Chapter XVII · Lady Dorothea's Letter

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

From this reading Amid a mass of correspondence about the estate, she came at length upon the foreign letters, of which there were several from the servants to their friends or relations at Cro' Martin,--all, as usual, under cover to Miss Martin; and at last she found one in Lady Dorothea's own hand, for herself,--a very rare occurrence; nay, indeed, it was the first epistle her Ladyship had favored her with since her departure.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading Amid a mass of correspondence about the estate, she came at length upon the foreign letters, of which there were several from the servants to their friends or relations at Cro' Martin,--all, as usual, under cover to Miss Martin; and at last she found one in Lady Dorothea's own hand, for herself,--a very rare occurrence; nay, indeed, it was the first epistle her Ladyship had favored her with since her departure.

(of mail) marked with a destination

From this reading Though it was late when Repton took his departure, Mary Martin felt no inclination for sleep, but addressed herself at once to examine the letter bag, whose contents seemed more than usually bulky.

(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 Amid a mass of correspondence about the estate, she came at length upon the foreign letters, of which there were several from the servants to their friends or relations at Cro' Martin,--all, as usual, under cover to Miss Martin; and at last she found one in Lady Dorothea's own hand, for herself,--a very rare occurrence; nay, indeed, it was the first epistle her Ladyship had favored her with since her departure.

in the middle of; surrounded by

From this reading Amid a mass of correspondence about the estate, she came at length upon the foreign letters, of which there were several from the servants to their friends or relations at Cro' Martin,--all, as usual, under cover to Miss Martin; and at last she found one in Lady Dorothea's own hand, for herself,--a very rare occurrence; nay, indeed, it was the first epistle her Ladyship had favored her with since her departure.

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

From this reading Amid a mass of correspondence about the estate, she came at length upon the foreign letters, of which there were several from the servants to their friends or relations at Cro' Martin,--all, as usual, under cover to Miss Martin; and at last she found one in Lady Dorothea's own hand, for herself,--a very rare occurrence; nay, indeed, it was the first epistle her Ladyship had favored her with since her departure.

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

From this reading Amid a mass of correspondence about the estate, she came at length upon the foreign letters, of which there were several from the servants to their friends or relations at Cro' Martin,--all, as usual, under cover to Miss Martin; and at last she found one in Lady Dorothea's own hand, for herself,--a very rare occurrence; nay, indeed, it was the first epistle her Ladyship had favored her with since her departure.

the feeling that accompanies something extremely surprising

From this reading “My dear Niece,--It was only yesterday, when looking over your uncle's papers, I chanced upon a letter of yours, dated some five or six weeks back, and which, to my great astonishment, I discovered had never been communicated to me,--though this mark of deficient confidence will doubtless seem less surprising to _you_.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Though it was late when Repton took his departure, Mary Martin felt no inclination for sleep, but addressed herself at once to examine the letter bag, whose contents seemed more than usually bulky.

in or to or toward a former location

From this reading “My dear Niece,--It was only yesterday, when looking over your uncle's papers, I chanced upon a letter of yours, dated some five or six weeks back, and which, to my great astonishment, I discovered had never been communicated to me,--though this mark of deficient confidence will doubtless seem less surprising to _you_.

a Chadic language spoken in northern Nigeria

From this reading It was not, then, without curiosity as to the cause that Mary broke the large seal and read as follows:-- “Carlsruhe, Saturday Evening, Cour de Bade.

a flexible container with a single opening

From this reading Though it was late when Repton took his departure, Mary Martin felt no inclination for sleep, but addressed herself at once to examine the letter bag, whose contents seemed more than usually bulky.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “My dear Niece,--It was only yesterday, when looking over your uncle's papers, I chanced upon a letter of yours, dated some five or six weeks back, and which, to my great astonishment, I discovered had never been communicated to me,--though this mark of deficient confidence will doubtless seem less surprising to _you_.

take something or somebody with oneself somewhere

From this reading “To bring your letter to your mind, _I_ may observe it is one in which you describe the condition of the people on the estate, and the fatal inroads then making upon them by famine and pestilence.

lacking funds

From this reading It was not, then, without curiosity as to the cause that Mary broke the large seal and read as follows:-- “Carlsruhe, Saturday Evening, Cour de Bade.

of large size for its weight

From this reading Though it was late when Repton took his departure, Mary Martin felt no inclination for sleep, but addressed herself at once to examine the letter bag, whose contents seemed more than usually bulky.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Though it was late when Repton took his departure, Mary Martin felt no inclination for sleep, but addressed herself at once to examine the letter bag, whose contents seemed more than usually bulky.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading “To bring your letter to your mind, _I_ may observe it is one in which you describe the condition of the people on the estate, and the fatal inroads then making upon them by famine and pestilence.

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

From this reading Amid a mass of correspondence about the estate, she came at length upon the foreign letters, of which there were several from the servants to their friends or relations at Cro' Martin,--all, as usual, under cover to Miss Martin; and at last she found one in Lady Dorothea's own hand, for herself,--a very rare occurrence; nay, indeed, it was the first epistle her Ladyship had favored her with since her departure.

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

From this reading It was not, then, without curiosity as to the cause that Mary broke the large seal and read as follows:-- “Carlsruhe, Saturday Evening, Cour de Bade.

events that provide the generative force that is the origin of something

From this reading It was not, then, without curiosity as to the cause that Mary broke the large seal and read as follows:-- “Carlsruhe, Saturday Evening, Cour de Bade.

past form of “chance” — be the case by chance

From this reading “My dear Niece,--It was only yesterday, when looking over your uncle's papers, I chanced upon a letter of yours, dated some five or six weeks back, and which, to my great astonishment, I discovered had never been communicated to me,--though this mark of deficient confidence will doubtless seem less surprising to _you_.

past form of “communicate” — transmit information

From this reading “My dear Niece,--It was only yesterday, when looking over your uncle's papers, I chanced upon a letter of yours, dated some five or six weeks back, and which, to my great astonishment, I discovered had never been communicated to me,--though this mark of deficient confidence will doubtless seem less surprising to _you_.

a state at a particular time

From this reading “To bring your letter to your mind, _I_ may observe it is one in which you describe the condition of the people on the estate, and the fatal inroads then making upon them by famine and pestilence.

freedom from doubt; belief in yourself and your abilities

From this reading “My dear Niece,--It was only yesterday, when looking over your uncle's papers, I chanced upon a letter of yours, dated some five or six weeks back, and which, to my great astonishment, I discovered had never been communicated to me,--though this mark of deficient confidence will doubtless seem less surprising to _you_.

(usually plural) everything that is included in a collection and that is held or included in something

From this reading Though it was late when Repton took his departure, Mary Martin felt no inclination for sleep, but addressed herself at once to examine the letter bag, whose contents seemed more than usually bulky.

communication by the exchange of letters

From this reading Amid a mass of correspondence about the estate, she came at length upon the foreign letters, of which there were several from the servants to their friends or relations at Cro' Martin,--all, as usual, under cover to Miss Martin; and at last she found one in Lady Dorothea's own hand, for herself,--a very rare occurrence; nay, indeed, it was the first epistle her Ladyship had favored her with since her departure.

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

From this reading It was not, then, without curiosity as to the cause that Mary broke the large seal and read as follows:-- “Carlsruhe, Saturday Evening, Cour de Bade.

provide with a covering or cause to be covered

From this reading Amid a mass of correspondence about the estate, she came at length upon the foreign letters, of which there were several from the servants to their friends or relations at Cro' Martin,--all, as usual, under cover to Miss Martin; and at last she found one in Lady Dorothea's own hand, for herself,--a very rare occurrence; nay, indeed, it was the first epistle her Ladyship had favored her with since her departure.

electronic equipment that provides visual images of varying electrical quantities

From this reading Amid a mass of correspondence about the estate, she came at length upon the foreign letters, of which there were several from the servants to their friends or relations at Cro' Martin,--all, as usual, under cover to Miss Martin; and at last she found one in Lady Dorothea's own hand, for herself,--a very rare occurrence; nay, indeed, it was the first epistle her Ladyship had favored her with since her departure.

a state in which you want to learn more about something

From this reading It was not, then, without curiosity as to the cause that Mary broke the large seal and read as follows:-- “Carlsruhe, Saturday Evening, Cour de Bade.

marked by features of the immediate and usually discounted past

From this reading “My dear Niece,--It was only yesterday, when looking over your uncle's papers, I chanced upon a letter of yours, dated some five or six weeks back, and which, to my great astonishment, I discovered had never been communicated to me,--though this mark of deficient confidence will doubtless seem less surprising to _you_.

a Mid-Atlantic state; one of the original 13 colonies

From this reading It was not, then, without curiosity as to the cause that Mary broke the large seal and read as follows:-- “Carlsruhe, Saturday Evening, Cour de Bade.

dearly loved

From this reading “My dear Niece,--It was only yesterday, when looking over your uncle's papers, I chanced upon a letter of yours, dated some five or six weeks back, and which, to my great astonishment, I discovered had never been communicated to me,--though this mark of deficient confidence will doubtless seem less surprising to _you_.

inadequate in amount or degree

From this reading “My dear Niece,--It was only yesterday, when looking over your uncle's papers, I chanced upon a letter of yours, dated some five or six weeks back, and which, to my great astonishment, I discovered had never been communicated to me,--though this mark of deficient confidence will doubtless seem less surprising to _you_.

the act of departing

From this reading Though it was late when Repton took his departure, Mary Martin felt no inclination for sleep, but addressed herself at once to examine the letter bag, whose contents seemed more than usually bulky.

give a description of

From this reading “To bring your letter to your mind, _I_ may observe it is one in which you describe the condition of the people on the estate, and the fatal inroads then making upon them by famine and pestilence.

discovered or determined by scientific observation

From this reading “My dear Niece,--It was only yesterday, when looking over your uncle's papers, I chanced upon a letter of yours, dated some five or six weeks back, and which, to my great astonishment, I discovered had never been communicated to me,--though this mark of deficient confidence will doubtless seem less surprising to _you_.

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

From this reading Amid a mass of correspondence about the estate, she came at length upon the foreign letters, of which there were several from the servants to their friends or relations at Cro' Martin,--all, as usual, under cover to Miss Martin; and at last she found one in Lady Dorothea's own hand, for herself,--a very rare occurrence; nay, indeed, it was the first epistle her Ladyship had favored her with since her departure.

without doubt; certainly

From this reading “My dear Niece,--It was only yesterday, when looking over your uncle's papers, I chanced upon a letter of yours, dated some five or six weeks back, and which, to my great astonishment, I discovered had never been communicated to me,--though this mark of deficient confidence will doubtless seem less surprising to _you_.

a specially long, formal letter

From this reading Amid a mass of correspondence about the estate, she came at length upon the foreign letters, of which there were several from the servants to their friends or relations at Cro' Martin,--all, as usual, under cover to Miss Martin; and at last she found one in Lady Dorothea's own hand, for herself,--a very rare occurrence; nay, indeed, it was the first epistle her Ladyship had favored her with since her departure.

everything you own; all of your assets (whether real property or personal property) and liabilities

From this reading Amid a mass of correspondence about the estate, she came at length upon the foreign letters, of which there were several from the servants to their friends or relations at Cro' Martin,--all, as usual, under cover to Miss Martin; and at last she found one in Lady Dorothea's own hand, for herself,--a very rare occurrence; nay, indeed, it was the first epistle her Ladyship had favored her with since her departure.

the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)

From this reading It was not, then, without curiosity as to the cause that Mary broke the large seal and read as follows:-- “Carlsruhe, Saturday Evening, Cour de Bade.

consider in detail and subject to an analysis in order to discover essential features or meaning

From this reading Though it was late when Repton took his departure, Mary Martin felt no inclination for sleep, but addressed herself at once to examine the letter bag, whose contents seemed more than usually bulky.

an acute insufficiency

From this reading “To bring your letter to your mind, _I_ may observe it is one in which you describe the condition of the people on the estate, and the fatal inroads then making upon them by famine and pestilence.

bringing death

From this reading “To bring your letter to your mind, _I_ may observe it is one in which you describe the condition of the people on the estate, and the fatal inroads then making upon them by famine and pestilence.

preferred above all others and treated with partiality

From this reading Amid a mass of correspondence about the estate, she came at length upon the foreign letters, of which there were several from the servants to their friends or relations at Cro' Martin,--all, as usual, under cover to Miss Martin; and at last she found one in Lady Dorothea's own hand, for herself,--a very rare occurrence; nay, indeed, it was the first epistle her Ladyship had favored her with since her departure.

mat together and make felt-like

From this reading Though it was late when Repton took his departure, Mary Martin felt no inclination for sleep, but addressed herself at once to examine the letter bag, whose contents seemed more than usually bulky.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading Amid a mass of correspondence about the estate, she came at length upon the foreign letters, of which there were several from the servants to their friends or relations at Cro' Martin,--all, as usual, under cover to Miss Martin; and at last she found one in Lady Dorothea's own hand, for herself,--a very rare occurrence; nay, indeed, it was the first epistle her Ladyship had favored her with since her departure.

the cardinal number that is the sum of four and one

From this reading “My dear Niece,--It was only yesterday, when looking over your uncle's papers, I chanced upon a letter of yours, dated some five or six weeks back, and which, to my great astonishment, I discovered had never been communicated to me,--though this mark of deficient confidence will doubtless seem less surprising to _you_.

third-person singular of “follow” — to travel behind, go after, come after

From this reading It was not, then, without curiosity as to the cause that Mary broke the large seal and read as follows:-- “Carlsruhe, Saturday Evening, Cour de Bade.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Though it was late when Repton took his departure, Mary Martin felt no inclination for sleep, but addressed herself at once to examine the letter bag, whose contents seemed more than usually bulky.

of concern to or concerning the affairs of other nations (other than your own)

From this reading Amid a mass of correspondence about the estate, she came at length upon the foreign letters, of which there were several from the servants to their friends or relations at Cro' Martin,--all, as usual, under cover to Miss Martin; and at last she found one in Lady Dorothea's own hand, for herself,--a very rare occurrence; nay, indeed, it was the first epistle her Ladyship had favored her with since her departure.

set up or found

From this reading Amid a mass of correspondence about the estate, she came at length upon the foreign letters, of which there were several from the servants to their friends or relations at Cro' Martin,--all, as usual, under cover to Miss Martin; and at last she found one in Lady Dorothea's own hand, for herself,--a very rare occurrence; nay, indeed, it was the first epistle her Ladyship had favored her with since her departure.

plural of “friend” — a person you know well and regard with affection and trust

From this reading Amid a mass of correspondence about the estate, she came at length upon the foreign letters, of which there were several from the servants to their friends or relations at Cro' Martin,--all, as usual, under cover to Miss Martin; and at last she found one in Lady Dorothea's own hand, for herself,--a very rare occurrence; nay, indeed, it was the first epistle her Ladyship had favored her with since her departure.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Amid a mass of correspondence about the estate, she came at length upon the foreign letters, of which there were several from the servants to their friends or relations at Cro' Martin,--all, as usual, under cover to Miss Martin; and at last she found one in Lady Dorothea's own hand, for herself,--a very rare occurrence; nay, indeed, it was the first epistle her Ladyship had favored her with since her departure.

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

From this reading “My dear Niece,--It was only yesterday, when looking over your uncle's papers, I chanced upon a letter of yours, dated some five or six weeks back, and which, to my great astonishment, I discovered had never been communicated to me,--though this mark of deficient confidence will doubtless seem less surprising to _you_.

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

From this reading Amid a mass of correspondence about the estate, she came at length upon the foreign letters, of which there were several from the servants to their friends or relations at Cro' Martin,--all, as usual, under cover to Miss Martin; and at last she found one in Lady Dorothea's own hand, for herself,--a very rare occurrence; nay, indeed, it was the first epistle her Ladyship had favored her with since her departure.

the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb

From this reading Amid a mass of correspondence about the estate, she came at length upon the foreign letters, of which there were several from the servants to their friends or relations at Cro' Martin,--all, as usual, under cover to Miss Martin; and at last she found one in Lady Dorothea's own hand, for herself,--a very rare occurrence; nay, indeed, it was the first epistle her Ladyship had favored her with since her departure.

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

From this reading Amid a mass of correspondence about the estate, she came at length upon the foreign letters, of which there were several from the servants to their friends or relations at Cro' Martin,--all, as usual, under cover to Miss Martin; and at last she found one in Lady Dorothea's own hand, for herself,--a very rare occurrence; nay, indeed, it was the first epistle her Ladyship had favored her with since her departure.

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

From this reading Though it was late when Repton took his departure, Mary Martin felt no inclination for sleep, but addressed herself at once to examine the letter bag, whose contents seemed more than usually bulky.

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

From this reading Though it was late when Repton took his departure, Mary Martin felt no inclination for sleep, but addressed herself at once to examine the letter bag, whose contents seemed more than usually bulky.

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

From this reading “My dear Niece,--It was only yesterday, when looking over your uncle's papers, I chanced upon a letter of yours, dated some five or six weeks back, and which, to my great astonishment, I discovered had never been communicated to me,--though this mark of deficient confidence will doubtless seem less surprising to _you_.

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

From this reading Amid a mass of correspondence about the estate, she came at length upon the foreign letters, of which there were several from the servants to their friends or relations at Cro' Martin,--all, as usual, under cover to Miss Martin; and at last she found one in Lady Dorothea's own hand, for herself,--a very rare occurrence; nay, indeed, it was the first epistle her Ladyship had favored her with since her departure.

an attitude of mind especially one that favors one alternative over others

From this reading Though it was late when Repton took his departure, Mary Martin felt no inclination for sleep, but addressed herself at once to examine the letter bag, whose contents seemed more than usually bulky.

in truth (often tends to intensify)

From this reading Amid a mass of correspondence about the estate, she came at length upon the foreign letters, of which there were several from the servants to their friends or relations at Cro' Martin,--all, as usual, under cover to Miss Martin; and at last she found one in Lady Dorothea's own hand, for herself,--a very rare occurrence; nay, indeed, it was the first epistle her Ladyship had favored her with since her departure.

plural of “inroad” — an encroachment or intrusion

From this reading “To bring your letter to your mind, _I_ may observe it is one in which you describe the condition of the people on the estate, and the fatal inroads then making upon them by famine and pestilence.

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

From this reading “To bring your letter to your mind, _I_ may observe it is one in which you describe the condition of the people on the estate, and the fatal inroads then making upon them by famine and pestilence.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Though it was late when Repton took his departure, Mary Martin felt no inclination for sleep, but addressed herself at once to examine the letter bag, whose contents seemed more than usually bulky.

a polite name for any woman

From this reading Amid a mass of correspondence about the estate, she came at length upon the foreign letters, of which there were several from the servants to their friends or relations at Cro' Martin,--all, as usual, under cover to Miss Martin; and at last she found one in Lady Dorothea's own hand, for herself,--a very rare occurrence; nay, indeed, it was the first epistle her Ladyship had favored her with since her departure.

a title used to address any peeress except a duchess

From this reading Amid a mass of correspondence about the estate, she came at length upon the foreign letters, of which there were several from the servants to their friends or relations at Cro' Martin,--all, as usual, under cover to Miss Martin; and at last she found one in Lady Dorothea's own hand, for herself,--a very rare occurrence; nay, indeed, it was the first epistle her Ladyship had favored her with since her departure.

above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading It was not, then, without curiosity as to the cause that Mary broke the large seal and read as follows:-- “Carlsruhe, Saturday Evening, Cour de Bade.

immediately past

From this reading Amid a mass of correspondence about the estate, she came at length upon the foreign letters, of which there were several from the servants to their friends or relations at Cro' Martin,--all, as usual, under cover to Miss Martin; and at last she found one in Lady Dorothea's own hand, for herself,--a very rare occurrence; nay, indeed, it was the first epistle her Ladyship had favored her with since her departure.

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

From this reading Though it was late when Repton took his departure, Mary Martin felt no inclination for sleep, but addressed herself at once to examine the letter bag, whose contents seemed more than usually bulky.

the linear extent in space from one end to the other; the longest dimension of something that is fixed in place

From this reading Amid a mass of correspondence about the estate, she came at length upon the foreign letters, of which there were several from the servants to their friends or relations at Cro' Martin,--all, as usual, under cover to Miss Martin; and at last she found one in Lady Dorothea's own hand, for herself,--a very rare occurrence; nay, indeed, it was the first epistle her Ladyship had favored her with since her departure.

used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs

From this reading “My dear Niece,--It was only yesterday, when looking over your uncle's papers, I chanced upon a letter of yours, dated some five or six weeks back, and which, to my great astonishment, I discovered had never been communicated to me,--though this mark of deficient confidence will doubtless seem less surprising to _you_.

a written message addressed to a person or organization

From this reading Though it was late when Repton took his departure, Mary Martin felt no inclination for sleep, but addressed herself at once to examine the letter bag, whose contents seemed more than usually bulky.

the literary culture

From this reading Amid a mass of correspondence about the estate, she came at length upon the foreign letters, of which there were several from the servants to their friends or relations at Cro' Martin,--all, as usual, under cover to Miss Martin; and at last she found one in Lady Dorothea's own hand, for herself,--a very rare occurrence; nay, indeed, it was the first epistle her Ladyship had favored her with since her departure.

the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually

From this reading “My dear Niece,--It was only yesterday, when looking over your uncle's papers, I chanced upon a letter of yours, dated some five or six weeks back, and which, to my great astonishment, I discovered had never been communicated to me,--though this mark of deficient confidence will doubtless seem less surprising to _you_.

the act that results in something coming to be

From this reading “To bring your letter to your mind, _I_ may observe it is one in which you describe the condition of the people on the estate, and the fatal inroads then making upon them by famine and pestilence.

attach a tag or label to

From this reading “My dear Niece,--It was only yesterday, when looking over your uncle's papers, I chanced upon a letter of yours, dated some five or six weeks back, and which, to my great astonishment, I discovered had never been communicated to me,--though this mark of deficient confidence will doubtless seem less surprising to _you_.

French bishop who is a patron saint of France (died in 397)

From this reading Though it was late when Repton took his departure, Mary Martin felt no inclination for sleep, but addressed herself at once to examine the letter bag, whose contents seemed more than usually bulky.

the mother of Jesus; Christians refer to her as the Virgin Mary; she is especially honored by Roman Catholics

From this reading Though it was late when Repton took his departure, Mary Martin felt no inclination for sleep, but addressed herself at once to examine the letter bag, whose contents seemed more than usually bulky.

the property of a body that causes it to have weight in a gravitational field

From this reading Amid a mass of correspondence about the estate, she came at length upon the foreign letters, of which there were several from the servants to their friends or relations at Cro' Martin,--all, as usual, under cover to Miss Martin; and at last she found one in Lady Dorothea's own hand, for herself,--a very rare occurrence; nay, indeed, it was the first epistle her Ladyship had favored her with since her departure.

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading “To bring your letter to your mind, _I_ may observe it is one in which you describe the condition of the people on the estate, and the fatal inroads then making upon them by famine and pestilence.

the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading “My dear Niece,--It was only yesterday, when looking over your uncle's papers, I chanced upon a letter of yours, dated some five or six weeks back, and which, to my great astonishment, I discovered had never been communicated to me,--though this mark of deficient confidence will doubtless seem less surprising to _you_.

The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.

From this reading “To bring your letter to your mind, _I_ may observe it is one in which you describe the condition of the people on the estate, and the fatal inroads then making upon them by famine and pestilence.

fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind

From this reading Amid a mass of correspondence about the estate, she came at length upon the foreign letters, of which there were several from the servants to their friends or relations at Cro' Martin,--all, as usual, under cover to Miss Martin; and at last she found one in Lady Dorothea's own hand, for herself,--a very rare occurrence; nay, indeed, it was the first epistle her Ladyship had favored her with since her departure.

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

From this reading Though it was late when Repton took his departure, Mary Martin felt no inclination for sleep, but addressed herself at once to examine the letter bag, whose contents seemed more than usually bulky.

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading “My dear Niece,--It was only yesterday, when looking over your uncle's papers, I chanced upon a letter of yours, dated some five or six weeks back, and which, to my great astonishment, I discovered had never been communicated to me,--though this mark of deficient confidence will doubtless seem less surprising to _you_.

an old word for “no”

From this reading Amid a mass of correspondence about the estate, she came at length upon the foreign letters, of which there were several from the servants to their friends or relations at Cro' Martin,--all, as usual, under cover to Miss Martin; and at last she found one in Lady Dorothea's own hand, for herself,--a very rare occurrence; nay, indeed, it was the first epistle her Ladyship had favored her with since her departure.

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading “My dear Niece,--It was only yesterday, when looking over your uncle's papers, I chanced upon a letter of yours, dated some five or six weeks back, and which, to my great astonishment, I discovered had never been communicated to me,--though this mark of deficient confidence will doubtless seem less surprising to _you_.

a daughter of your brother or sister

From this reading “My dear Niece,--It was only yesterday, when looking over your uncle's papers, I chanced upon a letter of yours, dated some five or six weeks back, and which, to my great astonishment, I discovered had never been communicated to me,--though this mark of deficient confidence will doubtless seem less surprising to _you_.

not any; not one

From this reading Though it was late when Repton took his departure, Mary Martin felt no inclination for sleep, but addressed herself at once to examine the letter bag, whose contents seemed more than usually bulky.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading It was not, then, without curiosity as to the cause that Mary broke the large seal and read as follows:-- “Carlsruhe, Saturday Evening, Cour de Bade.

discover or determine the existence, presence, or fact of

From this reading “To bring your letter to your mind, _I_ may observe it is one in which you describe the condition of the people on the estate, and the fatal inroads then making upon them by famine and pestilence.

an event that happens

From this reading Amid a mass of correspondence about the estate, she came at length upon the foreign letters, of which there were several from the servants to their friends or relations at Cro' Martin,--all, as usual, under cover to Miss Martin; and at last she found one in Lady Dorothea's own hand, for herself,--a very rare occurrence; nay, indeed, it was the first epistle her Ladyship had favored her with since her departure.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Amid a mass of correspondence about the estate, she came at length upon the foreign letters, of which there were several from the servants to their friends or relations at Cro' Martin,--all, as usual, under cover to Miss Martin; and at last she found one in Lady Dorothea's own hand, for herself,--a very rare occurrence; nay, indeed, it was the first epistle her Ladyship had favored her with since her departure.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading “To bring your letter to your mind, _I_ may observe it is one in which you describe the condition of the people on the estate, and the fatal inroads then making upon them by famine and pestilence.

on one occasion

From this reading Though it was late when Repton took his departure, Mary Martin felt no inclination for sleep, but addressed herself at once to examine the letter bag, whose contents seemed more than usually bulky.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Amid a mass of correspondence about the estate, she came at length upon the foreign letters, of which there were several from the servants to their friends or relations at Cro' Martin,--all, as usual, under cover to Miss Martin; and at last she found one in Lady Dorothea's own hand, for herself,--a very rare occurrence; nay, indeed, it was the first epistle her Ladyship had favored her with since her departure.

and nothing more

From this reading “My dear Niece,--It was only yesterday, when looking over your uncle's papers, I chanced upon a letter of yours, dated some five or six weeks back, and which, to my great astonishment, I discovered had never been communicated to me,--though this mark of deficient confidence will doubtless seem less surprising to _you_.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Amid a mass of correspondence about the estate, she came at length upon the foreign letters, of which there were several from the servants to their friends or relations at Cro' Martin,--all, as usual, under cover to Miss Martin; and at last she found one in Lady Dorothea's own hand, for herself,--a very rare occurrence; nay, indeed, it was the first epistle her Ladyship had favored her with since her departure.

above and across; more than

From this reading “My dear Niece,--It was only yesterday, when looking over your uncle's papers, I chanced upon a letter of yours, dated some five or six weeks back, and which, to my great astonishment, I discovered had never been communicated to me,--though this mark of deficient confidence will doubtless seem less surprising to _you_.

have ownership or possession of

From this reading Amid a mass of correspondence about the estate, she came at length upon the foreign letters, of which there were several from the servants to their friends or relations at Cro' Martin,--all, as usual, under cover to Miss Martin; and at last she found one in Lady Dorothea's own hand, for herself,--a very rare occurrence; nay, indeed, it was the first epistle her Ladyship had favored her with since her departure.

writing that provides information (especially information of an official nature)

From this reading “My dear Niece,--It was only yesterday, when looking over your uncle's papers, I chanced upon a letter of yours, dated some five or six weeks back, and which, to my great astonishment, I discovered had never been communicated to me,--though this mark of deficient confidence will doubtless seem less surprising to _you_.

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

From this reading “To bring your letter to your mind, _I_ may observe it is one in which you describe the condition of the people on the estate, and the fatal inroads then making upon them by famine and pestilence.

a serious (sometimes fatal) infection of rodents caused by Yersinia pestis and accidentally transmitted to humans by the bite of a flea that has bitten an infected animal

From this reading “To bring your letter to your mind, _I_ may observe it is one in which you describe the condition of the people on the estate, and the fatal inroads then making upon them by famine and pestilence.

not widely known; especially valued for its uncommonness

From this reading Amid a mass of correspondence about the estate, she came at length upon the foreign letters, of which there were several from the servants to their friends or relations at Cro' Martin,--all, as usual, under cover to Miss Martin; and at last she found one in Lady Dorothea's own hand, for herself,--a very rare occurrence; nay, indeed, it was the first epistle her Ladyship had favored her with since her departure.

interpret something that is written or printed

From this reading It was not, then, without curiosity as to the cause that Mary broke the large seal and read as follows:-- “Carlsruhe, Saturday Evening, Cour de Bade.

mutual dealings or connections or communications among persons or groups

From this reading Amid a mass of correspondence about the estate, she came at length upon the foreign letters, of which there were several from the servants to their friends or relations at Cro' Martin,--all, as usual, under cover to Miss Martin; and at last she found one in Lady Dorothea's own hand, for herself,--a very rare occurrence; nay, indeed, it was the first epistle her Ladyship had favored her with since her departure.

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

From this reading Though it was late when Repton took his departure, Mary Martin felt no inclination for sleep, but addressed herself at once to examine the letter bag, whose contents seemed more than usually bulky.

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

From this reading It was not, then, without curiosity as to the cause that Mary broke the large seal and read as follows:-- “Carlsruhe, Saturday Evening, Cour de Bade.

make tight; secure against leakage

From this reading It was not, then, without curiosity as to the cause that Mary broke the large seal and read as follows:-- “Carlsruhe, Saturday Evening, Cour de Bade.

give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading “My dear Niece,--It was only yesterday, when looking over your uncle's papers, I chanced upon a letter of yours, dated some five or six weeks back, and which, to my great astonishment, I discovered had never been communicated to me,--though this mark of deficient confidence will doubtless seem less surprising to _you_.

past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading Though it was late when Repton took his departure, Mary Martin felt no inclination for sleep, but addressed herself at once to examine the letter bag, whose contents seemed more than usually bulky.

plural of “servant” — a person working in the service of another (especially in the household)

From this reading Amid a mass of correspondence about the estate, she came at length upon the foreign letters, of which there were several from the servants to their friends or relations at Cro' Martin,--all, as usual, under cover to Miss Martin; and at last she found one in Lady Dorothea's own hand, for herself,--a very rare occurrence; nay, indeed, it was the first epistle her Ladyship had favored her with since her departure.

(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many

From this reading Amid a mass of correspondence about the estate, she came at length upon the foreign letters, of which there were several from the servants to their friends or relations at Cro' Martin,--all, as usual, under cover to Miss Martin; and at last she found one in Lady Dorothea's own hand, for herself,--a very rare occurrence; nay, indeed, it was the first epistle her Ladyship had favored her with since her departure.

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

From this reading Amid a mass of correspondence about the estate, she came at length upon the foreign letters, of which there were several from the servants to their friends or relations at Cro' Martin,--all, as usual, under cover to Miss Martin; and at last she found one in Lady Dorothea's own hand, for herself,--a very rare occurrence; nay, indeed, it was the first epistle her Ladyship had favored her with since her departure.

from a time in the past until now

From this reading Amid a mass of correspondence about the estate, she came at length upon the foreign letters, of which there were several from the servants to their friends or relations at Cro' Martin,--all, as usual, under cover to Miss Martin; and at last she found one in Lady Dorothea's own hand, for herself,--a very rare occurrence; nay, indeed, it was the first epistle her Ladyship had favored her with since her departure.

the cardinal number that is the sum of five and one

From this reading “My dear Niece,--It was only yesterday, when looking over your uncle's papers, I chanced upon a letter of yours, dated some five or six weeks back, and which, to my great astonishment, I discovered had never been communicated to me,--though this mark of deficient confidence will doubtless seem less surprising to _you_.

a natural and periodic state of rest during which consciousness of the world is suspended

From this reading Though it was late when Repton took his departure, Mary Martin felt no inclination for sleep, but addressed herself at once to examine the letter bag, whose contents seemed more than usually bulky.

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

From this reading “My dear Niece,--It was only yesterday, when looking over your uncle's papers, I chanced upon a letter of yours, dated some five or six weeks back, and which, to my great astonishment, I discovered had never been communicated to me,--though this mark of deficient confidence will doubtless seem less surprising to _you_.

causing surprise or wonder or amazement

From this reading “My dear Niece,--It was only yesterday, when looking over your uncle's papers, I chanced upon a letter of yours, dated some five or six weeks back, and which, to my great astonishment, I discovered had never been communicated to me,--though this mark of deficient confidence will doubtless seem less surprising to _you_.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading Though it was late when Repton took his departure, Mary Martin felt no inclination for sleep, but addressed herself at once to examine the letter bag, whose contents seemed more than usually bulky.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading It was not, then, without curiosity as to the cause that Mary broke the large seal and read as follows:-- “Carlsruhe, Saturday Evening, Cour de Bade.

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

From this reading Though it was late when Repton took his departure, Mary Martin felt no inclination for sleep, but addressed herself at once to examine the letter bag, whose contents seemed more than usually bulky.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Amid a mass of correspondence about the estate, she came at length upon the foreign letters, of which there were several from the servants to their friends or relations at Cro' Martin,--all, as usual, under cover to Miss Martin; and at last she found one in Lady Dorothea's own hand, for herself,--a very rare occurrence; nay, indeed, it was the first epistle her Ladyship had favored her with since her departure.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading “To bring your letter to your mind, _I_ may observe it is one in which you describe the condition of the people on the estate, and the fatal inroads then making upon them by famine and pestilence.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading It was not, then, without curiosity as to the cause that Mary broke the large seal and read as follows:-- “Carlsruhe, Saturday Evening, Cour de Bade.

in or at that place or location

From this reading Amid a mass of correspondence about the estate, she came at length upon the foreign letters, of which there were several from the servants to their friends or relations at Cro' Martin,--all, as usual, under cover to Miss Martin; and at last she found one in Lady Dorothea's own hand, for herself,--a very rare occurrence; nay, indeed, it was the first epistle her Ladyship had favored her with since her departure.

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

From this reading “My dear Niece,--It was only yesterday, when looking over your uncle's papers, I chanced upon a letter of yours, dated some five or six weeks back, and which, to my great astonishment, I discovered had never been communicated to me,--though this mark of deficient confidence will doubtless seem less surprising to _you_.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading Though it was late when Repton took his departure, Mary Martin felt no inclination for sleep, but addressed herself at once to examine the letter bag, whose contents seemed more than usually bulky.

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

From this reading Though it was late when Repton took his departure, Mary Martin felt no inclination for sleep, but addressed herself at once to examine the letter bag, whose contents seemed more than usually bulky.

inflected form of “take” — carry out

From this reading Though it was late when Repton took his departure, Mary Martin felt no inclination for sleep, but addressed herself at once to examine the letter bag, whose contents seemed more than usually bulky.

possessive form of “uncle” — the brother of your father or mother; the husband of your aunt

From this reading “My dear Niece,--It was only yesterday, when looking over your uncle's papers, I chanced upon a letter of yours, dated some five or six weeks back, and which, to my great astonishment, I discovered had never been communicated to me,--though this mark of deficient confidence will doubtless seem less surprising to _you_.

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading Amid a mass of correspondence about the estate, she came at length upon the foreign letters, of which there were several from the servants to their friends or relations at Cro' Martin,--all, as usual, under cover to Miss Martin; and at last she found one in Lady Dorothea's own hand, for herself,--a very rare occurrence; nay, indeed, it was the first epistle her Ladyship had favored her with since her departure.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading Amid a mass of correspondence about the estate, she came at length upon the foreign letters, of which there were several from the servants to their friends or relations at Cro' Martin,--all, as usual, under cover to Miss Martin; and at last she found one in Lady Dorothea's own hand, for herself,--a very rare occurrence; nay, indeed, it was the first epistle her Ladyship had favored her with since her departure.

occurring or encountered or experienced or observed frequently or in accordance with regular practice or procedure

From this reading Amid a mass of correspondence about the estate, she came at length upon the foreign letters, of which there were several from the servants to their friends or relations at Cro' Martin,--all, as usual, under cover to Miss Martin; and at last she found one in Lady Dorothea's own hand, for herself,--a very rare occurrence; nay, indeed, it was the first epistle her Ladyship had favored her with since her departure.

under normal conditions

From this reading Though it was late when Repton took his departure, Mary Martin felt no inclination for sleep, but addressed herself at once to examine the letter bag, whose contents seemed more than usually bulky.

precisely as stated

From this reading Amid a mass of correspondence about the estate, she came at length upon the foreign letters, of which there were several from the servants to their friends or relations at Cro' Martin,--all, as usual, under cover to Miss Martin; and at last she found one in Lady Dorothea's own hand, for herself,--a very rare occurrence; nay, indeed, it was the first epistle her Ladyship had favored her with since her departure.

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

From this reading Though it was late when Repton took his departure, Mary Martin felt no inclination for sleep, but addressed herself at once to examine the letter bag, whose contents seemed more than usually bulky.

plural of “week” — any period of seven consecutive days

From this reading “My dear Niece,--It was only yesterday, when looking over your uncle's papers, I chanced upon a letter of yours, dated some five or six weeks back, and which, to my great astonishment, I discovered had never been communicated to me,--though this mark of deficient confidence will doubtless seem less surprising to _you_.

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

From this reading Amid a mass of correspondence about the estate, she came at length upon the foreign letters, of which there were several from the servants to their friends or relations at Cro' Martin,--all, as usual, under cover to Miss Martin; and at last she found one in Lady Dorothea's own hand, for herself,--a very rare occurrence; nay, indeed, it was the first epistle her Ladyship had favored her with since her departure.

at the time that

From this reading Though it was late when Repton took his departure, Mary Martin felt no inclination for sleep, but addressed herself at once to examine the letter bag, whose contents seemed more than usually bulky.

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

From this reading Amid a mass of correspondence about the estate, she came at length upon the foreign letters, of which there were several from the servants to their friends or relations at Cro' Martin,--all, as usual, under cover to Miss Martin; and at last she found one in Lady Dorothea's own hand, for herself,--a very rare occurrence; nay, indeed, it was the first epistle her Ladyship had favored her with since her departure.

belonging to which person

From this reading Though it was late when Repton took his departure, Mary Martin felt no inclination for sleep, but addressed herself at once to examine the letter bag, whose contents seemed more than usually bulky.

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading “My dear Niece,--It was only yesterday, when looking over your uncle's papers, I chanced upon a letter of yours, dated some five or six weeks back, and which, to my great astonishment, I discovered had never been communicated to me,--though this mark of deficient confidence will doubtless seem less surprising to _you_.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Amid a mass of correspondence about the estate, she came at length upon the foreign letters, of which there were several from the servants to their friends or relations at Cro' Martin,--all, as usual, under cover to Miss Martin; and at last she found one in Lady Dorothea's own hand, for herself,--a very rare occurrence; nay, indeed, it was the first epistle her Ladyship had favored her with since her departure.

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading It was not, then, without curiosity as to the cause that Mary broke the large seal and read as follows:-- “Carlsruhe, Saturday Evening, Cour de Bade.

the day immediately before today

From this reading “My dear Niece,--It was only yesterday, when looking over your uncle's papers, I chanced upon a letter of yours, dated some five or six weeks back, and which, to my great astonishment, I discovered had never been communicated to me,--though this mark of deficient confidence will doubtless seem less surprising to _you_.

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading “My dear Niece,--It was only yesterday, when looking over your uncle's papers, I chanced upon a letter of yours, dated some five or six weeks back, and which, to my great astonishment, I discovered had never been communicated to me,--though this mark of deficient confidence will doubtless seem less surprising to _you_.

belonging to the person or people being spoken to

From this reading “My dear Niece,--It was only yesterday, when looking over your uncle's papers, I chanced upon a letter of yours, dated some five or six weeks back, and which, to my great astonishment, I discovered had never been communicated to me,--though this mark of deficient confidence will doubtless seem less surprising to _you_.

the one or ones belonging to the person spoken to

From this reading “My dear Niece,--It was only yesterday, when looking over your uncle's papers, I chanced upon a letter of yours, dated some five or six weeks back, and which, to my great astonishment, I discovered had never been communicated to me,--though this mark of deficient confidence will doubtless seem less surprising to _you_.