Chapter XI · Chapter 11

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

From this reading In this she had a double motive: what was evil she would criticize, what was good she would copy.

the state capital of South Australia

From this reading Adelaide was sitting with her husband when her visitor’s name was brought up.

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

From this reading Early the next morning, in Mrs. Baxter’s parlance,--that is to say, some little time before the sun had reached the meridian,--she was ringing Adelaide’s door-bell, while she minutely observed the curtains, the door-mat, the ivy plants in the vestibule, and the brightness of the brass knobs on the railing.

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

From this reading Early the next morning, in Mrs. Baxter’s parlance,--that is to say, some little time before the sun had reached the meridian,--she was ringing Adelaide’s door-bell, while she minutely observed the curtains, the door-mat, the ivy plants in the vestibule, and the brightness of the brass knobs on the railing.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading She had brought in his favorite flowers, chosen a book for his bedside, and now sat gossiping beside him, not bringing him, as she said to herself, any of her real troubles; that would not be good for him.

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

From this reading She had brought in his favorite flowers, chosen a book for his bedside, and now sat gossiping beside him, not bringing him, as she said to herself, any of her real troubles; that would not be good for him.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Since she had discovered that she was to be nothing but a sort of super-nurse to him, she found herself expert at rendering such service.

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

From this reading Early the next morning, in Mrs. Baxter’s parlance,--that is to say, some little time before the sun had reached the meridian,--she was ringing Adelaide’s door-bell, while she minutely observed the curtains, the door-mat, the ivy plants in the vestibule, and the brightness of the brass knobs on the railing.

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

From this reading Since she had discovered that she was to be nothing but a sort of super-nurse to him, she found herself expert at rendering such service.

space by the side of a bed (especially the bed of a sick or dying person)

From this reading She had brought in his favorite flowers, chosen a book for his bedside, and now sat gossiping beside him, not bringing him, as she said to herself, any of her real troubles; that would not be good for him.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading Early the next morning, in Mrs. Baxter’s parlance,--that is to say, some little time before the sun had reached the meridian,--she was ringing Adelaide’s door-bell, while she minutely observed the curtains, the door-mat, the ivy plants in the vestibule, and the brightness of the brass knobs on the railing.

next to; at the side of

From this reading She had brought in his favorite flowers, chosen a book for his bedside, and now sat gossiping beside him, not bringing him, as she said to herself, any of her real troubles; that would not be good for him.

a written work or composition that has been published (printed on pages bound together)

From this reading She had brought in his favorite flowers, chosen a book for his bedside, and now sat gossiping beside him, not bringing him, as she said to herself, any of her real troubles; that would not be good for him.

an alloy of copper and zinc

From this reading Early the next morning, in Mrs. Baxter’s parlance,--that is to say, some little time before the sun had reached the meridian,--she was ringing Adelaide’s door-bell, while she minutely observed the curtains, the door-mat, the ivy plants in the vestibule, and the brightness of the brass knobs on the railing.

the location of a visual perception along a continuum from black to white

From this reading Early the next morning, in Mrs. Baxter’s parlance,--that is to say, some little time before the sun had reached the meridian,--she was ringing Adelaide’s door-bell, while she minutely observed the curtains, the door-mat, the ivy plants in the vestibule, and the brightness of the brass knobs on the railing.

the act of delivering or distributing something (as goods or mail)

From this reading She had brought in his favorite flowers, chosen a book for his bedside, and now sat gossiping beside him, not bringing him, as she said to herself, any of her real troubles; that would not be good for him.

inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere

From this reading Adelaide was sitting with her husband when her visitor’s name was brought up.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Since she had discovered that she was to be nothing but a sort of super-nurse to him, she found herself expert at rendering such service.

one who is the object of choice; who is given preference

From this reading She had brought in his favorite flowers, chosen a book for his bedside, and now sat gossiping beside him, not bringing him, as she said to herself, any of her real troubles; that would not be good for him.

a reproduction of a written record (e.g. of a legal or school record)

From this reading In this she had a double motive: what was evil she would criticize, what was good she would copy.

find fault with; express criticism of; point out real or perceived flaws

From this reading In this she had a double motive: what was evil she would criticize, what was good she would copy.

plural of “curtain” — hanging cloth used as a blind (especially for a window)

From this reading Early the next morning, in Mrs. Baxter’s parlance,--that is to say, some little time before the sun had reached the meridian,--she was ringing Adelaide’s door-bell, while she minutely observed the curtains, the door-mat, the ivy plants in the vestibule, and the brightness of the brass knobs on the railing.

discovered or determined by scientific observation

From this reading Since she had discovered that she was to be nothing but a sort of super-nurse to him, she found herself expert at rendering such service.

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

From this reading Early the next morning, in Mrs. Baxter’s parlance,--that is to say, some little time before the sun had reached the meridian,--she was ringing Adelaide’s door-bell, while she minutely observed the curtains, the door-mat, the ivy plants in the vestibule, and the brightness of the brass knobs on the railing.

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

From this reading Early the next morning, in Mrs. Baxter’s parlance,--that is to say, some little time before the sun had reached the meridian,--she was ringing Adelaide’s door-bell, while she minutely observed the curtains, the door-mat, the ivy plants in the vestibule, and the brightness of the brass knobs on the railing.

increase twofold

From this reading In this she had a double motive: what was evil she would criticize, what was good she would copy.

at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time

From this reading Early the next morning, in Mrs. Baxter’s parlance,--that is to say, some little time before the sun had reached the meridian,--she was ringing Adelaide’s door-bell, while she minutely observed the curtains, the door-mat, the ivy plants in the vestibule, and the brightness of the brass knobs on the railing.

morally objectionable behavior

From this reading In this she had a double motive: what was evil she would criticize, what was good she would copy.

having or showing knowledge and skill and aptitude

From this reading Since she had discovered that she was to be nothing but a sort of super-nurse to him, she found herself expert at rendering such service.

something regarded with special favor or liking

From this reading She had brought in his favorite flowers, chosen a book for his bedside, and now sat gossiping beside him, not bringing him, as she said to herself, any of her real troubles; that would not be good for him.

plural of “flower” — a plant cultivated for its blooms or blossoms

From this reading She had brought in his favorite flowers, chosen a book for his bedside, and now sat gossiping beside him, not bringing him, as she said to herself, any of her real troubles; that would not be good for him.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading She had brought in his favorite flowers, chosen a book for his bedside, and now sat gossiping beside him, not bringing him, as she said to herself, any of her real troubles; that would not be good for him.

set up or found

From this reading Since she had discovered that she was to be nothing but a sort of super-nurse to him, she found herself expert at rendering such service.

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

From this reading In this she had a double motive: what was evil she would criticize, what was good she would copy.

a conversation that spreads personal information about other people

From this reading She had brought in his favorite flowers, chosen a book for his bedside, and now sat gossiping beside him, not bringing him, as she said to herself, any of her real troubles; that would not be good for him.

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

From this reading Early the next morning, in Mrs. Baxter’s parlance,--that is to say, some little time before the sun had reached the meridian,--she was ringing Adelaide’s door-bell, while she minutely observed the curtains, the door-mat, the ivy plants in the vestibule, and the brightness of the brass knobs on the railing.

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

From this reading Adelaide was sitting with her husband when her visitor’s name was brought up.

used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object

From this reading Since she had discovered that she was to be nothing but a sort of super-nurse to him, she found herself expert at rendering such service.

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

From this reading Since she had discovered that she was to be nothing but a sort of super-nurse to him, she found herself expert at rendering such service.

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

From this reading She had brought in his favorite flowers, chosen a book for his bedside, and now sat gossiping beside him, not bringing him, as she said to herself, any of her real troubles; that would not be good for him.

a married man; a woman's partner in marriage

From this reading Adelaide was sitting with her husband when her visitor’s name was brought up.

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

From this reading Early the next morning, in Mrs. Baxter’s parlance,--that is to say, some little time before the sun had reached the meridian,--she was ringing Adelaide’s door-bell, while she minutely observed the curtains, the door-mat, the ivy plants in the vestibule, and the brightness of the brass knobs on the railing.

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

From this reading Early the next morning, in Mrs. Baxter’s parlance,--that is to say, some little time before the sun had reached the meridian,--she was ringing Adelaide’s door-bell, while she minutely observed the curtains, the door-mat, the ivy plants in the vestibule, and the brightness of the brass knobs on the railing.

Old World vine with lobed evergreen leaves and black berrylike fruits

From this reading Early the next morning, in Mrs. Baxter’s parlance,--that is to say, some little time before the sun had reached the meridian,--she was ringing Adelaide’s door-bell, while she minutely observed the curtains, the door-mat, the ivy plants in the vestibule, and the brightness of the brass knobs on the railing.

plural of “knob” — a circular rounded projection or protuberance

From this reading Early the next morning, in Mrs. Baxter’s parlance,--that is to say, some little time before the sun had reached the meridian,--she was ringing Adelaide’s door-bell, while she minutely observed the curtains, the door-mat, the ivy plants in the vestibule, and the brightness of the brass knobs on the railing.

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

From this reading Early the next morning, in Mrs. Baxter’s parlance,--that is to say, some little time before the sun had reached the meridian,--she was ringing Adelaide’s door-bell, while she minutely observed the curtains, the door-mat, the ivy plants in the vestibule, and the brightness of the brass knobs on the railing.

the highest level or degree attainable; the highest stage of development

From this reading Early the next morning, in Mrs. Baxter’s parlance,--that is to say, some little time before the sun had reached the meridian,--she was ringing Adelaide’s door-bell, while she minutely observed the curtains, the door-mat, the ivy plants in the vestibule, and the brightness of the brass knobs on the railing.

in minute detail

From this reading Early the next morning, in Mrs. Baxter’s parlance,--that is to say, some little time before the sun had reached the meridian,--she was ringing Adelaide’s door-bell, while she minutely observed the curtains, the door-mat, the ivy plants in the vestibule, and the brightness of the brass knobs on the railing.

the time period between dawn and noon

From this reading Early the next morning, in Mrs. Baxter’s parlance,--that is to say, some little time before the sun had reached the meridian,--she was ringing Adelaide’s door-bell, while she minutely observed the curtains, the door-mat, the ivy plants in the vestibule, and the brightness of the brass knobs on the railing.

the psychological feature that arouses an organism to action toward a desired goal; the reason for the action; that which gives purpose and direction to behavior

From this reading In this she had a double motive: what was evil she would criticize, what was good she would copy.

a form of address for a married woman

From this reading Early the next morning, in Mrs. Baxter’s parlance,--that is to say, some little time before the sun had reached the meridian,--she was ringing Adelaide’s door-bell, while she minutely observed the curtains, the door-mat, the ivy plants in the vestibule, and the brightness of the brass knobs on the railing.

assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading Adelaide was sitting with her husband when her visitor’s name was brought up.

immediately following in time or order

From this reading Early the next morning, in Mrs. Baxter’s parlance,--that is to say, some little time before the sun had reached the meridian,--she was ringing Adelaide’s door-bell, while she minutely observed the curtains, the door-mat, the ivy plants in the vestibule, and the brightness of the brass knobs on the railing.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading She had brought in his favorite flowers, chosen a book for his bedside, and now sat gossiping beside him, not bringing him, as she said to herself, any of her real troubles; that would not be good for him.

not one thing; not anything

From this reading Since she had discovered that she was to be nothing but a sort of super-nurse to him, she found herself expert at rendering such service.

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

From this reading She had brought in his favorite flowers, chosen a book for his bedside, and now sat gossiping beside him, not bringing him, as she said to herself, any of her real troubles; that would not be good for him.

discovered or determined by scientific observation

From this reading Early the next morning, in Mrs. Baxter’s parlance,--that is to say, some little time before the sun had reached the meridian,--she was ringing Adelaide’s door-bell, while she minutely observed the curtains, the door-mat, the ivy plants in the vestibule, and the brightness of the brass knobs on the railing.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Early the next morning, in Mrs. Baxter’s parlance,--that is to say, some little time before the sun had reached the meridian,--she was ringing Adelaide’s door-bell, while she minutely observed the curtains, the door-mat, the ivy plants in the vestibule, and the brightness of the brass knobs on the railing.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Early the next morning, in Mrs. Baxter’s parlance,--that is to say, some little time before the sun had reached the meridian,--she was ringing Adelaide’s door-bell, while she minutely observed the curtains, the door-mat, the ivy plants in the vestibule, and the brightness of the brass knobs on the railing.

a manner of speaking that is natural to native speakers of a language

From this reading Early the next morning, in Mrs. Baxter’s parlance,--that is to say, some little time before the sun had reached the meridian,--she was ringing Adelaide’s door-bell, while she minutely observed the curtains, the door-mat, the ivy plants in the vestibule, and the brightness of the brass knobs on the railing.

plural of “plant” — buildings for carrying on industrial labor

From this reading Early the next morning, in Mrs. Baxter’s parlance,--that is to say, some little time before the sun had reached the meridian,--she was ringing Adelaide’s door-bell, while she minutely observed the curtains, the door-mat, the ivy plants in the vestibule, and the brightness of the brass knobs on the railing.

a barrier consisting of a horizontal bar and supports

From this reading Early the next morning, in Mrs. Baxter’s parlance,--that is to say, some little time before the sun had reached the meridian,--she was ringing Adelaide’s door-bell, while she minutely observed the curtains, the door-mat, the ivy plants in the vestibule, and the brightness of the brass knobs on the railing.

past form of “reach” — reach a destination, either real or abstract

From this reading Early the next morning, in Mrs. Baxter’s parlance,--that is to say, some little time before the sun had reached the meridian,--she was ringing Adelaide’s door-bell, while she minutely observed the curtains, the door-mat, the ivy plants in the vestibule, and the brightness of the brass knobs on the railing.

being or occurring in fact or actuality; having verified existence; not illusory

From this reading She had brought in his favorite flowers, chosen a book for his bedside, and now sat gossiping beside him, not bringing him, as she said to herself, any of her real troubles; that would not be good for him.

a performance of a musical composition or a dramatic role etc.

From this reading Since she had discovered that she was to be nothing but a sort of super-nurse to him, she found herself expert at rendering such service.

the sound of a bell ringing

From this reading Early the next morning, in Mrs. Baxter’s parlance,--that is to say, some little time before the sun had reached the meridian,--she was ringing Adelaide’s door-bell, while she minutely observed the curtains, the door-mat, the ivy plants in the vestibule, and the brightness of the brass knobs on the railing.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading She had brought in his favorite flowers, chosen a book for his bedside, and now sat gossiping beside him, not bringing him, as she said to herself, any of her real troubles; that would not be good for him.

the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians

From this reading She had brought in his favorite flowers, chosen a book for his bedside, and now sat gossiping beside him, not bringing him, as she said to herself, any of her real troubles; that would not be good for him.

express in words

From this reading Early the next morning, in Mrs. Baxter’s parlance,--that is to say, some little time before the sun had reached the meridian,--she was ringing Adelaide’s door-bell, while she minutely observed the curtains, the door-mat, the ivy plants in the vestibule, and the brightness of the brass knobs on the railing.

work done by one person or group that benefits another

From this reading Since she had discovered that she was to be nothing but a sort of super-nurse to him, she found herself expert at rendering such service.

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

From this reading Early the next morning, in Mrs. Baxter’s parlance,--that is to say, some little time before the sun had reached the meridian,--she was ringing Adelaide’s door-bell, while she minutely observed the curtains, the door-mat, the ivy plants in the vestibule, and the brightness of the brass knobs on the railing.

from a time in the past until now

From this reading Since she had discovered that she was to be nothing but a sort of super-nurse to him, she found herself expert at rendering such service.

(photography) the act of assuming a certain position (as for a photograph or portrait)

From this reading Adelaide was sitting with her husband when her visitor’s name was brought up.

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

From this reading Early the next morning, in Mrs. Baxter’s parlance,--that is to say, some little time before the sun had reached the meridian,--she was ringing Adelaide’s door-bell, while she minutely observed the curtains, the door-mat, the ivy plants in the vestibule, and the brightness of the brass knobs on the railing.

a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality

From this reading Since she had discovered that she was to be nothing but a sort of super-nurse to him, she found herself expert at rendering such service.

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading Since she had discovered that she was to be nothing but a sort of super-nurse to him, she found herself expert at rendering such service.

the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system

From this reading Early the next morning, in Mrs. Baxter’s parlance,--that is to say, some little time before the sun had reached the meridian,--she was ringing Adelaide’s door-bell, while she minutely observed the curtains, the door-mat, the ivy plants in the vestibule, and the brightness of the brass knobs on the railing.

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

From this reading Since she had discovered that she was to be nothing but a sort of super-nurse to him, she found herself expert at rendering such service.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Early the next morning, in Mrs. Baxter’s parlance,--that is to say, some little time before the sun had reached the meridian,--she was ringing Adelaide’s door-bell, while she minutely observed the curtains, the door-mat, the ivy plants in the vestibule, and the brightness of the brass knobs on the railing.

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

From this reading Early the next morning, in Mrs. Baxter’s parlance,--that is to say, some little time before the sun had reached the meridian,--she was ringing Adelaide’s door-bell, while she minutely observed the curtains, the door-mat, the ivy plants in the vestibule, and the brightness of the brass knobs on the railing.

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

From this reading In this she had a double motive: what was evil she would criticize, what was good she would copy.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading Early the next morning, in Mrs. Baxter’s parlance,--that is to say, some little time before the sun had reached the meridian,--she was ringing Adelaide’s door-bell, while she minutely observed the curtains, the door-mat, the ivy plants in the vestibule, and the brightness of the brass knobs on the railing.

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

From this reading Early the next morning, in Mrs. Baxter’s parlance,--that is to say, some little time before the sun had reached the meridian,--she was ringing Adelaide’s door-bell, while she minutely observed the curtains, the door-mat, the ivy plants in the vestibule, and the brightness of the brass knobs on the railing.

plural of “trouble” — a source of difficulty

From this reading She had brought in his favorite flowers, chosen a book for his bedside, and now sat gossiping beside him, not bringing him, as she said to herself, any of her real troubles; that would not be good for him.

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

From this reading Adelaide was sitting with her husband when her visitor’s name was brought up.

a large entrance or reception room or area

From this reading Early the next morning, in Mrs. Baxter’s parlance,--that is to say, some little time before the sun had reached the meridian,--she was ringing Adelaide’s door-bell, while she minutely observed the curtains, the door-mat, the ivy plants in the vestibule, and the brightness of the brass knobs on the railing.

possessive form of “visitor” — someone who visits

From this reading Adelaide was sitting with her husband when her visitor’s name was brought up.

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

From this reading Early the next morning, in Mrs. Baxter’s parlance,--that is to say, some little time before the sun had reached the meridian,--she was ringing Adelaide’s door-bell, while she minutely observed the curtains, the door-mat, the ivy plants in the vestibule, and the brightness of the brass knobs on the railing.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading In this she had a double motive: what was evil she would criticize, what was good she would copy.

at the time that

From this reading Adelaide was sitting with her husband when her visitor’s name was brought up.

during the time that

From this reading Early the next morning, in Mrs. Baxter’s parlance,--that is to say, some little time before the sun had reached the meridian,--she was ringing Adelaide’s door-bell, while she minutely observed the curtains, the door-mat, the ivy plants in the vestibule, and the brightness of the brass knobs on the railing.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Adelaide was sitting with her husband when her visitor’s name was brought up.

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

From this reading In this she had a double motive: what was evil she would criticize, what was good she would copy.