Chapter XXIII · Chapter 23

having companions or an escort

From this reading Early that evening old Spooner returned, accompanied by an even more disreputable-looking old man than himself.

a person or thing that is a resource that helps make something easier or possible to do

From this reading Felipe heard them slowly and laboriously fumbling their way up the dark stairs, recognized the sound of Spooner's cane, and flung open the door of his room that the light of his oil lamp might aid them.

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

From this reading Early that evening old Spooner returned, accompanied by an even more disreputable-looking old man than himself.

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

From this reading Felipe heard them slowly and laboriously fumbling their way up the dark stairs, recognized the sound of Spooner's cane, and flung open the door of his room that the light of his oil lamp might aid them.

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

From this reading "These stairs are dark--heathenishly dark."

give a benediction to

From this reading "Bless you, boy!" panted old Spooner.

a youthful male person

From this reading "Bless you, boy!" panted old Spooner.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Early that evening old Spooner returned, accompanied by an even more disreputable-looking old man than himself.

a stick that people can lean on to help them walk

From this reading Felipe heard them slowly and laboriously fumbling their way up the dark stairs, recognized the sound of Spooner's cane, and flung open the door of his room that the light of his oil lamp might aid them.

absence of light or illumination

From this reading Felipe heard them slowly and laboriously fumbling their way up the dark stairs, recognized the sound of Spooner's cane, and flung open the door of his room that the light of his oil lamp might aid them.

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

From this reading Early that evening old Spooner returned, accompanied by an even more disreputable-looking old man than himself.

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading THE FLAMES DO THEIR WORK.

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

From this reading Felipe heard them slowly and laboriously fumbling their way up the dark stairs, recognized the sound of Spooner's cane, and flung open the door of his room that the light of his oil lamp might aid them.

at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time

From this reading Early that evening old Spooner returned, accompanied by an even more disreputable-looking old man than himself.

divisible by two

From this reading Early that evening old Spooner returned, accompanied by an even more disreputable-looking old man than himself.

the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)

From this reading Early that evening old Spooner returned, accompanied by an even more disreputable-looking old man than himself.

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

From this reading Felipe heard them slowly and laboriously fumbling their way up the dark stairs, recognized the sound of Spooner's cane, and flung open the door of his room that the light of his oil lamp might aid them.

plural of “flame” — the process of combustion of inflammable materials producing heat and light and (often) smoke

From this reading THE FLAMES DO THEIR WORK.

inflected form of “fling” — throw with force or recklessness

From this reading Felipe heard them slowly and laboriously fumbling their way up the dark stairs, recognized the sound of Spooner's cane, and flung open the door of his room that the light of his oil lamp might aid them.

showing lack of skill or aptitude

From this reading Felipe heard them slowly and laboriously fumbling their way up the dark stairs, recognized the sound of Spooner's cane, and flung open the door of his room that the light of his oil lamp might aid them.

detected or perceived by the sense of hearing

From this reading Felipe heard them slowly and laboriously fumbling their way up the dark stairs, recognized the sound of Spooner's cane, and flung open the door of his room that the light of his oil lamp might aid them.

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

From this reading "These stairs are dark--heathenishly dark."

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading Early that evening old Spooner returned, accompanied by an even more disreputable-looking old man than himself.

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading Felipe heard them slowly and laboriously fumbling their way up the dark stairs, recognized the sound of Spooner's cane, and flung open the door of his room that the light of his oil lamp might aid them.

in a laborious manner

From this reading Felipe heard them slowly and laboriously fumbling their way up the dark stairs, recognized the sound of Spooner's cane, and flung open the door of his room that the light of his oil lamp might aid them.

an artificial source of visible illumination

From this reading Felipe heard them slowly and laboriously fumbling their way up the dark stairs, recognized the sound of Spooner's cane, and flung open the door of his room that the light of his oil lamp might aid them.

of comparatively little physical weight or density

From this reading Felipe heard them slowly and laboriously fumbling their way up the dark stairs, recognized the sound of Spooner's cane, and flung open the door of his room that the light of his oil lamp might aid them.

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

From this reading Early that evening old Spooner returned, accompanied by an even more disreputable-looking old man than himself.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading Felipe heard them slowly and laboriously fumbling their way up the dark stairs, recognized the sound of Spooner's cane, and flung open the door of his room that the light of his oil lamp might aid them.

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

From this reading Early that evening old Spooner returned, accompanied by an even more disreputable-looking old man than himself.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Felipe heard them slowly and laboriously fumbling their way up the dark stairs, recognized the sound of Spooner's cane, and flung open the door of his room that the light of his oil lamp might aid them.

A viscous liquid derived from petroleum or plants, stored in large earthen jars.

From this reading Felipe heard them slowly and laboriously fumbling their way up the dark stairs, recognized the sound of Spooner's cane, and flung open the door of his room that the light of his oil lamp might aid them.

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

From this reading Early that evening old Spooner returned, accompanied by an even more disreputable-looking old man than himself.

To move from a closed position.

From this reading Felipe heard them slowly and laboriously fumbling their way up the dark stairs, recognized the sound of Spooner's cane, and flung open the door of his room that the light of his oil lamp might aid them.

past form of “pant” — breathe noisily, as when one is exhausted

From this reading "Bless you, boy!" panted old Spooner.

generally approved or compelling recognition

From this reading Felipe heard them slowly and laboriously fumbling their way up the dark stairs, recognized the sound of Spooner's cane, and flung open the door of his room that the light of his oil lamp might aid them.

past form of “return” — go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before

From this reading Early that evening old Spooner returned, accompanied by an even more disreputable-looking old man than himself.

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

From this reading Felipe heard them slowly and laboriously fumbling their way up the dark stairs, recognized the sound of Spooner's cane, and flung open the door of his room that the light of his oil lamp might aid them.

without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)

From this reading Felipe heard them slowly and laboriously fumbling their way up the dark stairs, recognized the sound of Spooner's cane, and flung open the door of his room that the light of his oil lamp might aid them.

the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause

From this reading Felipe heard them slowly and laboriously fumbling their way up the dark stairs, recognized the sound of Spooner's cane, and flung open the door of his room that the light of his oil lamp might aid them.

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

From this reading Early that evening old Spooner returned, accompanied by an even more disreputable-looking old man than himself.

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

From this reading Felipe heard them slowly and laboriously fumbling their way up the dark stairs, recognized the sound of Spooner's cane, and flung open the door of his room that the light of his oil lamp might aid them.

a flight of stairs or a flight of steps

From this reading Felipe heard them slowly and laboriously fumbling their way up the dark stairs, recognized the sound of Spooner's cane, and flung open the door of his room that the light of his oil lamp might aid them.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading Early that evening old Spooner returned, accompanied by an even more disreputable-looking old man than himself.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Early that evening old Spooner returned, accompanied by an even more disreputable-looking old man than himself.

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

From this reading THE FLAMES DO THEIR WORK.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading THE FLAMES DO THEIR WORK.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading Felipe heard them slowly and laboriously fumbling their way up the dark stairs, recognized the sound of Spooner's cane, and flung open the door of his room that the light of his oil lamp might aid them.

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading "These stairs are dark--heathenishly dark."

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

From this reading Felipe heard them slowly and laboriously fumbling their way up the dark stairs, recognized the sound of Spooner's cane, and flung open the door of his room that the light of his oil lamp might aid them.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading Felipe heard them slowly and laboriously fumbling their way up the dark stairs, recognized the sound of Spooner's cane, and flung open the door of his room that the light of his oil lamp might aid them.

exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity

From this reading THE FLAMES DO THEIR WORK.

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading "Bless you, boy!" panted old Spooner.