Chapter I · Chapter 1

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

From this reading In the heat of the glowing July afternoon, the room, with blinds carefully closed, was full of a great calm.

provided with something intended to increase its beauty or distinction

From this reading With doors wide open, this immense press of carved oak, adorned with strong and handsome mountings of metal, dating from the last century, displayed within its capacious depths an extraordinary collection of papers and manuscripts of all sorts, piled up in confusion and filling every shelf to overflowing.

the part of the day between noon and evening

From this reading In the heat of the glowing July afternoon, the room, with blinds carefully closed, was full of a great calm.

(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 With doors wide open, this immense press of carved oak, adorned with strong and handsome mountings of metal, dating from the last century, displayed within its capacious depths an extraordinary collection of papers and manuscripts of all sorts, piled up in confusion and filling every shelf to overflowing.

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

From this reading With doors wide open, this immense press of carved oak, adorned with strong and handsome mountings of metal, dating from the last century, displayed within its capacious depths an extraordinary collection of papers and manuscripts of all sorts, piled up in confusion and filling every shelf to overflowing.

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

From this reading From the three windows, through the cracks of the old wooden shutters, came only a few scattered sunbeams which, in the midst of the obscurity, made a soft brightness that bathed surrounding objects in a diffused and tender light.

past form of “bathe” — cleanse the entire body

From this reading From the three windows, through the cracks of the old wooden shutters, came only a few scattered sunbeams which, in the midst of the obscurity, made a soft brightness that bathed surrounding objects in a diffused and tender light.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading Standing before the press which faced the windows, Dr. Pascal was looking for a paper that he had come in search of.

past form of “blaze” — shine brightly and intensively

From this reading It was cool here in comparison with the overpowering heat that was felt outside, under the fierce rays of the sun that blazed upon the front of the house.

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

From this reading In the heat of the glowing July afternoon, the room, with blinds carefully closed, was full of a great calm.

the location of a visual perception along a continuum from black to white

From this reading From the three windows, through the cracks of the old wooden shutters, came only a few scattered sunbeams which, in the midst of the obscurity, made a soft brightness that bathed surrounding objects in a diffused and tender light.

make calm or still

From this reading In the heat of the glowing July afternoon, the room, with blinds carefully closed, was full of a great calm.

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

From this reading From the three windows, through the cracks of the old wooden shutters, came only a few scattered sunbeams which, in the midst of the obscurity, made a soft brightness that bathed surrounding objects in a diffused and tender light.

large in capacity

From this reading With doors wide open, this immense press of carved oak, adorned with strong and handsome mountings of metal, dating from the last century, displayed within its capacious depths an extraordinary collection of papers and manuscripts of all sorts, piled up in confusion and filling every shelf to overflowing.

taking care or paying attention

From this reading In the heat of the glowing July afternoon, the room, with blinds carefully closed, was full of a great calm.

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

From this reading With doors wide open, this immense press of carved oak, adorned with strong and handsome mountings of metal, dating from the last century, displayed within its capacious depths an extraordinary collection of papers and manuscripts of all sorts, piled up in confusion and filling every shelf to overflowing.

a period of 100 years

From this reading With doors wide open, this immense press of carved oak, adorned with strong and handsome mountings of metal, dating from the last century, displayed within its capacious depths an extraordinary collection of papers and manuscripts of all sorts, piled up in confusion and filling every shelf to overflowing.

not open or affording passage or access

From this reading In the heat of the glowing July afternoon, the room, with blinds carefully closed, was full of a great calm.

several things grouped together or considered as a whole

From this reading With doors wide open, this immense press of carved oak, adorned with strong and handsome mountings of metal, dating from the last century, displayed within its capacious depths an extraordinary collection of papers and manuscripts of all sorts, piled up in confusion and filling every shelf to overflowing.

move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading Standing before the press which faced the windows, Dr. Pascal was looking for a paper that he had come in search of.

the act of examining resemblances

From this reading It was cool here in comparison with the overpowering heat that was felt outside, under the fierce rays of the sun that blazed upon the front of the house.

disorder resulting from a failure to behave predictably

From this reading With doors wide open, this immense press of carved oak, adorned with strong and handsome mountings of metal, dating from the last century, displayed within its capacious depths an extraordinary collection of papers and manuscripts of all sorts, piled up in confusion and filling every shelf to overflowing.

neither warm nor very cold; giving relief from heat

From this reading It was cool here in comparison with the overpowering heat that was felt outside, under the fierce rays of the sun that blazed upon the front of the house.

plural of “crack” — a long narrow opening

From this reading From the three windows, through the cracks of the old wooden shutters, came only a few scattered sunbeams which, in the midst of the obscurity, made a soft brightness that bathed surrounding objects in a diffused and tender light.

use of chemical analysis to estimate the age of geological specimens

From this reading With doors wide open, this immense press of carved oak, adorned with strong and handsome mountings of metal, dating from the last century, displayed within its capacious depths an extraordinary collection of papers and manuscripts of all sorts, piled up in confusion and filling every shelf to overflowing.

(plural) the deepest and most remote part

From this reading With doors wide open, this immense press of carved oak, adorned with strong and handsome mountings of metal, dating from the last century, displayed within its capacious depths an extraordinary collection of papers and manuscripts of all sorts, piled up in confusion and filling every shelf to overflowing.

(of light rays) subjected to scattering by reflection from a rough surface or transmission through a translucent material

From this reading From the three windows, through the cracks of the old wooden shutters, came only a few scattered sunbeams which, in the midst of the obscurity, made a soft brightness that bathed surrounding objects in a diffused and tender light.

past form of “display” — to show, make visible or apparent

From this reading With doors wide open, this immense press of carved oak, adorned with strong and handsome mountings of metal, dating from the last century, displayed within its capacious depths an extraordinary collection of papers and manuscripts of all sorts, piled up in confusion and filling every shelf to overflowing.

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

From this reading With doors wide open, this immense press of carved oak, adorned with strong and handsome mountings of metal, dating from the last century, displayed within its capacious depths an extraordinary collection of papers and manuscripts of all sorts, piled up in confusion and filling every shelf to overflowing.

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

From this reading Standing before the press which faced the windows, Dr. Pascal was looking for a paper that he had come in search of.

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading With doors wide open, this immense press of carved oak, adorned with strong and handsome mountings of metal, dating from the last century, displayed within its capacious depths an extraordinary collection of papers and manuscripts of all sorts, piled up in confusion and filling every shelf to overflowing.

beyond what is ordinary or usual; highly unusual or exceptional or remarkable

From this reading With doors wide open, this immense press of carved oak, adorned with strong and handsome mountings of metal, dating from the last century, displayed within its capacious depths an extraordinary collection of papers and manuscripts of all sorts, piled up in confusion and filling every shelf to overflowing.

having a face or facing especially of a specified kind or number; often used in combination

From this reading Standing before the press which faced the windows, Dr. Pascal was looking for a paper that he had come in search of.

mat together and make felt-like

From this reading It was cool here in comparison with the overpowering heat that was felt outside, under the fierce rays of the sun that blazed upon the front of the house.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number

From this reading From the three windows, through the cracks of the old wooden shutters, came only a few scattered sunbeams which, in the midst of the obscurity, made a soft brightness that bathed surrounding objects in a diffused and tender light.

marked by extreme and violent energy

From this reading It was cool here in comparison with the overpowering heat that was felt outside, under the fierce rays of the sun that blazed upon the front of the house.

any material that fills a space or container

From this reading With doors wide open, this immense press of carved oak, adorned with strong and handsome mountings of metal, dating from the last century, displayed within its capacious depths an extraordinary collection of papers and manuscripts of all sorts, piled up in confusion and filling every shelf to overflowing.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Standing before the press which faced the windows, Dr. Pascal was looking for a paper that he had come in search of.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading From the three windows, through the cracks of the old wooden shutters, came only a few scattered sunbeams which, in the midst of the obscurity, made a soft brightness that bathed surrounding objects in a diffused and tender light.

the side that is forward or prominent

From this reading It was cool here in comparison with the overpowering heat that was felt outside, under the fierce rays of the sun that blazed upon the front of the house.

containing as much or as many as is possible or normal

From this reading In the heat of the glowing July afternoon, the room, with blinds carefully closed, was full of a great calm.

highly enthusiastic

From this reading In the heat of the glowing July afternoon, the room, with blinds carefully closed, was full of a great calm.

relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind

From this reading In the heat of the glowing July afternoon, the room, with blinds carefully closed, was full of a great calm.

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

From this reading Standing before the press which faced the windows, Dr. Pascal was looking for a paper that he had come in search of.

pleasing in appearance especially by reason of conformity to ideals of form and proportion

From this reading With doors wide open, this immense press of carved oak, adorned with strong and handsome mountings of metal, dating from the last century, displayed within its capacious depths an extraordinary collection of papers and manuscripts of all sorts, piled up in confusion and filling every shelf to overflowing.

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

From this reading Standing before the press which faced the windows, Dr. Pascal was looking for a paper that he had come in search of.

a form of energy that is transferred by a difference in temperature

From this reading In the heat of the glowing July afternoon, the room, with blinds carefully closed, was full of a great calm.

in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is

From this reading It was cool here in comparison with the overpowering heat that was felt outside, under the fierce rays of the sun that blazed upon the front of the house.

a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families

From this reading It was cool here in comparison with the overpowering heat that was felt outside, under the fierce rays of the sun that blazed upon the front of the house.

unusually great in size or amount or degree or especially extent or scope

From this reading With doors wide open, this immense press of carved oak, adorned with strong and handsome mountings of metal, dating from the last century, displayed within its capacious depths an extraordinary collection of papers and manuscripts of all sorts, piled up in confusion and filling every shelf to overflowing.

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

From this reading In the heat of the glowing July afternoon, the room, with blinds carefully closed, was full of a great calm.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was cool here in comparison with the overpowering heat that was felt outside, under the fierce rays of the sun that blazed upon the front of the house.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading With doors wide open, this immense press of carved oak, adorned with strong and handsome mountings of metal, dating from the last century, displayed within its capacious depths an extraordinary collection of papers and manuscripts of all sorts, piled up in confusion and filling every shelf to overflowing.

the month following June and preceding August

From this reading In the heat of the glowing July afternoon, the room, with blinds carefully closed, was full of a great calm.

immediately past

From this reading With doors wide open, this immense press of carved oak, adorned with strong and handsome mountings of metal, dating from the last century, displayed within its capacious depths an extraordinary collection of papers and manuscripts of all sorts, piled up in confusion and filling every shelf to overflowing.

of comparatively little physical weight or density

From this reading From the three windows, through the cracks of the old wooden shutters, came only a few scattered sunbeams which, in the midst of the obscurity, made a soft brightness that bathed surrounding objects in a diffused and tender light.

the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually

From this reading Standing before the press which faced the windows, Dr. Pascal was looking for a paper that he had come in search of.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading From the three windows, through the cracks of the old wooden shutters, came only a few scattered sunbeams which, in the midst of the obscurity, made a soft brightness that bathed surrounding objects in a diffused and tender light.

plural of “manuscript” — the form of a literary work submitted for publication

From this reading With doors wide open, this immense press of carved oak, adorned with strong and handsome mountings of metal, dating from the last century, displayed within its capacious depths an extraordinary collection of papers and manuscripts of all sorts, piled up in confusion and filling every shelf to overflowing.

any of several chemical elements that are usually shiny solids that conduct heat or electricity and can be formed into sheets etc.

From this reading With doors wide open, this immense press of carved oak, adorned with strong and handsome mountings of metal, dating from the last century, displayed within its capacious depths an extraordinary collection of papers and manuscripts of all sorts, piled up in confusion and filling every shelf to overflowing.

the location of something surrounded by other things

From this reading From the three windows, through the cracks of the old wooden shutters, came only a few scattered sunbeams which, in the midst of the obscurity, made a soft brightness that bathed surrounding objects in a diffused and tender light.

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

From this reading With doors wide open, this immense press of carved oak, adorned with strong and handsome mountings of metal, dating from the last century, displayed within its capacious depths an extraordinary collection of papers and manuscripts of all sorts, piled up in confusion and filling every shelf to overflowing.

the hard durable wood of any oak; used especially for furniture and flooring

From this reading With doors wide open, this immense press of carved oak, adorned with strong and handsome mountings of metal, dating from the last century, displayed within its capacious depths an extraordinary collection of papers and manuscripts of all sorts, piled up in confusion and filling every shelf to overflowing.

plural of “object” — a tangible and visible entity; an entity that can cast a shadow

From this reading From the three windows, through the cracks of the old wooden shutters, came only a few scattered sunbeams which, in the midst of the obscurity, made a soft brightness that bathed surrounding objects in a diffused and tender light.

the quality of being unclear or abstruse and hard to understand

From this reading From the three windows, through the cracks of the old wooden shutters, came only a few scattered sunbeams which, in the midst of the obscurity, made a soft brightness that bathed surrounding objects in a diffused and tender light.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading In the heat of the glowing July afternoon, the room, with blinds carefully closed, was full of a great calm.

(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age

From this reading From the three windows, through the cracks of the old wooden shutters, came only a few scattered sunbeams which, in the midst of the obscurity, made a soft brightness that bathed surrounding objects in a diffused and tender light.

and nothing more

From this reading From the three windows, through the cracks of the old wooden shutters, came only a few scattered sunbeams which, in the midst of the obscurity, made a soft brightness that bathed surrounding objects in a diffused and tender light.

To move from a closed position.

From this reading With doors wide open, this immense press of carved oak, adorned with strong and handsome mountings of metal, dating from the last century, displayed within its capacious depths an extraordinary collection of papers and manuscripts of all sorts, piled up in confusion and filling every shelf to overflowing.

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

From this reading It was cool here in comparison with the overpowering heat that was felt outside, under the fierce rays of the sun that blazed upon the front of the house.

covered with water

From this reading With doors wide open, this immense press of carved oak, adorned with strong and handsome mountings of metal, dating from the last century, displayed within its capacious depths an extraordinary collection of papers and manuscripts of all sorts, piled up in confusion and filling every shelf to overflowing.

so strong as to be irresistible

From this reading It was cool here in comparison with the overpowering heat that was felt outside, under the fierce rays of the sun that blazed upon the front of the house.

a material made of cellulose pulp derived mainly from wood or rags or certain grasses

From this reading Standing before the press which faced the windows, Dr. Pascal was looking for a paper that he had come in search of.

writing that provides information (especially information of an official nature)

From this reading With doors wide open, this immense press of carved oak, adorned with strong and handsome mountings of metal, dating from the last century, displayed within its capacious depths an extraordinary collection of papers and manuscripts of all sorts, piled up in confusion and filling every shelf to overflowing.

a unit of pressure equal to one newton per square meter

From this reading Standing before the press which faced the windows, Dr. Pascal was looking for a paper that he had come in search of.

past form of “pile” — arrange in stacks

From this reading With doors wide open, this immense press of carved oak, adorned with strong and handsome mountings of metal, dating from the last century, displayed within its capacious depths an extraordinary collection of papers and manuscripts of all sorts, piled up in confusion and filling every shelf to overflowing.

exert pressure or force to or upon

From this reading Standing before the press which faced the windows, Dr. Pascal was looking for a paper that he had come in search of.

plural of “ray” — a column of light (as from a beacon)

From this reading It was cool here in comparison with the overpowering heat that was felt outside, under the fierce rays of the sun that blazed upon the front of the house.

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

From this reading In the heat of the glowing July afternoon, the room, with blinds carefully closed, was full of a great calm.

occurring or distributed over widely spaced and irregular intervals in time or space

From this reading From the three windows, through the cracks of the old wooden shutters, came only a few scattered sunbeams which, in the midst of the obscurity, made a soft brightness that bathed surrounding objects in a diffused and tender light.

try to locate or discover, or try to establish the existence of

From this reading Standing before the press which faced the windows, Dr. Pascal was looking for a paper that he had come in search of.

A flat horizontal plane used to hold books or scrolls in a library.

From this reading With doors wide open, this immense press of carved oak, adorned with strong and handsome mountings of metal, dating from the last century, displayed within its capacious depths an extraordinary collection of papers and manuscripts of all sorts, piled up in confusion and filling every shelf to overflowing.

plural of “shutter” — a mechanical device on a camera that opens and closes to control the time of a photographic exposure

From this reading From the three windows, through the cracks of the old wooden shutters, came only a few scattered sunbeams which, in the midst of the obscurity, made a soft brightness that bathed surrounding objects in a diffused and tender light.

yielding readily to pressure or weight

From this reading From the three windows, through the cracks of the old wooden shutters, came only a few scattered sunbeams which, in the midst of the obscurity, made a soft brightness that bathed surrounding objects in a diffused and tender light.

plural of “sort” — a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality

From this reading With doors wide open, this immense press of carved oak, adorned with strong and handsome mountings of metal, dating from the last century, displayed within its capacious depths an extraordinary collection of papers and manuscripts of all sorts, piled up in confusion and filling every shelf to overflowing.

having a supporting base

From this reading Standing before the press which faced the windows, Dr. Pascal was looking for a paper that he had come in search of.

having strength or power greater than average or expected

From this reading With doors wide open, this immense press of carved oak, adorned with strong and handsome mountings of metal, dating from the last century, displayed within its capacious depths an extraordinary collection of papers and manuscripts of all sorts, piled up in confusion and filling every shelf to overflowing.

the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system

From this reading It was cool here in comparison with the overpowering heat that was felt outside, under the fierce rays of the sun that blazed upon the front of the house.

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

From this reading From the three windows, through the cracks of the old wooden shutters, came only a few scattered sunbeams which, in the midst of the obscurity, made a soft brightness that bathed surrounding objects in a diffused and tender light.

closely encircling

From this reading From the three windows, through the cracks of the old wooden shutters, came only a few scattered sunbeams which, in the midst of the obscurity, made a soft brightness that bathed surrounding objects in a diffused and tender light.

given to sympathy or gentleness or sentimentality

From this reading From the three windows, through the cracks of the old wooden shutters, came only a few scattered sunbeams which, in the midst of the obscurity, made a soft brightness that bathed surrounding objects in a diffused and tender light.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading From the three windows, through the cracks of the old wooden shutters, came only a few scattered sunbeams which, in the midst of the obscurity, made a soft brightness that bathed surrounding objects in a diffused and tender light.

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

From this reading In the heat of the glowing July afternoon, the room, with blinds carefully closed, was full of a great calm.

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

From this reading With doors wide open, this immense press of carved oak, adorned with strong and handsome mountings of metal, dating from the last century, displayed within its capacious depths an extraordinary collection of papers and manuscripts of all sorts, piled up in confusion and filling every shelf to overflowing.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one

From this reading From the three windows, through the cracks of the old wooden shutters, came only a few scattered sunbeams which, in the midst of the obscurity, made a soft brightness that bathed surrounding objects in a diffused and tender light.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading From the three windows, through the cracks of the old wooden shutters, came only a few scattered sunbeams which, in the midst of the obscurity, made a soft brightness that bathed surrounding objects in a diffused and tender light.

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

From this reading With doors wide open, this immense press of carved oak, adorned with strong and handsome mountings of metal, dating from the last century, displayed within its capacious depths an extraordinary collection of papers and manuscripts of all sorts, piled up in confusion and filling every shelf to overflowing.

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading It was cool here in comparison with the overpowering heat that was felt outside, under the fierce rays of the sun that blazed upon the front of the house.

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

From this reading With doors wide open, this immense press of carved oak, adorned with strong and handsome mountings of metal, dating from the last century, displayed within its capacious depths an extraordinary collection of papers and manuscripts of all sorts, piled up in confusion and filling every shelf to overflowing.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading It was cool here in comparison with the overpowering heat that was felt outside, under the fierce rays of the sun that blazed upon the front of the house.

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

From this reading In the heat of the glowing July afternoon, the room, with blinds carefully closed, was full of a great calm.

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

From this reading From the three windows, through the cracks of the old wooden shutters, came only a few scattered sunbeams which, in the midst of the obscurity, made a soft brightness that bathed surrounding objects in a diffused and tender light.

having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other

From this reading With doors wide open, this immense press of carved oak, adorned with strong and handsome mountings of metal, dating from the last century, displayed within its capacious depths an extraordinary collection of papers and manuscripts of all sorts, piled up in confusion and filling every shelf to overflowing.

(trademark) an operating system with a graphical user interface

From this reading From the three windows, through the cracks of the old wooden shutters, came only a few scattered sunbeams which, in the midst of the obscurity, made a soft brightness that bathed surrounding objects in a diffused and tender light.

in the company of; together with

From this reading In the heat of the glowing July afternoon, the room, with blinds carefully closed, was full of a great calm.

inside; before a period of time has passed

From this reading With doors wide open, this immense press of carved oak, adorned with strong and handsome mountings of metal, dating from the last century, displayed within its capacious depths an extraordinary collection of papers and manuscripts of all sorts, piled up in confusion and filling every shelf to overflowing.

made or consisting of (entirely or in part) or employing wood

From this reading From the three windows, through the cracks of the old wooden shutters, came only a few scattered sunbeams which, in the midst of the obscurity, made a soft brightness that bathed surrounding objects in a diffused and tender light.