Chapter VII · The Unknown God

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

From this reading The sunlight streaming through the leaded diamond panes of the casements, instead of falling on the familiar pews, flagged nave, and solemn walls, shone with a startling effect on the heterogeneous contents of a museum and laboratory.

(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 On a couple of small shelves grinned two rows of hideous crania, gathered as ethnic types from all quarters of the barbarian world, and beside them lay a plaster cast of a famous paleolithic skull.

following the length of something from one end toward the other

From this reading Along one side of the building were ranged several glass cases containing collections of fossils, arctic and tropical shells, antique implements of flint, stone, and bronze, and geological specimens.

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

From this reading The sunlight streaming through the leaded diamond panes of the casements, instead of falling on the familiar pews, flagged nave, and solemn walls, shone with a startling effect on the heterogeneous contents of a museum and laboratory.

made in or typical of earlier times and valued for its age

From this reading Along one side of the building were ranged several glass cases containing collections of fossils, arctic and tropical shells, antique implements of flint, stone, and bronze, and geological specimens.

outward or visible aspect of a person or thing

From this reading |As the vicar entered the chapel, he stopped short, struck with astonishment at the singular appearance of the interior.

the regions to the north of the Arctic Circle centered on the North Pole

From this reading Along one side of the building were ranged several glass cases containing collections of fossils, arctic and tropical shells, antique implements of flint, stone, and bronze, and geological specimens.

plural of “arrow” — a mark to indicate a direction or relation

From this reading The walls were decorated with savage curiosities--shields of skin, carved clubs and paddles, spears and arrows tipped with flint or fishbone, mats of grass, strings of wampum, and dresses of skins and feathers.

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

From this reading |As the vicar entered the chapel, he stopped short, struck with astonishment at the singular appearance of the interior.

the feeling that accompanies something extremely surprising

From this reading |As the vicar entered the chapel, he stopped short, struck with astonishment at the singular appearance of the interior.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading |As the vicar entered the chapel, he stopped short, struck with astonishment at the singular appearance of the interior.

a member of an uncivilized people

From this reading On a couple of small shelves grinned two rows of hideous crania, gathered as ethnic types from all quarters of the barbarian world, and beside them lay a plaster cast of a famous paleolithic skull.

next to; at the side of

From this reading On a couple of small shelves grinned two rows of hideous crania, gathered as ethnic types from all quarters of the barbarian world, and beside them lay a plaster cast of a famous paleolithic skull.

an alloy of copper and tin and sometimes other elements; also any copper-base alloy containing other elements in place of tin

From this reading Along one side of the building were ranged several glass cases containing collections of fossils, arctic and tropical shells, antique implements of flint, stone, and bronze, and geological specimens.

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

From this reading Along one side of the building were ranged several glass cases containing collections of fossils, arctic and tropical shells, antique implements of flint, stone, and bronze, and geological specimens.

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

From this reading The walls were decorated with savage curiosities--shields of skin, carved clubs and paddles, spears and arrows tipped with flint or fishbone, mats of grass, strings of wampum, and dresses of skins and feathers.

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

From this reading The sunlight streaming through the leaded diamond panes of the casements, instead of falling on the familiar pews, flagged nave, and solemn walls, shone with a startling effect on the heterogeneous contents of a museum and laboratory.

plural of “case” — an occurrence of something

From this reading Along one side of the building were ranged several glass cases containing collections of fossils, arctic and tropical shells, antique implements of flint, stone, and bronze, and geological specimens.

put or send forth

From this reading On a couple of small shelves grinned two rows of hideous crania, gathered as ethnic types from all quarters of the barbarian world, and beside them lay a plaster cast of a famous paleolithic skull.

a place of worship that has its own altar

From this reading |As the vicar entered the chapel, he stopped short, struck with astonishment at the singular appearance of the interior.

plural of “club” — a team of professional baseball players who play and travel together

From this reading The walls were decorated with savage curiosities--shields of skin, carved clubs and paddles, spears and arrows tipped with flint or fishbone, mats of grass, strings of wampum, and dresses of skins and feathers.

plural of “collection” — several things grouped together or considered as a whole

From this reading Along one side of the building were ranged several glass cases containing collections of fossils, arctic and tropical shells, antique implements of flint, stone, and bronze, and geological specimens.

-ing form of “contain” — include or contain; have as a component

From this reading Along one side of the building were ranged several glass cases containing collections of fossils, arctic and tropical shells, antique implements of flint, stone, and bronze, and geological specimens.

(usually plural) everything that is included in a collection and that is held or included in something

From this reading The sunlight streaming through the leaded diamond panes of the casements, instead of falling on the familiar pews, flagged nave, and solemn walls, shone with a startling effect on the heterogeneous contents of a museum and laboratory.

a pair who associate with one another

From this reading On a couple of small shelves grinned two rows of hideous crania, gathered as ethnic types from all quarters of the barbarian world, and beside them lay a plaster cast of a famous paleolithic skull.

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

From this reading On a couple of small shelves grinned two rows of hideous crania, gathered as ethnic types from all quarters of the barbarian world, and beside them lay a plaster cast of a famous paleolithic skull.

plural of “curiosity” — a state in which you want to learn more about something

From this reading The walls were decorated with savage curiosities--shields of skin, carved clubs and paddles, spears and arrows tipped with flint or fishbone, mats of grass, strings of wampum, and dresses of skins and feathers.

provided with something intended to increase its beauty or distinction

From this reading The walls were decorated with savage curiosities--shields of skin, carved clubs and paddles, spears and arrows tipped with flint or fishbone, mats of grass, strings of wampum, and dresses of skins and feathers.

a transparent piece of diamond that has been cut and polished and is valued as a precious gem

From this reading The sunlight streaming through the leaded diamond panes of the casements, instead of falling on the familiar pews, flagged nave, and solemn walls, shone with a startling effect on the heterogeneous contents of a museum and laboratory.

plural of “dress” — a one-piece garment for a woman; has skirt and bodice

From this reading The walls were decorated with savage curiosities--shields of skin, carved clubs and paddles, spears and arrows tipped with flint or fishbone, mats of grass, strings of wampum, and dresses of skins and feathers.

a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon

From this reading The sunlight streaming through the leaded diamond panes of the casements, instead of falling on the familiar pews, flagged nave, and solemn walls, shone with a startling effect on the heterogeneous contents of a museum and laboratory.

past form of “enter” — to come or go into

From this reading |As the vicar entered the chapel, he stopped short, struck with astonishment at the singular appearance of the interior.

denoting or deriving from or distinctive of the ways of living built up by a group of people

From this reading On a couple of small shelves grinned two rows of hideous crania, gathered as ethnic types from all quarters of the barbarian world, and beside them lay a plaster cast of a famous paleolithic skull.

decreasing in amount or degree

From this reading The sunlight streaming through the leaded diamond panes of the casements, instead of falling on the familiar pews, flagged nave, and solemn walls, shone with a startling effect on the heterogeneous contents of a museum and laboratory.

well known or easily recognized

From this reading The sunlight streaming through the leaded diamond panes of the casements, instead of falling on the familiar pews, flagged nave, and solemn walls, shone with a startling effect on the heterogeneous contents of a museum and laboratory.

widely known and esteemed

From this reading On a couple of small shelves grinned two rows of hideous crania, gathered as ethnic types from all quarters of the barbarian world, and beside them lay a plaster cast of a famous paleolithic skull.

plural of “feather” — the light horny waterproof structure forming the external covering of birds

From this reading The walls were decorated with savage curiosities--shields of skin, carved clubs and paddles, spears and arrows tipped with flint or fishbone, mats of grass, strings of wampum, and dresses of skins and feathers.

a bone of a fish

From this reading The walls were decorated with savage curiosities--shields of skin, carved clubs and paddles, spears and arrows tipped with flint or fishbone, mats of grass, strings of wampum, and dresses of skins and feathers.

inflected form of “flag” — communicate or signal with a flag

From this reading The sunlight streaming through the leaded diamond panes of the casements, instead of falling on the familiar pews, flagged nave, and solemn walls, shone with a startling effect on the heterogeneous contents of a museum and laboratory.

a hard kind of stone; a form of silica more opaque than chalcedony

From this reading Along one side of the building were ranged several glass cases containing collections of fossils, arctic and tropical shells, antique implements of flint, stone, and bronze, and geological specimens.

plural of “fossil” — someone whose style is out of fashion

From this reading Along one side of the building were ranged several glass cases containing collections of fossils, arctic and tropical shells, antique implements of flint, stone, and bronze, and geological specimens.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading On a couple of small shelves grinned two rows of hideous crania, gathered as ethnic types from all quarters of the barbarian world, and beside them lay a plaster cast of a famous paleolithic skull.

brought together in one place

From this reading On a couple of small shelves grinned two rows of hideous crania, gathered as ethnic types from all quarters of the barbarian world, and beside them lay a plaster cast of a famous paleolithic skull.

of or relating to or based on geology

From this reading Along one side of the building were ranged several glass cases containing collections of fossils, arctic and tropical shells, antique implements of flint, stone, and bronze, and geological specimens.

a brittle transparent solid with irregular atomic structure

From this reading Along one side of the building were ranged several glass cases containing collections of fossils, arctic and tropical shells, antique implements of flint, stone, and bronze, and geological specimens.

shoot down, of birds

From this reading The walls were decorated with savage curiosities--shields of skin, carved clubs and paddles, spears and arrows tipped with flint or fishbone, mats of grass, strings of wampum, and dresses of skins and feathers.

inflected form of “grin” — to draw back the lips and reveal the teeth, in a smile, grimace, or snarl

From this reading On a couple of small shelves grinned two rows of hideous crania, gathered as ethnic types from all quarters of the barbarian world, and beside them lay a plaster cast of a famous paleolithic skull.

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

From this reading |As the vicar entered the chapel, he stopped short, struck with astonishment at the singular appearance of the interior.

consisting of elements that are not of the same kind or nature

From this reading The sunlight streaming through the leaded diamond panes of the casements, instead of falling on the familiar pews, flagged nave, and solemn walls, shone with a startling effect on the heterogeneous contents of a museum and laboratory.

grossly offensive to decency or morality; causing horror

From this reading On a couple of small shelves grinned two rows of hideous crania, gathered as ethnic types from all quarters of the barbarian world, and beside them lay a plaster cast of a famous paleolithic skull.

plural of “implement” — instrumentation (a piece of equipment or tool) used to effect an end

From this reading Along one side of the building were ranged several glass cases containing collections of fossils, arctic and tropical shells, antique implements of flint, stone, and bronze, and geological specimens.

in place of, or as an alternative to

From this reading The sunlight streaming through the leaded diamond panes of the casements, instead of falling on the familiar pews, flagged nave, and solemn walls, shone with a startling effect on the heterogeneous contents of a museum and laboratory.

situated within or suitable for inside a building

From this reading |As the vicar entered the chapel, he stopped short, struck with astonishment at the singular appearance of the interior.

a workplace for the conduct of scientific research

From this reading The sunlight streaming through the leaded diamond panes of the casements, instead of falling on the familiar pews, flagged nave, and solemn walls, shone with a startling effect on the heterogeneous contents of a museum and laboratory.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading On a couple of small shelves grinned two rows of hideous crania, gathered as ethnic types from all quarters of the barbarian world, and beside them lay a plaster cast of a famous paleolithic skull.

(of panes of glass) fixed in place by means of thin strips of lead

From this reading The sunlight streaming through the leaded diamond panes of the casements, instead of falling on the familiar pews, flagged nave, and solemn walls, shone with a startling effect on the heterogeneous contents of a museum and laboratory.

plural of “mat” — a thick flat pad used as a floor covering

From this reading The walls were decorated with savage curiosities--shields of skin, carved clubs and paddles, spears and arrows tipped with flint or fishbone, mats of grass, strings of wampum, and dresses of skins and feathers.

a depository for collecting and displaying objects having scientific or historical or artistic value

From this reading The sunlight streaming through the leaded diamond panes of the casements, instead of falling on the familiar pews, flagged nave, and solemn walls, shone with a startling effect on the heterogeneous contents of a museum and laboratory.

the central area of a church

From this reading The sunlight streaming through the leaded diamond panes of the casements, instead of falling on the familiar pews, flagged nave, and solemn walls, shone with a startling effect on the heterogeneous contents of a museum and laboratory.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading |As the vicar entered the chapel, he stopped short, struck with astonishment at the singular appearance of the interior.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading The sunlight streaming through the leaded diamond panes of the casements, instead of falling on the familiar pews, flagged nave, and solemn walls, shone with a startling effect on the heterogeneous contents of a museum and laboratory.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Along one side of the building were ranged several glass cases containing collections of fossils, arctic and tropical shells, antique implements of flint, stone, and bronze, and geological specimens.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading The walls were decorated with savage curiosities--shields of skin, carved clubs and paddles, spears and arrows tipped with flint or fishbone, mats of grass, strings of wampum, and dresses of skins and feathers.

plural of “paddle” — small wooden bat with a flat surface; used for hitting balls in various games

From this reading The walls were decorated with savage curiosities--shields of skin, carved clubs and paddles, spears and arrows tipped with flint or fishbone, mats of grass, strings of wampum, and dresses of skins and feathers.

second part of the Stone Age beginning about 750,000 to 500,000 years BC and lasting until the end of the last ice age about 8,500 years BC

From this reading On a couple of small shelves grinned two rows of hideous crania, gathered as ethnic types from all quarters of the barbarian world, and beside them lay a plaster cast of a famous paleolithic skull.

plural of “pane” — sheet glass cut in shapes for windows or doors

From this reading The sunlight streaming through the leaded diamond panes of the casements, instead of falling on the familiar pews, flagged nave, and solemn walls, shone with a startling effect on the heterogeneous contents of a museum and laboratory.

plural of “pew” — long bench with backs; used in church by the congregation

From this reading The sunlight streaming through the leaded diamond panes of the casements, instead of falling on the familiar pews, flagged nave, and solemn walls, shone with a startling effect on the heterogeneous contents of a museum and laboratory.

apply a heavy coat to

From this reading On a couple of small shelves grinned two rows of hideous crania, gathered as ethnic types from all quarters of the barbarian world, and beside them lay a plaster cast of a famous paleolithic skull.

housing available for people to live in

From this reading On a couple of small shelves grinned two rows of hideous crania, gathered as ethnic types from all quarters of the barbarian world, and beside them lay a plaster cast of a famous paleolithic skull.

past form of “range” — change or be different within limits

From this reading Along one side of the building were ranged several glass cases containing collections of fossils, arctic and tropical shells, antique implements of flint, stone, and bronze, and geological specimens.

plural of “row” — an arrangement of objects or people side by side in a line

From this reading On a couple of small shelves grinned two rows of hideous crania, gathered as ethnic types from all quarters of the barbarian world, and beside them lay a plaster cast of a famous paleolithic skull.

(of persons or their actions) able or disposed to inflict pain or suffering

From this reading The walls were decorated with savage curiosities--shields of skin, carved clubs and paddles, spears and arrows tipped with flint or fishbone, mats of grass, strings of wampum, and dresses of skins and feathers.

(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many

From this reading Along one side of the building were ranged several glass cases containing collections of fossils, arctic and tropical shells, antique implements of flint, stone, and bronze, and geological specimens.

plural of “shell” — ammunition consisting of a cylindrical metal casing containing an explosive charge and a projectile; fired from a large gun

From this reading Along one side of the building were ranged several glass cases containing collections of fossils, arctic and tropical shells, antique implements of flint, stone, and bronze, and geological specimens.

Plural of shelf; the vast wooden or stone structures holding archives.

From this reading On a couple of small shelves grinned two rows of hideous crania, gathered as ethnic types from all quarters of the barbarian world, and beside them lay a plaster cast of a famous paleolithic skull.

plural of “shield” — a protective covering or structure

From this reading The walls were decorated with savage curiosities--shields of skin, carved clubs and paddles, spears and arrows tipped with flint or fishbone, mats of grass, strings of wampum, and dresses of skins and feathers.

inflected form of “shine” — be bright by reflecting or casting light

From this reading The sunlight streaming through the leaded diamond panes of the casements, instead of falling on the familiar pews, flagged nave, and solemn walls, shone with a startling effect on the heterogeneous contents of a museum and laboratory.

primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration

From this reading |As the vicar entered the chapel, he stopped short, struck with astonishment at the singular appearance of the interior.

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

From this reading Along one side of the building were ranged several glass cases containing collections of fossils, arctic and tropical shells, antique implements of flint, stone, and bronze, and geological specimens.

unusual or striking

From this reading |As the vicar entered the chapel, he stopped short, struck with astonishment at the singular appearance of the interior.

a natural protective body covering and site of the sense of touch

From this reading The walls were decorated with savage curiosities--shields of skin, carved clubs and paddles, spears and arrows tipped with flint or fishbone, mats of grass, strings of wampum, and dresses of skins and feathers.

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

From this reading The walls were decorated with savage curiosities--shields of skin, carved clubs and paddles, spears and arrows tipped with flint or fishbone, mats of grass, strings of wampum, and dresses of skins and feathers.

the bony skeleton of the head of vertebrates

From this reading On a couple of small shelves grinned two rows of hideous crania, gathered as ethnic types from all quarters of the barbarian world, and beside them lay a plaster cast of a famous paleolithic skull.

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

From this reading On a couple of small shelves grinned two rows of hideous crania, gathered as ethnic types from all quarters of the barbarian world, and beside them lay a plaster cast of a famous paleolithic skull.

dignified and somber in manner or character and committed to keeping promises

From this reading The sunlight streaming through the leaded diamond panes of the casements, instead of falling on the familiar pews, flagged nave, and solemn walls, shone with a startling effect on the heterogeneous contents of a museum and laboratory.

plural of “spear” — a long pointed rod used as a tool or weapon

From this reading The walls were decorated with savage curiosities--shields of skin, carved clubs and paddles, spears and arrows tipped with flint or fishbone, mats of grass, strings of wampum, and dresses of skins and feathers.

plural of “specimen” — an example regarded as typical of its class

From this reading Along one side of the building were ranged several glass cases containing collections of fossils, arctic and tropical shells, antique implements of flint, stone, and bronze, and geological specimens.

so remarkably different or sudden as to cause momentary shock or alarm

From this reading The sunlight streaming through the leaded diamond panes of the casements, instead of falling on the familiar pews, flagged nave, and solemn walls, shone with a startling effect on the heterogeneous contents of a museum and laboratory.

a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter

From this reading Along one side of the building were ranged several glass cases containing collections of fossils, arctic and tropical shells, antique implements of flint, stone, and bronze, and geological specimens.

(of a nose) blocked

From this reading |As the vicar entered the chapel, he stopped short, struck with astonishment at the singular appearance of the interior.

exuding a bodily fluid in profuse amounts

From this reading The sunlight streaming through the leaded diamond panes of the casements, instead of falling on the familiar pews, flagged nave, and solemn walls, shone with a startling effect on the heterogeneous contents of a museum and laboratory.

the section of an orchestra that plays stringed instruments

From this reading The walls were decorated with savage curiosities--shields of skin, carved clubs and paddles, spears and arrows tipped with flint or fishbone, mats of grass, strings of wampum, and dresses of skins and feathers.

(used in combination) affected by something overwhelming

From this reading |As the vicar entered the chapel, he stopped short, struck with astonishment at the singular appearance of the interior.

the rays of the sun

From this reading The sunlight streaming through the leaded diamond panes of the casements, instead of falling on the familiar pews, flagged nave, and solemn walls, shone with a startling effect on the heterogeneous contents of a museum and laboratory.

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

From this reading |As the vicar entered the chapel, he stopped short, struck with astonishment at the singular appearance of the interior.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading On a couple of small shelves grinned two rows of hideous crania, gathered as ethnic types from all quarters of the barbarian world, and beside them lay a plaster cast of a famous paleolithic skull.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading The sunlight streaming through the leaded diamond panes of the casements, instead of falling on the familiar pews, flagged nave, and solemn walls, shone with a startling effect on the heterogeneous contents of a museum and laboratory.

having a tip; or having a tip as specified (used in combination)

From this reading The walls were decorated with savage curiosities--shields of skin, carved clubs and paddles, spears and arrows tipped with flint or fishbone, mats of grass, strings of wampum, and dresses of skins and feathers.

relating to or situated in or characteristic of the tropics (the region on either side of the equator)

From this reading Along one side of the building were ranged several glass cases containing collections of fossils, arctic and tropical shells, antique implements of flint, stone, and bronze, and geological specimens.

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

From this reading On a couple of small shelves grinned two rows of hideous crania, gathered as ethnic types from all quarters of the barbarian world, and beside them lay a plaster cast of a famous paleolithic skull.

plural of “type” — a subdivision of a particular kind of thing

From this reading On a couple of small shelves grinned two rows of hideous crania, gathered as ethnic types from all quarters of the barbarian world, and beside them lay a plaster cast of a famous paleolithic skull.

a Roman Catholic priest who acts for another higher-ranking clergyman

From this reading |As the vicar entered the chapel, he stopped short, struck with astonishment at the singular appearance of the interior.

plural of “wall” — an architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area or to support another structure

From this reading The sunlight streaming through the leaded diamond panes of the casements, instead of falling on the familiar pews, flagged nave, and solemn walls, shone with a startling effect on the heterogeneous contents of a museum and laboratory.

informal terms for money

From this reading The walls were decorated with savage curiosities--shields of skin, carved clubs and paddles, spears and arrows tipped with flint or fishbone, mats of grass, strings of wampum, and dresses of skins and feathers.

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

From this reading Along one side of the building were ranged several glass cases containing collections of fossils, arctic and tropical shells, antique implements of flint, stone, and bronze, and geological specimens.

in the company of; together with

From this reading |As the vicar entered the chapel, he stopped short, struck with astonishment at the singular appearance of the interior.

everything that exists anywhere

From this reading On a couple of small shelves grinned two rows of hideous crania, gathered as ethnic types from all quarters of the barbarian world, and beside them lay a plaster cast of a famous paleolithic skull.