Chapter XXVI · Chapter 26

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

From this reading When Sir Francis Varney reached his hotel, he hurried to his own apartment, and then he called for his luggage; and when that was brought to him, and he was alone, he unlocked a portmanteau, and placed his gold in it; and then, having taken care to dress himself, he again met the Frasers below, at the evening meal.

anew

From this reading When Sir Francis Varney reached his hotel, he hurried to his own apartment, and then he called for his luggage; and when that was brought to him, and he was alone, he unlocked a portmanteau, and placed his gold in it; and then, having taken care to dress himself, he again met the Frasers below, at the evening meal.

Having no one else present.

From this reading When Sir Francis Varney reached his hotel, he hurried to his own apartment, and then he called for his luggage; and when that was brought to him, and he was alone, he unlocked a portmanteau, and placed his gold in it; and then, having taken care to dress himself, he again met the Frasers below, at the evening meal.

cause to change; make different; cause a transformation

From this reading “They may be; but only in parts and places; and it does not alter the general plan of the place, though appearances may be benefited.”

plural of “alteration” — an event that occurs when something passes from one state or phase to another

From this reading “I have been strolling the streets for an odd hour,” he said, “and find things pretty much as they used to be; I don’t see many alterations worth speaking of.”

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

From this reading “I have been strolling the streets for an odd hour,” he said, “and find things pretty much as they used to be; I don’t see many alterations worth speaking of.”

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

From this reading When Sir Francis Varney reached his hotel, he hurried to his own apartment, and then he called for his luggage; and when that was brought to him, and he was alone, he unlocked a portmanteau, and placed his gold in it; and then, having taken care to dress himself, he again met the Frasers below, at the evening meal.

a suite of rooms usually on one floor of an apartment house

From this reading When Sir Francis Varney reached his hotel, he hurried to his own apartment, and then he called for his luggage; and when that was brought to him, and he was alone, he unlocked a portmanteau, and placed his gold in it; and then, having taken care to dress himself, he again met the Frasers below, at the evening meal.

plural of “appearance” — outward or visible aspect of a person or thing

From this reading “They may be; but only in parts and places; and it does not alter the general plan of the place, though appearances may be benefited.”

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

From this reading “And yet they say they are improving daily.”

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

From this reading “I have been strolling the streets for an odd hour,” he said, “and find things pretty much as they used to be; I don’t see many alterations worth speaking of.”

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading THE SCENE AT THE HOTEL.—THE RELATION OF THE CAUSE OF SIR FRANCIS VARNEY’S PALENESS.

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

From this reading “I have been strolling the streets for an odd hour,” he said, “and find things pretty much as they used to be; I don’t see many alterations worth speaking of.”

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “I have been strolling the streets for an odd hour,” he said, “and find things pretty much as they used to be; I don’t see many alterations worth speaking of.”

at or to a lower level than something

From this reading When Sir Francis Varney reached his hotel, he hurried to his own apartment, and then he called for his luggage; and when that was brought to him, and he was alone, he unlocked a portmanteau, and placed his gold in it; and then, having taken care to dress himself, he again met the Frasers below, at the evening meal.

past form of “benefit” — derive a benefit from

From this reading “They may be; but only in parts and places; and it does not alter the general plan of the place, though appearances may be benefited.”

inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere

From this reading When Sir Francis Varney reached his hotel, he hurried to his own apartment, and then he called for his luggage; and when that was brought to him, and he was alone, he unlocked a portmanteau, and placed his gold in it; and then, having taken care to dress himself, he again met the Frasers below, at the evening meal.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading “They may be; but only in parts and places; and it does not alter the general plan of the place, though appearances may be benefited.”

past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading When Sir Francis Varney reached his hotel, he hurried to his own apartment, and then he called for his luggage; and when that was brought to him, and he was alone, he unlocked a portmanteau, and placed his gold in it; and then, having taken care to dress himself, he again met the Frasers below, at the evening meal.

the work of providing treatment for or attending to someone or something

From this reading When Sir Francis Varney reached his hotel, he hurried to his own apartment, and then he called for his luggage; and when that was brought to him, and he was alone, he unlocked a portmanteau, and placed his gold in it; and then, having taken care to dress himself, he again met the Frasers below, at the evening meal.

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

From this reading THE SCENE AT THE HOTEL.—THE RELATION OF THE CAUSE OF SIR FRANCIS VARNEY’S PALENESS.

every day; without missing a day

From this reading “And yet they say they are improving daily.”

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

From this reading “They may be; but only in parts and places; and it does not alter the general plan of the place, though appearances may be benefited.”

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

From this reading “I have been strolling the streets for an odd hour,” he said, “and find things pretty much as they used to be; I don’t see many alterations worth speaking of.”

put on clothes

From this reading When Sir Francis Varney reached his hotel, he hurried to his own apartment, and then he called for his luggage; and when that was brought to him, and he was alone, he unlocked a portmanteau, and placed his gold in it; and then, having taken care to dress himself, he again met the Frasers below, at the evening meal.

the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)

From this reading When Sir Francis Varney reached his hotel, he hurried to his own apartment, and then he called for his luggage; and when that was brought to him, and he was alone, he unlocked a portmanteau, and placed his gold in it; and then, having taken care to dress himself, he again met the Frasers below, at the evening meal.

come upon, as if by accident; meet with

From this reading “I have been strolling the streets for an odd hour,” he said, “and find things pretty much as they used to be; I don’t see many alterations worth speaking of.”

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading When Sir Francis Varney reached his hotel, he hurried to his own apartment, and then he called for his luggage; and when that was brought to him, and he was alone, he unlocked a portmanteau, and placed his gold in it; and then, having taken care to dress himself, he again met the Frasers below, at the evening meal.

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

From this reading THE SCENE AT THE HOTEL.—THE RELATION OF THE CAUSE OF SIR FRANCIS VARNEY’S PALENESS.

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

From this reading When Sir Francis Varney reached his hotel, he hurried to his own apartment, and then he called for his luggage; and when that was brought to him, and he was alone, he unlocked a portmanteau, and placed his gold in it; and then, having taken care to dress himself, he again met the Frasers below, at the evening meal.

applying to all or most members of a category or group

From this reading “They may be; but only in parts and places; and it does not alter the general plan of the place, though appearances may be benefited.”

coins made of gold

From this reading When Sir Francis Varney reached his hotel, he hurried to his own apartment, and then he called for his luggage; and when that was brought to him, and he was alone, he unlocked a portmanteau, and placed his gold in it; and then, having taken care to dress himself, he again met the Frasers below, at the evening meal.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading “I have been strolling the streets for an odd hour,” he said, “and find things pretty much as they used to be; I don’t see many alterations worth speaking of.”

the -ing form of “have”

From this reading When Sir Francis Varney reached his hotel, he hurried to his own apartment, and then he called for his luggage; and when that was brought to him, and he was alone, he unlocked a portmanteau, and placed his gold in it; and then, having taken care to dress himself, he again met the Frasers below, at the evening meal.

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

From this reading When Sir Francis Varney reached his hotel, he hurried to his own apartment, and then he called for his luggage; and when that was brought to him, and he was alone, he unlocked a portmanteau, and placed his gold in it; and then, having taken care to dress himself, he again met the Frasers below, at the evening meal.

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

From this reading When Sir Francis Varney reached his hotel, he hurried to his own apartment, and then he called for his luggage; and when that was brought to him, and he was alone, he unlocked a portmanteau, and placed his gold in it; and then, having taken care to dress himself, he again met the Frasers below, at the evening meal.

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading When Sir Francis Varney reached his hotel, he hurried to his own apartment, and then he called for his luggage; and when that was brought to him, and he was alone, he unlocked a portmanteau, and placed his gold in it; and then, having taken care to dress himself, he again met the Frasers below, at the evening meal.

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

From this reading When Sir Francis Varney reached his hotel, he hurried to his own apartment, and then he called for his luggage; and when that was brought to him, and he was alone, he unlocked a portmanteau, and placed his gold in it; and then, having taken care to dress himself, he again met the Frasers below, at the evening meal.

a building where travelers can pay for lodging and meals and other services

From this reading THE SCENE AT THE HOTEL.—THE RELATION OF THE CAUSE OF SIR FRANCIS VARNEY’S PALENESS.

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

From this reading “I have been strolling the streets for an odd hour,” he said, “and find things pretty much as they used to be; I don’t see many alterations worth speaking of.”

moving rapidly or performed quickly or in great haste

From this reading When Sir Francis Varney reached his hotel, he hurried to his own apartment, and then he called for his luggage; and when that was brought to him, and he was alone, he unlocked a portmanteau, and placed his gold in it; and then, having taken care to dress himself, he again met the Frasers below, at the evening meal.

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

From this reading “I have been strolling the streets for an odd hour,” he said, “and find things pretty much as they used to be; I don’t see many alterations worth speaking of.”

getting higher or more vigorous

From this reading “And yet they say they are improving daily.”

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

From this reading When Sir Francis Varney reached his hotel, he hurried to his own apartment, and then he called for his luggage; and when that was brought to him, and he was alone, he unlocked a portmanteau, and placed his gold in it; and then, having taken care to dress himself, he again met the Frasers below, at the evening meal.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading When Sir Francis Varney reached his hotel, he hurried to his own apartment, and then he called for his luggage; and when that was brought to him, and he was alone, he unlocked a portmanteau, and placed his gold in it; and then, having taken care to dress himself, he again met the Frasers below, at the evening meal.

cases used to carry belongings when traveling

From this reading When Sir Francis Varney reached his hotel, he hurried to his own apartment, and then he called for his luggage; and when that was brought to him, and he was alone, he unlocked a portmanteau, and placed his gold in it; and then, having taken care to dress himself, he again met the Frasers below, at the evening meal.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number

From this reading “I have been strolling the streets for an odd hour,” he said, “and find things pretty much as they used to be; I don’t see many alterations worth speaking of.”

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading “They may be; but only in parts and places; and it does not alter the general plan of the place, though appearances may be benefited.”

the food served and eaten at one time

From this reading When Sir Francis Varney reached his hotel, he hurried to his own apartment, and then he called for his luggage; and when that was brought to him, and he was alone, he unlocked a portmanteau, and placed his gold in it; and then, having taken care to dress himself, he again met the Frasers below, at the evening meal.

inflected form of “meet” — come together

From this reading When Sir Francis Varney reached his hotel, he hurried to his own apartment, and then he called for his luggage; and when that was brought to him, and he was alone, he unlocked a portmanteau, and placed his gold in it; and then, having taken care to dress himself, he again met the Frasers below, at the evening meal.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading “I have been strolling the streets for an odd hour,” he said, “and find things pretty much as they used to be; I don’t see many alterations worth speaking of.”

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading “They may be; but only in parts and places; and it does not alter the general plan of the place, though appearances may be benefited.”

not divisible by two

From this reading “I have been strolling the streets for an odd hour,” he said, “and find things pretty much as they used to be; I don’t see many alterations worth speaking of.”

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading THE SCENE AT THE HOTEL.—THE RELATION OF THE CAUSE OF SIR FRANCIS VARNEY’S PALENESS.

and nothing more

From this reading “They may be; but only in parts and places; and it does not alter the general plan of the place, though appearances may be benefited.”

have ownership or possession of

From this reading When Sir Francis Varney reached his hotel, he hurried to his own apartment, and then he called for his luggage; and when that was brought to him, and he was alone, he unlocked a portmanteau, and placed his gold in it; and then, having taken care to dress himself, he again met the Frasers below, at the evening meal.

unnatural lack of color in the skin (as from bruising or sickness or emotional distress)

From this reading THE SCENE AT THE HOTEL.—THE RELATION OF THE CAUSE OF SIR FRANCIS VARNEY’S PALENESS.

the local environment

From this reading “They may be; but only in parts and places; and it does not alter the general plan of the place, though appearances may be benefited.”

a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading “They may be; but only in parts and places; and it does not alter the general plan of the place, though appearances may be benefited.”

situated in a particular spot or position

From this reading When Sir Francis Varney reached his hotel, he hurried to his own apartment, and then he called for his luggage; and when that was brought to him, and he was alone, he unlocked a portmanteau, and placed his gold in it; and then, having taken care to dress himself, he again met the Frasers below, at the evening meal.

plural of “place” — a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading “They may be; but only in parts and places; and it does not alter the general plan of the place, though appearances may be benefited.”

have the will and intention to carry out some action

From this reading “They may be; but only in parts and places; and it does not alter the general plan of the place, though appearances may be benefited.”

a new word formed by joining two others and combining their meanings

From this reading When Sir Francis Varney reached his hotel, he hurried to his own apartment, and then he called for his luggage; and when that was brought to him, and he was alone, he unlocked a portmanteau, and placed his gold in it; and then, having taken care to dress himself, he again met the Frasers below, at the evening meal.

pleasing by delicacy or grace; not imposing

From this reading “I have been strolling the streets for an odd hour,” he said, “and find things pretty much as they used to be; I don’t see many alterations worth speaking of.”

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

From this reading When Sir Francis Varney reached his hotel, he hurried to his own apartment, and then he called for his luggage; and when that was brought to him, and he was alone, he unlocked a portmanteau, and placed his gold in it; and then, having taken care to dress himself, he again met the Frasers below, at the evening meal.

an abstraction belonging to or characteristic of two entities or parts together

From this reading THE SCENE AT THE HOTEL.—THE RELATION OF THE CAUSE OF SIR FRANCIS VARNEY’S PALENESS.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading “I have been strolling the streets for an odd hour,” he said, “and find things pretty much as they used to be; I don’t see many alterations worth speaking of.”

express in words

From this reading “And yet they say they are improving daily.”

the place where some action occurs

From this reading THE SCENE AT THE HOTEL.—THE RELATION OF THE CAUSE OF SIR FRANCIS VARNEY’S PALENESS.

perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading “I have been strolling the streets for an odd hour,” he said, “and find things pretty much as they used to be; I don’t see many alterations worth speaking of.”

term of address for a man

From this reading THE SCENE AT THE HOTEL.—THE RELATION OF THE CAUSE OF SIR FRANCIS VARNEY’S PALENESS.

the utterance of intelligible speech

From this reading “I have been strolling the streets for an odd hour,” he said, “and find things pretty much as they used to be; I don’t see many alterations worth speaking of.”

plural of “street” — a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings

From this reading “I have been strolling the streets for an odd hour,” he said, “and find things pretty much as they used to be; I don’t see many alterations worth speaking of.”

-ing form of “stroll” — walk leisurely and with no apparent aim

From this reading “I have been strolling the streets for an odd hour,” he said, “and find things pretty much as they used to be; I don’t see many alterations worth speaking of.”

understood in a certain way; made sense of

From this reading When Sir Francis Varney reached his hotel, he hurried to his own apartment, and then he called for his luggage; and when that was brought to him, and he was alone, he unlocked a portmanteau, and placed his gold in it; and then, having taken care to dress himself, he again met the Frasers below, at the evening meal.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading When Sir Francis Varney reached his hotel, he hurried to his own apartment, and then he called for his luggage; and when that was brought to him, and he was alone, he unlocked a portmanteau, and placed his gold in it; and then, having taken care to dress himself, he again met the Frasers below, at the evening meal.

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

From this reading THE SCENE AT THE HOTEL.—THE RELATION OF THE CAUSE OF SIR FRANCIS VARNEY’S PALENESS.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading When Sir Francis Varney reached his hotel, he hurried to his own apartment, and then he called for his luggage; and when that was brought to him, and he was alone, he unlocked a portmanteau, and placed his gold in it; and then, having taken care to dress himself, he again met the Frasers below, at the evening meal.

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

From this reading “I have been strolling the streets for an odd hour,” he said, “and find things pretty much as they used to be; I don’t see many alterations worth speaking of.”

any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)

From this reading “I have been strolling the streets for an odd hour,” he said, “and find things pretty much as they used to be; I don’t see many alterations worth speaking of.”

in spite of the fact that

From this reading “They may be; but only in parts and places; and it does not alter the general plan of the place, though appearances may be benefited.”

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

From this reading When Sir Francis Varney reached his hotel, he hurried to his own apartment, and then he called for his luggage; and when that was brought to him, and he was alone, he unlocked a portmanteau, and placed his gold in it; and then, having taken care to dress himself, he again met the Frasers below, at the evening meal.

not firmly fastened or secured

From this reading When Sir Francis Varney reached his hotel, he hurried to his own apartment, and then he called for his luggage; and when that was brought to him, and he was alone, he unlocked a portmanteau, and placed his gold in it; and then, having taken care to dress himself, he again met the Frasers below, at the evening meal.

employed in accomplishing something

From this reading “I have been strolling the streets for an odd hour,” he said, “and find things pretty much as they used to be; I don’t see many alterations worth speaking of.”

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

From this reading When Sir Francis Varney reached his hotel, he hurried to his own apartment, and then he called for his luggage; and when that was brought to him, and he was alone, he unlocked a portmanteau, and placed his gold in it; and then, having taken care to dress himself, he again met the Frasers below, at the evening meal.

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

From this reading THE SCENE AT THE HOTEL.—THE RELATION OF THE CAUSE OF SIR FRANCIS VARNEY’S PALENESS.

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

From this reading When Sir Francis Varney reached his hotel, he hurried to his own apartment, and then he called for his luggage; and when that was brought to him, and he was alone, he unlocked a portmanteau, and placed his gold in it; and then, having taken care to dress himself, he again met the Frasers below, at the evening meal.

at the time that

From this reading When Sir Francis Varney reached his hotel, he hurried to his own apartment, and then he called for his luggage; and when that was brought to him, and he was alone, he unlocked a portmanteau, and placed his gold in it; and then, having taken care to dress himself, he again met the Frasers below, at the evening meal.

an indefinite quantity of something having a specified value

From this reading “I have been strolling the streets for an odd hour,” he said, “and find things pretty much as they used to be; I don’t see many alterations worth speaking of.”

but in spite of that

From this reading “And yet they say they are improving daily.”