Chapter II · Chapter 2

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

From this reading The first sight which met the boys' eyes as they arrived was their tennis-racquets in a corner of the room.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading A very small case of trinkets was on Mrs Cruden's dressing-table, and not one of the twenty or thirty books arranged on the top of the sideboard was one which any member of the small household cared anything about.

making or becoming suitable; adjusting to circumstances

From this reading He was there to receive Mrs Cruden when she arrived, and after conducting the little party hurriedly through the three rooms destined for their accommodation, considerately retired.

past form of “act” — perform an action, or work out or perform (an action)

From this reading It might have been better if in this last respect the boys and their mother had acted for themselves, for Mr Richmond appeared to have hazy notions as to what the family would most value.

later than; following

From this reading He was there to receive Mrs Cruden when she arrived, and after conducting the little party hurriedly through the three rooms destined for their accommodation, considerately retired.

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

From this reading It might have been better if in this last respect the boys and their mother had acted for themselves, for Mr Richmond appeared to have hazy notions as to what the family would most value.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading A very small case of trinkets was on Mrs Cruden's dressing-table, and not one of the twenty or thirty books arranged on the top of the sideboard was one which any member of the small household cared anything about.

any thing at all

From this reading A very small case of trinkets was on Mrs Cruden's dressing-table, and not one of the twenty or thirty books arranged on the top of the sideboard was one which any member of the small household cared anything about.

past form of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading It might have been better if in this last respect the boys and their mother had acted for themselves, for Mr Richmond appeared to have hazy notions as to what the family would most value.

disposed or placed in a particular kind of order

From this reading A very small case of trinkets was on Mrs Cruden's dressing-table, and not one of the twenty or thirty books arranged on the top of the sideboard was one which any member of the small household cared anything about.

past form of “arrive” — reach a destination; arrive by movement or progress

From this reading The first sight which met the boys' eyes as they arrived was their tennis-racquets in a corner of the room.

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

From this reading It might have been better if in this last respect the boys and their mother had acted for themselves, for Mr Richmond appeared to have hazy notions as to what the family would most value.

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

From this reading But Mr Richmond had done his best, and being left entirely to his own devices, was not to be blamed for the few mistakes he had made.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading It might have been better if in this last respect the boys and their mother had acted for themselves, for Mr Richmond appeared to have hazy notions as to what the family would most value.

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading But Mr Richmond had done his best, and being left entirely to his own devices, was not to be blamed for the few mistakes he had made.

the supreme effort one can make

From this reading But Mr Richmond had done his best, and being left entirely to his own devices, was not to be blamed for the few mistakes he had made.

(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another

From this reading It might have been better if in this last respect the boys and their mother had acted for themselves, for Mr Richmond appeared to have hazy notions as to what the family would most value.

expletives used informally as intensifiers

From this reading But Mr Richmond had done his best, and being left entirely to his own devices, was not to be blamed for the few mistakes he had made.

Bound written or printed works.

From this reading A very small case of trinkets was on Mrs Cruden's dressing-table, and not one of the twenty or thirty books arranged on the top of the sideboard was one which any member of the small household cared anything about.

plural of “boy” — a youthful male person

From this reading It might have been better if in this last respect the boys and their mother had acted for themselves, for Mr Richmond appeared to have hazy notions as to what the family would most value.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But Mr Richmond had done his best, and being left entirely to his own devices, was not to be blamed for the few mistakes he had made.

past form of “care” — feel concern or interest

From this reading A very small case of trinkets was on Mrs Cruden's dressing-table, and not one of the twenty or thirty books arranged on the top of the sideboard was one which any member of the small household cared anything about.

an occurrence of something

From this reading A very small case of trinkets was on Mrs Cruden's dressing-table, and not one of the twenty or thirty books arranged on the top of the sideboard was one which any member of the small household cared anything about.

the way of administering a business

From this reading He was there to receive Mrs Cruden when she arrived, and after conducting the little party hurriedly through the three rooms destined for their accommodation, considerately retired.

in a considerate manner

From this reading He was there to receive Mrs Cruden when she arrived, and after conducting the little party hurriedly through the three rooms destined for their accommodation, considerately retired.

a place off to the side of an area

From this reading The first sight which met the boys' eyes as they arrived was their tennis-racquets in a corner of the room.

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

From this reading He was there to receive Mrs Cruden when she arrived, and after conducting the little party hurriedly through the three rooms destined for their accommodation, considerately retired.

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

From this reading A very small case of trinkets was on Mrs Cruden's dressing-table, and not one of the twenty or thirty books arranged on the top of the sideboard was one which any member of the small household cared anything about.

headed or intending to head in a certain direction; often used as a combining form as in “college-bound students”

From this reading He was there to receive Mrs Cruden when she arrived, and after conducting the little party hurriedly through the three rooms destined for their accommodation, considerately retired.

an inclination or desire; used in the plural in the phrase “left to your own devices”

From this reading But Mr Richmond had done his best, and being left entirely to his own devices, was not to be blamed for the few mistakes he had made.

having finished or arrived at completion

From this reading But Mr Richmond had done his best, and being left entirely to his own devices, was not to be blamed for the few mistakes he had made.

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

From this reading A very small case of trinkets was on Mrs Cruden's dressing-table, and not one of the twenty or thirty books arranged on the top of the sideboard was one which any member of the small household cared anything about.

to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)

From this reading But Mr Richmond had done his best, and being left entirely to his own devices, was not to be blamed for the few mistakes he had made.

opinion or judgment

From this reading The first sight which met the boys' eyes as they arrived was their tennis-racquets in a corner of the room.

a social unit living together

From this reading It might have been better if in this last respect the boys and their mother had acted for themselves, for Mr Richmond appeared to have hazy notions as to what the family would most value.

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

From this reading But Mr Richmond had done his best, and being left entirely to his own devices, was not to be blamed for the few mistakes he had made.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading The first sight which met the boys' eyes as they arrived was their tennis-racquets in a corner of the room.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading It might have been better if in this last respect the boys and their mother had acted for themselves, for Mr Richmond appeared to have hazy notions as to what the family would most value.

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

From this reading It might have been better if in this last respect the boys and their mother had acted for themselves, for Mr Richmond appeared to have hazy notions as to what the family would most value.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading It might have been better if in this last respect the boys and their mother had acted for themselves, for Mr Richmond appeared to have hazy notions as to what the family would most value.

filled or abounding with fog or mist

From this reading It might have been better if in this last respect the boys and their mother had acted for themselves, for Mr Richmond appeared to have hazy notions as to what the family would most value.

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

From this reading But Mr Richmond had done his best, and being left entirely to his own devices, was not to be blamed for the few mistakes he had made.

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

From this reading But Mr Richmond had done his best, and being left entirely to his own devices, was not to be blamed for the few mistakes he had made.

a social unit living together

From this reading A very small case of trinkets was on Mrs Cruden's dressing-table, and not one of the twenty or thirty books arranged on the top of the sideboard was one which any member of the small household cared anything about.

in a hurried or hasty manner

From this reading He was there to receive Mrs Cruden when she arrived, and after conducting the little party hurriedly through the three rooms destined for their accommodation, considerately retired.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading It might have been better if in this last respect the boys and their mother had acted for themselves, for Mr Richmond appeared to have hazy notions as to what the family would most value.

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

From this reading It might have been better if in this last respect the boys and their mother had acted for themselves, for Mr Richmond appeared to have hazy notions as to what the family would most value.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It might have been better if in this last respect the boys and their mother had acted for themselves, for Mr Richmond appeared to have hazy notions as to what the family would most value.

immediately past

From this reading It might have been better if in this last respect the boys and their mother had acted for themselves, for Mr Richmond appeared to have hazy notions as to what the family would most value.

location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east

From this reading But Mr Richmond had done his best, and being left entirely to his own devices, was not to be blamed for the few mistakes he had made.

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

From this reading He was there to receive Mrs Cruden when she arrived, and after conducting the little party hurriedly through the three rooms destined for their accommodation, considerately retired.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading But Mr Richmond had done his best, and being left entirely to his own devices, was not to be blamed for the few mistakes he had made.

one of the persons who compose a social group (especially individuals who have joined and participate in a group organization)

From this reading A very small case of trinkets was on Mrs Cruden's dressing-table, and not one of the twenty or thirty books arranged on the top of the sideboard was one which any member of the small household cared anything about.

inflected form of “meet” — come together

From this reading The first sight which met the boys' eyes as they arrived was their tennis-racquets in a corner of the room.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading It might have been better if in this last respect the boys and their mother had acted for themselves, for Mr Richmond appeared to have hazy notions as to what the family would most value.

plural of “mistake” — a wrong action attributable to bad judgment or ignorance or inattention

From this reading But Mr Richmond had done his best, and being left entirely to his own devices, was not to be blamed for the few mistakes he had made.

used to form the superlative

From this reading It might have been better if in this last respect the boys and their mother had acted for themselves, for Mr Richmond appeared to have hazy notions as to what the family would most value.

a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)

From this reading It might have been better if in this last respect the boys and their mother had acted for themselves, for Mr Richmond appeared to have hazy notions as to what the family would most value.

a form of address for a man

From this reading It might have been better if in this last respect the boys and their mother had acted for themselves, for Mr Richmond appeared to have hazy notions as to what the family would most value.

a form of address for a married woman

From this reading A very small case of trinkets was on Mrs Cruden's dressing-table, and not one of the twenty or thirty books arranged on the top of the sideboard was one which any member of the small household cared anything about.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading A very small case of trinkets was on Mrs Cruden's dressing-table, and not one of the twenty or thirty books arranged on the top of the sideboard was one which any member of the small household cared anything about.

plural of “notion” — a vague idea in which some confidence is placed

From this reading It might have been better if in this last respect the boys and their mother had acted for themselves, for Mr Richmond appeared to have hazy notions as to what the family would most value.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The first sight which met the boys' eyes as they arrived was their tennis-racquets in a corner of the room.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading A very small case of trinkets was on Mrs Cruden's dressing-table, and not one of the twenty or thirty books arranged on the top of the sideboard was one which any member of the small household cared anything about.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading A very small case of trinkets was on Mrs Cruden's dressing-table, and not one of the twenty or thirty books arranged on the top of the sideboard was one which any member of the small household cared anything about.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading A very small case of trinkets was on Mrs Cruden's dressing-table, and not one of the twenty or thirty books arranged on the top of the sideboard was one which any member of the small household cared anything about.

have ownership or possession of

From this reading But Mr Richmond had done his best, and being left entirely to his own devices, was not to be blamed for the few mistakes he had made.

an organization to gain political power

From this reading He was there to receive Mrs Cruden when she arrived, and after conducting the little party hurriedly through the three rooms destined for their accommodation, considerately retired.

get something; come into possession of

From this reading He was there to receive Mrs Cruden when she arrived, and after conducting the little party hurriedly through the three rooms destined for their accommodation, considerately retired.

(usually preceded by “in”) a detail or point

From this reading It might have been better if in this last respect the boys and their mother had acted for themselves, for Mr Richmond appeared to have hazy notions as to what the family would most value.

no longer active in your work or profession

From this reading He was there to receive Mrs Cruden when she arrived, and after conducting the little party hurriedly through the three rooms destined for their accommodation, considerately retired.

capital of the state of Virginia located in the east central part of the state; was capital of the Confederacy during the American Civil War

From this reading It might have been better if in this last respect the boys and their mother had acted for themselves, for Mr Richmond appeared to have hazy notions as to what the family would most value.

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

From this reading The first sight which met the boys' eyes as they arrived was their tennis-racquets in a corner of the room.

apartment consisting of a series of connected rooms used as a living unit (as in a hotel)

From this reading He was there to receive Mrs Cruden when she arrived, and after conducting the little party hurriedly through the three rooms destined for their accommodation, considerately retired.

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

From this reading He was there to receive Mrs Cruden when she arrived, and after conducting the little party hurriedly through the three rooms destined for their accommodation, considerately retired.

a removable board fitted on the side of a wagon to increase its capacity

From this reading A very small case of trinkets was on Mrs Cruden's dressing-table, and not one of the twenty or thirty books arranged on the top of the sideboard was one which any member of the small household cared anything about.

an instance of visual perception

From this reading The first sight which met the boys' eyes as they arrived was their tennis-racquets in a corner of the room.

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

From this reading A very small case of trinkets was on Mrs Cruden's dressing-table, and not one of the twenty or thirty books arranged on the top of the sideboard was one which any member of the small household cared anything about.

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

From this reading The first sight which met the boys' eyes as they arrived was their tennis-racquets in a corner of the room.

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

From this reading It might have been better if in this last respect the boys and their mother had acted for themselves, for Mr Richmond appeared to have hazy notions as to what the family would most value.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading It might have been better if in this last respect the boys and their mother had acted for themselves, for Mr Richmond appeared to have hazy notions as to what the family would most value.

used when the people doing the action are also its object

From this reading It might have been better if in this last respect the boys and their mother had acted for themselves, for Mr Richmond appeared to have hazy notions as to what the family would most value.

in or at that place or location

From this reading He was there to receive Mrs Cruden when she arrived, and after conducting the little party hurriedly through the three rooms destined for their accommodation, considerately retired.

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

From this reading The first sight which met the boys' eyes as they arrived was their tennis-racquets in a corner of the room.

the cardinal number that is the product of ten and three

From this reading A very small case of trinkets was on Mrs Cruden's dressing-table, and not one of the twenty or thirty books arranged on the top of the sideboard was one which any member of the small household cared anything about.

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

From this reading It might have been better if in this last respect the boys and their mother had acted for themselves, for Mr Richmond appeared to have hazy notions as to what the family would most value.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one

From this reading He was there to receive Mrs Cruden when she arrived, and after conducting the little party hurriedly through the three rooms destined for their accommodation, considerately retired.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading He was there to receive Mrs Cruden when she arrived, and after conducting the little party hurriedly through the three rooms destined for their accommodation, considerately retired.

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

From this reading It might have been better if in this last respect the boys and their mother had acted for themselves, for Mr Richmond appeared to have hazy notions as to what the family would most value.

the upper part of anything

From this reading A very small case of trinkets was on Mrs Cruden's dressing-table, and not one of the twenty or thirty books arranged on the top of the sideboard was one which any member of the small household cared anything about.

plural of “trinket” — cheap showy jewelry or ornament on clothing

From this reading A very small case of trinkets was on Mrs Cruden's dressing-table, and not one of the twenty or thirty books arranged on the top of the sideboard was one which any member of the small household cared anything about.

the cardinal number that is the sum of nineteen and one

From this reading A very small case of trinkets was on Mrs Cruden's dressing-table, and not one of the twenty or thirty books arranged on the top of the sideboard was one which any member of the small household cared anything about.

a numerical quantity measured or assigned or computed

From this reading It might have been better if in this last respect the boys and their mother had acted for themselves, for Mr Richmond appeared to have hazy notions as to what the family would most value.

precisely as stated

From this reading A very small case of trinkets was on Mrs Cruden's dressing-table, and not one of the twenty or thirty books arranged on the top of the sideboard was one which any member of the small household cared anything about.

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

From this reading The first sight which met the boys' eyes as they arrived was their tennis-racquets in a corner of the room.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading It might have been better if in this last respect the boys and their mother had acted for themselves, for Mr Richmond appeared to have hazy notions as to what the family would most value.

at the time that

From this reading He was there to receive Mrs Cruden when she arrived, and after conducting the little party hurriedly through the three rooms destined for their accommodation, considerately retired.

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

From this reading The first sight which met the boys' eyes as they arrived was their tennis-racquets in a corner of the room.

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading It might have been better if in this last respect the boys and their mother had acted for themselves, for Mr Richmond appeared to have hazy notions as to what the family would most value.