adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading He had told Edith, after his ineffective effort to be useful in her affairs, that he had decided that he was “a member of the family”; but he appeared to have relapsed to the retired list after that one attempt at participancy--he was far enough detached from membership now.
absent-minded
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These were turbulent days in the New House, but Bibbs had no part whatever in the turbulence--he seemed an absent-minded stranger, present by accident and not wholly aware that he was present.
accidentnounUS /ˈæksədənt/
an unfortunate mishap; especially one causing damage or injury
From this reading These were turbulent days in the New House, but Bibbs had no part whatever in the turbulence--he seemed an absent-minded stranger, present by accident and not wholly aware that he was present.
affairsnounUS /əˈferz/
matters of personal concern
From this reading He had told Edith, after his ineffective effort to be useful in her affairs, that he had decided that he was “a member of the family”; but he appeared to have relapsed to the retired list after that one attempt at participancy--he was far enough detached from membership now.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading He had told Edith, after his ineffective effort to be useful in her affairs, that he had decided that he was “a member of the family”; but he appeared to have relapsed to the retired list after that one attempt at participancy--he was far enough detached from membership now.
againadverbUS /əˈɡen/
anew
From this reading The happy dreamer wandered into storm-areas like a somnambulist, and wandered out again unawakened.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading These were turbulent days in the New House, but Bibbs had no part whatever in the turbulence--he seemed an absent-minded stranger, present by accident and not wholly aware that he was present.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading These were turbulent days in the New House, but Bibbs had no part whatever in the turbulence--he seemed an absent-minded stranger, present by accident and not wholly aware that he was present.
appearedverbUS /əˈpɪrd/
past form of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading He had told Edith, after his ineffective effort to be useful in her affairs, that he had decided that he was “a member of the family”; but he appeared to have relapsed to the retired list after that one attempt at participancy--he was far enough detached from membership now.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading He had told Edith, after his ineffective effort to be useful in her affairs, that he had decided that he was “a member of the family”; but he appeared to have relapsed to the retired list after that one attempt at participancy--he was far enough detached from membership now.
attemptnounUS /əˈtempt/
earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something
From this reading He had told Edith, after his ineffective effort to be useful in her affairs, that he had decided that he was “a member of the family”; but he appeared to have relapsed to the retired list after that one attempt at participancy--he was far enough detached from membership now.
awareadjectiveUS /əˈwer/
(sometimes followed by “of”) having or showing knowledge or understanding or realization or perception
From this reading These were turbulent days in the New House, but Bibbs had no part whatever in the turbulence--he seemed an absent-minded stranger, present by accident and not wholly aware that he was present.
battlenounUS /ˈbætəl/
a hostile meeting of opposing military forces in the course of a war
From this reading He would sit, faintly smiling over pleasant imaginings and dear reminiscences of his own, while battle raged between Edith and her father, or while Sheridan unloosed jeremiads upon the sullen Roscoe, who drank heavily to endure them.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading He had told Edith, after his ineffective effort to be useful in her affairs, that he had decided that he was “a member of the family”; but he appeared to have relapsed to the retired list after that one attempt at participancy--he was far enough detached from membership now.
betweenprepositionUS /bɪˈtwiːn/
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading He would sit, faintly smiling over pleasant imaginings and dear reminiscences of his own, while battle raged between Edith and her father, or while Sheridan unloosed jeremiads upon the sullen Roscoe, who drank heavily to endure them.
Bibbs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Bibbs continued to live in the shelter of his dream.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading He had told Edith, after his ineffective effort to be useful in her affairs, that he had decided that he was “a member of the family”; but he appeared to have relapsed to the retired list after that one attempt at participancy--he was far enough detached from membership now.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading These were turbulent days in the New House, but Bibbs had no part whatever in the turbulence--he seemed an absent-minded stranger, present by accident and not wholly aware that he was present.
continuedadjectiveUS /kənˈtɪnjuːd/
without stop or interruption
From this reading Bibbs continued to live in the shelter of his dream.
daysnounUS /deɪz/
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading These were turbulent days in the New House, but Bibbs had no part whatever in the turbulence--he seemed an absent-minded stranger, present by accident and not wholly aware that he was present.
dearadjectiveUS /dɪr/
dearly loved
From this reading He would sit, faintly smiling over pleasant imaginings and dear reminiscences of his own, while battle raged between Edith and her father, or while Sheridan unloosed jeremiads upon the sullen Roscoe, who drank heavily to endure them.
decidedadjectiveUS /ˌdɪˈsaɪdɪd/
recognizable; marked
From this reading He had told Edith, after his ineffective effort to be useful in her affairs, that he had decided that he was “a member of the family”; but he appeared to have relapsed to the retired list after that one attempt at participancy--he was far enough detached from membership now.
detachedadjectiveUS /dɪˈtætʃt/
showing lack of emotional involvement
From this reading He had told Edith, after his ineffective effort to be useful in her affairs, that he had decided that he was “a member of the family”; but he appeared to have relapsed to the retired list after that one attempt at participancy--he was far enough detached from membership now.
drankverbUS /dræŋk/
inflected form of “drink” — take in liquids
From this reading He would sit, faintly smiling over pleasant imaginings and dear reminiscences of his own, while battle raged between Edith and her father, or while Sheridan unloosed jeremiads upon the sullen Roscoe, who drank heavily to endure them.
dreamnounUS /driːm/
A series of thoughts, images, or emotions during sleep.
From this reading Bibbs continued to live in the shelter of his dream.
dreamernounUS /ˈdriːmər/
someone who is dreaming
From this reading The happy dreamer wandered into storm-areas like a somnambulist, and wandered out again unawakened.
Edith
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had told Edith, after his ineffective effort to be useful in her affairs, that he had decided that he was “a member of the family”; but he appeared to have relapsed to the retired list after that one attempt at participancy--he was far enough detached from membership now.
effortnounUS /ˈefərt/
earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something
From this reading He had told Edith, after his ineffective effort to be useful in her affairs, that he had decided that he was “a member of the family”; but he appeared to have relapsed to the retired list after that one attempt at participancy--he was far enough detached from membership now.
endureverbUS /enˈdjʊr/
put up with something or somebody unpleasant
From this reading He would sit, faintly smiling over pleasant imaginings and dear reminiscences of his own, while battle raged between Edith and her father, or while Sheridan unloosed jeremiads upon the sullen Roscoe, who drank heavily to endure them.
enoughnounUS /ɪˈnʌf/
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading He had told Edith, after his ineffective effort to be useful in her affairs, that he had decided that he was “a member of the family”; but he appeared to have relapsed to the retired list after that one attempt at participancy--he was far enough detached from membership now.
faintlyadverbUS /ˈfeɪntli/
to a faint degree or weakly perceived
From this reading He would sit, faintly smiling over pleasant imaginings and dear reminiscences of his own, while battle raged between Edith and her father, or while Sheridan unloosed jeremiads upon the sullen Roscoe, who drank heavily to endure them.
familynounUS /ˈfæməli/
a social unit living together
From this reading He had told Edith, after his ineffective effort to be useful in her affairs, that he had decided that he was “a member of the family”; but he appeared to have relapsed to the retired list after that one attempt at participancy--he was far enough detached from membership now.
faradverbUS /fɑːr/
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading He had told Edith, after his ineffective effort to be useful in her affairs, that he had decided that he was “a member of the family”; but he appeared to have relapsed to the retired list after that one attempt at participancy--he was far enough detached from membership now.
fathernounUS /ˈfɑːðər/
a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading He would sit, faintly smiling over pleasant imaginings and dear reminiscences of his own, while battle raged between Edith and her father, or while Sheridan unloosed jeremiads upon the sullen Roscoe, who drank heavily to endure them.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading He had told Edith, after his ineffective effort to be useful in her affairs, that he had decided that he was “a member of the family”; but he appeared to have relapsed to the retired list after that one attempt at participancy--he was far enough detached from membership now.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He had told Edith, after his ineffective effort to be useful in her affairs, that he had decided that he was “a member of the family”; but he appeared to have relapsed to the retired list after that one attempt at participancy--he was far enough detached from membership now.
happyadjectiveUS /ˈhæpi/
enjoying or showing or marked by joy or pleasure
From this reading The happy dreamer wandered into storm-areas like a somnambulist, and wandered out again unawakened.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading He had told Edith, after his ineffective effort to be useful in her affairs, that he had decided that he was “a member of the family”; but he appeared to have relapsed to the retired list after that one attempt at participancy--he was far enough detached from membership now.
HepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He had told Edith, after his ineffective effort to be useful in her affairs, that he had decided that he was “a member of the family”; but he appeared to have relapsed to the retired list after that one attempt at participancy--he was far enough detached from membership now.
heavilyadverbUS /ˈhevəli/
to a considerable degree
From this reading He would sit, faintly smiling over pleasant imaginings and dear reminiscences of his own, while battle raged between Edith and her father, or while Sheridan unloosed jeremiads upon the sullen Roscoe, who drank heavily to endure them.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading He had told Edith, after his ineffective effort to be useful in her affairs, that he had decided that he was “a member of the family”; but he appeared to have relapsed to the retired list after that one attempt at participancy--he was far enough detached from membership now.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Bibbs continued to live in the shelter of his dream.
HousenounUS /haʊs/
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading These were turbulent days in the New House, but Bibbs had no part whatever in the turbulence--he seemed an absent-minded stranger, present by accident and not wholly aware that he was present.
imaginings
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He would sit, faintly smiling over pleasant imaginings and dear reminiscences of his own, while battle raged between Edith and her father, or while Sheridan unloosed jeremiads upon the sullen Roscoe, who drank heavily to endure them.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Bibbs continued to live in the shelter of his dream.
ineffectiveadjectiveUS /ˌɪnɪˈfektɪv/
not producing an intended effect
From this reading He had told Edith, after his ineffective effort to be useful in her affairs, that he had decided that he was “a member of the family”; but he appeared to have relapsed to the retired list after that one attempt at participancy--he was far enough detached from membership now.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading The happy dreamer wandered into storm-areas like a somnambulist, and wandered out again unawakened.
jeremiads
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He would sit, faintly smiling over pleasant imaginings and dear reminiscences of his own, while battle raged between Edith and her father, or while Sheridan unloosed jeremiads upon the sullen Roscoe, who drank heavily to endure them.
likeverbUS /laɪk/
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading The happy dreamer wandered into storm-areas like a somnambulist, and wandered out again unawakened.
listverbUS /lɪst/
give or make a list of; name individually; give the names of
From this reading He had told Edith, after his ineffective effort to be useful in her affairs, that he had decided that he was “a member of the family”; but he appeared to have relapsed to the retired list after that one attempt at participancy--he was far enough detached from membership now.
liveverbUS /laɪv/
be an inhabitant of or reside in
From this reading Bibbs continued to live in the shelter of his dream.
membernounUS /ˈmembər/
one of the persons who compose a social group (especially individuals who have joined and participate in a group organization)
From this reading He had told Edith, after his ineffective effort to be useful in her affairs, that he had decided that he was “a member of the family”; but he appeared to have relapsed to the retired list after that one attempt at participancy--he was far enough detached from membership now.
membershipnounUS /ˈmembərʃɪp/
the body of members of an organization or group
From this reading He had told Edith, after his ineffective effort to be useful in her affairs, that he had decided that he was “a member of the family”; but he appeared to have relapsed to the retired list after that one attempt at participancy--he was far enough detached from membership now.
NewadjectiveUS /nuː/
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading These were turbulent days in the New House, but Bibbs had no part whatever in the turbulence--he seemed an absent-minded stranger, present by accident and not wholly aware that he was present.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading These were turbulent days in the New House, but Bibbs had no part whatever in the turbulence--he seemed an absent-minded stranger, present by accident and not wholly aware that he was present.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading These were turbulent days in the New House, but Bibbs had no part whatever in the turbulence--he seemed an absent-minded stranger, present by accident and not wholly aware that he was present.
nowadverbUS /naʊ/
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading He had told Edith, after his ineffective effort to be useful in her affairs, that he had decided that he was “a member of the family”; but he appeared to have relapsed to the retired list after that one attempt at participancy--he was far enough detached from membership now.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Bibbs continued to live in the shelter of his dream.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading He had told Edith, after his ineffective effort to be useful in her affairs, that he had decided that he was “a member of the family”; but he appeared to have relapsed to the retired list after that one attempt at participancy--he was far enough detached from membership now.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading He would sit, faintly smiling over pleasant imaginings and dear reminiscences of his own, while battle raged between Edith and her father, or while Sheridan unloosed jeremiads upon the sullen Roscoe, who drank heavily to endure them.
outadjectiveUS /aʊt/
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading The happy dreamer wandered into storm-areas like a somnambulist, and wandered out again unawakened.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading He would sit, faintly smiling over pleasant imaginings and dear reminiscences of his own, while battle raged between Edith and her father, or while Sheridan unloosed jeremiads upon the sullen Roscoe, who drank heavily to endure them.
ownverbUS /oʊn/
have ownership or possession of
From this reading He would sit, faintly smiling over pleasant imaginings and dear reminiscences of his own, while battle raged between Edith and her father, or while Sheridan unloosed jeremiads upon the sullen Roscoe, who drank heavily to endure them.
partnounUS /pɑːrt/
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading These were turbulent days in the New House, but Bibbs had no part whatever in the turbulence--he seemed an absent-minded stranger, present by accident and not wholly aware that he was present.
participancy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had told Edith, after his ineffective effort to be useful in her affairs, that he had decided that he was “a member of the family”; but he appeared to have relapsed to the retired list after that one attempt at participancy--he was far enough detached from membership now.
pleasantadjectiveUS /ˈplezənt/
affording pleasure; being in harmony with your taste or likings
From this reading He would sit, faintly smiling over pleasant imaginings and dear reminiscences of his own, while battle raged between Edith and her father, or while Sheridan unloosed jeremiads upon the sullen Roscoe, who drank heavily to endure them.
presentverbUS /ˈprezənt/
give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading These were turbulent days in the New House, but Bibbs had no part whatever in the turbulence--he seemed an absent-minded stranger, present by accident and not wholly aware that he was present.
ragedverbUS /reɪdʒd/
past form of “rage” — behave violently, as if in state of a great anger
From this reading He would sit, faintly smiling over pleasant imaginings and dear reminiscences of his own, while battle raged between Edith and her father, or while Sheridan unloosed jeremiads upon the sullen Roscoe, who drank heavily to endure them.
relapsedverbUS /riˈlæpst/
past form of “relapse” — deteriorate in health
From this reading He had told Edith, after his ineffective effort to be useful in her affairs, that he had decided that he was “a member of the family”; but he appeared to have relapsed to the retired list after that one attempt at participancy--he was far enough detached from membership now.
reminiscencesnounUS /ˌreməˈnɪsənsɪz/
plural of “reminiscence” — a mental impression retained and recalled from the past
From this reading He would sit, faintly smiling over pleasant imaginings and dear reminiscences of his own, while battle raged between Edith and her father, or while Sheridan unloosed jeremiads upon the sullen Roscoe, who drank heavily to endure them.
retiredadjectiveUS /rɪˈtaɪrd/
no longer active in your work or profession
From this reading He had told Edith, after his ineffective effort to be useful in her affairs, that he had decided that he was “a member of the family”; but he appeared to have relapsed to the retired list after that one attempt at participancy--he was far enough detached from membership now.
Roscoe
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He would sit, faintly smiling over pleasant imaginings and dear reminiscences of his own, while battle raged between Edith and her father, or while Sheridan unloosed jeremiads upon the sullen Roscoe, who drank heavily to endure them.
seemedverbUS /siːmd/
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading These were turbulent days in the New House, but Bibbs had no part whatever in the turbulence--he seemed an absent-minded stranger, present by accident and not wholly aware that he was present.
shelternounUS /ˈʃeltər/
a structure that provides privacy and protection from danger
From this reading Bibbs continued to live in the shelter of his dream.
SheridannounUS /ˈʃerɪdən/
Irish playwright remembered for his satirical comedies of manners (1751-1816)
From this reading He would sit, faintly smiling over pleasant imaginings and dear reminiscences of his own, while battle raged between Edith and her father, or while Sheridan unloosed jeremiads upon the sullen Roscoe, who drank heavily to endure them.
sitverbUS /sɪt/
be seated
From this reading He would sit, faintly smiling over pleasant imaginings and dear reminiscences of his own, while battle raged between Edith and her father, or while Sheridan unloosed jeremiads upon the sullen Roscoe, who drank heavily to endure them.
smilingnounUS /ˈsmaɪlɪŋ/
a facial expression characterized by turning up the corners of the mouth; usually shows pleasure or amusement
From this reading He would sit, faintly smiling over pleasant imaginings and dear reminiscences of his own, while battle raged between Edith and her father, or while Sheridan unloosed jeremiads upon the sullen Roscoe, who drank heavily to endure them.
somnambulistnoun
someone who walks about in their sleep
From this reading The happy dreamer wandered into storm-areas like a somnambulist, and wandered out again unawakened.
storm-areas
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The happy dreamer wandered into storm-areas like a somnambulist, and wandered out again unawakened.
strangernounUS /ˈstreɪndʒər/
anyone who does not belong in the environment in which they are found
From this reading These were turbulent days in the New House, but Bibbs had no part whatever in the turbulence--he seemed an absent-minded stranger, present by accident and not wholly aware that he was present.
sullenadjectiveUS /ˈsʌlən/
showing a brooding ill humor
From this reading He would sit, faintly smiling over pleasant imaginings and dear reminiscences of his own, while battle raged between Edith and her father, or while Sheridan unloosed jeremiads upon the sullen Roscoe, who drank heavily to endure them.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He had told Edith, after his ineffective effort to be useful in her affairs, that he had decided that he was “a member of the family”; but he appeared to have relapsed to the retired list after that one attempt at participancy--he was far enough detached from membership now.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Bibbs continued to live in the shelter of his dream.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading He would sit, faintly smiling over pleasant imaginings and dear reminiscences of his own, while battle raged between Edith and her father, or while Sheridan unloosed jeremiads upon the sullen Roscoe, who drank heavily to endure them.
ThesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading These were turbulent days in the New House, but Bibbs had no part whatever in the turbulence--he seemed an absent-minded stranger, present by accident and not wholly aware that he was present.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Bibbs continued to live in the shelter of his dream.
toldverbUS /toʊld/
inflected form of “tell” — express in words
From this reading He had told Edith, after his ineffective effort to be useful in her affairs, that he had decided that he was “a member of the family”; but he appeared to have relapsed to the retired list after that one attempt at participancy--he was far enough detached from membership now.
turbulencenounUS /ˈtɜːrbjələns/
unstable flow of a liquid or gas
From this reading These were turbulent days in the New House, but Bibbs had no part whatever in the turbulence--he seemed an absent-minded stranger, present by accident and not wholly aware that he was present.
turbulentadjectiveUS /ˈtɜːrbjələnt/
characterized by unrest or disorder or insubordination
From this reading These were turbulent days in the New House, but Bibbs had no part whatever in the turbulence--he seemed an absent-minded stranger, present by accident and not wholly aware that he was present.
unawakenedadjective
not aroused or activated
From this reading The happy dreamer wandered into storm-areas like a somnambulist, and wandered out again unawakened.
unloosed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He would sit, faintly smiling over pleasant imaginings and dear reminiscences of his own, while battle raged between Edith and her father, or while Sheridan unloosed jeremiads upon the sullen Roscoe, who drank heavily to endure them.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading He would sit, faintly smiling over pleasant imaginings and dear reminiscences of his own, while battle raged between Edith and her father, or while Sheridan unloosed jeremiads upon the sullen Roscoe, who drank heavily to endure them.
usefuladjectiveUS /ˈjuːsfəl/
being of use or service
From this reading He had told Edith, after his ineffective effort to be useful in her affairs, that he had decided that he was “a member of the family”; but he appeared to have relapsed to the retired list after that one attempt at participancy--he was far enough detached from membership now.
wanderedverbUS /ˈwɑːndərd/
past form of “wander” — move about aimlessly or without any destination, often in search of food or employment
From this reading The happy dreamer wandered into storm-areas like a somnambulist, and wandered out again unawakened.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He had told Edith, after his ineffective effort to be useful in her affairs, that he had decided that he was “a member of the family”; but he appeared to have relapsed to the retired list after that one attempt at participancy--he was far enough detached from membership now.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading These were turbulent days in the New House, but Bibbs had no part whatever in the turbulence--he seemed an absent-minded stranger, present by accident and not wholly aware that he was present.
whateverdeterminerUS /ˌwʌˈtevər/
any or all of a kind, it does not matter which
From this reading These were turbulent days in the New House, but Bibbs had no part whatever in the turbulence--he seemed an absent-minded stranger, present by accident and not wholly aware that he was present.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading He would sit, faintly smiling over pleasant imaginings and dear reminiscences of his own, while battle raged between Edith and her father, or while Sheridan unloosed jeremiads upon the sullen Roscoe, who drank heavily to endure them.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading He would sit, faintly smiling over pleasant imaginings and dear reminiscences of his own, while battle raged between Edith and her father, or while Sheridan unloosed jeremiads upon the sullen Roscoe, who drank heavily to endure them.
whollyadverbUS /ˈhoʊli/
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading These were turbulent days in the New House, but Bibbs had no part whatever in the turbulence--he seemed an absent-minded stranger, present by accident and not wholly aware that he was present.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading He would sit, faintly smiling over pleasant imaginings and dear reminiscences of his own, while battle raged between Edith and her father, or while Sheridan unloosed jeremiads upon the sullen Roscoe, who drank heavily to endure them.
