Chapter V · Chapter 5

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

From this reading It may be difficult to believe that no explanation was sought or given and after a time things seemed to be much as before.

completely and without qualification; used informally as intensifiers

From this reading MOLLY COMES OF AGE For some time after that terrible night Molly never spoke to Mrs. Carteret unless it were absolutely necessary.

later than; following

From this reading MOLLY COMES OF AGE For some time after that terrible night Molly never spoke to Mrs. Carteret unless it were absolutely necessary.

how long something has existed

From this reading MOLLY COMES OF AGE For some time after that terrible night Molly never spoke to Mrs. Carteret unless it were absolutely necessary.

having help; often used as a combining form

From this reading If Molly's future life had been in Mrs. Carteret's hands, the sense of wrong would have burrowed deeper and been even better hidden, but Molly, aided by Miss Carew, had convinced herself that liberty would come, without any fight for it, at twenty-one; so her view of the present was that it was a tiresome but inevitable waiting for real life.

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

From this reading Uneducated men and women in villages, or servants cramped together in one house, I have known to brood over some injury in an awful silence for twenty or thirty years.

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

From this reading It may be difficult to believe that no explanation was sought or given and after a time things seemed to be much as before.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading The silence of a brooding nature is a terrible thing; and it is more common in narrow, dull lives than in any other.

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

From this reading It may be difficult to believe that no explanation was sought or given and after a time things seemed to be much as before.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading If Molly's future life had been in Mrs. Carteret's hands, the sense of wrong would have burrowed deeper and been even better hidden, but Molly, aided by Miss Carew, had convinced herself that liberty would come, without any fight for it, at twenty-one; so her view of the present was that it was a tiresome but inevitable waiting for real life.

exceptionally bad or displeasing

From this reading Uneducated men and women in villages, or servants cramped together in one house, I have known to brood over some injury in an awful silence for twenty or thirty years.

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

From this reading It may be difficult to believe that no explanation was sought or given and after a time things seemed to be much as before.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading If Molly's future life had been in Mrs. Carteret's hands, the sense of wrong would have burrowed deeper and been even better hidden, but Molly, aided by Miss Carew, had convinced herself that liberty would come, without any fight for it, at twenty-one; so her view of the present was that it was a tiresome but inevitable waiting for real life.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading It may be difficult to believe that no explanation was sought or given and after a time things seemed to be much as before.

accept as true; take to be true

From this reading It may be difficult to believe that no explanation was sought or given and after a time things seemed to be much as before.

(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another

From this reading If Molly's future life had been in Mrs. Carteret's hands, the sense of wrong would have burrowed deeper and been even better hidden, but Molly, aided by Miss Carew, had convinced herself that liberty would come, without any fight for it, at twenty-one; so her view of the present was that it was a tiresome but inevitable waiting for real life.

think moodily or anxiously about something

From this reading Uneducated men and women in villages, or servants cramped together in one house, I have known to brood over some injury in an awful silence for twenty or thirty years.

sitting on eggs so as to hatch them by the warmth of the body

From this reading The silence of a brooding nature is a terrible thing; and it is more common in narrow, dull lives than in any other.

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

From this reading If Molly's future life had been in Mrs. Carteret's hands, the sense of wrong would have burrowed deeper and been even better hidden, but Molly, aided by Miss Carew, had convinced herself that liberty would come, without any fight for it, at twenty-one; so her view of the present was that it was a tiresome but inevitable waiting for real life.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading If Molly's future life had been in Mrs. Carteret's hands, the sense of wrong would have burrowed deeper and been even better hidden, but Molly, aided by Miss Carew, had convinced herself that liberty would come, without any fight for it, at twenty-one; so her view of the present was that it was a tiresome but inevitable waiting for real life.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading If Molly's future life had been in Mrs. Carteret's hands, the sense of wrong would have burrowed deeper and been even better hidden, but Molly, aided by Miss Carew, had convinced herself that liberty would come, without any fight for it, at twenty-one; so her view of the present was that it was a tiresome but inevitable waiting for real life.

Englishman and Cavalier poet whose lyric poetry was favored by Charles I (1595-1639)

From this reading If Molly's future life had been in Mrs. Carteret's hands, the sense of wrong would have burrowed deeper and been even better hidden, but Molly, aided by Miss Carew, had convinced herself that liberty would come, without any fight for it, at twenty-one; so her view of the present was that it was a tiresome but inevitable waiting for real life.

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

From this reading MOLLY COMES OF AGE For some time after that terrible night Molly never spoke to Mrs. Carteret unless it were absolutely necessary.

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

From this reading If Molly's future life had been in Mrs. Carteret's hands, the sense of wrong would have burrowed deeper and been even better hidden, but Molly, aided by Miss Carew, had convinced herself that liberty would come, without any fight for it, at twenty-one; so her view of the present was that it was a tiresome but inevitable waiting for real life.

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

From this reading If Molly's future life had been in Mrs. Carteret's hands, the sense of wrong would have burrowed deeper and been even better hidden, but Molly, aided by Miss Carew, had convinced herself that liberty would come, without any fight for it, at twenty-one; so her view of the present was that it was a tiresome but inevitable waiting for real life.

plural of “come” — the thick white fluid containing spermatozoa that is ejaculated by the male genital tract

From this reading MOLLY COMES OF AGE For some time after that terrible night Molly never spoke to Mrs. Carteret unless it were absolutely necessary.

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

From this reading The silence of a brooding nature is a terrible thing; and it is more common in narrow, dull lives than in any other.

persuaded of; very sure

From this reading If Molly's future life had been in Mrs. Carteret's hands, the sense of wrong would have burrowed deeper and been even better hidden, but Molly, aided by Miss Carew, had convinced herself that liberty would come, without any fight for it, at twenty-one; so her view of the present was that it was a tiresome but inevitable waiting for real life.

constricted in size

From this reading Uneducated men and women in villages, or servants cramped together in one house, I have known to brood over some injury in an awful silence for twenty or thirty years.

comparative of “deeply” — to a great depth psychologically or emotionally

From this reading If Molly's future life had been in Mrs. Carteret's hands, the sense of wrong would have burrowed deeper and been even better hidden, but Molly, aided by Miss Carew, had convinced herself that liberty would come, without any fight for it, at twenty-one; so her view of the present was that it was a tiresome but inevitable waiting for real life.

not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure

From this reading It may be difficult to believe that no explanation was sought or given and after a time things seemed to be much as before.

lacking in liveliness or animation

From this reading The silence of a brooding nature is a terrible thing; and it is more common in narrow, dull lives than in any other.

divisible by two

From this reading If Molly's future life had been in Mrs. Carteret's hands, the sense of wrong would have burrowed deeper and been even better hidden, but Molly, aided by Miss Carew, had convinced herself that liberty would come, without any fight for it, at twenty-one; so her view of the present was that it was a tiresome but inevitable waiting for real life.

a statement that makes something comprehensible by describing the relevant structure or operation or circumstances etc.

From this reading It may be difficult to believe that no explanation was sought or given and after a time things seemed to be much as before.

be engaged in a fight; carry on a fight

From this reading If Molly's future life had been in Mrs. Carteret's hands, the sense of wrong would have burrowed deeper and been even better hidden, but Molly, aided by Miss Carew, had convinced herself that liberty would come, without any fight for it, at twenty-one; so her view of the present was that it was a tiresome but inevitable waiting for real life.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading MOLLY COMES OF AGE For some time after that terrible night Molly never spoke to Mrs. Carteret unless it were absolutely necessary.

yet to be or coming

From this reading If Molly's future life had been in Mrs. Carteret's hands, the sense of wrong would have burrowed deeper and been even better hidden, but Molly, aided by Miss Carew, had convinced herself that liberty would come, without any fight for it, at twenty-one; so her view of the present was that it was a tiresome but inevitable waiting for real life.

acknowledged as a supposition

From this reading It may be difficult to believe that no explanation was sought or given and after a time things seemed to be much as before.

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

From this reading If Molly's future life had been in Mrs. Carteret's hands, the sense of wrong would have burrowed deeper and been even better hidden, but Molly, aided by Miss Carew, had convinced herself that liberty would come, without any fight for it, at twenty-one; so her view of the present was that it was a tiresome but inevitable waiting for real life.

(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child

From this reading If Molly's future life had been in Mrs. Carteret's hands, the sense of wrong would have burrowed deeper and been even better hidden, but Molly, aided by Miss Carew, had convinced herself that liberty would come, without any fight for it, at twenty-one; so her view of the present was that it was a tiresome but inevitable waiting for real life.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading Uneducated men and women in villages, or servants cramped together in one house, I have known to brood over some injury in an awful silence for twenty or thirty years.

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

From this reading If Molly's future life had been in Mrs. Carteret's hands, the sense of wrong would have burrowed deeper and been even better hidden, but Molly, aided by Miss Carew, had convinced herself that liberty would come, without any fight for it, at twenty-one; so her view of the present was that it was a tiresome but inevitable waiting for real life.

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

From this reading If Molly's future life had been in Mrs. Carteret's hands, the sense of wrong would have burrowed deeper and been even better hidden, but Molly, aided by Miss Carew, had convinced herself that liberty would come, without any fight for it, at twenty-one; so her view of the present was that it was a tiresome but inevitable waiting for real life.

not accessible to view

From this reading If Molly's future life had been in Mrs. Carteret's hands, the sense of wrong would have burrowed deeper and been even better hidden, but Molly, aided by Miss Carew, had convinced herself that liberty would come, without any fight for it, at twenty-one; so her view of the present was that it was a tiresome but inevitable waiting for real life.

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

From this reading Uneducated men and women in villages, or servants cramped together in one house, I have known to brood over some injury in an awful silence for twenty or thirty years.

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

From this reading Uneducated men and women in villages, or servants cramped together in one house, I have known to brood over some injury in an awful silence for twenty or thirty years.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading If Molly's future life had been in Mrs. Carteret's hands, the sense of wrong would have burrowed deeper and been even better hidden, but Molly, aided by Miss Carew, had convinced herself that liberty would come, without any fight for it, at twenty-one; so her view of the present was that it was a tiresome but inevitable waiting for real life.

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

From this reading The silence of a brooding nature is a terrible thing; and it is more common in narrow, dull lives than in any other.

incapable of being avoided or prevented

From this reading If Molly's future life had been in Mrs. Carteret's hands, the sense of wrong would have burrowed deeper and been even better hidden, but Molly, aided by Miss Carew, had convinced herself that liberty would come, without any fight for it, at twenty-one; so her view of the present was that it was a tiresome but inevitable waiting for real life.

any physical damage to the body caused by violence or accident or fracture etc.

From this reading Uneducated men and women in villages, or servants cramped together in one house, I have known to brood over some injury in an awful silence for twenty or thirty years.

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

From this reading The silence of a brooding nature is a terrible thing; and it is more common in narrow, dull lives than in any other.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading MOLLY COMES OF AGE For some time after that terrible night Molly never spoke to Mrs. Carteret unless it were absolutely necessary.

apprehended with certainty

From this reading Uneducated men and women in villages, or servants cramped together in one house, I have known to brood over some injury in an awful silence for twenty or thirty years.

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

From this reading If Molly's future life had been in Mrs. Carteret's hands, the sense of wrong would have burrowed deeper and been even better hidden, but Molly, aided by Miss Carew, had convinced herself that liberty would come, without any fight for it, at twenty-one; so her view of the present was that it was a tiresome but inevitable waiting for real life.

a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading If Molly's future life had been in Mrs. Carteret's hands, the sense of wrong would have burrowed deeper and been even better hidden, but Molly, aided by Miss Carew, had convinced herself that liberty would come, without any fight for it, at twenty-one; so her view of the present was that it was a tiresome but inevitable waiting for real life.

plural of “life” — a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading The silence of a brooding nature is a terrible thing; and it is more common in narrow, dull lives than in any other.

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading It may be difficult to believe that no explanation was sought or given and after a time things seemed to be much as before.

the force of workers available

From this reading Uneducated men and women in villages, or servants cramped together in one house, I have known to brood over some injury in an awful silence for twenty or thirty years.

fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind

From this reading If Molly's future life had been in Mrs. Carteret's hands, the sense of wrong would have burrowed deeper and been even better hidden, but Molly, aided by Miss Carew, had convinced herself that liberty would come, without any fight for it, at twenty-one; so her view of the present was that it was a tiresome but inevitable waiting for real life.

popular aquarium fish

From this reading MOLLY COMES OF AGE For some time after that terrible night Molly never spoke to Mrs. Carteret unless it were absolutely necessary.

possessive form of “molly” — popular aquarium fish

From this reading If Molly's future life had been in Mrs. Carteret's hands, the sense of wrong would have burrowed deeper and been even better hidden, but Molly, aided by Miss Carew, had convinced herself that liberty would come, without any fight for it, at twenty-one; so her view of the present was that it was a tiresome but inevitable waiting for real life.

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading The silence of a brooding nature is a terrible thing; and it is more common in narrow, dull lives than in any other.

a form of address for a married woman

From this reading MOLLY COMES OF AGE For some time after that terrible night Molly never spoke to Mrs. Carteret unless it were absolutely necessary.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading It may be difficult to believe that no explanation was sought or given and after a time things seemed to be much as before.

make or become more narrow or restricted

From this reading The silence of a brooding nature is a terrible thing; and it is more common in narrow, dull lives than in any other.

the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized

From this reading The silence of a brooding nature is a terrible thing; and it is more common in narrow, dull lives than in any other.

absolutely essential

From this reading MOLLY COMES OF AGE For some time after that terrible night Molly never spoke to Mrs. Carteret unless it were absolutely necessary.

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading MOLLY COMES OF AGE For some time after that terrible night Molly never spoke to Mrs. Carteret unless it were absolutely necessary.

the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside

From this reading MOLLY COMES OF AGE For some time after that terrible night Molly never spoke to Mrs. Carteret unless it were absolutely necessary.

not any; not one

From this reading It may be difficult to believe that no explanation was sought or given and after a time things seemed to be much as before.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading MOLLY COMES OF AGE For some time after that terrible night Molly never spoke to Mrs. Carteret unless it were absolutely necessary.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Uneducated men and women in villages, or servants cramped together in one house, I have known to brood over some injury in an awful silence for twenty or thirty years.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading It may be difficult to believe that no explanation was sought or given and after a time things seemed to be much as before.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading The silence of a brooding nature is a terrible thing; and it is more common in narrow, dull lives than in any other.

above and across; more than

From this reading Uneducated men and women in villages, or servants cramped together in one house, I have known to brood over some injury in an awful silence for twenty or thirty years.

give an exhibition of to an interested audience

From this reading If Molly's future life had been in Mrs. Carteret's hands, the sense of wrong would have burrowed deeper and been even better hidden, but Molly, aided by Miss Carew, had convinced herself that liberty would come, without any fight for it, at twenty-one; so her view of the present was that it was a tiresome but inevitable waiting for real life.

being or occurring in fact or actuality; having verified existence; not illusory

From this reading If Molly's future life had been in Mrs. Carteret's hands, the sense of wrong would have burrowed deeper and been even better hidden, but Molly, aided by Miss Carew, had convinced herself that liberty would come, without any fight for it, at twenty-one; so her view of the present was that it was a tiresome but inevitable waiting for real life.

past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading It may be difficult to believe that no explanation was sought or given and after a time things seemed to be much as before.

a general conscious awareness

From this reading If Molly's future life had been in Mrs. Carteret's hands, the sense of wrong would have burrowed deeper and been even better hidden, but Molly, aided by Miss Carew, had convinced herself that liberty would come, without any fight for it, at twenty-one; so her view of the present was that it was a tiresome but inevitable waiting for real life.

plural of “servant” — a person working in the service of another (especially in the household)

From this reading Uneducated men and women in villages, or servants cramped together in one house, I have known to brood over some injury in an awful silence for twenty or thirty years.

Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.

From this reading The silence of a brooding nature is a terrible thing; and it is more common in narrow, dull lives than in any other.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading If Molly's future life had been in Mrs. Carteret's hands, the sense of wrong would have burrowed deeper and been even better hidden, but Molly, aided by Miss Carew, had convinced herself that liberty would come, without any fight for it, at twenty-one; so her view of the present was that it was a tiresome but inevitable waiting for real life.

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

From this reading MOLLY COMES OF AGE For some time after that terrible night Molly never spoke to Mrs. Carteret unless it were absolutely necessary.

that is looked for

From this reading It may be difficult to believe that no explanation was sought or given and after a time things seemed to be much as before.

support consisting of a radial member of a wheel joining the hub to the rim

From this reading MOLLY COMES OF AGE For some time after that terrible night Molly never spoke to Mrs. Carteret unless it were absolutely necessary.

causing fear or dread or terror

From this reading MOLLY COMES OF AGE For some time after that terrible night Molly never spoke to Mrs. Carteret unless it were absolutely necessary.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading The silence of a brooding nature is a terrible thing; and it is more common in narrow, dull lives than in any other.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading MOLLY COMES OF AGE For some time after that terrible night Molly never spoke to Mrs. Carteret unless it were absolutely necessary.

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

From this reading The silence of a brooding nature is a terrible thing; and it is more common in narrow, dull lives than in any other.

a special situation

From this reading The silence of a brooding nature is a terrible thing; and it is more common in narrow, dull lives than in any other.

any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)

From this reading It may be difficult to believe that no explanation was sought or given and after a time things seemed to be much as before.

the cardinal number that is the product of ten and three

From this reading Uneducated men and women in villages, or servants cramped together in one house, I have known to brood over some injury in an awful silence for twenty or thirty years.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading MOLLY COMES OF AGE For some time after that terrible night Molly never spoke to Mrs. Carteret unless it were absolutely necessary.

so lacking in interest as to cause mental weariness

From this reading If Molly's future life had been in Mrs. Carteret's hands, the sense of wrong would have burrowed deeper and been even better hidden, but Molly, aided by Miss Carew, had convinced herself that liberty would come, without any fight for it, at twenty-one; so her view of the present was that it was a tiresome but inevitable waiting for real life.

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

From this reading MOLLY COMES OF AGE For some time after that terrible night Molly never spoke to Mrs. Carteret unless it were absolutely necessary.

in contact with each other or in proximity

From this reading Uneducated men and women in villages, or servants cramped together in one house, I have known to brood over some injury in an awful silence for twenty or thirty years.

the cardinal number that is the sum of nineteen and one

From this reading Uneducated men and women in villages, or servants cramped together in one house, I have known to brood over some injury in an awful silence for twenty or thirty years.

the cardinal number that is the sum of twenty and one

From this reading If Molly's future life had been in Mrs. Carteret's hands, the sense of wrong would have burrowed deeper and been even better hidden, but Molly, aided by Miss Carew, had convinced herself that liberty would come, without any fight for it, at twenty-one; so her view of the present was that it was a tiresome but inevitable waiting for real life.

not having a good education

From this reading Uneducated men and women in villages, or servants cramped together in one house, I have known to brood over some injury in an awful silence for twenty or thirty years.

except if; if not

From this reading MOLLY COMES OF AGE For some time after that terrible night Molly never spoke to Mrs. Carteret unless it were absolutely necessary.

a way of regarding situations or topics etc.

From this reading If Molly's future life had been in Mrs. Carteret's hands, the sense of wrong would have burrowed deeper and been even better hidden, but Molly, aided by Miss Carew, had convinced herself that liberty would come, without any fight for it, at twenty-one; so her view of the present was that it was a tiresome but inevitable waiting for real life.

plural of “village” — a community of people smaller than a town

From this reading Uneducated men and women in villages, or servants cramped together in one house, I have known to brood over some injury in an awful silence for twenty or thirty years.

the act of waiting (remaining inactive in one place while expecting something)

From this reading If Molly's future life had been in Mrs. Carteret's hands, the sense of wrong would have burrowed deeper and been even better hidden, but Molly, aided by Miss Carew, had convinced herself that liberty would come, without any fight for it, at twenty-one; so her view of the present was that it was a tiresome but inevitable waiting for real life.

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

From this reading It may be difficult to believe that no explanation was sought or given and after a time things seemed to be much as before.

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

From this reading MOLLY COMES OF AGE For some time after that terrible night Molly never spoke to Mrs. Carteret unless it were absolutely necessary.

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading If Molly's future life had been in Mrs. Carteret's hands, the sense of wrong would have burrowed deeper and been even better hidden, but Molly, aided by Miss Carew, had convinced herself that liberty would come, without any fight for it, at twenty-one; so her view of the present was that it was a tiresome but inevitable waiting for real life.

plural of “woman” — an adult female person (as opposed to a man)

From this reading Uneducated men and women in villages, or servants cramped together in one house, I have known to brood over some injury in an awful silence for twenty or thirty years.

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

From this reading If Molly's future life had been in Mrs. Carteret's hands, the sense of wrong would have burrowed deeper and been even better hidden, but Molly, aided by Miss Carew, had convinced herself that liberty would come, without any fight for it, at twenty-one; so her view of the present was that it was a tiresome but inevitable waiting for real life.

not correct; not in conformity with fact or truth

From this reading If Molly's future life had been in Mrs. Carteret's hands, the sense of wrong would have burrowed deeper and been even better hidden, but Molly, aided by Miss Carew, had convinced herself that liberty would come, without any fight for it, at twenty-one; so her view of the present was that it was a tiresome but inevitable waiting for real life.

a late time of life

From this reading Uneducated men and women in villages, or servants cramped together in one house, I have known to brood over some injury in an awful silence for twenty or thirty years.