Chapter VIII

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

From this reading Then Parsons, who knew a great deal too much of the family to be endurable for a moment; then the one servant in the house who had ventured to be rude to Gervase’s wife, John the footman: a dreadful example, whose sudden fate had exercised the most salutary influence over the rest of the household.

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

From this reading She had an easy victory over her father-in-law.

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

From this reading First, Mrs. Osborne, and with her--not least in Patty’s estimation--Sarah, Osy’s maid, who had been at school with her, and whom she was still more anxious to get rid of than her mistress.

eagerly desirous

From this reading First, Mrs. Osborne, and with her--not least in Patty’s estimation--Sarah, Osy’s maid, who had been at school with her, and whom she was still more anxious to get rid of than her mistress.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading First, Mrs. Osborne, and with her--not least in Patty’s estimation--Sarah, Osy’s maid, who had been at school with her, and whom she was still more anxious to get rid of than her mistress.

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

From this reading Then Parsons, who knew a great deal too much of the family to be endurable for a moment; then the one servant in the house who had ventured to be rude to Gervase’s wife, John the footman: a dreadful example, whose sudden fate had exercised the most salutary influence over the rest of the household.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Patty had been triumphantly successful in the first chapter of her career.

the particular occupation for which you are trained

From this reading Patty had been triumphantly successful in the first chapter of her career.

a subdivision of a written work; usually numbered and titled

From this reading Patty had been triumphantly successful in the first chapter of her career.

rid of objects or obstructions such as e.g. trees and brush

From this reading She had cleared the house of everybody whom she disliked or feared.

act on verbally or in some form of artistic expression

From this reading Then Parsons, who knew a great deal too much of the family to be endurable for a moment; then the one servant in the house who had ventured to be rude to Gervase’s wife, John the footman: a dreadful example, whose sudden fate had exercised the most salutary influence over the rest of the household.

regarded with aversion

From this reading She had cleared the house of everybody whom she disliked or feared.

causing fear or dread or terror

From this reading Then Parsons, who knew a great deal too much of the family to be endurable for a moment; then the one servant in the house who had ventured to be rude to Gervase’s wife, John the footman: a dreadful example, whose sudden fate had exercised the most salutary influence over the rest of the household.

posing no difficulty; requiring little effort

From this reading She had an easy victory over her father-in-law.

capable of being borne though unpleasant

From this reading Then Parsons, who knew a great deal too much of the family to be endurable for a moment; then the one servant in the house who had ventured to be rude to Gervase’s wife, John the footman: a dreadful example, whose sudden fate had exercised the most salutary influence over the rest of the household.

a document appraising the value of something (as for insurance or taxation)

From this reading First, Mrs. Osborne, and with her--not least in Patty’s estimation--Sarah, Osy’s maid, who had been at school with her, and whom she was still more anxious to get rid of than her mistress.

every person

From this reading She had cleared the house of everybody whom she disliked or feared.

an item of information that is typical of a class or group

From this reading Then Parsons, who knew a great deal too much of the family to be endurable for a moment; then the one servant in the house who had ventured to be rude to Gervase’s wife, John the footman: a dreadful example, whose sudden fate had exercised the most salutary influence over the rest of the household.

past form of “exercise” — put to use

From this reading Then Parsons, who knew a great deal too much of the family to be endurable for a moment; then the one servant in the house who had ventured to be rude to Gervase’s wife, John the footman: a dreadful example, whose sudden fate had exercised the most salutary influence over the rest of the household.

a social unit living together

From this reading Then Parsons, who knew a great deal too much of the family to be endurable for a moment; then the one servant in the house who had ventured to be rude to Gervase’s wife, John the footman: a dreadful example, whose sudden fate had exercised the most salutary influence over the rest of the household.

an event (or a course of events) that will inevitably happen in the future

From this reading Then Parsons, who knew a great deal too much of the family to be endurable for a moment; then the one servant in the house who had ventured to be rude to Gervase’s wife, John the footman: a dreadful example, whose sudden fate had exercised the most salutary influence over the rest of the household.

the father of your spouse

From this reading She had an easy victory over her father-in-law.

past form of “fear” — be afraid or feel anxious or apprehensive about a possible or probable situation or event

From this reading She had cleared the house of everybody whom she disliked or feared.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading Patty had been triumphantly successful in the first chapter of her career.

a man employed as a servant in a large establishment (as a palace) to run errands and do chores

From this reading Then Parsons, who knew a great deal too much of the family to be endurable for a moment; then the one servant in the house who had ventured to be rude to Gervase’s wife, John the footman: a dreadful example, whose sudden fate had exercised the most salutary influence over the rest of the household.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Then Parsons, who knew a great deal too much of the family to be endurable for a moment; then the one servant in the house who had ventured to be rude to Gervase’s wife, John the footman: a dreadful example, whose sudden fate had exercised the most salutary influence over the rest of the household.

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

From this reading Then Parsons, who knew a great deal too much of the family to be endurable for a moment; then the one servant in the house who had ventured to be rude to Gervase’s wife, John the footman: a dreadful example, whose sudden fate had exercised the most salutary influence over the rest of the household.

come into the possession of something concrete or abstract

From this reading First, Mrs. Osborne, and with her--not least in Patty’s estimation--Sarah, Osy’s maid, who had been at school with her, and whom she was still more anxious to get rid of than her mistress.

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

From this reading Then Parsons, who knew a great deal too much of the family to be endurable for a moment; then the one servant in the house who had ventured to be rude to Gervase’s wife, John the footman: a dreadful example, whose sudden fate had exercised the most salutary influence over the rest of the household.

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

From this reading Patty had been triumphantly successful in the first chapter of her career.

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

From this reading Patty had been triumphantly successful in the first chapter of her career.

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

From this reading She had cleared the house of everybody whom she disliked or feared.

a social unit living together

From this reading Then Parsons, who knew a great deal too much of the family to be endurable for a moment; then the one servant in the house who had ventured to be rude to Gervase’s wife, John the footman: a dreadful example, whose sudden fate had exercised the most salutary influence over the rest of the household.

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

From this reading Patty had been triumphantly successful in the first chapter of her career.

a power to affect persons or events especially power based on prestige etc

From this reading Then Parsons, who knew a great deal too much of the family to be endurable for a moment; then the one servant in the house who had ventured to be rude to Gervase’s wife, John the footman: a dreadful example, whose sudden fate had exercised the most salutary influence over the rest of the household.

a room or building equipped with one or more toilets

From this reading Then Parsons, who knew a great deal too much of the family to be endurable for a moment; then the one servant in the house who had ventured to be rude to Gervase’s wife, John the footman: a dreadful example, whose sudden fate had exercised the most salutary influence over the rest of the household.

inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about

From this reading Then Parsons, who knew a great deal too much of the family to be endurable for a moment; then the one servant in the house who had ventured to be rude to Gervase’s wife, John the footman: a dreadful example, whose sudden fate had exercised the most salutary influence over the rest of the household.

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

From this reading First, Mrs. Osborne, and with her--not least in Patty’s estimation--Sarah, Osy’s maid, who had been at school with her, and whom she was still more anxious to get rid of than her mistress.

a female domestic

From this reading First, Mrs. Osborne, and with her--not least in Patty’s estimation--Sarah, Osy’s maid, who had been at school with her, and whom she was still more anxious to get rid of than her mistress.

an adulterous woman; a woman who has an ongoing extramarital sexual relationship with a man

From this reading First, Mrs. Osborne, and with her--not least in Patty’s estimation--Sarah, Osy’s maid, who had been at school with her, and whom she was still more anxious to get rid of than her mistress.

a particular point in time

From this reading Then Parsons, who knew a great deal too much of the family to be endurable for a moment; then the one servant in the house who had ventured to be rude to Gervase’s wife, John the footman: a dreadful example, whose sudden fate had exercised the most salutary influence over the rest of the household.

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading First, Mrs. Osborne, and with her--not least in Patty’s estimation--Sarah, Osy’s maid, who had been at school with her, and whom she was still more anxious to get rid of than her mistress.

used to form the superlative

From this reading Then Parsons, who knew a great deal too much of the family to be endurable for a moment; then the one servant in the house who had ventured to be rude to Gervase’s wife, John the footman: a dreadful example, whose sudden fate had exercised the most salutary influence over the rest of the household.

a form of address for a married woman

From this reading First, Mrs. Osborne, and with her--not least in Patty’s estimation--Sarah, Osy’s maid, who had been at school with her, and whom she was still more anxious to get rid of than her mistress.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading Then Parsons, who knew a great deal too much of the family to be endurable for a moment; then the one servant in the house who had ventured to be rude to Gervase’s wife, John the footman: a dreadful example, whose sudden fate had exercised the most salutary influence over the rest of the household.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading First, Mrs. Osborne, and with her--not least in Patty’s estimation--Sarah, Osy’s maid, who had been at school with her, and whom she was still more anxious to get rid of than her mistress.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Patty had been triumphantly successful in the first chapter of her career.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Then Parsons, who knew a great deal too much of the family to be endurable for a moment; then the one servant in the house who had ventured to be rude to Gervase’s wife, John the footman: a dreadful example, whose sudden fate had exercised the most salutary influence over the rest of the household.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading She had cleared the house of everybody whom she disliked or feared.

English playwright (1929-1994)

From this reading First, Mrs. Osborne, and with her--not least in Patty’s estimation--Sarah, Osy’s maid, who had been at school with her, and whom she was still more anxious to get rid of than her mistress.

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

From this reading First, Mrs. Osborne, and with her--not least in Patty’s estimation--Sarah, Osy’s maid, who had been at school with her, and whom she was still more anxious to get rid of than her mistress.

above and across; more than

From this reading She had an easy victory over her father-in-law.

United States sociologist (1902-1979)

From this reading Then Parsons, who knew a great deal too much of the family to be endurable for a moment; then the one servant in the house who had ventured to be rude to Gervase’s wife, John the footman: a dreadful example, whose sudden fate had exercised the most salutary influence over the rest of the household.

small flat mass of chopped food

From this reading Patty had been triumphantly successful in the first chapter of her career.

possessive form of “patty” — small flat mass of chopped food

From this reading First, Mrs. Osborne, and with her--not least in Patty’s estimation--Sarah, Osy’s maid, who had been at school with her, and whom she was still more anxious to get rid of than her mistress.

not move; be in a resting position

From this reading Then Parsons, who knew a great deal too much of the family to be endurable for a moment; then the one servant in the house who had ventured to be rude to Gervase’s wife, John the footman: a dreadful example, whose sudden fate had exercised the most salutary influence over the rest of the household.

relieve from

From this reading First, Mrs. Osborne, and with her--not least in Patty’s estimation--Sarah, Osy’s maid, who had been at school with her, and whom she was still more anxious to get rid of than her mistress.

socially incorrect in behavior

From this reading Then Parsons, who knew a great deal too much of the family to be endurable for a moment; then the one servant in the house who had ventured to be rude to Gervase’s wife, John the footman: a dreadful example, whose sudden fate had exercised the most salutary influence over the rest of the household.

tending to promote physical well-being; beneficial to health

From this reading Then Parsons, who knew a great deal too much of the family to be endurable for a moment; then the one servant in the house who had ventured to be rude to Gervase’s wife, John the footman: a dreadful example, whose sudden fate had exercised the most salutary influence over the rest of the household.

(Old Testament) the wife of Abraham and mother of Isaac

From this reading First, Mrs. Osborne, and with her--not least in Patty’s estimation--Sarah, Osy’s maid, who had been at school with her, and whom she was still more anxious to get rid of than her mistress.

an educational institution

From this reading First, Mrs. Osborne, and with her--not least in Patty’s estimation--Sarah, Osy’s maid, who had been at school with her, and whom she was still more anxious to get rid of than her mistress.

a person working in the service of another (especially in the household)

From this reading Then Parsons, who knew a great deal too much of the family to be endurable for a moment; then the one servant in the house who had ventured to be rude to Gervase’s wife, John the footman: a dreadful example, whose sudden fate had exercised the most salutary influence over the rest of the household.

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

From this reading She had an easy victory over her father-in-law.

not in physical motion

From this reading First, Mrs. Osborne, and with her--not least in Patty’s estimation--Sarah, Osy’s maid, who had been at school with her, and whom she was still more anxious to get rid of than her mistress.

having succeeded or being marked by a favorable outcome

From this reading Patty had been triumphantly successful in the first chapter of her career.

happening without warning or in a short space of time

From this reading Then Parsons, who knew a great deal too much of the family to be endurable for a moment; then the one servant in the house who had ventured to be rude to Gervase’s wife, John the footman: a dreadful example, whose sudden fate had exercised the most salutary influence over the rest of the household.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading First, Mrs. Osborne, and with her--not least in Patty’s estimation--Sarah, Osy’s maid, who had been at school with her, and whom she was still more anxious to get rid of than her mistress.

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

From this reading Patty had been triumphantly successful in the first chapter of her career.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading Then Parsons, who knew a great deal too much of the family to be endurable for a moment; then the one servant in the house who had ventured to be rude to Gervase’s wife, John the footman: a dreadful example, whose sudden fate had exercised the most salutary influence over the rest of the household.

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

From this reading First, Mrs. Osborne, and with her--not least in Patty’s estimation--Sarah, Osy’s maid, who had been at school with her, and whom she was still more anxious to get rid of than her mistress.

to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits

From this reading Then Parsons, who knew a great deal too much of the family to be endurable for a moment; then the one servant in the house who had ventured to be rude to Gervase’s wife, John the footman: a dreadful example, whose sudden fate had exercised the most salutary influence over the rest of the household.

in a triumphant manner

From this reading Patty had been triumphantly successful in the first chapter of her career.

past form of “venture” — proceed somewhere despite the risk of possible dangers

From this reading Then Parsons, who knew a great deal too much of the family to be endurable for a moment; then the one servant in the house who had ventured to be rude to Gervase’s wife, John the footman: a dreadful example, whose sudden fate had exercised the most salutary influence over the rest of the household.

a successful ending of a struggle or contest

From this reading She had an easy victory over her father-in-law.

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

From this reading First, Mrs. Osborne, and with her--not least in Patty’s estimation--Sarah, Osy’s maid, who had been at school with her, and whom she was still more anxious to get rid of than her mistress.

which person or people

From this reading First, Mrs. Osborne, and with her--not least in Patty’s estimation--Sarah, Osy’s maid, who had been at school with her, and whom she was still more anxious to get rid of than her mistress.

the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading She had cleared the house of everybody whom she disliked or feared.

belonging to which person

From this reading Then Parsons, who knew a great deal too much of the family to be endurable for a moment; then the one servant in the house who had ventured to be rude to Gervase’s wife, John the footman: a dreadful example, whose sudden fate had exercised the most salutary influence over the rest of the household.

a married woman; a man's partner in marriage

From this reading Then Parsons, who knew a great deal too much of the family to be endurable for a moment; then the one servant in the house who had ventured to be rude to Gervase’s wife, John the footman: a dreadful example, whose sudden fate had exercised the most salutary influence over the rest of the household.

in the company of; together with

From this reading First, Mrs. Osborne, and with her--not least in Patty’s estimation--Sarah, Osy’s maid, who had been at school with her, and whom she was still more anxious to get rid of than her mistress.