Chapter I · Chapter 1

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

From this reading Mr Bommaney was a British merchant of the highest rectitude and the most spotless reputation.

a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of

From this reading The old offices, cramped and inconvenient, in which the firm had begun life eighty years before, were still good enough for Mr. Bommaney, and they had an air of solid respectability which newer and flashier places lacked.

a narrow street with walls on both sides

From this reading The building of which they formed a part stood in Coalporter’s Alley, opposite the Church of St. Mildred, and the hum of the City’s traffic scarcely sounded in that retired and quiet locality.

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

From this reading The old offices, cramped and inconvenient, in which the firm had begun life eighty years before, were still good enough for Mr. Bommaney, and they had an air of solid respectability which newer and flashier places lacked.

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

From this reading Mr Bommaney was a British merchant of the highest rectitude and the most spotless reputation.

the sister of your father or mother; the wife of your uncle

From this reading Author Of ‘Aunt Rachel,’ ‘The Weaker Vessel,’ Etc.

writes (books or stories or articles or the like) professionally (for pay)

From this reading Author Of ‘Aunt Rachel,’ ‘The Weaker Vessel,’ Etc.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading He traded still under the name of Bommaney, Waite, and Co., though Waite had been long since dead, and the Company had gone out of existence in his father’s time.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading The old offices, cramped and inconvenient, in which the firm had begun life eighty years before, were still good enough for Mr. Bommaney, and they had an air of solid respectability which newer and flashier places lacked.

inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

From this reading The old offices, cramped and inconvenient, in which the firm had begun life eighty years before, were still good enough for Mr. Bommaney, and they had an air of solid respectability which newer and flashier places lacked.

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

From this reading Mr Bommaney was a British merchant of the highest rectitude and the most spotless reputation.

the people of Great Britain

From this reading Mr Bommaney was a British merchant of the highest rectitude and the most spotless reputation.

a structure that has a roof and walls and stands more or less permanently in one place

From this reading The building of which they formed a part stood in Coalporter’s Alley, opposite the Church of St. Mildred, and the hum of the City’s traffic scarcely sounded in that retired and quiet locality.

one of the groups of Christians who have their own beliefs and forms of worship

From this reading The building of which they formed a part stood in Coalporter’s Alley, opposite the Church of St. Mildred, and the hum of the City’s traffic scarcely sounded in that retired and quiet locality.

possessive form of “city” — a large and densely populated urban area; may include several independent administrative districts

From this reading The building of which they formed a part stood in Coalporter’s Alley, opposite the Church of St. Mildred, and the hum of the City’s traffic scarcely sounded in that retired and quiet locality.

an odorless very poisonous gas that is a product of incomplete combustion of carbon

From this reading He traded still under the name of Bommaney, Waite, and Co., though Waite had been long since dead, and the Company had gone out of existence in his father’s time.

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

From this reading The building of which they formed a part stood in Coalporter’s Alley, opposite the Church of St. Mildred, and the hum of the City’s traffic scarcely sounded in that retired and quiet locality.

an institution created to conduct business

From this reading He traded still under the name of Bommaney, Waite, and Co., though Waite had been long since dead, and the Company had gone out of existence in his father’s time.

constricted in size

From this reading The old offices, cramped and inconvenient, in which the firm had begun life eighty years before, were still good enough for Mr. Bommaney, and they had an air of solid respectability which newer and flashier places lacked.

no longer having or seeming to have or expecting to have life

From this reading He traded still under the name of Bommaney, Waite, and Co., though Waite had been long since dead, and the Company had gone out of existence in his father’s time.

being ten more than seventy

From this reading The old offices, cramped and inconvenient, in which the firm had begun life eighty years before, were still good enough for Mr. Bommaney, and they had an air of solid respectability which newer and flashier places lacked.

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

From this reading The old offices, cramped and inconvenient, in which the firm had begun life eighty years before, were still good enough for Mr. Bommaney, and they had an air of solid respectability which newer and flashier places lacked.

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

From this reading Author Of ‘Aunt Rachel,’ ‘The Weaker Vessel,’ Etc.

the state or fact of existing

From this reading He traded still under the name of Bommaney, Waite, and Co., though Waite had been long since dead, and the Company had gone out of existence in his father’s time.

possessive form of “father” — a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)

From this reading He traded still under the name of Bommaney, Waite, and Co., though Waite had been long since dead, and the Company had gone out of existence in his father’s time.

marked by firm determination or resolution; not shakable

From this reading The old offices, cramped and inconvenient, in which the firm had begun life eighty years before, were still good enough for Mr. Bommaney, and they had an air of solid respectability which newer and flashier places lacked.

comparative of “flashy” — tastelessly showy

From this reading The old offices, cramped and inconvenient, in which the firm had begun life eighty years before, were still good enough for Mr. Bommaney, and they had an air of solid respectability which newer and flashier places lacked.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading The old offices, cramped and inconvenient, in which the firm had begun life eighty years before, were still good enough for Mr. Bommaney, and they had an air of solid respectability which newer and flashier places lacked.

having or given a form or shape

From this reading The building of which they formed a part stood in Coalporter’s Alley, opposite the Church of St. Mildred, and the hum of the City’s traffic scarcely sounded in that retired and quiet locality.

destroyed or killed

From this reading He traded still under the name of Bommaney, Waite, and Co., though Waite had been long since dead, and the Company had gone out of existence in his father’s time.

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

From this reading The old offices, cramped and inconvenient, in which the firm had begun life eighty years before, were still good enough for Mr. Bommaney, and they had an air of solid respectability which newer and flashier places lacked.

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

From this reading He traded still under the name of Bommaney, Waite, and Co., though Waite had been long since dead, and the Company had gone out of existence in his father’s time.

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

From this reading He traded still under the name of Bommaney, Waite, and Co., though Waite had been long since dead, and the Company had gone out of existence in his father’s time.

superlative of “high” — greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading Mr Bommaney was a British merchant of the highest rectitude and the most spotless reputation.

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

From this reading He traded still under the name of Bommaney, Waite, and Co., though Waite had been long since dead, and the Company had gone out of existence in his father’s time.

sing with closed lips

From this reading The building of which they formed a part stood in Coalporter’s Alley, opposite the Church of St. Mildred, and the hum of the City’s traffic scarcely sounded in that retired and quiet locality.

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

From this reading He traded still under the name of Bommaney, Waite, and Co., though Waite had been long since dead, and the Company had gone out of existence in his father’s time.

not suited to your comfort, purpose or needs

From this reading The old offices, cramped and inconvenient, in which the firm had begun life eighty years before, were still good enough for Mr. Bommaney, and they had an air of solid respectability which newer and flashier places lacked.

past form of “lack” — be without

From this reading The old offices, cramped and inconvenient, in which the firm had begun life eighty years before, were still good enough for Mr. Bommaney, and they had an air of solid respectability which newer and flashier places lacked.

a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading The old offices, cramped and inconvenient, in which the firm had begun life eighty years before, were still good enough for Mr. Bommaney, and they had an air of solid respectability which newer and flashier places lacked.

a surrounding or nearby region

From this reading The building of which they formed a part stood in Coalporter’s Alley, opposite the Church of St. Mildred, and the hum of the City’s traffic scarcely sounded in that retired and quiet locality.

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 He traded still under the name of Bommaney, Waite, and Co., though Waite had been long since dead, and the Company had gone out of existence in his father’s time.

A person or company involved in wholesale trade, especially with foreign countries.

From this reading Mr Bommaney was a British merchant of the highest rectitude and the most spotless reputation.

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

From this reading The building of which they formed a part stood in Coalporter’s Alley, opposite the Church of St. Mildred, and the hum of the City’s traffic scarcely sounded in that retired and quiet locality.

used to form the superlative

From this reading Mr Bommaney was a British merchant of the highest rectitude and the most spotless reputation.

a form of address for a man

From this reading Mr Bommaney was a British merchant of the highest rectitude and the most spotless reputation.

assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading He traded still under the name of Bommaney, Waite, and Co., though Waite had been long since dead, and the Company had gone out of existence in his father’s time.

comparative of “new” — not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered

From this reading The old offices, cramped and inconvenient, in which the firm had begun life eighty years before, were still good enough for Mr. Bommaney, and they had an air of solid respectability which newer and flashier places lacked.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Author Of ‘Aunt Rachel,’ ‘The Weaker Vessel,’ Etc.

plural of “office” — place of business where professional or clerical duties are performed

From this reading The old offices, cramped and inconvenient, in which the firm had begun life eighty years before, were still good enough for Mr. Bommaney, and they had an air of solid respectability which newer and flashier places lacked.

(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age

From this reading The old offices, cramped and inconvenient, in which the firm had begun life eighty years before, were still good enough for Mr. Bommaney, and they had an air of solid respectability which newer and flashier places lacked.

being directly across from each other; facing

From this reading The building of which they formed a part stood in Coalporter’s Alley, opposite the Church of St. Mildred, and the hum of the City’s traffic scarcely sounded in that retired and quiet locality.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading He traded still under the name of Bommaney, Waite, and Co., though Waite had been long since dead, and the Company had gone out of existence in his father’s time.

something determined in relation to something that includes it

From this reading The building of which they formed a part stood in Coalporter’s Alley, opposite the Church of St. Mildred, and the hum of the City’s traffic scarcely sounded in that retired and quiet locality.

plural of “place” — a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading The old offices, cramped and inconvenient, in which the firm had begun life eighty years before, were still good enough for Mr. Bommaney, and they had an air of solid respectability which newer and flashier places lacked.

characterized by an absence or near absence of agitation or activity

From this reading The building of which they formed a part stood in Coalporter’s Alley, opposite the Church of St. Mildred, and the hum of the City’s traffic scarcely sounded in that retired and quiet locality.

(Old Testament) the second wife of Jacob and mother of Joseph and Benjamin

From this reading Author Of ‘Aunt Rachel,’ ‘The Weaker Vessel,’ Etc.

righteousness as a consequence of being honorable and honest

From this reading Mr Bommaney was a British merchant of the highest rectitude and the most spotless reputation.

the state of being held in high esteem and honor

From this reading Mr Bommaney was a British merchant of the highest rectitude and the most spotless reputation.

honorableness by virtue of being respectable and having a good reputation

From this reading The old offices, cramped and inconvenient, in which the firm had begun life eighty years before, were still good enough for Mr. Bommaney, and they had an air of solid respectability which newer and flashier places lacked.

no longer active in your work or profession

From this reading The building of which they formed a part stood in Coalporter’s Alley, opposite the Church of St. Mildred, and the hum of the City’s traffic scarcely sounded in that retired and quiet locality.

only a very short time before

From this reading The building of which they formed a part stood in Coalporter’s Alley, opposite the Church of St. Mildred, and the hum of the City’s traffic scarcely sounded in that retired and quiet locality.

from a time in the past until now

From this reading He traded still under the name of Bommaney, Waite, and Co., though Waite had been long since dead, and the Company had gone out of existence in his father’s time.

characterized by good substantial quality

From this reading The old offices, cramped and inconvenient, in which the firm had begun life eighty years before, were still good enough for Mr. Bommaney, and they had an air of solid respectability which newer and flashier places lacked.

past form of “sound” — appear in a certain way

From this reading The building of which they formed a part stood in Coalporter’s Alley, opposite the Church of St. Mildred, and the hum of the City’s traffic scarcely sounded in that retired and quiet locality.

completely neat and clean

From this reading Mr Bommaney was a British merchant of the highest rectitude and the most spotless reputation.

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

From this reading The building of which they formed a part stood in Coalporter’s Alley, opposite the Church of St. Mildred, and the hum of the City’s traffic scarcely sounded in that retired and quiet locality.

not in physical motion

From this reading He traded still under the name of Bommaney, Waite, and Co., though Waite had been long since dead, and the Company had gone out of existence in his father’s time.

Maintained an upright posture.

From this reading The building of which they formed a part stood in Coalporter’s Alley, opposite the Church of St. Mildred, and the hum of the City’s traffic scarcely sounded in that retired and quiet locality.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading The building of which they formed a part stood in Coalporter’s Alley, opposite the Church of St. Mildred, and the hum of the City’s traffic scarcely sounded in that retired and quiet locality.

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

From this reading Author Of ‘Aunt Rachel,’ ‘The Weaker Vessel,’ Etc.

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

From this reading The old offices, cramped and inconvenient, in which the firm had begun life eighty years before, were still good enough for Mr. Bommaney, and they had an air of solid respectability which newer and flashier places lacked.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading He traded still under the name of Bommaney, Waite, and Co., though Waite had been long since dead, and the Company had gone out of existence in his father’s time.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading He traded still under the name of Bommaney, Waite, and Co., though Waite had been long since dead, and the Company had gone out of existence in his father’s time.

past form of “trade” — engage in the trade of

From this reading He traded still under the name of Bommaney, Waite, and Co., though Waite had been long since dead, and the Company had gone out of existence in his father’s time.

the aggregation of things (pedestrians or vehicles) coming and going in a particular locality during a specified period of time

From this reading The building of which they formed a part stood in Coalporter’s Alley, opposite the Church of St. Mildred, and the hum of the City’s traffic scarcely sounded in that retired and quiet locality.

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading He traded still under the name of Bommaney, Waite, and Co., though Waite had been long since dead, and the Company had gone out of existence in his father’s time.

a tube in which a body fluid circulates

From this reading Author Of ‘Aunt Rachel,’ ‘The Weaker Vessel,’ Etc.

United States jurist who was appointed chief justice of the United States Supreme Court in 1874 by President Grant (1816-1888)

From this reading He traded still under the name of Bommaney, Waite, and Co., though Waite had been long since dead, and the Company had gone out of existence in his father’s time.

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

From this reading Mr Bommaney was a British merchant of the highest rectitude and the most spotless reputation.

comparative of “weak” — wanting in physical strength

From this reading Author Of ‘Aunt Rachel,’ ‘The Weaker Vessel,’ Etc.

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

From this reading The old offices, cramped and inconvenient, in which the firm had begun life eighty years before, were still good enough for Mr. Bommaney, and they had an air of solid respectability which newer and flashier places lacked.

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

From this reading The old offices, cramped and inconvenient, in which the firm had begun life eighty years before, were still good enough for Mr. Bommaney, and they had an air of solid respectability which newer and flashier places lacked.

a late time of life

From this reading The old offices, cramped and inconvenient, in which the firm had begun life eighty years before, were still good enough for Mr. Bommaney, and they had an air of solid respectability which newer and flashier places lacked.