Chapter XXI · Chapter 21

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

From this reading A long couch of ebony, untouched by silver or by gold, stood under one of the gigantic black marble statues, which represented an Ethiopian slave or some wild beast, holding in hand or mouth a lamp with shade of flaming orange, the one touch of colour in the whole room.

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

From this reading A long couch of ebony, untouched by silver or by gold, stood under one of the gigantic black marble statues, which represented an Ethiopian slave or some wild beast, holding in hand or mouth a lamp with shade of flaming orange, the one touch of colour in the whole room.

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

From this reading Out on to the balcony and back, this way, that way, to and fro, paced Jill in her black room.

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

From this reading Curtains of scented leather, as soft and supple as satin, hung before the doors let into the walls of black carved wood.

in or to or toward a former location

From this reading Out on to the balcony and back, this way, that way, to and fro, paced Jill in her black room.

an upper floor projecting from the rear over the main floor in an auditorium

From this reading Out on to the balcony and back, this way, that way, to and fro, paced Jill in her black room.

a living organism characterized by voluntary movement

From this reading A long couch of ebony, untouched by silver or by gold, stood under one of the gigantic black marble statues, which represented an Ethiopian slave or some wild beast, holding in hand or mouth a lamp with shade of flaming orange, the one touch of colour in the whole room.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading Curtains of scented leather, as soft and supple as satin, hung before the doors let into the walls of black carved wood.

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

From this reading Out on to the balcony and back, this way, that way, to and fro, paced Jill in her black room.

large metal container in which coal or charcoal is burned; warms people who must stay outside for long times

From this reading There was no sound save for the occasional crackle of resinous log burning in a brazier placed in a far corner, before which Jill suddenly crouched, shivering, though the night was warm.

the act of burning something

From this reading There was no sound save for the occasional crackle of resinous log burning in a brazier placed in a far corner, before which Jill suddenly crouched, shivering, though the night was warm.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading A long couch of ebony, untouched by silver or by gold, stood under one of the gigantic black marble statues, which represented an Ethiopian slave or some wild beast, holding in hand or mouth a lamp with shade of flaming orange, the one touch of colour in the whole room.

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

From this reading Curtains of scented leather, as soft and supple as satin, hung before the doors let into the walls of black carved wood.

having or capable of producing colors

From this reading A long couch of ebony, untouched by silver or by gold, stood under one of the gigantic black marble statues, which represented an Ethiopian slave or some wild beast, holding in hand or mouth a lamp with shade of flaming orange, the one touch of colour in the whole room.

a place off to the side of an area

From this reading There was no sound save for the occasional crackle of resinous log burning in a brazier placed in a far corner, before which Jill suddenly crouched, shivering, though the night was warm.

an upholstered seat for more than one person

From this reading A long couch of ebony, untouched by silver or by gold, stood under one of the gigantic black marble statues, which represented an Ethiopian slave or some wild beast, holding in hand or mouth a lamp with shade of flaming orange, the one touch of colour in the whole room.

make a crackling sound

From this reading There was no sound save for the occasional crackle of resinous log burning in a brazier placed in a far corner, before which Jill suddenly crouched, shivering, though the night was warm.

past form of “crouch” — bend one's back forward from the waist on down

From this reading There was no sound save for the occasional crackle of resinous log burning in a brazier placed in a far corner, before which Jill suddenly crouched, shivering, though the night was warm.

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

From this reading Curtains of scented leather, as soft and supple as satin, hung before the doors let into the walls of black carved wood.

plural of “cushion” — a mechanical damper; absorbs energy of sudden impulses

From this reading Black skins lay upon the black marble floor, black satin cushions upon the skins.

plural of “door” — a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle

From this reading Curtains of scented leather, as soft and supple as satin, hung before the doors let into the walls of black carved wood.

a very dark black

From this reading A long couch of ebony, untouched by silver or by gold, stood under one of the gigantic black marble statues, which represented an Ethiopian slave or some wild beast, holding in hand or mouth a lamp with shade of flaming orange, the one touch of colour in the whole room.

a native or inhabitant of Ethiopia

From this reading A long couch of ebony, untouched by silver or by gold, stood under one of the gigantic black marble statues, which represented an Ethiopian slave or some wild beast, holding in hand or mouth a lamp with shade of flaming orange, the one touch of colour in the whole room.

to a considerable degree; very much

From this reading There was no sound save for the occasional crackle of resinous log burning in a brazier placed in a far corner, before which Jill suddenly crouched, shivering, though the night was warm.

informal intensifiers

From this reading A long couch of ebony, untouched by silver or by gold, stood under one of the gigantic black marble statues, which represented an Ethiopian slave or some wild beast, holding in hand or mouth a lamp with shade of flaming orange, the one touch of colour in the whole room.

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

From this reading Black skins lay upon the black marble floor, black satin cushions upon the skins.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading There was no sound save for the occasional crackle of resinous log burning in a brazier placed in a far corner, before which Jill suddenly crouched, shivering, though the night was warm.

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

From this reading Out on to the balcony and back, this way, that way, to and fro, paced Jill in her black room.

so exceedingly large or extensive as to suggest a giant or mammoth

From this reading A long couch of ebony, untouched by silver or by gold, stood under one of the gigantic black marble statues, which represented an Ethiopian slave or some wild beast, holding in hand or mouth a lamp with shade of flaming orange, the one touch of colour in the whole room.

coins made of gold

From this reading A long couch of ebony, untouched by silver or by gold, stood under one of the gigantic black marble statues, which represented an Ethiopian slave or some wild beast, holding in hand or mouth a lamp with shade of flaming orange, the one touch of colour in the whole room.

the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb

From this reading A long couch of ebony, untouched by silver or by gold, stood under one of the gigantic black marble statues, which represented an Ethiopian slave or some wild beast, holding in hand or mouth a lamp with shade of flaming orange, the one touch of colour in the whole room.

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

From this reading Out on to the balcony and back, this way, that way, to and fro, paced Jill in her black room.

the act of retaining something

From this reading A long couch of ebony, untouched by silver or by gold, stood under one of the gigantic black marble statues, which represented an Ethiopian slave or some wild beast, holding in hand or mouth a lamp with shade of flaming orange, the one touch of colour in the whole room.

inflected form of “hang” — be suspended or hanging

From this reading Curtains of scented leather, as soft and supple as satin, hung before the doors let into the walls of black carved wood.

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

From this reading Out on to the balcony and back, this way, that way, to and fro, paced Jill in her black room.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading Curtains of scented leather, as soft and supple as satin, hung before the doors let into the walls of black carved wood.

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

From this reading Out on to the balcony and back, this way, that way, to and fro, paced Jill in her black room.

an artificial source of visible illumination

From this reading A long couch of ebony, untouched by silver or by gold, stood under one of the gigantic black marble statues, which represented an Ethiopian slave or some wild beast, holding in hand or mouth a lamp with shade of flaming orange, the one touch of colour in the whole room.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading Black skins lay upon the black marble floor, black satin cushions upon the skins.

an animal skin made smooth and flexible by removing the hair and then tanning

From this reading Curtains of scented leather, as soft and supple as satin, hung before the doors let into the walls of black carved wood.

used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker

From this reading Curtains of scented leather, as soft and supple as satin, hung before the doors let into the walls of black carved wood.

enter into a log, as on ships and planes

From this reading There was no sound save for the occasional crackle of resinous log burning in a brazier placed in a far corner, before which Jill suddenly crouched, shivering, though the night was warm.

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 A long couch of ebony, untouched by silver or by gold, stood under one of the gigantic black marble statues, which represented an Ethiopian slave or some wild beast, holding in hand or mouth a lamp with shade of flaming orange, the one touch of colour in the whole room.

a hard crystalline metamorphic rock that takes a high polish; used for sculpture and as building material

From this reading Black skins lay upon the black marble floor, black satin cushions upon the skins.

the opening through which food is taken in and vocalizations emerge

From this reading A long couch of ebony, untouched by silver or by gold, stood under one of the gigantic black marble statues, which represented an Ethiopian slave or some wild beast, holding in hand or mouth a lamp with shade of flaming orange, the one touch of colour in the whole room.

the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside

From this reading There was no sound save for the occasional crackle of resinous log burning in a brazier placed in a far corner, before which Jill suddenly crouched, shivering, though the night was warm.

not any; not one

From this reading There was no sound save for the occasional crackle of resinous log burning in a brazier placed in a far corner, before which Jill suddenly crouched, shivering, though the night was warm.

occurring from time to time

From this reading There was no sound save for the occasional crackle of resinous log burning in a brazier placed in a far corner, before which Jill suddenly crouched, shivering, though the night was warm.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Curtains of scented leather, as soft and supple as satin, hung before the doors let into the walls of black carved wood.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Out on to the balcony and back, this way, that way, to and fro, paced Jill in her black room.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading A long couch of ebony, untouched by silver or by gold, stood under one of the gigantic black marble statues, which represented an Ethiopian slave or some wild beast, holding in hand or mouth a lamp with shade of flaming orange, the one touch of colour in the whole room.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading A long couch of ebony, untouched by silver or by gold, stood under one of the gigantic black marble statues, which represented an Ethiopian slave or some wild beast, holding in hand or mouth a lamp with shade of flaming orange, the one touch of colour in the whole room.

round yellow to orange fruit of any of several citrus trees

From this reading A long couch of ebony, untouched by silver or by gold, stood under one of the gigantic black marble statues, which represented an Ethiopian slave or some wild beast, holding in hand or mouth a lamp with shade of flaming orange, the one touch of colour in the whole room.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading Out on to the balcony and back, this way, that way, to and fro, paced Jill in her black room.

past form of “pace” — walk with slow or fast paces

From this reading Out on to the balcony and back, this way, that way, to and fro, paced Jill in her black room.

situated in a particular spot or position

From this reading There was no sound save for the occasional crackle of resinous log burning in a brazier placed in a far corner, before which Jill suddenly crouched, shivering, though the night was warm.

represented accurately or precisely

From this reading A long couch of ebony, untouched by silver or by gold, stood under one of the gigantic black marble statues, which represented an Ethiopian slave or some wild beast, holding in hand or mouth a lamp with shade of flaming orange, the one touch of colour in the whole room.

having the characteristics of pitch or tar

From this reading There was no sound save for the occasional crackle of resinous log burning in a brazier placed in a far corner, before which Jill suddenly crouched, shivering, though the night was warm.

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

From this reading Out on to the balcony and back, this way, that way, to and fro, paced Jill in her black room.

a smooth fabric of silk or rayon; has a glossy face and a dull back

From this reading Black skins lay upon the black marble floor, black satin cushions upon the skins.

except for; apart from

From this reading There was no sound save for the occasional crackle of resinous log burning in a brazier placed in a far corner, before which Jill suddenly crouched, shivering, though the night was warm.

having the sense of smell

From this reading Curtains of scented leather, as soft and supple as satin, hung before the doors let into the walls of black carved wood.

relative darkness caused by light rays being intercepted by an opaque body

From this reading A long couch of ebony, untouched by silver or by gold, stood under one of the gigantic black marble statues, which represented an Ethiopian slave or some wild beast, holding in hand or mouth a lamp with shade of flaming orange, the one touch of colour in the whole room.

a sensation of cold that often marks the start of an infection and the development of a fever

From this reading There was no sound save for the occasional crackle of resinous log burning in a brazier placed in a far corner, before which Jill suddenly crouched, shivering, though the night was warm.

a soft white precious univalent metallic element having the highest electrical and thermal conductivity of any metal; occurs in argentite and in free form; used in coins and jewelry and tableware and photography

From this reading A long couch of ebony, untouched by silver or by gold, stood under one of the gigantic black marble statues, which represented an Ethiopian slave or some wild beast, holding in hand or mouth a lamp with shade of flaming orange, the one touch of colour in the whole room.

plural of “skin” — a natural protective body covering and site of the sense of touch

From this reading Black skins lay upon the black marble floor, black satin cushions upon the skins.

a person who is owned by someone

From this reading A long couch of ebony, untouched by silver or by gold, stood under one of the gigantic black marble statues, which represented an Ethiopian slave or some wild beast, holding in hand or mouth a lamp with shade of flaming orange, the one touch of colour in the whole room.

yielding readily to pressure or weight

From this reading Curtains of scented leather, as soft and supple as satin, hung before the doors let into the walls of black carved wood.

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

From this reading A long couch of ebony, untouched by silver or by gold, stood under one of the gigantic black marble statues, which represented an Ethiopian slave or some wild beast, holding in hand or mouth a lamp with shade of flaming orange, the one touch of colour in the whole room.

the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause

From this reading There was no sound save for the occasional crackle of resinous log burning in a brazier placed in a far corner, before which Jill suddenly crouched, shivering, though the night was warm.

plural of “statue” — a sculpture representing a human or animal

From this reading A long couch of ebony, untouched by silver or by gold, stood under one of the gigantic black marble statues, which represented an Ethiopian slave or some wild beast, holding in hand or mouth a lamp with shade of flaming orange, the one touch of colour in the whole room.

Maintained an upright posture.

From this reading A long couch of ebony, untouched by silver or by gold, stood under one of the gigantic black marble statues, which represented an Ethiopian slave or some wild beast, holding in hand or mouth a lamp with shade of flaming orange, the one touch of colour in the whole room.

happening unexpectedly

From this reading There was no sound save for the occasional crackle of resinous log burning in a brazier placed in a far corner, before which Jill suddenly crouched, shivering, though the night was warm.

gracefully thin and bending and moving with ease

From this reading Curtains of scented leather, as soft and supple as satin, hung before the doors let into the walls of black carved wood.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Out on to the balcony and back, this way, that way, to and fro, paced Jill in her black room.

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

From this reading Out on to the balcony and back, this way, that way, to and fro, paced Jill in her black room.

in or at that place or location

From this reading There was no sound save for the occasional crackle of resinous log burning in a brazier placed in a far corner, before which Jill suddenly crouched, shivering, though the night was warm.

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading Out on to the balcony and back, this way, that way, to and fro, paced Jill in her black room.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading There was no sound save for the occasional crackle of resinous log burning in a brazier placed in a far corner, before which Jill suddenly crouched, shivering, though the night was warm.

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

From this reading Out on to the balcony and back, this way, that way, to and fro, paced Jill in her black room.

make physical contact with, come in contact with

From this reading A long couch of ebony, untouched by silver or by gold, stood under one of the gigantic black marble statues, which represented an Ethiopian slave or some wild beast, holding in hand or mouth a lamp with shade of flaming orange, the one touch of colour in the whole room.

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading A long couch of ebony, untouched by silver or by gold, stood under one of the gigantic black marble statues, which represented an Ethiopian slave or some wild beast, holding in hand or mouth a lamp with shade of flaming orange, the one touch of colour in the whole room.

still full

From this reading A long couch of ebony, untouched by silver or by gold, stood under one of the gigantic black marble statues, which represented an Ethiopian slave or some wild beast, holding in hand or mouth a lamp with shade of flaming orange, the one touch of colour in the whole room.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading Black skins lay upon the black marble floor, black satin cushions upon the skins.

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 Curtains of scented leather, as soft and supple as satin, hung before the doors let into the walls of black carved wood.

having or producing a comfortable and agreeable degree of heat or imparting or maintaining heat

From this reading There was no sound save for the occasional crackle of resinous log burning in a brazier placed in a far corner, before which Jill suddenly crouched, shivering, though the night was warm.

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

From this reading There was no sound save for the occasional crackle of resinous log burning in a brazier placed in a far corner, before which Jill suddenly crouched, shivering, though the night was warm.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading Out on to the balcony and back, this way, that way, to and fro, paced Jill in her black room.

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

From this reading A long couch of ebony, untouched by silver or by gold, stood under one of the gigantic black marble statues, which represented an Ethiopian slave or some wild beast, holding in hand or mouth a lamp with shade of flaming orange, the one touch of colour in the whole room.

including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete

From this reading A long couch of ebony, untouched by silver or by gold, stood under one of the gigantic black marble statues, which represented an Ethiopian slave or some wild beast, holding in hand or mouth a lamp with shade of flaming orange, the one touch of colour in the whole room.

marked by extreme lack of restraint or control

From this reading A long couch of ebony, untouched by silver or by gold, stood under one of the gigantic black marble statues, which represented an Ethiopian slave or some wild beast, holding in hand or mouth a lamp with shade of flaming orange, the one touch of colour in the whole room.

in the company of; together with

From this reading A long couch of ebony, untouched by silver or by gold, stood under one of the gigantic black marble statues, which represented an Ethiopian slave or some wild beast, holding in hand or mouth a lamp with shade of flaming orange, the one touch of colour in the whole room.

the hard fibrous lignified substance under the bark of trees

From this reading Curtains of scented leather, as soft and supple as satin, hung before the doors let into the walls of black carved wood.