Chapter XXXVI · Chapter 36

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

From this reading It was dark, with the pitchy darkness of a village street, where the greater part of the population were gone to bed, when he passed through Engelberg towards the hotel, where Phebe must be awaiting his return anxiously.

higher than, or over, something

From this reading All the ground-floor was dark, except for a glimmer of light in a little room at the end of a long passage; but the windows of the _salon_ on the floor above were lit up, and Jean Merle stepped quietly up the staircase unheard and unseen.

(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class

From this reading All the ground-floor was dark, except for a glimmer of light in a little room at the end of a long passage; but the windows of the _salon_ on the floor above were lit up, and Jean Merle stepped quietly up the staircase unheard and unseen.

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

From this reading In carrying out his project it would be well for him to have as little as possible to do with the inmates of the hotel, and he approached it cautiously.

with anxiety or apprehension

From this reading It was dark, with the pitchy darkness of a village street, where the greater part of the population were gone to bed, when he passed through Engelberg towards the hotel, where Phebe must be awaiting his return anxiously.

past form of “approach” — move towards

From this reading In carrying out his project it would be well for him to have as little as possible to do with the inmates of the hotel, and he approached it cautiously.

weapons considered collectively

From this reading Phebe was sitting by a table, her head buried in her arms, which rested upon it--a forlorn and despondent attitude.

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

From this reading In carrying out his project it would be well for him to have as little as possible to do with the inmates of the hotel, and he approached it cautiously.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading All the ground-floor was dark, except for a glimmer of light in a little room at the end of a long passage; but the windows of the _salon_ on the floor above were lit up, and Jean Merle stepped quietly up the staircase unheard and unseen.

a complex mental state involving beliefs and feelings and values and dispositions to act in certain ways

From this reading Phebe was sitting by a table, her head buried in her arms, which rested upon it--a forlorn and despondent attitude.

-ing form of “await” — look forward to the probable occurrence of

From this reading It was dark, with the pitchy darkness of a village street, where the greater part of the population were gone to bed, when he passed through Engelberg towards the hotel, where Phebe must be awaiting his return anxiously.

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

From this reading It was dark, with the pitchy darkness of a village street, where the greater part of the population were gone to bed, when he passed through Engelberg towards the hotel, where Phebe must be awaiting his return anxiously.

a piece of furniture that provides a place to sleep

From this reading It was dark, with the pitchy darkness of a village street, where the greater part of the population were gone to bed, when he passed through Engelberg towards the hotel, where Phebe must be awaiting his return anxiously.

placed in a grave

From this reading Phebe was sitting by a table, her head buried in her arms, which rested upon it--a forlorn and despondent attitude.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading All the ground-floor was dark, except for a glimmer of light in a little room at the end of a long passage; but the windows of the _salon_ on the floor above were lit up, and Jean Merle stepped quietly up the staircase unheard and unseen.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Phebe was sitting by a table, her head buried in her arms, which rested upon it--a forlorn and despondent attitude.

-ing form of “carry” — move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body

From this reading In carrying out his project it would be well for him to have as little as possible to do with the inmates of the hotel, and he approached it cautiously.

as if with kid gloves; with caution or prudence or tact

From this reading In carrying out his project it would be well for him to have as little as possible to do with the inmates of the hotel, and he approached it cautiously.

absence of light or illumination

From this reading It was dark, with the pitchy darkness of a village street, where the greater part of the population were gone to bed, when he passed through Engelberg towards the hotel, where Phebe must be awaiting his return anxiously.

absence of light or illumination

From this reading It was dark, with the pitchy darkness of a village street, where the greater part of the population were gone to bed, when he passed through Engelberg towards the hotel, where Phebe must be awaiting his return anxiously.

without or almost without hope

From this reading Phebe was sitting by a table, her head buried in her arms, which rested upon it--a forlorn and despondent attitude.

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading In carrying out his project it would be well for him to have as little as possible to do with the inmates of the hotel, and he approached it cautiously.

either extremity of something that has length

From this reading All the ground-floor was dark, except for a glimmer of light in a little room at the end of a long passage; but the windows of the _salon_ on the floor above were lit up, and Jean Merle stepped quietly up the staircase unheard and unseen.

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

From this reading It was dark, with the pitchy darkness of a village street, where the greater part of the population were gone to bed, when he passed through Engelberg towards the hotel, where Phebe must be awaiting his return anxiously.

apart from; not including

From this reading All the ground-floor was dark, except for a glimmer of light in a little room at the end of a long passage; but the windows of the _salon_ on the floor above were lit up, and Jean Merle stepped quietly up the staircase unheard and unseen.

occurring at or forming an end or termination

From this reading THE FINAL RESOLVE.

the inside lower horizontal surface (as of a room, hallway, tent, or other structure)

From this reading All the ground-floor was dark, except for a glimmer of light in a little room at the end of a long passage; but the windows of the _salon_ on the floor above were lit up, and Jean Merle stepped quietly up the staircase unheard and unseen.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading In carrying out his project it would be well for him to have as little as possible to do with the inmates of the hotel, and he approached it cautiously.

marked by or showing hopelessness

From this reading Phebe was sitting by a table, her head buried in her arms, which rested upon it--a forlorn and despondent attitude.

a flash of light (especially reflected light)

From this reading All the ground-floor was dark, except for a glimmer of light in a little room at the end of a long passage; but the windows of the _salon_ on the floor above were lit up, and Jean Merle stepped quietly up the staircase unheard and unseen.

destroyed or killed

From this reading It was dark, with the pitchy darkness of a village street, where the greater part of the population were gone to bed, when he passed through Engelberg towards the hotel, where Phebe must be awaiting his return anxiously.

greater in size or importance or degree

From this reading It was dark, with the pitchy darkness of a village street, where the greater part of the population were gone to bed, when he passed through Engelberg towards the hotel, where Phebe must be awaiting his return anxiously.

on the floor closest to level with the ground

From this reading All the ground-floor was dark, except for a glimmer of light in a little room at the end of a long passage; but the windows of the _salon_ on the floor above were lit up, and Jean Merle stepped quietly up the staircase unheard and unseen.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading In carrying out his project it would be well for him to have as little as possible to do with the inmates of the hotel, and he approached it cautiously.

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

From this reading It was dark, with the pitchy darkness of a village street, where the greater part of the population were gone to bed, when he passed through Engelberg towards the hotel, where Phebe must be awaiting his return anxiously.

the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains

From this reading Phebe was sitting by a table, her head buried in her arms, which rested upon it--a forlorn and despondent attitude.

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading Phebe was sitting by a table, her head buried in her arms, which rested upon it--a forlorn and despondent attitude.

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading In carrying out his project it would be well for him to have as little as possible to do with the inmates of the hotel, and he approached it cautiously.

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

From this reading It was dark, with the pitchy darkness of a village street, where the greater part of the population were gone to bed, when he passed through Engelberg towards the hotel, where Phebe must be awaiting his return anxiously.

a building where travelers can pay for lodging and meals and other services

From this reading It was dark, with the pitchy darkness of a village street, where the greater part of the population were gone to bed, when he passed through Engelberg towards the hotel, where Phebe must be awaiting his return anxiously.

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

From this reading In carrying out his project it would be well for him to have as little as possible to do with the inmates of the hotel, and he approached it cautiously.

plural of “inmate” — one of several resident of a dwelling (especially someone confined to a prison or hospital)

From this reading In carrying out his project it would be well for him to have as little as possible to do with the inmates of the hotel, and he approached it cautiously.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was dark, with the pitchy darkness of a village street, where the greater part of the population were gone to bed, when he passed through Engelberg towards the hotel, where Phebe must be awaiting his return anxiously.

a coarse durable twill-weave cotton fabric

From this reading All the ground-floor was dark, except for a glimmer of light in a little room at the end of a long passage; but the windows of the _salon_ on the floor above were lit up, and Jean Merle stepped quietly up the staircase unheard and unseen.

of comparatively little physical weight or density

From this reading All the ground-floor was dark, except for a glimmer of light in a little room at the end of a long passage; but the windows of the _salon_ on the floor above were lit up, and Jean Merle stepped quietly up the staircase unheard and unseen.

provided with artificial light

From this reading All the ground-floor was dark, except for a glimmer of light in a little room at the end of a long passage; but the windows of the _salon_ on the floor above were lit up, and Jean Merle stepped quietly up the staircase unheard and unseen.

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

From this reading In carrying out his project it would be well for him to have as little as possible to do with the inmates of the hotel, and he approached it cautiously.

primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified

From this reading All the ground-floor was dark, except for a glimmer of light in a little room at the end of a long passage; but the windows of the _salon_ on the floor above were lit up, and Jean Merle stepped quietly up the staircase unheard and unseen.

common black European thrush

From this reading All the ground-floor was dark, except for a glimmer of light in a little room at the end of a long passage; but the windows of the _salon_ on the floor above were lit up, and Jean Merle stepped quietly up the staircase unheard and unseen.

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading It was dark, with the pitchy darkness of a village street, where the greater part of the population were gone to bed, when he passed through Engelberg towards the hotel, where Phebe must be awaiting his return anxiously.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading It was dark, with the pitchy darkness of a village street, where the greater part of the population were gone to bed, when he passed through Engelberg towards the hotel, where Phebe must be awaiting his return anxiously.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading All the ground-floor was dark, except for a glimmer of light in a little room at the end of a long passage; but the windows of the _salon_ on the floor above were lit up, and Jean Merle stepped quietly up the staircase unheard and unseen.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading In carrying out his project it would be well for him to have as little as possible to do with the inmates of the hotel, and he approached it cautiously.

something determined in relation to something that includes it

From this reading It was dark, with the pitchy darkness of a village street, where the greater part of the population were gone to bed, when he passed through Engelberg towards the hotel, where Phebe must be awaiting his return anxiously.

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

From this reading All the ground-floor was dark, except for a glimmer of light in a little room at the end of a long passage; but the windows of the _salon_ on the floor above were lit up, and Jean Merle stepped quietly up the staircase unheard and unseen.

past form of “pass” — go across or through

From this reading It was dark, with the pitchy darkness of a village street, where the greater part of the population were gone to bed, when he passed through Engelberg towards the hotel, where Phebe must be awaiting his return anxiously.

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

From this reading It was dark, with the pitchy darkness of a village street, where the greater part of the population were gone to bed, when he passed through Engelberg towards the hotel, where Phebe must be awaiting his return anxiously.

of the blackest black; similar to the color of jet or coal

From this reading It was dark, with the pitchy darkness of a village street, where the greater part of the population were gone to bed, when he passed through Engelberg towards the hotel, where Phebe must be awaiting his return anxiously.

the people who inhabit a territory or state

From this reading It was dark, with the pitchy darkness of a village street, where the greater part of the population were gone to bed, when he passed through Engelberg towards the hotel, where Phebe must be awaiting his return anxiously.

capable of happening or existing

From this reading In carrying out his project it would be well for him to have as little as possible to do with the inmates of the hotel, and he approached it cautiously.

communicate vividly

From this reading In carrying out his project it would be well for him to have as little as possible to do with the inmates of the hotel, and he approached it cautiously.

with low volume

From this reading All the ground-floor was dark, except for a glimmer of light in a little room at the end of a long passage; but the windows of the _salon_ on the floor above were lit up, and Jean Merle stepped quietly up the staircase unheard and unseen.

bring to an end; settle conclusively

From this reading THE FINAL RESOLVE.

not tired; refreshed as by sleeping or relaxing

From this reading Phebe was sitting by a table, her head buried in her arms, which rested upon it--a forlorn and despondent attitude.

go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before

From this reading It was dark, with the pitchy darkness of a village street, where the greater part of the population were gone to bed, when he passed through Engelberg towards the hotel, where Phebe must be awaiting his return anxiously.

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

From this reading All the ground-floor was dark, except for a glimmer of light in a little room at the end of a long passage; but the windows of the _salon_ on the floor above were lit up, and Jean Merle stepped quietly up the staircase unheard and unseen.

gallery where works of art can be displayed

From this reading All the ground-floor was dark, except for a glimmer of light in a little room at the end of a long passage; but the windows of the _salon_ on the floor above were lit up, and Jean Merle stepped quietly up the staircase unheard and unseen.

(photography) the act of assuming a certain position (as for a photograph or portrait)

From this reading Phebe was sitting by a table, her head buried in her arms, which rested upon it--a forlorn and despondent attitude.

a way of access (upward and downward) consisting of a set of steps

From this reading All the ground-floor was dark, except for a glimmer of light in a little room at the end of a long passage; but the windows of the _salon_ on the floor above were lit up, and Jean Merle stepped quietly up the staircase unheard and unseen.

inflected form of “step” — shift or move by taking a step

From this reading All the ground-floor was dark, except for a glimmer of light in a little room at the end of a long passage; but the windows of the _salon_ on the floor above were lit up, and Jean Merle stepped quietly up the staircase unheard and unseen.

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

From this reading It was dark, with the pitchy darkness of a village street, where the greater part of the population were gone to bed, when he passed through Engelberg towards the hotel, where Phebe must be awaiting his return anxiously.

a set of data arranged in rows and columns

From this reading Phebe was sitting by a table, her head buried in her arms, which rested upon it--a forlorn and despondent attitude.

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

From this reading THE FINAL RESOLVE.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading It was dark, with the pitchy darkness of a village street, where the greater part of the population were gone to bed, when he passed through Engelberg towards the hotel, where Phebe must be awaiting his return anxiously.

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

From this reading It was dark, with the pitchy darkness of a village street, where the greater part of the population were gone to bed, when he passed through Engelberg towards the hotel, where Phebe must be awaiting his return anxiously.

in the direction of

From this reading It was dark, with the pitchy darkness of a village street, where the greater part of the population were gone to bed, when he passed through Engelberg towards the hotel, where Phebe must be awaiting his return anxiously.

not necessarily inaudible but not heard

From this reading All the ground-floor was dark, except for a glimmer of light in a little room at the end of a long passage; but the windows of the _salon_ on the floor above were lit up, and Jean Merle stepped quietly up the staircase unheard and unseen.

not seen or perceived

From this reading All the ground-floor was dark, except for a glimmer of light in a little room at the end of a long passage; but the windows of the _salon_ on the floor above were lit up, and Jean Merle stepped quietly up the staircase unheard and unseen.

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

From this reading All the ground-floor was dark, except for a glimmer of light in a little room at the end of a long passage; but the windows of the _salon_ on the floor above were lit up, and Jean Merle stepped quietly up the staircase unheard and unseen.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading Phebe was sitting by a table, her head buried in her arms, which rested upon it--a forlorn and despondent attitude.

a community of people smaller than a town

From this reading It was dark, with the pitchy darkness of a village street, where the greater part of the population were gone to bed, when he passed through Engelberg towards the hotel, where Phebe must be awaiting his return anxiously.

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

From this reading It was dark, with the pitchy darkness of a village street, where the greater part of the population were gone to bed, when he passed through Engelberg towards the hotel, where Phebe must be awaiting his return anxiously.

(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)

From this reading In carrying out his project it would be well for him to have as little as possible to do with the inmates of the hotel, and he approached it cautiously.

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

From this reading It was dark, with the pitchy darkness of a village street, where the greater part of the population were gone to bed, when he passed through Engelberg towards the hotel, where Phebe must be awaiting his return anxiously.

at the time that

From this reading It was dark, with the pitchy darkness of a village street, where the greater part of the population were gone to bed, when he passed through Engelberg towards the hotel, where Phebe must be awaiting his return anxiously.

in or at the place that

From this reading It was dark, with the pitchy darkness of a village street, where the greater part of the population were gone to bed, when he passed through Engelberg towards the hotel, where Phebe must be awaiting his return anxiously.

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

From this reading Phebe was sitting by a table, her head buried in her arms, which rested upon it--a forlorn and despondent attitude.

(trademark) an operating system with a graphical user interface

From this reading All the ground-floor was dark, except for a glimmer of light in a little room at the end of a long passage; but the windows of the _salon_ on the floor above were lit up, and Jean Merle stepped quietly up the staircase unheard and unseen.

in the company of; together with

From this reading It was dark, with the pitchy darkness of a village street, where the greater part of the population were gone to bed, when he passed through Engelberg towards the hotel, where Phebe must be awaiting his return anxiously.

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

From this reading In carrying out his project it would be well for him to have as little as possible to do with the inmates of the hotel, and he approached it cautiously.