Chapter VIII · Chapter 8

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

From this reading Saith a very homely proverb (pardon its vulgarity), "You cannot make a silk purse out of a sow's ear."

(followed by “to”) in agreement with or accordant with

From this reading "The Vipont Crookes are just one of those connections with which, though of course one is civil to all connections, one is more or less intimate according as they take after the Viponts or after the Crookes.

later than; following

From this reading "The Vipont Crookes are just one of those connections with which, though of course one is civil to all connections, one is more or less intimate according as they take after the Viponts or after the Crookes.

(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 "The Vipont Crookes are just one of those connections with which, though of course one is civil to all connections, one is more or less intimate according as they take after the Viponts or after the Crookes.

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

From this reading But a sow's ear is a much finer work of art than a silk purse; and grand, indeed, the mechanician who could make a sow's ear out of a silk purse, or conjure into creatures of flesh and blood the sarcenet and /tulle/ of a London drawing-room.

past form of “answer” — react verbally

From this reading "She was not in our set, my dear," answered Lady Selina.

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

From this reading "The Vipont Crookes are just one of those connections with which, though of course one is civil to all connections, one is more or less intimate according as they take after the Viponts or after the Crookes.

an old form of “are”, used with “thou”

From this reading But a sow's ear is a much finer work of art than a silk purse; and grand, indeed, the mechanician who could make a sow's ear out of a silk purse, or conjure into creatures of flesh and blood the sarcenet and /tulle/ of a London drawing-room.

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

From this reading "The Vipont Crookes are just one of those connections with which, though of course one is civil to all connections, one is more or less intimate according as they take after the Viponts or after the Crookes.

past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody

From this reading "Mamma," asked Honoria Carr Vipont, "what sort of a person was Mrs. Darrell?"

The red fluid that circulates in the heart and blood vessels.

From this reading But a sow's ear is a much finer work of art than a silk purse; and grand, indeed, the mechanician who could make a sow's ear out of a silk purse, or conjure into creatures of flesh and blood the sarcenet and /tulle/ of a London drawing-room.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But a sow's ear is a much finer work of art than a silk purse; and grand, indeed, the mechanician who could make a sow's ear out of a silk purse, or conjure into creatures of flesh and blood the sarcenet and /tulle/ of a London drawing-room.

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

From this reading Saith a very homely proverb (pardon its vulgarity), "You cannot make a silk purse out of a sow's ear."

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

From this reading "Mamma," asked Honoria Carr Vipont, "what sort of a person was Mrs. Darrell?"

applying to ordinary citizens as contrasted with the military

From this reading "The Vipont Crookes are just one of those connections with which, though of course one is civil to all connections, one is more or less intimate according as they take after the Viponts or after the Crookes.

summon into action or bring into existence, often as if by magic

From this reading But a sow's ear is a much finer work of art than a silk purse; and grand, indeed, the mechanician who could make a sow's ear out of a silk purse, or conjure into creatures of flesh and blood the sarcenet and /tulle/ of a London drawing-room.

plural of “connection” — a relation between things or events (as in the case of one causing the other or sharing features with it)

From this reading "The Vipont Crookes are just one of those connections with which, though of course one is civil to all connections, one is more or less intimate according as they take after the Viponts or after the Crookes.

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

From this reading But a sow's ear is a much finer work of art than a silk purse; and grand, indeed, the mechanician who could make a sow's ear out of a silk purse, or conjure into creatures of flesh and blood the sarcenet and /tulle/ of a London drawing-room.

education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings

From this reading "The Vipont Crookes are just one of those connections with which, though of course one is civil to all connections, one is more or less intimate according as they take after the Viponts or after the Crookes.

plural of “creature” — a living organism characterized by voluntary movement

From this reading But a sow's ear is a much finer work of art than a silk purse; and grand, indeed, the mechanician who could make a sow's ear out of a silk purse, or conjure into creatures of flesh and blood the sarcenet and /tulle/ of a London drawing-room.

English chemist and physicist; discovered thallium; invented the radiometer and studied cathode rays (1832-1919)

From this reading "The Vipont Crookes are just one of those connections with which, though of course one is civil to all connections, one is more or less intimate according as they take after the Viponts or after the Crookes.

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

From this reading "Mamma," asked Honoria Carr Vipont, "what sort of a person was Mrs. Darrell?"

dearly loved

From this reading "She was not in our set, my dear," answered Lady Selina.

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

From this reading But a sow's ear is a much finer work of art than a silk purse; and grand, indeed, the mechanician who could make a sow's ear out of a silk purse, or conjure into creatures of flesh and blood the sarcenet and /tulle/ of a London drawing-room.

the sense organ for hearing and equilibrium

From this reading Saith a very homely proverb (pardon its vulgarity), "You cannot make a silk purse out of a sow's ear."

(comparative of “fine”) greater in quality or excellence

From this reading But a sow's ear is a much finer work of art than a silk purse; and grand, indeed, the mechanician who could make a sow's ear out of a silk purse, or conjure into creatures of flesh and blood the sarcenet and /tulle/ of a London drawing-room.

the soft tissue of the body of a vertebrate: mainly muscle tissue and fat

From this reading But a sow's ear is a much finer work of art than a silk purse; and grand, indeed, the mechanician who could make a sow's ear out of a silk purse, or conjure into creatures of flesh and blood the sarcenet and /tulle/ of a London drawing-room.

of behavior that is impressive and ambitious in scale or scope

From this reading But a sow's ear is a much finer work of art than a silk purse; and grand, indeed, the mechanician who could make a sow's ear out of a silk purse, or conjure into creatures of flesh and blood the sarcenet and /tulle/ of a London drawing-room.

lacking in physical beauty or proportion

From this reading Saith a very homely proverb (pardon its vulgarity), "You cannot make a silk purse out of a sow's ear."

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

From this reading "Mamma," asked Honoria Carr Vipont, "what sort of a person was Mrs. Darrell?"

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

From this reading "She was not in our set, my dear," answered Lady Selina.

in truth (often tends to intensify)

From this reading But a sow's ear is a much finer work of art than a silk purse; and grand, indeed, the mechanician who could make a sow's ear out of a silk purse, or conjure into creatures of flesh and blood the sarcenet and /tulle/ of a London drawing-room.

marked by close acquaintance, association, or familiarity

From this reading "The Vipont Crookes are just one of those connections with which, though of course one is civil to all connections, one is more or less intimate according as they take after the Viponts or after the Crookes.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading But a sow's ear is a much finer work of art than a silk purse; and grand, indeed, the mechanician who could make a sow's ear out of a silk purse, or conjure into creatures of flesh and blood the sarcenet and /tulle/ of a London drawing-room.

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

From this reading But a sow's ear is a much finer work of art than a silk purse; and grand, indeed, the mechanician who could make a sow's ear out of a silk purse, or conjure into creatures of flesh and blood the sarcenet and /tulle/ of a London drawing-room.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading Saith a very homely proverb (pardon its vulgarity), "You cannot make a silk purse out of a sow's ear."

and nothing more

From this reading "The Vipont Crookes are just one of those connections with which, though of course one is civil to all connections, one is more or less intimate according as they take after the Viponts or after the Crookes.

a polite name for any woman

From this reading "She was not in our set, my dear," answered Lady Selina.

used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs

From this reading "The Vipont Crookes are just one of those connections with which, though of course one is civil to all connections, one is more or less intimate according as they take after the Viponts or after the Crookes.

the capital and largest city of England; located on the Thames in southeastern England; financial and industrial and cultural center

From this reading But a sow's ear is a much finer work of art than a silk purse; and grand, indeed, the mechanician who could make a sow's ear out of a silk purse, or conjure into creatures of flesh and blood the sarcenet and /tulle/ of a London drawing-room.

engage in

From this reading Saith a very homely proverb (pardon its vulgarity), "You cannot make a silk purse out of a sow's ear."

informal terms for a mother

From this reading "Mamma," asked Honoria Carr Vipont, "what sort of a person was Mrs. Darrell?"

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

From this reading But a sow's ear is a much finer work of art than a silk purse; and grand, indeed, the mechanician who could make a sow's ear out of a silk purse, or conjure into creatures of flesh and blood the sarcenet and /tulle/ of a London drawing-room.

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading "The Vipont Crookes are just one of those connections with which, though of course one is civil to all connections, one is more or less intimate according as they take after the Viponts or after the Crookes.

a form of address for a married woman

From this reading "Mamma," asked Honoria Carr Vipont, "what sort of a person was Mrs. Darrell?"

to a great degree or extent

From this reading But a sow's ear is a much finer work of art than a silk purse; and grand, indeed, the mechanician who could make a sow's ear out of a silk purse, or conjure into creatures of flesh and blood the sarcenet and /tulle/ of a London drawing-room.

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading "She was not in our set, my dear," answered Lady Selina.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading "She was not in our set, my dear," answered Lady Selina.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Saith a very homely proverb (pardon its vulgarity), "You cannot make a silk purse out of a sow's ear."

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading "The Vipont Crookes are just one of those connections with which, though of course one is civil to all connections, one is more or less intimate according as they take after the Viponts or after the Crookes.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading But a sow's ear is a much finer work of art than a silk purse; and grand, indeed, the mechanician who could make a sow's ear out of a silk purse, or conjure into creatures of flesh and blood the sarcenet and /tulle/ of a London drawing-room.

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading "She was not in our set, my dear," answered Lady Selina.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading Saith a very homely proverb (pardon its vulgarity), "You cannot make a silk purse out of a sow's ear."

accept an excuse for

From this reading Saith a very homely proverb (pardon its vulgarity), "You cannot make a silk purse out of a sow's ear."

a human being

From this reading "Mamma," asked Honoria Carr Vipont, "what sort of a person was Mrs. Darrell?"

a condensed but memorable saying embodying some important fact of experience that is taken as true by many people

From this reading Saith a very homely proverb (pardon its vulgarity), "You cannot make a silk purse out of a sow's ear."

a container used for carrying money and small personal items or accessories (especially by women)

From this reading Saith a very homely proverb (pardon its vulgarity), "You cannot make a silk purse out of a sow's ear."

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

From this reading Saith a very homely proverb (pardon its vulgarity), "You cannot make a silk purse out of a sow's ear."

a fine soft silk fabric often used for linings

From this reading But a sow's ear is a much finer work of art than a silk purse; and grand, indeed, the mechanician who could make a sow's ear out of a silk purse, or conjure into creatures of flesh and blood the sarcenet and /tulle/ of a London drawing-room.

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

From this reading "She was not in our set, my dear," answered Lady Selina.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading "She was not in our set, my dear," answered Lady Selina.

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

From this reading "She was not in our set, my dear," answered Lady Selina.

a fabric made from the fine threads produced by certain insect larvae

From this reading Saith a very homely proverb (pardon its vulgarity), "You cannot make a silk purse out of a sow's ear."

a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality

From this reading "Mamma," asked Honoria Carr Vipont, "what sort of a person was Mrs. Darrell?"

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

From this reading Saith a very homely proverb (pardon its vulgarity), "You cannot make a silk purse out of a sow's ear."

carry out

From this reading "The Vipont Crookes are just one of those connections with which, though of course one is civil to all connections, one is more or less intimate according as they take after the Viponts or after the Crookes.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading But a sow's ear is a much finer work of art than a silk purse; and grand, indeed, the mechanician who could make a sow's ear out of a silk purse, or conjure into creatures of flesh and blood the sarcenet and /tulle/ of a London drawing-room.

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

From this reading But a sow's ear is a much finer work of art than a silk purse; and grand, indeed, the mechanician who could make a sow's ear out of a silk purse, or conjure into creatures of flesh and blood the sarcenet and /tulle/ of a London drawing-room.

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

From this reading "The Vipont Crookes are just one of those connections with which, though of course one is civil to all connections, one is more or less intimate according as they take after the Viponts or after the Crookes.

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading "The Vipont Crookes are just one of those connections with which, though of course one is civil to all connections, one is more or less intimate according as they take after the Viponts or after the Crookes.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading "The Vipont Crookes are just one of those connections with which, though of course one is civil to all connections, one is more or less intimate according as they take after the Viponts or after the Crookes.

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

From this reading "The Vipont Crookes are just one of those connections with which, though of course one is civil to all connections, one is more or less intimate according as they take after the Viponts or after the Crookes.

a fine (often starched) net used for veils or tutus or gowns

From this reading But a sow's ear is a much finer work of art than a silk purse; and grand, indeed, the mechanician who could make a sow's ear out of a silk purse, or conjure into creatures of flesh and blood the sarcenet and /tulle/ of a London drawing-room.

precisely as stated

From this reading Saith a very homely proverb (pardon its vulgarity), "You cannot make a silk purse out of a sow's ear."

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

From this reading "Mamma," asked Honoria Carr Vipont, "what sort of a person was Mrs. Darrell?"

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

From this reading "The Vipont Crookes are just one of those connections with which, though of course one is civil to all connections, one is more or less intimate according as they take after the Viponts or after the Crookes.

the quality of lacking taste and refinement

From this reading Saith a very homely proverb (pardon its vulgarity), "You cannot make a silk purse out of a sow's ear."

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

From this reading "Mamma," asked Honoria Carr Vipont, "what sort of a person was Mrs. Darrell?"

used to ask for information about something

From this reading "Mamma," asked Honoria Carr Vipont, "what sort of a person was Mrs. Darrell?"

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

From this reading "The Vipont Crookes are just one of those connections with which, though of course one is civil to all connections, one is more or less intimate according as they take after the Viponts or after the Crookes.

which person or people

From this reading But a sow's ear is a much finer work of art than a silk purse; and grand, indeed, the mechanician who could make a sow's ear out of a silk purse, or conjure into creatures of flesh and blood the sarcenet and /tulle/ of a London drawing-room.

in the company of; together with

From this reading "The Vipont Crookes are just one of those connections with which, though of course one is civil to all connections, one is more or less intimate according as they take after the Viponts or after the Crookes.

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

From this reading But a sow's ear is a much finer work of art than a silk purse; and grand, indeed, the mechanician who could make a sow's ear out of a silk purse, or conjure into creatures of flesh and blood the sarcenet and /tulle/ of a London drawing-room.

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading Saith a very homely proverb (pardon its vulgarity), "You cannot make a silk purse out of a sow's ear."