Chapter IV

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

From this reading A FAMILY COUNCIL To prevent the skeleton in the Uskoff family cup-board escaping into the street, the most rigorous measures were taken.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading The wife of the culprit's uncle, her sister, and the governess, although initiated into the mystery, pretended that they knew nothing whatever about it; they sat silently in the dining-room, and dared not show their faces in the drawing-room or hall.

declare to be true or admit the existence or reality or truth of

From this reading Orders were given to admit no one.

a proposal for an appropriate course of action

From this reading Sasha Uskoff, aged twenty-five, the cause of all this upheaval, arrived some time ago; and on the advice of kind-hearted Ivan Markovitch, his maternal uncle, sat demurely in the corridor outside the study door, and prepared himself for sincere, open-hearted confession.

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

From this reading Sasha Uskoff, aged twenty-five, the cause of all this upheaval, arrived some time ago; and on the advice of kind-hearted Ivan Markovitch, his maternal uncle, sat demurely in the corridor outside the study door, and prepared himself for sincere, open-hearted confession.

in the past

From this reading Sasha Uskoff, aged twenty-five, the cause of all this upheaval, arrived some time ago; and on the advice of kind-hearted Ivan Markovitch, his maternal uncle, sat demurely in the corridor outside the study door, and prepared himself for sincere, open-hearted confession.

(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 Sasha Uskoff, aged twenty-five, the cause of all this upheaval, arrived some time ago; and on the advice of kind-hearted Ivan Markovitch, his maternal uncle, sat demurely in the corridor outside the study door, and prepared himself for sincere, open-hearted confession.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading The wife of the culprit's uncle, her sister, and the governess, although initiated into the mystery, pretended that they knew nothing whatever about it; they sat silently in the dining-room, and dared not show their faces in the drawing-room or hall.

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

From this reading One half of the servants was packed off to the theatre and circus, and the other half sat imprisoned in the kitchen.

past form of “arrive” — reach a destination; arrive by movement or progress

From this reading Sasha Uskoff, aged twenty-five, the cause of all this upheaval, arrived some time ago; and on the advice of kind-hearted Ivan Markovitch, his maternal uncle, sat demurely in the corridor outside the study door, and prepared himself for sincere, open-hearted confession.

events that provide the generative force that is the origin of something

From this reading Sasha Uskoff, aged twenty-five, the cause of all this upheaval, arrived some time ago; and on the advice of kind-hearted Ivan Markovitch, his maternal uncle, sat demurely in the corridor outside the study door, and prepared himself for sincere, open-hearted confession.

a travelling company of entertainers; including trained animals

From this reading One half of the servants was packed off to the theatre and circus, and the other half sat imprisoned in the kitchen.

an admission of misdeeds or faults

From this reading Sasha Uskoff, aged twenty-five, the cause of all this upheaval, arrived some time ago; and on the advice of kind-hearted Ivan Markovitch, his maternal uncle, sat demurely in the corridor outside the study door, and prepared himself for sincere, open-hearted confession.

an enclosed passageway; rooms usually open onto it

From this reading Sasha Uskoff, aged twenty-five, the cause of all this upheaval, arrived some time ago; and on the advice of kind-hearted Ivan Markovitch, his maternal uncle, sat demurely in the corridor outside the study door, and prepared himself for sincere, open-hearted confession.

a body serving in an administrative capacity

From this reading A FAMILY COUNCIL To prevent the skeleton in the Uskoff family cup-board escaping into the street, the most rigorous measures were taken.

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

From this reading The wife of the culprit's uncle, her sister, and the governess, although initiated into the mystery, pretended that they knew nothing whatever about it; they sat silently in the dining-room, and dared not show their faces in the drawing-room or hall.

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

From this reading A FAMILY COUNCIL To prevent the skeleton in the Uskoff family cup-board escaping into the street, the most rigorous measures were taken.

past form of “dare” — take upon oneself; act presumptuously, without permission

From this reading The wife of the culprit's uncle, her sister, and the governess, although initiated into the mystery, pretended that they knew nothing whatever about it; they sat silently in the dining-room, and dared not show their faces in the drawing-room or hall.

in a demure manner

From this reading Sasha Uskoff, aged twenty-five, the cause of all this upheaval, arrived some time ago; and on the advice of kind-hearted Ivan Markovitch, his maternal uncle, sat demurely in the corridor outside the study door, and prepared himself for sincere, open-hearted confession.

a room used for dining

From this reading The wife of the culprit's uncle, her sister, and the governess, although initiated into the mystery, pretended that they knew nothing whatever about it; they sat silently in the dining-room, and dared not show their faces in the drawing-room or hall.

a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle

From this reading Sasha Uskoff, aged twenty-five, the cause of all this upheaval, arrived some time ago; and on the advice of kind-hearted Ivan Markovitch, his maternal uncle, sat demurely in the corridor outside the study door, and prepared himself for sincere, open-hearted confession.

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

From this reading The wife of the culprit's uncle, her sister, and the governess, although initiated into the mystery, pretended that they knew nothing whatever about it; they sat silently in the dining-room, and dared not show their faces in the drawing-room or hall.

-ing form of “escape” — run away from confinement

From this reading A FAMILY COUNCIL To prevent the skeleton in the Uskoff family cup-board escaping into the street, the most rigorous measures were taken.

plural of “face” — the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear

From this reading The wife of the culprit's uncle, her sister, and the governess, although initiated into the mystery, pretended that they knew nothing whatever about it; they sat silently in the dining-room, and dared not show their faces in the drawing-room or hall.

a social unit living together

From this reading A FAMILY COUNCIL To prevent the skeleton in the Uskoff family cup-board escaping into the street, the most rigorous measures were taken.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Sasha Uskoff, aged twenty-five, the cause of all this upheaval, arrived some time ago; and on the advice of kind-hearted Ivan Markovitch, his maternal uncle, sat demurely in the corridor outside the study door, and prepared himself for sincere, open-hearted confession.

acknowledged as a supposition

From this reading Orders were given to admit no one.

a woman entrusted with the care and supervision of a child (especially in a private home)

From this reading The wife of the culprit's uncle, her sister, and the governess, although initiated into the mystery, pretended that they knew nothing whatever about it; they sat silently in the dining-room, and dared not show their faces in the drawing-room or hall.

consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity

From this reading One half of the servants was packed off to the theatre and circus, and the other half sat imprisoned in the kitchen.

an interior passage or corridor onto which rooms open

From this reading The wife of the culprit's uncle, her sister, and the governess, although initiated into the mystery, pretended that they knew nothing whatever about it; they sat silently in the dining-room, and dared not show their faces in the drawing-room or hall.

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

From this reading The wife of the culprit's uncle, her sister, and the governess, although initiated into the mystery, pretended that they knew nothing whatever about it; they sat silently in the dining-room, and dared not show their faces in the drawing-room or hall.

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

From this reading Sasha Uskoff, aged twenty-five, the cause of all this upheaval, arrived some time ago; and on the advice of kind-hearted Ivan Markovitch, his maternal uncle, sat demurely in the corridor outside the study door, and prepared himself for sincere, open-hearted confession.

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

From this reading Sasha Uskoff, aged twenty-five, the cause of all this upheaval, arrived some time ago; and on the advice of kind-hearted Ivan Markovitch, his maternal uncle, sat demurely in the corridor outside the study door, and prepared himself for sincere, open-hearted confession.

being in captivity

From this reading One half of the servants was packed off to the theatre and circus, and the other half sat imprisoned in the kitchen.

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

From this reading A FAMILY COUNCIL To prevent the skeleton in the Uskoff family cup-board escaping into the street, the most rigorous measures were taken.

past form of “initiate” — bring into being

From this reading The wife of the culprit's uncle, her sister, and the governess, although initiated into the mystery, pretended that they knew nothing whatever about it; they sat silently in the dining-room, and dared not show their faces in the drawing-room or hall.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading A FAMILY COUNCIL To prevent the skeleton in the Uskoff family cup-board escaping into the street, the most rigorous measures were taken.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading The wife of the culprit's uncle, her sister, and the governess, although initiated into the mystery, pretended that they knew nothing whatever about it; they sat silently in the dining-room, and dared not show their faces in the drawing-room or hall.

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

From this reading Sasha Uskoff, aged twenty-five, the cause of all this upheaval, arrived some time ago; and on the advice of kind-hearted Ivan Markovitch, his maternal uncle, sat demurely in the corridor outside the study door, and prepared himself for sincere, open-hearted confession.

having or proceeding from an innately kind disposition

From this reading Sasha Uskoff, aged twenty-five, the cause of all this upheaval, arrived some time ago; and on the advice of kind-hearted Ivan Markovitch, his maternal uncle, sat demurely in the corridor outside the study door, and prepared himself for sincere, open-hearted confession.

a room equipped for preparing meals

From this reading One half of the servants was packed off to the theatre and circus, and the other half sat imprisoned in the kitchen.

inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about

From this reading The wife of the culprit's uncle, her sister, and the governess, although initiated into the mystery, pretended that they knew nothing whatever about it; they sat silently in the dining-room, and dared not show their faces in the drawing-room or hall.

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

From this reading Sasha Uskoff, aged twenty-five, the cause of all this upheaval, arrived some time ago; and on the advice of kind-hearted Ivan Markovitch, his maternal uncle, sat demurely in the corridor outside the study door, and prepared himself for sincere, open-hearted confession.

characteristic of a mother

From this reading Sasha Uskoff, aged twenty-five, the cause of all this upheaval, arrived some time ago; and on the advice of kind-hearted Ivan Markovitch, his maternal uncle, sat demurely in the corridor outside the study door, and prepared himself for sincere, open-hearted confession.

plural of “measure” — any maneuver made as part of progress toward a goal

From this reading A FAMILY COUNCIL To prevent the skeleton in the Uskoff family cup-board escaping into the street, the most rigorous measures were taken.

used to form the superlative

From this reading A FAMILY COUNCIL To prevent the skeleton in the Uskoff family cup-board escaping into the street, the most rigorous measures were taken.

something that baffles understanding and cannot be explained

From this reading The wife of the culprit's uncle, her sister, and the governess, although initiated into the mystery, pretended that they knew nothing whatever about it; they sat silently in the dining-room, and dared not show their faces in the drawing-room or hall.

not any; not one

From this reading Orders were given to admit no one.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading The wife of the culprit's uncle, her sister, and the governess, although initiated into the mystery, pretended that they knew nothing whatever about it; they sat silently in the dining-room, and dared not show their faces in the drawing-room or hall.

not one thing; not anything

From this reading The wife of the culprit's uncle, her sister, and the governess, although initiated into the mystery, pretended that they knew nothing whatever about it; they sat silently in the dining-room, and dared not show their faces in the drawing-room or hall.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading One half of the servants was packed off to the theatre and circus, and the other half sat imprisoned in the kitchen.

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading One half of the servants was packed off to the theatre and circus, and the other half sat imprisoned in the kitchen.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Sasha Uskoff, aged twenty-five, the cause of all this upheaval, arrived some time ago; and on the advice of kind-hearted Ivan Markovitch, his maternal uncle, sat demurely in the corridor outside the study door, and prepared himself for sincere, open-hearted confession.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading One half of the servants was packed off to the theatre and circus, and the other half sat imprisoned in the kitchen.

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

From this reading Sasha Uskoff, aged twenty-five, the cause of all this upheaval, arrived some time ago; and on the advice of kind-hearted Ivan Markovitch, his maternal uncle, sat demurely in the corridor outside the study door, and prepared himself for sincere, open-hearted confession.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading The wife of the culprit's uncle, her sister, and the governess, although initiated into the mystery, pretended that they knew nothing whatever about it; they sat silently in the dining-room, and dared not show their faces in the drawing-room or hall.

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 Orders were given to admit no one.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading One half of the servants was packed off to the theatre and circus, and the other half sat imprisoned in the kitchen.

relating to or being on or near the outer side or limit

From this reading Sasha Uskoff, aged twenty-five, the cause of all this upheaval, arrived some time ago; and on the advice of kind-hearted Ivan Markovitch, his maternal uncle, sat demurely in the corridor outside the study door, and prepared himself for sincere, open-hearted confession.

extremely crowed or filled to capacity

From this reading One half of the servants was packed off to the theatre and circus, and the other half sat imprisoned in the kitchen.

made ready or fit or suitable beforehand

From this reading Sasha Uskoff, aged twenty-five, the cause of all this upheaval, arrived some time ago; and on the advice of kind-hearted Ivan Markovitch, his maternal uncle, sat demurely in the corridor outside the study door, and prepared himself for sincere, open-hearted confession.

adopted in order to deceive

From this reading The wife of the culprit's uncle, her sister, and the governess, although initiated into the mystery, pretended that they knew nothing whatever about it; they sat silently in the dining-room, and dared not show their faces in the drawing-room or hall.

keep from happening or arising; make impossible

From this reading A FAMILY COUNCIL To prevent the skeleton in the Uskoff family cup-board escaping into the street, the most rigorous measures were taken.

rigidly accurate; allowing no deviation from a standard

From this reading A FAMILY COUNCIL To prevent the skeleton in the Uskoff family cup-board escaping into the street, the most rigorous measures were taken.

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

From this reading Sasha Uskoff, aged twenty-five, the cause of all this upheaval, arrived some time ago; and on the advice of kind-hearted Ivan Markovitch, his maternal uncle, sat demurely in the corridor outside the study door, and prepared himself for sincere, open-hearted confession.

the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians

From this reading One half of the servants was packed off to the theatre and circus, and the other half sat imprisoned in the kitchen.

plural of “servant” — a person working in the service of another (especially in the household)

From this reading One half of the servants was packed off to the theatre and circus, and the other half sat imprisoned in the kitchen.

give an exhibition of to an interested audience

From this reading The wife of the culprit's uncle, her sister, and the governess, although initiated into the mystery, pretended that they knew nothing whatever about it; they sat silently in the dining-room, and dared not show their faces in the drawing-room or hall.

without speaking

From this reading The wife of the culprit's uncle, her sister, and the governess, although initiated into the mystery, pretended that they knew nothing whatever about it; they sat silently in the dining-room, and dared not show their faces in the drawing-room or hall.

open and genuine; not deceitful

From this reading Sasha Uskoff, aged twenty-five, the cause of all this upheaval, arrived some time ago; and on the advice of kind-hearted Ivan Markovitch, his maternal uncle, sat demurely in the corridor outside the study door, and prepared himself for sincere, open-hearted confession.

a female person who has the same parents as another person

From this reading The wife of the culprit's uncle, her sister, and the governess, although initiated into the mystery, pretended that they knew nothing whatever about it; they sat silently in the dining-room, and dared not show their faces in the drawing-room or hall.

something reduced to its minimal form

From this reading A FAMILY COUNCIL To prevent the skeleton in the Uskoff family cup-board escaping into the street, the most rigorous measures were taken.

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

From this reading Sasha Uskoff, aged twenty-five, the cause of all this upheaval, arrived some time ago; and on the advice of kind-hearted Ivan Markovitch, his maternal uncle, sat demurely in the corridor outside the study door, and prepared himself for sincere, open-hearted confession.

a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings

From this reading A FAMILY COUNCIL To prevent the skeleton in the Uskoff family cup-board escaping into the street, the most rigorous measures were taken.

a detailed critical inspection

From this reading Sasha Uskoff, aged twenty-five, the cause of all this upheaval, arrived some time ago; and on the advice of kind-hearted Ivan Markovitch, his maternal uncle, sat demurely in the corridor outside the study door, and prepared himself for sincere, open-hearted confession.

understood in a certain way; made sense of

From this reading A FAMILY COUNCIL To prevent the skeleton in the Uskoff family cup-board escaping into the street, the most rigorous measures were taken.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading The wife of the culprit's uncle, her sister, and the governess, although initiated into the mystery, pretended that they knew nothing whatever about it; they sat silently in the dining-room, and dared not show their faces in the drawing-room or hall.

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

From this reading A FAMILY COUNCIL To prevent the skeleton in the Uskoff family cup-board escaping into the street, the most rigorous measures were taken.

a building where theatrical performances or motion-picture shows can be presented

From this reading One half of the servants was packed off to the theatre and circus, and the other half sat imprisoned in the kitchen.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading The wife of the culprit's uncle, her sister, and the governess, although initiated into the mystery, pretended that they knew nothing whatever about it; they sat silently in the dining-room, and dared not show their faces in the drawing-room or hall.

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

From this reading The wife of the culprit's uncle, her sister, and the governess, although initiated into the mystery, pretended that they knew nothing whatever about it; they sat silently in the dining-room, and dared not show their faces in the drawing-room or hall.

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

From this reading Sasha Uskoff, aged twenty-five, the cause of all this upheaval, arrived some time ago; and on the advice of kind-hearted Ivan Markovitch, his maternal uncle, sat demurely in the corridor outside the study door, and prepared himself for sincere, open-hearted confession.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading Sasha Uskoff, aged twenty-five, the cause of all this upheaval, arrived some time ago; and on the advice of kind-hearted Ivan Markovitch, his maternal uncle, sat demurely in the corridor outside the study door, and prepared himself for sincere, open-hearted confession.

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

From this reading A FAMILY COUNCIL To prevent the skeleton in the Uskoff family cup-board escaping into the street, the most rigorous measures were taken.

being five more than twenty

From this reading Sasha Uskoff, aged twenty-five, the cause of all this upheaval, arrived some time ago; and on the advice of kind-hearted Ivan Markovitch, his maternal uncle, sat demurely in the corridor outside the study door, and prepared himself for sincere, open-hearted confession.

the brother of your father or mother; the husband of your aunt

From this reading The wife of the culprit's uncle, her sister, and the governess, although initiated into the mystery, pretended that they knew nothing whatever about it; they sat silently in the dining-room, and dared not show their faces in the drawing-room or hall.

a state of violent disturbance and disorder (as in politics or social conditions generally)

From this reading Sasha Uskoff, aged twenty-five, the cause of all this upheaval, arrived some time ago; and on the advice of kind-hearted Ivan Markovitch, his maternal uncle, sat demurely in the corridor outside the study door, and prepared himself for sincere, open-hearted confession.

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

From this reading A FAMILY COUNCIL To prevent the skeleton in the Uskoff family cup-board escaping into the street, the most rigorous measures were taken.

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

From this reading One half of the servants was packed off to the theatre and circus, and the other half sat imprisoned in the kitchen.

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

From this reading A FAMILY COUNCIL To prevent the skeleton in the Uskoff family cup-board escaping into the street, the most rigorous measures were taken.

any or all of a kind, it does not matter which

From this reading The wife of the culprit's uncle, her sister, and the governess, although initiated into the mystery, pretended that they knew nothing whatever about it; they sat silently in the dining-room, and dared not show their faces in the drawing-room or hall.

a married woman; a man's partner in marriage

From this reading The wife of the culprit's uncle, her sister, and the governess, although initiated into the mystery, pretended that they knew nothing whatever about it; they sat silently in the dining-room, and dared not show their faces in the drawing-room or hall.