Chapter XXVII

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

From this reading That is high art, and a few years ago it was confined to quite the upper circles of an Elementary School.

how long something has existed

From this reading The question that occurs to the professional mind, is whether Lucy Bertram’s skill in plain needlework was really limited to hemming, which is the work allotted to girls of six or seven years of age; or whether the Dominie in his contemptuous ignorance used the term to include all varieties of stitches.

in the past

From this reading That is high art, and a few years ago it was confined to quite the upper circles of an Elementary School.

although

From this reading NEEDLEWORK ‘Domi mansit: lanam fecit.’--_Roman epitaph._ “Domestic Economy and plain needlework.”--_Code._ “It was I,” said Dominie Sampson, “who did educate Miss Lucy in all useful learning--albeit it was the housekeeper who did teach her those unprofitable exercises of hemming and shaping.”

(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 NEEDLEWORK ‘Domi mansit: lanam fecit.’--_Roman epitaph._ “Domestic Economy and plain needlework.”--_Code._ “It was I,” said Dominie Sampson, “who did educate Miss Lucy in all useful learning--albeit it was the housekeeper who did teach her those unprofitable exercises of hemming and shaping.”

given as a task

From this reading The question that occurs to the professional mind, is whether Lucy Bertram’s skill in plain needlework was really limited to hemming, which is the work allotted to girls of six or seven years of age; or whether the Dominie in his contemptuous ignorance used the term to include all varieties of stitches.

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

From this reading That is high art, and a few years ago it was confined to quite the upper circles of an Elementary School.

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

From this reading NEEDLEWORK ‘Domi mansit: lanam fecit.’--_Roman epitaph._ “Domestic Economy and plain needlework.”--_Code._ “It was I,” said Dominie Sampson, “who did educate Miss Lucy in all useful learning--albeit it was the housekeeper who did teach her those unprofitable exercises of hemming and shaping.”

an old form of “are”, used with “thou”

From this reading That is high art, and a few years ago it was confined to quite the upper circles of an Elementary School.

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

From this reading The question that occurs to the professional mind, is whether Lucy Bertram’s skill in plain needlework was really limited to hemming, which is the work allotted to girls of six or seven years of age; or whether the Dominie in his contemptuous ignorance used the term to include all varieties of stitches.

on the far side of; further than

From this reading If Lucy really could not go beyond hemming, I fear she would have had some difficulty with the material when it was “shaped”: unless, indeed, she made only pocket-handkerchiefs and towels.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading By “shaping,” I think he meant what we call “cutting out.”

assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading By “shaping,” I think he meant what we call “cutting out.”

plural of “circle” — ellipse in which the two axes are of equal length; a plane curve generated by one point moving at a constant distance from a fixed point

From this reading That is high art, and a few years ago it was confined to quite the upper circles of an Elementary School.

a set of rules or principles or laws (especially written ones)

From this reading NEEDLEWORK ‘Domi mansit: lanam fecit.’--_Roman epitaph._ “Domestic Economy and plain needlework.”--_Code._ “It was I,” said Dominie Sampson, “who did educate Miss Lucy in all useful learning--albeit it was the housekeeper who did teach her those unprofitable exercises of hemming and shaping.”

not invading healthy tissue

From this reading That is high art, and a few years ago it was confined to quite the upper circles of an Elementary School.

expressing extreme contempt

From this reading The question that occurs to the professional mind, is whether Lucy Bertram’s skill in plain needlework was really limited to hemming, which is the work allotted to girls of six or seven years of age; or whether the Dominie in his contemptuous ignorance used the term to include all varieties of stitches.

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

From this reading If Lucy really could not go beyond hemming, I fear she would have had some difficulty with the material when it was “shaped”: unless, indeed, she made only pocket-handkerchiefs and towels.

the activity of selecting the scenes to be shown and putting them together to create a film

From this reading By “shaping,” I think he meant what we call “cutting out.”

the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives

From this reading NEEDLEWORK ‘Domi mansit: lanam fecit.’--_Roman epitaph._ “Domestic Economy and plain needlework.”--_Code._ “It was I,” said Dominie Sampson, “who did educate Miss Lucy in all useful learning--albeit it was the housekeeper who did teach her those unprofitable exercises of hemming and shaping.”

an effort that is inconvenient

From this reading If Lucy really could not go beyond hemming, I fear she would have had some difficulty with the material when it was “shaped”: unless, indeed, she made only pocket-handkerchiefs and towels.

of concern to or concerning the internal affairs of a nation

From this reading NEEDLEWORK ‘Domi mansit: lanam fecit.’--_Roman epitaph._ “Domestic Economy and plain needlework.”--_Code._ “It was I,” said Dominie Sampson, “who did educate Miss Lucy in all useful learning--albeit it was the housekeeper who did teach her those unprofitable exercises of hemming and shaping.”

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

From this reading NEEDLEWORK ‘Domi mansit: lanam fecit.’--_Roman epitaph._ “Domestic Economy and plain needlework.”--_Code._ “It was I,” said Dominie Sampson, “who did educate Miss Lucy in all useful learning--albeit it was the housekeeper who did teach her those unprofitable exercises of hemming and shaping.”

a clergyman; especially a settled minister or parson

From this reading NEEDLEWORK ‘Domi mansit: lanam fecit.’--_Roman epitaph._ “Domestic Economy and plain needlework.”--_Code._ “It was I,” said Dominie Sampson, “who did educate Miss Lucy in all useful learning--albeit it was the housekeeper who did teach her those unprofitable exercises of hemming and shaping.”

the system of production and distribution and consumption

From this reading NEEDLEWORK ‘Domi mansit: lanam fecit.’--_Roman epitaph._ “Domestic Economy and plain needlework.”--_Code._ “It was I,” said Dominie Sampson, “who did educate Miss Lucy in all useful learning--albeit it was the housekeeper who did teach her those unprofitable exercises of hemming and shaping.”

give an education to

From this reading NEEDLEWORK ‘Domi mansit: lanam fecit.’--_Roman epitaph._ “Domestic Economy and plain needlework.”--_Code._ “It was I,” said Dominie Sampson, “who did educate Miss Lucy in all useful learning--albeit it was the housekeeper who did teach her those unprofitable exercises of hemming and shaping.”

easy and not involved or complicated

From this reading That is high art, and a few years ago it was confined to quite the upper circles of an Elementary School.

an inscription on a tombstone or monument in memory of the person buried there

From this reading NEEDLEWORK ‘Domi mansit: lanam fecit.’--_Roman epitaph._ “Domestic Economy and plain needlework.”--_Code._ “It was I,” said Dominie Sampson, “who did educate Miss Lucy in all useful learning--albeit it was the housekeeper who did teach her those unprofitable exercises of hemming and shaping.”

plural of “exercise” — the activity of exerting your muscles in various ways to keep fit

From this reading NEEDLEWORK ‘Domi mansit: lanam fecit.’--_Roman epitaph._ “Domestic Economy and plain needlework.”--_Code._ “It was I,” said Dominie Sampson, “who did educate Miss Lucy in all useful learning--albeit it was the housekeeper who did teach her those unprofitable exercises of hemming and shaping.”

be afraid or feel anxious or apprehensive about a possible or probable situation or event

From this reading If Lucy really could not go beyond hemming, I fear she would have had some difficulty with the material when it was “shaped”: unless, indeed, she made only pocket-handkerchiefs and towels.

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

From this reading NEEDLEWORK ‘Domi mansit: lanam fecit.’--_Roman epitaph._ “Domestic Economy and plain needlework.”--_Code._ “It was I,” said Dominie Sampson, “who did educate Miss Lucy in all useful learning--albeit it was the housekeeper who did teach her those unprofitable exercises of hemming and shaping.”

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number

From this reading That is high art, and a few years ago it was confined to quite the upper circles of an Elementary School.

plural of “girl” — a young female

From this reading The question that occurs to the professional mind, is whether Lucy Bertram’s skill in plain needlework was really limited to hemming, which is the work allotted to girls of six or seven years of age; or whether the Dominie in his contemptuous ignorance used the term to include all varieties of stitches.

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

From this reading If Lucy really could not go beyond hemming, I fear she would have had some difficulty with the material when it was “shaped”: unless, indeed, she made only pocket-handkerchiefs and towels.

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

From this reading If Lucy really could not go beyond hemming, I fear she would have had some difficulty with the material when it was “shaped”: unless, indeed, she made only pocket-handkerchiefs and towels.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading If Lucy really could not go beyond hemming, I fear she would have had some difficulty with the material when it was “shaped”: unless, indeed, she made only pocket-handkerchiefs and towels.

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

From this reading By “shaping,” I think he meant what we call “cutting out.”

inflected form of “hem” — fold over and sew together to provide with a hem

From this reading NEEDLEWORK ‘Domi mansit: lanam fecit.’--_Roman epitaph._ “Domestic Economy and plain needlework.”--_Code._ “It was I,” said Dominie Sampson, “who did educate Miss Lucy in all useful learning--albeit it was the housekeeper who did teach her those unprofitable exercises of hemming and shaping.”

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

From this reading NEEDLEWORK ‘Domi mansit: lanam fecit.’--_Roman epitaph._ “Domestic Economy and plain needlework.”--_Code._ “It was I,” said Dominie Sampson, “who did educate Miss Lucy in all useful learning--albeit it was the housekeeper who did teach her those unprofitable exercises of hemming and shaping.”

greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading That is high art, and a few years ago it was confined to quite the upper circles of an Elementary School.

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

From this reading The question that occurs to the professional mind, is whether Lucy Bertram’s skill in plain needlework was really limited to hemming, which is the work allotted to girls of six or seven years of age; or whether the Dominie in his contemptuous ignorance used the term to include all varieties of stitches.

a servant who is employed to perform domestic task in a household

From this reading NEEDLEWORK ‘Domi mansit: lanam fecit.’--_Roman epitaph._ “Domestic Economy and plain needlework.”--_Code._ “It was I,” said Dominie Sampson, “who did educate Miss Lucy in all useful learning--albeit it was the housekeeper who did teach her those unprofitable exercises of hemming and shaping.”

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

From this reading NEEDLEWORK ‘Domi mansit: lanam fecit.’--_Roman epitaph._ “Domestic Economy and plain needlework.”--_Code._ “It was I,” said Dominie Sampson, “who did educate Miss Lucy in all useful learning--albeit it was the housekeeper who did teach her those unprofitable exercises of hemming and shaping.”

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading If Lucy really could not go beyond hemming, I fear she would have had some difficulty with the material when it was “shaped”: unless, indeed, she made only pocket-handkerchiefs and towels.

the lack of knowledge or education

From this reading The question that occurs to the professional mind, is whether Lucy Bertram’s skill in plain needlework was really limited to hemming, which is the work allotted to girls of six or seven years of age; or whether the Dominie in his contemptuous ignorance used the term to include all varieties of stitches.

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

From this reading NEEDLEWORK ‘Domi mansit: lanam fecit.’--_Roman epitaph._ “Domestic Economy and plain needlework.”--_Code._ “It was I,” said Dominie Sampson, “who did educate Miss Lucy in all useful learning--albeit it was the housekeeper who did teach her those unprofitable exercises of hemming and shaping.”

have as a part, be made up out of

From this reading The question that occurs to the professional mind, is whether Lucy Bertram’s skill in plain needlework was really limited to hemming, which is the work allotted to girls of six or seven years of age; or whether the Dominie in his contemptuous ignorance used the term to include all varieties of stitches.

in truth (often tends to intensify)

From this reading If Lucy really could not go beyond hemming, I fear she would have had some difficulty with the material when it was “shaped”: unless, indeed, she made only pocket-handkerchiefs and towels.

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

From this reading The question that occurs to the professional mind, is whether Lucy Bertram’s skill in plain needlework was really limited to hemming, which is the work allotted to girls of six or seven years of age; or whether the Dominie in his contemptuous ignorance used the term to include all varieties of stitches.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading NEEDLEWORK ‘Domi mansit: lanam fecit.’--_Roman epitaph._ “Domestic Economy and plain needlework.”--_Code._ “It was I,” said Dominie Sampson, “who did educate Miss Lucy in all useful learning--albeit it was the housekeeper who did teach her those unprofitable exercises of hemming and shaping.”

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

From this reading NEEDLEWORK ‘Domi mansit: lanam fecit.’--_Roman epitaph._ “Domestic Economy and plain needlework.”--_Code._ “It was I,” said Dominie Sampson, “who did educate Miss Lucy in all useful learning--albeit it was the housekeeper who did teach her those unprofitable exercises of hemming and shaping.”

the cognitive process of acquiring skill or knowledge

From this reading NEEDLEWORK ‘Domi mansit: lanam fecit.’--_Roman epitaph._ “Domestic Economy and plain needlework.”--_Code._ “It was I,” said Dominie Sampson, “who did educate Miss Lucy in all useful learning--albeit it was the housekeeper who did teach her those unprofitable exercises of hemming and shaping.”

small in range or scope

From this reading The question that occurs to the professional mind, is whether Lucy Bertram’s skill in plain needlework was really limited to hemming, which is the work allotted to girls of six or seven years of age; or whether the Dominie in his contemptuous ignorance used the term to include all varieties of stitches.

incomplete skeleton of female found in eastern Ethiopia in 1974

From this reading NEEDLEWORK ‘Domi mansit: lanam fecit.’--_Roman epitaph._ “Domestic Economy and plain needlework.”--_Code._ “It was I,” said Dominie Sampson, “who did educate Miss Lucy in all useful learning--albeit it was the housekeeper who did teach her those unprofitable exercises of hemming and shaping.”

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading If Lucy really could not go beyond hemming, I fear she would have had some difficulty with the material when it was “shaped”: unless, indeed, she made only pocket-handkerchiefs and towels.

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

From this reading NEEDLEWORK ‘Domi mansit: lanam fecit.’--_Roman epitaph._ “Domestic Economy and plain needlework.”--_Code._ “It was I,” said Dominie Sampson, “who did educate Miss Lucy in all useful learning--albeit it was the housekeeper who did teach her those unprofitable exercises of hemming and shaping.”

concerned with worldly rather than spiritual interests

From this reading If Lucy really could not go beyond hemming, I fear she would have had some difficulty with the material when it was “shaped”: unless, indeed, she made only pocket-handkerchiefs and towels.

inflected form of “mean” — mean or intend to express or convey

From this reading By “shaping,” I think he meant what we call “cutting out.”

The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.

From this reading The question that occurs to the professional mind, is whether Lucy Bertram’s skill in plain needlework was really limited to hemming, which is the work allotted to girls of six or seven years of age; or whether the Dominie in his contemptuous ignorance used the term to include all varieties of stitches.

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

From this reading NEEDLEWORK ‘Domi mansit: lanam fecit.’--_Roman epitaph._ “Domestic Economy and plain needlework.”--_Code._ “It was I,” said Dominie Sampson, “who did educate Miss Lucy in all useful learning--albeit it was the housekeeper who did teach her those unprofitable exercises of hemming and shaping.”

a creation created or assembled by needle and thread

From this reading NEEDLEWORK ‘Domi mansit: lanam fecit.’--_Roman epitaph._ “Domestic Economy and plain needlework.”--_Code._ “It was I,” said Dominie Sampson, “who did educate Miss Lucy in all useful learning--albeit it was the housekeeper who did teach her those unprofitable exercises of hemming and shaping.”

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading If Lucy really could not go beyond hemming, I fear she would have had some difficulty with the material when it was “shaped”: unless, indeed, she made only pocket-handkerchiefs and towels.

third-person singular of “occur” — come to pass

From this reading The question that occurs to the professional mind, is whether Lucy Bertram’s skill in plain needlework was really limited to hemming, which is the work allotted to girls of six or seven years of age; or whether the Dominie in his contemptuous ignorance used the term to include all varieties of stitches.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading NEEDLEWORK ‘Domi mansit: lanam fecit.’--_Roman epitaph._ “Domestic Economy and plain needlework.”--_Code._ “It was I,” said Dominie Sampson, “who did educate Miss Lucy in all useful learning--albeit it was the housekeeper who did teach her those unprofitable exercises of hemming and shaping.”

and nothing more

From this reading If Lucy really could not go beyond hemming, I fear she would have had some difficulty with the material when it was “shaped”: unless, indeed, she made only pocket-handkerchiefs and towels.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading The question that occurs to the professional mind, is whether Lucy Bertram’s skill in plain needlework was really limited to hemming, which is the work allotted to girls of six or seven years of age; or whether the Dominie in his contemptuous ignorance used the term to include all varieties of stitches.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading By “shaping,” I think he meant what we call “cutting out.”

clearly revealed to the mind or the senses or judgment

From this reading NEEDLEWORK ‘Domi mansit: lanam fecit.’--_Roman epitaph._ “Domestic Economy and plain needlework.”--_Code._ “It was I,” said Dominie Sampson, “who did educate Miss Lucy in all useful learning--albeit it was the housekeeper who did teach her those unprofitable exercises of hemming and shaping.”

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

From this reading If Lucy really could not go beyond hemming, I fear she would have had some difficulty with the material when it was “shaped”: unless, indeed, she made only pocket-handkerchiefs and towels.

engaged in a profession or engaging in as a profession or means of livelihood

From this reading The question that occurs to the professional mind, is whether Lucy Bertram’s skill in plain needlework was really limited to hemming, which is the work allotted to girls of six or seven years of age; or whether the Dominie in his contemptuous ignorance used the term to include all varieties of stitches.

challenge the accuracy, probity, or propriety of

From this reading The question that occurs to the professional mind, is whether Lucy Bertram’s skill in plain needlework was really limited to hemming, which is the work allotted to girls of six or seven years of age; or whether the Dominie in his contemptuous ignorance used the term to include all varieties of stitches.

to a degree (not used with a negative)

From this reading That is high art, and a few years ago it was confined to quite the upper circles of an Elementary School.

in accordance with truth or fact or reality

From this reading The question that occurs to the professional mind, is whether Lucy Bertram’s skill in plain needlework was really limited to hemming, which is the work allotted to girls of six or seven years of age; or whether the Dominie in his contemptuous ignorance used the term to include all varieties of stitches.

relating to or characteristic of people of Rome

From this reading NEEDLEWORK ‘Domi mansit: lanam fecit.’--_Roman epitaph._ “Domestic Economy and plain needlework.”--_Code._ “It was I,” said Dominie Sampson, “who did educate Miss Lucy in all useful learning--albeit it was the housekeeper who did teach her those unprofitable exercises of hemming and shaping.”

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading NEEDLEWORK ‘Domi mansit: lanam fecit.’--_Roman epitaph._ “Domestic Economy and plain needlework.”--_Code._ “It was I,” said Dominie Sampson, “who did educate Miss Lucy in all useful learning--albeit it was the housekeeper who did teach her those unprofitable exercises of hemming and shaping.”

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

From this reading NEEDLEWORK ‘Domi mansit: lanam fecit.’--_Roman epitaph._ “Domestic Economy and plain needlework.”--_Code._ “It was I,” said Dominie Sampson, “who did educate Miss Lucy in all useful learning--albeit it was the housekeeper who did teach her those unprofitable exercises of hemming and shaping.”

an educational institution

From this reading That is high art, and a few years ago it was confined to quite the upper circles of an Elementary School.

the cardinal number that is the sum of six and one

From this reading The question that occurs to the professional mind, is whether Lucy Bertram’s skill in plain needlework was really limited to hemming, which is the work allotted to girls of six or seven years of age; or whether the Dominie in his contemptuous ignorance used the term to include all varieties of stitches.

shaped to fit by or as if by altering the contours of a pliable mass (as by work or effort)

From this reading If Lucy really could not go beyond hemming, I fear she would have had some difficulty with the material when it was “shaped”: unless, indeed, she made only pocket-handkerchiefs and towels.

any process serving to define the shape of something

From this reading NEEDLEWORK ‘Domi mansit: lanam fecit.’--_Roman epitaph._ “Domestic Economy and plain needlework.”--_Code._ “It was I,” said Dominie Sampson, “who did educate Miss Lucy in all useful learning--albeit it was the housekeeper who did teach her those unprofitable exercises of hemming and shaping.”

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

From this reading If Lucy really could not go beyond hemming, I fear she would have had some difficulty with the material when it was “shaped”: unless, indeed, she made only pocket-handkerchiefs and towels.

the cardinal number that is the sum of five and one

From this reading The question that occurs to the professional mind, is whether Lucy Bertram’s skill in plain needlework was really limited to hemming, which is the work allotted to girls of six or seven years of age; or whether the Dominie in his contemptuous ignorance used the term to include all varieties of stitches.

an ability that has been acquired by training

From this reading The question that occurs to the professional mind, is whether Lucy Bertram’s skill in plain needlework was really limited to hemming, which is the work allotted to girls of six or seven years of age; or whether the Dominie in his contemptuous ignorance used the term to include all varieties of stitches.

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

From this reading If Lucy really could not go beyond hemming, I fear she would have had some difficulty with the material when it was “shaped”: unless, indeed, she made only pocket-handkerchiefs and towels.

plural of “stitch” — a link or loop or knot made by an implement in knitting, crocheting, embroidery, or sewing

From this reading The question that occurs to the professional mind, is whether Lucy Bertram’s skill in plain needlework was really limited to hemming, which is the work allotted to girls of six or seven years of age; or whether the Dominie in his contemptuous ignorance used the term to include all varieties of stitches.

impart skills or knowledge to

From this reading NEEDLEWORK ‘Domi mansit: lanam fecit.’--_Roman epitaph._ “Domestic Economy and plain needlework.”--_Code._ “It was I,” said Dominie Sampson, “who did educate Miss Lucy in all useful learning--albeit it was the housekeeper who did teach her those unprofitable exercises of hemming and shaping.”

a word or expression used for some particular thing

From this reading The question that occurs to the professional mind, is whether Lucy Bertram’s skill in plain needlework was really limited to hemming, which is the work allotted to girls of six or seven years of age; or whether the Dominie in his contemptuous ignorance used the term to include all varieties of stitches.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading The question that occurs to the professional mind, is whether Lucy Bertram’s skill in plain needlework was really limited to hemming, which is the work allotted to girls of six or seven years of age; or whether the Dominie in his contemptuous ignorance used the term to include all varieties of stitches.

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

From this reading NEEDLEWORK ‘Domi mansit: lanam fecit.’--_Roman epitaph._ “Domestic Economy and plain needlework.”--_Code._ “It was I,” said Dominie Sampson, “who did educate Miss Lucy in all useful learning--albeit it was the housekeeper who did teach her those unprofitable exercises of hemming and shaping.”

judge or regard; look upon; judge

From this reading By “shaping,” I think he meant what we call “cutting out.”

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

From this reading NEEDLEWORK ‘Domi mansit: lanam fecit.’--_Roman epitaph._ “Domestic Economy and plain needlework.”--_Code._ “It was I,” said Dominie Sampson, “who did educate Miss Lucy in all useful learning--albeit it was the housekeeper who did teach her those unprofitable exercises of hemming and shaping.”

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

From this reading The question that occurs to the professional mind, is whether Lucy Bertram’s skill in plain needlework was really limited to hemming, which is the work allotted to girls of six or seven years of age; or whether the Dominie in his contemptuous ignorance used the term to include all varieties of stitches.

plural of “towel” — a rectangular piece of absorbent cloth (or paper) for drying or wiping

From this reading If Lucy really could not go beyond hemming, I fear she would have had some difficulty with the material when it was “shaped”: unless, indeed, she made only pocket-handkerchiefs and towels.

except if; if not

From this reading If Lucy really could not go beyond hemming, I fear she would have had some difficulty with the material when it was “shaped”: unless, indeed, she made only pocket-handkerchiefs and towels.

producing little or no profit or gain

From this reading NEEDLEWORK ‘Domi mansit: lanam fecit.’--_Roman epitaph._ “Domestic Economy and plain needlework.”--_Code._ “It was I,” said Dominie Sampson, “who did educate Miss Lucy in all useful learning--albeit it was the housekeeper who did teach her those unprofitable exercises of hemming and shaping.”

the topmost one of two

From this reading That is high art, and a few years ago it was confined to quite the upper circles of an Elementary School.

employed in accomplishing something

From this reading The question that occurs to the professional mind, is whether Lucy Bertram’s skill in plain needlework was really limited to hemming, which is the work allotted to girls of six or seven years of age; or whether the Dominie in his contemptuous ignorance used the term to include all varieties of stitches.

being of use or service

From this reading NEEDLEWORK ‘Domi mansit: lanam fecit.’--_Roman epitaph._ “Domestic Economy and plain needlework.”--_Code._ “It was I,” said Dominie Sampson, “who did educate Miss Lucy in all useful learning--albeit it was the housekeeper who did teach her those unprofitable exercises of hemming and shaping.”

plural of “variety” — a collection containing a variety of sorts of things

From this reading The question that occurs to the professional mind, is whether Lucy Bertram’s skill in plain needlework was really limited to hemming, which is the work allotted to girls of six or seven years of age; or whether the Dominie in his contemptuous ignorance used the term to include all varieties of stitches.

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

From this reading NEEDLEWORK ‘Domi mansit: lanam fecit.’--_Roman epitaph._ “Domestic Economy and plain needlework.”--_Code._ “It was I,” said Dominie Sampson, “who did educate Miss Lucy in all useful learning--albeit it was the housekeeper who did teach her those unprofitable exercises of hemming and shaping.”

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading By “shaping,” I think he meant what we call “cutting out.”

used to ask for information about something

From this reading By “shaping,” I think he meant what we call “cutting out.”

at the time that

From this reading If Lucy really could not go beyond hemming, I fear she would have had some difficulty with the material when it was “shaped”: unless, indeed, she made only pocket-handkerchiefs and towels.

used to introduce two or more possibilities

From this reading The question that occurs to the professional mind, is whether Lucy Bertram’s skill in plain needlework was really limited to hemming, which is the work allotted to girls of six or seven years of age; or whether the Dominie in his contemptuous ignorance used the term to include all varieties of stitches.

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

From this reading The question that occurs to the professional mind, is whether Lucy Bertram’s skill in plain needlework was really limited to hemming, which is the work allotted to girls of six or seven years of age; or whether the Dominie in his contemptuous ignorance used the term to include all varieties of stitches.

which person or people

From this reading NEEDLEWORK ‘Domi mansit: lanam fecit.’--_Roman epitaph._ “Domestic Economy and plain needlework.”--_Code._ “It was I,” said Dominie Sampson, “who did educate Miss Lucy in all useful learning--albeit it was the housekeeper who did teach her those unprofitable exercises of hemming and shaping.”

in the company of; together with

From this reading If Lucy really could not go beyond hemming, I fear she would have had some difficulty with the material when it was “shaped”: unless, indeed, she made only pocket-handkerchiefs and towels.

exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity

From this reading The question that occurs to the professional mind, is whether Lucy Bertram’s skill in plain needlework was really limited to hemming, which is the work allotted to girls of six or seven years of age; or whether the Dominie in his contemptuous ignorance used the term to include all varieties of stitches.

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

From this reading If Lucy really could not go beyond hemming, I fear she would have had some difficulty with the material when it was “shaped”: unless, indeed, she made only pocket-handkerchiefs and towels.

a late time of life

From this reading The question that occurs to the professional mind, is whether Lucy Bertram’s skill in plain needlework was really limited to hemming, which is the work allotted to girls of six or seven years of age; or whether the Dominie in his contemptuous ignorance used the term to include all varieties of stitches.