Chapter XXI · Chapter 21

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

From this reading She stood for a few seconds outside her door to regain her breath; the deafening rush of the rain still sounded in her ears; she still seemed to feel the jostling of hurrying foot-passengers, and to see the reflections from the street-lamps dancing in the puddles.

later than; following

From this reading From her umbrella the water dripped on step after step, whilst clinging to the balusters she ascended the staircase.

(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 Circumstances had compassed it all; she could have done naught to prevent it.

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

From this reading She stood for a few seconds outside her door to regain her breath; the deafening rush of the rain still sounded in her ears; she still seemed to feel the jostling of hurrying foot-passengers, and to see the reflections from the street-lamps dancing in the puddles.

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

From this reading She was walking in a dream, filled with the surprise of the kisses that had been showered upon her; and as she fumbled for her key she believed that her bosom felt neither remorse nor joy.

past form of “ascend” — travel up

From this reading From her umbrella the water dripped on step after step, whilst clinging to the balusters she ascended the staircase.

a railing at the side of a staircase or balcony to prevent people from falling

From this reading From her umbrella the water dripped on step after step, whilst clinging to the balusters she ascended the staircase.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading She was walking in a dream, filled with the surprise of the kisses that had been showered upon her; and as she fumbled for her key she believed that her bosom felt neither remorse nor joy.

past form of “believe” — accept as true; take to be true

From this reading She was walking in a dream, filled with the surprise of the kisses that had been showered upon her; and as she fumbled for her key she believed that her bosom felt neither remorse nor joy.

the chest considered as the place where secret thoughts are kept

From this reading She was walking in a dream, filled with the surprise of the kisses that had been showered upon her; and as she fumbled for her key she believed that her bosom felt neither remorse nor joy.

the process of taking in and expelling air during breathing

From this reading She stood for a few seconds outside her door to regain her breath; the deafening rush of the rain still sounded in her ears; she still seemed to feel the jostling of hurrying foot-passengers, and to see the reflections from the street-lamps dancing in the puddles.

your overall circumstances or condition in life (including everything that happens to you)

From this reading Circumstances had compassed it all; she could have done naught to prevent it.

-ing form of “cling” — come or be in close contact with; stick or hold together and resist separation

From this reading From her umbrella the water dripped on step after step, whilst clinging to the balusters she ascended the staircase.

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

From this reading Circumstances had compassed it all; she could have done naught to prevent it.

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

From this reading Circumstances had compassed it all; she could have done naught to prevent it.

taking a series of rhythmical steps (and movements) in time to music

From this reading She stood for a few seconds outside her door to regain her breath; the deafening rush of the rain still sounded in her ears; she still seemed to feel the jostling of hurrying foot-passengers, and to see the reflections from the street-lamps dancing in the puddles.

loud enough to cause (temporary) hearing loss

From this reading She stood for a few seconds outside her door to regain her breath; the deafening rush of the rain still sounded in her ears; she still seemed to feel the jostling of hurrying foot-passengers, and to see the reflections from the street-lamps dancing in the puddles.

having finished or arrived at completion

From this reading Circumstances had compassed it all; she could have done naught to prevent it.

a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle

From this reading She stood for a few seconds outside her door to regain her breath; the deafening rush of the rain still sounded in her ears; she still seemed to feel the jostling of hurrying foot-passengers, and to see the reflections from the street-lamps dancing in the puddles.

A series of thoughts, images, or emotions during sleep.

From this reading She was walking in a dream, filled with the surprise of the kisses that had been showered upon her; and as she fumbled for her key she believed that her bosom felt neither remorse nor joy.

inflected form of “drip” — fall in drops

From this reading From her umbrella the water dripped on step after step, whilst clinging to the balusters she ascended the staircase.

plural of “ear” — the sense organ for hearing and equilibrium

From this reading She stood for a few seconds outside her door to regain her breath; the deafening rush of the rain still sounded in her ears; she still seemed to feel the jostling of hurrying foot-passengers, and to see the reflections from the street-lamps dancing in the puddles.

undergo an emotional sensation or be in a particular state of mind

From this reading She stood for a few seconds outside her door to regain her breath; the deafening rush of the rain still sounded in her ears; she still seemed to feel the jostling of hurrying foot-passengers, and to see the reflections from the street-lamps dancing in the puddles.

mat together and make felt-like

From this reading She was walking in a dream, filled with the surprise of the kisses that had been showered upon her; and as she fumbled for her key she believed that her bosom felt neither remorse nor joy.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number

From this reading She stood for a few seconds outside her door to regain her breath; the deafening rush of the rain still sounded in her ears; she still seemed to feel the jostling of hurrying foot-passengers, and to see the reflections from the street-lamps dancing in the puddles.

(usually followed by “with” or used as a combining form) generously supplied with

From this reading She was walking in a dream, filled with the surprise of the kisses that had been showered upon her; and as she fumbled for her key she believed that her bosom felt neither remorse nor joy.

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

From this reading She stood for a few seconds outside her door to regain her breath; the deafening rush of the rain still sounded in her ears; she still seemed to feel the jostling of hurrying foot-passengers, and to see the reflections from the street-lamps dancing in the puddles.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading She stood for a few seconds outside her door to regain her breath; the deafening rush of the rain still sounded in her ears; she still seemed to feel the jostling of hurrying foot-passengers, and to see the reflections from the street-lamps dancing in the puddles.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading From her umbrella the water dripped on step after step, whilst clinging to the balusters she ascended the staircase.

past form of “fumble” — feel about uncertainly or blindly

From this reading She was walking in a dream, filled with the surprise of the kisses that had been showered upon her; and as she fumbled for her key she believed that her bosom felt neither remorse nor joy.

brought together in one place

From this reading Night had long gathered in when Hélène returned.

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

From this reading Night had long gathered in when Hélène returned.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading Circumstances had compassed it all; she could have done naught to prevent it.

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

From this reading From her umbrella the water dripped on step after step, whilst clinging to the balusters she ascended the staircase.

moving with great haste

From this reading She stood for a few seconds outside her door to regain her breath; the deafening rush of the rain still sounded in her ears; she still seemed to feel the jostling of hurrying foot-passengers, and to see the reflections from the street-lamps dancing in the puddles.

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

From this reading Night had long gathered in when Hélène returned.

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

From this reading Night had long gathered in when Hélène returned.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Circumstances had compassed it all; she could have done naught to prevent it.

the act of jostling (forcing your way by pushing)

From this reading She stood for a few seconds outside her door to regain her breath; the deafening rush of the rain still sounded in her ears; she still seemed to feel the jostling of hurrying foot-passengers, and to see the reflections from the street-lamps dancing in the puddles.

the emotion of great happiness

From this reading She was walking in a dream, filled with the surprise of the kisses that had been showered upon her; and as she fumbled for her key she believed that her bosom felt neither remorse nor joy.

metal device shaped in such a way that when it is inserted into the appropriate lock the lock's mechanism can be rotated

From this reading She was walking in a dream, filled with the surprise of the kisses that had been showered upon her; and as she fumbled for her key she believed that her bosom felt neither remorse nor joy.

plural of “kiss” — the act of caressing with the lips (or an instance thereof)

From this reading She was walking in a dream, filled with the surprise of the kisses that had been showered upon her; and as she fumbled for her key she believed that her bosom felt neither remorse nor joy.

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 Night had long gathered in when Hélène returned.

a quantity of no importance

From this reading Circumstances had compassed it all; she could have done naught to prevent it.

not one and not the other of two

From this reading She was walking in a dream, filled with the surprise of the kisses that had been showered upon her; and as she fumbled for her key she believed that her bosom felt neither remorse nor joy.

the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside

From this reading Night had long gathered in when Hélène returned.

and not; used after a negative to add a second negative

From this reading She was walking in a dream, filled with the surprise of the kisses that had been showered upon her; and as she fumbled for her key she believed that her bosom felt neither remorse nor joy.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading She stood for a few seconds outside her door to regain her breath; the deafening rush of the rain still sounded in her ears; she still seemed to feel the jostling of hurrying foot-passengers, and to see the reflections from the street-lamps dancing in the puddles.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading From her umbrella the water dripped on step after step, whilst clinging to the balusters she ascended the staircase.

relating to or being on or near the outer side or limit

From this reading She stood for a few seconds outside her door to regain her breath; the deafening rush of the rain still sounded in her ears; she still seemed to feel the jostling of hurrying foot-passengers, and to see the reflections from the street-lamps dancing in the puddles.

keep from happening or arising; make impossible

From this reading Circumstances had compassed it all; she could have done naught to prevent it.

plural of “puddle” — a mixture of wet clay and sand that can be used to line a pond and that is impervious to water when dry

From this reading She stood for a few seconds outside her door to regain her breath; the deafening rush of the rain still sounded in her ears; she still seemed to feel the jostling of hurrying foot-passengers, and to see the reflections from the street-lamps dancing in the puddles.

water falling in drops from vapor condensed in the atmosphere

From this reading She stood for a few seconds outside her door to regain her breath; the deafening rush of the rain still sounded in her ears; she still seemed to feel the jostling of hurrying foot-passengers, and to see the reflections from the street-lamps dancing in the puddles.

plural of “reflection” — a calm, lengthy, intent consideration

From this reading She stood for a few seconds outside her door to regain her breath; the deafening rush of the rain still sounded in her ears; she still seemed to feel the jostling of hurrying foot-passengers, and to see the reflections from the street-lamps dancing in the puddles.

get or find back; recover the use of

From this reading She stood for a few seconds outside her door to regain her breath; the deafening rush of the rain still sounded in her ears; she still seemed to feel the jostling of hurrying foot-passengers, and to see the reflections from the street-lamps dancing in the puddles.

a feeling of deep regret (usually for some misdeed)

From this reading She was walking in a dream, filled with the surprise of the kisses that had been showered upon her; and as she fumbled for her key she believed that her bosom felt neither remorse nor joy.

past form of “return” — go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before

From this reading Night had long gathered in when Hélène returned.

move hurridly

From this reading She stood for a few seconds outside her door to regain her breath; the deafening rush of the rain still sounded in her ears; she still seemed to feel the jostling of hurrying foot-passengers, and to see the reflections from the street-lamps dancing in the puddles.

plural of “second” — 1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites

From this reading She stood for a few seconds outside her door to regain her breath; the deafening rush of the rain still sounded in her ears; she still seemed to feel the jostling of hurrying foot-passengers, and to see the reflections from the street-lamps dancing in the puddles.

perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading She stood for a few seconds outside her door to regain her breath; the deafening rush of the rain still sounded in her ears; she still seemed to feel the jostling of hurrying foot-passengers, and to see the reflections from the street-lamps dancing in the puddles.

past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading She stood for a few seconds outside her door to regain her breath; the deafening rush of the rain still sounded in her ears; she still seemed to feel the jostling of hurrying foot-passengers, and to see the reflections from the street-lamps dancing in the puddles.

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

From this reading From her umbrella the water dripped on step after step, whilst clinging to the balusters she ascended the staircase.

past form of “shower” — expend profusely; also used with abstract nouns

From this reading She was walking in a dream, filled with the surprise of the kisses that had been showered upon her; and as she fumbled for her key she believed that her bosom felt neither remorse nor joy.

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

From this reading She stood for a few seconds outside her door to regain her breath; the deafening rush of the rain still sounded in her ears; she still seemed to feel the jostling of hurrying foot-passengers, and to see the reflections from the street-lamps dancing in the puddles.

a way of access (upward and downward) consisting of a set of steps

From this reading From her umbrella the water dripped on step after step, whilst clinging to the balusters she ascended the staircase.

any maneuver made as part of progress toward a goal

From this reading From her umbrella the water dripped on step after step, whilst clinging to the balusters she ascended the staircase.

not in physical motion

From this reading She stood for a few seconds outside her door to regain her breath; the deafening rush of the rain still sounded in her ears; she still seemed to feel the jostling of hurrying foot-passengers, and to see the reflections from the street-lamps dancing in the puddles.

Maintained an upright posture.

From this reading She stood for a few seconds outside her door to regain her breath; the deafening rush of the rain still sounded in her ears; she still seemed to feel the jostling of hurrying foot-passengers, and to see the reflections from the street-lamps dancing in the puddles.

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

From this reading She stood for a few seconds outside her door to regain her breath; the deafening rush of the rain still sounded in her ears; she still seemed to feel the jostling of hurrying foot-passengers, and to see the reflections from the street-lamps dancing in the puddles.

the astonishment you feel when something totally unexpected happens to you

From this reading She was walking in a dream, filled with the surprise of the kisses that had been showered upon her; and as she fumbled for her key she believed that her bosom felt neither remorse nor joy.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading She was walking in a dream, filled with the surprise of the kisses that had been showered upon her; and as she fumbled for her key she believed that her bosom felt neither remorse nor joy.

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

From this reading From her umbrella the water dripped on step after step, whilst clinging to the balusters she ascended the staircase.

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

From this reading From her umbrella the water dripped on step after step, whilst clinging to the balusters she ascended the staircase.

a lightweight handheld collapsible canopy

From this reading From her umbrella the water dripped on step after step, whilst clinging to the balusters she ascended the staircase.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading She was walking in a dream, filled with the surprise of the kisses that had been showered upon her; and as she fumbled for her key she believed that her bosom felt neither remorse nor joy.

close enough to be walked to

From this reading She was walking in a dream, filled with the surprise of the kisses that had been showered upon her; and as she fumbled for her key she believed that her bosom felt neither remorse nor joy.

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

From this reading She was walking in a dream, filled with the surprise of the kisses that had been showered upon her; and as she fumbled for her key she believed that her bosom felt neither remorse nor joy.

binary compound that occurs at room temperature as a clear colorless odorless tasteless liquid; freezes into ice below 0 degrees centigrade and boils above 100 degrees centigrade; widely used as a solvent

From this reading From her umbrella the water dripped on step after step, whilst clinging to the balusters she ascended the staircase.

at the time that

From this reading Night had long gathered in when Hélène returned.

an old and formal word for “while”

From this reading From her umbrella the water dripped on step after step, whilst clinging to the balusters she ascended the staircase.

in the company of; together with

From this reading She was walking in a dream, filled with the surprise of the kisses that had been showered upon her; and as she fumbled for her key she believed that her bosom felt neither remorse nor joy.