Chapter IV · A First Meeting

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

From this reading They were relations, which justified the want of ceremony; but, perhaps, if they had not been poor, and she had not been their benefactor, she would scarcely, in so very easy a way, with a shawl over her cap, and at an hour not adapted for visits, have made the first call upon them.

changed in order to improve or made more fit for a particular purpose

From this reading They were relations, which justified the want of ceremony; but, perhaps, if they had not been poor, and she had not been their benefactor, she would scarcely, in so very easy a way, with a shawl over her cap, and at an hour not adapted for visits, have made the first call upon them.

(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 To be sure, there were circumstances in which such a visit would have seemed, of all things, the most kind, but not, perhaps, with persons so little in sympathy as Catherine Vernon and Mrs. John.

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

From this reading They were relations, which justified the want of ceremony; but, perhaps, if they had not been poor, and she had not been their benefactor, she would scarcely, in so very easy a way, with a shawl over her cap, and at an hour not adapted for visits, have made the first call upon them.

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

From this reading Catherine Vernon had come to see with her own eyes that her guests or tenants had arrived, and that they were comfortable.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading She would have been more indignant than any one at such a suggestion; but human motives are very subtle, and, no doubt, though she was not in the least aware of it, this was true.

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

From this reading She would have been more indignant than any one at such a suggestion; but human motives are very subtle, and, no doubt, though she was not in the least aware of it, this was true.

past form of “arrive” — reach a destination; arrive by movement or progress

From this reading Catherine Vernon had come to see with her own eyes that her guests or tenants had arrived, and that they were comfortable.

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

From this reading To be sure, there were circumstances in which such a visit would have seemed, of all things, the most kind, but not, perhaps, with persons so little in sympathy as Catherine Vernon and Mrs. John.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading They were relations, which justified the want of ceremony; but, perhaps, if they had not been poor, and she had not been their benefactor, she would scarcely, in so very easy a way, with a shawl over her cap, and at an hour not adapted for visits, have made the first call upon them.

(sometimes followed by “of”) having or showing knowledge or understanding or realization or perception

From this reading She would have been more indignant than any one at such a suggestion; but human motives are very subtle, and, no doubt, though she was not in the least aware of it, this was true.

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

From this reading To be sure, there were circumstances in which such a visit would have seemed, of all things, the most kind, but not, perhaps, with persons so little in sympathy as Catherine Vernon and Mrs. John.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading They were relations, which justified the want of ceremony; but, perhaps, if they had not been poor, and she had not been their benefactor, she would scarcely, in so very easy a way, with a shawl over her cap, and at an hour not adapted for visits, have made the first call upon them.

a person who helps people or institutions (especially with financial help)

From this reading They were relations, which justified the want of ceremony; but, perhaps, if they had not been poor, and she had not been their benefactor, she would scarcely, in so very easy a way, with a shawl over her cap, and at an hour not adapted for visits, have made the first call upon them.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading They were relations, which justified the want of ceremony; but, perhaps, if they had not been poor, and she had not been their benefactor, she would scarcely, in so very easy a way, with a shawl over her cap, and at an hour not adapted for visits, have made the first call upon them.

assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading They were relations, which justified the want of ceremony; but, perhaps, if they had not been poor, and she had not been their benefactor, she would scarcely, in so very easy a way, with a shawl over her cap, and at an hour not adapted for visits, have made the first call upon them.

a tight-fitting headdress

From this reading They were relations, which justified the want of ceremony; but, perhaps, if they had not been poor, and she had not been their benefactor, she would scarcely, in so very easy a way, with a shawl over her cap, and at an hour not adapted for visits, have made the first call upon them.

first wife of Henry VIII; Henry VIII's divorce from her was the initial step of the Reformation in England (1485-1536)

From this reading Catherine Vernon had come to see with her own eyes that her guests or tenants had arrived, and that they were comfortable.

a formal event performed on a special occasion

From this reading They were relations, which justified the want of ceremony; but, perhaps, if they had not been poor, and she had not been their benefactor, she would scarcely, in so very easy a way, with a shawl over her cap, and at an hour not adapted for visits, have made the first call upon them.

your overall circumstances or condition in life (including everything that happens to you)

From this reading To be sure, there were circumstances in which such a visit would have seemed, of all things, the most kind, but not, perhaps, with persons so little in sympathy as Catherine Vernon and Mrs. John.

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

From this reading Catherine Vernon had come to see with her own eyes that her guests or tenants had arrived, and that they were comfortable.

providing or experiencing physical well-being or relief (“comfy” is informal)

From this reading Catherine Vernon had come to see with her own eyes that her guests or tenants had arrived, and that they were comfortable.

the state of being unsure of something

From this reading She would have been more indignant than any one at such a suggestion; but human motives are very subtle, and, no doubt, though she was not in the least aware of it, this was true.

posing no difficulty; requiring little effort

From this reading They were relations, which justified the want of ceremony; but, perhaps, if they had not been poor, and she had not been their benefactor, she would scarcely, in so very easy a way, with a shawl over her cap, and at an hour not adapted for visits, have made the first call upon them.

opinion or judgment

From this reading Catherine Vernon had come to see with her own eyes that her guests or tenants had arrived, and that they were comfortable.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading They were relations, which justified the want of ceremony; but, perhaps, if they had not been poor, and she had not been their benefactor, she would scarcely, in so very easy a way, with a shawl over her cap, and at an hour not adapted for visits, have made the first call upon them.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading They were relations, which justified the want of ceremony; but, perhaps, if they had not been poor, and she had not been their benefactor, she would scarcely, in so very easy a way, with a shawl over her cap, and at an hour not adapted for visits, have made the first call upon them.

plural of “guest” — a visitor to whom hospitality is extended

From this reading Catherine Vernon had come to see with her own eyes that her guests or tenants had arrived, and that they were comfortable.

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

From this reading Catherine Vernon had come to see with her own eyes that her guests or tenants had arrived, and that they were comfortable.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading They were relations, which justified the want of ceremony; but, perhaps, if they had not been poor, and she had not been their benefactor, she would scarcely, in so very easy a way, with a shawl over her cap, and at an hour not adapted for visits, have made the first call upon them.

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

From this reading Catherine Vernon had come to see with her own eyes that her guests or tenants had arrived, and that they were comfortable.

a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day

From this reading They were relations, which justified the want of ceremony; but, perhaps, if they had not been poor, and she had not been their benefactor, she would scarcely, in so very easy a way, with a shawl over her cap, and at an hour not adapted for visits, have made the first call upon them.

characteristic of humanity

From this reading She would have been more indignant than any one at such a suggestion; but human motives are very subtle, and, no doubt, though she was not in the least aware of it, this was true.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading They were relations, which justified the want of ceremony; but, perhaps, if they had not been poor, and she had not been their benefactor, she would scarcely, in so very easy a way, with a shawl over her cap, and at an hour not adapted for visits, have made the first call upon them.

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

From this reading They were relations, which justified the want of ceremony; but, perhaps, if they had not been poor, and she had not been their benefactor, she would scarcely, in so very easy a way, with a shawl over her cap, and at an hour not adapted for visits, have made the first call upon them.

angered at something unjust or wrong

From this reading She would have been more indignant than any one at such a suggestion; but human motives are very subtle, and, no doubt, though she was not in the least aware of it, this was true.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading She would have been more indignant than any one at such a suggestion; but human motives are very subtle, and, no doubt, though she was not in the least aware of it, this was true.

a room or building equipped with one or more toilets

From this reading To be sure, there were circumstances in which such a visit would have seemed, of all things, the most kind, but not, perhaps, with persons so little in sympathy as Catherine Vernon and Mrs. John.

having words so spaced that lines have straight even margins

From this reading They were relations, which justified the want of ceremony; but, perhaps, if they had not been poor, and she had not been their benefactor, she would scarcely, in so very easy a way, with a shawl over her cap, and at an hour not adapted for visits, have made the first call upon them.

having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior

From this reading To be sure, there were circumstances in which such a visit would have seemed, of all things, the most kind, but not, perhaps, with persons so little in sympathy as Catherine Vernon and Mrs. John.

inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about

From this reading She knew she had been substantially kind.

the superlative of “little” that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by “the”; a quantifier meaning smallest in amount or extent or degree

From this reading She would have been more indignant than any one at such a suggestion; but human motives are very subtle, and, no doubt, though she was not in the least aware of it, this was true.

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

From this reading To be sure, there were circumstances in which such a visit would have seemed, of all things, the most kind, but not, perhaps, with persons so little in sympathy as Catherine Vernon and Mrs. John.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading They were relations, which justified the want of ceremony; but, perhaps, if they had not been poor, and she had not been their benefactor, she would scarcely, in so very easy a way, with a shawl over her cap, and at an hour not adapted for visits, have made the first call upon them.

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

From this reading She would have been more indignant than any one at such a suggestion; but human motives are very subtle, and, no doubt, though she was not in the least aware of it, this was true.

used to form the superlative

From this reading To be sure, there were circumstances in which such a visit would have seemed, of all things, the most kind, but not, perhaps, with persons so little in sympathy as Catherine Vernon and Mrs. John.

plural of “motive” — the psychological feature that arouses an organism to action toward a desired goal; the reason for the action; that which gives purpose and direction to behavior

From this reading She would have been more indignant than any one at such a suggestion; but human motives are very subtle, and, no doubt, though she was not in the least aware of it, this was true.

a form of address for a married woman

From this reading To be sure, there were circumstances in which such a visit would have seemed, of all things, the most kind, but not, perhaps, with persons so little in sympathy as Catherine Vernon and Mrs. John.

not any; not one

From this reading She would have been more indignant than any one at such a suggestion; but human motives are very subtle, and, no doubt, though she was not in the least aware of it, this was true.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading They were relations, which justified the want of ceremony; but, perhaps, if they had not been poor, and she had not been their benefactor, she would scarcely, in so very easy a way, with a shawl over her cap, and at an hour not adapted for visits, have made the first call upon them.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading They were relations, which justified the want of ceremony; but, perhaps, if they had not been poor, and she had not been their benefactor, she would scarcely, in so very easy a way, with a shawl over her cap, and at an hour not adapted for visits, have made the first call upon them.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading She would have been more indignant than any one at such a suggestion; but human motives are very subtle, and, no doubt, though she was not in the least aware of it, this was true.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Catherine Vernon had come to see with her own eyes that her guests or tenants had arrived, and that they were comfortable.

above and across; more than

From this reading They were relations, which justified the want of ceremony; but, perhaps, if they had not been poor, and she had not been their benefactor, she would scarcely, in so very easy a way, with a shawl over her cap, and at an hour not adapted for visits, have made the first call upon them.

have ownership or possession of

From this reading Catherine Vernon had come to see with her own eyes that her guests or tenants had arrived, and that they were comfortable.

by chance

From this reading They were relations, which justified the want of ceremony; but, perhaps, if they had not been poor, and she had not been their benefactor, she would scarcely, in so very easy a way, with a shawl over her cap, and at an hour not adapted for visits, have made the first call upon them.

plural of “person” — a human being

From this reading To be sure, there were circumstances in which such a visit would have seemed, of all things, the most kind, but not, perhaps, with persons so little in sympathy as Catherine Vernon and Mrs. John.

deserving or inciting pity

From this reading They were relations, which justified the want of ceremony; but, perhaps, if they had not been poor, and she had not been their benefactor, she would scarcely, in so very easy a way, with a shawl over her cap, and at an hour not adapted for visits, have made the first call upon them.

mutual dealings or connections or communications among persons or groups

From this reading They were relations, which justified the want of ceremony; but, perhaps, if they had not been poor, and she had not been their benefactor, she would scarcely, in so very easy a way, with a shawl over her cap, and at an hour not adapted for visits, have made the first call upon them.

only a very short time before

From this reading They were relations, which justified the want of ceremony; but, perhaps, if they had not been poor, and she had not been their benefactor, she would scarcely, in so very easy a way, with a shawl over her cap, and at an hour not adapted for visits, have made the first call upon them.

perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading Catherine Vernon had come to see with her own eyes that her guests or tenants had arrived, and that they were comfortable.

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

From this reading To be sure, there were circumstances in which such a visit would have seemed, of all things, the most kind, but not, perhaps, with persons so little in sympathy as Catherine Vernon and Mrs. John.

cloak consisting of an oblong piece of cloth used to cover the head and shoulders

From this reading They were relations, which justified the want of ceremony; but, perhaps, if they had not been poor, and she had not been their benefactor, she would scarcely, in so very easy a way, with a shawl over her cap, and at an hour not adapted for visits, have made the first call upon them.

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

From this reading They were relations, which justified the want of ceremony; but, perhaps, if they had not been poor, and she had not been their benefactor, she would scarcely, in so very easy a way, with a shawl over her cap, and at an hour not adapted for visits, have made the first call upon them.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading They were relations, which justified the want of ceremony; but, perhaps, if they had not been poor, and she had not been their benefactor, she would scarcely, in so very easy a way, with a shawl over her cap, and at an hour not adapted for visits, have made the first call upon them.

to a great extent or degree

From this reading She knew she had been substantially kind.

difficult to detect or grasp by the mind or analyze

From this reading She would have been more indignant than any one at such a suggestion; but human motives are very subtle, and, no doubt, though she was not in the least aware of it, this was true.

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading She would have been more indignant than any one at such a suggestion; but human motives are very subtle, and, no doubt, though she was not in the least aware of it, this was true.

an idea that is suggested

From this reading She would have been more indignant than any one at such a suggestion; but human motives are very subtle, and, no doubt, though she was not in the least aware of it, this was true.

having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured

From this reading To be sure, there were circumstances in which such a visit would have seemed, of all things, the most kind, but not, perhaps, with persons so little in sympathy as Catherine Vernon and Mrs. John.

an inclination to support or be loyal to or to agree with an opinion

From this reading To be sure, there were circumstances in which such a visit would have seemed, of all things, the most kind, but not, perhaps, with persons so little in sympathy as Catherine Vernon and Mrs. John.

plural of “tenant” — someone who pays rent to use land or a building or a car that is owned by someone else

From this reading Catherine Vernon had come to see with her own eyes that her guests or tenants had arrived, and that they were comfortable.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading She would have been more indignant than any one at such a suggestion; but human motives are very subtle, and, no doubt, though she was not in the least aware of it, this was true.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Catherine Vernon had come to see with her own eyes that her guests or tenants had arrived, and that they were comfortable.

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

From this reading They were relations, which justified the want of ceremony; but, perhaps, if they had not been poor, and she had not been their benefactor, she would scarcely, in so very easy a way, with a shawl over her cap, and at an hour not adapted for visits, have made the first call upon them.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading They were relations, which justified the want of ceremony; but, perhaps, if they had not been poor, and she had not been their benefactor, she would scarcely, in so very easy a way, with a shawl over her cap, and at an hour not adapted for visits, have made the first call upon them.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading They were relations, which justified the want of ceremony; but, perhaps, if they had not been poor, and she had not been their benefactor, she would scarcely, in so very easy a way, with a shawl over her cap, and at an hour not adapted for visits, have made the first call upon them.

in or at that place or location

From this reading To be sure, there were circumstances in which such a visit would have seemed, of all things, the most kind, but not, perhaps, with persons so little in sympathy as Catherine Vernon and Mrs. John.

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

From this reading Catherine Vernon had come to see with her own eyes that her guests or tenants had arrived, and that they were comfortable.

any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)

From this reading To be sure, there were circumstances in which such a visit would have seemed, of all things, the most kind, but not, perhaps, with persons so little in sympathy as Catherine Vernon and Mrs. John.

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

From this reading She would have been more indignant than any one at such a suggestion; but human motives are very subtle, and, no doubt, though she was not in the least aware of it, this was true.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading She would have been more indignant than any one at such a suggestion; but human motives are very subtle, and, no doubt, though she was not in the least aware of it, this was true.

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

From this reading Catherine Vernon had come to see with her own eyes that her guests or tenants had arrived, and that they were comfortable.

consistent with fact or reality; not false

From this reading She would have been more indignant than any one at such a suggestion; but human motives are very subtle, and, no doubt, though she was not in the least aware of it, this was true.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading They were relations, which justified the want of ceremony; but, perhaps, if they had not been poor, and she had not been their benefactor, she would scarcely, in so very easy a way, with a shawl over her cap, and at an hour not adapted for visits, have made the first call upon them.

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

From this reading Catherine Vernon had come to see with her own eyes that her guests or tenants had arrived, and that they were comfortable.

precisely as stated

From this reading They were relations, which justified the want of ceremony; but, perhaps, if they had not been poor, and she had not been their benefactor, she would scarcely, in so very easy a way, with a shawl over her cap, and at an hour not adapted for visits, have made the first call upon them.

go to see a place, as for entertainment

From this reading To be sure, there were circumstances in which such a visit would have seemed, of all things, the most kind, but not, perhaps, with persons so little in sympathy as Catherine Vernon and Mrs. John.

plural of “visit” — the act of going to see some person or place or thing for a short time

From this reading They were relations, which justified the want of ceremony; but, perhaps, if they had not been poor, and she had not been their benefactor, she would scarcely, in so very easy a way, with a shawl over her cap, and at an hour not adapted for visits, have made the first call upon them.

feel or have a desire for; want strongly

From this reading They were relations, which justified the want of ceremony; but, perhaps, if they had not been poor, and she had not been their benefactor, she would scarcely, in so very easy a way, with a shawl over her cap, and at an hour not adapted for visits, have made the first call upon them.

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

From this reading She would have been more indignant than any one at such a suggestion; but human motives are very subtle, and, no doubt, though she was not in the least aware of it, this was true.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading They were relations, which justified the want of ceremony; but, perhaps, if they had not been poor, and she had not been their benefactor, she would scarcely, in so very easy a way, with a shawl over her cap, and at an hour not adapted for visits, have made the first call upon them.

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

From this reading Catherine Vernon had come to see with her own eyes that her guests or tenants had arrived, and that they were comfortable.

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

From this reading They were relations, which justified the want of ceremony; but, perhaps, if they had not been poor, and she had not been their benefactor, she would scarcely, in so very easy a way, with a shawl over her cap, and at an hour not adapted for visits, have made the first call upon them.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Catherine Vernon had come to see with her own eyes that her guests or tenants had arrived, and that they were comfortable.

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

From this reading They were relations, which justified the want of ceremony; but, perhaps, if they had not been poor, and she had not been their benefactor, she would scarcely, in so very easy a way, with a shawl over her cap, and at an hour not adapted for visits, have made the first call upon them.