Chapter VIII · Chapter 8

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

From this reading When mademoiselle returned from the friend's house with whom she dined, she would find Germinie in the dark, sunk in an easy-chair with her legs stretched out upon a chair, her head hanging forward on her breast, and so profoundly absorbed that sometimes she did not hear the door open.

(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something

From this reading She was hardly able to ascend the flight of stairs that led to her sixth floor, dragging herself along by the railing.

giving or marked by complete attention to

From this reading When mademoiselle returned from the friend's house with whom she dined, she would find Germinie in the dark, sunk in an easy-chair with her legs stretched out upon a chair, her head hanging forward on her breast, and so profoundly absorbed that sometimes she did not hear the door open.

following the length of something from one end toward the other

From this reading She was hardly able to ascend the flight of stairs that led to her sixth floor, dragging herself along by the railing.

prior to a specified or implied time

From this reading As she walked forward into the room it seemed to Mademoiselle de Varandeuil as if she were breaking in upon a ghastly _tete-a-tete_ between Disease and the Shadow of Death, wherein Germinie was already seeking, in the terror of the Invisible, the blindness of the grave and the darkness of death.

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

From this reading When mademoiselle returned from the friend's house with whom she dined, she would find Germinie in the dark, sunk in an easy-chair with her legs stretched out upon a chair, her head hanging forward on her breast, and so profoundly absorbed that sometimes she did not hear the door open.

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

From this reading When mademoiselle returned from the friend's house with whom she dined, she would find Germinie in the dark, sunk in an easy-chair with her legs stretched out upon a chair, her head hanging forward on her breast, and so profoundly absorbed that sometimes she did not hear the door open.

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

From this reading As she walked forward into the room it seemed to Mademoiselle de Varandeuil as if she were breaking in upon a ghastly _tete-a-tete_ between Disease and the Shadow of Death, wherein Germinie was already seeking, in the terror of the Invisible, the blindness of the grave and the darkness of death.

travel up

From this reading She was hardly able to ascend the flight of stairs that led to her sixth floor, dragging herself along by the railing.

a piece of furniture that provides a place to sleep

From this reading LXIII Throughout the month of October, Germinie obstinately refused to take to her bed.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading Each day, however, she was weaker and more helpless than the day before.

in the space, time, or range separating two things

From this reading As she walked forward into the room it seemed to Mademoiselle de Varandeuil as if she were breaking in upon a ghastly _tete-a-tete_ between Disease and the Shadow of Death, wherein Germinie was already seeking, in the terror of the Invisible, the blindness of the grave and the darkness of death.

the state of being blind or lacking sight

From this reading As she walked forward into the room it seemed to Mademoiselle de Varandeuil as if she were breaking in upon a ghastly _tete-a-tete_ between Disease and the Shadow of Death, wherein Germinie was already seeking, in the terror of the Invisible, the blindness of the grave and the darkness of death.

the act of breaking something

From this reading As she walked forward into the room it seemed to Mademoiselle de Varandeuil as if she were breaking in upon a ghastly _tete-a-tete_ between Disease and the Shadow of Death, wherein Germinie was already seeking, in the terror of the Invisible, the blindness of the grave and the darkness of death.

the front of the trunk from the neck to the abdomen

From this reading When mademoiselle returned from the friend's house with whom she dined, she would find Germinie in the dark, sunk in an easy-chair with her legs stretched out upon a chair, her head hanging forward on her breast, and so profoundly absorbed that sometimes she did not hear the door open.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading She was hardly able to ascend the flight of stairs that led to her sixth floor, dragging herself along by the railing.

a seat for one person, with a support for the back

From this reading When mademoiselle returned from the friend's house with whom she dined, she would find Germinie in the dark, sunk in an easy-chair with her legs stretched out upon a chair, her head hanging forward on her breast, and so profoundly absorbed that sometimes she did not hear the door open.

absence of light or illumination

From this reading When mademoiselle returned from the friend's house with whom she dined, she would find Germinie in the dark, sunk in an easy-chair with her legs stretched out upon a chair, her head hanging forward on her breast, and so profoundly absorbed that sometimes she did not hear the door open.

absence of light or illumination

From this reading As she walked forward into the room it seemed to Mademoiselle de Varandeuil as if she were breaking in upon a ghastly _tete-a-tete_ between Disease and the Shadow of Death, wherein Germinie was already seeking, in the terror of the Invisible, the blindness of the grave and the darkness of death.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading Each day, however, she was weaker and more helpless than the day before.

a Mid-Atlantic state; one of the original 13 colonies

From this reading As she walked forward into the room it seemed to Mademoiselle de Varandeuil as if she were breaking in upon a ghastly _tete-a-tete_ between Disease and the Shadow of Death, wherein Germinie was already seeking, in the terror of the Invisible, the blindness of the grave and the darkness of death.

the event of dying or departure from life

From this reading As she walked forward into the room it seemed to Mademoiselle de Varandeuil as if she were breaking in upon a ghastly _tete-a-tete_ between Disease and the Shadow of Death, wherein Germinie was already seeking, in the terror of the Invisible, the blindness of the grave and the darkness of death.

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

From this reading When mademoiselle returned from the friend's house with whom she dined, she would find Germinie in the dark, sunk in an easy-chair with her legs stretched out upon a chair, her head hanging forward on her breast, and so profoundly absorbed that sometimes she did not hear the door open.

past form of “dine” — have supper; eat dinner

From this reading When mademoiselle returned from the friend's house with whom she dined, she would find Germinie in the dark, sunk in an easy-chair with her legs stretched out upon a chair, her head hanging forward on her breast, and so profoundly absorbed that sometimes she did not hear the door open.

an impairment of health or a condition of abnormal functioning

From this reading As she walked forward into the room it seemed to Mademoiselle de Varandeuil as if she were breaking in upon a ghastly _tete-a-tete_ between Disease and the Shadow of Death, wherein Germinie was already seeking, in the terror of the Invisible, the blindness of the grave and the darkness of death.

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

From this reading When mademoiselle returned from the friend's house with whom she dined, she would find Germinie in the dark, sunk in an easy-chair with her legs stretched out upon a chair, her head hanging forward on her breast, and so profoundly absorbed that sometimes she did not hear the door open.

marked by a painfully slow and effortful manner

From this reading She was hardly able to ascend the flight of stairs that led to her sixth floor, dragging herself along by the railing.

every one of two or more people or things, taken separately

From this reading Each day, however, she was weaker and more helpless than the day before.

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

From this reading When mademoiselle returned from the friend's house with whom she dined, she would find Germinie in the dark, sunk in an easy-chair with her legs stretched out upon a chair, her head hanging forward on her breast, and so profoundly absorbed that sometimes she did not hear the door open.

come upon, as if by accident; meet with

From this reading When mademoiselle returned from the friend's house with whom she dined, she would find Germinie in the dark, sunk in an easy-chair with her legs stretched out upon a chair, her head hanging forward on her breast, and so profoundly absorbed that sometimes she did not hear the door open.

a formation of aircraft in flight

From this reading She was hardly able to ascend the flight of stairs that led to her sixth floor, dragging herself along by the railing.

the inside lower horizontal surface (as of a room, hallway, tent, or other structure)

From this reading She was hardly able to ascend the flight of stairs that led to her sixth floor, dragging herself along by the railing.

at or to or toward the front

From this reading When mademoiselle returned from the friend's house with whom she dined, she would find Germinie in the dark, sunk in an easy-chair with her legs stretched out upon a chair, her head hanging forward on her breast, and so profoundly absorbed that sometimes she did not hear the door open.

possessive form of “friend” — a person you know well and regard with affection and trust

From this reading When mademoiselle returned from the friend's house with whom she dined, she would find Germinie in the dark, sunk in an easy-chair with her legs stretched out upon a chair, her head hanging forward on her breast, and so profoundly absorbed that sometimes she did not hear the door open.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading When mademoiselle returned from the friend's house with whom she dined, she would find Germinie in the dark, sunk in an easy-chair with her legs stretched out upon a chair, her head hanging forward on her breast, and so profoundly absorbed that sometimes she did not hear the door open.

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

From this reading When mademoiselle returned from the friend's house with whom she dined, she would find Germinie in the dark, sunk in an easy-chair with her legs stretched out upon a chair, her head hanging forward on her breast, and so profoundly absorbed that sometimes she did not hear the door open.

shockingly repellent; inspiring horror

From this reading As she walked forward into the room it seemed to Mademoiselle de Varandeuil as if she were breaking in upon a ghastly _tete-a-tete_ between Disease and the Shadow of Death, wherein Germinie was already seeking, in the terror of the Invisible, the blindness of the grave and the darkness of death.

death of a person

From this reading As she walked forward into the room it seemed to Mademoiselle de Varandeuil as if she were breaking in upon a ghastly _tete-a-tete_ between Disease and the Shadow of Death, wherein Germinie was already seeking, in the terror of the Invisible, the blindness of the grave and the darkness of death.

decoration that is hung (as a tapestry) on a wall or over a window

From this reading When mademoiselle returned from the friend's house with whom she dined, she would find Germinie in the dark, sunk in an easy-chair with her legs stretched out upon a chair, her head hanging forward on her breast, and so profoundly absorbed that sometimes she did not hear the door open.

only a very short time before

From this reading She was hardly able to ascend the flight of stairs that led to her sixth floor, dragging herself along by the railing.

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

From this reading When mademoiselle returned from the friend's house with whom she dined, she would find Germinie in the dark, sunk in an easy-chair with her legs stretched out upon a chair, her head hanging forward on her breast, and so profoundly absorbed that sometimes she did not hear the door open.

perceive (sound) via the auditory sense

From this reading When mademoiselle returned from the friend's house with whom she dined, she would find Germinie in the dark, sunk in an easy-chair with her legs stretched out upon a chair, her head hanging forward on her breast, and so profoundly absorbed that sometimes she did not hear the door open.

lacking in or deprived of strength or power

From this reading Each day, however, she was weaker and more helpless than the day before.

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

From this reading When mademoiselle returned from the friend's house with whom she dined, she would find Germinie in the dark, sunk in an easy-chair with her legs stretched out upon a chair, her head hanging forward on her breast, and so profoundly absorbed that sometimes she did not hear the door open.

used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object

From this reading She was hardly able to ascend the flight of stairs that led to her sixth floor, dragging herself along by the railing.

a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families

From this reading When mademoiselle returned from the friend's house with whom she dined, she would find Germinie in the dark, sunk in an easy-chair with her legs stretched out upon a chair, her head hanging forward on her breast, and so profoundly absorbed that sometimes she did not hear the door open.

used to add a contrasting statement

From this reading Each day, however, she was weaker and more helpless than the day before.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading As she walked forward into the room it seemed to Mademoiselle de Varandeuil as if she were breaking in upon a ghastly _tete-a-tete_ between Disease and the Shadow of Death, wherein Germinie was already seeking, in the terror of the Invisible, the blindness of the grave and the darkness of death.

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

From this reading When mademoiselle returned from the friend's house with whom she dined, she would find Germinie in the dark, sunk in an easy-chair with her legs stretched out upon a chair, her head hanging forward on her breast, and so profoundly absorbed that sometimes she did not hear the door open.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading As she walked forward into the room it seemed to Mademoiselle de Varandeuil as if she were breaking in upon a ghastly _tete-a-tete_ between Disease and the Shadow of Death, wherein Germinie was already seeking, in the terror of the Invisible, the blindness of the grave and the darkness of death.

impossible or nearly impossible to see; imperceptible by the eye

From this reading As she walked forward into the room it seemed to Mademoiselle de Varandeuil as if she were breaking in upon a ghastly _tete-a-tete_ between Disease and the Shadow of Death, wherein Germinie was already seeking, in the terror of the Invisible, the blindness of the grave and the darkness of death.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading As she walked forward into the room it seemed to Mademoiselle de Varandeuil as if she were breaking in upon a ghastly _tete-a-tete_ between Disease and the Shadow of Death, wherein Germinie was already seeking, in the terror of the Invisible, the blindness of the grave and the darkness of death.

diode such that light emitted at a p-n junction is proportional to the bias current; color depends on the material used

From this reading She was hardly able to ascend the flight of stairs that led to her sixth floor, dragging herself along by the railing.

staying power

From this reading When mademoiselle returned from the friend's house with whom she dined, she would find Germinie in the dark, sunk in an easy-chair with her legs stretched out upon a chair, her head hanging forward on her breast, and so profoundly absorbed that sometimes she did not hear the door open.

being three more than sixty

From this reading LXIII Throughout the month of October, Germinie obstinately refused to take to her bed.

small silvery drumfish often mistaken for white perch; found along coasts of United States from New York to Mexico

From this reading When mademoiselle returned from the friend's house with whom she dined, she would find Germinie in the dark, sunk in an easy-chair with her legs stretched out upon a chair, her head hanging forward on her breast, and so profoundly absorbed that sometimes she did not hear the door open.

one of the twelve divisions of the calendar year

From this reading LXIII Throughout the month of October, Germinie obstinately refused to take to her bed.

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

From this reading Each day, however, she was weaker and more helpless than the day before.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading When mademoiselle returned from the friend's house with whom she dined, she would find Germinie in the dark, sunk in an easy-chair with her legs stretched out upon a chair, her head hanging forward on her breast, and so profoundly absorbed that sometimes she did not hear the door open.

in a stubborn unregenerate manner

From this reading LXIII Throughout the month of October, Germinie obstinately refused to take to her bed.

the month following September and preceding November

From this reading LXIII Throughout the month of October, Germinie obstinately refused to take to her bed.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading As she walked forward into the room it seemed to Mademoiselle de Varandeuil as if she were breaking in upon a ghastly _tete-a-tete_ between Disease and the Shadow of Death, wherein Germinie was already seeking, in the terror of the Invisible, the blindness of the grave and the darkness of death.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading When mademoiselle returned from the friend's house with whom she dined, she would find Germinie in the dark, sunk in an easy-chair with her legs stretched out upon a chair, her head hanging forward on her breast, and so profoundly absorbed that sometimes she did not hear the door open.

To move from a closed position.

From this reading When mademoiselle returned from the friend's house with whom she dined, she would find Germinie in the dark, sunk in an easy-chair with her legs stretched out upon a chair, her head hanging forward on her breast, and so profoundly absorbed that sometimes she did not hear the door open.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading When mademoiselle returned from the friend's house with whom she dined, she would find Germinie in the dark, sunk in an easy-chair with her legs stretched out upon a chair, her head hanging forward on her breast, and so profoundly absorbed that sometimes she did not hear the door open.

to a great depth psychologically or emotionally

From this reading When mademoiselle returned from the friend's house with whom she dined, she would find Germinie in the dark, sunk in an easy-chair with her legs stretched out upon a chair, her head hanging forward on her breast, and so profoundly absorbed that sometimes she did not hear the door open.

a barrier consisting of a horizontal bar and supports

From this reading She was hardly able to ascend the flight of stairs that led to her sixth floor, dragging herself along by the railing.

past form of “refuse” — show unwillingness towards

From this reading LXIII Throughout the month of October, Germinie obstinately refused to take to her bed.

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

From this reading When mademoiselle returned from the friend's house with whom she dined, she would find Germinie in the dark, sunk in an easy-chair with her legs stretched out upon a chair, her head hanging forward on her breast, and so profoundly absorbed that sometimes she did not hear the door open.

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

From this reading As she walked forward into the room it seemed to Mademoiselle de Varandeuil as if she were breaking in upon a ghastly _tete-a-tete_ between Disease and the Shadow of Death, wherein Germinie was already seeking, in the terror of the Invisible, the blindness of the grave and the darkness of death.

the act of searching for something

From this reading As she walked forward into the room it seemed to Mademoiselle de Varandeuil as if she were breaking in upon a ghastly _tete-a-tete_ between Disease and the Shadow of Death, wherein Germinie was already seeking, in the terror of the Invisible, the blindness of the grave and the darkness of death.

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

From this reading As she walked forward into the room it seemed to Mademoiselle de Varandeuil as if she were breaking in upon a ghastly _tete-a-tete_ between Disease and the Shadow of Death, wherein Germinie was already seeking, in the terror of the Invisible, the blindness of the grave and the darkness of death.

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

From this reading As she walked forward into the room it seemed to Mademoiselle de Varandeuil as if she were breaking in upon a ghastly _tete-a-tete_ between Disease and the Shadow of Death, wherein Germinie was already seeking, in the terror of the Invisible, the blindness of the grave and the darkness of death.

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

From this reading When mademoiselle returned from the friend's house with whom she dined, she would find Germinie in the dark, sunk in an easy-chair with her legs stretched out upon a chair, her head hanging forward on her breast, and so profoundly absorbed that sometimes she did not hear the door open.

coming next after the fifth and just before the seventh in position

From this reading She was hardly able to ascend the flight of stairs that led to her sixth floor, dragging herself along by the railing.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading When mademoiselle returned from the friend's house with whom she dined, she would find Germinie in the dark, sunk in an easy-chair with her legs stretched out upon a chair, her head hanging forward on her breast, and so profoundly absorbed that sometimes she did not hear the door open.

on certain occasions or in certain cases but not always

From this reading When mademoiselle returned from the friend's house with whom she dined, she would find Germinie in the dark, sunk in an easy-chair with her legs stretched out upon a chair, her head hanging forward on her breast, and so profoundly absorbed that sometimes she did not hear the door open.

a flight of stairs or a flight of steps

From this reading She was hardly able to ascend the flight of stairs that led to her sixth floor, dragging herself along by the railing.

(of muscles) relieved of stiffness by stretching

From this reading When mademoiselle returned from the friend's house with whom she dined, she would find Germinie in the dark, sunk in an easy-chair with her legs stretched out upon a chair, her head hanging forward on her breast, and so profoundly absorbed that sometimes she did not hear the door open.

doomed to extinction

From this reading When mademoiselle returned from the friend's house with whom she dined, she would find Germinie in the dark, sunk in an easy-chair with her legs stretched out upon a chair, her head hanging forward on her breast, and so profoundly absorbed that sometimes she did not hear the door open.

carry out

From this reading LXIII Throughout the month of October, Germinie obstinately refused to take to her bed.

an overwhelming feeling of fear and anxiety

From this reading As she walked forward into the room it seemed to Mademoiselle de Varandeuil as if she were breaking in upon a ghastly _tete-a-tete_ between Disease and the Shadow of Death, wherein Germinie was already seeking, in the terror of the Invisible, the blindness of the grave and the darkness of death.

a private conversation between two people

From this reading As she walked forward into the room it seemed to Mademoiselle de Varandeuil as if she were breaking in upon a ghastly _tete-a-tete_ between Disease and the Shadow of Death, wherein Germinie was already seeking, in the terror of the Invisible, the blindness of the grave and the darkness of death.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading Each day, however, she was weaker and more helpless than the day before.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading When mademoiselle returned from the friend's house with whom she dined, she would find Germinie in the dark, sunk in an easy-chair with her legs stretched out upon a chair, her head hanging forward on her breast, and so profoundly absorbed that sometimes she did not hear the door open.

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

From this reading When mademoiselle returned from the friend's house with whom she dined, she would find Germinie in the dark, sunk in an easy-chair with her legs stretched out upon a chair, her head hanging forward on her breast, and so profoundly absorbed that sometimes she did not hear the door open.

in every part of a place, or for the whole of a period

From this reading LXIII Throughout the month of October, Germinie obstinately refused to take to her bed.

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

From this reading As she walked forward into the room it seemed to Mademoiselle de Varandeuil as if she were breaking in upon a ghastly _tete-a-tete_ between Disease and the Shadow of Death, wherein Germinie was already seeking, in the terror of the Invisible, the blindness of the grave and the darkness of death.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading When mademoiselle returned from the friend's house with whom she dined, she would find Germinie in the dark, sunk in an easy-chair with her legs stretched out upon a chair, her head hanging forward on her breast, and so profoundly absorbed that sometimes she did not hear the door open.

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

From this reading As she walked forward into the room it seemed to Mademoiselle de Varandeuil as if she were breaking in upon a ghastly _tete-a-tete_ between Disease and the Shadow of Death, wherein Germinie was already seeking, in the terror of the Invisible, the blindness of the grave and the darkness of death.

past form of “walk” — use one's feet to advance; advance by steps

From this reading As she walked forward into the room it seemed to Mademoiselle de Varandeuil as if she were breaking in upon a ghastly _tete-a-tete_ between Disease and the Shadow of Death, wherein Germinie was already seeking, in the terror of the Invisible, the blindness of the grave and the darkness of death.

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

From this reading As she walked forward into the room it seemed to Mademoiselle de Varandeuil as if she were breaking in upon a ghastly _tete-a-tete_ between Disease and the Shadow of Death, wherein Germinie was already seeking, in the terror of the Invisible, the blindness of the grave and the darkness of death.

comparative of “weak” — wanting in physical strength

From this reading Each day, however, she was weaker and more helpless than the day before.

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

From this reading As she walked forward into the room it seemed to Mademoiselle de Varandeuil as if she were breaking in upon a ghastly _tete-a-tete_ between Disease and the Shadow of Death, wherein Germinie was already seeking, in the terror of the Invisible, the blindness of the grave and the darkness of death.

at the time that

From this reading When mademoiselle returned from the friend's house with whom she dined, she would find Germinie in the dark, sunk in an easy-chair with her legs stretched out upon a chair, her head hanging forward on her breast, and so profoundly absorbed that sometimes she did not hear the door open.

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

From this reading As she walked forward into the room it seemed to Mademoiselle de Varandeuil as if she were breaking in upon a ghastly _tete-a-tete_ between Disease and the Shadow of Death, wherein Germinie was already seeking, in the terror of the Invisible, the blindness of the grave and the darkness of death.

the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading When mademoiselle returned from the friend's house with whom she dined, she would find Germinie in the dark, sunk in an easy-chair with her legs stretched out upon a chair, her head hanging forward on her breast, and so profoundly absorbed that sometimes she did not hear the door open.

in the company of; together with

From this reading When mademoiselle returned from the friend's house with whom she dined, she would find Germinie in the dark, sunk in an easy-chair with her legs stretched out upon a chair, her head hanging forward on her breast, and so profoundly absorbed that sometimes she did not hear the door open.

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

From this reading When mademoiselle returned from the friend's house with whom she dined, she would find Germinie in the dark, sunk in an easy-chair with her legs stretched out upon a chair, her head hanging forward on her breast, and so profoundly absorbed that sometimes she did not hear the door open.