Chapter II · Chapter 2

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

From this reading "Father thought I had better have a little talk with you, dear girls, and explain to you what we have decided about your future.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading "Father thought I had better have a little talk with you, dear girls, and explain to you what we have decided about your future.

from one side of something to the other

From this reading The crisp, sharp question cut like a lash across Mrs Saxon's soft-toned explanation, and she started, and faced her young daughter with a shrinking almost of dismay.

be able to spare or give up

From this reading It has been a difficult question--very difficult, and we have had to face alterations which we would thankfully have avoided, for in the end it simply comes down to the bare question of what we can or cannot afford.

(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but

From this reading The crisp, sharp question cut like a lash across Mrs Saxon's soft-toned explanation, and she started, and faced her young daughter with a shrinking almost of dismay.

plural of “alteration” — an event that occurs when something passes from one state or phase to another

From this reading It has been a difficult question--very difficult, and we have had to face alterations which we would thankfully have avoided, for in the end it simply comes down to the bare question of what we can or cannot afford.

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

From this reading "Father thought I had better have a little talk with you, dear girls, and explain to you what we have decided about your future.

past form of “avoid” — stay clear from; keep away from; keep out of the way of someone or something

From this reading It has been a difficult question--very difficult, and we have had to face alterations which we would thankfully have avoided, for in the end it simply comes down to the bare question of what we can or cannot afford.

completely unclothed

From this reading It has been a difficult question--very difficult, and we have had to face alterations which we would thankfully have avoided, for in the end it simply comes down to the bare question of what we can or cannot afford.

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

From this reading The boys' education is unfortunately very costly, and those expenses cannot be reduced."

the past participle of “be”

From this reading It has been a difficult question--very difficult, and we have had to face alterations which we would thankfully have avoided, for in the end it simply comes down to the bare question of what we can or cannot afford.

(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 "Father thought I had better have a little talk with you, dear girls, and explain to you what we have decided about your future.

plural of “boy” — a youthful male person

From this reading The boys' education is unfortunately very costly, and those expenses cannot be reduced."

to be able to, or to be allowed to

From this reading It has been a difficult question--very difficult, and we have had to face alterations which we would thankfully have avoided, for in the end it simply comes down to the bare question of what we can or cannot afford.

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

From this reading It has been a difficult question--very difficult, and we have had to face alterations which we would thankfully have avoided, for in the end it simply comes down to the bare question of what we can or cannot afford.

plural of “come” — the thick white fluid containing spermatozoa that is ejaculated by the male genital tract

From this reading It has been a difficult question--very difficult, and we have had to face alterations which we would thankfully have avoided, for in the end it simply comes down to the bare question of what we can or cannot afford.

entailing great loss or sacrifice

From this reading The boys' education is unfortunately very costly, and those expenses cannot be reduced."

(of something seen or heard) clearly defined

From this reading The crisp, sharp question cut like a lash across Mrs Saxon's soft-toned explanation, and she started, and faced her young daughter with a shrinking almost of dismay.

separate with or as if with an instrument

From this reading The crisp, sharp question cut like a lash across Mrs Saxon's soft-toned explanation, and she started, and faced her young daughter with a shrinking almost of dismay.

a female human offspring

From this reading The crisp, sharp question cut like a lash across Mrs Saxon's soft-toned explanation, and she started, and faced her young daughter with a shrinking almost of dismay.

dearly loved

From this reading "Father thought I had better have a little talk with you, dear girls, and explain to you what we have decided about your future.

recognizable; marked

From this reading "Father thought I had better have a little talk with you, dear girls, and explain to you what we have decided about your future.

past form of “demand” — request urgently and forcefully

From this reading "Why?" demanded Dreda.

not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure

From this reading It has been a difficult question--very difficult, and we have had to face alterations which we would thankfully have avoided, for in the end it simply comes down to the bare question of what we can or cannot afford.

the feeling of despair in the face of obstacles

From this reading The crisp, sharp question cut like a lash across Mrs Saxon's soft-toned explanation, and she started, and faced her young daughter with a shrinking almost of dismay.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading It has been a difficult question--very difficult, and we have had to face alterations which we would thankfully have avoided, for in the end it simply comes down to the bare question of what we can or cannot afford.

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

From this reading "Why?" demanded Dreda.

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

From this reading The boys' education is unfortunately very costly, and those expenses cannot be reduced."

either extremity of something that has length

From this reading It has been a difficult question--very difficult, and we have had to face alterations which we would thankfully have avoided, for in the end it simply comes down to the bare question of what we can or cannot afford.

plural of “expense” — amounts paid for goods and services that may be currently tax deductible (as opposed to capital expenditures)

From this reading The boys' education is unfortunately very costly, and those expenses cannot be reduced."

make plain and comprehensible

From this reading "Father thought I had better have a little talk with you, dear girls, and explain to you what we have decided about your future.

a statement that makes something comprehensible by describing the relevant structure or operation or circumstances etc.

From this reading The crisp, sharp question cut like a lash across Mrs Saxon's soft-toned explanation, and she started, and faced her young daughter with a shrinking almost of dismay.

the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear

From this reading It has been a difficult question--very difficult, and we have had to face alterations which we would thankfully have avoided, for in the end it simply comes down to the bare question of what we can or cannot afford.

having a face or facing especially of a specified kind or number; often used in combination

From this reading The crisp, sharp question cut like a lash across Mrs Saxon's soft-toned explanation, and she started, and faced her young daughter with a shrinking almost of dismay.

a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)

From this reading "Father thought I had better have a little talk with you, dear girls, and explain to you what we have decided about your future.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading It has been a difficult question--very difficult, and we have had to face alterations which we would thankfully have avoided, for in the end it simply comes down to the bare question of what we can or cannot afford.

yet to be or coming

From this reading "Father thought I had better have a little talk with you, dear girls, and explain to you what we have decided about your future.

plural of “girl” — a young female

From this reading "Father thought I had better have a little talk with you, dear girls, and explain to you what we have decided about your future.

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

From this reading "Father thought I had better have a little talk with you, dear girls, and explain to you what we have decided about your future.

the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading It has been a difficult question--very difficult, and we have had to face alterations which we would thankfully have avoided, for in the end it simply comes down to the bare question of what we can or cannot afford.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading "Father thought I had better have a little talk with you, dear girls, and explain to you what we have decided about your future.

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

From this reading The crisp, sharp question cut like a lash across Mrs Saxon's soft-toned explanation, and she started, and faced her young daughter with a shrinking almost of dismay.

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

From this reading "Father thought I had better have a little talk with you, dear girls, and explain to you what we have decided about your future.

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

From this reading It has been a difficult question--very difficult, and we have had to face alterations which we would thankfully have avoided, for in the end it simply comes down to the bare question of what we can or cannot afford.

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

From this reading The boys' education is unfortunately very costly, and those expenses cannot be reduced."

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It has been a difficult question--very difficult, and we have had to face alterations which we would thankfully have avoided, for in the end it simply comes down to the bare question of what we can or cannot afford.

beat severely with a whip or rod

From this reading The crisp, sharp question cut like a lash across Mrs Saxon's soft-toned explanation, and she started, and faced her young daughter with a shrinking almost of dismay.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading The crisp, sharp question cut like a lash across Mrs Saxon's soft-toned explanation, and she started, and faced her young daughter with a shrinking almost of dismay.

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

From this reading "Father thought I had better have a little talk with you, dear girls, and explain to you what we have decided about your future.

a form of address for a married woman

From this reading The crisp, sharp question cut like a lash across Mrs Saxon's soft-toned explanation, and she started, and faced her young daughter with a shrinking almost of dismay.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading It has been a difficult question--very difficult, and we have had to face alterations which we would thankfully have avoided, for in the end it simply comes down to the bare question of what we can or cannot afford.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading It has been a difficult question--very difficult, and we have had to face alterations which we would thankfully have avoided, for in the end it simply comes down to the bare question of what we can or cannot afford.

challenge the accuracy, probity, or propriety of

From this reading It has been a difficult question--very difficult, and we have had to face alterations which we would thankfully have avoided, for in the end it simply comes down to the bare question of what we can or cannot afford.

made less in size or amount or degree

From this reading The boys' education is unfortunately very costly, and those expenses cannot be reduced."

possessive form of “saxon” — a member of a Germanic people who conquered England and merged with the Angles and Jutes to become Anglo-Saxons; dominant in England until the Norman Conquest

From this reading The crisp, sharp question cut like a lash across Mrs Saxon's soft-toned explanation, and she started, and faced her young daughter with a shrinking almost of dismay.

(of something seen or heard) clearly defined

From this reading The crisp, sharp question cut like a lash across Mrs Saxon's soft-toned explanation, and she started, and faced her young daughter with a shrinking almost of dismay.

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

From this reading The crisp, sharp question cut like a lash across Mrs Saxon's soft-toned explanation, and she started, and faced her young daughter with a shrinking almost of dismay.

process or result of becoming less or smaller

From this reading The crisp, sharp question cut like a lash across Mrs Saxon's soft-toned explanation, and she started, and faced her young daughter with a shrinking almost of dismay.

and nothing more

From this reading It has been a difficult question--very difficult, and we have had to face alterations which we would thankfully have avoided, for in the end it simply comes down to the bare question of what we can or cannot afford.

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

From this reading The crisp, sharp question cut like a lash across Mrs Saxon's soft-toned explanation, and she started, and faced her young daughter with a shrinking almost of dismay.

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

From this reading The crisp, sharp question cut like a lash across Mrs Saxon's soft-toned explanation, and she started, and faced her young daughter with a shrinking almost of dismay.

exchange thoughts; talk with

From this reading "Father thought I had better have a little talk with you, dear girls, and explain to you what we have decided about your future.

in a thankful manner; with thanks

From this reading It has been a difficult question--very difficult, and we have had to face alterations which we would thankfully have avoided, for in the end it simply comes down to the bare question of what we can or cannot afford.

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

From this reading It has been a difficult question--very difficult, and we have had to face alterations which we would thankfully have avoided, for in the end it simply comes down to the bare question of what we can or cannot afford.

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading The boys' education is unfortunately very costly, and those expenses cannot be reduced."

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

From this reading "Father thought I had better have a little talk with you, dear girls, and explain to you what we have decided about your future.

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

From this reading "Father thought I had better have a little talk with you, dear girls, and explain to you what we have decided about your future.

by bad luck

From this reading The boys' education is unfortunately very costly, and those expenses cannot be reduced."

precisely as stated

From this reading It has been a difficult question--very difficult, and we have had to face alterations which we would thankfully have avoided, for in the end it simply comes down to the bare question of what we can or cannot afford.

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading "Father thought I had better have a little talk with you, dear girls, and explain to you what we have decided about your future.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading "Father thought I had better have a little talk with you, dear girls, and explain to you what we have decided about your future.

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

From this reading It has been a difficult question--very difficult, and we have had to face alterations which we would thankfully have avoided, for in the end it simply comes down to the bare question of what we can or cannot afford.

the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”

From this reading "Why?" demanded Dreda.

in the company of; together with

From this reading "Father thought I had better have a little talk with you, dear girls, and explain to you what we have decided about your future.

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

From this reading It has been a difficult question--very difficult, and we have had to face alterations which we would thankfully have avoided, for in the end it simply comes down to the bare question of what we can or cannot afford.

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading "Father thought I had better have a little talk with you, dear girls, and explain to you what we have decided about your future.

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

From this reading The crisp, sharp question cut like a lash across Mrs Saxon's soft-toned explanation, and she started, and faced her young daughter with a shrinking almost of dismay.

belonging to the person or people being spoken to

From this reading "Father thought I had better have a little talk with you, dear girls, and explain to you what we have decided about your future.