Chapter VI · Chapter 6

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

From this reading Joe rubbed his nose and looked at the ground; then he stroked his chin and looked at the old lady; then a look of intelligence lighted up his expressive countenance as he said abruptly-- "Is yer house an' furniture insured, ma'am?"

quickly and without warning

From this reading Joe rubbed his nose and looked at the ground; then he stroked his chin and looked at the old lady; then a look of intelligence lighted up his expressive countenance as he said abruptly-- "Is yer house an' furniture insured, ma'am?"

something done (usually as opposed to something said)

From this reading Mrs Denman covered her face with her hand at this point, and resting her elbow on the arm of her chair, reflected that the thing was beyond remedy, and that, as the man had come and was now looking at her, matters could not be worse; so she resolved to carry out her original intention, and question him as to the best course of action in the event of fire.

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading "My good man," she said, "I have taken the liberty of asking you to come here to tell me what I should do to guard against fire in future."

in spite of the fact that

From this reading "I have never insured in my life, because although I hear of fires every day in London, it has never occurred to me until lately that there was any probability of _my_ house being burned.

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

From this reading Joe rubbed his nose and looked at the ground; then he stroked his chin and looked at the old lady; then a look of intelligence lighted up his expressive countenance as he said abruptly-- "Is yer house an' furniture insured, ma'am?"

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

From this reading Mrs Denman covered her face with her hand at this point, and resting her elbow on the arm of her chair, reflected that the thing was beyond remedy, and that, as the man had come and was now looking at her, matters could not be worse; so she resolved to carry out her original intention, and question him as to the best course of action in the event of fire.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading "I have never insured in my life, because although I hear of fires every day in London, it has never occurred to me until lately that there was any probability of _my_ house being burned.

a human limb; technically the part of the superior limb between the shoulder and the elbow but commonly used to refer to the whole superior limb

From this reading Mrs Denman covered her face with her hand at this point, and resting her elbow on the arm of her chair, reflected that the thing was beyond remedy, and that, as the man had come and was now looking at her, matters could not be worse; so she resolved to carry out her original intention, and question him as to the best course of action in the event of fire.

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

From this reading Mrs Denman covered her face with her hand at this point, and resting her elbow on the arm of her chair, reflected that the thing was beyond remedy, and that, as the man had come and was now looking at her, matters could not be worse; so she resolved to carry out her original intention, and question him as to the best course of action in the event of fire.

the verbal act of requesting

From this reading "My good man," she said, "I have taken the liberty of asking you to come here to tell me what I should do to guard against fire in future."

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Mrs Denman covered her face with her hand at this point, and resting her elbow on the arm of her chair, reflected that the thing was beyond remedy, and that, as the man had come and was now looking at her, matters could not be worse; so she resolved to carry out her original intention, and question him as to the best course of action in the event of fire.

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

From this reading Mrs Denman covered her face with her hand at this point, and resting her elbow on the arm of her chair, reflected that the thing was beyond remedy, and that, as the man had come and was now looking at her, matters could not be worse; so she resolved to carry out her original intention, and question him as to the best course of action in the event of fire.

for the reason that

From this reading "I have never insured in my life, because although I hear of fires every day in London, it has never occurred to me until lately that there was any probability of _my_ house being burned.

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading "I have never insured in my life, because although I hear of fires every day in London, it has never occurred to me until lately that there was any probability of _my_ house being burned.

the supreme effort one can make

From this reading Mrs Denman covered her face with her hand at this point, and resting her elbow on the arm of her chair, reflected that the thing was beyond remedy, and that, as the man had come and was now looking at her, matters could not be worse; so she resolved to carry out her original intention, and question him as to the best course of action in the event of fire.

on the far side of; further than

From this reading Mrs Denman covered her face with her hand at this point, and resting her elbow on the arm of her chair, reflected that the thing was beyond remedy, and that, as the man had come and was now looking at her, matters could not be worse; so she resolved to carry out her original intention, and question him as to the best course of action in the event of fire.

treated by heating to a high temperature but below the melting or fusing point

From this reading "I have never insured in my life, because although I hear of fires every day in London, it has never occurred to me until lately that there was any probability of _my_ house being burned.

move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body

From this reading Mrs Denman covered her face with her hand at this point, and resting her elbow on the arm of her chair, reflected that the thing was beyond remedy, and that, as the man had come and was now looking at her, matters could not be worse; so she resolved to carry out her original intention, and question him as to the best course of action in the event of fire.

a seat for one person, with a support for the back

From this reading Mrs Denman covered her face with her hand at this point, and resting her elbow on the arm of her chair, reflected that the thing was beyond remedy, and that, as the man had come and was now looking at her, matters could not be worse; so she resolved to carry out her original intention, and question him as to the best course of action in the event of fire.

the protruding part of the lower jaw

From this reading Joe rubbed his nose and looked at the ground; then he stroked his chin and looked at the old lady; then a look of intelligence lighted up his expressive countenance as he said abruptly-- "Is yer house an' furniture insured, ma'am?"

move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading Mrs Denman covered her face with her hand at this point, and resting her elbow on the arm of her chair, reflected that the thing was beyond remedy, and that, as the man had come and was now looking at her, matters could not be worse; so she resolved to carry out her original intention, and question him as to the best course of action in the event of fire.

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

From this reading Mrs Denman covered her face with her hand at this point, and resting her elbow on the arm of her chair, reflected that the thing was beyond remedy, and that, as the man had come and was now looking at her, matters could not be worse; so she resolved to carry out her original intention, and question him as to the best course of action in the event of fire.

the appearance conveyed by a person's face

From this reading Joe rubbed his nose and looked at the ground; then he stroked his chin and looked at the old lady; then a look of intelligence lighted up his expressive countenance as he said abruptly-- "Is yer house an' furniture insured, ma'am?"

education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings

From this reading Mrs Denman covered her face with her hand at this point, and resting her elbow on the arm of her chair, reflected that the thing was beyond remedy, and that, as the man had come and was now looking at her, matters could not be worse; so she resolved to carry out her original intention, and question him as to the best course of action in the event of fire.

overlaid or spread or topped with or enclosed within something; sometimes used as a combining form

From this reading Mrs Denman covered her face with her hand at this point, and resting her elbow on the arm of her chair, reflected that the thing was beyond remedy, and that, as the man had come and was now looking at her, matters could not be worse; so she resolved to carry out her original intention, and question him as to the best course of action in the event of fire.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading "I have never insured in my life, because although I hear of fires every day in London, it has never occurred to me until lately that there was any probability of _my_ house being burned.

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

From this reading Mrs Denman covered her face with her hand at this point, and resting her elbow on the arm of her chair, reflected that the thing was beyond remedy, and that, as the man had come and was now looking at her, matters could not be worse; so she resolved to carry out her original intention, and question him as to the best course of action in the event of fire.

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading "My good man," she said, "I have taken the liberty of asking you to come here to tell me what I should do to guard against fire in future."

hinge joint between the forearm and upper arm and the corresponding joint in the forelimb of a quadruped

From this reading Mrs Denman covered her face with her hand at this point, and resting her elbow on the arm of her chair, reflected that the thing was beyond remedy, and that, as the man had come and was now looking at her, matters could not be worse; so she resolved to carry out her original intention, and question him as to the best course of action in the event of fire.

something that happens at a given place and time

From this reading Mrs Denman covered her face with her hand at this point, and resting her elbow on the arm of her chair, reflected that the thing was beyond remedy, and that, as the man had come and was now looking at her, matters could not be worse; so she resolved to carry out her original intention, and question him as to the best course of action in the event of fire.

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading "I have never insured in my life, because although I hear of fires every day in London, it has never occurred to me until lately that there was any probability of _my_ house being burned.

characterized by expression

From this reading Joe rubbed his nose and looked at the ground; then he stroked his chin and looked at the old lady; then a look of intelligence lighted up his expressive countenance as he said abruptly-- "Is yer house an' furniture insured, ma'am?"

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

From this reading Mrs Denman covered her face with her hand at this point, and resting her elbow on the arm of her chair, reflected that the thing was beyond remedy, and that, as the man had come and was now looking at her, matters could not be worse; so she resolved to carry out her original intention, and question him as to the best course of action in the event of fire.

start firing a weapon

From this reading Mrs Denman covered her face with her hand at this point, and resting her elbow on the arm of her chair, reflected that the thing was beyond remedy, and that, as the man had come and was now looking at her, matters could not be worse; so she resolved to carry out her original intention, and question him as to the best course of action in the event of fire.

plural of “fire” — the event of something burning (often destructive)

From this reading "I have never insured in my life, because although I hear of fires every day in London, it has never occurred to me until lately that there was any probability of _my_ house being burned.

furnishings that make a room or other area ready for occupancy

From this reading Joe rubbed his nose and looked at the ground; then he stroked his chin and looked at the old lady; then a look of intelligence lighted up his expressive countenance as he said abruptly-- "Is yer house an' furniture insured, ma'am?"

yet to be or coming

From this reading "My good man," she said, "I have taken the liberty of asking you to come here to tell me what I should do to guard against fire in future."

having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified

From this reading "My good man," she said, "I have taken the liberty of asking you to come here to tell me what I should do to guard against fire in future."

the solid part of the earth's surface

From this reading Joe rubbed his nose and looked at the ground; then he stroked his chin and looked at the old lady; then a look of intelligence lighted up his expressive countenance as he said abruptly-- "Is yer house an' furniture insured, ma'am?"

a person who keeps watch over something or someone

From this reading "My good man," she said, "I have taken the liberty of asking you to come here to tell me what I should do to guard against fire in future."

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

From this reading Mrs Denman covered her face with her hand at this point, and resting her elbow on the arm of her chair, reflected that the thing was beyond remedy, and that, as the man had come and was now looking at her, matters could not be worse; so she resolved to carry out her original intention, and question him as to the best course of action in the event of fire.

the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb

From this reading Mrs Denman covered her face with her hand at this point, and resting her elbow on the arm of her chair, reflected that the thing was beyond remedy, and that, as the man had come and was now looking at her, matters could not be worse; so she resolved to carry out her original intention, and question him as to the best course of action in the event of fire.

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

From this reading "I have never insured in my life, because although I hear of fires every day in London, it has never occurred to me until lately that there was any probability of _my_ house being burned.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading "My good man," she said, "I have taken the liberty of asking you to come here to tell me what I should do to guard against fire in future."

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

From this reading Joe rubbed his nose and looked at the ground; then he stroked his chin and looked at the old lady; then a look of intelligence lighted up his expressive countenance as he said abruptly-- "Is yer house an' furniture insured, ma'am?"

perceive (sound) via the auditory sense

From this reading "I have never insured in my life, because although I hear of fires every day in London, it has never occurred to me until lately that there was any probability of _my_ house being burned.

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

From this reading Mrs Denman covered her face with her hand at this point, and resting her elbow on the arm of her chair, reflected that the thing was beyond remedy, and that, as the man had come and was now looking at her, matters could not be worse; so she resolved to carry out her original intention, and question him as to the best course of action in the event of fire.

in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is

From this reading "My good man," she said, "I have taken the liberty of asking you to come here to tell me what I should do to guard against fire in future."

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

From this reading Mrs Denman covered her face with her hand at this point, and resting her elbow on the arm of her chair, reflected that the thing was beyond remedy, and that, as the man had come and was now looking at her, matters could not be worse; so she resolved to carry out her original intention, and question him as to the best course of action in the event of fire.

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

From this reading Joe rubbed his nose and looked at the ground; then he stroked his chin and looked at the old lady; then a look of intelligence lighted up his expressive countenance as he said abruptly-- "Is yer house an' furniture insured, ma'am?"

a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families

From this reading Joe rubbed his nose and looked at the ground; then he stroked his chin and looked at the old lady; then a look of intelligence lighted up his expressive countenance as he said abruptly-- "Is yer house an' furniture insured, ma'am?"

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

From this reading "My good man," she said, "I have taken the liberty of asking you to come here to tell me what I should do to guard against fire in future."

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

From this reading Mrs Denman covered her face with her hand at this point, and resting her elbow on the arm of her chair, reflected that the thing was beyond remedy, and that, as the man had come and was now looking at her, matters could not be worse; so she resolved to carry out her original intention, and question him as to the best course of action in the event of fire.

covered by insurance

From this reading Joe rubbed his nose and looked at the ground; then he stroked his chin and looked at the old lady; then a look of intelligence lighted up his expressive countenance as he said abruptly-- "Is yer house an' furniture insured, ma'am?"

the ability to comprehend; to understand and profit from experience

From this reading Joe rubbed his nose and looked at the ground; then he stroked his chin and looked at the old lady; then a look of intelligence lighted up his expressive countenance as he said abruptly-- "Is yer house an' furniture insured, ma'am?"

an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions

From this reading Mrs Denman covered her face with her hand at this point, and resting her elbow on the arm of her chair, reflected that the thing was beyond remedy, and that, as the man had come and was now looking at her, matters could not be worse; so she resolved to carry out her original intention, and question him as to the best course of action in the event of fire.

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

From this reading Joe rubbed his nose and looked at the ground; then he stroked his chin and looked at the old lady; then a look of intelligence lighted up his expressive countenance as he said abruptly-- "Is yer house an' furniture insured, ma'am?"

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading "No, it is not," replied Mrs Denman.

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

From this reading Joe rubbed his nose and looked at the ground; then he stroked his chin and looked at the old lady; then a look of intelligence lighted up his expressive countenance as he said abruptly-- "Is yer house an' furniture insured, ma'am?"

a polite name for any woman

From this reading Joe rubbed his nose and looked at the ground; then he stroked his chin and looked at the old lady; then a look of intelligence lighted up his expressive countenance as he said abruptly-- "Is yer house an' furniture insured, ma'am?"

in the recent past

From this reading "I have never insured in my life, because although I hear of fires every day in London, it has never occurred to me until lately that there was any probability of _my_ house being burned.

The state of being free within society from oppressive restrictions on one's way of life.

From this reading "My good man," she said, "I have taken the liberty of asking you to come here to tell me what I should do to guard against fire in future."

a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading "I have never insured in my life, because although I hear of fires every day in London, it has never occurred to me until lately that there was any probability of _my_ house being burned.

set afire or burning

From this reading Joe rubbed his nose and looked at the ground; then he stroked his chin and looked at the old lady; then a look of intelligence lighted up his expressive countenance as he said abruptly-- "Is yer house an' furniture insured, ma'am?"

the capital and largest city of England; located on the Thames in southeastern England; financial and industrial and cultural center

From this reading "I have never insured in my life, because although I hear of fires every day in London, it has never occurred to me until lately that there was any probability of _my_ house being burned.

perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading Joe rubbed his nose and looked at the ground; then he stroked his chin and looked at the old lady; then a look of intelligence lighted up his expressive countenance as he said abruptly-- "Is yer house an' furniture insured, ma'am?"

past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading Joe rubbed his nose and looked at the ground; then he stroked his chin and looked at the old lady; then a look of intelligence lighted up his expressive countenance as he said abruptly-- "Is yer house an' furniture insured, ma'am?"

the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually

From this reading Mrs Denman covered her face with her hand at this point, and resting her elbow on the arm of her chair, reflected that the thing was beyond remedy, and that, as the man had come and was now looking at her, matters could not be worse; so she resolved to carry out her original intention, and question him as to the best course of action in the event of fire.

a woman of refinement

From this reading Joe rubbed his nose and looked at the ground; then he stroked his chin and looked at the old lady; then a look of intelligence lighted up his expressive countenance as he said abruptly-- "Is yer house an' furniture insured, ma'am?"

an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

From this reading Mrs Denman covered her face with her hand at this point, and resting her elbow on the arm of her chair, reflected that the thing was beyond remedy, and that, as the man had come and was now looking at her, matters could not be worse; so she resolved to carry out her original intention, and question him as to the best course of action in the event of fire.

plural of “matter” — a vaguely specified concern

From this reading Mrs Denman covered her face with her hand at this point, and resting her elbow on the arm of her chair, reflected that the thing was beyond remedy, and that, as the man had come and was now looking at her, matters could not be worse; so she resolved to carry out her original intention, and question him as to the best course of action in the event of fire.

the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading "My good man," she said, "I have taken the liberty of asking you to come here to tell me what I should do to guard against fire in future."

a form of address for a married woman

From this reading Mrs Denman covered her face with her hand at this point, and resting her elbow on the arm of her chair, reflected that the thing was beyond remedy, and that, as the man had come and was now looking at her, matters could not be worse; so she resolved to carry out her original intention, and question him as to the best course of action in the event of fire.

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading "My good man," she said, "I have taken the liberty of asking you to come here to tell me what I should do to guard against fire in future."

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading "I have never insured in my life, because although I hear of fires every day in London, it has never occurred to me until lately that there was any probability of _my_ house being burned.

not any; not one

From this reading "No, it is not," replied Mrs Denman.

the organ of smell and entrance to the respiratory tract; the prominent part of the face of man or other mammals

From this reading Joe rubbed his nose and looked at the ground; then he stroked his chin and looked at the old lady; then a look of intelligence lighted up his expressive countenance as he said abruptly-- "Is yer house an' furniture insured, ma'am?"

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Mrs Denman covered her face with her hand at this point, and resting her elbow on the arm of her chair, reflected that the thing was beyond remedy, and that, as the man had come and was now looking at her, matters could not be worse; so she resolved to carry out her original intention, and question him as to the best course of action in the event of fire.

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

From this reading Mrs Denman covered her face with her hand at this point, and resting her elbow on the arm of her chair, reflected that the thing was beyond remedy, and that, as the man had come and was now looking at her, matters could not be worse; so she resolved to carry out her original intention, and question him as to the best course of action in the event of fire.

inflected form of “occur” — come to pass

From this reading "I have never insured in my life, because although I hear of fires every day in London, it has never occurred to me until lately that there was any probability of _my_ house being burned.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Mrs Denman covered her face with her hand at this point, and resting her elbow on the arm of her chair, reflected that the thing was beyond remedy, and that, as the man had come and was now looking at her, matters could not be worse; so she resolved to carry out her original intention, and question him as to the best course of action in the event of fire.

(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age

From this reading Joe rubbed his nose and looked at the ground; then he stroked his chin and looked at the old lady; then a look of intelligence lighted up his expressive countenance as he said abruptly-- "Is yer house an' furniture insured, ma'am?"

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Mrs Denman covered her face with her hand at this point, and resting her elbow on the arm of her chair, reflected that the thing was beyond remedy, and that, as the man had come and was now looking at her, matters could not be worse; so she resolved to carry out her original intention, and question him as to the best course of action in the event of fire.

preceding all others in time or being as first made or performed

From this reading Mrs Denman covered her face with her hand at this point, and resting her elbow on the arm of her chair, reflected that the thing was beyond remedy, and that, as the man had come and was now looking at her, matters could not be worse; so she resolved to carry out her original intention, and question him as to the best course of action in the event of fire.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading Mrs Denman covered her face with her hand at this point, and resting her elbow on the arm of her chair, reflected that the thing was beyond remedy, and that, as the man had come and was now looking at her, matters could not be worse; so she resolved to carry out her original intention, and question him as to the best course of action in the event of fire.

a geometric element that has position but no extension

From this reading Mrs Denman covered her face with her hand at this point, and resting her elbow on the arm of her chair, reflected that the thing was beyond remedy, and that, as the man had come and was now looking at her, matters could not be worse; so she resolved to carry out her original intention, and question him as to the best course of action in the event of fire.

a measure of how likely it is that some event will occur; a number expressing the ratio of favorable cases to the whole number of cases possible

From this reading "I have never insured in my life, because although I hear of fires every day in London, it has never occurred to me until lately that there was any probability of _my_ house being burned.

challenge the accuracy, probity, or propriety of

From this reading Mrs Denman covered her face with her hand at this point, and resting her elbow on the arm of her chair, reflected that the thing was beyond remedy, and that, as the man had come and was now looking at her, matters could not be worse; so she resolved to carry out her original intention, and question him as to the best course of action in the event of fire.

(especially of incident sound or light) bent or sent back

From this reading Mrs Denman covered her face with her hand at this point, and resting her elbow on the arm of her chair, reflected that the thing was beyond remedy, and that, as the man had come and was now looking at her, matters could not be worse; so she resolved to carry out her original intention, and question him as to the best course of action in the event of fire.

act of correcting an error or a fault or an evil

From this reading Mrs Denman covered her face with her hand at this point, and resting her elbow on the arm of her chair, reflected that the thing was beyond remedy, and that, as the man had come and was now looking at her, matters could not be worse; so she resolved to carry out her original intention, and question him as to the best course of action in the event of fire.

inflected form of “reply” — react verbally

From this reading "No, it is not," replied Mrs Denman.

determined

From this reading Mrs Denman covered her face with her hand at this point, and resting her elbow on the arm of her chair, reflected that the thing was beyond remedy, and that, as the man had come and was now looking at her, matters could not be worse; so she resolved to carry out her original intention, and question him as to the best course of action in the event of fire.

-ing form of “rest” — not move; be in a resting position

From this reading Mrs Denman covered her face with her hand at this point, and resting her elbow on the arm of her chair, reflected that the thing was beyond remedy, and that, as the man had come and was now looking at her, matters could not be worse; so she resolved to carry out her original intention, and question him as to the best course of action in the event of fire.

inflected form of “rub” — move over something with pressure

From this reading Joe rubbed his nose and looked at the ground; then he stroked his chin and looked at the old lady; then a look of intelligence lighted up his expressive countenance as he said abruptly-- "Is yer house an' furniture insured, ma'am?"

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading "My good man," she said, "I have taken the liberty of asking you to come here to tell me what I should do to guard against fire in future."

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

From this reading Mrs Denman covered her face with her hand at this point, and resting her elbow on the arm of her chair, reflected that the thing was beyond remedy, and that, as the man had come and was now looking at her, matters could not be worse; so she resolved to carry out her original intention, and question him as to the best course of action in the event of fire.

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading "My good man," she said, "I have taken the liberty of asking you to come here to tell me what I should do to guard against fire in future."

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Mrs Denman covered her face with her hand at this point, and resting her elbow on the arm of her chair, reflected that the thing was beyond remedy, and that, as the man had come and was now looking at her, matters could not be worse; so she resolved to carry out her original intention, and question him as to the best course of action in the event of fire.

past form of “stroke” — touch lightly and repeatedly, as with brushing motions

From this reading Joe rubbed his nose and looked at the ground; then he stroked his chin and looked at the old lady; then a look of intelligence lighted up his expressive countenance as he said abruptly-- "Is yer house an' furniture insured, ma'am?"

understood in a certain way; made sense of

From this reading "My good man," she said, "I have taken the liberty of asking you to come here to tell me what I should do to guard against fire in future."

express in words

From this reading "My good man," she said, "I have taken the liberty of asking you to come here to tell me what I should do to guard against fire in future."

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Mrs Denman covered her face with her hand at this point, and resting her elbow on the arm of her chair, reflected that the thing was beyond remedy, and that, as the man had come and was now looking at her, matters could not be worse; so she resolved to carry out her original intention, and question him as to the best course of action in the event of fire.

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

From this reading Mrs Denman covered her face with her hand at this point, and resting her elbow on the arm of her chair, reflected that the thing was beyond remedy, and that, as the man had come and was now looking at her, matters could not be worse; so she resolved to carry out her original intention, and question him as to the best course of action in the event of fire.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading Joe rubbed his nose and looked at the ground; then he stroked his chin and looked at the old lady; then a look of intelligence lighted up his expressive countenance as he said abruptly-- "Is yer house an' furniture insured, ma'am?"

in or at that place or location

From this reading "I have never insured in my life, because although I hear of fires every day in London, it has never occurred to me until lately that there was any probability of _my_ house being burned.

a special situation

From this reading Mrs Denman covered her face with her hand at this point, and resting her elbow on the arm of her chair, reflected that the thing was beyond remedy, and that, as the man had come and was now looking at her, matters could not be worse; so she resolved to carry out her original intention, and question him as to the best course of action in the event of fire.

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading Mrs Denman covered her face with her hand at this point, and resting her elbow on the arm of her chair, reflected that the thing was beyond remedy, and that, as the man had come and was now looking at her, matters could not be worse; so she resolved to carry out her original intention, and question him as to the best course of action in the event of fire.

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

From this reading Mrs Denman covered her face with her hand at this point, and resting her elbow on the arm of her chair, reflected that the thing was beyond remedy, and that, as the man had come and was now looking at her, matters could not be worse; so she resolved to carry out her original intention, and question him as to the best course of action in the event of fire.

up to a particular time

From this reading "I have never insured in my life, because although I hear of fires every day in London, it has never occurred to me until lately that there was any probability of _my_ house being burned.

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

From this reading Joe rubbed his nose and looked at the ground; then he stroked his chin and looked at the old lady; then a look of intelligence lighted up his expressive countenance as he said abruptly-- "Is yer house an' furniture insured, ma'am?"

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

From this reading Mrs Denman covered her face with her hand at this point, and resting her elbow on the arm of her chair, reflected that the thing was beyond remedy, and that, as the man had come and was now looking at her, matters could not be worse; so she resolved to carry out her original intention, and question him as to the best course of action in the event of fire.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading "My good man," she said, "I have taken the liberty of asking you to come here to tell me what I should do to guard against fire in future."

in the company of; together with

From this reading Mrs Denman covered her face with her hand at this point, and resting her elbow on the arm of her chair, reflected that the thing was beyond remedy, and that, as the man had come and was now looking at her, matters could not be worse; so she resolved to carry out her original intention, and question him as to the best course of action in the event of fire.

(comparative of “bad”) inferior to another in quality or condition or desirability

From this reading Mrs Denman covered her face with her hand at this point, and resting her elbow on the arm of her chair, reflected that the thing was beyond remedy, and that, as the man had come and was now looking at her, matters could not be worse; so she resolved to carry out her original intention, and question him as to the best course of action in the event of fire.

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

From this reading Joe rubbed his nose and looked at the ground; then he stroked his chin and looked at the old lady; then a look of intelligence lighted up his expressive countenance as he said abruptly-- "Is yer house an' furniture insured, ma'am?"

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading "My good man," she said, "I have taken the liberty of asking you to come here to tell me what I should do to guard against fire in future."