Chapter XVI · Chapter 16

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

From this reading SYLVIA TELLS MORE THAN SHE KNOWS Hilary Chayne stayed away from Dorsetshire for ten complete days; and though the hours crept by, dilatory as idlers at a street corner, he obtained some poor compensation by reflecting upon his fine diplomacy.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading So for ten days he wandered about the Downs of Sussex with an aching heart, saying the while, "It serves her right."

causing a dull and steady pain

From this reading So for ten days he wandered about the Downs of Sussex with an aching heart, saying the while, "It serves her right."

the part of the day between noon and evening

From this reading On the morning of the eleventh he received a letter from the War Office, bidding him call on the following afternoon.

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

From this reading So for ten days he wandered about the Downs of Sussex with an aching heart, saying the while, "It serves her right."

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

From this reading SYLVIA TELLS MORE THAN SHE KNOWS Hilary Chayne stayed away from Dorsetshire for ten complete days; and though the hours crept by, dilatory as idlers at a street corner, he obtained some poor compensation by reflecting upon his fine diplomacy.

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

From this reading SYLVIA TELLS MORE THAN SHE KNOWS Hilary Chayne stayed away from Dorsetshire for ten complete days; and though the hours crept by, dilatory as idlers at a street corner, he obtained some poor compensation by reflecting upon his fine diplomacy.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading SYLVIA TELLS MORE THAN SHE KNOWS Hilary Chayne stayed away from Dorsetshire for ten complete days; and though the hours crept by, dilatory as idlers at a street corner, he obtained some poor compensation by reflecting upon his fine diplomacy.

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading SYLVIA TELLS MORE THAN SHE KNOWS Hilary Chayne stayed away from Dorsetshire for ten complete days; and though the hours crept by, dilatory as idlers at a street corner, he obtained some poor compensation by reflecting upon his fine diplomacy.

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

From this reading In less than a week he would surely be missed; by the time that ten days had passed the sensation might have become simply poignant.

enter or assume a certain state or condition

From this reading In less than a week he would surely be missed; by the time that ten days had passed the sensation might have become simply poignant.

an authoritative direction or instruction to do something

From this reading On the morning of the eleventh he received a letter from the War Office, bidding him call on the following afternoon.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading SYLVIA TELLS MORE THAN SHE KNOWS Hilary Chayne stayed away from Dorsetshire for ten complete days; and though the hours crept by, dilatory as idlers at a street corner, he obtained some poor compensation by reflecting upon his fine diplomacy.

assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading On the morning of the eleventh he received a letter from the War Office, bidding him call on the following afternoon.

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

From this reading SYLVIA TELLS MORE THAN SHE KNOWS Hilary Chayne stayed away from Dorsetshire for ten complete days; and though the hours crept by, dilatory as idlers at a street corner, he obtained some poor compensation by reflecting upon his fine diplomacy.

something (such as money) given or received as payment or reparation (as for a service or loss or injury)

From this reading SYLVIA TELLS MORE THAN SHE KNOWS Hilary Chayne stayed away from Dorsetshire for ten complete days; and though the hours crept by, dilatory as idlers at a street corner, he obtained some poor compensation by reflecting upon his fine diplomacy.

come or bring to a finish or an end

From this reading SYLVIA TELLS MORE THAN SHE KNOWS Hilary Chayne stayed away from Dorsetshire for ten complete days; and though the hours crept by, dilatory as idlers at a street corner, he obtained some poor compensation by reflecting upon his fine diplomacy.

a place off to the side of an area

From this reading SYLVIA TELLS MORE THAN SHE KNOWS Hilary Chayne stayed away from Dorsetshire for ten complete days; and though the hours crept by, dilatory as idlers at a street corner, he obtained some poor compensation by reflecting upon his fine diplomacy.

inflected form of “creep” — move slowly; in the case of people or animals with the body near the ground

From this reading SYLVIA TELLS MORE THAN SHE KNOWS Hilary Chayne stayed away from Dorsetshire for ten complete days; and though the hours crept by, dilatory as idlers at a street corner, he obtained some poor compensation by reflecting upon his fine diplomacy.

the time during which someone's life continues

From this reading SYLVIA TELLS MORE THAN SHE KNOWS Hilary Chayne stayed away from Dorsetshire for ten complete days; and though the hours crept by, dilatory as idlers at a street corner, he obtained some poor compensation by reflecting upon his fine diplomacy.

wasting time

From this reading SYLVIA TELLS MORE THAN SHE KNOWS Hilary Chayne stayed away from Dorsetshire for ten complete days; and though the hours crept by, dilatory as idlers at a street corner, he obtained some poor compensation by reflecting upon his fine diplomacy.

negotiation between nations

From this reading SYLVIA TELLS MORE THAN SHE KNOWS Hilary Chayne stayed away from Dorsetshire for ten complete days; and though the hours crept by, dilatory as idlers at a street corner, he obtained some poor compensation by reflecting upon his fine diplomacy.

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading "That will just do," he said.

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

From this reading SYLVIA TELLS MORE THAN SHE KNOWS Hilary Chayne stayed away from Dorsetshire for ten complete days; and though the hours crept by, dilatory as idlers at a street corner, he obtained some poor compensation by reflecting upon his fine diplomacy.

plural of “down” — soft fine feathers

From this reading So for ten days he wandered about the Downs of Sussex with an aching heart, saying the while, "It serves her right."

coming next after the tenth and just before the twelfth in position

From this reading On the morning of the eleventh he received a letter from the War Office, bidding him call on the following afternoon.

being satisfactory or in satisfactory condition

From this reading SYLVIA TELLS MORE THAN SHE KNOWS Hilary Chayne stayed away from Dorsetshire for ten complete days; and though the hours crept by, dilatory as idlers at a street corner, he obtained some poor compensation by reflecting upon his fine diplomacy.

about to be mentioned or specified

From this reading On the morning of the eleventh he received a letter from the War Office, bidding him call on the following afternoon.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading SYLVIA TELLS MORE THAN SHE KNOWS Hilary Chayne stayed away from Dorsetshire for ten complete days; and though the hours crept by, dilatory as idlers at a street corner, he obtained some poor compensation by reflecting upon his fine diplomacy.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading SYLVIA TELLS MORE THAN SHE KNOWS Hilary Chayne stayed away from Dorsetshire for ten complete days; and though the hours crept by, dilatory as idlers at a street corner, he obtained some poor compensation by reflecting upon his fine diplomacy.

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

From this reading In less than a week he would surely be missed; by the time that ten days had passed the sensation might have become simply poignant.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading In less than a week he would surely be missed; by the time that ten days had passed the sensation might have become simply poignant.

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

From this reading SYLVIA TELLS MORE THAN SHE KNOWS Hilary Chayne stayed away from Dorsetshire for ten complete days; and though the hours crept by, dilatory as idlers at a street corner, he obtained some poor compensation by reflecting upon his fine diplomacy.

the locus of feelings and intuitions

From this reading So for ten days he wandered about the Downs of Sussex with an aching heart, saying the while, "It serves her right."

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

From this reading So for ten days he wandered about the Downs of Sussex with an aching heart, saying the while, "It serves her right."

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

From this reading SYLVIA TELLS MORE THAN SHE KNOWS Hilary Chayne stayed away from Dorsetshire for ten complete days; and though the hours crept by, dilatory as idlers at a street corner, he obtained some poor compensation by reflecting upon his fine diplomacy.

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

From this reading On the morning of the eleventh he received a letter from the War Office, bidding him call on the following afternoon.

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

From this reading SYLVIA TELLS MORE THAN SHE KNOWS Hilary Chayne stayed away from Dorsetshire for ten complete days; and though the hours crept by, dilatory as idlers at a street corner, he obtained some poor compensation by reflecting upon his fine diplomacy.

a period of time assigned for work

From this reading SYLVIA TELLS MORE THAN SHE KNOWS Hilary Chayne stayed away from Dorsetshire for ten complete days; and though the hours crept by, dilatory as idlers at a street corner, he obtained some poor compensation by reflecting upon his fine diplomacy.

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

From this reading SYLVIA TELLS MORE THAN SHE KNOWS Hilary Chayne stayed away from Dorsetshire for ten complete days; and though the hours crept by, dilatory as idlers at a street corner, he obtained some poor compensation by reflecting upon his fine diplomacy.

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

From this reading In less than a week he would surely be missed; by the time that ten days had passed the sensation might have become simply poignant.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading So for ten days he wandered about the Downs of Sussex with an aching heart, saying the while, "It serves her right."

and nothing more

From this reading "That will just do," he said.

plural of “know” — the fact of being aware of information that is known to few people

From this reading SYLVIA TELLS MORE THAN SHE KNOWS Hilary Chayne stayed away from Dorsetshire for ten complete days; and though the hours crept by, dilatory as idlers at a street corner, he obtained some poor compensation by reflecting upon his fine diplomacy.

used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs

From this reading In less than a week he would surely be missed; by the time that ten days had passed the sensation might have become simply poignant.

a written message addressed to a person or organization

From this reading On the morning of the eleventh he received a letter from the War Office, bidding him call on the following afternoon.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading In less than a week he would surely be missed; by the time that ten days had passed the sensation might have become simply poignant.

not caught with the senses or the mind

From this reading In less than a week he would surely be missed; by the time that ten days had passed the sensation might have become simply poignant.

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

From this reading SYLVIA TELLS MORE THAN SHE KNOWS Hilary Chayne stayed away from Dorsetshire for ten complete days; and though the hours crept by, dilatory as idlers at a street corner, he obtained some poor compensation by reflecting upon his fine diplomacy.

the time period between dawn and noon

From this reading On the morning of the eleventh he received a letter from the War Office, bidding him call on the following afternoon.

past form of “obtain” — come into possession of

From this reading SYLVIA TELLS MORE THAN SHE KNOWS Hilary Chayne stayed away from Dorsetshire for ten complete days; and though the hours crept by, dilatory as idlers at a street corner, he obtained some poor compensation by reflecting upon his fine diplomacy.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading So for ten days he wandered about the Downs of Sussex with an aching heart, saying the while, "It serves her right."

place of business where professional or clerical duties are performed

From this reading On the morning of the eleventh he received a letter from the War Office, bidding him call on the following afternoon.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading On the morning of the eleventh he received a letter from the War Office, bidding him call on the following afternoon.

past form of “pass” — go across or through

From this reading In less than a week he would surely be missed; by the time that ten days had passed the sensation might have become simply poignant.

arousing affect

From this reading In less than a week he would surely be missed; by the time that ten days had passed the sensation might have become simply poignant.

deserving or inciting pity

From this reading SYLVIA TELLS MORE THAN SHE KNOWS Hilary Chayne stayed away from Dorsetshire for ten complete days; and though the hours crept by, dilatory as idlers at a street corner, he obtained some poor compensation by reflecting upon his fine diplomacy.

conforming to the established language usage of educated native speakers

From this reading On the morning of the eleventh he received a letter from the War Office, bidding him call on the following afternoon.

causing reflection or having a device that reflects

From this reading SYLVIA TELLS MORE THAN SHE KNOWS Hilary Chayne stayed away from Dorsetshire for ten complete days; and though the hours crept by, dilatory as idlers at a street corner, he obtained some poor compensation by reflecting upon his fine diplomacy.

precisely, exactly

From this reading So for ten days he wandered about the Downs of Sussex with an aching heart, saying the while, "It serves her right."

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading "That will just do," he said.

a word or phrase that particular people use in particular situations

From this reading So for ten days he wandered about the Downs of Sussex with an aching heart, saying the while, "It serves her right."

an unelaborated elementary awareness of stimulation

From this reading In less than a week he would surely be missed; by the time that ten days had passed the sensation might have become simply poignant.

plural of “serve” — (sports) a stroke that puts the ball in play

From this reading So for ten days he wandered about the Downs of Sussex with an aching heart, saying the while, "It serves her right."

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

From this reading SYLVIA TELLS MORE THAN SHE KNOWS Hilary Chayne stayed away from Dorsetshire for ten complete days; and though the hours crept by, dilatory as idlers at a street corner, he obtained some poor compensation by reflecting upon his fine diplomacy.

and nothing more

From this reading In less than a week he would surely be missed; by the time that ten days had passed the sensation might have become simply poignant.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading So for ten days he wandered about the Downs of Sussex with an aching heart, saying the while, "It serves her right."

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

From this reading SYLVIA TELLS MORE THAN SHE KNOWS Hilary Chayne stayed away from Dorsetshire for ten complete days; and though the hours crept by, dilatory as idlers at a street corner, he obtained some poor compensation by reflecting upon his fine diplomacy.

past form of “stay” — stay the same; remain in a certain state

From this reading SYLVIA TELLS MORE THAN SHE KNOWS Hilary Chayne stayed away from Dorsetshire for ten complete days; and though the hours crept by, dilatory as idlers at a street corner, he obtained some poor compensation by reflecting upon his fine diplomacy.

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

From this reading SYLVIA TELLS MORE THAN SHE KNOWS Hilary Chayne stayed away from Dorsetshire for ten complete days; and though the hours crept by, dilatory as idlers at a street corner, he obtained some poor compensation by reflecting upon his fine diplomacy.

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

From this reading In less than a week he would surely be missed; by the time that ten days had passed the sensation might have become simply poignant.

a county in southern England on the English Channel; formerly an Anglo-Saxon kingdom that was captured by Wessex in the 9th century

From this reading So for ten days he wandered about the Downs of Sussex with an aching heart, saying the while, "It serves her right."

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

From this reading SYLVIA TELLS MORE THAN SHE KNOWS Hilary Chayne stayed away from Dorsetshire for ten complete days; and though the hours crept by, dilatory as idlers at a street corner, he obtained some poor compensation by reflecting upon his fine diplomacy.

plural of “tell” — a Swiss patriot who lived in the early 14th century and who was renowned for his skill as an archer

From this reading SYLVIA TELLS MORE THAN SHE KNOWS Hilary Chayne stayed away from Dorsetshire for ten complete days; and though the hours crept by, dilatory as idlers at a street corner, he obtained some poor compensation by reflecting upon his fine diplomacy.

the cardinal number that is the sum of nine and one; the base of the decimal system

From this reading SYLVIA TELLS MORE THAN SHE KNOWS Hilary Chayne stayed away from Dorsetshire for ten complete days; and though the hours crept by, dilatory as idlers at a street corner, he obtained some poor compensation by reflecting upon his fine diplomacy.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading SYLVIA TELLS MORE THAN SHE KNOWS Hilary Chayne stayed away from Dorsetshire for ten complete days; and though the hours crept by, dilatory as idlers at a street corner, he obtained some poor compensation by reflecting upon his fine diplomacy.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading In less than a week he would surely be missed; by the time that ten days had passed the sensation might have become simply poignant.

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

From this reading SYLVIA TELLS MORE THAN SHE KNOWS Hilary Chayne stayed away from Dorsetshire for ten complete days; and though the hours crept by, dilatory as idlers at a street corner, he obtained some poor compensation by reflecting upon his fine diplomacy.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading SYLVIA TELLS MORE THAN SHE KNOWS Hilary Chayne stayed away from Dorsetshire for ten complete days; and though the hours crept by, dilatory as idlers at a street corner, he obtained some poor compensation by reflecting upon his fine diplomacy.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading In less than a week he would surely be missed; by the time that ten days had passed the sensation might have become simply poignant.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading SYLVIA TELLS MORE THAN SHE KNOWS Hilary Chayne stayed away from Dorsetshire for ten complete days; and though the hours crept by, dilatory as idlers at a street corner, he obtained some poor compensation by reflecting upon his fine diplomacy.

past form of “wander” — move about aimlessly or without any destination, often in search of food or employment

From this reading So for ten days he wandered about the Downs of Sussex with an aching heart, saying the while, "It serves her right."

the waging of armed conflict against an enemy

From this reading On the morning of the eleventh he received a letter from the War Office, bidding him call on the following afternoon.

any period of seven consecutive days

From this reading In less than a week he would surely be missed; by the time that ten days had passed the sensation might have become simply poignant.

during the time that

From this reading So for ten days he wandered about the Downs of Sussex with an aching heart, saying the while, "It serves her right."

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading "That will just do," he said.

in the company of; together with

From this reading So for ten days he wandered about the Downs of Sussex with an aching heart, saying the while, "It serves her right."

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

From this reading In less than a week he would surely be missed; by the time that ten days had passed the sensation might have become simply poignant.