Chapter CLVII · Chapter 157

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

From this reading THE END He reached his rooms at midnight so exhausted that, without waiting to light up, he dropped into a chair.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading An unaired, dusty odour clung about the room, but, like some God-sent whiff of grass or flowers wafted to one sometimes in the streets, a perfume came to him, the spice from the withered clove carnation still clinging, to his button-hole; and he suddenly awoke from his queer trance.

inflected form of “admit” — declare to be true or admit the existence or reality or truth of

From this reading The curtains and blinds had been removed for cleaning, and the tall windows admitted the night's staring gaze.

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

From this reading An unaired, dusty odour clung about the room, but, like some God-sent whiff of grass or flowers wafted to one sometimes in the streets, a perfume came to him, the spice from the withered clove carnation still clinging, to his button-hole; and he suddenly awoke from his queer trance.

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

From this reading The curtains and blinds had been removed for cleaning, and the tall windows admitted the night's staring gaze.

one more of the same kind, or a different one

From this reading Shelton fixed his eyes on that outside darkness, as one lost man might fix his eyes upon another.

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

From this reading Shelton fixed his eyes on that outside darkness, as one lost man might fix his eyes upon another.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading THE END He reached his rooms at midnight so exhausted that, without waiting to light up, he dropped into a chair.

inflected form of “awake” — stop sleeping

From this reading An unaired, dusty odour clung about the room, but, like some God-sent whiff of grass or flowers wafted to one sometimes in the streets, a perfume came to him, the spice from the withered clove carnation still clinging, to his button-hole; and he suddenly awoke from his queer trance.

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

From this reading There was a decision to be made.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading The curtains and blinds had been removed for cleaning, and the tall windows admitted the night's staring gaze.

plural of “blind” — people who have severe visual impairments, considered as a group

From this reading The curtains and blinds had been removed for cleaning, and the tall windows admitted the night's staring gaze.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading An unaired, dusty odour clung about the room, but, like some God-sent whiff of grass or flowers wafted to one sometimes in the streets, a perfume came to him, the spice from the withered clove carnation still clinging, to his button-hole; and he suddenly awoke from his queer trance.

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

From this reading An unaired, dusty odour clung about the room, but, like some God-sent whiff of grass or flowers wafted to one sometimes in the streets, a perfume came to him, the spice from the withered clove carnation still clinging, to his button-hole; and he suddenly awoke from his queer trance.

inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading An unaired, dusty odour clung about the room, but, like some God-sent whiff of grass or flowers wafted to one sometimes in the streets, a perfume came to him, the spice from the withered clove carnation still clinging, to his button-hole; and he suddenly awoke from his queer trance.

Eurasian plant with pink to purple-red spice-scented usually double flowers; widely cultivated in many varieties and many colors

From this reading An unaired, dusty odour clung about the room, but, like some God-sent whiff of grass or flowers wafted to one sometimes in the streets, a perfume came to him, the spice from the withered clove carnation still clinging, to his button-hole; and he suddenly awoke from his queer trance.

a seat for one person, with a support for the back

From this reading THE END He reached his rooms at midnight so exhausted that, without waiting to light up, he dropped into a chair.

the act of making something clean

From this reading The curtains and blinds had been removed for cleaning, and the tall windows admitted the night's staring gaze.

-ing form of “cling” — come or be in close contact with; stick or hold together and resist separation

From this reading An unaired, dusty odour clung about the room, but, like some God-sent whiff of grass or flowers wafted to one sometimes in the streets, a perfume came to him, the spice from the withered clove carnation still clinging, to his button-hole; and he suddenly awoke from his queer trance.

aromatic flower bud of a clove tree; yields a spice

From this reading An unaired, dusty odour clung about the room, but, like some God-sent whiff of grass or flowers wafted to one sometimes in the streets, a perfume came to him, the spice from the withered clove carnation still clinging, to his button-hole; and he suddenly awoke from his queer trance.

inflected form of “cling” — come or be in close contact with; stick or hold together and resist separation

From this reading An unaired, dusty odour clung about the room, but, like some God-sent whiff of grass or flowers wafted to one sometimes in the streets, a perfume came to him, the spice from the withered clove carnation still clinging, to his button-hole; and he suddenly awoke from his queer trance.

plural of “curtain” — hanging cloth used as a blind (especially for a window)

From this reading The curtains and blinds had been removed for cleaning, and the tall windows admitted the night's staring gaze.

absence of light or illumination

From this reading Shelton fixed his eyes on that outside darkness, as one lost man might fix his eyes upon another.

the act of making up your mind about something

From this reading There was a decision to be made.

inflected form of “drop” — let fall to the ground

From this reading THE END He reached his rooms at midnight so exhausted that, without waiting to light up, he dropped into a chair.

covered with a layer of dust

From this reading An unaired, dusty odour clung about the room, but, like some God-sent whiff of grass or flowers wafted to one sometimes in the streets, a perfume came to him, the spice from the withered clove carnation still clinging, to his button-hole; and he suddenly awoke from his queer trance.

either extremity of something that has length

From this reading THE END He reached his rooms at midnight so exhausted that, without waiting to light up, he dropped into a chair.

drained of energy or effectiveness; extremely tired; completely exhausted

From this reading THE END He reached his rooms at midnight so exhausted that, without waiting to light up, he dropped into a chair.

opinion or judgment

From this reading Shelton fixed his eyes on that outside darkness, as one lost man might fix his eyes upon another.

restore by replacing a part or putting together what is torn or broken

From this reading Shelton fixed his eyes on that outside darkness, as one lost man might fix his eyes upon another.

(of a number) having a fixed and unchanging value

From this reading Shelton fixed his eyes on that outside darkness, as one lost man might fix his eyes upon another.

plural of “flower” — a plant cultivated for its blooms or blossoms

From this reading An unaired, dusty odour clung about the room, but, like some God-sent whiff of grass or flowers wafted to one sometimes in the streets, a perfume came to him, the spice from the withered clove carnation still clinging, to his button-hole; and he suddenly awoke from his queer trance.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading The curtains and blinds had been removed for cleaning, and the tall windows admitted the night's staring gaze.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading An unaired, dusty odour clung about the room, but, like some God-sent whiff of grass or flowers wafted to one sometimes in the streets, a perfume came to him, the spice from the withered clove carnation still clinging, to his button-hole; and he suddenly awoke from his queer trance.

a long fixed look

From this reading The curtains and blinds had been removed for cleaning, and the tall windows admitted the night's staring gaze.

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

From this reading An unaired, dusty odour clung about the room, but, like some God-sent whiff of grass or flowers wafted to one sometimes in the streets, a perfume came to him, the spice from the withered clove carnation still clinging, to his button-hole; and he suddenly awoke from his queer trance.

shoot down, of birds

From this reading An unaired, dusty odour clung about the room, but, like some God-sent whiff of grass or flowers wafted to one sometimes in the streets, a perfume came to him, the spice from the withered clove carnation still clinging, to his button-hole; and he suddenly awoke from his queer trance.

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

From this reading The curtains and blinds had been removed for cleaning, and the tall windows admitted the night's staring gaze.

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

From this reading THE END He reached his rooms at midnight so exhausted that, without waiting to light up, he dropped into a chair.

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

From this reading An unaired, dusty odour clung about the room, but, like some God-sent whiff of grass or flowers wafted to one sometimes in the streets, a perfume came to him, the spice from the withered clove carnation still clinging, to his button-hole; and he suddenly awoke from his queer trance.

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

From this reading THE END He reached his rooms at midnight so exhausted that, without waiting to light up, he dropped into a chair.

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

From this reading An unaired, dusty odour clung about the room, but, like some God-sent whiff of grass or flowers wafted to one sometimes in the streets, a perfume came to him, the spice from the withered clove carnation still clinging, to his button-hole; and he suddenly awoke from his queer trance.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading THE END He reached his rooms at midnight so exhausted that, without waiting to light up, he dropped into a chair.

of comparatively little physical weight or density

From this reading THE END He reached his rooms at midnight so exhausted that, without waiting to light up, he dropped into a chair.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading An unaired, dusty odour clung about the room, but, like some God-sent whiff of grass or flowers wafted to one sometimes in the streets, a perfume came to him, the spice from the withered clove carnation still clinging, to his button-hole; and he suddenly awoke from his queer trance.

no longer in your possession or control; unable to be found or recovered

From this reading Shelton fixed his eyes on that outside darkness, as one lost man might fix his eyes upon another.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading There was a decision to be made.

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

From this reading Shelton fixed his eyes on that outside darkness, as one lost man might fix his eyes upon another.

12 o'clock at night; the middle of the night

From this reading THE END He reached his rooms at midnight so exhausted that, without waiting to light up, he dropped into a chair.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading Shelton fixed his eyes on that outside darkness, as one lost man might fix his eyes upon another.

possessive form of “night” — the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside

From this reading The curtains and blinds had been removed for cleaning, and the tall windows admitted the night's staring gaze.

the sensation that results when olfactory receptors in the nose are stimulated by particular chemicals in gaseous form

From this reading An unaired, dusty odour clung about the room, but, like some God-sent whiff of grass or flowers wafted to one sometimes in the streets, a perfume came to him, the spice from the withered clove carnation still clinging, to his button-hole; and he suddenly awoke from his queer trance.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading An unaired, dusty odour clung about the room, but, like some God-sent whiff of grass or flowers wafted to one sometimes in the streets, a perfume came to him, the spice from the withered clove carnation still clinging, to his button-hole; and he suddenly awoke from his queer trance.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Shelton fixed his eyes on that outside darkness, as one lost man might fix his eyes upon another.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Shelton fixed his eyes on that outside darkness, as one lost man might fix his eyes upon another.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading An unaired, dusty odour clung about the room, but, like some God-sent whiff of grass or flowers wafted to one sometimes in the streets, a perfume came to him, the spice from the withered clove carnation still clinging, to his button-hole; and he suddenly awoke from his queer trance.

relating to or being on or near the outer side or limit

From this reading Shelton fixed his eyes on that outside darkness, as one lost man might fix his eyes upon another.

a distinctive odor that is pleasant

From this reading An unaired, dusty odour clung about the room, but, like some God-sent whiff of grass or flowers wafted to one sometimes in the streets, a perfume came to him, the spice from the withered clove carnation still clinging, to his button-hole; and he suddenly awoke from his queer trance.

beyond or deviating from the usual or expected

From this reading An unaired, dusty odour clung about the room, but, like some God-sent whiff of grass or flowers wafted to one sometimes in the streets, a perfume came to him, the spice from the withered clove carnation still clinging, to his button-hole; and he suddenly awoke from his queer trance.

past form of “reach” — reach a destination, either real or abstract

From this reading THE END He reached his rooms at midnight so exhausted that, without waiting to light up, he dropped into a chair.

separated in relationship by a given degree of descent

From this reading The curtains and blinds had been removed for cleaning, and the tall windows admitted the night's staring gaze.

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

From this reading An unaired, dusty odour clung about the room, but, like some God-sent whiff of grass or flowers wafted to one sometimes in the streets, a perfume came to him, the spice from the withered clove carnation still clinging, to his button-hole; and he suddenly awoke from his queer trance.

apartment consisting of a series of connected rooms used as a living unit (as in a hotel)

From this reading THE END He reached his rooms at midnight so exhausted that, without waiting to light up, he dropped into a chair.

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

From this reading Shelton fixed his eyes on that outside darkness, as one lost man might fix his eyes upon another.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading THE END He reached his rooms at midnight so exhausted that, without waiting to light up, he dropped into a chair.

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading An unaired, dusty odour clung about the room, but, like some God-sent whiff of grass or flowers wafted to one sometimes in the streets, a perfume came to him, the spice from the withered clove carnation still clinging, to his button-hole; and he suddenly awoke from his queer trance.

on certain occasions or in certain cases but not always

From this reading An unaired, dusty odour clung about the room, but, like some God-sent whiff of grass or flowers wafted to one sometimes in the streets, a perfume came to him, the spice from the withered clove carnation still clinging, to his button-hole; and he suddenly awoke from his queer trance.

aromatic substances of vegetable origin used as a preservative

From this reading An unaired, dusty odour clung about the room, but, like some God-sent whiff of grass or flowers wafted to one sometimes in the streets, a perfume came to him, the spice from the withered clove carnation still clinging, to his button-hole; and he suddenly awoke from his queer trance.

(used of eyes) open and fixed as if in fear or wonder

From this reading The curtains and blinds had been removed for cleaning, and the tall windows admitted the night's staring gaze.

not in physical motion

From this reading An unaired, dusty odour clung about the room, but, like some God-sent whiff of grass or flowers wafted to one sometimes in the streets, a perfume came to him, the spice from the withered clove carnation still clinging, to his button-hole; and he suddenly awoke from his queer trance.

plural of “street” — a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings

From this reading An unaired, dusty odour clung about the room, but, like some God-sent whiff of grass or flowers wafted to one sometimes in the streets, a perfume came to him, the spice from the withered clove carnation still clinging, to his button-hole; and he suddenly awoke from his queer trance.

happening unexpectedly

From this reading An unaired, dusty odour clung about the room, but, like some God-sent whiff of grass or flowers wafted to one sometimes in the streets, a perfume came to him, the spice from the withered clove carnation still clinging, to his button-hole; and he suddenly awoke from his queer trance.

great in vertical dimension; high in stature

From this reading The curtains and blinds had been removed for cleaning, and the tall windows admitted the night's staring gaze.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading THE END He reached his rooms at midnight so exhausted that, without waiting to light up, he dropped into a chair.

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

From this reading THE END He reached his rooms at midnight so exhausted that, without waiting to light up, he dropped into a chair.

in or at that place or location

From this reading There was a decision to be made.

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

From this reading THE END He reached his rooms at midnight so exhausted that, without waiting to light up, he dropped into a chair.

a psychological state induced by (or as if induced by) a magical incantation

From this reading An unaired, dusty odour clung about the room, but, like some God-sent whiff of grass or flowers wafted to one sometimes in the streets, a perfume came to him, the spice from the withered clove carnation still clinging, to his button-hole; and he suddenly awoke from his queer trance.

lacking fresh air

From this reading An unaired, dusty odour clung about the room, but, like some God-sent whiff of grass or flowers wafted to one sometimes in the streets, a perfume came to him, the spice from the withered clove carnation still clinging, to his button-hole; and he suddenly awoke from his queer trance.

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

From this reading THE END He reached his rooms at midnight so exhausted that, without waiting to light up, he dropped into a chair.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading Shelton fixed his eyes on that outside darkness, as one lost man might fix his eyes upon another.

past form of “waft” — be driven or carried along, as by the air

From this reading An unaired, dusty odour clung about the room, but, like some God-sent whiff of grass or flowers wafted to one sometimes in the streets, a perfume came to him, the spice from the withered clove carnation still clinging, to his button-hole; and he suddenly awoke from his queer trance.

the act of waiting (remaining inactive in one place while expecting something)

From this reading THE END He reached his rooms at midnight so exhausted that, without waiting to light up, he dropped into a chair.

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

From this reading There was a decision to be made.

a short light gust of air

From this reading An unaired, dusty odour clung about the room, but, like some God-sent whiff of grass or flowers wafted to one sometimes in the streets, a perfume came to him, the spice from the withered clove carnation still clinging, to his button-hole; and he suddenly awoke from his queer trance.

(trademark) an operating system with a graphical user interface

From this reading The curtains and blinds had been removed for cleaning, and the tall windows admitted the night's staring gaze.

lean and wrinkled by shrinkage as from age or illness

From this reading An unaired, dusty odour clung about the room, but, like some God-sent whiff of grass or flowers wafted to one sometimes in the streets, a perfume came to him, the spice from the withered clove carnation still clinging, to his button-hole; and he suddenly awoke from his queer trance.

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading THE END He reached his rooms at midnight so exhausted that, without waiting to light up, he dropped into a chair.