Chapter XXV · Chapter 25

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

From this reading On following Beck into the room she rented, Percival was greatly surprised to find, seated comfortably on the only chair to be seen, no less a person than the worthy Mrs. Mivers.

be present or associated with an event or entity

From this reading Leaving the guilty pair to concert their schemes and indulge their atrocious hopes, we accompany Percival to the hovel occupied by Becky Carruthers.

a record or narrative description of past events

From this reading And while this humble condition in her earlier life may account for much in her language and manners which is nowadays inconsonant with the breeding and education that characterize the wives of opulent tradesmen, so perhaps the remembrance of it made her unusually susceptible to the duties of charity.

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

From this reading Leaving the guilty pair to concert their schemes and indulge their atrocious hopes, we accompany Percival to the hovel occupied by Becky Carruthers.

shockingly brutal or cruel

From this reading Leaving the guilty pair to concert their schemes and indulge their atrocious hopes, we accompany Percival to the hovel occupied by Becky Carruthers.

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

From this reading On following Beck into the room she rented, Percival was greatly surprised to find, seated comfortably on the only chair to be seen, no less a person than the worthy Mrs. Mivers.

a beckoning gesture

From this reading On following Beck into the room she rented, Percival was greatly surprised to find, seated comfortably on the only chair to be seen, no less a person than the worthy Mrs. Mivers.

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

From this reading Leaving the guilty pair to concert their schemes and indulge their atrocious hopes, we accompany Percival to the hovel occupied by Becky Carruthers.

food made from dough of flour or meal and usually raised with yeast or baking powder and then baked

From this reading This good lady in her spinster days had earned her own bread by hard work.

elegance by virtue of fineness of manner and expression

From this reading And while this humble condition in her earlier life may account for much in her language and manners which is nowadays inconsonant with the breeding and education that characterize the wives of opulent tradesmen, so perhaps the remembrance of it made her unusually susceptible to the duties of charity.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading She had captivated Mr. Mivers when but a simple housemaid in the service of one of his relations.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Leaving the guilty pair to concert their schemes and indulge their atrocious hopes, we accompany Percival to the hovel occupied by Becky Carruthers.

strongly attracted

From this reading She had captivated Mr. Mivers when but a simple housemaid in the service of one of his relations.

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

From this reading Leaving the guilty pair to concert their schemes and indulge their atrocious hopes, we accompany Percival to the hovel occupied by Becky Carruthers.

a seat for one person, with a support for the back

From this reading On following Beck into the room she rented, Percival was greatly surprised to find, seated comfortably on the only chair to be seen, no less a person than the worthy Mrs. Mivers.

describe or portray the character or the qualities or peculiarities of

From this reading And while this humble condition in her earlier life may account for much in her language and manners which is nowadays inconsonant with the breeding and education that characterize the wives of opulent tradesmen, so perhaps the remembrance of it made her unusually susceptible to the duties of charity.

a foundation created to promote the public good (not for assistance to any particular individuals)

From this reading And while this humble condition in her earlier life may account for much in her language and manners which is nowadays inconsonant with the breeding and education that characterize the wives of opulent tradesmen, so perhaps the remembrance of it made her unusually susceptible to the duties of charity.

in mental comfort; without stress

From this reading On following Beck into the room she rented, Percival was greatly surprised to find, seated comfortably on the only chair to be seen, no less a person than the worthy Mrs. Mivers.

a performance of music by players or singers not involving theatrical staging

From this reading Leaving the guilty pair to concert their schemes and indulge their atrocious hopes, we accompany Percival to the hovel occupied by Becky Carruthers.

a state at a particular time

From this reading And while this humble condition in her earlier life may account for much in her language and manners which is nowadays inconsonant with the breeding and education that characterize the wives of opulent tradesmen, so perhaps the remembrance of it made her unusually susceptible to the duties of charity.

the time during which someone's life continues

From this reading This good lady in her spinster days had earned her own bread by hard work.

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

From this reading And while this humble condition in her earlier life may account for much in her language and manners which is nowadays inconsonant with the breeding and education that characterize the wives of opulent tradesmen, so perhaps the remembrance of it made her unusually susceptible to the duties of charity.

earlier in time; previously

From this reading And while this humble condition in her earlier life may account for much in her language and manners which is nowadays inconsonant with the breeding and education that characterize the wives of opulent tradesmen, so perhaps the remembrance of it made her unusually susceptible to the duties of charity.

gained or acquired; especially through merit or as a result of effort or action

From this reading This good lady in her spinster days had earned her own bread by hard work.

the activities of educating or instructing; activities that impart knowledge or skill

From this reading And while this humble condition in her earlier life may account for much in her language and manners which is nowadays inconsonant with the breeding and education that characterize the wives of opulent tradesmen, so perhaps the remembrance of it made her unusually susceptible to the duties of charity.

come upon, as if by accident; meet with

From this reading On following Beck into the room she rented, Percival was greatly surprised to find, seated comfortably on the only chair to be seen, no less a person than the worthy Mrs. Mivers.

about to be mentioned or specified

From this reading On following Beck into the room she rented, Percival was greatly surprised to find, seated comfortably on the only chair to be seen, no less a person than the worthy Mrs. Mivers.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading And while this humble condition in her earlier life may account for much in her language and manners which is nowadays inconsonant with the breeding and education that characterize the wives of opulent tradesmen, so perhaps the remembrance of it made her unusually susceptible to the duties of charity.

having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified

From this reading This good lady in her spinster days had earned her own bread by hard work.

to an extraordinary extent or degree

From this reading On following Beck into the room she rented, Percival was greatly surprised to find, seated comfortably on the only chair to be seen, no less a person than the worthy Mrs. Mivers.

responsible for or chargeable with a reprehensible act

From this reading Leaving the guilty pair to concert their schemes and indulge their atrocious hopes, we accompany Percival to the hovel occupied by Becky Carruthers.

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

From this reading This good lady in her spinster days had earned her own bread by hard work.

not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure

From this reading This good lady in her spinster days had earned her own bread by hard work.

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

From this reading This good lady in her spinster days had earned her own bread by hard work.

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

From this reading She had captivated Mr. Mivers when but a simple housemaid in the service of one of his relations.

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

From this reading Leaving the guilty pair to concert their schemes and indulge their atrocious hopes, we accompany Percival to the hovel occupied by Becky Carruthers.

a female domestic

From this reading She had captivated Mr. Mivers when but a simple housemaid in the service of one of his relations.

small crude shelter used as a dwelling

From this reading Leaving the guilty pair to concert their schemes and indulge their atrocious hopes, we accompany Percival to the hovel occupied by Becky Carruthers.

low or inferior in station or quality

From this reading And while this humble condition in her earlier life may account for much in her language and manners which is nowadays inconsonant with the breeding and education that characterize the wives of opulent tradesmen, so perhaps the remembrance of it made her unusually susceptible to the duties of charity.

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

From this reading This good lady in her spinster days had earned her own bread by hard work.

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

From this reading And while this humble condition in her earlier life may account for much in her language and manners which is nowadays inconsonant with the breeding and education that characterize the wives of opulent tradesmen, so perhaps the remembrance of it made her unusually susceptible to the duties of charity.

give free rein to

From this reading Leaving the guilty pair to concert their schemes and indulge their atrocious hopes, we accompany Percival to the hovel occupied by Becky Carruthers.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading On following Beck into the room she rented, Percival was greatly surprised to find, seated comfortably on the only chair to be seen, no less a person than the worthy Mrs. Mivers.

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

From this reading And while this humble condition in her earlier life may account for much in her language and manners which is nowadays inconsonant with the breeding and education that characterize the wives of opulent tradesmen, so perhaps the remembrance of it made her unusually susceptible to the duties of charity.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading And while this humble condition in her earlier life may account for much in her language and manners which is nowadays inconsonant with the breeding and education that characterize the wives of opulent tradesmen, so perhaps the remembrance of it made her unusually susceptible to the duties of charity.

a polite name for any woman

From this reading This good lady in her spinster days had earned her own bread by hard work.

a systematic means of communicating by the use of sounds or conventional symbols

From this reading And while this humble condition in her earlier life may account for much in her language and manners which is nowadays inconsonant with the breeding and education that characterize the wives of opulent tradesmen, so perhaps the remembrance of it made her unusually susceptible to the duties of charity.

the act of departing

From this reading Leaving the guilty pair to concert their schemes and indulge their atrocious hopes, we accompany Percival to the hovel occupied by Becky Carruthers.

used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs

From this reading On following Beck into the room she rented, Percival was greatly surprised to find, seated comfortably on the only chair to be seen, no less a person than the worthy Mrs. Mivers.

a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading And while this humble condition in her earlier life may account for much in her language and manners which is nowadays inconsonant with the breeding and education that characterize the wives of opulent tradesmen, so perhaps the remembrance of it made her unusually susceptible to the duties of charity.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading And while this humble condition in her earlier life may account for much in her language and manners which is nowadays inconsonant with the breeding and education that characterize the wives of opulent tradesmen, so perhaps the remembrance of it made her unusually susceptible to the duties of charity.

social deportment

From this reading And while this humble condition in her earlier life may account for much in her language and manners which is nowadays inconsonant with the breeding and education that characterize the wives of opulent tradesmen, so perhaps the remembrance of it made her unusually susceptible to the duties of charity.

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading And while this humble condition in her earlier life may account for much in her language and manners which is nowadays inconsonant with the breeding and education that characterize the wives of opulent tradesmen, so perhaps the remembrance of it made her unusually susceptible to the duties of charity.

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

From this reading On following Beck into the room she rented, Percival was greatly surprised to find, seated comfortably on the only chair to be seen, no less a person than the worthy Mrs. Mivers.

a form of address for a man

From this reading She had captivated Mr. Mivers when but a simple housemaid in the service of one of his relations.

a form of address for a married woman

From this reading On following Beck into the room she rented, Percival was greatly surprised to find, seated comfortably on the only chair to be seen, no less a person than the worthy Mrs. Mivers.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading And while this humble condition in her earlier life may account for much in her language and manners which is nowadays inconsonant with the breeding and education that characterize the wives of opulent tradesmen, so perhaps the remembrance of it made her unusually susceptible to the duties of charity.

not any; not one

From this reading On following Beck into the room she rented, Percival was greatly surprised to find, seated comfortably on the only chair to be seen, no less a person than the worthy Mrs. Mivers.

the period of time that is happening now; any continuous stretch of time including the moment of speech

From this reading And while this humble condition in her earlier life may account for much in her language and manners which is nowadays inconsonant with the breeding and education that characterize the wives of opulent tradesmen, so perhaps the remembrance of it made her unusually susceptible to the duties of charity.

held or filled or in use

From this reading Leaving the guilty pair to concert their schemes and indulge their atrocious hopes, we accompany Percival to the hovel occupied by Becky Carruthers.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading She had captivated Mr. Mivers when but a simple housemaid in the service of one of his relations.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading On following Beck into the room she rented, Percival was greatly surprised to find, seated comfortably on the only chair to be seen, no less a person than the worthy Mrs. Mivers.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading She had captivated Mr. Mivers when but a simple housemaid in the service of one of his relations.

and nothing more

From this reading On following Beck into the room she rented, Percival was greatly surprised to find, seated comfortably on the only chair to be seen, no less a person than the worthy Mrs. Mivers.

ostentatiously rich and superior in quality

From this reading And while this humble condition in her earlier life may account for much in her language and manners which is nowadays inconsonant with the breeding and education that characterize the wives of opulent tradesmen, so perhaps the remembrance of it made her unusually susceptible to the duties of charity.

have ownership or possession of

From this reading This good lady in her spinster days had earned her own bread by hard work.

a set of two similar things considered as a unit

From this reading Leaving the guilty pair to concert their schemes and indulge their atrocious hopes, we accompany Percival to the hovel occupied by Becky Carruthers.

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

From this reading Leaving the guilty pair to concert their schemes and indulge their atrocious hopes, we accompany Percival to the hovel occupied by Becky Carruthers.

by chance

From this reading And while this humble condition in her earlier life may account for much in her language and manners which is nowadays inconsonant with the breeding and education that characterize the wives of opulent tradesmen, so perhaps the remembrance of it made her unusually susceptible to the duties of charity.

a human being

From this reading On following Beck into the room she rented, Percival was greatly surprised to find, seated comfortably on the only chair to be seen, no less a person than the worthy Mrs. Mivers.

mutual dealings or connections or communications among persons or groups

From this reading She had captivated Mr. Mivers when but a simple housemaid in the service of one of his relations.

the ability to recall past occurrences

From this reading And while this humble condition in her earlier life may account for much in her language and manners which is nowadays inconsonant with the breeding and education that characterize the wives of opulent tradesmen, so perhaps the remembrance of it made her unusually susceptible to the duties of charity.

past form of “rent” — let for money

From this reading On following Beck into the room she rented, Percival was greatly surprised to find, seated comfortably on the only chair to be seen, no less a person than the worthy Mrs. Mivers.

an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling

From this reading On following Beck into the room she rented, Percival was greatly surprised to find, seated comfortably on the only chair to be seen, no less a person than the worthy Mrs. Mivers.

plural of “scheme” — an elaborate and systematic plan of action

From this reading Leaving the guilty pair to concert their schemes and indulge their atrocious hopes, we accompany Percival to the hovel occupied by Becky Carruthers.

(of persons) having the torso erect and legs bent with the body supported on the buttocks

From this reading On following Beck into the room she rented, Percival was greatly surprised to find, seated comfortably on the only chair to be seen, no less a person than the worthy Mrs. Mivers.

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

From this reading On following Beck into the room she rented, Percival was greatly surprised to find, seated comfortably on the only chair to be seen, no less a person than the worthy Mrs. Mivers.

work done by one person or group that benefits another

From this reading She had captivated Mr. Mivers when but a simple housemaid in the service of one of his relations.

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

From this reading On following Beck into the room she rented, Percival was greatly surprised to find, seated comfortably on the only chair to be seen, no less a person than the worthy Mrs. Mivers.

having few parts; not complex or complicated or involved

From this reading She had captivated Mr. Mivers when but a simple housemaid in the service of one of his relations.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading And while this humble condition in her earlier life may account for much in her language and manners which is nowadays inconsonant with the breeding and education that characterize the wives of opulent tradesmen, so perhaps the remembrance of it made her unusually susceptible to the duties of charity.

an elderly unmarried woman

From this reading This good lady in her spinster days had earned her own bread by hard work.

taken unawares or suddenly and feeling wonder or astonishment

From this reading On following Beck into the room she rented, Percival was greatly surprised to find, seated comfortably on the only chair to be seen, no less a person than the worthy Mrs. Mivers.

(often followed by “of” or “to”) yielding readily to or capable of

From this reading And while this humble condition in her earlier life may account for much in her language and manners which is nowadays inconsonant with the breeding and education that characterize the wives of opulent tradesmen, so perhaps the remembrance of it made her unusually susceptible to the duties of charity.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading On following Beck into the room she rented, Percival was greatly surprised to find, seated comfortably on the only chair to be seen, no less a person than the worthy Mrs. Mivers.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading And while this humble condition in her earlier life may account for much in her language and manners which is nowadays inconsonant with the breeding and education that characterize the wives of opulent tradesmen, so perhaps the remembrance of it made her unusually susceptible to the duties of charity.

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

From this reading Leaving the guilty pair to concert their schemes and indulge their atrocious hopes, we accompany Percival to the hovel occupied by Becky Carruthers.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Leaving the guilty pair to concert their schemes and indulge their atrocious hopes, we accompany Percival to the hovel occupied by Becky Carruthers.

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

From this reading This good lady in her spinster days had earned her own bread by hard work.

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

From this reading Leaving the guilty pair to concert their schemes and indulge their atrocious hopes, we accompany Percival to the hovel occupied by Becky Carruthers.

plural of “tradesman” — a merchant who owns or manages a shop

From this reading And while this humble condition in her earlier life may account for much in her language and manners which is nowadays inconsonant with the breeding and education that characterize the wives of opulent tradesmen, so perhaps the remembrance of it made her unusually susceptible to the duties of charity.

to a remarkable degree or extent

From this reading And while this humble condition in her earlier life may account for much in her language and manners which is nowadays inconsonant with the breeding and education that characterize the wives of opulent tradesmen, so perhaps the remembrance of it made her unusually susceptible to the duties of charity.

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

From this reading On following Beck into the room she rented, Percival was greatly surprised to find, seated comfortably on the only chair to be seen, no less a person than the worthy Mrs. Mivers.

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading Leaving the guilty pair to concert their schemes and indulge their atrocious hopes, we accompany Percival to the hovel occupied by Becky Carruthers.

at the time that

From this reading She had captivated Mr. Mivers when but a simple housemaid in the service of one of his relations.

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

From this reading And while this humble condition in her earlier life may account for much in her language and manners which is nowadays inconsonant with the breeding and education that characterize the wives of opulent tradesmen, so perhaps the remembrance of it made her unusually susceptible to the duties of charity.

during the time that

From this reading And while this humble condition in her earlier life may account for much in her language and manners which is nowadays inconsonant with the breeding and education that characterize the wives of opulent tradesmen, so perhaps the remembrance of it made her unusually susceptible to the duties of charity.

in the company of; together with

From this reading And while this humble condition in her earlier life may account for much in her language and manners which is nowadays inconsonant with the breeding and education that characterize the wives of opulent tradesmen, so perhaps the remembrance of it made her unusually susceptible to the duties of charity.

plural of “wife” — a married woman; a man's partner in marriage

From this reading And while this humble condition in her earlier life may account for much in her language and manners which is nowadays inconsonant with the breeding and education that characterize the wives of opulent tradesmen, so perhaps the remembrance of it made her unusually susceptible to the duties of charity.

exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity

From this reading This good lady in her spinster days had earned her own bread by hard work.

Having or showing the qualities or abilities that merit recognition in character or magic.

From this reading On following Beck into the room she rented, Percival was greatly surprised to find, seated comfortably on the only chair to be seen, no less a person than the worthy Mrs. Mivers.