Chapter IX · Chapter 9

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

From this reading The influence which a family like the Gurneys unconsciously exert over those brought in contact with them, was not without effect on the lives of their next door neighbors.

commonly used or practiced; usual

From this reading She did not realize this herself, but the signs were apparent to those accustomed to look below the surface for the motive that governs all actions.

plural of “action” — something done (usually as opposed to something said)

From this reading She did not realize this herself, but the signs were apparent to those accustomed to look below the surface for the motive that governs all actions.

tending to become more severe or wider in scope

From this reading To them she seemed the same good-natured, light-hearted girl, growing, perhaps, a little more thoughtful and attentive than they could have expected, considering her active nature; yet, if they had thought to compare even the Sunday life of the household with what it had been when they first came to Halifax, they would have been surprised at the change in themselves.

(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 She did not realize this herself, but the signs were apparent to those accustomed to look below the surface for the motive that governs all actions.

in addition

From this reading As Dexie was so intimate with the family, and spent so much of her time amongst them, she was the first to feel it, and the controlling power which governed the Gurney household was finding root in her heart also.

surrounded by; in the company of

From this reading As Dexie was so intimate with the family, and spent so much of her time amongst them, she was the first to feel it, and the controlling power which governed the Gurney household was finding root in her heart also.

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

From this reading As Dexie was so intimate with the family, and spent so much of her time amongst them, she was the first to feel it, and the controlling power which governed the Gurney household was finding root in her heart also.

clearly revealed to the mind or the senses or judgment

From this reading She did not realize this herself, but the signs were apparent to those accustomed to look below the surface for the motive that governs all actions.

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

From this reading As Dexie was so intimate with the family, and spent so much of her time amongst them, she was the first to feel it, and the controlling power which governed the Gurney household was finding root in her heart also.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading To them she seemed the same good-natured, light-hearted girl, growing, perhaps, a little more thoughtful and attentive than they could have expected, considering her active nature; yet, if they had thought to compare even the Sunday life of the household with what it had been when they first came to Halifax, they would have been surprised at the change in themselves.

(often followed by “to”) giving care or attention

From this reading To them she seemed the same good-natured, light-hearted girl, growing, perhaps, a little more thoughtful and attentive than they could have expected, considering her active nature; yet, if they had thought to compare even the Sunday life of the household with what it had been when they first came to Halifax, they would have been surprised at the change in themselves.

the sister of your father or mother; the wife of your uncle

From this reading Aunt Jennie saw more of Dexie's inner life than did her own parents.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading To them she seemed the same good-natured, light-hearted girl, growing, perhaps, a little more thoughtful and attentive than they could have expected, considering her active nature; yet, if they had thought to compare even the Sunday life of the household with what it had been when they first came to Halifax, they would have been surprised at the change in themselves.

at or to a lower level than something

From this reading She did not realize this herself, but the signs were apparent to those accustomed to look below the surface for the motive that governs all actions.

inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere

From this reading The influence which a family like the Gurneys unconsciously exert over those brought in contact with them, was not without effect on the lives of their next door neighbors.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading She did not realize this herself, but the signs were apparent to those accustomed to look below the surface for the motive that governs all actions.

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

From this reading To them she seemed the same good-natured, light-hearted girl, growing, perhaps, a little more thoughtful and attentive than they could have expected, considering her active nature; yet, if they had thought to compare even the Sunday life of the household with what it had been when they first came to Halifax, they would have been surprised at the change in themselves.

cause to change; make different; cause a transformation

From this reading To them she seemed the same good-natured, light-hearted girl, growing, perhaps, a little more thoughtful and attentive than they could have expected, considering her active nature; yet, if they had thought to compare even the Sunday life of the household with what it had been when they first came to Halifax, they would have been surprised at the change in themselves.

examine and note the similarities or differences of

From this reading To them she seemed the same good-natured, light-hearted girl, growing, perhaps, a little more thoughtful and attentive than they could have expected, considering her active nature; yet, if they had thought to compare even the Sunday life of the household with what it had been when they first came to Halifax, they would have been surprised at the change in themselves.

-ing form of “consider” — deem to be

From this reading To them she seemed the same good-natured, light-hearted girl, growing, perhaps, a little more thoughtful and attentive than they could have expected, considering her active nature; yet, if they had thought to compare even the Sunday life of the household with what it had been when they first came to Halifax, they would have been surprised at the change in themselves.

close interaction

From this reading The influence which a family like the Gurneys unconsciously exert over those brought in contact with them, was not without effect on the lives of their next door neighbors.

able to control or determine policy

From this reading As Dexie was so intimate with the family, and spent so much of her time amongst them, she was the first to feel it, and the controlling power which governed the Gurney household was finding root in her heart also.

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

From this reading To them she seemed the same good-natured, light-hearted girl, growing, perhaps, a little more thoughtful and attentive than they could have expected, considering her active nature; yet, if they had thought to compare even the Sunday life of the household with what it had been when they first came to Halifax, they would have been surprised at the change in themselves.

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

From this reading As Dexie was so intimate with the family, and spent so much of her time amongst them, she was the first to feel it, and the controlling power which governed the Gurney household was finding root in her heart also.

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

From this reading Aunt Jennie saw more of Dexie's inner life than did her own parents.

the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives

From this reading She did not realize this herself, but the signs were apparent to those accustomed to look below the surface for the motive that governs all actions.

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

From this reading The influence which a family like the Gurneys unconsciously exert over those brought in contact with them, was not without effect on the lives of their next door neighbors.

a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon

From this reading The influence which a family like the Gurneys unconsciously exert over those brought in contact with them, was not without effect on the lives of their next door neighbors.

divisible by two

From this reading To them she seemed the same good-natured, light-hearted girl, growing, perhaps, a little more thoughtful and attentive than they could have expected, considering her active nature; yet, if they had thought to compare even the Sunday life of the household with what it had been when they first came to Halifax, they would have been surprised at the change in themselves.

put to use

From this reading The influence which a family like the Gurneys unconsciously exert over those brought in contact with them, was not without effect on the lives of their next door neighbors.

considered likely or probable to happen or arrive

From this reading To them she seemed the same good-natured, light-hearted girl, growing, perhaps, a little more thoughtful and attentive than they could have expected, considering her active nature; yet, if they had thought to compare even the Sunday life of the household with what it had been when they first came to Halifax, they would have been surprised at the change in themselves.

a social unit living together

From this reading The influence which a family like the Gurneys unconsciously exert over those brought in contact with them, was not without effect on the lives of their next door neighbors.

undergo an emotional sensation or be in a particular state of mind

From this reading As Dexie was so intimate with the family, and spent so much of her time amongst them, she was the first to feel it, and the controlling power which governed the Gurney household was finding root in her heart also.

the act of determining the properties of something, usually by research or calculation

From this reading As Dexie was so intimate with the family, and spent so much of her time amongst them, she was the first to feel it, and the controlling power which governed the Gurney household was finding root in her heart also.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading As Dexie was so intimate with the family, and spent so much of her time amongst them, she was the first to feel it, and the controlling power which governed the Gurney household was finding root in her heart also.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading She did not realize this herself, but the signs were apparent to those accustomed to look below the surface for the motive that governs all actions.

a young female

From this reading To them she seemed the same good-natured, light-hearted girl, growing, perhaps, a little more thoughtful and attentive than they could have expected, considering her active nature; yet, if they had thought to compare even the Sunday life of the household with what it had been when they first came to Halifax, they would have been surprised at the change in themselves.

having an easygoing and cheerful disposition

From this reading To them she seemed the same good-natured, light-hearted girl, growing, perhaps, a little more thoughtful and attentive than they could have expected, considering her active nature; yet, if they had thought to compare even the Sunday life of the household with what it had been when they first came to Halifax, they would have been surprised at the change in themselves.

the body of people who are citizens of a particular government

From this reading As Dexie was so intimate with the family, and spent so much of her time amongst them, she was the first to feel it, and the controlling power which governed the Gurney household was finding root in her heart also.

third-person singular of “govern” — bring into conformity with rules or principles or usage; impose regulations

From this reading She did not realize this herself, but the signs were apparent to those accustomed to look below the surface for the motive that governs all actions.

(biology) the process of an individual organism growing organically; a purely biological unfolding of events involved in an organism changing gradually from a simple to a more complex level

From this reading To them she seemed the same good-natured, light-hearted girl, growing, perhaps, a little more thoughtful and attentive than they could have expected, considering her active nature; yet, if they had thought to compare even the Sunday life of the household with what it had been when they first came to Halifax, they would have been surprised at the change in themselves.

a metal stretcher with wheels

From this reading As Dexie was so intimate with the family, and spent so much of her time amongst them, she was the first to feel it, and the controlling power which governed the Gurney household was finding root in her heart also.

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

From this reading The influence which a family like the Gurneys unconsciously exert over those brought in contact with them, was not without effect on the lives of their next door neighbors.

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

From this reading To them she seemed the same good-natured, light-hearted girl, growing, perhaps, a little more thoughtful and attentive than they could have expected, considering her active nature; yet, if they had thought to compare even the Sunday life of the household with what it had been when they first came to Halifax, they would have been surprised at the change in themselves.

provincial capital and largest city of Nova Scotia

From this reading To them she seemed the same good-natured, light-hearted girl, growing, perhaps, a little more thoughtful and attentive than they could have expected, considering her active nature; yet, if they had thought to compare even the Sunday life of the household with what it had been when they first came to Halifax, they would have been surprised at the change in themselves.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading To them she seemed the same good-natured, light-hearted girl, growing, perhaps, a little more thoughtful and attentive than they could have expected, considering her active nature; yet, if they had thought to compare even the Sunday life of the household with what it had been when they first came to Halifax, they would have been surprised at the change in themselves.

the locus of feelings and intuitions

From this reading As Dexie was so intimate with the family, and spent so much of her time amongst them, she was the first to feel it, and the controlling power which governed the Gurney household was finding root in her heart also.

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

From this reading As Dexie was so intimate with the family, and spent so much of her time amongst them, she was the first to feel it, and the controlling power which governed the Gurney household was finding root in her heart also.

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

From this reading She did not realize this herself, but the signs were apparent to those accustomed to look below the surface for the motive that governs all actions.

a social unit living together

From this reading As Dexie was so intimate with the family, and spent so much of her time amongst them, she was the first to feel it, and the controlling power which governed the Gurney household was finding root in her heart also.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading To them she seemed the same good-natured, light-hearted girl, growing, perhaps, a little more thoughtful and attentive than they could have expected, considering her active nature; yet, if they had thought to compare even the Sunday life of the household with what it had been when they first came to Halifax, they would have been surprised at the change in themselves.

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

From this reading The influence which a family like the Gurneys unconsciously exert over those brought in contact with them, was not without effect on the lives of their next door neighbors.

a power to affect persons or events especially power based on prestige etc

From this reading The influence which a family like the Gurneys unconsciously exert over those brought in contact with them, was not without effect on the lives of their next door neighbors.

located inward

From this reading Aunt Jennie saw more of Dexie's inner life than did her own parents.

marked by close acquaintance, association, or familiarity

From this reading As Dexie was so intimate with the family, and spent so much of her time amongst them, she was the first to feel it, and the controlling power which governed the Gurney household was finding root in her heart also.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading As Dexie was so intimate with the family, and spent so much of her time amongst them, she was the first to feel it, and the controlling power which governed the Gurney household was finding root in her heart also.

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

From this reading Aunt Jennie saw more of Dexie's inner life than did her own parents.

a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading Aunt Jennie saw more of Dexie's inner life than did her own parents.

carefree and happy and lighthearted

From this reading To them she seemed the same good-natured, light-hearted girl, growing, perhaps, a little more thoughtful and attentive than they could have expected, considering her active nature; yet, if they had thought to compare even the Sunday life of the household with what it had been when they first came to Halifax, they would have been surprised at the change in themselves.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading The influence which a family like the Gurneys unconsciously exert over those brought in contact with them, was not without effect on the lives of their next door neighbors.

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

From this reading To them she seemed the same good-natured, light-hearted girl, growing, perhaps, a little more thoughtful and attentive than they could have expected, considering her active nature; yet, if they had thought to compare even the Sunday life of the household with what it had been when they first came to Halifax, they would have been surprised at the change in themselves.

plural of “life” — a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading The influence which a family like the Gurneys unconsciously exert over those brought in contact with them, was not without effect on the lives of their next door neighbors.

perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading She did not realize this herself, but the signs were apparent to those accustomed to look below the surface for the motive that governs all actions.

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading Aunt Jennie saw more of Dexie's inner life than did her own parents.

the psychological feature that arouses an organism to action toward a desired goal; the reason for the action; that which gives purpose and direction to behavior

From this reading She did not realize this herself, but the signs were apparent to those accustomed to look below the surface for the motive that governs all actions.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading As Dexie was so intimate with the family, and spent so much of her time amongst them, she was the first to feel it, and the controlling power which governed the Gurney household was finding root in her heart also.

the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized

From this reading To them she seemed the same good-natured, light-hearted girl, growing, perhaps, a little more thoughtful and attentive than they could have expected, considering her active nature; yet, if they had thought to compare even the Sunday life of the household with what it had been when they first came to Halifax, they would have been surprised at the change in themselves.

plural of “neighbor” — a person who lives (or is located) near another

From this reading The influence which a family like the Gurneys unconsciously exert over those brought in contact with them, was not without effect on the lives of their next door neighbors.

immediately following in time or order

From this reading The influence which a family like the Gurneys unconsciously exert over those brought in contact with them, was not without effect on the lives of their next door neighbors.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading The influence which a family like the Gurneys unconsciously exert over those brought in contact with them, was not without effect on the lives of their next door neighbors.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The influence which a family like the Gurneys unconsciously exert over those brought in contact with them, was not without effect on the lives of their next door neighbors.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading The influence which a family like the Gurneys unconsciously exert over those brought in contact with them, was not without effect on the lives of their next door neighbors.

above and across; more than

From this reading The influence which a family like the Gurneys unconsciously exert over those brought in contact with them, was not without effect on the lives of their next door neighbors.

have ownership or possession of

From this reading Aunt Jennie saw more of Dexie's inner life than did her own parents.

plural of “parent” — a father or mother; one who begets or one who gives birth to or nurtures and raises a child; a relative who plays the role of guardian

From this reading Aunt Jennie saw more of Dexie's inner life than did her own parents.

by chance

From this reading To them she seemed the same good-natured, light-hearted girl, growing, perhaps, a little more thoughtful and attentive than they could have expected, considering her active nature; yet, if they had thought to compare even the Sunday life of the household with what it had been when they first came to Halifax, they would have been surprised at the change in themselves.

possession of controlling influence

From this reading As Dexie was so intimate with the family, and spent so much of her time amongst them, she was the first to feel it, and the controlling power which governed the Gurney household was finding root in her heart also.

be fully aware or cognizant of

From this reading She did not realize this herself, but the signs were apparent to those accustomed to look below the surface for the motive that governs all actions.

(botany) the usually underground organ that lacks buds or leaves or nodes; absorbs water and mineral salts; usually it anchors the plant to the ground

From this reading As Dexie was so intimate with the family, and spent so much of her time amongst them, she was the first to feel it, and the controlling power which governed the Gurney household was finding root in her heart also.

Identical; not different.

From this reading To them she seemed the same good-natured, light-hearted girl, growing, perhaps, a little more thoughtful and attentive than they could have expected, considering her active nature; yet, if they had thought to compare even the Sunday life of the household with what it had been when they first came to Halifax, they would have been surprised at the change in themselves.

cut with a saw

From this reading Aunt Jennie saw more of Dexie's inner life than did her own parents.

past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading To them she seemed the same good-natured, light-hearted girl, growing, perhaps, a little more thoughtful and attentive than they could have expected, considering her active nature; yet, if they had thought to compare even the Sunday life of the household with what it had been when they first came to Halifax, they would have been surprised at the change in themselves.

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

From this reading As Dexie was so intimate with the family, and spent so much of her time amongst them, she was the first to feel it, and the controlling power which governed the Gurney household was finding root in her heart also.

plural of “sign” — a perceptible indication of something not immediately apparent (as a visible clue that something has happened)

From this reading She did not realize this herself, but the signs were apparent to those accustomed to look below the surface for the motive that governs all actions.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading As Dexie was so intimate with the family, and spent so much of her time amongst them, she was the first to feel it, and the controlling power which governed the Gurney household was finding root in her heart also.

depleted of energy, force, or strength

From this reading As Dexie was so intimate with the family, and spent so much of her time amongst them, she was the first to feel it, and the controlling power which governed the Gurney household was finding root in her heart also.

first day of the week; observed as a day of rest and worship by most Christians

From this reading To them she seemed the same good-natured, light-hearted girl, growing, perhaps, a little more thoughtful and attentive than they could have expected, considering her active nature; yet, if they had thought to compare even the Sunday life of the household with what it had been when they first came to Halifax, they would have been surprised at the change in themselves.

the outer boundary of an artifact or a material layer constituting or resembling such a boundary

From this reading She did not realize this herself, but the signs were apparent to those accustomed to look below the surface for the motive that governs all actions.

taken unawares or suddenly and feeling wonder or astonishment

From this reading To them she seemed the same good-natured, light-hearted girl, growing, perhaps, a little more thoughtful and attentive than they could have expected, considering her active nature; yet, if they had thought to compare even the Sunday life of the household with what it had been when they first came to Halifax, they would have been surprised at the change in themselves.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading Aunt Jennie saw more of Dexie's inner life than did her own parents.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading She did not realize this herself, but the signs were apparent to those accustomed to look below the surface for the motive that governs all actions.

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

From this reading The influence which a family like the Gurneys unconsciously exert over those brought in contact with them, was not without effect on the lives of their next door neighbors.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading The influence which a family like the Gurneys unconsciously exert over those brought in contact with them, was not without effect on the lives of their next door neighbors.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading The influence which a family like the Gurneys unconsciously exert over those brought in contact with them, was not without effect on the lives of their next door neighbors.

used when the people doing the action are also its object

From this reading To them she seemed the same good-natured, light-hearted girl, growing, perhaps, a little more thoughtful and attentive than they could have expected, considering her active nature; yet, if they had thought to compare even the Sunday life of the household with what it had been when they first came to Halifax, they would have been surprised at the change in themselves.

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

From this reading To them she seemed the same good-natured, light-hearted girl, growing, perhaps, a little more thoughtful and attentive than they could have expected, considering her active nature; yet, if they had thought to compare even the Sunday life of the household with what it had been when they first came to Halifax, they would have been surprised at the change in themselves.

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

From this reading She did not realize this herself, but the signs were apparent to those accustomed to look below the surface for the motive that governs all actions.

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading The influence which a family like the Gurneys unconsciously exert over those brought in contact with them, was not without effect on the lives of their next door neighbors.

the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about

From this reading To them she seemed the same good-natured, light-hearted girl, growing, perhaps, a little more thoughtful and attentive than they could have expected, considering her active nature; yet, if they had thought to compare even the Sunday life of the household with what it had been when they first came to Halifax, they would have been surprised at the change in themselves.

having intellectual depth

From this reading To them she seemed the same good-natured, light-hearted girl, growing, perhaps, a little more thoughtful and attentive than they could have expected, considering her active nature; yet, if they had thought to compare even the Sunday life of the household with what it had been when they first came to Halifax, they would have been surprised at the change in themselves.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading As Dexie was so intimate with the family, and spent so much of her time amongst them, she was the first to feel it, and the controlling power which governed the Gurney household was finding root in her heart also.

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

From this reading As Dexie was so intimate with the family, and spent so much of her time amongst them, she was the first to feel it, and the controlling power which governed the Gurney household was finding root in her heart also.

without awareness

From this reading The influence which a family like the Gurneys unconsciously exert over those brought in contact with them, was not without effect on the lives of their next door neighbors.

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

From this reading The influence which a family like the Gurneys unconsciously exert over those brought in contact with them, was not without effect on the lives of their next door neighbors.

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

From this reading She did not realize this herself, but the signs were apparent to those accustomed to look below the surface for the motive that governs all actions.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading To them she seemed the same good-natured, light-hearted girl, growing, perhaps, a little more thoughtful and attentive than they could have expected, considering her active nature; yet, if they had thought to compare even the Sunday life of the household with what it had been when they first came to Halifax, they would have been surprised at the change in themselves.

at the time that

From this reading To them she seemed the same good-natured, light-hearted girl, growing, perhaps, a little more thoughtful and attentive than they could have expected, considering her active nature; yet, if they had thought to compare even the Sunday life of the household with what it had been when they first came to Halifax, they would have been surprised at the change in themselves.

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

From this reading The influence which a family like the Gurneys unconsciously exert over those brought in contact with them, was not without effect on the lives of their next door neighbors.

in the company of; together with

From this reading The influence which a family like the Gurneys unconsciously exert over those brought in contact with them, was not without effect on the lives of their next door neighbors.

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading The influence which a family like the Gurneys unconsciously exert over those brought in contact with them, was not without effect on the lives of their next door neighbors.

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

From this reading To them she seemed the same good-natured, light-hearted girl, growing, perhaps, a little more thoughtful and attentive than they could have expected, considering her active nature; yet, if they had thought to compare even the Sunday life of the household with what it had been when they first came to Halifax, they would have been surprised at the change in themselves.

but in spite of that

From this reading To them she seemed the same good-natured, light-hearted girl, growing, perhaps, a little more thoughtful and attentive than they could have expected, considering her active nature; yet, if they had thought to compare even the Sunday life of the household with what it had been when they first came to Halifax, they would have been surprised at the change in themselves.