Chapter XIX · Chapter 19

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

From this reading The half of course and half critical way in which Mrs. Argenter took possession of the gray parlor would have been funny, if it had not been painful, to Sylvie, feeling almost wrong and wickedly deceitful in betraying her mother, through ignorance of the real arrangements, into a false and unsuitable attitude; and to Desire, for Sylvie's sake.

(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but

From this reading The half of course and half critical way in which Mrs. Argenter took possession of the gray parlor would have been funny, if it had not been painful, to Sylvie, feeling almost wrong and wickedly deceitful in betraying her mother, through ignorance of the real arrangements, into a false and unsuitable attitude; and to Desire, for Sylvie's sake.

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

From this reading She thought it would do nicely if the windows weren't too low, and if the little stove-grate could be replaced by an open wood fire.

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

From this reading The half of course and half critical way in which Mrs. Argenter took possession of the gray parlor would have been funny, if it had not been painful, to Sylvie, feeling almost wrong and wickedly deceitful in betraying her mother, through ignorance of the real arrangements, into a false and unsuitable attitude; and to Desire, for Sylvie's sake.

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

From this reading The half of course and half critical way in which Mrs. Argenter took possession of the gray parlor would have been funny, if it had not been painful, to Sylvie, feeling almost wrong and wickedly deceitful in betraying her mother, through ignorance of the real arrangements, into a false and unsuitable attitude; and to Desire, for Sylvie's sake.

plural of “arrangement” — the thing arranged or agreed to

From this reading The half of course and half critical way in which Mrs. Argenter took possession of the gray parlor would have been funny, if it had not been painful, to Sylvie, feeling almost wrong and wickedly deceitful in betraying her mother, through ignorance of the real arrangements, into a false and unsuitable attitude; and to Desire, for Sylvie's sake.

a complex mental state involving beliefs and feelings and values and dispositions to act in certain ways

From this reading The half of course and half critical way in which Mrs. Argenter took possession of the gray parlor would have been funny, if it had not been painful, to Sylvie, feeling almost wrong and wickedly deceitful in betraying her mother, through ignorance of the real arrangements, into a false and unsuitable attitude; and to Desire, for Sylvie's sake.

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

From this reading She thought it would do nicely if the windows weren't too low, and if the little stove-grate could be replaced by an open wood fire.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading The half of course and half critical way in which Mrs. Argenter took possession of the gray parlor would have been funny, if it had not been painful, to Sylvie, feeling almost wrong and wickedly deceitful in betraying her mother, through ignorance of the real arrangements, into a false and unsuitable attitude; and to Desire, for Sylvie's sake.

-ing form of “betray” — reveal unintentionally

From this reading The half of course and half critical way in which Mrs. Argenter took possession of the gray parlor would have been funny, if it had not been painful, to Sylvie, feeling almost wrong and wickedly deceitful in betraying her mother, through ignorance of the real arrangements, into a false and unsuitable attitude; and to Desire, for Sylvie's sake.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading She thought it would do nicely if the windows weren't too low, and if the little stove-grate could be replaced by an open wood fire.

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

From this reading "I don't think you'll mind, with cannel coal," said Sylvie.

fossil fuel consisting of carbonized vegetable matter deposited in the Carboniferous period

From this reading "I don't think you'll mind, with cannel coal," said Sylvie.

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading She thought it would do nicely if the windows weren't too low, and if the little stove-grate could be replaced by an open wood fire.

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

From this reading Couldn't she have a Franklin, or couldn't the fire-place be unbricked?

education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings

From this reading The half of course and half critical way in which Mrs. Argenter took possession of the gray parlor would have been funny, if it had not been painful, to Sylvie, feeling almost wrong and wickedly deceitful in betraying her mother, through ignorance of the real arrangements, into a false and unsuitable attitude; and to Desire, for Sylvie's sake.

marked by a tendency to find and call attention to errors and flaws

From this reading The half of course and half critical way in which Mrs. Argenter took possession of the gray parlor would have been funny, if it had not been painful, to Sylvie, feeling almost wrong and wickedly deceitful in betraying her mother, through ignorance of the real arrangements, into a false and unsuitable attitude; and to Desire, for Sylvie's sake.

intended to deceive

From this reading The half of course and half critical way in which Mrs. Argenter took possession of the gray parlor would have been funny, if it had not been painful, to Sylvie, feeling almost wrong and wickedly deceitful in betraying her mother, through ignorance of the real arrangements, into a false and unsuitable attitude; and to Desire, for Sylvie's sake.

the feeling that accompanies an unsatisfied state

From this reading The half of course and half critical way in which Mrs. Argenter took possession of the gray parlor would have been funny, if it had not been painful, to Sylvie, feeling almost wrong and wickedly deceitful in betraying her mother, through ignorance of the real arrangements, into a false and unsuitable attitude; and to Desire, for Sylvie's sake.

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading She thought it would do nicely if the windows weren't too low, and if the little stove-grate could be replaced by an open wood fire.

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

From this reading "I don't think you'll mind, with cannel coal," said Sylvie.

not in accordance with the fact or reality or actuality

From this reading The half of course and half critical way in which Mrs. Argenter took possession of the gray parlor would have been funny, if it had not been painful, to Sylvie, feeling almost wrong and wickedly deceitful in betraying her mother, through ignorance of the real arrangements, into a false and unsuitable attitude; and to Desire, for Sylvie's sake.

the experiencing of affective and emotional states

From this reading The half of course and half critical way in which Mrs. Argenter took possession of the gray parlor would have been funny, if it had not been painful, to Sylvie, feeling almost wrong and wickedly deceitful in betraying her mother, through ignorance of the real arrangements, into a false and unsuitable attitude; and to Desire, for Sylvie's sake.

start firing a weapon

From this reading She thought it would do nicely if the windows weren't too low, and if the little stove-grate could be replaced by an open wood fire.

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

From this reading Couldn't she have a Franklin, or couldn't the fire-place be unbricked?

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading The half of course and half critical way in which Mrs. Argenter took possession of the gray parlor would have been funny, if it had not been painful, to Sylvie, feeling almost wrong and wickedly deceitful in betraying her mother, through ignorance of the real arrangements, into a false and unsuitable attitude; and to Desire, for Sylvie's sake.

United States historian noted for studies of Black American history (born in 1915)

From this reading Couldn't she have a Franklin, or couldn't the fire-place be unbricked?

arousing or provoking laughter

From this reading The half of course and half critical way in which Mrs. Argenter took possession of the gray parlor would have been funny, if it had not been painful, to Sylvie, feeling almost wrong and wickedly deceitful in betraying her mother, through ignorance of the real arrangements, into a false and unsuitable attitude; and to Desire, for Sylvie's sake.

a neutral achromatic color midway between white and black

From this reading The half of course and half critical way in which Mrs. Argenter took possession of the gray parlor would have been funny, if it had not been painful, to Sylvie, feeling almost wrong and wickedly deceitful in betraying her mother, through ignorance of the real arrangements, into a false and unsuitable attitude; and to Desire, for Sylvie's sake.

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

From this reading The half of course and half critical way in which Mrs. Argenter took possession of the gray parlor would have been funny, if it had not been painful, to Sylvie, feeling almost wrong and wickedly deceitful in betraying her mother, through ignorance of the real arrangements, into a false and unsuitable attitude; and to Desire, for Sylvie's sake.

consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity

From this reading The half of course and half critical way in which Mrs. Argenter took possession of the gray parlor would have been funny, if it had not been painful, to Sylvie, feeling almost wrong and wickedly deceitful in betraying her mother, through ignorance of the real arrangements, into a false and unsuitable attitude; and to Desire, for Sylvie's sake.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading The half of course and half critical way in which Mrs. Argenter took possession of the gray parlor would have been funny, if it had not been painful, to Sylvie, feeling almost wrong and wickedly deceitful in betraying her mother, through ignorance of the real arrangements, into a false and unsuitable attitude; and to Desire, for Sylvie's sake.

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

From this reading The half of course and half critical way in which Mrs. Argenter took possession of the gray parlor would have been funny, if it had not been painful, to Sylvie, feeling almost wrong and wickedly deceitful in betraying her mother, through ignorance of the real arrangements, into a false and unsuitable attitude; and to Desire, for Sylvie's sake.

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

From this reading "I don't think you'll mind, with cannel coal," said Sylvie.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading The half of course and half critical way in which Mrs. Argenter took possession of the gray parlor would have been funny, if it had not been painful, to Sylvie, feeling almost wrong and wickedly deceitful in betraying her mother, through ignorance of the real arrangements, into a false and unsuitable attitude; and to Desire, for Sylvie's sake.

the lack of knowledge or education

From this reading The half of course and half critical way in which Mrs. Argenter took possession of the gray parlor would have been funny, if it had not been painful, to Sylvie, feeling almost wrong and wickedly deceitful in betraying her mother, through ignorance of the real arrangements, into a false and unsuitable attitude; and to Desire, for Sylvie's sake.

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

From this reading The half of course and half critical way in which Mrs. Argenter took possession of the gray parlor would have been funny, if it had not been painful, to Sylvie, feeling almost wrong and wickedly deceitful in betraying her mother, through ignorance of the real arrangements, into a false and unsuitable attitude; and to Desire, for Sylvie's sake.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading The half of course and half critical way in which Mrs. Argenter took possession of the gray parlor would have been funny, if it had not been painful, to Sylvie, feeling almost wrong and wickedly deceitful in betraying her mother, through ignorance of the real arrangements, into a false and unsuitable attitude; and to Desire, for Sylvie's sake.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading The half of course and half critical way in which Mrs. Argenter took possession of the gray parlor would have been funny, if it had not been painful, to Sylvie, feeling almost wrong and wickedly deceitful in betraying her mother, through ignorance of the real arrangements, into a false and unsuitable attitude; and to Desire, for Sylvie's sake.

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

From this reading She thought it would do nicely if the windows weren't too low, and if the little stove-grate could be replaced by an open wood fire.

less than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading She thought it would do nicely if the windows weren't too low, and if the little stove-grate could be replaced by an open wood fire.

The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.

From this reading "I don't think you'll mind, with cannel coal," said Sylvie.

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

From this reading The half of course and half critical way in which Mrs. Argenter took possession of the gray parlor would have been funny, if it had not been painful, to Sylvie, feeling almost wrong and wickedly deceitful in betraying her mother, through ignorance of the real arrangements, into a false and unsuitable attitude; and to Desire, for Sylvie's sake.

a form of address for a married woman

From this reading The half of course and half critical way in which Mrs. Argenter took possession of the gray parlor would have been funny, if it had not been painful, to Sylvie, feeling almost wrong and wickedly deceitful in betraying her mother, through ignorance of the real arrangements, into a false and unsuitable attitude; and to Desire, for Sylvie's sake.

in a nice way

From this reading She thought it would do nicely if the windows weren't too low, and if the little stove-grate could be replaced by an open wood fire.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading The half of course and half critical way in which Mrs. Argenter took possession of the gray parlor would have been funny, if it had not been painful, to Sylvie, feeling almost wrong and wickedly deceitful in betraying her mother, through ignorance of the real arrangements, into a false and unsuitable attitude; and to Desire, for Sylvie's sake.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The half of course and half critical way in which Mrs. Argenter took possession of the gray parlor would have been funny, if it had not been painful, to Sylvie, feeling almost wrong and wickedly deceitful in betraying her mother, through ignorance of the real arrangements, into a false and unsuitable attitude; and to Desire, for Sylvie's sake.

To move from a closed position.

From this reading She thought it would do nicely if the windows weren't too low, and if the little stove-grate could be replaced by an open wood fire.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Couldn't she have a Franklin, or couldn't the fire-place be unbricked?

causing physical or psychological pain

From this reading The half of course and half critical way in which Mrs. Argenter took possession of the gray parlor would have been funny, if it had not been painful, to Sylvie, feeling almost wrong and wickedly deceitful in betraying her mother, through ignorance of the real arrangements, into a false and unsuitable attitude; and to Desire, for Sylvie's sake.

reception room in an inn or club where visitors can be received

From this reading The half of course and half critical way in which Mrs. Argenter took possession of the gray parlor would have been funny, if it had not been painful, to Sylvie, feeling almost wrong and wickedly deceitful in betraying her mother, through ignorance of the real arrangements, into a false and unsuitable attitude; and to Desire, for Sylvie's sake.

the act of having and controlling property

From this reading The half of course and half critical way in which Mrs. Argenter took possession of the gray parlor would have been funny, if it had not been painful, to Sylvie, feeling almost wrong and wickedly deceitful in betraying her mother, through ignorance of the real arrangements, into a false and unsuitable attitude; and to Desire, for Sylvie's sake.

being or occurring in fact or actuality; having verified existence; not illusory

From this reading The half of course and half critical way in which Mrs. Argenter took possession of the gray parlor would have been funny, if it had not been painful, to Sylvie, feeling almost wrong and wickedly deceitful in betraying her mother, through ignorance of the real arrangements, into a false and unsuitable attitude; and to Desire, for Sylvie's sake.

past form of “replace” — substitute a person or thing for (another that is broken or inefficient or lost or no longer working or yielding what is expected)

From this reading She thought it would do nicely if the windows weren't too low, and if the little stove-grate could be replaced by an open wood fire.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading "I don't think you'll mind, with cannel coal," said Sylvie.

a reason for wanting something done

From this reading The half of course and half critical way in which Mrs. Argenter took possession of the gray parlor would have been funny, if it had not been painful, to Sylvie, feeling almost wrong and wickedly deceitful in betraying her mother, through ignorance of the real arrangements, into a false and unsuitable attitude; and to Desire, for Sylvie's sake.

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

From this reading She thought it would do nicely if the windows weren't too low, and if the little stove-grate could be replaced by an open wood fire.

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

From this reading She thought it would do nicely if the windows weren't too low, and if the little stove-grate could be replaced by an open wood fire.

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

From this reading The half of course and half critical way in which Mrs. Argenter took possession of the gray parlor would have been funny, if it had not been painful, to Sylvie, feeling almost wrong and wickedly deceitful in betraying her mother, through ignorance of the real arrangements, into a false and unsuitable attitude; and to Desire, for Sylvie's sake.

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

From this reading The half of course and half critical way in which Mrs. Argenter took possession of the gray parlor would have been funny, if it had not been painful, to Sylvie, feeling almost wrong and wickedly deceitful in betraying her mother, through ignorance of the real arrangements, into a false and unsuitable attitude; and to Desire, for Sylvie's sake.

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

From this reading The half of course and half critical way in which Mrs. Argenter took possession of the gray parlor would have been funny, if it had not been painful, to Sylvie, feeling almost wrong and wickedly deceitful in betraying her mother, through ignorance of the real arrangements, into a false and unsuitable attitude; and to Desire, for Sylvie's sake.

judge or regard; look upon; judge

From this reading "I don't think you'll mind, with cannel coal," said Sylvie.

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

From this reading She thought it would do nicely if the windows weren't too low, and if the little stove-grate could be replaced by an open wood fire.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading The half of course and half critical way in which Mrs. Argenter took possession of the gray parlor would have been funny, if it had not been painful, to Sylvie, feeling almost wrong and wickedly deceitful in betraying her mother, through ignorance of the real arrangements, into a false and unsuitable attitude; and to Desire, for Sylvie's sake.

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

From this reading The half of course and half critical way in which Mrs. Argenter took possession of the gray parlor would have been funny, if it had not been painful, to Sylvie, feeling almost wrong and wickedly deceitful in betraying her mother, through ignorance of the real arrangements, into a false and unsuitable attitude; and to Desire, for Sylvie's sake.

to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits

From this reading She thought it would do nicely if the windows weren't too low, and if the little stove-grate could be replaced by an open wood fire.

inflected form of “take” — carry out

From this reading The half of course and half critical way in which Mrs. Argenter took possession of the gray parlor would have been funny, if it had not been painful, to Sylvie, feeling almost wrong and wickedly deceitful in betraying her mother, through ignorance of the real arrangements, into a false and unsuitable attitude; and to Desire, for Sylvie's sake.

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

From this reading Couldn't she have a Franklin, or couldn't the fire-place be unbricked?

not meant or adapted for a particular purpose

From this reading The half of course and half critical way in which Mrs. Argenter took possession of the gray parlor would have been funny, if it had not been painful, to Sylvie, feeling almost wrong and wickedly deceitful in betraying her mother, through ignorance of the real arrangements, into a false and unsuitable attitude; and to Desire, for Sylvie's sake.

desired or wished for or sought

From this reading "WANTED."

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading The half of course and half critical way in which Mrs. Argenter took possession of the gray parlor would have been funny, if it had not been painful, to Sylvie, feeling almost wrong and wickedly deceitful in betraying her mother, through ignorance of the real arrangements, into a false and unsuitable attitude; and to Desire, for Sylvie's sake.

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

From this reading She thought it would do nicely if the windows weren't too low, and if the little stove-grate could be replaced by an open wood fire.

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

From this reading The half of course and half critical way in which Mrs. Argenter took possession of the gray parlor would have been funny, if it had not been painful, to Sylvie, feeling almost wrong and wickedly deceitful in betraying her mother, through ignorance of the real arrangements, into a false and unsuitable attitude; and to Desire, for Sylvie's sake.

in a wicked evil manner

From this reading The half of course and half critical way in which Mrs. Argenter took possession of the gray parlor would have been funny, if it had not been painful, to Sylvie, feeling almost wrong and wickedly deceitful in betraying her mother, through ignorance of the real arrangements, into a false and unsuitable attitude; and to Desire, for Sylvie's sake.

(trademark) an operating system with a graphical user interface

From this reading She thought it would do nicely if the windows weren't too low, and if the little stove-grate could be replaced by an open wood fire.

in the company of; together with

From this reading "I don't think you'll mind, with cannel coal," said Sylvie.

the hard fibrous lignified substance under the bark of trees

From this reading She thought it would do nicely if the windows weren't too low, and if the little stove-grate could be replaced by an open wood fire.

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

From this reading The half of course and half critical way in which Mrs. Argenter took possession of the gray parlor would have been funny, if it had not been painful, to Sylvie, feeling almost wrong and wickedly deceitful in betraying her mother, through ignorance of the real arrangements, into a false and unsuitable attitude; and to Desire, for Sylvie's sake.

not correct; not in conformity with fact or truth

From this reading The half of course and half critical way in which Mrs. Argenter took possession of the gray parlor would have been funny, if it had not been painful, to Sylvie, feeling almost wrong and wickedly deceitful in betraying her mother, through ignorance of the real arrangements, into a false and unsuitable attitude; and to Desire, for Sylvie's sake.

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

From this reading "I don't think you'll mind, with cannel coal," said Sylvie.