Chapter IX · Chapter 9

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

From this reading There is nothing in its way more difficult than to start a new school; and Mrs Macintyre, with all her vast experience--for she had been mistress of more than one of the celebrated houses at Cheltenham College in the time of the great and noble Miss Beale, and had in fact, until her marriage, been a teacher--knew well what special difficulties she had before her, more particularly in a mixed school.

(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 There is nothing in its way more difficult than to start a new school; and Mrs Macintyre, with all her vast experience--for she had been mistress of more than one of the celebrated houses at Cheltenham College in the time of the great and noble Miss Beale, and had in fact, until her marriage, been a teacher--knew well what special difficulties she had before her, more particularly in a mixed school.

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

From this reading There is nothing in its way more difficult than to start a new school; and Mrs Macintyre, with all her vast experience--for she had been mistress of more than one of the celebrated houses at Cheltenham College in the time of the great and noble Miss Beale, and had in fact, until her marriage, been a teacher--knew well what special difficulties she had before her, more particularly in a mixed school.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading There is nothing in its way more difficult than to start a new school; and Mrs Macintyre, with all her vast experience--for she had been mistress of more than one of the celebrated houses at Cheltenham College in the time of the great and noble Miss Beale, and had in fact, until her marriage, been a teacher--knew well what special difficulties she had before her, more particularly in a mixed school.

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

From this reading There is nothing in its way more difficult than to start a new school; and Mrs Macintyre, with all her vast experience--for she had been mistress of more than one of the celebrated houses at Cheltenham College in the time of the great and noble Miss Beale, and had in fact, until her marriage, been a teacher--knew well what special difficulties she had before her, more particularly in a mixed school.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading There is nothing in its way more difficult than to start a new school; and Mrs Macintyre, with all her vast experience--for she had been mistress of more than one of the celebrated houses at Cheltenham College in the time of the great and noble Miss Beale, and had in fact, until her marriage, been a teacher--knew well what special difficulties she had before her, more particularly in a mixed school.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading There is nothing in its way more difficult than to start a new school; and Mrs Macintyre, with all her vast experience--for she had been mistress of more than one of the celebrated houses at Cheltenham College in the time of the great and noble Miss Beale, and had in fact, until her marriage, been a teacher--knew well what special difficulties she had before her, more particularly in a mixed school.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But she knew they had a fight before them, and that conflict lay in her path.

widely known and esteemed

From this reading There is nothing in its way more difficult than to start a new school; and Mrs Macintyre, with all her vast experience--for she had been mistress of more than one of the celebrated houses at Cheltenham College in the time of the great and noble Miss Beale, and had in fact, until her marriage, been a teacher--knew well what special difficulties she had before her, more particularly in a mixed school.

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

From this reading There is nothing in its way more difficult than to start a new school; and Mrs Macintyre, with all her vast experience--for she had been mistress of more than one of the celebrated houses at Cheltenham College in the time of the great and noble Miss Beale, and had in fact, until her marriage, been a teacher--knew well what special difficulties she had before her, more particularly in a mixed school.

the body of faculty and students of a college

From this reading There is nothing in its way more difficult than to start a new school; and Mrs Macintyre, with all her vast experience--for she had been mistress of more than one of the celebrated houses at Cheltenham College in the time of the great and noble Miss Beale, and had in fact, until her marriage, been a teacher--knew well what special difficulties she had before her, more particularly in a mixed school.

an open clash between two opposing groups (or individuals)

From this reading But she knew they had a fight before them, and that conflict lay in her path.

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

From this reading She did not, however, know that this conflict was to take place so soon.

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

From this reading There is nothing in its way more difficult than to start a new school; and Mrs Macintyre, with all her vast experience--for she had been mistress of more than one of the celebrated houses at Cheltenham College in the time of the great and noble Miss Beale, and had in fact, until her marriage, been a teacher--knew well what special difficulties she had before her, more particularly in a mixed school.

plural of “difficulty” — an effort that is inconvenient

From this reading There is nothing in its way more difficult than to start a new school; and Mrs Macintyre, with all her vast experience--for she had been mistress of more than one of the celebrated houses at Cheltenham College in the time of the great and noble Miss Beale, and had in fact, until her marriage, been a teacher--knew well what special difficulties she had before her, more particularly in a mixed school.

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading There was no reason, however, why such schools should not exist, and do well.

have an existence, be extant

From this reading There was no reason, however, why such schools should not exist, and do well.

undergo or live through a difficult experience

From this reading There is nothing in its way more difficult than to start a new school; and Mrs Macintyre, with all her vast experience--for she had been mistress of more than one of the celebrated houses at Cheltenham College in the time of the great and noble Miss Beale, and had in fact, until her marriage, been a teacher--knew well what special difficulties she had before her, more particularly in a mixed school.

a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred

From this reading There is nothing in its way more difficult than to start a new school; and Mrs Macintyre, with all her vast experience--for she had been mistress of more than one of the celebrated houses at Cheltenham College in the time of the great and noble Miss Beale, and had in fact, until her marriage, been a teacher--knew well what special difficulties she had before her, more particularly in a mixed school.

be engaged in a fight; carry on a fight

From this reading But she knew they had a fight before them, and that conflict lay in her path.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading There is nothing in its way more difficult than to start a new school; and Mrs Macintyre, with all her vast experience--for she had been mistress of more than one of the celebrated houses at Cheltenham College in the time of the great and noble Miss Beale, and had in fact, until her marriage, been a teacher--knew well what special difficulties she had before her, more particularly in a mixed school.

relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind

From this reading There is nothing in its way more difficult than to start a new school; and Mrs Macintyre, with all her vast experience--for she had been mistress of more than one of the celebrated houses at Cheltenham College in the time of the great and noble Miss Beale, and had in fact, until her marriage, been a teacher--knew well what special difficulties she had before her, more particularly in a mixed school.

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

From this reading There is nothing in its way more difficult than to start a new school; and Mrs Macintyre, with all her vast experience--for she had been mistress of more than one of the celebrated houses at Cheltenham College in the time of the great and noble Miss Beale, and had in fact, until her marriage, been a teacher--knew well what special difficulties she had before her, more particularly in a mixed school.

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

From this reading There is nothing in its way more difficult than to start a new school; and Mrs Macintyre, with all her vast experience--for she had been mistress of more than one of the celebrated houses at Cheltenham College in the time of the great and noble Miss Beale, and had in fact, until her marriage, been a teacher--knew well what special difficulties she had before her, more particularly in a mixed school.

plural of “house” — a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families

From this reading There is nothing in its way more difficult than to start a new school; and Mrs Macintyre, with all her vast experience--for she had been mistress of more than one of the celebrated houses at Cheltenham College in the time of the great and noble Miss Beale, and had in fact, until her marriage, been a teacher--knew well what special difficulties she had before her, more particularly in a mixed school.

used to add a contrasting statement

From this reading There was no reason, however, why such schools should not exist, and do well.

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

From this reading There is nothing in its way more difficult than to start a new school; and Mrs Macintyre, with all her vast experience--for she had been mistress of more than one of the celebrated houses at Cheltenham College in the time of the great and noble Miss Beale, and had in fact, until her marriage, been a teacher--knew well what special difficulties she had before her, more particularly in a mixed school.

past form of “interfere” — come between so as to be hindrance or obstacle

From this reading THE WOMAN WHO INTERFERED.

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

From this reading There is nothing in its way more difficult than to start a new school; and Mrs Macintyre, with all her vast experience--for she had been mistress of more than one of the celebrated houses at Cheltenham College in the time of the great and noble Miss Beale, and had in fact, until her marriage, been a teacher--knew well what special difficulties she had before her, more particularly in a mixed school.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading There is nothing in its way more difficult than to start a new school; and Mrs Macintyre, with all her vast experience--for she had been mistress of more than one of the celebrated houses at Cheltenham College in the time of the great and noble Miss Beale, and had in fact, until her marriage, been a teacher--knew well what special difficulties she had before her, more particularly in a mixed school.

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 There is nothing in its way more difficult than to start a new school; and Mrs Macintyre, with all her vast experience--for she had been mistress of more than one of the celebrated houses at Cheltenham College in the time of the great and noble Miss Beale, and had in fact, until her marriage, been a teacher--knew well what special difficulties she had before her, more particularly in a mixed school.

be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about

From this reading She did not, however, know that this conflict was to take place so soon.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading But she knew they had a fight before them, and that conflict lay in her path.

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

From this reading There is nothing in its way more difficult than to start a new school; and Mrs Macintyre, with all her vast experience--for she had been mistress of more than one of the celebrated houses at Cheltenham College in the time of the great and noble Miss Beale, and had in fact, until her marriage, been a teacher--knew well what special difficulties she had before her, more particularly in a mixed school.

the state of being a married couple voluntarily joined for life (or until divorce)

From this reading There is nothing in its way more difficult than to start a new school; and Mrs Macintyre, with all her vast experience--for she had been mistress of more than one of the celebrated houses at Cheltenham College in the time of the great and noble Miss Beale, and had in fact, until her marriage, been a teacher--knew well what special difficulties she had before her, more particularly in a mixed school.

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

From this reading There is nothing in its way more difficult than to start a new school; and Mrs Macintyre, with all her vast experience--for she had been mistress of more than one of the celebrated houses at Cheltenham College in the time of the great and noble Miss Beale, and had in fact, until her marriage, been a teacher--knew well what special difficulties she had before her, more particularly in a mixed school.

an adulterous woman; a woman who has an ongoing extramarital sexual relationship with a man

From this reading There is nothing in its way more difficult than to start a new school; and Mrs Macintyre, with all her vast experience--for she had been mistress of more than one of the celebrated houses at Cheltenham College in the time of the great and noble Miss Beale, and had in fact, until her marriage, been a teacher--knew well what special difficulties she had before her, more particularly in a mixed school.

consisting of a haphazard assortment of different kinds

From this reading There is nothing in its way more difficult than to start a new school; and Mrs Macintyre, with all her vast experience--for she had been mistress of more than one of the celebrated houses at Cheltenham College in the time of the great and noble Miss Beale, and had in fact, until her marriage, been a teacher--knew well what special difficulties she had before her, more particularly in a mixed school.

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

From this reading There is nothing in its way more difficult than to start a new school; and Mrs Macintyre, with all her vast experience--for she had been mistress of more than one of the celebrated houses at Cheltenham College in the time of the great and noble Miss Beale, and had in fact, until her marriage, been a teacher--knew well what special difficulties she had before her, more particularly in a mixed school.

a form of address for a married woman

From this reading There is nothing in its way more difficult than to start a new school; and Mrs Macintyre, with all her vast experience--for she had been mistress of more than one of the celebrated houses at Cheltenham College in the time of the great and noble Miss Beale, and had in fact, until her marriage, been a teacher--knew well what special difficulties she had before her, more particularly in a mixed school.

not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered

From this reading There is nothing in its way more difficult than to start a new school; and Mrs Macintyre, with all her vast experience--for she had been mistress of more than one of the celebrated houses at Cheltenham College in the time of the great and noble Miss Beale, and had in fact, until her marriage, been a teacher--knew well what special difficulties she had before her, more particularly in a mixed school.

not any; not one

From this reading There was no reason, however, why such schools should not exist, and do well.

impressive in appearance

From this reading There is nothing in its way more difficult than to start a new school; and Mrs Macintyre, with all her vast experience--for she had been mistress of more than one of the celebrated houses at Cheltenham College in the time of the great and noble Miss Beale, and had in fact, until her marriage, been a teacher--knew well what special difficulties she had before her, more particularly in a mixed school.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading There was no reason, however, why such schools should not exist, and do well.

not one thing; not anything

From this reading There is nothing in its way more difficult than to start a new school; and Mrs Macintyre, with all her vast experience--for she had been mistress of more than one of the celebrated houses at Cheltenham College in the time of the great and noble Miss Beale, and had in fact, until her marriage, been a teacher--knew well what special difficulties she had before her, more particularly in a mixed school.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading There is nothing in its way more difficult than to start a new school; and Mrs Macintyre, with all her vast experience--for she had been mistress of more than one of the celebrated houses at Cheltenham College in the time of the great and noble Miss Beale, and had in fact, until her marriage, been a teacher--knew well what special difficulties she had before her, more particularly in a mixed school.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading There is nothing in its way more difficult than to start a new school; and Mrs Macintyre, with all her vast experience--for she had been mistress of more than one of the celebrated houses at Cheltenham College in the time of the great and noble Miss Beale, and had in fact, until her marriage, been a teacher--knew well what special difficulties she had before her, more particularly in a mixed school.

to a distinctly greater extent or degree than is common

From this reading There is nothing in its way more difficult than to start a new school; and Mrs Macintyre, with all her vast experience--for she had been mistress of more than one of the celebrated houses at Cheltenham College in the time of the great and noble Miss Beale, and had in fact, until her marriage, been a teacher--knew well what special difficulties she had before her, more particularly in a mixed school.

a course of conduct

From this reading But she knew they had a fight before them, and that conflict lay in her path.

a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading She did not, however, know that this conflict was to take place so soon.

a rational motive for a belief or action

From this reading There was no reason, however, why such schools should not exist, and do well.

an educational institution

From this reading There is nothing in its way more difficult than to start a new school; and Mrs Macintyre, with all her vast experience--for she had been mistress of more than one of the celebrated houses at Cheltenham College in the time of the great and noble Miss Beale, and had in fact, until her marriage, been a teacher--knew well what special difficulties she had before her, more particularly in a mixed school.

plural of “school” — an educational institution

From this reading There was no reason, however, why such schools should not exist, and do well.

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

From this reading There is nothing in its way more difficult than to start a new school; and Mrs Macintyre, with all her vast experience--for she had been mistress of more than one of the celebrated houses at Cheltenham College in the time of the great and noble Miss Beale, and had in fact, until her marriage, been a teacher--knew well what special difficulties she had before her, more particularly in a mixed school.

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading There was no reason, however, why such schools should not exist, and do well.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading She did not, however, know that this conflict was to take place so soon.

in the near future

From this reading She did not, however, know that this conflict was to take place so soon.

unique or specific to a person or thing or category

From this reading There is nothing in its way more difficult than to start a new school; and Mrs Macintyre, with all her vast experience--for she had been mistress of more than one of the celebrated houses at Cheltenham College in the time of the great and noble Miss Beale, and had in fact, until her marriage, been a teacher--knew well what special difficulties she had before her, more particularly in a mixed school.

take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

From this reading There is nothing in its way more difficult than to start a new school; and Mrs Macintyre, with all her vast experience--for she had been mistress of more than one of the celebrated houses at Cheltenham College in the time of the great and noble Miss Beale, and had in fact, until her marriage, been a teacher--knew well what special difficulties she had before her, more particularly in a mixed school.

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading There was no reason, however, why such schools should not exist, and do well.

carry out

From this reading She did not, however, know that this conflict was to take place so soon.

a person whose occupation is teaching

From this reading There is nothing in its way more difficult than to start a new school; and Mrs Macintyre, with all her vast experience--for she had been mistress of more than one of the celebrated houses at Cheltenham College in the time of the great and noble Miss Beale, and had in fact, until her marriage, been a teacher--knew well what special difficulties she had before her, more particularly in a mixed school.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading There is nothing in its way more difficult than to start a new school; and Mrs Macintyre, with all her vast experience--for she had been mistress of more than one of the celebrated houses at Cheltenham College in the time of the great and noble Miss Beale, and had in fact, until her marriage, been a teacher--knew well what special difficulties she had before her, more particularly in a mixed school.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading But she knew they had a fight before them, and that conflict lay in her path.

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

From this reading THE WOMAN WHO INTERFERED.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading But she knew they had a fight before them, and that conflict lay in her path.

in or at that place or location

From this reading There is nothing in its way more difficult than to start a new school; and Mrs Macintyre, with all her vast experience--for she had been mistress of more than one of the celebrated houses at Cheltenham College in the time of the great and noble Miss Beale, and had in fact, until her marriage, been a teacher--knew well what special difficulties she had before her, more particularly in a mixed school.

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

From this reading But she knew they had a fight before them, and that conflict lay in her path.

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

From this reading She did not, however, know that this conflict was to take place so soon.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading There is nothing in its way more difficult than to start a new school; and Mrs Macintyre, with all her vast experience--for she had been mistress of more than one of the celebrated houses at Cheltenham College in the time of the great and noble Miss Beale, and had in fact, until her marriage, been a teacher--knew well what special difficulties she had before her, more particularly in a mixed school.

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

From this reading There is nothing in its way more difficult than to start a new school; and Mrs Macintyre, with all her vast experience--for she had been mistress of more than one of the celebrated houses at Cheltenham College in the time of the great and noble Miss Beale, and had in fact, until her marriage, been a teacher--knew well what special difficulties she had before her, more particularly in a mixed school.

up to a particular time

From this reading There is nothing in its way more difficult than to start a new school; and Mrs Macintyre, with all her vast experience--for she had been mistress of more than one of the celebrated houses at Cheltenham College in the time of the great and noble Miss Beale, and had in fact, until her marriage, been a teacher--knew well what special difficulties she had before her, more particularly in a mixed school.

unusually great in size or amount or degree or especially extent or scope

From this reading There is nothing in its way more difficult than to start a new school; and Mrs Macintyre, with all her vast experience--for she had been mistress of more than one of the celebrated houses at Cheltenham College in the time of the great and noble Miss Beale, and had in fact, until her marriage, been a teacher--knew well what special difficulties she had before her, more particularly in a mixed school.

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

From this reading There was no reason, however, why such schools should not exist, and do well.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading There is nothing in its way more difficult than to start a new school; and Mrs Macintyre, with all her vast experience--for she had been mistress of more than one of the celebrated houses at Cheltenham College in the time of the great and noble Miss Beale, and had in fact, until her marriage, been a teacher--knew well what special difficulties she had before her, more particularly in a mixed school.

(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 There is nothing in its way more difficult than to start a new school; and Mrs Macintyre, with all her vast experience--for she had been mistress of more than one of the celebrated houses at Cheltenham College in the time of the great and noble Miss Beale, and had in fact, until her marriage, been a teacher--knew well what special difficulties she had before her, more particularly in a mixed school.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading There is nothing in its way more difficult than to start a new school; and Mrs Macintyre, with all her vast experience--for she had been mistress of more than one of the celebrated houses at Cheltenham College in the time of the great and noble Miss Beale, and had in fact, until her marriage, been a teacher--knew well what special difficulties she had before her, more particularly in a mixed school.

which person or people

From this reading THE WOMAN WHO INTERFERED.

the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”

From this reading There was no reason, however, why such schools should not exist, and do well.

in the company of; together with

From this reading There is nothing in its way more difficult than to start a new school; and Mrs Macintyre, with all her vast experience--for she had been mistress of more than one of the celebrated houses at Cheltenham College in the time of the great and noble Miss Beale, and had in fact, until her marriage, been a teacher--knew well what special difficulties she had before her, more particularly in a mixed school.

an adult female person (as opposed to a man)

From this reading THE WOMAN WHO INTERFERED.