Chapter VI · Chapter 6

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

From this reading Three weeks had passed with inconceivable rapidity, leaving Nora with the dazed feeling that one has sometimes when waking from a fantastic dream.

(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something

From this reading There were moments when she was overwhelmed with the utter hopelessness of ever being able to adapt herself to a mode of life so foreign to all her traditions.

make fit for, or change to suit a new purpose

From this reading There were moments when she was overwhelmed with the utter hopelessness of ever being able to adapt herself to a mode of life so foreign to all her traditions.

plural of “age” — how long something has existed

From this reading She had, she told herself, been prepared to find everything different from life at home; and, while she had smiled--on that day such ages ago when young Hornby had called on her at Tunbridge Wells to announce his impending departure from the land of his birth--at his airy theory that the life of the Canadian farmer was largely occupied with riding, hunting, dancing and tennis, she found to her dismay that her own mental picture of her brother's existence had been nearly as far from the reality.

in the past

From this reading She had, she told herself, been prepared to find everything different from life at home; and, while she had smiled--on that day such ages ago when young Hornby had called on her at Tunbridge Wells to announce his impending departure from the land of his birth--at his airy theory that the life of the Canadian farmer was largely occupied with riding, hunting, dancing and tennis, she found to her dismay that her own mental picture of her brother's existence had been nearly as far from the reality.

open to or abounding in fresh air

From this reading She had, she told herself, been prepared to find everything different from life at home; and, while she had smiled--on that day such ages ago when young Hornby had called on her at Tunbridge Wells to announce his impending departure from the land of his birth--at his airy theory that the life of the Canadian farmer was largely occupied with riding, hunting, dancing and tennis, she found to her dismay that her own mental picture of her brother's existence had been nearly as far from the reality.

(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 There were moments when she was overwhelmed with the utter hopelessness of ever being able to adapt herself to a mode of life so foreign to all her traditions.

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

From this reading She had, she told herself, been prepared to find everything different from life at home; and, while she had smiled--on that day such ages ago when young Hornby had called on her at Tunbridge Wells to announce his impending departure from the land of his birth--at his airy theory that the life of the Canadian farmer was largely occupied with riding, hunting, dancing and tennis, she found to her dismay that her own mental picture of her brother's existence had been nearly as far from the reality.

make known; make an announcement

From this reading She had, she told herself, been prepared to find everything different from life at home; and, while she had smiled--on that day such ages ago when young Hornby had called on her at Tunbridge Wells to announce his impending departure from the land of his birth--at his airy theory that the life of the Canadian farmer was largely occupied with riding, hunting, dancing and tennis, she found to her dismay that her own mental picture of her brother's existence had been nearly as far from the reality.

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

From this reading She had, she told herself, been prepared to find everything different from life at home; and, while she had smiled--on that day such ages ago when young Hornby had called on her at Tunbridge Wells to announce his impending departure from the land of his birth--at his airy theory that the life of the Canadian farmer was largely occupied with riding, hunting, dancing and tennis, she found to her dismay that her own mental picture of her brother's existence had been nearly as far from the reality.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading She had, she told herself, been prepared to find everything different from life at home; and, while she had smiled--on that day such ages ago when young Hornby had called on her at Tunbridge Wells to announce his impending departure from the land of his birth--at his airy theory that the life of the Canadian farmer was largely occupied with riding, hunting, dancing and tennis, she found to her dismay that her own mental picture of her brother's existence had been nearly as far from the reality.

the process whereby a person concentrates on some features of the environment to the (relative) exclusion of others

From this reading Nora had paid but little attention at the moment, thinking that he probably meant the house itself.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading She had, she told herself, been prepared to find everything different from life at home; and, while she had smiled--on that day such ages ago when young Hornby had called on her at Tunbridge Wells to announce his impending departure from the land of his birth--at his airy theory that the life of the Canadian farmer was largely occupied with riding, hunting, dancing and tennis, she found to her dismay that her own mental picture of her brother's existence had been nearly as far from the reality.

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading There were moments when she was overwhelmed with the utter hopelessness of ever being able to adapt herself to a mode of life so foreign to all her traditions.

the time when something begins (especially life)

From this reading She had, she told herself, been prepared to find everything different from life at home; and, while she had smiled--on that day such ages ago when young Hornby had called on her at Tunbridge Wells to announce his impending departure from the land of his birth--at his airy theory that the life of the Canadian farmer was largely occupied with riding, hunting, dancing and tennis, she found to her dismay that her own mental picture of her brother's existence had been nearly as far from the reality.

possessive form of “brother” — a male with the same parents as someone else

From this reading She had, she told herself, been prepared to find everything different from life at home; and, while she had smiled--on that day such ages ago when young Hornby had called on her at Tunbridge Wells to announce his impending departure from the land of his birth--at his airy theory that the life of the Canadian farmer was largely occupied with riding, hunting, dancing and tennis, she found to her dismay that her own mental picture of her brother's existence had been nearly as far from the reality.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Nora had paid but little attention at the moment, thinking that he probably meant the house itself.

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

From this reading She had, she told herself, been prepared to find everything different from life at home; and, while she had smiled--on that day such ages ago when young Hornby had called on her at Tunbridge Wells to announce his impending departure from the land of his birth--at his airy theory that the life of the Canadian farmer was largely occupied with riding, hunting, dancing and tennis, she found to her dismay that her own mental picture of her brother's existence had been nearly as far from the reality.

of or relating to Canada or its people

From this reading She had, she told herself, been prepared to find everything different from life at home; and, while she had smiled--on that day such ages ago when young Hornby had called on her at Tunbridge Wells to announce his impending departure from the land of his birth--at his airy theory that the life of the Canadian farmer was largely occupied with riding, hunting, dancing and tennis, she found to her dismay that her own mental picture of her brother's existence had been nearly as far from the reality.

taking a series of rhythmical steps (and movements) in time to music

From this reading She had, she told herself, been prepared to find everything different from life at home; and, while she had smiled--on that day such ages ago when young Hornby had called on her at Tunbridge Wells to announce his impending departure from the land of his birth--at his airy theory that the life of the Canadian farmer was largely occupied with riding, hunting, dancing and tennis, she found to her dismay that her own mental picture of her brother's existence had been nearly as far from the reality.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading She had, she told herself, been prepared to find everything different from life at home; and, while she had smiled--on that day such ages ago when young Hornby had called on her at Tunbridge Wells to announce his impending departure from the land of his birth--at his airy theory that the life of the Canadian farmer was largely occupied with riding, hunting, dancing and tennis, she found to her dismay that her own mental picture of her brother's existence had been nearly as far from the reality.

in a state of mental numbness especially as resulting from shock

From this reading Three weeks had passed with inconceivable rapidity, leaving Nora with the dazed feeling that one has sometimes when waking from a fantastic dream.

the act of departing

From this reading She had, she told herself, been prepared to find everything different from life at home; and, while she had smiled--on that day such ages ago when young Hornby had called on her at Tunbridge Wells to announce his impending departure from the land of his birth--at his airy theory that the life of the Canadian farmer was largely occupied with riding, hunting, dancing and tennis, she found to her dismay that her own mental picture of her brother's existence had been nearly as far from the reality.

unlike in nature or quality or form or degree

From this reading She had, she told herself, been prepared to find everything different from life at home; and, while she had smiled--on that day such ages ago when young Hornby had called on her at Tunbridge Wells to announce his impending departure from the land of his birth--at his airy theory that the life of the Canadian farmer was largely occupied with riding, hunting, dancing and tennis, she found to her dismay that her own mental picture of her brother's existence had been nearly as far from the reality.

the feeling of despair in the face of obstacles

From this reading She had, she told herself, been prepared to find everything different from life at home; and, while she had smiled--on that day such ages ago when young Hornby had called on her at Tunbridge Wells to announce his impending departure from the land of his birth--at his airy theory that the life of the Canadian farmer was largely occupied with riding, hunting, dancing and tennis, she found to her dismay that her own mental picture of her brother's existence had been nearly as far from the reality.

A series of thoughts, images, or emotions during sleep.

From this reading Three weeks had passed with inconceivable rapidity, leaving Nora with the dazed feeling that one has sometimes when waking from a fantastic dream.

operate or control a vehicle

From this reading On the drive over from the station, Eddie had vaguely remarked that he had a great surprise for her when she reached the house.

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

From this reading On the drive over from the station, Eddie had vaguely remarked that he had a great surprise for her when she reached the house.

at any time

From this reading There were moments when she was overwhelmed with the utter hopelessness of ever being able to adapt herself to a mode of life so foreign to all her traditions.

all things; all of a situation

From this reading She had, she told herself, been prepared to find everything different from life at home; and, while she had smiled--on that day such ages ago when young Hornby had called on her at Tunbridge Wells to announce his impending departure from the land of his birth--at his airy theory that the life of the Canadian farmer was largely occupied with riding, hunting, dancing and tennis, she found to her dismay that her own mental picture of her brother's existence had been nearly as far from the reality.

the state or fact of existing

From this reading She had, she told herself, been prepared to find everything different from life at home; and, while she had smiled--on that day such ages ago when young Hornby had called on her at Tunbridge Wells to announce his impending departure from the land of his birth--at his airy theory that the life of the Canadian farmer was largely occupied with riding, hunting, dancing and tennis, she found to her dismay that her own mental picture of her brother's existence had been nearly as far from the reality.

ludicrously odd

From this reading Three weeks had passed with inconceivable rapidity, leaving Nora with the dazed feeling that one has sometimes when waking from a fantastic dream.

to a considerable degree; very much

From this reading She had, she told herself, been prepared to find everything different from life at home; and, while she had smiled--on that day such ages ago when young Hornby had called on her at Tunbridge Wells to announce his impending departure from the land of his birth--at his airy theory that the life of the Canadian farmer was largely occupied with riding, hunting, dancing and tennis, she found to her dismay that her own mental picture of her brother's existence had been nearly as far from the reality.

a person who operates a farm

From this reading She had, she told herself, been prepared to find everything different from life at home; and, while she had smiled--on that day such ages ago when young Hornby had called on her at Tunbridge Wells to announce his impending departure from the land of his birth--at his airy theory that the life of the Canadian farmer was largely occupied with riding, hunting, dancing and tennis, she found to her dismay that her own mental picture of her brother's existence had been nearly as far from the reality.

the experiencing of affective and emotional states

From this reading Three weeks had passed with inconceivable rapidity, leaving Nora with the dazed feeling that one has sometimes when waking from a fantastic dream.

come upon, as if by accident; meet with

From this reading She had, she told herself, been prepared to find everything different from life at home; and, while she had smiled--on that day such ages ago when young Hornby had called on her at Tunbridge Wells to announce his impending departure from the land of his birth--at his airy theory that the life of the Canadian farmer was largely occupied with riding, hunting, dancing and tennis, she found to her dismay that her own mental picture of her brother's existence had been nearly as far from the reality.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading On the drive over from the station, Eddie had vaguely remarked that he had a great surprise for her when she reached the house.

of concern to or concerning the affairs of other nations (other than your own)

From this reading There were moments when she was overwhelmed with the utter hopelessness of ever being able to adapt herself to a mode of life so foreign to all her traditions.

set up or found

From this reading She had, she told herself, been prepared to find everything different from life at home; and, while she had smiled--on that day such ages ago when young Hornby had called on her at Tunbridge Wells to announce his impending departure from the land of his birth--at his airy theory that the life of the Canadian farmer was largely occupied with riding, hunting, dancing and tennis, she found to her dismay that her own mental picture of her brother's existence had been nearly as far from the reality.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Three weeks had passed with inconceivable rapidity, leaving Nora with the dazed feeling that one has sometimes when waking from a fantastic dream.

relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind

From this reading On the drive over from the station, Eddie had vaguely remarked that he had a great surprise for her when she reached the house.

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

From this reading Three weeks had passed with inconceivable rapidity, leaving Nora with the dazed feeling that one has sometimes when waking from a fantastic dream.

the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading Three weeks had passed with inconceivable rapidity, leaving Nora with the dazed feeling that one has sometimes when waking from a fantastic dream.

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

From this reading On the drive over from the station, Eddie had vaguely remarked that he had a great surprise for her when she reached the house.

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

From this reading There were moments when she was overwhelmed with the utter hopelessness of ever being able to adapt herself to a mode of life so foreign to all her traditions.

used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object

From this reading There were moments when she was overwhelmed with the utter hopelessness of ever being able to adapt herself to a mode of life so foreign to all her traditions.

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

From this reading She had, she told herself, been prepared to find everything different from life at home; and, while she had smiled--on that day such ages ago when young Hornby had called on her at Tunbridge Wells to announce his impending departure from the land of his birth--at his airy theory that the life of the Canadian farmer was largely occupied with riding, hunting, dancing and tennis, she found to her dismay that her own mental picture of her brother's existence had been nearly as far from the reality.

where you live at a particular time

From this reading She had, she told herself, been prepared to find everything different from life at home; and, while she had smiled--on that day such ages ago when young Hornby had called on her at Tunbridge Wells to announce his impending departure from the land of his birth--at his airy theory that the life of the Canadian farmer was largely occupied with riding, hunting, dancing and tennis, she found to her dismay that her own mental picture of her brother's existence had been nearly as far from the reality.

the despair you feel when you have abandoned hope of comfort or success

From this reading There were moments when she was overwhelmed with the utter hopelessness of ever being able to adapt herself to a mode of life so foreign to all her traditions.

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

From this reading She had, she told herself, been prepared to find everything different from life at home; and, while she had smiled--on that day such ages ago when young Hornby had called on her at Tunbridge Wells to announce his impending departure from the land of his birth--at his airy theory that the life of the Canadian farmer was largely occupied with riding, hunting, dancing and tennis, she found to her dismay that her own mental picture of her brother's existence had been nearly as far from the reality.

a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families

From this reading On the drive over from the station, Eddie had vaguely remarked that he had a great surprise for her when she reached the house.

the pursuit and killing or capture of wild animals regarded as a sport

From this reading She had, she told herself, been prepared to find everything different from life at home; and, while she had smiled--on that day such ages ago when young Hornby had called on her at Tunbridge Wells to announce his impending departure from the land of his birth--at his airy theory that the life of the Canadian farmer was largely occupied with riding, hunting, dancing and tennis, she found to her dismay that her own mental picture of her brother's existence had been nearly as far from the reality.

close in time; about to occur

From this reading She had, she told herself, been prepared to find everything different from life at home; and, while she had smiled--on that day such ages ago when young Hornby had called on her at Tunbridge Wells to announce his impending departure from the land of his birth--at his airy theory that the life of the Canadian farmer was largely occupied with riding, hunting, dancing and tennis, she found to her dismay that her own mental picture of her brother's existence had been nearly as far from the reality.

totally unlikely

From this reading Three weeks had passed with inconceivable rapidity, leaving Nora with the dazed feeling that one has sometimes when waking from a fantastic dream.

used when the thing doing the action is also its object

From this reading Nora had paid but little attention at the moment, thinking that he probably meant the house itself.

the land on which real estate is located

From this reading She had, she told herself, been prepared to find everything different from life at home; and, while she had smiled--on that day such ages ago when young Hornby had called on her at Tunbridge Wells to announce his impending departure from the land of his birth--at his airy theory that the life of the Canadian farmer was largely occupied with riding, hunting, dancing and tennis, she found to her dismay that her own mental picture of her brother's existence had been nearly as far from the reality.

in large part; mainly or chiefly

From this reading She had, she told herself, been prepared to find everything different from life at home; and, while she had smiled--on that day such ages ago when young Hornby had called on her at Tunbridge Wells to announce his impending departure from the land of his birth--at his airy theory that the life of the Canadian farmer was largely occupied with riding, hunting, dancing and tennis, she found to her dismay that her own mental picture of her brother's existence had been nearly as far from the reality.

the act of departing

From this reading Three weeks had passed with inconceivable rapidity, leaving Nora with the dazed feeling that one has sometimes when waking from a fantastic dream.

a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading There were moments when she was overwhelmed with the utter hopelessness of ever being able to adapt herself to a mode of life so foreign to all her traditions.

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

From this reading Nora had paid but little attention at the moment, thinking that he probably meant the house itself.

inflected form of “mean” — mean or intend to express or convey

From this reading Nora had paid but little attention at the moment, thinking that he probably meant the house itself.

involving the mind or an intellectual process

From this reading She had, she told herself, been prepared to find everything different from life at home; and, while she had smiled--on that day such ages ago when young Hornby had called on her at Tunbridge Wells to announce his impending departure from the land of his birth--at his airy theory that the life of the Canadian farmer was largely occupied with riding, hunting, dancing and tennis, she found to her dismay that her own mental picture of her brother's existence had been nearly as far from the reality.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading There were moments when she was overwhelmed with the utter hopelessness of ever being able to adapt herself to a mode of life so foreign to all her traditions.

a particular point in time

From this reading Nora had paid but little attention at the moment, thinking that he probably meant the house itself.

plural of “moment” — a particular point in time

From this reading There were moments when she was overwhelmed with the utter hopelessness of ever being able to adapt herself to a mode of life so foreign to all her traditions.

(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but

From this reading She had, she told herself, been prepared to find everything different from life at home; and, while she had smiled--on that day such ages ago when young Hornby had called on her at Tunbridge Wells to announce his impending departure from the land of his birth--at his airy theory that the life of the Canadian farmer was largely occupied with riding, hunting, dancing and tennis, she found to her dismay that her own mental picture of her brother's existence had been nearly as far from the reality.

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

From this reading Three weeks had passed with inconceivable rapidity, leaving Nora with the dazed feeling that one has sometimes when waking from a fantastic dream.

held or filled or in use

From this reading She had, she told herself, been prepared to find everything different from life at home; and, while she had smiled--on that day such ages ago when young Hornby had called on her at Tunbridge Wells to announce his impending departure from the land of his birth--at his airy theory that the life of the Canadian farmer was largely occupied with riding, hunting, dancing and tennis, she found to her dismay that her own mental picture of her brother's existence had been nearly as far from the reality.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading There were moments when she was overwhelmed with the utter hopelessness of ever being able to adapt herself to a mode of life so foreign to all her traditions.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading She had, she told herself, been prepared to find everything different from life at home; and, while she had smiled--on that day such ages ago when young Hornby had called on her at Tunbridge Wells to announce his impending departure from the land of his birth--at his airy theory that the life of the Canadian farmer was largely occupied with riding, hunting, dancing and tennis, she found to her dismay that her own mental picture of her brother's existence had been nearly as far from the reality.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Three weeks had passed with inconceivable rapidity, leaving Nora with the dazed feeling that one has sometimes when waking from a fantastic dream.

above and across; more than

From this reading On the drive over from the station, Eddie had vaguely remarked that he had a great surprise for her when she reached the house.

past form of “overwhelm” — overcome, as with emotions or perceptual stimuli

From this reading There were moments when she was overwhelmed with the utter hopelessness of ever being able to adapt herself to a mode of life so foreign to all her traditions.

have ownership or possession of

From this reading She had, she told herself, been prepared to find everything different from life at home; and, while she had smiled--on that day such ages ago when young Hornby had called on her at Tunbridge Wells to announce his impending departure from the land of his birth--at his airy theory that the life of the Canadian farmer was largely occupied with riding, hunting, dancing and tennis, she found to her dismay that her own mental picture of her brother's existence had been nearly as far from the reality.

marked by the reception of pay

From this reading Nora had paid but little attention at the moment, thinking that he probably meant the house itself.

past form of “pass” — go across or through

From this reading Three weeks had passed with inconceivable rapidity, leaving Nora with the dazed feeling that one has sometimes when waking from a fantastic dream.

a visual representation (of an object or scene or person or abstraction) produced on a surface

From this reading She had, she told herself, been prepared to find everything different from life at home; and, while she had smiled--on that day such ages ago when young Hornby had called on her at Tunbridge Wells to announce his impending departure from the land of his birth--at his airy theory that the life of the Canadian farmer was largely occupied with riding, hunting, dancing and tennis, she found to her dismay that her own mental picture of her brother's existence had been nearly as far from the reality.

made ready or fit or suitable beforehand

From this reading She had, she told herself, been prepared to find everything different from life at home; and, while she had smiled--on that day such ages ago when young Hornby had called on her at Tunbridge Wells to announce his impending departure from the land of his birth--at his airy theory that the life of the Canadian farmer was largely occupied with riding, hunting, dancing and tennis, she found to her dismay that her own mental picture of her brother's existence had been nearly as far from the reality.

with considerable certainty; without much doubt

From this reading Nora had paid but little attention at the moment, thinking that he probably meant the house itself.

a rate that is rapid

From this reading Three weeks had passed with inconceivable rapidity, leaving Nora with the dazed feeling that one has sometimes when waking from a fantastic dream.

past form of “reach” — reach a destination, either real or abstract

From this reading On the drive over from the station, Eddie had vaguely remarked that he had a great surprise for her when she reached the house.

all of your experiences that determine how things appear to you

From this reading She had, she told herself, been prepared to find everything different from life at home; and, while she had smiled--on that day such ages ago when young Hornby had called on her at Tunbridge Wells to announce his impending departure from the land of his birth--at his airy theory that the life of the Canadian farmer was largely occupied with riding, hunting, dancing and tennis, she found to her dismay that her own mental picture of her brother's existence had been nearly as far from the reality.

past form of “remark” — make mention of

From this reading On the drive over from the station, Eddie had vaguely remarked that he had a great surprise for her when she reached the house.

the sport of sitting on the back of a horse while controlling its movements

From this reading She had, she told herself, been prepared to find everything different from life at home; and, while she had smiled--on that day such ages ago when young Hornby had called on her at Tunbridge Wells to announce his impending departure from the land of his birth--at his airy theory that the life of the Canadian farmer was largely occupied with riding, hunting, dancing and tennis, she found to her dismay that her own mental picture of her brother's existence had been nearly as far from the reality.

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

From this reading There were moments when she was overwhelmed with the utter hopelessness of ever being able to adapt herself to a mode of life so foreign to all her traditions.

past form of “smile” — change one's facial expression by spreading the lips, often to signal pleasure

From this reading She had, she told herself, been prepared to find everything different from life at home; and, while she had smiled--on that day such ages ago when young Hornby had called on her at Tunbridge Wells to announce his impending departure from the land of his birth--at his airy theory that the life of the Canadian farmer was largely occupied with riding, hunting, dancing and tennis, she found to her dismay that her own mental picture of her brother's existence had been nearly as far from the reality.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading There were moments when she was overwhelmed with the utter hopelessness of ever being able to adapt herself to a mode of life so foreign to all her traditions.

on certain occasions or in certain cases but not always

From this reading Three weeks had passed with inconceivable rapidity, leaving Nora with the dazed feeling that one has sometimes when waking from a fantastic dream.

a facility equipped with special equipment and personnel for a particular purpose

From this reading On the drive over from the station, Eddie had vaguely remarked that he had a great surprise for her when she reached the house.

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading She had, she told herself, been prepared to find everything different from life at home; and, while she had smiled--on that day such ages ago when young Hornby had called on her at Tunbridge Wells to announce his impending departure from the land of his birth--at his airy theory that the life of the Canadian farmer was largely occupied with riding, hunting, dancing and tennis, she found to her dismay that her own mental picture of her brother's existence had been nearly as far from the reality.

the astonishment you feel when something totally unexpected happens to you

From this reading On the drive over from the station, Eddie had vaguely remarked that he had a great surprise for her when she reached the house.

a game played with rackets by two or four players who hit a ball back and forth over a net that divides the court

From this reading She had, she told herself, been prepared to find everything different from life at home; and, while she had smiled--on that day such ages ago when young Hornby had called on her at Tunbridge Wells to announce his impending departure from the land of his birth--at his airy theory that the life of the Canadian farmer was largely occupied with riding, hunting, dancing and tennis, she found to her dismay that her own mental picture of her brother's existence had been nearly as far from the reality.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Three weeks had passed with inconceivable rapidity, leaving Nora with the dazed feeling that one has sometimes when waking from a fantastic dream.

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

From this reading Three weeks had passed with inconceivable rapidity, leaving Nora with the dazed feeling that one has sometimes when waking from a fantastic dream.

a well-substantiated explanation of some aspect of the natural world; an organized system of accepted knowledge that applies in a variety of circumstances to explain a specific set of phenomena

From this reading She had, she told herself, been prepared to find everything different from life at home; and, while she had smiled--on that day such ages ago when young Hornby had called on her at Tunbridge Wells to announce his impending departure from the land of his birth--at his airy theory that the life of the Canadian farmer was largely occupied with riding, hunting, dancing and tennis, she found to her dismay that her own mental picture of her brother's existence had been nearly as far from the reality.

in or at that place or location

From this reading There were moments when she was overwhelmed with the utter hopelessness of ever being able to adapt herself to a mode of life so foreign to all her traditions.

the process of using your mind to consider something carefully

From this reading Nora had paid but little attention at the moment, thinking that he probably meant the house itself.

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

From this reading Three weeks had passed with inconceivable rapidity, leaving Nora with the dazed feeling that one has sometimes when waking from a fantastic dream.

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

From this reading There were moments when she was overwhelmed with the utter hopelessness of ever being able to adapt herself to a mode of life so foreign to all her traditions.

inflected form of “tell” — express in words

From this reading She had, she told herself, been prepared to find everything different from life at home; and, while she had smiled--on that day such ages ago when young Hornby had called on her at Tunbridge Wells to announce his impending departure from the land of his birth--at his airy theory that the life of the Canadian farmer was largely occupied with riding, hunting, dancing and tennis, she found to her dismay that her own mental picture of her brother's existence had been nearly as far from the reality.

plural of “tradition” — an inherited pattern of thought or action

From this reading There were moments when she was overwhelmed with the utter hopelessness of ever being able to adapt herself to a mode of life so foreign to all her traditions.

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

From this reading She had, she told herself, been prepared to find everything different from life at home; and, while she had smiled--on that day such ages ago when young Hornby had called on her at Tunbridge Wells to announce his impending departure from the land of his birth--at his airy theory that the life of the Canadian farmer was largely occupied with riding, hunting, dancing and tennis, she found to her dismay that her own mental picture of her brother's existence had been nearly as far from the reality.

articulate; either verbally or with a cry, shout, or noise

From this reading There were moments when she was overwhelmed with the utter hopelessness of ever being able to adapt herself to a mode of life so foreign to all her traditions.

in a vague way

From this reading On the drive over from the station, Eddie had vaguely remarked that he had a great surprise for her when she reached the house.

Risen from sleep; conscious.

From this reading Three weeks had passed with inconceivable rapidity, leaving Nora with the dazed feeling that one has sometimes when waking from a fantastic dream.

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

From this reading There were moments when she was overwhelmed with the utter hopelessness of ever being able to adapt herself to a mode of life so foreign to all her traditions.

plural of “week” — any period of seven consecutive days

From this reading Three weeks had passed with inconceivable rapidity, leaving Nora with the dazed feeling that one has sometimes when waking from a fantastic dream.

prolific English writer best known for his science-fiction novels; he also wrote on contemporary social problems and wrote popular accounts of history and science (1866-1946)

From this reading She had, she told herself, been prepared to find everything different from life at home; and, while she had smiled--on that day such ages ago when young Hornby had called on her at Tunbridge Wells to announce his impending departure from the land of his birth--at his airy theory that the life of the Canadian farmer was largely occupied with riding, hunting, dancing and tennis, she found to her dismay that her own mental picture of her brother's existence had been nearly as far from the reality.

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

From this reading There were moments when she was overwhelmed with the utter hopelessness of ever being able to adapt herself to a mode of life so foreign to all her traditions.

at the time that

From this reading Three weeks had passed with inconceivable rapidity, leaving Nora with the dazed feeling that one has sometimes when waking from a fantastic dream.

during the time that

From this reading She had, she told herself, been prepared to find everything different from life at home; and, while she had smiled--on that day such ages ago when young Hornby had called on her at Tunbridge Wells to announce his impending departure from the land of his birth--at his airy theory that the life of the Canadian farmer was largely occupied with riding, hunting, dancing and tennis, she found to her dismay that her own mental picture of her brother's existence had been nearly as far from the reality.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Three weeks had passed with inconceivable rapidity, leaving Nora with the dazed feeling that one has sometimes when waking from a fantastic dream.

(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth

From this reading She had, she told herself, been prepared to find everything different from life at home; and, while she had smiled--on that day such ages ago when young Hornby had called on her at Tunbridge Wells to announce his impending departure from the land of his birth--at his airy theory that the life of the Canadian farmer was largely occupied with riding, hunting, dancing and tennis, she found to her dismay that her own mental picture of her brother's existence had been nearly as far from the reality.