Chapter XV · Chapter 15

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

From this reading An End and a Beginning.

failing to accomplish an intended result

From this reading It had somehow become known throughout the little group of people interested in Stafford's abortive love-affair that he and Ayre had held conference together, and the impression was that Ayre's counsel had, to some extent at least, shaped Stafford's resolution and conduct.

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

From this reading An End and a Beginning.

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

From this reading An End and a Beginning.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading It had somehow become known throughout the little group of people interested in Stafford's abortive love-affair that he and Ayre had held conference together, and the impression was that Ayre's counsel had, to some extent at least, shaped Stafford's resolution and conduct.

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

From this reading When Sir Roderick Ayre returned to England, he had to undergo much questioning concerning his dealings with Stafford.

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

From this reading It had somehow become known throughout the little group of people interested in Stafford's abortive love-affair that he and Ayre had held conference together, and the impression was that Ayre's counsel had, to some extent at least, shaped Stafford's resolution and conduct.

enter or assume a certain state or condition

From this reading It had somehow become known throughout the little group of people interested in Stafford's abortive love-affair that he and Ayre had held conference together, and the impression was that Ayre's counsel had, to some extent at least, shaped Stafford's resolution and conduct.

the event consisting of the start of something

From this reading An End and a Beginning.

plural of “brother” — a male with the same parents as someone else

From this reading He fenced with the idle inquiries of the Territon brothers; he calmed Mrs. Lane's solicitude with soothing words; he put Morewood off with a sneer at the transitoriness of love-affairs in general.

past form of “calm” — make calm or still

From this reading He fenced with the idle inquiries of the Territon brothers; he calmed Mrs. Lane's solicitude with soothing words; he put Morewood off with a sneer at the transitoriness of love-affairs in general.

-ing form of “concern” — be relevant to

From this reading When Sir Roderick Ayre returned to England, he had to undergo much questioning concerning his dealings with Stafford.

direct the course of; manage or control

From this reading It had somehow become known throughout the little group of people interested in Stafford's abortive love-affair that he and Ayre had held conference together, and the impression was that Ayre's counsel had, to some extent at least, shaped Stafford's resolution and conduct.

a prearranged meeting for consultation or exchange of information or discussion (especially one with a formal agenda)

From this reading It had somehow become known throughout the little group of people interested in Stafford's abortive love-affair that he and Ayre had held conference together, and the impression was that Ayre's counsel had, to some extent at least, shaped Stafford's resolution and conduct.

a lawyer who pleads cases in court

From this reading It had somehow become known throughout the little group of people interested in Stafford's abortive love-affair that he and Ayre had held conference together, and the impression was that Ayre's counsel had, to some extent at least, shaped Stafford's resolution and conduct.

social or verbal interchange (usually followed by “with”)

From this reading When Sir Roderick Ayre returned to England, he had to undergo much questioning concerning his dealings with Stafford.

the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives

From this reading Ayre did not talk freely on the matter.

either extremity of something that has length

From this reading An End and a Beginning.

a division of the United Kingdom

From this reading When Sir Roderick Ayre returned to England, he had to undergo much questioning concerning his dealings with Stafford.

the point or degree to which something extends

From this reading It had somehow become known throughout the little group of people interested in Stafford's abortive love-affair that he and Ayre had held conference together, and the impression was that Ayre's counsel had, to some extent at least, shaped Stafford's resolution and conduct.

past form of “fence” — enclose with a fence

From this reading He fenced with the idle inquiries of the Territon brothers; he calmed Mrs. Lane's solicitude with soothing words; he put Morewood off with a sneer at the transitoriness of love-affairs in general.

in a free manner

From this reading Ayre did not talk freely on the matter.

applying to all or most members of a category or group

From this reading He fenced with the idle inquiries of the Territon brothers; he calmed Mrs. Lane's solicitude with soothing words; he put Morewood off with a sneer at the transitoriness of love-affairs in general.

any number of entities (members) considered as a unit

From this reading It had somehow become known throughout the little group of people interested in Stafford's abortive love-affair that he and Ayre had held conference together, and the impression was that Ayre's counsel had, to some extent at least, shaped Stafford's resolution and conduct.

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

From this reading When Sir Roderick Ayre returned to England, he had to undergo much questioning concerning his dealings with Stafford.

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

From this reading When Sir Roderick Ayre returned to England, he had to undergo much questioning concerning his dealings with Stafford.

occupied or in the control of; often used in combination

From this reading It had somehow become known throughout the little group of people interested in Stafford's abortive love-affair that he and Ayre had held conference together, and the impression was that Ayre's counsel had, to some extent at least, shaped Stafford's resolution and conduct.

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

From this reading When Sir Roderick Ayre returned to England, he had to undergo much questioning concerning his dealings with Stafford.

not in action or at work

From this reading He fenced with the idle inquiries of the Territon brothers; he calmed Mrs. Lane's solicitude with soothing words; he put Morewood off with a sneer at the transitoriness of love-affairs in general.

a vague idea in which some confidence is placed

From this reading It had somehow become known throughout the little group of people interested in Stafford's abortive love-affair that he and Ayre had held conference together, and the impression was that Ayre's counsel had, to some extent at least, shaped Stafford's resolution and conduct.

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

From this reading It had somehow become known throughout the little group of people interested in Stafford's abortive love-affair that he and Ayre had held conference together, and the impression was that Ayre's counsel had, to some extent at least, shaped Stafford's resolution and conduct.

plural of “inquiry” — a search for knowledge

From this reading He fenced with the idle inquiries of the Territon brothers; he calmed Mrs. Lane's solicitude with soothing words; he put Morewood off with a sneer at the transitoriness of love-affairs in general.

having or showing interest; especially curiosity or fascination or concern

From this reading It had somehow become known throughout the little group of people interested in Stafford's abortive love-affair that he and Ayre had held conference together, and the impression was that Ayre's counsel had, to some extent at least, shaped Stafford's resolution and conduct.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It had somehow become known throughout the little group of people interested in Stafford's abortive love-affair that he and Ayre had held conference together, and the impression was that Ayre's counsel had, to some extent at least, shaped Stafford's resolution and conduct.

apprehended with certainty

From this reading It had somehow become known throughout the little group of people interested in Stafford's abortive love-affair that he and Ayre had held conference together, and the impression was that Ayre's counsel had, to some extent at least, shaped Stafford's resolution and conduct.

possessive form of “lane” — a narrow way or road

From this reading He fenced with the idle inquiries of the Territon brothers; he calmed Mrs. Lane's solicitude with soothing words; he put Morewood off with a sneer at the transitoriness of love-affairs in general.

the superlative of “little” that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by “the”; a quantifier meaning smallest in amount or extent or degree

From this reading It had somehow become known throughout the little group of people interested in Stafford's abortive love-affair that he and Ayre had held conference together, and the impression was that Ayre's counsel had, to some extent at least, shaped Stafford's resolution and conduct.

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

From this reading It had somehow become known throughout the little group of people interested in Stafford's abortive love-affair that he and Ayre had held conference together, and the impression was that Ayre's counsel had, to some extent at least, shaped Stafford's resolution and conduct.

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

From this reading It had somehow become known throughout the little group of people interested in Stafford's abortive love-affair that he and Ayre had held conference together, and the impression was that Ayre's counsel had, to some extent at least, shaped Stafford's resolution and conduct.

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

From this reading He fenced with the idle inquiries of the Territon brothers; he calmed Mrs. Lane's solicitude with soothing words; he put Morewood off with a sneer at the transitoriness of love-affairs in general.

a vaguely specified concern

From this reading Ayre did not talk freely on the matter.

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

From this reading He fenced with the idle inquiries of the Territon brothers; he calmed Mrs. Lane's solicitude with soothing words; he put Morewood off with a sneer at the transitoriness of love-affairs in general.

a form of address for a married woman

From this reading He fenced with the idle inquiries of the Territon brothers; he calmed Mrs. Lane's solicitude with soothing words; he put Morewood off with a sneer at the transitoriness of love-affairs in general.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading When Sir Roderick Ayre returned to England, he had to undergo much questioning concerning his dealings with Stafford.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Ayre did not talk freely on the matter.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading It had somehow become known throughout the little group of people interested in Stafford's abortive love-affair that he and Ayre had held conference together, and the impression was that Ayre's counsel had, to some extent at least, shaped Stafford's resolution and conduct.

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

From this reading He fenced with the idle inquiries of the Territon brothers; he calmed Mrs. Lane's solicitude with soothing words; he put Morewood off with a sneer at the transitoriness of love-affairs in general.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Ayre did not talk freely on the matter.

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

From this reading It had somehow become known throughout the little group of people interested in Stafford's abortive love-affair that he and Ayre had held conference together, and the impression was that Ayre's counsel had, to some extent at least, shaped Stafford's resolution and conduct.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading He fenced with the idle inquiries of the Territon brothers; he calmed Mrs. Lane's solicitude with soothing words; he put Morewood off with a sneer at the transitoriness of love-affairs in general.

perplexed (as if being expected to know something that you do not know)

From this reading When Sir Roderick Ayre returned to England, he had to undergo much questioning concerning his dealings with Stafford.

a formal expression by a meeting; agreed to by a vote

From this reading It had somehow become known throughout the little group of people interested in Stafford's abortive love-affair that he and Ayre had held conference together, and the impression was that Ayre's counsel had, to some extent at least, shaped Stafford's resolution and conduct.

past form of “return” — go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before

From this reading When Sir Roderick Ayre returned to England, he had to undergo much questioning concerning his dealings with Stafford.

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

From this reading When Sir Roderick Ayre returned to England, he had to undergo much questioning concerning his dealings with Stafford.

shaped to fit by or as if by altering the contours of a pliable mass (as by work or effort)

From this reading It had somehow become known throughout the little group of people interested in Stafford's abortive love-affair that he and Ayre had held conference together, and the impression was that Ayre's counsel had, to some extent at least, shaped Stafford's resolution and conduct.

term of address for a man

From this reading When Sir Roderick Ayre returned to England, he had to undergo much questioning concerning his dealings with Stafford.

express through a scornful smile

From this reading He fenced with the idle inquiries of the Territon brothers; he calmed Mrs. Lane's solicitude with soothing words; he put Morewood off with a sneer at the transitoriness of love-affairs in general.

a feeling of excessive concern

From this reading He fenced with the idle inquiries of the Territon brothers; he calmed Mrs. Lane's solicitude with soothing words; he put Morewood off with a sneer at the transitoriness of love-affairs in general.

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading It had somehow become known throughout the little group of people interested in Stafford's abortive love-affair that he and Ayre had held conference together, and the impression was that Ayre's counsel had, to some extent at least, shaped Stafford's resolution and conduct.

in some unspecified way or manner; or by some unspecified means

From this reading It had somehow become known throughout the little group of people interested in Stafford's abortive love-affair that he and Ayre had held conference together, and the impression was that Ayre's counsel had, to some extent at least, shaped Stafford's resolution and conduct.

affording physical relief

From this reading He fenced with the idle inquiries of the Territon brothers; he calmed Mrs. Lane's solicitude with soothing words; he put Morewood off with a sneer at the transitoriness of love-affairs in general.

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

From this reading When Sir Roderick Ayre returned to England, he had to undergo much questioning concerning his dealings with Stafford.

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

From this reading It had somehow become known throughout the little group of people interested in Stafford's abortive love-affair that he and Ayre had held conference together, and the impression was that Ayre's counsel had, to some extent at least, shaped Stafford's resolution and conduct.

exchange thoughts; talk with

From this reading Ayre did not talk freely on the matter.

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

From this reading He fenced with the idle inquiries of the Territon brothers; he calmed Mrs. Lane's solicitude with soothing words; he put Morewood off with a sneer at the transitoriness of love-affairs in general.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading It had somehow become known throughout the little group of people interested in Stafford's abortive love-affair that he and Ayre had held conference together, and the impression was that Ayre's counsel had, to some extent at least, shaped Stafford's resolution and conduct.

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

From this reading It had somehow become known throughout the little group of people interested in Stafford's abortive love-affair that he and Ayre had held conference together, and the impression was that Ayre's counsel had, to some extent at least, shaped Stafford's resolution and conduct.

in every part of a place, or for the whole of a period

From this reading It had somehow become known throughout the little group of people interested in Stafford's abortive love-affair that he and Ayre had held conference together, and the impression was that Ayre's counsel had, to some extent at least, shaped Stafford's resolution and conduct.

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

From this reading When Sir Roderick Ayre returned to England, he had to undergo much questioning concerning his dealings with Stafford.

in contact with each other or in proximity

From this reading It had somehow become known throughout the little group of people interested in Stafford's abortive love-affair that he and Ayre had held conference together, and the impression was that Ayre's counsel had, to some extent at least, shaped Stafford's resolution and conduct.

an impermanence that suggests the inevitability of ending or dying

From this reading He fenced with the idle inquiries of the Territon brothers; he calmed Mrs. Lane's solicitude with soothing words; he put Morewood off with a sneer at the transitoriness of love-affairs in general.

pass through

From this reading When Sir Roderick Ayre returned to England, he had to undergo much questioning concerning his dealings with Stafford.

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

From this reading It had somehow become known throughout the little group of people interested in Stafford's abortive love-affair that he and Ayre had held conference together, and the impression was that Ayre's counsel had, to some extent at least, shaped Stafford's resolution and conduct.

at the time that

From this reading When Sir Roderick Ayre returned to England, he had to undergo much questioning concerning his dealings with Stafford.

in the company of; together with

From this reading When Sir Roderick Ayre returned to England, he had to undergo much questioning concerning his dealings with Stafford.

the words that are spoken

From this reading He fenced with the idle inquiries of the Territon brothers; he calmed Mrs. Lane's solicitude with soothing words; he put Morewood off with a sneer at the transitoriness of love-affairs in general.