Chapter VIII · Chapter 8

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

From this reading She began by balancing her check book, comparing stubs with cancelled checks, adding and verifying sums total, filing away paid bills and paying the remainder--a financial operation which did not require much time, but to which she applied herself with all the seriousness of a wealthy man hunting through a check book which will not balance, for a few pennies that ought to be his.

plural of “account” — a record or narrative description of past events

From this reading For since she had any accounts at all to keep, she had kept them with method and determination.

-ing form of “add” — make an addition (to); join or combine or unite with others; increase the quality, quantity, size or scope of

From this reading She began by balancing her check book, comparing stubs with cancelled checks, adding and verifying sums total, filing away paid bills and paying the remainder--a financial operation which did not require much time, but to which she applied herself with all the seriousness of a wealthy man hunting through a check book which will not balance, for a few pennies that ought to be his.

(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 She began by balancing her check book, comparing stubs with cancelled checks, adding and verifying sums total, filing away paid bills and paying the remainder--a financial operation which did not require much time, but to which she applied herself with all the seriousness of a wealthy man hunting through a check book which will not balance, for a few pennies that ought to be his.

at all times; all the time and on every occasion

From this reading Her genius for order was inherent: even when she possessed nothing except the clothes she wore, she had always kept them in perfect condition.

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

From this reading She began by balancing her check book, comparing stubs with cancelled checks, adding and verifying sums total, filing away paid bills and paying the remainder--a financial operation which did not require much time, but to which she applied herself with all the seriousness of a wealthy man hunting through a check book which will not balance, for a few pennies that ought to be his.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading For since she had any accounts at all to keep, she had kept them with method and determination.

concerned with concrete problems or data rather than with fundamental principles

From this reading She began by balancing her check book, comparing stubs with cancelled checks, adding and verifying sums total, filing away paid bills and paying the remainder--a financial operation which did not require much time, but to which she applied herself with all the seriousness of a wealthy man hunting through a check book which will not balance, for a few pennies that ought to be his.

the act of arranging and adapting a piece of music

From this reading Valerie was busy--exceedingly busy arranging matters, in view of the great change impending.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading For since she had any accounts at all to keep, she had kept them with method and determination.

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

From this reading She began by balancing her check book, comparing stubs with cancelled checks, adding and verifying sums total, filing away paid bills and paying the remainder--a financial operation which did not require much time, but to which she applied herself with all the seriousness of a wealthy man hunting through a check book which will not balance, for a few pennies that ought to be his.

bring into balance or equilibrium

From this reading She began by balancing her check book, comparing stubs with cancelled checks, adding and verifying sums total, filing away paid bills and paying the remainder--a financial operation which did not require much time, but to which she applied herself with all the seriousness of a wealthy man hunting through a check book which will not balance, for a few pennies that ought to be his.

getting two things to correspond

From this reading She began by balancing her check book, comparing stubs with cancelled checks, adding and verifying sums total, filing away paid bills and paying the remainder--a financial operation which did not require much time, but to which she applied herself with all the seriousness of a wealthy man hunting through a check book which will not balance, for a few pennies that ought to be his.

sloping land (especially the slope beside a body of water)

From this reading And now that her popularity in business gave her a bank balance and permitted some of the intimate little luxuries that make for a woman's self-respect, a perfect passion for order and method possessed her.

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

From this reading She began by balancing her check book, comparing stubs with cancelled checks, adding and verifying sums total, filing away paid bills and paying the remainder--a financial operation which did not require much time, but to which she applied herself with all the seriousness of a wealthy man hunting through a check book which will not balance, for a few pennies that ought to be his.

inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

From this reading She began by balancing her check book, comparing stubs with cancelled checks, adding and verifying sums total, filing away paid bills and paying the remainder--a financial operation which did not require much time, but to which she applied herself with all the seriousness of a wealthy man hunting through a check book which will not balance, for a few pennies that ought to be his.

plural of “bill” — a statute in draft before it becomes law

From this reading She began by balancing her check book, comparing stubs with cancelled checks, adding and verifying sums total, filing away paid bills and paying the remainder--a financial operation which did not require much time, but to which she applied herself with all the seriousness of a wealthy man hunting through a check book which will not balance, for a few pennies that ought to be his.

a written work or composition that has been published (printed on pages bound together)

From this reading She began by balancing her check book, comparing stubs with cancelled checks, adding and verifying sums total, filing away paid bills and paying the remainder--a financial operation which did not require much time, but to which she applied herself with all the seriousness of a wealthy man hunting through a check book which will not balance, for a few pennies that ought to be his.

a commercial or industrial enterprise and the people who constitute it

From this reading And now that her popularity in business gave her a bank balance and permitted some of the intimate little luxuries that make for a woman's self-respect, a perfect passion for order and method possessed her.

actively or fully engaged or occupied

From this reading Valerie was busy--exceedingly busy arranging matters, in view of the great change impending.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading She began by balancing her check book, comparing stubs with cancelled checks, adding and verifying sums total, filing away paid bills and paying the remainder--a financial operation which did not require much time, but to which she applied herself with all the seriousness of a wealthy man hunting through a check book which will not balance, for a few pennies that ought to be his.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading She began by balancing her check book, comparing stubs with cancelled checks, adding and verifying sums total, filing away paid bills and paying the remainder--a financial operation which did not require much time, but to which she applied herself with all the seriousness of a wealthy man hunting through a check book which will not balance, for a few pennies that ought to be his.

(of events) no longer planned or scheduled

From this reading She began by balancing her check book, comparing stubs with cancelled checks, adding and verifying sums total, filing away paid bills and paying the remainder--a financial operation which did not require much time, but to which she applied herself with all the seriousness of a wealthy man hunting through a check book which will not balance, for a few pennies that ought to be his.

cause to change; make different; cause a transformation

From this reading Valerie was busy--exceedingly busy arranging matters, in view of the great change impending.

examine so as to determine accuracy, quality, or condition

From this reading She began by balancing her check book, comparing stubs with cancelled checks, adding and verifying sums total, filing away paid bills and paying the remainder--a financial operation which did not require much time, but to which she applied herself with all the seriousness of a wealthy man hunting through a check book which will not balance, for a few pennies that ought to be his.

plural of “check” — a written order directing a bank to pay money

From this reading She began by balancing her check book, comparing stubs with cancelled checks, adding and verifying sums total, filing away paid bills and paying the remainder--a financial operation which did not require much time, but to which she applied herself with all the seriousness of a wealthy man hunting through a check book which will not balance, for a few pennies that ought to be his.

clothing in general

From this reading Her genius for order was inherent: even when she possessed nothing except the clothes she wore, she had always kept them in perfect condition.

the act of examining resemblances

From this reading She began by balancing her check book, comparing stubs with cancelled checks, adding and verifying sums total, filing away paid bills and paying the remainder--a financial operation which did not require much time, but to which she applied herself with all the seriousness of a wealthy man hunting through a check book which will not balance, for a few pennies that ought to be his.

a state at a particular time

From this reading Her genius for order was inherent: even when she possessed nothing except the clothes she wore, she had always kept them in perfect condition.

the act of determining the properties of something, usually by research or calculation

From this reading For since she had any accounts at all to keep, she had kept them with method and determination.

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

From this reading She began by balancing her check book, comparing stubs with cancelled checks, adding and verifying sums total, filing away paid bills and paying the remainder--a financial operation which did not require much time, but to which she applied herself with all the seriousness of a wealthy man hunting through a check book which will not balance, for a few pennies that ought to be his.

divisible by two

From this reading Her genius for order was inherent: even when she possessed nothing except the clothes she wore, she had always kept them in perfect condition.

to an extreme degree

From this reading Valerie was busy--exceedingly busy arranging matters, in view of the great change impending.

apart from; not including

From this reading Her genius for order was inherent: even when she possessed nothing except the clothes she wore, she had always kept them in perfect condition.

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

From this reading She began by balancing her check book, comparing stubs with cancelled checks, adding and verifying sums total, filing away paid bills and paying the remainder--a financial operation which did not require much time, but to which she applied herself with all the seriousness of a wealthy man hunting through a check book which will not balance, for a few pennies that ought to be his.

the entering of a legal document into the public record

From this reading She began by balancing her check book, comparing stubs with cancelled checks, adding and verifying sums total, filing away paid bills and paying the remainder--a financial operation which did not require much time, but to which she applied herself with all the seriousness of a wealthy man hunting through a check book which will not balance, for a few pennies that ought to be his.

involving financial matters

From this reading She began by balancing her check book, comparing stubs with cancelled checks, adding and verifying sums total, filing away paid bills and paying the remainder--a financial operation which did not require much time, but to which she applied herself with all the seriousness of a wealthy man hunting through a check book which will not balance, for a few pennies that ought to be his.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading She began by balancing her check book, comparing stubs with cancelled checks, adding and verifying sums total, filing away paid bills and paying the remainder--a financial operation which did not require much time, but to which she applied herself with all the seriousness of a wealthy man hunting through a check book which will not balance, for a few pennies that ought to be his.

inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense

From this reading And now that her popularity in business gave her a bank balance and permitted some of the intimate little luxuries that make for a woman's self-respect, a perfect passion for order and method possessed her.

someone who has exceptional intellectual ability and originality

From this reading Her genius for order was inherent: even when she possessed nothing except the clothes she wore, she had always kept them in perfect condition.

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

From this reading Valerie was busy--exceedingly busy arranging matters, in view of the great change impending.

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

From this reading For since she had any accounts at all to keep, she had kept them with method and determination.

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

From this reading She began by balancing her check book, comparing stubs with cancelled checks, adding and verifying sums total, filing away paid bills and paying the remainder--a financial operation which did not require much time, but to which she applied herself with all the seriousness of a wealthy man hunting through a check book which will not balance, for a few pennies that ought to be his.

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

From this reading She began by balancing her check book, comparing stubs with cancelled checks, adding and verifying sums total, filing away paid bills and paying the remainder--a financial operation which did not require much time, but to which she applied herself with all the seriousness of a wealthy man hunting through a check book which will not balance, for a few pennies that ought to be his.

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

From this reading She began by balancing her check book, comparing stubs with cancelled checks, adding and verifying sums total, filing away paid bills and paying the remainder--a financial operation which did not require much time, but to which she applied herself with all the seriousness of a wealthy man hunting through a check book which will not balance, for a few pennies that ought to be his.

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

From this reading She began by balancing her check book, comparing stubs with cancelled checks, adding and verifying sums total, filing away paid bills and paying the remainder--a financial operation which did not require much time, but to which she applied herself with all the seriousness of a wealthy man hunting through a check book which will not balance, for a few pennies that ought to be his.

close in time; about to occur

From this reading Valerie was busy--exceedingly busy arranging matters, in view of the great change impending.

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

From this reading Valerie was busy--exceedingly busy arranging matters, in view of the great change impending.

existing as an essential constituent or characteristic

From this reading Her genius for order was inherent: even when she possessed nothing except the clothes she wore, she had always kept them in perfect condition.

marked by close acquaintance, association, or familiarity

From this reading And now that her popularity in business gave her a bank balance and permitted some of the intimate little luxuries that make for a woman's self-respect, a perfect passion for order and method possessed her.

cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”

From this reading For since she had any accounts at all to keep, she had kept them with method and determination.

(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded

From this reading For since she had any accounts at all to keep, she had kept them with method and determination.

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

From this reading And now that her popularity in business gave her a bank balance and permitted some of the intimate little luxuries that make for a woman's self-respect, a perfect passion for order and method possessed her.

plural of “luxury” — something that is an indulgence rather than a necessity

From this reading And now that her popularity in business gave her a bank balance and permitted some of the intimate little luxuries that make for a woman's self-respect, a perfect passion for order and method possessed her.

engage in

From this reading And now that her popularity in business gave her a bank balance and permitted some of the intimate little luxuries that make for a woman's self-respect, a perfect passion for order and method possessed her.

an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

From this reading She began by balancing her check book, comparing stubs with cancelled checks, adding and verifying sums total, filing away paid bills and paying the remainder--a financial operation which did not require much time, but to which she applied herself with all the seriousness of a wealthy man hunting through a check book which will not balance, for a few pennies that ought to be his.

plural of “matter” — a vaguely specified concern

From this reading Valerie was busy--exceedingly busy arranging matters, in view of the great change impending.

a way of doing something, especially a systematic way; implies an orderly logical arrangement (usually in steps)

From this reading For since she had any accounts at all to keep, she had kept them with method and determination.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading She began by balancing her check book, comparing stubs with cancelled checks, adding and verifying sums total, filing away paid bills and paying the remainder--a financial operation which did not require much time, but to which she applied herself with all the seriousness of a wealthy man hunting through a check book which will not balance, for a few pennies that ought to be his.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading She began by balancing her check book, comparing stubs with cancelled checks, adding and verifying sums total, filing away paid bills and paying the remainder--a financial operation which did not require much time, but to which she applied herself with all the seriousness of a wealthy man hunting through a check book which will not balance, for a few pennies that ought to be his.

not one thing; not anything

From this reading Her genius for order was inherent: even when she possessed nothing except the clothes she wore, she had always kept them in perfect condition.

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

From this reading And now that her popularity in business gave her a bank balance and permitted some of the intimate little luxuries that make for a woman's self-respect, a perfect passion for order and method possessed her.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Valerie was busy--exceedingly busy arranging matters, in view of the great change impending.

the state of being in effect or being operative

From this reading She began by balancing her check book, comparing stubs with cancelled checks, adding and verifying sums total, filing away paid bills and paying the remainder--a financial operation which did not require much time, but to which she applied herself with all the seriousness of a wealthy man hunting through a check book which will not balance, for a few pennies that ought to be his.

(often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed

From this reading Her genius for order was inherent: even when she possessed nothing except the clothes she wore, she had always kept them in perfect condition.

used with “to” to say what is right or advisable

From this reading She began by balancing her check book, comparing stubs with cancelled checks, adding and verifying sums total, filing away paid bills and paying the remainder--a financial operation which did not require much time, but to which she applied herself with all the seriousness of a wealthy man hunting through a check book which will not balance, for a few pennies that ought to be his.

marked by the reception of pay

From this reading She began by balancing her check book, comparing stubs with cancelled checks, adding and verifying sums total, filing away paid bills and paying the remainder--a financial operation which did not require much time, but to which she applied herself with all the seriousness of a wealthy man hunting through a check book which will not balance, for a few pennies that ought to be his.

a strong feeling or emotion

From this reading And now that her popularity in business gave her a bank balance and permitted some of the intimate little luxuries that make for a woman's self-respect, a perfect passion for order and method possessed her.

yielding a fair profit

From this reading She began by balancing her check book, comparing stubs with cancelled checks, adding and verifying sums total, filing away paid bills and paying the remainder--a financial operation which did not require much time, but to which she applied herself with all the seriousness of a wealthy man hunting through a check book which will not balance, for a few pennies that ought to be his.

plural of “penny” — a fractional monetary unit of Ireland and the United Kingdom; equal to one hundredth of a pound

From this reading She began by balancing her check book, comparing stubs with cancelled checks, adding and verifying sums total, filing away paid bills and paying the remainder--a financial operation which did not require much time, but to which she applied herself with all the seriousness of a wealthy man hunting through a check book which will not balance, for a few pennies that ought to be his.

being complete of its kind and without defect or blemish

From this reading Her genius for order was inherent: even when she possessed nothing except the clothes she wore, she had always kept them in perfect condition.

inflected form of “permit” — consent to, give permission

From this reading And now that her popularity in business gave her a bank balance and permitted some of the intimate little luxuries that make for a woman's self-respect, a perfect passion for order and method possessed her.

the quality of being widely admired or accepted or sought after

From this reading And now that her popularity in business gave her a bank balance and permitted some of the intimate little luxuries that make for a woman's self-respect, a perfect passion for order and method possessed her.

influenced or controlled by a powerful force such as a strong emotion

From this reading Her genius for order was inherent: even when she possessed nothing except the clothes she wore, she had always kept them in perfect condition.

something left after other parts have been taken away

From this reading She began by balancing her check book, comparing stubs with cancelled checks, adding and verifying sums total, filing away paid bills and paying the remainder--a financial operation which did not require much time, but to which she applied herself with all the seriousness of a wealthy man hunting through a check book which will not balance, for a few pennies that ought to be his.

require as useful, just, or proper

From this reading She began by balancing her check book, comparing stubs with cancelled checks, adding and verifying sums total, filing away paid bills and paying the remainder--a financial operation which did not require much time, but to which she applied herself with all the seriousness of a wealthy man hunting through a check book which will not balance, for a few pennies that ought to be his.

the quality of being worthy of esteem or respect

From this reading And now that her popularity in business gave her a bank balance and permitted some of the intimate little luxuries that make for a woman's self-respect, a perfect passion for order and method possessed her.

an earnest and sincere feeling

From this reading She began by balancing her check book, comparing stubs with cancelled checks, adding and verifying sums total, filing away paid bills and paying the remainder--a financial operation which did not require much time, but to which she applied herself with all the seriousness of a wealthy man hunting through a check book which will not balance, for a few pennies that ought to be his.

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

From this reading She began by balancing her check book, comparing stubs with cancelled checks, adding and verifying sums total, filing away paid bills and paying the remainder--a financial operation which did not require much time, but to which she applied herself with all the seriousness of a wealthy man hunting through a check book which will not balance, for a few pennies that ought to be his.

from a time in the past until now

From this reading For since she had any accounts at all to keep, she had kept them with method and determination.

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

From this reading And now that her popularity in business gave her a bank balance and permitted some of the intimate little luxuries that make for a woman's self-respect, a perfect passion for order and method possessed her.

plural of “stub” — a short piece remaining on a trunk or stem where a branch is lost

From this reading She began by balancing her check book, comparing stubs with cancelled checks, adding and verifying sums total, filing away paid bills and paying the remainder--a financial operation which did not require much time, but to which she applied herself with all the seriousness of a wealthy man hunting through a check book which will not balance, for a few pennies that ought to be his.

plural of “sum” — a quantity of money

From this reading She began by balancing her check book, comparing stubs with cancelled checks, adding and verifying sums total, filing away paid bills and paying the remainder--a financial operation which did not require much time, but to which she applied herself with all the seriousness of a wealthy man hunting through a check book which will not balance, for a few pennies that ought to be his.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading She began by balancing her check book, comparing stubs with cancelled checks, adding and verifying sums total, filing away paid bills and paying the remainder--a financial operation which did not require much time, but to which she applied herself with all the seriousness of a wealthy man hunting through a check book which will not balance, for a few pennies that ought to be his.

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

From this reading Valerie was busy--exceedingly busy arranging matters, in view of the great change impending.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading For since she had any accounts at all to keep, she had kept them with method and determination.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading She began by balancing her check book, comparing stubs with cancelled checks, adding and verifying sums total, filing away paid bills and paying the remainder--a financial operation which did not require much time, but to which she applied herself with all the seriousness of a wealthy man hunting through a check book which will not balance, for a few pennies that ought to be his.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading She began by balancing her check book, comparing stubs with cancelled checks, adding and verifying sums total, filing away paid bills and paying the remainder--a financial operation which did not require much time, but to which she applied herself with all the seriousness of a wealthy man hunting through a check book which will not balance, for a few pennies that ought to be his.

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

From this reading She began by balancing her check book, comparing stubs with cancelled checks, adding and verifying sums total, filing away paid bills and paying the remainder--a financial operation which did not require much time, but to which she applied herself with all the seriousness of a wealthy man hunting through a check book which will not balance, for a few pennies that ought to be his.

add up in number or quantity

From this reading She began by balancing her check book, comparing stubs with cancelled checks, adding and verifying sums total, filing away paid bills and paying the remainder--a financial operation which did not require much time, but to which she applied herself with all the seriousness of a wealthy man hunting through a check book which will not balance, for a few pennies that ought to be his.

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

From this reading Valerie was busy--exceedingly busy arranging matters, in view of the great change impending.

serving to support or corroborate

From this reading She began by balancing her check book, comparing stubs with cancelled checks, adding and verifying sums total, filing away paid bills and paying the remainder--a financial operation which did not require much time, but to which she applied herself with all the seriousness of a wealthy man hunting through a check book which will not balance, for a few pennies that ought to be his.

a way of regarding situations or topics etc.

From this reading Valerie was busy--exceedingly busy arranging matters, in view of the great change impending.

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

From this reading Valerie was busy--exceedingly busy arranging matters, in view of the great change impending.

having an abundant supply of money or possessions of value

From this reading She began by balancing her check book, comparing stubs with cancelled checks, adding and verifying sums total, filing away paid bills and paying the remainder--a financial operation which did not require much time, but to which she applied herself with all the seriousness of a wealthy man hunting through a check book which will not balance, for a few pennies that ought to be his.

at the time that

From this reading Her genius for order was inherent: even when she possessed nothing except the clothes she wore, she had always kept them in perfect condition.

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

From this reading She began by balancing her check book, comparing stubs with cancelled checks, adding and verifying sums total, filing away paid bills and paying the remainder--a financial operation which did not require much time, but to which she applied herself with all the seriousness of a wealthy man hunting through a check book which will not balance, for a few pennies that ought to be his.

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading She began by balancing her check book, comparing stubs with cancelled checks, adding and verifying sums total, filing away paid bills and paying the remainder--a financial operation which did not require much time, but to which she applied herself with all the seriousness of a wealthy man hunting through a check book which will not balance, for a few pennies that ought to be his.

in the company of; together with

From this reading She began by balancing her check book, comparing stubs with cancelled checks, adding and verifying sums total, filing away paid bills and paying the remainder--a financial operation which did not require much time, but to which she applied herself with all the seriousness of a wealthy man hunting through a check book which will not balance, for a few pennies that ought to be his.

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

From this reading And now that her popularity in business gave her a bank balance and permitted some of the intimate little luxuries that make for a woman's self-respect, a perfect passion for order and method possessed her.

inflected form of “wear” — be dressed in

From this reading Her genius for order was inherent: even when she possessed nothing except the clothes she wore, she had always kept them in perfect condition.