Chapter IX · Chapter 9

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

From this reading When Mrs. Bellairs died, which event, according to Aunt Aggie, had been brought about by a persistent refusal to wear on her chest a small square of flannel, (quite a small square) sprinkled with camphorated oil, and according to Aunt Mary by a total misconception of the Bellairs' character; when this event happened, the two aunts became what they called supports to their brother's motherless children.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading When Mrs. Bellairs died, which event, according to Aunt Aggie, had been brought about by a persistent refusal to wear on her chest a small square of flannel, (quite a small square) sprinkled with camphorated oil, and according to Aunt Mary by a total misconception of the Bellairs' character; when this event happened, the two aunts became what they called supports to their brother's motherless children.

(followed by “to”) in agreement with or accordant with

From this reading When Mrs. Bellairs died, which event, according to Aunt Aggie, had been brought about by a persistent refusal to wear on her chest a small square of flannel, (quite a small square) sprinkled with camphorated oil, and according to Aunt Mary by a total misconception of the Bellairs' character; when this event happened, the two aunts became what they called supports to their brother's motherless children.

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

From this reading When Mrs. Bellairs died, which event, according to Aunt Aggie, had been brought about by a persistent refusal to wear on her chest a small square of flannel, (quite a small square) sprinkled with camphorated oil, and according to Aunt Mary by a total misconception of the Bellairs' character; when this event happened, the two aunts became what they called supports to their brother's motherless children.

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

From this reading On garde longtemps son premier amant quand on n'en prend point de second.--LA ROCHEFOUCAULD.

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

From this reading When Mrs. Bellairs died, which event, according to Aunt Aggie, had been brought about by a persistent refusal to wear on her chest a small square of flannel, (quite a small square) sprinkled with camphorated oil, and according to Aunt Mary by a total misconception of the Bellairs' character; when this event happened, the two aunts became what they called supports to their brother's motherless children.

the sister of your father or mother; the wife of your uncle

From this reading When Mrs. Bellairs died, which event, according to Aunt Aggie, had been brought about by a persistent refusal to wear on her chest a small square of flannel, (quite a small square) sprinkled with camphorated oil, and according to Aunt Mary by a total misconception of the Bellairs' character; when this event happened, the two aunts became what they called supports to their brother's motherless children.

plural of “aunt” — the sister of your father or mother; the wife of your uncle

From this reading The two aunts meanwhile were sitting waiting in the drawing-room.

inflected form of “become” — enter or assume a certain state or condition

From this reading When Mrs. Bellairs died, which event, according to Aunt Aggie, had been brought about by a persistent refusal to wear on her chest a small square of flannel, (quite a small square) sprinkled with camphorated oil, and according to Aunt Mary by a total misconception of the Bellairs' character; when this event happened, the two aunts became what they called supports to their brother's motherless children.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading When Mrs. Bellairs died, which event, according to Aunt Aggie, had been brought about by a persistent refusal to wear on her chest a small square of flannel, (quite a small square) sprinkled with camphorated oil, and according to Aunt Mary by a total misconception of the Bellairs' character; when this event happened, the two aunts became what they called supports to their brother's motherless children.

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading They were far from being broken reeds which pierce the hands of those who lean on them.

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

From this reading When Mrs. Bellairs died, which event, according to Aunt Aggie, had been brought about by a persistent refusal to wear on her chest a small square of flannel, (quite a small square) sprinkled with camphorated oil, and according to Aunt Mary by a total misconception of the Bellairs' character; when this event happened, the two aunts became what they called supports to their brother's motherless children.

physically and forcibly separated into pieces or cracked or split

From this reading They were far from being broken reeds which pierce the hands of those who lean on them.

possessive form of “brother” — a male with the same parents as someone else

From this reading When Mrs. Bellairs died, which event, according to Aunt Aggie, had been brought about by a persistent refusal to wear on her chest a small square of flannel, (quite a small square) sprinkled with camphorated oil, and according to Aunt Mary by a total misconception of the Bellairs' character; when this event happened, the two aunts became what they called supports to their brother's motherless children.

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

From this reading When Mrs. Bellairs died, which event, according to Aunt Aggie, had been brought about by a persistent refusal to wear on her chest a small square of flannel, (quite a small square) sprinkled with camphorated oil, and according to Aunt Mary by a total misconception of the Bellairs' character; when this event happened, the two aunts became what they called supports to their brother's motherless children.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading When Mrs. Bellairs died, which event, according to Aunt Aggie, had been brought about by a persistent refusal to wear on her chest a small square of flannel, (quite a small square) sprinkled with camphorated oil, and according to Aunt Mary by a total misconception of the Bellairs' character; when this event happened, the two aunts became what they called supports to their brother's motherless children.

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

From this reading When Mrs. Bellairs died, which event, according to Aunt Aggie, had been brought about by a persistent refusal to wear on her chest a small square of flannel, (quite a small square) sprinkled with camphorated oil, and according to Aunt Mary by a total misconception of the Bellairs' character; when this event happened, the two aunts became what they called supports to their brother's motherless children.

impregnated with camphor

From this reading When Mrs. Bellairs died, which event, according to Aunt Aggie, had been brought about by a persistent refusal to wear on her chest a small square of flannel, (quite a small square) sprinkled with camphorated oil, and according to Aunt Mary by a total misconception of the Bellairs' character; when this event happened, the two aunts became what they called supports to their brother's motherless children.

an imaginary person represented in a work of fiction (play or film or story)

From this reading When Mrs. Bellairs died, which event, according to Aunt Aggie, had been brought about by a persistent refusal to wear on her chest a small square of flannel, (quite a small square) sprinkled with camphorated oil, and according to Aunt Mary by a total misconception of the Bellairs' character; when this event happened, the two aunts became what they called supports to their brother's motherless children.

the part of the human torso between the neck and the diaphragm or the corresponding part in other vertebrates

From this reading When Mrs. Bellairs died, which event, according to Aunt Aggie, had been brought about by a persistent refusal to wear on her chest a small square of flannel, (quite a small square) sprinkled with camphorated oil, and according to Aunt Mary by a total misconception of the Bellairs' character; when this event happened, the two aunts became what they called supports to their brother's motherless children.

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

From this reading When Mrs. Bellairs died, which event, according to Aunt Aggie, had been brought about by a persistent refusal to wear on her chest a small square of flannel, (quite a small square) sprinkled with camphorated oil, and according to Aunt Mary by a total misconception of the Bellairs' character; when this event happened, the two aunts became what they called supports to their brother's motherless children.

a Mid-Atlantic state; one of the original 13 colonies

From this reading On garde longtemps son premier amant quand on n'en prend point de second.--LA ROCHEFOUCAULD.

past form of “die” — pass from physical life and lose all bodily attributes and functions necessary to sustain life

From this reading When Mrs. Bellairs died, which event, according to Aunt Aggie, had been brought about by a persistent refusal to wear on her chest a small square of flannel, (quite a small square) sprinkled with camphorated oil, and according to Aunt Mary by a total misconception of the Bellairs' character; when this event happened, the two aunts became what they called supports to their brother's motherless children.

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

From this reading The two aunts meanwhile were sitting waiting in the drawing-room.

something that happens at a given place and time

From this reading When Mrs. Bellairs died, which event, according to Aunt Aggie, had been brought about by a persistent refusal to wear on her chest a small square of flannel, (quite a small square) sprinkled with camphorated oil, and according to Aunt Mary by a total misconception of the Bellairs' character; when this event happened, the two aunts became what they called supports to their brother's motherless children.

at any time

From this reading No one had ever leaned on Aunt Mary or Aunt Aggie.

to a considerable degree; very much

From this reading They were far from being broken reeds which pierce the hands of those who lean on them.

a soft light woolen fabric; used for clothing

From this reading When Mrs. Bellairs died, which event, according to Aunt Aggie, had been brought about by a persistent refusal to wear on her chest a small square of flannel, (quite a small square) sprinkled with camphorated oil, and according to Aunt Mary by a total misconception of the Bellairs' character; when this event happened, the two aunts became what they called supports to their brother's motherless children.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading They were far from being broken reeds which pierce the hands of those who lean on them.

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

From this reading On garde longtemps son premier amant quand on n'en prend point de second.--LA ROCHEFOUCAULD.

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

From this reading When Mrs. Bellairs died, which event, according to Aunt Aggie, had been brought about by a persistent refusal to wear on her chest a small square of flannel, (quite a small square) sprinkled with camphorated oil, and according to Aunt Mary by a total misconception of the Bellairs' character; when this event happened, the two aunts became what they called supports to their brother's motherless children.

(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child

From this reading They were far from being broken reeds which pierce the hands of those who lean on them.

past form of “happen” — come to pass

From this reading When Mrs. Bellairs died, which event, according to Aunt Aggie, had been brought about by a persistent refusal to wear on her chest a small square of flannel, (quite a small square) sprinkled with camphorated oil, and according to Aunt Mary by a total misconception of the Bellairs' character; when this event happened, the two aunts became what they called supports to their brother's motherless children.

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

From this reading When Mrs. Bellairs died, which event, according to Aunt Aggie, had been brought about by a persistent refusal to wear on her chest a small square of flannel, (quite a small square) sprinkled with camphorated oil, and according to Aunt Mary by a total misconception of the Bellairs' character; when this event happened, the two aunts became what they called supports to their brother's motherless children.

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

From this reading The two aunts meanwhile were sitting waiting in the drawing-room.

a white soft metallic element that tarnishes readily; occurs in rare earth minerals and is usually classified as a rare earth

From this reading On garde longtemps son premier amant quand on n'en prend point de second.--LA ROCHEFOUCAULD.

to incline or bend from a vertical position

From this reading They were far from being broken reeds which pierce the hands of those who lean on them.

past form of “lean” — to incline or bend from a vertical position

From this reading No one had ever leaned on Aunt Mary or Aunt Aggie.

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

From this reading On garde longtemps son premier amant quand on n'en prend point de second.--LA ROCHEFOUCAULD.

the mother of Jesus; Christians refer to her as the Virgin Mary; she is especially honored by Roman Catholics

From this reading When Mrs. Bellairs died, which event, according to Aunt Aggie, had been brought about by a persistent refusal to wear on her chest a small square of flannel, (quite a small square) sprinkled with camphorated oil, and according to Aunt Mary by a total misconception of the Bellairs' character; when this event happened, the two aunts became what they called supports to their brother's motherless children.

at the same time but in another place

From this reading The two aunts meanwhile were sitting waiting in the drawing-room.

an incorrect conception

From this reading When Mrs. Bellairs died, which event, according to Aunt Aggie, had been brought about by a persistent refusal to wear on her chest a small square of flannel, (quite a small square) sprinkled with camphorated oil, and according to Aunt Mary by a total misconception of the Bellairs' character; when this event happened, the two aunts became what they called supports to their brother's motherless children.

having no living or known mother

From this reading When Mrs. Bellairs died, which event, according to Aunt Aggie, had been brought about by a persistent refusal to wear on her chest a small square of flannel, (quite a small square) sprinkled with camphorated oil, and according to Aunt Mary by a total misconception of the Bellairs' character; when this event happened, the two aunts became what they called supports to their brother's motherless children.

a form of address for a married woman

From this reading When Mrs. Bellairs died, which event, according to Aunt Aggie, had been brought about by a persistent refusal to wear on her chest a small square of flannel, (quite a small square) sprinkled with camphorated oil, and according to Aunt Mary by a total misconception of the Bellairs' character; when this event happened, the two aunts became what they called supports to their brother's motherless children.

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

From this reading On garde longtemps son premier amant quand on n'en prend point de second.--LA ROCHEFOUCAULD.

not any; not one

From this reading No one had ever leaned on Aunt Mary or Aunt Aggie.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading When Mrs. Bellairs died, which event, according to Aunt Aggie, had been brought about by a persistent refusal to wear on her chest a small square of flannel, (quite a small square) sprinkled with camphorated oil, and according to Aunt Mary by a total misconception of the Bellairs' character; when this event happened, the two aunts became what they called supports to their brother's motherless children.

A viscous liquid derived from petroleum or plants, stored in large earthen jars.

From this reading When Mrs. Bellairs died, which event, according to Aunt Aggie, had been brought about by a persistent refusal to wear on her chest a small square of flannel, (quite a small square) sprinkled with camphorated oil, and according to Aunt Mary by a total misconception of the Bellairs' character; when this event happened, the two aunts became what they called supports to their brother's motherless children.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading On garde longtemps son premier amant quand on n'en prend point de second.--LA ROCHEFOUCAULD.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading No one had ever leaned on Aunt Mary or Aunt Aggie.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading No one had ever leaned on Aunt Mary or Aunt Aggie.

never-ceasing

From this reading When Mrs. Bellairs died, which event, according to Aunt Aggie, had been brought about by a persistent refusal to wear on her chest a small square of flannel, (quite a small square) sprinkled with camphorated oil, and according to Aunt Mary by a total misconception of the Bellairs' character; when this event happened, the two aunts became what they called supports to their brother's motherless children.

cut or make a way through

From this reading They were far from being broken reeds which pierce the hands of those who lean on them.

a geometric element that has position but no extension

From this reading On garde longtemps son premier amant quand on n'en prend point de second.--LA ROCHEFOUCAULD.

the person who holds the position of head of the government in the United Kingdom

From this reading On garde longtemps son premier amant quand on n'en prend point de second.--LA ROCHEFOUCAULD.

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

From this reading On garde longtemps son premier amant quand on n'en prend point de second.--LA ROCHEFOUCAULD.

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

From this reading On garde longtemps son premier amant quand on n'en prend point de second.--LA ROCHEFOUCAULD.

to a degree (not used with a negative)

From this reading When Mrs. Bellairs died, which event, according to Aunt Aggie, had been brought about by a persistent refusal to wear on her chest a small square of flannel, (quite a small square) sprinkled with camphorated oil, and according to Aunt Mary by a total misconception of the Bellairs' character; when this event happened, the two aunts became what they called supports to their brother's motherless children.

plural of “reed” — tall woody perennial grasses with hollow slender stems especially of the genera Arundo and Phragmites

From this reading They were far from being broken reeds which pierce the hands of those who lean on them.

the act of refusing

From this reading When Mrs. Bellairs died, which event, according to Aunt Aggie, had been brought about by a persistent refusal to wear on her chest a small square of flannel, (quite a small square) sprinkled with camphorated oil, and according to Aunt Mary by a total misconception of the Bellairs' character; when this event happened, the two aunts became what they called supports to their brother's motherless children.

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

From this reading On garde longtemps son premier amant quand on n'en prend point de second.--LA ROCHEFOUCAULD.

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

From this reading On garde longtemps son premier amant quand on n'en prend point de second.--LA ROCHEFOUCAULD.

(photography) the act of assuming a certain position (as for a photograph or portrait)

From this reading The two aunts meanwhile were sitting waiting in the drawing-room.

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

From this reading When Mrs. Bellairs died, which event, according to Aunt Aggie, had been brought about by a persistent refusal to wear on her chest a small square of flannel, (quite a small square) sprinkled with camphorated oil, and according to Aunt Mary by a total misconception of the Bellairs' character; when this event happened, the two aunts became what they called supports to their brother's motherless children.

a male human offspring

From this reading On garde longtemps son premier amant quand on n'en prend point de second.--LA ROCHEFOUCAULD.

past form of “sprinkle” — distribute loosely

From this reading When Mrs. Bellairs died, which event, according to Aunt Aggie, had been brought about by a persistent refusal to wear on her chest a small square of flannel, (quite a small square) sprinkled with camphorated oil, and according to Aunt Mary by a total misconception of the Bellairs' character; when this event happened, the two aunts became what they called supports to their brother's motherless children.

make square

From this reading When Mrs. Bellairs died, which event, according to Aunt Aggie, had been brought about by a persistent refusal to wear on her chest a small square of flannel, (quite a small square) sprinkled with camphorated oil, and according to Aunt Mary by a total misconception of the Bellairs' character; when this event happened, the two aunts became what they called supports to their brother's motherless children.

plural of “support” — the activity of providing for or maintaining by supplying with money or necessities

From this reading When Mrs. Bellairs died, which event, according to Aunt Aggie, had been brought about by a persistent refusal to wear on her chest a small square of flannel, (quite a small square) sprinkled with camphorated oil, and according to Aunt Mary by a total misconception of the Bellairs' character; when this event happened, the two aunts became what they called supports to their brother's motherless children.

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

From this reading The two aunts meanwhile were sitting waiting in the drawing-room.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading When Mrs. Bellairs died, which event, according to Aunt Aggie, had been brought about by a persistent refusal to wear on her chest a small square of flannel, (quite a small square) sprinkled with camphorated oil, and according to Aunt Mary by a total misconception of the Bellairs' character; when this event happened, the two aunts became what they called supports to their brother's motherless children.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading They were far from being broken reeds which pierce the hands of those who lean on them.

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

From this reading When Mrs. Bellairs died, which event, according to Aunt Aggie, had been brought about by a persistent refusal to wear on her chest a small square of flannel, (quite a small square) sprinkled with camphorated oil, and according to Aunt Mary by a total misconception of the Bellairs' character; when this event happened, the two aunts became what they called supports to their brother's motherless children.

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

From this reading When Mrs. Bellairs died, which event, according to Aunt Aggie, had been brought about by a persistent refusal to wear on her chest a small square of flannel, (quite a small square) sprinkled with camphorated oil, and according to Aunt Mary by a total misconception of the Bellairs' character; when this event happened, the two aunts became what they called supports to their brother's motherless children.

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading They were far from being broken reeds which pierce the hands of those who lean on them.

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

From this reading When Mrs. Bellairs died, which event, according to Aunt Aggie, had been brought about by a persistent refusal to wear on her chest a small square of flannel, (quite a small square) sprinkled with camphorated oil, and according to Aunt Mary by a total misconception of the Bellairs' character; when this event happened, the two aunts became what they called supports to their brother's motherless children.

add up in number or quantity

From this reading When Mrs. Bellairs died, which event, according to Aunt Aggie, had been brought about by a persistent refusal to wear on her chest a small square of flannel, (quite a small square) sprinkled with camphorated oil, and according to Aunt Mary by a total misconception of the Bellairs' character; when this event happened, the two aunts became what they called supports to their brother's motherless children.

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

From this reading The two aunts meanwhile were sitting waiting in the drawing-room.

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

From this reading The two aunts meanwhile were sitting waiting in the drawing-room.

be dressed in

From this reading When Mrs. Bellairs died, which event, according to Aunt Aggie, had been brought about by a persistent refusal to wear on her chest a small square of flannel, (quite a small square) sprinkled with camphorated oil, and according to Aunt Mary by a total misconception of the Bellairs' character; when this event happened, the two aunts became what they called supports to their brother's motherless children.

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

From this reading The two aunts meanwhile were sitting waiting in the drawing-room.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading When Mrs. Bellairs died, which event, according to Aunt Aggie, had been brought about by a persistent refusal to wear on her chest a small square of flannel, (quite a small square) sprinkled with camphorated oil, and according to Aunt Mary by a total misconception of the Bellairs' character; when this event happened, the two aunts became what they called supports to their brother's motherless children.

at the time that

From this reading When Mrs. Bellairs died, which event, according to Aunt Aggie, had been brought about by a persistent refusal to wear on her chest a small square of flannel, (quite a small square) sprinkled with camphorated oil, and according to Aunt Mary by a total misconception of the Bellairs' character; when this event happened, the two aunts became what they called supports to their brother's motherless children.

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

From this reading When Mrs. Bellairs died, which event, according to Aunt Aggie, had been brought about by a persistent refusal to wear on her chest a small square of flannel, (quite a small square) sprinkled with camphorated oil, and according to Aunt Mary by a total misconception of the Bellairs' character; when this event happened, the two aunts became what they called supports to their brother's motherless children.

which person or people

From this reading They were far from being broken reeds which pierce the hands of those who lean on them.

in the company of; together with

From this reading When Mrs. Bellairs died, which event, according to Aunt Aggie, had been brought about by a persistent refusal to wear on her chest a small square of flannel, (quite a small square) sprinkled with camphorated oil, and according to Aunt Mary by a total misconception of the Bellairs' character; when this event happened, the two aunts became what they called supports to their brother's motherless children.