Chapter XIV · _Of Miscellaneous Incidents._

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

From this reading Thus far it is to me only a very puzzling maze of hastily uttered French, imperfectly heard and mixed with music, all of which is rather unintelligible to me, so unprepared to judge of it as I am,” said Mercedes, smiling, watching to see the effect that her candid avowal of ignorance would have upon such a “_muscadin_” and well traveled young man.

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

From this reading “Ah! you never saw the opera before to-night!”

(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 Thus far it is to me only a very puzzling maze of hastily uttered French, imperfectly heard and mixed with music, all of which is rather unintelligible to me, so unprepared to judge of it as I am,” said Mercedes, smiling, watching to see the effect that her candid avowal of ignorance would have upon such a “_muscadin_” and well traveled young man.

the form of “be” used with “I”

From this reading “I am enjoying the novelty of the thing, but I don’t know what I shall think of the opera.

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

From this reading Thus far it is to me only a very puzzling maze of hastily uttered French, imperfectly heard and mixed with music, all of which is rather unintelligible to me, so unprepared to judge of it as I am,” said Mercedes, smiling, watching to see the effect that her candid avowal of ignorance would have upon such a “_muscadin_” and well traveled young man.

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

From this reading “What do you think of the opera—are you enjoying it much?” asked Mr. Selden, by way of opening conversation, having turned his chair to face Mercedes.

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

From this reading Thus far it is to me only a very puzzling maze of hastily uttered French, imperfectly heard and mixed with music, all of which is rather unintelligible to me, so unprepared to judge of it as I am,” said Mercedes, smiling, watching to see the effect that her candid avowal of ignorance would have upon such a “_muscadin_” and well traveled young man.

past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody

From this reading “What do you think of the opera—are you enjoying it much?” asked Mr. Selden, by way of opening conversation, having turned his chair to face Mercedes.

a statement asserting the existence or the truth of something

From this reading Thus far it is to me only a very puzzling maze of hastily uttered French, imperfectly heard and mixed with music, all of which is rather unintelligible to me, so unprepared to judge of it as I am,” said Mercedes, smiling, watching to see the effect that her candid avowal of ignorance would have upon such a “_muscadin_” and well traveled young man.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading “Ah! you never saw the opera before to-night!”

(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 I suppose I shall like it better when I understand it.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading “I am enjoying the novelty of the thing, but I don’t know what I shall think of the opera.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading “What do you think of the opera—are you enjoying it much?” asked Mr. Selden, by way of opening conversation, having turned his chair to face Mercedes.

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

From this reading Thus far it is to me only a very puzzling maze of hastily uttered French, imperfectly heard and mixed with music, all of which is rather unintelligible to me, so unprepared to judge of it as I am,” said Mercedes, smiling, watching to see the effect that her candid avowal of ignorance would have upon such a “_muscadin_” and well traveled young man.

a seat for one person, with a support for the back

From this reading “What do you think of the opera—are you enjoying it much?” asked Mr. Selden, by way of opening conversation, having turned his chair to face Mercedes.

the use of speech for informal exchange of views or ideas or information etc.

From this reading “What do you think of the opera—are you enjoying it much?” asked Mr. Selden, by way of opening conversation, having turned his chair to face Mercedes.

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading “What do you think of the opera—are you enjoying it much?” asked Mr. Selden, by way of opening conversation, having turned his chair to face Mercedes.

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

From this reading “I am enjoying the novelty of the thing, but I don’t know what I shall think of the opera.

a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon

From this reading Thus far it is to me only a very puzzling maze of hastily uttered French, imperfectly heard and mixed with music, all of which is rather unintelligible to me, so unprepared to judge of it as I am,” said Mercedes, smiling, watching to see the effect that her candid avowal of ignorance would have upon such a “_muscadin_” and well traveled young man.

-ing form of “enjoy” — derive or receive pleasure from; get enjoyment from; take pleasure in

From this reading “What do you think of the opera—are you enjoying it much?” asked Mr. Selden, by way of opening conversation, having turned his chair to face Mercedes.

the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear

From this reading “What do you think of the opera—are you enjoying it much?” asked Mr. Selden, by way of opening conversation, having turned his chair to face Mercedes.

to a considerable degree; very much

From this reading Thus far it is to me only a very puzzling maze of hastily uttered French, imperfectly heard and mixed with music, all of which is rather unintelligible to me, so unprepared to judge of it as I am,” said Mercedes, smiling, watching to see the effect that her candid avowal of ignorance would have upon such a “_muscadin_” and well traveled young man.

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

From this reading Thus far it is to me only a very puzzling maze of hastily uttered French, imperfectly heard and mixed with music, all of which is rather unintelligible to me, so unprepared to judge of it as I am,” said Mercedes, smiling, watching to see the effect that her candid avowal of ignorance would have upon such a “_muscadin_” and well traveled young man.

in a hurried or hasty manner

From this reading Thus far it is to me only a very puzzling maze of hastily uttered French, imperfectly heard and mixed with music, all of which is rather unintelligible to me, so unprepared to judge of it as I am,” said Mercedes, smiling, watching to see the effect that her candid avowal of ignorance would have upon such a “_muscadin_” and well traveled young man.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading Thus far it is to me only a very puzzling maze of hastily uttered French, imperfectly heard and mixed with music, all of which is rather unintelligible to me, so unprepared to judge of it as I am,” said Mercedes, smiling, watching to see the effect that her candid avowal of ignorance would have upon such a “_muscadin_” and well traveled young man.

the -ing form of “have”

From this reading “What do you think of the opera—are you enjoying it much?” asked Mr. Selden, by way of opening conversation, having turned his chair to face Mercedes.

detected or perceived by the sense of hearing

From this reading Thus far it is to me only a very puzzling maze of hastily uttered French, imperfectly heard and mixed with music, all of which is rather unintelligible to me, so unprepared to judge of it as I am,” said Mercedes, smiling, watching to see the effect that her candid avowal of ignorance would have upon such a “_muscadin_” and well traveled young man.

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

From this reading Thus far it is to me only a very puzzling maze of hastily uttered French, imperfectly heard and mixed with music, all of which is rather unintelligible to me, so unprepared to judge of it as I am,” said Mercedes, smiling, watching to see the effect that her candid avowal of ignorance would have upon such a “_muscadin_” and well traveled young man.

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

From this reading “What do you think of the opera—are you enjoying it much?” asked Mr. Selden, by way of opening conversation, having turned his chair to face Mercedes.

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

From this reading “I am enjoying the novelty of the thing, but I don’t know what I shall think of the opera.

the lack of knowledge or education

From this reading Thus far it is to me only a very puzzling maze of hastily uttered French, imperfectly heard and mixed with music, all of which is rather unintelligible to me, so unprepared to judge of it as I am,” said Mercedes, smiling, watching to see the effect that her candid avowal of ignorance would have upon such a “_muscadin_” and well traveled young man.

in an imperfect or faulty way

From this reading Thus far it is to me only a very puzzling maze of hastily uttered French, imperfectly heard and mixed with music, all of which is rather unintelligible to me, so unprepared to judge of it as I am,” said Mercedes, smiling, watching to see the effect that her candid avowal of ignorance would have upon such a “_muscadin_” and well traveled young man.

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

From this reading Thus far it is to me only a very puzzling maze of hastily uttered French, imperfectly heard and mixed with music, all of which is rather unintelligible to me, so unprepared to judge of it as I am,” said Mercedes, smiling, watching to see the effect that her candid avowal of ignorance would have upon such a “_muscadin_” and well traveled young man.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading “What do you think of the opera—are you enjoying it much?” asked Mr. Selden, by way of opening conversation, having turned his chair to face Mercedes.

determine the result of (a competition)

From this reading Thus far it is to me only a very puzzling maze of hastily uttered French, imperfectly heard and mixed with music, all of which is rather unintelligible to me, so unprepared to judge of it as I am,” said Mercedes, smiling, watching to see the effect that her candid avowal of ignorance would have upon such a “_muscadin_” and well traveled young man.

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

From this reading “I am enjoying the novelty of the thing, but I don’t know what I shall think of the opera.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading I suppose I shall like it better when I understand it.

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

From this reading Thus far it is to me only a very puzzling maze of hastily uttered French, imperfectly heard and mixed with music, all of which is rather unintelligible to me, so unprepared to judge of it as I am,” said Mercedes, smiling, watching to see the effect that her candid avowal of ignorance would have upon such a “_muscadin_” and well traveled young man.

complex system of paths or tunnels in which it is easy to get lost

From this reading Thus far it is to me only a very puzzling maze of hastily uttered French, imperfectly heard and mixed with music, all of which is rather unintelligible to me, so unprepared to judge of it as I am,” said Mercedes, smiling, watching to see the effect that her candid avowal of ignorance would have upon such a “_muscadin_” and well traveled young man.

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

From this reading Thus far it is to me only a very puzzling maze of hastily uttered French, imperfectly heard and mixed with music, all of which is rather unintelligible to me, so unprepared to judge of it as I am,” said Mercedes, smiling, watching to see the effect that her candid avowal of ignorance would have upon such a “_muscadin_” and well traveled young man.

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

From this reading “What do you think of the opera—are you enjoying it much?” asked Mr. Selden, by way of opening conversation, having turned his chair to face Mercedes.

consisting of a haphazard assortment of different kinds

From this reading Thus far it is to me only a very puzzling maze of hastily uttered French, imperfectly heard and mixed with music, all of which is rather unintelligible to me, so unprepared to judge of it as I am,” said Mercedes, smiling, watching to see the effect that her candid avowal of ignorance would have upon such a “_muscadin_” and well traveled young man.

a form of address for a man

From this reading “What do you think of the opera—are you enjoying it much?” asked Mr. Selden, by way of opening conversation, having turned his chair to face Mercedes.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading “What do you think of the opera—are you enjoying it much?” asked Mr. Selden, by way of opening conversation, having turned his chair to face Mercedes.

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

From this reading Thus far it is to me only a very puzzling maze of hastily uttered French, imperfectly heard and mixed with music, all of which is rather unintelligible to me, so unprepared to judge of it as I am,” said Mercedes, smiling, watching to see the effect that her candid avowal of ignorance would have upon such a “_muscadin_” and well traveled young man.

an artistic form of auditory communication incorporating instrumental or vocal tones in a structured and continuous manner

From this reading Thus far it is to me only a very puzzling maze of hastily uttered French, imperfectly heard and mixed with music, all of which is rather unintelligible to me, so unprepared to judge of it as I am,” said Mercedes, smiling, watching to see the effect that her candid avowal of ignorance would have upon such a “_muscadin_” and well traveled young man.

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading “Ah! you never saw the opera before to-night!”

originality by virtue of being refreshingly novel

From this reading “I am enjoying the novelty of the thing, but I don’t know what I shall think of the opera.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading “What do you think of the opera—are you enjoying it much?” asked Mr. Selden, by way of opening conversation, having turned his chair to face Mercedes.

and nothing more

From this reading Thus far it is to me only a very puzzling maze of hastily uttered French, imperfectly heard and mixed with music, all of which is rather unintelligible to me, so unprepared to judge of it as I am,” said Mercedes, smiling, watching to see the effect that her candid avowal of ignorance would have upon such a “_muscadin_” and well traveled young man.

an open or empty space in or between things

From this reading “What do you think of the opera—are you enjoying it much?” asked Mr. Selden, by way of opening conversation, having turned his chair to face Mercedes.

a drama set to music; consists of singing with orchestral accompaniment and an orchestral overture and interludes

From this reading “What do you think of the opera—are you enjoying it much?” asked Mr. Selden, by way of opening conversation, having turned his chair to face Mercedes.

not clear to the understanding

From this reading Thus far it is to me only a very puzzling maze of hastily uttered French, imperfectly heard and mixed with music, all of which is rather unintelligible to me, so unprepared to judge of it as I am,” said Mercedes, smiling, watching to see the effect that her candid avowal of ignorance would have upon such a “_muscadin_” and well traveled young man.

on the contrary

From this reading Thus far it is to me only a very puzzling maze of hastily uttered French, imperfectly heard and mixed with music, all of which is rather unintelligible to me, so unprepared to judge of it as I am,” said Mercedes, smiling, watching to see the effect that her candid avowal of ignorance would have upon such a “_muscadin_” and well traveled young man.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading Thus far it is to me only a very puzzling maze of hastily uttered French, imperfectly heard and mixed with music, all of which is rather unintelligible to me, so unprepared to judge of it as I am,” said Mercedes, smiling, watching to see the effect that her candid avowal of ignorance would have upon such a “_muscadin_” and well traveled young man.

cut with a saw

From this reading “Ah! you never saw the opera before to-night!”

perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading Thus far it is to me only a very puzzling maze of hastily uttered French, imperfectly heard and mixed with music, all of which is rather unintelligible to me, so unprepared to judge of it as I am,” said Mercedes, smiling, watching to see the effect that her candid avowal of ignorance would have upon such a “_muscadin_” and well traveled young man.

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

From this reading “What do you think of the opera—are you enjoying it much?” asked Mr. Selden, by way of opening conversation, having turned his chair to face Mercedes.

used with I and we for the future, or to offer and suggest

From this reading “I am enjoying the novelty of the thing, but I don’t know what I shall think of the opera.

a facial expression characterized by turning up the corners of the mouth; usually shows pleasure or amusement

From this reading Thus far it is to me only a very puzzling maze of hastily uttered French, imperfectly heard and mixed with music, all of which is rather unintelligible to me, so unprepared to judge of it as I am,” said Mercedes, smiling, watching to see the effect that her candid avowal of ignorance would have upon such a “_muscadin_” and well traveled young man.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Thus far it is to me only a very puzzling maze of hastily uttered French, imperfectly heard and mixed with music, all of which is rather unintelligible to me, so unprepared to judge of it as I am,” said Mercedes, smiling, watching to see the effect that her candid avowal of ignorance would have upon such a “_muscadin_” and well traveled young man.

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading Thus far it is to me only a very puzzling maze of hastily uttered French, imperfectly heard and mixed with music, all of which is rather unintelligible to me, so unprepared to judge of it as I am,” said Mercedes, smiling, watching to see the effect that her candid avowal of ignorance would have upon such a “_muscadin_” and well traveled young man.

express a supposition

From this reading I suppose I shall like it better when I understand it.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Thus far it is to me only a very puzzling maze of hastily uttered French, imperfectly heard and mixed with music, all of which is rather unintelligible to me, so unprepared to judge of it as I am,” said Mercedes, smiling, watching to see the effect that her candid avowal of ignorance would have upon such a “_muscadin_” and well traveled young man.

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

From this reading “What do you think of the opera—are you enjoying it much?” asked Mr. Selden, by way of opening conversation, having turned his chair to face Mercedes.

a special situation

From this reading “I am enjoying the novelty of the thing, but I don’t know what I shall think of the opera.

judge or regard; look upon; judge

From this reading “What do you think of the opera—are you enjoying it much?” asked Mr. Selden, by way of opening conversation, having turned his chair to face Mercedes.

(used to introduce a logical conclusion) from that fact or reason or as a result

From this reading Thus far it is to me only a very puzzling maze of hastily uttered French, imperfectly heard and mixed with music, all of which is rather unintelligible to me, so unprepared to judge of it as I am,” said Mercedes, smiling, watching to see the effect that her candid avowal of ignorance would have upon such a “_muscadin_” and well traveled young man.

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

From this reading “What do you think of the opera—are you enjoying it much?” asked Mr. Selden, by way of opening conversation, having turned his chair to face Mercedes.

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

From this reading “Ah! you never saw the opera before to-night!”

traveled over or through; sometimes used as a combining term

From this reading Thus far it is to me only a very puzzling maze of hastily uttered French, imperfectly heard and mixed with music, all of which is rather unintelligible to me, so unprepared to judge of it as I am,” said Mercedes, smiling, watching to see the effect that her candid avowal of ignorance would have upon such a “_muscadin_” and well traveled young man.

moved around an axis or center

From this reading “What do you think of the opera—are you enjoying it much?” asked Mr. Selden, by way of opening conversation, having turned his chair to face Mercedes.

know and comprehend the nature or meaning of

From this reading I suppose I shall like it better when I understand it.

poorly articulated or enunciated, or drowned by noise

From this reading Thus far it is to me only a very puzzling maze of hastily uttered French, imperfectly heard and mixed with music, all of which is rather unintelligible to me, so unprepared to judge of it as I am,” said Mercedes, smiling, watching to see the effect that her candid avowal of ignorance would have upon such a “_muscadin_” and well traveled young man.

without preparation; not prepared for

From this reading Thus far it is to me only a very puzzling maze of hastily uttered French, imperfectly heard and mixed with music, all of which is rather unintelligible to me, so unprepared to judge of it as I am,” said Mercedes, smiling, watching to see the effect that her candid avowal of ignorance would have upon such a “_muscadin_” and well traveled young man.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading Thus far it is to me only a very puzzling maze of hastily uttered French, imperfectly heard and mixed with music, all of which is rather unintelligible to me, so unprepared to judge of it as I am,” said Mercedes, smiling, watching to see the effect that her candid avowal of ignorance would have upon such a “_muscadin_” and well traveled young man.

communicated in words

From this reading Thus far it is to me only a very puzzling maze of hastily uttered French, imperfectly heard and mixed with music, all of which is rather unintelligible to me, so unprepared to judge of it as I am,” said Mercedes, smiling, watching to see the effect that her candid avowal of ignorance would have upon such a “_muscadin_” and well traveled young man.

precisely as stated

From this reading Thus far it is to me only a very puzzling maze of hastily uttered French, imperfectly heard and mixed with music, all of which is rather unintelligible to me, so unprepared to judge of it as I am,” said Mercedes, smiling, watching to see the effect that her candid avowal of ignorance would have upon such a “_muscadin_” and well traveled young man.

the act of observing; taking a patient look

From this reading Thus far it is to me only a very puzzling maze of hastily uttered French, imperfectly heard and mixed with music, all of which is rather unintelligible to me, so unprepared to judge of it as I am,” said Mercedes, smiling, watching to see the effect that her candid avowal of ignorance would have upon such a “_muscadin_” and well traveled young man.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading “What do you think of the opera—are you enjoying it much?” asked Mr. Selden, by way of opening conversation, having turned his chair to face Mercedes.

(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 Thus far it is to me only a very puzzling maze of hastily uttered French, imperfectly heard and mixed with music, all of which is rather unintelligible to me, so unprepared to judge of it as I am,” said Mercedes, smiling, watching to see the effect that her candid avowal of ignorance would have upon such a “_muscadin_” and well traveled young man.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading “What do you think of the opera—are you enjoying it much?” asked Mr. Selden, by way of opening conversation, having turned his chair to face Mercedes.

at the time that

From this reading I suppose I shall like it better when I understand it.

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

From this reading Thus far it is to me only a very puzzling maze of hastily uttered French, imperfectly heard and mixed with music, all of which is rather unintelligible to me, so unprepared to judge of it as I am,” said Mercedes, smiling, watching to see the effect that her candid avowal of ignorance would have upon such a “_muscadin_” and well traveled young man.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Thus far it is to me only a very puzzling maze of hastily uttered French, imperfectly heard and mixed with music, all of which is rather unintelligible to me, so unprepared to judge of it as I am,” said Mercedes, smiling, watching to see the effect that her candid avowal of ignorance would have upon such a “_muscadin_” and well traveled young man.

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

From this reading Thus far it is to me only a very puzzling maze of hastily uttered French, imperfectly heard and mixed with music, all of which is rather unintelligible to me, so unprepared to judge of it as I am,” said Mercedes, smiling, watching to see the effect that her candid avowal of ignorance would have upon such a “_muscadin_” and well traveled young man.

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading “What do you think of the opera—are you enjoying it much?” asked Mr. Selden, by way of opening conversation, having turned his chair to face Mercedes.

(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth

From this reading Thus far it is to me only a very puzzling maze of hastily uttered French, imperfectly heard and mixed with music, all of which is rather unintelligible to me, so unprepared to judge of it as I am,” said Mercedes, smiling, watching to see the effect that her candid avowal of ignorance would have upon such a “_muscadin_” and well traveled young man.