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 The man of fancy made an entertainment at one of his castles in the air, and invited a select number of distinguished personages to favor him with their presence.

having fair knowledge of

From this reading The mansion, though less splendid than many that have been situated in the same region, was nevertheless of a magnificence such as is seldom witnessed by those acquainted only with terrestrial architecture.

plural of “age” — how long something has existed

From this reading Perceiving that the general effect was gloomy,—so that the airy castle looked like a feudal fortress, or a monastery of the Middle Ages, or a state prison of our own times, rather than the home of pleasure and repose which he intended it to be,—the owner, regardless of expense, resolved to gild the exterior from top to bottom.

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

From this reading The man of fancy made an entertainment at one of his castles in the air, and invited a select number of distinguished personages to favor him with their presence.

open to or abounding in fresh air

From this reading Perceiving that the general effect was gloomy,—so that the airy castle looked like a feudal fortress, or a monastery of the Middle Ages, or a state prison of our own times, rather than the home of pleasure and repose which he intended it to be,—the owner, regardless of expense, resolved to gild the exterior from top to bottom.

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

From this reading The man of fancy made an entertainment at one of his castles in the air, and invited a select number of distinguished personages to favor him with their presence.

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

From this reading The man of fancy made an entertainment at one of his castles in the air, and invited a select number of distinguished personages to favor him with their presence.

from appearances alone

From this reading Its strong foundations and massive walls were quarried out of a ledge of heavy and sombre clouds which had hung brooding over the earth, apparently as dense and ponderous as its own granite, throughout a whole autumnal day.

an architectural product or work

From this reading The mansion, though less splendid than many that have been situated in the same region, was nevertheless of a magnificence such as is seldom witnessed by those acquainted only with terrestrial architecture.

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

From this reading The mansion, though less splendid than many that have been situated in the same region, was nevertheless of a magnificence such as is seldom witnessed by those acquainted only with terrestrial architecture.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading The man of fancy made an entertainment at one of his castles in the air, and invited a select number of distinguished personages to favor him with their presence.

of or characteristic of or occurring in autumn

From this reading Its strong foundations and massive walls were quarried out of a ledge of heavy and sombre clouds which had hung brooding over the earth, apparently as dense and ponderous as its own granite, throughout a whole autumnal day.

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

From this reading Perceiving that the general effect was gloomy,—so that the airy castle looked like a feudal fortress, or a monastery of the Middle Ages, or a state prison of our own times, rather than the home of pleasure and repose which he intended it to be,—the owner, regardless of expense, resolved to gild the exterior from top to bottom.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading The mansion, though less splendid than many that have been situated in the same region, was nevertheless of a magnificence such as is seldom witnessed by those acquainted only with terrestrial architecture.

the lower side of anything

From this reading Perceiving that the general effect was gloomy,—so that the airy castle looked like a feudal fortress, or a monastery of the Middle Ages, or a state prison of our own times, rather than the home of pleasure and repose which he intended it to be,—the owner, regardless of expense, resolved to gild the exterior from top to bottom.

sitting on eggs so as to hatch them by the warmth of the body

From this reading Its strong foundations and massive walls were quarried out of a ledge of heavy and sombre clouds which had hung brooding over the earth, apparently as dense and ponderous as its own granite, throughout a whole autumnal day.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading The mansion, though less splendid than many that have been situated in the same region, was nevertheless of a magnificence such as is seldom witnessed by those acquainted only with terrestrial architecture.

a large and stately mansion

From this reading Perceiving that the general effect was gloomy,—so that the airy castle looked like a feudal fortress, or a monastery of the Middle Ages, or a state prison of our own times, rather than the home of pleasure and repose which he intended it to be,—the owner, regardless of expense, resolved to gild the exterior from top to bottom.

plural of “castle” — a large and stately mansion

From this reading The man of fancy made an entertainment at one of his castles in the air, and invited a select number of distinguished personages to favor him with their presence.

plural of “cloud” — any collection of particles (e.g., smoke or dust) or gases that is visible

From this reading Its strong foundations and massive walls were quarried out of a ledge of heavy and sombre clouds which had hung brooding over the earth, apparently as dense and ponderous as its own granite, throughout a whole autumnal day.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading Its strong foundations and massive walls were quarried out of a ledge of heavy and sombre clouds which had hung brooding over the earth, apparently as dense and ponderous as its own granite, throughout a whole autumnal day.

permitting little if any light to pass through because of denseness of matter

From this reading Its strong foundations and massive walls were quarried out of a ledge of heavy and sombre clouds which had hung brooding over the earth, apparently as dense and ponderous as its own granite, throughout a whole autumnal day.

(used of persons) standing above others in character or attainment or reputation

From this reading The man of fancy made an entertainment at one of his castles in the air, and invited a select number of distinguished personages to favor him with their presence.

the 3rd planet from the sun; the planet we live on

From this reading Its strong foundations and massive walls were quarried out of a ledge of heavy and sombre clouds which had hung brooding over the earth, apparently as dense and ponderous as its own granite, throughout a whole autumnal day.

a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon

From this reading Perceiving that the general effect was gloomy,—so that the airy castle looked like a feudal fortress, or a monastery of the Middle Ages, or a state prison of our own times, rather than the home of pleasure and repose which he intended it to be,—the owner, regardless of expense, resolved to gild the exterior from top to bottom.

an activity that is diverting and that holds the attention

From this reading The man of fancy made an entertainment at one of his castles in the air, and invited a select number of distinguished personages to favor him with their presence.

the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)

From this reading Fortunately, there was just then a flood of evening sunshine in the air.

amounts paid for goods and services that may be currently tax deductible (as opposed to capital expenditures)

From this reading Perceiving that the general effect was gloomy,—so that the airy castle looked like a feudal fortress, or a monastery of the Middle Ages, or a state prison of our own times, rather than the home of pleasure and repose which he intended it to be,—the owner, regardless of expense, resolved to gild the exterior from top to bottom.

the region that is outside of something

From this reading Perceiving that the general effect was gloomy,—so that the airy castle looked like a feudal fortress, or a monastery of the Middle Ages, or a state prison of our own times, rather than the home of pleasure and repose which he intended it to be,—the owner, regardless of expense, resolved to gild the exterior from top to bottom.

something many people believe that is false

From this reading The man of fancy made an entertainment at one of his castles in the air, and invited a select number of distinguished personages to favor him with their presence.

promote over another

From this reading The man of fancy made an entertainment at one of his castles in the air, and invited a select number of distinguished personages to favor him with their presence.

of or relating to or characteristic of feudalism

From this reading Perceiving that the general effect was gloomy,—so that the airy castle looked like a feudal fortress, or a monastery of the Middle Ages, or a state prison of our own times, rather than the home of pleasure and repose which he intended it to be,—the owner, regardless of expense, resolved to gild the exterior from top to bottom.

the rising of a body of water and its overflowing onto normally dry land

From this reading Fortunately, there was just then a flood of evening sunshine in the air.

a fortified defensive structure

From this reading Perceiving that the general effect was gloomy,—so that the airy castle looked like a feudal fortress, or a monastery of the Middle Ages, or a state prison of our own times, rather than the home of pleasure and repose which he intended it to be,—the owner, regardless of expense, resolved to gild the exterior from top to bottom.

by good fortune

From this reading Fortunately, there was just then a flood of evening sunshine in the air.

plural of “foundation” — the basis on which something is grounded

From this reading Its strong foundations and massive walls were quarried out of a ledge of heavy and sombre clouds which had hung brooding over the earth, apparently as dense and ponderous as its own granite, throughout a whole autumnal day.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Perceiving that the general effect was gloomy,—so that the airy castle looked like a feudal fortress, or a monastery of the Middle Ages, or a state prison of our own times, rather than the home of pleasure and repose which he intended it to be,—the owner, regardless of expense, resolved to gild the exterior from top to bottom.

applying to all or most members of a category or group

From this reading Perceiving that the general effect was gloomy,—so that the airy castle looked like a feudal fortress, or a monastery of the Middle Ages, or a state prison of our own times, rather than the home of pleasure and repose which he intended it to be,—the owner, regardless of expense, resolved to gild the exterior from top to bottom.

decorate with, or as if with, gold leaf or liquid gold

From this reading Perceiving that the general effect was gloomy,—so that the airy castle looked like a feudal fortress, or a monastery of the Middle Ages, or a state prison of our own times, rather than the home of pleasure and repose which he intended it to be,—the owner, regardless of expense, resolved to gild the exterior from top to bottom.

depressingly dark

From this reading Perceiving that the general effect was gloomy,—so that the airy castle looked like a feudal fortress, or a monastery of the Middle Ages, or a state prison of our own times, rather than the home of pleasure and repose which he intended it to be,—the owner, regardless of expense, resolved to gild the exterior from top to bottom.

plutonic igneous rock having visibly crystalline texture; generally composed of feldspar and mica and quartz

From this reading Its strong foundations and massive walls were quarried out of a ledge of heavy and sombre clouds which had hung brooding over the earth, apparently as dense and ponderous as its own granite, throughout a whole autumnal day.

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

From this reading Its strong foundations and massive walls were quarried out of a ledge of heavy and sombre clouds which had hung brooding over the earth, apparently as dense and ponderous as its own granite, throughout a whole autumnal day.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading The mansion, though less splendid than many that have been situated in the same region, was nevertheless of a magnificence such as is seldom witnessed by those acquainted only with terrestrial architecture.

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

From this reading Perceiving that the general effect was gloomy,—so that the airy castle looked like a feudal fortress, or a monastery of the Middle Ages, or a state prison of our own times, rather than the home of pleasure and repose which he intended it to be,—the owner, regardless of expense, resolved to gild the exterior from top to bottom.

of comparatively great physical weight or density

From this reading Its strong foundations and massive walls were quarried out of a ledge of heavy and sombre clouds which had hung brooding over the earth, apparently as dense and ponderous as its own granite, throughout a whole autumnal day.

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

From this reading The man of fancy made an entertainment at one of his castles in the air, and invited a select number of distinguished personages to favor him with their presence.

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

From this reading The man of fancy made an entertainment at one of his castles in the air, and invited a select number of distinguished personages to favor him with their presence.

where you live at a particular time

From this reading Perceiving that the general effect was gloomy,—so that the airy castle looked like a feudal fortress, or a monastery of the Middle Ages, or a state prison of our own times, rather than the home of pleasure and repose which he intended it to be,—the owner, regardless of expense, resolved to gild the exterior from top to bottom.

inflected form of “hang” — be suspended or hanging

From this reading Its strong foundations and massive walls were quarried out of a ledge of heavy and sombre clouds which had hung brooding over the earth, apparently as dense and ponderous as its own granite, throughout a whole autumnal day.

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

From this reading The man of fancy made an entertainment at one of his castles in the air, and invited a select number of distinguished personages to favor him with their presence.

resulting from one's intentions

From this reading Perceiving that the general effect was gloomy,—so that the airy castle looked like a feudal fortress, or a monastery of the Middle Ages, or a state prison of our own times, rather than the home of pleasure and repose which he intended it to be,—the owner, regardless of expense, resolved to gild the exterior from top to bottom.

past form of “invite” — increase the likelihood of

From this reading The man of fancy made an entertainment at one of his castles in the air, and invited a select number of distinguished personages to favor him with their presence.

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

From this reading The mansion, though less splendid than many that have been situated in the same region, was nevertheless of a magnificence such as is seldom witnessed by those acquainted only with terrestrial architecture.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Perceiving that the general effect was gloomy,—so that the airy castle looked like a feudal fortress, or a monastery of the Middle Ages, or a state prison of our own times, rather than the home of pleasure and repose which he intended it to be,—the owner, regardless of expense, resolved to gild the exterior from top to bottom.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading Its strong foundations and massive walls were quarried out of a ledge of heavy and sombre clouds which had hung brooding over the earth, apparently as dense and ponderous as its own granite, throughout a whole autumnal day.

and nothing more

From this reading Fortunately, there was just then a flood of evening sunshine in the air.

a projecting ridge on a mountain or submerged under water

From this reading Its strong foundations and massive walls were quarried out of a ledge of heavy and sombre clouds which had hung brooding over the earth, apparently as dense and ponderous as its own granite, throughout a whole autumnal day.

used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs

From this reading The mansion, though less splendid than many that have been situated in the same region, was nevertheless of a magnificence such as is seldom witnessed by those acquainted only with terrestrial architecture.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading Perceiving that the general effect was gloomy,—so that the airy castle looked like a feudal fortress, or a monastery of the Middle Ages, or a state prison of our own times, rather than the home of pleasure and repose which he intended it to be,—the owner, regardless of expense, resolved to gild the exterior from top to bottom.

past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading Perceiving that the general effect was gloomy,—so that the airy castle looked like a feudal fortress, or a monastery of the Middle Ages, or a state prison of our own times, rather than the home of pleasure and repose which he intended it to be,—the owner, regardless of expense, resolved to gild the exterior from top to bottom.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading The man of fancy made an entertainment at one of his castles in the air, and invited a select number of distinguished personages to favor him with their presence.

splendid or imposing in size or appearance

From this reading The mansion, though less splendid than many that have been situated in the same region, was nevertheless of a magnificence such as is seldom witnessed by those acquainted only with terrestrial architecture.

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

From this reading The man of fancy made an entertainment at one of his castles in the air, and invited a select number of distinguished personages to favor him with their presence.

(astrology) one of 12 equal areas into which the zodiac is divided

From this reading The mansion, though less splendid than many that have been situated in the same region, was nevertheless of a magnificence such as is seldom witnessed by those acquainted only with terrestrial architecture.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number

From this reading The mansion, though less splendid than many that have been situated in the same region, was nevertheless of a magnificence such as is seldom witnessed by those acquainted only with terrestrial architecture.

imposing in size or bulk or solidity

From this reading Its strong foundations and massive walls were quarried out of a ledge of heavy and sombre clouds which had hung brooding over the earth, apparently as dense and ponderous as its own granite, throughout a whole autumnal day.

an area that is approximately central within some larger region

From this reading Perceiving that the general effect was gloomy,—so that the airy castle looked like a feudal fortress, or a monastery of the Middle Ages, or a state prison of our own times, rather than the home of pleasure and repose which he intended it to be,—the owner, regardless of expense, resolved to gild the exterior from top to bottom.

the residence of a religious community

From this reading Perceiving that the general effect was gloomy,—so that the airy castle looked like a feudal fortress, or a monastery of the Middle Ages, or a state prison of our own times, rather than the home of pleasure and repose which he intended it to be,—the owner, regardless of expense, resolved to gild the exterior from top to bottom.

in spite of what has just been said

From this reading The mansion, though less splendid than many that have been situated in the same region, was nevertheless of a magnificence such as is seldom witnessed by those acquainted only with terrestrial architecture.

the property possessed by a sum or total or indefinite quantity of units or individuals

From this reading The man of fancy made an entertainment at one of his castles in the air, and invited a select number of distinguished personages to favor him with their presence.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The man of fancy made an entertainment at one of his castles in the air, and invited a select number of distinguished personages to favor him with their presence.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading The man of fancy made an entertainment at one of his castles in the air, and invited a select number of distinguished personages to favor him with their presence.

and nothing more

From this reading The mansion, though less splendid than many that have been situated in the same region, was nevertheless of a magnificence such as is seldom witnessed by those acquainted only with terrestrial architecture.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Perceiving that the general effect was gloomy,—so that the airy castle looked like a feudal fortress, or a monastery of the Middle Ages, or a state prison of our own times, rather than the home of pleasure and repose which he intended it to be,—the owner, regardless of expense, resolved to gild the exterior from top to bottom.

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading Perceiving that the general effect was gloomy,—so that the airy castle looked like a feudal fortress, or a monastery of the Middle Ages, or a state prison of our own times, rather than the home of pleasure and repose which he intended it to be,—the owner, regardless of expense, resolved to gild the exterior from top to bottom.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading Its strong foundations and massive walls were quarried out of a ledge of heavy and sombre clouds which had hung brooding over the earth, apparently as dense and ponderous as its own granite, throughout a whole autumnal day.

above and across; more than

From this reading Its strong foundations and massive walls were quarried out of a ledge of heavy and sombre clouds which had hung brooding over the earth, apparently as dense and ponderous as its own granite, throughout a whole autumnal day.

have ownership or possession of

From this reading Its strong foundations and massive walls were quarried out of a ledge of heavy and sombre clouds which had hung brooding over the earth, apparently as dense and ponderous as its own granite, throughout a whole autumnal day.

(law) someone who owns (is legal possessor of) a business

From this reading Perceiving that the general effect was gloomy,—so that the airy castle looked like a feudal fortress, or a monastery of the Middle Ages, or a state prison of our own times, rather than the home of pleasure and repose which he intended it to be,—the owner, regardless of expense, resolved to gild the exterior from top to bottom.

-ing form of “perceive” — to become aware of through the senses

From this reading Perceiving that the general effect was gloomy,—so that the airy castle looked like a feudal fortress, or a monastery of the Middle Ages, or a state prison of our own times, rather than the home of pleasure and repose which he intended it to be,—the owner, regardless of expense, resolved to gild the exterior from top to bottom.

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

From this reading The man of fancy made an entertainment at one of his castles in the air, and invited a select number of distinguished personages to favor him with their presence.

a fundamental feeling that is hard to define but that people desire to experience

From this reading Perceiving that the general effect was gloomy,—so that the airy castle looked like a feudal fortress, or a monastery of the Middle Ages, or a state prison of our own times, rather than the home of pleasure and repose which he intended it to be,—the owner, regardless of expense, resolved to gild the exterior from top to bottom.

slow and laborious because of weight

From this reading Its strong foundations and massive walls were quarried out of a ledge of heavy and sombre clouds which had hung brooding over the earth, apparently as dense and ponderous as its own granite, throughout a whole autumnal day.

the state of being present; current existence

From this reading The man of fancy made an entertainment at one of his castles in the air, and invited a select number of distinguished personages to favor him with their presence.

a correctional institution where persons are confined while on trial or for punishment

From this reading Perceiving that the general effect was gloomy,—so that the airy castle looked like a feudal fortress, or a monastery of the Middle Ages, or a state prison of our own times, rather than the home of pleasure and repose which he intended it to be,—the owner, regardless of expense, resolved to gild the exterior from top to bottom.

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

From this reading Its strong foundations and massive walls were quarried out of a ledge of heavy and sombre clouds which had hung brooding over the earth, apparently as dense and ponderous as its own granite, throughout a whole autumnal day.

on the contrary

From this reading Perceiving that the general effect was gloomy,—so that the airy castle looked like a feudal fortress, or a monastery of the Middle Ages, or a state prison of our own times, rather than the home of pleasure and repose which he intended it to be,—the owner, regardless of expense, resolved to gild the exterior from top to bottom.

in spite of everything; without regard to drawbacks

From this reading Perceiving that the general effect was gloomy,—so that the airy castle looked like a feudal fortress, or a monastery of the Middle Ages, or a state prison of our own times, rather than the home of pleasure and repose which he intended it to be,—the owner, regardless of expense, resolved to gild the exterior from top to bottom.

the extended spatial location of something

From this reading The mansion, though less splendid than many that have been situated in the same region, was nevertheless of a magnificence such as is seldom witnessed by those acquainted only with terrestrial architecture.

put or confide something in a person or thing

From this reading Perceiving that the general effect was gloomy,—so that the airy castle looked like a feudal fortress, or a monastery of the Middle Ages, or a state prison of our own times, rather than the home of pleasure and repose which he intended it to be,—the owner, regardless of expense, resolved to gild the exterior from top to bottom.

determined

From this reading Perceiving that the general effect was gloomy,—so that the airy castle looked like a feudal fortress, or a monastery of the Middle Ages, or a state prison of our own times, rather than the home of pleasure and repose which he intended it to be,—the owner, regardless of expense, resolved to gild the exterior from top to bottom.

Identical; not different.

From this reading The mansion, though less splendid than many that have been situated in the same region, was nevertheless of a magnificence such as is seldom witnessed by those acquainted only with terrestrial architecture.

not often

From this reading The mansion, though less splendid than many that have been situated in the same region, was nevertheless of a magnificence such as is seldom witnessed by those acquainted only with terrestrial architecture.

of superior grade

From this reading The man of fancy made an entertainment at one of his castles in the air, and invited a select number of distinguished personages to favor him with their presence.

situated in a particular spot or position

From this reading The mansion, though less splendid than many that have been situated in the same region, was nevertheless of a magnificence such as is seldom witnessed by those acquainted only with terrestrial architecture.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Perceiving that the general effect was gloomy,—so that the airy castle looked like a feudal fortress, or a monastery of the Middle Ages, or a state prison of our own times, rather than the home of pleasure and repose which he intended it to be,—the owner, regardless of expense, resolved to gild the exterior from top to bottom.

lacking brightness or color; dull

From this reading Its strong foundations and massive walls were quarried out of a ledge of heavy and sombre clouds which had hung brooding over the earth, apparently as dense and ponderous as its own granite, throughout a whole autumnal day.

having great beauty and splendor

From this reading The mansion, though less splendid than many that have been situated in the same region, was nevertheless of a magnificence such as is seldom witnessed by those acquainted only with terrestrial architecture.

the territory occupied by one of the constituent administrative districts of a nation

From this reading Perceiving that the general effect was gloomy,—so that the airy castle looked like a feudal fortress, or a monastery of the Middle Ages, or a state prison of our own times, rather than the home of pleasure and repose which he intended it to be,—the owner, regardless of expense, resolved to gild the exterior from top to bottom.

having strength or power greater than average or expected

From this reading Its strong foundations and massive walls were quarried out of a ledge of heavy and sombre clouds which had hung brooding over the earth, apparently as dense and ponderous as its own granite, throughout a whole autumnal day.

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading The mansion, though less splendid than many that have been situated in the same region, was nevertheless of a magnificence such as is seldom witnessed by those acquainted only with terrestrial architecture.

the rays of the sun

From this reading Fortunately, there was just then a flood of evening sunshine in the air.

of or relating to or inhabiting the land as opposed to the sea or air

From this reading The mansion, though less splendid than many that have been situated in the same region, was nevertheless of a magnificence such as is seldom witnessed by those acquainted only with terrestrial architecture.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading The mansion, though less splendid than many that have been situated in the same region, was nevertheless of a magnificence such as is seldom witnessed by those acquainted only with terrestrial architecture.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading The mansion, though less splendid than many that have been situated in the same region, was nevertheless of a magnificence such as is seldom witnessed by those acquainted only with terrestrial architecture.

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

From this reading The man of fancy made an entertainment at one of his castles in the air, and invited a select number of distinguished personages to favor him with their presence.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading The man of fancy made an entertainment at one of his castles in the air, and invited a select number of distinguished personages to favor him with their presence.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading Fortunately, there was just then a flood of evening sunshine in the air.

in or at that place or location

From this reading Fortunately, there was just then a flood of evening sunshine in the air.

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading The mansion, though less splendid than many that have been situated in the same region, was nevertheless of a magnificence such as is seldom witnessed by those acquainted only with terrestrial architecture.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading The mansion, though less splendid than many that have been situated in the same region, was nevertheless of a magnificence such as is seldom witnessed by those acquainted only with terrestrial architecture.

in every part of a place, or for the whole of a period

From this reading Its strong foundations and massive walls were quarried out of a ledge of heavy and sombre clouds which had hung brooding over the earth, apparently as dense and ponderous as its own granite, throughout a whole autumnal day.

a more or less definite period of time now or previously present

From this reading Perceiving that the general effect was gloomy,—so that the airy castle looked like a feudal fortress, or a monastery of the Middle Ages, or a state prison of our own times, rather than the home of pleasure and repose which he intended it to be,—the owner, regardless of expense, resolved to gild the exterior from top to bottom.

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

From this reading The man of fancy made an entertainment at one of his castles in the air, and invited a select number of distinguished personages to favor him with their presence.

the upper part of anything

From this reading Perceiving that the general effect was gloomy,—so that the airy castle looked like a feudal fortress, or a monastery of the Middle Ages, or a state prison of our own times, rather than the home of pleasure and repose which he intended it to be,—the owner, regardless of expense, resolved to gild the exterior from top to bottom.

plural of “wall” — an architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area or to support another structure

From this reading Its strong foundations and massive walls were quarried out of a ledge of heavy and sombre clouds which had hung brooding over the earth, apparently as dense and ponderous as its own granite, throughout a whole autumnal day.

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

From this reading The mansion, though less splendid than many that have been situated in the same region, was nevertheless of a magnificence such as is seldom witnessed by those acquainted only with terrestrial architecture.

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

From this reading Its strong foundations and massive walls were quarried out of a ledge of heavy and sombre clouds which had hung brooding over the earth, apparently as dense and ponderous as its own granite, throughout a whole autumnal day.

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

From this reading Its strong foundations and massive walls were quarried out of a ledge of heavy and sombre clouds which had hung brooding over the earth, apparently as dense and ponderous as its own granite, throughout a whole autumnal day.

including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete

From this reading Its strong foundations and massive walls were quarried out of a ledge of heavy and sombre clouds which had hung brooding over the earth, apparently as dense and ponderous as its own granite, throughout a whole autumnal day.

in the company of; together with

From this reading The man of fancy made an entertainment at one of his castles in the air, and invited a select number of distinguished personages to favor him with their presence.

past form of “witness” — be a witness to

From this reading The mansion, though less splendid than many that have been situated in the same region, was nevertheless of a magnificence such as is seldom witnessed by those acquainted only with terrestrial architecture.