Chapter XIII · Father and Son

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

From this reading The old nobleman, sick of the seclusion of his solitary chamber, had appeared at the breakfast table, in hopes that a little cheerful society might aid in dissipating the unwelcome reflections which, since Desmond’s departure from the Castle, had beset his waking hours and broken his nightly rest.

a person or thing that is a resource that helps make something easier or possible to do

From this reading The old nobleman, sick of the seclusion of his solitary chamber, had appeared at the breakfast table, in hopes that a little cheerful society might aid in dissipating the unwelcome reflections which, since Desmond’s departure from the Castle, had beset his waking hours and broken his nightly rest.

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

From this reading During breakfast next morning at the Castle the two Conseltines, father and son, who were usually punctual in their appearance at meal hours, descended late.

outward or visible aspect of a person or thing

From this reading During breakfast next morning at the Castle the two Conseltines, father and son, who were usually punctual in their appearance at meal hours, descended late.

past form of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading The old nobleman, sick of the seclusion of his solitary chamber, had appeared at the breakfast table, in hopes that a little cheerful society might aid in dissipating the unwelcome reflections which, since Desmond’s departure from the Castle, had beset his waking hours and broken his nightly rest.

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

From this reading They were pale and quiet; and Richard, who had his nerves very much less under control than had his astute and resolute parent, was so obviously ill at ease as to bring down upon himself the notice and comments of his lordship.

marked by practical hardheaded intelligence

From this reading They were pale and quiet; and Richard, who had his nerves very much less under control than had his astute and resolute parent, was so obviously ill at ease as to bring down upon himself the notice and comments of his lordship.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading During breakfast next morning at the Castle the two Conseltines, father and son, who were usually punctual in their appearance at meal hours, descended late.

annoy continually or chronically

From this reading The old nobleman, sick of the seclusion of his solitary chamber, had appeared at the breakfast table, in hopes that a little cheerful society might aid in dissipating the unwelcome reflections which, since Desmond’s departure from the Castle, had beset his waking hours and broken his nightly rest.

eat an early morning meal

From this reading During breakfast next morning at the Castle the two Conseltines, father and son, who were usually punctual in their appearance at meal hours, descended late.

the act of breaking something

From this reading ‘Your lordship will no’ hae heard the news, I’m thinking,’ said Peebles, standing at the sideboard and breaking in upon the uneasy silence.

take something or somebody with oneself somewhere

From this reading They were pale and quiet; and Richard, who had his nerves very much less under control than had his astute and resolute parent, was so obviously ill at ease as to bring down upon himself the notice and comments of his lordship.

physically and forcibly separated into pieces or cracked or split

From this reading The old nobleman, sick of the seclusion of his solitary chamber, had appeared at the breakfast table, in hopes that a little cheerful society might aid in dissipating the unwelcome reflections which, since Desmond’s departure from the Castle, had beset his waking hours and broken his nightly rest.

a large and stately mansion

From this reading During breakfast next morning at the Castle the two Conseltines, father and son, who were usually punctual in their appearance at meal hours, descended late.

a natural or artificial enclosed space

From this reading The old nobleman, sick of the seclusion of his solitary chamber, had appeared at the breakfast table, in hopes that a little cheerful society might aid in dissipating the unwelcome reflections which, since Desmond’s departure from the Castle, had beset his waking hours and broken his nightly rest.

being full of or promoting cheer; having or showing good spirits

From this reading The old nobleman, sick of the seclusion of his solitary chamber, had appeared at the breakfast table, in hopes that a little cheerful society might aid in dissipating the unwelcome reflections which, since Desmond’s departure from the Castle, had beset his waking hours and broken his nightly rest.

plural of “comment” — a statement that expresses a personal opinion or belief or adds information

From this reading They were pale and quiet; and Richard, who had his nerves very much less under control than had his astute and resolute parent, was so obviously ill at ease as to bring down upon himself the notice and comments of his lordship.

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

From this reading During breakfast next morning at the Castle the two Conseltines, father and son, who were usually punctual in their appearance at meal hours, descended late.

power to direct or determine

From this reading They were pale and quiet; and Richard, who had his nerves very much less under control than had his astute and resolute parent, was so obviously ill at ease as to bring down upon himself the notice and comments of his lordship.

the act of departing

From this reading The old nobleman, sick of the seclusion of his solitary chamber, had appeared at the breakfast table, in hopes that a little cheerful society might aid in dissipating the unwelcome reflections which, since Desmond’s departure from the Castle, had beset his waking hours and broken his nightly rest.

past form of “descend” — move downward and lower, but not necessarily all the way

From this reading During breakfast next morning at the Castle the two Conseltines, father and son, who were usually punctual in their appearance at meal hours, descended late.

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

From this reading The old nobleman, sick of the seclusion of his solitary chamber, had appeared at the breakfast table, in hopes that a little cheerful society might aid in dissipating the unwelcome reflections which, since Desmond’s departure from the Castle, had beset his waking hours and broken his nightly rest.

-ing form of “dissipate” — to cause to separate and go in different directions

From this reading The old nobleman, sick of the seclusion of his solitary chamber, had appeared at the breakfast table, in hopes that a little cheerful society might aid in dissipating the unwelcome reflections which, since Desmond’s departure from the Castle, had beset his waking hours and broken his nightly rest.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading They were pale and quiet; and Richard, who had his nerves very much less under control than had his astute and resolute parent, was so obviously ill at ease as to bring down upon himself the notice and comments of his lordship.

all through a period, or at some point within it

From this reading During breakfast next morning at the Castle the two Conseltines, father and son, who were usually punctual in their appearance at meal hours, descended late.

move gently or carefully

From this reading They were pale and quiet; and Richard, who had his nerves very much less under control than had his astute and resolute parent, was so obviously ill at ease as to bring down upon himself the notice and comments of his lordship.

not varying

From this reading At no time gifted with the most equable temper in the world, he was particularly snappish and irritable that morning.

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

From this reading During breakfast next morning at the Castle the two Conseltines, father and son, who were usually punctual in their appearance at meal hours, descended late.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading The old nobleman, sick of the seclusion of his solitary chamber, had appeared at the breakfast table, in hopes that a little cheerful society might aid in dissipating the unwelcome reflections which, since Desmond’s departure from the Castle, had beset his waking hours and broken his nightly rest.

endowed with talent or talents

From this reading At no time gifted with the most equable temper in the world, he was particularly snappish and irritable that morning.

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

From this reading They were pale and quiet; and Richard, who had his nerves very much less under control than had his astute and resolute parent, was so obviously ill at ease as to bring down upon himself the notice and comments of his lordship.

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

From this reading ‘Your lordship will no’ hae heard the news, I’m thinking,’ said Peebles, standing at the sideboard and breaking in upon the uneasy silence.

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

From this reading At no time gifted with the most equable temper in the world, he was particularly snappish and irritable that morning.

detected or perceived by the sense of hearing

From this reading ‘Your lordship will no’ hae heard the news, I’m thinking,’ said Peebles, standing at the sideboard and breaking in upon the uneasy silence.

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

From this reading They were pale and quiet; and Richard, who had his nerves very much less under control than had his astute and resolute parent, was so obviously ill at ease as to bring down upon himself the notice and comments of his lordship.

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

From this reading They were pale and quiet; and Richard, who had his nerves very much less under control than had his astute and resolute parent, was so obviously ill at ease as to bring down upon himself the notice and comments of his lordship.

plural of “hope” — a specific instance of feeling hopeful

From this reading The old nobleman, sick of the seclusion of his solitary chamber, had appeared at the breakfast table, in hopes that a little cheerful society might aid in dissipating the unwelcome reflections which, since Desmond’s departure from the Castle, had beset his waking hours and broken his nightly rest.

a period of time assigned for work

From this reading During breakfast next morning at the Castle the two Conseltines, father and son, who were usually punctual in their appearance at meal hours, descended late.

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

From this reading ‘Your lordship will no’ hae heard the news, I’m thinking,’ said Peebles, standing at the sideboard and breaking in upon the uneasy silence.

affected by an impairment of normal physical or mental function

From this reading They were pale and quiet; and Richard, who had his nerves very much less under control than had his astute and resolute parent, was so obviously ill at ease as to bring down upon himself the notice and comments of his lordship.

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

From this reading During breakfast next morning at the Castle the two Conseltines, father and son, who were usually punctual in their appearance at meal hours, descended late.

easily irritated or annoyed

From this reading At no time gifted with the most equable temper in the world, he was particularly snappish and irritable that morning.

being or occurring at an advanced period of time or after a usual or expected time

From this reading During breakfast next morning at the Castle the two Conseltines, father and son, who were usually punctual in their appearance at meal hours, descended late.

used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs

From this reading They were pale and quiet; and Richard, who had his nerves very much less under control than had his astute and resolute parent, was so obviously ill at ease as to bring down upon himself the notice and comments of his lordship.

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

From this reading The old nobleman, sick of the seclusion of his solitary chamber, had appeared at the breakfast table, in hopes that a little cheerful society might aid in dissipating the unwelcome reflections which, since Desmond’s departure from the Castle, had beset his waking hours and broken his nightly rest.

a title used to address any British peer except a duke and extended to a bishop or a judge

From this reading They were pale and quiet; and Richard, who had his nerves very much less under control than had his astute and resolute parent, was so obviously ill at ease as to bring down upon himself the notice and comments of his lordship.

the food served and eaten at one time

From this reading During breakfast next morning at the Castle the two Conseltines, father and son, who were usually punctual in their appearance at meal hours, descended late.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading The old nobleman, sick of the seclusion of his solitary chamber, had appeared at the breakfast table, in hopes that a little cheerful society might aid in dissipating the unwelcome reflections which, since Desmond’s departure from the Castle, had beset his waking hours and broken his nightly rest.

the time period between dawn and noon

From this reading During breakfast next morning at the Castle the two Conseltines, father and son, who were usually punctual in their appearance at meal hours, descended late.

used to form the superlative

From this reading At no time gifted with the most equable temper in the world, he was particularly snappish and irritable that morning.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading They were pale and quiet; and Richard, who had his nerves very much less under control than had his astute and resolute parent, was so obviously ill at ease as to bring down upon himself the notice and comments of his lordship.

an uneasy psychological state

From this reading They were pale and quiet; and Richard, who had his nerves very much less under control than had his astute and resolute parent, was so obviously ill at ease as to bring down upon himself the notice and comments of his lordship.

information about recent and important events

From this reading ‘Your lordship will no’ hae heard the news, I’m thinking,’ said Peebles, standing at the sideboard and breaking in upon the uneasy silence.

immediately following in time or order

From this reading During breakfast next morning at the Castle the two Conseltines, father and son, who were usually punctual in their appearance at meal hours, descended late.

happening every night

From this reading The old nobleman, sick of the seclusion of his solitary chamber, had appeared at the breakfast table, in hopes that a little cheerful society might aid in dissipating the unwelcome reflections which, since Desmond’s departure from the Castle, had beset his waking hours and broken his nightly rest.

not any; not one

From this reading At no time gifted with the most equable temper in the world, he was particularly snappish and irritable that morning.

a titled peer of the realm

From this reading The old nobleman, sick of the seclusion of his solitary chamber, had appeared at the breakfast table, in hopes that a little cheerful society might aid in dissipating the unwelcome reflections which, since Desmond’s departure from the Castle, had beset his waking hours and broken his nightly rest.

an announcement containing information about an event

From this reading They were pale and quiet; and Richard, who had his nerves very much less under control than had his astute and resolute parent, was so obviously ill at ease as to bring down upon himself the notice and comments of his lordship.

unmistakably (“plain” is often used informally for “plainly”)

From this reading They were pale and quiet; and Richard, who had his nerves very much less under control than had his astute and resolute parent, was so obviously ill at ease as to bring down upon himself the notice and comments of his lordship.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading They were pale and quiet; and Richard, who had his nerves very much less under control than had his astute and resolute parent, was so obviously ill at ease as to bring down upon himself the notice and comments of his lordship.

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

From this reading The old nobleman, sick of the seclusion of his solitary chamber, had appeared at the breakfast table, in hopes that a little cheerful society might aid in dissipating the unwelcome reflections which, since Desmond’s departure from the Castle, had beset his waking hours and broken his nightly rest.

very light colored; highly diluted with white

From this reading They were pale and quiet; and Richard, who had his nerves very much less under control than had his astute and resolute parent, was so obviously ill at ease as to bring down upon himself the notice and comments of his lordship.

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 They were pale and quiet; and Richard, who had his nerves very much less under control than had his astute and resolute parent, was so obviously ill at ease as to bring down upon himself the notice and comments of his lordship.

to a distinctly greater extent or degree than is common

From this reading At no time gifted with the most equable temper in the world, he was particularly snappish and irritable that morning.

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

From this reading ‘Your lordship will no’ hae heard the news, I’m thinking,’ said Peebles, standing at the sideboard and breaking in upon the uneasy silence.

acting or arriving or performed exactly at the time appointed

From this reading During breakfast next morning at the Castle the two Conseltines, father and son, who were usually punctual in their appearance at meal hours, descended late.

characterized by an absence or near absence of agitation or activity

From this reading They were pale and quiet; and Richard, who had his nerves very much less under control than had his astute and resolute parent, was so obviously ill at ease as to bring down upon himself the notice and comments of his lordship.

plural of “reflection” — a calm, lengthy, intent consideration

From this reading The old nobleman, sick of the seclusion of his solitary chamber, had appeared at the breakfast table, in hopes that a little cheerful society might aid in dissipating the unwelcome reflections which, since Desmond’s departure from the Castle, had beset his waking hours and broken his nightly rest.

firm in purpose or belief; characterized by firmness and determination

From this reading They were pale and quiet; and Richard, who had his nerves very much less under control than had his astute and resolute parent, was so obviously ill at ease as to bring down upon himself the notice and comments of his lordship.

not move; be in a resting position

From this reading The old nobleman, sick of the seclusion of his solitary chamber, had appeared at the breakfast table, in hopes that a little cheerful society might aid in dissipating the unwelcome reflections which, since Desmond’s departure from the Castle, had beset his waking hours and broken his nightly rest.

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

From this reading They were pale and quiet; and Richard, who had his nerves very much less under control than had his astute and resolute parent, was so obviously ill at ease as to bring down upon himself the notice and comments of his lordship.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading ‘Your lordship will no’ hae heard the news, I’m thinking,’ said Peebles, standing at the sideboard and breaking in upon the uneasy silence.

the quality of being secluded from the presence or view of others

From this reading The old nobleman, sick of the seclusion of his solitary chamber, had appeared at the breakfast table, in hopes that a little cheerful society might aid in dissipating the unwelcome reflections which, since Desmond’s departure from the Castle, had beset his waking hours and broken his nightly rest.

affected by an impairment of normal physical or mental function

From this reading The old nobleman, sick of the seclusion of his solitary chamber, had appeared at the breakfast table, in hopes that a little cheerful society might aid in dissipating the unwelcome reflections which, since Desmond’s departure from the Castle, had beset his waking hours and broken his nightly rest.

a removable board fitted on the side of a wagon to increase its capacity

From this reading ‘Your lordship will no’ hae heard the news, I’m thinking,’ said Peebles, standing at the sideboard and breaking in upon the uneasy silence.

Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.

From this reading ‘Your lordship will no’ hae heard the news, I’m thinking,’ said Peebles, standing at the sideboard and breaking in upon the uneasy silence.

from a time in the past until now

From this reading The old nobleman, sick of the seclusion of his solitary chamber, had appeared at the breakfast table, in hopes that a little cheerful society might aid in dissipating the unwelcome reflections which, since Desmond’s departure from the Castle, had beset his waking hours and broken his nightly rest.

apt to speak irritably

From this reading At no time gifted with the most equable temper in the world, he was particularly snappish and irritable that morning.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading They were pale and quiet; and Richard, who had his nerves very much less under control than had his astute and resolute parent, was so obviously ill at ease as to bring down upon himself the notice and comments of his lordship.

an extended social group having a distinctive cultural and economic organization

From this reading The old nobleman, sick of the seclusion of his solitary chamber, had appeared at the breakfast table, in hopes that a little cheerful society might aid in dissipating the unwelcome reflections which, since Desmond’s departure from the Castle, had beset his waking hours and broken his nightly rest.

characterized by or preferring solitude

From this reading The old nobleman, sick of the seclusion of his solitary chamber, had appeared at the breakfast table, in hopes that a little cheerful society might aid in dissipating the unwelcome reflections which, since Desmond’s departure from the Castle, had beset his waking hours and broken his nightly rest.

a male human offspring

From this reading During breakfast next morning at the Castle the two Conseltines, father and son, who were usually punctual in their appearance at meal hours, descended late.

having a supporting base

From this reading ‘Your lordship will no’ hae heard the news, I’m thinking,’ said Peebles, standing at the sideboard and breaking in upon the uneasy silence.

a set of data arranged in rows and columns

From this reading The old nobleman, sick of the seclusion of his solitary chamber, had appeared at the breakfast table, in hopes that a little cheerful society might aid in dissipating the unwelcome reflections which, since Desmond’s departure from the Castle, had beset his waking hours and broken his nightly rest.

a sudden outburst of anger

From this reading At no time gifted with the most equable temper in the world, he was particularly snappish and irritable that morning.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading They were pale and quiet; and Richard, who had his nerves very much less under control than had his astute and resolute parent, was so obviously ill at ease as to bring down upon himself the notice and comments of his lordship.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading The old nobleman, sick of the seclusion of his solitary chamber, had appeared at the breakfast table, in hopes that a little cheerful society might aid in dissipating the unwelcome reflections which, since Desmond’s departure from the Castle, had beset his waking hours and broken his nightly rest.

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

From this reading During breakfast next morning at the Castle the two Conseltines, father and son, who were usually punctual in their appearance at meal hours, descended late.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading During breakfast next morning at the Castle the two Conseltines, father and son, who were usually punctual in their appearance at meal hours, descended late.

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

From this reading They were pale and quiet; and Richard, who had his nerves very much less under control than had his astute and resolute parent, was so obviously ill at ease as to bring down upon himself the notice and comments of his lordship.

the process of using your mind to consider something carefully

From this reading ‘Your lordship will no’ hae heard the news, I’m thinking,’ said Peebles, standing at the sideboard and breaking in upon the uneasy silence.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading At no time gifted with the most equable temper in the world, he was particularly snappish and irritable that morning.

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

From this reading They were pale and quiet; and Richard, who had his nerves very much less under control than had his astute and resolute parent, was so obviously ill at ease as to bring down upon himself the notice and comments of his lordship.

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

From this reading During breakfast next morning at the Castle the two Conseltines, father and son, who were usually punctual in their appearance at meal hours, descended late.

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading They were pale and quiet; and Richard, who had his nerves very much less under control than had his astute and resolute parent, was so obviously ill at ease as to bring down upon himself the notice and comments of his lordship.

lacking a sense of security or affording no ease or reassurance

From this reading ‘Your lordship will no’ hae heard the news, I’m thinking,’ said Peebles, standing at the sideboard and breaking in upon the uneasy silence.

not welcome; not giving pleasure or received with pleasure

From this reading The old nobleman, sick of the seclusion of his solitary chamber, had appeared at the breakfast table, in hopes that a little cheerful society might aid in dissipating the unwelcome reflections which, since Desmond’s departure from the Castle, had beset his waking hours and broken his nightly rest.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading They were pale and quiet; and Richard, who had his nerves very much less under control than had his astute and resolute parent, was so obviously ill at ease as to bring down upon himself the notice and comments of his lordship.

under normal conditions

From this reading During breakfast next morning at the Castle the two Conseltines, father and son, who were usually punctual in their appearance at meal hours, descended late.

precisely as stated

From this reading They were pale and quiet; and Richard, who had his nerves very much less under control than had his astute and resolute parent, was so obviously ill at ease as to bring down upon himself the notice and comments of his lordship.

Risen from sleep; conscious.

From this reading The old nobleman, sick of the seclusion of his solitary chamber, had appeared at the breakfast table, in hopes that a little cheerful society might aid in dissipating the unwelcome reflections which, since Desmond’s departure from the Castle, had beset his waking hours and broken his nightly rest.

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

From this reading They were pale and quiet; and Richard, who had his nerves very much less under control than had his astute and resolute parent, was so obviously ill at ease as to bring down upon himself the notice and comments of his lordship.

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

From this reading During breakfast next morning at the Castle the two Conseltines, father and son, who were usually punctual in their appearance at meal hours, descended late.

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

From this reading The old nobleman, sick of the seclusion of his solitary chamber, had appeared at the breakfast table, in hopes that a little cheerful society might aid in dissipating the unwelcome reflections which, since Desmond’s departure from the Castle, had beset his waking hours and broken his nightly rest.

which person or people

From this reading During breakfast next morning at the Castle the two Conseltines, father and son, who were usually punctual in their appearance at meal hours, descended late.

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading ‘Your lordship will no’ hae heard the news, I’m thinking,’ said Peebles, standing at the sideboard and breaking in upon the uneasy silence.

in the company of; together with

From this reading At no time gifted with the most equable temper in the world, he was particularly snappish and irritable that morning.

everything that exists anywhere

From this reading At no time gifted with the most equable temper in the world, he was particularly snappish and irritable that morning.

belonging to the person or people being spoken to

From this reading ‘Your lordship will no’ hae heard the news, I’m thinking,’ said Peebles, standing at the sideboard and breaking in upon the uneasy silence.