Chapter XXXI · Puppets of Fate

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

From this reading Her clever, skillful maid, the faithful attendant of many years, without whom Mrs. Varian was as helpless as a child, was taken ill with a serious cold and confined to her bed for several days.

dwell

From this reading She had to abide the woman’s recovery with patience, however much she chafed in secret against the unwelcome delay.

a component that is added to something to improve it

From this reading Mrs. Bowles cheerfully took on herself the duties of lady’s-maid in addition to her housekeeping tasks, and called in a sick-nurse from the neighborhood to attend to the invalid.

later than; following

From this reading No ordinary circumstance would have availed to keep Mrs. Varian at Idlewild after she had discovered Everard Dawn’s return to the neighborhood, but on the same day of her sudden determination to leave, fate intervened to prevent her immediate flight.

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading Her mistress was in despair, but even her imperious will was powerless now against the inroads of illness.

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

From this reading Her clever, skillful maid, the faithful attendant of many years, without whom Mrs. Varian was as helpless as a child, was taken ill with a serious cold and confined to her bed for several days.

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

From this reading Her clever, skillful maid, the faithful attendant of many years, without whom Mrs. Varian was as helpless as a child, was taken ill with a serious cold and confined to her bed for several days.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading No ordinary circumstance would have availed to keep Mrs. Varian at Idlewild after she had discovered Everard Dawn’s return to the neighborhood, but on the same day of her sudden determination to leave, fate intervened to prevent her immediate flight.

be present at (meetings, church services, university), etc.

From this reading Mrs. Bowles cheerfully took on herself the duties of lady’s-maid in addition to her housekeeping tasks, and called in a sick-nurse from the neighborhood to attend to the invalid.

someone who waits on or tends to or attends to the needs of another

From this reading Her clever, skillful maid, the faithful attendant of many years, without whom Mrs. Varian was as helpless as a child, was taken ill with a serious cold and confined to her bed for several days.

past form of “avail” — use to one's advantage

From this reading No ordinary circumstance would have availed to keep Mrs. Varian at Idlewild after she had discovered Everard Dawn’s return to the neighborhood, but on the same day of her sudden determination to leave, fate intervened to prevent her immediate flight.

a piece of furniture that provides a place to sleep

From this reading Her clever, skillful maid, the faithful attendant of many years, without whom Mrs. Varian was as helpless as a child, was taken ill with a serious cold and confined to her bed for several days.

third-person singular of “bowl” — roll (a ball)

From this reading Mrs. Bowles cheerfully took on herself the duties of lady’s-maid in addition to her housekeeping tasks, and called in a sick-nurse from the neighborhood to attend to the invalid.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading No ordinary circumstance would have availed to keep Mrs. Varian at Idlewild after she had discovered Everard Dawn’s return to the neighborhood, but on the same day of her sudden determination to leave, fate intervened to prevent her immediate flight.

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

From this reading Mrs. Bowles cheerfully took on herself the duties of lady’s-maid in addition to her housekeeping tasks, and called in a sick-nurse from the neighborhood to attend to the invalid.

painful from having the skin abraded

From this reading She had to abide the woman’s recovery with patience, however much she chafed in secret against the unwelcome delay.

in a cheerful manner

From this reading Mrs. Bowles cheerfully took on herself the duties of lady’s-maid in addition to her housekeeping tasks, and called in a sick-nurse from the neighborhood to attend to the invalid.

a young person of either sex

From this reading Her clever, skillful maid, the faithful attendant of many years, without whom Mrs. Varian was as helpless as a child, was taken ill with a serious cold and confined to her bed for several days.

a condition that accompanies or influences some event or activity

From this reading No ordinary circumstance would have availed to keep Mrs. Varian at Idlewild after she had discovered Everard Dawn’s return to the neighborhood, but on the same day of her sudden determination to leave, fate intervened to prevent her immediate flight.

showing self-interest and shrewdness in dealing with others

From this reading Her clever, skillful maid, the faithful attendant of many years, without whom Mrs. Varian was as helpless as a child, was taken ill with a serious cold and confined to her bed for several days.

having a low or inadequate temperature or feeling a sensation of coldness or having been made cold by e.g. ice or refrigeration

From this reading Her clever, skillful maid, the faithful attendant of many years, without whom Mrs. Varian was as helpless as a child, was taken ill with a serious cold and confined to her bed for several days.

not invading healthy tissue

From this reading Her clever, skillful maid, the faithful attendant of many years, without whom Mrs. Varian was as helpless as a child, was taken ill with a serious cold and confined to her bed for several days.

possessive form of “dawn” — the first light of day

From this reading No ordinary circumstance would have availed to keep Mrs. Varian at Idlewild after she had discovered Everard Dawn’s return to the neighborhood, but on the same day of her sudden determination to leave, fate intervened to prevent her immediate flight.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading No ordinary circumstance would have availed to keep Mrs. Varian at Idlewild after she had discovered Everard Dawn’s return to the neighborhood, but on the same day of her sudden determination to leave, fate intervened to prevent her immediate flight.

the time during which someone's life continues

From this reading Her clever, skillful maid, the faithful attendant of many years, without whom Mrs. Varian was as helpless as a child, was taken ill with a serious cold and confined to her bed for several days.

cause to be slowed down or delayed

From this reading She had to abide the woman’s recovery with patience, however much she chafed in secret against the unwelcome delay.

a state in which all hope is lost or absent

From this reading Her mistress was in despair, but even her imperious will was powerless now against the inroads of illness.

the act of determining the properties of something, usually by research or calculation

From this reading No ordinary circumstance would have availed to keep Mrs. Varian at Idlewild after she had discovered Everard Dawn’s return to the neighborhood, but on the same day of her sudden determination to leave, fate intervened to prevent her immediate flight.

discovered or determined by scientific observation

From this reading No ordinary circumstance would have availed to keep Mrs. Varian at Idlewild after she had discovered Everard Dawn’s return to the neighborhood, but on the same day of her sudden determination to leave, fate intervened to prevent her immediate flight.

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

From this reading Mrs. Bowles cheerfully took on herself the duties of lady’s-maid in addition to her housekeeping tasks, and called in a sick-nurse from the neighborhood to attend to the invalid.

divisible by two

From this reading Her mistress was in despair, but even her imperious will was powerless now against the inroads of illness.

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

From this reading No ordinary circumstance would have availed to keep Mrs. Varian at Idlewild after she had discovered Everard Dawn’s return to the neighborhood, but on the same day of her sudden determination to leave, fate intervened to prevent her immediate flight.

steadfast in affection or allegiance

From this reading Her clever, skillful maid, the faithful attendant of many years, without whom Mrs. Varian was as helpless as a child, was taken ill with a serious cold and confined to her bed for several days.

an event (or a course of events) that will inevitably happen in the future

From this reading No ordinary circumstance would have availed to keep Mrs. Varian at Idlewild after she had discovered Everard Dawn’s return to the neighborhood, but on the same day of her sudden determination to leave, fate intervened to prevent her immediate flight.

a formation of aircraft in flight

From this reading No ordinary circumstance would have availed to keep Mrs. Varian at Idlewild after she had discovered Everard Dawn’s return to the neighborhood, but on the same day of her sudden determination to leave, fate intervened to prevent her immediate flight.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Her clever, skillful maid, the faithful attendant of many years, without whom Mrs. Varian was as helpless as a child, was taken ill with a serious cold and confined to her bed for several days.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Mrs. Bowles cheerfully took on herself the duties of lady’s-maid in addition to her housekeeping tasks, and called in a sick-nurse from the neighborhood to attend to the invalid.

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

From this reading No ordinary circumstance would have availed to keep Mrs. Varian at Idlewild after she had discovered Everard Dawn’s return to the neighborhood, but on the same day of her sudden determination to leave, fate intervened to prevent her immediate flight.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading No ordinary circumstance would have availed to keep Mrs. Varian at Idlewild after she had discovered Everard Dawn’s return to the neighborhood, but on the same day of her sudden determination to leave, fate intervened to prevent her immediate flight.

lacking in or deprived of strength or power

From this reading Her clever, skillful maid, the faithful attendant of many years, without whom Mrs. Varian was as helpless as a child, was taken ill with a serious cold and confined to her bed for several days.

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

From this reading No ordinary circumstance would have availed to keep Mrs. Varian at Idlewild after she had discovered Everard Dawn’s return to the neighborhood, but on the same day of her sudden determination to leave, fate intervened to prevent her immediate flight.

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

From this reading Mrs. Bowles cheerfully took on herself the duties of lady’s-maid in addition to her housekeeping tasks, and called in a sick-nurse from the neighborhood to attend to the invalid.

the work of cleaning and running a house

From this reading Mrs. Bowles cheerfully took on herself the duties of lady’s-maid in addition to her housekeeping tasks, and called in a sick-nurse from the neighborhood to attend to the invalid.

used to add a contrasting statement

From this reading She had to abide the woman’s recovery with patience, however much she chafed in secret against the unwelcome delay.

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

From this reading No ordinary circumstance would have availed to keep Mrs. Varian at Idlewild after she had discovered Everard Dawn’s return to the neighborhood, but on the same day of her sudden determination to leave, fate intervened to prevent her immediate flight.

affected by an impairment of normal physical or mental function

From this reading Her clever, skillful maid, the faithful attendant of many years, without whom Mrs. Varian was as helpless as a child, was taken ill with a serious cold and confined to her bed for several days.

impairment of normal physiological function affecting part or all of an organism

From this reading Her mistress was in despair, but even her imperious will was powerless now against the inroads of illness.

of the present time and place

From this reading No ordinary circumstance would have availed to keep Mrs. Varian at Idlewild after she had discovered Everard Dawn’s return to the neighborhood, but on the same day of her sudden determination to leave, fate intervened to prevent her immediate flight.

Assuming power or authority without justification; arrogant and domineering. (Hách dịch, độc đoán, kiêu kỳ.)

From this reading Her mistress was in despair, but even her imperious will was powerless now against the inroads of illness.

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

From this reading Her mistress was in despair, but even her imperious will was powerless now against the inroads of illness.

plural of “inroad” — an encroachment or intrusion

From this reading Her mistress was in despair, but even her imperious will was powerless now against the inroads of illness.

past form of “intervene” — get involved, so as to alter or hinder an action, or through force or threat of force

From this reading No ordinary circumstance would have availed to keep Mrs. Varian at Idlewild after she had discovered Everard Dawn’s return to the neighborhood, but on the same day of her sudden determination to leave, fate intervened to prevent her immediate flight.

someone who is incapacitated by a chronic illness or injury

From this reading Mrs. Bowles cheerfully took on herself the duties of lady’s-maid in addition to her housekeeping tasks, and called in a sick-nurse from the neighborhood to attend to the invalid.

cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”

From this reading No ordinary circumstance would have availed to keep Mrs. Varian at Idlewild after she had discovered Everard Dawn’s return to the neighborhood, but on the same day of her sudden determination to leave, fate intervened to prevent her immediate flight.

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

From this reading Mrs. Bowles cheerfully took on herself the duties of lady’s-maid in addition to her housekeeping tasks, and called in a sick-nurse from the neighborhood to attend to the invalid.

go away from a place

From this reading No ordinary circumstance would have availed to keep Mrs. Varian at Idlewild after she had discovered Everard Dawn’s return to the neighborhood, but on the same day of her sudden determination to leave, fate intervened to prevent her immediate flight.

a female domestic

From this reading Her clever, skillful maid, the faithful attendant of many years, without whom Mrs. Varian was as helpless as a child, was taken ill with a serious cold and confined to her bed for several days.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number

From this reading Her clever, skillful maid, the faithful attendant of many years, without whom Mrs. Varian was as helpless as a child, was taken ill with a serious cold and confined to her bed for several days.

an adulterous woman; a woman who has an ongoing extramarital sexual relationship with a man

From this reading Her mistress was in despair, but even her imperious will was powerless now against the inroads of illness.

a form of address for a married woman

From this reading No ordinary circumstance would have availed to keep Mrs. Varian at Idlewild after she had discovered Everard Dawn’s return to the neighborhood, but on the same day of her sudden determination to leave, fate intervened to prevent her immediate flight.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading She had to abide the woman’s recovery with patience, however much she chafed in secret against the unwelcome delay.

a surrounding or nearby region

From this reading No ordinary circumstance would have availed to keep Mrs. Varian at Idlewild after she had discovered Everard Dawn’s return to the neighborhood, but on the same day of her sudden determination to leave, fate intervened to prevent her immediate flight.

not any; not one

From this reading No ordinary circumstance would have availed to keep Mrs. Varian at Idlewild after she had discovered Everard Dawn’s return to the neighborhood, but on the same day of her sudden determination to leave, fate intervened to prevent her immediate flight.

in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events

From this reading Her mistress was in despair, but even her imperious will was powerless now against the inroads of illness.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading No ordinary circumstance would have availed to keep Mrs. Varian at Idlewild after she had discovered Everard Dawn’s return to the neighborhood, but on the same day of her sudden determination to leave, fate intervened to prevent her immediate flight.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading No ordinary circumstance would have availed to keep Mrs. Varian at Idlewild after she had discovered Everard Dawn’s return to the neighborhood, but on the same day of her sudden determination to leave, fate intervened to prevent her immediate flight.

a judge of a probate court

From this reading No ordinary circumstance would have availed to keep Mrs. Varian at Idlewild after she had discovered Everard Dawn’s return to the neighborhood, but on the same day of her sudden determination to leave, fate intervened to prevent her immediate flight.

good-natured tolerance of delay or incompetence

From this reading She had to abide the woman’s recovery with patience, however much she chafed in secret against the unwelcome delay.

lacking power

From this reading Her mistress was in despair, but even her imperious will was powerless now against the inroads of illness.

keep from happening or arising; make impossible

From this reading No ordinary circumstance would have availed to keep Mrs. Varian at Idlewild after she had discovered Everard Dawn’s return to the neighborhood, but on the same day of her sudden determination to leave, fate intervened to prevent her immediate flight.

return to an original state

From this reading She had to abide the woman’s recovery with patience, however much she chafed in secret against the unwelcome delay.

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

From this reading No ordinary circumstance would have availed to keep Mrs. Varian at Idlewild after she had discovered Everard Dawn’s return to the neighborhood, but on the same day of her sudden determination to leave, fate intervened to prevent her immediate flight.

Identical; not different.

From this reading No ordinary circumstance would have availed to keep Mrs. Varian at Idlewild after she had discovered Everard Dawn’s return to the neighborhood, but on the same day of her sudden determination to leave, fate intervened to prevent her immediate flight.

Something that is kept or meant to be kept unknown or unseen by others.

From this reading She had to abide the woman’s recovery with patience, however much she chafed in secret against the unwelcome delay.

concerned with work or important matters rather than play or trivialities

From this reading Her clever, skillful maid, the faithful attendant of many years, without whom Mrs. Varian was as helpless as a child, was taken ill with a serious cold and confined to her bed for several days.

(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many

From this reading Her clever, skillful maid, the faithful attendant of many years, without whom Mrs. Varian was as helpless as a child, was taken ill with a serious cold and confined to her bed for several days.

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

From this reading No ordinary circumstance would have availed to keep Mrs. Varian at Idlewild after she had discovered Everard Dawn’s return to the neighborhood, but on the same day of her sudden determination to leave, fate intervened to prevent her immediate flight.

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

From this reading Mrs. Bowles cheerfully took on herself the duties of lady’s-maid in addition to her housekeeping tasks, and called in a sick-nurse from the neighborhood to attend to the invalid.

having or showing knowledge and skill and aptitude

From this reading Her clever, skillful maid, the faithful attendant of many years, without whom Mrs. Varian was as helpless as a child, was taken ill with a serious cold and confined to her bed for several days.

happening without warning or in a short space of time

From this reading No ordinary circumstance would have availed to keep Mrs. Varian at Idlewild after she had discovered Everard Dawn’s return to the neighborhood, but on the same day of her sudden determination to leave, fate intervened to prevent her immediate flight.

understood in a certain way; made sense of

From this reading Her clever, skillful maid, the faithful attendant of many years, without whom Mrs. Varian was as helpless as a child, was taken ill with a serious cold and confined to her bed for several days.

plural of “task” — any piece of work that is undertaken or attempted

From this reading Mrs. Bowles cheerfully took on herself the duties of lady’s-maid in addition to her housekeeping tasks, and called in a sick-nurse from the neighborhood to attend to the invalid.

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

From this reading No ordinary circumstance would have availed to keep Mrs. Varian at Idlewild after she had discovered Everard Dawn’s return to the neighborhood, but on the same day of her sudden determination to leave, fate intervened to prevent her immediate flight.

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

From this reading No ordinary circumstance would have availed to keep Mrs. Varian at Idlewild after she had discovered Everard Dawn’s return to the neighborhood, but on the same day of her sudden determination to leave, fate intervened to prevent her immediate flight.

inflected form of “take” — carry out

From this reading Mrs. Bowles cheerfully took on herself the duties of lady’s-maid in addition to her housekeeping tasks, and called in a sick-nurse from the neighborhood to attend to the invalid.

not welcome; not giving pleasure or received with pleasure

From this reading She had to abide the woman’s recovery with patience, however much she chafed in secret against the unwelcome delay.

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

From this reading No ordinary circumstance would have availed to keep Mrs. Varian at Idlewild after she had discovered Everard Dawn’s return to the neighborhood, but on the same day of her sudden determination to leave, fate intervened to prevent her immediate flight.

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

From this reading Her clever, skillful maid, the faithful attendant of many years, without whom Mrs. Varian was as helpless as a child, was taken ill with a serious cold and confined to her bed for several days.

the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading Her clever, skillful maid, the faithful attendant of many years, without whom Mrs. Varian was as helpless as a child, was taken ill with a serious cold and confined to her bed for several days.

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading Her mistress was in despair, but even her imperious will was powerless now against the inroads of illness.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Her clever, skillful maid, the faithful attendant of many years, without whom Mrs. Varian was as helpless as a child, was taken ill with a serious cold and confined to her bed for several days.

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading Her clever, skillful maid, the faithful attendant of many years, without whom Mrs. Varian was as helpless as a child, was taken ill with a serious cold and confined to her bed for several days.

possessive form of “woman” — an adult female person (as opposed to a man)

From this reading She had to abide the woman’s recovery with patience, however much she chafed in secret against the unwelcome delay.

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

From this reading No ordinary circumstance would have availed to keep Mrs. Varian at Idlewild after she had discovered Everard Dawn’s return to the neighborhood, but on the same day of her sudden determination to leave, fate intervened to prevent her immediate flight.

a late time of life

From this reading Her clever, skillful maid, the faithful attendant of many years, without whom Mrs. Varian was as helpless as a child, was taken ill with a serious cold and confined to her bed for several days.