Chapter XIV · Chapter 14

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

From this reading They had been brought home from foreign shores by an old uncle of the physician's, and now, ranged on their wide shelves, they gleamed out from a farther corner of the office in all the delicate tints of their wonderful family.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading The little girl wandered about the room, too full of vague dread to care for books, or even for the fine collection of sea shells, which usually she never tired of.

(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 They had been brought home from foreign shores by an old uncle of the physician's, and now, ranged on their wide shelves, they gleamed out from a farther corner of the office in all the delicate tints of their wonderful family.

at all times; all the time and on every occasion

From this reading But to-day Polly passed them by with only a sigh, remembering the happy times that she and David and Leonora had had in their close company, now playing that they were mermaids, come to tell them strange tales of the under-seas, now holding them to their ears, to catch the mysterious, fascinating songs of the ocean which they were always singing.

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading Polly's "Anne Sisters" Dr. Dudley's office was without an occupant when Polly peeped in.

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

From this reading The Doctor had not returned from dinner, and David had gone home for the rest of the day.

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 Polly's "Anne Sisters" Dr. Dudley's office was without an occupant when Polly peeped in.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading They had been brought home from foreign shores by an old uncle of the physician's, and now, ranged on their wide shelves, they gleamed out from a farther corner of the office in all the delicate tints of their wonderful family.

Bound written or printed works.

From this reading The little girl wandered about the room, too full of vague dread to care for books, or even for the fine collection of sea shells, which usually she never tired of.

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

From this reading They had been brought home from foreign shores by an old uncle of the physician's, and now, ranged on their wide shelves, they gleamed out from a farther corner of the office in all the delicate tints of their wonderful family.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But to-day Polly passed them by with only a sigh, remembering the happy times that she and David and Leonora had had in their close company, now playing that they were mermaids, come to tell them strange tales of the under-seas, now holding them to their ears, to catch the mysterious, fascinating songs of the ocean which they were always singing.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading They had been brought home from foreign shores by an old uncle of the physician's, and now, ranged on their wide shelves, they gleamed out from a farther corner of the office in all the delicate tints of their wonderful family.

the work of providing treatment for or attending to someone or something

From this reading The little girl wandered about the room, too full of vague dread to care for books, or even for the fine collection of sea shells, which usually she never tired of.

discover or come upon accidentally, suddenly, or unexpectedly; catch somebody doing something or in a certain state

From this reading But to-day Polly passed them by with only a sigh, remembering the happy times that she and David and Leonora had had in their close company, now playing that they were mermaids, come to tell them strange tales of the under-seas, now holding them to their ears, to catch the mysterious, fascinating songs of the ocean which they were always singing.

at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other

From this reading But to-day Polly passed them by with only a sigh, remembering the happy times that she and David and Leonora had had in their close company, now playing that they were mermaids, come to tell them strange tales of the under-seas, now holding them to their ears, to catch the mysterious, fascinating songs of the ocean which they were always singing.

several things grouped together or considered as a whole

From this reading The little girl wandered about the room, too full of vague dread to care for books, or even for the fine collection of sea shells, which usually she never tired of.

move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading But to-day Polly passed them by with only a sigh, remembering the happy times that she and David and Leonora had had in their close company, now playing that they were mermaids, come to tell them strange tales of the under-seas, now holding them to their ears, to catch the mysterious, fascinating songs of the ocean which they were always singing.

an institution created to conduct business

From this reading But to-day Polly passed them by with only a sigh, remembering the happy times that she and David and Leonora had had in their close company, now playing that they were mermaids, come to tell them strange tales of the under-seas, now holding them to their ears, to catch the mysterious, fascinating songs of the ocean which they were always singing.

a place off to the side of an area

From this reading They had been brought home from foreign shores by an old uncle of the physician's, and now, ranged on their wide shelves, they gleamed out from a farther corner of the office in all the delicate tints of their wonderful family.

patron saint of Wales (circa 520-600)

From this reading The Doctor had not returned from dinner, and David had gone home for the rest of the day.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading The Doctor had not returned from dinner, and David had gone home for the rest of the day.

exquisitely fine and subtle and pleasing; susceptible to injury

From this reading They had been brought home from foreign shores by an old uncle of the physician's, and now, ranged on their wide shelves, they gleamed out from a farther corner of the office in all the delicate tints of their wonderful family.

the main meal of the day served in the evening or at midday

From this reading The Doctor had not returned from dinner, and David had gone home for the rest of the day.

a licensed medical practitioner

From this reading The Doctor had not returned from dinner, and David had gone home for the rest of the day.

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

From this reading Polly's "Anne Sisters" Dr. Dudley's office was without an occupant when Polly peeped in.

fearful expectation or anticipation

From this reading The little girl wandered about the room, too full of vague dread to care for books, or even for the fine collection of sea shells, which usually she never tired of.

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

From this reading Polly's "Anne Sisters" Dr. Dudley's office was without an occupant when Polly peeped in.

plural of “ear” — the sense organ for hearing and equilibrium

From this reading But to-day Polly passed them by with only a sigh, remembering the happy times that she and David and Leonora had had in their close company, now playing that they were mermaids, come to tell them strange tales of the under-seas, now holding them to their ears, to catch the mysterious, fascinating songs of the ocean which they were always singing.

divisible by two

From this reading The little girl wandered about the room, too full of vague dread to care for books, or even for the fine collection of sea shells, which usually she never tired of.

a social unit living together

From this reading They had been brought home from foreign shores by an old uncle of the physician's, and now, ranged on their wide shelves, they gleamed out from a farther corner of the office in all the delicate tints of their wonderful family.

more distant in especially space or time

From this reading They had been brought home from foreign shores by an old uncle of the physician's, and now, ranged on their wide shelves, they gleamed out from a farther corner of the office in all the delicate tints of their wonderful family.

capable of arousing and holding the attention

From this reading But to-day Polly passed them by with only a sigh, remembering the happy times that she and David and Leonora had had in their close company, now playing that they were mermaids, come to tell them strange tales of the under-seas, now holding them to their ears, to catch the mysterious, fascinating songs of the ocean which they were always singing.

being satisfactory or in satisfactory condition

From this reading The little girl wandered about the room, too full of vague dread to care for books, or even for the fine collection of sea shells, which usually she never tired of.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading The Doctor had not returned from dinner, and David had gone home for the rest of the day.

of concern to or concerning the affairs of other nations (other than your own)

From this reading They had been brought home from foreign shores by an old uncle of the physician's, and now, ranged on their wide shelves, they gleamed out from a farther corner of the office in all the delicate tints of their wonderful family.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading The Doctor had not returned from dinner, and David had gone home for the rest of the day.

containing as much or as many as is possible or normal

From this reading The little girl wandered about the room, too full of vague dread to care for books, or even for the fine collection of sea shells, which usually she never tired of.

a young female

From this reading The little girl wandered about the room, too full of vague dread to care for books, or even for the fine collection of sea shells, which usually she never tired of.

past form of “gleam” — be shiny, as if wet

From this reading They had been brought home from foreign shores by an old uncle of the physician's, and now, ranged on their wide shelves, they gleamed out from a farther corner of the office in all the delicate tints of their wonderful family.

destroyed or killed

From this reading The Doctor had not returned from dinner, and David had gone home for the rest of the day.

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

From this reading The Doctor had not returned from dinner, and David had gone home for the rest of the day.

enjoying or showing or marked by joy or pleasure

From this reading But to-day Polly passed them by with only a sigh, remembering the happy times that she and David and Leonora had had in their close company, now playing that they were mermaids, come to tell them strange tales of the under-seas, now holding them to their ears, to catch the mysterious, fascinating songs of the ocean which they were always singing.

the act of retaining something

From this reading But to-day Polly passed them by with only a sigh, remembering the happy times that she and David and Leonora had had in their close company, now playing that they were mermaids, come to tell them strange tales of the under-seas, now holding them to their ears, to catch the mysterious, fascinating songs of the ocean which they were always singing.

where you live at a particular time

From this reading The Doctor had not returned from dinner, and David had gone home for the rest of the day.

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

From this reading Polly's "Anne Sisters" Dr. Dudley's office was without an occupant when Polly peeped in.

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

From this reading But to-day Polly passed them by with only a sigh, remembering the happy times that she and David and Leonora had had in their close company, now playing that they were mermaids, come to tell them strange tales of the under-seas, now holding them to their ears, to catch the mysterious, fascinating songs of the ocean which they were always singing.

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

From this reading The little girl wandered about the room, too full of vague dread to care for books, or even for the fine collection of sea shells, which usually she never tired of.

plural of “mermaid” — half woman and half fish; lives in the sea

From this reading But to-day Polly passed them by with only a sigh, remembering the happy times that she and David and Leonora had had in their close company, now playing that they were mermaids, come to tell them strange tales of the under-seas, now holding them to their ears, to catch the mysterious, fascinating songs of the ocean which they were always singing.

of an obscure nature

From this reading But to-day Polly passed them by with only a sigh, remembering the happy times that she and David and Leonora had had in their close company, now playing that they were mermaids, come to tell them strange tales of the under-seas, now holding them to their ears, to catch the mysterious, fascinating songs of the ocean which they were always singing.

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading The little girl wandered about the room, too full of vague dread to care for books, or even for the fine collection of sea shells, which usually she never tired of.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading The Doctor had not returned from dinner, and David had gone home for the rest of the day.

in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events

From this reading They had been brought home from foreign shores by an old uncle of the physician's, and now, ranged on their wide shelves, they gleamed out from a farther corner of the office in all the delicate tints of their wonderful family.

someone who lives at a particular place for a prolonged period or who was born there

From this reading Polly's "Anne Sisters" Dr. Dudley's office was without an occupant when Polly peeped in.

a large body of water constituting a principal part of the hydrosphere

From this reading But to-day Polly passed them by with only a sigh, remembering the happy times that she and David and Leonora had had in their close company, now playing that they were mermaids, come to tell them strange tales of the under-seas, now holding them to their ears, to catch the mysterious, fascinating songs of the ocean which they were always singing.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The Doctor had not returned from dinner, and David had gone home for the rest of the day.

place of business where professional or clerical duties are performed

From this reading Polly's "Anne Sisters" Dr. Dudley's office was without an occupant when Polly peeped in.

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

From this reading They had been brought home from foreign shores by an old uncle of the physician's, and now, ranged on their wide shelves, they gleamed out from a farther corner of the office in all the delicate tints of their wonderful family.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading They had been brought home from foreign shores by an old uncle of the physician's, and now, ranged on their wide shelves, they gleamed out from a farther corner of the office in all the delicate tints of their wonderful family.

and nothing more

From this reading But to-day Polly passed them by with only a sigh, remembering the happy times that she and David and Leonora had had in their close company, now playing that they were mermaids, come to tell them strange tales of the under-seas, now holding them to their ears, to catch the mysterious, fascinating songs of the ocean which they were always singing.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading The little girl wandered about the room, too full of vague dread to care for books, or even for the fine collection of sea shells, which usually she never tired of.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading They had been brought home from foreign shores by an old uncle of the physician's, and now, ranged on their wide shelves, they gleamed out from a farther corner of the office in all the delicate tints of their wonderful family.

past form of “pass” — go across or through

From this reading But to-day Polly passed them by with only a sigh, remembering the happy times that she and David and Leonora had had in their close company, now playing that they were mermaids, come to tell them strange tales of the under-seas, now holding them to their ears, to catch the mysterious, fascinating songs of the ocean which they were always singing.

past form of “peep” — look furtively

From this reading Polly's "Anne Sisters" Dr. Dudley's office was without an occupant when Polly peeped in.

possessive form of “physician” — a licensed medical practitioner

From this reading They had been brought home from foreign shores by an old uncle of the physician's, and now, ranged on their wide shelves, they gleamed out from a farther corner of the office in all the delicate tints of their wonderful family.

the act of playing a musical instrument

From this reading But to-day Polly passed them by with only a sigh, remembering the happy times that she and David and Leonora had had in their close company, now playing that they were mermaids, come to tell them strange tales of the under-seas, now holding them to their ears, to catch the mysterious, fascinating songs of the ocean which they were always singing.

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

From this reading Polly's "Anne Sisters" Dr. Dudley's office was without an occupant when Polly peeped in.

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

From this reading Polly's "Anne Sisters" Dr. Dudley's office was without an occupant when Polly peeped in.

past form of “range” — change or be different within limits

From this reading They had been brought home from foreign shores by an old uncle of the physician's, and now, ranged on their wide shelves, they gleamed out from a farther corner of the office in all the delicate tints of their wonderful family.

the cognitive processes whereby past experience is remembered

From this reading But to-day Polly passed them by with only a sigh, remembering the happy times that she and David and Leonora had had in their close company, now playing that they were mermaids, come to tell them strange tales of the under-seas, now holding them to their ears, to catch the mysterious, fascinating songs of the ocean which they were always singing.

not move; be in a resting position

From this reading The Doctor had not returned from dinner, and David had gone home for the rest of the day.

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

From this reading The Doctor had not returned from dinner, and David had gone home for the rest of the day.

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

From this reading The little girl wandered about the room, too full of vague dread to care for books, or even for the fine collection of sea shells, which usually she never tired of.

a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land

From this reading The little girl wandered about the room, too full of vague dread to care for books, or even for the fine collection of sea shells, which usually she never tired of.

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

From this reading The little girl wandered about the room, too full of vague dread to care for books, or even for the fine collection of sea shells, which usually she never tired of.

plural of “shell” — ammunition consisting of a cylindrical metal casing containing an explosive charge and a projectile; fired from a large gun

From this reading The little girl wandered about the room, too full of vague dread to care for books, or even for the fine collection of sea shells, which usually she never tired of.

Plural of shelf; the vast wooden or stone structures holding archives.

From this reading They had been brought home from foreign shores by an old uncle of the physician's, and now, ranged on their wide shelves, they gleamed out from a farther corner of the office in all the delicate tints of their wonderful family.

plural of “shore” — the land along the edge of a body of water

From this reading They had been brought home from foreign shores by an old uncle of the physician's, and now, ranged on their wide shelves, they gleamed out from a farther corner of the office in all the delicate tints of their wonderful family.

heave or utter a sigh; breathe deeply and heavily

From this reading But to-day Polly passed them by with only a sigh, remembering the happy times that she and David and Leonora had had in their close company, now playing that they were mermaids, come to tell them strange tales of the under-seas, now holding them to their ears, to catch the mysterious, fascinating songs of the ocean which they were always singing.

the act of singing vocal music

From this reading But to-day Polly passed them by with only a sigh, remembering the happy times that she and David and Leonora had had in their close company, now playing that they were mermaids, come to tell them strange tales of the under-seas, now holding them to their ears, to catch the mysterious, fascinating songs of the ocean which they were always singing.

plural of “sister” — a female person who has the same parents as another person

From this reading Polly's "Anne Sisters" Dr. Dudley's office was without an occupant when Polly peeped in.

plural of “song” — a short musical composition with words

From this reading But to-day Polly passed them by with only a sigh, remembering the happy times that she and David and Leonora had had in their close company, now playing that they were mermaids, come to tell them strange tales of the under-seas, now holding them to their ears, to catch the mysterious, fascinating songs of the ocean which they were always singing.

being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird

From this reading But to-day Polly passed them by with only a sigh, remembering the happy times that she and David and Leonora had had in their close company, now playing that they were mermaids, come to tell them strange tales of the under-seas, now holding them to their ears, to catch the mysterious, fascinating songs of the ocean which they were always singing.

plural of “tale” — 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 But to-day Polly passed them by with only a sigh, remembering the happy times that she and David and Leonora had had in their close company, now playing that they were mermaids, come to tell them strange tales of the under-seas, now holding them to their ears, to catch the mysterious, fascinating songs of the ocean which they were always singing.

express in words

From this reading But to-day Polly passed them by with only a sigh, remembering the happy times that she and David and Leonora had had in their close company, now playing that they were mermaids, come to tell them strange tales of the under-seas, now holding them to their ears, to catch the mysterious, fascinating songs of the ocean which they were always singing.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading But to-day Polly passed them by with only a sigh, remembering the happy times that she and David and Leonora had had in their close company, now playing that they were mermaids, come to tell them strange tales of the under-seas, now holding them to their ears, to catch the mysterious, fascinating songs of the ocean which they were always singing.

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

From this reading The Doctor had not returned from dinner, and David had gone home for the rest of the day.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading They had been brought home from foreign shores by an old uncle of the physician's, and now, ranged on their wide shelves, they gleamed out from a farther corner of the office in all the delicate tints of their wonderful family.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading But to-day Polly passed them by with only a sigh, remembering the happy times that she and David and Leonora had had in their close company, now playing that they were mermaids, come to tell them strange tales of the under-seas, now holding them to their ears, to catch the mysterious, fascinating songs of the ocean which they were always singing.

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

From this reading They had been brought home from foreign shores by an old uncle of the physician's, and now, ranged on their wide shelves, they gleamed out from a farther corner of the office in all the delicate tints of their wonderful family.

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

From this reading But to-day Polly passed them by with only a sigh, remembering the happy times that she and David and Leonora had had in their close company, now playing that they were mermaids, come to tell them strange tales of the under-seas, now holding them to their ears, to catch the mysterious, fascinating songs of the ocean which they were always singing.

plural of “tint” — a quality of a given color that differs slightly from another color

From this reading They had been brought home from foreign shores by an old uncle of the physician's, and now, ranged on their wide shelves, they gleamed out from a farther corner of the office in all the delicate tints of their wonderful family.

depleted of strength or energy

From this reading The little girl wandered about the room, too full of vague dread to care for books, or even for the fine collection of sea shells, which usually she never tired of.

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

From this reading The little girl wandered about the room, too full of vague dread to care for books, or even for the fine collection of sea shells, which usually she never tired of.

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

From this reading But to-day Polly passed them by with only a sigh, remembering the happy times that she and David and Leonora had had in their close company, now playing that they were mermaids, come to tell them strange tales of the under-seas, now holding them to their ears, to catch the mysterious, fascinating songs of the ocean which they were always singing.

to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits

From this reading The little girl wandered about the room, too full of vague dread to care for books, or even for the fine collection of sea shells, which usually she never tired of.

the brother of your father or mother; the husband of your aunt

From this reading They had been brought home from foreign shores by an old uncle of the physician's, and now, ranged on their wide shelves, they gleamed out from a farther corner of the office in all the delicate tints of their wonderful family.

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

From this reading But to-day Polly passed them by with only a sigh, remembering the happy times that she and David and Leonora had had in their close company, now playing that they were mermaids, come to tell them strange tales of the under-seas, now holding them to their ears, to catch the mysterious, fascinating songs of the ocean which they were always singing.

under normal conditions

From this reading The little girl wandered about the room, too full of vague dread to care for books, or even for the fine collection of sea shells, which usually she never tired of.

not clearly expressed or understood

From this reading The little girl wandered about the room, too full of vague dread to care for books, or even for the fine collection of sea shells, which usually she never tired of.

past form of “wander” — move about aimlessly or without any destination, often in search of food or employment

From this reading The little girl wandered about the room, too full of vague dread to care for books, or even for the fine collection of sea shells, which usually she never tired of.

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

From this reading Polly's "Anne Sisters" Dr. Dudley's office was without an occupant when Polly peeped in.

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

From this reading But to-day Polly passed them by with only a sigh, remembering the happy times that she and David and Leonora had had in their close company, now playing that they were mermaids, come to tell them strange tales of the under-seas, now holding them to their ears, to catch the mysterious, fascinating songs of the ocean which they were always singing.

at the time that

From this reading Polly's "Anne Sisters" Dr. Dudley's office was without an occupant when Polly peeped in.

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

From this reading The little girl wandered about the room, too full of vague dread to care for books, or even for the fine collection of sea shells, which usually she never tired of.

having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other

From this reading They had been brought home from foreign shores by an old uncle of the physician's, and now, ranged on their wide shelves, they gleamed out from a farther corner of the office in all the delicate tints of their wonderful family.

in the company of; together with

From this reading But to-day Polly passed them by with only a sigh, remembering the happy times that she and David and Leonora had had in their close company, now playing that they were mermaids, come to tell them strange tales of the under-seas, now holding them to their ears, to catch the mysterious, fascinating songs of the ocean which they were always singing.

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading Polly's "Anne Sisters" Dr. Dudley's office was without an occupant when Polly peeped in.

extraordinarily good or great; used especially as intensifiers

From this reading They had been brought home from foreign shores by an old uncle of the physician's, and now, ranged on their wide shelves, they gleamed out from a farther corner of the office in all the delicate tints of their wonderful family.