Chapter XIV · Chapter 14

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

From this reading Mrs. Polkington and Cherie cheered each other with assurances of a contrary nature as long as they could, but for all that it had really failed and they knew it.

the quality of being able to perform; a quality that permits or facilitates achievement or accomplishment

From this reading It might perhaps have been possible to achieve the position at which Mrs. Polkington aimed in the course of time, or a very long time; society in the country moves slowly, and she could not afford to wait indefinitely; her financial ability was not equal to it.

to gain with effort

From this reading It might perhaps have been possible to achieve the position at which Mrs. Polkington aimed in the course of time, or a very long time; society in the country moves slowly, and she could not afford to wait indefinitely; her financial ability was not equal to it.

plural of “acquaintance” — personal knowledge or information about someone or something

From this reading There had been some small successes by the way; they had received a little recognition in superior places, and a few, a very few, invitations of a superior order at the cost, of course, of refusing and so offending some old friends and acquaintances.

matters of personal concern

From this reading Moreover, there came into her affairs, not exactly a crash, but something so unpleasantly like a full stop that she and Cherie could not fail to perceive it.

be able to spare or give up

From this reading It might perhaps have been possible to achieve the position at which Mrs. Polkington aimed in the course of time, or a very long time; society in the country moves slowly, and she could not afford to wait indefinitely; her financial ability was not equal to it.

past form of “aim” — point or cause to go (blows, weapons, or objects such as photographic equipment) towards

From this reading It might perhaps have been possible to achieve the position at which Mrs. Polkington aimed in the course of time, or a very long time; society in the country moves slowly, and she could not afford to wait indefinitely; her financial ability was not equal to it.

(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 Mrs. Polkington and Cherie cheered each other with assurances of a contrary nature as long as they could, but for all that it had really failed and they knew it.

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

From this reading THE END OF THE CAMPAIGN The great Polkington campaign was over and it had failed.

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

From this reading Mrs. Polkington and Cherie cheered each other with assurances of a contrary nature as long as they could, but for all that it had really failed and they knew it.

plural of “assurance” — freedom from doubt; belief in yourself and your abilities

From this reading Mrs. Polkington and Cherie cheered each other with assurances of a contrary nature as long as they could, but for all that it had really failed and they knew it.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading There had been some small successes by the way; they had received a little recognition in superior places, and a few, a very few, invitations of a superior order at the cost, of course, of refusing and so offending some old friends and acquaintances.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading There had been some small successes by the way; they had received a little recognition in superior places, and a few, a very few, invitations of a superior order at the cost, of course, of refusing and so offending some old friends and acquaintances.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Mrs. Polkington and Cherie cheered each other with assurances of a contrary nature as long as they could, but for all that it had really failed and they knew it.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading There had been some small successes by the way; they had received a little recognition in superior places, and a few, a very few, invitations of a superior order at the cost, of course, of refusing and so offending some old friends and acquaintances.

inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading Moreover, there came into her affairs, not exactly a crash, but something so unpleasantly like a full stop that she and Cherie could not fail to perceive it.

a race between candidates for elective office

From this reading THE END OF THE CAMPAIGN The great Polkington campaign was over and it had failed.

past form of “cheer” — give encouragement to

From this reading Mrs. Polkington and Cherie cheered each other with assurances of a contrary nature as long as they could, but for all that it had really failed and they knew it.

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

From this reading Mrs. Polkington and Cherie cheered each other with assurances of a contrary nature as long as they could, but for all that it had really failed and they knew it.

very opposed in nature or character or purpose

From this reading Mrs. Polkington and Cherie cheered each other with assurances of a contrary nature as long as they could, but for all that it had really failed and they knew it.

the total spent for goods or services including money and time and labor

From this reading There had been some small successes by the way; they had received a little recognition in superior places, and a few, a very few, invitations of a superior order at the cost, of course, of refusing and so offending some old friends and acquaintances.

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

From this reading Mrs. Polkington and Cherie cheered each other with assurances of a contrary nature as long as they could, but for all that it had really failed and they knew it.

a politically organized body of people under a single government

From this reading It might perhaps have been possible to achieve the position at which Mrs. Polkington aimed in the course of time, or a very long time; society in the country moves slowly, and she could not afford to wait indefinitely; her financial ability was not equal to it.

education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings

From this reading There had been some small successes by the way; they had received a little recognition in superior places, and a few, a very few, invitations of a superior order at the cost, of course, of refusing and so offending some old friends and acquaintances.

fall or come down violently

From this reading Moreover, there came into her affairs, not exactly a crash, but something so unpleasantly like a full stop that she and Cherie could not fail to perceive it.

every one of two or more people or things, taken separately

From this reading Mrs. Polkington and Cherie cheered each other with assurances of a contrary nature as long as they could, but for all that it had really failed and they knew it.

either extremity of something that has length

From this reading THE END OF THE CAMPAIGN The great Polkington campaign was over and it had failed.

be identical or equivalent to

From this reading It might perhaps have been possible to achieve the position at which Mrs. Polkington aimed in the course of time, or a very long time; society in the country moves slowly, and she could not afford to wait indefinitely; her financial ability was not equal to it.

indicating exactness or preciseness

From this reading Moreover, there came into her affairs, not exactly a crash, but something so unpleasantly like a full stop that she and Cherie could not fail to perceive it.

fail to do something; leave something undone

From this reading Moreover, there came into her affairs, not exactly a crash, but something so unpleasantly like a full stop that she and Cherie could not fail to perceive it.

past form of “fail” — fail to do something; leave something undone

From this reading THE END OF THE CAMPAIGN The great Polkington campaign was over and it had failed.

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

From this reading There had been some small successes by the way; they had received a little recognition in superior places, and a few, a very few, invitations of a superior order at the cost, of course, of refusing and so offending some old friends and acquaintances.

involving financial matters

From this reading It might perhaps have been possible to achieve the position at which Mrs. Polkington aimed in the course of time, or a very long time; society in the country moves slowly, and she could not afford to wait indefinitely; her financial ability was not equal to it.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Mrs. Polkington and Cherie cheered each other with assurances of a contrary nature as long as they could, but for all that it had really failed and they knew it.

plural of “friend” — a person you know well and regard with affection and trust

From this reading There had been some small successes by the way; they had received a little recognition in superior places, and a few, a very few, invitations of a superior order at the cost, of course, of refusing and so offending some old friends and acquaintances.

containing as much or as many as is possible or normal

From this reading Moreover, there came into her affairs, not exactly a crash, but something so unpleasantly like a full stop that she and Cherie could not fail to perceive it.

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

From this reading THE END OF THE CAMPAIGN The great Polkington campaign was over and it had failed.

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

From this reading THE END OF THE CAMPAIGN The great Polkington campaign was over and it had failed.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading It might perhaps have been possible to achieve the position at which Mrs. Polkington aimed in the course of time, or a very long time; society in the country moves slowly, and she could not afford to wait indefinitely; her financial ability was not equal to it.

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

From this reading It might perhaps have been possible to achieve the position at which Mrs. Polkington aimed in the course of time, or a very long time; society in the country moves slowly, and she could not afford to wait indefinitely; her financial ability was not equal to it.

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

From this reading There had been some small successes by the way; they had received a little recognition in superior places, and a few, a very few, invitations of a superior order at the cost, of course, of refusing and so offending some old friends and acquaintances.

to an indefinite extent; for an indefinite time

From this reading It might perhaps have been possible to achieve the position at which Mrs. Polkington aimed in the course of time, or a very long time; society in the country moves slowly, and she could not afford to wait indefinitely; her financial ability was not equal to it.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading Moreover, there came into her affairs, not exactly a crash, but something so unpleasantly like a full stop that she and Cherie could not fail to perceive it.

plural of “invitation” — a request (spoken or written) to participate or be present or take part in something

From this reading There had been some small successes by the way; they had received a little recognition in superior places, and a few, a very few, invitations of a superior order at the cost, of course, of refusing and so offending some old friends and acquaintances.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading THE END OF THE CAMPAIGN The great Polkington campaign was over and it had failed.

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

From this reading Mrs. Polkington and Cherie cheered each other with assurances of a contrary nature as long as they could, but for all that it had really failed and they knew it.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading Moreover, there came into her affairs, not exactly a crash, but something so unpleasantly like a full stop that she and Cherie could not fail to perceive it.

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

From this reading There had been some small successes by the way; they had received a little recognition in superior places, and a few, a very few, invitations of a superior order at the cost, of course, of refusing and so offending some old friends and acquaintances.

primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified

From this reading Mrs. Polkington and Cherie cheered each other with assurances of a contrary nature as long as they could, but for all that it had really failed and they knew it.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading It might perhaps have been possible to achieve the position at which Mrs. Polkington aimed in the course of time, or a very long time; society in the country moves slowly, and she could not afford to wait indefinitely; her financial ability was not equal to it.

in addition to what has just been said

From this reading Moreover, there came into her affairs, not exactly a crash, but something so unpleasantly like a full stop that she and Cherie could not fail to perceive it.

plural of “move” — the act of deciding to do something

From this reading It might perhaps have been possible to achieve the position at which Mrs. Polkington aimed in the course of time, or a very long time; society in the country moves slowly, and she could not afford to wait indefinitely; her financial ability was not equal to it.

a form of address for a married woman

From this reading Mrs. Polkington and Cherie cheered each other with assurances of a contrary nature as long as they could, but for all that it had really failed and they knew it.

the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized

From this reading Mrs. Polkington and Cherie cheered each other with assurances of a contrary nature as long as they could, but for all that it had really failed and they knew it.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading It might perhaps have been possible to achieve the position at which Mrs. Polkington aimed in the course of time, or a very long time; society in the country moves slowly, and she could not afford to wait indefinitely; her financial ability was not equal to it.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading THE END OF THE CAMPAIGN The great Polkington campaign was over and it had failed.

offending against or breaking a law or rule

From this reading There had been some small successes by the way; they had received a little recognition in superior places, and a few, a very few, invitations of a superior order at the cost, of course, of refusing and so offending some old friends and acquaintances.

(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age

From this reading There had been some small successes by the way; they had received a little recognition in superior places, and a few, a very few, invitations of a superior order at the cost, of course, of refusing and so offending some old friends and acquaintances.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading It might perhaps have been possible to achieve the position at which Mrs. Polkington aimed in the course of time, or a very long time; society in the country moves slowly, and she could not afford to wait indefinitely; her financial ability was not equal to it.

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

From this reading There had been some small successes by the way; they had received a little recognition in superior places, and a few, a very few, invitations of a superior order at the cost, of course, of refusing and so offending some old friends and acquaintances.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading Mrs. Polkington and Cherie cheered each other with assurances of a contrary nature as long as they could, but for all that it had really failed and they knew it.

above and across; more than

From this reading THE END OF THE CAMPAIGN The great Polkington campaign was over and it had failed.

to become aware of through the senses

From this reading Moreover, there came into her affairs, not exactly a crash, but something so unpleasantly like a full stop that she and Cherie could not fail to perceive it.

by chance

From this reading It might perhaps have been possible to achieve the position at which Mrs. Polkington aimed in the course of time, or a very long time; society in the country moves slowly, and she could not afford to wait indefinitely; her financial ability was not equal to it.

plural of “place” — a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading There had been some small successes by the way; they had received a little recognition in superior places, and a few, a very few, invitations of a superior order at the cost, of course, of refusing and so offending some old friends and acquaintances.

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

From this reading THE END OF THE CAMPAIGN The great Polkington campaign was over and it had failed.

the particular portion of space occupied by something

From this reading It might perhaps have been possible to achieve the position at which Mrs. Polkington aimed in the course of time, or a very long time; society in the country moves slowly, and she could not afford to wait indefinitely; her financial ability was not equal to it.

capable of happening or existing

From this reading It might perhaps have been possible to achieve the position at which Mrs. Polkington aimed in the course of time, or a very long time; society in the country moves slowly, and she could not afford to wait indefinitely; her financial ability was not equal to it.

in accordance with truth or fact or reality

From this reading Mrs. Polkington and Cherie cheered each other with assurances of a contrary nature as long as they could, but for all that it had really failed and they knew it.

conforming to the established language usage of educated native speakers

From this reading There had been some small successes by the way; they had received a little recognition in superior places, and a few, a very few, invitations of a superior order at the cost, of course, of refusing and so offending some old friends and acquaintances.

the state or quality of being recognized or acknowledged

From this reading There had been some small successes by the way; they had received a little recognition in superior places, and a few, a very few, invitations of a superior order at the cost, of course, of refusing and so offending some old friends and acquaintances.

-ing form of “refuse” — show unwillingness towards

From this reading There had been some small successes by the way; they had received a little recognition in superior places, and a few, a very few, invitations of a superior order at the cost, of course, of refusing and so offending some old friends and acquaintances.

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

From this reading It might perhaps have been possible to achieve the position at which Mrs. Polkington aimed in the course of time, or a very long time; society in the country moves slowly, and she could not afford to wait indefinitely; her financial ability was not equal to it.

without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)

From this reading It might perhaps have been possible to achieve the position at which Mrs. Polkington aimed in the course of time, or a very long time; society in the country moves slowly, and she could not afford to wait indefinitely; her financial ability was not equal to it.

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

From this reading There had been some small successes by the way; they had received a little recognition in superior places, and a few, a very few, invitations of a superior order at the cost, of course, of refusing and so offending some old friends and acquaintances.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading There had been some small successes by the way; they had received a little recognition in superior places, and a few, a very few, invitations of a superior order at the cost, of course, of refusing and so offending some old friends and acquaintances.

an extended social group having a distinctive cultural and economic organization

From this reading It might perhaps have been possible to achieve the position at which Mrs. Polkington aimed in the course of time, or a very long time; society in the country moves slowly, and she could not afford to wait indefinitely; her financial ability was not equal to it.

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

From this reading There had been some small successes by the way; they had received a little recognition in superior places, and a few, a very few, invitations of a superior order at the cost, of course, of refusing and so offending some old friends and acquaintances.

a thing, without saying which

From this reading Moreover, there came into her affairs, not exactly a crash, but something so unpleasantly like a full stop that she and Cherie could not fail to perceive it.

come to a halt, stop moving

From this reading Moreover, there came into her affairs, not exactly a crash, but something so unpleasantly like a full stop that she and Cherie could not fail to perceive it.

plural of “success” — an event that accomplishes its intended purpose

From this reading There had been some small successes by the way; they had received a little recognition in superior places, and a few, a very few, invitations of a superior order at the cost, of course, of refusing and so offending some old friends and acquaintances.

of high or superior quality or performance

From this reading There had been some small successes by the way; they had received a little recognition in superior places, and a few, a very few, invitations of a superior order at the cost, of course, of refusing and so offending some old friends and acquaintances.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Mrs. Polkington and Cherie cheered each other with assurances of a contrary nature as long as they could, but for all that it had really failed and they knew it.

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

From this reading THE END OF THE CAMPAIGN The great Polkington campaign was over and it had failed.

in or at that place or location

From this reading There had been some small successes by the way; they had received a little recognition in superior places, and a few, a very few, invitations of a superior order at the cost, of course, of refusing and so offending some old friends and acquaintances.

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

From this reading Mrs. Polkington and Cherie cheered each other with assurances of a contrary nature as long as they could, but for all that it had really failed and they knew it.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading It might perhaps have been possible to achieve the position at which Mrs. Polkington aimed in the course of time, or a very long time; society in the country moves slowly, and she could not afford to wait indefinitely; her financial ability was not equal to it.

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

From this reading It might perhaps have been possible to achieve the position at which Mrs. Polkington aimed in the course of time, or a very long time; society in the country moves slowly, and she could not afford to wait indefinitely; her financial ability was not equal to it.

in an unpleasant manner

From this reading Moreover, there came into her affairs, not exactly a crash, but something so unpleasantly like a full stop that she and Cherie could not fail to perceive it.

precisely as stated

From this reading There had been some small successes by the way; they had received a little recognition in superior places, and a few, a very few, invitations of a superior order at the cost, of course, of refusing and so offending some old friends and acquaintances.

stay in one place and anticipate or expect something

From this reading It might perhaps have been possible to achieve the position at which Mrs. Polkington aimed in the course of time, or a very long time; society in the country moves slowly, and she could not afford to wait indefinitely; her financial ability was not equal to it.

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

From this reading THE END OF THE CAMPAIGN The great Polkington campaign was over and it had failed.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading There had been some small successes by the way; they had received a little recognition in superior places, and a few, a very few, invitations of a superior order at the cost, of course, of refusing and so offending some old friends and acquaintances.

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

From this reading It might perhaps have been possible to achieve the position at which Mrs. Polkington aimed in the course of time, or a very long time; society in the country moves slowly, and she could not afford to wait indefinitely; her financial ability was not equal to it.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Mrs. Polkington and Cherie cheered each other with assurances of a contrary nature as long as they could, but for all that it had really failed and they knew it.