Chapter VIII

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

From this reading Mr. Peacocke had gone to St. Louis and become Vice-President of the College at Missouri, where he had met Mrs. Ferdinand Lefroy, whose appearance--dark brown complexion, with hair dark and very glossy, "tall for a woman, but without any of that look of length under which female altitude sometimes suffers"--suggests that she must have been a Creole, even though she was the daughter of a Louisiana planter ruined by the Civil War.

consider or hold as true

From this reading The Peacockes' behavior is so guarded--they accept no invitations, say nothing of their history--that a secret is suspected, and when Ferdinand Lefroy's brother suddenly appears and attempts to blackmail the Peacockes, the fat is in the fire.

anew

From this reading When her supposedly dead husband reappeared and again disappeared, Mr. Peacocke and Mrs. Lefroy went to England as man and wife.

elevation especially above sea level or above the earth's surface

From this reading Mr. Peacocke had gone to St. Louis and become Vice-President of the College at Missouri, where he had met Mrs. Ferdinand Lefroy, whose appearance--dark brown complexion, with hair dark and very glossy, "tall for a woman, but without any of that look of length under which female altitude sometimes suffers"--suggests that she must have been a Creole, even though she was the daughter of a Louisiana planter ruined by the Civil War.

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

From this reading So here is a secret in an unstable state.

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

From this reading Mr. Peacocke had gone to St. Louis and become Vice-President of the College at Missouri, where he had met Mrs. Ferdinand Lefroy, whose appearance--dark brown complexion, with hair dark and very glossy, "tall for a woman, but without any of that look of length under which female altitude sometimes suffers"--suggests that she must have been a Creole, even though she was the daughter of a Louisiana planter ruined by the Civil War.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading Mr. Peacocke had gone to St. Louis and become Vice-President of the College at Missouri, where he had met Mrs. Ferdinand Lefroy, whose appearance--dark brown complexion, with hair dark and very glossy, "tall for a woman, but without any of that look of length under which female altitude sometimes suffers"--suggests that she must have been a Creole, even though she was the daughter of a Louisiana planter ruined by the Civil War.

outward or visible aspect of a person or thing

From this reading Mr. Peacocke had gone to St. Louis and become Vice-President of the College at Missouri, where he had met Mrs. Ferdinand Lefroy, whose appearance--dark brown complexion, with hair dark and very glossy, "tall for a woman, but without any of that look of length under which female altitude sometimes suffers"--suggests that she must have been a Creole, even though she was the daughter of a Louisiana planter ruined by the Civil War.

third-person singular of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading The Peacockes' behavior is so guarded--they accept no invitations, say nothing of their history--that a secret is suspected, and when Ferdinand Lefroy's brother suddenly appears and attempts to blackmail the Peacockes, the fat is in the fire.

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

From this reading When her supposedly dead husband reappeared and again disappeared, Mr. Peacocke and Mrs. Lefroy went to England as man and wife.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Mr. Peacocke had gone to St. Louis and become Vice-President of the College at Missouri, where he had met Mrs. Ferdinand Lefroy, whose appearance--dark brown complexion, with hair dark and very glossy, "tall for a woman, but without any of that look of length under which female altitude sometimes suffers"--suggests that she must have been a Creole, even though she was the daughter of a Louisiana planter ruined by the Civil War.

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

From this reading The Peacockes' behavior is so guarded--they accept no invitations, say nothing of their history--that a secret is suspected, and when Ferdinand Lefroy's brother suddenly appears and attempts to blackmail the Peacockes, the fat is in the fire.

enter or assume a certain state or condition

From this reading Mr. Peacocke had gone to St. Louis and become Vice-President of the College at Missouri, where he had met Mrs. Ferdinand Lefroy, whose appearance--dark brown complexion, with hair dark and very glossy, "tall for a woman, but without any of that look of length under which female altitude sometimes suffers"--suggests that she must have been a Creole, even though she was the daughter of a Louisiana planter ruined by the Civil War.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Mr. Peacocke had gone to St. Louis and become Vice-President of the College at Missouri, where he had met Mrs. Ferdinand Lefroy, whose appearance--dark brown complexion, with hair dark and very glossy, "tall for a woman, but without any of that look of length under which female altitude sometimes suffers"--suggests that she must have been a Creole, even though she was the daughter of a Louisiana planter ruined by the Civil War.

manner of acting or controlling yourself

From this reading The Peacockes' behavior is so guarded--they accept no invitations, say nothing of their history--that a secret is suspected, and when Ferdinand Lefroy's brother suddenly appears and attempts to blackmail the Peacockes, the fat is in the fire.

exert pressure on someone through threats

From this reading The Peacockes' behavior is so guarded--they accept no invitations, say nothing of their history--that a secret is suspected, and when Ferdinand Lefroy's brother suddenly appears and attempts to blackmail the Peacockes, the fat is in the fire.

a male with the same parents as someone else

From this reading The Peacockes' behavior is so guarded--they accept no invitations, say nothing of their history--that a secret is suspected, and when Ferdinand Lefroy's brother suddenly appears and attempts to blackmail the Peacockes, the fat is in the fire.

an orange of low brightness and saturation

From this reading Mr. Peacocke had gone to St. Louis and become Vice-President of the College at Missouri, where he had met Mrs. Ferdinand Lefroy, whose appearance--dark brown complexion, with hair dark and very glossy, "tall for a woman, but without any of that look of length under which female altitude sometimes suffers"--suggests that she must have been a Creole, even though she was the daughter of a Louisiana planter ruined by the Civil War.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Mr. Peacocke had gone to St. Louis and become Vice-President of the College at Missouri, where he had met Mrs. Ferdinand Lefroy, whose appearance--dark brown complexion, with hair dark and very glossy, "tall for a woman, but without any of that look of length under which female altitude sometimes suffers"--suggests that she must have been a Creole, even though she was the daughter of a Louisiana planter ruined by the Civil War.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Mr. Peacocke had gone to St. Louis and become Vice-President of the College at Missouri, where he had met Mrs. Ferdinand Lefroy, whose appearance--dark brown complexion, with hair dark and very glossy, "tall for a woman, but without any of that look of length under which female altitude sometimes suffers"--suggests that she must have been a Creole, even though she was the daughter of a Louisiana planter ruined by the Civil War.

applying to ordinary citizens as contrasted with the military

From this reading Mr. Peacocke had gone to St. Louis and become Vice-President of the College at Missouri, where he had met Mrs. Ferdinand Lefroy, whose appearance--dark brown complexion, with hair dark and very glossy, "tall for a woman, but without any of that look of length under which female altitude sometimes suffers"--suggests that she must have been a Creole, even though she was the daughter of a Louisiana planter ruined by the Civil War.

the body of faculty and students of a college

From this reading Mr. Peacocke had gone to St. Louis and become Vice-President of the College at Missouri, where he had met Mrs. Ferdinand Lefroy, whose appearance--dark brown complexion, with hair dark and very glossy, "tall for a woman, but without any of that look of length under which female altitude sometimes suffers"--suggests that she must have been a Creole, even though she was the daughter of a Louisiana planter ruined by the Civil War.

a commissioned military officer in the United States Army or Air Force or Marines who ranks above a lieutenant colonel and below a brigadier general

From this reading Colonel Ferdinand Lefroy had gone to Mexico to seek his fortune, was reported to have been killed there, and Mrs. Lefroy had then married Mr. Peacocke.

the coloring of a person's face

From this reading Mr. Peacocke had gone to St. Louis and become Vice-President of the College at Missouri, where he had met Mrs. Ferdinand Lefroy, whose appearance--dark brown complexion, with hair dark and very glossy, "tall for a woman, but without any of that look of length under which female altitude sometimes suffers"--suggests that she must have been a Creole, even though she was the daughter of a Louisiana planter ruined by the Civil War.

a person of European descent born in the West Indies or Latin America

From this reading Mr. Peacocke had gone to St. Louis and become Vice-President of the College at Missouri, where he had met Mrs. Ferdinand Lefroy, whose appearance--dark brown complexion, with hair dark and very glossy, "tall for a woman, but without any of that look of length under which female altitude sometimes suffers"--suggests that she must have been a Creole, even though she was the daughter of a Louisiana planter ruined by the Civil War.

absence of light or illumination

From this reading Mr. Peacocke had gone to St. Louis and become Vice-President of the College at Missouri, where he had met Mrs. Ferdinand Lefroy, whose appearance--dark brown complexion, with hair dark and very glossy, "tall for a woman, but without any of that look of length under which female altitude sometimes suffers"--suggests that she must have been a Creole, even though she was the daughter of a Louisiana planter ruined by the Civil War.

a female human offspring

From this reading Mr. Peacocke had gone to St. Louis and become Vice-President of the College at Missouri, where he had met Mrs. Ferdinand Lefroy, whose appearance--dark brown complexion, with hair dark and very glossy, "tall for a woman, but without any of that look of length under which female altitude sometimes suffers"--suggests that she must have been a Creole, even though she was the daughter of a Louisiana planter ruined by the Civil War.

no longer having or seeming to have or expecting to have life

From this reading When her supposedly dead husband reappeared and again disappeared, Mr. Peacocke and Mrs. Lefroy went to England as man and wife.

past form of “disappear” — get lost, as without warning or explanation

From this reading When her supposedly dead husband reappeared and again disappeared, Mr. Peacocke and Mrs. Lefroy went to England as man and wife.

a division of the United Kingdom

From this reading When her supposedly dead husband reappeared and again disappeared, Mr. Peacocke and Mrs. Lefroy went to England as man and wife.

divisible by two

From this reading Mr. Peacocke had gone to St. Louis and become Vice-President of the College at Missouri, where he had met Mrs. Ferdinand Lefroy, whose appearance--dark brown complexion, with hair dark and very glossy, "tall for a woman, but without any of that look of length under which female altitude sometimes suffers"--suggests that she must have been a Creole, even though she was the daughter of a Louisiana planter ruined by the Civil War.

having an (over)abundance of flesh

From this reading The Peacockes' behavior is so guarded--they accept no invitations, say nothing of their history--that a secret is suspected, and when Ferdinand Lefroy's brother suddenly appears and attempts to blackmail the Peacockes, the fat is in the fire.

being the sex (of plant or animal) that produces fertilizable gametes (ova) from which offspring develop

From this reading Mr. Peacocke had gone to St. Louis and become Vice-President of the College at Missouri, where he had met Mrs. Ferdinand Lefroy, whose appearance--dark brown complexion, with hair dark and very glossy, "tall for a woman, but without any of that look of length under which female altitude sometimes suffers"--suggests that she must have been a Creole, even though she was the daughter of a Louisiana planter ruined by the Civil War.

the king of Castile and Aragon who ruled jointly with his wife Isabella

From this reading Mr. Peacocke had gone to St. Louis and become Vice-President of the College at Missouri, where he had met Mrs. Ferdinand Lefroy, whose appearance--dark brown complexion, with hair dark and very glossy, "tall for a woman, but without any of that look of length under which female altitude sometimes suffers"--suggests that she must have been a Creole, even though she was the daughter of a Louisiana planter ruined by the Civil War.

start firing a weapon

From this reading The Peacockes' behavior is so guarded--they accept no invitations, say nothing of their history--that a secret is suspected, and when Ferdinand Lefroy's brother suddenly appears and attempts to blackmail the Peacockes, the fat is in the fire.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Mr. Peacocke had gone to St. Louis and become Vice-President of the College at Missouri, where he had met Mrs. Ferdinand Lefroy, whose appearance--dark brown complexion, with hair dark and very glossy, "tall for a woman, but without any of that look of length under which female altitude sometimes suffers"--suggests that she must have been a Creole, even though she was the daughter of a Louisiana planter ruined by the Civil War.

an unknown and unpredictable phenomenon that causes an event to result one way rather than another

From this reading Colonel Ferdinand Lefroy had gone to Mexico to seek his fortune, was reported to have been killed there, and Mrs. Lefroy had then married Mr. Peacocke.

based on pretense; deceptively pleasing

From this reading Mr. Peacocke had gone to St. Louis and become Vice-President of the College at Missouri, where he had met Mrs. Ferdinand Lefroy, whose appearance--dark brown complexion, with hair dark and very glossy, "tall for a woman, but without any of that look of length under which female altitude sometimes suffers"--suggests that she must have been a Creole, even though she was the daughter of a Louisiana planter ruined by the Civil War.

destroyed or killed

From this reading Mr. Peacocke had gone to St. Louis and become Vice-President of the College at Missouri, where he had met Mrs. Ferdinand Lefroy, whose appearance--dark brown complexion, with hair dark and very glossy, "tall for a woman, but without any of that look of length under which female altitude sometimes suffers"--suggests that she must have been a Creole, even though she was the daughter of a Louisiana planter ruined by the Civil War.

prudent

From this reading The Peacockes' behavior is so guarded--they accept no invitations, say nothing of their history--that a secret is suspected, and when Ferdinand Lefroy's brother suddenly appears and attempts to blackmail the Peacockes, the fat is in the fire.

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

From this reading Mr. Peacocke had gone to St. Louis and become Vice-President of the College at Missouri, where he had met Mrs. Ferdinand Lefroy, whose appearance--dark brown complexion, with hair dark and very glossy, "tall for a woman, but without any of that look of length under which female altitude sometimes suffers"--suggests that she must have been a Creole, even though she was the daughter of a Louisiana planter ruined by the Civil War.

a covering for the body (or parts of it) consisting of a dense growth of threadlike structures (as on the human head); helps to prevent heat loss

From this reading Mr. Peacocke had gone to St. Louis and become Vice-President of the College at Missouri, where he had met Mrs. Ferdinand Lefroy, whose appearance--dark brown complexion, with hair dark and very glossy, "tall for a woman, but without any of that look of length under which female altitude sometimes suffers"--suggests that she must have been a Creole, even though she was the daughter of a Louisiana planter ruined by the Civil War.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading Mr. Peacocke had gone to St. Louis and become Vice-President of the College at Missouri, where he had met Mrs. Ferdinand Lefroy, whose appearance--dark brown complexion, with hair dark and very glossy, "tall for a woman, but without any of that look of length under which female altitude sometimes suffers"--suggests that she must have been a Creole, even though she was the daughter of a Louisiana planter ruined by the Civil War.

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

From this reading Mr. Peacocke had gone to St. Louis and become Vice-President of the College at Missouri, where he had met Mrs. Ferdinand Lefroy, whose appearance--dark brown complexion, with hair dark and very glossy, "tall for a woman, but without any of that look of length under which female altitude sometimes suffers"--suggests that she must have been a Creole, even though she was the daughter of a Louisiana planter ruined by the Civil War.

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

From this reading When her supposedly dead husband reappeared and again disappeared, Mr. Peacocke and Mrs. Lefroy went to England as man and wife.

in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is

From this reading So here is a secret in an unstable state.

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

From this reading Colonel Ferdinand Lefroy had gone to Mexico to seek his fortune, was reported to have been killed there, and Mrs. Lefroy had then married Mr. Peacocke.

the aggregate of past events

From this reading The Peacockes' behavior is so guarded--they accept no invitations, say nothing of their history--that a secret is suspected, and when Ferdinand Lefroy's brother suddenly appears and attempts to blackmail the Peacockes, the fat is in the fire.

a married man; a woman's partner in marriage

From this reading When her supposedly dead husband reappeared and again disappeared, Mr. Peacocke and Mrs. Lefroy went to England as man and wife.

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

From this reading So here is a secret in an unstable state.

plural of “invitation” — a request (spoken or written) to participate or be present or take part in something

From this reading The Peacockes' behavior is so guarded--they accept no invitations, say nothing of their history--that a secret is suspected, and when Ferdinand Lefroy's brother suddenly appears and attempts to blackmail the Peacockes, the fat is in the fire.

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

From this reading So here is a secret in an unstable state.

past form of “kill” — cause to die; put to death, usually intentionally or knowingly

From this reading Colonel Ferdinand Lefroy had gone to Mexico to seek his fortune, was reported to have been killed there, and Mrs. Lefroy had then married Mr. Peacocke.

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

From this reading Mr. Peacocke had gone to St. Louis and become Vice-President of the College at Missouri, where he had met Mrs. Ferdinand Lefroy, whose appearance--dark brown complexion, with hair dark and very glossy, "tall for a woman, but without any of that look of length under which female altitude sometimes suffers"--suggests that she must have been a Creole, even though she was the daughter of a Louisiana planter ruined by the Civil War.

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

From this reading The Peacockes' behavior is so guarded--they accept no invitations, say nothing of their history--that a secret is suspected, and when Ferdinand Lefroy's brother suddenly appears and attempts to blackmail the Peacockes, the fat is in the fire.

the linear extent in space from one end to the other; the longest dimension of something that is fixed in place

From this reading Mr. Peacocke had gone to St. Louis and become Vice-President of the College at Missouri, where he had met Mrs. Ferdinand Lefroy, whose appearance--dark brown complexion, with hair dark and very glossy, "tall for a woman, but without any of that look of length under which female altitude sometimes suffers"--suggests that she must have been a Creole, even though she was the daughter of a Louisiana planter ruined by the Civil War.

perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading Mr. Peacocke had gone to St. Louis and become Vice-President of the College at Missouri, where he had met Mrs. Ferdinand Lefroy, whose appearance--dark brown complexion, with hair dark and very glossy, "tall for a woman, but without any of that look of length under which female altitude sometimes suffers"--suggests that she must have been a Creole, even though she was the daughter of a Louisiana planter ruined by the Civil War.

United States prizefighter who was world heavyweight champion for 12 years (1914-1981)

From this reading Mr. Peacocke had gone to St. Louis and become Vice-President of the College at Missouri, where he had met Mrs. Ferdinand Lefroy, whose appearance--dark brown complexion, with hair dark and very glossy, "tall for a woman, but without any of that look of length under which female altitude sometimes suffers"--suggests that she must have been a Creole, even though she was the daughter of a Louisiana planter ruined by the Civil War.

a state in southern United States on the Gulf of Mexico; one of the Confederate states during the American Civil War

From this reading Mr. Peacocke had gone to St. Louis and become Vice-President of the College at Missouri, where he had met Mrs. Ferdinand Lefroy, whose appearance--dark brown complexion, with hair dark and very glossy, "tall for a woman, but without any of that look of length under which female altitude sometimes suffers"--suggests that she must have been a Creole, even though she was the daughter of a Louisiana planter ruined by the Civil War.

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

From this reading When her supposedly dead husband reappeared and again disappeared, Mr. Peacocke and Mrs. Lefroy went to England as man and wife.

joined in matrimony

From this reading Colonel Ferdinand Lefroy had gone to Mexico to seek his fortune, was reported to have been killed there, and Mrs. Lefroy had then married Mr. Peacocke.

inflected form of “meet” — come together

From this reading Mr. Peacocke had gone to St. Louis and become Vice-President of the College at Missouri, where he had met Mrs. Ferdinand Lefroy, whose appearance--dark brown complexion, with hair dark and very glossy, "tall for a woman, but without any of that look of length under which female altitude sometimes suffers"--suggests that she must have been a Creole, even though she was the daughter of a Louisiana planter ruined by the Civil War.

a republic in southern North America; became independent from Spain in 1810

From this reading Colonel Ferdinand Lefroy had gone to Mexico to seek his fortune, was reported to have been killed there, and Mrs. Lefroy had then married Mr. Peacocke.

a midwestern state in central United States; a border state during the American Civil War, Missouri was admitted to the Confederacy without actually seceding from the Union

From this reading Mr. Peacocke had gone to St. Louis and become Vice-President of the College at Missouri, where he had met Mrs. Ferdinand Lefroy, whose appearance--dark brown complexion, with hair dark and very glossy, "tall for a woman, but without any of that look of length under which female altitude sometimes suffers"--suggests that she must have been a Creole, even though she was the daughter of a Louisiana planter ruined by the Civil War.

a form of address for a man

From this reading Mr. Peacocke had gone to St. Louis and become Vice-President of the College at Missouri, where he had met Mrs. Ferdinand Lefroy, whose appearance--dark brown complexion, with hair dark and very glossy, "tall for a woman, but without any of that look of length under which female altitude sometimes suffers"--suggests that she must have been a Creole, even though she was the daughter of a Louisiana planter ruined by the Civil War.

a form of address for a married woman

From this reading Mr. Peacocke had gone to St. Louis and become Vice-President of the College at Missouri, where he had met Mrs. Ferdinand Lefroy, whose appearance--dark brown complexion, with hair dark and very glossy, "tall for a woman, but without any of that look of length under which female altitude sometimes suffers"--suggests that she must have been a Creole, even though she was the daughter of a Louisiana planter ruined by the Civil War.

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading Mr. Peacocke had gone to St. Louis and become Vice-President of the College at Missouri, where he had met Mrs. Ferdinand Lefroy, whose appearance--dark brown complexion, with hair dark and very glossy, "tall for a woman, but without any of that look of length under which female altitude sometimes suffers"--suggests that she must have been a Creole, even though she was the daughter of a Louisiana planter ruined by the Civil War.

not any; not one

From this reading The Peacockes' behavior is so guarded--they accept no invitations, say nothing of their history--that a secret is suspected, and when Ferdinand Lefroy's brother suddenly appears and attempts to blackmail the Peacockes, the fat is in the fire.

not one thing; not anything

From this reading The Peacockes' behavior is so guarded--they accept no invitations, say nothing of their history--that a secret is suspected, and when Ferdinand Lefroy's brother suddenly appears and attempts to blackmail the Peacockes, the fat is in the fire.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Mr. Peacocke had gone to St. Louis and become Vice-President of the College at Missouri, where he had met Mrs. Ferdinand Lefroy, whose appearance--dark brown complexion, with hair dark and very glossy, "tall for a woman, but without any of that look of length under which female altitude sometimes suffers"--suggests that she must have been a Creole, even though she was the daughter of a Louisiana planter ruined by the Civil War.

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

From this reading Mr. Peacocke had gone to St. Louis and become Vice-President of the College at Missouri, where he had met Mrs. Ferdinand Lefroy, whose appearance--dark brown complexion, with hair dark and very glossy, "tall for a woman, but without any of that look of length under which female altitude sometimes suffers"--suggests that she must have been a Creole, even though she was the daughter of a Louisiana planter ruined by the Civil War.

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

From this reading The Peacockes' behavior is so guarded--they accept no invitations, say nothing of their history--that a secret is suspected, and when Ferdinand Lefroy's brother suddenly appears and attempts to blackmail the Peacockes, the fat is in the fire.

the owner or manager of a plantation

From this reading Mr. Peacocke had gone to St. Louis and become Vice-President of the College at Missouri, where he had met Mrs. Ferdinand Lefroy, whose appearance--dark brown complexion, with hair dark and very glossy, "tall for a woman, but without any of that look of length under which female altitude sometimes suffers"--suggests that she must have been a Creole, even though she was the daughter of a Louisiana planter ruined by the Civil War.

past form of “reappear” — appear again

From this reading When her supposedly dead husband reappeared and again disappeared, Mr. Peacocke and Mrs. Lefroy went to England as man and wife.

made known or told about; especially presented in a formal account

From this reading Colonel Ferdinand Lefroy had gone to Mexico to seek his fortune, was reported to have been killed there, and Mrs. Lefroy had then married Mr. Peacocke.

destroyed physically or morally

From this reading Mr. Peacocke had gone to St. Louis and become Vice-President of the College at Missouri, where he had met Mrs. Ferdinand Lefroy, whose appearance--dark brown complexion, with hair dark and very glossy, "tall for a woman, but without any of that look of length under which female altitude sometimes suffers"--suggests that she must have been a Creole, even though she was the daughter of a Louisiana planter ruined by the Civil War.

express in words

From this reading The Peacockes' behavior is so guarded--they accept no invitations, say nothing of their history--that a secret is suspected, and when Ferdinand Lefroy's brother suddenly appears and attempts to blackmail the Peacockes, the fat is in the fire.

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

From this reading So here is a secret in an unstable state.

try to get or reach

From this reading Colonel Ferdinand Lefroy had gone to Mexico to seek his fortune, was reported to have been killed there, and Mrs. Lefroy had then married Mr. Peacocke.

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

From this reading Mr. Peacocke had gone to St. Louis and become Vice-President of the College at Missouri, where he had met Mrs. Ferdinand Lefroy, whose appearance--dark brown complexion, with hair dark and very glossy, "tall for a woman, but without any of that look of length under which female altitude sometimes suffers"--suggests that she must have been a Creole, even though she was the daughter of a Louisiana planter ruined by the Civil War.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading So here is a secret in an unstable state.

on certain occasions or in certain cases but not always

From this reading Mr. Peacocke had gone to St. Louis and become Vice-President of the College at Missouri, where he had met Mrs. Ferdinand Lefroy, whose appearance--dark brown complexion, with hair dark and very glossy, "tall for a woman, but without any of that look of length under which female altitude sometimes suffers"--suggests that she must have been a Creole, even though she was the daughter of a Louisiana planter ruined by the Civil War.

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

From this reading Mr. Peacocke had gone to St. Louis and become Vice-President of the College at Missouri, where he had met Mrs. Ferdinand Lefroy, whose appearance--dark brown complexion, with hair dark and very glossy, "tall for a woman, but without any of that look of length under which female altitude sometimes suffers"--suggests that she must have been a Creole, even though she was the daughter of a Louisiana planter ruined by the Civil War.

the territory occupied by one of the constituent administrative districts of a nation

From this reading So here is a secret in an unstable state.

happening unexpectedly

From this reading The Peacockes' behavior is so guarded--they accept no invitations, say nothing of their history--that a secret is suspected, and when Ferdinand Lefroy's brother suddenly appears and attempts to blackmail the Peacockes, the fat is in the fire.

third-person singular of “suffer” — undergo or be subjected to

From this reading Mr. Peacocke had gone to St. Louis and become Vice-President of the College at Missouri, where he had met Mrs. Ferdinand Lefroy, whose appearance--dark brown complexion, with hair dark and very glossy, "tall for a woman, but without any of that look of length under which female altitude sometimes suffers"--suggests that she must have been a Creole, even though she was the daughter of a Louisiana planter ruined by the Civil War.

third-person singular of “suggest” — make a proposal, declare a plan for something

From this reading Mr. Peacocke had gone to St. Louis and become Vice-President of the College at Missouri, where he had met Mrs. Ferdinand Lefroy, whose appearance--dark brown complexion, with hair dark and very glossy, "tall for a woman, but without any of that look of length under which female altitude sometimes suffers"--suggests that she must have been a Creole, even though she was the daughter of a Louisiana planter ruined by the Civil War.

believed or reputed to be the case

From this reading When her supposedly dead husband reappeared and again disappeared, Mr. Peacocke and Mrs. Lefroy went to England as man and wife.

believed likely

From this reading The Peacockes' behavior is so guarded--they accept no invitations, say nothing of their history--that a secret is suspected, and when Ferdinand Lefroy's brother suddenly appears and attempts to blackmail the Peacockes, the fat is in the fire.

great in vertical dimension; high in stature

From this reading Mr. Peacocke had gone to St. Louis and become Vice-President of the College at Missouri, where he had met Mrs. Ferdinand Lefroy, whose appearance--dark brown complexion, with hair dark and very glossy, "tall for a woman, but without any of that look of length under which female altitude sometimes suffers"--suggests that she must have been a Creole, even though she was the daughter of a Louisiana planter ruined by the Civil War.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Mr. Peacocke had gone to St. Louis and become Vice-President of the College at Missouri, where he had met Mrs. Ferdinand Lefroy, whose appearance--dark brown complexion, with hair dark and very glossy, "tall for a woman, but without any of that look of length under which female altitude sometimes suffers"--suggests that she must have been a Creole, even though she was the daughter of a Louisiana planter ruined by the Civil War.

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

From this reading Mr. Peacocke had gone to St. Louis and become Vice-President of the College at Missouri, where he had met Mrs. Ferdinand Lefroy, whose appearance--dark brown complexion, with hair dark and very glossy, "tall for a woman, but without any of that look of length under which female altitude sometimes suffers"--suggests that she must have been a Creole, even though she was the daughter of a Louisiana planter ruined by the Civil War.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading The Peacockes' behavior is so guarded--they accept no invitations, say nothing of their history--that a secret is suspected, and when Ferdinand Lefroy's brother suddenly appears and attempts to blackmail the Peacockes, the fat is in the fire.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading Colonel Ferdinand Lefroy had gone to Mexico to seek his fortune, was reported to have been killed there, and Mrs. Lefroy had then married Mr. Peacocke.

in or at that place or location

From this reading Colonel Ferdinand Lefroy had gone to Mexico to seek his fortune, was reported to have been killed there, and Mrs. Lefroy had then married Mr. Peacocke.

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading The Peacockes' behavior is so guarded--they accept no invitations, say nothing of their history--that a secret is suspected, and when Ferdinand Lefroy's brother suddenly appears and attempts to blackmail the Peacockes, the fat is in the fire.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading Mr. Peacocke had gone to St. Louis and become Vice-President of the College at Missouri, where he had met Mrs. Ferdinand Lefroy, whose appearance--dark brown complexion, with hair dark and very glossy, "tall for a woman, but without any of that look of length under which female altitude sometimes suffers"--suggests that she must have been a Creole, even though she was the daughter of a Louisiana planter ruined by the Civil War.

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

From this reading Mr. Peacocke had gone to St. Louis and become Vice-President of the College at Missouri, where he had met Mrs. Ferdinand Lefroy, whose appearance--dark brown complexion, with hair dark and very glossy, "tall for a woman, but without any of that look of length under which female altitude sometimes suffers"--suggests that she must have been a Creole, even though she was the daughter of a Louisiana planter ruined by the Civil War.

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading Mr. Peacocke had gone to St. Louis and become Vice-President of the College at Missouri, where he had met Mrs. Ferdinand Lefroy, whose appearance--dark brown complexion, with hair dark and very glossy, "tall for a woman, but without any of that look of length under which female altitude sometimes suffers"--suggests that she must have been a Creole, even though she was the daughter of a Louisiana planter ruined by the Civil War.

lacking stability or fixity or firmness

From this reading So here is a secret in an unstable state.

precisely as stated

From this reading Mr. Peacocke had gone to St. Louis and become Vice-President of the College at Missouri, where he had met Mrs. Ferdinand Lefroy, whose appearance--dark brown complexion, with hair dark and very glossy, "tall for a woman, but without any of that look of length under which female altitude sometimes suffers"--suggests that she must have been a Creole, even though she was the daughter of a Louisiana planter ruined by the Civil War.

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

From this reading Mr. Peacocke had gone to St. Louis and become Vice-President of the College at Missouri, where he had met Mrs. Ferdinand Lefroy, whose appearance--dark brown complexion, with hair dark and very glossy, "tall for a woman, but without any of that look of length under which female altitude sometimes suffers"--suggests that she must have been a Creole, even though she was the daughter of a Louisiana planter ruined by the Civil War.

the waging of armed conflict against an enemy

From this reading Mr. Peacocke had gone to St. Louis and become Vice-President of the College at Missouri, where he had met Mrs. Ferdinand Lefroy, whose appearance--dark brown complexion, with hair dark and very glossy, "tall for a woman, but without any of that look of length under which female altitude sometimes suffers"--suggests that she must have been a Creole, even though she was the daughter of a Louisiana planter ruined by the Civil War.

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

From this reading Mr. Peacocke had gone to St. Louis and become Vice-President of the College at Missouri, where he had met Mrs. Ferdinand Lefroy, whose appearance--dark brown complexion, with hair dark and very glossy, "tall for a woman, but without any of that look of length under which female altitude sometimes suffers"--suggests that she must have been a Creole, even though she was the daughter of a Louisiana planter ruined by the Civil War.

inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading When her supposedly dead husband reappeared and again disappeared, Mr. Peacocke and Mrs. Lefroy went to England as man and wife.

at the time that

From this reading When her supposedly dead husband reappeared and again disappeared, Mr. Peacocke and Mrs. Lefroy went to England as man and wife.

in or at the place that

From this reading Mr. Peacocke had gone to St. Louis and become Vice-President of the College at Missouri, where he had met Mrs. Ferdinand Lefroy, whose appearance--dark brown complexion, with hair dark and very glossy, "tall for a woman, but without any of that look of length under which female altitude sometimes suffers"--suggests that she must have been a Creole, even though she was the daughter of a Louisiana planter ruined by the Civil War.

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

From this reading Mr. Peacocke had gone to St. Louis and become Vice-President of the College at Missouri, where he had met Mrs. Ferdinand Lefroy, whose appearance--dark brown complexion, with hair dark and very glossy, "tall for a woman, but without any of that look of length under which female altitude sometimes suffers"--suggests that she must have been a Creole, even though she was the daughter of a Louisiana planter ruined by the Civil War.

belonging to which person

From this reading Mr. Peacocke had gone to St. Louis and become Vice-President of the College at Missouri, where he had met Mrs. Ferdinand Lefroy, whose appearance--dark brown complexion, with hair dark and very glossy, "tall for a woman, but without any of that look of length under which female altitude sometimes suffers"--suggests that she must have been a Creole, even though she was the daughter of a Louisiana planter ruined by the Civil War.

a married woman; a man's partner in marriage

From this reading When her supposedly dead husband reappeared and again disappeared, Mr. Peacocke and Mrs. Lefroy went to England as man and wife.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Mr. Peacocke had gone to St. Louis and become Vice-President of the College at Missouri, where he had met Mrs. Ferdinand Lefroy, whose appearance--dark brown complexion, with hair dark and very glossy, "tall for a woman, but without any of that look of length under which female altitude sometimes suffers"--suggests that she must have been a Creole, even though she was the daughter of a Louisiana planter ruined by the Civil War.

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading Mr. Peacocke had gone to St. Louis and become Vice-President of the College at Missouri, where he had met Mrs. Ferdinand Lefroy, whose appearance--dark brown complexion, with hair dark and very glossy, "tall for a woman, but without any of that look of length under which female altitude sometimes suffers"--suggests that she must have been a Creole, even though she was the daughter of a Louisiana planter ruined by the Civil War.

an adult female person (as opposed to a man)

From this reading Mr. Peacocke had gone to St. Louis and become Vice-President of the College at Missouri, where he had met Mrs. Ferdinand Lefroy, whose appearance--dark brown complexion, with hair dark and very glossy, "tall for a woman, but without any of that look of length under which female altitude sometimes suffers"--suggests that she must have been a Creole, even though she was the daughter of a Louisiana planter ruined by the Civil War.