Chapter XVI

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

From this reading A CHANGE OF CIRCUMSTANCES When her husband’s affairs were all investigated and arranged, it was found, to Mrs. Stubbs’s great joy, that matters were scarcely quite so bad as had at first been anticipated.

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

From this reading The actual cause of the crash had been the failure of a large bank, which had ruined two important houses with which the firm of Stubbs & Co. had very large dealings; these houses were unable to pay their debts to Stubbs & Co.; and Stubbs & Co., having been living in great extravagance up to the last penny which could be squeezed out of the business, were not able to stand the strain of the unexpected losses.

presently existing in fact and not merely potential or possible

From this reading The actual cause of the crash had been the failure of a large bank, which had ruined two important houses with which the firm of Stubbs & Co. had very large dealings; these houses were unable to pay their debts to Stubbs & Co.; and Stubbs & Co., having been living in great extravagance up to the last penny which could be squeezed out of the business, were not able to stand the strain of the unexpected losses.

matters of personal concern

From this reading A CHANGE OF CIRCUMSTANCES When her husband’s affairs were all investigated and arranged, it was found, to Mrs. Stubbs’s great joy, that matters were scarcely quite so bad as had at first been anticipated.

how long something has existed

From this reading But when everything was arranged, it was found that, with careful nursing and management, the business could be carried on for the benefit of the children until such time as the boys should be of an age to take the management of it themselves.

(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 A CHANGE OF CIRCUMSTANCES When her husband’s affairs were all investigated and arranged, it was found, to Mrs. Stubbs’s great joy, that matters were scarcely quite so bad as had at first been anticipated.

at all times; all the time and on every occasion

From this reading True everything--or what she called everything--was gone; but no stain was there to sully a name which had always been held among City men as a blameless and honourable one.

surrounded by; in the middle of a group

From this reading True everything--or what she called everything--was gone; but no stain was there to sully a name which had always been held among City men as a blameless and honourable one.

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

From this reading But when everything was arranged, it was found that, with careful nursing and management, the business could be carried on for the benefit of the children until such time as the boys should be of an age to take the management of it themselves.

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

From this reading A CHANGE OF CIRCUMSTANCES When her husband’s affairs were all investigated and arranged, it was found, to Mrs. Stubbs’s great joy, that matters were scarcely quite so bad as had at first been anticipated.

expected hopefully

From this reading A CHANGE OF CIRCUMSTANCES When her husband’s affairs were all investigated and arranged, it was found, to Mrs. Stubbs’s great joy, that matters were scarcely quite so bad as had at first been anticipated.

disposed or placed in a particular kind of order

From this reading A CHANGE OF CIRCUMSTANCES When her husband’s affairs were all investigated and arranged, it was found, to Mrs. Stubbs’s great joy, that matters were scarcely quite so bad as had at first been anticipated.

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

From this reading A CHANGE OF CIRCUMSTANCES When her husband’s affairs were all investigated and arranged, it was found, to Mrs. Stubbs’s great joy, that matters were scarcely quite so bad as had at first been anticipated.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading A CHANGE OF CIRCUMSTANCES When her husband’s affairs were all investigated and arranged, it was found, to Mrs. Stubbs’s great joy, that matters were scarcely quite so bad as had at first been anticipated.

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading Meanwhile, the trustees took Tom away from the expensive public school at which he was at the time of his father’s death, and, instead of sending him to Oxford, as his father intended to have done a few months later, put him into the clerks’ department of a large mercantile house, where they made him work--as Tom himself said indignantly--as if he were a mere under-clerk at a few shillings a week.

having undesirable or negative qualities

From this reading A CHANGE OF CIRCUMSTANCES When her husband’s affairs were all investigated and arranged, it was found, to Mrs. Stubbs’s great joy, that matters were scarcely quite so bad as had at first been anticipated.

sloping land (especially the slope beside a body of water)

From this reading The actual cause of the crash had been the failure of a large bank, which had ruined two important houses with which the firm of Stubbs & Co. had very large dealings; these houses were unable to pay their debts to Stubbs & Co.; and Stubbs & Co., having been living in great extravagance up to the last penny which could be squeezed out of the business, were not able to stand the strain of the unexpected losses.

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

From this reading The actual cause of the crash had been the failure of a large bank, which had ruined two important houses with which the firm of Stubbs & Co. had very large dealings; these houses were unable to pay their debts to Stubbs & Co.; and Stubbs & Co., having been living in great extravagance up to the last penny which could be squeezed out of the business, were not able to stand the strain of the unexpected losses.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading A CHANGE OF CIRCUMSTANCES When her husband’s affairs were all investigated and arranged, it was found, to Mrs. Stubbs’s great joy, that matters were scarcely quite so bad as had at first been anticipated.

financial assistance in time of need

From this reading But when everything was arranged, it was found that, with careful nursing and management, the business could be carried on for the benefit of the children until such time as the boys should be of an age to take the management of it themselves.

free of guilt; not subject to blame

From this reading True everything--or what she called everything--was gone; but no stain was there to sully a name which had always been held among City men as a blameless and honourable one.

plural of “boy” — a youthful male person

From this reading But when everything was arranged, it was found that, with careful nursing and management, the business could be carried on for the benefit of the children until such time as the boys should be of an age to take the management of it themselves.

a commercial or industrial enterprise and the people who constitute it

From this reading The actual cause of the crash had been the failure of a large bank, which had ruined two important houses with which the firm of Stubbs & Co. had very large dealings; these houses were unable to pay their debts to Stubbs & Co.; and Stubbs & Co., having been living in great extravagance up to the last penny which could be squeezed out of the business, were not able to stand the strain of the unexpected losses.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading True everything--or what she called everything--was gone; but no stain was there to sully a name which had always been held among City men as a blameless and honourable one.

past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading True everything--or what she called everything--was gone; but no stain was there to sully a name which had always been held among City men as a blameless and honourable one.

exercising caution or showing care or attention

From this reading But when everything was arranged, it was found that, with careful nursing and management, the business could be carried on for the benefit of the children until such time as the boys should be of an age to take the management of it themselves.

inflected form of “carry” — move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body

From this reading But when everything was arranged, it was found that, with careful nursing and management, the business could be carried on for the benefit of the children until such time as the boys should be of an age to take the management of it themselves.

events that provide the generative force that is the origin of something

From this reading The actual cause of the crash had been the failure of a large bank, which had ruined two important houses with which the firm of Stubbs & Co. had very large dealings; these houses were unable to pay their debts to Stubbs & Co.; and Stubbs & Co., having been living in great extravagance up to the last penny which could be squeezed out of the business, were not able to stand the strain of the unexpected losses.

cause to change; make different; cause a transformation

From this reading A CHANGE OF CIRCUMSTANCES When her husband’s affairs were all investigated and arranged, it was found, to Mrs. Stubbs’s great joy, that matters were scarcely quite so bad as had at first been anticipated.

plural of “child” — a young person of either sex

From this reading But when everything was arranged, it was found that, with careful nursing and management, the business could be carried on for the benefit of the children until such time as the boys should be of an age to take the management of it themselves.

your overall circumstances or condition in life (including everything that happens to you)

From this reading A CHANGE OF CIRCUMSTANCES When her husband’s affairs were all investigated and arranged, it was found, to Mrs. Stubbs’s great joy, that matters were scarcely quite so bad as had at first been anticipated.

a large and densely populated urban area; may include several independent administrative districts

From this reading True everything--or what she called everything--was gone; but no stain was there to sully a name which had always been held among City men as a blameless and honourable one.

plural of “clerk” — an employee who performs clerical work (e.g., keeps records or accounts)

From this reading Meanwhile, the trustees took Tom away from the expensive public school at which he was at the time of his father’s death, and, instead of sending him to Oxford, as his father intended to have done a few months later, put him into the clerks’ department of a large mercantile house, where they made him work--as Tom himself said indignantly--as if he were a mere under-clerk at a few shillings a week.

an odorless very poisonous gas that is a product of incomplete combustion of carbon

From this reading The actual cause of the crash had been the failure of a large bank, which had ruined two important houses with which the firm of Stubbs & Co. had very large dealings; these houses were unable to pay their debts to Stubbs & Co.; and Stubbs & Co., having been living in great extravagance up to the last penny which could be squeezed out of the business, were not able to stand the strain of the unexpected losses.

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

From this reading The actual cause of the crash had been the failure of a large bank, which had ruined two important houses with which the firm of Stubbs & Co. had very large dealings; these houses were unable to pay their debts to Stubbs & Co.; and Stubbs & Co., having been living in great extravagance up to the last penny which could be squeezed out of the business, were not able to stand the strain of the unexpected losses.

fall or come down violently

From this reading The actual cause of the crash had been the failure of a large bank, which had ruined two important houses with which the firm of Stubbs & Co. had very large dealings; these houses were unable to pay their debts to Stubbs & Co.; and Stubbs & Co., having been living in great extravagance up to the last penny which could be squeezed out of the business, were not able to stand the strain of the unexpected losses.

social or verbal interchange (usually followed by “with”)

From this reading The actual cause of the crash had been the failure of a large bank, which had ruined two important houses with which the firm of Stubbs & Co. had very large dealings; these houses were unable to pay their debts to Stubbs & Co.; and Stubbs & Co., having been living in great extravagance up to the last penny which could be squeezed out of the business, were not able to stand the strain of the unexpected losses.

the event of dying or departure from life

From this reading Meanwhile, the trustees took Tom away from the expensive public school at which he was at the time of his father’s death, and, instead of sending him to Oxford, as his father intended to have done a few months later, put him into the clerks’ department of a large mercantile house, where they made him work--as Tom himself said indignantly--as if he were a mere under-clerk at a few shillings a week.

plural of “debt” — the state of owing something (especially money)

From this reading The actual cause of the crash had been the failure of a large bank, which had ruined two important houses with which the firm of Stubbs & Co. had very large dealings; these houses were unable to pay their debts to Stubbs & Co.; and Stubbs & Co., having been living in great extravagance up to the last penny which could be squeezed out of the business, were not able to stand the strain of the unexpected losses.

a specialized division of a large organization

From this reading Meanwhile, the trustees took Tom away from the expensive public school at which he was at the time of his father’s death, and, instead of sending him to Oxford, as his father intended to have done a few months later, put him into the clerks’ department of a large mercantile house, where they made him work--as Tom himself said indignantly--as if he were a mere under-clerk at a few shillings a week.

having finished or arrived at completion

From this reading Meanwhile, the trustees took Tom away from the expensive public school at which he was at the time of his father’s death, and, instead of sending him to Oxford, as his father intended to have done a few months later, put him into the clerks’ department of a large mercantile house, where they made him work--as Tom himself said indignantly--as if he were a mere under-clerk at a few shillings a week.

all things; all of a situation

From this reading True everything--or what she called everything--was gone; but no stain was there to sully a name which had always been held among City men as a blameless and honourable one.

high in price or charging high prices

From this reading Meanwhile, the trustees took Tom away from the expensive public school at which he was at the time of his father’s death, and, instead of sending him to Oxford, as his father intended to have done a few months later, put him into the clerks’ department of a large mercantile house, where they made him work--as Tom himself said indignantly--as if he were a mere under-clerk at a few shillings a week.

the quality of exceeding the appropriate limits of decorum or probability or truth

From this reading The actual cause of the crash had been the failure of a large bank, which had ruined two important houses with which the firm of Stubbs & Co. had very large dealings; these houses were unable to pay their debts to Stubbs & Co.; and Stubbs & Co., having been living in great extravagance up to the last penny which could be squeezed out of the business, were not able to stand the strain of the unexpected losses.

an act that fails

From this reading The actual cause of the crash had been the failure of a large bank, which had ruined two important houses with which the firm of Stubbs & Co. had very large dealings; these houses were unable to pay their debts to Stubbs & Co.; and Stubbs & Co., having been living in great extravagance up to the last penny which could be squeezed out of the business, were not able to stand the strain of the unexpected losses.

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

From this reading Meanwhile, the trustees took Tom away from the expensive public school at which he was at the time of his father’s death, and, instead of sending him to Oxford, as his father intended to have done a few months later, put him into the clerks’ department of a large mercantile house, where they made him work--as Tom himself said indignantly--as if he were a mere under-clerk at a few shillings a week.

possessive form of “father” — a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)

From this reading Meanwhile, the trustees took Tom away from the expensive public school at which he was at the time of his father’s death, and, instead of sending him to Oxford, as his father intended to have done a few months later, put him into the clerks’ department of a large mercantile house, where they made him work--as Tom himself said indignantly--as if he were a mere under-clerk at a few shillings a week.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number

From this reading Meanwhile, the trustees took Tom away from the expensive public school at which he was at the time of his father’s death, and, instead of sending him to Oxford, as his father intended to have done a few months later, put him into the clerks’ department of a large mercantile house, where they made him work--as Tom himself said indignantly--as if he were a mere under-clerk at a few shillings a week.

marked by firm determination or resolution; not shakable

From this reading The actual cause of the crash had been the failure of a large bank, which had ruined two important houses with which the firm of Stubbs & Co. had very large dealings; these houses were unable to pay their debts to Stubbs & Co.; and Stubbs & Co., having been living in great extravagance up to the last penny which could be squeezed out of the business, were not able to stand the strain of the unexpected losses.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading A CHANGE OF CIRCUMSTANCES When her husband’s affairs were all investigated and arranged, it was found, to Mrs. Stubbs’s great joy, that matters were scarcely quite so bad as had at first been anticipated.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading But when everything was arranged, it was found that, with careful nursing and management, the business could be carried on for the benefit of the children until such time as the boys should be of an age to take the management of it themselves.

set up or found

From this reading A CHANGE OF CIRCUMSTANCES When her husband’s affairs were all investigated and arranged, it was found, to Mrs. Stubbs’s great joy, that matters were scarcely quite so bad as had at first been anticipated.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Meanwhile, the trustees took Tom away from the expensive public school at which he was at the time of his father’s death, and, instead of sending him to Oxford, as his father intended to have done a few months later, put him into the clerks’ department of a large mercantile house, where they made him work--as Tom himself said indignantly--as if he were a mere under-clerk at a few shillings a week.

destroyed or killed

From this reading True everything--or what she called everything--was gone; but no stain was there to sully a name which had always been held among City men as a blameless and honourable one.

relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind

From this reading A CHANGE OF CIRCUMSTANCES When her husband’s affairs were all investigated and arranged, it was found, to Mrs. Stubbs’s great joy, that matters were scarcely quite so bad as had at first been anticipated.

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

From this reading A CHANGE OF CIRCUMSTANCES When her husband’s affairs were all investigated and arranged, it was found, to Mrs. Stubbs’s great joy, that matters were scarcely quite so bad as had at first been anticipated.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading Meanwhile, the trustees took Tom away from the expensive public school at which he was at the time of his father’s death, and, instead of sending him to Oxford, as his father intended to have done a few months later, put him into the clerks’ department of a large mercantile house, where they made him work--as Tom himself said indignantly--as if he were a mere under-clerk at a few shillings a week.

the -ing form of “have”

From this reading The actual cause of the crash had been the failure of a large bank, which had ruined two important houses with which the firm of Stubbs & Co. had very large dealings; these houses were unable to pay their debts to Stubbs & Co.; and Stubbs & Co., having been living in great extravagance up to the last penny which could be squeezed out of the business, were not able to stand the strain of the unexpected losses.

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

From this reading Meanwhile, the trustees took Tom away from the expensive public school at which he was at the time of his father’s death, and, instead of sending him to Oxford, as his father intended to have done a few months later, put him into the clerks’ department of a large mercantile house, where they made him work--as Tom himself said indignantly--as if he were a mere under-clerk at a few shillings a week.

occupied or in the control of; often used in combination

From this reading True everything--or what she called everything--was gone; but no stain was there to sully a name which had always been held among City men as a blameless and honourable one.

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

From this reading A CHANGE OF CIRCUMSTANCES When her husband’s affairs were all investigated and arranged, it was found, to Mrs. Stubbs’s great joy, that matters were scarcely quite so bad as had at first been anticipated.

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

From this reading Meanwhile, the trustees took Tom away from the expensive public school at which he was at the time of his father’s death, and, instead of sending him to Oxford, as his father intended to have done a few months later, put him into the clerks’ department of a large mercantile house, where they made him work--as Tom himself said indignantly--as if he were a mere under-clerk at a few shillings a week.

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading Meanwhile, the trustees took Tom away from the expensive public school at which he was at the time of his father’s death, and, instead of sending him to Oxford, as his father intended to have done a few months later, put him into the clerks’ department of a large mercantile house, where they made him work--as Tom himself said indignantly--as if he were a mere under-clerk at a few shillings a week.

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

From this reading Meanwhile, the trustees took Tom away from the expensive public school at which he was at the time of his father’s death, and, instead of sending him to Oxford, as his father intended to have done a few months later, put him into the clerks’ department of a large mercantile house, where they made him work--as Tom himself said indignantly--as if he were a mere under-clerk at a few shillings a week.

worthy of being honored; entitled to honor and respect

From this reading True everything--or what she called everything--was gone; but no stain was there to sully a name which had always been held among City men as a blameless and honourable one.

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

From this reading Meanwhile, the trustees took Tom away from the expensive public school at which he was at the time of his father’s death, and, instead of sending him to Oxford, as his father intended to have done a few months later, put him into the clerks’ department of a large mercantile house, where they made him work--as Tom himself said indignantly--as if he were a mere under-clerk at a few shillings a week.

plural of “house” — a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families

From this reading The actual cause of the crash had been the failure of a large bank, which had ruined two important houses with which the firm of Stubbs & Co. had very large dealings; these houses were unable to pay their debts to Stubbs & Co.; and Stubbs & Co., having been living in great extravagance up to the last penny which could be squeezed out of the business, were not able to stand the strain of the unexpected losses.

possessive form of “husband” — a married man; a woman's partner in marriage

From this reading A CHANGE OF CIRCUMSTANCES When her husband’s affairs were all investigated and arranged, it was found, to Mrs. Stubbs’s great joy, that matters were scarcely quite so bad as had at first been anticipated.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading Meanwhile, the trustees took Tom away from the expensive public school at which he was at the time of his father’s death, and, instead of sending him to Oxford, as his father intended to have done a few months later, put him into the clerks’ department of a large mercantile house, where they made him work--as Tom himself said indignantly--as if he were a mere under-clerk at a few shillings a week.

of great significance or value

From this reading The actual cause of the crash had been the failure of a large bank, which had ruined two important houses with which the firm of Stubbs & Co. had very large dealings; these houses were unable to pay their debts to Stubbs & Co.; and Stubbs & Co., having been living in great extravagance up to the last penny which could be squeezed out of the business, were not able to stand the strain of the unexpected losses.

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

From this reading The actual cause of the crash had been the failure of a large bank, which had ruined two important houses with which the firm of Stubbs & Co. had very large dealings; these houses were unable to pay their debts to Stubbs & Co.; and Stubbs & Co., having been living in great extravagance up to the last penny which could be squeezed out of the business, were not able to stand the strain of the unexpected losses.

in an indignant manner

From this reading Meanwhile, the trustees took Tom away from the expensive public school at which he was at the time of his father’s death, and, instead of sending him to Oxford, as his father intended to have done a few months later, put him into the clerks’ department of a large mercantile house, where they made him work--as Tom himself said indignantly--as if he were a mere under-clerk at a few shillings a week.

in place of, or as an alternative to

From this reading Meanwhile, the trustees took Tom away from the expensive public school at which he was at the time of his father’s death, and, instead of sending him to Oxford, as his father intended to have done a few months later, put him into the clerks’ department of a large mercantile house, where they made him work--as Tom himself said indignantly--as if he were a mere under-clerk at a few shillings a week.

resulting from one's intentions

From this reading Meanwhile, the trustees took Tom away from the expensive public school at which he was at the time of his father’s death, and, instead of sending him to Oxford, as his father intended to have done a few months later, put him into the clerks’ department of a large mercantile house, where they made him work--as Tom himself said indignantly--as if he were a mere under-clerk at a few shillings a week.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading Meanwhile, the trustees took Tom away from the expensive public school at which he was at the time of his father’s death, and, instead of sending him to Oxford, as his father intended to have done a few months later, put him into the clerks’ department of a large mercantile house, where they made him work--as Tom himself said indignantly--as if he were a mere under-clerk at a few shillings a week.

past form of “investigate” — investigate scientifically

From this reading A CHANGE OF CIRCUMSTANCES When her husband’s affairs were all investigated and arranged, it was found, to Mrs. Stubbs’s great joy, that matters were scarcely quite so bad as had at first been anticipated.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading A CHANGE OF CIRCUMSTANCES When her husband’s affairs were all investigated and arranged, it was found, to Mrs. Stubbs’s great joy, that matters were scarcely quite so bad as had at first been anticipated.

the emotion of great happiness

From this reading A CHANGE OF CIRCUMSTANCES When her husband’s affairs were all investigated and arranged, it was found, to Mrs. Stubbs’s great joy, that matters were scarcely quite so bad as had at first been anticipated.

above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading The actual cause of the crash had been the failure of a large bank, which had ruined two important houses with which the firm of Stubbs & Co. had very large dealings; these houses were unable to pay their debts to Stubbs & Co.; and Stubbs & Co., having been living in great extravagance up to the last penny which could be squeezed out of the business, were not able to stand the strain of the unexpected losses.

immediately past

From this reading The actual cause of the crash had been the failure of a large bank, which had ruined two important houses with which the firm of Stubbs & Co. had very large dealings; these houses were unable to pay their debts to Stubbs & Co.; and Stubbs & Co., having been living in great extravagance up to the last penny which could be squeezed out of the business, were not able to stand the strain of the unexpected losses.

happening at a time subsequent to a reference time

From this reading Meanwhile, the trustees took Tom away from the expensive public school at which he was at the time of his father’s death, and, instead of sending him to Oxford, as his father intended to have done a few months later, put him into the clerks’ department of a large mercantile house, where they made him work--as Tom himself said indignantly--as if he were a mere under-clerk at a few shillings a week.

the experience of being alive; the course of human events and activities

From this reading The actual cause of the crash had been the failure of a large bank, which had ruined two important houses with which the firm of Stubbs & Co. had very large dealings; these houses were unable to pay their debts to Stubbs & Co.; and Stubbs & Co., having been living in great extravagance up to the last penny which could be squeezed out of the business, were not able to stand the strain of the unexpected losses.

something lost (especially money lost at gambling)

From this reading The actual cause of the crash had been the failure of a large bank, which had ruined two important houses with which the firm of Stubbs & Co. had very large dealings; these houses were unable to pay their debts to Stubbs & Co.; and Stubbs & Co., having been living in great extravagance up to the last penny which could be squeezed out of the business, were not able to stand the strain of the unexpected losses.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading Meanwhile, the trustees took Tom away from the expensive public school at which he was at the time of his father’s death, and, instead of sending him to Oxford, as his father intended to have done a few months later, put him into the clerks’ department of a large mercantile house, where they made him work--as Tom himself said indignantly--as if he were a mere under-clerk at a few shillings a week.

the act of managing something

From this reading But when everything was arranged, it was found that, with careful nursing and management, the business could be carried on for the benefit of the children until such time as the boys should be of an age to take the management of it themselves.

plural of “matter” — a vaguely specified concern

From this reading A CHANGE OF CIRCUMSTANCES When her husband’s affairs were all investigated and arranged, it was found, to Mrs. Stubbs’s great joy, that matters were scarcely quite so bad as had at first been anticipated.

at the same time but in another place

From this reading Meanwhile, the trustees took Tom away from the expensive public school at which he was at the time of his father’s death, and, instead of sending him to Oxford, as his father intended to have done a few months later, put him into the clerks’ department of a large mercantile house, where they made him work--as Tom himself said indignantly--as if he were a mere under-clerk at a few shillings a week.

the force of workers available

From this reading True everything--or what she called everything--was gone; but no stain was there to sully a name which had always been held among City men as a blameless and honourable one.

of or relating to the economic system of mercantilism

From this reading Meanwhile, the trustees took Tom away from the expensive public school at which he was at the time of his father’s death, and, instead of sending him to Oxford, as his father intended to have done a few months later, put him into the clerks’ department of a large mercantile house, where they made him work--as Tom himself said indignantly--as if he were a mere under-clerk at a few shillings a week.

being nothing more than specified

From this reading Meanwhile, the trustees took Tom away from the expensive public school at which he was at the time of his father’s death, and, instead of sending him to Oxford, as his father intended to have done a few months later, put him into the clerks’ department of a large mercantile house, where they made him work--as Tom himself said indignantly--as if he were a mere under-clerk at a few shillings a week.

plural of “month” — one of the twelve divisions of the calendar year

From this reading Meanwhile, the trustees took Tom away from the expensive public school at which he was at the time of his father’s death, and, instead of sending him to Oxford, as his father intended to have done a few months later, put him into the clerks’ department of a large mercantile house, where they made him work--as Tom himself said indignantly--as if he were a mere under-clerk at a few shillings a week.

a form of address for a married woman

From this reading A CHANGE OF CIRCUMSTANCES When her husband’s affairs were all investigated and arranged, it was found, to Mrs. Stubbs’s great joy, that matters were scarcely quite so bad as had at first been anticipated.

assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading True everything--or what she called everything--was gone; but no stain was there to sully a name which had always been held among City men as a blameless and honourable one.

not any; not one

From this reading True everything--or what she called everything--was gone; but no stain was there to sully a name which had always been held among City men as a blameless and honourable one.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading The actual cause of the crash had been the failure of a large bank, which had ruined two important houses with which the firm of Stubbs & Co. had very large dealings; these houses were unable to pay their debts to Stubbs & Co.; and Stubbs & Co., having been living in great extravagance up to the last penny which could be squeezed out of the business, were not able to stand the strain of the unexpected losses.

the work of caring for the sick or injured or infirm

From this reading But when everything was arranged, it was found that, with careful nursing and management, the business could be carried on for the benefit of the children until such time as the boys should be of an age to take the management of it themselves.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading A CHANGE OF CIRCUMSTANCES When her husband’s affairs were all investigated and arranged, it was found, to Mrs. Stubbs’s great joy, that matters were scarcely quite so bad as had at first been anticipated.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading But when everything was arranged, it was found that, with careful nursing and management, the business could be carried on for the benefit of the children until such time as the boys should be of an age to take the management of it themselves.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading True everything--or what she called everything--was gone; but no stain was there to sully a name which had always been held among City men as a blameless and honourable one.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading True everything--or what she called everything--was gone; but no stain was there to sully a name which had always been held among City men as a blameless and honourable one.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading The actual cause of the crash had been the failure of a large bank, which had ruined two important houses with which the firm of Stubbs & Co. had very large dealings; these houses were unable to pay their debts to Stubbs & Co.; and Stubbs & Co., having been living in great extravagance up to the last penny which could be squeezed out of the business, were not able to stand the strain of the unexpected losses.

a city in southern England to the northwest of London; site of Oxford University

From this reading Meanwhile, the trustees took Tom away from the expensive public school at which he was at the time of his father’s death, and, instead of sending him to Oxford, as his father intended to have done a few months later, put him into the clerks’ department of a large mercantile house, where they made him work--as Tom himself said indignantly--as if he were a mere under-clerk at a few shillings a week.

give money, usually in exchange for goods or services

From this reading The actual cause of the crash had been the failure of a large bank, which had ruined two important houses with which the firm of Stubbs & Co. had very large dealings; these houses were unable to pay their debts to Stubbs & Co.; and Stubbs & Co., having been living in great extravagance up to the last penny which could be squeezed out of the business, were not able to stand the strain of the unexpected losses.

a fractional monetary unit of Ireland and the United Kingdom; equal to one hundredth of a pound

From this reading The actual cause of the crash had been the failure of a large bank, which had ruined two important houses with which the firm of Stubbs & Co. had very large dealings; these houses were unable to pay their debts to Stubbs & Co.; and Stubbs & Co., having been living in great extravagance up to the last penny which could be squeezed out of the business, were not able to stand the strain of the unexpected losses.

people in general considered as a whole

From this reading Meanwhile, the trustees took Tom away from the expensive public school at which he was at the time of his father’s death, and, instead of sending him to Oxford, as his father intended to have done a few months later, put him into the clerks’ department of a large mercantile house, where they made him work--as Tom himself said indignantly--as if he were a mere under-clerk at a few shillings a week.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading Meanwhile, the trustees took Tom away from the expensive public school at which he was at the time of his father’s death, and, instead of sending him to Oxford, as his father intended to have done a few months later, put him into the clerks’ department of a large mercantile house, where they made him work--as Tom himself said indignantly--as if he were a mere under-clerk at a few shillings a week.

to a degree (not used with a negative)

From this reading A CHANGE OF CIRCUMSTANCES When her husband’s affairs were all investigated and arranged, it was found, to Mrs. Stubbs’s great joy, that matters were scarcely quite so bad as had at first been anticipated.

destroyed physically or morally

From this reading The actual cause of the crash had been the failure of a large bank, which had ruined two important houses with which the firm of Stubbs & Co. had very large dealings; these houses were unable to pay their debts to Stubbs & Co.; and Stubbs & Co., having been living in great extravagance up to the last penny which could be squeezed out of the business, were not able to stand the strain of the unexpected losses.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading Meanwhile, the trustees took Tom away from the expensive public school at which he was at the time of his father’s death, and, instead of sending him to Oxford, as his father intended to have done a few months later, put him into the clerks’ department of a large mercantile house, where they made him work--as Tom himself said indignantly--as if he were a mere under-clerk at a few shillings a week.

only a very short time before

From this reading A CHANGE OF CIRCUMSTANCES When her husband’s affairs were all investigated and arranged, it was found, to Mrs. Stubbs’s great joy, that matters were scarcely quite so bad as had at first been anticipated.

an educational institution

From this reading Meanwhile, the trustees took Tom away from the expensive public school at which he was at the time of his father’s death, and, instead of sending him to Oxford, as his father intended to have done a few months later, put him into the clerks’ department of a large mercantile house, where they made him work--as Tom himself said indignantly--as if he were a mere under-clerk at a few shillings a week.

the act of causing something to go (especially messages)

From this reading Meanwhile, the trustees took Tom away from the expensive public school at which he was at the time of his father’s death, and, instead of sending him to Oxford, as his father intended to have done a few months later, put him into the clerks’ department of a large mercantile house, where they made him work--as Tom himself said indignantly--as if he were a mere under-clerk at a few shillings a week.

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

From this reading True everything--or what she called everything--was gone; but no stain was there to sully a name which had always been held among City men as a blameless and honourable one.

plural of “shilling” — the basic unit of money in Uganda; equal to 100 cents

From this reading Meanwhile, the trustees took Tom away from the expensive public school at which he was at the time of his father’s death, and, instead of sending him to Oxford, as his father intended to have done a few months later, put him into the clerks’ department of a large mercantile house, where they made him work--as Tom himself said indignantly--as if he were a mere under-clerk at a few shillings a week.

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading But when everything was arranged, it was found that, with careful nursing and management, the business could be carried on for the benefit of the children until such time as the boys should be of an age to take the management of it themselves.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading A CHANGE OF CIRCUMSTANCES When her husband’s affairs were all investigated and arranged, it was found, to Mrs. Stubbs’s great joy, that matters were scarcely quite so bad as had at first been anticipated.

past form of “squeeze” — to compress with violence, out of natural shape or condition

From this reading The actual cause of the crash had been the failure of a large bank, which had ruined two important houses with which the firm of Stubbs & Co. had very large dealings; these houses were unable to pay their debts to Stubbs & Co.; and Stubbs & Co., having been living in great extravagance up to the last penny which could be squeezed out of the business, were not able to stand the strain of the unexpected losses.

a soiled or discolored appearance

From this reading True everything--or what she called everything--was gone; but no stain was there to sully a name which had always been held among City men as a blameless and honourable one.

be standing; be upright

From this reading The actual cause of the crash had been the failure of a large bank, which had ruined two important houses with which the firm of Stubbs & Co. had very large dealings; these houses were unable to pay their debts to Stubbs & Co.; and Stubbs & Co., having been living in great extravagance up to the last penny which could be squeezed out of the business, were not able to stand the strain of the unexpected losses.

(physics) deformation of a physical body under the action of applied forces

From this reading The actual cause of the crash had been the failure of a large bank, which had ruined two important houses with which the firm of Stubbs & Co. had very large dealings; these houses were unable to pay their debts to Stubbs & Co.; and Stubbs & Co., having been living in great extravagance up to the last penny which could be squeezed out of the business, were not able to stand the strain of the unexpected losses.

English historian noted for his constitutional history of medieval England (1825-1901)

From this reading The actual cause of the crash had been the failure of a large bank, which had ruined two important houses with which the firm of Stubbs & Co. had very large dealings; these houses were unable to pay their debts to Stubbs & Co.; and Stubbs & Co., having been living in great extravagance up to the last penny which could be squeezed out of the business, were not able to stand the strain of the unexpected losses.

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

From this reading A CHANGE OF CIRCUMSTANCES When her husband’s affairs were all investigated and arranged, it was found, to Mrs. Stubbs’s great joy, that matters were scarcely quite so bad as had at first been anticipated.

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading But when everything was arranged, it was found that, with careful nursing and management, the business could be carried on for the benefit of the children until such time as the boys should be of an age to take the management of it themselves.

place under suspicion or cast doubt upon

From this reading True everything--or what she called everything--was gone; but no stain was there to sully a name which had always been held among City men as a blameless and honourable one.

carry out

From this reading But when everything was arranged, it was found that, with careful nursing and management, the business could be carried on for the benefit of the children until such time as the boys should be of an age to take the management of it themselves.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading A CHANGE OF CIRCUMSTANCES When her husband’s affairs were all investigated and arranged, it was found, to Mrs. Stubbs’s great joy, that matters were scarcely quite so bad as had at first been anticipated.

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

From this reading The actual cause of the crash had been the failure of a large bank, which had ruined two important houses with which the firm of Stubbs & Co. had very large dealings; these houses were unable to pay their debts to Stubbs & Co.; and Stubbs & Co., having been living in great extravagance up to the last penny which could be squeezed out of the business, were not able to stand the strain of the unexpected losses.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading The actual cause of the crash had been the failure of a large bank, which had ruined two important houses with which the firm of Stubbs & Co. had very large dealings; these houses were unable to pay their debts to Stubbs & Co.; and Stubbs & Co., having been living in great extravagance up to the last penny which could be squeezed out of the business, were not able to stand the strain of the unexpected losses.

used when the people doing the action are also its object

From this reading But when everything was arranged, it was found that, with careful nursing and management, the business could be carried on for the benefit of the children until such time as the boys should be of an age to take the management of it themselves.

in or at that place or location

From this reading True everything--or what she called everything--was gone; but no stain was there to sully a name which had always been held among City men as a blameless and honourable one.

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading The actual cause of the crash had been the failure of a large bank, which had ruined two important houses with which the firm of Stubbs & Co. had very large dealings; these houses were unable to pay their debts to Stubbs & Co.; and Stubbs & Co., having been living in great extravagance up to the last penny which could be squeezed out of the business, were not able to stand the strain of the unexpected losses.

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

From this reading Meanwhile, the trustees took Tom away from the expensive public school at which he was at the time of his father’s death, and, instead of sending him to Oxford, as his father intended to have done a few months later, put him into the clerks’ department of a large mercantile house, where they made him work--as Tom himself said indignantly--as if he were a mere under-clerk at a few shillings a week.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading But when everything was arranged, it was found that, with careful nursing and management, the business could be carried on for the benefit of the children until such time as the boys should be of an age to take the management of it themselves.

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

From this reading A CHANGE OF CIRCUMSTANCES When her husband’s affairs were all investigated and arranged, it was found, to Mrs. Stubbs’s great joy, that matters were scarcely quite so bad as had at first been anticipated.

male cat

From this reading Meanwhile, the trustees took Tom away from the expensive public school at which he was at the time of his father’s death, and, instead of sending him to Oxford, as his father intended to have done a few months later, put him into the clerks’ department of a large mercantile house, where they made him work--as Tom himself said indignantly--as if he were a mere under-clerk at a few shillings a week.

inflected form of “take” — carry out

From this reading Meanwhile, the trustees took Tom away from the expensive public school at which he was at the time of his father’s death, and, instead of sending him to Oxford, as his father intended to have done a few months later, put him into the clerks’ department of a large mercantile house, where they made him work--as Tom himself said indignantly--as if he were a mere under-clerk at a few shillings a week.

consistent with fact or reality; not false

From this reading True everything--or what she called everything--was gone; but no stain was there to sully a name which had always been held among City men as a blameless and honourable one.

plural of “trustee” — a person (or institution) to whom legal title to property is entrusted to use for another's benefit

From this reading Meanwhile, the trustees took Tom away from the expensive public school at which he was at the time of his father’s death, and, instead of sending him to Oxford, as his father intended to have done a few months later, put him into the clerks’ department of a large mercantile house, where they made him work--as Tom himself said indignantly--as if he were a mere under-clerk at a few shillings a week.

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

From this reading The actual cause of the crash had been the failure of a large bank, which had ruined two important houses with which the firm of Stubbs & Co. had very large dealings; these houses were unable to pay their debts to Stubbs & Co.; and Stubbs & Co., having been living in great extravagance up to the last penny which could be squeezed out of the business, were not able to stand the strain of the unexpected losses.

(usually followed by “to”) not having the necessary means or skill or know-how

From this reading The actual cause of the crash had been the failure of a large bank, which had ruined two important houses with which the firm of Stubbs & Co. had very large dealings; these houses were unable to pay their debts to Stubbs & Co.; and Stubbs & Co., having been living in great extravagance up to the last penny which could be squeezed out of the business, were not able to stand the strain of the unexpected losses.

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

From this reading Meanwhile, the trustees took Tom away from the expensive public school at which he was at the time of his father’s death, and, instead of sending him to Oxford, as his father intended to have done a few months later, put him into the clerks’ department of a large mercantile house, where they made him work--as Tom himself said indignantly--as if he were a mere under-clerk at a few shillings a week.

not expected or anticipated

From this reading The actual cause of the crash had been the failure of a large bank, which had ruined two important houses with which the firm of Stubbs & Co. had very large dealings; these houses were unable to pay their debts to Stubbs & Co.; and Stubbs & Co., having been living in great extravagance up to the last penny which could be squeezed out of the business, were not able to stand the strain of the unexpected losses.

up to a particular time

From this reading But when everything was arranged, it was found that, with careful nursing and management, the business could be carried on for the benefit of the children until such time as the boys should be of an age to take the management of it themselves.

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading The actual cause of the crash had been the failure of a large bank, which had ruined two important houses with which the firm of Stubbs & Co. had very large dealings; these houses were unable to pay their debts to Stubbs & Co.; and Stubbs & Co., having been living in great extravagance up to the last penny which could be squeezed out of the business, were not able to stand the strain of the unexpected losses.

precisely as stated

From this reading The actual cause of the crash had been the failure of a large bank, which had ruined two important houses with which the firm of Stubbs & Co. had very large dealings; these houses were unable to pay their debts to Stubbs & Co.; and Stubbs & Co., having been living in great extravagance up to the last penny which could be squeezed out of the business, were not able to stand the strain of the unexpected losses.

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

From this reading A CHANGE OF CIRCUMSTANCES When her husband’s affairs were all investigated and arranged, it was found, to Mrs. Stubbs’s great joy, that matters were scarcely quite so bad as had at first been anticipated.

any period of seven consecutive days

From this reading Meanwhile, the trustees took Tom away from the expensive public school at which he was at the time of his father’s death, and, instead of sending him to Oxford, as his father intended to have done a few months later, put him into the clerks’ department of a large mercantile house, where they made him work--as Tom himself said indignantly--as if he were a mere under-clerk at a few shillings a week.

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

From this reading A CHANGE OF CIRCUMSTANCES When her husband’s affairs were all investigated and arranged, it was found, to Mrs. Stubbs’s great joy, that matters were scarcely quite so bad as had at first been anticipated.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading True everything--or what she called everything--was gone; but no stain was there to sully a name which had always been held among City men as a blameless and honourable one.

at the time that

From this reading A CHANGE OF CIRCUMSTANCES When her husband’s affairs were all investigated and arranged, it was found, to Mrs. Stubbs’s great joy, that matters were scarcely quite so bad as had at first been anticipated.

in or at the place that

From this reading Meanwhile, the trustees took Tom away from the expensive public school at which he was at the time of his father’s death, and, instead of sending him to Oxford, as his father intended to have done a few months later, put him into the clerks’ department of a large mercantile house, where they made him work--as Tom himself said indignantly--as if he were a mere under-clerk at a few shillings a week.

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

From this reading True everything--or what she called everything--was gone; but no stain was there to sully a name which had always been held among City men as a blameless and honourable one.

in the company of; together with

From this reading The actual cause of the crash had been the failure of a large bank, which had ruined two important houses with which the firm of Stubbs & Co. had very large dealings; these houses were unable to pay their debts to Stubbs & Co.; and Stubbs & Co., having been living in great extravagance up to the last penny which could be squeezed out of the business, were not able to stand the strain of the unexpected losses.

exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity

From this reading Meanwhile, the trustees took Tom away from the expensive public school at which he was at the time of his father’s death, and, instead of sending him to Oxford, as his father intended to have done a few months later, put him into the clerks’ department of a large mercantile house, where they made him work--as Tom himself said indignantly--as if he were a mere under-clerk at a few shillings a week.