Chapter XVII · At the Play

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

From this reading In fact that young lady was quite as puzzled as was Dorothy, and when told that Tavia was not to be found at home a few days previous (this being within the time when Tavia had left Buffalo ostensibly for her residence in Dalton), Miss Barnum wanted to communicate immediately with the missing girl’s parents.

Having no one else present.

From this reading He thought he might better give the two young ladies a chance to discuss the situation alone, and so, under pretense of strolling through the little park opposite the house, left Grace and Dorothy together.

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

From this reading In fact that young lady was quite as puzzled as was Dorothy, and when told that Tavia was not to be found at home a few days previous (this being within the time when Tavia had left Buffalo ostensibly for her residence in Dalton), Miss Barnum wanted to communicate immediately with the missing girl’s parents.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading But little light was thrown on the disappearance of Tavia through any information Dorothy could obtain from Grace Barnum.

reach a destination; arrive by movement or progress

From this reading It took the girls but a moment to arrive at the same point of interest.

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

From this reading In fact that young lady was quite as puzzled as was Dorothy, and when told that Tavia was not to be found at home a few days previous (this being within the time when Tavia had left Buffalo ostensibly for her residence in Dalton), Miss Barnum wanted to communicate immediately with the missing girl’s parents.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading In fact that young lady was quite as puzzled as was Dorothy, and when told that Tavia was not to be found at home a few days previous (this being within the time when Tavia had left Buffalo ostensibly for her residence in Dalton), Miss Barnum wanted to communicate immediately with the missing girl’s parents.

United States showman who popularized the circus (1810-1891)

From this reading But little light was thrown on the disappearance of Tavia through any information Dorothy could obtain from Grace Barnum.

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

From this reading In fact that young lady was quite as puzzled as was Dorothy, and when told that Tavia was not to be found at home a few days previous (this being within the time when Tavia had left Buffalo ostensibly for her residence in Dalton), Miss Barnum wanted to communicate immediately with the missing girl’s parents.

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading In fact that young lady was quite as puzzled as was Dorothy, and when told that Tavia was not to be found at home a few days previous (this being within the time when Tavia had left Buffalo ostensibly for her residence in Dalton), Miss Barnum wanted to communicate immediately with the missing girl’s parents.

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

From this reading He thought he might better give the two young ladies a chance to discuss the situation alone, and so, under pretense of strolling through the little park opposite the house, left Grace and Dorothy together.

large shaggy-haired brown bison of North American plains

From this reading In fact that young lady was quite as puzzled as was Dorothy, and when told that Tavia was not to be found at home a few days previous (this being within the time when Tavia had left Buffalo ostensibly for her residence in Dalton), Miss Barnum wanted to communicate immediately with the missing girl’s parents.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But little light was thrown on the disappearance of Tavia through any information Dorothy could obtain from Grace Barnum.

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

From this reading Nat, with kind consideration, had declined to step inside when Dorothy called at the Barnum home.

a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances

From this reading He thought he might better give the two young ladies a chance to discuss the situation alone, and so, under pretense of strolling through the little park opposite the house, left Grace and Dorothy together.

transmit information

From this reading In fact that young lady was quite as puzzled as was Dorothy, and when told that Tavia was not to be found at home a few days previous (this being within the time when Tavia had left Buffalo ostensibly for her residence in Dalton), Miss Barnum wanted to communicate immediately with the missing girl’s parents.

the process of giving careful thought to something

From this reading Nat, with kind consideration, had declined to step inside when Dorothy called at the Barnum home.

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

From this reading But little light was thrown on the disappearance of Tavia through any information Dorothy could obtain from Grace Barnum.

English chemist and physicist who formulated atomic theory and the law of partial pressures; gave the first description of red-green color blindness (1766-1844)

From this reading In fact that young lady was quite as puzzled as was Dorothy, and when told that Tavia was not to be found at home a few days previous (this being within the time when Tavia had left Buffalo ostensibly for her residence in Dalton), Miss Barnum wanted to communicate immediately with the missing girl’s parents.

the time during which someone's life continues

From this reading In fact that young lady was quite as puzzled as was Dorothy, and when told that Tavia was not to be found at home a few days previous (this being within the time when Tavia had left Buffalo ostensibly for her residence in Dalton), Miss Barnum wanted to communicate immediately with the missing girl’s parents.

past form of “decline” — grow worse

From this reading Nat, with kind consideration, had declined to step inside when Dorothy called at the Barnum home.

the act of leaving secretly or without explanation

From this reading But little light was thrown on the disappearance of Tavia through any information Dorothy could obtain from Grace Barnum.

to consider or examine in speech or writing

From this reading He thought he might better give the two young ladies a chance to discuss the situation alone, and so, under pretense of strolling through the little park opposite the house, left Grace and Dorothy together.

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

From this reading But little light was thrown on the disappearance of Tavia through any information Dorothy could obtain from Grace Barnum.

a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred

From this reading In fact that young lady was quite as puzzled as was Dorothy, and when told that Tavia was not to be found at home a few days previous (this being within the time when Tavia had left Buffalo ostensibly for her residence in Dalton), Miss Barnum wanted to communicate immediately with the missing girl’s parents.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number

From this reading In fact that young lady was quite as puzzled as was Dorothy, and when told that Tavia was not to be found at home a few days previous (this being within the time when Tavia had left Buffalo ostensibly for her residence in Dalton), Miss Barnum wanted to communicate immediately with the missing girl’s parents.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading In fact that young lady was quite as puzzled as was Dorothy, and when told that Tavia was not to be found at home a few days previous (this being within the time when Tavia had left Buffalo ostensibly for her residence in Dalton), Miss Barnum wanted to communicate immediately with the missing girl’s parents.

set up or found

From this reading In fact that young lady was quite as puzzled as was Dorothy, and when told that Tavia was not to be found at home a few days previous (this being within the time when Tavia had left Buffalo ostensibly for her residence in Dalton), Miss Barnum wanted to communicate immediately with the missing girl’s parents.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading But little light was thrown on the disappearance of Tavia through any information Dorothy could obtain from Grace Barnum.

possessive form of “girl” — a young female

From this reading In fact that young lady was quite as puzzled as was Dorothy, and when told that Tavia was not to be found at home a few days previous (this being within the time when Tavia had left Buffalo ostensibly for her residence in Dalton), Miss Barnum wanted to communicate immediately with the missing girl’s parents.

plural of “girl” — a young female

From this reading It took the girls but a moment to arrive at the same point of interest.

cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense

From this reading He thought he might better give the two young ladies a chance to discuss the situation alone, and so, under pretense of strolling through the little park opposite the house, left Grace and Dorothy together.

(Christian theology) a state of sanctification by God; the state of one who is under such divine influence

From this reading But little light was thrown on the disappearance of Tavia through any information Dorothy could obtain from Grace Barnum.

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

From this reading In fact that young lady was quite as puzzled as was Dorothy, and when told that Tavia was not to be found at home a few days previous (this being within the time when Tavia had left Buffalo ostensibly for her residence in Dalton), Miss Barnum wanted to communicate immediately with the missing girl’s parents.

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

From this reading He thought he might better give the two young ladies a chance to discuss the situation alone, and so, under pretense of strolling through the little park opposite the house, left Grace and Dorothy together.

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

From this reading In fact that young lady was quite as puzzled as was Dorothy, and when told that Tavia was not to be found at home a few days previous (this being within the time when Tavia had left Buffalo ostensibly for her residence in Dalton), Miss Barnum wanted to communicate immediately with the missing girl’s parents.

where you live at a particular time

From this reading In fact that young lady was quite as puzzled as was Dorothy, and when told that Tavia was not to be found at home a few days previous (this being within the time when Tavia had left Buffalo ostensibly for her residence in Dalton), Miss Barnum wanted to communicate immediately with the missing girl’s parents.

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

From this reading He thought he might better give the two young ladies a chance to discuss the situation alone, and so, under pretense of strolling through the little park opposite the house, left Grace and Dorothy together.

without delay or hesitation; with no time intervening

From this reading In fact that young lady was quite as puzzled as was Dorothy, and when told that Tavia was not to be found at home a few days previous (this being within the time when Tavia had left Buffalo ostensibly for her residence in Dalton), Miss Barnum wanted to communicate immediately with the missing girl’s parents.

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

From this reading In fact that young lady was quite as puzzled as was Dorothy, and when told that Tavia was not to be found at home a few days previous (this being within the time when Tavia had left Buffalo ostensibly for her residence in Dalton), Miss Barnum wanted to communicate immediately with the missing girl’s parents.

a message received and understood

From this reading But little light was thrown on the disappearance of Tavia through any information Dorothy could obtain from Grace Barnum.

relating to or being on the side closer to the center or within a defined space

From this reading Nat, with kind consideration, had declined to step inside when Dorothy called at the Barnum home.

a sense of concern with and curiosity about someone or something

From this reading It took the girls but a moment to arrive at the same point of interest.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It took the girls but a moment to arrive at the same point of interest.

having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior

From this reading Nat, with kind consideration, had declined to step inside when Dorothy called at the Barnum home.

plural of “lady” — a polite name for any woman

From this reading He thought he might better give the two young ladies a chance to discuss the situation alone, and so, under pretense of strolling through the little park opposite the house, left Grace and Dorothy together.

a polite name for any woman

From this reading In fact that young lady was quite as puzzled as was Dorothy, and when told that Tavia was not to be found at home a few days previous (this being within the time when Tavia had left Buffalo ostensibly for her residence in Dalton), Miss Barnum wanted to communicate immediately with the missing girl’s parents.

location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east

From this reading In fact that young lady was quite as puzzled as was Dorothy, and when told that Tavia was not to be found at home a few days previous (this being within the time when Tavia had left Buffalo ostensibly for her residence in Dalton), Miss Barnum wanted to communicate immediately with the missing girl’s parents.

of comparatively little physical weight or density

From this reading But little light was thrown on the disappearance of Tavia through any information Dorothy could obtain from Grace Barnum.

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

From this reading But little light was thrown on the disappearance of Tavia through any information Dorothy could obtain from Grace Barnum.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading He thought he might better give the two young ladies a chance to discuss the situation alone, and so, under pretense of strolling through the little park opposite the house, left Grace and Dorothy together.

fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind

From this reading In fact that young lady was quite as puzzled as was Dorothy, and when told that Tavia was not to be found at home a few days previous (this being within the time when Tavia had left Buffalo ostensibly for her residence in Dalton), Miss Barnum wanted to communicate immediately with the missing girl’s parents.

not able to be found

From this reading In fact that young lady was quite as puzzled as was Dorothy, and when told that Tavia was not to be found at home a few days previous (this being within the time when Tavia had left Buffalo ostensibly for her residence in Dalton), Miss Barnum wanted to communicate immediately with the missing girl’s parents.

a particular point in time

From this reading It took the girls but a moment to arrive at the same point of interest.

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

From this reading Nat, with kind consideration, had declined to step inside when Dorothy called at the Barnum home.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading In fact that young lady was quite as puzzled as was Dorothy, and when told that Tavia was not to be found at home a few days previous (this being within the time when Tavia had left Buffalo ostensibly for her residence in Dalton), Miss Barnum wanted to communicate immediately with the missing girl’s parents.

come into possession of

From this reading But little light was thrown on the disappearance of Tavia through any information Dorothy could obtain from Grace Barnum.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading But little light was thrown on the disappearance of Tavia through any information Dorothy could obtain from Grace Barnum.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading But little light was thrown on the disappearance of Tavia through any information Dorothy could obtain from Grace Barnum.

being directly across from each other; facing

From this reading He thought he might better give the two young ladies a chance to discuss the situation alone, and so, under pretense of strolling through the little park opposite the house, left Grace and Dorothy together.

from appearances alone

From this reading In fact that young lady was quite as puzzled as was Dorothy, and when told that Tavia was not to be found at home a few days previous (this being within the time when Tavia had left Buffalo ostensibly for her residence in Dalton), Miss Barnum wanted to communicate immediately with the missing girl’s parents.

plural of “parent” — a father or mother; one who begets or one who gives birth to or nurtures and raises a child; a relative who plays the role of guardian

From this reading In fact that young lady was quite as puzzled as was Dorothy, and when told that Tavia was not to be found at home a few days previous (this being within the time when Tavia had left Buffalo ostensibly for her residence in Dalton), Miss Barnum wanted to communicate immediately with the missing girl’s parents.

a large area of land preserved in its natural state as public property

From this reading He thought he might better give the two young ladies a chance to discuss the situation alone, and so, under pretense of strolling through the little park opposite the house, left Grace and Dorothy together.

a geometric element that has position but no extension

From this reading It took the girls but a moment to arrive at the same point of interest.

the act of giving a false appearance

From this reading He thought he might better give the two young ladies a chance to discuss the situation alone, and so, under pretense of strolling through the little park opposite the house, left Grace and Dorothy together.

just preceding something else in time or order

From this reading In fact that young lady was quite as puzzled as was Dorothy, and when told that Tavia was not to be found at home a few days previous (this being within the time when Tavia had left Buffalo ostensibly for her residence in Dalton), Miss Barnum wanted to communicate immediately with the missing girl’s parents.

filled with bewilderment

From this reading In fact that young lady was quite as puzzled as was Dorothy, and when told that Tavia was not to be found at home a few days previous (this being within the time when Tavia had left Buffalo ostensibly for her residence in Dalton), Miss Barnum wanted to communicate immediately with the missing girl’s parents.

to a degree (not used with a negative)

From this reading In fact that young lady was quite as puzzled as was Dorothy, and when told that Tavia was not to be found at home a few days previous (this being within the time when Tavia had left Buffalo ostensibly for her residence in Dalton), Miss Barnum wanted to communicate immediately with the missing girl’s parents.

any address at which you dwell more than temporarily

From this reading In fact that young lady was quite as puzzled as was Dorothy, and when told that Tavia was not to be found at home a few days previous (this being within the time when Tavia had left Buffalo ostensibly for her residence in Dalton), Miss Barnum wanted to communicate immediately with the missing girl’s parents.

Identical; not different.

From this reading It took the girls but a moment to arrive at the same point of interest.

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

From this reading He thought he might better give the two young ladies a chance to discuss the situation alone, and so, under pretense of strolling through the little park opposite the house, left Grace and Dorothy together.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading He thought he might better give the two young ladies a chance to discuss the situation alone, and so, under pretense of strolling through the little park opposite the house, left Grace and Dorothy together.

any maneuver made as part of progress toward a goal

From this reading Nat, with kind consideration, had declined to step inside when Dorothy called at the Barnum home.

-ing form of “stroll” — walk leisurely and with no apparent aim

From this reading He thought he might better give the two young ladies a chance to discuss the situation alone, and so, under pretense of strolling through the little park opposite the house, left Grace and Dorothy together.

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

From this reading But little light was thrown on the disappearance of Tavia through any information Dorothy could obtain from Grace Barnum.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading In fact that young lady was quite as puzzled as was Dorothy, and when told that Tavia was not to be found at home a few days previous (this being within the time when Tavia had left Buffalo ostensibly for her residence in Dalton), Miss Barnum wanted to communicate immediately with the missing girl’s parents.

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

From this reading But little light was thrown on the disappearance of Tavia through any information Dorothy could obtain from Grace Barnum.

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

From this reading In fact that young lady was quite as puzzled as was Dorothy, and when told that Tavia was not to be found at home a few days previous (this being within the time when Tavia had left Buffalo ostensibly for her residence in Dalton), Miss Barnum wanted to communicate immediately with the missing girl’s parents.

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

From this reading He thought he might better give the two young ladies a chance to discuss the situation alone, and so, under pretense of strolling through the little park opposite the house, left Grace and Dorothy together.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading But little light was thrown on the disappearance of Tavia through any information Dorothy could obtain from Grace Barnum.

caused to fall to the ground

From this reading But little light was thrown on the disappearance of Tavia through any information Dorothy could obtain from Grace Barnum.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading In fact that young lady was quite as puzzled as was Dorothy, and when told that Tavia was not to be found at home a few days previous (this being within the time when Tavia had left Buffalo ostensibly for her residence in Dalton), Miss Barnum wanted to communicate immediately with the missing girl’s parents.

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

From this reading In fact that young lady was quite as puzzled as was Dorothy, and when told that Tavia was not to be found at home a few days previous (this being within the time when Tavia had left Buffalo ostensibly for her residence in Dalton), Miss Barnum wanted to communicate immediately with the missing girl’s parents.

in contact with each other or in proximity

From this reading He thought he might better give the two young ladies a chance to discuss the situation alone, and so, under pretense of strolling through the little park opposite the house, left Grace and Dorothy together.

inflected form of “tell” — express in words

From this reading In fact that young lady was quite as puzzled as was Dorothy, and when told that Tavia was not to be found at home a few days previous (this being within the time when Tavia had left Buffalo ostensibly for her residence in Dalton), Miss Barnum wanted to communicate immediately with the missing girl’s parents.

inflected form of “take” — carry out

From this reading It took the girls but a moment to arrive at the same point of interest.

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

From this reading He thought he might better give the two young ladies a chance to discuss the situation alone, and so, under pretense of strolling through the little park opposite the house, left Grace and Dorothy together.

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading He thought he might better give the two young ladies a chance to discuss the situation alone, and so, under pretense of strolling through the little park opposite the house, left Grace and Dorothy together.

desired or wished for or sought

From this reading In fact that young lady was quite as puzzled as was Dorothy, and when told that Tavia was not to be found at home a few days previous (this being within the time when Tavia had left Buffalo ostensibly for her residence in Dalton), Miss Barnum wanted to communicate immediately with the missing girl’s parents.

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

From this reading But little light was thrown on the disappearance of Tavia through any information Dorothy could obtain from Grace Barnum.

at the time that

From this reading In fact that young lady was quite as puzzled as was Dorothy, and when told that Tavia was not to be found at home a few days previous (this being within the time when Tavia had left Buffalo ostensibly for her residence in Dalton), Miss Barnum wanted to communicate immediately with the missing girl’s parents.

in the company of; together with

From this reading In fact that young lady was quite as puzzled as was Dorothy, and when told that Tavia was not to be found at home a few days previous (this being within the time when Tavia had left Buffalo ostensibly for her residence in Dalton), Miss Barnum wanted to communicate immediately with the missing girl’s parents.

inside; before a period of time has passed

From this reading In fact that young lady was quite as puzzled as was Dorothy, and when told that Tavia was not to be found at home a few days previous (this being within the time when Tavia had left Buffalo ostensibly for her residence in Dalton), Miss Barnum wanted to communicate immediately with the missing girl’s parents.

(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth

From this reading In fact that young lady was quite as puzzled as was Dorothy, and when told that Tavia was not to be found at home a few days previous (this being within the time when Tavia had left Buffalo ostensibly for her residence in Dalton), Miss Barnum wanted to communicate immediately with the missing girl’s parents.