Chapter I · Chapter 1

the part of the day between noon and evening

From this reading He had never, however, openly discussed Margaret with her until that afternoon of which I have already spoken.

prior to a specified or implied time

From this reading He had never, however, openly discussed Margaret with her until that afternoon of which I have already spoken.

at all times; all the time and on every occasion

From this reading Miss Brandt, you see, was always most graciously kind and charming whenever they met.

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

From this reading Upon that, his own visits to Lady Elspeth naturally became still more frequent than before,--approximating even, as she had said, the record of the milkman,--and, though his dear old friend might rate him gently as to the motives for his coming, he had every reason to believe that her sympathies were with him, and that she would do what she could to further his hopes.

-ing form of “approximate” — be close or similar

From this reading Upon that, his own visits to Lady Elspeth naturally became still more frequent than before,--approximating even, as she had said, the record of the milkman,--and, though his dear old friend might rate him gently as to the motives for his coming, he had every reason to believe that her sympathies were with him, and that she would do what she could to further his hopes.

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

From this reading Upon that, his own visits to Lady Elspeth naturally became still more frequent than before,--approximating even, as she had said, the record of the milkman,--and, though his dear old friend might rate him gently as to the motives for his coming, he had every reason to believe that her sympathies were with him, and that she would do what she could to further his hopes.

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

From this reading She was charming and gracious to everyone--even to Charles Pixley, the while he swamped her with inane tittle-tattle, and higher proof of grace than that it would be difficult to imagine.

inflected form of “become” — enter or assume a certain state or condition

From this reading Upon that, his own visits to Lady Elspeth naturally became still more frequent than before,--approximating even, as she had said, the record of the milkman,--and, though his dear old friend might rate him gently as to the motives for his coming, he had every reason to believe that her sympathies were with him, and that she would do what she could to further his hopes.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading Upon that, his own visits to Lady Elspeth naturally became still more frequent than before,--approximating even, as she had said, the record of the milkman,--and, though his dear old friend might rate him gently as to the motives for his coming, he had every reason to believe that her sympathies were with him, and that she would do what she could to further his hopes.

accept as true; take to be true

From this reading Upon that, his own visits to Lady Elspeth naturally became still more frequent than before,--approximating even, as she had said, the record of the milkman,--and, though his dear old friend might rate him gently as to the motives for his coming, he had every reason to believe that her sympathies were with him, and that she would do what she could to further his hopes.

German statesman who as chancellor of West Germany worked to reduce tensions with eastern Europe (1913-1992)

From this reading Miss Brandt, you see, was always most graciously kind and charming whenever they met.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But that was just her natural self.

King of France from 1560 to 1574 whose reign was dominated by his mother Catherine de Medicis (1550-1574)

From this reading She was charming and gracious to everyone--even to Charles Pixley, the while he swamped her with inane tittle-tattle, and higher proof of grace than that it would be difficult to imagine.

pleasing or delighting

From this reading Miss Brandt, you see, was always most graciously kind and charming whenever they met.

the act of drawing spatially closer to something

From this reading Upon that, his own visits to Lady Elspeth naturally became still more frequent than before,--approximating even, as she had said, the record of the milkman,--and, though his dear old friend might rate him gently as to the motives for his coming, he had every reason to believe that her sympathies were with him, and that she would do what she could to further his hopes.

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

From this reading Upon that, his own visits to Lady Elspeth naturally became still more frequent than before,--approximating even, as she had said, the record of the milkman,--and, though his dear old friend might rate him gently as to the motives for his coming, he had every reason to believe that her sympathies were with him, and that she would do what she could to further his hopes.

dearly loved

From this reading Upon that, his own visits to Lady Elspeth naturally became still more frequent than before,--approximating even, as she had said, the record of the milkman,--and, though his dear old friend might rate him gently as to the motives for his coming, he had every reason to believe that her sympathies were with him, and that she would do what she could to further his hopes.

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

From this reading She was charming and gracious to everyone--even to Charles Pixley, the while he swamped her with inane tittle-tattle, and higher proof of grace than that it would be difficult to imagine.

past form of “discuss” — to consider or examine in speech or writing

From this reading He had never, however, openly discussed Margaret with her until that afternoon of which I have already spoken.

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading Upon that, his own visits to Lady Elspeth naturally became still more frequent than before,--approximating even, as she had said, the record of the milkman,--and, though his dear old friend might rate him gently as to the motives for his coming, he had every reason to believe that her sympathies were with him, and that she would do what she could to further his hopes.

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

From this reading Upon that, his own visits to Lady Elspeth naturally became still more frequent than before,--approximating even, as she had said, the record of the milkman,--and, though his dear old friend might rate him gently as to the motives for his coming, he had every reason to believe that her sympathies were with him, and that she would do what she could to further his hopes.

divisible by two

From this reading Upon that, his own visits to Lady Elspeth naturally became still more frequent than before,--approximating even, as she had said, the record of the milkman,--and, though his dear old friend might rate him gently as to the motives for his coming, he had every reason to believe that her sympathies were with him, and that she would do what she could to further his hopes.

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading Upon that, his own visits to Lady Elspeth naturally became still more frequent than before,--approximating even, as she had said, the record of the milkman,--and, though his dear old friend might rate him gently as to the motives for his coming, he had every reason to believe that her sympathies were with him, and that she would do what she could to further his hopes.

every person

From this reading She was charming and gracious to everyone--even to Charles Pixley, the while he swamped her with inane tittle-tattle, and higher proof of grace than that it would be difficult to imagine.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Upon that, his own visits to Lady Elspeth naturally became still more frequent than before,--approximating even, as she had said, the record of the milkman,--and, though his dear old friend might rate him gently as to the motives for his coming, he had every reason to believe that her sympathies were with him, and that she would do what she could to further his hopes.

do one's shopping at; do business with; be a customer or client of

From this reading Upon that, his own visits to Lady Elspeth naturally became still more frequent than before,--approximating even, as she had said, the record of the milkman,--and, though his dear old friend might rate him gently as to the motives for his coming, he had every reason to believe that her sympathies were with him, and that she would do what she could to further his hopes.

a person you know well and regard with affection and trust

From this reading Upon that, his own visits to Lady Elspeth naturally became still more frequent than before,--approximating even, as she had said, the record of the milkman,--and, though his dear old friend might rate him gently as to the motives for his coming, he had every reason to believe that her sympathies were with him, and that she would do what she could to further his hopes.

to or at a greater extent or degree or a more advanced stage (“further” is used more often than “farther” in this abstract sense)

From this reading Upon that, his own visits to Lady Elspeth naturally became still more frequent than before,--approximating even, as she had said, the record of the milkman,--and, though his dear old friend might rate him gently as to the motives for his coming, he had every reason to believe that her sympathies were with him, and that she would do what she could to further his hopes.

in a gradual manner

From this reading Upon that, his own visits to Lady Elspeth naturally became still more frequent than before,--approximating even, as she had said, the record of the milkman,--and, though his dear old friend might rate him gently as to the motives for his coming, he had every reason to believe that her sympathies were with him, and that she would do what she could to further his hopes.

(Christian theology) a state of sanctification by God; the state of one who is under such divine influence

From this reading She was charming and gracious to everyone--even to Charles Pixley, the while he swamped her with inane tittle-tattle, and higher proof of grace than that it would be difficult to imagine.

characterized by charm, good taste, and generosity of spirit

From this reading She was charming and gracious to everyone--even to Charles Pixley, the while he swamped her with inane tittle-tattle, and higher proof of grace than that it would be difficult to imagine.

in a gracious or graceful manner

From this reading Miss Brandt, you see, was always most graciously kind and charming whenever they met.

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

From this reading Upon that, his own visits to Lady Elspeth naturally became still more frequent than before,--approximating even, as she had said, the record of the milkman,--and, though his dear old friend might rate him gently as to the motives for his coming, he had every reason to believe that her sympathies were with him, and that she would do what she could to further his hopes.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading He had never, however, openly discussed Margaret with her until that afternoon of which I have already spoken.

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

From this reading Upon that, his own visits to Lady Elspeth naturally became still more frequent than before,--approximating even, as she had said, the record of the milkman,--and, though his dear old friend might rate him gently as to the motives for his coming, he had every reason to believe that her sympathies were with him, and that she would do what she could to further his hopes.

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

From this reading Upon that, his own visits to Lady Elspeth naturally became still more frequent than before,--approximating even, as she had said, the record of the milkman,--and, though his dear old friend might rate him gently as to the motives for his coming, he had every reason to believe that her sympathies were with him, and that she would do what she could to further his hopes.

advanced in complexity or elaboration

From this reading She was charming and gracious to everyone--even to Charles Pixley, the while he swamped her with inane tittle-tattle, and higher proof of grace than that it would be difficult to imagine.

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

From this reading Upon that, his own visits to Lady Elspeth naturally became still more frequent than before,--approximating even, as she had said, the record of the milkman,--and, though his dear old friend might rate him gently as to the motives for his coming, he had every reason to believe that her sympathies were with him, and that she would do what she could to further his hopes.

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

From this reading Upon that, his own visits to Lady Elspeth naturally became still more frequent than before,--approximating even, as she had said, the record of the milkman,--and, though his dear old friend might rate him gently as to the motives for his coming, he had every reason to believe that her sympathies were with him, and that she would do what she could to further his hopes.

plural of “hope” — a specific instance of feeling hopeful

From this reading Upon that, his own visits to Lady Elspeth naturally became still more frequent than before,--approximating even, as she had said, the record of the milkman,--and, though his dear old friend might rate him gently as to the motives for his coming, he had every reason to believe that her sympathies were with him, and that she would do what she could to further his hopes.

used to add a contrasting statement

From this reading He had never, however, openly discussed Margaret with her until that afternoon of which I have already spoken.

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

From this reading He had never, however, openly discussed Margaret with her until that afternoon of which I have already spoken.

form a mental image of something that is not present or that is not the case

From this reading She was charming and gracious to everyone--even to Charles Pixley, the while he swamped her with inane tittle-tattle, and higher proof of grace than that it would be difficult to imagine.

extremely silly or stupid

From this reading She was charming and gracious to everyone--even to Charles Pixley, the while he swamped her with inane tittle-tattle, and higher proof of grace than that it would be difficult to imagine.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading She was charming and gracious to everyone--even to Charles Pixley, the while he swamped her with inane tittle-tattle, and higher proof of grace than that it would be difficult to imagine.

and nothing more

From this reading But that was just her natural self.

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

From this reading Miss Brandt, you see, was always most graciously kind and charming whenever they met.

a polite name for any woman

From this reading Upon that, his own visits to Lady Elspeth naturally became still more frequent than before,--approximating even, as she had said, the record of the milkman,--and, though his dear old friend might rate him gently as to the motives for his coming, he had every reason to believe that her sympathies were with him, and that she would do what she could to further his hopes.

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

From this reading He had never, however, openly discussed Margaret with her until that afternoon of which I have already spoken.

inflected form of “meet” — come together

From this reading Miss Brandt, you see, was always most graciously kind and charming whenever they met.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading Upon that, his own visits to Lady Elspeth naturally became still more frequent than before,--approximating even, as she had said, the record of the milkman,--and, though his dear old friend might rate him gently as to the motives for his coming, he had every reason to believe that her sympathies were with him, and that she would do what she could to further his hopes.

someone who delivers milk

From this reading Upon that, his own visits to Lady Elspeth naturally became still more frequent than before,--approximating even, as she had said, the record of the milkman,--and, though his dear old friend might rate him gently as to the motives for his coming, he had every reason to believe that her sympathies were with him, and that she would do what she could to further his hopes.

fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind

From this reading Miss Brandt, you see, was always most graciously kind and charming whenever they met.

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

From this reading Upon that, his own visits to Lady Elspeth naturally became still more frequent than before,--approximating even, as she had said, the record of the milkman,--and, though his dear old friend might rate him gently as to the motives for his coming, he had every reason to believe that her sympathies were with him, and that she would do what she could to further his hopes.

used to form the superlative

From this reading Miss Brandt, you see, was always most graciously kind and charming whenever they met.

plural of “motive” — the psychological feature that arouses an organism to action toward a desired goal; the reason for the action; that which gives purpose and direction to behavior

From this reading Upon that, his own visits to Lady Elspeth naturally became still more frequent than before,--approximating even, as she had said, the record of the milkman,--and, though his dear old friend might rate him gently as to the motives for his coming, he had every reason to believe that her sympathies were with him, and that she would do what she could to further his hopes.

in accordance with nature; relating to or concerning nature

From this reading But that was just her natural self.

as might be expected

From this reading Upon that, his own visits to Lady Elspeth naturally became still more frequent than before,--approximating even, as she had said, the record of the milkman,--and, though his dear old friend might rate him gently as to the motives for his coming, he had every reason to believe that her sympathies were with him, and that she would do what she could to further his hopes.

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading He had never, however, openly discussed Margaret with her until that afternoon of which I have already spoken.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Upon that, his own visits to Lady Elspeth naturally became still more frequent than before,--approximating even, as she had said, the record of the milkman,--and, though his dear old friend might rate him gently as to the motives for his coming, he had every reason to believe that her sympathies were with him, and that she would do what she could to further his hopes.

(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age

From this reading Upon that, his own visits to Lady Elspeth naturally became still more frequent than before,--approximating even, as she had said, the record of the milkman,--and, though his dear old friend might rate him gently as to the motives for his coming, he had every reason to believe that her sympathies were with him, and that she would do what she could to further his hopes.

in an open way

From this reading He had never, however, openly discussed Margaret with her until that afternoon of which I have already spoken.

have ownership or possession of

From this reading Upon that, his own visits to Lady Elspeth naturally became still more frequent than before,--approximating even, as she had said, the record of the milkman,--and, though his dear old friend might rate him gently as to the motives for his coming, he had every reason to believe that her sympathies were with him, and that she would do what she could to further his hopes.

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

From this reading She was charming and gracious to everyone--even to Charles Pixley, the while he swamped her with inane tittle-tattle, and higher proof of grace than that it would be difficult to imagine.

any factual evidence that helps to establish the truth of something

From this reading She was charming and gracious to everyone--even to Charles Pixley, the while he swamped her with inane tittle-tattle, and higher proof of grace than that it would be difficult to imagine.

a magnitude or frequency relative to a time unit

From this reading Upon that, his own visits to Lady Elspeth naturally became still more frequent than before,--approximating even, as she had said, the record of the milkman,--and, though his dear old friend might rate him gently as to the motives for his coming, he had every reason to believe that her sympathies were with him, and that she would do what she could to further his hopes.

a rational motive for a belief or action

From this reading Upon that, his own visits to Lady Elspeth naturally became still more frequent than before,--approximating even, as she had said, the record of the milkman,--and, though his dear old friend might rate him gently as to the motives for his coming, he had every reason to believe that her sympathies were with him, and that she would do what she could to further his hopes.

anything (such as a document or a phonograph record or a photograph) providing permanent evidence of or information about past events

From this reading Upon that, his own visits to Lady Elspeth naturally became still more frequent than before,--approximating even, as she had said, the record of the milkman,--and, though his dear old friend might rate him gently as to the motives for his coming, he had every reason to believe that her sympathies were with him, and that she would do what she could to further his hopes.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading Upon that, his own visits to Lady Elspeth naturally became still more frequent than before,--approximating even, as she had said, the record of the milkman,--and, though his dear old friend might rate him gently as to the motives for his coming, he had every reason to believe that her sympathies were with him, and that she would do what she could to further his hopes.

perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading Miss Brandt, you see, was always most graciously kind and charming whenever they met.

your consciousness of your own identity

From this reading But that was just her natural self.

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

From this reading Upon that, his own visits to Lady Elspeth naturally became still more frequent than before,--approximating even, as she had said, the record of the milkman,--and, though his dear old friend might rate him gently as to the motives for his coming, he had every reason to believe that her sympathies were with him, and that she would do what she could to further his hopes.

uttered through the medium of speech or characterized by speech; sometimes used in combination

From this reading He had never, however, openly discussed Margaret with her until that afternoon of which I have already spoken.

not in physical motion

From this reading Upon that, his own visits to Lady Elspeth naturally became still more frequent than before,--approximating even, as she had said, the record of the milkman,--and, though his dear old friend might rate him gently as to the motives for his coming, he had every reason to believe that her sympathies were with him, and that she would do what she could to further his hopes.

past form of “swamp” — drench or submerge or be drenched or submerged

From this reading She was charming and gracious to everyone--even to Charles Pixley, the while he swamped her with inane tittle-tattle, and higher proof of grace than that it would be difficult to imagine.

plural of “sympathy” — an inclination to support or be loyal to or to agree with an opinion

From this reading Upon that, his own visits to Lady Elspeth naturally became still more frequent than before,--approximating even, as she had said, the record of the milkman,--and, though his dear old friend might rate him gently as to the motives for his coming, he had every reason to believe that her sympathies were with him, and that she would do what she could to further his hopes.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading Upon that, his own visits to Lady Elspeth naturally became still more frequent than before,--approximating even, as she had said, the record of the milkman,--and, though his dear old friend might rate him gently as to the motives for his coming, he had every reason to believe that her sympathies were with him, and that she would do what she could to further his hopes.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Upon that, his own visits to Lady Elspeth naturally became still more frequent than before,--approximating even, as she had said, the record of the milkman,--and, though his dear old friend might rate him gently as to the motives for his coming, he had every reason to believe that her sympathies were with him, and that she would do what she could to further his hopes.

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

From this reading Upon that, his own visits to Lady Elspeth naturally became still more frequent than before,--approximating even, as she had said, the record of the milkman,--and, though his dear old friend might rate him gently as to the motives for his coming, he had every reason to believe that her sympathies were with him, and that she would do what she could to further his hopes.

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

From this reading Miss Brandt, you see, was always most graciously kind and charming whenever they met.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading Upon that, his own visits to Lady Elspeth naturally became still more frequent than before,--approximating even, as she had said, the record of the milkman,--and, though his dear old friend might rate him gently as to the motives for his coming, he had every reason to believe that her sympathies were with him, and that she would do what she could to further his hopes.

light informal conversation for social occasions

From this reading She was charming and gracious to everyone--even to Charles Pixley, the while he swamped her with inane tittle-tattle, and higher proof of grace than that it would be difficult to imagine.

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

From this reading Upon that, his own visits to Lady Elspeth naturally became still more frequent than before,--approximating even, as she had said, the record of the milkman,--and, though his dear old friend might rate him gently as to the motives for his coming, he had every reason to believe that her sympathies were with him, and that she would do what she could to further his hopes.

up to a particular time

From this reading He had never, however, openly discussed Margaret with her until that afternoon of which I have already spoken.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading Upon that, his own visits to Lady Elspeth naturally became still more frequent than before,--approximating even, as she had said, the record of the milkman,--and, though his dear old friend might rate him gently as to the motives for his coming, he had every reason to believe that her sympathies were with him, and that she would do what she could to further his hopes.

plural of “visit” — the act of going to see some person or place or thing for a short time

From this reading Upon that, his own visits to Lady Elspeth naturally became still more frequent than before,--approximating even, as she had said, the record of the milkman,--and, though his dear old friend might rate him gently as to the motives for his coming, he had every reason to believe that her sympathies were with him, and that she would do what she could to further his hopes.

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

From this reading Miss Brandt, you see, was always most graciously kind and charming whenever they met.

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

From this reading Upon that, his own visits to Lady Elspeth naturally became still more frequent than before,--approximating even, as she had said, the record of the milkman,--and, though his dear old friend might rate him gently as to the motives for his coming, he had every reason to believe that her sympathies were with him, and that she would do what she could to further his hopes.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading Upon that, his own visits to Lady Elspeth naturally became still more frequent than before,--approximating even, as she had said, the record of the milkman,--and, though his dear old friend might rate him gently as to the motives for his coming, he had every reason to believe that her sympathies were with him, and that she would do what she could to further his hopes.

at any time that; every time that

From this reading Miss Brandt, you see, was always most graciously kind and charming whenever they met.

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

From this reading He had never, however, openly discussed Margaret with her until that afternoon of which I have already spoken.

during the time that

From this reading She was charming and gracious to everyone--even to Charles Pixley, the while he swamped her with inane tittle-tattle, and higher proof of grace than that it would be difficult to imagine.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Upon that, his own visits to Lady Elspeth naturally became still more frequent than before,--approximating even, as she had said, the record of the milkman,--and, though his dear old friend might rate him gently as to the motives for his coming, he had every reason to believe that her sympathies were with him, and that she would do what she could to further his hopes.

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

From this reading Upon that, his own visits to Lady Elspeth naturally became still more frequent than before,--approximating even, as she had said, the record of the milkman,--and, though his dear old friend might rate him gently as to the motives for his coming, he had every reason to believe that her sympathies were with him, and that she would do what she could to further his hopes.

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading Miss Brandt, you see, was always most graciously kind and charming whenever they met.