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Chapter VI
When one has made up one’s mind to reopen a painful subject after dinner, the preliminary meal is not usually a very pleasant one; nor, with the tremor of preparation in one’s mind, is one likely to make a satisfactory dinner. Frances could not talk about anything. She could not eat; her mind was absorbed in what was coming. It seemed to her that she must speak: and yet how gladly would she have escaped from or postponed the explanation! Explanation!
Oxford-style entry order: headword, part of speech, US IPA, concise definition, contextual example, audio, and collocations from this reading.
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading “Frances could not talk about anything.”
later than; following
From this reading “When one has made up one’s mind to reopen a painful subject after dinner, the preliminary meal is not usually a very pleasant one; nor, with the tremor of preparation in one’s mind, is one likely to make a satisfactory dinner.”
any thing at all
From this reading “Frances could not talk about anything.”
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading “Frances could not talk about anything.”
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading “When one has made up one’s mind to reopen a painful subject after dinner, the preliminary meal is not usually a very pleasant one; nor, with the tremor of preparation in one’s mind, is one likely to make a satisfactory dinner.”
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading “It seemed to her that she must speak: and yet how gladly would she have escaped from or postponed the explanation!”
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “When one has made up one’s mind to reopen a painful subject after dinner, the preliminary meal is not usually a very pleasant one; nor, with the tremor of preparation in one’s mind, is one likely to make a satisfactory dinner.”
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “When one has made up one’s mind to reopen a painful subject after dinner, the preliminary meal is not usually a very pleasant one; nor, with the tremor of preparation in one’s mind, is one likely to make a satisfactory dinner.”
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading “It seemed to her that she must speak: and yet how gladly would she have escaped from or postponed the explanation!”
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading “When one has made up one’s mind to reopen a painful subject after dinner, the preliminary meal is not usually a very pleasant one; nor, with the tremor of preparation in one’s mind, is one likely to make a satisfactory dinner.”
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “When one has made up one’s mind to reopen a painful subject after dinner, the preliminary meal is not usually a very pleasant one; nor, with the tremor of preparation in one’s mind, is one likely to make a satisfactory dinner.”
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “It seemed to her that she must speak: and yet how gladly would she have escaped from or postponed the explanation!”
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “It seemed to her that she must speak: and yet how gladly would she have escaped from or postponed the explanation!”
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading “It seemed to her that she must speak: and yet how gladly would she have escaped from or postponed the explanation!”
but in spite of that
From this reading “It seemed to her that she must speak: and yet how gladly would she have escaped from or postponed the explanation!”
Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading When one has made up one’s mind to reopen a painful subject after dinner, the preliminary meal is not usually a very pleasant one; nor, with the tremor of preparation in one’s mind, is one likely to make a satisfactory dinner.
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Frances could not talk about anything.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She could not eat; her mind was absorbed in what was coming.
later than; following
From this reading When one has made up one’s mind to reopen a painful subject after dinner, the preliminary meal is not usually a very pleasant one; nor, with the tremor of preparation in one’s mind, is one likely to make a satisfactory dinner.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It seemed to her that she must speak: and yet how gladly would she have escaped from or postponed the explanation!
any thing at all
From this reading Frances could not talk about anything.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She could not eat; her mind was absorbed in what was coming.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Frances could not talk about anything.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When one has made up one’s mind to reopen a painful subject after dinner, the preliminary meal is not usually a very pleasant one; nor, with the tremor of preparation in one’s mind, is one likely to make a satisfactory dinner.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She could not eat; her mind was absorbed in what was coming.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It seemed to her that she must speak: and yet how gladly would she have escaped from or postponed the explanation!
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It seemed to her that she must speak: and yet how gladly would she have escaped from or postponed the explanation!
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Frances could not talk about anything.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading It seemed to her that she must speak: and yet how gladly would she have escaped from or postponed the explanation!
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It seemed to her that she must speak: and yet how gladly would she have escaped from or postponed the explanation!
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading When one has made up one’s mind to reopen a painful subject after dinner, the preliminary meal is not usually a very pleasant one; nor, with the tremor of preparation in one’s mind, is one likely to make a satisfactory dinner.
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading It seemed to her that she must speak: and yet how gladly would she have escaped from or postponed the explanation!
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading She could not eat; her mind was absorbed in what was coming.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It seemed to her that she must speak: and yet how gladly would she have escaped from or postponed the explanation!
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading When one has made up one’s mind to reopen a painful subject after dinner, the preliminary meal is not usually a very pleasant one; nor, with the tremor of preparation in one’s mind, is one likely to make a satisfactory dinner.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading When one has made up one’s mind to reopen a painful subject after dinner, the preliminary meal is not usually a very pleasant one; nor, with the tremor of preparation in one’s mind, is one likely to make a satisfactory dinner.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It seemed to her that she must speak: and yet how gladly would she have escaped from or postponed the explanation!
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When one has made up one’s mind to reopen a painful subject after dinner, the preliminary meal is not usually a very pleasant one; nor, with the tremor of preparation in one’s mind, is one likely to make a satisfactory dinner.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When one has made up one’s mind to reopen a painful subject after dinner, the preliminary meal is not usually a very pleasant one; nor, with the tremor of preparation in one’s mind, is one likely to make a satisfactory dinner.
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading When one has made up one’s mind to reopen a painful subject after dinner, the preliminary meal is not usually a very pleasant one; nor, with the tremor of preparation in one’s mind, is one likely to make a satisfactory dinner.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When one has made up one’s mind to reopen a painful subject after dinner, the preliminary meal is not usually a very pleasant one; nor, with the tremor of preparation in one’s mind, is one likely to make a satisfactory dinner.
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading When one has made up one’s mind to reopen a painful subject after dinner, the preliminary meal is not usually a very pleasant one; nor, with the tremor of preparation in one’s mind, is one likely to make a satisfactory dinner.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading It seemed to her that she must speak: and yet how gladly would she have escaped from or postponed the explanation!
and not; used after a negative to add a second negative
From this reading When one has made up one’s mind to reopen a painful subject after dinner, the preliminary meal is not usually a very pleasant one; nor, with the tremor of preparation in one’s mind, is one likely to make a satisfactory dinner.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading When one has made up one’s mind to reopen a painful subject after dinner, the preliminary meal is not usually a very pleasant one; nor, with the tremor of preparation in one’s mind, is one likely to make a satisfactory dinner.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading When one has made up one’s mind to reopen a painful subject after dinner, the preliminary meal is not usually a very pleasant one; nor, with the tremor of preparation in one’s mind, is one likely to make a satisfactory dinner.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading When one has made up one’s mind to reopen a painful subject after dinner, the preliminary meal is not usually a very pleasant one; nor, with the tremor of preparation in one’s mind, is one likely to make a satisfactory dinner.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When one has made up one’s mind to reopen a painful subject after dinner, the preliminary meal is not usually a very pleasant one; nor, with the tremor of preparation in one’s mind, is one likely to make a satisfactory dinner.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading It seemed to her that she must speak: and yet how gladly would she have escaped from or postponed the explanation!
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When one has made up one’s mind to reopen a painful subject after dinner, the preliminary meal is not usually a very pleasant one; nor, with the tremor of preparation in one’s mind, is one likely to make a satisfactory dinner.
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading When one has made up one’s mind to reopen a painful subject after dinner, the preliminary meal is not usually a very pleasant one; nor, with the tremor of preparation in one’s mind, is one likely to make a satisfactory dinner.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It seemed to her that she must speak: and yet how gladly would she have escaped from or postponed the explanation!
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When one has made up one’s mind to reopen a painful subject after dinner, the preliminary meal is not usually a very pleasant one; nor, with the tremor of preparation in one’s mind, is one likely to make a satisfactory dinner.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When one has made up one’s mind to reopen a painful subject after dinner, the preliminary meal is not usually a very pleasant one; nor, with the tremor of preparation in one’s mind, is one likely to make a satisfactory dinner.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When one has made up one’s mind to reopen a painful subject after dinner, the preliminary meal is not usually a very pleasant one; nor, with the tremor of preparation in one’s mind, is one likely to make a satisfactory dinner.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When one has made up one’s mind to reopen a painful subject after dinner, the preliminary meal is not usually a very pleasant one; nor, with the tremor of preparation in one’s mind, is one likely to make a satisfactory dinner.
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It seemed to her that she must speak: and yet how gladly would she have escaped from or postponed the explanation!
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She could not eat; her mind was absorbed in what was coming.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It seemed to her that she must speak: and yet how gladly would she have escaped from or postponed the explanation!
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When one has made up one’s mind to reopen a painful subject after dinner, the preliminary meal is not usually a very pleasant one; nor, with the tremor of preparation in one’s mind, is one likely to make a satisfactory dinner.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Frances could not talk about anything.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It seemed to her that she must speak: and yet how gladly would she have escaped from or postponed the explanation!
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading When one has made up one’s mind to reopen a painful subject after dinner, the preliminary meal is not usually a very pleasant one; nor, with the tremor of preparation in one’s mind, is one likely to make a satisfactory dinner.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading When one has made up one’s mind to reopen a painful subject after dinner, the preliminary meal is not usually a very pleasant one; nor, with the tremor of preparation in one’s mind, is one likely to make a satisfactory dinner.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When one has made up one’s mind to reopen a painful subject after dinner, the preliminary meal is not usually a very pleasant one; nor, with the tremor of preparation in one’s mind, is one likely to make a satisfactory dinner.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When one has made up one’s mind to reopen a painful subject after dinner, the preliminary meal is not usually a very pleasant one; nor, with the tremor of preparation in one’s mind, is one likely to make a satisfactory dinner.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When one has made up one’s mind to reopen a painful subject after dinner, the preliminary meal is not usually a very pleasant one; nor, with the tremor of preparation in one’s mind, is one likely to make a satisfactory dinner.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When one has made up one’s mind to reopen a painful subject after dinner, the preliminary meal is not usually a very pleasant one; nor, with the tremor of preparation in one’s mind, is one likely to make a satisfactory dinner.
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading She could not eat; her mind was absorbed in what was coming.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading She could not eat; her mind was absorbed in what was coming.
at the time that
From this reading When one has made up one’s mind to reopen a painful subject after dinner, the preliminary meal is not usually a very pleasant one; nor, with the tremor of preparation in one’s mind, is one likely to make a satisfactory dinner.
in the company of; together with
From this reading When one has made up one’s mind to reopen a painful subject after dinner, the preliminary meal is not usually a very pleasant one; nor, with the tremor of preparation in one’s mind, is one likely to make a satisfactory dinner.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading It seemed to her that she must speak: and yet how gladly would she have escaped from or postponed the explanation!
but in spite of that
From this reading It seemed to her that she must speak: and yet how gladly would she have escaped from or postponed the explanation!
