Chapter XXX

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

From this reading She noticed him riding in the Park with Josie,--they never joined her, but merely cantered by with a cheery salute.

plural of “acquaintance” — personal knowledge or information about someone or something

From this reading CRITICAL MOMENTS FOR NANCY Captain Mayne's remark with regard to no further interview, proved correct; he and Nancy merely encountered one another as very slight acquaintances, who have friends in common.

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

From this reading CRITICAL MOMENTS FOR NANCY Captain Mayne's remark with regard to no further interview, proved correct; he and Nancy merely encountered one another as very slight acquaintances, who have friends in common.

one more of the same kind, or a different one

From this reading CRITICAL MOMENTS FOR NANCY Captain Mayne's remark with regard to no further interview, proved correct; he and Nancy merely encountered one another as very slight acquaintances, who have friends in common.

having or showing feelings of unwarranted importance out of overbearing pride

From this reading That same day, at the polo match, his mother, Lady Torquilstone, was pointed out to her by Mrs. De Wolfe; a tall, supremely well dressed, well preserved, arrogant woman, who looked as if the whole of Ranelagh was her private property, and most of the crowd, insufferable intruders.

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

From this reading CRITICAL MOMENTS FOR NANCY Captain Mayne's remark with regard to no further interview, proved correct; he and Nancy merely encountered one another as very slight acquaintances, who have friends in common.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading At a polo match at Ranelagh, where Mayne had played and distinguished himself, she looked on, whilst friends gathered round to congratulate him, and she saw Josie go up and pat the damp neck of his considerably blown pony.

being moved or acted upon by moving air or vapor

From this reading At a polo match at Ranelagh, where Mayne had played and distinguished himself, she looked on, whilst friends gathered round to congratulate him, and she saw Josie go up and pat the damp neck of his considerably blown pony.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading She noticed him riding in the Park with Josie,--they never joined her, but merely cantered by with a cheery salute.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading She noticed him riding in the Park with Josie,--they never joined her, but merely cantered by with a cheery salute.

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

From this reading She noticed him riding in the Park with Josie,--they never joined her, but merely cantered by with a cheery salute.

an officer holding a rank below a major but above a lieutenant

From this reading CRITICAL MOMENTS FOR NANCY Captain Mayne's remark with regard to no further interview, proved correct; he and Nancy merely encountered one another as very slight acquaintances, who have friends in common.

bright and pleasant; promoting a feeling of cheer

From this reading She noticed him riding in the Park with Josie,--they never joined her, but merely cantered by with a cheery salute.

belonging to or participated in by a community as a whole; public

From this reading CRITICAL MOMENTS FOR NANCY Captain Mayne's remark with regard to no further interview, proved correct; he and Nancy merely encountered one another as very slight acquaintances, who have friends in common.

say something to someone that expresses praise

From this reading At a polo match at Ranelagh, where Mayne had played and distinguished himself, she looked on, whilst friends gathered round to congratulate him, and she saw Josie go up and pat the damp neck of his considerably blown pony.

to a great extent or degree

From this reading At a polo match at Ranelagh, where Mayne had played and distinguished himself, she looked on, whilst friends gathered round to congratulate him, and she saw Josie go up and pat the damp neck of his considerably blown pony.

make right or correct

From this reading CRITICAL MOMENTS FOR NANCY Captain Mayne's remark with regard to no further interview, proved correct; he and Nancy merely encountered one another as very slight acquaintances, who have friends in common.

marked by a tendency to find and call attention to errors and flaws

From this reading CRITICAL MOMENTS FOR NANCY Captain Mayne's remark with regard to no further interview, proved correct; he and Nancy merely encountered one another as very slight acquaintances, who have friends in common.

cause to herd, drive, or crowd together

From this reading That same day, at the polo match, his mother, Lady Torquilstone, was pointed out to her by Mrs. De Wolfe; a tall, supremely well dressed, well preserved, arrogant woman, who looked as if the whole of Ranelagh was her private property, and most of the crowd, insufferable intruders.

slightly wet

From this reading At a polo match at Ranelagh, where Mayne had played and distinguished himself, she looked on, whilst friends gathered round to congratulate him, and she saw Josie go up and pat the damp neck of his considerably blown pony.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading That same day, at the polo match, his mother, Lady Torquilstone, was pointed out to her by Mrs. De Wolfe; a tall, supremely well dressed, well preserved, arrogant woman, who looked as if the whole of Ranelagh was her private property, and most of the crowd, insufferable intruders.

a Mid-Atlantic state; one of the original 13 colonies

From this reading That same day, at the polo match, his mother, Lady Torquilstone, was pointed out to her by Mrs. De Wolfe; a tall, supremely well dressed, well preserved, arrogant woman, who looked as if the whole of Ranelagh was her private property, and most of the crowd, insufferable intruders.

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

From this reading At a polo match at Ranelagh, where Mayne had played and distinguished himself, she looked on, whilst friends gathered round to congratulate him, and she saw Josie go up and pat the damp neck of his considerably blown pony.

dressed or clothed especially in fine attire; often used in combination

From this reading That same day, at the polo match, his mother, Lady Torquilstone, was pointed out to her by Mrs. De Wolfe; a tall, supremely well dressed, well preserved, arrogant woman, who looked as if the whole of Ranelagh was her private property, and most of the crowd, insufferable intruders.

past form of “encounter” — come together

From this reading CRITICAL MOMENTS FOR NANCY Captain Mayne's remark with regard to no further interview, proved correct; he and Nancy merely encountered one another as very slight acquaintances, who have friends in common.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading CRITICAL MOMENTS FOR NANCY Captain Mayne's remark with regard to no further interview, proved correct; he and Nancy merely encountered one another as very slight acquaintances, who have friends in common.

plural of “friend” — a person you know well and regard with affection and trust

From this reading CRITICAL MOMENTS FOR NANCY Captain Mayne's remark with regard to no further interview, proved correct; he and Nancy merely encountered one another as very slight acquaintances, who have friends in common.

to or at a greater extent or degree or a more advanced stage (“further” is used more often than “farther” in this abstract sense)

From this reading CRITICAL MOMENTS FOR NANCY Captain Mayne's remark with regard to no further interview, proved correct; he and Nancy merely encountered one another as very slight acquaintances, who have friends in common.

brought together in one place

From this reading At a polo match at Ranelagh, where Mayne had played and distinguished himself, she looked on, whilst friends gathered round to congratulate him, and she saw Josie go up and pat the damp neck of his considerably blown pony.

change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading At a polo match at Ranelagh, where Mayne had played and distinguished himself, she looked on, whilst friends gathered round to congratulate him, and she saw Josie go up and pat the damp neck of his considerably blown pony.

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

From this reading At a polo match at Ranelagh, where Mayne had played and distinguished himself, she looked on, whilst friends gathered round to congratulate him, and she saw Josie go up and pat the damp neck of his considerably blown pony.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading CRITICAL MOMENTS FOR NANCY Captain Mayne's remark with regard to no further interview, proved correct; he and Nancy merely encountered one another as very slight acquaintances, who have friends in common.

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

From this reading CRITICAL MOMENTS FOR NANCY Captain Mayne's remark with regard to no further interview, proved correct; he and Nancy merely encountered one another as very slight acquaintances, who have friends in common.

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

From this reading She noticed him riding in the Park with Josie,--they never joined her, but merely cantered by with a cheery salute.

used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object

From this reading "So that was her mother-in-law!" said Nancy to herself.

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

From this reading She noticed him riding in the Park with Josie,--they never joined her, but merely cantered by with a cheery salute.

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

From this reading At a polo match at Ranelagh, where Mayne had played and distinguished himself, she looked on, whilst friends gathered round to congratulate him, and she saw Josie go up and pat the damp neck of his considerably blown pony.

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

From this reading At a polo match at Ranelagh, where Mayne had played and distinguished himself, she looked on, whilst friends gathered round to congratulate him, and she saw Josie go up and pat the damp neck of his considerably blown pony.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading That same day, at the polo match, his mother, Lady Torquilstone, was pointed out to her by Mrs. De Wolfe; a tall, supremely well dressed, well preserved, arrogant woman, who looked as if the whole of Ranelagh was her private property, and most of the crowd, insufferable intruders.

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

From this reading CRITICAL MOMENTS FOR NANCY Captain Mayne's remark with regard to no further interview, proved correct; he and Nancy merely encountered one another as very slight acquaintances, who have friends in common.

unbearably arrogant or conceited

From this reading That same day, at the polo match, his mother, Lady Torquilstone, was pointed out to her by Mrs. De Wolfe; a tall, supremely well dressed, well preserved, arrogant woman, who looked as if the whole of Ranelagh was her private property, and most of the crowd, insufferable intruders.

conduct an interview in television, newspaper, and radio reporting

From this reading CRITICAL MOMENTS FOR NANCY Captain Mayne's remark with regard to no further interview, proved correct; he and Nancy merely encountered one another as very slight acquaintances, who have friends in common.

plural of “intruder” — someone who intrudes on the privacy or property of another without permission

From this reading That same day, at the polo match, his mother, Lady Torquilstone, was pointed out to her by Mrs. De Wolfe; a tall, supremely well dressed, well preserved, arrogant woman, who looked as if the whole of Ranelagh was her private property, and most of the crowd, insufferable intruders.

of or relating to two people who are married to each other

From this reading She noticed him riding in the Park with Josie,--they never joined her, but merely cantered by with a cheery salute.

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

From this reading She noticed him riding in the Park with Josie,--they never joined her, but merely cantered by with a cheery salute.

a polite name for any woman

From this reading That same day, at the polo match, his mother, Lady Torquilstone, was pointed out to her by Mrs. De Wolfe; a tall, supremely well dressed, well preserved, arrogant woman, who looked as if the whole of Ranelagh was her private property, and most of the crowd, insufferable intruders.

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

From this reading At a polo match at Ranelagh, where Mayne had played and distinguished himself, she looked on, whilst friends gathered round to congratulate him, and she saw Josie go up and pat the damp neck of his considerably blown pony.

be compatible, similar or consistent; coincide in their characteristics

From this reading At a polo match at Ranelagh, where Mayne had played and distinguished himself, she looked on, whilst friends gathered round to congratulate him, and she saw Josie go up and pat the damp neck of his considerably blown pony.

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

From this reading At a polo match at Ranelagh, where Mayne had played and distinguished himself, she looked on, whilst friends gathered round to congratulate him, and she saw Josie go up and pat the damp neck of his considerably blown pony.

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

From this reading CRITICAL MOMENTS FOR NANCY Captain Mayne's remark with regard to no further interview, proved correct; he and Nancy merely encountered one another as very slight acquaintances, who have friends in common.

and nothing more

From this reading CRITICAL MOMENTS FOR NANCY Captain Mayne's remark with regard to no further interview, proved correct; he and Nancy merely encountered one another as very slight acquaintances, who have friends in common.

plural of “moment” — a particular point in time

From this reading CRITICAL MOMENTS FOR NANCY Captain Mayne's remark with regard to no further interview, proved correct; he and Nancy merely encountered one another as very slight acquaintances, who have friends in common.

used to form the superlative

From this reading That same day, at the polo match, his mother, Lady Torquilstone, was pointed out to her by Mrs. De Wolfe; a tall, supremely well dressed, well preserved, arrogant woman, who looked as if the whole of Ranelagh was her private property, and most of the crowd, insufferable intruders.

a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)

From this reading That same day, at the polo match, his mother, Lady Torquilstone, was pointed out to her by Mrs. De Wolfe; a tall, supremely well dressed, well preserved, arrogant woman, who looked as if the whole of Ranelagh was her private property, and most of the crowd, insufferable intruders.

the mother of your spouse

From this reading "So that was her mother-in-law!" said Nancy to herself.

a form of address for a married woman

From this reading That same day, at the polo match, his mother, Lady Torquilstone, was pointed out to her by Mrs. De Wolfe; a tall, supremely well dressed, well preserved, arrogant woman, who looked as if the whole of Ranelagh was her private property, and most of the crowd, insufferable intruders.

a city in northeastern France in Lorraine

From this reading CRITICAL MOMENTS FOR NANCY Captain Mayne's remark with regard to no further interview, proved correct; he and Nancy merely encountered one another as very slight acquaintances, who have friends in common.

the part of an organism (human or animal) that connects the head to the rest of the body

From this reading At a polo match at Ranelagh, where Mayne had played and distinguished himself, she looked on, whilst friends gathered round to congratulate him, and she saw Josie go up and pat the damp neck of his considerably blown pony.

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading She noticed him riding in the Park with Josie,--they never joined her, but merely cantered by with a cheery salute.

not any; not one

From this reading CRITICAL MOMENTS FOR NANCY Captain Mayne's remark with regard to no further interview, proved correct; he and Nancy merely encountered one another as very slight acquaintances, who have friends in common.

being perceived or observed

From this reading She noticed him riding in the Park with Josie,--they never joined her, but merely cantered by with a cheery salute.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading At a polo match at Ranelagh, where Mayne had played and distinguished himself, she looked on, whilst friends gathered round to congratulate him, and she saw Josie go up and pat the damp neck of his considerably blown pony.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading At a polo match at Ranelagh, where Mayne had played and distinguished himself, she looked on, whilst friends gathered round to congratulate him, and she saw Josie go up and pat the damp neck of his considerably blown pony.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading CRITICAL MOMENTS FOR NANCY Captain Mayne's remark with regard to no further interview, proved correct; he and Nancy merely encountered one another as very slight acquaintances, who have friends in common.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading That same day, at the polo match, his mother, Lady Torquilstone, was pointed out to her by Mrs. De Wolfe; a tall, supremely well dressed, well preserved, arrogant woman, who looked as if the whole of Ranelagh was her private property, and most of the crowd, insufferable intruders.

a large area of land preserved in its natural state as public property

From this reading She noticed him riding in the Park with Josie,--they never joined her, but merely cantered by with a cheery salute.

pat or squeeze fondly or playfully, especially under the chin

From this reading At a polo match at Ranelagh, where Mayne had played and distinguished himself, she looked on, whilst friends gathered round to congratulate him, and she saw Josie go up and pat the damp neck of his considerably blown pony.

(of games) engaged in

From this reading At a polo match at Ranelagh, where Mayne had played and distinguished himself, she looked on, whilst friends gathered round to congratulate him, and she saw Josie go up and pat the damp neck of his considerably blown pony.

having a point

From this reading That same day, at the polo match, his mother, Lady Torquilstone, was pointed out to her by Mrs. De Wolfe; a tall, supremely well dressed, well preserved, arrogant woman, who looked as if the whole of Ranelagh was her private property, and most of the crowd, insufferable intruders.

Venetian traveler who explored Asia in the 13th century and served Kublai Khan (1254-1324)

From this reading At a polo match at Ranelagh, where Mayne had played and distinguished himself, she looked on, whilst friends gathered round to congratulate him, and she saw Josie go up and pat the damp neck of his considerably blown pony.

a range horse of the western United States

From this reading At a polo match at Ranelagh, where Mayne had played and distinguished himself, she looked on, whilst friends gathered round to congratulate him, and she saw Josie go up and pat the damp neck of his considerably blown pony.

prevented from decaying or spoiling and prepared for future use

From this reading That same day, at the polo match, his mother, Lady Torquilstone, was pointed out to her by Mrs. De Wolfe; a tall, supremely well dressed, well preserved, arrogant woman, who looked as if the whole of Ranelagh was her private property, and most of the crowd, insufferable intruders.

confined to particular persons or groups or providing privacy

From this reading That same day, at the polo match, his mother, Lady Torquilstone, was pointed out to her by Mrs. De Wolfe; a tall, supremely well dressed, well preserved, arrogant woman, who looked as if the whole of Ranelagh was her private property, and most of the crowd, insufferable intruders.

something owned; any tangible or intangible possession that is owned by someone

From this reading That same day, at the polo match, his mother, Lady Torquilstone, was pointed out to her by Mrs. De Wolfe; a tall, supremely well dressed, well preserved, arrogant woman, who looked as if the whole of Ranelagh was her private property, and most of the crowd, insufferable intruders.

established beyond doubt

From this reading CRITICAL MOMENTS FOR NANCY Captain Mayne's remark with regard to no further interview, proved correct; he and Nancy merely encountered one another as very slight acquaintances, who have friends in common.

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

From this reading At a polo match at Ranelagh, where Mayne had played and distinguished himself, she looked on, whilst friends gathered round to congratulate him, and she saw Josie go up and pat the damp neck of his considerably blown pony.

(usually preceded by “in”) a detail or point

From this reading CRITICAL MOMENTS FOR NANCY Captain Mayne's remark with regard to no further interview, proved correct; he and Nancy merely encountered one another as very slight acquaintances, who have friends in common.

a statement that expresses a personal opinion or belief or adds information

From this reading CRITICAL MOMENTS FOR NANCY Captain Mayne's remark with regard to no further interview, proved correct; he and Nancy merely encountered one another as very slight acquaintances, who have friends in common.

the sport of sitting on the back of a horse while controlling its movements

From this reading She noticed him riding in the Park with Josie,--they never joined her, but merely cantered by with a cheery salute.

a charge of ammunition for a single shot

From this reading At a polo match at Ranelagh, where Mayne had played and distinguished himself, she looked on, whilst friends gathered round to congratulate him, and she saw Josie go up and pat the damp neck of his considerably blown pony.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading "So that was her mother-in-law!" said Nancy to herself.

propose a toast to

From this reading She noticed him riding in the Park with Josie,--they never joined her, but merely cantered by with a cheery salute.

Identical; not different.

From this reading That same day, at the polo match, his mother, Lady Torquilstone, was pointed out to her by Mrs. De Wolfe; a tall, supremely well dressed, well preserved, arrogant woman, who looked as if the whole of Ranelagh was her private property, and most of the crowd, insufferable intruders.

cut with a saw

From this reading At a polo match at Ranelagh, where Mayne had played and distinguished himself, she looked on, whilst friends gathered round to congratulate him, and she saw Josie go up and pat the damp neck of his considerably blown pony.

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

From this reading She noticed him riding in the Park with Josie,--they never joined her, but merely cantered by with a cheery salute.

a deliberate discourteous act (usually as an expression of anger or disapproval)

From this reading CRITICAL MOMENTS FOR NANCY Captain Mayne's remark with regard to no further interview, proved correct; he and Nancy merely encountered one another as very slight acquaintances, who have friends in common.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading "So that was her mother-in-law!" said Nancy to herself.

to the maximum degree

From this reading That same day, at the polo match, his mother, Lady Torquilstone, was pointed out to her by Mrs. De Wolfe; a tall, supremely well dressed, well preserved, arrogant woman, who looked as if the whole of Ranelagh was her private property, and most of the crowd, insufferable intruders.

great in vertical dimension; high in stature

From this reading That same day, at the polo match, his mother, Lady Torquilstone, was pointed out to her by Mrs. De Wolfe; a tall, supremely well dressed, well preserved, arrogant woman, who looked as if the whole of Ranelagh was her private property, and most of the crowd, insufferable intruders.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading That same day, at the polo match, his mother, Lady Torquilstone, was pointed out to her by Mrs. De Wolfe; a tall, supremely well dressed, well preserved, arrogant woman, who looked as if the whole of Ranelagh was her private property, and most of the crowd, insufferable intruders.

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

From this reading She noticed him riding in the Park with Josie,--they never joined her, but merely cantered by with a cheery salute.

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

From this reading She noticed him riding in the Park with Josie,--they never joined her, but merely cantered by with a cheery salute.

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

From this reading CRITICAL MOMENTS FOR NANCY Captain Mayne's remark with regard to no further interview, proved correct; he and Nancy merely encountered one another as very slight acquaintances, who have friends in common.

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

From this reading That same day, at the polo match, his mother, Lady Torquilstone, was pointed out to her by Mrs. De Wolfe; a tall, supremely well dressed, well preserved, arrogant woman, who looked as if the whole of Ranelagh was her private property, and most of the crowd, insufferable intruders.

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

From this reading At a polo match at Ranelagh, where Mayne had played and distinguished himself, she looked on, whilst friends gathered round to congratulate him, and she saw Josie go up and pat the damp neck of his considerably blown pony.

precisely as stated

From this reading CRITICAL MOMENTS FOR NANCY Captain Mayne's remark with regard to no further interview, proved correct; he and Nancy merely encountered one another as very slight acquaintances, who have friends in common.

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

From this reading That same day, at the polo match, his mother, Lady Torquilstone, was pointed out to her by Mrs. De Wolfe; a tall, supremely well dressed, well preserved, arrogant woman, who looked as if the whole of Ranelagh was her private property, and most of the crowd, insufferable intruders.

(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)

From this reading That same day, at the polo match, his mother, Lady Torquilstone, was pointed out to her by Mrs. De Wolfe; a tall, supremely well dressed, well preserved, arrogant woman, who looked as if the whole of Ranelagh was her private property, and most of the crowd, insufferable intruders.

in or at the place that

From this reading At a polo match at Ranelagh, where Mayne had played and distinguished himself, she looked on, whilst friends gathered round to congratulate him, and she saw Josie go up and pat the damp neck of his considerably blown pony.

an old and formal word for “while”

From this reading At a polo match at Ranelagh, where Mayne had played and distinguished himself, she looked on, whilst friends gathered round to congratulate him, and she saw Josie go up and pat the damp neck of his considerably blown pony.

which person or people

From this reading CRITICAL MOMENTS FOR NANCY Captain Mayne's remark with regard to no further interview, proved correct; he and Nancy merely encountered one another as very slight acquaintances, who have friends in common.

including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete

From this reading That same day, at the polo match, his mother, Lady Torquilstone, was pointed out to her by Mrs. De Wolfe; a tall, supremely well dressed, well preserved, arrogant woman, who looked as if the whole of Ranelagh was her private property, and most of the crowd, insufferable intruders.

in the company of; together with

From this reading CRITICAL MOMENTS FOR NANCY Captain Mayne's remark with regard to no further interview, proved correct; he and Nancy merely encountered one another as very slight acquaintances, who have friends in common.

United States writer who has written extensively on American culture (born in 1931)

From this reading That same day, at the polo match, his mother, Lady Torquilstone, was pointed out to her by Mrs. De Wolfe; a tall, supremely well dressed, well preserved, arrogant woman, who looked as if the whole of Ranelagh was her private property, and most of the crowd, insufferable intruders.

an adult female person (as opposed to a man)

From this reading That same day, at the polo match, his mother, Lady Torquilstone, was pointed out to her by Mrs. De Wolfe; a tall, supremely well dressed, well preserved, arrogant woman, who looked as if the whole of Ranelagh was her private property, and most of the crowd, insufferable intruders.