Chapter X

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

From this reading “I think I remember hearing that in her nursery days the sure way to make her take a dose of harmless necessary medicine,” pursued Alaric, his left eye fixed upon the door, “was to prepare the potion, pill, or what-not, sweeten, and then carefully conceal it from her.

king of the Visigoths who captured Rome in 410 (370-410)

From this reading The drab-complexioned, light-haired Alaric responded: “In my poor opinion—which may be crassly wrong—too much stress has been laid upon the necessity of Susanna’s marrying.”

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

From this reading At this point the contrast between the amiable vacuity of Alaric’s face and the Mephistophelian intelligence of his monocled eye was so extraordinary as to hold his listeners spellbound in their chairs.

disposed to please

From this reading At this point the contrast between the amiable vacuity of Alaric’s face and the Mephistophelian intelligence of his monocled eye was so extraordinary as to hold his listeners spellbound in their chairs.

-ing form of “amount” — be tantamount or equivalent to

From this reading “I think we may take it that the principal feature of the child’s character is—call it determination amounting to obstinacy——” “Crass obstinacy!” burst from the Earl.

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

From this reading At this point the contrast between the amiable vacuity of Alaric’s face and the Mephistophelian intelligence of his monocled eye was so extraordinary as to hold his listeners spellbound in their chairs.

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

From this reading At this point the contrast between the amiable vacuity of Alaric’s face and the Mephistophelian intelligence of his monocled eye was so extraordinary as to hold his listeners spellbound in their chairs.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading At this point the contrast between the amiable vacuity of Alaric’s face and the Mephistophelian intelligence of his monocled eye was so extraordinary as to hold his listeners spellbound in their chairs.

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

From this reading The drab-complexioned, light-haired Alaric responded: “In my poor opinion—which may be crassly wrong—too much stress has been laid upon the necessity of Susanna’s marrying.”

the past participle of “be”

From this reading The drab-complexioned, light-haired Alaric responded: “In my poor opinion—which may be crassly wrong—too much stress has been laid upon the necessity of Susanna’s marrying.”

in the space, time, or range separating two things

From this reading At this point the contrast between the amiable vacuity of Alaric’s face and the Mephistophelian intelligence of his monocled eye was so extraordinary as to hold his listeners spellbound in their chairs.

come open suddenly and violently, as if from internal pressure

From this reading “I think we may take it that the principal feature of the child’s character is—call it determination amounting to obstinacy——” “Crass obstinacy!” burst from the Earl.

assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading “I think we may take it that the principal feature of the child’s character is—call it determination amounting to obstinacy——” “Crass obstinacy!” burst from the Earl.

taking care or paying attention

From this reading “I think I remember hearing that in her nursery days the sure way to make her take a dose of harmless necessary medicine,” pursued Alaric, his left eye fixed upon the door, “was to prepare the potion, pill, or what-not, sweeten, and then carefully conceal it from her.

plural of “chair” — a seat for one person, with a support for the back

From this reading At this point the contrast between the amiable vacuity of Alaric’s face and the Mephistophelian intelligence of his monocled eye was so extraordinary as to hold his listeners spellbound in their chairs.

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

From this reading “I think we may take it that the principal feature of the child’s character is—call it determination amounting to obstinacy——” “Crass obstinacy!” burst from the Earl.

possessive form of “child” — a young person of either sex

From this reading “I think we may take it that the principal feature of the child’s character is—call it determination amounting to obstinacy——” “Crass obstinacy!” burst from the Earl.

prevent from being seen or discovered

From this reading “I think I remember hearing that in her nursery days the sure way to make her take a dose of harmless necessary medicine,” pursued Alaric, his left eye fixed upon the door, “was to prepare the potion, pill, or what-not, sweeten, and then carefully conceal it from her.

the opposition or dissimilarity of things that are compared

From this reading At this point the contrast between the amiable vacuity of Alaric’s face and the Mephistophelian intelligence of his monocled eye was so extraordinary as to hold his listeners spellbound in their chairs.

(of persons) so unrefined as to be lacking in discrimination and sensibility

From this reading “I think we may take it that the principal feature of the child’s character is—call it determination amounting to obstinacy——” “Crass obstinacy!” burst from the Earl.

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

From this reading The drab-complexioned, light-haired Alaric responded: “In my poor opinion—which may be crassly wrong—too much stress has been laid upon the necessity of Susanna’s marrying.”

the time during which someone's life continues

From this reading “I think I remember hearing that in her nursery days the sure way to make her take a dose of harmless necessary medicine,” pursued Alaric, his left eye fixed upon the door, “was to prepare the potion, pill, or what-not, sweeten, and then carefully conceal it from her.

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

From this reading “I think we may take it that the principal feature of the child’s character is—call it determination amounting to obstinacy——” “Crass obstinacy!” burst from the Earl.

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

From this reading “I think I remember hearing that in her nursery days the sure way to make her take a dose of harmless necessary medicine,” pursued Alaric, his left eye fixed upon the door, “was to prepare the potion, pill, or what-not, sweeten, and then carefully conceal it from her.

a measured portion of medicine taken at any one time

From this reading “I think I remember hearing that in her nursery days the sure way to make her take a dose of harmless necessary medicine,” pursued Alaric, his left eye fixed upon the door, “was to prepare the potion, pill, or what-not, sweeten, and then carefully conceal it from her.

a widow holding property received from her deceased husband

From this reading “Pig-headedness!” interjected the Dowager.

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

From this reading The drab-complexioned, light-haired Alaric responded: “In my poor opinion—which may be crassly wrong—too much stress has been laid upon the necessity of Susanna’s marrying.”

a British peer ranking below a marquess and above a viscount

From this reading “I think we may take it that the principal feature of the child’s character is—call it determination amounting to obstinacy——” “Crass obstinacy!” burst from the Earl.

beyond what is ordinary or usual; highly unusual or exceptional or remarkable

From this reading At this point the contrast between the amiable vacuity of Alaric’s face and the Mephistophelian intelligence of his monocled eye was so extraordinary as to hold his listeners spellbound in their chairs.

the organ of sight

From this reading At this point the contrast between the amiable vacuity of Alaric’s face and the Mephistophelian intelligence of his monocled eye was so extraordinary as to hold his listeners spellbound in their chairs.

the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear

From this reading At this point the contrast between the amiable vacuity of Alaric’s face and the Mephistophelian intelligence of his monocled eye was so extraordinary as to hold his listeners spellbound in their chairs.

a prominent attribute or aspect of something

From this reading “I think we may take it that the principal feature of the child’s character is—call it determination amounting to obstinacy——” “Crass obstinacy!” burst from the Earl.

(of a number) having a fixed and unchanging value

From this reading “I think I remember hearing that in her nursery days the sure way to make her take a dose of harmless necessary medicine,” pursued Alaric, his left eye fixed upon the door, “was to prepare the potion, pill, or what-not, sweeten, and then carefully conceal it from her.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading “I think we may take it that the principal feature of the child’s character is—call it determination amounting to obstinacy——” “Crass obstinacy!” burst from the Earl.

not causing or capable of causing harm

From this reading “I think I remember hearing that in her nursery days the sure way to make her take a dose of harmless necessary medicine,” pursued Alaric, his left eye fixed upon the door, “was to prepare the potion, pill, or what-not, sweeten, and then carefully conceal it from her.

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

From this reading The drab-complexioned, light-haired Alaric responded: “In my poor opinion—which may be crassly wrong—too much stress has been laid upon the necessity of Susanna’s marrying.”

(law) a proceeding (usually by a court) where evidence is taken for the purpose of determining an issue of fact and reaching a decision based on that evidence

From this reading “I think I remember hearing that in her nursery days the sure way to make her take a dose of harmless necessary medicine,” pursued Alaric, his left eye fixed upon the door, “was to prepare the potion, pill, or what-not, sweeten, and then carefully conceal it from her.

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

From this reading “I think I remember hearing that in her nursery days the sure way to make her take a dose of harmless necessary medicine,” pursued Alaric, his left eye fixed upon the door, “was to prepare the potion, pill, or what-not, sweeten, and then carefully conceal it from her.

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

From this reading At this point the contrast between the amiable vacuity of Alaric’s face and the Mephistophelian intelligence of his monocled eye was so extraordinary as to hold his listeners spellbound in their chairs.

cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”

From this reading At this point the contrast between the amiable vacuity of Alaric’s face and the Mephistophelian intelligence of his monocled eye was so extraordinary as to hold his listeners spellbound in their chairs.

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

From this reading “I think we may take it that the principal feature of the child’s character is—call it determination amounting to obstinacy——” “Crass obstinacy!” burst from the Earl.

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

From this reading The drab-complexioned, light-haired Alaric responded: “In my poor opinion—which may be crassly wrong—too much stress has been laid upon the necessity of Susanna’s marrying.”

the ability to comprehend; to understand and profit from experience

From this reading At this point the contrast between the amiable vacuity of Alaric’s face and the Mephistophelian intelligence of his monocled eye was so extraordinary as to hold his listeners spellbound in their chairs.

past form of “interject” — to insert between other elements

From this reading “Pig-headedness!” interjected the Dowager.

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

From this reading “I think we may take it that the principal feature of the child’s character is—call it determination amounting to obstinacy——” “Crass obstinacy!” burst from the Earl.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading “I think we may take it that the principal feature of the child’s character is—call it determination amounting to obstinacy——” “Crass obstinacy!” burst from the Earl.

set down according to a plan

From this reading The drab-complexioned, light-haired Alaric responded: “In my poor opinion—which may be crassly wrong—too much stress has been laid upon the necessity of Susanna’s marrying.”

location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east

From this reading “I think I remember hearing that in her nursery days the sure way to make her take a dose of harmless necessary medicine,” pursued Alaric, his left eye fixed upon the door, “was to prepare the potion, pill, or what-not, sweeten, and then carefully conceal it from her.

being or having light colored skin and hair and usually blue or grey eyes

From this reading The drab-complexioned, light-haired Alaric responded: “In my poor opinion—which may be crassly wrong—too much stress has been laid upon the necessity of Susanna’s marrying.”

plural of “listener” — someone who listens attentively

From this reading At this point the contrast between the amiable vacuity of Alaric’s face and the Mephistophelian intelligence of his monocled eye was so extraordinary as to hold his listeners spellbound in their chairs.

engage in

From this reading “I think I remember hearing that in her nursery days the sure way to make her take a dose of harmless necessary medicine,” pursued Alaric, his left eye fixed upon the door, “was to prepare the potion, pill, or what-not, sweeten, and then carefully conceal it from her.

-ing form of “marry” — take in marriage

From this reading The drab-complexioned, light-haired Alaric responded: “In my poor opinion—which may be crassly wrong—too much stress has been laid upon the necessity of Susanna’s marrying.”

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading The drab-complexioned, light-haired Alaric responded: “In my poor opinion—which may be crassly wrong—too much stress has been laid upon the necessity of Susanna’s marrying.”

the branches of medical science that deal with nonsurgical techniques

From this reading “I think I remember hearing that in her nursery days the sure way to make her take a dose of harmless necessary medicine,” pursued Alaric, his left eye fixed upon the door, “was to prepare the potion, pill, or what-not, sweeten, and then carefully conceal it from her.

showing the cunning or ingenuity or wickedness typical of a devil

From this reading At this point the contrast between the amiable vacuity of Alaric’s face and the Mephistophelian intelligence of his monocled eye was so extraordinary as to hold his listeners spellbound in their chairs.

wearing, or having the face adorned with, eyeglasses or an eyeglass

From this reading At this point the contrast between the amiable vacuity of Alaric’s face and the Mephistophelian intelligence of his monocled eye was so extraordinary as to hold his listeners spellbound in their chairs.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading The drab-complexioned, light-haired Alaric responded: “In my poor opinion—which may be crassly wrong—too much stress has been laid upon the necessity of Susanna’s marrying.”

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading The drab-complexioned, light-haired Alaric responded: “In my poor opinion—which may be crassly wrong—too much stress has been laid upon the necessity of Susanna’s marrying.”

absolutely essential

From this reading “I think I remember hearing that in her nursery days the sure way to make her take a dose of harmless necessary medicine,” pursued Alaric, his left eye fixed upon the door, “was to prepare the potion, pill, or what-not, sweeten, and then carefully conceal it from her.

the condition of being essential or indispensable

From this reading The drab-complexioned, light-haired Alaric responded: “In my poor opinion—which may be crassly wrong—too much stress has been laid upon the necessity of Susanna’s marrying.”

a child's room for a baby

From this reading “I think I remember hearing that in her nursery days the sure way to make her take a dose of harmless necessary medicine,” pursued Alaric, his left eye fixed upon the door, “was to prepare the potion, pill, or what-not, sweeten, and then carefully conceal it from her.

the trait of being difficult to handle or overcome

From this reading “I think we may take it that the principal feature of the child’s character is—call it determination amounting to obstinacy——” “Crass obstinacy!” burst from the Earl.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The drab-complexioned, light-haired Alaric responded: “In my poor opinion—which may be crassly wrong—too much stress has been laid upon the necessity of Susanna’s marrying.”

a personal belief or judgment that is not founded on proof or certainty

From this reading The drab-complexioned, light-haired Alaric responded: “In my poor opinion—which may be crassly wrong—too much stress has been laid upon the necessity of Susanna’s marrying.”

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading “I think I remember hearing that in her nursery days the sure way to make her take a dose of harmless necessary medicine,” pursued Alaric, his left eye fixed upon the door, “was to prepare the potion, pill, or what-not, sweeten, and then carefully conceal it from her.

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

From this reading “Pig-headedness!” interjected the Dowager.

something that resembles a tablet of medicine in shape or size

From this reading “I think I remember hearing that in her nursery days the sure way to make her take a dose of harmless necessary medicine,” pursued Alaric, his left eye fixed upon the door, “was to prepare the potion, pill, or what-not, sweeten, and then carefully conceal it from her.

a geometric element that has position but no extension

From this reading At this point the contrast between the amiable vacuity of Alaric’s face and the Mephistophelian intelligence of his monocled eye was so extraordinary as to hold his listeners spellbound in their chairs.

deserving or inciting pity

From this reading The drab-complexioned, light-haired Alaric responded: “In my poor opinion—which may be crassly wrong—too much stress has been laid upon the necessity of Susanna’s marrying.”

a medicinal or magical or poisonous beverage

From this reading “I think I remember hearing that in her nursery days the sure way to make her take a dose of harmless necessary medicine,” pursued Alaric, his left eye fixed upon the door, “was to prepare the potion, pill, or what-not, sweeten, and then carefully conceal it from her.

make ready or suitable or equip in advance for a particular purpose or for some use, event, etc

From this reading “I think I remember hearing that in her nursery days the sure way to make her take a dose of harmless necessary medicine,” pursued Alaric, his left eye fixed upon the door, “was to prepare the potion, pill, or what-not, sweeten, and then carefully conceal it from her.

the original amount of a debt on which interest is calculated

From this reading “I think we may take it that the principal feature of the child’s character is—call it determination amounting to obstinacy——” “Crass obstinacy!” burst from the Earl.

a person who is being chased

From this reading “I think I remember hearing that in her nursery days the sure way to make her take a dose of harmless necessary medicine,” pursued Alaric, his left eye fixed upon the door, “was to prepare the potion, pill, or what-not, sweeten, and then carefully conceal it from her.

To recall to mind.

From this reading “I think I remember hearing that in her nursery days the sure way to make her take a dose of harmless necessary medicine,” pursued Alaric, his left eye fixed upon the door, “was to prepare the potion, pill, or what-not, sweeten, and then carefully conceal it from her.

past form of “respond” — show a response or a reaction to something

From this reading The drab-complexioned, light-haired Alaric responded: “In my poor opinion—which may be crassly wrong—too much stress has been laid upon the necessity of Susanna’s marrying.”

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading At this point the contrast between the amiable vacuity of Alaric’s face and the Mephistophelian intelligence of his monocled eye was so extraordinary as to hold his listeners spellbound in their chairs.

having your attention fixated as though by a spell

From this reading At this point the contrast between the amiable vacuity of Alaric’s face and the Mephistophelian intelligence of his monocled eye was so extraordinary as to hold his listeners spellbound in their chairs.

the relative prominence of a syllable or musical note (especially with regard to stress or pitch)

From this reading The drab-complexioned, light-haired Alaric responded: “In my poor opinion—which may be crassly wrong—too much stress has been laid upon the necessity of Susanna’s marrying.”

having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured

From this reading “I think I remember hearing that in her nursery days the sure way to make her take a dose of harmless necessary medicine,” pursued Alaric, his left eye fixed upon the door, “was to prepare the potion, pill, or what-not, sweeten, and then carefully conceal it from her.

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

From this reading The drab-complexioned, light-haired Alaric responded: “In my poor opinion—which may be crassly wrong—too much stress has been laid upon the necessity of Susanna’s marrying.”

make sweeter in taste

From this reading “I think I remember hearing that in her nursery days the sure way to make her take a dose of harmless necessary medicine,” pursued Alaric, his left eye fixed upon the door, “was to prepare the potion, pill, or what-not, sweeten, and then carefully conceal it from her.

carry out

From this reading “I think we may take it that the principal feature of the child’s character is—call it determination amounting to obstinacy——” “Crass obstinacy!” burst from the Earl.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading “I think we may take it that the principal feature of the child’s character is—call it determination amounting to obstinacy——” “Crass obstinacy!” burst from the Earl.

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

From this reading The drab-complexioned, light-haired Alaric responded: “In my poor opinion—which may be crassly wrong—too much stress has been laid upon the necessity of Susanna’s marrying.”

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading At this point the contrast between the amiable vacuity of Alaric’s face and the Mephistophelian intelligence of his monocled eye was so extraordinary as to hold his listeners spellbound in their chairs.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading “I think I remember hearing that in her nursery days the sure way to make her take a dose of harmless necessary medicine,” pursued Alaric, his left eye fixed upon the door, “was to prepare the potion, pill, or what-not, sweeten, and then carefully conceal it from her.

judge or regard; look upon; judge

From this reading “I think we may take it that the principal feature of the child’s character is—call it determination amounting to obstinacy——” “Crass obstinacy!” burst from the Earl.

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

From this reading At this point the contrast between the amiable vacuity of Alaric’s face and the Mephistophelian intelligence of his monocled eye was so extraordinary as to hold his listeners spellbound in their chairs.

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

From this reading At this point the contrast between the amiable vacuity of Alaric’s face and the Mephistophelian intelligence of his monocled eye was so extraordinary as to hold his listeners spellbound in their chairs.

to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits

From this reading The drab-complexioned, light-haired Alaric responded: “In my poor opinion—which may be crassly wrong—too much stress has been laid upon the necessity of Susanna’s marrying.”

a formal word for “on”

From this reading The drab-complexioned, light-haired Alaric responded: “In my poor opinion—which may be crassly wrong—too much stress has been laid upon the necessity of Susanna’s marrying.”

the absence of matter

From this reading At this point the contrast between the amiable vacuity of Alaric’s face and the Mephistophelian intelligence of his monocled eye was so extraordinary as to hold his listeners spellbound in their chairs.

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

From this reading At this point the contrast between the amiable vacuity of Alaric’s face and the Mephistophelian intelligence of his monocled eye was so extraordinary as to hold his listeners spellbound in their chairs.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading “I think I remember hearing that in her nursery days the sure way to make her take a dose of harmless necessary medicine,” pursued Alaric, his left eye fixed upon the door, “was to prepare the potion, pill, or what-not, sweeten, and then carefully conceal it from her.

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading “I think we may take it that the principal feature of the child’s character is—call it determination amounting to obstinacy——” “Crass obstinacy!” burst from the Earl.

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

From this reading “I think I remember hearing that in her nursery days the sure way to make her take a dose of harmless necessary medicine,” pursued Alaric, his left eye fixed upon the door, “was to prepare the potion, pill, or what-not, sweeten, and then carefully conceal it from her.

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

From this reading The drab-complexioned, light-haired Alaric responded: “In my poor opinion—which may be crassly wrong—too much stress has been laid upon the necessity of Susanna’s marrying.”

not correct; not in conformity with fact or truth

From this reading The drab-complexioned, light-haired Alaric responded: “In my poor opinion—which may be crassly wrong—too much stress has been laid upon the necessity of Susanna’s marrying.”