Chapter XI

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

From this reading Mr Grinder, who was from Oxford, a cultured and dainty young Don, was recognised to be no fit tutor for a child who preferred the woods to the classics, and could not construe a bit of Greek decently to save his life.

love intensely

From this reading He loved pictures and fine furniture and dainty decorations as well as Richard Ross did, though perhaps he was not quite so learned; and when he first saw the great green cabinets in the drawing-room, could barely say the common civilities to Lady Eskside before he went on his knees to adore the Vernis-Martin.

plural of “agony” — intense feelings of suffering; acute mental or physical pain

From this reading What agonies Mr Grinder went through while his term of office lasted I will not attempt to describe.

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

From this reading Mr Grinder, who was from Oxford, a cultured and dainty young Don, was recognised to be no fit tutor for a child who preferred the woods to the classics, and could not construe a bit of Greek decently to save his life.

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

From this reading The exploit of the Babes in the Wood, as Willie Maitland called it, was one of the last freaks which Valentine played in his childhood by Eskside.

earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something

From this reading What agonies Mr Grinder went through while his term of office lasted I will not attempt to describe.

plural of “babe” — a very young child (birth to 1 year) who has not yet begun to walk or talk

From this reading The exploit of the Babes in the Wood, as Willie Maitland called it, was one of the last freaks which Valentine played in his childhood by Eskside.

only a very short time before

From this reading He loved pictures and fine furniture and dainty decorations as well as Richard Ross did, though perhaps he was not quite so learned; and when he first saw the great green cabinets in the drawing-room, could barely say the common civilities to Lady Eskside before he went on his knees to adore the Vernis-Martin.

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

From this reading Mr Grinder, who was from Oxford, a cultured and dainty young Don, was recognised to be no fit tutor for a child who preferred the woods to the classics, and could not construe a bit of Greek decently to save his life.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading He loved pictures and fine furniture and dainty decorations as well as Richard Ross did, though perhaps he was not quite so learned; and when he first saw the great green cabinets in the drawing-room, could barely say the common civilities to Lady Eskside before he went on his knees to adore the Vernis-Martin.

a small piece or quantity of something

From this reading Mr Grinder, who was from Oxford, a cultured and dainty young Don, was recognised to be no fit tutor for a child who preferred the woods to the classics, and could not construe a bit of Greek decently to save his life.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading The exploit of the Babes in the Wood, as Willie Maitland called it, was one of the last freaks which Valentine played in his childhood by Eskside.

plural of “cabinet” — a piece of furniture resembling a cupboard with doors and shelves and drawers; for storage or display

From this reading He loved pictures and fine furniture and dainty decorations as well as Richard Ross did, though perhaps he was not quite so learned; and when he first saw the great green cabinets in the drawing-room, could barely say the common civilities to Lady Eskside before he went on his knees to adore the Vernis-Martin.

past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading The exploit of the Babes in the Wood, as Willie Maitland called it, was one of the last freaks which Valentine played in his childhood by Eskside.

a young person of either sex

From this reading Mr Grinder, who was from Oxford, a cultured and dainty young Don, was recognised to be no fit tutor for a child who preferred the woods to the classics, and could not construe a bit of Greek decently to save his life.

the time of person's life when they are a child

From this reading The exploit of the Babes in the Wood, as Willie Maitland called it, was one of the last freaks which Valentine played in his childhood by Eskside.

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

From this reading He loved pictures and fine furniture and dainty decorations as well as Richard Ross did, though perhaps he was not quite so learned; and when he first saw the great green cabinets in the drawing-room, could barely say the common civilities to Lady Eskside before he went on his knees to adore the Vernis-Martin.

study of the literary works of ancient Greece and Rome

From this reading Mr Grinder, who was from Oxford, a cultured and dainty young Don, was recognised to be no fit tutor for a child who preferred the woods to the classics, and could not construe a bit of Greek decently to save his life.

belonging to or participated in by a community as a whole; public

From this reading He loved pictures and fine furniture and dainty decorations as well as Richard Ross did, though perhaps he was not quite so learned; and when he first saw the great green cabinets in the drawing-room, could barely say the common civilities to Lady Eskside before he went on his knees to adore the Vernis-Martin.

make sense of; assign a meaning to

From this reading Mr Grinder, who was from Oxford, a cultured and dainty young Don, was recognised to be no fit tutor for a child who preferred the woods to the classics, and could not construe a bit of Greek decently to save his life.

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

From this reading Mr Grinder, who was from Oxford, a cultured and dainty young Don, was recognised to be no fit tutor for a child who preferred the woods to the classics, and could not construe a bit of Greek decently to save his life.

marked by refinement in taste and manners

From this reading Mr Grinder, who was from Oxford, a cultured and dainty young Don, was recognised to be no fit tutor for a child who preferred the woods to the classics, and could not construe a bit of Greek decently to save his life.

delicately beautiful

From this reading Mr Grinder, who was from Oxford, a cultured and dainty young Don, was recognised to be no fit tutor for a child who preferred the woods to the classics, and could not construe a bit of Greek decently to save his life.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading He was a young man of fine mind, one of the finest minds of his day, and that was saying a great deal.

act on verbally or in some form of artistic expression

From this reading He was a young man of fine mind, one of the finest minds of his day, and that was saying a great deal.

in a decent manner

From this reading Mr Grinder, who was from Oxford, a cultured and dainty young Don, was recognised to be no fit tutor for a child who preferred the woods to the classics, and could not construe a bit of Greek decently to save his life.

plural of “decoration” — something used to beautify

From this reading He loved pictures and fine furniture and dainty decorations as well as Richard Ross did, though perhaps he was not quite so learned; and when he first saw the great green cabinets in the drawing-room, could barely say the common civilities to Lady Eskside before he went on his knees to adore the Vernis-Martin.

give a description of

From this reading What agonies Mr Grinder went through while his term of office lasted I will not attempt to describe.

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

From this reading He loved pictures and fine furniture and dainty decorations as well as Richard Ross did, though perhaps he was not quite so learned; and when he first saw the great green cabinets in the drawing-room, could barely say the common civilities to Lady Eskside before he went on his knees to adore the Vernis-Martin.

a Spanish gentleman or nobleman

From this reading Mr Grinder, who was from Oxford, a cultured and dainty young Don, was recognised to be no fit tutor for a child who preferred the woods to the classics, and could not construe a bit of Greek decently to save his life.

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

From this reading He loved pictures and fine furniture and dainty decorations as well as Richard Ross did, though perhaps he was not quite so learned; and when he first saw the great green cabinets in the drawing-room, could barely say the common civilities to Lady Eskside before he went on his knees to adore the Vernis-Martin.

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

From this reading The exploit of the Babes in the Wood, as Willie Maitland called it, was one of the last freaks which Valentine played in his childhood by Eskside.

use or manipulate to one's advantage

From this reading The exploit of the Babes in the Wood, as Willie Maitland called it, was one of the last freaks which Valentine played in his childhood by Eskside.

being satisfactory or in satisfactory condition

From this reading He was a young man of fine mind, one of the finest minds of his day, and that was saying a great deal.

superlative of “fine” — being satisfactory or in satisfactory condition

From this reading He was a young man of fine mind, one of the finest minds of his day, and that was saying a great deal.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading He loved pictures and fine furniture and dainty decorations as well as Richard Ross did, though perhaps he was not quite so learned; and when he first saw the great green cabinets in the drawing-room, could barely say the common civilities to Lady Eskside before he went on his knees to adore the Vernis-Martin.

be agreeable or acceptable to

From this reading Mr Grinder, who was from Oxford, a cultured and dainty young Don, was recognised to be no fit tutor for a child who preferred the woods to the classics, and could not construe a bit of Greek decently to save his life.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Mr Grinder, who was from Oxford, a cultured and dainty young Don, was recognised to be no fit tutor for a child who preferred the woods to the classics, and could not construe a bit of Greek decently to save his life.

plural of “freak” — a person or animal that is markedly unusual or deformed

From this reading The exploit of the Babes in the Wood, as Willie Maitland called it, was one of the last freaks which Valentine played in his childhood by Eskside.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Mr Grinder, who was from Oxford, a cultured and dainty young Don, was recognised to be no fit tutor for a child who preferred the woods to the classics, and could not construe a bit of Greek decently to save his life.

furnishings that make a room or other area ready for occupancy

From this reading He loved pictures and fine furniture and dainty decorations as well as Richard Ross did, though perhaps he was not quite so learned; and when he first saw the great green cabinets in the drawing-room, could barely say the common civilities to Lady Eskside before he went on his knees to adore the Vernis-Martin.

relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind

From this reading He was a young man of fine mind, one of the finest minds of his day, and that was saying a great deal.

the Hellenic branch of the Indo-European family of languages

From this reading Mr Grinder, who was from Oxford, a cultured and dainty young Don, was recognised to be no fit tutor for a child who preferred the woods to the classics, and could not construe a bit of Greek decently to save his life.

green color or pigment; resembling the color of growing grass

From this reading He loved pictures and fine furniture and dainty decorations as well as Richard Ross did, though perhaps he was not quite so learned; and when he first saw the great green cabinets in the drawing-room, could barely say the common civilities to Lady Eskside before he went on his knees to adore the Vernis-Martin.

a large sandwich made of a long crusty roll split lengthwise and filled with meats and cheese (and tomato and onion and lettuce and condiments); different names are used in different sections of the United States

From this reading Mr Grinder, who was from Oxford, a cultured and dainty young Don, was recognised to be no fit tutor for a child who preferred the woods to the classics, and could not construe a bit of Greek decently to save his life.

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

From this reading He was a young man of fine mind, one of the finest minds of his day, and that was saying a great deal.

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

From this reading The exploit of the Babes in the Wood, as Willie Maitland called it, was one of the last freaks which Valentine played in his childhood by Eskside.

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

From this reading What agonies Mr Grinder went through while his term of office lasted I will not attempt to describe.

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

From this reading The exploit of the Babes in the Wood, as Willie Maitland called it, was one of the last freaks which Valentine played in his childhood by Eskside.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading The exploit of the Babes in the Wood, as Willie Maitland called it, was one of the last freaks which Valentine played in his childhood by Eskside.

plural of “knee” — hinge joint in the human leg connecting the tibia and fibula with the femur and protected in front by the patella

From this reading He loved pictures and fine furniture and dainty decorations as well as Richard Ross did, though perhaps he was not quite so learned; and when he first saw the great green cabinets in the drawing-room, could barely say the common civilities to Lady Eskside before he went on his knees to adore the Vernis-Martin.

a polite name for any woman

From this reading He loved pictures and fine furniture and dainty decorations as well as Richard Ross did, though perhaps he was not quite so learned; and when he first saw the great green cabinets in the drawing-room, could barely say the common civilities to Lady Eskside before he went on his knees to adore the Vernis-Martin.

immediately past

From this reading The exploit of the Babes in the Wood, as Willie Maitland called it, was one of the last freaks which Valentine played in his childhood by Eskside.

past form of “last” — persist for a specified period of time

From this reading What agonies Mr Grinder went through while his term of office lasted I will not attempt to describe.

having or showing profound knowledge

From this reading He loved pictures and fine furniture and dainty decorations as well as Richard Ross did, though perhaps he was not quite so learned; and when he first saw the great green cabinets in the drawing-room, could barely say the common civilities to Lady Eskside before he went on his knees to adore the Vernis-Martin.

a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading Mr Grinder, who was from Oxford, a cultured and dainty young Don, was recognised to be no fit tutor for a child who preferred the woods to the classics, and could not construe a bit of Greek decently to save his life.

held dear

From this reading He loved pictures and fine furniture and dainty decorations as well as Richard Ross did, though perhaps he was not quite so learned; and when he first saw the great green cabinets in the drawing-room, could barely say the common civilities to Lady Eskside before he went on his knees to adore the Vernis-Martin.

English historian noted for his works on the history of English law (1850-1906)

From this reading The exploit of the Babes in the Wood, as Willie Maitland called it, was one of the last freaks which Valentine played in his childhood by Eskside.

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

From this reading He was a young man of fine mind, one of the finest minds of his day, and that was saying a great deal.

The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.

From this reading He was a young man of fine mind, one of the finest minds of his day, and that was saying a great deal.

plural of “mind” — that which is responsible for one's thoughts, feelings, and conscious brain functions; the seat of the faculty of reason

From this reading He was a young man of fine mind, one of the finest minds of his day, and that was saying a great deal.

a form of address for a man

From this reading Mr Grinder, who was from Oxford, a cultured and dainty young Don, was recognised to be no fit tutor for a child who preferred the woods to the classics, and could not construe a bit of Greek decently to save his life.

not any; not one

From this reading Mr Grinder, who was from Oxford, a cultured and dainty young Don, was recognised to be no fit tutor for a child who preferred the woods to the classics, and could not construe a bit of Greek decently to save his life.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Mr Grinder, who was from Oxford, a cultured and dainty young Don, was recognised to be no fit tutor for a child who preferred the woods to the classics, and could not construe a bit of Greek decently to save his life.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The exploit of the Babes in the Wood, as Willie Maitland called it, was one of the last freaks which Valentine played in his childhood by Eskside.

place of business where professional or clerical duties are performed

From this reading What agonies Mr Grinder went through while his term of office lasted I will not attempt to describe.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading He loved pictures and fine furniture and dainty decorations as well as Richard Ross did, though perhaps he was not quite so learned; and when he first saw the great green cabinets in the drawing-room, could barely say the common civilities to Lady Eskside before he went on his knees to adore the Vernis-Martin.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading The exploit of the Babes in the Wood, as Willie Maitland called it, was one of the last freaks which Valentine played in his childhood by Eskside.

a city in southern England to the northwest of London; site of Oxford University

From this reading Mr Grinder, who was from Oxford, a cultured and dainty young Don, was recognised to be no fit tutor for a child who preferred the woods to the classics, and could not construe a bit of Greek decently to save his life.

by chance

From this reading He loved pictures and fine furniture and dainty decorations as well as Richard Ross did, though perhaps he was not quite so learned; and when he first saw the great green cabinets in the drawing-room, could barely say the common civilities to Lady Eskside before he went on his knees to adore the Vernis-Martin.

plural of “picture” — a visual representation (of an object or scene or person or abstraction) produced on a surface

From this reading He loved pictures and fine furniture and dainty decorations as well as Richard Ross did, though perhaps he was not quite so learned; and when he first saw the great green cabinets in the drawing-room, could barely say the common civilities to Lady Eskside before he went on his knees to adore the Vernis-Martin.

(of games) engaged in

From this reading The exploit of the Babes in the Wood, as Willie Maitland called it, was one of the last freaks which Valentine played in his childhood by Eskside.

more desirable than another

From this reading Mr Grinder, who was from Oxford, a cultured and dainty young Don, was recognised to be no fit tutor for a child who preferred the woods to the classics, and could not construe a bit of Greek decently to save his life.

to a degree (not used with a negative)

From this reading He loved pictures and fine furniture and dainty decorations as well as Richard Ross did, though perhaps he was not quite so learned; and when he first saw the great green cabinets in the drawing-room, could barely say the common civilities to Lady Eskside before he went on his knees to adore the Vernis-Martin.

provided with a secure reputation

From this reading Mr Grinder, who was from Oxford, a cultured and dainty young Don, was recognised to be no fit tutor for a child who preferred the woods to the classics, and could not construe a bit of Greek decently to save his life.

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

From this reading He loved pictures and fine furniture and dainty decorations as well as Richard Ross did, though perhaps he was not quite so learned; and when he first saw the great green cabinets in the drawing-room, could barely say the common civilities to Lady Eskside before he went on his knees to adore the Vernis-Martin.

Scottish explorer who led Arctic expeditions that yielded geographic discoveries while searching for the Northwest Passage (1777-1856)

From this reading He loved pictures and fine furniture and dainty decorations as well as Richard Ross did, though perhaps he was not quite so learned; and when he first saw the great green cabinets in the drawing-room, could barely say the common civilities to Lady Eskside before he went on his knees to adore the Vernis-Martin.

except for; apart from

From this reading Mr Grinder, who was from Oxford, a cultured and dainty young Don, was recognised to be no fit tutor for a child who preferred the woods to the classics, and could not construe a bit of Greek decently to save his life.

cut with a saw

From this reading He loved pictures and fine furniture and dainty decorations as well as Richard Ross did, though perhaps he was not quite so learned; and when he first saw the great green cabinets in the drawing-room, could barely say the common civilities to Lady Eskside before he went on his knees to adore the Vernis-Martin.

express in words

From this reading He loved pictures and fine furniture and dainty decorations as well as Richard Ross did, though perhaps he was not quite so learned; and when he first saw the great green cabinets in the drawing-room, could barely say the common civilities to Lady Eskside before he went on his knees to adore the Vernis-Martin.

a word or phrase that particular people use in particular situations

From this reading He was a young man of fine mind, one of the finest minds of his day, and that was saying a great deal.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading He loved pictures and fine furniture and dainty decorations as well as Richard Ross did, though perhaps he was not quite so learned; and when he first saw the great green cabinets in the drawing-room, could barely say the common civilities to Lady Eskside before he went on his knees to adore the Vernis-Martin.

a word or expression used for some particular thing

From this reading What agonies Mr Grinder went through while his term of office lasted I will not attempt to describe.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading He was a young man of fine mind, one of the finest minds of his day, and that was saying a great deal.

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

From this reading The exploit of the Babes in the Wood, as Willie Maitland called it, was one of the last freaks which Valentine played in his childhood by Eskside.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading He loved pictures and fine furniture and dainty decorations as well as Richard Ross did, though perhaps he was not quite so learned; and when he first saw the great green cabinets in the drawing-room, could barely say the common civilities to Lady Eskside before he went on his knees to adore the Vernis-Martin.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading What agonies Mr Grinder went through while his term of office lasted I will not attempt to describe.

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

From this reading Mr Grinder, who was from Oxford, a cultured and dainty young Don, was recognised to be no fit tutor for a child who preferred the woods to the classics, and could not construe a bit of Greek decently to save his life.

be a tutor to someone; give individual instruction

From this reading Mr Grinder, who was from Oxford, a cultured and dainty young Don, was recognised to be no fit tutor for a child who preferred the woods to the classics, and could not construe a bit of Greek decently to save his life.

a sweetheart chosen to receive a greeting on Saint Valentine's Day

From this reading The exploit of the Babes in the Wood, as Willie Maitland called it, was one of the last freaks which Valentine played in his childhood by Eskside.

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

From this reading He loved pictures and fine furniture and dainty decorations as well as Richard Ross did, though perhaps he was not quite so learned; and when he first saw the great green cabinets in the drawing-room, could barely say the common civilities to Lady Eskside before he went on his knees to adore the Vernis-Martin.

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

From this reading The exploit of the Babes in the Wood, as Willie Maitland called it, was one of the last freaks which Valentine played in his childhood by Eskside.

(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 He loved pictures and fine furniture and dainty decorations as well as Richard Ross did, though perhaps he was not quite so learned; and when he first saw the great green cabinets in the drawing-room, could barely say the common civilities to Lady Eskside before he went on his knees to adore the Vernis-Martin.

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

From this reading What agonies Mr Grinder went through while his term of office lasted I will not attempt to describe.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading What agonies Mr Grinder went through while his term of office lasted I will not attempt to describe.

at the time that

From this reading He loved pictures and fine furniture and dainty decorations as well as Richard Ross did, though perhaps he was not quite so learned; and when he first saw the great green cabinets in the drawing-room, could barely say the common civilities to Lady Eskside before he went on his knees to adore the Vernis-Martin.

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

From this reading The exploit of the Babes in the Wood, as Willie Maitland called it, was one of the last freaks which Valentine played in his childhood by Eskside.

during the time that

From this reading What agonies Mr Grinder went through while his term of office lasted I will not attempt to describe.

which person or people

From this reading Mr Grinder, who was from Oxford, a cultured and dainty young Don, was recognised to be no fit tutor for a child who preferred the woods to the classics, and could not construe a bit of Greek decently to save his life.

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading What agonies Mr Grinder went through while his term of office lasted I will not attempt to describe.

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

From this reading The exploit of the Babes in the Wood, as Willie Maitland called it, was one of the last freaks which Valentine played in his childhood by Eskside.

the hard fibrous lignified substance under the bark of trees

From this reading The exploit of the Babes in the Wood, as Willie Maitland called it, was one of the last freaks which Valentine played in his childhood by Eskside.

the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area

From this reading Mr Grinder, who was from Oxford, a cultured and dainty young Don, was recognised to be no fit tutor for a child who preferred the woods to the classics, and could not construe a bit of Greek decently to save his life.

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

From this reading Mr Grinder, who was from Oxford, a cultured and dainty young Don, was recognised to be no fit tutor for a child who preferred the woods to the classics, and could not construe a bit of Greek decently to save his life.