Chapter X · A Night of Tragedy

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

From this reading She had had a not altogether comforting talk with her mother, in which, knowing that it was unwise to tell Mrs. Millicent too much, she only said that Edith wanted her to dine at Beech Lodge and that she might be able to help Derrick in his self-imposed task.

(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something

From this reading She had had a not altogether comforting talk with her mother, in which, knowing that it was unwise to tell Mrs. Millicent too much, she only said that Edith wanted her to dine at Beech Lodge and that she might be able to help Derrick in his self-imposed task.

(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 IT TOOK all Jean’s courage to go with Edith when the time came.

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

From this reading She had had a not altogether comforting talk with her mother, in which, knowing that it was unwise to tell Mrs. Millicent too much, she only said that Edith wanted her to dine at Beech Lodge and that she might be able to help Derrick in his self-imposed task.

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

From this reading She had had a not altogether comforting talk with her mother, in which, knowing that it was unwise to tell Mrs. Millicent too much, she only said that Edith wanted her to dine at Beech Lodge and that she might be able to help Derrick in his self-imposed task.

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

From this reading Her mother assented, with a curious glance that suggested that it was not altogether the task that took her daughter to her old home.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading She had had a not altogether comforting talk with her mother, in which, knowing that it was unwise to tell Mrs. Millicent too much, she only said that Edith wanted her to dine at Beech Lodge and that she might be able to help Derrick in his self-imposed task.

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

From this reading She had had a not altogether comforting talk with her mother, in which, knowing that it was unwise to tell Mrs. Millicent too much, she only said that Edith wanted her to dine at Beech Lodge and that she might be able to help Derrick in his self-imposed task.

any of several large deciduous trees with rounded spreading crowns and smooth grey bark and small sweet edible triangular nuts enclosed in burs; north temperate regions

From this reading She had had a not altogether comforting talk with her mother, in which, knowing that it was unwise to tell Mrs. Millicent too much, she only said that Edith wanted her to dine at Beech Lodge and that she might be able to help Derrick in his self-imposed task.

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

From this reading IT TOOK all Jean’s courage to go with Edith when the time came.

providing freedom from worry

From this reading She had had a not altogether comforting talk with her mother, in which, knowing that it was unwise to tell Mrs. Millicent too much, she only said that Edith wanted her to dine at Beech Lodge and that she might be able to help Derrick in his self-imposed task.

a quality of spirit that enables you to face danger or pain without showing fear

From this reading IT TOOK all Jean’s courage to go with Edith when the time came.

beyond or deviating from the usual or expected

From this reading Her mother assented, with a curious glance that suggested that it was not altogether the task that took her daughter to her old home.

a female human offspring

From this reading Her mother assented, with a curious glance that suggested that it was not altogether the task that took her daughter to her old home.

a framework erected over an oil well to allow drill tubes to be raised and lowered

From this reading She had had a not altogether comforting talk with her mother, in which, knowing that it was unwise to tell Mrs. Millicent too much, she only said that Edith wanted her to dine at Beech Lodge and that she might be able to help Derrick in his self-imposed task.

have supper; eat dinner

From this reading She had had a not altogether comforting talk with her mother, in which, knowing that it was unwise to tell Mrs. Millicent too much, she only said that Edith wanted her to dine at Beech Lodge and that she might be able to help Derrick in his self-imposed task.

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

From this reading IT TOOK all Jean’s courage to go with Edith when the time came.

a statement that makes something comprehensible by describing the relevant structure or operation or circumstances etc.

From this reading Jean, realizing the futility of fuller explanation, said little more.

United States jurist and chief justice of the United States Supreme Court (1833-1910)

From this reading Jean, realizing the futility of fuller explanation, said little more.

uselessness as a consequence of having no practical result

From this reading Jean, realizing the futility of fuller explanation, said little more.

throw a glance at; take a brief look at

From this reading Her mother assented, with a curious glance that suggested that it was not altogether the task that took her daughter to her old home.

change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading IT TOOK all Jean’s courage to go with Edith when the time came.

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

From this reading She had had a not altogether comforting talk with her mother, in which, knowing that it was unwise to tell Mrs. Millicent too much, she only said that Edith wanted her to dine at Beech Lodge and that she might be able to help Derrick in his self-imposed task.

give help or assistance; be of service

From this reading She had had a not altogether comforting talk with her mother, in which, knowing that it was unwise to tell Mrs. Millicent too much, she only said that Edith wanted her to dine at Beech Lodge and that she might be able to help Derrick in his self-imposed task.

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

From this reading She had had a not altogether comforting talk with her mother, in which, knowing that it was unwise to tell Mrs. Millicent too much, she only said that Edith wanted her to dine at Beech Lodge and that she might be able to help Derrick in his self-imposed task.

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

From this reading She had had a not altogether comforting talk with her mother, in which, knowing that it was unwise to tell Mrs. Millicent too much, she only said that Edith wanted her to dine at Beech Lodge and that she might be able to help Derrick in his self-imposed task.

where you live at a particular time

From this reading Her mother assented, with a curious glance that suggested that it was not altogether the task that took her daughter to her old home.

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

From this reading She had had a not altogether comforting talk with her mother, in which, knowing that it was unwise to tell Mrs. Millicent too much, she only said that Edith wanted her to dine at Beech Lodge and that she might be able to help Derrick in his self-imposed task.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading IT TOOK all Jean’s courage to go with Edith when the time came.

a coarse durable twill-weave cotton fabric

From this reading Jean, realizing the futility of fuller explanation, said little more.

possessive form of “jean” — a coarse durable twill-weave cotton fabric

From this reading IT TOOK all Jean’s courage to go with Edith when the time came.

evidencing the possession of inside information

From this reading She had had a not altogether comforting talk with her mother, in which, knowing that it was unwise to tell Mrs. Millicent too much, she only said that Edith wanted her to dine at Beech Lodge and that she might be able to help Derrick in his self-imposed task.

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

From this reading Jean, realizing the futility of fuller explanation, said little more.

be a lodger; stay temporarily

From this reading She had had a not altogether comforting talk with her mother, in which, knowing that it was unwise to tell Mrs. Millicent too much, she only said that Edith wanted her to dine at Beech Lodge and that she might be able to help Derrick in his self-imposed task.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading She had had a not altogether comforting talk with her mother, in which, knowing that it was unwise to tell Mrs. Millicent too much, she only said that Edith wanted her to dine at Beech Lodge and that she might be able to help Derrick in his self-imposed task.

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

From this reading She had had a not altogether comforting talk with her mother, in which, knowing that it was unwise to tell Mrs. Millicent too much, she only said that Edith wanted her to dine at Beech Lodge and that she might be able to help Derrick in his self-imposed task.

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading Jean, realizing the futility of fuller explanation, said little more.

a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)

From this reading She had had a not altogether comforting talk with her mother, in which, knowing that it was unwise to tell Mrs. Millicent too much, she only said that Edith wanted her to dine at Beech Lodge and that she might be able to help Derrick in his self-imposed task.

a form of address for a married woman

From this reading She had had a not altogether comforting talk with her mother, in which, knowing that it was unwise to tell Mrs. Millicent too much, she only said that Edith wanted her to dine at Beech Lodge and that she might be able to help Derrick in his self-imposed task.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading She had had a not altogether comforting talk with her mother, in which, knowing that it was unwise to tell Mrs. Millicent too much, she only said that Edith wanted her to dine at Beech Lodge and that she might be able to help Derrick in his self-imposed task.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading She had had a not altogether comforting talk with her mother, in which, knowing that it was unwise to tell Mrs. Millicent too much, she only said that Edith wanted her to dine at Beech Lodge and that she might be able to help Derrick in his self-imposed task.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Jean, realizing the futility of fuller explanation, said little more.

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

From this reading Her mother assented, with a curious glance that suggested that it was not altogether the task that took her daughter to her old home.

and nothing more

From this reading She had had a not altogether comforting talk with her mother, in which, knowing that it was unwise to tell Mrs. Millicent too much, she only said that Edith wanted her to dine at Beech Lodge and that she might be able to help Derrick in his self-imposed task.

-ing form of “realize” — be fully aware or cognizant of

From this reading Jean, realizing the futility of fuller explanation, said little more.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading She had had a not altogether comforting talk with her mother, in which, knowing that it was unwise to tell Mrs. Millicent too much, she only said that Edith wanted her to dine at Beech Lodge and that she might be able to help Derrick in his self-imposed task.

voluntarily assumed or endured

From this reading She had had a not altogether comforting talk with her mother, in which, knowing that it was unwise to tell Mrs. Millicent too much, she only said that Edith wanted her to dine at Beech Lodge and that she might be able to help Derrick in his self-imposed task.

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

From this reading She had had a not altogether comforting talk with her mother, in which, knowing that it was unwise to tell Mrs. Millicent too much, she only said that Edith wanted her to dine at Beech Lodge and that she might be able to help Derrick in his self-imposed task.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading It was something of a help that Edith understood so much and yet, in a way, understood so little.

a thing, without saying which

From this reading It was something of a help that Edith understood so much and yet, in a way, understood so little.

past form of “suggest” — make a proposal, declare a plan for something

From this reading Her mother assented, with a curious glance that suggested that it was not altogether the task that took her daughter to her old home.

exchange thoughts; talk with

From this reading She had had a not altogether comforting talk with her mother, in which, knowing that it was unwise to tell Mrs. Millicent too much, she only said that Edith wanted her to dine at Beech Lodge and that she might be able to help Derrick in his self-imposed task.

any piece of work that is undertaken or attempted

From this reading She had had a not altogether comforting talk with her mother, in which, knowing that it was unwise to tell Mrs. Millicent too much, she only said that Edith wanted her to dine at Beech Lodge and that she might be able to help Derrick in his self-imposed task.

express in words

From this reading She had had a not altogether comforting talk with her mother, in which, knowing that it was unwise to tell Mrs. Millicent too much, she only said that Edith wanted her to dine at Beech Lodge and that she might be able to help Derrick in his self-imposed task.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading She had had a not altogether comforting talk with her mother, in which, knowing that it was unwise to tell Mrs. Millicent too much, she only said that Edith wanted her to dine at Beech Lodge and that she might be able to help Derrick in his self-imposed task.

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

From this reading IT TOOK all Jean’s courage to go with Edith when the time came.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading IT TOOK all Jean’s courage to go with Edith when the time came.

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

From this reading IT TOOK all Jean’s courage to go with Edith when the time came.

to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits

From this reading She had had a not altogether comforting talk with her mother, in which, knowing that it was unwise to tell Mrs. Millicent too much, she only said that Edith wanted her to dine at Beech Lodge and that she might be able to help Derrick in his self-imposed task.

inflected form of “take” — carry out

From this reading IT TOOK all Jean’s courage to go with Edith when the time came.

fully apprehended as to purport or meaning or explanation

From this reading It was something of a help that Edith understood so much and yet, in a way, understood so little.

showing or resulting from lack of judgment or wisdom

From this reading She had had a not altogether comforting talk with her mother, in which, knowing that it was unwise to tell Mrs. Millicent too much, she only said that Edith wanted her to dine at Beech Lodge and that she might be able to help Derrick in his self-imposed task.

desired or wished for or sought

From this reading She had had a not altogether comforting talk with her mother, in which, knowing that it was unwise to tell Mrs. Millicent too much, she only said that Edith wanted her to dine at Beech Lodge and that she might be able to help Derrick in his self-imposed task.

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

From this reading She had had a not altogether comforting talk with her mother, in which, knowing that it was unwise to tell Mrs. Millicent too much, she only said that Edith wanted her to dine at Beech Lodge and that she might be able to help Derrick in his self-imposed task.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading It was something of a help that Edith understood so much and yet, in a way, understood so little.

at the time that

From this reading IT TOOK all Jean’s courage to go with Edith when the time came.

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

From this reading She had had a not altogether comforting talk with her mother, in which, knowing that it was unwise to tell Mrs. Millicent too much, she only said that Edith wanted her to dine at Beech Lodge and that she might be able to help Derrick in his self-imposed task.

in the company of; together with

From this reading IT TOOK all Jean’s courage to go with Edith when the time came.

but in spite of that

From this reading It was something of a help that Edith understood so much and yet, in a way, understood so little.