used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading As he watched the Duchess of Dawn leading Sallie gently out of the banquet-hall, he would have given a very great deal to have been free to follow them, for Sallie had looked back at him out of tear-dimmed eyes as she went, with an expression he could not quite understand.
anew
From this reading THE TENTH EARL Carthew was feeling anything but fit to cope with all the cares and responsibilities which had devolved upon him again, under circumstances so shocking, no less suddenly than he had been relieved of them all--along with that place in life to which they pertained--by the man now lying dead on the floor before him.
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading THE TENTH EARL Carthew was feeling anything but fit to cope with all the cares and responsibilities which had devolved upon him again, under circumstances so shocking, no less suddenly than he had been relieved of them all--along with that place in life to which they pertained--by the man now lying dead on the floor before him.
alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading THE TENTH EARL Carthew was feeling anything but fit to cope with all the cares and responsibilities which had devolved upon him again, under circumstances so shocking, no less suddenly than he had been relieved of them all--along with that place in life to which they pertained--by the man now lying dead on the floor before him.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading As he watched the Duchess of Dawn leading Sallie gently out of the banquet-hall, he would have given a very great deal to have been free to follow them, for Sallie had looked back at him out of tear-dimmed eyes as she went, with an expression he could not quite understand.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE TENTH EARL Carthew was feeling anything but fit to cope with all the cares and responsibilities which had devolved upon him again, under circumstances so shocking, no less suddenly than he had been relieved of them all--along with that place in life to which they pertained--by the man now lying dead on the floor before him.
eagerly desirous
From this reading And, now that she too knew the very worst there was to be told, he was desperately anxious to find out how she was going to deal with him, under such changed conditions.
any thing at all
From this reading THE TENTH EARL Carthew was feeling anything but fit to cope with all the cares and responsibilities which had devolved upon him again, under circumstances so shocking, no less suddenly than he had been relieved of them all--along with that place in life to which they pertained--by the man now lying dead on the floor before him.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As he watched the Duchess of Dawn leading Sallie gently out of the banquet-hall, he would have given a very great deal to have been free to follow them, for Sallie had looked back at him out of tear-dimmed eyes as she went, with an expression he could not quite understand.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading As he watched the Duchess of Dawn leading Sallie gently out of the banquet-hall, he would have given a very great deal to have been free to follow them, for Sallie had looked back at him out of tear-dimmed eyes as she went, with an expression he could not quite understand.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading As he watched the Duchess of Dawn leading Sallie gently out of the banquet-hall, he would have given a very great deal to have been free to follow them, for Sallie had looked back at him out of tear-dimmed eyes as she went, with an expression he could not quite understand.
banquet-hall
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As he watched the Duchess of Dawn leading Sallie gently out of the banquet-hall, he would have given a very great deal to have been free to follow them, for Sallie had looked back at him out of tear-dimmed eyes as she went, with an expression he could not quite understand.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading And, now that she too knew the very worst there was to be told, he was desperately anxious to find out how she was going to deal with him, under such changed conditions.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading THE TENTH EARL Carthew was feeling anything but fit to cope with all the cares and responsibilities which had devolved upon him again, under circumstances so shocking, no less suddenly than he had been relieved of them all--along with that place in life to which they pertained--by the man now lying dead on the floor before him.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading THE TENTH EARL Carthew was feeling anything but fit to cope with all the cares and responsibilities which had devolved upon him again, under circumstances so shocking, no less suddenly than he had been relieved of them all--along with that place in life to which they pertained--by the man now lying dead on the floor before him.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading THE TENTH EARL Carthew was feeling anything but fit to cope with all the cares and responsibilities which had devolved upon him again, under circumstances so shocking, no less suddenly than he had been relieved of them all--along with that place in life to which they pertained--by the man now lying dead on the floor before him.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading THE TENTH EARL Carthew was feeling anything but fit to cope with all the cares and responsibilities which had devolved upon him again, under circumstances so shocking, no less suddenly than he had been relieved of them all--along with that place in life to which they pertained--by the man now lying dead on the floor before him.
caresnounUS /kerz/
plural of “care” — the work of providing treatment for or attending to someone or something
From this reading THE TENTH EARL Carthew was feeling anything but fit to cope with all the cares and responsibilities which had devolved upon him again, under circumstances so shocking, no less suddenly than he had been relieved of them all--along with that place in life to which they pertained--by the man now lying dead on the floor before him.
Carthew
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE TENTH EARL Carthew was feeling anything but fit to cope with all the cares and responsibilities which had devolved upon him again, under circumstances so shocking, no less suddenly than he had been relieved of them all--along with that place in life to which they pertained--by the man now lying dead on the floor before him.
made or become different in nature or form
From this reading And, now that she too knew the very worst there was to be told, he was desperately anxious to find out how she was going to deal with him, under such changed conditions.
your overall circumstances or condition in life (including everything that happens to you)
From this reading THE TENTH EARL Carthew was feeling anything but fit to cope with all the cares and responsibilities which had devolved upon him again, under circumstances so shocking, no less suddenly than he had been relieved of them all--along with that place in life to which they pertained--by the man now lying dead on the floor before him.
the prevailing context that influences the performance or the outcome of a process
From this reading And, now that she too knew the very worst there was to be told, he was desperately anxious to find out how she was going to deal with him, under such changed conditions.
copeverbUS /koʊp/
succeed in doing, achieving, or producing (something) with the limited or inadequate means available
From this reading THE TENTH EARL Carthew was feeling anything but fit to cope with all the cares and responsibilities which had devolved upon him again, under circumstances so shocking, no less suddenly than he had been relieved of them all--along with that place in life to which they pertained--by the man now lying dead on the floor before him.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading As he watched the Duchess of Dawn leading Sallie gently out of the banquet-hall, he would have given a very great deal to have been free to follow them, for Sallie had looked back at him out of tear-dimmed eyes as she went, with an expression he could not quite understand.
the first light of day
From this reading As he watched the Duchess of Dawn leading Sallie gently out of the banquet-hall, he would have given a very great deal to have been free to follow them, for Sallie had looked back at him out of tear-dimmed eyes as she went, with an expression he could not quite understand.
no longer having or seeming to have or expecting to have life
From this reading THE TENTH EARL Carthew was feeling anything but fit to cope with all the cares and responsibilities which had devolved upon him again, under circumstances so shocking, no less suddenly than he had been relieved of them all--along with that place in life to which they pertained--by the man now lying dead on the floor before him.
act on verbally or in some form of artistic expression
From this reading As he watched the Duchess of Dawn leading Sallie gently out of the banquet-hall, he would have given a very great deal to have been free to follow them, for Sallie had looked back at him out of tear-dimmed eyes as she went, with an expression he could not quite understand.
desperatelyadverbUS /ˈdespərətli/
with great urgency
From this reading And, now that she too knew the very worst there was to be told, he was desperately anxious to find out how she was going to deal with him, under such changed conditions.
devolvedverbUS /dɪˈvɑːlvd/
past form of “devolve” — pass on or delegate to another
From this reading THE TENTH EARL Carthew was feeling anything but fit to cope with all the cares and responsibilities which had devolved upon him again, under circumstances so shocking, no less suddenly than he had been relieved of them all--along with that place in life to which they pertained--by the man now lying dead on the floor before him.
having made preparations
From this reading But there were matters even more urgent to be disposed of, for her sake too, before he could set himself right with her.
DuchessnounUS /ˈdʌtʃəs/
the wife of a duke or a woman holding ducal title in her own right
From this reading As he watched the Duchess of Dawn leading Sallie gently out of the banquet-hall, he would have given a very great deal to have been free to follow them, for Sallie had looked back at him out of tear-dimmed eyes as she went, with an expression he could not quite understand.
a British peer ranking below a marquess and above a viscount
From this reading THE TENTH EARL Carthew was feeling anything but fit to cope with all the cares and responsibilities which had devolved upon him again, under circumstances so shocking, no less suddenly than he had been relieved of them all--along with that place in life to which they pertained--by the man now lying dead on the floor before him.
earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something
From this reading He pulled himself together, with a great effort.
divisible by two
From this reading But there were matters even more urgent to be disposed of, for her sake too, before he could set himself right with her.
the feelings expressed on a person's face
From this reading As he watched the Duchess of Dawn leading Sallie gently out of the banquet-hall, he would have given a very great deal to have been free to follow them, for Sallie had looked back at him out of tear-dimmed eyes as she went, with an expression he could not quite understand.
opinion or judgment
From this reading As he watched the Duchess of Dawn leading Sallie gently out of the banquet-hall, he would have given a very great deal to have been free to follow them, for Sallie had looked back at him out of tear-dimmed eyes as she went, with an expression he could not quite understand.
the experiencing of affective and emotional states
From this reading THE TENTH EARL Carthew was feeling anything but fit to cope with all the cares and responsibilities which had devolved upon him again, under circumstances so shocking, no less suddenly than he had been relieved of them all--along with that place in life to which they pertained--by the man now lying dead on the floor before him.
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading And, now that she too knew the very worst there was to be told, he was desperately anxious to find out how she was going to deal with him, under such changed conditions.
be agreeable or acceptable to
From this reading THE TENTH EARL Carthew was feeling anything but fit to cope with all the cares and responsibilities which had devolved upon him again, under circumstances so shocking, no less suddenly than he had been relieved of them all--along with that place in life to which they pertained--by the man now lying dead on the floor before him.
the inside lower horizontal surface (as of a room, hallway, tent, or other structure)
From this reading THE TENTH EARL Carthew was feeling anything but fit to cope with all the cares and responsibilities which had devolved upon him again, under circumstances so shocking, no less suddenly than he had been relieved of them all--along with that place in life to which they pertained--by the man now lying dead on the floor before him.
to travel behind, go after, come after
From this reading As he watched the Duchess of Dawn leading Sallie gently out of the banquet-hall, he would have given a very great deal to have been free to follow them, for Sallie had looked back at him out of tear-dimmed eyes as she went, with an expression he could not quite understand.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading As he watched the Duchess of Dawn leading Sallie gently out of the banquet-hall, he would have given a very great deal to have been free to follow them, for Sallie had looked back at him out of tear-dimmed eyes as she went, with an expression he could not quite understand.
grant freedom to; free from confinement
From this reading As he watched the Duchess of Dawn leading Sallie gently out of the banquet-hall, he would have given a very great deal to have been free to follow them, for Sallie had looked back at him out of tear-dimmed eyes as she went, with an expression he could not quite understand.
in a gradual manner
From this reading As he watched the Duchess of Dawn leading Sallie gently out of the banquet-hall, he would have given a very great deal to have been free to follow them, for Sallie had looked back at him out of tear-dimmed eyes as she went, with an expression he could not quite understand.
givenadjectiveUS /ˈɡɪvən/
acknowledged as a supposition
From this reading As he watched the Duchess of Dawn leading Sallie gently out of the banquet-hall, he would have given a very great deal to have been free to follow them, for Sallie had looked back at him out of tear-dimmed eyes as she went, with an expression he could not quite understand.
the act of departing
From this reading And, now that she too knew the very worst there was to be told, he was desperately anxious to find out how she was going to deal with him, under such changed conditions.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading As he watched the Duchess of Dawn leading Sallie gently out of the banquet-hall, he would have given a very great deal to have been free to follow them, for Sallie had looked back at him out of tear-dimmed eyes as she went, with an expression he could not quite understand.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading THE TENTH EARL Carthew was feeling anything but fit to cope with all the cares and responsibilities which had devolved upon him again, under circumstances so shocking, no less suddenly than he had been relieved of them all--along with that place in life to which they pertained--by the man now lying dead on the floor before him.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading As he watched the Duchess of Dawn leading Sallie gently out of the banquet-hall, he would have given a very great deal to have been free to follow them, for Sallie had looked back at him out of tear-dimmed eyes as she went, with an expression he could not quite understand.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading THE TENTH EARL Carthew was feeling anything but fit to cope with all the cares and responsibilities which had devolved upon him again, under circumstances so shocking, no less suddenly than he had been relieved of them all--along with that place in life to which they pertained--by the man now lying dead on the floor before him.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading But there were matters even more urgent to be disposed of, for her sake too, before he could set himself right with her.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading THE TENTH EARL Carthew was feeling anything but fit to cope with all the cares and responsibilities which had devolved upon him again, under circumstances so shocking, no less suddenly than he had been relieved of them all--along with that place in life to which they pertained--by the man now lying dead on the floor before him.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading But there were matters even more urgent to be disposed of, for her sake too, before he could set himself right with her.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And, now that she too knew the very worst there was to be told, he was desperately anxious to find out how she was going to deal with him, under such changed conditions.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE TENTH EARL Carthew was feeling anything but fit to cope with all the cares and responsibilities which had devolved upon him again, under circumstances so shocking, no less suddenly than he had been relieved of them all--along with that place in life to which they pertained--by the man now lying dead on the floor before him.
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading And, now that she too knew the very worst there was to be told, he was desperately anxious to find out how she was going to deal with him, under such changed conditions.
indicating the most important performer or role
From this reading As he watched the Duchess of Dawn leading Sallie gently out of the banquet-hall, he would have given a very great deal to have been free to follow them, for Sallie had looked back at him out of tear-dimmed eyes as she went, with an expression he could not quite understand.
used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs
From this reading THE TENTH EARL Carthew was feeling anything but fit to cope with all the cares and responsibilities which had devolved upon him again, under circumstances so shocking, no less suddenly than he had been relieved of them all--along with that place in life to which they pertained--by the man now lying dead on the floor before him.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading THE TENTH EARL Carthew was feeling anything but fit to cope with all the cares and responsibilities which had devolved upon him again, under circumstances so shocking, no less suddenly than he had been relieved of them all--along with that place in life to which they pertained--by the man now lying dead on the floor before him.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading As he watched the Duchess of Dawn leading Sallie gently out of the banquet-hall, he would have given a very great deal to have been free to follow them, for Sallie had looked back at him out of tear-dimmed eyes as she went, with an expression he could not quite understand.
the deliberate act of deviating from the truth
From this reading THE TENTH EARL Carthew was feeling anything but fit to cope with all the cares and responsibilities which had devolved upon him again, under circumstances so shocking, no less suddenly than he had been relieved of them all--along with that place in life to which they pertained--by the man now lying dead on the floor before him.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading THE TENTH EARL Carthew was feeling anything but fit to cope with all the cares and responsibilities which had devolved upon him again, under circumstances so shocking, no less suddenly than he had been relieved of them all--along with that place in life to which they pertained--by the man now lying dead on the floor before him.
plural of “matter” — a vaguely specified concern
From this reading But there were matters even more urgent to be disposed of, for her sake too, before he could set himself right with her.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading But there were matters even more urgent to be disposed of, for her sake too, before he could set himself right with her.
not any; not one
From this reading THE TENTH EARL Carthew was feeling anything but fit to cope with all the cares and responsibilities which had devolved upon him again, under circumstances so shocking, no less suddenly than he had been relieved of them all--along with that place in life to which they pertained--by the man now lying dead on the floor before him.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading As he watched the Duchess of Dawn leading Sallie gently out of the banquet-hall, he would have given a very great deal to have been free to follow them, for Sallie had looked back at him out of tear-dimmed eyes as she went, with an expression he could not quite understand.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading THE TENTH EARL Carthew was feeling anything but fit to cope with all the cares and responsibilities which had devolved upon him again, under circumstances so shocking, no less suddenly than he had been relieved of them all--along with that place in life to which they pertained--by the man now lying dead on the floor before him.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE TENTH EARL Carthew was feeling anything but fit to cope with all the cares and responsibilities which had devolved upon him again, under circumstances so shocking, no less suddenly than he had been relieved of them all--along with that place in life to which they pertained--by the man now lying dead on the floor before him.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading THE TENTH EARL Carthew was feeling anything but fit to cope with all the cares and responsibilities which had devolved upon him again, under circumstances so shocking, no less suddenly than he had been relieved of them all--along with that place in life to which they pertained--by the man now lying dead on the floor before him.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading As he watched the Duchess of Dawn leading Sallie gently out of the banquet-hall, he would have given a very great deal to have been free to follow them, for Sallie had looked back at him out of tear-dimmed eyes as she went, with an expression he could not quite understand.
pertainedverbUS /pərˈteɪnd/
past form of “pertain” — be relevant to
From this reading THE TENTH EARL Carthew was feeling anything but fit to cope with all the cares and responsibilities which had devolved upon him again, under circumstances so shocking, no less suddenly than he had been relieved of them all--along with that place in life to which they pertained--by the man now lying dead on the floor before him.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading THE TENTH EARL Carthew was feeling anything but fit to cope with all the cares and responsibilities which had devolved upon him again, under circumstances so shocking, no less suddenly than he had been relieved of them all--along with that place in life to which they pertained--by the man now lying dead on the floor before him.
past form of “pull” — cause to move by pulling
From this reading He pulled himself together, with a great effort.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading As he watched the Duchess of Dawn leading Sallie gently out of the banquet-hall, he would have given a very great deal to have been free to follow them, for Sallie had looked back at him out of tear-dimmed eyes as she went, with an expression he could not quite understand.
(of pain or sorrow) made easier to bear
From this reading THE TENTH EARL Carthew was feeling anything but fit to cope with all the cares and responsibilities which had devolved upon him again, under circumstances so shocking, no less suddenly than he had been relieved of them all--along with that place in life to which they pertained--by the man now lying dead on the floor before him.
responsibilitiesnounUS /riˌspɑːnsəˈbɪlətiz/
plural of “responsibility” — the social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force
From this reading THE TENTH EARL Carthew was feeling anything but fit to cope with all the cares and responsibilities which had devolved upon him again, under circumstances so shocking, no less suddenly than he had been relieved of them all--along with that place in life to which they pertained--by the man now lying dead on the floor before him.
precisely, exactly
From this reading But there were matters even more urgent to be disposed of, for her sake too, before he could set himself right with her.
a reason for wanting something done
From this reading But there were matters even more urgent to be disposed of, for her sake too, before he could set himself right with her.
Sallie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As he watched the Duchess of Dawn leading Sallie gently out of the banquet-hall, he would have given a very great deal to have been free to follow them, for Sallie had looked back at him out of tear-dimmed eyes as she went, with an expression he could not quite understand.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading But there were matters even more urgent to be disposed of, for her sake too, before he could set himself right with her.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading As he watched the Duchess of Dawn leading Sallie gently out of the banquet-hall, he would have given a very great deal to have been free to follow them, for Sallie had looked back at him out of tear-dimmed eyes as she went, with an expression he could not quite understand.
shockingadjectiveUS /ˈʃɑːkɪŋ/
glaringly vivid and graphic; marked by sensationalism
From this reading THE TENTH EARL Carthew was feeling anything but fit to cope with all the cares and responsibilities which had devolved upon him again, under circumstances so shocking, no less suddenly than he had been relieved of them all--along with that place in life to which they pertained--by the man now lying dead on the floor before him.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading THE TENTH EARL Carthew was feeling anything but fit to cope with all the cares and responsibilities which had devolved upon him again, under circumstances so shocking, no less suddenly than he had been relieved of them all--along with that place in life to which they pertained--by the man now lying dead on the floor before him.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading And, now that she too knew the very worst there was to be told, he was desperately anxious to find out how she was going to deal with him, under such changed conditions.
happening unexpectedly
From this reading THE TENTH EARL Carthew was feeling anything but fit to cope with all the cares and responsibilities which had devolved upon him again, under circumstances so shocking, no less suddenly than he had been relieved of them all--along with that place in life to which they pertained--by the man now lying dead on the floor before him.
tear-dimmed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As he watched the Duchess of Dawn leading Sallie gently out of the banquet-hall, he would have given a very great deal to have been free to follow them, for Sallie had looked back at him out of tear-dimmed eyes as she went, with an expression he could not quite understand.
TENTHnounUS /tenθ/
a tenth part; one part in ten equal parts
From this reading THE TENTH EARL Carthew was feeling anything but fit to cope with all the cares and responsibilities which had devolved upon him again, under circumstances so shocking, no less suddenly than he had been relieved of them all--along with that place in life to which they pertained--by the man now lying dead on the floor before him.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading THE TENTH EARL Carthew was feeling anything but fit to cope with all the cares and responsibilities which had devolved upon him again, under circumstances so shocking, no less suddenly than he had been relieved of them all--along with that place in life to which they pertained--by the man now lying dead on the floor before him.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading THE TENTH EARL Carthew was feeling anything but fit to cope with all the cares and responsibilities which had devolved upon him again, under circumstances so shocking, no less suddenly than he had been relieved of them all--along with that place in life to which they pertained--by the man now lying dead on the floor before him.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE TENTH EARL Carthew was feeling anything but fit to cope with all the cares and responsibilities which had devolved upon him again, under circumstances so shocking, no less suddenly than he had been relieved of them all--along with that place in life to which they pertained--by the man now lying dead on the floor before him.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading THE TENTH EARL Carthew was feeling anything but fit to cope with all the cares and responsibilities which had devolved upon him again, under circumstances so shocking, no less suddenly than he had been relieved of them all--along with that place in life to which they pertained--by the man now lying dead on the floor before him.
in or at that place or location
From this reading And, now that she too knew the very worst there was to be told, he was desperately anxious to find out how she was going to deal with him, under such changed conditions.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading THE TENTH EARL Carthew was feeling anything but fit to cope with all the cares and responsibilities which had devolved upon him again, under circumstances so shocking, no less suddenly than he had been relieved of them all--along with that place in life to which they pertained--by the man now lying dead on the floor before him.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE TENTH EARL Carthew was feeling anything but fit to cope with all the cares and responsibilities which had devolved upon him again, under circumstances so shocking, no less suddenly than he had been relieved of them all--along with that place in life to which they pertained--by the man now lying dead on the floor before him.
in contact with each other or in proximity
From this reading He pulled himself together, with a great effort.
inflected form of “tell” — express in words
From this reading And, now that she too knew the very worst there was to be told, he was desperately anxious to find out how she was going to deal with him, under such changed conditions.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading And, now that she too knew the very worst there was to be told, he was desperately anxious to find out how she was going to deal with him, under such changed conditions.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading THE TENTH EARL Carthew was feeling anything but fit to cope with all the cares and responsibilities which had devolved upon him again, under circumstances so shocking, no less suddenly than he had been relieved of them all--along with that place in life to which they pertained--by the man now lying dead on the floor before him.
know and comprehend the nature or meaning of
From this reading As he watched the Duchess of Dawn leading Sallie gently out of the banquet-hall, he would have given a very great deal to have been free to follow them, for Sallie had looked back at him out of tear-dimmed eyes as she went, with an expression he could not quite understand.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading THE TENTH EARL Carthew was feeling anything but fit to cope with all the cares and responsibilities which had devolved upon him again, under circumstances so shocking, no less suddenly than he had been relieved of them all--along with that place in life to which they pertained--by the man now lying dead on the floor before him.
urgentadjectiveUS /ˈɜːrdʒənt/
compelling immediate action
From this reading But there were matters even more urgent to be disposed of, for her sake too, before he could set himself right with her.
precisely as stated
From this reading As he watched the Duchess of Dawn leading Sallie gently out of the banquet-hall, he would have given a very great deal to have been free to follow them, for Sallie had looked back at him out of tear-dimmed eyes as she went, with an expression he could not quite understand.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE TENTH EARL Carthew was feeling anything but fit to cope with all the cares and responsibilities which had devolved upon him again, under circumstances so shocking, no less suddenly than he had been relieved of them all--along with that place in life to which they pertained--by the man now lying dead on the floor before him.
past form of “watch” — look attentively
From this reading As he watched the Duchess of Dawn leading Sallie gently out of the banquet-hall, he would have given a very great deal to have been free to follow them, for Sallie had looked back at him out of tear-dimmed eyes as she went, with an expression he could not quite understand.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading As he watched the Duchess of Dawn leading Sallie gently out of the banquet-hall, he would have given a very great deal to have been free to follow them, for Sallie had looked back at him out of tear-dimmed eyes as she went, with an expression he could not quite understand.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading But there were matters even more urgent to be disposed of, for her sake too, before he could set himself right with her.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading THE TENTH EARL Carthew was feeling anything but fit to cope with all the cares and responsibilities which had devolved upon him again, under circumstances so shocking, no less suddenly than he had been relieved of them all--along with that place in life to which they pertained--by the man now lying dead on the floor before him.
in the company of; together with
From this reading THE TENTH EARL Carthew was feeling anything but fit to cope with all the cares and responsibilities which had devolved upon him again, under circumstances so shocking, no less suddenly than he had been relieved of them all--along with that place in life to which they pertained--by the man now lying dead on the floor before him.
the least favorable outcome
From this reading And, now that she too knew the very worst there was to be told, he was desperately anxious to find out how she was going to deal with him, under such changed conditions.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading As he watched the Duchess of Dawn leading Sallie gently out of the banquet-hall, he would have given a very great deal to have been free to follow them, for Sallie had looked back at him out of tear-dimmed eyes as she went, with an expression he could not quite understand.
