Chapter XXIII · Preparations for an Important Event

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

From this reading As a matter of necessity they were compelled to speak to each other occasionally, but they did so with coldness and reluctance, and a distinct avoidance of the subject which had broken the bond between them.

Having no one else present.

From this reading Thinking over the matter since that time, I have understood how those two, if they had been alone, might have lived in the same house for years, and might have performed their separate duties conscientiously, without a word passing between them.

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

From this reading The coldness between uncle Bryan and Jessie did not diminish with time.

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

From this reading As a matter of necessity they were compelled to speak to each other occasionally, but they did so with coldness and reluctance, and a distinct avoidance of the subject which had broken the bond between them.

deliberately avoiding; keeping away from or preventing from happening

From this reading As a matter of necessity they were compelled to speak to each other occasionally, but they did so with coldness and reluctance, and a distinct avoidance of the subject which had broken the bond between them.

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

From this reading I say that they were compelled to speak to each other as a matter of necessity, but I may be mistaken; they may have spoken not out of consideration for themselves, but for my mother.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Thinking over the matter since that time, I have understood how those two, if they had been alone, might have lived in the same house for years, and might have performed their separate duties conscientiously, without a word passing between them.

in the space, time, or range separating two things

From this reading The coldness between uncle Bryan and Jessie did not diminish with time.

an electrical force linking atoms

From this reading As a matter of necessity they were compelled to speak to each other occasionally, but they did so with coldness and reluctance, and a distinct avoidance of the subject which had broken the bond between them.

physically and forcibly separated into pieces or cracked or split

From this reading As a matter of necessity they were compelled to speak to each other occasionally, but they did so with coldness and reluctance, and a distinct avoidance of the subject which had broken the bond between them.

United States lawyer and politician who advocated free silver and prosecuted John Scopes (1925) for teaching evolution in a Tennessee high school (1860-1925)

From this reading The coldness between uncle Bryan and Jessie did not diminish with time.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading As a matter of necessity they were compelled to speak to each other occasionally, but they did so with coldness and reluctance, and a distinct avoidance of the subject which had broken the bond between them.

the sensation produced by low temperatures

From this reading The coldness between uncle Bryan and Jessie did not diminish with time.

inflected form of “compel” — force somebody to do something

From this reading As a matter of necessity they were compelled to speak to each other occasionally, but they did so with coldness and reluctance, and a distinct avoidance of the subject which had broken the bond between them.

with extreme conscientiousness

From this reading Thinking over the matter since that time, I have understood how those two, if they had been alone, might have lived in the same house for years, and might have performed their separate duties conscientiously, without a word passing between them.

the process of giving careful thought to something

From this reading I say that they were compelled to speak to each other as a matter of necessity, but I may be mistaken; they may have spoken not out of consideration for themselves, but for my mother.

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

From this reading The coldness between uncle Bryan and Jessie did not diminish with time.

decrease in size, extent, or range

From this reading The coldness between uncle Bryan and Jessie did not diminish with time.

(often followed by “from”) not alike; different in nature or quality

From this reading As a matter of necessity they were compelled to speak to each other occasionally, but they did so with coldness and reluctance, and a distinct avoidance of the subject which had broken the bond between them.

plural of “duty” — the social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force

From this reading Thinking over the matter since that time, I have understood how those two, if they had been alone, might have lived in the same house for years, and might have performed their separate duties conscientiously, without a word passing between them.

every one of two or more people or things, taken separately

From this reading As a matter of necessity they were compelled to speak to each other occasionally, but they did so with coldness and reluctance, and a distinct avoidance of the subject which had broken the bond between them.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading I say that they were compelled to speak to each other as a matter of necessity, but I may be mistaken; they may have spoken not out of consideration for themselves, but for my mother.

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

From this reading As a matter of necessity they were compelled to speak to each other occasionally, but they did so with coldness and reluctance, and a distinct avoidance of the subject which had broken the bond between them.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading I say that they were compelled to speak to each other as a matter of necessity, but I may be mistaken; they may have spoken not out of consideration for themselves, but for my mother.

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

From this reading Thinking over the matter since that time, I have understood how those two, if they had been alone, might have lived in the same house for years, and might have performed their separate duties conscientiously, without a word passing between them.

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

From this reading Thinking over the matter since that time, I have understood how those two, if they had been alone, might have lived in the same house for years, and might have performed their separate duties conscientiously, without a word passing between them.

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

From this reading I say that they were compelled to speak to each other as a matter of necessity, but I may be mistaken; they may have spoken not out of consideration for themselves, but for my mother.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading Thinking over the matter since that time, I have understood how those two, if they had been alone, might have lived in the same house for years, and might have performed their separate duties conscientiously, without a word passing between them.

incapable of being placated

From this reading For the sake of peace Jessie would have yielded, but uncle Bryan would have remained implacable.

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

From this reading Thinking over the matter since that time, I have understood how those two, if they had been alone, might have lived in the same house for years, and might have performed their separate duties conscientiously, without a word passing between them.

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

From this reading The coldness between uncle Bryan and Jessie did not diminish with time.

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

From this reading Thinking over the matter since that time, I have understood how those two, if they had been alone, might have lived in the same house for years, and might have performed their separate duties conscientiously, without a word passing between them.

a vaguely specified concern

From this reading As a matter of necessity they were compelled to speak to each other occasionally, but they did so with coldness and reluctance, and a distinct avoidance of the subject which had broken the bond between them.

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading I say that they were compelled to speak to each other as a matter of necessity, but I may be mistaken; they may have spoken not out of consideration for themselves, but for my mother.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading Thinking over the matter since that time, I have understood how those two, if they had been alone, might have lived in the same house for years, and might have performed their separate duties conscientiously, without a word passing between them.

wrong in e.g. opinion or judgment

From this reading I say that they were compelled to speak to each other as a matter of necessity, but I may be mistaken; they may have spoken not out of consideration for themselves, but for my mother.

a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)

From this reading I say that they were compelled to speak to each other as a matter of necessity, but I may be mistaken; they may have spoken not out of consideration for themselves, but for my mother.

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading I say that they were compelled to speak to each other as a matter of necessity, but I may be mistaken; they may have spoken not out of consideration for themselves, but for my mother.

the condition of being essential or indispensable

From this reading As a matter of necessity they were compelled to speak to each other occasionally, but they did so with coldness and reluctance, and a distinct avoidance of the subject which had broken the bond between them.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading The coldness between uncle Bryan and Jessie did not diminish with time.

sporadically and infrequently

From this reading As a matter of necessity they were compelled to speak to each other occasionally, but they did so with coldness and reluctance, and a distinct avoidance of the subject which had broken the bond between them.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading As a matter of necessity they were compelled to speak to each other occasionally, but they did so with coldness and reluctance, and a distinct avoidance of the subject which had broken the bond between them.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading As a matter of necessity they were compelled to speak to each other occasionally, but they did so with coldness and reluctance, and a distinct avoidance of the subject which had broken the bond between them.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading I say that they were compelled to speak to each other as a matter of necessity, but I may be mistaken; they may have spoken not out of consideration for themselves, but for my mother.

above and across; more than

From this reading Thinking over the matter since that time, I have understood how those two, if they had been alone, might have lived in the same house for years, and might have performed their separate duties conscientiously, without a word passing between them.

(American football) a play that involves one player throwing the ball to a teammate

From this reading Thinking over the matter since that time, I have understood how those two, if they had been alone, might have lived in the same house for years, and might have performed their separate duties conscientiously, without a word passing between them.

the state prevailing during the absence of war

From this reading For the sake of peace Jessie would have yielded, but uncle Bryan would have remained implacable.

past form of “perform” — carry out or perform an action

From this reading Thinking over the matter since that time, I have understood how those two, if they had been alone, might have lived in the same house for years, and might have performed their separate duties conscientiously, without a word passing between them.

(physics) opposition to magnetic flux (analogous to electric resistance)

From this reading As a matter of necessity they were compelled to speak to each other occasionally, but they did so with coldness and reluctance, and a distinct avoidance of the subject which had broken the bond between them.

past form of “remain” — stay the same; remain in a certain state

From this reading For the sake of peace Jessie would have yielded, but uncle Bryan would have remained implacable.

a reason for wanting something done

From this reading For the sake of peace Jessie would have yielded, but uncle Bryan would have remained implacable.

Identical; not different.

From this reading Thinking over the matter since that time, I have understood how those two, if they had been alone, might have lived in the same house for years, and might have performed their separate duties conscientiously, without a word passing between them.

express in words

From this reading I say that they were compelled to speak to each other as a matter of necessity, but I may be mistaken; they may have spoken not out of consideration for themselves, but for my mother.

act as a barrier between; stand between

From this reading Thinking over the matter since that time, I have understood how those two, if they had been alone, might have lived in the same house for years, and might have performed their separate duties conscientiously, without a word passing between them.

from a time in the past until now

From this reading Thinking over the matter since that time, I have understood how those two, if they had been alone, might have lived in the same house for years, and might have performed their separate duties conscientiously, without a word passing between them.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading As a matter of necessity they were compelled to speak to each other occasionally, but they did so with coldness and reluctance, and a distinct avoidance of the subject which had broken the bond between them.

express in speech

From this reading As a matter of necessity they were compelled to speak to each other occasionally, but they did so with coldness and reluctance, and a distinct avoidance of the subject which had broken the bond between them.

uttered through the medium of speech or characterized by speech; sometimes used in combination

From this reading I say that they were compelled to speak to each other as a matter of necessity, but I may be mistaken; they may have spoken not out of consideration for themselves, but for my mother.

the subject matter of a conversation or discussion

From this reading As a matter of necessity they were compelled to speak to each other occasionally, but they did so with coldness and reluctance, and a distinct avoidance of the subject which had broken the bond between them.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading I say that they were compelled to speak to each other as a matter of necessity, but I may be mistaken; they may have spoken not out of consideration for themselves, but for my mother.

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

From this reading The coldness between uncle Bryan and Jessie did not diminish with time.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Thinking over the matter since that time, I have understood how those two, if they had been alone, might have lived in the same house for years, and might have performed their separate duties conscientiously, without a word passing between them.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading As a matter of necessity they were compelled to speak to each other occasionally, but they did so with coldness and reluctance, and a distinct avoidance of the subject which had broken the bond between them.

used when the people doing the action are also its object

From this reading I say that they were compelled to speak to each other as a matter of necessity, but I may be mistaken; they may have spoken not out of consideration for themselves, but for my mother.

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

From this reading As a matter of necessity they were compelled to speak to each other occasionally, but they did so with coldness and reluctance, and a distinct avoidance of the subject which had broken the bond between them.

the process of using your mind to consider something carefully

From this reading Thinking over the matter since that time, I have understood how those two, if they had been alone, might have lived in the same house for years, and might have performed their separate duties conscientiously, without a word passing between them.

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

From this reading Thinking over the matter since that time, I have understood how those two, if they had been alone, might have lived in the same house for years, and might have performed their separate duties conscientiously, without a word passing between them.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading The coldness between uncle Bryan and Jessie did not diminish with time.

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

From this reading As a matter of necessity they were compelled to speak to each other occasionally, but they did so with coldness and reluctance, and a distinct avoidance of the subject which had broken the bond between them.

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

From this reading Thinking over the matter since that time, I have understood how those two, if they had been alone, might have lived in the same house for years, and might have performed their separate duties conscientiously, without a word passing between them.

the brother of your father or mother; the husband of your aunt

From this reading The coldness between uncle Bryan and Jessie did not diminish with time.

fully apprehended as to purport or meaning or explanation

From this reading Thinking over the matter since that time, I have understood how those two, if they had been alone, might have lived in the same house for years, and might have performed their separate duties conscientiously, without a word passing between them.

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

From this reading As a matter of necessity they were compelled to speak to each other occasionally, but they did so with coldness and reluctance, and a distinct avoidance of the subject which had broken the bond between them.

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

From this reading As a matter of necessity they were compelled to speak to each other occasionally, but they did so with coldness and reluctance, and a distinct avoidance of the subject which had broken the bond between them.

in the company of; together with

From this reading The coldness between uncle Bryan and Jessie did not diminish with time.

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading Thinking over the matter since that time, I have understood how those two, if they had been alone, might have lived in the same house for years, and might have performed their separate duties conscientiously, without a word passing between them.

a unit of language that native speakers can identify

From this reading Thinking over the matter since that time, I have understood how those two, if they had been alone, might have lived in the same house for years, and might have performed their separate duties conscientiously, without a word passing between them.

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

From this reading For the sake of peace Jessie would have yielded, but uncle Bryan would have remained implacable.

a late time of life

From this reading Thinking over the matter since that time, I have understood how those two, if they had been alone, might have lived in the same house for years, and might have performed their separate duties conscientiously, without a word passing between them.

past form of “yield” — be the cause or source of

From this reading For the sake of peace Jessie would have yielded, but uncle Bryan would have remained implacable.