Chapter I

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

From this reading But the arrival of the mail, which is so welcome an event at an Indian station, and which generally affected the Major very mildly, had produced a singular impression upon him on this special occasion.

deserving of the highest esteem or admiration

From this reading He was very often so, as all his friends were aware, and nobody so much as Mary, his wife, who was herself, on ordinary occasions, of an admirable composure.

acted upon; influenced

From this reading But the arrival of the mail, which is so welcome an event at an Indian station, and which generally affected the Major very mildly, had produced a singular impression upon him on this special occasion.

having or displaying warmth or affection

From this reading That kind of formally affectionate correspondence is not generally exciting, and even Major Ochterlony supported it with composure.

later than; following

From this reading Major Ochterlony had been very fidgety after the coming in of the mail.

(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 He was very often so, as all his friends were aware, and nobody so much as Mary, his wife, who was herself, on ordinary occasions, of an admirable composure.

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading He was very often so, as all his friends were aware, and nobody so much as Mary, his wife, who was herself, on ordinary occasions, of an admirable composure.

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

From this reading He was very often so, as all his friends were aware, and nobody so much as Mary, his wife, who was herself, on ordinary occasions, of an admirable composure.

accomplishment of an objective

From this reading But the arrival of the mail, which is so welcome an event at an Indian station, and which generally affected the Major very mildly, had produced a singular impression upon him on this special occasion.

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

From this reading He was very often so, as all his friends were aware, and nobody so much as Mary, his wife, who was herself, on ordinary occasions, of an admirable composure.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading But the arrival of the mail, which is so welcome an event at an Indian station, and which generally affected the Major very mildly, had produced a singular impression upon him on this special occasion.

(sometimes followed by “of”) having or showing knowledge or understanding or realization or perception

From this reading He was very often so, as all his friends were aware, and nobody so much as Mary, his wife, who was herself, on ordinary occasions, of an admirable composure.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Major Ochterlony had been very fidgety after the coming in of the mail.

happiness felt in a secure relationship

From this reading He was not a man who possessed a large correspondence in his own person; he had reached middle life, and had nobody particular belonging to him, except his wife and his little children, who were as yet too young to have been sent "home;" and consequently there was nobody to receive letters from, except a few married brothers and sisters, who don't count, as everybody knows.

plural of “brother” — a male with the same parents as someone else

From this reading He was not a man who possessed a large correspondence in his own person; he had reached middle life, and had nobody particular belonging to him, except his wife and his little children, who were as yet too young to have been sent "home;" and consequently there was nobody to receive letters from, except a few married brothers and sisters, who don't count, as everybody knows.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But the arrival of the mail, which is so welcome an event at an Indian station, and which generally affected the Major very mildly, had produced a singular impression upon him on this special occasion.

plural of “child” — a young person of either sex

From this reading He was not a man who possessed a large correspondence in his own person; he had reached middle life, and had nobody particular belonging to him, except his wife and his little children, who were as yet too young to have been sent "home;" and consequently there was nobody to receive letters from, except a few married brothers and sisters, who don't count, as everybody knows.

the act of drawing spatially closer to something

From this reading Major Ochterlony had been very fidgety after the coming in of the mail.

steadiness of mind under stress

From this reading He was very often so, as all his friends were aware, and nobody so much as Mary, his wife, who was herself, on ordinary occasions, of an admirable composure.

(sentence connectors) because of the reason given

From this reading He was not a man who possessed a large correspondence in his own person; he had reached middle life, and had nobody particular belonging to him, except his wife and his little children, who were as yet too young to have been sent "home;" and consequently there was nobody to receive letters from, except a few married brothers and sisters, who don't count, as everybody knows.

communication by the exchange of letters

From this reading He was not a man who possessed a large correspondence in his own person; he had reached middle life, and had nobody particular belonging to him, except his wife and his little children, who were as yet too young to have been sent "home;" and consequently there was nobody to receive letters from, except a few married brothers and sisters, who don't count, as everybody knows.

determine the number or amount of

From this reading He was not a man who possessed a large correspondence in his own person; he had reached middle life, and had nobody particular belonging to him, except his wife and his little children, who were as yet too young to have been sent "home;" and consequently there was nobody to receive letters from, except a few married brothers and sisters, who don't count, as everybody knows.

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

From this reading He was not a man who possessed a large correspondence in his own person; he had reached middle life, and had nobody particular belonging to him, except his wife and his little children, who were as yet too young to have been sent "home;" and consequently there was nobody to receive letters from, except a few married brothers and sisters, who don't count, as everybody knows.

divisible by two

From this reading That kind of formally affectionate correspondence is not generally exciting, and even Major Ochterlony supported it with composure.

something that happens at a given place and time

From this reading But the arrival of the mail, which is so welcome an event at an Indian station, and which generally affected the Major very mildly, had produced a singular impression upon him on this special occasion.

every person

From this reading He was not a man who possessed a large correspondence in his own person; he had reached middle life, and had nobody particular belonging to him, except his wife and his little children, who were as yet too young to have been sent "home;" and consequently there was nobody to receive letters from, except a few married brothers and sisters, who don't count, as everybody knows.

apart from; not including

From this reading He was not a man who possessed a large correspondence in his own person; he had reached middle life, and had nobody particular belonging to him, except his wife and his little children, who were as yet too young to have been sent "home;" and consequently there was nobody to receive letters from, except a few married brothers and sisters, who don't count, as everybody knows.

creating or arousing excitement

From this reading That kind of formally affectionate correspondence is not generally exciting, and even Major Ochterlony supported it with composure.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number

From this reading He was not a man who possessed a large correspondence in his own person; he had reached middle life, and had nobody particular belonging to him, except his wife and his little children, who were as yet too young to have been sent "home;" and consequently there was nobody to receive letters from, except a few married brothers and sisters, who don't count, as everybody knows.

nervous and unable to relax

From this reading Major Ochterlony had been very fidgety after the coming in of the mail.

with official authorization

From this reading That kind of formally affectionate correspondence is not generally exciting, and even Major Ochterlony supported it with composure.

plural of “friend” — a person you know well and regard with affection and trust

From this reading He was very often so, as all his friends were aware, and nobody so much as Mary, his wife, who was herself, on ordinary occasions, of an admirable composure.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading He was not a man who possessed a large correspondence in his own person; he had reached middle life, and had nobody particular belonging to him, except his wife and his little children, who were as yet too young to have been sent "home;" and consequently there was nobody to receive letters from, except a few married brothers and sisters, who don't count, as everybody knows.

usually; as a rule

From this reading But the arrival of the mail, which is so welcome an event at an Indian station, and which generally affected the Major very mildly, had produced a singular impression upon him on this special occasion.

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

From this reading Major Ochterlony had been very fidgety after the coming in of the mail.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading He was not a man who possessed a large correspondence in his own person; he had reached middle life, and had nobody particular belonging to him, except his wife and his little children, who were as yet too young to have been sent "home;" and consequently there was nobody to receive letters from, except a few married brothers and sisters, who don't count, as everybody knows.

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

From this reading He was very often so, as all his friends were aware, and nobody so much as Mary, his wife, who was herself, on ordinary occasions, of an admirable composure.

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

From this reading He was very often so, as all his friends were aware, and nobody so much as Mary, his wife, who was herself, on ordinary occasions, of an admirable composure.

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

From this reading But the arrival of the mail, which is so welcome an event at an Indian station, and which generally affected the Major very mildly, had produced a singular impression upon him on this special occasion.

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

From this reading He was very often so, as all his friends were aware, and nobody so much as Mary, his wife, who was herself, on ordinary occasions, of an admirable composure.

where you live at a particular time

From this reading He was not a man who possessed a large correspondence in his own person; he had reached middle life, and had nobody particular belonging to him, except his wife and his little children, who were as yet too young to have been sent "home;" and consequently there was nobody to receive letters from, except a few married brothers and sisters, who don't count, as everybody knows.

a vague idea in which some confidence is placed

From this reading But the arrival of the mail, which is so welcome an event at an Indian station, and which generally affected the Major very mildly, had produced a singular impression upon him on this special occasion.

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

From this reading Major Ochterlony had been very fidgety after the coming in of the mail.

of or relating to or characteristic of India or the East Indies or their peoples or languages or cultures

From this reading But the arrival of the mail, which is so welcome an event at an Indian station, and which generally affected the Major very mildly, had produced a singular impression upon him on this special occasion.

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

From this reading But the arrival of the mail, which is so welcome an event at an Indian station, and which generally affected the Major very mildly, had produced a singular impression upon him on this special occasion.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading That kind of formally affectionate correspondence is not generally exciting, and even Major Ochterlony supported it with composure.

having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior

From this reading That kind of formally affectionate correspondence is not generally exciting, and even Major Ochterlony supported it with composure.

plural of “know” — the fact of being aware of information that is known to few people

From this reading He was not a man who possessed a large correspondence in his own person; he had reached middle life, and had nobody particular belonging to him, except his wife and his little children, who were as yet too young to have been sent "home;" and consequently there was nobody to receive letters from, except a few married brothers and sisters, who don't count, as everybody knows.

above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading He was not a man who possessed a large correspondence in his own person; he had reached middle life, and had nobody particular belonging to him, except his wife and his little children, who were as yet too young to have been sent "home;" and consequently there was nobody to receive letters from, except a few married brothers and sisters, who don't count, as everybody knows.

the literary culture

From this reading He was not a man who possessed a large correspondence in his own person; he had reached middle life, and had nobody particular belonging to him, except his wife and his little children, who were as yet too young to have been sent "home;" and consequently there was nobody to receive letters from, except a few married brothers and sisters, who don't count, as everybody knows.

a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading He was not a man who possessed a large correspondence in his own person; he had reached middle life, and had nobody particular belonging to him, except his wife and his little children, who were as yet too young to have been sent "home;" and consequently there was nobody to receive letters from, except a few married brothers and sisters, who don't count, as everybody knows.

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading He was not a man who possessed a large correspondence in his own person; he had reached middle life, and had nobody particular belonging to him, except his wife and his little children, who were as yet too young to have been sent "home;" and consequently there was nobody to receive letters from, except a few married brothers and sisters, who don't count, as everybody knows.

the bags of letters and packages that are transported by the postal service

From this reading Major Ochterlony had been very fidgety after the coming in of the mail.

of greater importance or stature or rank

From this reading Major Ochterlony had been very fidgety after the coming in of the mail.

an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

From this reading He was not a man who possessed a large correspondence in his own person; he had reached middle life, and had nobody particular belonging to him, except his wife and his little children, who were as yet too young to have been sent "home;" and consequently there was nobody to receive letters from, except a few married brothers and sisters, who don't count, as everybody knows.

joined in matrimony

From this reading He was not a man who possessed a large correspondence in his own person; he had reached middle life, and had nobody particular belonging to him, except his wife and his little children, who were as yet too young to have been sent "home;" and consequently there was nobody to receive letters from, except a few married brothers and sisters, who don't count, as everybody knows.

the mother of Jesus; Christians refer to her as the Virgin Mary; she is especially honored by Roman Catholics

From this reading He was very often so, as all his friends were aware, and nobody so much as Mary, his wife, who was herself, on ordinary occasions, of an admirable composure.

an area that is approximately central within some larger region

From this reading He was not a man who possessed a large correspondence in his own person; he had reached middle life, and had nobody particular belonging to him, except his wife and his little children, who were as yet too young to have been sent "home;" and consequently there was nobody to receive letters from, except a few married brothers and sisters, who don't count, as everybody knows.

to a moderate degree

From this reading But the arrival of the mail, which is so welcome an event at an Indian station, and which generally affected the Major very mildly, had produced a singular impression upon him on this special occasion.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading He was very often so, as all his friends were aware, and nobody so much as Mary, his wife, who was herself, on ordinary occasions, of an admirable composure.

no person; not anyone

From this reading He was very often so, as all his friends were aware, and nobody so much as Mary, his wife, who was herself, on ordinary occasions, of an admirable composure.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading He was not a man who possessed a large correspondence in his own person; he had reached middle life, and had nobody particular belonging to him, except his wife and his little children, who were as yet too young to have been sent "home;" and consequently there was nobody to receive letters from, except a few married brothers and sisters, who don't count, as everybody knows.

an event that occurs at a critical time

From this reading But the arrival of the mail, which is so welcome an event at an Indian station, and which generally affected the Major very mildly, had produced a singular impression upon him on this special occasion.

something you have to do

From this reading He was very often so, as all his friends were aware, and nobody so much as Mary, his wife, who was herself, on ordinary occasions, of an admirable composure.

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

From this reading Major Ochterlony had been very fidgety after the coming in of the mail.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Major Ochterlony had been very fidgety after the coming in of the mail.

many times at short intervals

From this reading He was very often so, as all his friends were aware, and nobody so much as Mary, his wife, who was herself, on ordinary occasions, of an admirable composure.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading He was very often so, as all his friends were aware, and nobody so much as Mary, his wife, who was herself, on ordinary occasions, of an admirable composure.

a judge of a probate court

From this reading He was very often so, as all his friends were aware, and nobody so much as Mary, his wife, who was herself, on ordinary occasions, of an admirable composure.

have ownership or possession of

From this reading He was not a man who possessed a large correspondence in his own person; he had reached middle life, and had nobody particular belonging to him, except his wife and his little children, who were as yet too young to have been sent "home;" and consequently there was nobody to receive letters from, except a few married brothers and sisters, who don't count, as everybody knows.

unique or specific to a person or thing or category

From this reading He was not a man who possessed a large correspondence in his own person; he had reached middle life, and had nobody particular belonging to him, except his wife and his little children, who were as yet too young to have been sent "home;" and consequently there was nobody to receive letters from, except a few married brothers and sisters, who don't count, as everybody knows.

a human being

From this reading He was not a man who possessed a large correspondence in his own person; he had reached middle life, and had nobody particular belonging to him, except his wife and his little children, who were as yet too young to have been sent "home;" and consequently there was nobody to receive letters from, except a few married brothers and sisters, who don't count, as everybody knows.

influenced or controlled by a powerful force such as a strong emotion

From this reading He was not a man who possessed a large correspondence in his own person; he had reached middle life, and had nobody particular belonging to him, except his wife and his little children, who were as yet too young to have been sent "home;" and consequently there was nobody to receive letters from, except a few married brothers and sisters, who don't count, as everybody knows.

past form of “produce” — bring forth or yield

From this reading But the arrival of the mail, which is so welcome an event at an Indian station, and which generally affected the Major very mildly, had produced a singular impression upon him on this special occasion.

past form of “reach” — reach a destination, either real or abstract

From this reading He was not a man who possessed a large correspondence in his own person; he had reached middle life, and had nobody particular belonging to him, except his wife and his little children, who were as yet too young to have been sent "home;" and consequently there was nobody to receive letters from, except a few married brothers and sisters, who don't count, as everybody knows.

get something; come into possession of

From this reading He was not a man who possessed a large correspondence in his own person; he had reached middle life, and had nobody particular belonging to him, except his wife and his little children, who were as yet too young to have been sent "home;" and consequently there was nobody to receive letters from, except a few married brothers and sisters, who don't count, as everybody knows.

100 senti equal 1 kroon in Estonia

From this reading He was not a man who possessed a large correspondence in his own person; he had reached middle life, and had nobody particular belonging to him, except his wife and his little children, who were as yet too young to have been sent "home;" and consequently there was nobody to receive letters from, except a few married brothers and sisters, who don't count, as everybody knows.

unusual or striking

From this reading But the arrival of the mail, which is so welcome an event at an Indian station, and which generally affected the Major very mildly, had produced a singular impression upon him on this special occasion.

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

From this reading He was not a man who possessed a large correspondence in his own person; he had reached middle life, and had nobody particular belonging to him, except his wife and his little children, who were as yet too young to have been sent "home;" and consequently there was nobody to receive letters from, except a few married brothers and sisters, who don't count, as everybody knows.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading He was very often so, as all his friends were aware, and nobody so much as Mary, his wife, who was herself, on ordinary occasions, of an admirable composure.

unique or specific to a person or thing or category

From this reading But the arrival of the mail, which is so welcome an event at an Indian station, and which generally affected the Major very mildly, had produced a singular impression upon him on this special occasion.

a facility equipped with special equipment and personnel for a particular purpose

From this reading But the arrival of the mail, which is so welcome an event at an Indian station, and which generally affected the Major very mildly, had produced a singular impression upon him on this special occasion.

sustained or maintained by aid (as distinct from physical support)

From this reading That kind of formally affectionate correspondence is not generally exciting, and even Major Ochterlony supported it with composure.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading That kind of formally affectionate correspondence is not generally exciting, and even Major Ochterlony supported it with composure.

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

From this reading Major Ochterlony had been very fidgety after the coming in of the mail.

in or at that place or location

From this reading He was not a man who possessed a large correspondence in his own person; he had reached middle life, and had nobody particular belonging to him, except his wife and his little children, who were as yet too young to have been sent "home;" and consequently there was nobody to receive letters from, except a few married brothers and sisters, who don't count, as everybody knows.

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

From this reading But the arrival of the mail, which is so welcome an event at an Indian station, and which generally affected the Major very mildly, had produced a singular impression upon him on this special occasion.

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

From this reading He was not a man who possessed a large correspondence in his own person; he had reached middle life, and had nobody particular belonging to him, except his wife and his little children, who were as yet too young to have been sent "home;" and consequently there was nobody to receive letters from, except a few married brothers and sisters, who don't count, as everybody knows.

to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits

From this reading He was not a man who possessed a large correspondence in his own person; he had reached middle life, and had nobody particular belonging to him, except his wife and his little children, who were as yet too young to have been sent "home;" and consequently there was nobody to receive letters from, except a few married brothers and sisters, who don't count, as everybody knows.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading But the arrival of the mail, which is so welcome an event at an Indian station, and which generally affected the Major very mildly, had produced a singular impression upon him on this special occasion.

precisely as stated

From this reading Major Ochterlony had been very fidgety after the coming in of the mail.

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

From this reading He was very often so, as all his friends were aware, and nobody so much as Mary, his wife, who was herself, on ordinary occasions, of an admirable composure.

accept gladly

From this reading But the arrival of the mail, which is so welcome an event at an Indian station, and which generally affected the Major very mildly, had produced a singular impression upon him on this special occasion.

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

From this reading He was very often so, as all his friends were aware, and nobody so much as Mary, his wife, who was herself, on ordinary occasions, of an admirable composure.

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

From this reading But the arrival of the mail, which is so welcome an event at an Indian station, and which generally affected the Major very mildly, had produced a singular impression upon him on this special occasion.

which person or people

From this reading He was very often so, as all his friends were aware, and nobody so much as Mary, his wife, who was herself, on ordinary occasions, of an admirable composure.

a married woman; a man's partner in marriage

From this reading He was very often so, as all his friends were aware, and nobody so much as Mary, his wife, who was herself, on ordinary occasions, of an admirable composure.

in the company of; together with

From this reading That kind of formally affectionate correspondence is not generally exciting, and even Major Ochterlony supported it with composure.

but in spite of that

From this reading He was not a man who possessed a large correspondence in his own person; he had reached middle life, and had nobody particular belonging to him, except his wife and his little children, who were as yet too young to have been sent "home;" and consequently there was nobody to receive letters from, except a few married brothers and sisters, who don't count, as everybody knows.

(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth

From this reading He was not a man who possessed a large correspondence in his own person; he had reached middle life, and had nobody particular belonging to him, except his wife and his little children, who were as yet too young to have been sent "home;" and consequently there was nobody to receive letters from, except a few married brothers and sisters, who don't count, as everybody knows.