Chapter I · Chapter 1

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

From this reading In the years when Victorian standards and ideals began to dance an increasingly rapid jig before amazed lookers-on, who presently found themselves dancing as madly as the rest--in these years, there lived in Mayfair, in a slice of a house, Robert Gareth-Lawless and his lovely young wife.

open to or abounding in fresh air

From this reading So light and airy was she to earthly vision and so diaphanous the texture of her mentality that she was known as "Feather."

filled with the emotional impact of overwhelming surprise or shock

From this reading In the years when Victorian standards and ideals began to dance an increasingly rapid jig before amazed lookers-on, who presently found themselves dancing as madly as the rest--in these years, there lived in Mayfair, in a slice of a house, Robert Gareth-Lawless and his lovely young wife.

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

From this reading In the years when Victorian standards and ideals began to dance an increasingly rapid jig before amazed lookers-on, who presently found themselves dancing as madly as the rest--in these years, there lived in Mayfair, in a slice of a house, Robert Gareth-Lawless and his lovely young wife.

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

From this reading In the years when Victorian standards and ideals began to dance an increasingly rapid jig before amazed lookers-on, who presently found themselves dancing as madly as the rest--in these years, there lived in Mayfair, in a slice of a house, Robert Gareth-Lawless and his lovely young wife.

a disposition to behave in a certain way

From this reading Robert--well born, irresponsible, without resources--evolved a carefully detailed method of living upon nothing whatever, of keeping out of the way of duns, and telling lies with aptness and outward gaiety.

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

From this reading In the years when Victorian standards and ideals began to dance an increasingly rapid jig before amazed lookers-on, who presently found themselves dancing as madly as the rest--in these years, there lived in Mayfair, in a slice of a house, Robert Gareth-Lawless and his lovely young wife.

writes (books or stories or articles or the like) professionally (for pay)

From this reading AUTHOR OF "THE SHUTTLE" "THE SECRET GARDEN" "THE HEAD OF THE HOUSE OF COOMBE" ETC.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading In the years when Victorian standards and ideals began to dance an increasingly rapid jig before amazed lookers-on, who presently found themselves dancing as madly as the rest--in these years, there lived in Mayfair, in a slice of a house, Robert Gareth-Lawless and his lovely young wife.

inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

From this reading In the years when Victorian standards and ideals began to dance an increasingly rapid jig before amazed lookers-on, who presently found themselves dancing as madly as the rest--in these years, there lived in Mayfair, in a slice of a house, Robert Gareth-Lawless and his lovely young wife.

in the space, time, or range separating two things

From this reading The slice of a house between two comparatively stately mansions in the "right street" was a rash venture of the honeymoon.

brought into existence

From this reading Robert--well born, irresponsible, without resources--evolved a carefully detailed method of living upon nothing whatever, of keeping out of the way of duns, and telling lies with aptness and outward gaiety.

taking care or paying attention

From this reading Robert--well born, irresponsible, without resources--evolved a carefully detailed method of living upon nothing whatever, of keeping out of the way of duns, and telling lies with aptness and outward gaiety.

in a relative manner; by comparison to something else

From this reading The slice of a house between two comparatively stately mansions in the "right street" was a rash venture of the honeymoon.

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

From this reading AUTHOR OF "THE SHUTTLE" "THE SECRET GARDEN" "THE HEAD OF THE HOUSE OF COOMBE" ETC.

an artistic form of nonverbal communication

From this reading In the years when Victorian standards and ideals began to dance an increasingly rapid jig before amazed lookers-on, who presently found themselves dancing as madly as the rest--in these years, there lived in Mayfair, in a slice of a house, Robert Gareth-Lawless and his lovely young wife.

taking a series of rhythmical steps (and movements) in time to music

From this reading In the years when Victorian standards and ideals began to dance an increasingly rapid jig before amazed lookers-on, who presently found themselves dancing as madly as the rest--in these years, there lived in Mayfair, in a slice of a house, Robert Gareth-Lawless and his lovely young wife.

developed or executed with care and in minute detail

From this reading Robert--well born, irresponsible, without resources--evolved a carefully detailed method of living upon nothing whatever, of keeping out of the way of duns, and telling lies with aptness and outward gaiety.

so thin as to transmit light

From this reading So light and airy was she to earthly vision and so diaphanous the texture of her mentality that she was known as "Feather."

plural of “dun” — horse of a dull brownish grey color

From this reading Robert--well born, irresponsible, without resources--evolved a carefully detailed method of living upon nothing whatever, of keeping out of the way of duns, and telling lies with aptness and outward gaiety.

of or belonging to or characteristic of this earth as distinguished from heaven

From this reading So light and airy was she to earthly vision and so diaphanous the texture of her mentality that she was known as "Feather."

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

From this reading AUTHOR OF "THE SHUTTLE" "THE SECRET GARDEN" "THE HEAD OF THE HOUSE OF COOMBE" ETC.

past form of “evolve” — work out

From this reading Robert--well born, irresponsible, without resources--evolved a carefully detailed method of living upon nothing whatever, of keeping out of the way of duns, and telling lies with aptness and outward gaiety.

join tongue and groove, in carpentry

From this reading So light and airy was she to earthly vision and so diaphanous the texture of her mentality that she was known as "Feather."

set up or found

From this reading In the years when Victorian standards and ideals began to dance an increasingly rapid jig before amazed lookers-on, who presently found themselves dancing as madly as the rest--in these years, there lived in Mayfair, in a slice of a house, Robert Gareth-Lawless and his lovely young wife.

a gay feeling

From this reading Robert--well born, irresponsible, without resources--evolved a carefully detailed method of living upon nothing whatever, of keeping out of the way of duns, and telling lies with aptness and outward gaiety.

a plot of ground where plants are cultivated

From this reading AUTHOR OF "THE SHUTTLE" "THE SECRET GARDEN" "THE HEAD OF THE HOUSE OF COOMBE" ETC.

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

From this reading In the years when Victorian standards and ideals began to dance an increasingly rapid jig before amazed lookers-on, who presently found themselves dancing as madly as the rest--in these years, there lived in Mayfair, in a slice of a house, Robert Gareth-Lawless and his lovely young wife.

the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains

From this reading AUTHOR OF "THE SHUTTLE" "THE SECRET GARDEN" "THE HEAD OF THE HOUSE OF COOMBE" ETC.

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

From this reading So light and airy was she to earthly vision and so diaphanous the texture of her mentality that she was known as "Feather."

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

From this reading In the years when Victorian standards and ideals began to dance an increasingly rapid jig before amazed lookers-on, who presently found themselves dancing as madly as the rest--in these years, there lived in Mayfair, in a slice of a house, Robert Gareth-Lawless and his lovely young wife.

a holiday taken by a newly married couple

From this reading The slice of a house between two comparatively stately mansions in the "right street" was a rash venture of the honeymoon.

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

From this reading AUTHOR OF "THE SHUTTLE" "THE SECRET GARDEN" "THE HEAD OF THE HOUSE OF COOMBE" ETC.

plural of “ideal” — the idea of something that is perfect; something that one hopes to attain

From this reading In the years when Victorian standards and ideals began to dance an increasingly rapid jig before amazed lookers-on, who presently found themselves dancing as madly as the rest--in these years, there lived in Mayfair, in a slice of a house, Robert Gareth-Lawless and his lovely young wife.

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

From this reading In the years when Victorian standards and ideals began to dance an increasingly rapid jig before amazed lookers-on, who presently found themselves dancing as madly as the rest--in these years, there lived in Mayfair, in a slice of a house, Robert Gareth-Lawless and his lovely young wife.

advancing in amount or intensity

From this reading In the years when Victorian standards and ideals began to dance an increasingly rapid jig before amazed lookers-on, who presently found themselves dancing as madly as the rest--in these years, there lived in Mayfair, in a slice of a house, Robert Gareth-Lawless and his lovely young wife.

showing lack of care for consequences

From this reading Robert--well born, irresponsible, without resources--evolved a carefully detailed method of living upon nothing whatever, of keeping out of the way of duns, and telling lies with aptness and outward gaiety.

dance a quick dance with leaping and kicking motions

From this reading In the years when Victorian standards and ideals began to dance an increasingly rapid jig before amazed lookers-on, who presently found themselves dancing as madly as the rest--in these years, there lived in Mayfair, in a slice of a house, Robert Gareth-Lawless and his lovely young wife.

conformity or harmony

From this reading Robert--well born, irresponsible, without resources--evolved a carefully detailed method of living upon nothing whatever, of keeping out of the way of duns, and telling lies with aptness and outward gaiety.

apprehended with certainty

From this reading So light and airy was she to earthly vision and so diaphanous the texture of her mentality that she was known as "Feather."

plural of “lie” — a statement that deviates from or perverts the truth

From this reading Robert--well born, irresponsible, without resources--evolved a carefully detailed method of living upon nothing whatever, of keeping out of the way of duns, and telling lies with aptness and outward gaiety.

of comparatively little physical weight or density

From this reading So light and airy was she to earthly vision and so diaphanous the texture of her mentality that she was known as "Feather."

past form of “live” — be an inhabitant of or reside in

From this reading In the years when Victorian standards and ideals began to dance an increasingly rapid jig before amazed lookers-on, who presently found themselves dancing as madly as the rest--in these years, there lived in Mayfair, in a slice of a house, Robert Gareth-Lawless and his lovely young wife.

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

From this reading Robert--well born, irresponsible, without resources--evolved a carefully detailed method of living upon nothing whatever, of keeping out of the way of duns, and telling lies with aptness and outward gaiety.

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

From this reading In the years when Victorian standards and ideals began to dance an increasingly rapid jig before amazed lookers-on, who presently found themselves dancing as madly as the rest--in these years, there lived in Mayfair, in a slice of a house, Robert Gareth-Lawless and his lovely young wife.

appealing to the emotions as well as the eye

From this reading In the years when Victorian standards and ideals began to dance an increasingly rapid jig before amazed lookers-on, who presently found themselves dancing as madly as the rest--in these years, there lived in Mayfair, in a slice of a house, Robert Gareth-Lawless and his lovely young wife.

in an uncontrolled manner

From this reading In the years when Victorian standards and ideals began to dance an increasingly rapid jig before amazed lookers-on, who presently found themselves dancing as madly as the rest--in these years, there lived in Mayfair, in a slice of a house, Robert Gareth-Lawless and his lovely young wife.

plural of “mansion” — (astrology) one of 12 equal areas into which the zodiac is divided

From this reading The slice of a house between two comparatively stately mansions in the "right street" was a rash venture of the honeymoon.

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

From this reading In the years when Victorian standards and ideals began to dance an increasingly rapid jig before amazed lookers-on, who presently found themselves dancing as madly as the rest--in these years, there lived in Mayfair, in a slice of a house, Robert Gareth-Lawless and his lovely young wife.

a habitual or characteristic mental attitude that determines how you will interpret and respond to situations

From this reading So light and airy was she to earthly vision and so diaphanous the texture of her mentality that she was known as "Feather."

a way of doing something, especially a systematic way; implies an orderly logical arrangement (usually in steps)

From this reading Robert--well born, irresponsible, without resources--evolved a carefully detailed method of living upon nothing whatever, of keeping out of the way of duns, and telling lies with aptness and outward gaiety.

not one thing; not anything

From this reading Robert--well born, irresponsible, without resources--evolved a carefully detailed method of living upon nothing whatever, of keeping out of the way of duns, and telling lies with aptness and outward gaiety.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading AUTHOR OF "THE SHUTTLE" "THE SECRET GARDEN" "THE HEAD OF THE HOUSE OF COOMBE" ETC.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading Robert--well born, irresponsible, without resources--evolved a carefully detailed method of living upon nothing whatever, of keeping out of the way of duns, and telling lies with aptness and outward gaiety.

relating to physical reality rather than with thoughts or the mind

From this reading Robert--well born, irresponsible, without resources--evolved a carefully detailed method of living upon nothing whatever, of keeping out of the way of duns, and telling lies with aptness and outward gaiety.

in the near future

From this reading In the years when Victorian standards and ideals began to dance an increasingly rapid jig before amazed lookers-on, who presently found themselves dancing as madly as the rest--in these years, there lived in Mayfair, in a slice of a house, Robert Gareth-Lawless and his lovely young wife.

done or occurring in a brief period of time

From this reading In the years when Victorian standards and ideals began to dance an increasingly rapid jig before amazed lookers-on, who presently found themselves dancing as madly as the rest--in these years, there lived in Mayfair, in a slice of a house, Robert Gareth-Lawless and his lovely young wife.

any red eruption of the skin

From this reading The slice of a house between two comparatively stately mansions in the "right street" was a rash venture of the honeymoon.

plural of “resource” — available source of wealth; a new or reserve supply that can be drawn upon when needed

From this reading Robert--well born, irresponsible, without resources--evolved a carefully detailed method of living upon nothing whatever, of keeping out of the way of duns, and telling lies with aptness and outward gaiety.

not move; be in a resting position

From this reading In the years when Victorian standards and ideals began to dance an increasingly rapid jig before amazed lookers-on, who presently found themselves dancing as madly as the rest--in these years, there lived in Mayfair, in a slice of a house, Robert Gareth-Lawless and his lovely young wife.

precisely, exactly

From this reading The slice of a house between two comparatively stately mansions in the "right street" was a rash venture of the honeymoon.

United States parliamentary authority and author (in 1876) of Robert's Rules of Order (1837-1923)

From this reading In the years when Victorian standards and ideals began to dance an increasingly rapid jig before amazed lookers-on, who presently found themselves dancing as madly as the rest--in these years, there lived in Mayfair, in a slice of a house, Robert Gareth-Lawless and his lovely young wife.

Something that is kept or meant to be kept unknown or unseen by others.

From this reading AUTHOR OF "THE SHUTTLE" "THE SECRET GARDEN" "THE HEAD OF THE HOUSE OF COOMBE" ETC.

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

From this reading So light and airy was she to earthly vision and so diaphanous the texture of her mentality that she was known as "Feather."

travel back and forth between two points

From this reading AUTHOR OF "THE SHUTTLE" "THE SECRET GARDEN" "THE HEAD OF THE HOUSE OF COOMBE" ETC.

a share of something

From this reading In the years when Victorian standards and ideals began to dance an increasingly rapid jig before amazed lookers-on, who presently found themselves dancing as madly as the rest--in these years, there lived in Mayfair, in a slice of a house, Robert Gareth-Lawless and his lovely young wife.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading So light and airy was she to earthly vision and so diaphanous the texture of her mentality that she was known as "Feather."

plural of “standard” — a basis for comparison; a reference point against which other things can be evaluated

From this reading In the years when Victorian standards and ideals began to dance an increasingly rapid jig before amazed lookers-on, who presently found themselves dancing as madly as the rest--in these years, there lived in Mayfair, in a slice of a house, Robert Gareth-Lawless and his lovely young wife.

impressive in appearance

From this reading The slice of a house between two comparatively stately mansions in the "right street" was a rash venture of the honeymoon.

a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings

From this reading The slice of a house between two comparatively stately mansions in the "right street" was a rash venture of the honeymoon.

disclosing unintentionally something concealed

From this reading Robert--well born, irresponsible, without resources--evolved a carefully detailed method of living upon nothing whatever, of keeping out of the way of duns, and telling lies with aptness and outward gaiety.

the feel of a surface or a fabric

From this reading So light and airy was she to earthly vision and so diaphanous the texture of her mentality that she was known as "Feather."

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading So light and airy was she to earthly vision and so diaphanous the texture of her mentality that she was known as "Feather."

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

From this reading AUTHOR OF "THE SHUTTLE" "THE SECRET GARDEN" "THE HEAD OF THE HOUSE OF COOMBE" ETC.

used when the people doing the action are also its object

From this reading In the years when Victorian standards and ideals began to dance an increasingly rapid jig before amazed lookers-on, who presently found themselves dancing as madly as the rest--in these years, there lived in Mayfair, in a slice of a house, Robert Gareth-Lawless and his lovely young wife.

in or at that place or location

From this reading In the years when Victorian standards and ideals began to dance an increasingly rapid jig before amazed lookers-on, who presently found themselves dancing as madly as the rest--in these years, there lived in Mayfair, in a slice of a house, Robert Gareth-Lawless and his lovely young wife.

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

From this reading In the years when Victorian standards and ideals began to dance an increasingly rapid jig before amazed lookers-on, who presently found themselves dancing as madly as the rest--in these years, there lived in Mayfair, in a slice of a house, Robert Gareth-Lawless and his lovely young wife.

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

From this reading In the years when Victorian standards and ideals began to dance an increasingly rapid jig before amazed lookers-on, who presently found themselves dancing as madly as the rest--in these years, there lived in Mayfair, in a slice of a house, Robert Gareth-Lawless and his lovely young wife.

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

From this reading The slice of a house between two comparatively stately mansions in the "right street" was a rash venture of the honeymoon.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading Robert--well born, irresponsible, without resources--evolved a carefully detailed method of living upon nothing whatever, of keeping out of the way of duns, and telling lies with aptness and outward gaiety.

any venturesome undertaking especially one with an uncertain outcome

From this reading The slice of a house between two comparatively stately mansions in the "right street" was a rash venture of the honeymoon.

of or relating to Queen Victoria of Great Britain or to the age in which she ruled

From this reading In the years when Victorian standards and ideals began to dance an increasingly rapid jig before amazed lookers-on, who presently found themselves dancing as madly as the rest--in these years, there lived in Mayfair, in a slice of a house, Robert Gareth-Lawless and his lovely young wife.

a vivid mental image

From this reading So light and airy was she to earthly vision and so diaphanous the texture of her mentality that she was known as "Feather."

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

From this reading So light and airy was she to earthly vision and so diaphanous the texture of her mentality that she was known as "Feather."

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading Robert--well born, irresponsible, without resources--evolved a carefully detailed method of living upon nothing whatever, of keeping out of the way of duns, and telling lies with aptness and outward gaiety.

(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)

From this reading Robert--well born, irresponsible, without resources--evolved a carefully detailed method of living upon nothing whatever, of keeping out of the way of duns, and telling lies with aptness and outward gaiety.

any or all of a kind, it does not matter which

From this reading Robert--well born, irresponsible, without resources--evolved a carefully detailed method of living upon nothing whatever, of keeping out of the way of duns, and telling lies with aptness and outward gaiety.

at the time that

From this reading In the years when Victorian standards and ideals began to dance an increasingly rapid jig before amazed lookers-on, who presently found themselves dancing as madly as the rest--in these years, there lived in Mayfair, in a slice of a house, Robert Gareth-Lawless and his lovely young wife.

which person or people

From this reading In the years when Victorian standards and ideals began to dance an increasingly rapid jig before amazed lookers-on, who presently found themselves dancing as madly as the rest--in these years, there lived in Mayfair, in a slice of a house, Robert Gareth-Lawless and his lovely young wife.

a married woman; a man's partner in marriage

From this reading In the years when Victorian standards and ideals began to dance an increasingly rapid jig before amazed lookers-on, who presently found themselves dancing as madly as the rest--in these years, there lived in Mayfair, in a slice of a house, Robert Gareth-Lawless and his lovely young wife.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Robert--well born, irresponsible, without resources--evolved a carefully detailed method of living upon nothing whatever, of keeping out of the way of duns, and telling lies with aptness and outward gaiety.

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading Robert--well born, irresponsible, without resources--evolved a carefully detailed method of living upon nothing whatever, of keeping out of the way of duns, and telling lies with aptness and outward gaiety.

a late time of life

From this reading In the years when Victorian standards and ideals began to dance an increasingly rapid jig before amazed lookers-on, who presently found themselves dancing as madly as the rest--in these years, there lived in Mayfair, in a slice of a house, Robert Gareth-Lawless and his lovely young wife.

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

From this reading In the years when Victorian standards and ideals began to dance an increasingly rapid jig before amazed lookers-on, who presently found themselves dancing as madly as the rest--in these years, there lived in Mayfair, in a slice of a house, Robert Gareth-Lawless and his lovely young wife.