Chapter XXII · Chapter 22

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

From this reading Only a faint glimmer of light struggled through the horn panes in the little window on the roof, while within sat the old clerk, generally on his bed, singing his evening hymn in a low voice; or he would be moving about in his booth till late in the night, busily employed in many things.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading Only a faint glimmer of light struggled through the horn panes in the little window on the roof, while within sat the old clerk, generally on his bed, singing his evening hymn in a low voice; or he would be moving about in his booth till late in the night, busily employed in many things.

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

From this reading The old clerks of Hauschen Street very seldom met together; each one remained in his own booth, which was closed early enough in the evening, and then it looked dark and dismal out in the street.

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

From this reading Only a faint glimmer of light struggled through the horn panes in the little window on the roof, while within sat the old clerk, generally on his bed, singing his evening hymn in a low voice; or he would be moving about in his booth till late in the night, busily employed in many things.

a piece of furniture that provides a place to sleep

From this reading Only a faint glimmer of light struggled through the horn panes in the little window on the roof, while within sat the old clerk, generally on his bed, singing his evening hymn in a low voice; or he would be moving about in his booth till late in the night, busily employed in many things.

marked by strong resentment or cynicism

From this reading To be a stranger in a strange land is a bitter lot; no one notices you unless you happen to stand in their way.

a table (in a restaurant or bar) surrounded by two high-backed benches

From this reading The old clerks of Hauschen Street very seldom met together; each one remained in his own booth, which was closed early enough in the evening, and then it looked dark and dismal out in the street.

in a busy manner

From this reading Only a faint glimmer of light struggled through the horn panes in the little window on the roof, while within sat the old clerk, generally on his bed, singing his evening hymn in a low voice; or he would be moving about in his booth till late in the night, busily employed in many things.

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

From this reading It certainly was not a very lively existence.

an employee who performs clerical work (e.g., keeps records or accounts)

From this reading Only a faint glimmer of light struggled through the horn panes in the little window on the roof, while within sat the old clerk, generally on his bed, singing his evening hymn in a low voice; or he would be moving about in his booth till late in the night, busily employed in many things.

plural of “clerk” — an employee who performs clerical work (e.g., keeps records or accounts)

From this reading The old clerks of Hauschen Street very seldom met together; each one remained in his own booth, which was closed early enough in the evening, and then it looked dark and dismal out in the street.

not open or affording passage or access

From this reading The old clerks of Hauschen Street very seldom met together; each one remained in his own booth, which was closed early enough in the evening, and then it looked dark and dismal out in the street.

absence of light or illumination

From this reading The old clerks of Hauschen Street very seldom met together; each one remained in his own booth, which was closed early enough in the evening, and then it looked dark and dismal out in the street.

forsaken by owner or inhabitants

From this reading Often, when it was dark night outside, with rain or snow falling, the place looked quite deserted and gloomy.

causing dejection

From this reading The old clerks of Hauschen Street very seldom met together; each one remained in his own booth, which was closed early enough in the evening, and then it looked dark and dismal out in the street.

every one of two or more people or things, taken separately

From this reading The old clerks of Hauschen Street very seldom met together; each one remained in his own booth, which was closed early enough in the evening, and then it looked dark and dismal out in the street.

at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time

From this reading The old clerks of Hauschen Street very seldom met together; each one remained in his own booth, which was closed early enough in the evening, and then it looked dark and dismal out in the street.

having your services engaged for; or having a job especially one that pays wages or a salary

From this reading Only a faint glimmer of light struggled through the horn panes in the little window on the roof, while within sat the old clerk, generally on his bed, singing his evening hymn in a low voice; or he would be moving about in his booth till late in the night, busily employed in many things.

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

From this reading The old clerks of Hauschen Street very seldom met together; each one remained in his own booth, which was closed early enough in the evening, and then it looked dark and dismal out in the street.

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

From this reading The old clerks of Hauschen Street very seldom met together; each one remained in his own booth, which was closed early enough in the evening, and then it looked dark and dismal out in the street.

the state or fact of existing

From this reading It certainly was not a very lively existence.

deficient in magnitude; barely perceptible; lacking clarity or brightness or loudness etc

From this reading Only a faint glimmer of light struggled through the horn panes in the little window on the roof, while within sat the old clerk, generally on his bed, singing his evening hymn in a low voice; or he would be moving about in his booth till late in the night, busily employed in many things.

decreasing in amount or degree

From this reading Often, when it was dark night outside, with rain or snow falling, the place looked quite deserted and gloomy.

usually; as a rule

From this reading Only a faint glimmer of light struggled through the horn panes in the little window on the roof, while within sat the old clerk, generally on his bed, singing his evening hymn in a low voice; or he would be moving about in his booth till late in the night, busily employed in many things.

a flash of light (especially reflected light)

From this reading Only a faint glimmer of light struggled through the horn panes in the little window on the roof, while within sat the old clerk, generally on his bed, singing his evening hymn in a low voice; or he would be moving about in his booth till late in the night, busily employed in many things.

depressingly dark

From this reading Often, when it was dark night outside, with rain or snow falling, the place looked quite deserted and gloomy.

come to pass

From this reading To be a stranger in a strange land is a bitter lot; no one notices you unless you happen to stand in their way.

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

From this reading The old clerks of Hauschen Street very seldom met together; each one remained in his own booth, which was closed early enough in the evening, and then it looked dark and dismal out in the street.

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

From this reading Only a faint glimmer of light struggled through the horn panes in the little window on the roof, while within sat the old clerk, generally on his bed, singing his evening hymn in a low voice; or he would be moving about in his booth till late in the night, busily employed in many things.

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

From this reading The old clerks of Hauschen Street very seldom met together; each one remained in his own booth, which was closed early enough in the evening, and then it looked dark and dismal out in the street.

a noisemaker (as at parties or games) that makes a loud noise when you blow through it

From this reading Only a faint glimmer of light struggled through the horn panes in the little window on the roof, while within sat the old clerk, generally on his bed, singing his evening hymn in a low voice; or he would be moving about in his booth till late in the night, busily employed in many things.

a song of praise (to God or to a saint or to a nation)

From this reading Only a faint glimmer of light struggled through the horn panes in the little window on the roof, while within sat the old clerk, generally on his bed, singing his evening hymn in a low voice; or he would be moving about in his booth till late in the night, busily employed in many things.

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

From this reading The old clerks of Hauschen Street very seldom met together; each one remained in his own booth, which was closed early enough in the evening, and then it looked dark and dismal out in the street.

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

From this reading To be a stranger in a strange land is a bitter lot; no one notices you unless you happen to stand in their way.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading The old clerks of Hauschen Street very seldom met together; each one remained in his own booth, which was closed early enough in the evening, and then it looked dark and dismal out in the street.

the land on which real estate is located

From this reading To be a stranger in a strange land is a bitter lot; no one notices you unless you happen to stand in their way.

being or occurring at an advanced period of time or after a usual or expected time

From this reading Only a faint glimmer of light struggled through the horn panes in the little window on the roof, while within sat the old clerk, generally on his bed, singing his evening hymn in a low voice; or he would be moving about in his booth till late in the night, busily employed in many things.

of comparatively little physical weight or density

From this reading Only a faint glimmer of light struggled through the horn panes in the little window on the roof, while within sat the old clerk, generally on his bed, singing his evening hymn in a low voice; or he would be moving about in his booth till late in the night, busily employed in many things.

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading Only a faint glimmer of light struggled through the horn panes in the little window on the roof, while within sat the old clerk, generally on his bed, singing his evening hymn in a low voice; or he would be moving about in his booth till late in the night, busily employed in many things.

full of life and energy

From this reading It certainly was not a very lively existence.

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

From this reading The old clerks of Hauschen Street very seldom met together; each one remained in his own booth, which was closed early enough in the evening, and then it looked dark and dismal out in the street.

(often followed by “of”) a large number or amount or extent

From this reading To be a stranger in a strange land is a bitter lot; no one notices you unless you happen to stand in their way.

less than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading Only a faint glimmer of light struggled through the horn panes in the little window on the roof, while within sat the old clerk, generally on his bed, singing his evening hymn in a low voice; or he would be moving about in his booth till late in the night, busily employed in many things.

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 Only a faint glimmer of light struggled through the horn panes in the little window on the roof, while within sat the old clerk, generally on his bed, singing his evening hymn in a low voice; or he would be moving about in his booth till late in the night, busily employed in many things.

inflected form of “meet” — come together

From this reading The old clerks of Hauschen Street very seldom met together; each one remained in his own booth, which was closed early enough in the evening, and then it looked dark and dismal out in the street.

in motion

From this reading Only a faint glimmer of light struggled through the horn panes in the little window on the roof, while within sat the old clerk, generally on his bed, singing his evening hymn in a low voice; or he would be moving about in his booth till late in the night, busily employed in many things.

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

From this reading Only a faint glimmer of light struggled through the horn panes in the little window on the roof, while within sat the old clerk, generally on his bed, singing his evening hymn in a low voice; or he would be moving about in his booth till late in the night, busily employed in many things.

not any; not one

From this reading To be a stranger in a strange land is a bitter lot; no one notices you unless you happen to stand in their way.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading It certainly was not a very lively existence.

plural of “notice” — an announcement containing information about an event

From this reading To be a stranger in a strange land is a bitter lot; no one notices you unless you happen to stand in their way.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The old clerks of Hauschen Street very seldom met together; each one remained in his own booth, which was closed early enough in the evening, and then it looked dark and dismal out in the street.

many times at short intervals

From this reading Often, when it was dark night outside, with rain or snow falling, the place looked quite deserted and gloomy.

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

From this reading The old clerks of Hauschen Street very seldom met together; each one remained in his own booth, which was closed early enough in the evening, and then it looked dark and dismal out in the street.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Only a faint glimmer of light struggled through the horn panes in the little window on the roof, while within sat the old clerk, generally on his bed, singing his evening hymn in a low voice; or he would be moving about in his booth till late in the night, busily employed in many things.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading The old clerks of Hauschen Street very seldom met together; each one remained in his own booth, which was closed early enough in the evening, and then it looked dark and dismal out in the street.

and nothing more

From this reading Only a faint glimmer of light struggled through the horn panes in the little window on the roof, while within sat the old clerk, generally on his bed, singing his evening hymn in a low voice; or he would be moving about in his booth till late in the night, busily employed in many things.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Only a faint glimmer of light struggled through the horn panes in the little window on the roof, while within sat the old clerk, generally on his bed, singing his evening hymn in a low voice; or he would be moving about in his booth till late in the night, busily employed in many things.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading The old clerks of Hauschen Street very seldom met together; each one remained in his own booth, which was closed early enough in the evening, and then it looked dark and dismal out in the street.

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

From this reading Often, when it was dark night outside, with rain or snow falling, the place looked quite deserted and gloomy.

have ownership or possession of

From this reading The old clerks of Hauschen Street very seldom met together; each one remained in his own booth, which was closed early enough in the evening, and then it looked dark and dismal out in the street.

plural of “pane” — sheet glass cut in shapes for windows or doors

From this reading Only a faint glimmer of light struggled through the horn panes in the little window on the roof, while within sat the old clerk, generally on his bed, singing his evening hymn in a low voice; or he would be moving about in his booth till late in the night, busily employed in many things.

a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading Often, when it was dark night outside, with rain or snow falling, the place looked quite deserted and gloomy.

to a degree (not used with a negative)

From this reading Often, when it was dark night outside, with rain or snow falling, the place looked quite deserted and gloomy.

water falling in drops from vapor condensed in the atmosphere

From this reading Often, when it was dark night outside, with rain or snow falling, the place looked quite deserted and gloomy.

past form of “remain” — stay the same; remain in a certain state

From this reading The old clerks of Hauschen Street very seldom met together; each one remained in his own booth, which was closed early enough in the evening, and then it looked dark and dismal out in the street.

a protective covering that covers or forms the top of a building

From this reading Only a faint glimmer of light struggled through the horn panes in the little window on the roof, while within sat the old clerk, generally on his bed, singing his evening hymn in a low voice; or he would be moving about in his booth till late in the night, busily employed in many things.

the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians

From this reading Only a faint glimmer of light struggled through the horn panes in the little window on the roof, while within sat the old clerk, generally on his bed, singing his evening hymn in a low voice; or he would be moving about in his booth till late in the night, busily employed in many things.

not often

From this reading The old clerks of Hauschen Street very seldom met together; each one remained in his own booth, which was closed early enough in the evening, and then it looked dark and dismal out in the street.

the act of singing vocal music

From this reading Only a faint glimmer of light struggled through the horn panes in the little window on the roof, while within sat the old clerk, generally on his bed, singing his evening hymn in a low voice; or he would be moving about in his booth till late in the night, busily employed in many things.

precipitation falling from clouds in the form of ice crystals

From this reading Often, when it was dark night outside, with rain or snow falling, the place looked quite deserted and gloomy.

be standing; be upright

From this reading To be a stranger in a strange land is a bitter lot; no one notices you unless you happen to stand in their way.

being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird

From this reading To be a stranger in a strange land is a bitter lot; no one notices you unless you happen to stand in their way.

anyone who does not belong in the environment in which they are found

From this reading To be a stranger in a strange land is a bitter lot; no one notices you unless you happen to stand in their way.

a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings

From this reading The old clerks of Hauschen Street very seldom met together; each one remained in his own booth, which was closed early enough in the evening, and then it looked dark and dismal out in the street.

past form of “struggle” — make a strenuous or labored effort

From this reading Only a faint glimmer of light struggled through the horn panes in the little window on the roof, while within sat the old clerk, generally on his bed, singing his evening hymn in a low voice; or he would be moving about in his booth till late in the night, busily employed in many things.

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

From this reading The old clerks of Hauschen Street very seldom met together; each one remained in his own booth, which was closed early enough in the evening, and then it looked dark and dismal out in the street.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading To be a stranger in a strange land is a bitter lot; no one notices you unless you happen to stand in their way.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading The old clerks of Hauschen Street very seldom met together; each one remained in his own booth, which was closed early enough in the evening, and then it looked dark and dismal out in the street.

any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)

From this reading Only a faint glimmer of light struggled through the horn panes in the little window on the roof, while within sat the old clerk, generally on his bed, singing his evening hymn in a low voice; or he would be moving about in his booth till late in the night, busily employed in many things.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading Only a faint glimmer of light struggled through the horn panes in the little window on the roof, while within sat the old clerk, generally on his bed, singing his evening hymn in a low voice; or he would be moving about in his booth till late in the night, busily employed in many things.

up to a particular time

From this reading Only a faint glimmer of light struggled through the horn panes in the little window on the roof, while within sat the old clerk, generally on his bed, singing his evening hymn in a low voice; or he would be moving about in his booth till late in the night, busily employed in many things.

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

From this reading To be a stranger in a strange land is a bitter lot; no one notices you unless you happen to stand in their way.

in contact with each other or in proximity

From this reading The old clerks of Hauschen Street very seldom met together; each one remained in his own booth, which was closed early enough in the evening, and then it looked dark and dismal out in the street.

except if; if not

From this reading To be a stranger in a strange land is a bitter lot; no one notices you unless you happen to stand in their way.

precisely as stated

From this reading The old clerks of Hauschen Street very seldom met together; each one remained in his own booth, which was closed early enough in the evening, and then it looked dark and dismal out in the street.

the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech

From this reading Only a faint glimmer of light struggled through the horn panes in the little window on the roof, while within sat the old clerk, generally on his bed, singing his evening hymn in a low voice; or he would be moving about in his booth till late in the night, busily employed in many things.

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

From this reading The old clerks of Hauschen Street very seldom met together; each one remained in his own booth, which was closed early enough in the evening, and then it looked dark and dismal out in the street.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading To be a stranger in a strange land is a bitter lot; no one notices you unless you happen to stand in their way.

at the time that

From this reading Often, when it was dark night outside, with rain or snow falling, the place looked quite deserted and gloomy.

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

From this reading The old clerks of Hauschen Street very seldom met together; each one remained in his own booth, which was closed early enough in the evening, and then it looked dark and dismal out in the street.

during the time that

From this reading Only a faint glimmer of light struggled through the horn panes in the little window on the roof, while within sat the old clerk, generally on his bed, singing his evening hymn in a low voice; or he would be moving about in his booth till late in the night, busily employed in many things.

a framework of wood or metal that contains a glass windowpane and is built into a wall or roof to admit light or air

From this reading Only a faint glimmer of light struggled through the horn panes in the little window on the roof, while within sat the old clerk, generally on his bed, singing his evening hymn in a low voice; or he would be moving about in his booth till late in the night, busily employed in many things.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Often, when it was dark night outside, with rain or snow falling, the place looked quite deserted and gloomy.

inside; before a period of time has passed

From this reading Only a faint glimmer of light struggled through the horn panes in the little window on the roof, while within sat the old clerk, generally on his bed, singing his evening hymn in a low voice; or he would be moving about in his booth till late in the night, busily employed in many things.

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading Only a faint glimmer of light struggled through the horn panes in the little window on the roof, while within sat the old clerk, generally on his bed, singing his evening hymn in a low voice; or he would be moving about in his booth till late in the night, busily employed in many things.

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading To be a stranger in a strange land is a bitter lot; no one notices you unless you happen to stand in their way.