used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading And meanwhile their lives went on as before, since Sir Hugh had been a hopeless invalid during the last year of his life, and they had seen him but once a day for a little while, spending most of their time together in a strangely perfect companionship.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Gabriel Ockram became Sir Gabriel, inheriting the baronetcy with the half-ruined fortune left by his father, and still Evelyn Warburton lived at Ockram Hall, in the south room that had been hers ever since she could remember anything.
any thing at all
From this reading Gabriel Ockram became Sir Gabriel, inheriting the baronetcy with the half-ruined fortune left by his father, and still Evelyn Warburton lived at Ockram Hall, in the south room that had been hers ever since she could remember anything.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading So Sir Gabriel took his father's place at the dark old table in the dining-room, and Evelyn sat opposite to him, until such time as their mourning should be over, and they might be married at last.
past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading The world would never trouble itself to care what the Ockrams did on their Irish estates, and it was long since the Ockrams had asked anything of the world.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Gabriel Ockram became Sir Gabriel, inheriting the baronetcy with the half-ruined fortune left by his father, and still Evelyn Warburton lived at Ockram Hall, in the south room that had been hers ever since she could remember anything.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading She could not go away, for there were no relatives to whom she could have gone, and, besides, there seemed to be no reason why she should not stay.
baronetcynoun
the rank or dignity or position of a baronet or baroness
From this reading Gabriel Ockram became Sir Gabriel, inheriting the baronetcy with the half-ruined fortune left by his father, and still Evelyn Warburton lived at Ockram Hall, in the south room that had been hers ever since she could remember anything.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading She could not go away, for there were no relatives to whom she could have gone, and, besides, there seemed to be no reason why she should not stay.
inflected form of “become” — enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading Gabriel Ockram became Sir Gabriel, inheriting the baronetcy with the half-ruined fortune left by his father, and still Evelyn Warburton lived at Ockram Hall, in the south room that had been hers ever since she could remember anything.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Gabriel Ockram became Sir Gabriel, inheriting the baronetcy with the half-ruined fortune left by his father, and still Evelyn Warburton lived at Ockram Hall, in the south room that had been hers ever since she could remember anything.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading And meanwhile their lives went on as before, since Sir Hugh had been a hopeless invalid during the last year of his life, and they had seen him but once a day for a little while, spending most of their time together in a strangely perfect companionship.
in addition to; as well as
From this reading She could not go away, for there were no relatives to whom she could have gone, and, besides, there seemed to be no reason why she should not stay.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading And meanwhile their lives went on as before, since Sir Hugh had been a hopeless invalid during the last year of his life, and they had seen him but once a day for a little while, spending most of their time together in a strangely perfect companionship.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Gabriel Ockram became Sir Gabriel, inheriting the baronetcy with the half-ruined fortune left by his father, and still Evelyn Warburton lived at Ockram Hall, in the south room that had been hers ever since she could remember anything.
the work of providing treatment for or attending to someone or something
From this reading The world would never trouble itself to care what the Ockrams did on their Irish estates, and it was long since the Ockrams had asked anything of the world.
companionshipnounUS /kəmˈpænjənʃɪp/
the state of being with someone
From this reading And meanwhile their lives went on as before, since Sir Hugh had been a hopeless invalid during the last year of his life, and they had seen him but once a day for a little while, spending most of their time together in a strangely perfect companionship.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Gabriel Ockram became Sir Gabriel, inheriting the baronetcy with the half-ruined fortune left by his father, and still Evelyn Warburton lived at Ockram Hall, in the south room that had been hers ever since she could remember anything.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading So Sir Gabriel took his father's place at the dark old table in the dining-room, and Evelyn sat opposite to him, until such time as their mourning should be over, and they might be married at last.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading And meanwhile their lives went on as before, since Sir Hugh had been a hopeless invalid during the last year of his life, and they had seen him but once a day for a little while, spending most of their time together in a strangely perfect companionship.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading The world would never trouble itself to care what the Ockrams did on their Irish estates, and it was long since the Ockrams had asked anything of the world.
dining-roomnoun
a room used for dining
From this reading So Sir Gabriel took his father's place at the dark old table in the dining-room, and Evelyn sat opposite to him, until such time as their mourning should be over, and they might be married at last.
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading And meanwhile their lives went on as before, since Sir Hugh had been a hopeless invalid during the last year of his life, and they had seen him but once a day for a little while, spending most of their time together in a strangely perfect companionship.
estatesnounUS /ɪˈsteɪts/
plural of “estate” — everything you own; all of your assets (whether real property or personal property) and liabilities
From this reading The world would never trouble itself to care what the Ockrams did on their Irish estates, and it was long since the Ockrams had asked anything of the world.
Evelyn
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gabriel Ockram became Sir Gabriel, inheriting the baronetcy with the half-ruined fortune left by his father, and still Evelyn Warburton lived at Ockram Hall, in the south room that had been hers ever since she could remember anything.
at any time
From this reading Gabriel Ockram became Sir Gabriel, inheriting the baronetcy with the half-ruined fortune left by his father, and still Evelyn Warburton lived at Ockram Hall, in the south room that had been hers ever since she could remember anything.
a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading Gabriel Ockram became Sir Gabriel, inheriting the baronetcy with the half-ruined fortune left by his father, and still Evelyn Warburton lived at Ockram Hall, in the south room that had been hers ever since she could remember anything.
father'snounUS /ˈfɑːðərz/
possessive form of “father” — a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading So Sir Gabriel took his father's place at the dark old table in the dining-room, and Evelyn sat opposite to him, until such time as their mourning should be over, and they might be married at last.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading She could not go away, for there were no relatives to whom she could have gone, and, besides, there seemed to be no reason why she should not stay.
an unknown and unpredictable phenomenon that causes an event to result one way rather than another
From this reading Gabriel Ockram became Sir Gabriel, inheriting the baronetcy with the half-ruined fortune left by his father, and still Evelyn Warburton lived at Ockram Hall, in the south room that had been hers ever since she could remember anything.
GabrielnounUS /ˈɡeɪbriəl/
(Bible) the archangel who was the messenger of God
From this reading Gabriel Ockram became Sir Gabriel, inheriting the baronetcy with the half-ruined fortune left by his father, and still Evelyn Warburton lived at Ockram Hall, in the south room that had been hers ever since she could remember anything.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading She could not go away, for there were no relatives to whom she could have gone, and, besides, there seemed to be no reason why she should not stay.
destroyed or killed
From this reading She could not go away, for there were no relatives to whom she could have gone, and, besides, there seemed to be no reason why she should not stay.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Gabriel Ockram became Sir Gabriel, inheriting the baronetcy with the half-ruined fortune left by his father, and still Evelyn Warburton lived at Ockram Hall, in the south room that had been hers ever since she could remember anything.
half-ruined
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gabriel Ockram became Sir Gabriel, inheriting the baronetcy with the half-ruined fortune left by his father, and still Evelyn Warburton lived at Ockram Hall, in the south room that had been hers ever since she could remember anything.
an interior passage or corridor onto which rooms open
From this reading Gabriel Ockram became Sir Gabriel, inheriting the baronetcy with the half-ruined fortune left by his father, and still Evelyn Warburton lived at Ockram Hall, in the south room that had been hers ever since she could remember anything.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading She could not go away, for there were no relatives to whom she could have gone, and, besides, there seemed to be no reason why she should not stay.
the one or ones belonging to her
From this reading Gabriel Ockram became Sir Gabriel, inheriting the baronetcy with the half-ruined fortune left by his father, and still Evelyn Warburton lived at Ockram Hall, in the south room that had been hers ever since she could remember anything.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading So Sir Gabriel took his father's place at the dark old table in the dining-room, and Evelyn sat opposite to him, until such time as their mourning should be over, and they might be married at last.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Gabriel Ockram became Sir Gabriel, inheriting the baronetcy with the half-ruined fortune left by his father, and still Evelyn Warburton lived at Ockram Hall, in the south room that had been hers ever since she could remember anything.
hopelessadjectiveUS /ˈhoʊpləs/
without hope because there seems to be no possibility of comfort or success
From this reading And meanwhile their lives went on as before, since Sir Hugh had been a hopeless invalid during the last year of his life, and they had seen him but once a day for a little while, spending most of their time together in a strangely perfect companionship.
Hugh
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And meanwhile their lives went on as before, since Sir Hugh had been a hopeless invalid during the last year of his life, and they had seen him but once a day for a little while, spending most of their time together in a strangely perfect companionship.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Gabriel Ockram became Sir Gabriel, inheriting the baronetcy with the half-ruined fortune left by his father, and still Evelyn Warburton lived at Ockram Hall, in the south room that had been hers ever since she could remember anything.
inheritingadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈherətɪŋ/
having the legal right to inherit
From this reading Gabriel Ockram became Sir Gabriel, inheriting the baronetcy with the half-ruined fortune left by his father, and still Evelyn Warburton lived at Ockram Hall, in the south room that had been hers ever since she could remember anything.
invalidnounUS /ˈɪnvələd/
someone who is incapacitated by a chronic illness or injury
From this reading And meanwhile their lives went on as before, since Sir Hugh had been a hopeless invalid during the last year of his life, and they had seen him but once a day for a little while, spending most of their time together in a strangely perfect companionship.
people of Ireland or of Irish extraction
From this reading The world would never trouble itself to care what the Ockrams did on their Irish estates, and it was long since the Ockrams had asked anything of the world.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The world would never trouble itself to care what the Ockrams did on their Irish estates, and it was long since the Ockrams had asked anything of the world.
used when the thing doing the action is also its object
From this reading The world would never trouble itself to care what the Ockrams did on their Irish estates, and it was long since the Ockrams had asked anything of the world.
immediately past
From this reading So Sir Gabriel took his father's place at the dark old table in the dining-room, and Evelyn sat opposite to him, until such time as their mourning should be over, and they might be married at last.
location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east
From this reading Gabriel Ockram became Sir Gabriel, inheriting the baronetcy with the half-ruined fortune left by his father, and still Evelyn Warburton lived at Ockram Hall, in the south room that had been hers ever since she could remember anything.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading And meanwhile their lives went on as before, since Sir Hugh had been a hopeless invalid during the last year of his life, and they had seen him but once a day for a little while, spending most of their time together in a strangely perfect companionship.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading And meanwhile their lives went on as before, since Sir Hugh had been a hopeless invalid during the last year of his life, and they had seen him but once a day for a little while, spending most of their time together in a strangely perfect companionship.
past form of “live” — be an inhabitant of or reside in
From this reading Gabriel Ockram became Sir Gabriel, inheriting the baronetcy with the half-ruined fortune left by his father, and still Evelyn Warburton lived at Ockram Hall, in the south room that had been hers ever since she could remember anything.
plural of “life” — a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading And meanwhile their lives went on as before, since Sir Hugh had been a hopeless invalid during the last year of his life, and they had seen him but once a day for a little while, spending most of their time together in a strangely perfect companionship.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading The world would never trouble itself to care what the Ockrams did on their Irish estates, and it was long since the Ockrams had asked anything of the world.
joined in matrimony
From this reading So Sir Gabriel took his father's place at the dark old table in the dining-room, and Evelyn sat opposite to him, until such time as their mourning should be over, and they might be married at last.
at the same time but in another place
From this reading And meanwhile their lives went on as before, since Sir Hugh had been a hopeless invalid during the last year of his life, and they had seen him but once a day for a little while, spending most of their time together in a strangely perfect companionship.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading So Sir Gabriel took his father's place at the dark old table in the dining-room, and Evelyn sat opposite to him, until such time as their mourning should be over, and they might be married at last.
used to form the superlative
From this reading And meanwhile their lives went on as before, since Sir Hugh had been a hopeless invalid during the last year of his life, and they had seen him but once a day for a little while, spending most of their time together in a strangely perfect companionship.
mourningnounUS /ˈmɔːrnɪŋ/
state of sorrow over the death or departure of a loved one
From this reading So Sir Gabriel took his father's place at the dark old table in the dining-room, and Evelyn sat opposite to him, until such time as their mourning should be over, and they might be married at last.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading The world would never trouble itself to care what the Ockrams did on their Irish estates, and it was long since the Ockrams had asked anything of the world.
not any; not one
From this reading She could not go away, for there were no relatives to whom she could have gone, and, besides, there seemed to be no reason why she should not stay.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading She could not go away, for there were no relatives to whom she could have gone, and, besides, there seemed to be no reason why she should not stay.
Ockram
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gabriel Ockram became Sir Gabriel, inheriting the baronetcy with the half-ruined fortune left by his father, and still Evelyn Warburton lived at Ockram Hall, in the south room that had been hers ever since she could remember anything.
Ockrams
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The world would never trouble itself to care what the Ockrams did on their Irish estates, and it was long since the Ockrams had asked anything of the world.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The world would never trouble itself to care what the Ockrams did on their Irish estates, and it was long since the Ockrams had asked anything of the world.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading So Sir Gabriel took his father's place at the dark old table in the dining-room, and Evelyn sat opposite to him, until such time as their mourning should be over, and they might be married at last.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The world would never trouble itself to care what the Ockrams did on their Irish estates, and it was long since the Ockrams had asked anything of the world.
on one occasion
From this reading And meanwhile their lives went on as before, since Sir Hugh had been a hopeless invalid during the last year of his life, and they had seen him but once a day for a little while, spending most of their time together in a strangely perfect companionship.
being directly across from each other; facing
From this reading So Sir Gabriel took his father's place at the dark old table in the dining-room, and Evelyn sat opposite to him, until such time as their mourning should be over, and they might be married at last.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading So Sir Gabriel took his father's place at the dark old table in the dining-room, and Evelyn sat opposite to him, until such time as their mourning should be over, and they might be married at last.
being complete of its kind and without defect or blemish
From this reading And meanwhile their lives went on as before, since Sir Hugh had been a hopeless invalid during the last year of his life, and they had seen him but once a day for a little while, spending most of their time together in a strangely perfect companionship.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading So Sir Gabriel took his father's place at the dark old table in the dining-room, and Evelyn sat opposite to him, until such time as their mourning should be over, and they might be married at last.
a rational motive for a belief or action
From this reading She could not go away, for there were no relatives to whom she could have gone, and, besides, there seemed to be no reason why she should not stay.
relativesnounUS /ˈrelətɪvz/
plural of “relative” — a person related by blood or marriage
From this reading She could not go away, for there were no relatives to whom she could have gone, and, besides, there seemed to be no reason why she should not stay.
To recall to mind.
From this reading Gabriel Ockram became Sir Gabriel, inheriting the baronetcy with the half-ruined fortune left by his father, and still Evelyn Warburton lived at Ockram Hall, in the south room that had been hers ever since she could remember anything.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading Gabriel Ockram became Sir Gabriel, inheriting the baronetcy with the half-ruined fortune left by his father, and still Evelyn Warburton lived at Ockram Hall, in the south room that had been hers ever since she could remember anything.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading So Sir Gabriel took his father's place at the dark old table in the dining-room, and Evelyn sat opposite to him, until such time as their mourning should be over, and they might be married at last.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading She could not go away, for there were no relatives to whom she could have gone, and, besides, there seemed to be no reason why she should not stay.
inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading And meanwhile their lives went on as before, since Sir Hugh had been a hopeless invalid during the last year of his life, and they had seen him but once a day for a little while, spending most of their time together in a strangely perfect companionship.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Gabriel Ockram became Sir Gabriel, inheriting the baronetcy with the half-ruined fortune left by his father, and still Evelyn Warburton lived at Ockram Hall, in the south room that had been hers ever since she could remember anything.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading She could not go away, for there were no relatives to whom she could have gone, and, besides, there seemed to be no reason why she should not stay.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading Gabriel Ockram became Sir Gabriel, inheriting the baronetcy with the half-ruined fortune left by his father, and still Evelyn Warburton lived at Ockram Hall, in the south room that had been hers ever since she could remember anything.
term of address for a man
From this reading Gabriel Ockram became Sir Gabriel, inheriting the baronetcy with the half-ruined fortune left by his father, and still Evelyn Warburton lived at Ockram Hall, in the south room that had been hers ever since she could remember anything.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading So Sir Gabriel took his father's place at the dark old table in the dining-room, and Evelyn sat opposite to him, until such time as their mourning should be over, and they might be married at last.
the region of the United States lying to the south of the Mason-Dixon line
From this reading Gabriel Ockram became Sir Gabriel, inheriting the baronetcy with the half-ruined fortune left by his father, and still Evelyn Warburton lived at Ockram Hall, in the south room that had been hers ever since she could remember anything.
spendingnounUS /ˈspendɪŋ/
the act of spending or disbursing money
From this reading And meanwhile their lives went on as before, since Sir Hugh had been a hopeless invalid during the last year of his life, and they had seen him but once a day for a little while, spending most of their time together in a strangely perfect companionship.
stay the same; remain in a certain state
From this reading She could not go away, for there were no relatives to whom she could have gone, and, besides, there seemed to be no reason why she should not stay.
not in physical motion
From this reading Gabriel Ockram became Sir Gabriel, inheriting the baronetcy with the half-ruined fortune left by his father, and still Evelyn Warburton lived at Ockram Hall, in the south room that had been hers ever since she could remember anything.
in a strange manner
From this reading And meanwhile their lives went on as before, since Sir Hugh had been a hopeless invalid during the last year of his life, and they had seen him but once a day for a little while, spending most of their time together in a strangely perfect companionship.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading So Sir Gabriel took his father's place at the dark old table in the dining-room, and Evelyn sat opposite to him, until such time as their mourning should be over, and they might be married at last.
a set of data arranged in rows and columns
From this reading So Sir Gabriel took his father's place at the dark old table in the dining-room, and Evelyn sat opposite to him, until such time as their mourning should be over, and they might be married at last.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Gabriel Ockram became Sir Gabriel, inheriting the baronetcy with the half-ruined fortune left by his father, and still Evelyn Warburton lived at Ockram Hall, in the south room that had been hers ever since she could remember anything.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Gabriel Ockram became Sir Gabriel, inheriting the baronetcy with the half-ruined fortune left by his father, and still Evelyn Warburton lived at Ockram Hall, in the south room that had been hers ever since she could remember anything.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The world would never trouble itself to care what the Ockrams did on their Irish estates, and it was long since the Ockrams had asked anything of the world.
in or at that place or location
From this reading She could not go away, for there were no relatives to whom she could have gone, and, besides, there seemed to be no reason why she should not stay.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading So Sir Gabriel took his father's place at the dark old table in the dining-room, and Evelyn sat opposite to him, until such time as their mourning should be over, and they might be married at last.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading So Sir Gabriel took his father's place at the dark old table in the dining-room, and Evelyn sat opposite to him, until such time as their mourning should be over, and they might be married at last.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading She could not go away, for there were no relatives to whom she could have gone, and, besides, there seemed to be no reason why she should not stay.
in contact with each other or in proximity
From this reading And meanwhile their lives went on as before, since Sir Hugh had been a hopeless invalid during the last year of his life, and they had seen him but once a day for a little while, spending most of their time together in a strangely perfect companionship.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading So Sir Gabriel took his father's place at the dark old table in the dining-room, and Evelyn sat opposite to him, until such time as their mourning should be over, and they might be married at last.
a source of difficulty
From this reading The world would never trouble itself to care what the Ockrams did on their Irish estates, and it was long since the Ockrams had asked anything of the world.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading So Sir Gabriel took his father's place at the dark old table in the dining-room, and Evelyn sat opposite to him, until such time as their mourning should be over, and they might be married at last.
Warburton
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gabriel Ockram became Sir Gabriel, inheriting the baronetcy with the half-ruined fortune left by his father, and still Evelyn Warburton lived at Ockram Hall, in the south room that had been hers ever since she could remember anything.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The world would never trouble itself to care what the Ockrams did on their Irish estates, and it was long since the Ockrams had asked anything of the world.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading And meanwhile their lives went on as before, since Sir Hugh had been a hopeless invalid during the last year of his life, and they had seen him but once a day for a little while, spending most of their time together in a strangely perfect companionship.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading She could not go away, for there were no relatives to whom she could have gone, and, besides, there seemed to be no reason why she should not stay.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading The world would never trouble itself to care what the Ockrams did on their Irish estates, and it was long since the Ockrams had asked anything of the world.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading And meanwhile their lives went on as before, since Sir Hugh had been a hopeless invalid during the last year of his life, and they had seen him but once a day for a little while, spending most of their time together in a strangely perfect companionship.
the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading She could not go away, for there were no relatives to whom she could have gone, and, besides, there seemed to be no reason why she should not stay.
the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”
From this reading She could not go away, for there were no relatives to whom she could have gone, and, besides, there seemed to be no reason why she should not stay.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Gabriel Ockram became Sir Gabriel, inheriting the baronetcy with the half-ruined fortune left by his father, and still Evelyn Warburton lived at Ockram Hall, in the south room that had been hers ever since she could remember anything.
everything that exists anywhere
From this reading The world would never trouble itself to care what the Ockrams did on their Irish estates, and it was long since the Ockrams had asked anything of the world.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading The world would never trouble itself to care what the Ockrams did on their Irish estates, and it was long since the Ockrams had asked anything of the world.
a period of time containing 365 (or 366) days
From this reading And meanwhile their lives went on as before, since Sir Hugh had been a hopeless invalid during the last year of his life, and they had seen him but once a day for a little while, spending most of their time together in a strangely perfect companionship.
