Chapter XXXVI

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

From this reading But comfort was a noun substantive whose very meaning must, I think, have been utterly incomprehensible to Major and Mrs. Lennard.

(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class

From this reading They had married very young, had started in life all wrong, and had remained in a perpetual state of muddle, both mental and physical, ever since.

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

From this reading Mrs. Major Lennard was very kind to Eleanor, and if kindness and friendliness on the part of her employers could have made Mrs. Monckton comfortable, she might have been entirely so in her new position.

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

From this reading They were like two children who had played at being grown-up people for twenty years or so; and who were as entirely childish in their play now as they had been at the very beginning.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading They were like two children who had played at being grown-up people for twenty years or so; and who were as entirely childish in their play now as they had been at the very beginning.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Mrs. Major Lennard was very kind to Eleanor, and if kindness and friendliness on the part of her employers could have made Mrs. Monckton comfortable, she might have been entirely so in her new position.

the event consisting of the start of something

From this reading They were like two children who had played at being grown-up people for twenty years or so; and who were as entirely childish in their play now as they had been at the very beginning.

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading They were like two children who had played at being grown-up people for twenty years or so; and who were as entirely childish in their play now as they had been at the very beginning.

the two together, not just one

From this reading They had married very young, had started in life all wrong, and had remained in a perpetual state of muddle, both mental and physical, ever since.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But comfort was a noun substantive whose very meaning must, I think, have been utterly incomprehensible to Major and Mrs. Lennard.

indicating a lack of maturity

From this reading They were like two children who had played at being grown-up people for twenty years or so; and who were as entirely childish in their play now as they had been at the very beginning.

plural of “child” — a young person of either sex

From this reading They were like two children who had played at being grown-up people for twenty years or so; and who were as entirely childish in their play now as they had been at the very beginning.

a state of being relaxed and feeling no pain

From this reading But comfort was a noun substantive whose very meaning must, I think, have been utterly incomprehensible to Major and Mrs. Lennard.

providing or experiencing physical well-being or relief (“comfy” is informal)

From this reading Mrs. Major Lennard was very kind to Eleanor, and if kindness and friendliness on the part of her employers could have made Mrs. Monckton comfortable, she might have been entirely so in her new position.

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

From this reading Mrs. Major Lennard was very kind to Eleanor, and if kindness and friendliness on the part of her employers could have made Mrs. Monckton comfortable, she might have been entirely so in her new position.

plural of “delinquency” — nonpayment of a debt when due

From this reading MARGARET LENNARD’S DELINQUENCIES.

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

From this reading Mrs. Major Lennard was very kind to Eleanor, and if kindness and friendliness on the part of her employers could have made Mrs. Monckton comfortable, she might have been entirely so in her new position.

plural of “employer” — a person or firm that employs workers

From this reading Mrs. Major Lennard was very kind to Eleanor, and if kindness and friendliness on the part of her employers could have made Mrs. Monckton comfortable, she might have been entirely so in her new position.

to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)

From this reading Mrs. Major Lennard was very kind to Eleanor, and if kindness and friendliness on the part of her employers could have made Mrs. Monckton comfortable, she might have been entirely so in her new position.

at any time

From this reading They had married very young, had started in life all wrong, and had remained in a perpetual state of muddle, both mental and physical, ever since.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading They were like two children who had played at being grown-up people for twenty years or so; and who were as entirely childish in their play now as they had been at the very beginning.

a feeling of liking for another person; enjoyment in their company

From this reading Mrs. Major Lennard was very kind to Eleanor, and if kindness and friendliness on the part of her employers could have made Mrs. Monckton comfortable, she might have been entirely so in her new position.

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

From this reading They were like two children who had played at being grown-up people for twenty years or so; and who were as entirely childish in their play now as they had been at the very beginning.

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

From this reading They had married very young, had started in life all wrong, and had remained in a perpetual state of muddle, both mental and physical, ever since.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading Mrs. Major Lennard was very kind to Eleanor, and if kindness and friendliness on the part of her employers could have made Mrs. Monckton comfortable, she might have been entirely so in her new position.

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

From this reading Mrs. Major Lennard was very kind to Eleanor, and if kindness and friendliness on the part of her employers could have made Mrs. Monckton comfortable, she might have been entirely so in her new position.

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading But comfort was a noun substantive whose very meaning must, I think, have been utterly incomprehensible to Major and Mrs. Lennard.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading Mrs. Major Lennard was very kind to Eleanor, and if kindness and friendliness on the part of her employers could have made Mrs. Monckton comfortable, she might have been entirely so in her new position.

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

From this reading Mrs. Major Lennard was very kind to Eleanor, and if kindness and friendliness on the part of her employers could have made Mrs. Monckton comfortable, she might have been entirely so in her new position.

incapable of being explained or accounted for

From this reading But comfort was a noun substantive whose very meaning must, I think, have been utterly incomprehensible to Major and Mrs. Lennard.

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

From this reading Mrs. Major Lennard was very kind to Eleanor, and if kindness and friendliness on the part of her employers could have made Mrs. Monckton comfortable, she might have been entirely so in her new position.

the quality of being warmhearted and considerate and humane and sympathetic

From this reading Mrs. Major Lennard was very kind to Eleanor, and if kindness and friendliness on the part of her employers could have made Mrs. Monckton comfortable, she might have been entirely so in her new position.

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

From this reading Mrs. Major Lennard was very kind to Eleanor, and if kindness and friendliness on the part of her employers could have made Mrs. Monckton comfortable, she might have been entirely so in her new position.

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

From this reading MARGARET LENNARD’S DELINQUENCIES.

a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading They had married very young, had started in life all wrong, and had remained in a perpetual state of muddle, both mental and physical, ever since.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading They were like two children who had played at being grown-up people for twenty years or so; and who were as entirely childish in their play now as they had been at the very beginning.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading Mrs. Major Lennard was very kind to Eleanor, and if kindness and friendliness on the part of her employers could have made Mrs. Monckton comfortable, she might have been entirely so in her new position.

of greater importance or stature or rank

From this reading Mrs. Major Lennard was very kind to Eleanor, and if kindness and friendliness on the part of her employers could have made Mrs. Monckton comfortable, she might have been entirely so in her new position.

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

From this reading MARGARET LENNARD’S DELINQUENCIES.

joined in matrimony

From this reading They had married very young, had started in life all wrong, and had remained in a perpetual state of muddle, both mental and physical, ever since.

the message that is intended or expressed or signified

From this reading But comfort was a noun substantive whose very meaning must, I think, have been utterly incomprehensible to Major and Mrs. Lennard.

involving the mind or an intellectual process

From this reading They had married very young, had started in life all wrong, and had remained in a perpetual state of muddle, both mental and physical, ever since.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading Mrs. Major Lennard was very kind to Eleanor, and if kindness and friendliness on the part of her employers could have made Mrs. Monckton comfortable, she might have been entirely so in her new position.

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

From this reading Mrs. Major Lennard was very kind to Eleanor, and if kindness and friendliness on the part of her employers could have made Mrs. Monckton comfortable, she might have been entirely so in her new position.

a form of address for a married woman

From this reading Mrs. Major Lennard was very kind to Eleanor, and if kindness and friendliness on the part of her employers could have made Mrs. Monckton comfortable, she might have been entirely so in her new position.

a confused multitude of things

From this reading They had married very young, had started in life all wrong, and had remained in a perpetual state of muddle, both mental and physical, ever since.

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading But comfort was a noun substantive whose very meaning must, I think, have been utterly incomprehensible to Major and Mrs. Lennard.

not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered

From this reading Mrs. Major Lennard was very kind to Eleanor, and if kindness and friendliness on the part of her employers could have made Mrs. Monckton comfortable, she might have been entirely so in her new position.

a content word that can be used to refer to a person, place, thing, quality, or action

From this reading But comfort was a noun substantive whose very meaning must, I think, have been utterly incomprehensible to Major and Mrs. Lennard.

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

From this reading They were like two children who had played at being grown-up people for twenty years or so; and who were as entirely childish in their play now as they had been at the very beginning.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Mrs. Major Lennard was very kind to Eleanor, and if kindness and friendliness on the part of her employers could have made Mrs. Monckton comfortable, she might have been entirely so in her new position.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Mrs. Major Lennard was very kind to Eleanor, and if kindness and friendliness on the part of her employers could have made Mrs. Monckton comfortable, she might have been entirely so in her new position.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading They were like two children who had played at being grown-up people for twenty years or so; and who were as entirely childish in their play now as they had been at the very beginning.

something determined in relation to something that includes it

From this reading Mrs. Major Lennard was very kind to Eleanor, and if kindness and friendliness on the part of her employers could have made Mrs. Monckton comfortable, she might have been entirely so in her new position.

(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively

From this reading They were like two children who had played at being grown-up people for twenty years or so; and who were as entirely childish in their play now as they had been at the very beginning.

continuing forever or indefinitely

From this reading They had married very young, had started in life all wrong, and had remained in a perpetual state of muddle, both mental and physical, ever since.

involving the body as distinguished from the mind or spirit

From this reading They had married very young, had started in life all wrong, and had remained in a perpetual state of muddle, both mental and physical, ever since.

participate in games or sport

From this reading They were like two children who had played at being grown-up people for twenty years or so; and who were as entirely childish in their play now as they had been at the very beginning.

(of games) engaged in

From this reading They were like two children who had played at being grown-up people for twenty years or so; and who were as entirely childish in their play now as they had been at the very beginning.

the particular portion of space occupied by something

From this reading Mrs. Major Lennard was very kind to Eleanor, and if kindness and friendliness on the part of her employers could have made Mrs. Monckton comfortable, she might have been entirely so in her new position.

past form of “remain” — stay the same; remain in a certain state

From this reading They had married very young, had started in life all wrong, and had remained in a perpetual state of muddle, both mental and physical, ever since.

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

From this reading Mrs. Major Lennard was very kind to Eleanor, and if kindness and friendliness on the part of her employers could have made Mrs. Monckton comfortable, she might have been entirely so in her new position.

from a time in the past until now

From this reading They had married very young, had started in life all wrong, and had remained in a perpetual state of muddle, both mental and physical, ever since.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Mrs. Major Lennard was very kind to Eleanor, and if kindness and friendliness on the part of her employers could have made Mrs. Monckton comfortable, she might have been entirely so in her new position.

past form of “start” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

From this reading They had married very young, had started in life all wrong, and had remained in a perpetual state of muddle, both mental and physical, ever since.

the territory occupied by one of the constituent administrative districts of a nation

From this reading They had married very young, had started in life all wrong, and had remained in a perpetual state of muddle, both mental and physical, ever since.

of or relating to the real nature or essential elements of something

From this reading But comfort was a noun substantive whose very meaning must, I think, have been utterly incomprehensible to Major and Mrs. Lennard.

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

From this reading Mrs. Major Lennard was very kind to Eleanor, and if kindness and friendliness on the part of her employers could have made Mrs. Monckton comfortable, she might have been entirely so in her new position.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading They were like two children who had played at being grown-up people for twenty years or so; and who were as entirely childish in their play now as they had been at the very beginning.

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

From this reading They had married very young, had started in life all wrong, and had remained in a perpetual state of muddle, both mental and physical, ever since.

judge or regard; look upon; judge

From this reading But comfort was a noun substantive whose very meaning must, I think, have been utterly incomprehensible to Major and Mrs. Lennard.

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

From this reading Mrs. Major Lennard was very kind to Eleanor, and if kindness and friendliness on the part of her employers could have made Mrs. Monckton comfortable, she might have been entirely so in her new position.

the cardinal number that is the sum of nineteen and one

From this reading They were like two children who had played at being grown-up people for twenty years or so; and who were as entirely childish in their play now as they had been at the very beginning.

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

From this reading They were like two children who had played at being grown-up people for twenty years or so; and who were as entirely childish in their play now as they had been at the very beginning.

completely and without qualification; used informally as intensifiers

From this reading But comfort was a noun substantive whose very meaning must, I think, have been utterly incomprehensible to Major and Mrs. Lennard.

precisely as stated

From this reading Mrs. Major Lennard was very kind to Eleanor, and if kindness and friendliness on the part of her employers could have made Mrs. Monckton comfortable, she might have been entirely so in her new position.

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

From this reading Mrs. Major Lennard was very kind to Eleanor, and if kindness and friendliness on the part of her employers could have made Mrs. Monckton comfortable, she might have been entirely so in her new position.

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

From this reading They were like two children who had played at being grown-up people for twenty years or so; and who were as entirely childish in their play now as they had been at the very beginning.

which person or people

From this reading They were like two children who had played at being grown-up people for twenty years or so; and who were as entirely childish in their play now as they had been at the very beginning.

belonging to which person

From this reading But comfort was a noun substantive whose very meaning must, I think, have been utterly incomprehensible to Major and Mrs. Lennard.

not correct; not in conformity with fact or truth

From this reading They had married very young, had started in life all wrong, and had remained in a perpetual state of muddle, both mental and physical, ever since.

a late time of life

From this reading They were like two children who had played at being grown-up people for twenty years or so; and who were as entirely childish in their play now as they had been at the very beginning.

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

From this reading They had married very young, had started in life all wrong, and had remained in a perpetual state of muddle, both mental and physical, ever since.