Chapter XIII · Chapter 13

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

From this reading HILARY TURNS DETECTIVE "Eleanor," said Hilary, coming into the hall one afternoon with a couple of books in her hand, "if you are going out I want you to go to Smith's, please, and change these two library books for me."

completely and without qualification; used informally as intensifiers

From this reading After all, since the children had gone away she was doing absolutely nothing in return for her board and lodging, and, since Hilary had forgotten that she was nursing a cold, it would have seemed ungracious to remind her of the fact.

later than; following

From this reading After all, since the children had gone away she was doing absolutely nothing in return for her board and lodging, and, since Hilary had forgotten that she was nursing a cold, it would have seemed ungracious to remind her of the fact.

the part of the day between noon and evening

From this reading HILARY TURNS DETECTIVE "Eleanor," said Hilary, coming into the hall one afternoon with a couple of books in her hand, "if you are going out I want you to go to Smith's, please, and change these two library books for me."

(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class

From this reading It had been raining all day, and though the rain had now changed to a slight drizzle a thick mist creeping on from the sea had already blotted out the downs, and was hanging like a low cloud over the town.

prior to a specified or implied time

From this reading It had been raining all day, and though the rain had now changed to a slight drizzle a thick mist creeping on from the sea had already blotted out the downs, and was hanging like a low cloud over the town.

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

From this reading It was as cheerless an afternoon as could well be imagined, and Margaret who, suffering from a bad cold in her head, had not been out for a couple of days, hesitated a moment before replying.

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

From this reading HILARY TURNS DETECTIVE "Eleanor," said Hilary, coming into the hall one afternoon with a couple of books in her hand, "if you are going out I want you to go to Smith's, please, and change these two library books for me."

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

From this reading HILARY TURNS DETECTIVE "Eleanor," said Hilary, coming into the hall one afternoon with a couple of books in her hand, "if you are going out I want you to go to Smith's, please, and change these two library books for me."

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

From this reading It was as cheerless an afternoon as could well be imagined, and Margaret who, suffering from a bad cold in her head, had not been out for a couple of days, hesitated a moment before replying.

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading After all, since the children had gone away she was doing absolutely nothing in return for her board and lodging, and, since Hilary had forgotten that she was nursing a cold, it would have seemed ungracious to remind her of the fact.

having undesirable or negative qualities

From this reading It was as cheerless an afternoon as could well be imagined, and Margaret who, suffering from a bad cold in her head, had not been out for a couple of days, hesitated a moment before replying.

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

From this reading It was as cheerless an afternoon as could well be imagined, and Margaret who, suffering from a bad cold in her head, had not been out for a couple of days, hesitated a moment before replying.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading It had been raining all day, and though the rain had now changed to a slight drizzle a thick mist creeping on from the sea had already blotted out the downs, and was hanging like a low cloud over the town.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading It was as cheerless an afternoon as could well be imagined, and Margaret who, suffering from a bad cold in her head, had not been out for a couple of days, hesitated a moment before replying.

inflected form of “blot” — dry (ink) with blotting paper

From this reading It had been raining all day, and though the rain had now changed to a slight drizzle a thick mist creeping on from the sea had already blotted out the downs, and was hanging like a low cloud over the town.

a committee having supervisory powers

From this reading After all, since the children had gone away she was doing absolutely nothing in return for her board and lodging, and, since Hilary had forgotten that she was nursing a cold, it would have seemed ungracious to remind her of the fact.

Bound written or printed works.

From this reading HILARY TURNS DETECTIVE "Eleanor," said Hilary, coming into the hall one afternoon with a couple of books in her hand, "if you are going out I want you to go to Smith's, please, and change these two library books for me."

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But the request was couched in such a peremptory tone that she did not quite like to refuse it.

cause to change; make different; cause a transformation

From this reading HILARY TURNS DETECTIVE "Eleanor," said Hilary, coming into the hall one afternoon with a couple of books in her hand, "if you are going out I want you to go to Smith's, please, and change these two library books for me."

made or become different in nature or form

From this reading It had been raining all day, and though the rain had now changed to a slight drizzle a thick mist creeping on from the sea had already blotted out the downs, and was hanging like a low cloud over the town.

causing sad feelings of gloom and inadequacy

From this reading It was as cheerless an afternoon as could well be imagined, and Margaret who, suffering from a bad cold in her head, had not been out for a couple of days, hesitated a moment before replying.

plural of “child” — a young person of either sex

From this reading After all, since the children had gone away she was doing absolutely nothing in return for her board and lodging, and, since Hilary had forgotten that she was nursing a cold, it would have seemed ungracious to remind her of the fact.

make overcast or cloudy

From this reading It had been raining all day, and though the rain had now changed to a slight drizzle a thick mist creeping on from the sea had already blotted out the downs, and was hanging like a low cloud over the town.

having a low or inadequate temperature or feeling a sensation of coldness or having been made cold by e.g. ice or refrigeration

From this reading It was as cheerless an afternoon as could well be imagined, and Margaret who, suffering from a bad cold in her head, had not been out for a couple of days, hesitated a moment before replying.

the act of drawing spatially closer to something

From this reading HILARY TURNS DETECTIVE "Eleanor," said Hilary, coming into the hall one afternoon with a couple of books in her hand, "if you are going out I want you to go to Smith's, please, and change these two library books for me."

past form of “couch” — formulate in a particular style or language

From this reading But the request was couched in such a peremptory tone that she did not quite like to refuse it.

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

From this reading It was as cheerless an afternoon as could well be imagined, and Margaret who, suffering from a bad cold in her head, had not been out for a couple of days, hesitated a moment before replying.

a pair who associate with one another

From this reading HILARY TURNS DETECTIVE "Eleanor," said Hilary, coming into the hall one afternoon with a couple of books in her hand, "if you are going out I want you to go to Smith's, please, and change these two library books for me."

a slow mode of locomotion on hands and knees or dragging the body

From this reading It had been raining all day, and though the rain had now changed to a slight drizzle a thick mist creeping on from the sea had already blotted out the downs, and was hanging like a low cloud over the town.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading It had been raining all day, and though the rain had now changed to a slight drizzle a thick mist creeping on from the sea had already blotted out the downs, and was hanging like a low cloud over the town.

the time during which someone's life continues

From this reading It was as cheerless an afternoon as could well be imagined, and Margaret who, suffering from a bad cold in her head, had not been out for a couple of days, hesitated a moment before replying.

a police officer who investigates crimes

From this reading HILARY TURNS DETECTIVE "Eleanor," said Hilary, coming into the hall one afternoon with a couple of books in her hand, "if you are going out I want you to go to Smith's, please, and change these two library books for me."

the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives

From this reading But the request was couched in such a peremptory tone that she did not quite like to refuse it.

-ing form of “do” — engage in

From this reading After all, since the children had gone away she was doing absolutely nothing in return for her board and lodging, and, since Hilary had forgotten that she was nursing a cold, it would have seemed ungracious to remind her of the fact.

plural of “down” — soft fine feathers

From this reading It had been raining all day, and though the rain had now changed to a slight drizzle a thick mist creeping on from the sea had already blotted out the downs, and was hanging like a low cloud over the town.

very light rain; stronger than mist but less than a shower

From this reading It had been raining all day, and though the rain had now changed to a slight drizzle a thick mist creeping on from the sea had already blotted out the downs, and was hanging like a low cloud over the town.

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

From this reading HILARY TURNS DETECTIVE "Eleanor," said Hilary, coming into the hall one afternoon with a couple of books in her hand, "if you are going out I want you to go to Smith's, please, and change these two library books for me."

a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred

From this reading After all, since the children had gone away she was doing absolutely nothing in return for her board and lodging, and, since Hilary had forgotten that she was nursing a cold, it would have seemed ungracious to remind her of the fact.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading HILARY TURNS DETECTIVE "Eleanor," said Hilary, coming into the hall one afternoon with a couple of books in her hand, "if you are going out I want you to go to Smith's, please, and change these two library books for me."

Not remembered; lapsed from memory.

From this reading After all, since the children had gone away she was doing absolutely nothing in return for her board and lodging, and, since Hilary had forgotten that she was nursing a cold, it would have seemed ungracious to remind her of the fact.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading It had been raining all day, and though the rain had now changed to a slight drizzle a thick mist creeping on from the sea had already blotted out the downs, and was hanging like a low cloud over the town.

change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading HILARY TURNS DETECTIVE "Eleanor," said Hilary, coming into the hall one afternoon with a couple of books in her hand, "if you are going out I want you to go to Smith's, please, and change these two library books for me."

the act of departing

From this reading HILARY TURNS DETECTIVE "Eleanor," said Hilary, coming into the hall one afternoon with a couple of books in her hand, "if you are going out I want you to go to Smith's, please, and change these two library books for me."

destroyed or killed

From this reading After all, since the children had gone away she was doing absolutely nothing in return for her board and lodging, and, since Hilary had forgotten that she was nursing a cold, it would have seemed ungracious to remind her of the fact.

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

From this reading It had been raining all day, and though the rain had now changed to a slight drizzle a thick mist creeping on from the sea had already blotted out the downs, and was hanging like a low cloud over the town.

an interior passage or corridor onto which rooms open

From this reading HILARY TURNS DETECTIVE "Eleanor," said Hilary, coming into the hall one afternoon with a couple of books in her hand, "if you are going out I want you to go to Smith's, please, and change these two library books for me."

the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb

From this reading HILARY TURNS DETECTIVE "Eleanor," said Hilary, coming into the hall one afternoon with a couple of books in her hand, "if you are going out I want you to go to Smith's, please, and change these two library books for me."

decoration that is hung (as a tapestry) on a wall or over a window

From this reading It had been raining all day, and though the rain had now changed to a slight drizzle a thick mist creeping on from the sea had already blotted out the downs, and was hanging like a low cloud over the town.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading After all, since the children had gone away she was doing absolutely nothing in return for her board and lodging, and, since Hilary had forgotten that she was nursing a cold, it would have seemed ungracious to remind her of the fact.

the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains

From this reading It was as cheerless an afternoon as could well be imagined, and Margaret who, suffering from a bad cold in her head, had not been out for a couple of days, hesitated a moment before replying.

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

From this reading HILARY TURNS DETECTIVE "Eleanor," said Hilary, coming into the hall one afternoon with a couple of books in her hand, "if you are going out I want you to go to Smith's, please, and change these two library books for me."

past form of “hesitate” — pause or hold back in uncertainty or unwillingness

From this reading It was as cheerless an afternoon as could well be imagined, and Margaret who, suffering from a bad cold in her head, had not been out for a couple of days, hesitated a moment before replying.

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

From this reading HILARY TURNS DETECTIVE "Eleanor," said Hilary, coming into the hall one afternoon with a couple of books in her hand, "if you are going out I want you to go to Smith's, please, and change these two library books for me."

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

From this reading HILARY TURNS DETECTIVE "Eleanor," said Hilary, coming into the hall one afternoon with a couple of books in her hand, "if you are going out I want you to go to Smith's, please, and change these two library books for me."

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading HILARY TURNS DETECTIVE "Eleanor," said Hilary, coming into the hall one afternoon with a couple of books in her hand, "if you are going out I want you to go to Smith's, please, and change these two library books for me."

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

From this reading It was as cheerless an afternoon as could well be imagined, and Margaret who, suffering from a bad cold in her head, had not been out for a couple of days, hesitated a moment before replying.

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

From this reading HILARY TURNS DETECTIVE "Eleanor," said Hilary, coming into the hall one afternoon with a couple of books in her hand, "if you are going out I want you to go to Smith's, please, and change these two library books for me."

moving to the inside of something

From this reading HILARY TURNS DETECTIVE "Eleanor," said Hilary, coming into the hall one afternoon with a couple of books in her hand, "if you are going out I want you to go to Smith's, please, and change these two library books for me."

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It had been raining all day, and though the rain had now changed to a slight drizzle a thick mist creeping on from the sea had already blotted out the downs, and was hanging like a low cloud over the town.

a room where books are kept

From this reading HILARY TURNS DETECTIVE "Eleanor," said Hilary, coming into the hall one afternoon with a couple of books in her hand, "if you are going out I want you to go to Smith's, please, and change these two library books for me."

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading It had been raining all day, and though the rain had now changed to a slight drizzle a thick mist creeping on from the sea had already blotted out the downs, and was hanging like a low cloud over the town.

structures collectively in which people are housed

From this reading After all, since the children had gone away she was doing absolutely nothing in return for her board and lodging, and, since Hilary had forgotten that she was nursing a cold, it would have seemed ungracious to remind her of the fact.

less than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading It had been raining all day, and though the rain had now changed to a slight drizzle a thick mist creeping on from the sea had already blotted out the downs, and was hanging like a low cloud over the town.

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

From this reading It was as cheerless an afternoon as could well be imagined, and Margaret who, suffering from a bad cold in her head, had not been out for a couple of days, hesitated a moment before replying.

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

From this reading HILARY TURNS DETECTIVE "Eleanor," said Hilary, coming into the hall one afternoon with a couple of books in her hand, "if you are going out I want you to go to Smith's, please, and change these two library books for me."

become covered with mist

From this reading It had been raining all day, and though the rain had now changed to a slight drizzle a thick mist creeping on from the sea had already blotted out the downs, and was hanging like a low cloud over the town.

a particular point in time

From this reading It was as cheerless an afternoon as could well be imagined, and Margaret who, suffering from a bad cold in her head, had not been out for a couple of days, hesitated a moment before replying.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading It was as cheerless an afternoon as could well be imagined, and Margaret who, suffering from a bad cold in her head, had not been out for a couple of days, hesitated a moment before replying.

not one thing; not anything

From this reading After all, since the children had gone away she was doing absolutely nothing in return for her board and lodging, and, since Hilary had forgotten that she was nursing a cold, it would have seemed ungracious to remind her of the fact.

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

From this reading It had been raining all day, and though the rain had now changed to a slight drizzle a thick mist creeping on from the sea had already blotted out the downs, and was hanging like a low cloud over the town.

the work of caring for the sick or injured or infirm

From this reading After all, since the children had gone away she was doing absolutely nothing in return for her board and lodging, and, since Hilary had forgotten that she was nursing a cold, it would have seemed ungracious to remind her of the fact.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading HILARY TURNS DETECTIVE "Eleanor," said Hilary, coming into the hall one afternoon with a couple of books in her hand, "if you are going out I want you to go to Smith's, please, and change these two library books for me."

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading It had been raining all day, and though the rain had now changed to a slight drizzle a thick mist creeping on from the sea had already blotted out the downs, and was hanging like a low cloud over the town.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading HILARY TURNS DETECTIVE "Eleanor," said Hilary, coming into the hall one afternoon with a couple of books in her hand, "if you are going out I want you to go to Smith's, please, and change these two library books for me."

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading HILARY TURNS DETECTIVE "Eleanor," said Hilary, coming into the hall one afternoon with a couple of books in her hand, "if you are going out I want you to go to Smith's, please, and change these two library books for me."

above and across; more than

From this reading It had been raining all day, and though the rain had now changed to a slight drizzle a thick mist creeping on from the sea had already blotted out the downs, and was hanging like a low cloud over the town.

offensively self-assured or given to exercising usually unwarranted power

From this reading But the request was couched in such a peremptory tone that she did not quite like to refuse it.

give pleasure to or be pleasing to

From this reading HILARY TURNS DETECTIVE "Eleanor," said Hilary, coming into the hall one afternoon with a couple of books in her hand, "if you are going out I want you to go to Smith's, please, and change these two library books for me."

to a degree (not used with a negative)

From this reading But the request was couched in such a peremptory tone that she did not quite like to refuse it.

water falling in drops from vapor condensed in the atmosphere

From this reading It had been raining all day, and though the rain had now changed to a slight drizzle a thick mist creeping on from the sea had already blotted out the downs, and was hanging like a low cloud over the town.

falling in drops or as if falling like rain

From this reading It had been raining all day, and though the rain had now changed to a slight drizzle a thick mist creeping on from the sea had already blotted out the downs, and was hanging like a low cloud over the town.

show unwillingness towards

From this reading But the request was couched in such a peremptory tone that she did not quite like to refuse it.

put in the mind of someone

From this reading After all, since the children had gone away she was doing absolutely nothing in return for her board and lodging, and, since Hilary had forgotten that she was nursing a cold, it would have seemed ungracious to remind her of the fact.

-ing form of “reply” — react verbally

From this reading It was as cheerless an afternoon as could well be imagined, and Margaret who, suffering from a bad cold in her head, had not been out for a couple of days, hesitated a moment before replying.

express the need or desire for

From this reading But the request was couched in such a peremptory tone that she did not quite like to refuse it.

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

From this reading After all, since the children had gone away she was doing absolutely nothing in return for her board and lodging, and, since Hilary had forgotten that she was nursing a cold, it would have seemed ungracious to remind her of the fact.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading HILARY TURNS DETECTIVE "Eleanor," said Hilary, coming into the hall one afternoon with a couple of books in her hand, "if you are going out I want you to go to Smith's, please, and change these two library books for me."

a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land

From this reading It had been raining all day, and though the rain had now changed to a slight drizzle a thick mist creeping on from the sea had already blotted out the downs, and was hanging like a low cloud over the town.

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

From this reading After all, since the children had gone away she was doing absolutely nothing in return for her board and lodging, and, since Hilary had forgotten that she was nursing a cold, it would have seemed ungracious to remind her of the fact.

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

From this reading But the request was couched in such a peremptory tone that she did not quite like to refuse it.

from a time in the past until now

From this reading After all, since the children had gone away she was doing absolutely nothing in return for her board and lodging, and, since Hilary had forgotten that she was nursing a cold, it would have seemed ungracious to remind her of the fact.

a deliberate discourteous act (usually as an expression of anger or disapproval)

From this reading It had been raining all day, and though the rain had now changed to a slight drizzle a thick mist creeping on from the sea had already blotted out the downs, and was hanging like a low cloud over the town.

possessive form of “smith” — Rhodesian statesman who declared independence of Zimbabwe from Great Britain (born in 1919)

From this reading HILARY TURNS DETECTIVE "Eleanor," said Hilary, coming into the hall one afternoon with a couple of books in her hand, "if you are going out I want you to go to Smith's, please, and change these two library books for me."

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading But the request was couched in such a peremptory tone that she did not quite like to refuse it.

a state of acute pain

From this reading It was as cheerless an afternoon as could well be imagined, and Margaret who, suffering from a bad cold in her head, had not been out for a couple of days, hesitated a moment before replying.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading But the request was couched in such a peremptory tone that she did not quite like to refuse it.

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

From this reading HILARY TURNS DETECTIVE "Eleanor," said Hilary, coming into the hall one afternoon with a couple of books in her hand, "if you are going out I want you to go to Smith's, please, and change these two library books for me."

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading HILARY TURNS DETECTIVE "Eleanor," said Hilary, coming into the hall one afternoon with a couple of books in her hand, "if you are going out I want you to go to Smith's, please, and change these two library books for me."

not thin; of a specific thickness or of relatively great extent from one surface to the opposite usually in the smallest of the three solid dimensions

From this reading It had been raining all day, and though the rain had now changed to a slight drizzle a thick mist creeping on from the sea had already blotted out the downs, and was hanging like a low cloud over the town.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading It had been raining all day, and though the rain had now changed to a slight drizzle a thick mist creeping on from the sea had already blotted out the downs, and was hanging like a low cloud over the town.

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

From this reading HILARY TURNS DETECTIVE "Eleanor," said Hilary, coming into the hall one afternoon with a couple of books in her hand, "if you are going out I want you to go to Smith's, please, and change these two library books for me."

the quality of a person's voice

From this reading But the request was couched in such a peremptory tone that she did not quite like to refuse it.

an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city

From this reading It had been raining all day, and though the rain had now changed to a slight drizzle a thick mist creeping on from the sea had already blotted out the downs, and was hanging like a low cloud over the town.

plural of “turn” — a circular segment of a curve

From this reading HILARY TURNS DETECTIVE "Eleanor," said Hilary, coming into the hall one afternoon with a couple of books in her hand, "if you are going out I want you to go to Smith's, please, and change these two library books for me."

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

From this reading HILARY TURNS DETECTIVE "Eleanor," said Hilary, coming into the hall one afternoon with a couple of books in her hand, "if you are going out I want you to go to Smith's, please, and change these two library books for me."

lacking charm and good taste

From this reading After all, since the children had gone away she was doing absolutely nothing in return for her board and lodging, and, since Hilary had forgotten that she was nursing a cold, it would have seemed ungracious to remind her of the fact.

feel or have a desire for; want strongly

From this reading HILARY TURNS DETECTIVE "Eleanor," said Hilary, coming into the hall one afternoon with a couple of books in her hand, "if you are going out I want you to go to Smith's, please, and change these two library books for me."

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

From this reading It had been raining all day, and though the rain had now changed to a slight drizzle a thick mist creeping on from the sea had already blotted out the downs, and was hanging like a low cloud over the town.

(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 It was as cheerless an afternoon as could well be imagined, and Margaret who, suffering from a bad cold in her head, had not been out for a couple of days, hesitated a moment before replying.

which person or people

From this reading It was as cheerless an afternoon as could well be imagined, and Margaret who, suffering from a bad cold in her head, had not been out for a couple of days, hesitated a moment before replying.

in the company of; together with

From this reading HILARY TURNS DETECTIVE "Eleanor," said Hilary, coming into the hall one afternoon with a couple of books in her hand, "if you are going out I want you to go to Smith's, please, and change these two library books for me."

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

From this reading After all, since the children had gone away she was doing absolutely nothing in return for her board and lodging, and, since Hilary had forgotten that she was nursing a cold, it would have seemed ungracious to remind her of the fact.

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading HILARY TURNS DETECTIVE "Eleanor," said Hilary, coming into the hall one afternoon with a couple of books in her hand, "if you are going out I want you to go to Smith's, please, and change these two library books for me."