Chapter XII

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

From this reading Mr. Howard had been but a short time with the Osbornes when he was obliged to confess that he had made a mistake in coming.

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

From this reading A man of singular charm of manner, eminently gifted for social success, he had as little vanity as well might be; and his devotion to literature engendered in him a sort of absent-mindedness which rendered him unconscious of things which were sufficiently obvious to others.

a feeling of delighted approval and liking

From this reading The jealousy of Emma, which she had betrayed at the ball, he believed to be entirely owing to her brother's admiration of her--the connection being such as she could scarcely be expected to advocate.

push for something

From this reading The jealousy of Emma, which she had betrayed at the ball, he believed to be entirely owing to her brother's admiration of her--the connection being such as she could scarcely be expected to advocate.

a feeling of delight at being entertained

From this reading He could scarcely himself have said what now opened his eyes in some measure to the nature of Miss Osborne's regard for him; for never before had it occurred to him that she entertained anything beyond an ordinary friendship--the very fact of her occasional efforts to flirt with him only confirming his confidence in her indifference and merely contributing to his amusement.

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

From this reading He could scarcely himself have said what now opened his eyes in some measure to the nature of Miss Osborne's regard for him; for never before had it occurred to him that she entertained anything beyond an ordinary friendship--the very fact of her occasional efforts to flirt with him only confirming his confidence in her indifference and merely contributing to his amusement.

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

From this reading A man of singular charm of manner, eminently gifted for social success, he had as little vanity as well might be; and his devotion to literature engendered in him a sort of absent-mindedness which rendered him unconscious of things which were sufficiently obvious to others.

any thing at all

From this reading He could scarcely himself have said what now opened his eyes in some measure to the nature of Miss Osborne's regard for him; for never before had it occurred to him that she entertained anything beyond an ordinary friendship--the very fact of her occasional efforts to flirt with him only confirming his confidence in her indifference and merely contributing to his amusement.

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

From this reading A man of singular charm of manner, eminently gifted for social success, he had as little vanity as well might be; and his devotion to literature engendered in him a sort of absent-mindedness which rendered him unconscious of things which were sufficiently obvious to others.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading The jealousy of Emma, which she had betrayed at the ball, he believed to be entirely owing to her brother's admiration of her--the connection being such as she could scarcely be expected to advocate.

past form of “attribute” — attribute or credit to

From this reading He had been but little pleased by her incursion into his dinner party; but had attributed it to her lack of variety in a dull neighbourhood and to the influence of Miss Carr, of whom he entertained but a slight opinion.

round object that is hit or thrown or kicked in games

From this reading The jealousy of Emma, which she had betrayed at the ball, he believed to be entirely owing to her brother's admiration of her--the connection being such as she could scarcely be expected to advocate.

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

From this reading A man of singular charm of manner, eminently gifted for social success, he had as little vanity as well might be; and his devotion to literature engendered in him a sort of absent-mindedness which rendered him unconscious of things which were sufficiently obvious to others.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Mr. Howard had been but a short time with the Osbornes when he was obliged to confess that he had made a mistake in coming.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading He could scarcely himself have said what now opened his eyes in some measure to the nature of Miss Osborne's regard for him; for never before had it occurred to him that she entertained anything beyond an ordinary friendship--the very fact of her occasional efforts to flirt with him only confirming his confidence in her indifference and merely contributing to his amusement.

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading The jealousy of Emma, which she had betrayed at the ball, he believed to be entirely owing to her brother's admiration of her--the connection being such as she could scarcely be expected to advocate.

past form of “believe” — accept as true; take to be true

From this reading The jealousy of Emma, which she had betrayed at the ball, he believed to be entirely owing to her brother's admiration of her--the connection being such as she could scarcely be expected to advocate.

past form of “betray” — reveal unintentionally

From this reading The jealousy of Emma, which she had betrayed at the ball, he believed to be entirely owing to her brother's admiration of her--the connection being such as she could scarcely be expected to advocate.

on the far side of; further than

From this reading He could scarcely himself have said what now opened his eyes in some measure to the nature of Miss Osborne's regard for him; for never before had it occurred to him that she entertained anything beyond an ordinary friendship--the very fact of her occasional efforts to flirt with him only confirming his confidence in her indifference and merely contributing to his amusement.

possessive form of “brother” — a male with the same parents as someone else

From this reading The jealousy of Emma, which she had betrayed at the ball, he believed to be entirely owing to her brother's admiration of her--the connection being such as she could scarcely be expected to advocate.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Mr. Howard had been but a short time with the Osbornes when he was obliged to confess that he had made a mistake in coming.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading He had been but little pleased by her incursion into his dinner party; but had attributed it to her lack of variety in a dull neighbourhood and to the influence of Miss Carr, of whom he entertained but a slight opinion.

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

From this reading He had been but little pleased by her incursion into his dinner party; but had attributed it to her lack of variety in a dull neighbourhood and to the influence of Miss Carr, of whom he entertained but a slight opinion.

attractiveness that interests or pleases or stimulates

From this reading A man of singular charm of manner, eminently gifted for social success, he had as little vanity as well might be; and his devotion to literature engendered in him a sort of absent-mindedness which rendered him unconscious of things which were sufficiently obvious to others.

the act of drawing spatially closer to something

From this reading Mr. Howard had been but a short time with the Osbornes when he was obliged to confess that he had made a mistake in coming.

confess to a punishable or reprehensible deed, usually under pressure

From this reading Mr. Howard had been but a short time with the Osbornes when he was obliged to confess that he had made a mistake in coming.

freedom from doubt; belief in yourself and your abilities

From this reading He could scarcely himself have said what now opened his eyes in some measure to the nature of Miss Osborne's regard for him; for never before had it occurred to him that she entertained anything beyond an ordinary friendship--the very fact of her occasional efforts to flirt with him only confirming his confidence in her indifference and merely contributing to his amusement.

indicating existence or presence of a suspected condition or pathogen

From this reading He could scarcely himself have said what now opened his eyes in some measure to the nature of Miss Osborne's regard for him; for never before had it occurred to him that she entertained anything beyond an ordinary friendship--the very fact of her occasional efforts to flirt with him only confirming his confidence in her indifference and merely contributing to his amusement.

a relation between things or events (as in the case of one causing the other or sharing features with it)

From this reading The jealousy of Emma, which she had betrayed at the ball, he believed to be entirely owing to her brother's admiration of her--the connection being such as she could scarcely be expected to advocate.

tending to bring about; being partly responsible for

From this reading He could scarcely himself have said what now opened his eyes in some measure to the nature of Miss Osborne's regard for him; for never before had it occurred to him that she entertained anything beyond an ordinary friendship--the very fact of her occasional efforts to flirt with him only confirming his confidence in her indifference and merely contributing to his amusement.

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

From this reading He could scarcely himself have said what now opened his eyes in some measure to the nature of Miss Osborne's regard for him; for never before had it occurred to him that she entertained anything beyond an ordinary friendship--the very fact of her occasional efforts to flirt with him only confirming his confidence in her indifference and merely contributing to his amusement.

feelings of ardent love

From this reading A man of singular charm of manner, eminently gifted for social success, he had as little vanity as well might be; and his devotion to literature engendered in him a sort of absent-mindedness which rendered him unconscious of things which were sufficiently obvious to others.

the main meal of the day served in the evening or at midday

From this reading He had been but little pleased by her incursion into his dinner party; but had attributed it to her lack of variety in a dull neighbourhood and to the influence of Miss Carr, of whom he entertained but a slight opinion.

lacking in liveliness or animation

From this reading He had been but little pleased by her incursion into his dinner party; but had attributed it to her lack of variety in a dull neighbourhood and to the influence of Miss Carr, of whom he entertained but a slight opinion.

plural of “effort” — earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something

From this reading He could scarcely himself have said what now opened his eyes in some measure to the nature of Miss Osborne's regard for him; for never before had it occurred to him that she entertained anything beyond an ordinary friendship--the very fact of her occasional efforts to flirt with him only confirming his confidence in her indifference and merely contributing to his amusement.

in an eminent manner

From this reading A man of singular charm of manner, eminently gifted for social success, he had as little vanity as well might be; and his devotion to literature engendered in him a sort of absent-mindedness which rendered him unconscious of things which were sufficiently obvious to others.

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

From this reading The jealousy of Emma, which she had betrayed at the ball, he believed to be entirely owing to her brother's admiration of her--the connection being such as she could scarcely be expected to advocate.

past form of “engender” — call forth

From this reading A man of singular charm of manner, eminently gifted for social success, he had as little vanity as well might be; and his devotion to literature engendered in him a sort of absent-mindedness which rendered him unconscious of things which were sufficiently obvious to others.

pleasantly occupied

From this reading He could scarcely himself have said what now opened his eyes in some measure to the nature of Miss Osborne's regard for him; for never before had it occurred to him that she entertained anything beyond an ordinary friendship--the very fact of her occasional efforts to flirt with him only confirming his confidence in her indifference and merely contributing to his amusement.

to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)

From this reading The jealousy of Emma, which she had betrayed at the ball, he believed to be entirely owing to her brother's admiration of her--the connection being such as she could scarcely be expected to advocate.

considered likely or probable to happen or arrive

From this reading The jealousy of Emma, which she had betrayed at the ball, he believed to be entirely owing to her brother's admiration of her--the connection being such as she could scarcely be expected to advocate.

opinion or judgment

From this reading He could scarcely himself have said what now opened his eyes in some measure to the nature of Miss Osborne's regard for him; for never before had it occurred to him that she entertained anything beyond an ordinary friendship--the very fact of her occasional efforts to flirt with him only confirming his confidence in her indifference and merely contributing to his amusement.

a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred

From this reading He could scarcely himself have said what now opened his eyes in some measure to the nature of Miss Osborne's regard for him; for never before had it occurred to him that she entertained anything beyond an ordinary friendship--the very fact of her occasional efforts to flirt with him only confirming his confidence in her indifference and merely contributing to his amusement.

talk or behave amorously, without serious intentions

From this reading He could scarcely himself have said what now opened his eyes in some measure to the nature of Miss Osborne's regard for him; for never before had it occurred to him that she entertained anything beyond an ordinary friendship--the very fact of her occasional efforts to flirt with him only confirming his confidence in her indifference and merely contributing to his amusement.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading A man of singular charm of manner, eminently gifted for social success, he had as little vanity as well might be; and his devotion to literature engendered in him a sort of absent-mindedness which rendered him unconscious of things which were sufficiently obvious to others.

the state of being friends (or friendly)

From this reading He could scarcely himself have said what now opened his eyes in some measure to the nature of Miss Osborne's regard for him; for never before had it occurred to him that she entertained anything beyond an ordinary friendship--the very fact of her occasional efforts to flirt with him only confirming his confidence in her indifference and merely contributing to his amusement.

endowed with talent or talents

From this reading A man of singular charm of manner, eminently gifted for social success, he had as little vanity as well might be; and his devotion to literature engendered in him a sort of absent-mindedness which rendered him unconscious of things which were sufficiently obvious to others.

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

From this reading Mr. Howard had been but a short time with the Osbornes when he was obliged to confess that he had made a mistake in coming.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading He could scarcely himself have said what now opened his eyes in some measure to the nature of Miss Osborne's regard for him; for never before had it occurred to him that she entertained anything beyond an ordinary friendship--the very fact of her occasional efforts to flirt with him only confirming his confidence in her indifference and merely contributing to his amusement.

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

From this reading Mr. Howard had been but a short time with the Osbornes when he was obliged to confess that he had made a mistake in coming.

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

From this reading He could scarcely himself have said what now opened his eyes in some measure to the nature of Miss Osborne's regard for him; for never before had it occurred to him that she entertained anything beyond an ordinary friendship--the very fact of her occasional efforts to flirt with him only confirming his confidence in her indifference and merely contributing to his amusement.

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

From this reading A man of singular charm of manner, eminently gifted for social success, he had as little vanity as well might be; and his devotion to literature engendered in him a sort of absent-mindedness which rendered him unconscious of things which were sufficiently obvious to others.

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading He could scarcely himself have said what now opened his eyes in some measure to the nature of Miss Osborne's regard for him; for never before had it occurred to him that she entertained anything beyond an ordinary friendship--the very fact of her occasional efforts to flirt with him only confirming his confidence in her indifference and merely contributing to his amusement.

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

From this reading A man of singular charm of manner, eminently gifted for social success, he had as little vanity as well might be; and his devotion to literature engendered in him a sort of absent-mindedness which rendered him unconscious of things which were sufficiently obvious to others.

English actor of stage and screen (1893-1943)

From this reading Mr. Howard had been but a short time with the Osbornes when he was obliged to confess that he had made a mistake in coming.

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

From this reading Mr. Howard had been but a short time with the Osbornes when he was obliged to confess that he had made a mistake in coming.

the act of entering some territory or domain (often in large numbers)

From this reading He had been but little pleased by her incursion into his dinner party; but had attributed it to her lack of variety in a dull neighbourhood and to the influence of Miss Carr, of whom he entertained but a slight opinion.

unbiased impartial unconcern

From this reading He could scarcely himself have said what now opened his eyes in some measure to the nature of Miss Osborne's regard for him; for never before had it occurred to him that she entertained anything beyond an ordinary friendship--the very fact of her occasional efforts to flirt with him only confirming his confidence in her indifference and merely contributing to his amusement.

a power to affect persons or events especially power based on prestige etc

From this reading He had been but little pleased by her incursion into his dinner party; but had attributed it to her lack of variety in a dull neighbourhood and to the influence of Miss Carr, of whom he entertained but a slight opinion.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading He had been but little pleased by her incursion into his dinner party; but had attributed it to her lack of variety in a dull neighbourhood and to the influence of Miss Carr, of whom he entertained but a slight opinion.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading He could scarcely himself have said what now opened his eyes in some measure to the nature of Miss Osborne's regard for him; for never before had it occurred to him that she entertained anything beyond an ordinary friendship--the very fact of her occasional efforts to flirt with him only confirming his confidence in her indifference and merely contributing to his amusement.

a feeling of jealous envy (especially of a rival)

From this reading The jealousy of Emma, which she had betrayed at the ball, he believed to be entirely owing to her brother's admiration of her--the connection being such as she could scarcely be expected to advocate.

the state of needing something that is absent or unavailable

From this reading He had been but little pleased by her incursion into his dinner party; but had attributed it to her lack of variety in a dull neighbourhood and to the influence of Miss Carr, of whom he entertained but a slight opinion.

creative writing of recognized artistic value

From this reading A man of singular charm of manner, eminently gifted for social success, he had as little vanity as well might be; and his devotion to literature engendered in him a sort of absent-mindedness which rendered him unconscious of things which were sufficiently obvious to others.

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

From this reading A man of singular charm of manner, eminently gifted for social success, he had as little vanity as well might be; and his devotion to literature engendered in him a sort of absent-mindedness which rendered him unconscious of things which were sufficiently obvious to others.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading Mr. Howard had been but a short time with the Osbornes when he was obliged to confess that he had made a mistake in coming.

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

From this reading A man of singular charm of manner, eminently gifted for social success, he had as little vanity as well might be; and his devotion to literature engendered in him a sort of absent-mindedness which rendered him unconscious of things which were sufficiently obvious to others.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading A man of singular charm of manner, eminently gifted for social success, he had as little vanity as well might be; and his devotion to literature engendered in him a sort of absent-mindedness which rendered him unconscious of things which were sufficiently obvious to others.

any maneuver made as part of progress toward a goal

From this reading He could scarcely himself have said what now opened his eyes in some measure to the nature of Miss Osborne's regard for him; for never before had it occurred to him that she entertained anything beyond an ordinary friendship--the very fact of her occasional efforts to flirt with him only confirming his confidence in her indifference and merely contributing to his amusement.

and nothing more

From this reading He could scarcely himself have said what now opened his eyes in some measure to the nature of Miss Osborne's regard for him; for never before had it occurred to him that she entertained anything beyond an ordinary friendship--the very fact of her occasional efforts to flirt with him only confirming his confidence in her indifference and merely contributing to his amusement.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading A man of singular charm of manner, eminently gifted for social success, he had as little vanity as well might be; and his devotion to literature engendered in him a sort of absent-mindedness which rendered him unconscious of things which were sufficiently obvious to others.

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

From this reading He could scarcely himself have said what now opened his eyes in some measure to the nature of Miss Osborne's regard for him; for never before had it occurred to him that she entertained anything beyond an ordinary friendship--the very fact of her occasional efforts to flirt with him only confirming his confidence in her indifference and merely contributing to his amusement.

a wrong action attributable to bad judgment or ignorance or inattention

From this reading Mr. Howard had been but a short time with the Osbornes when he was obliged to confess that he had made a mistake in coming.

a form of address for a man

From this reading Mr. Howard had been but a short time with the Osbornes when he was obliged to confess that he had made a mistake in coming.

the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized

From this reading He could scarcely himself have said what now opened his eyes in some measure to the nature of Miss Osborne's regard for him; for never before had it occurred to him that she entertained anything beyond an ordinary friendship--the very fact of her occasional efforts to flirt with him only confirming his confidence in her indifference and merely contributing to his amusement.

a surrounding or nearby region

From this reading He had been but little pleased by her incursion into his dinner party; but had attributed it to her lack of variety in a dull neighbourhood and to the influence of Miss Carr, of whom he entertained but a slight opinion.

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading He could scarcely himself have said what now opened his eyes in some measure to the nature of Miss Osborne's regard for him; for never before had it occurred to him that she entertained anything beyond an ordinary friendship--the very fact of her occasional efforts to flirt with him only confirming his confidence in her indifference and merely contributing to his amusement.

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

From this reading He could scarcely himself have said what now opened his eyes in some measure to the nature of Miss Osborne's regard for him; for never before had it occurred to him that she entertained anything beyond an ordinary friendship--the very fact of her occasional efforts to flirt with him only confirming his confidence in her indifference and merely contributing to his amusement.

under a moral obligation to do something

From this reading Mr. Howard had been but a short time with the Osbornes when he was obliged to confess that he had made a mistake in coming.

easily perceived by the senses or grasped by the mind

From this reading A man of singular charm of manner, eminently gifted for social success, he had as little vanity as well might be; and his devotion to literature engendered in him a sort of absent-mindedness which rendered him unconscious of things which were sufficiently obvious to others.

occurring from time to time

From this reading He could scarcely himself have said what now opened his eyes in some measure to the nature of Miss Osborne's regard for him; for never before had it occurred to him that she entertained anything beyond an ordinary friendship--the very fact of her occasional efforts to flirt with him only confirming his confidence in her indifference and merely contributing to his amusement.

inflected form of “occur” — come to pass

From this reading He could scarcely himself have said what now opened his eyes in some measure to the nature of Miss Osborne's regard for him; for never before had it occurred to him that she entertained anything beyond an ordinary friendship--the very fact of her occasional efforts to flirt with him only confirming his confidence in her indifference and merely contributing to his amusement.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading A man of singular charm of manner, eminently gifted for social success, he had as little vanity as well might be; and his devotion to literature engendered in him a sort of absent-mindedness which rendered him unconscious of things which were sufficiently obvious to others.

and nothing more

From this reading He could scarcely himself have said what now opened his eyes in some measure to the nature of Miss Osborne's regard for him; for never before had it occurred to him that she entertained anything beyond an ordinary friendship--the very fact of her occasional efforts to flirt with him only confirming his confidence in her indifference and merely contributing to his amusement.

used of mouth or eyes

From this reading He could scarcely himself have said what now opened his eyes in some measure to the nature of Miss Osborne's regard for him; for never before had it occurred to him that she entertained anything beyond an ordinary friendship--the very fact of her occasional efforts to flirt with him only confirming his confidence in her indifference and merely contributing to his amusement.

a personal belief or judgment that is not founded on proof or certainty

From this reading He had been but little pleased by her incursion into his dinner party; but had attributed it to her lack of variety in a dull neighbourhood and to the influence of Miss Carr, of whom he entertained but a slight opinion.

a judge of a probate court

From this reading He could scarcely himself have said what now opened his eyes in some measure to the nature of Miss Osborne's regard for him; for never before had it occurred to him that she entertained anything beyond an ordinary friendship--the very fact of her occasional efforts to flirt with him only confirming his confidence in her indifference and merely contributing to his amusement.

possessive form of “osborne” — English playwright (1929-1994)

From this reading He could scarcely himself have said what now opened his eyes in some measure to the nature of Miss Osborne's regard for him; for never before had it occurred to him that she entertained anything beyond an ordinary friendship--the very fact of her occasional efforts to flirt with him only confirming his confidence in her indifference and merely contributing to his amusement.

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

From this reading Mr. Howard had been but a short time with the Osbornes when he was obliged to confess that he had made a mistake in coming.

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

From this reading A man of singular charm of manner, eminently gifted for social success, he had as little vanity as well might be; and his devotion to literature engendered in him a sort of absent-mindedness which rendered him unconscious of things which were sufficiently obvious to others.

owed as a debt

From this reading The jealousy of Emma, which she had betrayed at the ball, he believed to be entirely owing to her brother's admiration of her--the connection being such as she could scarcely be expected to advocate.

an organization to gain political power

From this reading He had been but little pleased by her incursion into his dinner party; but had attributed it to her lack of variety in a dull neighbourhood and to the influence of Miss Carr, of whom he entertained but a slight opinion.

experiencing or manifesting pleasure

From this reading He had been but little pleased by her incursion into his dinner party; but had attributed it to her lack of variety in a dull neighbourhood and to the influence of Miss Carr, of whom he entertained but a slight opinion.

(usually preceded by “in”) a detail or point

From this reading He could scarcely himself have said what now opened his eyes in some measure to the nature of Miss Osborne's regard for him; for never before had it occurred to him that she entertained anything beyond an ordinary friendship--the very fact of her occasional efforts to flirt with him only confirming his confidence in her indifference and merely contributing to his amusement.

past form of “render” — cause to become

From this reading A man of singular charm of manner, eminently gifted for social success, he had as little vanity as well might be; and his devotion to literature engendered in him a sort of absent-mindedness which rendered him unconscious of things which were sufficiently obvious to others.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading He could scarcely himself have said what now opened his eyes in some measure to the nature of Miss Osborne's regard for him; for never before had it occurred to him that she entertained anything beyond an ordinary friendship--the very fact of her occasional efforts to flirt with him only confirming his confidence in her indifference and merely contributing to his amusement.

only a very short time before

From this reading He could scarcely himself have said what now opened his eyes in some measure to the nature of Miss Osborne's regard for him; for never before had it occurred to him that she entertained anything beyond an ordinary friendship--the very fact of her occasional efforts to flirt with him only confirming his confidence in her indifference and merely contributing to his amusement.

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

From this reading He could scarcely himself have said what now opened his eyes in some measure to the nature of Miss Osborne's regard for him; for never before had it occurred to him that she entertained anything beyond an ordinary friendship--the very fact of her occasional efforts to flirt with him only confirming his confidence in her indifference and merely contributing to his amusement.

primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration

From this reading Mr. Howard had been but a short time with the Osbornes when he was obliged to confess that he had made a mistake in coming.

unusual or striking

From this reading A man of singular charm of manner, eminently gifted for social success, he had as little vanity as well might be; and his devotion to literature engendered in him a sort of absent-mindedness which rendered him unconscious of things which were sufficiently obvious to others.

a deliberate discourteous act (usually as an expression of anger or disapproval)

From this reading He had been but little pleased by her incursion into his dinner party; but had attributed it to her lack of variety in a dull neighbourhood and to the influence of Miss Carr, of whom he entertained but a slight opinion.

relating to human society and its members

From this reading A man of singular charm of manner, eminently gifted for social success, he had as little vanity as well might be; and his devotion to literature engendered in him a sort of absent-mindedness which rendered him unconscious of things which were sufficiently obvious to others.

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

From this reading He could scarcely himself have said what now opened his eyes in some measure to the nature of Miss Osborne's regard for him; for never before had it occurred to him that she entertained anything beyond an ordinary friendship--the very fact of her occasional efforts to flirt with him only confirming his confidence in her indifference and merely contributing to his amusement.

a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality

From this reading A man of singular charm of manner, eminently gifted for social success, he had as little vanity as well might be; and his devotion to literature engendered in him a sort of absent-mindedness which rendered him unconscious of things which were sufficiently obvious to others.

an event that accomplishes its intended purpose

From this reading A man of singular charm of manner, eminently gifted for social success, he had as little vanity as well might be; and his devotion to literature engendered in him a sort of absent-mindedness which rendered him unconscious of things which were sufficiently obvious to others.

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading The jealousy of Emma, which she had betrayed at the ball, he believed to be entirely owing to her brother's admiration of her--the connection being such as she could scarcely be expected to advocate.

to a sufficient degree

From this reading A man of singular charm of manner, eminently gifted for social success, he had as little vanity as well might be; and his devotion to literature engendered in him a sort of absent-mindedness which rendered him unconscious of things which were sufficiently obvious to others.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Mr. Howard had been but a short time with the Osbornes when he was obliged to confess that he had made a mistake in coming.

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

From this reading Mr. Howard had been but a short time with the Osbornes when he was obliged to confess that he had made a mistake in coming.

any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)

From this reading A man of singular charm of manner, eminently gifted for social success, he had as little vanity as well might be; and his devotion to literature engendered in him a sort of absent-mindedness which rendered him unconscious of things which were sufficiently obvious to others.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading Mr. Howard had been but a short time with the Osbornes when he was obliged to confess that he had made a mistake in coming.

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

From this reading Mr. Howard had been but a short time with the Osbornes when he was obliged to confess that he had made a mistake in coming.

not conscious; lacking awareness and the capacity for sensory perception as if asleep or dead

From this reading A man of singular charm of manner, eminently gifted for social success, he had as little vanity as well might be; and his devotion to literature engendered in him a sort of absent-mindedness which rendered him unconscious of things which were sufficiently obvious to others.

feelings of excessive pride

From this reading A man of singular charm of manner, eminently gifted for social success, he had as little vanity as well might be; and his devotion to literature engendered in him a sort of absent-mindedness which rendered him unconscious of things which were sufficiently obvious to others.

a collection containing a variety of sorts of things

From this reading He had been but little pleased by her incursion into his dinner party; but had attributed it to her lack of variety in a dull neighbourhood and to the influence of Miss Carr, of whom he entertained but a slight opinion.

precisely as stated

From this reading He could scarcely himself have said what now opened his eyes in some measure to the nature of Miss Osborne's regard for him; for never before had it occurred to him that she entertained anything beyond an ordinary friendship--the very fact of her occasional efforts to flirt with him only confirming his confidence in her indifference and merely contributing to his amusement.

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

From this reading Mr. Howard had been but a short time with the Osbornes when he was obliged to confess that he had made a mistake in coming.

(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)

From this reading A man of singular charm of manner, eminently gifted for social success, he had as little vanity as well might be; and his devotion to literature engendered in him a sort of absent-mindedness which rendered him unconscious of things which were sufficiently obvious to others.

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading A man of singular charm of manner, eminently gifted for social success, he had as little vanity as well might be; and his devotion to literature engendered in him a sort of absent-mindedness which rendered him unconscious of things which were sufficiently obvious to others.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading He could scarcely himself have said what now opened his eyes in some measure to the nature of Miss Osborne's regard for him; for never before had it occurred to him that she entertained anything beyond an ordinary friendship--the very fact of her occasional efforts to flirt with him only confirming his confidence in her indifference and merely contributing to his amusement.

at the time that

From this reading Mr. Howard had been but a short time with the Osbornes when he was obliged to confess that he had made a mistake in coming.

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

From this reading A man of singular charm of manner, eminently gifted for social success, he had as little vanity as well might be; and his devotion to literature engendered in him a sort of absent-mindedness which rendered him unconscious of things which were sufficiently obvious to others.

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

From this reading He had been but little pleased by her incursion into his dinner party; but had attributed it to her lack of variety in a dull neighbourhood and to the influence of Miss Carr, of whom he entertained but a slight opinion.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Mr. Howard had been but a short time with the Osbornes when he was obliged to confess that he had made a mistake in coming.