Chapter XVI · Two to One

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

From this reading It was as though all the circumstances and forces of life had been quietly working up to a point through all these years--as though all that had gone before had been but preparation for what was to come--as though the time had come for the Higher Powers to say, as sensible parents sooner or later say to their children, "We have done our best for you--we have fitted you for the fight; now you are become men and women, work out your own destinies!"

matters of personal concern

From this reading It was amazing to Charles Eager--feeling himself as young as ever--to find all his youngsters suddenly grown up, suddenly become, if not capable of managing their own affairs, at all events filled with that conviction, and fully intent on doing so.

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

From this reading Some of them looked back upon it in the after-days with most poignant feelings--of longing and regret.

anew

From this reading For nothing was ever to be again as it had been--and not with them only, but throughout the land.

(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 None of them ever forgot the last holiday they all spent together before the great dispersal.

surprising greatly

From this reading It was amazing to Charles Eager--feeling himself as young as ever--to find all his youngsters suddenly grown up, suddenly become, if not capable of managing their own affairs, at all events filled with that conviction, and fully intent on doing so.

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

From this reading Some of them looked back upon it in the after-days with most poignant feelings--of longing and regret.

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

From this reading It was as though all the circumstances and forces of life had been quietly working up to a point through all these years--as though all that had gone before had been but preparation for what was to come--as though the time had come for the Higher Powers to say, as sensible parents sooner or later say to their children, "We have done our best for you--we have fitted you for the fight; now you are become men and women, work out your own destinies!"

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

From this reading For nothing was ever to be again as it had been--and not with them only, but throughout the land.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading It was amazing to Charles Eager--feeling himself as young as ever--to find all his youngsters suddenly grown up, suddenly become, if not capable of managing their own affairs, at all events filled with that conviction, and fully intent on doing so.

in or to or toward a former location

From this reading Some of them looked back upon it in the after-days with most poignant feelings--of longing and regret.

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

From this reading For nothing was ever to be again as it had been--and not with them only, but throughout the land.

enter or assume a certain state or condition

From this reading It was as though all the circumstances and forces of life had been quietly working up to a point through all these years--as though all that had gone before had been but preparation for what was to come--as though the time had come for the Higher Powers to say, as sensible parents sooner or later say to their children, "We have done our best for you--we have fitted you for the fight; now you are become men and women, work out your own destinies!"

the past participle of “be”

From this reading For nothing was ever to be again as it had been--and not with them only, but throughout the land.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading None of them ever forgot the last holiday they all spent together before the great dispersal.

the supreme effort one can make

From this reading It was as though all the circumstances and forces of life had been quietly working up to a point through all these years--as though all that had gone before had been but preparation for what was to come--as though the time had come for the Higher Powers to say, as sensible parents sooner or later say to their children, "We have done our best for you--we have fitted you for the fight; now you are become men and women, work out your own destinies!"

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading For nothing was ever to be again as it had been--and not with them only, but throughout the land.

(usually followed by “of”) having capacity or ability

From this reading It was amazing to Charles Eager--feeling himself as young as ever--to find all his youngsters suddenly grown up, suddenly become, if not capable of managing their own affairs, at all events filled with that conviction, and fully intent on doing so.

King of France from 1560 to 1574 whose reign was dominated by his mother Catherine de Medicis (1550-1574)

From this reading It was amazing to Charles Eager--feeling himself as young as ever--to find all his youngsters suddenly grown up, suddenly become, if not capable of managing their own affairs, at all events filled with that conviction, and fully intent on doing so.

plural of “child” — a young person of either sex

From this reading It was as though all the circumstances and forces of life had been quietly working up to a point through all these years--as though all that had gone before had been but preparation for what was to come--as though the time had come for the Higher Powers to say, as sensible parents sooner or later say to their children, "We have done our best for you--we have fitted you for the fight; now you are become men and women, work out your own destinies!"

your overall circumstances or condition in life (including everything that happens to you)

From this reading It was as though all the circumstances and forces of life had been quietly working up to a point through all these years--as though all that had gone before had been but preparation for what was to come--as though the time had come for the Higher Powers to say, as sensible parents sooner or later say to their children, "We have done our best for you--we have fitted you for the fight; now you are become men and women, work out your own destinies!"

move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading It was as though all the circumstances and forces of life had been quietly working up to a point through all these years--as though all that had gone before had been but preparation for what was to come--as though the time had come for the Higher Powers to say, as sensible parents sooner or later say to their children, "We have done our best for you--we have fitted you for the fight; now you are become men and women, work out your own destinies!"

an unshakable belief in something without need for proof or evidence

From this reading It was amazing to Charles Eager--feeling himself as young as ever--to find all his youngsters suddenly grown up, suddenly become, if not capable of managing their own affairs, at all events filled with that conviction, and fully intent on doing so.

plural of “destiny” — an event (or a course of events) that will inevitably happen in the future

From this reading It was as though all the circumstances and forces of life had been quietly working up to a point through all these years--as though all that had gone before had been but preparation for what was to come--as though the time had come for the Higher Powers to say, as sensible parents sooner or later say to their children, "We have done our best for you--we have fitted you for the fight; now you are become men and women, work out your own destinies!"

the act of dispersing or diffusing something

From this reading None of them ever forgot the last holiday they all spent together before the great dispersal.

-ing form of “do” — engage in

From this reading It was amazing to Charles Eager--feeling himself as young as ever--to find all his youngsters suddenly grown up, suddenly become, if not capable of managing their own affairs, at all events filled with that conviction, and fully intent on doing so.

having finished or arrived at completion

From this reading It was as though all the circumstances and forces of life had been quietly working up to a point through all these years--as though all that had gone before had been but preparation for what was to come--as though the time had come for the Higher Powers to say, as sensible parents sooner or later say to their children, "We have done our best for you--we have fitted you for the fight; now you are become men and women, work out your own destinies!"

having or showing keen interest or intense desire or impatient expectancy

From this reading It was amazing to Charles Eager--feeling himself as young as ever--to find all his youngsters suddenly grown up, suddenly become, if not capable of managing their own affairs, at all events filled with that conviction, and fully intent on doing so.

plural of “event” — something that happens at a given place and time

From this reading It was amazing to Charles Eager--feeling himself as young as ever--to find all his youngsters suddenly grown up, suddenly become, if not capable of managing their own affairs, at all events filled with that conviction, and fully intent on doing so.

at any time

From this reading None of them ever forgot the last holiday they all spent together before the great dispersal.

the experiencing of affective and emotional states

From this reading It was amazing to Charles Eager--feeling himself as young as ever--to find all his youngsters suddenly grown up, suddenly become, if not capable of managing their own affairs, at all events filled with that conviction, and fully intent on doing so.

emotional or moral sensitivity (especially in relation to personal principles or dignity)

From this reading Some of them looked back upon it in the after-days with most poignant feelings--of longing and regret.

be engaged in a fight; carry on a fight

From this reading It was as though all the circumstances and forces of life had been quietly working up to a point through all these years--as though all that had gone before had been but preparation for what was to come--as though the time had come for the Higher Powers to say, as sensible parents sooner or later say to their children, "We have done our best for you--we have fitted you for the fight; now you are become men and women, work out your own destinies!"

(usually followed by “with” or used as a combining form) generously supplied with

From this reading It was amazing to Charles Eager--feeling himself as young as ever--to find all his youngsters suddenly grown up, suddenly become, if not capable of managing their own affairs, at all events filled with that conviction, and fully intent on doing so.

come upon, as if by accident; meet with

From this reading It was amazing to Charles Eager--feeling himself as young as ever--to find all his youngsters suddenly grown up, suddenly become, if not capable of managing their own affairs, at all events filled with that conviction, and fully intent on doing so.

being the right size and shape to fit as desired

From this reading It was as though all the circumstances and forces of life had been quietly working up to a point through all these years--as though all that had gone before had been but preparation for what was to come--as though the time had come for the Higher Powers to say, as sensible parents sooner or later say to their children, "We have done our best for you--we have fitted you for the fight; now you are become men and women, work out your own destinies!"

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading For nothing was ever to be again as it had been--and not with them only, but throughout the land.

plural of “force” — a powerful effect or influence

From this reading It was as though all the circumstances and forces of life had been quietly working up to a point through all these years--as though all that had gone before had been but preparation for what was to come--as though the time had come for the Higher Powers to say, as sensible parents sooner or later say to their children, "We have done our best for you--we have fitted you for the fight; now you are become men and women, work out your own destinies!"

inflected form of “forget” — dismiss from the mind; stop remembering

From this reading None of them ever forgot the last holiday they all spent together before the great dispersal.

to the greatest degree or extent; completely or entirely; (“full” in this sense is used as a combining form)

From this reading It was amazing to Charles Eager--feeling himself as young as ever--to find all his youngsters suddenly grown up, suddenly become, if not capable of managing their own affairs, at all events filled with that conviction, and fully intent on doing so.

destroyed or killed

From this reading It was as though all the circumstances and forces of life had been quietly working up to a point through all these years--as though all that had gone before had been but preparation for what was to come--as though the time had come for the Higher Powers to say, as sensible parents sooner or later say to their children, "We have done our best for you--we have fitted you for the fight; now you are become men and women, work out your own destinies!"

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

From this reading None of them ever forgot the last holiday they all spent together before the great dispersal.

(of animals) fully developed

From this reading It was amazing to Charles Eager--feeling himself as young as ever--to find all his youngsters suddenly grown up, suddenly become, if not capable of managing their own affairs, at all events filled with that conviction, and fully intent on doing so.

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

From this reading For nothing was ever to be again as it had been--and not with them only, but throughout the land.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading It was as though all the circumstances and forces of life had been quietly working up to a point through all these years--as though all that had gone before had been but preparation for what was to come--as though the time had come for the Higher Powers to say, as sensible parents sooner or later say to their children, "We have done our best for you--we have fitted you for the fight; now you are become men and women, work out your own destinies!"

advanced in complexity or elaboration

From this reading It was as though all the circumstances and forces of life had been quietly working up to a point through all these years--as though all that had gone before had been but preparation for what was to come--as though the time had come for the Higher Powers to say, as sensible parents sooner or later say to their children, "We have done our best for you--we have fitted you for the fight; now you are become men and women, work out your own destinies!"

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

From this reading It was amazing to Charles Eager--feeling himself as young as ever--to find all his youngsters suddenly grown up, suddenly become, if not capable of managing their own affairs, at all events filled with that conviction, and fully intent on doing so.

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

From this reading It was amazing to Charles Eager--feeling himself as young as ever--to find all his youngsters suddenly grown up, suddenly become, if not capable of managing their own affairs, at all events filled with that conviction, and fully intent on doing so.

leisure time away from work devoted to rest or pleasure

From this reading None of them ever forgot the last holiday they all spent together before the great dispersal.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading It was amazing to Charles Eager--feeling himself as young as ever--to find all his youngsters suddenly grown up, suddenly become, if not capable of managing their own affairs, at all events filled with that conviction, and fully intent on doing so.

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

From this reading Some of them looked back upon it in the after-days with most poignant feelings--of longing and regret.

an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions

From this reading It was amazing to Charles Eager--feeling himself as young as ever--to find all his youngsters suddenly grown up, suddenly become, if not capable of managing their own affairs, at all events filled with that conviction, and fully intent on doing so.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Some of them looked back upon it in the after-days with most poignant feelings--of longing and regret.

the land on which real estate is located

From this reading For nothing was ever to be again as it had been--and not with them only, but throughout the land.

immediately past

From this reading None of them ever forgot the last holiday they all spent together before the great dispersal.

happening at a time subsequent to a reference time

From this reading It was as though all the circumstances and forces of life had been quietly working up to a point through all these years--as though all that had gone before had been but preparation for what was to come--as though the time had come for the Higher Powers to say, as sensible parents sooner or later say to their children, "We have done our best for you--we have fitted you for the fight; now you are become men and women, work out your own destinies!"

a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading It was as though all the circumstances and forces of life had been quietly working up to a point through all these years--as though all that had gone before had been but preparation for what was to come--as though the time had come for the Higher Powers to say, as sensible parents sooner or later say to their children, "We have done our best for you--we have fitted you for the fight; now you are become men and women, work out your own destinies!"

prolonged unfulfilled desire or need

From this reading Some of them looked back upon it in the after-days with most poignant feelings--of longing and regret.

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

From this reading Some of them looked back upon it in the after-days with most poignant feelings--of longing and regret.

-ing form of “manage” — be successful; achieve a goal

From this reading It was amazing to Charles Eager--feeling himself as young as ever--to find all his youngsters suddenly grown up, suddenly become, if not capable of managing their own affairs, at all events filled with that conviction, and fully intent on doing so.

the force of workers available

From this reading It was as though all the circumstances and forces of life had been quietly working up to a point through all these years--as though all that had gone before had been but preparation for what was to come--as though the time had come for the Higher Powers to say, as sensible parents sooner or later say to their children, "We have done our best for you--we have fitted you for the fight; now you are become men and women, work out your own destinies!"

used to form the superlative

From this reading Some of them looked back upon it in the after-days with most poignant feelings--of longing and regret.

not one, and not any

From this reading None of them ever forgot the last holiday they all spent together before the great dispersal.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading For nothing was ever to be again as it had been--and not with them only, but throughout the land.

not one thing; not anything

From this reading For nothing was ever to be again as it had been--and not with them only, but throughout the land.

in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events

From this reading It was as though all the circumstances and forces of life had been quietly working up to a point through all these years--as though all that had gone before had been but preparation for what was to come--as though the time had come for the Higher Powers to say, as sensible parents sooner or later say to their children, "We have done our best for you--we have fitted you for the fight; now you are become men and women, work out your own destinies!"

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading None of them ever forgot the last holiday they all spent together before the great dispersal.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading It was amazing to Charles Eager--feeling himself as young as ever--to find all his youngsters suddenly grown up, suddenly become, if not capable of managing their own affairs, at all events filled with that conviction, and fully intent on doing so.

and nothing more

From this reading For nothing was ever to be again as it had been--and not with them only, but throughout the land.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading It was as though all the circumstances and forces of life had been quietly working up to a point through all these years--as though all that had gone before had been but preparation for what was to come--as though the time had come for the Higher Powers to say, as sensible parents sooner or later say to their children, "We have done our best for you--we have fitted you for the fight; now you are become men and women, work out your own destinies!"

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading It was as though all the circumstances and forces of life had been quietly working up to a point through all these years--as though all that had gone before had been but preparation for what was to come--as though the time had come for the Higher Powers to say, as sensible parents sooner or later say to their children, "We have done our best for you--we have fitted you for the fight; now you are become men and women, work out your own destinies!"

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading It was as though all the circumstances and forces of life had been quietly working up to a point through all these years--as though all that had gone before had been but preparation for what was to come--as though the time had come for the Higher Powers to say, as sensible parents sooner or later say to their children, "We have done our best for you--we have fitted you for the fight; now you are become men and women, work out your own destinies!"

have ownership or possession of

From this reading It was as though all the circumstances and forces of life had been quietly working up to a point through all these years--as though all that had gone before had been but preparation for what was to come--as though the time had come for the Higher Powers to say, as sensible parents sooner or later say to their children, "We have done our best for you--we have fitted you for the fight; now you are become men and women, work out your own destinies!"

plural of “parent” — a father or mother; one who begets or one who gives birth to or nurtures and raises a child; a relative who plays the role of guardian

From this reading It was as though all the circumstances and forces of life had been quietly working up to a point through all these years--as though all that had gone before had been but preparation for what was to come--as though the time had come for the Higher Powers to say, as sensible parents sooner or later say to their children, "We have done our best for you--we have fitted you for the fight; now you are become men and women, work out your own destinies!"

arousing affect

From this reading Some of them looked back upon it in the after-days with most poignant feelings--of longing and regret.

a geometric element that has position but no extension

From this reading It was as though all the circumstances and forces of life had been quietly working up to a point through all these years--as though all that had gone before had been but preparation for what was to come--as though the time had come for the Higher Powers to say, as sensible parents sooner or later say to their children, "We have done our best for you--we have fitted you for the fight; now you are become men and women, work out your own destinies!"

plural of “power” — possession of controlling influence

From this reading It was as though all the circumstances and forces of life had been quietly working up to a point through all these years--as though all that had gone before had been but preparation for what was to come--as though the time had come for the Higher Powers to say, as sensible parents sooner or later say to their children, "We have done our best for you--we have fitted you for the fight; now you are become men and women, work out your own destinies!"

the activity of putting or setting in order in advance of some act or purpose

From this reading It was as though all the circumstances and forces of life had been quietly working up to a point through all these years--as though all that had gone before had been but preparation for what was to come--as though the time had come for the Higher Powers to say, as sensible parents sooner or later say to their children, "We have done our best for you--we have fitted you for the fight; now you are become men and women, work out your own destinies!"

with low volume

From this reading It was as though all the circumstances and forces of life had been quietly working up to a point through all these years--as though all that had gone before had been but preparation for what was to come--as though the time had come for the Higher Powers to say, as sensible parents sooner or later say to their children, "We have done our best for you--we have fitted you for the fight; now you are become men and women, work out your own destinies!"

feel remorse for; feel sorry for; be contrite about

From this reading Some of them looked back upon it in the after-days with most poignant feelings--of longing and regret.

express in words

From this reading It was as though all the circumstances and forces of life had been quietly working up to a point through all these years--as though all that had gone before had been but preparation for what was to come--as though the time had come for the Higher Powers to say, as sensible parents sooner or later say to their children, "We have done our best for you--we have fitted you for the fight; now you are become men and women, work out your own destinies!"

showing reason or sound judgment

From this reading It was as though all the circumstances and forces of life had been quietly working up to a point through all these years--as though all that had gone before had been but preparation for what was to come--as though the time had come for the Higher Powers to say, as sensible parents sooner or later say to their children, "We have done our best for you--we have fitted you for the fight; now you are become men and women, work out your own destinies!"

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading It was amazing to Charles Eager--feeling himself as young as ever--to find all his youngsters suddenly grown up, suddenly become, if not capable of managing their own affairs, at all events filled with that conviction, and fully intent on doing so.

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

From this reading Some of them looked back upon it in the after-days with most poignant feelings--of longing and regret.

comparatives of “soon” or “early”

From this reading It was as though all the circumstances and forces of life had been quietly working up to a point through all these years--as though all that had gone before had been but preparation for what was to come--as though the time had come for the Higher Powers to say, as sensible parents sooner or later say to their children, "We have done our best for you--we have fitted you for the fight; now you are become men and women, work out your own destinies!"

depleted of energy, force, or strength

From this reading None of them ever forgot the last holiday they all spent together before the great dispersal.

happening unexpectedly

From this reading It was amazing to Charles Eager--feeling himself as young as ever--to find all his youngsters suddenly grown up, suddenly become, if not capable of managing their own affairs, at all events filled with that conviction, and fully intent on doing so.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading It was as though all the circumstances and forces of life had been quietly working up to a point through all these years--as though all that had gone before had been but preparation for what was to come--as though the time had come for the Higher Powers to say, as sensible parents sooner or later say to their children, "We have done our best for you--we have fitted you for the fight; now you are become men and women, work out your own destinies!"

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

From this reading None of them ever forgot the last holiday they all spent together before the great dispersal.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading It was as though all the circumstances and forces of life had been quietly working up to a point through all these years--as though all that had gone before had been but preparation for what was to come--as though the time had come for the Higher Powers to say, as sensible parents sooner or later say to their children, "We have done our best for you--we have fitted you for the fight; now you are become men and women, work out your own destinies!"

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading None of them ever forgot the last holiday they all spent together before the great dispersal.

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

From this reading It was as though all the circumstances and forces of life had been quietly working up to a point through all these years--as though all that had gone before had been but preparation for what was to come--as though the time had come for the Higher Powers to say, as sensible parents sooner or later say to their children, "We have done our best for you--we have fitted you for the fight; now you are become men and women, work out your own destinies!"

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

From this reading None of them ever forgot the last holiday they all spent together before the great dispersal.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading It was as though all the circumstances and forces of life had been quietly working up to a point through all these years--as though all that had gone before had been but preparation for what was to come--as though the time had come for the Higher Powers to say, as sensible parents sooner or later say to their children, "We have done our best for you--we have fitted you for the fight; now you are become men and women, work out your own destinies!"

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading It was as though all the circumstances and forces of life had been quietly working up to a point through all these years--as though all that had gone before had been but preparation for what was to come--as though the time had come for the Higher Powers to say, as sensible parents sooner or later say to their children, "We have done our best for you--we have fitted you for the fight; now you are become men and women, work out your own destinies!"

in every part of a place, or for the whole of a period

From this reading For nothing was ever to be again as it had been--and not with them only, but throughout the land.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading It was as though all the circumstances and forces of life had been quietly working up to a point through all these years--as though all that had gone before had been but preparation for what was to come--as though the time had come for the Higher Powers to say, as sensible parents sooner or later say to their children, "We have done our best for you--we have fitted you for the fight; now you are become men and women, work out your own destinies!"

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

From this reading For nothing was ever to be again as it had been--and not with them only, but throughout the land.

in contact with each other or in proximity

From this reading None of them ever forgot the last holiday they all spent together before the great dispersal.

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading It was as though all the circumstances and forces of life had been quietly working up to a point through all these years--as though all that had gone before had been but preparation for what was to come--as though the time had come for the Higher Powers to say, as sensible parents sooner or later say to their children, "We have done our best for you--we have fitted you for the fight; now you are become men and women, work out your own destinies!"

a formal word for “on”

From this reading Some of them looked back upon it in the after-days with most poignant feelings--of longing and regret.

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

From this reading For nothing was ever to be again as it had been--and not with them only, but throughout the land.

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading It was as though all the circumstances and forces of life had been quietly working up to a point through all these years--as though all that had gone before had been but preparation for what was to come--as though the time had come for the Higher Powers to say, as sensible parents sooner or later say to their children, "We have done our best for you--we have fitted you for the fight; now you are become men and women, work out your own destinies!"

used to ask for information about something

From this reading It was as though all the circumstances and forces of life had been quietly working up to a point through all these years--as though all that had gone before had been but preparation for what was to come--as though the time had come for the Higher Powers to say, as sensible parents sooner or later say to their children, "We have done our best for you--we have fitted you for the fight; now you are become men and women, work out your own destinies!"

in the company of; together with

From this reading Some of them looked back upon it in the after-days with most poignant feelings--of longing and regret.

plural of “woman” — an adult female person (as opposed to a man)

From this reading It was as though all the circumstances and forces of life had been quietly working up to a point through all these years--as though all that had gone before had been but preparation for what was to come--as though the time had come for the Higher Powers to say, as sensible parents sooner or later say to their children, "We have done our best for you--we have fitted you for the fight; now you are become men and women, work out your own destinies!"

exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity

From this reading It was as though all the circumstances and forces of life had been quietly working up to a point through all these years--as though all that had gone before had been but preparation for what was to come--as though the time had come for the Higher Powers to say, as sensible parents sooner or later say to their children, "We have done our best for you--we have fitted you for the fight; now you are become men and women, work out your own destinies!"

actively engaged in paid work

From this reading It was as though all the circumstances and forces of life had been quietly working up to a point through all these years--as though all that had gone before had been but preparation for what was to come--as though the time had come for the Higher Powers to say, as sensible parents sooner or later say to their children, "We have done our best for you--we have fitted you for the fight; now you are become men and women, work out your own destinies!"

a late time of life

From this reading It was as though all the circumstances and forces of life had been quietly working up to a point through all these years--as though all that had gone before had been but preparation for what was to come--as though the time had come for the Higher Powers to say, as sensible parents sooner or later say to their children, "We have done our best for you--we have fitted you for the fight; now you are become men and women, work out your own destinies!"

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading It was as though all the circumstances and forces of life had been quietly working up to a point through all these years--as though all that had gone before had been but preparation for what was to come--as though the time had come for the Higher Powers to say, as sensible parents sooner or later say to their children, "We have done our best for you--we have fitted you for the fight; now you are become men and women, work out your own destinies!"

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

From this reading It was amazing to Charles Eager--feeling himself as young as ever--to find all his youngsters suddenly grown up, suddenly become, if not capable of managing their own affairs, at all events filled with that conviction, and fully intent on doing so.

plural of “youngster” — a young person of either sex

From this reading It was amazing to Charles Eager--feeling himself as young as ever--to find all his youngsters suddenly grown up, suddenly become, if not capable of managing their own affairs, at all events filled with that conviction, and fully intent on doing so.

belonging to the person or people being spoken to

From this reading It was as though all the circumstances and forces of life had been quietly working up to a point through all these years--as though all that had gone before had been but preparation for what was to come--as though the time had come for the Higher Powers to say, as sensible parents sooner or later say to their children, "We have done our best for you--we have fitted you for the fight; now you are become men and women, work out your own destinies!"