Chapter XVIII

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

From this reading She was occupying a large rocker-chair, engaged upon a task hardly to be expected in a woman whose nights were spent at the gaming tables of the Speedway, and whose skill, and nerve, and capacity in holding her own against the vulture-like flotsam haunting that gambling hell, was a by-word of the countryside.

third-person singular of “achieve” — to gain with effort

From this reading McLagan Achieves an End Claire Carver was alone in the sun-parlour, which was one of the many small comforts she had added to the square, frame building which, since the bettering of her fortunes, had become her home.

past form of “add” — make an addition (to); join or combine or unite with others; increase the quality, quantity, size or scope of

From this reading McLagan Achieves an End Claire Carver was alone in the sun-parlour, which was one of the many small comforts she had added to the square, frame building which, since the bettering of her fortunes, had become her home.

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading She was occupying a large rocker-chair, engaged upon a task hardly to be expected in a woman whose nights were spent at the gaming tables of the Speedway, and whose skill, and nerve, and capacity in holding her own against the vulture-like flotsam haunting that gambling hell, was a by-word of the countryside.

(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 A small table was near to her hand littered with all the odds and ends which usually overflow a woman’s work-basket.

Having no one else present.

From this reading McLagan Achieves an End Claire Carver was alone in the sun-parlour, which was one of the many small comforts she had added to the square, frame building which, since the bettering of her fortunes, had become her home.

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

From this reading McLagan Achieves an End Claire Carver was alone in the sun-parlour, which was one of the many small comforts she had added to the square, frame building which, since the bettering of her fortunes, had become her home.

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

From this reading She was occupying a large rocker-chair, engaged upon a task hardly to be expected in a woman whose nights were spent at the gaming tables of the Speedway, and whose skill, and nerve, and capacity in holding her own against the vulture-like flotsam haunting that gambling hell, was a by-word of the countryside.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading She was occupying a large rocker-chair, engaged upon a task hardly to be expected in a woman whose nights were spent at the gaming tables of the Speedway, and whose skill, and nerve, and capacity in holding her own against the vulture-like flotsam haunting that gambling hell, was a by-word of the countryside.

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

From this reading She was occupying a large rocker-chair, engaged upon a task hardly to be expected in a woman whose nights were spent at the gaming tables of the Speedway, and whose skill, and nerve, and capacity in holding her own against the vulture-like flotsam haunting that gambling hell, was a by-word of the countryside.

enter or assume a certain state or condition

From this reading McLagan Achieves an End Claire Carver was alone in the sun-parlour, which was one of the many small comforts she had added to the square, frame building which, since the bettering of her fortunes, had become her home.

changing for the better

From this reading McLagan Achieves an End Claire Carver was alone in the sun-parlour, which was one of the many small comforts she had added to the square, frame building which, since the bettering of her fortunes, had become her home.

a structure that has a roof and walls and stands more or less permanently in one place

From this reading McLagan Achieves an End Claire Carver was alone in the sun-parlour, which was one of the many small comforts she had added to the square, frame building which, since the bettering of her fortunes, had become her home.

actively or fully engaged or occupied

From this reading Her busy needle was plying swiftly and skilfully upon some intimate silken garment, the contemplation of which gave her the deepest sense of womanly satisfaction.

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

From this reading She was occupying a large rocker-chair, engaged upon a task hardly to be expected in a woman whose nights were spent at the gaming tables of the Speedway, and whose skill, and nerve, and capacity in holding her own against the vulture-like flotsam haunting that gambling hell, was a by-word of the countryside.

capability to perform or produce

From this reading She was occupying a large rocker-chair, engaged upon a task hardly to be expected in a woman whose nights were spent at the gaming tables of the Speedway, and whose skill, and nerve, and capacity in holding her own against the vulture-like flotsam haunting that gambling hell, was a by-word of the countryside.

United States botanist and agricultural chemist who developed many uses for peanuts and soy beans and sweet potatoes (1864-1943)

From this reading McLagan Achieves an End Claire Carver was alone in the sun-parlour, which was one of the many small comforts she had added to the square, frame building which, since the bettering of her fortunes, had become her home.

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

From this reading McLagan Achieves an End Claire Carver was alone in the sun-parlour, which was one of the many small comforts she had added to the square, frame building which, since the bettering of her fortunes, had become her home.

things that make you comfortable and at ease

From this reading McLagan Achieves an End Claire Carver was alone in the sun-parlour, which was one of the many small comforts she had added to the square, frame building which, since the bettering of her fortunes, had become her home.

a long and thoughtful observation

From this reading Her busy needle was plying swiftly and skilfully upon some intimate silken garment, the contemplation of which gave her the deepest sense of womanly satisfaction.

rural regions

From this reading She was occupying a large rocker-chair, engaged upon a task hardly to be expected in a woman whose nights were spent at the gaming tables of the Speedway, and whose skill, and nerve, and capacity in holding her own against the vulture-like flotsam haunting that gambling hell, was a by-word of the countryside.

superlative of “deep” — relatively deep or strong; affecting one deeply

From this reading Her busy needle was plying swiftly and skilfully upon some intimate silken garment, the contemplation of which gave her the deepest sense of womanly satisfaction.

either extremity of something that has length

From this reading McLagan Achieves an End Claire Carver was alone in the sun-parlour, which was one of the many small comforts she had added to the square, frame building which, since the bettering of her fortunes, had become her home.

plural of “end” — either extremity of something that has length

From this reading A small table was near to her hand littered with all the odds and ends which usually overflow a woman’s work-basket.

having ones attention or mind or energy engaged

From this reading She was occupying a large rocker-chair, engaged upon a task hardly to be expected in a woman whose nights were spent at the gaming tables of the Speedway, and whose skill, and nerve, and capacity in holding her own against the vulture-like flotsam haunting that gambling hell, was a by-word of the countryside.

considered likely or probable to happen or arrive

From this reading She was occupying a large rocker-chair, engaged upon a task hardly to be expected in a woman whose nights were spent at the gaming tables of the Speedway, and whose skill, and nerve, and capacity in holding her own against the vulture-like flotsam haunting that gambling hell, was a by-word of the countryside.

the floating wreckage of a ship

From this reading She was occupying a large rocker-chair, engaged upon a task hardly to be expected in a woman whose nights were spent at the gaming tables of the Speedway, and whose skill, and nerve, and capacity in holding her own against the vulture-like flotsam haunting that gambling hell, was a by-word of the countryside.

plural of “fortune” — an unknown and unpredictable phenomenon that causes an event to result one way rather than another

From this reading McLagan Achieves an End Claire Carver was alone in the sun-parlour, which was one of the many small comforts she had added to the square, frame building which, since the bettering of her fortunes, had become her home.

enclose in or as if in a frame

From this reading McLagan Achieves an End Claire Carver was alone in the sun-parlour, which was one of the many small comforts she had added to the square, frame building which, since the bettering of her fortunes, had become her home.

the act of playing for stakes in the hope of winning (including the payment of a price for a chance to win a prize)

From this reading She was occupying a large rocker-chair, engaged upon a task hardly to be expected in a woman whose nights were spent at the gaming tables of the Speedway, and whose skill, and nerve, and capacity in holding her own against the vulture-like flotsam haunting that gambling hell, was a by-word of the countryside.

the act of playing for stakes in the hope of winning (including the payment of a price for a chance to win a prize)

From this reading She was occupying a large rocker-chair, engaged upon a task hardly to be expected in a woman whose nights were spent at the gaming tables of the Speedway, and whose skill, and nerve, and capacity in holding her own against the vulture-like flotsam haunting that gambling hell, was a by-word of the countryside.

an article of clothing

From this reading Her busy needle was plying swiftly and skilfully upon some intimate silken garment, the contemplation of which gave her the deepest sense of womanly satisfaction.

inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense

From this reading Her busy needle was plying swiftly and skilfully upon some intimate silken garment, the contemplation of which gave her the deepest sense of womanly satisfaction.

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

From this reading McLagan Achieves an End Claire Carver was alone in the sun-parlour, which was one of the many small comforts she had added to the square, frame building which, since the bettering of her fortunes, had become her home.

the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb

From this reading A small table was near to her hand littered with all the odds and ends which usually overflow a woman’s work-basket.

only a very short time before

From this reading She was occupying a large rocker-chair, engaged upon a task hardly to be expected in a woman whose nights were spent at the gaming tables of the Speedway, and whose skill, and nerve, and capacity in holding her own against the vulture-like flotsam haunting that gambling hell, was a by-word of the countryside.

continually recurring to the mind

From this reading She was occupying a large rocker-chair, engaged upon a task hardly to be expected in a woman whose nights were spent at the gaming tables of the Speedway, and whose skill, and nerve, and capacity in holding her own against the vulture-like flotsam haunting that gambling hell, was a by-word of the countryside.

any place of pain and turmoil

From this reading She was occupying a large rocker-chair, engaged upon a task hardly to be expected in a woman whose nights were spent at the gaming tables of the Speedway, and whose skill, and nerve, and capacity in holding her own against the vulture-like flotsam haunting that gambling hell, was a by-word of the countryside.

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

From this reading McLagan Achieves an End Claire Carver was alone in the sun-parlour, which was one of the many small comforts she had added to the square, frame building which, since the bettering of her fortunes, had become her home.

the act of retaining something

From this reading She was occupying a large rocker-chair, engaged upon a task hardly to be expected in a woman whose nights were spent at the gaming tables of the Speedway, and whose skill, and nerve, and capacity in holding her own against the vulture-like flotsam haunting that gambling hell, was a by-word of the countryside.

where you live at a particular time

From this reading McLagan Achieves an End Claire Carver was alone in the sun-parlour, which was one of the many small comforts she had added to the square, frame building which, since the bettering of her fortunes, had become her home.

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

From this reading McLagan Achieves an End Claire Carver was alone in the sun-parlour, which was one of the many small comforts she had added to the square, frame building which, since the bettering of her fortunes, had become her home.

marked by close acquaintance, association, or familiarity

From this reading Her busy needle was plying swiftly and skilfully upon some intimate silken garment, the contemplation of which gave her the deepest sense of womanly satisfaction.

above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading She was occupying a large rocker-chair, engaged upon a task hardly to be expected in a woman whose nights were spent at the gaming tables of the Speedway, and whose skill, and nerve, and capacity in holding her own against the vulture-like flotsam haunting that gambling hell, was a by-word of the countryside.

filled or scattered with a disorderly accumulation of objects or rubbish

From this reading A small table was near to her hand littered with all the odds and ends which usually overflow a woman’s work-basket.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number

From this reading McLagan Achieves an End Claire Carver was alone in the sun-parlour, which was one of the many small comforts she had added to the square, frame building which, since the bettering of her fortunes, had become her home.

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

From this reading McLagan Achieves an End Claire Carver was alone in the sun-parlour, which was one of the many small comforts she had added to the square, frame building which, since the bettering of her fortunes, had become her home.

near in time or place or relationship

From this reading A small table was near to her hand littered with all the odds and ends which usually overflow a woman’s work-basket.

the leaf of a conifer

From this reading Her busy needle was plying swiftly and skilfully upon some intimate silken garment, the contemplation of which gave her the deepest sense of womanly satisfaction.

any bundle of nerve fibers running to various organs and tissues of the body

From this reading She was occupying a large rocker-chair, engaged upon a task hardly to be expected in a woman whose nights were spent at the gaming tables of the Speedway, and whose skill, and nerve, and capacity in holding her own against the vulture-like flotsam haunting that gambling hell, was a by-word of the countryside.

Periods of darkness between sunset and sunrise.

From this reading She was occupying a large rocker-chair, engaged upon a task hardly to be expected in a woman whose nights were spent at the gaming tables of the Speedway, and whose skill, and nerve, and capacity in holding her own against the vulture-like flotsam haunting that gambling hell, was a by-word of the countryside.

-ing form of “occupy” — keep busy with

From this reading She was occupying a large rocker-chair, engaged upon a task hardly to be expected in a woman whose nights were spent at the gaming tables of the Speedway, and whose skill, and nerve, and capacity in holding her own against the vulture-like flotsam haunting that gambling hell, was a by-word of the countryside.

the likelihood of a thing occurring rather than not occurring

From this reading A small table was near to her hand littered with all the odds and ends which usually overflow a woman’s work-basket.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading McLagan Achieves an End Claire Carver was alone in the sun-parlour, which was one of the many small comforts she had added to the square, frame building which, since the bettering of her fortunes, had become her home.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading McLagan Achieves an End Claire Carver was alone in the sun-parlour, which was one of the many small comforts she had added to the square, frame building which, since the bettering of her fortunes, had become her home.

a large flow

From this reading A small table was near to her hand littered with all the odds and ends which usually overflow a woman’s work-basket.

have ownership or possession of

From this reading She was occupying a large rocker-chair, engaged upon a task hardly to be expected in a woman whose nights were spent at the gaming tables of the Speedway, and whose skill, and nerve, and capacity in holding her own against the vulture-like flotsam haunting that gambling hell, was a by-word of the countryside.

-ing form of “ply” — give what is desired or needed, especially support, food or sustenance

From this reading Her busy needle was plying swiftly and skilfully upon some intimate silken garment, the contemplation of which gave her the deepest sense of womanly satisfaction.

to a degree (not used with a negative)

From this reading She was quite alone with her work and her thoughts.

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

From this reading She was occupying a large rocker-chair, engaged upon a task hardly to be expected in a woman whose nights were spent at the gaming tables of the Speedway, and whose skill, and nerve, and capacity in holding her own against the vulture-like flotsam haunting that gambling hell, was a by-word of the countryside.

the contentment one feels when one has fulfilled a desire, need, or expectation

From this reading Her busy needle was plying swiftly and skilfully upon some intimate silken garment, the contemplation of which gave her the deepest sense of womanly satisfaction.

a general conscious awareness

From this reading Her busy needle was plying swiftly and skilfully upon some intimate silken garment, the contemplation of which gave her the deepest sense of womanly satisfaction.

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

From this reading McLagan Achieves an End Claire Carver was alone in the sun-parlour, which was one of the many small comforts she had added to the square, frame building which, since the bettering of her fortunes, had become her home.

having a smooth, gleaming surface reflecting light

From this reading Her busy needle was plying swiftly and skilfully upon some intimate silken garment, the contemplation of which gave her the deepest sense of womanly satisfaction.

from a time in the past until now

From this reading McLagan Achieves an End Claire Carver was alone in the sun-parlour, which was one of the many small comforts she had added to the square, frame building which, since the bettering of her fortunes, had become her home.

with skill

From this reading Her busy needle was plying swiftly and skilfully upon some intimate silken garment, the contemplation of which gave her the deepest sense of womanly satisfaction.

an ability that has been acquired by training

From this reading She was occupying a large rocker-chair, engaged upon a task hardly to be expected in a woman whose nights were spent at the gaming tables of the Speedway, and whose skill, and nerve, and capacity in holding her own against the vulture-like flotsam haunting that gambling hell, was a by-word of the countryside.

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

From this reading McLagan Achieves an End Claire Carver was alone in the sun-parlour, which was one of the many small comforts she had added to the square, frame building which, since the bettering of her fortunes, had become her home.

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

From this reading Her busy needle was plying swiftly and skilfully upon some intimate silken garment, the contemplation of which gave her the deepest sense of womanly satisfaction.

road where high speed driving is allowed

From this reading She was occupying a large rocker-chair, engaged upon a task hardly to be expected in a woman whose nights were spent at the gaming tables of the Speedway, and whose skill, and nerve, and capacity in holding her own against the vulture-like flotsam haunting that gambling hell, was a by-word of the countryside.

depleted of energy, force, or strength

From this reading She was occupying a large rocker-chair, engaged upon a task hardly to be expected in a woman whose nights were spent at the gaming tables of the Speedway, and whose skill, and nerve, and capacity in holding her own against the vulture-like flotsam haunting that gambling hell, was a by-word of the countryside.

make square

From this reading McLagan Achieves an End Claire Carver was alone in the sun-parlour, which was one of the many small comforts she had added to the square, frame building which, since the bettering of her fortunes, had become her home.

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

From this reading McLagan Achieves an End Claire Carver was alone in the sun-parlour, which was one of the many small comforts she had added to the square, frame building which, since the bettering of her fortunes, had become her home.

in a swift manner

From this reading Her busy needle was plying swiftly and skilfully upon some intimate silken garment, the contemplation of which gave her the deepest sense of womanly satisfaction.

a set of data arranged in rows and columns

From this reading A small table was near to her hand littered with all the odds and ends which usually overflow a woman’s work-basket.

plural of “table” — a set of data arranged in rows and columns

From this reading She was occupying a large rocker-chair, engaged upon a task hardly to be expected in a woman whose nights were spent at the gaming tables of the Speedway, and whose skill, and nerve, and capacity in holding her own against the vulture-like flotsam haunting that gambling hell, was a by-word of the countryside.

any piece of work that is undertaken or attempted

From this reading She was occupying a large rocker-chair, engaged upon a task hardly to be expected in a woman whose nights were spent at the gaming tables of the Speedway, and whose skill, and nerve, and capacity in holding her own against the vulture-like flotsam haunting that gambling hell, was a by-word of the countryside.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading She was occupying a large rocker-chair, engaged upon a task hardly to be expected in a woman whose nights were spent at the gaming tables of the Speedway, and whose skill, and nerve, and capacity in holding her own against the vulture-like flotsam haunting that gambling hell, was a by-word of the countryside.

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

From this reading McLagan Achieves an End Claire Carver was alone in the sun-parlour, which was one of the many small comforts she had added to the square, frame building which, since the bettering of her fortunes, had become her home.

plural of “thought” — the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about

From this reading She was quite alone with her work and her thoughts.

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

From this reading McLagan Achieves an End Claire Carver was alone in the sun-parlour, which was one of the many small comforts she had added to the square, frame building which, since the bettering of her fortunes, had become her home.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading She was occupying a large rocker-chair, engaged upon a task hardly to be expected in a woman whose nights were spent at the gaming tables of the Speedway, and whose skill, and nerve, and capacity in holding her own against the vulture-like flotsam haunting that gambling hell, was a by-word of the countryside.

under normal conditions

From this reading A small table was near to her hand littered with all the odds and ends which usually overflow a woman’s work-basket.

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

From this reading She was occupying a large rocker-chair, engaged upon a task hardly to be expected in a woman whose nights were spent at the gaming tables of the Speedway, and whose skill, and nerve, and capacity in holding her own against the vulture-like flotsam haunting that gambling hell, was a by-word of the countryside.

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

From this reading McLagan Achieves an End Claire Carver was alone in the sun-parlour, which was one of the many small comforts she had added to the square, frame building which, since the bettering of her fortunes, had become her home.

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

From this reading She was occupying a large rocker-chair, engaged upon a task hardly to be expected in a woman whose nights were spent at the gaming tables of the Speedway, and whose skill, and nerve, and capacity in holding her own against the vulture-like flotsam haunting that gambling hell, was a by-word of the countryside.

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

From this reading McLagan Achieves an End Claire Carver was alone in the sun-parlour, which was one of the many small comforts she had added to the square, frame building which, since the bettering of her fortunes, had become her home.

belonging to which person

From this reading She was occupying a large rocker-chair, engaged upon a task hardly to be expected in a woman whose nights were spent at the gaming tables of the Speedway, and whose skill, and nerve, and capacity in holding her own against the vulture-like flotsam haunting that gambling hell, was a by-word of the countryside.

in the company of; together with

From this reading A small table was near to her hand littered with all the odds and ends which usually overflow a woman’s work-basket.

an adult female person (as opposed to a man)

From this reading She was occupying a large rocker-chair, engaged upon a task hardly to be expected in a woman whose nights were spent at the gaming tables of the Speedway, and whose skill, and nerve, and capacity in holding her own against the vulture-like flotsam haunting that gambling hell, was a by-word of the countryside.

possessive form of “woman” — an adult female person (as opposed to a man)

From this reading A small table was near to her hand littered with all the odds and ends which usually overflow a woman’s work-basket.

befitting or characteristic of a woman especially a mature woman

From this reading Her busy needle was plying swiftly and skilfully upon some intimate silken garment, the contemplation of which gave her the deepest sense of womanly satisfaction.

exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity

From this reading She was quite alone with her work and her thoughts.

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

From this reading A small table was near to her hand littered with all the odds and ends which usually overflow a woman’s work-basket.