Chapter XXVII · Connie’s Secret

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

From this reading He had met his father at the post-office, where there was a letter from Harry, who was still in Paris, issuing his orders for his villa, as he called it, sometimes by letter and sometimes by cablegram, irrespective of the cost.

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

From this reading Since the failure of his father-in-law he had retrenched a little and countermanded an order for a rug valued at a thousand dollars, and thought himself very economical.

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

From this reading Kenneth was gone longer than usual that day, and was rather tired and somewhat out of sorts when he drove into the yard.

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

From this reading He had met his father at the post-office, where there was a letter from Harry, who was still in Paris, issuing his orders for his villa, as he called it, sometimes by letter and sometimes by cablegram, irrespective of the cost.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading He had met his father at the post-office, where there was a letter from Harry, who was still in Paris, issuing his orders for his villa, as he called it, sometimes by letter and sometimes by cablegram, irrespective of the cost.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading He had met his father at the post-office, where there was a letter from Harry, who was still in Paris, issuing his orders for his villa, as he called it, sometimes by letter and sometimes by cablegram, irrespective of the cost.

a telegram sent abroad

From this reading He had met his father at the post-office, where there was a letter from Harry, who was still in Paris, issuing his orders for his villa, as he called it, sometimes by letter and sometimes by cablegram, irrespective of the cost.

past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading He had met his father at the post-office, where there was a letter from Harry, who was still in Paris, issuing his orders for his villa, as he called it, sometimes by letter and sometimes by cablegram, irrespective of the cost.

a communist nation that covers a vast territory in eastern Asia; the most populous country in the world

From this reading He wanted it, and wanted an expensive set of Dresden china and a malachite mantel and tables for his green room, and the desire grew so intense that he at last wrote to a Mr. Jones, a hard-fisted man in Millville, who loaned money on good security and large interest, and demanded payment the day it was due.

the total spent for goods or services including money and time and labor

From this reading He had met his father at the post-office, where there was a letter from Harry, who was still in Paris, issuing his orders for his villa, as he called it, sometimes by letter and sometimes by cablegram, irrespective of the cost.

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

From this reading Since the failure of his father-in-law he had retrenched a little and countermanded an order for a rug valued at a thousand dollars, and thought himself very economical.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading Kenneth was gone longer than usual that day, and was rather tired and somewhat out of sorts when he drove into the yard.

past form of “demand” — request urgently and forcefully

From this reading He wanted it, and wanted an expensive set of Dresden china and a malachite mantel and tables for his green room, and the desire grew so intense that he at last wrote to a Mr. Jones, a hard-fisted man in Millville, who loaned money on good security and large interest, and demanded payment the day it was due.

the feeling that accompanies an unsatisfied state

From this reading He wanted it, and wanted an expensive set of Dresden china and a malachite mantel and tables for his green room, and the desire grew so intense that he at last wrote to a Mr. Jones, a hard-fisted man in Millville, who loaned money on good security and large interest, and demanded payment the day it was due.

plural of “dollar” — the basic monetary unit in many countries; equal to 100 cents

From this reading Since the failure of his father-in-law he had retrenched a little and countermanded an order for a rug valued at a thousand dollars, and thought himself very economical.

a city in southeastern Germany on the Elbe River; it was almost totally destroyed by British air raids in 1945

From this reading He wanted it, and wanted an expensive set of Dresden china and a malachite mantel and tables for his green room, and the desire grew so intense that he at last wrote to a Mr. Jones, a hard-fisted man in Millville, who loaned money on good security and large interest, and demanded payment the day it was due.

a group of animals (a herd or flock) moving together

From this reading Kenneth was gone longer than usual that day, and was rather tired and somewhat out of sorts when he drove into the yard.

owed and payable immediately or on demand

From this reading He wanted it, and wanted an expensive set of Dresden china and a malachite mantel and tables for his green room, and the desire grew so intense that he at last wrote to a Mr. Jones, a hard-fisted man in Millville, who loaned money on good security and large interest, and demanded payment the day it was due.

using the minimum of time or resources necessary for effectiveness

From this reading Since the failure of his father-in-law he had retrenched a little and countermanded an order for a rug valued at a thousand dollars, and thought himself very economical.

high in price or charging high prices

From this reading He wanted it, and wanted an expensive set of Dresden china and a malachite mantel and tables for his green room, and the desire grew so intense that he at last wrote to a Mr. Jones, a hard-fisted man in Millville, who loaned money on good security and large interest, and demanded payment the day it was due.

an act that fails

From this reading Since the failure of his father-in-law he had retrenched a little and countermanded an order for a rug valued at a thousand dollars, and thought himself very economical.

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

From this reading He had met his father at the post-office, where there was a letter from Harry, who was still in Paris, issuing his orders for his villa, as he called it, sometimes by letter and sometimes by cablegram, irrespective of the cost.

the father of your spouse

From this reading Since the failure of his father-in-law he had retrenched a little and countermanded an order for a rug valued at a thousand dollars, and thought himself very economical.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading He had met his father at the post-office, where there was a letter from Harry, who was still in Paris, issuing his orders for his villa, as he called it, sometimes by letter and sometimes by cablegram, irrespective of the cost.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading He had met his father at the post-office, where there was a letter from Harry, who was still in Paris, issuing his orders for his villa, as he called it, sometimes by letter and sometimes by cablegram, irrespective of the cost.

destroyed or killed

From this reading Kenneth was gone longer than usual that day, and was rather tired and somewhat out of sorts when he drove into the yard.

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

From this reading He wanted it, and wanted an expensive set of Dresden china and a malachite mantel and tables for his green room, and the desire grew so intense that he at last wrote to a Mr. Jones, a hard-fisted man in Millville, who loaned money on good security and large interest, and demanded payment the day it was due.

green color or pigment; resembling the color of growing grass

From this reading He wanted it, and wanted an expensive set of Dresden china and a malachite mantel and tables for his green room, and the desire grew so intense that he at last wrote to a Mr. Jones, a hard-fisted man in Millville, who loaned money on good security and large interest, and demanded payment the day it was due.

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

From this reading He wanted it, and wanted an expensive set of Dresden china and a malachite mantel and tables for his green room, and the desire grew so intense that he at last wrote to a Mr. Jones, a hard-fisted man in Millville, who loaned money on good security and large interest, and demanded payment the day it was due.

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

From this reading He had met his father at the post-office, where there was a letter from Harry, who was still in Paris, issuing his orders for his villa, as he called it, sometimes by letter and sometimes by cablegram, irrespective of the cost.

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

From this reading He wanted it, and wanted an expensive set of Dresden china and a malachite mantel and tables for his green room, and the desire grew so intense that he at last wrote to a Mr. Jones, a hard-fisted man in Millville, who loaned money on good security and large interest, and demanded payment the day it was due.

annoy continually or chronically

From this reading He had met his father at the post-office, where there was a letter from Harry, who was still in Paris, issuing his orders for his villa, as he called it, sometimes by letter and sometimes by cablegram, irrespective of the cost.

having or showing excessive or compulsive concern with something

From this reading Still the rug haunted him.

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

From this reading Kenneth was gone longer than usual that day, and was rather tired and somewhat out of sorts when he drove into the yard.

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

From this reading Still the rug haunted him.

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

From this reading Since the failure of his father-in-law he had retrenched a little and countermanded an order for a rug valued at a thousand dollars, and thought himself very economical.

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

From this reading He had met his father at the post-office, where there was a letter from Harry, who was still in Paris, issuing his orders for his villa, as he called it, sometimes by letter and sometimes by cablegram, irrespective of the cost.

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

From this reading He had met his father at the post-office, where there was a letter from Harry, who was still in Paris, issuing his orders for his villa, as he called it, sometimes by letter and sometimes by cablegram, irrespective of the cost.

possessing or displaying a distinctive feature to a heightened degree

From this reading He wanted it, and wanted an expensive set of Dresden china and a malachite mantel and tables for his green room, and the desire grew so intense that he at last wrote to a Mr. Jones, a hard-fisted man in Millville, who loaned money on good security and large interest, and demanded payment the day it was due.

a sense of concern with and curiosity about someone or something

From this reading He wanted it, and wanted an expensive set of Dresden china and a malachite mantel and tables for his green room, and the desire grew so intense that he at last wrote to a Mr. Jones, a hard-fisted man in Millville, who loaned money on good security and large interest, and demanded payment the day it was due.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading Kenneth was gone longer than usual that day, and was rather tired and somewhat out of sorts when he drove into the yard.

in spite of everything; without regard to drawbacks

From this reading He had met his father at the post-office, where there was a letter from Harry, who was still in Paris, issuing his orders for his villa, as he called it, sometimes by letter and sometimes by cablegram, irrespective of the cost.

the act of providing an item for general use or for official purposes (usually in quantity)

From this reading He had met his father at the post-office, where there was a letter from Harry, who was still in Paris, issuing his orders for his villa, as he called it, sometimes by letter and sometimes by cablegram, irrespective of the cost.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading He had met his father at the post-office, where there was a letter from Harry, who was still in Paris, issuing his orders for his villa, as he called it, sometimes by letter and sometimes by cablegram, irrespective of the cost.

United States labor leader (born in Ireland) who helped to found the Industrial Workers of the World (1830-1930)

From this reading He wanted it, and wanted an expensive set of Dresden china and a malachite mantel and tables for his green room, and the desire grew so intense that he at last wrote to a Mr. Jones, a hard-fisted man in Millville, who loaned money on good security and large interest, and demanded payment the day it was due.

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

From this reading Kenneth was gone longer than usual that day, and was rather tired and somewhat out of sorts when he drove into the yard.

above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading He wanted it, and wanted an expensive set of Dresden china and a malachite mantel and tables for his green room, and the desire grew so intense that he at last wrote to a Mr. Jones, a hard-fisted man in Millville, who loaned money on good security and large interest, and demanded payment the day it was due.

immediately past

From this reading He wanted it, and wanted an expensive set of Dresden china and a malachite mantel and tables for his green room, and the desire grew so intense that he at last wrote to a Mr. Jones, a hard-fisted man in Millville, who loaned money on good security and large interest, and demanded payment the day it was due.

a written message addressed to a person or organization

From this reading He had met his father at the post-office, where there was a letter from Harry, who was still in Paris, issuing his orders for his villa, as he called it, sometimes by letter and sometimes by cablegram, irrespective of the cost.

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

From this reading Since the failure of his father-in-law he had retrenched a little and countermanded an order for a rug valued at a thousand dollars, and thought himself very economical.

past form of “loan” — give temporarily; let have for a limited time

From this reading He wanted it, and wanted an expensive set of Dresden china and a malachite mantel and tables for his green room, and the desire grew so intense that he at last wrote to a Mr. Jones, a hard-fisted man in Millville, who loaned money on good security and large interest, and demanded payment the day it was due.

for more time

From this reading Kenneth was gone longer than usual that day, and was rather tired and somewhat out of sorts when he drove into the yard.

a green or blue mineral used as an ore of copper and for making ornamental objects

From this reading He wanted it, and wanted an expensive set of Dresden china and a malachite mantel and tables for his green room, and the desire grew so intense that he at last wrote to a Mr. Jones, a hard-fisted man in Millville, who loaned money on good security and large interest, and demanded payment the day it was due.

an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

From this reading He wanted it, and wanted an expensive set of Dresden china and a malachite mantel and tables for his green room, and the desire grew so intense that he at last wrote to a Mr. Jones, a hard-fisted man in Millville, who loaned money on good security and large interest, and demanded payment the day it was due.

shelf that projects from wall above fireplace

From this reading He wanted it, and wanted an expensive set of Dresden china and a malachite mantel and tables for his green room, and the desire grew so intense that he at last wrote to a Mr. Jones, a hard-fisted man in Millville, who loaned money on good security and large interest, and demanded payment the day it was due.

inflected form of “meet” — come together

From this reading He had met his father at the post-office, where there was a letter from Harry, who was still in Paris, issuing his orders for his villa, as he called it, sometimes by letter and sometimes by cablegram, irrespective of the cost.

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

From this reading He wanted it, and wanted an expensive set of Dresden china and a malachite mantel and tables for his green room, and the desire grew so intense that he at last wrote to a Mr. Jones, a hard-fisted man in Millville, who loaned money on good security and large interest, and demanded payment the day it was due.

the most common medium of exchange; functions as legal tender

From this reading He wanted it, and wanted an expensive set of Dresden china and a malachite mantel and tables for his green room, and the desire grew so intense that he at last wrote to a Mr. Jones, a hard-fisted man in Millville, who loaned money on good security and large interest, and demanded payment the day it was due.

a form of address for a man

From this reading He wanted it, and wanted an expensive set of Dresden china and a malachite mantel and tables for his green room, and the desire grew so intense that he at last wrote to a Mr. Jones, a hard-fisted man in Millville, who loaned money on good security and large interest, and demanded payment the day it was due.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Kenneth was gone longer than usual that day, and was rather tired and somewhat out of sorts when he drove into the yard.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading He wanted it, and wanted an expensive set of Dresden china and a malachite mantel and tables for his green room, and the desire grew so intense that he at last wrote to a Mr. Jones, a hard-fisted man in Millville, who loaned money on good security and large interest, and demanded payment the day it was due.

(often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed

From this reading Since the failure of his father-in-law he had retrenched a little and countermanded an order for a rug valued at a thousand dollars, and thought himself very economical.

plural of “order” — (often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed

From this reading He had met his father at the post-office, where there was a letter from Harry, who was still in Paris, issuing his orders for his villa, as he called it, sometimes by letter and sometimes by cablegram, irrespective of the cost.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading Kenneth was gone longer than usual that day, and was rather tired and somewhat out of sorts when he drove into the yard.

the capital and largest city of France; and international center of culture and commerce

From this reading He had met his father at the post-office, where there was a letter from Harry, who was still in Paris, issuing his orders for his villa, as he called it, sometimes by letter and sometimes by cablegram, irrespective of the cost.

a sum of money paid or a claim discharged

From this reading He wanted it, and wanted an expensive set of Dresden china and a malachite mantel and tables for his green room, and the desire grew so intense that he at last wrote to a Mr. Jones, a hard-fisted man in Millville, who loaned money on good security and large interest, and demanded payment the day it was due.

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

From this reading He had met his father at the post-office, where there was a letter from Harry, who was still in Paris, issuing his orders for his villa, as he called it, sometimes by letter and sometimes by cablegram, irrespective of the cost.

on the contrary

From this reading Kenneth was gone longer than usual that day, and was rather tired and somewhat out of sorts when he drove into the yard.

past form of “retrench” — tighten one's belt; use resources carefully

From this reading Since the failure of his father-in-law he had retrenched a little and countermanded an order for a rug valued at a thousand dollars, and thought himself very economical.

an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling

From this reading He wanted it, and wanted an expensive set of Dresden china and a malachite mantel and tables for his green room, and the desire grew so intense that he at last wrote to a Mr. Jones, a hard-fisted man in Millville, who loaned money on good security and large interest, and demanded payment the day it was due.

floor covering consisting of a piece of thick heavy fabric (usually with nap or pile)

From this reading Since the failure of his father-in-law he had retrenched a little and countermanded an order for a rug valued at a thousand dollars, and thought himself very economical.

the state of being free from danger or injury

From this reading He wanted it, and wanted an expensive set of Dresden china and a malachite mantel and tables for his green room, and the desire grew so intense that he at last wrote to a Mr. Jones, a hard-fisted man in Millville, who loaned money on good security and large interest, and demanded payment the day it was due.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading He wanted it, and wanted an expensive set of Dresden china and a malachite mantel and tables for his green room, and the desire grew so intense that he at last wrote to a Mr. Jones, a hard-fisted man in Millville, who loaned money on good security and large interest, and demanded payment the day it was due.

from a time in the past until now

From this reading Since the failure of his father-in-law he had retrenched a little and countermanded an order for a rug valued at a thousand dollars, and thought himself very economical.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading He wanted it, and wanted an expensive set of Dresden china and a malachite mantel and tables for his green room, and the desire grew so intense that he at last wrote to a Mr. Jones, a hard-fisted man in Millville, who loaned money on good security and large interest, and demanded payment the day it was due.

on certain occasions or in certain cases but not always

From this reading He had met his father at the post-office, where there was a letter from Harry, who was still in Paris, issuing his orders for his villa, as he called it, sometimes by letter and sometimes by cablegram, irrespective of the cost.

to a small degree or extent

From this reading Kenneth was gone longer than usual that day, and was rather tired and somewhat out of sorts when he drove into the yard.

plural of “sort” — a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality

From this reading Kenneth was gone longer than usual that day, and was rather tired and somewhat out of sorts when he drove into the yard.

not in physical motion

From this reading He had met his father at the post-office, where there was a letter from Harry, who was still in Paris, issuing his orders for his villa, as he called it, sometimes by letter and sometimes by cablegram, irrespective of the cost.

plural of “table” — a set of data arranged in rows and columns

From this reading He wanted it, and wanted an expensive set of Dresden china and a malachite mantel and tables for his green room, and the desire grew so intense that he at last wrote to a Mr. Jones, a hard-fisted man in Millville, who loaned money on good security and large interest, and demanded payment the day it was due.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading Kenneth was gone longer than usual that day, and was rather tired and somewhat out of sorts when he drove into the yard.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Kenneth was gone longer than usual that day, and was rather tired and somewhat out of sorts when he drove into the yard.

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

From this reading Kenneth was gone longer than usual that day, and was rather tired and somewhat out of sorts when he drove into the yard.

in or at that place or location

From this reading He had met his father at the post-office, where there was a letter from Harry, who was still in Paris, issuing his orders for his villa, as he called it, sometimes by letter and sometimes by cablegram, irrespective of the cost.

the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about

From this reading Since the failure of his father-in-law he had retrenched a little and countermanded an order for a rug valued at a thousand dollars, and thought himself very economical.

the cardinal number that is the product of 10 and 100

From this reading Since the failure of his father-in-law he had retrenched a little and countermanded an order for a rug valued at a thousand dollars, and thought himself very economical.

depleted of strength or energy

From this reading Kenneth was gone longer than usual that day, and was rather tired and somewhat out of sorts when he drove into the yard.

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

From this reading He wanted it, and wanted an expensive set of Dresden china and a malachite mantel and tables for his green room, and the desire grew so intense that he at last wrote to a Mr. Jones, a hard-fisted man in Millville, who loaned money on good security and large interest, and demanded payment the day it was due.

occurring or encountered or experienced or observed frequently or in accordance with regular practice or procedure

From this reading Kenneth was gone longer than usual that day, and was rather tired and somewhat out of sorts when he drove into the yard.

(usually used in combination) having value of a specified kind

From this reading Since the failure of his father-in-law he had retrenched a little and countermanded an order for a rug valued at a thousand dollars, and thought himself very economical.

precisely as stated

From this reading Since the failure of his father-in-law he had retrenched a little and countermanded an order for a rug valued at a thousand dollars, and thought himself very economical.

Mexican revolutionary leader (1877-1923)

From this reading He had met his father at the post-office, where there was a letter from Harry, who was still in Paris, issuing his orders for his villa, as he called it, sometimes by letter and sometimes by cablegram, irrespective of the cost.

desired or wished for or sought

From this reading He wanted it, and wanted an expensive set of Dresden china and a malachite mantel and tables for his green room, and the desire grew so intense that he at last wrote to a Mr. Jones, a hard-fisted man in Millville, who loaned money on good security and large interest, and demanded payment the day it was due.

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

From this reading Kenneth was gone longer than usual that day, and was rather tired and somewhat out of sorts when he drove into the yard.

at the time that

From this reading Kenneth was gone longer than usual that day, and was rather tired and somewhat out of sorts when he drove into the yard.

in or at the place that

From this reading He had met his father at the post-office, where there was a letter from Harry, who was still in Paris, issuing his orders for his villa, as he called it, sometimes by letter and sometimes by cablegram, irrespective of the cost.

which person or people

From this reading He had met his father at the post-office, where there was a letter from Harry, who was still in Paris, issuing his orders for his villa, as he called it, sometimes by letter and sometimes by cablegram, irrespective of the cost.

inflected form of “write” — produce a literary work

From this reading He wanted it, and wanted an expensive set of Dresden china and a malachite mantel and tables for his green room, and the desire grew so intense that he at last wrote to a Mr. Jones, a hard-fisted man in Millville, who loaned money on good security and large interest, and demanded payment the day it was due.

a unit of length equal to 3 feet; defined as 91.44 centimeters; originally taken to be the average length of a stride

From this reading Kenneth was gone longer than usual that day, and was rather tired and somewhat out of sorts when he drove into the yard.