Chapter XIV · Chapter 14

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

From this reading The rector had often wished his wife could in some natural way get hold of Miss Wylder; he suspected something exceptionally fine in her: how else could she, with such a father and such a mother, have such a countenance?

a vaguely specified concern

From this reading There must be a third factor in the affair, and one worth knowing--namely herself!

surrounded by; in the middle of a group

From this reading That she seemed to avoid being reckoned among church-goers might be a point in her favour!

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

From this reading The rector had often wished his wife could in some natural way get hold of Miss Wylder; he suspected something exceptionally fine in her: how else could she, with such a father and such a mother, have such a countenance?

stay clear from; keep away from; keep out of the way of someone or something

From this reading That she seemed to avoid being reckoned among church-goers might be a point in her favour!

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

From this reading There must be a third factor in the affair, and one worth knowing--namely herself!

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading That she seemed to avoid being reckoned among church-goers might be a point in her favour!

(usually followed by “of”) having capacity or ability

From this reading He had had no opportunity of learning either how peculiar the girl was, or how capable.

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

From this reading That she seemed to avoid being reckoned among church-goers might be a point in her favour!

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

From this reading The rector had often wished his wife could in some natural way get hold of Miss Wylder; he suspected something exceptionally fine in her: how else could she, with such a father and such a mother, have such a countenance?

the appearance conveyed by a person's face

From this reading The rector had often wished his wife could in some natural way get hold of Miss Wylder; he suspected something exceptionally fine in her: how else could she, with such a father and such a mother, have such a countenance?

the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives

From this reading What reports reached him of her wild ways, mingled with exaggerated stories of her lawlessness, did not shock him: what was true in them might spring from mere exuberance of life, whose joy was her only law--and yet a real law to her!

one or the other of two

From this reading He had had no opportunity of learning either how peculiar the girl was, or how capable.

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

From this reading The rector had often wished his wife could in some natural way get hold of Miss Wylder; he suspected something exceptionally fine in her: how else could she, with such a father and such a mother, have such a countenance?

represented as greater than is true or reasonable

From this reading What reports reached him of her wild ways, mingled with exaggerated stories of her lawlessness, did not shock him: what was true in them might spring from mere exuberance of life, whose joy was her only law--and yet a real law to her!

to an exceptional degree

From this reading The rector had often wished his wife could in some natural way get hold of Miss Wylder; he suspected something exceptionally fine in her: how else could she, with such a father and such a mother, have such a countenance?

joyful enthusiasm

From this reading What reports reached him of her wild ways, mingled with exaggerated stories of her lawlessness, did not shock him: what was true in them might spring from mere exuberance of life, whose joy was her only law--and yet a real law to her!

anything that contributes causally to a result

From this reading There must be a third factor in the affair, and one worth knowing--namely herself!

a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)

From this reading The rector had often wished his wife could in some natural way get hold of Miss Wylder; he suspected something exceptionally fine in her: how else could she, with such a father and such a mother, have such a countenance?

a feeling of favorable regard

From this reading That she seemed to avoid being reckoned among church-goers might be a point in her favour!

being satisfactory or in satisfactory condition

From this reading The rector had often wished his wife could in some natural way get hold of Miss Wylder; he suspected something exceptionally fine in her: how else could she, with such a father and such a mother, have such a countenance?

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading What reports reached him of her wild ways, mingled with exaggerated stories of her lawlessness, did not shock him: what was true in them might spring from mere exuberance of life, whose joy was her only law--and yet a real law to her!

come into the possession of something concrete or abstract

From this reading The rector had often wished his wife could in some natural way get hold of Miss Wylder; he suspected something exceptionally fine in her: how else could she, with such a father and such a mother, have such a countenance?

a young female

From this reading He had had no opportunity of learning either how peculiar the girl was, or how capable.

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

From this reading The rector had often wished his wife could in some natural way get hold of Miss Wylder; he suspected something exceptionally fine in her: how else could she, with such a father and such a mother, have such a countenance?

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading The rector had often wished his wife could in some natural way get hold of Miss Wylder; he suspected something exceptionally fine in her: how else could she, with such a father and such a mother, have such a countenance?

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

From this reading The rector had often wished his wife could in some natural way get hold of Miss Wylder; he suspected something exceptionally fine in her: how else could she, with such a father and such a mother, have such a countenance?

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

From this reading The rector had often wished his wife could in some natural way get hold of Miss Wylder; he suspected something exceptionally fine in her: how else could she, with such a father and such a mother, have such a countenance?

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

From this reading There must be a third factor in the affair, and one worth knowing--namely herself!

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

From this reading What reports reached him of her wild ways, mingled with exaggerated stories of her lawlessness, did not shock him: what was true in them might spring from mere exuberance of life, whose joy was her only law--and yet a real law to her!

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

From this reading The rector had often wished his wife could in some natural way get hold of Miss Wylder; he suspected something exceptionally fine in her: how else could she, with such a father and such a mother, have such a countenance?

cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”

From this reading The rector had often wished his wife could in some natural way get hold of Miss Wylder; he suspected something exceptionally fine in her: how else could she, with such a father and such a mother, have such a countenance?

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

From this reading The rector had often wished his wife could in some natural way get hold of Miss Wylder; he suspected something exceptionally fine in her: how else could she, with such a father and such a mother, have such a countenance?

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

From this reading The rector had often wished his wife could in some natural way get hold of Miss Wylder; he suspected something exceptionally fine in her: how else could she, with such a father and such a mother, have such a countenance?

the emotion of great happiness

From this reading What reports reached him of her wild ways, mingled with exaggerated stories of her lawlessness, did not shock him: what was true in them might spring from mere exuberance of life, whose joy was her only law--and yet a real law to her!

evidencing the possession of inside information

From this reading There must be a third factor in the affair, and one worth knowing--namely herself!

the collection of rules imposed by authority

From this reading What reports reached him of her wild ways, mingled with exaggerated stories of her lawlessness, did not shock him: what was true in them might spring from mere exuberance of life, whose joy was her only law--and yet a real law to her!

a state of lawlessness and disorder (usually resulting from a failure of government)

From this reading What reports reached him of her wild ways, mingled with exaggerated stories of her lawlessness, did not shock him: what was true in them might spring from mere exuberance of life, whose joy was her only law--and yet a real law to her!

the cognitive process of acquiring skill or knowledge

From this reading He had had no opportunity of learning either how peculiar the girl was, or how capable.

a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading What reports reached him of her wild ways, mingled with exaggerated stories of her lawlessness, did not shock him: what was true in them might spring from mere exuberance of life, whose joy was her only law--and yet a real law to her!

being nothing more than specified

From this reading What reports reached him of her wild ways, mingled with exaggerated stories of her lawlessness, did not shock him: what was true in them might spring from mere exuberance of life, whose joy was her only law--and yet a real law to her!

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading That she seemed to avoid being reckoned among church-goers might be a point in her favour!

past form of “mingle” — to bring or combine together or with something else

From this reading What reports reached him of her wild ways, mingled with exaggerated stories of her lawlessness, did not shock him: what was true in them might spring from mere exuberance of life, whose joy was her only law--and yet a real law to her!

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

From this reading The rector had often wished his wife could in some natural way get hold of Miss Wylder; he suspected something exceptionally fine in her: how else could she, with such a father and such a mother, have such a countenance?

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

From this reading The rector had often wished his wife could in some natural way get hold of Miss Wylder; he suspected something exceptionally fine in her: how else could she, with such a father and such a mother, have such a countenance?

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading There must be a third factor in the affair, and one worth knowing--namely herself!

as follows

From this reading There must be a third factor in the affair, and one worth knowing--namely herself!

in accordance with nature; relating to or concerning nature

From this reading The rector had often wished his wife could in some natural way get hold of Miss Wylder; he suspected something exceptionally fine in her: how else could she, with such a father and such a mother, have such a countenance?

not any; not one

From this reading He had had no opportunity of learning either how peculiar the girl was, or how capable.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading What reports reached him of her wild ways, mingled with exaggerated stories of her lawlessness, did not shock him: what was true in them might spring from mere exuberance of life, whose joy was her only law--and yet a real law to her!

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The rector had often wished his wife could in some natural way get hold of Miss Wylder; he suspected something exceptionally fine in her: how else could she, with such a father and such a mother, have such a countenance?

many times at short intervals

From this reading The rector had often wished his wife could in some natural way get hold of Miss Wylder; he suspected something exceptionally fine in her: how else could she, with such a father and such a mother, have such a countenance?

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading There must be a third factor in the affair, and one worth knowing--namely herself!

and nothing more

From this reading What reports reached him of her wild ways, mingled with exaggerated stories of her lawlessness, did not shock him: what was true in them might spring from mere exuberance of life, whose joy was her only law--and yet a real law to her!

a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances

From this reading He had had no opportunity of learning either how peculiar the girl was, or how capable.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading He had had no opportunity of learning either how peculiar the girl was, or how capable.

beyond or deviating from the usual or expected

From this reading He had had no opportunity of learning either how peculiar the girl was, or how capable.

a geometric element that has position but no extension

From this reading That she seemed to avoid being reckoned among church-goers might be a point in her favour!

past form of “reach” — reach a destination, either real or abstract

From this reading What reports reached him of her wild ways, mingled with exaggerated stories of her lawlessness, did not shock him: what was true in them might spring from mere exuberance of life, whose joy was her only law--and yet a real law to her!

being or occurring in fact or actuality; having verified existence; not illusory

From this reading What reports reached him of her wild ways, mingled with exaggerated stories of her lawlessness, did not shock him: what was true in them might spring from mere exuberance of life, whose joy was her only law--and yet a real law to her!

past form of “reckon” — expect, believe, or suppose

From this reading That she seemed to avoid being reckoned among church-goers might be a point in her favour!

a person authorized to conduct religious worship

From this reading The rector had often wished his wife could in some natural way get hold of Miss Wylder; he suspected something exceptionally fine in her: how else could she, with such a father and such a mother, have such a countenance?

plural of “report” — a written document describing the findings of some individual or group

From this reading What reports reached him of her wild ways, mingled with exaggerated stories of her lawlessness, did not shock him: what was true in them might spring from mere exuberance of life, whose joy was her only law--and yet a real law to her!

past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading That she seemed to avoid being reckoned among church-goers might be a point in her favour!

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

From this reading The rector had often wished his wife could in some natural way get hold of Miss Wylder; he suspected something exceptionally fine in her: how else could she, with such a father and such a mother, have such a countenance?

the feeling of distress and disbelief that you have when something bad happens accidentally

From this reading What reports reached him of her wild ways, mingled with exaggerated stories of her lawlessness, did not shock him: what was true in them might spring from mere exuberance of life, whose joy was her only law--and yet a real law to her!

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

From this reading The rector had often wished his wife could in some natural way get hold of Miss Wylder; he suspected something exceptionally fine in her: how else could she, with such a father and such a mother, have such a countenance?

a thing, without saying which

From this reading The rector had often wished his wife could in some natural way get hold of Miss Wylder; he suspected something exceptionally fine in her: how else could she, with such a father and such a mother, have such a countenance?

the season of growth

From this reading What reports reached him of her wild ways, mingled with exaggerated stories of her lawlessness, did not shock him: what was true in them might spring from mere exuberance of life, whose joy was her only law--and yet a real law to her!

plural of “story” — a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program

From this reading What reports reached him of her wild ways, mingled with exaggerated stories of her lawlessness, did not shock him: what was true in them might spring from mere exuberance of life, whose joy was her only law--and yet a real law to her!

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading The rector had often wished his wife could in some natural way get hold of Miss Wylder; he suspected something exceptionally fine in her: how else could she, with such a father and such a mother, have such a countenance?

believed likely

From this reading The rector had often wished his wife could in some natural way get hold of Miss Wylder; he suspected something exceptionally fine in her: how else could she, with such a father and such a mother, have such a countenance?

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading That she seemed to avoid being reckoned among church-goers might be a point in her favour!

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

From this reading The rector had often wished his wife could in some natural way get hold of Miss Wylder; he suspected something exceptionally fine in her: how else could she, with such a father and such a mother, have such a countenance?

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading What reports reached him of her wild ways, mingled with exaggerated stories of her lawlessness, did not shock him: what was true in them might spring from mere exuberance of life, whose joy was her only law--and yet a real law to her!

in or at that place or location

From this reading There must be a third factor in the affair, and one worth knowing--namely herself!

one of three equal parts of a divisible whole

From this reading There must be a third factor in the affair, and one worth knowing--namely herself!

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

From this reading That she seemed to avoid being reckoned among church-goers might be a point in her favour!

consistent with fact or reality; not false

From this reading What reports reached him of her wild ways, mingled with exaggerated stories of her lawlessness, did not shock him: what was true in them might spring from mere exuberance of life, whose joy was her only law--and yet a real law to her!

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

From this reading What reports reached him of her wild ways, mingled with exaggerated stories of her lawlessness, did not shock him: what was true in them might spring from mere exuberance of life, whose joy was her only law--and yet a real law to her!

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading The rector had often wished his wife could in some natural way get hold of Miss Wylder; he suspected something exceptionally fine in her: how else could she, with such a father and such a mother, have such a countenance?

structure consisting of a sloping way down to the water from the place where ships are built or repaired

From this reading What reports reached him of her wild ways, mingled with exaggerated stories of her lawlessness, did not shock him: what was true in them might spring from mere exuberance of life, whose joy was her only law--and yet a real law to her!

used to ask for information about something

From this reading What reports reached him of her wild ways, mingled with exaggerated stories of her lawlessness, did not shock him: what was true in them might spring from mere exuberance of life, whose joy was her only law--and yet a real law to her!

belonging to which person

From this reading What reports reached him of her wild ways, mingled with exaggerated stories of her lawlessness, did not shock him: what was true in them might spring from mere exuberance of life, whose joy was her only law--and yet a real law to her!

a married woman; a man's partner in marriage

From this reading The rector had often wished his wife could in some natural way get hold of Miss Wylder; he suspected something exceptionally fine in her: how else could she, with such a father and such a mother, have such a countenance?

marked by extreme lack of restraint or control

From this reading What reports reached him of her wild ways, mingled with exaggerated stories of her lawlessness, did not shock him: what was true in them might spring from mere exuberance of life, whose joy was her only law--and yet a real law to her!

past form of “wish” — hope for; have a wish

From this reading The rector had often wished his wife could in some natural way get hold of Miss Wylder; he suspected something exceptionally fine in her: how else could she, with such a father and such a mother, have such a countenance?

in the company of; together with

From this reading The rector had often wished his wife could in some natural way get hold of Miss Wylder; he suspected something exceptionally fine in her: how else could she, with such a father and such a mother, have such a countenance?

an indefinite quantity of something having a specified value

From this reading There must be a third factor in the affair, and one worth knowing--namely herself!

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

From this reading The rector had often wished his wife could in some natural way get hold of Miss Wylder; he suspected something exceptionally fine in her: how else could she, with such a father and such a mother, have such a countenance?

but in spite of that

From this reading What reports reached him of her wild ways, mingled with exaggerated stories of her lawlessness, did not shock him: what was true in them might spring from mere exuberance of life, whose joy was her only law--and yet a real law to her!