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 'She took me through the same dark passage by which I had entered, and then I found myself in a large bedroom with low panelled walls, in the middle of which was a vast antique bedstead made of black carved oak, and every bit of furniture in the room seemed as old as the bedstead.

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

From this reading Over the mantelpiece was an old picture in a carved oak frame, a Madonna and Child, the beauty of which fascinated me.

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

From this reading 'She took me through the same dark passage by which I had entered, and then I found myself in a large bedroom with low panelled walls, in the middle of which was a vast antique bedstead made of black carved oak, and every bit of furniture in the room seemed as old as the bedstead.

one more of the same kind, or a different one

From this reading I was surprised to find in the room another walking-dress, not new, but slightly worn, laid out ready for me to put on.

made in or typical of earlier times and valued for its age

From this reading 'She took me through the same dark passage by which I had entered, and then I found myself in a large bedroom with low panelled walls, in the middle of which was a vast antique bedstead made of black carved oak, and every bit of furniture in the room seemed as old as the bedstead.

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

From this reading 'She took me through the same dark passage by which I had entered, and then I found myself in a large bedroom with low panelled walls, in the middle of which was a vast antique bedstead made of black carved oak, and every bit of furniture in the room seemed as old as the bedstead.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading I lifted it up and looked at it.

the qualities that give pleasure to the senses

From this reading Over the mantelpiece was an old picture in a carved oak frame, a Madonna and Child, the beauty of which fascinated me.

a room used primarily for sleeping

From this reading 'She took me through the same dark passage by which I had entered, and then I found myself in a large bedroom with low panelled walls, in the middle of which was a vast antique bedstead made of black carved oak, and every bit of furniture in the room seemed as old as the bedstead.

the framework of a bed

From this reading 'She took me through the same dark passage by which I had entered, and then I found myself in a large bedroom with low panelled walls, in the middle of which was a vast antique bedstead made of black carved oak, and every bit of furniture in the room seemed as old as the bedstead.

a small piece or quantity of something

From this reading 'She took me through the same dark passage by which I had entered, and then I found myself in a large bedroom with low panelled walls, in the middle of which was a vast antique bedstead made of black carved oak, and every bit of furniture in the room seemed as old as the bedstead.

being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light

From this reading 'She took me through the same dark passage by which I had entered, and then I found myself in a large bedroom with low panelled walls, in the middle of which was a vast antique bedstead made of black carved oak, and every bit of furniture in the room seemed as old as the bedstead.

the lower side of anything

From this reading I remember that on the bottom of the frame was written in printed letters the name "Chiaro dell' Erma."

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading I was surprised to find in the room another walking-dress, not new, but slightly worn, laid out ready for me to put on.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading 'She took me through the same dark passage by which I had entered, and then I found myself in a large bedroom with low panelled walls, in the middle of which was a vast antique bedstead made of black carved oak, and every bit of furniture in the room seemed as old as the bedstead.

made for or formed by carving (“carven” is archaic or literary)

From this reading 'She took me through the same dark passage by which I had entered, and then I found myself in a large bedroom with low panelled walls, in the middle of which was a vast antique bedstead made of black carved oak, and every bit of furniture in the room seemed as old as the bedstead.

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

From this reading I remember that on the bottom of the frame was written in printed letters the name "Chiaro dell' Erma."

a young person of either sex

From this reading Over the mantelpiece was an old picture in a carved oak frame, a Madonna and Child, the beauty of which fascinated me.

absence of light or illumination

From this reading 'She took me through the same dark passage by which I had entered, and then I found myself in a large bedroom with low panelled walls, in the middle of which was a vast antique bedstead made of black carved oak, and every bit of furniture in the room seemed as old as the bedstead.

a small wooded hollow

From this reading I remember that on the bottom of the frame was written in printed letters the name "Chiaro dell' Erma."

past form of “enter” — to come or go into

From this reading 'She took me through the same dark passage by which I had entered, and then I found myself in a large bedroom with low panelled walls, in the middle of which was a vast antique bedstead made of black carved oak, and every bit of furniture in the room seemed as old as the bedstead.

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

From this reading I remember that on the bottom of the frame was written in printed letters the name "Chiaro dell' Erma."

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading 'She took me through the same dark passage by which I had entered, and then I found myself in a large bedroom with low panelled walls, in the middle of which was a vast antique bedstead made of black carved oak, and every bit of furniture in the room seemed as old as the bedstead.

having your attention fixated as though by a spell

From this reading Over the mantelpiece was an old picture in a carved oak frame, a Madonna and Child, the beauty of which fascinated me.

come upon, as if by accident; meet with

From this reading I was surprised to find in the room another walking-dress, not new, but slightly worn, laid out ready for me to put on.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading I was surprised to find in the room another walking-dress, not new, but slightly worn, laid out ready for me to put on.

set up or found

From this reading 'She took me through the same dark passage by which I had entered, and then I found myself in a large bedroom with low panelled walls, in the middle of which was a vast antique bedstead made of black carved oak, and every bit of furniture in the room seemed as old as the bedstead.

enclose in or as if in a frame

From this reading Over the mantelpiece was an old picture in a carved oak frame, a Madonna and Child, the beauty of which fascinated me.

furnishings that make a room or other area ready for occupancy

From this reading 'She took me through the same dark passage by which I had entered, and then I found myself in a large bedroom with low panelled walls, in the middle of which was a vast antique bedstead made of black carved oak, and every bit of furniture in the room seemed as old as the bedstead.

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

From this reading 'She took me through the same dark passage by which I had entered, and then I found myself in a large bedroom with low panelled walls, in the middle of which was a vast antique bedstead made of black carved oak, and every bit of furniture in the room seemed as old as the bedstead.

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

From this reading 'She took me through the same dark passage by which I had entered, and then I found myself in a large bedroom with low panelled walls, in the middle of which was a vast antique bedstead made of black carved oak, and every bit of furniture in the room seemed as old as the bedstead.

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

From this reading 'She took me through the same dark passage by which I had entered, and then I found myself in a large bedroom with low panelled walls, in the middle of which was a vast antique bedstead made of black carved oak, and every bit of furniture in the room seemed as old as the bedstead.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading I lifted it up and looked at it.

set down according to a plan

From this reading I was surprised to find in the room another walking-dress, not new, but slightly worn, laid out ready for me to put on.

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

From this reading 'She took me through the same dark passage by which I had entered, and then I found myself in a large bedroom with low panelled walls, in the middle of which was a vast antique bedstead made of black carved oak, and every bit of furniture in the room seemed as old as the bedstead.

the literary culture

From this reading I remember that on the bottom of the frame was written in printed letters the name "Chiaro dell' Erma."

held up in the air

From this reading I lifted it up and looked at it.

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

From this reading I lifted it up and looked at it.

less than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading 'She took me through the same dark passage by which I had entered, and then I found myself in a large bedroom with low panelled walls, in the middle of which was a vast antique bedstead made of black carved oak, and every bit of furniture in the room seemed as old as the bedstead.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading 'She took me through the same dark passage by which I had entered, and then I found myself in a large bedroom with low panelled walls, in the middle of which was a vast antique bedstead made of black carved oak, and every bit of furniture in the room seemed as old as the bedstead.

the mother of Jesus; Christians refer to her as the Virgin Mary; she is especially honored by Roman Catholics

From this reading Over the mantelpiece was an old picture in a carved oak frame, a Madonna and Child, the beauty of which fascinated me.

shelf that projects from wall above fireplace

From this reading Over the mantelpiece was an old picture in a carved oak frame, a Madonna and Child, the beauty of which fascinated me.

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

From this reading 'She took me through the same dark passage by which I had entered, and then I found myself in a large bedroom with low panelled walls, in the middle of which was a vast antique bedstead made of black carved oak, and every bit of furniture in the room seemed as old as the bedstead.

an area that is approximately central within some larger region

From this reading 'She took me through the same dark passage by which I had entered, and then I found myself in a large bedroom with low panelled walls, in the middle of which was a vast antique bedstead made of black carved oak, and every bit of furniture in the room seemed as old as the bedstead.

used when the speaker is also the object of the action

From this reading 'She took me through the same dark passage by which I had entered, and then I found myself in a large bedroom with low panelled walls, in the middle of which was a vast antique bedstead made of black carved oak, and every bit of furniture in the room seemed as old as the bedstead.

assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading I remember that on the bottom of the frame was written in printed letters the name "Chiaro dell' Erma."

not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered

From this reading I was surprised to find in the room another walking-dress, not new, but slightly worn, laid out ready for me to put on.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading I was surprised to find in the room another walking-dress, not new, but slightly worn, laid out ready for me to put on.

the hard durable wood of any oak; used especially for furniture and flooring

From this reading 'She took me through the same dark passage by which I had entered, and then I found myself in a large bedroom with low panelled walls, in the middle of which was a vast antique bedstead made of black carved oak, and every bit of furniture in the room seemed as old as the bedstead.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading 'She took me through the same dark passage by which I had entered, and then I found myself in a large bedroom with low panelled walls, in the middle of which was a vast antique bedstead made of black carved oak, and every bit of furniture in the room seemed as old as the bedstead.

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

From this reading 'She took me through the same dark passage by which I had entered, and then I found myself in a large bedroom with low panelled walls, in the middle of which was a vast antique bedstead made of black carved oak, and every bit of furniture in the room seemed as old as the bedstead.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading I remember that on the bottom of the frame was written in printed letters the name "Chiaro dell' Erma."

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading I was surprised to find in the room another walking-dress, not new, but slightly worn, laid out ready for me to put on.

above and across; more than

From this reading Over the mantelpiece was an old picture in a carved oak frame, a Madonna and Child, the beauty of which fascinated me.

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

From this reading 'She took me through the same dark passage by which I had entered, and then I found myself in a large bedroom with low panelled walls, in the middle of which was a vast antique bedstead made of black carved oak, and every bit of furniture in the room seemed as old as the bedstead.

the act of passing from one state or place to the next

From this reading 'She took me through the same dark passage by which I had entered, and then I found myself in a large bedroom with low panelled walls, in the middle of which was a vast antique bedstead made of black carved oak, and every bit of furniture in the room seemed as old as the bedstead.

a visual representation (of an object or scene or person or abstraction) produced on a surface

From this reading Over the mantelpiece was an old picture in a carved oak frame, a Madonna and Child, the beauty of which fascinated me.

past form of “print” — put into print

From this reading I remember that on the bottom of the frame was written in printed letters the name "Chiaro dell' Erma."

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading I was surprised to find in the room another walking-dress, not new, but slightly worn, laid out ready for me to put on.

completely prepared or in condition for immediate action or use or progress

From this reading I was surprised to find in the room another walking-dress, not new, but slightly worn, laid out ready for me to put on.

To recall to mind.

From this reading I remember that on the bottom of the frame was written in printed letters the name "Chiaro dell' Erma."

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

From this reading 'She took me through the same dark passage by which I had entered, and then I found myself in a large bedroom with low panelled walls, in the middle of which was a vast antique bedstead made of black carved oak, and every bit of furniture in the room seemed as old as the bedstead.

Identical; not different.

From this reading 'She took me through the same dark passage by which I had entered, and then I found myself in a large bedroom with low panelled walls, in the middle of which was a vast antique bedstead made of black carved oak, and every bit of furniture in the room seemed as old as the bedstead.

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

From this reading 'She took me through the same dark passage by which I had entered, and then I found myself in a large bedroom with low panelled walls, in the middle of which was a vast antique bedstead made of black carved oak, and every bit of furniture in the room seemed as old as the bedstead.

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

From this reading 'She took me through the same dark passage by which I had entered, and then I found myself in a large bedroom with low panelled walls, in the middle of which was a vast antique bedstead made of black carved oak, and every bit of furniture in the room seemed as old as the bedstead.

to a small degree or extent

From this reading I was surprised to find in the room another walking-dress, not new, but slightly worn, laid out ready for me to put on.

taken unawares or suddenly and feeling wonder or astonishment

From this reading I was surprised to find in the room another walking-dress, not new, but slightly worn, laid out ready for me to put on.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading I remember that on the bottom of the frame was written in printed letters the name "Chiaro dell' Erma."

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

From this reading 'She took me through the same dark passage by which I had entered, and then I found myself in a large bedroom with low panelled walls, in the middle of which was a vast antique bedstead made of black carved oak, and every bit of furniture in the room seemed as old as the bedstead.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading 'She took me through the same dark passage by which I had entered, and then I found myself in a large bedroom with low panelled walls, in the middle of which was a vast antique bedstead made of black carved oak, and every bit of furniture in the room seemed as old as the bedstead.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading 'She took me through the same dark passage by which I had entered, and then I found myself in a large bedroom with low panelled walls, in the middle of which was a vast antique bedstead made of black carved oak, and every bit of furniture in the room seemed as old as the bedstead.

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

From this reading I was surprised to find in the room another walking-dress, not new, but slightly worn, laid out ready for me to put on.

inflected form of “take” — carry out

From this reading 'She took me through the same dark passage by which I had entered, and then I found myself in a large bedroom with low panelled walls, in the middle of which was a vast antique bedstead made of black carved oak, and every bit of furniture in the room seemed as old as the bedstead.

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

From this reading I lifted it up and looked at it.

unusually great in size or amount or degree or especially extent or scope

From this reading 'She took me through the same dark passage by which I had entered, and then I found myself in a large bedroom with low panelled walls, in the middle of which was a vast antique bedstead made of black carved oak, and every bit of furniture in the room seemed as old as the bedstead.

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

From this reading I was surprised to find in the room another walking-dress, not new, but slightly worn, laid out ready for me to put on.

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 'She took me through the same dark passage by which I had entered, and then I found myself in a large bedroom with low panelled walls, in the middle of which was a vast antique bedstead made of black carved oak, and every bit of furniture in the room seemed as old as the bedstead.

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

From this reading 'She took me through the same dark passage by which I had entered, and then I found myself in a large bedroom with low panelled walls, in the middle of which was a vast antique bedstead made of black carved oak, and every bit of furniture in the room seemed as old as the bedstead.

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

From this reading 'She took me through the same dark passage by which I had entered, and then I found myself in a large bedroom with low panelled walls, in the middle of which was a vast antique bedstead made of black carved oak, and every bit of furniture in the room seemed as old as the bedstead.

in the company of; together with

From this reading 'She took me through the same dark passage by which I had entered, and then I found myself in a large bedroom with low panelled walls, in the middle of which was a vast antique bedstead made of black carved oak, and every bit of furniture in the room seemed as old as the bedstead.

Damaged or thinned by continuous use.

From this reading I was surprised to find in the room another walking-dress, not new, but slightly worn, laid out ready for me to put on.

set down in writing in any of various ways

From this reading I remember that on the bottom of the frame was written in printed letters the name "Chiaro dell' Erma."