Chapter XXV · Chapter 25

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

From this reading Mr. Mattingford, who had been Mr. Holymead's clerk for nearly twenty years, seemed to realise that the visit was important, though as a married man he knew that a meeting between husband and wife in town was usually so commonplace as to verge on boredom for the husband.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading Thus it came about that Mr. Mattingford kept up the fiction that he had no savings and that each week's salary must see him through till the next week.

an amount allowed or granted (as during a given period)

From this reading There were occasions when he had to meet Mrs. Mattingford, but these meetings were generally for the purpose of handing over to the lady her weekly dress allowance of ten shillings out of his salary, so that she might attend the sales at the big drapery shops in the West End and inspect the windows containing expensive articles that she could not hope to buy.

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

From this reading Mr. Mattingford was an exceedingly thrifty man, and his wife possessed some of the qualities of a spendthrift.

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

From this reading Mr. Mattingford, who had been Mr. Holymead's clerk for nearly twenty years, seemed to realise that the visit was important, though as a married man he knew that a meeting between husband and wife in town was usually so commonplace as to verge on boredom for the husband.

plural of “article” — nonfictional prose forming an independent part of a publication

From this reading There were occasions when he had to meet Mrs. Mattingford, but these meetings were generally for the purpose of handing over to the lady her weekly dress allowance of ten shillings out of his salary, so that she might attend the sales at the big drapery shops in the West End and inspect the windows containing expensive articles that she could not hope to buy.

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

From this reading Mr. Mattingford, who had been Mr. Holymead's clerk for nearly twenty years, seemed to realise that the visit was important, though as a married man he knew that a meeting between husband and wife in town was usually so commonplace as to verge on boredom for the husband.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading There were occasions when he had to meet Mrs. Mattingford, but these meetings were generally for the purpose of handing over to the lady her weekly dress allowance of ten shillings out of his salary, so that she might attend the sales at the big drapery shops in the West End and inspect the windows containing expensive articles that she could not hope to buy.

be present at (meetings, church services, university), etc.

From this reading There were occasions when he had to meet Mrs. Mattingford, but these meetings were generally for the purpose of handing over to the lady her weekly dress allowance of ten shillings out of his salary, so that she might attend the sales at the big drapery shops in the West End and inspect the windows containing expensive articles that she could not hope to buy.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Mr. Mattingford, who had been Mr. Holymead's clerk for nearly twenty years, seemed to realise that the visit was important, though as a married man he knew that a meeting between husband and wife in town was usually so commonplace as to verge on boredom for the husband.

in the space, time, or range separating two things

From this reading Mr. Mattingford, who had been Mr. Holymead's clerk for nearly twenty years, seemed to realise that the visit was important, though as a married man he knew that a meeting between husband and wife in town was usually so commonplace as to verge on boredom for the husband.

above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading There were occasions when he had to meet Mrs. Mattingford, but these meetings were generally for the purpose of handing over to the lady her weekly dress allowance of ten shillings out of his salary, so that she might attend the sales at the big drapery shops in the West End and inspect the windows containing expensive articles that she could not hope to buy.

the feeling of being bored by something tedious

From this reading Mr. Mattingford, who had been Mr. Holymead's clerk for nearly twenty years, seemed to realise that the visit was important, though as a married man he knew that a meeting between husband and wife in town was usually so commonplace as to verge on boredom for the husband.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading There were occasions when he had to meet Mrs. Mattingford, but these meetings were generally for the purpose of handing over to the lady her weekly dress allowance of ten shillings out of his salary, so that she might attend the sales at the big drapery shops in the West End and inspect the windows containing expensive articles that she could not hope to buy.

obtain by purchase; acquire by means of a financial transaction

From this reading There were occasions when he had to meet Mrs. Mattingford, but these meetings were generally for the purpose of handing over to the lady her weekly dress allowance of ten shillings out of his salary, so that she might attend the sales at the big drapery shops in the West End and inspect the windows containing expensive articles that she could not hope to buy.

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

From this reading Thus it came about that Mr. Mattingford kept up the fiction that he had no savings and that each week's salary must see him through till the next week.

English architect (1723-1796)

From this reading It was the first occasion on which Mrs. Holymead had visited her husband's chambers in the Middle Temple.

an employee who performs clerical work (e.g., keeps records or accounts)

From this reading Mr. Mattingford, who had been Mr. Holymead's clerk for nearly twenty years, seemed to realise that the visit was important, though as a married man he knew that a meeting between husband and wife in town was usually so commonplace as to verge on boredom for the husband.

completely ordinary and unremarkable

From this reading Mr. Mattingford, who had been Mr. Holymead's clerk for nearly twenty years, seemed to realise that the visit was important, though as a married man he knew that a meeting between husband and wife in town was usually so commonplace as to verge on boredom for the husband.

-ing form of “contain” — include or contain; have as a component

From this reading There were occasions when he had to meet Mrs. Mattingford, but these meetings were generally for the purpose of handing over to the lady her weekly dress allowance of ten shillings out of his salary, so that she might attend the sales at the big drapery shops in the West End and inspect the windows containing expensive articles that she could not hope to buy.

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

From this reading There were occasions when he had to meet Mrs. Mattingford, but these meetings were generally for the purpose of handing over to the lady her weekly dress allowance of ten shillings out of his salary, so that she might attend the sales at the big drapery shops in the West End and inspect the windows containing expensive articles that she could not hope to buy.

hanging cloth used as a blind (especially for a window)

From this reading There were occasions when he had to meet Mrs. Mattingford, but these meetings were generally for the purpose of handing over to the lady her weekly dress allowance of ten shillings out of his salary, so that she might attend the sales at the big drapery shops in the West End and inspect the windows containing expensive articles that she could not hope to buy.

put on clothes

From this reading There were occasions when he had to meet Mrs. Mattingford, but these meetings were generally for the purpose of handing over to the lady her weekly dress allowance of ten shillings out of his salary, so that she might attend the sales at the big drapery shops in the West End and inspect the windows containing expensive articles that she could not hope to buy.

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

From this reading Thus it came about that Mr. Mattingford kept up the fiction that he had no savings and that each week's salary must see him through till the next week.

either extremity of something that has length

From this reading There were occasions when he had to meet Mrs. Mattingford, but these meetings were generally for the purpose of handing over to the lady her weekly dress allowance of ten shillings out of his salary, so that she might attend the sales at the big drapery shops in the West End and inspect the windows containing expensive articles that she could not hope to buy.

to an extreme degree

From this reading Mr. Mattingford was an exceedingly thrifty man, and his wife possessed some of the qualities of a spendthrift.

high in price or charging high prices

From this reading There were occasions when he had to meet Mrs. Mattingford, but these meetings were generally for the purpose of handing over to the lady her weekly dress allowance of ten shillings out of his salary, so that she might attend the sales at the big drapery shops in the West End and inspect the windows containing expensive articles that she could not hope to buy.

a literary work based on the imagination and not necessarily on fact

From this reading Thus it came about that Mr. Mattingford kept up the fiction that he had no savings and that each week's salary must see him through till the next week.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading It was the first occasion on which Mrs. Holymead had visited her husband's chambers in the Middle Temple.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Mr. Mattingford, who had been Mr. Holymead's clerk for nearly twenty years, seemed to realise that the visit was important, though as a married man he knew that a meeting between husband and wife in town was usually so commonplace as to verge on boredom for the husband.

usually; as a rule

From this reading There were occasions when he had to meet Mrs. Mattingford, but these meetings were generally for the purpose of handing over to the lady her weekly dress allowance of ten shillings out of his salary, so that she might attend the sales at the big drapery shops in the West End and inspect the windows containing expensive articles that she could not hope to buy.

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

From this reading It was the first occasion on which Mrs. Holymead had visited her husband's chambers in the Middle Temple.

-ing form of “hand” — place into the hands or custody of

From this reading There were occasions when he had to meet Mrs. Mattingford, but these meetings were generally for the purpose of handing over to the lady her weekly dress allowance of ten shillings out of his salary, so that she might attend the sales at the big drapery shops in the West End and inspect the windows containing expensive articles that she could not hope to buy.

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

From this reading Mr. Mattingford, who had been Mr. Holymead's clerk for nearly twenty years, seemed to realise that the visit was important, though as a married man he knew that a meeting between husband and wife in town was usually so commonplace as to verge on boredom for the husband.

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

From this reading It was the first occasion on which Mrs. Holymead had visited her husband's chambers in the Middle Temple.

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

From this reading Thus it came about that Mr. Mattingford kept up the fiction that he had no savings and that each week's salary must see him through till the next week.

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

From this reading There were occasions when he had to meet Mrs. Mattingford, but these meetings were generally for the purpose of handing over to the lady her weekly dress allowance of ten shillings out of his salary, so that she might attend the sales at the big drapery shops in the West End and inspect the windows containing expensive articles that she could not hope to buy.

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

From this reading It was the first occasion on which Mrs. Holymead had visited her husband's chambers in the Middle Temple.

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

From this reading Mr. Mattingford, who had been Mr. Holymead's clerk for nearly twenty years, seemed to realise that the visit was important, though as a married man he knew that a meeting between husband and wife in town was usually so commonplace as to verge on boredom for the husband.

a specific instance of feeling hopeful

From this reading There were occasions when he had to meet Mrs. Mattingford, but these meetings were generally for the purpose of handing over to the lady her weekly dress allowance of ten shillings out of his salary, so that she might attend the sales at the big drapery shops in the West End and inspect the windows containing expensive articles that she could not hope to buy.

a married man; a woman's partner in marriage

From this reading Mr. Mattingford, who had been Mr. Holymead's clerk for nearly twenty years, seemed to realise that the visit was important, though as a married man he knew that a meeting between husband and wife in town was usually so commonplace as to verge on boredom for the husband.

possessive form of “husband” — a married man; a woman's partner in marriage

From this reading It was the first occasion on which Mrs. Holymead had visited her husband's chambers in the Middle Temple.

of great significance or value

From this reading Mr. Mattingford, who had been Mr. Holymead's clerk for nearly twenty years, seemed to realise that the visit was important, though as a married man he knew that a meeting between husband and wife in town was usually so commonplace as to verge on boredom for the husband.

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

From this reading It was the first occasion on which Mrs. Holymead had visited her husband's chambers in the Middle Temple.

look over carefully

From this reading There were occasions when he had to meet Mrs. Mattingford, but these meetings were generally for the purpose of handing over to the lady her weekly dress allowance of ten shillings out of his salary, so that she might attend the sales at the big drapery shops in the West End and inspect the windows containing expensive articles that she could not hope to buy.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was the first occasion on which Mrs. Holymead had visited her husband's chambers in the Middle Temple.

(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded

From this reading Thus it came about that Mr. Mattingford kept up the fiction that he had no savings and that each week's salary must see him through till the next week.

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 Mr. Mattingford, who had been Mr. Holymead's clerk for nearly twenty years, seemed to realise that the visit was important, though as a married man he knew that a meeting between husband and wife in town was usually so commonplace as to verge on boredom for the husband.

a polite name for any woman

From this reading There were occasions when he had to meet Mrs. Mattingford, but these meetings were generally for the purpose of handing over to the lady her weekly dress allowance of ten shillings out of his salary, so that she might attend the sales at the big drapery shops in the West End and inspect the windows containing expensive articles that she could not hope to buy.

an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

From this reading Mr. Mattingford, who had been Mr. Holymead's clerk for nearly twenty years, seemed to realise that the visit was important, though as a married man he knew that a meeting between husband and wife in town was usually so commonplace as to verge on boredom for the husband.

joined in matrimony

From this reading Mr. Mattingford, who had been Mr. Holymead's clerk for nearly twenty years, seemed to realise that the visit was important, though as a married man he knew that a meeting between husband and wife in town was usually so commonplace as to verge on boredom for the husband.

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

From this reading Mr. Mattingford, who had been Mr. Holymead's clerk for nearly twenty years, seemed to realise that the visit was important, though as a married man he knew that a meeting between husband and wife in town was usually so commonplace as to verge on boredom for the husband.

come together

From this reading There were occasions when he had to meet Mrs. Mattingford, but these meetings were generally for the purpose of handing over to the lady her weekly dress allowance of ten shillings out of his salary, so that she might attend the sales at the big drapery shops in the West End and inspect the windows containing expensive articles that she could not hope to buy.

a formally arranged gathering

From this reading Mr. Mattingford, who had been Mr. Holymead's clerk for nearly twenty years, seemed to realise that the visit was important, though as a married man he knew that a meeting between husband and wife in town was usually so commonplace as to verge on boredom for the husband.

plural of “meeting” — a formally arranged gathering

From this reading There were occasions when he had to meet Mrs. Mattingford, but these meetings were generally for the purpose of handing over to the lady her weekly dress allowance of ten shillings out of his salary, so that she might attend the sales at the big drapery shops in the West End and inspect the windows containing expensive articles that she could not hope to buy.

an area that is approximately central within some larger region

From this reading It was the first occasion on which Mrs. Holymead had visited her husband's chambers in the Middle Temple.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading There were occasions when he had to meet Mrs. Mattingford, but these meetings were generally for the purpose of handing over to the lady her weekly dress allowance of ten shillings out of his salary, so that she might attend the sales at the big drapery shops in the West End and inspect the windows containing expensive articles that she could not hope to buy.

a form of address for a man

From this reading Mr. Mattingford, who had been Mr. Holymead's clerk for nearly twenty years, seemed to realise that the visit was important, though as a married man he knew that a meeting between husband and wife in town was usually so commonplace as to verge on boredom for the husband.

a form of address for a married woman

From this reading It was the first occasion on which Mrs. Holymead had visited her husband's chambers in the Middle Temple.

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading Thus it came about that Mr. Mattingford kept up the fiction that he had no savings and that each week's salary must see him through till the next week.

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

From this reading Mr. Mattingford, who had been Mr. Holymead's clerk for nearly twenty years, seemed to realise that the visit was important, though as a married man he knew that a meeting between husband and wife in town was usually so commonplace as to verge on boredom for the husband.

immediately following in time or order

From this reading Thus it came about that Mr. Mattingford kept up the fiction that he had no savings and that each week's salary must see him through till the next week.

not any; not one

From this reading Thus it came about that Mr. Mattingford kept up the fiction that he had no savings and that each week's salary must see him through till the next week.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading There were occasions when he had to meet Mrs. Mattingford, but these meetings were generally for the purpose of handing over to the lady her weekly dress allowance of ten shillings out of his salary, so that she might attend the sales at the big drapery shops in the West End and inspect the windows containing expensive articles that she could not hope to buy.

an event that occurs at a critical time

From this reading It was the first occasion on which Mrs. Holymead had visited her husband's chambers in the Middle Temple.

something you have to do

From this reading There were occasions when he had to meet Mrs. Mattingford, but these meetings were generally for the purpose of handing over to the lady her weekly dress allowance of ten shillings out of his salary, so that she might attend the sales at the big drapery shops in the West End and inspect the windows containing expensive articles that she could not hope to buy.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading There were occasions when he had to meet Mrs. Mattingford, but these meetings were generally for the purpose of handing over to the lady her weekly dress allowance of ten shillings out of his salary, so that she might attend the sales at the big drapery shops in the West End and inspect the windows containing expensive articles that she could not hope to buy.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading It was the first occasion on which Mrs. Holymead had visited her husband's chambers in the Middle Temple.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading There were occasions when he had to meet Mrs. Mattingford, but these meetings were generally for the purpose of handing over to the lady her weekly dress allowance of ten shillings out of his salary, so that she might attend the sales at the big drapery shops in the West End and inspect the windows containing expensive articles that she could not hope to buy.

above and across; more than

From this reading There were occasions when he had to meet Mrs. Mattingford, but these meetings were generally for the purpose of handing over to the lady her weekly dress allowance of ten shillings out of his salary, so that she might attend the sales at the big drapery shops in the West End and inspect the windows containing expensive articles that she could not hope to buy.

influenced or controlled by a powerful force such as a strong emotion

From this reading Mr. Mattingford was an exceedingly thrifty man, and his wife possessed some of the qualities of a spendthrift.

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

From this reading There were occasions when he had to meet Mrs. Mattingford, but these meetings were generally for the purpose of handing over to the lady her weekly dress allowance of ten shillings out of his salary, so that she might attend the sales at the big drapery shops in the West End and inspect the windows containing expensive articles that she could not hope to buy.

plural of “quality” — an essential and distinguishing attribute of something or someone

From this reading Mr. Mattingford was an exceedingly thrifty man, and his wife possessed some of the qualities of a spendthrift.

earn on some commercial or business transaction; earn as salary or wages

From this reading Mr. Mattingford, who had been Mr. Holymead's clerk for nearly twenty years, seemed to realise that the visit was important, though as a married man he knew that a meeting between husband and wife in town was usually so commonplace as to verge on boredom for the husband.

something that remunerates

From this reading There were occasions when he had to meet Mrs. Mattingford, but these meetings were generally for the purpose of handing over to the lady her weekly dress allowance of ten shillings out of his salary, so that she might attend the sales at the big drapery shops in the West End and inspect the windows containing expensive articles that she could not hope to buy.

income (at invoice values) received for goods and services over some given period of time

From this reading There were occasions when he had to meet Mrs. Mattingford, but these meetings were generally for the purpose of handing over to the lady her weekly dress allowance of ten shillings out of his salary, so that she might attend the sales at the big drapery shops in the West End and inspect the windows containing expensive articles that she could not hope to buy.

a fund of money put by as a reserve

From this reading Thus it came about that Mr. Mattingford kept up the fiction that he had no savings and that each week's salary must see him through till the next week.

perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading Thus it came about that Mr. Mattingford kept up the fiction that he had no savings and that each week's salary must see him through till the next week.

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

From this reading Mr. Mattingford, who had been Mr. Holymead's clerk for nearly twenty years, seemed to realise that the visit was important, though as a married man he knew that a meeting between husband and wife in town was usually so commonplace as to verge on boredom for the husband.

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

From this reading There were occasions when he had to meet Mrs. Mattingford, but these meetings were generally for the purpose of handing over to the lady her weekly dress allowance of ten shillings out of his salary, so that she might attend the sales at the big drapery shops in the West End and inspect the windows containing expensive articles that she could not hope to buy.

plural of “shilling” — the basic unit of money in Uganda; equal to 100 cents

From this reading There were occasions when he had to meet Mrs. Mattingford, but these meetings were generally for the purpose of handing over to the lady her weekly dress allowance of ten shillings out of his salary, so that she might attend the sales at the big drapery shops in the West End and inspect the windows containing expensive articles that she could not hope to buy.

plural of “shop” — a mercantile establishment for the retail sale of goods or services

From this reading There were occasions when he had to meet Mrs. Mattingford, but these meetings were generally for the purpose of handing over to the lady her weekly dress allowance of ten shillings out of his salary, so that she might attend the sales at the big drapery shops in the West End and inspect the windows containing expensive articles that she could not hope to buy.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Mr. Mattingford, who had been Mr. Holymead's clerk for nearly twenty years, seemed to realise that the visit was important, though as a married man he knew that a meeting between husband and wife in town was usually so commonplace as to verge on boredom for the husband.

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

From this reading Mr. Mattingford was an exceedingly thrifty man, and his wife possessed some of the qualities of a spendthrift.

someone who spends money prodigally

From this reading Mr. Mattingford was an exceedingly thrifty man, and his wife possessed some of the qualities of a spendthrift.

place of worship consisting of an edifice for the worship of a deity

From this reading It was the first occasion on which Mrs. Holymead had visited her husband's chambers in the Middle Temple.

the cardinal number that is the sum of nine and one; the base of the decimal system

From this reading There were occasions when he had to meet Mrs. Mattingford, but these meetings were generally for the purpose of handing over to the lady her weekly dress allowance of ten shillings out of his salary, so that she might attend the sales at the big drapery shops in the West End and inspect the windows containing expensive articles that she could not hope to buy.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Mr. Mattingford, who had been Mr. Holymead's clerk for nearly twenty years, seemed to realise that the visit was important, though as a married man he knew that a meeting between husband and wife in town was usually so commonplace as to verge on boredom for the husband.

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

From this reading It was the first occasion on which Mrs. Holymead had visited her husband's chambers in the Middle Temple.

in or at that place or location

From this reading There were occasions when he had to meet Mrs. Mattingford, but these meetings were generally for the purpose of handing over to the lady her weekly dress allowance of ten shillings out of his salary, so that she might attend the sales at the big drapery shops in the West End and inspect the windows containing expensive articles that she could not hope to buy.

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading There were occasions when he had to meet Mrs. Mattingford, but these meetings were generally for the purpose of handing over to the lady her weekly dress allowance of ten shillings out of his salary, so that she might attend the sales at the big drapery shops in the West End and inspect the windows containing expensive articles that she could not hope to buy.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading Mr. Mattingford, who had been Mr. Holymead's clerk for nearly twenty years, seemed to realise that the visit was important, though as a married man he knew that a meeting between husband and wife in town was usually so commonplace as to verge on boredom for the husband.

careful and diligent in the use of resources

From this reading Mr. Mattingford was an exceedingly thrifty man, and his wife possessed some of the qualities of a spendthrift.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading Thus it came about that Mr. Mattingford kept up the fiction that he had no savings and that each week's salary must see him through till the next week.

(used to introduce a logical conclusion) from that fact or reason or as a result

From this reading Thus it came about that Mr. Mattingford kept up the fiction that he had no savings and that each week's salary must see him through till the next week.

up to a particular time

From this reading Thus it came about that Mr. Mattingford kept up the fiction that he had no savings and that each week's salary must see him through till the next week.

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

From this reading Mr. Mattingford, who had been Mr. Holymead's clerk for nearly twenty years, seemed to realise that the visit was important, though as a married man he knew that a meeting between husband and wife in town was usually so commonplace as to verge on boredom for the husband.

an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city

From this reading Mr. Mattingford, who had been Mr. Holymead's clerk for nearly twenty years, seemed to realise that the visit was important, though as a married man he knew that a meeting between husband and wife in town was usually so commonplace as to verge on boredom for the husband.

the cardinal number that is the sum of nineteen and one

From this reading Mr. Mattingford, who had been Mr. Holymead's clerk for nearly twenty years, seemed to realise that the visit was important, though as a married man he knew that a meeting between husband and wife in town was usually so commonplace as to verge on boredom for the husband.

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

From this reading Thus it came about that Mr. Mattingford kept up the fiction that he had no savings and that each week's salary must see him through till the next week.

under normal conditions

From this reading Mr. Mattingford, who had been Mr. Holymead's clerk for nearly twenty years, seemed to realise that the visit was important, though as a married man he knew that a meeting between husband and wife in town was usually so commonplace as to verge on boredom for the husband.

a region marking a boundary

From this reading Mr. Mattingford, who had been Mr. Holymead's clerk for nearly twenty years, seemed to realise that the visit was important, though as a married man he knew that a meeting between husband and wife in town was usually so commonplace as to verge on boredom for the husband.

go to see a place, as for entertainment

From this reading Mr. Mattingford, who had been Mr. Holymead's clerk for nearly twenty years, seemed to realise that the visit was important, though as a married man he knew that a meeting between husband and wife in town was usually so commonplace as to verge on boredom for the husband.

past form of “visit” — go to see a place, as for entertainment

From this reading It was the first occasion on which Mrs. Holymead had visited her husband's chambers in the Middle Temple.

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

From this reading It was the first occasion on which Mrs. Holymead had visited her husband's chambers in the Middle Temple.

any period of seven consecutive days

From this reading Thus it came about that Mr. Mattingford kept up the fiction that he had no savings and that each week's salary must see him through till the next week.

possessive form of “week” — any period of seven consecutive days

From this reading Thus it came about that Mr. Mattingford kept up the fiction that he had no savings and that each week's salary must see him through till the next week.

a periodical that is published every week (or 52 issues per year)

From this reading There were occasions when he had to meet Mrs. Mattingford, but these meetings were generally for the purpose of handing over to the lady her weekly dress allowance of ten shillings out of his salary, so that she might attend the sales at the big drapery shops in the West End and inspect the windows containing expensive articles that she could not hope to buy.

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

From this reading There were occasions when he had to meet Mrs. Mattingford, but these meetings were generally for the purpose of handing over to the lady her weekly dress allowance of ten shillings out of his salary, so that she might attend the sales at the big drapery shops in the West End and inspect the windows containing expensive articles that she could not hope to buy.

the countries of (originally) Europe and (now including) North America and South America

From this reading There were occasions when he had to meet Mrs. Mattingford, but these meetings were generally for the purpose of handing over to the lady her weekly dress allowance of ten shillings out of his salary, so that she might attend the sales at the big drapery shops in the West End and inspect the windows containing expensive articles that she could not hope to buy.

at the time that

From this reading There were occasions when he had to meet Mrs. Mattingford, but these meetings were generally for the purpose of handing over to the lady her weekly dress allowance of ten shillings out of his salary, so that she might attend the sales at the big drapery shops in the West End and inspect the windows containing expensive articles that she could not hope to buy.

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

From this reading It was the first occasion on which Mrs. Holymead had visited her husband's chambers in the Middle Temple.

which person or people

From this reading Mr. Mattingford, who had been Mr. Holymead's clerk for nearly twenty years, seemed to realise that the visit was important, though as a married man he knew that a meeting between husband and wife in town was usually so commonplace as to verge on boredom for the husband.

a married woman; a man's partner in marriage

From this reading Mr. Mattingford, who had been Mr. Holymead's clerk for nearly twenty years, seemed to realise that the visit was important, though as a married man he knew that a meeting between husband and wife in town was usually so commonplace as to verge on boredom for the husband.

(trademark) an operating system with a graphical user interface

From this reading There were occasions when he had to meet Mrs. Mattingford, but these meetings were generally for the purpose of handing over to the lady her weekly dress allowance of ten shillings out of his salary, so that she might attend the sales at the big drapery shops in the West End and inspect the windows containing expensive articles that she could not hope to buy.

a late time of life

From this reading Mr. Mattingford, who had been Mr. Holymead's clerk for nearly twenty years, seemed to realise that the visit was important, though as a married man he knew that a meeting between husband and wife in town was usually so commonplace as to verge on boredom for the husband.