Chapter IV

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

From this reading She was not like the careless, sparkling, impulsive Editha who had so dauntlessly stood up in the crowded court-room and defended the hero of our story on that sad day when he received a felon’s doom.

matters of personal concern

From this reading Richard Forrester’s affairs were duly settled, and his property—an exceedingly handsome property, too—passed into the hands of Editha Dalton.

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

From this reading Richard Forrester’s affairs were duly settled, and his property—an exceedingly handsome property, too—passed into the hands of Editha Dalton.

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

From this reading Richard Forrester’s affairs were duly settled, and his property—an exceedingly handsome property, too—passed into the hands of Editha Dalton.

any thing at all

From this reading If anything, the gentle gravity of the deep blue eyes, with their steady, searching glance, possessed a greater charm than when they had been so full of mirth and laughter; the calm, self-possessed manner was more fascinating than the careless gayety of the light-hearted school-girl.

pleasing to the eye or mind especially through beauty or charm

From this reading She was more grave and self-contained, more thoughtful and dignified, but not a whit less sweet and attractive.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading If anything, the gentle gravity of the deep blue eyes, with their steady, searching glance, possessed a greater charm than when they had been so full of mirth and laughter; the calm, self-possessed manner was more fascinating than the careless gayety of the light-hearted school-girl.

of the color intermediate between green and violet; having a color similar to that of a clear unclouded sky

From this reading If anything, the gentle gravity of the deep blue eyes, with their steady, searching glance, possessed a greater charm than when they had been so full of mirth and laughter; the calm, self-possessed manner was more fascinating than the careless gayety of the light-hearted school-girl.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading She was more grave and self-contained, more thoughtful and dignified, but not a whit less sweet and attractive.

make calm or still

From this reading If anything, the gentle gravity of the deep blue eyes, with their steady, searching glance, possessed a greater charm than when they had been so full of mirth and laughter; the calm, self-possessed manner was more fascinating than the careless gayety of the light-hearted school-girl.

marked by lack of attention or consideration or forethought or thoroughness; not careful

From this reading She was not like the careless, sparkling, impulsive Editha who had so dauntlessly stood up in the crowded court-room and defended the hero of our story on that sad day when he received a felon’s doom.

attractiveness that interests or pleases or stimulates

From this reading If anything, the gentle gravity of the deep blue eyes, with their steady, searching glance, possessed a greater charm than when they had been so full of mirth and laughter; the calm, self-possessed manner was more fascinating than the careless gayety of the light-hearted school-girl.

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

From this reading She was not like the careless, sparkling, impulsive Editha who had so dauntlessly stood up in the crowded court-room and defended the hero of our story on that sad day when he received a felon’s doom.

overfilled or compacted or concentrated

From this reading She was not like the careless, sparkling, impulsive Editha who had so dauntlessly stood up in the crowded court-room and defended the hero of our story on that sad day when he received a felon’s doom.

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 Richard Forrester’s affairs were duly settled, and his property—an exceedingly handsome property, too—passed into the hands of Editha Dalton.

without fear

From this reading She was not like the careless, sparkling, impulsive Editha who had so dauntlessly stood up in the crowded court-room and defended the hero of our story on that sad day when he received a felon’s doom.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading She was not like the careless, sparkling, impulsive Editha who had so dauntlessly stood up in the crowded court-room and defended the hero of our story on that sad day when he received a felon’s doom.

relatively deep or strong; affecting one deeply

From this reading If anything, the gentle gravity of the deep blue eyes, with their steady, searching glance, possessed a greater charm than when they had been so full of mirth and laughter; the calm, self-possessed manner was more fascinating than the careless gayety of the light-hearted school-girl.

past form of “defend” — argue or speak in defense of

From this reading She was not like the careless, sparkling, impulsive Editha who had so dauntlessly stood up in the crowded court-room and defended the hero of our story on that sad day when he received a felon’s doom.

having or expressing dignity; especially formality or stateliness in bearing or appearance

From this reading The young girl had grown wonderfully womanly and dignified during the last two years.

decree or designate beforehand

From this reading She was not like the careless, sparkling, impulsive Editha who had so dauntlessly stood up in the crowded court-room and defended the hero of our story on that sad day when he received a felon’s doom.

in accordance with what is appropriate or suitable for the circumstances

From this reading Richard Forrester’s affairs were duly settled, and his property—an exceedingly handsome property, too—passed into the hands of Editha Dalton.

all through a period, or at some point within it

From this reading The young girl had grown wonderfully womanly and dignified during the last two years.

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

From this reading Richard Forrester’s affairs were duly settled, and his property—an exceedingly handsome property, too—passed into the hands of Editha Dalton.

to an extreme degree

From this reading Richard Forrester’s affairs were duly settled, and his property—an exceedingly handsome property, too—passed into the hands of Editha Dalton.

opinion or judgment

From this reading If anything, the gentle gravity of the deep blue eyes, with their steady, searching glance, possessed a greater charm than when they had been so full of mirth and laughter; the calm, self-possessed manner was more fascinating than the careless gayety of the light-hearted school-girl.

capable of arousing and holding the attention

From this reading If anything, the gentle gravity of the deep blue eyes, with their steady, searching glance, possessed a greater charm than when they had been so full of mirth and laughter; the calm, self-possessed manner was more fascinating than the careless gayety of the light-hearted school-girl.

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

From this reading She was not like the careless, sparkling, impulsive Editha who had so dauntlessly stood up in the crowded court-room and defended the hero of our story on that sad day when he received a felon’s doom.

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

From this reading Richard Forrester’s affairs were duly settled, and his property—an exceedingly handsome property, too—passed into the hands of Editha Dalton.

containing as much or as many as is possible or normal

From this reading If anything, the gentle gravity of the deep blue eyes, with their steady, searching glance, possessed a greater charm than when they had been so full of mirth and laughter; the calm, self-possessed manner was more fascinating than the careless gayety of the light-hearted school-girl.

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

From this reading If anything, the gentle gravity of the deep blue eyes, with their steady, searching glance, possessed a greater charm than when they had been so full of mirth and laughter; the calm, self-possessed manner was more fascinating than the careless gayety of the light-hearted school-girl.

soft and mild; not harsh or stern or severe

From this reading If anything, the gentle gravity of the deep blue eyes, with their steady, searching glance, possessed a greater charm than when they had been so full of mirth and laughter; the calm, self-possessed manner was more fascinating than the careless gayety of the light-hearted school-girl.

a young female

From this reading The young girl had grown wonderfully womanly and dignified during the last two years.

throw a glance at; take a brief look at

From this reading If anything, the gentle gravity of the deep blue eyes, with their steady, searching glance, possessed a greater charm than when they had been so full of mirth and laughter; the calm, self-possessed manner was more fascinating than the careless gayety of the light-hearted school-girl.

death of a person

From this reading She was more grave and self-contained, more thoughtful and dignified, but not a whit less sweet and attractive.

(physics) the force of attraction between all masses in the universe; especially the attraction of the earth's mass for bodies near its surface

From this reading If anything, the gentle gravity of the deep blue eyes, with their steady, searching glance, possessed a greater charm than when they had been so full of mirth and laughter; the calm, self-possessed manner was more fascinating than the careless gayety of the light-hearted school-girl.

greater in size or importance or degree

From this reading If anything, the gentle gravity of the deep blue eyes, with their steady, searching glance, possessed a greater charm than when they had been so full of mirth and laughter; the calm, self-possessed manner was more fascinating than the careless gayety of the light-hearted school-girl.

(of animals) fully developed

From this reading The young girl had grown wonderfully womanly and dignified during the last two years.

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

From this reading The young girl had grown wonderfully womanly and dignified during the last two years.

(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child

From this reading Richard Forrester’s affairs were duly settled, and his property—an exceedingly handsome property, too—passed into the hands of Editha Dalton.

pleasing in appearance especially by reason of conformity to ideals of form and proportion

From this reading Richard Forrester’s affairs were duly settled, and his property—an exceedingly handsome property, too—passed into the hands of Editha Dalton.

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

From this reading She was not like the careless, sparkling, impulsive Editha who had so dauntlessly stood up in the crowded court-room and defended the hero of our story on that sad day when he received a felon’s doom.

a man distinguished by exceptional courage and nobility and strength

From this reading She was not like the careless, sparkling, impulsive Editha who had so dauntlessly stood up in the crowded court-room and defended the hero of our story on that sad day when he received a felon’s doom.

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

From this reading Richard Forrester’s affairs were duly settled, and his property—an exceedingly handsome property, too—passed into the hands of Editha Dalton.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading If anything, the gentle gravity of the deep blue eyes, with their steady, searching glance, possessed a greater charm than when they had been so full of mirth and laughter; the calm, self-possessed manner was more fascinating than the careless gayety of the light-hearted school-girl.

proceeding from natural feeling or impulse without external stimulus

From this reading She was not like the careless, sparkling, impulsive Editha who had so dauntlessly stood up in the crowded court-room and defended the hero of our story on that sad day when he received a felon’s doom.

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

From this reading She was not like the careless, sparkling, impulsive Editha who had so dauntlessly stood up in the crowded court-room and defended the hero of our story on that sad day when he received a felon’s doom.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading Richard Forrester’s affairs were duly settled, and his property—an exceedingly handsome property, too—passed into the hands of Editha Dalton.

immediately past

From this reading The young girl had grown wonderfully womanly and dignified during the last two years.

the sound of laughing

From this reading If anything, the gentle gravity of the deep blue eyes, with their steady, searching glance, possessed a greater charm than when they had been so full of mirth and laughter; the calm, self-possessed manner was more fascinating than the careless gayety of the light-hearted school-girl.

used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs

From this reading She was more grave and self-contained, more thoughtful and dignified, but not a whit less sweet and attractive.

carefree and happy and lighthearted

From this reading If anything, the gentle gravity of the deep blue eyes, with their steady, searching glance, possessed a greater charm than when they had been so full of mirth and laughter; the calm, self-possessed manner was more fascinating than the careless gayety of the light-hearted school-girl.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading She was not like the careless, sparkling, impulsive Editha who had so dauntlessly stood up in the crowded court-room and defended the hero of our story on that sad day when he received a felon’s doom.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading If anything, the gentle gravity of the deep blue eyes, with their steady, searching glance, possessed a greater charm than when they had been so full of mirth and laughter; the calm, self-possessed manner was more fascinating than the careless gayety of the light-hearted school-girl.

great merriment

From this reading If anything, the gentle gravity of the deep blue eyes, with their steady, searching glance, possessed a greater charm than when they had been so full of mirth and laughter; the calm, self-possessed manner was more fascinating than the careless gayety of the light-hearted school-girl.

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

From this reading She was more grave and self-contained, more thoughtful and dignified, but not a whit less sweet and attractive.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading She was not like the careless, sparkling, impulsive Editha who had so dauntlessly stood up in the crowded court-room and defended the hero of our story on that sad day when he received a felon’s doom.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Richard Forrester’s affairs were duly settled, and his property—an exceedingly handsome property, too—passed into the hands of Editha Dalton.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading She was not like the careless, sparkling, impulsive Editha who had so dauntlessly stood up in the crowded court-room and defended the hero of our story on that sad day when he received a felon’s doom.

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading She was not like the careless, sparkling, impulsive Editha who had so dauntlessly stood up in the crowded court-room and defended the hero of our story on that sad day when he received a felon’s doom.

past form of “pass” — go across or through

From this reading Richard Forrester’s affairs were duly settled, and his property—an exceedingly handsome property, too—passed into the hands of Editha Dalton.

influenced or controlled by a powerful force such as a strong emotion

From this reading If anything, the gentle gravity of the deep blue eyes, with their steady, searching glance, possessed a greater charm than when they had been so full of mirth and laughter; the calm, self-possessed manner was more fascinating than the careless gayety of the light-hearted school-girl.

something owned; any tangible or intangible possession that is owned by someone

From this reading Richard Forrester’s affairs were duly settled, and his property—an exceedingly handsome property, too—passed into the hands of Editha Dalton.

conforming to the established language usage of educated native speakers

From this reading She was not like the careless, sparkling, impulsive Editha who had so dauntlessly stood up in the crowded court-room and defended the hero of our story on that sad day when he received a felon’s doom.

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

From this reading Richard Forrester’s affairs were duly settled, and his property—an exceedingly handsome property, too—passed into the hands of Editha Dalton.

experiencing or showing sorrow or unhappiness

From this reading She was not like the careless, sparkling, impulsive Editha who had so dauntlessly stood up in the crowded court-room and defended the hero of our story on that sad day when he received a felon’s doom.

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

From this reading If anything, the gentle gravity of the deep blue eyes, with their steady, searching glance, possessed a greater charm than when they had been so full of mirth and laughter; the calm, self-possessed manner was more fascinating than the careless gayety of the light-hearted school-girl.

diligent and thorough in inquiry or investigation

From this reading If anything, the gentle gravity of the deep blue eyes, with their steady, searching glance, possessed a greater charm than when they had been so full of mirth and laughter; the calm, self-possessed manner was more fascinating than the careless gayety of the light-hearted school-girl.

constituting a complete and independent unit in and of itself

From this reading She was more grave and self-contained, more thoughtful and dignified, but not a whit less sweet and attractive.

in full control of your faculties

From this reading If anything, the gentle gravity of the deep blue eyes, with their steady, searching glance, possessed a greater charm than when they had been so full of mirth and laughter; the calm, self-possessed manner was more fascinating than the careless gayety of the light-hearted school-girl.

established or decided beyond dispute or doubt

From this reading Richard Forrester’s affairs were duly settled, and his property—an exceedingly handsome property, too—passed into the hands of Editha Dalton.

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

From this reading She was not like the careless, sparkling, impulsive Editha who had so dauntlessly stood up in the crowded court-room and defended the hero of our story on that sad day when he received a felon’s doom.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading She was not like the careless, sparkling, impulsive Editha who had so dauntlessly stood up in the crowded court-room and defended the hero of our story on that sad day when he received a felon’s doom.

shining with brilliant points of light like stars

From this reading She was not like the careless, sparkling, impulsive Editha who had so dauntlessly stood up in the crowded court-room and defended the hero of our story on that sad day when he received a felon’s doom.

make steady

From this reading If anything, the gentle gravity of the deep blue eyes, with their steady, searching glance, possessed a greater charm than when they had been so full of mirth and laughter; the calm, self-possessed manner was more fascinating than the careless gayety of the light-hearted school-girl.

Maintained an upright posture.

From this reading She was not like the careless, sparkling, impulsive Editha who had so dauntlessly stood up in the crowded court-room and defended the hero of our story on that sad day when he received a felon’s doom.

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 She was not like the careless, sparkling, impulsive Editha who had so dauntlessly stood up in the crowded court-room and defended the hero of our story on that sad day when he received a felon’s doom.

having or denoting the characteristic taste of sugar

From this reading She was more grave and self-contained, more thoughtful and dignified, but not a whit less sweet and attractive.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading If anything, the gentle gravity of the deep blue eyes, with their steady, searching glance, possessed a greater charm than when they had been so full of mirth and laughter; the calm, self-possessed manner was more fascinating than the careless gayety of the light-hearted school-girl.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading She was not like the careless, sparkling, impulsive Editha who had so dauntlessly stood up in the crowded court-room and defended the hero of our story on that sad day when he received a felon’s doom.

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

From this reading Richard Forrester’s affairs were duly settled, and his property—an exceedingly handsome property, too—passed into the hands of Editha Dalton.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading If anything, the gentle gravity of the deep blue eyes, with their steady, searching glance, possessed a greater charm than when they had been so full of mirth and laughter; the calm, self-possessed manner was more fascinating than the careless gayety of the light-hearted school-girl.

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

From this reading If anything, the gentle gravity of the deep blue eyes, with their steady, searching glance, possessed a greater charm than when they had been so full of mirth and laughter; the calm, self-possessed manner was more fascinating than the careless gayety of the light-hearted school-girl.

having intellectual depth

From this reading She was more grave and self-contained, more thoughtful and dignified, but not a whit less sweet and attractive.

to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits

From this reading Richard Forrester’s affairs were duly settled, and his property—an exceedingly handsome property, too—passed into the hands of Editha Dalton.

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

From this reading The young girl had grown wonderfully womanly and dignified during the last two years.

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

From this reading She was not like the careless, sparkling, impulsive Editha who had so dauntlessly stood up in the crowded court-room and defended the hero of our story on that sad day when he received a felon’s doom.

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

From this reading She was not like the careless, sparkling, impulsive Editha who had so dauntlessly stood up in the crowded court-room and defended the hero of our story on that sad day when he received a felon’s doom.

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

From this reading Richard Forrester’s affairs were duly settled, and his property—an exceedingly handsome property, too—passed into the hands of Editha Dalton.

at the time that

From this reading She was not like the careless, sparkling, impulsive Editha who had so dauntlessly stood up in the crowded court-room and defended the hero of our story on that sad day when he received a felon’s doom.

a tiny or scarcely detectable amount

From this reading She was more grave and self-contained, more thoughtful and dignified, but not a whit less sweet and attractive.

which person or people

From this reading She was not like the careless, sparkling, impulsive Editha who had so dauntlessly stood up in the crowded court-room and defended the hero of our story on that sad day when he received a felon’s doom.

in the company of; together with

From this reading If anything, the gentle gravity of the deep blue eyes, with their steady, searching glance, possessed a greater charm than when they had been so full of mirth and laughter; the calm, self-possessed manner was more fascinating than the careless gayety of the light-hearted school-girl.

befitting or characteristic of a woman especially a mature woman

From this reading The young girl had grown wonderfully womanly and dignified during the last two years.

(used as an intensifier) extremely well

From this reading The young girl had grown wonderfully womanly and dignified during the last two years.

a late time of life

From this reading The young girl had grown wonderfully womanly and dignified during the last two years.

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

From this reading The young girl had grown wonderfully womanly and dignified during the last two years.