Chapter XXXIV · The Wedding, and Hester Floyd’s Account of It

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

From this reading And there was enough to occupy her time and keep her in a state of great excitement.

matters of personal concern

From this reading He wished to know as little as possible of the affairs at Millbank, and tried to dissuade Hester from her visit to Mrs. Slocum.

later than; following

From this reading After these presents, Hester felt that she was not “spunging,” as she called it, and settled herself quietly to visit, and to reconnoitre, and watch the proceedings at Millbank.

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

From this reading But Hester _would_ go, and three days before the great event came off she was installed in Mrs. Slocum’s best chamber, and had presented that worthy woman with six bottles of canned fruit, ten yards of calico, and an old coat of Aleck’s, which, she said, would cut over nicely for Johnny, Mrs. Slocum’s youngest boy.

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

From this reading But Hester _would_ go, and three days before the great event came off she was installed in Mrs. Slocum’s best chamber, and had presented that worthy woman with six bottles of canned fruit, ten yards of calico, and an old coat of Aleck’s, which, she said, would cut over nicely for Johnny, Mrs. Slocum’s youngest boy.

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

From this reading He wished to know as little as possible of the affairs at Millbank, and tried to dissuade Hester from her visit to Mrs. Slocum.

the event of one object coming closer to another

From this reading Roger had written to Frank, congratulating him upon his approaching marriage, but declining to be present at the wedding.

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

From this reading He wished to know as little as possible of the affairs at Millbank, and tried to dissuade Hester from her visit to Mrs. Slocum.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Roger had written to Frank, congratulating him upon his approaching marriage, but declining to be present at the wedding.

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

From this reading Roger had written to Frank, congratulating him upon his approaching marriage, but declining to be present at the wedding.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading But Hester _would_ go, and three days before the great event came off she was installed in Mrs. Slocum’s best chamber, and had presented that worthy woman with six bottles of canned fruit, ten yards of calico, and an old coat of Aleck’s, which, she said, would cut over nicely for Johnny, Mrs. Slocum’s youngest boy.

the supreme effort one can make

From this reading But Hester _would_ go, and three days before the great event came off she was installed in Mrs. Slocum’s best chamber, and had presented that worthy woman with six bottles of canned fruit, ten yards of calico, and an old coat of Aleck’s, which, she said, would cut over nicely for Johnny, Mrs. Slocum’s youngest boy.

plural of “bottle” — a glass or plastic vessel used for storing drinks or other liquids; typically cylindrical without handles and with a narrow neck that can be plugged or capped

From this reading But Hester _would_ go, and three days before the great event came off she was installed in Mrs. Slocum’s best chamber, and had presented that worthy woman with six bottles of canned fruit, ten yards of calico, and an old coat of Aleck’s, which, she said, would cut over nicely for Johnny, Mrs. Slocum’s youngest boy.

a youthful male person

From this reading But Hester _would_ go, and three days before the great event came off she was installed in Mrs. Slocum’s best chamber, and had presented that worthy woman with six bottles of canned fruit, ten yards of calico, and an old coat of Aleck’s, which, she said, would cut over nicely for Johnny, Mrs. Slocum’s youngest boy.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Roger had written to Frank, congratulating him upon his approaching marriage, but declining to be present at the wedding.

made of calico or resembling calico in being patterned

From this reading But Hester _would_ go, and three days before the great event came off she was installed in Mrs. Slocum’s best chamber, and had presented that worthy woman with six bottles of canned fruit, ten yards of calico, and an old coat of Aleck’s, which, she said, would cut over nicely for Johnny, Mrs. Slocum’s youngest boy.

past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading After these presents, Hester felt that she was not “spunging,” as she called it, and settled herself quietly to visit, and to reconnoitre, and watch the proceedings at Millbank.

inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading But Hester _would_ go, and three days before the great event came off she was installed in Mrs. Slocum’s best chamber, and had presented that worthy woman with six bottles of canned fruit, ten yards of calico, and an old coat of Aleck’s, which, she said, would cut over nicely for Johnny, Mrs. Slocum’s youngest boy.

recorded for broadcast

From this reading But Hester _would_ go, and three days before the great event came off she was installed in Mrs. Slocum’s best chamber, and had presented that worthy woman with six bottles of canned fruit, ten yards of calico, and an old coat of Aleck’s, which, she said, would cut over nicely for Johnny, Mrs. Slocum’s youngest boy.

a natural or artificial enclosed space

From this reading But Hester _would_ go, and three days before the great event came off she was installed in Mrs. Slocum’s best chamber, and had presented that worthy woman with six bottles of canned fruit, ten yards of calico, and an old coat of Aleck’s, which, she said, would cut over nicely for Johnny, Mrs. Slocum’s youngest boy.

an outer garment that has sleeves and covers the body from shoulder down; worn outdoors

From this reading But Hester _would_ go, and three days before the great event came off she was installed in Mrs. Slocum’s best chamber, and had presented that worthy woman with six bottles of canned fruit, ten yards of calico, and an old coat of Aleck’s, which, she said, would cut over nicely for Johnny, Mrs. Slocum’s youngest boy.

-ing form of “congratulate” — say something to someone that expresses praise

From this reading Roger had written to Frank, congratulating him upon his approaching marriage, but declining to be present at the wedding.

separate with or as if with an instrument

From this reading But Hester _would_ go, and three days before the great event came off she was installed in Mrs. Slocum’s best chamber, and had presented that worthy woman with six bottles of canned fruit, ten yards of calico, and an old coat of Aleck’s, which, she said, would cut over nicely for Johnny, Mrs. Slocum’s youngest boy.

the time during which someone's life continues

From this reading But Hester _would_ go, and three days before the great event came off she was installed in Mrs. Slocum’s best chamber, and had presented that worthy woman with six bottles of canned fruit, ten yards of calico, and an old coat of Aleck’s, which, she said, would cut over nicely for Johnny, Mrs. Slocum’s youngest boy.

-ing form of “decline” — grow worse

From this reading Roger had written to Frank, congratulating him upon his approaching marriage, but declining to be present at the wedding.

turn away from by persuasion

From this reading He wished to know as little as possible of the affairs at Millbank, and tried to dissuade Hester from her visit to Mrs. Slocum.

an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose

From this reading And there was enough to occupy her time and keep her in a state of great excitement.

something that happens at a given place and time

From this reading But Hester _would_ go, and three days before the great event came off she was installed in Mrs. Slocum’s best chamber, and had presented that worthy woman with six bottles of canned fruit, ten yards of calico, and an old coat of Aleck’s, which, she said, would cut over nicely for Johnny, Mrs. Slocum’s youngest boy.

the feeling of lively and cheerful joy

From this reading And there was enough to occupy her time and keep her in a state of great excitement.

mat together and make felt-like

From this reading After these presents, Hester felt that she was not “spunging,” as she called it, and settled herself quietly to visit, and to reconnoitre, and watch the proceedings at Millbank.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading But Hester _would_ go, and three days before the great event came off she was installed in Mrs. Slocum’s best chamber, and had presented that worthy woman with six bottles of canned fruit, ten yards of calico, and an old coat of Aleck’s, which, she said, would cut over nicely for Johnny, Mrs. Slocum’s youngest boy.

characterized by directness in manner or speech; without subtlety or evasion

From this reading Roger had written to Frank, congratulating him upon his approaching marriage, but declining to be present at the wedding.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading He wished to know as little as possible of the affairs at Millbank, and tried to dissuade Hester from her visit to Mrs. Slocum.

the ripened reproductive body of a seed plant

From this reading But Hester _would_ go, and three days before the great event came off she was installed in Mrs. Slocum’s best chamber, and had presented that worthy woman with six bottles of canned fruit, ten yards of calico, and an old coat of Aleck’s, which, she said, would cut over nicely for Johnny, Mrs. Slocum’s youngest boy.

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

From this reading But Hester _would_ go, and three days before the great event came off she was installed in Mrs. Slocum’s best chamber, and had presented that worthy woman with six bottles of canned fruit, ten yards of calico, and an old coat of Aleck’s, which, she said, would cut over nicely for Johnny, Mrs. Slocum’s youngest boy.

relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind

From this reading But Hester _would_ go, and three days before the great event came off she was installed in Mrs. Slocum’s best chamber, and had presented that worthy woman with six bottles of canned fruit, ten yards of calico, and an old coat of Aleck’s, which, she said, would cut over nicely for Johnny, Mrs. Slocum’s youngest boy.

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

From this reading Roger had written to Frank, congratulating him upon his approaching marriage, but declining to be present at the wedding.

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

From this reading He wished to know as little as possible of the affairs at Millbank, and tried to dissuade Hester from her visit to Mrs. Slocum.

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

From this reading He wished to know as little as possible of the affairs at Millbank, and tried to dissuade Hester from her visit to Mrs. Slocum.

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

From this reading After these presents, Hester felt that she was not “spunging,” as she called it, and settled herself quietly to visit, and to reconnoitre, and watch the proceedings at Millbank.

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

From this reading He wished to know as little as possible of the affairs at Millbank, and tried to dissuade Hester from her visit to Mrs. Slocum.

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

From this reading Roger had written to Frank, congratulating him upon his approaching marriage, but declining to be present at the wedding.

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

From this reading Roger had written to Frank, congratulating him upon his approaching marriage, but declining to be present at the wedding.

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

From this reading But Hester _would_ go, and three days before the great event came off she was installed in Mrs. Slocum’s best chamber, and had presented that worthy woman with six bottles of canned fruit, ten yards of calico, and an old coat of Aleck’s, which, she said, would cut over nicely for Johnny, Mrs. Slocum’s youngest boy.

inflected form of “instal” — set up for use

From this reading But Hester _would_ go, and three days before the great event came off she was installed in Mrs. Slocum’s best chamber, and had presented that worthy woman with six bottles of canned fruit, ten yards of calico, and an old coat of Aleck’s, which, she said, would cut over nicely for Johnny, Mrs. Slocum’s youngest boy.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading After these presents, Hester felt that she was not “spunging,” as she called it, and settled herself quietly to visit, and to reconnoitre, and watch the proceedings at Millbank.

“Johnny” was applied as a nickname for Confederate soldiers by the Federal soldiers in the American Civil War; “greyback” derived from their grey Confederate uniforms

From this reading But Hester _would_ go, and three days before the great event came off she was installed in Mrs. Slocum’s best chamber, and had presented that worthy woman with six bottles of canned fruit, ten yards of calico, and an old coat of Aleck’s, which, she said, would cut over nicely for Johnny, Mrs. Slocum’s youngest boy.

cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”

From this reading And there was enough to occupy her time and keep her in a state of great excitement.

be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about

From this reading He wished to know as little as possible of the affairs at Millbank, and tried to dissuade Hester from her visit to Mrs. Slocum.

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

From this reading He wished to know as little as possible of the affairs at Millbank, and tried to dissuade Hester from her visit to Mrs. Slocum.

the state of being a married couple voluntarily joined for life (or until divorce)

From this reading Roger had written to Frank, congratulating him upon his approaching marriage, but declining to be present at the wedding.

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

From this reading He wished to know as little as possible of the affairs at Millbank, and tried to dissuade Hester from her visit to Mrs. Slocum.

a form of address for a married woman

From this reading He wished to know as little as possible of the affairs at Millbank, and tried to dissuade Hester from her visit to Mrs. Slocum.

in a nice way

From this reading But Hester _would_ go, and three days before the great event came off she was installed in Mrs. Slocum’s best chamber, and had presented that worthy woman with six bottles of canned fruit, ten yards of calico, and an old coat of Aleck’s, which, she said, would cut over nicely for Johnny, Mrs. Slocum’s youngest boy.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading After these presents, Hester felt that she was not “spunging,” as she called it, and settled herself quietly to visit, and to reconnoitre, and watch the proceedings at Millbank.

keep busy with

From this reading And there was enough to occupy her time and keep her in a state of great excitement.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading He wished to know as little as possible of the affairs at Millbank, and tried to dissuade Hester from her visit to Mrs. Slocum.

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

From this reading But Hester _would_ go, and three days before the great event came off she was installed in Mrs. Slocum’s best chamber, and had presented that worthy woman with six bottles of canned fruit, ten yards of calico, and an old coat of Aleck’s, which, she said, would cut over nicely for Johnny, Mrs. Slocum’s youngest boy.

(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age

From this reading But Hester _would_ go, and three days before the great event came off she was installed in Mrs. Slocum’s best chamber, and had presented that worthy woman with six bottles of canned fruit, ten yards of calico, and an old coat of Aleck’s, which, she said, would cut over nicely for Johnny, Mrs. Slocum’s youngest boy.

above and across; more than

From this reading But Hester _would_ go, and three days before the great event came off she was installed in Mrs. Slocum’s best chamber, and had presented that worthy woman with six bottles of canned fruit, ten yards of calico, and an old coat of Aleck’s, which, she said, would cut over nicely for Johnny, Mrs. Slocum’s youngest boy.

capable of happening or existing

From this reading He wished to know as little as possible of the affairs at Millbank, and tried to dissuade Hester from her visit to Mrs. Slocum.

give an exhibition of to an interested audience

From this reading Roger had written to Frank, congratulating him upon his approaching marriage, but declining to be present at the wedding.

past form of “present” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience

From this reading But Hester _would_ go, and three days before the great event came off she was installed in Mrs. Slocum’s best chamber, and had presented that worthy woman with six bottles of canned fruit, ten yards of calico, and an old coat of Aleck’s, which, she said, would cut over nicely for Johnny, Mrs. Slocum’s youngest boy.

plural of “present” — the period of time that is happening now; any continuous stretch of time including the moment of speech

From this reading After these presents, Hester felt that she was not “spunging,” as she called it, and settled herself quietly to visit, and to reconnoitre, and watch the proceedings at Millbank.

(law) the institution of a sequence of steps by which legal judgments are invoked

From this reading After these presents, Hester felt that she was not “spunging,” as she called it, and settled herself quietly to visit, and to reconnoitre, and watch the proceedings at Millbank.

with low volume

From this reading After these presents, Hester felt that she was not “spunging,” as she called it, and settled herself quietly to visit, and to reconnoitre, and watch the proceedings at Millbank.

explore, often with the goal of finding something or somebody

From this reading After these presents, Hester felt that she was not “spunging,” as she called it, and settled herself quietly to visit, and to reconnoitre, and watch the proceedings at Millbank.

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

From this reading Roger had written to Frank, congratulating him upon his approaching marriage, but declining to be present at the wedding.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading But Hester _would_ go, and three days before the great event came off she was installed in Mrs. Slocum’s best chamber, and had presented that worthy woman with six bottles of canned fruit, ten yards of calico, and an old coat of Aleck’s, which, she said, would cut over nicely for Johnny, Mrs. Slocum’s youngest boy.

established or decided beyond dispute or doubt

From this reading After these presents, Hester felt that she was not “spunging,” as she called it, and settled herself quietly to visit, and to reconnoitre, and watch the proceedings at Millbank.

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

From this reading But Hester _would_ go, and three days before the great event came off she was installed in Mrs. Slocum’s best chamber, and had presented that worthy woman with six bottles of canned fruit, ten yards of calico, and an old coat of Aleck’s, which, she said, would cut over nicely for Johnny, Mrs. Slocum’s youngest boy.

the cardinal number that is the sum of five and one

From this reading But Hester _would_ go, and three days before the great event came off she was installed in Mrs. Slocum’s best chamber, and had presented that worthy woman with six bottles of canned fruit, ten yards of calico, and an old coat of Aleck’s, which, she said, would cut over nicely for Johnny, Mrs. Slocum’s youngest boy.

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

From this reading He wished to know as little as possible of the affairs at Millbank, and tried to dissuade Hester from her visit to Mrs. Slocum.

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

From this reading But Hester _would_ go, and three days before the great event came off she was installed in Mrs. Slocum’s best chamber, and had presented that worthy woman with six bottles of canned fruit, ten yards of calico, and an old coat of Aleck’s, which, she said, would cut over nicely for Johnny, Mrs. Slocum’s youngest boy.

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

From this reading After these presents, Hester felt that she was not “spunging,” as she called it, and settled herself quietly to visit, and to reconnoitre, and watch the proceedings at Millbank.

the territory occupied by one of the constituent administrative districts of a nation

From this reading And there was enough to occupy her time and keep her in a state of great excitement.

the cardinal number that is the sum of nine and one; the base of the decimal system

From this reading But Hester _would_ go, and three days before the great event came off she was installed in Mrs. Slocum’s best chamber, and had presented that worthy woman with six bottles of canned fruit, ten yards of calico, and an old coat of Aleck’s, which, she said, would cut over nicely for Johnny, Mrs. Slocum’s youngest boy.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading But Hester _would_ go, and three days before the great event came off she was installed in Mrs. Slocum’s best chamber, and had presented that worthy woman with six bottles of canned fruit, ten yards of calico, and an old coat of Aleck’s, which, she said, would cut over nicely for Johnny, Mrs. Slocum’s youngest boy.

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

From this reading Roger had written to Frank, congratulating him upon his approaching marriage, but declining to be present at the wedding.

in or at that place or location

From this reading And there was enough to occupy her time and keep her in a state of great excitement.

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading After these presents, Hester felt that she was not “spunging,” as she called it, and settled herself quietly to visit, and to reconnoitre, and watch the proceedings at Millbank.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one

From this reading But Hester _would_ go, and three days before the great event came off she was installed in Mrs. Slocum’s best chamber, and had presented that worthy woman with six bottles of canned fruit, ten yards of calico, and an old coat of Aleck’s, which, she said, would cut over nicely for Johnny, Mrs. Slocum’s youngest boy.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading And there was enough to occupy her time and keep her in a state of great excitement.

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

From this reading Roger had written to Frank, congratulating him upon his approaching marriage, but declining to be present at the wedding.

tested and proved useful or correct

From this reading He wished to know as little as possible of the affairs at Millbank, and tried to dissuade Hester from her visit to Mrs. Slocum.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading Roger had written to Frank, congratulating him upon his approaching marriage, but declining to be present at the wedding.

go to see a place, as for entertainment

From this reading He wished to know as little as possible of the affairs at Millbank, and tried to dissuade Hester from her visit to Mrs. Slocum.

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

From this reading But Hester _would_ go, and three days before the great event came off she was installed in Mrs. Slocum’s best chamber, and had presented that worthy woman with six bottles of canned fruit, ten yards of calico, and an old coat of Aleck’s, which, she said, would cut over nicely for Johnny, Mrs. Slocum’s youngest boy.

look attentively

From this reading After these presents, Hester felt that she was not “spunging,” as she called it, and settled herself quietly to visit, and to reconnoitre, and watch the proceedings at Millbank.

the social event at which the ceremony of marriage is performed

From this reading Roger had written to Frank, congratulating him upon his approaching marriage, but declining to be present at the wedding.

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

From this reading But Hester _would_ go, and three days before the great event came off she was installed in Mrs. Slocum’s best chamber, and had presented that worthy woman with six bottles of canned fruit, ten yards of calico, and an old coat of Aleck’s, which, she said, would cut over nicely for Johnny, Mrs. Slocum’s youngest boy.

past form of “wish” — hope for; have a wish

From this reading He wished to know as little as possible of the affairs at Millbank, and tried to dissuade Hester from her visit to Mrs. Slocum.

in the company of; together with

From this reading But Hester _would_ go, and three days before the great event came off she was installed in Mrs. Slocum’s best chamber, and had presented that worthy woman with six bottles of canned fruit, ten yards of calico, and an old coat of Aleck’s, which, she said, would cut over nicely for Johnny, Mrs. Slocum’s youngest boy.

an adult female person (as opposed to a man)

From this reading But Hester _would_ go, and three days before the great event came off she was installed in Mrs. Slocum’s best chamber, and had presented that worthy woman with six bottles of canned fruit, ten yards of calico, and an old coat of Aleck’s, which, she said, would cut over nicely for Johnny, Mrs. Slocum’s youngest boy.

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

From this reading But Hester _would_ go, and three days before the great event came off she was installed in Mrs. Slocum’s best chamber, and had presented that worthy woman with six bottles of canned fruit, ten yards of calico, and an old coat of Aleck’s, which, she said, would cut over nicely for Johnny, Mrs. Slocum’s youngest boy.

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

From this reading But Hester _would_ go, and three days before the great event came off she was installed in Mrs. Slocum’s best chamber, and had presented that worthy woman with six bottles of canned fruit, ten yards of calico, and an old coat of Aleck’s, which, she said, would cut over nicely for Johnny, Mrs. Slocum’s youngest boy.

set down in writing in any of various ways

From this reading Roger had written to Frank, congratulating him upon his approaching marriage, but declining to be present at the wedding.

plural of “yard” — a unit of length equal to 3 feet; defined as 91.44 centimeters; originally taken to be the average length of a stride

From this reading But Hester _would_ go, and three days before the great event came off she was installed in Mrs. Slocum’s best chamber, and had presented that worthy woman with six bottles of canned fruit, ten yards of calico, and an old coat of Aleck’s, which, she said, would cut over nicely for Johnny, Mrs. Slocum’s youngest boy.

superlative of “young” — (used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth

From this reading But Hester _would_ go, and three days before the great event came off she was installed in Mrs. Slocum’s best chamber, and had presented that worthy woman with six bottles of canned fruit, ten yards of calico, and an old coat of Aleck’s, which, she said, would cut over nicely for Johnny, Mrs. Slocum’s youngest boy.