used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading In a small town like the Hague, the sudden appearance of Constance and her husband, after many years, could not but be the occasion for an interchange of gossip that was not easily silenced.
to or in a foreign country
From this reading And, while she herself, in her gentle happiness and melancholy contentment at being back among her kinsfolk, in her country, for which she had longed so greatly abroad, while she noticed nothing of this cross-fire, through which she walked quietly--in the street, at the time of the two weddings, at Scheveningen and now--it continued among all those people--acquaintances, friends, relations--continued, never ceased fire.
the state of being absent
From this reading If it had sometimes seemed to Constance as though the period of her absence contracted and was no longer twenty years, to all those people who knew her, or knew her relations, or knew relations of her relations, that interval had no existence whatever; and it was as though the scandal dated from yesterday, as though she had married her lover, Van der Welcke, yesterday.
acquaintancesnounUS /əˈkweɪntənsɪz/
plural of “acquaintance” — personal knowledge or information about someone or something
From this reading And, while she herself, in her gentle happiness and melancholy contentment at being back among her kinsfolk, in her country, for which she had longed so greatly abroad, while she noticed nothing of this cross-fire, through which she walked quietly--in the street, at the time of the two weddings, at Scheveningen and now--it continued among all those people--acquaintances, friends, relations--continued, never ceased fire.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading In a small town like the Hague, the sudden appearance of Constance and her husband, after many years, could not but be the occasion for an interchange of gossip that was not easily silenced.
in the past
From this reading On the contrary, the gossip was a sort of raking up of all that could be remembered of former days, a repetition of all the criticism and all the condemnation which these very people, for the most part, fifteen years ago, had passed among themselves, from one to another, as so much current coin.
(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 On the contrary, the gossip was a sort of raking up of all that could be remembered of former days, a repetition of all the criticism and all the condemnation which these very people, for the most part, fifteen years ago, had passed among themselves, from one to another, as so much current coin.
amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/
surrounded by; in the middle of a group
From this reading On the contrary, the gossip was a sort of raking up of all that could be remembered of former days, a repetition of all the criticism and all the condemnation which these very people, for the most part, fifteen years ago, had passed among themselves, from one to another, as so much current coin.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading In a small town like the Hague, the sudden appearance of Constance and her husband, after many years, could not but be the occasion for an interchange of gossip that was not easily silenced.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading In a small town like the Hague, the sudden appearance of Constance and her husband, after many years, could not but be the occasion for an interchange of gossip that was not easily silenced.
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading On the contrary, the gossip was a sort of raking up of all that could be remembered of former days, a repetition of all the criticism and all the condemnation which these very people, for the most part, fifteen years ago, had passed among themselves, from one to another, as so much current coin.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading The Van Lowe family had connections in various sets--the aristocratic set, the upper official world, the military set, the Indian set--and, just because of these connections in more than one set, there arose a cross-fire of criticism and condemnation, neither of which had lost any of its sharpness, even though people had not given a thought to Constance for years.
outward or visible aspect of a person or thing
From this reading In a small town like the Hague, the sudden appearance of Constance and her husband, after many years, could not but be the occasion for an interchange of gossip that was not easily silenced.
aristocraticadjectiveUS /ərˌɪstəˈkrætɪk/
belonging to or characteristic of the nobility or aristocracy
From this reading The Van Lowe family had connections in various sets--the aristocratic set, the upper official world, the military set, the Indian set--and, just because of these connections in more than one set, there arose a cross-fire of criticism and condemnation, neither of which had lost any of its sharpness, even though people had not given a thought to Constance for years.
inflected form of “arise” — come into existence; take on form or shape
From this reading The Van Lowe family had connections in various sets--the aristocratic set, the upper official world, the military set, the Indian set--and, just because of these connections in more than one set, there arose a cross-fire of criticism and condemnation, neither of which had lost any of its sharpness, even though people had not given a thought to Constance for years.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading On the contrary, the gossip was a sort of raking up of all that could be remembered of former days, a repetition of all the criticism and all the condemnation which these very people, for the most part, fifteen years ago, had passed among themselves, from one to another, as so much current coin.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading And, while she herself, in her gentle happiness and melancholy contentment at being back among her kinsfolk, in her country, for which she had longed so greatly abroad, while she noticed nothing of this cross-fire, through which she walked quietly--in the street, at the time of the two weddings, at Scheveningen and now--it continued among all those people--acquaintances, friends, relations--continued, never ceased fire.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading And, while she herself, in her gentle happiness and melancholy contentment at being back among her kinsfolk, in her country, for which she had longed so greatly abroad, while she noticed nothing of this cross-fire, through which she walked quietly--in the street, at the time of the two weddings, at Scheveningen and now--it continued among all those people--acquaintances, friends, relations--continued, never ceased fire.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading In a small town like the Hague, the sudden appearance of Constance and her husband, after many years, could not but be the occasion for an interchange of gossip that was not easily silenced.
for the reason that
From this reading The Van Lowe family had connections in various sets--the aristocratic set, the upper official world, the military set, the Indian set--and, just because of these connections in more than one set, there arose a cross-fire of criticism and condemnation, neither of which had lost any of its sharpness, even though people had not given a thought to Constance for years.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading And, while she herself, in her gentle happiness and melancholy contentment at being back among her kinsfolk, in her country, for which she had longed so greatly abroad, while she noticed nothing of this cross-fire, through which she walked quietly--in the street, at the time of the two weddings, at Scheveningen and now--it continued among all those people--acquaintances, friends, relations--continued, never ceased fire.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading In a small town like the Hague, the sudden appearance of Constance and her husband, after many years, could not but be the occasion for an interchange of gossip that was not easily silenced.
past form of “cease” — put an end to a state or an activity
From this reading And, while she herself, in her gentle happiness and melancholy contentment at being back among her kinsfolk, in her country, for which she had longed so greatly abroad, while she noticed nothing of this cross-fire, through which she walked quietly--in the street, at the time of the two weddings, at Scheveningen and now--it continued among all those people--acquaintances, friends, relations--continued, never ceased fire.
coinverbUS /kɔɪn/
make up
From this reading On the contrary, the gossip was a sort of raking up of all that could be remembered of former days, a repetition of all the criticism and all the condemnation which these very people, for the most part, fifteen years ago, had passed among themselves, from one to another, as so much current coin.
condemnationnounUS /ˌkɑːndəmˈneɪʃən/
an expression of strong disapproval; pronouncing as wrong or morally culpable
From this reading The Van Lowe family had connections in various sets--the aristocratic set, the upper official world, the military set, the Indian set--and, just because of these connections in more than one set, there arose a cross-fire of criticism and condemnation, neither of which had lost any of its sharpness, even though people had not given a thought to Constance for years.
connectionsnounUS /kəˈnekʃənz/
plural of “connection” — a relation between things or events (as in the case of one causing the other or sharing features with it)
From this reading The Van Lowe family had connections in various sets--the aristocratic set, the upper official world, the military set, the Indian set--and, just because of these connections in more than one set, there arose a cross-fire of criticism and condemnation, neither of which had lost any of its sharpness, even though people had not given a thought to Constance for years.
ConstancenounUS /ˈkɑːnstəns/
a lake in southeastern Germany on the northern side of the Swiss Alps; forms part of the Rhine River
From this reading In a small town like the Hague, the sudden appearance of Constance and her husband, after many years, could not but be the occasion for an interchange of gossip that was not easily silenced.
contentmentnounUS /kənˈtentmənt/
happiness with one's situation in life
From this reading And, while she herself, in her gentle happiness and melancholy contentment at being back among her kinsfolk, in her country, for which she had longed so greatly abroad, while she noticed nothing of this cross-fire, through which she walked quietly--in the street, at the time of the two weddings, at Scheveningen and now--it continued among all those people--acquaintances, friends, relations--continued, never ceased fire.
without stop or interruption
From this reading And, while she herself, in her gentle happiness and melancholy contentment at being back among her kinsfolk, in her country, for which she had longed so greatly abroad, while she noticed nothing of this cross-fire, through which she walked quietly--in the street, at the time of the two weddings, at Scheveningen and now--it continued among all those people--acquaintances, friends, relations--continued, never ceased fire.
contractedadjectiveUS /ˈkɑːntræktəd/
reduced in size or pulled together
From this reading If it had sometimes seemed to Constance as though the period of her absence contracted and was no longer twenty years, to all those people who knew her, or knew her relations, or knew relations of her relations, that interval had no existence whatever; and it was as though the scandal dated from yesterday, as though she had married her lover, Van der Welcke, yesterday.
very opposed in nature or character or purpose
From this reading On the contrary, the gossip was a sort of raking up of all that could be remembered of former days, a repetition of all the criticism and all the condemnation which these very people, for the most part, fifteen years ago, had passed among themselves, from one to another, as so much current coin.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading In a small town like the Hague, the sudden appearance of Constance and her husband, after many years, could not but be the occasion for an interchange of gossip that was not easily silenced.
a politically organized body of people under a single government
From this reading And, while she herself, in her gentle happiness and melancholy contentment at being back among her kinsfolk, in her country, for which she had longed so greatly abroad, while she noticed nothing of this cross-fire, through which she walked quietly--in the street, at the time of the two weddings, at Scheveningen and now--it continued among all those people--acquaintances, friends, relations--continued, never ceased fire.
criticismnounUS /ˈkrɪtɪsɪzəm/
disapproval expressed by pointing out faults or shortcomings
From this reading The Van Lowe family had connections in various sets--the aristocratic set, the upper official world, the military set, the Indian set--and, just because of these connections in more than one set, there arose a cross-fire of criticism and condemnation, neither of which had lost any of its sharpness, even though people had not given a thought to Constance for years.
cross-fire
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Van Lowe family had connections in various sets--the aristocratic set, the upper official world, the military set, the Indian set--and, just because of these connections in more than one set, there arose a cross-fire of criticism and condemnation, neither of which had lost any of its sharpness, even though people had not given a thought to Constance for years.
a flow of electricity through a conductor
From this reading On the contrary, the gossip was a sort of raking up of all that could be remembered of former days, a repetition of all the criticism and all the condemnation which these very people, for the most part, fifteen years ago, had passed among themselves, from one to another, as so much current coin.
datedadjectiveUS /ˈdeɪtɪd/
marked by features of the immediate and usually discounted past
From this reading If it had sometimes seemed to Constance as though the period of her absence contracted and was no longer twenty years, to all those people who knew her, or knew her relations, or knew relations of her relations, that interval had no existence whatever; and it was as though the scandal dated from yesterday, as though she had married her lover, Van der Welcke, yesterday.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading On the contrary, the gossip was a sort of raking up of all that could be remembered of former days, a repetition of all the criticism and all the condemnation which these very people, for the most part, fifteen years ago, had passed among themselves, from one to another, as so much current coin.
der
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If it had sometimes seemed to Constance as though the period of her absence contracted and was no longer twenty years, to all those people who knew her, or knew her relations, or knew relations of her relations, that interval had no existence whatever; and it was as though the scandal dated from yesterday, as though she had married her lover, Van der Welcke, yesterday.
with ease (“easy” is sometimes used informally for “easily”)
From this reading In a small town like the Hague, the sudden appearance of Constance and her husband, after many years, could not but be the occasion for an interchange of gossip that was not easily silenced.
divisible by two
From this reading The Van Lowe family had connections in various sets--the aristocratic set, the upper official world, the military set, the Indian set--and, just because of these connections in more than one set, there arose a cross-fire of criticism and condemnation, neither of which had lost any of its sharpness, even though people had not given a thought to Constance for years.
the state or fact of existing
From this reading If it had sometimes seemed to Constance as though the period of her absence contracted and was no longer twenty years, to all those people who knew her, or knew her relations, or knew relations of her relations, that interval had no existence whatever; and it was as though the scandal dated from yesterday, as though she had married her lover, Van der Welcke, yesterday.
a social unit living together
From this reading The Van Lowe family had connections in various sets--the aristocratic set, the upper official world, the military set, the Indian set--and, just because of these connections in more than one set, there arose a cross-fire of criticism and condemnation, neither of which had lost any of its sharpness, even though people had not given a thought to Constance for years.
the cardinal number that is the sum of fourteen and one
From this reading On the contrary, the gossip was a sort of raking up of all that could be remembered of former days, a repetition of all the criticism and all the condemnation which these very people, for the most part, fifteen years ago, had passed among themselves, from one to another, as so much current coin.
start firing a weapon
From this reading And, while she herself, in her gentle happiness and melancholy contentment at being back among her kinsfolk, in her country, for which she had longed so greatly abroad, while she noticed nothing of this cross-fire, through which she walked quietly--in the street, at the time of the two weddings, at Scheveningen and now--it continued among all those people--acquaintances, friends, relations--continued, never ceased fire.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading In a small town like the Hague, the sudden appearance of Constance and her husband, after many years, could not but be the occasion for an interchange of gossip that was not easily silenced.
referring to the first of two things or persons mentioned (or the earlier one or ones of several)
From this reading On the contrary, the gossip was a sort of raking up of all that could be remembered of former days, a repetition of all the criticism and all the condemnation which these very people, for the most part, fifteen years ago, had passed among themselves, from one to another, as so much current coin.
plural of “friend” — a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading And, while she herself, in her gentle happiness and melancholy contentment at being back among her kinsfolk, in her country, for which she had longed so greatly abroad, while she noticed nothing of this cross-fire, through which she walked quietly--in the street, at the time of the two weddings, at Scheveningen and now--it continued among all those people--acquaintances, friends, relations--continued, never ceased fire.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading On the contrary, the gossip was a sort of raking up of all that could be remembered of former days, a repetition of all the criticism and all the condemnation which these very people, for the most part, fifteen years ago, had passed among themselves, from one to another, as so much current coin.
soft and mild; not harsh or stern or severe
From this reading And, while she herself, in her gentle happiness and melancholy contentment at being back among her kinsfolk, in her country, for which she had longed so greatly abroad, while she noticed nothing of this cross-fire, through which she walked quietly--in the street, at the time of the two weddings, at Scheveningen and now--it continued among all those people--acquaintances, friends, relations--continued, never ceased fire.
givenadjectiveUS /ˈɡɪvən/
acknowledged as a supposition
From this reading The Van Lowe family had connections in various sets--the aristocratic set, the upper official world, the military set, the Indian set--and, just because of these connections in more than one set, there arose a cross-fire of criticism and condemnation, neither of which had lost any of its sharpness, even though people had not given a thought to Constance for years.
gossipnounUS /ˈɡɑːsəp/
light informal conversation for social occasions
From this reading In a small town like the Hague, the sudden appearance of Constance and her husband, after many years, could not but be the occasion for an interchange of gossip that was not easily silenced.
to an extraordinary extent or degree
From this reading And, while she herself, in her gentle happiness and melancholy contentment at being back among her kinsfolk, in her country, for which she had longed so greatly abroad, while she noticed nothing of this cross-fire, through which she walked quietly--in the street, at the time of the two weddings, at Scheveningen and now--it continued among all those people--acquaintances, friends, relations--continued, never ceased fire.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The Van Lowe family had connections in various sets--the aristocratic set, the upper official world, the military set, the Indian set--and, just because of these connections in more than one set, there arose a cross-fire of criticism and condemnation, neither of which had lost any of its sharpness, even though people had not given a thought to Constance for years.
Hague
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In a small town like the Hague, the sudden appearance of Constance and her husband, after many years, could not but be the occasion for an interchange of gossip that was not easily silenced.
state of well-being characterized by emotions ranging from contentment to intense joy
From this reading And, while she herself, in her gentle happiness and melancholy contentment at being back among her kinsfolk, in her country, for which she had longed so greatly abroad, while she noticed nothing of this cross-fire, through which she walked quietly--in the street, at the time of the two weddings, at Scheveningen and now--it continued among all those people--acquaintances, friends, relations--continued, never ceased fire.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading In a small town like the Hague, the sudden appearance of Constance and her husband, after many years, could not but be the occasion for an interchange of gossip that was not easily silenced.
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading And, while she herself, in her gentle happiness and melancholy contentment at being back among her kinsfolk, in her country, for which she had longed so greatly abroad, while she noticed nothing of this cross-fire, through which she walked quietly--in the street, at the time of the two weddings, at Scheveningen and now--it continued among all those people--acquaintances, friends, relations--continued, never ceased fire.
a married man; a woman's partner in marriage
From this reading In a small town like the Hague, the sudden appearance of Constance and her husband, after many years, could not but be the occasion for an interchange of gossip that was not easily silenced.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading If it had sometimes seemed to Constance as though the period of her absence contracted and was no longer twenty years, to all those people who knew her, or knew her relations, or knew relations of her relations, that interval had no existence whatever; and it was as though the scandal dated from yesterday, as though she had married her lover, Van der Welcke, yesterday.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading In a small town like the Hague, the sudden appearance of Constance and her husband, after many years, could not but be the occasion for an interchange of gossip that was not easily silenced.
of or relating to or characteristic of India or the East Indies or their peoples or languages or cultures
From this reading The Van Lowe family had connections in various sets--the aristocratic set, the upper official world, the military set, the Indian set--and, just because of these connections in more than one set, there arose a cross-fire of criticism and condemnation, neither of which had lost any of its sharpness, even though people had not given a thought to Constance for years.
interchangenounUS /ˌɪntərˈtʃeɪndʒ/
a junction of highways on different levels that permits traffic to move from one to another without crossing traffic streams
From this reading In a small town like the Hague, the sudden appearance of Constance and her husband, after many years, could not but be the occasion for an interchange of gossip that was not easily silenced.
intervalnounUS /ˈɪntərvəl/
a definite length of time marked off by two instants
From this reading If it had sometimes seemed to Constance as though the period of her absence contracted and was no longer twenty years, to all those people who knew her, or knew her relations, or knew relations of her relations, that interval had no existence whatever; and it was as though the scandal dated from yesterday, as though she had married her lover, Van der Welcke, yesterday.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading If it had sometimes seemed to Constance as though the period of her absence contracted and was no longer twenty years, to all those people who knew her, or knew her relations, or knew relations of her relations, that interval had no existence whatever; and it was as though the scandal dated from yesterday, as though she had married her lover, Van der Welcke, yesterday.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading The Van Lowe family had connections in various sets--the aristocratic set, the upper official world, the military set, the Indian set--and, just because of these connections in more than one set, there arose a cross-fire of criticism and condemnation, neither of which had lost any of its sharpness, even though people had not given a thought to Constance for years.
and nothing more
From this reading The Van Lowe family had connections in various sets--the aristocratic set, the upper official world, the military set, the Indian set--and, just because of these connections in more than one set, there arose a cross-fire of criticism and condemnation, neither of which had lost any of its sharpness, even though people had not given a thought to Constance for years.
kinsfolknoun
people descended from a common ancestor
From this reading And, while she herself, in her gentle happiness and melancholy contentment at being back among her kinsfolk, in her country, for which she had longed so greatly abroad, while she noticed nothing of this cross-fire, through which she walked quietly--in the street, at the time of the two weddings, at Scheveningen and now--it continued among all those people--acquaintances, friends, relations--continued, never ceased fire.
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 If it had sometimes seemed to Constance as though the period of her absence contracted and was no longer twenty years, to all those people who knew her, or knew her relations, or knew relations of her relations, that interval had no existence whatever; and it was as though the scandal dated from yesterday, as though she had married her lover, Van der Welcke, yesterday.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading In a small town like the Hague, the sudden appearance of Constance and her husband, after many years, could not but be the occasion for an interchange of gossip that was not easily silenced.
longedverbUS /lɔːŋd/
past form of “long” — desire strongly or persistently
From this reading And, while she herself, in her gentle happiness and melancholy contentment at being back among her kinsfolk, in her country, for which she had longed so greatly abroad, while she noticed nothing of this cross-fire, through which she walked quietly--in the street, at the time of the two weddings, at Scheveningen and now--it continued among all those people--acquaintances, friends, relations--continued, never ceased fire.
for more time
From this reading If it had sometimes seemed to Constance as though the period of her absence contracted and was no longer twenty years, to all those people who knew her, or knew her relations, or knew relations of her relations, that interval had no existence whatever; and it was as though the scandal dated from yesterday, as though she had married her lover, Van der Welcke, yesterday.
no longer in your possession or control; unable to be found or recovered
From this reading The Van Lowe family had connections in various sets--the aristocratic set, the upper official world, the military set, the Indian set--and, just because of these connections in more than one set, there arose a cross-fire of criticism and condemnation, neither of which had lost any of its sharpness, even though people had not given a thought to Constance for years.
a person who loves someone or is loved by someone
From this reading If it had sometimes seemed to Constance as though the period of her absence contracted and was no longer twenty years, to all those people who knew her, or knew her relations, or knew relations of her relations, that interval had no existence whatever; and it was as though the scandal dated from yesterday, as though she had married her lover, Van der Welcke, yesterday.
Lowe
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Van Lowe family had connections in various sets--the aristocratic set, the upper official world, the military set, the Indian set--and, just because of these connections in more than one set, there arose a cross-fire of criticism and condemnation, neither of which had lost any of its sharpness, even though people had not given a thought to Constance for years.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number
From this reading In a small town like the Hague, the sudden appearance of Constance and her husband, after many years, could not but be the occasion for an interchange of gossip that was not easily silenced.
joined in matrimony
From this reading If it had sometimes seemed to Constance as though the period of her absence contracted and was no longer twenty years, to all those people who knew her, or knew her relations, or knew relations of her relations, that interval had no existence whatever; and it was as though the scandal dated from yesterday, as though she had married her lover, Van der Welcke, yesterday.
a feeling of thoughtful sadness
From this reading And, while she herself, in her gentle happiness and melancholy contentment at being back among her kinsfolk, in her country, for which she had longed so greatly abroad, while she noticed nothing of this cross-fire, through which she walked quietly--in the street, at the time of the two weddings, at Scheveningen and now--it continued among all those people--acquaintances, friends, relations--continued, never ceased fire.
of or relating to the study of the principles of warfare
From this reading The Van Lowe family had connections in various sets--the aristocratic set, the upper official world, the military set, the Indian set--and, just because of these connections in more than one set, there arose a cross-fire of criticism and condemnation, neither of which had lost any of its sharpness, even though people had not given a thought to Constance for years.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading The Van Lowe family had connections in various sets--the aristocratic set, the upper official world, the military set, the Indian set--and, just because of these connections in more than one set, there arose a cross-fire of criticism and condemnation, neither of which had lost any of its sharpness, even though people had not given a thought to Constance for years.
used to form the superlative
From this reading On the contrary, the gossip was a sort of raking up of all that could be remembered of former days, a repetition of all the criticism and all the condemnation which these very people, for the most part, fifteen years ago, had passed among themselves, from one to another, as so much current coin.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading On the contrary, the gossip was a sort of raking up of all that could be remembered of former days, a repetition of all the criticism and all the condemnation which these very people, for the most part, fifteen years ago, had passed among themselves, from one to another, as so much current coin.
not one and not the other of two
From this reading The Van Lowe family had connections in various sets--the aristocratic set, the upper official world, the military set, the Indian set--and, just because of these connections in more than one set, there arose a cross-fire of criticism and condemnation, neither of which had lost any of its sharpness, even though people had not given a thought to Constance for years.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading And, while she herself, in her gentle happiness and melancholy contentment at being back among her kinsfolk, in her country, for which she had longed so greatly abroad, while she noticed nothing of this cross-fire, through which she walked quietly--in the street, at the time of the two weddings, at Scheveningen and now--it continued among all those people--acquaintances, friends, relations--continued, never ceased fire.
not any; not one
From this reading If it had sometimes seemed to Constance as though the period of her absence contracted and was no longer twenty years, to all those people who knew her, or knew her relations, or knew relations of her relations, that interval had no existence whatever; and it was as though the scandal dated from yesterday, as though she had married her lover, Van der Welcke, yesterday.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading In a small town like the Hague, the sudden appearance of Constance and her husband, after many years, could not but be the occasion for an interchange of gossip that was not easily silenced.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading And, while she herself, in her gentle happiness and melancholy contentment at being back among her kinsfolk, in her country, for which she had longed so greatly abroad, while she noticed nothing of this cross-fire, through which she walked quietly--in the street, at the time of the two weddings, at Scheveningen and now--it continued among all those people--acquaintances, friends, relations--continued, never ceased fire.
being perceived or observed
From this reading And, while she herself, in her gentle happiness and melancholy contentment at being back among her kinsfolk, in her country, for which she had longed so greatly abroad, while she noticed nothing of this cross-fire, through which she walked quietly--in the street, at the time of the two weddings, at Scheveningen and now--it continued among all those people--acquaintances, friends, relations--continued, never ceased fire.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading And, while she herself, in her gentle happiness and melancholy contentment at being back among her kinsfolk, in her country, for which she had longed so greatly abroad, while she noticed nothing of this cross-fire, through which she walked quietly--in the street, at the time of the two weddings, at Scheveningen and now--it continued among all those people--acquaintances, friends, relations--continued, never ceased fire.
an event that occurs at a critical time
From this reading In a small town like the Hague, the sudden appearance of Constance and her husband, after many years, could not but be the occasion for an interchange of gossip that was not easily silenced.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading In a small town like the Hague, the sudden appearance of Constance and her husband, after many years, could not but be the occasion for an interchange of gossip that was not easily silenced.
having official authority or sanction
From this reading The Van Lowe family had connections in various sets--the aristocratic set, the upper official world, the military set, the Indian set--and, just because of these connections in more than one set, there arose a cross-fire of criticism and condemnation, neither of which had lost any of its sharpness, even though people had not given a thought to Constance for years.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading On the contrary, the gossip was a sort of raking up of all that could be remembered of former days, a repetition of all the criticism and all the condemnation which these very people, for the most part, fifteen years ago, had passed among themselves, from one to another, as so much current coin.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading The Van Lowe family had connections in various sets--the aristocratic set, the upper official world, the military set, the Indian set--and, just because of these connections in more than one set, there arose a cross-fire of criticism and condemnation, neither of which had lost any of its sharpness, even though people had not given a thought to Constance for years.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading If it had sometimes seemed to Constance as though the period of her absence contracted and was no longer twenty years, to all those people who knew her, or knew her relations, or knew relations of her relations, that interval had no existence whatever; and it was as though the scandal dated from yesterday, as though she had married her lover, Van der Welcke, yesterday.
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading On the contrary, the gossip was a sort of raking up of all that could be remembered of former days, a repetition of all the criticism and all the condemnation which these very people, for the most part, fifteen years ago, had passed among themselves, from one to another, as so much current coin.
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading On the contrary, the gossip was a sort of raking up of all that could be remembered of former days, a repetition of all the criticism and all the condemnation which these very people, for the most part, fifteen years ago, had passed among themselves, from one to another, as so much current coin.
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading The Van Lowe family had connections in various sets--the aristocratic set, the upper official world, the military set, the Indian set--and, just because of these connections in more than one set, there arose a cross-fire of criticism and condemnation, neither of which had lost any of its sharpness, even though people had not given a thought to Constance for years.
an amount of time
From this reading If it had sometimes seemed to Constance as though the period of her absence contracted and was no longer twenty years, to all those people who knew her, or knew her relations, or knew relations of her relations, that interval had no existence whatever; and it was as though the scandal dated from yesterday, as though she had married her lover, Van der Welcke, yesterday.
with low volume
From this reading And, while she herself, in her gentle happiness and melancholy contentment at being back among her kinsfolk, in her country, for which she had longed so greatly abroad, while she noticed nothing of this cross-fire, through which she walked quietly--in the street, at the time of the two weddings, at Scheveningen and now--it continued among all those people--acquaintances, friends, relations--continued, never ceased fire.
rakingverbUS /ˈreɪkɪŋ/
-ing form of “rake” — move through with or as if with a rake
From this reading On the contrary, the gossip was a sort of raking up of all that could be remembered of former days, a repetition of all the criticism and all the condemnation which these very people, for the most part, fifteen years ago, had passed among themselves, from one to another, as so much current coin.
mutual dealings or connections or communications among persons or groups
From this reading If it had sometimes seemed to Constance as though the period of her absence contracted and was no longer twenty years, to all those people who knew her, or knew her relations, or knew relations of her relations, that interval had no existence whatever; and it was as though the scandal dated from yesterday, as though she had married her lover, Van der Welcke, yesterday.
past form of “remember” — recall knowledge from memory; have a recollection
From this reading On the contrary, the gossip was a sort of raking up of all that could be remembered of former days, a repetition of all the criticism and all the condemnation which these very people, for the most part, fifteen years ago, had passed among themselves, from one to another, as so much current coin.
repetitionnounUS /ˌrepəˈtɪʃən/
an event that repeats
From this reading On the contrary, the gossip was a sort of raking up of all that could be remembered of former days, a repetition of all the criticism and all the condemnation which these very people, for the most part, fifteen years ago, had passed among themselves, from one to another, as so much current coin.
scandalnounUS /ˈskændəl/
disgraceful gossip about the private lives of other people
From this reading If it had sometimes seemed to Constance as though the period of her absence contracted and was no longer twenty years, to all those people who knew her, or knew her relations, or knew relations of her relations, that interval had no existence whatever; and it was as though the scandal dated from yesterday, as though she had married her lover, Van der Welcke, yesterday.
Scheveningen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And, while she herself, in her gentle happiness and melancholy contentment at being back among her kinsfolk, in her country, for which she had longed so greatly abroad, while she noticed nothing of this cross-fire, through which she walked quietly--in the street, at the time of the two weddings, at Scheveningen and now--it continued among all those people--acquaintances, friends, relations--continued, never ceased fire.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading If it had sometimes seemed to Constance as though the period of her absence contracted and was no longer twenty years, to all those people who knew her, or knew her relations, or knew relations of her relations, that interval had no existence whatever; and it was as though the scandal dated from yesterday, as though she had married her lover, Van der Welcke, yesterday.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading The Van Lowe family had connections in various sets--the aristocratic set, the upper official world, the military set, the Indian set--and, just because of these connections in more than one set, there arose a cross-fire of criticism and condemnation, neither of which had lost any of its sharpness, even though people had not given a thought to Constance for years.
setsnounUS /sets/
plural of “set” — a group of things of the same kind that belong together and are so used
From this reading The Van Lowe family had connections in various sets--the aristocratic set, the upper official world, the military set, the Indian set--and, just because of these connections in more than one set, there arose a cross-fire of criticism and condemnation, neither of which had lost any of its sharpness, even though people had not given a thought to Constance for years.
sharpnessnounUS /ˈʃɑːrpnəs/
a quick and penetrating intelligence
From this reading The Van Lowe family had connections in various sets--the aristocratic set, the upper official world, the military set, the Indian set--and, just because of these connections in more than one set, there arose a cross-fire of criticism and condemnation, neither of which had lost any of its sharpness, even though people had not given a thought to Constance for years.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading If it had sometimes seemed to Constance as though the period of her absence contracted and was no longer twenty years, to all those people who knew her, or knew her relations, or knew relations of her relations, that interval had no existence whatever; and it was as though the scandal dated from yesterday, as though she had married her lover, Van der Welcke, yesterday.
silencedadjectiveUS /ˈsaɪlənst/
reduced to silence
From this reading In a small town like the Hague, the sudden appearance of Constance and her husband, after many years, could not but be the occasion for an interchange of gossip that was not easily silenced.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading In a small town like the Hague, the sudden appearance of Constance and her husband, after many years, could not but be the occasion for an interchange of gossip that was not easily silenced.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading On the contrary, the gossip was a sort of raking up of all that could be remembered of former days, a repetition of all the criticism and all the condemnation which these very people, for the most part, fifteen years ago, had passed among themselves, from one to another, as so much current coin.
on certain occasions or in certain cases but not always
From this reading If it had sometimes seemed to Constance as though the period of her absence contracted and was no longer twenty years, to all those people who knew her, or knew her relations, or knew relations of her relations, that interval had no existence whatever; and it was as though the scandal dated from yesterday, as though she had married her lover, Van der Welcke, yesterday.
a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality
From this reading On the contrary, the gossip was a sort of raking up of all that could be remembered of former days, a repetition of all the criticism and all the condemnation which these very people, for the most part, fifteen years ago, had passed among themselves, from one to another, as so much current coin.
a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings
From this reading And, while she herself, in her gentle happiness and melancholy contentment at being back among her kinsfolk, in her country, for which she had longed so greatly abroad, while she noticed nothing of this cross-fire, through which she walked quietly--in the street, at the time of the two weddings, at Scheveningen and now--it continued among all those people--acquaintances, friends, relations--continued, never ceased fire.
happening without warning or in a short space of time
From this reading In a small town like the Hague, the sudden appearance of Constance and her husband, after many years, could not but be the occasion for an interchange of gossip that was not easily silenced.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading The Van Lowe family had connections in various sets--the aristocratic set, the upper official world, the military set, the Indian set--and, just because of these connections in more than one set, there arose a cross-fire of criticism and condemnation, neither of which had lost any of its sharpness, even though people had not given a thought to Constance for years.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading In a small town like the Hague, the sudden appearance of Constance and her husband, after many years, could not but be the occasion for an interchange of gossip that was not easily silenced.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading In a small town like the Hague, the sudden appearance of Constance and her husband, after many years, could not but be the occasion for an interchange of gossip that was not easily silenced.
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading On the contrary, the gossip was a sort of raking up of all that could be remembered of former days, a repetition of all the criticism and all the condemnation which these very people, for the most part, fifteen years ago, had passed among themselves, from one to another, as so much current coin.
in or at that place or location
From this reading The Van Lowe family had connections in various sets--the aristocratic set, the upper official world, the military set, the Indian set--and, just because of these connections in more than one set, there arose a cross-fire of criticism and condemnation, neither of which had lost any of its sharpness, even though people had not given a thought to Constance for years.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading The Van Lowe family had connections in various sets--the aristocratic set, the upper official world, the military set, the Indian set--and, just because of these connections in more than one set, there arose a cross-fire of criticism and condemnation, neither of which had lost any of its sharpness, even though people had not given a thought to Constance for years.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading And, while she herself, in her gentle happiness and melancholy contentment at being back among her kinsfolk, in her country, for which she had longed so greatly abroad, while she noticed nothing of this cross-fire, through which she walked quietly--in the street, at the time of the two weddings, at Scheveningen and now--it continued among all those people--acquaintances, friends, relations--continued, never ceased fire.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading If it had sometimes seemed to Constance as though the period of her absence contracted and was no longer twenty years, to all those people who knew her, or knew her relations, or knew relations of her relations, that interval had no existence whatever; and it was as though the scandal dated from yesterday, as though she had married her lover, Van der Welcke, yesterday.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading The Van Lowe family had connections in various sets--the aristocratic set, the upper official world, the military set, the Indian set--and, just because of these connections in more than one set, there arose a cross-fire of criticism and condemnation, neither of which had lost any of its sharpness, even though people had not given a thought to Constance for years.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading The Van Lowe family had connections in various sets--the aristocratic set, the upper official world, the military set, the Indian set--and, just because of these connections in more than one set, there arose a cross-fire of criticism and condemnation, neither of which had lost any of its sharpness, even though people had not given a thought to Constance for years.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading And, while she herself, in her gentle happiness and melancholy contentment at being back among her kinsfolk, in her country, for which she had longed so greatly abroad, while she noticed nothing of this cross-fire, through which she walked quietly--in the street, at the time of the two weddings, at Scheveningen and now--it continued among all those people--acquaintances, friends, relations--continued, never ceased fire.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading And, while she herself, in her gentle happiness and melancholy contentment at being back among her kinsfolk, in her country, for which she had longed so greatly abroad, while she noticed nothing of this cross-fire, through which she walked quietly--in the street, at the time of the two weddings, at Scheveningen and now--it continued among all those people--acquaintances, friends, relations--continued, never ceased fire.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The Van Lowe family had connections in various sets--the aristocratic set, the upper official world, the military set, the Indian set--and, just because of these connections in more than one set, there arose a cross-fire of criticism and condemnation, neither of which had lost any of its sharpness, even though people had not given a thought to Constance for years.
an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city
From this reading In a small town like the Hague, the sudden appearance of Constance and her husband, after many years, could not but be the occasion for an interchange of gossip that was not easily silenced.
the cardinal number that is the sum of nineteen and one
From this reading If it had sometimes seemed to Constance as though the period of her absence contracted and was no longer twenty years, to all those people who knew her, or knew her relations, or knew relations of her relations, that interval had no existence whatever; and it was as though the scandal dated from yesterday, as though she had married her lover, Van der Welcke, yesterday.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading And, while she herself, in her gentle happiness and melancholy contentment at being back among her kinsfolk, in her country, for which she had longed so greatly abroad, while she noticed nothing of this cross-fire, through which she walked quietly--in the street, at the time of the two weddings, at Scheveningen and now--it continued among all those people--acquaintances, friends, relations--continued, never ceased fire.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading On the contrary, the gossip was a sort of raking up of all that could be remembered of former days, a repetition of all the criticism and all the condemnation which these very people, for the most part, fifteen years ago, had passed among themselves, from one to another, as so much current coin.
the topmost one of two
From this reading The Van Lowe family had connections in various sets--the aristocratic set, the upper official world, the military set, the Indian set--and, just because of these connections in more than one set, there arose a cross-fire of criticism and condemnation, neither of which had lost any of its sharpness, even though people had not given a thought to Constance for years.
any creative group active in the innovation and application of new concepts and techniques in a given field (especially in the arts)
From this reading The Van Lowe family had connections in various sets--the aristocratic set, the upper official world, the military set, the Indian set--and, just because of these connections in more than one set, there arose a cross-fire of criticism and condemnation, neither of which had lost any of its sharpness, even though people had not given a thought to Constance for years.
of many different kinds purposefully arranged but lacking any uniformity
From this reading The Van Lowe family had connections in various sets--the aristocratic set, the upper official world, the military set, the Indian set--and, just because of these connections in more than one set, there arose a cross-fire of criticism and condemnation, neither of which had lost any of its sharpness, even though people had not given a thought to Constance for years.
precisely as stated
From this reading On the contrary, the gossip was a sort of raking up of all that could be remembered of former days, a repetition of all the criticism and all the condemnation which these very people, for the most part, fifteen years ago, had passed among themselves, from one to another, as so much current coin.
past form of “walk” — use one's feet to advance; advance by steps
From this reading And, while she herself, in her gentle happiness and melancholy contentment at being back among her kinsfolk, in her country, for which she had longed so greatly abroad, while she noticed nothing of this cross-fire, through which she walked quietly--in the street, at the time of the two weddings, at Scheveningen and now--it continued among all those people--acquaintances, friends, relations--continued, never ceased fire.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading In a small town like the Hague, the sudden appearance of Constance and her husband, after many years, could not but be the occasion for an interchange of gossip that was not easily silenced.
weddingsnounUS /ˈwedɪŋz/
plural of “wedding” — the social event at which the ceremony of marriage is performed
From this reading And, while she herself, in her gentle happiness and melancholy contentment at being back among her kinsfolk, in her country, for which she had longed so greatly abroad, while she noticed nothing of this cross-fire, through which she walked quietly--in the street, at the time of the two weddings, at Scheveningen and now--it continued among all those people--acquaintances, friends, relations--continued, never ceased fire.
Welcke
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If it had sometimes seemed to Constance as though the period of her absence contracted and was no longer twenty years, to all those people who knew her, or knew her relations, or knew relations of her relations, that interval had no existence whatever; and it was as though the scandal dated from yesterday, as though she had married her lover, Van der Welcke, yesterday.
any or all of a kind, it does not matter which
From this reading If it had sometimes seemed to Constance as though the period of her absence contracted and was no longer twenty years, to all those people who knew her, or knew her relations, or knew relations of her relations, that interval had no existence whatever; and it was as though the scandal dated from yesterday, as though she had married her lover, Van der Welcke, yesterday.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The Van Lowe family had connections in various sets--the aristocratic set, the upper official world, the military set, the Indian set--and, just because of these connections in more than one set, there arose a cross-fire of criticism and condemnation, neither of which had lost any of its sharpness, even though people had not given a thought to Constance for years.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading And, while she herself, in her gentle happiness and melancholy contentment at being back among her kinsfolk, in her country, for which she had longed so greatly abroad, while she noticed nothing of this cross-fire, through which she walked quietly--in the street, at the time of the two weddings, at Scheveningen and now--it continued among all those people--acquaintances, friends, relations--continued, never ceased fire.
which person or people
From this reading If it had sometimes seemed to Constance as though the period of her absence contracted and was no longer twenty years, to all those people who knew her, or knew her relations, or knew relations of her relations, that interval had no existence whatever; and it was as though the scandal dated from yesterday, as though she had married her lover, Van der Welcke, yesterday.
everything that exists anywhere
From this reading The Van Lowe family had connections in various sets--the aristocratic set, the upper official world, the military set, the Indian set--and, just because of these connections in more than one set, there arose a cross-fire of criticism and condemnation, neither of which had lost any of its sharpness, even though people had not given a thought to Constance for years.
a late time of life
From this reading In a small town like the Hague, the sudden appearance of Constance and her husband, after many years, could not but be the occasion for an interchange of gossip that was not easily silenced.
the day immediately before today
From this reading If it had sometimes seemed to Constance as though the period of her absence contracted and was no longer twenty years, to all those people who knew her, or knew her relations, or knew relations of her relations, that interval had no existence whatever; and it was as though the scandal dated from yesterday, as though she had married her lover, Van der Welcke, yesterday.
