Chapter VIII

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

From this reading Even the Doña began to be hypnotised by the inevitable, and to find a little balm in the joys of the trousseau.

generally approved or compelling recognition

From this reading By the middle of March, Concha’s engagement had become an accepted fact: Dick and Rory’s uncle, Colonel Dundas of Drumsheugh, had exchanged letters; the marriage was fixed for the beginning of July; wedding presents had already begun to drift in.

later than; following

From this reading Then Parker would giggle, and Concha, after a good-natured “Good Lord!” would say, “I tell you, Doña, they’re always _worn_ like that now.”

make it possible through a specific action or lack of action for something to happen

From this reading In Parker’s sewing-room little scenes like this would take place: “No, Concha, I _won’t_ allow you to have them so low.

prior to a specified or implied time

From this reading By the middle of March, Concha’s engagement had become an accepted fact: Dick and Rory’s uncle, Colonel Dundas of Drumsheugh, had exchanged letters; the marriage was fixed for the beginning of July; wedding presents had already begun to drift in.

at all times; all the time and on every occasion

From this reading Then Parker would giggle, and Concha, after a good-natured “Good Lord!” would say, “I tell you, Doña, they’re always _worn_ like that now.”

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading By the middle of March, Concha’s engagement had become an accepted fact: Dick and Rory’s uncle, Colonel Dundas of Drumsheugh, had exchanged letters; the marriage was fixed for the beginning of July; wedding presents had already begun to drift in.

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

From this reading By the middle of March, Concha’s engagement had become an accepted fact: Dick and Rory’s uncle, Colonel Dundas of Drumsheugh, had exchanged letters; the marriage was fixed for the beginning of July; wedding presents had already begun to drift in.

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

From this reading You might as well be stark naked.”

any of various aromatic resinous substances used for healing and soothing

From this reading Even the Doña began to be hypnotised by the inevitable, and to find a little balm in the joys of the trousseau.

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

From this reading Even the Doña began to be hypnotised by the inevitable, and to find a little balm in the joys of the trousseau.

enter or assume a certain state or condition

From this reading By the middle of March, Concha’s engagement had become an accepted fact: Dick and Rory’s uncle, Colonel Dundas of Drumsheugh, had exchanged letters; the marriage was fixed for the beginning of July; wedding presents had already begun to drift in.

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

From this reading Even the Doña began to be hypnotised by the inevitable, and to find a little balm in the joys of the trousseau.

the event consisting of the start of something

From this reading By the middle of March, Concha’s engagement had become an accepted fact: Dick and Rory’s uncle, Colonel Dundas of Drumsheugh, had exchanged letters; the marriage was fixed for the beginning of July; wedding presents had already begun to drift in.

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

From this reading By the middle of March, Concha’s engagement had become an accepted fact: Dick and Rory’s uncle, Colonel Dundas of Drumsheugh, had exchanged letters; the marriage was fixed for the beginning of July; wedding presents had already begun to drift in.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading By the middle of March, Concha’s engagement had become an accepted fact: Dick and Rory’s uncle, Colonel Dundas of Drumsheugh, had exchanged letters; the marriage was fixed for the beginning of July; wedding presents had already begun to drift in.

a commissioned military officer in the United States Army or Air Force or Marines who ranks above a lieutenant colonel and below a brigadier general

From this reading By the middle of March, Concha’s engagement had become an accepted fact: Dick and Rory’s uncle, Colonel Dundas of Drumsheugh, had exchanged letters; the marriage was fixed for the beginning of July; wedding presents had already begun to drift in.

(anatomy) a structure that resembles a shell in shape

From this reading In Parker’s sewing-room little scenes like this would take place: “No, Concha, I _won’t_ allow you to have them so low.

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

From this reading By the middle of March, Concha’s engagement had become an accepted fact: Dick and Rory’s uncle, Colonel Dundas of Drumsheugh, had exchanged letters; the marriage was fixed for the beginning of July; wedding presents had already begun to drift in.

someone who is a detective

From this reading By the middle of March, Concha’s engagement had become an accepted fact: Dick and Rory’s uncle, Colonel Dundas of Drumsheugh, had exchanged letters; the marriage was fixed for the beginning of July; wedding presents had already begun to drift in.

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

From this reading Even the Doña began to be hypnotised by the inevitable, and to find a little balm in the joys of the trousseau.

be in motion due to some air or water current

From this reading By the middle of March, Concha’s engagement had become an accepted fact: Dick and Rory’s uncle, Colonel Dundas of Drumsheugh, had exchanged letters; the marriage was fixed for the beginning of July; wedding presents had already begun to drift in.

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

From this reading By the middle of March, Concha’s engagement had become an accepted fact: Dick and Rory’s uncle, Colonel Dundas of Drumsheugh, had exchanged letters; the marriage was fixed for the beginning of July; wedding presents had already begun to drift in.

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

From this reading By the middle of March, Concha’s engagement had become an accepted fact: Dick and Rory’s uncle, Colonel Dundas of Drumsheugh, had exchanged letters; the marriage was fixed for the beginning of July; wedding presents had already begun to drift in.

a hostile meeting of opposing military forces in the course of a war

From this reading By the middle of March, Concha’s engagement had become an accepted fact: Dick and Rory’s uncle, Colonel Dundas of Drumsheugh, had exchanged letters; the marriage was fixed for the beginning of July; wedding presents had already begun to drift in.

divisible by two

From this reading Even the Doña began to be hypnotised by the inevitable, and to find a little balm in the joys of the trousseau.

changed for (replaced by) something different

From this reading By the middle of March, Concha’s engagement had become an accepted fact: Dick and Rory’s uncle, Colonel Dundas of Drumsheugh, had exchanged letters; the marriage was fixed for the beginning of July; wedding presents had already begun to drift in.

a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred

From this reading By the middle of March, Concha’s engagement had become an accepted fact: Dick and Rory’s uncle, Colonel Dundas of Drumsheugh, had exchanged letters; the marriage was fixed for the beginning of July; wedding presents had already begun to drift in.

come upon, as if by accident; meet with

From this reading Even the Doña began to be hypnotised by the inevitable, and to find a little balm in the joys of the trousseau.

(of a number) having a fixed and unchanging value

From this reading By the middle of March, Concha’s engagement had become an accepted fact: Dick and Rory’s uncle, Colonel Dundas of Drumsheugh, had exchanged letters; the marriage was fixed for the beginning of July; wedding presents had already begun to drift in.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading By the middle of March, Concha’s engagement had become an accepted fact: Dick and Rory’s uncle, Colonel Dundas of Drumsheugh, had exchanged letters; the marriage was fixed for the beginning of July; wedding presents had already begun to drift in.

a foolish or nervous laugh

From this reading Then Parker would giggle, and Concha, after a good-natured “Good Lord!” would say, “I tell you, Doña, they’re always _worn_ like that now.”

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

From this reading Then Parker would giggle, and Concha, after a good-natured “Good Lord!” would say, “I tell you, Doña, they’re always _worn_ like that now.”

having an easygoing and cheerful disposition

From this reading Then Parker would giggle, and Concha, after a good-natured “Good Lord!” would say, “I tell you, Doña, they’re always _worn_ like that now.”

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

From this reading By the middle of March, Concha’s engagement had become an accepted fact: Dick and Rory’s uncle, Colonel Dundas of Drumsheugh, had exchanged letters; the marriage was fixed for the beginning of July; wedding presents had already begun to drift in.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading In Parker’s sewing-room little scenes like this would take place: “No, Concha, I _won’t_ allow you to have them so low.

having your attention fixated as though by a spell

From this reading Even the Doña began to be hypnotised by the inevitable, and to find a little balm in the joys of the trousseau.

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

From this reading In Parker’s sewing-room little scenes like this would take place: “No, Concha, I _won’t_ allow you to have them so low.

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

From this reading By the middle of March, Concha’s engagement had become an accepted fact: Dick and Rory’s uncle, Colonel Dundas of Drumsheugh, had exchanged letters; the marriage was fixed for the beginning of July; wedding presents had already begun to drift in.

incapable of being avoided or prevented

From this reading Even the Doña began to be hypnotised by the inevitable, and to find a little balm in the joys of the trousseau.

plural of “joy” — the emotion of great happiness

From this reading Even the Doña began to be hypnotised by the inevitable, and to find a little balm in the joys of the trousseau.

the month following June and preceding August

From this reading By the middle of March, Concha’s engagement had become an accepted fact: Dick and Rory’s uncle, Colonel Dundas of Drumsheugh, had exchanged letters; the marriage was fixed for the beginning of July; wedding presents had already begun to drift in.

the literary culture

From this reading By the middle of March, Concha’s engagement had become an accepted fact: Dick and Rory’s uncle, Colonel Dundas of Drumsheugh, had exchanged letters; the marriage was fixed for the beginning of July; wedding presents had already begun to drift in.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading In Parker’s sewing-room little scenes like this would take place: “No, Concha, I _won’t_ allow you to have them so low.

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

From this reading Even the Doña began to be hypnotised by the inevitable, and to find a little balm in the joys of the trousseau.

terms referring to the Judeo-Christian God

From this reading Then Parker would giggle, and Concha, after a good-natured “Good Lord!” would say, “I tell you, Doña, they’re always _worn_ like that now.”

less than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading In Parker’s sewing-room little scenes like this would take place: “No, Concha, I _won’t_ allow you to have them so low.

march in a procession

From this reading By the middle of March, Concha’s engagement had become an accepted fact: Dick and Rory’s uncle, Colonel Dundas of Drumsheugh, had exchanged letters; the marriage was fixed for the beginning of July; wedding presents had already begun to drift in.

the state of being a married couple voluntarily joined for life (or until divorce)

From this reading By the middle of March, Concha’s engagement had become an accepted fact: Dick and Rory’s uncle, Colonel Dundas of Drumsheugh, had exchanged letters; the marriage was fixed for the beginning of July; wedding presents had already begun to drift in.

an area that is approximately central within some larger region

From this reading By the middle of March, Concha’s engagement had become an accepted fact: Dick and Rory’s uncle, Colonel Dundas of Drumsheugh, had exchanged letters; the marriage was fixed for the beginning of July; wedding presents had already begun to drift in.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading You might as well be stark naked.”

completely unclothed

From this reading You might as well be stark naked.”

not any; not one

From this reading In Parker’s sewing-room little scenes like this would take place: “No, Concha, I _won’t_ allow you to have them so low.

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

From this reading Then Parker would giggle, and Concha, after a good-natured “Good Lord!” would say, “I tell you, Doña, they’re always _worn_ like that now.”

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading By the middle of March, Concha’s engagement had become an accepted fact: Dick and Rory’s uncle, Colonel Dundas of Drumsheugh, had exchanged letters; the marriage was fixed for the beginning of July; wedding presents had already begun to drift in.

United States saxophonist and leader of the bop style of jazz (1920-1955)

From this reading Then Parker would giggle, and Concha, after a good-natured “Good Lord!” would say, “I tell you, Doña, they’re always _worn_ like that now.”

possessive form of “parker” — United States saxophonist and leader of the bop style of jazz (1920-1955)

From this reading In Parker’s sewing-room little scenes like this would take place: “No, Concha, I _won’t_ allow you to have them so low.

a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading In Parker’s sewing-room little scenes like this would take place: “No, Concha, I _won’t_ allow you to have them so low.

plural of “present” — the period of time that is happening now; any continuous stretch of time including the moment of speech

From this reading By the middle of March, Concha’s engagement had become an accepted fact: Dick and Rory’s uncle, Colonel Dundas of Drumsheugh, had exchanged letters; the marriage was fixed for the beginning of July; wedding presents had already begun to drift in.

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

From this reading By the middle of March, Concha’s engagement had become an accepted fact: Dick and Rory’s uncle, Colonel Dundas of Drumsheugh, had exchanged letters; the marriage was fixed for the beginning of July; wedding presents had already begun to drift in.

express in words

From this reading Then Parker would giggle, and Concha, after a good-natured “Good Lord!” would say, “I tell you, Doña, they’re always _worn_ like that now.”

plural of “scene” — the place where some action occurs

From this reading In Parker’s sewing-room little scenes like this would take place: “No, Concha, I _won’t_ allow you to have them so low.

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

From this reading In Parker’s sewing-room little scenes like this would take place: “No, Concha, I _won’t_ allow you to have them so low.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading In Parker’s sewing-room little scenes like this would take place: “No, Concha, I _won’t_ allow you to have them so low.

devoid of any qualifications or disguise or adornment

From this reading You might as well be stark naked.”

carry out

From this reading In Parker’s sewing-room little scenes like this would take place: “No, Concha, I _won’t_ allow you to have them so low.

express in words

From this reading Then Parker would giggle, and Concha, after a good-natured “Good Lord!” would say, “I tell you, Doña, they’re always _worn_ like that now.”

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Then Parker would giggle, and Concha, after a good-natured “Good Lord!” would say, “I tell you, Doña, they’re always _worn_ like that now.”

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

From this reading By the middle of March, Concha’s engagement had become an accepted fact: Dick and Rory’s uncle, Colonel Dundas of Drumsheugh, had exchanged letters; the marriage was fixed for the beginning of July; wedding presents had already begun to drift in.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading In Parker’s sewing-room little scenes like this would take place: “No, Concha, I _won’t_ allow you to have them so low.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading Then Parker would giggle, and Concha, after a good-natured “Good Lord!” would say, “I tell you, Doña, they’re always _worn_ like that now.”

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

From this reading Then Parker would giggle, and Concha, after a good-natured “Good Lord!” would say, “I tell you, Doña, they’re always _worn_ like that now.”

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

From this reading In Parker’s sewing-room little scenes like this would take place: “No, Concha, I _won’t_ allow you to have them so low.

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

From this reading By the middle of March, Concha’s engagement had become an accepted fact: Dick and Rory’s uncle, Colonel Dundas of Drumsheugh, had exchanged letters; the marriage was fixed for the beginning of July; wedding presents had already begun to drift in.

the personal outfit of a bride; clothes and accessories and linens

From this reading Even the Doña began to be hypnotised by the inevitable, and to find a little balm in the joys of the trousseau.

the brother of your father or mother; the husband of your aunt

From this reading By the middle of March, Concha’s engagement had become an accepted fact: Dick and Rory’s uncle, Colonel Dundas of Drumsheugh, had exchanged letters; the marriage was fixed for the beginning of July; wedding presents had already begun to drift in.

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

From this reading By the middle of March, Concha’s engagement had become an accepted fact: Dick and Rory’s uncle, Colonel Dundas of Drumsheugh, had exchanged letters; the marriage was fixed for the beginning of July; wedding presents had already begun to drift in.

the social event at which the ceremony of marriage is performed

From this reading By the middle of March, Concha’s engagement had become an accepted fact: Dick and Rory’s uncle, Colonel Dundas of Drumsheugh, had exchanged letters; the marriage was fixed for the beginning of July; wedding presents had already begun to drift in.

(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)

From this reading You might as well be stark naked.”

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

From this reading In Parker’s sewing-room little scenes like this would take place: “No, Concha, I _won’t_ allow you to have them so low.

Damaged or thinned by continuous use.

From this reading Then Parker would giggle, and Concha, after a good-natured “Good Lord!” would say, “I tell you, Doña, they’re always _worn_ like that now.”

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading In Parker’s sewing-room little scenes like this would take place: “No, Concha, I _won’t_ allow you to have them so low.

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading In Parker’s sewing-room little scenes like this would take place: “No, Concha, I _won’t_ allow you to have them so low.