Chapter I · Chapter 1

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

From this reading In a spacious apartment superbly furnished, and surrounded by every luxury that could please the most fastidious taste, sat Isabel Leicester, attired in deep mourning, with her head resting upon her hand, her face almost as white as the handkerchief she held.

(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 The servants had all been discharged but two, who were to leave next day.

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

From this reading In a spacious apartment superbly furnished, and surrounded by every luxury that could please the most fastidious taste, sat Isabel Leicester, attired in deep mourning, with her head resting upon her hand, her face almost as white as the handkerchief she held.

at all times; all the time and on every occasion

From this reading The funeral had taken place that day, and she was to leave the house on the day following--the house where she was born and had always lived, except when at school.

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

From this reading In a spacious apartment superbly furnished, and surrounded by every luxury that could please the most fastidious taste, sat Isabel Leicester, attired in deep mourning, with her head resting upon her hand, her face almost as white as the handkerchief she held.

a suite of rooms usually on one floor of an apartment house

From this reading In a spacious apartment superbly furnished, and surrounded by every luxury that could please the most fastidious taste, sat Isabel Leicester, attired in deep mourning, with her head resting upon her hand, her face almost as white as the handkerchief she held.

English poet and literary critic (1822-1888)

From this reading A friend had offered Isabel a home until she could procure a situation as a governess, which that friend Mrs. Arnold was endeavouring to obtain for her, in the family of a lady who had been one of Mrs. Arnold's school-fellows.

possessive form of “arnold” — English poet and literary critic (1822-1888)

From this reading A friend had offered Isabel a home until she could procure a situation as a governess, which that friend Mrs. Arnold was endeavouring to obtain for her, in the family of a lady who had been one of Mrs. Arnold's school-fellows.

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

From this reading In a spacious apartment superbly furnished, and surrounded by every luxury that could please the most fastidious taste, sat Isabel Leicester, attired in deep mourning, with her head resting upon her hand, her face almost as white as the handkerchief she held.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading The funeral had taken place that day, and she was to leave the house on the day following--the house where she was born and had always lived, except when at school.

dressed or clothed especially in fine attire; often used in combination

From this reading In a spacious apartment superbly furnished, and surrounded by every luxury that could please the most fastidious taste, sat Isabel Leicester, attired in deep mourning, with her head resting upon her hand, her face almost as white as the handkerchief she held.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading The servants had all been discharged but two, who were to leave next day.

brought into existence

From this reading The funeral had taken place that day, and she was to leave the house on the day following--the house where she was born and had always lived, except when at school.

a commercial or industrial enterprise and the people who constitute it

From this reading Isabel's Father had failed in business, and the misfortune had so preyed upon his mind, that he sank under it and died.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading The servants had all been discharged but two, who were to leave next day.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading In a spacious apartment superbly furnished, and surrounded by every luxury that could please the most fastidious taste, sat Isabel Leicester, attired in deep mourning, with her head resting upon her hand, her face almost as white as the handkerchief she held.

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

From this reading In a spacious apartment superbly furnished, and surrounded by every luxury that could please the most fastidious taste, sat Isabel Leicester, attired in deep mourning, with her head resting upon her hand, her face almost as white as the handkerchief she held.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading The funeral had taken place that day, and she was to leave the house on the day following--the house where she was born and had always lived, except when at school.

relatively deep or strong; affecting one deeply

From this reading In a spacious apartment superbly furnished, and surrounded by every luxury that could please the most fastidious taste, sat Isabel Leicester, attired in deep mourning, with her head resting upon her hand, her face almost as white as the handkerchief she held.

past form of “die” — pass from physical life and lose all bodily attributes and functions necessary to sustain life

From this reading Isabel's Father had failed in business, and the misfortune had so preyed upon his mind, that he sank under it and died.

having lost your job

From this reading The servants had all been discharged but two, who were to leave next day.

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

From this reading A friend had offered Isabel a home until she could procure a situation as a governess, which that friend Mrs. Arnold was endeavouring to obtain for her, in the family of a lady who had been one of Mrs. Arnold's school-fellows.

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading In a spacious apartment superbly furnished, and surrounded by every luxury that could please the most fastidious taste, sat Isabel Leicester, attired in deep mourning, with her head resting upon her hand, her face almost as white as the handkerchief she held.

apart from; not including

From this reading The funeral had taken place that day, and she was to leave the house on the day following--the house where she was born and had always lived, except when at school.

the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear

From this reading In a spacious apartment superbly furnished, and surrounded by every luxury that could please the most fastidious taste, sat Isabel Leicester, attired in deep mourning, with her head resting upon her hand, her face almost as white as the handkerchief she held.

past form of “fail” — fail to do something; leave something undone

From this reading Isabel's Father had failed in business, and the misfortune had so preyed upon his mind, that he sank under it and died.

a social unit living together

From this reading A friend had offered Isabel a home until she could procure a situation as a governess, which that friend Mrs. Arnold was endeavouring to obtain for her, in the family of a lady who had been one of Mrs. Arnold's school-fellows.

giving careful attention to detail; hard to please; excessively concerned with cleanliness

From this reading In a spacious apartment superbly furnished, and surrounded by every luxury that could please the most fastidious taste, sat Isabel Leicester, attired in deep mourning, with her head resting upon her hand, her face almost as white as the handkerchief she held.

a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)

From this reading Isabel's Father had failed in business, and the misfortune had so preyed upon his mind, that he sank under it and died.

about to be mentioned or specified

From this reading The funeral had taken place that day, and she was to leave the house on the day following--the house where she was born and had always lived, except when at school.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading A friend had offered Isabel a home until she could procure a situation as a governess, which that friend Mrs. Arnold was endeavouring to obtain for her, in the family of a lady who had been one of Mrs. Arnold's school-fellows.

a person you know well and regard with affection and trust

From this reading A friend had offered Isabel a home until she could procure a situation as a governess, which that friend Mrs. Arnold was endeavouring to obtain for her, in the family of a lady who had been one of Mrs. Arnold's school-fellows.

a ceremony at which a dead person is buried or cremated

From this reading The funeral had taken place that day, and she was to leave the house on the day following--the house where she was born and had always lived, except when at school.

provided with whatever is necessary for a purpose (as furniture or equipment or authority)

From this reading In a spacious apartment superbly furnished, and surrounded by every luxury that could please the most fastidious taste, sat Isabel Leicester, attired in deep mourning, with her head resting upon her hand, her face almost as white as the handkerchief she held.

a woman entrusted with the care and supervision of a child (especially in a private home)

From this reading A friend had offered Isabel a home until she could procure a situation as a governess, which that friend Mrs. Arnold was endeavouring to obtain for her, in the family of a lady who had been one of Mrs. Arnold's school-fellows.

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

From this reading Isabel's Father had failed in business, and the misfortune had so preyed upon his mind, that he sank under it and died.

the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb

From this reading In a spacious apartment superbly furnished, and surrounded by every luxury that could please the most fastidious taste, sat Isabel Leicester, attired in deep mourning, with her head resting upon her hand, her face almost as white as the handkerchief she held.

a square piece of cloth used for wiping the eyes or nose or as a costume accessory

From this reading In a spacious apartment superbly furnished, and surrounded by every luxury that could please the most fastidious taste, sat Isabel Leicester, attired in deep mourning, with her head resting upon her hand, her face almost as white as the handkerchief she held.

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

From this reading Isabel's Father had failed in business, and the misfortune had so preyed upon his mind, that he sank under it and died.

the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains

From this reading In a spacious apartment superbly furnished, and surrounded by every luxury that could please the most fastidious taste, sat Isabel Leicester, attired in deep mourning, with her head resting upon her hand, her face almost as white as the handkerchief she held.

occupied or in the control of; often used in combination

From this reading In a spacious apartment superbly furnished, and surrounded by every luxury that could please the most fastidious taste, sat Isabel Leicester, attired in deep mourning, with her head resting upon her hand, her face almost as white as the handkerchief she held.

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

From this reading In a spacious apartment superbly furnished, and surrounded by every luxury that could please the most fastidious taste, sat Isabel Leicester, attired in deep mourning, with her head resting upon her hand, her face almost as white as the handkerchief she held.

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

From this reading Isabel's Father had failed in business, and the misfortune had so preyed upon his mind, that he sank under it and died.

where you live at a particular time

From this reading A friend had offered Isabel a home until she could procure a situation as a governess, which that friend Mrs. Arnold was endeavouring to obtain for her, in the family of a lady who had been one of Mrs. Arnold's school-fellows.

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

From this reading The funeral had taken place that day, and she was to leave the house on the day following--the house where she was born and had always lived, except when at school.

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

From this reading In a spacious apartment superbly furnished, and surrounded by every luxury that could please the most fastidious taste, sat Isabel Leicester, attired in deep mourning, with her head resting upon her hand, her face almost as white as the handkerchief she held.

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

From this reading In a spacious apartment superbly furnished, and surrounded by every luxury that could please the most fastidious taste, sat Isabel Leicester, attired in deep mourning, with her head resting upon her hand, her face almost as white as the handkerchief she held.

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

From this reading Isabel's Father had failed in business, and the misfortune had so preyed upon his mind, that he sank under it and died.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Isabel's Father had failed in business, and the misfortune had so preyed upon his mind, that he sank under it and died.

a polite name for any woman

From this reading A friend had offered Isabel a home until she could procure a situation as a governess, which that friend Mrs. Arnold was endeavouring to obtain for her, in the family of a lady who had been one of Mrs. Arnold's school-fellows.

go away from a place

From this reading The funeral had taken place that day, and she was to leave the house on the day following--the house where she was born and had always lived, except when at school.

a largely agricultural county in central England

From this reading In a spacious apartment superbly furnished, and surrounded by every luxury that could please the most fastidious taste, sat Isabel Leicester, attired in deep mourning, with her head resting upon her hand, her face almost as white as the handkerchief she held.

past form of “live” — be an inhabitant of or reside in

From this reading The funeral had taken place that day, and she was to leave the house on the day following--the house where she was born and had always lived, except when at school.

something that is an indulgence rather than a necessity

From this reading In a spacious apartment superbly furnished, and surrounded by every luxury that could please the most fastidious taste, sat Isabel Leicester, attired in deep mourning, with her head resting upon her hand, her face almost as white as the handkerchief she held.

The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.

From this reading Isabel's Father had failed in business, and the misfortune had so preyed upon his mind, that he sank under it and died.

unnecessary and unforeseen trouble resulting from an unfortunate event

From this reading Isabel's Father had failed in business, and the misfortune had so preyed upon his mind, that he sank under it and died.

used to form the superlative

From this reading In a spacious apartment superbly furnished, and surrounded by every luxury that could please the most fastidious taste, sat Isabel Leicester, attired in deep mourning, with her head resting upon her hand, her face almost as white as the handkerchief she held.

state of sorrow over the death or departure of a loved one

From this reading In a spacious apartment superbly furnished, and surrounded by every luxury that could please the most fastidious taste, sat Isabel Leicester, attired in deep mourning, with her head resting upon her hand, her face almost as white as the handkerchief she held.

a form of address for a married woman

From this reading A friend had offered Isabel a home until she could procure a situation as a governess, which that friend Mrs. Arnold was endeavouring to obtain for her, in the family of a lady who had been one of Mrs. Arnold's school-fellows.

immediately following in time or order

From this reading The servants had all been discharged but two, who were to leave next day.

come into possession of

From this reading A friend had offered Isabel a home until she could procure a situation as a governess, which that friend Mrs. Arnold was endeavouring to obtain for her, in the family of a lady who had been one of Mrs. Arnold's school-fellows.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading A friend had offered Isabel a home until she could procure a situation as a governess, which that friend Mrs. Arnold was endeavouring to obtain for her, in the family of a lady who had been one of Mrs. Arnold's school-fellows.

past form of “offer” — make available or accessible, provide or furnish

From this reading A friend had offered Isabel a home until she could procure a situation as a governess, which that friend Mrs. Arnold was endeavouring to obtain for her, in the family of a lady who had been one of Mrs. Arnold's school-fellows.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading The funeral had taken place that day, and she was to leave the house on the day following--the house where she was born and had always lived, except when at school.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading A friend had offered Isabel a home until she could procure a situation as a governess, which that friend Mrs. Arnold was endeavouring to obtain for her, in the family of a lady who had been one of Mrs. Arnold's school-fellows.

a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading The funeral had taken place that day, and she was to leave the house on the day following--the house where she was born and had always lived, except when at school.

give pleasure to or be pleasing to

From this reading In a spacious apartment superbly furnished, and surrounded by every luxury that could please the most fastidious taste, sat Isabel Leicester, attired in deep mourning, with her head resting upon her hand, her face almost as white as the handkerchief she held.

past form of “prey” — profit from in an exploitatory manner

From this reading Isabel's Father had failed in business, and the misfortune had so preyed upon his mind, that he sank under it and died.

get by special effort

From this reading A friend had offered Isabel a home until she could procure a situation as a governess, which that friend Mrs. Arnold was endeavouring to obtain for her, in the family of a lady who had been one of Mrs. Arnold's school-fellows.

-ing form of “rest” — not move; be in a resting position

From this reading In a spacious apartment superbly furnished, and surrounded by every luxury that could please the most fastidious taste, sat Isabel Leicester, attired in deep mourning, with her head resting upon her hand, her face almost as white as the handkerchief she held.

inflected form of “sink” — fall or descend to a lower place or level

From this reading Isabel's Father had failed in business, and the misfortune had so preyed upon his mind, that he sank under it and died.

the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians

From this reading In a spacious apartment superbly furnished, and surrounded by every luxury that could please the most fastidious taste, sat Isabel Leicester, attired in deep mourning, with her head resting upon her hand, her face almost as white as the handkerchief she held.

an educational institution

From this reading The funeral had taken place that day, and she was to leave the house on the day following--the house where she was born and had always lived, except when at school.

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

From this reading A friend had offered Isabel a home until she could procure a situation as a governess, which that friend Mrs. Arnold was endeavouring to obtain for her, in the family of a lady who had been one of Mrs. Arnold's school-fellows.

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

From this reading The servants had all been discharged but two, who were to leave next day.

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

From this reading In a spacious apartment superbly furnished, and surrounded by every luxury that could please the most fastidious taste, sat Isabel Leicester, attired in deep mourning, with her head resting upon her hand, her face almost as white as the handkerchief she held.

the general state of things; the combination of circumstances at a given time

From this reading A friend had offered Isabel a home until she could procure a situation as a governess, which that friend Mrs. Arnold was endeavouring to obtain for her, in the family of a lady who had been one of Mrs. Arnold's school-fellows.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Isabel's Father had failed in business, and the misfortune had so preyed upon his mind, that he sank under it and died.

very large in expanse or scope

From this reading In a spacious apartment superbly furnished, and surrounded by every luxury that could please the most fastidious taste, sat Isabel Leicester, attired in deep mourning, with her head resting upon her hand, her face almost as white as the handkerchief she held.

(used as an intensifier) extremely well

From this reading In a spacious apartment superbly furnished, and surrounded by every luxury that could please the most fastidious taste, sat Isabel Leicester, attired in deep mourning, with her head resting upon her hand, her face almost as white as the handkerchief she held.

confined on all sides

From this reading In a spacious apartment superbly furnished, and surrounded by every luxury that could please the most fastidious taste, sat Isabel Leicester, attired in deep mourning, with her head resting upon her hand, her face almost as white as the handkerchief she held.

understood in a certain way; made sense of

From this reading The funeral had taken place that day, and she was to leave the house on the day following--the house where she was born and had always lived, except when at school.

To perceive flavor through the mouth.

From this reading In a spacious apartment superbly furnished, and surrounded by every luxury that could please the most fastidious taste, sat Isabel Leicester, attired in deep mourning, with her head resting upon her hand, her face almost as white as the handkerchief she held.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading In a spacious apartment superbly furnished, and surrounded by every luxury that could please the most fastidious taste, sat Isabel Leicester, attired in deep mourning, with her head resting upon her hand, her face almost as white as the handkerchief she held.

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

From this reading In a spacious apartment superbly furnished, and surrounded by every luxury that could please the most fastidious taste, sat Isabel Leicester, attired in deep mourning, with her head resting upon her hand, her face almost as white as the handkerchief she held.

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

From this reading The funeral had taken place that day, and she was to leave the house on the day following--the house where she was born and had always lived, except when at school.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number

From this reading The servants had all been discharged but two, who were to leave next day.

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading Isabel's Father had failed in business, and the misfortune had so preyed upon his mind, that he sank under it and died.

up to a particular time

From this reading A friend had offered Isabel a home until she could procure a situation as a governess, which that friend Mrs. Arnold was endeavouring to obtain for her, in the family of a lady who had been one of Mrs. Arnold's school-fellows.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading In a spacious apartment superbly furnished, and surrounded by every luxury that could please the most fastidious taste, sat Isabel Leicester, attired in deep mourning, with her head resting upon her hand, her face almost as white as the handkerchief she held.

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

From this reading The funeral had taken place that day, and she was to leave the house on the day following--the house where she was born and had always lived, except when at school.

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

From this reading The servants had all been discharged but two, who were to leave next day.

at the time that

From this reading The funeral had taken place that day, and she was to leave the house on the day following--the house where she was born and had always lived, except when at school.

in or at the place that

From this reading The funeral had taken place that day, and she was to leave the house on the day following--the house where she was born and had always lived, except when at school.

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

From this reading A friend had offered Isabel a home until she could procure a situation as a governess, which that friend Mrs. Arnold was endeavouring to obtain for her, in the family of a lady who had been one of Mrs. Arnold's school-fellows.

a Caucasian

From this reading In a spacious apartment superbly furnished, and surrounded by every luxury that could please the most fastidious taste, sat Isabel Leicester, attired in deep mourning, with her head resting upon her hand, her face almost as white as the handkerchief she held.

which person or people

From this reading The servants had all been discharged but two, who were to leave next day.

in the company of; together with

From this reading In a spacious apartment superbly furnished, and surrounded by every luxury that could please the most fastidious taste, sat Isabel Leicester, attired in deep mourning, with her head resting upon her hand, her face almost as white as the handkerchief she held.