Chapter IV

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

From this reading She had scarcely removed her hat, however, when the door opened and her mother appeared, wearing a smile in which curious impatience mingled with complacent certainty.

prior to a specified or implied time

From this reading The worthy lady had very little doubt as to what she was going to be told, and was already congratulating herself on her good management and good luck combined.

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

From this reading The subject of the foregoing discussion stole quickly and quietly up to her room, unconscious of the angry passions she had unwittingly aroused, intending to remain there till the people returned from church, when she would meet her mother surrounded by strangers, and so avoid the bad quarter of an hour which her conscience told her she ought to expect.

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

From this reading The subject of the foregoing discussion stole quickly and quietly up to her room, unconscious of the angry passions she had unwittingly aroused, intending to remain there till the people returned from church, when she would meet her mother surrounded by strangers, and so avoid the bad quarter of an hour which her conscience told her she ought to expect.

feeling or showing anger

From this reading The subject of the foregoing discussion stole quickly and quietly up to her room, unconscious of the angry passions she had unwittingly aroused, intending to remain there till the people returned from church, when she would meet her mother surrounded by strangers, and so avoid the bad quarter of an hour which her conscience told her she ought to expect.

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

From this reading She had scarcely removed her hat, however, when the door opened and her mother appeared, wearing a smile in which curious impatience mingled with complacent certainty.

aroused to action

From this reading The subject of the foregoing discussion stole quickly and quietly up to her room, unconscious of the angry passions she had unwittingly aroused, intending to remain there till the people returned from church, when she would meet her mother surrounded by strangers, and so avoid the bad quarter of an hour which her conscience told her she ought to expect.

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

From this reading The worthy lady had very little doubt as to what she was going to be told, and was already congratulating herself on her good management and good luck combined.

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

From this reading The subject of the foregoing discussion stole quickly and quietly up to her room, unconscious of the angry passions she had unwittingly aroused, intending to remain there till the people returned from church, when she would meet her mother surrounded by strangers, and so avoid the bad quarter of an hour which her conscience told her she ought to expect.

having undesirable or negative qualities

From this reading The subject of the foregoing discussion stole quickly and quietly up to her room, unconscious of the angry passions she had unwittingly aroused, intending to remain there till the people returned from church, when she would meet her mother surrounded by strangers, and so avoid the bad quarter of an hour which her conscience told her she ought to expect.

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

From this reading The worthy lady had very little doubt as to what she was going to be told, and was already congratulating herself on her good management and good luck combined.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading The subject of the foregoing discussion stole quickly and quietly up to her room, unconscious of the angry passions she had unwittingly aroused, intending to remain there till the people returned from church, when she would meet her mother surrounded by strangers, and so avoid the bad quarter of an hour which her conscience told her she ought to expect.

the state of being certain

From this reading She had scarcely removed her hat, however, when the door opened and her mother appeared, wearing a smile in which curious impatience mingled with complacent certainty.

one of the groups of Christians who have their own beliefs and forms of worship

From this reading The subject of the foregoing discussion stole quickly and quietly up to her room, unconscious of the angry passions she had unwittingly aroused, intending to remain there till the people returned from church, when she would meet her mother surrounded by strangers, and so avoid the bad quarter of an hour which her conscience told her she ought to expect.

made or joined or united into one

From this reading The worthy lady had very little doubt as to what she was going to be told, and was already congratulating herself on her good management and good luck combined.

contented to a fault with oneself or one's actions

From this reading She had scarcely removed her hat, however, when the door opened and her mother appeared, wearing a smile in which curious impatience mingled with complacent certainty.

-ing form of “congratulate” — say something to someone that expresses praise

From this reading The worthy lady had very little doubt as to what she was going to be told, and was already congratulating herself on her good management and good luck combined.

motivation deriving logically from ethical or moral principles that govern a person's thoughts and actions

From this reading The subject of the foregoing discussion stole quickly and quietly up to her room, unconscious of the angry passions she had unwittingly aroused, intending to remain there till the people returned from church, when she would meet her mother surrounded by strangers, and so avoid the bad quarter of an hour which her conscience told her she ought to expect.

beyond or deviating from the usual or expected

From this reading She had scarcely removed her hat, however, when the door opened and her mother appeared, wearing a smile in which curious impatience mingled with complacent certainty.

an extended communication (often interactive) dealing with some particular topic

From this reading The subject of the foregoing discussion stole quickly and quietly up to her room, unconscious of the angry passions she had unwittingly aroused, intending to remain there till the people returned from church, when she would meet her mother surrounded by strangers, and so avoid the bad quarter of an hour which her conscience told her she ought to expect.

a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle

From this reading She had scarcely removed her hat, however, when the door opened and her mother appeared, wearing a smile in which curious impatience mingled with complacent certainty.

the state of being unsure of something

From this reading The worthy lady had very little doubt as to what she was going to be told, and was already congratulating herself on her good management and good luck combined.

regard something as probable or likely

From this reading The subject of the foregoing discussion stole quickly and quietly up to her room, unconscious of the angry passions she had unwittingly aroused, intending to remain there till the people returned from church, when she would meet her mother surrounded by strangers, and so avoid the bad quarter of an hour which her conscience told her she ought to expect.

especially of writing or speech; going before

From this reading The subject of the foregoing discussion stole quickly and quietly up to her room, unconscious of the angry passions she had unwittingly aroused, intending to remain there till the people returned from church, when she would meet her mother surrounded by strangers, and so avoid the bad quarter of an hour which her conscience told her she ought to expect.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading The subject of the foregoing discussion stole quickly and quietly up to her room, unconscious of the angry passions she had unwittingly aroused, intending to remain there till the people returned from church, when she would meet her mother surrounded by strangers, and so avoid the bad quarter of an hour which her conscience told her she ought to expect.

the act of departing

From this reading The worthy lady had very little doubt as to what she was going to be told, and was already congratulating herself on her good management and good luck combined.

having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified

From this reading The worthy lady had very little doubt as to what she was going to be told, and was already congratulating herself on her good management and good luck combined.

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

From this reading The subject of the foregoing discussion stole quickly and quietly up to her room, unconscious of the angry passions she had unwittingly aroused, intending to remain there till the people returned from church, when she would meet her mother surrounded by strangers, and so avoid the bad quarter of an hour which her conscience told her she ought to expect.

headdress that protects the head from bad weather; has shaped crown and usually a brim

From this reading She had scarcely removed her hat, however, when the door opened and her mother appeared, wearing a smile in which curious impatience mingled with complacent certainty.

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

From this reading The subject of the foregoing discussion stole quickly and quietly up to her room, unconscious of the angry passions she had unwittingly aroused, intending to remain there till the people returned from church, when she would meet her mother surrounded by strangers, and so avoid the bad quarter of an hour which her conscience told her she ought to expect.

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

From this reading The worthy lady had very little doubt as to what she was going to be told, and was already congratulating herself on her good management and good luck combined.

a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day

From this reading The subject of the foregoing discussion stole quickly and quietly up to her room, unconscious of the angry passions she had unwittingly aroused, intending to remain there till the people returned from church, when she would meet her mother surrounded by strangers, and so avoid the bad quarter of an hour which her conscience told her she ought to expect.

used to add a contrasting statement

From this reading She had scarcely removed her hat, however, when the door opened and her mother appeared, wearing a smile in which curious impatience mingled with complacent certainty.

a lack of patience; irritation with anything that causes delay

From this reading She had scarcely removed her hat, however, when the door opened and her mother appeared, wearing a smile in which curious impatience mingled with complacent certainty.

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

From this reading She had scarcely removed her hat, however, when the door opened and her mother appeared, wearing a smile in which curious impatience mingled with complacent certainty.

-ing form of “intend” — have in mind as a purpose

From this reading The subject of the foregoing discussion stole quickly and quietly up to her room, unconscious of the angry passions she had unwittingly aroused, intending to remain there till the people returned from church, when she would meet her mother surrounded by strangers, and so avoid the bad quarter of an hour which her conscience told her she ought to expect.

a polite name for any woman

From this reading The worthy lady had very little doubt as to what she was going to be told, and was already congratulating herself on her good management and good luck combined.

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

From this reading The worthy lady had very little doubt as to what she was going to be told, and was already congratulating herself on her good management and good luck combined.

your overall circumstances or condition in life (including everything that happens to you)

From this reading The worthy lady had very little doubt as to what she was going to be told, and was already congratulating herself on her good management and good luck combined.

informal terms for a mother

From this reading "Good morning, mamma.

the act of managing something

From this reading The worthy lady had very little doubt as to what she was going to be told, and was already congratulating herself on her good management and good luck combined.

come together

From this reading The subject of the foregoing discussion stole quickly and quietly up to her room, unconscious of the angry passions she had unwittingly aroused, intending to remain there till the people returned from church, when she would meet her mother surrounded by strangers, and so avoid the bad quarter of an hour which her conscience told her she ought to expect.

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

From this reading She had scarcely removed her hat, however, when the door opened and her mother appeared, wearing a smile in which curious impatience mingled with complacent certainty.

the time period between dawn and noon

From this reading "Good morning, mamma.

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

From this reading The subject of the foregoing discussion stole quickly and quietly up to her room, unconscious of the angry passions she had unwittingly aroused, intending to remain there till the people returned from church, when she would meet her mother surrounded by strangers, and so avoid the bad quarter of an hour which her conscience told her she ought to expect.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The subject of the foregoing discussion stole quickly and quietly up to her room, unconscious of the angry passions she had unwittingly aroused, intending to remain there till the people returned from church, when she would meet her mother surrounded by strangers, and so avoid the bad quarter of an hour which her conscience told her she ought to expect.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading The worthy lady had very little doubt as to what she was going to be told, and was already congratulating herself on her good management and good luck combined.

used of mouth or eyes

From this reading She had scarcely removed her hat, however, when the door opened and her mother appeared, wearing a smile in which curious impatience mingled with complacent certainty.

used with “to” to say what is right or advisable

From this reading The subject of the foregoing discussion stole quickly and quietly up to her room, unconscious of the angry passions she had unwittingly aroused, intending to remain there till the people returned from church, when she would meet her mother surrounded by strangers, and so avoid the bad quarter of an hour which her conscience told her she ought to expect.

plural of “passion” — a strong feeling or emotion

From this reading The subject of the foregoing discussion stole quickly and quietly up to her room, unconscious of the angry passions she had unwittingly aroused, intending to remain there till the people returned from church, when she would meet her mother surrounded by strangers, and so avoid the bad quarter of an hour which her conscience told her she ought to expect.

(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively

From this reading The subject of the foregoing discussion stole quickly and quietly up to her room, unconscious of the angry passions she had unwittingly aroused, intending to remain there till the people returned from church, when she would meet her mother surrounded by strangers, and so avoid the bad quarter of an hour which her conscience told her she ought to expect.

deserving or inciting pity

From this reading "POOR SUSAN!"

one of four equal parts

From this reading The subject of the foregoing discussion stole quickly and quietly up to her room, unconscious of the angry passions she had unwittingly aroused, intending to remain there till the people returned from church, when she would meet her mother surrounded by strangers, and so avoid the bad quarter of an hour which her conscience told her she ought to expect.

with speed

From this reading The subject of the foregoing discussion stole quickly and quietly up to her room, unconscious of the angry passions she had unwittingly aroused, intending to remain there till the people returned from church, when she would meet her mother surrounded by strangers, and so avoid the bad quarter of an hour which her conscience told her she ought to expect.

with low volume

From this reading The subject of the foregoing discussion stole quickly and quietly up to her room, unconscious of the angry passions she had unwittingly aroused, intending to remain there till the people returned from church, when she would meet her mother surrounded by strangers, and so avoid the bad quarter of an hour which her conscience told her she ought to expect.

stay the same; remain in a certain state

From this reading The subject of the foregoing discussion stole quickly and quietly up to her room, unconscious of the angry passions she had unwittingly aroused, intending to remain there till the people returned from church, when she would meet her mother surrounded by strangers, and so avoid the bad quarter of an hour which her conscience told her she ought to expect.

separated in relationship by a given degree of descent

From this reading She had scarcely removed her hat, however, when the door opened and her mother appeared, wearing a smile in which curious impatience mingled with complacent certainty.

past form of “return” — go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before

From this reading The subject of the foregoing discussion stole quickly and quietly up to her room, unconscious of the angry passions she had unwittingly aroused, intending to remain there till the people returned from church, when she would meet her mother surrounded by strangers, and so avoid the bad quarter of an hour which her conscience told her she ought to expect.

an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling

From this reading The subject of the foregoing discussion stole quickly and quietly up to her room, unconscious of the angry passions she had unwittingly aroused, intending to remain there till the people returned from church, when she would meet her mother surrounded by strangers, and so avoid the bad quarter of an hour which her conscience told her she ought to expect.

only a very short time before

From this reading She had scarcely removed her hat, however, when the door opened and her mother appeared, wearing a smile in which curious impatience mingled with complacent certainty.

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

From this reading The subject of the foregoing discussion stole quickly and quietly up to her room, unconscious of the angry passions she had unwittingly aroused, intending to remain there till the people returned from church, when she would meet her mother surrounded by strangers, and so avoid the bad quarter of an hour which her conscience told her she ought to expect.

change one's facial expression by spreading the lips, often to signal pleasure

From this reading She had scarcely removed her hat, however, when the door opened and her mother appeared, wearing a smile in which curious impatience mingled with complacent certainty.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading The subject of the foregoing discussion stole quickly and quietly up to her room, unconscious of the angry passions she had unwittingly aroused, intending to remain there till the people returned from church, when she would meet her mother surrounded by strangers, and so avoid the bad quarter of an hour which her conscience told her she ought to expect.

a wide scarf worn about their shoulders by women

From this reading The subject of the foregoing discussion stole quickly and quietly up to her room, unconscious of the angry passions she had unwittingly aroused, intending to remain there till the people returned from church, when she would meet her mother surrounded by strangers, and so avoid the bad quarter of an hour which her conscience told her she ought to expect.

plural of “stranger” — anyone who does not belong in the environment in which they are found

From this reading The subject of the foregoing discussion stole quickly and quietly up to her room, unconscious of the angry passions she had unwittingly aroused, intending to remain there till the people returned from church, when she would meet her mother surrounded by strangers, and so avoid the bad quarter of an hour which her conscience told her she ought to expect.

the subject matter of a conversation or discussion

From this reading The subject of the foregoing discussion stole quickly and quietly up to her room, unconscious of the angry passions she had unwittingly aroused, intending to remain there till the people returned from church, when she would meet her mother surrounded by strangers, and so avoid the bad quarter of an hour which her conscience told her she ought to expect.

confined on all sides

From this reading The subject of the foregoing discussion stole quickly and quietly up to her room, unconscious of the angry passions she had unwittingly aroused, intending to remain there till the people returned from church, when she would meet her mother surrounded by strangers, and so avoid the bad quarter of an hour which her conscience told her she ought to expect.

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

From this reading "POOR SUSAN!"

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

From this reading The subject of the foregoing discussion stole quickly and quietly up to her room, unconscious of the angry passions she had unwittingly aroused, intending to remain there till the people returned from church, when she would meet her mother surrounded by strangers, and so avoid the bad quarter of an hour which her conscience told her she ought to expect.

in or at that place or location

From this reading The subject of the foregoing discussion stole quickly and quietly up to her room, unconscious of the angry passions she had unwittingly aroused, intending to remain there till the people returned from church, when she would meet her mother surrounded by strangers, and so avoid the bad quarter of an hour which her conscience told her she ought to expect.

up to a particular time

From this reading The subject of the foregoing discussion stole quickly and quietly up to her room, unconscious of the angry passions she had unwittingly aroused, intending to remain there till the people returned from church, when she would meet her mother surrounded by strangers, and so avoid the bad quarter of an hour which her conscience told her she ought to expect.

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

From this reading The subject of the foregoing discussion stole quickly and quietly up to her room, unconscious of the angry passions she had unwittingly aroused, intending to remain there till the people returned from church, when she would meet her mother surrounded by strangers, and so avoid the bad quarter of an hour which her conscience told her she ought to expect.

inflected form of “tell” — express in words

From this reading The subject of the foregoing discussion stole quickly and quietly up to her room, unconscious of the angry passions she had unwittingly aroused, intending to remain there till the people returned from church, when she would meet her mother surrounded by strangers, and so avoid the bad quarter of an hour which her conscience told her she ought to expect.

not conscious; lacking awareness and the capacity for sensory perception as if asleep or dead

From this reading The subject of the foregoing discussion stole quickly and quietly up to her room, unconscious of the angry passions she had unwittingly aroused, intending to remain there till the people returned from church, when she would meet her mother surrounded by strangers, and so avoid the bad quarter of an hour which her conscience told her she ought to expect.

without knowledge or intention

From this reading The subject of the foregoing discussion stole quickly and quietly up to her room, unconscious of the angry passions she had unwittingly aroused, intending to remain there till the people returned from church, when she would meet her mother surrounded by strangers, and so avoid the bad quarter of an hour which her conscience told her she ought to expect.

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading The subject of the foregoing discussion stole quickly and quietly up to her room, unconscious of the angry passions she had unwittingly aroused, intending to remain there till the people returned from church, when she would meet her mother surrounded by strangers, and so avoid the bad quarter of an hour which her conscience told her she ought to expect.

precisely as stated

From this reading The worthy lady had very little doubt as to what she was going to be told, and was already congratulating herself on her good management and good luck combined.

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

From this reading The worthy lady had very little doubt as to what she was going to be told, and was already congratulating herself on her good management and good luck combined.

(geology) the mechanical process of wearing or grinding something down (as by particles washing over it)

From this reading She had scarcely removed her hat, however, when the door opened and her mother appeared, wearing a smile in which curious impatience mingled with complacent certainty.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading The worthy lady had very little doubt as to what she was going to be told, and was already congratulating herself on her good management and good luck combined.

at the time that

From this reading The subject of the foregoing discussion stole quickly and quietly up to her room, unconscious of the angry passions she had unwittingly aroused, intending to remain there till the people returned from church, when she would meet her mother surrounded by strangers, and so avoid the bad quarter of an hour which her conscience told her she ought to expect.

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

From this reading The subject of the foregoing discussion stole quickly and quietly up to her room, unconscious of the angry passions she had unwittingly aroused, intending to remain there till the people returned from church, when she would meet her mother surrounded by strangers, and so avoid the bad quarter of an hour which her conscience told her she ought to expect.

in the company of; together with

From this reading She had scarcely removed her hat, however, when the door opened and her mother appeared, wearing a smile in which curious impatience mingled with complacent certainty.

Having or showing the qualities or abilities that merit recognition in character or magic.

From this reading The worthy lady had very little doubt as to what she was going to be told, and was already congratulating herself on her good management and good luck combined.

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

From this reading The subject of the foregoing discussion stole quickly and quietly up to her room, unconscious of the angry passions she had unwittingly aroused, intending to remain there till the people returned from church, when she would meet her mother surrounded by strangers, and so avoid the bad quarter of an hour which her conscience told her she ought to expect.