Chapter XI

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

From this reading "PLANS FOR A PURPOSE" THE Burnhams were still seated at their dinner table, although Mrs. Erskine Burnham had just remarked that the evening was too lovely to spend in eating.

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

From this reading Erskine's coughs had been his mother's chief anxiety concerning him through the years; he had never been able to tamper with them; but his wife laughed at her fears and frankly told her that Erskine was too old now to be coddled.

(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 To all outward appearances the Burnham dining room was exhibiting a perfect home scene.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading "PLANS FOR A PURPOSE" THE Burnhams were still seated at their dinner table, although Mrs. Erskine Burnham had just remarked that the evening was too lovely to spend in eating.

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

From this reading Erskine's coughs had been his mother's chief anxiety concerning him through the years; he had never been able to tamper with them; but his wife laughed at her fears and frankly told her that Erskine was too old now to be coddled.

(psychiatry) a relatively permanent state of worry and nervousness occurring in a variety of mental disorders, usually accompanied by compulsive behavior or attacks of panic

From this reading Apparently she paid no heed to the slight dry cough which came so frequently from Erskine that his mother's face took on a shade of anxiety.

from appearances alone

From this reading Apparently she paid no heed to the slight dry cough which came so frequently from Erskine that his mother's face took on a shade of anxiety.

plural of “appearance” — outward or visible aspect of a person or thing

From this reading To all outward appearances the Burnham dining room was exhibiting a perfect home scene.

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

From this reading "Let us take a walk on the porch in the moonlight the minute we are through dinner," she said to her husband.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading "PLANS FOR A PURPOSE" THE Burnhams were still seated at their dinner table, although Mrs. Erskine Burnham had just remarked that the evening was too lovely to spend in eating.

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

From this reading Erskine's coughs had been his mother's chief anxiety concerning him through the years; he had never been able to tamper with them; but his wife laughed at her fears and frankly told her that Erskine was too old now to be coddled.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Erskine's coughs had been his mother's chief anxiety concerning him through the years; he had never been able to tamper with them; but his wife laughed at her fears and frankly told her that Erskine was too old now to be coddled.

United States architect who designed the first important skyscraper with a skeleton (1846-1912)

From this reading "PLANS FOR A PURPOSE" THE Burnhams were still seated at their dinner table, although Mrs. Erskine Burnham had just remarked that the evening was too lovely to spend in eating.

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

From this reading "PLANS FOR A PURPOSE" THE Burnhams were still seated at their dinner table, although Mrs. Erskine Burnham had just remarked that the evening was too lovely to spend in eating.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Erskine's coughs had been his mother's chief anxiety concerning him through the years; he had never been able to tamper with them; but his wife laughed at her fears and frankly told her that Erskine was too old now to be coddled.

inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading Apparently she paid no heed to the slight dry cough which came so frequently from Erskine that his mother's face took on a shade of anxiety.

a person who is in charge

From this reading Erskine's coughs had been his mother's chief anxiety concerning him through the years; he had never been able to tamper with them; but his wife laughed at her fears and frankly told her that Erskine was too old now to be coddled.

past form of “coddle” — treat with excessive indulgence

From this reading Erskine's coughs had been his mother's chief anxiety concerning him through the years; he had never been able to tamper with them; but his wife laughed at her fears and frankly told her that Erskine was too old now to be coddled.

-ing form of “concern” — be relevant to

From this reading Erskine's coughs had been his mother's chief anxiety concerning him through the years; he had never been able to tamper with them; but his wife laughed at her fears and frankly told her that Erskine was too old now to be coddled.

exhale abruptly, as when one has a chest cold or congestion

From this reading Apparently she paid no heed to the slight dry cough which came so frequently from Erskine that his mother's face took on a shade of anxiety.

plural of “cough” — a sudden noisy expulsion of air from the lungs that clears the air passages; a common symptom of upper respiratory infection or bronchitis or pneumonia or tuberculosis

From this reading Erskine's coughs had been his mother's chief anxiety concerning him through the years; he had never been able to tamper with them; but his wife laughed at her fears and frankly told her that Erskine was too old now to be coddled.

the act of eating dinner

From this reading To all outward appearances the Burnham dining room was exhibiting a perfect home scene.

the main meal of the day served in the evening or at midday

From this reading "PLANS FOR A PURPOSE" THE Burnhams were still seated at their dinner table, although Mrs. Erskine Burnham had just remarked that the evening was too lovely to spend in eating.

free from liquid or moisture; lacking natural or normal moisture or depleted of water; or no longer wet

From this reading Apparently she paid no heed to the slight dry cough which came so frequently from Erskine that his mother's face took on a shade of anxiety.

the act of consuming food

From this reading "PLANS FOR A PURPOSE" THE Burnhams were still seated at their dinner table, although Mrs. Erskine Burnham had just remarked that the evening was too lovely to spend in eating.

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

From this reading "PLANS FOR A PURPOSE" THE Burnhams were still seated at their dinner table, although Mrs. Erskine Burnham had just remarked that the evening was too lovely to spend in eating.

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

From this reading Erskine's coughs had been his mother's chief anxiety concerning him through the years; he had never been able to tamper with them; but his wife laughed at her fears and frankly told her that Erskine was too old now to be coddled.

the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)

From this reading "PLANS FOR A PURPOSE" THE Burnhams were still seated at their dinner table, although Mrs. Erskine Burnham had just remarked that the evening was too lovely to spend in eating.

-ing form of “exhibit” — show an attribute, property, knowledge, or skill

From this reading To all outward appearances the Burnham dining room was exhibiting a perfect home scene.

the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear

From this reading Apparently she paid no heed to the slight dry cough which came so frequently from Erskine that his mother's face took on a shade of anxiety.

plural of “fear” — an emotion experienced in anticipation of some specific pain or danger (usually accompanied by a desire to flee or fight)

From this reading Erskine's coughs had been his mother's chief anxiety concerning him through the years; he had never been able to tamper with them; but his wife laughed at her fears and frankly told her that Erskine was too old now to be coddled.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading "PLANS FOR A PURPOSE" THE Burnhams were still seated at their dinner table, although Mrs. Erskine Burnham had just remarked that the evening was too lovely to spend in eating.

(used as intensives reflecting the speaker's attitude) it is sincerely the case that

From this reading Erskine's coughs had been his mother's chief anxiety concerning him through the years; he had never been able to tamper with them; but his wife laughed at her fears and frankly told her that Erskine was too old now to be coddled.

many times at short intervals

From this reading Apparently she paid no heed to the slight dry cough which came so frequently from Erskine that his mother's face took on a shade of anxiety.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Apparently she paid no heed to the slight dry cough which came so frequently from Erskine that his mother's face took on a shade of anxiety.

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

From this reading "PLANS FOR A PURPOSE" THE Burnhams were still seated at their dinner table, although Mrs. Erskine Burnham had just remarked that the evening was too lovely to spend in eating.

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

From this reading Erskine's coughs had been his mother's chief anxiety concerning him through the years; he had never been able to tamper with them; but his wife laughed at her fears and frankly told her that Erskine was too old now to be coddled.

paying particular notice (as to children or helpless people)

From this reading Apparently she paid no heed to the slight dry cough which came so frequently from Erskine that his mother's face took on a shade of anxiety.

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

From this reading "Let us take a walk on the porch in the moonlight the minute we are through dinner," she said to her husband.

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

From this reading Erskine's coughs had been his mother's chief anxiety concerning him through the years; he had never been able to tamper with them; but his wife laughed at her fears and frankly told her that Erskine was too old now to be coddled.

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

From this reading Apparently she paid no heed to the slight dry cough which came so frequently from Erskine that his mother's face took on a shade of anxiety.

where you live at a particular time

From this reading To all outward appearances the Burnham dining room was exhibiting a perfect home scene.

a married man; a woman's partner in marriage

From this reading "Let us take a walk on the porch in the moonlight the minute we are through dinner," she said to her husband.

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

From this reading "PLANS FOR A PURPOSE" THE Burnhams were still seated at their dinner table, although Mrs. Erskine Burnham had just remarked that the evening was too lovely to spend in eating.

and nothing more

From this reading "PLANS FOR A PURPOSE" THE Burnhams were still seated at their dinner table, although Mrs. Erskine Burnham had just remarked that the evening was too lovely to spend in eating.

past form of “laugh” — produce laughter

From this reading Erskine's coughs had been his mother's chief anxiety concerning him through the years; he had never been able to tamper with them; but his wife laughed at her fears and frankly told her that Erskine was too old now to be coddled.

used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker

From this reading "Let us take a walk on the porch in the moonlight the minute we are through dinner," she said to her husband.

appealing to the emotions as well as the eye

From this reading "PLANS FOR A PURPOSE" THE Burnhams were still seated at their dinner table, although Mrs. Erskine Burnham had just remarked that the evening was too lovely to spend in eating.

a unit of time equal to 60 seconds or 1/60th of an hour

From this reading "Let us take a walk on the porch in the moonlight the minute we are through dinner," she said to her husband.

the light of the Moon

From this reading "Let us take a walk on the porch in the moonlight the minute we are through dinner," she said to her husband.

possessive form of “mother” — a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)

From this reading Apparently she paid no heed to the slight dry cough which came so frequently from Erskine that his mother's face took on a shade of anxiety.

a form of address for a married woman

From this reading "PLANS FOR A PURPOSE" THE Burnhams were still seated at their dinner table, although Mrs. Erskine Burnham had just remarked that the evening was too lovely to spend in eating.

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading Erskine's coughs had been his mother's chief anxiety concerning him through the years; he had never been able to tamper with them; but his wife laughed at her fears and frankly told her that Erskine was too old now to be coddled.

not any; not one

From this reading Apparently she paid no heed to the slight dry cough which came so frequently from Erskine that his mother's face took on a shade of anxiety.

in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events

From this reading Erskine's coughs had been his mother's chief anxiety concerning him through the years; he had never been able to tamper with them; but his wife laughed at her fears and frankly told her that Erskine was too old now to be coddled.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Apparently she paid no heed to the slight dry cough which came so frequently from Erskine that his mother's face took on a shade of anxiety.

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

From this reading Erskine's coughs had been his mother's chief anxiety concerning him through the years; he had never been able to tamper with them; but his wife laughed at her fears and frankly told her that Erskine was too old now to be coddled.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading "Let us take a walk on the porch in the moonlight the minute we are through dinner," she said to her husband.

relating to physical reality rather than with thoughts or the mind

From this reading To all outward appearances the Burnham dining room was exhibiting a perfect home scene.

marked by the reception of pay

From this reading Apparently she paid no heed to the slight dry cough which came so frequently from Erskine that his mother's face took on a shade of anxiety.

being complete of its kind and without defect or blemish

From this reading To all outward appearances the Burnham dining room was exhibiting a perfect home scene.

plural of “plan” — a series of steps to be carried out or goals to be accomplished

From this reading "PLANS FOR A PURPOSE" THE Burnhams were still seated at their dinner table, although Mrs. Erskine Burnham had just remarked that the evening was too lovely to spend in eating.

a structure attached to the exterior of a building often forming a covered entrance

From this reading "Let us take a walk on the porch in the moonlight the minute we are through dinner," she said to her husband.

an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions

From this reading "PLANS FOR A PURPOSE" THE Burnhams were still seated at their dinner table, although Mrs. Erskine Burnham had just remarked that the evening was too lovely to spend in eating.

past form of “remark” — make mention of

From this reading "PLANS FOR A PURPOSE" THE Burnhams were still seated at their dinner table, although Mrs. Erskine Burnham had just remarked that the evening was too lovely to spend in eating.

an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling

From this reading To all outward appearances the Burnham dining room was exhibiting a perfect home scene.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading "Let us take a walk on the porch in the moonlight the minute we are through dinner," she said to her husband.

the place where some action occurs

From this reading To all outward appearances the Burnham dining room was exhibiting a perfect home scene.

(of persons) having the torso erect and legs bent with the body supported on the buttocks

From this reading "PLANS FOR A PURPOSE" THE Burnhams were still seated at their dinner table, although Mrs. Erskine Burnham had just remarked that the evening was too lovely to spend in eating.

relative darkness caused by light rays being intercepted by an opaque body

From this reading Apparently she paid no heed to the slight dry cough which came so frequently from Erskine that his mother's face took on a shade of anxiety.

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

From this reading "Let us take a walk on the porch in the moonlight the minute we are through dinner," she said to her husband.

a deliberate discourteous act (usually as an expression of anger or disapproval)

From this reading Apparently she paid no heed to the slight dry cough which came so frequently from Erskine that his mother's face took on a shade of anxiety.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Apparently she paid no heed to the slight dry cough which came so frequently from Erskine that his mother's face took on a shade of anxiety.

use up a period of time in a specific way

From this reading "PLANS FOR A PURPOSE" THE Burnhams were still seated at their dinner table, although Mrs. Erskine Burnham had just remarked that the evening was too lovely to spend in eating.

not in physical motion

From this reading "PLANS FOR A PURPOSE" THE Burnhams were still seated at their dinner table, although Mrs. Erskine Burnham had just remarked that the evening was too lovely to spend in eating.

a set of data arranged in rows and columns

From this reading "PLANS FOR A PURPOSE" THE Burnhams were still seated at their dinner table, although Mrs. Erskine Burnham had just remarked that the evening was too lovely to spend in eating.

carry out

From this reading "Let us take a walk on the porch in the moonlight the minute we are through dinner," she said to her husband.

play around with or alter or falsify, usually secretively or dishonestly

From this reading Erskine's coughs had been his mother's chief anxiety concerning him through the years; he had never been able to tamper with them; but his wife laughed at her fears and frankly told her that Erskine was too old now to be coddled.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading "PLANS FOR A PURPOSE" THE Burnhams were still seated at their dinner table, although Mrs. Erskine Burnham had just remarked that the evening was too lovely to spend in eating.

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

From this reading "PLANS FOR A PURPOSE" THE Burnhams were still seated at their dinner table, although Mrs. Erskine Burnham had just remarked that the evening was too lovely to spend in eating.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading "PLANS FOR A PURPOSE" THE Burnhams were still seated at their dinner table, although Mrs. Erskine Burnham had just remarked that the evening was too lovely to spend in eating.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading Erskine's coughs had been his mother's chief anxiety concerning him through the years; he had never been able to tamper with them; but his wife laughed at her fears and frankly told her that Erskine was too old now to be coddled.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading "Let us take a walk on the porch in the moonlight the minute we are through dinner," she said to her husband.

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

From this reading "PLANS FOR A PURPOSE" THE Burnhams were still seated at their dinner table, although Mrs. Erskine Burnham had just remarked that the evening was too lovely to spend in eating.

inflected form of “tell” — express in words

From this reading Erskine's coughs had been his mother's chief anxiety concerning him through the years; he had never been able to tamper with them; but his wife laughed at her fears and frankly told her that Erskine was too old now to be coddled.

to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits

From this reading "PLANS FOR A PURPOSE" THE Burnhams were still seated at their dinner table, although Mrs. Erskine Burnham had just remarked that the evening was too lovely to spend in eating.

inflected form of “take” — carry out

From this reading Apparently she paid no heed to the slight dry cough which came so frequently from Erskine that his mother's face took on a shade of anxiety.

the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading "Let us take a walk on the porch in the moonlight the minute we are through dinner," she said to her husband.

the act of traveling by foot

From this reading "Let us take a walk on the porch in the moonlight the minute we are through dinner," she said to her husband.

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

From this reading "PLANS FOR A PURPOSE" THE Burnhams were still seated at their dinner table, although Mrs. Erskine Burnham had just remarked that the evening was too lovely to spend in eating.

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading "Let us take a walk on the porch in the moonlight the minute we are through dinner," she said to her husband.

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

From this reading "PLANS FOR A PURPOSE" THE Burnhams were still seated at their dinner table, although Mrs. Erskine Burnham had just remarked that the evening was too lovely to spend in eating.

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

From this reading Apparently she paid no heed to the slight dry cough which came so frequently from Erskine that his mother's face took on a shade of anxiety.

a married woman; a man's partner in marriage

From this reading Erskine's coughs had been his mother's chief anxiety concerning him through the years; he had never been able to tamper with them; but his wife laughed at her fears and frankly told her that Erskine was too old now to be coddled.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Erskine's coughs had been his mother's chief anxiety concerning him through the years; he had never been able to tamper with them; but his wife laughed at her fears and frankly told her that Erskine was too old now to be coddled.

a late time of life

From this reading Erskine's coughs had been his mother's chief anxiety concerning him through the years; he had never been able to tamper with them; but his wife laughed at her fears and frankly told her that Erskine was too old now to be coddled.