Chapter XXXIX

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

From this reading Then Mrs. Lennox, with a troubled face, put forth her excuses--“I am sure I beg your pardon, but as they seem to be expecting somebody, perhaps I had better go and see--” Sophy, who had devoured Russell’s communications with eyes dancing with excitement, had slipped from her seat at once and vanished.

later than; following

From this reading IT was difficult to explain the impulse which drew them one after another into the ante-room.

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading Rex, with a moody face and his hands in his pockets, strolled to the door, and stood there, leaning against the opening, divided between curiosity and disgust.

(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 John Trevanion hurried out first of all, and Rosalind after him, making no apology.

the form of “be” used with “I”

From this reading Then Mrs. Lennox, with a troubled face, put forth her excuses--“I am sure I beg your pardon, but as they seem to be expecting somebody, perhaps I had better go and see--” Sophy, who had devoured Russell’s communications with eyes dancing with excitement, had slipped from her seat at once and vanished.

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

From this reading On ordinary occasions it would have been the height of bad manners; and there was no reason, so far as most of the company knew, why common laws should be postponed to the exigencies of the occasion.

one more of the same kind, or a different one

From this reading IT was difficult to explain the impulse which drew them one after another into the ante-room.

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

From this reading IT was difficult to explain the impulse which drew them one after another into the ante-room.

an expression of regret at having caused trouble for someone

From this reading John Trevanion hurried out first of all, and Rosalind after him, making no apology.

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

From this reading On ordinary occasions it would have been the height of bad manners; and there was no reason, so far as most of the company knew, why common laws should be postponed to the exigencies of the occasion.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Then Mrs. Lennox, with a troubled face, put forth her excuses--“I am sure I beg your pardon, but as they seem to be expecting somebody, perhaps I had better go and see--” Sophy, who had devoured Russell’s communications with eyes dancing with excitement, had slipped from her seat at once and vanished.

having undesirable or negative qualities

From this reading On ordinary occasions it would have been the height of bad manners; and there was no reason, so far as most of the company knew, why common laws should be postponed to the exigencies of the occasion.

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

From this reading On ordinary occasions it would have been the height of bad manners; and there was no reason, so far as most of the company knew, why common laws should be postponed to the exigencies of the occasion.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading On ordinary occasions it would have been the height of bad manners; and there was no reason, so far as most of the company knew, why common laws should be postponed to the exigencies of the occasion.

call upon in supplication; entreat

From this reading Then Mrs. Lennox, with a troubled face, put forth her excuses--“I am sure I beg your pardon, but as they seem to be expecting somebody, perhaps I had better go and see--” Sophy, who had devoured Russell’s communications with eyes dancing with excitement, had slipped from her seat at once and vanished.

(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another

From this reading Then Mrs. Lennox, with a troubled face, put forth her excuses--“I am sure I beg your pardon, but as they seem to be expecting somebody, perhaps I had better go and see--” Sophy, who had devoured Russell’s communications with eyes dancing with excitement, had slipped from her seat at once and vanished.

in the space, time, or range separating two things

From this reading Rex, with a moody face and his hands in his pockets, strolled to the door, and stood there, leaning against the opening, divided between curiosity and disgust.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Then Mrs. Lennox, with a troubled face, put forth her excuses--“I am sure I beg your pardon, but as they seem to be expecting somebody, perhaps I had better go and see--” Sophy, who had devoured Russell’s communications with eyes dancing with excitement, had slipped from her seat at once and vanished.

belonging to or participated in by a community as a whole; public

From this reading On ordinary occasions it would have been the height of bad manners; and there was no reason, so far as most of the company knew, why common laws should be postponed to the exigencies of the occasion.

the discipline that studies the principles of transmiting information and the methods by which it is delivered (as print or radio or television etc.)

From this reading Then Mrs. Lennox, with a troubled face, put forth her excuses--“I am sure I beg your pardon, but as they seem to be expecting somebody, perhaps I had better go and see--” Sophy, who had devoured Russell’s communications with eyes dancing with excitement, had slipped from her seat at once and vanished.

an institution created to conduct business

From this reading On ordinary occasions it would have been the height of bad manners; and there was no reason, so far as most of the company knew, why common laws should be postponed to the exigencies of the occasion.

a state in which you want to learn more about something

From this reading Rex, with a moody face and his hands in his pockets, strolled to the door, and stood there, leaning against the opening, divided between curiosity and disgust.

taking a series of rhythmical steps (and movements) in time to music

From this reading Then Mrs. Lennox, with a troubled face, put forth her excuses--“I am sure I beg your pardon, but as they seem to be expecting somebody, perhaps I had better go and see--” Sophy, who had devoured Russell’s communications with eyes dancing with excitement, had slipped from her seat at once and vanished.

past form of “devour” — destroy completely

From this reading Then Mrs. Lennox, with a troubled face, put forth her excuses--“I am sure I beg your pardon, but as they seem to be expecting somebody, perhaps I had better go and see--” Sophy, who had devoured Russell’s communications with eyes dancing with excitement, had slipped from her seat at once and vanished.

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

From this reading IT was difficult to explain the impulse which drew them one after another into the ante-room.

fill with distaste

From this reading Rex, with a moody face and his hands in his pockets, strolled to the door, and stood there, leaning against the opening, divided between curiosity and disgust.

separated into parts or pieces

From this reading Rex, with a moody face and his hands in his pockets, strolled to the door, and stood there, leaning against the opening, divided between curiosity and disgust.

a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle

From this reading Rex, with a moody face and his hands in his pockets, strolled to the door, and stood there, leaning against the opening, divided between curiosity and disgust.

United States actor (born in Ireland); father of Georgiana Emma Barrymore (1827-1862)

From this reading IT was difficult to explain the impulse which drew them one after another into the ante-room.

the feeling of lively and cheerful joy

From this reading Then Mrs. Lennox, with a troubled face, put forth her excuses--“I am sure I beg your pardon, but as they seem to be expecting somebody, perhaps I had better go and see--” Sophy, who had devoured Russell’s communications with eyes dancing with excitement, had slipped from her seat at once and vanished.

plural of “excuse” — a defense of some offensive behavior or some failure to keep a promise etc.

From this reading Then Mrs. Lennox, with a troubled face, put forth her excuses--“I am sure I beg your pardon, but as they seem to be expecting somebody, perhaps I had better go and see--” Sophy, who had devoured Russell’s communications with eyes dancing with excitement, had slipped from her seat at once and vanished.

plural of “exigency” — a pressing or urgent situation

From this reading On ordinary occasions it would have been the height of bad manners; and there was no reason, so far as most of the company knew, why common laws should be postponed to the exigencies of the occasion.

-ing form of “expect” — regard something as probable or likely

From this reading Then Mrs. Lennox, with a troubled face, put forth her excuses--“I am sure I beg your pardon, but as they seem to be expecting somebody, perhaps I had better go and see--” Sophy, who had devoured Russell’s communications with eyes dancing with excitement, had slipped from her seat at once and vanished.

make plain and comprehensible

From this reading IT was difficult to explain the impulse which drew them one after another into the ante-room.

opinion or judgment

From this reading Then Mrs. Lennox, with a troubled face, put forth her excuses--“I am sure I beg your pardon, but as they seem to be expecting somebody, perhaps I had better go and see--” Sophy, who had devoured Russell’s communications with eyes dancing with excitement, had slipped from her seat at once and vanished.

the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear

From this reading Then Mrs. Lennox, with a troubled face, put forth her excuses--“I am sure I beg your pardon, but as they seem to be expecting somebody, perhaps I had better go and see--” Sophy, who had devoured Russell’s communications with eyes dancing with excitement, had slipped from her seat at once and vanished.

to a considerable degree; very much

From this reading On ordinary occasions it would have been the height of bad manners; and there was no reason, so far as most of the company knew, why common laws should be postponed to the exigencies of the occasion.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading John Trevanion hurried out first of all, and Rosalind after him, making no apology.

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading Then Mrs. Lennox, with a troubled face, put forth her excuses--“I am sure I beg your pardon, but as they seem to be expecting somebody, perhaps I had better go and see--” Sophy, who had devoured Russell’s communications with eyes dancing with excitement, had slipped from her seat at once and vanished.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Then Mrs. Lennox, with a troubled face, put forth her excuses--“I am sure I beg your pardon, but as they seem to be expecting somebody, perhaps I had better go and see--” Sophy, who had devoured Russell’s communications with eyes dancing with excitement, had slipped from her seat at once and vanished.

change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading Then Mrs. Lennox, with a troubled face, put forth her excuses--“I am sure I beg your pardon, but as they seem to be expecting somebody, perhaps I had better go and see--” Sophy, who had devoured Russell’s communications with eyes dancing with excitement, had slipped from her seat at once and vanished.

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

From this reading Then Mrs. Lennox, with a troubled face, put forth her excuses--“I am sure I beg your pardon, but as they seem to be expecting somebody, perhaps I had better go and see--” Sophy, who had devoured Russell’s communications with eyes dancing with excitement, had slipped from her seat at once and vanished.

(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child

From this reading Rex, with a moody face and his hands in his pockets, strolled to the door, and stood there, leaning against the opening, divided between curiosity and disgust.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading On ordinary occasions it would have been the height of bad manners; and there was no reason, so far as most of the company knew, why common laws should be postponed to the exigencies of the occasion.

the vertical dimension of extension; distance from the base of something to the top

From this reading On ordinary occasions it would have been the height of bad manners; and there was no reason, so far as most of the company knew, why common laws should be postponed to the exigencies of the occasion.

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

From this reading Then Mrs. Lennox, with a troubled face, put forth her excuses--“I am sure I beg your pardon, but as they seem to be expecting somebody, perhaps I had better go and see--” Sophy, who had devoured Russell’s communications with eyes dancing with excitement, had slipped from her seat at once and vanished.

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

From this reading John Trevanion hurried out first of all, and Rosalind after him, making no apology.

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

From this reading Rex, with a moody face and his hands in his pockets, strolled to the door, and stood there, leaning against the opening, divided between curiosity and disgust.

moving rapidly or performed quickly or in great haste

From this reading John Trevanion hurried out first of all, and Rosalind after him, making no apology.

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

From this reading Then Mrs. Lennox, with a troubled face, put forth her excuses--“I am sure I beg your pardon, but as they seem to be expecting somebody, perhaps I had better go and see--” Sophy, who had devoured Russell’s communications with eyes dancing with excitement, had slipped from her seat at once and vanished.

an instinctive motive

From this reading IT was difficult to explain the impulse which drew them one after another into the ante-room.

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

From this reading Rex, with a moody face and his hands in his pockets, strolled to the door, and stood there, leaning against the opening, divided between curiosity and disgust.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading IT was difficult to explain the impulse which drew them one after another into the ante-room.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading IT was difficult to explain the impulse which drew them one after another into the ante-room.

a room or building equipped with one or more toilets

From this reading John Trevanion hurried out first of all, and Rosalind after him, making no apology.

inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about

From this reading On ordinary occasions it would have been the height of bad manners; and there was no reason, so far as most of the company knew, why common laws should be postponed to the exigencies of the occasion.

the first of three divisions of the Hebrew Scriptures comprising the first five books of the Hebrew Bible considered as a unit

From this reading On ordinary occasions it would have been the height of bad manners; and there was no reason, so far as most of the company knew, why common laws should be postponed to the exigencies of the occasion.

departing or being caused to depart from the true vertical or horizontal

From this reading Rex, with a moody face and his hands in his pockets, strolled to the door, and stood there, leaning against the opening, divided between curiosity and disgust.

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

From this reading Then Mrs. Lennox, with a troubled face, put forth her excuses--“I am sure I beg your pardon, but as they seem to be expecting somebody, perhaps I had better go and see--” Sophy, who had devoured Russell’s communications with eyes dancing with excitement, had slipped from her seat at once and vanished.

the act that results in something coming to be

From this reading John Trevanion hurried out first of all, and Rosalind after him, making no apology.

social deportment

From this reading On ordinary occasions it would have been the height of bad manners; and there was no reason, so far as most of the company knew, why common laws should be postponed to the exigencies of the occasion.

United States tennis player who dominated women's tennis in the 1920s and 1930s (1905-1998)

From this reading Rex, with a moody face and his hands in his pockets, strolled to the door, and stood there, leaning against the opening, divided between curiosity and disgust.

used to form the superlative

From this reading On ordinary occasions it would have been the height of bad manners; and there was no reason, so far as most of the company knew, why common laws should be postponed to the exigencies of the occasion.

a form of address for a married woman

From this reading Then Mrs. Lennox, with a troubled face, put forth her excuses--“I am sure I beg your pardon, but as they seem to be expecting somebody, perhaps I had better go and see--” Sophy, who had devoured Russell’s communications with eyes dancing with excitement, had slipped from her seat at once and vanished.

not any; not one

From this reading On ordinary occasions it would have been the height of bad manners; and there was no reason, so far as most of the company knew, why common laws should be postponed to the exigencies of the occasion.

an event that occurs at a critical time

From this reading On ordinary occasions it would have been the height of bad manners; and there was no reason, so far as most of the company knew, why common laws should be postponed to the exigencies of the occasion.

something you have to do

From this reading On ordinary occasions it would have been the height of bad manners; and there was no reason, so far as most of the company knew, why common laws should be postponed to the exigencies of the occasion.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading On ordinary occasions it would have been the height of bad manners; and there was no reason, so far as most of the company knew, why common laws should be postponed to the exigencies of the occasion.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading On ordinary occasions it would have been the height of bad manners; and there was no reason, so far as most of the company knew, why common laws should be postponed to the exigencies of the occasion.

on one occasion

From this reading Then Mrs. Lennox, with a troubled face, put forth her excuses--“I am sure I beg your pardon, but as they seem to be expecting somebody, perhaps I had better go and see--” Sophy, who had devoured Russell’s communications with eyes dancing with excitement, had slipped from her seat at once and vanished.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading IT was difficult to explain the impulse which drew them one after another into the ante-room.

an open or empty space in or between things

From this reading Rex, with a moody face and his hands in his pockets, strolled to the door, and stood there, leaning against the opening, divided between curiosity and disgust.

a judge of a probate court

From this reading On ordinary occasions it would have been the height of bad manners; and there was no reason, so far as most of the company knew, why common laws should be postponed to the exigencies of the occasion.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading John Trevanion hurried out first of all, and Rosalind after him, making no apology.

accept an excuse for

From this reading Then Mrs. Lennox, with a troubled face, put forth her excuses--“I am sure I beg your pardon, but as they seem to be expecting somebody, perhaps I had better go and see--” Sophy, who had devoured Russell’s communications with eyes dancing with excitement, had slipped from her seat at once and vanished.

by chance

From this reading Then Mrs. Lennox, with a troubled face, put forth her excuses--“I am sure I beg your pardon, but as they seem to be expecting somebody, perhaps I had better go and see--” Sophy, who had devoured Russell’s communications with eyes dancing with excitement, had slipped from her seat at once and vanished.

plural of “pocket” — a small pouch inside a garment for carrying small articles

From this reading Rex, with a moody face and his hands in his pockets, strolled to the door, and stood there, leaning against the opening, divided between curiosity and disgust.

past form of “postpone” — hold back to a later time

From this reading On ordinary occasions it would have been the height of bad manners; and there was no reason, so far as most of the company knew, why common laws should be postponed to the exigencies of the occasion.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading Then Mrs. Lennox, with a troubled face, put forth her excuses--“I am sure I beg your pardon, but as they seem to be expecting somebody, perhaps I had better go and see--” Sophy, who had devoured Russell’s communications with eyes dancing with excitement, had slipped from her seat at once and vanished.

a rational motive for a belief or action

From this reading On ordinary occasions it would have been the height of bad manners; and there was no reason, so far as most of the company knew, why common laws should be postponed to the exigencies of the occasion.

a male sovereign; ruler of a kingdom

From this reading Rex, with a moody face and his hands in his pockets, strolled to the door, and stood there, leaning against the opening, divided between curiosity and disgust.

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

From this reading John Trevanion hurried out first of all, and Rosalind after him, making no apology.

possessive form of “russell” — United States religious leader who founded the sect that is now called Jehovah's Witnesses (1852-1916)

From this reading Then Mrs. Lennox, with a troubled face, put forth her excuses--“I am sure I beg your pardon, but as they seem to be expecting somebody, perhaps I had better go and see--” Sophy, who had devoured Russell’s communications with eyes dancing with excitement, had slipped from her seat at once and vanished.

a space reserved for sitting (as in a theater or on a train or airplane)

From this reading Then Mrs. Lennox, with a troubled face, put forth her excuses--“I am sure I beg your pardon, but as they seem to be expecting somebody, perhaps I had better go and see--” Sophy, who had devoured Russell’s communications with eyes dancing with excitement, had slipped from her seat at once and vanished.

perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading Then Mrs. Lennox, with a troubled face, put forth her excuses--“I am sure I beg your pardon, but as they seem to be expecting somebody, perhaps I had better go and see--” Sophy, who had devoured Russell’s communications with eyes dancing with excitement, had slipped from her seat at once and vanished.

give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading Then Mrs. Lennox, with a troubled face, put forth her excuses--“I am sure I beg your pardon, but as they seem to be expecting somebody, perhaps I had better go and see--” Sophy, who had devoured Russell’s communications with eyes dancing with excitement, had slipped from her seat at once and vanished.

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading On ordinary occasions it would have been the height of bad manners; and there was no reason, so far as most of the company knew, why common laws should be postponed to the exigencies of the occasion.

inflected form of “slip” — move stealthily

From this reading Then Mrs. Lennox, with a troubled face, put forth her excuses--“I am sure I beg your pardon, but as they seem to be expecting somebody, perhaps I had better go and see--” Sophy, who had devoured Russell’s communications with eyes dancing with excitement, had slipped from her seat at once and vanished.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading On ordinary occasions it would have been the height of bad manners; and there was no reason, so far as most of the company knew, why common laws should be postponed to the exigencies of the occasion.

a person, without saying who

From this reading Then Mrs. Lennox, with a troubled face, put forth her excuses--“I am sure I beg your pardon, but as they seem to be expecting somebody, perhaps I had better go and see--” Sophy, who had devoured Russell’s communications with eyes dancing with excitement, had slipped from her seat at once and vanished.

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

From this reading Then Mrs. Lennox, with a troubled face, put forth her excuses--“I am sure I beg your pardon, but as they seem to be expecting somebody, perhaps I had better go and see--” Sophy, who had devoured Russell’s communications with eyes dancing with excitement, had slipped from her seat at once and vanished.

Maintained an upright posture.

From this reading Rex, with a moody face and his hands in his pockets, strolled to the door, and stood there, leaning against the opening, divided between curiosity and disgust.

past form of “stroll” — walk leisurely and with no apparent aim

From this reading Rex, with a moody face and his hands in his pockets, strolled to the door, and stood there, leaning against the opening, divided between curiosity and disgust.

having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured

From this reading Then Mrs. Lennox, with a troubled face, put forth her excuses--“I am sure I beg your pardon, but as they seem to be expecting somebody, perhaps I had better go and see--” Sophy, who had devoured Russell’s communications with eyes dancing with excitement, had slipped from her seat at once and vanished.

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

From this reading IT was difficult to explain the impulse which drew them one after another into the ante-room.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading IT was difficult to explain the impulse which drew them one after another into the ante-room.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading Then Mrs. Lennox, with a troubled face, put forth her excuses--“I am sure I beg your pardon, but as they seem to be expecting somebody, perhaps I had better go and see--” Sophy, who had devoured Russell’s communications with eyes dancing with excitement, had slipped from her seat at once and vanished.

in or at that place or location

From this reading On ordinary occasions it would have been the height of bad manners; and there was no reason, so far as most of the company knew, why common laws should be postponed to the exigencies of the occasion.

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

From this reading Then Mrs. Lennox, with a troubled face, put forth her excuses--“I am sure I beg your pardon, but as they seem to be expecting somebody, perhaps I had better go and see--” Sophy, who had devoured Russell’s communications with eyes dancing with excitement, had slipped from her seat at once and vanished.

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

From this reading IT was difficult to explain the impulse which drew them one after another into the ante-room.

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

From this reading John Trevanion hurried out first of all, and Rosalind after him, making no apology.

characterized by or indicative of distress or affliction or danger or need

From this reading Then Mrs. Lennox, with a troubled face, put forth her excuses--“I am sure I beg your pardon, but as they seem to be expecting somebody, perhaps I had better go and see--” Sophy, who had devoured Russell’s communications with eyes dancing with excitement, had slipped from her seat at once and vanished.

having passed out of existence

From this reading Then Mrs. Lennox, with a troubled face, put forth her excuses--“I am sure I beg your pardon, but as they seem to be expecting somebody, perhaps I had better go and see--” Sophy, who had devoured Russell’s communications with eyes dancing with excitement, had slipped from her seat at once and vanished.

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

From this reading IT was difficult to explain the impulse which drew them one after another into the ante-room.

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

From this reading IT was difficult to explain the impulse which drew them one after another into the ante-room.

which person or people

From this reading Then Mrs. Lennox, with a troubled face, put forth her excuses--“I am sure I beg your pardon, but as they seem to be expecting somebody, perhaps I had better go and see--” Sophy, who had devoured Russell’s communications with eyes dancing with excitement, had slipped from her seat at once and vanished.

the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”

From this reading On ordinary occasions it would have been the height of bad manners; and there was no reason, so far as most of the company knew, why common laws should be postponed to the exigencies of the occasion.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Then Mrs. Lennox, with a troubled face, put forth her excuses--“I am sure I beg your pardon, but as they seem to be expecting somebody, perhaps I had better go and see--” Sophy, who had devoured Russell’s communications with eyes dancing with excitement, had slipped from her seat at once and vanished.

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

From this reading On ordinary occasions it would have been the height of bad manners; and there was no reason, so far as most of the company knew, why common laws should be postponed to the exigencies of the occasion.

belonging to the person or people being spoken to

From this reading Then Mrs. Lennox, with a troubled face, put forth her excuses--“I am sure I beg your pardon, but as they seem to be expecting somebody, perhaps I had better go and see--” Sophy, who had devoured Russell’s communications with eyes dancing with excitement, had slipped from her seat at once and vanished.