Chapter II

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

From this reading In the basement of a rear building in one of those cross streets that grow more and more squalid as they stretch down to the water's edge, sat an aged couple, at nightfall, on the day when our humble heroine was presented to the reader.

advanced in years; (“aged” is pronounced as two syllables)

From this reading In the basement of a rear building in one of those cross streets that grow more and more squalid as they stretch down to the water's edge, sat an aged couple, at nightfall, on the day when our humble heroine was presented to the reader.

(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 The room was damp, low and dark; a couple of rude chairs, a deal table, and a long wooden chest were all the furniture it contained.

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

From this reading In the basement of a rear building in one of those cross streets that grow more and more squalid as they stretch down to the water's edge, sat an aged couple, at nightfall, on the day when our humble heroine was presented to the reader.

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

From this reading There is no spot so dark on earth, But love can shed bright glimmers there, Nor anguish known, of human birth, That yieldeth not to faith and prayer.

extreme mental distress

From this reading There is no spot so dark on earth, But love can shed bright glimmers there, Nor anguish known, of human birth, That yieldeth not to faith and prayer.

outward or visible aspect of a person or thing

From this reading A rough shelf ran over the mantel-piece, on which were arranged a half dozen unmatched cups and saucers, and a broken plate or two, and a teapot, minus half its spout, all scrupulously washed, and piled together with some appearance of ostentation.

disposed or placed in a particular kind of order

From this reading A rough shelf ran over the mantel-piece, on which were arranged a half dozen unmatched cups and saucers, and a broken plate or two, and a teapot, minus half its spout, all scrupulously washed, and piled together with some appearance of ostentation.

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

From this reading In the basement of a rear building in one of those cross streets that grow more and more squalid as they stretch down to the water's edge, sat an aged couple, at nightfall, on the day when our humble heroine was presented to the reader.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading In the basement of a rear building in one of those cross streets that grow more and more squalid as they stretch down to the water's edge, sat an aged couple, at nightfall, on the day when our humble heroine was presented to the reader.

the lowermost portion of a structure partly or wholly below ground level; often used for storage

From this reading In the basement of a rear building in one of those cross streets that grow more and more squalid as they stretch down to the water's edge, sat an aged couple, at nightfall, on the day when our humble heroine was presented to the reader.

the time when something begins (especially life)

From this reading There is no spot so dark on earth, But love can shed bright glimmers there, Nor anguish known, of human birth, That yieldeth not to faith and prayer.

emitting or reflecting light readily or in large amounts

From this reading There is no spot so dark on earth, But love can shed bright glimmers there, Nor anguish known, of human birth, That yieldeth not to faith and prayer.

physically and forcibly separated into pieces or cracked or split

From this reading A rough shelf ran over the mantel-piece, on which were arranged a half dozen unmatched cups and saucers, and a broken plate or two, and a teapot, minus half its spout, all scrupulously washed, and piled together with some appearance of ostentation.

a structure that has a roof and walls and stands more or less permanently in one place

From this reading In the basement of a rear building in one of those cross streets that grow more and more squalid as they stretch down to the water's edge, sat an aged couple, at nightfall, on the day when our humble heroine was presented to the reader.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading There is no spot so dark on earth, But love can shed bright glimmers there, Nor anguish known, of human birth, That yieldeth not to faith and prayer.

to be able to, or to be allowed to

From this reading There is no spot so dark on earth, But love can shed bright glimmers there, Nor anguish known, of human birth, That yieldeth not to faith and prayer.

plural of “chair” — a seat for one person, with a support for the back

From this reading The room was damp, low and dark; a couple of rude chairs, a deal table, and a long wooden chest were all the furniture it contained.

the part of the human torso between the neck and the diaphragm or the corresponding part in other vertebrates

From this reading The room was damp, low and dark; a couple of rude chairs, a deal table, and a long wooden chest were all the furniture it contained.

gotten under control

From this reading The room was damp, low and dark; a couple of rude chairs, a deal table, and a long wooden chest were all the furniture it contained.

a pair who associate with one another

From this reading THE OLD COUPLE.

travel across or pass over

From this reading In the basement of a rear building in one of those cross streets that grow more and more squalid as they stretch down to the water's edge, sat an aged couple, at nightfall, on the day when our humble heroine was presented to the reader.

plural of “cup” — a small open container usually used for drinking; usually has a handle

From this reading A rough shelf ran over the mantel-piece, on which were arranged a half dozen unmatched cups and saucers, and a broken plate or two, and a teapot, minus half its spout, all scrupulously washed, and piled together with some appearance of ostentation.

slightly wet

From this reading The room was damp, low and dark; a couple of rude chairs, a deal table, and a long wooden chest were all the furniture it contained.

absence of light or illumination

From this reading There is no spot so dark on earth, But love can shed bright glimmers there, Nor anguish known, of human birth, That yieldeth not to faith and prayer.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading In the basement of a rear building in one of those cross streets that grow more and more squalid as they stretch down to the water's edge, sat an aged couple, at nightfall, on the day when our humble heroine was presented to the reader.

act on verbally or in some form of artistic expression

From this reading The room was damp, low and dark; a couple of rude chairs, a deal table, and a long wooden chest were all the furniture it contained.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading In the basement of a rear building in one of those cross streets that grow more and more squalid as they stretch down to the water's edge, sat an aged couple, at nightfall, on the day when our humble heroine was presented to the reader.

the cardinal number that is the sum of eleven and one

From this reading A rough shelf ran over the mantel-piece, on which were arranged a half dozen unmatched cups and saucers, and a broken plate or two, and a teapot, minus half its spout, all scrupulously washed, and piled together with some appearance of ostentation.

the 3rd planet from the sun; the planet we live on

From this reading There is no spot so dark on earth, But love can shed bright glimmers there, Nor anguish known, of human birth, That yieldeth not to faith and prayer.

the boundary of a surface

From this reading In the basement of a rear building in one of those cross streets that grow more and more squalid as they stretch down to the water's edge, sat an aged couple, at nightfall, on the day when our humble heroine was presented to the reader.

a strong belief in a supernatural power or powers that control human destiny

From this reading There is no spot so dark on earth, But love can shed bright glimmers there, Nor anguish known, of human birth, That yieldeth not to faith and prayer.

furnishings that make a room or other area ready for occupancy

From this reading The room was damp, low and dark; a couple of rude chairs, a deal table, and a long wooden chest were all the furniture it contained.

plural of “glimmer” — a flash of light (especially reflected light)

From this reading There is no spot so dark on earth, But love can shed bright glimmers there, Nor anguish known, of human birth, That yieldeth not to faith and prayer.

pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become

From this reading In the basement of a rear building in one of those cross streets that grow more and more squalid as they stretch down to the water's edge, sat an aged couple, at nightfall, on the day when our humble heroine was presented to the reader.

consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity

From this reading A rough shelf ran over the mantel-piece, on which were arranged a half dozen unmatched cups and saucers, and a broken plate or two, and a teapot, minus half its spout, all scrupulously washed, and piled together with some appearance of ostentation.

the main good female character in a work of fiction

From this reading In the basement of a rear building in one of those cross streets that grow more and more squalid as they stretch down to the water's edge, sat an aged couple, at nightfall, on the day when our humble heroine was presented to the reader.

characteristic of humanity

From this reading There is no spot so dark on earth, But love can shed bright glimmers there, Nor anguish known, of human birth, That yieldeth not to faith and prayer.

low or inferior in station or quality

From this reading In the basement of a rear building in one of those cross streets that grow more and more squalid as they stretch down to the water's edge, sat an aged couple, at nightfall, on the day when our humble heroine was presented to the reader.

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

From this reading In the basement of a rear building in one of those cross streets that grow more and more squalid as they stretch down to the water's edge, sat an aged couple, at nightfall, on the day when our humble heroine was presented to the reader.

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

From this reading There is no spot so dark on earth, But love can shed bright glimmers there, Nor anguish known, of human birth, That yieldeth not to faith and prayer.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading The room was damp, low and dark; a couple of rude chairs, a deal table, and a long wooden chest were all the furniture it contained.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading A rough shelf ran over the mantel-piece, on which were arranged a half dozen unmatched cups and saucers, and a broken plate or two, and a teapot, minus half its spout, all scrupulously washed, and piled together with some appearance of ostentation.

apprehended with certainty

From this reading There is no spot so dark on earth, But love can shed bright glimmers there, Nor anguish known, of human birth, That yieldeth not to faith and prayer.

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 The room was damp, low and dark; a couple of rude chairs, a deal table, and a long wooden chest were all the furniture it contained.

a strong positive emotion of regard and affection

From this reading There is no spot so dark on earth, But love can shed bright glimmers there, Nor anguish known, of human birth, That yieldeth not to faith and prayer.

less than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading The room was damp, low and dark; a couple of rude chairs, a deal table, and a long wooden chest were all the furniture it contained.

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

From this reading A rough shelf ran over the mantel-piece, on which were arranged a half dozen unmatched cups and saucers, and a broken plate or two, and a teapot, minus half its spout, all scrupulously washed, and piled together with some appearance of ostentation.

on the negative side or lower end of a scale

From this reading A rough shelf ran over the mantel-piece, on which were arranged a half dozen unmatched cups and saucers, and a broken plate or two, and a teapot, minus half its spout, all scrupulously washed, and piled together with some appearance of ostentation.

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

From this reading In the basement of a rear building in one of those cross streets that grow more and more squalid as they stretch down to the water's edge, sat an aged couple, at nightfall, on the day when our humble heroine was presented to the reader.

the time of day immediately following sunset

From this reading In the basement of a rear building in one of those cross streets that grow more and more squalid as they stretch down to the water's edge, sat an aged couple, at nightfall, on the day when our humble heroine was presented to the reader.

not any; not one

From this reading There is no spot so dark on earth, But love can shed bright glimmers there, Nor anguish known, of human birth, That yieldeth not to faith and prayer.

and not; used after a negative to add a second negative

From this reading There is no spot so dark on earth, But love can shed bright glimmers there, Nor anguish known, of human birth, That yieldeth not to faith and prayer.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading There is no spot so dark on earth, But love can shed bright glimmers there, Nor anguish known, of human birth, That yieldeth not to faith and prayer.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading There is no spot so dark on earth, But love can shed bright glimmers there, Nor anguish known, of human birth, That yieldeth not to faith and prayer.

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

From this reading THE OLD COUPLE.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading There is no spot so dark on earth, But love can shed bright glimmers there, Nor anguish known, of human birth, That yieldeth not to faith and prayer.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading In the basement of a rear building in one of those cross streets that grow more and more squalid as they stretch down to the water's edge, sat an aged couple, at nightfall, on the day when our humble heroine was presented to the reader.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading A rough shelf ran over the mantel-piece, on which were arranged a half dozen unmatched cups and saucers, and a broken plate or two, and a teapot, minus half its spout, all scrupulously washed, and piled together with some appearance of ostentation.

a gaudy outward display

From this reading A rough shelf ran over the mantel-piece, on which were arranged a half dozen unmatched cups and saucers, and a broken plate or two, and a teapot, minus half its spout, all scrupulously washed, and piled together with some appearance of ostentation.

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading In the basement of a rear building in one of those cross streets that grow more and more squalid as they stretch down to the water's edge, sat an aged couple, at nightfall, on the day when our humble heroine was presented to the reader.

above and across; more than

From this reading A rough shelf ran over the mantel-piece, on which were arranged a half dozen unmatched cups and saucers, and a broken plate or two, and a teapot, minus half its spout, all scrupulously washed, and piled together with some appearance of ostentation.

past form of “pile” — arrange in stacks

From this reading A rough shelf ran over the mantel-piece, on which were arranged a half dozen unmatched cups and saucers, and a broken plate or two, and a teapot, minus half its spout, all scrupulously washed, and piled together with some appearance of ostentation.

(baseball) base consisting of a rubber slab where the batter stands; it must be touched by a base runner in order to score

From this reading A rough shelf ran over the mantel-piece, on which were arranged a half dozen unmatched cups and saucers, and a broken plate or two, and a teapot, minus half its spout, all scrupulously washed, and piled together with some appearance of ostentation.

the act of communicating with a deity (especially as a petition or in adoration or contrition or thanksgiving)

From this reading There is no spot so dark on earth, But love can shed bright glimmers there, Nor anguish known, of human birth, That yieldeth not to faith and prayer.

past form of “present” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience

From this reading In the basement of a rear building in one of those cross streets that grow more and more squalid as they stretch down to the water's edge, sat an aged couple, at nightfall, on the day when our humble heroine was presented to the reader.

inflected form of “run” — move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time

From this reading A rough shelf ran over the mantel-piece, on which were arranged a half dozen unmatched cups and saucers, and a broken plate or two, and a teapot, minus half its spout, all scrupulously washed, and piled together with some appearance of ostentation.

a person who enjoys reading

From this reading In the basement of a rear building in one of those cross streets that grow more and more squalid as they stretch down to the water's edge, sat an aged couple, at nightfall, on the day when our humble heroine was presented to the reader.

the back of a military formation or procession

From this reading In the basement of a rear building in one of those cross streets that grow more and more squalid as they stretch down to the water's edge, sat an aged couple, at nightfall, on the day when our humble heroine was presented to the reader.

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

From this reading The room was damp, low and dark; a couple of rude chairs, a deal table, and a long wooden chest were all the furniture it contained.

having or caused by an irregular surface

From this reading A rough shelf ran over the mantel-piece, on which were arranged a half dozen unmatched cups and saucers, and a broken plate or two, and a teapot, minus half its spout, all scrupulously washed, and piled together with some appearance of ostentation.

socially incorrect in behavior

From this reading The room was damp, low and dark; a couple of rude chairs, a deal table, and a long wooden chest were all the furniture it contained.

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

From this reading In the basement of a rear building in one of those cross streets that grow more and more squalid as they stretch down to the water's edge, sat an aged couple, at nightfall, on the day when our humble heroine was presented to the reader.

plural of “saucer” — something with a round shape resembling a flat circular plate

From this reading A rough shelf ran over the mantel-piece, on which were arranged a half dozen unmatched cups and saucers, and a broken plate or two, and a teapot, minus half its spout, all scrupulously washed, and piled together with some appearance of ostentation.

with extreme conscientiousness

From this reading A rough shelf ran over the mantel-piece, on which were arranged a half dozen unmatched cups and saucers, and a broken plate or two, and a teapot, minus half its spout, all scrupulously washed, and piled together with some appearance of ostentation.

get rid of

From this reading There is no spot so dark on earth, But love can shed bright glimmers there, Nor anguish known, of human birth, That yieldeth not to faith and prayer.

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

From this reading A rough shelf ran over the mantel-piece, on which were arranged a half dozen unmatched cups and saucers, and a broken plate or two, and a teapot, minus half its spout, all scrupulously washed, and piled together with some appearance of ostentation.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading There is no spot so dark on earth, But love can shed bright glimmers there, Nor anguish known, of human birth, That yieldeth not to faith and prayer.

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

From this reading A rough shelf ran over the mantel-piece, on which were arranged a half dozen unmatched cups and saucers, and a broken plate or two, and a teapot, minus half its spout, all scrupulously washed, and piled together with some appearance of ostentation.

a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading There is no spot so dark on earth, But love can shed bright glimmers there, Nor anguish known, of human birth, That yieldeth not to faith and prayer.

gush forth in a sudden stream or jet

From this reading A rough shelf ran over the mantel-piece, on which were arranged a half dozen unmatched cups and saucers, and a broken plate or two, and a teapot, minus half its spout, all scrupulously washed, and piled together with some appearance of ostentation.

morally degraded

From this reading In the basement of a rear building in one of those cross streets that grow more and more squalid as they stretch down to the water's edge, sat an aged couple, at nightfall, on the day when our humble heroine was presented to the reader.

plural of “street” — a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings

From this reading In the basement of a rear building in one of those cross streets that grow more and more squalid as they stretch down to the water's edge, sat an aged couple, at nightfall, on the day when our humble heroine was presented to the reader.

occupy a large, elongated area

From this reading In the basement of a rear building in one of those cross streets that grow more and more squalid as they stretch down to the water's edge, sat an aged couple, at nightfall, on the day when our humble heroine was presented to the reader.

a set of data arranged in rows and columns

From this reading The room was damp, low and dark; a couple of rude chairs, a deal table, and a long wooden chest were all the furniture it contained.

pot for brewing tea; usually has a spout and handle

From this reading A rough shelf ran over the mantel-piece, on which were arranged a half dozen unmatched cups and saucers, and a broken plate or two, and a teapot, minus half its spout, all scrupulously washed, and piled together with some appearance of ostentation.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading There is no spot so dark on earth, But love can shed bright glimmers there, Nor anguish known, of human birth, That yieldeth not to faith and prayer.

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

From this reading THE OLD COUPLE.

in or at that place or location

From this reading There is no spot so dark on earth, But love can shed bright glimmers there, Nor anguish known, of human birth, That yieldeth not to faith and prayer.

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading In the basement of a rear building in one of those cross streets that grow more and more squalid as they stretch down to the water's edge, sat an aged couple, at nightfall, on the day when our humble heroine was presented to the reader.

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

From this reading In the basement of a rear building in one of those cross streets that grow more and more squalid as they stretch down to the water's edge, sat an aged couple, at nightfall, on the day when our humble heroine was presented to the reader.

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

From this reading There is no spot so dark on earth, But love can shed bright glimmers there, Nor anguish known, of human birth, That yieldeth not to faith and prayer.

in contact with each other or in proximity

From this reading A rough shelf ran over the mantel-piece, on which were arranged a half dozen unmatched cups and saucers, and a broken plate or two, and a teapot, minus half its spout, all scrupulously washed, and piled together with some appearance of ostentation.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number

From this reading A rough shelf ran over the mantel-piece, on which were arranged a half dozen unmatched cups and saucers, and a broken plate or two, and a teapot, minus half its spout, all scrupulously washed, and piled together with some appearance of ostentation.

of the remaining member of a pair

From this reading A rough shelf ran over the mantel-piece, on which were arranged a half dozen unmatched cups and saucers, and a broken plate or two, and a teapot, minus half its spout, all scrupulously washed, and piled together with some appearance of ostentation.

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

From this reading In the basement of a rear building in one of those cross streets that grow more and more squalid as they stretch down to the water's edge, sat an aged couple, at nightfall, on the day when our humble heroine was presented to the reader.

clean by virtue of having been washed in water

From this reading A rough shelf ran over the mantel-piece, on which were arranged a half dozen unmatched cups and saucers, and a broken plate or two, and a teapot, minus half its spout, all scrupulously washed, and piled together with some appearance of ostentation.

possessive form of “water” — 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 In the basement of a rear building in one of those cross streets that grow more and more squalid as they stretch down to the water's edge, sat an aged couple, at nightfall, on the day when our humble heroine was presented to the reader.

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

From this reading The room was damp, low and dark; a couple of rude chairs, a deal table, and a long wooden chest were all the furniture it contained.

at the time that

From this reading In the basement of a rear building in one of those cross streets that grow more and more squalid as they stretch down to the water's edge, sat an aged couple, at nightfall, on the day when our humble heroine was presented to the reader.

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

From this reading A rough shelf ran over the mantel-piece, on which were arranged a half dozen unmatched cups and saucers, and a broken plate or two, and a teapot, minus half its spout, all scrupulously washed, and piled together with some appearance of ostentation.

in the company of; together with

From this reading A rough shelf ran over the mantel-piece, on which were arranged a half dozen unmatched cups and saucers, and a broken plate or two, and a teapot, minus half its spout, all scrupulously washed, and piled together with some appearance of ostentation.

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

From this reading The room was damp, low and dark; a couple of rude chairs, a deal table, and a long wooden chest were all the furniture it contained.

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

From this reading There is no spot so dark on earth, But love can shed bright glimmers there, Nor anguish known, of human birth, That yieldeth not to faith and prayer.