Chapter XIV · The Adrians at Home

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

From this reading The home of Ruth Adrian was not altogether a happy one, and yet her father and mother idolized her, and were both very worthy and lovable people.

Roman Emperor who was the adoptive son of Trajan; travelled throughout his empire to strengthen its frontiers and encourage learning and architecture; on a visit to Britain in 122 he ordered the construction of Hadrian's Wall (76-138)

From this reading The home of Ruth Adrian was not altogether a happy one, and yet her father and mother idolized her, and were both very worthy and lovable people.

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

From this reading Perhaps ‘non-fictional’ is hardly the word to apply, for Mr. Adrian’s favourite literature was travel and exploration, and travellers and explorers of all ages and all times, more especially of modern times, have found fiction a by no means to be despised element in their veracious and soul-stirring narratives.

later than; following

From this reading He had been out of business some years, and was prepared to pass the rest of his life quietly with the _Times_ newspaper, half-price after four o’clock, and the books of a non-fictional character which he borrowed from the local circulating library.

plural of “age” — how long something has existed

From this reading Perhaps ‘non-fictional’ is hardly the word to apply, for Mr. Adrian’s favourite literature was travel and exploration, and travellers and explorers of all ages and all times, more especially of modern times, have found fiction a by no means to be despised element in their veracious and soul-stirring narratives.

(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 Perhaps ‘non-fictional’ is hardly the word to apply, for Mr. Adrian’s favourite literature was travel and exploration, and travellers and explorers of all ages and all times, more especially of modern times, have found fiction a by no means to be despised element in their veracious and soul-stirring narratives.

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

From this reading The home of Ruth Adrian was not altogether a happy one, and yet her father and mother idolized her, and were both very worthy and lovable people.

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

From this reading The home of Ruth Adrian was not altogether a happy one, and yet her father and mother idolized her, and were both very worthy and lovable people.

put into service; make work or employ for a particular purpose or for its inherent or natural purpose

From this reading Perhaps ‘non-fictional’ is hardly the word to apply, for Mr. Adrian’s favourite literature was travel and exploration, and travellers and explorers of all ages and all times, more especially of modern times, have found fiction a by no means to be despised element in their veracious and soul-stirring narratives.

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

From this reading Perhaps ‘non-fictional’ is hardly the word to apply, for Mr. Adrian’s favourite literature was travel and exploration, and travellers and explorers of all ages and all times, more especially of modern times, have found fiction a by no means to be despised element in their veracious and soul-stirring narratives.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading He had been out of business some years, and was prepared to pass the rest of his life quietly with the _Times_ newspaper, half-price after four o’clock, and the books of a non-fictional character which he borrowed from the local circulating library.

Bound written or printed works.

From this reading He had been out of business some years, and was prepared to pass the rest of his life quietly with the _Times_ newspaper, half-price after four o’clock, and the books of a non-fictional character which he borrowed from the local circulating library.

past form of “borrow” — get temporarily

From this reading He had been out of business some years, and was prepared to pass the rest of his life quietly with the _Times_ newspaper, half-price after four o’clock, and the books of a non-fictional character which he borrowed from the local circulating library.

the two together, not just one

From this reading The home of Ruth Adrian was not altogether a happy one, and yet her father and mother idolized her, and were both very worthy and lovable people.

a commercial or industrial enterprise and the people who constitute it

From this reading He had been out of business some years, and was prepared to pass the rest of his life quietly with the _Times_ newspaper, half-price after four o’clock, and the books of a non-fictional character which he borrowed from the local circulating library.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Mr. Adrian had had but one romance in his life.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Perhaps ‘non-fictional’ is hardly the word to apply, for Mr. Adrian’s favourite literature was travel and exploration, and travellers and explorers of all ages and all times, more especially of modern times, have found fiction a by no means to be despised element in their veracious and soul-stirring narratives.

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

From this reading He had been out of business some years, and was prepared to pass the rest of his life quietly with the _Times_ newspaper, half-price after four o’clock, and the books of a non-fictional character which he borrowed from the local circulating library.

passing from one to another

From this reading He had been out of business some years, and was prepared to pass the rest of his life quietly with the _Times_ newspaper, half-price after four o’clock, and the books of a non-fictional character which he borrowed from the local circulating library.

treated with dislike or contempt

From this reading Perhaps ‘non-fictional’ is hardly the word to apply, for Mr. Adrian’s favourite literature was travel and exploration, and travellers and explorers of all ages and all times, more especially of modern times, have found fiction a by no means to be despised element in their veracious and soul-stirring narratives.

an abstract part of something

From this reading Perhaps ‘non-fictional’ is hardly the word to apply, for Mr. Adrian’s favourite literature was travel and exploration, and travellers and explorers of all ages and all times, more especially of modern times, have found fiction a by no means to be despised element in their veracious and soul-stirring narratives.

render capable or able for some task

From this reading Mr. Adrian was a kind-hearted old gentleman, who had made enough in trade to enable him to retire, and live modestly in a sixty pound a year house, keep two servants, and go out of town for a month once a year.

an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose

From this reading Mr. Adrian was a kind-hearted old gentleman, who had made enough in trade to enable him to retire, and live modestly in a sixty pound a year house, keep two servants, and go out of town for a month once a year.

to a distinctly greater extent or degree than is common

From this reading Perhaps ‘non-fictional’ is hardly the word to apply, for Mr. Adrian’s favourite literature was travel and exploration, and travellers and explorers of all ages and all times, more especially of modern times, have found fiction a by no means to be despised element in their veracious and soul-stirring narratives.

to travel for the purpose of discovery

From this reading Perhaps ‘non-fictional’ is hardly the word to apply, for Mr. Adrian’s favourite literature was travel and exploration, and travellers and explorers of all ages and all times, more especially of modern times, have found fiction a by no means to be despised element in their veracious and soul-stirring narratives.

plural of “explorer” — someone who travels into little known regions (especially for some scientific purpose)

From this reading Perhaps ‘non-fictional’ is hardly the word to apply, for Mr. Adrian’s favourite literature was travel and exploration, and travellers and explorers of all ages and all times, more especially of modern times, have found fiction a by no means to be despised element in their veracious and soul-stirring narratives.

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

From this reading The home of Ruth Adrian was not altogether a happy one, and yet her father and mother idolized her, and were both very worthy and lovable people.

a competitor thought likely to win

From this reading Perhaps ‘non-fictional’ is hardly the word to apply, for Mr. Adrian’s favourite literature was travel and exploration, and travellers and explorers of all ages and all times, more especially of modern times, have found fiction a by no means to be despised element in their veracious and soul-stirring narratives.

a literary work based on the imagination and not necessarily on fact

From this reading Perhaps ‘non-fictional’ is hardly the word to apply, for Mr. Adrian’s favourite literature was travel and exploration, and travellers and explorers of all ages and all times, more especially of modern times, have found fiction a by no means to be despised element in their veracious and soul-stirring narratives.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Mr. Adrian was a kind-hearted old gentleman, who had made enough in trade to enable him to retire, and live modestly in a sixty pound a year house, keep two servants, and go out of town for a month once a year.

set up or found

From this reading Perhaps ‘non-fictional’ is hardly the word to apply, for Mr. Adrian’s favourite literature was travel and exploration, and travellers and explorers of all ages and all times, more especially of modern times, have found fiction a by no means to be despised element in their veracious and soul-stirring narratives.

the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one

From this reading He had been out of business some years, and was prepared to pass the rest of his life quietly with the _Times_ newspaper, half-price after four o’clock, and the books of a non-fictional character which he borrowed from the local circulating library.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading He had been out of business some years, and was prepared to pass the rest of his life quietly with the _Times_ newspaper, half-price after four o’clock, and the books of a non-fictional character which he borrowed from the local circulating library.

a man of refinement

From this reading Mr. Adrian was a kind-hearted old gentleman, who had made enough in trade to enable him to retire, and live modestly in a sixty pound a year house, keep two servants, and go out of town for a month once a year.

change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading Mr. Adrian was a kind-hearted old gentleman, who had made enough in trade to enable him to retire, and live modestly in a sixty pound a year house, keep two servants, and go out of town for a month once a year.

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

From this reading Mr. Adrian was a kind-hearted old gentleman, who had made enough in trade to enable him to retire, and live modestly in a sixty pound a year house, keep two servants, and go out of town for a month once a year.

for half the price

From this reading He had been out of business some years, and was prepared to pass the rest of his life quietly with the _Times_ newspaper, half-price after four o’clock, and the books of a non-fictional character which he borrowed from the local circulating library.

enjoying or showing or marked by joy or pleasure

From this reading The home of Ruth Adrian was not altogether a happy one, and yet her father and mother idolized her, and were both very worthy and lovable people.

only a very short time before

From this reading Perhaps ‘non-fictional’ is hardly the word to apply, for Mr. Adrian’s favourite literature was travel and exploration, and travellers and explorers of all ages and all times, more especially of modern times, have found fiction a by no means to be despised element in their veracious and soul-stirring narratives.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading Perhaps ‘non-fictional’ is hardly the word to apply, for Mr. Adrian’s favourite literature was travel and exploration, and travellers and explorers of all ages and all times, more especially of modern times, have found fiction a by no means to be despised element in their veracious and soul-stirring narratives.

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

From this reading He had been out of business some years, and was prepared to pass the rest of his life quietly with the _Times_ newspaper, half-price after four o’clock, and the books of a non-fictional character which he borrowed from the local circulating library.

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

From this reading The home of Ruth Adrian was not altogether a happy one, and yet her father and mother idolized her, and were both very worthy and lovable people.

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

From this reading Mr. Adrian was a kind-hearted old gentleman, who had made enough in trade to enable him to retire, and live modestly in a sixty pound a year house, keep two servants, and go out of town for a month once a year.

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

From this reading He had been out of business some years, and was prepared to pass the rest of his life quietly with the _Times_ newspaper, half-price after four o’clock, and the books of a non-fictional character which he borrowed from the local circulating library.

where you live at a particular time

From this reading The home of Ruth Adrian was not altogether a happy one, and yet her father and mother idolized her, and were both very worthy and lovable people.

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

From this reading Mr. Adrian was a kind-hearted old gentleman, who had made enough in trade to enable him to retire, and live modestly in a sixty pound a year house, keep two servants, and go out of town for a month once a year.

regarded with deep or rapturous love (especially as if for a god)

From this reading The home of Ruth Adrian was not altogether a happy one, and yet her father and mother idolized her, and were both very worthy and lovable people.

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

From this reading Mr. Adrian was a kind-hearted old gentleman, who had made enough in trade to enable him to retire, and live modestly in a sixty pound a year house, keep two servants, and go out of town for a month once a year.

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

From this reading Perhaps ‘non-fictional’ is hardly the word to apply, for Mr. Adrian’s favourite literature was travel and exploration, and travellers and explorers of all ages and all times, more especially of modern times, have found fiction a by no means to be despised element in their veracious and soul-stirring narratives.

cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”

From this reading Mr. Adrian was a kind-hearted old gentleman, who had made enough in trade to enable him to retire, and live modestly in a sixty pound a year house, keep two servants, and go out of town for a month once a year.

having or proceeding from an innately kind disposition

From this reading Mr. Adrian was a kind-hearted old gentleman, who had made enough in trade to enable him to retire, and live modestly in a sixty pound a year house, keep two servants, and go out of town for a month once a year.

a room where books are kept

From this reading He had been out of business some years, and was prepared to pass the rest of his life quietly with the _Times_ newspaper, half-price after four o’clock, and the books of a non-fictional character which he borrowed from the local circulating library.

a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading He had been out of business some years, and was prepared to pass the rest of his life quietly with the _Times_ newspaper, half-price after four o’clock, and the books of a non-fictional character which he borrowed from the local circulating library.

creative writing of recognized artistic value

From this reading Perhaps ‘non-fictional’ is hardly the word to apply, for Mr. Adrian’s favourite literature was travel and exploration, and travellers and explorers of all ages and all times, more especially of modern times, have found fiction a by no means to be despised element in their veracious and soul-stirring narratives.

be an inhabitant of or reside in

From this reading Mr. Adrian was a kind-hearted old gentleman, who had made enough in trade to enable him to retire, and live modestly in a sixty pound a year house, keep two servants, and go out of town for a month once a year.

relating to or applicable to or concerned with the administration of a city or town or district rather than a larger area

From this reading He had been out of business some years, and was prepared to pass the rest of his life quietly with the _Times_ newspaper, half-price after four o’clock, and the books of a non-fictional character which he borrowed from the local circulating library.

having characteristics that attract love or affection

From this reading The home of Ruth Adrian was not altogether a happy one, and yet her father and mother idolized her, and were both very worthy and lovable people.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading Mr. Adrian was a kind-hearted old gentleman, who had made enough in trade to enable him to retire, and live modestly in a sixty pound a year house, keep two servants, and go out of town for a month once a year.

thing or person that acts to produce a particular effect or achieve an end

From this reading Perhaps ‘non-fictional’ is hardly the word to apply, for Mr. Adrian’s favourite literature was travel and exploration, and travellers and explorers of all ages and all times, more especially of modern times, have found fiction a by no means to be despised element in their veracious and soul-stirring narratives.

belonging to the modern era; since the Middle Ages

From this reading Perhaps ‘non-fictional’ is hardly the word to apply, for Mr. Adrian’s favourite literature was travel and exploration, and travellers and explorers of all ages and all times, more especially of modern times, have found fiction a by no means to be despised element in their veracious and soul-stirring narratives.

with modesty; in a modest manner

From this reading Mr. Adrian was a kind-hearted old gentleman, who had made enough in trade to enable him to retire, and live modestly in a sixty pound a year house, keep two servants, and go out of town for a month once a year.

one of the twelve divisions of the calendar year

From this reading Mr. Adrian was a kind-hearted old gentleman, who had made enough in trade to enable him to retire, and live modestly in a sixty pound a year house, keep two servants, and go out of town for a month once a year.

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

From this reading Perhaps ‘non-fictional’ is hardly the word to apply, for Mr. Adrian’s favourite literature was travel and exploration, and travellers and explorers of all ages and all times, more especially of modern times, have found fiction a by no means to be despised element in their veracious and soul-stirring narratives.

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

From this reading The home of Ruth Adrian was not altogether a happy one, and yet her father and mother idolized her, and were both very worthy and lovable people.

a form of address for a man

From this reading Mr. Adrian was a kind-hearted old gentleman, who had made enough in trade to enable him to retire, and live modestly in a sixty pound a year house, keep two servants, and go out of town for a month once a year.

plural of “narrative” — a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program

From this reading Perhaps ‘non-fictional’ is hardly the word to apply, for Mr. Adrian’s favourite literature was travel and exploration, and travellers and explorers of all ages and all times, more especially of modern times, have found fiction a by no means to be despised element in their veracious and soul-stirring narratives.

a daily or weekly publication on folded sheets; contains news and articles and advertisements

From this reading He had been out of business some years, and was prepared to pass the rest of his life quietly with the _Times_ newspaper, half-price after four o’clock, and the books of a non-fictional character which he borrowed from the local circulating library.

not any; not one

From this reading Perhaps ‘non-fictional’ is hardly the word to apply, for Mr. Adrian’s favourite literature was travel and exploration, and travellers and explorers of all ages and all times, more especially of modern times, have found fiction a by no means to be despised element in their veracious and soul-stirring narratives.

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

From this reading He had been out of business some years, and was prepared to pass the rest of his life quietly with the _Times_ newspaper, half-price after four o’clock, and the books of a non-fictional character which he borrowed from the local circulating library.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading The home of Ruth Adrian was not altogether a happy one, and yet her father and mother idolized her, and were both very worthy and lovable people.

according to the clock

From this reading He had been out of business some years, and was prepared to pass the rest of his life quietly with the _Times_ newspaper, half-price after four o’clock, and the books of a non-fictional character which he borrowed from the local circulating library.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The home of Ruth Adrian was not altogether a happy one, and yet her father and mother idolized her, and were both very worthy and lovable people.

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

From this reading Mr. Adrian was a kind-hearted old gentleman, who had made enough in trade to enable him to retire, and live modestly in a sixty pound a year house, keep two servants, and go out of town for a month once a year.

on one occasion

From this reading Mr. Adrian was a kind-hearted old gentleman, who had made enough in trade to enable him to retire, and live modestly in a sixty pound a year house, keep two servants, and go out of town for a month once a year.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading The home of Ruth Adrian was not altogether a happy one, and yet her father and mother idolized her, and were both very worthy and lovable people.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading Mr. Adrian was a kind-hearted old gentleman, who had made enough in trade to enable him to retire, and live modestly in a sixty pound a year house, keep two servants, and go out of town for a month once a year.

go across or through

From this reading He had been out of business some years, and was prepared to pass the rest of his life quietly with the _Times_ newspaper, half-price after four o’clock, and the books of a non-fictional character which he borrowed from the local circulating library.

(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively

From this reading The home of Ruth Adrian was not altogether a happy one, and yet her father and mother idolized her, and were both very worthy and lovable people.

by chance

From this reading Perhaps ‘non-fictional’ is hardly the word to apply, for Mr. Adrian’s favourite literature was travel and exploration, and travellers and explorers of all ages and all times, more especially of modern times, have found fiction a by no means to be despised element in their veracious and soul-stirring narratives.

hit hard with the hand, fist, or some heavy instrument

From this reading Mr. Adrian was a kind-hearted old gentleman, who had made enough in trade to enable him to retire, and live modestly in a sixty pound a year house, keep two servants, and go out of town for a month once a year.

made ready or fit or suitable beforehand

From this reading He had been out of business some years, and was prepared to pass the rest of his life quietly with the _Times_ newspaper, half-price after four o’clock, and the books of a non-fictional character which he borrowed from the local circulating library.

with low volume

From this reading He had been out of business some years, and was prepared to pass the rest of his life quietly with the _Times_ newspaper, half-price after four o’clock, and the books of a non-fictional character which he borrowed from the local circulating library.

not move; be in a resting position

From this reading He had been out of business some years, and was prepared to pass the rest of his life quietly with the _Times_ newspaper, half-price after four o’clock, and the books of a non-fictional character which he borrowed from the local circulating library.

go into retirement; stop performing one's work or withdraw from one's position

From this reading Mr. Adrian was a kind-hearted old gentleman, who had made enough in trade to enable him to retire, and live modestly in a sixty pound a year house, keep two servants, and go out of town for a month once a year.

a relationship between two lovers

From this reading Mr. Adrian had had but one romance in his life.

United States professional baseball player famous for hitting home runs (1895-1948)

From this reading The home of Ruth Adrian was not altogether a happy one, and yet her father and mother idolized her, and were both very worthy and lovable people.

plural of “servant” — a person working in the service of another (especially in the household)

From this reading Mr. Adrian was a kind-hearted old gentleman, who had made enough in trade to enable him to retire, and live modestly in a sixty pound a year house, keep two servants, and go out of town for a month once a year.

being ten more than fifty

From this reading Mr. Adrian was a kind-hearted old gentleman, who had made enough in trade to enable him to retire, and live modestly in a sixty pound a year house, keep two servants, and go out of town for a month once a year.

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading He had been out of business some years, and was prepared to pass the rest of his life quietly with the _Times_ newspaper, half-price after four o’clock, and the books of a non-fictional character which he borrowed from the local circulating library.

exciting strong but not unpleasant emotions

From this reading Perhaps ‘non-fictional’ is hardly the word to apply, for Mr. Adrian’s favourite literature was travel and exploration, and travellers and explorers of all ages and all times, more especially of modern times, have found fiction a by no means to be despised element in their veracious and soul-stirring narratives.

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

From this reading The home of Ruth Adrian was not altogether a happy one, and yet her father and mother idolized her, and were both very worthy and lovable people.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Perhaps ‘non-fictional’ is hardly the word to apply, for Mr. Adrian’s favourite literature was travel and exploration, and travellers and explorers of all ages and all times, more especially of modern times, have found fiction a by no means to be despised element in their veracious and soul-stirring narratives.

a more or less definite period of time now or previously present

From this reading He had been out of business some years, and was prepared to pass the rest of his life quietly with the _Times_ newspaper, half-price after four o’clock, and the books of a non-fictional character which he borrowed from the local circulating library.

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

From this reading Mr. Adrian was a kind-hearted old gentleman, who had made enough in trade to enable him to retire, and live modestly in a sixty pound a year house, keep two servants, and go out of town for a month once a year.

an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city

From this reading Mr. Adrian was a kind-hearted old gentleman, who had made enough in trade to enable him to retire, and live modestly in a sixty pound a year house, keep two servants, and go out of town for a month once a year.

the commercial exchange (buying and selling on domestic or international markets) of goods and services

From this reading Mr. Adrian was a kind-hearted old gentleman, who had made enough in trade to enable him to retire, and live modestly in a sixty pound a year house, keep two servants, and go out of town for a month once a year.

change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading Perhaps ‘non-fictional’ is hardly the word to apply, for Mr. Adrian’s favourite literature was travel and exploration, and travellers and explorers of all ages and all times, more especially of modern times, have found fiction a by no means to be despised element in their veracious and soul-stirring narratives.

plural of “traveller” — a person who changes location

From this reading Perhaps ‘non-fictional’ is hardly the word to apply, for Mr. Adrian’s favourite literature was travel and exploration, and travellers and explorers of all ages and all times, more especially of modern times, have found fiction a by no means to be despised element in their veracious and soul-stirring narratives.

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

From this reading Mr. Adrian was a kind-hearted old gentleman, who had made enough in trade to enable him to retire, and live modestly in a sixty pound a year house, keep two servants, and go out of town for a month once a year.

habitually speaking the truth

From this reading Perhaps ‘non-fictional’ is hardly the word to apply, for Mr. Adrian’s favourite literature was travel and exploration, and travellers and explorers of all ages and all times, more especially of modern times, have found fiction a by no means to be despised element in their veracious and soul-stirring narratives.

precisely as stated

From this reading The home of Ruth Adrian was not altogether a happy one, and yet her father and mother idolized her, and were both very worthy and lovable people.

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

From this reading The home of Ruth Adrian was not altogether a happy one, and yet her father and mother idolized her, and were both very worthy and lovable people.

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

From this reading The home of Ruth Adrian was not altogether a happy one, and yet her father and mother idolized her, and were both very worthy and lovable people.

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

From this reading He had been out of business some years, and was prepared to pass the rest of his life quietly with the _Times_ newspaper, half-price after four o’clock, and the books of a non-fictional character which he borrowed from the local circulating library.

which person or people

From this reading Mr. Adrian was a kind-hearted old gentleman, who had made enough in trade to enable him to retire, and live modestly in a sixty pound a year house, keep two servants, and go out of town for a month once a year.

in the company of; together with

From this reading He had been out of business some years, and was prepared to pass the rest of his life quietly with the _Times_ newspaper, half-price after four o’clock, and the books of a non-fictional character which he borrowed from the local circulating library.

a unit of language that native speakers can identify

From this reading Perhaps ‘non-fictional’ is hardly the word to apply, for Mr. Adrian’s favourite literature was travel and exploration, and travellers and explorers of all ages and all times, more especially of modern times, have found fiction a by no means to be despised element in their veracious and soul-stirring narratives.

Having or showing the qualities or abilities that merit recognition in character or magic.

From this reading The home of Ruth Adrian was not altogether a happy one, and yet her father and mother idolized her, and were both very worthy and lovable people.

a period of time containing 365 (or 366) days

From this reading Mr. Adrian was a kind-hearted old gentleman, who had made enough in trade to enable him to retire, and live modestly in a sixty pound a year house, keep two servants, and go out of town for a month once a year.

a late time of life

From this reading He had been out of business some years, and was prepared to pass the rest of his life quietly with the _Times_ newspaper, half-price after four o’clock, and the books of a non-fictional character which he borrowed from the local circulating library.

but in spite of that

From this reading The home of Ruth Adrian was not altogether a happy one, and yet her father and mother idolized her, and were both very worthy and lovable people.