Chapter I · Chapter 1

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

From this reading It would be but stirring a muddy pool to inquire--not what motives induced, but what forces compelled sir Wilton Lestrange to marry a woman nobody knew.

the table in Christian churches where communion is given

From this reading For had he not been dragged to the altar by a woman whose manners and breeding were hardly on the level of a villa in St. John's Wood?

surrounded by; in the middle of a group

From this reading The _mésalliance_ occasioned not a little surprise, and quite as much annoyance, among the county families,--failing, however, to remind any that certain of their own grandmothers had been no better known to the small world than lady Lestrange.

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

From this reading It is enough to say that these forces were mainly ignoble, as manifested by their intermittent character and final cessation.

the psychological state of being irritated or annoyed

From this reading The _mésalliance_ occasioned not a little surprise, and quite as much annoyance, among the county families,--failing, however, to remind any that certain of their own grandmothers had been no better known to the small world than lady Lestrange.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading The _mésalliance_ occasioned not a little surprise, and quite as much annoyance, among the county families,--failing, however, to remind any that certain of their own grandmothers had been no better known to the small world than lady Lestrange.

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

From this reading It is enough to say that these forces were mainly ignoble, as manifested by their intermittent character and final cessation.

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

From this reading It would be but stirring a muddy pool to inquire--not what motives induced, but what forces compelled sir Wilton Lestrange to marry a woman nobody knew.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading The _mésalliance_ occasioned not a little surprise, and quite as much annoyance, among the county families,--failing, however, to remind any that certain of their own grandmothers had been no better known to the small world than lady Lestrange.

(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another

From this reading The _mésalliance_ occasioned not a little surprise, and quite as much annoyance, among the county families,--failing, however, to remind any that certain of their own grandmothers had been no better known to the small world than lady Lestrange.

elegance by virtue of fineness of manner and expression

From this reading For had he not been dragged to the altar by a woman whose manners and breeding were hardly on the level of a villa in St. John's Wood?

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading It would be but stirring a muddy pool to inquire--not what motives induced, but what forces compelled sir Wilton Lestrange to marry a woman nobody knew.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading It is enough to say that these forces were mainly ignoble, as manifested by their intermittent character and final cessation.

past form of “cause” — give rise to; cause to happen or occur, not always intentionally

From this reading It caused yet more surprise, though less annoyance, in the clubs to which sir Wilton had hitherto been indebted for help to forget his duties: they set him down as a greater idiot than his friends had hitherto imagined him.

definite but not specified or identified

From this reading The _mésalliance_ occasioned not a little surprise, and quite as much annoyance, among the county families,--failing, however, to remind any that certain of their own grandmothers had been no better known to the small world than lady Lestrange.

a stopping

From this reading It is enough to say that these forces were mainly ignoble, as manifested by their intermittent character and final cessation.

an imaginary person represented in a work of fiction (play or film or story)

From this reading It is enough to say that these forces were mainly ignoble, as manifested by their intermittent character and final cessation.

plural of “club” — a team of professional baseball players who play and travel together

From this reading It caused yet more surprise, though less annoyance, in the clubs to which sir Wilton had hitherto been indebted for help to forget his duties: they set him down as a greater idiot than his friends had hitherto imagined him.

inflected form of “compel” — force somebody to do something

From this reading It would be but stirring a muddy pool to inquire--not what motives induced, but what forces compelled sir Wilton Lestrange to marry a woman nobody knew.

(United Kingdom) a region created by territorial division for the purpose of local government

From this reading The _mésalliance_ occasioned not a little surprise, and quite as much annoyance, among the county families,--failing, however, to remind any that certain of their own grandmothers had been no better known to the small world than lady Lestrange.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading It caused yet more surprise, though less annoyance, in the clubs to which sir Wilton had hitherto been indebted for help to forget his duties: they set him down as a greater idiot than his friends had hitherto imagined him.

inflected form of “drag” — pull, as against a resistance

From this reading For had he not been dragged to the altar by a woman whose manners and breeding were hardly on the level of a villa in St. John's Wood?

plural of “duty” — the social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force

From this reading It caused yet more surprise, though less annoyance, in the clubs to which sir Wilton had hitherto been indebted for help to forget his duties: they set him down as a greater idiot than his friends had hitherto imagined him.

an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose

From this reading It is enough to say that these forces were mainly ignoble, as manifested by their intermittent character and final cessation.

a flaw or weak point

From this reading The _mésalliance_ occasioned not a little surprise, and quite as much annoyance, among the county families,--failing, however, to remind any that certain of their own grandmothers had been no better known to the small world than lady Lestrange.

plural of “family” — a social unit living together

From this reading The _mésalliance_ occasioned not a little surprise, and quite as much annoyance, among the county families,--failing, however, to remind any that certain of their own grandmothers had been no better known to the small world than lady Lestrange.

occurring at or forming an end or termination

From this reading It is enough to say that these forces were mainly ignoble, as manifested by their intermittent character and final cessation.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading It caused yet more surprise, though less annoyance, in the clubs to which sir Wilton had hitherto been indebted for help to forget his duties: they set him down as a greater idiot than his friends had hitherto imagined him.

plural of “force” — a powerful effect or influence

From this reading It would be but stirring a muddy pool to inquire--not what motives induced, but what forces compelled sir Wilton Lestrange to marry a woman nobody knew.

dismiss from the mind; stop remembering

From this reading It caused yet more surprise, though less annoyance, in the clubs to which sir Wilton had hitherto been indebted for help to forget his duties: they set him down as a greater idiot than his friends had hitherto imagined him.

plural of “friend” — a person you know well and regard with affection and trust

From this reading It caused yet more surprise, though less annoyance, in the clubs to which sir Wilton had hitherto been indebted for help to forget his duties: they set him down as a greater idiot than his friends had hitherto imagined him.

plural of “grandmother” — the mother of your father or mother

From this reading The _mésalliance_ occasioned not a little surprise, and quite as much annoyance, among the county families,--failing, however, to remind any that certain of their own grandmothers had been no better known to the small world than lady Lestrange.

greater in size or importance or degree

From this reading It caused yet more surprise, though less annoyance, in the clubs to which sir Wilton had hitherto been indebted for help to forget his duties: they set him down as a greater idiot than his friends had hitherto imagined him.

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

From this reading The _mésalliance_ occasioned not a little surprise, and quite as much annoyance, among the county families,--failing, however, to remind any that certain of their own grandmothers had been no better known to the small world than lady Lestrange.

only a very short time before

From this reading For had he not been dragged to the altar by a woman whose manners and breeding were hardly on the level of a villa in St. John's Wood?

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

From this reading For had he not been dragged to the altar by a woman whose manners and breeding were hardly on the level of a villa in St. John's Wood?

give help or assistance; be of service

From this reading It caused yet more surprise, though less annoyance, in the clubs to which sir Wilton had hitherto been indebted for help to forget his duties: they set him down as a greater idiot than his friends had hitherto imagined him.

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

From this reading It caused yet more surprise, though less annoyance, in the clubs to which sir Wilton had hitherto been indebted for help to forget his duties: they set him down as a greater idiot than his friends had hitherto imagined him.

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

From this reading It caused yet more surprise, though less annoyance, in the clubs to which sir Wilton had hitherto been indebted for help to forget his duties: they set him down as a greater idiot than his friends had hitherto imagined him.

used in negative statement to describe a situation that has existed up to this point or up to the present time

From this reading It caused yet more surprise, though less annoyance, in the clubs to which sir Wilton had hitherto been indebted for help to forget his duties: they set him down as a greater idiot than his friends had hitherto imagined him.

used to add a contrasting statement

From this reading The _mésalliance_ occasioned not a little surprise, and quite as much annoyance, among the county families,--failing, however, to remind any that certain of their own grandmothers had been no better known to the small world than lady Lestrange.

a person of subnormal intelligence

From this reading It caused yet more surprise, though less annoyance, in the clubs to which sir Wilton had hitherto been indebted for help to forget his duties: they set him down as a greater idiot than his friends had hitherto imagined him.

completely lacking nobility in character or quality or purpose

From this reading It is enough to say that these forces were mainly ignoble, as manifested by their intermittent character and final cessation.

past form of “imagine” — form a mental image of something that is not present or that is not the case

From this reading It caused yet more surprise, though less annoyance, in the clubs to which sir Wilton had hitherto been indebted for help to forget his duties: they set him down as a greater idiot than his friends had hitherto imagined him.

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

From this reading It caused yet more surprise, though less annoyance, in the clubs to which sir Wilton had hitherto been indebted for help to forget his duties: they set him down as a greater idiot than his friends had hitherto imagined him.

owing gratitude or recognition to another for help or favors etc

From this reading It caused yet more surprise, though less annoyance, in the clubs to which sir Wilton had hitherto been indebted for help to forget his duties: they set him down as a greater idiot than his friends had hitherto imagined him.

brought about or caused; not spontaneous

From this reading It would be but stirring a muddy pool to inquire--not what motives induced, but what forces compelled sir Wilton Lestrange to marry a woman nobody knew.

address a question to and expect an answer from

From this reading It would be but stirring a muddy pool to inquire--not what motives induced, but what forces compelled sir Wilton Lestrange to marry a woman nobody knew.

stopping and starting at irregular intervals

From this reading It is enough to say that these forces were mainly ignoble, as manifested by their intermittent character and final cessation.

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

From this reading It is enough to say that these forces were mainly ignoble, as manifested by their intermittent character and final cessation.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It would be but stirring a muddy pool to inquire--not what motives induced, but what forces compelled sir Wilton Lestrange to marry a woman nobody knew.

possessive form of “john” — a room or building equipped with one or more toilets

From this reading For had he not been dragged to the altar by a woman whose manners and breeding were hardly on the level of a villa in St. John's Wood?

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 It would be but stirring a muddy pool to inquire--not what motives induced, but what forces compelled sir Wilton Lestrange to marry a woman nobody knew.

apprehended with certainty

From this reading The _mésalliance_ occasioned not a little surprise, and quite as much annoyance, among the county families,--failing, however, to remind any that certain of their own grandmothers had been no better known to the small world than lady Lestrange.

a polite name for any woman

From this reading The _mésalliance_ occasioned not a little surprise, and quite as much annoyance, among the county families,--failing, however, to remind any that certain of their own grandmothers had been no better known to the small world than lady Lestrange.

used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs

From this reading It caused yet more surprise, though less annoyance, in the clubs to which sir Wilton had hitherto been indebted for help to forget his duties: they set him down as a greater idiot than his friends had hitherto imagined him.

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

From this reading It would be but stirring a muddy pool to inquire--not what motives induced, but what forces compelled sir Wilton Lestrange to marry a woman nobody knew.

a position on a scale of intensity or amount or quality

From this reading For had he not been dragged to the altar by a woman whose manners and breeding were hardly on the level of a villa in St. John's Wood?

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

From this reading The _mésalliance_ occasioned not a little surprise, and quite as much annoyance, among the county families,--failing, however, to remind any that certain of their own grandmothers had been no better known to the small world than lady Lestrange.

for the most part

From this reading It is enough to say that these forces were mainly ignoble, as manifested by their intermittent character and final cessation.

past form of “manifest” — provide evidence for; stand as proof of; show by one's behavior, attitude, or external attributes

From this reading It is enough to say that these forces were mainly ignoble, as manifested by their intermittent character and final cessation.

social deportment

From this reading For had he not been dragged to the altar by a woman whose manners and breeding were hardly on the level of a villa in St. John's Wood?

take in marriage

From this reading It would be but stirring a muddy pool to inquire--not what motives induced, but what forces compelled sir Wilton Lestrange to marry a woman nobody knew.

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading It caused yet more surprise, though less annoyance, in the clubs to which sir Wilton had hitherto been indebted for help to forget his duties: they set him down as a greater idiot than his friends had hitherto imagined him.

plural of “motive” — the psychological feature that arouses an organism to action toward a desired goal; the reason for the action; that which gives purpose and direction to behavior

From this reading It would be but stirring a muddy pool to inquire--not what motives induced, but what forces compelled sir Wilton Lestrange to marry a woman nobody knew.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading The _mésalliance_ occasioned not a little surprise, and quite as much annoyance, among the county families,--failing, however, to remind any that certain of their own grandmothers had been no better known to the small world than lady Lestrange.

(of soil) soft and watery

From this reading It would be but stirring a muddy pool to inquire--not what motives induced, but what forces compelled sir Wilton Lestrange to marry a woman nobody knew.

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

From this reading The _mésalliance_ occasioned not a little surprise, and quite as much annoyance, among the county families,--failing, however, to remind any that certain of their own grandmothers had been no better known to the small world than lady Lestrange.

not any; not one

From this reading The _mésalliance_ occasioned not a little surprise, and quite as much annoyance, among the county families,--failing, however, to remind any that certain of their own grandmothers had been no better known to the small world than lady Lestrange.

no person; not anyone

From this reading It would be but stirring a muddy pool to inquire--not what motives induced, but what forces compelled sir Wilton Lestrange to marry a woman nobody knew.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading It would be but stirring a muddy pool to inquire--not what motives induced, but what forces compelled sir Wilton Lestrange to marry a woman nobody knew.

past form of “occasion” — give occasion to

From this reading The _mésalliance_ occasioned not a little surprise, and quite as much annoyance, among the county families,--failing, however, to remind any that certain of their own grandmothers had been no better known to the small world than lady Lestrange.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The _mésalliance_ occasioned not a little surprise, and quite as much annoyance, among the county families,--failing, however, to remind any that certain of their own grandmothers had been no better known to the small world than lady Lestrange.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading For had he not been dragged to the altar by a woman whose manners and breeding were hardly on the level of a villa in St. John's Wood?

have ownership or possession of

From this reading The _mésalliance_ occasioned not a little surprise, and quite as much annoyance, among the county families,--failing, however, to remind any that certain of their own grandmothers had been no better known to the small world than lady Lestrange.

an excavation that is (usually) filled with water

From this reading It would be but stirring a muddy pool to inquire--not what motives induced, but what forces compelled sir Wilton Lestrange to marry a woman nobody knew.

to a degree (not used with a negative)

From this reading The _mésalliance_ occasioned not a little surprise, and quite as much annoyance, among the county families,--failing, however, to remind any that certain of their own grandmothers had been no better known to the small world than lady Lestrange.

put in the mind of someone

From this reading The _mésalliance_ occasioned not a little surprise, and quite as much annoyance, among the county families,--failing, however, to remind any that certain of their own grandmothers had been no better known to the small world than lady Lestrange.

express in words

From this reading It is enough to say that these forces were mainly ignoble, as manifested by their intermittent character and final cessation.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading It caused yet more surprise, though less annoyance, in the clubs to which sir Wilton had hitherto been indebted for help to forget his duties: they set him down as a greater idiot than his friends had hitherto imagined him.

term of address for a man

From this reading It would be but stirring a muddy pool to inquire--not what motives induced, but what forces compelled sir Wilton Lestrange to marry a woman nobody knew.

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

From this reading The _mésalliance_ occasioned not a little surprise, and quite as much annoyance, among the county families,--failing, however, to remind any that certain of their own grandmothers had been no better known to the small world than lady Lestrange.

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

From this reading For had he not been dragged to the altar by a woman whose manners and breeding were hardly on the level of a villa in St. John's Wood?

agitating a liquid with an implement

From this reading It would be but stirring a muddy pool to inquire--not what motives induced, but what forces compelled sir Wilton Lestrange to marry a woman nobody knew.

the astonishment you feel when something totally unexpected happens to you

From this reading The _mésalliance_ occasioned not a little surprise, and quite as much annoyance, among the county families,--failing, however, to remind any that certain of their own grandmothers had been no better known to the small world than lady Lestrange.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading The _mésalliance_ occasioned not a little surprise, and quite as much annoyance, among the county families,--failing, however, to remind any that certain of their own grandmothers had been no better known to the small world than lady Lestrange.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading It is enough to say that these forces were mainly ignoble, as manifested by their intermittent character and final cessation.

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

From this reading The _mésalliance_ occasioned not a little surprise, and quite as much annoyance, among the county families,--failing, however, to remind any that certain of their own grandmothers had been no better known to the small world than lady Lestrange.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading It is enough to say that these forces were mainly ignoble, as manifested by their intermittent character and final cessation.

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading It is enough to say that these forces were mainly ignoble, as manifested by their intermittent character and final cessation.

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

From this reading It caused yet more surprise, though less annoyance, in the clubs to which sir Wilton had hitherto been indebted for help to forget his duties: they set him down as a greater idiot than his friends had hitherto imagined him.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading It caused yet more surprise, though less annoyance, in the clubs to which sir Wilton had hitherto been indebted for help to forget his duties: they set him down as a greater idiot than his friends had hitherto imagined him.

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

From this reading It would be but stirring a muddy pool to inquire--not what motives induced, but what forces compelled sir Wilton Lestrange to marry a woman nobody knew.

Mexican revolutionary leader (1877-1923)

From this reading For had he not been dragged to the altar by a woman whose manners and breeding were hardly on the level of a villa in St. John's Wood?

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

From this reading It is enough to say that these forces were mainly ignoble, as manifested by their intermittent character and final cessation.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading It would be but stirring a muddy pool to inquire--not what motives induced, but what forces compelled sir Wilton Lestrange to marry a woman nobody knew.

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

From this reading It caused yet more surprise, though less annoyance, in the clubs to which sir Wilton had hitherto been indebted for help to forget his duties: they set him down as a greater idiot than his friends had hitherto imagined him.

belonging to which person

From this reading For had he not been dragged to the altar by a woman whose manners and breeding were hardly on the level of a villa in St. John's Wood?

a carpet woven on a Jacquard loom with loops like a Brussels carpet but having the loops cut to form a close velvety pile

From this reading It would be but stirring a muddy pool to inquire--not what motives induced, but what forces compelled sir Wilton Lestrange to marry a woman nobody knew.

an adult female person (as opposed to a man)

From this reading It would be but stirring a muddy pool to inquire--not what motives induced, but what forces compelled sir Wilton Lestrange to marry a woman nobody knew.

the hard fibrous lignified substance under the bark of trees

From this reading For had he not been dragged to the altar by a woman whose manners and breeding were hardly on the level of a villa in St. John's Wood?

everything that exists anywhere

From this reading The _mésalliance_ occasioned not a little surprise, and quite as much annoyance, among the county families,--failing, however, to remind any that certain of their own grandmothers had been no better known to the small world than lady Lestrange.

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

From this reading It would be but stirring a muddy pool to inquire--not what motives induced, but what forces compelled sir Wilton Lestrange to marry a woman nobody knew.

but in spite of that

From this reading It caused yet more surprise, though less annoyance, in the clubs to which sir Wilton had hitherto been indebted for help to forget his duties: they set him down as a greater idiot than his friends had hitherto imagined him.