Chapter XXV · The First Wife

later than; following

From this reading After the first few days, during which he was all kindness and devotion, he did not try to comfort her, but seemed irritated that she should mourn so deeply for the child which, but for her indiscretion, might have been living still.

(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 After the first few days, during which he was all kindness and devotion, he did not try to comfort her, but seemed irritated that she should mourn so deeply for the child which, but for her indiscretion, might have been living still.

Having no one else present.

From this reading He did not like staying at home, and their evenings, when they were alone, passed in gloomy silence.

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

From this reading Katy was very unhappy in her city home, and the world, as she looked upon it, seemed utterly cheerless.

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

From this reading Katy was very unhappy in her city home, and the world, as she looked upon it, seemed utterly cheerless.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading He did not like staying at home, and their evenings, when they were alone, passed in gloomy silence.

have

From this reading At last Mrs. Cameron brought her influence to bear upon her daughter-in-law, trying to rouse her to something like her olden interest in the world; but all to no effect, and matters grew constantly worse, as Wilford thought Katy unreasonable and selfish, while Katy tried hard not to think him harsh in his judgment of her, and exacting in his requirements.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading After the first few days, during which he was all kindness and devotion, he did not try to comfort her, but seemed irritated that she should mourn so deeply for the child which, but for her indiscretion, might have been living still.

put or pin the blame on

From this reading For much of this unhappiness Wilford was himself to blame.

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

From this reading At last Mrs. Cameron brought her influence to bear upon her daughter-in-law, trying to rouse her to something like her olden interest in the world; but all to no effect, and matters grew constantly worse, as Wilford thought Katy unreasonable and selfish, while Katy tried hard not to think him harsh in his judgment of her, and exacting in his requirements.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading After the first few days, during which he was all kindness and devotion, he did not try to comfort her, but seemed irritated that she should mourn so deeply for the child which, but for her indiscretion, might have been living still.

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

From this reading At last Mrs. Cameron brought her influence to bear upon her daughter-in-law, trying to rouse her to something like her olden interest in the world; but all to no effect, and matters grew constantly worse, as Wilford thought Katy unreasonable and selfish, while Katy tried hard not to think him harsh in his judgment of her, and exacting in his requirements.

causing sad feelings of gloom and inadequacy

From this reading Katy was very unhappy in her city home, and the world, as she looked upon it, seemed utterly cheerless.

a young person of either sex

From this reading After the first few days, during which he was all kindness and devotion, he did not try to comfort her, but seemed irritated that she should mourn so deeply for the child which, but for her indiscretion, might have been living still.

a large and densely populated urban area; may include several independent administrative districts

From this reading Katy was very unhappy in her city home, and the world, as she looked upon it, seemed utterly cheerless.

a state of being relaxed and feeling no pain

From this reading After the first few days, during which he was all kindness and devotion, he did not try to comfort her, but seemed irritated that she should mourn so deeply for the child which, but for her indiscretion, might have been living still.

without variation or change, in every case

From this reading At last Mrs. Cameron brought her influence to bear upon her daughter-in-law, trying to rouse her to something like her olden interest in the world; but all to no effect, and matters grew constantly worse, as Wilford thought Katy unreasonable and selfish, while Katy tried hard not to think him harsh in his judgment of her, and exacting in his requirements.

the wife of your son

From this reading At last Mrs. Cameron brought her influence to bear upon her daughter-in-law, trying to rouse her to something like her olden interest in the world; but all to no effect, and matters grew constantly worse, as Wilford thought Katy unreasonable and selfish, while Katy tried hard not to think him harsh in his judgment of her, and exacting in his requirements.

the time during which someone's life continues

From this reading After the first few days, during which he was all kindness and devotion, he did not try to comfort her, but seemed irritated that she should mourn so deeply for the child which, but for her indiscretion, might have been living still.

to a great depth psychologically or emotionally

From this reading After the first few days, during which he was all kindness and devotion, he did not try to comfort her, but seemed irritated that she should mourn so deeply for the child which, but for her indiscretion, might have been living still.

feelings of ardent love

From this reading After the first few days, during which he was all kindness and devotion, he did not try to comfort her, but seemed irritated that she should mourn so deeply for the child which, but for her indiscretion, might have been living still.

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

From this reading After the first few days, during which he was all kindness and devotion, he did not try to comfort her, but seemed irritated that she should mourn so deeply for the child which, but for her indiscretion, might have been living still.

all through a period, or at some point within it

From this reading After the first few days, during which he was all kindness and devotion, he did not try to comfort her, but seemed irritated that she should mourn so deeply for the child which, but for her indiscretion, might have been living still.

a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon

From this reading At last Mrs. Cameron brought her influence to bear upon her daughter-in-law, trying to rouse her to something like her olden interest in the world; but all to no effect, and matters grew constantly worse, as Wilford thought Katy unreasonable and selfish, while Katy tried hard not to think him harsh in his judgment of her, and exacting in his requirements.

plural of “evening” — the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)

From this reading He did not like staying at home, and their evenings, when they were alone, passed in gloomy silence.

having complicated nutritional requirements; especially growing only in special artificial cultures

From this reading At last Mrs. Cameron brought her influence to bear upon her daughter-in-law, trying to rouse her to something like her olden interest in the world; but all to no effect, and matters grew constantly worse, as Wilford thought Katy unreasonable and selfish, while Katy tried hard not to think him harsh in his judgment of her, and exacting in his requirements.

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

From this reading After the first few days, during which he was all kindness and devotion, he did not try to comfort her, but seemed irritated that she should mourn so deeply for the child which, but for her indiscretion, might have been living still.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading After the first few days, during which he was all kindness and devotion, he did not try to comfort her, but seemed irritated that she should mourn so deeply for the child which, but for her indiscretion, might have been living still.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading For much of this unhappiness Wilford was himself to blame.

depressingly dark

From this reading He did not like staying at home, and their evenings, when they were alone, passed in gloomy silence.

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

From this reading At last Mrs. Cameron brought her influence to bear upon her daughter-in-law, trying to rouse her to something like her olden interest in the world; but all to no effect, and matters grew constantly worse, as Wilford thought Katy unreasonable and selfish, while Katy tried hard not to think him harsh in his judgment of her, and exacting in his requirements.

not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure

From this reading At last Mrs. Cameron brought her influence to bear upon her daughter-in-law, trying to rouse her to something like her olden interest in the world; but all to no effect, and matters grew constantly worse, as Wilford thought Katy unreasonable and selfish, while Katy tried hard not to think him harsh in his judgment of her, and exacting in his requirements.

unpleasantly stern

From this reading At last Mrs. Cameron brought her influence to bear upon her daughter-in-law, trying to rouse her to something like her olden interest in the world; but all to no effect, and matters grew constantly worse, as Wilford thought Katy unreasonable and selfish, while Katy tried hard not to think him harsh in his judgment of her, and exacting in his requirements.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading After the first few days, during which he was all kindness and devotion, he did not try to comfort her, but seemed irritated that she should mourn so deeply for the child which, but for her indiscretion, might have been living still.

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

From this reading After the first few days, during which he was all kindness and devotion, he did not try to comfort her, but seemed irritated that she should mourn so deeply for the child which, but for her indiscretion, might have been living still.

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

From this reading Katy was very unhappy in her city home, and the world, as she looked upon it, seemed utterly cheerless.

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

From this reading At last Mrs. Cameron brought her influence to bear upon her daughter-in-law, trying to rouse her to something like her olden interest in the world; but all to no effect, and matters grew constantly worse, as Wilford thought Katy unreasonable and selfish, while Katy tried hard not to think him harsh in his judgment of her, and exacting in his requirements.

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

From this reading For much of this unhappiness Wilford was himself to blame.

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

From this reading At last Mrs. Cameron brought her influence to bear upon her daughter-in-law, trying to rouse her to something like her olden interest in the world; but all to no effect, and matters grew constantly worse, as Wilford thought Katy unreasonable and selfish, while Katy tried hard not to think him harsh in his judgment of her, and exacting in his requirements.

where you live at a particular time

From this reading Katy was very unhappy in her city home, and the world, as she looked upon it, seemed utterly cheerless.

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

From this reading Katy was very unhappy in her city home, and the world, as she looked upon it, seemed utterly cheerless.

the trait of being injudicious

From this reading After the first few days, during which he was all kindness and devotion, he did not try to comfort her, but seemed irritated that she should mourn so deeply for the child which, but for her indiscretion, might have been living still.

a power to affect persons or events especially power based on prestige etc

From this reading At last Mrs. Cameron brought her influence to bear upon her daughter-in-law, trying to rouse her to something like her olden interest in the world; but all to no effect, and matters grew constantly worse, as Wilford thought Katy unreasonable and selfish, while Katy tried hard not to think him harsh in his judgment of her, and exacting in his requirements.

a sense of concern with and curiosity about someone or something

From this reading At last Mrs. Cameron brought her influence to bear upon her daughter-in-law, trying to rouse her to something like her olden interest in the world; but all to no effect, and matters grew constantly worse, as Wilford thought Katy unreasonable and selfish, while Katy tried hard not to think him harsh in his judgment of her, and exacting in his requirements.

aroused to impatience or anger

From this reading After the first few days, during which he was all kindness and devotion, he did not try to comfort her, but seemed irritated that she should mourn so deeply for the child which, but for her indiscretion, might have been living still.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Katy was very unhappy in her city home, and the world, as she looked upon it, seemed utterly cheerless.

an opinion formed by judging something

From this reading At last Mrs. Cameron brought her influence to bear upon her daughter-in-law, trying to rouse her to something like her olden interest in the world; but all to no effect, and matters grew constantly worse, as Wilford thought Katy unreasonable and selfish, while Katy tried hard not to think him harsh in his judgment of her, and exacting in his requirements.

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

From this reading Katy was very unhappy in her city home, and the world, as she looked upon it, seemed utterly cheerless.

the quality of being warmhearted and considerate and humane and sympathetic

From this reading After the first few days, during which he was all kindness and devotion, he did not try to comfort her, but seemed irritated that she should mourn so deeply for the child which, but for her indiscretion, might have been living still.

immediately past

From this reading At last Mrs. Cameron brought her influence to bear upon her daughter-in-law, trying to rouse her to something like her olden interest in the world; but all to no effect, and matters grew constantly worse, as Wilford thought Katy unreasonable and selfish, while Katy tried hard not to think him harsh in his judgment of her, and exacting in his requirements.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading He did not like staying at home, and their evenings, when they were alone, passed in gloomy silence.

the experience of being alive; the course of human events and activities

From this reading After the first few days, during which he was all kindness and devotion, he did not try to comfort her, but seemed irritated that she should mourn so deeply for the child which, but for her indiscretion, might have been living still.

past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading Katy was very unhappy in her city home, and the world, as she looked upon it, seemed utterly cheerless.

plural of “matter” — a vaguely specified concern

From this reading At last Mrs. Cameron brought her influence to bear upon her daughter-in-law, trying to rouse her to something like her olden interest in the world; but all to no effect, and matters grew constantly worse, as Wilford thought Katy unreasonable and selfish, while Katy tried hard not to think him harsh in his judgment of her, and exacting in his requirements.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading After the first few days, during which he was all kindness and devotion, he did not try to comfort her, but seemed irritated that she should mourn so deeply for the child which, but for her indiscretion, might have been living still.

feel sadness

From this reading After the first few days, during which he was all kindness and devotion, he did not try to comfort her, but seemed irritated that she should mourn so deeply for the child which, but for her indiscretion, might have been living still.

a form of address for a married woman

From this reading At last Mrs. Cameron brought her influence to bear upon her daughter-in-law, trying to rouse her to something like her olden interest in the world; but all to no effect, and matters grew constantly worse, as Wilford thought Katy unreasonable and selfish, while Katy tried hard not to think him harsh in his judgment of her, and exacting in his requirements.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading For much of this unhappiness Wilford was himself to blame.

not any; not one

From this reading At last Mrs. Cameron brought her influence to bear upon her daughter-in-law, trying to rouse her to something like her olden interest in the world; but all to no effect, and matters grew constantly worse, as Wilford thought Katy unreasonable and selfish, while Katy tried hard not to think him harsh in his judgment of her, and exacting in his requirements.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading After the first few days, during which he was all kindness and devotion, he did not try to comfort her, but seemed irritated that she should mourn so deeply for the child which, but for her indiscretion, might have been living still.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading For much of this unhappiness Wilford was himself to blame.

relating to time long past

From this reading At last Mrs. Cameron brought her influence to bear upon her daughter-in-law, trying to rouse her to something like her olden interest in the world; but all to no effect, and matters grew constantly worse, as Wilford thought Katy unreasonable and selfish, while Katy tried hard not to think him harsh in his judgment of her, and exacting in his requirements.

past form of “pass” — go across or through

From this reading He did not like staying at home, and their evenings, when they were alone, passed in gloomy silence.

plural of “requirement” — required activity

From this reading At last Mrs. Cameron brought her influence to bear upon her daughter-in-law, trying to rouse her to something like her olden interest in the world; but all to no effect, and matters grew constantly worse, as Wilford thought Katy unreasonable and selfish, while Katy tried hard not to think him harsh in his judgment of her, and exacting in his requirements.

become active

From this reading At last Mrs. Cameron brought her influence to bear upon her daughter-in-law, trying to rouse her to something like her olden interest in the world; but all to no effect, and matters grew constantly worse, as Wilford thought Katy unreasonable and selfish, while Katy tried hard not to think him harsh in his judgment of her, and exacting in his requirements.

past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading Katy was very unhappy in her city home, and the world, as she looked upon it, seemed utterly cheerless.

concerned chiefly or only with yourself and your advantage to the exclusion of others

From this reading At last Mrs. Cameron brought her influence to bear upon her daughter-in-law, trying to rouse her to something like her olden interest in the world; but all to no effect, and matters grew constantly worse, as Wilford thought Katy unreasonable and selfish, while Katy tried hard not to think him harsh in his judgment of her, and exacting in his requirements.

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

From this reading Katy was very unhappy in her city home, and the world, as she looked upon it, seemed utterly cheerless.

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading After the first few days, during which he was all kindness and devotion, he did not try to comfort her, but seemed irritated that she should mourn so deeply for the child which, but for her indiscretion, might have been living still.

Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.

From this reading He did not like staying at home, and their evenings, when they were alone, passed in gloomy silence.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading After the first few days, during which he was all kindness and devotion, he did not try to comfort her, but seemed irritated that she should mourn so deeply for the child which, but for her indiscretion, might have been living still.

a thing, without saying which

From this reading At last Mrs. Cameron brought her influence to bear upon her daughter-in-law, trying to rouse her to something like her olden interest in the world; but all to no effect, and matters grew constantly worse, as Wilford thought Katy unreasonable and selfish, while Katy tried hard not to think him harsh in his judgment of her, and exacting in his requirements.

-ing form of “stay” — stay the same; remain in a certain state

From this reading He did not like staying at home, and their evenings, when they were alone, passed in gloomy silence.

not in physical motion

From this reading After the first few days, during which he was all kindness and devotion, he did not try to comfort her, but seemed irritated that she should mourn so deeply for the child which, but for her indiscretion, might have been living still.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading After the first few days, during which he was all kindness and devotion, he did not try to comfort her, but seemed irritated that she should mourn so deeply for the child which, but for her indiscretion, might have been living still.

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

From this reading Katy was very unhappy in her city home, and the world, as she looked upon it, seemed utterly cheerless.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading He did not like staying at home, and their evenings, when they were alone, passed in gloomy silence.

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

From this reading He did not like staying at home, and their evenings, when they were alone, passed in gloomy silence.

judge or regard; look upon; judge

From this reading At last Mrs. Cameron brought her influence to bear upon her daughter-in-law, trying to rouse her to something like her olden interest in the world; but all to no effect, and matters grew constantly worse, as Wilford thought Katy unreasonable and selfish, while Katy tried hard not to think him harsh in his judgment of her, and exacting in his requirements.

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

From this reading For much of this unhappiness Wilford was himself to blame.

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

From this reading At last Mrs. Cameron brought her influence to bear upon her daughter-in-law, trying to rouse her to something like her olden interest in the world; but all to no effect, and matters grew constantly worse, as Wilford thought Katy unreasonable and selfish, while Katy tried hard not to think him harsh in his judgment of her, and exacting in his requirements.

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

From this reading For much of this unhappiness Wilford was himself to blame.

tested and proved useful or correct

From this reading At last Mrs. Cameron brought her influence to bear upon her daughter-in-law, trying to rouse her to something like her olden interest in the world; but all to no effect, and matters grew constantly worse, as Wilford thought Katy unreasonable and selfish, while Katy tried hard not to think him harsh in his judgment of her, and exacting in his requirements.

make an effort or attempt

From this reading After the first few days, during which he was all kindness and devotion, he did not try to comfort her, but seemed irritated that she should mourn so deeply for the child which, but for her indiscretion, might have been living still.

hard to endure

From this reading At last Mrs. Cameron brought her influence to bear upon her daughter-in-law, trying to rouse her to something like her olden interest in the world; but all to no effect, and matters grew constantly worse, as Wilford thought Katy unreasonable and selfish, while Katy tried hard not to think him harsh in his judgment of her, and exacting in his requirements.

emotions experienced when not in a state of well-being

From this reading For much of this unhappiness Wilford was himself to blame.

experiencing or marked by or causing sadness or sorrow or discontent

From this reading Katy was very unhappy in her city home, and the world, as she looked upon it, seemed utterly cheerless.

not reasonable; not showing good judgment

From this reading At last Mrs. Cameron brought her influence to bear upon her daughter-in-law, trying to rouse her to something like her olden interest in the world; but all to no effect, and matters grew constantly worse, as Wilford thought Katy unreasonable and selfish, while Katy tried hard not to think him harsh in his judgment of her, and exacting in his requirements.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading Katy was very unhappy in her city home, and the world, as she looked upon it, seemed utterly cheerless.

completely and without qualification; used informally as intensifiers

From this reading Katy was very unhappy in her city home, and the world, as she looked upon it, seemed utterly cheerless.

precisely as stated

From this reading Katy was very unhappy in her city home, and the world, as she looked upon it, seemed utterly cheerless.

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

From this reading Katy was very unhappy in her city home, and the world, as she looked upon it, seemed utterly cheerless.

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

From this reading He did not like staying at home, and their evenings, when they were alone, passed in gloomy silence.

at the time that

From this reading He did not like staying at home, and their evenings, when they were alone, passed in gloomy silence.

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

From this reading After the first few days, during which he was all kindness and devotion, he did not try to comfort her, but seemed irritated that she should mourn so deeply for the child which, but for her indiscretion, might have been living still.

during the time that

From this reading At last Mrs. Cameron brought her influence to bear upon her daughter-in-law, trying to rouse her to something like her olden interest in the world; but all to no effect, and matters grew constantly worse, as Wilford thought Katy unreasonable and selfish, while Katy tried hard not to think him harsh in his judgment of her, and exacting in his requirements.

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

From this reading For much of this unhappiness Wilford was himself to blame.

everything that exists anywhere

From this reading Katy was very unhappy in her city home, and the world, as she looked upon it, seemed utterly cheerless.

(comparative of “bad”) inferior to another in quality or condition or desirability

From this reading At last Mrs. Cameron brought her influence to bear upon her daughter-in-law, trying to rouse her to something like her olden interest in the world; but all to no effect, and matters grew constantly worse, as Wilford thought Katy unreasonable and selfish, while Katy tried hard not to think him harsh in his judgment of her, and exacting in his requirements.