Chapter V · Chapter 5

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

From this reading "I think, Roland," said my mother, "that the establishment is settled,-- Bolt, who is equal to three men at least; Primmins, cook and housekeeper; Molly, a good, stirring girl, and willing (though I've had some difficulty in persuading her to submit not to be called Anna Maria).

anew

From this reading "And indeed, what with the game and fish, and the garden and poultry-yard, and your own mutton, our housekeeping will be next to nothing," "Hem!" again said the thrifty Roland, with a slight inflection of the beetle brows.

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

From this reading "I think, Roland," said my mother, "that the establishment is settled,-- Bolt, who is equal to three men at least; Primmins, cook and housekeeper; Molly, a good, stirring girl, and willing (though I've had some difficulty in persuading her to submit not to be called Anna Maria).

a former copper coin of Pakistan and India

From this reading "I think, Roland," said my mother, "that the establishment is settled,-- Bolt, who is equal to three men at least; Primmins, cook and housekeeper; Molly, a good, stirring girl, and willing (though I've had some difficulty in persuading her to submit not to be called Anna Maria).

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

From this reading Their wages are but a small item, my clear Roland."

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading "I think, Roland," said my mother, "that the establishment is settled,-- Bolt, who is equal to three men at least; Primmins, cook and housekeeper; Molly, a good, stirring girl, and willing (though I've had some difficulty in persuading her to submit not to be called Anna Maria).

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

From this reading "I think, Roland," said my mother, "that the establishment is settled,-- Bolt, who is equal to three men at least; Primmins, cook and housekeeper; Molly, a good, stirring girl, and willing (though I've had some difficulty in persuading her to submit not to be called Anna Maria).

insect having biting mouthparts and front wings modified to form horny covers overlying the membranous rear wings

From this reading "And indeed, what with the game and fish, and the garden and poultry-yard, and your own mutton, our housekeeping will be next to nothing," "Hem!" again said the thrifty Roland, with a slight inflection of the beetle brows.

a discharge of lightning accompanied by thunder

From this reading "I think, Roland," said my mother, "that the establishment is settled,-- Bolt, who is equal to three men at least; Primmins, cook and housekeeper; Molly, a good, stirring girl, and willing (though I've had some difficulty in persuading her to submit not to be called Anna Maria).

plural of “brow” — the part of the face above the eyes

From this reading "And indeed, what with the game and fish, and the garden and poultry-yard, and your own mutton, our housekeeping will be next to nothing," "Hem!" again said the thrifty Roland, with a slight inflection of the beetle brows.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Their wages are but a small item, my clear Roland."

assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading "Hem!" said Roland; "since we can't do with fewer servants at less wages, I suppose we must call it small."

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

From this reading "I think, Roland," said my mother, "that the establishment is settled,-- Bolt, who is equal to three men at least; Primmins, cook and housekeeper; Molly, a good, stirring girl, and willing (though I've had some difficulty in persuading her to submit not to be called Anna Maria).

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

From this reading "Hem!" said Roland; "since we can't do with fewer servants at less wages, I suppose we must call it small."

rid of obstructions

From this reading Their wages are but a small item, my clear Roland."

prepare a hot meal

From this reading "I think, Roland," said my mother, "that the establishment is settled,-- Bolt, who is equal to three men at least; Primmins, cook and housekeeper; Molly, a good, stirring girl, and willing (though I've had some difficulty in persuading her to submit not to be called Anna Maria).

an effort that is inconvenient

From this reading "I think, Roland," said my mother, "that the establishment is settled,-- Bolt, who is equal to three men at least; Primmins, cook and housekeeper; Molly, a good, stirring girl, and willing (though I've had some difficulty in persuading her to submit not to be called Anna Maria).

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading "Hem!" said Roland; "since we can't do with fewer servants at less wages, I suppose we must call it small."

be identical or equivalent to

From this reading "I think, Roland," said my mother, "that the establishment is settled,-- Bolt, who is equal to three men at least; Primmins, cook and housekeeper; Molly, a good, stirring girl, and willing (though I've had some difficulty in persuading her to submit not to be called Anna Maria).

the act of forming or establishing something

From this reading "I think, Roland," said my mother, "that the establishment is settled,-- Bolt, who is equal to three men at least; Primmins, cook and housekeeper; Molly, a good, stirring girl, and willing (though I've had some difficulty in persuading her to submit not to be called Anna Maria).

(comparative of “few” used with count nouns) quantifier meaning a smaller number of

From this reading "Hem!" said Roland; "since we can't do with fewer servants at less wages, I suppose we must call it small."

any of various mostly cold-blooded aquatic vertebrates usually having scales and breathing through gills

From this reading "And indeed, what with the game and fish, and the garden and poultry-yard, and your own mutton, our housekeeping will be next to nothing," "Hem!" again said the thrifty Roland, with a slight inflection of the beetle brows.

a contest with rules to determine a winner

From this reading "And indeed, what with the game and fish, and the garden and poultry-yard, and your own mutton, our housekeeping will be next to nothing," "Hem!" again said the thrifty Roland, with a slight inflection of the beetle brows.

a plot of ground where plants are cultivated

From this reading "And indeed, what with the game and fish, and the garden and poultry-yard, and your own mutton, our housekeeping will be next to nothing," "Hem!" again said the thrifty Roland, with a slight inflection of the beetle brows.

a young female

From this reading "I think, Roland," said my mother, "that the establishment is settled,-- Bolt, who is equal to three men at least; Primmins, cook and housekeeper; Molly, a good, stirring girl, and willing (though I've had some difficulty in persuading her to submit not to be called Anna Maria).

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

From this reading "I think, Roland," said my mother, "that the establishment is settled,-- Bolt, who is equal to three men at least; Primmins, cook and housekeeper; Molly, a good, stirring girl, and willing (though I've had some difficulty in persuading her to submit not to be called Anna Maria).

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

From this reading "I think, Roland," said my mother, "that the establishment is settled,-- Bolt, who is equal to three men at least; Primmins, cook and housekeeper; Molly, a good, stirring girl, and willing (though I've had some difficulty in persuading her to submit not to be called Anna Maria).

the edge of a piece of cloth; especially the finished edge that has been doubled under and stitched down

From this reading "Hem!" said Roland; "since we can't do with fewer servants at less wages, I suppose we must call it small."

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

From this reading "I think, Roland," said my mother, "that the establishment is settled,-- Bolt, who is equal to three men at least; Primmins, cook and housekeeper; Molly, a good, stirring girl, and willing (though I've had some difficulty in persuading her to submit not to be called Anna Maria).

a servant who is employed to perform domestic task in a household

From this reading "I think, Roland," said my mother, "that the establishment is settled,-- Bolt, who is equal to three men at least; Primmins, cook and housekeeper; Molly, a good, stirring girl, and willing (though I've had some difficulty in persuading her to submit not to be called Anna Maria).

the work of cleaning and running a house

From this reading "And indeed, what with the game and fish, and the garden and poultry-yard, and your own mutton, our housekeeping will be next to nothing," "Hem!" again said the thrifty Roland, with a slight inflection of the beetle brows.

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

From this reading "I think, Roland," said my mother, "that the establishment is settled,-- Bolt, who is equal to three men at least; Primmins, cook and housekeeper; Molly, a good, stirring girl, and willing (though I've had some difficulty in persuading her to submit not to be called Anna Maria).

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

From this reading "I think, Roland," said my mother, "that the establishment is settled,-- Bolt, who is equal to three men at least; Primmins, cook and housekeeper; Molly, a good, stirring girl, and willing (though I've had some difficulty in persuading her to submit not to be called Anna Maria).

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

From this reading "I think, Roland," said my mother, "that the establishment is settled,-- Bolt, who is equal to three men at least; Primmins, cook and housekeeper; Molly, a good, stirring girl, and willing (though I've had some difficulty in persuading her to submit not to be called Anna Maria).

in truth (often tends to intensify)

From this reading "And indeed, what with the game and fish, and the garden and poultry-yard, and your own mutton, our housekeeping will be next to nothing," "Hem!" again said the thrifty Roland, with a slight inflection of the beetle brows.

a change in the form of a word (usually by adding a suffix) to indicate a change in its grammatical function

From this reading "And indeed, what with the game and fish, and the garden and poultry-yard, and your own mutton, our housekeeping will be next to nothing," "Hem!" again said the thrifty Roland, with a slight inflection of the beetle brows.

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

From this reading "I think, Roland," said my mother, "that the establishment is settled,-- Bolt, who is equal to three men at least; Primmins, cook and housekeeper; Molly, a good, stirring girl, and willing (though I've had some difficulty in persuading her to submit not to be called Anna Maria).

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading "Hem!" said Roland; "since we can't do with fewer servants at less wages, I suppose we must call it small."

a distinct part that can be specified separately in a group of things that could be enumerated on a list

From this reading Their wages are but a small item, my clear Roland."

the superlative of “little” that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by “the”; a quantifier meaning smallest in amount or extent or degree

From this reading "I think, Roland," said my mother, "that the establishment is settled,-- Bolt, who is equal to three men at least; Primmins, cook and housekeeper; Molly, a good, stirring girl, and willing (though I've had some difficulty in persuading her to submit not to be called Anna Maria).

used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs

From this reading "Hem!" said Roland; "since we can't do with fewer servants at less wages, I suppose we must call it small."

a dark region of considerable extent on the surface of the moon

From this reading "I think, Roland," said my mother, "that the establishment is settled,-- Bolt, who is equal to three men at least; Primmins, cook and housekeeper; Molly, a good, stirring girl, and willing (though I've had some difficulty in persuading her to submit not to be called Anna Maria).

the force of workers available

From this reading "I think, Roland," said my mother, "that the establishment is settled,-- Bolt, who is equal to three men at least; Primmins, cook and housekeeper; Molly, a good, stirring girl, and willing (though I've had some difficulty in persuading her to submit not to be called Anna Maria).

moderate in type or degree or effect or force; far from extreme

From this reading "It is so," said my mother, with mild positiveness.

popular aquarium fish

From this reading "I think, Roland," said my mother, "that the establishment is settled,-- Bolt, who is equal to three men at least; Primmins, cook and housekeeper; Molly, a good, stirring girl, and willing (though I've had some difficulty in persuading her to submit not to be called Anna Maria).

a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)

From this reading "I think, Roland," said my mother, "that the establishment is settled,-- Bolt, who is equal to three men at least; Primmins, cook and housekeeper; Molly, a good, stirring girl, and willing (though I've had some difficulty in persuading her to submit not to be called Anna Maria).

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading "Hem!" said Roland; "since we can't do with fewer servants at less wages, I suppose we must call it small."

meat from a mature domestic sheep

From this reading "And indeed, what with the game and fish, and the garden and poultry-yard, and your own mutton, our housekeeping will be next to nothing," "Hem!" again said the thrifty Roland, with a slight inflection of the beetle brows.

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading "I think, Roland," said my mother, "that the establishment is settled,-- Bolt, who is equal to three men at least; Primmins, cook and housekeeper; Molly, a good, stirring girl, and willing (though I've had some difficulty in persuading her to submit not to be called Anna Maria).

immediately following in time or order

From this reading "And indeed, what with the game and fish, and the garden and poultry-yard, and your own mutton, our housekeeping will be next to nothing," "Hem!" again said the thrifty Roland, with a slight inflection of the beetle brows.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading "I think, Roland," said my mother, "that the establishment is settled,-- Bolt, who is equal to three men at least; Primmins, cook and housekeeper; Molly, a good, stirring girl, and willing (though I've had some difficulty in persuading her to submit not to be called Anna Maria).

not one thing; not anything

From this reading "And indeed, what with the game and fish, and the garden and poultry-yard, and your own mutton, our housekeeping will be next to nothing," "Hem!" again said the thrifty Roland, with a slight inflection of the beetle brows.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading "And indeed, what with the game and fish, and the garden and poultry-yard, and your own mutton, our housekeeping will be next to nothing," "Hem!" again said the thrifty Roland, with a slight inflection of the beetle brows.

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading "And indeed, what with the game and fish, and the garden and poultry-yard, and your own mutton, our housekeeping will be next to nothing," "Hem!" again said the thrifty Roland, with a slight inflection of the beetle brows.

have ownership or possession of

From this reading "And indeed, what with the game and fish, and the garden and poultry-yard, and your own mutton, our housekeeping will be next to nothing," "Hem!" again said the thrifty Roland, with a slight inflection of the beetle brows.

-ing form of “persuade” — win approval or support for

From this reading "I think, Roland," said my mother, "that the establishment is settled,-- Bolt, who is equal to three men at least; Primmins, cook and housekeeper; Molly, a good, stirring girl, and willing (though I've had some difficulty in persuading her to submit not to be called Anna Maria).

the character of the positive electric pole

From this reading "It is so," said my mother, with mild positiveness.

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

From this reading "And indeed, what with the game and fish, and the garden and poultry-yard, and your own mutton, our housekeeping will be next to nothing," "Hem!" again said the thrifty Roland, with a slight inflection of the beetle brows.

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

From this reading "I think, Roland," said my mother, "that the establishment is settled,-- Bolt, who is equal to three men at least; Primmins, cook and housekeeper; Molly, a good, stirring girl, and willing (though I've had some difficulty in persuading her to submit not to be called Anna Maria).

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

From this reading "I think, Roland," said my mother, "that the establishment is settled,-- Bolt, who is equal to three men at least; Primmins, cook and housekeeper; Molly, a good, stirring girl, and willing (though I've had some difficulty in persuading her to submit not to be called Anna Maria).

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading "I think, Roland," said my mother, "that the establishment is settled,-- Bolt, who is equal to three men at least; Primmins, cook and housekeeper; Molly, a good, stirring girl, and willing (though I've had some difficulty in persuading her to submit not to be called Anna Maria).

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

From this reading "Hem!" said Roland; "since we can't do with fewer servants at less wages, I suppose we must call it small."

established or decided beyond dispute or doubt

From this reading "I think, Roland," said my mother, "that the establishment is settled,-- Bolt, who is equal to three men at least; Primmins, cook and housekeeper; Molly, a good, stirring girl, and willing (though I've had some difficulty in persuading her to submit not to be called Anna Maria).

from a time in the past until now

From this reading "Hem!" said Roland; "since we can't do with fewer servants at less wages, I suppose we must call it small."

a deliberate discourteous act (usually as an expression of anger or disapproval)

From this reading "And indeed, what with the game and fish, and the garden and poultry-yard, and your own mutton, our housekeeping will be next to nothing," "Hem!" again said the thrifty Roland, with a slight inflection of the beetle brows.

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

From this reading Their wages are but a small item, my clear Roland."

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading "It is so," said my mother, with mild positiveness.

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

From this reading "I think, Roland," said my mother, "that the establishment is settled,-- Bolt, who is equal to three men at least; Primmins, cook and housekeeper; Molly, a good, stirring girl, and willing (though I've had some difficulty in persuading her to submit not to be called Anna Maria).

agitating a liquid with an implement

From this reading "I think, Roland," said my mother, "that the establishment is settled,-- Bolt, who is equal to three men at least; Primmins, cook and housekeeper; Molly, a good, stirring girl, and willing (though I've had some difficulty in persuading her to submit not to be called Anna Maria).

refer for judgment or consideration

From this reading "I think, Roland," said my mother, "that the establishment is settled,-- Bolt, who is equal to three men at least; Primmins, cook and housekeeper; Molly, a good, stirring girl, and willing (though I've had some difficulty in persuading her to submit not to be called Anna Maria).

express a supposition

From this reading "Hem!" said Roland; "since we can't do with fewer servants at less wages, I suppose we must call it small."

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading "I think, Roland," said my mother, "that the establishment is settled,-- Bolt, who is equal to three men at least; Primmins, cook and housekeeper; Molly, a good, stirring girl, and willing (though I've had some difficulty in persuading her to submit not to be called Anna Maria).

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

From this reading "I think, Roland," said my mother, "that the establishment is settled,-- Bolt, who is equal to three men at least; Primmins, cook and housekeeper; Molly, a good, stirring girl, and willing (though I've had some difficulty in persuading her to submit not to be called Anna Maria).

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Their wages are but a small item, my clear Roland."

judge or regard; look upon; judge

From this reading "I think, Roland," said my mother, "that the establishment is settled,-- Bolt, who is equal to three men at least; Primmins, cook and housekeeper; Molly, a good, stirring girl, and willing (though I've had some difficulty in persuading her to submit not to be called Anna Maria).

in spite of the fact that

From this reading "I think, Roland," said my mother, "that the establishment is settled,-- Bolt, who is equal to three men at least; Primmins, cook and housekeeper; Molly, a good, stirring girl, and willing (though I've had some difficulty in persuading her to submit not to be called Anna Maria).

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

From this reading "I think, Roland," said my mother, "that the establishment is settled,-- Bolt, who is equal to three men at least; Primmins, cook and housekeeper; Molly, a good, stirring girl, and willing (though I've had some difficulty in persuading her to submit not to be called Anna Maria).

careful and diligent in the use of resources

From this reading "And indeed, what with the game and fish, and the garden and poultry-yard, and your own mutton, our housekeeping will be next to nothing," "Hem!" again said the thrifty Roland, with a slight inflection of the beetle brows.

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

From this reading "I think, Roland," said my mother, "that the establishment is settled,-- Bolt, who is equal to three men at least; Primmins, cook and housekeeper; Molly, a good, stirring girl, and willing (though I've had some difficulty in persuading her to submit not to be called Anna Maria).

a recompense for worthy acts or retribution for wrongdoing

From this reading Their wages are but a small item, my clear Roland."

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading "Hem!" said Roland; "since we can't do with fewer servants at less wages, I suppose we must call it small."

used to ask for information about something

From this reading "And indeed, what with the game and fish, and the garden and poultry-yard, and your own mutton, our housekeeping will be next to nothing," "Hem!" again said the thrifty Roland, with a slight inflection of the beetle brows.

which person or people

From this reading "I think, Roland," said my mother, "that the establishment is settled,-- Bolt, who is equal to three men at least; Primmins, cook and housekeeper; Molly, a good, stirring girl, and willing (though I've had some difficulty in persuading her to submit not to be called Anna Maria).

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading "And indeed, what with the game and fish, and the garden and poultry-yard, and your own mutton, our housekeeping will be next to nothing," "Hem!" again said the thrifty Roland, with a slight inflection of the beetle brows.

disposed or inclined toward

From this reading "I think, Roland," said my mother, "that the establishment is settled,-- Bolt, who is equal to three men at least; Primmins, cook and housekeeper; Molly, a good, stirring girl, and willing (though I've had some difficulty in persuading her to submit not to be called Anna Maria).

in the company of; together with

From this reading "Hem!" said Roland; "since we can't do with fewer servants at less wages, I suppose we must call it small."

belonging to the person or people being spoken to

From this reading "And indeed, what with the game and fish, and the garden and poultry-yard, and your own mutton, our housekeeping will be next to nothing," "Hem!" again said the thrifty Roland, with a slight inflection of the beetle brows.