Chapter XV

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

From this reading “Let’s cut across to the path,” suggested Storm with a hint of nervousness in his lowered tones.

from one side of something to the other

From this reading “Let’s cut across to the path,” suggested Storm with a hint of nervousness in his lowered tones.

(old-fashioned) at or from or to a great distance; far

From this reading Ashes to Ashes The night elevator man was almost slumbering peacefully before the telephone switchboard as they traversed the hall to the vestibule, and the street itself seemed deserted, but from afar echoed the measured tread of the watchman approaching upon his rounds.

(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but

From this reading Ashes to Ashes The night elevator man was almost slumbering peacefully before the telephone switchboard as they traversed the hall to the vestibule, and the street itself seemed deserted, but from afar echoed the measured tread of the watchman approaching upon his rounds.

following the length of something from one end toward the other

From this reading He led his companion across the driveway and bridle road to the path deeply enshrouded by trees and bordered by the low stone wall which ran along the edge of the embankment.

a mechanical device that prevents a vessel from moving

From this reading The night was moonless, but overhead the stars shone brightly and the broad sweep of the river below them at their left was dotted with the lights of ships and barges riding at anchor or moving slowly out with the tide.

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

From this reading Ashes to Ashes The night elevator man was almost slumbering peacefully before the telephone switchboard as they traversed the hall to the vestibule, and the street itself seemed deserted, but from afar echoed the measured tread of the watchman approaching upon his rounds.

the event of one object coming closer to another

From this reading Ashes to Ashes The night elevator man was almost slumbering peacefully before the telephone switchboard as they traversed the hall to the vestibule, and the street itself seemed deserted, but from afar echoed the measured tread of the watchman approaching upon his rounds.

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

From this reading Ashes to Ashes The night elevator man was almost slumbering peacefully before the telephone switchboard as they traversed the hall to the vestibule, and the street itself seemed deserted, but from afar echoed the measured tread of the watchman approaching upon his rounds.

The powdery residue left after the burning of a substance.

From this reading Ashes to Ashes The night elevator man was almost slumbering peacefully before the telephone switchboard as they traversed the hall to the vestibule, and the street itself seemed deserted, but from afar echoed the measured tread of the watchman approaching upon his rounds.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading The night was moonless, but overhead the stars shone brightly and the broad sweep of the river below them at their left was dotted with the lights of ships and barges riding at anchor or moving slowly out with the tide.

plural of “barge” — a flatbottom boat for carrying heavy loads (especially on canals)

From this reading The night was moonless, but overhead the stars shone brightly and the broad sweep of the river below them at their left was dotted with the lights of ships and barges riding at anchor or moving slowly out with the tide.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading Ashes to Ashes The night elevator man was almost slumbering peacefully before the telephone switchboard as they traversed the hall to the vestibule, and the street itself seemed deserted, but from afar echoed the measured tread of the watchman approaching upon his rounds.

at or to a lower level than something

From this reading The night was moonless, but overhead the stars shone brightly and the broad sweep of the river below them at their left was dotted with the lights of ships and barges riding at anchor or moving slowly out with the tide.

(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another

From this reading “It is better walking, and you can get a really magnificent view of the river lights from a few blocks further up.”

plural of “block” — a solid piece of something (usually having flat rectangular sides)

From this reading “It is better walking, and you can get a really magnificent view of the river lights from a few blocks further up.”

having a border especially of a specified kind; sometimes used as a combining term

From this reading He led his companion across the driveway and bridle road to the path deeply enshrouded by trees and bordered by the low stone wall which ran along the edge of the embankment.

headgear for a horse; includes a headstall and bit and reins to give the rider or driver control

From this reading He led his companion across the driveway and bridle road to the path deeply enshrouded by trees and bordered by the low stone wall which ran along the edge of the embankment.

with brightness

From this reading The night was moonless, but overhead the stars shone brightly and the broad sweep of the river below them at their left was dotted with the lights of ships and barges riding at anchor or moving slowly out with the tide.

having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other

From this reading The night was moonless, but overhead the stars shone brightly and the broad sweep of the river below them at their left was dotted with the lights of ships and barges riding at anchor or moving slowly out with the tide.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Ashes to Ashes The night elevator man was almost slumbering peacefully before the telephone switchboard as they traversed the hall to the vestibule, and the street itself seemed deserted, but from afar echoed the measured tread of the watchman approaching upon his rounds.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading He led his companion across the driveway and bridle road to the path deeply enshrouded by trees and bordered by the low stone wall which ran along the edge of the embankment.

to be able to, or to be allowed to

From this reading “It is better walking, and you can get a really magnificent view of the river lights from a few blocks further up.”

a friend who is frequently in the company of another

From this reading He led his companion across the driveway and bridle road to the path deeply enshrouded by trees and bordered by the low stone wall which ran along the edge of the embankment.

separate with or as if with an instrument

From this reading “Let’s cut across to the path,” suggested Storm with a hint of nervousness in his lowered tones.

to a great depth psychologically or emotionally

From this reading He led his companion across the driveway and bridle road to the path deeply enshrouded by trees and bordered by the low stone wall which ran along the edge of the embankment.

forsaken by owner or inhabitants

From this reading Ashes to Ashes The night elevator man was almost slumbering peacefully before the telephone switchboard as they traversed the hall to the vestibule, and the street itself seemed deserted, but from afar echoed the measured tread of the watchman approaching upon his rounds.

having a pattern of dots

From this reading The night was moonless, but overhead the stars shone brightly and the broad sweep of the river below them at their left was dotted with the lights of ships and barges riding at anchor or moving slowly out with the tide.

a road leading up to a private house

From this reading He led his companion across the driveway and bridle road to the path deeply enshrouded by trees and bordered by the low stone wall which ran along the edge of the embankment.

past form of “echo” — to say again or imitate

From this reading Ashes to Ashes The night elevator man was almost slumbering peacefully before the telephone switchboard as they traversed the hall to the vestibule, and the street itself seemed deserted, but from afar echoed the measured tread of the watchman approaching upon his rounds.

the boundary of a surface

From this reading He led his companion across the driveway and bridle road to the path deeply enshrouded by trees and bordered by the low stone wall which ran along the edge of the embankment.

lifting device consisting of a platform or cage that is raised and lowered mechanically in a vertical shaft in order to move people from one floor to another in a building

From this reading Ashes to Ashes The night elevator man was almost slumbering peacefully before the telephone switchboard as they traversed the hall to the vestibule, and the street itself seemed deserted, but from afar echoed the measured tread of the watchman approaching upon his rounds.

a long artificial mound of stone or earth; built to hold back water or to support a road or as protection

From this reading He led his companion across the driveway and bridle road to the path deeply enshrouded by trees and bordered by the low stone wall which ran along the edge of the embankment.

past form of “enshroud” — cover as if with a shroud

From this reading He led his companion across the driveway and bridle road to the path deeply enshrouded by trees and bordered by the low stone wall which ran along the edge of the embankment.

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

From this reading “It is better walking, and you can get a really magnificent view of the river lights from a few blocks further up.”

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Ashes to Ashes The night elevator man was almost slumbering peacefully before the telephone switchboard as they traversed the hall to the vestibule, and the street itself seemed deserted, but from afar echoed the measured tread of the watchman approaching upon his rounds.

to or at a greater extent or degree or a more advanced stage (“further” is used more often than “farther” in this abstract sense)

From this reading “It is better walking, and you can get a really magnificent view of the river lights from a few blocks further up.”

come into the possession of something concrete or abstract

From this reading “It is better walking, and you can get a really magnificent view of the river lights from a few blocks further up.”

an interior passage or corridor onto which rooms open

From this reading Ashes to Ashes The night elevator man was almost slumbering peacefully before the telephone switchboard as they traversed the hall to the vestibule, and the street itself seemed deserted, but from afar echoed the measured tread of the watchman approaching upon his rounds.

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

From this reading He led his companion across the driveway and bridle road to the path deeply enshrouded by trees and bordered by the low stone wall which ran along the edge of the embankment.

an indirect suggestion

From this reading “Let’s cut across to the path,” suggested Storm with a hint of nervousness in his lowered tones.

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

From this reading Ashes to Ashes The night elevator man was almost slumbering peacefully before the telephone switchboard as they traversed the hall to the vestibule, and the street itself seemed deserted, but from afar echoed the measured tread of the watchman approaching upon his rounds.

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

From this reading “Let’s cut across to the path,” suggested Storm with a hint of nervousness in his lowered tones.

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

From this reading “It is better walking, and you can get a really magnificent view of the river lights from a few blocks further up.”

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading “It is better walking, and you can get a really magnificent view of the river lights from a few blocks further up.”

used when the thing doing the action is also its object

From this reading Ashes to Ashes The night elevator man was almost slumbering peacefully before the telephone switchboard as they traversed the hall to the vestibule, and the street itself seemed deserted, but from afar echoed the measured tread of the watchman approaching upon his rounds.

diode such that light emitted at a p-n junction is proportional to the bias current; color depends on the material used

From this reading He led his companion across the driveway and bridle road to the path deeply enshrouded by trees and bordered by the low stone wall which ran along the edge of the embankment.

location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east

From this reading The night was moonless, but overhead the stars shone brightly and the broad sweep of the river below them at their left was dotted with the lights of ships and barges riding at anchor or moving slowly out with the tide.

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

From this reading “Let’s cut across to the path,” suggested Storm with a hint of nervousness in his lowered tones.

plural of “light” — (physics) electromagnetic radiation that can produce a visual sensation

From this reading “It is better walking, and you can get a really magnificent view of the river lights from a few blocks further up.”

less than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading He led his companion across the driveway and bridle road to the path deeply enshrouded by trees and bordered by the low stone wall which ran along the edge of the embankment.

below the surround or below the normal position

From this reading “Let’s cut across to the path,” suggested Storm with a hint of nervousness in his lowered tones.

characterized by grandeur

From this reading “It is better walking, and you can get a really magnificent view of the river lights from a few blocks further up.”

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

From this reading Ashes to Ashes The night elevator man was almost slumbering peacefully before the telephone switchboard as they traversed the hall to the vestibule, and the street itself seemed deserted, but from afar echoed the measured tread of the watchman approaching upon his rounds.

having notes of fixed rhythmic value

From this reading Ashes to Ashes The night elevator man was almost slumbering peacefully before the telephone switchboard as they traversed the hall to the vestibule, and the street itself seemed deserted, but from afar echoed the measured tread of the watchman approaching upon his rounds.

without a moon or a visible moon

From this reading The night was moonless, but overhead the stars shone brightly and the broad sweep of the river below them at their left was dotted with the lights of ships and barges riding at anchor or moving slowly out with the tide.

in motion

From this reading The night was moonless, but overhead the stars shone brightly and the broad sweep of the river below them at their left was dotted with the lights of ships and barges riding at anchor or moving slowly out with the tide.

the anxious feeling you have when you have the jitters

From this reading “Let’s cut across to the path,” suggested Storm with a hint of nervousness in his lowered tones.

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

From this reading Ashes to Ashes The night elevator man was almost slumbering peacefully before the telephone switchboard as they traversed the hall to the vestibule, and the street itself seemed deserted, but from afar echoed the measured tread of the watchman approaching upon his rounds.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Ashes to Ashes The night elevator man was almost slumbering peacefully before the telephone switchboard as they traversed the hall to the vestibule, and the street itself seemed deserted, but from afar echoed the measured tread of the watchman approaching upon his rounds.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading The night was moonless, but overhead the stars shone brightly and the broad sweep of the river below them at their left was dotted with the lights of ships and barges riding at anchor or moving slowly out with the tide.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading The night was moonless, but overhead the stars shone brightly and the broad sweep of the river below them at their left was dotted with the lights of ships and barges riding at anchor or moving slowly out with the tide.

above your head; in the sky

From this reading The night was moonless, but overhead the stars shone brightly and the broad sweep of the river below them at their left was dotted with the lights of ships and barges riding at anchor or moving slowly out with the tide.

a course of conduct

From this reading “Let’s cut across to the path,” suggested Storm with a hint of nervousness in his lowered tones.

in a peaceful manner

From this reading Ashes to Ashes The night elevator man was almost slumbering peacefully before the telephone switchboard as they traversed the hall to the vestibule, and the street itself seemed deserted, but from afar echoed the measured tread of the watchman approaching upon his rounds.

inflected form of “run” — move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time

From this reading He led his companion across the driveway and bridle road to the path deeply enshrouded by trees and bordered by the low stone wall which ran along the edge of the embankment.

in accordance with truth or fact or reality

From this reading “It is better walking, and you can get a really magnificent view of the river lights from a few blocks further up.”

the sport of sitting on the back of a horse while controlling its movements

From this reading The night was moonless, but overhead the stars shone brightly and the broad sweep of the river below them at their left was dotted with the lights of ships and barges riding at anchor or moving slowly out with the tide.

a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)

From this reading “It is better walking, and you can get a really magnificent view of the river lights from a few blocks further up.”

an open way (generally public) for travel or transportation

From this reading He led his companion across the driveway and bridle road to the path deeply enshrouded by trees and bordered by the low stone wall which ran along the edge of the embankment.

plural of “round” — a charge of ammunition for a single shot

From this reading Ashes to Ashes The night elevator man was almost slumbering peacefully before the telephone switchboard as they traversed the hall to the vestibule, and the street itself seemed deserted, but from afar echoed the measured tread of the watchman approaching upon his rounds.

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

From this reading Ashes to Ashes The night elevator man was almost slumbering peacefully before the telephone switchboard as they traversed the hall to the vestibule, and the street itself seemed deserted, but from afar echoed the measured tread of the watchman approaching upon his rounds.

plural of “ship” — a vessel that carries passengers or freight

From this reading The night was moonless, but overhead the stars shone brightly and the broad sweep of the river below them at their left was dotted with the lights of ships and barges riding at anchor or moving slowly out with the tide.

inflected form of “shine” — be bright by reflecting or casting light

From this reading The night was moonless, but overhead the stars shone brightly and the broad sweep of the river below them at their left was dotted with the lights of ships and barges riding at anchor or moving slowly out with the tide.

without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)

From this reading The night was moonless, but overhead the stars shone brightly and the broad sweep of the river below them at their left was dotted with the lights of ships and barges riding at anchor or moving slowly out with the tide.

-ing form of “slumber” — be asleep

From this reading Ashes to Ashes The night elevator man was almost slumbering peacefully before the telephone switchboard as they traversed the hall to the vestibule, and the street itself seemed deserted, but from afar echoed the measured tread of the watchman approaching upon his rounds.

plural of “star” — (astronomy) a celestial body of hot gases that radiates energy derived from thermonuclear reactions in the interior

From this reading The night was moonless, but overhead the stars shone brightly and the broad sweep of the river below them at their left was dotted with the lights of ships and barges riding at anchor or moving slowly out with the tide.

a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter

From this reading He led his companion across the driveway and bridle road to the path deeply enshrouded by trees and bordered by the low stone wall which ran along the edge of the embankment.

behave violently, as if in state of a great anger

From this reading “Let’s cut across to the path,” suggested Storm with a hint of nervousness in his lowered tones.

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

From this reading Ashes to Ashes The night elevator man was almost slumbering peacefully before the telephone switchboard as they traversed the hall to the vestibule, and the street itself seemed deserted, but from afar echoed the measured tread of the watchman approaching upon his rounds.

past form of “suggest” — make a proposal, declare a plan for something

From this reading “Let’s cut across to the path,” suggested Storm with a hint of nervousness in his lowered tones.

sweep across or over

From this reading The night was moonless, but overhead the stars shone brightly and the broad sweep of the river below them at their left was dotted with the lights of ships and barges riding at anchor or moving slowly out with the tide.

telephone central where circuits are completed with patchcords

From this reading Ashes to Ashes The night elevator man was almost slumbering peacefully before the telephone switchboard as they traversed the hall to the vestibule, and the street itself seemed deserted, but from afar echoed the measured tread of the watchman approaching upon his rounds.

electronic equipment that converts sound into electrical signals that can be transmitted over distances and then converts received signals back into sounds

From this reading Ashes to Ashes The night elevator man was almost slumbering peacefully before the telephone switchboard as they traversed the hall to the vestibule, and the street itself seemed deserted, but from afar echoed the measured tread of the watchman approaching upon his rounds.

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

From this reading Ashes to Ashes The night elevator man was almost slumbering peacefully before the telephone switchboard as they traversed the hall to the vestibule, and the street itself seemed deserted, but from afar echoed the measured tread of the watchman approaching upon his rounds.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading The night was moonless, but overhead the stars shone brightly and the broad sweep of the river below them at their left was dotted with the lights of ships and barges riding at anchor or moving slowly out with the tide.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading The night was moonless, but overhead the stars shone brightly and the broad sweep of the river below them at their left was dotted with the lights of ships and barges riding at anchor or moving slowly out with the tide.

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

From this reading Ashes to Ashes The night elevator man was almost slumbering peacefully before the telephone switchboard as they traversed the hall to the vestibule, and the street itself seemed deserted, but from afar echoed the measured tread of the watchman approaching upon his rounds.

the periodic rise and fall of the sea level under the gravitational pull of the moon

From this reading The night was moonless, but overhead the stars shone brightly and the broad sweep of the river below them at their left was dotted with the lights of ships and barges riding at anchor or moving slowly out with the tide.

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

From this reading Ashes to Ashes The night elevator man was almost slumbering peacefully before the telephone switchboard as they traversed the hall to the vestibule, and the street itself seemed deserted, but from afar echoed the measured tread of the watchman approaching upon his rounds.

plural of “tone” — the quality of a person's voice

From this reading “Let’s cut across to the path,” suggested Storm with a hint of nervousness in his lowered tones.

past form of “traverse” — travel across or pass over

From this reading Ashes to Ashes The night elevator man was almost slumbering peacefully before the telephone switchboard as they traversed the hall to the vestibule, and the street itself seemed deserted, but from afar echoed the measured tread of the watchman approaching upon his rounds.

put down or press the foot, place the foot

From this reading Ashes to Ashes The night elevator man was almost slumbering peacefully before the telephone switchboard as they traversed the hall to the vestibule, and the street itself seemed deserted, but from afar echoed the measured tread of the watchman approaching upon his rounds.

plural of “tree” — a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms

From this reading He led his companion across the driveway and bridle road to the path deeply enshrouded by trees and bordered by the low stone wall which ran along the edge of the embankment.

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading “It is better walking, and you can get a really magnificent view of the river lights from a few blocks further up.”

a formal word for “on”

From this reading Ashes to Ashes The night elevator man was almost slumbering peacefully before the telephone switchboard as they traversed the hall to the vestibule, and the street itself seemed deserted, but from afar echoed the measured tread of the watchman approaching upon his rounds.

a large entrance or reception room or area

From this reading Ashes to Ashes The night elevator man was almost slumbering peacefully before the telephone switchboard as they traversed the hall to the vestibule, and the street itself seemed deserted, but from afar echoed the measured tread of the watchman approaching upon his rounds.

a way of regarding situations or topics etc.

From this reading “It is better walking, and you can get a really magnificent view of the river lights from a few blocks further up.”

close enough to be walked to

From this reading “It is better walking, and you can get a really magnificent view of the river lights from a few blocks further up.”

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 He led his companion across the driveway and bridle road to the path deeply enshrouded by trees and bordered by the low stone wall which ran along the edge of the embankment.

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

From this reading Ashes to Ashes The night elevator man was almost slumbering peacefully before the telephone switchboard as they traversed the hall to the vestibule, and the street itself seemed deserted, but from afar echoed the measured tread of the watchman approaching upon his rounds.

a guard who keeps watch

From this reading Ashes to Ashes The night elevator man was almost slumbering peacefully before the telephone switchboard as they traversed the hall to the vestibule, and the street itself seemed deserted, but from afar echoed the measured tread of the watchman approaching upon his rounds.

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

From this reading He led his companion across the driveway and bridle road to the path deeply enshrouded by trees and bordered by the low stone wall which ran along the edge of the embankment.

in the company of; together with

From this reading “Let’s cut across to the path,” suggested Storm with a hint of nervousness in his lowered tones.

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading “It is better walking, and you can get a really magnificent view of the river lights from a few blocks further up.”