moments hoped it would fall, like a dull stone into the depths of the sea.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Even a dull stone, if dropped into the deep, creates a little fuss on the surface before it sinks out of sight; but Fanny’s book did not, so far as they could see, produce even so superficial an impression.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Two or three weeks passed without her hearing anything of the book, and it seemed as if it had fallen, as she had at some moments hoped it would fall, like a dull stone into the depths of the sea.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading Even a dull stone, if dropped into the deep, creates a little fuss on the surface before it sinks out of sight; but Fanny’s book did not, so far as they could see, produce even so superficial an impression.

something determined in relation to something that includes it

From this reading She perceived that what was in their minds was that it would show very bad taste on their part to refer to it in any way.

past form of “pass” — go across or through

From this reading Two or three weeks passed without her hearing anything of the book, and it seemed as if it had fallen, as she had at some moments hoped it would fall, like a dull stone into the depths of the sea.

detected by instinct or inference rather than by recognized perceptual cues

From this reading She heard nothing of it, and soon she perceived that her sisters felt grievously disappointed at its failure to produce any impression upon the town.

the state of being present; current existence

From this reading What they expected of it they might have had some trouble explaining; but as it was, they could not conceal their disappointment from Fanny; and they showed it after a short time in a very delicate way: they never alluded to the book in her presence.

bring forth or yield

From this reading She heard nothing of it, and soon she perceived that her sisters felt grievously disappointed at its failure to produce any impression upon the town.

make reference to

From this reading She perceived that what was in their minds was that it would show very bad taste on their part to refer to it in any way.

a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land

From this reading Two or three weeks passed without her hearing anything of the book, and it seemed as if it had fallen, as she had at some moments hoped it would fall, like a dull stone into the depths of the sea.

perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading Even a dull stone, if dropped into the deep, creates a little fuss on the surface before it sinks out of sight; but Fanny’s book did not, so far as they could see, produce even so superficial an impression.

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

From this reading Two or three weeks passed without her hearing anything of the book, and it seemed as if it had fallen, as she had at some moments hoped it would fall, like a dull stone into the depths of the sea.

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

From this reading Two or three weeks passed without her hearing anything of the book, and it seemed as if it had fallen, as she had at some moments hoped it would fall, like a dull stone into the depths of the sea.

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

From this reading What they expected of it they might have had some trouble explaining; but as it was, they could not conceal their disappointment from Fanny; and they showed it after a short time in a very delicate way: they never alluded to the book in her presence.

give an exhibition of to an interested audience

From this reading She perceived that what was in their minds was that it would show very bad taste on their part to refer to it in any way.

past form of “show” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience

From this reading What they expected of it they might have had some trouble explaining; but as it was, they could not conceal their disappointment from Fanny; and they showed it after a short time in a very delicate way: they never alluded to the book in her presence.

an instance of visual perception

From this reading Even a dull stone, if dropped into the deep, creates a little fuss on the surface before it sinks out of sight; but Fanny’s book did not, so far as they could see, produce even so superficial an impression.

plural of “sink” — plumbing fixture consisting of a water basin fixed to a wall or floor and having a drainpipe

From this reading Even a dull stone, if dropped into the deep, creates a little fuss on the surface before it sinks out of sight; but Fanny’s book did not, so far as they could see, produce even so superficial an impression.

plural of “sister” — a female person who has the same parents as another person

From this reading She heard nothing of it, and soon she perceived that her sisters felt grievously disappointed at its failure to produce any impression upon the town.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Even a dull stone, if dropped into the deep, creates a little fuss on the surface before it sinks out of sight; but Fanny’s book did not, so far as they could see, produce even so superficial an impression.

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

From this reading Two or three weeks passed without her hearing anything of the book, and it seemed as if it had fallen, as she had at some moments hoped it would fall, like a dull stone into the depths of the sea.

in the near future

From this reading She heard nothing of it, and soon she perceived that her sisters felt grievously disappointed at its failure to produce any impression upon the town.

a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter

From this reading Two or three weeks passed without her hearing anything of the book, and it seemed as if it had fallen, as she had at some moments hoped it would fall, like a dull stone into the depths of the sea.

concerned with or comprehending only what is apparent or obvious; not deep or penetrating emotionally or intellectually

From this reading Even a dull stone, if dropped into the deep, creates a little fuss on the surface before it sinks out of sight; but Fanny’s book did not, so far as they could see, produce even so superficial an impression.

the outer boundary of an artifact or a material layer constituting or resembling such a boundary

From this reading Even a dull stone, if dropped into the deep, creates a little fuss on the surface before it sinks out of sight; but Fanny’s book did not, so far as they could see, produce even so superficial an impression.

To perceive flavor through the mouth.

From this reading She perceived that what was in their minds was that it would show very bad taste on their part to refer to it in any way.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading She heard nothing of it, and soon she perceived that her sisters felt grievously disappointed at its failure to produce any impression upon the town.

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

From this reading Two or three weeks passed without her hearing anything of the book, and it seemed as if it had fallen, as she had at some moments hoped it would fall, like a dull stone into the depths of the sea.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading What they expected of it they might have had some trouble explaining; but as it was, they could not conceal their disappointment from Fanny; and they showed it after a short time in a very delicate way: they never alluded to the book in her presence.

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading Even a dull stone, if dropped into the deep, creates a little fuss on the surface before it sinks out of sight; but Fanny’s book did not, so far as they could see, produce even so superficial an impression.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one

From this reading Two or three weeks passed without her hearing anything of the book, and it seemed as if it had fallen, as she had at some moments hoped it would fall, like a dull stone into the depths of the sea.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading What they expected of it they might have had some trouble explaining; but as it was, they could not conceal their disappointment from Fanny; and they showed it after a short time in a very delicate way: they never alluded to the book in her presence.

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

From this reading She heard nothing of it, and soon she perceived that her sisters felt grievously disappointed at its failure to produce any impression upon the town.

an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city

From this reading She heard nothing of it, and soon she perceived that her sisters felt grievously disappointed at its failure to produce any impression upon the town.

a source of difficulty

From this reading What they expected of it they might have had some trouble explaining; but as it was, they could not conceal their disappointment from Fanny; and they showed it after a short time in a very delicate way: they never alluded to the book in her presence.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number

From this reading Two or three weeks passed without her hearing anything of the book, and it seemed as if it had fallen, as she had at some moments hoped it would fall, like a dull stone into the depths of the sea.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading She heard nothing of it, and soon she perceived that her sisters felt grievously disappointed at its failure to produce any impression upon the town.

precisely as stated

From this reading What they expected of it they might have had some trouble explaining; but as it was, they could not conceal their disappointment from Fanny; and they showed it after a short time in a very delicate way: they never alluded to the book in her presence.

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

From this reading What they expected of it they might have had some trouble explaining; but as it was, they could not conceal their disappointment from Fanny; and they showed it after a short time in a very delicate way: they never alluded to the book in her presence.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading What they expected of it they might have had some trouble explaining; but as it was, they could not conceal their disappointment from Fanny; and they showed it after a short time in a very delicate way: they never alluded to the book in her presence.

plural of “week” — any period of seven consecutive days

From this reading Two or three weeks passed without her hearing anything of the book, and it seemed as if it had fallen, as she had at some moments hoped it would fall, like a dull stone into the depths of the sea.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading What they expected of it they might have had some trouble explaining; but as it was, they could not conceal their disappointment from Fanny; and they showed it after a short time in a very delicate way: they never alluded to the book in her presence.

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading Two or three weeks passed without her hearing anything of the book, and it seemed as if it had fallen, as she had at some moments hoped it would fall, like a dull stone into the depths of the sea.

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

From this reading Two or three weeks passed without her hearing anything of the book, and it seemed as if it had fallen, as she had at some moments hoped it would fall, like a dull stone into the depths of the sea.