Chapter XXXII

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

From this reading For the modern woman there lies, fortunately, a life between the two extremes of domesticity and frivolity, both of which Joan had tried and found wanting.

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

From this reading Or rather she had not found domesticity wanting so much as temporary--a period of tranquil suspense, as it were, leading up to an inevitable climax which had somehow failed to come off.

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

From this reading For the modern woman there lies, fortunately, a life between the two extremes of domesticity and frivolity, both of which Joan had tried and found wanting.

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

From this reading ("Rising," Archie certainly was; he had to be, to keep up with his rising expenditures.)

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

From this reading Or rather she had not found domesticity wanting so much as temporary--a period of tranquil suspense, as it were, leading up to an inevitable climax which had somehow failed to come off.

plural of “baby” — a very young child (birth to 1 year) who has not yet begun to walk or talk

From this reading Even had her babies lived, it is to be doubted whether Joan could have long satisfied herself with domesticity pure and simple; and she could no more resume it now than a cocoon may be resumed by a former occupant which has sprouted wings.

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

From this reading Even had her babies lived, it is to be doubted whether Joan could have long satisfied herself with domesticity pure and simple; and she could no more resume it now than a cocoon may be resumed by a former occupant which has sprouted wings.

in the space, time, or range separating two things

From this reading For the modern woman there lies, fortunately, a life between the two extremes of domesticity and frivolity, both of which Joan had tried and found wanting.

the two together, not just one

From this reading For the modern woman there lies, fortunately, a life between the two extremes of domesticity and frivolity, both of which Joan had tried and found wanting.

a commercial or industrial enterprise and the people who constitute it

From this reading As for frivolity, plenty of that offered itself to a young matron with a charming house and a husband who was generally spoken of as a rising young business man.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Even had her babies lived, it is to be doubted whether Joan could have long satisfied herself with domesticity pure and simple; and she could no more resume it now than a cocoon may be resumed by a former occupant which has sprouted wings.

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

From this reading ("Rising," Archie certainly was; he had to be, to keep up with his rising expenditures.)

pleasing or delighting

From this reading As for frivolity, plenty of that offered itself to a young matron with a charming house and a husband who was generally spoken of as a rising young business man.

the highest point of anything conceived of as growing or developing or unfolding

From this reading Or rather she had not found domesticity wanting so much as temporary--a period of tranquil suspense, as it were, leading up to an inevitable climax which had somehow failed to come off.

silky envelope spun by the larvae of many insects to protect pupas and by spiders to protect eggs

From this reading Even had her babies lived, it is to be doubted whether Joan could have long satisfied herself with domesticity pure and simple; and she could no more resume it now than a cocoon may be resumed by a former occupant which has sprouted wings.

move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading Or rather she had not found domesticity wanting so much as temporary--a period of tranquil suspense, as it were, leading up to an inevitable climax which had somehow failed to come off.

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

From this reading Even had her babies lived, it is to be doubted whether Joan could have long satisfied herself with domesticity pure and simple; and she could no more resume it now than a cocoon may be resumed by a former occupant which has sprouted wings.

the quality of being domestic or domesticated

From this reading For the modern woman there lies, fortunately, a life between the two extremes of domesticity and frivolity, both of which Joan had tried and found wanting.

past form of “doubt” — consider unlikely or have doubts about

From this reading Even had her babies lived, it is to be doubted whether Joan could have long satisfied herself with domesticity pure and simple; and she could no more resume it now than a cocoon may be resumed by a former occupant which has sprouted wings.

divisible by two

From this reading Even had her babies lived, it is to be doubted whether Joan could have long satisfied herself with domesticity pure and simple; and she could no more resume it now than a cocoon may be resumed by a former occupant which has sprouted wings.

plural of “expenditure” — money paid out; an amount spent

From this reading ("Rising," Archie certainly was; he had to be, to keep up with his rising expenditures.)

plural of “extreme” — the furthest or highest degree of something

From this reading For the modern woman there lies, fortunately, a life between the two extremes of domesticity and frivolity, both of which Joan had tried and found wanting.

past form of “fail” — fail to do something; leave something undone

From this reading Or rather she had not found domesticity wanting so much as temporary--a period of tranquil suspense, as it were, leading up to an inevitable climax which had somehow failed to come off.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading For the modern woman there lies, fortunately, a life between the two extremes of domesticity and frivolity, both of which Joan had tried and found wanting.

referring to the first of two things or persons mentioned (or the earlier one or ones of several)

From this reading Even had her babies lived, it is to be doubted whether Joan could have long satisfied herself with domesticity pure and simple; and she could no more resume it now than a cocoon may be resumed by a former occupant which has sprouted wings.

by good fortune

From this reading For the modern woman there lies, fortunately, a life between the two extremes of domesticity and frivolity, both of which Joan had tried and found wanting.

set up or found

From this reading For the modern woman there lies, fortunately, a life between the two extremes of domesticity and frivolity, both of which Joan had tried and found wanting.

the trait of being frivolous; not serious or sensible

From this reading For the modern woman there lies, fortunately, a life between the two extremes of domesticity and frivolity, both of which Joan had tried and found wanting.

usually; as a rule

From this reading As for frivolity, plenty of that offered itself to a young matron with a charming house and a husband who was generally spoken of as a rising young business man.

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

From this reading For the modern woman there lies, fortunately, a life between the two extremes of domesticity and frivolity, both of which Joan had tried and found wanting.

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

From this reading Even had her babies lived, it is to be doubted whether Joan could have long satisfied herself with domesticity pure and simple; and she could no more resume it now than a cocoon may be resumed by a former occupant which has sprouted wings.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading Even had her babies lived, it is to be doubted whether Joan could have long satisfied herself with domesticity pure and simple; and she could no more resume it now than a cocoon may be resumed by a former occupant which has sprouted wings.

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

From this reading ("Rising," Archie certainly was; he had to be, to keep up with his rising expenditures.)

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

From this reading Even had her babies lived, it is to be doubted whether Joan could have long satisfied herself with domesticity pure and simple; and she could no more resume it now than a cocoon may be resumed by a former occupant which has sprouted wings.

used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object

From this reading Even had her babies lived, it is to be doubted whether Joan could have long satisfied herself with domesticity pure and simple; and she could no more resume it now than a cocoon may be resumed by a former occupant which has sprouted wings.

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

From this reading ("Rising," Archie certainly was; he had to be, to keep up with his rising expenditures.)

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

From this reading As for frivolity, plenty of that offered itself to a young matron with a charming house and a husband who was generally spoken of as a rising young business man.

a married man; a woman's partner in marriage

From this reading As for frivolity, plenty of that offered itself to a young matron with a charming house and a husband who was generally spoken of as a rising young business man.

incapable of being avoided or prevented

From this reading Or rather she had not found domesticity wanting so much as temporary--a period of tranquil suspense, as it were, leading up to an inevitable climax which had somehow failed to come off.

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

From this reading Even had her babies lived, it is to be doubted whether Joan could have long satisfied herself with domesticity pure and simple; and she could no more resume it now than a cocoon may be resumed by a former occupant which has sprouted wings.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Or rather she had not found domesticity wanting so much as temporary--a period of tranquil suspense, as it were, leading up to an inevitable climax which had somehow failed to come off.

used when the thing doing the action is also its object

From this reading As for frivolity, plenty of that offered itself to a young matron with a charming house and a husband who was generally spoken of as a rising young business man.

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

From this reading For the modern woman there lies, fortunately, a life between the two extremes of domesticity and frivolity, both of which Joan had tried and found wanting.

cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”

From this reading ("Rising," Archie certainly was; he had to be, to keep up with his rising expenditures.)

indicating the most important performer or role

From this reading Or rather she had not found domesticity wanting so much as temporary--a period of tranquil suspense, as it were, leading up to an inevitable climax which had somehow failed to come off.

plural of “lie” — a statement that deviates from or perverts the truth

From this reading For the modern woman there lies, fortunately, a life between the two extremes of domesticity and frivolity, both of which Joan had tried and found wanting.

a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading For the modern woman there lies, fortunately, a life between the two extremes of domesticity and frivolity, both of which Joan had tried and found wanting.

past form of “live” — be an inhabitant of or reside in

From this reading Even had her babies lived, it is to be doubted whether Joan could have long satisfied herself with domesticity pure and simple; and she could no more resume it now than a cocoon may be resumed by a former occupant which has sprouted wings.

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 Even had her babies lived, it is to be doubted whether Joan could have long satisfied herself with domesticity pure and simple; and she could no more resume it now than a cocoon may be resumed by a former occupant which has sprouted wings.

an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

From this reading As for frivolity, plenty of that offered itself to a young matron with a charming house and a husband who was generally spoken of as a rising young business man.

a married woman (usually middle-aged with children) who is staid and dignified

From this reading As for frivolity, plenty of that offered itself to a young matron with a charming house and a husband who was generally spoken of as a rising young business man.

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading Even had her babies lived, it is to be doubted whether Joan could have long satisfied herself with domesticity pure and simple; and she could no more resume it now than a cocoon may be resumed by a former occupant which has sprouted wings.

belonging to the modern era; since the Middle Ages

From this reading For the modern woman there lies, fortunately, a life between the two extremes of domesticity and frivolity, both of which Joan had tried and found wanting.

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

From this reading Even had her babies lived, it is to be doubted whether Joan could have long satisfied herself with domesticity pure and simple; and she could no more resume it now than a cocoon may be resumed by a former occupant which has sprouted wings.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading Or rather she had not found domesticity wanting so much as temporary--a period of tranquil suspense, as it were, leading up to an inevitable climax which had somehow failed to come off.

not any; not one

From this reading Even had her babies lived, it is to be doubted whether Joan could have long satisfied herself with domesticity pure and simple; and she could no more resume it now than a cocoon may be resumed by a former occupant which has sprouted wings.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Or rather she had not found domesticity wanting so much as temporary--a period of tranquil suspense, as it were, leading up to an inevitable climax which had somehow failed to come off.

in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events

From this reading Even had her babies lived, it is to be doubted whether Joan could have long satisfied herself with domesticity pure and simple; and she could no more resume it now than a cocoon may be resumed by a former occupant which has sprouted wings.

someone who lives at a particular place for a prolonged period or who was born there

From this reading Even had her babies lived, it is to be doubted whether Joan could have long satisfied herself with domesticity pure and simple; and she could no more resume it now than a cocoon may be resumed by a former occupant which has sprouted wings.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading For the modern woman there lies, fortunately, a life between the two extremes of domesticity and frivolity, both of which Joan had tried and found wanting.

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

From this reading Or rather she had not found domesticity wanting so much as temporary--a period of tranquil suspense, as it were, leading up to an inevitable climax which had somehow failed to come off.

past form of “offer” — make available or accessible, provide or furnish

From this reading As for frivolity, plenty of that offered itself to a young matron with a charming house and a husband who was generally spoken of as a rising young business man.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Or rather she had not found domesticity wanting so much as temporary--a period of tranquil suspense, as it were, leading up to an inevitable climax which had somehow failed to come off.

an amount of time

From this reading Or rather she had not found domesticity wanting so much as temporary--a period of tranquil suspense, as it were, leading up to an inevitable climax which had somehow failed to come off.

a full supply

From this reading As for frivolity, plenty of that offered itself to a young matron with a charming house and a husband who was generally spoken of as a rising young business man.

free of extraneous elements of any kind

From this reading Even had her babies lived, it is to be doubted whether Joan could have long satisfied herself with domesticity pure and simple; and she could no more resume it now than a cocoon may be resumed by a former occupant which has sprouted wings.

on the contrary

From this reading Or rather she had not found domesticity wanting so much as temporary--a period of tranquil suspense, as it were, leading up to an inevitable climax which had somehow failed to come off.

take up or begin anew

From this reading Even had her babies lived, it is to be doubted whether Joan could have long satisfied herself with domesticity pure and simple; and she could no more resume it now than a cocoon may be resumed by a former occupant which has sprouted wings.

past form of “resume” — take up or begin anew

From this reading Even had her babies lived, it is to be doubted whether Joan could have long satisfied herself with domesticity pure and simple; and she could no more resume it now than a cocoon may be resumed by a former occupant which has sprouted wings.

advancing or becoming higher or greater in degree or value or status

From this reading As for frivolity, plenty of that offered itself to a young matron with a charming house and a husband who was generally spoken of as a rising young business man.

filled with satisfaction

From this reading Even had her babies lived, it is to be doubted whether Joan could have long satisfied herself with domesticity pure and simple; and she could no more resume it now than a cocoon may be resumed by a former occupant which has sprouted wings.

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

From this reading Or rather she had not found domesticity wanting so much as temporary--a period of tranquil suspense, as it were, leading up to an inevitable climax which had somehow failed to come off.

having few parts; not complex or complicated or involved

From this reading Even had her babies lived, it is to be doubted whether Joan could have long satisfied herself with domesticity pure and simple; and she could no more resume it now than a cocoon may be resumed by a former occupant which has sprouted wings.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Or rather she had not found domesticity wanting so much as temporary--a period of tranquil suspense, as it were, leading up to an inevitable climax which had somehow failed to come off.

in some unspecified way or manner; or by some unspecified means

From this reading Or rather she had not found domesticity wanting so much as temporary--a period of tranquil suspense, as it were, leading up to an inevitable climax which had somehow failed to come off.

uttered through the medium of speech or characterized by speech; sometimes used in combination

From this reading As for frivolity, plenty of that offered itself to a young matron with a charming house and a husband who was generally spoken of as a rising young business man.

(of growing vegetation) having just emerged from the ground

From this reading Even had her babies lived, it is to be doubted whether Joan could have long satisfied herself with domesticity pure and simple; and she could no more resume it now than a cocoon may be resumed by a former occupant which has sprouted wings.

apprehension about what is going to happen

From this reading Or rather she had not found domesticity wanting so much as temporary--a period of tranquil suspense, as it were, leading up to an inevitable climax which had somehow failed to come off.

not permanent; not lasting

From this reading Or rather she had not found domesticity wanting so much as temporary--a period of tranquil suspense, as it were, leading up to an inevitable climax which had somehow failed to come off.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading Even had her babies lived, it is to be doubted whether Joan could have long satisfied herself with domesticity pure and simple; and she could no more resume it now than a cocoon may be resumed by a former occupant which has sprouted wings.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading As for frivolity, plenty of that offered itself to a young matron with a charming house and a husband who was generally spoken of as a rising young business man.

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

From this reading For the modern woman there lies, fortunately, a life between the two extremes of domesticity and frivolity, both of which Joan had tried and found wanting.

in or at that place or location

From this reading For the modern woman there lies, fortunately, a life between the two extremes of domesticity and frivolity, both of which Joan had tried and found wanting.

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

From this reading Or rather she had not found domesticity wanting so much as temporary--a period of tranquil suspense, as it were, leading up to an inevitable climax which had somehow failed to come off.

(of a body of water) free from disturbance by heavy waves

From this reading Or rather she had not found domesticity wanting so much as temporary--a period of tranquil suspense, as it were, leading up to an inevitable climax which had somehow failed to come off.

tested and proved useful or correct

From this reading For the modern woman there lies, fortunately, a life between the two extremes of domesticity and frivolity, both of which Joan had tried and found wanting.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number

From this reading For the modern woman there lies, fortunately, a life between the two extremes of domesticity and frivolity, both of which Joan had tried and found wanting.

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading Or rather she had not found domesticity wanting so much as temporary--a period of tranquil suspense, as it were, leading up to an inevitable climax which had somehow failed to come off.

nonexistent

From this reading For the modern woman there lies, fortunately, a life between the two extremes of domesticity and frivolity, both of which Joan had tried and found wanting.

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

From this reading As for frivolity, plenty of that offered itself to a young matron with a charming house and a husband who was generally spoken of as a rising young business man.

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

From this reading Or rather she had not found domesticity wanting so much as temporary--a period of tranquil suspense, as it were, leading up to an inevitable climax which had somehow failed to come off.

used to introduce two or more possibilities

From this reading Even had her babies lived, it is to be doubted whether Joan could have long satisfied herself with domesticity pure and simple; and she could no more resume it now than a cocoon may be resumed by a former occupant which has sprouted wings.

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

From this reading For the modern woman there lies, fortunately, a life between the two extremes of domesticity and frivolity, both of which Joan had tried and found wanting.

which person or people

From this reading As for frivolity, plenty of that offered itself to a young matron with a charming house and a husband who was generally spoken of as a rising young business man.

a means of flight or ascent

From this reading Even had her babies lived, it is to be doubted whether Joan could have long satisfied herself with domesticity pure and simple; and she could no more resume it now than a cocoon may be resumed by a former occupant which has sprouted wings.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Even had her babies lived, it is to be doubted whether Joan could have long satisfied herself with domesticity pure and simple; and she could no more resume it now than a cocoon may be resumed by a former occupant which has sprouted wings.

an adult female person (as opposed to a man)

From this reading For the modern woman there lies, fortunately, a life between the two extremes of domesticity and frivolity, both of which Joan had tried and found wanting.

(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth

From this reading As for frivolity, plenty of that offered itself to a young matron with a charming house and a husband who was generally spoken of as a rising young business man.