Chapter XI

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

From this reading It was quite late when the group that was gathered in the drawing-room dispersed that evening; but when the girls found themselves alone in their own room, which they were to share together, they sat down for a comfortable chat ere they retired.

Having no one else present.

From this reading It was quite late when the group that was gathered in the drawing-room dispersed that evening; but when the girls found themselves alone in their own room, which they were to share together, they sat down for a comfortable chat ere they retired.

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

From this reading Are there many young folks hereabouts?"

past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody

From this reading "Do you think you will like Gray Gables?" asked Dorothy.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading It was quite late when the group that was gathered in the drawing-room dispersed that evening; but when the girls found themselves alone in their own room, which they were to share together, they sat down for a comfortable chat ere they retired.

talk socially without exchanging too much information

From this reading It was quite late when the group that was gathered in the drawing-room dispersed that evening; but when the girls found themselves alone in their own room, which they were to share together, they sat down for a comfortable chat ere they retired.

providing or experiencing physical well-being or relief (“comfy” is informal)

From this reading It was quite late when the group that was gathered in the drawing-room dispersed that evening; but when the girls found themselves alone in their own room, which they were to share together, they sat down for a comfortable chat ere they retired.

distributed or spread over a considerable extent

From this reading It was quite late when the group that was gathered in the drawing-room dispersed that evening; but when the girls found themselves alone in their own room, which they were to share together, they sat down for a comfortable chat ere they retired.

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading "Do you think you will like Gray Gables?" asked Dorothy.

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

From this reading "Do you think you will like Gray Gables?" asked Dorothy.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading It was quite late when the group that was gathered in the drawing-room dispersed that evening; but when the girls found themselves alone in their own room, which they were to share together, they sat down for a comfortable chat ere they retired.

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

From this reading It was quite late when the group that was gathered in the drawing-room dispersed that evening; but when the girls found themselves alone in their own room, which they were to share together, they sat down for a comfortable chat ere they retired.

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

From this reading "It seems pleasant enough," returned Iris, with a yawn; "but it's not the house so much, it's the people in the neighborhood.

an old word for “before”

From this reading It was quite late when the group that was gathered in the drawing-room dispersed that evening; but when the girls found themselves alone in their own room, which they were to share together, they sat down for a comfortable chat ere they retired.

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

From this reading It was quite late when the group that was gathered in the drawing-room dispersed that evening; but when the girls found themselves alone in their own room, which they were to share together, they sat down for a comfortable chat ere they retired.

your parents

From this reading Are there many young folks hereabouts?"

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading It was quite late when the group that was gathered in the drawing-room dispersed that evening; but when the girls found themselves alone in their own room, which they were to share together, they sat down for a comfortable chat ere they retired.

set up or found

From this reading It was quite late when the group that was gathered in the drawing-room dispersed that evening; but when the girls found themselves alone in their own room, which they were to share together, they sat down for a comfortable chat ere they retired.

plural of “gable” — the vertical triangular wall between the sloping ends of gable roof

From this reading "Do you think you will like Gray Gables?" asked Dorothy.

brought together in one place

From this reading It was quite late when the group that was gathered in the drawing-room dispersed that evening; but when the girls found themselves alone in their own room, which they were to share together, they sat down for a comfortable chat ere they retired.

plural of “girl” — a young female

From this reading It was quite late when the group that was gathered in the drawing-room dispersed that evening; but when the girls found themselves alone in their own room, which they were to share together, they sat down for a comfortable chat ere they retired.

a neutral achromatic color midway between white and black

From this reading "Do you think you will like Gray Gables?" asked Dorothy.

any number of entities (members) considered as a unit

From this reading It was quite late when the group that was gathered in the drawing-room dispersed that evening; but when the girls found themselves alone in their own room, which they were to share together, they sat down for a comfortable chat ere they retired.

in this general vicinity

From this reading Are there many young folks hereabouts?"

a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families

From this reading "It seems pleasant enough," returned Iris, with a yawn; "but it's not the house so much, it's the people in the neighborhood.

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

From this reading It was quite late when the group that was gathered in the drawing-room dispersed that evening; but when the girls found themselves alone in their own room, which they were to share together, they sat down for a comfortable chat ere they retired.

plants with sword-shaped leaves and erect stalks bearing bright-colored flowers composed of three petals and three drooping sepals

From this reading "It seems pleasant enough," returned Iris, with a yawn; "but it's not the house so much, it's the people in the neighborhood.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was quite late when the group that was gathered in the drawing-room dispersed that evening; but when the girls found themselves alone in their own room, which they were to share together, they sat down for a comfortable chat ere they retired.

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

From this reading "It seems pleasant enough," returned Iris, with a yawn; "but it's not the house so much, it's the people in the neighborhood.

being or occurring at an advanced period of time or after a usual or expected time

From this reading It was quite late when the group that was gathered in the drawing-room dispersed that evening; but when the girls found themselves alone in their own room, which they were to share together, they sat down for a comfortable chat ere they retired.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading "Do you think you will like Gray Gables?" asked Dorothy.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number

From this reading Are there many young folks hereabouts?"

to a great degree or extent

From this reading "It seems pleasant enough," returned Iris, with a yawn; "but it's not the house so much, it's the people in the neighborhood.

a surrounding or nearby region

From this reading "It seems pleasant enough," returned Iris, with a yawn; "but it's not the house so much, it's the people in the neighborhood.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading "It seems pleasant enough," returned Iris, with a yawn; "but it's not the house so much, it's the people in the neighborhood.

the property possessed by a sum or total or indefinite quantity of units or individuals

From this reading "Quite a number."

have ownership or possession of

From this reading It was quite late when the group that was gathered in the drawing-room dispersed that evening; but when the girls found themselves alone in their own room, which they were to share together, they sat down for a comfortable chat ere they retired.

(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively

From this reading "It seems pleasant enough," returned Iris, with a yawn; "but it's not the house so much, it's the people in the neighborhood.

affording pleasure; being in harmony with your taste or likings

From this reading "It seems pleasant enough," returned Iris, with a yawn; "but it's not the house so much, it's the people in the neighborhood.

to a degree (not used with a negative)

From this reading It was quite late when the group that was gathered in the drawing-room dispersed that evening; but when the girls found themselves alone in their own room, which they were to share together, they sat down for a comfortable chat ere they retired.

no longer active in your work or profession

From this reading It was quite late when the group that was gathered in the drawing-room dispersed that evening; but when the girls found themselves alone in their own room, which they were to share together, they sat down for a comfortable chat ere they retired.

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

From this reading "It seems pleasant enough," returned Iris, with a yawn; "but it's not the house so much, it's the people in the neighborhood.

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

From this reading It was quite late when the group that was gathered in the drawing-room dispersed that evening; but when the girls found themselves alone in their own room, which they were to share together, they sat down for a comfortable chat ere they retired.

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

From this reading It was quite late when the group that was gathered in the drawing-room dispersed that evening; but when the girls found themselves alone in their own room, which they were to share together, they sat down for a comfortable chat ere they retired.

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

From this reading "It seems pleasant enough," returned Iris, with a yawn; "but it's not the house so much, it's the people in the neighborhood.

have in common

From this reading It was quite late when the group that was gathered in the drawing-room dispersed that evening; but when the girls found themselves alone in their own room, which they were to share together, they sat down for a comfortable chat ere they retired.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading "It seems pleasant enough," returned Iris, with a yawn; "but it's not the house so much, it's the people in the neighborhood.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading It was quite late when the group that was gathered in the drawing-room dispersed that evening; but when the girls found themselves alone in their own room, which they were to share together, they sat down for a comfortable chat ere they retired.

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

From this reading It was quite late when the group that was gathered in the drawing-room dispersed that evening; but when the girls found themselves alone in their own room, which they were to share together, they sat down for a comfortable chat ere they retired.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading It was quite late when the group that was gathered in the drawing-room dispersed that evening; but when the girls found themselves alone in their own room, which they were to share together, they sat down for a comfortable chat ere they retired.

used when the people doing the action are also its object

From this reading It was quite late when the group that was gathered in the drawing-room dispersed that evening; but when the girls found themselves alone in their own room, which they were to share together, they sat down for a comfortable chat ere they retired.

in or at that place or location

From this reading Are there many young folks hereabouts?"

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

From this reading It was quite late when the group that was gathered in the drawing-room dispersed that evening; but when the girls found themselves alone in their own room, which they were to share together, they sat down for a comfortable chat ere they retired.

judge or regard; look upon; judge

From this reading "Do you think you will like Gray Gables?" asked Dorothy.

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

From this reading It was quite late when the group that was gathered in the drawing-room dispersed that evening; but when the girls found themselves alone in their own room, which they were to share together, they sat down for a comfortable chat ere they retired.

in contact with each other or in proximity

From this reading It was quite late when the group that was gathered in the drawing-room dispersed that evening; but when the girls found themselves alone in their own room, which they were to share together, they sat down for a comfortable chat ere they retired.

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

From this reading It was quite late when the group that was gathered in the drawing-room dispersed that evening; but when the girls found themselves alone in their own room, which they were to share together, they sat down for a comfortable chat ere they retired.

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

From this reading It was quite late when the group that was gathered in the drawing-room dispersed that evening; but when the girls found themselves alone in their own room, which they were to share together, they sat down for a comfortable chat ere they retired.

at the time that

From this reading It was quite late when the group that was gathered in the drawing-room dispersed that evening; but when the girls found themselves alone in their own room, which they were to share together, they sat down for a comfortable chat ere they retired.

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

From this reading It was quite late when the group that was gathered in the drawing-room dispersed that evening; but when the girls found themselves alone in their own room, which they were to share together, they sat down for a comfortable chat ere they retired.

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading "Do you think you will like Gray Gables?" asked Dorothy.

in the company of; together with

From this reading "It seems pleasant enough," returned Iris, with a yawn; "but it's not the house so much, it's the people in the neighborhood.

utter a yawn, as from lack of oxygen or when one is tired

From this reading "It seems pleasant enough," returned Iris, with a yawn; "but it's not the house so much, it's the people in the neighborhood.

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading "Do you think you will like Gray Gables?" asked Dorothy.

(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth

From this reading Are there many young folks hereabouts?"