Chapter IV

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

From this reading It was quite true his father and mother were the kindest couple in England; but, like most other middle-class elderly people, they were careful about appearances and preferred a smooth and easy way of life to one of surprises and startling situations.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading It was quite true his father and mother were the kindest couple in England; but, like most other middle-class elderly people, they were careful about appearances and preferred a smooth and easy way of life to one of surprises and startling situations.

something done (usually as opposed to something said)

From this reading And now were they--owing to his hasty action of the night before--brought into immediate contact with an inquest and a story, which might turn out to be a scandal, which might have for its core an infamous crime.

a vaguely specified concern

From this reading He began now to feel it would have been wiser if he had not meddled in this affair.

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

From this reading And now were they--owing to his hasty action of the night before--brought into immediate contact with an inquest and a story, which might turn out to be a scandal, which might have for its core an infamous crime.

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

From this reading It was quite true his father and mother were the kindest couple in England; but, like most other middle-class elderly people, they were careful about appearances and preferred a smooth and easy way of life to one of surprises and startling situations.

any thing at all

From this reading Young Paulton felt anything but relieved or cheered by Jerry O'Brien's words.

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

From this reading It was quite true his father and mother were the kindest couple in England; but, like most other middle-class elderly people, they were careful about appearances and preferred a smooth and easy way of life to one of surprises and startling situations.

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

From this reading And now were they--owing to his hasty action of the night before--brought into immediate contact with an inquest and a story, which might turn out to be a scandal, which might have for its core an infamous crime.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading He began now to feel it would have been wiser if he had not meddled in this affair.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading And now were they--owing to his hasty action of the night before--brought into immediate contact with an inquest and a story, which might turn out to be a scandal, which might have for its core an infamous crime.

inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

From this reading He began now to feel it would have been wiser if he had not meddled in this affair.

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

From this reading And now were they--owing to his hasty action of the night before--brought into immediate contact with an inquest and a story, which might turn out to be a scandal, which might have for its core an infamous crime.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Young Paulton felt anything but relieved or cheered by Jerry O'Brien's words.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Young Paulton felt anything but relieved or cheered by Jerry O'Brien's words.

exercising caution or showing care or attention

From this reading It was quite true his father and mother were the kindest couple in England; but, like most other middle-class elderly people, they were careful about appearances and preferred a smooth and easy way of life to one of surprises and startling situations.

past form of “cheer” — give encouragement to

From this reading Young Paulton felt anything but relieved or cheered by Jerry O'Brien's words.

close interaction

From this reading And now were they--owing to his hasty action of the night before--brought into immediate contact with an inquest and a story, which might turn out to be a scandal, which might have for its core an infamous crime.

a small group of indispensable persons or things

From this reading And now were they--owing to his hasty action of the night before--brought into immediate contact with an inquest and a story, which might turn out to be a scandal, which might have for its core an infamous crime.

a pair who associate with one another

From this reading It was quite true his father and mother were the kindest couple in England; but, like most other middle-class elderly people, they were careful about appearances and preferred a smooth and easy way of life to one of surprises and startling situations.

(criminal law) an act punishable by law; usually considered an evil act

From this reading And now were they--owing to his hasty action of the night before--brought into immediate contact with an inquest and a story, which might turn out to be a scandal, which might have for its core an infamous crime.

posing no difficulty; requiring little effort

From this reading It was quite true his father and mother were the kindest couple in England; but, like most other middle-class elderly people, they were careful about appearances and preferred a smooth and easy way of life to one of surprises and startling situations.

advanced in years; (“aged” is pronounced as two syllables)

From this reading It was quite true his father and mother were the kindest couple in England; but, like most other middle-class elderly people, they were careful about appearances and preferred a smooth and easy way of life to one of surprises and startling situations.

a division of the United Kingdom

From this reading It was quite true his father and mother were the kindest couple in England; but, like most other middle-class elderly people, they were careful about appearances and preferred a smooth and easy way of life to one of surprises and startling situations.

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

From this reading It was quite true his father and mother were the kindest couple in England; but, like most other middle-class elderly people, they were careful about appearances and preferred a smooth and easy way of life to one of surprises and startling situations.

undergo an emotional sensation or be in a particular state of mind

From this reading He began now to feel it would have been wiser if he had not meddled in this affair.

mat together and make felt-like

From this reading Young Paulton felt anything but relieved or cheered by Jerry O'Brien's words.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading And now were they--owing to his hasty action of the night before--brought into immediate contact with an inquest and a story, which might turn out to be a scandal, which might have for its core an infamous crime.

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

From this reading He began now to feel it would have been wiser if he had not meddled in this affair.

excessively quick

From this reading And now were they--owing to his hasty action of the night before--brought into immediate contact with an inquest and a story, which might turn out to be a scandal, which might have for its core an infamous crime.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading He began now to feel it would have been wiser if he had not meddled in this affair.

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

From this reading He began now to feel it would have been wiser if he had not meddled in this affair.

give help or assistance; be of service

From this reading SEEKING HELP.

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

From this reading It was quite true his father and mother were the kindest couple in England; but, like most other middle-class elderly people, they were careful about appearances and preferred a smooth and easy way of life to one of surprises and startling situations.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading He began now to feel it would have been wiser if he had not meddled in this affair.

of the present time and place

From this reading And now were they--owing to his hasty action of the night before--brought into immediate contact with an inquest and a story, which might turn out to be a scandal, which might have for its core an infamous crime.

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

From this reading He began now to feel it would have been wiser if he had not meddled in this affair.

known widely and usually unfavorably

From this reading And now were they--owing to his hasty action of the night before--brought into immediate contact with an inquest and a story, which might turn out to be a scandal, which might have for its core an infamous crime.

an inquiry into the cause of an unexpected death

From this reading And now were they--owing to his hasty action of the night before--brought into immediate contact with an inquest and a story, which might turn out to be a scandal, which might have for its core an infamous crime.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading And now were they--owing to his hasty action of the night before--brought into immediate contact with an inquest and a story, which might turn out to be a scandal, which might have for its core an infamous crime.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading He began now to feel it would have been wiser if he had not meddled in this affair.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading And now were they--owing to his hasty action of the night before--brought into immediate contact with an inquest and a story, which might turn out to be a scandal, which might have for its core an infamous crime.

offensive term for a person of German descent

From this reading Young Paulton felt anything but relieved or cheered by Jerry O'Brien's words.

superlative of “kind” — having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior

From this reading It was quite true his father and mother were the kindest couple in England; but, like most other middle-class elderly people, they were careful about appearances and preferred a smooth and easy way of life to one of surprises and startling situations.

a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading It was quite true his father and mother were the kindest couple in England; but, like most other middle-class elderly people, they were careful about appearances and preferred a smooth and easy way of life to one of surprises and startling situations.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading It was quite true his father and mother were the kindest couple in England; but, like most other middle-class elderly people, they were careful about appearances and preferred a smooth and easy way of life to one of surprises and startling situations.

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

From this reading He began now to feel it would have been wiser if he had not meddled in this affair.

occupying a socioeconomic position intermediate between those of the lower classes and the wealthy

From this reading It was quite true his father and mother were the kindest couple in England; but, like most other middle-class elderly people, they were careful about appearances and preferred a smooth and easy way of life to one of surprises and startling situations.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading And now were they--owing to his hasty action of the night before--brought into immediate contact with an inquest and a story, which might turn out to be a scandal, which might have for its core an infamous crime.

used to form the superlative

From this reading It was quite true his father and mother were the kindest couple in England; but, like most other middle-class elderly people, they were careful about appearances and preferred a smooth and easy way of life to one of surprises and startling situations.

a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)

From this reading It was quite true his father and mother were the kindest couple in England; but, like most other middle-class elderly people, they were careful about appearances and preferred a smooth and easy way of life to one of surprises and startling situations.

the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside

From this reading And now were they--owing to his hasty action of the night before--brought into immediate contact with an inquest and a story, which might turn out to be a scandal, which might have for its core an infamous crime.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading He began now to feel it would have been wiser if he had not meddled in this affair.

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

From this reading He began now to feel it would have been wiser if he had not meddled in this affair.

possessive form of “o'brien” — Irish writer (born in 1932)

From this reading Young Paulton felt anything but relieved or cheered by Jerry O'Brien's words.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading It was quite true his father and mother were the kindest couple in England; but, like most other middle-class elderly people, they were careful about appearances and preferred a smooth and easy way of life to one of surprises and startling situations.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading It was quite true his father and mother were the kindest couple in England; but, like most other middle-class elderly people, they were careful about appearances and preferred a smooth and easy way of life to one of surprises and startling situations.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Young Paulton felt anything but relieved or cheered by Jerry O'Brien's words.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading It was quite true his father and mother were the kindest couple in England; but, like most other middle-class elderly people, they were careful about appearances and preferred a smooth and easy way of life to one of surprises and startling situations.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading And now were they--owing to his hasty action of the night before--brought into immediate contact with an inquest and a story, which might turn out to be a scandal, which might have for its core an infamous crime.

owed as a debt

From this reading And now were they--owing to his hasty action of the night before--brought into immediate contact with an inquest and a story, which might turn out to be a scandal, which might have for its core an infamous crime.

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

From this reading Young Paulton felt anything but relieved or cheered by Jerry O'Brien's words.

(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively

From this reading It was quite true his father and mother were the kindest couple in England; but, like most other middle-class elderly people, they were careful about appearances and preferred a smooth and easy way of life to one of surprises and startling situations.

more desirable than another

From this reading It was quite true his father and mother were the kindest couple in England; but, like most other middle-class elderly people, they were careful about appearances and preferred a smooth and easy way of life to one of surprises and startling situations.

to a degree (not used with a negative)

From this reading It was quite true his father and mother were the kindest couple in England; but, like most other middle-class elderly people, they were careful about appearances and preferred a smooth and easy way of life to one of surprises and startling situations.

(of pain or sorrow) made easier to bear

From this reading Young Paulton felt anything but relieved or cheered by Jerry O'Brien's words.

disgraceful gossip about the private lives of other people

From this reading And now were they--owing to his hasty action of the night before--brought into immediate contact with an inquest and a story, which might turn out to be a scandal, which might have for its core an infamous crime.

the act of searching for something

From this reading SEEKING HELP.

plural of “situation” — the general state of things; the combination of circumstances at a given time

From this reading It was quite true his father and mother were the kindest couple in England; but, like most other middle-class elderly people, they were careful about appearances and preferred a smooth and easy way of life to one of surprises and startling situations.

having a surface free from roughness or bumps or ridges or irregularities

From this reading It was quite true his father and mother were the kindest couple in England; but, like most other middle-class elderly people, they were careful about appearances and preferred a smooth and easy way of life to one of surprises and startling situations.

so remarkably different or sudden as to cause momentary shock or alarm

From this reading It was quite true his father and mother were the kindest couple in England; but, like most other middle-class elderly people, they were careful about appearances and preferred a smooth and easy way of life to one of surprises and startling situations.

a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program

From this reading And now were they--owing to his hasty action of the night before--brought into immediate contact with an inquest and a story, which might turn out to be a scandal, which might have for its core an infamous crime.

plural of “surprise” — the astonishment you feel when something totally unexpected happens to you

From this reading It was quite true his father and mother were the kindest couple in England; but, like most other middle-class elderly people, they were careful about appearances and preferred a smooth and easy way of life to one of surprises and startling situations.

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

From this reading It was quite true his father and mother were the kindest couple in England; but, like most other middle-class elderly people, they were careful about appearances and preferred a smooth and easy way of life to one of surprises and startling situations.

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

From this reading It was quite true his father and mother were the kindest couple in England; but, like most other middle-class elderly people, they were careful about appearances and preferred a smooth and easy way of life to one of surprises and startling situations.

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

From this reading He began now to feel it would have been wiser if he had not meddled in this affair.

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

From this reading He began now to feel it would have been wiser if he had not meddled in this affair.

consistent with fact or reality; not false

From this reading It was quite true his father and mother were the kindest couple in England; but, like most other middle-class elderly people, they were careful about appearances and preferred a smooth and easy way of life to one of surprises and startling situations.

change orientation or direction, also in the abstract sense

From this reading And now were they--owing to his hasty action of the night before--brought into immediate contact with an inquest and a story, which might turn out to be a scandal, which might have for its core an infamous crime.

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

From this reading It was quite true his father and mother were the kindest couple in England; but, like most other middle-class elderly people, they were careful about appearances and preferred a smooth and easy way of life to one of surprises and startling situations.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading It was quite true his father and mother were the kindest couple in England; but, like most other middle-class elderly people, they were careful about appearances and preferred a smooth and easy way of life to one of surprises and startling situations.

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

From this reading It was quite true his father and mother were the kindest couple in England; but, like most other middle-class elderly people, they were careful about appearances and preferred a smooth and easy way of life to one of surprises and startling situations.

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

From this reading And now were they--owing to his hasty action of the night before--brought into immediate contact with an inquest and a story, which might turn out to be a scandal, which might have for its core an infamous crime.

comparative of “wise” — having or prompted by wisdom or discernment

From this reading He began now to feel it would have been wiser if he had not meddled in this affair.

in the company of; together with

From this reading And now were they--owing to his hasty action of the night before--brought into immediate contact with an inquest and a story, which might turn out to be a scandal, which might have for its core an infamous crime.

the words that are spoken

From this reading Young Paulton felt anything but relieved or cheered by Jerry O'Brien's words.

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading He began now to feel it would have been wiser if he had not meddled in this affair.

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

From this reading Young Paulton felt anything but relieved or cheered by Jerry O'Brien's words.