Chapter XXII · Chapter 22

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

From this reading A COMMITTEE OF LADIES It was about a week after the receipt of Edna's letter that Willy Croup came to Mrs. Cliff's bedroom, where that lady had been taking a surreptitious glance at her Californian blankets, to tell her that there were three ladies down in the parlor who wished to see her.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading A COMMITTEE OF LADIES It was about a week after the receipt of Edna's letter that Willy Croup came to Mrs. Cliff's bedroom, where that lady had been taking a surreptitious glance at her Californian blankets, to tell her that there were three ladies down in the parlor who wished to see her.

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

From this reading "They are all dressed up, and I suppose they have come for something particular, so you'd better fix up a little afore you go down."

later than; following

From this reading A COMMITTEE OF LADIES It was about a week after the receipt of Edna's letter that Willy Croup came to Mrs. Cliff's bedroom, where that lady had been taking a surreptitious glance at her Californian blankets, to tell her that there were three ladies down in the parlor who wished to see her.

(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 "They are all dressed up, and I suppose they have come for something particular, so you'd better fix up a little afore you go down."

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

From this reading "It's the minister's wife, and Mrs. Hembold, and old Miss Shott," said Willy.

any person at all

From this reading In her present state of mind, Mrs. Cliff was ready to believe that anybody who came to see her would certainly want to know something which she could not tell them, and she went down fearfully.

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

From this reading "They are all dressed up, and I suppose they have come for something particular, so you'd better fix up a little afore you go down."

make a request or demand for something to somebody

From this reading But these ladies did not come to ask questions.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading A COMMITTEE OF LADIES It was about a week after the receipt of Edna's letter that Willy Croup came to Mrs. Cliff's bedroom, where that lady had been taking a surreptitious glance at her Californian blankets, to tell her that there were three ladies down in the parlor who wished to see her.

a room used primarily for sleeping

From this reading A COMMITTEE OF LADIES It was about a week after the receipt of Edna's letter that Willy Croup came to Mrs. Cliff's bedroom, where that lady had been taking a surreptitious glance at her Californian blankets, to tell her that there were three ladies down in the parlor who wished to see her.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading A COMMITTEE OF LADIES It was about a week after the receipt of Edna's letter that Willy Croup came to Mrs. Cliff's bedroom, where that lady had been taking a surreptitious glance at her Californian blankets, to tell her that there were three ladies down in the parlor who wished to see her.

accept as true; take to be true

From this reading In her present state of mind, Mrs. Cliff was ready to believe that anybody who came to see her would certainly want to know something which she could not tell them, and she went down fearfully.

(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 "They are all dressed up, and I suppose they have come for something particular, so you'd better fix up a little afore you go down."

plural of “blanket” — bedding that keeps a person warm in bed

From this reading A COMMITTEE OF LADIES It was about a week after the receipt of Edna's letter that Willy Croup came to Mrs. Cliff's bedroom, where that lady had been taking a surreptitious glance at her Californian blankets, to tell her that there were three ladies down in the parlor who wished to see her.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But these ladies did not come to ask questions.

a native or resident of California

From this reading A COMMITTEE OF LADIES It was about a week after the receipt of Edna's letter that Willy Croup came to Mrs. Cliff's bedroom, where that lady had been taking a surreptitious glance at her Californian blankets, to tell her that there were three ladies down in the parlor who wished to see her.

inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading A COMMITTEE OF LADIES It was about a week after the receipt of Edna's letter that Willy Croup came to Mrs. Cliff's bedroom, where that lady had been taking a surreptitious glance at her Californian blankets, to tell her that there were three ladies down in the parlor who wished to see her.

definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)

From this reading In her present state of mind, Mrs. Cliff was ready to believe that anybody who came to see her would certainly want to know something which she could not tell them, and she went down fearfully.

a steep high face of rock

From this reading In her present state of mind, Mrs. Cliff was ready to believe that anybody who came to see her would certainly want to know something which she could not tell them, and she went down fearfully.

possessive form of “cliff” — a steep high face of rock

From this reading A COMMITTEE OF LADIES It was about a week after the receipt of Edna's letter that Willy Croup came to Mrs. Cliff's bedroom, where that lady had been taking a surreptitious glance at her Californian blankets, to tell her that there were three ladies down in the parlor who wished to see her.

move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading "They are all dressed up, and I suppose they have come for something particular, so you'd better fix up a little afore you go down."

a special group delegated to consider some matter

From this reading A COMMITTEE OF LADIES It was about a week after the receipt of Edna's letter that Willy Croup came to Mrs. Cliff's bedroom, where that lady had been taking a surreptitious glance at her Californian blankets, to tell her that there were three ladies down in the parlor who wished to see her.

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading In her present state of mind, Mrs. Cliff was ready to believe that anybody who came to see her would certainly want to know something which she could not tell them, and she went down fearfully.

a disease of infants and young children; harsh coughing and hoarseness and fever and difficult breathing

From this reading A COMMITTEE OF LADIES It was about a week after the receipt of Edna's letter that Willy Croup came to Mrs. Cliff's bedroom, where that lady had been taking a surreptitious glance at her Californian blankets, to tell her that there were three ladies down in the parlor who wished to see her.

the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives

From this reading But these ladies did not come to ask questions.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading A COMMITTEE OF LADIES It was about a week after the receipt of Edna's letter that Willy Croup came to Mrs. Cliff's bedroom, where that lady had been taking a surreptitious glance at her Californian blankets, to tell her that there were three ladies down in the parlor who wished to see her.

dressed or clothed especially in fine attire; often used in combination

From this reading "They are all dressed up, and I suppose they have come for something particular, so you'd better fix up a little afore you go down."

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

From this reading A COMMITTEE OF LADIES It was about a week after the receipt of Edna's letter that Willy Croup came to Mrs. Cliff's bedroom, where that lady had been taking a surreptitious glance at her Californian blankets, to tell her that there were three ladies down in the parlor who wished to see her.

in fear

From this reading In her present state of mind, Mrs. Cliff was ready to believe that anybody who came to see her would certainly want to know something which she could not tell them, and she went down fearfully.

restore by replacing a part or putting together what is torn or broken

From this reading "They are all dressed up, and I suppose they have come for something particular, so you'd better fix up a little afore you go down."

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading "They are all dressed up, and I suppose they have come for something particular, so you'd better fix up a little afore you go down."

throw a glance at; take a brief look at

From this reading A COMMITTEE OF LADIES It was about a week after the receipt of Edna's letter that Willy Croup came to Mrs. Cliff's bedroom, where that lady had been taking a surreptitious glance at her Californian blankets, to tell her that there were three ladies down in the parlor who wished to see her.

change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading "They are all dressed up, and I suppose they have come for something particular, so you'd better fix up a little afore you go down."

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

From this reading A COMMITTEE OF LADIES It was about a week after the receipt of Edna's letter that Willy Croup came to Mrs. Cliff's bedroom, where that lady had been taking a surreptitious glance at her Californian blankets, to tell her that there were three ladies down in the parlor who wished to see her.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading "They are all dressed up, and I suppose they have come for something particular, so you'd better fix up a little afore you go down."

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

From this reading "It's the minister's wife, and Mrs. Hembold, and old Miss Shott," said Willy.

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

From this reading A COMMITTEE OF LADIES It was about a week after the receipt of Edna's letter that Willy Croup came to Mrs. Cliff's bedroom, where that lady had been taking a surreptitious glance at her Californian blankets, to tell her that there were three ladies down in the parlor who wished to see her.

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

From this reading "They are all dressed up, and I suppose they have come for something particular, so you'd better fix up a little afore you go down."

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

From this reading A COMMITTEE OF LADIES It was about a week after the receipt of Edna's letter that Willy Croup came to Mrs. Cliff's bedroom, where that lady had been taking a surreptitious glance at her Californian blankets, to tell her that there were three ladies down in the parlor who wished to see her.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading A COMMITTEE OF LADIES It was about a week after the receipt of Edna's letter that Willy Croup came to Mrs. Cliff's bedroom, where that lady had been taking a surreptitious glance at her Californian blankets, to tell her that there were three ladies down in the parlor who wished to see her.

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

From this reading "It's the minister's wife, and Mrs. Hembold, and old Miss Shott," said Willy.

be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about

From this reading In her present state of mind, Mrs. Cliff was ready to believe that anybody who came to see her would certainly want to know something which she could not tell them, and she went down fearfully.

plural of “lady” — a polite name for any woman

From this reading A COMMITTEE OF LADIES It was about a week after the receipt of Edna's letter that Willy Croup came to Mrs. Cliff's bedroom, where that lady had been taking a surreptitious glance at her Californian blankets, to tell her that there were three ladies down in the parlor who wished to see her.

a polite name for any woman

From this reading A COMMITTEE OF LADIES It was about a week after the receipt of Edna's letter that Willy Croup came to Mrs. Cliff's bedroom, where that lady had been taking a surreptitious glance at her Californian blankets, to tell her that there were three ladies down in the parlor who wished to see her.

a written message addressed to a person or organization

From this reading A COMMITTEE OF LADIES It was about a week after the receipt of Edna's letter that Willy Croup came to Mrs. Cliff's bedroom, where that lady had been taking a surreptitious glance at her Californian blankets, to tell her that there were three ladies down in the parlor who wished to see her.

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

From this reading "They are all dressed up, and I suppose they have come for something particular, so you'd better fix up a little afore you go down."

The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.

From this reading In her present state of mind, Mrs. Cliff was ready to believe that anybody who came to see her would certainly want to know something which she could not tell them, and she went down fearfully.

possessive form of “minister” — a person authorized to conduct religious worship

From this reading "It's the minister's wife, and Mrs. Hembold, and old Miss Shott," said Willy.

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

From this reading "It's the minister's wife, and Mrs. Hembold, and old Miss Shott," said Willy.

a form of address for a married woman

From this reading A COMMITTEE OF LADIES It was about a week after the receipt of Edna's letter that Willy Croup came to Mrs. Cliff's bedroom, where that lady had been taking a surreptitious glance at her Californian blankets, to tell her that there were three ladies down in the parlor who wished to see her.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading In her present state of mind, Mrs. Cliff was ready to believe that anybody who came to see her would certainly want to know something which she could not tell them, and she went down fearfully.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading A COMMITTEE OF LADIES It was about a week after the receipt of Edna's letter that Willy Croup came to Mrs. Cliff's bedroom, where that lady had been taking a surreptitious glance at her Californian blankets, to tell her that there were three ladies down in the parlor who wished to see her.

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

From this reading "It's the minister's wife, and Mrs. Hembold, and old Miss Shott," said Willy.

reception room in an inn or club where visitors can be received

From this reading A COMMITTEE OF LADIES It was about a week after the receipt of Edna's letter that Willy Croup came to Mrs. Cliff's bedroom, where that lady had been taking a surreptitious glance at her Californian blankets, to tell her that there were three ladies down in the parlor who wished to see her.

unique or specific to a person or thing or category

From this reading "They are all dressed up, and I suppose they have come for something particular, so you'd better fix up a little afore you go down."

give an exhibition of to an interested audience

From this reading In her present state of mind, Mrs. Cliff was ready to believe that anybody who came to see her would certainly want to know something which she could not tell them, and she went down fearfully.

plural of “question” — an instance of questioning

From this reading But these ladies did not come to ask questions.

completely prepared or in condition for immediate action or use or progress

From this reading In her present state of mind, Mrs. Cliff was ready to believe that anybody who came to see her would certainly want to know something which she could not tell them, and she went down fearfully.

the act of receiving

From this reading A COMMITTEE OF LADIES It was about a week after the receipt of Edna's letter that Willy Croup came to Mrs. Cliff's bedroom, where that lady had been taking a surreptitious glance at her Californian blankets, to tell her that there were three ladies down in the parlor who wished to see her.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading "It's the minister's wife, and Mrs. Hembold, and old Miss Shott," said Willy.

perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading A COMMITTEE OF LADIES It was about a week after the receipt of Edna's letter that Willy Croup came to Mrs. Cliff's bedroom, where that lady had been taking a surreptitious glance at her Californian blankets, to tell her that there were three ladies down in the parlor who wished to see her.

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

From this reading In her present state of mind, Mrs. Cliff was ready to believe that anybody who came to see her would certainly want to know something which she could not tell them, and she went down fearfully.

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

From this reading "It's the minister's wife, and Mrs. Hembold, and old Miss Shott," said Willy.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading "They are all dressed up, and I suppose they have come for something particular, so you'd better fix up a little afore you go down."

a thing, without saying which

From this reading "They are all dressed up, and I suppose they have come for something particular, so you'd better fix up a little afore you go down."

the territory occupied by one of the constituent administrative districts of a nation

From this reading In her present state of mind, Mrs. Cliff was ready to believe that anybody who came to see her would certainly want to know something which she could not tell them, and she went down fearfully.

express a supposition

From this reading "They are all dressed up, and I suppose they have come for something particular, so you'd better fix up a little afore you go down."

marked by quiet and caution and secrecy; taking pains to avoid being observed

From this reading A COMMITTEE OF LADIES It was about a week after the receipt of Edna's letter that Willy Croup came to Mrs. Cliff's bedroom, where that lady had been taking a surreptitious glance at her Californian blankets, to tell her that there were three ladies down in the parlor who wished to see her.

the act of someone who picks up or takes something

From this reading A COMMITTEE OF LADIES It was about a week after the receipt of Edna's letter that Willy Croup came to Mrs. Cliff's bedroom, where that lady had been taking a surreptitious glance at her Californian blankets, to tell her that there were three ladies down in the parlor who wished to see her.

express in words

From this reading A COMMITTEE OF LADIES It was about a week after the receipt of Edna's letter that Willy Croup came to Mrs. Cliff's bedroom, where that lady had been taking a surreptitious glance at her Californian blankets, to tell her that there were three ladies down in the parlor who wished to see her.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading A COMMITTEE OF LADIES It was about a week after the receipt of Edna's letter that Willy Croup came to Mrs. Cliff's bedroom, where that lady had been taking a surreptitious glance at her Californian blankets, to tell her that there were three ladies down in the parlor who wished to see her.

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

From this reading A COMMITTEE OF LADIES It was about a week after the receipt of Edna's letter that Willy Croup came to Mrs. Cliff's bedroom, where that lady had been taking a surreptitious glance at her Californian blankets, to tell her that there were three ladies down in the parlor who wished to see her.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading In her present state of mind, Mrs. Cliff was ready to believe that anybody who came to see her would certainly want to know something which she could not tell them, and she went down fearfully.

in or at that place or location

From this reading A COMMITTEE OF LADIES It was about a week after the receipt of Edna's letter that Willy Croup came to Mrs. Cliff's bedroom, where that lady had been taking a surreptitious glance at her Californian blankets, to tell her that there were three ladies down in the parlor who wished to see her.

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading But these ladies did not come to ask questions.

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

From this reading "They are all dressed up, and I suppose they have come for something particular, so you'd better fix up a little afore you go down."

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one

From this reading A COMMITTEE OF LADIES It was about a week after the receipt of Edna's letter that Willy Croup came to Mrs. Cliff's bedroom, where that lady had been taking a surreptitious glance at her Californian blankets, to tell her that there were three ladies down in the parlor who wished to see her.

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

From this reading A COMMITTEE OF LADIES It was about a week after the receipt of Edna's letter that Willy Croup came to Mrs. Cliff's bedroom, where that lady had been taking a surreptitious glance at her Californian blankets, to tell her that there were three ladies down in the parlor who wished to see her.

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

From this reading "They are all dressed up, and I suppose they have come for something particular, so you'd better fix up a little afore you go down."

feel or have a desire for; want strongly

From this reading In her present state of mind, Mrs. Cliff was ready to believe that anybody who came to see her would certainly want to know something which she could not tell them, and she went down fearfully.

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

From this reading A COMMITTEE OF LADIES It was about a week after the receipt of Edna's letter that Willy Croup came to Mrs. Cliff's bedroom, where that lady had been taking a surreptitious glance at her Californian blankets, to tell her that there were three ladies down in the parlor who wished to see her.

any period of seven consecutive days

From this reading A COMMITTEE OF LADIES It was about a week after the receipt of Edna's letter that Willy Croup came to Mrs. Cliff's bedroom, where that lady had been taking a surreptitious glance at her Californian blankets, to tell her that there were three ladies down in the parlor who wished to see her.

inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading In her present state of mind, Mrs. Cliff was ready to believe that anybody who came to see her would certainly want to know something which she could not tell them, and she went down fearfully.

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

From this reading A COMMITTEE OF LADIES It was about a week after the receipt of Edna's letter that Willy Croup came to Mrs. Cliff's bedroom, where that lady had been taking a surreptitious glance at her Californian blankets, to tell her that there were three ladies down in the parlor who wished to see her.

in or at the place that

From this reading A COMMITTEE OF LADIES It was about a week after the receipt of Edna's letter that Willy Croup came to Mrs. Cliff's bedroom, where that lady had been taking a surreptitious glance at her Californian blankets, to tell her that there were three ladies down in the parlor who wished to see her.

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

From this reading In her present state of mind, Mrs. Cliff was ready to believe that anybody who came to see her would certainly want to know something which she could not tell them, and she went down fearfully.

which person or people

From this reading A COMMITTEE OF LADIES It was about a week after the receipt of Edna's letter that Willy Croup came to Mrs. Cliff's bedroom, where that lady had been taking a surreptitious glance at her Californian blankets, to tell her that there were three ladies down in the parlor who wished to see her.

a married woman; a man's partner in marriage

From this reading "It's the minister's wife, and Mrs. Hembold, and old Miss Shott," said Willy.

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

From this reading A COMMITTEE OF LADIES It was about a week after the receipt of Edna's letter that Willy Croup came to Mrs. Cliff's bedroom, where that lady had been taking a surreptitious glance at her Californian blankets, to tell her that there were three ladies down in the parlor who wished to see her.

past form of “wish” — hope for; have a wish

From this reading A COMMITTEE OF LADIES It was about a week after the receipt of Edna's letter that Willy Croup came to Mrs. Cliff's bedroom, where that lady had been taking a surreptitious glance at her Californian blankets, to tell her that there were three ladies down in the parlor who wished to see her.

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

From this reading In her present state of mind, Mrs. Cliff was ready to believe that anybody who came to see her would certainly want to know something which she could not tell them, and she went down fearfully.

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading "They are all dressed up, and I suppose they have come for something particular, so you'd better fix up a little afore you go down."

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

From this reading "They are all dressed up, and I suppose they have come for something particular, so you'd better fix up a little afore you go down."