Chapter XVI

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

From this reading A quarter of an hour later, when all the confusion was over, Violet was kneeling by her mother's chair, trying to restore tranquillity to Mrs. Winstanley's fluttered spirits.

(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class

From this reading A quarter of an hour later, when all the confusion was over, Violet was kneeling by her mother's chair, trying to restore tranquillity to Mrs. Winstanley's fluttered spirits.

Having no one else present.

From this reading Mother and daughter were alone together in the elder lady's dressing-room, the disconsolate Pamela sitting, like Niobe, amidst her scattered fineries, her pomade-pots and powder-boxes, fan-cases and jewel-caskets, and all the arsenal of waning beauty.

in the middle of; surrounded by

From this reading Mother and daughter were alone together in the elder lady's dressing-room, the disconsolate Pamela sitting, like Niobe, amidst her scattered fineries, her pomade-pots and powder-boxes, fan-cases and jewel-caskets, and all the arsenal of waning beauty.

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

From this reading A quarter of an hour later, when all the confusion was over, Violet was kneeling by her mother's chair, trying to restore tranquillity to Mrs. Winstanley's fluttered spirits.

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

From this reading Mother and daughter were alone together in the elder lady's dressing-room, the disconsolate Pamela sitting, like Niobe, amidst her scattered fineries, her pomade-pots and powder-boxes, fan-cases and jewel-caskets, and all the arsenal of waning beauty.

all the weapons and equipment that a country has

From this reading Mother and daughter were alone together in the elder lady's dressing-room, the disconsolate Pamela sitting, like Niobe, amidst her scattered fineries, her pomade-pots and powder-boxes, fan-cases and jewel-caskets, and all the arsenal of waning beauty.

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

From this reading You cannot surely believe that I tried to set this dear old home on fire--that I could be so foolish--granting even that I were wicked enough to do it--as to destroy a place I love--the house in which my father was born!

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading "That must end at once."

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

From this reading You cannot surely believe that I tried to set this dear old home on fire--that I could be so foolish--granting even that I were wicked enough to do it--as to destroy a place I love--the house in which my father was born!

the qualities that give pleasure to the senses

From this reading Mother and daughter were alone together in the elder lady's dressing-room, the disconsolate Pamela sitting, like Niobe, amidst her scattered fineries, her pomade-pots and powder-boxes, fan-cases and jewel-caskets, and all the arsenal of waning beauty.

accept as true; take to be true

From this reading You cannot surely believe that I tried to set this dear old home on fire--that I could be so foolish--granting even that I were wicked enough to do it--as to destroy a place I love--the house in which my father was born!

brought into existence

From this reading You cannot surely believe that I tried to set this dear old home on fire--that I could be so foolish--granting even that I were wicked enough to do it--as to destroy a place I love--the house in which my father was born!

showing who or what does the action

From this reading A quarter of an hour later, when all the confusion was over, Violet was kneeling by her mother's chair, trying to restore tranquillity to Mrs. Winstanley's fluttered spirits.

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

From this reading You cannot surely believe that I tried to set this dear old home on fire--that I could be so foolish--granting even that I were wicked enough to do it--as to destroy a place I love--the house in which my father was born!

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

From this reading A quarter of an hour later, when all the confusion was over, Violet was kneeling by her mother's chair, trying to restore tranquillity to Mrs. Winstanley's fluttered spirits.

disorder resulting from a failure to behave predictably

From this reading A quarter of an hour later, when all the confusion was over, Violet was kneeling by her mother's chair, trying to restore tranquillity to Mrs. Winstanley's fluttered spirits.

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

From this reading You cannot surely believe that I tried to set this dear old home on fire--that I could be so foolish--granting even that I were wicked enough to do it--as to destroy a place I love--the house in which my father was born!

a female human offspring

From this reading Mother and daughter were alone together in the elder lady's dressing-room, the disconsolate Pamela sitting, like Niobe, amidst her scattered fineries, her pomade-pots and powder-boxes, fan-cases and jewel-caskets, and all the arsenal of waning beauty.

dearly loved

From this reading "Dear mother," pleaded Violet, with unusual gentleness, "pray don't give way to this unnecessary grief.

do away with, cause the destruction or undoing of

From this reading You cannot surely believe that I tried to set this dear old home on fire--that I could be so foolish--granting even that I were wicked enough to do it--as to destroy a place I love--the house in which my father was born!

sad beyond comforting; incapable of being consoled

From this reading Mother and daughter were alone together in the elder lady's dressing-room, the disconsolate Pamela sitting, like Niobe, amidst her scattered fineries, her pomade-pots and powder-boxes, fan-cases and jewel-caskets, and all the arsenal of waning beauty.

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading You cannot surely believe that I tried to set this dear old home on fire--that I could be so foolish--granting even that I were wicked enough to do it--as to destroy a place I love--the house in which my father was born!

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

From this reading "Dear mother," pleaded Violet, with unusual gentleness, "pray don't give way to this unnecessary grief.

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

From this reading Mother and daughter were alone together in the elder lady's dressing-room, the disconsolate Pamela sitting, like Niobe, amidst her scattered fineries, her pomade-pots and powder-boxes, fan-cases and jewel-caskets, and all the arsenal of waning beauty.

a person who is older than you are

From this reading Mother and daughter were alone together in the elder lady's dressing-room, the disconsolate Pamela sitting, like Niobe, amidst her scattered fineries, her pomade-pots and powder-boxes, fan-cases and jewel-caskets, and all the arsenal of waning beauty.

either extremity of something that has length

From this reading "That must end at once."

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

From this reading You cannot surely believe that I tried to set this dear old home on fire--that I could be so foolish--granting even that I were wicked enough to do it--as to destroy a place I love--the house in which my father was born!

divisible by two

From this reading You cannot surely believe that I tried to set this dear old home on fire--that I could be so foolish--granting even that I were wicked enough to do it--as to destroy a place I love--the house in which my father was born!

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

From this reading Mother and daughter were alone together in the elder lady's dressing-room, the disconsolate Pamela sitting, like Niobe, amidst her scattered fineries, her pomade-pots and powder-boxes, fan-cases and jewel-caskets, and all the arsenal of waning beauty.

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

From this reading You cannot surely believe that I tried to set this dear old home on fire--that I could be so foolish--granting even that I were wicked enough to do it--as to destroy a place I love--the house in which my father was born!

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

From this reading Mother and daughter were alone together in the elder lady's dressing-room, the disconsolate Pamela sitting, like Niobe, amidst her scattered fineries, her pomade-pots and powder-boxes, fan-cases and jewel-caskets, and all the arsenal of waning beauty.

start firing a weapon

From this reading You cannot surely believe that I tried to set this dear old home on fire--that I could be so foolish--granting even that I were wicked enough to do it--as to destroy a place I love--the house in which my father was born!

past form of “flutter” — move along rapidly and lightly; skim or dart

From this reading A quarter of an hour later, when all the confusion was over, Violet was kneeling by her mother's chair, trying to restore tranquillity to Mrs. Winstanley's fluttered spirits.

devoid of good sense or judgment

From this reading You cannot surely believe that I tried to set this dear old home on fire--that I could be so foolish--granting even that I were wicked enough to do it--as to destroy a place I love--the house in which my father was born!

the property possessed by a slope that is very gradual

From this reading "Dear mother," pleaded Violet, with unusual gentleness, "pray don't give way to this unnecessary grief.

cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense

From this reading "Dear mother," pleaded Violet, with unusual gentleness, "pray don't give way to this unnecessary grief.

-ing form of “grant” — let have

From this reading You cannot surely believe that I tried to set this dear old home on fire--that I could be so foolish--granting even that I were wicked enough to do it--as to destroy a place I love--the house in which my father was born!

intense sorrow caused by loss of a loved one (especially by death)

From this reading "Dear mother," pleaded Violet, with unusual gentleness, "pray don't give way to this unnecessary grief.

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

From this reading A quarter of an hour later, when all the confusion was over, Violet was kneeling by her mother's chair, trying to restore tranquillity to Mrs. Winstanley's fluttered spirits.

where you live at a particular time

From this reading You cannot surely believe that I tried to set this dear old home on fire--that I could be so foolish--granting even that I were wicked enough to do it--as to destroy a place I love--the house in which my father was born!

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

From this reading A quarter of an hour later, when all the confusion was over, Violet was kneeling by her mother's chair, trying to restore tranquillity to Mrs. Winstanley's fluttered spirits.

a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families

From this reading You cannot surely believe that I tried to set this dear old home on fire--that I could be so foolish--granting even that I were wicked enough to do it--as to destroy a place I love--the house in which my father was born!

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

From this reading You cannot surely believe that I tried to set this dear old home on fire--that I could be so foolish--granting even that I were wicked enough to do it--as to destroy a place I love--the house in which my father was born!

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

From this reading Mother and daughter were alone together in the elder lady's dressing-room, the disconsolate Pamela sitting, like Niobe, amidst her scattered fineries, her pomade-pots and powder-boxes, fan-cases and jewel-caskets, and all the arsenal of waning beauty.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading You cannot surely believe that I tried to set this dear old home on fire--that I could be so foolish--granting even that I were wicked enough to do it--as to destroy a place I love--the house in which my father was born!

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

From this reading Mother and daughter were alone together in the elder lady's dressing-room, the disconsolate Pamela sitting, like Niobe, amidst her scattered fineries, her pomade-pots and powder-boxes, fan-cases and jewel-caskets, and all the arsenal of waning beauty.

supporting yourself on your knees

From this reading A quarter of an hour later, when all the confusion was over, Violet was kneeling by her mother's chair, trying to restore tranquillity to Mrs. Winstanley's fluttered spirits.

possessive form of “lady” — a polite name for any woman

From this reading Mother and daughter were alone together in the elder lady's dressing-room, the disconsolate Pamela sitting, like Niobe, amidst her scattered fineries, her pomade-pots and powder-boxes, fan-cases and jewel-caskets, and all the arsenal of waning beauty.

happening at a time subsequent to a reference time

From this reading A quarter of an hour later, when all the confusion was over, Violet was kneeling by her mother's chair, trying to restore tranquillity to Mrs. Winstanley's fluttered spirits.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading Mother and daughter were alone together in the elder lady's dressing-room, the disconsolate Pamela sitting, like Niobe, amidst her scattered fineries, her pomade-pots and powder-boxes, fan-cases and jewel-caskets, and all the arsenal of waning beauty.

a strong positive emotion of regard and affection

From this reading You cannot surely believe that I tried to set this dear old home on fire--that I could be so foolish--granting even that I were wicked enough to do it--as to destroy a place I love--the house in which my father was born!

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

From this reading Mother and daughter were alone together in the elder lady's dressing-room, the disconsolate Pamela sitting, like Niobe, amidst her scattered fineries, her pomade-pots and powder-boxes, fan-cases and jewel-caskets, and all the arsenal of waning beauty.

possessive form of “mother” — a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)

From this reading A quarter of an hour later, when all the confusion was over, Violet was kneeling by her mother's chair, trying to restore tranquillity to Mrs. Winstanley's fluttered spirits.

a form of address for a married woman

From this reading A quarter of an hour later, when all the confusion was over, Violet was kneeling by her mother's chair, trying to restore tranquillity to Mrs. Winstanley's fluttered spirits.

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading "That must end at once."

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading You cannot surely believe that I tried to set this dear old home on fire--that I could be so foolish--granting even that I were wicked enough to do it--as to destroy a place I love--the house in which my father was born!

(Greek mythology) the daughter of Tantalus whose boasting about her children provoked Apollo and Artemis to slay them all; Niobe was turned to stone while bewailing her loss

From this reading Mother and daughter were alone together in the elder lady's dressing-room, the disconsolate Pamela sitting, like Niobe, amidst her scattered fineries, her pomade-pots and powder-boxes, fan-cases and jewel-caskets, and all the arsenal of waning beauty.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading A quarter of an hour later, when all the confusion was over, Violet was kneeling by her mother's chair, trying to restore tranquillity to Mrs. Winstanley's fluttered spirits.

(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age

From this reading You cannot surely believe that I tried to set this dear old home on fire--that I could be so foolish--granting even that I were wicked enough to do it--as to destroy a place I love--the house in which my father was born!

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading You cannot surely believe that I tried to set this dear old home on fire--that I could be so foolish--granting even that I were wicked enough to do it--as to destroy a place I love--the house in which my father was born!

on one occasion

From this reading "That must end at once."

above and across; more than

From this reading A quarter of an hour later, when all the confusion was over, Violet was kneeling by her mother's chair, trying to restore tranquillity to Mrs. Winstanley's fluttered spirits.

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

From this reading Mother and daughter were alone together in the elder lady's dressing-room, the disconsolate Pamela sitting, like Niobe, amidst her scattered fineries, her pomade-pots and powder-boxes, fan-cases and jewel-caskets, and all the arsenal of waning beauty.

a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading You cannot surely believe that I tried to set this dear old home on fire--that I could be so foolish--granting even that I were wicked enough to do it--as to destroy a place I love--the house in which my father was born!

past form of “plead” — appeal or request earnestly

From this reading "Dear mother," pleaded Violet, with unusual gentleness, "pray don't give way to this unnecessary grief.

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

From this reading Mother and daughter were alone together in the elder lady's dressing-room, the disconsolate Pamela sitting, like Niobe, amidst her scattered fineries, her pomade-pots and powder-boxes, fan-cases and jewel-caskets, and all the arsenal of waning beauty.

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

From this reading Mother and daughter were alone together in the elder lady's dressing-room, the disconsolate Pamela sitting, like Niobe, amidst her scattered fineries, her pomade-pots and powder-boxes, fan-cases and jewel-caskets, and all the arsenal of waning beauty.

address a deity, a prophet, a saint or an object of worship; say a prayer

From this reading "Dear mother," pleaded Violet, with unusual gentleness, "pray don't give way to this unnecessary grief.

one of four equal parts

From this reading A quarter of an hour later, when all the confusion was over, Violet was kneeling by her mother's chair, trying to restore tranquillity to Mrs. Winstanley's fluttered spirits.

return to its original or usable and functioning condition

From this reading A quarter of an hour later, when all the confusion was over, Violet was kneeling by her mother's chair, trying to restore tranquillity to Mrs. Winstanley's fluttered spirits.

occurring or distributed over widely spaced and irregular intervals in time or space

From this reading Mother and daughter were alone together in the elder lady's dressing-room, the disconsolate Pamela sitting, like Niobe, amidst her scattered fineries, her pomade-pots and powder-boxes, fan-cases and jewel-caskets, and all the arsenal of waning beauty.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading You cannot surely believe that I tried to set this dear old home on fire--that I could be so foolish--granting even that I were wicked enough to do it--as to destroy a place I love--the house in which my father was born!

(photography) the act of assuming a certain position (as for a photograph or portrait)

From this reading Mother and daughter were alone together in the elder lady's dressing-room, the disconsolate Pamela sitting, like Niobe, amidst her scattered fineries, her pomade-pots and powder-boxes, fan-cases and jewel-caskets, and all the arsenal of waning beauty.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading You cannot surely believe that I tried to set this dear old home on fire--that I could be so foolish--granting even that I were wicked enough to do it--as to destroy a place I love--the house in which my father was born!

an alcoholic beverage that is distilled rather than fermented

From this reading A quarter of an hour later, when all the confusion was over, Violet was kneeling by her mother's chair, trying to restore tranquillity to Mrs. Winstanley's fluttered spirits.

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

From this reading You cannot surely believe that I tried to set this dear old home on fire--that I could be so foolish--granting even that I were wicked enough to do it--as to destroy a place I love--the house in which my father was born!

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading "That must end at once."

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

From this reading A quarter of an hour later, when all the confusion was over, Violet was kneeling by her mother's chair, trying to restore tranquillity to Mrs. Winstanley's fluttered spirits.

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

From this reading "Dear mother," pleaded Violet, with unusual gentleness, "pray don't give way to this unnecessary grief.

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

From this reading A quarter of an hour later, when all the confusion was over, Violet was kneeling by her mother's chair, trying to restore tranquillity to Mrs. Winstanley's fluttered spirits.

in contact with each other or in proximity

From this reading Mother and daughter were alone together in the elder lady's dressing-room, the disconsolate Pamela sitting, like Niobe, amidst her scattered fineries, her pomade-pots and powder-boxes, fan-cases and jewel-caskets, and all the arsenal of waning beauty.

an untroubled state; free from disturbances

From this reading A quarter of an hour later, when all the confusion was over, Violet was kneeling by her mother's chair, trying to restore tranquillity to Mrs. Winstanley's fluttered spirits.

tested and proved useful or correct

From this reading You cannot surely believe that I tried to set this dear old home on fire--that I could be so foolish--granting even that I were wicked enough to do it--as to destroy a place I love--the house in which my father was born!

hard to endure

From this reading A quarter of an hour later, when all the confusion was over, Violet was kneeling by her mother's chair, trying to restore tranquillity to Mrs. Winstanley's fluttered spirits.

not necessary

From this reading "Dear mother," pleaded Violet, with unusual gentleness, "pray don't give way to this unnecessary grief.

not usual or common or ordinary

From this reading "Dear mother," pleaded Violet, with unusual gentleness, "pray don't give way to this unnecessary grief.

any of numerous low-growing violas with small flowers

From this reading A quarter of an hour later, when all the confusion was over, Violet was kneeling by her mother's chair, trying to restore tranquillity to Mrs. Winstanley's fluttered spirits.

a gradual decrease in magnitude or extent

From this reading Mother and daughter were alone together in the elder lady's dressing-room, the disconsolate Pamela sitting, like Niobe, amidst her scattered fineries, her pomade-pots and powder-boxes, fan-cases and jewel-caskets, and all the arsenal of waning beauty.

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

From this reading A quarter of an hour later, when all the confusion was over, Violet was kneeling by her mother's chair, trying to restore tranquillity to Mrs. Winstanley's fluttered spirits.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading "Dear mother," pleaded Violet, with unusual gentleness, "pray don't give way to this unnecessary grief.

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

From this reading Mother and daughter were alone together in the elder lady's dressing-room, the disconsolate Pamela sitting, like Niobe, amidst her scattered fineries, her pomade-pots and powder-boxes, fan-cases and jewel-caskets, and all the arsenal of waning beauty.

at the time that

From this reading A quarter of an hour later, when all the confusion was over, Violet was kneeling by her mother's chair, trying to restore tranquillity to Mrs. Winstanley's fluttered spirits.

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

From this reading You cannot surely believe that I tried to set this dear old home on fire--that I could be so foolish--granting even that I were wicked enough to do it--as to destroy a place I love--the house in which my father was born!

morally bad in principle or practice

From this reading You cannot surely believe that I tried to set this dear old home on fire--that I could be so foolish--granting even that I were wicked enough to do it--as to destroy a place I love--the house in which my father was born!

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

From this reading A quarter of an hour later, when all the confusion was over, Violet was kneeling by her mother's chair, trying to restore tranquillity to Mrs. Winstanley's fluttered spirits.

in the company of; together with

From this reading "Dear mother," pleaded Violet, with unusual gentleness, "pray don't give way to this unnecessary grief.

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading You cannot surely believe that I tried to set this dear old home on fire--that I could be so foolish--granting even that I were wicked enough to do it--as to destroy a place I love--the house in which my father was born!