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 She had not been unhappy in dwelling alone, although she had been a good daughter as long as she had a parent to live with.

(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 Then her father had died, and, upon the discovery that he was better endowed with worldly wealth than folks had generally supposed, all four had hastened to bring a return suit at once.

Having no one else present.

From this reading Susan Clegg had dwelt alone ever since her father's death.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading She had not been unhappy in dwelling alone, although she had been a good daughter as long as she had a parent to live with.

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

From this reading When the parent departed, and indeed some few days before his going, there had arisen a kind of a question as to the possibility of a life-companion for the daughter who must inevitably be left orphaned and lonely before long.

inflected form of “arise” — come into existence; take on form or shape

From this reading When the parent departed, and indeed some few days before his going, there had arisen a kind of a question as to the possibility of a life-companion for the daughter who must inevitably be left orphaned and lonely before long.

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

From this reading She had not been unhappy in dwelling alone, although she had been a good daughter as long as she had a parent to live with.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Then her father had died, and, upon the discovery that he was better endowed with worldly wealth than folks had generally supposed, all four had hastened to bring a return suit at once.

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

From this reading When the parent departed, and indeed some few days before his going, there had arisen a kind of a question as to the possibility of a life-companion for the daughter who must inevitably be left orphaned and lonely before long.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading She had not been unhappy in dwelling alone, although she had been a good daughter as long as she had a parent to live with.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading When the parent departed, and indeed some few days before his going, there had arisen a kind of a question as to the possibility of a life-companion for the daughter who must inevitably be left orphaned and lonely before long.

(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another

From this reading Then her father had died, and, upon the discovery that he was better endowed with worldly wealth than folks had generally supposed, all four had hastened to bring a return suit at once.

take something or somebody with oneself somewhere

From this reading Then her father had died, and, upon the discovery that he was better endowed with worldly wealth than folks had generally supposed, all four had hastened to bring a return suit at once.

a prominent attribute or aspect of something

From this reading The question had arisen in a way highly characteristic of Miss Clegg and had been disposed of in the same manner.[A] The fact is that Miss Clegg had herself proposed to four men and been refused four times.

large swift fly the female of which sucks blood of various animals

From this reading Susan Clegg had dwelt alone ever since her father's death.

a female human offspring

From this reading She had not been unhappy in dwelling alone, although she had been a good daughter as long as she had a parent to live with.

the time during which someone's life continues

From this reading When the parent departed, and indeed some few days before his going, there had arisen a kind of a question as to the possibility of a life-companion for the daughter who must inevitably be left orphaned and lonely before long.

the event of dying or departure from life

From this reading Susan Clegg had dwelt alone ever since her father's death.

well in the past; former

From this reading When the parent departed, and indeed some few days before his going, there had arisen a kind of a question as to the possibility of a life-companion for the daughter who must inevitably be left orphaned and lonely before long.

past form of “die” — pass from physical life and lose all bodily attributes and functions necessary to sustain life

From this reading Then her father had died, and, upon the discovery that he was better endowed with worldly wealth than folks had generally supposed, all four had hastened to bring a return suit at once.

the act of discovering something

From this reading Then her father had died, and, upon the discovery that he was better endowed with worldly wealth than folks had generally supposed, all four had hastened to bring a return suit at once.

having made preparations

From this reading The question had arisen in a way highly characteristic of Miss Clegg and had been disposed of in the same manner.[A] The fact is that Miss Clegg had herself proposed to four men and been refused four times.

housing that someone is living in

From this reading She had not been unhappy in dwelling alone, although she had been a good daughter as long as she had a parent to live with.

inflected form of “dwell” — think moodily or anxiously about something

From this reading Susan Clegg had dwelt alone ever since her father's death.

provided or supplied or equipped with (especially as by inheritance or nature)

From this reading Then her father had died, and, upon the discovery that he was better endowed with worldly wealth than folks had generally supposed, all four had hastened to bring a return suit at once.

at any time

From this reading Susan Clegg had dwelt alone ever since her father's death.

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

From this reading The question had arisen in a way highly characteristic of Miss Clegg and had been disposed of in the same manner.[A] The fact is that Miss Clegg had herself proposed to four men and been refused four times.

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

From this reading Then her father had died, and, upon the discovery that he was better endowed with worldly wealth than folks had generally supposed, all four had hastened to bring a return suit at once.

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

From this reading Susan Clegg had dwelt alone ever since her father's death.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number

From this reading When the parent departed, and indeed some few days before his going, there had arisen a kind of a question as to the possibility of a life-companion for the daughter who must inevitably be left orphaned and lonely before long.

your parents

From this reading Then her father had died, and, upon the discovery that he was better endowed with worldly wealth than folks had generally supposed, all four had hastened to bring a return suit at once.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading When the parent departed, and indeed some few days before his going, there had arisen a kind of a question as to the possibility of a life-companion for the daughter who must inevitably be left orphaned and lonely before long.

the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one

From this reading The question had arisen in a way highly characteristic of Miss Clegg and had been disposed of in the same manner.[A] The fact is that Miss Clegg had herself proposed to four men and been refused four times.

usually; as a rule

From this reading Then her father had died, and, upon the discovery that he was better endowed with worldly wealth than folks had generally supposed, all four had hastened to bring a return suit at once.

the act of departing

From this reading When the parent departed, and indeed some few days before his going, there had arisen a kind of a question as to the possibility of a life-companion for the daughter who must inevitably be left orphaned and lonely before long.

having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified

From this reading She had not been unhappy in dwelling alone, although she had been a good daughter as long as she had a parent to live with.

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

From this reading Susan Clegg had dwelt alone ever since her father's death.

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

From this reading Then her father had died, and, upon the discovery that he was better endowed with worldly wealth than folks had generally supposed, all four had hastened to bring a return suit at once.

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

From this reading Then her father had died, and, upon the discovery that he was better endowed with worldly wealth than folks had generally supposed, all four had hastened to bring a return suit at once.

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

From this reading Susan Clegg had dwelt alone ever since her father's death.

used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object

From this reading The question had arisen in a way highly characteristic of Miss Clegg and had been disposed of in the same manner.[A] The fact is that Miss Clegg had herself proposed to four men and been refused four times.

to a high degree or extent; favorably or with much respect

From this reading The question had arisen in a way highly characteristic of Miss Clegg and had been disposed of in the same manner.[A] The fact is that Miss Clegg had herself proposed to four men and been refused four times.

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

From this reading When the parent departed, and indeed some few days before his going, there had arisen a kind of a question as to the possibility of a life-companion for the daughter who must inevitably be left orphaned and lonely before long.

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

From this reading She had not been unhappy in dwelling alone, although she had been a good daughter as long as she had a parent to live with.

in truth (often tends to intensify)

From this reading When the parent departed, and indeed some few days before his going, there had arisen a kind of a question as to the possibility of a life-companion for the daughter who must inevitably be left orphaned and lonely before long.

in such a manner as could not be otherwise

From this reading When the parent departed, and indeed some few days before his going, there had arisen a kind of a question as to the possibility of a life-companion for the daughter who must inevitably be left orphaned and lonely before long.

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

From this reading The question had arisen in a way highly characteristic of Miss Clegg and had been disposed of in the same manner.[A] The fact is that Miss Clegg had herself proposed to four men and been refused four times.

having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior

From this reading When the parent departed, and indeed some few days before his going, there had arisen a kind of a question as to the possibility of a life-companion for the daughter who must inevitably be left orphaned and lonely before long.

location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east

From this reading When the parent departed, and indeed some few days before his going, there had arisen a kind of a question as to the possibility of a life-companion for the daughter who must inevitably be left orphaned and lonely before long.

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

From this reading When the parent departed, and indeed some few days before his going, there had arisen a kind of a question as to the possibility of a life-companion for the daughter who must inevitably be left orphaned and lonely before long.

be an inhabitant of or reside in

From this reading She had not been unhappy in dwelling alone, although she had been a good daughter as long as she had a parent to live with.

lacking companions or companionship

From this reading When the parent departed, and indeed some few days before his going, there had arisen a kind of a question as to the possibility of a life-companion for the daughter who must inevitably be left orphaned and lonely before long.

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 She had not been unhappy in dwelling alone, although she had been a good daughter as long as she had a parent to live with.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading The question had arisen in a way highly characteristic of Miss Clegg and had been disposed of in the same manner.[A] The fact is that Miss Clegg had herself proposed to four men and been refused four times.

the force of workers available

From this reading The question had arisen in a way highly characteristic of Miss Clegg and had been disposed of in the same manner.[A] The fact is that Miss Clegg had herself proposed to four men and been refused four times.

fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind

From this reading The question had arisen in a way highly characteristic of Miss Clegg and had been disposed of in the same manner.[A] The fact is that Miss Clegg had herself proposed to four men and been refused four times.

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading When the parent departed, and indeed some few days before his going, there had arisen a kind of a question as to the possibility of a life-companion for the daughter who must inevitably be left orphaned and lonely before long.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading She had not been unhappy in dwelling alone, although she had been a good daughter as long as she had a parent to live with.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading When the parent departed, and indeed some few days before his going, there had arisen a kind of a question as to the possibility of a life-companion for the daughter who must inevitably be left orphaned and lonely before long.

on one occasion

From this reading Then her father had died, and, upon the discovery that he was better endowed with worldly wealth than folks had generally supposed, all four had hastened to bring a return suit at once.

deprived of parents by death or desertion

From this reading When the parent departed, and indeed some few days before his going, there had arisen a kind of a question as to the possibility of a life-companion for the daughter who must inevitably be left orphaned and lonely before long.

a father or mother; one who begets or one who gives birth to or nurtures and raises a child; a relative who plays the role of guardian

From this reading She had not been unhappy in dwelling alone, although she had been a good daughter as long as she had a parent to live with.

a future prospect or potential

From this reading When the parent departed, and indeed some few days before his going, there had arisen a kind of a question as to the possibility of a life-companion for the daughter who must inevitably be left orphaned and lonely before long.

past form of “propose” — make a proposal, declare a plan for something

From this reading The question had arisen in a way highly characteristic of Miss Clegg and had been disposed of in the same manner.[A] The fact is that Miss Clegg had herself proposed to four men and been refused four times.

challenge the accuracy, probity, or propriety of

From this reading When the parent departed, and indeed some few days before his going, there had arisen a kind of a question as to the possibility of a life-companion for the daughter who must inevitably be left orphaned and lonely before long.

past form of “refuse” — show unwillingness towards

From this reading The question had arisen in a way highly characteristic of Miss Clegg and had been disposed of in the same manner.[A] The fact is that Miss Clegg had herself proposed to four men and been refused four times.

go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before

From this reading Then her father had died, and, upon the discovery that he was better endowed with worldly wealth than folks had generally supposed, all four had hastened to bring a return suit at once.

Identical; not different.

From this reading The question had arisen in a way highly characteristic of Miss Clegg and had been disposed of in the same manner.[A] The fact is that Miss Clegg had herself proposed to four men and been refused four times.

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

From this reading She had not been unhappy in dwelling alone, although she had been a good daughter as long as she had a parent to live with.

from a time in the past until now

From this reading Susan Clegg had dwelt alone ever since her father's death.

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

From this reading When the parent departed, and indeed some few days before his going, there had arisen a kind of a question as to the possibility of a life-companion for the daughter who must inevitably be left orphaned and lonely before long.

be agreeable or acceptable to

From this reading Then her father had died, and, upon the discovery that he was better endowed with worldly wealth than folks had generally supposed, all four had hastened to bring a return suit at once.

required or under orders

From this reading Then her father had died, and, upon the discovery that he was better endowed with worldly wealth than folks had generally supposed, all four had hastened to bring a return suit at once.

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

From this reading Susan Clegg had dwelt alone ever since her father's death.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading Then her father had died, and, upon the discovery that he was better endowed with worldly wealth than folks had generally supposed, all four had hastened to bring a return suit at once.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading The question had arisen in a way highly characteristic of Miss Clegg and had been disposed of in the same manner.[A] The fact is that Miss Clegg had herself proposed to four men and been refused four times.

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

From this reading When the parent departed, and indeed some few days before his going, there had arisen a kind of a question as to the possibility of a life-companion for the daughter who must inevitably be left orphaned and lonely before long.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading Then her father had died, and, upon the discovery that he was better endowed with worldly wealth than folks had generally supposed, all four had hastened to bring a return suit at once.

in or at that place or location

From this reading When the parent departed, and indeed some few days before his going, there had arisen a kind of a question as to the possibility of a life-companion for the daughter who must inevitably be left orphaned and lonely before long.

a more or less definite period of time now or previously present

From this reading The question had arisen in a way highly characteristic of Miss Clegg and had been disposed of in the same manner.[A] The fact is that Miss Clegg had herself proposed to four men and been refused four times.

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

From this reading She had not been unhappy in dwelling alone, although she had been a good daughter as long as she had a parent to live with.

experiencing or marked by or causing sadness or sorrow or discontent

From this reading She had not been unhappy in dwelling alone, although she had been a good daughter as long as she had a parent to live with.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading Then her father had died, and, upon the discovery that he was better endowed with worldly wealth than folks had generally supposed, all four had hastened to bring a return suit at once.

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

From this reading Then her father had died, and, upon the discovery that he was better endowed with worldly wealth than folks had generally supposed, all four had hastened to bring a return suit at once.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading The question had arisen in a way highly characteristic of Miss Clegg and had been disposed of in the same manner.[A] The fact is that Miss Clegg had herself proposed to four men and been refused four times.

the state of being rich and affluent; having a plentiful supply of material goods and money

From this reading Then her father had died, and, upon the discovery that he was better endowed with worldly wealth than folks had generally supposed, all four had hastened to bring a return suit at once.

at the time that

From this reading When the parent departed, and indeed some few days before his going, there had arisen a kind of a question as to the possibility of a life-companion for the daughter who must inevitably be left orphaned and lonely before long.

which person or people

From this reading When the parent departed, and indeed some few days before his going, there had arisen a kind of a question as to the possibility of a life-companion for the daughter who must inevitably be left orphaned and lonely before long.

in the company of; together with

From this reading She had not been unhappy in dwelling alone, although she had been a good daughter as long as she had a parent to live with.

characteristic of or devoted to the temporal world as opposed to the spiritual world

From this reading Then her father had died, and, upon the discovery that he was better endowed with worldly wealth than folks had generally supposed, all four had hastened to bring a return suit at once.