Chapter XVII · Chapter 17

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

From this reading VINNIE MAKES A BEGINNING.

something done (usually as opposed to something said)

From this reading She could think of no relief but in action.

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading The sight of the sick ones, the mother enfeebled in mind as well as in body, Lord Betterson pompous and complacent in the midst of so much misery, little Lill alone making headway against a deluge of disorder,--all this filled her with distress and dismay.

(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 Vinnie learned only too soon why Jack had dreaded so much to have her enter the Betterson household; and, in a momentary depression of spirits, she asked herself whether, if she had known all she was undertaking, she would not have shrunk from it.

Having no one else present.

From this reading The sight of the sick ones, the mother enfeebled in mind as well as in body, Lord Betterson pompous and complacent in the midst of so much misery, little Lill alone making headway against a deluge of disorder,--all this filled her with distress and dismay.

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

From this reading Vinnie learned only too soon why Jack had dreaded so much to have her enter the Betterson household; and, in a momentary depression of spirits, she asked herself whether, if she had known all she was undertaking, she would not have shrunk from it.

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

From this reading The sight of the sick ones, the mother enfeebled in mind as well as in body, Lord Betterson pompous and complacent in the midst of so much misery, little Lill alone making headway against a deluge of disorder,--all this filled her with distress and dismay.

past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody

From this reading Vinnie learned only too soon why Jack had dreaded so much to have her enter the Betterson household; and, in a momentary depression of spirits, she asked herself whether, if she had known all she was undertaking, she would not have shrunk from it.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading "I shall stifle," thought she, "unless I go to work at once, setting things to rights."

the event consisting of the start of something

From this reading VINNIE MAKES A BEGINNING.

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

From this reading Vinnie learned only too soon why Jack had dreaded so much to have her enter the Betterson household; and, in a momentary depression of spirits, she asked herself whether, if she had known all she was undertaking, she would not have shrunk from it.

the entire physical structure of an organism (an animal, plant, or human being)

From this reading The sight of the sick ones, the mother enfeebled in mind as well as in body, Lord Betterson pompous and complacent in the midst of so much misery, little Lill alone making headway against a deluge of disorder,--all this filled her with distress and dismay.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading She could think of no relief but in action.

contented to a fault with oneself or one's actions

From this reading The sight of the sick ones, the mother enfeebled in mind as well as in body, Lord Betterson pompous and complacent in the midst of so much misery, little Lill alone making headway against a deluge of disorder,--all this filled her with distress and dismay.

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

From this reading She could think of no relief but in action.

an overwhelming number or amount

From this reading The sight of the sick ones, the mother enfeebled in mind as well as in body, Lord Betterson pompous and complacent in the midst of so much misery, little Lill alone making headway against a deluge of disorder,--all this filled her with distress and dismay.

a mental state characterized by a pessimistic sense of inadequacy and a despondent lack of activity

From this reading Vinnie learned only too soon why Jack had dreaded so much to have her enter the Betterson household; and, in a momentary depression of spirits, she asked herself whether, if she had known all she was undertaking, she would not have shrunk from it.

the feeling of despair in the face of obstacles

From this reading The sight of the sick ones, the mother enfeebled in mind as well as in body, Lord Betterson pompous and complacent in the midst of so much misery, little Lill alone making headway against a deluge of disorder,--all this filled her with distress and dismay.

a physical condition in which there is a disturbance of normal functioning

From this reading The sight of the sick ones, the mother enfeebled in mind as well as in body, Lord Betterson pompous and complacent in the midst of so much misery, little Lill alone making headway against a deluge of disorder,--all this filled her with distress and dismay.

psychological suffering

From this reading The sight of the sick ones, the mother enfeebled in mind as well as in body, Lord Betterson pompous and complacent in the midst of so much misery, little Lill alone making headway against a deluge of disorder,--all this filled her with distress and dismay.

causing fear or dread or terror

From this reading Vinnie learned only too soon why Jack had dreaded so much to have her enter the Betterson household; and, in a momentary depression of spirits, she asked herself whether, if she had known all she was undertaking, she would not have shrunk from it.

past form of “enfeeble” — make weak

From this reading The sight of the sick ones, the mother enfeebled in mind as well as in body, Lord Betterson pompous and complacent in the midst of so much misery, little Lill alone making headway against a deluge of disorder,--all this filled her with distress and dismay.

to come or go into

From this reading Vinnie learned only too soon why Jack had dreaded so much to have her enter the Betterson household; and, in a momentary depression of spirits, she asked herself whether, if she had known all she was undertaking, she would not have shrunk from it.

(usually followed by “with” or used as a combining form) generously supplied with

From this reading The sight of the sick ones, the mother enfeebled in mind as well as in body, Lord Betterson pompous and complacent in the midst of so much misery, little Lill alone making headway against a deluge of disorder,--all this filled her with distress and dismay.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Vinnie learned only too soon why Jack had dreaded so much to have her enter the Betterson household; and, in a momentary depression of spirits, she asked herself whether, if she had known all she was undertaking, she would not have shrunk from it.

change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading "I shall stifle," thought she, "unless I go to work at once, setting things to rights."

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

From this reading Vinnie learned only too soon why Jack had dreaded so much to have her enter the Betterson household; and, in a momentary depression of spirits, she asked herself whether, if she had known all she was undertaking, she would not have shrunk from it.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading Vinnie learned only too soon why Jack had dreaded so much to have her enter the Betterson household; and, in a momentary depression of spirits, she asked herself whether, if she had known all she was undertaking, she would not have shrunk from it.

vertical space available to allow easy passage under something

From this reading The sight of the sick ones, the mother enfeebled in mind as well as in body, Lord Betterson pompous and complacent in the midst of so much misery, little Lill alone making headway against a deluge of disorder,--all this filled her with distress and dismay.

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

From this reading Vinnie learned only too soon why Jack had dreaded so much to have her enter the Betterson household; and, in a momentary depression of spirits, she asked herself whether, if she had known all she was undertaking, she would not have shrunk from it.

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

From this reading Vinnie learned only too soon why Jack had dreaded so much to have her enter the Betterson household; and, in a momentary depression of spirits, she asked herself whether, if she had known all she was undertaking, she would not have shrunk from it.

a social unit living together

From this reading Vinnie learned only too soon why Jack had dreaded so much to have her enter the Betterson household; and, in a momentary depression of spirits, she asked herself whether, if she had known all she was undertaking, she would not have shrunk from it.

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

From this reading "I shall stifle," thought she, "unless I go to work at once, setting things to rights."

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading Vinnie learned only too soon why Jack had dreaded so much to have her enter the Betterson household; and, in a momentary depression of spirits, she asked herself whether, if she had known all she was undertaking, she would not have shrunk from it.

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

From this reading Vinnie learned only too soon why Jack had dreaded so much to have her enter the Betterson household; and, in a momentary depression of spirits, she asked herself whether, if she had known all she was undertaking, she would not have shrunk from it.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Vinnie learned only too soon why Jack had dreaded so much to have her enter the Betterson household; and, in a momentary depression of spirits, she asked herself whether, if she had known all she was undertaking, she would not have shrunk from it.

a small worthless amount

From this reading Vinnie learned only too soon why Jack had dreaded so much to have her enter the Betterson household; and, in a momentary depression of spirits, she asked herself whether, if she had known all she was undertaking, she would not have shrunk from it.

apprehended with certainty

From this reading Vinnie learned only too soon why Jack had dreaded so much to have her enter the Betterson household; and, in a momentary depression of spirits, she asked herself whether, if she had known all she was undertaking, she would not have shrunk from it.

having or showing profound knowledge

From this reading Vinnie learned only too soon why Jack had dreaded so much to have her enter the Betterson household; and, in a momentary depression of spirits, she asked herself whether, if she had known all she was undertaking, she would not have shrunk from it.

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

From this reading The sight of the sick ones, the mother enfeebled in mind as well as in body, Lord Betterson pompous and complacent in the midst of so much misery, little Lill alone making headway against a deluge of disorder,--all this filled her with distress and dismay.

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

From this reading The sight of the sick ones, the mother enfeebled in mind as well as in body, Lord Betterson pompous and complacent in the midst of so much misery, little Lill alone making headway against a deluge of disorder,--all this filled her with distress and dismay.

terms referring to the Judeo-Christian God

From this reading The sight of the sick ones, the mother enfeebled in mind as well as in body, Lord Betterson pompous and complacent in the midst of so much misery, little Lill alone making headway against a deluge of disorder,--all this filled her with distress and dismay.

plural of “make” — a recognizable kind

From this reading VINNIE MAKES A BEGINNING.

the act that results in something coming to be

From this reading The sight of the sick ones, the mother enfeebled in mind as well as in body, Lord Betterson pompous and complacent in the midst of so much misery, little Lill alone making headway against a deluge of disorder,--all this filled her with distress and dismay.

the location of something surrounded by other things

From this reading The sight of the sick ones, the mother enfeebled in mind as well as in body, Lord Betterson pompous and complacent in the midst of so much misery, little Lill alone making headway against a deluge of disorder,--all this filled her with distress and dismay.

The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.

From this reading The sight of the sick ones, the mother enfeebled in mind as well as in body, Lord Betterson pompous and complacent in the midst of so much misery, little Lill alone making headway against a deluge of disorder,--all this filled her with distress and dismay.

a state of ill-being due to affliction or misfortune

From this reading The sight of the sick ones, the mother enfeebled in mind as well as in body, Lord Betterson pompous and complacent in the midst of so much misery, little Lill alone making headway against a deluge of disorder,--all this filled her with distress and dismay.

lasting for a markedly brief time

From this reading Vinnie learned only too soon why Jack had dreaded so much to have her enter the Betterson household; and, in a momentary depression of spirits, she asked herself whether, if she had known all she was undertaking, she would not have shrunk from it.

a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)

From this reading The sight of the sick ones, the mother enfeebled in mind as well as in body, Lord Betterson pompous and complacent in the midst of so much misery, little Lill alone making headway against a deluge of disorder,--all this filled her with distress and dismay.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading Vinnie learned only too soon why Jack had dreaded so much to have her enter the Betterson household; and, in a momentary depression of spirits, she asked herself whether, if she had known all she was undertaking, she would not have shrunk from it.

not any; not one

From this reading She could think of no relief but in action.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Vinnie learned only too soon why Jack had dreaded so much to have her enter the Betterson household; and, in a momentary depression of spirits, she asked herself whether, if she had known all she was undertaking, she would not have shrunk from it.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Vinnie learned only too soon why Jack had dreaded so much to have her enter the Betterson household; and, in a momentary depression of spirits, she asked herself whether, if she had known all she was undertaking, she would not have shrunk from it.

on one occasion

From this reading "I shall stifle," thought she, "unless I go to work at once, setting things to rights."

plural of “one” — the smallest whole number or a numeral representing this number

From this reading The sight of the sick ones, the mother enfeebled in mind as well as in body, Lord Betterson pompous and complacent in the midst of so much misery, little Lill alone making headway against a deluge of disorder,--all this filled her with distress and dismay.

and nothing more

From this reading Vinnie learned only too soon why Jack had dreaded so much to have her enter the Betterson household; and, in a momentary depression of spirits, she asked herself whether, if she had known all she was undertaking, she would not have shrunk from it.

puffed up with vanity

From this reading The sight of the sick ones, the mother enfeebled in mind as well as in body, Lord Betterson pompous and complacent in the midst of so much misery, little Lill alone making headway against a deluge of disorder,--all this filled her with distress and dismay.

the feeling that comes when something burdensome is removed or reduced

From this reading She could think of no relief but in action.

plural of “right” — an abstract idea of that which is due to a person or governmental body by law or tradition or nature

From this reading "I shall stifle," thought she, "unless I go to work at once, setting things to rights."

the context and environment in which something is set

From this reading "I shall stifle," thought she, "unless I go to work at once, setting things to rights."

used with I and we for the future, or to offer and suggest

From this reading "I shall stifle," thought she, "unless I go to work at once, setting things to rights."

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

From this reading Vinnie learned only too soon why Jack had dreaded so much to have her enter the Betterson household; and, in a momentary depression of spirits, she asked herself whether, if she had known all she was undertaking, she would not have shrunk from it.

inflected form of “shrink” — wither, as with a loss of moisture

From this reading Vinnie learned only too soon why Jack had dreaded so much to have her enter the Betterson household; and, in a momentary depression of spirits, she asked herself whether, if she had known all she was undertaking, she would not have shrunk from it.

affected by an impairment of normal physical or mental function

From this reading The sight of the sick ones, the mother enfeebled in mind as well as in body, Lord Betterson pompous and complacent in the midst of so much misery, little Lill alone making headway against a deluge of disorder,--all this filled her with distress and dismay.

an instance of visual perception

From this reading The sight of the sick ones, the mother enfeebled in mind as well as in body, Lord Betterson pompous and complacent in the midst of so much misery, little Lill alone making headway against a deluge of disorder,--all this filled her with distress and dismay.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Vinnie learned only too soon why Jack had dreaded so much to have her enter the Betterson household; and, in a momentary depression of spirits, she asked herself whether, if she had known all she was undertaking, she would not have shrunk from it.

in the near future

From this reading Vinnie learned only too soon why Jack had dreaded so much to have her enter the Betterson household; and, in a momentary depression of spirits, she asked herself whether, if she had known all she was undertaking, she would not have shrunk from it.

an alcoholic beverage that is distilled rather than fermented

From this reading Vinnie learned only too soon why Jack had dreaded so much to have her enter the Betterson household; and, in a momentary depression of spirits, she asked herself whether, if she had known all she was undertaking, she would not have shrunk from it.

suppress in order to conceal or hide

From this reading "I shall stifle," thought she, "unless I go to work at once, setting things to rights."

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

From this reading Vinnie learned only too soon why Jack had dreaded so much to have her enter the Betterson household; and, in a momentary depression of spirits, she asked herself whether, if she had known all she was undertaking, she would not have shrunk from it.

any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)

From this reading "I shall stifle," thought she, "unless I go to work at once, setting things to rights."

judge or regard; look upon; judge

From this reading She could think of no relief but in action.

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading The sight of the sick ones, the mother enfeebled in mind as well as in body, Lord Betterson pompous and complacent in the midst of so much misery, little Lill alone making headway against a deluge of disorder,--all this filled her with distress and dismay.

the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about

From this reading "I shall stifle," thought she, "unless I go to work at once, setting things to rights."

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

From this reading Vinnie learned only too soon why Jack had dreaded so much to have her enter the Betterson household; and, in a momentary depression of spirits, she asked herself whether, if she had known all she was undertaking, she would not have shrunk from it.

to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits

From this reading Vinnie learned only too soon why Jack had dreaded so much to have her enter the Betterson household; and, in a momentary depression of spirits, she asked herself whether, if she had known all she was undertaking, she would not have shrunk from it.

any piece of work that is undertaken or attempted

From this reading Vinnie learned only too soon why Jack had dreaded so much to have her enter the Betterson household; and, in a momentary depression of spirits, she asked herself whether, if she had known all she was undertaking, she would not have shrunk from it.

except if; if not

From this reading "I shall stifle," thought she, "unless I go to work at once, setting things to rights."

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

From this reading VINNIE MAKES A BEGINNING.

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

From this reading Vinnie learned only too soon why Jack had dreaded so much to have her enter the Betterson household; and, in a momentary depression of spirits, she asked herself whether, if she had known all she was undertaking, she would not have shrunk from it.

(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 The sight of the sick ones, the mother enfeebled in mind as well as in body, Lord Betterson pompous and complacent in the midst of so much misery, little Lill alone making headway against a deluge of disorder,--all this filled her with distress and dismay.

used to introduce two or more possibilities

From this reading Vinnie learned only too soon why Jack had dreaded so much to have her enter the Betterson household; and, in a momentary depression of spirits, she asked herself whether, if she had known all she was undertaking, she would not have shrunk from it.

the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”

From this reading Vinnie learned only too soon why Jack had dreaded so much to have her enter the Betterson household; and, in a momentary depression of spirits, she asked herself whether, if she had known all she was undertaking, she would not have shrunk from it.

in the company of; together with

From this reading The sight of the sick ones, the mother enfeebled in mind as well as in body, Lord Betterson pompous and complacent in the midst of so much misery, little Lill alone making headway against a deluge of disorder,--all this filled her with distress and dismay.

exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity

From this reading "I shall stifle," thought she, "unless I go to work at once, setting things to rights."

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading Vinnie learned only too soon why Jack had dreaded so much to have her enter the Betterson household; and, in a momentary depression of spirits, she asked herself whether, if she had known all she was undertaking, she would not have shrunk from it.