Chapter XXIV · Chapter 24

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

From this reading He had, by means of pertinacious inquiry, learned a good deal about Miss Mackenzie; indeed, he had learned most of the facts which the reader knows, though not quite all of them.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading He had, by means of pertinacious inquiry, learned a good deal about Miss Mackenzie; indeed, he had learned most of the facts which the reader knows, though not quite all of them.

(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 had, by means of pertinacious inquiry, learned a good deal about Miss Mackenzie; indeed, he had learned most of the facts which the reader knows, though not quite all of them.

in addition

From this reading He had ascertained, through Miss Colza, that John Ball now claimed the property by some deed said to have been executed by Jonathan Ball previous to the execution of his will; and he had also learned, from Miss Mackenzie's own lips, in Lady Ball's presence, that she had engaged herself to marry the man who was thus claiming her property.

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

From this reading The Little Story of the Lion and the Lamb During those three months of October, November, and December, Mr Maguire was certainly not idle.

discovered or determined by scientific observation

From this reading He had ascertained, through Miss Colza, that John Ball now claimed the property by some deed said to have been executed by Jonathan Ball previous to the execution of his will; and he had also learned, from Miss Mackenzie's own lips, in Lady Ball's presence, that she had engaged herself to marry the man who was thus claiming her property.

round object that is hit or thrown or kicked in games

From this reading He had ascertained, through Miss Colza, that John Ball now claimed the property by some deed said to have been executed by Jonathan Ball previous to the execution of his will; and he had also learned, from Miss Mackenzie's own lips, in Lady Ball's presence, that she had engaged herself to marry the man who was thus claiming her property.

possessive form of “ball” — round object that is hit or thrown or kicked in games

From this reading He had seen Jonathan Ball's will, and he had seen Walter Mackenzie's will.

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

From this reading Why should Mr Ball want to marry her,--who would in such a case be penniless,--but that he felt himself compelled in that way to quell all further inquiry into the thing that he was doing?

the past participle of “be”

From this reading He had ascertained, through Miss Colza, that John Ball now claimed the property by some deed said to have been executed by Jonathan Ball previous to the execution of his will; and he had also learned, from Miss Mackenzie's own lips, in Lady Ball's presence, that she had engaged herself to marry the man who was thus claiming her property.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Why should Mr Ball want to marry her,--who would in such a case be penniless,--but that he felt himself compelled in that way to quell all further inquiry into the thing that he was doing?

showing who or what does the action

From this reading He had, by means of pertinacious inquiry, learned a good deal about Miss Mackenzie; indeed, he had learned most of the facts which the reader knows, though not quite all of them.

an occurrence of something

From this reading Why should Mr Ball want to marry her,--who would in such a case be penniless,--but that he felt himself compelled in that way to quell all further inquiry into the thing that he was doing?

definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)

From this reading The Little Story of the Lion and the Lamb During those three months of October, November, and December, Mr Maguire was certainly not idle.

past form of “claim” — assert or affirm strongly; state to be true or existing

From this reading He had ascertained, through Miss Colza, that John Ball now claimed the property by some deed said to have been executed by Jonathan Ball previous to the execution of his will; and he had also learned, from Miss Mackenzie's own lips, in Lady Ball's presence, that she had engaged herself to marry the man who was thus claiming her property.

-ing form of “claim” — assert or affirm strongly; state to be true or existing

From this reading He had ascertained, through Miss Colza, that John Ball now claimed the property by some deed said to have been executed by Jonathan Ball previous to the execution of his will; and he had also learned, from Miss Mackenzie's own lips, in Lady Ball's presence, that she had engaged herself to marry the man who was thus claiming her property.

Eurasian plant cultivated for its seed and as a forage crop

From this reading He had ascertained, through Miss Colza, that John Ball now claimed the property by some deed said to have been executed by Jonathan Ball previous to the execution of his will; and he had also learned, from Miss Mackenzie's own lips, in Lady Ball's presence, that she had engaged herself to marry the man who was thus claiming her property.

inflected form of “compel” — force somebody to do something

From this reading Why should Mr Ball want to marry her,--who would in such a case be penniless,--but that he felt himself compelled in that way to quell all further inquiry into the thing that he was doing?

act on verbally or in some form of artistic expression

From this reading He had, by means of pertinacious inquiry, learned a good deal about Miss Mackenzie; indeed, he had learned most of the facts which the reader knows, though not quite all of them.

the last (12th) month of the year

From this reading The Little Story of the Lion and the Lamb During those three months of October, November, and December, Mr Maguire was certainly not idle.

a legal document signed and sealed and delivered to effect a transfer of property and to show the legal right to possess it

From this reading He had ascertained, through Miss Colza, that John Ball now claimed the property by some deed said to have been executed by Jonathan Ball previous to the execution of his will; and he had also learned, from Miss Mackenzie's own lips, in Lady Ball's presence, that she had engaged herself to marry the man who was thus claiming her property.

-ing form of “do” — engage in

From this reading Why should Mr Ball want to marry her,--who would in such a case be penniless,--but that he felt himself compelled in that way to quell all further inquiry into the thing that he was doing?

all through a period, or at some point within it

From this reading The Little Story of the Lion and the Lamb During those three months of October, November, and December, Mr Maguire was certainly not idle.

having ones attention or mind or energy engaged

From this reading He had ascertained, through Miss Colza, that John Ball now claimed the property by some deed said to have been executed by Jonathan Ball previous to the execution of his will; and he had also learned, from Miss Mackenzie's own lips, in Lady Ball's presence, that she had engaged herself to marry the man who was thus claiming her property.

put to death as punishment

From this reading He had ascertained, through Miss Colza, that John Ball now claimed the property by some deed said to have been executed by Jonathan Ball previous to the execution of his will; and he had also learned, from Miss Mackenzie's own lips, in Lady Ball's presence, that she had engaged herself to marry the man who was thus claiming her property.

putting a condemned person to death

From this reading He had ascertained, through Miss Colza, that John Ball now claimed the property by some deed said to have been executed by Jonathan Ball previous to the execution of his will; and he had also learned, from Miss Mackenzie's own lips, in Lady Ball's presence, that she had engaged herself to marry the man who was thus claiming her property.

plural of “fact” — a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred

From this reading He had, by means of pertinacious inquiry, learned a good deal about Miss Mackenzie; indeed, he had learned most of the facts which the reader knows, though not quite all of them.

mat together and make felt-like

From this reading Why should Mr Ball want to marry her,--who would in such a case be penniless,--but that he felt himself compelled in that way to quell all further inquiry into the thing that he was doing?

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading He had ascertained, through Miss Colza, that John Ball now claimed the property by some deed said to have been executed by Jonathan Ball previous to the execution of his will; and he had also learned, from Miss Mackenzie's own lips, in Lady Ball's presence, that she had engaged herself to marry the man who was thus claiming her property.

to or at a greater extent or degree or a more advanced stage (“further” is used more often than “farther” in this abstract sense)

From this reading Why should Mr Ball want to marry her,--who would in such a case be penniless,--but that he felt himself compelled in that way to quell all further inquiry into the thing that he was doing?

having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified

From this reading He had, by means of pertinacious inquiry, learned a good deal about Miss Mackenzie; indeed, he had learned most of the facts which the reader knows, though not quite all of them.

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

From this reading He had, by means of pertinacious inquiry, learned a good deal about Miss Mackenzie; indeed, he had learned most of the facts which the reader knows, though not quite all of them.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading He had ascertained, through Miss Colza, that John Ball now claimed the property by some deed said to have been executed by Jonathan Ball previous to the execution of his will; and he had also learned, from Miss Mackenzie's own lips, in Lady Ball's presence, that she had engaged herself to marry the man who was thus claiming her property.

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

From this reading He had, by means of pertinacious inquiry, learned a good deal about Miss Mackenzie; indeed, he had learned most of the facts which the reader knows, though not quite all of them.

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

From this reading He had ascertained, through Miss Colza, that John Ball now claimed the property by some deed said to have been executed by Jonathan Ball previous to the execution of his will; and he had also learned, from Miss Mackenzie's own lips, in Lady Ball's presence, that she had engaged herself to marry the man who was thus claiming her property.

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

From this reading He had ascertained, through Miss Colza, that John Ball now claimed the property by some deed said to have been executed by Jonathan Ball previous to the execution of his will; and he had also learned, from Miss Mackenzie's own lips, in Lady Ball's presence, that she had engaged herself to marry the man who was thus claiming her property.

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading Why should Mr Ball want to marry her,--who would in such a case be penniless,--but that he felt himself compelled in that way to quell all further inquiry into the thing that he was doing?

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

From this reading He had ascertained, through Miss Colza, that John Ball now claimed the property by some deed said to have been executed by Jonathan Ball previous to the execution of his will; and he had also learned, from Miss Mackenzie's own lips, in Lady Ball's presence, that she had engaged herself to marry the man who was thus claiming her property.

not in action or at work

From this reading The Little Story of the Lion and the Lamb During those three months of October, November, and December, Mr Maguire was certainly not idle.

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

From this reading He had ascertained, through Miss Colza, that John Ball now claimed the property by some deed said to have been executed by Jonathan Ball previous to the execution of his will; and he had also learned, from Miss Mackenzie's own lips, in Lady Ball's presence, that she had engaged herself to marry the man who was thus claiming her property.

in truth (often tends to intensify)

From this reading He had, by means of pertinacious inquiry, learned a good deal about Miss Mackenzie; indeed, he had learned most of the facts which the reader knows, though not quite all of them.

a search for knowledge

From this reading He had, by means of pertinacious inquiry, learned a good deal about Miss Mackenzie; indeed, he had learned most of the facts which the reader knows, though not quite all of them.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading Why should Mr Ball want to marry her,--who would in such a case be penniless,--but that he felt himself compelled in that way to quell all further inquiry into the thing that he was doing?

a room or building equipped with one or more toilets

From this reading He had ascertained, through Miss Colza, that John Ball now claimed the property by some deed said to have been executed by Jonathan Ball previous to the execution of his will; and he had also learned, from Miss Mackenzie's own lips, in Lady Ball's presence, that she had engaged herself to marry the man who was thus claiming her property.

red late-ripening apple; primarily eaten raw

From this reading He had seen Jonathan Ball's will, and he had seen Walter Mackenzie's will.

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

From this reading He had, by means of pertinacious inquiry, learned a good deal about Miss Mackenzie; indeed, he had learned most of the facts which the reader knows, though not quite all of them.

a polite name for any woman

From this reading He had ascertained, through Miss Colza, that John Ball now claimed the property by some deed said to have been executed by Jonathan Ball previous to the execution of his will; and he had also learned, from Miss Mackenzie's own lips, in Lady Ball's presence, that she had engaged herself to marry the man who was thus claiming her property.

young sheep

From this reading The Little Story of the Lion and the Lamb During those three months of October, November, and December, Mr Maguire was certainly not idle.

having or showing profound knowledge

From this reading He had, by means of pertinacious inquiry, learned a good deal about Miss Mackenzie; indeed, he had learned most of the facts which the reader knows, though not quite all of them.

large gregarious predatory feline of Africa and India having a tawny coat with a shaggy mane in the male

From this reading The Little Story of the Lion and the Lamb During those three months of October, November, and December, Mr Maguire was certainly not idle.

plural of “lip” — either of two fleshy folds of tissue that surround the mouth and play a role in speaking

From this reading He had ascertained, through Miss Colza, that John Ball now claimed the property by some deed said to have been executed by Jonathan Ball previous to the execution of his will; and he had also learned, from Miss Mackenzie's own lips, in Lady Ball's presence, that she had engaged herself to marry the man who was thus claiming her property.

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

From this reading The Little Story of the Lion and the Lamb During those three months of October, November, and December, Mr Maguire was certainly not idle.

Canadian explorer (born in England) who explored the Mackenzie River and who was first to cross North America by land north of Mexico (1764-1820)

From this reading He had, by means of pertinacious inquiry, learned a good deal about Miss Mackenzie; indeed, he had learned most of the facts which the reader knows, though not quite all of them.

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

From this reading He had seen Jonathan Ball's will, and he had seen Walter Mackenzie's will.

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

From this reading The Little Story of the Lion and the Lamb During those three months of October, November, and December, Mr Maguire was certainly not idle.

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

From this reading He had ascertained, through Miss Colza, that John Ball now claimed the property by some deed said to have been executed by Jonathan Ball previous to the execution of his will; and he had also learned, from Miss Mackenzie's own lips, in Lady Ball's presence, that she had engaged herself to marry the man who was thus claiming her property.

take in marriage

From this reading He had ascertained, through Miss Colza, that John Ball now claimed the property by some deed said to have been executed by Jonathan Ball previous to the execution of his will; and he had also learned, from Miss Mackenzie's own lips, in Lady Ball's presence, that she had engaged herself to marry the man who was thus claiming her property.

thing or person that acts to produce a particular effect or achieve an end

From this reading He had, by means of pertinacious inquiry, learned a good deal about Miss Mackenzie; indeed, he had learned most of the facts which the reader knows, though not quite all of them.

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

From this reading He had, by means of pertinacious inquiry, learned a good deal about Miss Mackenzie; indeed, he had learned most of the facts which the reader knows, though not quite all of them.

plural of “month” — one of the twelve divisions of the calendar year

From this reading The Little Story of the Lion and the Lamb During those three months of October, November, and December, Mr Maguire was certainly not idle.

used to form the superlative

From this reading He had, by means of pertinacious inquiry, learned a good deal about Miss Mackenzie; indeed, he had learned most of the facts which the reader knows, though not quite all of them.

a form of address for a man

From this reading The Little Story of the Lion and the Lamb During those three months of October, November, and December, Mr Maguire was certainly not idle.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading The Little Story of the Lion and the Lamb During those three months of October, November, and December, Mr Maguire was certainly not idle.

the month following October and preceding December

From this reading The Little Story of the Lion and the Lamb During those three months of October, November, and December, Mr Maguire was certainly not idle.

in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events

From this reading He had ascertained, through Miss Colza, that John Ball now claimed the property by some deed said to have been executed by Jonathan Ball previous to the execution of his will; and he had also learned, from Miss Mackenzie's own lips, in Lady Ball's presence, that she had engaged herself to marry the man who was thus claiming her property.

the month following September and preceding November

From this reading The Little Story of the Lion and the Lamb During those three months of October, November, and December, Mr Maguire was certainly not idle.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The Little Story of the Lion and the Lamb During those three months of October, November, and December, Mr Maguire was certainly not idle.

have ownership or possession of

From this reading He had ascertained, through Miss Colza, that John Ball now claimed the property by some deed said to have been executed by Jonathan Ball previous to the execution of his will; and he had also learned, from Miss Mackenzie's own lips, in Lady Ball's presence, that she had engaged herself to marry the man who was thus claiming her property.

not having enough money to pay for necessities

From this reading Why should Mr Ball want to marry her,--who would in such a case be penniless,--but that he felt himself compelled in that way to quell all further inquiry into the thing that he was doing?

stubbornly unyielding

From this reading He had, by means of pertinacious inquiry, learned a good deal about Miss Mackenzie; indeed, he had learned most of the facts which the reader knows, though not quite all of them.

the state of being present; current existence

From this reading He had ascertained, through Miss Colza, that John Ball now claimed the property by some deed said to have been executed by Jonathan Ball previous to the execution of his will; and he had also learned, from Miss Mackenzie's own lips, in Lady Ball's presence, that she had engaged herself to marry the man who was thus claiming her property.

just preceding something else in time or order

From this reading He had ascertained, through Miss Colza, that John Ball now claimed the property by some deed said to have been executed by Jonathan Ball previous to the execution of his will; and he had also learned, from Miss Mackenzie's own lips, in Lady Ball's presence, that she had engaged herself to marry the man who was thus claiming her property.

something owned; any tangible or intangible possession that is owned by someone

From this reading He had ascertained, through Miss Colza, that John Ball now claimed the property by some deed said to have been executed by Jonathan Ball previous to the execution of his will; and he had also learned, from Miss Mackenzie's own lips, in Lady Ball's presence, that she had engaged herself to marry the man who was thus claiming her property.

suppress or crush completely

From this reading Why should Mr Ball want to marry her,--who would in such a case be penniless,--but that he felt himself compelled in that way to quell all further inquiry into the thing that he was doing?

to a degree (not used with a negative)

From this reading He had, by means of pertinacious inquiry, learned a good deal about Miss Mackenzie; indeed, he had learned most of the facts which the reader knows, though not quite all of them.

a person who enjoys reading

From this reading He had, by means of pertinacious inquiry, learned a good deal about Miss Mackenzie; indeed, he had learned most of the facts which the reader knows, though not quite all of them.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading He had ascertained, through Miss Colza, that John Ball now claimed the property by some deed said to have been executed by Jonathan Ball previous to the execution of his will; and he had also learned, from Miss Mackenzie's own lips, in Lady Ball's presence, that she had engaged herself to marry the man who was thus claiming her property.

inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading He had seen Jonathan Ball's will, and he had seen Walter Mackenzie's will.

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

From this reading He had ascertained, through Miss Colza, that John Ball now claimed the property by some deed said to have been executed by Jonathan Ball previous to the execution of his will; and he had also learned, from Miss Mackenzie's own lips, in Lady Ball's presence, that she had engaged herself to marry the man who was thus claiming her property.

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading Why should Mr Ball want to marry her,--who would in such a case be penniless,--but that he felt himself compelled in that way to quell all further inquiry into the thing that he was doing?

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading He had ascertained, through Miss Colza, that John Ball now claimed the property by some deed said to have been executed by Jonathan Ball previous to the execution of his will; and he had also learned, from Miss Mackenzie's own lips, in Lady Ball's presence, that she had engaged herself to marry the man who was thus claiming her property.

a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program

From this reading The Little Story of the Lion and the Lamb During those three months of October, November, and December, Mr Maguire was certainly not idle.

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading Why should Mr Ball want to marry her,--who would in such a case be penniless,--but that he felt himself compelled in that way to quell all further inquiry into the thing that he was doing?

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading He had ascertained, through Miss Colza, that John Ball now claimed the property by some deed said to have been executed by Jonathan Ball previous to the execution of his will; and he had also learned, from Miss Mackenzie's own lips, in Lady Ball's presence, that she had engaged herself to marry the man who was thus claiming her property.

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

From this reading The Little Story of the Lion and the Lamb During those three months of October, November, and December, Mr Maguire was certainly not idle.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading He had, by means of pertinacious inquiry, learned a good deal about Miss Mackenzie; indeed, he had learned most of the facts which the reader knows, though not quite all of them.

a special situation

From this reading Why should Mr Ball want to marry her,--who would in such a case be penniless,--but that he felt himself compelled in that way to quell all further inquiry into the thing that he was doing?

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

From this reading The Little Story of the Lion and the Lamb During those three months of October, November, and December, Mr Maguire was certainly not idle.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading He had, by means of pertinacious inquiry, learned a good deal about Miss Mackenzie; indeed, he had learned most of the facts which the reader knows, though not quite all of them.

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

From this reading The Little Story of the Lion and the Lamb During those three months of October, November, and December, Mr Maguire was certainly not idle.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading He had ascertained, through Miss Colza, that John Ball now claimed the property by some deed said to have been executed by Jonathan Ball previous to the execution of his will; and he had also learned, from Miss Mackenzie's own lips, in Lady Ball's presence, that she had engaged herself to marry the man who was thus claiming her property.

(used to introduce a logical conclusion) from that fact or reason or as a result

From this reading He had ascertained, through Miss Colza, that John Ball now claimed the property by some deed said to have been executed by Jonathan Ball previous to the execution of his will; and he had also learned, from Miss Mackenzie's own lips, in Lady Ball's presence, that she had engaged herself to marry the man who was thus claiming her property.

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

From this reading He had ascertained, through Miss Colza, that John Ball now claimed the property by some deed said to have been executed by Jonathan Ball previous to the execution of his will; and he had also learned, from Miss Mackenzie's own lips, in Lady Ball's presence, that she had engaged herself to marry the man who was thus claiming her property.

German conductor (1876-1962)

From this reading He had seen Jonathan Ball's will, and he had seen Walter Mackenzie's will.

feel or have a desire for; want strongly

From this reading Why should Mr Ball want to marry her,--who would in such a case be penniless,--but that he felt himself compelled in that way to quell all further inquiry into the thing that he was doing?

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

From this reading The Little Story of the Lion and the Lamb During those three months of October, November, and December, Mr Maguire was certainly not idle.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading Why should Mr Ball want to marry her,--who would in such a case be penniless,--but that he felt himself compelled in that way to quell all further inquiry into the thing that he was doing?

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

From this reading He had, by means of pertinacious inquiry, learned a good deal about Miss Mackenzie; indeed, he had learned most of the facts which the reader knows, though not quite all of them.

which person or people

From this reading He had ascertained, through Miss Colza, that John Ball now claimed the property by some deed said to have been executed by Jonathan Ball previous to the execution of his will; and he had also learned, from Miss Mackenzie's own lips, in Lady Ball's presence, that she had engaged herself to marry the man who was thus claiming her property.

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

From this reading Why should Mr Ball want to marry her,--who would in such a case be penniless,--but that he felt himself compelled in that way to quell all further inquiry into the thing that he was doing?

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading He had seen Jonathan Ball's will, and he had seen Walter Mackenzie's will.

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

From this reading Why should Mr Ball want to marry her,--who would in such a case be penniless,--but that he felt himself compelled in that way to quell all further inquiry into the thing that he was doing?