Chapter XXXI · Chapter 31

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

From this reading For how, indeed, could well-regulated persons divine such a secret?

in actual fact

From this reading How could innocent and respectable young people suppose that a woman of noble birth, of ancient family, of mature experience,--a woman whom we have seen exceedingly in love only a score of months ago,--should so far forget herself as (oh, my very finger-tips blush as I write the sentence!)--as not only to fall in love with a person of low origin, and very many years her junior, but actually to marry him in the face of the world?

in the past

From this reading How could innocent and respectable young people suppose that a woman of noble birth, of ancient family, of mature experience,--a woman whom we have seen exceedingly in love only a score of months ago,--should so far forget herself as (oh, my very finger-tips blush as I write the sentence!)--as not only to fall in love with a person of low origin, and very many years her junior, but actually to marry him in the face of the world?

Belonging to the very distant past and no longer in existence or deeply revered.

From this reading How could innocent and respectable young people suppose that a woman of noble birth, of ancient family, of mature experience,--a woman whom we have seen exceedingly in love only a score of months ago,--should so far forget herself as (oh, my very finger-tips blush as I write the sentence!)--as not only to fall in love with a person of low origin, and very many years her junior, but actually to marry him in the face of the world?

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

From this reading We must now, however, and before we proceed with the history of Miss Lydia and her doings, perform the duty of explaining that sentence in Mr. Warrington's letter to his brother which refers to Lady Maria Esmond, and which, to some simple readers, may be still mysterious.

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

From this reading How could innocent and respectable young people suppose that a woman of noble birth, of ancient family, of mature experience,--a woman whom we have seen exceedingly in love only a score of months ago,--should so far forget herself as (oh, my very finger-tips blush as I write the sentence!)--as not only to fall in love with a person of low origin, and very many years her junior, but actually to marry him in the face of the world?

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading That is, not exactly in the face, but behind the back of the world, so to speak; for Parson Sampson privily tied the indissoluble knot for the pair at his chapel in Mayfair.

in or to or toward a former location

From this reading That is, not exactly in the face, but behind the back of the world, so to speak; for Parson Sampson privily tied the indissoluble knot for the pair at his chapel in Mayfair.

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

From this reading We must now, however, and before we proceed with the history of Miss Lydia and her doings, perform the duty of explaining that sentence in Mr. Warrington's letter to his brother which refers to Lady Maria Esmond, and which, to some simple readers, may be still mysterious.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading We must now, however, and before we proceed with the history of Miss Lydia and her doings, perform the duty of explaining that sentence in Mr. Warrington's letter to his brother which refers to Lady Maria Esmond, and which, to some simple readers, may be still mysterious.

at or toward the back of something

From this reading That is, not exactly in the face, but behind the back of the world, so to speak; for Parson Sampson privily tied the indissoluble knot for the pair at his chapel in Mayfair.

the time when something begins (especially life)

From this reading How could innocent and respectable young people suppose that a woman of noble birth, of ancient family, of mature experience,--a woman whom we have seen exceedingly in love only a score of months ago,--should so far forget herself as (oh, my very finger-tips blush as I write the sentence!)--as not only to fall in love with a person of low origin, and very many years her junior, but actually to marry him in the face of the world?

turn red, as if in embarrassment or shame

From this reading How could innocent and respectable young people suppose that a woman of noble birth, of ancient family, of mature experience,--a woman whom we have seen exceedingly in love only a score of months ago,--should so far forget herself as (oh, my very finger-tips blush as I write the sentence!)--as not only to fall in love with a person of low origin, and very many years her junior, but actually to marry him in the face of the world?

a male with the same parents as someone else

From this reading We must now, however, and before we proceed with the history of Miss Lydia and her doings, perform the duty of explaining that sentence in Mr. Warrington's letter to his brother which refers to Lady Maria Esmond, and which, to some simple readers, may be still mysterious.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading How could innocent and respectable young people suppose that a woman of noble birth, of ancient family, of mature experience,--a woman whom we have seen exceedingly in love only a score of months ago,--should so far forget herself as (oh, my very finger-tips blush as I write the sentence!)--as not only to fall in love with a person of low origin, and very many years her junior, but actually to marry him in the face of the world?

a place of worship that has its own altar

From this reading That is, not exactly in the face, but behind the back of the world, so to speak; for Parson Sampson privily tied the indissoluble knot for the pair at his chapel in Mayfair.

express strong disapproval of

From this reading Now stop before you condemn her utterly.

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

From this reading For how, indeed, could well-regulated persons divine such a secret?

emanating from God

From this reading For how, indeed, could well-regulated persons divine such a secret?

manner of acting or controlling yourself

From this reading We must now, however, and before we proceed with the history of Miss Lydia and her doings, perform the duty of explaining that sentence in Mr. Warrington's letter to his brother which refers to Lady Maria Esmond, and which, to some simple readers, may be still mysterious.

the social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force

From this reading We must now, however, and before we proceed with the history of Miss Lydia and her doings, perform the duty of explaining that sentence in Mr. Warrington's letter to his brother which refers to Lady Maria Esmond, and which, to some simple readers, may be still mysterious.

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

From this reading We must now, however, and before we proceed with the history of Miss Lydia and her doings, perform the duty of explaining that sentence in Mr. Warrington's letter to his brother which refers to Lady Maria Esmond, and which, to some simple readers, may be still mysterious.

indicating exactness or preciseness

From this reading That is, not exactly in the face, but behind the back of the world, so to speak; for Parson Sampson privily tied the indissoluble knot for the pair at his chapel in Mayfair.

to an extreme degree

From this reading How could innocent and respectable young people suppose that a woman of noble birth, of ancient family, of mature experience,--a woman whom we have seen exceedingly in love only a score of months ago,--should so far forget herself as (oh, my very finger-tips blush as I write the sentence!)--as not only to fall in love with a person of low origin, and very many years her junior, but actually to marry him in the face of the world?

undergo or live through a difficult experience

From this reading How could innocent and respectable young people suppose that a woman of noble birth, of ancient family, of mature experience,--a woman whom we have seen exceedingly in love only a score of months ago,--should so far forget herself as (oh, my very finger-tips blush as I write the sentence!)--as not only to fall in love with a person of low origin, and very many years her junior, but actually to marry him in the face of the world?

-ing form of “explain” — make plain and comprehensible

From this reading We must now, however, and before we proceed with the history of Miss Lydia and her doings, perform the duty of explaining that sentence in Mr. Warrington's letter to his brother which refers to Lady Maria Esmond, and which, to some simple readers, may be still mysterious.

the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear

From this reading How could innocent and respectable young people suppose that a woman of noble birth, of ancient family, of mature experience,--a woman whom we have seen exceedingly in love only a score of months ago,--should so far forget herself as (oh, my very finger-tips blush as I write the sentence!)--as not only to fall in love with a person of low origin, and very many years her junior, but actually to marry him in the face of the world?

descend in free fall under the influence of gravity

From this reading How could innocent and respectable young people suppose that a woman of noble birth, of ancient family, of mature experience,--a woman whom we have seen exceedingly in love only a score of months ago,--should so far forget herself as (oh, my very finger-tips blush as I write the sentence!)--as not only to fall in love with a person of low origin, and very many years her junior, but actually to marry him in the face of the world?

a social unit living together

From this reading How could innocent and respectable young people suppose that a woman of noble birth, of ancient family, of mature experience,--a woman whom we have seen exceedingly in love only a score of months ago,--should so far forget herself as (oh, my very finger-tips blush as I write the sentence!)--as not only to fall in love with a person of low origin, and very many years her junior, but actually to marry him in the face of the world?

to a considerable degree; very much

From this reading How could innocent and respectable young people suppose that a woman of noble birth, of ancient family, of mature experience,--a woman whom we have seen exceedingly in love only a score of months ago,--should so far forget herself as (oh, my very finger-tips blush as I write the sentence!)--as not only to fall in love with a person of low origin, and very many years her junior, but actually to marry him in the face of the world?

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

From this reading How could innocent and respectable young people suppose that a woman of noble birth, of ancient family, of mature experience,--a woman whom we have seen exceedingly in love only a score of months ago,--should so far forget herself as (oh, my very finger-tips blush as I write the sentence!)--as not only to fall in love with a person of low origin, and very many years her junior, but actually to marry him in the face of the world?

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading For how, indeed, could well-regulated persons divine such a secret?

dismiss from the mind; stop remembering

From this reading How could innocent and respectable young people suppose that a woman of noble birth, of ancient family, of mature experience,--a woman whom we have seen exceedingly in love only a score of months ago,--should so far forget herself as (oh, my very finger-tips blush as I write the sentence!)--as not only to fall in love with a person of low origin, and very many years her junior, but actually to marry him in the face of the world?

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading How could innocent and respectable young people suppose that a woman of noble birth, of ancient family, of mature experience,--a woman whom we have seen exceedingly in love only a score of months ago,--should so far forget herself as (oh, my very finger-tips blush as I write the sentence!)--as not only to fall in love with a person of low origin, and very many years her junior, but actually to marry him in the face of the world?

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

From this reading We must now, however, and before we proceed with the history of Miss Lydia and her doings, perform the duty of explaining that sentence in Mr. Warrington's letter to his brother which refers to Lady Maria Esmond, and which, to some simple readers, may be still mysterious.

used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object

From this reading How could innocent and respectable young people suppose that a woman of noble birth, of ancient family, of mature experience,--a woman whom we have seen exceedingly in love only a score of months ago,--should so far forget herself as (oh, my very finger-tips blush as I write the sentence!)--as not only to fall in love with a person of low origin, and very many years her junior, but actually to marry him in the face of the world?

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading How could innocent and respectable young people suppose that a woman of noble birth, of ancient family, of mature experience,--a woman whom we have seen exceedingly in love only a score of months ago,--should so far forget herself as (oh, my very finger-tips blush as I write the sentence!)--as not only to fall in love with a person of low origin, and very many years her junior, but actually to marry him in the face of the world?

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

From this reading We must now, however, and before we proceed with the history of Miss Lydia and her doings, perform the duty of explaining that sentence in Mr. Warrington's letter to his brother which refers to Lady Maria Esmond, and which, to some simple readers, may be still mysterious.

the aggregate of past events

From this reading We must now, however, and before we proceed with the history of Miss Lydia and her doings, perform the duty of explaining that sentence in Mr. Warrington's letter to his brother which refers to Lady Maria Esmond, and which, to some simple readers, may be still mysterious.

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

From this reading For how, indeed, could well-regulated persons divine such a secret?

used to add a contrasting statement

From this reading We must now, however, and before we proceed with the history of Miss Lydia and her doings, perform the duty of explaining that sentence in Mr. Warrington's letter to his brother which refers to Lady Maria Esmond, and which, to some simple readers, may be still mysterious.

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

From this reading How could innocent and respectable young people suppose that a woman of noble birth, of ancient family, of mature experience,--a woman whom we have seen exceedingly in love only a score of months ago,--should so far forget herself as (oh, my very finger-tips blush as I write the sentence!)--as not only to fall in love with a person of low origin, and very many years her junior, but actually to marry him in the face of the world?

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

From this reading We must now, however, and before we proceed with the history of Miss Lydia and her doings, perform the duty of explaining that sentence in Mr. Warrington's letter to his brother which refers to Lady Maria Esmond, and which, to some simple readers, may be still mysterious.

in truth (often tends to intensify)

From this reading For how, indeed, could well-regulated persons divine such a secret?

(of a substance) incapable of being dissolved

From this reading That is, not exactly in the face, but behind the back of the world, so to speak; for Parson Sampson privily tied the indissoluble knot for the pair at his chapel in Mayfair.

free from evil or guilt

From this reading How could innocent and respectable young people suppose that a woman of noble birth, of ancient family, of mature experience,--a woman whom we have seen exceedingly in love only a score of months ago,--should so far forget herself as (oh, my very finger-tips blush as I write the sentence!)--as not only to fall in love with a person of low origin, and very many years her junior, but actually to marry him in the face of the world?

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

From this reading That is, not exactly in the face, but behind the back of the world, so to speak; for Parson Sampson privily tied the indissoluble knot for the pair at his chapel in Mayfair.

term of address for a disrespectful and annoying male

From this reading How could innocent and respectable young people suppose that a woman of noble birth, of ancient family, of mature experience,--a woman whom we have seen exceedingly in love only a score of months ago,--should so far forget herself as (oh, my very finger-tips blush as I write the sentence!)--as not only to fall in love with a person of low origin, and very many years her junior, but actually to marry him in the face of the world?

a tight cluster of people or things

From this reading That is, not exactly in the face, but behind the back of the world, so to speak; for Parson Sampson privily tied the indissoluble knot for the pair at his chapel in Mayfair.

a polite name for any woman

From this reading We must now, however, and before we proceed with the history of Miss Lydia and her doings, perform the duty of explaining that sentence in Mr. Warrington's letter to his brother which refers to Lady Maria Esmond, and which, to some simple readers, may be still mysterious.

a written message addressed to a person or organization

From this reading We must now, however, and before we proceed with the history of Miss Lydia and her doings, perform the duty of explaining that sentence in Mr. Warrington's letter to his brother which refers to Lady Maria Esmond, and which, to some simple readers, may be still mysterious.

a strong positive emotion of regard and affection

From this reading How could innocent and respectable young people suppose that a woman of noble birth, of ancient family, of mature experience,--a woman whom we have seen exceedingly in love only a score of months ago,--should so far forget herself as (oh, my very finger-tips blush as I write the sentence!)--as not only to fall in love with a person of low origin, and very many years her junior, but actually to marry him in the face of the world?

less than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading How could innocent and respectable young people suppose that a woman of noble birth, of ancient family, of mature experience,--a woman whom we have seen exceedingly in love only a score of months ago,--should so far forget herself as (oh, my very finger-tips blush as I write the sentence!)--as not only to fall in love with a person of low origin, and very many years her junior, but actually to marry him in the face of the world?

an ancient region on the coast of western Asia Minor; a powerful kingdom until conquered by the Persians in 546 BC

From this reading We must now, however, and before we proceed with the history of Miss Lydia and her doings, perform the duty of explaining that sentence in Mr. Warrington's letter to his brother which refers to Lady Maria Esmond, and which, to some simple readers, may be still mysterious.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number

From this reading How could innocent and respectable young people suppose that a woman of noble birth, of ancient family, of mature experience,--a woman whom we have seen exceedingly in love only a score of months ago,--should so far forget herself as (oh, my very finger-tips blush as I write the sentence!)--as not only to fall in love with a person of low origin, and very many years her junior, but actually to marry him in the face of the world?

a dark region of considerable extent on the surface of the moon

From this reading We must now, however, and before we proceed with the history of Miss Lydia and her doings, perform the duty of explaining that sentence in Mr. Warrington's letter to his brother which refers to Lady Maria Esmond, and which, to some simple readers, may be still mysterious.

take in marriage

From this reading How could innocent and respectable young people suppose that a woman of noble birth, of ancient family, of mature experience,--a woman whom we have seen exceedingly in love only a score of months ago,--should so far forget herself as (oh, my very finger-tips blush as I write the sentence!)--as not only to fall in love with a person of low origin, and very many years her junior, but actually to marry him in the face of the world?

characteristic of maturity

From this reading How could innocent and respectable young people suppose that a woman of noble birth, of ancient family, of mature experience,--a woman whom we have seen exceedingly in love only a score of months ago,--should so far forget herself as (oh, my very finger-tips blush as I write the sentence!)--as not only to fall in love with a person of low origin, and very many years her junior, but actually to marry him in the face of the world?

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading We must now, however, and before we proceed with the history of Miss Lydia and her doings, perform the duty of explaining that sentence in Mr. Warrington's letter to his brother which refers to Lady Maria Esmond, and which, to some simple readers, may be still mysterious.

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

From this reading That is, not exactly in the face, but behind the back of the world, so to speak; for Parson Sampson privily tied the indissoluble knot for the pair at his chapel in Mayfair.

fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind

From this reading We must now, however, and before we proceed with the history of Miss Lydia and her doings, perform the duty of explaining that sentence in Mr. Warrington's letter to his brother which refers to Lady Maria Esmond, and which, to some simple readers, may be still mysterious.

plural of “month” — one of the twelve divisions of the calendar year

From this reading How could innocent and respectable young people suppose that a woman of noble birth, of ancient family, of mature experience,--a woman whom we have seen exceedingly in love only a score of months ago,--should so far forget herself as (oh, my very finger-tips blush as I write the sentence!)--as not only to fall in love with a person of low origin, and very many years her junior, but actually to marry him in the face of the world?

a form of address for a man

From this reading We must now, however, and before we proceed with the history of Miss Lydia and her doings, perform the duty of explaining that sentence in Mr. Warrington's letter to his brother which refers to Lady Maria Esmond, and which, to some simple readers, may be still mysterious.

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading We must now, however, and before we proceed with the history of Miss Lydia and her doings, perform the duty of explaining that sentence in Mr. Warrington's letter to his brother which refers to Lady Maria Esmond, and which, to some simple readers, may be still mysterious.

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading How could innocent and respectable young people suppose that a woman of noble birth, of ancient family, of mature experience,--a woman whom we have seen exceedingly in love only a score of months ago,--should so far forget herself as (oh, my very finger-tips blush as I write the sentence!)--as not only to fall in love with a person of low origin, and very many years her junior, but actually to marry him in the face of the world?

of an obscure nature

From this reading We must now, however, and before we proceed with the history of Miss Lydia and her doings, perform the duty of explaining that sentence in Mr. Warrington's letter to his brother which refers to Lady Maria Esmond, and which, to some simple readers, may be still mysterious.

impressive in appearance

From this reading How could innocent and respectable young people suppose that a woman of noble birth, of ancient family, of mature experience,--a woman whom we have seen exceedingly in love only a score of months ago,--should so far forget herself as (oh, my very finger-tips blush as I write the sentence!)--as not only to fall in love with a person of low origin, and very many years her junior, but actually to marry him in the face of the world?

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading How could innocent and respectable young people suppose that a woman of noble birth, of ancient family, of mature experience,--a woman whom we have seen exceedingly in love only a score of months ago,--should so far forget herself as (oh, my very finger-tips blush as I write the sentence!)--as not only to fall in love with a person of low origin, and very many years her junior, but actually to marry him in the face of the world?

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

From this reading We must now, however, and before we proceed with the history of Miss Lydia and her doings, perform the duty of explaining that sentence in Mr. Warrington's letter to his brother which refers to Lady Maria Esmond, and which, to some simple readers, may be still mysterious.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading We must now, however, and before we proceed with the history of Miss Lydia and her doings, perform the duty of explaining that sentence in Mr. Warrington's letter to his brother which refers to Lady Maria Esmond, and which, to some simple readers, may be still mysterious.

a midwestern state in north central United States in the Great Lakes region

From this reading How could innocent and respectable young people suppose that a woman of noble birth, of ancient family, of mature experience,--a woman whom we have seen exceedingly in love only a score of months ago,--should so far forget herself as (oh, my very finger-tips blush as I write the sentence!)--as not only to fall in love with a person of low origin, and very many years her junior, but actually to marry him in the face of the world?

and nothing more

From this reading How could innocent and respectable young people suppose that a woman of noble birth, of ancient family, of mature experience,--a woman whom we have seen exceedingly in love only a score of months ago,--should so far forget herself as (oh, my very finger-tips blush as I write the sentence!)--as not only to fall in love with a person of low origin, and very many years her junior, but actually to marry him in the face of the world?

the place where something begins, where it springs into being

From this reading How could innocent and respectable young people suppose that a woman of noble birth, of ancient family, of mature experience,--a woman whom we have seen exceedingly in love only a score of months ago,--should so far forget herself as (oh, my very finger-tips blush as I write the sentence!)--as not only to fall in love with a person of low origin, and very many years her junior, but actually to marry him in the face of the world?

a set of two similar things considered as a unit

From this reading That is, not exactly in the face, but behind the back of the world, so to speak; for Parson Sampson privily tied the indissoluble knot for the pair at his chapel in Mayfair.

a person authorized to conduct religious worship

From this reading That is, not exactly in the face, but behind the back of the world, so to speak; for Parson Sampson privily tied the indissoluble knot for the pair at his chapel in Mayfair.

(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively

From this reading How could innocent and respectable young people suppose that a woman of noble birth, of ancient family, of mature experience,--a woman whom we have seen exceedingly in love only a score of months ago,--should so far forget herself as (oh, my very finger-tips blush as I write the sentence!)--as not only to fall in love with a person of low origin, and very many years her junior, but actually to marry him in the face of the world?

carry out or perform an action

From this reading We must now, however, and before we proceed with the history of Miss Lydia and her doings, perform the duty of explaining that sentence in Mr. Warrington's letter to his brother which refers to Lady Maria Esmond, and which, to some simple readers, may be still mysterious.

a human being

From this reading How could innocent and respectable young people suppose that a woman of noble birth, of ancient family, of mature experience,--a woman whom we have seen exceedingly in love only a score of months ago,--should so far forget herself as (oh, my very finger-tips blush as I write the sentence!)--as not only to fall in love with a person of low origin, and very many years her junior, but actually to marry him in the face of the world?

plural of “person” — a human being

From this reading For how, indeed, could well-regulated persons divine such a secret?

confidentially or in secret

From this reading That is, not exactly in the face, but behind the back of the world, so to speak; for Parson Sampson privily tied the indissoluble knot for the pair at his chapel in Mayfair.

continue talking

From this reading We must now, however, and before we proceed with the history of Miss Lydia and her doings, perform the duty of explaining that sentence in Mr. Warrington's letter to his brother which refers to Lady Maria Esmond, and which, to some simple readers, may be still mysterious.

plural of “reader” — a person who enjoys reading

From this reading We must now, however, and before we proceed with the history of Miss Lydia and her doings, perform the duty of explaining that sentence in Mr. Warrington's letter to his brother which refers to Lady Maria Esmond, and which, to some simple readers, may be still mysterious.

third-person singular of “refer” — make reference to

From this reading We must now, however, and before we proceed with the history of Miss Lydia and her doings, perform the duty of explaining that sentence in Mr. Warrington's letter to his brother which refers to Lady Maria Esmond, and which, to some simple readers, may be still mysterious.

characterized by socially or conventionally acceptable morals

From this reading How could innocent and respectable young people suppose that a woman of noble birth, of ancient family, of mature experience,--a woman whom we have seen exceedingly in love only a score of months ago,--should so far forget herself as (oh, my very finger-tips blush as I write the sentence!)--as not only to fall in love with a person of low origin, and very many years her junior, but actually to marry him in the face of the world?

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

From this reading That is, not exactly in the face, but behind the back of the world, so to speak; for Parson Sampson privily tied the indissoluble knot for the pair at his chapel in Mayfair.

a number or letter indicating quality (especially of a student's performance)

From this reading How could innocent and respectable young people suppose that a woman of noble birth, of ancient family, of mature experience,--a woman whom we have seen exceedingly in love only a score of months ago,--should so far forget herself as (oh, my very finger-tips blush as I write the sentence!)--as not only to fall in love with a person of low origin, and very many years her junior, but actually to marry him in the face of the world?

Something that is kept or meant to be kept unknown or unseen by others.

From this reading For how, indeed, could well-regulated persons divine such a secret?

inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading How could innocent and respectable young people suppose that a woman of noble birth, of ancient family, of mature experience,--a woman whom we have seen exceedingly in love only a score of months ago,--should so far forget herself as (oh, my very finger-tips blush as I write the sentence!)--as not only to fall in love with a person of low origin, and very many years her junior, but actually to marry him in the face of the world?

a string of words satisfying the grammatical rules of a language

From this reading We must now, however, and before we proceed with the history of Miss Lydia and her doings, perform the duty of explaining that sentence in Mr. Warrington's letter to his brother which refers to Lady Maria Esmond, and which, to some simple readers, may be still mysterious.

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading How could innocent and respectable young people suppose that a woman of noble birth, of ancient family, of mature experience,--a woman whom we have seen exceedingly in love only a score of months ago,--should so far forget herself as (oh, my very finger-tips blush as I write the sentence!)--as not only to fall in love with a person of low origin, and very many years her junior, but actually to marry him in the face of the world?

having few parts; not complex or complicated or involved

From this reading We must now, however, and before we proceed with the history of Miss Lydia and her doings, perform the duty of explaining that sentence in Mr. Warrington's letter to his brother which refers to Lady Maria Esmond, and which, to some simple readers, may be still mysterious.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading How could innocent and respectable young people suppose that a woman of noble birth, of ancient family, of mature experience,--a woman whom we have seen exceedingly in love only a score of months ago,--should so far forget herself as (oh, my very finger-tips blush as I write the sentence!)--as not only to fall in love with a person of low origin, and very many years her junior, but actually to marry him in the face of the world?

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading We must now, however, and before we proceed with the history of Miss Lydia and her doings, perform the duty of explaining that sentence in Mr. Warrington's letter to his brother which refers to Lady Maria Esmond, and which, to some simple readers, may be still mysterious.

express in speech

From this reading That is, not exactly in the face, but behind the back of the world, so to speak; for Parson Sampson privily tied the indissoluble knot for the pair at his chapel in Mayfair.

not in physical motion

From this reading We must now, however, and before we proceed with the history of Miss Lydia and her doings, perform the duty of explaining that sentence in Mr. Warrington's letter to his brother which refers to Lady Maria Esmond, and which, to some simple readers, may be still mysterious.

come to a halt, stop moving

From this reading Now stop before you condemn her utterly.

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading For how, indeed, could well-regulated persons divine such a secret?

express a supposition

From this reading How could innocent and respectable young people suppose that a woman of noble birth, of ancient family, of mature experience,--a woman whom we have seen exceedingly in love only a score of months ago,--should so far forget herself as (oh, my very finger-tips blush as I write the sentence!)--as not only to fall in love with a person of low origin, and very many years her junior, but actually to marry him in the face of the world?

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading We must now, however, and before we proceed with the history of Miss Lydia and her doings, perform the duty of explaining that sentence in Mr. Warrington's letter to his brother which refers to Lady Maria Esmond, and which, to some simple readers, may be still mysterious.

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

From this reading We must now, however, and before we proceed with the history of Miss Lydia and her doings, perform the duty of explaining that sentence in Mr. Warrington's letter to his brother which refers to Lady Maria Esmond, and which, to some simple readers, may be still mysterious.

bound or secured closely

From this reading That is, not exactly in the face, but behind the back of the world, so to speak; for Parson Sampson privily tied the indissoluble knot for the pair at his chapel in Mayfair.

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

From this reading We must now, however, and before we proceed with the history of Miss Lydia and her doings, perform the duty of explaining that sentence in Mr. Warrington's letter to his brother which refers to Lady Maria Esmond, and which, to some simple readers, may be still mysterious.

completely and without qualification; used informally as intensifiers

From this reading Now stop before you condemn her utterly.

precisely as stated

From this reading How could innocent and respectable young people suppose that a woman of noble birth, of ancient family, of mature experience,--a woman whom we have seen exceedingly in love only a score of months ago,--should so far forget herself as (oh, my very finger-tips blush as I write the sentence!)--as not only to fall in love with a person of low origin, and very many years her junior, but actually to marry him in the face of the world?

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

From this reading We must now, however, and before we proceed with the history of Miss Lydia and her doings, perform the duty of explaining that sentence in Mr. Warrington's letter to his brother which refers to Lady Maria Esmond, and which, to some simple readers, may be still mysterious.

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading We must now, however, and before we proceed with the history of Miss Lydia and her doings, perform the duty of explaining that sentence in Mr. Warrington's letter to his brother which refers to Lady Maria Esmond, and which, to some simple readers, may be still mysterious.

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

From this reading For how, indeed, could well-regulated persons divine such a secret?

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

From this reading We must now, however, and before we proceed with the history of Miss Lydia and her doings, perform the duty of explaining that sentence in Mr. Warrington's letter to his brother which refers to Lady Maria Esmond, and which, to some simple readers, may be still mysterious.

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

From this reading How could innocent and respectable young people suppose that a woman of noble birth, of ancient family, of mature experience,--a woman whom we have seen exceedingly in love only a score of months ago,--should so far forget herself as (oh, my very finger-tips blush as I write the sentence!)--as not only to fall in love with a person of low origin, and very many years her junior, but actually to marry him in the face of the world?

in the company of; together with

From this reading We must now, however, and before we proceed with the history of Miss Lydia and her doings, perform the duty of explaining that sentence in Mr. Warrington's letter to his brother which refers to Lady Maria Esmond, and which, to some simple readers, may be still mysterious.

an adult female person (as opposed to a man)

From this reading How could innocent and respectable young people suppose that a woman of noble birth, of ancient family, of mature experience,--a woman whom we have seen exceedingly in love only a score of months ago,--should so far forget herself as (oh, my very finger-tips blush as I write the sentence!)--as not only to fall in love with a person of low origin, and very many years her junior, but actually to marry him in the face of the world?

everything that exists anywhere

From this reading How could innocent and respectable young people suppose that a woman of noble birth, of ancient family, of mature experience,--a woman whom we have seen exceedingly in love only a score of months ago,--should so far forget herself as (oh, my very finger-tips blush as I write the sentence!)--as not only to fall in love with a person of low origin, and very many years her junior, but actually to marry him in the face of the world?

produce a literary work

From this reading How could innocent and respectable young people suppose that a woman of noble birth, of ancient family, of mature experience,--a woman whom we have seen exceedingly in love only a score of months ago,--should so far forget herself as (oh, my very finger-tips blush as I write the sentence!)--as not only to fall in love with a person of low origin, and very many years her junior, but actually to marry him in the face of the world?

a late time of life

From this reading How could innocent and respectable young people suppose that a woman of noble birth, of ancient family, of mature experience,--a woman whom we have seen exceedingly in love only a score of months ago,--should so far forget herself as (oh, my very finger-tips blush as I write the sentence!)--as not only to fall in love with a person of low origin, and very many years her junior, but actually to marry him in the face of the world?

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading Now stop before you condemn her utterly.

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

From this reading How could innocent and respectable young people suppose that a woman of noble birth, of ancient family, of mature experience,--a woman whom we have seen exceedingly in love only a score of months ago,--should so far forget herself as (oh, my very finger-tips blush as I write the sentence!)--as not only to fall in love with a person of low origin, and very many years her junior, but actually to marry him in the face of the world?