Chapter II · Chapter 2

(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 She had naturally no doubt at all that Mary would seize the first hand held out to her; and as time went on, held many an anxious consultation with the vicar's wife on the subject.

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

From this reading The doctor had no wife; but he had an anxious mother, who, though she would not for the world have been unkind to the poor girl, yet was very anxious that she should be disposed of and out of her son's way.

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

From this reading The doctor had no wife; but he had an anxious mother, who, though she would not for the world have been unkind to the poor girl, yet was very anxious that she should be disposed of and out of her son's way.

one more of the same kind, or a different one

From this reading Matches of that kind were seen every day; and his heart was so soft to the child that his mother never knew from one day to another what might happen.

eagerly desirous

From this reading The doctor had no wife; but he had an anxious mother, who, though she would not for the world have been unkind to the poor girl, yet was very anxious that she should be disposed of and out of her son's way.

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

From this reading She had naturally no doubt at all that Mary would seize the first hand held out to her; and as time went on, held many an anxious consultation with the vicar's wife on the subject.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading She had naturally no doubt at all that Mary would seize the first hand held out to her; and as time went on, held many an anxious consultation with the vicar's wife on the subject.

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

From this reading The doctor had no wife; but he had an anxious mother, who, though she would not for the world have been unkind to the poor girl, yet was very anxious that she should be disposed of and out of her son's way.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading The doctor had no wife; but he had an anxious mother, who, though she would not for the world have been unkind to the poor girl, yet was very anxious that she should be disposed of and out of her son's way.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading The doctor had no wife; but he had an anxious mother, who, though she would not for the world have been unkind to the poor girl, yet was very anxious that she should be disposed of and out of her son's way.

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

From this reading "You cannot have her with you forever," she said.

a young person of either sex

From this reading Matches of that kind were seen every day; and his heart was so soft to the child that his mother never knew from one day to another what might happen.

a conference (usually with someone important)

From this reading She had naturally no doubt at all that Mary would seize the first hand held out to her; and as time went on, held many an anxious consultation with the vicar's wife on the subject.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading Matches of that kind were seen every day; and his heart was so soft to the child that his mother never knew from one day to another what might happen.

having made preparations

From this reading The doctor had no wife; but he had an anxious mother, who, though she would not for the world have been unkind to the poor girl, yet was very anxious that she should be disposed of and out of her son's way.

a licensed medical practitioner

From this reading The doctor had no wife; but he had an anxious mother, who, though she would not for the world have been unkind to the poor girl, yet was very anxious that she should be disposed of and out of her son's way.

the state of being unsure of something

From this reading She had naturally no doubt at all that Mary would seize the first hand held out to her; and as time went on, held many an anxious consultation with the vicar's wife on the subject.

being one more than seventeen

From this reading It is true that the doctor was forty and Mary only eighteen,--but what then?

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading Matches of that kind were seen every day; and his heart was so soft to the child that his mother never knew from one day to another what might happen.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading She had naturally no doubt at all that Mary would seize the first hand held out to her; and as time went on, held many an anxious consultation with the vicar's wife on the subject.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading The doctor had no wife; but he had an anxious mother, who, though she would not for the world have been unkind to the poor girl, yet was very anxious that she should be disposed of and out of her son's way.

for a limitless time

From this reading "You cannot have her with you forever," she said.

being ten more than thirty

From this reading It is true that the doctor was forty and Mary only eighteen,--but what then?

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Matches of that kind were seen every day; and his heart was so soft to the child that his mother never knew from one day to another what might happen.

a young female

From this reading The doctor had no wife; but he had an anxious mother, who, though she would not for the world have been unkind to the poor girl, yet was very anxious that she should be disposed of and out of her son's way.

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

From this reading The doctor had no wife; but he had an anxious mother, who, though she would not for the world have been unkind to the poor girl, yet was very anxious that she should be disposed of and out of her son's way.

the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb

From this reading She had naturally no doubt at all that Mary would seize the first hand held out to her; and as time went on, held many an anxious consultation with the vicar's wife on the subject.

come to pass

From this reading Matches of that kind were seen every day; and his heart was so soft to the child that his mother never knew from one day to another what might happen.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading The doctor had no wife; but he had an anxious mother, who, though she would not for the world have been unkind to the poor girl, yet was very anxious that she should be disposed of and out of her son's way.

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

From this reading The doctor had no wife; but he had an anxious mother, who, though she would not for the world have been unkind to the poor girl, yet was very anxious that she should be disposed of and out of her son's way.

the locus of feelings and intuitions

From this reading Matches of that kind were seen every day; and his heart was so soft to the child that his mother never knew from one day to another what might happen.

occupied or in the control of; often used in combination

From this reading She had naturally no doubt at all that Mary would seize the first hand held out to her; and as time went on, held many an anxious consultation with the vicar's wife on the subject.

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

From this reading The doctor had no wife; but he had an anxious mother, who, though she would not for the world have been unkind to the poor girl, yet was very anxious that she should be disposed of and out of her son's way.

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

From this reading Matches of that kind were seen every day; and his heart was so soft to the child that his mother never knew from one day to another what might happen.

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

From this reading It is true that the doctor was forty and Mary only eighteen,--but what then?

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It is true that the doctor was forty and Mary only eighteen,--but what then?

having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior

From this reading Matches of that kind were seen every day; and his heart was so soft to the child that his mother never knew from one day to another what might happen.

inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about

From this reading Matches of that kind were seen every day; and his heart was so soft to the child that his mother never knew from one day to another what might happen.

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 She had naturally no doubt at all that Mary would seize the first hand held out to her; and as time went on, held many an anxious consultation with the vicar's wife on the subject.

the mother of Jesus; Christians refer to her as the Virgin Mary; she is especially honored by Roman Catholics

From this reading It is true that the doctor was forty and Mary only eighteen,--but what then?

plural of “match” — lighter consisting of a thin piece of wood or cardboard tipped with combustible chemical; ignites with friction

From this reading Matches of that kind were seen every day; and his heart was so soft to the child that his mother never knew from one day to another what might happen.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading Matches of that kind were seen every day; and his heart was so soft to the child that his mother never knew from one day to another what might happen.

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

From this reading The doctor had no wife; but he had an anxious mother, who, though she would not for the world have been unkind to the poor girl, yet was very anxious that she should be disposed of and out of her son's way.

as might be expected

From this reading She had naturally no doubt at all that Mary would seize the first hand held out to her; and as time went on, held many an anxious consultation with the vicar's wife on the subject.

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading Matches of that kind were seen every day; and his heart was so soft to the child that his mother never knew from one day to another what might happen.

not any; not one

From this reading The doctor had no wife; but he had an anxious mother, who, though she would not for the world have been unkind to the poor girl, yet was very anxious that she should be disposed of and out of her son's way.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading The doctor had no wife; but he had an anxious mother, who, though she would not for the world have been unkind to the poor girl, yet was very anxious that she should be disposed of and out of her son's way.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The doctor had no wife; but he had an anxious mother, who, though she would not for the world have been unkind to the poor girl, yet was very anxious that she should be disposed of and out of her son's way.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading She had naturally no doubt at all that Mary would seize the first hand held out to her; and as time went on, held many an anxious consultation with the vicar's wife on the subject.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Matches of that kind were seen every day; and his heart was so soft to the child that his mother never knew from one day to another what might happen.

and nothing more

From this reading It is true that the doctor was forty and Mary only eighteen,--but what then?

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading The doctor had no wife; but he had an anxious mother, who, though she would not for the world have been unkind to the poor girl, yet was very anxious that she should be disposed of and out of her son's way.

deserving or inciting pity

From this reading The doctor had no wife; but he had an anxious mother, who, though she would not for the world have been unkind to the poor girl, yet was very anxious that she should be disposed of and out of her son's way.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading "You cannot have her with you forever," she said.

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

From this reading Matches of that kind were seen every day; and his heart was so soft to the child that his mother never knew from one day to another what might happen.

take hold of; grab

From this reading She had naturally no doubt at all that Mary would seize the first hand held out to her; and as time went on, held many an anxious consultation with the vicar's wife on the subject.

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

From this reading The doctor had no wife; but he had an anxious mother, who, though she would not for the world have been unkind to the poor girl, yet was very anxious that she should be disposed of and out of her son's way.

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading The doctor had no wife; but he had an anxious mother, who, though she would not for the world have been unkind to the poor girl, yet was very anxious that she should be disposed of and out of her son's way.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Matches of that kind were seen every day; and his heart was so soft to the child that his mother never knew from one day to another what might happen.

yielding readily to pressure or weight

From this reading Matches of that kind were seen every day; and his heart was so soft to the child that his mother never knew from one day to another what might happen.

possessive form of “son” — a male human offspring

From this reading The doctor had no wife; but he had an anxious mother, who, though she would not for the world have been unkind to the poor girl, yet was very anxious that she should be disposed of and out of her son's way.

the subject matter of a conversation or discussion

From this reading She had naturally no doubt at all that Mary would seize the first hand held out to her; and as time went on, held many an anxious consultation with the vicar's wife on the subject.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading The doctor had no wife; but he had an anxious mother, who, though she would not for the world have been unkind to the poor girl, yet was very anxious that she should be disposed of and out of her son's way.

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

From this reading The doctor had no wife; but he had an anxious mother, who, though she would not for the world have been unkind to the poor girl, yet was very anxious that she should be disposed of and out of her son's way.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading It is true that the doctor was forty and Mary only eighteen,--but what then?

in spite of the fact that

From this reading The doctor had no wife; but he had an anxious mother, who, though she would not for the world have been unkind to the poor girl, yet was very anxious that she should be disposed of and out of her son's way.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading She had naturally no doubt at all that Mary would seize the first hand held out to her; and as time went on, held many an anxious consultation with the vicar's wife on the subject.

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

From this reading The doctor had no wife; but he had an anxious mother, who, though she would not for the world have been unkind to the poor girl, yet was very anxious that she should be disposed of and out of her son's way.

consistent with fact or reality; not false

From this reading It is true that the doctor was forty and Mary only eighteen,--but what then?

lacking kindness

From this reading The doctor had no wife; but he had an anxious mother, who, though she would not for the world have been unkind to the poor girl, yet was very anxious that she should be disposed of and out of her son's way.

precisely as stated

From this reading The doctor had no wife; but he had an anxious mother, who, though she would not for the world have been unkind to the poor girl, yet was very anxious that she should be disposed of and out of her son's way.

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

From this reading She had naturally no doubt at all that Mary would seize the first hand held out to her; and as time went on, held many an anxious consultation with the vicar's wife on the subject.

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

From this reading The doctor had no wife; but he had an anxious mother, who, though she would not for the world have been unkind to the poor girl, yet was very anxious that she should be disposed of and out of her son's way.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading The doctor had no wife; but he had an anxious mother, who, though she would not for the world have been unkind to the poor girl, yet was very anxious that she should be disposed of and out of her son's way.

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

From this reading She had naturally no doubt at all that Mary would seize the first hand held out to her; and as time went on, held many an anxious consultation with the vicar's wife on the subject.

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

From this reading Matches of that kind were seen every day; and his heart was so soft to the child that his mother never knew from one day to another what might happen.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading It is true that the doctor was forty and Mary only eighteen,--but what then?

which person or people

From this reading The doctor had no wife; but he had an anxious mother, who, though she would not for the world have been unkind to the poor girl, yet was very anxious that she should be disposed of and out of her son's way.

a married woman; a man's partner in marriage

From this reading The doctor had no wife; but he had an anxious mother, who, though she would not for the world have been unkind to the poor girl, yet was very anxious that she should be disposed of and out of her son's way.

in the company of; together with

From this reading She had naturally no doubt at all that Mary would seize the first hand held out to her; and as time went on, held many an anxious consultation with the vicar's wife on the subject.

everything that exists anywhere

From this reading The doctor had no wife; but he had an anxious mother, who, though she would not for the world have been unkind to the poor girl, yet was very anxious that she should be disposed of and out of her son's way.

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

From this reading The doctor had no wife; but he had an anxious mother, who, though she would not for the world have been unkind to the poor girl, yet was very anxious that she should be disposed of and out of her son's way.

but in spite of that

From this reading The doctor had no wife; but he had an anxious mother, who, though she would not for the world have been unkind to the poor girl, yet was very anxious that she should be disposed of and out of her son's way.

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading "You cannot have her with you forever," she said.