Chapter II

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

From this reading A man from Inverness, a woman from the Schwartz Wald, may be dour and stolid to outward seeming, but they are highly imaginative by nature.

conforming exactly or almost exactly to fact or to a standard or performing with total accuracy

From this reading THE SAVING OF CONSTANTINE Though others might calmly dismiss the child’s vision as an extraordinarily accurate delusion--“an unusually elaborate series of coincidences,” the policeman termed it--not so his parents.

later than; following

From this reading Karl, named after his German grandfather, not altogether without an eye to the main chance, I regret to say, was their only child, and were he the ugliest duckling ever hatched he would yet have been their greatest treasure.

to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)

From this reading Karl, named after his German grandfather, not altogether without an eye to the main chance, I regret to say, was their only child, and were he the ugliest duckling ever hatched he would yet have been their greatest treasure.

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

From this reading THE SAVING OF CONSTANTINE Though others might calmly dismiss the child’s vision as an extraordinarily accurate delusion--“an unusually elaborate series of coincidences,” the policeman termed it--not so his parents.

someone from whom you are descended (but usually more remote than a grandparent)

From this reading An ancestor of Grier’s, a warrior bard, took service with the Elector-Palatine, and this remote link led to the Indian tea-planter marrying a stout and pretty Gretchen from the borders of the Black Forest.

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

From this reading A man from Inverness, a woman from the Schwartz Wald, may be dour and stolid to outward seeming, but they are highly imaginative by nature.

plural of “angel” — spiritual being attendant upon God

From this reading But he was a very good-looking, merry-eyed, manly little fellow, with a face like one of Murillo’s angels, and eyes with the blue of the Red Sea in them.

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

From this reading A man from Inverness, a woman from the Schwartz Wald, may be dour and stolid to outward seeming, but they are highly imaginative by nature.

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

From this reading THE SAVING OF CONSTANTINE Though others might calmly dismiss the child’s vision as an extraordinarily accurate delusion--“an unusually elaborate series of coincidences,” the policeman termed it--not so his parents.

a lyric poet

From this reading An ancestor of Grier’s, a warrior bard, took service with the Elector-Palatine, and this remote link led to the Indian tea-planter marrying a stout and pretty Gretchen from the borders of the Black Forest.

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

From this reading A man from Inverness, a woman from the Schwartz Wald, may be dour and stolid to outward seeming, but they are highly imaginative by nature.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Karl, named after his German grandfather, not altogether without an eye to the main chance, I regret to say, was their only child, and were he the ugliest duckling ever hatched he would yet have been their greatest treasure.

being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light

From this reading An ancestor of Grier’s, a warrior bard, took service with the Elector-Palatine, and this remote link led to the Indian tea-planter marrying a stout and pretty Gretchen from the borders of the Black Forest.

of the color intermediate between green and violet; having a color similar to that of a clear unclouded sky

From this reading But he was a very good-looking, merry-eyed, manly little fellow, with a face like one of Murillo’s angels, and eyes with the blue of the Red Sea in them.

plural of “border” — a line that indicates a boundary

From this reading An ancestor of Grier’s, a warrior bard, took service with the Elector-Palatine, and this remote link led to the Indian tea-planter marrying a stout and pretty Gretchen from the borders of the Black Forest.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading A man from Inverness, a woman from the Schwartz Wald, may be dour and stolid to outward seeming, but they are highly imaginative by nature.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading A man from Inverness, a woman from the Schwartz Wald, may be dour and stolid to outward seeming, but they are highly imaginative by nature.

with self-possession (especially in times of stress)

From this reading THE SAVING OF CONSTANTINE Though others might calmly dismiss the child’s vision as an extraordinarily accurate delusion--“an unusually elaborate series of coincidences,” the policeman termed it--not so his parents.

a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances

From this reading Karl, named after his German grandfather, not altogether without an eye to the main chance, I regret to say, was their only child, and were he the ugliest duckling ever hatched he would yet have been their greatest treasure.

a young person of either sex

From this reading Karl, named after his German grandfather, not altogether without an eye to the main chance, I regret to say, was their only child, and were he the ugliest duckling ever hatched he would yet have been their greatest treasure.

possessive form of “child” — a young person of either sex

From this reading THE SAVING OF CONSTANTINE Though others might calmly dismiss the child’s vision as an extraordinarily accurate delusion--“an unusually elaborate series of coincidences,” the policeman termed it--not so his parents.

plural of “coincidence” — an event that might have been arranged although it was really accidental

From this reading THE SAVING OF CONSTANTINE Though others might calmly dismiss the child’s vision as an extraordinarily accurate delusion--“an unusually elaborate series of coincidences,” the policeman termed it--not so his parents.

Emperor of Rome who stopped the persecution of Christians and in 324 made Christianity the official religion of the Roman Empire; in 330 he moved his capital from Rome to Byzantium and renamed it Constantinople (280-337)

From this reading THE SAVING OF CONSTANTINE Though others might calmly dismiss the child’s vision as an extraordinarily accurate delusion--“an unusually elaborate series of coincidences,” the policeman termed it--not so his parents.

(psychology) an erroneous belief that is held in the face of evidence to the contrary

From this reading THE SAVING OF CONSTANTINE Though others might calmly dismiss the child’s vision as an extraordinarily accurate delusion--“an unusually elaborate series of coincidences,” the policeman termed it--not so his parents.

bar from attention or consideration

From this reading THE SAVING OF CONSTANTINE Though others might calmly dismiss the child’s vision as an extraordinarily accurate delusion--“an unusually elaborate series of coincidences,” the policeman termed it--not so his parents.

stubbornly unyielding

From this reading A man from Inverness, a woman from the Schwartz Wald, may be dour and stolid to outward seeming, but they are highly imaginative by nature.

flesh of a young domestic duck

From this reading Karl, named after his German grandfather, not altogether without an eye to the main chance, I regret to say, was their only child, and were he the ugliest duckling ever hatched he would yet have been their greatest treasure.

marked by complexity and richness of detail

From this reading THE SAVING OF CONSTANTINE Though others might calmly dismiss the child’s vision as an extraordinarily accurate delusion--“an unusually elaborate series of coincidences,” the policeman termed it--not so his parents.

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

From this reading An ancestor of Grier’s, a warrior bard, took service with the Elector-Palatine, and this remote link led to the Indian tea-planter marrying a stout and pretty Gretchen from the borders of the Black Forest.

at any time

From this reading Karl, named after his German grandfather, not altogether without an eye to the main chance, I regret to say, was their only child, and were he the ugliest duckling ever hatched he would yet have been their greatest treasure.

extremely

From this reading THE SAVING OF CONSTANTINE Though others might calmly dismiss the child’s vision as an extraordinarily accurate delusion--“an unusually elaborate series of coincidences,” the policeman termed it--not so his parents.

the organ of sight

From this reading Karl, named after his German grandfather, not altogether without an eye to the main chance, I regret to say, was their only child, and were he the ugliest duckling ever hatched he would yet have been their greatest treasure.

opinion or judgment

From this reading But he was a very good-looking, merry-eyed, manly little fellow, with a face like one of Murillo’s angels, and eyes with the blue of the Red Sea in them.

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

From this reading But he was a very good-looking, merry-eyed, manly little fellow, with a face like one of Murillo’s angels, and eyes with the blue of the Red Sea in them.

a boy or man

From this reading But he was a very good-looking, merry-eyed, manly little fellow, with a face like one of Murillo’s angels, and eyes with the blue of the Red Sea in them.

the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area

From this reading An ancestor of Grier’s, a warrior bard, took service with the Elector-Palatine, and this remote link led to the Indian tea-planter marrying a stout and pretty Gretchen from the borders of the Black Forest.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading A man from Inverness, a woman from the Schwartz Wald, may be dour and stolid to outward seeming, but they are highly imaginative by nature.

a person of German nationality

From this reading Karl, named after his German grandfather, not altogether without an eye to the main chance, I regret to say, was their only child, and were he the ugliest duckling ever hatched he would yet have been their greatest treasure.

pleasing in appearance especially by reason of conformity to ideals of form and proportion

From this reading But he was a very good-looking, merry-eyed, manly little fellow, with a face like one of Murillo’s angels, and eyes with the blue of the Red Sea in them.

the father of your father or mother

From this reading Karl, named after his German grandfather, not altogether without an eye to the main chance, I regret to say, was their only child, and were he the ugliest duckling ever hatched he would yet have been their greatest treasure.

highest in quality

From this reading Karl, named after his German grandfather, not altogether without an eye to the main chance, I regret to say, was their only child, and were he the ugliest duckling ever hatched he would yet have been their greatest treasure.

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

From this reading An ancestor of Grier’s, a warrior bard, took service with the Elector-Palatine, and this remote link led to the Indian tea-planter marrying a stout and pretty Gretchen from the borders of the Black Forest.

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

From this reading An ancestor of Grier’s, a warrior bard, took service with the Elector-Palatine, and this remote link led to the Indian tea-planter marrying a stout and pretty Gretchen from the borders of the Black Forest.

emerged from an egg

From this reading Karl, named after his German grandfather, not altogether without an eye to the main chance, I regret to say, was their only child, and were he the ugliest duckling ever hatched he would yet have been their greatest treasure.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading Karl, named after his German grandfather, not altogether without an eye to the main chance, I regret to say, was their only child, and were he the ugliest duckling ever hatched he would yet have been their greatest treasure.

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

From this reading Karl, named after his German grandfather, not altogether without an eye to the main chance, I regret to say, was their only child, and were he the ugliest duckling ever hatched he would yet have been their greatest treasure.

to a high degree or extent; favorably or with much respect

From this reading A man from Inverness, a woman from the Schwartz Wald, may be dour and stolid to outward seeming, but they are highly imaginative by nature.

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

From this reading THE SAVING OF CONSTANTINE Though others might calmly dismiss the child’s vision as an extraordinarily accurate delusion--“an unusually elaborate series of coincidences,” the policeman termed it--not so his parents.

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

From this reading Karl, named after his German grandfather, not altogether without an eye to the main chance, I regret to say, was their only child, and were he the ugliest duckling ever hatched he would yet have been their greatest treasure.

(used of persons or artifacts) marked by independence and creativity in thought or action

From this reading A man from Inverness, a woman from the Schwartz Wald, may be dour and stolid to outward seeming, but they are highly imaginative by nature.

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

From this reading But he was a very good-looking, merry-eyed, manly little fellow, with a face like one of Murillo’s angels, and eyes with the blue of the Red Sea in them.

of or relating to or characteristic of India or the East Indies or their peoples or languages or cultures

From this reading An ancestor of Grier’s, a warrior bard, took service with the Elector-Palatine, and this remote link led to the Indian tea-planter marrying a stout and pretty Gretchen from the borders of the Black Forest.

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

From this reading A man from Inverness, a woman from the Schwartz Wald, may be dour and stolid to outward seeming, but they are highly imaginative by nature.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading THE SAVING OF CONSTANTINE Though others might calmly dismiss the child’s vision as an extraordinarily accurate delusion--“an unusually elaborate series of coincidences,” the policeman termed it--not so his parents.

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

From this reading Karl, named after his German grandfather, not altogether without an eye to the main chance, I regret to say, was their only child, and were he the ugliest duckling ever hatched he would yet have been their greatest treasure.

diode such that light emitted at a p-n junction is proportional to the bias current; color depends on the material used

From this reading An ancestor of Grier’s, a warrior bard, took service with the Elector-Palatine, and this remote link led to the Indian tea-planter marrying a stout and pretty Gretchen from the borders of the Black Forest.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading But he was a very good-looking, merry-eyed, manly little fellow, with a face like one of Murillo’s angels, and eyes with the blue of the Red Sea in them.

make a logical or causal connection

From this reading An ancestor of Grier’s, a warrior bard, took service with the Elector-Palatine, and this remote link led to the Indian tea-planter marrying a stout and pretty Gretchen from the borders of the Black Forest.

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

From this reading But he was a very good-looking, merry-eyed, manly little fellow, with a face like one of Murillo’s angels, and eyes with the blue of the Red Sea in them.

most important element

From this reading Karl, named after his German grandfather, not altogether without an eye to the main chance, I regret to say, was their only child, and were he the ugliest duckling ever hatched he would yet have been their greatest treasure.

an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

From this reading A man from Inverness, a woman from the Schwartz Wald, may be dour and stolid to outward seeming, but they are highly imaginative by nature.

possessing qualities befitting a man

From this reading But he was a very good-looking, merry-eyed, manly little fellow, with a face like one of Murillo’s angels, and eyes with the blue of the Red Sea in them.

-ing form of “marry” — take in marriage

From this reading An ancestor of Grier’s, a warrior bard, took service with the Elector-Palatine, and this remote link led to the Indian tea-planter marrying a stout and pretty Gretchen from the borders of the Black Forest.

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading A man from Inverness, a woman from the Schwartz Wald, may be dour and stolid to outward seeming, but they are highly imaginative by nature.

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

From this reading But he was a very good-looking, merry-eyed, manly little fellow, with a face like one of Murillo’s angels, and eyes with the blue of the Red Sea in them.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading THE SAVING OF CONSTANTINE Though others might calmly dismiss the child’s vision as an extraordinarily accurate delusion--“an unusually elaborate series of coincidences,” the policeman termed it--not so his parents.

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

From this reading But he was a very good-looking, merry-eyed, manly little fellow, with a face like one of Murillo’s angels, and eyes with the blue of the Red Sea in them.

past form of “name” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading Karl, named after his German grandfather, not altogether without an eye to the main chance, I regret to say, was their only child, and were he the ugliest duckling ever hatched he would yet have been their greatest treasure.

the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized

From this reading A man from Inverness, a woman from the Schwartz Wald, may be dour and stolid to outward seeming, but they are highly imaginative by nature.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading THE SAVING OF CONSTANTINE Though others might calmly dismiss the child’s vision as an extraordinarily accurate delusion--“an unusually elaborate series of coincidences,” the policeman termed it--not so his parents.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading THE SAVING OF CONSTANTINE Though others might calmly dismiss the child’s vision as an extraordinarily accurate delusion--“an unusually elaborate series of coincidences,” the policeman termed it--not so his parents.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading But he was a very good-looking, merry-eyed, manly little fellow, with a face like one of Murillo’s angels, and eyes with the blue of the Red Sea in them.

and nothing more

From this reading Karl, named after his German grandfather, not altogether without an eye to the main chance, I regret to say, was their only child, and were he the ugliest duckling ever hatched he would yet have been their greatest treasure.

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

From this reading THE SAVING OF CONSTANTINE Though others might calmly dismiss the child’s vision as an extraordinarily accurate delusion--“an unusually elaborate series of coincidences,” the policeman termed it--not so his parents.

relating to physical reality rather than with thoughts or the mind

From this reading A man from Inverness, a woman from the Schwartz Wald, may be dour and stolid to outward seeming, but they are highly imaginative by nature.

plural of “parent” — a father or mother; one who begets or one who gives birth to or nurtures and raises a child; a relative who plays the role of guardian

From this reading THE SAVING OF CONSTANTINE Though others might calmly dismiss the child’s vision as an extraordinarily accurate delusion--“an unusually elaborate series of coincidences,” the policeman termed it--not so his parents.

a member of a police force

From this reading THE SAVING OF CONSTANTINE Though others might calmly dismiss the child’s vision as an extraordinarily accurate delusion--“an unusually elaborate series of coincidences,” the policeman termed it--not so his parents.

pleasing by delicacy or grace; not imposing

From this reading An ancestor of Grier’s, a warrior bard, took service with the Elector-Palatine, and this remote link led to the Indian tea-planter marrying a stout and pretty Gretchen from the borders of the Black Forest.

red color or pigment; the chromatic color resembling the hue of blood

From this reading But he was a very good-looking, merry-eyed, manly little fellow, with a face like one of Murillo’s angels, and eyes with the blue of the Red Sea in them.

feel remorse for; feel sorry for; be contrite about

From this reading Karl, named after his German grandfather, not altogether without an eye to the main chance, I regret to say, was their only child, and were he the ugliest duckling ever hatched he would yet have been their greatest treasure.

located far away spatially

From this reading An ancestor of Grier’s, a warrior bard, took service with the Elector-Palatine, and this remote link led to the Indian tea-planter marrying a stout and pretty Gretchen from the borders of the Black Forest.

an act of economizing; reduction in cost

From this reading THE SAVING OF CONSTANTINE Though others might calmly dismiss the child’s vision as an extraordinarily accurate delusion--“an unusually elaborate series of coincidences,” the policeman termed it--not so his parents.

express in words

From this reading Karl, named after his German grandfather, not altogether without an eye to the main chance, I regret to say, was their only child, and were he the ugliest duckling ever hatched he would yet have been their greatest treasure.

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

From this reading A man from Inverness, a woman from the Schwartz Wald, may be dour and stolid to outward seeming, but they are highly imaginative by nature.

a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land

From this reading But he was a very good-looking, merry-eyed, manly little fellow, with a face like one of Murillo’s angels, and eyes with the blue of the Red Sea in them.

appearing as such but not necessarily so

From this reading A man from Inverness, a woman from the Schwartz Wald, may be dour and stolid to outward seeming, but they are highly imaginative by nature.

similar things placed in order or happening one after another

From this reading THE SAVING OF CONSTANTINE Though others might calmly dismiss the child’s vision as an extraordinarily accurate delusion--“an unusually elaborate series of coincidences,” the policeman termed it--not so his parents.

work done by one person or group that benefits another

From this reading An ancestor of Grier’s, a warrior bard, took service with the Elector-Palatine, and this remote link led to the Indian tea-planter marrying a stout and pretty Gretchen from the borders of the Black Forest.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading THE SAVING OF CONSTANTINE Though others might calmly dismiss the child’s vision as an extraordinarily accurate delusion--“an unusually elaborate series of coincidences,” the policeman termed it--not so his parents.

having or revealing little emotion or sensibility; not easily aroused or excited

From this reading A man from Inverness, a woman from the Schwartz Wald, may be dour and stolid to outward seeming, but they are highly imaginative by nature.

dependable

From this reading An ancestor of Grier’s, a warrior bard, took service with the Elector-Palatine, and this remote link led to the Indian tea-planter marrying a stout and pretty Gretchen from the borders of the Black Forest.

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

From this reading An ancestor of Grier’s, a warrior bard, took service with the Elector-Palatine, and this remote link led to the Indian tea-planter marrying a stout and pretty Gretchen from the borders of the Black Forest.

past form of “term” — name formally or designate with a term

From this reading THE SAVING OF CONSTANTINE Though others might calmly dismiss the child’s vision as an extraordinarily accurate delusion--“an unusually elaborate series of coincidences,” the policeman termed it--not so his parents.

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

From this reading THE SAVING OF CONSTANTINE Though others might calmly dismiss the child’s vision as an extraordinarily accurate delusion--“an unusually elaborate series of coincidences,” the policeman termed it--not so his parents.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Karl, named after his German grandfather, not altogether without an eye to the main chance, I regret to say, was their only child, and were he the ugliest duckling ever hatched he would yet have been their greatest treasure.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading But he was a very good-looking, merry-eyed, manly little fellow, with a face like one of Murillo’s angels, and eyes with the blue of the Red Sea in them.

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

From this reading A man from Inverness, a woman from the Schwartz Wald, may be dour and stolid to outward seeming, but they are highly imaginative by nature.

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

From this reading An ancestor of Grier’s, a warrior bard, took service with the Elector-Palatine, and this remote link led to the Indian tea-planter marrying a stout and pretty Gretchen from the borders of the Black Forest.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading THE SAVING OF CONSTANTINE Though others might calmly dismiss the child’s vision as an extraordinarily accurate delusion--“an unusually elaborate series of coincidences,” the policeman termed it--not so his parents.

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

From this reading A man from Inverness, a woman from the Schwartz Wald, may be dour and stolid to outward seeming, but they are highly imaginative by nature.

inflected form of “take” — carry out

From this reading An ancestor of Grier’s, a warrior bard, took service with the Elector-Palatine, and this remote link led to the Indian tea-planter marrying a stout and pretty Gretchen from the borders of the Black Forest.

accumulated wealth in the form of money or jewels etc.

From this reading Karl, named after his German grandfather, not altogether without an eye to the main chance, I regret to say, was their only child, and were he the ugliest duckling ever hatched he would yet have been their greatest treasure.

superlative of “ugly” — displeasing to the senses

From this reading Karl, named after his German grandfather, not altogether without an eye to the main chance, I regret to say, was their only child, and were he the ugliest duckling ever hatched he would yet have been their greatest treasure.

to a remarkable degree or extent

From this reading THE SAVING OF CONSTANTINE Though others might calmly dismiss the child’s vision as an extraordinarily accurate delusion--“an unusually elaborate series of coincidences,” the policeman termed it--not so his parents.

precisely as stated

From this reading But he was a very good-looking, merry-eyed, manly little fellow, with a face like one of Murillo’s angels, and eyes with the blue of the Red Sea in them.

a vivid mental image

From this reading THE SAVING OF CONSTANTINE Though others might calmly dismiss the child’s vision as an extraordinarily accurate delusion--“an unusually elaborate series of coincidences,” the policeman termed it--not so his parents.

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

From this reading A man from Inverness, a woman from the Schwartz Wald, may be dour and stolid to outward seeming, but they are highly imaginative by nature.

someone engaged in or experienced in warfare

From this reading An ancestor of Grier’s, a warrior bard, took service with the Elector-Palatine, and this remote link led to the Indian tea-planter marrying a stout and pretty Gretchen from the borders of the Black Forest.

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

From this reading Karl, named after his German grandfather, not altogether without an eye to the main chance, I regret to say, was their only child, and were he the ugliest duckling ever hatched he would yet have been their greatest treasure.

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

From this reading Karl, named after his German grandfather, not altogether without an eye to the main chance, I regret to say, was their only child, and were he the ugliest duckling ever hatched he would yet have been their greatest treasure.

in the company of; together with

From this reading An ancestor of Grier’s, a warrior bard, took service with the Elector-Palatine, and this remote link led to the Indian tea-planter marrying a stout and pretty Gretchen from the borders of the Black Forest.

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading Karl, named after his German grandfather, not altogether without an eye to the main chance, I regret to say, was their only child, and were he the ugliest duckling ever hatched he would yet have been their greatest treasure.

an adult female person (as opposed to a man)

From this reading A man from Inverness, a woman from the Schwartz Wald, may be dour and stolid to outward seeming, but they are highly imaginative by nature.

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

From this reading Karl, named after his German grandfather, not altogether without an eye to the main chance, I regret to say, was their only child, and were he the ugliest duckling ever hatched he would yet have been their greatest treasure.

but in spite of that

From this reading Karl, named after his German grandfather, not altogether without an eye to the main chance, I regret to say, was their only child, and were he the ugliest duckling ever hatched he would yet have been their greatest treasure.