Chapter II

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading Through the day my mother went about her household duties calmly, as was her wont.

yield to another's wish or opinion

From this reading Ay, and that Charles, my father’s brother, was an enemy of my mother; that he and his wife had wronged her cruelly in the past; that she hated him, and that the prospect of revenge on him inclined her to accede to Mr. Bradbury’s wish.

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

From this reading Ay, and that Charles, my father’s brother, was an enemy of my mother; that he and his wife had wronged her cruelly in the past; that she hated him, and that the prospect of revenge on him inclined her to accede to Mr. Bradbury’s wish.

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

From this reading To be sure, my head was full of notions; this much I knew: that my grandfather was wealthy; that my father and mother had assumed her name—for what reason I could not conjecture, and that Mr. Bradbury, if he had his will, would surely make me known as the only son of Richard Craike, and, may be, heir to old Edward.

react verbally

From this reading She had refused in the interval between his visits to answer any of my eager questions; she offered me no information.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading She had refused in the interval between his visits to answer any of my eager questions; she offered me no information.

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

From this reading To be sure, my head was full of notions; this much I knew: that my grandfather was wealthy; that my father and mother had assumed her name—for what reason I could not conjecture, and that Mr. Bradbury, if he had his will, would surely make me known as the only son of Richard Craike, and, may be, heir to old Edward.

adopted in order to deceive

From this reading To be sure, my head was full of notions; this much I knew: that my grandfather was wealthy; that my father and mother had assumed her name—for what reason I could not conjecture, and that Mr. Bradbury, if he had his will, would surely make me known as the only son of Richard Craike, and, may be, heir to old Edward.

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

From this reading Ay, and that Charles, my father’s brother, was an enemy of my mother; that he and his wife had wronged her cruelly in the past; that she hated him, and that the prospect of revenge on him inclined her to accede to Mr. Bradbury’s wish.

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

From this reading To be sure, my head was full of notions; this much I knew: that my grandfather was wealthy; that my father and mother had assumed her name—for what reason I could not conjecture, and that Mr. Bradbury, if he had his will, would surely make me known as the only son of Richard Craike, and, may be, heir to old Edward.

in the space, time, or range separating two things

From this reading She had refused in the interval between his visits to answer any of my eager questions; she offered me no information.

United States writer of science fiction (born 1920)

From this reading To be sure, my head was full of notions; this much I knew: that my grandfather was wealthy; that my father and mother had assumed her name—for what reason I could not conjecture, and that Mr. Bradbury, if he had his will, would surely make me known as the only son of Richard Craike, and, may be, heir to old Edward.

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

From this reading Ay, and that Charles, my father’s brother, was an enemy of my mother; that he and his wife had wronged her cruelly in the past; that she hated him, and that the prospect of revenge on him inclined her to accede to Mr. Bradbury’s wish.

a male with the same parents as someone else

From this reading Ay, and that Charles, my father’s brother, was an enemy of my mother; that he and his wife had wronged her cruelly in the past; that she hated him, and that the prospect of revenge on him inclined her to accede to Mr. Bradbury’s wish.

with self-possession (especially in times of stress)

From this reading Through the day my mother went about her household duties calmly, as was her wont.

King of France from 1560 to 1574 whose reign was dominated by his mother Catherine de Medicis (1550-1574)

From this reading Ay, and that Charles, my father’s brother, was an enemy of my mother; that he and his wife had wronged her cruelly in the past; that she hated him, and that the prospect of revenge on him inclined her to accede to Mr. Bradbury’s wish.

-ing form of “concern” — be relevant to

From this reading She insisted that I should go to my studies with Mr. Vining and Tony as on any day; only stressing that I should say nothing to my friend concerning Mr. Bradbury.

a hypothesis that has been formed by speculating or conjecturing (usually with little hard evidence)

From this reading To be sure, my head was full of notions; this much I knew: that my grandfather was wealthy; that my father and mother had assumed her name—for what reason I could not conjecture, and that Mr. Bradbury, if he had his will, would surely make me known as the only son of Richard Craike, and, may be, heir to old Edward.

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

From this reading To be sure, my head was full of notions; this much I knew: that my grandfather was wealthy; that my father and mother had assumed her name—for what reason I could not conjecture, and that Mr. Bradbury, if he had his will, would surely make me known as the only son of Richard Craike, and, may be, heir to old Edward.

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

From this reading To be sure, my head was full of notions; this much I knew: that my grandfather was wealthy; that my father and mother had assumed her name—for what reason I could not conjecture, and that Mr. Bradbury, if he had his will, would surely make me known as the only son of Richard Craike, and, may be, heir to old Edward.

excessively

From this reading Ay, and that Charles, my father’s brother, was an enemy of my mother; that he and his wife had wronged her cruelly in the past; that she hated him, and that the prospect of revenge on him inclined her to accede to Mr. Bradbury’s wish.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading Through the day my mother went about her household duties calmly, as was her wont.

plural of “duty” — the social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force

From this reading Through the day my mother went about her household duties calmly, as was her wont.

having or showing keen interest or intense desire or impatient expectancy

From this reading She had refused in the interval between his visits to answer any of my eager questions; she offered me no information.

King of England and Ireland in 1936; his marriage to Wallis Warfield Simpson created a constitutional crisis leading to his abdication (1894-1972)

From this reading To be sure, my head was full of notions; this much I knew: that my grandfather was wealthy; that my father and mother had assumed her name—for what reason I could not conjecture, and that Mr. Bradbury, if he had his will, would surely make me known as the only son of Richard Craike, and, may be, heir to old Edward.

an opposing military force

From this reading Ay, and that Charles, my father’s brother, was an enemy of my mother; that he and his wife had wronged her cruelly in the past; that she hated him, and that the prospect of revenge on him inclined her to accede to Mr. Bradbury’s wish.

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

From this reading To be sure, my head was full of notions; this much I knew: that my grandfather was wealthy; that my father and mother had assumed her name—for what reason I could not conjecture, and that Mr. Bradbury, if he had his will, would surely make me known as the only son of Richard Craike, and, may be, heir to old Edward.

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

From this reading Ay, and that Charles, my father’s brother, was an enemy of my mother; that he and his wife had wronged her cruelly in the past; that she hated him, and that the prospect of revenge on him inclined her to accede to Mr. Bradbury’s wish.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading To be sure, my head was full of notions; this much I knew: that my grandfather was wealthy; that my father and mother had assumed her name—for what reason I could not conjecture, and that Mr. Bradbury, if he had his will, would surely make me known as the only son of Richard Craike, and, may be, heir to old Edward.

a person you know well and regard with affection and trust

From this reading She insisted that I should go to my studies with Mr. Vining and Tony as on any day; only stressing that I should say nothing to my friend concerning Mr. Bradbury.

containing as much or as many as is possible or normal

From this reading To be sure, my head was full of notions; this much I knew: that my grandfather was wealthy; that my father and mother had assumed her name—for what reason I could not conjecture, and that Mr. Bradbury, if he had his will, would surely make me known as the only son of Richard Craike, and, may be, heir to old Edward.

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

From this reading She insisted that I should go to my studies with Mr. Vining and Tony as on any day; only stressing that I should say nothing to my friend concerning Mr. Bradbury.

the father of your father or mother

From this reading To be sure, my head was full of notions; this much I knew: that my grandfather was wealthy; that my father and mother had assumed her name—for what reason I could not conjecture, and that Mr. Bradbury, if he had his will, would surely make me known as the only son of Richard Craike, and, may be, heir to old Edward.

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

From this reading She had refused in the interval between his visits to answer any of my eager questions; she offered me no information.

treated with dislike or contempt

From this reading Ay, and that Charles, my father’s brother, was an enemy of my mother; that he and his wife had wronged her cruelly in the past; that she hated him, and that the prospect of revenge on him inclined her to accede to Mr. Bradbury’s wish.

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

From this reading To be sure, my head was full of notions; this much I knew: that my grandfather was wealthy; that my father and mother had assumed her name—for what reason I could not conjecture, and that Mr. Bradbury, if he had his will, would surely make me known as the only son of Richard Craike, and, may be, heir to old Edward.

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

From this reading To be sure, my head was full of notions; this much I knew: that my grandfather was wealthy; that my father and mother had assumed her name—for what reason I could not conjecture, and that Mr. Bradbury, if he had his will, would surely make me known as the only son of Richard Craike, and, may be, heir to old Edward.

A person legally or magically entitled to the property or rank of another on that person's death.

From this reading To be sure, my head was full of notions; this much I knew: that my grandfather was wealthy; that my father and mother had assumed her name—for what reason I could not conjecture, and that Mr. Bradbury, if he had his will, would surely make me known as the only son of Richard Craike, and, may be, heir to old Edward.

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

From this reading To be sure, my head was full of notions; this much I knew: that my grandfather was wealthy; that my father and mother had assumed her name—for what reason I could not conjecture, and that Mr. Bradbury, if he had his will, would surely make me known as the only son of Richard Craike, and, may be, heir to old Edward.

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

From this reading Ay, and that Charles, my father’s brother, was an enemy of my mother; that he and his wife had wronged her cruelly in the past; that she hated him, and that the prospect of revenge on him inclined her to accede to Mr. Bradbury’s wish.

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

From this reading She had refused in the interval between his visits to answer any of my eager questions; she offered me no information.

a social unit living together

From this reading Through the day my mother went about her household duties calmly, as was her wont.

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading To be sure, my head was full of notions; this much I knew: that my grandfather was wealthy; that my father and mother had assumed her name—for what reason I could not conjecture, and that Mr. Bradbury, if he had his will, would surely make me known as the only son of Richard Craike, and, may be, heir to old Edward.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading To be sure, my head was full of notions; this much I knew: that my grandfather was wealthy; that my father and mother had assumed her name—for what reason I could not conjecture, and that Mr. Bradbury, if he had his will, would surely make me known as the only son of Richard Craike, and, may be, heir to old Edward.

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

From this reading She had refused in the interval between his visits to answer any of my eager questions; she offered me no information.

(often followed by “to”) having a preference, disposition, or tendency

From this reading Ay, and that Charles, my father’s brother, was an enemy of my mother; that he and his wife had wronged her cruelly in the past; that she hated him, and that the prospect of revenge on him inclined her to accede to Mr. Bradbury’s wish.

a message received and understood

From this reading She had refused in the interval between his visits to answer any of my eager questions; she offered me no information.

past form of “insist” — be emphatic or resolute and refuse to budge

From this reading She insisted that I should go to my studies with Mr. Vining and Tony as on any day; only stressing that I should say nothing to my friend concerning Mr. Bradbury.

a definite length of time marked off by two instants

From this reading She had refused in the interval between his visits to answer any of my eager questions; she offered me no information.

inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about

From this reading To be sure, my head was full of notions; this much I knew: that my grandfather was wealthy; that my father and mother had assumed her name—for what reason I could not conjecture, and that Mr. Bradbury, if he had his will, would surely make me known as the only son of Richard Craike, and, may be, heir to old Edward.

apprehended with certainty

From this reading To be sure, my head was full of notions; this much I knew: that my grandfather was wealthy; that my father and mother had assumed her name—for what reason I could not conjecture, and that Mr. Bradbury, if he had his will, would surely make me known as the only son of Richard Craike, and, may be, heir to old Edward.

engage in

From this reading To be sure, my head was full of notions; this much I knew: that my grandfather was wealthy; that my father and mother had assumed her name—for what reason I could not conjecture, and that Mr. Bradbury, if he had his will, would surely make me known as the only son of Richard Craike, and, may be, heir to old Edward.

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading To be sure, my head was full of notions; this much I knew: that my grandfather was wealthy; that my father and mother had assumed her name—for what reason I could not conjecture, and that Mr. Bradbury, if he had his will, would surely make me known as the only son of Richard Craike, and, may be, heir to old Edward.

the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading She had refused in the interval between his visits to answer any of my eager questions; she offered me no information.

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

From this reading To be sure, my head was full of notions; this much I knew: that my grandfather was wealthy; that my father and mother had assumed her name—for what reason I could not conjecture, and that Mr. Bradbury, if he had his will, would surely make me known as the only son of Richard Craike, and, may be, heir to old Edward.

a form of address for a man

From this reading To be sure, my head was full of notions; this much I knew: that my grandfather was wealthy; that my father and mother had assumed her name—for what reason I could not conjecture, and that Mr. Bradbury, if he had his will, would surely make me known as the only son of Richard Craike, and, may be, heir to old Edward.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading To be sure, my head was full of notions; this much I knew: that my grandfather was wealthy; that my father and mother had assumed her name—for what reason I could not conjecture, and that Mr. Bradbury, if he had his will, would surely make me known as the only son of Richard Craike, and, may be, heir to old Edward.

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading She had refused in the interval between his visits to answer any of my eager questions; she offered me no information.

assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading To be sure, my head was full of notions; this much I knew: that my grandfather was wealthy; that my father and mother had assumed her name—for what reason I could not conjecture, and that Mr. Bradbury, if he had his will, would surely make me known as the only son of Richard Craike, and, may be, heir to old Edward.

not any; not one

From this reading She had refused in the interval between his visits to answer any of my eager questions; she offered me no information.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading To be sure, my head was full of notions; this much I knew: that my grandfather was wealthy; that my father and mother had assumed her name—for what reason I could not conjecture, and that Mr. Bradbury, if he had his will, would surely make me known as the only son of Richard Craike, and, may be, heir to old Edward.

not one thing; not anything

From this reading She insisted that I should go to my studies with Mr. Vining and Tony as on any day; only stressing that I should say nothing to my friend concerning Mr. Bradbury.

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

From this reading To be sure, my head was full of notions; this much I knew: that my grandfather was wealthy; that my father and mother had assumed her name—for what reason I could not conjecture, and that Mr. Bradbury, if he had his will, would surely make me known as the only son of Richard Craike, and, may be, heir to old Edward.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading She had refused in the interval between his visits to answer any of my eager questions; she offered me no information.

past form of “offer” — make available or accessible, provide or furnish

From this reading She had refused in the interval between his visits to answer any of my eager questions; she offered me no information.

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

From this reading To be sure, my head was full of notions; this much I knew: that my grandfather was wealthy; that my father and mother had assumed her name—for what reason I could not conjecture, and that Mr. Bradbury, if he had his will, would surely make me known as the only son of Richard Craike, and, may be, heir to old Edward.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Ay, and that Charles, my father’s brother, was an enemy of my mother; that he and his wife had wronged her cruelly in the past; that she hated him, and that the prospect of revenge on him inclined her to accede to Mr. Bradbury’s wish.

and nothing more

From this reading To be sure, my head was full of notions; this much I knew: that my grandfather was wealthy; that my father and mother had assumed her name—for what reason I could not conjecture, and that Mr. Bradbury, if he had his will, would surely make me known as the only son of Richard Craike, and, may be, heir to old Edward.

the time that has elapsed

From this reading Ay, and that Charles, my father’s brother, was an enemy of my mother; that he and his wife had wronged her cruelly in the past; that she hated him, and that the prospect of revenge on him inclined her to accede to Mr. Bradbury’s wish.

the possibility of future success

From this reading Ay, and that Charles, my father’s brother, was an enemy of my mother; that he and his wife had wronged her cruelly in the past; that she hated him, and that the prospect of revenge on him inclined her to accede to Mr. Bradbury’s wish.

plural of “question” — an instance of questioning

From this reading She had refused in the interval between his visits to answer any of my eager questions; she offered me no information.

a rational motive for a belief or action

From this reading To be sure, my head was full of notions; this much I knew: that my grandfather was wealthy; that my father and mother had assumed her name—for what reason I could not conjecture, and that Mr. Bradbury, if he had his will, would surely make me known as the only son of Richard Craike, and, may be, heir to old Edward.

past form of “refuse” — show unwillingness towards

From this reading She had refused in the interval between his visits to answer any of my eager questions; she offered me no information.

action taken in return for an injury or offense

From this reading Ay, and that Charles, my father’s brother, was an enemy of my mother; that he and his wife had wronged her cruelly in the past; that she hated him, and that the prospect of revenge on him inclined her to accede to Mr. Bradbury’s wish.

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

From this reading To be sure, my head was full of notions; this much I knew: that my grandfather was wealthy; that my father and mother had assumed her name—for what reason I could not conjecture, and that Mr. Bradbury, if he had his will, would surely make me known as the only son of Richard Craike, and, may be, heir to old Edward.

express in words

From this reading She insisted that I should go to my studies with Mr. Vining and Tony as on any day; only stressing that I should say nothing to my friend concerning Mr. Bradbury.

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

From this reading She had refused in the interval between his visits to answer any of my eager questions; she offered me no information.

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading She insisted that I should go to my studies with Mr. Vining and Tony as on any day; only stressing that I should say nothing to my friend concerning Mr. Bradbury.

a male human offspring

From this reading To be sure, my head was full of notions; this much I knew: that my grandfather was wealthy; that my father and mother had assumed her name—for what reason I could not conjecture, and that Mr. Bradbury, if he had his will, would surely make me known as the only son of Richard Craike, and, may be, heir to old Edward.

-ing form of “stress” — to stress, single out as important

From this reading She insisted that I should go to my studies with Mr. Vining and Tony as on any day; only stressing that I should say nothing to my friend concerning Mr. Bradbury.

plural of “study” — a detailed critical inspection

From this reading She insisted that I should go to my studies with Mr. Vining and Tony as on any day; only stressing that I should say nothing to my friend concerning Mr. Bradbury.

having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured

From this reading To be sure, my head was full of notions; this much I knew: that my grandfather was wealthy; that my father and mother had assumed her name—for what reason I could not conjecture, and that Mr. Bradbury, if he had his will, would surely make me known as the only son of Richard Craike, and, may be, heir to old Edward.

definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)

From this reading To be sure, my head was full of notions; this much I knew: that my grandfather was wealthy; that my father and mother had assumed her name—for what reason I could not conjecture, and that Mr. Bradbury, if he had his will, would surely make me known as the only son of Richard Craike, and, may be, heir to old Edward.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading To be sure, my head was full of notions; this much I knew: that my grandfather was wealthy; that my father and mother had assumed her name—for what reason I could not conjecture, and that Mr. Bradbury, if he had his will, would surely make me known as the only son of Richard Craike, and, may be, heir to old Edward.

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

From this reading She had refused in the interval between his visits to answer any of my eager questions; she offered me no information.

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

From this reading To be sure, my head was full of notions; this much I knew: that my grandfather was wealthy; that my father and mother had assumed her name—for what reason I could not conjecture, and that Mr. Bradbury, if he had his will, would surely make me known as the only son of Richard Craike, and, may be, heir to old Edward.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading Through the day my mother went about her household duties calmly, as was her wont.

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

From this reading She had refused in the interval between his visits to answer any of my eager questions; she offered me no information.

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

From this reading She insisted that I should go to my studies with Mr. Vining and Tony as on any day; only stressing that I should say nothing to my friend concerning Mr. Bradbury.

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

From this reading She insisted that I should go to my studies with Mr. Vining and Tony as on any day; only stressing that I should say nothing to my friend concerning Mr. Bradbury.

plural of “visit” — the act of going to see some person or place or thing for a short time

From this reading She had refused in the interval between his visits to answer any of my eager questions; she offered me no information.

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

From this reading To be sure, my head was full of notions; this much I knew: that my grandfather was wealthy; that my father and mother had assumed her name—for what reason I could not conjecture, and that Mr. Bradbury, if he had his will, would surely make me known as the only son of Richard Craike, and, may be, heir to old Edward.

having an abundant supply of money or possessions of value

From this reading To be sure, my head was full of notions; this much I knew: that my grandfather was wealthy; that my father and mother had assumed her name—for what reason I could not conjecture, and that Mr. Bradbury, if he had his will, would surely make me known as the only son of Richard Craike, and, may be, heir to old Edward.

inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading Through the day my mother went about her household duties calmly, as was her wont.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading To be sure, my head was full of notions; this much I knew: that my grandfather was wealthy; that my father and mother had assumed her name—for what reason I could not conjecture, and that Mr. Bradbury, if he had his will, would surely make me known as the only son of Richard Craike, and, may be, heir to old Edward.

a married woman; a man's partner in marriage

From this reading Ay, and that Charles, my father’s brother, was an enemy of my mother; that he and his wife had wronged her cruelly in the past; that she hated him, and that the prospect of revenge on him inclined her to accede to Mr. Bradbury’s wish.

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading To be sure, my head was full of notions; this much I knew: that my grandfather was wealthy; that my father and mother had assumed her name—for what reason I could not conjecture, and that Mr. Bradbury, if he had his will, would surely make me known as the only son of Richard Craike, and, may be, heir to old Edward.

hope for; have a wish

From this reading Ay, and that Charles, my father’s brother, was an enemy of my mother; that he and his wife had wronged her cruelly in the past; that she hated him, and that the prospect of revenge on him inclined her to accede to Mr. Bradbury’s wish.

in the company of; together with

From this reading She insisted that I should go to my studies with Mr. Vining and Tony as on any day; only stressing that I should say nothing to my friend concerning Mr. Bradbury.

an established custom

From this reading Through the day my mother went about her household duties calmly, as was her wont.

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

From this reading To be sure, my head was full of notions; this much I knew: that my grandfather was wealthy; that my father and mother had assumed her name—for what reason I could not conjecture, and that Mr. Bradbury, if he had his will, would surely make me known as the only son of Richard Craike, and, may be, heir to old Edward.

past form of “wrong” — treat unjustly; do wrong to

From this reading Ay, and that Charles, my father’s brother, was an enemy of my mother; that he and his wife had wronged her cruelly in the past; that she hated him, and that the prospect of revenge on him inclined her to accede to Mr. Bradbury’s wish.