Chapter IX

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

From this reading That this should be the case to the heroine of the drama who had the first _rôle_ to play, and whose future might perhaps be entirely shaped and colored by what took place on these occasions, was natural enough; but it may be thought strange that an entire household should hang, as it were, on the comings and goings of a presumed lover, whose actions could affect materially only one individual, and to whom one at least of the lookers-on was indifferent and one hostile.

plural of “action” — something done (usually as opposed to something said)

From this reading That this should be the case to the heroine of the drama who had the first _rôle_ to play, and whose future might perhaps be entirely shaped and colored by what took place on these occasions, was natural enough; but it may be thought strange that an entire household should hang, as it were, on the comings and goings of a presumed lover, whose actions could affect materially only one individual, and to whom one at least of the lookers-on was indifferent and one hostile.

have an effect upon

From this reading That this should be the case to the heroine of the drama who had the first _rôle_ to play, and whose future might perhaps be entirely shaped and colored by what took place on these occasions, was natural enough; but it may be thought strange that an entire household should hang, as it were, on the comings and goings of a presumed lover, whose actions could affect materially only one individual, and to whom one at least of the lookers-on was indifferent and one hostile.

(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 When they did not occur, and the evening passed in its former quiet fashion, with the mother knitting in her chair, and Gussy and Janet on the other side at their work, and Julia on the rug with her book, it was to all of them as if life were arrested, and that day did not count.

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

From this reading That this should be the case to the heroine of the drama who had the first _rôle_ to play, and whose future might perhaps be entirely shaped and colored by what took place on these occasions, was natural enough; but it may be thought strange that an entire household should hang, as it were, on the comings and goings of a presumed lover, whose actions could affect materially only one individual, and to whom one at least of the lookers-on was indifferent and one hostile.

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

From this reading When they did not occur, and the evening passed in its former quiet fashion, with the mother knitting in her chair, and Gussy and Janet on the other side at their work, and Julia on the rug with her book, it was to all of them as if life were arrested, and that day did not count.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading Everything went on as usual, but nothing was of any consequence.

past form of “arrest” — take into custody

From this reading When they did not occur, and the evening passed in its former quiet fashion, with the mother knitting in her chair, and Gussy and Janet on the other side at their work, and Julia on the rug with her book, it was to all of them as if life were arrested, and that day did not count.

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

From this reading When they did not occur, and the evening passed in its former quiet fashion, with the mother knitting in her chair, and Gussy and Janet on the other side at their work, and Julia on the rug with her book, it was to all of them as if life were arrested, and that day did not count.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading When they did not occur, and the evening passed in its former quiet fashion, with the mother knitting in her chair, and Gussy and Janet on the other side at their work, and Julia on the rug with her book, it was to all of them as if life were arrested, and that day did not count.

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

From this reading But the hostility quickened the interest, and the indifference did not take away from it.

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

From this reading That this should be the case to the heroine of the drama who had the first _rôle_ to play, and whose future might perhaps be entirely shaped and colored by what took place on these occasions, was natural enough; but it may be thought strange that an entire household should hang, as it were, on the comings and goings of a presumed lover, whose actions could affect materially only one individual, and to whom one at least of the lookers-on was indifferent and one hostile.

inflected form of “become” — enter or assume a certain state or condition

From this reading These musical evenings became now the central events in the life of the house in St. John’s Wood.

a written work or composition that has been published (printed on pages bound together)

From this reading When they did not occur, and the evening passed in its former quiet fashion, with the mother knitting in her chair, and Gussy and Janet on the other side at their work, and Julia on the rug with her book, it was to all of them as if life were arrested, and that day did not count.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Everything went on as usual, but nothing was of any consequence.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading That this should be the case to the heroine of the drama who had the first _rôle_ to play, and whose future might perhaps be entirely shaped and colored by what took place on these occasions, was natural enough; but it may be thought strange that an entire household should hang, as it were, on the comings and goings of a presumed lover, whose actions could affect materially only one individual, and to whom one at least of the lookers-on was indifferent and one hostile.

an occurrence of something

From this reading That this should be the case to the heroine of the drama who had the first _rôle_ to play, and whose future might perhaps be entirely shaped and colored by what took place on these occasions, was natural enough; but it may be thought strange that an entire household should hang, as it were, on the comings and goings of a presumed lover, whose actions could affect materially only one individual, and to whom one at least of the lookers-on was indifferent and one hostile.

serving as an essential component

From this reading These musical evenings became now the central events in the life of the house in St. John’s Wood.

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

From this reading When they did not occur, and the evening passed in its former quiet fashion, with the mother knitting in her chair, and Gussy and Janet on the other side at their work, and Julia on the rug with her book, it was to all of them as if life were arrested, and that day did not count.

having color or a certain color; sometimes used in combination

From this reading That this should be the case to the heroine of the drama who had the first _rôle_ to play, and whose future might perhaps be entirely shaped and colored by what took place on these occasions, was natural enough; but it may be thought strange that an entire household should hang, as it were, on the comings and goings of a presumed lover, whose actions could affect materially only one individual, and to whom one at least of the lookers-on was indifferent and one hostile.

plural of “coming” — the act of drawing spatially closer to something

From this reading That this should be the case to the heroine of the drama who had the first _rôle_ to play, and whose future might perhaps be entirely shaped and colored by what took place on these occasions, was natural enough; but it may be thought strange that an entire household should hang, as it were, on the comings and goings of a presumed lover, whose actions could affect materially only one individual, and to whom one at least of the lookers-on was indifferent and one hostile.

a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon

From this reading Everything went on as usual, but nothing was of any consequence.

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

From this reading That this should be the case to the heroine of the drama who had the first _rôle_ to play, and whose future might perhaps be entirely shaped and colored by what took place on these occasions, was natural enough; but it may be thought strange that an entire household should hang, as it were, on the comings and goings of a presumed lover, whose actions could affect materially only one individual, and to whom one at least of the lookers-on was indifferent and one hostile.

determine the number or amount of

From this reading When they did not occur, and the evening passed in its former quiet fashion, with the mother knitting in her chair, and Gussy and Janet on the other side at their work, and Julia on the rug with her book, it was to all of them as if life were arrested, and that day did not count.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading When they did not occur, and the evening passed in its former quiet fashion, with the mother knitting in her chair, and Gussy and Janet on the other side at their work, and Julia on the rug with her book, it was to all of them as if life were arrested, and that day did not count.

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

From this reading When they did not occur, and the evening passed in its former quiet fashion, with the mother knitting in her chair, and Gussy and Janet on the other side at their work, and Julia on the rug with her book, it was to all of them as if life were arrested, and that day did not count.

a dramatic work intended for performance by actors on a stage

From this reading That this should be the case to the heroine of the drama who had the first _rôle_ to play, and whose future might perhaps be entirely shaped and colored by what took place on these occasions, was natural enough; but it may be thought strange that an entire household should hang, as it were, on the comings and goings of a presumed lover, whose actions could affect materially only one individual, and to whom one at least of the lookers-on was indifferent and one hostile.

an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose

From this reading That this should be the case to the heroine of the drama who had the first _rôle_ to play, and whose future might perhaps be entirely shaped and colored by what took place on these occasions, was natural enough; but it may be thought strange that an entire household should hang, as it were, on the comings and goings of a presumed lover, whose actions could affect materially only one individual, and to whom one at least of the lookers-on was indifferent and one hostile.

constituting the full quantity or extent; complete

From this reading That this should be the case to the heroine of the drama who had the first _rôle_ to play, and whose future might perhaps be entirely shaped and colored by what took place on these occasions, was natural enough; but it may be thought strange that an entire household should hang, as it were, on the comings and goings of a presumed lover, whose actions could affect materially only one individual, and to whom one at least of the lookers-on was indifferent and one hostile.

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

From this reading That this should be the case to the heroine of the drama who had the first _rôle_ to play, and whose future might perhaps be entirely shaped and colored by what took place on these occasions, was natural enough; but it may be thought strange that an entire household should hang, as it were, on the comings and goings of a presumed lover, whose actions could affect materially only one individual, and to whom one at least of the lookers-on was indifferent and one hostile.

the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)

From this reading When they did not occur, and the evening passed in its former quiet fashion, with the mother knitting in her chair, and Gussy and Janet on the other side at their work, and Julia on the rug with her book, it was to all of them as if life were arrested, and that day did not count.

plural of “evening” — the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)

From this reading These musical evenings became now the central events in the life of the house in St. John’s Wood.

plural of “event” — something that happens at a given place and time

From this reading These musical evenings became now the central events in the life of the house in St. John’s Wood.

all things; all of a situation

From this reading Everything went on as usual, but nothing was of any consequence.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading When they did not occur, and the evening passed in its former quiet fashion, with the mother knitting in her chair, and Gussy and Janet on the other side at their work, and Julia on the rug with her book, it was to all of them as if life were arrested, and that day did not count.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading That this should be the case to the heroine of the drama who had the first _rôle_ to play, and whose future might perhaps be entirely shaped and colored by what took place on these occasions, was natural enough; but it may be thought strange that an entire household should hang, as it were, on the comings and goings of a presumed lover, whose actions could affect materially only one individual, and to whom one at least of the lookers-on was indifferent and one hostile.

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

From this reading When they did not occur, and the evening passed in its former quiet fashion, with the mother knitting in her chair, and Gussy and Janet on the other side at their work, and Julia on the rug with her book, it was to all of them as if life were arrested, and that day did not count.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading But the hostility quickened the interest, and the indifference did not take away from it.

yet to be or coming

From this reading That this should be the case to the heroine of the drama who had the first _rôle_ to play, and whose future might perhaps be entirely shaped and colored by what took place on these occasions, was natural enough; but it may be thought strange that an entire household should hang, as it were, on the comings and goings of a presumed lover, whose actions could affect materially only one individual, and to whom one at least of the lookers-on was indifferent and one hostile.

plural of “going” — the act of departing

From this reading That this should be the case to the heroine of the drama who had the first _rôle_ to play, and whose future might perhaps be entirely shaped and colored by what took place on these occasions, was natural enough; but it may be thought strange that an entire household should hang, as it were, on the comings and goings of a presumed lover, whose actions could affect materially only one individual, and to whom one at least of the lookers-on was indifferent and one hostile.

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

From this reading When they did not occur, and the evening passed in its former quiet fashion, with the mother knitting in her chair, and Gussy and Janet on the other side at their work, and Julia on the rug with her book, it was to all of them as if life were arrested, and that day did not count.

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

From this reading That this should be the case to the heroine of the drama who had the first _rôle_ to play, and whose future might perhaps be entirely shaped and colored by what took place on these occasions, was natural enough; but it may be thought strange that an entire household should hang, as it were, on the comings and goings of a presumed lover, whose actions could affect materially only one individual, and to whom one at least of the lookers-on was indifferent and one hostile.

be suspended or hanging

From this reading That this should be the case to the heroine of the drama who had the first _rôle_ to play, and whose future might perhaps be entirely shaped and colored by what took place on these occasions, was natural enough; but it may be thought strange that an entire household should hang, as it were, on the comings and goings of a presumed lover, whose actions could affect materially only one individual, and to whom one at least of the lookers-on was indifferent and one hostile.

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

From this reading When they did not occur, and the evening passed in its former quiet fashion, with the mother knitting in her chair, and Gussy and Janet on the other side at their work, and Julia on the rug with her book, it was to all of them as if life were arrested, and that day did not count.

the main good female character in a work of fiction

From this reading That this should be the case to the heroine of the drama who had the first _rôle_ to play, and whose future might perhaps be entirely shaped and colored by what took place on these occasions, was natural enough; but it may be thought strange that an entire household should hang, as it were, on the comings and goings of a presumed lover, whose actions could affect materially only one individual, and to whom one at least of the lookers-on was indifferent and one hostile.

characterized by enmity or ill will

From this reading That this should be the case to the heroine of the drama who had the first _rôle_ to play, and whose future might perhaps be entirely shaped and colored by what took place on these occasions, was natural enough; but it may be thought strange that an entire household should hang, as it were, on the comings and goings of a presumed lover, whose actions could affect materially only one individual, and to whom one at least of the lookers-on was indifferent and one hostile.

a hostile (very unfriendly) disposition

From this reading But the hostility quickened the interest, and the indifference did not take away from it.

a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families

From this reading These musical evenings became now the central events in the life of the house in St. John’s Wood.

a social unit living together

From this reading That this should be the case to the heroine of the drama who had the first _rôle_ to play, and whose future might perhaps be entirely shaped and colored by what took place on these occasions, was natural enough; but it may be thought strange that an entire household should hang, as it were, on the comings and goings of a presumed lover, whose actions could affect materially only one individual, and to whom one at least of the lookers-on was indifferent and one hostile.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading When they did not occur, and the evening passed in its former quiet fashion, with the mother knitting in her chair, and Gussy and Janet on the other side at their work, and Julia on the rug with her book, it was to all of them as if life were arrested, and that day did not count.

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

From this reading These musical evenings became now the central events in the life of the house in St. John’s Wood.

unbiased impartial unconcern

From this reading But the hostility quickened the interest, and the indifference did not take away from it.

marked by a lack of interest

From this reading That this should be the case to the heroine of the drama who had the first _rôle_ to play, and whose future might perhaps be entirely shaped and colored by what took place on these occasions, was natural enough; but it may be thought strange that an entire household should hang, as it were, on the comings and goings of a presumed lover, whose actions could affect materially only one individual, and to whom one at least of the lookers-on was indifferent and one hostile.

being or characteristic of a single thing or person

From this reading That this should be the case to the heroine of the drama who had the first _rôle_ to play, and whose future might perhaps be entirely shaped and colored by what took place on these occasions, was natural enough; but it may be thought strange that an entire household should hang, as it were, on the comings and goings of a presumed lover, whose actions could affect materially only one individual, and to whom one at least of the lookers-on was indifferent and one hostile.

a sense of concern with and curiosity about someone or something

From this reading But the hostility quickened the interest, and the indifference did not take away from it.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading When they did not occur, and the evening passed in its former quiet fashion, with the mother knitting in her chair, and Gussy and Janet on the other side at their work, and Julia on the rug with her book, it was to all of them as if life were arrested, and that day did not count.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading When they did not occur, and the evening passed in its former quiet fashion, with the mother knitting in her chair, and Gussy and Janet on the other side at their work, and Julia on the rug with her book, it was to all of them as if life were arrested, and that day did not count.

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

From this reading When they did not occur, and the evening passed in its former quiet fashion, with the mother knitting in her chair, and Gussy and Janet on the other side at their work, and Julia on the rug with her book, it was to all of them as if life were arrested, and that day did not count.

possessive form of “john” — a room or building equipped with one or more toilets

From this reading These musical evenings became now the central events in the life of the house in St. John’s Wood.

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

From this reading When they did not occur, and the evening passed in its former quiet fashion, with the mother knitting in her chair, and Gussy and Janet on the other side at their work, and Julia on the rug with her book, it was to all of them as if life were arrested, and that day did not count.

needlework created by interlacing yarn in a series of connected loops using straight eyeless needles or by machine

From this reading When they did not occur, and the evening passed in its former quiet fashion, with the mother knitting in her chair, and Gussy and Janet on the other side at their work, and Julia on the rug with her book, it was to all of them as if life were arrested, and that day did not count.

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 That this should be the case to the heroine of the drama who had the first _rôle_ to play, and whose future might perhaps be entirely shaped and colored by what took place on these occasions, was natural enough; but it may be thought strange that an entire household should hang, as it were, on the comings and goings of a presumed lover, whose actions could affect materially only one individual, and to whom one at least of the lookers-on was indifferent and one hostile.

a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading These musical evenings became now the central events in the life of the house in St. John’s Wood.

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

From this reading That this should be the case to the heroine of the drama who had the first _rôle_ to play, and whose future might perhaps be entirely shaped and colored by what took place on these occasions, was natural enough; but it may be thought strange that an entire household should hang, as it were, on the comings and goings of a presumed lover, whose actions could affect materially only one individual, and to whom one at least of the lookers-on was indifferent and one hostile.

a person who loves someone or is loved by someone

From this reading That this should be the case to the heroine of the drama who had the first _rôle_ to play, and whose future might perhaps be entirely shaped and colored by what took place on these occasions, was natural enough; but it may be thought strange that an entire household should hang, as it were, on the comings and goings of a presumed lover, whose actions could affect materially only one individual, and to whom one at least of the lookers-on was indifferent and one hostile.

with respect to material aspects

From this reading That this should be the case to the heroine of the drama who had the first _rôle_ to play, and whose future might perhaps be entirely shaped and colored by what took place on these occasions, was natural enough; but it may be thought strange that an entire household should hang, as it were, on the comings and goings of a presumed lover, whose actions could affect materially only one individual, and to whom one at least of the lookers-on was indifferent and one hostile.

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading That this should be the case to the heroine of the drama who had the first _rôle_ to play, and whose future might perhaps be entirely shaped and colored by what took place on these occasions, was natural enough; but it may be thought strange that an entire household should hang, as it were, on the comings and goings of a presumed lover, whose actions could affect materially only one individual, and to whom one at least of the lookers-on was indifferent and one hostile.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading That this should be the case to the heroine of the drama who had the first _rôle_ to play, and whose future might perhaps be entirely shaped and colored by what took place on these occasions, was natural enough; but it may be thought strange that an entire household should hang, as it were, on the comings and goings of a presumed lover, whose actions could affect materially only one individual, and to whom one at least of the lookers-on was indifferent and one hostile.

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

From this reading When they did not occur, and the evening passed in its former quiet fashion, with the mother knitting in her chair, and Gussy and Janet on the other side at their work, and Julia on the rug with her book, it was to all of them as if life were arrested, and that day did not count.

characterized by or capable of producing music

From this reading These musical evenings became now the central events in the life of the house in St. John’s Wood.

in accordance with nature; relating to or concerning nature

From this reading That this should be the case to the heroine of the drama who had the first _rôle_ to play, and whose future might perhaps be entirely shaped and colored by what took place on these occasions, was natural enough; but it may be thought strange that an entire household should hang, as it were, on the comings and goings of a presumed lover, whose actions could affect materially only one individual, and to whom one at least of the lookers-on was indifferent and one hostile.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading When they did not occur, and the evening passed in its former quiet fashion, with the mother knitting in her chair, and Gussy and Janet on the other side at their work, and Julia on the rug with her book, it was to all of them as if life were arrested, and that day did not count.

not one thing; not anything

From this reading Everything went on as usual, but nothing was of any consequence.

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

From this reading These musical evenings became now the central events in the life of the house in St. John’s Wood.

something you have to do

From this reading That this should be the case to the heroine of the drama who had the first _rôle_ to play, and whose future might perhaps be entirely shaped and colored by what took place on these occasions, was natural enough; but it may be thought strange that an entire household should hang, as it were, on the comings and goings of a presumed lover, whose actions could affect materially only one individual, and to whom one at least of the lookers-on was indifferent and one hostile.

come to pass

From this reading When they did not occur, and the evening passed in its former quiet fashion, with the mother knitting in her chair, and Gussy and Janet on the other side at their work, and Julia on the rug with her book, it was to all of them as if life were arrested, and that day did not count.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading These musical evenings became now the central events in the life of the house in St. John’s Wood.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading When they did not occur, and the evening passed in its former quiet fashion, with the mother knitting in her chair, and Gussy and Janet on the other side at their work, and Julia on the rug with her book, it was to all of them as if life were arrested, and that day did not count.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading That this should be the case to the heroine of the drama who had the first _rôle_ to play, and whose future might perhaps be entirely shaped and colored by what took place on these occasions, was natural enough; but it may be thought strange that an entire household should hang, as it were, on the comings and goings of a presumed lover, whose actions could affect materially only one individual, and to whom one at least of the lookers-on was indifferent and one hostile.

and nothing more

From this reading That this should be the case to the heroine of the drama who had the first _rôle_ to play, and whose future might perhaps be entirely shaped and colored by what took place on these occasions, was natural enough; but it may be thought strange that an entire household should hang, as it were, on the comings and goings of a presumed lover, whose actions could affect materially only one individual, and to whom one at least of the lookers-on was indifferent and one hostile.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading When they did not occur, and the evening passed in its former quiet fashion, with the mother knitting in her chair, and Gussy and Janet on the other side at their work, and Julia on the rug with her book, it was to all of them as if life were arrested, and that day did not count.

past form of “pass” — go across or through

From this reading When they did not occur, and the evening passed in its former quiet fashion, with the mother knitting in her chair, and Gussy and Janet on the other side at their work, and Julia on the rug with her book, it was to all of them as if life were arrested, and that day did not count.

by chance

From this reading That this should be the case to the heroine of the drama who had the first _rôle_ to play, and whose future might perhaps be entirely shaped and colored by what took place on these occasions, was natural enough; but it may be thought strange that an entire household should hang, as it were, on the comings and goings of a presumed lover, whose actions could affect materially only one individual, and to whom one at least of the lookers-on was indifferent and one hostile.

a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading That this should be the case to the heroine of the drama who had the first _rôle_ to play, and whose future might perhaps be entirely shaped and colored by what took place on these occasions, was natural enough; but it may be thought strange that an entire household should hang, as it were, on the comings and goings of a presumed lover, whose actions could affect materially only one individual, and to whom one at least of the lookers-on was indifferent and one hostile.

participate in games or sport

From this reading That this should be the case to the heroine of the drama who had the first _rôle_ to play, and whose future might perhaps be entirely shaped and colored by what took place on these occasions, was natural enough; but it may be thought strange that an entire household should hang, as it were, on the comings and goings of a presumed lover, whose actions could affect materially only one individual, and to whom one at least of the lookers-on was indifferent and one hostile.

past form of “presume” — take to be the case or to be true; accept without verification or proof

From this reading That this should be the case to the heroine of the drama who had the first _rôle_ to play, and whose future might perhaps be entirely shaped and colored by what took place on these occasions, was natural enough; but it may be thought strange that an entire household should hang, as it were, on the comings and goings of a presumed lover, whose actions could affect materially only one individual, and to whom one at least of the lookers-on was indifferent and one hostile.

past form of “quicken” — move faster

From this reading But the hostility quickened the interest, and the indifference did not take away from it.

characterized by an absence or near absence of agitation or activity

From this reading When they did not occur, and the evening passed in its former quiet fashion, with the mother knitting in her chair, and Gussy and Janet on the other side at their work, and Julia on the rug with her book, it was to all of them as if life were arrested, and that day did not count.

floor covering consisting of a piece of thick heavy fabric (usually with nap or pile)

From this reading When they did not occur, and the evening passed in its former quiet fashion, with the mother knitting in her chair, and Gussy and Janet on the other side at their work, and Julia on the rug with her book, it was to all of them as if life were arrested, and that day did not count.

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

From this reading That this should be the case to the heroine of the drama who had the first _rôle_ to play, and whose future might perhaps be entirely shaped and colored by what took place on these occasions, was natural enough; but it may be thought strange that an entire household should hang, as it were, on the comings and goings of a presumed lover, whose actions could affect materially only one individual, and to whom one at least of the lookers-on was indifferent and one hostile.

shaped to fit by or as if by altering the contours of a pliable mass (as by work or effort)

From this reading That this should be the case to the heroine of the drama who had the first _rôle_ to play, and whose future might perhaps be entirely shaped and colored by what took place on these occasions, was natural enough; but it may be thought strange that an entire household should hang, as it were, on the comings and goings of a presumed lover, whose actions could affect materially only one individual, and to whom one at least of the lookers-on was indifferent and one hostile.

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading That this should be the case to the heroine of the drama who had the first _rôle_ to play, and whose future might perhaps be entirely shaped and colored by what took place on these occasions, was natural enough; but it may be thought strange that an entire household should hang, as it were, on the comings and goings of a presumed lover, whose actions could affect materially only one individual, and to whom one at least of the lookers-on was indifferent and one hostile.

a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location

From this reading When they did not occur, and the evening passed in its former quiet fashion, with the mother knitting in her chair, and Gussy and Janet on the other side at their work, and Julia on the rug with her book, it was to all of them as if life were arrested, and that day did not count.

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

From this reading These musical evenings became now the central events in the life of the house in St. John’s Wood.

being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird

From this reading That this should be the case to the heroine of the drama who had the first _rôle_ to play, and whose future might perhaps be entirely shaped and colored by what took place on these occasions, was natural enough; but it may be thought strange that an entire household should hang, as it were, on the comings and goings of a presumed lover, whose actions could affect materially only one individual, and to whom one at least of the lookers-on was indifferent and one hostile.

carry out

From this reading But the hostility quickened the interest, and the indifference did not take away from it.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading When they did not occur, and the evening passed in its former quiet fashion, with the mother knitting in her chair, and Gussy and Janet on the other side at their work, and Julia on the rug with her book, it was to all of them as if life were arrested, and that day did not count.

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

From this reading These musical evenings became now the central events in the life of the house in St. John’s Wood.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading When they did not occur, and the evening passed in its former quiet fashion, with the mother knitting in her chair, and Gussy and Janet on the other side at their work, and Julia on the rug with her book, it was to all of them as if life were arrested, and that day did not count.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading When they did not occur, and the evening passed in its former quiet fashion, with the mother knitting in her chair, and Gussy and Janet on the other side at their work, and Julia on the rug with her book, it was to all of them as if life were arrested, and that day did not count.

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

From this reading These musical evenings became now the central events in the life of the house in St. John’s Wood.

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading When they did not occur, and the evening passed in its former quiet fashion, with the mother knitting in her chair, and Gussy and Janet on the other side at their work, and Julia on the rug with her book, it was to all of them as if life were arrested, and that day did not count.

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading That this should be the case to the heroine of the drama who had the first _rôle_ to play, and whose future might perhaps be entirely shaped and colored by what took place on these occasions, was natural enough; but it may be thought strange that an entire household should hang, as it were, on the comings and goings of a presumed lover, whose actions could affect materially only one individual, and to whom one at least of the lookers-on was indifferent and one hostile.

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

From this reading That this should be the case to the heroine of the drama who had the first _rôle_ to play, and whose future might perhaps be entirely shaped and colored by what took place on these occasions, was natural enough; but it may be thought strange that an entire household should hang, as it were, on the comings and goings of a presumed lover, whose actions could affect materially only one individual, and to whom one at least of the lookers-on was indifferent and one hostile.

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

From this reading When they did not occur, and the evening passed in its former quiet fashion, with the mother knitting in her chair, and Gussy and Janet on the other side at their work, and Julia on the rug with her book, it was to all of them as if life were arrested, and that day did not count.

inflected form of “take” — carry out

From this reading That this should be the case to the heroine of the drama who had the first _rôle_ to play, and whose future might perhaps be entirely shaped and colored by what took place on these occasions, was natural enough; but it may be thought strange that an entire household should hang, as it were, on the comings and goings of a presumed lover, whose actions could affect materially only one individual, and to whom one at least of the lookers-on was indifferent and one hostile.

occurring or encountered or experienced or observed frequently or in accordance with regular practice or procedure

From this reading Everything went on as usual, but nothing was of any consequence.

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

From this reading When they did not occur, and the evening passed in its former quiet fashion, with the mother knitting in her chair, and Gussy and Janet on the other side at their work, and Julia on the rug with her book, it was to all of them as if life were arrested, and that day did not count.

inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading Everything went on as usual, but nothing was of any consequence.

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

From this reading When they did not occur, and the evening passed in its former quiet fashion, with the mother knitting in her chair, and Gussy and Janet on the other side at their work, and Julia on the rug with her book, it was to all of them as if life were arrested, and that day did not count.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading That this should be the case to the heroine of the drama who had the first _rôle_ to play, and whose future might perhaps be entirely shaped and colored by what took place on these occasions, was natural enough; but it may be thought strange that an entire household should hang, as it were, on the comings and goings of a presumed lover, whose actions could affect materially only one individual, and to whom one at least of the lookers-on was indifferent and one hostile.

at the time that

From this reading When they did not occur, and the evening passed in its former quiet fashion, with the mother knitting in her chair, and Gussy and Janet on the other side at their work, and Julia on the rug with her book, it was to all of them as if life were arrested, and that day did not count.

which person or people

From this reading That this should be the case to the heroine of the drama who had the first _rôle_ to play, and whose future might perhaps be entirely shaped and colored by what took place on these occasions, was natural enough; but it may be thought strange that an entire household should hang, as it were, on the comings and goings of a presumed lover, whose actions could affect materially only one individual, and to whom one at least of the lookers-on was indifferent and one hostile.

the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading That this should be the case to the heroine of the drama who had the first _rôle_ to play, and whose future might perhaps be entirely shaped and colored by what took place on these occasions, was natural enough; but it may be thought strange that an entire household should hang, as it were, on the comings and goings of a presumed lover, whose actions could affect materially only one individual, and to whom one at least of the lookers-on was indifferent and one hostile.

belonging to which person

From this reading That this should be the case to the heroine of the drama who had the first _rôle_ to play, and whose future might perhaps be entirely shaped and colored by what took place on these occasions, was natural enough; but it may be thought strange that an entire household should hang, as it were, on the comings and goings of a presumed lover, whose actions could affect materially only one individual, and to whom one at least of the lookers-on was indifferent and one hostile.

in the company of; together with

From this reading When they did not occur, and the evening passed in its former quiet fashion, with the mother knitting in her chair, and Gussy and Janet on the other side at their work, and Julia on the rug with her book, it was to all of them as if life were arrested, and that day did not count.

the hard fibrous lignified substance under the bark of trees

From this reading These musical evenings became now the central events in the life of the house in St. John’s Wood.

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

From this reading When they did not occur, and the evening passed in its former quiet fashion, with the mother knitting in her chair, and Gussy and Janet on the other side at their work, and Julia on the rug with her book, it was to all of them as if life were arrested, and that day did not count.