Chapter I · Chapter 1

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

From this reading Although I know her well I can only put her past together by deductions based on a few admitted facts, one or two letters and occasional unfinished sentences, interrupted by people coming in.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading I long to know all about them from their birth (including date and place of birth and parentage) onwards; what the father's profession was and why on earth he married the mother (after I saw the daguerreotype portrait), and how they became possessed of so much money, and why she went back to live with _her_ mother between the birth of her second child and the near advent of her third.

tolerating without protest

From this reading But in how very few cases do we know their whole story, do we even care to know more than is sufficient for our purpose in issuing or accepting invitations?

plural of “acquaintance” — personal knowledge or information about someone or something

From this reading Is it not _always_ thus with our friends and acquaintances?

declare to be true or admit the existence or reality or truth of

From this reading The story of Honoria Fraser was something like this: partly guesswork, I admit.

inflected form of “admit” — declare to be true or admit the existence or reality or truth of

From this reading Although I know her well I can only put her past together by deductions based on a few admitted facts, one or two letters and occasional unfinished sentences, interrupted by people coming in.

arrival that has been awaited (especially of something momentous)

From this reading I long to know all about them from their birth (including date and place of birth and parentage) onwards; what the father's profession was and why on earth he married the mother (after I saw the daguerreotype portrait), and how they became possessed of so much money, and why she went back to live with _her_ mother between the birth of her second child and the near advent of her third.

later than; following

From this reading I long to know all about them from their birth (including date and place of birth and parentage) onwards; what the father's profession was and why on earth he married the mother (after I saw the daguerreotype portrait), and how they became possessed of so much money, and why she went back to live with _her_ mother between the birth of her second child and the near advent of her third.

(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 I long to know all about them from their birth (including date and place of birth and parentage) onwards; what the father's profession was and why on earth he married the mother (after I saw the daguerreotype portrait), and how they became possessed of so much money, and why she went back to live with _her_ mother between the birth of her second child and the near advent of her third.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading Although I know her well I can only put her past together by deductions based on a few admitted facts, one or two letters and occasional unfinished sentences, interrupted by people coming in.

at all times; all the time and on every occasion

From this reading Is it not _always_ thus with our friends and acquaintances?

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

From this reading Although I know her well I can only put her past together by deductions based on a few admitted facts, one or two letters and occasional unfinished sentences, interrupted by people coming in.

in or to or toward a former location

From this reading I long to know all about them from their birth (including date and place of birth and parentage) onwards; what the father's profession was and why on earth he married the mother (after I saw the daguerreotype portrait), and how they became possessed of so much money, and why she went back to live with _her_ mother between the birth of her second child and the near advent of her third.

having a base

From this reading Although I know her well I can only put her past together by deductions based on a few admitted facts, one or two letters and occasional unfinished sentences, interrupted by people coming in.

inflected form of “become” — enter or assume a certain state or condition

From this reading I long to know all about them from their birth (including date and place of birth and parentage) onwards; what the father's profession was and why on earth he married the mother (after I saw the daguerreotype portrait), and how they became possessed of so much money, and why she went back to live with _her_ mother between the birth of her second child and the near advent of her third.

in the space, time, or range separating two things

From this reading I long to know all about them from their birth (including date and place of birth and parentage) onwards; what the father's profession was and why on earth he married the mother (after I saw the daguerreotype portrait), and how they became possessed of so much money, and why she went back to live with _her_ mother between the birth of her second child and the near advent of her third.

the time when something begins (especially life)

From this reading I long to know all about them from their birth (including date and place of birth and parentage) onwards; what the father's profession was and why on earth he married the mother (after I saw the daguerreotype portrait), and how they became possessed of so much money, and why she went back to live with _her_ mother between the birth of her second child and the near advent of her third.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But in how very few cases do we know their whole story, do we even care to know more than is sufficient for our purpose in issuing or accepting invitations?

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Although I know her well I can only put her past together by deductions based on a few admitted facts, one or two letters and occasional unfinished sentences, interrupted by people coming in.

to be able to, or to be allowed to

From this reading Although I know her well I can only put her past together by deductions based on a few admitted facts, one or two letters and occasional unfinished sentences, interrupted by people coming in.

the work of providing treatment for or attending to someone or something

From this reading But in how very few cases do we know their whole story, do we even care to know more than is sufficient for our purpose in issuing or accepting invitations?

plural of “case” — an occurrence of something

From this reading But in how very few cases do we know their whole story, do we even care to know more than is sufficient for our purpose in issuing or accepting invitations?

a young person of either sex

From this reading I long to know all about them from their birth (including date and place of birth and parentage) onwards; what the father's profession was and why on earth he married the mother (after I saw the daguerreotype portrait), and how they became possessed of so much money, and why she went back to live with _her_ mother between the birth of her second child and the near advent of her third.

the act of drawing spatially closer to something

From this reading Although I know her well I can only put her past together by deductions based on a few admitted facts, one or two letters and occasional unfinished sentences, interrupted by people coming in.

a photograph made by an early photographic process; the image was produced on a silver plate sensitized to iodine and developed in mercury vapor

From this reading I long to know all about them from their birth (including date and place of birth and parentage) onwards; what the father's profession was and why on earth he married the mother (after I saw the daguerreotype portrait), and how they became possessed of so much money, and why she went back to live with _her_ mother between the birth of her second child and the near advent of her third.

the specified day of the month

From this reading I long to know all about them from their birth (including date and place of birth and parentage) onwards; what the father's profession was and why on earth he married the mother (after I saw the daguerreotype portrait), and how they became possessed of so much money, and why she went back to live with _her_ mother between the birth of her second child and the near advent of her third.

plural of “deduction” — a reduction in the gross amount on which a tax is calculated; reduces taxes by the percentage fixed for the taxpayer's income bracket

From this reading Although I know her well I can only put her past together by deductions based on a few admitted facts, one or two letters and occasional unfinished sentences, interrupted by people coming in.

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading But in how very few cases do we know their whole story, do we even care to know more than is sufficient for our purpose in issuing or accepting invitations?

the 3rd planet from the sun; the planet we live on

From this reading I long to know all about them from their birth (including date and place of birth and parentage) onwards; what the father's profession was and why on earth he married the mother (after I saw the daguerreotype portrait), and how they became possessed of so much money, and why she went back to live with _her_ mother between the birth of her second child and the near advent of her third.

divisible by two

From this reading But in how very few cases do we know their whole story, do we even care to know more than is sufficient for our purpose in issuing or accepting invitations?

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

From this reading Although I know her well I can only put her past together by deductions based on a few admitted facts, one or two letters and occasional unfinished sentences, interrupted by people coming in.

possessive form of “father” — a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)

From this reading I long to know all about them from their birth (including date and place of birth and parentage) onwards; what the father's profession was and why on earth he married the mother (after I saw the daguerreotype portrait), and how they became possessed of so much money, and why she went back to live with _her_ mother between the birth of her second child and the near advent of her third.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number

From this reading Although I know her well I can only put her past together by deductions based on a few admitted facts, one or two letters and occasional unfinished sentences, interrupted by people coming in.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading But in how very few cases do we know their whole story, do we even care to know more than is sufficient for our purpose in issuing or accepting invitations?

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

From this reading The story of Honoria Fraser was something like this: partly guesswork, I admit.

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

From this reading Is it not _always_ thus with our friends and acquaintances?

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading I long to know all about them from their birth (including date and place of birth and parentage) onwards; what the father's profession was and why on earth he married the mother (after I saw the daguerreotype portrait), and how they became possessed of so much money, and why she went back to live with _her_ mother between the birth of her second child and the near advent of her third.

an estimate based on little or no information

From this reading The story of Honoria Fraser was something like this: partly guesswork, I admit.

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

From this reading I long to know all about them from their birth (including date and place of birth and parentage) onwards; what the father's profession was and why on earth he married the mother (after I saw the daguerreotype portrait), and how they became possessed of so much money, and why she went back to live with _her_ mother between the birth of her second child and the near advent of her third.

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

From this reading Although I know her well I can only put her past together by deductions based on a few admitted facts, one or two letters and occasional unfinished sentences, interrupted by people coming in.

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

From this reading The story of Honoria Fraser was something like this: partly guesswork, I admit.

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

From this reading I long to know all about them from their birth (including date and place of birth and parentage) onwards; what the father's profession was and why on earth he married the mother (after I saw the daguerreotype portrait), and how they became possessed of so much money, and why she went back to live with _her_ mother between the birth of her second child and the near advent of her third.

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading The story of Honoria Fraser was something like this: partly guesswork, I admit.

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

From this reading Although I know her well I can only put her past together by deductions based on a few admitted facts, one or two letters and occasional unfinished sentences, interrupted by people coming in.

-ing form of “include” — have as a part, be made up out of

From this reading I long to know all about them from their birth (including date and place of birth and parentage) onwards; what the father's profession was and why on earth he married the mother (after I saw the daguerreotype portrait), and how they became possessed of so much money, and why she went back to live with _her_ mother between the birth of her second child and the near advent of her third.

discontinued temporarily

From this reading Although I know her well I can only put her past together by deductions based on a few admitted facts, one or two letters and occasional unfinished sentences, interrupted by people coming in.

plural of “invitation” — a request (spoken or written) to participate or be present or take part in something

From this reading But in how very few cases do we know their whole story, do we even care to know more than is sufficient for our purpose in issuing or accepting invitations?

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

From this reading Is it not _always_ thus with our friends and acquaintances?

the act of providing an item for general use or for official purposes (usually in quantity)

From this reading But in how very few cases do we know their whole story, do we even care to know more than is sufficient for our purpose in issuing or accepting invitations?

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Is it not _always_ thus with our friends and acquaintances?

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

From this reading Although I know her well I can only put her past together by deductions based on a few admitted facts, one or two letters and occasional unfinished sentences, interrupted by people coming in.

the literary culture

From this reading Although I know her well I can only put her past together by deductions based on a few admitted facts, one or two letters and occasional unfinished sentences, interrupted by people coming in.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading The story of Honoria Fraser was something like this: partly guesswork, I admit.

be an inhabitant of or reside in

From this reading I long to know all about them from their birth (including date and place of birth and parentage) onwards; what the father's profession was and why on earth he married the mother (after I saw the daguerreotype portrait), and how they became possessed of so much money, and why she went back to live with _her_ mother between the birth of her second child and the near advent of her third.

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 I long to know all about them from their birth (including date and place of birth and parentage) onwards; what the father's profession was and why on earth he married the mother (after I saw the daguerreotype portrait), and how they became possessed of so much money, and why she went back to live with _her_ mother between the birth of her second child and the near advent of her third.

joined in matrimony

From this reading I long to know all about them from their birth (including date and place of birth and parentage) onwards; what the father's profession was and why on earth he married the mother (after I saw the daguerreotype portrait), and how they became possessed of so much money, and why she went back to live with _her_ mother between the birth of her second child and the near advent of her third.

the most common medium of exchange; functions as legal tender

From this reading I long to know all about them from their birth (including date and place of birth and parentage) onwards; what the father's profession was and why on earth he married the mother (after I saw the daguerreotype portrait), and how they became possessed of so much money, and why she went back to live with _her_ mother between the birth of her second child and the near advent of her third.

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

From this reading But in how very few cases do we know their whole story, do we even care to know more than is sufficient for our purpose in issuing or accepting invitations?

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

From this reading I long to know all about them from their birth (including date and place of birth and parentage) onwards; what the father's profession was and why on earth he married the mother (after I saw the daguerreotype portrait), and how they became possessed of so much money, and why she went back to live with _her_ mother between the birth of her second child and the near advent of her third.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading I long to know all about them from their birth (including date and place of birth and parentage) onwards; what the father's profession was and why on earth he married the mother (after I saw the daguerreotype portrait), and how they became possessed of so much money, and why she went back to live with _her_ mother between the birth of her second child and the near advent of her third.

near in time or place or relationship

From this reading I long to know all about them from their birth (including date and place of birth and parentage) onwards; what the father's profession was and why on earth he married the mother (after I saw the daguerreotype portrait), and how they became possessed of so much money, and why she went back to live with _her_ mother between the birth of her second child and the near advent of her third.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Is it not _always_ thus with our friends and acquaintances?

occurring from time to time

From this reading Although I know her well I can only put her past together by deductions based on a few admitted facts, one or two letters and occasional unfinished sentences, interrupted by people coming in.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The story of Honoria Fraser was something like this: partly guesswork, I admit.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Although I know her well I can only put her past together by deductions based on a few admitted facts, one or two letters and occasional unfinished sentences, interrupted by people coming in.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Although I know her well I can only put her past together by deductions based on a few admitted facts, one or two letters and occasional unfinished sentences, interrupted by people coming in.

and nothing more

From this reading Although I know her well I can only put her past together by deductions based on a few admitted facts, one or two letters and occasional unfinished sentences, interrupted by people coming in.

in a forward direction

From this reading I long to know all about them from their birth (including date and place of birth and parentage) onwards; what the father's profession was and why on earth he married the mother (after I saw the daguerreotype portrait), and how they became possessed of so much money, and why she went back to live with _her_ mother between the birth of her second child and the near advent of her third.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Although I know her well I can only put her past together by deductions based on a few admitted facts, one or two letters and occasional unfinished sentences, interrupted by people coming in.

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading Is it not _always_ thus with our friends and acquaintances?

the state of being a parent

From this reading I long to know all about them from their birth (including date and place of birth and parentage) onwards; what the father's profession was and why on earth he married the mother (after I saw the daguerreotype portrait), and how they became possessed of so much money, and why she went back to live with _her_ mother between the birth of her second child and the near advent of her third.

to some extent; in some degree; not wholly

From this reading The story of Honoria Fraser was something like this: partly guesswork, I admit.

the time that has elapsed

From this reading Although I know her well I can only put her past together by deductions based on a few admitted facts, one or two letters and occasional unfinished sentences, interrupted by people coming in.

(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively

From this reading Although I know her well I can only put her past together by deductions based on a few admitted facts, one or two letters and occasional unfinished sentences, interrupted by people coming in.

a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading I long to know all about them from their birth (including date and place of birth and parentage) onwards; what the father's profession was and why on earth he married the mother (after I saw the daguerreotype portrait), and how they became possessed of so much money, and why she went back to live with _her_ mother between the birth of her second child and the near advent of her third.

a word picture of a person's appearance and character

From this reading I long to know all about them from their birth (including date and place of birth and parentage) onwards; what the father's profession was and why on earth he married the mother (after I saw the daguerreotype portrait), and how they became possessed of so much money, and why she went back to live with _her_ mother between the birth of her second child and the near advent of her third.

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

From this reading I long to know all about them from their birth (including date and place of birth and parentage) onwards; what the father's profession was and why on earth he married the mother (after I saw the daguerreotype portrait), and how they became possessed of so much money, and why she went back to live with _her_ mother between the birth of her second child and the near advent of her third.

the body of people in a learned occupation

From this reading I long to know all about them from their birth (including date and place of birth and parentage) onwards; what the father's profession was and why on earth he married the mother (after I saw the daguerreotype portrait), and how they became possessed of so much money, and why she went back to live with _her_ mother between the birth of her second child and the near advent of her third.

an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions

From this reading But in how very few cases do we know their whole story, do we even care to know more than is sufficient for our purpose in issuing or accepting invitations?

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading Although I know her well I can only put her past together by deductions based on a few admitted facts, one or two letters and occasional unfinished sentences, interrupted by people coming in.

cut with a saw

From this reading I long to know all about them from their birth (including date and place of birth and parentage) onwards; what the father's profession was and why on earth he married the mother (after I saw the daguerreotype portrait), and how they became possessed of so much money, and why she went back to live with _her_ mother between the birth of her second child and the near advent of her third.

1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites

From this reading I long to know all about them from their birth (including date and place of birth and parentage) onwards; what the father's profession was and why on earth he married the mother (after I saw the daguerreotype portrait), and how they became possessed of so much money, and why she went back to live with _her_ mother between the birth of her second child and the near advent of her third.

plural of “sentence” — a string of words satisfying the grammatical rules of a language

From this reading Although I know her well I can only put her past together by deductions based on a few admitted facts, one or two letters and occasional unfinished sentences, interrupted by people coming in.

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

From this reading I long to know all about them from their birth (including date and place of birth and parentage) onwards; what the father's profession was and why on earth he married the mother (after I saw the daguerreotype portrait), and how they became possessed of so much money, and why she went back to live with _her_ mother between the birth of her second child and the near advent of her third.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading I long to know all about them from their birth (including date and place of birth and parentage) onwards; what the father's profession was and why on earth he married the mother (after I saw the daguerreotype portrait), and how they became possessed of so much money, and why she went back to live with _her_ mother between the birth of her second child and the near advent of her third.

a thing, without saying which

From this reading The story of Honoria Fraser was something like this: partly guesswork, I admit.

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 story of Honoria Fraser was something like this: partly guesswork, I admit.

of a quantity that can fulfill a need or requirement but without being abundant

From this reading But in how very few cases do we know their whole story, do we even care to know more than is sufficient for our purpose in issuing or accepting invitations?

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading But in how very few cases do we know their whole story, do we even care to know more than is sufficient for our purpose in issuing or accepting invitations?

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

From this reading The story of Honoria Fraser was something like this: partly guesswork, I admit.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading I long to know all about them from their birth (including date and place of birth and parentage) onwards; what the father's profession was and why on earth he married the mother (after I saw the daguerreotype portrait), and how they became possessed of so much money, and why she went back to live with _her_ mother between the birth of her second child and the near advent of her third.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading I long to know all about them from their birth (including date and place of birth and parentage) onwards; what the father's profession was and why on earth he married the mother (after I saw the daguerreotype portrait), and how they became possessed of so much money, and why she went back to live with _her_ mother between the birth of her second child and the near advent of her third.

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

From this reading I long to know all about them from their birth (including date and place of birth and parentage) onwards; what the father's profession was and why on earth he married the mother (after I saw the daguerreotype portrait), and how they became possessed of so much money, and why she went back to live with _her_ mother between the birth of her second child and the near advent of her third.

one of three equal parts of a divisible whole

From this reading I long to know all about them from their birth (including date and place of birth and parentage) onwards; what the father's profession was and why on earth he married the mother (after I saw the daguerreotype portrait), and how they became possessed of so much money, and why she went back to live with _her_ mother between the birth of her second child and the near advent of her third.

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

From this reading The story of Honoria Fraser was something like this: partly guesswork, I admit.

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

From this reading Is it not _always_ thus with our friends and acquaintances?

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

From this reading I long to know all about them from their birth (including date and place of birth and parentage) onwards; what the father's profession was and why on earth he married the mother (after I saw the daguerreotype portrait), and how they became possessed of so much money, and why she went back to live with _her_ mother between the birth of her second child and the near advent of her third.

in contact with each other or in proximity

From this reading Although I know her well I can only put her past together by deductions based on a few admitted facts, one or two letters and occasional unfinished sentences, interrupted by people coming in.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number

From this reading Although I know her well I can only put her past together by deductions based on a few admitted facts, one or two letters and occasional unfinished sentences, interrupted by people coming in.

not brought to the desired final state

From this reading Although I know her well I can only put her past together by deductions based on a few admitted facts, one or two letters and occasional unfinished sentences, interrupted by people coming in.

precisely as stated

From this reading But in how very few cases do we know their whole story, do we even care to know more than is sufficient for our purpose in issuing or accepting invitations?

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

From this reading The story of Honoria Fraser was something like this: partly guesswork, I admit.

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading But in how very few cases do we know their whole story, do we even care to know more than is sufficient for our purpose in issuing or accepting invitations?

(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)

From this reading Although I know her well I can only put her past together by deductions based on a few admitted facts, one or two letters and occasional unfinished sentences, interrupted by people coming in.

inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading I long to know all about them from their birth (including date and place of birth and parentage) onwards; what the father's profession was and why on earth he married the mother (after I saw the daguerreotype portrait), and how they became possessed of so much money, and why she went back to live with _her_ mother between the birth of her second child and the near advent of her third.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading I long to know all about them from their birth (including date and place of birth and parentage) onwards; what the father's profession was and why on earth he married the mother (after I saw the daguerreotype portrait), and how they became possessed of so much money, and why she went back to live with _her_ mother between the birth of her second child and the near advent of her third.

including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete

From this reading But in how very few cases do we know their whole story, do we even care to know more than is sufficient for our purpose in issuing or accepting invitations?

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

From this reading I long to know all about them from their birth (including date and place of birth and parentage) onwards; what the father's profession was and why on earth he married the mother (after I saw the daguerreotype portrait), and how they became possessed of so much money, and why she went back to live with _her_ mother between the birth of her second child and the near advent of her third.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Is it not _always_ thus with our friends and acquaintances?