Chapter XXVIII · Chapter 28

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

From this reading It was not a rope ladder, but a common one of wood that Black Duncan was accustomed to use for ascent to his sleep in the loft.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading He had ideas of his own as to how this enterprise should be conducted, but on Nan’s advice he had gone about it in the fashion of Marget Maclean’s novels, even to the ladder.

commonly used or practiced; usual

From this reading It was not a rope ladder, but a common one of wood that Black Duncan was accustomed to use for ascent to his sleep in the loft.

a proposal for an appropriate course of action

From this reading He had ideas of his own as to how this enterprise should be conducted, but on Nan’s advice he had gone about it in the fashion of Marget Maclean’s novels, even to the ladder.

fear resulting from the awareness of danger

From this reading Outside a cock crew; its sudden alarm brought the sweat to Gilian’s brow; he clutched with blind instinct, found what he wanted, turned and hastened from the dusty barn.

(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class

From this reading The place was all silent but for the seaman’s snores as he slept the sleep of a landsman upon his coarse pallet.

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

From this reading Gilian, apprised by Nan of its exact situation, crept breathlessly into the barn, left his lantern at the door, and felt around with searching fingers.

past form of “apprise” — inform (somebody) of something

From this reading Gilian, apprised by Nan of its exact situation, crept breathlessly into the barn, left his lantern at the door, and felt around with searching fingers.

surrounding, or on every side of, something

From this reading Gilian, apprised by Nan of its exact situation, crept breathlessly into the barn, left his lantern at the door, and felt around with searching fingers.

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

From this reading He had ideas of his own as to how this enterprise should be conducted, but on Nan’s advice he had gone about it in the fashion of Marget Maclean’s novels, even to the ladder.

an upward slope or grade (as in a road)

From this reading It was not a rope ladder, but a common one of wood that Black Duncan was accustomed to use for ascent to his sleep in the loft.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Gilian, apprised by Nan of its exact situation, crept breathlessly into the barn, left his lantern at the door, and felt around with searching fingers.

an outlying farm building for storing grain or animal feed and housing farm animals

From this reading Gilian, apprised by Nan of its exact situation, crept breathlessly into the barn, left his lantern at the door, and felt around with searching fingers.

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

From this reading He had ideas of his own as to how this enterprise should be conducted, but on Nan’s advice he had gone about it in the fashion of Marget Maclean’s novels, even to the ladder.

being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light

From this reading It was not a rope ladder, but a common one of wood that Black Duncan was accustomed to use for ascent to his sleep in the loft.

people who have severe visual impairments, considered as a group

From this reading Outside a cock crew; its sudden alarm brought the sweat to Gilian’s brow; he clutched with blind instinct, found what he wanted, turned and hastened from the dusty barn.

in a breathless manner

From this reading Gilian, apprised by Nan of its exact situation, crept breathlessly into the barn, left his lantern at the door, and felt around with searching fingers.

inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere

From this reading Outside a cock crew; its sudden alarm brought the sweat to Gilian’s brow; he clutched with blind instinct, found what he wanted, turned and hastened from the dusty barn.

the part of the face above the eyes

From this reading Outside a cock crew; its sudden alarm brought the sweat to Gilian’s brow; he clutched with blind instinct, found what he wanted, turned and hastened from the dusty barn.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading He had ideas of his own as to how this enterprise should be conducted, but on Nan’s advice he had gone about it in the fashion of Marget Maclean’s novels, even to the ladder.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Gilian, apprised by Nan of its exact situation, crept breathlessly into the barn, left his lantern at the door, and felt around with searching fingers.

past form of “clutch” — take hold of; grab

From this reading Outside a cock crew; its sudden alarm brought the sweat to Gilian’s brow; he clutched with blind instinct, found what he wanted, turned and hastened from the dusty barn.

of textures that are rough to the touch or substances consisting of relatively large particles

From this reading The place was all silent but for the seaman’s snores as he slept the sleep of a landsman upon his coarse pallet.

tilt or slant to one side

From this reading Outside a cock crew; its sudden alarm brought the sweat to Gilian’s brow; he clutched with blind instinct, found what he wanted, turned and hastened from the dusty barn.

belonging to or participated in by a community as a whole; public

From this reading It was not a rope ladder, but a common one of wood that Black Duncan was accustomed to use for ascent to his sleep in the loft.

past form of “conduct” — direct the course of; manage or control

From this reading He had ideas of his own as to how this enterprise should be conducted, but on Nan’s advice he had gone about it in the fashion of Marget Maclean’s novels, even to the ladder.

inflected form of “creep” — move slowly; in the case of people or animals with the body near the ground

From this reading Gilian, apprised by Nan of its exact situation, crept breathlessly into the barn, left his lantern at the door, and felt around with searching fingers.

the men and women who man a vehicle (ship, aircraft, etc.)

From this reading Outside a cock crew; its sudden alarm brought the sweat to Gilian’s brow; he clutched with blind instinct, found what he wanted, turned and hastened from the dusty barn.

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

From this reading Gilian, apprised by Nan of its exact situation, crept breathlessly into the barn, left his lantern at the door, and felt around with searching fingers.

United States dancer and pioneer of modern dance (1878-1927)

From this reading It was not a rope ladder, but a common one of wood that Black Duncan was accustomed to use for ascent to his sleep in the loft.

covered with a layer of dust

From this reading Outside a cock crew; its sudden alarm brought the sweat to Gilian’s brow; he clutched with blind instinct, found what he wanted, turned and hastened from the dusty barn.

a purposeful or industrious undertaking (especially one that requires effort or boldness)

From this reading He had ideas of his own as to how this enterprise should be conducted, but on Nan’s advice he had gone about it in the fashion of Marget Maclean’s novels, even to the ladder.

divisible by two

From this reading He had ideas of his own as to how this enterprise should be conducted, but on Nan’s advice he had gone about it in the fashion of Marget Maclean’s novels, even to the ladder.

Strictly particular and correct.

From this reading Gilian, apprised by Nan of its exact situation, crept breathlessly into the barn, left his lantern at the door, and felt around with searching fingers.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading He had ideas of his own as to how this enterprise should be conducted, but on Nan’s advice he had gone about it in the fashion of Marget Maclean’s novels, even to the ladder.

mat together and make felt-like

From this reading Gilian, apprised by Nan of its exact situation, crept breathlessly into the barn, left his lantern at the door, and felt around with searching fingers.

plural of “finger” — any of the terminal members of the hand (sometimes excepting the thumb)

From this reading Gilian, apprised by Nan of its exact situation, crept breathlessly into the barn, left his lantern at the door, and felt around with searching fingers.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading It was not a rope ladder, but a common one of wood that Black Duncan was accustomed to use for ascent to his sleep in the loft.

set up or found

From this reading Outside a cock crew; its sudden alarm brought the sweat to Gilian’s brow; he clutched with blind instinct, found what he wanted, turned and hastened from the dusty barn.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Outside a cock crew; its sudden alarm brought the sweat to Gilian’s brow; he clutched with blind instinct, found what he wanted, turned and hastened from the dusty barn.

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

From this reading Gilian, apprised by Nan of its exact situation, crept breathlessly into the barn, left his lantern at the door, and felt around with searching fingers.

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

From this reading Outside a cock crew; its sudden alarm brought the sweat to Gilian’s brow; he clutched with blind instinct, found what he wanted, turned and hastened from the dusty barn.

destroyed or killed

From this reading He had ideas of his own as to how this enterprise should be conducted, but on Nan’s advice he had gone about it in the fashion of Marget Maclean’s novels, even to the ladder.

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading He had ideas of his own as to how this enterprise should be conducted, but on Nan’s advice he had gone about it in the fashion of Marget Maclean’s novels, even to the ladder.

past form of “hasten” — act or move at high speed

From this reading Outside a cock crew; its sudden alarm brought the sweat to Gilian’s brow; he clutched with blind instinct, found what he wanted, turned and hastened from the dusty barn.

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

From this reading He had ideas of his own as to how this enterprise should be conducted, but on Nan’s advice he had gone about it in the fashion of Marget Maclean’s novels, even to the ladder.

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

From this reading He had ideas of his own as to how this enterprise should be conducted, but on Nan’s advice he had gone about it in the fashion of Marget Maclean’s novels, even to the ladder.

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

From this reading He had ideas of his own as to how this enterprise should be conducted, but on Nan’s advice he had gone about it in the fashion of Marget Maclean’s novels, even to the ladder.

plural of “idea” — the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about

From this reading He had ideas of his own as to how this enterprise should be conducted, but on Nan’s advice he had gone about it in the fashion of Marget Maclean’s novels, even to the ladder.

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

From this reading He had ideas of his own as to how this enterprise should be conducted, but on Nan’s advice he had gone about it in the fashion of Marget Maclean’s novels, even to the ladder.

inborn pattern of behavior often responsive to specific stimuli

From this reading Outside a cock crew; its sudden alarm brought the sweat to Gilian’s brow; he clutched with blind instinct, found what he wanted, turned and hastened from the dusty barn.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading Gilian, apprised by Nan of its exact situation, crept breathlessly into the barn, left his lantern at the door, and felt around with searching fingers.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading He had ideas of his own as to how this enterprise should be conducted, but on Nan’s advice he had gone about it in the fashion of Marget Maclean’s novels, even to the ladder.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading Gilian, apprised by Nan of its exact situation, crept breathlessly into the barn, left his lantern at the door, and felt around with searching fingers.

steps consisting of two parallel members connected by rungs; for climbing up or down

From this reading He had ideas of his own as to how this enterprise should be conducted, but on Nan’s advice he had gone about it in the fashion of Marget Maclean’s novels, even to the ladder.

a person who lives and works on land

From this reading The place was all silent but for the seaman’s snores as he slept the sleep of a landsman upon his coarse pallet.

light in a transparent protective case

From this reading Gilian, apprised by Nan of its exact situation, crept breathlessly into the barn, left his lantern at the door, and felt around with searching fingers.

location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east

From this reading Gilian, apprised by Nan of its exact situation, crept breathlessly into the barn, left his lantern at the door, and felt around with searching fingers.

floor consisting of a large unpartitioned space over a factory or warehouse or other commercial space

From this reading It was not a rope ladder, but a common one of wood that Black Duncan was accustomed to use for ascent to his sleep in the loft.

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

From this reading He had ideas of his own as to how this enterprise should be conducted, but on Nan’s advice he had gone about it in the fashion of Marget Maclean’s novels, even to the ladder.

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

From this reading He had ideas of his own as to how this enterprise should be conducted, but on Nan’s advice he had gone about it in the fashion of Marget Maclean’s novels, even to the ladder.

your grandmother

From this reading Gilian, apprised by Nan of its exact situation, crept breathlessly into the barn, left his lantern at the door, and felt around with searching fingers.

possessive form of “nan” — your grandmother

From this reading He had ideas of his own as to how this enterprise should be conducted, but on Nan’s advice he had gone about it in the fashion of Marget Maclean’s novels, even to the ladder.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading It was not a rope ladder, but a common one of wood that Black Duncan was accustomed to use for ascent to his sleep in the loft.

plural of “novel” — an extended fictional work in prose; usually in the form of a story

From this reading He had ideas of his own as to how this enterprise should be conducted, but on Nan’s advice he had gone about it in the fashion of Marget Maclean’s novels, even to the ladder.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading He had ideas of his own as to how this enterprise should be conducted, but on Nan’s advice he had gone about it in the fashion of Marget Maclean’s novels, even to the ladder.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading He had ideas of his own as to how this enterprise should be conducted, but on Nan’s advice he had gone about it in the fashion of Marget Maclean’s novels, even to the ladder.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading It was not a rope ladder, but a common one of wood that Black Duncan was accustomed to use for ascent to his sleep in the loft.

relating to or being on or near the outer side or limit

From this reading Outside a cock crew; its sudden alarm brought the sweat to Gilian’s brow; he clutched with blind instinct, found what he wanted, turned and hastened from the dusty barn.

have ownership or possession of

From this reading He had ideas of his own as to how this enterprise should be conducted, but on Nan’s advice he had gone about it in the fashion of Marget Maclean’s novels, even to the ladder.

the range of colour characteristic of a particular artist or painting or school of art

From this reading The place was all silent but for the seaman’s snores as he slept the sleep of a landsman upon his coarse pallet.

a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading The place was all silent but for the seaman’s snores as he slept the sleep of a landsman upon his coarse pallet.

a strong line

From this reading It was not a rope ladder, but a common one of wood that Black Duncan was accustomed to use for ascent to his sleep in the loft.

possessive form of “seaman” — a man who serves as a sailor

From this reading The place was all silent but for the seaman’s snores as he slept the sleep of a landsman upon his coarse pallet.

diligent and thorough in inquiry or investigation

From this reading Gilian, apprised by Nan of its exact situation, crept breathlessly into the barn, left his lantern at the door, and felt around with searching fingers.

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading He had ideas of his own as to how this enterprise should be conducted, but on Nan’s advice he had gone about it in the fashion of Marget Maclean’s novels, even to the ladder.

marked by absence of sound

From this reading The place was all silent but for the seaman’s snores as he slept the sleep of a landsman upon his coarse pallet.

the general state of things; the combination of circumstances at a given time

From this reading Gilian, apprised by Nan of its exact situation, crept breathlessly into the barn, left his lantern at the door, and felt around with searching fingers.

a natural and periodic state of rest during which consciousness of the world is suspended

From this reading It was not a rope ladder, but a common one of wood that Black Duncan was accustomed to use for ascent to his sleep in the loft.

inflected form of “sleep” — be asleep

From this reading The place was all silent but for the seaman’s snores as he slept the sleep of a landsman upon his coarse pallet.

plural of “snore” — the rattling noise produced when snoring

From this reading The place was all silent but for the seaman’s snores as he slept the sleep of a landsman upon his coarse pallet.

happening without warning or in a short space of time

From this reading Outside a cock crew; its sudden alarm brought the sweat to Gilian’s brow; he clutched with blind instinct, found what he wanted, turned and hastened from the dusty barn.

salty fluid secreted by sweat glands

From this reading Outside a cock crew; its sudden alarm brought the sweat to Gilian’s brow; he clutched with blind instinct, found what he wanted, turned and hastened from the dusty barn.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading It was not a rope ladder, but a common one of wood that Black Duncan was accustomed to use for ascent to his sleep in the loft.

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

From this reading He had ideas of his own as to how this enterprise should be conducted, but on Nan’s advice he had gone about it in the fashion of Marget Maclean’s novels, even to the ladder.

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading He had ideas of his own as to how this enterprise should be conducted, but on Nan’s advice he had gone about it in the fashion of Marget Maclean’s novels, even to the ladder.

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

From this reading He had ideas of his own as to how this enterprise should be conducted, but on Nan’s advice he had gone about it in the fashion of Marget Maclean’s novels, even to the ladder.

moved around an axis or center

From this reading Outside a cock crew; its sudden alarm brought the sweat to Gilian’s brow; he clutched with blind instinct, found what he wanted, turned and hastened from the dusty barn.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading The place was all silent but for the seaman’s snores as he slept the sleep of a landsman upon his coarse pallet.

the act of using

From this reading It was not a rope ladder, but a common one of wood that Black Duncan was accustomed to use for ascent to his sleep in the loft.

desired or wished for or sought

From this reading Outside a cock crew; its sudden alarm brought the sweat to Gilian’s brow; he clutched with blind instinct, found what he wanted, turned and hastened from the dusty barn.

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

From this reading It was not a rope ladder, but a common one of wood that Black Duncan was accustomed to use for ascent to his sleep in the loft.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading Outside a cock crew; its sudden alarm brought the sweat to Gilian’s brow; he clutched with blind instinct, found what he wanted, turned and hastened from the dusty barn.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Gilian, apprised by Nan of its exact situation, crept breathlessly into the barn, left his lantern at the door, and felt around with searching fingers.

the hard fibrous lignified substance under the bark of trees

From this reading It was not a rope ladder, but a common one of wood that Black Duncan was accustomed to use for ascent to his sleep in the loft.