Chapter XXVII · Chapter 27

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

From this reading No one could be in a more terrible state of complete collapse than poor Mr. Lorrimer.

having or displaying warmth or affection

From this reading As true-hearted and affectionate a husband and father, as kind and considerate a landlord--as honourable as man could be in all his dealings--a keen sportsman, a lover of horses--in short, an ideal squire of the old school; but the Towers had been his backbone; now that circumstances for which he was scarcely to blame deprived him of the home of his fathers, he found himself unable to stand up against the blow.

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading As true-hearted and affectionate a husband and father, as kind and considerate a landlord--as honourable as man could be in all his dealings--a keen sportsman, a lover of horses--in short, an ideal squire of the old school; but the Towers had been his backbone; now that circumstances for which he was scarcely to blame deprived him of the home of his fathers, he found himself unable to stand up against the blow.

(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 As true-hearted and affectionate a husband and father, as kind and considerate a landlord--as honourable as man could be in all his dealings--a keen sportsman, a lover of horses--in short, an ideal squire of the old school; but the Towers had been his backbone; now that circumstances for which he was scarcely to blame deprived him of the home of his fathers, he found himself unable to stand up against the blow.

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

From this reading He had been as plucky an English gentleman as ever walked.

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

From this reading THE LION AND MOUSE.

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

From this reading He had been as plucky an English gentleman as ever walked.

a central cohesive source of support and stability

From this reading As true-hearted and affectionate a husband and father, as kind and considerate a landlord--as honourable as man could be in all his dealings--a keen sportsman, a lover of horses--in short, an ideal squire of the old school; but the Towers had been his backbone; now that circumstances for which he was scarcely to blame deprived him of the home of his fathers, he found himself unable to stand up against the blow.

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

From this reading No one could be in a more terrible state of complete collapse than poor Mr. Lorrimer.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading He had been as plucky an English gentleman as ever walked.

put or pin the blame on

From this reading As true-hearted and affectionate a husband and father, as kind and considerate a landlord--as honourable as man could be in all his dealings--a keen sportsman, a lover of horses--in short, an ideal squire of the old school; but the Towers had been his backbone; now that circumstances for which he was scarcely to blame deprived him of the home of his fathers, he found himself unable to stand up against the blow.

exhale hard

From this reading The blow he had most dreaded had overtaken him.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading As true-hearted and affectionate a husband and father, as kind and considerate a landlord--as honourable as man could be in all his dealings--a keen sportsman, a lover of horses--in short, an ideal squire of the old school; but the Towers had been his backbone; now that circumstances for which he was scarcely to blame deprived him of the home of his fathers, he found himself unable to stand up against the blow.

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

From this reading As true-hearted and affectionate a husband and father, as kind and considerate a landlord--as honourable as man could be in all his dealings--a keen sportsman, a lover of horses--in short, an ideal squire of the old school; but the Towers had been his backbone; now that circumstances for which he was scarcely to blame deprived him of the home of his fathers, he found himself unable to stand up against the blow.

an abrupt failure of function or complete physical exhaustion

From this reading No one could be in a more terrible state of complete collapse than poor Mr. Lorrimer.

come or bring to a finish or an end

From this reading No one could be in a more terrible state of complete collapse than poor Mr. Lorrimer.

showing concern for the rights and feelings of others

From this reading As true-hearted and affectionate a husband and father, as kind and considerate a landlord--as honourable as man could be in all his dealings--a keen sportsman, a lover of horses--in short, an ideal squire of the old school; but the Towers had been his backbone; now that circumstances for which he was scarcely to blame deprived him of the home of his fathers, he found himself unable to stand up against the blow.

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

From this reading No one could be in a more terrible state of complete collapse than poor Mr. Lorrimer.

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

From this reading As true-hearted and affectionate a husband and father, as kind and considerate a landlord--as honourable as man could be in all his dealings--a keen sportsman, a lover of horses--in short, an ideal squire of the old school; but the Towers had been his backbone; now that circumstances for which he was scarcely to blame deprived him of the home of his fathers, he found himself unable to stand up against the blow.

marked by deprivation especially of the necessities of life or healthful environmental influences

From this reading As true-hearted and affectionate a husband and father, as kind and considerate a landlord--as honourable as man could be in all his dealings--a keen sportsman, a lover of horses--in short, an ideal squire of the old school; but the Towers had been his backbone; now that circumstances for which he was scarcely to blame deprived him of the home of his fathers, he found himself unable to stand up against the blow.

causing fear or dread or terror

From this reading The blow he had most dreaded had overtaken him.

an Indo-European language belonging to the West Germanic branch; the official language of Britain and the United States and most of the commonwealth countries

From this reading He had been as plucky an English gentleman as ever walked.

at any time

From this reading He had been as plucky an English gentleman as ever walked.

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

From this reading As true-hearted and affectionate a husband and father, as kind and considerate a landlord--as honourable as man could be in all his dealings--a keen sportsman, a lover of horses--in short, an ideal squire of the old school; but the Towers had been his backbone; now that circumstances for which he was scarcely to blame deprived him of the home of his fathers, he found himself unable to stand up against the blow.

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

From this reading As true-hearted and affectionate a husband and father, as kind and considerate a landlord--as honourable as man could be in all his dealings--a keen sportsman, a lover of horses--in short, an ideal squire of the old school; but the Towers had been his backbone; now that circumstances for which he was scarcely to blame deprived him of the home of his fathers, he found himself unable to stand up against the blow.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading As true-hearted and affectionate a husband and father, as kind and considerate a landlord--as honourable as man could be in all his dealings--a keen sportsman, a lover of horses--in short, an ideal squire of the old school; but the Towers had been his backbone; now that circumstances for which he was scarcely to blame deprived him of the home of his fathers, he found himself unable to stand up against the blow.

set up or found

From this reading As true-hearted and affectionate a husband and father, as kind and considerate a landlord--as honourable as man could be in all his dealings--a keen sportsman, a lover of horses--in short, an ideal squire of the old school; but the Towers had been his backbone; now that circumstances for which he was scarcely to blame deprived him of the home of his fathers, he found himself unable to stand up against the blow.

a man of refinement

From this reading He had been as plucky an English gentleman as ever walked.

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

From this reading The blow he had most dreaded had overtaken him.

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

From this reading The blow he had most dreaded had overtaken him.

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

From this reading The blow he had most dreaded had overtaken him.

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

From this reading As true-hearted and affectionate a husband and father, as kind and considerate a landlord--as honourable as man could be in all his dealings--a keen sportsman, a lover of horses--in short, an ideal squire of the old school; but the Towers had been his backbone; now that circumstances for which he was scarcely to blame deprived him of the home of his fathers, he found himself unable to stand up against the blow.

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

From this reading As true-hearted and affectionate a husband and father, as kind and considerate a landlord--as honourable as man could be in all his dealings--a keen sportsman, a lover of horses--in short, an ideal squire of the old school; but the Towers had been his backbone; now that circumstances for which he was scarcely to blame deprived him of the home of his fathers, he found himself unable to stand up against the blow.

where you live at a particular time

From this reading As true-hearted and affectionate a husband and father, as kind and considerate a landlord--as honourable as man could be in all his dealings--a keen sportsman, a lover of horses--in short, an ideal squire of the old school; but the Towers had been his backbone; now that circumstances for which he was scarcely to blame deprived him of the home of his fathers, he found himself unable to stand up against the blow.

worthy of being honored; entitled to honor and respect

From this reading As true-hearted and affectionate a husband and father, as kind and considerate a landlord--as honourable as man could be in all his dealings--a keen sportsman, a lover of horses--in short, an ideal squire of the old school; but the Towers had been his backbone; now that circumstances for which he was scarcely to blame deprived him of the home of his fathers, he found himself unable to stand up against the blow.

plural of “horse” — solid-hoofed herbivorous quadruped domesticated since prehistoric times

From this reading As true-hearted and affectionate a husband and father, as kind and considerate a landlord--as honourable as man could be in all his dealings--a keen sportsman, a lover of horses--in short, an ideal squire of the old school; but the Towers had been his backbone; now that circumstances for which he was scarcely to blame deprived him of the home of his fathers, he found himself unable to stand up against the blow.

a married man; a woman's partner in marriage

From this reading As true-hearted and affectionate a husband and father, as kind and considerate a landlord--as honourable as man could be in all his dealings--a keen sportsman, a lover of horses--in short, an ideal squire of the old school; but the Towers had been his backbone; now that circumstances for which he was scarcely to blame deprived him of the home of his fathers, he found himself unable to stand up against the blow.

conforming to an ultimate standard of perfection or excellence; embodying an ideal

From this reading As true-hearted and affectionate a husband and father, as kind and considerate a landlord--as honourable as man could be in all his dealings--a keen sportsman, a lover of horses--in short, an ideal squire of the old school; but the Towers had been his backbone; now that circumstances for which he was scarcely to blame deprived him of the home of his fathers, he found himself unable to stand up against the blow.

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

From this reading No one could be in a more terrible state of complete collapse than poor Mr. Lorrimer.

having or demonstrating ability to recognize or draw fine distinctions

From this reading As true-hearted and affectionate a husband and father, as kind and considerate a landlord--as honourable as man could be in all his dealings--a keen sportsman, a lover of horses--in short, an ideal squire of the old school; but the Towers had been his backbone; now that circumstances for which he was scarcely to blame deprived him of the home of his fathers, he found himself unable to stand up against the blow.

having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior

From this reading As true-hearted and affectionate a husband and father, as kind and considerate a landlord--as honourable as man could be in all his dealings--a keen sportsman, a lover of horses--in short, an ideal squire of the old school; but the Towers had been his backbone; now that circumstances for which he was scarcely to blame deprived him of the home of his fathers, he found himself unable to stand up against the blow.

a landowner who leases to others

From this reading As true-hearted and affectionate a husband and father, as kind and considerate a landlord--as honourable as man could be in all his dealings--a keen sportsman, a lover of horses--in short, an ideal squire of the old school; but the Towers had been his backbone; now that circumstances for which he was scarcely to blame deprived him of the home of his fathers, he found himself unable to stand up against the blow.

large gregarious predatory feline of Africa and India having a tawny coat with a shaggy mane in the male

From this reading THE LION AND MOUSE.

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

From this reading No one could be in a more terrible state of complete collapse than poor Mr. Lorrimer.

a person who loves someone or is loved by someone

From this reading As true-hearted and affectionate a husband and father, as kind and considerate a landlord--as honourable as man could be in all his dealings--a keen sportsman, a lover of horses--in short, an ideal squire of the old school; but the Towers had been his backbone; now that circumstances for which he was scarcely to blame deprived him of the home of his fathers, he found himself unable to stand up against the blow.

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

From this reading As true-hearted and affectionate a husband and father, as kind and considerate a landlord--as honourable as man could be in all his dealings--a keen sportsman, a lover of horses--in short, an ideal squire of the old school; but the Towers had been his backbone; now that circumstances for which he was scarcely to blame deprived him of the home of his fathers, he found himself unable to stand up against the blow.

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading No one could be in a more terrible state of complete collapse than poor Mr. Lorrimer.

used to form the superlative

From this reading The blow he had most dreaded had overtaken him.

any of numerous small rodents typically resembling diminutive rats having pointed snouts and small ears on elongated bodies with slender usually hairless tails

From this reading THE LION AND MOUSE.

a form of address for a man

From this reading No one could be in a more terrible state of complete collapse than poor Mr. Lorrimer.

not any; not one

From this reading No one could be in a more terrible state of complete collapse than poor Mr. Lorrimer.

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

From this reading As true-hearted and affectionate a husband and father, as kind and considerate a landlord--as honourable as man could be in all his dealings--a keen sportsman, a lover of horses--in short, an ideal squire of the old school; but the Towers had been his backbone; now that circumstances for which he was scarcely to blame deprived him of the home of his fathers, he found himself unable to stand up against the blow.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading No one could be in a more terrible state of complete collapse than poor Mr. Lorrimer.

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

From this reading As true-hearted and affectionate a husband and father, as kind and considerate a landlord--as honourable as man could be in all his dealings--a keen sportsman, a lover of horses--in short, an ideal squire of the old school; but the Towers had been his backbone; now that circumstances for which he was scarcely to blame deprived him of the home of his fathers, he found himself unable to stand up against the blow.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading No one could be in a more terrible state of complete collapse than poor Mr. Lorrimer.

inflected form of “overtake” — catch up with and possibly overtake

From this reading The blow he had most dreaded had overtaken him.

marked by courage and determination in the face of difficulties or danger; robust and uninhibited

From this reading He had been as plucky an English gentleman as ever walked.

deserving or inciting pity

From this reading No one could be in a more terrible state of complete collapse than poor Mr. Lorrimer.

only a very short time before

From this reading As true-hearted and affectionate a husband and father, as kind and considerate a landlord--as honourable as man could be in all his dealings--a keen sportsman, a lover of horses--in short, an ideal squire of the old school; but the Towers had been his backbone; now that circumstances for which he was scarcely to blame deprived him of the home of his fathers, he found himself unable to stand up against the blow.

an educational institution

From this reading As true-hearted and affectionate a husband and father, as kind and considerate a landlord--as honourable as man could be in all his dealings--a keen sportsman, a lover of horses--in short, an ideal squire of the old school; but the Towers had been his backbone; now that circumstances for which he was scarcely to blame deprived him of the home of his fathers, he found himself unable to stand up against the blow.

primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration

From this reading As true-hearted and affectionate a husband and father, as kind and considerate a landlord--as honourable as man could be in all his dealings--a keen sportsman, a lover of horses--in short, an ideal squire of the old school; but the Towers had been his backbone; now that circumstances for which he was scarcely to blame deprived him of the home of his fathers, he found himself unable to stand up against the blow.

someone who engages in sports

From this reading As true-hearted and affectionate a husband and father, as kind and considerate a landlord--as honourable as man could be in all his dealings--a keen sportsman, a lover of horses--in short, an ideal squire of the old school; but the Towers had been his backbone; now that circumstances for which he was scarcely to blame deprived him of the home of his fathers, he found himself unable to stand up against the blow.

young nobleman attendant on a knight

From this reading As true-hearted and affectionate a husband and father, as kind and considerate a landlord--as honourable as man could be in all his dealings--a keen sportsman, a lover of horses--in short, an ideal squire of the old school; but the Towers had been his backbone; now that circumstances for which he was scarcely to blame deprived him of the home of his fathers, he found himself unable to stand up against the blow.

be standing; be upright

From this reading As true-hearted and affectionate a husband and father, as kind and considerate a landlord--as honourable as man could be in all his dealings--a keen sportsman, a lover of horses--in short, an ideal squire of the old school; but the Towers had been his backbone; now that circumstances for which he was scarcely to blame deprived him of the home of his fathers, he found himself unable to stand up against the blow.

the territory occupied by one of the constituent administrative districts of a nation

From this reading No one could be in a more terrible state of complete collapse than poor Mr. Lorrimer.

causing fear or dread or terror

From this reading No one could be in a more terrible state of complete collapse than poor Mr. Lorrimer.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading No one could be in a more terrible state of complete collapse than poor Mr. Lorrimer.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading As true-hearted and affectionate a husband and father, as kind and considerate a landlord--as honourable as man could be in all his dealings--a keen sportsman, a lover of horses--in short, an ideal squire of the old school; but the Towers had been his backbone; now that circumstances for which he was scarcely to blame deprived him of the home of his fathers, he found himself unable to stand up against the blow.

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

From this reading THE LION AND MOUSE.

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

From this reading As true-hearted and affectionate a husband and father, as kind and considerate a landlord--as honourable as man could be in all his dealings--a keen sportsman, a lover of horses--in short, an ideal squire of the old school; but the Towers had been his backbone; now that circumstances for which he was scarcely to blame deprived him of the home of his fathers, he found himself unable to stand up against the blow.

plural of “tower” — a structure taller than its diameter; can stand alone or be attached to a larger building

From this reading As true-hearted and affectionate a husband and father, as kind and considerate a landlord--as honourable as man could be in all his dealings--a keen sportsman, a lover of horses--in short, an ideal squire of the old school; but the Towers had been his backbone; now that circumstances for which he was scarcely to blame deprived him of the home of his fathers, he found himself unable to stand up against the blow.

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

From this reading As true-hearted and affectionate a husband and father, as kind and considerate a landlord--as honourable as man could be in all his dealings--a keen sportsman, a lover of horses--in short, an ideal squire of the old school; but the Towers had been his backbone; now that circumstances for which he was scarcely to blame deprived him of the home of his fathers, he found himself unable to stand up against the blow.

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

From this reading As true-hearted and affectionate a husband and father, as kind and considerate a landlord--as honourable as man could be in all his dealings--a keen sportsman, a lover of horses--in short, an ideal squire of the old school; but the Towers had been his backbone; now that circumstances for which he was scarcely to blame deprived him of the home of his fathers, he found himself unable to stand up against the blow.

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

From this reading As true-hearted and affectionate a husband and father, as kind and considerate a landlord--as honourable as man could be in all his dealings--a keen sportsman, a lover of horses--in short, an ideal squire of the old school; but the Towers had been his backbone; now that circumstances for which he was scarcely to blame deprived him of the home of his fathers, he found himself unable to stand up against the blow.

past form of “walk” — use one's feet to advance; advance by steps

From this reading He had been as plucky an English gentleman as ever walked.

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

From this reading As true-hearted and affectionate a husband and father, as kind and considerate a landlord--as honourable as man could be in all his dealings--a keen sportsman, a lover of horses--in short, an ideal squire of the old school; but the Towers had been his backbone; now that circumstances for which he was scarcely to blame deprived him of the home of his fathers, he found himself unable to stand up against the blow.

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

From this reading As true-hearted and affectionate a husband and father, as kind and considerate a landlord--as honourable as man could be in all his dealings--a keen sportsman, a lover of horses--in short, an ideal squire of the old school; but the Towers had been his backbone; now that circumstances for which he was scarcely to blame deprived him of the home of his fathers, he found himself unable to stand up against the blow.