Chapter IX

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

From this reading For forty years one had discussed Aunt Cassie’s health as one discussed the weather--a thing ever present in the consciousness of man about which one could do nothing, and now Aunt Cassie ceased suddenly to speak of her health at all.

forsaken by owner or inhabitants

From this reading She even abandoned her habit of going about on foot and took to making her round of calls in the rattling motor which she protested to fear and loathe, and she came to lean more and more heavily upon the robust Miss Peavey for companionship and support.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading For forty years one had discussed Aunt Cassie’s health as one discussed the weather--a thing ever present in the consciousness of man about which one could do nothing, and now Aunt Cassie ceased suddenly to speak of her health at all.

(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 For forty years one had discussed Aunt Cassie’s health as one discussed the weather--a thing ever present in the consciousness of man about which one could do nothing, and now Aunt Cassie ceased suddenly to speak of her health at all.

(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but

From this reading She developed, Olivia discovered, an almost morbid terror of being left alone.

Having no one else present.

From this reading She developed, Olivia discovered, an almost morbid terror of being left alone.

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

From this reading As the month of August moved toward an end there was no longer any doubt as to the “failing” of Aunt Cassie; it was confirmed by the very silence with which she surrounded the state of her health.

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

From this reading For forty years one had discussed Aunt Cassie’s health as one discussed the weather--a thing ever present in the consciousness of man about which one could do nothing, and now Aunt Cassie ceased suddenly to speak of her health at all.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading As the month of August moved toward an end there was no longer any doubt as to the “failing” of Aunt Cassie; it was confirmed by the very silence with which she surrounded the state of her health.

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

From this reading As the month of August moved toward an end there was no longer any doubt as to the “failing” of Aunt Cassie; it was confirmed by the very silence with which she surrounded the state of her health.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading For forty years one had discussed Aunt Cassie’s health as one discussed the weather--a thing ever present in the consciousness of man about which one could do nothing, and now Aunt Cassie ceased suddenly to speak of her health at all.

the month following July and preceding September

From this reading As the month of August moved toward an end there was no longer any doubt as to the “failing” of Aunt Cassie; it was confirmed by the very silence with which she surrounded the state of her health.

the sister of your father or mother; the wife of your uncle

From this reading As the month of August moved toward an end there was no longer any doubt as to the “failing” of Aunt Cassie; it was confirmed by the very silence with which she surrounded the state of her health.

a piece of furniture that provides a place to sleep

From this reading Claiming a fear of burglars, she had Miss Peavey’s bed moved into the room next to hers and kept the door open between.

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading She developed, Olivia discovered, an almost morbid terror of being left alone.

in the space, time, or range separating two things

From this reading Claiming a fear of burglars, she had Miss Peavey’s bed moved into the room next to hers and kept the door open between.

plural of “burglar” — a thief who enters a building with intent to steal

From this reading Claiming a fear of burglars, she had Miss Peavey’s bed moved into the room next to hers and kept the door open between.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading As the month of August moved toward an end there was no longer any doubt as to the “failing” of Aunt Cassie; it was confirmed by the very silence with which she surrounded the state of her health.

plural of “call” — a telephone connection

From this reading She even abandoned her habit of going about on foot and took to making her round of calls in the rattling motor which she protested to fear and loathe, and she came to lean more and more heavily upon the robust Miss Peavey for companionship and support.

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

From this reading She even abandoned her habit of going about on foot and took to making her round of calls in the rattling motor which she protested to fear and loathe, and she came to lean more and more heavily upon the robust Miss Peavey for companionship and support.

tropical American thorny shrub or small tree; fragrant yellow flowers used in making perfumery

From this reading As the month of August moved toward an end there was no longer any doubt as to the “failing” of Aunt Cassie; it was confirmed by the very silence with which she surrounded the state of her health.

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

From this reading For forty years one had discussed Aunt Cassie’s health as one discussed the weather--a thing ever present in the consciousness of man about which one could do nothing, and now Aunt Cassie ceased suddenly to speak of her health at all.

past form of “cease” — put an end to a state or an activity

From this reading For forty years one had discussed Aunt Cassie’s health as one discussed the weather--a thing ever present in the consciousness of man about which one could do nothing, and now Aunt Cassie ceased suddenly to speak of her health at all.

-ing form of “claim” — assert or affirm strongly; state to be true or existing

From this reading Claiming a fear of burglars, she had Miss Peavey’s bed moved into the room next to hers and kept the door open between.

the state of being with someone

From this reading She even abandoned her habit of going about on foot and took to making her round of calls in the rattling motor which she protested to fear and loathe, and she came to lean more and more heavily upon the robust Miss Peavey for companionship and support.

of persons; not subject to change

From this reading As the month of August moved toward an end there was no longer any doubt as to the “failing” of Aunt Cassie; it was confirmed by the very silence with which she surrounded the state of her health.

an alert cognitive state in which you are aware of yourself and your situation

From this reading For forty years one had discussed Aunt Cassie’s health as one discussed the weather--a thing ever present in the consciousness of man about which one could do nothing, and now Aunt Cassie ceased suddenly to speak of her health at all.

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

From this reading For forty years one had discussed Aunt Cassie’s health as one discussed the weather--a thing ever present in the consciousness of man about which one could do nothing, and now Aunt Cassie ceased suddenly to speak of her health at all.

being changed over time so as to be e.g. stronger or more complete or more useful

From this reading She developed, Olivia discovered, an almost morbid terror of being left alone.

discovered or determined by scientific observation

From this reading She developed, Olivia discovered, an almost morbid terror of being left alone.

past form of “discuss” — to consider or examine in speech or writing

From this reading For forty years one had discussed Aunt Cassie’s health as one discussed the weather--a thing ever present in the consciousness of man about which one could do nothing, and now Aunt Cassie ceased suddenly to speak of her health at all.

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading For forty years one had discussed Aunt Cassie’s health as one discussed the weather--a thing ever present in the consciousness of man about which one could do nothing, and now Aunt Cassie ceased suddenly to speak of her health at all.

a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle

From this reading Claiming a fear of burglars, she had Miss Peavey’s bed moved into the room next to hers and kept the door open between.

the state of being unsure of something

From this reading As the month of August moved toward an end there was no longer any doubt as to the “failing” of Aunt Cassie; it was confirmed by the very silence with which she surrounded the state of her health.

either extremity of something that has length

From this reading As the month of August moved toward an end there was no longer any doubt as to the “failing” of Aunt Cassie; it was confirmed by the very silence with which she surrounded the state of her health.

divisible by two

From this reading She even abandoned her habit of going about on foot and took to making her round of calls in the rattling motor which she protested to fear and loathe, and she came to lean more and more heavily upon the robust Miss Peavey for companionship and support.

at any time

From this reading For forty years one had discussed Aunt Cassie’s health as one discussed the weather--a thing ever present in the consciousness of man about which one could do nothing, and now Aunt Cassie ceased suddenly to speak of her health at all.

a flaw or weak point

From this reading As the month of August moved toward an end there was no longer any doubt as to the “failing” of Aunt Cassie; it was confirmed by the very silence with which she surrounded the state of her health.

be afraid or feel anxious or apprehensive about a possible or probable situation or event

From this reading She even abandoned her habit of going about on foot and took to making her round of calls in the rattling motor which she protested to fear and loathe, and she came to lean more and more heavily upon the robust Miss Peavey for companionship and support.

the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint

From this reading She even abandoned her habit of going about on foot and took to making her round of calls in the rattling motor which she protested to fear and loathe, and she came to lean more and more heavily upon the robust Miss Peavey for companionship and support.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading For forty years one had discussed Aunt Cassie’s health as one discussed the weather--a thing ever present in the consciousness of man about which one could do nothing, and now Aunt Cassie ceased suddenly to speak of her health at all.

being ten more than thirty

From this reading For forty years one had discussed Aunt Cassie’s health as one discussed the weather--a thing ever present in the consciousness of man about which one could do nothing, and now Aunt Cassie ceased suddenly to speak of her health at all.

the act of departing

From this reading She even abandoned her habit of going about on foot and took to making her round of calls in the rattling motor which she protested to fear and loathe, and she came to lean more and more heavily upon the robust Miss Peavey for companionship and support.

an established custom

From this reading She even abandoned her habit of going about on foot and took to making her round of calls in the rattling motor which she protested to fear and loathe, and she came to lean more and more heavily upon the robust Miss Peavey for companionship and support.

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

From this reading For forty years one had discussed Aunt Cassie’s health as one discussed the weather--a thing ever present in the consciousness of man about which one could do nothing, and now Aunt Cassie ceased suddenly to speak of her health at all.

a healthy state of wellbeing free from disease

From this reading As the month of August moved toward an end there was no longer any doubt as to the “failing” of Aunt Cassie; it was confirmed by the very silence with which she surrounded the state of her health.

to a considerable degree

From this reading She even abandoned her habit of going about on foot and took to making her round of calls in the rattling motor which she protested to fear and loathe, and she came to lean more and more heavily upon the robust Miss Peavey for companionship and support.

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

From this reading As the month of August moved toward an end there was no longer any doubt as to the “failing” of Aunt Cassie; it was confirmed by the very silence with which she surrounded the state of her health.

the one or ones belonging to her

From this reading Claiming a fear of burglars, she had Miss Peavey’s bed moved into the room next to hers and kept the door open between.

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

From this reading For forty years one had discussed Aunt Cassie’s health as one discussed the weather--a thing ever present in the consciousness of man about which one could do nothing, and now Aunt Cassie ceased suddenly to speak of her health at all.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading Claiming a fear of burglars, she had Miss Peavey’s bed moved into the room next to hers and kept the door open between.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading As the month of August moved toward an end there was no longer any doubt as to the “failing” of Aunt Cassie; it was confirmed by the very silence with which she surrounded the state of her health.

(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded

From this reading Claiming a fear of burglars, she had Miss Peavey’s bed moved into the room next to hers and kept the door open between.

to incline or bend from a vertical position

From this reading She even abandoned her habit of going about on foot and took to making her round of calls in the rattling motor which she protested to fear and loathe, and she came to lean more and more heavily upon the robust Miss Peavey for companionship and support.

location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east

From this reading She developed, Olivia discovered, an almost morbid terror of being left alone.

find repugnant

From this reading She even abandoned her habit of going about on foot and took to making her round of calls in the rattling motor which she protested to fear and loathe, and she came to lean more and more heavily upon the robust Miss Peavey for companionship and support.

for more time

From this reading As the month of August moved toward an end there was no longer any doubt as to the “failing” of Aunt Cassie; it was confirmed by the very silence with which she surrounded the state of her health.

the act that results in something coming to be

From this reading She even abandoned her habit of going about on foot and took to making her round of calls in the rattling motor which she protested to fear and loathe, and she came to lean more and more heavily upon the robust Miss Peavey for companionship and support.

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

From this reading For forty years one had discussed Aunt Cassie’s health as one discussed the weather--a thing ever present in the consciousness of man about which one could do nothing, and now Aunt Cassie ceased suddenly to speak of her health at all.

fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind

From this reading She even abandoned her habit of going about on foot and took to making her round of calls in the rattling motor which she protested to fear and loathe, and she came to lean more and more heavily upon the robust Miss Peavey for companionship and support.

one of the twelve divisions of the calendar year

From this reading As the month of August moved toward an end there was no longer any doubt as to the “failing” of Aunt Cassie; it was confirmed by the very silence with which she surrounded the state of her health.

suggesting an unhealthy mental state

From this reading She developed, Olivia discovered, an almost morbid terror of being left alone.

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

From this reading She even abandoned her habit of going about on foot and took to making her round of calls in the rattling motor which she protested to fear and loathe, and she came to lean more and more heavily upon the robust Miss Peavey for companionship and support.

machine that converts other forms of energy into mechanical energy and so imparts motion

From this reading She even abandoned her habit of going about on foot and took to making her round of calls in the rattling motor which she protested to fear and loathe, and she came to lean more and more heavily upon the robust Miss Peavey for companionship and support.

being excited or provoked to the expression of an emotion

From this reading As the month of August moved toward an end there was no longer any doubt as to the “failing” of Aunt Cassie; it was confirmed by the very silence with which she surrounded the state of her health.

immediately following in time or order

From this reading Claiming a fear of burglars, she had Miss Peavey’s bed moved into the room next to hers and kept the door open between.

not any; not one

From this reading As the month of August moved toward an end there was no longer any doubt as to the “failing” of Aunt Cassie; it was confirmed by the very silence with which she surrounded the state of her health.

not one thing; not anything

From this reading For forty years one had discussed Aunt Cassie’s health as one discussed the weather--a thing ever present in the consciousness of man about which one could do nothing, and now Aunt Cassie ceased suddenly to speak of her health at all.

in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events

From this reading For forty years one had discussed Aunt Cassie’s health as one discussed the weather--a thing ever present in the consciousness of man about which one could do nothing, and now Aunt Cassie ceased suddenly to speak of her health at all.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading As the month of August moved toward an end there was no longer any doubt as to the “failing” of Aunt Cassie; it was confirmed by the very silence with which she surrounded the state of her health.

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

From this reading She developed, Olivia discovered, an almost morbid terror of being left alone.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading She even abandoned her habit of going about on foot and took to making her round of calls in the rattling motor which she protested to fear and loathe, and she came to lean more and more heavily upon the robust Miss Peavey for companionship and support.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading For forty years one had discussed Aunt Cassie’s health as one discussed the weather--a thing ever present in the consciousness of man about which one could do nothing, and now Aunt Cassie ceased suddenly to speak of her health at all.

To move from a closed position.

From this reading Claiming a fear of burglars, she had Miss Peavey’s bed moved into the room next to hers and kept the door open between.

a stout lever with a sharp spike; used for handling logs

From this reading She even abandoned her habit of going about on foot and took to making her round of calls in the rattling motor which she protested to fear and loathe, and she came to lean more and more heavily upon the robust Miss Peavey for companionship and support.

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

From this reading Claiming a fear of burglars, she had Miss Peavey’s bed moved into the room next to hers and kept the door open between.

give an exhibition of to an interested audience

From this reading For forty years one had discussed Aunt Cassie’s health as one discussed the weather--a thing ever present in the consciousness of man about which one could do nothing, and now Aunt Cassie ceased suddenly to speak of her health at all.

past form of “protest” — utter words of protest

From this reading She even abandoned her habit of going about on foot and took to making her round of calls in the rattling motor which she protested to fear and loathe, and she came to lean more and more heavily upon the robust Miss Peavey for companionship and support.

a rapid series of short loud sounds (as might be heard with a stethoscope in some types of respiratory disorders)

From this reading She even abandoned her habit of going about on foot and took to making her round of calls in the rattling motor which she protested to fear and loathe, and she came to lean more and more heavily upon the robust Miss Peavey for companionship and support.

sturdy and strong in form, constitution, or construction

From this reading She even abandoned her habit of going about on foot and took to making her round of calls in the rattling motor which she protested to fear and loathe, and she came to lean more and more heavily upon the robust Miss Peavey for companionship and support.

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

From this reading Claiming a fear of burglars, she had Miss Peavey’s bed moved into the room next to hers and kept the door open between.

a charge of ammunition for a single shot

From this reading She even abandoned her habit of going about on foot and took to making her round of calls in the rattling motor which she protested to fear and loathe, and she came to lean more and more heavily upon the robust Miss Peavey for companionship and support.

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading As the month of August moved toward an end there was no longer any doubt as to the “failing” of Aunt Cassie; it was confirmed by the very silence with which she surrounded the state of her health.

Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.

From this reading As the month of August moved toward an end there was no longer any doubt as to the “failing” of Aunt Cassie; it was confirmed by the very silence with which she surrounded the state of her health.

express in speech

From this reading For forty years one had discussed Aunt Cassie’s health as one discussed the weather--a thing ever present in the consciousness of man about which one could do nothing, and now Aunt Cassie ceased suddenly to speak of her health at all.

the territory occupied by one of the constituent administrative districts of a nation

From this reading As the month of August moved toward an end there was no longer any doubt as to the “failing” of Aunt Cassie; it was confirmed by the very silence with which she surrounded the state of her health.

happening unexpectedly

From this reading For forty years one had discussed Aunt Cassie’s health as one discussed the weather--a thing ever present in the consciousness of man about which one could do nothing, and now Aunt Cassie ceased suddenly to speak of her health at all.

the activity of providing for or maintaining by supplying with money or necessities

From this reading She even abandoned her habit of going about on foot and took to making her round of calls in the rattling motor which she protested to fear and loathe, and she came to lean more and more heavily upon the robust Miss Peavey for companionship and support.

confined on all sides

From this reading As the month of August moved toward an end there was no longer any doubt as to the “failing” of Aunt Cassie; it was confirmed by the very silence with which she surrounded the state of her health.

an overwhelming feeling of fear and anxiety

From this reading She developed, Olivia discovered, an almost morbid terror of being left alone.

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

From this reading As the month of August moved toward an end there was no longer any doubt as to the “failing” of Aunt Cassie; it was confirmed by the very silence with which she surrounded the state of her health.

in or at that place or location

From this reading As the month of August moved toward an end there was no longer any doubt as to the “failing” of Aunt Cassie; it was confirmed by the very silence with which she surrounded the state of her health.

a special situation

From this reading For forty years one had discussed Aunt Cassie’s health as one discussed the weather--a thing ever present in the consciousness of man about which one could do nothing, and now Aunt Cassie ceased suddenly to speak of her health at all.

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

From this reading As the month of August moved toward an end there was no longer any doubt as to the “failing” of Aunt Cassie; it was confirmed by the very silence with which she surrounded the state of her health.

inflected form of “take” — carry out

From this reading She even abandoned her habit of going about on foot and took to making her round of calls in the rattling motor which she protested to fear and loathe, and she came to lean more and more heavily upon the robust Miss Peavey for companionship and support.

in the direction of

From this reading As the month of August moved toward an end there was no longer any doubt as to the “failing” of Aunt Cassie; it was confirmed by the very silence with which she surrounded the state of her health.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading She even abandoned her habit of going about on foot and took to making her round of calls in the rattling motor which she protested to fear and loathe, and she came to lean more and more heavily upon the robust Miss Peavey for companionship and support.

precisely as stated

From this reading As the month of August moved toward an end there was no longer any doubt as to the “failing” of Aunt Cassie; it was confirmed by the very silence with which she surrounded the state of her health.

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

From this reading As the month of August moved toward an end there was no longer any doubt as to the “failing” of Aunt Cassie; it was confirmed by the very silence with which she surrounded the state of her health.

the atmospheric conditions that comprise the state of the atmosphere in terms of temperature and wind and clouds and precipitation

From this reading For forty years one had discussed Aunt Cassie’s health as one discussed the weather--a thing ever present in the consciousness of man about which one could do nothing, and now Aunt Cassie ceased suddenly to speak of her health at all.

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

From this reading As the month of August moved toward an end there was no longer any doubt as to the “failing” of Aunt Cassie; it was confirmed by the very silence with which she surrounded the state of her health.

in the company of; together with

From this reading As the month of August moved toward an end there was no longer any doubt as to the “failing” of Aunt Cassie; it was confirmed by the very silence with which she surrounded the state of her health.

a late time of life

From this reading For forty years one had discussed Aunt Cassie’s health as one discussed the weather--a thing ever present in the consciousness of man about which one could do nothing, and now Aunt Cassie ceased suddenly to speak of her health at all.