Chapter XX · Chapter 20

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

From this reading This not alone from that indescribable coyness which all have experienced in addressing even those with whom they are most intimate, in the early, half-unrevealed, and mystic emotions of first love, but because Lady Diary’s letters had been so full of her sister’s declining health, of her own anxieties and fears, that he had shrunk from giving her a new subject of anxiety; and a confidence full of hope and joy seemed to him unfeeling and unseasonable.

giving or marked by complete attention to

From this reading During the earlier days of his courtship, Percival, enamoured and absorbed for the first time in his life, did not hasten to make his mother the confidante of his happiness.

-ing form of “address” — speak to

From this reading This not alone from that indescribable coyness which all have experienced in addressing even those with whom they are most intimate, in the early, half-unrevealed, and mystic emotions of first love, but because Lady Diary’s letters had been so full of her sister’s declining health, of her own anxieties and fears, that he had shrunk from giving her a new subject of anxiety; and a confidence full of hope and joy seemed to him unfeeling and unseasonable.

a positive feeling of liking

From this reading The progress of affection between natures like those of Percival and Helen, favoured by free and constant intercourse, was naturally rapid.

(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class

From this reading This not alone from that indescribable coyness which all have experienced in addressing even those with whom they are most intimate, in the early, half-unrevealed, and mystic emotions of first love, but because Lady Diary’s letters had been so full of her sister’s declining health, of her own anxieties and fears, that he had shrunk from giving her a new subject of anxiety; and a confidence full of hope and joy seemed to him unfeeling and unseasonable.

Having no one else present.

From this reading This not alone from that indescribable coyness which all have experienced in addressing even those with whom they are most intimate, in the early, half-unrevealed, and mystic emotions of first love, but because Lady Diary’s letters had been so full of her sister’s declining health, of her own anxieties and fears, that he had shrunk from giving her a new subject of anxiety; and a confidence full of hope and joy seemed to him unfeeling and unseasonable.

prior to a specified or implied time

From this reading It was scarcely five weeks from the day he had first seen Helen, and he already regarded her as his plighted bride.

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

From this reading The progress of affection between natures like those of Percival and Helen, favoured by free and constant intercourse, was naturally rapid.

plural of “anxiety” — (psychiatry) a relatively permanent state of worry and nervousness occurring in a variety of mental disorders, usually accompanied by compulsive behavior or attacks of panic

From this reading This not alone from that indescribable coyness which all have experienced in addressing even those with whom they are most intimate, in the early, half-unrevealed, and mystic emotions of first love, but because Lady Diary’s letters had been so full of her sister’s declining health, of her own anxieties and fears, that he had shrunk from giving her a new subject of anxiety; and a confidence full of hope and joy seemed to him unfeeling and unseasonable.

(psychiatry) a relatively permanent state of worry and nervousness occurring in a variety of mental disorders, usually accompanied by compulsive behavior or attacks of panic

From this reading This not alone from that indescribable coyness which all have experienced in addressing even those with whom they are most intimate, in the early, half-unrevealed, and mystic emotions of first love, but because Lady Diary’s letters had been so full of her sister’s declining health, of her own anxieties and fears, that he had shrunk from giving her a new subject of anxiety; and a confidence full of hope and joy seemed to him unfeeling and unseasonable.

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

From this reading This not alone from that indescribable coyness which all have experienced in addressing even those with whom they are most intimate, in the early, half-unrevealed, and mystic emotions of first love, but because Lady Diary’s letters had been so full of her sister’s declining health, of her own anxieties and fears, that he had shrunk from giving her a new subject of anxiety; and a confidence full of hope and joy seemed to him unfeeling and unseasonable.

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

From this reading It was scarcely five weeks from the day he had first seen Helen, and he already regarded her as his plighted bride.

for the reason that

From this reading This not alone from that indescribable coyness which all have experienced in addressing even those with whom they are most intimate, in the early, half-unrevealed, and mystic emotions of first love, but because Lady Diary’s letters had been so full of her sister’s declining health, of her own anxieties and fears, that he had shrunk from giving her a new subject of anxiety; and a confidence full of hope and joy seemed to him unfeeling and unseasonable.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading This not alone from that indescribable coyness which all have experienced in addressing even those with whom they are most intimate, in the early, half-unrevealed, and mystic emotions of first love, but because Lady Diary’s letters had been so full of her sister’s declining health, of her own anxieties and fears, that he had shrunk from giving her a new subject of anxiety; and a confidence full of hope and joy seemed to him unfeeling and unseasonable.

in the space, time, or range separating two things

From this reading The progress of affection between natures like those of Percival and Helen, favoured by free and constant intercourse, was naturally rapid.

the two together, not just one

From this reading He had written but twice; and though he said briefly, in the second letter, that he had discovered two relations, both interesting and one charming, he had deferred naming them or entering into detail.

a woman who has recently been married

From this reading It was scarcely five weeks from the day he had first seen Helen, and he already regarded her as his plighted bride.

for a short time

From this reading He had written but twice; and though he said briefly, in the second letter, that he had discovered two relations, both interesting and one charming, he had deferred naming them or entering into detail.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading He had written but twice; and though he said briefly, in the second letter, that he had discovered two relations, both interesting and one charming, he had deferred naming them or entering into detail.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading The progress of affection between natures like those of Percival and Helen, favoured by free and constant intercourse, was naturally rapid.

pleasing or delighting

From this reading He had written but twice; and though he said briefly, in the second letter, that he had discovered two relations, both interesting and one charming, he had deferred naming them or entering into detail.

a female confidant

From this reading During the earlier days of his courtship, Percival, enamoured and absorbed for the first time in his life, did not hasten to make his mother the confidante of his happiness.

freedom from doubt; belief in yourself and your abilities

From this reading This not alone from that indescribable coyness which all have experienced in addressing even those with whom they are most intimate, in the early, half-unrevealed, and mystic emotions of first love, but because Lady Diary’s letters had been so full of her sister’s declining health, of her own anxieties and fears, that he had shrunk from giving her a new subject of anxiety; and a confidence full of hope and joy seemed to him unfeeling and unseasonable.

unvarying in nature

From this reading The progress of affection between natures like those of Percival and Helen, favoured by free and constant intercourse, was naturally rapid.

a man's courting of a woman; seeking the affections of a woman (usually with the hope of marriage)

From this reading During the earlier days of his courtship, Percival, enamoured and absorbed for the first time in his life, did not hasten to make his mother the confidante of his happiness.

the affectation of being demure in a provocative way

From this reading This not alone from that indescribable coyness which all have experienced in addressing even those with whom they are most intimate, in the early, half-unrevealed, and mystic emotions of first love, but because Lady Diary’s letters had been so full of her sister’s declining health, of her own anxieties and fears, that he had shrunk from giving her a new subject of anxiety; and a confidence full of hope and joy seemed to him unfeeling and unseasonable.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading It was scarcely five weeks from the day he had first seen Helen, and he already regarded her as his plighted bride.

the time during which someone's life continues

From this reading During the earlier days of his courtship, Percival, enamoured and absorbed for the first time in his life, did not hasten to make his mother the confidante of his happiness.

-ing form of “decline” — grow worse

From this reading This not alone from that indescribable coyness which all have experienced in addressing even those with whom they are most intimate, in the early, half-unrevealed, and mystic emotions of first love, but because Lady Diary’s letters had been so full of her sister’s declining health, of her own anxieties and fears, that he had shrunk from giving her a new subject of anxiety; and a confidence full of hope and joy seemed to him unfeeling and unseasonable.

inflected form of “defer” — hold back to a later time

From this reading He had written but twice; and though he said briefly, in the second letter, that he had discovered two relations, both interesting and one charming, he had deferred naming them or entering into detail.

an isolated fact that is considered separately from the whole

From this reading He had written but twice; and though he said briefly, in the second letter, that he had discovered two relations, both interesting and one charming, he had deferred naming them or entering into detail.

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

From this reading This not alone from that indescribable coyness which all have experienced in addressing even those with whom they are most intimate, in the early, half-unrevealed, and mystic emotions of first love, but because Lady Diary’s letters had been so full of her sister’s declining health, of her own anxieties and fears, that he had shrunk from giving her a new subject of anxiety; and a confidence full of hope and joy seemed to him unfeeling and unseasonable.

the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives

From this reading During the earlier days of his courtship, Percival, enamoured and absorbed for the first time in his life, did not hasten to make his mother the confidante of his happiness.

discovered or determined by scientific observation

From this reading He had written but twice; and though he said briefly, in the second letter, that he had discovered two relations, both interesting and one charming, he had deferred naming them or entering into detail.

all through a period, or at some point within it

From this reading During the earlier days of his courtship, Percival, enamoured and absorbed for the first time in his life, did not hasten to make his mother the confidante of his happiness.

earlier in time; previously

From this reading During the earlier days of his courtship, Percival, enamoured and absorbed for the first time in his life, did not hasten to make his mother the confidante of his happiness.

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

From this reading This not alone from that indescribable coyness which all have experienced in addressing even those with whom they are most intimate, in the early, half-unrevealed, and mystic emotions of first love, but because Lady Diary’s letters had been so full of her sister’s declining health, of her own anxieties and fears, that he had shrunk from giving her a new subject of anxiety; and a confidence full of hope and joy seemed to him unfeeling and unseasonable.

plural of “emotion” — any strong feeling

From this reading This not alone from that indescribable coyness which all have experienced in addressing even those with whom they are most intimate, in the early, half-unrevealed, and mystic emotions of first love, but because Lady Diary’s letters had been so full of her sister’s declining health, of her own anxieties and fears, that he had shrunk from giving her a new subject of anxiety; and a confidence full of hope and joy seemed to him unfeeling and unseasonable.

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

From this reading During the earlier days of his courtship, Percival, enamoured and absorbed for the first time in his life, did not hasten to make his mother the confidante of his happiness.

a movement into or inward

From this reading He had written but twice; and though he said briefly, in the second letter, that he had discovered two relations, both interesting and one charming, he had deferred naming them or entering into detail.

divisible by two

From this reading This not alone from that indescribable coyness which all have experienced in addressing even those with whom they are most intimate, in the early, half-unrevealed, and mystic emotions of first love, but because Lady Diary’s letters had been so full of her sister’s declining health, of her own anxieties and fears, that he had shrunk from giving her a new subject of anxiety; and a confidence full of hope and joy seemed to him unfeeling and unseasonable.

having experience; having knowledge or skill from observation or participation

From this reading This not alone from that indescribable coyness which all have experienced in addressing even those with whom they are most intimate, in the early, half-unrevealed, and mystic emotions of first love, but because Lady Diary’s letters had been so full of her sister’s declining health, of her own anxieties and fears, that he had shrunk from giving her a new subject of anxiety; and a confidence full of hope and joy seemed to him unfeeling and unseasonable.

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

From this reading The progress of affection between natures like those of Percival and Helen, favoured by free and constant intercourse, was naturally rapid.

plural of “fear” — an emotion experienced in anticipation of some specific pain or danger (usually accompanied by a desire to flee or fight)

From this reading This not alone from that indescribable coyness which all have experienced in addressing even those with whom they are most intimate, in the early, half-unrevealed, and mystic emotions of first love, but because Lady Diary’s letters had been so full of her sister’s declining health, of her own anxieties and fears, that he had shrunk from giving her a new subject of anxiety; and a confidence full of hope and joy seemed to him unfeeling and unseasonable.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading It was scarcely five weeks from the day he had first seen Helen, and he already regarded her as his plighted bride.

the cardinal number that is the sum of four and one

From this reading It was scarcely five weeks from the day he had first seen Helen, and he already regarded her as his plighted bride.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading During the earlier days of his courtship, Percival, enamoured and absorbed for the first time in his life, did not hasten to make his mother the confidante of his happiness.

grant freedom to; free from confinement

From this reading The progress of affection between natures like those of Percival and Helen, favoured by free and constant intercourse, was naturally rapid.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading It was scarcely five weeks from the day he had first seen Helen, and he already regarded her as his plighted bride.

containing as much or as many as is possible or normal

From this reading This not alone from that indescribable coyness which all have experienced in addressing even those with whom they are most intimate, in the early, half-unrevealed, and mystic emotions of first love, but because Lady Diary’s letters had been so full of her sister’s declining health, of her own anxieties and fears, that he had shrunk from giving her a new subject of anxiety; and a confidence full of hope and joy seemed to him unfeeling and unseasonable.

the act of giving

From this reading This not alone from that indescribable coyness which all have experienced in addressing even those with whom they are most intimate, in the early, half-unrevealed, and mystic emotions of first love, but because Lady Diary’s letters had been so full of her sister’s declining health, of her own anxieties and fears, that he had shrunk from giving her a new subject of anxiety; and a confidence full of hope and joy seemed to him unfeeling and unseasonable.

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

From this reading It was scarcely five weeks from the day he had first seen Helen, and he already regarded her as his plighted bride.

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

From this reading This not alone from that indescribable coyness which all have experienced in addressing even those with whom they are most intimate, in the early, half-unrevealed, and mystic emotions of first love, but because Lady Diary’s letters had been so full of her sister’s declining health, of her own anxieties and fears, that he had shrunk from giving her a new subject of anxiety; and a confidence full of hope and joy seemed to him unfeeling and unseasonable.

state of well-being characterized by emotions ranging from contentment to intense joy

From this reading During the earlier days of his courtship, Percival, enamoured and absorbed for the first time in his life, did not hasten to make his mother the confidante of his happiness.

act or move at high speed

From this reading During the earlier days of his courtship, Percival, enamoured and absorbed for the first time in his life, did not hasten to make his mother the confidante of his happiness.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading This not alone from that indescribable coyness which all have experienced in addressing even those with whom they are most intimate, in the early, half-unrevealed, and mystic emotions of first love, but because Lady Diary’s letters had been so full of her sister’s declining health, of her own anxieties and fears, that he had shrunk from giving her a new subject of anxiety; and a confidence full of hope and joy seemed to him unfeeling and unseasonable.

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

From this reading It was scarcely five weeks from the day he had first seen Helen, and he already regarded her as his plighted bride.

a healthy state of wellbeing free from disease

From this reading This not alone from that indescribable coyness which all have experienced in addressing even those with whom they are most intimate, in the early, half-unrevealed, and mystic emotions of first love, but because Lady Diary’s letters had been so full of her sister’s declining health, of her own anxieties and fears, that he had shrunk from giving her a new subject of anxiety; and a confidence full of hope and joy seemed to him unfeeling and unseasonable.

(Greek mythology) the beautiful daughter of Zeus and Leda who was abducted by Paris; the Greek army sailed to Troy to get her back which resulted in the Trojan War

From this reading The progress of affection between natures like those of Percival and Helen, favoured by free and constant intercourse, was naturally rapid.

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

From this reading It was scarcely five weeks from the day he had first seen Helen, and he already regarded her as his plighted bride.

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading This not alone from that indescribable coyness which all have experienced in addressing even those with whom they are most intimate, in the early, half-unrevealed, and mystic emotions of first love, but because Lady Diary’s letters had been so full of her sister’s declining health, of her own anxieties and fears, that he had shrunk from giving her a new subject of anxiety; and a confidence full of hope and joy seemed to him unfeeling and unseasonable.

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

From this reading It was scarcely five weeks from the day he had first seen Helen, and he already regarded her as his plighted bride.

a specific instance of feeling hopeful

From this reading This not alone from that indescribable coyness which all have experienced in addressing even those with whom they are most intimate, in the early, half-unrevealed, and mystic emotions of first love, but because Lady Diary’s letters had been so full of her sister’s declining health, of her own anxieties and fears, that he had shrunk from giving her a new subject of anxiety; and a confidence full of hope and joy seemed to him unfeeling and unseasonable.

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

From this reading During the earlier days of his courtship, Percival, enamoured and absorbed for the first time in his life, did not hasten to make his mother the confidante of his happiness.

defying expression or description

From this reading This not alone from that indescribable coyness which all have experienced in addressing even those with whom they are most intimate, in the early, half-unrevealed, and mystic emotions of first love, but because Lady Diary’s letters had been so full of her sister’s declining health, of her own anxieties and fears, that he had shrunk from giving her a new subject of anxiety; and a confidence full of hope and joy seemed to him unfeeling and unseasonable.

communication between individuals

From this reading The progress of affection between natures like those of Percival and Helen, favoured by free and constant intercourse, was naturally rapid.

arousing or holding the attention

From this reading He had written but twice; and though he said briefly, in the second letter, that he had discovered two relations, both interesting and one charming, he had deferred naming them or entering into detail.

marked by close acquaintance, association, or familiarity

From this reading This not alone from that indescribable coyness which all have experienced in addressing even those with whom they are most intimate, in the early, half-unrevealed, and mystic emotions of first love, but because Lady Diary’s letters had been so full of her sister’s declining health, of her own anxieties and fears, that he had shrunk from giving her a new subject of anxiety; and a confidence full of hope and joy seemed to him unfeeling and unseasonable.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading He had written but twice; and though he said briefly, in the second letter, that he had discovered two relations, both interesting and one charming, he had deferred naming them or entering into detail.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was scarcely five weeks from the day he had first seen Helen, and he already regarded her as his plighted bride.

the emotion of great happiness

From this reading This not alone from that indescribable coyness which all have experienced in addressing even those with whom they are most intimate, in the early, half-unrevealed, and mystic emotions of first love, but because Lady Diary’s letters had been so full of her sister’s declining health, of her own anxieties and fears, that he had shrunk from giving her a new subject of anxiety; and a confidence full of hope and joy seemed to him unfeeling and unseasonable.

a polite name for any woman

From this reading This not alone from that indescribable coyness which all have experienced in addressing even those with whom they are most intimate, in the early, half-unrevealed, and mystic emotions of first love, but because Lady Diary’s letters had been so full of her sister’s declining health, of her own anxieties and fears, that he had shrunk from giving her a new subject of anxiety; and a confidence full of hope and joy seemed to him unfeeling and unseasonable.

a written message addressed to a person or organization

From this reading He had written but twice; and though he said briefly, in the second letter, that he had discovered two relations, both interesting and one charming, he had deferred naming them or entering into detail.

the literary culture

From this reading This not alone from that indescribable coyness which all have experienced in addressing even those with whom they are most intimate, in the early, half-unrevealed, and mystic emotions of first love, but because Lady Diary’s letters had been so full of her sister’s declining health, of her own anxieties and fears, that he had shrunk from giving her a new subject of anxiety; and a confidence full of hope and joy seemed to him unfeeling and unseasonable.

a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading During the earlier days of his courtship, Percival, enamoured and absorbed for the first time in his life, did not hasten to make his mother the confidante of his happiness.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading The progress of affection between natures like those of Percival and Helen, favoured by free and constant intercourse, was naturally rapid.

a strong positive emotion of regard and affection

From this reading This not alone from that indescribable coyness which all have experienced in addressing even those with whom they are most intimate, in the early, half-unrevealed, and mystic emotions of first love, but because Lady Diary’s letters had been so full of her sister’s declining health, of her own anxieties and fears, that he had shrunk from giving her a new subject of anxiety; and a confidence full of hope and joy seemed to him unfeeling and unseasonable.

engage in

From this reading During the earlier days of his courtship, Percival, enamoured and absorbed for the first time in his life, did not hasten to make his mother the confidante of his happiness.

used to form the superlative

From this reading This not alone from that indescribable coyness which all have experienced in addressing even those with whom they are most intimate, in the early, half-unrevealed, and mystic emotions of first love, but because Lady Diary’s letters had been so full of her sister’s declining health, of her own anxieties and fears, that he had shrunk from giving her a new subject of anxiety; and a confidence full of hope and joy seemed to him unfeeling and unseasonable.

a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)

From this reading During the earlier days of his courtship, Percival, enamoured and absorbed for the first time in his life, did not hasten to make his mother the confidante of his happiness.

having an import not apparent to the senses nor obvious to the intelligence; beyond ordinary understanding

From this reading This not alone from that indescribable coyness which all have experienced in addressing even those with whom they are most intimate, in the early, half-unrevealed, and mystic emotions of first love, but because Lady Diary’s letters had been so full of her sister’s declining health, of her own anxieties and fears, that he had shrunk from giving her a new subject of anxiety; and a confidence full of hope and joy seemed to him unfeeling and unseasonable.

the verbal act of naming

From this reading He had written but twice; and though he said briefly, in the second letter, that he had discovered two relations, both interesting and one charming, he had deferred naming them or entering into detail.

as might be expected

From this reading The progress of affection between natures like those of Percival and Helen, favoured by free and constant intercourse, was naturally rapid.

plural of “nature” — the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized

From this reading The progress of affection between natures like those of Percival and Helen, favoured by free and constant intercourse, was naturally rapid.

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

From this reading This not alone from that indescribable coyness which all have experienced in addressing even those with whom they are most intimate, in the early, half-unrevealed, and mystic emotions of first love, but because Lady Diary’s letters had been so full of her sister’s declining health, of her own anxieties and fears, that he had shrunk from giving her a new subject of anxiety; and a confidence full of hope and joy seemed to him unfeeling and unseasonable.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading During the earlier days of his courtship, Percival, enamoured and absorbed for the first time in his life, did not hasten to make his mother the confidante of his happiness.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The progress of affection between natures like those of Percival and Helen, favoured by free and constant intercourse, was naturally rapid.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading He had written but twice; and though he said briefly, in the second letter, that he had discovered two relations, both interesting and one charming, he had deferred naming them or entering into detail.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading He had written but twice; and though he said briefly, in the second letter, that he had discovered two relations, both interesting and one charming, he had deferred naming them or entering into detail.

have ownership or possession of

From this reading This not alone from that indescribable coyness which all have experienced in addressing even those with whom they are most intimate, in the early, half-unrevealed, and mystic emotions of first love, but because Lady Diary’s letters had been so full of her sister’s declining health, of her own anxieties and fears, that he had shrunk from giving her a new subject of anxiety; and a confidence full of hope and joy seemed to him unfeeling and unseasonable.

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

From this reading The progress of affection between natures like those of Percival and Helen, favoured by free and constant intercourse, was naturally rapid.

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

From this reading It was scarcely five weeks from the day he had first seen Helen, and he already regarded her as his plighted bride.

gradual improvement or growth or development

From this reading The progress of affection between natures like those of Percival and Helen, favoured by free and constant intercourse, was naturally rapid.

done or occurring in a brief period of time

From this reading The progress of affection between natures like those of Percival and Helen, favoured by free and constant intercourse, was naturally rapid.

past form of “regard” — deem to be

From this reading It was scarcely five weeks from the day he had first seen Helen, and he already regarded her as his plighted bride.

mutual dealings or connections or communications among persons or groups

From this reading He had written but twice; and though he said briefly, in the second letter, that he had discovered two relations, both interesting and one charming, he had deferred naming them or entering into detail.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading He had written but twice; and though he said briefly, in the second letter, that he had discovered two relations, both interesting and one charming, he had deferred naming them or entering into detail.

only a very short time before

From this reading It was scarcely five weeks from the day he had first seen Helen, and he already regarded her as his plighted bride.

1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites

From this reading He had written but twice; and though he said briefly, in the second letter, that he had discovered two relations, both interesting and one charming, he had deferred naming them or entering into detail.

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

From this reading This not alone from that indescribable coyness which all have experienced in addressing even those with whom they are most intimate, in the early, half-unrevealed, and mystic emotions of first love, but because Lady Diary’s letters had been so full of her sister’s declining health, of her own anxieties and fears, that he had shrunk from giving her a new subject of anxiety; and a confidence full of hope and joy seemed to him unfeeling and unseasonable.

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

From this reading It was scarcely five weeks from the day he had first seen Helen, and he already regarded her as his plighted bride.

inflected form of “shrink” — wither, as with a loss of moisture

From this reading This not alone from that indescribable coyness which all have experienced in addressing even those with whom they are most intimate, in the early, half-unrevealed, and mystic emotions of first love, but because Lady Diary’s letters had been so full of her sister’s declining health, of her own anxieties and fears, that he had shrunk from giving her a new subject of anxiety; and a confidence full of hope and joy seemed to him unfeeling and unseasonable.

possessive form of “sister” — a female person who has the same parents as another person

From this reading This not alone from that indescribable coyness which all have experienced in addressing even those with whom they are most intimate, in the early, half-unrevealed, and mystic emotions of first love, but because Lady Diary’s letters had been so full of her sister’s declining health, of her own anxieties and fears, that he had shrunk from giving her a new subject of anxiety; and a confidence full of hope and joy seemed to him unfeeling and unseasonable.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading This not alone from that indescribable coyness which all have experienced in addressing even those with whom they are most intimate, in the early, half-unrevealed, and mystic emotions of first love, but because Lady Diary’s letters had been so full of her sister’s declining health, of her own anxieties and fears, that he had shrunk from giving her a new subject of anxiety; and a confidence full of hope and joy seemed to him unfeeling and unseasonable.

the subject matter of a conversation or discussion

From this reading This not alone from that indescribable coyness which all have experienced in addressing even those with whom they are most intimate, in the early, half-unrevealed, and mystic emotions of first love, but because Lady Diary’s letters had been so full of her sister’s declining health, of her own anxieties and fears, that he had shrunk from giving her a new subject of anxiety; and a confidence full of hope and joy seemed to him unfeeling and unseasonable.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading He had written but twice; and though he said briefly, in the second letter, that he had discovered two relations, both interesting and one charming, he had deferred naming them or entering into detail.

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

From this reading The progress of affection between natures like those of Percival and Helen, favoured by free and constant intercourse, was naturally rapid.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading He had written but twice; and though he said briefly, in the second letter, that he had discovered two relations, both interesting and one charming, he had deferred naming them or entering into detail.

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

From this reading This not alone from that indescribable coyness which all have experienced in addressing even those with whom they are most intimate, in the early, half-unrevealed, and mystic emotions of first love, but because Lady Diary’s letters had been so full of her sister’s declining health, of her own anxieties and fears, that he had shrunk from giving her a new subject of anxiety; and a confidence full of hope and joy seemed to him unfeeling and unseasonable.

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

From this reading This not alone from that indescribable coyness which all have experienced in addressing even those with whom they are most intimate, in the early, half-unrevealed, and mystic emotions of first love, but because Lady Diary’s letters had been so full of her sister’s declining health, of her own anxieties and fears, that he had shrunk from giving her a new subject of anxiety; and a confidence full of hope and joy seemed to him unfeeling and unseasonable.

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

From this reading The progress of affection between natures like those of Percival and Helen, favoured by free and constant intercourse, was naturally rapid.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading He had written but twice; and though he said briefly, in the second letter, that he had discovered two relations, both interesting and one charming, he had deferred naming them or entering into detail.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading During the earlier days of his courtship, Percival, enamoured and absorbed for the first time in his life, did not hasten to make his mother the confidante of his happiness.

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

From this reading During the earlier days of his courtship, Percival, enamoured and absorbed for the first time in his life, did not hasten to make his mother the confidante of his happiness.

two times

From this reading He had written but twice; and though he said briefly, in the second letter, that he had discovered two relations, both interesting and one charming, he had deferred naming them or entering into detail.

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

From this reading He had written but twice; and though he said briefly, in the second letter, that he had discovered two relations, both interesting and one charming, he had deferred naming them or entering into detail.

devoid of feeling for others

From this reading This not alone from that indescribable coyness which all have experienced in addressing even those with whom they are most intimate, in the early, half-unrevealed, and mystic emotions of first love, but because Lady Diary’s letters had been so full of her sister’s declining health, of her own anxieties and fears, that he had shrunk from giving her a new subject of anxiety; and a confidence full of hope and joy seemed to him unfeeling and unseasonable.

not in keeping with (and usually undesirable for) the season

From this reading This not alone from that indescribable coyness which all have experienced in addressing even those with whom they are most intimate, in the early, half-unrevealed, and mystic emotions of first love, but because Lady Diary’s letters had been so full of her sister’s declining health, of her own anxieties and fears, that he had shrunk from giving her a new subject of anxiety; and a confidence full of hope and joy seemed to him unfeeling and unseasonable.

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

From this reading The progress of affection between natures like those of Percival and Helen, favoured by free and constant intercourse, was naturally rapid.

plural of “week” — any period of seven consecutive days

From this reading It was scarcely five weeks from the day he had first seen Helen, and he already regarded her as his plighted bride.

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

From this reading This not alone from that indescribable coyness which all have experienced in addressing even those with whom they are most intimate, in the early, half-unrevealed, and mystic emotions of first love, but because Lady Diary’s letters had been so full of her sister’s declining health, of her own anxieties and fears, that he had shrunk from giving her a new subject of anxiety; and a confidence full of hope and joy seemed to him unfeeling and unseasonable.

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

From this reading This not alone from that indescribable coyness which all have experienced in addressing even those with whom they are most intimate, in the early, half-unrevealed, and mystic emotions of first love, but because Lady Diary’s letters had been so full of her sister’s declining health, of her own anxieties and fears, that he had shrunk from giving her a new subject of anxiety; and a confidence full of hope and joy seemed to him unfeeling and unseasonable.

in the company of; together with

From this reading This not alone from that indescribable coyness which all have experienced in addressing even those with whom they are most intimate, in the early, half-unrevealed, and mystic emotions of first love, but because Lady Diary’s letters had been so full of her sister’s declining health, of her own anxieties and fears, that he had shrunk from giving her a new subject of anxiety; and a confidence full of hope and joy seemed to him unfeeling and unseasonable.

set down in writing in any of various ways

From this reading He had written but twice; and though he said briefly, in the second letter, that he had discovered two relations, both interesting and one charming, he had deferred naming them or entering into detail.