Chapter XXXI

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

From this reading Before a costly breakfast service of Sèvres porcelain, with its adjuncts of glittering silver, on the morning subsequent to the visit of Mr. Brackenbury, had sat Caroline Cray, in a charming morning robe of white muslin and blue ribbons, with what she would have called a _coiffure_, all blue ribbons and white lace, on her silky hair.

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

From this reading A stranger, taking a bird's-eye view of the scene, of the elegant room, the expensive accessories, the recherché attire of its mistress, would have concluded that there was no lack of means, that the income supporting all this must at least be to the extent of some thousands a-year.

plural of “accessory” — clothing that is worn or carried, but not part of your main clothing

From this reading A stranger, taking a bird's-eye view of the scene, of the elegant room, the expensive accessories, the recherché attire of its mistress, would have concluded that there was no lack of means, that the income supporting all this must at least be to the extent of some thousands a-year.

concurrence of opinion

From this reading When fortune has come; when it is actually realised, in the hands, then the top of the ladder, comprising its Sèvres porcelain and other costs in accordance, may be safe and consistent; but if we _begin_ there without first climbing to it, too many of us have an inconvenient fashion of slipping down again.

in actual fact

From this reading When fortune has come; when it is actually realised, in the hands, then the top of the ladder, comprising its Sèvres porcelain and other costs in accordance, may be safe and consistent; but if we _begin_ there without first climbing to it, too many of us have an inconvenient fashion of slipping down again.

plural of “adjunct” — something added to another thing but not an essential part of it

From this reading Before a costly breakfast service of Sèvres porcelain, with its adjuncts of glittering silver, on the morning subsequent to the visit of Mr. Brackenbury, had sat Caroline Cray, in a charming morning robe of white muslin and blue ribbons, with what she would have called a _coiffure_, all blue ribbons and white lace, on her silky hair.

anew

From this reading When fortune has come; when it is actually realised, in the hands, then the top of the ladder, comprising its Sèvres porcelain and other costs in accordance, may be safe and consistent; but if we _begin_ there without first climbing to it, too many of us have an inconvenient fashion of slipping down again.

(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 Before a costly breakfast service of Sèvres porcelain, with its adjuncts of glittering silver, on the morning subsequent to the visit of Mr. Brackenbury, had sat Caroline Cray, in a charming morning robe of white muslin and blue ribbons, with what she would have called a _coiffure_, all blue ribbons and white lace, on her silky hair.

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

From this reading When fortune has come; when it is actually realised, in the hands, then the top of the ladder, comprising its Sèvres porcelain and other costs in accordance, may be safe and consistent; but if we _begin_ there without first climbing to it, too many of us have an inconvenient fashion of slipping down again.

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

From this reading Before a costly breakfast service of Sèvres porcelain, with its adjuncts of glittering silver, on the morning subsequent to the visit of Mr. Brackenbury, had sat Caroline Cray, in a charming morning robe of white muslin and blue ribbons, with what she would have called a _coiffure_, all blue ribbons and white lace, on her silky hair.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading A stranger, taking a bird's-eye view of the scene, of the elegant room, the expensive accessories, the recherché attire of its mistress, would have concluded that there was no lack of means, that the income supporting all this must at least be to the extent of some thousands a-year.

clothing of a distinctive style or for a particular occasion

From this reading A stranger, taking a bird's-eye view of the scene, of the elegant room, the expensive accessories, the recherché attire of its mistress, would have concluded that there was no lack of means, that the income supporting all this must at least be to the extent of some thousands a-year.

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

From this reading A stranger, taking a bird's-eye view of the scene, of the elegant room, the expensive accessories, the recherché attire of its mistress, would have concluded that there was no lack of means, that the income supporting all this must at least be to the extent of some thousands a-year.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading Before a costly breakfast service of Sèvres porcelain, with its adjuncts of glittering silver, on the morning subsequent to the visit of Mr. Brackenbury, had sat Caroline Cray, in a charming morning robe of white muslin and blue ribbons, with what she would have called a _coiffure_, all blue ribbons and white lace, on her silky hair.

take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

From this reading When fortune has come; when it is actually realised, in the hands, then the top of the ladder, comprising its Sèvres porcelain and other costs in accordance, may be safe and consistent; but if we _begin_ there without first climbing to it, too many of us have an inconvenient fashion of slipping down again.

inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

From this reading In truth Mark Cray and his wife were a practical illustration of that homely but expressive saying which must be so familiar to you all; _they had begun at the wrong end of the ladder_.

as from an altitude or distance

From this reading A stranger, taking a bird's-eye view of the scene, of the elegant room, the expensive accessories, the recherché attire of its mistress, would have concluded that there was no lack of means, that the income supporting all this must at least be to the extent of some thousands a-year.

of the color intermediate between green and violet; having a color similar to that of a clear unclouded sky

From this reading Before a costly breakfast service of Sèvres porcelain, with its adjuncts of glittering silver, on the morning subsequent to the visit of Mr. Brackenbury, had sat Caroline Cray, in a charming morning robe of white muslin and blue ribbons, with what she would have called a _coiffure_, all blue ribbons and white lace, on her silky hair.

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

From this reading Before a costly breakfast service of Sèvres porcelain, with its adjuncts of glittering silver, on the morning subsequent to the visit of Mr. Brackenbury, had sat Caroline Cray, in a charming morning robe of white muslin and blue ribbons, with what she would have called a _coiffure_, all blue ribbons and white lace, on her silky hair.

eat an early morning meal

From this reading Before a costly breakfast service of Sèvres porcelain, with its adjuncts of glittering silver, on the morning subsequent to the visit of Mr. Brackenbury, had sat Caroline Cray, in a charming morning robe of white muslin and blue ribbons, with what she would have called a _coiffure_, all blue ribbons and white lace, on her silky hair.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading In truth Mark Cray and his wife were a practical illustration of that homely but expressive saying which must be so familiar to you all; _they had begun at the wrong end of the ladder_.

past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading Before a costly breakfast service of Sèvres porcelain, with its adjuncts of glittering silver, on the morning subsequent to the visit of Mr. Brackenbury, had sat Caroline Cray, in a charming morning robe of white muslin and blue ribbons, with what she would have called a _coiffure_, all blue ribbons and white lace, on her silky hair.

of or relating to the life and times of kings Charles I or Charles II of England

From this reading Before a costly breakfast service of Sèvres porcelain, with its adjuncts of glittering silver, on the morning subsequent to the visit of Mr. Brackenbury, had sat Caroline Cray, in a charming morning robe of white muslin and blue ribbons, with what she would have called a _coiffure_, all blue ribbons and white lace, on her silky hair.

pleasing or delighting

From this reading Before a costly breakfast service of Sèvres porcelain, with its adjuncts of glittering silver, on the morning subsequent to the visit of Mr. Brackenbury, had sat Caroline Cray, in a charming morning robe of white muslin and blue ribbons, with what she would have called a _coiffure_, all blue ribbons and white lace, on her silky hair.

an event that involves rising to a higher point (as in altitude or temperature or intensity etc.)

From this reading When fortune has come; when it is actually realised, in the hands, then the top of the ladder, comprising its Sèvres porcelain and other costs in accordance, may be safe and consistent; but if we _begin_ there without first climbing to it, too many of us have an inconvenient fashion of slipping down again.

the arrangement of the hair (especially a woman's hair)

From this reading Before a costly breakfast service of Sèvres porcelain, with its adjuncts of glittering silver, on the morning subsequent to the visit of Mr. Brackenbury, had sat Caroline Cray, in a charming morning robe of white muslin and blue ribbons, with what she would have called a _coiffure_, all blue ribbons and white lace, on her silky hair.

move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading When fortune has come; when it is actually realised, in the hands, then the top of the ladder, comprising its Sèvres porcelain and other costs in accordance, may be safe and consistent; but if we _begin_ there without first climbing to it, too many of us have an inconvenient fashion of slipping down again.

-ing form of “comprise” — be composed of

From this reading When fortune has come; when it is actually realised, in the hands, then the top of the ladder, comprising its Sèvres porcelain and other costs in accordance, may be safe and consistent; but if we _begin_ there without first climbing to it, too many of us have an inconvenient fashion of slipping down again.

having come or been brought to a conclusion

From this reading A stranger, taking a bird's-eye view of the scene, of the elegant room, the expensive accessories, the recherché attire of its mistress, would have concluded that there was no lack of means, that the income supporting all this must at least be to the extent of some thousands a-year.

(sometimes followed by “with”) in agreement or consistent or reliable

From this reading When fortune has come; when it is actually realised, in the hands, then the top of the ladder, comprising its Sèvres porcelain and other costs in accordance, may be safe and consistent; but if we _begin_ there without first climbing to it, too many of us have an inconvenient fashion of slipping down again.

entailing great loss or sacrifice

From this reading Before a costly breakfast service of Sèvres porcelain, with its adjuncts of glittering silver, on the morning subsequent to the visit of Mr. Brackenbury, had sat Caroline Cray, in a charming morning robe of white muslin and blue ribbons, with what she would have called a _coiffure_, all blue ribbons and white lace, on her silky hair.

pecuniary reimbursement to the winning party for the expenses of litigation

From this reading When fortune has come; when it is actually realised, in the hands, then the top of the ladder, comprising its Sèvres porcelain and other costs in accordance, may be safe and consistent; but if we _begin_ there without first climbing to it, too many of us have an inconvenient fashion of slipping down again.

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

From this reading Before a costly breakfast service of Sèvres porcelain, with its adjuncts of glittering silver, on the morning subsequent to the visit of Mr. Brackenbury, had sat Caroline Cray, in a charming morning robe of white muslin and blue ribbons, with what she would have called a _coiffure_, all blue ribbons and white lace, on her silky hair.

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

From this reading DAY-DREAMS RUDELY INTERRUPTED.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading When fortune has come; when it is actually realised, in the hands, then the top of the ladder, comprising its Sèvres porcelain and other costs in accordance, may be safe and consistent; but if we _begin_ there without first climbing to it, too many of us have an inconvenient fashion of slipping down again.

refined and tasteful in appearance or behavior or style

From this reading A stranger, taking a bird's-eye view of the scene, of the elegant room, the expensive accessories, the recherché attire of its mistress, would have concluded that there was no lack of means, that the income supporting all this must at least be to the extent of some thousands a-year.

either extremity of something that has length

From this reading In truth Mark Cray and his wife were a practical illustration of that homely but expressive saying which must be so familiar to you all; _they had begun at the wrong end of the ladder_.

high in price or charging high prices

From this reading A stranger, taking a bird's-eye view of the scene, of the elegant room, the expensive accessories, the recherché attire of its mistress, would have concluded that there was no lack of means, that the income supporting all this must at least be to the extent of some thousands a-year.

characterized by expression

From this reading In truth Mark Cray and his wife were a practical illustration of that homely but expressive saying which must be so familiar to you all; _they had begun at the wrong end of the ladder_.

the point or degree to which something extends

From this reading A stranger, taking a bird's-eye view of the scene, of the elegant room, the expensive accessories, the recherché attire of its mistress, would have concluded that there was no lack of means, that the income supporting all this must at least be to the extent of some thousands a-year.

well known or easily recognized

From this reading In truth Mark Cray and his wife were a practical illustration of that homely but expressive saying which must be so familiar to you all; _they had begun at the wrong end of the ladder_.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading When fortune has come; when it is actually realised, in the hands, then the top of the ladder, comprising its Sèvres porcelain and other costs in accordance, may be safe and consistent; but if we _begin_ there without first climbing to it, too many of us have an inconvenient fashion of slipping down again.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading When fortune has come; when it is actually realised, in the hands, then the top of the ladder, comprising its Sèvres porcelain and other costs in accordance, may be safe and consistent; but if we _begin_ there without first climbing to it, too many of us have an inconvenient fashion of slipping down again.

an unknown and unpredictable phenomenon that causes an event to result one way rather than another

From this reading When fortune has come; when it is actually realised, in the hands, then the top of the ladder, comprising its Sèvres porcelain and other costs in accordance, may be safe and consistent; but if we _begin_ there without first climbing to it, too many of us have an inconvenient fashion of slipping down again.

having brief brilliant points or flashes of light

From this reading Before a costly breakfast service of Sèvres porcelain, with its adjuncts of glittering silver, on the morning subsequent to the visit of Mr. Brackenbury, had sat Caroline Cray, in a charming morning robe of white muslin and blue ribbons, with what she would have called a _coiffure_, all blue ribbons and white lace, on her silky hair.

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

From this reading Before a costly breakfast service of Sèvres porcelain, with its adjuncts of glittering silver, on the morning subsequent to the visit of Mr. Brackenbury, had sat Caroline Cray, in a charming morning robe of white muslin and blue ribbons, with what she would have called a _coiffure_, all blue ribbons and white lace, on her silky hair.

a covering for the body (or parts of it) consisting of a dense growth of threadlike structures (as on the human head); helps to prevent heat loss

From this reading Before a costly breakfast service of Sèvres porcelain, with its adjuncts of glittering silver, on the morning subsequent to the visit of Mr. Brackenbury, had sat Caroline Cray, in a charming morning robe of white muslin and blue ribbons, with what she would have called a _coiffure_, all blue ribbons and white lace, on her silky hair.

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

From this reading When fortune has come; when it is actually realised, in the hands, then the top of the ladder, comprising its Sèvres porcelain and other costs in accordance, may be safe and consistent; but if we _begin_ there without first climbing to it, too many of us have an inconvenient fashion of slipping down again.

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

From this reading When fortune has come; when it is actually realised, in the hands, then the top of the ladder, comprising its Sèvres porcelain and other costs in accordance, may be safe and consistent; but if we _begin_ there without first climbing to it, too many of us have an inconvenient fashion of slipping down again.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading Before a costly breakfast service of Sèvres porcelain, with its adjuncts of glittering silver, on the morning subsequent to the visit of Mr. Brackenbury, had sat Caroline Cray, in a charming morning robe of white muslin and blue ribbons, with what she would have called a _coiffure_, all blue ribbons and white lace, on her silky hair.

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

From this reading Before a costly breakfast service of Sèvres porcelain, with its adjuncts of glittering silver, on the morning subsequent to the visit of Mr. Brackenbury, had sat Caroline Cray, in a charming morning robe of white muslin and blue ribbons, with what she would have called a _coiffure_, all blue ribbons and white lace, on her silky hair.

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

From this reading In truth Mark Cray and his wife were a practical illustration of that homely but expressive saying which must be so familiar to you all; _they had begun at the wrong end of the ladder_.

lacking in physical beauty or proportion

From this reading In truth Mark Cray and his wife were a practical illustration of that homely but expressive saying which must be so familiar to you all; _they had begun at the wrong end of the ladder_.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading When fortune has come; when it is actually realised, in the hands, then the top of the ladder, comprising its Sèvres porcelain and other costs in accordance, may be safe and consistent; but if we _begin_ there without first climbing to it, too many of us have an inconvenient fashion of slipping down again.

artwork that helps make something clear or attractive

From this reading In truth Mark Cray and his wife were a practical illustration of that homely but expressive saying which must be so familiar to you all; _they had begun at the wrong end of the ladder_.

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

From this reading Before a costly breakfast service of Sèvres porcelain, with its adjuncts of glittering silver, on the morning subsequent to the visit of Mr. Brackenbury, had sat Caroline Cray, in a charming morning robe of white muslin and blue ribbons, with what she would have called a _coiffure_, all blue ribbons and white lace, on her silky hair.

the financial gain (earned or unearned) accruing over a given period of time

From this reading A stranger, taking a bird's-eye view of the scene, of the elegant room, the expensive accessories, the recherché attire of its mistress, would have concluded that there was no lack of means, that the income supporting all this must at least be to the extent of some thousands a-year.

not suited to your comfort, purpose or needs

From this reading When fortune has come; when it is actually realised, in the hands, then the top of the ladder, comprising its Sèvres porcelain and other costs in accordance, may be safe and consistent; but if we _begin_ there without first climbing to it, too many of us have an inconvenient fashion of slipping down again.

discontinued temporarily

From this reading DAY-DREAMS RUDELY INTERRUPTED.

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

From this reading When fortune has come; when it is actually realised, in the hands, then the top of the ladder, comprising its Sèvres porcelain and other costs in accordance, may be safe and consistent; but if we _begin_ there without first climbing to it, too many of us have an inconvenient fashion of slipping down again.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading When fortune has come; when it is actually realised, in the hands, then the top of the ladder, comprising its Sèvres porcelain and other costs in accordance, may be safe and consistent; but if we _begin_ there without first climbing to it, too many of us have an inconvenient fashion of slipping down again.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading Before a costly breakfast service of Sèvres porcelain, with its adjuncts of glittering silver, on the morning subsequent to the visit of Mr. Brackenbury, had sat Caroline Cray, in a charming morning robe of white muslin and blue ribbons, with what she would have called a _coiffure_, all blue ribbons and white lace, on her silky hair.

spin, wind, or twist together

From this reading Before a costly breakfast service of Sèvres porcelain, with its adjuncts of glittering silver, on the morning subsequent to the visit of Mr. Brackenbury, had sat Caroline Cray, in a charming morning robe of white muslin and blue ribbons, with what she would have called a _coiffure_, all blue ribbons and white lace, on her silky hair.

the state of needing something that is absent or unavailable

From this reading A stranger, taking a bird's-eye view of the scene, of the elegant room, the expensive accessories, the recherché attire of its mistress, would have concluded that there was no lack of means, that the income supporting all this must at least be to the extent of some thousands a-year.

steps consisting of two parallel members connected by rungs; for climbing up or down

From this reading In truth Mark Cray and his wife were a practical illustration of that homely but expressive saying which must be so familiar to you all; _they had begun at the wrong end of the ladder_.

the superlative of “little” that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by “the”; a quantifier meaning smallest in amount or extent or degree

From this reading A stranger, taking a bird's-eye view of the scene, of the elegant room, the expensive accessories, the recherché attire of its mistress, would have concluded that there was no lack of means, that the income supporting all this must at least be to the extent of some thousands a-year.

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 When fortune has come; when it is actually realised, in the hands, then the top of the ladder, comprising its Sèvres porcelain and other costs in accordance, may be safe and consistent; but if we _begin_ there without first climbing to it, too many of us have an inconvenient fashion of slipping down again.

attach a tag or label to

From this reading In truth Mark Cray and his wife were a practical illustration of that homely but expressive saying which must be so familiar to you all; _they had begun at the wrong end of the ladder_.

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading When fortune has come; when it is actually realised, in the hands, then the top of the ladder, comprising its Sèvres porcelain and other costs in accordance, may be safe and consistent; but if we _begin_ there without first climbing to it, too many of us have an inconvenient fashion of slipping down again.

thing or person that acts to produce a particular effect or achieve an end

From this reading A stranger, taking a bird's-eye view of the scene, of the elegant room, the expensive accessories, the recherché attire of its mistress, would have concluded that there was no lack of means, that the income supporting all this must at least be to the extent of some thousands a-year.

an adulterous woman; a woman who has an ongoing extramarital sexual relationship with a man

From this reading A stranger, taking a bird's-eye view of the scene, of the elegant room, the expensive accessories, the recherché attire of its mistress, would have concluded that there was no lack of means, that the income supporting all this must at least be to the extent of some thousands a-year.

the time period between dawn and noon

From this reading Before a costly breakfast service of Sèvres porcelain, with its adjuncts of glittering silver, on the morning subsequent to the visit of Mr. Brackenbury, had sat Caroline Cray, in a charming morning robe of white muslin and blue ribbons, with what she would have called a _coiffure_, all blue ribbons and white lace, on her silky hair.

a form of address for a man

From this reading Before a costly breakfast service of Sèvres porcelain, with its adjuncts of glittering silver, on the morning subsequent to the visit of Mr. Brackenbury, had sat Caroline Cray, in a charming morning robe of white muslin and blue ribbons, with what she would have called a _coiffure_, all blue ribbons and white lace, on her silky hair.

plain-woven cotton fabric

From this reading Before a costly breakfast service of Sèvres porcelain, with its adjuncts of glittering silver, on the morning subsequent to the visit of Mr. Brackenbury, had sat Caroline Cray, in a charming morning robe of white muslin and blue ribbons, with what she would have called a _coiffure_, all blue ribbons and white lace, on her silky hair.

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading A stranger, taking a bird's-eye view of the scene, of the elegant room, the expensive accessories, the recherché attire of its mistress, would have concluded that there was no lack of means, that the income supporting all this must at least be to the extent of some thousands a-year.

not any; not one

From this reading A stranger, taking a bird's-eye view of the scene, of the elegant room, the expensive accessories, the recherché attire of its mistress, would have concluded that there was no lack of means, that the income supporting all this must at least be to the extent of some thousands a-year.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Before a costly breakfast service of Sèvres porcelain, with its adjuncts of glittering silver, on the morning subsequent to the visit of Mr. Brackenbury, had sat Caroline Cray, in a charming morning robe of white muslin and blue ribbons, with what she would have called a _coiffure_, all blue ribbons and white lace, on her silky hair.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Before a costly breakfast service of Sèvres porcelain, with its adjuncts of glittering silver, on the morning subsequent to the visit of Mr. Brackenbury, had sat Caroline Cray, in a charming morning robe of white muslin and blue ribbons, with what she would have called a _coiffure_, all blue ribbons and white lace, on her silky hair.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading When fortune has come; when it is actually realised, in the hands, then the top of the ladder, comprising its Sèvres porcelain and other costs in accordance, may be safe and consistent; but if we _begin_ there without first climbing to it, too many of us have an inconvenient fashion of slipping down again.

ceramic ware made of a more or less translucent ceramic

From this reading Before a costly breakfast service of Sèvres porcelain, with its adjuncts of glittering silver, on the morning subsequent to the visit of Mr. Brackenbury, had sat Caroline Cray, in a charming morning robe of white muslin and blue ribbons, with what she would have called a _coiffure_, all blue ribbons and white lace, on her silky hair.

concerned with actual use or practice

From this reading In truth Mark Cray and his wife were a practical illustration of that homely but expressive saying which must be so familiar to you all; _they had begun at the wrong end of the ladder_.

successfully completed or brought to an end

From this reading When fortune has come; when it is actually realised, in the hands, then the top of the ladder, comprising its Sèvres porcelain and other costs in accordance, may be safe and consistent; but if we _begin_ there without first climbing to it, too many of us have an inconvenient fashion of slipping down again.

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

From this reading A stranger, taking a bird's-eye view of the scene, of the elegant room, the expensive accessories, the recherché attire of its mistress, would have concluded that there was no lack of means, that the income supporting all this must at least be to the extent of some thousands a-year.

plural of “ribbon” — any long object resembling a thin line

From this reading Before a costly breakfast service of Sèvres porcelain, with its adjuncts of glittering silver, on the morning subsequent to the visit of Mr. Brackenbury, had sat Caroline Cray, in a charming morning robe of white muslin and blue ribbons, with what she would have called a _coiffure_, all blue ribbons and white lace, on her silky hair.

any loose flowing garment

From this reading Before a costly breakfast service of Sèvres porcelain, with its adjuncts of glittering silver, on the morning subsequent to the visit of Mr. Brackenbury, had sat Caroline Cray, in a charming morning robe of white muslin and blue ribbons, with what she would have called a _coiffure_, all blue ribbons and white lace, on her silky hair.

an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling

From this reading A stranger, taking a bird's-eye view of the scene, of the elegant room, the expensive accessories, the recherché attire of its mistress, would have concluded that there was no lack of means, that the income supporting all this must at least be to the extent of some thousands a-year.

in an impolite manner

From this reading DAY-DREAMS RUDELY INTERRUPTED.

free from danger or the risk of harm

From this reading When fortune has come; when it is actually realised, in the hands, then the top of the ladder, comprising its Sèvres porcelain and other costs in accordance, may be safe and consistent; but if we _begin_ there without first climbing to it, too many of us have an inconvenient fashion of slipping down again.

the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians

From this reading Before a costly breakfast service of Sèvres porcelain, with its adjuncts of glittering silver, on the morning subsequent to the visit of Mr. Brackenbury, had sat Caroline Cray, in a charming morning robe of white muslin and blue ribbons, with what she would have called a _coiffure_, all blue ribbons and white lace, on her silky hair.

a word or phrase that particular people use in particular situations

From this reading In truth Mark Cray and his wife were a practical illustration of that homely but expressive saying which must be so familiar to you all; _they had begun at the wrong end of the ladder_.

the place where some action occurs

From this reading A stranger, taking a bird's-eye view of the scene, of the elegant room, the expensive accessories, the recherché attire of its mistress, would have concluded that there was no lack of means, that the income supporting all this must at least be to the extent of some thousands a-year.

work done by one person or group that benefits another

From this reading Before a costly breakfast service of Sèvres porcelain, with its adjuncts of glittering silver, on the morning subsequent to the visit of Mr. Brackenbury, had sat Caroline Cray, in a charming morning robe of white muslin and blue ribbons, with what she would have called a _coiffure_, all blue ribbons and white lace, on her silky hair.

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

From this reading Before a costly breakfast service of Sèvres porcelain, with its adjuncts of glittering silver, on the morning subsequent to the visit of Mr. Brackenbury, had sat Caroline Cray, in a charming morning robe of white muslin and blue ribbons, with what she would have called a _coiffure_, all blue ribbons and white lace, on her silky hair.

having a smooth, gleaming surface reflecting light

From this reading Before a costly breakfast service of Sèvres porcelain, with its adjuncts of glittering silver, on the morning subsequent to the visit of Mr. Brackenbury, had sat Caroline Cray, in a charming morning robe of white muslin and blue ribbons, with what she would have called a _coiffure_, all blue ribbons and white lace, on her silky hair.

a soft white precious univalent metallic element having the highest electrical and thermal conductivity of any metal; occurs in argentite and in free form; used in coins and jewelry and tableware and photography

From this reading Before a costly breakfast service of Sèvres porcelain, with its adjuncts of glittering silver, on the morning subsequent to the visit of Mr. Brackenbury, had sat Caroline Cray, in a charming morning robe of white muslin and blue ribbons, with what she would have called a _coiffure_, all blue ribbons and white lace, on her silky hair.

moving as on a slippery surface

From this reading When fortune has come; when it is actually realised, in the hands, then the top of the ladder, comprising its Sèvres porcelain and other costs in accordance, may be safe and consistent; but if we _begin_ there without first climbing to it, too many of us have an inconvenient fashion of slipping down again.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading In truth Mark Cray and his wife were a practical illustration of that homely but expressive saying which must be so familiar to you all; _they had begun at the wrong end of the ladder_.

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

From this reading A stranger, taking a bird's-eye view of the scene, of the elegant room, the expensive accessories, the recherché attire of its mistress, would have concluded that there was no lack of means, that the income supporting all this must at least be to the extent of some thousands a-year.

anyone who does not belong in the environment in which they are found

From this reading A stranger, taking a bird's-eye view of the scene, of the elegant room, the expensive accessories, the recherché attire of its mistress, would have concluded that there was no lack of means, that the income supporting all this must at least be to the extent of some thousands a-year.

following in time or order

From this reading Before a costly breakfast service of Sèvres porcelain, with its adjuncts of glittering silver, on the morning subsequent to the visit of Mr. Brackenbury, had sat Caroline Cray, in a charming morning robe of white muslin and blue ribbons, with what she would have called a _coiffure_, all blue ribbons and white lace, on her silky hair.

furnishing support and encouragement

From this reading A stranger, taking a bird's-eye view of the scene, of the elegant room, the expensive accessories, the recherché attire of its mistress, would have concluded that there was no lack of means, that the income supporting all this must at least be to the extent of some thousands a-year.

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

From this reading Before a costly breakfast service of Sèvres porcelain, with its adjuncts of glittering silver, on the morning subsequent to the visit of Mr. Brackenbury, had sat Caroline Cray, in a charming morning robe of white muslin and blue ribbons, with what she would have called a _coiffure_, all blue ribbons and white lace, on her silky hair.

the act of someone who picks up or takes something

From this reading A stranger, taking a bird's-eye view of the scene, of the elegant room, the expensive accessories, the recherché attire of its mistress, would have concluded that there was no lack of means, that the income supporting all this must at least be to the extent of some thousands a-year.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading A stranger, taking a bird's-eye view of the scene, of the elegant room, the expensive accessories, the recherché attire of its mistress, would have concluded that there was no lack of means, that the income supporting all this must at least be to the extent of some thousands a-year.

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

From this reading Before a costly breakfast service of Sèvres porcelain, with its adjuncts of glittering silver, on the morning subsequent to the visit of Mr. Brackenbury, had sat Caroline Cray, in a charming morning robe of white muslin and blue ribbons, with what she would have called a _coiffure_, all blue ribbons and white lace, on her silky hair.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading When fortune has come; when it is actually realised, in the hands, then the top of the ladder, comprising its Sèvres porcelain and other costs in accordance, may be safe and consistent; but if we _begin_ there without first climbing to it, too many of us have an inconvenient fashion of slipping down again.

in or at that place or location

From this reading A stranger, taking a bird's-eye view of the scene, of the elegant room, the expensive accessories, the recherché attire of its mistress, would have concluded that there was no lack of means, that the income supporting all this must at least be to the extent of some thousands a-year.

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

From this reading In truth Mark Cray and his wife were a practical illustration of that homely but expressive saying which must be so familiar to you all; _they had begun at the wrong end of the ladder_.

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

From this reading A stranger, taking a bird's-eye view of the scene, of the elegant room, the expensive accessories, the recherché attire of its mistress, would have concluded that there was no lack of means, that the income supporting all this must at least be to the extent of some thousands a-year.

plural of “thousand” — the cardinal number that is the product of 10 and 100

From this reading A stranger, taking a bird's-eye view of the scene, of the elegant room, the expensive accessories, the recherché attire of its mistress, would have concluded that there was no lack of means, that the income supporting all this must at least be to the extent of some thousands a-year.

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

From this reading Before a costly breakfast service of Sèvres porcelain, with its adjuncts of glittering silver, on the morning subsequent to the visit of Mr. Brackenbury, had sat Caroline Cray, in a charming morning robe of white muslin and blue ribbons, with what she would have called a _coiffure_, all blue ribbons and white lace, on her silky hair.

to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits

From this reading When fortune has come; when it is actually realised, in the hands, then the top of the ladder, comprising its Sèvres porcelain and other costs in accordance, may be safe and consistent; but if we _begin_ there without first climbing to it, too many of us have an inconvenient fashion of slipping down again.

the upper part of anything

From this reading When fortune has come; when it is actually realised, in the hands, then the top of the ladder, comprising its Sèvres porcelain and other costs in accordance, may be safe and consistent; but if we _begin_ there without first climbing to it, too many of us have an inconvenient fashion of slipping down again.

a fact that has been verified

From this reading In truth Mark Cray and his wife were a practical illustration of that homely but expressive saying which must be so familiar to you all; _they had begun at the wrong end of the ladder_.

the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading When fortune has come; when it is actually realised, in the hands, then the top of the ladder, comprising its Sèvres porcelain and other costs in accordance, may be safe and consistent; but if we _begin_ there without first climbing to it, too many of us have an inconvenient fashion of slipping down again.

a way of regarding situations or topics etc.

From this reading A stranger, taking a bird's-eye view of the scene, of the elegant room, the expensive accessories, the recherché attire of its mistress, would have concluded that there was no lack of means, that the income supporting all this must at least be to the extent of some thousands a-year.

go to see a place, as for entertainment

From this reading Before a costly breakfast service of Sèvres porcelain, with its adjuncts of glittering silver, on the morning subsequent to the visit of Mr. Brackenbury, had sat Caroline Cray, in a charming morning robe of white muslin and blue ribbons, with what she would have called a _coiffure_, all blue ribbons and white lace, on her silky hair.

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

From this reading A stranger, taking a bird's-eye view of the scene, of the elegant room, the expensive accessories, the recherché attire of its mistress, would have concluded that there was no lack of means, that the income supporting all this must at least be to the extent of some thousands a-year.

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading When fortune has come; when it is actually realised, in the hands, then the top of the ladder, comprising its Sèvres porcelain and other costs in accordance, may be safe and consistent; but if we _begin_ there without first climbing to it, too many of us have an inconvenient fashion of slipping down again.

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

From this reading In truth Mark Cray and his wife were a practical illustration of that homely but expressive saying which must be so familiar to you all; _they had begun at the wrong end of the ladder_.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading Before a costly breakfast service of Sèvres porcelain, with its adjuncts of glittering silver, on the morning subsequent to the visit of Mr. Brackenbury, had sat Caroline Cray, in a charming morning robe of white muslin and blue ribbons, with what she would have called a _coiffure_, all blue ribbons and white lace, on her silky hair.

at the time that

From this reading When fortune has come; when it is actually realised, in the hands, then the top of the ladder, comprising its Sèvres porcelain and other costs in accordance, may be safe and consistent; but if we _begin_ there without first climbing to it, too many of us have an inconvenient fashion of slipping down again.

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

From this reading In truth Mark Cray and his wife were a practical illustration of that homely but expressive saying which must be so familiar to you all; _they had begun at the wrong end of the ladder_.

a Caucasian

From this reading Before a costly breakfast service of Sèvres porcelain, with its adjuncts of glittering silver, on the morning subsequent to the visit of Mr. Brackenbury, had sat Caroline Cray, in a charming morning robe of white muslin and blue ribbons, with what she would have called a _coiffure_, all blue ribbons and white lace, on her silky hair.

a married woman; a man's partner in marriage

From this reading In truth Mark Cray and his wife were a practical illustration of that homely but expressive saying which must be so familiar to you all; _they had begun at the wrong end of the ladder_.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Before a costly breakfast service of Sèvres porcelain, with its adjuncts of glittering silver, on the morning subsequent to the visit of Mr. Brackenbury, had sat Caroline Cray, in a charming morning robe of white muslin and blue ribbons, with what she would have called a _coiffure_, all blue ribbons and white lace, on her silky hair.

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading When fortune has come; when it is actually realised, in the hands, then the top of the ladder, comprising its Sèvres porcelain and other costs in accordance, may be safe and consistent; but if we _begin_ there without first climbing to it, too many of us have an inconvenient fashion of slipping down again.

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

From this reading Before a costly breakfast service of Sèvres porcelain, with its adjuncts of glittering silver, on the morning subsequent to the visit of Mr. Brackenbury, had sat Caroline Cray, in a charming morning robe of white muslin and blue ribbons, with what she would have called a _coiffure_, all blue ribbons and white lace, on her silky hair.

not correct; not in conformity with fact or truth

From this reading In truth Mark Cray and his wife were a practical illustration of that homely but expressive saying which must be so familiar to you all; _they had begun at the wrong end of the ladder_.

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading In truth Mark Cray and his wife were a practical illustration of that homely but expressive saying which must be so familiar to you all; _they had begun at the wrong end of the ladder_.