Chapter XXIV · Chapter 24

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

From this reading IN THE LIBRARY Certainly there was little enough to admire in Mr Cargrim's character, still he was not altogether a bad man.

feel admiration for

From this reading IN THE LIBRARY Certainly there was little enough to admire in Mr Cargrim's character, still he was not altogether a bad man.

(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 But being only a poor curate, he had a long ladder to climb, which he thought could be ascended more rapidly by kicking down all those who impeded his progress, and by holding on to the skirts of those who were a few rungs higher.

in addition

From this reading In common with his fellow-creatures he also had his good qualities, but these were somewhat rusty for want of use.

to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)

From this reading IN THE LIBRARY Certainly there was little enough to admire in Mr Cargrim's character, still he was not altogether a bad man.

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

From this reading As Mrs Rawdon Crawley, _nee_ Sharp, remarked, most people can be good on five thousand a year; and if Cargrim had been high-placed and wealthy he would no doubt have developed his better instincts for lack of reasons to make use of his worser.

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

From this reading As Mrs Rawdon Crawley, _nee_ Sharp, remarked, most people can be good on five thousand a year; and if Cargrim had been high-placed and wealthy he would no doubt have developed his better instincts for lack of reasons to make use of his worser.

past form of “ascend” — travel up

From this reading But being only a poor curate, he had a long ladder to climb, which he thought could be ascended more rapidly by kicking down all those who impeded his progress, and by holding on to the skirts of those who were a few rungs higher.

having undesirable or negative qualities

From this reading IN THE LIBRARY Certainly there was little enough to admire in Mr Cargrim's character, still he was not altogether a bad man.

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

From this reading As Mrs Rawdon Crawley, _nee_ Sharp, remarked, most people can be good on five thousand a year; and if Cargrim had been high-placed and wealthy he would no doubt have developed his better instincts for lack of reasons to make use of his worser.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading As Mrs Rawdon Crawley, _nee_ Sharp, remarked, most people can be good on five thousand a year; and if Cargrim had been high-placed and wealthy he would no doubt have developed his better instincts for lack of reasons to make use of his worser.

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading But being only a poor curate, he had a long ladder to climb, which he thought could be ascended more rapidly by kicking down all those who impeded his progress, and by holding on to the skirts of those who were a few rungs higher.

(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 As Mrs Rawdon Crawley, _nee_ Sharp, remarked, most people can be good on five thousand a year; and if Cargrim had been high-placed and wealthy he would no doubt have developed his better instincts for lack of reasons to make use of his worser.

in the space, time, or range separating two things

From this reading Therefore he was not very nice in his distinction between good and evil, and did not mind by what means he succeeded, so long as he was successful.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading In common with his fellow-creatures he also had his good qualities, but these were somewhat rusty for want of use.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading But being only a poor curate, he had a long ladder to climb, which he thought could be ascended more rapidly by kicking down all those who impeded his progress, and by holding on to the skirts of those who were a few rungs higher.

to be able to, or to be allowed to

From this reading As Mrs Rawdon Crawley, _nee_ Sharp, remarked, most people can be good on five thousand a year; and if Cargrim had been high-placed and wealthy he would no doubt have developed his better instincts for lack of reasons to make use of his worser.

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

From this reading As Mrs Rawdon Crawley, _nee_ Sharp, remarked, most people can be good on five thousand a year; and if Cargrim had been high-placed and wealthy he would no doubt have developed his better instincts for lack of reasons to make use of his worser.

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

From this reading IN THE LIBRARY Certainly there was little enough to admire in Mr Cargrim's character, still he was not altogether a bad man.

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

From this reading IN THE LIBRARY Certainly there was little enough to admire in Mr Cargrim's character, still he was not altogether a bad man.

an imaginary person represented in a work of fiction (play or film or story)

From this reading IN THE LIBRARY Certainly there was little enough to admire in Mr Cargrim's character, still he was not altogether a bad man.

go upward with gradual or continuous progress

From this reading But being only a poor curate, he had a long ladder to climb, which he thought could be ascended more rapidly by kicking down all those who impeded his progress, and by holding on to the skirts of those who were a few rungs higher.

belonging to or participated in by a community as a whole; public

From this reading In common with his fellow-creatures he also had his good qualities, but these were somewhat rusty for want of use.

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

From this reading But being only a poor curate, he had a long ladder to climb, which he thought could be ascended more rapidly by kicking down all those who impeded his progress, and by holding on to the skirts of those who were a few rungs higher.

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

From this reading As Mrs Rawdon Crawley, _nee_ Sharp, remarked, most people can be good on five thousand a year; and if Cargrim had been high-placed and wealthy he would no doubt have developed his better instincts for lack of reasons to make use of his worser.

a person authorized to conduct religious worship

From this reading But being only a poor curate, he had a long ladder to climb, which he thought could be ascended more rapidly by kicking down all those who impeded his progress, and by holding on to the skirts of those who were a few rungs higher.

being changed over time so as to be e.g. stronger or more complete or more useful

From this reading As Mrs Rawdon Crawley, _nee_ Sharp, remarked, most people can be good on five thousand a year; and if Cargrim had been high-placed and wealthy he would no doubt have developed his better instincts for lack of reasons to make use of his worser.

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

From this reading Therefore he was not very nice in his distinction between good and evil, and did not mind by what means he succeeded, so long as he was successful.

a discrimination between things as different and distinct on the basis of their characteristics or attributes

From this reading Therefore he was not very nice in his distinction between good and evil, and did not mind by what means he succeeded, so long as he was successful.

the state of being unsure of something

From this reading As Mrs Rawdon Crawley, _nee_ Sharp, remarked, most people can be good on five thousand a year; and if Cargrim had been high-placed and wealthy he would no doubt have developed his better instincts for lack of reasons to make use of his worser.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading But being only a poor curate, he had a long ladder to climb, which he thought could be ascended more rapidly by kicking down all those who impeded his progress, and by holding on to the skirts of those who were a few rungs higher.

an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose

From this reading IN THE LIBRARY Certainly there was little enough to admire in Mr Cargrim's character, still he was not altogether a bad man.

morally objectionable behavior

From this reading Therefore he was not very nice in his distinction between good and evil, and did not mind by what means he succeeded, so long as he was successful.

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

From this reading In common with his fellow-creatures he also had his good qualities, but these were somewhat rusty for want of use.

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

From this reading But being only a poor curate, he had a long ladder to climb, which he thought could be ascended more rapidly by kicking down all those who impeded his progress, and by holding on to the skirts of those who were a few rungs higher.

the cardinal number that is the sum of four and one

From this reading As Mrs Rawdon Crawley, _nee_ Sharp, remarked, most people can be good on five thousand a year; and if Cargrim had been high-placed and wealthy he would no doubt have developed his better instincts for lack of reasons to make use of his worser.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading In common with his fellow-creatures he also had his good qualities, but these were somewhat rusty for want of use.

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

From this reading In common with his fellow-creatures he also had his good qualities, but these were somewhat rusty for want of use.

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

From this reading In common with his fellow-creatures he also had his good qualities, but these were somewhat rusty for want of use.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading As Mrs Rawdon Crawley, _nee_ Sharp, remarked, most people can be good on five thousand a year; and if Cargrim had been high-placed and wealthy he would no doubt have developed his better instincts for lack of reasons to make use of his worser.

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

From this reading IN THE LIBRARY Certainly there was little enough to admire in Mr Cargrim's character, still he was not altogether a bad man.

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

From this reading As Mrs Rawdon Crawley, _nee_ Sharp, remarked, most people can be good on five thousand a year; and if Cargrim had been high-placed and wealthy he would no doubt have developed his better instincts for lack of reasons to make use of his worser.

advanced in complexity or elaboration

From this reading But being only a poor curate, he had a long ladder to climb, which he thought could be ascended more rapidly by kicking down all those who impeded his progress, and by holding on to the skirts of those who were a few rungs higher.

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

From this reading In common with his fellow-creatures he also had his good qualities, but these were somewhat rusty for want of use.

the act of retaining something

From this reading But being only a poor curate, he had a long ladder to climb, which he thought could be ascended more rapidly by kicking down all those who impeded his progress, and by holding on to the skirts of those who were a few rungs higher.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading As Mrs Rawdon Crawley, _nee_ Sharp, remarked, most people can be good on five thousand a year; and if Cargrim had been high-placed and wealthy he would no doubt have developed his better instincts for lack of reasons to make use of his worser.

made difficult or slow

From this reading But being only a poor curate, he had a long ladder to climb, which he thought could be ascended more rapidly by kicking down all those who impeded his progress, and by holding on to the skirts of those who were a few rungs higher.

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

From this reading IN THE LIBRARY Certainly there was little enough to admire in Mr Cargrim's character, still he was not altogether a bad man.

plural of “instinct” — inborn pattern of behavior often responsive to specific stimuli

From this reading As Mrs Rawdon Crawley, _nee_ Sharp, remarked, most people can be good on five thousand a year; and if Cargrim had been high-placed and wealthy he would no doubt have developed his better instincts for lack of reasons to make use of his worser.

a rhythmic thrusting movement of the legs as in swimming or calisthenics

From this reading But being only a poor curate, he had a long ladder to climb, which he thought could be ascended more rapidly by kicking down all those who impeded his progress, and by holding on to the skirts of those who were a few rungs higher.

the state of needing something that is absent or unavailable

From this reading As Mrs Rawdon Crawley, _nee_ Sharp, remarked, most people can be good on five thousand a year; and if Cargrim had been high-placed and wealthy he would no doubt have developed his better instincts for lack of reasons to make use of his worser.

steps consisting of two parallel members connected by rungs; for climbing up or down

From this reading But being only a poor curate, he had a long ladder to climb, which he thought could be ascended more rapidly by kicking down all those who impeded his progress, and by holding on to the skirts of those who were a few rungs higher.

a room where books are kept

From this reading IN THE LIBRARY Certainly there was little enough to admire in Mr Cargrim's character, still he was not altogether a bad man.

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

From this reading IN THE LIBRARY Certainly there was little enough to admire in Mr Cargrim's character, still he was not altogether a bad man.

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 But being only a poor curate, he had a long ladder to climb, which he thought could be ascended more rapidly by kicking down all those who impeded his progress, and by holding on to the skirts of those who were a few rungs higher.

engage in

From this reading As Mrs Rawdon Crawley, _nee_ Sharp, remarked, most people can be good on five thousand a year; and if Cargrim had been high-placed and wealthy he would no doubt have developed his better instincts for lack of reasons to make use of his worser.

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

From this reading IN THE LIBRARY Certainly there was little enough to admire in Mr Cargrim's character, still he was not altogether a bad man.

thing or person that acts to produce a particular effect or achieve an end

From this reading Therefore he was not very nice in his distinction between good and evil, and did not mind by what means he succeeded, so long as he was successful.

The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.

From this reading Therefore he was not very nice in his distinction between good and evil, and did not mind by what means he succeeded, so long as he was successful.

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading But being only a poor curate, he had a long ladder to climb, which he thought could be ascended more rapidly by kicking down all those who impeded his progress, and by holding on to the skirts of those who were a few rungs higher.

used to form the superlative

From this reading As Mrs Rawdon Crawley, _nee_ Sharp, remarked, most people can be good on five thousand a year; and if Cargrim had been high-placed and wealthy he would no doubt have developed his better instincts for lack of reasons to make use of his worser.

a form of address for a man

From this reading IN THE LIBRARY Certainly there was little enough to admire in Mr Cargrim's character, still he was not altogether a bad man.

a form of address for a married woman

From this reading As Mrs Rawdon Crawley, _nee_ Sharp, remarked, most people can be good on five thousand a year; and if Cargrim had been high-placed and wealthy he would no doubt have developed his better instincts for lack of reasons to make use of his worser.

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

From this reading As Mrs Rawdon Crawley, _nee_ Sharp, remarked, most people can be good on five thousand a year; and if Cargrim had been high-placed and wealthy he would no doubt have developed his better instincts for lack of reasons to make use of his worser.

pleasant or pleasing or agreeable in nature or appearance

From this reading Therefore he was not very nice in his distinction between good and evil, and did not mind by what means he succeeded, so long as he was successful.

not any; not one

From this reading As Mrs Rawdon Crawley, _nee_ Sharp, remarked, most people can be good on five thousand a year; and if Cargrim had been high-placed and wealthy he would no doubt have developed his better instincts for lack of reasons to make use of his worser.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading IN THE LIBRARY Certainly there was little enough to admire in Mr Cargrim's character, still he was not altogether a bad man.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading In common with his fellow-creatures he also had his good qualities, but these were somewhat rusty for want of use.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading As Mrs Rawdon Crawley, _nee_ Sharp, remarked, most people can be good on five thousand a year; and if Cargrim had been high-placed and wealthy he would no doubt have developed his better instincts for lack of reasons to make use of his worser.

and nothing more

From this reading But being only a poor curate, he had a long ladder to climb, which he thought could be ascended more rapidly by kicking down all those who impeded his progress, and by holding on to the skirts of those who were a few rungs higher.

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

From this reading As Mrs Rawdon Crawley, _nee_ Sharp, remarked, most people can be good on five thousand a year; and if Cargrim had been high-placed and wealthy he would no doubt have developed his better instincts for lack of reasons to make use of his worser.

deserving or inciting pity

From this reading But being only a poor curate, he had a long ladder to climb, which he thought could be ascended more rapidly by kicking down all those who impeded his progress, and by holding on to the skirts of those who were a few rungs higher.

gradual improvement or growth or development

From this reading But being only a poor curate, he had a long ladder to climb, which he thought could be ascended more rapidly by kicking down all those who impeded his progress, and by holding on to the skirts of those who were a few rungs higher.

plural of “quality” — an essential and distinguishing attribute of something or someone

From this reading In common with his fellow-creatures he also had his good qualities, but these were somewhat rusty for want of use.

with speed

From this reading But being only a poor curate, he had a long ladder to climb, which he thought could be ascended more rapidly by kicking down all those who impeded his progress, and by holding on to the skirts of those who were a few rungs higher.

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

From this reading As Mrs Rawdon Crawley, _nee_ Sharp, remarked, most people can be good on five thousand a year; and if Cargrim had been high-placed and wealthy he would no doubt have developed his better instincts for lack of reasons to make use of his worser.

plural of “reason” — a rational motive for a belief or action

From this reading As Mrs Rawdon Crawley, _nee_ Sharp, remarked, most people can be good on five thousand a year; and if Cargrim had been high-placed and wealthy he would no doubt have developed his better instincts for lack of reasons to make use of his worser.

past form of “remark” — make mention of

From this reading As Mrs Rawdon Crawley, _nee_ Sharp, remarked, most people can be good on five thousand a year; and if Cargrim had been high-placed and wealthy he would no doubt have developed his better instincts for lack of reasons to make use of his worser.

plural of “rung” — a crosspiece between the legs of a chair

From this reading But being only a poor curate, he had a long ladder to climb, which he thought could be ascended more rapidly by kicking down all those who impeded his progress, and by holding on to the skirts of those who were a few rungs higher.

covered with or consisting of rust

From this reading In common with his fellow-creatures he also had his good qualities, but these were somewhat rusty for want of use.

(of something seen or heard) clearly defined

From this reading As Mrs Rawdon Crawley, _nee_ Sharp, remarked, most people can be good on five thousand a year; and if Cargrim had been high-placed and wealthy he would no doubt have developed his better instincts for lack of reasons to make use of his worser.

plural of “skirt” — cloth covering that forms the part of a garment below the waist

From this reading But being only a poor curate, he had a long ladder to climb, which he thought could be ascended more rapidly by kicking down all those who impeded his progress, and by holding on to the skirts of those who were a few rungs higher.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Therefore he was not very nice in his distinction between good and evil, and did not mind by what means he succeeded, so long as he was successful.

to a small degree or extent

From this reading In common with his fellow-creatures he also had his good qualities, but these were somewhat rusty for want of use.

not in physical motion

From this reading IN THE LIBRARY Certainly there was little enough to admire in Mr Cargrim's character, still he was not altogether a bad man.

past form of “succeed” — attain success or reach a desired goal

From this reading Therefore he was not very nice in his distinction between good and evil, and did not mind by what means he succeeded, so long as he was successful.

having succeeded or being marked by a favorable outcome

From this reading Therefore he was not very nice in his distinction between good and evil, and did not mind by what means he succeeded, so long as he was successful.

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

From this reading IN THE LIBRARY Certainly there was little enough to admire in Mr Cargrim's character, still he was not altogether a bad man.

in or at that place or location

From this reading IN THE LIBRARY Certainly there was little enough to admire in Mr Cargrim's character, still he was not altogether a bad man.

for that reason; as a result

From this reading Therefore he was not very nice in his distinction between good and evil, and did not mind by what means he succeeded, so long as he was successful.

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

From this reading In common with his fellow-creatures he also had his good qualities, but these were somewhat rusty for want of use.

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading But being only a poor curate, he had a long ladder to climb, which he thought could be ascended more rapidly by kicking down all those who impeded his progress, and by holding on to the skirts of those who were a few rungs higher.

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

From this reading But being only a poor curate, he had a long ladder to climb, which he thought could be ascended more rapidly by kicking down all those who impeded his progress, and by holding on to the skirts of those who were a few rungs higher.

the cardinal number that is the product of 10 and 100

From this reading As Mrs Rawdon Crawley, _nee_ Sharp, remarked, most people can be good on five thousand a year; and if Cargrim had been high-placed and wealthy he would no doubt have developed his better instincts for lack of reasons to make use of his worser.

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

From this reading IN THE LIBRARY Certainly there was little enough to admire in Mr Cargrim's character, still he was not altogether a bad man.

the act of using

From this reading In common with his fellow-creatures he also had his good qualities, but these were somewhat rusty for want of use.

precisely as stated

From this reading Therefore he was not very nice in his distinction between good and evil, and did not mind by what means he succeeded, so long as he was successful.

feel or have a desire for; want strongly

From this reading In common with his fellow-creatures he also had his good qualities, but these were somewhat rusty for want of use.

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

From this reading IN THE LIBRARY Certainly there was little enough to admire in Mr Cargrim's character, still he was not altogether a bad man.

having an abundant supply of money or possessions of value

From this reading As Mrs Rawdon Crawley, _nee_ Sharp, remarked, most people can be good on five thousand a year; and if Cargrim had been high-placed and wealthy he would no doubt have developed his better instincts for lack of reasons to make use of his worser.

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

From this reading In common with his fellow-creatures he also had his good qualities, but these were somewhat rusty for want of use.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading Therefore he was not very nice in his distinction between good and evil, and did not mind by what means he succeeded, so long as he was successful.

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

From this reading But being only a poor curate, he had a long ladder to climb, which he thought could be ascended more rapidly by kicking down all those who impeded his progress, and by holding on to the skirts of those who were a few rungs higher.

which person or people

From this reading But being only a poor curate, he had a long ladder to climb, which he thought could be ascended more rapidly by kicking down all those who impeded his progress, and by holding on to the skirts of those who were a few rungs higher.

in the company of; together with

From this reading In common with his fellow-creatures he also had his good qualities, but these were somewhat rusty for want of use.

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

From this reading As Mrs Rawdon Crawley, _nee_ Sharp, remarked, most people can be good on five thousand a year; and if Cargrim had been high-placed and wealthy he would no doubt have developed his better instincts for lack of reasons to make use of his worser.

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

From this reading As Mrs Rawdon Crawley, _nee_ Sharp, remarked, most people can be good on five thousand a year; and if Cargrim had been high-placed and wealthy he would no doubt have developed his better instincts for lack of reasons to make use of his worser.

a period of time containing 365 (or 366) days

From this reading As Mrs Rawdon Crawley, _nee_ Sharp, remarked, most people can be good on five thousand a year; and if Cargrim had been high-placed and wealthy he would no doubt have developed his better instincts for lack of reasons to make use of his worser.