Chapter XIII · Sir Robert Seeks Advice

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

From this reading It cost him a sharp pang to think that this was just the sort of way in which he should have liked his wife to bend over their invalid son.

matters of personal concern

From this reading Yet it was a stranger in blood who filled this office to the boy, and the visits of Caryl’s mother were hasty affairs, undertaken in the intervals of the serious business of life, motoring, tennis-playing, dancing, travelling.

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

From this reading Sir Robert was watching the pair curiously: noting the feverish gladness with which the boy clung to Rhoda’s hand, and the tenderness with which she, in return, bent over him.

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

From this reading There was a motherly kindness in Rhoda’s every look and touch, as she smoothed the boy’s pillow or smiled at him, that realised completely Sir Robert’s ideal of what a mother ought to be to her child.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading There was a motherly kindness in Rhoda’s every look and touch, as she smoothed the boy’s pillow or smiled at him, that realised completely Sir Robert’s ideal of what a mother ought to be to her child.

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

From this reading There was a motherly kindness in Rhoda’s every look and touch, as she smoothed the boy’s pillow or smiled at him, that realised completely Sir Robert’s ideal of what a mother ought to be to her child.

form a curve

From this reading It cost him a sharp pang to think that this was just the sort of way in which he should have liked his wife to bend over their invalid son.

a relatively permanent inclination to react in a particular way

From this reading Sir Robert was watching the pair curiously: noting the feverish gladness with which the boy clung to Rhoda’s hand, and the tenderness with which she, in return, bent over him.

marked by strong resentment or cynicism

From this reading It was impossible that a bitter thought should not come into his mind at the sight.

The red fluid that circulates in the heart and blood vessels.

From this reading Yet it was a stranger in blood who filled this office to the boy, and the visits of Caryl’s mother were hasty affairs, undertaken in the intervals of the serious business of life, motoring, tennis-playing, dancing, travelling.

a youthful male person

From this reading Sir Robert was watching the pair curiously: noting the feverish gladness with which the boy clung to Rhoda’s hand, and the tenderness with which she, in return, bent over him.

possessive form of “boy” — a youthful male person

From this reading There was a motherly kindness in Rhoda’s every look and touch, as she smoothed the boy’s pillow or smiled at him, that realised completely Sir Robert’s ideal of what a mother ought to be to her child.

a commercial or industrial enterprise and the people who constitute it

From this reading Yet it was a stranger in blood who filled this office to the boy, and the visits of Caryl’s mother were hasty affairs, undertaken in the intervals of the serious business of life, motoring, tennis-playing, dancing, travelling.

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

From this reading Yet it was a stranger in blood who filled this office to the boy, and the visits of Caryl’s mother were hasty affairs, undertaken in the intervals of the serious business of life, motoring, tennis-playing, dancing, travelling.

a young person of either sex

From this reading There was a motherly kindness in Rhoda’s every look and touch, as she smoothed the boy’s pillow or smiled at him, that realised completely Sir Robert’s ideal of what a mother ought to be to her child.

inflected form of “cling” — come or be in close contact with; stick or hold together and resist separation

From this reading Sir Robert was watching the pair curiously: noting the feverish gladness with which the boy clung to Rhoda’s hand, and the tenderness with which she, in return, bent over him.

move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading It was impossible that a bitter thought should not come into his mind at the sight.

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

From this reading There was a motherly kindness in Rhoda’s every look and touch, as she smoothed the boy’s pillow or smiled at him, that realised completely Sir Robert’s ideal of what a mother ought to be to her child.

the total spent for goods or services including money and time and labor

From this reading It cost him a sharp pang to think that this was just the sort of way in which he should have liked his wife to bend over their invalid son.

in a manner differing from the usual or expected

From this reading Sir Robert was watching the pair curiously: noting the feverish gladness with which the boy clung to Rhoda’s hand, and the tenderness with which she, in return, bent over him.

taking a series of rhythmical steps (and movements) in time to music

From this reading Yet it was a stranger in blood who filled this office to the boy, and the visits of Caryl’s mother were hasty affairs, undertaken in the intervals of the serious business of life, motoring, tennis-playing, dancing, travelling.

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading There was a motherly kindness in Rhoda’s every look and touch, as she smoothed the boy’s pillow or smiled at him, that realised completely Sir Robert’s ideal of what a mother ought to be to her child.

marked by intense agitation or emotion

From this reading Sir Robert was watching the pair curiously: noting the feverish gladness with which the boy clung to Rhoda’s hand, and the tenderness with which she, in return, bent over him.

(usually followed by “with” or used as a combining form) generously supplied with

From this reading Yet it was a stranger in blood who filled this office to the boy, and the visits of Caryl’s mother were hasty affairs, undertaken in the intervals of the serious business of life, motoring, tennis-playing, dancing, travelling.

experiencing joy and pleasure

From this reading Sir Robert was watching the pair curiously: noting the feverish gladness with which the boy clung to Rhoda’s hand, and the tenderness with which she, in return, bent over him.

the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb

From this reading Sir Robert was watching the pair curiously: noting the feverish gladness with which the boy clung to Rhoda’s hand, and the tenderness with which she, in return, bent over him.

excessively quick

From this reading Yet it was a stranger in blood who filled this office to the boy, and the visits of Caryl’s mother were hasty affairs, undertaken in the intervals of the serious business of life, motoring, tennis-playing, dancing, travelling.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading It cost him a sharp pang to think that this was just the sort of way in which he should have liked his wife to bend over their invalid son.

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

From this reading It cost him a sharp pang to think that this was just the sort of way in which he should have liked his wife to bend over their invalid son.

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

From this reading There was a motherly kindness in Rhoda’s every look and touch, as she smoothed the boy’s pillow or smiled at him, that realised completely Sir Robert’s ideal of what a mother ought to be to her child.

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

From this reading Sir Robert was watching the pair curiously: noting the feverish gladness with which the boy clung to Rhoda’s hand, and the tenderness with which she, in return, bent over him.

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

From this reading It cost him a sharp pang to think that this was just the sort of way in which he should have liked his wife to bend over their invalid son.

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

From this reading There was a motherly kindness in Rhoda’s every look and touch, as she smoothed the boy’s pillow or smiled at him, that realised completely Sir Robert’s ideal of what a mother ought to be to her child.

not capable of occurring or being accomplished or dealt with

From this reading It was impossible that a bitter thought should not come into his mind at the sight.

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

From this reading Sir Robert was watching the pair curiously: noting the feverish gladness with which the boy clung to Rhoda’s hand, and the tenderness with which she, in return, bent over him.

plural of “interval” — a definite length of time marked off by two instants

From this reading Yet it was a stranger in blood who filled this office to the boy, and the visits of Caryl’s mother were hasty affairs, undertaken in the intervals of the serious business of life, motoring, tennis-playing, dancing, travelling.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading It was impossible that a bitter thought should not come into his mind at the sight.

someone who is incapacitated by a chronic illness or injury

From this reading It cost him a sharp pang to think that this was just the sort of way in which he should have liked his wife to bend over their invalid son.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It cost him a sharp pang to think that this was just the sort of way in which he should have liked his wife to bend over their invalid son.

and nothing more

From this reading It cost him a sharp pang to think that this was just the sort of way in which he should have liked his wife to bend over their invalid son.

the quality of being warmhearted and considerate and humane and sympathetic

From this reading There was a motherly kindness in Rhoda’s every look and touch, as she smoothed the boy’s pillow or smiled at him, that realised completely Sir Robert’s ideal of what a mother ought to be to her child.

a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading Yet it was a stranger in blood who filled this office to the boy, and the visits of Caryl’s mother were hasty affairs, undertaken in the intervals of the serious business of life, motoring, tennis-playing, dancing, travelling.

found pleasant or attractive; often used as a combining form

From this reading It cost him a sharp pang to think that this was just the sort of way in which he should have liked his wife to bend over their invalid son.

perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading There was a motherly kindness in Rhoda’s every look and touch, as she smoothed the boy’s pillow or smiled at him, that realised completely Sir Robert’s ideal of what a mother ought to be to her child.

The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.

From this reading It was impossible that a bitter thought should not come into his mind at the sight.

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

From this reading There was a motherly kindness in Rhoda’s every look and touch, as she smoothed the boy’s pillow or smiled at him, that realised completely Sir Robert’s ideal of what a mother ought to be to her child.

befitting a mother; warm and nurturing

From this reading There was a motherly kindness in Rhoda’s every look and touch, as she smoothed the boy’s pillow or smiled at him, that realised completely Sir Robert’s ideal of what a mother ought to be to her child.

the act of driving an automobile

From this reading Yet it was a stranger in blood who filled this office to the boy, and the visits of Caryl’s mother were hasty affairs, undertaken in the intervals of the serious business of life, motoring, tennis-playing, dancing, travelling.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading It was impossible that a bitter thought should not come into his mind at the sight.

-ing form of “note” — make mention of

From this reading Sir Robert was watching the pair curiously: noting the feverish gladness with which the boy clung to Rhoda’s hand, and the tenderness with which she, in return, bent over him.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading It cost him a sharp pang to think that this was just the sort of way in which he should have liked his wife to bend over their invalid son.

place of business where professional or clerical duties are performed

From this reading Yet it was a stranger in blood who filled this office to the boy, and the visits of Caryl’s mother were hasty affairs, undertaken in the intervals of the serious business of life, motoring, tennis-playing, dancing, travelling.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading There was a motherly kindness in Rhoda’s every look and touch, as she smoothed the boy’s pillow or smiled at him, that realised completely Sir Robert’s ideal of what a mother ought to be to her child.

used with “to” to say what is right or advisable

From this reading There was a motherly kindness in Rhoda’s every look and touch, as she smoothed the boy’s pillow or smiled at him, that realised completely Sir Robert’s ideal of what a mother ought to be to her child.

above and across; more than

From this reading Sir Robert was watching the pair curiously: noting the feverish gladness with which the boy clung to Rhoda’s hand, and the tenderness with which she, in return, bent over him.

a set of two similar things considered as a unit

From this reading Sir Robert was watching the pair curiously: noting the feverish gladness with which the boy clung to Rhoda’s hand, and the tenderness with which she, in return, bent over him.

a sudden sharp feeling

From this reading It cost him a sharp pang to think that this was just the sort of way in which he should have liked his wife to bend over their invalid son.

a cushion to support the head of a sleeping person

From this reading There was a motherly kindness in Rhoda’s every look and touch, as she smoothed the boy’s pillow or smiled at him, that realised completely Sir Robert’s ideal of what a mother ought to be to her child.

successfully completed or brought to an end

From this reading There was a motherly kindness in Rhoda’s every look and touch, as she smoothed the boy’s pillow or smiled at him, that realised completely Sir Robert’s ideal of what a mother ought to be to her child.

go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before

From this reading Sir Robert was watching the pair curiously: noting the feverish gladness with which the boy clung to Rhoda’s hand, and the tenderness with which she, in return, bent over him.

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

From this reading Sir Robert was watching the pair curiously: noting the feverish gladness with which the boy clung to Rhoda’s hand, and the tenderness with which she, in return, bent over him.

United States parliamentary authority and author (in 1876) of Robert's Rules of Order (1837-1923)

From this reading Sir Robert was watching the pair curiously: noting the feverish gladness with which the boy clung to Rhoda’s hand, and the tenderness with which she, in return, bent over him.

possessive form of “robert” — United States parliamentary authority and author (in 1876) of Robert's Rules of Order (1837-1923)

From this reading There was a motherly kindness in Rhoda’s every look and touch, as she smoothed the boy’s pillow or smiled at him, that realised completely Sir Robert’s ideal of what a mother ought to be to her child.

concerned with work or important matters rather than play or trivialities

From this reading Yet it was a stranger in blood who filled this office to the boy, and the visits of Caryl’s mother were hasty affairs, undertaken in the intervals of the serious business of life, motoring, tennis-playing, dancing, travelling.

(of something seen or heard) clearly defined

From this reading It cost him a sharp pang to think that this was just the sort of way in which he should have liked his wife to bend over their invalid son.

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

From this reading Sir Robert was watching the pair curiously: noting the feverish gladness with which the boy clung to Rhoda’s hand, and the tenderness with which she, in return, bent over him.

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading It cost him a sharp pang to think that this was just the sort of way in which he should have liked his wife to bend over their invalid son.

an instance of visual perception

From this reading It was impossible that a bitter thought should not come into his mind at the sight.

term of address for a man

From this reading Sir Robert was watching the pair curiously: noting the feverish gladness with which the boy clung to Rhoda’s hand, and the tenderness with which she, in return, bent over him.

past form of “smile” — change one's facial expression by spreading the lips, often to signal pleasure

From this reading There was a motherly kindness in Rhoda’s every look and touch, as she smoothed the boy’s pillow or smiled at him, that realised completely Sir Robert’s ideal of what a mother ought to be to her child.

made smooth by ironing

From this reading There was a motherly kindness in Rhoda’s every look and touch, as she smoothed the boy’s pillow or smiled at him, that realised completely Sir Robert’s ideal of what a mother ought to be to her child.

a male human offspring

From this reading It cost him a sharp pang to think that this was just the sort of way in which he should have liked his wife to bend over their invalid son.

a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality

From this reading It cost him a sharp pang to think that this was just the sort of way in which he should have liked his wife to bend over their invalid son.

anyone who does not belong in the environment in which they are found

From this reading Yet it was a stranger in blood who filled this office to the boy, and the visits of Caryl’s mother were hasty affairs, undertaken in the intervals of the serious business of life, motoring, tennis-playing, dancing, travelling.

a tendency to express warm and affectionate feeling

From this reading Sir Robert was watching the pair curiously: noting the feverish gladness with which the boy clung to Rhoda’s hand, and the tenderness with which she, in return, bent over him.

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

From this reading Yet it was a stranger in blood who filled this office to the boy, and the visits of Caryl’s mother were hasty affairs, undertaken in the intervals of the serious business of life, motoring, tennis-playing, dancing, travelling.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading It cost him a sharp pang to think that this was just the sort of way in which he should have liked his wife to bend over their invalid son.

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

From this reading Sir Robert was watching the pair curiously: noting the feverish gladness with which the boy clung to Rhoda’s hand, and the tenderness with which she, in return, bent over him.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading It cost him a sharp pang to think that this was just the sort of way in which he should have liked his wife to bend over their invalid son.

in or at that place or location

From this reading There was a motherly kindness in Rhoda’s every look and touch, as she smoothed the boy’s pillow or smiled at him, that realised completely Sir Robert’s ideal of what a mother ought to be to her child.

judge or regard; look upon; judge

From this reading It cost him a sharp pang to think that this was just the sort of way in which he should have liked his wife to bend over their invalid son.

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

From this reading It cost him a sharp pang to think that this was just the sort of way in which he should have liked his wife to bend over their invalid son.

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

From this reading It was impossible that a bitter thought should not come into his mind at the sight.

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

From this reading Sir Robert was watching the pair curiously: noting the feverish gladness with which the boy clung to Rhoda’s hand, and the tenderness with which she, in return, bent over him.

make physical contact with, come in contact with

From this reading There was a motherly kindness in Rhoda’s every look and touch, as she smoothed the boy’s pillow or smiled at him, that realised completely Sir Robert’s ideal of what a mother ought to be to her child.

the act of going from one place to another

From this reading Yet it was a stranger in blood who filled this office to the boy, and the visits of Caryl’s mother were hasty affairs, undertaken in the intervals of the serious business of life, motoring, tennis-playing, dancing, travelling.

inflected form of “undertake” — enter upon an activity or enterprise

From this reading Yet it was a stranger in blood who filled this office to the boy, and the visits of Caryl’s mother were hasty affairs, undertaken in the intervals of the serious business of life, motoring, tennis-playing, dancing, travelling.

plural of “visit” — the act of going to see some person or place or thing for a short time

From this reading Yet it was a stranger in blood who filled this office to the boy, and the visits of Caryl’s mother were hasty affairs, undertaken in the intervals of the serious business of life, motoring, tennis-playing, dancing, travelling.

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

From this reading Sir Robert was watching the pair curiously: noting the feverish gladness with which the boy clung to Rhoda’s hand, and the tenderness with which she, in return, bent over him.

the act of observing; taking a patient look

From this reading Sir Robert was watching the pair curiously: noting the feverish gladness with which the boy clung to Rhoda’s hand, and the tenderness with which she, in return, bent over him.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading It cost him a sharp pang to think that this was just the sort of way in which he should have liked his wife to bend over their invalid son.

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

From this reading Yet it was a stranger in blood who filled this office to the boy, and the visits of Caryl’s mother were hasty affairs, undertaken in the intervals of the serious business of life, motoring, tennis-playing, dancing, travelling.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading There was a motherly kindness in Rhoda’s every look and touch, as she smoothed the boy’s pillow or smiled at him, that realised completely Sir Robert’s ideal of what a mother ought to be to her child.

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

From this reading Sir Robert was watching the pair curiously: noting the feverish gladness with which the boy clung to Rhoda’s hand, and the tenderness with which she, in return, bent over him.

which person or people

From this reading Yet it was a stranger in blood who filled this office to the boy, and the visits of Caryl’s mother were hasty affairs, undertaken in the intervals of the serious business of life, motoring, tennis-playing, dancing, travelling.

a married woman; a man's partner in marriage

From this reading It cost him a sharp pang to think that this was just the sort of way in which he should have liked his wife to bend over their invalid son.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Sir Robert was watching the pair curiously: noting the feverish gladness with which the boy clung to Rhoda’s hand, and the tenderness with which she, in return, bent over him.

but in spite of that

From this reading Yet it was a stranger in blood who filled this office to the boy, and the visits of Caryl’s mother were hasty affairs, undertaken in the intervals of the serious business of life, motoring, tennis-playing, dancing, travelling.