Chapter XXXI · Chapter 31

later than; following

From this reading The calumnious letters brought her imperceptibly to the ridiculous idea that after all Christophe was perhaps in love with her; and although he was never anywhere near showing any such feeling for her, she thought she must defend herself, not by referring directly to it, but by clumsy precautions, which Christophe did not understand at first, though, when he did understand, he was beside himself.

(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 calumnious letters brought her imperceptibly to the ridiculous idea that after all Christophe was perhaps in love with her; and although he was never anywhere near showing any such feeling for her, she thought she must defend herself, not by referring directly to it, but by clumsy precautions, which Christophe did not understand at first, though, when he did understand, he was beside himself.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading The calumnious letters brought her imperceptibly to the ridiculous idea that after all Christophe was perhaps in love with her; and although he was never anywhere near showing any such feeling for her, she thought she must defend herself, not by referring directly to it, but by clumsy precautions, which Christophe did not understand at first, though, when he did understand, he was beside himself.

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

From this reading The calumnious letters brought her imperceptibly to the ridiculous idea that after all Christophe was perhaps in love with her; and although he was never anywhere near showing any such feeling for her, she thought she must defend herself, not by referring directly to it, but by clumsy precautions, which Christophe did not understand at first, though, when he did understand, he was beside himself.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading She had never thought of flirting with Christophe, any more than he had thought of it with her.

at or in or to any place

From this reading The calumnious letters brought her imperceptibly to the ridiculous idea that after all Christophe was perhaps in love with her; and although he was never anywhere near showing any such feeling for her, she thought she must defend herself, not by referring directly to it, but by clumsy precautions, which Christophe did not understand at first, though, when he did understand, he was beside himself.

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

From this reading He in love with the honest little woman, kind enough as she was, but plain and common!...

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading The calumnious letters brought her imperceptibly to the ridiculous idea that after all Christophe was perhaps in love with her; and although he was never anywhere near showing any such feeling for her, she thought she must defend herself, not by referring directly to it, but by clumsy precautions, which Christophe did not understand at first, though, when he did understand, he was beside himself.

next to; at the side of

From this reading The calumnious letters brought her imperceptibly to the ridiculous idea that after all Christophe was perhaps in love with her; and although he was never anywhere near showing any such feeling for her, she thought she must defend herself, not by referring directly to it, but by clumsy precautions, which Christophe did not understand at first, though, when he did understand, he was beside himself.

inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere

From this reading The calumnious letters brought her imperceptibly to the ridiculous idea that after all Christophe was perhaps in love with her; and although he was never anywhere near showing any such feeling for her, she thought she must defend herself, not by referring directly to it, but by clumsy precautions, which Christophe did not understand at first, though, when he did understand, he was beside himself.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading The calumnious letters brought her imperceptibly to the ridiculous idea that after all Christophe was perhaps in love with her; and although he was never anywhere near showing any such feeling for her, she thought she must defend herself, not by referring directly to it, but by clumsy precautions, which Christophe did not understand at first, though, when he did understand, he was beside himself.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading The calumnious letters brought her imperceptibly to the ridiculous idea that after all Christophe was perhaps in love with her; and although he was never anywhere near showing any such feeling for her, she thought she must defend herself, not by referring directly to it, but by clumsy precautions, which Christophe did not understand at first, though, when he did understand, he was beside himself.

(used of statements) harmful and often untrue; tending to discredit or malign

From this reading The calumnious letters brought her imperceptibly to the ridiculous idea that after all Christophe was perhaps in love with her; and although he was never anywhere near showing any such feeling for her, she thought she must defend herself, not by referring directly to it, but by clumsy precautions, which Christophe did not understand at first, though, when he did understand, he was beside himself.

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

From this reading She had never thought of flirting with Christophe, any more than he had thought of it with her.

lacking grace in movement or posture

From this reading The calumnious letters brought her imperceptibly to the ridiculous idea that after all Christophe was perhaps in love with her; and although he was never anywhere near showing any such feeling for her, she thought she must defend herself, not by referring directly to it, but by clumsy precautions, which Christophe did not understand at first, though, when he did understand, he was beside himself.

belonging to or participated in by a community as a whole; public

From this reading He in love with the honest little woman, kind enough as she was, but plain and common!...

utter a sudden loud cry

From this reading It was so stupid that it made him laugh and cry at the same time!

argue or speak in defense of

From this reading The calumnious letters brought her imperceptibly to the ridiculous idea that after all Christophe was perhaps in love with her; and although he was never anywhere near showing any such feeling for her, she thought she must defend herself, not by referring directly to it, but by clumsy precautions, which Christophe did not understand at first, though, when he did understand, he was beside himself.

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

From this reading The calumnious letters brought her imperceptibly to the ridiculous idea that after all Christophe was perhaps in love with her; and although he was never anywhere near showing any such feeling for her, she thought she must defend herself, not by referring directly to it, but by clumsy precautions, which Christophe did not understand at first, though, when he did understand, he was beside himself.

without deviation

From this reading The calumnious letters brought her imperceptibly to the ridiculous idea that after all Christophe was perhaps in love with her; and although he was never anywhere near showing any such feeling for her, she thought she must defend herself, not by referring directly to it, but by clumsy precautions, which Christophe did not understand at first, though, when he did understand, he was beside himself.

an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose

From this reading He in love with the honest little woman, kind enough as she was, but plain and common!...

divisible by two

From this reading It was even worse for her.

the experiencing of affective and emotional states

From this reading The calumnious letters brought her imperceptibly to the ridiculous idea that after all Christophe was perhaps in love with her; and although he was never anywhere near showing any such feeling for her, she thought she must defend herself, not by referring directly to it, but by clumsy precautions, which Christophe did not understand at first, though, when he did understand, he was beside himself.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading The calumnious letters brought her imperceptibly to the ridiculous idea that after all Christophe was perhaps in love with her; and although he was never anywhere near showing any such feeling for her, she thought she must defend herself, not by referring directly to it, but by clumsy precautions, which Christophe did not understand at first, though, when he did understand, he was beside himself.

playful behavior intended to arouse sexual interest

From this reading She had never thought of flirting with Christophe, any more than he had thought of it with her.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading It was even worse for her.

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

From this reading She had never thought of flirting with Christophe, any more than he had thought of it with her.

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

From this reading She had never thought of flirting with Christophe, any more than he had thought of it with her.

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

From this reading It was even worse for her.

used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object

From this reading The calumnious letters brought her imperceptibly to the ridiculous idea that after all Christophe was perhaps in love with her; and although he was never anywhere near showing any such feeling for her, she thought she must defend herself, not by referring directly to it, but by clumsy precautions, which Christophe did not understand at first, though, when he did understand, he was beside himself.

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

From this reading It was so stupid that it made him laugh and cry at the same time!

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading The calumnious letters brought her imperceptibly to the ridiculous idea that after all Christophe was perhaps in love with her; and although he was never anywhere near showing any such feeling for her, she thought she must defend herself, not by referring directly to it, but by clumsy precautions, which Christophe did not understand at first, though, when he did understand, he was beside himself.

not disposed to cheat or defraud; not deceptive or fraudulent

From this reading He in love with the honest little woman, kind enough as she was, but plain and common!...

the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about

From this reading The calumnious letters brought her imperceptibly to the ridiculous idea that after all Christophe was perhaps in love with her; and although he was never anywhere near showing any such feeling for her, she thought she must defend herself, not by referring directly to it, but by clumsy precautions, which Christophe did not understand at first, though, when he did understand, he was beside himself.

in an imperceptible manner or to an imperceptible degree

From this reading The calumnious letters brought her imperceptibly to the ridiculous idea that after all Christophe was perhaps in love with her; and although he was never anywhere near showing any such feeling for her, she thought she must defend herself, not by referring directly to it, but by clumsy precautions, which Christophe did not understand at first, though, when he did understand, he was beside himself.

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

From this reading The calumnious letters brought her imperceptibly to the ridiculous idea that after all Christophe was perhaps in love with her; and although he was never anywhere near showing any such feeling for her, she thought she must defend herself, not by referring directly to it, but by clumsy precautions, which Christophe did not understand at first, though, when he did understand, he was beside himself.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was even worse for her.

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

From this reading He in love with the honest little woman, kind enough as she was, but plain and common!...

the sound of laughing

From this reading It was so stupid that it made him laugh and cry at the same time!

the literary culture

From this reading The calumnious letters brought her imperceptibly to the ridiculous idea that after all Christophe was perhaps in love with her; and although he was never anywhere near showing any such feeling for her, she thought she must defend herself, not by referring directly to it, but by clumsy precautions, which Christophe did not understand at first, though, when he did understand, he was beside himself.

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

From this reading He in love with the honest little woman, kind enough as she was, but plain and common!...

a strong positive emotion of regard and affection

From this reading The calumnious letters brought her imperceptibly to the ridiculous idea that after all Christophe was perhaps in love with her; and although he was never anywhere near showing any such feeling for her, she thought she must defend herself, not by referring directly to it, but by clumsy precautions, which Christophe did not understand at first, though, when he did understand, he was beside himself.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading It was so stupid that it made him laugh and cry at the same time!

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

From this reading She had never thought of flirting with Christophe, any more than he had thought of it with her.

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading The calumnious letters brought her imperceptibly to the ridiculous idea that after all Christophe was perhaps in love with her; and although he was never anywhere near showing any such feeling for her, she thought she must defend herself, not by referring directly to it, but by clumsy precautions, which Christophe did not understand at first, though, when he did understand, he was beside himself.

near in time or place or relationship

From this reading The calumnious letters brought her imperceptibly to the ridiculous idea that after all Christophe was perhaps in love with her; and although he was never anywhere near showing any such feeling for her, she thought she must defend herself, not by referring directly to it, but by clumsy precautions, which Christophe did not understand at first, though, when he did understand, he was beside himself.

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading She had never thought of flirting with Christophe, any more than he had thought of it with her.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading The calumnious letters brought her imperceptibly to the ridiculous idea that after all Christophe was perhaps in love with her; and although he was never anywhere near showing any such feeling for her, she thought she must defend herself, not by referring directly to it, but by clumsy precautions, which Christophe did not understand at first, though, when he did understand, he was beside himself.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading She had never thought of flirting with Christophe, any more than he had thought of it with her.

by chance

From this reading The calumnious letters brought her imperceptibly to the ridiculous idea that after all Christophe was perhaps in love with her; and although he was never anywhere near showing any such feeling for her, she thought she must defend herself, not by referring directly to it, but by clumsy precautions, which Christophe did not understand at first, though, when he did understand, he was beside himself.

clearly revealed to the mind or the senses or judgment

From this reading He in love with the honest little woman, kind enough as she was, but plain and common!...

plural of “precaution” — a precautionary measure warding off impending danger or damage or injury etc.

From this reading The calumnious letters brought her imperceptibly to the ridiculous idea that after all Christophe was perhaps in love with her; and although he was never anywhere near showing any such feeling for her, she thought she must defend herself, not by referring directly to it, but by clumsy precautions, which Christophe did not understand at first, though, when he did understand, he was beside himself.

inflected form of “refer” — make reference to

From this reading The calumnious letters brought her imperceptibly to the ridiculous idea that after all Christophe was perhaps in love with her; and although he was never anywhere near showing any such feeling for her, she thought she must defend herself, not by referring directly to it, but by clumsy precautions, which Christophe did not understand at first, though, when he did understand, he was beside himself.

inspiring scornful pity

From this reading The calumnious letters brought her imperceptibly to the ridiculous idea that after all Christophe was perhaps in love with her; and although he was never anywhere near showing any such feeling for her, she thought she must defend herself, not by referring directly to it, but by clumsy precautions, which Christophe did not understand at first, though, when he did understand, he was beside himself.

Identical; not different.

From this reading It was so stupid that it made him laugh and cry at the same time!

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

From this reading She had never thought of flirting with Christophe, any more than he had thought of it with her.

the display of a motion picture

From this reading The calumnious letters brought her imperceptibly to the ridiculous idea that after all Christophe was perhaps in love with her; and although he was never anywhere near showing any such feeling for her, she thought she must defend herself, not by referring directly to it, but by clumsy precautions, which Christophe did not understand at first, though, when he did understand, he was beside himself.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading It was so stupid that it made him laugh and cry at the same time!

lacking or marked by lack of intellectual acuity

From this reading It was so stupid that it made him laugh and cry at the same time!

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading The calumnious letters brought her imperceptibly to the ridiculous idea that after all Christophe was perhaps in love with her; and although he was never anywhere near showing any such feeling for her, she thought she must defend herself, not by referring directly to it, but by clumsy precautions, which Christophe did not understand at first, though, when he did understand, he was beside himself.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading She had never thought of flirting with Christophe, any more than he had thought of it with her.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading The calumnious letters brought her imperceptibly to the ridiculous idea that after all Christophe was perhaps in love with her; and although he was never anywhere near showing any such feeling for her, she thought she must defend herself, not by referring directly to it, but by clumsy precautions, which Christophe did not understand at first, though, when he did understand, he was beside himself.

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

From this reading The calumnious letters brought her imperceptibly to the ridiculous idea that after all Christophe was perhaps in love with her; and although he was never anywhere near showing any such feeling for her, she thought she must defend herself, not by referring directly to it, but by clumsy precautions, which Christophe did not understand at first, though, when he did understand, he was beside himself.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading The calumnious letters brought her imperceptibly to the ridiculous idea that after all Christophe was perhaps in love with her; and although he was never anywhere near showing any such feeling for her, she thought she must defend herself, not by referring directly to it, but by clumsy precautions, which Christophe did not understand at first, though, when he did understand, he was beside himself.

the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about

From this reading She had never thought of flirting with Christophe, any more than he had thought of it with her.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading It was so stupid that it made him laugh and cry at the same time!

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

From this reading The calumnious letters brought her imperceptibly to the ridiculous idea that after all Christophe was perhaps in love with her; and although he was never anywhere near showing any such feeling for her, she thought she must defend herself, not by referring directly to it, but by clumsy precautions, which Christophe did not understand at first, though, when he did understand, he was beside himself.

know and comprehend the nature or meaning of

From this reading The calumnious letters brought her imperceptibly to the ridiculous idea that after all Christophe was perhaps in love with her; and although he was never anywhere near showing any such feeling for her, she thought she must defend herself, not by referring directly to it, but by clumsy precautions, which Christophe did not understand at first, though, when he did understand, he was beside himself.

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

From this reading It was even worse for her.

at the time that

From this reading The calumnious letters brought her imperceptibly to the ridiculous idea that after all Christophe was perhaps in love with her; and although he was never anywhere near showing any such feeling for her, she thought she must defend herself, not by referring directly to it, but by clumsy precautions, which Christophe did not understand at first, though, when he did understand, he was beside himself.

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

From this reading The calumnious letters brought her imperceptibly to the ridiculous idea that after all Christophe was perhaps in love with her; and although he was never anywhere near showing any such feeling for her, she thought she must defend herself, not by referring directly to it, but by clumsy precautions, which Christophe did not understand at first, though, when he did understand, he was beside himself.

in the company of; together with

From this reading She had never thought of flirting with Christophe, any more than he had thought of it with her.

an adult female person (as opposed to a man)

From this reading He in love with the honest little woman, kind enough as she was, but plain and common!...

(comparative of “bad”) inferior to another in quality or condition or desirability

From this reading It was even worse for her.