Chapter IV · The Great Frock Episode

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

From this reading JIMMIE PADGATE was the son of a retired commander in the Navy, of irreproachable birth and breeding, of a breezy impulsive disposition, and with a pretty talent as an amateur actor.

a theatrical performer

From this reading JIMMIE PADGATE was the son of a retired commander in the Navy, of irreproachable birth and breeding, of a breezy impulsive disposition, and with a pretty talent as an amateur actor.

showing adoration

From this reading He married her right away, took her incontinently from things theatrical, and found congenial occupation in adoring her.

(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 Finding idleness the root of all boredom, he took to the stage, and during the first week of his first provincial tour fell in love with the leading lady, a fragile waif of a woman of vague upbringing.

someone who pursues a study or sport as a pastime

From this reading JIMMIE PADGATE was the son of a retired commander in the Navy, of irreproachable birth and breeding, of a breezy impulsive disposition, and with a pretty talent as an amateur actor.

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

From this reading JIMMIE PADGATE was the son of a retired commander in the Navy, of irreproachable birth and breeding, of a breezy impulsive disposition, and with a pretty talent as an amateur actor.

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

From this reading JIMMIE PADGATE was the son of a retired commander in the Navy, of irreproachable birth and breeding, of a breezy impulsive disposition, and with a pretty talent as an amateur actor.

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

From this reading JIMMIE PADGATE was the son of a retired commander in the Navy, of irreproachable birth and breeding, of a breezy impulsive disposition, and with a pretty talent as an amateur actor.

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading He married her right away, took her incontinently from things theatrical, and found congenial occupation in adoring her.

the time when something begins (especially life)

From this reading JIMMIE PADGATE was the son of a retired commander in the Navy, of irreproachable birth and breeding, of a breezy impulsive disposition, and with a pretty talent as an amateur actor.

the feeling of being bored by something tedious

From this reading Finding idleness the root of all boredom, he took to the stage, and during the first week of his first provincial tour fell in love with the leading lady, a fragile waif of a woman of vague upbringing.

elegance by virtue of fineness of manner and expression

From this reading JIMMIE PADGATE was the son of a retired commander in the Navy, of irreproachable birth and breeding, of a breezy impulsive disposition, and with a pretty talent as an amateur actor.

fresh and animated

From this reading JIMMIE PADGATE was the son of a retired commander in the Navy, of irreproachable birth and breeding, of a breezy impulsive disposition, and with a pretty talent as an amateur actor.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But the hapless lady survived her marriage only long enough to see Jimmie safe into short frocks, and then fell sick and died.

marked by obliqueness or indirection in speech or conduct

From this reading That so delicate a creature should have to face the miseries of a touring life--the comfortless lodgings, the ill-cooked food, the damp death-traps of dressing-rooms, the long circuitous Sunday train-journeys--roused him to furious indignation.

without comfort

From this reading That so delicate a creature should have to face the miseries of a touring life--the comfortless lodgings, the ill-cooked food, the damp death-traps of dressing-rooms, the long circuitous Sunday train-journeys--roused him to furious indignation.

an officer in command of a military unit

From this reading JIMMIE PADGATE was the son of a retired commander in the Navy, of irreproachable birth and breeding, of a breezy impulsive disposition, and with a pretty talent as an amateur actor.

suitable to your needs

From this reading He married her right away, took her incontinently from things theatrical, and found congenial occupation in adoring her.

a living organism characterized by voluntary movement

From this reading That so delicate a creature should have to face the miseries of a touring life--the comfortless lodgings, the ill-cooked food, the damp death-traps of dressing-rooms, the long circuitous Sunday train-journeys--roused him to furious indignation.

slightly wet

From this reading That so delicate a creature should have to face the miseries of a touring life--the comfortless lodgings, the ill-cooked food, the damp death-traps of dressing-rooms, the long circuitous Sunday train-journeys--roused him to furious indignation.

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

From this reading That so delicate a creature should have to face the miseries of a touring life--the comfortless lodgings, the ill-cooked food, the damp death-traps of dressing-rooms, the long circuitous Sunday train-journeys--roused him to furious indignation.

exquisitely fine and subtle and pleasing; susceptible to injury

From this reading That so delicate a creature should have to face the miseries of a touring life--the comfortless lodgings, the ill-cooked food, the damp death-traps of dressing-rooms, the long circuitous Sunday train-journeys--roused him to furious indignation.

past form of “die” — pass from physical life and lose all bodily attributes and functions necessary to sustain life

From this reading But the hapless lady survived her marriage only long enough to see Jimmie safe into short frocks, and then fell sick and died.

your usual mood

From this reading JIMMIE PADGATE was the son of a retired commander in the Navy, of irreproachable birth and breeding, of a breezy impulsive disposition, and with a pretty talent as an amateur actor.

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

From this reading That so delicate a creature should have to face the miseries of a touring life--the comfortless lodgings, the ill-cooked food, the damp death-traps of dressing-rooms, the long circuitous Sunday train-journeys--roused him to furious indignation.

all through a period, or at some point within it

From this reading Finding idleness the root of all boredom, he took to the stage, and during the first week of his first provincial tour fell in love with the leading lady, a fragile waif of a woman of vague upbringing.

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

From this reading But the hapless lady survived her marriage only long enough to see Jimmie safe into short frocks, and then fell sick and died.

the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear

From this reading That so delicate a creature should have to face the miseries of a touring life--the comfortless lodgings, the ill-cooked food, the damp death-traps of dressing-rooms, the long circuitous Sunday train-journeys--roused him to furious indignation.

cause to fall by or as if by delivering a blow

From this reading Finding idleness the root of all boredom, he took to the stage, and during the first week of his first provincial tour fell in love with the leading lady, a fragile waif of a woman of vague upbringing.

the act of determining the properties of something, usually by research or calculation

From this reading Finding idleness the root of all boredom, he took to the stage, and during the first week of his first provincial tour fell in love with the leading lady, a fragile waif of a woman of vague upbringing.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading Finding idleness the root of all boredom, he took to the stage, and during the first week of his first provincial tour fell in love with the leading lady, a fragile waif of a woman of vague upbringing.

any substance that can be metabolized by an animal to give energy and build tissue

From this reading That so delicate a creature should have to face the miseries of a touring life--the comfortless lodgings, the ill-cooked food, the damp death-traps of dressing-rooms, the long circuitous Sunday train-journeys--roused him to furious indignation.

set up or found

From this reading He married her right away, took her incontinently from things theatrical, and found congenial occupation in adoring her.

easily broken or damaged or destroyed

From this reading Finding idleness the root of all boredom, he took to the stage, and during the first week of his first provincial tour fell in love with the leading lady, a fragile waif of a woman of vague upbringing.

plural of “frock” — a long, loose outer garment

From this reading But the hapless lady survived her marriage only long enough to see Jimmie safe into short frocks, and then fell sick and died.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading He married her right away, took her incontinently from things theatrical, and found congenial occupation in adoring her.

marked by extreme and violent energy

From this reading That so delicate a creature should have to face the miseries of a touring life--the comfortless lodgings, the ill-cooked food, the damp death-traps of dressing-rooms, the long circuitous Sunday train-journeys--roused him to furious indignation.

deserving or inciting pity

From this reading But the hapless lady survived her marriage only long enough to see Jimmie safe into short frocks, and then fell sick and died.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading That so delicate a creature should have to face the miseries of a touring life--the comfortless lodgings, the ill-cooked food, the damp death-traps of dressing-rooms, the long circuitous Sunday train-journeys--roused him to furious indignation.

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

From this reading Finding idleness the root of all boredom, he took to the stage, and during the first week of his first provincial tour fell in love with the leading lady, a fragile waif of a woman of vague upbringing.

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

From this reading He married her right away, took her incontinently from things theatrical, and found congenial occupation in adoring her.

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

From this reading That so delicate a creature should have to face the miseries of a touring life--the comfortless lodgings, the ill-cooked food, the damp death-traps of dressing-rooms, the long circuitous Sunday train-journeys--roused him to furious indignation.

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

From this reading Finding idleness the root of all boredom, he took to the stage, and during the first week of his first provincial tour fell in love with the leading lady, a fragile waif of a woman of vague upbringing.

having no employment

From this reading Finding idleness the root of all boredom, he took to the stage, and during the first week of his first provincial tour fell in love with the leading lady, a fragile waif of a woman of vague upbringing.

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

From this reading That so delicate a creature should have to face the miseries of a touring life--the comfortless lodgings, the ill-cooked food, the damp death-traps of dressing-rooms, the long circuitous Sunday train-journeys--roused him to furious indignation.

proceeding from natural feeling or impulse without external stimulus

From this reading JIMMIE PADGATE was the son of a retired commander in the Navy, of irreproachable birth and breeding, of a breezy impulsive disposition, and with a pretty talent as an amateur actor.

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

From this reading JIMMIE PADGATE was the son of a retired commander in the Navy, of irreproachable birth and breeding, of a breezy impulsive disposition, and with a pretty talent as an amateur actor.

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

From this reading He married her right away, took her incontinently from things theatrical, and found congenial occupation in adoring her.

a feeling of righteous anger

From this reading That so delicate a creature should have to face the miseries of a touring life--the comfortless lodgings, the ill-cooked food, the damp death-traps of dressing-rooms, the long circuitous Sunday train-journeys--roused him to furious indignation.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading But the hapless lady survived her marriage only long enough to see Jimmie safe into short frocks, and then fell sick and died.

free of guilt; not subject to blame

From this reading JIMMIE PADGATE was the son of a retired commander in the Navy, of irreproachable birth and breeding, of a breezy impulsive disposition, and with a pretty talent as an amateur actor.

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

From this reading JIMMIE PADGATE was the son of a retired commander in the Navy, of irreproachable birth and breeding, of a breezy impulsive disposition, and with a pretty talent as an amateur actor.

a polite name for any woman

From this reading Finding idleness the root of all boredom, he took to the stage, and during the first week of his first provincial tour fell in love with the leading lady, a fragile waif of a woman of vague upbringing.

indicating the most important performer or role

From this reading Finding idleness the root of all boredom, he took to the stage, and during the first week of his first provincial tour fell in love with the leading lady, a fragile waif of a woman of vague upbringing.

a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading That so delicate a creature should have to face the miseries of a touring life--the comfortless lodgings, the ill-cooked food, the damp death-traps of dressing-rooms, the long circuitous Sunday train-journeys--roused him to furious indignation.

temporary living quarters

From this reading That so delicate a creature should have to face the miseries of a touring life--the comfortless lodgings, the ill-cooked food, the damp death-traps of dressing-rooms, the long circuitous Sunday train-journeys--roused him to furious indignation.

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 That so delicate a creature should have to face the miseries of a touring life--the comfortless lodgings, the ill-cooked food, the damp death-traps of dressing-rooms, the long circuitous Sunday train-journeys--roused him to furious indignation.

a strong positive emotion of regard and affection

From this reading Finding idleness the root of all boredom, he took to the stage, and during the first week of his first provincial tour fell in love with the leading lady, a fragile waif of a woman of vague upbringing.

the state of being a married couple voluntarily joined for life (or until divorce)

From this reading But the hapless lady survived her marriage only long enough to see Jimmie safe into short frocks, and then fell sick and died.

joined in matrimony

From this reading He married her right away, took her incontinently from things theatrical, and found congenial occupation in adoring her.

plural of “misery” — a state of ill-being due to affliction or misfortune

From this reading That so delicate a creature should have to face the miseries of a touring life--the comfortless lodgings, the ill-cooked food, the damp death-traps of dressing-rooms, the long circuitous Sunday train-journeys--roused him to furious indignation.

an organization of military vessels belonging to a country and available for sea warfare

From this reading JIMMIE PADGATE was the son of a retired commander in the Navy, of irreproachable birth and breeding, of a breezy impulsive disposition, and with a pretty talent as an amateur actor.

the principal activity in your life that you do to earn money

From this reading He married her right away, took her incontinently from things theatrical, and found congenial occupation in adoring her.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading JIMMIE PADGATE was the son of a retired commander in the Navy, of irreproachable birth and breeding, of a breezy impulsive disposition, and with a pretty talent as an amateur actor.

and nothing more

From this reading But the hapless lady survived her marriage only long enough to see Jimmie safe into short frocks, and then fell sick and died.

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

From this reading JIMMIE PADGATE was the son of a retired commander in the Navy, of irreproachable birth and breeding, of a breezy impulsive disposition, and with a pretty talent as an amateur actor.

pleasing by delicacy or grace; not imposing

From this reading JIMMIE PADGATE was the son of a retired commander in the Navy, of irreproachable birth and breeding, of a breezy impulsive disposition, and with a pretty talent as an amateur actor.

of or associated with a province

From this reading Finding idleness the root of all boredom, he took to the stage, and during the first week of his first provincial tour fell in love with the leading lady, a fragile waif of a woman of vague upbringing.

no longer active in your work or profession

From this reading JIMMIE PADGATE was the son of a retired commander in the Navy, of irreproachable birth and breeding, of a breezy impulsive disposition, and with a pretty talent as an amateur actor.

precisely, exactly

From this reading He married her right away, took her incontinently from things theatrical, and found congenial occupation in adoring her.

(botany) the usually underground organ that lacks buds or leaves or nodes; absorbs water and mineral salts; usually it anchors the plant to the ground

From this reading Finding idleness the root of all boredom, he took to the stage, and during the first week of his first provincial tour fell in love with the leading lady, a fragile waif of a woman of vague upbringing.

past form of “rouse” — become active

From this reading That so delicate a creature should have to face the miseries of a touring life--the comfortless lodgings, the ill-cooked food, the damp death-traps of dressing-rooms, the long circuitous Sunday train-journeys--roused him to furious indignation.

free from danger or the risk of harm

From this reading But the hapless lady survived her marriage only long enough to see Jimmie safe into short frocks, and then fell sick and died.

perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading But the hapless lady survived her marriage only long enough to see Jimmie safe into short frocks, and then fell sick and died.

primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration

From this reading But the hapless lady survived her marriage only long enough to see Jimmie safe into short frocks, and then fell sick and died.

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading That so delicate a creature should have to face the miseries of a touring life--the comfortless lodgings, the ill-cooked food, the damp death-traps of dressing-rooms, the long circuitous Sunday train-journeys--roused him to furious indignation.

affected by an impairment of normal physical or mental function

From this reading But the hapless lady survived her marriage only long enough to see Jimmie safe into short frocks, and then fell sick and died.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading That so delicate a creature should have to face the miseries of a touring life--the comfortless lodgings, the ill-cooked food, the damp death-traps of dressing-rooms, the long circuitous Sunday train-journeys--roused him to furious indignation.

a male human offspring

From this reading JIMMIE PADGATE was the son of a retired commander in the Navy, of irreproachable birth and breeding, of a breezy impulsive disposition, and with a pretty talent as an amateur actor.

any distinct time period in a sequence of events

From this reading Finding idleness the root of all boredom, he took to the stage, and during the first week of his first provincial tour fell in love with the leading lady, a fragile waif of a woman of vague upbringing.

first day of the week; observed as a day of rest and worship by most Christians

From this reading That so delicate a creature should have to face the miseries of a touring life--the comfortless lodgings, the ill-cooked food, the damp death-traps of dressing-rooms, the long circuitous Sunday train-journeys--roused him to furious indignation.

past form of “survive” — continue to live and avoid dying

From this reading But the hapless lady survived her marriage only long enough to see Jimmie safe into short frocks, and then fell sick and died.

natural abilities or qualities

From this reading JIMMIE PADGATE was the son of a retired commander in the Navy, of irreproachable birth and breeding, of a breezy impulsive disposition, and with a pretty talent as an amateur actor.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading That so delicate a creature should have to face the miseries of a touring life--the comfortless lodgings, the ill-cooked food, the damp death-traps of dressing-rooms, the long circuitous Sunday train-journeys--roused him to furious indignation.

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

From this reading JIMMIE PADGATE was the son of a retired commander in the Navy, of irreproachable birth and breeding, of a breezy impulsive disposition, and with a pretty talent as an amateur actor.

of or relating to the theater

From this reading He married her right away, took her incontinently from things theatrical, and found congenial occupation in adoring her.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading But the hapless lady survived her marriage only long enough to see Jimmie safe into short frocks, and then fell sick and died.

any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)

From this reading He married her right away, took her incontinently from things theatrical, and found congenial occupation in adoring her.

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

From this reading Finding idleness the root of all boredom, he took to the stage, and during the first week of his first provincial tour fell in love with the leading lady, a fragile waif of a woman of vague upbringing.

inflected form of “take” — carry out

From this reading Finding idleness the root of all boredom, he took to the stage, and during the first week of his first provincial tour fell in love with the leading lady, a fragile waif of a woman of vague upbringing.

a journey or route all the way around a particular place or area

From this reading Finding idleness the root of all boredom, he took to the stage, and during the first week of his first provincial tour fell in love with the leading lady, a fragile waif of a woman of vague upbringing.

-ing form of “tour” — make a tour of a certain place

From this reading That so delicate a creature should have to face the miseries of a touring life--the comfortless lodgings, the ill-cooked food, the damp death-traps of dressing-rooms, the long circuitous Sunday train-journeys--roused him to furious indignation.

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

From this reading That so delicate a creature should have to face the miseries of a touring life--the comfortless lodgings, the ill-cooked food, the damp death-traps of dressing-rooms, the long circuitous Sunday train-journeys--roused him to furious indignation.

properties acquired during a person's formative years

From this reading Finding idleness the root of all boredom, he took to the stage, and during the first week of his first provincial tour fell in love with the leading lady, a fragile waif of a woman of vague upbringing.

not clearly expressed or understood

From this reading Finding idleness the root of all boredom, he took to the stage, and during the first week of his first provincial tour fell in love with the leading lady, a fragile waif of a woman of vague upbringing.

a homeless child especially one forsaken or orphaned

From this reading Finding idleness the root of all boredom, he took to the stage, and during the first week of his first provincial tour fell in love with the leading lady, a fragile waif of a woman of vague upbringing.

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

From this reading JIMMIE PADGATE was the son of a retired commander in the Navy, of irreproachable birth and breeding, of a breezy impulsive disposition, and with a pretty talent as an amateur actor.

any period of seven consecutive days

From this reading Finding idleness the root of all boredom, he took to the stage, and during the first week of his first provincial tour fell in love with the leading lady, a fragile waif of a woman of vague upbringing.

in the company of; together with

From this reading JIMMIE PADGATE was the son of a retired commander in the Navy, of irreproachable birth and breeding, of a breezy impulsive disposition, and with a pretty talent as an amateur actor.

an adult female person (as opposed to a man)

From this reading Finding idleness the root of all boredom, he took to the stage, and during the first week of his first provincial tour fell in love with the leading lady, a fragile waif of a woman of vague upbringing.