Chapter VII

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

From this reading He was one of the very few persons I have met with in my life, who, from the natural extreme reserve and shyness of their disposition, absolutely required to be a very little tipsy before they can give their brilliant imaginations fair play.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading There was too a look of success about him, for indeed the humblest man on earth must have borrowed courage from the reflection of Ponsonby's looking-glass on that evening: and there he sat for half an hour, laughing and showing his brilliant teeth, while he related to me many witty things which had been said by his uncle, whom he had just left--the George Ponsonby, now no more, who spoke so well on the Opposition side.

completely and without qualification; used informally as intensifiers

From this reading He was one of the very few persons I have met with in my life, who, from the natural extreme reserve and shyness of their disposition, absolutely required to be a very little tipsy before they can give their brilliant imaginations fair play.

changed in form or character without becoming something else

From this reading At nine o'clock on the following evening, Ponsonby entered the room, an altered man.

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

From this reading At nine o'clock on the following evening, Ponsonby entered the room, an altered man.

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

From this reading He was one of the very few persons I have met with in my life, who, from the natural extreme reserve and shyness of their disposition, absolutely required to be a very little tipsy before they can give their brilliant imaginations fair play.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading He appeared now so much more beautiful than I had ever imagined any mortal mixture of earth's clay, that I began to lose my confidence in myself and tremble.

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

From this reading He appeared now so much more beautiful than I had ever imagined any mortal mixture of earth's clay, that I began to lose my confidence in myself and tremble.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading At nine o'clock on the following evening, Ponsonby entered the room, an altered man.

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

From this reading He was one of the very few persons I have met with in my life, who, from the natural extreme reserve and shyness of their disposition, absolutely required to be a very little tipsy before they can give their brilliant imaginations fair play.

delighting the senses or exciting intellectual or emotional admiration

From this reading He appeared now so much more beautiful than I had ever imagined any mortal mixture of earth's clay, that I began to lose my confidence in myself and tremble.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Ponsonby had slept, drunk a little more claret, and, what lately had been unusual to him owing to his father's lingering illness, had put on an evening dress.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading He was one of the very few persons I have met with in my life, who, from the natural extreme reserve and shyness of their disposition, absolutely required to be a very little tipsy before they can give their brilliant imaginations fair play.

inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

From this reading He appeared now so much more beautiful than I had ever imagined any mortal mixture of earth's clay, that I began to lose my confidence in myself and tremble.

past form of “borrow” — get temporarily

From this reading There was too a look of success about him, for indeed the humblest man on earth must have borrowed courage from the reflection of Ponsonby's looking-glass on that evening: and there he sat for half an hour, laughing and showing his brilliant teeth, while he related to me many witty things which had been said by his uncle, whom he had just left--the George Ponsonby, now no more, who spoke so well on the Opposition side.

of surpassing excellence

From this reading He was one of the very few persons I have met with in my life, who, from the natural extreme reserve and shyness of their disposition, absolutely required to be a very little tipsy before they can give their brilliant imaginations fair play.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading There was too a look of success about him, for indeed the humblest man on earth must have borrowed courage from the reflection of Ponsonby's looking-glass on that evening: and there he sat for half an hour, laughing and showing his brilliant teeth, while he related to me many witty things which had been said by his uncle, whom he had just left--the George Ponsonby, now no more, who spoke so well on the Opposition side.

to be able to, or to be allowed to

From this reading He was one of the very few persons I have met with in my life, who, from the natural extreme reserve and shyness of their disposition, absolutely required to be a very little tipsy before they can give their brilliant imaginations fair play.

a dark purplish-red color

From this reading Ponsonby had slept, drunk a little more claret, and, what lately had been unusual to him owing to his father's lingering illness, had put on an evening dress.

a very fine-grained soil that is plastic when moist but hard when fired

From this reading He appeared now so much more beautiful than I had ever imagined any mortal mixture of earth's clay, that I began to lose my confidence in myself and tremble.

freedom from doubt; belief in yourself and your abilities

From this reading He appeared now so much more beautiful than I had ever imagined any mortal mixture of earth's clay, that I began to lose my confidence in myself and tremble.

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

From this reading There was too a look of success about him, for indeed the humblest man on earth must have borrowed courage from the reflection of Ponsonby's looking-glass on that evening: and there he sat for half an hour, laughing and showing his brilliant teeth, while he related to me many witty things which had been said by his uncle, whom he had just left--the George Ponsonby, now no more, who spoke so well on the Opposition side.

your usual mood

From this reading He was one of the very few persons I have met with in my life, who, from the natural extreme reserve and shyness of their disposition, absolutely required to be a very little tipsy before they can give their brilliant imaginations fair play.

put on clothes

From this reading Ponsonby had slept, drunk a little more claret, and, what lately had been unusual to him owing to his father's lingering illness, had put on an evening dress.

stupefied or excited by a chemical substance (especially alcohol)

From this reading Ponsonby had slept, drunk a little more claret, and, what lately had been unusual to him owing to his father's lingering illness, had put on an evening dress.

the 3rd planet from the sun; the planet we live on

From this reading There was too a look of success about him, for indeed the humblest man on earth must have borrowed courage from the reflection of Ponsonby's looking-glass on that evening: and there he sat for half an hour, laughing and showing his brilliant teeth, while he related to me many witty things which had been said by his uncle, whom he had just left--the George Ponsonby, now no more, who spoke so well on the Opposition side.

possessive form of “earth” — the 3rd planet from the sun; the planet we live on

From this reading He appeared now so much more beautiful than I had ever imagined any mortal mixture of earth's clay, that I began to lose my confidence in myself and tremble.

past form of “enter” — to come or go into

From this reading At nine o'clock on the following evening, Ponsonby entered the room, an altered man.

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

From this reading At nine o'clock on the following evening, Ponsonby entered the room, an altered man.

at any time

From this reading He appeared now so much more beautiful than I had ever imagined any mortal mixture of earth's clay, that I began to lose my confidence in myself and tremble.

of the greatest possible degree or extent or intensity

From this reading He was one of the very few persons I have met with in my life, who, from the natural extreme reserve and shyness of their disposition, absolutely required to be a very little tipsy before they can give their brilliant imaginations fair play.

free from favoritism or self-interest or bias or deception; conforming with established standards or rules

From this reading He was one of the very few persons I have met with in my life, who, from the natural extreme reserve and shyness of their disposition, absolutely required to be a very little tipsy before they can give their brilliant imaginations fair play.

possessive form of “father” — a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)

From this reading Ponsonby had slept, drunk a little more claret, and, what lately had been unusual to him owing to his father's lingering illness, had put on an evening dress.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number

From this reading He was one of the very few persons I have met with in my life, who, from the natural extreme reserve and shyness of their disposition, absolutely required to be a very little tipsy before they can give their brilliant imaginations fair play.

about to be mentioned or specified

From this reading At nine o'clock on the following evening, Ponsonby entered the room, an altered man.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading There was too a look of success about him, for indeed the humblest man on earth must have borrowed courage from the reflection of Ponsonby's looking-glass on that evening: and there he sat for half an hour, laughing and showing his brilliant teeth, while he related to me many witty things which had been said by his uncle, whom he had just left--the George Ponsonby, now no more, who spoke so well on the Opposition side.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading He was one of the very few persons I have met with in my life, who, from the natural extreme reserve and shyness of their disposition, absolutely required to be a very little tipsy before they can give their brilliant imaginations fair play.

Christian martyr; patron saint of England; hero of the legend of Saint George and the Dragon in which he slew a dragon and saved a princess (?-303)

From this reading There was too a look of success about him, for indeed the humblest man on earth must have borrowed courage from the reflection of Ponsonby's looking-glass on that evening: and there he sat for half an hour, laughing and showing his brilliant teeth, while he related to me many witty things which had been said by his uncle, whom he had just left--the George Ponsonby, now no more, who spoke so well on the Opposition side.

cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense

From this reading He was one of the very few persons I have met with in my life, who, from the natural extreme reserve and shyness of their disposition, absolutely required to be a very little tipsy before they can give their brilliant imaginations fair play.

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

From this reading Ponsonby had slept, drunk a little more claret, and, what lately had been unusual to him owing to his father's lingering illness, had put on an evening dress.

consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity

From this reading There was too a look of success about him, for indeed the humblest man on earth must have borrowed courage from the reflection of Ponsonby's looking-glass on that evening: and there he sat for half an hour, laughing and showing his brilliant teeth, while he related to me many witty things which had been said by his uncle, whom he had just left--the George Ponsonby, now no more, who spoke so well on the Opposition side.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading He was one of the very few persons I have met with in my life, who, from the natural extreme reserve and shyness of their disposition, absolutely required to be a very little tipsy before they can give their brilliant imaginations fair play.

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

From this reading He was one of the very few persons I have met with in my life, who, from the natural extreme reserve and shyness of their disposition, absolutely required to be a very little tipsy before they can give their brilliant imaginations fair play.

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

From this reading Ponsonby had slept, drunk a little more claret, and, what lately had been unusual to him owing to his father's lingering illness, had put on an evening dress.

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

From this reading Ponsonby had slept, drunk a little more claret, and, what lately had been unusual to him owing to his father's lingering illness, had put on an evening dress.

a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day

From this reading There was too a look of success about him, for indeed the humblest man on earth must have borrowed courage from the reflection of Ponsonby's looking-glass on that evening: and there he sat for half an hour, laughing and showing his brilliant teeth, while he related to me many witty things which had been said by his uncle, whom he had just left--the George Ponsonby, now no more, who spoke so well on the Opposition side.

superlative of “humble” — low or inferior in station or quality

From this reading There was too a look of success about him, for indeed the humblest man on earth must have borrowed courage from the reflection of Ponsonby's looking-glass on that evening: and there he sat for half an hour, laughing and showing his brilliant teeth, while he related to me many witty things which had been said by his uncle, whom he had just left--the George Ponsonby, now no more, who spoke so well on the Opposition side.

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

From this reading He was one of the very few persons I have met with in my life, who, from the natural extreme reserve and shyness of their disposition, absolutely required to be a very little tipsy before they can give their brilliant imaginations fair play.

impairment of normal physiological function affecting part or all of an organism

From this reading Ponsonby had slept, drunk a little more claret, and, what lately had been unusual to him owing to his father's lingering illness, had put on an evening dress.

plural of “imagination” — the formation of a mental image of something that is not perceived as real and is not present to the senses

From this reading He was one of the very few persons I have met with in my life, who, from the natural extreme reserve and shyness of their disposition, absolutely required to be a very little tipsy before they can give their brilliant imaginations fair play.

past form of “imagine” — form a mental image of something that is not present or that is not the case

From this reading He appeared now so much more beautiful than I had ever imagined any mortal mixture of earth's clay, that I began to lose my confidence in myself and tremble.

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

From this reading He was one of the very few persons I have met with in my life, who, from the natural extreme reserve and shyness of their disposition, absolutely required to be a very little tipsy before they can give their brilliant imaginations fair play.

in truth (often tends to intensify)

From this reading There was too a look of success about him, for indeed the humblest man on earth must have borrowed courage from the reflection of Ponsonby's looking-glass on that evening: and there he sat for half an hour, laughing and showing his brilliant teeth, while he related to me many witty things which had been said by his uncle, whom he had just left--the George Ponsonby, now no more, who spoke so well on the Opposition side.

and nothing more

From this reading There was too a look of success about him, for indeed the humblest man on earth must have borrowed courage from the reflection of Ponsonby's looking-glass on that evening: and there he sat for half an hour, laughing and showing his brilliant teeth, while he related to me many witty things which had been said by his uncle, whom he had just left--the George Ponsonby, now no more, who spoke so well on the Opposition side.

in the recent past

From this reading Ponsonby had slept, drunk a little more claret, and, what lately had been unusual to him owing to his father's lingering illness, had put on an evening dress.

showing or feeling mirth or pleasure or happiness

From this reading There was too a look of success about him, for indeed the humblest man on earth must have borrowed courage from the reflection of Ponsonby's looking-glass on that evening: and there he sat for half an hour, laughing and showing his brilliant teeth, while he related to me many witty things which had been said by his uncle, whom he had just left--the George Ponsonby, now no more, who spoke so well on the Opposition side.

location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east

From this reading There was too a look of success about him, for indeed the humblest man on earth must have borrowed courage from the reflection of Ponsonby's looking-glass on that evening: and there he sat for half an hour, laughing and showing his brilliant teeth, while he related to me many witty things which had been said by his uncle, whom he had just left--the George Ponsonby, now no more, who spoke so well on the Opposition side.

a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading He was one of the very few persons I have met with in my life, who, from the natural extreme reserve and shyness of their disposition, absolutely required to be a very little tipsy before they can give their brilliant imaginations fair play.

the act of tarrying

From this reading Ponsonby had slept, drunk a little more claret, and, what lately had been unusual to him owing to his father's lingering illness, had put on an evening dress.

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

From this reading He was one of the very few persons I have met with in my life, who, from the natural extreme reserve and shyness of their disposition, absolutely required to be a very little tipsy before they can give their brilliant imaginations fair play.

perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading There was too a look of success about him, for indeed the humblest man on earth must have borrowed courage from the reflection of Ponsonby's looking-glass on that evening: and there he sat for half an hour, laughing and showing his brilliant teeth, while he related to me many witty things which had been said by his uncle, whom he had just left--the George Ponsonby, now no more, who spoke so well on the Opposition side.

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

From this reading There was too a look of success about him, for indeed the humblest man on earth must have borrowed courage from the reflection of Ponsonby's looking-glass on that evening: and there he sat for half an hour, laughing and showing his brilliant teeth, while he related to me many witty things which had been said by his uncle, whom he had just left--the George Ponsonby, now no more, who spoke so well on the Opposition side.

fail to keep or to maintain; cease to have, either physically or in an abstract sense

From this reading He appeared now so much more beautiful than I had ever imagined any mortal mixture of earth's clay, that I began to lose my confidence in myself and tremble.

an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

From this reading At nine o'clock on the following evening, Ponsonby entered the room, an altered man.

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 There was too a look of success about him, for indeed the humblest man on earth must have borrowed courage from the reflection of Ponsonby's looking-glass on that evening: and there he sat for half an hour, laughing and showing his brilliant teeth, while he related to me many witty things which had been said by his uncle, whom he had just left--the George Ponsonby, now no more, who spoke so well on the Opposition side.

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

From this reading There was too a look of success about him, for indeed the humblest man on earth must have borrowed courage from the reflection of Ponsonby's looking-glass on that evening: and there he sat for half an hour, laughing and showing his brilliant teeth, while he related to me many witty things which had been said by his uncle, whom he had just left--the George Ponsonby, now no more, who spoke so well on the Opposition side.

inflected form of “meet” — come together

From this reading He was one of the very few persons I have met with in my life, who, from the natural extreme reserve and shyness of their disposition, absolutely required to be a very little tipsy before they can give their brilliant imaginations fair play.

(chemistry) a substance consisting of two or more substances mixed together (not in fixed proportions and not with chemical bonding)

From this reading He appeared now so much more beautiful than I had ever imagined any mortal mixture of earth's clay, that I began to lose my confidence in myself and tremble.

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

From this reading Ponsonby had slept, drunk a little more claret, and, what lately had been unusual to him owing to his father's lingering illness, had put on an evening dress.

subject to death

From this reading He appeared now so much more beautiful than I had ever imagined any mortal mixture of earth's clay, that I began to lose my confidence in myself and tremble.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading He appeared now so much more beautiful than I had ever imagined any mortal mixture of earth's clay, that I began to lose my confidence in myself and tremble.

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading There was too a look of success about him, for indeed the humblest man on earth must have borrowed courage from the reflection of Ponsonby's looking-glass on that evening: and there he sat for half an hour, laughing and showing his brilliant teeth, while he related to me many witty things which had been said by his uncle, whom he had just left--the George Ponsonby, now no more, who spoke so well on the Opposition side.

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading He was one of the very few persons I have met with in my life, who, from the natural extreme reserve and shyness of their disposition, absolutely required to be a very little tipsy before they can give their brilliant imaginations fair play.

used when the speaker is also the object of the action

From this reading He appeared now so much more beautiful than I had ever imagined any mortal mixture of earth's clay, that I began to lose my confidence in myself and tremble.

in accordance with nature; relating to or concerning nature

From this reading He was one of the very few persons I have met with in my life, who, from the natural extreme reserve and shyness of their disposition, absolutely required to be a very little tipsy before they can give their brilliant imaginations fair play.

the cardinal number that is the sum of eight and one

From this reading At nine o'clock on the following evening, Ponsonby entered the room, an altered man.

not any; not one

From this reading There was too a look of success about him, for indeed the humblest man on earth must have borrowed courage from the reflection of Ponsonby's looking-glass on that evening: and there he sat for half an hour, laughing and showing his brilliant teeth, while he related to me many witty things which had been said by his uncle, whom he had just left--the George Ponsonby, now no more, who spoke so well on the Opposition side.

in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events

From this reading He appeared now so much more beautiful than I had ever imagined any mortal mixture of earth's clay, that I began to lose my confidence in myself and tremble.

according to the clock

From this reading At nine o'clock on the following evening, Ponsonby entered the room, an altered man.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading He was one of the very few persons I have met with in my life, who, from the natural extreme reserve and shyness of their disposition, absolutely required to be a very little tipsy before they can give their brilliant imaginations fair play.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading At nine o'clock on the following evening, Ponsonby entered the room, an altered man.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading He was one of the very few persons I have met with in my life, who, from the natural extreme reserve and shyness of their disposition, absolutely required to be a very little tipsy before they can give their brilliant imaginations fair play.

the action of opposing something that you disapprove or disagree with

From this reading There was too a look of success about him, for indeed the humblest man on earth must have borrowed courage from the reflection of Ponsonby's looking-glass on that evening: and there he sat for half an hour, laughing and showing his brilliant teeth, while he related to me many witty things which had been said by his uncle, whom he had just left--the George Ponsonby, now no more, who spoke so well on the Opposition side.

owed as a debt

From this reading Ponsonby had slept, drunk a little more claret, and, what lately had been unusual to him owing to his father's lingering illness, had put on an evening dress.

plural of “person” — a human being

From this reading He was one of the very few persons I have met with in my life, who, from the natural extreme reserve and shyness of their disposition, absolutely required to be a very little tipsy before they can give their brilliant imaginations fair play.

participate in games or sport

From this reading He was one of the very few persons I have met with in my life, who, from the natural extreme reserve and shyness of their disposition, absolutely required to be a very little tipsy before they can give their brilliant imaginations fair play.

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

From this reading At nine o'clock on the following evening, Ponsonby entered the room, an altered man.

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

From this reading There was too a look of success about him, for indeed the humblest man on earth must have borrowed courage from the reflection of Ponsonby's looking-glass on that evening: and there he sat for half an hour, laughing and showing his brilliant teeth, while he related to me many witty things which had been said by his uncle, whom he had just left--the George Ponsonby, now no more, who spoke so well on the Opposition side.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading Ponsonby had slept, drunk a little more claret, and, what lately had been unusual to him owing to his father's lingering illness, had put on an evening dress.

a calm, lengthy, intent consideration

From this reading There was too a look of success about him, for indeed the humblest man on earth must have borrowed courage from the reflection of Ponsonby's looking-glass on that evening: and there he sat for half an hour, laughing and showing his brilliant teeth, while he related to me many witty things which had been said by his uncle, whom he had just left--the George Ponsonby, now no more, who spoke so well on the Opposition side.

being connected either logically or causally or by shared characteristics

From this reading There was too a look of success about him, for indeed the humblest man on earth must have borrowed courage from the reflection of Ponsonby's looking-glass on that evening: and there he sat for half an hour, laughing and showing his brilliant teeth, while he related to me many witty things which had been said by his uncle, whom he had just left--the George Ponsonby, now no more, who spoke so well on the Opposition side.

necessary for relief or supply

From this reading He was one of the very few persons I have met with in my life, who, from the natural extreme reserve and shyness of their disposition, absolutely required to be a very little tipsy before they can give their brilliant imaginations fair play.

formality and propriety of manner

From this reading He was one of the very few persons I have met with in my life, who, from the natural extreme reserve and shyness of their disposition, absolutely required to be a very little tipsy before they can give their brilliant imaginations fair play.

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

From this reading At nine o'clock on the following evening, Ponsonby entered the room, an altered man.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading There was too a look of success about him, for indeed the humblest man on earth must have borrowed courage from the reflection of Ponsonby's looking-glass on that evening: and there he sat for half an hour, laughing and showing his brilliant teeth, while he related to me many witty things which had been said by his uncle, whom he had just left--the George Ponsonby, now no more, who spoke so well on the Opposition side.

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

From this reading There was too a look of success about him, for indeed the humblest man on earth must have borrowed courage from the reflection of Ponsonby's looking-glass on that evening: and there he sat for half an hour, laughing and showing his brilliant teeth, while he related to me many witty things which had been said by his uncle, whom he had just left--the George Ponsonby, now no more, who spoke so well on the Opposition side.

the display of a motion picture

From this reading There was too a look of success about him, for indeed the humblest man on earth must have borrowed courage from the reflection of Ponsonby's looking-glass on that evening: and there he sat for half an hour, laughing and showing his brilliant teeth, while he related to me many witty things which had been said by his uncle, whom he had just left--the George Ponsonby, now no more, who spoke so well on the Opposition side.

a feeling of fear of embarrassment

From this reading He was one of the very few persons I have met with in my life, who, from the natural extreme reserve and shyness of their disposition, absolutely required to be a very little tipsy before they can give their brilliant imaginations fair play.

a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location

From this reading There was too a look of success about him, for indeed the humblest man on earth must have borrowed courage from the reflection of Ponsonby's looking-glass on that evening: and there he sat for half an hour, laughing and showing his brilliant teeth, while he related to me many witty things which had been said by his uncle, whom he had just left--the George Ponsonby, now no more, who spoke so well on the Opposition side.

inflected form of “sleep” — be asleep

From this reading Ponsonby had slept, drunk a little more claret, and, what lately had been unusual to him owing to his father's lingering illness, had put on an evening dress.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading He appeared now so much more beautiful than I had ever imagined any mortal mixture of earth's clay, that I began to lose my confidence in myself and tremble.

support consisting of a radial member of a wheel joining the hub to the rim

From this reading There was too a look of success about him, for indeed the humblest man on earth must have borrowed courage from the reflection of Ponsonby's looking-glass on that evening: and there he sat for half an hour, laughing and showing his brilliant teeth, while he related to me many witty things which had been said by his uncle, whom he had just left--the George Ponsonby, now no more, who spoke so well on the Opposition side.

an event that accomplishes its intended purpose

From this reading There was too a look of success about him, for indeed the humblest man on earth must have borrowed courage from the reflection of Ponsonby's looking-glass on that evening: and there he sat for half an hour, laughing and showing his brilliant teeth, while he related to me many witty things which had been said by his uncle, whom he had just left--the George Ponsonby, now no more, who spoke so well on the Opposition side.

the kind and number and arrangement of teeth (collectively) in a person or animal

From this reading There was too a look of success about him, for indeed the humblest man on earth must have borrowed courage from the reflection of Ponsonby's looking-glass on that evening: and there he sat for half an hour, laughing and showing his brilliant teeth, while he related to me many witty things which had been said by his uncle, whom he had just left--the George Ponsonby, now no more, who spoke so well on the Opposition side.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading He appeared now so much more beautiful than I had ever imagined any mortal mixture of earth's clay, that I began to lose my confidence in myself and tremble.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading He appeared now so much more beautiful than I had ever imagined any mortal mixture of earth's clay, that I began to lose my confidence in myself and tremble.

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

From this reading At nine o'clock on the following evening, Ponsonby entered the room, an altered man.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading He was one of the very few persons I have met with in my life, who, from the natural extreme reserve and shyness of their disposition, absolutely required to be a very little tipsy before they can give their brilliant imaginations fair play.

in or at that place or location

From this reading There was too a look of success about him, for indeed the humblest man on earth must have borrowed courage from the reflection of Ponsonby's looking-glass on that evening: and there he sat for half an hour, laughing and showing his brilliant teeth, while he related to me many witty things which had been said by his uncle, whom he had just left--the George Ponsonby, now no more, who spoke so well on the Opposition side.

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

From this reading He was one of the very few persons I have met with in my life, who, from the natural extreme reserve and shyness of their disposition, absolutely required to be a very little tipsy before they can give their brilliant imaginations fair play.

any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)

From this reading There was too a look of success about him, for indeed the humblest man on earth must have borrowed courage from the reflection of Ponsonby's looking-glass on that evening: and there he sat for half an hour, laughing and showing his brilliant teeth, while he related to me many witty things which had been said by his uncle, whom he had just left--the George Ponsonby, now no more, who spoke so well on the Opposition side.

slightly intoxicated

From this reading He was one of the very few persons I have met with in my life, who, from the natural extreme reserve and shyness of their disposition, absolutely required to be a very little tipsy before they can give their brilliant imaginations fair play.

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

From this reading He was one of the very few persons I have met with in my life, who, from the natural extreme reserve and shyness of their disposition, absolutely required to be a very little tipsy before they can give their brilliant imaginations fair play.

to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits

From this reading There was too a look of success about him, for indeed the humblest man on earth must have borrowed courage from the reflection of Ponsonby's looking-glass on that evening: and there he sat for half an hour, laughing and showing his brilliant teeth, while he related to me many witty things which had been said by his uncle, whom he had just left--the George Ponsonby, now no more, who spoke so well on the Opposition side.

move or jerk quickly and involuntarily up and down or sideways

From this reading He appeared now so much more beautiful than I had ever imagined any mortal mixture of earth's clay, that I began to lose my confidence in myself and tremble.

the brother of your father or mother; the husband of your aunt

From this reading There was too a look of success about him, for indeed the humblest man on earth must have borrowed courage from the reflection of Ponsonby's looking-glass on that evening: and there he sat for half an hour, laughing and showing his brilliant teeth, while he related to me many witty things which had been said by his uncle, whom he had just left--the George Ponsonby, now no more, who spoke so well on the Opposition side.

not usual or common or ordinary

From this reading Ponsonby had slept, drunk a little more claret, and, what lately had been unusual to him owing to his father's lingering illness, had put on an evening dress.

precisely as stated

From this reading He was one of the very few persons I have met with in my life, who, from the natural extreme reserve and shyness of their disposition, absolutely required to be a very little tipsy before they can give their brilliant imaginations fair play.

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

From this reading He was one of the very few persons I have met with in my life, who, from the natural extreme reserve and shyness of their disposition, absolutely required to be a very little tipsy before they can give their brilliant imaginations fair play.

(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 There was too a look of success about him, for indeed the humblest man on earth must have borrowed courage from the reflection of Ponsonby's looking-glass on that evening: and there he sat for half an hour, laughing and showing his brilliant teeth, while he related to me many witty things which had been said by his uncle, whom he had just left--the George Ponsonby, now no more, who spoke so well on the Opposition side.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading Ponsonby had slept, drunk a little more claret, and, what lately had been unusual to him owing to his father's lingering illness, had put on an evening dress.

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

From this reading There was too a look of success about him, for indeed the humblest man on earth must have borrowed courage from the reflection of Ponsonby's looking-glass on that evening: and there he sat for half an hour, laughing and showing his brilliant teeth, while he related to me many witty things which had been said by his uncle, whom he had just left--the George Ponsonby, now no more, who spoke so well on the Opposition side.

during the time that

From this reading There was too a look of success about him, for indeed the humblest man on earth must have borrowed courage from the reflection of Ponsonby's looking-glass on that evening: and there he sat for half an hour, laughing and showing his brilliant teeth, while he related to me many witty things which had been said by his uncle, whom he had just left--the George Ponsonby, now no more, who spoke so well on the Opposition side.

which person or people

From this reading He was one of the very few persons I have met with in my life, who, from the natural extreme reserve and shyness of their disposition, absolutely required to be a very little tipsy before they can give their brilliant imaginations fair play.

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

From this reading There was too a look of success about him, for indeed the humblest man on earth must have borrowed courage from the reflection of Ponsonby's looking-glass on that evening: and there he sat for half an hour, laughing and showing his brilliant teeth, while he related to me many witty things which had been said by his uncle, whom he had just left--the George Ponsonby, now no more, who spoke so well on the Opposition side.

in the company of; together with

From this reading He was one of the very few persons I have met with in my life, who, from the natural extreme reserve and shyness of their disposition, absolutely required to be a very little tipsy before they can give their brilliant imaginations fair play.

combining clever conception and facetious expression

From this reading There was too a look of success about him, for indeed the humblest man on earth must have borrowed courage from the reflection of Ponsonby's looking-glass on that evening: and there he sat for half an hour, laughing and showing his brilliant teeth, while he related to me many witty things which had been said by his uncle, whom he had just left--the George Ponsonby, now no more, who spoke so well on the Opposition side.