Chapter III

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

From this reading I--THE DOOR ON THE LANE WAS that a shadow cast by the projection of the door porch out there across the street, or was it _more_ than a shadow?

not normal; not typical or usual or regular or conforming to a norm

From this reading It was true that, to a remarkable degree, one's eyes became accustomed to the murk, almost akin to blackness, of the ill-lighted street; but the mind did not accommodate itself so readily--a long and sustained vigil, the brain spurred into abnormal activity and under tense strain, produced a mental quality of vision that detracted from, rather than augmented, the dependence to be placed upon the physical organs of sight.

be agreeable or acceptable to

From this reading It was true that, to a remarkable degree, one's eyes became accustomed to the murk, almost akin to blackness, of the ill-lighted street; but the mind did not accommodate itself so readily--a long and sustained vigil, the brain spurred into abnormal activity and under tense strain, produced a mental quality of vision that detracted from, rather than augmented, the dependence to be placed upon the physical organs of sight.

commonly used or practiced; usual

From this reading It was true that, to a remarkable degree, one's eyes became accustomed to the murk, almost akin to blackness, of the ill-lighted street; but the mind did not accommodate itself so readily--a long and sustained vigil, the brain spurred into abnormal activity and under tense strain, produced a mental quality of vision that detracted from, rather than augmented, the dependence to be placed upon the physical organs of sight.

from one side of something to the other

From this reading I--THE DOOR ON THE LANE WAS that a shadow cast by the projection of the door porch out there across the street, or was it _more_ than a shadow?

any specific behavior

From this reading It was true that, to a remarkable degree, one's eyes became accustomed to the murk, almost akin to blackness, of the ill-lighted street; but the mind did not accommodate itself so readily--a long and sustained vigil, the brain spurred into abnormal activity and under tense strain, produced a mental quality of vision that detracted from, rather than augmented, the dependence to be placed upon the physical organs of sight.

similar in quality or character

From this reading It was true that, to a remarkable degree, one's eyes became accustomed to the murk, almost akin to blackness, of the ill-lighted street; but the mind did not accommodate itself so readily--a long and sustained vigil, the brain spurred into abnormal activity and under tense strain, produced a mental quality of vision that detracted from, rather than augmented, the dependence to be placed upon the physical organs of sight.

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

From this reading It was true that, to a remarkable degree, one's eyes became accustomed to the murk, almost akin to blackness, of the ill-lighted street; but the mind did not accommodate itself so readily--a long and sustained vigil, the brain spurred into abnormal activity and under tense strain, produced a mental quality of vision that detracted from, rather than augmented, the dependence to be placed upon the physical organs of sight.

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

From this reading It was true that, to a remarkable degree, one's eyes became accustomed to the murk, almost akin to blackness, of the ill-lighted street; but the mind did not accommodate itself so readily--a long and sustained vigil, the brain spurred into abnormal activity and under tense strain, produced a mental quality of vision that detracted from, rather than augmented, the dependence to be placed upon the physical organs of sight.

added to or made greater in amount or number or strength

From this reading It was true that, to a remarkable degree, one's eyes became accustomed to the murk, almost akin to blackness, of the ill-lighted street; but the mind did not accommodate itself so readily--a long and sustained vigil, the brain spurred into abnormal activity and under tense strain, produced a mental quality of vision that detracted from, rather than augmented, the dependence to be placed upon the physical organs of sight.

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

From this reading It was true that, to a remarkable degree, one's eyes became accustomed to the murk, almost akin to blackness, of the ill-lighted street; but the mind did not accommodate itself so readily--a long and sustained vigil, the brain spurred into abnormal activity and under tense strain, produced a mental quality of vision that detracted from, rather than augmented, the dependence to be placed upon the physical organs of sight.

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

From this reading It was true that, to a remarkable degree, one's eyes became accustomed to the murk, almost akin to blackness, of the ill-lighted street; but the mind did not accommodate itself so readily--a long and sustained vigil, the brain spurred into abnormal activity and under tense strain, produced a mental quality of vision that detracted from, rather than augmented, the dependence to be placed upon the physical organs of sight.

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

From this reading It was true that, to a remarkable degree, one's eyes became accustomed to the murk, almost akin to blackness, of the ill-lighted street; but the mind did not accommodate itself so readily--a long and sustained vigil, the brain spurred into abnormal activity and under tense strain, produced a mental quality of vision that detracted from, rather than augmented, the dependence to be placed upon the physical organs of sight.

that part of the central nervous system that includes all the higher nervous centers; enclosed within the skull; continuous with the spinal cord

From this reading It was true that, to a remarkable degree, one's eyes became accustomed to the murk, almost akin to blackness, of the ill-lighted street; but the mind did not accommodate itself so readily--a long and sustained vigil, the brain spurred into abnormal activity and under tense strain, produced a mental quality of vision that detracted from, rather than augmented, the dependence to be placed upon the physical organs of sight.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading It was true that, to a remarkable degree, one's eyes became accustomed to the murk, almost akin to blackness, of the ill-lighted street; but the mind did not accommodate itself so readily--a long and sustained vigil, the brain spurred into abnormal activity and under tense strain, produced a mental quality of vision that detracted from, rather than augmented, the dependence to be placed upon the physical organs of sight.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading I--THE DOOR ON THE LANE WAS that a shadow cast by the projection of the door porch out there across the street, or was it _more_ than a shadow?

put or send forth

From this reading I--THE DOOR ON THE LANE WAS that a shadow cast by the projection of the door porch out there across the street, or was it _more_ than a shadow?

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

From this reading He could not be sure what it was out there.

past form of “create” — make or cause to be or to become

From this reading It peopled space with its own imaginations; it created, rather than descried.

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

From this reading Dave Henderson shook his head in grim uncertainty.

a position on a scale of intensity or amount or quality

From this reading It was true that, to a remarkable degree, one's eyes became accustomed to the murk, almost akin to blackness, of the ill-lighted street; but the mind did not accommodate itself so readily--a long and sustained vigil, the brain spurred into abnormal activity and under tense strain, produced a mental quality of vision that detracted from, rather than augmented, the dependence to be placed upon the physical organs of sight.

the state of relying on or being controlled by someone or something else

From this reading It was true that, to a remarkable degree, one's eyes became accustomed to the murk, almost akin to blackness, of the ill-lighted street; but the mind did not accommodate itself so readily--a long and sustained vigil, the brain spurred into abnormal activity and under tense strain, produced a mental quality of vision that detracted from, rather than augmented, the dependence to be placed upon the physical organs of sight.

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

From this reading It peopled space with its own imaginations; it created, rather than descried.

past form of “detract” — take away a part from; diminish

From this reading It was true that, to a remarkable degree, one's eyes became accustomed to the murk, almost akin to blackness, of the ill-lighted street; but the mind did not accommodate itself so readily--a long and sustained vigil, the brain spurred into abnormal activity and under tense strain, produced a mental quality of vision that detracted from, rather than augmented, the dependence to be placed upon the physical organs of sight.

the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives

From this reading It was true that, to a remarkable degree, one's eyes became accustomed to the murk, almost akin to blackness, of the ill-lighted street; but the mind did not accommodate itself so readily--a long and sustained vigil, the brain spurred into abnormal activity and under tense strain, produced a mental quality of vision that detracted from, rather than augmented, the dependence to be placed upon the physical organs of sight.

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

From this reading I--THE DOOR ON THE LANE WAS that a shadow cast by the projection of the door porch out there across the street, or was it _more_ than a shadow?

opinion or judgment

From this reading It was true that, to a remarkable degree, one's eyes became accustomed to the murk, almost akin to blackness, of the ill-lighted street; but the mind did not accommodate itself so readily--a long and sustained vigil, the brain spurred into abnormal activity and under tense strain, produced a mental quality of vision that detracted from, rather than augmented, the dependence to be placed upon the physical organs of sight.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading It was true that, to a remarkable degree, one's eyes became accustomed to the murk, almost akin to blackness, of the ill-lighted street; but the mind did not accommodate itself so readily--a long and sustained vigil, the brain spurred into abnormal activity and under tense strain, produced a mental quality of vision that detracted from, rather than augmented, the dependence to be placed upon the physical organs of sight.

not to be placated or appeased or moved by entreaty

From this reading Dave Henderson shook his head in grim uncertainty.

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

From this reading He could not be sure what it was out there.

the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains

From this reading Dave Henderson shook his head in grim uncertainty.

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

From this reading Dave Henderson shook his head in grim uncertainty.

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

From this reading Dave Henderson shook his head in grim uncertainty.

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading I--THE DOOR ON THE LANE WAS that a shadow cast by the projection of the door porch out there across the street, or was it _more_ than a shadow?

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

From this reading It was true that, to a remarkable degree, one's eyes became accustomed to the murk, almost akin to blackness, of the ill-lighted street; but the mind did not accommodate itself so readily--a long and sustained vigil, the brain spurred into abnormal activity and under tense strain, produced a mental quality of vision that detracted from, rather than augmented, the dependence to be placed upon the physical organs of sight.

plural of “imagination” — the formation of a mental image of something that is not perceived as real and is not present to the senses

From this reading It peopled space with its own imaginations; it created, rather than descried.

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

From this reading Dave Henderson shook his head in grim uncertainty.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading It was true that, to a remarkable degree, one's eyes became accustomed to the murk, almost akin to blackness, of the ill-lighted street; but the mind did not accommodate itself so readily--a long and sustained vigil, the brain spurred into abnormal activity and under tense strain, produced a mental quality of vision that detracted from, rather than augmented, the dependence to be placed upon the physical organs of sight.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading I--THE DOOR ON THE LANE WAS that a shadow cast by the projection of the door porch out there across the street, or was it _more_ than a shadow?

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading It peopled space with its own imaginations; it created, rather than descried.

used when the thing doing the action is also its object

From this reading It was true that, to a remarkable degree, one's eyes became accustomed to the murk, almost akin to blackness, of the ill-lighted street; but the mind did not accommodate itself so readily--a long and sustained vigil, the brain spurred into abnormal activity and under tense strain, produced a mental quality of vision that detracted from, rather than augmented, the dependence to be placed upon the physical organs of sight.

a narrow way or road

From this reading I--THE DOOR ON THE LANE WAS that a shadow cast by the projection of the door porch out there across the street, or was it _more_ than a shadow?

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 It was true that, to a remarkable degree, one's eyes became accustomed to the murk, almost akin to blackness, of the ill-lighted street; but the mind did not accommodate itself so readily--a long and sustained vigil, the brain spurred into abnormal activity and under tense strain, produced a mental quality of vision that detracted from, rather than augmented, the dependence to be placed upon the physical organs of sight.

involving the mind or an intellectual process

From this reading It was true that, to a remarkable degree, one's eyes became accustomed to the murk, almost akin to blackness, of the ill-lighted street; but the mind did not accommodate itself so readily--a long and sustained vigil, the brain spurred into abnormal activity and under tense strain, produced a mental quality of vision that detracted from, rather than augmented, the dependence to be placed upon the physical organs of sight.

The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.

From this reading It was true that, to a remarkable degree, one's eyes became accustomed to the murk, almost akin to blackness, of the ill-lighted street; but the mind did not accommodate itself so readily--a long and sustained vigil, the brain spurred into abnormal activity and under tense strain, produced a mental quality of vision that detracted from, rather than augmented, the dependence to be placed upon the physical organs of sight.

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

From this reading I--THE DOOR ON THE LANE WAS that a shadow cast by the projection of the door porch out there across the street, or was it _more_ than a shadow?

an atmosphere in which visibility is reduced because of a cloud of some substance

From this reading It was true that, to a remarkable degree, one's eyes became accustomed to the murk, almost akin to blackness, of the ill-lighted street; but the mind did not accommodate itself so readily--a long and sustained vigil, the brain spurred into abnormal activity and under tense strain, produced a mental quality of vision that detracted from, rather than augmented, the dependence to be placed upon the physical organs of sight.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading It was true that, to a remarkable degree, one's eyes became accustomed to the murk, almost akin to blackness, of the ill-lighted street; but the mind did not accommodate itself so readily--a long and sustained vigil, the brain spurred into abnormal activity and under tense strain, produced a mental quality of vision that detracted from, rather than augmented, the dependence to be placed upon the physical organs of sight.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading I--THE DOOR ON THE LANE WAS that a shadow cast by the projection of the door porch out there across the street, or was it _more_ than a shadow?

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading I--THE DOOR ON THE LANE WAS that a shadow cast by the projection of the door porch out there across the street, or was it _more_ than a shadow?

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

From this reading It was true that, to a remarkable degree, one's eyes became accustomed to the murk, almost akin to blackness, of the ill-lighted street; but the mind did not accommodate itself so readily--a long and sustained vigil, the brain spurred into abnormal activity and under tense strain, produced a mental quality of vision that detracted from, rather than augmented, the dependence to be placed upon the physical organs of sight.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading I--THE DOOR ON THE LANE WAS that a shadow cast by the projection of the door porch out there across the street, or was it _more_ than a shadow?

edible viscera of a butchered animal

From this reading It was true that, to a remarkable degree, one's eyes became accustomed to the murk, almost akin to blackness, of the ill-lighted street; but the mind did not accommodate itself so readily--a long and sustained vigil, the brain spurred into abnormal activity and under tense strain, produced a mental quality of vision that detracted from, rather than augmented, the dependence to be placed upon the physical organs of sight.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading I--THE DOOR ON THE LANE WAS that a shadow cast by the projection of the door porch out there across the street, or was it _more_ than a shadow?

have ownership or possession of

From this reading It peopled space with its own imaginations; it created, rather than descried.

furnished with people

From this reading It peopled space with its own imaginations; it created, rather than descried.

involving the body as distinguished from the mind or spirit

From this reading It was true that, to a remarkable degree, one's eyes became accustomed to the murk, almost akin to blackness, of the ill-lighted street; but the mind did not accommodate itself so readily--a long and sustained vigil, the brain spurred into abnormal activity and under tense strain, produced a mental quality of vision that detracted from, rather than augmented, the dependence to be placed upon the physical organs of sight.

situated in a particular spot or position

From this reading It was true that, to a remarkable degree, one's eyes became accustomed to the murk, almost akin to blackness, of the ill-lighted street; but the mind did not accommodate itself so readily--a long and sustained vigil, the brain spurred into abnormal activity and under tense strain, produced a mental quality of vision that detracted from, rather than augmented, the dependence to be placed upon the physical organs of sight.

a structure attached to the exterior of a building often forming a covered entrance

From this reading I--THE DOOR ON THE LANE WAS that a shadow cast by the projection of the door porch out there across the street, or was it _more_ than a shadow?

past form of “produce” — bring forth or yield

From this reading It was true that, to a remarkable degree, one's eyes became accustomed to the murk, almost akin to blackness, of the ill-lighted street; but the mind did not accommodate itself so readily--a long and sustained vigil, the brain spurred into abnormal activity and under tense strain, produced a mental quality of vision that detracted from, rather than augmented, the dependence to be placed upon the physical organs of sight.

a prediction made by extrapolating from past observations

From this reading I--THE DOOR ON THE LANE WAS that a shadow cast by the projection of the door porch out there across the street, or was it _more_ than a shadow?

an essential and distinguishing attribute of something or someone

From this reading It was true that, to a remarkable degree, one's eyes became accustomed to the murk, almost akin to blackness, of the ill-lighted street; but the mind did not accommodate itself so readily--a long and sustained vigil, the brain spurred into abnormal activity and under tense strain, produced a mental quality of vision that detracted from, rather than augmented, the dependence to be placed upon the physical organs of sight.

on the contrary

From this reading It was true that, to a remarkable degree, one's eyes became accustomed to the murk, almost akin to blackness, of the ill-lighted street; but the mind did not accommodate itself so readily--a long and sustained vigil, the brain spurred into abnormal activity and under tense strain, produced a mental quality of vision that detracted from, rather than augmented, the dependence to be placed upon the physical organs of sight.

without much difficulty

From this reading It was true that, to a remarkable degree, one's eyes became accustomed to the murk, almost akin to blackness, of the ill-lighted street; but the mind did not accommodate itself so readily--a long and sustained vigil, the brain spurred into abnormal activity and under tense strain, produced a mental quality of vision that detracted from, rather than augmented, the dependence to be placed upon the physical organs of sight.

unusual or striking

From this reading It was true that, to a remarkable degree, one's eyes became accustomed to the murk, almost akin to blackness, of the ill-lighted street; but the mind did not accommodate itself so readily--a long and sustained vigil, the brain spurred into abnormal activity and under tense strain, produced a mental quality of vision that detracted from, rather than augmented, the dependence to be placed upon the physical organs of sight.

A dark area or shape produced by a body coming between rays of light and a surface.

From this reading I--THE DOOR ON THE LANE WAS that a shadow cast by the projection of the door porch out there across the street, or was it _more_ than a shadow?

a disassembled barrel; the parts packed for storage or shipment

From this reading Dave Henderson shook his head in grim uncertainty.

an instance of visual perception

From this reading It was true that, to a remarkable degree, one's eyes became accustomed to the murk, almost akin to blackness, of the ill-lighted street; but the mind did not accommodate itself so readily--a long and sustained vigil, the brain spurred into abnormal activity and under tense strain, produced a mental quality of vision that detracted from, rather than augmented, the dependence to be placed upon the physical organs of sight.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading It was true that, to a remarkable degree, one's eyes became accustomed to the murk, almost akin to blackness, of the ill-lighted street; but the mind did not accommodate itself so readily--a long and sustained vigil, the brain spurred into abnormal activity and under tense strain, produced a mental quality of vision that detracted from, rather than augmented, the dependence to be placed upon the physical organs of sight.

the unlimited expanse in which everything is located

From this reading It peopled space with its own imaginations; it created, rather than descried.

inflected form of “spur” — incite or stimulate

From this reading It was true that, to a remarkable degree, one's eyes became accustomed to the murk, almost akin to blackness, of the ill-lighted street; but the mind did not accommodate itself so readily--a long and sustained vigil, the brain spurred into abnormal activity and under tense strain, produced a mental quality of vision that detracted from, rather than augmented, the dependence to be placed upon the physical organs of sight.

(physics) deformation of a physical body under the action of applied forces

From this reading It was true that, to a remarkable degree, one's eyes became accustomed to the murk, almost akin to blackness, of the ill-lighted street; but the mind did not accommodate itself so readily--a long and sustained vigil, the brain spurred into abnormal activity and under tense strain, produced a mental quality of vision that detracted from, rather than augmented, the dependence to be placed upon the physical organs of sight.

a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings

From this reading I--THE DOOR ON THE LANE WAS that a shadow cast by the projection of the door porch out there across the street, or was it _more_ than a shadow?

having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured

From this reading He could not be sure what it was out there.

maintained at length without interruption or weakening

From this reading It was true that, to a remarkable degree, one's eyes became accustomed to the murk, almost akin to blackness, of the ill-lighted street; but the mind did not accommodate itself so readily--a long and sustained vigil, the brain spurred into abnormal activity and under tense strain, produced a mental quality of vision that detracted from, rather than augmented, the dependence to be placed upon the physical organs of sight.

a grammatical category of verbs used to express distinctions of time

From this reading It was true that, to a remarkable degree, one's eyes became accustomed to the murk, almost akin to blackness, of the ill-lighted street; but the mind did not accommodate itself so readily--a long and sustained vigil, the brain spurred into abnormal activity and under tense strain, produced a mental quality of vision that detracted from, rather than augmented, the dependence to be placed upon the physical organs of sight.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading I--THE DOOR ON THE LANE WAS that a shadow cast by the projection of the door porch out there across the street, or was it _more_ than a shadow?

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading I--THE DOOR ON THE LANE WAS that a shadow cast by the projection of the door porch out there across the street, or was it _more_ than a shadow?

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

From this reading I--THE DOOR ON THE LANE WAS that a shadow cast by the projection of the door porch out there across the street, or was it _more_ than a shadow?

in or at that place or location

From this reading I--THE DOOR ON THE LANE WAS that a shadow cast by the projection of the door porch out there across the street, or was it _more_ than a shadow?

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

From this reading It was true that, to a remarkable degree, one's eyes became accustomed to the murk, almost akin to blackness, of the ill-lighted street; but the mind did not accommodate itself so readily--a long and sustained vigil, the brain spurred into abnormal activity and under tense strain, produced a mental quality of vision that detracted from, rather than augmented, the dependence to be placed upon the physical organs of sight.

consistent with fact or reality; not false

From this reading It was true that, to a remarkable degree, one's eyes became accustomed to the murk, almost akin to blackness, of the ill-lighted street; but the mind did not accommodate itself so readily--a long and sustained vigil, the brain spurred into abnormal activity and under tense strain, produced a mental quality of vision that detracted from, rather than augmented, the dependence to be placed upon the physical organs of sight.

being unsettled or in doubt or dependent on chance

From this reading Dave Henderson shook his head in grim uncertainty.

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading It was true that, to a remarkable degree, one's eyes became accustomed to the murk, almost akin to blackness, of the ill-lighted street; but the mind did not accommodate itself so readily--a long and sustained vigil, the brain spurred into abnormal activity and under tense strain, produced a mental quality of vision that detracted from, rather than augmented, the dependence to be placed upon the physical organs of sight.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading It was true that, to a remarkable degree, one's eyes became accustomed to the murk, almost akin to blackness, of the ill-lighted street; but the mind did not accommodate itself so readily--a long and sustained vigil, the brain spurred into abnormal activity and under tense strain, produced a mental quality of vision that detracted from, rather than augmented, the dependence to be placed upon the physical organs of sight.

a period of sleeplessness

From this reading It was true that, to a remarkable degree, one's eyes became accustomed to the murk, almost akin to blackness, of the ill-lighted street; but the mind did not accommodate itself so readily--a long and sustained vigil, the brain spurred into abnormal activity and under tense strain, produced a mental quality of vision that detracted from, rather than augmented, the dependence to be placed upon the physical organs of sight.

a vivid mental image

From this reading It was true that, to a remarkable degree, one's eyes became accustomed to the murk, almost akin to blackness, of the ill-lighted street; but the mind did not accommodate itself so readily--a long and sustained vigil, the brain spurred into abnormal activity and under tense strain, produced a mental quality of vision that detracted from, rather than augmented, the dependence to be placed upon the physical organs of sight.

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

From this reading I--THE DOOR ON THE LANE WAS that a shadow cast by the projection of the door porch out there across the street, or was it _more_ than a shadow?

used to ask for information about something

From this reading He could not be sure what it was out there.

in the company of; together with

From this reading It peopled space with its own imaginations; it created, rather than descried.