Chapter VII · Chapter 7

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

From this reading The cousin whose husband had been killed in Belgium, leaving a young widow and two children scarcely younger and more helpless than herself, had no relation nearer than Dowie, and had sent forth to the good woman a frantic wail for help in her desolation.

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

From this reading Aunts and cousins and more or less able relatives were largely drawn on in these days of stress and need, and Dowie was an efficient person.

a record or narrative description of past events

From this reading The two children were, of course, on the point of being added to by an almost immediately impending third, and the mother, being penniless and prostrated, had remembered the comfortable creature with her solid bank account of savings and her good sense and good manners and knowledge of a world larger than the one into which she had been born.

past form of “add” — make an addition (to); join or combine or unite with others; increase the quality, quantity, size or scope of

From this reading The two children were, of course, on the point of being added to by an almost immediately impending third, and the mother, being penniless and prostrated, had remembered the comfortable creature with her solid bank account of savings and her good sense and good manners and knowledge of a world larger than the one into which she had been born.

(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but

From this reading The two children were, of course, on the point of being added to by an almost immediately impending third, and the mother, being penniless and prostrated, had remembered the comfortable creature with her solid bank account of savings and her good sense and good manners and knowledge of a world larger than the one into which she had been born.

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

From this reading Aunts and cousins and more or less able relatives were largely drawn on in these days of stress and need, and Dowie was an efficient person.

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

From this reading Aunts and cousins and more or less able relatives were largely drawn on in these days of stress and need, and Dowie was an efficient person.

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

From this reading Aunts and cousins and more or less able relatives were largely drawn on in these days of stress and need, and Dowie was an efficient person.

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

From this reading The two children were, of course, on the point of being added to by an almost immediately impending third, and the mother, being penniless and prostrated, had remembered the comfortable creature with her solid bank account of savings and her good sense and good manners and knowledge of a world larger than the one into which she had been born.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading The cousin whose husband had been killed in Belgium, leaving a young widow and two children scarcely younger and more helpless than herself, had no relation nearer than Dowie, and had sent forth to the good woman a frantic wail for help in her desolation.

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading The two children were, of course, on the point of being added to by an almost immediately impending third, and the mother, being penniless and prostrated, had remembered the comfortable creature with her solid bank account of savings and her good sense and good manners and knowledge of a world larger than the one into which she had been born.

a monarchy in northwestern Europe; headquarters for the European Union and for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization

From this reading The cousin whose husband had been killed in Belgium, leaving a young widow and two children scarcely younger and more helpless than herself, had no relation nearer than Dowie, and had sent forth to the good woman a frantic wail for help in her desolation.

brought into existence

From this reading The two children were, of course, on the point of being added to by an almost immediately impending third, and the mother, being penniless and prostrated, had remembered the comfortable creature with her solid bank account of savings and her good sense and good manners and knowledge of a world larger than the one into which she had been born.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading The two children were, of course, on the point of being added to by an almost immediately impending third, and the mother, being penniless and prostrated, had remembered the comfortable creature with her solid bank account of savings and her good sense and good manners and knowledge of a world larger than the one into which she had been born.

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

From this reading The cousin whose husband had been killed in Belgium, leaving a young widow and two children scarcely younger and more helpless than herself, had no relation nearer than Dowie, and had sent forth to the good woman a frantic wail for help in her desolation.

providing or experiencing physical well-being or relief (“comfy” is informal)

From this reading The two children were, of course, on the point of being added to by an almost immediately impending third, and the mother, being penniless and prostrated, had remembered the comfortable creature with her solid bank account of savings and her good sense and good manners and knowledge of a world larger than the one into which she had been born.

education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings

From this reading The two children were, of course, on the point of being added to by an almost immediately impending third, and the mother, being penniless and prostrated, had remembered the comfortable creature with her solid bank account of savings and her good sense and good manners and knowledge of a world larger than the one into which she had been born.

the child of your aunt or uncle

From this reading The cousin whose husband had been killed in Belgium, leaving a young widow and two children scarcely younger and more helpless than herself, had no relation nearer than Dowie, and had sent forth to the good woman a frantic wail for help in her desolation.

plural of “cousin” — the child of your aunt or uncle

From this reading Aunts and cousins and more or less able relatives were largely drawn on in these days of stress and need, and Dowie was an efficient person.

a living organism characterized by voluntary movement

From this reading The two children were, of course, on the point of being added to by an almost immediately impending third, and the mother, being penniless and prostrated, had remembered the comfortable creature with her solid bank account of savings and her good sense and good manners and knowledge of a world larger than the one into which she had been born.

the time during which someone's life continues

From this reading Aunts and cousins and more or less able relatives were largely drawn on in these days of stress and need, and Dowie was an efficient person.

the state of being decayed or destroyed

From this reading The cousin whose husband had been killed in Belgium, leaving a young widow and two children scarcely younger and more helpless than herself, had no relation nearer than Dowie, and had sent forth to the good woman a frantic wail for help in her desolation.

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

From this reading Aunts and cousins and more or less able relatives were largely drawn on in these days of stress and need, and Dowie was an efficient person.

showing the wearing effects of overwork or care or suffering

From this reading Aunts and cousins and more or less able relatives were largely drawn on in these days of stress and need, and Dowie was an efficient person.

being effective without wasting time or effort or expense

From this reading Aunts and cousins and more or less able relatives were largely drawn on in these days of stress and need, and Dowie was an efficient person.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading The cousin whose husband had been killed in Belgium, leaving a young widow and two children scarcely younger and more helpless than herself, had no relation nearer than Dowie, and had sent forth to the good woman a frantic wail for help in her desolation.

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

From this reading The cousin whose husband had been killed in Belgium, leaving a young widow and two children scarcely younger and more helpless than herself, had no relation nearer than Dowie, and had sent forth to the good woman a frantic wail for help in her desolation.

excessively agitated; distraught with fear or other violent emotion

From this reading The cousin whose husband had been killed in Belgium, leaving a young widow and two children scarcely younger and more helpless than herself, had no relation nearer than Dowie, and had sent forth to the good woman a frantic wail for help in her desolation.

having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified

From this reading The cousin whose husband had been killed in Belgium, leaving a young widow and two children scarcely younger and more helpless than herself, had no relation nearer than Dowie, and had sent forth to the good woman a frantic wail for help in her desolation.

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

From this reading The cousin whose husband had been killed in Belgium, leaving a young widow and two children scarcely younger and more helpless than herself, had no relation nearer than Dowie, and had sent forth to the good woman a frantic wail for help in her desolation.

give help or assistance; be of service

From this reading The cousin whose husband had been killed in Belgium, leaving a young widow and two children scarcely younger and more helpless than herself, had no relation nearer than Dowie, and had sent forth to the good woman a frantic wail for help in her desolation.

lacking in or deprived of strength or power

From this reading The cousin whose husband had been killed in Belgium, leaving a young widow and two children scarcely younger and more helpless than herself, had no relation nearer than Dowie, and had sent forth to the good woman a frantic wail for help in her desolation.

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

From this reading The cousin whose husband had been killed in Belgium, leaving a young widow and two children scarcely younger and more helpless than herself, had no relation nearer than Dowie, and had sent forth to the good woman a frantic wail for help in her desolation.

in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is

From this reading "You're settled here, my lamb," Dowie had said to Robin.

used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object

From this reading The cousin whose husband had been killed in Belgium, leaving a young widow and two children scarcely younger and more helpless than herself, had no relation nearer than Dowie, and had sent forth to the good woman a frantic wail for help in her desolation.

where you live at a particular time

From this reading "It's more like your own home than the other place was.

a married man; a woman's partner in marriage

From this reading The cousin whose husband had been killed in Belgium, leaving a young widow and two children scarcely younger and more helpless than herself, had no relation nearer than Dowie, and had sent forth to the good woman a frantic wail for help in her desolation.

without delay or hesitation; with no time intervening

From this reading The two children were, of course, on the point of being added to by an almost immediately impending third, and the mother, being penniless and prostrated, had remembered the comfortable creature with her solid bank account of savings and her good sense and good manners and knowledge of a world larger than the one into which she had been born.

close in time; about to occur

From this reading The two children were, of course, on the point of being added to by an almost immediately impending third, and the mother, being penniless and prostrated, had remembered the comfortable creature with her solid bank account of savings and her good sense and good manners and knowledge of a world larger than the one into which she had been born.

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

From this reading Aunts and cousins and more or less able relatives were largely drawn on in these days of stress and need, and Dowie was an efficient person.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading The two children were, of course, on the point of being added to by an almost immediately impending third, and the mother, being penniless and prostrated, had remembered the comfortable creature with her solid bank account of savings and her good sense and good manners and knowledge of a world larger than the one into which she had been born.

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

From this reading "It's more like your own home than the other place was.

past form of “kill” — cause to die; put to death, usually intentionally or knowingly

From this reading The cousin whose husband had been killed in Belgium, leaving a young widow and two children scarcely younger and more helpless than herself, had no relation nearer than Dowie, and had sent forth to the good woman a frantic wail for help in her desolation.

the psychological result of perception and learning and reasoning

From this reading The two children were, of course, on the point of being added to by an almost immediately impending third, and the mother, being penniless and prostrated, had remembered the comfortable creature with her solid bank account of savings and her good sense and good manners and knowledge of a world larger than the one into which she had been born.

young sheep

From this reading "You're settled here, my lamb," Dowie had said to Robin.

in large part; mainly or chiefly

From this reading Aunts and cousins and more or less able relatives were largely drawn on in these days of stress and need, and Dowie was an efficient person.

large or big relative to something else

From this reading The two children were, of course, on the point of being added to by an almost immediately impending third, and the mother, being penniless and prostrated, had remembered the comfortable creature with her solid bank account of savings and her good sense and good manners and knowledge of a world larger than the one into which she had been born.

the act of departing

From this reading The cousin whose husband had been killed in Belgium, leaving a young widow and two children scarcely younger and more helpless than herself, had no relation nearer than Dowie, and had sent forth to the good woman a frantic wail for help in her desolation.

used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs

From this reading Aunts and cousins and more or less able relatives were largely drawn on in these days of stress and need, and Dowie was an efficient person.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading "It's more like your own home than the other place was.

social deportment

From this reading The two children were, of course, on the point of being added to by an almost immediately impending third, and the mother, being penniless and prostrated, had remembered the comfortable creature with her solid bank account of savings and her good sense and good manners and knowledge of a world larger than the one into which she had been born.

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

From this reading Aunts and cousins and more or less able relatives were largely drawn on in these days of stress and need, and Dowie was an efficient person.

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

From this reading The two children were, of course, on the point of being added to by an almost immediately impending third, and the mother, being penniless and prostrated, had remembered the comfortable creature with her solid bank account of savings and her good sense and good manners and knowledge of a world larger than the one into which she had been born.

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading "You're settled here, my lamb," Dowie had said to Robin.

(comparative of “near” or “close”) within a shorter distance

From this reading The cousin whose husband had been killed in Belgium, leaving a young widow and two children scarcely younger and more helpless than herself, had no relation nearer than Dowie, and had sent forth to the good woman a frantic wail for help in her desolation.

a condition requiring relief

From this reading Aunts and cousins and more or less able relatives were largely drawn on in these days of stress and need, and Dowie was an efficient person.

not any; not one

From this reading The cousin whose husband had been killed in Belgium, leaving a young widow and two children scarcely younger and more helpless than herself, had no relation nearer than Dowie, and had sent forth to the good woman a frantic wail for help in her desolation.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Aunts and cousins and more or less able relatives were largely drawn on in these days of stress and need, and Dowie was an efficient person.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Aunts and cousins and more or less able relatives were largely drawn on in these days of stress and need, and Dowie was an efficient person.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading The two children were, of course, on the point of being added to by an almost immediately impending third, and the mother, being penniless and prostrated, had remembered the comfortable creature with her solid bank account of savings and her good sense and good manners and knowledge of a world larger than the one into which she had been born.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Aunts and cousins and more or less able relatives were largely drawn on in these days of stress and need, and Dowie was an efficient person.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading "It's more like your own home than the other place was.

have ownership or possession of

From this reading "It's more like your own home than the other place was.

not having enough money to pay for necessities

From this reading The two children were, of course, on the point of being added to by an almost immediately impending third, and the mother, being penniless and prostrated, had remembered the comfortable creature with her solid bank account of savings and her good sense and good manners and knowledge of a world larger than the one into which she had been born.

a human being

From this reading Aunts and cousins and more or less able relatives were largely drawn on in these days of stress and need, and Dowie was an efficient person.

a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading "It's more like your own home than the other place was.

a geometric element that has position but no extension

From this reading The two children were, of course, on the point of being added to by an almost immediately impending third, and the mother, being penniless and prostrated, had remembered the comfortable creature with her solid bank account of savings and her good sense and good manners and knowledge of a world larger than the one into which she had been born.

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

From this reading The two children were, of course, on the point of being added to by an almost immediately impending third, and the mother, being penniless and prostrated, had remembered the comfortable creature with her solid bank account of savings and her good sense and good manners and knowledge of a world larger than the one into which she had been born.

an abstraction belonging to or characteristic of two entities or parts together

From this reading The cousin whose husband had been killed in Belgium, leaving a young widow and two children scarcely younger and more helpless than herself, had no relation nearer than Dowie, and had sent forth to the good woman a frantic wail for help in her desolation.

plural of “relative” — a person related by blood or marriage

From this reading Aunts and cousins and more or less able relatives were largely drawn on in these days of stress and need, and Dowie was an efficient person.

past form of “remember” — recall knowledge from memory; have a recollection

From this reading The two children were, of course, on the point of being added to by an almost immediately impending third, and the mother, being penniless and prostrated, had remembered the comfortable creature with her solid bank account of savings and her good sense and good manners and knowledge of a world larger than the one into which she had been born.

small Old World songbird with a reddish breast

From this reading "You're settled here, my lamb," Dowie had said to Robin.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading "You're settled here, my lamb," Dowie had said to Robin.

a fund of money put by as a reserve

From this reading The two children were, of course, on the point of being added to by an almost immediately impending third, and the mother, being penniless and prostrated, had remembered the comfortable creature with her solid bank account of savings and her good sense and good manners and knowledge of a world larger than the one into which she had been born.

only a very short time before

From this reading The cousin whose husband had been killed in Belgium, leaving a young widow and two children scarcely younger and more helpless than herself, had no relation nearer than Dowie, and had sent forth to the good woman a frantic wail for help in her desolation.

a general conscious awareness

From this reading The two children were, of course, on the point of being added to by an almost immediately impending third, and the mother, being penniless and prostrated, had remembered the comfortable creature with her solid bank account of savings and her good sense and good manners and knowledge of a world larger than the one into which she had been born.

100 senti equal 1 kroon in Estonia

From this reading The cousin whose husband had been killed in Belgium, leaving a young widow and two children scarcely younger and more helpless than herself, had no relation nearer than Dowie, and had sent forth to the good woman a frantic wail for help in her desolation.

established or decided beyond dispute or doubt

From this reading "You're settled here, my lamb," Dowie had said to Robin.

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

From this reading The two children were, of course, on the point of being added to by an almost immediately impending third, and the mother, being penniless and prostrated, had remembered the comfortable creature with her solid bank account of savings and her good sense and good manners and knowledge of a world larger than the one into which she had been born.

characterized by good substantial quality

From this reading The two children were, of course, on the point of being added to by an almost immediately impending third, and the mother, being penniless and prostrated, had remembered the comfortable creature with her solid bank account of savings and her good sense and good manners and knowledge of a world larger than the one into which she had been born.

the relative prominence of a syllable or musical note (especially with regard to stress or pitch)

From this reading Aunts and cousins and more or less able relatives were largely drawn on in these days of stress and need, and Dowie was an efficient person.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading The cousin whose husband had been killed in Belgium, leaving a young widow and two children scarcely younger and more helpless than herself, had no relation nearer than Dowie, and had sent forth to the good woman a frantic wail for help in her desolation.

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

From this reading The cousin whose husband had been killed in Belgium, leaving a young widow and two children scarcely younger and more helpless than herself, had no relation nearer than Dowie, and had sent forth to the good woman a frantic wail for help in her desolation.

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

From this reading Aunts and cousins and more or less able relatives were largely drawn on in these days of stress and need, and Dowie was an efficient person.

one of three equal parts of a divisible whole

From this reading The two children were, of course, on the point of being added to by an almost immediately impending third, and the mother, being penniless and prostrated, had remembered the comfortable creature with her solid bank account of savings and her good sense and good manners and knowledge of a world larger than the one into which she had been born.

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

From this reading The cousin whose husband had been killed in Belgium, leaving a young widow and two children scarcely younger and more helpless than herself, had no relation nearer than Dowie, and had sent forth to the good woman a frantic wail for help in her desolation.

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

From this reading The cousin whose husband had been killed in Belgium, leaving a young widow and two children scarcely younger and more helpless than herself, had no relation nearer than Dowie, and had sent forth to the good woman a frantic wail for help in her desolation.

emit long loud cries

From this reading The cousin whose husband had been killed in Belgium, leaving a young widow and two children scarcely younger and more helpless than herself, had no relation nearer than Dowie, and had sent forth to the good woman a frantic wail for help in her desolation.

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

From this reading Aunts and cousins and more or less able relatives were largely drawn on in these days of stress and need, and Dowie was an efficient person.

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

From this reading Aunts and cousins and more or less able relatives were largely drawn on in these days of stress and need, and Dowie was an efficient person.

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

From this reading The two children were, of course, on the point of being added to by an almost immediately impending third, and the mother, being penniless and prostrated, had remembered the comfortable creature with her solid bank account of savings and her good sense and good manners and knowledge of a world larger than the one into which she had been born.

belonging to which person

From this reading The cousin whose husband had been killed in Belgium, leaving a young widow and two children scarcely younger and more helpless than herself, had no relation nearer than Dowie, and had sent forth to the good woman a frantic wail for help in her desolation.

a woman whose husband is dead especially one who has not remarried

From this reading The cousin whose husband had been killed in Belgium, leaving a young widow and two children scarcely younger and more helpless than herself, had no relation nearer than Dowie, and had sent forth to the good woman a frantic wail for help in her desolation.

in the company of; together with

From this reading The two children were, of course, on the point of being added to by an almost immediately impending third, and the mother, being penniless and prostrated, had remembered the comfortable creature with her solid bank account of savings and her good sense and good manners and knowledge of a world larger than the one into which she had been born.

an adult female person (as opposed to a man)

From this reading The cousin whose husband had been killed in Belgium, leaving a young widow and two children scarcely younger and more helpless than herself, had no relation nearer than Dowie, and had sent forth to the good woman a frantic wail for help in her desolation.

everything that exists anywhere

From this reading The two children were, of course, on the point of being added to by an almost immediately impending third, and the mother, being penniless and prostrated, had remembered the comfortable creature with her solid bank account of savings and her good sense and good manners and knowledge of a world larger than the one into which she had been born.

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

From this reading "You're settled here, my lamb," Dowie had said to Robin.

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

From this reading The cousin whose husband had been killed in Belgium, leaving a young widow and two children scarcely younger and more helpless than herself, had no relation nearer than Dowie, and had sent forth to the good woman a frantic wail for help in her desolation.

used of the younger of two persons of the same name especially used to distinguish a son from his father

From this reading The cousin whose husband had been killed in Belgium, leaving a young widow and two children scarcely younger and more helpless than herself, had no relation nearer than Dowie, and had sent forth to the good woman a frantic wail for help in her desolation.

belonging to the person or people being spoken to

From this reading "It's more like your own home than the other place was.