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 The singing-master, Mr. Humphreys, went to singing-school and church with Julia in a matter-of-course way, treating her with attention, but taking care not to make himself too attentive.

plural of “adventure” — a wild and exciting undertaking (not necessarily lawful)

From this reading It was something to her, in her monotonous life under the eye of her mother, who almost never left her alone, and who cut off all chance for communication with August--it was something to have the unobtrusive attentions of Mr. Humphreys, who always interested her with his adventures.

(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 something to her, in her monotonous life under the eye of her mother, who almost never left her alone, and who cut off all chance for communication with August--it was something to have the unobtrusive attentions of Mr. Humphreys, who always interested her with his adventures.

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

From this reading It was something to her, in her monotonous life under the eye of her mother, who almost never left her alone, and who cut off all chance for communication with August--it was something to have the unobtrusive attentions of Mr. Humphreys, who always interested her with his adventures.

Having no one else present.

From this reading It was something to her, in her monotonous life under the eye of her mother, who almost never left her alone, and who cut off all chance for communication with August--it was something to have the unobtrusive attentions of Mr. Humphreys, who always interested her with his adventures.

at all times; all the time and on every occasion

From this reading It was something to her, in her monotonous life under the eye of her mother, who almost never left her alone, and who cut off all chance for communication with August--it was something to have the unobtrusive attentions of Mr. Humphreys, who always interested her with his adventures.

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

From this reading AN OFFER OF HELP.

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

From this reading The singing-master, Mr. Humphreys, went to singing-school and church with Julia in a matter-of-course way, treating her with attention, but taking care not to make himself too attentive.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading For indeed it really seemed that he had had more adventures than any dozen other men.

the process whereby a person concentrates on some features of the environment to the (relative) exclusion of others

From this reading The singing-master, Mr. Humphreys, went to singing-school and church with Julia in a matter-of-course way, treating her with attention, but taking care not to make himself too attentive.

plural of “attention” — the process whereby a person concentrates on some features of the environment to the (relative) exclusion of others

From this reading It was something to her, in her monotonous life under the eye of her mother, who almost never left her alone, and who cut off all chance for communication with August--it was something to have the unobtrusive attentions of Mr. Humphreys, who always interested her with his adventures.

(often followed by “to”) giving care or attention

From this reading The singing-master, Mr. Humphreys, went to singing-school and church with Julia in a matter-of-course way, treating her with attention, but taking care not to make himself too attentive.

the month following July and preceding September

From this reading It was something to her, in her monotonous life under the eye of her mother, who almost never left her alone, and who cut off all chance for communication with August--it was something to have the unobtrusive attentions of Mr. Humphreys, who always interested her with his adventures.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading The singing-master, Mr. Humphreys, went to singing-school and church with Julia in a matter-of-course way, treating her with attention, but taking care not to make himself too attentive.

the work of providing treatment for or attending to someone or something

From this reading The singing-master, Mr. Humphreys, went to singing-school and church with Julia in a matter-of-course way, treating her with attention, but taking care not to make himself too attentive.

a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances

From this reading It was something to her, in her monotonous life under the eye of her mother, who almost never left her alone, and who cut off all chance for communication with August--it was something to have the unobtrusive attentions of Mr. Humphreys, who always interested her with his adventures.

one of the groups of Christians who have their own beliefs and forms of worship

From this reading The singing-master, Mr. Humphreys, went to singing-school and church with Julia in a matter-of-course way, treating her with attention, but taking care not to make himself too attentive.

the activity of communicating; the activity of conveying information

From this reading It was something to her, in her monotonous life under the eye of her mother, who almost never left her alone, and who cut off all chance for communication with August--it was something to have the unobtrusive attentions of Mr. Humphreys, who always interested her with his adventures.

plural of “company” — an institution created to conduct business

From this reading Except that Julia could not endure his smile--which was, like some joint stock companies, strictly limited--she liked him well enough.

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading Except that Julia could not endure his smile--which was, like some joint stock companies, strictly limited--she liked him well enough.

separate with or as if with an instrument

From this reading It was something to her, in her monotonous life under the eye of her mother, who almost never left her alone, and who cut off all chance for communication with August--it was something to have the unobtrusive attentions of Mr. Humphreys, who always interested her with his adventures.

the cardinal number that is the sum of eleven and one

From this reading For indeed it really seemed that he had had more adventures than any dozen other men.

put up with something or somebody unpleasant

From this reading Except that Julia could not endure his smile--which was, like some joint stock companies, strictly limited--she liked him well enough.

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

From this reading Except that Julia could not endure his smile--which was, like some joint stock companies, strictly limited--she liked him well enough.

apart from; not including

From this reading Except that Julia could not endure his smile--which was, like some joint stock companies, strictly limited--she liked him well enough.

the organ of sight

From this reading It was something to her, in her monotonous life under the eye of her mother, who almost never left her alone, and who cut off all chance for communication with August--it was something to have the unobtrusive attentions of Mr. Humphreys, who always interested her with his adventures.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading It was something to her, in her monotonous life under the eye of her mother, who almost never left her alone, and who cut off all chance for communication with August--it was something to have the unobtrusive attentions of Mr. Humphreys, who always interested her with his adventures.

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

From this reading For indeed it really seemed that he had had more adventures than any dozen other men.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading It was something to her, in her monotonous life under the eye of her mother, who almost never left her alone, and who cut off all chance for communication with August--it was something to have the unobtrusive attentions of Mr. Humphreys, who always interested her with his adventures.

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

From this reading For indeed it really seemed that he had had more adventures than any dozen other men.

give help or assistance; be of service

From this reading AN OFFER OF HELP.

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

From this reading The singing-master, Mr. Humphreys, went to singing-school and church with Julia in a matter-of-course way, treating her with attention, but taking care not to make himself too attentive.

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading Except that Julia could not endure his smile--which was, like some joint stock companies, strictly limited--she liked him well enough.

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading The singing-master, Mr. Humphreys, went to singing-school and church with Julia in a matter-of-course way, treating her with attention, but taking care not to make himself too attentive.

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

From this reading Except that Julia could not endure his smile--which was, like some joint stock companies, strictly limited--she liked him well enough.

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

From this reading The singing-master, Mr. Humphreys, went to singing-school and church with Julia in a matter-of-course way, treating her with attention, but taking care not to make himself too attentive.

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

From this reading The singing-master, Mr. Humphreys, went to singing-school and church with Julia in a matter-of-course way, treating her with attention, but taking care not to make himself too attentive.

in truth (often tends to intensify)

From this reading For indeed it really seemed that he had had more adventures than any dozen other men.

having or showing interest; especially curiosity or fascination or concern

From this reading It was something to her, in her monotonous life under the eye of her mother, who almost never left her alone, and who cut off all chance for communication with August--it was something to have the unobtrusive attentions of Mr. Humphreys, who always interested her with his adventures.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was something to her, in her monotonous life under the eye of her mother, who almost never left her alone, and who cut off all chance for communication with August--it was something to have the unobtrusive attentions of Mr. Humphreys, who always interested her with his adventures.

(anatomy) the point of connection between two bones or elements of a skeleton (especially if it allows motion)

From this reading Except that Julia could not endure his smile--which was, like some joint stock companies, strictly limited--she liked him well enough.

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

From this reading The singing-master, Mr. Humphreys, went to singing-school and church with Julia in a matter-of-course way, treating her with attention, but taking care not to make himself too attentive.

location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east

From this reading It was something to her, in her monotonous life under the eye of her mother, who almost never left her alone, and who cut off all chance for communication with August--it was something to have the unobtrusive attentions of Mr. Humphreys, who always interested her with his adventures.

a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading It was something to her, in her monotonous life under the eye of her mother, who almost never left her alone, and who cut off all chance for communication with August--it was something to have the unobtrusive attentions of Mr. Humphreys, who always interested her with his adventures.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading Except that Julia could not endure his smile--which was, like some joint stock companies, strictly limited--she liked him well enough.

found pleasant or attractive; often used as a combining form

From this reading Except that Julia could not endure his smile--which was, like some joint stock companies, strictly limited--she liked him well enough.

small in range or scope

From this reading Except that Julia could not endure his smile--which was, like some joint stock companies, strictly limited--she liked him well enough.

engage in

From this reading The singing-master, Mr. Humphreys, went to singing-school and church with Julia in a matter-of-course way, treating her with attention, but taking care not to make himself too attentive.

expected or depended upon as a natural or logical outcome

From this reading The singing-master, Mr. Humphreys, went to singing-school and church with Julia in a matter-of-course way, treating her with attention, but taking care not to make himself too attentive.

the force of workers available

From this reading For indeed it really seemed that he had had more adventures than any dozen other men.

tediously repetitious or lacking in variety

From this reading It was something to her, in her monotonous life under the eye of her mother, who almost never left her alone, and who cut off all chance for communication with August--it was something to have the unobtrusive attentions of Mr. Humphreys, who always interested her with his adventures.

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

From this reading For indeed it really seemed that he had had more adventures than any dozen other men.

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

From this reading It was something to her, in her monotonous life under the eye of her mother, who almost never left her alone, and who cut off all chance for communication with August--it was something to have the unobtrusive attentions of Mr. Humphreys, who always interested her with his adventures.

a form of address for a man

From this reading The singing-master, Mr. Humphreys, went to singing-school and church with Julia in a matter-of-course way, treating her with attention, but taking care not to make himself too attentive.

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading It was something to her, in her monotonous life under the eye of her mother, who almost never left her alone, and who cut off all chance for communication with August--it was something to have the unobtrusive attentions of Mr. Humphreys, who always interested her with his adventures.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading The singing-master, Mr. Humphreys, went to singing-school and church with Julia in a matter-of-course way, treating her with attention, but taking care not to make himself too attentive.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading AN OFFER OF HELP.

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

From this reading It was something to her, in her monotonous life under the eye of her mother, who almost never left her alone, and who cut off all chance for communication with August--it was something to have the unobtrusive attentions of Mr. Humphreys, who always interested her with his adventures.

make available or accessible, provide or furnish

From this reading AN OFFER OF HELP.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading For indeed it really seemed that he had had more adventures than any dozen other men.

in accordance with truth or fact or reality

From this reading For indeed it really seemed that he had had more adventures than any dozen other men.

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

From this reading For indeed it really seemed that he had had more adventures than any dozen other men.

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

From this reading Except that Julia could not endure his smile--which was, like some joint stock companies, strictly limited--she liked him well enough.

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

From this reading The singing-master, Mr. Humphreys, went to singing-school and church with Julia in a matter-of-course way, treating her with attention, but taking care not to make himself too attentive.

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

From this reading The singing-master, Mr. Humphreys, went to singing-school and church with Julia in a matter-of-course way, treating her with attention, but taking care not to make himself too attentive.

change one's facial expression by spreading the lips, often to signal pleasure

From this reading Except that Julia could not endure his smile--which was, like some joint stock companies, strictly limited--she liked him well enough.

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

From this reading Except that Julia could not endure his smile--which was, like some joint stock companies, strictly limited--she liked him well enough.

a thing, without saying which

From this reading It was something to her, in her monotonous life under the eye of her mother, who almost never left her alone, and who cut off all chance for communication with August--it was something to have the unobtrusive attentions of Mr. Humphreys, who always interested her with his adventures.

the capital raised by a corporation through the issue of shares entitling holders to an ownership interest

From this reading Except that Julia could not endure his smile--which was, like some joint stock companies, strictly limited--she liked him well enough.

restricted to something

From this reading Except that Julia could not endure his smile--which was, like some joint stock companies, strictly limited--she liked him well enough.

the act of someone who picks up or takes something

From this reading The singing-master, Mr. Humphreys, went to singing-school and church with Julia in a matter-of-course way, treating her with attention, but taking care not to make himself too attentive.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading For indeed it really seemed that he had had more adventures than any dozen other men.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Except that Julia could not endure his smile--which was, like some joint stock companies, strictly limited--she liked him well enough.

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

From this reading The singing-master, Mr. Humphreys, went to singing-school and church with Julia in a matter-of-course way, treating her with attention, but taking care not to make himself too attentive.

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

From this reading The singing-master, Mr. Humphreys, went to singing-school and church with Julia in a matter-of-course way, treating her with attention, but taking care not to make himself too attentive.

to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits

From this reading The singing-master, Mr. Humphreys, went to singing-school and church with Julia in a matter-of-course way, treating her with attention, but taking care not to make himself too attentive.

-ing form of “treat” — interact in a certain way

From this reading The singing-master, Mr. Humphreys, went to singing-school and church with Julia in a matter-of-course way, treating her with attention, but taking care not to make himself too attentive.

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading It was something to her, in her monotonous life under the eye of her mother, who almost never left her alone, and who cut off all chance for communication with August--it was something to have the unobtrusive attentions of Mr. Humphreys, who always interested her with his adventures.

not obtrusive or undesirably noticeable

From this reading It was something to her, in her monotonous life under the eye of her mother, who almost never left her alone, and who cut off all chance for communication with August--it was something to have the unobtrusive attentions of Mr. Humphreys, who always interested her with his adventures.

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

From this reading Except that Julia could not endure his smile--which was, like some joint stock companies, strictly limited--she liked him well enough.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading The singing-master, Mr. Humphreys, went to singing-school and church with Julia in a matter-of-course way, treating her with attention, but taking care not to make himself too attentive.

(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 Except that Julia could not endure his smile--which was, like some joint stock companies, strictly limited--she liked him well enough.

inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading The singing-master, Mr. Humphreys, went to singing-school and church with Julia in a matter-of-course way, treating her with attention, but taking care not to make himself too attentive.

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

From this reading Except that Julia could not endure his smile--which was, like some joint stock companies, strictly limited--she liked him well enough.

which person or people

From this reading It was something to her, in her monotonous life under the eye of her mother, who almost never left her alone, and who cut off all chance for communication with August--it was something to have the unobtrusive attentions of Mr. Humphreys, who always interested her with his adventures.

in the company of; together with

From this reading The singing-master, Mr. Humphreys, went to singing-school and church with Julia in a matter-of-course way, treating her with attention, but taking care not to make himself too attentive.