Chapter XXXIV

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

From this reading Some weeks later, in an obscure room of a low and dilapidated lodging-house, in a low and dilapidated neighbourhood, there sat a man one evening in the coming twilight: a towering, gaunt skeleton, whose remarkably long arms and legs looked little more than skin and bone.

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading The man sat on the floor in a corner, his head finding a resting-place against the wall, and he had dropped into a light sleep; but if ever famine was depicted in a face, it was in his.

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

From this reading Some weeks later, in an obscure room of a low and dilapidated lodging-house, in a low and dilapidated neighbourhood, there sat a man one evening in the coming twilight: a towering, gaunt skeleton, whose remarkably long arms and legs looked little more than skin and bone.

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

From this reading Some weeks later, in an obscure room of a low and dilapidated lodging-house, in a low and dilapidated neighbourhood, there sat a man one evening in the coming twilight: a towering, gaunt skeleton, whose remarkably long arms and legs looked little more than skin and bone.

weapons considered collectively

From this reading Some weeks later, in an obscure room of a low and dilapidated lodging-house, in a low and dilapidated neighbourhood, there sat a man one evening in the coming twilight: a towering, gaunt skeleton, whose remarkably long arms and legs looked little more than skin and bone.

nonfictional prose forming an independent part of a publication

From this reading An article, once a coat, lay on the floor, to be donned at will--if it could be got into for the holes.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading LIGHT AT LAST.

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

From this reading An article, once a coat, lay on the floor, to be donned at will--if it could be got into for the holes.

rigid connective tissue that makes up the skeleton of vertebrates

From this reading Some weeks later, in an obscure room of a low and dilapidated lodging-house, in a low and dilapidated neighbourhood, there sat a man one evening in the coming twilight: a towering, gaunt skeleton, whose remarkably long arms and legs looked little more than skin and bone.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading The man sat on the floor in a corner, his head finding a resting-place against the wall, and he had dropped into a light sleep; but if ever famine was depicted in a face, it was in his.

an outer garment that has sleeves and covers the body from shoulder down; worn outdoors

From this reading An article, once a coat, lay on the floor, to be donned at will--if it could be got into for the holes.

the act of drawing spatially closer to something

From this reading Some weeks later, in an obscure room of a low and dilapidated lodging-house, in a low and dilapidated neighbourhood, there sat a man one evening in the coming twilight: a towering, gaunt skeleton, whose remarkably long arms and legs looked little more than skin and bone.

a place off to the side of an area

From this reading The man sat on the floor in a corner, his head finding a resting-place against the wall, and he had dropped into a light sleep; but if ever famine was depicted in a face, it was in his.

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading An article, once a coat, lay on the floor, to be donned at will--if it could be got into for the holes.

represented graphically by sketch or design or lines

From this reading The man sat on the floor in a corner, his head finding a resting-place against the wall, and he had dropped into a light sleep; but if ever famine was depicted in a face, it was in his.

in deplorable condition

From this reading Some weeks later, in an obscure room of a low and dilapidated lodging-house, in a low and dilapidated neighbourhood, there sat a man one evening in the coming twilight: a towering, gaunt skeleton, whose remarkably long arms and legs looked little more than skin and bone.

distributed or weighted out in carefully determined portions

From this reading The arms were fully exposed to view, since their owner, though he possessed and wore a waistcoat, dispensed with the use of a shirt.

inflected form of “don” — put clothing on one's body

From this reading An article, once a coat, lay on the floor, to be donned at will--if it could be got into for the holes.

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

From this reading The man sat on the floor in a corner, his head finding a resting-place against the wall, and he had dropped into a light sleep; but if ever famine was depicted in a face, it was in his.

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

From this reading Some weeks later, in an obscure room of a low and dilapidated lodging-house, in a low and dilapidated neighbourhood, there sat a man one evening in the coming twilight: a towering, gaunt skeleton, whose remarkably long arms and legs looked little more than skin and bone.

at any time

From this reading The man sat on the floor in a corner, his head finding a resting-place against the wall, and he had dropped into a light sleep; but if ever famine was depicted in a face, it was in his.

with no protection or shield

From this reading The arms were fully exposed to view, since their owner, though he possessed and wore a waistcoat, dispensed with the use of a shirt.

the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear

From this reading The man sat on the floor in a corner, his head finding a resting-place against the wall, and he had dropped into a light sleep; but if ever famine was depicted in a face, it was in his.

an acute insufficiency

From this reading The man sat on the floor in a corner, his head finding a resting-place against the wall, and he had dropped into a light sleep; but if ever famine was depicted in a face, it was in his.

the act of determining the properties of something, usually by research or calculation

From this reading The man sat on the floor in a corner, his head finding a resting-place against the wall, and he had dropped into a light sleep; but if ever famine was depicted in a face, it was in his.

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

From this reading An article, once a coat, lay on the floor, to be donned at will--if it could be got into for the holes.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading An article, once a coat, lay on the floor, to be donned at will--if it could be got into for the holes.

to the greatest degree or extent; completely or entirely; (“full” in this sense is used as a combining form)

From this reading The arms were fully exposed to view, since their owner, though he possessed and wore a waistcoat, dispensed with the use of a shirt.

very thin especially from disease or hunger or cold

From this reading Some weeks later, in an obscure room of a low and dilapidated lodging-house, in a low and dilapidated neighbourhood, there sat a man one evening in the coming twilight: a towering, gaunt skeleton, whose remarkably long arms and legs looked little more than skin and bone.

inflected form of “get” — come into the possession of something concrete or abstract

From this reading An article, once a coat, lay on the floor, to be donned at will--if it could be got into for the holes.

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

From this reading The man sat on the floor in a corner, his head finding a resting-place against the wall, and he had dropped into a light sleep; but if ever famine was depicted in a face, it was in his.

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

From this reading The arms were fully exposed to view, since their owner, though he possessed and wore a waistcoat, dispensed with the use of a shirt.

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

From this reading The man sat on the floor in a corner, his head finding a resting-place against the wall, and he had dropped into a light sleep; but if ever famine was depicted in a face, it was in his.

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

From this reading The man sat on the floor in a corner, his head finding a resting-place against the wall, and he had dropped into a light sleep; but if ever famine was depicted in a face, it was in his.

plural of “hole” — an opening into or through something

From this reading An article, once a coat, lay on the floor, to be donned at will--if it could be got into for the holes.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading An article, once a coat, lay on the floor, to be donned at will--if it could be got into for the holes.

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

From this reading Some weeks later, in an obscure room of a low and dilapidated lodging-house, in a low and dilapidated neighbourhood, there sat a man one evening in the coming twilight: a towering, gaunt skeleton, whose remarkably long arms and legs looked little more than skin and bone.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading An article, once a coat, lay on the floor, to be donned at will--if it could be got into for the holes.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading An article, once a coat, lay on the floor, to be donned at will--if it could be got into for the holes.

immediately past

From this reading LIGHT AT LAST.

happening at a time subsequent to a reference time

From this reading Some weeks later, in an obscure room of a low and dilapidated lodging-house, in a low and dilapidated neighbourhood, there sat a man one evening in the coming twilight: a towering, gaunt skeleton, whose remarkably long arms and legs looked little more than skin and bone.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading An article, once a coat, lay on the floor, to be donned at will--if it could be got into for the holes.

staying power

From this reading Some weeks later, in an obscure room of a low and dilapidated lodging-house, in a low and dilapidated neighbourhood, there sat a man one evening in the coming twilight: a towering, gaunt skeleton, whose remarkably long arms and legs looked little more than skin and bone.

of comparatively little physical weight or density

From this reading LIGHT AT LAST.

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

From this reading Some weeks later, in an obscure room of a low and dilapidated lodging-house, in a low and dilapidated neighbourhood, there sat a man one evening in the coming twilight: a towering, gaunt skeleton, whose remarkably long arms and legs looked little more than skin and bone.

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

From this reading Some weeks later, in an obscure room of a low and dilapidated lodging-house, in a low and dilapidated neighbourhood, there sat a man one evening in the coming twilight: a towering, gaunt skeleton, whose remarkably long arms and legs looked little more than skin and bone.

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 Some weeks later, in an obscure room of a low and dilapidated lodging-house, in a low and dilapidated neighbourhood, there sat a man one evening in the coming twilight: a towering, gaunt skeleton, whose remarkably long arms and legs looked little more than skin and bone.

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

From this reading Some weeks later, in an obscure room of a low and dilapidated lodging-house, in a low and dilapidated neighbourhood, there sat a man one evening in the coming twilight: a towering, gaunt skeleton, whose remarkably long arms and legs looked little more than skin and bone.

less than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading Some weeks later, in an obscure room of a low and dilapidated lodging-house, in a low and dilapidated neighbourhood, there sat a man one evening in the coming twilight: a towering, gaunt skeleton, whose remarkably long arms and legs looked little more than skin and bone.

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

From this reading Some weeks later, in an obscure room of a low and dilapidated lodging-house, in a low and dilapidated neighbourhood, there sat a man one evening in the coming twilight: a towering, gaunt skeleton, whose remarkably long arms and legs looked little more than skin and bone.

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading Some weeks later, in an obscure room of a low and dilapidated lodging-house, in a low and dilapidated neighbourhood, there sat a man one evening in the coming twilight: a towering, gaunt skeleton, whose remarkably long arms and legs looked little more than skin and bone.

a surrounding or nearby region

From this reading Some weeks later, in an obscure room of a low and dilapidated lodging-house, in a low and dilapidated neighbourhood, there sat a man one evening in the coming twilight: a towering, gaunt skeleton, whose remarkably long arms and legs looked little more than skin and bone.

make less visible or unclear

From this reading Some weeks later, in an obscure room of a low and dilapidated lodging-house, in a low and dilapidated neighbourhood, there sat a man one evening in the coming twilight: a towering, gaunt skeleton, whose remarkably long arms and legs looked little more than skin and bone.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Some weeks later, in an obscure room of a low and dilapidated lodging-house, in a low and dilapidated neighbourhood, there sat a man one evening in the coming twilight: a towering, gaunt skeleton, whose remarkably long arms and legs looked little more than skin and bone.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading An article, once a coat, lay on the floor, to be donned at will--if it could be got into for the holes.

on one occasion

From this reading An article, once a coat, lay on the floor, to be donned at will--if it could be got into for the holes.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Some weeks later, in an obscure room of a low and dilapidated lodging-house, in a low and dilapidated neighbourhood, there sat a man one evening in the coming twilight: a towering, gaunt skeleton, whose remarkably long arms and legs looked little more than skin and bone.

(law) someone who owns (is legal possessor of) a business

From this reading The arms were fully exposed to view, since their owner, though he possessed and wore a waistcoat, dispensed with the use of a shirt.

influenced or controlled by a powerful force such as a strong emotion

From this reading The arms were fully exposed to view, since their owner, though he possessed and wore a waistcoat, dispensed with the use of a shirt.

to a remarkable degree or extent

From this reading Some weeks later, in an obscure room of a low and dilapidated lodging-house, in a low and dilapidated neighbourhood, there sat a man one evening in the coming twilight: a towering, gaunt skeleton, whose remarkably long arms and legs looked little more than skin and bone.

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

From this reading The man sat on the floor in a corner, his head finding a resting-place against the wall, and he had dropped into a light sleep; but if ever famine was depicted in a face, it was in his.

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

From this reading Some weeks later, in an obscure room of a low and dilapidated lodging-house, in a low and dilapidated neighbourhood, there sat a man one evening in the coming twilight: a towering, gaunt skeleton, whose remarkably long arms and legs looked little more than skin and bone.

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

From this reading Some weeks later, in an obscure room of a low and dilapidated lodging-house, in a low and dilapidated neighbourhood, there sat a man one evening in the coming twilight: a towering, gaunt skeleton, whose remarkably long arms and legs looked little more than skin and bone.

a garment worn on the upper half of the body

From this reading The arms were fully exposed to view, since their owner, though he possessed and wore a waistcoat, dispensed with the use of a shirt.

from a time in the past until now

From this reading The arms were fully exposed to view, since their owner, though he possessed and wore a waistcoat, dispensed with the use of a shirt.

something reduced to its minimal form

From this reading Some weeks later, in an obscure room of a low and dilapidated lodging-house, in a low and dilapidated neighbourhood, there sat a man one evening in the coming twilight: a towering, gaunt skeleton, whose remarkably long arms and legs looked little more than skin and bone.

a natural protective body covering and site of the sense of touch

From this reading Some weeks later, in an obscure room of a low and dilapidated lodging-house, in a low and dilapidated neighbourhood, there sat a man one evening in the coming twilight: a towering, gaunt skeleton, whose remarkably long arms and legs looked little more than skin and bone.

a natural and periodic state of rest during which consciousness of the world is suspended

From this reading The man sat on the floor in a corner, his head finding a resting-place against the wall, and he had dropped into a light sleep; but if ever famine was depicted in a face, it was in his.

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

From this reading Some weeks later, in an obscure room of a low and dilapidated lodging-house, in a low and dilapidated neighbourhood, there sat a man one evening in the coming twilight: a towering, gaunt skeleton, whose remarkably long arms and legs looked little more than skin and bone.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading Some weeks later, in an obscure room of a low and dilapidated lodging-house, in a low and dilapidated neighbourhood, there sat a man one evening in the coming twilight: a towering, gaunt skeleton, whose remarkably long arms and legs looked little more than skin and bone.

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

From this reading Some weeks later, in an obscure room of a low and dilapidated lodging-house, in a low and dilapidated neighbourhood, there sat a man one evening in the coming twilight: a towering, gaunt skeleton, whose remarkably long arms and legs looked little more than skin and bone.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading The arms were fully exposed to view, since their owner, though he possessed and wore a waistcoat, dispensed with the use of a shirt.

in or at that place or location

From this reading Some weeks later, in an obscure room of a low and dilapidated lodging-house, in a low and dilapidated neighbourhood, there sat a man one evening in the coming twilight: a towering, gaunt skeleton, whose remarkably long arms and legs looked little more than skin and bone.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading The arms were fully exposed to view, since their owner, though he possessed and wore a waistcoat, dispensed with the use of a shirt.

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

From this reading The arms were fully exposed to view, since their owner, though he possessed and wore a waistcoat, dispensed with the use of a shirt.

of imposing height; especially standing out above others

From this reading Some weeks later, in an obscure room of a low and dilapidated lodging-house, in a low and dilapidated neighbourhood, there sat a man one evening in the coming twilight: a towering, gaunt skeleton, whose remarkably long arms and legs looked little more than skin and bone.

the time of day immediately following sunset

From this reading Some weeks later, in an obscure room of a low and dilapidated lodging-house, in a low and dilapidated neighbourhood, there sat a man one evening in the coming twilight: a towering, gaunt skeleton, whose remarkably long arms and legs looked little more than skin and bone.

the act of using

From this reading The arms were fully exposed to view, since their owner, though he possessed and wore a waistcoat, dispensed with the use of a shirt.

a way of regarding situations or topics etc.

From this reading The arms were fully exposed to view, since their owner, though he possessed and wore a waistcoat, dispensed with the use of a shirt.

a man's sleeveless garment worn underneath a coat

From this reading The arms were fully exposed to view, since their owner, though he possessed and wore a waistcoat, dispensed with the use of a shirt.

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 The man sat on the floor in a corner, his head finding a resting-place against the wall, and he had dropped into a light sleep; but if ever famine was depicted in a face, it was in his.

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

From this reading The man sat on the floor in a corner, his head finding a resting-place against the wall, and he had dropped into a light sleep; but if ever famine was depicted in a face, it was in his.

plural of “week” — any period of seven consecutive days

From this reading Some weeks later, in an obscure room of a low and dilapidated lodging-house, in a low and dilapidated neighbourhood, there sat a man one evening in the coming twilight: a towering, gaunt skeleton, whose remarkably long arms and legs looked little more than skin and bone.

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

From this reading The arms were fully exposed to view, since their owner, though he possessed and wore a waistcoat, dispensed with the use of a shirt.

belonging to which person

From this reading Some weeks later, in an obscure room of a low and dilapidated lodging-house, in a low and dilapidated neighbourhood, there sat a man one evening in the coming twilight: a towering, gaunt skeleton, whose remarkably long arms and legs looked little more than skin and bone.

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading An article, once a coat, lay on the floor, to be donned at will--if it could be got into for the holes.

in the company of; together with

From this reading The arms were fully exposed to view, since their owner, though he possessed and wore a waistcoat, dispensed with the use of a shirt.

inflected form of “wear” — be dressed in

From this reading The arms were fully exposed to view, since their owner, though he possessed and wore a waistcoat, dispensed with the use of a shirt.