Chapter IV · Chapter 4

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

From this reading And now I must confess to those--for surely there will be a few--who have felt a little interest, so far, in the fortunes of J. Cole, that a period in my story has arrived when I would fain lay down my pen, and not awaken the sleeping past, to recall the sad trouble that befell him.

in the past

From this reading I am almost an old woman now, and all this happened many years ago, when my hair was golden instead of silver.

(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 I am almost an old woman now, and all this happened many years ago, when my hair was golden instead of silver.

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

From this reading I am almost an old woman now, and all this happened many years ago, when my hair was golden instead of silver.

the form of “be” used with “I”

From this reading I am almost an old woman now, and all this happened many years ago, when my hair was golden instead of silver.

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

From this reading I am almost an old woman now, and all this happened many years ago, when my hair was golden instead of silver.

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

From this reading And now I must confess to those--for surely there will be a few--who have felt a little interest, so far, in the fortunes of J. Cole, that a period in my story has arrived when I would fain lay down my pen, and not awaken the sleeping past, to recall the sad trouble that befell him.

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

From this reading And now I must confess to those--for surely there will be a few--who have felt a little interest, so far, in the fortunes of J. Cole, that a period in my story has arrived when I would fain lay down my pen, and not awaken the sleeping past, to recall the sad trouble that befell him.

cause to become awake or conscious

From this reading And now I must confess to those--for surely there will be a few--who have felt a little interest, so far, in the fortunes of J. Cole, that a period in my story has arrived when I would fain lay down my pen, and not awaken the sleeping past, to recall the sad trouble that befell him.

the act of waking

From this reading Loss of husband, children, dear, good friends, many by death, and some troubles harder even than those, the loss of trust, and bitter awakening to the ingratitude and worthlessness of those in whom I have trusted,--all these I have endured.

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

From this reading And now I must confess to those--for surely there will be a few--who have felt a little interest, so far, in the fortunes of J. Cole, that a period in my story has arrived when I would fain lay down my pen, and not awaken the sleeping past, to recall the sad trouble that befell him.

have

From this reading Troubles have been my lot, many and hard to bear.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Troubles have been my lot, many and hard to bear.

inflected form of “befall” — become of; happen to

From this reading And now I must confess to those--for surely there will be a few--who have felt a little interest, so far, in the fortunes of J. Cole, that a period in my story has arrived when I would fain lay down my pen, and not awaken the sleeping past, to recall the sad trouble that befell him.

marked by strong resentment or cynicism

From this reading Loss of husband, children, dear, good friends, many by death, and some troubles harder even than those, the loss of trust, and bitter awakening to the ingratitude and worthlessness of those in whom I have trusted,--all these I have endured.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Loss of husband, children, dear, good friends, many by death, and some troubles harder even than those, the loss of trust, and bitter awakening to the ingratitude and worthlessness of those in whom I have trusted,--all these I have endured.

plural of “child” — a young person of either sex

From this reading Loss of husband, children, dear, good friends, many by death, and some troubles harder even than those, the loss of trust, and bitter awakening to the ingratitude and worthlessness of those in whom I have trusted,--all these I have endured.

a hardy cabbage with coarse curly leaves that do not form a head

From this reading And now I must confess to those--for surely there will be a few--who have felt a little interest, so far, in the fortunes of J. Cole, that a period in my story has arrived when I would fain lay down my pen, and not awaken the sleeping past, to recall the sad trouble that befell him.

confess to a punishable or reprehensible deed, usually under pressure

From this reading And now I must confess to those--for surely there will be a few--who have felt a little interest, so far, in the fortunes of J. Cole, that a period in my story has arrived when I would fain lay down my pen, and not awaken the sleeping past, to recall the sad trouble that befell him.

the time during which someone's life continues

From this reading I was younger in those days, and now am peacefully and hopefully waiting God's good time for my summons.

dearly loved

From this reading Loss of husband, children, dear, good friends, many by death, and some troubles harder even than those, the loss of trust, and bitter awakening to the ingratitude and worthlessness of those in whom I have trusted,--all these I have endured.

the event of dying or departure from life

From this reading Loss of husband, children, dear, good friends, many by death, and some troubles harder even than those, the loss of trust, and bitter awakening to the ingratitude and worthlessness of those in whom I have trusted,--all these I have endured.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading And now I must confess to those--for surely there will be a few--who have felt a little interest, so far, in the fortunes of J. Cole, that a period in my story has arrived when I would fain lay down my pen, and not awaken the sleeping past, to recall the sad trouble that befell him.

past form of “endure” — put up with something or somebody unpleasant

From this reading Loss of husband, children, dear, good friends, many by death, and some troubles harder even than those, the loss of trust, and bitter awakening to the ingratitude and worthlessness of those in whom I have trusted,--all these I have endured.

divisible by two

From this reading Loss of husband, children, dear, good friends, many by death, and some troubles harder even than those, the loss of trust, and bitter awakening to the ingratitude and worthlessness of those in whom I have trusted,--all these I have endured.

having made preparations

From this reading And now I must confess to those--for surely there will be a few--who have felt a little interest, so far, in the fortunes of J. Cole, that a period in my story has arrived when I would fain lay down my pen, and not awaken the sleeping past, to recall the sad trouble that befell him.

to a considerable degree; very much

From this reading And now I must confess to those--for surely there will be a few--who have felt a little interest, so far, in the fortunes of J. Cole, that a period in my story has arrived when I would fain lay down my pen, and not awaken the sleeping past, to recall the sad trouble that befell him.

mat together and make felt-like

From this reading And now I must confess to those--for surely there will be a few--who have felt a little interest, so far, in the fortunes of J. Cole, that a period in my story has arrived when I would fain lay down my pen, and not awaken the sleeping past, to recall the sad trouble that befell him.

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

From this reading And now I must confess to those--for surely there will be a few--who have felt a little interest, so far, in the fortunes of J. Cole, that a period in my story has arrived when I would fain lay down my pen, and not awaken the sleeping past, to recall the sad trouble that befell him.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading And now I must confess to those--for surely there will be a few--who have felt a little interest, so far, in the fortunes of J. Cole, that a period in my story has arrived when I would fain lay down my pen, and not awaken the sleeping past, to recall the sad trouble that befell him.

plural of “fortune” — an unknown and unpredictable phenomenon that causes an event to result one way rather than another

From this reading And now I must confess to those--for surely there will be a few--who have felt a little interest, so far, in the fortunes of J. Cole, that a period in my story has arrived when I would fain lay down my pen, and not awaken the sleeping past, to recall the sad trouble that befell him.

plural of “friend” — a person you know well and regard with affection and trust

From this reading Loss of husband, children, dear, good friends, many by death, and some troubles harder even than those, the loss of trust, and bitter awakening to the ingratitude and worthlessness of those in whom I have trusted,--all these I have endured.

possessive form of “god” — the supernatural being conceived as the perfect and omnipotent and omniscient originator and ruler of the universe; the object of worship in monotheistic religions

From this reading I was younger in those days, and now am peacefully and hopefully waiting God's good time for my summons.

having the deep slightly brownish color of gold

From this reading I am almost an old woman now, and all this happened many years ago, when my hair was golden instead of silver.

having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified

From this reading I was younger in those days, and now am peacefully and hopefully waiting God's good time for my summons.

a covering for the body (or parts of it) consisting of a dense growth of threadlike structures (as on the human head); helps to prevent heat loss

From this reading I am almost an old woman now, and all this happened many years ago, when my hair was golden instead of silver.

past form of “happen” — come to pass

From this reading I am almost an old woman now, and all this happened many years ago, when my hair was golden instead of silver.

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

From this reading Troubles have been my lot, many and hard to bear.

comparative of “hard” — with effort or force or vigor

From this reading Loss of husband, children, dear, good friends, many by death, and some troubles harder even than those, the loss of trust, and bitter awakening to the ingratitude and worthlessness of those in whom I have trusted,--all these I have endured.

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

From this reading And now I must confess to those--for surely there will be a few--who have felt a little interest, so far, in the fortunes of J. Cole, that a period in my story has arrived when I would fain lay down my pen, and not awaken the sleeping past, to recall the sad trouble that befell him.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading And now I must confess to those--for surely there will be a few--who have felt a little interest, so far, in the fortunes of J. Cole, that a period in my story has arrived when I would fain lay down my pen, and not awaken the sleeping past, to recall the sad trouble that befell him.

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading And now I must confess to those--for surely there will be a few--who have felt a little interest, so far, in the fortunes of J. Cole, that a period in my story has arrived when I would fain lay down my pen, and not awaken the sleeping past, to recall the sad trouble that befell him.

with hope; in a hopeful manner

From this reading I was younger in those days, and now am peacefully and hopefully waiting God's good time for my summons.

a married man; a woman's partner in marriage

From this reading Loss of husband, children, dear, good friends, many by death, and some troubles harder even than those, the loss of trust, and bitter awakening to the ingratitude and worthlessness of those in whom I have trusted,--all these I have endured.

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

From this reading And now I must confess to those--for surely there will be a few--who have felt a little interest, so far, in the fortunes of J. Cole, that a period in my story has arrived when I would fain lay down my pen, and not awaken the sleeping past, to recall the sad trouble that befell him.

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

From this reading And now I must confess to those--for surely there will be a few--who have felt a little interest, so far, in the fortunes of J. Cole, that a period in my story has arrived when I would fain lay down my pen, and not awaken the sleeping past, to recall the sad trouble that befell him.

a lack of gratitude

From this reading Loss of husband, children, dear, good friends, many by death, and some troubles harder even than those, the loss of trust, and bitter awakening to the ingratitude and worthlessness of those in whom I have trusted,--all these I have endured.

in place of, or as an alternative to

From this reading I am almost an old woman now, and all this happened many years ago, when my hair was golden instead of silver.

a sense of concern with and curiosity about someone or something

From this reading And now I must confess to those--for surely there will be a few--who have felt a little interest, so far, in the fortunes of J. Cole, that a period in my story has arrived when I would fain lay down my pen, and not awaken the sleeping past, to recall the sad trouble that befell him.

a unit of electrical energy equal to the work done when a current of one ampere passes through a resistance of one ohm for one second

From this reading And now I must confess to those--for surely there will be a few--who have felt a little interest, so far, in the fortunes of J. Cole, that a period in my story has arrived when I would fain lay down my pen, and not awaken the sleeping past, to recall the sad trouble that befell him.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading And now I must confess to those--for surely there will be a few--who have felt a little interest, so far, in the fortunes of J. Cole, that a period in my story has arrived when I would fain lay down my pen, and not awaken the sleeping past, to recall the sad trouble that befell him.

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

From this reading And now I must confess to those--for surely there will be a few--who have felt a little interest, so far, in the fortunes of J. Cole, that a period in my story has arrived when I would fain lay down my pen, and not awaken the sleeping past, to recall the sad trouble that befell him.

something that is lost

From this reading Loss of husband, children, dear, good friends, many by death, and some troubles harder even than those, the loss of trust, and bitter awakening to the ingratitude and worthlessness of those in whom I have trusted,--all these I have endured.

(often followed by “of”) a large number or amount or extent

From this reading Troubles have been my lot, many and hard to bear.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number

From this reading I am almost an old woman now, and all this happened many years ago, when my hair was golden instead of silver.

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading And now I must confess to those--for surely there will be a few--who have felt a little interest, so far, in the fortunes of J. Cole, that a period in my story has arrived when I would fain lay down my pen, and not awaken the sleeping past, to recall the sad trouble that befell him.

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading And now I must confess to those--for surely there will be a few--who have felt a little interest, so far, in the fortunes of J. Cole, that a period in my story has arrived when I would fain lay down my pen, and not awaken the sleeping past, to recall the sad trouble that befell him.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading And now I must confess to those--for surely there will be a few--who have felt a little interest, so far, in the fortunes of J. Cole, that a period in my story has arrived when I would fain lay down my pen, and not awaken the sleeping past, to recall the sad trouble that befell him.

in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events

From this reading And now I must confess to those--for surely there will be a few--who have felt a little interest, so far, in the fortunes of J. Cole, that a period in my story has arrived when I would fain lay down my pen, and not awaken the sleeping past, to recall the sad trouble that befell him.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading And now I must confess to those--for surely there will be a few--who have felt a little interest, so far, in the fortunes of J. Cole, that a period in my story has arrived when I would fain lay down my pen, and not awaken the sleeping past, to recall the sad trouble that befell him.

(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age

From this reading I am almost an old woman now, and all this happened many years ago, when my hair was golden instead of silver.

the time that has elapsed

From this reading And now I must confess to those--for surely there will be a few--who have felt a little interest, so far, in the fortunes of J. Cole, that a period in my story has arrived when I would fain lay down my pen, and not awaken the sleeping past, to recall the sad trouble that befell him.

in a peaceful manner

From this reading I was younger in those days, and now am peacefully and hopefully waiting God's good time for my summons.

a writing implement with a point from which ink flows

From this reading And now I must confess to those--for surely there will be a few--who have felt a little interest, so far, in the fortunes of J. Cole, that a period in my story has arrived when I would fain lay down my pen, and not awaken the sleeping past, to recall the sad trouble that befell him.

an amount of time

From this reading And now I must confess to those--for surely there will be a few--who have felt a little interest, so far, in the fortunes of J. Cole, that a period in my story has arrived when I would fain lay down my pen, and not awaken the sleeping past, to recall the sad trouble that befell him.

recall knowledge from memory; have a recollection

From this reading And now I must confess to those--for surely there will be a few--who have felt a little interest, so far, in the fortunes of J. Cole, that a period in my story has arrived when I would fain lay down my pen, and not awaken the sleeping past, to recall the sad trouble that befell him.

experiencing or showing sorrow or unhappiness

From this reading And now I must confess to those--for surely there will be a few--who have felt a little interest, so far, in the fortunes of J. Cole, that a period in my story has arrived when I would fain lay down my pen, and not awaken the sleeping past, to recall the sad trouble that befell him.

a soft white precious univalent metallic element having the highest electrical and thermal conductivity of any metal; occurs in argentite and in free form; used in coins and jewelry and tableware and photography

From this reading I am almost an old woman now, and all this happened many years ago, when my hair was golden instead of silver.

the state of being asleep

From this reading And now I must confess to those--for surely there will be a few--who have felt a little interest, so far, in the fortunes of J. Cole, that a period in my story has arrived when I would fain lay down my pen, and not awaken the sleeping past, to recall the sad trouble that befell him.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading And now I must confess to those--for surely there will be a few--who have felt a little interest, so far, in the fortunes of J. Cole, that a period in my story has arrived when I would fain lay down my pen, and not awaken the sleeping past, to recall the sad trouble that befell him.

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

From this reading Loss of husband, children, dear, good friends, many by death, and some troubles harder even than those, the loss of trust, and bitter awakening to the ingratitude and worthlessness of those in whom I have trusted,--all these I have endured.

a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program

From this reading And now I must confess to those--for surely there will be a few--who have felt a little interest, so far, in the fortunes of J. Cole, that a period in my story has arrived when I would fain lay down my pen, and not awaken the sleeping past, to recall the sad trouble that befell him.

a request to be present

From this reading I was younger in those days, and now am peacefully and hopefully waiting God's good time for my summons.

definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)

From this reading And now I must confess to those--for surely there will be a few--who have felt a little interest, so far, in the fortunes of J. Cole, that a period in my story has arrived when I would fain lay down my pen, and not awaken the sleeping past, to recall the sad trouble that befell him.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading Loss of husband, children, dear, good friends, many by death, and some troubles harder even than those, the loss of trust, and bitter awakening to the ingratitude and worthlessness of those in whom I have trusted,--all these I have endured.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading And now I must confess to those--for surely there will be a few--who have felt a little interest, so far, in the fortunes of J. Cole, that a period in my story has arrived when I would fain lay down my pen, and not awaken the sleeping past, to recall the sad trouble that befell him.

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

From this reading And now I must confess to those--for surely there will be a few--who have felt a little interest, so far, in the fortunes of J. Cole, that a period in my story has arrived when I would fain lay down my pen, and not awaken the sleeping past, to recall the sad trouble that befell him.

in or at that place or location

From this reading And now I must confess to those--for surely there will be a few--who have felt a little interest, so far, in the fortunes of J. Cole, that a period in my story has arrived when I would fain lay down my pen, and not awaken the sleeping past, to recall the sad trouble that befell him.

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading Loss of husband, children, dear, good friends, many by death, and some troubles harder even than those, the loss of trust, and bitter awakening to the ingratitude and worthlessness of those in whom I have trusted,--all these I have endured.

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

From this reading I am almost an old woman now, and all this happened many years ago, when my hair was golden instead of silver.

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

From this reading And now I must confess to those--for surely there will be a few--who have felt a little interest, so far, in the fortunes of J. Cole, that a period in my story has arrived when I would fain lay down my pen, and not awaken the sleeping past, to recall the sad trouble that befell him.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading I was younger in those days, and now am peacefully and hopefully waiting God's good time for my summons.

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

From this reading And now I must confess to those--for surely there will be a few--who have felt a little interest, so far, in the fortunes of J. Cole, that a period in my story has arrived when I would fain lay down my pen, and not awaken the sleeping past, to recall the sad trouble that befell him.

a source of difficulty

From this reading And now I must confess to those--for surely there will be a few--who have felt a little interest, so far, in the fortunes of J. Cole, that a period in my story has arrived when I would fain lay down my pen, and not awaken the sleeping past, to recall the sad trouble that befell him.

plural of “trouble” — a source of difficulty

From this reading Troubles have been my lot, many and hard to bear.

something (as property) held by one party (the trustee) for the benefit of another (the beneficiary)

From this reading Loss of husband, children, dear, good friends, many by death, and some troubles harder even than those, the loss of trust, and bitter awakening to the ingratitude and worthlessness of those in whom I have trusted,--all these I have endured.

(of persons) worthy of trust or confidence

From this reading Loss of husband, children, dear, good friends, many by death, and some troubles harder even than those, the loss of trust, and bitter awakening to the ingratitude and worthlessness of those in whom I have trusted,--all these I have endured.

the act of waiting (remaining inactive in one place while expecting something)

From this reading I was younger in those days, and now am peacefully and hopefully waiting God's good time for my summons.

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

From this reading I am almost an old woman now, and all this happened many years ago, when my hair was golden instead of silver.

at the time that

From this reading And now I must confess to those--for surely there will be a few--who have felt a little interest, so far, in the fortunes of J. Cole, that a period in my story has arrived when I would fain lay down my pen, and not awaken the sleeping past, to recall the sad trouble that befell him.

which person or people

From this reading And now I must confess to those--for surely there will be a few--who have felt a little interest, so far, in the fortunes of J. Cole, that a period in my story has arrived when I would fain lay down my pen, and not awaken the sleeping past, to recall the sad trouble that befell him.

the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading Loss of husband, children, dear, good friends, many by death, and some troubles harder even than those, the loss of trust, and bitter awakening to the ingratitude and worthlessness of those in whom I have trusted,--all these I have endured.

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading And now I must confess to those--for surely there will be a few--who have felt a little interest, so far, in the fortunes of J. Cole, that a period in my story has arrived when I would fain lay down my pen, and not awaken the sleeping past, to recall the sad trouble that befell him.

an adult female person (as opposed to a man)

From this reading I am almost an old woman now, and all this happened many years ago, when my hair was golden instead of silver.

having no qualities that would render it valuable or useful

From this reading Loss of husband, children, dear, good friends, many by death, and some troubles harder even than those, the loss of trust, and bitter awakening to the ingratitude and worthlessness of those in whom I have trusted,--all these I have endured.

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

From this reading And now I must confess to those--for surely there will be a few--who have felt a little interest, so far, in the fortunes of J. Cole, that a period in my story has arrived when I would fain lay down my pen, and not awaken the sleeping past, to recall the sad trouble that befell him.

a late time of life

From this reading I am almost an old woman now, and all this happened many years ago, when my hair was golden instead of silver.

used of the younger of two persons of the same name especially used to distinguish a son from his father

From this reading I was younger in those days, and now am peacefully and hopefully waiting God's good time for my summons.