Chapter XXI

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

From this reading HOW PHOEBE DEFENDED THE HELPLESS For some time Phoebe had intended to make a study of the anonymous letters which Mr. Spaythe had lent her, so one morning when she was not likely to be disturbed she went to her room, took the letters from her desk and sat down to examine them carefully.

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

From this reading HOW PHOEBE DEFENDED THE HELPLESS For some time Phoebe had intended to make a study of the anonymous letters which Mr. Spaythe had lent her, so one morning when she was not likely to be disturbed she went to her room, took the letters from her desk and sat down to examine them carefully.

having no known name or identity or known source

From this reading HOW PHOEBE DEFENDED THE HELPLESS For some time Phoebe had intended to make a study of the anonymous letters which Mr. Spaythe had lent her, so one morning when she was not likely to be disturbed she went to her room, took the letters from her desk and sat down to examine them carefully.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading In the second letter received by Mr. Spaythe the word “mattress” was spelled “mattrass”; but that did not seem to her of any importance, for it was a likely error.

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

From this reading HOW PHOEBE DEFENDED THE HELPLESS For some time Phoebe had intended to make a study of the anonymous letters which Mr. Spaythe had lent her, so one morning when she was not likely to be disturbed she went to her room, took the letters from her desk and sat down to examine them carefully.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading In the second letter received by Mr. Spaythe the word “mattress” was spelled “mattrass”; but that did not seem to her of any importance, for it was a likely error.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading In the second letter received by Mr. Spaythe the word “mattress” was spelled “mattrass”; but that did not seem to her of any importance, for it was a likely error.

taking care or paying attention

From this reading HOW PHOEBE DEFENDED THE HELPLESS For some time Phoebe had intended to make a study of the anonymous letters which Mr. Spaythe had lent her, so one morning when she was not likely to be disturbed she went to her room, took the letters from her desk and sat down to examine them carefully.

make right or correct

From this reading The grammar was good enough and the spelling correct except for one word.

past form of “defend” — argue or speak in defense of

From this reading HOW PHOEBE DEFENDED THE HELPLESS For some time Phoebe had intended to make a study of the anonymous letters which Mr. Spaythe had lent her, so one morning when she was not likely to be disturbed she went to her room, took the letters from her desk and sat down to examine them carefully.

a piece of furniture with a writing surface and usually drawers or other compartments

From this reading HOW PHOEBE DEFENDED THE HELPLESS For some time Phoebe had intended to make a study of the anonymous letters which Mr. Spaythe had lent her, so one morning when she was not likely to be disturbed she went to her room, took the letters from her desk and sat down to examine them carefully.

the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives

From this reading In the second letter received by Mr. Spaythe the word “mattress” was spelled “mattrass”; but that did not seem to her of any importance, for it was a likely error.

having the place or position changed

From this reading HOW PHOEBE DEFENDED THE HELPLESS For some time Phoebe had intended to make a study of the anonymous letters which Mr. Spaythe had lent her, so one morning when she was not likely to be disturbed she went to her room, took the letters from her desk and sat down to examine them carefully.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading HOW PHOEBE DEFENDED THE HELPLESS For some time Phoebe had intended to make a study of the anonymous letters which Mr. Spaythe had lent her, so one morning when she was not likely to be disturbed she went to her room, took the letters from her desk and sat down to examine them carefully.

an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose

From this reading The grammar was good enough and the spelling correct except for one word.

a wrong action attributable to bad judgment or ignorance or inattention

From this reading In the second letter received by Mr. Spaythe the word “mattress” was spelled “mattrass”; but that did not seem to her of any importance, for it was a likely error.

consider in detail and subject to an analysis in order to discover essential features or meaning

From this reading HOW PHOEBE DEFENDED THE HELPLESS For some time Phoebe had intended to make a study of the anonymous letters which Mr. Spaythe had lent her, so one morning when she was not likely to be disturbed she went to her room, took the letters from her desk and sat down to examine them carefully.

apart from; not including

From this reading The grammar was good enough and the spelling correct except for one word.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading The handwriting was purposely made to sprawl this way and that, slanting first to the right and then to the left.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading HOW PHOEBE DEFENDED THE HELPLESS For some time Phoebe had intended to make a study of the anonymous letters which Mr. Spaythe had lent her, so one morning when she was not likely to be disturbed she went to her room, took the letters from her desk and sat down to examine them carefully.

referring to the first of two things or persons mentioned (or the earlier one or ones of several)

From this reading There was nothing to indicate that a woman rather than a man had written the letters, but Phoebe had reasons for guessing it was the former.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading HOW PHOEBE DEFENDED THE HELPLESS For some time Phoebe had intended to make a study of the anonymous letters which Mr. Spaythe had lent her, so one morning when she was not likely to be disturbed she went to her room, took the letters from her desk and sat down to examine them carefully.

having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified

From this reading The grammar was good enough and the spelling correct except for one word.

the branch of linguistics that deals with syntax and morphology (and sometimes also deals with semantics)

From this reading The grammar was good enough and the spelling correct except for one word.

an estimate based on little or no information

From this reading There was nothing to indicate that a woman rather than a man had written the letters, but Phoebe had reasons for guessing it was the former.

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

From this reading HOW PHOEBE DEFENDED THE HELPLESS For some time Phoebe had intended to make a study of the anonymous letters which Mr. Spaythe had lent her, so one morning when she was not likely to be disturbed she went to her room, took the letters from her desk and sat down to examine them carefully.

something written by hand

From this reading The handwriting was purposely made to sprawl this way and that, slanting first to the right and then to the left.

lacking in or deprived of strength or power

From this reading HOW PHOEBE DEFENDED THE HELPLESS For some time Phoebe had intended to make a study of the anonymous letters which Mr. Spaythe had lent her, so one morning when she was not likely to be disturbed she went to her room, took the letters from her desk and sat down to examine them carefully.

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

From this reading HOW PHOEBE DEFENDED THE HELPLESS For some time Phoebe had intended to make a study of the anonymous letters which Mr. Spaythe had lent her, so one morning when she was not likely to be disturbed she went to her room, took the letters from her desk and sat down to examine them carefully.

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

From this reading HOW PHOEBE DEFENDED THE HELPLESS For some time Phoebe had intended to make a study of the anonymous letters which Mr. Spaythe had lent her, so one morning when she was not likely to be disturbed she went to her room, took the letters from her desk and sat down to examine them carefully.

the quality of being important and worthy of note

From this reading In the second letter received by Mr. Spaythe the word “mattress” was spelled “mattrass”; but that did not seem to her of any importance, for it was a likely error.

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

From this reading In the second letter received by Mr. Spaythe the word “mattress” was spelled “mattrass”; but that did not seem to her of any importance, for it was a likely error.

be a signal for or a symptom of

From this reading There was nothing to indicate that a woman rather than a man had written the letters, but Phoebe had reasons for guessing it was the former.

resulting from one's intentions

From this reading HOW PHOEBE DEFENDED THE HELPLESS For some time Phoebe had intended to make a study of the anonymous letters which Mr. Spaythe had lent her, so one morning when she was not likely to be disturbed she went to her room, took the letters from her desk and sat down to examine them carefully.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading In the second letter received by Mr. Spaythe the word “mattress” was spelled “mattrass”; but that did not seem to her of any importance, for it was a likely error.

location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east

From this reading The handwriting was purposely made to sprawl this way and that, slanting first to the right and then to the left.

a period of 40 weekdays from Ash Wednesday to Holy Saturday

From this reading HOW PHOEBE DEFENDED THE HELPLESS For some time Phoebe had intended to make a study of the anonymous letters which Mr. Spaythe had lent her, so one morning when she was not likely to be disturbed she went to her room, took the letters from her desk and sat down to examine them carefully.

a written message addressed to a person or organization

From this reading In the second letter received by Mr. Spaythe the word “mattress” was spelled “mattrass”; but that did not seem to her of any importance, for it was a likely error.

the literary culture

From this reading HOW PHOEBE DEFENDED THE HELPLESS For some time Phoebe had intended to make a study of the anonymous letters which Mr. Spaythe had lent her, so one morning when she was not likely to be disturbed she went to her room, took the letters from her desk and sat down to examine them carefully.

has a good chance of being the case or of coming about

From this reading HOW PHOEBE DEFENDED THE HELPLESS For some time Phoebe had intended to make a study of the anonymous letters which Mr. Spaythe had lent her, so one morning when she was not likely to be disturbed she went to her room, took the letters from her desk and sat down to examine them carefully.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading The handwriting was purposely made to sprawl this way and that, slanting first to the right and then to the left.

engage in

From this reading HOW PHOEBE DEFENDED THE HELPLESS For some time Phoebe had intended to make a study of the anonymous letters which Mr. Spaythe had lent her, so one morning when she was not likely to be disturbed she went to her room, took the letters from her desk and sat down to examine them carefully.

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

From this reading There was nothing to indicate that a woman rather than a man had written the letters, but Phoebe had reasons for guessing it was the former.

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

From this reading In the second letter received by Mr. Spaythe the word “mattress” was spelled “mattrass”; but that did not seem to her of any importance, for it was a likely error.

a large thick pad filled with resilient material and often incorporating coiled springs, used as a bed or part of a bed

From this reading In the second letter received by Mr. Spaythe the word “mattress” was spelled “mattrass”; but that did not seem to her of any importance, for it was a likely error.

the time period between dawn and noon

From this reading HOW PHOEBE DEFENDED THE HELPLESS For some time Phoebe had intended to make a study of the anonymous letters which Mr. Spaythe had lent her, so one morning when she was not likely to be disturbed she went to her room, took the letters from her desk and sat down to examine them carefully.

a form of address for a man

From this reading HOW PHOEBE DEFENDED THE HELPLESS For some time Phoebe had intended to make a study of the anonymous letters which Mr. Spaythe had lent her, so one morning when she was not likely to be disturbed she went to her room, took the letters from her desk and sat down to examine them carefully.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading HOW PHOEBE DEFENDED THE HELPLESS For some time Phoebe had intended to make a study of the anonymous letters which Mr. Spaythe had lent her, so one morning when she was not likely to be disturbed she went to her room, took the letters from her desk and sat down to examine them carefully.

not one thing; not anything

From this reading There was nothing to indicate that a woman rather than a man had written the letters, but Phoebe had reasons for guessing it was the former.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading HOW PHOEBE DEFENDED THE HELPLESS For some time Phoebe had intended to make a study of the anonymous letters which Mr. Spaythe had lent her, so one morning when she was not likely to be disturbed she went to her room, took the letters from her desk and sat down to examine them carefully.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading HOW PHOEBE DEFENDED THE HELPLESS For some time Phoebe had intended to make a study of the anonymous letters which Mr. Spaythe had lent her, so one morning when she was not likely to be disturbed she went to her room, took the letters from her desk and sat down to examine them carefully.

the cardinal number that is the sum of four and one

From this reading HOW PHOEBE DEFENDED THE HELPLESS For some time Phoebe had intended to make a study of the anonymous letters which Mr. Spaythe had lent her, so one morning when she was not likely to be disturbed she went to her room, took the letters from her desk and sat down to examine them carefully.

with intention; in an intentional manner

From this reading The handwriting was purposely made to sprawl this way and that, slanting first to the right and then to the left.

on the contrary

From this reading There was nothing to indicate that a woman rather than a man had written the letters, but Phoebe had reasons for guessing it was the former.

plural of “reason” — a rational motive for a belief or action

From this reading There was nothing to indicate that a woman rather than a man had written the letters, but Phoebe had reasons for guessing it was the former.

conforming to the established language usage of educated native speakers

From this reading In the second letter received by Mr. Spaythe the word “mattress” was spelled “mattrass”; but that did not seem to her of any importance, for it was a likely error.

precisely, exactly

From this reading The handwriting was purposely made to sprawl this way and that, slanting first to the right and then to the left.

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

From this reading HOW PHOEBE DEFENDED THE HELPLESS For some time Phoebe had intended to make a study of the anonymous letters which Mr. Spaythe had lent her, so one morning when she was not likely to be disturbed she went to her room, took the letters from her desk and sat down to examine them carefully.

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

From this reading HOW PHOEBE DEFENDED THE HELPLESS For some time Phoebe had intended to make a study of the anonymous letters which Mr. Spaythe had lent her, so one morning when she was not likely to be disturbed she went to her room, took the letters from her desk and sat down to examine them carefully.

1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites

From this reading In the second letter received by Mr. Spaythe the word “mattress” was spelled “mattrass”; but that did not seem to her of any importance, for it was a likely error.

give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading In the second letter received by Mr. Spaythe the word “mattress” was spelled “mattrass”; but that did not seem to her of any importance, for it was a likely error.

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

From this reading HOW PHOEBE DEFENDED THE HELPLESS For some time Phoebe had intended to make a study of the anonymous letters which Mr. Spaythe had lent her, so one morning when she was not likely to be disturbed she went to her room, took the letters from her desk and sat down to examine them carefully.

having an oblique or slanted direction

From this reading The handwriting was purposely made to sprawl this way and that, slanting first to the right and then to the left.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading HOW PHOEBE DEFENDED THE HELPLESS For some time Phoebe had intended to make a study of the anonymous letters which Mr. Spaythe had lent her, so one morning when she was not likely to be disturbed she went to her room, took the letters from her desk and sat down to examine them carefully.

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

From this reading HOW PHOEBE DEFENDED THE HELPLESS For some time Phoebe had intended to make a study of the anonymous letters which Mr. Spaythe had lent her, so one morning when she was not likely to be disturbed she went to her room, took the letters from her desk and sat down to examine them carefully.

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

From this reading HOW PHOEBE DEFENDED THE HELPLESS For some time Phoebe had intended to make a study of the anonymous letters which Mr. Spaythe had lent her, so one morning when she was not likely to be disturbed she went to her room, took the letters from her desk and sat down to examine them carefully.

past form of “spell” — orally recite the letters of or give the spelling of

From this reading In the second letter received by Mr. Spaythe the word “mattress” was spelled “mattrass”; but that did not seem to her of any importance, for it was a likely error.

forming words with letters according to the principles underlying accepted usage

From this reading The grammar was good enough and the spelling correct except for one word.

sit or lie with one's limbs spread out

From this reading The handwriting was purposely made to sprawl this way and that, slanting first to the right and then to the left.

a detailed critical inspection

From this reading HOW PHOEBE DEFENDED THE HELPLESS For some time Phoebe had intended to make a study of the anonymous letters which Mr. Spaythe had lent her, so one morning when she was not likely to be disturbed she went to her room, took the letters from her desk and sat down to examine them carefully.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading There was nothing to indicate that a woman rather than a man had written the letters, but Phoebe had reasons for guessing it was the former.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading The handwriting was purposely made to sprawl this way and that, slanting first to the right and then to the left.

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

From this reading HOW PHOEBE DEFENDED THE HELPLESS For some time Phoebe had intended to make a study of the anonymous letters which Mr. Spaythe had lent her, so one morning when she was not likely to be disturbed she went to her room, took the letters from her desk and sat down to examine them carefully.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading HOW PHOEBE DEFENDED THE HELPLESS For some time Phoebe had intended to make a study of the anonymous letters which Mr. Spaythe had lent her, so one morning when she was not likely to be disturbed she went to her room, took the letters from her desk and sat down to examine them carefully.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading The handwriting was purposely made to sprawl this way and that, slanting first to the right and then to the left.

in or at that place or location

From this reading There was nothing to indicate that a woman rather than a man had written the letters, but Phoebe had reasons for guessing it was the former.

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

From this reading The handwriting was purposely made to sprawl this way and that, slanting first to the right and then to the left.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading HOW PHOEBE DEFENDED THE HELPLESS For some time Phoebe had intended to make a study of the anonymous letters which Mr. Spaythe had lent her, so one morning when she was not likely to be disturbed she went to her room, took the letters from her desk and sat down to examine them carefully.

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

From this reading HOW PHOEBE DEFENDED THE HELPLESS For some time Phoebe had intended to make a study of the anonymous letters which Mr. Spaythe had lent her, so one morning when she was not likely to be disturbed she went to her room, took the letters from her desk and sat down to examine them carefully.

inflected form of “take” — carry out

From this reading HOW PHOEBE DEFENDED THE HELPLESS For some time Phoebe had intended to make a study of the anonymous letters which Mr. Spaythe had lent her, so one morning when she was not likely to be disturbed she went to her room, took the letters from her desk and sat down to examine them carefully.

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

From this reading HOW PHOEBE DEFENDED THE HELPLESS For some time Phoebe had intended to make a study of the anonymous letters which Mr. Spaythe had lent her, so one morning when she was not likely to be disturbed she went to her room, took the letters from her desk and sat down to examine them carefully.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading The handwriting was purposely made to sprawl this way and that, slanting first to the right and then to the left.

inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading HOW PHOEBE DEFENDED THE HELPLESS For some time Phoebe had intended to make a study of the anonymous letters which Mr. Spaythe had lent her, so one morning when she was not likely to be disturbed she went to her room, took the letters from her desk and sat down to examine them carefully.

at the time that

From this reading HOW PHOEBE DEFENDED THE HELPLESS For some time Phoebe had intended to make a study of the anonymous letters which Mr. Spaythe had lent her, so one morning when she was not likely to be disturbed she went to her room, took the letters from her desk and sat down to examine them carefully.

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

From this reading HOW PHOEBE DEFENDED THE HELPLESS For some time Phoebe had intended to make a study of the anonymous letters which Mr. Spaythe had lent her, so one morning when she was not likely to be disturbed she went to her room, took the letters from her desk and sat down to examine them carefully.

an adult female person (as opposed to a man)

From this reading There was nothing to indicate that a woman rather than a man had written the letters, but Phoebe had reasons for guessing it was the former.

a unit of language that native speakers can identify

From this reading The grammar was good enough and the spelling correct except for one word.

set down in writing in any of various ways

From this reading There was nothing to indicate that a woman rather than a man had written the letters, but Phoebe had reasons for guessing it was the former.