Chapter XI

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

From this reading Jules had been away from school for a day or two with a bad headache, which had made him look very pale and given him an air of sadness; but he was a little better now and, feeling bored in his own room, he went downstairs to the empty drawing-room and sat at the piano.

a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of

From this reading Jules had been away from school for a day or two with a bad headache, which had made him look very pale and given him an air of sadness; but he was a little better now and, feeling bored in his own room, he went downstairs to the empty drawing-room and sat at the piano.

in addition

From this reading Dolf spoilt him, seeing in his son something that was wanting in himself and therefore attracted him, even as possibly it had formerly attracted him in his wife also: Jules could do no wrong in his eyes; and, if the boy had only been willing, Dolf would have spared no expense to give him a careful musical education.

a cherished desire

From this reading He had no ambition; his vanity was not tickled by his father's hopes of him or his appreciation of his playing: he played only for himself, to express himself in the vague language of musical sounds.

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

From this reading Jules had been away from school for a day or two with a bad headache, which had made him look very pale and given him an air of sadness; but he was a little better now and, feeling bored in his own room, he went downstairs to the empty drawing-room and sat at the piano.

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

From this reading Jules had been away from school for a day or two with a bad headache, which had made him look very pale and given him an air of sadness; but he was a little better now and, feeling bored in his own room, he went downstairs to the empty drawing-room and sat at the piano.

any thing at all

From this reading But Jules violently opposed himself to anything resembling lessons and besides maintained that it was not worth while.

understanding of the nature or meaning or quality or magnitude of something

From this reading He had no ambition; his vanity was not tickled by his father's hopes of him or his appreciation of his playing: he played only for himself, to express himself in the vague language of musical sounds.

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

From this reading Dolf spoilt him, seeing in his son something that was wanting in himself and therefore attracted him, even as possibly it had formerly attracted him in his wife also: Jules could do no wrong in his eyes; and, if the boy had only been willing, Dolf would have spared no expense to give him a careful musical education.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Jules had been away from school for a day or two with a bad headache, which had made him look very pale and given him an air of sadness; but he was a little better now and, feeling bored in his own room, he went downstairs to the empty drawing-room and sat at the piano.

past form of “attract” — direct toward itself or oneself by means of some psychological power or physical attributes

From this reading Dolf spoilt him, seeing in his son something that was wanting in himself and therefore attracted him, even as possibly it had formerly attracted him in his wife also: Jules could do no wrong in his eyes; and, if the boy had only been willing, Dolf would have spared no expense to give him a careful musical education.

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading Jules had been away from school for a day or two with a bad headache, which had made him look very pale and given him an air of sadness; but he was a little better now and, feeling bored in his own room, he went downstairs to the empty drawing-room and sat at the piano.

having undesirable or negative qualities

From this reading Jules had been away from school for a day or two with a bad headache, which had made him look very pale and given him an air of sadness; but he was a little better now and, feeling bored in his own room, he went downstairs to the empty drawing-room and sat at the piano.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Jules had been away from school for a day or two with a bad headache, which had made him look very pale and given him an air of sadness; but he was a little better now and, feeling bored in his own room, he went downstairs to the empty drawing-room and sat at the piano.

in addition to; as well as

From this reading But Jules violently opposed himself to anything resembling lessons and besides maintained that it was not worth while.

(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 Jules had been away from school for a day or two with a bad headache, which had made him look very pale and given him an air of sadness; but he was a little better now and, feeling bored in his own room, he went downstairs to the empty drawing-room and sat at the piano.

tired of the world

From this reading Jules had been away from school for a day or two with a bad headache, which had made him look very pale and given him an air of sadness; but he was a little better now and, feeling bored in his own room, he went downstairs to the empty drawing-room and sat at the piano.

a youthful male person

From this reading Dolf spoilt him, seeing in his son something that was wanting in himself and therefore attracted him, even as possibly it had formerly attracted him in his wife also: Jules could do no wrong in his eyes; and, if the boy had only been willing, Dolf would have spared no expense to give him a careful musical education.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Jules had been away from school for a day or two with a bad headache, which had made him look very pale and given him an air of sadness; but he was a little better now and, feeling bored in his own room, he went downstairs to the empty drawing-room and sat at the piano.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading He had no ambition; his vanity was not tickled by his father's hopes of him or his appreciation of his playing: he played only for himself, to express himself in the vague language of musical sounds.

exercising caution or showing care or attention

From this reading Dolf spoilt him, seeing in his son something that was wanting in himself and therefore attracted him, even as possibly it had formerly attracted him in his wife also: Jules could do no wrong in his eyes; and, if the boy had only been willing, Dolf would have spared no expense to give him a careful musical education.

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

From this reading Dolf spoilt him, seeing in his son something that was wanting in himself and therefore attracted him, even as possibly it had formerly attracted him in his wife also: Jules could do no wrong in his eyes; and, if the boy had only been willing, Dolf would have spared no expense to give him a careful musical education.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading Jules had been away from school for a day or two with a bad headache, which had made him look very pale and given him an air of sadness; but he was a little better now and, feeling bored in his own room, he went downstairs to the empty drawing-room and sat at the piano.

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading Dolf spoilt him, seeing in his son something that was wanting in himself and therefore attracted him, even as possibly it had formerly attracted him in his wife also: Jules could do no wrong in his eyes; and, if the boy had only been willing, Dolf would have spared no expense to give him a careful musical education.

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

From this reading Dolf spoilt him, seeing in his son something that was wanting in himself and therefore attracted him, even as possibly it had formerly attracted him in his wife also: Jules could do no wrong in his eyes; and, if the boy had only been willing, Dolf would have spared no expense to give him a careful musical education.

on a floor below

From this reading Jules had been away from school for a day or two with a bad headache, which had made him look very pale and given him an air of sadness; but he was a little better now and, feeling bored in his own room, he went downstairs to the empty drawing-room and sat at the piano.

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

From this reading Jules had been away from school for a day or two with a bad headache, which had made him look very pale and given him an air of sadness; but he was a little better now and, feeling bored in his own room, he went downstairs to the empty drawing-room and sat at the piano.

the activities of educating or instructing; activities that impart knowledge or skill

From this reading Dolf spoilt him, seeing in his son something that was wanting in himself and therefore attracted him, even as possibly it had formerly attracted him in his wife also: Jules could do no wrong in his eyes; and, if the boy had only been willing, Dolf would have spared no expense to give him a careful musical education.

make void or empty of contents

From this reading Jules had been away from school for a day or two with a bad headache, which had made him look very pale and given him an air of sadness; but he was a little better now and, feeling bored in his own room, he went downstairs to the empty drawing-room and sat at the piano.

divisible by two

From this reading Dolf spoilt him, seeing in his son something that was wanting in himself and therefore attracted him, even as possibly it had formerly attracted him in his wife also: Jules could do no wrong in his eyes; and, if the boy had only been willing, Dolf would have spared no expense to give him a careful musical education.

amounts paid for goods and services that may be currently tax deductible (as opposed to capital expenditures)

From this reading Dolf spoilt him, seeing in his son something that was wanting in himself and therefore attracted him, even as possibly it had formerly attracted him in his wife also: Jules could do no wrong in his eyes; and, if the boy had only been willing, Dolf would have spared no expense to give him a careful musical education.

give expression to

From this reading He had no ambition; his vanity was not tickled by his father's hopes of him or his appreciation of his playing: he played only for himself, to express himself in the vague language of musical sounds.

opinion or judgment

From this reading Dolf spoilt him, seeing in his son something that was wanting in himself and therefore attracted him, even as possibly it had formerly attracted him in his wife also: Jules could do no wrong in his eyes; and, if the boy had only been willing, Dolf would have spared no expense to give him a careful musical education.

possessive form of “father” — a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)

From this reading He had no ambition; his vanity was not tickled by his father's hopes of him or his appreciation of his playing: he played only for himself, to express himself in the vague language of musical sounds.

the experiencing of affective and emotional states

From this reading Jules had been away from school for a day or two with a bad headache, which had made him look very pale and given him an air of sadness; but he was a little better now and, feeling bored in his own room, he went downstairs to the empty drawing-room and sat at the piano.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Jules had been away from school for a day or two with a bad headache, which had made him look very pale and given him an air of sadness; but he was a little better now and, feeling bored in his own room, he went downstairs to the empty drawing-room and sat at the piano.

at a previous time

From this reading Dolf spoilt him, seeing in his son something that was wanting in himself and therefore attracted him, even as possibly it had formerly attracted him in his wife also: Jules could do no wrong in his eyes; and, if the boy had only been willing, Dolf would have spared no expense to give him a careful musical education.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Jules had been away from school for a day or two with a bad headache, which had made him look very pale and given him an air of sadness; but he was a little better now and, feeling bored in his own room, he went downstairs to the empty drawing-room and sat at the piano.

cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense

From this reading Dolf spoilt him, seeing in his son something that was wanting in himself and therefore attracted him, even as possibly it had formerly attracted him in his wife also: Jules could do no wrong in his eyes; and, if the boy had only been willing, Dolf would have spared no expense to give him a careful musical education.

acknowledged as a supposition

From this reading Jules had been away from school for a day or two with a bad headache, which had made him look very pale and given him an air of sadness; but he was a little better now and, feeling bored in his own room, he went downstairs to the empty drawing-room and sat at the piano.

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

From this reading Jules had been away from school for a day or two with a bad headache, which had made him look very pale and given him an air of sadness; but he was a little better now and, feeling bored in his own room, he went downstairs to the empty drawing-room and sat at the piano.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading Dolf spoilt him, seeing in his son something that was wanting in himself and therefore attracted him, even as possibly it had formerly attracted him in his wife also: Jules could do no wrong in his eyes; and, if the boy had only been willing, Dolf would have spared no expense to give him a careful musical education.

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

From this reading Jules had been away from school for a day or two with a bad headache, which had made him look very pale and given him an air of sadness; but he was a little better now and, feeling bored in his own room, he went downstairs to the empty drawing-room and sat at the piano.

something or someone that causes anxiety; a source of unhappiness

From this reading Jules had been away from school for a day or two with a bad headache, which had made him look very pale and given him an air of sadness; but he was a little better now and, feeling bored in his own room, he went downstairs to the empty drawing-room and sat at the piano.

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

From this reading Jules had been away from school for a day or two with a bad headache, which had made him look very pale and given him an air of sadness; but he was a little better now and, feeling bored in his own room, he went downstairs to the empty drawing-room and sat at the piano.

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading Dolf spoilt him, seeing in his son something that was wanting in himself and therefore attracted him, even as possibly it had formerly attracted him in his wife also: Jules could do no wrong in his eyes; and, if the boy had only been willing, Dolf would have spared no expense to give him a careful musical education.

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

From this reading Jules had been away from school for a day or two with a bad headache, which had made him look very pale and given him an air of sadness; but he was a little better now and, feeling bored in his own room, he went downstairs to the empty drawing-room and sat at the piano.

plural of “hope” — a specific instance of feeling hopeful

From this reading He had no ambition; his vanity was not tickled by his father's hopes of him or his appreciation of his playing: he played only for himself, to express himself in the vague language of musical sounds.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading Papa was at work in his study, but it would not interfere with Papa if he played.

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

From this reading Jules had been away from school for a day or two with a bad headache, which had made him look very pale and given him an air of sadness; but he was a little better now and, feeling bored in his own room, he went downstairs to the empty drawing-room and sat at the piano.

come between so as to be hindrance or obstacle

From this reading Papa was at work in his study, but it would not interfere with Papa if he played.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Papa was at work in his study, but it would not interfere with Papa if he played.

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

From this reading Jules had been away from school for a day or two with a bad headache, which had made him look very pale and given him an air of sadness; but he was a little better now and, feeling bored in his own room, he went downstairs to the empty drawing-room and sat at the piano.

a systematic means of communicating by the use of sounds or conventional symbols

From this reading He had no ambition; his vanity was not tickled by his father's hopes of him or his appreciation of his playing: he played only for himself, to express himself in the vague language of musical sounds.

plural of “lesson” — a unit of instruction

From this reading But Jules violently opposed himself to anything resembling lessons and besides maintained that it was not worth while.

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

From this reading Jules had been away from school for a day or two with a bad headache, which had made him look very pale and given him an air of sadness; but he was a little better now and, feeling bored in his own room, he went downstairs to the empty drawing-room and sat at the piano.

perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading Jules had been away from school for a day or two with a bad headache, which had made him look very pale and given him an air of sadness; but he was a little better now and, feeling bored in his own room, he went downstairs to the empty drawing-room and sat at the piano.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading Jules had been away from school for a day or two with a bad headache, which had made him look very pale and given him an air of sadness; but he was a little better now and, feeling bored in his own room, he went downstairs to the empty drawing-room and sat at the piano.

kept in good condition

From this reading But Jules violently opposed himself to anything resembling lessons and besides maintained that it was not worth while.

characterized by or capable of producing music

From this reading Dolf spoilt him, seeing in his son something that was wanting in himself and therefore attracted him, even as possibly it had formerly attracted him in his wife also: Jules could do no wrong in his eyes; and, if the boy had only been willing, Dolf would have spared no expense to give him a careful musical education.

not any; not one

From this reading Dolf spoilt him, seeing in his son something that was wanting in himself and therefore attracted him, even as possibly it had formerly attracted him in his wife also: Jules could do no wrong in his eyes; and, if the boy had only been willing, Dolf would have spared no expense to give him a careful musical education.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Papa was at work in his study, but it would not interfere with Papa if he played.

in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events

From this reading Jules had been away from school for a day or two with a bad headache, which had made him look very pale and given him an air of sadness; but he was a little better now and, feeling bored in his own room, he went downstairs to the empty drawing-room and sat at the piano.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Jules had been away from school for a day or two with a bad headache, which had made him look very pale and given him an air of sadness; but he was a little better now and, feeling bored in his own room, he went downstairs to the empty drawing-room and sat at the piano.

and nothing more

From this reading Dolf spoilt him, seeing in his son something that was wanting in himself and therefore attracted him, even as possibly it had formerly attracted him in his wife also: Jules could do no wrong in his eyes; and, if the boy had only been willing, Dolf would have spared no expense to give him a careful musical education.

being in opposition or having an opponent

From this reading But Jules violently opposed himself to anything resembling lessons and besides maintained that it was not worth while.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Jules had been away from school for a day or two with a bad headache, which had made him look very pale and given him an air of sadness; but he was a little better now and, feeling bored in his own room, he went downstairs to the empty drawing-room and sat at the piano.

have ownership or possession of

From this reading Jules had been away from school for a day or two with a bad headache, which had made him look very pale and given him an air of sadness; but he was a little better now and, feeling bored in his own room, he went downstairs to the empty drawing-room and sat at the piano.

very light colored; highly diluted with white

From this reading Jules had been away from school for a day or two with a bad headache, which had made him look very pale and given him an air of sadness; but he was a little better now and, feeling bored in his own room, he went downstairs to the empty drawing-room and sat at the piano.

an informal term for a father; probably derived from baby talk

From this reading Papa was at work in his study, but it would not interfere with Papa if he played.

a keyboard instrument that is played by depressing keys that cause hammers to strike tuned strings and produce sounds

From this reading Jules had been away from school for a day or two with a bad headache, which had made him look very pale and given him an air of sadness; but he was a little better now and, feeling bored in his own room, he went downstairs to the empty drawing-room and sat at the piano.

(of games) engaged in

From this reading Papa was at work in his study, but it would not interfere with Papa if he played.

the act of playing a musical instrument

From this reading He had no ambition; his vanity was not tickled by his father's hopes of him or his appreciation of his playing: he played only for himself, to express himself in the vague language of musical sounds.

by chance

From this reading Dolf spoilt him, seeing in his son something that was wanting in himself and therefore attracted him, even as possibly it had formerly attracted him in his wife also: Jules could do no wrong in his eyes; and, if the boy had only been willing, Dolf would have spared no expense to give him a careful musical education.

-ing form of “resemble” — appear like; be similar or bear a likeness to

From this reading But Jules violently opposed himself to anything resembling lessons and besides maintained that it was not worth while.

an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling

From this reading Jules had been away from school for a day or two with a bad headache, which had made him look very pale and given him an air of sadness; but he was a little better now and, feeling bored in his own room, he went downstairs to the empty drawing-room and sat at the piano.

emotions experienced when not in a state of well-being

From this reading Jules had been away from school for a day or two with a bad headache, which had made him look very pale and given him an air of sadness; but he was a little better now and, feeling bored in his own room, he went downstairs to the empty drawing-room and sat at the piano.

the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians

From this reading Jules had been away from school for a day or two with a bad headache, which had made him look very pale and given him an air of sadness; but he was a little better now and, feeling bored in his own room, he went downstairs to the empty drawing-room and sat at the piano.

an educational institution

From this reading Jules had been away from school for a day or two with a bad headache, which had made him look very pale and given him an air of sadness; but he was a little better now and, feeling bored in his own room, he went downstairs to the empty drawing-room and sat at the piano.

perception by means of the eyes

From this reading Dolf spoilt him, seeing in his son something that was wanting in himself and therefore attracted him, even as possibly it had formerly attracted him in his wife also: Jules could do no wrong in his eyes; and, if the boy had only been willing, Dolf would have spared no expense to give him a careful musical education.

a thing, without saying which

From this reading Dolf spoilt him, seeing in his son something that was wanting in himself and therefore attracted him, even as possibly it had formerly attracted him in his wife also: Jules could do no wrong in his eyes; and, if the boy had only been willing, Dolf would have spared no expense to give him a careful musical education.

a male human offspring

From this reading Dolf spoilt him, seeing in his son something that was wanting in himself and therefore attracted him, even as possibly it had formerly attracted him in his wife also: Jules could do no wrong in his eyes; and, if the boy had only been willing, Dolf would have spared no expense to give him a careful musical education.

plural of “sound” — the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause

From this reading He had no ambition; his vanity was not tickled by his father's hopes of him or his appreciation of his playing: he played only for himself, to express himself in the vague language of musical sounds.

past form of “spare” — refrain from harming

From this reading Dolf spoilt him, seeing in his son something that was wanting in himself and therefore attracted him, even as possibly it had formerly attracted him in his wife also: Jules could do no wrong in his eyes; and, if the boy had only been willing, Dolf would have spared no expense to give him a careful musical education.

having the character or disposition harmed by pampering or oversolicitous attention

From this reading Dolf spoilt him, seeing in his son something that was wanting in himself and therefore attracted him, even as possibly it had formerly attracted him in his wife also: Jules could do no wrong in his eyes; and, if the boy had only been willing, Dolf would have spared no expense to give him a careful musical education.

a detailed critical inspection

From this reading Papa was at work in his study, but it would not interfere with Papa if he played.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Dolf spoilt him, seeing in his son something that was wanting in himself and therefore attracted him, even as possibly it had formerly attracted him in his wife also: Jules could do no wrong in his eyes; and, if the boy had only been willing, Dolf would have spared no expense to give him a careful musical education.

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

From this reading Jules had been away from school for a day or two with a bad headache, which had made him look very pale and given him an air of sadness; but he was a little better now and, feeling bored in his own room, he went downstairs to the empty drawing-room and sat at the piano.

for that reason; as a result

From this reading Dolf spoilt him, seeing in his son something that was wanting in himself and therefore attracted him, even as possibly it had formerly attracted him in his wife also: Jules could do no wrong in his eyes; and, if the boy had only been willing, Dolf would have spared no expense to give him a careful musical education.

past form of “tickle” — touch (a body part) lightly so as to excite the surface nerves and cause uneasiness, laughter, or spasmodic movements

From this reading He had no ambition; his vanity was not tickled by his father's hopes of him or his appreciation of his playing: he played only for himself, to express himself in the vague language of musical sounds.

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

From this reading Jules had been away from school for a day or two with a bad headache, which had made him look very pale and given him an air of sadness; but he was a little better now and, feeling bored in his own room, he went downstairs to the empty drawing-room and sat at the piano.

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

From this reading Jules had been away from school for a day or two with a bad headache, which had made him look very pale and given him an air of sadness; but he was a little better now and, feeling bored in his own room, he went downstairs to the empty drawing-room and sat at the piano.

not clearly expressed or understood

From this reading He had no ambition; his vanity was not tickled by his father's hopes of him or his appreciation of his playing: he played only for himself, to express himself in the vague language of musical sounds.

feelings of excessive pride

From this reading He had no ambition; his vanity was not tickled by his father's hopes of him or his appreciation of his playing: he played only for himself, to express himself in the vague language of musical sounds.

precisely as stated

From this reading Jules had been away from school for a day or two with a bad headache, which had made him look very pale and given him an air of sadness; but he was a little better now and, feeling bored in his own room, he went downstairs to the empty drawing-room and sat at the piano.

in a violent manner

From this reading But Jules violently opposed himself to anything resembling lessons and besides maintained that it was not worth while.

nonexistent

From this reading Dolf spoilt him, seeing in his son something that was wanting in himself and therefore attracted him, even as possibly it had formerly attracted him in his wife also: Jules could do no wrong in his eyes; and, if the boy had only been willing, Dolf would have spared no expense to give him a careful musical education.

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

From this reading Jules had been away from school for a day or two with a bad headache, which had made him look very pale and given him an air of sadness; but he was a little better now and, feeling bored in his own room, he went downstairs to the empty drawing-room and sat at the piano.

inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading Jules had been away from school for a day or two with a bad headache, which had made him look very pale and given him an air of sadness; but he was a little better now and, feeling bored in his own room, he went downstairs to the empty drawing-room and sat at the piano.

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

From this reading Jules had been away from school for a day or two with a bad headache, which had made him look very pale and given him an air of sadness; but he was a little better now and, feeling bored in his own room, he went downstairs to the empty drawing-room and sat at the piano.

during the time that

From this reading But Jules violently opposed himself to anything resembling lessons and besides maintained that it was not worth while.

a married woman; a man's partner in marriage

From this reading Dolf spoilt him, seeing in his son something that was wanting in himself and therefore attracted him, even as possibly it had formerly attracted him in his wife also: Jules could do no wrong in his eyes; and, if the boy had only been willing, Dolf would have spared no expense to give him a careful musical education.

disposed or inclined toward

From this reading Dolf spoilt him, seeing in his son something that was wanting in himself and therefore attracted him, even as possibly it had formerly attracted him in his wife also: Jules could do no wrong in his eyes; and, if the boy had only been willing, Dolf would have spared no expense to give him a careful musical education.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Jules had been away from school for a day or two with a bad headache, which had made him look very pale and given him an air of sadness; but he was a little better now and, feeling bored in his own room, he went downstairs to the empty drawing-room and sat at the piano.

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

From this reading Papa was at work in his study, but it would not interfere with Papa if he played.

an indefinite quantity of something having a specified value

From this reading But Jules violently opposed himself to anything resembling lessons and besides maintained that it was not worth while.

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

From this reading Papa was at work in his study, but it would not interfere with Papa if he played.

not correct; not in conformity with fact or truth

From this reading Dolf spoilt him, seeing in his son something that was wanting in himself and therefore attracted him, even as possibly it had formerly attracted him in his wife also: Jules could do no wrong in his eyes; and, if the boy had only been willing, Dolf would have spared no expense to give him a careful musical education.