Chapter IX · Chapter 9

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

From this reading My only apology for getting out of patience with her is that I had seen her seldom in the last few years, had forgotten how matter-of-surface her affectation and snobbery were, and how little they interfered with her being a good mother and a good wife, up to the limits of her brain capacity.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading “I'm sure, Mr. Blacklock,” she said plaintively, “I only wished to say what was pleasant and nice about your fiancée.

regarded with admiration

From this reading I've often admired her at the opera.

a deliberate pretense or exaggerated display

From this reading My only apology for getting out of patience with her is that I had seen her seldom in the last few years, had forgotten how matter-of-surface her affectation and snobbery were, and how little they interfered with her being a good mother and a good wife, up to the limits of her brain capacity.

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

From this reading My only apology for getting out of patience with her is that I had seen her seldom in the last few years, had forgotten how matter-of-surface her affectation and snobbery were, and how little they interfered with her being a good mother and a good wife, up to the limits of her brain capacity.

an expression of regret at having caused trouble for someone

From this reading My only apology for getting out of patience with her is that I had seen her seldom in the last few years, had forgotten how matter-of-surface her affectation and snobbery were, and how little they interfered with her being a good mother and a good wife, up to the limits of her brain capacity.

feeling shame or guilt or embarrassment or remorse

From this reading She weakened so promptly that I was ashamed of myself.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading I've often admired her at the opera.

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading My only apology for getting out of patience with her is that I had seen her seldom in the last few years, had forgotten how matter-of-surface her affectation and snobbery were, and how little they interfered with her being a good mother and a good wife, up to the limits of her brain capacity.

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

From this reading “I'm sure, Mr. Blacklock,” she said plaintively, “I only wished to say what was pleasant and nice about your fiancée.

that part of the central nervous system that includes all the higher nervous centers; enclosed within the skull; continuous with the spinal cord

From this reading My only apology for getting out of patience with her is that I had seen her seldom in the last few years, had forgotten how matter-of-surface her affectation and snobbery were, and how little they interfered with her being a good mother and a good wife, up to the limits of her brain capacity.

capability to perform or produce

From this reading My only apology for getting out of patience with her is that I had seen her seldom in the last few years, had forgotten how matter-of-surface her affectation and snobbery were, and how little they interfered with her being a good mother and a good wife, up to the limits of her brain capacity.

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

From this reading My only apology for getting out of patience with her is that I had seen her seldom in the last few years, had forgotten how matter-of-surface her affectation and snobbery were, and how little they interfered with her being a good mother and a good wife, up to the limits of her brain capacity.

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

From this reading “I'm sure, Mr. Blacklock,” she said plaintively, “I only wished to say what was pleasant and nice about your fiancée.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading My only apology for getting out of patience with her is that I had seen her seldom in the last few years, had forgotten how matter-of-surface her affectation and snobbery were, and how little they interfered with her being a good mother and a good wife, up to the limits of her brain capacity.

Not remembered; lapsed from memory.

From this reading My only apology for getting out of patience with her is that I had seen her seldom in the last few years, had forgotten how matter-of-surface her affectation and snobbery were, and how little they interfered with her being a good mother and a good wife, up to the limits of her brain capacity.

the act of acquiring something

From this reading My only apology for getting out of patience with her is that I had seen her seldom in the last few years, had forgotten how matter-of-surface her affectation and snobbery were, and how little they interfered with her being a good mother and a good wife, up to the limits of her brain capacity.

a young female

From this reading I know she's a lovely girl.

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

From this reading My only apology for getting out of patience with her is that I had seen her seldom in the last few years, had forgotten how matter-of-surface her affectation and snobbery were, and how little they interfered with her being a good mother and a good wife, up to the limits of her brain capacity.

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

From this reading My only apology for getting out of patience with her is that I had seen her seldom in the last few years, had forgotten how matter-of-surface her affectation and snobbery were, and how little they interfered with her being a good mother and a good wife, up to the limits of her brain capacity.

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

From this reading My only apology for getting out of patience with her is that I had seen her seldom in the last few years, had forgotten how matter-of-surface her affectation and snobbery were, and how little they interfered with her being a good mother and a good wife, up to the limits of her brain capacity.

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

From this reading My only apology for getting out of patience with her is that I had seen her seldom in the last few years, had forgotten how matter-of-surface her affectation and snobbery were, and how little they interfered with her being a good mother and a good wife, up to the limits of her brain capacity.

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

From this reading She weakened so promptly that I was ashamed of myself.

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

From this reading “I'm sure, Mr. Blacklock,” she said plaintively, “I only wished to say what was pleasant and nice about your fiancée.

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

From this reading I've often admired her at the opera.

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

From this reading My only apology for getting out of patience with her is that I had seen her seldom in the last few years, had forgotten how matter-of-surface her affectation and snobbery were, and how little they interfered with her being a good mother and a good wife, up to the limits of her brain capacity.

past form of “interfere” — come between so as to be hindrance or obstacle

From this reading My only apology for getting out of patience with her is that I had seen her seldom in the last few years, had forgotten how matter-of-surface her affectation and snobbery were, and how little they interfered with her being a good mother and a good wife, up to the limits of her brain capacity.

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

From this reading My only apology for getting out of patience with her is that I had seen her seldom in the last few years, had forgotten how matter-of-surface her affectation and snobbery were, and how little they interfered with her being a good mother and a good wife, up to the limits of her brain capacity.

be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about

From this reading I know she's a lovely girl.

immediately past

From this reading My only apology for getting out of patience with her is that I had seen her seldom in the last few years, had forgotten how matter-of-surface her affectation and snobbery were, and how little they interfered with her being a good mother and a good wife, up to the limits of her brain capacity.

plural of “limit” — the greatest possible degree of something

From this reading My only apology for getting out of patience with her is that I had seen her seldom in the last few years, had forgotten how matter-of-surface her affectation and snobbery were, and how little they interfered with her being a good mother and a good wife, up to the limits of her brain capacity.

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

From this reading My only apology for getting out of patience with her is that I had seen her seldom in the last few years, had forgotten how matter-of-surface her affectation and snobbery were, and how little they interfered with her being a good mother and a good wife, up to the limits of her brain capacity.

appealing to the emotions as well as the eye

From this reading I know she's a lovely girl.

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

From this reading My only apology for getting out of patience with her is that I had seen her seldom in the last few years, had forgotten how matter-of-surface her affectation and snobbery were, and how little they interfered with her being a good mother and a good wife, up to the limits of her brain capacity.

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

From this reading My only apology for getting out of patience with her is that I had seen her seldom in the last few years, had forgotten how matter-of-surface her affectation and snobbery were, and how little they interfered with her being a good mother and a good wife, up to the limits of her brain capacity.

a form of address for a man

From this reading “I'm sure, Mr. Blacklock,” she said plaintively, “I only wished to say what was pleasant and nice about your fiancée.

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading My only apology for getting out of patience with her is that I had seen her seldom in the last few years, had forgotten how matter-of-surface her affectation and snobbery were, and how little they interfered with her being a good mother and a good wife, up to the limits of her brain capacity.

used when the speaker is also the object of the action

From this reading She weakened so promptly that I was ashamed of myself.

pleasant or pleasing or agreeable in nature or appearance

From this reading “I'm sure, Mr. Blacklock,” she said plaintively, “I only wished to say what was pleasant and nice about your fiancée.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading She weakened so promptly that I was ashamed of myself.

many times at short intervals

From this reading I've often admired her at the opera.

and nothing more

From this reading My only apology for getting out of patience with her is that I had seen her seldom in the last few years, had forgotten how matter-of-surface her affectation and snobbery were, and how little they interfered with her being a good mother and a good wife, up to the limits of her brain capacity.

a drama set to music; consists of singing with orchestral accompaniment and an orchestral overture and interludes

From this reading I've often admired her at the opera.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading My only apology for getting out of patience with her is that I had seen her seldom in the last few years, had forgotten how matter-of-surface her affectation and snobbery were, and how little they interfered with her being a good mother and a good wife, up to the limits of her brain capacity.

good-natured tolerance of delay or incompetence

From this reading My only apology for getting out of patience with her is that I had seen her seldom in the last few years, had forgotten how matter-of-surface her affectation and snobbery were, and how little they interfered with her being a good mother and a good wife, up to the limits of her brain capacity.

in a plaintive manner

From this reading “I'm sure, Mr. Blacklock,” she said plaintively, “I only wished to say what was pleasant and nice about your fiancée.

affording pleasure; being in harmony with your taste or likings

From this reading “I'm sure, Mr. Blacklock,” she said plaintively, “I only wished to say what was pleasant and nice about your fiancée.

with little or no delay

From this reading She weakened so promptly that I was ashamed of myself.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading “I'm sure, Mr. Blacklock,” she said plaintively, “I only wished to say what was pleasant and nice about your fiancée.

express in words

From this reading “I'm sure, Mr. Blacklock,” she said plaintively, “I only wished to say what was pleasant and nice about your fiancée.

inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading My only apology for getting out of patience with her is that I had seen her seldom in the last few years, had forgotten how matter-of-surface her affectation and snobbery were, and how little they interfered with her being a good mother and a good wife, up to the limits of her brain capacity.

not often

From this reading My only apology for getting out of patience with her is that I had seen her seldom in the last few years, had forgotten how matter-of-surface her affectation and snobbery were, and how little they interfered with her being a good mother and a good wife, up to the limits of her brain capacity.

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

From this reading She weakened so promptly that I was ashamed of myself.

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

From this reading I know she's a lovely girl.

the trait of condescending to those of lower social status

From this reading My only apology for getting out of patience with her is that I had seen her seldom in the last few years, had forgotten how matter-of-surface her affectation and snobbery were, and how little they interfered with her being a good mother and a good wife, up to the limits of her brain capacity.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading She weakened so promptly that I was ashamed of myself.

having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured

From this reading “I'm sure, Mr. Blacklock,” she said plaintively, “I only wished to say what was pleasant and nice about your fiancée.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading She weakened so promptly that I was ashamed of myself.

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

From this reading My only apology for getting out of patience with her is that I had seen her seldom in the last few years, had forgotten how matter-of-surface her affectation and snobbery were, and how little they interfered with her being a good mother and a good wife, up to the limits of her brain capacity.

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

From this reading My only apology for getting out of patience with her is that I had seen her seldom in the last few years, had forgotten how matter-of-surface her affectation and snobbery were, and how little they interfered with her being a good mother and a good wife, up to the limits of her brain capacity.

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

From this reading My only apology for getting out of patience with her is that I had seen her seldom in the last few years, had forgotten how matter-of-surface her affectation and snobbery were, and how little they interfered with her being a good mother and a good wife, up to the limits of her brain capacity.

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

From this reading My only apology for getting out of patience with her is that I had seen her seldom in the last few years, had forgotten how matter-of-surface her affectation and snobbery were, and how little they interfered with her being a good mother and a good wife, up to the limits of her brain capacity.

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

From this reading She weakened so promptly that I was ashamed of myself.

impaired by diminution

From this reading She weakened so promptly that I was ashamed of myself.

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

From this reading My only apology for getting out of patience with her is that I had seen her seldom in the last few years, had forgotten how matter-of-surface her affectation and snobbery were, and how little they interfered with her being a good mother and a good wife, up to the limits of her brain capacity.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading “I'm sure, Mr. Blacklock,” she said plaintively, “I only wished to say what was pleasant and nice about your fiancée.

a married woman; a man's partner in marriage

From this reading My only apology for getting out of patience with her is that I had seen her seldom in the last few years, had forgotten how matter-of-surface her affectation and snobbery were, and how little they interfered with her being a good mother and a good wife, up to the limits of her brain capacity.

past form of “wish” — hope for; have a wish

From this reading “I'm sure, Mr. Blacklock,” she said plaintively, “I only wished to say what was pleasant and nice about your fiancée.

in the company of; together with

From this reading My only apology for getting out of patience with her is that I had seen her seldom in the last few years, had forgotten how matter-of-surface her affectation and snobbery were, and how little they interfered with her being a good mother and a good wife, up to the limits of her brain capacity.

a late time of life

From this reading My only apology for getting out of patience with her is that I had seen her seldom in the last few years, had forgotten how matter-of-surface her affectation and snobbery were, and how little they interfered with her being a good mother and a good wife, up to the limits of her brain capacity.

belonging to the person or people being spoken to

From this reading “I'm sure, Mr. Blacklock,” she said plaintively, “I only wished to say what was pleasant and nice about your fiancée.