used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading She saw the hall of the hotel only as a blaze of waving lights; the people were black and swaying forms.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading THE BEGINNING OF THE NIGHT “Christine was quite blind to the admiration which moved about her path.
a feeling of delighted approval and liking
From this reading THE BEGINNING OF THE NIGHT “Christine was quite blind to the admiration which moved about her path.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading Now that she had taken the bolder step, and knew that another moment would bring her face to face with Count Paul, her heart beat warningly, its pulsations shaking her hands so that she pressed them against her side to still them.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Now that she had taken the bolder step, and knew that another moment would bring her face to face with Count Paul, her heart beat warningly, its pulsations shaking her hands so that she pressed them against her side to still them.
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading Now that she had taken the bolder step, and knew that another moment would bring her face to face with Count Paul, her heart beat warningly, its pulsations shaking her hands so that she pressed them against her side to still them.
a suite of rooms usually on one floor of an apartment house
From this reading When she was summoned upstairs to a small apartment upon the first floor, she went with trembling steps, scarce feeling the touch of her feet upon the carpet.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading She saw the hall of the hotel only as a blaze of waving lights; the people were black and swaying forms.
come out better in a competition, race, or conflict
From this reading Now that she had taken the bolder step, and knew that another moment would bring her face to face with Count Paul, her heart beat warningly, its pulsations shaking her hands so that she pressed them against her side to still them.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading She entered the room and the Count stood before her, but no charity of preparation helped her tongue.
the event consisting of the start of something
From this reading THE BEGINNING OF THE NIGHT “Christine was quite blind to the admiration which moved about her path.
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 saw the hall of the hotel only as a blaze of waving lights; the people were black and swaying forms.
blazenounUS /bleɪz/
a strong flame that burns brightly
From this reading She saw the hall of the hotel only as a blaze of waving lights; the people were black and swaying forms.
people who have severe visual impairments, considered as a group
From this reading THE BEGINNING OF THE NIGHT “Christine was quite blind to the admiration which moved about her path.
bolderadjectiveUS /ˈboʊldər/
comparative of “bold” — fearless and daring
From this reading Now that she had taken the bolder step, and knew that another moment would bring her face to face with Count Paul, her heart beat warningly, its pulsations shaking her hands so that she pressed them against her side to still them.
take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading Now that she had taken the bolder step, and knew that another moment would bring her face to face with Count Paul, her heart beat warningly, its pulsations shaking her hands so that she pressed them against her side to still them.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading She entered the room and the Count stood before her, but no charity of preparation helped her tongue.
carpetnounUS /ˈkɑːrpət/
floor covering consisting of a piece of thick heavy fabric (usually with nap or pile)
From this reading When she was summoned upstairs to a small apartment upon the first floor, she went with trembling steps, scarce feeling the touch of her feet upon the carpet.
charitynounUS /ˈtʃerɪti/
a foundation created to promote the public good (not for assistance to any particular individuals)
From this reading She entered the room and the Count stood before her, but no charity of preparation helped her tongue.
Christine
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE BEGINNING OF THE NIGHT “Christine was quite blind to the admiration which moved about her path.
determine the number or amount of
From this reading Now that she had taken the bolder step, and knew that another moment would bring her face to face with Count Paul, her heart beat warningly, its pulsations shaking her hands so that she pressed them against her side to still them.
past form of “enter” — to come or go into
From this reading She entered the room and the Count stood before her, but no charity of preparation helped her tongue.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading Now that she had taken the bolder step, and knew that another moment would bring her face to face with Count Paul, her heart beat warningly, its pulsations shaking her hands so that she pressed them against her side to still them.
the experiencing of affective and emotional states
From this reading When she was summoned upstairs to a small apartment upon the first floor, she went with trembling steps, scarce feeling the touch of her feet upon the carpet.
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading When she was summoned upstairs to a small apartment upon the first floor, she went with trembling steps, scarce feeling the touch of her feet upon the carpet.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading When she was summoned upstairs to a small apartment upon the first floor, she went with trembling steps, scarce feeling the touch of her feet upon the carpet.
the inside lower horizontal surface (as of a room, hallway, tent, or other structure)
From this reading When she was summoned upstairs to a small apartment upon the first floor, she went with trembling steps, scarce feeling the touch of her feet upon the carpet.
plural of “form” — the phonological or orthographic sound or appearance of a word that can be used to describe or identify something
From this reading She saw the hall of the hotel only as a blaze of waving lights; the people were black and swaying forms.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Now that she had taken the bolder step, and knew that another moment would bring her face to face with Count Paul, her heart beat warningly, its pulsations shaking her hands so that she pressed them against her side to still them.
an interior passage or corridor onto which rooms open
From this reading She saw the hall of the hotel only as a blaze of waving lights; the people were black and swaying forms.
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading Now that she had taken the bolder step, and knew that another moment would bring her face to face with Count Paul, her heart beat warningly, its pulsations shaking her hands so that she pressed them against her side to still them.
the locus of feelings and intuitions
From this reading Now that she had taken the bolder step, and knew that another moment would bring her face to face with Count Paul, her heart beat warningly, its pulsations shaking her hands so that she pressed them against her side to still them.
past form of “help” — give help or assistance; be of service
From this reading She entered the room and the Count stood before her, but no charity of preparation helped her tongue.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading THE BEGINNING OF THE NIGHT “Christine was quite blind to the admiration which moved about her path.
a building where travelers can pay for lodging and meals and other services
From this reading She saw the hall of the hotel only as a blaze of waving lights; the people were black and swaying forms.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading Now that she had taken the bolder step, and knew that another moment would bring her face to face with Count Paul, her heart beat warningly, its pulsations shaking her hands so that she pressed them against her side to still them.
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading Now that she had taken the bolder step, and knew that another moment would bring her face to face with Count Paul, her heart beat warningly, its pulsations shaking her hands so that she pressed them against her side to still them.
plural of “light” — (physics) electromagnetic radiation that can produce a visual sensation
From this reading She saw the hall of the hotel only as a blaze of waving lights; the people were black and swaying forms.
a particular point in time
From this reading Now that she had taken the bolder step, and knew that another moment would bring her face to face with Count Paul, her heart beat warningly, its pulsations shaking her hands so that she pressed them against her side to still them.
being excited or provoked to the expression of an emotion
From this reading THE BEGINNING OF THE NIGHT “Christine was quite blind to the admiration which moved about her path.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading THE BEGINNING OF THE NIGHT “Christine was quite blind to the admiration which moved about her path.
not any; not one
From this reading She entered the room and the Count stood before her, but no charity of preparation helped her tongue.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Now that she had taken the bolder step, and knew that another moment would bring her face to face with Count Paul, her heart beat warningly, its pulsations shaking her hands so that she pressed them against her side to still them.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE BEGINNING OF THE NIGHT “Christine was quite blind to the admiration which moved about her path.
and nothing more
From this reading She saw the hall of the hotel only as a blaze of waving lights; the people were black and swaying forms.
a course of conduct
From this reading THE BEGINNING OF THE NIGHT “Christine was quite blind to the admiration which moved about her path.
United States feminist (1885-1977)
From this reading Now that she had taken the bolder step, and knew that another moment would bring her face to face with Count Paul, her heart beat warningly, its pulsations shaking her hands so that she pressed them against her side to still them.
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading She saw the hall of the hotel only as a blaze of waving lights; the people were black and swaying forms.
preparationnounUS /ˌprepərˈeɪʃən/
the activity of putting or setting in order in advance of some act or purpose
From this reading She entered the room and the Count stood before her, but no charity of preparation helped her tongue.
compacted by ironing
From this reading Now that she had taken the bolder step, and knew that another moment would bring her face to face with Count Paul, her heart beat warningly, its pulsations shaking her hands so that she pressed them against her side to still them.
pulsations
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now that she had taken the bolder step, and knew that another moment would bring her face to face with Count Paul, her heart beat warningly, its pulsations shaking her hands so that she pressed them against her side to still them.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading THE BEGINNING OF THE NIGHT “Christine was quite blind to the admiration which moved about her path.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading She entered the room and the Count stood before her, but no charity of preparation helped her tongue.
cut with a saw
From this reading She saw the hall of the hotel only as a blaze of waving lights; the people were black and swaying forms.
only a very short time before
From this reading When she was summoned upstairs to a small apartment upon the first floor, she went with trembling steps, scarce feeling the touch of her feet upon the carpet.
the act of causing something to move up and down (or back and forth) with quick movements
From this reading Now that she had taken the bolder step, and knew that another moment would bring her face to face with Count Paul, her heart beat warningly, its pulsations shaking her hands so that she pressed them against her side to still them.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Now that she had taken the bolder step, and knew that another moment would bring her face to face with Count Paul, her heart beat warningly, its pulsations shaking her hands so that she pressed them against her side to still them.
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading Now that she had taken the bolder step, and knew that another moment would bring her face to face with Count Paul, her heart beat warningly, its pulsations shaking her hands so that she pressed them against her side to still them.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading When she was summoned upstairs to a small apartment upon the first floor, she went with trembling steps, scarce feeling the touch of her feet upon the carpet.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Now that she had taken the bolder step, and knew that another moment would bring her face to face with Count Paul, her heart beat warningly, its pulsations shaking her hands so that she pressed them against her side to still them.
any maneuver made as part of progress toward a goal
From this reading Now that she had taken the bolder step, and knew that another moment would bring her face to face with Count Paul, her heart beat warningly, its pulsations shaking her hands so that she pressed them against her side to still them.
a flight of stairs or a flight of steps
From this reading When she was summoned upstairs to a small apartment upon the first floor, she went with trembling steps, scarce feeling the touch of her feet upon the carpet.
not in physical motion
From this reading Now that she had taken the bolder step, and knew that another moment would bring her face to face with Count Paul, her heart beat warningly, its pulsations shaking her hands so that she pressed them against her side to still them.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading She entered the room and the Count stood before her, but no charity of preparation helped her tongue.
summonedverbUS /ˈsʌmənd/
past form of “summon” — call in an official matter, such as to attend court
From this reading When she was summoned upstairs to a small apartment upon the first floor, she went with trembling steps, scarce feeling the touch of her feet upon the carpet.
swayingverbUS /ˈsweɪɪŋ/
-ing form of “sway” — move back and forth or sideways
From this reading She saw the hall of the hotel only as a blaze of waving lights; the people were black and swaying forms.
takenadjectiveUS /ˈteɪkən/
understood in a certain way; made sense of
From this reading Now that she had taken the bolder step, and knew that another moment would bring her face to face with Count Paul, her heart beat warningly, its pulsations shaking her hands so that she pressed them against her side to still them.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Now that she had taken the bolder step, and knew that another moment would bring her face to face with Count Paul, her heart beat warningly, its pulsations shaking her hands so that she pressed them against her side to still them.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE BEGINNING OF THE NIGHT “Christine was quite blind to the admiration which moved about her path.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Now that she had taken the bolder step, and knew that another moment would bring her face to face with Count Paul, her heart beat warningly, its pulsations shaking her hands so that she pressed them against her side to still them.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE BEGINNING OF THE NIGHT “Christine was quite blind to the admiration which moved about her path.
a mobile mass of muscular tissue covered with mucous membrane and located in the oral cavity
From this reading She entered the room and the Count stood before her, but no charity of preparation helped her tongue.
make physical contact with, come in contact with
From this reading When she was summoned upstairs to a small apartment upon the first floor, she went with trembling steps, scarce feeling the touch of her feet upon the carpet.
a shaky motion
From this reading When she was summoned upstairs to a small apartment upon the first floor, she went with trembling steps, scarce feeling the touch of her feet upon the carpet.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading When she was summoned upstairs to a small apartment upon the first floor, she went with trembling steps, scarce feeling the touch of her feet upon the carpet.
on a floor above
From this reading When she was summoned upstairs to a small apartment upon the first floor, she went with trembling steps, scarce feeling the touch of her feet upon the carpet.
warningly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now that she had taken the bolder step, and knew that another moment would bring her face to face with Count Paul, her heart beat warningly, its pulsations shaking her hands so that she pressed them against her side to still them.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE BEGINNING OF THE NIGHT “Christine was quite blind to the admiration which moved about her path.
wavingnounUS /ˈweɪvɪŋ/
the act of signaling by a movement of the hand
From this reading She saw the hall of the hotel only as a blaze of waving lights; the people were black and swaying forms.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading When she was summoned upstairs to a small apartment upon the first floor, she went with trembling steps, scarce feeling the touch of her feet upon the carpet.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading She saw the hall of the hotel only as a blaze of waving lights; the people were black and swaying forms.
at the time that
From this reading When she was summoned upstairs to a small apartment upon the first floor, she went with trembling steps, scarce feeling the touch of her feet upon the carpet.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading THE BEGINNING OF THE NIGHT “Christine was quite blind to the admiration which moved about her path.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Now that she had taken the bolder step, and knew that another moment would bring her face to face with Count Paul, her heart beat warningly, its pulsations shaking her hands so that she pressed them against her side to still them.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Now that she had taken the bolder step, and knew that another moment would bring her face to face with Count Paul, her heart beat warningly, its pulsations shaking her hands so that she pressed them against her side to still them.
