Chapter VII

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

From this reading THE FIERCE-EYED MAN The staff at the Lodge consisted in its entirety of one old maid-servant, a little deaf and very short-sighted, who combined the functions, as occasion demanded, of parlour-maid, cook and gardener.

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

From this reading Notwithstanding these manifold duties, Valentine hardly ever left her kitchen-range, which was situated in an extension built on to the house and opening directly upon the street.

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

From this reading THE FIERCE-EYED MAN The staff at the Lodge consisted in its entirety of one old maid-servant, a little deaf and very short-sighted, who combined the functions, as occasion demanded, of parlour-maid, cook and gardener.

any thing at all

From this reading She did not seem surprised at my return--nothing, for that matter, ever surprised or perturbed her--and I at once saw that she was still living outside the course of events and that she would be unable to tell me anything useful.

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

From this reading THE FIERCE-EYED MAN The staff at the Lodge consisted in its entirety of one old maid-servant, a little deaf and very short-sighted, who combined the functions, as occasion demanded, of parlour-maid, cook and gardener.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading THE FIERCE-EYED MAN The staff at the Lodge consisted in its entirety of one old maid-servant, a little deaf and very short-sighted, who combined the functions, as occasion demanded, of parlour-maid, cook and gardener.

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

From this reading She did not seem surprised at my return--nothing, for that matter, ever surprised or perturbed her--and I at once saw that she was still living outside the course of events and that she would be unable to tell me anything useful.

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

From this reading I gathered, however, that my uncle and Berangere had gone out half an hour earlier.

(used of soaps or cleaning agents) having a substance (an abrasive or filler) added to increase effectiveness

From this reading Notwithstanding these manifold duties, Valentine hardly ever left her kitchen-range, which was situated in an extension built on to the house and opening directly upon the street.

made or joined or united into one

From this reading THE FIERCE-EYED MAN The staff at the Lodge consisted in its entirety of one old maid-servant, a little deaf and very short-sighted, who combined the functions, as occasion demanded, of parlour-maid, cook and gardener.

past form of “consist” — originate

From this reading THE FIERCE-EYED MAN The staff at the Lodge consisted in its entirety of one old maid-servant, a little deaf and very short-sighted, who combined the functions, as occasion demanded, of parlour-maid, cook and gardener.

prepare a hot meal

From this reading THE FIERCE-EYED MAN The staff at the Lodge consisted in its entirety of one old maid-servant, a little deaf and very short-sighted, who combined the functions, as occasion demanded, of parlour-maid, cook and gardener.

education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings

From this reading She did not seem surprised at my return--nothing, for that matter, ever surprised or perturbed her--and I at once saw that she was still living outside the course of events and that she would be unable to tell me anything useful.

lacking or deprived of the sense of hearing wholly or in part

From this reading THE FIERCE-EYED MAN The staff at the Lodge consisted in its entirety of one old maid-servant, a little deaf and very short-sighted, who combined the functions, as occasion demanded, of parlour-maid, cook and gardener.

past form of “demand” — request urgently and forcefully

From this reading THE FIERCE-EYED MAN The staff at the Lodge consisted in its entirety of one old maid-servant, a little deaf and very short-sighted, who combined the functions, as occasion demanded, of parlour-maid, cook and gardener.

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

From this reading She did not seem surprised at my return--nothing, for that matter, ever surprised or perturbed her--and I at once saw that she was still living outside the course of events and that she would be unable to tell me anything useful.

without deviation

From this reading Notwithstanding these manifold duties, Valentine hardly ever left her kitchen-range, which was situated in an extension built on to the house and opening directly upon the street.

plural of “duty” — the social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force

From this reading Notwithstanding these manifold duties, Valentine hardly ever left her kitchen-range, which was situated in an extension built on to the house and opening directly upon the street.

earlier in time; previously

From this reading I gathered, however, that my uncle and Berangere had gone out half an hour earlier.

the state of being total and complete

From this reading THE FIERCE-EYED MAN The staff at the Lodge consisted in its entirety of one old maid-servant, a little deaf and very short-sighted, who combined the functions, as occasion demanded, of parlour-maid, cook and gardener.

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

From this reading She did not seem surprised at my return--nothing, for that matter, ever surprised or perturbed her--and I at once saw that she was still living outside the course of events and that she would be unable to tell me anything useful.

at any time

From this reading Notwithstanding these manifold duties, Valentine hardly ever left her kitchen-range, which was situated in an extension built on to the house and opening directly upon the street.

a mutually agreed delay in the date set for the completion of a job or payment of a debt

From this reading Notwithstanding these manifold duties, Valentine hardly ever left her kitchen-range, which was situated in an extension built on to the house and opening directly upon the street.

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

From this reading THE FIERCE-EYED MAN The staff at the Lodge consisted in its entirety of one old maid-servant, a little deaf and very short-sighted, who combined the functions, as occasion demanded, of parlour-maid, cook and gardener.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading She did not seem surprised at my return--nothing, for that matter, ever surprised or perturbed her--and I at once saw that she was still living outside the course of events and that she would be unable to tell me anything useful.

set up or found

From this reading This was where I found her.

plural of “function” — (mathematics) a mathematical relation such that each element of a given set (the domain of the function) is associated with an element of another set (the range of the function)

From this reading THE FIERCE-EYED MAN The staff at the Lodge consisted in its entirety of one old maid-servant, a little deaf and very short-sighted, who combined the functions, as occasion demanded, of parlour-maid, cook and gardener.

someone who takes care of a garden

From this reading THE FIERCE-EYED MAN The staff at the Lodge consisted in its entirety of one old maid-servant, a little deaf and very short-sighted, who combined the functions, as occasion demanded, of parlour-maid, cook and gardener.

brought together in one place

From this reading I gathered, however, that my uncle and Berangere had gone out half an hour earlier.

destroyed or killed

From this reading I gathered, however, that my uncle and Berangere had gone out half an hour earlier.

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

From this reading I gathered, however, that my uncle and Berangere had gone out half an hour earlier.

consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity

From this reading I gathered, however, that my uncle and Berangere had gone out half an hour earlier.

only a very short time before

From this reading Notwithstanding these manifold duties, Valentine hardly ever left her kitchen-range, which was situated in an extension built on to the house and opening directly upon the street.

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

From this reading Notwithstanding these manifold duties, Valentine hardly ever left her kitchen-range, which was situated in an extension built on to the house and opening directly upon the street.

a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day

From this reading I gathered, however, that my uncle and Berangere had gone out half an hour earlier.

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

From this reading Notwithstanding these manifold duties, Valentine hardly ever left her kitchen-range, which was situated in an extension built on to the house and opening directly upon the street.

used to add a contrasting statement

From this reading I gathered, however, that my uncle and Berangere had gone out half an hour earlier.

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

From this reading This was where I found her.

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

From this reading THE FIERCE-EYED MAN The staff at the Lodge consisted in its entirety of one old maid-servant, a little deaf and very short-sighted, who combined the functions, as occasion demanded, of parlour-maid, cook and gardener.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading THE FIERCE-EYED MAN The staff at the Lodge consisted in its entirety of one old maid-servant, a little deaf and very short-sighted, who combined the functions, as occasion demanded, of parlour-maid, cook and gardener.

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

From this reading Notwithstanding these manifold duties, Valentine hardly ever left her kitchen-range, which was situated in an extension built on to the house and opening directly upon the street.

location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east

From this reading Notwithstanding these manifold duties, Valentine hardly ever left her kitchen-range, which was situated in an extension built on to the house and opening directly upon the street.

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

From this reading THE FIERCE-EYED MAN The staff at the Lodge consisted in its entirety of one old maid-servant, a little deaf and very short-sighted, who combined the functions, as occasion demanded, of parlour-maid, cook and gardener.

the experience of being alive; the course of human events and activities

From this reading She did not seem surprised at my return--nothing, for that matter, ever surprised or perturbed her--and I at once saw that she was still living outside the course of events and that she would be unable to tell me anything useful.

be a lodger; stay temporarily

From this reading THE FIERCE-EYED MAN The staff at the Lodge consisted in its entirety of one old maid-servant, a little deaf and very short-sighted, who combined the functions, as occasion demanded, of parlour-maid, cook and gardener.

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

From this reading THE FIERCE-EYED MAN The staff at the Lodge consisted in its entirety of one old maid-servant, a little deaf and very short-sighted, who combined the functions, as occasion demanded, of parlour-maid, cook and gardener.

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

From this reading THE FIERCE-EYED MAN The staff at the Lodge consisted in its entirety of one old maid-servant, a little deaf and very short-sighted, who combined the functions, as occasion demanded, of parlour-maid, cook and gardener.

a pipe that has several lateral outlets to or from other pipes

From this reading Notwithstanding these manifold duties, Valentine hardly ever left her kitchen-range, which was situated in an extension built on to the house and opening directly upon the street.

a vaguely specified concern

From this reading She did not seem surprised at my return--nothing, for that matter, ever surprised or perturbed her--and I at once saw that she was still living outside the course of events and that she would be unable to tell me anything useful.

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

From this reading She did not seem surprised at my return--nothing, for that matter, ever surprised or perturbed her--and I at once saw that she was still living outside the course of events and that she would be unable to tell me anything useful.

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading She did not seem surprised at my return--nothing, for that matter, ever surprised or perturbed her--and I at once saw that she was still living outside the course of events and that she would be unable to tell me anything useful.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading She did not seem surprised at my return--nothing, for that matter, ever surprised or perturbed her--and I at once saw that she was still living outside the course of events and that she would be unable to tell me anything useful.

not one thing; not anything

From this reading She did not seem surprised at my return--nothing, for that matter, ever surprised or perturbed her--and I at once saw that she was still living outside the course of events and that she would be unable to tell me anything useful.

despite anything to the contrary (usually preceding a concession)

From this reading Notwithstanding these manifold duties, Valentine hardly ever left her kitchen-range, which was situated in an extension built on to the house and opening directly upon the street.

an event that occurs at a critical time

From this reading THE FIERCE-EYED MAN The staff at the Lodge consisted in its entirety of one old maid-servant, a little deaf and very short-sighted, who combined the functions, as occasion demanded, of parlour-maid, cook and gardener.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading THE FIERCE-EYED MAN The staff at the Lodge consisted in its entirety of one old maid-servant, a little deaf and very short-sighted, who combined the functions, as occasion demanded, of parlour-maid, cook and gardener.

(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age

From this reading THE FIERCE-EYED MAN The staff at the Lodge consisted in its entirety of one old maid-servant, a little deaf and very short-sighted, who combined the functions, as occasion demanded, of parlour-maid, cook and gardener.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Notwithstanding these manifold duties, Valentine hardly ever left her kitchen-range, which was situated in an extension built on to the house and opening directly upon the street.

on one occasion

From this reading She did not seem surprised at my return--nothing, for that matter, ever surprised or perturbed her--and I at once saw that she was still living outside the course of events and that she would be unable to tell me anything useful.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading THE FIERCE-EYED MAN The staff at the Lodge consisted in its entirety of one old maid-servant, a little deaf and very short-sighted, who combined the functions, as occasion demanded, of parlour-maid, cook and gardener.

an open or empty space in or between things

From this reading Notwithstanding these manifold duties, Valentine hardly ever left her kitchen-range, which was situated in an extension built on to the house and opening directly upon the street.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading She did not seem surprised at my return--nothing, for that matter, ever surprised or perturbed her--and I at once saw that she was still living outside the course of events and that she would be unable to tell me anything useful.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading I gathered, however, that my uncle and Berangere had gone out half an hour earlier.

relating to or being on or near the outer side or limit

From this reading She did not seem surprised at my return--nothing, for that matter, ever surprised or perturbed her--and I at once saw that she was still living outside the course of events and that she would be unable to tell me anything useful.

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

From this reading THE FIERCE-EYED MAN The staff at the Lodge consisted in its entirety of one old maid-servant, a little deaf and very short-sighted, who combined the functions, as occasion demanded, of parlour-maid, cook and gardener.

thrown into a state of agitated confusion; (“rattled” is an informal term)

From this reading She did not seem surprised at my return--nothing, for that matter, ever surprised or perturbed her--and I at once saw that she was still living outside the course of events and that she would be unable to tell me anything useful.

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

From this reading She did not seem surprised at my return--nothing, for that matter, ever surprised or perturbed her--and I at once saw that she was still living outside the course of events and that she would be unable to tell me anything useful.

cut with a saw

From this reading She did not seem surprised at my return--nothing, for that matter, ever surprised or perturbed her--and I at once saw that she was still living outside the course of events and that she would be unable to tell me anything useful.

give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading She did not seem surprised at my return--nothing, for that matter, ever surprised or perturbed her--and I at once saw that she was still living outside the course of events and that she would be unable to tell me anything useful.

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

From this reading She did not seem surprised at my return--nothing, for that matter, ever surprised or perturbed her--and I at once saw that she was still living outside the course of events and that she would be unable to tell me anything useful.

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

From this reading THE FIERCE-EYED MAN The staff at the Lodge consisted in its entirety of one old maid-servant, a little deaf and very short-sighted, who combined the functions, as occasion demanded, of parlour-maid, cook and gardener.

situated in a particular spot or position

From this reading Notwithstanding these manifold duties, Valentine hardly ever left her kitchen-range, which was situated in an extension built on to the house and opening directly upon the street.

personnel who assist their superior in carrying out an assigned task

From this reading THE FIERCE-EYED MAN The staff at the Lodge consisted in its entirety of one old maid-servant, a little deaf and very short-sighted, who combined the functions, as occasion demanded, of parlour-maid, cook and gardener.

not in physical motion

From this reading She did not seem surprised at my return--nothing, for that matter, ever surprised or perturbed her--and I at once saw that she was still living outside the course of events and that she would be unable to tell me anything useful.

a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings

From this reading Notwithstanding these manifold duties, Valentine hardly ever left her kitchen-range, which was situated in an extension built on to the house and opening directly upon the street.

taken unawares or suddenly and feeling wonder or astonishment

From this reading She did not seem surprised at my return--nothing, for that matter, ever surprised or perturbed her--and I at once saw that she was still living outside the course of events and that she would be unable to tell me anything useful.

express in words

From this reading She did not seem surprised at my return--nothing, for that matter, ever surprised or perturbed her--and I at once saw that she was still living outside the course of events and that she would be unable to tell me anything useful.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading She did not seem surprised at my return--nothing, for that matter, ever surprised or perturbed her--and I at once saw that she was still living outside the course of events and that she would be unable to tell me anything useful.

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

From this reading THE FIERCE-EYED MAN The staff at the Lodge consisted in its entirety of one old maid-servant, a little deaf and very short-sighted, who combined the functions, as occasion demanded, of parlour-maid, cook and gardener.

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

From this reading Notwithstanding these manifold duties, Valentine hardly ever left her kitchen-range, which was situated in an extension built on to the house and opening directly upon the street.

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

From this reading This was where I found her.

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

From this reading Notwithstanding these manifold duties, Valentine hardly ever left her kitchen-range, which was situated in an extension built on to the house and opening directly upon the street.

(usually followed by “to”) not having the necessary means or skill or know-how

From this reading She did not seem surprised at my return--nothing, for that matter, ever surprised or perturbed her--and I at once saw that she was still living outside the course of events and that she would be unable to tell me anything useful.

the brother of your father or mother; the husband of your aunt

From this reading I gathered, however, that my uncle and Berangere had gone out half an hour earlier.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading Notwithstanding these manifold duties, Valentine hardly ever left her kitchen-range, which was situated in an extension built on to the house and opening directly upon the street.

being of use or service

From this reading She did not seem surprised at my return--nothing, for that matter, ever surprised or perturbed her--and I at once saw that she was still living outside the course of events and that she would be unable to tell me anything useful.

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

From this reading Notwithstanding these manifold duties, Valentine hardly ever left her kitchen-range, which was situated in an extension built on to the house and opening directly upon the street.

precisely as stated

From this reading THE FIERCE-EYED MAN The staff at the Lodge consisted in its entirety of one old maid-servant, a little deaf and very short-sighted, who combined the functions, as occasion demanded, of parlour-maid, cook and gardener.

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

From this reading Notwithstanding these manifold duties, Valentine hardly ever left her kitchen-range, which was situated in an extension built on to the house and opening directly upon the street.

in or at the place that

From this reading This was where I found her.

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

From this reading Notwithstanding these manifold duties, Valentine hardly ever left her kitchen-range, which was situated in an extension built on to the house and opening directly upon the street.

which person or people

From this reading THE FIERCE-EYED MAN The staff at the Lodge consisted in its entirety of one old maid-servant, a little deaf and very short-sighted, who combined the functions, as occasion demanded, of parlour-maid, cook and gardener.

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

From this reading She did not seem surprised at my return--nothing, for that matter, ever surprised or perturbed her--and I at once saw that she was still living outside the course of events and that she would be unable to tell me anything useful.