Chapter III · Chapter 3

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

From this reading I should have described a husband as a man who could never rest quite content unless his wife were by his side; who twenty times a day would call from his office door: “Maggie, are you doing anything important?

personal knowledge or information about someone or something

From this reading IN WHICH PAUL MAKES ACQUAINTANCE OF THE MAN WITH THE UGLY MOUTH.

how long something has existed

From this reading You understand they had been separated for some years, and though they were not young in age--indeed, before my childish eyes they loomed quite ancient folk, and in fact my father must have been nearly forty and my mother quit of thirty--yet, as you will come to think yourself, no doubt, during the course of my story, they were in all the essentials of life little more than boy and girl.

(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 You understand they had been separated for some years, and though they were not young in age--indeed, before my childish eyes they loomed quite ancient folk, and in fact my father must have been nearly forty and my mother quit of thirty--yet, as you will come to think yourself, no doubt, during the course of my story, they were in all the essentials of life little more than boy and girl.

Belonging to the very distant past and no longer in existence or deeply revered.

From this reading You understand they had been separated for some years, and though they were not young in age--indeed, before my childish eyes they loomed quite ancient folk, and in fact my father must have been nearly forty and my mother quit of thirty--yet, as you will come to think yourself, no doubt, during the course of my story, they were in all the essentials of life little more than boy and girl.

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

From this reading The case of my father and mother was not normal.

any thing at all

From this reading I should have described a husband as a man who could never rest quite content unless his wife were by his side; who twenty times a day would call from his office door: “Maggie, are you doing anything important?

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

From this reading I should have described a husband as a man who could never rest quite content unless his wife were by his side; who twenty times a day would call from his office door: “Maggie, are you doing anything important?

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

From this reading You understand they had been separated for some years, and though they were not young in age--indeed, before my childish eyes they loomed quite ancient folk, and in fact my father must have been nearly forty and my mother quit of thirty--yet, as you will come to think yourself, no doubt, during the course of my story, they were in all the essentials of life little more than boy and girl.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading This I came to see later on, but at that time, had I been consulted by enquiring maid or bachelor, I might unwittingly have given wrong impressions concerning marriage in the general.

a man who has never been married

From this reading This I came to see later on, but at that time, had I been consulted by enquiring maid or bachelor, I might unwittingly have given wrong impressions concerning marriage in the general.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading You understand they had been separated for some years, and though they were not young in age--indeed, before my childish eyes they loomed quite ancient folk, and in fact my father must have been nearly forty and my mother quit of thirty--yet, as you will come to think yourself, no doubt, during the course of my story, they were in all the essentials of life little more than boy and girl.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading You understand they had been separated for some years, and though they were not young in age--indeed, before my childish eyes they loomed quite ancient folk, and in fact my father must have been nearly forty and my mother quit of thirty--yet, as you will come to think yourself, no doubt, during the course of my story, they were in all the essentials of life little more than boy and girl.

a youthful male person

From this reading You understand they had been separated for some years, and though they were not young in age--indeed, before my childish eyes they loomed quite ancient folk, and in fact my father must have been nearly forty and my mother quit of thirty--yet, as you will come to think yourself, no doubt, during the course of my story, they were in all the essentials of life little more than boy and girl.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading This I came to see later on, but at that time, had I been consulted by enquiring maid or bachelor, I might unwittingly have given wrong impressions concerning marriage in the general.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading This I came to see later on, but at that time, had I been consulted by enquiring maid or bachelor, I might unwittingly have given wrong impressions concerning marriage in the general.

assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading I should have described a husband as a man who could never rest quite content unless his wife were by his side; who twenty times a day would call from his office door: “Maggie, are you doing anything important?

inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading This I came to see later on, but at that time, had I been consulted by enquiring maid or bachelor, I might unwittingly have given wrong impressions concerning marriage in the general.

an occurrence of something

From this reading The case of my father and mother was not normal.

indicating a lack of maturity

From this reading You understand they had been separated for some years, and though they were not young in age--indeed, before my childish eyes they loomed quite ancient folk, and in fact my father must have been nearly forty and my mother quit of thirty--yet, as you will come to think yourself, no doubt, during the course of my story, they were in all the essentials of life little more than boy and girl.

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

From this reading You understand they had been separated for some years, and though they were not young in age--indeed, before my childish eyes they loomed quite ancient folk, and in fact my father must have been nearly forty and my mother quit of thirty--yet, as you will come to think yourself, no doubt, during the course of my story, they were in all the essentials of life little more than boy and girl.

-ing form of “concern” — be relevant to

From this reading This I came to see later on, but at that time, had I been consulted by enquiring maid or bachelor, I might unwittingly have given wrong impressions concerning marriage in the general.

past form of “consult” — get or ask advice from

From this reading This I came to see later on, but at that time, had I been consulted by enquiring maid or bachelor, I might unwittingly have given wrong impressions concerning marriage in the general.

(usually plural) everything that is included in a collection and that is held or included in something

From this reading I should have described a husband as a man who could never rest quite content unless his wife were by his side; who twenty times a day would call from his office door: “Maggie, are you doing anything important?

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading I should have described a husband as a man who could never rest quite content unless his wife were by his side; who twenty times a day would call from his office door: “Maggie, are you doing anything important?

education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings

From this reading You understand they had been separated for some years, and though they were not young in age--indeed, before my childish eyes they loomed quite ancient folk, and in fact my father must have been nearly forty and my mother quit of thirty--yet, as you will come to think yourself, no doubt, during the course of my story, they were in all the essentials of life little more than boy and girl.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading I should have described a husband as a man who could never rest quite content unless his wife were by his side; who twenty times a day would call from his office door: “Maggie, are you doing anything important?

represented in words especially with sharpness and detail

From this reading I should have described a husband as a man who could never rest quite content unless his wife were by his side; who twenty times a day would call from his office door: “Maggie, are you doing anything important?

-ing form of “do” — engage in

From this reading I should have described a husband as a man who could never rest quite content unless his wife were by his side; who twenty times a day would call from his office door: “Maggie, are you doing anything important?

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

From this reading I should have described a husband as a man who could never rest quite content unless his wife were by his side; who twenty times a day would call from his office door: “Maggie, are you doing anything important?

the state of being unsure of something

From this reading You understand they had been separated for some years, and though they were not young in age--indeed, before my childish eyes they loomed quite ancient folk, and in fact my father must have been nearly forty and my mother quit of thirty--yet, as you will come to think yourself, no doubt, during the course of my story, they were in all the essentials of life little more than boy and girl.

all through a period, or at some point within it

From this reading You understand they had been separated for some years, and though they were not young in age--indeed, before my childish eyes they loomed quite ancient folk, and in fact my father must have been nearly forty and my mother quit of thirty--yet, as you will come to think yourself, no doubt, during the course of my story, they were in all the essentials of life little more than boy and girl.

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

From this reading This I came to see later on, but at that time, had I been consulted by enquiring maid or bachelor, I might unwittingly have given wrong impressions concerning marriage in the general.

plural of “essential” — anything indispensable

From this reading You understand they had been separated for some years, and though they were not young in age--indeed, before my childish eyes they loomed quite ancient folk, and in fact my father must have been nearly forty and my mother quit of thirty--yet, as you will come to think yourself, no doubt, during the course of my story, they were in all the essentials of life little more than boy and girl.

opinion or judgment

From this reading You understand they had been separated for some years, and though they were not young in age--indeed, before my childish eyes they loomed quite ancient folk, and in fact my father must have been nearly forty and my mother quit of thirty--yet, as you will come to think yourself, no doubt, during the course of my story, they were in all the essentials of life little more than boy and girl.

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

From this reading You understand they had been separated for some years, and though they were not young in age--indeed, before my childish eyes they loomed quite ancient folk, and in fact my father must have been nearly forty and my mother quit of thirty--yet, as you will come to think yourself, no doubt, during the course of my story, they were in all the essentials of life little more than boy and girl.

a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)

From this reading The case of my father and mother was not normal.

people in general (often used in the plural)

From this reading You understand they had been separated for some years, and though they were not young in age--indeed, before my childish eyes they loomed quite ancient folk, and in fact my father must have been nearly forty and my mother quit of thirty--yet, as you will come to think yourself, no doubt, during the course of my story, they were in all the essentials of life little more than boy and girl.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading You understand they had been separated for some years, and though they were not young in age--indeed, before my childish eyes they loomed quite ancient folk, and in fact my father must have been nearly forty and my mother quit of thirty--yet, as you will come to think yourself, no doubt, during the course of my story, they were in all the essentials of life little more than boy and girl.

being ten more than thirty

From this reading You understand they had been separated for some years, and though they were not young in age--indeed, before my childish eyes they loomed quite ancient folk, and in fact my father must have been nearly forty and my mother quit of thirty--yet, as you will come to think yourself, no doubt, during the course of my story, they were in all the essentials of life little more than boy and girl.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading I should have described a husband as a man who could never rest quite content unless his wife were by his side; who twenty times a day would call from his office door: “Maggie, are you doing anything important?

applying to all or most members of a category or group

From this reading This I came to see later on, but at that time, had I been consulted by enquiring maid or bachelor, I might unwittingly have given wrong impressions concerning marriage in the general.

a young female

From this reading You understand they had been separated for some years, and though they were not young in age--indeed, before my childish eyes they loomed quite ancient folk, and in fact my father must have been nearly forty and my mother quit of thirty--yet, as you will come to think yourself, no doubt, during the course of my story, they were in all the essentials of life little more than boy and girl.

acknowledged as a supposition

From this reading This I came to see later on, but at that time, had I been consulted by enquiring maid or bachelor, I might unwittingly have given wrong impressions concerning marriage in the general.

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

From this reading You understand they had been separated for some years, and though they were not young in age--indeed, before my childish eyes they loomed quite ancient folk, and in fact my father must have been nearly forty and my mother quit of thirty--yet, as you will come to think yourself, no doubt, during the course of my story, they were in all the essentials of life little more than boy and girl.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading You understand they had been separated for some years, and though they were not young in age--indeed, before my childish eyes they loomed quite ancient folk, and in fact my father must have been nearly forty and my mother quit of thirty--yet, as you will come to think yourself, no doubt, during the course of my story, they were in all the essentials of life little more than boy and girl.

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

From this reading I should have described a husband as a man who could never rest quite content unless his wife were by his side; who twenty times a day would call from his office door: “Maggie, are you doing anything important?

a married man; a woman's partner in marriage

From this reading I should have described a husband as a man who could never rest quite content unless his wife were by his side; who twenty times a day would call from his office door: “Maggie, are you doing anything important?

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

From this reading This I came to see later on, but at that time, had I been consulted by enquiring maid or bachelor, I might unwittingly have given wrong impressions concerning marriage in the general.

of great significance or value

From this reading I should have described a husband as a man who could never rest quite content unless his wife were by his side; who twenty times a day would call from his office door: “Maggie, are you doing anything important?

plural of “impression” — a vague idea in which some confidence is placed

From this reading This I came to see later on, but at that time, had I been consulted by enquiring maid or bachelor, I might unwittingly have given wrong impressions concerning marriage in the general.

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

From this reading IN WHICH PAUL MAKES ACQUAINTANCE OF THE MAN WITH THE UGLY MOUTH.

in truth (often tends to intensify)

From this reading You understand they had been separated for some years, and though they were not young in age--indeed, before my childish eyes they loomed quite ancient folk, and in fact my father must have been nearly forty and my mother quit of thirty--yet, as you will come to think yourself, no doubt, during the course of my story, they were in all the essentials of life little more than boy and girl.

happening at a time subsequent to a reference time

From this reading This I came to see later on, but at that time, had I been consulted by enquiring maid or bachelor, I might unwittingly have given wrong impressions concerning marriage in the general.

a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading You understand they had been separated for some years, and though they were not young in age--indeed, before my childish eyes they loomed quite ancient folk, and in fact my father must have been nearly forty and my mother quit of thirty--yet, as you will come to think yourself, no doubt, during the course of my story, they were in all the essentials of life little more than boy and girl.

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

From this reading You understand they had been separated for some years, and though they were not young in age--indeed, before my childish eyes they loomed quite ancient folk, and in fact my father must have been nearly forty and my mother quit of thirty--yet, as you will come to think yourself, no doubt, during the course of my story, they were in all the essentials of life little more than boy and girl.

past form of “loom” — come into view indistinctly, often threateningly

From this reading You understand they had been separated for some years, and though they were not young in age--indeed, before my childish eyes they loomed quite ancient folk, and in fact my father must have been nearly forty and my mother quit of thirty--yet, as you will come to think yourself, no doubt, during the course of my story, they were in all the essentials of life little more than boy and girl.

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

From this reading I should have described a husband as a man who could never rest quite content unless his wife were by his side; who twenty times a day would call from his office door: “Maggie, are you doing anything important?

a female domestic

From this reading This I came to see later on, but at that time, had I been consulted by enquiring maid or bachelor, I might unwittingly have given wrong impressions concerning marriage in the general.

plural of “make” — a recognizable kind

From this reading IN WHICH PAUL MAKES ACQUAINTANCE OF THE MAN WITH THE UGLY MOUTH.

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

From this reading IN WHICH PAUL MAKES ACQUAINTANCE OF THE MAN WITH THE UGLY MOUTH.

the state of being a married couple voluntarily joined for life (or until divorce)

From this reading This I came to see later on, but at that time, had I been consulted by enquiring maid or bachelor, I might unwittingly have given wrong impressions concerning marriage in the general.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading This I came to see later on, but at that time, had I been consulted by enquiring maid or bachelor, I might unwittingly have given wrong impressions concerning marriage in the general.

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

From this reading You understand they had been separated for some years, and though they were not young in age--indeed, before my childish eyes they loomed quite ancient folk, and in fact my father must have been nearly forty and my mother quit of thirty--yet, as you will come to think yourself, no doubt, during the course of my story, they were in all the essentials of life little more than boy and girl.

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

From this reading The case of my father and mother was not normal.

the opening through which food is taken in and vocalizations emerge

From this reading IN WHICH PAUL MAKES ACQUAINTANCE OF THE MAN WITH THE UGLY MOUTH.

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading You understand they had been separated for some years, and though they were not young in age--indeed, before my childish eyes they loomed quite ancient folk, and in fact my father must have been nearly forty and my mother quit of thirty--yet, as you will come to think yourself, no doubt, during the course of my story, they were in all the essentials of life little more than boy and girl.

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading The case of my father and mother was not normal.

(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but

From this reading You understand they had been separated for some years, and though they were not young in age--indeed, before my childish eyes they loomed quite ancient folk, and in fact my father must have been nearly forty and my mother quit of thirty--yet, as you will come to think yourself, no doubt, during the course of my story, they were in all the essentials of life little more than boy and girl.

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading I should have described a husband as a man who could never rest quite content unless his wife were by his side; who twenty times a day would call from his office door: “Maggie, are you doing anything important?

not any; not one

From this reading You understand they had been separated for some years, and though they were not young in age--indeed, before my childish eyes they loomed quite ancient folk, and in fact my father must have been nearly forty and my mother quit of thirty--yet, as you will come to think yourself, no doubt, during the course of my story, they were in all the essentials of life little more than boy and girl.

conforming with or constituting a norm or standard or level or type or social norm; not abnormal

From this reading The case of my father and mother was not normal.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading The case of my father and mother was not normal.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading IN WHICH PAUL MAKES ACQUAINTANCE OF THE MAN WITH THE UGLY MOUTH.

place of business where professional or clerical duties are performed

From this reading I should have described a husband as a man who could never rest quite content unless his wife were by his side; who twenty times a day would call from his office door: “Maggie, are you doing anything important?

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading This I came to see later on, but at that time, had I been consulted by enquiring maid or bachelor, I might unwittingly have given wrong impressions concerning marriage in the general.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading This I came to see later on, but at that time, had I been consulted by enquiring maid or bachelor, I might unwittingly have given wrong impressions concerning marriage in the general.

United States feminist (1885-1977)

From this reading IN WHICH PAUL MAKES ACQUAINTANCE OF THE MAN WITH THE UGLY MOUTH.

put an end to a state or an activity

From this reading You understand they had been separated for some years, and though they were not young in age--indeed, before my childish eyes they loomed quite ancient folk, and in fact my father must have been nearly forty and my mother quit of thirty--yet, as you will come to think yourself, no doubt, during the course of my story, they were in all the essentials of life little more than boy and girl.

to a degree (not used with a negative)

From this reading You understand they had been separated for some years, and though they were not young in age--indeed, before my childish eyes they loomed quite ancient folk, and in fact my father must have been nearly forty and my mother quit of thirty--yet, as you will come to think yourself, no doubt, during the course of my story, they were in all the essentials of life little more than boy and girl.

not move; be in a resting position

From this reading I should have described a husband as a man who could never rest quite content unless his wife were by his side; who twenty times a day would call from his office door: “Maggie, are you doing anything important?

perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading This I came to see later on, but at that time, had I been consulted by enquiring maid or bachelor, I might unwittingly have given wrong impressions concerning marriage in the general.

being or feeling set or kept apart from others

From this reading You understand they had been separated for some years, and though they were not young in age--indeed, before my childish eyes they loomed quite ancient folk, and in fact my father must have been nearly forty and my mother quit of thirty--yet, as you will come to think yourself, no doubt, during the course of my story, they were in all the essentials of life little more than boy and girl.

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading I should have described a husband as a man who could never rest quite content unless his wife were by his side; who twenty times a day would call from his office door: “Maggie, are you doing anything important?

a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location

From this reading I should have described a husband as a man who could never rest quite content unless his wife were by his side; who twenty times a day would call from his office door: “Maggie, are you doing anything important?

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

From this reading You understand they had been separated for some years, and though they were not young in age--indeed, before my childish eyes they loomed quite ancient folk, and in fact my father must have been nearly forty and my mother quit of thirty--yet, as you will come to think yourself, no doubt, during the course of my story, they were in all the essentials of life little more than boy and girl.

a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program

From this reading You understand they had been separated for some years, and though they were not young in age--indeed, before my childish eyes they loomed quite ancient folk, and in fact my father must have been nearly forty and my mother quit of thirty--yet, as you will come to think yourself, no doubt, during the course of my story, they were in all the essentials of life little more than boy and girl.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading You understand they had been separated for some years, and though they were not young in age--indeed, before my childish eyes they loomed quite ancient folk, and in fact my father must have been nearly forty and my mother quit of thirty--yet, as you will come to think yourself, no doubt, during the course of my story, they were in all the essentials of life little more than boy and girl.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading This I came to see later on, but at that time, had I been consulted by enquiring maid or bachelor, I might unwittingly have given wrong impressions concerning marriage in the general.

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

From this reading IN WHICH PAUL MAKES ACQUAINTANCE OF THE MAN WITH THE UGLY MOUTH.

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

From this reading You understand they had been separated for some years, and though they were not young in age--indeed, before my childish eyes they loomed quite ancient folk, and in fact my father must have been nearly forty and my mother quit of thirty--yet, as you will come to think yourself, no doubt, during the course of my story, they were in all the essentials of life little more than boy and girl.

judge or regard; look upon; judge

From this reading You understand they had been separated for some years, and though they were not young in age--indeed, before my childish eyes they loomed quite ancient folk, and in fact my father must have been nearly forty and my mother quit of thirty--yet, as you will come to think yourself, no doubt, during the course of my story, they were in all the essentials of life little more than boy and girl.

the cardinal number that is the product of ten and three

From this reading You understand they had been separated for some years, and though they were not young in age--indeed, before my childish eyes they loomed quite ancient folk, and in fact my father must have been nearly forty and my mother quit of thirty--yet, as you will come to think yourself, no doubt, during the course of my story, they were in all the essentials of life little more than boy and girl.

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

From this reading This I came to see later on, but at that time, had I been consulted by enquiring maid or bachelor, I might unwittingly have given wrong impressions concerning marriage in the general.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading You understand they had been separated for some years, and though they were not young in age--indeed, before my childish eyes they loomed quite ancient folk, and in fact my father must have been nearly forty and my mother quit of thirty--yet, as you will come to think yourself, no doubt, during the course of my story, they were in all the essentials of life little more than boy and girl.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading This I came to see later on, but at that time, had I been consulted by enquiring maid or bachelor, I might unwittingly have given wrong impressions concerning marriage in the general.

a more or less definite period of time now or previously present

From this reading I should have described a husband as a man who could never rest quite content unless his wife were by his side; who twenty times a day would call from his office door: “Maggie, are you doing anything important?

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

From this reading You understand they had been separated for some years, and though they were not young in age--indeed, before my childish eyes they loomed quite ancient folk, and in fact my father must have been nearly forty and my mother quit of thirty--yet, as you will come to think yourself, no doubt, during the course of my story, they were in all the essentials of life little more than boy and girl.

the cardinal number that is the sum of nineteen and one

From this reading I should have described a husband as a man who could never rest quite content unless his wife were by his side; who twenty times a day would call from his office door: “Maggie, are you doing anything important?

displeasing to the senses

From this reading IN WHICH PAUL MAKES ACQUAINTANCE OF THE MAN WITH THE UGLY MOUTH.

know and comprehend the nature or meaning of

From this reading You understand they had been separated for some years, and though they were not young in age--indeed, before my childish eyes they loomed quite ancient folk, and in fact my father must have been nearly forty and my mother quit of thirty--yet, as you will come to think yourself, no doubt, during the course of my story, they were in all the essentials of life little more than boy and girl.

except if; if not

From this reading I should have described a husband as a man who could never rest quite content unless his wife were by his side; who twenty times a day would call from his office door: “Maggie, are you doing anything important?

without knowledge or intention

From this reading This I came to see later on, but at that time, had I been consulted by enquiring maid or bachelor, I might unwittingly have given wrong impressions concerning marriage in the general.

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

From this reading The case of my father and mother was not normal.

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

From this reading You understand they had been separated for some years, and though they were not young in age--indeed, before my childish eyes they loomed quite ancient folk, and in fact my father must have been nearly forty and my mother quit of thirty--yet, as you will come to think yourself, no doubt, during the course of my story, they were in all the essentials of life little more than boy and girl.

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

From this reading IN WHICH PAUL MAKES ACQUAINTANCE OF THE MAN WITH THE UGLY MOUTH.

which person or people

From this reading I should have described a husband as a man who could never rest quite content unless his wife were by his side; who twenty times a day would call from his office door: “Maggie, are you doing anything important?

a married woman; a man's partner in marriage

From this reading I should have described a husband as a man who could never rest quite content unless his wife were by his side; who twenty times a day would call from his office door: “Maggie, are you doing anything important?

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading You understand they had been separated for some years, and though they were not young in age--indeed, before my childish eyes they loomed quite ancient folk, and in fact my father must have been nearly forty and my mother quit of thirty--yet, as you will come to think yourself, no doubt, during the course of my story, they were in all the essentials of life little more than boy and girl.

in the company of; together with

From this reading IN WHICH PAUL MAKES ACQUAINTANCE OF THE MAN WITH THE UGLY MOUTH.

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

From this reading I should have described a husband as a man who could never rest quite content unless his wife were by his side; who twenty times a day would call from his office door: “Maggie, are you doing anything important?

not correct; not in conformity with fact or truth

From this reading This I came to see later on, but at that time, had I been consulted by enquiring maid or bachelor, I might unwittingly have given wrong impressions concerning marriage in the general.

a late time of life

From this reading You understand they had been separated for some years, and though they were not young in age--indeed, before my childish eyes they loomed quite ancient folk, and in fact my father must have been nearly forty and my mother quit of thirty--yet, as you will come to think yourself, no doubt, during the course of my story, they were in all the essentials of life little more than boy and girl.

but in spite of that

From this reading You understand they had been separated for some years, and though they were not young in age--indeed, before my childish eyes they loomed quite ancient folk, and in fact my father must have been nearly forty and my mother quit of thirty--yet, as you will come to think yourself, no doubt, during the course of my story, they were in all the essentials of life little more than boy and girl.

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading You understand they had been separated for some years, and though they were not young in age--indeed, before my childish eyes they loomed quite ancient folk, and in fact my father must have been nearly forty and my mother quit of thirty--yet, as you will come to think yourself, no doubt, during the course of my story, they were in all the essentials of life little more than boy and girl.

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

From this reading You understand they had been separated for some years, and though they were not young in age--indeed, before my childish eyes they loomed quite ancient folk, and in fact my father must have been nearly forty and my mother quit of thirty--yet, as you will come to think yourself, no doubt, during the course of my story, they were in all the essentials of life little more than boy and girl.

used when the person spoken to is also the object of the action

From this reading You understand they had been separated for some years, and though they were not young in age--indeed, before my childish eyes they loomed quite ancient folk, and in fact my father must have been nearly forty and my mother quit of thirty--yet, as you will come to think yourself, no doubt, during the course of my story, they were in all the essentials of life little more than boy and girl.