used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading As Mr. Jeremiah stood looking out of the window for the purpose of whiling away a tedious forenoon, it first struck his mind--upon the sight of a number of men dressed very differently from himself--that his wardrobe would scarcely match with the festal splendour of the _fete_ at which he was to be present in the evening.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading He sent therefore to one tailor after another: but all assured him that they had their hands much too full of business to undertake the conversion of his surtout into a dress coat against the evening; still less could they undertake to make a new one.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading He sent therefore to one tailor after another: but all assured him that they had their hands much too full of business to undertake the conversion of his surtout into a dress coat against the evening; still less could they undertake to make a new one.
(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 He sent therefore to one tailor after another: but all assured him that they had their hands much too full of business to undertake the conversion of his surtout into a dress coat against the evening; still less could they undertake to make a new one.
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading He sent therefore to one tailor after another: but all assured him that they had their hands much too full of business to undertake the conversion of his surtout into a dress coat against the evening; still less could they undertake to make a new one.
outward or visible aspect of a person or thing
From this reading Even if it had been possible to overlook the tarnished lustre of his coat, not much embellished by its late watery trials upon the golden sow, yet he could not possibly make his appearance in a surtout.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As Mr. Jeremiah stood looking out of the window for the purpose of whiling away a tedious forenoon, it first struck his mind--upon the sight of a number of men dressed very differently from himself--that his wardrobe would scarcely match with the festal splendour of the _fete_ at which he was to be present in the evening.
marked by assurance; exhibiting confidence
From this reading He sent therefore to one tailor after another: but all assured him that they had their hands much too full of business to undertake the conversion of his surtout into a dress coat against the evening; still less could they undertake to make a new one.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading As Mr. Jeremiah stood looking out of the window for the purpose of whiling away a tedious forenoon, it first struck his mind--upon the sight of a number of men dressed very differently from himself--that his wardrobe would scarcely match with the festal splendour of the _fete_ at which he was to be present in the evening.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading As Mr. Jeremiah stood looking out of the window for the purpose of whiling away a tedious forenoon, it first struck his mind--upon the sight of a number of men dressed very differently from himself--that his wardrobe would scarcely match with the festal splendour of the _fete_ at which he was to be present in the evening.
round object that is hit or thrown or kicked in games
From this reading JEREMIAH PREPARED HIMSELF FOR THE BALL.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading As Mr. Jeremiah stood looking out of the window for the purpose of whiling away a tedious forenoon, it first struck his mind--upon the sight of a number of men dressed very differently from himself--that his wardrobe would scarcely match with the festal splendour of the _fete_ at which he was to be present in the evening.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Even if it had been possible to overlook the tarnished lustre of his coat, not much embellished by its late watery trials upon the golden sow, yet he could not possibly make his appearance in a surtout.
a commercial or industrial enterprise and the people who constitute it
From this reading He sent therefore to one tailor after another: but all assured him that they had their hands much too full of business to undertake the conversion of his surtout into a dress coat against the evening; still less could they undertake to make a new one.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading He sent therefore to one tailor after another: but all assured him that they had their hands much too full of business to undertake the conversion of his surtout into a dress coat against the evening; still less could they undertake to make a new one.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Even if it had been possible to overlook the tarnished lustre of his coat, not much embellished by its late watery trials upon the golden sow, yet he could not possibly make his appearance in a surtout.
an outer garment that has sleeves and covers the body from shoulder down; worn outdoors
From this reading Even if it had been possible to overlook the tarnished lustre of his coat, not much embellished by its late watery trials upon the golden sow, yet he could not possibly make his appearance in a surtout.
conversionnounUS /kənˈvɜːrʒən/
an event that results in a transformation
From this reading He sent therefore to one tailor after another: but all assured him that they had their hands much too full of business to undertake the conversion of his surtout into a dress coat against the evening; still less could they undertake to make a new one.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Even if it had been possible to overlook the tarnished lustre of his coat, not much embellished by its late watery trials upon the golden sow, yet he could not possibly make his appearance in a surtout.
differentlyadverbUS /ˈdɪfrəntli/
in another and different manner
From this reading As Mr. Jeremiah stood looking out of the window for the purpose of whiling away a tedious forenoon, it first struck his mind--upon the sight of a number of men dressed very differently from himself--that his wardrobe would scarcely match with the festal splendour of the _fete_ at which he was to be present in the evening.
put on clothes
From this reading He sent therefore to one tailor after another: but all assured him that they had their hands much too full of business to undertake the conversion of his surtout into a dress coat against the evening; still less could they undertake to make a new one.
dressed or clothed especially in fine attire; often used in combination
From this reading As Mr. Jeremiah stood looking out of the window for the purpose of whiling away a tedious forenoon, it first struck his mind--upon the sight of a number of men dressed very differently from himself--that his wardrobe would scarcely match with the festal splendour of the _fete_ at which he was to be present in the evening.
embellishedverbUS /emˈbelɪʃt/
past form of “embellish” — add details to
From this reading Even if it had been possible to overlook the tarnished lustre of his coat, not much embellished by its late watery trials upon the golden sow, yet he could not possibly make his appearance in a surtout.
divisible by two
From this reading Even if it had been possible to overlook the tarnished lustre of his coat, not much embellished by its late watery trials upon the golden sow, yet he could not possibly make his appearance in a surtout.
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading As Mr. Jeremiah stood looking out of the window for the purpose of whiling away a tedious forenoon, it first struck his mind--upon the sight of a number of men dressed very differently from himself--that his wardrobe would scarcely match with the festal splendour of the _fete_ at which he was to be present in the evening.
festaladjective
offering fun and gaiety
From this reading As Mr. Jeremiah stood looking out of the window for the purpose of whiling away a tedious forenoon, it first struck his mind--upon the sight of a number of men dressed very differently from himself--that his wardrobe would scarcely match with the festal splendour of the _fete_ at which he was to be present in the evening.
feteverbUS /feɪt/
have a celebration
From this reading As Mr. Jeremiah stood looking out of the window for the purpose of whiling away a tedious forenoon, it first struck his mind--upon the sight of a number of men dressed very differently from himself--that his wardrobe would scarcely match with the festal splendour of the _fete_ at which he was to be present in the evening.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading As Mr. Jeremiah stood looking out of the window for the purpose of whiling away a tedious forenoon, it first struck his mind--upon the sight of a number of men dressed very differently from himself--that his wardrobe would scarcely match with the festal splendour of the _fete_ at which he was to be present in the evening.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading JEREMIAH PREPARED HIMSELF FOR THE BALL.
forenoonnoun
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading As Mr. Jeremiah stood looking out of the window for the purpose of whiling away a tedious forenoon, it first struck his mind--upon the sight of a number of men dressed very differently from himself--that his wardrobe would scarcely match with the festal splendour of the _fete_ at which he was to be present in the evening.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading As Mr. Jeremiah stood looking out of the window for the purpose of whiling away a tedious forenoon, it first struck his mind--upon the sight of a number of men dressed very differently from himself--that his wardrobe would scarcely match with the festal splendour of the _fete_ at which he was to be present in the evening.
containing as much or as many as is possible or normal
From this reading He sent therefore to one tailor after another: but all assured him that they had their hands much too full of business to undertake the conversion of his surtout into a dress coat against the evening; still less could they undertake to make a new one.
having the deep slightly brownish color of gold
From this reading Even if it had been possible to overlook the tarnished lustre of his coat, not much embellished by its late watery trials upon the golden sow, yet he could not possibly make his appearance in a surtout.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Even if it had been possible to overlook the tarnished lustre of his coat, not much embellished by its late watery trials upon the golden sow, yet he could not possibly make his appearance in a surtout.
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading He sent therefore to one tailor after another: but all assured him that they had their hands much too full of business to undertake the conversion of his surtout into a dress coat against the evening; still less could they undertake to make a new one.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading As Mr. Jeremiah stood looking out of the window for the purpose of whiling away a tedious forenoon, it first struck his mind--upon the sight of a number of men dressed very differently from himself--that his wardrobe would scarcely match with the festal splendour of the _fete_ at which he was to be present in the evening.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He sent therefore to one tailor after another: but all assured him that they had their hands much too full of business to undertake the conversion of his surtout into a dress coat against the evening; still less could they undertake to make a new one.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading JEREMIAH PREPARED HIMSELF FOR THE BALL.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading As Mr. Jeremiah stood looking out of the window for the purpose of whiling away a tedious forenoon, it first struck his mind--upon the sight of a number of men dressed very differently from himself--that his wardrobe would scarcely match with the festal splendour of the _fete_ at which he was to be present in the evening.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading Even if it had been possible to overlook the tarnished lustre of his coat, not much embellished by its late watery trials upon the golden sow, yet he could not possibly make his appearance in a surtout.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading IN WHAT MANNER MR.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading He sent therefore to one tailor after another: but all assured him that they had their hands much too full of business to undertake the conversion of his surtout into a dress coat against the evening; still less could they undertake to make a new one.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading As Mr. Jeremiah stood looking out of the window for the purpose of whiling away a tedious forenoon, it first struck his mind--upon the sight of a number of men dressed very differently from himself--that his wardrobe would scarcely match with the festal splendour of the _fete_ at which he was to be present in the evening.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading Even if it had been possible to overlook the tarnished lustre of his coat, not much embellished by its late watery trials upon the golden sow, yet he could not possibly make his appearance in a surtout.
JEREMIAHnounUS /ˌdʒerəˈmaɪə/
(Old Testament) an Israelite prophet who is remembered for his angry lamentations (jeremiads) about the wickedness of his people (circa 626-587 BC)
From this reading JEREMIAH PREPARED HIMSELF FOR THE BALL.
being or occurring at an advanced period of time or after a usual or expected time
From this reading Even if it had been possible to overlook the tarnished lustre of his coat, not much embellished by its late watery trials upon the golden sow, yet he could not possibly make his appearance in a surtout.
used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs
From this reading He sent therefore to one tailor after another: but all assured him that they had their hands much too full of business to undertake the conversion of his surtout into a dress coat against the evening; still less could they undertake to make a new one.
the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually
From this reading As Mr. Jeremiah stood looking out of the window for the purpose of whiling away a tedious forenoon, it first struck his mind--upon the sight of a number of men dressed very differently from himself--that his wardrobe would scarcely match with the festal splendour of the _fete_ at which he was to be present in the evening.
lustrenounUS /ˈlʌstər/
a surface coating for ceramics or porcelain
From this reading Even if it had been possible to overlook the tarnished lustre of his coat, not much embellished by its late watery trials upon the golden sow, yet he could not possibly make his appearance in a surtout.
engage in
From this reading Even if it had been possible to overlook the tarnished lustre of his coat, not much embellished by its late watery trials upon the golden sow, yet he could not possibly make his appearance in a surtout.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading IN WHAT MANNER MR.
be compatible, similar or consistent; coincide in their characteristics
From this reading As Mr. Jeremiah stood looking out of the window for the purpose of whiling away a tedious forenoon, it first struck his mind--upon the sight of a number of men dressed very differently from himself--that his wardrobe would scarcely match with the festal splendour of the _fete_ at which he was to be present in the evening.
the force of workers available
From this reading As Mr. Jeremiah stood looking out of the window for the purpose of whiling away a tedious forenoon, it first struck his mind--upon the sight of a number of men dressed very differently from himself--that his wardrobe would scarcely match with the festal splendour of the _fete_ at which he was to be present in the evening.
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading As Mr. Jeremiah stood looking out of the window for the purpose of whiling away a tedious forenoon, it first struck his mind--upon the sight of a number of men dressed very differently from himself--that his wardrobe would scarcely match with the festal splendour of the _fete_ at which he was to be present in the evening.
a form of address for a man
From this reading IN WHAT MANNER MR.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading Even if it had been possible to overlook the tarnished lustre of his coat, not much embellished by its late watery trials upon the golden sow, yet he could not possibly make his appearance in a surtout.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading He sent therefore to one tailor after another: but all assured him that they had their hands much too full of business to undertake the conversion of his surtout into a dress coat against the evening; still less could they undertake to make a new one.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Even if it had been possible to overlook the tarnished lustre of his coat, not much embellished by its late watery trials upon the golden sow, yet he could not possibly make his appearance in a surtout.
the property possessed by a sum or total or indefinite quantity of units or individuals
From this reading As Mr. Jeremiah stood looking out of the window for the purpose of whiling away a tedious forenoon, it first struck his mind--upon the sight of a number of men dressed very differently from himself--that his wardrobe would scarcely match with the festal splendour of the _fete_ at which he was to be present in the evening.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading As Mr. Jeremiah stood looking out of the window for the purpose of whiling away a tedious forenoon, it first struck his mind--upon the sight of a number of men dressed very differently from himself--that his wardrobe would scarcely match with the festal splendour of the _fete_ at which he was to be present in the evening.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading He sent therefore to one tailor after another: but all assured him that they had their hands much too full of business to undertake the conversion of his surtout into a dress coat against the evening; still less could they undertake to make a new one.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading As Mr. Jeremiah stood looking out of the window for the purpose of whiling away a tedious forenoon, it first struck his mind--upon the sight of a number of men dressed very differently from himself--that his wardrobe would scarcely match with the festal splendour of the _fete_ at which he was to be present in the evening.
overlookverbUS /ˈoʊvərlʊk/
look past, fail to notice
From this reading Even if it had been possible to overlook the tarnished lustre of his coat, not much embellished by its late watery trials upon the golden sow, yet he could not possibly make his appearance in a surtout.
capable of happening or existing
From this reading Even if it had been possible to overlook the tarnished lustre of his coat, not much embellished by its late watery trials upon the golden sow, yet he could not possibly make his appearance in a surtout.
by chance
From this reading Even if it had been possible to overlook the tarnished lustre of his coat, not much embellished by its late watery trials upon the golden sow, yet he could not possibly make his appearance in a surtout.
made ready or fit or suitable beforehand
From this reading JEREMIAH PREPARED HIMSELF FOR THE BALL.
give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading As Mr. Jeremiah stood looking out of the window for the purpose of whiling away a tedious forenoon, it first struck his mind--upon the sight of a number of men dressed very differently from himself--that his wardrobe would scarcely match with the festal splendour of the _fete_ at which he was to be present in the evening.
an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions
From this reading As Mr. Jeremiah stood looking out of the window for the purpose of whiling away a tedious forenoon, it first struck his mind--upon the sight of a number of men dressed very differently from himself--that his wardrobe would scarcely match with the festal splendour of the _fete_ at which he was to be present in the evening.
only a very short time before
From this reading As Mr. Jeremiah stood looking out of the window for the purpose of whiling away a tedious forenoon, it first struck his mind--upon the sight of a number of men dressed very differently from himself--that his wardrobe would scarcely match with the festal splendour of the _fete_ at which he was to be present in the evening.
100 senti equal 1 kroon in Estonia
From this reading He sent therefore to one tailor after another: but all assured him that they had their hands much too full of business to undertake the conversion of his surtout into a dress coat against the evening; still less could they undertake to make a new one.
an instance of visual perception
From this reading As Mr. Jeremiah stood looking out of the window for the purpose of whiling away a tedious forenoon, it first struck his mind--upon the sight of a number of men dressed very differently from himself--that his wardrobe would scarcely match with the festal splendour of the _fete_ at which he was to be present in the evening.
sowverbUS /saʊ/
place (seeds) in or on the ground for future growth
From this reading Even if it had been possible to overlook the tarnished lustre of his coat, not much embellished by its late watery trials upon the golden sow, yet he could not possibly make his appearance in a surtout.
splendournoun
a quality that outshines the usual
From this reading As Mr. Jeremiah stood looking out of the window for the purpose of whiling away a tedious forenoon, it first struck his mind--upon the sight of a number of men dressed very differently from himself--that his wardrobe would scarcely match with the festal splendour of the _fete_ at which he was to be present in the evening.
not in physical motion
From this reading He sent therefore to one tailor after another: but all assured him that they had their hands much too full of business to undertake the conversion of his surtout into a dress coat against the evening; still less could they undertake to make a new one.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading As Mr. Jeremiah stood looking out of the window for the purpose of whiling away a tedious forenoon, it first struck his mind--upon the sight of a number of men dressed very differently from himself--that his wardrobe would scarcely match with the festal splendour of the _fete_ at which he was to be present in the evening.
(used in combination) affected by something overwhelming
From this reading As Mr. Jeremiah stood looking out of the window for the purpose of whiling away a tedious forenoon, it first struck his mind--upon the sight of a number of men dressed very differently from himself--that his wardrobe would scarcely match with the festal splendour of the _fete_ at which he was to be present in the evening.
surtoutnoun
a man's overcoat in the style of a frock coat
From this reading Even if it had been possible to overlook the tarnished lustre of his coat, not much embellished by its late watery trials upon the golden sow, yet he could not possibly make his appearance in a surtout.
tailorverbUS /ˈteɪlər/
adjust to a specific need or market
From this reading He sent therefore to one tailor after another: but all assured him that they had their hands much too full of business to undertake the conversion of his surtout into a dress coat against the evening; still less could they undertake to make a new one.
tarnishedverbUS /ˈtɑːrnɪʃt/
past form of “tarnish” — make dirty or spotty, as by exposure to air; also used metaphorically
From this reading Even if it had been possible to overlook the tarnished lustre of his coat, not much embellished by its late watery trials upon the golden sow, yet he could not possibly make his appearance in a surtout.
tediousadjectiveUS /ˈtiːdiəs/
so lacking in interest as to cause mental weariness
From this reading As Mr. Jeremiah stood looking out of the window for the purpose of whiling away a tedious forenoon, it first struck his mind--upon the sight of a number of men dressed very differently from himself--that his wardrobe would scarcely match with the festal splendour of the _fete_ at which he was to be present in the evening.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading As Mr. Jeremiah stood looking out of the window for the purpose of whiling away a tedious forenoon, it first struck his mind--upon the sight of a number of men dressed very differently from himself--that his wardrobe would scarcely match with the festal splendour of the _fete_ at which he was to be present in the evening.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading JEREMIAH PREPARED HIMSELF FOR THE BALL.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading He sent therefore to one tailor after another: but all assured him that they had their hands much too full of business to undertake the conversion of his surtout into a dress coat against the evening; still less could they undertake to make a new one.
for that reason; as a result
From this reading He sent therefore to one tailor after another: but all assured him that they had their hands much too full of business to undertake the conversion of his surtout into a dress coat against the evening; still less could they undertake to make a new one.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He sent therefore to one tailor after another: but all assured him that they had their hands much too full of business to undertake the conversion of his surtout into a dress coat against the evening; still less could they undertake to make a new one.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading As Mr. Jeremiah stood looking out of the window for the purpose of whiling away a tedious forenoon, it first struck his mind--upon the sight of a number of men dressed very differently from himself--that his wardrobe would scarcely match with the festal splendour of the _fete_ at which he was to be present in the evening.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading He sent therefore to one tailor after another: but all assured him that they had their hands much too full of business to undertake the conversion of his surtout into a dress coat against the evening; still less could they undertake to make a new one.
trialsnounUS /ˈtraɪəlz/
plural of “trial” — the act of testing something
From this reading Even if it had been possible to overlook the tarnished lustre of his coat, not much embellished by its late watery trials upon the golden sow, yet he could not possibly make his appearance in a surtout.
undertakeverbUS /ˈʌndərteɪk/
enter upon an activity or enterprise
From this reading He sent therefore to one tailor after another: but all assured him that they had their hands much too full of business to undertake the conversion of his surtout into a dress coat against the evening; still less could they undertake to make a new one.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading As Mr. Jeremiah stood looking out of the window for the purpose of whiling away a tedious forenoon, it first struck his mind--upon the sight of a number of men dressed very differently from himself--that his wardrobe would scarcely match with the festal splendour of the _fete_ at which he was to be present in the evening.
precisely as stated
From this reading As Mr. Jeremiah stood looking out of the window for the purpose of whiling away a tedious forenoon, it first struck his mind--upon the sight of a number of men dressed very differently from himself--that his wardrobe would scarcely match with the festal splendour of the _fete_ at which he was to be present in the evening.
wardrobenounUS /ˈwɔːrdroʊb/
a tall piece of furniture that provides storage space for clothes; has a door and rails or hooks for hanging clothes
From this reading As Mr. Jeremiah stood looking out of the window for the purpose of whiling away a tedious forenoon, it first struck his mind--upon the sight of a number of men dressed very differently from himself--that his wardrobe would scarcely match with the festal splendour of the _fete_ at which he was to be present in the evening.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading As Mr. Jeremiah stood looking out of the window for the purpose of whiling away a tedious forenoon, it first struck his mind--upon the sight of a number of men dressed very differently from himself--that his wardrobe would scarcely match with the festal splendour of the _fete_ at which he was to be present in the evening.
wateryadjectiveUS /ˈwɔːtəri/
filled with water
From this reading Even if it had been possible to overlook the tarnished lustre of his coat, not much embellished by its late watery trials upon the golden sow, yet he could not possibly make his appearance in a surtout.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading IN WHAT MANNER MR.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading As Mr. Jeremiah stood looking out of the window for the purpose of whiling away a tedious forenoon, it first struck his mind--upon the sight of a number of men dressed very differently from himself--that his wardrobe would scarcely match with the festal splendour of the _fete_ at which he was to be present in the evening.
whiling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As Mr. Jeremiah stood looking out of the window for the purpose of whiling away a tedious forenoon, it first struck his mind--upon the sight of a number of men dressed very differently from himself--that his wardrobe would scarcely match with the festal splendour of the _fete_ at which he was to be present in the evening.
a framework of wood or metal that contains a glass windowpane and is built into a wall or roof to admit light or air
From this reading As Mr. Jeremiah stood looking out of the window for the purpose of whiling away a tedious forenoon, it first struck his mind--upon the sight of a number of men dressed very differently from himself--that his wardrobe would scarcely match with the festal splendour of the _fete_ at which he was to be present in the evening.
in the company of; together with
From this reading As Mr. Jeremiah stood looking out of the window for the purpose of whiling away a tedious forenoon, it first struck his mind--upon the sight of a number of men dressed very differently from himself--that his wardrobe would scarcely match with the festal splendour of the _fete_ at which he was to be present in the evening.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading As Mr. Jeremiah stood looking out of the window for the purpose of whiling away a tedious forenoon, it first struck his mind--upon the sight of a number of men dressed very differently from himself--that his wardrobe would scarcely match with the festal splendour of the _fete_ at which he was to be present in the evening.
but in spite of that
From this reading Even if it had been possible to overlook the tarnished lustre of his coat, not much embellished by its late watery trials upon the golden sow, yet he could not possibly make his appearance in a surtout.
