Chapter IX

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

From this reading A certain fine instinct, indeed, in this respect, possessed the man; he had no high moral qualities, no principles to speak of, no plan of life nor rule of action; but he was never a bore.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading Edward Fanshawe, the individual whose appearance at Tom Heriot’s funeral had excited Miss Jean’s curiosity so strongly, was, perhaps, about the last man in England to whom Mr. Heriot of Pitcomlie, or any other father, would have confided his daughter’s happiness.

something done (usually as opposed to something said)

From this reading A certain fine instinct, indeed, in this respect, possessed the man; he had no high moral qualities, no principles to speak of, no plan of life nor rule of action; but he was never a bore.

(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 Almost all that could be said in his favour was negative.

(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but

From this reading Almost all that could be said in his favour was negative.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading Edward Fanshawe, the individual whose appearance at Tom Heriot’s funeral had excited Miss Jean’s curiosity so strongly, was, perhaps, about the last man in England to whom Mr. Heriot of Pitcomlie, or any other father, would have confided his daughter’s happiness.

outward or visible aspect of a person or thing

From this reading Edward Fanshawe, the individual whose appearance at Tom Heriot’s funeral had excited Miss Jean’s curiosity so strongly, was, perhaps, about the last man in England to whom Mr. Heriot of Pitcomlie, or any other father, would have confided his daughter’s happiness.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Edward Fanshawe, the individual whose appearance at Tom Heriot’s funeral had excited Miss Jean’s curiosity so strongly, was, perhaps, about the last man in England to whom Mr. Heriot of Pitcomlie, or any other father, would have confided his daughter’s happiness.

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

From this reading Almost all that could be said in his favour was negative.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading He had never been involved in any discreditable transaction; he had wronged nobody; he had not even bored his friends.

cause to be bored

From this reading A certain fine instinct, indeed, in this respect, possessed the man; he had no high moral qualities, no principles to speak of, no plan of life nor rule of action; but he was never a bore.

tired of the world

From this reading He had never been involved in any discreditable transaction; he had wronged nobody; he had not even bored his friends.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading A certain fine instinct, indeed, in this respect, possessed the man; he had no high moral qualities, no principles to speak of, no plan of life nor rule of action; but he was never a bore.

definite but not specified or identified

From this reading A certain fine instinct, indeed, in this respect, possessed the man; he had no high moral qualities, no principles to speak of, no plan of life nor rule of action; but he was never a bore.

past form of “confide” — reveal in private; tell confidentially

From this reading Edward Fanshawe, the individual whose appearance at Tom Heriot’s funeral had excited Miss Jean’s curiosity so strongly, was, perhaps, about the last man in England to whom Mr. Heriot of Pitcomlie, or any other father, would have confided his daughter’s happiness.

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

From this reading Almost all that could be said in his favour was negative.

a state in which you want to learn more about something

From this reading Edward Fanshawe, the individual whose appearance at Tom Heriot’s funeral had excited Miss Jean’s curiosity so strongly, was, perhaps, about the last man in England to whom Mr. Heriot of Pitcomlie, or any other father, would have confided his daughter’s happiness.

possessive form of “daughter” — a female human offspring

From this reading Edward Fanshawe, the individual whose appearance at Tom Heriot’s funeral had excited Miss Jean’s curiosity so strongly, was, perhaps, about the last man in England to whom Mr. Heriot of Pitcomlie, or any other father, would have confided his daughter’s happiness.

tending to bring discredit or disrepute; blameworthy

From this reading He had never been involved in any discreditable transaction; he had wronged nobody; he had not even bored his friends.

King of England and Ireland in 1936; his marriage to Wallis Warfield Simpson created a constitutional crisis leading to his abdication (1894-1972)

From this reading Edward Fanshawe, the individual whose appearance at Tom Heriot’s funeral had excited Miss Jean’s curiosity so strongly, was, perhaps, about the last man in England to whom Mr. Heriot of Pitcomlie, or any other father, would have confided his daughter’s happiness.

a division of the United Kingdom

From this reading Edward Fanshawe, the individual whose appearance at Tom Heriot’s funeral had excited Miss Jean’s curiosity so strongly, was, perhaps, about the last man in England to whom Mr. Heriot of Pitcomlie, or any other father, would have confided his daughter’s happiness.

divisible by two

From this reading He had never been involved in any discreditable transaction; he had wronged nobody; he had not even bored his friends.

(of persons) excessively affected by emotion

From this reading Edward Fanshawe, the individual whose appearance at Tom Heriot’s funeral had excited Miss Jean’s curiosity so strongly, was, perhaps, about the last man in England to whom Mr. Heriot of Pitcomlie, or any other father, would have confided his daughter’s happiness.

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

From this reading Edward Fanshawe, the individual whose appearance at Tom Heriot’s funeral had excited Miss Jean’s curiosity so strongly, was, perhaps, about the last man in England to whom Mr. Heriot of Pitcomlie, or any other father, would have confided his daughter’s happiness.

a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)

From this reading Edward Fanshawe, the individual whose appearance at Tom Heriot’s funeral had excited Miss Jean’s curiosity so strongly, was, perhaps, about the last man in England to whom Mr. Heriot of Pitcomlie, or any other father, would have confided his daughter’s happiness.

a feeling of favorable regard

From this reading Almost all that could be said in his favour was negative.

being satisfactory or in satisfactory condition

From this reading A certain fine instinct, indeed, in this respect, possessed the man; he had no high moral qualities, no principles to speak of, no plan of life nor rule of action; but he was never a bore.

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

From this reading He had never been involved in any discreditable transaction; he had wronged nobody; he had not even bored his friends.

a ceremony at which a dead person is buried or cremated

From this reading Edward Fanshawe, the individual whose appearance at Tom Heriot’s funeral had excited Miss Jean’s curiosity so strongly, was, perhaps, about the last man in England to whom Mr. Heriot of Pitcomlie, or any other father, would have confided his daughter’s happiness.

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

From this reading Edward Fanshawe, the individual whose appearance at Tom Heriot’s funeral had excited Miss Jean’s curiosity so strongly, was, perhaps, about the last man in England to whom Mr. Heriot of Pitcomlie, or any other father, would have confided his daughter’s happiness.

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

From this reading Edward Fanshawe, the individual whose appearance at Tom Heriot’s funeral had excited Miss Jean’s curiosity so strongly, was, perhaps, about the last man in England to whom Mr. Heriot of Pitcomlie, or any other father, would have confided his daughter’s happiness.

any physical damage to the body caused by violence or accident or fracture etc.

From this reading There was no harm in him.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading Edward Fanshawe, the individual whose appearance at Tom Heriot’s funeral had excited Miss Jean’s curiosity so strongly, was, perhaps, about the last man in England to whom Mr. Heriot of Pitcomlie, or any other father, would have confided his daughter’s happiness.

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

From this reading He had never been involved in any discreditable transaction; he had wronged nobody; he had not even bored his friends.

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

From this reading Edward Fanshawe, the individual whose appearance at Tom Heriot’s funeral had excited Miss Jean’s curiosity so strongly, was, perhaps, about the last man in England to whom Mr. Heriot of Pitcomlie, or any other father, would have confided his daughter’s happiness.

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

From this reading Edward Fanshawe, the individual whose appearance at Tom Heriot’s funeral had excited Miss Jean’s curiosity so strongly, was, perhaps, about the last man in England to whom Mr. Heriot of Pitcomlie, or any other father, would have confided his daughter’s happiness.

greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading A certain fine instinct, indeed, in this respect, possessed the man; he had no high moral qualities, no principles to speak of, no plan of life nor rule of action; but he was never a bore.

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

From this reading There was no harm in him.

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

From this reading Edward Fanshawe, the individual whose appearance at Tom Heriot’s funeral had excited Miss Jean’s curiosity so strongly, was, perhaps, about the last man in England to whom Mr. Heriot of Pitcomlie, or any other father, would have confided his daughter’s happiness.

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

From this reading Edward Fanshawe, the individual whose appearance at Tom Heriot’s funeral had excited Miss Jean’s curiosity so strongly, was, perhaps, about the last man in England to whom Mr. Heriot of Pitcomlie, or any other father, would have confided his daughter’s happiness.

in truth (often tends to intensify)

From this reading A certain fine instinct, indeed, in this respect, possessed the man; he had no high moral qualities, no principles to speak of, no plan of life nor rule of action; but he was never a bore.

being or characteristic of a single thing or person

From this reading Edward Fanshawe, the individual whose appearance at Tom Heriot’s funeral had excited Miss Jean’s curiosity so strongly, was, perhaps, about the last man in England to whom Mr. Heriot of Pitcomlie, or any other father, would have confided his daughter’s happiness.

inborn pattern of behavior often responsive to specific stimuli

From this reading A certain fine instinct, indeed, in this respect, possessed the man; he had no high moral qualities, no principles to speak of, no plan of life nor rule of action; but he was never a bore.

connected by participation or association or use

From this reading He had never been involved in any discreditable transaction; he had wronged nobody; he had not even bored his friends.

possessive form of “jean” — a coarse durable twill-weave cotton fabric

From this reading Edward Fanshawe, the individual whose appearance at Tom Heriot’s funeral had excited Miss Jean’s curiosity so strongly, was, perhaps, about the last man in England to whom Mr. Heriot of Pitcomlie, or any other father, would have confided his daughter’s happiness.

immediately past

From this reading Edward Fanshawe, the individual whose appearance at Tom Heriot’s funeral had excited Miss Jean’s curiosity so strongly, was, perhaps, about the last man in England to whom Mr. Heriot of Pitcomlie, or any other father, would have confided his daughter’s happiness.

a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading A certain fine instinct, indeed, in this respect, possessed the man; he had no high moral qualities, no principles to speak of, no plan of life nor rule of action; but he was never a bore.

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

From this reading Edward Fanshawe, the individual whose appearance at Tom Heriot’s funeral had excited Miss Jean’s curiosity so strongly, was, perhaps, about the last man in England to whom Mr. Heriot of Pitcomlie, or any other father, would have confided his daughter’s happiness.

fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind

From this reading Edward Fanshawe, the individual whose appearance at Tom Heriot’s funeral had excited Miss Jean’s curiosity so strongly, was, perhaps, about the last man in England to whom Mr. Heriot of Pitcomlie, or any other father, would have confided his daughter’s happiness.

concerned with principles of right and wrong or conforming to standards of behavior and character based on those principles

From this reading A certain fine instinct, indeed, in this respect, possessed the man; he had no high moral qualities, no principles to speak of, no plan of life nor rule of action; but he was never a bore.

a form of address for a man

From this reading Edward Fanshawe, the individual whose appearance at Tom Heriot’s funeral had excited Miss Jean’s curiosity so strongly, was, perhaps, about the last man in England to whom Mr. Heriot of Pitcomlie, or any other father, would have confided his daughter’s happiness.

characterized by or displaying negation or denial or opposition or resistance; having no positive features

From this reading Almost all that could be said in his favour was negative.

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading He had never been involved in any discreditable transaction; he had wronged nobody; he had not even bored his friends.

not any; not one

From this reading There was no harm in him.

no person; not anyone

From this reading He had never been involved in any discreditable transaction; he had wronged nobody; he had not even bored his friends.

and not; used after a negative to add a second negative

From this reading A certain fine instinct, indeed, in this respect, possessed the man; he had no high moral qualities, no principles to speak of, no plan of life nor rule of action; but he was never a bore.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading He had never been involved in any discreditable transaction; he had wronged nobody; he had not even bored his friends.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Edward Fanshawe, the individual whose appearance at Tom Heriot’s funeral had excited Miss Jean’s curiosity so strongly, was, perhaps, about the last man in England to whom Mr. Heriot of Pitcomlie, or any other father, would have confided his daughter’s happiness.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Edward Fanshawe, the individual whose appearance at Tom Heriot’s funeral had excited Miss Jean’s curiosity so strongly, was, perhaps, about the last man in England to whom Mr. Heriot of Pitcomlie, or any other father, would have confided his daughter’s happiness.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading Edward Fanshawe, the individual whose appearance at Tom Heriot’s funeral had excited Miss Jean’s curiosity so strongly, was, perhaps, about the last man in England to whom Mr. Heriot of Pitcomlie, or any other father, would have confided his daughter’s happiness.

by chance

From this reading Edward Fanshawe, the individual whose appearance at Tom Heriot’s funeral had excited Miss Jean’s curiosity so strongly, was, perhaps, about the last man in England to whom Mr. Heriot of Pitcomlie, or any other father, would have confided his daughter’s happiness.

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

From this reading Edward Fanshawe, the individual whose appearance at Tom Heriot’s funeral had excited Miss Jean’s curiosity so strongly, was, perhaps, about the last man in England to whom Mr. Heriot of Pitcomlie, or any other father, would have confided his daughter’s happiness.

have the will and intention to carry out some action

From this reading A certain fine instinct, indeed, in this respect, possessed the man; he had no high moral qualities, no principles to speak of, no plan of life nor rule of action; but he was never a bore.

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

From this reading A certain fine instinct, indeed, in this respect, possessed the man; he had no high moral qualities, no principles to speak of, no plan of life nor rule of action; but he was never a bore.

plural of “principle” — a basic generalization that is accepted as true and that can be used as a basis for reasoning or conduct

From this reading A certain fine instinct, indeed, in this respect, possessed the man; he had no high moral qualities, no principles to speak of, no plan of life nor rule of action; but he was never a bore.

plural of “quality” — an essential and distinguishing attribute of something or someone

From this reading A certain fine instinct, indeed, in this respect, possessed the man; he had no high moral qualities, no principles to speak of, no plan of life nor rule of action; but he was never a bore.

(usually preceded by “in”) a detail or point

From this reading A certain fine instinct, indeed, in this respect, possessed the man; he had no high moral qualities, no principles to speak of, no plan of life nor rule of action; but he was never a bore.

a principle or condition that customarily governs behavior

From this reading A certain fine instinct, indeed, in this respect, possessed the man; he had no high moral qualities, no principles to speak of, no plan of life nor rule of action; but he was never a bore.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading Almost all that could be said in his favour was negative.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Edward Fanshawe, the individual whose appearance at Tom Heriot’s funeral had excited Miss Jean’s curiosity so strongly, was, perhaps, about the last man in England to whom Mr. Heriot of Pitcomlie, or any other father, would have confided his daughter’s happiness.

express in speech

From this reading A certain fine instinct, indeed, in this respect, possessed the man; he had no high moral qualities, no principles to speak of, no plan of life nor rule of action; but he was never a bore.

with strength or in a strong manner

From this reading Edward Fanshawe, the individual whose appearance at Tom Heriot’s funeral had excited Miss Jean’s curiosity so strongly, was, perhaps, about the last man in England to whom Mr. Heriot of Pitcomlie, or any other father, would have confided his daughter’s happiness.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Almost all that could be said in his favour was negative.

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

From this reading Edward Fanshawe, the individual whose appearance at Tom Heriot’s funeral had excited Miss Jean’s curiosity so strongly, was, perhaps, about the last man in England to whom Mr. Heriot of Pitcomlie, or any other father, would have confided his daughter’s happiness.

in or at that place or location

From this reading There was no harm in him.

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

From this reading A certain fine instinct, indeed, in this respect, possessed the man; he had no high moral qualities, no principles to speak of, no plan of life nor rule of action; but he was never a bore.

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

From this reading Edward Fanshawe, the individual whose appearance at Tom Heriot’s funeral had excited Miss Jean’s curiosity so strongly, was, perhaps, about the last man in England to whom Mr. Heriot of Pitcomlie, or any other father, would have confided his daughter’s happiness.

male cat

From this reading Edward Fanshawe, the individual whose appearance at Tom Heriot’s funeral had excited Miss Jean’s curiosity so strongly, was, perhaps, about the last man in England to whom Mr. Heriot of Pitcomlie, or any other father, would have confided his daughter’s happiness.

the act of transacting within or between groups (as carrying on commercial activities)

From this reading He had never been involved in any discreditable transaction; he had wronged nobody; he had not even bored his friends.

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

From this reading Edward Fanshawe, the individual whose appearance at Tom Heriot’s funeral had excited Miss Jean’s curiosity so strongly, was, perhaps, about the last man in England to whom Mr. Heriot of Pitcomlie, or any other father, would have confided his daughter’s happiness.

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

From this reading Edward Fanshawe, the individual whose appearance at Tom Heriot’s funeral had excited Miss Jean’s curiosity so strongly, was, perhaps, about the last man in England to whom Mr. Heriot of Pitcomlie, or any other father, would have confided his daughter’s happiness.

belonging to which person

From this reading Edward Fanshawe, the individual whose appearance at Tom Heriot’s funeral had excited Miss Jean’s curiosity so strongly, was, perhaps, about the last man in England to whom Mr. Heriot of Pitcomlie, or any other father, would have confided his daughter’s happiness.

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

From this reading Edward Fanshawe, the individual whose appearance at Tom Heriot’s funeral had excited Miss Jean’s curiosity so strongly, was, perhaps, about the last man in England to whom Mr. Heriot of Pitcomlie, or any other father, would have confided his daughter’s happiness.

past form of “wrong” — treat unjustly; do wrong to

From this reading He had never been involved in any discreditable transaction; he had wronged nobody; he had not even bored his friends.