Chapter XII · Chapter 12

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

From this reading As early as 1846, after the private reading at Lausanne, he had written to Forster: "I was thinking the other day that in these days of lecturings and readings, a great deal of money might possibly be made (if it were not _infra dig._) by one's having readings of one's own books.

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

From this reading On his return to England, just after the Christmas of 1853, Dickens gave his first public readings.

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

From this reading But the three readings given at Birmingham, on the 27th, 29th, and 30th December, 1853, were, in every sense, public entertainments, and, except that the proceeds were devoted entirely to the local Institute, differed in no way from the famous readings by which he afterwards realized what may almost be called a fortune.

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

From this reading But the three readings given at Birmingham, on the 27th, 29th, and 30th December, 1853, were, in every sense, public entertainments, and, except that the proceeds were devoted entirely to the local Institute, differed in no way from the famous readings by which he afterwards realized what may almost be called a fortune.

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

From this reading But the three readings given at Birmingham, on the 27th, 29th, and 30th December, 1853, were, in every sense, public entertainments, and, except that the proceeds were devoted entirely to the local Institute, differed in no way from the famous readings by which he afterwards realized what may almost be called a fortune.

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

From this reading He had, as we have seen, read "The Chimes" some nine years before, to a select few among his literary friends; and at Lausanne he had similarly read portions of "Dombey and Son."

later than; following

From this reading On his return to England, just after the Christmas of 1853, Dickens gave his first public readings.

happening at a time subsequent to a reference time

From this reading But the three readings given at Birmingham, on the 27th, 29th, and 30th December, 1853, were, in every sense, public entertainments, and, except that the proceeds were devoted entirely to the local Institute, differed in no way from the famous readings by which he afterwards realized what may almost be called a fortune.

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

From this reading But the three readings given at Birmingham, on the 27th, 29th, and 30th December, 1853, were, in every sense, public entertainments, and, except that the proceeds were devoted entirely to the local Institute, differed in no way from the famous readings by which he afterwards realized what may almost be called a fortune.

surrounded by; in the middle of a group

From this reading He had, as we have seen, read "The Chimes" some nine years before, to a select few among his literary friends; and at Lausanne he had similarly read portions of "Dombey and Son."

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

From this reading He had, as we have seen, read "The Chimes" some nine years before, to a select few among his literary friends; and at Lausanne he had similarly read portions of "Dombey and Son."

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

From this reading He had, as we have seen, read "The Chimes" some nine years before, to a select few among his literary friends; and at Lausanne he had similarly read portions of "Dombey and Son."

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading He had, as we have seen, read "The Chimes" some nine years before, to a select few among his literary friends; and at Lausanne he had similarly read portions of "Dombey and Son."

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

From this reading But the three readings given at Birmingham, on the 27th, 29th, and 30th December, 1853, were, in every sense, public entertainments, and, except that the proceeds were devoted entirely to the local Institute, differed in no way from the famous readings by which he afterwards realized what may almost be called a fortune.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading The idea of coming before the world in this new character had long been in his mind.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading He had, as we have seen, read "The Chimes" some nine years before, to a select few among his literary friends; and at Lausanne he had similarly read portions of "Dombey and Son."

the largest city in Alabama; located in northeastern Alabama

From this reading But the three readings given at Birmingham, on the 27th, 29th, and 30th December, 1853, were, in every sense, public entertainments, and, except that the proceeds were devoted entirely to the local Institute, differed in no way from the famous readings by which he afterwards realized what may almost be called a fortune.

Bound written or printed works.

From this reading As early as 1846, after the private reading at Lausanne, he had written to Forster: "I was thinking the other day that in these days of lecturings and readings, a great deal of money might possibly be made (if it were not _infra dig._) by one's having readings of one's own books.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But the three readings given at Birmingham, on the 27th, 29th, and 30th December, 1853, were, in every sense, public entertainments, and, except that the proceeds were devoted entirely to the local Institute, differed in no way from the famous readings by which he afterwards realized what may almost be called a fortune.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading But the three readings given at Birmingham, on the 27th, 29th, and 30th December, 1853, were, in every sense, public entertainments, and, except that the proceeds were devoted entirely to the local Institute, differed in no way from the famous readings by which he afterwards realized what may almost be called a fortune.

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

From this reading But the three readings given at Birmingham, on the 27th, 29th, and 30th December, 1853, were, in every sense, public entertainments, and, except that the proceeds were devoted entirely to the local Institute, differed in no way from the famous readings by which he afterwards realized what may almost be called a fortune.

an imaginary person represented in a work of fiction (play or film or story)

From this reading The idea of coming before the world in this new character had long been in his mind.

plural of “chime” — a percussion instrument consisting of a set of tuned bells that are struck with a hammer; used as an orchestral instrument

From this reading He had, as we have seen, read "The Chimes" some nine years before, to a select few among his literary friends; and at Lausanne he had similarly read portions of "Dombey and Son."

period extending from Dec. 24 to Jan. 6

From this reading On his return to England, just after the Christmas of 1853, Dickens gave his first public readings.

the act of drawing spatially closer to something

From this reading The idea of coming before the world in this new character had long been in his mind.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading As early as 1846, after the private reading at Lausanne, he had written to Forster: "I was thinking the other day that in these days of lecturings and readings, a great deal of money might possibly be made (if it were not _infra dig._) by one's having readings of one's own books.

the time during which someone's life continues

From this reading As early as 1846, after the private reading at Lausanne, he had written to Forster: "I was thinking the other day that in these days of lecturings and readings, a great deal of money might possibly be made (if it were not _infra dig._) by one's having readings of one's own books.

act on verbally or in some form of artistic expression

From this reading As early as 1846, after the private reading at Lausanne, he had written to Forster: "I was thinking the other day that in these days of lecturings and readings, a great deal of money might possibly be made (if it were not _infra dig._) by one's having readings of one's own books.

the last (12th) month of the year

From this reading But the three readings given at Birmingham, on the 27th, 29th, and 30th December, 1853, were, in every sense, public entertainments, and, except that the proceeds were devoted entirely to the local Institute, differed in no way from the famous readings by which he afterwards realized what may almost be called a fortune.

zealous in devotion or affection

From this reading But the three readings given at Birmingham, on the 27th, 29th, and 30th December, 1853, were, in every sense, public entertainments, and, except that the proceeds were devoted entirely to the local Institute, differed in no way from the famous readings by which he afterwards realized what may almost be called a fortune.

a word used in exclamations of confusion

From this reading On his return to England, just after the Christmas of 1853, Dickens gave his first public readings.

past form of “differ” — be different

From this reading But the three readings given at Birmingham, on the 27th, 29th, and 30th December, 1853, were, in every sense, public entertainments, and, except that the proceeds were devoted entirely to the local Institute, differed in no way from the famous readings by which he afterwards realized what may almost be called a fortune.

turn up, loosen, or remove earth

From this reading As early as 1846, after the private reading at Lausanne, he had written to Forster: "I was thinking the other day that in these days of lecturings and readings, a great deal of money might possibly be made (if it were not _infra dig._) by one's having readings of one's own books.

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

From this reading He had, as we have seen, read "The Chimes" some nine years before, to a select few among his literary friends; and at Lausanne he had similarly read portions of "Dombey and Son."

at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time

From this reading As early as 1846, after the private reading at Lausanne, he had written to Forster: "I was thinking the other day that in these days of lecturings and readings, a great deal of money might possibly be made (if it were not _infra dig._) by one's having readings of one's own books.

a division of the United Kingdom

From this reading On his return to England, just after the Christmas of 1853, Dickens gave his first public readings.

plural of “entertainment” — an activity that is diverting and that holds the attention

From this reading But the three readings given at Birmingham, on the 27th, 29th, and 30th December, 1853, were, in every sense, public entertainments, and, except that the proceeds were devoted entirely to the local Institute, differed in no way from the famous readings by which he afterwards realized what may almost be called a fortune.

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

From this reading But the three readings given at Birmingham, on the 27th, 29th, and 30th December, 1853, were, in every sense, public entertainments, and, except that the proceeds were devoted entirely to the local Institute, differed in no way from the famous readings by which he afterwards realized what may almost be called a fortune.

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading But the three readings given at Birmingham, on the 27th, 29th, and 30th December, 1853, were, in every sense, public entertainments, and, except that the proceeds were devoted entirely to the local Institute, differed in no way from the famous readings by which he afterwards realized what may almost be called a fortune.

apart from; not including

From this reading But the three readings given at Birmingham, on the 27th, 29th, and 30th December, 1853, were, in every sense, public entertainments, and, except that the proceeds were devoted entirely to the local Institute, differed in no way from the famous readings by which he afterwards realized what may almost be called a fortune.

widely known and esteemed

From this reading But the three readings given at Birmingham, on the 27th, 29th, and 30th December, 1853, were, in every sense, public entertainments, and, except that the proceeds were devoted entirely to the local Institute, differed in no way from the famous readings by which he afterwards realized what may almost be called a fortune.

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

From this reading He had, as we have seen, read "The Chimes" some nine years before, to a select few among his literary friends; and at Lausanne he had similarly read portions of "Dombey and Son."

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading On his return to England, just after the Christmas of 1853, Dickens gave his first public readings.

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

From this reading As early as 1846, after the private reading at Lausanne, he had written to Forster: "I was thinking the other day that in these days of lecturings and readings, a great deal of money might possibly be made (if it were not _infra dig._) by one's having readings of one's own books.

an unknown and unpredictable phenomenon that causes an event to result one way rather than another

From this reading But the three readings given at Birmingham, on the 27th, 29th, and 30th December, 1853, were, in every sense, public entertainments, and, except that the proceeds were devoted entirely to the local Institute, differed in no way from the famous readings by which he afterwards realized what may almost be called a fortune.

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

From this reading He had, as we have seen, read "The Chimes" some nine years before, to a select few among his literary friends; and at Lausanne he had similarly read portions of "Dombey and Son."

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading But the three readings given at Birmingham, on the 27th, 29th, and 30th December, 1853, were, in every sense, public entertainments, and, except that the proceeds were devoted entirely to the local Institute, differed in no way from the famous readings by which he afterwards realized what may almost be called a fortune.

inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense

From this reading On his return to England, just after the Christmas of 1853, Dickens gave his first public readings.

acknowledged as a supposition

From this reading But the three readings given at Birmingham, on the 27th, 29th, and 30th December, 1853, were, in every sense, public entertainments, and, except that the proceeds were devoted entirely to the local Institute, differed in no way from the famous readings by which he afterwards realized what may almost be called a fortune.

relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind

From this reading As early as 1846, after the private reading at Lausanne, he had written to Forster: "I was thinking the other day that in these days of lecturings and readings, a great deal of money might possibly be made (if it were not _infra dig._) by one's having readings of one's own books.

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

From this reading He had, as we have seen, read "The Chimes" some nine years before, to a select few among his literary friends; and at Lausanne he had similarly read portions of "Dombey and Son."

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading He had, as we have seen, read "The Chimes" some nine years before, to a select few among his literary friends; and at Lausanne he had similarly read portions of "Dombey and Son."

the -ing form of “have”

From this reading As early as 1846, after the private reading at Lausanne, he had written to Forster: "I was thinking the other day that in these days of lecturings and readings, a great deal of money might possibly be made (if it were not _infra dig._) by one's having readings of one's own books.

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

From this reading He had, as we have seen, read "The Chimes" some nine years before, to a select few among his literary friends; and at Lausanne he had similarly read portions of "Dombey and Son."

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

From this reading On his return to England, just after the Christmas of 1853, Dickens gave his first public readings.

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

From this reading As early as 1846, after the private reading at Lausanne, he had written to Forster: "I was thinking the other day that in these days of lecturings and readings, a great deal of money might possibly be made (if it were not _infra dig._) by one's having readings of one's own books.

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

From this reading The idea of coming before the world in this new character had long been in his mind.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading As early as 1846, after the private reading at Lausanne, he had written to Forster: "I was thinking the other day that in these days of lecturings and readings, a great deal of money might possibly be made (if it were not _infra dig._) by one's having readings of one's own books.

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

From this reading But the three readings given at Birmingham, on the 27th, 29th, and 30th December, 1853, were, in every sense, public entertainments, and, except that the proceeds were devoted entirely to the local Institute, differed in no way from the famous readings by which he afterwards realized what may almost be called a fortune.

(in writing) at a later place

From this reading As early as 1846, after the private reading at Lausanne, he had written to Forster: "I was thinking the other day that in these days of lecturings and readings, a great deal of money might possibly be made (if it were not _infra dig._) by one's having readings of one's own books.

set up or lay the groundwork for

From this reading But the three readings given at Birmingham, on the 27th, 29th, and 30th December, 1853, were, in every sense, public entertainments, and, except that the proceeds were devoted entirely to the local Institute, differed in no way from the famous readings by which he afterwards realized what may almost be called a fortune.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading As early as 1846, after the private reading at Lausanne, he had written to Forster: "I was thinking the other day that in these days of lecturings and readings, a great deal of money might possibly be made (if it were not _infra dig._) by one's having readings of one's own books.

and nothing more

From this reading On his return to England, just after the Christmas of 1853, Dickens gave his first public readings.

a city in western Switzerland; cultural and commercial center

From this reading He had, as we have seen, read "The Chimes" some nine years before, to a select few among his literary friends; and at Lausanne he had similarly read portions of "Dombey and Son."

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

From this reading As early as 1846, after the private reading at Lausanne, he had written to Forster: "I was thinking the other day that in these days of lecturings and readings, a great deal of money might possibly be made (if it were not _infra dig._) by one's having readings of one's own books.

of or relating to or characteristic of literature

From this reading He had, as we have seen, read "The Chimes" some nine years before, to a select few among his literary friends; and at Lausanne he had similarly read portions of "Dombey and Son."

relating to or applicable to or concerned with the administration of a city or town or district rather than a larger area

From this reading But the three readings given at Birmingham, on the 27th, 29th, and 30th December, 1853, were, in every sense, public entertainments, and, except that the proceeds were devoted entirely to the local Institute, differed in no way from the famous readings by which he afterwards realized what may almost be called a fortune.

primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified

From this reading The idea of coming before the world in this new character had long been in his mind.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading As early as 1846, after the private reading at Lausanne, he had written to Forster: "I was thinking the other day that in these days of lecturings and readings, a great deal of money might possibly be made (if it were not _infra dig._) by one's having readings of one's own books.

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading But the three readings given at Birmingham, on the 27th, 29th, and 30th December, 1853, were, in every sense, public entertainments, and, except that the proceeds were devoted entirely to the local Institute, differed in no way from the famous readings by which he afterwards realized what may almost be called a fortune.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading As early as 1846, after the private reading at Lausanne, he had written to Forster: "I was thinking the other day that in these days of lecturings and readings, a great deal of money might possibly be made (if it were not _infra dig._) by one's having readings of one's own books.

The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.

From this reading The idea of coming before the world in this new character had long been in his mind.

the most common medium of exchange; functions as legal tender

From this reading As early as 1846, after the private reading at Lausanne, he had written to Forster: "I was thinking the other day that in these days of lecturings and readings, a great deal of money might possibly be made (if it were not _infra dig._) by one's having readings of one's own books.

not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered

From this reading The idea of coming before the world in this new character had long been in his mind.

the cardinal number that is the sum of eight and one

From this reading He had, as we have seen, read "The Chimes" some nine years before, to a select few among his literary friends; and at Lausanne he had similarly read portions of "Dombey and Son."

not any; not one

From this reading But the three readings given at Birmingham, on the 27th, 29th, and 30th December, 1853, were, in every sense, public entertainments, and, except that the proceeds were devoted entirely to the local Institute, differed in no way from the famous readings by which he afterwards realized what may almost be called a fortune.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading As early as 1846, after the private reading at Lausanne, he had written to Forster: "I was thinking the other day that in these days of lecturings and readings, a great deal of money might possibly be made (if it were not _infra dig._) by one's having readings of one's own books.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading On his return to England, just after the Christmas of 1853, Dickens gave his first public readings.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading On his return to England, just after the Christmas of 1853, Dickens gave his first public readings.

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

From this reading As early as 1846, after the private reading at Lausanne, he had written to Forster: "I was thinking the other day that in these days of lecturings and readings, a great deal of money might possibly be made (if it were not _infra dig._) by one's having readings of one's own books.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading As early as 1846, after the private reading at Lausanne, he had written to Forster: "I was thinking the other day that in these days of lecturings and readings, a great deal of money might possibly be made (if it were not _infra dig._) by one's having readings of one's own books.

have ownership or possession of

From this reading As early as 1846, after the private reading at Lausanne, he had written to Forster: "I was thinking the other day that in these days of lecturings and readings, a great deal of money might possibly be made (if it were not _infra dig._) by one's having readings of one's own books.

plural of “portion” — something determined in relation to something that includes it

From this reading He had, as we have seen, read "The Chimes" some nine years before, to a select few among his literary friends; and at Lausanne he had similarly read portions of "Dombey and Son."

by chance

From this reading As early as 1846, after the private reading at Lausanne, he had written to Forster: "I was thinking the other day that in these days of lecturings and readings, a great deal of money might possibly be made (if it were not _infra dig._) by one's having readings of one's own books.

confined to particular persons or groups or providing privacy

From this reading As early as 1846, after the private reading at Lausanne, he had written to Forster: "I was thinking the other day that in these days of lecturings and readings, a great deal of money might possibly be made (if it were not _infra dig._) by one's having readings of one's own books.

the income or profit arising from such transactions as the sale of land or other property

From this reading But the three readings given at Birmingham, on the 27th, 29th, and 30th December, 1853, were, in every sense, public entertainments, and, except that the proceeds were devoted entirely to the local Institute, differed in no way from the famous readings by which he afterwards realized what may almost be called a fortune.

people in general considered as a whole

From this reading On his return to England, just after the Christmas of 1853, Dickens gave his first public readings.

interpret something that is written or printed

From this reading He had, as we have seen, read "The Chimes" some nine years before, to a select few among his literary friends; and at Lausanne he had similarly read portions of "Dombey and Son."

the cognitive process of understanding a written linguistic message

From this reading As early as 1846, after the private reading at Lausanne, he had written to Forster: "I was thinking the other day that in these days of lecturings and readings, a great deal of money might possibly be made (if it were not _infra dig._) by one's having readings of one's own books.

plural of “reading” — the cognitive process of understanding a written linguistic message

From this reading On his return to England, just after the Christmas of 1853, Dickens gave his first public readings.

successfully completed or brought to an end

From this reading But the three readings given at Birmingham, on the 27th, 29th, and 30th December, 1853, were, in every sense, public entertainments, and, except that the proceeds were devoted entirely to the local Institute, differed in no way from the famous readings by which he afterwards realized what may almost be called a fortune.

go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before

From this reading On his return to England, just after the Christmas of 1853, Dickens gave his first public readings.

inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading He had, as we have seen, read "The Chimes" some nine years before, to a select few among his literary friends; and at Lausanne he had similarly read portions of "Dombey and Son."

of superior grade

From this reading He had, as we have seen, read "The Chimes" some nine years before, to a select few among his literary friends; and at Lausanne he had similarly read portions of "Dombey and Son."

a general conscious awareness

From this reading But the three readings given at Birmingham, on the 27th, 29th, and 30th December, 1853, were, in every sense, public entertainments, and, except that the proceeds were devoted entirely to the local Institute, differed in no way from the famous readings by which he afterwards realized what may almost be called a fortune.

in like or similar manner

From this reading He had, as we have seen, read "The Chimes" some nine years before, to a select few among his literary friends; and at Lausanne he had similarly read portions of "Dombey and Son."

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

From this reading He had, as we have seen, read "The Chimes" some nine years before, to a select few among his literary friends; and at Lausanne he had similarly read portions of "Dombey and Son."

a male human offspring

From this reading He had, as we have seen, read "The Chimes" some nine years before, to a select few among his literary friends; and at Lausanne he had similarly read portions of "Dombey and Son."

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading But the three readings given at Birmingham, on the 27th, 29th, and 30th December, 1853, were, in every sense, public entertainments, and, except that the proceeds were devoted entirely to the local Institute, differed in no way from the famous readings by which he afterwards realized what may almost be called a fortune.

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

From this reading On his return to England, just after the Christmas of 1853, Dickens gave his first public readings.

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

From this reading As early as 1846, after the private reading at Lausanne, he had written to Forster: "I was thinking the other day that in these days of lecturings and readings, a great deal of money might possibly be made (if it were not _infra dig._) by one's having readings of one's own books.

the process of using your mind to consider something carefully

From this reading As early as 1846, after the private reading at Lausanne, he had written to Forster: "I was thinking the other day that in these days of lecturings and readings, a great deal of money might possibly be made (if it were not _infra dig._) by one's having readings of one's own books.

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

From this reading The idea of coming before the world in this new character had long been in his mind.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one

From this reading But the three readings given at Birmingham, on the 27th, 29th, and 30th December, 1853, were, in every sense, public entertainments, and, except that the proceeds were devoted entirely to the local Institute, differed in no way from the famous readings by which he afterwards realized what may almost be called a fortune.

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

From this reading On his return to England, just after the Christmas of 1853, Dickens gave his first public readings.

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

From this reading As early as 1846, after the private reading at Lausanne, he had written to Forster: "I was thinking the other day that in these days of lecturings and readings, a great deal of money might possibly be made (if it were not _infra dig._) by one's having readings of one's own books.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading But the three readings given at Birmingham, on the 27th, 29th, and 30th December, 1853, were, in every sense, public entertainments, and, except that the proceeds were devoted entirely to the local Institute, differed in no way from the famous readings by which he afterwards realized what may almost be called a fortune.

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading He had, as we have seen, read "The Chimes" some nine years before, to a select few among his literary friends; and at Lausanne he had similarly read portions of "Dombey and Son."

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

From this reading But the three readings given at Birmingham, on the 27th, 29th, and 30th December, 1853, were, in every sense, public entertainments, and, except that the proceeds were devoted entirely to the local Institute, differed in no way from the famous readings by which he afterwards realized what may almost be called a fortune.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading But the three readings given at Birmingham, on the 27th, 29th, and 30th December, 1853, were, in every sense, public entertainments, and, except that the proceeds were devoted entirely to the local Institute, differed in no way from the famous readings by which he afterwards realized what may almost be called a fortune.

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

From this reading But the three readings given at Birmingham, on the 27th, 29th, and 30th December, 1853, were, in every sense, public entertainments, and, except that the proceeds were devoted entirely to the local Institute, differed in no way from the famous readings by which he afterwards realized what may almost be called a fortune.

everything that exists anywhere

From this reading The idea of coming before the world in this new character had long been in his mind.

set down in writing in any of various ways

From this reading As early as 1846, after the private reading at Lausanne, he had written to Forster: "I was thinking the other day that in these days of lecturings and readings, a great deal of money might possibly be made (if it were not _infra dig._) by one's having readings of one's own books.

a late time of life

From this reading He had, as we have seen, read "The Chimes" some nine years before, to a select few among his literary friends; and at Lausanne he had similarly read portions of "Dombey and Son."