Chapter III

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

From this reading Let me only observe that I really honestly think if a man is to choose between behaving like a brute (as people say you do when you break off an engagement) and making himself miserable for life (as I most certainly should if I had married Mabel), he had much better select the former course.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading I don’t want to say anything unkind about her here in print, but, the fact is, the engagement had been an unfortunate one from the first.

the table in Christian churches where communion is given

From this reading At any rate, I know now that if I had had the brutality, or the courage, to tell Mabel point-blank at first that I was very sorry, but I didn’t care for her sufficiently to marry her, I should have spared myself a vast deal of annoyance and self-reproach, which now I understand to have been altogether unnecessary; seeing, I know now very well, she didn’t really care for me in the least, but simply regarded me as a lay-figure (with eight hundred a year) to stand beside her at the altar rails and mechanically say “_I will_” and “_I do_” and the rest of it.

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

From this reading At any rate, I know now that if I had had the brutality, or the courage, to tell Mabel point-blank at first that I was very sorry, but I didn’t care for her sufficiently to marry her, I should have spared myself a vast deal of annoyance and self-reproach, which now I understand to have been altogether unnecessary; seeing, I know now very well, she didn’t really care for me in the least, but simply regarded me as a lay-figure (with eight hundred a year) to stand beside her at the altar rails and mechanically say “_I will_” and “_I do_” and the rest of it.

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

From this reading I don’t want to say anything unkind about her here in print, but, the fact is, the engagement had been an unfortunate one from the first.

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

From this reading I CONTINUE TO KEEP OUT OF MABEL HARKER’S WAY AND GO TO GORING— RETURN TO “THE FRENCH HORN”—WANDERINGS WITH LUCY—MR.

the psychological state of being irritated or annoyed

From this reading At any rate, I know now that if I had had the brutality, or the courage, to tell Mabel point-blank at first that I was very sorry, but I didn’t care for her sufficiently to marry her, I should have spared myself a vast deal of annoyance and self-reproach, which now I understand to have been altogether unnecessary; seeing, I know now very well, she didn’t really care for me in the least, but simply regarded me as a lay-figure (with eight hundred a year) to stand beside her at the altar rails and mechanically say “_I will_” and “_I do_” and the rest of it.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading At any rate, I know now that if I had had the brutality, or the courage, to tell Mabel point-blank at first that I was very sorry, but I didn’t care for her sufficiently to marry her, I should have spared myself a vast deal of annoyance and self-reproach, which now I understand to have been altogether unnecessary; seeing, I know now very well, she didn’t really care for me in the least, but simply regarded me as a lay-figure (with eight hundred a year) to stand beside her at the altar rails and mechanically say “_I will_” and “_I do_” and the rest of it.

any thing at all

From this reading I don’t want to say anything unkind about her here in print, but, the fact is, the engagement had been an unfortunate one from the first.

quick to understand

From this reading CRAGE REHEARSES HIS OWN FUNERAL AS August approached I began to feel apprehensive as to the right course to pursue with regard to Mabel Harker, my _fiancée_.

past form of “approach” — move towards

From this reading CRAGE REHEARSES HIS OWN FUNERAL AS August approached I began to feel apprehensive as to the right course to pursue with regard to Mabel Harker, my _fiancée_.

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

From this reading CRAGE REHEARSES HIS OWN FUNERAL AS August approached I began to feel apprehensive as to the right course to pursue with regard to Mabel Harker, my _fiancée_.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading At any rate, I know now that if I had had the brutality, or the courage, to tell Mabel point-blank at first that I was very sorry, but I didn’t care for her sufficiently to marry her, I should have spared myself a vast deal of annoyance and self-reproach, which now I understand to have been altogether unnecessary; seeing, I know now very well, she didn’t really care for me in the least, but simply regarded me as a lay-figure (with eight hundred a year) to stand beside her at the altar rails and mechanically say “_I will_” and “_I do_” and the rest of it.

the month following July and preceding September

From this reading CRAGE REHEARSES HIS OWN FUNERAL AS August approached I began to feel apprehensive as to the right course to pursue with regard to Mabel Harker, my _fiancée_.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading I don’t want to say anything unkind about her here in print, but, the fact is, the engagement had been an unfortunate one from the first.

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

From this reading CRAGE REHEARSES HIS OWN FUNERAL AS August approached I began to feel apprehensive as to the right course to pursue with regard to Mabel Harker, my _fiancée_.

-ing form of “behave” — behave in a certain manner; show a certain behavior; conduct or comport oneself

From this reading Let me only observe that I really honestly think if a man is to choose between behaving like a brute (as people say you do when you break off an engagement) and making himself miserable for life (as I most certainly should if I had married Mabel), he had much better select the former course.

next to; at the side of

From this reading At any rate, I know now that if I had had the brutality, or the courage, to tell Mabel point-blank at first that I was very sorry, but I didn’t care for her sufficiently to marry her, I should have spared myself a vast deal of annoyance and self-reproach, which now I understand to have been altogether unnecessary; seeing, I know now very well, she didn’t really care for me in the least, but simply regarded me as a lay-figure (with eight hundred a year) to stand beside her at the altar rails and mechanically say “_I will_” and “_I do_” and the rest of it.

(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another

From this reading Let me only observe that I really honestly think if a man is to choose between behaving like a brute (as people say you do when you break off an engagement) and making himself miserable for life (as I most certainly should if I had married Mabel), he had much better select the former course.

in the space, time, or range separating two things

From this reading Let me only observe that I really honestly think if a man is to choose between behaving like a brute (as people say you do when you break off an engagement) and making himself miserable for life (as I most certainly should if I had married Mabel), he had much better select the former course.

terminate

From this reading Let me only observe that I really honestly think if a man is to choose between behaving like a brute (as people say you do when you break off an engagement) and making himself miserable for life (as I most certainly should if I had married Mabel), he had much better select the former course.

the trait of extreme cruelty

From this reading At any rate, I know now that if I had had the brutality, or the courage, to tell Mabel point-blank at first that I was very sorry, but I didn’t care for her sufficiently to marry her, I should have spared myself a vast deal of annoyance and self-reproach, which now I understand to have been altogether unnecessary; seeing, I know now very well, she didn’t really care for me in the least, but simply regarded me as a lay-figure (with eight hundred a year) to stand beside her at the altar rails and mechanically say “_I will_” and “_I do_” and the rest of it.

a cruelly rapacious person

From this reading Let me only observe that I really honestly think if a man is to choose between behaving like a brute (as people say you do when you break off an engagement) and making himself miserable for life (as I most certainly should if I had married Mabel), he had much better select the former course.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading I don’t want to say anything unkind about her here in print, but, the fact is, the engagement had been an unfortunate one from the first.

the work of providing treatment for or attending to someone or something

From this reading At any rate, I know now that if I had had the brutality, or the courage, to tell Mabel point-blank at first that I was very sorry, but I didn’t care for her sufficiently to marry her, I should have spared myself a vast deal of annoyance and self-reproach, which now I understand to have been altogether unnecessary; seeing, I know now very well, she didn’t really care for me in the least, but simply regarded me as a lay-figure (with eight hundred a year) to stand beside her at the altar rails and mechanically say “_I will_” and “_I do_” and the rest of it.

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

From this reading Let me only observe that I really honestly think if a man is to choose between behaving like a brute (as people say you do when you break off an engagement) and making himself miserable for life (as I most certainly should if I had married Mabel), he had much better select the former course.

pick out, select, or choose from a number of alternatives

From this reading Let me only observe that I really honestly think if a man is to choose between behaving like a brute (as people say you do when you break off an engagement) and making himself miserable for life (as I most certainly should if I had married Mabel), he had much better select the former course.

continue a certain state, condition, or activity

From this reading I CONTINUE TO KEEP OUT OF MABEL HARKER’S WAY AND GO TO GORING— RETURN TO “THE FRENCH HORN”—WANDERINGS WITH LUCY—MR.

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

From this reading At any rate, I know now that if I had had the brutality, or the courage, to tell Mabel point-blank at first that I was very sorry, but I didn’t care for her sufficiently to marry her, I should have spared myself a vast deal of annoyance and self-reproach, which now I understand to have been altogether unnecessary; seeing, I know now very well, she didn’t really care for me in the least, but simply regarded me as a lay-figure (with eight hundred a year) to stand beside her at the altar rails and mechanically say “_I will_” and “_I do_” and the rest of it.

education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings

From this reading CRAGE REHEARSES HIS OWN FUNERAL AS August approached I began to feel apprehensive as to the right course to pursue with regard to Mabel Harker, my _fiancée_.

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

From this reading CRAGE REHEARSES HIS OWN FUNERAL AS August approached I began to feel apprehensive as to the right course to pursue with regard to Mabel Harker, my _fiancée_.

act on verbally or in some form of artistic expression

From this reading At any rate, I know now that if I had had the brutality, or the courage, to tell Mabel point-blank at first that I was very sorry, but I didn’t care for her sufficiently to marry her, I should have spared myself a vast deal of annoyance and self-reproach, which now I understand to have been altogether unnecessary; seeing, I know now very well, she didn’t really care for me in the least, but simply regarded me as a lay-figure (with eight hundred a year) to stand beside her at the altar rails and mechanically say “_I will_” and “_I do_” and the rest of it.

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

From this reading At any rate, I know now that if I had had the brutality, or the courage, to tell Mabel point-blank at first that I was very sorry, but I didn’t care for her sufficiently to marry her, I should have spared myself a vast deal of annoyance and self-reproach, which now I understand to have been altogether unnecessary; seeing, I know now very well, she didn’t really care for me in the least, but simply regarded me as a lay-figure (with eight hundred a year) to stand beside her at the altar rails and mechanically say “_I will_” and “_I do_” and the rest of it.

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading Let me only observe that I really honestly think if a man is to choose between behaving like a brute (as people say you do when you break off an engagement) and making himself miserable for life (as I most certainly should if I had married Mabel), he had much better select the former course.

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

From this reading I don’t want to say anything unkind about her here in print, but, the fact is, the engagement had been an unfortunate one from the first.

being one more than seven

From this reading At any rate, I know now that if I had had the brutality, or the courage, to tell Mabel point-blank at first that I was very sorry, but I didn’t care for her sufficiently to marry her, I should have spared myself a vast deal of annoyance and self-reproach, which now I understand to have been altogether unnecessary; seeing, I know now very well, she didn’t really care for me in the least, but simply regarded me as a lay-figure (with eight hundred a year) to stand beside her at the altar rails and mechanically say “_I will_” and “_I do_” and the rest of it.

a hostile meeting of opposing military forces in the course of a war

From this reading I don’t want to say anything unkind about her here in print, but, the fact is, the engagement had been an unfortunate one from the first.

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

From this reading I don’t want to say anything unkind about her here in print, but, the fact is, the engagement had been an unfortunate one from the first.

undergo an emotional sensation or be in a particular state of mind

From this reading CRAGE REHEARSES HIS OWN FUNERAL AS August approached I began to feel apprehensive as to the right course to pursue with regard to Mabel Harker, my _fiancée_.

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

From this reading CRAGE REHEARSES HIS OWN FUNERAL AS August approached I began to feel apprehensive as to the right course to pursue with regard to Mabel Harker, my _fiancée_.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading I don’t want to say anything unkind about her here in print, but, the fact is, the engagement had been an unfortunate one from the first.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Let me only observe that I really honestly think if a man is to choose between behaving like a brute (as people say you do when you break off an engagement) and making himself miserable for life (as I most certainly should if I had married Mabel), he had much better select the former course.

referring to the first of two things or persons mentioned (or the earlier one or ones of several)

From this reading Let me only observe that I really honestly think if a man is to choose between behaving like a brute (as people say you do when you break off an engagement) and making himself miserable for life (as I most certainly should if I had married Mabel), he had much better select the former course.

the Romance language spoken in France and in countries colonized by France

From this reading I CONTINUE TO KEEP OUT OF MABEL HARKER’S WAY AND GO TO GORING— RETURN TO “THE FRENCH HORN”—WANDERINGS WITH LUCY—MR.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading I don’t want to say anything unkind about her here in print, but, the fact is, the engagement had been an unfortunate one from the first.

a ceremony at which a dead person is buried or cremated

From this reading CRAGE REHEARSES HIS OWN FUNERAL AS August approached I began to feel apprehensive as to the right course to pursue with regard to Mabel Harker, my _fiancée_.

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

From this reading I CONTINUE TO KEEP OUT OF MABEL HARKER’S WAY AND GO TO GORING— RETURN TO “THE FRENCH HORN”—WANDERINGS WITH LUCY—MR.

German politician in Nazi Germany who founded the Gestapo and mobilized Germany for war (1893-1946)

From this reading I CONTINUE TO KEEP OUT OF MABEL HARKER’S WAY AND GO TO GORING— RETURN TO “THE FRENCH HORN”—WANDERINGS WITH LUCY—MR.

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

From this reading I don’t want to say anything unkind about her here in print, but, the fact is, the engagement had been an unfortunate one from the first.

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

From this reading CRAGE REHEARSES HIS OWN FUNERAL AS August approached I began to feel apprehensive as to the right course to pursue with regard to Mabel Harker, my _fiancée_.

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

From this reading I CONTINUE TO KEEP OUT OF MABEL HARKER’S WAY AND GO TO GORING— RETURN TO “THE FRENCH HORN”—WANDERINGS WITH LUCY—MR.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading At any rate, I know now that if I had had the brutality, or the courage, to tell Mabel point-blank at first that I was very sorry, but I didn’t care for her sufficiently to marry her, I should have spared myself a vast deal of annoyance and self-reproach, which now I understand to have been altogether unnecessary; seeing, I know now very well, she didn’t really care for me in the least, but simply regarded me as a lay-figure (with eight hundred a year) to stand beside her at the altar rails and mechanically say “_I will_” and “_I do_” and the rest of it.

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

From this reading Let me only observe that I really honestly think if a man is to choose between behaving like a brute (as people say you do when you break off an engagement) and making himself miserable for life (as I most certainly should if I had married Mabel), he had much better select the former course.

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

From this reading I don’t want to say anything unkind about her here in print, but, the fact is, the engagement had been an unfortunate one from the first.

in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is

From this reading I don’t want to say anything unkind about her here in print, but, the fact is, the engagement had been an unfortunate one from the first.

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading Let me only observe that I really honestly think if a man is to choose between behaving like a brute (as people say you do when you break off an engagement) and making himself miserable for life (as I most certainly should if I had married Mabel), he had much better select the former course.

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

From this reading CRAGE REHEARSES HIS OWN FUNERAL AS August approached I began to feel apprehensive as to the right course to pursue with regard to Mabel Harker, my _fiancée_.

(used as intensives reflecting the speaker's attitude) it is sincerely the case that

From this reading Let me only observe that I really honestly think if a man is to choose between behaving like a brute (as people say you do when you break off an engagement) and making himself miserable for life (as I most certainly should if I had married Mabel), he had much better select the former course.

a noisemaker (as at parties or games) that makes a loud noise when you blow through it

From this reading I CONTINUE TO KEEP OUT OF MABEL HARKER’S WAY AND GO TO GORING— RETURN TO “THE FRENCH HORN”—WANDERINGS WITH LUCY—MR.

ten 10s

From this reading At any rate, I know now that if I had had the brutality, or the courage, to tell Mabel point-blank at first that I was very sorry, but I didn’t care for her sufficiently to marry her, I should have spared myself a vast deal of annoyance and self-reproach, which now I understand to have been altogether unnecessary; seeing, I know now very well, she didn’t really care for me in the least, but simply regarded me as a lay-figure (with eight hundred a year) to stand beside her at the altar rails and mechanically say “_I will_” and “_I do_” and the rest of it.

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

From this reading I CONTINUE TO KEEP OUT OF MABEL HARKER’S WAY AND GO TO GORING— RETURN TO “THE FRENCH HORN”—WANDERINGS WITH LUCY—MR.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading Let me only observe that I really honestly think if a man is to choose between behaving like a brute (as people say you do when you break off an engagement) and making himself miserable for life (as I most certainly should if I had married Mabel), he had much better select the former course.

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

From this reading I don’t want to say anything unkind about her here in print, but, the fact is, the engagement had been an unfortunate one from the first.

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

From this reading I don’t want to say anything unkind about her here in print, but, the fact is, the engagement had been an unfortunate one from the first.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading At any rate, I know now that if I had had the brutality, or the courage, to tell Mabel point-blank at first that I was very sorry, but I didn’t care for her sufficiently to marry her, I should have spared myself a vast deal of annoyance and self-reproach, which now I understand to have been altogether unnecessary; seeing, I know now very well, she didn’t really care for me in the least, but simply regarded me as a lay-figure (with eight hundred a year) to stand beside her at the altar rails and mechanically say “_I will_” and “_I do_” and the rest of it.

cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”

From this reading I CONTINUE TO KEEP OUT OF MABEL HARKER’S WAY AND GO TO GORING— RETURN TO “THE FRENCH HORN”—WANDERINGS WITH LUCY—MR.

be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about

From this reading At any rate, I know now that if I had had the brutality, or the courage, to tell Mabel point-blank at first that I was very sorry, but I didn’t care for her sufficiently to marry her, I should have spared myself a vast deal of annoyance and self-reproach, which now I understand to have been altogether unnecessary; seeing, I know now very well, she didn’t really care for me in the least, but simply regarded me as a lay-figure (with eight hundred a year) to stand beside her at the altar rails and mechanically say “_I will_” and “_I do_” and the rest of it.

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

From this reading At any rate, I know now that if I had had the brutality, or the courage, to tell Mabel point-blank at first that I was very sorry, but I didn’t care for her sufficiently to marry her, I should have spared myself a vast deal of annoyance and self-reproach, which now I understand to have been altogether unnecessary; seeing, I know now very well, she didn’t really care for me in the least, but simply regarded me as a lay-figure (with eight hundred a year) to stand beside her at the altar rails and mechanically say “_I will_” and “_I do_” and the rest of it.

the superlative of “little” that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by “the”; a quantifier meaning smallest in amount or extent or degree

From this reading At any rate, I know now that if I had had the brutality, or the courage, to tell Mabel point-blank at first that I was very sorry, but I didn’t care for her sufficiently to marry her, I should have spared myself a vast deal of annoyance and self-reproach, which now I understand to have been altogether unnecessary; seeing, I know now very well, she didn’t really care for me in the least, but simply regarded me as a lay-figure (with eight hundred a year) to stand beside her at the altar rails and mechanically say “_I will_” and “_I do_” and the rest of it.

used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker

From this reading Let me only observe that I really honestly think if a man is to choose between behaving like a brute (as people say you do when you break off an engagement) and making himself miserable for life (as I most certainly should if I had married Mabel), he had much better select the former course.

a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading Let me only observe that I really honestly think if a man is to choose between behaving like a brute (as people say you do when you break off an engagement) and making himself miserable for life (as I most certainly should if I had married Mabel), he had much better select the former course.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading Let me only observe that I really honestly think if a man is to choose between behaving like a brute (as people say you do when you break off an engagement) and making himself miserable for life (as I most certainly should if I had married Mabel), he had much better select the former course.

incomplete skeleton of female found in eastern Ethiopia in 1974

From this reading I CONTINUE TO KEEP OUT OF MABEL HARKER’S WAY AND GO TO GORING— RETURN TO “THE FRENCH HORN”—WANDERINGS WITH LUCY—MR.

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

From this reading I CONTINUE TO KEEP OUT OF MABEL HARKER’S WAY AND GO TO GORING— RETURN TO “THE FRENCH HORN”—WANDERINGS WITH LUCY—MR.

the act that results in something coming to be

From this reading Let me only observe that I really honestly think if a man is to choose between behaving like a brute (as people say you do when you break off an engagement) and making himself miserable for life (as I most certainly should if I had married Mabel), he had much better select the former course.

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

From this reading Let me only observe that I really honestly think if a man is to choose between behaving like a brute (as people say you do when you break off an engagement) and making himself miserable for life (as I most certainly should if I had married Mabel), he had much better select the former course.

joined in matrimony

From this reading Let me only observe that I really honestly think if a man is to choose between behaving like a brute (as people say you do when you break off an engagement) and making himself miserable for life (as I most certainly should if I had married Mabel), he had much better select the former course.

take in marriage

From this reading At any rate, I know now that if I had had the brutality, or the courage, to tell Mabel point-blank at first that I was very sorry, but I didn’t care for her sufficiently to marry her, I should have spared myself a vast deal of annoyance and self-reproach, which now I understand to have been altogether unnecessary; seeing, I know now very well, she didn’t really care for me in the least, but simply regarded me as a lay-figure (with eight hundred a year) to stand beside her at the altar rails and mechanically say “_I will_” and “_I do_” and the rest of it.

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

From this reading Let me only observe that I really honestly think if a man is to choose between behaving like a brute (as people say you do when you break off an engagement) and making himself miserable for life (as I most certainly should if I had married Mabel), he had much better select the former course.

in a mechanical manner; by a mechanism

From this reading At any rate, I know now that if I had had the brutality, or the courage, to tell Mabel point-blank at first that I was very sorry, but I didn’t care for her sufficiently to marry her, I should have spared myself a vast deal of annoyance and self-reproach, which now I understand to have been altogether unnecessary; seeing, I know now very well, she didn’t really care for me in the least, but simply regarded me as a lay-figure (with eight hundred a year) to stand beside her at the altar rails and mechanically say “_I will_” and “_I do_” and the rest of it.

very unhappy; full of misery

From this reading Let me only observe that I really honestly think if a man is to choose between behaving like a brute (as people say you do when you break off an engagement) and making himself miserable for life (as I most certainly should if I had married Mabel), he had much better select the former course.

used to form the superlative

From this reading Let me only observe that I really honestly think if a man is to choose between behaving like a brute (as people say you do when you break off an engagement) and making himself miserable for life (as I most certainly should if I had married Mabel), he had much better select the former course.

a form of address for a man

From this reading I CONTINUE TO KEEP OUT OF MABEL HARKER’S WAY AND GO TO GORING— RETURN TO “THE FRENCH HORN”—WANDERINGS WITH LUCY—MR.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading Let me only observe that I really honestly think if a man is to choose between behaving like a brute (as people say you do when you break off an engagement) and making himself miserable for life (as I most certainly should if I had married Mabel), he had much better select the former course.

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading CRAGE REHEARSES HIS OWN FUNERAL AS August approached I began to feel apprehensive as to the right course to pursue with regard to Mabel Harker, my _fiancée_.

used when the speaker is also the object of the action

From this reading At any rate, I know now that if I had had the brutality, or the courage, to tell Mabel point-blank at first that I was very sorry, but I didn’t care for her sufficiently to marry her, I should have spared myself a vast deal of annoyance and self-reproach, which now I understand to have been altogether unnecessary; seeing, I know now very well, she didn’t really care for me in the least, but simply regarded me as a lay-figure (with eight hundred a year) to stand beside her at the altar rails and mechanically say “_I will_” and “_I do_” and the rest of it.

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

From this reading At any rate, I know now that if I had had the brutality, or the courage, to tell Mabel point-blank at first that I was very sorry, but I didn’t care for her sufficiently to marry her, I should have spared myself a vast deal of annoyance and self-reproach, which now I understand to have been altogether unnecessary; seeing, I know now very well, she didn’t really care for me in the least, but simply regarded me as a lay-figure (with eight hundred a year) to stand beside her at the altar rails and mechanically say “_I will_” and “_I do_” and the rest of it.

discover or determine the existence, presence, or fact of

From this reading Let me only observe that I really honestly think if a man is to choose between behaving like a brute (as people say you do when you break off an engagement) and making himself miserable for life (as I most certainly should if I had married Mabel), he had much better select the former course.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading I CONTINUE TO KEEP OUT OF MABEL HARKER’S WAY AND GO TO GORING— RETURN TO “THE FRENCH HORN”—WANDERINGS WITH LUCY—MR.

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

From this reading Let me only observe that I really honestly think if a man is to choose between behaving like a brute (as people say you do when you break off an engagement) and making himself miserable for life (as I most certainly should if I had married Mabel), he had much better select the former course.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading I don’t want to say anything unkind about her here in print, but, the fact is, the engagement had been an unfortunate one from the first.

and nothing more

From this reading Let me only observe that I really honestly think if a man is to choose between behaving like a brute (as people say you do when you break off an engagement) and making himself miserable for life (as I most certainly should if I had married Mabel), he had much better select the former course.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading At any rate, I know now that if I had had the brutality, or the courage, to tell Mabel point-blank at first that I was very sorry, but I didn’t care for her sufficiently to marry her, I should have spared myself a vast deal of annoyance and self-reproach, which now I understand to have been altogether unnecessary; seeing, I know now very well, she didn’t really care for me in the least, but simply regarded me as a lay-figure (with eight hundred a year) to stand beside her at the altar rails and mechanically say “_I will_” and “_I do_” and the rest of it.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading I CONTINUE TO KEEP OUT OF MABEL HARKER’S WAY AND GO TO GORING— RETURN TO “THE FRENCH HORN”—WANDERINGS WITH LUCY—MR.

have ownership or possession of

From this reading CRAGE REHEARSES HIS OWN FUNERAL AS August approached I began to feel apprehensive as to the right course to pursue with regard to Mabel Harker, my _fiancée_.

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

From this reading Let me only observe that I really honestly think if a man is to choose between behaving like a brute (as people say you do when you break off an engagement) and making himself miserable for life (as I most certainly should if I had married Mabel), he had much better select the former course.

characterized by directness in manner or speech; without subtlety or evasion

From this reading At any rate, I know now that if I had had the brutality, or the courage, to tell Mabel point-blank at first that I was very sorry, but I didn’t care for her sufficiently to marry her, I should have spared myself a vast deal of annoyance and self-reproach, which now I understand to have been altogether unnecessary; seeing, I know now very well, she didn’t really care for me in the least, but simply regarded me as a lay-figure (with eight hundred a year) to stand beside her at the altar rails and mechanically say “_I will_” and “_I do_” and the rest of it.

the text appearing in a book, newspaper, or other printed publication

From this reading I don’t want to say anything unkind about her here in print, but, the fact is, the engagement had been an unfortunate one from the first.

carry out or participate in an activity; be involved in

From this reading CRAGE REHEARSES HIS OWN FUNERAL AS August approached I began to feel apprehensive as to the right course to pursue with regard to Mabel Harker, my _fiancée_.

a bar or pair of parallel bars of rolled steel making the railway along which railroad cars or other vehicles can roll

From this reading At any rate, I know now that if I had had the brutality, or the courage, to tell Mabel point-blank at first that I was very sorry, but I didn’t care for her sufficiently to marry her, I should have spared myself a vast deal of annoyance and self-reproach, which now I understand to have been altogether unnecessary; seeing, I know now very well, she didn’t really care for me in the least, but simply regarded me as a lay-figure (with eight hundred a year) to stand beside her at the altar rails and mechanically say “_I will_” and “_I do_” and the rest of it.

a magnitude or frequency relative to a time unit

From this reading At any rate, I know now that if I had had the brutality, or the courage, to tell Mabel point-blank at first that I was very sorry, but I didn’t care for her sufficiently to marry her, I should have spared myself a vast deal of annoyance and self-reproach, which now I understand to have been altogether unnecessary; seeing, I know now very well, she didn’t really care for me in the least, but simply regarded me as a lay-figure (with eight hundred a year) to stand beside her at the altar rails and mechanically say “_I will_” and “_I do_” and the rest of it.

in accordance with truth or fact or reality

From this reading Let me only observe that I really honestly think if a man is to choose between behaving like a brute (as people say you do when you break off an engagement) and making himself miserable for life (as I most certainly should if I had married Mabel), he had much better select the former course.

(usually preceded by “in”) a detail or point

From this reading CRAGE REHEARSES HIS OWN FUNERAL AS August approached I began to feel apprehensive as to the right course to pursue with regard to Mabel Harker, my _fiancée_.

past form of “regard” — deem to be

From this reading At any rate, I know now that if I had had the brutality, or the courage, to tell Mabel point-blank at first that I was very sorry, but I didn’t care for her sufficiently to marry her, I should have spared myself a vast deal of annoyance and self-reproach, which now I understand to have been altogether unnecessary; seeing, I know now very well, she didn’t really care for me in the least, but simply regarded me as a lay-figure (with eight hundred a year) to stand beside her at the altar rails and mechanically say “_I will_” and “_I do_” and the rest of it.

third-person singular of “rehearse” — engage in a rehearsal

From this reading CRAGE REHEARSES HIS OWN FUNERAL AS August approached I began to feel apprehensive as to the right course to pursue with regard to Mabel Harker, my _fiancée_.

not move; be in a resting position

From this reading At any rate, I know now that if I had had the brutality, or the courage, to tell Mabel point-blank at first that I was very sorry, but I didn’t care for her sufficiently to marry her, I should have spared myself a vast deal of annoyance and self-reproach, which now I understand to have been altogether unnecessary; seeing, I know now very well, she didn’t really care for me in the least, but simply regarded me as a lay-figure (with eight hundred a year) to stand beside her at the altar rails and mechanically say “_I will_” and “_I do_” and the rest of it.

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

From this reading I CONTINUE TO KEEP OUT OF MABEL HARKER’S WAY AND GO TO GORING— RETURN TO “THE FRENCH HORN”—WANDERINGS WITH LUCY—MR.

precisely, exactly

From this reading CRAGE REHEARSES HIS OWN FUNERAL AS August approached I began to feel apprehensive as to the right course to pursue with regard to Mabel Harker, my _fiancée_.

express in words

From this reading I don’t want to say anything unkind about her here in print, but, the fact is, the engagement had been an unfortunate one from the first.

perception by means of the eyes

From this reading At any rate, I know now that if I had had the brutality, or the courage, to tell Mabel point-blank at first that I was very sorry, but I didn’t care for her sufficiently to marry her, I should have spared myself a vast deal of annoyance and self-reproach, which now I understand to have been altogether unnecessary; seeing, I know now very well, she didn’t really care for me in the least, but simply regarded me as a lay-figure (with eight hundred a year) to stand beside her at the altar rails and mechanically say “_I will_” and “_I do_” and the rest of it.

of superior grade

From this reading Let me only observe that I really honestly think if a man is to choose between behaving like a brute (as people say you do when you break off an engagement) and making himself miserable for life (as I most certainly should if I had married Mabel), he had much better select the former course.

a feeling of deep regret (usually for some misdeed)

From this reading At any rate, I know now that if I had had the brutality, or the courage, to tell Mabel point-blank at first that I was very sorry, but I didn’t care for her sufficiently to marry her, I should have spared myself a vast deal of annoyance and self-reproach, which now I understand to have been altogether unnecessary; seeing, I know now very well, she didn’t really care for me in the least, but simply regarded me as a lay-figure (with eight hundred a year) to stand beside her at the altar rails and mechanically say “_I will_” and “_I do_” and the rest of it.

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

From this reading At any rate, I know now that if I had had the brutality, or the courage, to tell Mabel point-blank at first that I was very sorry, but I didn’t care for her sufficiently to marry her, I should have spared myself a vast deal of annoyance and self-reproach, which now I understand to have been altogether unnecessary; seeing, I know now very well, she didn’t really care for me in the least, but simply regarded me as a lay-figure (with eight hundred a year) to stand beside her at the altar rails and mechanically say “_I will_” and “_I do_” and the rest of it.

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading Let me only observe that I really honestly think if a man is to choose between behaving like a brute (as people say you do when you break off an engagement) and making himself miserable for life (as I most certainly should if I had married Mabel), he had much better select the former course.

and nothing more

From this reading At any rate, I know now that if I had had the brutality, or the courage, to tell Mabel point-blank at first that I was very sorry, but I didn’t care for her sufficiently to marry her, I should have spared myself a vast deal of annoyance and self-reproach, which now I understand to have been altogether unnecessary; seeing, I know now very well, she didn’t really care for me in the least, but simply regarded me as a lay-figure (with eight hundred a year) to stand beside her at the altar rails and mechanically say “_I will_” and “_I do_” and the rest of it.

feeling or expressing regret or sorrow or a sense of loss over something done or undone

From this reading At any rate, I know now that if I had had the brutality, or the courage, to tell Mabel point-blank at first that I was very sorry, but I didn’t care for her sufficiently to marry her, I should have spared myself a vast deal of annoyance and self-reproach, which now I understand to have been altogether unnecessary; seeing, I know now very well, she didn’t really care for me in the least, but simply regarded me as a lay-figure (with eight hundred a year) to stand beside her at the altar rails and mechanically say “_I will_” and “_I do_” and the rest of it.

past form of “spare” — refrain from harming

From this reading At any rate, I know now that if I had had the brutality, or the courage, to tell Mabel point-blank at first that I was very sorry, but I didn’t care for her sufficiently to marry her, I should have spared myself a vast deal of annoyance and self-reproach, which now I understand to have been altogether unnecessary; seeing, I know now very well, she didn’t really care for me in the least, but simply regarded me as a lay-figure (with eight hundred a year) to stand beside her at the altar rails and mechanically say “_I will_” and “_I do_” and the rest of it.

be standing; be upright

From this reading At any rate, I know now that if I had had the brutality, or the courage, to tell Mabel point-blank at first that I was very sorry, but I didn’t care for her sufficiently to marry her, I should have spared myself a vast deal of annoyance and self-reproach, which now I understand to have been altogether unnecessary; seeing, I know now very well, she didn’t really care for me in the least, but simply regarded me as a lay-figure (with eight hundred a year) to stand beside her at the altar rails and mechanically say “_I will_” and “_I do_” and the rest of it.

to a sufficient degree

From this reading At any rate, I know now that if I had had the brutality, or the courage, to tell Mabel point-blank at first that I was very sorry, but I didn’t care for her sufficiently to marry her, I should have spared myself a vast deal of annoyance and self-reproach, which now I understand to have been altogether unnecessary; seeing, I know now very well, she didn’t really care for me in the least, but simply regarded me as a lay-figure (with eight hundred a year) to stand beside her at the altar rails and mechanically say “_I will_” and “_I do_” and the rest of it.

express in words

From this reading At any rate, I know now that if I had had the brutality, or the courage, to tell Mabel point-blank at first that I was very sorry, but I didn’t care for her sufficiently to marry her, I should have spared myself a vast deal of annoyance and self-reproach, which now I understand to have been altogether unnecessary; seeing, I know now very well, she didn’t really care for me in the least, but simply regarded me as a lay-figure (with eight hundred a year) to stand beside her at the altar rails and mechanically say “_I will_” and “_I do_” and the rest of it.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Let me only observe that I really honestly think if a man is to choose between behaving like a brute (as people say you do when you break off an engagement) and making himself miserable for life (as I most certainly should if I had married Mabel), he had much better select the former course.

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

From this reading I CONTINUE TO KEEP OUT OF MABEL HARKER’S WAY AND GO TO GORING— RETURN TO “THE FRENCH HORN”—WANDERINGS WITH LUCY—MR.

judge or regard; look upon; judge

From this reading Let me only observe that I really honestly think if a man is to choose between behaving like a brute (as people say you do when you break off an engagement) and making himself miserable for life (as I most certainly should if I had married Mabel), he had much better select the former course.

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

From this reading I CONTINUE TO KEEP OUT OF MABEL HARKER’S WAY AND GO TO GORING— RETURN TO “THE FRENCH HORN”—WANDERINGS WITH LUCY—MR.

know and comprehend the nature or meaning of

From this reading At any rate, I know now that if I had had the brutality, or the courage, to tell Mabel point-blank at first that I was very sorry, but I didn’t care for her sufficiently to marry her, I should have spared myself a vast deal of annoyance and self-reproach, which now I understand to have been altogether unnecessary; seeing, I know now very well, she didn’t really care for me in the least, but simply regarded me as a lay-figure (with eight hundred a year) to stand beside her at the altar rails and mechanically say “_I will_” and “_I do_” and the rest of it.

not favored by fortune; marked or accompanied by or resulting in ill fortune

From this reading I don’t want to say anything unkind about her here in print, but, the fact is, the engagement had been an unfortunate one from the first.

lacking kindness

From this reading I don’t want to say anything unkind about her here in print, but, the fact is, the engagement had been an unfortunate one from the first.

not necessary

From this reading At any rate, I know now that if I had had the brutality, or the courage, to tell Mabel point-blank at first that I was very sorry, but I didn’t care for her sufficiently to marry her, I should have spared myself a vast deal of annoyance and self-reproach, which now I understand to have been altogether unnecessary; seeing, I know now very well, she didn’t really care for me in the least, but simply regarded me as a lay-figure (with eight hundred a year) to stand beside her at the altar rails and mechanically say “_I will_” and “_I do_” and the rest of it.

unusually great in size or amount or degree or especially extent or scope

From this reading At any rate, I know now that if I had had the brutality, or the courage, to tell Mabel point-blank at first that I was very sorry, but I didn’t care for her sufficiently to marry her, I should have spared myself a vast deal of annoyance and self-reproach, which now I understand to have been altogether unnecessary; seeing, I know now very well, she didn’t really care for me in the least, but simply regarded me as a lay-figure (with eight hundred a year) to stand beside her at the altar rails and mechanically say “_I will_” and “_I do_” and the rest of it.

precisely as stated

From this reading At any rate, I know now that if I had had the brutality, or the courage, to tell Mabel point-blank at first that I was very sorry, but I didn’t care for her sufficiently to marry her, I should have spared myself a vast deal of annoyance and self-reproach, which now I understand to have been altogether unnecessary; seeing, I know now very well, she didn’t really care for me in the least, but simply regarded me as a lay-figure (with eight hundred a year) to stand beside her at the altar rails and mechanically say “_I will_” and “_I do_” and the rest of it.

plural of “wandering” — travelling about without any clear destination

From this reading I CONTINUE TO KEEP OUT OF MABEL HARKER’S WAY AND GO TO GORING— RETURN TO “THE FRENCH HORN”—WANDERINGS WITH LUCY—MR.

feel or have a desire for; want strongly

From this reading I don’t want to say anything unkind about her here in print, but, the fact is, the engagement had been an unfortunate one from the first.

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

From this reading At any rate, I know now that if I had had the brutality, or the courage, to tell Mabel point-blank at first that I was very sorry, but I didn’t care for her sufficiently to marry her, I should have spared myself a vast deal of annoyance and self-reproach, which now I understand to have been altogether unnecessary; seeing, I know now very well, she didn’t really care for me in the least, but simply regarded me as a lay-figure (with eight hundred a year) to stand beside her at the altar rails and mechanically say “_I will_” and “_I do_” and the rest of it.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading I CONTINUE TO KEEP OUT OF MABEL HARKER’S WAY AND GO TO GORING— RETURN TO “THE FRENCH HORN”—WANDERINGS WITH LUCY—MR.

(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 At any rate, I know now that if I had had the brutality, or the courage, to tell Mabel point-blank at first that I was very sorry, but I didn’t care for her sufficiently to marry her, I should have spared myself a vast deal of annoyance and self-reproach, which now I understand to have been altogether unnecessary; seeing, I know now very well, she didn’t really care for me in the least, but simply regarded me as a lay-figure (with eight hundred a year) to stand beside her at the altar rails and mechanically say “_I will_” and “_I do_” and the rest of it.

at the time that

From this reading Let me only observe that I really honestly think if a man is to choose between behaving like a brute (as people say you do when you break off an engagement) and making himself miserable for life (as I most certainly should if I had married Mabel), he had much better select the former course.

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

From this reading At any rate, I know now that if I had had the brutality, or the courage, to tell Mabel point-blank at first that I was very sorry, but I didn’t care for her sufficiently to marry her, I should have spared myself a vast deal of annoyance and self-reproach, which now I understand to have been altogether unnecessary; seeing, I know now very well, she didn’t really care for me in the least, but simply regarded me as a lay-figure (with eight hundred a year) to stand beside her at the altar rails and mechanically say “_I will_” and “_I do_” and the rest of it.

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading At any rate, I know now that if I had had the brutality, or the courage, to tell Mabel point-blank at first that I was very sorry, but I didn’t care for her sufficiently to marry her, I should have spared myself a vast deal of annoyance and self-reproach, which now I understand to have been altogether unnecessary; seeing, I know now very well, she didn’t really care for me in the least, but simply regarded me as a lay-figure (with eight hundred a year) to stand beside her at the altar rails and mechanically say “_I will_” and “_I do_” and the rest of it.

in the company of; together with

From this reading I CONTINUE TO KEEP OUT OF MABEL HARKER’S WAY AND GO TO GORING— RETURN TO “THE FRENCH HORN”—WANDERINGS WITH LUCY—MR.

a period of time containing 365 (or 366) days

From this reading At any rate, I know now that if I had had the brutality, or the courage, to tell Mabel point-blank at first that I was very sorry, but I didn’t care for her sufficiently to marry her, I should have spared myself a vast deal of annoyance and self-reproach, which now I understand to have been altogether unnecessary; seeing, I know now very well, she didn’t really care for me in the least, but simply regarded me as a lay-figure (with eight hundred a year) to stand beside her at the altar rails and mechanically say “_I will_” and “_I do_” and the rest of it.

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading Let me only observe that I really honestly think if a man is to choose between behaving like a brute (as people say you do when you break off an engagement) and making himself miserable for life (as I most certainly should if I had married Mabel), he had much better select the former course.