Chapter X

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

From this reading The housemaid had a sister, who was an accomplished parlourmaid and carver; the under-gardener’s eldest daughter was pining for a preliminary canter in the kitchen, and the gardener’s wife was a retired cook, and would be delighted to take all the rougher part of the cooking, while Mrs. Dawson devoted her art to those pretty tiny kickshaws in which she excelled.

highly skilled

From this reading The housemaid had a sister, who was an accomplished parlourmaid and carver; the under-gardener’s eldest daughter was pining for a preliminary canter in the kitchen, and the gardener’s wife was a retired cook, and would be delighted to take all the rougher part of the cooking, while Mrs. Dawson devoted her art to those pretty tiny kickshaws in which she excelled.

(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 Two or three servants would have to be engaged for the period, and that was all; and even this want Mrs. Dawson proposed to supply without going off the premises.

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

From this reading The housemaid had a sister, who was an accomplished parlourmaid and carver; the under-gardener’s eldest daughter was pining for a preliminary canter in the kitchen, and the gardener’s wife was a retired cook, and would be delighted to take all the rougher part of the cooking, while Mrs. Dawson devoted her art to those pretty tiny kickshaws in which she excelled.

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

From this reading The house and grounds were in such perfect order that there was very little to be done in the way of preparation for the honeymoon visitors.

an old form of “are”, used with “thou”

From this reading The housemaid had a sister, who was an accomplished parlourmaid and carver; the under-gardener’s eldest daughter was pining for a preliminary canter in the kitchen, and the gardener’s wife was a retired cook, and would be delighted to take all the rougher part of the cooking, while Mrs. Dawson devoted her art to those pretty tiny kickshaws in which she excelled.

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

From this reading The house and grounds were in such perfect order that there was very little to be done in the way of preparation for the honeymoon visitors.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Even the pianos had been periodically tuned, and the clocks had been regularly wound.

ride at a canter

From this reading The housemaid had a sister, who was an accomplished parlourmaid and carver; the under-gardener’s eldest daughter was pining for a preliminary canter in the kitchen, and the gardener’s wife was a retired cook, and would be delighted to take all the rougher part of the cooking, while Mrs. Dawson devoted her art to those pretty tiny kickshaws in which she excelled.

United States botanist and agricultural chemist who developed many uses for peanuts and soy beans and sweet potatoes (1864-1943)

From this reading The housemaid had a sister, who was an accomplished parlourmaid and carver; the under-gardener’s eldest daughter was pining for a preliminary canter in the kitchen, and the gardener’s wife was a retired cook, and would be delighted to take all the rougher part of the cooking, while Mrs. Dawson devoted her art to those pretty tiny kickshaws in which she excelled.

European weed naturalized in southwestern United States and Mexico having reddish decumbent stems with small fernlike leaves and small deep reddish-lavender flowers followed by slender fruits that stick straight up; often grown for forage

From this reading Even the pianos had been periodically tuned, and the clocks had been regularly wound.

prepare a hot meal

From this reading The housemaid had a sister, who was an accomplished parlourmaid and carver; the under-gardener’s eldest daughter was pining for a preliminary canter in the kitchen, and the gardener’s wife was a retired cook, and would be delighted to take all the rougher part of the cooking, while Mrs. Dawson devoted her art to those pretty tiny kickshaws in which she excelled.

the act of preparing something (as food) by the application of heat

From this reading The housemaid had a sister, who was an accomplished parlourmaid and carver; the under-gardener’s eldest daughter was pining for a preliminary canter in the kitchen, and the gardener’s wife was a retired cook, and would be delighted to take all the rougher part of the cooking, while Mrs. Dawson devoted her art to those pretty tiny kickshaws in which she excelled.

a female human offspring

From this reading The housemaid had a sister, who was an accomplished parlourmaid and carver; the under-gardener’s eldest daughter was pining for a preliminary canter in the kitchen, and the gardener’s wife was a retired cook, and would be delighted to take all the rougher part of the cooking, while Mrs. Dawson devoted her art to those pretty tiny kickshaws in which she excelled.

a town in northwestern Canada in the Yukon on the Yukon River; a boom town around 1900 when gold was discovered in the Klondike

From this reading Two or three servants would have to be engaged for the period, and that was all; and even this want Mrs. Dawson proposed to supply without going off the premises.

greatly pleased

From this reading The housemaid had a sister, who was an accomplished parlourmaid and carver; the under-gardener’s eldest daughter was pining for a preliminary canter in the kitchen, and the gardener’s wife was a retired cook, and would be delighted to take all the rougher part of the cooking, while Mrs. Dawson devoted her art to those pretty tiny kickshaws in which she excelled.

zealous in devotion or affection

From this reading The housemaid had a sister, who was an accomplished parlourmaid and carver; the under-gardener’s eldest daughter was pining for a preliminary canter in the kitchen, and the gardener’s wife was a retired cook, and would be delighted to take all the rougher part of the cooking, while Mrs. Dawson devoted her art to those pretty tiny kickshaws in which she excelled.

having finished or arrived at completion

From this reading The house and grounds were in such perfect order that there was very little to be done in the way of preparation for the honeymoon visitors.

first in order of birth

From this reading The housemaid had a sister, who was an accomplished parlourmaid and carver; the under-gardener’s eldest daughter was pining for a preliminary canter in the kitchen, and the gardener’s wife was a retired cook, and would be delighted to take all the rougher part of the cooking, while Mrs. Dawson devoted her art to those pretty tiny kickshaws in which she excelled.

having ones attention or mind or energy engaged

From this reading Two or three servants would have to be engaged for the period, and that was all; and even this want Mrs. Dawson proposed to supply without going off the premises.

divisible by two

From this reading Even the pianos had been periodically tuned, and the clocks had been regularly wound.

inflected form of “excel” — distinguish oneself

From this reading The housemaid had a sister, who was an accomplished parlourmaid and carver; the under-gardener’s eldest daughter was pining for a preliminary canter in the kitchen, and the gardener’s wife was a retired cook, and would be delighted to take all the rougher part of the cooking, while Mrs. Dawson devoted her art to those pretty tiny kickshaws in which she excelled.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading The house and grounds were in such perfect order that there was very little to be done in the way of preparation for the honeymoon visitors.

possessive form of “gardener” — someone who takes care of a garden

From this reading The housemaid had a sister, who was an accomplished parlourmaid and carver; the under-gardener’s eldest daughter was pining for a preliminary canter in the kitchen, and the gardener’s wife was a retired cook, and would be delighted to take all the rougher part of the cooking, while Mrs. Dawson devoted her art to those pretty tiny kickshaws in which she excelled.

the act of departing

From this reading Two or three servants would have to be engaged for the period, and that was all; and even this want Mrs. Dawson proposed to supply without going off the premises.

your basis for belief or disbelief; knowledge on which to base belief

From this reading The house and grounds were in such perfect order that there was very little to be done in the way of preparation for the honeymoon visitors.

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

From this reading Even the pianos had been periodically tuned, and the clocks had been regularly wound.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading Two or three servants would have to be engaged for the period, and that was all; and even this want Mrs. Dawson proposed to supply without going off the premises.

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

From this reading The housemaid had a sister, who was an accomplished parlourmaid and carver; the under-gardener’s eldest daughter was pining for a preliminary canter in the kitchen, and the gardener’s wife was a retired cook, and would be delighted to take all the rougher part of the cooking, while Mrs. Dawson devoted her art to those pretty tiny kickshaws in which she excelled.

a holiday taken by a newly married couple

From this reading The house and grounds were in such perfect order that there was very little to be done in the way of preparation for the honeymoon visitors.

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

From this reading The house and grounds were in such perfect order that there was very little to be done in the way of preparation for the honeymoon visitors.

a female domestic

From this reading The housemaid had a sister, who was an accomplished parlourmaid and carver; the under-gardener’s eldest daughter was pining for a preliminary canter in the kitchen, and the gardener’s wife was a retired cook, and would be delighted to take all the rougher part of the cooking, while Mrs. Dawson devoted her art to those pretty tiny kickshaws in which she excelled.

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

From this reading The house and grounds were in such perfect order that there was very little to be done in the way of preparation for the honeymoon visitors.

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

From this reading The housemaid had a sister, who was an accomplished parlourmaid and carver; the under-gardener’s eldest daughter was pining for a preliminary canter in the kitchen, and the gardener’s wife was a retired cook, and would be delighted to take all the rougher part of the cooking, while Mrs. Dawson devoted her art to those pretty tiny kickshaws in which she excelled.

a room equipped for preparing meals

From this reading The housemaid had a sister, who was an accomplished parlourmaid and carver; the under-gardener’s eldest daughter was pining for a preliminary canter in the kitchen, and the gardener’s wife was a retired cook, and would be delighted to take all the rougher part of the cooking, while Mrs. Dawson devoted her art to those pretty tiny kickshaws in which she excelled.

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

From this reading LITERA SCRIPTA MANET.

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

From this reading The house and grounds were in such perfect order that there was very little to be done in the way of preparation for the honeymoon visitors.

French painter whose work influenced the impressionists (1832-1883)

From this reading LITERA SCRIPTA MANET.

a form of address for a married woman

From this reading Two or three servants would have to be engaged for the period, and that was all; and even this want Mrs. Dawson proposed to supply without going off the premises.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The house and grounds were in such perfect order that there was very little to be done in the way of preparation for the honeymoon visitors.

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

From this reading Two or three servants would have to be engaged for the period, and that was all; and even this want Mrs. Dawson proposed to supply without going off the premises.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Two or three servants would have to be engaged for the period, and that was all; and even this want Mrs. Dawson proposed to supply without going off the premises.

(often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed

From this reading The house and grounds were in such perfect order that there was very little to be done in the way of preparation for the honeymoon visitors.

a maid in a private home whose duties are to care for the parlor and the table and to answer the door

From this reading The housemaid had a sister, who was an accomplished parlourmaid and carver; the under-gardener’s eldest daughter was pining for a preliminary canter in the kitchen, and the gardener’s wife was a retired cook, and would be delighted to take all the rougher part of the cooking, while Mrs. Dawson devoted her art to those pretty tiny kickshaws in which she excelled.

something determined in relation to something that includes it

From this reading The housemaid had a sister, who was an accomplished parlourmaid and carver; the under-gardener’s eldest daughter was pining for a preliminary canter in the kitchen, and the gardener’s wife was a retired cook, and would be delighted to take all the rougher part of the cooking, while Mrs. Dawson devoted her art to those pretty tiny kickshaws in which she excelled.

being complete of its kind and without defect or blemish

From this reading The house and grounds were in such perfect order that there was very little to be done in the way of preparation for the honeymoon visitors.

an amount of time

From this reading Two or three servants would have to be engaged for the period, and that was all; and even this want Mrs. Dawson proposed to supply without going off the premises.

in a sporadic manner

From this reading Even the pianos had been periodically tuned, and the clocks had been regularly wound.

plural of “piano” — a keyboard instrument that is played by depressing keys that cause hammers to strike tuned strings and produce sounds

From this reading Even the pianos had been periodically tuned, and the clocks had been regularly wound.

a feeling of deep longing

From this reading The housemaid had a sister, who was an accomplished parlourmaid and carver; the under-gardener’s eldest daughter was pining for a preliminary canter in the kitchen, and the gardener’s wife was a retired cook, and would be delighted to take all the rougher part of the cooking, while Mrs. Dawson devoted her art to those pretty tiny kickshaws in which she excelled.

denoting an action or event preceding or in preparation for something more important

From this reading The housemaid had a sister, who was an accomplished parlourmaid and carver; the under-gardener’s eldest daughter was pining for a preliminary canter in the kitchen, and the gardener’s wife was a retired cook, and would be delighted to take all the rougher part of the cooking, while Mrs. Dawson devoted her art to those pretty tiny kickshaws in which she excelled.

land and the buildings on it

From this reading Two or three servants would have to be engaged for the period, and that was all; and even this want Mrs. Dawson proposed to supply without going off the premises.

the activity of putting or setting in order in advance of some act or purpose

From this reading The house and grounds were in such perfect order that there was very little to be done in the way of preparation for the honeymoon visitors.

pleasing by delicacy or grace; not imposing

From this reading The housemaid had a sister, who was an accomplished parlourmaid and carver; the under-gardener’s eldest daughter was pining for a preliminary canter in the kitchen, and the gardener’s wife was a retired cook, and would be delighted to take all the rougher part of the cooking, while Mrs. Dawson devoted her art to those pretty tiny kickshaws in which she excelled.

past form of “propose” — make a proposal, declare a plan for something

From this reading Two or three servants would have to be engaged for the period, and that was all; and even this want Mrs. Dawson proposed to supply without going off the premises.

in a regular manner

From this reading Even the pianos had been periodically tuned, and the clocks had been regularly wound.

no longer active in your work or profession

From this reading The housemaid had a sister, who was an accomplished parlourmaid and carver; the under-gardener’s eldest daughter was pining for a preliminary canter in the kitchen, and the gardener’s wife was a retired cook, and would be delighted to take all the rougher part of the cooking, while Mrs. Dawson devoted her art to those pretty tiny kickshaws in which she excelled.

comparative of “rough” — having or caused by an irregular surface

From this reading The housemaid had a sister, who was an accomplished parlourmaid and carver; the under-gardener’s eldest daughter was pining for a preliminary canter in the kitchen, and the gardener’s wife was a retired cook, and would be delighted to take all the rougher part of the cooking, while Mrs. Dawson devoted her art to those pretty tiny kickshaws in which she excelled.

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

From this reading LITERA SCRIPTA MANET.

plural of “servant” — a person working in the service of another (especially in the household)

From this reading Two or three servants would have to be engaged for the period, and that was all; and even this want Mrs. Dawson proposed to supply without going off the premises.

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

From this reading The housemaid had a sister, who was an accomplished parlourmaid and carver; the under-gardener’s eldest daughter was pining for a preliminary canter in the kitchen, and the gardener’s wife was a retired cook, and would be delighted to take all the rougher part of the cooking, while Mrs. Dawson devoted her art to those pretty tiny kickshaws in which she excelled.

a female person who has the same parents as another person

From this reading The housemaid had a sister, who was an accomplished parlourmaid and carver; the under-gardener’s eldest daughter was pining for a preliminary canter in the kitchen, and the gardener’s wife was a retired cook, and would be delighted to take all the rougher part of the cooking, while Mrs. Dawson devoted her art to those pretty tiny kickshaws in which she excelled.

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading The house and grounds were in such perfect order that there was very little to be done in the way of preparation for the honeymoon visitors.

give something useful or necessary to

From this reading Two or three servants would have to be engaged for the period, and that was all; and even this want Mrs. Dawson proposed to supply without going off the premises.

carry out

From this reading The housemaid had a sister, who was an accomplished parlourmaid and carver; the under-gardener’s eldest daughter was pining for a preliminary canter in the kitchen, and the gardener’s wife was a retired cook, and would be delighted to take all the rougher part of the cooking, while Mrs. Dawson devoted her art to those pretty tiny kickshaws in which she excelled.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading The house and grounds were in such perfect order that there was very little to be done in the way of preparation for the honeymoon visitors.

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

From this reading The house and grounds were in such perfect order that there was very little to be done in the way of preparation for the honeymoon visitors.

in or at that place or location

From this reading The house and grounds were in such perfect order that there was very little to be done in the way of preparation for the honeymoon visitors.

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

From this reading Two or three servants would have to be engaged for the period, and that was all; and even this want Mrs. Dawson proposed to supply without going off the premises.

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading The housemaid had a sister, who was an accomplished parlourmaid and carver; the under-gardener’s eldest daughter was pining for a preliminary canter in the kitchen, and the gardener’s wife was a retired cook, and would be delighted to take all the rougher part of the cooking, while Mrs. Dawson devoted her art to those pretty tiny kickshaws in which she excelled.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one

From this reading Two or three servants would have to be engaged for the period, and that was all; and even this want Mrs. Dawson proposed to supply without going off the premises.

very small

From this reading The housemaid had a sister, who was an accomplished parlourmaid and carver; the under-gardener’s eldest daughter was pining for a preliminary canter in the kitchen, and the gardener’s wife was a retired cook, and would be delighted to take all the rougher part of the cooking, while Mrs. Dawson devoted her art to those pretty tiny kickshaws in which she excelled.

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

From this reading The house and grounds were in such perfect order that there was very little to be done in the way of preparation for the honeymoon visitors.

past form of “tune” — adjust for (better) functioning

From this reading Even the pianos had been periodically tuned, and the clocks had been regularly wound.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number

From this reading Two or three servants would have to be engaged for the period, and that was all; and even this want Mrs. Dawson proposed to supply without going off the premises.

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

From this reading The housemaid had a sister, who was an accomplished parlourmaid and carver; the under-gardener’s eldest daughter was pining for a preliminary canter in the kitchen, and the gardener’s wife was a retired cook, and would be delighted to take all the rougher part of the cooking, while Mrs. Dawson devoted her art to those pretty tiny kickshaws in which she excelled.

precisely as stated

From this reading The house and grounds were in such perfect order that there was very little to be done in the way of preparation for the honeymoon visitors.

plural of “visitor” — someone who visits

From this reading The house and grounds were in such perfect order that there was very little to be done in the way of preparation for the honeymoon visitors.

feel or have a desire for; want strongly

From this reading Two or three servants would have to be engaged for the period, and that was all; and even this want Mrs. Dawson proposed to supply without going off the premises.

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

From this reading The house and grounds were in such perfect order that there was very little to be done in the way of preparation for the honeymoon visitors.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading The house and grounds were in such perfect order that there was very little to be done in the way of preparation for the honeymoon visitors.

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

From this reading The house and grounds were in such perfect order that there was very little to be done in the way of preparation for the honeymoon visitors.

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

From this reading The housemaid had a sister, who was an accomplished parlourmaid and carver; the under-gardener’s eldest daughter was pining for a preliminary canter in the kitchen, and the gardener’s wife was a retired cook, and would be delighted to take all the rougher part of the cooking, while Mrs. Dawson devoted her art to those pretty tiny kickshaws in which she excelled.

during the time that

From this reading The housemaid had a sister, who was an accomplished parlourmaid and carver; the under-gardener’s eldest daughter was pining for a preliminary canter in the kitchen, and the gardener’s wife was a retired cook, and would be delighted to take all the rougher part of the cooking, while Mrs. Dawson devoted her art to those pretty tiny kickshaws in which she excelled.

which person or people

From this reading The housemaid had a sister, who was an accomplished parlourmaid and carver; the under-gardener’s eldest daughter was pining for a preliminary canter in the kitchen, and the gardener’s wife was a retired cook, and would be delighted to take all the rougher part of the cooking, while Mrs. Dawson devoted her art to those pretty tiny kickshaws in which she excelled.

a married woman; a man's partner in marriage

From this reading The housemaid had a sister, who was an accomplished parlourmaid and carver; the under-gardener’s eldest daughter was pining for a preliminary canter in the kitchen, and the gardener’s wife was a retired cook, and would be delighted to take all the rougher part of the cooking, while Mrs. Dawson devoted her art to those pretty tiny kickshaws in which she excelled.

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading Two or three servants would have to be engaged for the period, and that was all; and even this want Mrs. Dawson proposed to supply without going off the premises.

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

From this reading Two or three servants would have to be engaged for the period, and that was all; and even this want Mrs. Dawson proposed to supply without going off the premises.

an injury to living tissue (especially an injury involving a cut or break in the skin)

From this reading Even the pianos had been periodically tuned, and the clocks had been regularly wound.