Chapter XII

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

From this reading _DOWN THE BROOK._ It was not without a moment’s fear that Eva saw the arch of the cavern close behind her, shutting her into silence; and surrounding her with a darkness which could not only be seen, but which was almost to be felt.

commonly used or practiced; usual

From this reading At least so it seemed in contrast with the bright valley which she had left; but before many minutes had passed, or the boat had gone very far, her eyes became accustomed to the change, the intense blackness which surrounded her softened into a pale, dim gray; and then Eva saw that she was in a low arched place, like a long tunnel cut in the solid rock.

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading Every now and then a drop of water would fall splashing into the brook from the roof, or else a little wave would break, rippling against the wall; but those were the only sounds to be heard.

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

From this reading _DOWN THE BROOK._ It was not without a moment’s fear that Eva saw the arch of the cavern close behind her, shutting her into silence; and surrounding her with a darkness which could not only be seen, but which was almost to be felt.

following the length of something from one end toward the other

From this reading Even the boat glided along noiselessly, with a smooth, uniform motion,--and the tiny waves, which occasionally ruffled the surface of the dark, still water, passed under her without Eva’s noticing them.

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

From this reading _DOWN THE BROOK._ It was not without a moment’s fear that Eva saw the arch of the cavern close behind her, shutting her into silence; and surrounding her with a darkness which could not only be seen, but which was almost to be felt.

a curved shape in the vertical plane that spans an opening

From this reading _DOWN THE BROOK._ It was not without a moment’s fear that Eva saw the arch of the cavern close behind her, shutting her into silence; and surrounding her with a darkness which could not only be seen, but which was almost to be felt.

constructed with or in the form of an arch or arches

From this reading At least so it seemed in contrast with the bright valley which she had left; but before many minutes had passed, or the boat had gone very far, her eyes became accustomed to the change, the intense blackness which surrounded her softened into a pale, dim gray; and then Eva saw that she was in a low arched place, like a long tunnel cut in the solid rock.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading At least so it seemed in contrast with the bright valley which she had left; but before many minutes had passed, or the boat had gone very far, her eyes became accustomed to the change, the intense blackness which surrounded her softened into a pale, dim gray; and then Eva saw that she was in a low arched place, like a long tunnel cut in the solid rock.

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

From this reading _DOWN THE BROOK._ It was not without a moment’s fear that Eva saw the arch of the cavern close behind her, shutting her into silence; and surrounding her with a darkness which could not only be seen, but which was almost to be felt.

inflected form of “become” — enter or assume a certain state or condition

From this reading At least so it seemed in contrast with the bright valley which she had left; but before many minutes had passed, or the boat had gone very far, her eyes became accustomed to the change, the intense blackness which surrounded her softened into a pale, dim gray; and then Eva saw that she was in a low arched place, like a long tunnel cut in the solid rock.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading At least so it seemed in contrast with the bright valley which she had left; but before many minutes had passed, or the boat had gone very far, her eyes became accustomed to the change, the intense blackness which surrounded her softened into a pale, dim gray; and then Eva saw that she was in a low arched place, like a long tunnel cut in the solid rock.

at or toward the back of something

From this reading _DOWN THE BROOK._ It was not without a moment’s fear that Eva saw the arch of the cavern close behind her, shutting her into silence; and surrounding her with a darkness which could not only be seen, but which was almost to be felt.

the quality or state of the achromatic color of least lightness (bearing the least resemblance to white)

From this reading At least so it seemed in contrast with the bright valley which she had left; but before many minutes had passed, or the boat had gone very far, her eyes became accustomed to the change, the intense blackness which surrounded her softened into a pale, dim gray; and then Eva saw that she was in a low arched place, like a long tunnel cut in the solid rock.

a small vessel for travel on water

From this reading At least so it seemed in contrast with the bright valley which she had left; but before many minutes had passed, or the boat had gone very far, her eyes became accustomed to the change, the intense blackness which surrounded her softened into a pale, dim gray; and then Eva saw that she was in a low arched place, like a long tunnel cut in the solid rock.

terminate

From this reading Every now and then a drop of water would fall splashing into the brook from the roof, or else a little wave would break, rippling against the wall; but those were the only sounds to be heard.

emitting or reflecting light readily or in large amounts

From this reading At least so it seemed in contrast with the bright valley which she had left; but before many minutes had passed, or the boat had gone very far, her eyes became accustomed to the change, the intense blackness which surrounded her softened into a pale, dim gray; and then Eva saw that she was in a low arched place, like a long tunnel cut in the solid rock.

a natural stream of water smaller than a river (and often a tributary of a river)

From this reading _DOWN THE BROOK._ It was not without a moment’s fear that Eva saw the arch of the cavern close behind her, shutting her into silence; and surrounding her with a darkness which could not only be seen, but which was almost to be felt.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading _DOWN THE BROOK._ It was not without a moment’s fear that Eva saw the arch of the cavern close behind her, shutting her into silence; and surrounding her with a darkness which could not only be seen, but which was almost to be felt.

A large, vast underground cave, often filled with forgotten ancient treasures.

From this reading _DOWN THE BROOK._ It was not without a moment’s fear that Eva saw the arch of the cavern close behind her, shutting her into silence; and surrounding her with a darkness which could not only be seen, but which was almost to be felt.

cause to change; make different; cause a transformation

From this reading At least so it seemed in contrast with the bright valley which she had left; but before many minutes had passed, or the boat had gone very far, her eyes became accustomed to the change, the intense blackness which surrounded her softened into a pale, dim gray; and then Eva saw that she was in a low arched place, like a long tunnel cut in the solid rock.

at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other

From this reading _DOWN THE BROOK._ It was not without a moment’s fear that Eva saw the arch of the cavern close behind her, shutting her into silence; and surrounding her with a darkness which could not only be seen, but which was almost to be felt.

the opposition or dissimilarity of things that are compared

From this reading At least so it seemed in contrast with the bright valley which she had left; but before many minutes had passed, or the boat had gone very far, her eyes became accustomed to the change, the intense blackness which surrounded her softened into a pale, dim gray; and then Eva saw that she was in a low arched place, like a long tunnel cut in the solid rock.

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

From this reading _DOWN THE BROOK._ It was not without a moment’s fear that Eva saw the arch of the cavern close behind her, shutting her into silence; and surrounding her with a darkness which could not only be seen, but which was almost to be felt.

separate with or as if with an instrument

From this reading At least so it seemed in contrast with the bright valley which she had left; but before many minutes had passed, or the boat had gone very far, her eyes became accustomed to the change, the intense blackness which surrounded her softened into a pale, dim gray; and then Eva saw that she was in a low arched place, like a long tunnel cut in the solid rock.

absence of light or illumination

From this reading Even the boat glided along noiselessly, with a smooth, uniform motion,--and the tiny waves, which occasionally ruffled the surface of the dark, still water, passed under her without Eva’s noticing them.

absence of light or illumination

From this reading _DOWN THE BROOK._ It was not without a moment’s fear that Eva saw the arch of the cavern close behind her, shutting her into silence; and surrounding her with a darkness which could not only be seen, but which was almost to be felt.

lacking in light; not bright or harsh

From this reading At least so it seemed in contrast with the bright valley which she had left; but before many minutes had passed, or the boat had gone very far, her eyes became accustomed to the change, the intense blackness which surrounded her softened into a pale, dim gray; and then Eva saw that she was in a low arched place, like a long tunnel cut in the solid rock.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading _DOWN THE BROOK._ It was not without a moment’s fear that Eva saw the arch of the cavern close behind her, shutting her into silence; and surrounding her with a darkness which could not only be seen, but which was almost to be felt.

let fall to the ground

From this reading Every now and then a drop of water would fall splashing into the brook from the roof, or else a little wave would break, rippling against the wall; but those were the only sounds to be heard.

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

From this reading Every now and then a drop of water would fall splashing into the brook from the roof, or else a little wave would break, rippling against the wall; but those were the only sounds to be heard.

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

From this reading _DOWN THE BROOK._ It was not without a moment’s fear that Eva saw the arch of the cavern close behind her, shutting her into silence; and surrounding her with a darkness which could not only be seen, but which was almost to be felt.

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

From this reading Even the boat glided along noiselessly, with a smooth, uniform motion,--and the tiny waves, which occasionally ruffled the surface of the dark, still water, passed under her without Eva’s noticing them.

divisible by two

From this reading Even the boat glided along noiselessly, with a smooth, uniform motion,--and the tiny waves, which occasionally ruffled the surface of the dark, still water, passed under her without Eva’s noticing them.

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading Every now and then a drop of water would fall splashing into the brook from the roof, or else a little wave would break, rippling against the wall; but those were the only sounds to be heard.

opinion or judgment

From this reading At least so it seemed in contrast with the bright valley which she had left; but before many minutes had passed, or the boat had gone very far, her eyes became accustomed to the change, the intense blackness which surrounded her softened into a pale, dim gray; and then Eva saw that she was in a low arched place, like a long tunnel cut in the solid rock.

descend in free fall under the influence of gravity

From this reading Every now and then a drop of water would fall splashing into the brook from the roof, or else a little wave would break, rippling against the wall; but those were the only sounds to be heard.

to a considerable degree; very much

From this reading At least so it seemed in contrast with the bright valley which she had left; but before many minutes had passed, or the boat had gone very far, her eyes became accustomed to the change, the intense blackness which surrounded her softened into a pale, dim gray; and then Eva saw that she was in a low arched place, like a long tunnel cut in the solid rock.

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

From this reading _DOWN THE BROOK._ It was not without a moment’s fear that Eva saw the arch of the cavern close behind her, shutting her into silence; and surrounding her with a darkness which could not only be seen, but which was almost to be felt.

mat together and make felt-like

From this reading _DOWN THE BROOK._ It was not without a moment’s fear that Eva saw the arch of the cavern close behind her, shutting her into silence; and surrounding her with a darkness which could not only be seen, but which was almost to be felt.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Every now and then a drop of water would fall splashing into the brook from the roof, or else a little wave would break, rippling against the wall; but those were the only sounds to be heard.

past form of “glide” — move smoothly and effortlessly

From this reading Even the boat glided along noiselessly, with a smooth, uniform motion,--and the tiny waves, which occasionally ruffled the surface of the dark, still water, passed under her without Eva’s noticing them.

destroyed or killed

From this reading At least so it seemed in contrast with the bright valley which she had left; but before many minutes had passed, or the boat had gone very far, her eyes became accustomed to the change, the intense blackness which surrounded her softened into a pale, dim gray; and then Eva saw that she was in a low arched place, like a long tunnel cut in the solid rock.

a neutral achromatic color midway between white and black

From this reading At least so it seemed in contrast with the bright valley which she had left; but before many minutes had passed, or the boat had gone very far, her eyes became accustomed to the change, the intense blackness which surrounded her softened into a pale, dim gray; and then Eva saw that she was in a low arched place, like a long tunnel cut in the solid rock.

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

From this reading At least so it seemed in contrast with the bright valley which she had left; but before many minutes had passed, or the boat had gone very far, her eyes became accustomed to the change, the intense blackness which surrounded her softened into a pale, dim gray; and then Eva saw that she was in a low arched place, like a long tunnel cut in the solid rock.

detected or perceived by the sense of hearing

From this reading Every now and then a drop of water would fall splashing into the brook from the roof, or else a little wave would break, rippling against the wall; but those were the only sounds to be heard.

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

From this reading _DOWN THE BROOK._ It was not without a moment’s fear that Eva saw the arch of the cavern close behind her, shutting her into silence; and surrounding her with a darkness which could not only be seen, but which was almost to be felt.

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

From this reading At least so it seemed in contrast with the bright valley which she had left; but before many minutes had passed, or the boat had gone very far, her eyes became accustomed to the change, the intense blackness which surrounded her softened into a pale, dim gray; and then Eva saw that she was in a low arched place, like a long tunnel cut in the solid rock.

possessing or displaying a distinctive feature to a heightened degree

From this reading At least so it seemed in contrast with the bright valley which she had left; but before many minutes had passed, or the boat had gone very far, her eyes became accustomed to the change, the intense blackness which surrounded her softened into a pale, dim gray; and then Eva saw that she was in a low arched place, like a long tunnel cut in the solid rock.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading _DOWN THE BROOK._ It was not without a moment’s fear that Eva saw the arch of the cavern close behind her, shutting her into silence; and surrounding her with a darkness which could not only be seen, but which was almost to be felt.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading _DOWN THE BROOK._ It was not without a moment’s fear that Eva saw the arch of the cavern close behind her, shutting her into silence; and surrounding her with a darkness which could not only be seen, but which was almost to be felt.

and nothing more

From this reading Leaning over the side, Eva could just see in the water the dim outlines of the trout, which swam along noiselessly in their respective places.

departing or being caused to depart from the true vertical or horizontal

From this reading Leaning over the side, Eva could just see in the water the dim outlines of the trout, which swam along noiselessly in their respective places.

the superlative of “little” that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by “the”; a quantifier meaning smallest in amount or extent or degree

From this reading At least so it seemed in contrast with the bright valley which she had left; but before many minutes had passed, or the boat had gone very far, her eyes became accustomed to the change, the intense blackness which surrounded her softened into a pale, dim gray; and then Eva saw that she was in a low arched place, like a long tunnel cut in the solid rock.

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 At least so it seemed in contrast with the bright valley which she had left; but before many minutes had passed, or the boat had gone very far, her eyes became accustomed to the change, the intense blackness which surrounded her softened into a pale, dim gray; and then Eva saw that she was in a low arched place, like a long tunnel cut in the solid rock.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading At least so it seemed in contrast with the bright valley which she had left; but before many minutes had passed, or the boat had gone very far, her eyes became accustomed to the change, the intense blackness which surrounded her softened into a pale, dim gray; and then Eva saw that she was in a low arched place, like a long tunnel cut in the solid rock.

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

From this reading Every now and then a drop of water would fall splashing into the brook from the roof, or else a little wave would break, rippling against the wall; but those were the only sounds to be heard.

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 At least so it seemed in contrast with the bright valley which she had left; but before many minutes had passed, or the boat had gone very far, her eyes became accustomed to the change, the intense blackness which surrounded her softened into a pale, dim gray; and then Eva saw that she was in a low arched place, like a long tunnel cut in the solid rock.

less than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading At least so it seemed in contrast with the bright valley which she had left; but before many minutes had passed, or the boat had gone very far, her eyes became accustomed to the change, the intense blackness which surrounded her softened into a pale, dim gray; and then Eva saw that she was in a low arched place, like a long tunnel cut in the solid rock.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number

From this reading At least so it seemed in contrast with the bright valley which she had left; but before many minutes had passed, or the boat had gone very far, her eyes became accustomed to the change, the intense blackness which surrounded her softened into a pale, dim gray; and then Eva saw that she was in a low arched place, like a long tunnel cut in the solid rock.

a written account of what transpired at a meeting

From this reading At least so it seemed in contrast with the bright valley which she had left; but before many minutes had passed, or the boat had gone very far, her eyes became accustomed to the change, the intense blackness which surrounded her softened into a pale, dim gray; and then Eva saw that she was in a low arched place, like a long tunnel cut in the solid rock.

possessive form of “moment” — a particular point in time

From this reading _DOWN THE BROOK._ It was not without a moment’s fear that Eva saw the arch of the cavern close behind her, shutting her into silence; and surrounding her with a darkness which could not only be seen, but which was almost to be felt.

the use of movements (especially of the hands) to communicate familiar or prearranged signals

From this reading Even the boat glided along noiselessly, with a smooth, uniform motion,--and the tiny waves, which occasionally ruffled the surface of the dark, still water, passed under her without Eva’s noticing them.

without a sound

From this reading Even the boat glided along noiselessly, with a smooth, uniform motion,--and the tiny waves, which occasionally ruffled the surface of the dark, still water, passed under her without Eva’s noticing them.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading _DOWN THE BROOK._ It was not without a moment’s fear that Eva saw the arch of the cavern close behind her, shutting her into silence; and surrounding her with a darkness which could not only be seen, but which was almost to be felt.

-ing form of “notice” — discover or determine the existence, presence, or fact of

From this reading Even the boat glided along noiselessly, with a smooth, uniform motion,--and the tiny waves, which occasionally ruffled the surface of the dark, still water, passed under her without Eva’s noticing them.

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

From this reading Every now and then a drop of water would fall splashing into the brook from the roof, or else a little wave would break, rippling against the wall; but those were the only sounds to be heard.

sporadically and infrequently

From this reading Even the boat glided along noiselessly, with a smooth, uniform motion,--and the tiny waves, which occasionally ruffled the surface of the dark, still water, passed under her without Eva’s noticing them.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading _DOWN THE BROOK._ It was not without a moment’s fear that Eva saw the arch of the cavern close behind her, shutting her into silence; and surrounding her with a darkness which could not only be seen, but which was almost to be felt.

and nothing more

From this reading _DOWN THE BROOK._ It was not without a moment’s fear that Eva saw the arch of the cavern close behind her, shutting her into silence; and surrounding her with a darkness which could not only be seen, but which was almost to be felt.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading At least so it seemed in contrast with the bright valley which she had left; but before many minutes had passed, or the boat had gone very far, her eyes became accustomed to the change, the intense blackness which surrounded her softened into a pale, dim gray; and then Eva saw that she was in a low arched place, like a long tunnel cut in the solid rock.

plural of “outline” — the line that appears to bound an object

From this reading Leaning over the side, Eva could just see in the water the dim outlines of the trout, which swam along noiselessly in their respective places.

above and across; more than

From this reading Leaning over the side, Eva could just see in the water the dim outlines of the trout, which swam along noiselessly in their respective places.

very light colored; highly diluted with white

From this reading At least so it seemed in contrast with the bright valley which she had left; but before many minutes had passed, or the boat had gone very far, her eyes became accustomed to the change, the intense blackness which surrounded her softened into a pale, dim gray; and then Eva saw that she was in a low arched place, like a long tunnel cut in the solid rock.

past form of “pass” — go across or through

From this reading At least so it seemed in contrast with the bright valley which she had left; but before many minutes had passed, or the boat had gone very far, her eyes became accustomed to the change, the intense blackness which surrounded her softened into a pale, dim gray; and then Eva saw that she was in a low arched place, like a long tunnel cut in the solid rock.

a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading At least so it seemed in contrast with the bright valley which she had left; but before many minutes had passed, or the boat had gone very far, her eyes became accustomed to the change, the intense blackness which surrounded her softened into a pale, dim gray; and then Eva saw that she was in a low arched place, like a long tunnel cut in the solid rock.

plural of “place” — a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading Leaning over the side, Eva could just see in the water the dim outlines of the trout, which swam along noiselessly in their respective places.

considered individually

From this reading Leaning over the side, Eva could just see in the water the dim outlines of the trout, which swam along noiselessly in their respective places.

a small wave on the surface of a liquid

From this reading Every now and then a drop of water would fall splashing into the brook from the roof, or else a little wave would break, rippling against the wall; but those were the only sounds to be heard.

a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter

From this reading At least so it seemed in contrast with the bright valley which she had left; but before many minutes had passed, or the boat had gone very far, her eyes became accustomed to the change, the intense blackness which surrounded her softened into a pale, dim gray; and then Eva saw that she was in a low arched place, like a long tunnel cut in the solid rock.

a protective covering that covers or forms the top of a building

From this reading Every now and then a drop of water would fall splashing into the brook from the roof, or else a little wave would break, rippling against the wall; but those were the only sounds to be heard.

shaken into waves or undulations as by wind

From this reading Even the boat glided along noiselessly, with a smooth, uniform motion,--and the tiny waves, which occasionally ruffled the surface of the dark, still water, passed under her without Eva’s noticing them.

cut with a saw

From this reading _DOWN THE BROOK._ It was not without a moment’s fear that Eva saw the arch of the cavern close behind her, shutting her into silence; and surrounding her with a darkness which could not only be seen, but which was almost to be felt.

perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading Leaning over the side, Eva could just see in the water the dim outlines of the trout, which swam along noiselessly in their respective places.

past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading At least so it seemed in contrast with the bright valley which she had left; but before many minutes had passed, or the boat had gone very far, her eyes became accustomed to the change, the intense blackness which surrounded her softened into a pale, dim gray; and then Eva saw that she was in a low arched place, like a long tunnel cut in the solid rock.

inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading _DOWN THE BROOK._ It was not without a moment’s fear that Eva saw the arch of the cavern close behind her, shutting her into silence; and surrounding her with a darkness which could not only be seen, but which was almost to be felt.

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

From this reading At least so it seemed in contrast with the bright valley which she had left; but before many minutes had passed, or the boat had gone very far, her eyes became accustomed to the change, the intense blackness which surrounded her softened into a pale, dim gray; and then Eva saw that she was in a low arched place, like a long tunnel cut in the solid rock.

the act of closing something

From this reading _DOWN THE BROOK._ It was not without a moment’s fear that Eva saw the arch of the cavern close behind her, shutting her into silence; and surrounding her with a darkness which could not only be seen, but which was almost to be felt.

a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location

From this reading Leaning over the side, Eva could just see in the water the dim outlines of the trout, which swam along noiselessly in their respective places.

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

From this reading _DOWN THE BROOK._ It was not without a moment’s fear that Eva saw the arch of the cavern close behind her, shutting her into silence; and surrounding her with a darkness which could not only be seen, but which was almost to be felt.

having a surface free from roughness or bumps or ridges or irregularities

From this reading Even the boat glided along noiselessly, with a smooth, uniform motion,--and the tiny waves, which occasionally ruffled the surface of the dark, still water, passed under her without Eva’s noticing them.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading At least so it seemed in contrast with the bright valley which she had left; but before many minutes had passed, or the boat had gone very far, her eyes became accustomed to the change, the intense blackness which surrounded her softened into a pale, dim gray; and then Eva saw that she was in a low arched place, like a long tunnel cut in the solid rock.

toned down

From this reading At least so it seemed in contrast with the bright valley which she had left; but before many minutes had passed, or the boat had gone very far, her eyes became accustomed to the change, the intense blackness which surrounded her softened into a pale, dim gray; and then Eva saw that she was in a low arched place, like a long tunnel cut in the solid rock.

characterized by good substantial quality

From this reading At least so it seemed in contrast with the bright valley which she had left; but before many minutes had passed, or the boat had gone very far, her eyes became accustomed to the change, the intense blackness which surrounded her softened into a pale, dim gray; and then Eva saw that she was in a low arched place, like a long tunnel cut in the solid rock.

plural of “sound” — the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause

From this reading Every now and then a drop of water would fall splashing into the brook from the roof, or else a little wave would break, rippling against the wall; but those were the only sounds to be heard.

the act of splashing a (liquid) substance on a surface

From this reading Every now and then a drop of water would fall splashing into the brook from the roof, or else a little wave would break, rippling against the wall; but those were the only sounds to be heard.

not in physical motion

From this reading Even the boat glided along noiselessly, with a smooth, uniform motion,--and the tiny waves, which occasionally ruffled the surface of the dark, still water, passed under her without Eva’s noticing them.

the outer boundary of an artifact or a material layer constituting or resembling such a boundary

From this reading Even the boat glided along noiselessly, with a smooth, uniform motion,--and the tiny waves, which occasionally ruffled the surface of the dark, still water, passed under her without Eva’s noticing them.

confined on all sides

From this reading At least so it seemed in contrast with the bright valley which she had left; but before many minutes had passed, or the boat had gone very far, her eyes became accustomed to the change, the intense blackness which surrounded her softened into a pale, dim gray; and then Eva saw that she was in a low arched place, like a long tunnel cut in the solid rock.

closely encircling

From this reading _DOWN THE BROOK._ It was not without a moment’s fear that Eva saw the arch of the cavern close behind her, shutting her into silence; and surrounding her with a darkness which could not only be seen, but which was almost to be felt.

inflected form of “swim” — travel through water

From this reading Leaning over the side, Eva could just see in the water the dim outlines of the trout, which swam along noiselessly in their respective places.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading _DOWN THE BROOK._ It was not without a moment’s fear that Eva saw the arch of the cavern close behind her, shutting her into silence; and surrounding her with a darkness which could not only be seen, but which was almost to be felt.

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

From this reading _DOWN THE BROOK._ It was not without a moment’s fear that Eva saw the arch of the cavern close behind her, shutting her into silence; and surrounding her with a darkness which could not only be seen, but which was almost to be felt.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Leaning over the side, Eva could just see in the water the dim outlines of the trout, which swam along noiselessly in their respective places.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading Even the boat glided along noiselessly, with a smooth, uniform motion,--and the tiny waves, which occasionally ruffled the surface of the dark, still water, passed under her without Eva’s noticing them.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading At least so it seemed in contrast with the bright valley which she had left; but before many minutes had passed, or the boat had gone very far, her eyes became accustomed to the change, the intense blackness which surrounded her softened into a pale, dim gray; and then Eva saw that she was in a low arched place, like a long tunnel cut in the solid rock.

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading Every now and then a drop of water would fall splashing into the brook from the roof, or else a little wave would break, rippling against the wall; but those were the only sounds to be heard.

very small

From this reading Even the boat glided along noiselessly, with a smooth, uniform motion,--and the tiny waves, which occasionally ruffled the surface of the dark, still water, passed under her without Eva’s noticing them.

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

From this reading _DOWN THE BROOK._ It was not without a moment’s fear that Eva saw the arch of the cavern close behind her, shutting her into silence; and surrounding her with a darkness which could not only be seen, but which was almost to be felt.

flesh of any of several primarily freshwater game and food fishes

From this reading Leaning over the side, Eva could just see in the water the dim outlines of the trout, which swam along noiselessly in their respective places.

move through by or as by digging

From this reading At least so it seemed in contrast with the bright valley which she had left; but before many minutes had passed, or the boat had gone very far, her eyes became accustomed to the change, the intense blackness which surrounded her softened into a pale, dim gray; and then Eva saw that she was in a low arched place, like a long tunnel cut in the solid rock.

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading Even the boat glided along noiselessly, with a smooth, uniform motion,--and the tiny waves, which occasionally ruffled the surface of the dark, still water, passed under her without Eva’s noticing them.

always the same; showing a single form or character in all occurrences

From this reading Even the boat glided along noiselessly, with a smooth, uniform motion,--and the tiny waves, which occasionally ruffled the surface of the dark, still water, passed under her without Eva’s noticing them.

a long depression in the surface of the land that usually contains a river

From this reading At least so it seemed in contrast with the bright valley which she had left; but before many minutes had passed, or the boat had gone very far, her eyes became accustomed to the change, the intense blackness which surrounded her softened into a pale, dim gray; and then Eva saw that she was in a low arched place, like a long tunnel cut in the solid rock.

precisely as stated

From this reading At least so it seemed in contrast with the bright valley which she had left; but before many minutes had passed, or the boat had gone very far, her eyes became accustomed to the change, the intense blackness which surrounded her softened into a pale, dim gray; and then Eva saw that she was in a low arched place, like a long tunnel cut in the solid rock.

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 Every now and then a drop of water would fall splashing into the brook from the roof, or else a little wave would break, rippling against the wall; but those were the only sounds to be heard.

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

From this reading _DOWN THE BROOK._ It was not without a moment’s fear that Eva saw the arch of the cavern close behind her, shutting her into silence; and surrounding her with a darkness which could not only be seen, but which was almost to be felt.

binary compound that occurs at room temperature as a clear colorless odorless tasteless liquid; freezes into ice below 0 degrees centigrade and boils above 100 degrees centigrade; widely used as a solvent

From this reading Every now and then a drop of water would fall splashing into the brook from the roof, or else a little wave would break, rippling against the wall; but those were the only sounds to be heard.

one of a series of ridges that moves across the surface of a liquid (especially across a large body of water)

From this reading Every now and then a drop of water would fall splashing into the brook from the roof, or else a little wave would break, rippling against the wall; but those were the only sounds to be heard.

plural of “wave” — one of a series of ridges that moves across the surface of a liquid (especially across a large body of water)

From this reading Even the boat glided along noiselessly, with a smooth, uniform motion,--and the tiny waves, which occasionally ruffled the surface of the dark, still water, passed under her without Eva’s noticing them.

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

From this reading Every now and then a drop of water would fall splashing into the brook from the roof, or else a little wave would break, rippling against the wall; but those were the only sounds to be heard.

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

From this reading _DOWN THE BROOK._ It was not without a moment’s fear that Eva saw the arch of the cavern close behind her, shutting her into silence; and surrounding her with a darkness which could not only be seen, but which was almost to be felt.

in the company of; together with

From this reading _DOWN THE BROOK._ It was not without a moment’s fear that Eva saw the arch of the cavern close behind her, shutting her into silence; and surrounding her with a darkness which could not only be seen, but which was almost to be felt.

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading _DOWN THE BROOK._ It was not without a moment’s fear that Eva saw the arch of the cavern close behind her, shutting her into silence; and surrounding her with a darkness which could not only be seen, but which was almost to be felt.

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading Every now and then a drop of water would fall splashing into the brook from the roof, or else a little wave would break, rippling against the wall; but those were the only sounds to be heard.