Chapter XVI

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

From this reading "I want to tell you, Arthur Beverley, that supposing anything so altogether impossible and unnatural, and--and absurd and ridiculous as that you, my cousin, almost brother, should have thought of wanting to marry me--_me_, Alys!--well, supposing such a thing, I want to tell you that nothing you or any one could ever have said or ever could say would make me ever, even for half an instant, take such a thing into consideration.

inconsistent with reason or logic or common sense

From this reading "I want to tell you, Arthur Beverley, that supposing anything so altogether impossible and unnatural, and--and absurd and ridiculous as that you, my cousin, almost brother, should have thought of wanting to marry me--_me_, Alys!--well, supposing such a thing, I want to tell you that nothing you or any one could ever have said or ever could say would make me ever, even for half an instant, take such a thing into consideration.

(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but

From this reading "I want to tell you, Arthur Beverley, that supposing anything so altogether impossible and unnatural, and--and absurd and ridiculous as that you, my cousin, almost brother, should have thought of wanting to marry me--_me_, Alys!--well, supposing such a thing, I want to tell you that nothing you or any one could ever have said or ever could say would make me ever, even for half an instant, take such a thing into consideration.

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

From this reading "I want to tell you, Arthur Beverley, that supposing anything so altogether impossible and unnatural, and--and absurd and ridiculous as that you, my cousin, almost brother, should have thought of wanting to marry me--_me_, Alys!--well, supposing such a thing, I want to tell you that nothing you or any one could ever have said or ever could say would make me ever, even for half an instant, take such a thing into consideration.

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

From this reading "I want to tell you, Arthur Beverley, that supposing anything so altogether impossible and unnatural, and--and absurd and ridiculous as that you, my cousin, almost brother, should have thought of wanting to marry me--_me_, Alys!--well, supposing such a thing, I want to tell you that nothing you or any one could ever have said or ever could say would make me ever, even for half an instant, take such a thing into consideration.

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

From this reading "I want to tell you, Arthur Beverley, that supposing anything so altogether impossible and unnatural, and--and absurd and ridiculous as that you, my cousin, almost brother, should have thought of wanting to marry me--_me_, Alys!--well, supposing such a thing, I want to tell you that nothing you or any one could ever have said or ever could say would make me ever, even for half an instant, take such a thing into consideration.

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

From this reading "I want to tell you, Arthur Beverley, that supposing anything so altogether impossible and unnatural, and--and absurd and ridiculous as that you, my cousin, almost brother, should have thought of wanting to marry me--_me_, Alys!--well, supposing such a thing, I want to tell you that nothing you or any one could ever have said or ever could say would make me ever, even for half an instant, take such a thing into consideration.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading "I want to tell you, Arthur Beverley, that supposing anything so altogether impossible and unnatural, and--and absurd and ridiculous as that you, my cousin, almost brother, should have thought of wanting to marry me--_me_, Alys!--well, supposing such a thing, I want to tell you that nothing you or any one could ever have said or ever could say would make me ever, even for half an instant, take such a thing into consideration.

any thing at all

From this reading "I want to tell you, Arthur Beverley, that supposing anything so altogether impossible and unnatural, and--and absurd and ridiculous as that you, my cousin, almost brother, should have thought of wanting to marry me--_me_, Alys!--well, supposing such a thing, I want to tell you that nothing you or any one could ever have said or ever could say would make me ever, even for half an instant, take such a thing into consideration.

elected vice president and became 21st President of the United States when Garfield was assassinated (1830-1886)

From this reading "I want to tell you, Arthur Beverley, that supposing anything so altogether impossible and unnatural, and--and absurd and ridiculous as that you, my cousin, almost brother, should have thought of wanting to marry me--_me_, Alys!--well, supposing such a thing, I want to tell you that nothing you or any one could ever have said or ever could say would make me ever, even for half an instant, take such a thing into consideration.

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

From this reading "I want to tell you, Arthur Beverley, that supposing anything so altogether impossible and unnatural, and--and absurd and ridiculous as that you, my cousin, almost brother, should have thought of wanting to marry me--_me_, Alys!--well, supposing such a thing, I want to tell you that nothing you or any one could ever have said or ever could say would make me ever, even for half an instant, take such a thing into consideration.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Captain Beverley stared at her--stared as if he hardly believed his own ears.

past form of “believe” — accept as true; take to be true

From this reading Captain Beverley stared at her--stared as if he hardly believed his own ears.

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

From this reading "I want to tell you, Arthur Beverley, that supposing anything so altogether impossible and unnatural, and--and absurd and ridiculous as that you, my cousin, almost brother, should have thought of wanting to marry me--_me_, Alys!--well, supposing such a thing, I want to tell you that nothing you or any one could ever have said or ever could say would make me ever, even for half an instant, take such a thing into consideration.

a male with the same parents as someone else

From this reading "I want to tell you, Arthur Beverley, that supposing anything so altogether impossible and unnatural, and--and absurd and ridiculous as that you, my cousin, almost brother, should have thought of wanting to marry me--_me_, Alys!--well, supposing such a thing, I want to tell you that nothing you or any one could ever have said or ever could say would make me ever, even for half an instant, take such a thing into consideration.

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

From this reading Captain Beverley stared at her--stared as if he hardly believed his own ears.

the process of giving careful thought to something

From this reading "I want to tell you, Arthur Beverley, that supposing anything so altogether impossible and unnatural, and--and absurd and ridiculous as that you, my cousin, almost brother, should have thought of wanting to marry me--_me_, Alys!--well, supposing such a thing, I want to tell you that nothing you or any one could ever have said or ever could say would make me ever, even for half an instant, take such a thing into consideration.

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

From this reading "I want to tell you, Arthur Beverley, that supposing anything so altogether impossible and unnatural, and--and absurd and ridiculous as that you, my cousin, almost brother, should have thought of wanting to marry me--_me_, Alys!--well, supposing such a thing, I want to tell you that nothing you or any one could ever have said or ever could say would make me ever, even for half an instant, take such a thing into consideration.

the child of your aunt or uncle

From this reading "I want to tell you, Arthur Beverley, that supposing anything so altogether impossible and unnatural, and--and absurd and ridiculous as that you, my cousin, almost brother, should have thought of wanting to marry me--_me_, Alys!--well, supposing such a thing, I want to tell you that nothing you or any one could ever have said or ever could say would make me ever, even for half an instant, take such a thing into consideration.

past form of “depend” — be contingent upon (something that is elided)

From this reading I tell you distinctly that I would not marry you for _anything_, Arthur, not if my life depended upon it."

clear to the mind; with distinct mental discernment

From this reading I tell you distinctly that I would not marry you for _anything_, Arthur, not if my life depended upon it."

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading I _could_ not do so.

plural of “ear” — the sense organ for hearing and equilibrium

From this reading Captain Beverley stared at her--stared as if he hardly believed his own ears.

divisible by two

From this reading "I want to tell you, Arthur Beverley, that supposing anything so altogether impossible and unnatural, and--and absurd and ridiculous as that you, my cousin, almost brother, should have thought of wanting to marry me--_me_, Alys!--well, supposing such a thing, I want to tell you that nothing you or any one could ever have said or ever could say would make me ever, even for half an instant, take such a thing into consideration.

at any time

From this reading "I want to tell you, Arthur Beverley, that supposing anything so altogether impossible and unnatural, and--and absurd and ridiculous as that you, my cousin, almost brother, should have thought of wanting to marry me--_me_, Alys!--well, supposing such a thing, I want to tell you that nothing you or any one could ever have said or ever could say would make me ever, even for half an instant, take such a thing into consideration.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading "I want to tell you, Arthur Beverley, that supposing anything so altogether impossible and unnatural, and--and absurd and ridiculous as that you, my cousin, almost brother, should have thought of wanting to marry me--_me_, Alys!--well, supposing such a thing, I want to tell you that nothing you or any one could ever have said or ever could say would make me ever, even for half an instant, take such a thing into consideration.

consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity

From this reading "I want to tell you, Arthur Beverley, that supposing anything so altogether impossible and unnatural, and--and absurd and ridiculous as that you, my cousin, almost brother, should have thought of wanting to marry me--_me_, Alys!--well, supposing such a thing, I want to tell you that nothing you or any one could ever have said or ever could say would make me ever, even for half an instant, take such a thing into consideration.

only a very short time before

From this reading Captain Beverley stared at her--stared as if he hardly believed his own ears.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading "I want to tell you, Arthur Beverley, that supposing anything so altogether impossible and unnatural, and--and absurd and ridiculous as that you, my cousin, almost brother, should have thought of wanting to marry me--_me_, Alys!--well, supposing such a thing, I want to tell you that nothing you or any one could ever have said or ever could say would make me ever, even for half an instant, take such a thing into consideration.

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

From this reading Captain Beverley stared at her--stared as if he hardly believed his own ears.

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

From this reading Captain Beverley stared at her--stared as if he hardly believed his own ears.

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

From this reading Captain Beverley stared at her--stared as if he hardly believed his own ears.

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

From this reading "I want to tell you, Arthur Beverley, that supposing anything so altogether impossible and unnatural, and--and absurd and ridiculous as that you, my cousin, almost brother, should have thought of wanting to marry me--_me_, Alys!--well, supposing such a thing, I want to tell you that nothing you or any one could ever have said or ever could say would make me ever, even for half an instant, take such a thing into consideration.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading I tell you distinctly that I would not marry you for _anything_, Arthur, not if my life depended upon it."

not capable of occurring or being accomplished or dealt with

From this reading "I want to tell you, Arthur Beverley, that supposing anything so altogether impossible and unnatural, and--and absurd and ridiculous as that you, my cousin, almost brother, should have thought of wanting to marry me--_me_, Alys!--well, supposing such a thing, I want to tell you that nothing you or any one could ever have said or ever could say would make me ever, even for half an instant, take such a thing into consideration.

a very short time (as the time it takes the eye to blink or the heart to beat)

From this reading "I want to tell you, Arthur Beverley, that supposing anything so altogether impossible and unnatural, and--and absurd and ridiculous as that you, my cousin, almost brother, should have thought of wanting to marry me--_me_, Alys!--well, supposing such a thing, I want to tell you that nothing you or any one could ever have said or ever could say would make me ever, even for half an instant, take such a thing into consideration.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading "I want to tell you, Arthur Beverley, that supposing anything so altogether impossible and unnatural, and--and absurd and ridiculous as that you, my cousin, almost brother, should have thought of wanting to marry me--_me_, Alys!--well, supposing such a thing, I want to tell you that nothing you or any one could ever have said or ever could say would make me ever, even for half an instant, take such a thing into consideration.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading I tell you distinctly that I would not marry you for _anything_, Arthur, not if my life depended upon it."

a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading I tell you distinctly that I would not marry you for _anything_, Arthur, not if my life depended upon it."

hear with intention

From this reading "Listen," she repeated.

engage in

From this reading "I want to tell you, Arthur Beverley, that supposing anything so altogether impossible and unnatural, and--and absurd and ridiculous as that you, my cousin, almost brother, should have thought of wanting to marry me--_me_, Alys!--well, supposing such a thing, I want to tell you that nothing you or any one could ever have said or ever could say would make me ever, even for half an instant, take such a thing into consideration.

take in marriage

From this reading "I want to tell you, Arthur Beverley, that supposing anything so altogether impossible and unnatural, and--and absurd and ridiculous as that you, my cousin, almost brother, should have thought of wanting to marry me--_me_, Alys!--well, supposing such a thing, I want to tell you that nothing you or any one could ever have said or ever could say would make me ever, even for half an instant, take such a thing into consideration.

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

From this reading "I want to tell you, Arthur Beverley, that supposing anything so altogether impossible and unnatural, and--and absurd and ridiculous as that you, my cousin, almost brother, should have thought of wanting to marry me--_me_, Alys!--well, supposing such a thing, I want to tell you that nothing you or any one could ever have said or ever could say would make me ever, even for half an instant, take such a thing into consideration.

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading "I want to tell you, Arthur Beverley, that supposing anything so altogether impossible and unnatural, and--and absurd and ridiculous as that you, my cousin, almost brother, should have thought of wanting to marry me--_me_, Alys!--well, supposing such a thing, I want to tell you that nothing you or any one could ever have said or ever could say would make me ever, even for half an instant, take such a thing into consideration.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading I _could_ not do so.

not one thing; not anything

From this reading "I want to tell you, Arthur Beverley, that supposing anything so altogether impossible and unnatural, and--and absurd and ridiculous as that you, my cousin, almost brother, should have thought of wanting to marry me--_me_, Alys!--well, supposing such a thing, I want to tell you that nothing you or any one could ever have said or ever could say would make me ever, even for half an instant, take such a thing into consideration.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading "I want to tell you, Arthur Beverley, that supposing anything so altogether impossible and unnatural, and--and absurd and ridiculous as that you, my cousin, almost brother, should have thought of wanting to marry me--_me_, Alys!--well, supposing such a thing, I want to tell you that nothing you or any one could ever have said or ever could say would make me ever, even for half an instant, take such a thing into consideration.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading "I want to tell you, Arthur Beverley, that supposing anything so altogether impossible and unnatural, and--and absurd and ridiculous as that you, my cousin, almost brother, should have thought of wanting to marry me--_me_, Alys!--well, supposing such a thing, I want to tell you that nothing you or any one could ever have said or ever could say would make me ever, even for half an instant, take such a thing into consideration.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading "I want to tell you, Arthur Beverley, that supposing anything so altogether impossible and unnatural, and--and absurd and ridiculous as that you, my cousin, almost brother, should have thought of wanting to marry me--_me_, Alys!--well, supposing such a thing, I want to tell you that nothing you or any one could ever have said or ever could say would make me ever, even for half an instant, take such a thing into consideration.

have ownership or possession of

From this reading Captain Beverley stared at her--stared as if he hardly believed his own ears.

recurring again and again

From this reading "Listen," she repeated.

inspiring scornful pity

From this reading "I want to tell you, Arthur Beverley, that supposing anything so altogether impossible and unnatural, and--and absurd and ridiculous as that you, my cousin, almost brother, should have thought of wanting to marry me--_me_, Alys!--well, supposing such a thing, I want to tell you that nothing you or any one could ever have said or ever could say would make me ever, even for half an instant, take such a thing into consideration.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading "I want to tell you, Arthur Beverley, that supposing anything so altogether impossible and unnatural, and--and absurd and ridiculous as that you, my cousin, almost brother, should have thought of wanting to marry me--_me_, Alys!--well, supposing such a thing, I want to tell you that nothing you or any one could ever have said or ever could say would make me ever, even for half an instant, take such a thing into consideration.

express in words

From this reading "I want to tell you, Arthur Beverley, that supposing anything so altogether impossible and unnatural, and--and absurd and ridiculous as that you, my cousin, almost brother, should have thought of wanting to marry me--_me_, Alys!--well, supposing such a thing, I want to tell you that nothing you or any one could ever have said or ever could say would make me ever, even for half an instant, take such a thing into consideration.

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

From this reading "Listen," she repeated.

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading "I want to tell you, Arthur Beverley, that supposing anything so altogether impossible and unnatural, and--and absurd and ridiculous as that you, my cousin, almost brother, should have thought of wanting to marry me--_me_, Alys!--well, supposing such a thing, I want to tell you that nothing you or any one could ever have said or ever could say would make me ever, even for half an instant, take such a thing into consideration.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading "I want to tell you, Arthur Beverley, that supposing anything so altogether impossible and unnatural, and--and absurd and ridiculous as that you, my cousin, almost brother, should have thought of wanting to marry me--_me_, Alys!--well, supposing such a thing, I want to tell you that nothing you or any one could ever have said or ever could say would make me ever, even for half an instant, take such a thing into consideration.

past form of “stare” — look at with fixed eyes

From this reading Captain Beverley stared at her--stared as if he hardly believed his own ears.

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading "I want to tell you, Arthur Beverley, that supposing anything so altogether impossible and unnatural, and--and absurd and ridiculous as that you, my cousin, almost brother, should have thought of wanting to marry me--_me_, Alys!--well, supposing such a thing, I want to tell you that nothing you or any one could ever have said or ever could say would make me ever, even for half an instant, take such a thing into consideration.

-ing form of “suppose” — express a supposition

From this reading "I want to tell you, Arthur Beverley, that supposing anything so altogether impossible and unnatural, and--and absurd and ridiculous as that you, my cousin, almost brother, should have thought of wanting to marry me--_me_, Alys!--well, supposing such a thing, I want to tell you that nothing you or any one could ever have said or ever could say would make me ever, even for half an instant, take such a thing into consideration.

carry out

From this reading "I want to tell you, Arthur Beverley, that supposing anything so altogether impossible and unnatural, and--and absurd and ridiculous as that you, my cousin, almost brother, should have thought of wanting to marry me--_me_, Alys!--well, supposing such a thing, I want to tell you that nothing you or any one could ever have said or ever could say would make me ever, even for half an instant, take such a thing into consideration.

express in words

From this reading "I want to tell you, Arthur Beverley, that supposing anything so altogether impossible and unnatural, and--and absurd and ridiculous as that you, my cousin, almost brother, should have thought of wanting to marry me--_me_, Alys!--well, supposing such a thing, I want to tell you that nothing you or any one could ever have said or ever could say would make me ever, even for half an instant, take such a thing into consideration.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading "I want to tell you, Arthur Beverley, that supposing anything so altogether impossible and unnatural, and--and absurd and ridiculous as that you, my cousin, almost brother, should have thought of wanting to marry me--_me_, Alys!--well, supposing such a thing, I want to tell you that nothing you or any one could ever have said or ever could say would make me ever, even for half an instant, take such a thing into consideration.

a special situation

From this reading "I want to tell you, Arthur Beverley, that supposing anything so altogether impossible and unnatural, and--and absurd and ridiculous as that you, my cousin, almost brother, should have thought of wanting to marry me--_me_, Alys!--well, supposing such a thing, I want to tell you that nothing you or any one could ever have said or ever could say would make me ever, even for half an instant, take such a thing into consideration.

the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about

From this reading "I want to tell you, Arthur Beverley, that supposing anything so altogether impossible and unnatural, and--and absurd and ridiculous as that you, my cousin, almost brother, should have thought of wanting to marry me--_me_, Alys!--well, supposing such a thing, I want to tell you that nothing you or any one could ever have said or ever could say would make me ever, even for half an instant, take such a thing into consideration.

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

From this reading "I want to tell you, Arthur Beverley, that supposing anything so altogether impossible and unnatural, and--and absurd and ridiculous as that you, my cousin, almost brother, should have thought of wanting to marry me--_me_, Alys!--well, supposing such a thing, I want to tell you that nothing you or any one could ever have said or ever could say would make me ever, even for half an instant, take such a thing into consideration.

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

From this reading "I want to tell you, Arthur Beverley, that supposing anything so altogether impossible and unnatural, and--and absurd and ridiculous as that you, my cousin, almost brother, should have thought of wanting to marry me--_me_, Alys!--well, supposing such a thing, I want to tell you that nothing you or any one could ever have said or ever could say would make me ever, even for half an instant, take such a thing into consideration.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading I tell you distinctly that I would not marry you for _anything_, Arthur, not if my life depended upon it."

feel or have a desire for; want strongly

From this reading "I want to tell you, Arthur Beverley, that supposing anything so altogether impossible and unnatural, and--and absurd and ridiculous as that you, my cousin, almost brother, should have thought of wanting to marry me--_me_, Alys!--well, supposing such a thing, I want to tell you that nothing you or any one could ever have said or ever could say would make me ever, even for half an instant, take such a thing into consideration.

nonexistent

From this reading "I want to tell you, Arthur Beverley, that supposing anything so altogether impossible and unnatural, and--and absurd and ridiculous as that you, my cousin, almost brother, should have thought of wanting to marry me--_me_, Alys!--well, supposing such a thing, I want to tell you that nothing you or any one could ever have said or ever could say would make me ever, even for half an instant, take such a thing into consideration.

(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 "I want to tell you, Arthur Beverley, that supposing anything so altogether impossible and unnatural, and--and absurd and ridiculous as that you, my cousin, almost brother, should have thought of wanting to marry me--_me_, Alys!--well, supposing such a thing, I want to tell you that nothing you or any one could ever have said or ever could say would make me ever, even for half an instant, take such a thing into consideration.

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

From this reading "I want to tell you, Arthur Beverley, that supposing anything so altogether impossible and unnatural, and--and absurd and ridiculous as that you, my cousin, almost brother, should have thought of wanting to marry me--_me_, Alys!--well, supposing such a thing, I want to tell you that nothing you or any one could ever have said or ever could say would make me ever, even for half an instant, take such a thing into consideration.

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading "I want to tell you, Arthur Beverley, that supposing anything so altogether impossible and unnatural, and--and absurd and ridiculous as that you, my cousin, almost brother, should have thought of wanting to marry me--_me_, Alys!--well, supposing such a thing, I want to tell you that nothing you or any one could ever have said or ever could say would make me ever, even for half an instant, take such a thing into consideration.