Chapter XXI · Chapter 21

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading And certainly she did wish it; by the hard light in her eyes and the grim look about her mouth it was clear she was in no mood for company.

a vaguely specified concern

From this reading She had got at the truth that evening, or most of it; the whole affair, with the exception of one point only, was quite plain to her; not by her father's wish or intention, but plain none the less.

(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 Subterfuge was an art the Polkingtons understood so well that it was exceedingly difficult to deceive them; Julia was the most difficult of them all to deceive, and the Captain was least clever at subterfuge; it was not wonderful, therefore, that she knew nearly all there was to know.

Having no one else present.

From this reading Although it was not late, both Captain Polkington and Johnny had gone to bed, the one to suit himself, the other to oblige Julia; she was in the kitchen now, as completely alone as she could wish.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading Although it was not late, both Captain Polkington and Johnny had gone to bed, the one to suit himself, the other to oblige Julia; she was in the kitchen now, as completely alone as she could wish.

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

From this reading Subterfuge was an art the Polkingtons understood so well that it was exceedingly difficult to deceive them; Julia was the most difficult of them all to deceive, and the Captain was least clever at subterfuge; it was not wonderful, therefore, that she knew nearly all there was to know.

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

From this reading Although it was not late, both Captain Polkington and Johnny had gone to bed, the one to suit himself, the other to oblige Julia; she was in the kitchen now, as completely alone as she could wish.

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

From this reading Subterfuge was an art the Polkingtons understood so well that it was exceedingly difficult to deceive them; Julia was the most difficult of them all to deceive, and the Captain was least clever at subterfuge; it was not wonderful, therefore, that she knew nearly all there was to know.

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

From this reading Although it was not late, both Captain Polkington and Johnny had gone to bed, the one to suit himself, the other to oblige Julia; she was in the kitchen now, as completely alone as she could wish.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading She had got at the truth that evening, or most of it; the whole affair, with the exception of one point only, was quite plain to her; not by her father's wish or intention, but plain none the less.

a piece of furniture that provides a place to sleep

From this reading Although it was not late, both Captain Polkington and Johnny had gone to bed, the one to suit himself, the other to oblige Julia; she was in the kitchen now, as completely alone as she could wish.

the two together, not just one

From this reading Although it was not late, both Captain Polkington and Johnny had gone to bed, the one to suit himself, the other to oblige Julia; she was in the kitchen now, as completely alone as she could wish.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading She had got at the truth that evening, or most of it; the whole affair, with the exception of one point only, was quite plain to her; not by her father's wish or intention, but plain none the less.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading And certainly she did wish it; by the hard light in her eyes and the grim look about her mouth it was clear she was in no mood for company.

an officer holding a rank below a major but above a lieutenant

From this reading Although it was not late, both Captain Polkington and Johnny had gone to bed, the one to suit himself, the other to oblige Julia; she was in the kitchen now, as completely alone as she could wish.

definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)

From this reading And certainly she did wish it; by the hard light in her eyes and the grim look about her mouth it was clear she was in no mood for company.

rid of obstructions

From this reading And certainly she did wish it; by the hard light in her eyes and the grim look about her mouth it was clear she was in no mood for company.

showing self-interest and shrewdness in dealing with others

From this reading Subterfuge was an art the Polkingtons understood so well that it was exceedingly difficult to deceive them; Julia was the most difficult of them all to deceive, and the Captain was least clever at subterfuge; it was not wonderful, therefore, that she knew nearly all there was to know.

an institution created to conduct business

From this reading And certainly she did wish it; by the hard light in her eyes and the grim look about her mouth it was clear she was in no mood for company.

to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)

From this reading Although it was not late, both Captain Polkington and Johnny had gone to bed, the one to suit himself, the other to oblige Julia; she was in the kitchen now, as completely alone as she could wish.

a friend who is frequently in the company of another

From this reading THE GOING OF THE GOOD COMRADE The cottage was very quiet.

a small house with a single story

From this reading THE GOING OF THE GOOD COMRADE The cottage was very quiet.

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

From this reading Although it was not late, both Captain Polkington and Johnny had gone to bed, the one to suit himself, the other to oblige Julia; she was in the kitchen now, as completely alone as she could wish.

be false to; be dishonest with

From this reading Subterfuge was an art the Polkingtons understood so well that it was exceedingly difficult to deceive them; Julia was the most difficult of them all to deceive, and the Captain was least clever at subterfuge; it was not wonderful, therefore, that she knew nearly all there was to know.

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

From this reading And certainly she did wish it; by the hard light in her eyes and the grim look about her mouth it was clear she was in no mood for company.

not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure

From this reading Subterfuge was an art the Polkingtons understood so well that it was exceedingly difficult to deceive them; Julia was the most difficult of them all to deceive, and the Captain was least clever at subterfuge; it was not wonderful, therefore, that she knew nearly all there was to know.

the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)

From this reading She had got at the truth that evening, or most of it; the whole affair, with the exception of one point only, was quite plain to her; not by her father's wish or intention, but plain none the less.

to an extreme degree

From this reading Subterfuge was an art the Polkingtons understood so well that it was exceedingly difficult to deceive them; Julia was the most difficult of them all to deceive, and the Captain was least clever at subterfuge; it was not wonderful, therefore, that she knew nearly all there was to know.

a deliberate act of omission

From this reading She had got at the truth that evening, or most of it; the whole affair, with the exception of one point only, was quite plain to her; not by her father's wish or intention, but plain none the less.

opinion or judgment

From this reading And certainly she did wish it; by the hard light in her eyes and the grim look about her mouth it was clear she was in no mood for company.

possessive form of “father” — a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)

From this reading She had got at the truth that evening, or most of it; the whole affair, with the exception of one point only, was quite plain to her; not by her father's wish or intention, but plain none the less.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading And certainly she did wish it; by the hard light in her eyes and the grim look about her mouth it was clear she was in no mood for company.

the act of departing

From this reading THE GOING OF THE GOOD COMRADE The cottage was very quiet.

destroyed or killed

From this reading Although it was not late, both Captain Polkington and Johnny had gone to bed, the one to suit himself, the other to oblige Julia; she was in the kitchen now, as completely alone as she could wish.

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

From this reading THE GOING OF THE GOOD COMRADE The cottage was very quiet.

inflected form of “get” — come into the possession of something concrete or abstract

From this reading She had got at the truth that evening, or most of it; the whole affair, with the exception of one point only, was quite plain to her; not by her father's wish or intention, but plain none the less.

not to be placated or appeased or moved by entreaty

From this reading And certainly she did wish it; by the hard light in her eyes and the grim look about her mouth it was clear she was in no mood for company.

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

From this reading Although it was not late, both Captain Polkington and Johnny had gone to bed, the one to suit himself, the other to oblige Julia; she was in the kitchen now, as completely alone as she could wish.

not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure

From this reading And certainly she did wish it; by the hard light in her eyes and the grim look about her mouth it was clear she was in no mood for company.

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

From this reading And certainly she did wish it; by the hard light in her eyes and the grim look about her mouth it was clear she was in no mood for company.

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

From this reading Although it was not late, both Captain Polkington and Johnny had gone to bed, the one to suit himself, the other to oblige Julia; she was in the kitchen now, as completely alone as she could wish.

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

From this reading Although it was not late, both Captain Polkington and Johnny had gone to bed, the one to suit himself, the other to oblige Julia; she was in the kitchen now, as completely alone as she could wish.

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

From this reading She had got at the truth that evening, or most of it; the whole affair, with the exception of one point only, was quite plain to her; not by her father's wish or intention, but plain none the less.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Although it was not late, both Captain Polkington and Johnny had gone to bed, the one to suit himself, the other to oblige Julia; she was in the kitchen now, as completely alone as she could wish.

“Johnny” was applied as a nickname for Confederate soldiers by the Federal soldiers in the American Civil War; “greyback” derived from their grey Confederate uniforms

From this reading Although it was not late, both Captain Polkington and Johnny had gone to bed, the one to suit himself, the other to oblige Julia; she was in the kitchen now, as completely alone as she could wish.

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

From this reading Although it was not late, both Captain Polkington and Johnny had gone to bed, the one to suit himself, the other to oblige Julia; she was in the kitchen now, as completely alone as she could wish.

a room equipped for preparing meals

From this reading Although it was not late, both Captain Polkington and Johnny had gone to bed, the one to suit himself, the other to oblige Julia; she was in the kitchen now, as completely alone as she could wish.

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 Subterfuge was an art the Polkingtons understood so well that it was exceedingly difficult to deceive them; Julia was the most difficult of them all to deceive, and the Captain was least clever at subterfuge; it was not wonderful, therefore, that she knew nearly all there was to know.

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

From this reading Subterfuge was an art the Polkingtons understood so well that it was exceedingly difficult to deceive them; Julia was the most difficult of them all to deceive, and the Captain was least clever at subterfuge; it was not wonderful, therefore, that she knew nearly all there was to know.

being or occurring at an advanced period of time or after a usual or expected time

From this reading Although it was not late, both Captain Polkington and Johnny had gone to bed, the one to suit himself, the other to oblige Julia; she was in the kitchen now, as completely alone as she could wish.

the superlative of “little” that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by “the”; a quantifier meaning smallest in amount or extent or degree

From this reading Subterfuge was an art the Polkingtons understood so well that it was exceedingly difficult to deceive them; Julia was the most difficult of them all to deceive, and the Captain was least clever at subterfuge; it was not wonderful, therefore, that she knew nearly all there was to know.

used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs

From this reading She had got at the truth that evening, or most of it; the whole affair, with the exception of one point only, was quite plain to her; not by her father's wish or intention, but plain none the less.

of comparatively little physical weight or density

From this reading And certainly she did wish it; by the hard light in her eyes and the grim look about her mouth it was clear she was in no mood for company.

perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading And certainly she did wish it; by the hard light in her eyes and the grim look about her mouth it was clear she was in no mood for company.

a characteristic (habitual or relatively temporary) state of feeling

From this reading And certainly she did wish it; by the hard light in her eyes and the grim look about her mouth it was clear she was in no mood for company.

used to form the superlative

From this reading She had got at the truth that evening, or most of it; the whole affair, with the exception of one point only, was quite plain to her; not by her father's wish or intention, but plain none the less.

the opening through which food is taken in and vocalizations emerge

From this reading And certainly she did wish it; by the hard light in her eyes and the grim look about her mouth it was clear she was in no mood for company.

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

From this reading Subterfuge was an art the Polkingtons understood so well that it was exceedingly difficult to deceive them; Julia was the most difficult of them all to deceive, and the Captain was least clever at subterfuge; it was not wonderful, therefore, that she knew nearly all there was to know.

not any; not one

From this reading And certainly she did wish it; by the hard light in her eyes and the grim look about her mouth it was clear she was in no mood for company.

not one, and not any

From this reading She had got at the truth that evening, or most of it; the whole affair, with the exception of one point only, was quite plain to her; not by her father's wish or intention, but plain none the less.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Although it was not late, both Captain Polkington and Johnny had gone to bed, the one to suit himself, the other to oblige Julia; she was in the kitchen now, as completely alone as she could wish.

in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events

From this reading Although it was not late, both Captain Polkington and Johnny had gone to bed, the one to suit himself, the other to oblige Julia; she was in the kitchen now, as completely alone as she could wish.

force somebody to do something

From this reading Although it was not late, both Captain Polkington and Johnny had gone to bed, the one to suit himself, the other to oblige Julia; she was in the kitchen now, as completely alone as she could wish.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading THE GOING OF THE GOOD COMRADE The cottage was very quiet.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Although it was not late, both Captain Polkington and Johnny had gone to bed, the one to suit himself, the other to oblige Julia; she was in the kitchen now, as completely alone as she could wish.

and nothing more

From this reading She had got at the truth that evening, or most of it; the whole affair, with the exception of one point only, was quite plain to her; not by her father's wish or intention, but plain none the less.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading She had got at the truth that evening, or most of it; the whole affair, with the exception of one point only, was quite plain to her; not by her father's wish or intention, but plain none the less.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading Although it was not late, both Captain Polkington and Johnny had gone to bed, the one to suit himself, the other to oblige Julia; she was in the kitchen now, as completely alone as she could wish.

clearly revealed to the mind or the senses or judgment

From this reading She had got at the truth that evening, or most of it; the whole affair, with the exception of one point only, was quite plain to her; not by her father's wish or intention, but plain none the less.

a geometric element that has position but no extension

From this reading She had got at the truth that evening, or most of it; the whole affair, with the exception of one point only, was quite plain to her; not by her father's wish or intention, but plain none the less.

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

From this reading Although it was not late, both Captain Polkington and Johnny had gone to bed, the one to suit himself, the other to oblige Julia; she was in the kitchen now, as completely alone as she could wish.

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

From this reading Subterfuge was an art the Polkingtons understood so well that it was exceedingly difficult to deceive them; Julia was the most difficult of them all to deceive, and the Captain was least clever at subterfuge; it was not wonderful, therefore, that she knew nearly all there was to know.

characterized by an absence or near absence of agitation or activity

From this reading THE GOING OF THE GOOD COMRADE The cottage was very quiet.

to a degree (not used with a negative)

From this reading She had got at the truth that evening, or most of it; the whole affair, with the exception of one point only, was quite plain to her; not by her father's wish or intention, but plain none the less.

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

From this reading Although it was not late, both Captain Polkington and Johnny had gone to bed, the one to suit himself, the other to oblige Julia; she was in the kitchen now, as completely alone as she could wish.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Subterfuge was an art the Polkingtons understood so well that it was exceedingly difficult to deceive them; Julia was the most difficult of them all to deceive, and the Captain was least clever at subterfuge; it was not wonderful, therefore, that she knew nearly all there was to know.

something intended to misrepresent the true nature of an activity

From this reading Subterfuge was an art the Polkingtons understood so well that it was exceedingly difficult to deceive them; Julia was the most difficult of them all to deceive, and the Captain was least clever at subterfuge; it was not wonderful, therefore, that she knew nearly all there was to know.

be agreeable or acceptable to

From this reading Although it was not late, both Captain Polkington and Johnny had gone to bed, the one to suit himself, the other to oblige Julia; she was in the kitchen now, as completely alone as she could wish.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading She had got at the truth that evening, or most of it; the whole affair, with the exception of one point only, was quite plain to her; not by her father's wish or intention, but plain none the less.

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

From this reading THE GOING OF THE GOOD COMRADE The cottage was very quiet.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading Subterfuge was an art the Polkingtons understood so well that it was exceedingly difficult to deceive them; Julia was the most difficult of them all to deceive, and the Captain was least clever at subterfuge; it was not wonderful, therefore, that she knew nearly all there was to know.

in or at that place or location

From this reading Subterfuge was an art the Polkingtons understood so well that it was exceedingly difficult to deceive them; Julia was the most difficult of them all to deceive, and the Captain was least clever at subterfuge; it was not wonderful, therefore, that she knew nearly all there was to know.

for that reason; as a result

From this reading Subterfuge was an art the Polkingtons understood so well that it was exceedingly difficult to deceive them; Julia was the most difficult of them all to deceive, and the Captain was least clever at subterfuge; it was not wonderful, therefore, that she knew nearly all there was to know.

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

From this reading Although it was not late, both Captain Polkington and Johnny had gone to bed, the one to suit himself, the other to oblige Julia; she was in the kitchen now, as completely alone as she could wish.

a fact that has been verified

From this reading She had got at the truth that evening, or most of it; the whole affair, with the exception of one point only, was quite plain to her; not by her father's wish or intention, but plain none the less.

fully apprehended as to purport or meaning or explanation

From this reading Subterfuge was an art the Polkingtons understood so well that it was exceedingly difficult to deceive them; Julia was the most difficult of them all to deceive, and the Captain was least clever at subterfuge; it was not wonderful, therefore, that she knew nearly all there was to know.

precisely as stated

From this reading THE GOING OF THE GOOD COMRADE The cottage was very quiet.

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

From this reading THE GOING OF THE GOOD COMRADE The cottage was very quiet.

(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 Subterfuge was an art the Polkingtons understood so well that it was exceedingly difficult to deceive them; Julia was the most difficult of them all to deceive, and the Captain was least clever at subterfuge; it was not wonderful, therefore, that she knew nearly all there was to know.

including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete

From this reading She had got at the truth that evening, or most of it; the whole affair, with the exception of one point only, was quite plain to her; not by her father's wish or intention, but plain none the less.

hope for; have a wish

From this reading Although it was not late, both Captain Polkington and Johnny had gone to bed, the one to suit himself, the other to oblige Julia; she was in the kitchen now, as completely alone as she could wish.

in the company of; together with

From this reading She had got at the truth that evening, or most of it; the whole affair, with the exception of one point only, was quite plain to her; not by her father's wish or intention, but plain none the less.

extraordinarily good or great; used especially as intensifiers

From this reading Subterfuge was an art the Polkingtons understood so well that it was exceedingly difficult to deceive them; Julia was the most difficult of them all to deceive, and the Captain was least clever at subterfuge; it was not wonderful, therefore, that she knew nearly all there was to know.