Chapter VII · Chapter 7

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

From this reading (I) Life had been a little difficult for the Major for the last fortnight or so.

past form of “act” — perform an action, or work out or perform (an action)

From this reading He had explained to her, over and over again, with a rising intensity each time, how unselfishly he had acted throughout, how his sole thought had been for her in his recent course of action.

something done (usually as opposed to something said)

From this reading He had explained to her, over and over again, with a rising intensity each time, how unselfishly he had acted throughout, how his sole thought had been for her in his recent course of action.

anew

From this reading He had explained to her, over and over again, with a rising intensity each time, how unselfishly he had acted throughout, how his sole thought had been for her in his recent course of action.

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

From this reading Not only was Frank's material and moral support lacking to him, but the calls upon him, owing to Gertie's extreme unreasonableness, had considerably increased.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading (I) Life had been a little difficult for the Major for the last fortnight or so.

the supreme effort one can make

From this reading And, in fact, even on the most economical grounds he had acted for the best, since it had been himself who had been charged in the matter of the tin of salmon, it would not have been a fortnight, but more like two months, during which the little community would have been deprived of his labor.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Not only was Frank's material and moral support lacking to him, but the calls upon him, owing to Gertie's extreme unreasonableness, had considerably increased.

plural of “call” — a telephone connection

From this reading Not only was Frank's material and moral support lacking to him, but the calls upon him, owing to Gertie's extreme unreasonableness, had considerably increased.

of a particle or body or system; having a net amount of positive or negative electric charge

From this reading And, in fact, even on the most economical grounds he had acted for the best, since it had been himself who had been charged in the matter of the tin of salmon, it would not have been a fortnight, but more like two months, during which the little community would have been deprived of his labor.

a group of people living in a particular local area

From this reading And, in fact, even on the most economical grounds he had acted for the best, since it had been himself who had been charged in the matter of the tin of salmon, it would not have been a fortnight, but more like two months, during which the little community would have been deprived of his labor.

to a great extent or degree

From this reading Not only was Frank's material and moral support lacking to him, but the calls upon him, owing to Gertie's extreme unreasonableness, had considerably increased.

education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings

From this reading He had explained to her, over and over again, with a rising intensity each time, how unselfishly he had acted throughout, how his sole thought had been for her in his recent course of action.

marked by deprivation especially of the necessities of life or healthful environmental influences

From this reading And, in fact, even on the most economical grounds he had acted for the best, since it had been himself who had been charged in the matter of the tin of salmon, it would not have been a fortnight, but more like two months, during which the little community would have been deprived of his labor.

not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure

From this reading (I) Life had been a little difficult for the Major for the last fortnight or so.

having finished or arrived at completion

From this reading It would never have done, he explained pacifically, for a young man like Frank to have the responsibility of a young girl like Gertie on his hands, while he (the Major) was spending a fortnight elsewhere.

all through a period, or at some point within it

From this reading And, in fact, even on the most economical grounds he had acted for the best, since it had been himself who had been charged in the matter of the tin of salmon, it would not have been a fortnight, but more like two months, during which the little community would have been deprived of his labor.

every one of two or more people or things, taken separately

From this reading He had explained to her, over and over again, with a rising intensity each time, how unselfishly he had acted throughout, how his sole thought had been for her in his recent course of action.

using the minimum of time or resources necessary for effectiveness

From this reading And, in fact, even on the most economical grounds he had acted for the best, since it had been himself who had been charged in the matter of the tin of salmon, it would not have been a fortnight, but more like two months, during which the little community would have been deprived of his labor.

in or to another place

From this reading It would never have done, he explained pacifically, for a young man like Frank to have the responsibility of a young girl like Gertie on his hands, while he (the Major) was spending a fortnight elsewhere.

divisible by two

From this reading And, in fact, even on the most economical grounds he had acted for the best, since it had been himself who had been charged in the matter of the tin of salmon, it would not have been a fortnight, but more like two months, during which the little community would have been deprived of his labor.

past form of “explain” — make plain and comprehensible

From this reading He had explained to her, over and over again, with a rising intensity each time, how unselfishly he had acted throughout, how his sole thought had been for her in his recent course of action.

of the greatest possible degree or extent or intensity

From this reading Not only was Frank's material and moral support lacking to him, but the calls upon him, owing to Gertie's extreme unreasonableness, had considerably increased.

a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred

From this reading And, in fact, even on the most economical grounds he had acted for the best, since it had been himself who had been charged in the matter of the tin of salmon, it would not have been a fortnight, but more like two months, during which the little community would have been deprived of his labor.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading (I) Life had been a little difficult for the Major for the last fortnight or so.

a period of fourteen consecutive days

From this reading (I) Life had been a little difficult for the Major for the last fortnight or so.

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

From this reading It would never have done, he explained pacifically, for a young man like Frank to have the responsibility of a young girl like Gertie on his hands, while he (the Major) was spending a fortnight elsewhere.

possessive form of “frank” — a member of the ancient Germanic peoples who spread from the Rhine into the Roman Empire in the 4th century

From this reading Not only was Frank's material and moral support lacking to him, but the calls upon him, owing to Gertie's extreme unreasonableness, had considerably increased.

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

From this reading It would never have done, he explained pacifically, for a young man like Frank to have the responsibility of a young girl like Gertie on his hands, while he (the Major) was spending a fortnight elsewhere.

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

From this reading Not only was Frank's material and moral support lacking to him, but the calls upon him, owing to Gertie's extreme unreasonableness, had considerably increased.

a young female

From this reading It would never have done, he explained pacifically, for a young man like Frank to have the responsibility of a young girl like Gertie on his hands, while he (the Major) was spending a fortnight elsewhere.

your basis for belief or disbelief; knowledge on which to base belief

From this reading And, in fact, even on the most economical grounds he had acted for the best, since it had been himself who had been charged in the matter of the tin of salmon, it would not have been a fortnight, but more like two months, during which the little community would have been deprived of his labor.

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

From this reading (I) Life had been a little difficult for the Major for the last fortnight or so.

(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child

From this reading It would never have done, he explained pacifically, for a young man like Frank to have the responsibility of a young girl like Gertie on his hands, while he (the Major) was spending a fortnight elsewhere.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading It would never have done, he explained pacifically, for a young man like Frank to have the responsibility of a young girl like Gertie on his hands, while he (the Major) was spending a fortnight elsewhere.

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

From this reading He had explained to her, over and over again, with a rising intensity each time, how unselfishly he had acted throughout, how his sole thought had been for her in his recent course of action.

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

From this reading He had explained to her, over and over again, with a rising intensity each time, how unselfishly he had acted throughout, how his sole thought had been for her in his recent course of action.

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

From this reading Not only was Frank's material and moral support lacking to him, but the calls upon him, owing to Gertie's extreme unreasonableness, had considerably increased.

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

From this reading And, in fact, even on the most economical grounds he had acted for the best, since it had been himself who had been charged in the matter of the tin of salmon, it would not have been a fortnight, but more like two months, during which the little community would have been deprived of his labor.

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

From this reading He had explained to her, over and over again, with a rising intensity each time, how unselfishly he had acted throughout, how his sole thought had been for her in his recent course of action.

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

From this reading He had explained to her, over and over again, with a rising intensity each time, how unselfishly he had acted throughout, how his sole thought had been for her in his recent course of action.

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

From this reading (I) Life had been a little difficult for the Major for the last fortnight or so.

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

From this reading He had explained to her, over and over again, with a rising intensity each time, how unselfishly he had acted throughout, how his sole thought had been for her in his recent course of action.

made greater in size or amount or degree

From this reading Not only was Frank's material and moral support lacking to him, but the calls upon him, owing to Gertie's extreme unreasonableness, had considerably increased.

the amount of energy transmitted (as by acoustic or electromagnetic radiation)

From this reading He had explained to her, over and over again, with a rising intensity each time, how unselfishly he had acted throughout, how his sole thought had been for her in his recent course of action.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It would never have done, he explained pacifically, for a young man like Frank to have the responsibility of a young girl like Gertie on his hands, while he (the Major) was spending a fortnight elsewhere.

a social class comprising those who do manual labor or work for wages

From this reading And, in fact, even on the most economical grounds he had acted for the best, since it had been himself who had been charged in the matter of the tin of salmon, it would not have been a fortnight, but more like two months, during which the little community would have been deprived of his labor.

inadequate in amount or degree

From this reading Not only was Frank's material and moral support lacking to him, but the calls upon him, owing to Gertie's extreme unreasonableness, had considerably increased.

immediately past

From this reading (I) Life had been a little difficult for the Major for the last fortnight or so.

a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading (I) Life had been a little difficult for the Major for the last fortnight or so.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading It would never have done, he explained pacifically, for a young man like Frank to have the responsibility of a young girl like Gertie on his hands, while he (the Major) was spending a fortnight elsewhere.

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

From this reading (I) Life had been a little difficult for the Major for the last fortnight or so.

of greater importance or stature or rank

From this reading (I) Life had been a little difficult for the Major for the last fortnight or so.

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

From this reading It would never have done, he explained pacifically, for a young man like Frank to have the responsibility of a young girl like Gertie on his hands, while he (the Major) was spending a fortnight elsewhere.

concerned with worldly rather than spiritual interests

From this reading Not only was Frank's material and moral support lacking to him, but the calls upon him, owing to Gertie's extreme unreasonableness, had considerably increased.

a vaguely specified concern

From this reading And, in fact, even on the most economical grounds he had acted for the best, since it had been himself who had been charged in the matter of the tin of salmon, it would not have been a fortnight, but more like two months, during which the little community would have been deprived of his labor.

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

From this reading And, in fact, even on the most economical grounds he had acted for the best, since it had been himself who had been charged in the matter of the tin of salmon, it would not have been a fortnight, but more like two months, during which the little community would have been deprived of his labor.

concerned with principles of right and wrong or conforming to standards of behavior and character based on those principles

From this reading Not only was Frank's material and moral support lacking to him, but the calls upon him, owing to Gertie's extreme unreasonableness, had considerably increased.

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

From this reading And, in fact, even on the most economical grounds he had acted for the best, since it had been himself who had been charged in the matter of the tin of salmon, it would not have been a fortnight, but more like two months, during which the little community would have been deprived of his labor.

used to form the superlative

From this reading And, in fact, even on the most economical grounds he had acted for the best, since it had been himself who had been charged in the matter of the tin of salmon, it would not have been a fortnight, but more like two months, during which the little community would have been deprived of his labor.

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading It would never have done, he explained pacifically, for a young man like Frank to have the responsibility of a young girl like Gertie on his hands, while he (the Major) was spending a fortnight elsewhere.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Not only was Frank's material and moral support lacking to him, but the calls upon him, owing to Gertie's extreme unreasonableness, had considerably increased.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading He had explained to her, over and over again, with a rising intensity each time, how unselfishly he had acted throughout, how his sole thought had been for her in his recent course of action.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading It would never have done, he explained pacifically, for a young man like Frank to have the responsibility of a young girl like Gertie on his hands, while he (the Major) was spending a fortnight elsewhere.

and nothing more

From this reading Not only was Frank's material and moral support lacking to him, but the calls upon him, owing to Gertie's extreme unreasonableness, had considerably increased.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading (I) Life had been a little difficult for the Major for the last fortnight or so.

above and across; more than

From this reading He had explained to her, over and over again, with a rising intensity each time, how unselfishly he had acted throughout, how his sole thought had been for her in his recent course of action.

owed as a debt

From this reading Not only was Frank's material and moral support lacking to him, but the calls upon him, owing to Gertie's extreme unreasonableness, had considerably increased.

in a peaceable manner

From this reading It would never have done, he explained pacifically, for a young man like Frank to have the responsibility of a young girl like Gertie on his hands, while he (the Major) was spending a fortnight elsewhere.

new

From this reading He had explained to her, over and over again, with a rising intensity each time, how unselfishly he had acted throughout, how his sole thought had been for her in his recent course of action.

the social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force

From this reading It would never have done, he explained pacifically, for a young man like Frank to have the responsibility of a young girl like Gertie on his hands, while he (the Major) was spending a fortnight elsewhere.

advancing or becoming higher or greater in degree or value or status

From this reading He had explained to her, over and over again, with a rising intensity each time, how unselfishly he had acted throughout, how his sole thought had been for her in his recent course of action.

any of various large food and game fishes of northern waters; usually migrate from salt to fresh water to spawn

From this reading And, in fact, even on the most economical grounds he had acted for the best, since it had been himself who had been charged in the matter of the tin of salmon, it would not have been a fortnight, but more like two months, during which the little community would have been deprived of his labor.

from a time in the past until now

From this reading And, in fact, even on the most economical grounds he had acted for the best, since it had been himself who had been charged in the matter of the tin of salmon, it would not have been a fortnight, but more like two months, during which the little community would have been deprived of his labor.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading (I) Life had been a little difficult for the Major for the last fortnight or so.

the underside of footwear or a golf club

From this reading He had explained to her, over and over again, with a rising intensity each time, how unselfishly he had acted throughout, how his sole thought had been for her in his recent course of action.

the act of spending or disbursing money

From this reading It would never have done, he explained pacifically, for a young man like Frank to have the responsibility of a young girl like Gertie on his hands, while he (the Major) was spending a fortnight elsewhere.

the activity of providing for or maintaining by supplying with money or necessities

From this reading Not only was Frank's material and moral support lacking to him, but the calls upon him, owing to Gertie's extreme unreasonableness, had considerably increased.

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

From this reading (I) Life had been a little difficult for the Major for the last fortnight or so.

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

From this reading He had explained to her, over and over again, with a rising intensity each time, how unselfishly he had acted throughout, how his sole thought had been for her in his recent course of action.

in every part of a place, or for the whole of a period

From this reading He had explained to her, over and over again, with a rising intensity each time, how unselfishly he had acted throughout, how his sole thought had been for her in his recent course of action.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading He had explained to her, over and over again, with a rising intensity each time, how unselfishly he had acted throughout, how his sole thought had been for her in his recent course of action.

a silvery malleable metallic element that resists corrosion; used in many alloys and to coat other metals to prevent corrosion; obtained chiefly from cassiterite where it occurs as tin oxide

From this reading And, in fact, even on the most economical grounds he had acted for the best, since it had been himself who had been charged in the matter of the tin of salmon, it would not have been a fortnight, but more like two months, during which the little community would have been deprived of his labor.

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

From this reading Not only was Frank's material and moral support lacking to him, but the calls upon him, owing to Gertie's extreme unreasonableness, had considerably increased.

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

From this reading And, in fact, even on the most economical grounds he had acted for the best, since it had been himself who had been charged in the matter of the tin of salmon, it would not have been a fortnight, but more like two months, during which the little community would have been deprived of his labor.

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

From this reading Not only was Frank's material and moral support lacking to him, but the calls upon him, owing to Gertie's extreme unreasonableness, had considerably increased.

in an unselfish manner

From this reading He had explained to her, over and over again, with a rising intensity each time, how unselfishly he had acted throughout, how his sole thought had been for her in his recent course of action.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading Not only was Frank's material and moral support lacking to him, but the calls upon him, owing to Gertie's extreme unreasonableness, had considerably increased.

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

From this reading Not only was Frank's material and moral support lacking to him, but the calls upon him, owing to Gertie's extreme unreasonableness, had considerably increased.

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

From this reading And, in fact, even on the most economical grounds he had acted for the best, since it had been himself who had been charged in the matter of the tin of salmon, it would not have been a fortnight, but more like two months, during which the little community would have been deprived of his labor.

during the time that

From this reading It would never have done, he explained pacifically, for a young man like Frank to have the responsibility of a young girl like Gertie on his hands, while he (the Major) was spending a fortnight elsewhere.

which person or people

From this reading And, in fact, even on the most economical grounds he had acted for the best, since it had been himself who had been charged in the matter of the tin of salmon, it would not have been a fortnight, but more like two months, during which the little community would have been deprived of his labor.

in the company of; together with

From this reading He had explained to her, over and over again, with a rising intensity each time, how unselfishly he had acted throughout, how his sole thought had been for her in his recent course of action.

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

From this reading It would never have done, he explained pacifically, for a young man like Frank to have the responsibility of a young girl like Gertie on his hands, while he (the Major) was spending a fortnight elsewhere.

(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth

From this reading It would never have done, he explained pacifically, for a young man like Frank to have the responsibility of a young girl like Gertie on his hands, while he (the Major) was spending a fortnight elsewhere.