Chapter XV · The Foundling

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

From this reading “There must be times when he sits alone brooding over his boy and how different things might have been had he married a different type of woman,” remarked Eleanor, one evening, after leaving their new class-room.

(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something

From this reading “Yes; but it seems to me he should have been able to see through such a shallow thing as that woman must have been, when he returned from college and found her apparently waiting for him,” Polly replied.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading The sad story told the girls, about their friend Mr. Dalken, filled them with love and compassion for the great-hearted man, and they wondered how they could do _something_ for him that would not only show their appreciation of his kindness to them, but at the same time give him pleasure or happiness.

later than; following

From this reading “There must be times when he sits alone brooding over his boy and how different things might have been had he married a different type of woman,” remarked Eleanor, one evening, after leaving their new class-room.

Having no one else present.

From this reading “There must be times when he sits alone brooding over his boy and how different things might have been had he married a different type of woman,” remarked Eleanor, one evening, after leaving their new class-room.

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

From this reading The sad story told the girls, about their friend Mr. Dalken, filled them with love and compassion for the great-hearted man, and they wondered how they could do _something_ for him that would not only show their appreciation of his kindness to them, but at the same time give him pleasure or happiness.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading “But he’s so tender-hearted, you see, he couldn’t bear to give her any pain or trouble.

from appearances alone

From this reading “Yes; but it seems to me he should have been able to see through such a shallow thing as that woman must have been, when he returned from college and found her apparently waiting for him,” Polly replied.

understanding of the nature or meaning or quality or magnitude of something

From this reading The sad story told the girls, about their friend Mr. Dalken, filled them with love and compassion for the great-hearted man, and they wondered how they could do _something_ for him that would not only show their appreciation of his kindness to them, but at the same time give him pleasure or happiness.

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

From this reading “Yes; but it seems to me he should have been able to see through such a shallow thing as that woman must have been, when he returned from college and found her apparently waiting for him,” Polly replied.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading The sad story told the girls, about their friend Mr. Dalken, filled them with love and compassion for the great-hearted man, and they wondered how they could do _something_ for him that would not only show their appreciation of his kindness to them, but at the same time give him pleasure or happiness.

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

From this reading “There must be times when he sits alone brooding over his boy and how different things might have been had he married a different type of woman,” remarked Eleanor, one evening, after leaving their new class-room.

have

From this reading “But he’s so tender-hearted, you see, he couldn’t bear to give her any pain or trouble.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “There must be times when he sits alone brooding over his boy and how different things might have been had he married a different type of woman,” remarked Eleanor, one evening, after leaving their new class-room.

a youthful male person

From this reading “There must be times when he sits alone brooding over his boy and how different things might have been had he married a different type of woman,” remarked Eleanor, one evening, after leaving their new class-room.

sitting on eggs so as to hatch them by the warmth of the body

From this reading “There must be times when he sits alone brooding over his boy and how different things might have been had he married a different type of woman,” remarked Eleanor, one evening, after leaving their new class-room.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading The sad story told the girls, about their friend Mr. Dalken, filled them with love and compassion for the great-hearted man, and they wondered how they could do _something_ for him that would not only show their appreciation of his kindness to them, but at the same time give him pleasure or happiness.

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

From this reading “There must be times when he sits alone brooding over his boy and how different things might have been had he married a different type of woman,” remarked Eleanor, one evening, after leaving their new class-room.

the body of faculty and students of a college

From this reading “Yes; but it seems to me he should have been able to see through such a shallow thing as that woman must have been, when he returned from college and found her apparently waiting for him,” Polly replied.

a deep awareness of and sympathy for another's suffering

From this reading The sad story told the girls, about their friend Mr. Dalken, filled them with love and compassion for the great-hearted man, and they wondered how they could do _something_ for him that would not only show their appreciation of his kindness to them, but at the same time give him pleasure or happiness.

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

From this reading The sad story told the girls, about their friend Mr. Dalken, filled them with love and compassion for the great-hearted man, and they wondered how they could do _something_ for him that would not only show their appreciation of his kindness to them, but at the same time give him pleasure or happiness.

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

From this reading “But he’s so tender-hearted, you see, he couldn’t bear to give her any pain or trouble.

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

From this reading The sad story told the girls, about their friend Mr. Dalken, filled them with love and compassion for the great-hearted man, and they wondered how they could do _something_ for him that would not only show their appreciation of his kindness to them, but at the same time give him pleasure or happiness.

unlike in nature or quality or form or degree

From this reading “There must be times when he sits alone brooding over his boy and how different things might have been had he married a different type of woman,” remarked Eleanor, one evening, after leaving their new class-room.

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading The sad story told the girls, about their friend Mr. Dalken, filled them with love and compassion for the great-hearted man, and they wondered how they could do _something_ for him that would not only show their appreciation of his kindness to them, but at the same time give him pleasure or happiness.

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

From this reading “There must be times when he sits alone brooding over his boy and how different things might have been had he married a different type of woman,” remarked Eleanor, one evening, after leaving their new class-room.

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

From this reading “There must be times when he sits alone brooding over his boy and how different things might have been had he married a different type of woman,” remarked Eleanor, one evening, after leaving their new class-room.

(usually followed by “with” or used as a combining form) generously supplied with

From this reading The sad story told the girls, about their friend Mr. Dalken, filled them with love and compassion for the great-hearted man, and they wondered how they could do _something_ for him that would not only show their appreciation of his kindness to them, but at the same time give him pleasure or happiness.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading The sad story told the girls, about their friend Mr. Dalken, filled them with love and compassion for the great-hearted man, and they wondered how they could do _something_ for him that would not only show their appreciation of his kindness to them, but at the same time give him pleasure or happiness.

set up or found

From this reading “Yes; but it seems to me he should have been able to see through such a shallow thing as that woman must have been, when he returned from college and found her apparently waiting for him,” Polly replied.

a person you know well and regard with affection and trust

From this reading The sad story told the girls, about their friend Mr. Dalken, filled them with love and compassion for the great-hearted man, and they wondered how they could do _something_ for him that would not only show their appreciation of his kindness to them, but at the same time give him pleasure or happiness.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading “Yes; but it seems to me he should have been able to see through such a shallow thing as that woman must have been, when he returned from college and found her apparently waiting for him,” Polly replied.

plural of “girl” — a young female

From this reading The sad story told the girls, about their friend Mr. Dalken, filled them with love and compassion for the great-hearted man, and they wondered how they could do _something_ for him that would not only show their appreciation of his kindness to them, but at the same time give him pleasure or happiness.

cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense

From this reading The sad story told the girls, about their friend Mr. Dalken, filled them with love and compassion for the great-hearted man, and they wondered how they could do _something_ for him that would not only show their appreciation of his kindness to them, but at the same time give him pleasure or happiness.

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

From this reading The sad story told the girls, about their friend Mr. Dalken, filled them with love and compassion for the great-hearted man, and they wondered how they could do _something_ for him that would not only show their appreciation of his kindness to them, but at the same time give him pleasure or happiness.

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

From this reading “There must be times when he sits alone brooding over his boy and how different things might have been had he married a different type of woman,” remarked Eleanor, one evening, after leaving their new class-room.

state of well-being characterized by emotions ranging from contentment to intense joy

From this reading The sad story told the girls, about their friend Mr. Dalken, filled them with love and compassion for the great-hearted man, and they wondered how they could do _something_ for him that would not only show their appreciation of his kindness to them, but at the same time give him pleasure or happiness.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading “There must be times when he sits alone brooding over his boy and how different things might have been had he married a different type of woman,” remarked Eleanor, one evening, after leaving their new class-room.

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

From this reading But there seemed no material thing that he needed, and really, nothing that one could do for him.

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

From this reading “But he’s so tender-hearted, you see, he couldn’t bear to give her any pain or trouble.

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

From this reading “Yes; but it seems to me he should have been able to see through such a shallow thing as that woman must have been, when he returned from college and found her apparently waiting for him,” Polly replied.

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

From this reading The sad story told the girls, about their friend Mr. Dalken, filled them with love and compassion for the great-hearted man, and they wondered how they could do _something_ for him that would not only show their appreciation of his kindness to them, but at the same time give him pleasure or happiness.

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

From this reading The sad story told the girls, about their friend Mr. Dalken, filled them with love and compassion for the great-hearted man, and they wondered how they could do _something_ for him that would not only show their appreciation of his kindness to them, but at the same time give him pleasure or happiness.

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

From this reading The sad story told the girls, about their friend Mr. Dalken, filled them with love and compassion for the great-hearted man, and they wondered how they could do _something_ for him that would not only show their appreciation of his kindness to them, but at the same time give him pleasure or happiness.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading “Yes; but it seems to me he should have been able to see through such a shallow thing as that woman must have been, when he returned from college and found her apparently waiting for him,” Polly replied.

the quality of being warmhearted and considerate and humane and sympathetic

From this reading The sad story told the girls, about their friend Mr. Dalken, filled them with love and compassion for the great-hearted man, and they wondered how they could do _something_ for him that would not only show their appreciation of his kindness to them, but at the same time give him pleasure or happiness.

the act of departing

From this reading “There must be times when he sits alone brooding over his boy and how different things might have been had he married a different type of woman,” remarked Eleanor, one evening, after leaving their new class-room.

a strong positive emotion of regard and affection

From this reading The sad story told the girls, about their friend Mr. Dalken, filled them with love and compassion for the great-hearted man, and they wondered how they could do _something_ for him that would not only show their appreciation of his kindness to them, but at the same time give him pleasure or happiness.

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

From this reading The sad story told the girls, about their friend Mr. Dalken, filled them with love and compassion for the great-hearted man, and they wondered how they could do _something_ for him that would not only show their appreciation of his kindness to them, but at the same time give him pleasure or happiness.

joined in matrimony

From this reading “There must be times when he sits alone brooding over his boy and how different things might have been had he married a different type of woman,” remarked Eleanor, one evening, after leaving their new class-room.

concerned with worldly rather than spiritual interests

From this reading But there seemed no material thing that he needed, and really, nothing that one could do for him.

the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading “Yes; but it seems to me he should have been able to see through such a shallow thing as that woman must have been, when he returned from college and found her apparently waiting for him,” Polly replied.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading “There must be times when he sits alone brooding over his boy and how different things might have been had he married a different type of woman,” remarked Eleanor, one evening, after leaving their new class-room.

a form of address for a man

From this reading The sad story told the girls, about their friend Mr. Dalken, filled them with love and compassion for the great-hearted man, and they wondered how they could do _something_ for him that would not only show their appreciation of his kindness to them, but at the same time give him pleasure or happiness.

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading “There must be times when he sits alone brooding over his boy and how different things might have been had he married a different type of woman,” remarked Eleanor, one evening, after leaving their new class-room.

necessary for relief or supply

From this reading But there seemed no material thing that he needed, and really, nothing that one could do for him.

not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered

From this reading “There must be times when he sits alone brooding over his boy and how different things might have been had he married a different type of woman,” remarked Eleanor, one evening, after leaving their new class-room.

not any; not one

From this reading But there seemed no material thing that he needed, and really, nothing that one could do for him.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading The sad story told the girls, about their friend Mr. Dalken, filled them with love and compassion for the great-hearted man, and they wondered how they could do _something_ for him that would not only show their appreciation of his kindness to them, but at the same time give him pleasure or happiness.

not one thing; not anything

From this reading But there seemed no material thing that he needed, and really, nothing that one could do for him.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The sad story told the girls, about their friend Mr. Dalken, filled them with love and compassion for the great-hearted man, and they wondered how they could do _something_ for him that would not only show their appreciation of his kindness to them, but at the same time give him pleasure or happiness.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading But there seemed no material thing that he needed, and really, nothing that one could do for him.

and nothing more

From this reading The sad story told the girls, about their friend Mr. Dalken, filled them with love and compassion for the great-hearted man, and they wondered how they could do _something_ for him that would not only show their appreciation of his kindness to them, but at the same time give him pleasure or happiness.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading The sad story told the girls, about their friend Mr. Dalken, filled them with love and compassion for the great-hearted man, and they wondered how they could do _something_ for him that would not only show their appreciation of his kindness to them, but at the same time give him pleasure or happiness.

above and across; more than

From this reading “There must be times when he sits alone brooding over his boy and how different things might have been had he married a different type of woman,” remarked Eleanor, one evening, after leaving their new class-room.

a symptom of some physical hurt or disorder

From this reading “But he’s so tender-hearted, you see, he couldn’t bear to give her any pain or trouble.

a fundamental feeling that is hard to define but that people desire to experience

From this reading The sad story told the girls, about their friend Mr. Dalken, filled them with love and compassion for the great-hearted man, and they wondered how they could do _something_ for him that would not only show their appreciation of his kindness to them, but at the same time give him pleasure or happiness.

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

From this reading “Yes; but it seems to me he should have been able to see through such a shallow thing as that woman must have been, when he returned from college and found her apparently waiting for him,” Polly replied.

in accordance with truth or fact or reality

From this reading But there seemed no material thing that he needed, and really, nothing that one could do for him.

past form of “remark” — make mention of

From this reading “There must be times when he sits alone brooding over his boy and how different things might have been had he married a different type of woman,” remarked Eleanor, one evening, after leaving their new class-room.

inflected form of “reply” — react verbally

From this reading “Yes; but it seems to me he should have been able to see through such a shallow thing as that woman must have been, when he returned from college and found her apparently waiting for him,” Polly replied.

past form of “return” — go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before

From this reading “Yes; but it seems to me he should have been able to see through such a shallow thing as that woman must have been, when he returned from college and found her apparently waiting for him,” Polly replied.

experiencing or showing sorrow or unhappiness

From this reading The sad story told the girls, about their friend Mr. Dalken, filled them with love and compassion for the great-hearted man, and they wondered how they could do _something_ for him that would not only show their appreciation of his kindness to them, but at the same time give him pleasure or happiness.

Identical; not different.

From this reading The sad story told the girls, about their friend Mr. Dalken, filled them with love and compassion for the great-hearted man, and they wondered how they could do _something_ for him that would not only show their appreciation of his kindness to them, but at the same time give him pleasure or happiness.

perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading “Yes; but it seems to me he should have been able to see through such a shallow thing as that woman must have been, when he returned from college and found her apparently waiting for him,” Polly replied.

past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading But there seemed no material thing that he needed, and really, nothing that one could do for him.

third-person singular of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading “Yes; but it seems to me he should have been able to see through such a shallow thing as that woman must have been, when he returned from college and found her apparently waiting for him,” Polly replied.

lacking physical depth; having little spatial extension downward or inward from an outer surface or backward or outward from a center

From this reading “Yes; but it seems to me he should have been able to see through such a shallow thing as that woman must have been, when he returned from college and found her apparently waiting for him,” Polly replied.

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading “Yes; but it seems to me he should have been able to see through such a shallow thing as that woman must have been, when he returned from college and found her apparently waiting for him,” Polly replied.

give an exhibition of to an interested audience

From this reading The sad story told the girls, about their friend Mr. Dalken, filled them with love and compassion for the great-hearted man, and they wondered how they could do _something_ for him that would not only show their appreciation of his kindness to them, but at the same time give him pleasure or happiness.

third-person singular of “sit” — be seated

From this reading “There must be times when he sits alone brooding over his boy and how different things might have been had he married a different type of woman,” remarked Eleanor, one evening, after leaving their new class-room.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading “But he’s so tender-hearted, you see, he couldn’t bear to give her any pain or trouble.

a thing, without saying which

From this reading The sad story told the girls, about their friend Mr. Dalken, filled them with love and compassion for the great-hearted man, and they wondered how they could do _something_ for him that would not only show their appreciation of his kindness to them, but at the same time give him pleasure or happiness.

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

From this reading The sad story told the girls, about their friend Mr. Dalken, filled them with love and compassion for the great-hearted man, and they wondered how they could do _something_ for him that would not only show their appreciation of his kindness to them, but at the same time give him pleasure or happiness.

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading “Yes; but it seems to me he should have been able to see through such a shallow thing as that woman must have been, when he returned from college and found her apparently waiting for him,” Polly replied.

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

From this reading “But he’s so tender-hearted, you see, he couldn’t bear to give her any pain or trouble.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading The sad story told the girls, about their friend Mr. Dalken, filled them with love and compassion for the great-hearted man, and they wondered how they could do _something_ for him that would not only show their appreciation of his kindness to them, but at the same time give him pleasure or happiness.

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

From this reading The sad story told the girls, about their friend Mr. Dalken, filled them with love and compassion for the great-hearted man, and they wondered how they could do _something_ for him that would not only show their appreciation of his kindness to them, but at the same time give him pleasure or happiness.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading The sad story told the girls, about their friend Mr. Dalken, filled them with love and compassion for the great-hearted man, and they wondered how they could do _something_ for him that would not only show their appreciation of his kindness to them, but at the same time give him pleasure or happiness.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading The sad story told the girls, about their friend Mr. Dalken, filled them with love and compassion for the great-hearted man, and they wondered how they could do _something_ for him that would not only show their appreciation of his kindness to them, but at the same time give him pleasure or happiness.

in or at that place or location

From this reading But there seemed no material thing that he needed, and really, nothing that one could do for him.

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

From this reading The sad story told the girls, about their friend Mr. Dalken, filled them with love and compassion for the great-hearted man, and they wondered how they could do _something_ for him that would not only show their appreciation of his kindness to them, but at the same time give him pleasure or happiness.

a special situation

From this reading But there seemed no material thing that he needed, and really, nothing that one could do for him.

any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)

From this reading “There must be times when he sits alone brooding over his boy and how different things might have been had he married a different type of woman,” remarked Eleanor, one evening, after leaving their new class-room.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading “Yes; but it seems to me he should have been able to see through such a shallow thing as that woman must have been, when he returned from college and found her apparently waiting for him,” Polly replied.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading The sad story told the girls, about their friend Mr. Dalken, filled them with love and compassion for the great-hearted man, and they wondered how they could do _something_ for him that would not only show their appreciation of his kindness to them, but at the same time give him pleasure or happiness.

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

From this reading “There must be times when he sits alone brooding over his boy and how different things might have been had he married a different type of woman,” remarked Eleanor, one evening, after leaving their new class-room.

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

From this reading The sad story told the girls, about their friend Mr. Dalken, filled them with love and compassion for the great-hearted man, and they wondered how they could do _something_ for him that would not only show their appreciation of his kindness to them, but at the same time give him pleasure or happiness.

inflected form of “tell” — express in words

From this reading The sad story told the girls, about their friend Mr. Dalken, filled them with love and compassion for the great-hearted man, and they wondered how they could do _something_ for him that would not only show their appreciation of his kindness to them, but at the same time give him pleasure or happiness.

a source of difficulty

From this reading “But he’s so tender-hearted, you see, he couldn’t bear to give her any pain or trouble.

a subdivision of a particular kind of thing

From this reading “There must be times when he sits alone brooding over his boy and how different things might have been had he married a different type of woman,” remarked Eleanor, one evening, after leaving their new class-room.

the act of waiting (remaining inactive in one place while expecting something)

From this reading “Yes; but it seems to me he should have been able to see through such a shallow thing as that woman must have been, when he returned from college and found her apparently waiting for him,” Polly replied.

at the time that

From this reading “There must be times when he sits alone brooding over his boy and how different things might have been had he married a different type of woman,” remarked Eleanor, one evening, after leaving their new class-room.

in the company of; together with

From this reading The sad story told the girls, about their friend Mr. Dalken, filled them with love and compassion for the great-hearted man, and they wondered how they could do _something_ for him that would not only show their appreciation of his kindness to them, but at the same time give him pleasure or happiness.

an adult female person (as opposed to a man)

From this reading “There must be times when he sits alone brooding over his boy and how different things might have been had he married a different type of woman,” remarked Eleanor, one evening, after leaving their new class-room.

past form of “wonder” — have a wish or desire to know something

From this reading The sad story told the girls, about their friend Mr. Dalken, filled them with love and compassion for the great-hearted man, and they wondered how they could do _something_ for him that would not only show their appreciation of his kindness to them, but at the same time give him pleasure or happiness.

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

From this reading The sad story told the girls, about their friend Mr. Dalken, filled them with love and compassion for the great-hearted man, and they wondered how they could do _something_ for him that would not only show their appreciation of his kindness to them, but at the same time give him pleasure or happiness.

an affirmative

From this reading “Yes; but it seems to me he should have been able to see through such a shallow thing as that woman must have been, when he returned from college and found her apparently waiting for him,” Polly replied.

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading “But he’s so tender-hearted, you see, he couldn’t bear to give her any pain or trouble.