Chapter I · Chapter 1

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

From this reading Our family had property both in England and in Picardy, and it was while attending to some business connected with the French estate that my father had fallen in love with a beautiful young widow, Madame la Baronne de Solivet (nee Cheverny), and had brought her home, in spite of the opposition of her relations.

the form of “be” used with “I”

From this reading For, as perhaps you have forgotten, I am an English woman by birth, having first seen the light at Walwyn House, in Dorsetshire.

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

From this reading For, as perhaps you have forgotten, I am an English woman by birth, having first seen the light at Walwyn House, in Dorsetshire.

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

From this reading I shall be glad thus to draw closer the bonds between ourselves and the English kindred, whom I love so heartily, though I may never hope to see them in this world, far less the dear old home where I grew up.

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

From this reading One brother had preceded me--my dear Eustace--and another brother, Berenger, and my little sister, Annora, followed me.

one more of the same kind, or a different one

From this reading One brother had preceded me--my dear Eustace--and another brother, Berenger, and my little sister, Annora, followed me.

put into a proper or systematic order

From this reading I have long promised you, my dear grandchildren, to arrange my recollections of the eventful years that even your father can hardly remember.

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

From this reading For, as perhaps you have forgotten, I am an English woman by birth, having first seen the light at Walwyn House, in Dorsetshire.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading For, as perhaps you have forgotten, I am an English woman by birth, having first seen the light at Walwyn House, in Dorsetshire.

the process whereby a person concentrates on some features of the environment to the (relative) exclusion of others

From this reading Our family had property both in England and in Picardy, and it was while attending to some business connected with the French estate that my father had fallen in love with a beautiful young widow, Madame la Baronne de Solivet (nee Cheverny), and had brought her home, in spite of the opposition of her relations.

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

From this reading Our family had property both in England and in Picardy, and it was while attending to some business connected with the French estate that my father had fallen in love with a beautiful young widow, Madame la Baronne de Solivet (nee Cheverny), and had brought her home, in spite of the opposition of her relations.

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

From this reading I shall be glad thus to draw closer the bonds between ourselves and the English kindred, whom I love so heartily, though I may never hope to see them in this world, far less the dear old home where I grew up.

delighting the senses or exciting intellectual or emotional admiration

From this reading Our family had property both in England and in Picardy, and it was while attending to some business connected with the French estate that my father had fallen in love with a beautiful young widow, Madame la Baronne de Solivet (nee Cheverny), and had brought her home, in spite of the opposition of her relations.

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

From this reading One brother had preceded me--my dear Eustace--and another brother, Berenger, and my little sister, Annora, followed me.

in the space, time, or range separating two things

From this reading I shall be glad thus to draw closer the bonds between ourselves and the English kindred, whom I love so heartily, though I may never hope to see them in this world, far less the dear old home where I grew up.

the time when something begins (especially life)

From this reading For, as perhaps you have forgotten, I am an English woman by birth, having first seen the light at Walwyn House, in Dorsetshire.

plural of “bond” — an electrical force linking atoms

From this reading I shall be glad thus to draw closer the bonds between ourselves and the English kindred, whom I love so heartily, though I may never hope to see them in this world, far less the dear old home where I grew up.

the two together, not just one

From this reading Our family had property both in England and in Picardy, and it was while attending to some business connected with the French estate that my father had fallen in love with a beautiful young widow, Madame la Baronne de Solivet (nee Cheverny), and had brought her home, in spite of the opposition of her relations.

a male with the same parents as someone else

From this reading One brother had preceded me--my dear Eustace--and another brother, Berenger, and my little sister, Annora, followed me.

inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere

From this reading Our family had property both in England and in Picardy, and it was while attending to some business connected with the French estate that my father had fallen in love with a beautiful young widow, Madame la Baronne de Solivet (nee Cheverny), and had brought her home, in spite of the opposition of her relations.

a commercial or industrial enterprise and the people who constitute it

From this reading Our family had property both in England and in Picardy, and it was while attending to some business connected with the French estate that my father had fallen in love with a beautiful young widow, Madame la Baronne de Solivet (nee Cheverny), and had brought her home, in spite of the opposition of her relations.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading For, as perhaps you have forgotten, I am an English woman by birth, having first seen the light at Walwyn House, in Dorsetshire.

to be able to, or to be allowed to

From this reading I have long promised you, my dear grandchildren, to arrange my recollections of the eventful years that even your father can hardly remember.

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

From this reading Our family had property both in England and in Picardy, and it was while attending to some business connected with the French estate that my father had fallen in love with a beautiful young widow, Madame la Baronne de Solivet (nee Cheverny), and had brought her home, in spite of the opposition of her relations.

(comparative of “near” or “close”) within a shorter distance

From this reading I shall be glad thus to draw closer the bonds between ourselves and the English kindred, whom I love so heartily, though I may never hope to see them in this world, far less the dear old home where I grew up.

being joined in close association

From this reading Our family had property both in England and in Picardy, and it was while attending to some business connected with the French estate that my father had fallen in love with a beautiful young widow, Madame la Baronne de Solivet (nee Cheverny), and had brought her home, in spite of the opposition of her relations.

a Mid-Atlantic state; one of the original 13 colonies

From this reading Our family had property both in England and in Picardy, and it was while attending to some business connected with the French estate that my father had fallen in love with a beautiful young widow, Madame la Baronne de Solivet (nee Cheverny), and had brought her home, in spite of the opposition of her relations.

dearly loved

From this reading I have long promised you, my dear grandchildren, to arrange my recollections of the eventful years that even your father can hardly remember.

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

From this reading For, as perhaps you have forgotten, I am an English woman by birth, having first seen the light at Walwyn House, in Dorsetshire.

cause to move by pulling

From this reading I shall be glad thus to draw closer the bonds between ourselves and the English kindred, whom I love so heartily, though I may never hope to see them in this world, far less the dear old home where I grew up.

a division of the United Kingdom

From this reading Our family had property both in England and in Picardy, and it was while attending to some business connected with the French estate that my father had fallen in love with a beautiful young widow, Madame la Baronne de Solivet (nee Cheverny), and had brought her home, in spite of the opposition of her relations.

an Indo-European language belonging to the West Germanic branch; the official language of Britain and the United States and most of the commonwealth countries

From this reading I shall be glad thus to draw closer the bonds between ourselves and the English kindred, whom I love so heartily, though I may never hope to see them in this world, far less the dear old home where I grew up.

everything you own; all of your assets (whether real property or personal property) and liabilities

From this reading Our family had property both in England and in Picardy, and it was while attending to some business connected with the French estate that my father had fallen in love with a beautiful young widow, Madame la Baronne de Solivet (nee Cheverny), and had brought her home, in spite of the opposition of her relations.

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

From this reading One brother had preceded me--my dear Eustace--and another brother, Berenger, and my little sister, Annora, followed me.

divisible by two

From this reading I have long promised you, my dear grandchildren, to arrange my recollections of the eventful years that even your father can hardly remember.

full of events or incidents

From this reading I have long promised you, my dear grandchildren, to arrange my recollections of the eventful years that even your father can hardly remember.

having dropped by the force of gravity

From this reading Our family had property both in England and in Picardy, and it was while attending to some business connected with the French estate that my father had fallen in love with a beautiful young widow, Madame la Baronne de Solivet (nee Cheverny), and had brought her home, in spite of the opposition of her relations.

a social unit living together

From this reading Our family had property both in England and in Picardy, and it was while attending to some business connected with the French estate that my father had fallen in love with a beautiful young widow, Madame la Baronne de Solivet (nee Cheverny), and had brought her home, in spite of the opposition of her relations.

to a considerable degree; very much

From this reading I shall be glad thus to draw closer the bonds between ourselves and the English kindred, whom I love so heartily, though I may never hope to see them in this world, far less the dear old home where I grew up.

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

From this reading I have long promised you, my dear grandchildren, to arrange my recollections of the eventful years that even your father can hardly remember.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading For, as perhaps you have forgotten, I am an English woman by birth, having first seen the light at Walwyn House, in Dorsetshire.

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

From this reading One brother had preceded me--my dear Eustace--and another brother, Berenger, and my little sister, Annora, followed me.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading For, as perhaps you have forgotten, I am an English woman by birth, having first seen the light at Walwyn House, in Dorsetshire.

Not remembered; lapsed from memory.

From this reading For, as perhaps you have forgotten, I am an English woman by birth, having first seen the light at Walwyn House, in Dorsetshire.

the Romance language spoken in France and in countries colonized by France

From this reading Our family had property both in England and in Picardy, and it was while attending to some business connected with the French estate that my father had fallen in love with a beautiful young widow, Madame la Baronne de Solivet (nee Cheverny), and had brought her home, in spite of the opposition of her relations.

showing or causing joy and pleasure; especially made happy

From this reading I shall be glad thus to draw closer the bonds between ourselves and the English kindred, whom I love so heartily, though I may never hope to see them in this world, far less the dear old home where I grew up.

plural of “grandchild” — a child of your son or daughter

From this reading I have long promised you, my dear grandchildren, to arrange my recollections of the eventful years that even your father can hardly remember.

inflected form of “grow” — pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become

From this reading I shall be glad thus to draw closer the bonds between ourselves and the English kindred, whom I love so heartily, though I may never hope to see them in this world, far less the dear old home where I grew up.

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

From this reading One brother had preceded me--my dear Eustace--and another brother, Berenger, and my little sister, Annora, followed me.

only a very short time before

From this reading I have long promised you, my dear grandchildren, to arrange my recollections of the eventful years that even your father can hardly remember.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading I have long promised you, my dear grandchildren, to arrange my recollections of the eventful years that even your father can hardly remember.

the -ing form of “have”

From this reading For, as perhaps you have forgotten, I am an English woman by birth, having first seen the light at Walwyn House, in Dorsetshire.

with gusto and without reservation

From this reading I shall be glad thus to draw closer the bonds between ourselves and the English kindred, whom I love so heartily, though I may never hope to see them in this world, far less the dear old home where I grew up.

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

From this reading Our family had property both in England and in Picardy, and it was while attending to some business connected with the French estate that my father had fallen in love with a beautiful young widow, Madame la Baronne de Solivet (nee Cheverny), and had brought her home, in spite of the opposition of her relations.

where you live at a particular time

From this reading I shall be glad thus to draw closer the bonds between ourselves and the English kindred, whom I love so heartily, though I may never hope to see them in this world, far less the dear old home where I grew up.

a specific instance of feeling hopeful

From this reading I shall be glad thus to draw closer the bonds between ourselves and the English kindred, whom I love so heartily, though I may never hope to see them in this world, far less the dear old home where I grew up.

a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families

From this reading For, as perhaps you have forgotten, I am an English woman by birth, having first seen the light at Walwyn House, in Dorsetshire.

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

From this reading I have long promised you, my dear grandchildren, to arrange my recollections of the eventful years that even your father can hardly remember.

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

From this reading I shall be glad thus to draw closer the bonds between ourselves and the English kindred, whom I love so heartily, though I may never hope to see them in this world, far less the dear old home where I grew up.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Our family had property both in England and in Picardy, and it was while attending to some business connected with the French estate that my father had fallen in love with a beautiful young widow, Madame la Baronne de Solivet (nee Cheverny), and had brought her home, in spite of the opposition of her relations.

similar in quality or character

From this reading I shall be glad thus to draw closer the bonds between ourselves and the English kindred, whom I love so heartily, though I may never hope to see them in this world, far less the dear old home where I grew up.

a white soft metallic element that tarnishes readily; occurs in rare earth minerals and is usually classified as a rare earth

From this reading Our family had property both in England and in Picardy, and it was while attending to some business connected with the French estate that my father had fallen in love with a beautiful young widow, Madame la Baronne de Solivet (nee Cheverny), and had brought her home, in spite of the opposition of her relations.

used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs

From this reading I shall be glad thus to draw closer the bonds between ourselves and the English kindred, whom I love so heartily, though I may never hope to see them in this world, far less the dear old home where I grew up.

of comparatively little physical weight or density

From this reading For, as perhaps you have forgotten, I am an English woman by birth, having first seen the light at Walwyn House, in Dorsetshire.

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading One brother had preceded me--my dear Eustace--and another brother, Berenger, and my little sister, Annora, followed me.

primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified

From this reading I have long promised you, my dear grandchildren, to arrange my recollections of the eventful years that even your father can hardly remember.

a strong positive emotion of regard and affection

From this reading I shall be glad thus to draw closer the bonds between ourselves and the English kindred, whom I love so heartily, though I may never hope to see them in this world, far less the dear old home where I grew up.

title used for a married Frenchwoman

From this reading Our family had property both in England and in Picardy, and it was while attending to some business connected with the French estate that my father had fallen in love with a beautiful young widow, Madame la Baronne de Solivet (nee Cheverny), and had brought her home, in spite of the opposition of her relations.

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading I shall be glad thus to draw closer the bonds between ourselves and the English kindred, whom I love so heartily, though I may never hope to see them in this world, far less the dear old home where I grew up.

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

From this reading One brother had preceded me--my dear Eustace--and another brother, Berenger, and my little sister, Annora, followed me.

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading I have long promised you, my dear grandchildren, to arrange my recollections of the eventful years that even your father can hardly remember.

(meaning literally “born”) used to indicate the maiden or family name of a married woman

From this reading Our family had property both in England and in Picardy, and it was while attending to some business connected with the French estate that my father had fallen in love with a beautiful young widow, Madame la Baronne de Solivet (nee Cheverny), and had brought her home, in spite of the opposition of her relations.

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading I shall be glad thus to draw closer the bonds between ourselves and the English kindred, whom I love so heartily, though I may never hope to see them in this world, far less the dear old home where I grew up.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading I have long promised you, my dear grandchildren, to arrange my recollections of the eventful years that even your father can hardly remember.

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

From this reading I shall be glad thus to draw closer the bonds between ourselves and the English kindred, whom I love so heartily, though I may never hope to see them in this world, far less the dear old home where I grew up.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading One brother had preceded me--my dear Eustace--and another brother, Berenger, and my little sister, Annora, followed me.

the action of opposing something that you disapprove or disagree with

From this reading Our family had property both in England and in Picardy, and it was while attending to some business connected with the French estate that my father had fallen in love with a beautiful young widow, Madame la Baronne de Solivet (nee Cheverny), and had brought her home, in spite of the opposition of her relations.

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading Our family had property both in England and in Picardy, and it was while attending to some business connected with the French estate that my father had fallen in love with a beautiful young widow, Madame la Baronne de Solivet (nee Cheverny), and had brought her home, in spite of the opposition of her relations.

used when we are both doing the action and receiving it

From this reading I shall be glad thus to draw closer the bonds between ourselves and the English kindred, whom I love so heartily, though I may never hope to see them in this world, far less the dear old home where I grew up.

by chance

From this reading For, as perhaps you have forgotten, I am an English woman by birth, having first seen the light at Walwyn House, in Dorsetshire.

a region of northern France on the English Channel

From this reading Our family had property both in England and in Picardy, and it was while attending to some business connected with the French estate that my father had fallen in love with a beautiful young widow, Madame la Baronne de Solivet (nee Cheverny), and had brought her home, in spite of the opposition of her relations.

past form of “precede” — be earlier in time; go back further

From this reading One brother had preceded me--my dear Eustace--and another brother, Berenger, and my little sister, Annora, followed me.

past form of “promise” — make a promise or commitment

From this reading I have long promised you, my dear grandchildren, to arrange my recollections of the eventful years that even your father can hardly remember.

something owned; any tangible or intangible possession that is owned by someone

From this reading Our family had property both in England and in Picardy, and it was while attending to some business connected with the French estate that my father had fallen in love with a beautiful young widow, Madame la Baronne de Solivet (nee Cheverny), and had brought her home, in spite of the opposition of her relations.

plural of “recollection” — the ability to recall past occurrences

From this reading I have long promised you, my dear grandchildren, to arrange my recollections of the eventful years that even your father can hardly remember.

mutual dealings or connections or communications among persons or groups

From this reading Our family had property both in England and in Picardy, and it was while attending to some business connected with the French estate that my father had fallen in love with a beautiful young widow, Madame la Baronne de Solivet (nee Cheverny), and had brought her home, in spite of the opposition of her relations.

To recall to mind.

From this reading I have long promised you, my dear grandchildren, to arrange my recollections of the eventful years that even your father can hardly remember.

perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading I shall be glad thus to draw closer the bonds between ourselves and the English kindred, whom I love so heartily, though I may never hope to see them in this world, far less the dear old home where I grew up.

inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading For, as perhaps you have forgotten, I am an English woman by birth, having first seen the light at Walwyn House, in Dorsetshire.

used with I and we for the future, or to offer and suggest

From this reading I shall be glad thus to draw closer the bonds between ourselves and the English kindred, whom I love so heartily, though I may never hope to see them in this world, far less the dear old home where I grew up.

a female person who has the same parents as another person

From this reading One brother had preceded me--my dear Eustace--and another brother, Berenger, and my little sister, Annora, followed me.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading I shall be glad thus to draw closer the bonds between ourselves and the English kindred, whom I love so heartily, though I may never hope to see them in this world, far less the dear old home where I grew up.

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

From this reading Our family had property both in England and in Picardy, and it was while attending to some business connected with the French estate that my father had fallen in love with a beautiful young widow, Madame la Baronne de Solivet (nee Cheverny), and had brought her home, in spite of the opposition of her relations.

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

From this reading Our family had property both in England and in Picardy, and it was while attending to some business connected with the French estate that my father had fallen in love with a beautiful young widow, Madame la Baronne de Solivet (nee Cheverny), and had brought her home, in spite of the opposition of her relations.

feeling a need to see others suffer

From this reading Our family had property both in England and in Picardy, and it was while attending to some business connected with the French estate that my father had fallen in love with a beautiful young widow, Madame la Baronne de Solivet (nee Cheverny), and had brought her home, in spite of the opposition of her relations.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading I have long promised you, my dear grandchildren, to arrange my recollections of the eventful years that even your father can hardly remember.

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

From this reading I have long promised you, my dear grandchildren, to arrange my recollections of the eventful years that even your father can hardly remember.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading I shall be glad thus to draw closer the bonds between ourselves and the English kindred, whom I love so heartily, though I may never hope to see them in this world, far less the dear old home where I grew up.

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

From this reading I shall be glad thus to draw closer the bonds between ourselves and the English kindred, whom I love so heartily, though I may never hope to see them in this world, far less the dear old home where I grew up.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading I shall be glad thus to draw closer the bonds between ourselves and the English kindred, whom I love so heartily, though I may never hope to see them in this world, far less the dear old home where I grew up.

(used to introduce a logical conclusion) from that fact or reason or as a result

From this reading I shall be glad thus to draw closer the bonds between ourselves and the English kindred, whom I love so heartily, though I may never hope to see them in this world, far less the dear old home where I grew up.

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

From this reading I have long promised you, my dear grandchildren, to arrange my recollections of the eventful years that even your father can hardly remember.

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading I shall be glad thus to draw closer the bonds between ourselves and the English kindred, whom I love so heartily, though I may never hope to see them in this world, far less the dear old home where I grew up.

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

From this reading For, as perhaps you have forgotten, I am an English woman by birth, having first seen the light at Walwyn House, in Dorsetshire.

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

From this reading Our family had property both in England and in Picardy, and it was while attending to some business connected with the French estate that my father had fallen in love with a beautiful young widow, Madame la Baronne de Solivet (nee Cheverny), and had brought her home, in spite of the opposition of her relations.

in or at the place that

From this reading I shall be glad thus to draw closer the bonds between ourselves and the English kindred, whom I love so heartily, though I may never hope to see them in this world, far less the dear old home where I grew up.

during the time that

From this reading Our family had property both in England and in Picardy, and it was while attending to some business connected with the French estate that my father had fallen in love with a beautiful young widow, Madame la Baronne de Solivet (nee Cheverny), and had brought her home, in spite of the opposition of her relations.

the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading I shall be glad thus to draw closer the bonds between ourselves and the English kindred, whom I love so heartily, though I may never hope to see them in this world, far less the dear old home where I grew up.

a woman whose husband is dead especially one who has not remarried

From this reading Our family had property both in England and in Picardy, and it was while attending to some business connected with the French estate that my father had fallen in love with a beautiful young widow, Madame la Baronne de Solivet (nee Cheverny), and had brought her home, in spite of the opposition of her relations.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Our family had property both in England and in Picardy, and it was while attending to some business connected with the French estate that my father had fallen in love with a beautiful young widow, Madame la Baronne de Solivet (nee Cheverny), and had brought her home, in spite of the opposition of her relations.

an adult female person (as opposed to a man)

From this reading For, as perhaps you have forgotten, I am an English woman by birth, having first seen the light at Walwyn House, in Dorsetshire.

everything that exists anywhere

From this reading I shall be glad thus to draw closer the bonds between ourselves and the English kindred, whom I love so heartily, though I may never hope to see them in this world, far less the dear old home where I grew up.

a late time of life

From this reading I have long promised you, my dear grandchildren, to arrange my recollections of the eventful years that even your father can hardly remember.

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading I have long promised you, my dear grandchildren, to arrange my recollections of the eventful years that even your father can hardly remember.

(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth

From this reading Our family had property both in England and in Picardy, and it was while attending to some business connected with the French estate that my father had fallen in love with a beautiful young widow, Madame la Baronne de Solivet (nee Cheverny), and had brought her home, in spite of the opposition of her relations.

belonging to the person or people being spoken to

From this reading I have long promised you, my dear grandchildren, to arrange my recollections of the eventful years that even your father can hardly remember.