Chapter I · Chapter 1

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

From this reading He had qualified as a doctor but early relinquished the profession of medicine, and lived at home while pursuing literary ambitions; though his verses never had any marked success.

in the past

From this reading He had married two years ago, and had taken his wife to live at Styles, though I entertained a shrewd suspicion that he would have preferred his mother to increase his allowance, which would have enabled him to have a home of his own.

an amount allowed or granted (as during a given period)

From this reading He had married two years ago, and had taken his wife to live at Styles, though I entertained a shrewd suspicion that he would have preferred his mother to increase his allowance, which would have enabled him to have a home of his own.

plural of “ambition” — a cherished desire

From this reading He had qualified as a doctor but early relinquished the profession of medicine, and lived at home while pursuing literary ambitions; though his verses never had any marked success.

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

From this reading He had qualified as a doctor but early relinquished the profession of medicine, and lived at home while pursuing literary ambitions; though his verses never had any marked success.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading He had qualified as a doctor but early relinquished the profession of medicine, and lived at home while pursuing literary ambitions; though his verses never had any marked success.

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

From this reading He had qualified as a doctor but early relinquished the profession of medicine, and lived at home while pursuing literary ambitions; though his verses never had any marked success.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading He had qualified as a doctor but early relinquished the profession of medicine, and lived at home while pursuing literary ambitions; though his verses never had any marked success.

a British or Canadian lawyer who speaks in the higher courts of law on behalf of either the defense or prosecution

From this reading John practised for some time as a barrister, but had finally settled down to the more congenial life of a country squire.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading He had qualified as a doctor but early relinquished the profession of medicine, and lived at home while pursuing literary ambitions; though his verses never had any marked success.

an occurrence of something

From this reading Mrs. Cavendish, however, was a lady who liked to make her own plans, and expected other people to fall in with them, and in this case she certainly had the whip hand, namely: the purse strings.

British chemist and physicist who established that water is a compound of hydrogen and oxygen and who calculated the density of the earth (1731-1810)

From this reading Mrs. Cavendish, however, was a lady who liked to make her own plans, and expected other people to fall in with them, and in this case she certainly had the whip hand, namely: the purse strings.

definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)

From this reading Mrs. Cavendish, however, was a lady who liked to make her own plans, and expected other people to fall in with them, and in this case she certainly had the whip hand, namely: the purse strings.

suitable to your needs

From this reading John practised for some time as a barrister, but had finally settled down to the more congenial life of a country squire.

a politically organized body of people under a single government

From this reading John practised for some time as a barrister, but had finally settled down to the more congenial life of a country squire.

a licensed medical practitioner

From this reading He had qualified as a doctor but early relinquished the profession of medicine, and lived at home while pursuing literary ambitions; though his verses never had any marked success.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading John practised for some time as a barrister, but had finally settled down to the more congenial life of a country squire.

at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time

From this reading He had qualified as a doctor but early relinquished the profession of medicine, and lived at home while pursuing literary ambitions; though his verses never had any marked success.

past form of “enable” — render capable or able for some task

From this reading He had married two years ago, and had taken his wife to live at Styles, though I entertained a shrewd suspicion that he would have preferred his mother to increase his allowance, which would have enabled him to have a home of his own.

pleasantly occupied

From this reading He had married two years ago, and had taken his wife to live at Styles, though I entertained a shrewd suspicion that he would have preferred his mother to increase his allowance, which would have enabled him to have a home of his own.

considered likely or probable to happen or arrive

From this reading Mrs. Cavendish, however, was a lady who liked to make her own plans, and expected other people to fall in with them, and in this case she certainly had the whip hand, namely: the purse strings.

descend in free fall under the influence of gravity

From this reading Mrs. Cavendish, however, was a lady who liked to make her own plans, and expected other people to fall in with them, and in this case she certainly had the whip hand, namely: the purse strings.

after an unspecified period of time or an especially long delay

From this reading John practised for some time as a barrister, but had finally settled down to the more congenial life of a country squire.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading John practised for some time as a barrister, but had finally settled down to the more congenial life of a country squire.

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

From this reading He had qualified as a doctor but early relinquished the profession of medicine, and lived at home while pursuing literary ambitions; though his verses never had any marked success.

the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb

From this reading Mrs. Cavendish, however, was a lady who liked to make her own plans, and expected other people to fall in with them, and in this case she certainly had the whip hand, namely: the purse strings.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading He had married two years ago, and had taken his wife to live at Styles, though I entertained a shrewd suspicion that he would have preferred his mother to increase his allowance, which would have enabled him to have a home of his own.

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

From this reading He had qualified as a doctor but early relinquished the profession of medicine, and lived at home while pursuing literary ambitions; though his verses never had any marked success.

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

From this reading Mrs. Cavendish, however, was a lady who liked to make her own plans, and expected other people to fall in with them, and in this case she certainly had the whip hand, namely: the purse strings.

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

From this reading He had married two years ago, and had taken his wife to live at Styles, though I entertained a shrewd suspicion that he would have preferred his mother to increase his allowance, which would have enabled him to have a home of his own.

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

From this reading He had qualified as a doctor but early relinquished the profession of medicine, and lived at home while pursuing literary ambitions; though his verses never had any marked success.

where you live at a particular time

From this reading He had qualified as a doctor but early relinquished the profession of medicine, and lived at home while pursuing literary ambitions; though his verses never had any marked success.

used to add a contrasting statement

From this reading Mrs. Cavendish, however, was a lady who liked to make her own plans, and expected other people to fall in with them, and in this case she certainly had the whip hand, namely: the purse strings.

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

From this reading He had married two years ago, and had taken his wife to live at Styles, though I entertained a shrewd suspicion that he would have preferred his mother to increase his allowance, which would have enabled him to have a home of his own.

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

From this reading Mrs. Cavendish, however, was a lady who liked to make her own plans, and expected other people to fall in with them, and in this case she certainly had the whip hand, namely: the purse strings.

a quantity that is added

From this reading He had married two years ago, and had taken his wife to live at Styles, though I entertained a shrewd suspicion that he would have preferred his mother to increase his allowance, which would have enabled him to have a home of his own.

a room or building equipped with one or more toilets

From this reading John practised for some time as a barrister, but had finally settled down to the more congenial life of a country squire.

a polite name for any woman

From this reading Mrs. Cavendish, however, was a lady who liked to make her own plans, and expected other people to fall in with them, and in this case she certainly had the whip hand, namely: the purse strings.

a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading John practised for some time as a barrister, but had finally settled down to the more congenial life of a country squire.

found pleasant or attractive; often used as a combining form

From this reading Mrs. Cavendish, however, was a lady who liked to make her own plans, and expected other people to fall in with them, and in this case she certainly had the whip hand, namely: the purse strings.

of or relating to or characteristic of literature

From this reading He had qualified as a doctor but early relinquished the profession of medicine, and lived at home while pursuing literary ambitions; though his verses never had any marked success.

be an inhabitant of or reside in

From this reading He had married two years ago, and had taken his wife to live at Styles, though I entertained a shrewd suspicion that he would have preferred his mother to increase his allowance, which would have enabled him to have a home of his own.

past form of “live” — be an inhabitant of or reside in

From this reading He had qualified as a doctor but early relinquished the profession of medicine, and lived at home while pursuing literary ambitions; though his verses never had any marked success.

engage in

From this reading Mrs. Cavendish, however, was a lady who liked to make her own plans, and expected other people to fall in with them, and in this case she certainly had the whip hand, namely: the purse strings.

strongly marked; easily noticeable

From this reading He had qualified as a doctor but early relinquished the profession of medicine, and lived at home while pursuing literary ambitions; though his verses never had any marked success.

joined in matrimony

From this reading He had married two years ago, and had taken his wife to live at Styles, though I entertained a shrewd suspicion that he would have preferred his mother to increase his allowance, which would have enabled him to have a home of his own.

the branches of medical science that deal with nonsurgical techniques

From this reading He had qualified as a doctor but early relinquished the profession of medicine, and lived at home while pursuing literary ambitions; though his verses never had any marked success.

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

From this reading John practised for some time as a barrister, but had finally settled down to the more congenial life of a country squire.

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

From this reading He had married two years ago, and had taken his wife to live at Styles, though I entertained a shrewd suspicion that he would have preferred his mother to increase his allowance, which would have enabled him to have a home of his own.

possessive form of “mother” — a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)

From this reading John noticed my surprise at the news of his mother’s remarriage and smiled rather ruefully.

a form of address for a married woman

From this reading Mrs. Cavendish, however, was a lady who liked to make her own plans, and expected other people to fall in with them, and in this case she certainly had the whip hand, namely: the purse strings.

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading John noticed my surprise at the news of his mother’s remarriage and smiled rather ruefully.

as follows

From this reading Mrs. Cavendish, however, was a lady who liked to make her own plans, and expected other people to fall in with them, and in this case she certainly had the whip hand, namely: the purse strings.

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading He had qualified as a doctor but early relinquished the profession of medicine, and lived at home while pursuing literary ambitions; though his verses never had any marked success.

information about recent and important events

From this reading John noticed my surprise at the news of his mother’s remarriage and smiled rather ruefully.

being perceived or observed

From this reading John noticed my surprise at the news of his mother’s remarriage and smiled rather ruefully.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading He had qualified as a doctor but early relinquished the profession of medicine, and lived at home while pursuing literary ambitions; though his verses never had any marked success.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading Mrs. Cavendish, however, was a lady who liked to make her own plans, and expected other people to fall in with them, and in this case she certainly had the whip hand, namely: the purse strings.

have ownership or possession of

From this reading He had married two years ago, and had taken his wife to live at Styles, though I entertained a shrewd suspicion that he would have preferred his mother to increase his allowance, which would have enabled him to have a home of his own.

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

From this reading Mrs. Cavendish, however, was a lady who liked to make her own plans, and expected other people to fall in with them, and in this case she certainly had the whip hand, namely: the purse strings.

plural of “plan” — a series of steps to be carried out or goals to be accomplished

From this reading Mrs. Cavendish, however, was a lady who liked to make her own plans, and expected other people to fall in with them, and in this case she certainly had the whip hand, namely: the purse strings.

skillful after much practice

From this reading John practised for some time as a barrister, but had finally settled down to the more congenial life of a country squire.

more desirable than another

From this reading He had married two years ago, and had taken his wife to live at Styles, though I entertained a shrewd suspicion that he would have preferred his mother to increase his allowance, which would have enabled him to have a home of his own.

the body of people in a learned occupation

From this reading He had qualified as a doctor but early relinquished the profession of medicine, and lived at home while pursuing literary ambitions; though his verses never had any marked success.

a container used for carrying money and small personal items or accessories (especially by women)

From this reading Mrs. Cavendish, however, was a lady who liked to make her own plans, and expected other people to fall in with them, and in this case she certainly had the whip hand, namely: the purse strings.

following in order to overtake or capture or as accompaniment to such pursuit

From this reading He had qualified as a doctor but early relinquished the profession of medicine, and lived at home while pursuing literary ambitions; though his verses never had any marked success.

meeting the proper standards and requirements and training for an office or position or task

From this reading He had qualified as a doctor but early relinquished the profession of medicine, and lived at home while pursuing literary ambitions; though his verses never had any marked success.

on the contrary

From this reading John noticed my surprise at the news of his mother’s remarriage and smiled rather ruefully.

that has been withdrawn or retreated from

From this reading He had qualified as a doctor but early relinquished the profession of medicine, and lived at home while pursuing literary ambitions; though his verses never had any marked success.

the act of marrying again

From this reading John noticed my surprise at the news of his mother’s remarriage and smiled rather ruefully.

in a rueful manner

From this reading John noticed my surprise at the news of his mother’s remarriage and smiled rather ruefully.

established or decided beyond dispute or doubt

From this reading John practised for some time as a barrister, but had finally settled down to the more congenial life of a country squire.

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

From this reading Mrs. Cavendish, however, was a lady who liked to make her own plans, and expected other people to fall in with them, and in this case she certainly had the whip hand, namely: the purse strings.

marked by practical hardheaded intelligence

From this reading He had married two years ago, and had taken his wife to live at Styles, though I entertained a shrewd suspicion that he would have preferred his mother to increase his allowance, which would have enabled him to have a home of his own.

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

From this reading John noticed my surprise at the news of his mother’s remarriage and smiled rather ruefully.

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

From this reading John practised for some time as a barrister, but had finally settled down to the more congenial life of a country squire.

young nobleman attendant on a knight

From this reading John practised for some time as a barrister, but had finally settled down to the more congenial life of a country squire.

the section of an orchestra that plays stringed instruments

From this reading Mrs. Cavendish, however, was a lady who liked to make her own plans, and expected other people to fall in with them, and in this case she certainly had the whip hand, namely: the purse strings.

plural of “style” — how something is done or how it happens

From this reading He had married two years ago, and had taken his wife to live at Styles, though I entertained a shrewd suspicion that he would have preferred his mother to increase his allowance, which would have enabled him to have a home of his own.

an event that accomplishes its intended purpose

From this reading He had qualified as a doctor but early relinquished the profession of medicine, and lived at home while pursuing literary ambitions; though his verses never had any marked success.

the astonishment you feel when something totally unexpected happens to you

From this reading John noticed my surprise at the news of his mother’s remarriage and smiled rather ruefully.

an impression that something might be the case

From this reading He had married two years ago, and had taken his wife to live at Styles, though I entertained a shrewd suspicion that he would have preferred his mother to increase his allowance, which would have enabled him to have a home of his own.

understood in a certain way; made sense of

From this reading He had married two years ago, and had taken his wife to live at Styles, though I entertained a shrewd suspicion that he would have preferred his mother to increase his allowance, which would have enabled him to have a home of his own.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading He had married two years ago, and had taken his wife to live at Styles, though I entertained a shrewd suspicion that he would have preferred his mother to increase his allowance, which would have enabled him to have a home of his own.

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

From this reading He had qualified as a doctor but early relinquished the profession of medicine, and lived at home while pursuing literary ambitions; though his verses never had any marked success.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading Mrs. Cavendish, however, was a lady who liked to make her own plans, and expected other people to fall in with them, and in this case she certainly had the whip hand, namely: the purse strings.

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

From this reading Mrs. Cavendish, however, was a lady who liked to make her own plans, and expected other people to fall in with them, and in this case she certainly had the whip hand, namely: the purse strings.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading He had qualified as a doctor but early relinquished the profession of medicine, and lived at home while pursuing literary ambitions; though his verses never had any marked success.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading John practised for some time as a barrister, but had finally settled down to the more congenial life of a country squire.

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

From this reading John practised for some time as a barrister, but had finally settled down to the more congenial life of a country squire.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number

From this reading He had married two years ago, and had taken his wife to live at Styles, though I entertained a shrewd suspicion that he would have preferred his mother to increase his allowance, which would have enabled him to have a home of his own.

plural of “verse” — literature in metrical form

From this reading He had qualified as a doctor but early relinquished the profession of medicine, and lived at home while pursuing literary ambitions; though his verses never had any marked success.

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

From this reading Mrs. Cavendish, however, was a lady who liked to make her own plans, and expected other people to fall in with them, and in this case she certainly had the whip hand, namely: the purse strings.

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

From this reading He had married two years ago, and had taken his wife to live at Styles, though I entertained a shrewd suspicion that he would have preferred his mother to increase his allowance, which would have enabled him to have a home of his own.

during the time that

From this reading He had qualified as a doctor but early relinquished the profession of medicine, and lived at home while pursuing literary ambitions; though his verses never had any marked success.

beat severely with a whip or rod

From this reading Mrs. Cavendish, however, was a lady who liked to make her own plans, and expected other people to fall in with them, and in this case she certainly had the whip hand, namely: the purse strings.

which person or people

From this reading Mrs. Cavendish, however, was a lady who liked to make her own plans, and expected other people to fall in with them, and in this case she certainly had the whip hand, namely: the purse strings.

a married woman; a man's partner in marriage

From this reading He had married two years ago, and had taken his wife to live at Styles, though I entertained a shrewd suspicion that he would have preferred his mother to increase his allowance, which would have enabled him to have a home of his own.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Mrs. Cavendish, however, was a lady who liked to make her own plans, and expected other people to fall in with them, and in this case she certainly had the whip hand, namely: the purse strings.

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

From this reading He had married two years ago, and had taken his wife to live at Styles, though I entertained a shrewd suspicion that he would have preferred his mother to increase his allowance, which would have enabled him to have a home of his own.

a late time of life

From this reading He had married two years ago, and had taken his wife to live at Styles, though I entertained a shrewd suspicion that he would have preferred his mother to increase his allowance, which would have enabled him to have a home of his own.