Chapter XX · Chapter 20

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

From this reading There was a slight fragrance of tobacco in the room mingling with the fresh, spring-like scent of lilacs--great pale clusters of them decorated mantel and table, and the desk where Athalie sat writing to Captain Dane in the semi-dusk of a May evening.

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading Here and there dim figures loomed in the big square room; the graceful shape of a young girl at the piano detached itself from the gloom; a man or two dawdled by the window, vaguely silhouetted against the lilac-tinted sky.

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

From this reading There was a slight fragrance of tobacco in the room mingling with the fresh, spring-like scent of lilacs--great pale clusters of them decorated mantel and table, and the desk where Athalie sat writing to Captain Dane in the semi-dusk of a May evening.

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

From this reading If you are not too tired to come, please do so.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Here and there dim figures loomed in the big square room; the graceful shape of a young girl at the piano detached itself from the gloom; a man or two dawdled by the window, vaguely silhouetted against the lilac-tinted sky.

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

From this reading There was a slight fragrance of tobacco in the room mingling with the fresh, spring-like scent of lilacs--great pale clusters of them decorated mantel and table, and the desk where Athalie sat writing to Captain Dane in the semi-dusk of a May evening.

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading Do you realise that you have been away over a year?

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Do you realise that you have been away over a year?

above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading Here and there dim figures loomed in the big square room; the graceful shape of a young girl at the piano detached itself from the gloom; a man or two dawdled by the window, vaguely silhouetted against the lilac-tinted sky.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Here and there dim figures loomed in the big square room; the graceful shape of a young girl at the piano detached itself from the gloom; a man or two dawdled by the window, vaguely silhouetted against the lilac-tinted sky.

an officer holding a rank below a major but above a lieutenant

From this reading There was a slight fragrance of tobacco in the room mingling with the fresh, spring-like scent of lilacs--great pale clusters of them decorated mantel and table, and the desk where Athalie sat writing to Captain Dane in the semi-dusk of a May evening.

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

From this reading Athalie wrote on: "I had not supposed you had landed until Cecil Reeve told me this evening.

plural of “cluster” — a grouping of a number of similar things

From this reading There was a slight fragrance of tobacco in the room mingling with the fresh, spring-like scent of lilacs--great pale clusters of them decorated mantel and table, and the desk where Athalie sat writing to Captain Dane in the semi-dusk of a May evening.

move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading If you are not too tired to come, please do so.

a native or inhabitant of Denmark

From this reading There was a slight fragrance of tobacco in the room mingling with the fresh, spring-like scent of lilacs--great pale clusters of them decorated mantel and table, and the desk where Athalie sat writing to Captain Dane in the semi-dusk of a May evening.

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

From this reading Here and there dim figures loomed in the big square room; the graceful shape of a young girl at the piano detached itself from the gloom; a man or two dawdled by the window, vaguely silhouetted against the lilac-tinted sky.

provided with something intended to increase its beauty or distinction

From this reading There was a slight fragrance of tobacco in the room mingling with the fresh, spring-like scent of lilacs--great pale clusters of them decorated mantel and table, and the desk where Athalie sat writing to Captain Dane in the semi-dusk of a May evening.

a piece of furniture with a writing surface and usually drawers or other compartments

From this reading There was a slight fragrance of tobacco in the room mingling with the fresh, spring-like scent of lilacs--great pale clusters of them decorated mantel and table, and the desk where Athalie sat writing to Captain Dane in the semi-dusk of a May evening.

showing lack of emotional involvement

From this reading Here and there dim figures loomed in the big square room; the graceful shape of a young girl at the piano detached itself from the gloom; a man or two dawdled by the window, vaguely silhouetted against the lilac-tinted sky.

lacking in light; not bright or harsh

From this reading Here and there dim figures loomed in the big square room; the graceful shape of a young girl at the piano detached itself from the gloom; a man or two dawdled by the window, vaguely silhouetted against the lilac-tinted sky.

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading If you are not too tired to come, please do so.

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

From this reading There was a slight fragrance of tobacco in the room mingling with the fresh, spring-like scent of lilacs--great pale clusters of them decorated mantel and table, and the desk where Athalie sat writing to Captain Dane in the semi-dusk of a May evening.

plural of “figure” — a diagram or picture illustrating textual material

From this reading Here and there dim figures loomed in the big square room; the graceful shape of a young girl at the piano detached itself from the gloom; a man or two dawdled by the window, vaguely silhouetted against the lilac-tinted sky.

a distinctive odor that is pleasant

From this reading There was a slight fragrance of tobacco in the room mingling with the fresh, spring-like scent of lilacs--great pale clusters of them decorated mantel and table, and the desk where Athalie sat writing to Captain Dane in the semi-dusk of a May evening.

recently made, produced, or harvested

From this reading There was a slight fragrance of tobacco in the room mingling with the fresh, spring-like scent of lilacs--great pale clusters of them decorated mantel and table, and the desk where Athalie sat writing to Captain Dane in the semi-dusk of a May evening.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Here and there dim figures loomed in the big square room; the graceful shape of a young girl at the piano detached itself from the gloom; a man or two dawdled by the window, vaguely silhouetted against the lilac-tinted sky.

a young female

From this reading Here and there dim figures loomed in the big square room; the graceful shape of a young girl at the piano detached itself from the gloom; a man or two dawdled by the window, vaguely silhouetted against the lilac-tinted sky.

a state of partial or total darkness

From this reading Here and there dim figures loomed in the big square room; the graceful shape of a young girl at the piano detached itself from the gloom; a man or two dawdled by the window, vaguely silhouetted against the lilac-tinted sky.

characterized by beauty of movement, style, form, or execution

From this reading Here and there dim figures loomed in the big square room; the graceful shape of a young girl at the piano detached itself from the gloom; a man or two dawdled by the window, vaguely silhouetted against the lilac-tinted sky.

relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind

From this reading There was a slight fragrance of tobacco in the room mingling with the fresh, spring-like scent of lilacs--great pale clusters of them decorated mantel and table, and the desk where Athalie sat writing to Captain Dane in the semi-dusk of a May evening.

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

From this reading Athalie wrote on: "I had not supposed you had landed until Cecil Reeve told me this evening.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading Do you realise that you have been away over a year?

in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is

From this reading Here and there dim figures loomed in the big square room; the graceful shape of a young girl at the piano detached itself from the gloom; a man or two dawdled by the window, vaguely silhouetted against the lilac-tinted sky.

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading Athalie wrote on: "I had not supposed you had landed until Cecil Reeve told me this evening.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading If you are not too tired to come, please do so.

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

From this reading There was a slight fragrance of tobacco in the room mingling with the fresh, spring-like scent of lilacs--great pale clusters of them decorated mantel and table, and the desk where Athalie sat writing to Captain Dane in the semi-dusk of a May evening.

used when the thing doing the action is also its object

From this reading Here and there dim figures loomed in the big square room; the graceful shape of a young girl at the piano detached itself from the gloom; a man or two dawdled by the window, vaguely silhouetted against the lilac-tinted sky.

owning or consisting of land or real estate

From this reading Athalie wrote on: "I had not supposed you had landed until Cecil Reeve told me this evening.

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

From this reading Here and there dim figures loomed in the big square room; the graceful shape of a young girl at the piano detached itself from the gloom; a man or two dawdled by the window, vaguely silhouetted against the lilac-tinted sky.

plural of “lilac” — any of various plants of the genus Syringa having large panicles of usually fragrant flowers

From this reading There was a slight fragrance of tobacco in the room mingling with the fresh, spring-like scent of lilacs--great pale clusters of them decorated mantel and table, and the desk where Athalie sat writing to Captain Dane in the semi-dusk of a May evening.

past form of “loom” — come into view indistinctly, often threateningly

From this reading Here and there dim figures loomed in the big square room; the graceful shape of a young girl at the piano detached itself from the gloom; a man or two dawdled by the window, vaguely silhouetted against the lilac-tinted sky.

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

From this reading Here and there dim figures loomed in the big square room; the graceful shape of a young girl at the piano detached itself from the gloom; a man or two dawdled by the window, vaguely silhouetted against the lilac-tinted sky.

shelf that projects from wall above fireplace

From this reading There was a slight fragrance of tobacco in the room mingling with the fresh, spring-like scent of lilacs--great pale clusters of them decorated mantel and table, and the desk where Athalie sat writing to Captain Dane in the semi-dusk of a May evening.

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading There was a slight fragrance of tobacco in the room mingling with the fresh, spring-like scent of lilacs--great pale clusters of them decorated mantel and table, and the desk where Athalie sat writing to Captain Dane in the semi-dusk of a May evening.

the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading Athalie wrote on: "I had not supposed you had landed until Cecil Reeve told me this evening.

the action of people mingling and coming into contact

From this reading There was a slight fragrance of tobacco in the room mingling with the fresh, spring-like scent of lilacs--great pale clusters of them decorated mantel and table, and the desk where Athalie sat writing to Captain Dane in the semi-dusk of a May evening.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Athalie wrote on: "I had not supposed you had landed until Cecil Reeve told me this evening.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading There was a slight fragrance of tobacco in the room mingling with the fresh, spring-like scent of lilacs--great pale clusters of them decorated mantel and table, and the desk where Athalie sat writing to Captain Dane in the semi-dusk of a May evening.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Athalie wrote on: "I had not supposed you had landed until Cecil Reeve told me this evening.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Here and there dim figures loomed in the big square room; the graceful shape of a young girl at the piano detached itself from the gloom; a man or two dawdled by the window, vaguely silhouetted against the lilac-tinted sky.

above and across; more than

From this reading Do you realise that you have been away over a year?

very light colored; highly diluted with white

From this reading There was a slight fragrance of tobacco in the room mingling with the fresh, spring-like scent of lilacs--great pale clusters of them decorated mantel and table, and the desk where Athalie sat writing to Captain Dane in the semi-dusk of a May evening.

a keyboard instrument that is played by depressing keys that cause hammers to strike tuned strings and produce sounds

From this reading Here and there dim figures loomed in the big square room; the graceful shape of a young girl at the piano detached itself from the gloom; a man or two dawdled by the window, vaguely silhouetted against the lilac-tinted sky.

give pleasure to or be pleasing to

From this reading If you are not too tired to come, please do so.

earn on some commercial or business transaction; earn as salary or wages

From this reading Do you realise that you have been away over a year?

pass a rope through

From this reading Athalie wrote on: "I had not supposed you had landed until Cecil Reeve told me this evening.

an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling

From this reading There was a slight fragrance of tobacco in the room mingling with the fresh, spring-like scent of lilacs--great pale clusters of them decorated mantel and table, and the desk where Athalie sat writing to Captain Dane in the semi-dusk of a May evening.

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

From this reading There was a slight fragrance of tobacco in the room mingling with the fresh, spring-like scent of lilacs--great pale clusters of them decorated mantel and table, and the desk where Athalie sat writing to Captain Dane in the semi-dusk of a May evening.

A distinctive smell or aroma.

From this reading There was a slight fragrance of tobacco in the room mingling with the fresh, spring-like scent of lilacs--great pale clusters of them decorated mantel and table, and the desk where Athalie sat writing to Captain Dane in the semi-dusk of a May evening.

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

From this reading There was a slight fragrance of tobacco in the room mingling with the fresh, spring-like scent of lilacs--great pale clusters of them decorated mantel and table, and the desk where Athalie sat writing to Captain Dane in the semi-dusk of a May evening.

any spatial attributes (especially as defined by outline)

From this reading Here and there dim figures loomed in the big square room; the graceful shape of a young girl at the piano detached itself from the gloom; a man or two dawdled by the window, vaguely silhouetted against the lilac-tinted sky.

past form of “silhouette” — project on a background, such as a screen, like a silhouette

From this reading Here and there dim figures loomed in the big square room; the graceful shape of a young girl at the piano detached itself from the gloom; a man or two dawdled by the window, vaguely silhouetted against the lilac-tinted sky.

the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth

From this reading Here and there dim figures loomed in the big square room; the graceful shape of a young girl at the piano detached itself from the gloom; a man or two dawdled by the window, vaguely silhouetted against the lilac-tinted sky.

a deliberate discourteous act (usually as an expression of anger or disapproval)

From this reading There was a slight fragrance of tobacco in the room mingling with the fresh, spring-like scent of lilacs--great pale clusters of them decorated mantel and table, and the desk where Athalie sat writing to Captain Dane in the semi-dusk of a May evening.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading If you are not too tired to come, please do so.

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

From this reading There was a slight fragrance of tobacco in the room mingling with the fresh, spring-like scent of lilacs--great pale clusters of them decorated mantel and table, and the desk where Athalie sat writing to Captain Dane in the semi-dusk of a May evening.

make square

From this reading Here and there dim figures loomed in the big square room; the graceful shape of a young girl at the piano detached itself from the gloom; a man or two dawdled by the window, vaguely silhouetted against the lilac-tinted sky.

required or under orders

From this reading Athalie wrote on: "I had not supposed you had landed until Cecil Reeve told me this evening.

a set of data arranged in rows and columns

From this reading There was a slight fragrance of tobacco in the room mingling with the fresh, spring-like scent of lilacs--great pale clusters of them decorated mantel and table, and the desk where Athalie sat writing to Captain Dane in the semi-dusk of a May evening.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Do you realise that you have been away over a year?

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

From this reading There was a slight fragrance of tobacco in the room mingling with the fresh, spring-like scent of lilacs--great pale clusters of them decorated mantel and table, and the desk where Athalie sat writing to Captain Dane in the semi-dusk of a May evening.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading There was a slight fragrance of tobacco in the room mingling with the fresh, spring-like scent of lilacs--great pale clusters of them decorated mantel and table, and the desk where Athalie sat writing to Captain Dane in the semi-dusk of a May evening.

in or at that place or location

From this reading There was a slight fragrance of tobacco in the room mingling with the fresh, spring-like scent of lilacs--great pale clusters of them decorated mantel and table, and the desk where Athalie sat writing to Captain Dane in the semi-dusk of a May evening.

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading Athalie wrote on: "I had not supposed you had landed until Cecil Reeve told me this evening.

depleted of strength or energy

From this reading If you are not too tired to come, please do so.

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

From this reading There was a slight fragrance of tobacco in the room mingling with the fresh, spring-like scent of lilacs--great pale clusters of them decorated mantel and table, and the desk where Athalie sat writing to Captain Dane in the semi-dusk of a May evening.

leaves of the tobacco plant dried and prepared for smoking or ingestion

From this reading There was a slight fragrance of tobacco in the room mingling with the fresh, spring-like scent of lilacs--great pale clusters of them decorated mantel and table, and the desk where Athalie sat writing to Captain Dane in the semi-dusk of a May evening.

inflected form of “tell” — express in words

From this reading Athalie wrote on: "I had not supposed you had landed until Cecil Reeve told me this evening.

to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits

From this reading If you are not too tired to come, please do so.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number

From this reading Here and there dim figures loomed in the big square room; the graceful shape of a young girl at the piano detached itself from the gloom; a man or two dawdled by the window, vaguely silhouetted against the lilac-tinted sky.

up to a particular time

From this reading Athalie wrote on: "I had not supposed you had landed until Cecil Reeve told me this evening.

in a vague way

From this reading Here and there dim figures loomed in the big square room; the graceful shape of a young girl at the piano detached itself from the gloom; a man or two dawdled by the window, vaguely silhouetted against the lilac-tinted sky.

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

From this reading There was a slight fragrance of tobacco in the room mingling with the fresh, spring-like scent of lilacs--great pale clusters of them decorated mantel and table, and the desk where Athalie sat writing to Captain Dane in the semi-dusk of a May evening.

in or at the place that

From this reading There was a slight fragrance of tobacco in the room mingling with the fresh, spring-like scent of lilacs--great pale clusters of them decorated mantel and table, and the desk where Athalie sat writing to Captain Dane in the semi-dusk of a May evening.

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 Here and there dim figures loomed in the big square room; the graceful shape of a young girl at the piano detached itself from the gloom; a man or two dawdled by the window, vaguely silhouetted against the lilac-tinted sky.

in the company of; together with

From this reading There was a slight fragrance of tobacco in the room mingling with the fresh, spring-like scent of lilacs--great pale clusters of them decorated mantel and table, and the desk where Athalie sat writing to Captain Dane in the semi-dusk of a May evening.

the act of creating written works

From this reading There was a slight fragrance of tobacco in the room mingling with the fresh, spring-like scent of lilacs--great pale clusters of them decorated mantel and table, and the desk where Athalie sat writing to Captain Dane in the semi-dusk of a May evening.

inflected form of “write” — produce a literary work

From this reading Athalie wrote on: "I had not supposed you had landed until Cecil Reeve told me this evening.

a period of time containing 365 (or 366) days

From this reading Do you realise that you have been away over a year?

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading Athalie wrote on: "I had not supposed you had landed until Cecil Reeve told me this evening.

(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth

From this reading Here and there dim figures loomed in the big square room; the graceful shape of a young girl at the piano detached itself from the gloom; a man or two dawdled by the window, vaguely silhouetted against the lilac-tinted sky.