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 He was anxious to know how the explanations had got accomplished, how the boy took it, how Elinor had borne the strain upon her of such a revelation.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading It was while this conversation was going on that John Tatham, anxious and troubled about many things, knocked at the door in Ebury Street.

highly skilled

From this reading He was anxious to know how the explanations had got accomplished, how the boy took it, how Elinor had borne the strain upon her of such a revelation.

from one side of something to the other

From this reading It had glanced across him that young Philip might be excited by so wonderful a new thing, and form some false impression of his father (whom doubtless she would represent under the best light, taking blame upon herself, not to destroy the boy's ideal), and be eager to know him--which was a thing, John felt, which would be very difficult to bear.

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

From this reading It was while this conversation was going on that John Tatham, anxious and troubled about many things, knocked at the door in Ebury Street.

eagerly desirous

From this reading It was while this conversation was going on that John Tatham, anxious and troubled about many things, knocked at the door in Ebury Street.

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

From this reading Well as he knew Elinor, he still thought, as is generally thought in circumstances so painful, that a great crisis, a great mental effort, would make her ill.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading It was while this conversation was going on that John Tatham, anxious and troubled about many things, knocked at the door in Ebury Street.

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

From this reading It had glanced across him that young Philip might be excited by so wonderful a new thing, and form some false impression of his father (whom doubtless she would represent under the best light, taking blame upon herself, not to destroy the boy's ideal), and be eager to know him--which was a thing, John felt, which would be very difficult to bear.

have

From this reading It had glanced across him that young Philip might be excited by so wonderful a new thing, and form some false impression of his father (whom doubtless she would represent under the best light, taking blame upon herself, not to destroy the boy's ideal), and be eager to know him--which was a thing, John felt, which would be very difficult to bear.

the supreme effort one can make

From this reading It had glanced across him that young Philip might be excited by so wonderful a new thing, and form some false impression of his father (whom doubtless she would represent under the best light, taking blame upon herself, not to destroy the boy's ideal), and be eager to know him--which was a thing, John felt, which would be very difficult to bear.

put or pin the blame on

From this reading It had glanced across him that young Philip might be excited by so wonderful a new thing, and form some false impression of his father (whom doubtless she would represent under the best light, taking blame upon herself, not to destroy the boy's ideal), and be eager to know him--which was a thing, John felt, which would be very difficult to bear.

inflected form of “bear” — have

From this reading He was anxious to know how the explanations had got accomplished, how the boy took it, how Elinor had borne the strain upon her of such a revelation.

a youthful male person

From this reading He was anxious to know how the explanations had got accomplished, how the boy took it, how Elinor had borne the strain upon her of such a revelation.

possessive form of “boy” — a youthful male person

From this reading It had glanced across him that young Philip might be excited by so wonderful a new thing, and form some false impression of his father (whom doubtless she would represent under the best light, taking blame upon herself, not to destroy the boy's ideal), and be eager to know him--which was a thing, John felt, which would be very difficult to bear.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading It had glanced across him that young Philip might be excited by so wonderful a new thing, and form some false impression of his father (whom doubtless she would represent under the best light, taking blame upon herself, not to destroy the boy's ideal), and be eager to know him--which was a thing, John felt, which would be very difficult to bear.

your overall circumstances or condition in life (including everything that happens to you)

From this reading Well as he knew Elinor, he still thought, as is generally thought in circumstances so painful, that a great crisis, a great mental effort, would make her ill.

the use of speech for informal exchange of views or ideas or information etc.

From this reading It was while this conversation was going on that John Tatham, anxious and troubled about many things, knocked at the door in Ebury Street.

an unstable situation of extreme danger or difficulty

From this reading Well as he knew Elinor, he still thought, as is generally thought in circumstances so painful, that a great crisis, a great mental effort, would make her ill.

do away with, cause the destruction or undoing of

From this reading It had glanced across him that young Philip might be excited by so wonderful a new thing, and form some false impression of his father (whom doubtless she would represent under the best light, taking blame upon herself, not to destroy the boy's ideal), and be eager to know him--which was a thing, John felt, which would be very difficult to bear.

not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure

From this reading It had glanced across him that young Philip might be excited by so wonderful a new thing, and form some false impression of his father (whom doubtless she would represent under the best light, taking blame upon herself, not to destroy the boy's ideal), and be eager to know him--which was a thing, John felt, which would be very difficult to bear.

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

From this reading It was while this conversation was going on that John Tatham, anxious and troubled about many things, knocked at the door in Ebury Street.

without doubt; certainly

From this reading It had glanced across him that young Philip might be excited by so wonderful a new thing, and form some false impression of his father (whom doubtless she would represent under the best light, taking blame upon herself, not to destroy the boy's ideal), and be eager to know him--which was a thing, John felt, which would be very difficult to bear.

having or showing keen interest or intense desire or impatient expectancy

From this reading It had glanced across him that young Philip might be excited by so wonderful a new thing, and form some false impression of his father (whom doubtless she would represent under the best light, taking blame upon herself, not to destroy the boy's ideal), and be eager to know him--which was a thing, John felt, which would be very difficult to bear.

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

From this reading It was while this conversation was going on that John Tatham, anxious and troubled about many things, knocked at the door in Ebury Street.

earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something

From this reading Well as he knew Elinor, he still thought, as is generally thought in circumstances so painful, that a great crisis, a great mental effort, would make her ill.

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

From this reading He was anxious to know how the explanations had got accomplished, how the boy took it, how Elinor had borne the strain upon her of such a revelation.

(of persons) excessively affected by emotion

From this reading It had glanced across him that young Philip might be excited by so wonderful a new thing, and form some false impression of his father (whom doubtless she would represent under the best light, taking blame upon herself, not to destroy the boy's ideal), and be eager to know him--which was a thing, John felt, which would be very difficult to bear.

plural of “explanation” — a statement that makes something comprehensible by describing the relevant structure or operation or circumstances etc.

From this reading He was anxious to know how the explanations had got accomplished, how the boy took it, how Elinor had borne the strain upon her of such a revelation.

not in accordance with the fact or reality or actuality

From this reading It had glanced across him that young Philip might be excited by so wonderful a new thing, and form some false impression of his father (whom doubtless she would represent under the best light, taking blame upon herself, not to destroy the boy's ideal), and be eager to know him--which was a thing, John felt, which would be very difficult to bear.

a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)

From this reading It had glanced across him that young Philip might be excited by so wonderful a new thing, and form some false impression of his father (whom doubtless she would represent under the best light, taking blame upon herself, not to destroy the boy's ideal), and be eager to know him--which was a thing, John felt, which would be very difficult to bear.

mat together and make felt-like

From this reading It had glanced across him that young Philip might be excited by so wonderful a new thing, and form some false impression of his father (whom doubtless she would represent under the best light, taking blame upon herself, not to destroy the boy's ideal), and be eager to know him--which was a thing, John felt, which would be very difficult to bear.

the phonological or orthographic sound or appearance of a word that can be used to describe or identify something

From this reading It had glanced across him that young Philip might be excited by so wonderful a new thing, and form some false impression of his father (whom doubtless she would represent under the best light, taking blame upon herself, not to destroy the boy's ideal), and be eager to know him--which was a thing, John felt, which would be very difficult to bear.

usually; as a rule

From this reading Well as he knew Elinor, he still thought, as is generally thought in circumstances so painful, that a great crisis, a great mental effort, would make her ill.

past form of “glance” — throw a glance at; take a brief look at

From this reading It had glanced across him that young Philip might be excited by so wonderful a new thing, and form some false impression of his father (whom doubtless she would represent under the best light, taking blame upon herself, not to destroy the boy's ideal), and be eager to know him--which was a thing, John felt, which would be very difficult to bear.

the act of departing

From this reading It was while this conversation was going on that John Tatham, anxious and troubled about many things, knocked at the door in Ebury Street.

inflected form of “get” — come into the possession of something concrete or abstract

From this reading He was anxious to know how the explanations had got accomplished, how the boy took it, how Elinor had borne the strain upon her of such a revelation.

relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind

From this reading Well as he knew Elinor, he still thought, as is generally thought in circumstances so painful, that a great crisis, a great mental effort, would make her ill.

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

From this reading He was anxious to know how the explanations had got accomplished, how the boy took it, how Elinor had borne the strain upon her of such a revelation.

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

From this reading He was anxious to know how the explanations had got accomplished, how the boy took it, how Elinor had borne the strain upon her of such a revelation.

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

From this reading He was anxious to know how the explanations had got accomplished, how the boy took it, how Elinor had borne the strain upon her of such a revelation.

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

From this reading It had glanced across him that young Philip might be excited by so wonderful a new thing, and form some false impression of his father (whom doubtless she would represent under the best light, taking blame upon herself, not to destroy the boy's ideal), and be eager to know him--which was a thing, John felt, which would be very difficult to bear.

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

From this reading It had glanced across him that young Philip might be excited by so wonderful a new thing, and form some false impression of his father (whom doubtless she would represent under the best light, taking blame upon herself, not to destroy the boy's ideal), and be eager to know him--which was a thing, John felt, which would be very difficult to bear.

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

From this reading It had glanced across him that young Philip might be excited by so wonderful a new thing, and form some false impression of his father (whom doubtless she would represent under the best light, taking blame upon herself, not to destroy the boy's ideal), and be eager to know him--which was a thing, John felt, which would be very difficult to bear.

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

From this reading He was anxious to know how the explanations had got accomplished, how the boy took it, how Elinor had borne the strain upon her of such a revelation.

conforming to an ultimate standard of perfection or excellence; embodying an ideal

From this reading It had glanced across him that young Philip might be excited by so wonderful a new thing, and form some false impression of his father (whom doubtless she would represent under the best light, taking blame upon herself, not to destroy the boy's ideal), and be eager to know him--which was a thing, John felt, which would be very difficult to bear.

affected by an impairment of normal physical or mental function

From this reading Well as he knew Elinor, he still thought, as is generally thought in circumstances so painful, that a great crisis, a great mental effort, would make her ill.

a vague idea in which some confidence is placed

From this reading It had glanced across him that young Philip might be excited by so wonderful a new thing, and form some false impression of his father (whom doubtless she would represent under the best light, taking blame upon herself, not to destroy the boy's ideal), and be eager to know him--which was a thing, John felt, which would be very difficult to bear.

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

From this reading It was while this conversation was going on that John Tatham, anxious and troubled about many things, knocked at the door in Ebury Street.

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

From this reading Well as he knew Elinor, he still thought, as is generally thought in circumstances so painful, that a great crisis, a great mental effort, would make her ill.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was while this conversation was going on that John Tatham, anxious and troubled about many things, knocked at the door in Ebury Street.

a room or building equipped with one or more toilets

From this reading It was while this conversation was going on that John Tatham, anxious and troubled about many things, knocked at the door in Ebury Street.

inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about

From this reading Well as he knew Elinor, he still thought, as is generally thought in circumstances so painful, that a great crisis, a great mental effort, would make her ill.

past form of “knock” — deliver a sharp blow or push

From this reading It was while this conversation was going on that John Tatham, anxious and troubled about many things, knocked at the door in Ebury Street.

be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about

From this reading He was anxious to know how the explanations had got accomplished, how the boy took it, how Elinor had borne the strain upon her of such a revelation.

of comparatively little physical weight or density

From this reading It had glanced across him that young Philip might be excited by so wonderful a new thing, and form some false impression of his father (whom doubtless she would represent under the best light, taking blame upon herself, not to destroy the boy's ideal), and be eager to know him--which was a thing, John felt, which would be very difficult to bear.

engage in

From this reading Well as he knew Elinor, he still thought, as is generally thought in circumstances so painful, that a great crisis, a great mental effort, would make her ill.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number

From this reading It was while this conversation was going on that John Tatham, anxious and troubled about many things, knocked at the door in Ebury Street.

involving the mind or an intellectual process

From this reading Well as he knew Elinor, he still thought, as is generally thought in circumstances so painful, that a great crisis, a great mental effort, would make her ill.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading It had glanced across him that young Philip might be excited by so wonderful a new thing, and form some false impression of his father (whom doubtless she would represent under the best light, taking blame upon herself, not to destroy the boy's ideal), and be eager to know him--which was a thing, John felt, which would be very difficult to bear.

not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered

From this reading It had glanced across him that young Philip might be excited by so wonderful a new thing, and form some false impression of his father (whom doubtless she would represent under the best light, taking blame upon herself, not to destroy the boy's ideal), and be eager to know him--which was a thing, John felt, which would be very difficult to bear.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading It had glanced across him that young Philip might be excited by so wonderful a new thing, and form some false impression of his father (whom doubtless she would represent under the best light, taking blame upon herself, not to destroy the boy's ideal), and be eager to know him--which was a thing, John felt, which would be very difficult to bear.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading He was anxious to know how the explanations had got accomplished, how the boy took it, how Elinor had borne the strain upon her of such a revelation.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading It was while this conversation was going on that John Tatham, anxious and troubled about many things, knocked at the door in Ebury Street.

causing physical or psychological pain

From this reading Well as he knew Elinor, he still thought, as is generally thought in circumstances so painful, that a great crisis, a great mental effort, would make her ill.

Englishman and husband of Elizabeth II (born 1921)

From this reading It had glanced across him that young Philip might be excited by so wonderful a new thing, and form some false impression of his father (whom doubtless she would represent under the best light, taking blame upon herself, not to destroy the boy's ideal), and be eager to know him--which was a thing, John felt, which would be very difficult to bear.

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

From this reading He wanted to know how she was, he wanted to know how Pippo had borne it, what the boy thought.

take the place of or be parallel or equivalent to

From this reading It had glanced across him that young Philip might be excited by so wonderful a new thing, and form some false impression of his father (whom doubtless she would represent under the best light, taking blame upon herself, not to destroy the boy's ideal), and be eager to know him--which was a thing, John felt, which would be very difficult to bear.

the speech act of making something evident

From this reading He was anxious to know how the explanations had got accomplished, how the boy took it, how Elinor had borne the strain upon her of such a revelation.

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

From this reading He wanted to know how she was, he wanted to know how Pippo had borne it, what the boy thought.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Well as he knew Elinor, he still thought, as is generally thought in circumstances so painful, that a great crisis, a great mental effort, would make her ill.

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

From this reading It had glanced across him that young Philip might be excited by so wonderful a new thing, and form some false impression of his father (whom doubtless she would represent under the best light, taking blame upon herself, not to destroy the boy's ideal), and be eager to know him--which was a thing, John felt, which would be very difficult to bear.

not in physical motion

From this reading Well as he knew Elinor, he still thought, as is generally thought in circumstances so painful, that a great crisis, a great mental effort, would make her ill.

(physics) deformation of a physical body under the action of applied forces

From this reading He was anxious to know how the explanations had got accomplished, how the boy took it, how Elinor had borne the strain upon her of such a revelation.

a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings

From this reading It was while this conversation was going on that John Tatham, anxious and troubled about many things, knocked at the door in Ebury Street.

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading He was anxious to know how the explanations had got accomplished, how the boy took it, how Elinor had borne the strain upon her of such a revelation.

the act of someone who picks up or takes something

From this reading It had glanced across him that young Philip might be excited by so wonderful a new thing, and form some false impression of his father (whom doubtless she would represent under the best light, taking blame upon herself, not to destroy the boy's ideal), and be eager to know him--which was a thing, John felt, which would be very difficult to bear.

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

From this reading It was while this conversation was going on that John Tatham, anxious and troubled about many things, knocked at the door in Ebury Street.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading It was while this conversation was going on that John Tatham, anxious and troubled about many things, knocked at the door in Ebury Street.

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

From this reading It was while this conversation was going on that John Tatham, anxious and troubled about many things, knocked at the door in Ebury Street.

a special situation

From this reading It had glanced across him that young Philip might be excited by so wonderful a new thing, and form some false impression of his father (whom doubtless she would represent under the best light, taking blame upon herself, not to destroy the boy's ideal), and be eager to know him--which was a thing, John felt, which would be very difficult to bear.

any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)

From this reading It was while this conversation was going on that John Tatham, anxious and troubled about many things, knocked at the door in Ebury Street.

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

From this reading It was while this conversation was going on that John Tatham, anxious and troubled about many things, knocked at the door in Ebury Street.

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

From this reading Well as he knew Elinor, he still thought, as is generally thought in circumstances so painful, that a great crisis, a great mental effort, would make her ill.

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

From this reading He was anxious to know how the explanations had got accomplished, how the boy took it, how Elinor had borne the strain upon her of such a revelation.

inflected form of “take” — carry out

From this reading He was anxious to know how the explanations had got accomplished, how the boy took it, how Elinor had borne the strain upon her of such a revelation.

characterized by or indicative of distress or affliction or danger or need

From this reading It was while this conversation was going on that John Tatham, anxious and troubled about many things, knocked at the door in Ebury Street.

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading It had glanced across him that young Philip might be excited by so wonderful a new thing, and form some false impression of his father (whom doubtless she would represent under the best light, taking blame upon herself, not to destroy the boy's ideal), and be eager to know him--which was a thing, John felt, which would be very difficult to bear.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading He was anxious to know how the explanations had got accomplished, how the boy took it, how Elinor had borne the strain upon her of such a revelation.

precisely as stated

From this reading It had glanced across him that young Philip might be excited by so wonderful a new thing, and form some false impression of his father (whom doubtless she would represent under the best light, taking blame upon herself, not to destroy the boy's ideal), and be eager to know him--which was a thing, John felt, which would be very difficult to bear.

desired or wished for or sought

From this reading He wanted to know how she was, he wanted to know how Pippo had borne it, what the boy thought.

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

From this reading It was while this conversation was going on that John Tatham, anxious and troubled about many things, knocked at the door in Ebury Street.

(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)

From this reading Well as he knew Elinor, he still thought, as is generally thought in circumstances so painful, that a great crisis, a great mental effort, would make her ill.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading He wanted to know how she was, he wanted to know how Pippo had borne it, what the boy thought.

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

From this reading It had glanced across him that young Philip might be excited by so wonderful a new thing, and form some false impression of his father (whom doubtless she would represent under the best light, taking blame upon herself, not to destroy the boy's ideal), and be eager to know him--which was a thing, John felt, which would be very difficult to bear.

during the time that

From this reading It was while this conversation was going on that John Tatham, anxious and troubled about many things, knocked at the door in Ebury Street.

the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading It had glanced across him that young Philip might be excited by so wonderful a new thing, and form some false impression of his father (whom doubtless she would represent under the best light, taking blame upon herself, not to destroy the boy's ideal), and be eager to know him--which was a thing, John felt, which would be very difficult to bear.

extraordinarily good or great; used especially as intensifiers

From this reading It had glanced across him that young Philip might be excited by so wonderful a new thing, and form some false impression of his father (whom doubtless she would represent under the best light, taking blame upon herself, not to destroy the boy's ideal), and be eager to know him--which was a thing, John felt, which would be very difficult to bear.

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

From this reading Well as he knew Elinor, he still thought, as is generally thought in circumstances so painful, that a great crisis, a great mental effort, would make her ill.

(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth

From this reading It had glanced across him that young Philip might be excited by so wonderful a new thing, and form some false impression of his father (whom doubtless she would represent under the best light, taking blame upon herself, not to destroy the boy's ideal), and be eager to know him--which was a thing, John felt, which would be very difficult to bear.