Chapter II · Chapter 2

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

From this reading Evadne, like the Vicar of Wakefield, was by nature a lover of happy human faces, and she could be playful herself on occasion; but she had little if any of the saving sense of humor.

perform an action, or work out or perform (an action)

From this reading She had, too, a quite irritating trick of remaining, to all outward seeming, stolidly unmoved by events which were causing an otherwise general commotion; but in cases of danger or emergency she was essentially swift to act--as on one occasion, for instance, when the Hamilton House twins were at Fraylingay.

(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 She had, too, a quite irritating trick of remaining, to all outward seeming, stolidly unmoved by events which were causing an otherwise general commotion; but in cases of danger or emergency she was essentially swift to act--as on one occasion, for instance, when the Hamilton House twins were at Fraylingay.

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

From this reading She had, too, a quite irritating trick of remaining, to all outward seeming, stolidly unmoved by events which were causing an otherwise general commotion; but in cases of danger or emergency she was essentially swift to act--as on one occasion, for instance, when the Hamilton House twins were at Fraylingay.

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

From this reading Evadne, like the Vicar of Wakefield, was by nature a lover of happy human faces, and she could be playful herself on occasion; but she had little if any of the saving sense of humor.

spiritual being attendant upon God

From this reading The twins had arrived somewhat late in the married lives of their parents, and had been welcomed as angel visitants, under which fond delusion they were christened respectively Angelica and Theodore.

any of various tall and stout herbs of the genus Angelica having pinnately compound leaves and small white or greenish flowers in compound umbels

From this reading The twins had arrived somewhat late in the married lives of their parents, and had been welcomed as angel visitants, under which fond delusion they were christened respectively Angelica and Theodore.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading Evadne, like the Vicar of Wakefield, was by nature a lover of happy human faces, and she could be playful herself on occasion; but she had little if any of the saving sense of humor.

past form of “arrive” — reach a destination; arrive by movement or progress

From this reading The twins had arrived somewhat late in the married lives of their parents, and had been welcomed as angel visitants, under which fond delusion they were christened respectively Angelica and Theodore.

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

From this reading When other people were laughing she would be gravely observant, as if she were solving a problem; and she would sooner have thought of trying to discover what combination of molecules resulted in a joke, with a view to benefiting her species by teaching them how to produce jokes at will, than of trying to be witty herself.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading When other people were laughing she would be gravely observant, as if she were solving a problem; and she would sooner have thought of trying to discover what combination of molecules resulted in a joke, with a view to benefiting her species by teaching them how to produce jokes at will, than of trying to be witty herself.

a soft yellow malleable ductile (trivalent and univalent) metallic element; occurs mainly as nuggets in rocks and alluvial deposits; does not react with most chemicals but is attacked by chlorine and aqua regia

From this reading Her habit was to take everything _au grand serieux_, and to consider it.

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

From this reading Evadne, like the Vicar of Wakefield, was by nature a lover of happy human faces, and she could be playful herself on occasion; but she had little if any of the saving sense of humor.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading The twins had arrived somewhat late in the married lives of their parents, and had been welcomed as angel visitants, under which fond delusion they were christened respectively Angelica and Theodore.

-ing form of “benefit” — derive a benefit from

From this reading When other people were laughing she would be gravely observant, as if she were solving a problem; and she would sooner have thought of trying to discover what combination of molecules resulted in a joke, with a view to benefiting her species by teaching them how to produce jokes at will, than of trying to be witty herself.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Evadne, like the Vicar of Wakefield, was by nature a lover of happy human faces, and she could be playful herself on occasion; but she had little if any of the saving sense of humor.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Evadne, like the Vicar of Wakefield, was by nature a lover of happy human faces, and she could be playful herself on occasion; but she had little if any of the saving sense of humor.

plural of “case” — an occurrence of something

From this reading She had, too, a quite irritating trick of remaining, to all outward seeming, stolidly unmoved by events which were causing an otherwise general commotion; but in cases of danger or emergency she was essentially swift to act--as on one occasion, for instance, when the Hamilton House twins were at Fraylingay.

the act of causing something to happen

From this reading She had, too, a quite irritating trick of remaining, to all outward seeming, stolidly unmoved by events which were causing an otherwise general commotion; but in cases of danger or emergency she was essentially swift to act--as on one occasion, for instance, when the Hamilton House twins were at Fraylingay.

past form of “christen” — administer baptism to

From this reading The twins had arrived somewhat late in the married lives of their parents, and had been welcomed as angel visitants, under which fond delusion they were christened respectively Angelica and Theodore.

a collection of things that have been combined; an assemblage of separate parts or qualities

From this reading When other people were laughing she would be gravely observant, as if she were solving a problem; and she would sooner have thought of trying to discover what combination of molecules resulted in a joke, with a view to benefiting her species by teaching them how to produce jokes at will, than of trying to be witty herself.

a disorderly outburst or tumult

From this reading She had, too, a quite irritating trick of remaining, to all outward seeming, stolidly unmoved by events which were causing an otherwise general commotion; but in cases of danger or emergency she was essentially swift to act--as on one occasion, for instance, when the Hamilton House twins were at Fraylingay.

deem to be

From this reading Her habit was to take everything _au grand serieux_, and to consider it.

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

From this reading Evadne, like the Vicar of Wakefield, was by nature a lover of happy human faces, and she could be playful herself on occasion; but she had little if any of the saving sense of humor.

the condition of being susceptible to harm or injury

From this reading She had, too, a quite irritating trick of remaining, to all outward seeming, stolidly unmoved by events which were causing an otherwise general commotion; but in cases of danger or emergency she was essentially swift to act--as on one occasion, for instance, when the Hamilton House twins were at Fraylingay.

(psychology) an erroneous belief that is held in the face of evidence to the contrary

From this reading The twins had arrived somewhat late in the married lives of their parents, and had been welcomed as angel visitants, under which fond delusion they were christened respectively Angelica and Theodore.

discover or determine the existence, presence, or fact of

From this reading When other people were laughing she would be gravely observant, as if she were solving a problem; and she would sooner have thought of trying to discover what combination of molecules resulted in a joke, with a view to benefiting her species by teaching them how to produce jokes at will, than of trying to be witty herself.

a sudden unforeseen crisis (usually involving danger) that requires immediate action

From this reading She had, too, a quite irritating trick of remaining, to all outward seeming, stolidly unmoved by events which were causing an otherwise general commotion; but in cases of danger or emergency she was essentially swift to act--as on one occasion, for instance, when the Hamilton House twins were at Fraylingay.

in essence; at bottom or by one's (or its) very nature

From this reading She had, too, a quite irritating trick of remaining, to all outward seeming, stolidly unmoved by events which were causing an otherwise general commotion; but in cases of danger or emergency she was essentially swift to act--as on one occasion, for instance, when the Hamilton House twins were at Fraylingay.

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

From this reading Evadne, like the Vicar of Wakefield, was by nature a lover of happy human faces, and she could be playful herself on occasion; but she had little if any of the saving sense of humor.

plural of “event” — something that happens at a given place and time

From this reading She had, too, a quite irritating trick of remaining, to all outward seeming, stolidly unmoved by events which were causing an otherwise general commotion; but in cases of danger or emergency she was essentially swift to act--as on one occasion, for instance, when the Hamilton House twins were at Fraylingay.

all things; all of a situation

From this reading Her habit was to take everything _au grand serieux_, and to consider it.

plural of “face” — the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear

From this reading Evadne, like the Vicar of Wakefield, was by nature a lover of happy human faces, and she could be playful herself on occasion; but she had little if any of the saving sense of humor.

having or displaying warmth or affection

From this reading The twins had arrived somewhat late in the married lives of their parents, and had been welcomed as angel visitants, under which fond delusion they were christened respectively Angelica and Theodore.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading She had, too, a quite irritating trick of remaining, to all outward seeming, stolidly unmoved by events which were causing an otherwise general commotion; but in cases of danger or emergency she was essentially swift to act--as on one occasion, for instance, when the Hamilton House twins were at Fraylingay.

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

From this reading She had, too, a quite irritating trick of remaining, to all outward seeming, stolidly unmoved by events which were causing an otherwise general commotion; but in cases of danger or emergency she was essentially swift to act--as on one occasion, for instance, when the Hamilton House twins were at Fraylingay.

applying to all or most members of a category or group

From this reading She had, too, a quite irritating trick of remaining, to all outward seeming, stolidly unmoved by events which were causing an otherwise general commotion; but in cases of danger or emergency she was essentially swift to act--as on one occasion, for instance, when the Hamilton House twins were at Fraylingay.

of behavior that is impressive and ambitious in scale or scope

From this reading Her habit was to take everything _au grand serieux_, and to consider it.

in a grave and sober manner

From this reading When other people were laughing she would be gravely observant, as if she were solving a problem; and she would sooner have thought of trying to discover what combination of molecules resulted in a joke, with a view to benefiting her species by teaching them how to produce jokes at will, than of trying to be witty herself.

an established custom

From this reading Her habit was to take everything _au grand serieux_, and to consider it.

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

From this reading Evadne, like the Vicar of Wakefield, was by nature a lover of happy human faces, and she could be playful herself on occasion; but she had little if any of the saving sense of humor.

Irish mathematician (1806-1865)

From this reading She had, too, a quite irritating trick of remaining, to all outward seeming, stolidly unmoved by events which were causing an otherwise general commotion; but in cases of danger or emergency she was essentially swift to act--as on one occasion, for instance, when the Hamilton House twins were at Fraylingay.

enjoying or showing or marked by joy or pleasure

From this reading Evadne, like the Vicar of Wakefield, was by nature a lover of happy human faces, and she could be playful herself on occasion; but she had little if any of the saving sense of humor.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading When other people were laughing she would be gravely observant, as if she were solving a problem; and she would sooner have thought of trying to discover what combination of molecules resulted in a joke, with a view to benefiting her species by teaching them how to produce jokes at will, than of trying to be witty herself.

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

From this reading Her habit was to take everything _au grand serieux_, and to consider it.

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

From this reading Evadne, like the Vicar of Wakefield, was by nature a lover of happy human faces, and she could be playful herself on occasion; but she had little if any of the saving sense of humor.

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

From this reading She had, too, a quite irritating trick of remaining, to all outward seeming, stolidly unmoved by events which were causing an otherwise general commotion; but in cases of danger or emergency she was essentially swift to act--as on one occasion, for instance, when the Hamilton House twins were at Fraylingay.

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

From this reading When other people were laughing she would be gravely observant, as if she were solving a problem; and she would sooner have thought of trying to discover what combination of molecules resulted in a joke, with a view to benefiting her species by teaching them how to produce jokes at will, than of trying to be witty herself.

characteristic of humanity

From this reading Evadne, like the Vicar of Wakefield, was by nature a lover of happy human faces, and she could be playful herself on occasion; but she had little if any of the saving sense of humor.

a message whose ingenuity or verbal skill or incongruity has the power to evoke laughter

From this reading Evadne, like the Vicar of Wakefield, was by nature a lover of happy human faces, and she could be playful herself on occasion; but she had little if any of the saving sense of humor.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading Evadne, like the Vicar of Wakefield, was by nature a lover of happy human faces, and she could be playful herself on occasion; but she had little if any of the saving sense of humor.

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

From this reading When other people were laughing she would be gravely observant, as if she were solving a problem; and she would sooner have thought of trying to discover what combination of molecules resulted in a joke, with a view to benefiting her species by teaching them how to produce jokes at will, than of trying to be witty herself.

an occurrence of something

From this reading She had, too, a quite irritating trick of remaining, to all outward seeming, stolidly unmoved by events which were causing an otherwise general commotion; but in cases of danger or emergency she was essentially swift to act--as on one occasion, for instance, when the Hamilton House twins were at Fraylingay.

causing irritation or annoyance

From this reading She had, too, a quite irritating trick of remaining, to all outward seeming, stolidly unmoved by events which were causing an otherwise general commotion; but in cases of danger or emergency she was essentially swift to act--as on one occasion, for instance, when the Hamilton House twins were at Fraylingay.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Her habit was to take everything _au grand serieux_, and to consider it.

a humorous anecdote or remark intended to provoke laughter

From this reading When other people were laughing she would be gravely observant, as if she were solving a problem; and she would sooner have thought of trying to discover what combination of molecules resulted in a joke, with a view to benefiting her species by teaching them how to produce jokes at will, than of trying to be witty herself.

plural of “joke” — a humorous anecdote or remark intended to provoke laughter

From this reading When other people were laughing she would be gravely observant, as if she were solving a problem; and she would sooner have thought of trying to discover what combination of molecules resulted in a joke, with a view to benefiting her species by teaching them how to produce jokes at will, than of trying to be witty herself.

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

From this reading The twins had arrived somewhat late in the married lives of their parents, and had been welcomed as angel visitants, under which fond delusion they were christened respectively Angelica and Theodore.

showing or feeling mirth or pleasure or happiness

From this reading When other people were laughing she would be gravely observant, as if she were solving a problem; and she would sooner have thought of trying to discover what combination of molecules resulted in a joke, with a view to benefiting her species by teaching them how to produce jokes at will, than of trying to be witty herself.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading Evadne, like the Vicar of Wakefield, was by nature a lover of happy human faces, and she could be playful herself on occasion; but she had little if any of the saving sense of humor.

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

From this reading Evadne, like the Vicar of Wakefield, was by nature a lover of happy human faces, and she could be playful herself on occasion; but she had little if any of the saving sense of humor.

plural of “life” — a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading The twins had arrived somewhat late in the married lives of their parents, and had been welcomed as angel visitants, under which fond delusion they were christened respectively Angelica and Theodore.

a person who loves someone or is loved by someone

From this reading Evadne, like the Vicar of Wakefield, was by nature a lover of happy human faces, and she could be playful herself on occasion; but she had little if any of the saving sense of humor.

joined in matrimony

From this reading The twins had arrived somewhat late in the married lives of their parents, and had been welcomed as angel visitants, under which fond delusion they were christened respectively Angelica and Theodore.

plural of “molecule” — (physics and chemistry) the simplest structural unit of an element or compound

From this reading When other people were laughing she would be gravely observant, as if she were solving a problem; and she would sooner have thought of trying to discover what combination of molecules resulted in a joke, with a view to benefiting her species by teaching them how to produce jokes at will, than of trying to be witty herself.

the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized

From this reading Evadne, like the Vicar of Wakefield, was by nature a lover of happy human faces, and she could be playful herself on occasion; but she had little if any of the saving sense of humor.

paying close attention especially to details

From this reading When other people were laughing she would be gravely observant, as if she were solving a problem; and she would sooner have thought of trying to discover what combination of molecules resulted in a joke, with a view to benefiting her species by teaching them how to produce jokes at will, than of trying to be witty herself.

an event that occurs at a critical time

From this reading Evadne, like the Vicar of Wakefield, was by nature a lover of happy human faces, and she could be playful herself on occasion; but she had little if any of the saving sense of humor.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Evadne, like the Vicar of Wakefield, was by nature a lover of happy human faces, and she could be playful herself on occasion; but she had little if any of the saving sense of humor.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Evadne, like the Vicar of Wakefield, was by nature a lover of happy human faces, and she could be playful herself on occasion; but she had little if any of the saving sense of humor.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading She had, too, a quite irritating trick of remaining, to all outward seeming, stolidly unmoved by events which were causing an otherwise general commotion; but in cases of danger or emergency she was essentially swift to act--as on one occasion, for instance, when the Hamilton House twins were at Fraylingay.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading She had, too, a quite irritating trick of remaining, to all outward seeming, stolidly unmoved by events which were causing an otherwise general commotion; but in cases of danger or emergency she was essentially swift to act--as on one occasion, for instance, when the Hamilton House twins were at Fraylingay.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading When other people were laughing she would be gravely observant, as if she were solving a problem; and she would sooner have thought of trying to discover what combination of molecules resulted in a joke, with a view to benefiting her species by teaching them how to produce jokes at will, than of trying to be witty herself.

in other respects or ways

From this reading She had, too, a quite irritating trick of remaining, to all outward seeming, stolidly unmoved by events which were causing an otherwise general commotion; but in cases of danger or emergency she was essentially swift to act--as on one occasion, for instance, when the Hamilton House twins were at Fraylingay.

relating to physical reality rather than with thoughts or the mind

From this reading She had, too, a quite irritating trick of remaining, to all outward seeming, stolidly unmoved by events which were causing an otherwise general commotion; but in cases of danger or emergency she was essentially swift to act--as on one occasion, for instance, when the Hamilton House twins were at Fraylingay.

plural of “parent” — a father or mother; one who begets or one who gives birth to or nurtures and raises a child; a relative who plays the role of guardian

From this reading The twins had arrived somewhat late in the married lives of their parents, and had been welcomed as angel visitants, under which fond delusion they were christened respectively Angelica and Theodore.

(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively

From this reading When other people were laughing she would be gravely observant, as if she were solving a problem; and she would sooner have thought of trying to discover what combination of molecules resulted in a joke, with a view to benefiting her species by teaching them how to produce jokes at will, than of trying to be witty herself.

full of fun and high spirits

From this reading Evadne, like the Vicar of Wakefield, was by nature a lover of happy human faces, and she could be playful herself on occasion; but she had little if any of the saving sense of humor.

a state of difficulty that needs to be resolved

From this reading When other people were laughing she would be gravely observant, as if she were solving a problem; and she would sooner have thought of trying to discover what combination of molecules resulted in a joke, with a view to benefiting her species by teaching them how to produce jokes at will, than of trying to be witty herself.

bring forth or yield

From this reading When other people were laughing she would be gravely observant, as if she were solving a problem; and she would sooner have thought of trying to discover what combination of molecules resulted in a joke, with a view to benefiting her species by teaching them how to produce jokes at will, than of trying to be witty herself.

to a degree (not used with a negative)

From this reading She had, too, a quite irritating trick of remaining, to all outward seeming, stolidly unmoved by events which were causing an otherwise general commotion; but in cases of danger or emergency she was essentially swift to act--as on one occasion, for instance, when the Hamilton House twins were at Fraylingay.

not used up

From this reading She had, too, a quite irritating trick of remaining, to all outward seeming, stolidly unmoved by events which were causing an otherwise general commotion; but in cases of danger or emergency she was essentially swift to act--as on one occasion, for instance, when the Hamilton House twins were at Fraylingay.

in the order given

From this reading The twins had arrived somewhat late in the married lives of their parents, and had been welcomed as angel visitants, under which fond delusion they were christened respectively Angelica and Theodore.

past form of “result” — issue or terminate (in a specified way, state, etc.); end

From this reading When other people were laughing she would be gravely observant, as if she were solving a problem; and she would sooner have thought of trying to discover what combination of molecules resulted in a joke, with a view to benefiting her species by teaching them how to produce jokes at will, than of trying to be witty herself.

an act of economizing; reduction in cost

From this reading Evadne, like the Vicar of Wakefield, was by nature a lover of happy human faces, and she could be playful herself on occasion; but she had little if any of the saving sense of humor.

appearing as such but not necessarily so

From this reading She had, too, a quite irritating trick of remaining, to all outward seeming, stolidly unmoved by events which were causing an otherwise general commotion; but in cases of danger or emergency she was essentially swift to act--as on one occasion, for instance, when the Hamilton House twins were at Fraylingay.

a general conscious awareness

From this reading Evadne, like the Vicar of Wakefield, was by nature a lover of happy human faces, and she could be playful herself on occasion; but she had little if any of the saving sense of humor.

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

From this reading Her habit was to take everything _au grand serieux_, and to consider it.

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

From this reading Evadne, like the Vicar of Wakefield, was by nature a lover of happy human faces, and she could be playful herself on occasion; but she had little if any of the saving sense of humor.

finding a solution to a problem

From this reading When other people were laughing she would be gravely observant, as if she were solving a problem; and she would sooner have thought of trying to discover what combination of molecules resulted in a joke, with a view to benefiting her species by teaching them how to produce jokes at will, than of trying to be witty herself.

to a small degree or extent

From this reading The twins had arrived somewhat late in the married lives of their parents, and had been welcomed as angel visitants, under which fond delusion they were christened respectively Angelica and Theodore.

comparatives of “soon” or “early”

From this reading When other people were laughing she would be gravely observant, as if she were solving a problem; and she would sooner have thought of trying to discover what combination of molecules resulted in a joke, with a view to benefiting her species by teaching them how to produce jokes at will, than of trying to be witty herself.

(biology) taxonomic group whose members can interbreed

From this reading When other people were laughing she would be gravely observant, as if she were solving a problem; and she would sooner have thought of trying to discover what combination of molecules resulted in a joke, with a view to benefiting her species by teaching them how to produce jokes at will, than of trying to be witty herself.

in a stolid manner

From this reading She had, too, a quite irritating trick of remaining, to all outward seeming, stolidly unmoved by events which were causing an otherwise general commotion; but in cases of danger or emergency she was essentially swift to act--as on one occasion, for instance, when the Hamilton House twins were at Fraylingay.

moving very fast

From this reading She had, too, a quite irritating trick of remaining, to all outward seeming, stolidly unmoved by events which were causing an otherwise general commotion; but in cases of danger or emergency she was essentially swift to act--as on one occasion, for instance, when the Hamilton House twins were at Fraylingay.

carry out

From this reading Her habit was to take everything _au grand serieux_, and to consider it.

the profession of a teacher

From this reading When other people were laughing she would be gravely observant, as if she were solving a problem; and she would sooner have thought of trying to discover what combination of molecules resulted in a joke, with a view to benefiting her species by teaching them how to produce jokes at will, than of trying to be witty herself.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading When other people were laughing she would be gravely observant, as if she were solving a problem; and she would sooner have thought of trying to discover what combination of molecules resulted in a joke, with a view to benefiting her species by teaching them how to produce jokes at will, than of trying to be witty herself.

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

From this reading Evadne, like the Vicar of Wakefield, was by nature a lover of happy human faces, and she could be playful herself on occasion; but she had little if any of the saving sense of humor.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading The twins had arrived somewhat late in the married lives of their parents, and had been welcomed as angel visitants, under which fond delusion they were christened respectively Angelica and Theodore.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading When other people were laughing she would be gravely observant, as if she were solving a problem; and she would sooner have thought of trying to discover what combination of molecules resulted in a joke, with a view to benefiting her species by teaching them how to produce jokes at will, than of trying to be witty herself.

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

From this reading The twins had arrived somewhat late in the married lives of their parents, and had been welcomed as angel visitants, under which fond delusion they were christened respectively Angelica and Theodore.

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

From this reading The twins had arrived somewhat late in the married lives of their parents, and had been welcomed as angel visitants, under which fond delusion they were christened respectively Angelica and Theodore.

the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about

From this reading When other people were laughing she would be gravely observant, as if she were solving a problem; and she would sooner have thought of trying to discover what combination of molecules resulted in a joke, with a view to benefiting her species by teaching them how to produce jokes at will, than of trying to be witty herself.

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

From this reading Her habit was to take everything _au grand serieux_, and to consider it.

to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits

From this reading She had, too, a quite irritating trick of remaining, to all outward seeming, stolidly unmoved by events which were causing an otherwise general commotion; but in cases of danger or emergency she was essentially swift to act--as on one occasion, for instance, when the Hamilton House twins were at Fraylingay.

a cunning or deceitful action or device

From this reading She had, too, a quite irritating trick of remaining, to all outward seeming, stolidly unmoved by events which were causing an otherwise general commotion; but in cases of danger or emergency she was essentially swift to act--as on one occasion, for instance, when the Hamilton House twins were at Fraylingay.

hard to endure

From this reading When other people were laughing she would be gravely observant, as if she were solving a problem; and she would sooner have thought of trying to discover what combination of molecules resulted in a joke, with a view to benefiting her species by teaching them how to produce jokes at will, than of trying to be witty herself.

(mineralogy) two interwoven crystals that are mirror images on each other

From this reading She had, too, a quite irritating trick of remaining, to all outward seeming, stolidly unmoved by events which were causing an otherwise general commotion; but in cases of danger or emergency she was essentially swift to act--as on one occasion, for instance, when the Hamilton House twins were at Fraylingay.

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading The twins had arrived somewhat late in the married lives of their parents, and had been welcomed as angel visitants, under which fond delusion they were christened respectively Angelica and Theodore.

emotionally unmoved

From this reading She had, too, a quite irritating trick of remaining, to all outward seeming, stolidly unmoved by events which were causing an otherwise general commotion; but in cases of danger or emergency she was essentially swift to act--as on one occasion, for instance, when the Hamilton House twins were at Fraylingay.

a Roman Catholic priest who acts for another higher-ranking clergyman

From this reading Evadne, like the Vicar of Wakefield, was by nature a lover of happy human faces, and she could be playful herself on occasion; but she had little if any of the saving sense of humor.

a way of regarding situations or topics etc.

From this reading When other people were laughing she would be gravely observant, as if she were solving a problem; and she would sooner have thought of trying to discover what combination of molecules resulted in a joke, with a view to benefiting her species by teaching them how to produce jokes at will, than of trying to be witty herself.

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

From this reading The twins had arrived somewhat late in the married lives of their parents, and had been welcomed as angel visitants, under which fond delusion they were christened respectively Angelica and Theodore.

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

From this reading Evadne, like the Vicar of Wakefield, was by nature a lover of happy human faces, and she could be playful herself on occasion; but she had little if any of the saving sense of humor.

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

From this reading Evadne, like the Vicar of Wakefield, was by nature a lover of happy human faces, and she could be playful herself on occasion; but she had little if any of the saving sense of humor.

past form of “welcome” — accept gladly

From this reading The twins had arrived somewhat late in the married lives of their parents, and had been welcomed as angel visitants, under which fond delusion they were christened respectively Angelica and Theodore.

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

From this reading When other people were laughing she would be gravely observant, as if she were solving a problem; and she would sooner have thought of trying to discover what combination of molecules resulted in a joke, with a view to benefiting her species by teaching them how to produce jokes at will, than of trying to be witty herself.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading When other people were laughing she would be gravely observant, as if she were solving a problem; and she would sooner have thought of trying to discover what combination of molecules resulted in a joke, with a view to benefiting her species by teaching them how to produce jokes at will, than of trying to be witty herself.

at the time that

From this reading When other people were laughing she would be gravely observant, as if she were solving a problem; and she would sooner have thought of trying to discover what combination of molecules resulted in a joke, with a view to benefiting her species by teaching them how to produce jokes at will, than of trying to be witty herself.

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

From this reading She had, too, a quite irritating trick of remaining, to all outward seeming, stolidly unmoved by events which were causing an otherwise general commotion; but in cases of danger or emergency she was essentially swift to act--as on one occasion, for instance, when the Hamilton House twins were at Fraylingay.

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading When other people were laughing she would be gravely observant, as if she were solving a problem; and she would sooner have thought of trying to discover what combination of molecules resulted in a joke, with a view to benefiting her species by teaching them how to produce jokes at will, than of trying to be witty herself.

in the company of; together with

From this reading When other people were laughing she would be gravely observant, as if she were solving a problem; and she would sooner have thought of trying to discover what combination of molecules resulted in a joke, with a view to benefiting her species by teaching them how to produce jokes at will, than of trying to be witty herself.

combining clever conception and facetious expression

From this reading When other people were laughing she would be gravely observant, as if she were solving a problem; and she would sooner have thought of trying to discover what combination of molecules resulted in a joke, with a view to benefiting her species by teaching them how to produce jokes at will, than of trying to be witty herself.

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

From this reading When other people were laughing she would be gravely observant, as if she were solving a problem; and she would sooner have thought of trying to discover what combination of molecules resulted in a joke, with a view to benefiting her species by teaching them how to produce jokes at will, than of trying to be witty herself.