Chapter XXXIX · Chapter 39

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

From this reading The chamber to which I removed was a dim little triangular room in the western wing, and was only to be reached by traversing the picture-gallery, or by mounting a little flight of stone stairs which led directly upward from the low-browed arch of a door that opened into the garden.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading I cared nothing for the wonderful fortune in the funds that my aunts whispered and nodded about so mysteriously.

changed in form or character without becoming something else

From this reading But since then I have wondered whether, had I then showed myself peevish or obstinate—had I refused to give up my room for the expected kinswoman—it would not have altered the whole of my life?

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

From this reading I thought little of Lady Speldhurst and her possible golden gifts.

a curved shape in the vertical plane that spans an opening

From this reading The chamber to which I removed was a dim little triangular room in the western wing, and was only to be reached by traversing the picture-gallery, or by mounting a little flight of stone stairs which led directly upward from the low-browed arch of a door that opened into the garden.

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

From this reading But then Lucy or Minnie would have offered in my stead, and been sacrificed—what do I say?—better that the blow should have fallen as it did than on those dear ones.

plural of “aunt” — the sister of your father or mother; the wife of your uncle

From this reading I cared nothing for the wonderful fortune in the funds that my aunts whispered and nodded about so mysteriously.

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

From this reading The chamber to which I removed was a dim little triangular room in the western wing, and was only to be reached by traversing the picture-gallery, or by mounting a little flight of stone stairs which led directly upward from the low-browed arch of a door that opened into the garden.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading But then Lucy or Minnie would have offered in my stead, and been sacrificed—what do I say?—better that the blow should have fallen as it did than on those dear ones.

(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another

From this reading But then Lucy or Minnie would have offered in my stead, and been sacrificed—what do I say?—better that the blow should have fallen as it did than on those dear ones.

exhale hard

From this reading But then Lucy or Minnie would have offered in my stead, and been sacrificed—what do I say?—better that the blow should have fallen as it did than on those dear ones.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But since then I have wondered whether, had I then showed myself peevish or obstinate—had I refused to give up my room for the expected kinswoman—it would not have altered the whole of my life?

showing who or what does the action

From this reading The chamber to which I removed was a dim little triangular room in the western wing, and was only to be reached by traversing the picture-gallery, or by mounting a little flight of stone stairs which led directly upward from the low-browed arch of a door that opened into the garden.

past form of “care” — feel concern or interest

From this reading I cared nothing for the wonderful fortune in the funds that my aunts whispered and nodded about so mysteriously.

a natural or artificial enclosed space

From this reading The chamber to which I removed was a dim little triangular room in the western wing, and was only to be reached by traversing the picture-gallery, or by mounting a little flight of stone stairs which led directly upward from the low-browed arch of a door that opened into the garden.

dearly loved

From this reading But then Lucy or Minnie would have offered in my stead, and been sacrificed—what do I say?—better that the blow should have fallen as it did than on those dear ones.

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

From this reading But then Lucy or Minnie would have offered in my stead, and been sacrificed—what do I say?—better that the blow should have fallen as it did than on those dear ones.

lacking in light; not bright or harsh

From this reading The chamber to which I removed was a dim little triangular room in the western wing, and was only to be reached by traversing the picture-gallery, or by mounting a little flight of stone stairs which led directly upward from the low-browed arch of a door that opened into the garden.

without deviation

From this reading The chamber to which I removed was a dim little triangular room in the western wing, and was only to be reached by traversing the picture-gallery, or by mounting a little flight of stone stairs which led directly upward from the low-browed arch of a door that opened into the garden.

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading But then Lucy or Minnie would have offered in my stead, and been sacrificed—what do I say?—better that the blow should have fallen as it did than on those dear ones.

a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle

From this reading The chamber to which I removed was a dim little triangular room in the western wing, and was only to be reached by traversing the picture-gallery, or by mounting a little flight of stone stairs which led directly upward from the low-browed arch of a door that opened into the garden.

considered likely or probable to happen or arrive

From this reading But since then I have wondered whether, had I then showed myself peevish or obstinate—had I refused to give up my room for the expected kinswoman—it would not have altered the whole of my life?

having dropped by the force of gravity

From this reading But then Lucy or Minnie would have offered in my stead, and been sacrificed—what do I say?—better that the blow should have fallen as it did than on those dear ones.

a formation of aircraft in flight

From this reading The chamber to which I removed was a dim little triangular room in the western wing, and was only to be reached by traversing the picture-gallery, or by mounting a little flight of stone stairs which led directly upward from the low-browed arch of a door that opened into the garden.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading I cared nothing for the wonderful fortune in the funds that my aunts whispered and nodded about so mysteriously.

an unknown and unpredictable phenomenon that causes an event to result one way rather than another

From this reading I cared nothing for the wonderful fortune in the funds that my aunts whispered and nodded about so mysteriously.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading The chamber to which I removed was a dim little triangular room in the western wing, and was only to be reached by traversing the picture-gallery, or by mounting a little flight of stone stairs which led directly upward from the low-browed arch of a door that opened into the garden.

assets in the form of money

From this reading I cared nothing for the wonderful fortune in the funds that my aunts whispered and nodded about so mysteriously.

a plot of ground where plants are cultivated

From this reading The chamber to which I removed was a dim little triangular room in the western wing, and was only to be reached by traversing the picture-gallery, or by mounting a little flight of stone stairs which led directly upward from the low-browed arch of a door that opened into the garden.

plural of “gift” — something acquired without compensation

From this reading I thought little of Lady Speldhurst and her possible golden gifts.

cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense

From this reading But since then I have wondered whether, had I then showed myself peevish or obstinate—had I refused to give up my room for the expected kinswoman—it would not have altered the whole of my life?

having the deep slightly brownish color of gold

From this reading I thought little of Lady Speldhurst and her possible golden gifts.

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

From this reading But since then I have wondered whether, had I then showed myself peevish or obstinate—had I refused to give up my room for the expected kinswoman—it would not have altered the whole of my life?

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading But since then I have wondered whether, had I then showed myself peevish or obstinate—had I refused to give up my room for the expected kinswoman—it would not have altered the whole of my life?

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

From this reading I thought little of Lady Speldhurst and her possible golden gifts.

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading I thought little of Lady Speldhurst and her possible golden gifts.

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

From this reading I cared nothing for the wonderful fortune in the funds that my aunts whispered and nodded about so mysteriously.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading The chamber to which I removed was a dim little triangular room in the western wing, and was only to be reached by traversing the picture-gallery, or by mounting a little flight of stone stairs which led directly upward from the low-browed arch of a door that opened into the garden.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading But since then I have wondered whether, had I then showed myself peevish or obstinate—had I refused to give up my room for the expected kinswoman—it would not have altered the whole of my life?

a female relative

From this reading But since then I have wondered whether, had I then showed myself peevish or obstinate—had I refused to give up my room for the expected kinswoman—it would not have altered the whole of my life?

a polite name for any woman

From this reading I thought little of Lady Speldhurst and her possible golden gifts.

diode such that light emitted at a p-n junction is proportional to the bias current; color depends on the material used

From this reading The chamber to which I removed was a dim little triangular room in the western wing, and was only to be reached by traversing the picture-gallery, or by mounting a little flight of stone stairs which led directly upward from the low-browed arch of a door that opened into the garden.

a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading But since then I have wondered whether, had I then showed myself peevish or obstinate—had I refused to give up my room for the expected kinswoman—it would not have altered the whole of my life?

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

From this reading I thought little of Lady Speldhurst and her possible golden gifts.

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

From this reading The chamber to which I removed was a dim little triangular room in the western wing, and was only to be reached by traversing the picture-gallery, or by mounting a little flight of stone stairs which led directly upward from the low-browed arch of a door that opened into the garden.

incomplete skeleton of female found in eastern Ethiopia in 1974

From this reading But then Lucy or Minnie would have offered in my stead, and been sacrificed—what do I say?—better that the blow should have fallen as it did than on those dear ones.

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

From this reading But then Lucy or Minnie would have offered in my stead, and been sacrificed—what do I say?—better that the blow should have fallen as it did than on those dear ones.

an event that involves rising to a higher point (as in altitude or temperature or intensity etc.)

From this reading The chamber to which I removed was a dim little triangular room in the western wing, and was only to be reached by traversing the picture-gallery, or by mounting a little flight of stone stairs which led directly upward from the low-browed arch of a door that opened into the garden.

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading I cared nothing for the wonderful fortune in the funds that my aunts whispered and nodded about so mysteriously.

used when the speaker is also the object of the action

From this reading But since then I have wondered whether, had I then showed myself peevish or obstinate—had I refused to give up my room for the expected kinswoman—it would not have altered the whole of my life?

in a cryptic manner

From this reading I cared nothing for the wonderful fortune in the funds that my aunts whispered and nodded about so mysteriously.

inflected form of “nod” — express or signify by nodding

From this reading I cared nothing for the wonderful fortune in the funds that my aunts whispered and nodded about so mysteriously.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading But since then I have wondered whether, had I then showed myself peevish or obstinate—had I refused to give up my room for the expected kinswoman—it would not have altered the whole of my life?

not one thing; not anything

From this reading I cared nothing for the wonderful fortune in the funds that my aunts whispered and nodded about so mysteriously.

tenaciously unwilling or marked by tenacious unwillingness to yield

From this reading But since then I have wondered whether, had I then showed myself peevish or obstinate—had I refused to give up my room for the expected kinswoman—it would not have altered the whole of my life?

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading I thought little of Lady Speldhurst and her possible golden gifts.

past form of “offer” — make available or accessible, provide or furnish

From this reading But then Lucy or Minnie would have offered in my stead, and been sacrificed—what do I say?—better that the blow should have fallen as it did than on those dear ones.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading But then Lucy or Minnie would have offered in my stead, and been sacrificed—what do I say?—better that the blow should have fallen as it did than on those dear ones.

plural of “one” — the smallest whole number or a numeral representing this number

From this reading But then Lucy or Minnie would have offered in my stead, and been sacrificed—what do I say?—better that the blow should have fallen as it did than on those dear ones.

and nothing more

From this reading The chamber to which I removed was a dim little triangular room in the western wing, and was only to be reached by traversing the picture-gallery, or by mounting a little flight of stone stairs which led directly upward from the low-browed arch of a door that opened into the garden.

used of mouth or eyes

From this reading The chamber to which I removed was a dim little triangular room in the western wing, and was only to be reached by traversing the picture-gallery, or by mounting a little flight of stone stairs which led directly upward from the low-browed arch of a door that opened into the garden.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading But since then I have wondered whether, had I then showed myself peevish or obstinate—had I refused to give up my room for the expected kinswoman—it would not have altered the whole of my life?

easily irritated or annoyed

From this reading But since then I have wondered whether, had I then showed myself peevish or obstinate—had I refused to give up my room for the expected kinswoman—it would not have altered the whole of my life?

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

From this reading The chamber to which I removed was a dim little triangular room in the western wing, and was only to be reached by traversing the picture-gallery, or by mounting a little flight of stone stairs which led directly upward from the low-browed arch of a door that opened into the garden.

capable of happening or existing

From this reading I thought little of Lady Speldhurst and her possible golden gifts.

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

From this reading The chamber to which I removed was a dim little triangular room in the western wing, and was only to be reached by traversing the picture-gallery, or by mounting a little flight of stone stairs which led directly upward from the low-browed arch of a door that opened into the garden.

past form of “refuse” — show unwillingness towards

From this reading But since then I have wondered whether, had I then showed myself peevish or obstinate—had I refused to give up my room for the expected kinswoman—it would not have altered the whole of my life?

separated in relationship by a given degree of descent

From this reading The chamber to which I removed was a dim little triangular room in the western wing, and was only to be reached by traversing the picture-gallery, or by mounting a little flight of stone stairs which led directly upward from the low-browed arch of a door that opened into the garden.

an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling

From this reading But since then I have wondered whether, had I then showed myself peevish or obstinate—had I refused to give up my room for the expected kinswoman—it would not have altered the whole of my life?

past form of “sacrifice” — endure the loss of

From this reading But then Lucy or Minnie would have offered in my stead, and been sacrificed—what do I say?—better that the blow should have fallen as it did than on those dear ones.

express in words

From this reading But then Lucy or Minnie would have offered in my stead, and been sacrificed—what do I say?—better that the blow should have fallen as it did than on those dear ones.

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading But then Lucy or Minnie would have offered in my stead, and been sacrificed—what do I say?—better that the blow should have fallen as it did than on those dear ones.

past form of “show” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience

From this reading But since then I have wondered whether, had I then showed myself peevish or obstinate—had I refused to give up my room for the expected kinswoman—it would not have altered the whole of my life?

from a time in the past until now

From this reading But since then I have wondered whether, had I then showed myself peevish or obstinate—had I refused to give up my room for the expected kinswoman—it would not have altered the whole of my life?

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading I cared nothing for the wonderful fortune in the funds that my aunts whispered and nodded about so mysteriously.

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

From this reading I thought little of Lady Speldhurst and her possible golden gifts.

a flight of stairs or a flight of steps

From this reading The chamber to which I removed was a dim little triangular room in the western wing, and was only to be reached by traversing the picture-gallery, or by mounting a little flight of stone stairs which led directly upward from the low-browed arch of a door that opened into the garden.

the post or function properly or customarily occupied or served by another

From this reading But then Lucy or Minnie would have offered in my stead, and been sacrificed—what do I say?—better that the blow should have fallen as it did than on those dear ones.

a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter

From this reading The chamber to which I removed was a dim little triangular room in the western wing, and was only to be reached by traversing the picture-gallery, or by mounting a little flight of stone stairs which led directly upward from the low-browed arch of a door that opened into the garden.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading But then Lucy or Minnie would have offered in my stead, and been sacrificed—what do I say?—better that the blow should have fallen as it did than on those dear ones.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading I cared nothing for the wonderful fortune in the funds that my aunts whispered and nodded about so mysteriously.

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

From this reading I cared nothing for the wonderful fortune in the funds that my aunts whispered and nodded about so mysteriously.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading But since then I have wondered whether, had I then showed myself peevish or obstinate—had I refused to give up my room for the expected kinswoman—it would not have altered the whole of my life?

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading But then Lucy or Minnie would have offered in my stead, and been sacrificed—what do I say?—better that the blow should have fallen as it did than on those dear ones.

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

From this reading I thought little of Lady Speldhurst and her possible golden gifts.

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

From this reading But since then I have wondered whether, had I then showed myself peevish or obstinate—had I refused to give up my room for the expected kinswoman—it would not have altered the whole of my life?

-ing form of “traverse” — travel across or pass over

From this reading The chamber to which I removed was a dim little triangular room in the western wing, and was only to be reached by traversing the picture-gallery, or by mounting a little flight of stone stairs which led directly upward from the low-browed arch of a door that opened into the garden.

having three angles; forming or shaped like a triangle

From this reading The chamber to which I removed was a dim little triangular room in the western wing, and was only to be reached by traversing the picture-gallery, or by mounting a little flight of stone stairs which led directly upward from the low-browed arch of a door that opened into the garden.

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

From this reading But since then I have wondered whether, had I then showed myself peevish or obstinate—had I refused to give up my room for the expected kinswoman—it would not have altered the whole of my life?

directed up

From this reading The chamber to which I removed was a dim little triangular room in the western wing, and was only to be reached by traversing the picture-gallery, or by mounting a little flight of stone stairs which led directly upward from the low-browed arch of a door that opened into the garden.

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

From this reading The chamber to which I removed was a dim little triangular room in the western wing, and was only to be reached by traversing the picture-gallery, or by mounting a little flight of stone stairs which led directly upward from the low-browed arch of a door that opened into the garden.

relating to or characteristic of the western parts of the world or the West as opposed to the eastern or oriental parts

From this reading The chamber to which I removed was a dim little triangular room in the western wing, and was only to be reached by traversing the picture-gallery, or by mounting a little flight of stone stairs which led directly upward from the low-browed arch of a door that opened into the garden.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading But then Lucy or Minnie would have offered in my stead, and been sacrificed—what do I say?—better that the blow should have fallen as it did than on those dear ones.

used to introduce two or more possibilities

From this reading But since then I have wondered whether, had I then showed myself peevish or obstinate—had I refused to give up my room for the expected kinswoman—it would not have altered the whole of my life?

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

From this reading The chamber to which I removed was a dim little triangular room in the western wing, and was only to be reached by traversing the picture-gallery, or by mounting a little flight of stone stairs which led directly upward from the low-browed arch of a door that opened into the garden.

spoken in soft hushed tones without vibrations of the vocal cords

From this reading I cared nothing for the wonderful fortune in the funds that my aunts whispered and nodded about so mysteriously.

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

From this reading But since then I have wondered whether, had I then showed myself peevish or obstinate—had I refused to give up my room for the expected kinswoman—it would not have altered the whole of my life?

a movable organ for flying (one of a pair)

From this reading The chamber to which I removed was a dim little triangular room in the western wing, and was only to be reached by traversing the picture-gallery, or by mounting a little flight of stone stairs which led directly upward from the low-browed arch of a door that opened into the garden.

past form of “wonder” — have a wish or desire to know something

From this reading But since then I have wondered whether, had I then showed myself peevish or obstinate—had I refused to give up my room for the expected kinswoman—it would not have altered the whole of my life?

extraordinarily good or great; used especially as intensifiers

From this reading I cared nothing for the wonderful fortune in the funds that my aunts whispered and nodded about so mysteriously.

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

From this reading But since then I have wondered whether, had I then showed myself peevish or obstinate—had I refused to give up my room for the expected kinswoman—it would not have altered the whole of my life?