Chapter XXI · Chapter 21

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

From this reading ELLA'S CRUMB OF COMFORT Ella walked up Meeting Street in a frame of mind differing widely from the complacent mood in which she sought Mrs. Willoughby's residence.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading In matters purely personal, and related closely to our own interests, we are prone to give almost a superstitious significance to events which come about naturally enough.

anew

From this reading The unexpected had again happened, and to her it seemed so strange, so very remarkable, that she should have met Mr. Houghton once more without the slightest intention, or even expectation, on her part, that she was perplexed and troubled.

in an enjoyable manner

From this reading It was not at all strange that Houghton should have been strongly and agreeably impressed by Ella from the first; and that he should happen to call at the same hour that she did, would have been regarded by her as a very ordinary coincidence, had not the case been her own.

(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 It was not at all strange that Houghton should have been strongly and agreeably impressed by Ella from the first; and that he should happen to call at the same hour that she did, would have been regarded by her as a very ordinary coincidence, had not the case been her own.

(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but

From this reading In matters purely personal, and related closely to our own interests, we are prone to give almost a superstitious significance to events which come about naturally enough.

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

From this reading The unexpected had again happened, and to her it seemed so strange, so very remarkable, that she should have met Mr. Houghton once more without the slightest intention, or even expectation, on her part, that she was perplexed and troubled.

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

From this reading In matters purely personal, and related closely to our own interests, we are prone to give almost a superstitious significance to events which come about naturally enough.

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

From this reading It was not at all strange that Houghton should have been strongly and agreeably impressed by Ella from the first; and that he should happen to call at the same hour that she did, would have been regarded by her as a very ordinary coincidence, had not the case been her own.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading It was not at all strange that Houghton should have been strongly and agreeably impressed by Ella from the first; and that he should happen to call at the same hour that she did, would have been regarded by her as a very ordinary coincidence, had not the case been her own.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading It was not at all strange that Houghton should have been strongly and agreeably impressed by Ella from the first; and that he should happen to call at the same hour that she did, would have been regarded by her as a very ordinary coincidence, had not the case been her own.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading It was not at all strange that Houghton should have been strongly and agreeably impressed by Ella from the first; and that he should happen to call at the same hour that she did, would have been regarded by her as a very ordinary coincidence, had not the case been her own.

assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading It was not at all strange that Houghton should have been strongly and agreeably impressed by Ella from the first; and that he should happen to call at the same hour that she did, would have been regarded by her as a very ordinary coincidence, had not the case been her own.

an occurrence of something

From this reading It was not at all strange that Houghton should have been strongly and agreeably impressed by Ella from the first; and that he should happen to call at the same hour that she did, would have been regarded by her as a very ordinary coincidence, had not the case been her own.

in a close relation or position in time or space

From this reading In matters purely personal, and related closely to our own interests, we are prone to give almost a superstitious significance to events which come about naturally enough.

an event that might have been arranged although it was really accidental

From this reading It was not at all strange that Houghton should have been strongly and agreeably impressed by Ella from the first; and that he should happen to call at the same hour that she did, would have been regarded by her as a very ordinary coincidence, had not the case been her own.

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

From this reading In matters purely personal, and related closely to our own interests, we are prone to give almost a superstitious significance to events which come about naturally enough.

a state of being relaxed and feeling no pain

From this reading ELLA'S CRUMB OF COMFORT Ella walked up Meeting Street in a frame of mind differing widely from the complacent mood in which she sought Mrs. Willoughby's residence.

contented to a fault with oneself or one's actions

From this reading ELLA'S CRUMB OF COMFORT Ella walked up Meeting Street in a frame of mind differing widely from the complacent mood in which she sought Mrs. Willoughby's residence.

a very small quantity of something

From this reading ELLA'S CRUMB OF COMFORT Ella walked up Meeting Street in a frame of mind differing widely from the complacent mood in which she sought Mrs. Willoughby's residence.

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

From this reading What did it mean?

-ing form of “differ” — be different

From this reading ELLA'S CRUMB OF COMFORT Ella walked up Meeting Street in a frame of mind differing widely from the complacent mood in which she sought Mrs. Willoughby's residence.

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

From this reading ELLA'S CRUMB OF COMFORT Ella walked up Meeting Street in a frame of mind differing widely from the complacent mood in which she sought Mrs. Willoughby's residence.

possessive form of “ellas” — a republic in southeastern Europe on the southern part of the Balkan peninsula; known for grapes and olives and olive oil

From this reading ELLA'S CRUMB OF COMFORT Ella walked up Meeting Street in a frame of mind differing widely from the complacent mood in which she sought Mrs. Willoughby's residence.

an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose

From this reading In matters purely personal, and related closely to our own interests, we are prone to give almost a superstitious significance to events which come about naturally enough.

divisible by two

From this reading The unexpected had again happened, and to her it seemed so strange, so very remarkable, that she should have met Mr. Houghton once more without the slightest intention, or even expectation, on her part, that she was perplexed and troubled.

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

From this reading In matters purely personal, and related closely to our own interests, we are prone to give almost a superstitious significance to events which come about naturally enough.

belief about (or mental picture of) the future

From this reading The unexpected had again happened, and to her it seemed so strange, so very remarkable, that she should have met Mr. Houghton once more without the slightest intention, or even expectation, on her part, that she was perplexed and troubled.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading It was not at all strange that Houghton should have been strongly and agreeably impressed by Ella from the first; and that he should happen to call at the same hour that she did, would have been regarded by her as a very ordinary coincidence, had not the case been her own.

enclose in or as if in a frame

From this reading ELLA'S CRUMB OF COMFORT Ella walked up Meeting Street in a frame of mind differing widely from the complacent mood in which she sought Mrs. Willoughby's residence.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading ELLA'S CRUMB OF COMFORT Ella walked up Meeting Street in a frame of mind differing widely from the complacent mood in which she sought Mrs. Willoughby's residence.

cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense

From this reading In matters purely personal, and related closely to our own interests, we are prone to give almost a superstitious significance to events which come about naturally enough.

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

From this reading The unexpected had again happened, and to her it seemed so strange, so very remarkable, that she should have met Mr. Houghton once more without the slightest intention, or even expectation, on her part, that she was perplexed and troubled.

come to pass

From this reading It was not at all strange that Houghton should have been strongly and agreeably impressed by Ella from the first; and that he should happen to call at the same hour that she did, would have been regarded by her as a very ordinary coincidence, had not the case been her own.

past form of “happen” — come to pass

From this reading The unexpected had again happened, and to her it seemed so strange, so very remarkable, that she should have met Mr. Houghton once more without the slightest intention, or even expectation, on her part, that she was perplexed and troubled.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading The unexpected had again happened, and to her it seemed so strange, so very remarkable, that she should have met Mr. Houghton once more without the slightest intention, or even expectation, on her part, that she was perplexed and troubled.

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading It was not at all strange that Houghton should have been strongly and agreeably impressed by Ella from the first; and that he should happen to call at the same hour that she did, would have been regarded by her as a very ordinary coincidence, had not the case been her own.

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

From this reading The unexpected had again happened, and to her it seemed so strange, so very remarkable, that she should have met Mr. Houghton once more without the slightest intention, or even expectation, on her part, that she was perplexed and troubled.

United States publisher who founded a printing shop that became an important book publisher (1823-1895)

From this reading The unexpected had again happened, and to her it seemed so strange, so very remarkable, that she should have met Mr. Houghton once more without the slightest intention, or even expectation, on her part, that she was perplexed and troubled.

a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day

From this reading It was not at all strange that Houghton should have been strongly and agreeably impressed by Ella from the first; and that he should happen to call at the same hour that she did, would have been regarded by her as a very ordinary coincidence, had not the case been her own.

deeply or markedly affected or influenced

From this reading It was not at all strange that Houghton should have been strongly and agreeably impressed by Ella from the first; and that he should happen to call at the same hour that she did, would have been regarded by her as a very ordinary coincidence, had not the case been her own.

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

From this reading ELLA'S CRUMB OF COMFORT Ella walked up Meeting Street in a frame of mind differing widely from the complacent mood in which she sought Mrs. Willoughby's residence.

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

From this reading The unexpected had again happened, and to her it seemed so strange, so very remarkable, that she should have met Mr. Houghton once more without the slightest intention, or even expectation, on her part, that she was perplexed and troubled.

plural of “interest” — a sense of concern with and curiosity about someone or something

From this reading In matters purely personal, and related closely to our own interests, we are prone to give almost a superstitious significance to events which come about naturally enough.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading The unexpected had again happened, and to her it seemed so strange, so very remarkable, that she should have met Mr. Houghton once more without the slightest intention, or even expectation, on her part, that she was perplexed and troubled.

plural of “matter” — a vaguely specified concern

From this reading In matters purely personal, and related closely to our own interests, we are prone to give almost a superstitious significance to events which come about naturally enough.

mean or intend to express or convey

From this reading What did it mean?

a formally arranged gathering

From this reading ELLA'S CRUMB OF COMFORT Ella walked up Meeting Street in a frame of mind differing widely from the complacent mood in which she sought Mrs. Willoughby's residence.

inflected form of “meet” — come together

From this reading The unexpected had again happened, and to her it seemed so strange, so very remarkable, that she should have met Mr. Houghton once more without the slightest intention, or even expectation, on her part, that she was perplexed and troubled.

The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.

From this reading ELLA'S CRUMB OF COMFORT Ella walked up Meeting Street in a frame of mind differing widely from the complacent mood in which she sought Mrs. Willoughby's residence.

a characteristic (habitual or relatively temporary) state of feeling

From this reading ELLA'S CRUMB OF COMFORT Ella walked up Meeting Street in a frame of mind differing widely from the complacent mood in which she sought Mrs. Willoughby's residence.

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

From this reading The unexpected had again happened, and to her it seemed so strange, so very remarkable, that she should have met Mr. Houghton once more without the slightest intention, or even expectation, on her part, that she was perplexed and troubled.

a form of address for a man

From this reading The unexpected had again happened, and to her it seemed so strange, so very remarkable, that she should have met Mr. Houghton once more without the slightest intention, or even expectation, on her part, that she was perplexed and troubled.

a form of address for a married woman

From this reading ELLA'S CRUMB OF COMFORT Ella walked up Meeting Street in a frame of mind differing widely from the complacent mood in which she sought Mrs. Willoughby's residence.

as might be expected

From this reading In matters purely personal, and related closely to our own interests, we are prone to give almost a superstitious significance to events which come about naturally enough.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading It was not at all strange that Houghton should have been strongly and agreeably impressed by Ella from the first; and that he should happen to call at the same hour that she did, would have been regarded by her as a very ordinary coincidence, had not the case been her own.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading ELLA'S CRUMB OF COMFORT Ella walked up Meeting Street in a frame of mind differing widely from the complacent mood in which she sought Mrs. Willoughby's residence.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading The unexpected had again happened, and to her it seemed so strange, so very remarkable, that she should have met Mr. Houghton once more without the slightest intention, or even expectation, on her part, that she was perplexed and troubled.

on one occasion

From this reading The unexpected had again happened, and to her it seemed so strange, so very remarkable, that she should have met Mr. Houghton once more without the slightest intention, or even expectation, on her part, that she was perplexed and troubled.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading The unexpected had again happened, and to her it seemed so strange, so very remarkable, that she should have met Mr. Houghton once more without the slightest intention, or even expectation, on her part, that she was perplexed and troubled.

a judge of a probate court

From this reading It was not at all strange that Houghton should have been strongly and agreeably impressed by Ella from the first; and that he should happen to call at the same hour that she did, would have been regarded by her as a very ordinary coincidence, had not the case been her own.

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading In matters purely personal, and related closely to our own interests, we are prone to give almost a superstitious significance to events which come about naturally enough.

have ownership or possession of

From this reading In matters purely personal, and related closely to our own interests, we are prone to give almost a superstitious significance to events which come about naturally enough.

something determined in relation to something that includes it

From this reading The unexpected had again happened, and to her it seemed so strange, so very remarkable, that she should have met Mr. Houghton once more without the slightest intention, or even expectation, on her part, that she was perplexed and troubled.

full of difficulty or confusion or bewilderment

From this reading The unexpected had again happened, and to her it seemed so strange, so very remarkable, that she should have met Mr. Houghton once more without the slightest intention, or even expectation, on her part, that she was perplexed and troubled.

concerning or affecting a particular person or his or her private life and personality

From this reading In matters purely personal, and related closely to our own interests, we are prone to give almost a superstitious significance to events which come about naturally enough.

having a tendency (to); often used in combination

From this reading In matters purely personal, and related closely to our own interests, we are prone to give almost a superstitious significance to events which come about naturally enough.

restricted to something

From this reading In matters purely personal, and related closely to our own interests, we are prone to give almost a superstitious significance to events which come about naturally enough.

past form of “regard” — deem to be

From this reading It was not at all strange that Houghton should have been strongly and agreeably impressed by Ella from the first; and that he should happen to call at the same hour that she did, would have been regarded by her as a very ordinary coincidence, had not the case been her own.

being connected either logically or causally or by shared characteristics

From this reading In matters purely personal, and related closely to our own interests, we are prone to give almost a superstitious significance to events which come about naturally enough.

unusual or striking

From this reading The unexpected had again happened, and to her it seemed so strange, so very remarkable, that she should have met Mr. Houghton once more without the slightest intention, or even expectation, on her part, that she was perplexed and troubled.

any address at which you dwell more than temporarily

From this reading ELLA'S CRUMB OF COMFORT Ella walked up Meeting Street in a frame of mind differing widely from the complacent mood in which she sought Mrs. Willoughby's residence.

Identical; not different.

From this reading It was not at all strange that Houghton should have been strongly and agreeably impressed by Ella from the first; and that he should happen to call at the same hour that she did, would have been regarded by her as a very ordinary coincidence, had not the case been her own.

past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading The unexpected had again happened, and to her it seemed so strange, so very remarkable, that she should have met Mr. Houghton once more without the slightest intention, or even expectation, on her part, that she was perplexed and troubled.

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

From this reading ELLA'S CRUMB OF COMFORT Ella walked up Meeting Street in a frame of mind differing widely from the complacent mood in which she sought Mrs. Willoughby's residence.

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading The unexpected had again happened, and to her it seemed so strange, so very remarkable, that she should have met Mr. Houghton once more without the slightest intention, or even expectation, on her part, that she was perplexed and troubled.

the quality of being significant

From this reading In matters purely personal, and related closely to our own interests, we are prone to give almost a superstitious significance to events which come about naturally enough.

superlative of “slight” — (quantifier used with mass nouns) small in quantity or degree; not much or almost none or (with “a”) at least some

From this reading The unexpected had again happened, and to her it seemed so strange, so very remarkable, that she should have met Mr. Houghton once more without the slightest intention, or even expectation, on her part, that she was perplexed and troubled.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading The unexpected had again happened, and to her it seemed so strange, so very remarkable, that she should have met Mr. Houghton once more without the slightest intention, or even expectation, on her part, that she was perplexed and troubled.

that is looked for

From this reading ELLA'S CRUMB OF COMFORT Ella walked up Meeting Street in a frame of mind differing widely from the complacent mood in which she sought Mrs. Willoughby's residence.

being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird

From this reading The unexpected had again happened, and to her it seemed so strange, so very remarkable, that she should have met Mr. Houghton once more without the slightest intention, or even expectation, on her part, that she was perplexed and troubled.

a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings

From this reading ELLA'S CRUMB OF COMFORT Ella walked up Meeting Street in a frame of mind differing widely from the complacent mood in which she sought Mrs. Willoughby's residence.

with strength or in a strong manner

From this reading It was not at all strange that Houghton should have been strongly and agreeably impressed by Ella from the first; and that he should happen to call at the same hour that she did, would have been regarded by her as a very ordinary coincidence, had not the case been her own.

showing ignorance of the laws of nature and faith in magic or chance

From this reading In matters purely personal, and related closely to our own interests, we are prone to give almost a superstitious significance to events which come about naturally enough.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading The unexpected had again happened, and to her it seemed so strange, so very remarkable, that she should have met Mr. Houghton once more without the slightest intention, or even expectation, on her part, that she was perplexed and troubled.

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

From this reading ELLA'S CRUMB OF COMFORT Ella walked up Meeting Street in a frame of mind differing widely from the complacent mood in which she sought Mrs. Willoughby's residence.

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

From this reading The unexpected had again happened, and to her it seemed so strange, so very remarkable, that she should have met Mr. Houghton once more without the slightest intention, or even expectation, on her part, that she was perplexed and troubled.

characterized by or indicative of distress or affliction or danger or need

From this reading The unexpected had again happened, and to her it seemed so strange, so very remarkable, that she should have met Mr. Houghton once more without the slightest intention, or even expectation, on her part, that she was perplexed and troubled.

not expected or anticipated

From this reading The unexpected had again happened, and to her it seemed so strange, so very remarkable, that she should have met Mr. Houghton once more without the slightest intention, or even expectation, on her part, that she was perplexed and troubled.

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

From this reading ELLA'S CRUMB OF COMFORT Ella walked up Meeting Street in a frame of mind differing widely from the complacent mood in which she sought Mrs. Willoughby's residence.

precisely as stated

From this reading The unexpected had again happened, and to her it seemed so strange, so very remarkable, that she should have met Mr. Houghton once more without the slightest intention, or even expectation, on her part, that she was perplexed and troubled.

past form of “walk” — use one's feet to advance; advance by steps

From this reading ELLA'S CRUMB OF COMFORT Ella walked up Meeting Street in a frame of mind differing widely from the complacent mood in which she sought Mrs. Willoughby's residence.

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

From this reading The unexpected had again happened, and to her it seemed so strange, so very remarkable, that she should have met Mr. Houghton once more without the slightest intention, or even expectation, on her part, that she was perplexed and troubled.

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading In matters purely personal, and related closely to our own interests, we are prone to give almost a superstitious significance to events which come about naturally enough.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading What did it mean?

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

From this reading ELLA'S CRUMB OF COMFORT Ella walked up Meeting Street in a frame of mind differing widely from the complacent mood in which she sought Mrs. Willoughby's residence.

to a great degree

From this reading ELLA'S CRUMB OF COMFORT Ella walked up Meeting Street in a frame of mind differing widely from the complacent mood in which she sought Mrs. Willoughby's residence.

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

From this reading ELLA'S CRUMB OF COMFORT Ella walked up Meeting Street in a frame of mind differing widely from the complacent mood in which she sought Mrs. Willoughby's residence.

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading The unexpected had again happened, and to her it seemed so strange, so very remarkable, that she should have met Mr. Houghton once more without the slightest intention, or even expectation, on her part, that she was perplexed and troubled.

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

From this reading It was not at all strange that Houghton should have been strongly and agreeably impressed by Ella from the first; and that he should happen to call at the same hour that she did, would have been regarded by her as a very ordinary coincidence, had not the case been her own.