Chapter V · Chapter 5

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

From this reading Joan Mardle had reached forty in the leisurely untroubled fashion of a woman who intends to be comely and attractive at fifty.

past form of “achieve” — to gain with effort

From this reading She was not without a certain popularity, the sort of popularity that a dashing highwayman sometimes achieved among those who were not in the habit of travelling on his particular highway.

plural of “acquaintance” — personal knowledge or information about someone or something

From this reading She cultivated a jovial, almost joyous manner, with a top-dressing of hearty good will and good nature which disarmed strangers and recent acquaintances; on getting to know her better they hastily re-armed themselves.

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

From this reading She cultivated a jovial, almost joyous manner, with a top-dressing of hearty good will and good nature which disarmed strangers and recent acquaintances; on getting to know her better they hastily re-armed themselves.

surrounded by; in the middle of a group

From this reading She was not without a certain popularity, the sort of popularity that a dashing highwayman sometimes achieved among those who were not in the habit of travelling on his particular highway.

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

From this reading If there was an awkward remark to be made at an inconvenient moment before undesired listeners, Joan invariably made it, and when the occasion did not present itself she was usually capable of creating it.

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

From this reading Joan Mardle had reached forty in the leisurely untroubled fashion of a woman who intends to be comely and attractive at fifty.

with competence; in a competent capable manner

From this reading Some one had once aptly described her as a hedgehog with the protective mimicry of a puffball.

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

From this reading Some one had once aptly described her as a hedgehog with the protective mimicry of a puffball.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Joan Mardle had reached forty in the leisurely untroubled fashion of a woman who intends to be comely and attractive at fifty.

pleasing to the eye or mind especially through beauty or charm

From this reading Joan Mardle had reached forty in the leisurely untroubled fashion of a woman who intends to be comely and attractive at fifty.

causing inconvenience

From this reading If there was an awkward remark to be made at an inconvenient moment before undesired listeners, Joan invariably made it, and when the occasion did not present itself she was usually capable of creating it.

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

From this reading Joan Mardle had reached forty in the leisurely untroubled fashion of a woman who intends to be comely and attractive at fifty.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading If there was an awkward remark to be made at an inconvenient moment before undesired listeners, Joan invariably made it, and when the occasion did not present itself she was usually capable of creating it.

(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another

From this reading She cultivated a jovial, almost joyous manner, with a top-dressing of hearty good will and good nature which disarmed strangers and recent acquaintances; on getting to know her better they hastily re-armed themselves.

(usually followed by “of”) having capacity or ability

From this reading If there was an awkward remark to be made at an inconvenient moment before undesired listeners, Joan invariably made it, and when the occasion did not present itself she was usually capable of creating it.

definite but not specified or identified

From this reading She was not without a certain popularity, the sort of popularity that a dashing highwayman sometimes achieved among those who were not in the habit of travelling on his particular highway.

according with custom or propriety

From this reading Joan Mardle had reached forty in the leisurely untroubled fashion of a woman who intends to be comely and attractive at fifty.

-ing form of “create” — make or cause to be or to become

From this reading If there was an awkward remark to be made at an inconvenient moment before undesired listeners, Joan invariably made it, and when the occasion did not present itself she was usually capable of creating it.

(of land or fields) prepared for raising crops by plowing or fertilizing

From this reading She cultivated a jovial, almost joyous manner, with a top-dressing of hearty good will and good nature which disarmed strangers and recent acquaintances; on getting to know her better they hastily re-armed themselves.

lively and spirited

From this reading She was not without a certain popularity, the sort of popularity that a dashing highwayman sometimes achieved among those who were not in the habit of travelling on his particular highway.

represented in words especially with sharpness and detail

From this reading Some one had once aptly described her as a hedgehog with the protective mimicry of a puffball.

the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives

From this reading If there was an awkward remark to be made at an inconvenient moment before undesired listeners, Joan invariably made it, and when the occasion did not present itself she was usually capable of creating it.

past form of “disarm” — remove offensive capability from

From this reading She cultivated a jovial, almost joyous manner, with a top-dressing of hearty good will and good nature which disarmed strangers and recent acquaintances; on getting to know her better they hastily re-armed themselves.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading Joan Mardle had reached forty in the leisurely untroubled fashion of a woman who intends to be comely and attractive at fifty.

the cardinal number that is the product of ten and five

From this reading Joan Mardle had reached forty in the leisurely untroubled fashion of a woman who intends to be comely and attractive at fifty.

being ten more than thirty

From this reading Joan Mardle had reached forty in the leisurely untroubled fashion of a woman who intends to be comely and attractive at fifty.

the act of acquiring something

From this reading She cultivated a jovial, almost joyous manner, with a top-dressing of hearty good will and good nature which disarmed strangers and recent acquaintances; on getting to know her better they hastily re-armed themselves.

having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified

From this reading She cultivated a jovial, almost joyous manner, with a top-dressing of hearty good will and good nature which disarmed strangers and recent acquaintances; on getting to know her better they hastily re-armed themselves.

an established custom

From this reading She was not without a certain popularity, the sort of popularity that a dashing highwayman sometimes achieved among those who were not in the habit of travelling on his particular highway.

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading Joan Mardle had reached forty in the leisurely untroubled fashion of a woman who intends to be comely and attractive at fifty.

in a hurried or hasty manner

From this reading She cultivated a jovial, almost joyous manner, with a top-dressing of hearty good will and good nature which disarmed strangers and recent acquaintances; on getting to know her better they hastily re-armed themselves.

showing warm and heartfelt friendliness

From this reading She cultivated a jovial, almost joyous manner, with a top-dressing of hearty good will and good nature which disarmed strangers and recent acquaintances; on getting to know her better they hastily re-armed themselves.

relatively large rodents with sharp erectile bristles mingled with the fur

From this reading Some one had once aptly described her as a hedgehog with the protective mimicry of a puffball.

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

From this reading She cultivated a jovial, almost joyous manner, with a top-dressing of hearty good will and good nature which disarmed strangers and recent acquaintances; on getting to know her better they hastily re-armed themselves.

a major road for any form of motor transport

From this reading She was not without a certain popularity, the sort of popularity that a dashing highwayman sometimes achieved among those who were not in the habit of travelling on his particular highway.

a holdup man who stops a vehicle and steals from it

From this reading She was not without a certain popularity, the sort of popularity that a dashing highwayman sometimes achieved among those who were not in the habit of travelling on his particular highway.

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

From this reading She was not without a certain popularity, the sort of popularity that a dashing highwayman sometimes achieved among those who were not in the habit of travelling on his particular highway.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading If there was an awkward remark to be made at an inconvenient moment before undesired listeners, Joan invariably made it, and when the occasion did not present itself she was usually capable of creating it.

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

From this reading Joan Mardle had reached forty in the leisurely untroubled fashion of a woman who intends to be comely and attractive at fifty.

not suited to your comfort, purpose or needs

From this reading If there was an awkward remark to be made at an inconvenient moment before undesired listeners, Joan invariably made it, and when the occasion did not present itself she was usually capable of creating it.

third-person singular of “intend” — have in mind as a purpose

From this reading Joan Mardle had reached forty in the leisurely untroubled fashion of a woman who intends to be comely and attractive at fifty.

without variation or change, in every case

From this reading If there was an awkward remark to be made at an inconvenient moment before undesired listeners, Joan invariably made it, and when the occasion did not present itself she was usually capable of creating it.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading If there was an awkward remark to be made at an inconvenient moment before undesired listeners, Joan invariably made it, and when the occasion did not present itself she was usually capable of creating it.

used when the thing doing the action is also its object

From this reading If there was an awkward remark to be made at an inconvenient moment before undesired listeners, Joan invariably made it, and when the occasion did not present itself she was usually capable of creating it.

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

From this reading Joan Mardle had reached forty in the leisurely untroubled fashion of a woman who intends to be comely and attractive at fifty.

full of or showing high-spirited merriment

From this reading She cultivated a jovial, almost joyous manner, with a top-dressing of hearty good will and good nature which disarmed strangers and recent acquaintances; on getting to know her better they hastily re-armed themselves.

full of or characterized by joy

From this reading She cultivated a jovial, almost joyous manner, with a top-dressing of hearty good will and good nature which disarmed strangers and recent acquaintances; on getting to know her better they hastily re-armed themselves.

be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about

From this reading She cultivated a jovial, almost joyous manner, with a top-dressing of hearty good will and good nature which disarmed strangers and recent acquaintances; on getting to know her better they hastily re-armed themselves.

in an unhurried way or at one's convenience

From this reading Joan Mardle had reached forty in the leisurely untroubled fashion of a woman who intends to be comely and attractive at fifty.

plural of “listener” — someone who listens attentively

From this reading If there was an awkward remark to be made at an inconvenient moment before undesired listeners, Joan invariably made it, and when the occasion did not present itself she was usually capable of creating it.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading If there was an awkward remark to be made at an inconvenient moment before undesired listeners, Joan invariably made it, and when the occasion did not present itself she was usually capable of creating it.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading She cultivated a jovial, almost joyous manner, with a top-dressing of hearty good will and good nature which disarmed strangers and recent acquaintances; on getting to know her better they hastily re-armed themselves.

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

From this reading Joan Mardle had reached forty in the leisurely untroubled fashion of a woman who intends to be comely and attractive at fifty.

the act of mimicking; imitative behavior

From this reading Some one had once aptly described her as a hedgehog with the protective mimicry of a puffball.

a particular point in time

From this reading If there was an awkward remark to be made at an inconvenient moment before undesired listeners, Joan invariably made it, and when the occasion did not present itself she was usually capable of creating it.

the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized

From this reading She cultivated a jovial, almost joyous manner, with a top-dressing of hearty good will and good nature which disarmed strangers and recent acquaintances; on getting to know her better they hastily re-armed themselves.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading If there was an awkward remark to be made at an inconvenient moment before undesired listeners, Joan invariably made it, and when the occasion did not present itself she was usually capable of creating it.

an event that occurs at a critical time

From this reading If there was an awkward remark to be made at an inconvenient moment before undesired listeners, Joan invariably made it, and when the occasion did not present itself she was usually capable of creating it.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Joan Mardle had reached forty in the leisurely untroubled fashion of a woman who intends to be comely and attractive at fifty.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading She cultivated a jovial, almost joyous manner, with a top-dressing of hearty good will and good nature which disarmed strangers and recent acquaintances; on getting to know her better they hastily re-armed themselves.

on one occasion

From this reading Some one had once aptly described her as a hedgehog with the protective mimicry of a puffball.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Some one had once aptly described her as a hedgehog with the protective mimicry of a puffball.

unique or specific to a person or thing or category

From this reading She was not without a certain popularity, the sort of popularity that a dashing highwayman sometimes achieved among those who were not in the habit of travelling on his particular highway.

the quality of being widely admired or accepted or sought after

From this reading She was not without a certain popularity, the sort of popularity that a dashing highwayman sometimes achieved among those who were not in the habit of travelling on his particular highway.

give an exhibition of to an interested audience

From this reading If there was an awkward remark to be made at an inconvenient moment before undesired listeners, Joan invariably made it, and when the occasion did not present itself she was usually capable of creating it.

intended or adapted to afford protection of some kind

From this reading Some one had once aptly described her as a hedgehog with the protective mimicry of a puffball.

any of various fungi of the family Lycoperdaceae whose round fruiting body discharges a cloud of spores when mature

From this reading Some one had once aptly described her as a hedgehog with the protective mimicry of a puffball.

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

From this reading She cultivated a jovial, almost joyous manner, with a top-dressing of hearty good will and good nature which disarmed strangers and recent acquaintances; on getting to know her better they hastily re-armed themselves.

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

From this reading Joan Mardle had reached forty in the leisurely untroubled fashion of a woman who intends to be comely and attractive at fifty.

new

From this reading She cultivated a jovial, almost joyous manner, with a top-dressing of hearty good will and good nature which disarmed strangers and recent acquaintances; on getting to know her better they hastily re-armed themselves.

a statement that expresses a personal opinion or belief or adds information

From this reading If there was an awkward remark to be made at an inconvenient moment before undesired listeners, Joan invariably made it, and when the occasion did not present itself she was usually capable of creating it.

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

From this reading She cultivated a jovial, almost joyous manner, with a top-dressing of hearty good will and good nature which disarmed strangers and recent acquaintances; on getting to know her better they hastily re-armed themselves.

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

From this reading Some one had once aptly described her as a hedgehog with the protective mimicry of a puffball.

on certain occasions or in certain cases but not always

From this reading She was not without a certain popularity, the sort of popularity that a dashing highwayman sometimes achieved among those who were not in the habit of travelling on his particular highway.

a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality

From this reading She was not without a certain popularity, the sort of popularity that a dashing highwayman sometimes achieved among those who were not in the habit of travelling on his particular highway.

plural of “stranger” — anyone who does not belong in the environment in which they are found

From this reading She cultivated a jovial, almost joyous manner, with a top-dressing of hearty good will and good nature which disarmed strangers and recent acquaintances; on getting to know her better they hastily re-armed themselves.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading She was not without a certain popularity, the sort of popularity that a dashing highwayman sometimes achieved among those who were not in the habit of travelling on his particular highway.

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

From this reading Joan Mardle had reached forty in the leisurely untroubled fashion of a woman who intends to be comely and attractive at fifty.

used when the people doing the action are also its object

From this reading She cultivated a jovial, almost joyous manner, with a top-dressing of hearty good will and good nature which disarmed strangers and recent acquaintances; on getting to know her better they hastily re-armed themselves.

in or at that place or location

From this reading If there was an awkward remark to be made at an inconvenient moment before undesired listeners, Joan invariably made it, and when the occasion did not present itself she was usually capable of creating it.

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

From this reading She cultivated a jovial, almost joyous manner, with a top-dressing of hearty good will and good nature which disarmed strangers and recent acquaintances; on getting to know her better they hastily re-armed themselves.

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

From this reading She was not without a certain popularity, the sort of popularity that a dashing highwayman sometimes achieved among those who were not in the habit of travelling on his particular highway.

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

From this reading Joan Mardle had reached forty in the leisurely untroubled fashion of a woman who intends to be comely and attractive at fifty.

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

From this reading She cultivated a jovial, almost joyous manner, with a top-dressing of hearty good will and good nature which disarmed strangers and recent acquaintances; on getting to know her better they hastily re-armed themselves.

the act of going from one place to another

From this reading She was not without a certain popularity, the sort of popularity that a dashing highwayman sometimes achieved among those who were not in the habit of travelling on his particular highway.

not desired

From this reading If there was an awkward remark to be made at an inconvenient moment before undesired listeners, Joan invariably made it, and when the occasion did not present itself she was usually capable of creating it.

not beset by troubles or disturbance or distress

From this reading Joan Mardle had reached forty in the leisurely untroubled fashion of a woman who intends to be comely and attractive at fifty.

under normal conditions

From this reading If there was an awkward remark to be made at an inconvenient moment before undesired listeners, Joan invariably made it, and when the occasion did not present itself she was usually capable of creating it.

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

From this reading If there was an awkward remark to be made at an inconvenient moment before undesired listeners, Joan invariably made it, and when the occasion did not present itself she was usually capable of creating it.

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

From this reading She was not without a certain popularity, the sort of popularity that a dashing highwayman sometimes achieved among those who were not in the habit of travelling on his particular highway.

at the time that

From this reading If there was an awkward remark to be made at an inconvenient moment before undesired listeners, Joan invariably made it, and when the occasion did not present itself she was usually capable of creating it.

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

From this reading She cultivated a jovial, almost joyous manner, with a top-dressing of hearty good will and good nature which disarmed strangers and recent acquaintances; on getting to know her better they hastily re-armed themselves.

which person or people

From this reading Joan Mardle had reached forty in the leisurely untroubled fashion of a woman who intends to be comely and attractive at fifty.

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading She cultivated a jovial, almost joyous manner, with a top-dressing of hearty good will and good nature which disarmed strangers and recent acquaintances; on getting to know her better they hastily re-armed themselves.

in the company of; together with

From this reading She cultivated a jovial, almost joyous manner, with a top-dressing of hearty good will and good nature which disarmed strangers and recent acquaintances; on getting to know her better they hastily re-armed themselves.

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading She was not without a certain popularity, the sort of popularity that a dashing highwayman sometimes achieved among those who were not in the habit of travelling on his particular highway.

an adult female person (as opposed to a man)

From this reading Joan Mardle had reached forty in the leisurely untroubled fashion of a woman who intends to be comely and attractive at fifty.