Chapter I · Chapter 1

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

From this reading It was surely but a friendly act on his part to inform her of a matter so nearly concerning one who was dear to them both.

perform an action, or work out or perform (an action)

From this reading It was surely but a friendly act on his part to inform her of a matter so nearly concerning one who was dear to them both.

be able to spare or give up

From this reading In any case, it was the best he could do under the circumstances, and since he could not see her answer in her eyes or in her face, the words she would send him in reply would surely afford his quickened perceptions some indication of her feeling, though nothing to what her presence would have told him.

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

From this reading It took a considerable time, however, and the expenditure of much thought and ink and paper, before he succeeded in producing a letter in any degree to his liking.

react verbally

From this reading In any case, it was the best he could do under the circumstances, and since he could not see her answer in her eyes or in her face, the words she would send him in reply would surely afford his quickened perceptions some indication of her feeling, though nothing to what her presence would have told him.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading It took a considerable time, however, and the expenditure of much thought and ink and paper, before he succeeded in producing a letter in any degree to his liking.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Margaret was not to know that he knew of her call at Phillimore Gardens.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading It took a considerable time, however, and the expenditure of much thought and ink and paper, before he succeeded in producing a letter in any degree to his liking.

the supreme effort one can make

From this reading In any case, it was the best he could do under the circumstances, and since he could not see her answer in her eyes or in her face, the words she would send him in reply would surely afford his quickened perceptions some indication of her feeling, though nothing to what her presence would have told him.

the two together, not just one

From this reading It was surely but a friendly act on his part to inform her of a matter so nearly concerning one who was dear to them both.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading It was surely but a friendly act on his part to inform her of a matter so nearly concerning one who was dear to them both.

assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading Margaret was not to know that he knew of her call at Phillimore Gardens.

an occurrence of something

From this reading In any case, it was the best he could do under the circumstances, and since he could not see her answer in her eyes or in her face, the words she would send him in reply would surely afford his quickened perceptions some indication of her feeling, though nothing to what her presence would have told him.

your overall circumstances or condition in life (including everything that happens to you)

From this reading In any case, it was the best he could do under the circumstances, and since he could not see her answer in her eyes or in her face, the words she would send him in reply would surely afford his quickened perceptions some indication of her feeling, though nothing to what her presence would have told him.

-ing form of “concern” — be relevant to

From this reading It was surely but a friendly act on his part to inform her of a matter so nearly concerning one who was dear to them both.

large or relatively large in number or amount or extent or degree

From this reading It took a considerable time, however, and the expenditure of much thought and ink and paper, before he succeeded in producing a letter in any degree to his liking.

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

From this reading In any case, it was the best he could do under the circumstances, and since he could not see her answer in her eyes or in her face, the words she would send him in reply would surely afford his quickened perceptions some indication of her feeling, though nothing to what her presence would have told him.

dearly loved

From this reading It was surely but a friendly act on his part to inform her of a matter so nearly concerning one who was dear to them both.

make more intense, stronger, or more marked

From this reading And even when it was written many perusals only served to deepen his doubts.

a position on a scale of intensity or amount or quality

From this reading It took a considerable time, however, and the expenditure of much thought and ink and paper, before he succeeded in producing a letter in any degree to his liking.

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading In any case, it was the best he could do under the circumstances, and since he could not see her answer in her eyes or in her face, the words she would send him in reply would surely afford his quickened perceptions some indication of her feeling, though nothing to what her presence would have told him.

plural of “doubt” — the state of being unsure of something

From this reading And even when it was written many perusals only served to deepen his doubts.

divisible by two

From this reading And even when it was written many perusals only served to deepen his doubts.

money paid out; an amount spent

From this reading It took a considerable time, however, and the expenditure of much thought and ink and paper, before he succeeded in producing a letter in any degree to his liking.

opinion or judgment

From this reading In any case, it was the best he could do under the circumstances, and since he could not see her answer in her eyes or in her face, the words she would send him in reply would surely afford his quickened perceptions some indication of her feeling, though nothing to what her presence would have told him.

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

From this reading In any case, it was the best he could do under the circumstances, and since he could not see her answer in her eyes or in her face, the words she would send him in reply would surely afford his quickened perceptions some indication of her feeling, though nothing to what her presence would have told him.

the experiencing of affective and emotional states

From this reading In any case, it was the best he could do under the circumstances, and since he could not see her answer in her eyes or in her face, the words she would send him in reply would surely afford his quickened perceptions some indication of her feeling, though nothing to what her presence would have told him.

characteristic of or befitting a friend

From this reading It was surely but a friendly act on his part to inform her of a matter so nearly concerning one who was dear to them both.

plural of “garden” — a plot of ground where plants are cultivated

From this reading Margaret was not to know that he knew of her call at Phillimore Gardens.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading In any case, it was the best he could do under the circumstances, and since he could not see her answer in her eyes or in her face, the words she would send him in reply would surely afford his quickened perceptions some indication of her feeling, though nothing to what her presence would have told him.

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

From this reading Margaret was not to know that he knew of her call at Phillimore Gardens.

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

From this reading Margaret was not to know that he knew of her call at Phillimore Gardens.

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

From this reading In any case, it was the best he could do under the circumstances, and since he could not see her answer in her eyes or in her face, the words she would send him in reply would surely afford his quickened perceptions some indication of her feeling, though nothing to what her presence would have told him.

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

From this reading It was surely but a friendly act on his part to inform her of a matter so nearly concerning one who was dear to them both.

used to add a contrasting statement

From this reading It took a considerable time, however, and the expenditure of much thought and ink and paper, before he succeeded in producing a letter in any degree to his liking.

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

From this reading It took a considerable time, however, and the expenditure of much thought and ink and paper, before he succeeded in producing a letter in any degree to his liking.

something that serves to indicate or suggest

From this reading In any case, it was the best he could do under the circumstances, and since he could not see her answer in her eyes or in her face, the words she would send him in reply would surely afford his quickened perceptions some indication of her feeling, though nothing to what her presence would have told him.

impart knowledge of some fact, state of affairs, or event to

From this reading It was surely but a friendly act on his part to inform her of a matter so nearly concerning one who was dear to them both.

a liquid used for printing or writing or drawing

From this reading It took a considerable time, however, and the expenditure of much thought and ink and paper, before he succeeded in producing a letter in any degree to his liking.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was surely but a friendly act on his part to inform her of a matter so nearly concerning one who was dear to them both.

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

From this reading Margaret was not to know that he knew of her call at Phillimore Gardens.

be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about

From this reading Margaret was not to know that he knew of her call at Phillimore Gardens.

a written message addressed to a person or organization

From this reading It took a considerable time, however, and the expenditure of much thought and ink and paper, before he succeeded in producing a letter in any degree to his liking.

a feeling of pleasure and enjoyment

From this reading It took a considerable time, however, and the expenditure of much thought and ink and paper, before he succeeded in producing a letter in any degree to his liking.

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 And even when it was written many perusals only served to deepen his doubts.

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

From this reading Margaret was not to know that he knew of her call at Phillimore Gardens.

a vaguely specified concern

From this reading It was surely but a friendly act on his part to inform her of a matter so nearly concerning one who was dear to them both.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading It took a considerable time, however, and the expenditure of much thought and ink and paper, before he succeeded in producing a letter in any degree to his liking.

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

From this reading It was surely but a friendly act on his part to inform her of a matter so nearly concerning one who was dear to them both.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Margaret was not to know that he knew of her call at Phillimore Gardens.

not one thing; not anything

From this reading In any case, it was the best he could do under the circumstances, and since he could not see her answer in her eyes or in her face, the words she would send him in reply would surely afford his quickened perceptions some indication of her feeling, though nothing to what her presence would have told him.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Margaret was not to know that he knew of her call at Phillimore Gardens.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading It was surely but a friendly act on his part to inform her of a matter so nearly concerning one who was dear to them both.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading It was surely but a friendly act on his part to inform her of a matter so nearly concerning one who was dear to them both.

and nothing more

From this reading And even when it was written many perusals only served to deepen his doubts.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading In any case, it was the best he could do under the circumstances, and since he could not see her answer in her eyes or in her face, the words she would send him in reply would surely afford his quickened perceptions some indication of her feeling, though nothing to what her presence would have told him.

a material made of cellulose pulp derived mainly from wood or rags or certain grasses

From this reading It took a considerable time, however, and the expenditure of much thought and ink and paper, before he succeeded in producing a letter in any degree to his liking.

something determined in relation to something that includes it

From this reading It was surely but a friendly act on his part to inform her of a matter so nearly concerning one who was dear to them both.

plural of “perception” — the representation of what is perceived; basic component in the formation of a concept

From this reading In any case, it was the best he could do under the circumstances, and since he could not see her answer in her eyes or in her face, the words she would send him in reply would surely afford his quickened perceptions some indication of her feeling, though nothing to what her presence would have told him.

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

From this reading And even when it was written many perusals only served to deepen his doubts.

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

From this reading Margaret was not to know that he knew of her call at Phillimore Gardens.

the state of being present; current existence

From this reading In any case, it was the best he could do under the circumstances, and since he could not see her answer in her eyes or in her face, the words she would send him in reply would surely afford his quickened perceptions some indication of her feeling, though nothing to what her presence would have told him.

-ing form of “produce” — bring forth or yield

From this reading It took a considerable time, however, and the expenditure of much thought and ink and paper, before he succeeded in producing a letter in any degree to his liking.

past form of “quicken” — move faster

From this reading In any case, it was the best he could do under the circumstances, and since he could not see her answer in her eyes or in her face, the words she would send him in reply would surely afford his quickened perceptions some indication of her feeling, though nothing to what her presence would have told him.

a statement (either spoken or written) that is made to reply to a question or request or criticism or accusation

From this reading In any case, it was the best he could do under the circumstances, and since he could not see her answer in her eyes or in her face, the words she would send him in reply would surely afford his quickened perceptions some indication of her feeling, though nothing to what her presence would have told him.

perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading In any case, it was the best he could do under the circumstances, and since he could not see her answer in her eyes or in her face, the words she would send him in reply would surely afford his quickened perceptions some indication of her feeling, though nothing to what her presence would have told him.

cause to go somewhere

From this reading In any case, it was the best he could do under the circumstances, and since he could not see her answer in her eyes or in her face, the words she would send him in reply would surely afford his quickened perceptions some indication of her feeling, though nothing to what her presence would have told him.

past form of “serve” — serve a purpose, role, or function

From this reading And even when it was written many perusals only served to deepen his doubts.

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

From this reading In any case, it was the best he could do under the circumstances, and since he could not see her answer in her eyes or in her face, the words she would send him in reply would surely afford his quickened perceptions some indication of her feeling, though nothing to what her presence would have told him.

from a time in the past until now

From this reading In any case, it was the best he could do under the circumstances, and since he could not see her answer in her eyes or in her face, the words she would send him in reply would surely afford his quickened perceptions some indication of her feeling, though nothing to what her presence would have told him.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading It was surely but a friendly act on his part to inform her of a matter so nearly concerning one who was dear to them both.

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

From this reading In any case, it was the best he could do under the circumstances, and since he could not see her answer in her eyes or in her face, the words she would send him in reply would surely afford his quickened perceptions some indication of her feeling, though nothing to what her presence would have told him.

past form of “succeed” — attain success or reach a desired goal

From this reading It took a considerable time, however, and the expenditure of much thought and ink and paper, before he succeeded in producing a letter in any degree to his liking.

definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)

From this reading It was surely but a friendly act on his part to inform her of a matter so nearly concerning one who was dear to them both.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Margaret was not to know that he knew of her call at Phillimore Gardens.

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

From this reading It took a considerable time, however, and the expenditure of much thought and ink and paper, before he succeeded in producing a letter in any degree to his liking.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading It was surely but a friendly act on his part to inform her of a matter so nearly concerning one who was dear to them both.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading In any case, it was the best he could do under the circumstances, and since he could not see her answer in her eyes or in her face, the words she would send him in reply would surely afford his quickened perceptions some indication of her feeling, though nothing to what her presence would have told him.

the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about

From this reading It took a considerable time, however, and the expenditure of much thought and ink and paper, before he succeeded in producing a letter in any degree to his liking.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading It took a considerable time, however, and the expenditure of much thought and ink and paper, before he succeeded in producing a letter in any degree to his liking.

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

From this reading Margaret was not to know that he knew of her call at Phillimore Gardens.

inflected form of “tell” — express in words

From this reading In any case, it was the best he could do under the circumstances, and since he could not see her answer in her eyes or in her face, the words she would send him in reply would surely afford his quickened perceptions some indication of her feeling, though nothing to what her presence would have told him.

inflected form of “take” — carry out

From this reading It took a considerable time, however, and the expenditure of much thought and ink and paper, before he succeeded in producing a letter in any degree to his liking.

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading In any case, it was the best he could do under the circumstances, and since he could not see her answer in her eyes or in her face, the words she would send him in reply would surely afford his quickened perceptions some indication of her feeling, though nothing to what her presence would have told him.

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

From this reading Margaret was not to know that he knew of her call at Phillimore Gardens.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading In any case, it was the best he could do under the circumstances, and since he could not see her answer in her eyes or in her face, the words she would send him in reply would surely afford his quickened perceptions some indication of her feeling, though nothing to what her presence would have told him.

at the time that

From this reading And even when it was written many perusals only served to deepen his doubts.

which person or people

From this reading It was surely but a friendly act on his part to inform her of a matter so nearly concerning one who was dear to them both.

the words that are spoken

From this reading In any case, it was the best he could do under the circumstances, and since he could not see her answer in her eyes or in her face, the words she would send him in reply would surely afford his quickened perceptions some indication of her feeling, though nothing to what her presence would have told him.

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

From this reading In any case, it was the best he could do under the circumstances, and since he could not see her answer in her eyes or in her face, the words she would send him in reply would surely afford his quickened perceptions some indication of her feeling, though nothing to what her presence would have told him.

set down in writing in any of various ways

From this reading And even when it was written many perusals only served to deepen his doubts.