Chapter XV

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

From this reading WARBLINGS IN THE WHITE HOUSE AND SNARES FOR A SOUL.

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

From this reading Achsah Claghorn, for many years lonely, with maternal instincts steadily suppressed, had found the first opportunity of a long life to gratify cravings of which she had been until now unconscious.

in actual fact

From this reading Grandmothers, though once severe as mothers, are often overfond in their last maternal role, and it may be that Miss Claghorn pleased herself by the fiction of a relationship which, though not actually existent, had some foundation in long-past conditions.

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

From this reading Coyly, even with trembling, she sought the love of her grand-niece, being herself astonished, as much as she astonished others, by an indulgent tenderness seemingly foreign to her character.

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

From this reading WARBLINGS IN THE WHITE HOUSE AND SNARES FOR A SOUL.

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

From this reading Grandmothers, though once severe as mothers, are often overfond in their last maternal role, and it may be that Miss Claghorn pleased herself by the fiction of a relationship which, though not actually existent, had some foundation in long-past conditions.

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

From this reading Coyly, even with trembling, she sought the love of her grand-niece, being herself astonished, as much as she astonished others, by an indulgent tenderness seemingly foreign to her character.

past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody

From this reading "Did your father never speak of me?" she asked.

filled with the emotional impact of overwhelming surprise or shock

From this reading Coyly, even with trembling, she sought the love of her grand-niece, being herself astonished, as much as she astonished others, by an indulgent tenderness seemingly foreign to her character.

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

From this reading Grandmothers, though once severe as mothers, are often overfond in their last maternal role, and it may be that Miss Claghorn pleased herself by the fiction of a relationship which, though not actually existent, had some foundation in long-past conditions.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Achsah Claghorn, for many years lonely, with maternal instincts steadily suppressed, had found the first opportunity of a long life to gratify cravings of which she had been until now unconscious.

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading Coyly, even with trembling, she sought the love of her grand-niece, being herself astonished, as much as she astonished others, by an indulgent tenderness seemingly foreign to her character.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Coyly, even with trembling, she sought the love of her grand-niece, being herself astonished, as much as she astonished others, by an indulgent tenderness seemingly foreign to her character.

an imaginary person represented in a work of fiction (play or film or story)

From this reading Coyly, even with trembling, she sought the love of her grand-niece, being herself astonished, as much as she astonished others, by an indulgent tenderness seemingly foreign to her character.

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

From this reading Achsah Claghorn, for many years lonely, with maternal instincts steadily suppressed, had found the first opportunity of a long life to gratify cravings of which she had been until now unconscious.

the prevailing context that influences the performance or the outcome of a process

From this reading Grandmothers, though once severe as mothers, are often overfond in their last maternal role, and it may be that Miss Claghorn pleased herself by the fiction of a relationship which, though not actually existent, had some foundation in long-past conditions.

in a coy manner

From this reading Coyly, even with trembling, she sought the love of her grand-niece, being herself astonished, as much as she astonished others, by an indulgent tenderness seemingly foreign to her character.

plural of “craving” — an intense desire for some particular thing

From this reading Achsah Claghorn, for many years lonely, with maternal instincts steadily suppressed, had found the first opportunity of a long life to gratify cravings of which she had been until now unconscious.

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

From this reading "Did your father never speak of me?" she asked.

divisible by two

From this reading Coyly, even with trembling, she sought the love of her grand-niece, being herself astonished, as much as she astonished others, by an indulgent tenderness seemingly foreign to her character.

having existence or being or actuality

From this reading Grandmothers, though once severe as mothers, are often overfond in their last maternal role, and it may be that Miss Claghorn pleased herself by the fiction of a relationship which, though not actually existent, had some foundation in long-past conditions.

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

From this reading "Did your father never speak of me?" she asked.

a literary work based on the imagination and not necessarily on fact

From this reading Grandmothers, though once severe as mothers, are often overfond in their last maternal role, and it may be that Miss Claghorn pleased herself by the fiction of a relationship which, though not actually existent, had some foundation in long-past conditions.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading Achsah Claghorn, for many years lonely, with maternal instincts steadily suppressed, had found the first opportunity of a long life to gratify cravings of which she had been until now unconscious.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading WARBLINGS IN THE WHITE HOUSE AND SNARES FOR A SOUL.

of concern to or concerning the affairs of other nations (other than your own)

From this reading Coyly, even with trembling, she sought the love of her grand-niece, being herself astonished, as much as she astonished others, by an indulgent tenderness seemingly foreign to her character.

set up or found

From this reading Achsah Claghorn, for many years lonely, with maternal instincts steadily suppressed, had found the first opportunity of a long life to gratify cravings of which she had been until now unconscious.

the basis on which something is grounded

From this reading Grandmothers, though once severe as mothers, are often overfond in their last maternal role, and it may be that Miss Claghorn pleased herself by the fiction of a relationship which, though not actually existent, had some foundation in long-past conditions.

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

From this reading Coyly, even with trembling, she sought the love of her grand-niece, being herself astonished, as much as she astonished others, by an indulgent tenderness seemingly foreign to her character.

plural of “grandmother” — the mother of your father or mother

From this reading Grandmothers, though once severe as mothers, are often overfond in their last maternal role, and it may be that Miss Claghorn pleased herself by the fiction of a relationship which, though not actually existent, had some foundation in long-past conditions.

make happy or satisfied

From this reading Achsah Claghorn, for many years lonely, with maternal instincts steadily suppressed, had found the first opportunity of a long life to gratify cravings of which she had been until now unconscious.

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

From this reading Achsah Claghorn, for many years lonely, with maternal instincts steadily suppressed, had found the first opportunity of a long life to gratify cravings of which she had been until now unconscious.

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

From this reading Coyly, even with trembling, she sought the love of her grand-niece, being herself astonished, as much as she astonished others, by an indulgent tenderness seemingly foreign to her character.

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

From this reading Coyly, even with trembling, she sought the love of her grand-niece, being herself astonished, as much as she astonished others, by an indulgent tenderness seemingly foreign to her character.

a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families

From this reading WARBLINGS IN THE WHITE HOUSE AND SNARES FOR A SOUL.

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

From this reading WARBLINGS IN THE WHITE HOUSE AND SNARES FOR A SOUL.

characterized by or given to yielding to the wishes of someone

From this reading Coyly, even with trembling, she sought the love of her grand-niece, being herself astonished, as much as she astonished others, by an indulgent tenderness seemingly foreign to her character.

plural of “instinct” — inborn pattern of behavior often responsive to specific stimuli

From this reading Achsah Claghorn, for many years lonely, with maternal instincts steadily suppressed, had found the first opportunity of a long life to gratify cravings of which she had been until now unconscious.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Grandmothers, though once severe as mothers, are often overfond in their last maternal role, and it may be that Miss Claghorn pleased herself by the fiction of a relationship which, though not actually existent, had some foundation in long-past conditions.

immediately past

From this reading Grandmothers, though once severe as mothers, are often overfond in their last maternal role, and it may be that Miss Claghorn pleased herself by the fiction of a relationship which, though not actually existent, had some foundation in long-past conditions.

a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading Achsah Claghorn, for many years lonely, with maternal instincts steadily suppressed, had found the first opportunity of a long life to gratify cravings of which she had been until now unconscious.

lacking companions or companionship

From this reading Achsah Claghorn, for many years lonely, with maternal instincts steadily suppressed, had found the first opportunity of a long life to gratify cravings of which she had been until now unconscious.

primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified

From this reading Achsah Claghorn, for many years lonely, with maternal instincts steadily suppressed, had found the first opportunity of a long life to gratify cravings of which she had been until now unconscious.

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

From this reading Grandmothers, though once severe as mothers, are often overfond in their last maternal role, and it may be that Miss Claghorn pleased herself by the fiction of a relationship which, though not actually existent, had some foundation in long-past conditions.

a strong positive emotion of regard and affection

From this reading Coyly, even with trembling, she sought the love of her grand-niece, being herself astonished, as much as she astonished others, by an indulgent tenderness seemingly foreign to her character.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number

From this reading Achsah Claghorn, for many years lonely, with maternal instincts steadily suppressed, had found the first opportunity of a long life to gratify cravings of which she had been until now unconscious.

characteristic of a mother

From this reading Achsah Claghorn, for many years lonely, with maternal instincts steadily suppressed, had found the first opportunity of a long life to gratify cravings of which she had been until now unconscious.

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading Grandmothers, though once severe as mothers, are often overfond in their last maternal role, and it may be that Miss Claghorn pleased herself by the fiction of a relationship which, though not actually existent, had some foundation in long-past conditions.

the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading "Did your father never speak of me?" she asked.

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

From this reading Grandmothers, though once severe as mothers, are often overfond in their last maternal role, and it may be that Miss Claghorn pleased herself by the fiction of a relationship which, though not actually existent, had some foundation in long-past conditions.

plural of “mother” — a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)

From this reading Grandmothers, though once severe as mothers, are often overfond in their last maternal role, and it may be that Miss Claghorn pleased herself by the fiction of a relationship which, though not actually existent, had some foundation in long-past conditions.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading Coyly, even with trembling, she sought the love of her grand-niece, being herself astonished, as much as she astonished others, by an indulgent tenderness seemingly foreign to her character.

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading "Did your father never speak of me?" she asked.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Grandmothers, though once severe as mothers, are often overfond in their last maternal role, and it may be that Miss Claghorn pleased herself by the fiction of a relationship which, though not actually existent, had some foundation in long-past conditions.

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

From this reading Achsah Claghorn, for many years lonely, with maternal instincts steadily suppressed, had found the first opportunity of a long life to gratify cravings of which she had been until now unconscious.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Achsah Claghorn, for many years lonely, with maternal instincts steadily suppressed, had found the first opportunity of a long life to gratify cravings of which she had been until now unconscious.

many times at short intervals

From this reading Grandmothers, though once severe as mothers, are often overfond in their last maternal role, and it may be that Miss Claghorn pleased herself by the fiction of a relationship which, though not actually existent, had some foundation in long-past conditions.

on one occasion

From this reading Grandmothers, though once severe as mothers, are often overfond in their last maternal role, and it may be that Miss Claghorn pleased herself by the fiction of a relationship which, though not actually existent, had some foundation in long-past conditions.

a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances

From this reading Achsah Claghorn, for many years lonely, with maternal instincts steadily suppressed, had found the first opportunity of a long life to gratify cravings of which she had been until now unconscious.

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

From this reading Coyly, even with trembling, she sought the love of her grand-niece, being herself astonished, as much as she astonished others, by an indulgent tenderness seemingly foreign to her character.

excessively fond

From this reading Grandmothers, though once severe as mothers, are often overfond in their last maternal role, and it may be that Miss Claghorn pleased herself by the fiction of a relationship which, though not actually existent, had some foundation in long-past conditions.

experiencing or manifesting pleasure

From this reading Grandmothers, though once severe as mothers, are often overfond in their last maternal role, and it may be that Miss Claghorn pleased herself by the fiction of a relationship which, though not actually existent, had some foundation in long-past conditions.

a relation between people; (“relationship” is often used where “relation” would serve, as in `the relationship between inflation and unemployment', but the preferred usage of “relationship” is for human relations or states of relatedness)

From this reading Grandmothers, though once severe as mothers, are often overfond in their last maternal role, and it may be that Miss Claghorn pleased herself by the fiction of a relationship which, though not actually existent, had some foundation in long-past conditions.

the actions and activities assigned to or required or expected of a person or group

From this reading Grandmothers, though once severe as mothers, are often overfond in their last maternal role, and it may be that Miss Claghorn pleased herself by the fiction of a relationship which, though not actually existent, had some foundation in long-past conditions.

from appearances alone

From this reading Coyly, even with trembling, she sought the love of her grand-niece, being herself astonished, as much as she astonished others, by an indulgent tenderness seemingly foreign to her character.

intensely or extremely bad or unpleasant in degree or quality

From this reading Grandmothers, though once severe as mothers, are often overfond in their last maternal role, and it may be that Miss Claghorn pleased herself by the fiction of a relationship which, though not actually existent, had some foundation in long-past conditions.

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

From this reading Achsah Claghorn, for many years lonely, with maternal instincts steadily suppressed, had found the first opportunity of a long life to gratify cravings of which she had been until now unconscious.

plural of “snare” — something (often something deceptively attractive) that catches you unawares

From this reading WARBLINGS IN THE WHITE HOUSE AND SNARES FOR A SOUL.

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

From this reading Grandmothers, though once severe as mothers, are often overfond in their last maternal role, and it may be that Miss Claghorn pleased herself by the fiction of a relationship which, though not actually existent, had some foundation in long-past conditions.

that is looked for

From this reading Coyly, even with trembling, she sought the love of her grand-niece, being herself astonished, as much as she astonished others, by an indulgent tenderness seemingly foreign to her character.

the immaterial part of a person; the actuating cause of an individual life

From this reading WARBLINGS IN THE WHITE HOUSE AND SNARES FOR A SOUL.

express in speech

From this reading "Did your father never speak of me?" she asked.

at a steady rate or pace

From this reading Achsah Claghorn, for many years lonely, with maternal instincts steadily suppressed, had found the first opportunity of a long life to gratify cravings of which she had been until now unconscious.

kept from public knowledge by various means

From this reading Achsah Claghorn, for many years lonely, with maternal instincts steadily suppressed, had found the first opportunity of a long life to gratify cravings of which she had been until now unconscious.

a tendency to express warm and affectionate feeling

From this reading Coyly, even with trembling, she sought the love of her grand-niece, being herself astonished, as much as she astonished others, by an indulgent tenderness seemingly foreign to her character.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Grandmothers, though once severe as mothers, are often overfond in their last maternal role, and it may be that Miss Claghorn pleased herself by the fiction of a relationship which, though not actually existent, had some foundation in long-past conditions.

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

From this reading WARBLINGS IN THE WHITE HOUSE AND SNARES FOR A SOUL.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Grandmothers, though once severe as mothers, are often overfond in their last maternal role, and it may be that Miss Claghorn pleased herself by the fiction of a relationship which, though not actually existent, had some foundation in long-past conditions.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading Grandmothers, though once severe as mothers, are often overfond in their last maternal role, and it may be that Miss Claghorn pleased herself by the fiction of a relationship which, though not actually existent, had some foundation in long-past conditions.

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

From this reading Achsah Claghorn, for many years lonely, with maternal instincts steadily suppressed, had found the first opportunity of a long life to gratify cravings of which she had been until now unconscious.

a shaky motion

From this reading Coyly, even with trembling, she sought the love of her grand-niece, being herself astonished, as much as she astonished others, by an indulgent tenderness seemingly foreign to her character.

not conscious; lacking awareness and the capacity for sensory perception as if asleep or dead

From this reading Achsah Claghorn, for many years lonely, with maternal instincts steadily suppressed, had found the first opportunity of a long life to gratify cravings of which she had been until now unconscious.

up to a particular time

From this reading Achsah Claghorn, for many years lonely, with maternal instincts steadily suppressed, had found the first opportunity of a long life to gratify cravings of which she had been until now unconscious.

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

From this reading WARBLINGS IN THE WHITE HOUSE AND SNARES FOR A SOUL.

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

From this reading Achsah Claghorn, for many years lonely, with maternal instincts steadily suppressed, had found the first opportunity of a long life to gratify cravings of which she had been until now unconscious.

a Caucasian

From this reading WARBLINGS IN THE WHITE HOUSE AND SNARES FOR A SOUL.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Achsah Claghorn, for many years lonely, with maternal instincts steadily suppressed, had found the first opportunity of a long life to gratify cravings of which she had been until now unconscious.

a late time of life

From this reading Achsah Claghorn, for many years lonely, with maternal instincts steadily suppressed, had found the first opportunity of a long life to gratify cravings of which she had been until now unconscious.

belonging to the person or people being spoken to

From this reading "Did your father never speak of me?" she asked.