Chapter XX · Chapter 20

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

From this reading Anne was the nearest to him, and making yet a little advance, she instantly spoke.

move forward, also in the metaphorical sense

From this reading Anne was the nearest to him, and making yet a little advance, she instantly spoke.

anew

From this reading But hardly were they so settled, when the door opened again, and Captain Wentworth walked in alone.

(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 Sir Walter, his two daughters, and Mrs Clay, were the earliest of all their party at the rooms in the evening; and as Lady Dalrymple must be waited for, they took their station by one of the fires in the Octagon Room.

Having no one else present.

From this reading But hardly were they so settled, when the door opened again, and Captain Wentworth walked in alone.

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

From this reading Sir Walter, his two daughters, and Mrs Clay, were the earliest of all their party at the rooms in the evening; and as Lady Dalrymple must be waited for, they took their station by one of the fires in the Octagon Room.

Queen of England and Scotland and Ireland; daughter if James II and the last of the Stuart monarchs; in 1707 she was the last English ruler to exercise the royal veto over parliament (1665-1714)

From this reading Anne was the nearest to him, and making yet a little advance, she instantly spoke.

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

From this reading Sir Walter, his two daughters, and Mrs Clay, were the earliest of all their party at the rooms in the evening; and as Lady Dalrymple must be waited for, they took their station by one of the fires in the Octagon Room.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Sir Walter, his two daughters, and Mrs Clay, were the earliest of all their party at the rooms in the evening; and as Lady Dalrymple must be waited for, they took their station by one of the fires in the Octagon Room.

in or to or toward a former location

From this reading He was preparing only to bow and pass on, but her gentle “How do you do?” brought him out of the straight line to stand near her, and make enquiries in return, in spite of the formidable father and sister in the back ground.

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

From this reading Sir Walter, his two daughters, and Mrs Clay, were the earliest of all their party at the rooms in the evening; and as Lady Dalrymple must be waited for, they took their station by one of the fires in the Octagon Room.

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading Their being in the back ground was a support to Anne; she knew nothing of their looks, and felt equal to everything which she believed right to be done.

past form of “believe” — accept as true; take to be true

From this reading Their being in the back ground was a support to Anne; she knew nothing of their looks, and felt equal to everything which she believed right to be done.

a knot with two loops and loose ends; used to tie shoelaces

From this reading He was preparing only to bow and pass on, but her gentle “How do you do?” brought him out of the straight line to stand near her, and make enquiries in return, in spite of the formidable father and sister in the back ground.

inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere

From this reading He was preparing only to bow and pass on, but her gentle “How do you do?” brought him out of the straight line to stand near her, and make enquiries in return, in spite of the formidable father and sister in the back ground.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But hardly were they so settled, when the door opened again, and Captain Wentworth walked in alone.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Sir Walter, his two daughters, and Mrs Clay, were the earliest of all their party at the rooms in the evening; and as Lady Dalrymple must be waited for, they took their station by one of the fires in the Octagon Room.

an officer holding a rank below a major but above a lieutenant

From this reading But hardly were they so settled, when the door opened again, and Captain Wentworth walked in alone.

a very fine-grained soil that is plastic when moist but hard when fired

From this reading Sir Walter, his two daughters, and Mrs Clay, were the earliest of all their party at the rooms in the evening; and as Lady Dalrymple must be waited for, they took their station by one of the fires in the Octagon Room.

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

From this reading Sir Walter, his two daughters, and Mrs Clay, were the earliest of all their party at the rooms in the evening; and as Lady Dalrymple must be waited for, they took their station by one of the fires in the Octagon Room.

plural of “daughter” — a female human offspring

From this reading Sir Walter, his two daughters, and Mrs Clay, were the earliest of all their party at the rooms in the evening; and as Lady Dalrymple must be waited for, they took their station by one of the fires in the Octagon Room.

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading He was preparing only to bow and pass on, but her gentle “How do you do?” brought him out of the straight line to stand near her, and make enquiries in return, in spite of the formidable father and sister in the back ground.

having finished or arrived at completion

From this reading Their being in the back ground was a support to Anne; she knew nothing of their looks, and felt equal to everything which she believed right to be done.

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

From this reading But hardly were they so settled, when the door opened again, and Captain Wentworth walked in alone.

(comparative and superlative of “early”) more early than; most early

From this reading Sir Walter, his two daughters, and Mrs Clay, were the earliest of all their party at the rooms in the evening; and as Lady Dalrymple must be waited for, they took their station by one of the fires in the Octagon Room.

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

From this reading He was preparing only to bow and pass on, but her gentle “How do you do?” brought him out of the straight line to stand near her, and make enquiries in return, in spite of the formidable father and sister in the back ground.

be identical or equivalent to

From this reading Their being in the back ground was a support to Anne; she knew nothing of their looks, and felt equal to everything which she believed right to be done.

the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)

From this reading Sir Walter, his two daughters, and Mrs Clay, were the earliest of all their party at the rooms in the evening; and as Lady Dalrymple must be waited for, they took their station by one of the fires in the Octagon Room.

all things; all of a situation

From this reading Their being in the back ground was a support to Anne; she knew nothing of their looks, and felt equal to everything which she believed right to be done.

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

From this reading He was preparing only to bow and pass on, but her gentle “How do you do?” brought him out of the straight line to stand near her, and make enquiries in return, in spite of the formidable father and sister in the back ground.

mat together and make felt-like

From this reading Their being in the back ground was a support to Anne; she knew nothing of their looks, and felt equal to everything which she believed right to be done.

plural of “fire” — the event of something burning (often destructive)

From this reading Sir Walter, his two daughters, and Mrs Clay, were the earliest of all their party at the rooms in the evening; and as Lady Dalrymple must be waited for, they took their station by one of the fires in the Octagon Room.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Sir Walter, his two daughters, and Mrs Clay, were the earliest of all their party at the rooms in the evening; and as Lady Dalrymple must be waited for, they took their station by one of the fires in the Octagon Room.

extremely impressive in strength or excellence

From this reading He was preparing only to bow and pass on, but her gentle “How do you do?” brought him out of the straight line to stand near her, and make enquiries in return, in spite of the formidable father and sister in the back ground.

soft and mild; not harsh or stern or severe

From this reading He was preparing only to bow and pass on, but her gentle “How do you do?” brought him out of the straight line to stand near her, and make enquiries in return, in spite of the formidable father and sister in the back ground.

the solid part of the earth's surface

From this reading He was preparing only to bow and pass on, but her gentle “How do you do?” brought him out of the straight line to stand near her, and make enquiries in return, in spite of the formidable father and sister in the back ground.

only a very short time before

From this reading But hardly were they so settled, when the door opened again, and Captain Wentworth walked in alone.

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

From this reading He was preparing only to bow and pass on, but her gentle “How do you do?” brought him out of the straight line to stand near her, and make enquiries in return, in spite of the formidable father and sister in the back ground.

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

From this reading He was preparing only to bow and pass on, but her gentle “How do you do?” brought him out of the straight line to stand near her, and make enquiries in return, in spite of the formidable father and sister in the back ground.

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

From this reading Anne was the nearest to him, and making yet a little advance, she instantly spoke.

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

From this reading Sir Walter, his two daughters, and Mrs Clay, were the earliest of all their party at the rooms in the evening; and as Lady Dalrymple must be waited for, they took their station by one of the fires in the Octagon Room.

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

From this reading He was preparing only to bow and pass on, but her gentle “How do you do?” brought him out of the straight line to stand near her, and make enquiries in return, in spite of the formidable father and sister in the back ground.

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

From this reading Sir Walter, his two daughters, and Mrs Clay, were the earliest of all their party at the rooms in the evening; and as Lady Dalrymple must be waited for, they took their station by one of the fires in the Octagon Room.

without delay or hesitation; with no time intervening

From this reading Anne was the nearest to him, and making yet a little advance, she instantly spoke.

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 Their being in the back ground was a support to Anne; she knew nothing of their looks, and felt equal to everything which she believed right to be done.

a polite name for any woman

From this reading Sir Walter, his two daughters, and Mrs Clay, were the earliest of all their party at the rooms in the evening; and as Lady Dalrymple must be waited for, they took their station by one of the fires in the Octagon Room.

a formation of people or things one beside another

From this reading He was preparing only to bow and pass on, but her gentle “How do you do?” brought him out of the straight line to stand near her, and make enquiries in return, in spite of the formidable father and sister in the back ground.

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

From this reading Anne was the nearest to him, and making yet a little advance, she instantly spoke.

plural of “look” — the feelings expressed on a person's face

From this reading Their being in the back ground was a support to Anne; she knew nothing of their looks, and felt equal to everything which she believed right to be done.

engage in

From this reading He was preparing only to bow and pass on, but her gentle “How do you do?” brought him out of the straight line to stand near her, and make enquiries in return, in spite of the formidable father and sister in the back ground.

the act that results in something coming to be

From this reading Anne was the nearest to him, and making yet a little advance, she instantly spoke.

a form of address for a married woman

From this reading Sir Walter, his two daughters, and Mrs Clay, were the earliest of all their party at the rooms in the evening; and as Lady Dalrymple must be waited for, they took their station by one of the fires in the Octagon Room.

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading Sir Walter, his two daughters, and Mrs Clay, were the earliest of all their party at the rooms in the evening; and as Lady Dalrymple must be waited for, they took their station by one of the fires in the Octagon Room.

near in time or place or relationship

From this reading He was preparing only to bow and pass on, but her gentle “How do you do?” brought him out of the straight line to stand near her, and make enquiries in return, in spite of the formidable father and sister in the back ground.

(superlative of “near” or “close”) within the shortest distance

From this reading Anne was the nearest to him, and making yet a little advance, she instantly spoke.

not one thing; not anything

From this reading Their being in the back ground was a support to Anne; she knew nothing of their looks, and felt equal to everything which she believed right to be done.

an eight-sided polygon

From this reading Sir Walter, his two daughters, and Mrs Clay, were the earliest of all their party at the rooms in the evening; and as Lady Dalrymple must be waited for, they took their station by one of the fires in the Octagon Room.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Sir Walter, his two daughters, and Mrs Clay, were the earliest of all their party at the rooms in the evening; and as Lady Dalrymple must be waited for, they took their station by one of the fires in the Octagon Room.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading He was preparing only to bow and pass on, but her gentle “How do you do?” brought him out of the straight line to stand near her, and make enquiries in return, in spite of the formidable father and sister in the back ground.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Sir Walter, his two daughters, and Mrs Clay, were the earliest of all their party at the rooms in the evening; and as Lady Dalrymple must be waited for, they took their station by one of the fires in the Octagon Room.

and nothing more

From this reading He was preparing only to bow and pass on, but her gentle “How do you do?” brought him out of the straight line to stand near her, and make enquiries in return, in spite of the formidable father and sister in the back ground.

used of mouth or eyes

From this reading But hardly were they so settled, when the door opened again, and Captain Wentworth walked in alone.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading He was preparing only to bow and pass on, but her gentle “How do you do?” brought him out of the straight line to stand near her, and make enquiries in return, in spite of the formidable father and sister in the back ground.

an organization to gain political power

From this reading Sir Walter, his two daughters, and Mrs Clay, were the earliest of all their party at the rooms in the evening; and as Lady Dalrymple must be waited for, they took their station by one of the fires in the Octagon Room.

go across or through

From this reading He was preparing only to bow and pass on, but her gentle “How do you do?” brought him out of the straight line to stand near her, and make enquiries in return, in spite of the formidable father and sister in the back ground.

-ing form of “prepare” — make ready or suitable or equip in advance for a particular purpose or for some use, event, etc

From this reading He was preparing only to bow and pass on, but her gentle “How do you do?” brought him out of the straight line to stand near her, and make enquiries in return, in spite of the formidable father and sister in the back ground.

go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before

From this reading He was preparing only to bow and pass on, but her gentle “How do you do?” brought him out of the straight line to stand near her, and make enquiries in return, in spite of the formidable father and sister in the back ground.

precisely, exactly

From this reading Their being in the back ground was a support to Anne; she knew nothing of their looks, and felt equal to everything which she believed right to be done.

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

From this reading Sir Walter, his two daughters, and Mrs Clay, were the earliest of all their party at the rooms in the evening; and as Lady Dalrymple must be waited for, they took their station by one of the fires in the Octagon Room.

apartment consisting of a series of connected rooms used as a living unit (as in a hotel)

From this reading Sir Walter, his two daughters, and Mrs Clay, were the earliest of all their party at the rooms in the evening; and as Lady Dalrymple must be waited for, they took their station by one of the fires in the Octagon Room.

established or decided beyond dispute or doubt

From this reading But hardly were they so settled, when the door opened again, and Captain Wentworth walked in alone.

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

From this reading Anne was the nearest to him, and making yet a little advance, she instantly spoke.

term of address for a man

From this reading Sir Walter, his two daughters, and Mrs Clay, were the earliest of all their party at the rooms in the evening; and as Lady Dalrymple must be waited for, they took their station by one of the fires in the Octagon Room.

a female person who has the same parents as another person

From this reading He was preparing only to bow and pass on, but her gentle “How do you do?” brought him out of the straight line to stand near her, and make enquiries in return, in spite of the formidable father and sister in the back ground.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading But hardly were they so settled, when the door opened again, and Captain Wentworth walked in alone.

feeling a need to see others suffer

From this reading He was preparing only to bow and pass on, but her gentle “How do you do?” brought him out of the straight line to stand near her, and make enquiries in return, in spite of the formidable father and sister in the back ground.

support consisting of a radial member of a wheel joining the hub to the rim

From this reading Anne was the nearest to him, and making yet a little advance, she instantly spoke.

be standing; be upright

From this reading He was preparing only to bow and pass on, but her gentle “How do you do?” brought him out of the straight line to stand near her, and make enquiries in return, in spite of the formidable father and sister in the back ground.

a facility equipped with special equipment and personnel for a particular purpose

From this reading Sir Walter, his two daughters, and Mrs Clay, were the earliest of all their party at the rooms in the evening; and as Lady Dalrymple must be waited for, they took their station by one of the fires in the Octagon Room.

successive (without a break)

From this reading He was preparing only to bow and pass on, but her gentle “How do you do?” brought him out of the straight line to stand near her, and make enquiries in return, in spite of the formidable father and sister in the back ground.

the activity of providing for or maintaining by supplying with money or necessities

From this reading Their being in the back ground was a support to Anne; she knew nothing of their looks, and felt equal to everything which she believed right to be done.

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

From this reading Sir Walter, his two daughters, and Mrs Clay, were the earliest of all their party at the rooms in the evening; and as Lady Dalrymple must be waited for, they took their station by one of the fires in the Octagon Room.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Sir Walter, his two daughters, and Mrs Clay, were the earliest of all their party at the rooms in the evening; and as Lady Dalrymple must be waited for, they took their station by one of the fires in the Octagon Room.

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

From this reading Sir Walter, his two daughters, and Mrs Clay, were the earliest of all their party at the rooms in the evening; and as Lady Dalrymple must be waited for, they took their station by one of the fires in the Octagon Room.

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

From this reading Anne was the nearest to him, and making yet a little advance, she instantly spoke.

inflected form of “take” — carry out

From this reading Sir Walter, his two daughters, and Mrs Clay, were the earliest of all their party at the rooms in the evening; and as Lady Dalrymple must be waited for, they took their station by one of the fires in the Octagon Room.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number

From this reading Sir Walter, his two daughters, and Mrs Clay, were the earliest of all their party at the rooms in the evening; and as Lady Dalrymple must be waited for, they took their station by one of the fires in the Octagon Room.

past form of “wait” — stay in one place and anticipate or expect something

From this reading Sir Walter, his two daughters, and Mrs Clay, were the earliest of all their party at the rooms in the evening; and as Lady Dalrymple must be waited for, they took their station by one of the fires in the Octagon Room.

past form of “walk” — use one's feet to advance; advance by steps

From this reading But hardly were they so settled, when the door opened again, and Captain Wentworth walked in alone.

German conductor (1876-1962)

From this reading Sir Walter, his two daughters, and Mrs Clay, were the earliest of all their party at the rooms in the evening; and as Lady Dalrymple must be waited for, they took their station by one of the fires in the Octagon Room.

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

From this reading Anne was the nearest to him, and making yet a little advance, she instantly spoke.

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

From this reading But hardly were they so settled, when the door opened again, and Captain Wentworth walked in alone.

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

From this reading Sir Walter, his two daughters, and Mrs Clay, were the earliest of all their party at the rooms in the evening; and as Lady Dalrymple must be waited for, they took their station by one of the fires in the Octagon Room.

at the time that

From this reading But hardly were they so settled, when the door opened again, and Captain Wentworth walked in alone.

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

From this reading Their being in the back ground was a support to Anne; she knew nothing of their looks, and felt equal to everything which she believed right to be done.

but in spite of that

From this reading Anne was the nearest to him, and making yet a little advance, she instantly spoke.

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading He was preparing only to bow and pass on, but her gentle “How do you do?” brought him out of the straight line to stand near her, and make enquiries in return, in spite of the formidable father and sister in the back ground.