Chapter XXXVIII · Chapter 38

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

From this reading The first of these had reference to the new prebendary, and to the disgrace which he had brought on the chapter; a disgrace, as some of them boasted, which Barchester had never known before.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading And now, at this period, terrible rumours found their way into Barchester, and flew about the cathedral towers and round the cathedral door; ay, and into the canons’ houses and the humbler sitting-rooms of the vicars choral.

(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 But they were shocking, unnatural, and no doubt grievous to all those excellent ecclesiastical hearts which cluster so thickly in those quarters.

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

From this reading And now, at this period, terrible rumours found their way into Barchester, and flew about the cathedral towers and round the cathedral door; ay, and into the canons’ houses and the humbler sitting-rooms of the vicars choral.

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

From this reading The first of these had reference to the new prebendary, and to the disgrace which he had brought on the chapter; a disgrace, as some of them boasted, which Barchester had never known before.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading And now, at this period, terrible rumours found their way into Barchester, and flew about the cathedral towers and round the cathedral door; ay, and into the canons’ houses and the humbler sitting-rooms of the vicars choral.

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

From this reading And now, at this period, terrible rumours found their way into Barchester, and flew about the cathedral towers and round the cathedral door; ay, and into the canons’ houses and the humbler sitting-rooms of the vicars choral.

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

From this reading And now, at this period, terrible rumours found their way into Barchester, and flew about the cathedral towers and round the cathedral door; ay, and into the canons’ houses and the humbler sitting-rooms of the vicars choral.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading The first of these had reference to the new prebendary, and to the disgrace which he had brought on the chapter; a disgrace, as some of them boasted, which Barchester had never known before.

possessive form of “bishop” — a senior member of the Christian clergy having spiritual and administrative authority; appointed in Christian churches to oversee priests or ministers; considered in some churches to be successors of the twelve Apostles of Christ

From this reading Whether they made their way from thence up to the bishop’s palace, or whether they descended from the palace to the close, I will not pretend to say.

plural of “blessing” — the formal act of approving

From this reading PALACE BLESSINGS.

past form of “boast” — show off

From this reading The first of these had reference to the new prebendary, and to the disgrace which he had brought on the chapter; a disgrace, as some of them boasted, which Barchester had never known before.

inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere

From this reading The first of these had reference to the new prebendary, and to the disgrace which he had brought on the chapter; a disgrace, as some of them boasted, which Barchester had never known before.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But they were shocking, unnatural, and no doubt grievous to all those excellent ecclesiastical hearts which cluster so thickly in those quarters.

plural of “canon” — a rule or especially body of rules or principles generally established as valid and fundamental in a field of art or philosophy

From this reading And now, at this period, terrible rumours found their way into Barchester, and flew about the cathedral towers and round the cathedral door; ay, and into the canons’ houses and the humbler sitting-rooms of the vicars choral.

any large and important church

From this reading And now, at this period, terrible rumours found their way into Barchester, and flew about the cathedral towers and round the cathedral door; ay, and into the canons’ houses and the humbler sitting-rooms of the vicars choral.

a subdivision of a written work; usually numbered and titled

From this reading The first of these had reference to the new prebendary, and to the disgrace which he had brought on the chapter; a disgrace, as some of them boasted, which Barchester had never known before.

a stately Protestant (especially Lutheran) hymn tune

From this reading And now, at this period, terrible rumours found their way into Barchester, and flew about the cathedral towers and round the cathedral door; ay, and into the canons’ houses and the humbler sitting-rooms of the vicars choral.

at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other

From this reading Whether they made their way from thence up to the bishop’s palace, or whether they descended from the palace to the close, I will not pretend to say.

come together as in a cluster or flock

From this reading But they were shocking, unnatural, and no doubt grievous to all those excellent ecclesiastical hearts which cluster so thickly in those quarters.

past form of “descend” — move downward and lower, but not necessarily all the way

From this reading Whether they made their way from thence up to the bishop’s palace, or whether they descended from the palace to the close, I will not pretend to say.

bring shame or dishonor upon

From this reading The first of these had reference to the new prebendary, and to the disgrace which he had brought on the chapter; a disgrace, as some of them boasted, which Barchester had never known before.

a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle

From this reading And now, at this period, terrible rumours found their way into Barchester, and flew about the cathedral towers and round the cathedral door; ay, and into the canons’ houses and the humbler sitting-rooms of the vicars choral.

the state of being unsure of something

From this reading But they were shocking, unnatural, and no doubt grievous to all those excellent ecclesiastical hearts which cluster so thickly in those quarters.

of or associated with a church (especially a Christian Church)

From this reading But they were shocking, unnatural, and no doubt grievous to all those excellent ecclesiastical hearts which cluster so thickly in those quarters.

very good; of the highest quality

From this reading But they were shocking, unnatural, and no doubt grievous to all those excellent ecclesiastical hearts which cluster so thickly in those quarters.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading The first of these had reference to the new prebendary, and to the disgrace which he had brought on the chapter; a disgrace, as some of them boasted, which Barchester had never known before.

inflected form of “fly” — travel through the air; be airborne

From this reading And now, at this period, terrible rumours found their way into Barchester, and flew about the cathedral towers and round the cathedral door; ay, and into the canons’ houses and the humbler sitting-rooms of the vicars choral.

set up or found

From this reading And now, at this period, terrible rumours found their way into Barchester, and flew about the cathedral towers and round the cathedral door; ay, and into the canons’ houses and the humbler sitting-rooms of the vicars choral.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Whether they made their way from thence up to the bishop’s palace, or whether they descended from the palace to the close, I will not pretend to say.

causing fear or anxiety by threatening great harm

From this reading But they were shocking, unnatural, and no doubt grievous to all those excellent ecclesiastical hearts which cluster so thickly in those quarters.

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

From this reading The first of these had reference to the new prebendary, and to the disgrace which he had brought on the chapter; a disgrace, as some of them boasted, which Barchester had never known before.

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

From this reading The first of these had reference to the new prebendary, and to the disgrace which he had brought on the chapter; a disgrace, as some of them boasted, which Barchester had never known before.

a form of whist in which players avoid winning tricks containing hearts or the queen of spades

From this reading But they were shocking, unnatural, and no doubt grievous to all those excellent ecclesiastical hearts which cluster so thickly in those quarters.

plural of “house” — a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families

From this reading And now, at this period, terrible rumours found their way into Barchester, and flew about the cathedral towers and round the cathedral door; ay, and into the canons’ houses and the humbler sitting-rooms of the vicars choral.

comparative of “humble” — low or inferior in station or quality

From this reading And now, at this period, terrible rumours found their way into Barchester, and flew about the cathedral towers and round the cathedral door; ay, and into the canons’ houses and the humbler sitting-rooms of the vicars choral.

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

From this reading Whether they made their way from thence up to the bishop’s palace, or whether they descended from the palace to the close, I will not pretend to say.

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

From this reading But they were shocking, unnatural, and no doubt grievous to all those excellent ecclesiastical hearts which cluster so thickly in those quarters.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading And now, at this period, terrible rumours found their way into Barchester, and flew about the cathedral towers and round the cathedral door; ay, and into the canons’ houses and the humbler sitting-rooms of the vicars choral.

apprehended with certainty

From this reading The first of these had reference to the new prebendary, and to the disgrace which he had brought on the chapter; a disgrace, as some of them boasted, which Barchester had never known before.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading Whether they made their way from thence up to the bishop’s palace, or whether they descended from the palace to the close, I will not pretend to say.

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading The first of these had reference to the new prebendary, and to the disgrace which he had brought on the chapter; a disgrace, as some of them boasted, which Barchester had never known before.

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

From this reading The first of these had reference to the new prebendary, and to the disgrace which he had brought on the chapter; a disgrace, as some of them boasted, which Barchester had never known before.

not any; not one

From this reading But they were shocking, unnatural, and no doubt grievous to all those excellent ecclesiastical hearts which cluster so thickly in those quarters.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Whether they made their way from thence up to the bishop’s palace, or whether they descended from the palace to the close, I will not pretend to say.

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

From this reading And now, at this period, terrible rumours found their way into Barchester, and flew about the cathedral towers and round the cathedral door; ay, and into the canons’ houses and the humbler sitting-rooms of the vicars choral.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading And now, at this period, terrible rumours found their way into Barchester, and flew about the cathedral towers and round the cathedral door; ay, and into the canons’ houses and the humbler sitting-rooms of the vicars choral.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading The first of these had reference to the new prebendary, and to the disgrace which he had brought on the chapter; a disgrace, as some of them boasted, which Barchester had never known before.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Whether they made their way from thence up to the bishop’s palace, or whether they descended from the palace to the close, I will not pretend to say.

a large and stately mansion

From this reading PALACE BLESSINGS.

an amount of time

From this reading And now, at this period, terrible rumours found their way into Barchester, and flew about the cathedral towers and round the cathedral door; ay, and into the canons’ houses and the humbler sitting-rooms of the vicars choral.

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

From this reading The first of these had reference to the new prebendary, and to the disgrace which he had brought on the chapter; a disgrace, as some of them boasted, which Barchester had never known before.

make believe with the intent to deceive

From this reading Whether they made their way from thence up to the bishop’s palace, or whether they descended from the palace to the close, I will not pretend to say.

housing available for people to live in

From this reading But they were shocking, unnatural, and no doubt grievous to all those excellent ecclesiastical hearts which cluster so thickly in those quarters.

a remark that calls attention to something or someone

From this reading The first of these had reference to the new prebendary, and to the disgrace which he had brought on the chapter; a disgrace, as some of them boasted, which Barchester had never known before.

a charge of ammunition for a single shot

From this reading And now, at this period, terrible rumours found their way into Barchester, and flew about the cathedral towers and round the cathedral door; ay, and into the canons’ houses and the humbler sitting-rooms of the vicars choral.

plural of “rumour” — gossip (usually a mixture of truth and untruth) passed around by word of mouth

From this reading And now, at this period, terrible rumours found their way into Barchester, and flew about the cathedral towers and round the cathedral door; ay, and into the canons’ houses and the humbler sitting-rooms of the vicars choral.

express in words

From this reading Whether they made their way from thence up to the bishop’s palace, or whether they descended from the palace to the close, I will not pretend to say.

glaringly vivid and graphic; marked by sensationalism

From this reading But they were shocking, unnatural, and no doubt grievous to all those excellent ecclesiastical hearts which cluster so thickly in those quarters.

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

From this reading And now, at this period, terrible rumours found their way into Barchester, and flew about the cathedral towers and round the cathedral door; ay, and into the canons’ houses and the humbler sitting-rooms of the vicars choral.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading But they were shocking, unnatural, and no doubt grievous to all those excellent ecclesiastical hearts which cluster so thickly in those quarters.

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

From this reading The first of these had reference to the new prebendary, and to the disgrace which he had brought on the chapter; a disgrace, as some of them boasted, which Barchester had never known before.

causing fear or dread or terror

From this reading And now, at this period, terrible rumours found their way into Barchester, and flew about the cathedral towers and round the cathedral door; ay, and into the canons’ houses and the humbler sitting-rooms of the vicars choral.

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

From this reading And now, at this period, terrible rumours found their way into Barchester, and flew about the cathedral towers and round the cathedral door; ay, and into the canons’ houses and the humbler sitting-rooms of the vicars choral.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading And now, at this period, terrible rumours found their way into Barchester, and flew about the cathedral towers and round the cathedral door; ay, and into the canons’ houses and the humbler sitting-rooms of the vicars choral.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading The first of these had reference to the new prebendary, and to the disgrace which he had brought on the chapter; a disgrace, as some of them boasted, which Barchester had never known before.

from that place or that time

From this reading Whether they made their way from thence up to the bishop’s palace, or whether they descended from the palace to the close, I will not pretend to say.

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading The first of these had reference to the new prebendary, and to the disgrace which he had brought on the chapter; a disgrace, as some of them boasted, which Barchester had never known before.

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

From this reading Whether they made their way from thence up to the bishop’s palace, or whether they descended from the palace to the close, I will not pretend to say.

spoken with poor articulation as if with a thick tongue

From this reading But they were shocking, unnatural, and no doubt grievous to all those excellent ecclesiastical hearts which cluster so thickly in those quarters.

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

From this reading And now, at this period, terrible rumours found their way into Barchester, and flew about the cathedral towers and round the cathedral door; ay, and into the canons’ houses and the humbler sitting-rooms of the vicars choral.

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

From this reading But they were shocking, unnatural, and no doubt grievous to all those excellent ecclesiastical hearts which cluster so thickly in those quarters.

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

From this reading Whether they made their way from thence up to the bishop’s palace, or whether they descended from the palace to the close, I will not pretend to say.

plural of “tower” — a structure taller than its diameter; can stand alone or be attached to a larger building

From this reading And now, at this period, terrible rumours found their way into Barchester, and flew about the cathedral towers and round the cathedral door; ay, and into the canons’ houses and the humbler sitting-rooms of the vicars choral.

not in accordance with or determined by nature; contrary to nature

From this reading But they were shocking, unnatural, and no doubt grievous to all those excellent ecclesiastical hearts which cluster so thickly in those quarters.

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

From this reading Whether they made their way from thence up to the bishop’s palace, or whether they descended from the palace to the close, I will not pretend to say.

plural of “vicar” — a Roman Catholic priest who acts for another higher-ranking clergyman

From this reading And now, at this period, terrible rumours found their way into Barchester, and flew about the cathedral towers and round the cathedral door; ay, and into the canons’ houses and the humbler sitting-rooms of the vicars choral.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading And now, at this period, terrible rumours found their way into Barchester, and flew about the cathedral towers and round the cathedral door; ay, and into the canons’ houses and the humbler sitting-rooms of the vicars choral.

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

From this reading But they were shocking, unnatural, and no doubt grievous to all those excellent ecclesiastical hearts which cluster so thickly in those quarters.

used to introduce two or more possibilities

From this reading Whether they made their way from thence up to the bishop’s palace, or whether they descended from the palace to the close, I will not pretend to say.

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

From this reading But they were shocking, unnatural, and no doubt grievous to all those excellent ecclesiastical hearts which cluster so thickly in those quarters.

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading Whether they made their way from thence up to the bishop’s palace, or whether they descended from the palace to the close, I will not pretend to say.