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 After an interval of nearly half an hour, he drew near again, and sat down in a high-backed arm-chair, beside the fire, and nearly opposite to me, and looked at me steadfastly for some time, as was his wont, before speaking; and said he-- 'This won't do--you must have a governess.'

altered to accommodate to certain requirements or bring into a proper relation

From this reading In cases of this kind I merely set down my book or work, as it might be, and adjusted myself to listen without speaking.

later than; following

From this reading After an interval of nearly half an hour, he drew near again, and sat down in a high-backed arm-chair, beside the fire, and nearly opposite to me, and looked at me steadfastly for some time, as was his wont, before speaking; and said he-- 'This won't do--you must have a governess.'

anew

From this reading After an interval of nearly half an hour, he drew near again, and sat down in a high-backed arm-chair, beside the fire, and nearly opposite to me, and looked at me steadfastly for some time, as was his wont, before speaking; and said he-- 'This won't do--you must have a governess.'

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

From this reading After an interval of nearly half an hour, he drew near again, and sat down in a high-backed arm-chair, beside the fire, and nearly opposite to me, and looked at me steadfastly for some time, as was his wont, before speaking; and said he-- 'This won't do--you must have a governess.'

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

From this reading When we reached the drawing-room, I resumed my chair, and my father his slow and regular walk to and fro, in the great room.

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

From this reading After an interval of nearly half an hour, he drew near again, and sat down in a high-backed arm-chair, beside the fire, and nearly opposite to me, and looked at me steadfastly for some time, as was his wont, before speaking; and said he-- 'This won't do--you must have a governess.'

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

From this reading After an interval of nearly half an hour, he drew near again, and sat down in a high-backed arm-chair, beside the fire, and nearly opposite to me, and looked at me steadfastly for some time, as was his wont, before speaking; and said he-- 'This won't do--you must have a governess.'

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading After an interval of nearly half an hour, he drew near again, and sat down in a high-backed arm-chair, beside the fire, and nearly opposite to me, and looked at me steadfastly for some time, as was his wont, before speaking; and said he-- 'This won't do--you must have a governess.'

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

From this reading In cases of this kind I merely set down my book or work, as it might be, and adjusted myself to listen without speaking.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading After an interval of nearly half an hour, he drew near again, and sat down in a high-backed arm-chair, beside the fire, and nearly opposite to me, and looked at me steadfastly for some time, as was his wont, before speaking; and said he-- 'This won't do--you must have a governess.'

next to; at the side of

From this reading After an interval of nearly half an hour, he drew near again, and sat down in a high-backed arm-chair, beside the fire, and nearly opposite to me, and looked at me steadfastly for some time, as was his wont, before speaking; and said he-- 'This won't do--you must have a governess.'

a written work or composition that has been published (printed on pages bound together)

From this reading In cases of this kind I merely set down my book or work, as it might be, and adjusted myself to listen without speaking.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Perhaps it was the uproar of the wind that disturbed the ordinary tenor of his thoughts; but, whatever was the cause, certainly he was unusually talkative that night.

plural of “case” — an occurrence of something

From this reading In cases of this kind I merely set down my book or work, as it might be, and adjusted myself to listen without speaking.

events that provide the generative force that is the origin of something

From this reading Perhaps it was the uproar of the wind that disturbed the ordinary tenor of his thoughts; but, whatever was the cause, certainly he was unusually talkative that night.

definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)

From this reading Perhaps it was the uproar of the wind that disturbed the ordinary tenor of his thoughts; but, whatever was the cause, certainly he was unusually talkative that night.

a seat for one person, with a support for the back

From this reading When we reached the drawing-room, I resumed my chair, and my father his slow and regular walk to and fro, in the great room.

having the place or position changed

From this reading Perhaps it was the uproar of the wind that disturbed the ordinary tenor of his thoughts; but, whatever was the cause, certainly he was unusually talkative that night.

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading After an interval of nearly half an hour, he drew near again, and sat down in a high-backed arm-chair, beside the fire, and nearly opposite to me, and looked at me steadfastly for some time, as was his wont, before speaking; and said he-- 'This won't do--you must have a governess.'

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading After an interval of nearly half an hour, he drew near again, and sat down in a high-backed arm-chair, beside the fire, and nearly opposite to me, and looked at me steadfastly for some time, as was his wont, before speaking; and said he-- 'This won't do--you must have a governess.'

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

From this reading When we reached the drawing-room, I resumed my chair, and my father his slow and regular walk to and fro, in the great room.

United States actor (born in Ireland); father of Georgiana Emma Barrymore (1827-1862)

From this reading After an interval of nearly half an hour, he drew near again, and sat down in a high-backed arm-chair, beside the fire, and nearly opposite to me, and looked at me steadfastly for some time, as was his wont, before speaking; and said he-- 'This won't do--you must have a governess.'

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

From this reading When we reached the drawing-room, I resumed my chair, and my father his slow and regular walk to and fro, in the great room.

start firing a weapon

From this reading After an interval of nearly half an hour, he drew near again, and sat down in a high-backed arm-chair, beside the fire, and nearly opposite to me, and looked at me steadfastly for some time, as was his wont, before speaking; and said he-- 'This won't do--you must have a governess.'

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading After an interval of nearly half an hour, he drew near again, and sat down in a high-backed arm-chair, beside the fire, and nearly opposite to me, and looked at me steadfastly for some time, as was his wont, before speaking; and said he-- 'This won't do--you must have a governess.'

the Romance language spoken in France and in countries colonized by France

From this reading 'Your French is pretty well, and your Italian; but you have no German.

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

From this reading When we reached the drawing-room, I resumed my chair, and my father his slow and regular walk to and fro, in the great room.

a person of German nationality

From this reading 'Your French is pretty well, and your Italian; but you have no German.

a woman entrusted with the care and supervision of a child (especially in a private home)

From this reading After an interval of nearly half an hour, he drew near again, and sat down in a high-backed arm-chair, beside the fire, and nearly opposite to me, and looked at me steadfastly for some time, as was his wont, before speaking; and said he-- 'This won't do--you must have a governess.'

relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind

From this reading When we reached the drawing-room, I resumed my chair, and my father his slow and regular walk to and fro, in the great room.

consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity

From this reading After an interval of nearly half an hour, he drew near again, and sat down in a high-backed arm-chair, beside the fire, and nearly opposite to me, and looked at me steadfastly for some time, as was his wont, before speaking; and said he-- 'This won't do--you must have a governess.'

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading After an interval of nearly half an hour, he drew near again, and sat down in a high-backed arm-chair, beside the fire, and nearly opposite to me, and looked at me steadfastly for some time, as was his wont, before speaking; and said he-- 'This won't do--you must have a governess.'

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

From this reading Perhaps it was the uproar of the wind that disturbed the ordinary tenor of his thoughts; but, whatever was the cause, certainly he was unusually talkative that night.

having a high back

From this reading After an interval of nearly half an hour, he drew near again, and sat down in a high-backed arm-chair, beside the fire, and nearly opposite to me, and looked at me steadfastly for some time, as was his wont, before speaking; and said he-- 'This won't do--you must have a governess.'

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

From this reading When we reached the drawing-room, I resumed my chair, and my father his slow and regular walk to and fro, in the great room.

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

From this reading After an interval of nearly half an hour, he drew near again, and sat down in a high-backed arm-chair, beside the fire, and nearly opposite to me, and looked at me steadfastly for some time, as was his wont, before speaking; and said he-- 'This won't do--you must have a governess.'

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

From this reading When we reached the drawing-room, I resumed my chair, and my father his slow and regular walk to and fro, in the great room.

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

From this reading When we reached the drawing-room, I resumed my chair, and my father his slow and regular walk to and fro, in the great room.

a definite length of time marked off by two instants

From this reading After an interval of nearly half an hour, he drew near again, and sat down in a high-backed arm-chair, beside the fire, and nearly opposite to me, and looked at me steadfastly for some time, as was his wont, before speaking; and said he-- 'This won't do--you must have a governess.'

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

From this reading 'Your French is pretty well, and your Italian; but you have no German.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Perhaps it was the uproar of the wind that disturbed the ordinary tenor of his thoughts; but, whatever was the cause, certainly he was unusually talkative that night.

a native or inhabitant of Italy

From this reading 'Your French is pretty well, and your Italian; but you have no German.

having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior

From this reading In cases of this kind I merely set down my book or work, as it might be, and adjusted myself to listen without speaking.

hear with intention

From this reading In cases of this kind I merely set down my book or work, as it might be, and adjusted myself to listen without speaking.

past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading After an interval of nearly half an hour, he drew near again, and sat down in a high-backed arm-chair, beside the fire, and nearly opposite to me, and looked at me steadfastly for some time, as was his wont, before speaking; and said he-- 'This won't do--you must have a governess.'

the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading After an interval of nearly half an hour, he drew near again, and sat down in a high-backed arm-chair, beside the fire, and nearly opposite to me, and looked at me steadfastly for some time, as was his wont, before speaking; and said he-- 'This won't do--you must have a governess.'

and nothing more

From this reading In cases of this kind I merely set down my book or work, as it might be, and adjusted myself to listen without speaking.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading In cases of this kind I merely set down my book or work, as it might be, and adjusted myself to listen without speaking.

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading After an interval of nearly half an hour, he drew near again, and sat down in a high-backed arm-chair, beside the fire, and nearly opposite to me, and looked at me steadfastly for some time, as was his wont, before speaking; and said he-- 'This won't do--you must have a governess.'

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading When we reached the drawing-room, I resumed my chair, and my father his slow and regular walk to and fro, in the great room.

used when the speaker is also the object of the action

From this reading In cases of this kind I merely set down my book or work, as it might be, and adjusted myself to listen without speaking.

near in time or place or relationship

From this reading After an interval of nearly half an hour, he drew near again, and sat down in a high-backed arm-chair, beside the fire, and nearly opposite to me, and looked at me steadfastly for some time, as was his wont, before speaking; and said he-- 'This won't do--you must have a governess.'

(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but

From this reading After an interval of nearly half an hour, he drew near again, and sat down in a high-backed arm-chair, beside the fire, and nearly opposite to me, and looked at me steadfastly for some time, as was his wont, before speaking; and said he-- 'This won't do--you must have a governess.'

the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside

From this reading Perhaps it was the uproar of the wind that disturbed the ordinary tenor of his thoughts; but, whatever was the cause, certainly he was unusually talkative that night.

not any; not one

From this reading 'Your French is pretty well, and your Italian; but you have no German.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Perhaps it was the uproar of the wind that disturbed the ordinary tenor of his thoughts; but, whatever was the cause, certainly he was unusually talkative that night.

being directly across from each other; facing

From this reading After an interval of nearly half an hour, he drew near again, and sat down in a high-backed arm-chair, beside the fire, and nearly opposite to me, and looked at me steadfastly for some time, as was his wont, before speaking; and said he-- 'This won't do--you must have a governess.'

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading In cases of this kind I merely set down my book or work, as it might be, and adjusted myself to listen without speaking.

a judge of a probate court

From this reading Perhaps it was the uproar of the wind that disturbed the ordinary tenor of his thoughts; but, whatever was the cause, certainly he was unusually talkative that night.

by chance

From this reading Perhaps it was the uproar of the wind that disturbed the ordinary tenor of his thoughts; but, whatever was the cause, certainly he was unusually talkative that night.

pleasing by delicacy or grace; not imposing

From this reading 'Your French is pretty well, and your Italian; but you have no German.

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

From this reading When we reached the drawing-room, I resumed my chair, and my father his slow and regular walk to and fro, in the great room.

in accordance with fixed order or procedure or principle

From this reading When we reached the drawing-room, I resumed my chair, and my father his slow and regular walk to and fro, in the great room.

past form of “resume” — take up or begin anew

From this reading When we reached the drawing-room, I resumed my chair, and my father his slow and regular walk to and fro, in the great room.

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

From this reading When we reached the drawing-room, I resumed my chair, and my father his slow and regular walk to and fro, in the great room.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading After an interval of nearly half an hour, he drew near again, and sat down in a high-backed arm-chair, beside the fire, and nearly opposite to me, and looked at me steadfastly for some time, as was his wont, before speaking; and said he-- 'This won't do--you must have a governess.'

the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians

From this reading After an interval of nearly half an hour, he drew near again, and sat down in a high-backed arm-chair, beside the fire, and nearly opposite to me, and looked at me steadfastly for some time, as was his wont, before speaking; and said he-- 'This won't do--you must have a governess.'

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading In cases of this kind I merely set down my book or work, as it might be, and adjusted myself to listen without speaking.

not moving quickly; taking a comparatively long time

From this reading When we reached the drawing-room, I resumed my chair, and my father his slow and regular walk to and fro, in the great room.

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

From this reading After an interval of nearly half an hour, he drew near again, and sat down in a high-backed arm-chair, beside the fire, and nearly opposite to me, and looked at me steadfastly for some time, as was his wont, before speaking; and said he-- 'This won't do--you must have a governess.'

the utterance of intelligible speech

From this reading After an interval of nearly half an hour, he drew near again, and sat down in a high-backed arm-chair, beside the fire, and nearly opposite to me, and looked at me steadfastly for some time, as was his wont, before speaking; and said he-- 'This won't do--you must have a governess.'

with resolute determination

From this reading After an interval of nearly half an hour, he drew near again, and sat down in a high-backed arm-chair, beside the fire, and nearly opposite to me, and looked at me steadfastly for some time, as was his wont, before speaking; and said he-- 'This won't do--you must have a governess.'

full of trivial conversation

From this reading Perhaps it was the uproar of the wind that disturbed the ordinary tenor of his thoughts; but, whatever was the cause, certainly he was unusually talkative that night.

the adult male singing voice above baritone

From this reading Perhaps it was the uproar of the wind that disturbed the ordinary tenor of his thoughts; but, whatever was the cause, certainly he was unusually talkative that night.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Perhaps it was the uproar of the wind that disturbed the ordinary tenor of his thoughts; but, whatever was the cause, certainly he was unusually talkative that night.

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

From this reading When we reached the drawing-room, I resumed my chair, and my father his slow and regular walk to and fro, in the great room.

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

From this reading After an interval of nearly half an hour, he drew near again, and sat down in a high-backed arm-chair, beside the fire, and nearly opposite to me, and looked at me steadfastly for some time, as was his wont, before speaking; and said he-- 'This won't do--you must have a governess.'

plural of “thought” — the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about

From this reading Perhaps it was the uproar of the wind that disturbed the ordinary tenor of his thoughts; but, whatever was the cause, certainly he was unusually talkative that night.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading After an interval of nearly half an hour, he drew near again, and sat down in a high-backed arm-chair, beside the fire, and nearly opposite to me, and looked at me steadfastly for some time, as was his wont, before speaking; and said he-- 'This won't do--you must have a governess.'

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

From this reading When we reached the drawing-room, I resumed my chair, and my father his slow and regular walk to and fro, in the great room.

to a remarkable degree or extent

From this reading Perhaps it was the uproar of the wind that disturbed the ordinary tenor of his thoughts; but, whatever was the cause, certainly he was unusually talkative that night.

a state of commotion and noise and confusion

From this reading Perhaps it was the uproar of the wind that disturbed the ordinary tenor of his thoughts; but, whatever was the cause, certainly he was unusually talkative that night.

the act of traveling by foot

From this reading When we reached the drawing-room, I resumed my chair, and my father his slow and regular walk to and fro, in the great room.

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

From this reading Perhaps it was the uproar of the wind that disturbed the ordinary tenor of his thoughts; but, whatever was the cause, certainly he was unusually talkative that night.

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading When we reached the drawing-room, I resumed my chair, and my father his slow and regular walk to and fro, in the great room.

(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 'Your French is pretty well, and your Italian; but you have no German.

any or all of a kind, it does not matter which

From this reading Perhaps it was the uproar of the wind that disturbed the ordinary tenor of his thoughts; but, whatever was the cause, certainly he was unusually talkative that night.

at the time that

From this reading When we reached the drawing-room, I resumed my chair, and my father his slow and regular walk to and fro, in the great room.

air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure

From this reading Perhaps it was the uproar of the wind that disturbed the ordinary tenor of his thoughts; but, whatever was the cause, certainly he was unusually talkative that night.

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading In cases of this kind I merely set down my book or work, as it might be, and adjusted myself to listen without speaking.

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

From this reading After an interval of nearly half an hour, he drew near again, and sat down in a high-backed arm-chair, beside the fire, and nearly opposite to me, and looked at me steadfastly for some time, as was his wont, before speaking; and said he-- 'This won't do--you must have a governess.'

an established custom

From this reading After an interval of nearly half an hour, he drew near again, and sat down in a high-backed arm-chair, beside the fire, and nearly opposite to me, and looked at me steadfastly for some time, as was his wont, before speaking; and said he-- 'This won't do--you must have a governess.'

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

From this reading In cases of this kind I merely set down my book or work, as it might be, and adjusted myself to listen without speaking.

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading After an interval of nearly half an hour, he drew near again, and sat down in a high-backed arm-chair, beside the fire, and nearly opposite to me, and looked at me steadfastly for some time, as was his wont, before speaking; and said he-- 'This won't do--you must have a governess.'

belonging to the person or people being spoken to

From this reading 'Your French is pretty well, and your Italian; but you have no German.