Chapter XXIX

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

From this reading The paper which John had discovered among the rubbish in the stove was a half sheet of foolscap, which was covered with imitations of Mr. Berry's handwriting, the words occurring being those of the note of hand which Hall had presented for payment.

surrounded by; in the middle of a group

From this reading The paper which John had discovered among the rubbish in the stove was a half sheet of foolscap, which was covered with imitations of Mr. Berry's handwriting, the words occurring being those of the note of hand which Hall had presented for payment.

plural of “attempt” — earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something

From this reading The first attempts were inexact, but those further down, with which pains had evidently been taken, were close copies of Mr. Berry's usual handwriting.

the sister of your father or mother; the wife of your uncle

From this reading This of course John could not know, not being familiar with his uncle's hand, but his aunt confirmed it.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading The first attempts were inexact, but those further down, with which pains had evidently been taken, were close copies of Mr. Berry's usual handwriting.

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading The paper which John had discovered among the rubbish in the stove was a half sheet of foolscap, which was covered with imitations of Mr. Berry's handwriting, the words occurring being those of the note of hand which Hall had presented for payment.

possessive form of “berry” — any of numerous small and pulpy edible fruits; used as desserts or in making jams and jellies and preserves

From this reading The paper which John had discovered among the rubbish in the stove was a half sheet of foolscap, which was covered with imitations of Mr. Berry's handwriting, the words occurring being those of the note of hand which Hall had presented for payment.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading The first attempts were inexact, but those further down, with which pains had evidently been taken, were close copies of Mr. Berry's usual handwriting.

at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other

From this reading The first attempts were inexact, but those further down, with which pains had evidently been taken, were close copies of Mr. Berry's usual handwriting.

of persons; not subject to change

From this reading This of course John could not know, not being familiar with his uncle's hand, but his aunt confirmed it.

plural of “copy” — a reproduction of a written record (e.g. of a legal or school record)

From this reading The first attempts were inexact, but those further down, with which pains had evidently been taken, were close copies of Mr. Berry's usual handwriting.

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading This of course John could not know, not being familiar with his uncle's hand, but his aunt confirmed it.

education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings

From this reading This of course John could not know, not being familiar with his uncle's hand, but his aunt confirmed it.

overlaid or spread or topped with or enclosed within something; sometimes used as a combining form

From this reading The paper which John had discovered among the rubbish in the stove was a half sheet of foolscap, which was covered with imitations of Mr. Berry's handwriting, the words occurring being those of the note of hand which Hall had presented for payment.

anxious embarrassment

From this reading HALL'S DISCOMFITURE.

discovered or determined by scientific observation

From this reading The paper which John had discovered among the rubbish in the stove was a half sheet of foolscap, which was covered with imitations of Mr. Berry's handwriting, the words occurring being those of the note of hand which Hall had presented for payment.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading The first attempts were inexact, but those further down, with which pains had evidently been taken, were close copies of Mr. Berry's usual handwriting.

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

From this reading The first attempts were inexact, but those further down, with which pains had evidently been taken, were close copies of Mr. Berry's usual handwriting.

well known or easily recognized

From this reading This of course John could not know, not being familiar with his uncle's hand, but his aunt confirmed it.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading The first attempts were inexact, but those further down, with which pains had evidently been taken, were close copies of Mr. Berry's usual handwriting.

a size of paper used especially in Britain

From this reading The paper which John had discovered among the rubbish in the stove was a half sheet of foolscap, which was covered with imitations of Mr. Berry's handwriting, the words occurring being those of the note of hand which Hall had presented for payment.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading The paper which John had discovered among the rubbish in the stove was a half sheet of foolscap, which was covered with imitations of Mr. Berry's handwriting, the words occurring being those of the note of hand which Hall had presented for payment.

to or at a greater extent or degree or a more advanced stage (“further” is used more often than “farther” in this abstract sense)

From this reading The first attempts were inexact, but those further down, with which pains had evidently been taken, were close copies of Mr. Berry's usual handwriting.

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

From this reading The paper which John had discovered among the rubbish in the stove was a half sheet of foolscap, which was covered with imitations of Mr. Berry's handwriting, the words occurring being those of the note of hand which Hall had presented for payment.

consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity

From this reading The paper which John had discovered among the rubbish in the stove was a half sheet of foolscap, which was covered with imitations of Mr. Berry's handwriting, the words occurring being those of the note of hand which Hall had presented for payment.

an interior passage or corridor onto which rooms open

From this reading The paper which John had discovered among the rubbish in the stove was a half sheet of foolscap, which was covered with imitations of Mr. Berry's handwriting, the words occurring being those of the note of hand which Hall had presented for payment.

possessive form of “hall” — an interior passage or corridor onto which rooms open

From this reading HALL'S DISCOMFITURE.

the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb

From this reading The paper which John had discovered among the rubbish in the stove was a half sheet of foolscap, which was covered with imitations of Mr. Berry's handwriting, the words occurring being those of the note of hand which Hall had presented for payment.

something written by hand

From this reading The paper which John had discovered among the rubbish in the stove was a half sheet of foolscap, which was covered with imitations of Mr. Berry's handwriting, the words occurring being those of the note of hand which Hall had presented for payment.

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

From this reading This of course John could not know, not being familiar with his uncle's hand, but his aunt confirmed it.

plural of “imitation” — the doctrine that representations of nature or human behavior should be accurate imitations

From this reading The paper which John had discovered among the rubbish in the stove was a half sheet of foolscap, which was covered with imitations of Mr. Berry's handwriting, the words occurring being those of the note of hand which Hall had presented for payment.

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

From this reading The paper which John had discovered among the rubbish in the stove was a half sheet of foolscap, which was covered with imitations of Mr. Berry's handwriting, the words occurring being those of the note of hand which Hall had presented for payment.

not exact

From this reading The first attempts were inexact, but those further down, with which pains had evidently been taken, were close copies of Mr. Berry's usual handwriting.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading This of course John could not know, not being familiar with his uncle's hand, but his aunt confirmed it.

a room or building equipped with one or more toilets

From this reading The paper which John had discovered among the rubbish in the stove was a half sheet of foolscap, which was covered with imitations of Mr. Berry's handwriting, the words occurring being those of the note of hand which Hall had presented for payment.

be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about

From this reading This of course John could not know, not being familiar with his uncle's hand, but his aunt confirmed it.

a form of address for a man

From this reading MR.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading This of course John could not know, not being familiar with his uncle's hand, but his aunt confirmed it.

a brief written record

From this reading The paper which John had discovered among the rubbish in the stove was a half sheet of foolscap, which was covered with imitations of Mr. Berry's handwriting, the words occurring being those of the note of hand which Hall had presented for payment.

inflected form of “occur” — come to pass

From this reading The paper which John had discovered among the rubbish in the stove was a half sheet of foolscap, which was covered with imitations of Mr. Berry's handwriting, the words occurring being those of the note of hand which Hall had presented for payment.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The paper which John had discovered among the rubbish in the stove was a half sheet of foolscap, which was covered with imitations of Mr. Berry's handwriting, the words occurring being those of the note of hand which Hall had presented for payment.

an effortful attempt to attain a goal

From this reading The first attempts were inexact, but those further down, with which pains had evidently been taken, were close copies of Mr. Berry's usual handwriting.

a material made of cellulose pulp derived mainly from wood or rags or certain grasses

From this reading The paper which John had discovered among the rubbish in the stove was a half sheet of foolscap, which was covered with imitations of Mr. Berry's handwriting, the words occurring being those of the note of hand which Hall had presented for payment.

a sum of money paid or a claim discharged

From this reading The paper which John had discovered among the rubbish in the stove was a half sheet of foolscap, which was covered with imitations of Mr. Berry's handwriting, the words occurring being those of the note of hand which Hall had presented for payment.

past form of “present” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience

From this reading The paper which John had discovered among the rubbish in the stove was a half sheet of foolscap, which was covered with imitations of Mr. Berry's handwriting, the words occurring being those of the note of hand which Hall had presented for payment.

worthless material that is to be disposed of

From this reading The paper which John had discovered among the rubbish in the stove was a half sheet of foolscap, which was covered with imitations of Mr. Berry's handwriting, the words occurring being those of the note of hand which Hall had presented for payment.

any broad thin expanse or surface

From this reading The paper which John had discovered among the rubbish in the stove was a half sheet of foolscap, which was covered with imitations of Mr. Berry's handwriting, the words occurring being those of the note of hand which Hall had presented for payment.

a kitchen appliance used for cooking food

From this reading The paper which John had discovered among the rubbish in the stove was a half sheet of foolscap, which was covered with imitations of Mr. Berry's handwriting, the words occurring being those of the note of hand which Hall had presented for payment.

understood in a certain way; made sense of

From this reading The first attempts were inexact, but those further down, with which pains had evidently been taken, were close copies of Mr. Berry's usual handwriting.

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

From this reading The paper which John had discovered among the rubbish in the stove was a half sheet of foolscap, which was covered with imitations of Mr. Berry's handwriting, the words occurring being those of the note of hand which Hall had presented for payment.

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

From this reading This of course John could not know, not being familiar with his uncle's hand, but his aunt confirmed it.

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

From this reading The paper which John had discovered among the rubbish in the stove was a half sheet of foolscap, which was covered with imitations of Mr. Berry's handwriting, the words occurring being those of the note of hand which Hall had presented for payment.

possessive form of “uncle” — the brother of your father or mother; the husband of your aunt

From this reading This of course John could not know, not being familiar with his uncle's hand, but his aunt confirmed it.

occurring or encountered or experienced or observed frequently or in accordance with regular practice or procedure

From this reading The first attempts were inexact, but those further down, with which pains had evidently been taken, were close copies of Mr. Berry's usual handwriting.

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

From this reading The paper which John had discovered among the rubbish in the stove was a half sheet of foolscap, which was covered with imitations of Mr. Berry's handwriting, the words occurring being those of the note of hand which Hall had presented for payment.

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

From this reading The first attempts were inexact, but those further down, with which pains had evidently been taken, were close copies of Mr. Berry's usual handwriting.

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

From this reading The paper which John had discovered among the rubbish in the stove was a half sheet of foolscap, which was covered with imitations of Mr. Berry's handwriting, the words occurring being those of the note of hand which Hall had presented for payment.

in the company of; together with

From this reading The paper which John had discovered among the rubbish in the stove was a half sheet of foolscap, which was covered with imitations of Mr. Berry's handwriting, the words occurring being those of the note of hand which Hall had presented for payment.

the words that are spoken

From this reading The paper which John had discovered among the rubbish in the stove was a half sheet of foolscap, which was covered with imitations of Mr. Berry's handwriting, the words occurring being those of the note of hand which Hall had presented for payment.