Chapter XVII · Chapter 17

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

From this reading What I have heretofore mentioned of the events which followed immediately on my father's death were all related circumstantially to me by MacNaghtan himself, who used to dwell upon them with a most painfully accurate memory.

conforming exactly or almost exactly to fact or to a standard or performing with total accuracy

From this reading What I have heretofore mentioned of the events which followed immediately on my father's death were all related circumstantially to me by MacNaghtan himself, who used to dwell upon them with a most painfully accurate memory.

having or experiencing a rapid onset and short but severe course

From this reading The simple fact was, that in his dread of litigation, from which almost all his own misfortunes had sprung, he endeavored to conduct affairs which required the most acute and subtle intelligence to guide.

matters of personal concern

From this reading The simple fact was, that in his dread of litigation, from which almost all his own misfortunes had sprung, he endeavored to conduct affairs which required the most acute and subtle intelligence to guide.

(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 What I have heretofore mentioned of the events which followed immediately on my father's death were all related circumstantially to me by MacNaghtan himself, who used to dwell upon them with a most painfully accurate memory.

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

From this reading The simple fact was, that in his dread of litigation, from which almost all his own misfortunes had sprung, he endeavored to conduct affairs which required the most acute and subtle intelligence to guide.

in the middle of; surrounded by

From this reading There was not an incident, however slight, there was not a scene of passing interest, that did not leave its deep impression on him; and, amid all the trials of his own precarious life, these were the events which he recurred to most frequently.

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

From this reading There was not an incident, however slight, there was not a scene of passing interest, that did not leave its deep impression on him; and, amid all the trials of his own precarious life, these were the events which he recurred to most frequently.

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

From this reading There was not an incident, however slight, there was not a scene of passing interest, that did not leave its deep impression on him; and, amid all the trials of his own precarious life, these were the events which he recurred to most frequently.

prevent the occurrence of; prevent from happening

From this reading Poor fellow, how severely did he reproach himself for calamities that no effort of his could avert!

showing who or what does the action

From this reading What I have heretofore mentioned of the events which followed immediately on my father's death were all related circumstantially to me by MacNaghtan himself, who used to dwell upon them with a most painfully accurate memory.

plural of “calamity” — an event resulting in great loss and misfortune

From this reading Poor fellow, how severely did he reproach himself for calamities that no effort of his could avert!

past form of “cause” — give rise to; cause to happen or occur, not always intentionally

From this reading How often has he deplored mistakes and errors which, though they perhaps hastened, by no means caused, the ruin that imperilled us.

according to circumstances

From this reading What I have heretofore mentioned of the events which followed immediately on my father's death were all related circumstantially to me by MacNaghtan himself, who used to dwell upon them with a most painfully accurate memory.

direct the course of; manage or control

From this reading The simple fact was, that in his dread of litigation, from which almost all his own misfortunes had sprung, he endeavored to conduct affairs which required the most acute and subtle intelligence to guide.

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

From this reading Poor fellow, how severely did he reproach himself for calamities that no effort of his could avert!

the event of dying or departure from life

From this reading What I have heretofore mentioned of the events which followed immediately on my father's death were all related circumstantially to me by MacNaghtan himself, who used to dwell upon them with a most painfully accurate memory.

relatively deep or strong; affecting one deeply

From this reading There was not an incident, however slight, there was not a scene of passing interest, that did not leave its deep impression on him; and, amid all the trials of his own precarious life, these were the events which he recurred to most frequently.

past form of “deplore” — express strong disapproval of

From this reading How often has he deplored mistakes and errors which, though they perhaps hastened, by no means caused, the ruin that imperilled us.

the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives

From this reading There was not an incident, however slight, there was not a scene of passing interest, that did not leave its deep impression on him; and, amid all the trials of his own precarious life, these were the events which he recurred to most frequently.

fearful expectation or anticipation

From this reading The simple fact was, that in his dread of litigation, from which almost all his own misfortunes had sprung, he endeavored to conduct affairs which required the most acute and subtle intelligence to guide.

think moodily or anxiously about something

From this reading What I have heretofore mentioned of the events which followed immediately on my father's death were all related circumstantially to me by MacNaghtan himself, who used to dwell upon them with a most painfully accurate memory.

earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something

From this reading Poor fellow, how severely did he reproach himself for calamities that no effort of his could avert!

past form of “endeavor” — attempt by employing effort

From this reading The simple fact was, that in his dread of litigation, from which almost all his own misfortunes had sprung, he endeavored to conduct affairs which required the most acute and subtle intelligence to guide.

plural of “error” — a wrong action attributable to bad judgment or ignorance or inattention

From this reading How often has he deplored mistakes and errors which, though they perhaps hastened, by no means caused, the ruin that imperilled us.

plural of “event” — something that happens at a given place and time

From this reading What I have heretofore mentioned of the events which followed immediately on my father's death were all related circumstantially to me by MacNaghtan himself, who used to dwell upon them with a most painfully accurate memory.

a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred

From this reading The simple fact was, that in his dread of litigation, from which almost all his own misfortunes had sprung, he endeavored to conduct affairs which required the most acute and subtle intelligence to guide.

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

From this reading What I have heretofore mentioned of the events which followed immediately on my father's death were all related circumstantially to me by MacNaghtan himself, who used to dwell upon them with a most painfully accurate memory.

a boy or man

From this reading Poor fellow, how severely did he reproach himself for calamities that no effort of his could avert!

past form of “follow” — to travel behind, go after, come after

From this reading What I have heretofore mentioned of the events which followed immediately on my father's death were all related circumstantially to me by MacNaghtan himself, who used to dwell upon them with a most painfully accurate memory.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Poor fellow, how severely did he reproach himself for calamities that no effort of his could avert!

many times at short intervals

From this reading There was not an incident, however slight, there was not a scene of passing interest, that did not leave its deep impression on him; and, amid all the trials of his own precarious life, these were the events which he recurred to most frequently.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading The simple fact was, that in his dread of litigation, from which almost all his own misfortunes had sprung, he endeavored to conduct affairs which required the most acute and subtle intelligence to guide.

someone employed to conduct others

From this reading The simple fact was, that in his dread of litigation, from which almost all his own misfortunes had sprung, he endeavored to conduct affairs which required the most acute and subtle intelligence to guide.

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

From this reading The simple fact was, that in his dread of litigation, from which almost all his own misfortunes had sprung, he endeavored to conduct affairs which required the most acute and subtle intelligence to guide.

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

From this reading How often has he deplored mistakes and errors which, though they perhaps hastened, by no means caused, the ruin that imperilled us.

past form of “hasten” — act or move at high speed

From this reading How often has he deplored mistakes and errors which, though they perhaps hastened, by no means caused, the ruin that imperilled us.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading What I have heretofore mentioned of the events which followed immediately on my father's death were all related circumstantially to me by MacNaghtan himself, who used to dwell upon them with a most painfully accurate memory.

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

From this reading There was not an incident, however slight, there was not a scene of passing interest, that did not leave its deep impression on him; and, amid all the trials of his own precarious life, these were the events which he recurred to most frequently.

used in negative statement to describe a situation that has existed up to this point or up to the present time

From this reading What I have heretofore mentioned of the events which followed immediately on my father's death were all related circumstantially to me by MacNaghtan himself, who used to dwell upon them with a most painfully accurate memory.

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

From this reading There was not an incident, however slight, there was not a scene of passing interest, that did not leave its deep impression on him; and, amid all the trials of his own precarious life, these were the events which he recurred to most frequently.

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading What I have heretofore mentioned of the events which followed immediately on my father's death were all related circumstantially to me by MacNaghtan himself, who used to dwell upon them with a most painfully accurate memory.

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

From this reading There was not an incident, however slight, there was not a scene of passing interest, that did not leave its deep impression on him; and, amid all the trials of his own precarious life, these were the events which he recurred to most frequently.

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

From this reading Poor fellow, how severely did he reproach himself for calamities that no effort of his could avert!

used to add a contrasting statement

From this reading There was not an incident, however slight, there was not a scene of passing interest, that did not leave its deep impression on him; and, amid all the trials of his own precarious life, these were the events which he recurred to most frequently.

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

From this reading What I have heretofore mentioned of the events which followed immediately on my father's death were all related circumstantially to me by MacNaghtan himself, who used to dwell upon them with a most painfully accurate memory.

without delay or hesitation; with no time intervening

From this reading What I have heretofore mentioned of the events which followed immediately on my father's death were all related circumstantially to me by MacNaghtan himself, who used to dwell upon them with a most painfully accurate memory.

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

From this reading How often has he deplored mistakes and errors which, though they perhaps hastened, by no means caused, the ruin that imperilled us.

a vague idea in which some confidence is placed

From this reading There was not an incident, however slight, there was not a scene of passing interest, that did not leave its deep impression on him; and, amid all the trials of his own precarious life, these were the events which he recurred to most frequently.

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

From this reading The simple fact was, that in his dread of litigation, from which almost all his own misfortunes had sprung, he endeavored to conduct affairs which required the most acute and subtle intelligence to guide.

a single distinct event

From this reading There was not an incident, however slight, there was not a scene of passing interest, that did not leave its deep impression on him; and, amid all the trials of his own precarious life, these were the events which he recurred to most frequently.

the ability to comprehend; to understand and profit from experience

From this reading The simple fact was, that in his dread of litigation, from which almost all his own misfortunes had sprung, he endeavored to conduct affairs which required the most acute and subtle intelligence to guide.

a sense of concern with and curiosity about someone or something

From this reading There was not an incident, however slight, there was not a scene of passing interest, that did not leave its deep impression on him; and, amid all the trials of his own precarious life, these were the events which he recurred to most frequently.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading There was not an incident, however slight, there was not a scene of passing interest, that did not leave its deep impression on him; and, amid all the trials of his own precarious life, these were the events which he recurred to most frequently.

go away from a place

From this reading There was not an incident, however slight, there was not a scene of passing interest, that did not leave its deep impression on him; and, amid all the trials of his own precarious life, these were the events which he recurred to most frequently.

a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading There was not an incident, however slight, there was not a scene of passing interest, that did not leave its deep impression on him; and, amid all the trials of his own precarious life, these were the events which he recurred to most frequently.

a legal proceeding in a court; a judicial contest to determine and enforce legal rights

From this reading The simple fact was, that in his dread of litigation, from which almost all his own misfortunes had sprung, he endeavored to conduct affairs which required the most acute and subtle intelligence to guide.

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

From this reading What I have heretofore mentioned of the events which followed immediately on my father's death were all related circumstantially to me by MacNaghtan himself, who used to dwell upon them with a most painfully accurate memory.

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

From this reading What I have heretofore mentioned of the events which followed immediately on my father's death were all related circumstantially to me by MacNaghtan himself, who used to dwell upon them with a most painfully accurate memory.

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

From this reading How often has he deplored mistakes and errors which, though they perhaps hastened, by no means caused, the ruin that imperilled us.

The faculty by which the mind stores and remembers information and knowledge.

From this reading What I have heretofore mentioned of the events which followed immediately on my father's death were all related circumstantially to me by MacNaghtan himself, who used to dwell upon them with a most painfully accurate memory.

past form of “mention” — make reference to

From this reading What I have heretofore mentioned of the events which followed immediately on my father's death were all related circumstantially to me by MacNaghtan himself, who used to dwell upon them with a most painfully accurate memory.

plural of “misfortune” — unnecessary and unforeseen trouble resulting from an unfortunate event

From this reading The simple fact was, that in his dread of litigation, from which almost all his own misfortunes had sprung, he endeavored to conduct affairs which required the most acute and subtle intelligence to guide.

plural of “mistake” — a wrong action attributable to bad judgment or ignorance or inattention

From this reading How often has he deplored mistakes and errors which, though they perhaps hastened, by no means caused, the ruin that imperilled us.

used to form the superlative

From this reading What I have heretofore mentioned of the events which followed immediately on my father's death were all related circumstantially to me by MacNaghtan himself, who used to dwell upon them with a most painfully accurate memory.

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading What I have heretofore mentioned of the events which followed immediately on my father's death were all related circumstantially to me by MacNaghtan himself, who used to dwell upon them with a most painfully accurate memory.

not any; not one

From this reading Poor fellow, how severely did he reproach himself for calamities that no effort of his could avert!

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading There was not an incident, however slight, there was not a scene of passing interest, that did not leave its deep impression on him; and, amid all the trials of his own precarious life, these were the events which he recurred to most frequently.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading What I have heretofore mentioned of the events which followed immediately on my father's death were all related circumstantially to me by MacNaghtan himself, who used to dwell upon them with a most painfully accurate memory.

many times at short intervals

From this reading How often has he deplored mistakes and errors which, though they perhaps hastened, by no means caused, the ruin that imperilled us.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading What I have heretofore mentioned of the events which followed immediately on my father's death were all related circumstantially to me by MacNaghtan himself, who used to dwell upon them with a most painfully accurate memory.

have ownership or possession of

From this reading There was not an incident, however slight, there was not a scene of passing interest, that did not leave its deep impression on him; and, amid all the trials of his own precarious life, these were the events which he recurred to most frequently.

unpleasantly

From this reading What I have heretofore mentioned of the events which followed immediately on my father's death were all related circumstantially to me by MacNaghtan himself, who used to dwell upon them with a most painfully accurate memory.

(American football) a play that involves one player throwing the ball to a teammate

From this reading There was not an incident, however slight, there was not a scene of passing interest, that did not leave its deep impression on him; and, amid all the trials of his own precarious life, these were the events which he recurred to most frequently.

by chance

From this reading How often has he deplored mistakes and errors which, though they perhaps hastened, by no means caused, the ruin that imperilled us.

deserving or inciting pity

From this reading Poor fellow, how severely did he reproach himself for calamities that no effort of his could avert!

affording no ease or reassurance

From this reading There was not an incident, however slight, there was not a scene of passing interest, that did not leave its deep impression on him; and, amid all the trials of his own precarious life, these were the events which he recurred to most frequently.

inflected form of “recur” — happen or occur again

From this reading There was not an incident, however slight, there was not a scene of passing interest, that did not leave its deep impression on him; and, amid all the trials of his own precarious life, these were the events which he recurred to most frequently.

being connected either logically or causally or by shared characteristics

From this reading What I have heretofore mentioned of the events which followed immediately on my father's death were all related circumstantially to me by MacNaghtan himself, who used to dwell upon them with a most painfully accurate memory.

a mild rebuke or criticism

From this reading Poor fellow, how severely did he reproach himself for calamities that no effort of his could avert!

necessary for relief or supply

From this reading The simple fact was, that in his dread of litigation, from which almost all his own misfortunes had sprung, he endeavored to conduct affairs which required the most acute and subtle intelligence to guide.

an irrecoverable state of devastation and destruction

From this reading How often has he deplored mistakes and errors which, though they perhaps hastened, by no means caused, the ruin that imperilled us.

the place where some action occurs

From this reading There was not an incident, however slight, there was not a scene of passing interest, that did not leave its deep impression on him; and, amid all the trials of his own precarious life, these were the events which he recurred to most frequently.

to a severe or serious degree

From this reading Poor fellow, how severely did he reproach himself for calamities that no effort of his could avert!

having few parts; not complex or complicated or involved

From this reading The simple fact was, that in his dread of litigation, from which almost all his own misfortunes had sprung, he endeavored to conduct affairs which required the most acute and subtle intelligence to guide.

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

From this reading There was not an incident, however slight, there was not a scene of passing interest, that did not leave its deep impression on him; and, amid all the trials of his own precarious life, these were the events which he recurred to most frequently.

inflected form of “spring” — move forward by leaps and bounds

From this reading The simple fact was, that in his dread of litigation, from which almost all his own misfortunes had sprung, he endeavored to conduct affairs which required the most acute and subtle intelligence to guide.

difficult to detect or grasp by the mind or analyze

From this reading The simple fact was, that in his dread of litigation, from which almost all his own misfortunes had sprung, he endeavored to conduct affairs which required the most acute and subtle intelligence to guide.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading There was not an incident, however slight, there was not a scene of passing interest, that did not leave its deep impression on him; and, amid all the trials of his own precarious life, these were the events which he recurred to most frequently.

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

From this reading What I have heretofore mentioned of the events which followed immediately on my father's death were all related circumstantially to me by MacNaghtan himself, who used to dwell upon them with a most painfully accurate memory.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading What I have heretofore mentioned of the events which followed immediately on my father's death were all related circumstantially to me by MacNaghtan himself, who used to dwell upon them with a most painfully accurate memory.

in or at that place or location

From this reading There was not an incident, however slight, there was not a scene of passing interest, that did not leave its deep impression on him; and, amid all the trials of his own precarious life, these were the events which he recurred to most frequently.

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

From this reading There was not an incident, however slight, there was not a scene of passing interest, that did not leave its deep impression on him; and, amid all the trials of his own precarious life, these were the events which he recurred to most frequently.

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading How often has he deplored mistakes and errors which, though they perhaps hastened, by no means caused, the ruin that imperilled us.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading How often has he deplored mistakes and errors which, though they perhaps hastened, by no means caused, the ruin that imperilled us.

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

From this reading What I have heretofore mentioned of the events which followed immediately on my father's death were all related circumstantially to me by MacNaghtan himself, who used to dwell upon them with a most painfully accurate memory.

plural of “trial” — the act of testing something

From this reading There was not an incident, however slight, there was not a scene of passing interest, that did not leave its deep impression on him; and, amid all the trials of his own precarious life, these were the events which he recurred to most frequently.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading What I have heretofore mentioned of the events which followed immediately on my father's death were all related circumstantially to me by MacNaghtan himself, who used to dwell upon them with a most painfully accurate memory.

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

From this reading How often has he deplored mistakes and errors which, though they perhaps hastened, by no means caused, the ruin that imperilled us.

employed in accomplishing something

From this reading What I have heretofore mentioned of the events which followed immediately on my father's death were all related circumstantially to me by MacNaghtan himself, who used to dwell upon them with a most painfully accurate memory.

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

From this reading There was not an incident, however slight, there was not a scene of passing interest, that did not leave its deep impression on him; and, amid all the trials of his own precarious life, these were the events which he recurred to most frequently.

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

From this reading What I have heretofore mentioned of the events which followed immediately on my father's death were all related circumstantially to me by MacNaghtan himself, who used to dwell upon them with a most painfully accurate memory.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading What I have heretofore mentioned of the events which followed immediately on my father's death were all related circumstantially to me by MacNaghtan himself, who used to dwell upon them with a most painfully accurate memory.

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

From this reading What I have heretofore mentioned of the events which followed immediately on my father's death were all related circumstantially to me by MacNaghtan himself, who used to dwell upon them with a most painfully accurate memory.

which person or people

From this reading What I have heretofore mentioned of the events which followed immediately on my father's death were all related circumstantially to me by MacNaghtan himself, who used to dwell upon them with a most painfully accurate memory.

in the company of; together with

From this reading What I have heretofore mentioned of the events which followed immediately on my father's death were all related circumstantially to me by MacNaghtan himself, who used to dwell upon them with a most painfully accurate memory.