Chapter XXIII

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

From this reading Her girls had been as troublesome as her boys, which seldom happens, and that was saying a great deal.

later than; following

From this reading The Thornleigh family, or at least the feminine portion of it, was, as has been indicated to the reader, in town--though it was still very early in the year--for the purpose of looking after little Mary’s trousseau, as her wedding was to take place at Easter.

(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 Harry, the eldest son, was a prodigal, constantly in debt and in trouble; John, the second, who, it was hoped, would have distinguished himself by his brains, had been plucked for his degree; and the regiment of which Reginald, the youngest son, was an ornament, had been sent off to India, contrary to all prognostications.

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

From this reading Lady Augusta’s family numbered eight altogether--five girls and three boys; and if I could tell you half the trouble she had gone through with them, you would no longer wonder at the wrinkles on her forehead.

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

From this reading Harry, the eldest son, was a prodigal, constantly in debt and in trouble; John, the second, who, it was hoped, would have distinguished himself by his brains, had been plucked for his degree; and the regiment of which Reginald, the youngest son, was an ornament, had been sent off to India, contrary to all prognostications.

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

From this reading Lady Augusta’s family numbered eight altogether--five girls and three boys; and if I could tell you half the trouble she had gone through with them, you would no longer wonder at the wrinkles on her forehead.

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

From this reading The Thornleigh family, or at least the feminine portion of it, was, as has been indicated to the reader, in town--though it was still very early in the year--for the purpose of looking after little Mary’s trousseau, as her wedding was to take place at Easter.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading The Thornleigh family, or at least the feminine portion of it, was, as has been indicated to the reader, in town--though it was still very early in the year--for the purpose of looking after little Mary’s trousseau, as her wedding was to take place at Easter.

possessive form of “augusta” — the capital of the state of Maine

From this reading Lady Augusta’s family numbered eight altogether--five girls and three boys; and if I could tell you half the trouble she had gone through with them, you would no longer wonder at the wrinkles on her forehead.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading The Thornleigh family, or at least the feminine portion of it, was, as has been indicated to the reader, in town--though it was still very early in the year--for the purpose of looking after little Mary’s trousseau, as her wedding was to take place at Easter.

plural of “boy” — a youthful male person

From this reading Lady Augusta’s family numbered eight altogether--five girls and three boys; and if I could tell you half the trouble she had gone through with them, you would no longer wonder at the wrinkles on her forehead.

plural of “brain” — that part of the central nervous system that includes all the higher nervous centers; enclosed within the skull; continuous with the spinal cord

From this reading Harry, the eldest son, was a prodigal, constantly in debt and in trouble; John, the second, who, it was hoped, would have distinguished himself by his brains, had been plucked for his degree; and the regiment of which Reginald, the youngest son, was an ornament, had been sent off to India, contrary to all prognostications.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Harry, the eldest son, was a prodigal, constantly in debt and in trouble; John, the second, who, it was hoped, would have distinguished himself by his brains, had been plucked for his degree; and the regiment of which Reginald, the youngest son, was an ornament, had been sent off to India, contrary to all prognostications.

temporary living quarters specially built by the army for soldiers

From this reading The Opposite Camp.

without variation or change, in every case

From this reading Harry, the eldest son, was a prodigal, constantly in debt and in trouble; John, the second, who, it was hoped, would have distinguished himself by his brains, had been plucked for his degree; and the regiment of which Reginald, the youngest son, was an ornament, had been sent off to India, contrary to all prognostications.

very opposed in nature or character or purpose

From this reading Harry, the eldest son, was a prodigal, constantly in debt and in trouble; John, the second, who, it was hoped, would have distinguished himself by his brains, had been plucked for his degree; and the regiment of which Reginald, the youngest son, was an ornament, had been sent off to India, contrary to all prognostications.

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

From this reading Lady Augusta’s family numbered eight altogether--five girls and three boys; and if I could tell you half the trouble she had gone through with them, you would no longer wonder at the wrinkles on her forehead.

act on verbally or in some form of artistic expression

From this reading Her girls had been as troublesome as her boys, which seldom happens, and that was saying a great deal.

the state of owing something (especially money)

From this reading Harry, the eldest son, was a prodigal, constantly in debt and in trouble; John, the second, who, it was hoped, would have distinguished himself by his brains, had been plucked for his degree; and the regiment of which Reginald, the youngest son, was an ornament, had been sent off to India, contrary to all prognostications.

a position on a scale of intensity or amount or quality

From this reading Harry, the eldest son, was a prodigal, constantly in debt and in trouble; John, the second, who, it was hoped, would have distinguished himself by his brains, had been plucked for his degree; and the regiment of which Reginald, the youngest son, was an ornament, had been sent off to India, contrary to all prognostications.

(used of persons) standing above others in character or attainment or reputation

From this reading Harry, the eldest son, was a prodigal, constantly in debt and in trouble; John, the second, who, it was hoped, would have distinguished himself by his brains, had been plucked for his degree; and the regiment of which Reginald, the youngest son, was an ornament, had been sent off to India, contrary to all prognostications.

at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time

From this reading The Thornleigh family, or at least the feminine portion of it, was, as has been indicated to the reader, in town--though it was still very early in the year--for the purpose of looking after little Mary’s trousseau, as her wedding was to take place at Easter.

a Christian celebration of the Resurrection of Christ; celebrated on the Sunday following the first full moon after the vernal equinox

From this reading The Thornleigh family, or at least the feminine portion of it, was, as has been indicated to the reader, in town--though it was still very early in the year--for the purpose of looking after little Mary’s trousseau, as her wedding was to take place at Easter.

being one more than seven

From this reading Lady Augusta’s family numbered eight altogether--five girls and three boys; and if I could tell you half the trouble she had gone through with them, you would no longer wonder at the wrinkles on her forehead.

first in order of birth

From this reading Harry, the eldest son, was a prodigal, constantly in debt and in trouble; John, the second, who, it was hoped, would have distinguished himself by his brains, had been plucked for his degree; and the regiment of which Reginald, the youngest son, was an ornament, had been sent off to India, contrary to all prognostications.

a social unit living together

From this reading The Thornleigh family, or at least the feminine portion of it, was, as has been indicated to the reader, in town--though it was still very early in the year--for the purpose of looking after little Mary’s trousseau, as her wedding was to take place at Easter.

associated with women and not with men

From this reading The Thornleigh family, or at least the feminine portion of it, was, as has been indicated to the reader, in town--though it was still very early in the year--for the purpose of looking after little Mary’s trousseau, as her wedding was to take place at Easter.

the cardinal number that is the sum of four and one

From this reading Lady Augusta’s family numbered eight altogether--five girls and three boys; and if I could tell you half the trouble she had gone through with them, you would no longer wonder at the wrinkles on her forehead.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading The Thornleigh family, or at least the feminine portion of it, was, as has been indicated to the reader, in town--though it was still very early in the year--for the purpose of looking after little Mary’s trousseau, as her wedding was to take place at Easter.

the part of the face above the eyes

From this reading Lady Augusta’s family numbered eight altogether--five girls and three boys; and if I could tell you half the trouble she had gone through with them, you would no longer wonder at the wrinkles on her forehead.

plural of “girl” — a young female

From this reading Lady Augusta’s family numbered eight altogether--five girls and three boys; and if I could tell you half the trouble she had gone through with them, you would no longer wonder at the wrinkles on her forehead.

destroyed or killed

From this reading Lady Augusta’s family numbered eight altogether--five girls and three boys; and if I could tell you half the trouble she had gone through with them, you would no longer wonder at the wrinkles on her forehead.

relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind

From this reading Her girls had been as troublesome as her boys, which seldom happens, and that was saying a great deal.

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

From this reading Lady Augusta’s family numbered eight altogether--five girls and three boys; and if I could tell you half the trouble she had gone through with them, you would no longer wonder at the wrinkles on her forehead.

consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity

From this reading Lady Augusta’s family numbered eight altogether--five girls and three boys; and if I could tell you half the trouble she had gone through with them, you would no longer wonder at the wrinkles on her forehead.

third-person singular of “happen” — come to pass

From this reading Her girls had been as troublesome as her boys, which seldom happens, and that was saying a great deal.

annoy continually or chronically

From this reading Harry, the eldest son, was a prodigal, constantly in debt and in trouble; John, the second, who, it was hoped, would have distinguished himself by his brains, had been plucked for his degree; and the regiment of which Reginald, the youngest son, was an ornament, had been sent off to India, contrary to all prognostications.

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

From this reading The Thornleigh family, or at least the feminine portion of it, was, as has been indicated to the reader, in town--though it was still very early in the year--for the purpose of looking after little Mary’s trousseau, as her wedding was to take place at Easter.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading Harry, the eldest son, was a prodigal, constantly in debt and in trouble; John, the second, who, it was hoped, would have distinguished himself by his brains, had been plucked for his degree; and the regiment of which Reginald, the youngest son, was an ornament, had been sent off to India, contrary to all prognostications.

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

From this reading The Thornleigh family, or at least the feminine portion of it, was, as has been indicated to the reader, in town--though it was still very early in the year--for the purpose of looking after little Mary’s trousseau, as her wedding was to take place at Easter.

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

From this reading Harry, the eldest son, was a prodigal, constantly in debt and in trouble; John, the second, who, it was hoped, would have distinguished himself by his brains, had been plucked for his degree; and the regiment of which Reginald, the youngest son, was an ornament, had been sent off to India, contrary to all prognostications.

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

From this reading Harry, the eldest son, was a prodigal, constantly in debt and in trouble; John, the second, who, it was hoped, would have distinguished himself by his brains, had been plucked for his degree; and the regiment of which Reginald, the youngest son, was an ornament, had been sent off to India, contrary to all prognostications.

past form of “hope” — expect and wish

From this reading Harry, the eldest son, was a prodigal, constantly in debt and in trouble; John, the second, who, it was hoped, would have distinguished himself by his brains, had been plucked for his degree; and the regiment of which Reginald, the youngest son, was an ornament, had been sent off to India, contrary to all prognostications.

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

From this reading Lady Augusta’s family numbered eight altogether--five girls and three boys; and if I could tell you half the trouble she had gone through with them, you would no longer wonder at the wrinkles on her forehead.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading Lady Augusta’s family numbered eight altogether--five girls and three boys; and if I could tell you half the trouble she had gone through with them, you would no longer wonder at the wrinkles on her forehead.

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

From this reading The Thornleigh family, or at least the feminine portion of it, was, as has been indicated to the reader, in town--though it was still very early in the year--for the purpose of looking after little Mary’s trousseau, as her wedding was to take place at Easter.

a republic in the Asian subcontinent in southern Asia; second most populous country in the world; achieved independence from the United Kingdom in 1947

From this reading Harry, the eldest son, was a prodigal, constantly in debt and in trouble; John, the second, who, it was hoped, would have distinguished himself by his brains, had been plucked for his degree; and the regiment of which Reginald, the youngest son, was an ornament, had been sent off to India, contrary to all prognostications.

past form of “indicate” — be a signal for or a symptom of

From this reading The Thornleigh family, or at least the feminine portion of it, was, as has been indicated to the reader, in town--though it was still very early in the year--for the purpose of looking after little Mary’s trousseau, as her wedding was to take place at Easter.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading The Thornleigh family, or at least the feminine portion of it, was, as has been indicated to the reader, in town--though it was still very early in the year--for the purpose of looking after little Mary’s trousseau, as her wedding was to take place at Easter.

a room or building equipped with one or more toilets

From this reading Harry, the eldest son, was a prodigal, constantly in debt and in trouble; John, the second, who, it was hoped, would have distinguished himself by his brains, had been plucked for his degree; and the regiment of which Reginald, the youngest son, was an ornament, had been sent off to India, contrary to all prognostications.

a polite name for any woman

From this reading Lady Augusta’s family numbered eight altogether--five girls and three boys; and if I could tell you half the trouble she had gone through with them, you would no longer wonder at the wrinkles on her forehead.

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 The Thornleigh family, or at least the feminine portion of it, was, as has been indicated to the reader, in town--though it was still very early in the year--for the purpose of looking after little Mary’s trousseau, as her wedding was to take place at Easter.

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

From this reading The Thornleigh family, or at least the feminine portion of it, was, as has been indicated to the reader, in town--though it was still very early in the year--for the purpose of looking after little Mary’s trousseau, as her wedding was to take place at Easter.

for more time

From this reading Lady Augusta’s family numbered eight altogether--five girls and three boys; and if I could tell you half the trouble she had gone through with them, you would no longer wonder at the wrinkles on her forehead.

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

From this reading The Thornleigh family, or at least the feminine portion of it, was, as has been indicated to the reader, in town--though it was still very early in the year--for the purpose of looking after little Mary’s trousseau, as her wedding was to take place at Easter.

possessive form of “mary” — the mother of Jesus; Christians refer to her as the Virgin Mary; she is especially honored by Roman Catholics

From this reading The Thornleigh family, or at least the feminine portion of it, was, as has been indicated to the reader, in town--though it was still very early in the year--for the purpose of looking after little Mary’s trousseau, as her wedding was to take place at Easter.

not any; not one

From this reading Lady Augusta’s family numbered eight altogether--five girls and three boys; and if I could tell you half the trouble she had gone through with them, you would no longer wonder at the wrinkles on her forehead.

past form of “number” — add up in number or quantity

From this reading Lady Augusta’s family numbered eight altogether--five girls and three boys; and if I could tell you half the trouble she had gone through with them, you would no longer wonder at the wrinkles on her forehead.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The Thornleigh family, or at least the feminine portion of it, was, as has been indicated to the reader, in town--though it was still very early in the year--for the purpose of looking after little Mary’s trousseau, as her wedding was to take place at Easter.

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

From this reading Harry, the eldest son, was a prodigal, constantly in debt and in trouble; John, the second, who, it was hoped, would have distinguished himself by his brains, had been plucked for his degree; and the regiment of which Reginald, the youngest son, was an ornament, had been sent off to India, contrary to all prognostications.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Lady Augusta’s family numbered eight altogether--five girls and three boys; and if I could tell you half the trouble she had gone through with them, you would no longer wonder at the wrinkles on her forehead.

being directly across from each other; facing

From this reading The Opposite Camp.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading The Thornleigh family, or at least the feminine portion of it, was, as has been indicated to the reader, in town--though it was still very early in the year--for the purpose of looking after little Mary’s trousseau, as her wedding was to take place at Easter.

make more attractive by adding ornament, colour, etc.

From this reading Harry, the eldest son, was a prodigal, constantly in debt and in trouble; John, the second, who, it was hoped, would have distinguished himself by his brains, had been plucked for his degree; and the regiment of which Reginald, the youngest son, was an ornament, had been sent off to India, contrary to all prognostications.

a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading The Thornleigh family, or at least the feminine portion of it, was, as has been indicated to the reader, in town--though it was still very early in the year--for the purpose of looking after little Mary’s trousseau, as her wedding was to take place at Easter.

of a stringed instrument; sounded with the fingers or a plectrum

From this reading Harry, the eldest son, was a prodigal, constantly in debt and in trouble; John, the second, who, it was hoped, would have distinguished himself by his brains, had been plucked for his degree; and the regiment of which Reginald, the youngest son, was an ornament, had been sent off to India, contrary to all prognostications.

something determined in relation to something that includes it

From this reading The Thornleigh family, or at least the feminine portion of it, was, as has been indicated to the reader, in town--though it was still very early in the year--for the purpose of looking after little Mary’s trousseau, as her wedding was to take place at Easter.

a recklessly extravagant consumer

From this reading Harry, the eldest son, was a prodigal, constantly in debt and in trouble; John, the second, who, it was hoped, would have distinguished himself by his brains, had been plucked for his degree; and the regiment of which Reginald, the youngest son, was an ornament, had been sent off to India, contrary to all prognostications.

plural of “prognostication” — a sign of something about to happen

From this reading Harry, the eldest son, was a prodigal, constantly in debt and in trouble; John, the second, who, it was hoped, would have distinguished himself by his brains, had been plucked for his degree; and the regiment of which Reginald, the youngest son, was an ornament, had been sent off to India, contrary to all prognostications.

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

From this reading The Thornleigh family, or at least the feminine portion of it, was, as has been indicated to the reader, in town--though it was still very early in the year--for the purpose of looking after little Mary’s trousseau, as her wedding was to take place at Easter.

a person who enjoys reading

From this reading The Thornleigh family, or at least the feminine portion of it, was, as has been indicated to the reader, in town--though it was still very early in the year--for the purpose of looking after little Mary’s trousseau, as her wedding was to take place at Easter.

subject to rigid discipline, order, and systematization

From this reading Harry, the eldest son, was a prodigal, constantly in debt and in trouble; John, the second, who, it was hoped, would have distinguished himself by his brains, had been plucked for his degree; and the regiment of which Reginald, the youngest son, was an ornament, had been sent off to India, contrary to all prognostications.

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

From this reading Harry, the eldest son, was a prodigal, constantly in debt and in trouble; John, the second, who, it was hoped, would have distinguished himself by his brains, had been plucked for his degree; and the regiment of which Reginald, the youngest son, was an ornament, had been sent off to India, contrary to all prognostications.

a word or phrase that particular people use in particular situations

From this reading Her girls had been as troublesome as her boys, which seldom happens, and that was saying a great deal.

1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites

From this reading Harry, the eldest son, was a prodigal, constantly in debt and in trouble; John, the second, who, it was hoped, would have distinguished himself by his brains, had been plucked for his degree; and the regiment of which Reginald, the youngest son, was an ornament, had been sent off to India, contrary to all prognostications.

not often

From this reading Her girls had been as troublesome as her boys, which seldom happens, and that was saying a great deal.

100 senti equal 1 kroon in Estonia

From this reading Harry, the eldest son, was a prodigal, constantly in debt and in trouble; John, the second, who, it was hoped, would have distinguished himself by his brains, had been plucked for his degree; and the regiment of which Reginald, the youngest son, was an ornament, had been sent off to India, contrary to all prognostications.

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

From this reading Lady Augusta’s family numbered eight altogether--five girls and three boys; and if I could tell you half the trouble she had gone through with them, you would no longer wonder at the wrinkles on her forehead.

a male human offspring

From this reading Harry, the eldest son, was a prodigal, constantly in debt and in trouble; John, the second, who, it was hoped, would have distinguished himself by his brains, had been plucked for his degree; and the regiment of which Reginald, the youngest son, was an ornament, had been sent off to India, contrary to all prognostications.

not in physical motion

From this reading The Thornleigh family, or at least the feminine portion of it, was, as has been indicated to the reader, in town--though it was still very early in the year--for the purpose of looking after little Mary’s trousseau, as her wedding was to take place at Easter.

carry out

From this reading The Thornleigh family, or at least the feminine portion of it, was, as has been indicated to the reader, in town--though it was still very early in the year--for the purpose of looking after little Mary’s trousseau, as her wedding was to take place at Easter.

express in words

From this reading Lady Augusta’s family numbered eight altogether--five girls and three boys; and if I could tell you half the trouble she had gone through with them, you would no longer wonder at the wrinkles on her forehead.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Her girls had been as troublesome as her boys, which seldom happens, and that was saying a great deal.

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

From this reading The Opposite Camp.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading Lady Augusta’s family numbered eight altogether--five girls and three boys; and if I could tell you half the trouble she had gone through with them, you would no longer wonder at the wrinkles on her forehead.

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

From this reading The Thornleigh family, or at least the feminine portion of it, was, as has been indicated to the reader, in town--though it was still very early in the year--for the purpose of looking after little Mary’s trousseau, as her wedding was to take place at Easter.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading The Thornleigh family, or at least the feminine portion of it, was, as has been indicated to the reader, in town--though it was still very early in the year--for the purpose of looking after little Mary’s trousseau, as her wedding was to take place at Easter.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one

From this reading Lady Augusta’s family numbered eight altogether--five girls and three boys; and if I could tell you half the trouble she had gone through with them, you would no longer wonder at the wrinkles on her forehead.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading Lady Augusta’s family numbered eight altogether--five girls and three boys; and if I could tell you half the trouble she had gone through with them, you would no longer wonder at the wrinkles on her forehead.

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

From this reading The Thornleigh family, or at least the feminine portion of it, was, as has been indicated to the reader, in town--though it was still very early in the year--for the purpose of looking after little Mary’s trousseau, as her wedding was to take place at Easter.

an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city

From this reading The Thornleigh family, or at least the feminine portion of it, was, as has been indicated to the reader, in town--though it was still very early in the year--for the purpose of looking after little Mary’s trousseau, as her wedding was to take place at Easter.

a source of difficulty

From this reading Lady Augusta’s family numbered eight altogether--five girls and three boys; and if I could tell you half the trouble she had gone through with them, you would no longer wonder at the wrinkles on her forehead.

causing difficulty or annoyance

From this reading Her girls had been as troublesome as her boys, which seldom happens, and that was saying a great deal.

the personal outfit of a bride; clothes and accessories and linens

From this reading The Thornleigh family, or at least the feminine portion of it, was, as has been indicated to the reader, in town--though it was still very early in the year--for the purpose of looking after little Mary’s trousseau, as her wedding was to take place at Easter.

precisely as stated

From this reading The Thornleigh family, or at least the feminine portion of it, was, as has been indicated to the reader, in town--though it was still very early in the year--for the purpose of looking after little Mary’s trousseau, as her wedding was to take place at Easter.

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

From this reading The Thornleigh family, or at least the feminine portion of it, was, as has been indicated to the reader, in town--though it was still very early in the year--for the purpose of looking after little Mary’s trousseau, as her wedding was to take place at Easter.

the social event at which the ceremony of marriage is performed

From this reading The Thornleigh family, or at least the feminine portion of it, was, as has been indicated to the reader, in town--though it was still very early in the year--for the purpose of looking after little Mary’s trousseau, as her wedding was to take place at Easter.

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

From this reading Her girls had been as troublesome as her boys, which seldom happens, and that was saying a great deal.

which person or people

From this reading Harry, the eldest son, was a prodigal, constantly in debt and in trouble; John, the second, who, it was hoped, would have distinguished himself by his brains, had been plucked for his degree; and the regiment of which Reginald, the youngest son, was an ornament, had been sent off to India, contrary to all prognostications.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Lady Augusta’s family numbered eight altogether--five girls and three boys; and if I could tell you half the trouble she had gone through with them, you would no longer wonder at the wrinkles on her forehead.

the feeling aroused by something strange and surprising

From this reading Lady Augusta’s family numbered eight altogether--five girls and three boys; and if I could tell you half the trouble she had gone through with them, you would no longer wonder at the wrinkles on her forehead.

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

From this reading Lady Augusta’s family numbered eight altogether--five girls and three boys; and if I could tell you half the trouble she had gone through with them, you would no longer wonder at the wrinkles on her forehead.

plural of “wrinkle” — a slight depression or fold in the smoothness of a surface

From this reading Lady Augusta’s family numbered eight altogether--five girls and three boys; and if I could tell you half the trouble she had gone through with them, you would no longer wonder at the wrinkles on her forehead.

a period of time containing 365 (or 366) days

From this reading The Thornleigh family, or at least the feminine portion of it, was, as has been indicated to the reader, in town--though it was still very early in the year--for the purpose of looking after little Mary’s trousseau, as her wedding was to take place at Easter.

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading Lady Augusta’s family numbered eight altogether--five girls and three boys; and if I could tell you half the trouble she had gone through with them, you would no longer wonder at the wrinkles on her forehead.

superlative of “young” — (used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth

From this reading Harry, the eldest son, was a prodigal, constantly in debt and in trouble; John, the second, who, it was hoped, would have distinguished himself by his brains, had been plucked for his degree; and the regiment of which Reginald, the youngest son, was an ornament, had been sent off to India, contrary to all prognostications.